ok, ok. Let's get real.
That last post was a waste of internet space. But I have nothing to add to it.
What I do have is some thoughts from this weekend.
Likes:
- Brooks Macek. I knew he'd be better, but even I am blown away. So much talent, he's going to fun to watch.
- Brock Sutherland. Another one who has picked up his game. I was impressed overall with his weekend.
- Lane Werbowski. He's going to be another Jarrett Toll-type player. Not flashy, but does his job, and does it well.
- Justin Feser. Using his size well. Very well. Finishing checks, great in the corners. And we all know he can score goals so that is exciting!
- Spencer Asuchak. Skating better, going hard to the net, getting his big frame in there and using it effectively.
- Plouffe and Schmidt. Steady and reliable. Tyler was banging bodies around, making his presence known. Plouffer had a great game against Spokane.
- Brendan Shinniman. OMG, someone can actually win faceoffs! And he's still speedy and intense. A great combination.
- Connor Rankin. Can this kid join the team now pretty please??????
- Drydn Dow. One of my new favorites. He's very skilled. Small, but you wouldn't know it by his play.
- Spencer Humphries and Zach Yuen. The future of the blueline. I like it. A lot.
- Johnny Lazo. Calming veteran presence on the ice. Just needs to score a lot if he's going to be relied on to lead the offense.
- Nils Moser. Keep him Bob. kthxbai. Patrick Holland too.
- Neal Prokop (duh). Skates well, uses his size effectively. And gorgeous.
- Sergei Drozd. Speedy, good vision. I'm impressed with this kid a lot so far. Hope he doesn't turn out to be a pre-season wonder, regular season meh player like Igor Bacek.
- Riley McIntosh. I'm sorry, I'm sure he's a great kid. But he is not where he should be as a 19-year-old in this league. I hope Bob can trade for him.
- Zach McPhee. He'll be fine once he grows into his lanky frame and gets coordination back after what I'm going assume was a rapid growth spurt. Same with Max Moline. Though Max skates far better. McPhee and Moline both have skill, it's just coordination/skating.
- Lack of chemistry. But I know it will come. I almost hate to put it on the dislike list, but I do dislike chaos and disorganization. Once roster is trimmed, coach can starting building lines.
- Adam Hughesman and Kruise Reddick being too invisible for their age/skill. I've been critical of Adam and will continue to be until I see something more from him. I think he has the talent, it's just getting it to come out! So frustrating! Pokey looks a little lost without Procyshen, he needs to find someone to gel with--quickly.
Lazo-Reddick-Feser
Macek-Messier-Prokop
Wilgosh-Hughesman-Drozd
Shinniman-Holland-Asuchak
extras: Moser, Moline, Olstad
Schmidt-Plouffe
Toll-Yuen
Sutherland-Werbowski
extras: Dow, Humphries
I would say rotate Yuen and Humphries regularly in the 6th spot, Dow also. Granted, who do you sit then? I love having so much depth at D!!
Goalies:
Owsley, Martyniuk
I wasn't overly impressed with Danyluk. Not that I was impressed with Marty's performance at all, but I know he's better than that. If Danyluk is kept, I hope he's better than he showed. Let's face it, we've been so spoiled with amazing goaltending the last several years with Price and Pickard that everything looks so inferior.
Depending on the From Russia With Glove goalie situation, things may change a little, or a lot (thanks Captain Obvious). I don't know what Bob saw or didn't see, but I expect an interesting week.
13 comments:
Our two biggest issues right now are defensive and goaltending consistency. Coming in third: physical aspect of our game.
Scoring won't be a problem.
Basically, just like last year. We'll make the playoffs, but get crushed by some bigger kids.
PS. Time to start chanting:
Shaibu, Shaibu, Sergei!!
I'm gonna make me a sign! :)
Goaltending yes. Defensive consistency I think will come together as the pairings work together. I think they're all talented enough to come together fine on the back end.
physicality should get bumped up by Asuchak, Prokop, even Wilgosh and Feser.
I believe scoring will be as a unit, by committee rather than a guy or two, a Fadden or Procyshen, doing it all.
Nothing about Asuchak taking dumb penalties and playing dirty? I'm as glad as you are to see him moving his feet but dismayed at the boarding calls. He has the reach and the puck-luck to make some real numbers.
(Also the little hissy fit he threw when his breakaway got whistled down for offsides has me concerned about his ability to participate as a team player instead of an individual. I think that was in Everett.)
I didn't think Reddick looked lost at all. By Saturday's game against Spokane, it looked to me like he stopped leaning on Pro and took charge of his shifts. I saw a lot of him making room for shots and clearing bodies. I hope he can be bothered to work that hard against other teams this year (besides Spokane).
And I think Adam is doing right well for an 18 year old. If he keeps up his energy and stays as motivated as this preseason, he'll look just right for a third-year WHLer. I hope we can call last year his "year off."
I still believe in Drew Owsley. Times infinity.
If we're going to talk about hissy fits, let's look at Tyler Schmidt's inability to shut his mouth. Constantly yapping at the refs.
And perhaps I have too high of expectations for Adam which is why I'm perpetually disappointed.
