A better effort from a lot of the "vets", but still a lot of ugly scrambly pond hockey stuff. Still, a lot of interesting little things to see and it's hockey, i like watching hockey.
Not really surprising that the Jets looked better here (and won, though that's fairly irrelevant). They've got a system stacked with skilled guys. This sort of tournament is tailor made for small, creative, super skilled guys like Petan. If the NHL game is a Chess Match of systems and matchups...this tournament is more like a game of Snakes and Ladders. Guys with the individual pucks skills who can creatively deal with the weird bounces, strange mishaps, confusion, chaos, etc. are going to excel here. When it comes to the "real deal" with stifling systems play, tight checking, physical battles...the pendulum tends to swing.
Anyway. As for our guys, some thoughts:
Horvat: Another "Bo Game". Does a lot of quiet little things that are nice, some little give and go type stuff, using his substantial mass to draw guys away from teammates and create a bit of space for them offensively, reliable positioning on the ice, percentage plays, etc. It's certainly not "exciting" and you'd like to see him "open it up" at least a bit more...but i guess that's just not in the cards for him.
Shinkaruk: Again, a great game. Rewarded with a couple goals. But for a guy who missed as much time as he did, he's been very impressive. Offense seems to follow him around. Looked less rusty than last game, wasn't fighting the puck quite as hard, but still clearly not caught up yet...understandably.
Gaunce: Huge improvement over last game. Whether it was the "demotion" or a talking to or whatever, he was far more assertive today. Actually took the puck and controlled it, used his size, made some nice little passes...rewarded with a gimme goal for being in the right place at the right time (which seems to be his specialty). Still looks awkward lumbering around out there, but if it works, it works.
Corrado: I don't think his game was nearly as bad as most here are suggesting. He had way more miscues than you'd like to see from a guy with his level of experience and expectations at a tournament like this...but at least he seemed more engaged in the game this time...less of the lackadaisical bullcrap. The "mistakes" and miscues he was making, i can't help but wonder if his "familiarity" with Travis Green's system is actually hurting him a bit in this tournament. So much of the time he looked fairly bewildered by why his partner was doing...almost as though he's playing a "system game" expecting teammates to be in predictable places doing reasonable things...instead of the general confusion and spastic decisionmaking we've seen prevail. Not a good showing, but it looks like there's more to it than just "sucking".
Jensen: Way better game. Showed a lot more offensive confidence, was vastly better at managing the puck defensively. Some real dangerous shots and opportunities created. Just seems to be a pattern at every level, he's a guy who really benefits from more talented linemates.
Valk: Scored again, he's obviously well suited to a tournament like this and has plenty of skill. Very opportunistic though, and doesn't consistently create. Also way worse than i expected defensively for a second game. Constantly on the wrong side of the puck as the 3rd forward offensively. And when the play shifts to his own zone, just dons his cloak of invisibility and floats around between the dots and the blueline. Doesn't seem too interested in doing much of the dirty work in his own end, and isn't very effective when he does rarely attempt. Really surprising to me, as i don't recall him being so bad in The Hat. Still...he's obviously got skill, and that's a nice thing to have, the production is great even in a small sample like this. I just can't help but think he's a low rent Schroeder though. Maybe worth a Utica contract...maybe.
Subban: Rough game. The ugly side really came out tonight. Far too eager to jump the gun and start thinking offense in his own end, strange positional play decisions, puck chasing, even some poor decisions forcing plays that weren't there offensively and terrible breakout passes (which should be his strong suit here).
Zalewski: Like others, quietly impressive. Showed he's got wheels, makes smart, simple decisions with the puck, forechecks well, doesn't get in his own way. All positive signs if he's going to find his way to the NHL one day in a depth role.
Cederholm: lmao. Why does this guy have a contract, honestly. I try really hard not to judge on too large a scale with a tournament like this...but this is honestly the same Cederholm as you see in the CHL. And i just don't get why he was signed. Slow, both in skating and thinking, zero puck skills, very little apparent hockey IQ, constantly out of position defensively. It's like a poor man's Adam Polasek.
Mackenze Stewart: I like the way he just charges around recklessly with no apparent gameplan in mind.
The Other Invites: It may sound harsh, but i really just don't care about any of them and it's extremely disappointing having to watch so many of these guys blunder their way through a "Young Stars" tournament in a Canucks jersey due to a lack of real "prospects". None of them were at all interesting or good.
