Burnt Biscuits
Registered User
- May 2, 2010
- 9,167
- 3,186
I'll agree Jurco stood out the most tonight, just looked more skilled than any other forward we were icing and was first to a good number of pucks. Second best forward was probably Patrick Russell did well playing into a tough match-up against the Petterssen line, was solid defensively and noticeable in the offensive zone supporting the play, left me wanting a bit more both skill and speed wise, but ultimately found a way to be relevant and contribute positively. Third best forward for me was probably Marody, he looked like poop in the first, but really seemed to get his head screwed on straight in the 2nd and played more like we expect him to.
I noticed a few pretty passes from Benson, but still don't feel like he is doing enough on the whole to make the team, it's starting to become noticeable that he's not at an NHL strength level quite yet.
I'm fond of what McLeod is doing out there not particularly flashy just tends to play a smooth game and makes the right decision more often than not.
I seen Cave getting ragged on in the GDT, he made some noticeable mistakes, but it was him who seemed to be getting the most shifts head to head against Petterssen on the whole he seemed to be winning the territorial battle more often than not, but was clearly losing the battle in terms of quality chances, for a guy punching way above his weight class in terms of opposition quality I thought he was ok.
For quick hits Granlund was pretty much invisible, and all of Malone, Gambardella, and Currie were a bit underwhelming.
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Nurse made some critical mistakes late, but on the whole he looked like himself just a rustier version (I think I counted 4 muffed shots in the game)
Larsson just wasn't mentally sharp and at times like he was checked out of the game, I was hoping to see the old Larsson, but this looked more like last years version, still plenty of pre-season to get back on track. One thing is I know the coaches told him they wanted more offense out of him and he did seem to be playing higher up more often than he usually does.
Samorukov did a lot right, him and Bouchard were our best pairing tonight, but ultimately it just seems like he's still processing the game at a junior level mentally, he looks like a guy who'll need some AHL polish, but when/if he makes the big club it seems like he has the potential to be a big difference maker.
Bouchard had one really tough shift late in the game and a few mistakes here or there, but atleast for now he seems to be pretty routinely ahead in terms of creating more than he gives up, whether or not he makes the team really seems like it will come down to 2 questions for the coach. Do we need the element that Bouchard provides, which I don't think any other d-man quite fully encapsulates and secondly how comfortable are we with him learning how to play in the NHL. Regardless of the decision we make I'm just getting the vibe that Bouchard won't hit the 80 games played mark in the AHL, it seems like a matter of time before he bullies his way onto the club.
Manning I just don't like this player and watching him play just reinforces that feeling, I'm hoping we can loan him to another AHL team. Bear played pretty good felt like he was carrying his vet partner for the most part. There were moments early in the game where Bear was bobbling the puck a bit too much and a few instances where his lack of size was being preyed on by some of the opposition, but he seemed to be moving the puck the right direction most of the night and I'm hopeful he can show more when we remove that lead boot that is Manning.
Two pre-season games in and I'm liking our young D a lot more than our young forwards.
I noticed a few pretty passes from Benson, but still don't feel like he is doing enough on the whole to make the team, it's starting to become noticeable that he's not at an NHL strength level quite yet.
I'm fond of what McLeod is doing out there not particularly flashy just tends to play a smooth game and makes the right decision more often than not.
I seen Cave getting ragged on in the GDT, he made some noticeable mistakes, but it was him who seemed to be getting the most shifts head to head against Petterssen on the whole he seemed to be winning the territorial battle more often than not, but was clearly losing the battle in terms of quality chances, for a guy punching way above his weight class in terms of opposition quality I thought he was ok.
For quick hits Granlund was pretty much invisible, and all of Malone, Gambardella, and Currie were a bit underwhelming.
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Nurse made some critical mistakes late, but on the whole he looked like himself just a rustier version (I think I counted 4 muffed shots in the game)
Larsson just wasn't mentally sharp and at times like he was checked out of the game, I was hoping to see the old Larsson, but this looked more like last years version, still plenty of pre-season to get back on track. One thing is I know the coaches told him they wanted more offense out of him and he did seem to be playing higher up more often than he usually does.
Samorukov did a lot right, him and Bouchard were our best pairing tonight, but ultimately it just seems like he's still processing the game at a junior level mentally, he looks like a guy who'll need some AHL polish, but when/if he makes the big club it seems like he has the potential to be a big difference maker.
Bouchard had one really tough shift late in the game and a few mistakes here or there, but atleast for now he seems to be pretty routinely ahead in terms of creating more than he gives up, whether or not he makes the team really seems like it will come down to 2 questions for the coach. Do we need the element that Bouchard provides, which I don't think any other d-man quite fully encapsulates and secondly how comfortable are we with him learning how to play in the NHL. Regardless of the decision we make I'm just getting the vibe that Bouchard won't hit the 80 games played mark in the AHL, it seems like a matter of time before he bullies his way onto the club.
Manning I just don't like this player and watching him play just reinforces that feeling, I'm hoping we can loan him to another AHL team. Bear played pretty good felt like he was carrying his vet partner for the most part. There were moments early in the game where Bear was bobbling the puck a bit too much and a few instances where his lack of size was being preyed on by some of the opposition, but he seemed to be moving the puck the right direction most of the night and I'm hopeful he can show more when we remove that lead boot that is Manning.
Two pre-season games in and I'm liking our young D a lot more than our young forwards.
