I thought Joseph really locked up his spot. Going back to last year, he got sent down to Syracuse and Stephens and Volkov got the call ups and then into the bubble, got into the playoff games over Joseph. But I thought Joseph had the strongest game of the 3 tonight, with Volkov behind him. Stephens was invisible at times, but he's the centerman of the group and probably the best pker too. So I still think the 4th line will look like Maroon-Stephens-Joseph.
ABB's performance made me much more confident that he can have a nhl career. He looked good, but it was stealing the puck clean away from McDonagh or chipping the puck into the corner and trying to retrieve it himself, that were louder than any goal or assist he could of had. We know he's really good with the puck on his stick already, so seeing these other things were assuring that he's becoming more NHL ready. If this were the New Jersey Devils or the Sabres, he'd be making the opening night lineup, but here on the Lightning, I think he'll have to wait a little longer.
This was my first time seeing Alex Green. I thought he looked good. It'll be interesting to follow his development over the next few seasons. Engblom seemed to like his partner Sean Day too, but for those who followed him as a super high profile teenager, his skating ability has always been his biggest strength. Rangers didn't want him & he's on a 1 year contract with us, so this is a prove yourself kinda year for him.
Andreas Borgman looked like our 6th or 7th dman. He's 25 years old and has some AHL, NHL, SHL, and Liiga experience. It was just 1 scrimmage, but I think we found another Rutta. I'd give him the 3rd pair spot over Foote. Cal's troubles in his own zone down low, which are not a problem for Borgman, are his achilles heel (insert foot pun). Those kind of problems lead to getting trapped in the d zone for 2 minute shifts. He's fine in the offensive zone. He's got a NHL caliber shot, which he used to score on Vasy back in the July scrimmage. He's fine going backwards and defending open ice. He's a good shot blocker. It's the footwork (insert 2nd foot pun) along the boards that are the issue. He wears size 16 shoes and I'd guess that has to be detrimental to the quickness needed while working in small areas. He's such a big hulking figure, and quick, agile, decisive movements are not his friend right now. If he does make the team, he has to be paired with someone like McDonagh or Hedman, because Serge is not going to bail him out.