Bruins 2011 Draft Watch
(and be sure to tell your friends!)
http://bruins2011draftwatch.blogspot.com/
I won't be doing anymore posts here, but this site will remain in effect for archival purposes, so feel free to look around.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Closing the book on Bruins 2010 Draft Watch
Well, it's hard to believe, but this is the last post of Bruins 2010 Draft Watch.
I've made about 400 posts since I began the blog last October, and it's been fun, but the 2010 NHL Entry Draft is coming up on two months in the books and second overall selection Tyler Seguin has already signed with the Bruins and appears to be on the cusp of beginning what the team and its fans believe will be a long and successful career in the Hub.
I've had a blast, but don't fret-- it's time to debut Bruins 2011 Draft Watch.
http://bruins2011draftwatch.blogspot.com/
I've made about 400 posts since I began the blog last October, and it's been fun, but the 2010 NHL Entry Draft is coming up on two months in the books and second overall selection Tyler Seguin has already signed with the Bruins and appears to be on the cusp of beginning what the team and its fans believe will be a long and successful career in the Hub.
I've had a blast, but don't fret-- it's time to debut Bruins 2011 Draft Watch.
http://bruins2011draftwatch.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 6, 2010
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: The Rest 36-41
Loyal readers, at the risk of being lambasted I'm going to cut off the series at 35 with Ben Sexton and do a quick writeup on the remaining prospects in the system: Cody Wild, Zach McKelvie, Mark Goggin, Alain Goulet, Adam Courchaine and Carl Soderberg.
37. A speedy defenseman out of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, McKelvie probably deserves to be somewhere inside the the top-35, but given that I have absolutely no frame of reference on him, and his status being up in the air with the U.S. Army (and trust me- I know all about how vague and nebulous dealings with Uncle Sam can be), he's here. He signed last year but was prevented from being an active participant at Bruins camp because a policy change caused him to return to West Point to serve as a coaching assistant before reporting to his infantry officer basic course and Ranger school at Fort Benning, Ga. The Bruins have been able to maintain his rights and extend his contract, but at present he's in limbo as far as his pro hockey future goes.
38. A skilled, average-sized forward in prep, Goggin was in Wilmington, but injured and didn't do any of the on-ice work. He had a mediocre freshman season at Dartmouth College and that was coming off of a disappointing senior year at Choate. He's fallen off the map a bit after impressing a lot of folks in his first Bruins development camp in 2008 after being a seventh-rounder. He's a good skater with some offensive skills, but simply has not elevated his game or production since the B's drafted him. He has more time to develop, but is looking more and more like a longshot to ever amount to much.
39. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft out of the Aurora Tigers of the OPJHL, Goulet doesn't have great size and lacks jump in his skating stride. However, he's one of those players who sees the ice tremendously well and can really move the puck. His development caught a snag with the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where he left for the QMJHL midway through his sophomore season to play for his old junior coach. Goulet went on a tear with the Gatineau Olympiques, averaging more than a point per game from the blue line, but admittedly doing so as an older player. He did not sign with Boston last year but spent the season in Providence and has been invited to Bruins training camp once again.
40. Courchaine was signed as a free agent a few years back after going to camp as an invite out of the Ottawa 67s. To be frank, his development simply has not progressed since being offered a contract by the Bruins, as he was an uneven OHL goalie with more downs than ups. He seems to lack the skills and overall ability to be much more than a career minor leaguer, but is signed and has two more years left on his deal. Expect him to probably spend most of the year in Reading of the ECHL, where he can get more playing time than he would in Providence.
41. Soderberg has been a study in frustration since the Bruins traded Hannu Toivonen to St. Louis for his rights coming up on three years ago (and Toivonen has since been dealt by the Blues to Chicago). The former second-round pick in 2004 will turn 25 this season, but has yet to come over to North America and even compete in a development camp or rookie or even main camp for the Bruins since they acquired him. Possessing very nice size and offensive skills, his talent alone should have him nowhere near bottom on the Boston prospect list, but because he's seemed to avoid the NHL like the plague, where else do you put him? Also adding to the uncertainty is the fact that he suffered a serious eye injury in 2008 and still plays with a full face shield. He'll have to lose the mask if he has any inclination of trying to make a run at a spot in Boston. It may be time to accept that he's one of those players who simply doesn't have the ambition or drive to be an NHL player. There's nothing wrong with that, and Soderberg wouldn't be the first. But, it's a shame he and his representation allowed Boston to surrender an asset for him if he didn't have the commitment to at least try and make it work.
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #35 Ben Sexton
Ben Sexton, C
5-11, 190
June 6, 1991
Shoots: Left
Boston's 5th choice, 206th overall (seventh round) in 2009 Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Sexton doesn't have ideal height, but has a thick body and appears to have packed on some good pounds since he was drafted. Conditioning is very good with a little more room to fill out. Nice skater who possesses above average first step quickness and good straight-line speed. Agile and balanced on his edges; can change direction quickly. Always moves his feet and competes well. Seems to be a better player in tight quarters than in space. Goes to the net, but hands are pretty average and has trouble finishing off scoring chances. Heavy stick; does not receive passes all that adroitly. Not an overly physical player, but does stick his nose in and wins battles for loose pucks by outhustling opponents and staying focused. Pretty good defensively; seems to understand positioning and diligently backchecks. Has had issues with staying healthy and battling nagging injuries in the past, so his durability will be something to watch.
Intangibles: Does not appear to be all that instinctive a player, but works hard and that counts for something. Smart, hard-working kid knows pro hockey having grown up as the son of former Senators and Panthers GM Randy Sexton. Didn't get off to a very good start with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL last year, but worked his way into more of a role by season's end and his production picked up. His former Nepean Raiders coach (and former Bruin) Garry Galley had very nice things to tell me about his attitude and work ethic, but reiterated that Sexton missed time to injuries while playing for him.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Sexton made some money (figuratively of course) in Wilmington last month. To coin a phrase Bill Belichick has made famous in sporting circle: He is what he is. That is, a solid, unspectacular player who doesn't have a lot of size or high-end skills but skates well, hustles and plays a good two-way game. Sexton looked strong on his skates, but his skill limitations came into play when it was time for him to convert scoring chances in close during the drills and scrimmages. That said, he had a strong camp and was a pleasant surprise as someone who has been criticized on this space in the past.
Projection
Another longshot as a fourth-line checker/grinder/energy guy, Sexton will likely take a while to make an impact at the NCAA level, but could in time work himself into the prospect picture for the Bruins. He's 35th on the depth chart, but is on the long-term plan and could become more of a prospect if he can prove his effectiveness at the next level. Sexton looks like a journeyman type of minor league forward but we'll reserve judgment until we can see him compete at the NCAA level.
