I'm gonna be extremely lazy and work off of this solid breakdown by sting....
Virtanen is an impact player. Never gonna be the guy you want handling the puck during a cycle but he's just got so many physical gifts that he will create a tone of space for talent laden line mates.
Love his style. Happy to see a couple quality cycles tonight... But killed a few others. So my dream of him miraculously gelling with the twins and creating a depth push down effect lives another night.
Subban is a stud. Gonna be a good one. He looks insanely explosive this year and I was already impressed last season with his ability to sidestep checkers with ease.
So confident with the puck. That will gear down in the A, and then again in the NHL.. Hopefully his development keeps pace to the increasing skill levels.
McCann is our prospect with the highest ceiling. Tremendous skill set. Just needs to become a man. What a release and highly creative. I've watched him a tone the last couple years and I'm really high on this kid.
His speed was awesome in flashes in the latter half of the gm... His hardest shot tonight unfortunately led to a g the other way... His hands were on display on I think the 1st PP of the gm... Can't wait to see him at the WJrs..
Shinkaruk is a smaller version of Chris Higgins. His ability to cash in on his chances will define how high he can go.
I'm right with the other guy earlier that thought he was good tonight. He, however, failed to standout... But he wasn't sub-par by any means absolutely speaking. relatively speaking, yeah.
Cassels and Gaunce will be better in a more structured game with bottom 6 roles. NHLers for sure.
Gaunce just continuously impresses me with his smarts and with his shot. He may be the type of guy that plays on your second line and complements more skilled line mates. He always has me thinking "eww" the 1st couple times up and down the ice then he just continues to do things that impress. Such a sleeper.
Gaunce seemed very efficient with his skating.. Looked like he was cruising around the 1st period... But he definitely remained consistent with those comments he once made about how some players skate like the wind but don't actually accomplish anything out there... He definitely showed the IQ of when to turn it on... This guy could be a gem.
Cassels was where I thought he'd be... Needs to develop in the A. Foot speed is a detriment and will be his prime obstacle to the next level.
Hutton has a very impressive tool box (being a college player I've only seen him a few times) his instincts are excellent as is his skating. Looks raw to me ( almost awkward sometimes) but does some intelligent things that separate him from the next tier of guys. Definitely a legit prospect. Should be an interesting one to follow with Utica.
Pretty much agree... Although I still can't figure out why he remained down low at crease level on the goal he scored.. Ha ha... Paid off, but whoa.
I'm glad I stuck up for Mackenzie Stewart on these forums. I think people forget how much room a guy like Stewart can create for mostly himself and also to a lesser degree teammates. If the guy works his ass off at his skills and drives the net like a maniac.......he's got a legit shot to play in the show. Nobody wants anything to do with a guy like this.
Now I know a lot of you couldn't care less about a mostly enforcer type player that's easily replaceable being used up as a draft pick....but it's really good for all our young bucks to have a guy like this around them as they advance through the system even if it ends in Utica.
Pleased with his game tonight. Loved his wheels.
I wonder how many other 7th rounders from 2014 are looking like they'll be in the A this yr.
I'm happy he displayed that he actually earned his contract after being foo fooed by people staring at hockeydb. And it's pretty well documented who those people are.
Was I the only one wondering if he could even hear what Moroz was saying to him the box?
Great story.. Great on ice debut for me! (My first game viewing of him.... And I can guarantee I'm not alone)