Honzek looks dialed in to me at least, he's skating well and his shot seems like it did prior to the injuries last year. I remember prospect camp last year he looked good, I wouldn't he looks better this year but definitely a step up on most of the forwards.
Morin also looks good, I'd say he was pretty underwhelming last year in terms of high flashy skill and more so Mr. Consistent but so far today he looks really good skating in that group with Parekh and Grushnikov. You can see he's got that offensive touch as well, but reminds me more of a 2-way Hannifin type D-man than the elite offensive instinct of a Z.Parekh.
Not much to question about Zayne Parekh, I still don't know how he fell to 9 but thank you Ottawa. I cant remember the last time I've watched a defenseman dazzle this much ever... his edgework, release, passing its all at an elite level. There's no denying he's the shiny new toy, but his confidence is sky high it seems.
Never hurts for these kids to go back to junior, but his game just seems ready. You can already tell he has the ability to work the blue line so well with that lateral movement and vision. Cant wait to see his summer progress and show up in rookie and main camp, I feel like he could be the surprise darkhorse this year, though we gotta sign him too!
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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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Agreed. Seems like they went with the most NHL-ready defenceman available. Not that I think Yak is ready for the NHL yet… but he’s big and physical and he’s the oldest of the top defencemen in the draft. Fits their need of help sooner rather than later. The clock is ticking on the Tkachuk contract (4 years left) so they need someone that could contribute in that window. Personally, I think they should have traded that pick for help now (Andersson) but I also understand that I’m biased.
What I love about the Parekh pick in this draft in particular is that I see him as a prospect with the best chance of becoming a star in the NHL. Outside of Cellebrini, I think the players with the highest potential to become NHL stars would be Lindstrom, Demidov and Parekh. Very high ceiling players IMO. They also could have lower floors than other picks but it’s worth the risk.
That’s not to say other players won’t become star players as well… in all likelihood, several of them will be. And others that don’t become star players I have a feeling will become important complementary pieces and/or huge playoff contributors - Iginla has that written all over him IMO. If Tij gets on a team that becomes a contender, I could see him being a driving force in a playoff run. I will forever hold out hope the flames find a way to trade for him and be that team.
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.
I'm guessing he'll switch to 19 again once on the big squad?
Like to hear Morin looking good. He’s such a cerebral player. Would love for him and Parekh to both reach their potential… the style of pairing would be like Toews (Morin) and Makar (Parekh).
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56 - Henry Mews. Very confident with the puck on his stick. He’s a better skater than Brzustewicz. One thing that really stood out - when pucks bounced on him or he didn’t get his shot off the way he wanted, he didn’t care. He didn’t break stride. He played through it at full speed and progressed to the next part of the drill.
48 - Hunter Brzustewicz. Skating was clunky and wooden. Seemed to be fighting it. Passes in drills were often off target, and didn’t seem to have his shot working. He’ll be better tomorrow, but I didn’t see someone ready to take a spot on the big club.
Like to hear Morin looking good. He’s such a cerebral player. Would love for him and Parekh to both reach their potential… the style of pairing would be like Toews (Morin) and Makar (Parekh).
I'd forgotten that Morin was known for his physicality. He's not big by NHL standards but that would compliment a pairing with Parekh.
48 - Hunter Brzustewicz. Skating was clunky and wooden. Seemed to be fighting it. Passes in drills were often off target, and didn’t seem to have his shot working. He’ll be better tomorrow, but I didn’t see someone ready to take a spot on the big club.
One thing that is interesting to me is that Brzustewicz skating doesn't appear to be fluid, but he's been very effective and productive in spite of that.
If Dawn Braid Danielle Fujita can improve that stride and make him more explosive then there might be even more upside there.
Last edited by SuperMatt18; 07-04-2024 at 01:49 PM.
One thing that is interesting to me is that Brzustewicz skating doesn't appear to be fluid, but he's been very effective and productive in spite of that.
If Dawn Braid can improve that stride and make him more explosive then there might be even more upside there.
Danielle Fujita.
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