Quotable
“Things have been going good; I’m really enjoying myself the second time around. I’m a little bit more comfortable. The skates have been good; the off-ice workouts have been good. I’m really enjoying myself.”- Ben Sexton to hockeyjournal.com, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
“I think I bridged the gap between that this year by heading out to the BCHL. I mean, moving away from home was definitely an adjustment, so I think I’ll be used to that heading to Clarkson.”- Ben Sexton, July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
There were arguably some better options available to Boston in seventh round, but to Sexton's credit, he looks the part of a legitimate NHL draft pick. Last November, I spoke to a scout who saw him at Penticton and he was barely getting it done on the third line and looked like a real bust at the BCHL level (which is a pretty scary statement in itself). However, by the time the playoffs rolled around, Sexton had worked his way up to the second line and was doing more, finishing with a modest 13 goals 42 points in 50 games, but boosting his production considerably over the second half (23 points in his last 21 games after posting just 10 in his first 20 contests). Let's face it-- Sexton was a late, late draft pick, so his chances of winning a job in Boston are slim, but he at least has the look of a prospect and will have a chance at doing something at Clarkson, even if he may not hit his stride right away.
5-11, 190
June 6, 1991
Shoots: Left
Boston's 5th choice, 206th overall (seventh round) in 2009 Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Sexton doesn't have ideal height, but has a thick body and appears to have packed on some good pounds since he was drafted. Conditioning is very good with a little more room to fill out. Nice skater who possesses above average first step quickness and good straight-line speed. Agile and balanced on his edges; can change direction quickly. Always moves his feet and competes well. Seems to be a better player in tight quarters than in space. Goes to the net, but hands are pretty average and has trouble finishing off scoring chances. Heavy stick; does not receive passes all that adroitly. Not an overly physical player, but does stick his nose in and wins battles for loose pucks by outhustling opponents and staying focused. Pretty good defensively; seems to understand positioning and diligently backchecks. Has had issues with staying healthy and battling nagging injuries in the past, so his durability will be something to watch.
Intangibles: Does not appear to be all that instinctive a player, but works hard and that counts for something. Smart, hard-working kid knows pro hockey having grown up as the son of former Senators and Panthers GM Randy Sexton. Didn't get off to a very good start with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL last year, but worked his way into more of a role by season's end and his production picked up. His former Nepean Raiders coach (and former Bruin) Garry Galley had very nice things to tell me about his attitude and work ethic, but reiterated that Sexton missed time to injuries while playing for him.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Sexton made some money (figuratively of course) in Wilmington last month. To coin a phrase Bill Belichick has made famous in sporting circle: He is what he is. That is, a solid, unspectacular player who doesn't have a lot of size or high-end skills but skates well, hustles and plays a good two-way game. Sexton looked strong on his skates, but his skill limitations came into play when it was time for him to convert scoring chances in close during the drills and scrimmages. That said, he had a strong camp and was a pleasant surprise as someone who has been criticized on this space in the past.
Projection
Another longshot as a fourth-line checker/grinder/energy guy, Sexton will likely take a while to make an impact at the NCAA level, but could in time work himself into the prospect picture for the Bruins. He's 35th on the depth chart, but is on the long-term plan and could become more of a prospect if he can prove his effectiveness at the next level. Sexton looks like a journeyman type of minor league forward but we'll reserve judgment until we can see him compete at the NCAA level.
Quotable
“Things have been going good; I’m really enjoying myself the second time around. I’m a little bit more comfortable. The skates have been good; the off-ice workouts have been good. I’m really enjoying myself.”- Ben Sexton to hockeyjournal.com, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
“I think I bridged the gap between that this year by heading out to the BCHL. I mean, moving away from home was definitely an adjustment, so I think I’ll be used to that heading to Clarkson.”- Ben Sexton, July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
There were arguably some better options available to Boston in seventh round, but to Sexton's credit, he looks the part of a legitimate NHL draft pick. Last November, I spoke to a scout who saw him at Penticton and he was barely getting it done on the third line and looked like a real bust at the BCHL level (which is a pretty scary statement in itself). However, by the time the playoffs rolled around, Sexton had worked his way up to the second line and was doing more, finishing with a modest 13 goals 42 points in 50 games, but boosting his production considerably over the second half (23 points in his last 21 games after posting just 10 in his first 20 contests). Let's face it-- Sexton was a late, late draft pick, so his chances of winning a job in Boston are slim, but he at least has the look of a prospect and will have a chance at doing something at Clarkson, even if he may not hit his stride right away.
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #34 Levi Nelson
Levi Nelson, C
6-0, 180
April 28, 1988
Shoots: Left
Boston's 6th choice, 158th overall in 2006 Draft
Signing status: Signed through 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical: Average size and slight build despite the fact that he plays a physical, agitating style. Good skater with quick burst and above average speed and agility. Average puck skills and shot. Will go into traffic willingly, but does not excel at making moves at top speed. A better skater without the puck than with it. Does not have the skills to be a scorer at the highest level; must be a grinder/agitator to have any chance at an NHL job. Likes to make hits and finish his checks; plays bigger than his size. Has a gritty, abrasive style but doesn't drop the gloves all that much. Plays a solid two-way game, but has not been able to carve more of a niche for himself in terms of role and ice time in Providence under Rob Murray.
Intangibles: Was Swift Current's captain under then GM and head coach Dean Chynoweth, a former Bruin (now an Islanders assistant coach). Had a reputation for being an intense, hustling player in junior, but has struggled with uneven compete levels and bounced between the AHL and ECHL in his rookie season because he reportedly didn't bring the requisite work ethic. Lacks offensive hockey sense and hands to be a scorer, but does have a good handle on his position and is a solid two-way player with a heat-seeking missile mentality.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend
Projection
NHL potential is as a fourth-liner whose time with the Bruins is running out because he hasn't developed and progressed since signing with the team in 2008. He was an overachiever in junior when the Bruins drafted him, with one scout telling me that he was one of the most competitive players he'd seen in a long time. Unfortunately, Nelson hasn't brought the same kind of hustle and energy with him to the pro ranks and has yet to make much of an impact.
The Final Word
The former sixth-round pick in '06 was a project pick at the time who didn't have a great deal of upside, but had potential because of his energetic two-way game and intangibles. Four years later, he doesn't appear to have "it" and barring a major breakthrough in Providence, will likely be let go to pursue his pro hockey dreams elsewhere. He's higher than others in the Boston system because he was a two-time 20 goal man in junior and has the kind of ability to be an NHL player, but as of yet, has simply not put it together enough to warrant serious consideration by the B's.
6-0, 180
April 28, 1988
Shoots: Left
Boston's 6th choice, 158th overall in 2006 Draft
Signing status: Signed through 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical: Average size and slight build despite the fact that he plays a physical, agitating style. Good skater with quick burst and above average speed and agility. Average puck skills and shot. Will go into traffic willingly, but does not excel at making moves at top speed. A better skater without the puck than with it. Does not have the skills to be a scorer at the highest level; must be a grinder/agitator to have any chance at an NHL job. Likes to make hits and finish his checks; plays bigger than his size. Has a gritty, abrasive style but doesn't drop the gloves all that much. Plays a solid two-way game, but has not been able to carve more of a niche for himself in terms of role and ice time in Providence under Rob Murray.
