[News] Flames development camp - Week of July 4th

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by shotinthebacklund

By your assessment. Not the previous posters father.

I think many people there would agree. Andersson was the slowest on the ice, poorly positioned, and looked out of breath.

I get that it's all about observation, but there were other CP'ers there who agreed with me. Thinking back to this morning, I believe Caged Great agreed with me.

To each his own, however.

If there's a prospect who anyone wants a more in depth assessment on, let me know.

[PepsiFree]

As has been said, this is mostly meaningless stuff.

Certainly people are going to see certain things, certain guys are going to have some good days and have some bad days, it's all relative.

No need to argue amongst ourselves about what guys look like. Let's just be grateful for the multiple takes on each player and move on.

[Mass_nerder]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Andersson was certainly not the best defenseman on the ice, he looked really bad out there.

It's all subjective I suppose.

[robaur]

Obviously a lot of this is subjective. Rasmus looked gassed about midway through the practice. He still looked good but looked tired for whatever reason. Him and Burke both.

Again - I'll say that criticism of Tkachuk's skating is overblown. His skating has to improve but it's not like his skating makes him stick out as a negative. He looks like a player and will be fine.

Ran into Todd Button, he's obviously very excited about Tkachuk.

This is my 6th development camp so I tend to remember each of our successful prospect's first camps. Tkachuk is as good or impressive as Monahan was in his first development camp.

[Glassplat]

My thoughts on the morning session.....

Watching only the D guys (Andersson, Hickey, AOM and Culkin) during the power skating session....nothing new in that Hickey is a machine.....skates effortlessly, low center of gravity with his legs wide apart. Head and shoulders above any others in the group.

Janko - rangy, quick, always alert, great sideways movement and has sick skills with his stick. I've watched these development sessions for 4 years and I'm just now convinced he has the tools to play in the show.

Carroll - big, intense and relishes going to the net during the drills...big improvement over last year and by far the most he's ever impressed me.

Andersson - I'm convinced he's one of those guys who hates practise..looks pained all the time but manages to "survive". I think you have to go by his OHL record vs passing judgement on him doing drills in practise.

Pollock - tall and rangy but looks slight out there. Good speed and anticipation and immediately gets a killer look in his eyes when the puck is on his stick.

Hickey - this guy is going to be good one! Incredible defensive stick, great positioning to defend in all areas of the D zone and sees plays developing in front of him before they do. Looks like he could play 60 mins a night with his only breaks being between whistles....
Poster boy on how to skate...backwards as well as forward.

AOM - large, effective defensively but not the least bit "flashy"

Hunter - better skater and mobility than in years past. If he was 5'10" he wouldn't be here!

Culkin - mobile but slight and IMHO doesn't have the upside that Hickey or Andersson have.

[RandyMarsh]

Also remember, there is a group doing power skating before the skillz and drillz portion - and Andersson happenned to be one of those players today. The other group that they are paired with does it after which is an advantage if you are just comparing who looked good during the skillz session.

[TheScorpion]

That is true, Randy. We'll see how he does in tomorrow's game.

I agree with all your points, Glassplat.

[StrykerSteve]

Please say the scuttlebutt about Gillies' hip is just baseless speculation.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Please say the scuttlebutt about Gillies' hip is just baseless speculation.

It isn't. Someone asked him after the first session, and from what I heard, Gillies pinned it on his hip.

I'm writing a detailed article on my website tonight about both sessions. I'm not going to cover everyone, only those who people want to hear about.

You guys care to give me any suggestions?

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Jankowski is more of a 6'4", 215lb Mikael Backlund than a Joe Colborne.

Jesus, I hope not. Backlund is fine for what he is but he is pretty overrated on this board. For his size and skill set I am hoping for more in Jankowski than Backlund.

[FeyWest]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Jesus, I hope not. Backlund is fine for what he is but he is pretty overrated on this board. For his size and skill set I am hoping for more in Jankowski than Backlund.

Nieuwendyk?


I'll see myself out

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Jesus, I hope not. Backlund is fine for what he is but he is pretty overrated on this board. For his size and skill set I am hoping for more in Jankowski than Backlund.

I'm with you. Backlund has some jam but not much more. Other players on our team create offense nearly every play and he disappears for long periods of time.

[sureLoss]

Kylington writeup:

http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hock...-pro-lifestyle

[Gaskal]

Something funny about Kylington in NHL 14... not only does he have the puck handling and skates like the wind, EA Sports seems to think he's one hell of a heavy hitter, haha. Can hold his own vs the likes of Backes and Lucic.

Maybe if he stops being skinny as a beanpole we can see some of it one day.

[Caged Great]

I was not able to take video today. I was not feeling well at all, but got through the day. I'll be there tomorrow to record the game if needed.

[jaikorven]

I forgot how young he was and sadly that he was playing against men in Europe previously as well...damn I'm getting old.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

EA Sports seems to think he's one hell of a heavy hitter, haha.

Putting the "ton" in "killing"

[EVERLAST]

Eetu Tuulola listed at 6 ft 2 and 227 sheeshkabob he's a brick 5hithouse....glad to hear he's showing well.

Several people knocking Tkachuk and his mobility obviously didn't hear Keiths interview (dad) saying he's likely playing through an ankle issue right now from his playoffs so I'm thinking that may be playing into his sessions at camp here.

Didn't catch what's up with Gillies hip already?.. updates.

[Aeneas]

Tuulola looks very strong. Was up close to him (not that close, relax) and just thought, I hope he has skills because he's built.

Watched Klimchuk and Shinkaruk doing power skating later.

Ran into Gelinas and Jason laBarbera.

(cool story bro warning)
Some guy parked near me at Winsport. He angled parked a bit so that he took his spot and made the next one unusable. I got out and looked in to his car giving him the "nice parking" stare. Of course he ends up being Flames staff.
Maybe I would have taken back my stare, but ... learn to park man!

Looking forward to the scrimmage tomorrow.

[Mass_nerder]

Yeah, definitely looking forward to the scrimmage tomorrow!