[Caged Great]

Quick breakdown

Team Conroy

Busch - Did not notice him out there.

Dube - Looked slightly better than he did last year. Not a ton of improvement, but progress nonetheless.

Gawdin - Very solid player. If I had to bet on a walkon earning a contract, it would be him. A reliable guy that you can put in the bottom six in Stockton and see where he takes it.

Hawerchuk - Slow and otherwise unnoticeable.

Lomberg - Same uptempo game that earned him a contract in the first place. Could be a fun energy guy on the 4th line some day.

Malott - Big + Hands and some skill means that he piqued my interest. The best skill level of the walk ons today.

Mattson - Progressing well enough. Decent size and skill. Still a project to watch.

Poirier - On the ice, it was the best I have seen him. Even better though was off the ice. He seemed genuinely happy and in a good place. I hope that he is able to stay in that space and beat the demons he is dealing with. Good guy. Cheering for him.

Pollock - Do not see him getting re-signed.

Alex Smith - Did not stand out.

Tuulola - He was there. He did well enough. Not as dynamic as last season

Veronneau - Did not stand out.



Doetzal - Bottom pairing AHLer

Fox - Progression, but could be better overall. Improved, but not by as much as I was hoping.

Kylington - Pushing hard for a job in the NHL.

Ruopp - Not noticeable

Teves - Not noticeable

Valimaki - Great talent level overall on both sides of the game. Just raw. Needs to fill out a bit and is a bit skinny despite his weight.


Parsons - The potential to be at a level with Rask/Quick/Murray/Price etc. is there. Will he realize that potential is the question that remains.

Schneider - He's alright and did alright things. Was the least good of the 3 today.