[GDT] Next Gen Showcase Game 2: Oilers @ Flames. 4pm MT

[Reggie Dunlop]

I think the organization should sign Axel Hurtig and find a spot for him on the Wranglers, even if means moving out a defenceman already under contract. He's ready to play against tougher competition.

Brisson will go back to the Q and maybe somewhere down the road the Flames revisit him. He still needs to bulk up.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I said it before and I will say it again, this rebuild won't take long at all if they bottom out this year/next year. There is too much talent coming up. 2 first rounds this draft (and expected more with the Andersson trade). Flames have the goalie in place. They have some really good defencemen in place. They will have a few good vets in place too (Weegar and Huberdeau) over the next several seasons. The only real hole organizationally at this point is that #1 franchise-type of center that is so elusive.

Bottoming out may or may not happen and even if it does happen, it may not yield a C....

But seeing the collection of young talented players that the Flames have assembled does make me think that trading for a C is possible. One of the teams with a collection of Cs but are lacking in D or W should be looking at the Flames and thinking about how well a trade like that could help both organizations.

[Enoch Root]

I don't agree with the assessments of the defensemen being behind, or slower, or whatever. First, defensemen take longer, because you have to learn the position (unlike forwards that can rely on talent), and second, these games were absolutely structureless - no chance for defensemen to look good compared to the forwards.

Defensemen are harder to hit, so you need lots of prospects - trading guys away early in their development just doesn't make sense.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I think this showcase - not necessarily the wins or scores, but watching these kids play, and seeing how old they are - really supports some of the high rankings that this prospect pool enjoys on many pundits' lists.


There was a lot of skill out on display in these games, as well as a lot of size. Then you have to remember that basically the entire draft class from this past draft was missing (except Phillips), which includes 2 first rounders. Plus there were a lot of other prospects missing - other drafts with NCAA prospects, and European prospects. Plus, Parekh wasn't playing (and Basha didn't play last night).


I said it before and I will say it again, this rebuild won't take long at all if they bottom out this year/next year. There is too much talent coming up. 2 first rounds this draft (and expected more with the Andersson trade). Flames have the goalie in place. They have some really good defencemen in place. They will have a few good vets in place too (Weegar and Huberdeau) over the next several seasons. The only real hole organizationally at this point is that #1 franchise-type of center that is so elusive.



It has definitely been a little dark to be a Flames' fan the last couple of seasons ever since the Flames lost Gaudreau and Tkachuk. However, this certainly feels like the start of an exciting time here in Calgary. In the next 2-3 years, even people who don't follow the Flames very closely will be excited by what are starting to see on the ice. It certainly seems like the good times are not far off again. I am shifting my focus away from worrying too much about the wins and losses, and towards the evolution of the future core here. This is going to be a fun ride.

They're stocked with wingers that have potential. No concern there.

They have both offensive D (including a blue chip one) and some stay at home ones with size.

Center is what needs to be addressed from a skill standpoint.

I like the mix of Frost, Reschny, King (with an outside chance of Zary or Potter sticking at C) to fill out your bottom 2-3 slots, but you need an impact center in that group, and you need Reschny to reach his potential.

Unless there's a superstar at another position that falls to you, best center available would be my approach for the next draft. I wouldn't be mad if say 4 of 5 of their first picks were centers. It will likely be a numbers game in the end.

[Lewis_D]

My bold and way too early prediction is that Brett Sutter will get promoted to an assistant after some of these prospects make the jump to NHL, and then will get a head coaching gig at another org.

[EVERLAST]

Bruczkevich definitely needs work skating . He'll benefit getting alot of time with the Wranglers and Daniele Fujita to iron out those deficiencies.

Once that is done and he can skate to make better decisions his game will have incredible poise ....you can tell it's too fast for him and he he grips that stick too tight and that's okay .
Parekh will too have those moments , they all will .
Playing D in this league when the stakes are high is exactly Like wearing a bullseye on your back and when you don't get noticed for all the good things you do that too must be exasperating.

Still glad he's here. Me thinks he's a late bloomer....just like Mark Giordano.

Hell....Scott Bowman once called GIo the leagues most improved player.

[Bingo]

I think the lack of structure in a thrown together game hurts Brustewicz more than most.

He's fine.

I think he'll change minds to the positive again when he can play in a Huska system with NHLers.

[Toonage]

Kind of reminds me how last year after Penticton many thought Honzek was poor. Then he showed up at main camp and won a job.

Brzustewicz may show similar.

[Jiggy]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Kind of reminds me how last year after Penticton many thought Honzek was poor. Then he showed up at main camp and won a job.

Brzustewicz may show similar.

