Emergence of the young guys

[Joker]

Originally Posted by _Q_

For what it's worth, this is how I evaluate the young guys on the team:

Brodie - Incredible vision, extremely steady and mature game for his age. Needs to develop an edge and gain some size. Still, I like that he was one of the only players to stand up for his goalie against Colorado. He is definitely a top 4 Defenceman right now and maybe can be top 2 as early as next season.

Backlund - Has developed quite nicely into a two way centre. Brings it every shift. Doesn't take any shifts off. Seems as though he might be a future leader of this team. Can play well enough on the second line, but needs to work on his shot to be more effective in the offensive zone. Probably will never develop into a star first liner, but that's what I used to say about Iginla as well 15 years ago. So who knows.

Horak - Don't know why, but he's my favorite out of the young guys. Just like Backlund, never takes a shift off. Has good speed, OK hands, but is determined and tenacious as hell. I think 21 year old Horak is a better player than Backlund at 21 and would not be surprised one bit if he developed into a better player than Backlund. That's not taking anything away from Backs, but I think Horak is that good. If Horak can develop his shot a bit, then watch out.

Reinhart - I was always down on Reinhart before this call up. I never thought he had what it takes to become an NHLer. I have enjoyed watching him play the last couple of games, last game especially. I think I need to watch more of him to form a proper opinion, but I do like what I see so far. He had an incredible game last night and I really hope he can build on that.

Baertschi - He's OK. Needs more time in the AHL. I know we all want to rush this guy into the NHL, but I just don't think he's good enough. Not yet anyways. He's weak, but has good vision, always seems to know where he should be and is extremely determined. Still he gets pushed around easily and has a very soft shot. Hopefully he uses the offseason to bulk up a bit.

Backlund SERIOUSLY needs to add some strength. He is still getting tossed around way too often. Other than that, he's coming along.

Reinhart looks promising. His positioning is spot on, he has a good shot, he grinds and looks like he wills till add more size. Pretty stoked about him.

Cautiously optimistic.

[Regulator75]

I keep reading young guns.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by Joker

Backlund SERIOUSLY needs to add some strength. He is still getting tossed around way too often. Other than that, he's coming along.

Reinhart looks promising. His positioning is spot on, he has a good shot, he grinds and looks like he wills till add more size. Pretty stoked about him.

Cautiously optimistic.

I actually don't think Backlund needs to add much strength either. I just think he might have to learn how to use that new found strength. He's about the same size as Glencross, Stempniak and Begin, which is a decent size for a forward (6ish feet, 195ish pounds).

[868904]

Originally Posted by St. Pats

Not to mention that they are actually hustling. When you look at years and years of complacent vets who many a game just coasted it stands out. Players that actually give it an effort are fun to watch. But I wouldn't read a whole lot into it.

There were periods in the game last when Hartley put all the young guys together and all the vets together. When the kids were out I was watching closely and engaged. When the vets were out, I changed the channel or did something else.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by _Q_

For what it's worth, this is how I evaluate the young guys on the team:

Brodie - Incredible vision, extremely steady and mature game for his age. Needs to develop an edge and gain some size. Still, I like that he was one of the only players to stand up for his goalie against Colorado. He is definitely a top 4 Defenceman right now and maybe can be top 2 as early as next season.

Backlund - Has developed quite nicely into a two way centre. Brings it every shift. Doesn't take any shifts off. Seems as though he might be a future leader of this team. Can play well enough on the second line, but needs to work on his shot to be more effective in the offensive zone. Probably will never develop into a star first liner, but that's what I used to say about Iginla as well 15 years ago. So who knows.

Horak - Don't know why, but he's my favorite out of the young guys. Just like Backlund, never takes a shift off. Has good speed, OK hands, but is determined and tenacious as hell. I think 21 year old Horak is a better player than Backlund at 21 and would not be surprised one bit if he developed into a better player than Backlund. That's not taking anything away from Backs, but I think Horak is that good. If Horak can develop his shot a bit, then watch out.

Reinhart - I was always down on Reinhart before this call up. I never thought he had what it takes to become an NHLer. I have enjoyed watching him play the last couple of games, last game especially. I think I need to watch more of him to form a proper opinion, but I do like what I see so far. He had an incredible game last night and I really hope he can build on that.

Baertschi - He's OK. Needs more time in the AHL. I know we all want to rush this guy into the NHL, but I just don't think he's good enough. Not yet anyways. He's weak, but has good vision, always seems to know where he should be and is extremely determined. Still he gets pushed around easily and has a very soft shot. Hopefully he uses the offseason to bulk up a bit.

Agreed on everything regarding Baertschi except for his shot. His shot is actually very very good if utilized correctly. I remember watching one of the heat games during the lockout and he scored on a one-time shot, in which the puck went in and out of the net before the goalie had time to react. Ryan Pinder said he hadn't seen that hard of a shot since Kotalik.

[crazy_eoj]

Amazing what a little hustle looks like out there. It's too bad we didn't have more of these guys in the line up earlier showing the vets what can happen when you work your hardest every shift!?

[Joker]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I actually don't think Backlund needs to add much strength either. I just think he might have to learn how to use that new found strength. He's about the same size as Glencross, Stempniak and Begin, which is a decent size for a forward (6ish feet, 195ish pounds).

