[GDT] National Junior Team Summer Development Camp: CAN vs RUS Round 2. 5pm MT. Free Stream

[mile]

Both Sams each with 2 points in the 2 games they played.

[saXon]

Observations:

Bennett: Played with an edge. 2 point night, enough said about the 4th overall stud.

Rafikov: Very steady D man, his play does not match his 7th round pick status. Very much looking forward to him coming to play for the Flames at some point. Excellent development thus far.
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Fucale: Haven't been impressed with his play much. Many were vying for the Flames to drop their pick on him and were angry when they passed over him. He seemed out of position often and slow to the play on more than one occasion.

Nurse: Will be a good D man, just needs to round out his game and keep his stick in his hands.

Lazar: Seemed like a puck hog and reckless at times. He's got offensive ability, but his body was on the ice almost as much as his skates were (over-exaggeration).

Dal Colle: He's quicker than I expected. He had a few flashes of offensive prowess. He's going to be a good player in the NHL.

Reinhart: I have to say I'm extremely relieved the Flames got Bennett over him. I like Reinhart's game, but he's very calm. I thoroughly enjoyed the bite in Bennett's game. Reinhart will be another good player in the NHL.

[DOOM]

Do the Flames have to sign Rafikov this season?

I know in the new CBA there was some change to 3 years after being drafted for euros? Not exactly sure on the details.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by DOOM

Do the Flames have to sign Rafikov this season?

I know in the new CBA there was some change to 3 years after being drafted for euros? Not exactly sure on the details.

It is 4 years to sign Euros if the country has a valid transfer agreement with the NHL.

However, since there is no transfer agreement between Russia and the NHL, the Flames will retain Rafikov's rights until he is 27.

[flamesfan55]

I wasn't able to watch the game. Bennett took three penalties. Typically coaches wouldn't be impressed. Did it hurt him tonight or were they good penalties?

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by flamesfan55

I wasn't able to watch the game. Bennett took three penalties. Typically coaches wouldn't be impressed. Did it hurt him tonight or were they good penalties?

The first tripping penalty was surely deserved, not sure about the second and third was kind of weak. But, a goal and an assist makes up for the calls.

[Gaskal]

Has Rafikov come over and attended any camps yet? Can't wait to see how he looks playing with our other defencemen prospects.

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Has Rafikov come over and attended any camps yet? Can't wait to see how he looks playing with our other defencemen prospects.

He couldn't get a visa, but he had been planning to attend this year's camp. Here's an article on the Flames site from February.

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=704679

Rushan Rafikov knows he’s the first Russian to be drafted by the Calgary Flames in over a decade.

His goal is to be the next Russian to make his mark in the Flames lineup.

“I’ve been always dreamed about playing in the NHL,” Rafikov told CalgaryFlames.com through a translator. “It’s the best league in the world. That’s why everybody is coming here.”

...

Rafikov, who was also drafted in the third round, 71st overall into the Kontinental Hockey League by Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in 2012, is hoping to take a North American approach to chasing his NHL dream.

It will start by attending the Flames’ development camp next summer.

It extends to potentially playing in the Canadian Hockey League next fall, he said.

“I had a talk in my first game (of the Subway Super Series) with (Flames scouting director) Todd Woodcroft and they expect me next season and have invited me to the camp,” said Rafikov, the 22nd Russian ever drafted by the Flames. “I’m very happy and would be happy to come over to play junior.”