Prospect Info: Cliff Pu (2016, 69th) – '18-19: Traded to Carolina

[LaxSabre]

2017 CIBC Canada-Russia Series Broadcast Schedule On Sportsnet.
All games available online via Sportsnet NOW
Monday, November 13 - Russia @ OHL - 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm ET - Sportsnet East - Ontario - Pacific.

LaxSabre - For Sabre Fans in the United States, NHL Network picks up the Sportsnet coverage of these games and depending on their schedule for the day, the game couid be televised LIVE. Otherwise the game will be televised later that day or the next day.

LaxSabre - No LIVE coverage of the game tonight on the NHL Network. (NHL Network will be televising the 2017 NHL Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremonies - 8:00 pm Et-10:00 pm ET.) The game will be televised on the NHL Network via one day tape delay on Tuesday morning - 10:00 am ET-12:00 pm ET. The game will of course be televised LIVE in Canada on Sportsnet East-Ontario-Pacific.


After a slow start to his Ontario Hockey League season, London Knights centerman Cliff Pu (2016, third round) is officially back on track. Pu produced his second three-point night of the year Friday, snatching a goal and two helpers as the Knights thrashed Flint 9-0.

It seems that the key to getting Pu going this season just may have been signing an entry-level contract with the Sabres, which was completed October 23. Prior to signing his first National Hockey League deal, Pu had just one goal and five assists in 11 games.

In the six games since then, the Richmond Hill, Ontario native has erupted for four goals and nine points to reposition himself among the hopefuls to represent Canada next month at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo.

In Thursday international action, Pu notched one assist as Team OHL fell to Russia in Game 3 of the CIBC Canada Russia Series. Pu will look to further build his case when the two clubs engage for Game 4 of the series Monday evening in Sudbury.

 

[Chainshot]

Caught the last couple minutes of the OHL-Russia game. Hoping Pu can make further good impressions on Team Canada for selection to the U20 team.

 

[Chainshot]

Rush with pace but then Elizarov breaks up Pu's pass across after Cliff's wheels created an odd-man rush.

 

[Chainshot]

Didn't like him overly much on Sokolov's goal to make it 2-1.

 

[Chainshot]

High quality shift late in the second, using his speed to close with his check from behind, lift the stick and turn the play quickly into the Russian zone. He goes wide around the net and dishes nicely, then rotates back to cover the point as the LD pinches back post. I was impressed.

 

[joshjull]

 

[Chainshot]

When he contests pucks with his speed, he's particularly dangerous. Since he can (and does) close with people so quickly and can change directions so fast, it's useful in many, many ways.

 

[Woodhouse]

When he contests pucks with his speed, he's particularly dangerous. Since he can (and does) close with people so quickly and can change directions so fast, it's useful in many, many ways.

Pu's back on track with 5+12 now in his last 10 OHL games, including 1+3 last night. His final two assists came on empty-netters, but the EN points weren't undeserving as he was buzzing everywhere. Chances for his line started early and just kept coming. I was zeroing in on Bouchard, but examples of Pu chances fired wide early and late, while passing's displayed via secondary assist, spring pass, and centering feed. There was one PK backcheck hiccup after he had rushed the puck deep, otherwise played very well.

 

[joshjull]

 

[LaxSabre]

 

[Chainshot]

He's got to be more than just a darkhorse for the Nats.

 

[Chainshot]

So in watching Cliff and Casey, one thing is readily apparent in both: when they are "on", they contest pucks with speed in the way O'Reilly does. And then both take the puck away and put it into high-danger areas on the attack.

 

[Snippit]

17 points in his last 7 (the 7th game is still in progress)

 

[1972]

Kid is white hot right now

 

[sabres4ever]

 

[Snippit]

He's been playing on a line with Thomas and Miletic for the duration of this hot stretch. It seems to have revitalized him a bit.

 

[LaxSabre]

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[LaxSabre]

 

[Snippit]

Another 3 point afternoon so far (1G + 2A) - all coming on the PP

 

[Ralonzo]

This is exactly the type of player the Sabres don't have nearly enough of at the NHL level. Maybe he becomes a depth guy in the bottom 6 but a couple of Pu, Bailey, Baptiste, Rodrigues panning out, plus the near lead-pipe cinch in Mittlestadt, goes a long way to addressing the Sabres currently plodding lineup.

 

[valet]

The big question is... will his skills translate to the NHL?

 

[Icicle]

The big question is... will his skills translate to the NHL?

His play still looks effective in a bottom 6 role so I’m not worried, and I was sour on the kid before this recent camp.

 

[joshjull]

 

[Chainshot]

The big question is... will his skills translate to the NHL?

He has the wheels. His skating is A+ in terms of speed and acceleration, really dynamic. He can also be very good on back pressure using that speed, which should enable him to slot in anywhere in the middle 6 if he continues to progress.