Ya, wow. He weighs MORE than Begin. Not sure what the problem is. Against the Canucks last night, one of their D-men(i believe) actually threw him when he attempted to grab a loose puck from in front of the net. He shouldve scored on the play but he was on the ice, in the corner. It's my only issue with Backlund

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Horak - Don't know why, but he's my favorite out of the young guys. Just like Backlund, never takes a shift off. Has good speed, OK hands, but is determined and tenacious as hell. I think 21 year old Horak is a better player than Backlund at 21 and would not be surprised one bit if he developed into a better player than Backlund. That's not taking anything away from Backs, but I think Horak is that good. If Horak can develop his shot a bit, then watch out.

One thing I liked from Horak last night that probably wasn't shown on TV was he was skating up to Baertschi and Cammy and other linemates during the TV timeouts and having chats with them and pointing at various places around the ice. It looked like he was trying get things set up for the next faceoff every timeout that he was on the ice. Bit surprised to see one of the juniors on the team taking that sort of initiative. Or anyone on the Flames taking that initiative.

[anwar]

I'm hoping we can sign rampage to an ELC and see how he can do with the big club... I don't see him more than a 5-6 Defense him but he'll probably bring in compete and I like his mean side

[Robbob]

I like the direction they are going but it is a little to early to tell. I do like the fact (when you compare to Edmonton) that we got young guys at all positions coming in. Brossoit/Ortio/Berra/Ramo for Goalies, Wotherspoon/Sielof/Ramage/Brodie on Defence, and Gaudreau/Janikowski/Granlund/Reinhart/Horak/Baertchi. I know only a fraction of these guys may turn into anything but coupled with what we get in subsequent drafts it is decent building block.

[schmaaadm]

Last night's game was the first time I have seen Reinhart play. He was easily my favourite player out there. Hardest worker out there for sure, and kept the play alive through sheer will on a few occasions.I was sure he was going to tuck one. Baertchi also made some incredible passes last night and would find open ice, but it seemed the play would die before he could get the puck back. It will come. Also tanguay should be sat, for a playmaker he makes some horrible passes...

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Robbob

I like the direction they are going but it is a little to early to tell. I do like the fact (when you compare to Edmonton) that we got young guys at all positions coming in. Brossoit/Ortio/Berra/Ramo for Goalies, Wotherspoon/Sielof/Ramage/Brodie on Defence, and Gaudreau/Janikowski/Granlund/Reinhart/Horak/Baertchi. I know only a fraction of these guys may turn into anything but coupled with what we get in subsequent drafts it is decent building block.

Much like happened with Chicago you need to hope these guys turn into good second and third line guys much like what happened with Versteeg, Bolland, Byfuglien, etc.

You cannot expect these guys (except for maybe Baertschi/Janko) to become your first line core (Toews/Kane) . We need to pick up those two stars in our next two drafts (Mackinnon/Reinhart), hope that these guys develop into secondary impact guys, and then add a couple key UFAs.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Much like happened with Chicago you need to hope these guys turn into good second and third line guys much like what happened with Versteeg, Bolland, Byfuglien, etc.

You cannot expect these guys (except for maybe Baertschi/Janko) to become your first line core (Toews/Kane) . We need to pick up those two stars in our next two drafts (Mackinnon/Reinhart), hope that these guys develop into secondary impact guys, and then add a couple key UFAs.

I agree with that. Although(even though it is early) I don't think our guys are quite at the level Chicago were. That is where this draft can really help elevate the higher end prospects slated to be first line players, which effectively bumps other prospects down giving us actual depth.

I do think that our rebuild is a little different in that sense when compared to the Oilers. Only time will tell though.

[droopydrew19]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

I keep reading young guns.

I could live without EVER hearing this group of players being called "YOUNG GUNS"

I am sure there are many of us that lived through the dark days that would concur.

[Badgers Nose]

Fun to watch is all I ask for. I've tuned in more since the rebuild than the start of the season when Iggy and JB were here.

Get rid of Cami and Tanguay and this team will be fine.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by droopydrew19

I could live without EVER hearing this group of players being called "YOUNG GUNS"

I am sure there are many of us that lived through the dark days that would concur.

Sad thing is that group had more potential than this one

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Remember Gagner, Cogliano, Nillson, etc up in Edmonton.

This is too soon and you can't judge a players performance when their is no pressure, and the other teams are overlooking you.

I have to agree. It's great to see the young guys playing well but we are pretty much sounding like Oiler fans now. We still have to add a lot more young pieces to our team and that's not going to be fixed just with this draft. Patience pays off guys, trust me.

[Henry Fool]

On Bärtschi, guys with high level of skill have to work out how to get the time and space to play their own game at the NHL level. Sometimes it takes a while, but I wouldn't expect a player who developed so well from 18 to 20 to disappoint in the long term. All he needs is to get comfortable and get his confidence up in the NHL.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Sad thing is that group had more potential than this one

That's just crazy. They had no potential.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

I have to agree. It's great to see the young guys playing well but we are pretty much sounding like fans now. We still have to add a lot more young pieces to our team and that's not going to be fixed just with this draft. Patience pays off guys, trust me.

Corrected for you.

You are not making a retirement investment here, its freakin hockey talk.

Who cares if you are bullish and end up being wrong?