Intangibles: Was Swift Current's captain under then GM and head coach Dean Chynoweth, a former Bruin (now an Islanders assistant coach). Had a reputation for being an intense, hustling player in junior, but has struggled with uneven compete levels and bounced between the AHL and ECHL in his rookie season because he reportedly didn't bring the requisite work ethic. Lacks offensive hockey sense and hands to be a scorer, but does have a good handle on his position and is a solid two-way player with a heat-seeking missile mentality.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend
Projection
NHL potential is as a fourth-liner whose time with the Bruins is running out because he hasn't developed and progressed since signing with the team in 2008. He was an overachiever in junior when the Bruins drafted him, with one scout telling me that he was one of the most competitive players he'd seen in a long time. Unfortunately, Nelson hasn't brought the same kind of hustle and energy with him to the pro ranks and has yet to make much of an impact.
The Final Word
The former sixth-round pick in '06 was a project pick at the time who didn't have a great deal of upside, but had potential because of his energetic two-way game and intangibles. Four years later, he doesn't appear to have "it" and barring a major breakthrough in Providence, will likely be let go to pursue his pro hockey dreams elsewhere. He's higher than others in the Boston system because he was a two-time 20 goal man in junior and has the kind of ability to be an NHL player, but as of yet, has simply not put it together enough to warrant serious consideration by the B's.
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #33 Zach Trotman
Zach Trotman, D
6-4, 200
August 26, 1990
Shoots: Right
Boston's 8th choice, 210 overall (seventh round) in 2010 Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Big frame but lean with much more room to add muscle mass and strength (he'll probably play in the 220s when he reaches his physical maturity). Good mobility; above average straight line speed and lateral agility and crossovers. Moves well in all directions and has pretty good footwork for a big man but is still growing into his body and could stand to improve balance and strength on his skates. Solid passer who can make the first pass but hasn't translated his ability into production at the junior and NCAA level. Average shot; the point slap shot is not particularly powerful, but he does a good job of mixing up the shot variety and can get the puck on net effectively from the blue line. Defense and positional play is a work in progess. Shows a willingness to play a physical game and uses his size effectively along the boards and in front of the net. A good solid shutdown 'D' prospect based on his one year in the NCAA with Lake Superior State, but could spend the next three years in school before he's ready for the pro ranks.
Intangibles: Quiet, but confident player who has a good grasp of his strengths and shortcomings. Needs work in his decision making, and will get that with increased playing time and experience with the Lakers. Offensive hockey sense tough to gauge; has the physical tools to provide more of an offensive contribution, but has not done much to date. Is a long-term project who appears to have the physical and mental chops to develop into a pro prospect eventually.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Trotman is not very dynamic, but showed some flashes of being an interesting option on the blue line in time (a long time, that is). He played a mostly conservative, safe, simple game, but also demonstrated an ability to get the puck in on net from the point with a quick wrist/snap shot. It looks like his confidence was steadily improving over the course of the week, although he did miss the final Saturday on-ice session for what was an undisclosed injury.
Projection
Bottom-pairing shutdown defender does have some modest upside, but is extremely raw and has a tough row to hoe in order to someday win an NHL job. As the very last draft pick in the 2010 class, the B's surrendered their seventh-round pick to Chicago next year to get Trotman, so it was about the value the team saw in the Novi, Michigan resident. Time will tell whether he continues to develop the offensive side of things which will determine if he has an NHL future. Trotman is a bit of a late-bloomer who actually grew up in Indiana and didn't play high-level hockey until he moved to Michigan as a teenager.
Quotable
"I'm looking to improve on my overall game. I've got to get faster at making decisions on the ice and I'm working on doing more offensively. I'm looking forward to this season and trying to become more of a two-way player and hopefully getting more points."- Zach Trotman to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
"It's been a good time; I've enjoyed getting to know all of the players here and the coaches and learning about the Bruins' system and how they do things. I'm just trying to learn what I can and take it back to school with me."- Zach Trotman, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
Like most of the prospects after 20 on Boston's prospect depth chart, he's a longshot to become a regular NHL contributor. That said, he has the size and mobility to eventually make a run. He's going to need a lot of time and patience, but with three more years of school and another few more likely in the minors, Trotman is a low-risk, moderate-reward kind of player. While he's not the high-level prospect you might find from some internet sources out there who were touting him as a second-round pick, this defenseman did not look at all out of place in Wilmington and could make some noise down the road. He has the tools and the attitude to make himself into something in time.
6-4, 200
August 26, 1990
Shoots: Right
Boston's 8th choice, 210 overall (seventh round) in 2010 Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Big frame but lean with much more room to add muscle mass and strength (he'll probably play in the 220s when he reaches his physical maturity). Good mobility; above average straight line speed and lateral agility and crossovers. Moves well in all directions and has pretty good footwork for a big man but is still growing into his body and could stand to improve balance and strength on his skates. Solid passer who can make the first pass but hasn't translated his ability into production at the junior and NCAA level. Average shot; the point slap shot is not particularly powerful, but he does a good job of mixing up the shot variety and can get the puck on net effectively from the blue line. Defense and positional play is a work in progess. Shows a willingness to play a physical game and uses his size effectively along the boards and in front of the net. A good solid shutdown 'D' prospect based on his one year in the NCAA with Lake Superior State, but could spend the next three years in school before he's ready for the pro ranks.
Intangibles: Quiet, but confident player who has a good grasp of his strengths and shortcomings. Needs work in his decision making, and will get that with increased playing time and experience with the Lakers. Offensive hockey sense tough to gauge; has the physical tools to provide more of an offensive contribution, but has not done much to date. Is a long-term project who appears to have the physical and mental chops to develop into a pro prospect eventually.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Trotman is not very dynamic, but showed some flashes of being an interesting option on the blue line in time (a long time, that is). He played a mostly conservative, safe, simple game, but also demonstrated an ability to get the puck in on net from the point with a quick wrist/snap shot. It looks like his confidence was steadily improving over the course of the week, although he did miss the final Saturday on-ice session for what was an undisclosed injury.
Projection
Bottom-pairing shutdown defender does have some modest upside, but is extremely raw and has a tough row to hoe in order to someday win an NHL job. As the very last draft pick in the 2010 class, the B's surrendered their seventh-round pick to Chicago next year to get Trotman, so it was about the value the team saw in the Novi, Michigan resident. Time will tell whether he continues to develop the offensive side of things which will determine if he has an NHL future. Trotman is a bit of a late-bloomer who actually grew up in Indiana and didn't play high-level hockey until he moved to Michigan as a teenager.
Quotable
"I'm looking to improve on my overall game. I've got to get faster at making decisions on the ice and I'm working on doing more offensively. I'm looking forward to this season and trying to become more of a two-way player and hopefully getting more points."- Zach Trotman to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
"It's been a good time; I've enjoyed getting to know all of the players here and the coaches and learning about the Bruins' system and how they do things. I'm just trying to learn what I can and take it back to school with me."- Zach Trotman, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
Like most of the prospects after 20 on Boston's prospect depth chart, he's a longshot to become a regular NHL contributor. That said, he has the size and mobility to eventually make a run. He's going to need a lot of time and patience, but with three more years of school and another few more likely in the minors, Trotman is a low-risk, moderate-reward kind of player. While he's not the high-level prospect you might find from some internet sources out there who were touting him as a second-round pick, this defenseman did not look at all out of place in Wilmington and could make some noise down the road. He has the tools and the attitude to make himself into something in time.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #32 Nick Tremblay
Nicholas Tremblay, C
6-0, 190
April 5, 1988
Shoots: Left
Boston's 5th choice, 173rd overall (sixth round) in 2008 draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Average height, but is stocky with some mass on his upper body and strong on his skates. A sublime skater; possibly the best pure skater in the entire Boston organization-- right up there with Marco Sturm. Explodes to top speed in just one or two strides from a standstill and has a mastery of his edges that some players can only dream of. Some players have a separation gear, but Tremblay has about three. Form and technique are just about flawless and when he revs it up through the neutral zone, defenders had better have their gap control straight or Tremblay is blowing by them. Hands and shot are decidedly average-- and what is keeping him from being more productive in college and higher on the Boston prospect depth chart. Stickhandling could stand to improve and is more of a "crest shooter" at this stage; must work on hitting the corners and finding the holes in order to get the puck to the back of the net. Physical play is not there yet; will go into traffic, but does not initiate much and plays more of a finesse game. If he can improve his three-zone play, could be a very effective checker and penalty killer with his pure speed.