Kruise did look better Saturday night, but they all did.
how can mcphee be put on your dislike list? that kid looked good skating with two 18 yr olds (asuchak and wilgosh). not too often a 16 year old can skate with older players, i don't see how you can dislike him. he had a solid tourney for a rookie. myself i see him making the team over moser or moline (not sure which one though)
as far as sutherland...... what's your obsession with him? maybe you sit on the end where the ams play offense for 2 periods, so you only see 1 period of the defesive guys? but you're way off base with your defensive reviews. sutherland looked terrible, my vote for most unimproved. look at how solid he was last year during playoffs, then watch him now. sutherland went backwards in the offseason. AND schmidt (a 19 yr old who just got back from camp) had a far worse weekend then McIntosh (who you said isnt where he should be for his age.) Schmidt had so many turnovers as did sutherland. Try watching the kids play in the defensive zone, or watch them turn the puck over at the blue line before you praise them
as far as goalies go. martyniuk was the worst in camp from everything i saw. you forget he gave up 6 goals in 1 period friday, and danyluk comes in and has 2 periods of shutout hockey to give us a chance to win? danyluk also had a great game in everett vs pg giving up 2 goals on 30 shots. he didnt do great vs lethbridge, but he definitely didnt get much help from the defense either.
@Anonymous--
How can I dislike McPhee? Because I have an opinion different than yours.
I wouldn't say I'm "obsessed" with Sutherland, I just thought he had a decent weekend. Obviously, you and I see the game a bit different. Schmidt wasn't great, but I know he'll be better. I have yet to see McIntosh play good hockey. Ever. He was marginally better in playoffs, but that's it.
this team, all of them, have been a tale of turnovers for years. I rarely even address it any more.
I didn't see any of the other games in pre-season or camp. I most certainly did not "forget" Marty allowed 6 goals on 14 shots, but like Schmidt, I know he's better than that. I would love to see more of Danyluk and be proved wrong because I think this team is weakest in goal right now.
Again, "Anonymous", you and I obviously see the game a bit different and that's fine, we can agree to disagree.
Mc Phee is not even close to Moser and also behinde Molin, I watched him closely and and yes he skaded with 18 year olds because they wanted to see what he can do. Poor decission making, consistend turning over the puck and always a step behinde. Lacks phisical play and confidence. He will be ok and a year playing midged can do wonders for him ( Also Molin? )
Moser will do fine in this league, phisical and feisty player, just wait until you see him play with 18 year olds.
I don't see Sutherland being any better than he was last year (yet), but he certainly hasn't regressed. If he's made any mistakes, I'm sure it's only due to rust just as ALL the boys have rust to shake off. In my opinion (see? MY opinion), Schmidt and Plouffe were the best defenceman this weekend and you bet they made mistakes. Plus, if you're going to knock Schmidt because he "just got back from camp," look at it both ways. He just got back from camp to join a new coach and a ton of new players.
Riley is TERRIBLE. He won't even check! What the hell is he doing playing hockey!?
Marty had an awful game Friday night but I, too, believe be is better than that.
I know I'm biased, but I think Adam is doing alright. He's not a finisher like people expect him to be. He's a set up guy - and he's been doing it, but the plays aren't clicking on a consistent basis because the lines are changing, different guys are dressed each night and they have a new coach with a new system.
Great kid McPhee i like him. He is better in base ball then in hockey....so it is good to have options. He is not ready to play this level, look forward seeing him next year tough.
I think Moser is a lock and Molin is close.
Nobody is going to be perfect but I thought overall it was a good weekend for the team.
McIntosh had a better game on Sunday but I think that's because he knows he's on the chopping block and has to give them a reason to keep him. Those games like yesterday don't come too often, unfortunatly. Seems like a nice kid but I hope Bob can find a good trade for him as well.
Maybe its because I watched Brock last year so much (no don't worry I wasnt obsessed) but I see an improvement already. Hopefully they all see some improvement and start clicking.
See everyone on Saturday! :)
It's obvious Brock Sutherland is trying desperately to impress his namesakes, Kiefer and Donald. It's hard to stand out when one of them is a highly decorated and accomplished actor and the other is Jack freakin' Bauer. I'm pulling for Brock.
@bkblades--comments like that will get you invites to liveblogs. killer awesome liveblogs.
As the systems continue to be put in place, and the cohesiveness gets to the next level, this will be a team that has the ability to do very well against all comers. Transition takes time to incorporate, methodologies take encouragement to adopt into reality.
I agree with your line setups, but would certainly encourage you to put out your actual line predictions. i.e Shinneman is a center...
So the 19 year old Prokop has had some great checks and knows the physicality of the game. He will emerge as one of the leaders. Given the right line combination, you should see some heavy duty offense from this young stud - US division will take up notice after a couple of games of getting checked and scored on by Neal.
Schmidt - good to have you back - be a good leader - keep your mouth shut until you really need to open it. Being chippy with guys that can change the outcome of a game because of a call that might or might not go our way is not the best way to gain respect - again - be a leader.
Yuen - pass the puck - enough said buddy- one move to many makes for a long night of turnovers.
Drew - nice game - Joel - so so - Marty - turn in your gear.
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