Notes from session 2.
89 - Zayne Parekh. Movement and puck control is the best of any Flame since Gaudreau. Shot is an absolute weapon, goalies were looking helpless all session. The first time he touched the puck in the 2 on 2 scrimmage, the defender’s entire body language shifted from “I’m gonna make a play here” to “oh ####”. Puck protection and passing/vision were on full display.
Verdict: gonna be a lotta 89 jerseys on Christmas lists moving forward.
3 - Artem Grushnikov. The Stromgren of the second session. Looked like an NHLer. Both of them just move differently than the other prospects - they’re confident, assured, and I expect Grushnikov will make it very difficult to send him to the AHL this September.
42 - Sam Honzek. Great shot. Picking corners all session. Good size. Still has that newborn deer vibe that prospects have - I’d say he’s a year away.
59 - Etienne Morin. Solid, not flashy, but effective. Doesn’t have the high end skill, but he doesn’t need to with Zayne in the fold. Got the feeling that either 59 or 3 would make great partners for Parekh long term.
49 - Andrew Basha. Didn’t spend a ton of time watching him, but what I saw, I liked. He’s a better skater than Coronato.
27 - Matt Coronato. Pretty underwhelming, but he ripped a few bar down from 50 feet out that made me remember why he’s a 1st round pick.
33 - Yegor Yegorov. I liked him. Let in one wobbly goal during a drill and made himself do a push up as punishment before the next one. Also wrapped up a guy’s legs who was trying to get a cheeky rebound goal after his turn. As a former tendy, I respect it.
Breakouts are going to be a strength of this group moving forward - Parekh, Grusnnikov and Morin were all making easy work of some drills that seemed to give lesser players some fits.
Overall takeaway after seeing both groups: get hyped.
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