Some Random thoughts after watching all three games and two practices:
Team Red
Shawn Belle: As advertised, speed is not an issue. However, mental processing abilities might be. It takes him time to get rid of outlet passes, often leaving wingers at the hashmarks vulnerable. Doesn't cover well for his D-partner. Rushes the puck at inopportune times. Didn't look like a returning player.
Braydon Coburn: Never really noticed him until he got into a war of words with Dion Phaneuf in game 2 after coincidental roughing penalties. I would have liked to hear his retort to Phaneuf's comment- "I should have gone 8th Overall" (which didn't really happen). I was expecting a mammoth, but merely got a moth. Simply didn't notice him.
Jeff Schultz: has a nice stride for a big guy. Not overly fast, but covers lots of traffic with his wingspan. Good shot, but slow to get it off. Knows his limitations and plays within them. Played a very physical game in camp. Works hard.
Mike Green: May have had the most embarassing shift out of anyone in camp during game 2 after tripping on a 1-on-1, leaving Alex Picard home free on the tender. This was after taking two successive smack-downs from Clarke Macarthur (they looked painful). Besides that, he's good at keeping the play alive in the offensive end.
Shea Weber: I think he'll make the team. Unlike some of the other D, Weber made some passes and hits that, although not earth shattering, were smart enough to seperate him a little from the pack. Got burned once by Dave Bolland in game 1.
Travis Zajac: It looked like he might have drank some of Lou's Kool-Aid before camp. Tall and rangy, Zajac just seemed positionally inept at times. He's fast, but he was playing perimeter hockey all weekend. He never forsaw the play in order to get into scoring position. Played well in game 2 on a line with Wojtek Wolski and Dany Roussin. Might have lacked confidence in camp - he would often pass up the opportunity to try making a move or a deke to get a weak shot on net or dump the puck deep.
Stefan Meyer: Has white skates.
Dany Roussin: Good head's-up player. Makes the tape-to-tape passes he needs to. Skates like the wind. Often controls the corners.
Jeff Carter: Like Where's Waldo, Carter would intermittently pop out of nowhere. it was usually on 1-on-1's while taking the puck wide. In game one he had six shots on net on one shift, and then dissapeared for the rest of the game. I was really hoping to see more out of him and his line (Crosby and Perry). Carter has a quick release.
Corey Perry: Booooooo. Perry never really went after it. Displayed some smart dangles during practices, but pulled a Houdini during the games. Didn't gel with linemates. Played perimeter hockey. Anytime he went in the corners, he ended up getting manhandled.
Sidney Crosby: I was hoping to see a little more frustration in his face after essentially accomplishing nothing during the week. In practice, he made some passes that reeked of insight and talent. But was a below-average forward during the games. That being said, he was receiving extra attention. But really, if this camp was indicative of what type of player he really is, maybe we should tone it down to a Lafontaine comparison.
Steve Bernier: Fat Bernier looked allright. Apperantly he had the move of the camp in game 1 (while I was taking a deuce). Smart with the puck. Makes use of quick and wide-ranging lateral stickhandling skills. Fast once he gets going. Didn't play in game 3.
Wojtek Wolski: Scored the OT-Shootout game winner in game 2. Knock-knee'd forward was ineffective for large chunks of time, but displayed his silky-soft hands at least once a game. Really tried to make an effort to mesh with Crosby during practice and in game 1. Physical play is not part of his repetoire.
Camp Notes:
-Overall, there was alot of smart hockey being played at this camp. The overall level of play was insightful, fast paced, and aggressive.
-An impressive crowd showed up for the games at Father David Bauer arena. I'd say anywhere from 500-700 people per game. 50 per practice.
-I actually overheard a guy telling his son that Marc-Andre Fleury was in net. it was Ryan Munce. C'mon buddy.
-Alexandre Picard really does bend over when he skates.
-Before the game, teams were warming up in the parking lot 2 hours before puck drop. Team Red played elimination volleyball. Sidney Crosby was the last man standing.