Intangibles: Hockey sense is a question mark at this stage; he has the speed and explosiveness to do a lot more than he has to date. Good character and team player; shows a lot of determination on and off the ice. An underrated leader; does the right things and inspires others through a positive example.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Solid camp performance highlighted by the clinic he put on during the second day (on-ice) power skating instruction where he was far and away the best skater of anyone on the ice. Seems to be gaining more and more confidence, but still did not do enough offensively in the scrimmages to warrant the kind of consideration that would see him project as a potential top-six forward at the NHL level. He was constantly backing up defenders and looked great as he surged up and down the Ristuccia ice, but at the end of the day, he didn't accomplish a great deal on the offensive ledger alongside fellow Clarkson U. forward Ben Sexton and whomever else played on that line (Tyler Randell was there at times, as was Justin Florek). The skating is world class, but Tremblay has simply got to pick up the production in order to have a shot at being signed and put into the mix.
Projection
Bottom six/fourth line checking or part-time forward at the NHL level, productive scoring presence in the AHL. If being an NHL player was all about the speed and character, Tremblay would be near the top of the Boston prospects roster, but he has a lot of improving to do in other areas before he can be considered a legitimate B's future option. He gets high marks for his attitude and willingness to improve, but this is a huge year for him at Clarkson now that he's spent two seasons in Potsdam.
Quotable
“I think (development camp's) a lot tougher mentally. We had The Program coming in; it was really challenging, especially because we went there before going on the ice—it was exhausting, but I’m really enjoying it.”- Nick Tremblay to hockeyjournal.com, Wilmington, Mass.; 6-10 July, 2010
"Obviously, my skating is the best part of my game and it's something I keep working on. I’m trying to work on my shot a lot. I think it was a big thing for me last year, trying to hit the open corners and not the side of the net every time. I’m just trying to get a harder shot, make it more accurate.”- Nick Tremblay, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
It isn't like Tremblay was a second- or third-round pick, so the Bruins can afford to be patient with his development even though he just turned 22 in April and is older than a lot of the team's players in the system. If he can prove that he's an offensive threat at the NCAA level, he'll have a chance to work his way into the NHL as a grinder, and he can put the puck in the net as evidenced by his 50+ goals scored in one season with the Smiths Falls Bears of the CJHL. At the same time, he was passed over twice prior to being picked in the sixth round two years ago and thus far, has not shown a great deal to convince anyone that his development will culminate with a solid NHL forward when all is said and done. As a good number of his fellow forward prospects down the depth chart are coming to understand, there is a glut of talent ahead of him on the roster, so trying to break in with Boston right now as a forward isn't the greatest situation to be in.
6-0, 190
April 5, 1988
Shoots: Left
Boston's 5th choice, 173rd overall (sixth round) in 2008 draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Average height, but is stocky with some mass on his upper body and strong on his skates. A sublime skater; possibly the best pure skater in the entire Boston organization-- right up there with Marco Sturm. Explodes to top speed in just one or two strides from a standstill and has a mastery of his edges that some players can only dream of. Some players have a separation gear, but Tremblay has about three. Form and technique are just about flawless and when he revs it up through the neutral zone, defenders had better have their gap control straight or Tremblay is blowing by them. Hands and shot are decidedly average-- and what is keeping him from being more productive in college and higher on the Boston prospect depth chart. Stickhandling could stand to improve and is more of a "crest shooter" at this stage; must work on hitting the corners and finding the holes in order to get the puck to the back of the net. Physical play is not there yet; will go into traffic, but does not initiate much and plays more of a finesse game. If he can improve his three-zone play, could be a very effective checker and penalty killer with his pure speed.
Intangibles: Hockey sense is a question mark at this stage; he has the speed and explosiveness to do a lot more than he has to date. Good character and team player; shows a lot of determination on and off the ice. An underrated leader; does the right things and inspires others through a positive example.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Solid camp performance highlighted by the clinic he put on during the second day (on-ice) power skating instruction where he was far and away the best skater of anyone on the ice. Seems to be gaining more and more confidence, but still did not do enough offensively in the scrimmages to warrant the kind of consideration that would see him project as a potential top-six forward at the NHL level. He was constantly backing up defenders and looked great as he surged up and down the Ristuccia ice, but at the end of the day, he didn't accomplish a great deal on the offensive ledger alongside fellow Clarkson U. forward Ben Sexton and whomever else played on that line (Tyler Randell was there at times, as was Justin Florek). The skating is world class, but Tremblay has simply got to pick up the production in order to have a shot at being signed and put into the mix.
Projection
Bottom six/fourth line checking or part-time forward at the NHL level, productive scoring presence in the AHL. If being an NHL player was all about the speed and character, Tremblay would be near the top of the Boston prospects roster, but he has a lot of improving to do in other areas before he can be considered a legitimate B's future option. He gets high marks for his attitude and willingness to improve, but this is a huge year for him at Clarkson now that he's spent two seasons in Potsdam.
Quotable
“I think (development camp's) a lot tougher mentally. We had The Program coming in; it was really challenging, especially because we went there before going on the ice—it was exhausting, but I’m really enjoying it.”- Nick Tremblay to hockeyjournal.com, Wilmington, Mass.; 6-10 July, 2010
"Obviously, my skating is the best part of my game and it's something I keep working on. I’m trying to work on my shot a lot. I think it was a big thing for me last year, trying to hit the open corners and not the side of the net every time. I’m just trying to get a harder shot, make it more accurate.”- Nick Tremblay, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
It isn't like Tremblay was a second- or third-round pick, so the Bruins can afford to be patient with his development even though he just turned 22 in April and is older than a lot of the team's players in the system. If he can prove that he's an offensive threat at the NCAA level, he'll have a chance to work his way into the NHL as a grinder, and he can put the puck in the net as evidenced by his 50+ goals scored in one season with the Smiths Falls Bears of the CJHL. At the same time, he was passed over twice prior to being picked in the sixth round two years ago and thus far, has not shown a great deal to convince anyone that his development will culminate with a solid NHL forward when all is said and done. As a good number of his fellow forward prospects down the depth chart are coming to understand, there is a glut of talent ahead of him on the roster, so trying to break in with Boston right now as a forward isn't the greatest situation to be in.
