Most intriguing player heading into Camp.

[midniteowl]

“I think he’s improved in his own zone,” Sutter said after morning skate of Ruzicka, a power-forward project who is currently skating between a pair of past Stanley Cup champions in Milan Lucic and Trevor Lewis. “I want him to be a better player with the puck. I want him to demand the puck more. I want him to be more of a third-effort player. I want him to use his size more. I want him to use his speed more.

That is exactly what I want to see more, and be more nasty.

[agulati]

Weagar, if he is still unsigned going into the season. Going into a contract year with a new team and new system. Especially given how high his contract demands/value is rumored to be. Having a true #1 for the first time in 3ish years would be great.

Pelletier, otherwise. Would be good to see some youth injected into the lineup.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Juuso Valimaki.

People seem to be writing him off to a degree that makes me slap forehead - as if we didn't just see Kylington "arrive" after everyone wrote him off last year.

But Kylington actually looked good in the AHL and was progressing. Valimaki has severe injury problems, and appears to be regressing. The pessimism around him is very well warranted.

[Kipper_3434]

Ruzicka and pelletier are most important for the team. Valimaki and Mackey have the most to prove. Wolf is the player I'm most excited to watch, tremendous upside.

[Reggie Dunlop]

I'd also mention Mackenzie Weegar. It'll be interesting to see where he slots in and how he meshes with the special teams.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

It's interesting. Ruzicka has had the same criticisms since the day he was drafted.

Needs to be more consistent. Has to work harder and not give up on plays. Needs to use his size more.

I really want him to break through, but something tells me he just doesn't have the mental makeup to get past those personality traits. I'm betting he has a career, but it's only as a 'tweener.

Prove me wrong Adam...prove me wrong.

As for intriguing, yeah, I want to see Weegar in a defense-first organization to see what he can do. He's got good metrics, but often tries to do too much and gets in trouble. I hope Sutter calms him down and lets him rely on his teammates more. If so, he could be an absolute beast. He could also be a good mentor for Kylington to use his offensive abilities and move the puck up ice.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

It's interesting. Ruzicka has had the same criticisms since the day he was drafted.

Needs to be more consistent. Has to work harder and not give up on plays. Needs to use his size more.

I really want him to break through, but something tells me he just doesn't have the mental makeup to get past those personality traits. I'm betting he has a career, but it's only as a 'tweener.

Prove me wrong Adam...prove me wrong.

I think the fact that Ruzicka has come as far as he has is very encouraging, and even if he still has the same criticisms I think he has had to have improved on all if them a lot if he is now getting multiple games in the NHL. I still believe he will get all the way there.


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[Moneyhands23]

I hope Kadri mentors Ruzicka. That could work out very well.

[Moneyhands23]

For me it's a mix of Pelltier at camp and during the season and Coranato after this NCAA year. If he lights it up and comes in hot before the playoffs start I think that is a possible game breaker.

[Sandman]

I'm going to be a broken record, and say Ben Jones. He's a good defensive player for the bottom-6 with speed and a huge chip on his shoulder, and some offense. I think he's ready. I would like to see him on the wing with Backs and Coles.

Cole Schwindt-Size, smarts, tons of character and youthful exuberance. Hope he makes 4C, and pushes Rooney to 13th forward.

Dennis Gilbert-He won't earn a spot on an already loaded D, but I'm cheering for him. He's older, at 25, but he's big and fast, good puck-mover, and a bit feisty. He's shown a little offense at lower levels, but he's never had a chance to show it at the NHL level. He's a bit like Mackey, but he could stand to play more physical.

Valimaki/Mackey-for obvious reasons.

Martin Pospisil-Sutter likes players like him. Big and mean, with a touch of skill. Sutter gave a few players like that a career, like Jordan Nolan and Andy Andreoff to name a few, so maybe MP can earn a spot.

Jakob Pelletier-not every prospect gets close to a ppg in their first year of AHL duty, not even many players known for their offensive prowess in the NHL.

[kyuss275]

Mangiapane for me. I’m hoping he clicks on top line Rw spot and gets 40 goals. Also if Kylington can take a big step forward and not need to rely on Tanev so much

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Coach

For me it's Dube. Both because I think he can be a strong secondary contributor in the NHL, and also because I think his situation with the Hockey Canada issue may not be good news.

I've been thinking this, to.

[Goriders]

Dube or Pelletier.

If they step up our offence might be better balanced than last season.

[Macho0978]

For me it's no question Weegar. I think he could be a 60 point dman and a good 2 way dman as well. He could be hands down our best dman and he needs to be signed now while he is underrated.

[Harry Lime]

Last chance camp for Phillips.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

For me it's no question Weegar. I think he could be a 60 point dman and a good 2 way dman as well. He could be hands down our best dman and he needs to be signed now while he is underrated.

Weegar for me too. I’m hoping he’s our Gio replacement.

[The Fonz]

Does anyone know when camp starts?

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

There are so many...

Huberdeau: I think he is money to score 90 pts, but does he have another +100 pts season in him?

Lindholm: Does he take another step with such a different looking line?

Kadri: How does the shift in players up and down the lineup affect Kadri's production? How does his insertion affect the performance of the forward group as a whole?

Dube: Is he a top-six forward?

Backlund: What will it mean for him to be playing down the lineup for the first time in nearly a decade?

Weegar: How good is this guy?

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Was coming to post this. The overhaul of the team means the whole team is intriguing heading into camp.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Nick Meloche -- does he shoehorn himself into roster spot (7th D-Man)? If so, are surplus defensemen traded?

[Flame On]

So what's the deal with Dube and the Hockey Canada stuff? Sorry haven't bee following it in terms of him specifically.