Thread: Prospect Development Camp Summary by King'sPawn

Andre Rankel
Pre-camp thoughts: 36 PIM in 18 games... is that good or bad?
Initial Observations: I forgot he existed until day 2
Development: As I said, I put the Germans on the backburner as there were so many prospects to watch, and was only interested in seeing them if they wowed me. None of them did, but it turns out that, overall, Rankel was the most impressive of the four Germans. He works hard, he's good with passing, and he usually makes the right decision when he has the puck within 5 feet of the net, whether it's shooting, deflecting, or finding another person to take it. Still, for his age, he should be a faster skater and should be able to accelerate better.
If he makes the NHL, he'll be: 2nd liner. I just don't see him succeeding in any other role.

Garrett Roe
Pre-camp thoughts: AHL fodder at best
Initial Observations: Surprisingly good
Development: Roe is what I expected Azevedo to be on the first day of camp. He skates just as hard as his diminutive partner, but he is more energy efficient with his longer strides. He has a good release for a hard, accurate shot, and this is a kid that really competes. On multiple drills, he had to carry the puck around Teubert, of all players, and Roe fearlessly challenged the meanest of our prospects.

There was another drill where the forwards had to practice screening the goalie; since it was the Jr. Kings goalie they used on one half, the other net was empty for that half of the forwards to practice. Roe took his turn as the goalie, with a 6'3 Wudrick planting himself in front. Roe kept jokingly shoving Wudrick. Later, after the forwards practiced blocking shots, he kept chipping the puck at one of the forwards with a smile on his face. He's a versatile, skilled, competitive and likable person.
If he makes the NHL, he'll be: 2nd/3rd/4th liner. No team should count on him as a top scorer, but he brings so many other facets to the team, he could do well in almost any other role.

Colten Teubert
Pre-camp thoughts: Just what we needed
Initial Observations: Didn't get to advertise his strengths at first
Development: Teubert initially showed decent skating with a good breakout pass, but nothing separated him from the rest of the pack like Doughty. However, like Josh Meyers, the shooting drill showed a bit of what Teubert was about, but in a different way. When he would take a bad shot (which was quite often), he would get pissed. He didn't yell or slam his stick, but you could see in his eyes and his facial expression that he was not happy with how he did. He's an incredibly intense player who, throughout his entire camp, just wanted to hit someone. Even during drills that didn't warrant a lot of contact, he would just get closer than any other d-man, because he works from his comfort zone of inflicting pain.

He's also very muscular. Another poster on LGK heard he was measured to have only 4% body fat. I didn't believe it, but after seeing him out of his hockey gear, signing autographs for fans waiting outside, it seemed very plausible.
If he makes the NHL, he'll be: 2nd/3rd pairing punishing d-man. He will do what he can to make the opposition think twice about coming into the zone. If the NHL doesn't work for him, he could always be cast in a remake of 300, acting as the muscular giant who beats the bejeezus out of anything in his path with morbid glee.

Alexander Weiss

Pre-camp thoughts: Like Stephen Weiss?
Initial Observations: No
Development: Like the other German invites, Weiss was on the backburner in my mind, as there was always someone more interesting on the ice. As time went on, he developed into the least interesting player to watch, period. He's part of the reason I stopped taking notes. At least he can pass.
If he makes the NHL, he'll be: 4th liner. People shouldn't be subjected to watching him more than that, unless he plays on the Devils.

Thanks KP, great write up

Geordie Wudrick
Pre-camp thoughts: Intriguing
Initial Observations: Holy ****, this guy's good.
Development: I am shocked he fell, but I'll simply say now that this kid is very special. He has an amazing shot, good speed for a big guy, incredible puck control, and willingness to play physical. He still has some key things to work on, like acceleration and passing, but he was that one player out of this group that, whenever he had the puck, I felt something special was going to happen... more so than Doughty. I really feel he will eventually make the NHL, but it's up to him at what capacity.
If he makes the NHL, he'll be: any line. In a top 6 role, he could become a power forward like Brendan Shanahan. Even if he only makes it in the bottom 6, he'd be a serviceable grinder like Draper or Klatt.

That's it for the purple group skaters. I'm going to recap the goalies, then go to bed. Been up since 6:30 this morning.

Jonathan Bernier
Pre-camp thoughts: He should easily be the best goalie
Initial Observations: He was lazy, and actually the worst goalie on day 1
Development: Bernier was way too casual on day 1, and I got the impression he felt like he was too good for this camp. Every day, the goalies warm up by skating at different angles away from the net and "setting" their body up... but they have to practice looking over their shoulder to see how the play is developing on the other side. Bernier would just slowly look over, as if he was trying not to get caught checking out a chick. Overall, he was taking it way too easy. By day 2, he returned to form and simply stood out as the best goalie the rest of the way. Good lateral movement and quick limbs were complimented with a refreshingly light attitude at times. One time, the on ice camera man was aiming the camera at Bernier to tape his form, and Bernier waved "hi" at the camera.
If he makes the NHL, he'll be: Starter or backup goalie. He plays deep in his net, so if he keeps his head on straight, he'll be a more refined Felix Potvin. If not...

Linden Rowat
Pre-camp thoughts: I hope to notice him more this time around
Initial Observations: Average
Development: Rowat was simply the 2nd best goaltender all week. He was 2nd to Zatkoff on day one, then 2nd to Bernier the rest of the time. He shows some flashes of brilliance, but as a whole doesn't give you a "reliable feeling" when he's in net. He struggled with angling it too much to start, to the point I felt like the next shot would ride up his stick right into the top of the net. His form improved over time. When he moves, he gets from point A to point B the fastest, but he's also the slowest at getting himself going, and reacting.
If he makes the NHL, he'll be: 1b/Backup. Much better and more noticeable than last year, but I'm not sure if his developmental pace is something I'd want to depend on, on a regular basis.

Jeff Zatkoff
Pre-camp thoughts: He'll be great
Initial Observations: He was great... on Day 1
Development: Zatkoff became the antithesis of development camp. While everyone else improved, he was just looking worse and worse every day. He was doing so bad, I was convinced he was hurt, and I asked Lombardi if Zatkoff was hurt, to which Lombardi said, "He's fine." I wasn't convinced, but didn't press the issue.

Zatkoff WANTS to do well. He continuously asks questions and talks to the coaches. He keeps the laughter going despite his subpar performance, but he was just struggling way too much when it came to following the puck, controlling rebounds, or moving laterally.
If he makes the NHL, he'll be: Backup. A year ago, I thought he had starter potential. But, if this is the rate he's going to develop, the AHL would be a gift. I'm honestly chalking this up as a bad camp.

I have been looking forward to this thread for over a week, and I'm am not disappointed in the slightest.

Thanks for taking the time to do this, KP!

I was interested to hear what you have to say those germans, since i follow international hockey.. but i understand that other players were more intreresting 'cause they are kings property and so many players out there.. still agreed with that little what you said about them.

Anyway great stuff KP. Thanks!

In addition to clicking "Thanks" (which doesn't add to rep) you also might consider giving Karma to King's Pawn for his efforts.

KP is a gentleman and a scholar. Hats off to you sir.