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #31 Justin Florek
Justin Florek, LW
6-4, 195
May 18, 1990
Shoots: Left
Boston's fifth choice, 135th overall in 2010 draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Big, lean winger has the height and long limbs to be an effective power forward but has a long way to go in terms of filling out his frame and gaining the requisite strength to be a physical force. Good skater with a long, loping stride and the ability to cover ground quickly. Still a bit gangly, and not as proficient in his lateral movements as he is in a straight line when he's going up and down the wing. Okay hands but not high-end offensive skills; doesn't handle the puck a lot in traffic, but has a nice shot and the ability to finish off chances in close and around the net. An underrated playmaker; able to find seams in defenses and set up teammates for scoring chances. A willing physical player who understands his role and responsibilities and uses his size well to gain position in front of the net. Must get a lot stronger. Looks to have a bit of a mean streak, but is more of an honest skater who doesn't try to intimidate but won't shy away when the hitting picks up, either. Plays a solid three-zone game and is an effective special teamer at the NCAA level.
Intangibles: Hard-working, character player who is a good teammate and has the desire to go along with an impressive set of natural gifts. He's an intelligent two-way player, but doesn't appear to have the kind of elite offensive instincts that would translate into a top-six role in the NHL. However, he understands that he's most effective when going to the net and picking up the trash. A diligent, responsible player who puts in the work without a lot of fanfare.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Skating on a line with Tyler Randell and Joe Colborne at times, Florek did not look out of place as he hustled, took the puck hard to the net and was able to win a lot of battles for loose pucks in front of the goal and along the walls. In all honesty, Florek is a longshot, but he's got some character and a good atttitude; he seems genuinely pleased to be a Bruins draft pick and will put in the work to make a run at an NHL job eventually. There is not much flash or dash with this player, but he has nice size, good mobility and uses his physical tools well. He did well at camp, but has a long way to go.
Projection
Florek could possibly make the NHL as a third-line winger, but will probably spend considerable time in the minors first. He's raw and doesn't do much at the high end of the offensive spectrum, but is the kind of guy who could exceed expectations because he has the work ethic to go with his size and skating.
Quotable
"He's a big kid who moves well and has some good upside as a power forward. We think he's only scratching the surface of what he's capable of and with his character, is someone we're glad to have in the organization."- Bruins amateur scouting director Wayne Smith to B2010DW, Los Angeles; June 26, 2010
“First year, I was heartbroken like any kid would be expecting to get drafted and not being drafted. The second year I didn’t really think about it but obviously, it’s in the back of your head. And then, the third year, I just picked up the shift on Saturday, draft day, and didn’t even think about it. I was working when I got the call.”- Justin Florek to hockeyjournal.com, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
“I’m a big power forward; I pick up loose pucks around the net and maintain possession down low. I throw the body around when I need to. I’m a defensive forward; I penalty kill a lot and play the power play, penalty kill, 5-on-5– I do it all.”- Justin Florek, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
Florek is the kind of player who illustrates the kind of prospect depth the Bruins have at forward. He isn't someone who is going to jump out at you, but could develop into a legitimate offensive player in the AHL and has a shot at carving a niche at the NHL level despite being passed over in the draft previously. Unfrotunately for him, trying to make an impression in Boston is going to be a tall order, as they have quite a few players who bring a similar style and ability to Florek. As is the case with other late-round picks, time is on Florek's side, as he can spend one or two more years in school before turning pro and then can spend an additional couple of years honing his game and gaining experience in the minors. Ultimately, however, the ability to gain a roster spot in Boston is going to be difficult, so he'll need to emerge as a force at NMU this season to position himself for the chance, at least.
6-4, 195
May 18, 1990
Shoots: Left
Boston's fifth choice, 135th overall in 2010 draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Big, lean winger has the height and long limbs to be an effective power forward but has a long way to go in terms of filling out his frame and gaining the requisite strength to be a physical force. Good skater with a long, loping stride and the ability to cover ground quickly. Still a bit gangly, and not as proficient in his lateral movements as he is in a straight line when he's going up and down the wing. Okay hands but not high-end offensive skills; doesn't handle the puck a lot in traffic, but has a nice shot and the ability to finish off chances in close and around the net. An underrated playmaker; able to find seams in defenses and set up teammates for scoring chances. A willing physical player who understands his role and responsibilities and uses his size well to gain position in front of the net. Must get a lot stronger. Looks to have a bit of a mean streak, but is more of an honest skater who doesn't try to intimidate but won't shy away when the hitting picks up, either. Plays a solid three-zone game and is an effective special teamer at the NCAA level.
Intangibles: Hard-working, character player who is a good teammate and has the desire to go along with an impressive set of natural gifts. He's an intelligent two-way player, but doesn't appear to have the kind of elite offensive instincts that would translate into a top-six role in the NHL. However, he understands that he's most effective when going to the net and picking up the trash. A diligent, responsible player who puts in the work without a lot of fanfare.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Skating on a line with Tyler Randell and Joe Colborne at times, Florek did not look out of place as he hustled, took the puck hard to the net and was able to win a lot of battles for loose pucks in front of the goal and along the walls. In all honesty, Florek is a longshot, but he's got some character and a good atttitude; he seems genuinely pleased to be a Bruins draft pick and will put in the work to make a run at an NHL job eventually. There is not much flash or dash with this player, but he has nice size, good mobility and uses his physical tools well. He did well at camp, but has a long way to go.
Projection
Florek could possibly make the NHL as a third-line winger, but will probably spend considerable time in the minors first. He's raw and doesn't do much at the high end of the offensive spectrum, but is the kind of guy who could exceed expectations because he has the work ethic to go with his size and skating.
Quotable
"He's a big kid who moves well and has some good upside as a power forward. We think he's only scratching the surface of what he's capable of and with his character, is someone we're glad to have in the organization."- Bruins amateur scouting director Wayne Smith to B2010DW, Los Angeles; June 26, 2010
“First year, I was heartbroken like any kid would be expecting to get drafted and not being drafted. The second year I didn’t really think about it but obviously, it’s in the back of your head. And then, the third year, I just picked up the shift on Saturday, draft day, and didn’t even think about it. I was working when I got the call.”- Justin Florek to hockeyjournal.com, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
“I’m a big power forward; I pick up loose pucks around the net and maintain possession down low. I throw the body around when I need to. I’m a defensive forward; I penalty kill a lot and play the power play, penalty kill, 5-on-5– I do it all.”- Justin Florek, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
Florek is the kind of player who illustrates the kind of prospect depth the Bruins have at forward. He isn't someone who is going to jump out at you, but could develop into a legitimate offensive player in the AHL and has a shot at carving a niche at the NHL level despite being passed over in the draft previously. Unfrotunately for him, trying to make an impression in Boston is going to be a tall order, as they have quite a few players who bring a similar style and ability to Florek. As is the case with other late-round picks, time is on Florek's side, as he can spend one or two more years in school before turning pro and then can spend an additional couple of years honing his game and gaining experience in the minors. Ultimately, however, the ability to gain a roster spot in Boston is going to be difficult, so he'll need to emerge as a force at NMU this season to position himself for the chance, at least.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #30 Maxim Chudinov
Maxim Chudinov, D
5-10, 195
March 25, 1990
Shoots: Right
Boston's 7th choice, 195th overall (seventh round) in 2010 Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: One more sub-6-foot defender to the Boston mix doesn't hurt, right? Short and squat, with extremely strong legs and a powerful upper body despite the lack of height-- a real specimen. Short arms and stick pose a challenge for him defensively. Very good skater with fast initial step, smooth acceleration and the ability to move well laterally and backwards. Makes a good first pass and can move the puck well on the transition. For his size, has a cannon shot from the point, but needs to work on getting it off faster and without so much of a windup/wasted motion. Good wrister and has the mobility to get in below the circles and let it fly. Had a career year in 09-10 playing with fellow Bruins prospect Yuri Alexandrov on Cherepovets Severstal of the KHL, scoring six goals and 13 points in 47 games. His stats line in his first 46 career Russian elite/KHL games: 0-0-0. Plays with some bite: will initiate and likes to hit. Gets up under bigger players and leverages them off-balance with his strength and technique. Working on playing a more positionally sound defensive game, which is important given his lack of size and reach.
