2016 Penticton Young Stars Sept 16-19

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by saillias

was that an autocorrect or is there really an Ann Coulter on the Canucks Penticton roster?

There was a Lodge, Moynahan and Coulter. I took free liberty to assign first names to all of them

[Incogneto]

Originally Posted by JohnnyTitan

So ya - I was with InCoGnEtO and it was hella fun. Of everyone...we probably talked to Haynes the longest and he just came across as a true fan and a good guy. He was the least "Creeped-Out" by the drunks throwing questions his way...lol. He actually leaned on our table and was quite at-ease. Others (Gelinas) were more like, "Answer a few questions and then get the heck away from these fanatics!" Haha.

InCoG was very consistent making sure the very first topic of conversation with each person we talked to was Tkachuk. The (loaded) question was always framed, "Is he just going to run around and be a dick or are we going to grow to love this guy?"

The best two responses:
Conroy (in 1/10th of a second): "Yeah - but he's OUR dick!"
Loubo: "Oh man, come on. Our team is going to love him and 29 other teams are going to want to stab him through the heart!"

Both instant classics in my mind...I laughed at both.

The other tidbit I got from Conroy was my question...kinda transitioning from Tkachuk to Bennett. I kinda drew a parallel to Bennett about how he tried a little too hard early on and ran-around a little bit....but MAN how awesome would it be to see Tkachuk and Bennett teamed-up. Conroy responded, "Wouldn't that be an awesome 2nd line!".

I found that funny. I've been beating the "There is more a top-9 in today's NHL...less a 1st, 2nd and 3rd line anymore" drum for the entire summer...but to hear Conroy almost let that slip in Fan-Mode vs Assistant-GM-Mode was kinda cool. It made me realize it's more than just a bunch of message-board fan-boys thinking about that possibility. The Flames Brass is thinking about (and drooling over) the idea of Bennett-Tkachuck teamed up and Conroy even went the extra mile to throw in the "2nd Line" thing as-if our rebuild is complete when Backs-and-Frolik are most certainly our #3.

We did chat with Steinburg and his cast-of-characters (Nault, Vickers, Camera guy) for quite a while and although I was less surprised at their "Janko = pro already" comments it was interesting how not-a-big deal they thought there comments were coming across. It was like, "Ya, Jankowski is ready to be an NHLer. Obviously. Next question"

Final tid-bit. I made Lou laugh a bit when I slurred at him, "All the media is here except the Kristins. Where are the Kristins?!?" He giggled and quipped, "You have a good eye my friend". LOL.

And just in case anyone is wondering, we made it abundantly clear that it was AWESOME to see Lou out-and-about and it was cool that he was back doing what he was meant to do. He looked good and happy to be in Penticton and we mentioned a couple times that we were really happy that he was healthy.

...Thanks for filling in the gaps...although never use the term 'hella fun' again. A man your age should not be saying that!

[JohnnyTitan]

Ya - the Janko "Other Team" comment was certainly not from Flames Brass. I took the comment as pure speculation...don't get all worked-up CP!!

And nothing to do directly with Young Stars / Penticton / Meeting all these guys...but I just want to go on record for the 2nd or 3rd time stating why not Stajan wing and Janko as 4th line centre? Why would Janko have to play wing? Move the slower / older guy who can't win face-offs to wing!!

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by saillias

just spitballing, but I wonder if he would be a throw-in to dump a wideman or other bad contract.

See that's the sort of deal that would drive me loco. Like how the Panthers packaged Crouse with Bolland, or the Red Wings packaged "Chychrun" with Datsyuk.

[Bear]

Jankowski for Nichushkin?

Jankowski for Beaulieu?

Jankowski for Virtanen?

Jankowski for Strome?

[Weitz]

Oilers up on the jets, 3-1. Puli with 2 more points for 5 in 2 games.

Decently exciting game to kill my boring afternoon here.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Oilers up on the jets, 3-1. Puli with 2 more points for 5 in 2 games.

Decently exciting game to kill my boring afternoon here.

Hasn't really been all that exciting. Not many real chances. Puljujarvi has been excellent though

[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by Bear

Jankowski for Nichushkin?

Jankowski for Beaulieu?

Jankowski for Virtanen?

Jankowski for Strome?

Add Wideman to this and we have a winner

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Hasn't really been all that exciting. Not many real chances. Puljujarvi has been excellent though

Maybe just seems exciting cause I can actually stream it at work haha

[Weitz]

I really wish you could stream all hockey games on youtube. Works really well.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Maybe just seems exciting cause I can actually stream it at work haha

And as I type that puljujarvi creates another chance then gets an assist on a on 3

[GoneOnDreaming]

Was curious about an Oilers prospect during the Jets vs Oilers game today. I asked the old guy in front of me if he was an Oilers fan, he turned around and replied, "do I look stupid?" He then turned back around and continued watching the game.

