Mid-Season Report Card part 2

Alright, yesterday I looked at goalies and defencemen, today I'll break down the forwards. Huzzah! Also, since tomorrow's Christmas, probably on Saturday I'll give y'all some good links and stuff on former American Clayton Stoner's awesome performance with the Minnesota Wild recently.

Alright, going in order of number again:

Cody Castro: D My mother taught me that if I can't say anything nice to not say anything at all. Actually, I think that was Thumper on Bambi that said that. Look, here's the deal. Cody is a really nice kid, he skates decent, he's got good size. He was brought in to be an enforcer I guess, but I haven't seen much of that. He's not big or tough enough to intimidate anyone, he's not skilled enough to get a ton of ice time. His "fights" have consisted of some punches, but a lot of hugging. I think he has the determination to earn more time, which is a good thing, I just don't know if it'll be enough.

Nils Moser: C+ I'm tempted to go a bit higher, but I'm holding back. His skating (speed) could use a little work, but other than that, he's been an impressive rookie. He's got what I'm calling moxie. He's got passion for the game, he plays every shift like his ass is on fire. He's gotten into a couple good tilts, and done pretty well for himself. Obviously, he's got a ways to go with this development, but he's a behbeh, it'll happen. He's got good size, uses it effectively. I see a lot of potential in this kid.

Kruise Reddick: B Oh Pokey. Is it fair to mark him down for sucking at the point on the blueline when Coach is the one who puts him there? So I didn't, otherwise he'd be in the C range. I don't know, I guess I still have high expectations for Kruise like I always have, and I've always been disappointed. I mean, I've accepted that he'll never be a sniper, but still. I would really like to see a consistent effort. I still see him not playing balls-to-the-wall every shift like I expect someone of his experience to do. It's like he didn't get drafted so he's like "meh, whatever." Not all the time, mind you, but sometimes. He's got great vision, skates well, all the tools, but something is missing. Again, it's probably me having too high of expectations for him, but still.

Sergei Drozd: B+ (geez, I'm being tough on forwards today) I like this kid. Skates well, has great vision, good finish. I suppose I expected more goals from him, but at the same time, I can't say I've really been disappointed. Actually, he's probably helped Kruise's game a lot more too, having them on the same line, they seem to have some good chemistry.

Brooks Macek: B+ It would be higher, but I think some would accuse me of grading with my ovaries. Brooks has come a long way from last year, but still has a ways to go. He seems sort of streaky (like Messier, I'll get there) as far as finish, but he plays his hot ass off. He's been moved around with different line combinations, but in my opinion does his best when he's on a line with Jordan Messier, they seem to feed well off each other. For awhile he was paired with Drozd and Reddick, which wasn't bad either, Kruise has the experience, Drozd has the skill to compliment Brooks. All-in-all, he's done quite well, I expect to see great things from him in the coming seasons (and the rest of this one, for that matter).

Adam Hughesman: B+ gahhhhh. I just want to shake this kid. He started off so hot, playing with heart, with passion, like he no longer had cement in his skates. He showed what he's really capable of, it was spectacular, especially since it's his draft year. Aaaaaaaaannnnnnnddd then he dropped off. Considerably. Or at least it seems that way. There are times it seems he is just going through the motions. And I get it, he's on that top line and the opposition has figured out how to shut them down, but still. I think he's very talented, just doesn't always seem to show it, I don't know why. This has always been my frustration with this kid. I thought, based on his early performance, that this season would be different. I hope some home cooking and the Christmas break will revive his passion, his energy. He really is a great hockey player, it's just hiding sometimes. This is a kid who should NOT be invisible, but sometimes he is.

Mason Wilgosh: A You can't put a number on awesome. It's really too bad work ethic doesn't always translate to points or Willy would be leading the league. Srsly. He's got grit and determination. He's got ants in his pants on the penalty kill. He's like Drew Hoff. He's not going to be a sniper (even though he was in Bantams) but he'll wear down the opposition. He skates well and stays calm under pressure, again fantastic work on the PK.