Intangibles: Pretty good vision and instincts, but more is needed to be seen from him at the KHL level. He'll have an opportunity to pick up more minutes with Alexandrov headed to North America. Has a reputation as a fierce competitor (read: borderline dirty player) and could be seen as a slightly less-skilled, but nastier version of David Warsofsky. Said to have a lot of heart, character and drive-- if he continues on his upward developmental curve in Russia, could zoom up the Boston prospect depth chart.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend; watch for him to be there in 2011.
Projection
Chudinov is hard to peg right now because there aren't a whole lot of folks who have seen him play, but he was more productive than Alexandrov was at the same age, and his 13 points are pretty solid numbers for a Russian defenseman. The safe bet is that he's a top-four with special teams acumen, but we'll have to see how he performs in the next couple of seasons. Peter Chiarelli not only likened his playing style to that of Brian Rafalski, but said at the draft that he didn't expect Chudinov to compete for a spot in Boston for another two years, so it will be interesting to see what transpires from here.
Quotable
"I really like this player. He's short, but built like a fire hydrant and he can skate and shoot the puck. He plays with an edge and in my opinion has been one of the better young Russian d-men in the international competitions he's been involved in over the past several years. This is a pretty good pick for Boston in the seventh round; there's some upside here."- Red Line Report chief scout Kyle Woodlief to B2010DW, Los Angeles; June 26, 2010
The Final Word
Chudinov is another player who may be a tad low on the list, but in the absence of more anecdotal evidence, and given the fact that we know he's at least two years away if not more, he debuts at No. 30 with the chance to move up if he can continue to build on what was a very solid season. His upside is a bit of a question mark at this stage, but he's definitely a player to watch and may have been a solid value for Boston after being passed over twice previously, but really coming on at 19.
5-10, 195
March 25, 1990
Shoots: Right
Boston's 7th choice, 195th overall (seventh round) in 2010 Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: One more sub-6-foot defender to the Boston mix doesn't hurt, right? Short and squat, with extremely strong legs and a powerful upper body despite the lack of height-- a real specimen. Short arms and stick pose a challenge for him defensively. Very good skater with fast initial step, smooth acceleration and the ability to move well laterally and backwards. Makes a good first pass and can move the puck well on the transition. For his size, has a cannon shot from the point, but needs to work on getting it off faster and without so much of a windup/wasted motion. Good wrister and has the mobility to get in below the circles and let it fly. Had a career year in 09-10 playing with fellow Bruins prospect Yuri Alexandrov on Cherepovets Severstal of the KHL, scoring six goals and 13 points in 47 games. His stats line in his first 46 career Russian elite/KHL games: 0-0-0. Plays with some bite: will initiate and likes to hit. Gets up under bigger players and leverages them off-balance with his strength and technique. Working on playing a more positionally sound defensive game, which is important given his lack of size and reach.
Intangibles: Pretty good vision and instincts, but more is needed to be seen from him at the KHL level. He'll have an opportunity to pick up more minutes with Alexandrov headed to North America. Has a reputation as a fierce competitor (read: borderline dirty player) and could be seen as a slightly less-skilled, but nastier version of David Warsofsky. Said to have a lot of heart, character and drive-- if he continues on his upward developmental curve in Russia, could zoom up the Boston prospect depth chart.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend; watch for him to be there in 2011.
Projection
Chudinov is hard to peg right now because there aren't a whole lot of folks who have seen him play, but he was more productive than Alexandrov was at the same age, and his 13 points are pretty solid numbers for a Russian defenseman. The safe bet is that he's a top-four with special teams acumen, but we'll have to see how he performs in the next couple of seasons. Peter Chiarelli not only likened his playing style to that of Brian Rafalski, but said at the draft that he didn't expect Chudinov to compete for a spot in Boston for another two years, so it will be interesting to see what transpires from here.
Quotable
"I really like this player. He's short, but built like a fire hydrant and he can skate and shoot the puck. He plays with an edge and in my opinion has been one of the better young Russian d-men in the international competitions he's been involved in over the past several years. This is a pretty good pick for Boston in the seventh round; there's some upside here."- Red Line Report chief scout Kyle Woodlief to B2010DW, Los Angeles; June 26, 2010
The Final Word
Chudinov is another player who may be a tad low on the list, but in the absence of more anecdotal evidence, and given the fact that we know he's at least two years away if not more, he debuts at No. 30 with the chance to move up if he can continue to build on what was a very solid season. His upside is a bit of a question mark at this stage, but he's definitely a player to watch and may have been a solid value for Boston after being passed over twice previously, but really coming on at 19.
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #29 Jordan Knackstedt
Jordan Knackstedt, RW
6-2, 200
September 28, 1988
Shoots; Right
Boston's 6th choice, 189th overall (seventh round) in 2007 Draft
Signing status: Signed through 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical: Power winger has the broad frame, strength and hands to be a player but lacks the skating ability to be much more than a roleplayer. Strong upper body with the potential to add a few more pounds of muscle mass, but must be careful not to add too much weight at the expense of any mobility. Below average first step quickness, mediocre straight line speed and average agility are what helped drop Knackstedt down to the seventh round in his draft year. Good hands with a quick shot. He can score goals from the outside and from in close, but is at his best when he is driving to the hard to the net and banging pucks in. Play in all three zones/defensive awareness still needs work. Plays with an edge; is a good fighter and willing to defend his teammates. A physical, banging forward who skates up and down the wing and doesn't do anything all that exceptionally, but has the size and raw talent to make the NHL as a lower line player.