Made my morning.

[Incogneto]

In the games I watched, Puljujarvi has been the best player in the tournement.

[TKB]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Oilers up on the jets, 3-1. Puli with 2 more points for 5 in 2 games.

Decently exciting game to kill my boring afternoon here.

So lucky to have the BJ's pass on this kid. He looks unreal.

[Rejean31]

Originally Posted by InCoGnEtO

In the games I watched, Puljujarvi has been the best player in the tournement.

Many of Puljujarvi's points were of the second assist variety. Decent player though. Still no doubt in my mind that the Oilers will ruin this kid like so many others!!

[Rejean31]

And with the Oilers winning all three games out here we can only expect the Oil hype machine to hit overdrive.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by DJones

I would be outraged if he got traded. Especially when he would fit perfectly on the wing of either Bennett or Backlund.

Playmaking centres who are good on face-offs do not fit perfectly on someone's wing. Especially when they don't dominate the boards. Nothing about Jankowski's game screams winger and everything about his game screams playmaking centre. Bennett' skill set is much more suited to the wing than Janko's is.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

My thoughts on the players so far after two games:

Two guys on this team look close to contending for a spot in the lineup and those are Tkachuk and Jankowski.

Tkachuk - Agitator, power forward, skilled forward. He competes hard, he's strong on the puck, he's always driving the net, he's in the face of the opposition. This is the type of player we've lacked for years. This is the type of player that would compliment Monahan-Gaudreau or Bennett super well. His skating doesn't look like it'll hold him back IMO. He's got NHL size, NHL skill and he plays a style of game that excels in the NHL. I think he'd improve our team this year. He'll definitely get a long look.

Jankowski - He's really developing nicely. Gotta disagree with the media that he's NHL ready. IMO he could still use some work filling out, getting stronger. IMO he can get a lot from learning the pro game and having some confidence rise while playing at the minor league level. He's a playmaking centre through and through. The suggestions that he makes the Flames on the wing are nonsensical to me. He's good on face-offs, he's got good vision and passing. Prototypical playmaking centre. I think CP was spot on to rank him as highly as we did this summer in the prospect poll. That said I think the best move for him is to start in the AHL and then come up when injuries hit our centre ice position. He's right on track.

The rest of the players aren't really in contention for a spot this year IMO.

Defensemen

Kylington - The skill and skating are undeniable. But so is the fact that he takes risky chances, is still super skinny and is an adventure in his own end. He's got NHL skill and skating for sure and his upside is large but he's nowhere near polished enough for the NHL. Probably a couple years away IMO.

Andersson - Like what I see from him. Pro will be a good step up for him and hopefully he gets his conditioning issues sorted. Very high upside.

Culkin - Looked the most veteran of the d as he should. Makes the best decision of the group IMO.

Falkovsky - Very nice puck skills and skating for such a big man. Long term project but he's got intriguing upside.

Kanzig - Didn't stand out much in the positive or the negative way to me. Long term project and hopefully he advances this year in pro.

Morrison - Looks more polished than I've seen him look before. He's decent with the puck has good size. Not sure he really has much NHL potential though, I think he'll be buried behind other better prospects. Hopefully can play a veteran role in the AHL as we have several young guys.

Forwards

Mangiapane - Not close to NHL ready IMO. He's showed a few flashes mostly with his shot but doesn't consistently make an impact on the game. He needs to learn pro and continue to gain strength. Intriguing offensive upside.

Carroll - Liked what I've seen from him. Plays that power forward style but has some hands. Hopefully he can have a breakout year in the AHL this year.

Dube - Very good skating. He's elusive, skilled and smart. I'm liking this pick so far.

Phillips - Showed a few flashes but he's a long term project at his size. Intriguing upside but we'll have to be patient.

Tuulola - Liked what I've seen of him too. Has skill, size and physicality. Always a tantalizing combo. Very excited to see what he can do in the WHL this year.

Smith - I'm not as down on him as some. He's huge and can get even stronger. He'd make a very scary grinding 4th liner if he can continue to develop. Hits hard, uses his size and doesn't embarrass himself with the puck. He's a bit of a project and hopefully we see him take a step forward in the AHL this year.

Pollock - Maybe the biggest disappointment for me as he hasn't shown much IMO. Expected a bit more but its still early in his career. Hard to write him off based off a few exhibition games.

Out of the tryouts I've been most impressed with Aagard. I'd consider giving him a contract.

[greyshep]

Does anyone know when the regular training camp schedule will be posted? I assume someone will start a thread, but with all the world cup stuff going on I wasnt sure if I missed seeing it posted already.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Long post

I agree with pretty much everything you wrote other than with Janko. I think he could be fine if used in a depth role in the NHL this year, but it wouldn't hurt giving him 40 games in the A either and I don't think Kylington is multiple seasons away (next year he should be in unless something goes wrong). Beyond that, our opinions are the same.