I agree with pretty much everything Divver had to say on the Prov players he discussed. Basically said Lauko is the only one to likely stick with Boston out training camp (Steen's name wasn't mentioned at all during the interview which may or may not have been an oversight). He would be surprised if Ahcan doesn't look for a chance with another team. Lysell, Beecher, Merkulov and Lohrei need more time in AHL.
Two behind-the-scenes items that were interesting to hear:
-- He mentioned the coaching staff sitting down with Lohrei and going over every one of his puck touches from a game on film. First, that must take a lot of time for the staff to compile. Second, sitting there and discussing each play in detail must also take a lot of time (not to mention I assume they do this with other players as well). Lastly, he mentioned Lohrei was very eager to learn and put in the work to get better which is encouraging to hear. Now maybe this sort of thing is standard for all teams these days (I have no idea) but I was impressed to hear about that much effort being dedicated to improving young players. A good reminder that we can say whatever we want about coaching staffs but we have no idea what is going on off the ice.
-- Everyone knows the Mitchell Miller situation was a complete debacle but I never heard any mention of him on the ice. Divver says he was there for Miller's two practices with Providence and, just from those two viewings, he was convinced Miller would have been a star in the NHL. When asked again, he doubled down saying he had the best stickhandling on the team and wouldn't have been a good player, he would have been a great player. Considering the fact that he was very honest in his assessment of other Providence players during the interview & and isn't known for hyperbole, I was surprised to hear him be so effusive in his praise from just two practices.
dom.hockey
