Our former coach used to give players a report card every 10 games, so why not steal a page from his book.
My grades are simply, A, B, C, D, F, no plus, no minus, and based on how that player has lived up to my own expectations for him.
The As - Dvorak, Garland, Keller, Schmaltz, Hjalmarsson, Demers, Kuemper
I said all summer Dvo would score 60 points this year and I believe he is showing that progress ... Garland is an Energizer bunny, he doesn't take games off and is showing top-six potential ... Keller is producing points which is what we are asking for him and playing a little more assertive too, just needs a little more finish ... Schmaltz is very engaged and playing with a lot of drive ... Hammer is Hammer, cool to see him get a goal too ... so much for slow starts for Demers who has arguably been our most consistent D ... I believe Kuemper has become our No. 1 goalie, love his big size in net.
The Bs - Crouse, Hayton, Grabner, Kessel, Soderberg, Stepan, Capobianco, Chychrun, OEL, Goligoski, Oesterle, Raanta
Love Crouse's speed and size, I believe he is playing a little under how he finished last year ... hard to give a true evaluation of Hayton given limited showings but he has shown he's close or pretty close to being ready for this level ... Grabner, still has wheels, could have a few more goals too on the many breaks ... have been surprised with Kessel's ability to set up guys, not just a goal scorer, it's going to come soon ... Soda brings a much needed size element to our lower lines, has impressed offensively ... Stepan is cast in a role that's likely above his pay grade but has shown some good early chemistry ... Limited showings but Capo can take a regular shift and is NHL ready ... Chychrun is playing a little more dominant, just needs to hit the net more ... OEL is rounding into form ... Occasional lapse with Goligoski but has had strong start offensively, good partner with Chychrun ... limited showings for Oesterle but has emerged as a regular ... have only seen one of Raanta's games but was solid in it, could benefit from playing bigger in his crease.
The Cs - Fischer
Hands aren't there but love his forechecking and early signs of a physical game.
The Ds - Richardson, Lyubyshkin
Richie is still a valuable piece of a revamped PK but has looked slower, may be pulling down linemates offensively ... Bush still has a lot of difficulty handling the puck and cannot be entrusted with regular workload.
The Fs - Hinostroza
Maybe unfair and likely dragged down by his linemates but I'm looking for more offensively from Hino, he needs to be a two/three tweener for this team.
Your grades?
My grades are simply, A, B, C, D, F, no plus, no minus, and based on how that player has lived up to my own expectations for him.
The As - Dvorak, Garland, Keller, Schmaltz, Hjalmarsson, Demers, Kuemper
I said all summer Dvo would score 60 points this year and I believe he is showing that progress ... Garland is an Energizer bunny, he doesn't take games off and is showing top-six potential ... Keller is producing points which is what we are asking for him and playing a little more assertive too, just needs a little more finish ... Schmaltz is very engaged and playing with a lot of drive ... Hammer is Hammer, cool to see him get a goal too ... so much for slow starts for Demers who has arguably been our most consistent D ... I believe Kuemper has become our No. 1 goalie, love his big size in net.
The Bs - Crouse, Hayton, Grabner, Kessel, Soderberg, Stepan, Capobianco, Chychrun, OEL, Goligoski, Oesterle, Raanta
Love Crouse's speed and size, I believe he is playing a little under how he finished last year ... hard to give a true evaluation of Hayton given limited showings but he has shown he's close or pretty close to being ready for this level ... Grabner, still has wheels, could have a few more goals too on the many breaks ... have been surprised with Kessel's ability to set up guys, not just a goal scorer, it's going to come soon ... Soda brings a much needed size element to our lower lines, has impressed offensively ... Stepan is cast in a role that's likely above his pay grade but has shown some good early chemistry ... Limited showings but Capo can take a regular shift and is NHL ready ... Chychrun is playing a little more dominant, just needs to hit the net more ... OEL is rounding into form ... Occasional lapse with Goligoski but has had strong start offensively, good partner with Chychrun ... limited showings for Oesterle but has emerged as a regular ... have only seen one of Raanta's games but was solid in it, could benefit from playing bigger in his crease.
The Cs - Fischer
Hands aren't there but love his forechecking and early signs of a physical game.
The Ds - Richardson, Lyubyshkin
Richie is still a valuable piece of a revamped PK but has looked slower, may be pulling down linemates offensively ... Bush still has a lot of difficulty handling the puck and cannot be entrusted with regular workload.
The Fs - Hinostroza
Maybe unfair and likely dragged down by his linemates but I'm looking for more offensively from Hino, he needs to be a two/three tweener for this team.
Your grades?
