USA U20 Camp -- Some Thoughts on Players
I saw all the games including the Blue/White scrimmage and at least two of the practices for each USA team. I won't comment on the Finns or the Swedes (I didn't go there to scout them). So, here goes. Overall, I think the USA has a strong contingent of players in this age group (86-88). They could pick from 30 of the 40+ players in camp and have a competitive team. It will depend on how the coaches want to go (e.g., speed, size, grit, etc. -- not that in all cases these are exclusive traits). Here are some players I liked and some other I wasn't so impressed with:
GOALIES:
All four of the goalies in camp looked strong, but Schneider and Quick looked the best to me. Because of his size and ability to control the puck (rebounds), that Corey Schneider has the best NHL potential in the group.
DEFENSEMEN:
I thought the defensemen were an especially talented group of skaters. I especially liked Thelen, Lee, Chorney, and Yandle. Of this group, I think Thelen has the best NHL potential (at this time).
FORWARDS:
This was an interesting group of players who all brought there own "specialties" to the camp. I thought the best of the bunch included Pineault, LaVallee, Bourque, and Wheeler. Pineault has a big shot, played with an edge, and worked well with everyone he skated with. He did take some bad penalties, but in doing so, managed to make room for himself. LaVallee was a pleasant surprise given his 4th round dfart selection. He has good size (big body) and is a smooth skater with good first-step quickness. He showed that his hands are good as well. He threw some big body checks, and some big elbows as well, but stayed penalty free. After watching him, I am still surprised he went so late in the draft. Bourque is very small (5'5"?), but strong on his skates and has a good scoring touch. He's not afraid to "ay on the lumber" either. Wheeler is a somewhat rough skater, but shows good agility when he gets going. Scored some nice goals with close in moves.
I came away with the impression that the players with the best NHL potential were Adam Pineault, Jordan LaVallee, and Blake Wheeler.
OTHERS:
There were some players who I expected more of like Kessel, Schremp, and Ryan. Robbie Schremp is very talented with the puck, but a poor skater. After watching him, I was dissappointed that all his time with the puck didn't lead to more production -- for him or for his linemates. He's a bit like Chinese food. You see so much stickhandling when he has the puck, but not much happens and you're left wanting more. I kept trying to think of how I would use him if I was the coach. He didn't seem to fit with any of the players he skated with. In some ways (e.g., stickhandling) he was the best player in the camp, but in others, including his lack of maturity (throwing sticks, etc.) he didn't seem to fit at all.
Kessel is very slippery when he has the puck. He appeared to press more and more as the camp went on because he wasn't scoring. He is very talented, but I expected more after all the hype (this is the first time I had seen him play). So, I guess I was somewhat disappointed with his performance. I expected USA's answer to Sidney Crosby and didn't get it -- not even in the same "ball park".
However, the biggest disappointment was Bobby Ryan. He is very slow (both skating and reacting), lacked intensity, loafed getting back to play defense and simply had a hard time keeping up with the pace of the game. He finally gave up in the last game against the Fins and took the last period off (shoulder problem?). He did a couple of things early in the camp, including one goal on a break-away where he showed some good hands, but overall, he was a BIG disappointment. But, listening to the scouts talk about him, confirmed that one's "expectancy" about a player certainly colors how the player is perceived. He looked clumsy, and awkward and fell down going for a puck and the scouts commented "Well, he showed good hustle going for that one". He may have been the only player who frequently looked to be out of place at the camp.