First impressions of new additions?

[ESH]

I was just wondering what everyone thought of their team's new players for this season so far. It's still early but most fans should have some impressions.

For the Flames:

Troy Brouwer. I was initially kind of skeptical about the money we gave him but if he continues to play the way he has been I'm more than happy. He's been one of our most consistent players so far. He's solid defensively, and he's a lot faster than I would have expected.

Brian Elliott. Terrible his first couple starts, but these last two games he's been terrific. I just hope he can stay consistent from here on.

Chad Johnson. Better than Elliott the first few games. Looks solid, not spectacular. I'm comfortable having him in net.

Kris Versteeg. I wasn't sure how to feel about this signing but I've come to like him more as the season has gone on. Obviously pretty talented, sometimes looks lazy.

Alex Chiasson. He looked okay the first bit he was on the first line, but he needs to be put pack down the lineup. I don't think he ever really does anything notable except give the puck away while Gaudreau and Monahan try to set up the play.

Nicklas Grossmann. Absolute garbage the first game against the Oilers. He was solid on the bottom pairing last game though. If he plays like that he should be fine as our #7/8.

Matthew Tkachuk. I'm excited for him. He played his best game of the season last night and if he plays like that consistently he'll be an impact player in no time. Most of the time he hasn't been especially noticeable, but when he gets his motor going he can be scary. He's physical, skilled, and I'm very excited about him.

Click to read more...

 

[matt trick]

Sharks:

-Schelemko has been an absolute revelation on the third pairing. He looks like a legit top 4 d-man, and his puck movement is a perfect compliment for Dillon.
-Boedkker- super fast, good hands, but soft on the puck. He hasn't yet fit in with the team. The sharks are trying to figure out a way to run three good lines, but Thornton-Pavelski, and Couture-Donskoi are the only things that look like long-term options in the top 9. Fitting in Marleau, Boedkker, Hertl, Ward, and eventually, Meier is the tough part.
-Aaron Dell is 1 for 1, so that's solid

-Also, Goldobin, Carpenter, Haley, Sorensen, and Labanc all could impact the roster at some point.

 

[Stuzchuk]

OTTAWA: No new additions

 

[InGusWeTrust]

Vanek - Damn great signing. Perfect fit on that 3rd line. Very smart player; does the little things right. Detroit even got him to backcheck Great deal too IMO.

Nielsen - Been pretty solid so far. He get's the tough match ups. Really only seen him make one bad mistake so far. Waiting for some shootouts

Ott - Exactly what he is....exciting guy and good to have around but damn, he sucks outside of our own zone.

 

[Wood Stick]

Vanek - Damn great signing. Perfect fit on that 3rd line. Very smart player; does the little things right. Detroit even got him to backcheck Great deal too IMO.

Nielsen - Been pretty solid so far. He get's the tough match ups. Really only seen him make one bad mistake so far. Waiting for some shootouts

Ott - Exactly what he is....exciting guy and good to have around but damn, he sucks outside of our own zone.

I think Ott has been fine offensively. He reads plays a lot better than Miller and Glenny. He can spot an open player rather than just cycle the puck

 

[BonMorrison]

Matt Carle - worse than expected. I thought he'd be at least a serviceable bottom pairing defenseman but he makes mistakes on a nightly basis.

Yannick Weber - about as expected. Also not the most reliable bottom pairing defenseman but is more steady than Carle.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Oilees are happy with theirs

 

[Mubiki]

Doubt Minnesota has any issues with Staal. He even looks faster than he has the last few years.

 

[The Macho King]

I think our only new guy is Brayden Point.

He's been pretty good. Has a knack for getting the puck alone down low - shows good smarts. 3 points in 6 games with no real PP time and has been a good member of our third line. Happy with him so far - and he can ease into things without needing to shoulder too much.

 

[InGusWeTrust]

I think Ott has been fine offensively. He reads plays a lot better than Miller and Glenny. He can spot an open player rather than just cycle the puck

Yeah, I mean..It's still early too. I for sure like him on the 4th line with Miller and Glenny though.

 

[The Macho King]

Matt Carle - worse than expected. I thought he'd be at least a serviceable bottom pairing defenseman but he makes mistakes on a nightly basis.

Yannick Weber - about as expected. Also not the most reliable bottom pairing defenseman but is more steady than Carle.

Told ya.

 

[benjiv1]

OTTAWA: No new additions

Right...

Brassard
Kelly
Pyatt
Dzingle

 

[SnowblindNYR]

OTTAWA: No new additions

Brassard?

 

[TrueGrit]

OTTAWA: No new additions

Brassard.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Taylor Hall:

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

Andrew Ladd unfortunately only has 1 point, but is playing good hockey. The points will come, I'm not worried.

Jason Chimera has been a good veteran, but dammit he's always offsides.

 

[Stuzchuk]

Right...

