[GDT] Young Stars: Fledgling Flames vs. Not-Yet-Jets 5:00 MT (Flames Website, SN 960)

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Parekh looked like a guy who was expecting to dominate and then got reminded each step is harder. I’m not worried at all about him. He will need a couple seasons of work on his overall game before he makes the NHL.

I'm chalking it up to nerves until we see a few more games. He pretty much controlled the flow of the game in the team scrimmages earlier in the offseason, so expect him to bounce back.

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Or Pospisil.

Pospisil is the best example we have that a player can surprise you. I pretty much had him written off when he was sustaining repeated injuries and concussions early in his pro career. But now that he is focused on the agitator game, it is a whole different story. This is why patience is so important.

[Tilley]

Was at the game last night. So good to watch hockey again and get a glimpse of the latest additions to the prospect pool.

Echoing what others have posted, I liked the energy Basha brought and Parekh demonstrated both ends of the spectrum; sometimes on the same shift.

Almost impossible to evaluate based on a single pond hockey game. Guys like Ciona and Lipinski, whose games are based on energy are going to show better than players that perform better in a more structured setting.

The more experienced skaters were clearly more calm with the puck, took the extra second to make the better play rather than rush something or force something that wasn't there.

[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by bc-chris

nice... we made it into some pics!!! the dude with the helmet on was a riot! such a nice guy

https://www.nhl.com/flames/multimedi...8ce624fa1a4f-1

https://www.nhl.com/flames/multimedi...8ce624fa1a4f-3

Helmet guy for the win!! Looks like you and the kiddo had a blast! So great

[Freddy]

I’m surprised no one has mentioned the size, motor, and tenacity of Bell last night, I thought he was definitely one of the most noticeable play driving forwards who also finished his checks.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Freddy

I’m surprised no one has mentioned the size, motor, and tenacity of Bell last night, I thought he was definitely one of the most noticeable play driving forwards who also finished his checks.

Bell is one of my faves! I thought he was sloppy in the first, as everyone else was, but he was one of the best Flames by the end of the game. He was skating hard and winning battles with his size.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by playmaker

Any word on Etienne Morin and how he looked? I admit I wasn’t a fan of him being selected in the 2nd round with a bunch of skilled forwards still on the board, but I’m still hoping he can develop into a Weegar-type all around 2way defenseman and perhaps become a #3D in the future core. With the previous 2nd-round pick wasted on Ronni and both Stromgren and Kuznetsov looking far from being impact players in the NHL right now, it would be great to finally hear some positive news about one of our recent 2nd-round picks.

Morin is one player you don't have to worry about- he's got tools, and plays an all-around game. He's not as dynamic as a Brustewicz or Parekh, but he also doesn't have the warts they have, and plays a simpler game. Last night, he faded into the background a bit, but I think that's because he played a solid, mostly mistake-free game- and I thought he moved the puck well.

Morin's production ebbed a bit in his D+1 year, but that's because he started the season injured, and also because he wanted to focus on his physical game, and his defensive play. He reminds me a little of TJ Brodie, with more physicality.

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by Freddy

I’m surprised no one has mentioned the size, motor, and tenacity of Bell last night, I thought he was definitely one of the most noticeable play driving forwards who also finished his checks.

Agree, Bell was very noticeable on the forecheck and was on the right side of the puck most of the game. Has a good nose for the net and came about as close as one can to scoring a goal in the second. Is doing all the right things, looking forward to what he can do this year in the minors.

Even if the team skill isn't there quite yet, guys like Bell are going to make the Wranglers very hard to play against this season.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I really like Morin personally. He seems to play at a high level in all zones, really smart, and has an edge.


As for the not giving up on prospects, another good one to remember is Ferland. Raise your hand if you thought he was going to be a player when he got sent back for his overage season after starting in the AHL. Everyone gave up on that kid. He unquestionably contributed to the Flames knocking off the Canucks in round 1.



Emile Poirier was talked about as being a bust of a pick, but he was tracking really well. Difference with him was that he wasn't able to overcome his demons like Ferland was able to.



I am not going to look at Honzek and rule him out from becoming an impact player in the NHL. He has all the tools, and he will have all the chances. Let's see how this season goes for him before we label him as a bust.


As for my thoughts on other players:


Gridin I thought looked pretty slick at times, and lackadaisical at times. You can definitely see why the Flames picked him - lots of skill there.


Basha was noticeable all game long for me - for both good and bad things. I don't really think it is fair to pick a guy apart for making some mistakes in the first game of a season when you don't even really get to practice much, so I would rather focus on things that these kids do right. Basha is a faster Zary - Zary was much like Basha from what I remember always in other guys faces, but having that skill level that can threaten the game.


Parekh wasn't all bad. Certainly struggled the most I thought out of all the D, but he also did a lot of really good things. His passing and ability to shake off defenders chasing him around the net, his speed and how he caught up for his mistake in the 2nd(? I think in the 2nd) period was great. He showed a lot of really good tools.


Laing surprised me. Good hands, and seemed to have a good head out there. Not afraid to mix it up, but didn't take a bad penalty. This kid will be a project, but he has legitimate tools to work in. I can see why the Flames invested a pick here.


Bell - as everyone else said - looked good. Good speed, hands and physicality. He started being noticed out there as the game progressed.


Jurmo was solid I thought.



Brzustewicz was noticeable out there. Made some mistakes, but also did a lot of impressive things (outside of scoring, which was great). I thought he played a bit more of a tidy game defensively than I expected him to.


Looking forward to the next game and seeing how players continue to look.

[InternationalVillager]

unfortunately Honzek is going to busy pretty bad.

now that we’ve settled that - it can only be up from here!