Jordan Messier: A- Debated going with a B+... Mess plays his ass off. Every night. He's just not always rewarded with points, he's very streaky. As in, no goal since November whatever, then a hattie in Portland the other night. He was LONG overdue. Also, I'm probably biased (shocking I know) but he's one of the nicest guys EVARRR. He's got good size, he's not afraid to get in the middle and create havoc. Now if I can just get him to keep his mouthguard in his mouth so I can get good pictures of him...

Johnny Lazo: A Another streaky one, but he's always been that way. That being said, he's exceeded my expectations this season. I admit I wasn't sure he'd be kept as a 20, not that I didn't want him to be. He gets pushed off the puck all the time, no big shock there, but he never gives up. Kid is tenacious. And you can tell how strong he is the way he forces himself into tight spots to get to the puck. In addition, there's few that can outskate"The Roadrunner". He's targeted by the opposition because of his size and because he's on that top line, but he manages to do the dirty work to get things done. In the words of some random guy in the stands last season, "I LOVE YOU JOHNNY!"

Justin Feser: A Srsly. Rookie of the year last year, and he's just gone up from there. Especially since being moved to center, where he's gone bananas. By bananas I mean he's been lighting shit up. He's now 5th on the team in scoring, with the lowest PIMs out of that group. He's not going to come out of nowhere and wow you with spectacular plays (ok that one sweet breakaway a couple weeks ago was damn hot), but he's got excellent vision and he's off the radar of opposing players (though I'm sure that will change). At the beginning of the season we all said it'd be scoring by committee and Justin's been a huge part of that committee. He's a strong, thick kid who isn't afraid to use his size.

Brendan Shinnimin: A+ I debated (go figure) adding the plus, but he does lead the team in scoring. He's dropped off since the beginning of the season, but I think most of that is due to the opposition figuring out how to shut down that top line. Shinny's getting there, but isn't there yet, to be the kind of Yellow Horn or Fadden-type player where skill and talent can overcome being shut down by opposition, but he'll get there. He's quick and shifty--for lack of a better word. I never know quite what he's going to do and then BAM he scores a nifty goal. He's not the biggest guy but he makes up for it with speed and skill, similar to Yellow Horn and Fadden.

Neal Prokop: A+ And yes, that "plus" is probably my ovaries talking. But srsly. Like Wilgosh, this kid has an unstoppable work ethic. For him, it has translated into some points too. He's big and gritty. He has the ability to use his body to push guys off the puck and also to open up lanes for scorers. One of the hottest goals of the season was his sharp angle shot a couple weeks ago (against Swift Current I think). He was near the goal line and snapped it in over goalie shoulder, so damn sexy. Also it was right in front of me, I almost peed. I'm not in the locker room (sadly) but based on what I see on-ice and on the bench, he's clearly a leader on this team and if he's here as a 20 (I think he will be) I can see him becoming captain. I'm probably getting ahead of myself here, but still.

Todd Kennedy: Incomplete. What I've seen I haven't been very impressed with, it seems like for every shift he takes, it includes a trip to the penalty box. Yeah, he can fight ok, but meh. Whatever. I'm reserving opinion as he hasn't played a ton. But anyone who puts the team shorthanded on such a consistent basis isn't getting high marks in my book.

Patrick Holland: B+ Rookie of the year, I'm calling it now. He's got it all--size, speed, skill, good vision. Sometimes I watch him play and I'm amazed he's a rookie. Srsly. I can't wait to see what else this kid has in store, he's chock full of talent and he's not been hesitant to show it. He plays with full effort every shift, doesn't take lazy or stupid penalties. He seems like he'll become one of those solid, reliable type guys. Not necessarily super-scorer or anything, but steady and strong. I like that.

So there you have it, Merry Christmas everyone!