[Sandman]

A few takeaways:

-Dragicevic was a team worst -5. His skating isn't bad, but he needs to work on it, as his deficiencies were exploited on the big ice, by a very fast Swedish squad. Good with the puck on his stick, not so good without it- but there's more games to play.

-Colby Barlow has an NHL-calibre shot, and a non-stop motor. Looking for more from him. He played in all situations, including PK.

-Andrew Cristall is a sparkplug-full of energy, good vision, good shot. Excellent puck-protection, which is good for a player with diminutive stature.

-Don't sleep on D Tristan Bertucci, he has everything you want in a top-4 defenseman- size, skating, smarts. It was hard, though, to be enamored with anyone on Team Canada tonight, especially the D.

-Despite both being -2, Defensemen Cam Allen and Caden Price are both excellent two-way players, and they take pride in their own-zone play. Both are modern-day defensemen, with great backwards skating, gap control, and are excellent in transition.

-D Quinton Burns is a throwback D- physical, blocks shots, punishing in front of the net, relentless motor. He had an excellent game.

-I'm not as concerned about Matthew Wood's skating as I was before-don't get me wrong, he needs to work on it, but he keeps his legs pumping and works hard.

-I can see why scouts love RW/C Alex Pharand- he's a human wrecking ball. Fast, big, physical, makes life miserable for opponents.

-D Axel Sandin Pelikka has better stats in the J20 Liiga than Erik Karlsson did in his draft year, and Karlsson only had 7 points in 6 games at the U-18's. ASP already has 5 points after 1 U-18 game. This kid should be the first D taken in this year's draft, I think he'll be a superstar. Good game from his d-partner, Theo Lindstein- who, last year, was projected to be a top-10 pick in this year's draft, but has tumbled all the way down to second-round consideration. Definitely not as explosive as ASP, but smart and skilled in his own right.

-I can see why C Otto Stenberg is getting first-round attention. He sees seams for passes that few players can pick up. Supreme vision and IQ.

-I liked what I saw from winger Noel Nordh. He's big, skates well, and uses his body in puck battles. Not sure if he'll ever be a top-6 player in the NHL, though. Not intimidated by his Canadian counterparts, has a little chip on his shoulder.

-C Anton Wahlberg was impressive, putting up a goal and 3 points. 6'3" Center who skates well (yes, please), and has skill, and a great shot. They say he's more of a goal-scorer, and could use his teammates better, but he had no trouble being creative tonight. I really like this kid.

-I like C Noah Dower-Nilsson for the same reasons I liked his brother, Liam- both are average-sized, but both are skilled, fast, well-rounded players. NDN is a pass-first player, but will drive the net like a power forward. Non-stop motor.