Late to this obviously but it was great to watch some hockey in person for the first in months.
Really impressed with Rasmus Andersson. He is so composed with the puck and more often than not makes a crisp outlet on the tape enabling speed through the neutral zone. He is noticeably quicker but still isn't fast, but his ability to read the play efficiently makes up for it. In my opinion he should have been in the NHL last season but after dunking on the entire AHL for two straight seasons now he should be done in that league for good and the Flames' #5 defenceman this season with obvious top four potential.
Andrew Mangiapane is another who looked great in all three zones. Relentless worker and has a surprisingly strong base for his size. Given his utility he should be done in the minors as well.
Dillon Dube really catches the eye with his skating and work ethic. Terrific in the opposition own but still a step behind in his own zone. I see him starting his pro career on the wing to learn the ropes.
Austin Czarnik is an incredible forechecker and has quite the skillset in tight on offence as well. Some good fortune in getting a hat-trick given the nature of the goals obviously, but I think the only thing missing from the 3M line last year was a bit of pace. Backlund is a top 10 neutral zone player in the league and Tkachuk is unbelievable at everything, so adding Czarnik's pace and forechecking acumen would make this line a shutdown matchup nightmare for all but a few lines in the league.
Kulak and Stone were both terrible. Kulak is on thin ice for obvious reasons but if not for contract/status Stone would be as well. Kulak really struggled reading the game and Stone still struggles tremendously making clean outlets, instead punting to the other team. After both had poor seasons last year I can't see both starting and in fact neither should be at this point...but if I had to choose one it's Kulak, personally.
A Stone trade makes a lot of sense while he still has some value (assuming he does). Prout can easily fill the same depth role with physicality while showing some toughness and actually sticking up for his teammates which for whatever reason Stone has yet to do.
Juuso Valimaki has the size, skill, speed, but still thinks the game a step behind at the pro level. He needs at least a year in the minors. He will mature and stop trying to do it all and play many years in the NHL just needs some seasoning.
Kylington while better than years past is still erratic on the ice and is often saved by his unbelievable mobility. I think he needs another year in the minors as the top dog on defence before making the leap as a depth/powerplay defenceman.
Curtis Lazar showed nothing. Too bad because I like the guy, but he simply isn't anything more than a replacement level player at this point. If the Flames take the best 14 forwards he doesn't make the team, but might if they feel Dube/Mangiapane need some AHL time to hit higher potential. A second was horrible at the time and remains that way now - I have no idea what the Flames were thinking.
James Neal is as I expect him to be: a slower poacher with a lightning release and top tier ability to find soft spots in the defence. Won't drive play through the neutral zone much himself and is pedestrian defensively but is deadly if his linemates can find him in the slot.
__________________
"I think the eye test is still good, but analytics can sure give you confirmation: what you see...is that what you really believe?"
Scotty Bowman, 0 NHL games played
|
