Player Discussion Ryan Donato
- Thread starter DeagleJenkins
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Dr Jan Itor
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DeagleJenkins
Registered User
Dr Jan Itor
Registered User
Against the other team. No own goals please.
Meh, for the next 5 weeks, I'm not going to discriminate.
TheeNorthStar
Ok, dis hockey
TheSauceBoss
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- May 14, 2010
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Dr Jan Itor
Registered User
- Didn't really notice his skating as an issue. He's not a burner, but he didn't seem like he was chasing the play either.
- There's definitely skill there, but more than that he looked confident.
- I didn't actually notice him playing in his own end this game, but that might be because that line seemed to spend a lot of time on the forecheck. Plus I missed a lot of the 2nd period.
- There were a few moments where he seemed to get outmuscled, but he also didn't spend a lot of time farting around with the puck so there weren't a ton of chances to push him off of it.
- He and Ek seemed to work pretty well together.
It was only one game, but he was fun to watch.
- There's definitely skill there, but more than that he looked confident.
- I didn't actually notice him playing in his own end this game, but that might be because that line seemed to spend a lot of time on the forecheck. Plus I missed a lot of the 2nd period.
- There were a few moments where he seemed to get outmuscled, but he also didn't spend a lot of time farting around with the puck so there weren't a ton of chances to push him off of it.
- He and Ek seemed to work pretty well together.
It was only one game, but he was fun to watch.
Regardless of what knee jerk third grade reaction you had with the trade, the eye test did him well tonight.
I can't deny it.
Looking for 2nd line talent, 20 goals a year, but praying for a hidden late blooming 30 goal getter.
Let the experiment commence.
I can't deny it.
Looking for 2nd line talent, 20 goals a year, but praying for a hidden late blooming 30 goal getter.
Let the experiment commence.
B's fan here. Happy to see Donato have a good first game for you guys. I was a big fan of him in our prospect pool, and was sad to see him go, but you gotta give to get. I've always liked the Wild and I hope the trade works out for both sides.
Dickie Dunn
Registered User
He was pretty good but you never want to overreact to one game with all the adrenaline going in a new team and everything. We'll see how he maintains it.
The question is, if he's unable to fix his skating, how far will this high-end skill carry him?
That double minor Donato took late was a pretty good example of his issues without the puck and defensively. Very half-assed defense and got himself badly reaching. Could've been costly.
He's weak and got brushed aside too easily few times, as well as reacted too slowly defensively at times, but when pursuing the puck and looking to score he plays bigger than he is and is not afraid to play in the dirty areas. If he could somehow have that same mindset when trying to prevent the opponent from scoring...
Then you weren't paying enough attention. His skating is an obvious big weakness. He can't generate any power with this stride on open ice. So awkward and choppy, and it's going to make it a struggle for him to gain any separation in 5-on-5 hockey. Considering this player lives off production this is going to be a big limiting factor for him going forward, and could result into him becoming only a "PP specialist" type of player, or in the worst case, AHLer/KHLer.
Think you are underplaying this one. His offensive skill is absolutely high-end. The way he sees the ice in the offensive zone, handles and snaps the puck is extremely impressive.
The question is, if he's unable to fix his skating, how far will this high-end skill carry him?
Yea. Ek is really driving the play, skating miles and making it easy for his linemates. People aren't acknowledging enough how great he's been playing for a while now.
That double minor Donato took late was a pretty good example of his issues without the puck and defensively. Very half-assed defense and got himself badly reaching. Could've been costly.
He's weak and got brushed aside too easily few times, as well as reacted too slowly defensively at times, but when pursuing the puck and looking to score he plays bigger than he is and is not afraid to play in the dirty areas. If he could somehow have that same mindset when trying to prevent the opponent from scoring...
Engebretson
Thank you, sweet rabbit
Good debut for the kid. Actually, I think he's surpassed Spurgeon as the youngest-looking player on our team.
Nice to see 2 apples, but I was mostly just hoping he wouldn't be a liability out there last night. I did see some moments where he stopped moving his feet or got caught watching the play, but you can also tell he wants the puck and has great vision on the ice. If he can build on his defensive game, he's going to be a solid contributor.
Nice to see 2 apples, but I was mostly just hoping he wouldn't be a liability out there last night. I did see some moments where he stopped moving his feet or got caught watching the play, but you can also tell he wants the puck and has great vision on the ice. If he can build on his defensive game, he's going to be a solid contributor.
Skating: Me not paying enough attention from 6:00-8:00 is almost an inevitability most nights
And yeah, I'm the furthest thing from a skating coach; I was just going by whether or not he seemed to be chasing the play, and he didn't seem to.Offensive skill: I am underplaying it based on the sample size. My honest reaction last night was that he was playing like I wish Granlund would play: quick, smart decisions executed well.
Ek: Zero arguments and I hope he continues to run with the opportunity. I especially notice him behind the net lately. He's never shied from contact, but his balance seemed to be so off that he'd fall down after taking someone into the boards like 80% of the time. Lately when he does it he stays on his feet, outmuscles the other guy and comes away with it. Many times he'll make some a nice after doing so. It'll be very encouraging if he can keep that up for the rest of the year.
Defensive stuff: This is mostly what has me tempering my expectations, even after a fun performance last night. That and the "go and play" comment. I'm sure it's refreshing to get a new start after feeling stuck down on the depth chart in Boston, and with where the Wild are and the suddenness of the arrival I'm not surprised that Bruce's instructions were light. But it's not going to stay like that. We'll see how he does when the leash is shortened.
DeagleJenkins
Registered User
i disagree with his skating, watched it specifically just for this situation. i dont see choppy and awkward, by no means does he have blazing speed but his skating is not a negative. could benefit from a skating coach to help but its not as bad as you state. as for defensively, he does look out of place. at times puck watching. he doesnt exactly float in the d zone but he does kind of point that way. he just needs a refresher on putting your head on a swivel and using the same hustle on defense as offense.
Saga of the Elk
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- May 31, 2008
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Looked fine - he definitely had the adrenaline going. But at the very, very least this move helped repair the hole in the roster from the 2014 draft and there should be a spot for him on next fall's team.
Team had to get younger, they also got a shooter, a smart player, and a reasonable prospect under team control. All that and a pick.
Team had to get younger, they also got a shooter, a smart player, and a reasonable prospect under team control. All that and a pick.
- Aug 5, 2011
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I'd like to see how he plays against some quality defensemen (not NYR or Detroit).
He certainly seems more skilled than Coyle at first blush.
He certainly seems more skilled than Coyle at first blush.
BigBadBruins7708
Registered User
Bruins fan perspective from his time here.
Kid has a hell of a shot, but is a bit of a rooster tease. He has stretches where he's an offensive dynamo, then disappears.
His biggest problems in Boston were skating, fighting for the puck and size. He couldn't win a puck battle, was hesitant to go battle on the boards, and was very easily knocked off the puck. In the D zone he was lost, would have bad turnovers and was not good defensively.
Kid has a hell of a shot, but is a bit of a rooster tease. He has stretches where he's an offensive dynamo, then disappears.
His biggest problems in Boston were skating, fighting for the puck and size. He couldn't win a puck battle, was hesitant to go battle on the boards, and was very easily knocked off the puck. In the D zone he was lost, would have bad turnovers and was not good defensively.
DeagleJenkins
Registered User
im confused with this puck battle issue, was last night just a tease? he went into the corners and won some battles. maybe its only the offensive zone?
I saw him pluck a puck or two out of a scrum, but I'm not sure I saw him "win a battle." He should get Spurgeon to tell him his secrets.
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