Post by jimmy on Sept 15, 2008 9:26:42 GMT -4
Pretty much a best case scenario, two wins, one of them convincing over a team we are expected to battle in the standings. Saint John is going to be really good once they have a full lineup, they gave us all we could handle as depleted as they were. The PP needs work, getting Barberio back will help (and Voynov - fingers crossed) - I thought they were much too slow with their puck movement, decisions need to be made much quicker and passes need to be harder in order to get the defenidng team's box to break down. PK seemed to be effective.
Now on to the players ...
Eagles - looked okay, obviously the expectations for him are higher than they are for most, didn't really stand out, but I didn't see anything to cause concern.
Biduke - much quicker than last year, played strong along the boards, seems to be in a bit of a rut shooting the puck, but I am sure the bounces will start to go his way before long ... should be a good OA for us this year.
Brown - seems to have picked up where he left off last season, hopefully the concussion isn't too serious - wonder if the league got a copy of the videotape - Mr. Southorn may be getting a vacation for a game or two for his cheap shot ...
Brannon - nice to see him score a few, I still think he doesn't have much for hands, could have had a few more if he was a good finisher ... he gets so many opportunities with his speed and strength.
Lessard - played well, seemed to be working hard, could be poised for a good year.
MacAusland - seems to have gotten quicker and stronger from last year, a magician with the puck ... my gut tells me he is still a year away from being the dominant player he was projected to be when drafted, but I expect the glimpses are going to be increasingly frequent this year.
Stephens - great weekend by a guy who most people have pegged as being on the bubble for ice time ... this should do his confidence wonders, the skills are there. Needs to keep up the solid efforts to stay in the top 9 forwards once everyone is in the lineup.
Famin - I think it is already safe to say he is our best euro since Karsums. Very poised with the puck, seems to have good offensive instincts.
Petterson - didn't do much, he surprised me a bit with solid play along the wall, I figured a guy that thin would be weak on the puck. I think he is destined for fourth line duty once everyone is back.
Roski - good job on the 4th line, I expect his role this year will be to rotate in and out of the lineup on the 4th line.
Lane - disappointed that he didn't see more ice against PEI - in fact I figured he must have been injured, but then he got a shift with 1:30 remaining. If we are going to bother dressing a guy like Lane, then he should be getting plenty of ice when it is 8-2 in the third period - otherwise, what is the point of having him - might as well give the ice time to the young guys.
Bissonette - this kid is going to be really good - as early as next year ... couple of occasions where he completely undressed the Dogs with slick stickhandling and fed perfect cross ice feeds to open teammates, but they couldn't bury it in the open net ... excellent natural playmaking ability. Flynn's challenge will be to find him quality ice time this year to learn, like Brown and MacAusland last year.
Tremblay - shows good offensive instincts, but seems a bit overmatched physically ... I think he is going to end up spending most of the year in the press box, but could be a key player next year.
Savard - played solid, logged a lot of ice, seems to be progressing well.
Jodoin - solid games both nights IMO, I think he is going to be a guy who makes it hard for coaches to sit him as a 7th d-man.
Gormley - did pretty well for a 16 year old considering the amount of ice time he was force fed ... needs to be more assertive on the PP and make decisions quicker, pass and shoot a bit harder - he has a good slapshot, but seems to be content flick wristshots from the point too often.
Downe - thought he played really well Friday night, Saturday night not so much - struggled with decision making a bit.
Boyle - solid, shows good leadership on the ice.
Demitruk - very good skater, seems to be able to make the safe play, good passes.
Riopel - solid both nights.
As you can see, mostly positive comments on the opening weekend, I guess it is to be expected when you win two games and outscore your opponents 11-3 that most guys did a good job. It will be interesting to see how things look going forward as teams start to gel and guys get back from pro camps ... it is only going to get harder - last weekend was basically Jr A+ lineups - who will raise their game again? It is going to be a fun year I think ...
Now on to the players ...
Eagles - looked okay, obviously the expectations for him are higher than they are for most, didn't really stand out, but I didn't see anything to cause concern.
Biduke - much quicker than last year, played strong along the boards, seems to be in a bit of a rut shooting the puck, but I am sure the bounces will start to go his way before long ... should be a good OA for us this year.
Brown - seems to have picked up where he left off last season, hopefully the concussion isn't too serious - wonder if the league got a copy of the videotape - Mr. Southorn may be getting a vacation for a game or two for his cheap shot ...
Brannon - nice to see him score a few, I still think he doesn't have much for hands, could have had a few more if he was a good finisher ... he gets so many opportunities with his speed and strength.
Lessard - played well, seemed to be working hard, could be poised for a good year.
MacAusland - seems to have gotten quicker and stronger from last year, a magician with the puck ... my gut tells me he is still a year away from being the dominant player he was projected to be when drafted, but I expect the glimpses are going to be increasingly frequent this year.
Stephens - great weekend by a guy who most people have pegged as being on the bubble for ice time ... this should do his confidence wonders, the skills are there. Needs to keep up the solid efforts to stay in the top 9 forwards once everyone is in the lineup.
Famin - I think it is already safe to say he is our best euro since Karsums. Very poised with the puck, seems to have good offensive instincts.
Petterson - didn't do much, he surprised me a bit with solid play along the wall, I figured a guy that thin would be weak on the puck. I think he is destined for fourth line duty once everyone is back.
Roski - good job on the 4th line, I expect his role this year will be to rotate in and out of the lineup on the 4th line.
Lane - disappointed that he didn't see more ice against PEI - in fact I figured he must have been injured, but then he got a shift with 1:30 remaining. If we are going to bother dressing a guy like Lane, then he should be getting plenty of ice when it is 8-2 in the third period - otherwise, what is the point of having him - might as well give the ice time to the young guys.
Bissonette - this kid is going to be really good - as early as next year ... couple of occasions where he completely undressed the Dogs with slick stickhandling and fed perfect cross ice feeds to open teammates, but they couldn't bury it in the open net ... excellent natural playmaking ability. Flynn's challenge will be to find him quality ice time this year to learn, like Brown and MacAusland last year.
Tremblay - shows good offensive instincts, but seems a bit overmatched physically ... I think he is going to end up spending most of the year in the press box, but could be a key player next year.
Savard - played solid, logged a lot of ice, seems to be progressing well.
Jodoin - solid games both nights IMO, I think he is going to be a guy who makes it hard for coaches to sit him as a 7th d-man.
Gormley - did pretty well for a 16 year old considering the amount of ice time he was force fed ... needs to be more assertive on the PP and make decisions quicker, pass and shoot a bit harder - he has a good slapshot, but seems to be content flick wristshots from the point too often.
Downe - thought he played really well Friday night, Saturday night not so much - struggled with decision making a bit.
Boyle - solid, shows good leadership on the ice.
Demitruk - very good skater, seems to be able to make the safe play, good passes.
Riopel - solid both nights.
As you can see, mostly positive comments on the opening weekend, I guess it is to be expected when you win two games and outscore your opponents 11-3 that most guys did a good job. It will be interesting to see how things look going forward as teams start to gel and guys get back from pro camps ... it is only going to get harder - last weekend was basically Jr A+ lineups - who will raise their game again? It is going to be a fun year I think ...