Intangibles: Got in some hot water with the Boston coaches at training camp last fall when he showed up too heavy and was not allowed to participate with the other players during the first few days. He got off to a slow start in Providence and looked dead in the water until picking it up considerably in the second half and earning Rob Murray's praise for re-dedicating himself to making it work in Providence. Played well on a unit with Zach Hamill and John Lammers, showing good chemistry and effort levels. Does not have the creativity to create offense on his own, but puts forth a diligent work ethic and knows that he must go to the net and take care of rebounds to be productive.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend
Projection
After putting up a 31-goal, 85-point season in his final junior season with the Moose Jaw Warriors, Knackstedt has shown some progress in two full years at the AHL level, but appears to be a pretty standard, fourth-line meat-and-potatoes winger barring some kind of unforseen change. His 14 goals last year are pretty remarkable (seven of them coming in March) when you consider how poorly he fared in the early going, even being option to Reading of the ECHL at one point before injuries brought him back up. To his credit, he didn't sulk after the humiliation he went through of being banished from the ice at camp because of a too-high body fat percentage, but did yeoman's work to get his weight down and within the standard the Bruins demand. He appears to have satisfied his Providence coach that it was a lesson learned, but the question Knackstedt must answer now is in the mind of Claude Julien in Boston. He has the size and hands to be an NHL player, but the skating is a drawback and he'll have to overcome that through sheer determination and effort.
Quotable
“(Knackstedt) came to camp and wasn’t in the shape he needed to be. He trained hard, but didn’t train the way he needed to, and his body fat was a little over. He wasn’t allowed to skate with the big club and was sent down right away, and he had to work himself into the right shape. To his credit, it’s unbelievable where he is today compared to where he was in terms of his conditioning and body composition. It was a hard lesson for him, but it was a lesson learned.”- Providence coach Rob Murray to hockeyjournal.com; March, 2010
“As far as his hockey goes from the blue line in, he’s pretty dangerous. He’s not the most fleet of foot, but he has good hands, vision, shooting ability and he protects the puck. It’s the other parts of the game, things like getting the puck out along the boards or making the right decisions in the neutral zone, what he’s supposed to do in his own end — those are things he’s had to work on but is making an improvement in.”- Rob Murray to hockeyjournal.com; March, 2010
“My body fat percentage was obviously too high. I trained hard last summer, but trained the wrong way and it really set me back. My body fat is now around seven percent and I’m really happy with where I am right now. I learned an important lesson — at times, you can try to put on too much weight too quick, and by eating the wrong things, or eating too much at night, it can get you into trouble.”- Jordan Knackstedt to hockeyjournal.com; March, 2010
“I’ve obviously got to get better (at skating). I’m in the gym a lot working on it and doing things that allow me to work on developing quickness in my feet, agility and stuff like that."- Jordan Knackstedt; March, 2010
Knackstedt putting better foot forward
http://www.hockeyjournal.com/news/2010/03/10_kirks.php
The Final Word
Another member of Boston's thus far unproductive '07 draft class, Peter Chiarelli's first as Bruins GM, Knackstedt showed some initial promise as a late-round pick and could in fact make the NHL one day despite his skating issues. The problem he faces is that Boston does not have a lot of room for advancement right now, even on the fourth line, so any chance Knackstedt gets to play with the big club will likely have to come via injury to someone else. This is a huge training camp for him to be able to prove to Julien and staff that last year was an honest mistake and that he learned from it. He comes off as a serious, hard-working guy who wants to make it. We have to remember that even with the intriguing scoring skill, he was still just a seventh-round pick and has always been seen as a longshot. Even if he does make it to the show, it will likely be in a limited role and even that would be pretty much gravy. He may have to make his NHL coin for another team that has the room to utilize him in some capacity.
6-2, 200
September 28, 1988
Shoots; Right
Boston's 6th choice, 189th overall (seventh round) in 2007 Draft
Signing status: Signed through 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical: Power winger has the broad frame, strength and hands to be a player but lacks the skating ability to be much more than a roleplayer. Strong upper body with the potential to add a few more pounds of muscle mass, but must be careful not to add too much weight at the expense of any mobility. Below average first step quickness, mediocre straight line speed and average agility are what helped drop Knackstedt down to the seventh round in his draft year. Good hands with a quick shot. He can score goals from the outside and from in close, but is at his best when he is driving to the hard to the net and banging pucks in. Play in all three zones/defensive awareness still needs work. Plays with an edge; is a good fighter and willing to defend his teammates. A physical, banging forward who skates up and down the wing and doesn't do anything all that exceptionally, but has the size and raw talent to make the NHL as a lower line player.
Intangibles: Got in some hot water with the Boston coaches at training camp last fall when he showed up too heavy and was not allowed to participate with the other players during the first few days. He got off to a slow start in Providence and looked dead in the water until picking it up considerably in the second half and earning Rob Murray's praise for re-dedicating himself to making it work in Providence. Played well on a unit with Zach Hamill and John Lammers, showing good chemistry and effort levels. Does not have the creativity to create offense on his own, but puts forth a diligent work ethic and knows that he must go to the net and take care of rebounds to be productive.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend
Projection
After putting up a 31-goal, 85-point season in his final junior season with the Moose Jaw Warriors, Knackstedt has shown some progress in two full years at the AHL level, but appears to be a pretty standard, fourth-line meat-and-potatoes winger barring some kind of unforseen change. His 14 goals last year are pretty remarkable (seven of them coming in March) when you consider how poorly he fared in the early going, even being option to Reading of the ECHL at one point before injuries brought him back up. To his credit, he didn't sulk after the humiliation he went through of being banished from the ice at camp because of a too-high body fat percentage, but did yeoman's work to get his weight down and within the standard the Bruins demand. He appears to have satisfied his Providence coach that it was a lesson learned, but the question Knackstedt must answer now is in the mind of Claude Julien in Boston. He has the size and hands to be an NHL player, but the skating is a drawback and he'll have to overcome that through sheer determination and effort.
Quotable
“(Knackstedt) came to camp and wasn’t in the shape he needed to be. He trained hard, but didn’t train the way he needed to, and his body fat was a little over. He wasn’t allowed to skate with the big club and was sent down right away, and he had to work himself into the right shape. To his credit, it’s unbelievable where he is today compared to where he was in terms of his conditioning and body composition. It was a hard lesson for him, but it was a lesson learned.”- Providence coach Rob Murray to hockeyjournal.com; March, 2010
“As far as his hockey goes from the blue line in, he’s pretty dangerous. He’s not the most fleet of foot, but he has good hands, vision, shooting ability and he protects the puck. It’s the other parts of the game, things like getting the puck out along the boards or making the right decisions in the neutral zone, what he’s supposed to do in his own end — those are things he’s had to work on but is making an improvement in.”- Rob Murray to hockeyjournal.com; March, 2010
“My body fat percentage was obviously too high. I trained hard last summer, but trained the wrong way and it really set me back. My body fat is now around seven percent and I’m really happy with where I am right now. I learned an important lesson — at times, you can try to put on too much weight too quick, and by eating the wrong things, or eating too much at night, it can get you into trouble.”- Jordan Knackstedt to hockeyjournal.com; March, 2010
“I’ve obviously got to get better (at skating). I’m in the gym a lot working on it and doing things that allow me to work on developing quickness in my feet, agility and stuff like that."- Jordan Knackstedt; March, 2010
Knackstedt putting better foot forward
http://www.hockeyjournal.com/news/2010/03/10_kirks.php
The Final Word
Another member of Boston's thus far unproductive '07 draft class, Peter Chiarelli's first as Bruins GM, Knackstedt showed some initial promise as a late-round pick and could in fact make the NHL one day despite his skating issues. The problem he faces is that Boston does not have a lot of room for advancement right now, even on the fourth line, so any chance Knackstedt gets to play with the big club will likely have to come via injury to someone else. This is a huge training camp for him to be able to prove to Julien and staff that last year was an honest mistake and that he learned from it. He comes off as a serious, hard-working guy who wants to make it. We have to remember that even with the intriguing scoring skill, he was still just a seventh-round pick and has always been seen as a longshot. Even if he does make it to the show, it will likely be in a limited role and even that would be pretty much gravy. He may have to make his NHL coin for another team that has the room to utilize him in some capacity.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #28 Tyler Randell
Tyler Randell, RW
6-2, 195
June 15, 1991
Shoots; Right
Boston's 4th choice, 176th overall in 2009 Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: A power forward prospect who has all of the abilities and skills to be an impact NHL player but has yet to put it all together. A good skater with nice jump and an efficient stride; gets up to speed quickly and can really motor in the open ice. Lateral agility is OK and could stand to improve overall edgework. Crashes the net and creates problems for opposing defenders and goalies with his strength and stick. Excellent shooter with quick hands and a hard, heavy wrister that he can wire topshelf with ease. Gets a lot of power on his slap shot and can do damage with it when he gets some space to work with. Underrated backhander. Not much of a passer; tends to finish off chances going up and down the wing rather than setting the table for his linemates. When on his game, plays with a nasty edge, banging bodies and dropping the gloves. Has had 17 fights over the past two OHL seasons against some scrappy and tough customers. Can handle himself well in that department and seems willing to stick up for teammates when the situation calls for it. Battled through a back injury last season which may have significantly affected his production and overall physical play.
