Back from training camp. Couldn't stay the whole time because I have a mad amount of reading to do for school.
Basically, the drills focused heavily on breakouts for the first half and heavily on cycling, board play, and forechecking in the second half.
The most impressive players today for Team Red was Baertschi, Aliu, Bouma, and Estoclet. Aliu and Bouma have been paired for the last three days. In fact, as far I can tell, they're the only pairing to have stuck together over the last three days. Both are making a case for best grinding prospect in the system.
Estoclet was able to score at will today. It seemed like every shot he took went in. He went top corner nearly every time. Very skilled player with good board play. Can't battle it out physically, but moves the puck well along the boards.
Baertschi had his best day today. Extremely creative and can passes like it's nobody's business. Not too much else to say. Basically what we all expect from him haha. He seems to get along well with anyone on the ice. The coaches get him to demonstrate their drills quite often.
Irving wasn't very good today. He got scored on alot. Mind you, some of those shots were snipes, but still he didn't stop many. An off day for him for sure.
On Team Black, I only caught 50 minutes of their practice, but Lamb was good as usual. He's grittier than you'd expect. He also plays about half a foot taller than he actually is. He's got a very nice shot as well. Always knows where to shoot the puck so there's a rebound for his forwards. I'd consider this guy one of the Flames best defensive prospects for sure.
Bancks is always stuck in second gear. He doesn't have a first gear haha. He doesn't coast, he skates like he's on a breakaway all the time. He often outworks defensemen in the corners easily.
So after the third day, my thoughts are this: Coming into camp, the forwards were expected to be the hardest group to work into in a team of 13 players. I'm starting to think that the forwards are becoming a little more clearer than the defensemen and the goalies.
Brust, Taylor, and Irving have been playing well, especially Brust.
The defensemen are so damn good that I only see a few that probably won't make it. There's so much parity in this group with only Brodie, Lamb, and McKelvie truly standing out play-wise, and Piskula standing out conditioning-wise (he also hasn't been bad play-wise).
I guess we'll see what tomorrow brings, but as the longer the camp goes on, the more murky it is getting in terms of who will and won't get cut.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freeway
McKelvie is gonna be a fine addition to that blueline.
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Big time. He's like a better skating, smarter Matt Pelech. I'm very impressed. Good scout Weisbrod haha.