These games aren't the easiest to play in. Players are playing with first time line mates and don't know each other's tendencies. They barely had practice time before the game. It's the worst for goalies who get hung out to dry a lot and don't get the best support.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Jiggy

These games aren't the easiest to play in. Players are playing with first time line mates and don't know each other's tendencies. They barely had practice time before the game. It's the worst for goalies who get hung out to dry a lot and don't get the best support.

Yep thats kind of what I was getitng at - don't put a lot of stock if any into these games.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Jiggy

These games aren't the easiest to play in. Players are playing with first time line mates and don't know each other's tendencies. They barely had practice time before the game. It's the worst for goalies who get hung out to dry a lot and don't get the best support.

Originally Posted by Toonage

Yep thats kind of what I was getitng at - don't put a lot of stock if any into these games.

These games are to get guys warmed up and, frankly, I think the Organizations saw that the fans were getting a little edgy and threw us a bone.

"Its best if we just play some hockey, any hockey, before the rampaging masses overthrow society!"

[gvitaly]

What did you guys think of Basha? He looked pretty quick in the 1st game, making good plays in general, but not creating much in the O-zone. I don't think he played in the 2nd game.

Also, I have a hard time evaluating older prospects like King in a game like this, so I enjoyed reading everyone's take. I loved his poise with the puck, and he made a couple of great passes. He's also 24 playing against 20-year-olds, so I expect him to both be physically ahead, and have a more mature game. At the end of the day I liked what I saw so far, and hopefully he looks just as good in main camp.

[FBI]

Doesn't Bru play with Morin like crazy though? Not really that new of a linemate?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by FBI

Doesn't Bru play with Morin like crazy though? Not really that new of a linemate?

?

They have never been on the same team before.

[FBI]

Oops who was Bru's regular partner last year with the Wranglers?

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by FBI

Oops who was Bru's regular partner last year with the Wranglers?

I believe it was Kuznetzov.

[D as in David]

I don't recall skating being a Brz issue before - am I having a senior moment?

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

What did you guys think of Basha? He looked pretty quick in the 1st game, making good plays in general, but not creating much in the O-zone. I don't think he played in the 2nd game.

Also, I have a hard time evaluating older prospects like King in a game like this, so I enjoyed reading everyone's take. I loved his poise with the puck, and he made a couple of great passes. He's also 24 playing against 20-year-olds, so I expect him to both be physically ahead, and have a more mature game. At the end of the day I liked what I saw so far, and hopefully he looks just as good in main camp.

I saw the same thing about Basha, as there wasn't a lot that made him standout in the first game. Could just be chemistry with his linemates or lack of practice with them in a game like this.

I still think Battaglia jumped over Basha a little bit as a prospect this year, because of his size and the big step Battaglia took offensively--and because Basha lost a lot of time to injury. These games seemed to show that too, as Battaglia has some pretty strong moments.

It'll be interesting which prospects get a longer look in main camp this year, as I think more of the evaluation goes on in how each prospect does in practice.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by D as in David

I don't recall skating being a Brz issue before - am I having a senior moment?

It's always been the knock - he's actually a very similar prospect to Andersson in many ways. And I think he will end up better.

[sketchyt]

I was at this game and watched quite closely. Here are my notable observations (not determinations):

Phillips: good skater, very physical. Struggled in the first period with pace (there was also one Oilers forechecker all the time in deep) and giveaways. The last two periods he really stood out and got better. There could be something here.

King: good mobility, smart tenacious player. Reminds me of this year's Sam Morton.

Honzek: definitely bigger but didn't really see him display his size. Was hoping for a more dominant showing. He was fine, I guess?

Sergeev: big goalie, ok mobility. Not the most composed goalie out there. He's not light on his feet, but decent coverage down low. There's a long road for him. And no, I'm not judging him based on the goals against.

Battaglia: Like Phillips, he struggled in the first period. Got much better with driving to the net in the second half of the game. Needs time in the AHL which is not surprising. I wish he would wear his helmet properly.

Bell: this one was surprising. IMO, he was the most consistent forward out of everyone. Puck skills aren't great but he could develop into a a very physical winger. He plays mean. Good skater for his size.

Laing: very physical. Quicker than I expected for his size.

Gridin: there's a lot of skill there. He seems to drift between completely invisible to most skilled player on the ice. Sometimes in the same shift.

Brzustewicz: was constantly looking to make long breakout passes but didn't seem to find them. Didn't think skating was an issue nor was it a strength. Pretty mid skating ability. He seemed to simplify his game in the second half and got better.

There was no one on either team that was dominant or showed flashes. Out of everyone with 0 NHL games, Gridin seems to be the most ready. Your observations may vary though.