Brassard
Kelly
Pyatt
Dzingle

I was looking about UFA signing only... forgot about Chris Kelly. I will not compare Brassard, since we've lost a very good player to acquire him

Kelly: one of the player with the least TOI for OTT. He's been acquired as a SH specialist and I guess he's doing the job right

that's about it for that

 

[Jumptheshark]

I was looking about UFA signing only... forgot about Chris Kelly. I will not compare Brassard, since we've lost a very good player to acquire him

Kelly: one of the player with the least TOI for OTT. He's been acquired as a SH specialist and I guess he's doing the job right

that's about it for that

Looking only at UFAS is a bit silly

 

[tarheelhockey]

Sebastian Aho - He's come as advertised. Smallish, a bit of a waterbug, but very clever with the puck. He hasn't scored yet but has 5 assists in 6 games. Consensus is that he will grow into a very good playmaking winger.

Lee Stempniak - A bit up and down. He has certainly been one of our best offensive players so far, and he is more veteran-clever than anyone else on the roster. That said, he started hot and hasn't sustained that level.

Teuvo Teravainen - Frustrating player to watch. He's obviously very skilled, but he doesn't use his skills productively. Lots of goofy turnovers.

Viktor Stalberg - He's been fine I guess. He ought to have more than just one point, but he's been pretty mediocre.

Klas Dahlbeck - Not impressed so far. At best, he's a neutral charge in the #6 slot. At worst he looks in over his head.

Bryan Bickell - Canes fans are pretty happy because he is our first guy in YEARS who has a net-front presence. He sucks, don't get me wrong, but he does something none of our other players can/will do.

Martin Frk - He didn't do anything noticeable in the very brief time I've watched him.

Jakub Nakladal - Same as Frk, I've only seen a little of him and he didn't do much. But that's not so bad for a depth defenseman I suppose.

 

[kk87]

Leafs:
- Marner: unreal
- Matthews: unreal
- Nylander: unreal
- Zaitsev: unreal
- Hyman: solid
- Brown: solid
- Martin: meh, does what he's supposed to
- Polak: lol... safe to say we didn't miss him

 

[Pip]

Canucks:

Eriksson- disappointing. Solid defensively but not a threat offensively and for 6 million dollars that isn't good enough. I think he picks it up though.

Gudbranson- has looked solid defensively but his puck moving is a problem and he isn't as tough or mean as advertised. Sill a good player to have.

Larsen- meh. OK on the powerplay but has some serious defensive issues. Don't think he'll be here next year.

Stecher- looks like an NHLer through preseason and one regular season game. Very smart player.
Skille- a resounding meh

Rodin- N/A since he's been injured

 

[Uber Coca]

Weber - Most points on the team and does it all in his zone. Best defender in Montreal in the last two decades and more.

Radulov - Even if he doesn't always appear on the score sheet, he's been Montreal best forward. He creates scoring chances out of nothing and is intense. Should end up on the first line sooner rather than later.

Shaw - He has been fine. He's going in the dirty areas and plays like a third liner. Should add more value come playoff time.

Montoya - He's been stellar.

Bergevin looking like a genius so far. Let's see if they can sustain this level until mid-season.

 

[777]

Shea Weber: I had very high expectations and he's lived up to them

Radulov: I had very high expectations and he's lived up to them

Montoya: Has played terrific so far. Looks like a solid back up, very nice to have

Lehkonen: Habs fans love him, I'm not sure yet. Seems fairly quiet but plays a solid game and has a nice shot.

Shaw: Fits well on the 3rd line.

Sergachev: Probably CHL bound, but exciting prospect

 

[Nicko999]

Weber: 7 pts in 6 games, leads the league with +10 (and I don't care about that stats). Just rock solid!

Radulov: He might actually be our best forward... we'll see as the season progresses.

Lehkonen: Impressive for a rookie.

Shaw: POS... I don't like him.

Montoya: Great #2

 

[AfroThunder396]

Hall: No words. A++

Auvitu: People need to be talking about this guy, he's absolutely incredible. Instant top-4 defenseman with superb skating and offensive instincts. A

Zacha: Dynamic, smart, oozes skill, is immediately one of the top-3 forwards on the team. Would like to see him get his first goal soon. A-

Fiddler: Nice 4th liner, kinda bothers me he's getting put out onto the ice for literally every faceoff but he's better than Stephen Gionta so I can't complain. B

Parenteau: When he doesn't score you don't notice him. Good waiver pickup but I can definitely see why he's never stuck anywhere. B-

Bennett: Not particularly noticeable, but his possession numbers look good so I guess that's nice. C+

Quincey: Passable. Getting overplayed and takes a lot of dumb penalties. C

Lovejoy: Average bottom-pairing D that is inexplicably getting +20 minutes a game and looks like trash because of it. Not liking the three year term at all. Would much rather have shelled out that money to Schlemko C-

Wood: Typical bull in a china shop player, lots of fun to watch. Physically ready, but needs to learn the pro game. INC

Speers: Definitely not NHL ready, but gets all the details right. Plays a mature game and will definitely have a career in this league. INC