Intangibles: An enigma; given his talent and skill level, Randell should be doing more at the OHL level than he has. In talking to people who know him well, you get the impression that he's not put forth the maximum effort and has issues with the compete level at times. Whispers were in Montreal that he fell to the sixth round because he lacked the heart and drive to be the sum of his impressive parts, and thus far, he hasn't done much to dispel those thoughts. When motivated and on his game, he's a force; if the light ever comes on for him and stays on, he could be something at the highest level. Hockey sense isn't exceptional; he has to play a standard up-and-down game to be effective and you don't get much creativity from him.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Randell didn't do a lot to stand out in the D-Camp scrimmages where his other OHL peers like Jared Knight, Ryan Spooner and Tyler Seguin stole the show, but in watching him closely during the various drills, you could see his impressive abilities on display. For me, based on what I'd heard about him from various sources, Randell's stint in Wilmington was a microcosm of where he is as a prospect: an incomplete picture and very much a raw work in progress. The guy can skate well and when he's open for a shot (mostly during the drills), he can really uncork a variety of drives that confound goalies in a variety of ways. However, when he's in action as was the case during the scrimmage, he didn't accomplish an awful lot. He attracted notice during the drills at main camp last year, too, so he's definitely got some ability. It was simply disappointing that Randell was unable to take the proverbial bull by the horns more and make himself stand out given that it was his second time in Wilmington with the prospects and he had an advantage over the first-timers.
Projection
Randell was described to me by one NHL scout as a "poor man's Zack Kassian" at last year's draft, meaning that like the Buffalo first-rounder (and rumored object of Boston's affections when they thought they had traded Phil Kessel to Toronto for Tomas Kaberle and the 7th overall pick), he had some size, skill and toughness, which always makes for a coveted package. Unfortunately, neither player has done a lot to elevate their stock since being drafted and questions abound over the intangibles aspect of their game. I've talked to a lot of people about Randell and I always get the impression that he's getting damned with faint praise...hockey isn't all about the skills, and without the requisite passion and hockey intellect, players don't reach the NHL and stay there.
Quotable
"Tyler is a very big, physical, skilled player. What he's going to need to work on is his consistency. There are games when he's dominant and other nights, he's filling a sweater. At this level, he should be scoring 25-30 goals in a season, so this is a big year for him."- Kitchener Rangers coach Steve Spott to B2010DW; June, 2010
"I've told Tyler that there's going to be someone from Boston evaluating him every night. The difference in the paycheck between Boston and Providence every night is huge. Like (Dustin) Byfuglien, he's going to have to go to the net and make his hay there. Last year was tough for him because he battled through some back injuries, but with his size and skill level, he's capable of bigger things, and he knows that."- Steve Spott to B2010DW; June, 2010
“I think I’ve progressed a lot since the last time I was here. It’s been great so far this week. We did the Program, which was some crazy training. It was great to work as a team with these guys and push each other to be the best we can be.”- Tyler Randell to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
“I think the best thing I bring is strength and teamwork. I’ll battle in the corners and drag the puck to the net. I’ll always be there for my teammates if they’re in trouble. I’m more a team player and hard, gritty player.”- Tyler Randell to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
“When I have the chance, I’ll let the shot go. But other than that, I’ll drive my body to the net and use my size and weight and get in that crease.”- Tyler Randell to B2010DW; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
On paper, Randell should be higher on the Boston prospect depth chart, but he was a sixth-round pick for a reason. Make no mistake-- it was a value selection for the Bruins, because talent-wise, he was probably a solid third-rounder. If he can get the motor started and bring up the effort levels, he has a chance, but as of now, Randell is a longshot. This is a big year for him: if he can get his 25 or more goals as his junior coach has said he's capable of (and even expected), then he'll probably sign and get a shot in the Boston organization next season. If not, then look for the B's to pass on him next June, and he'll likely end up being another draft footnote: a player possessing the right size and ability, but not able to do all of the other things it takes to be an NHL regular.
6-2, 195
June 15, 1991
Shoots; Right
Boston's 4th choice, 176th overall in 2009 Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: A power forward prospect who has all of the abilities and skills to be an impact NHL player but has yet to put it all together. A good skater with nice jump and an efficient stride; gets up to speed quickly and can really motor in the open ice. Lateral agility is OK and could stand to improve overall edgework. Crashes the net and creates problems for opposing defenders and goalies with his strength and stick. Excellent shooter with quick hands and a hard, heavy wrister that he can wire topshelf with ease. Gets a lot of power on his slap shot and can do damage with it when he gets some space to work with. Underrated backhander. Not much of a passer; tends to finish off chances going up and down the wing rather than setting the table for his linemates. When on his game, plays with a nasty edge, banging bodies and dropping the gloves. Has had 17 fights over the past two OHL seasons against some scrappy and tough customers. Can handle himself well in that department and seems willing to stick up for teammates when the situation calls for it. Battled through a back injury last season which may have significantly affected his production and overall physical play.
Intangibles: An enigma; given his talent and skill level, Randell should be doing more at the OHL level than he has. In talking to people who know him well, you get the impression that he's not put forth the maximum effort and has issues with the compete level at times. Whispers were in Montreal that he fell to the sixth round because he lacked the heart and drive to be the sum of his impressive parts, and thus far, he hasn't done much to dispel those thoughts. When motivated and on his game, he's a force; if the light ever comes on for him and stays on, he could be something at the highest level. Hockey sense isn't exceptional; he has to play a standard up-and-down game to be effective and you don't get much creativity from him.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Randell didn't do a lot to stand out in the D-Camp scrimmages where his other OHL peers like Jared Knight, Ryan Spooner and Tyler Seguin stole the show, but in watching him closely during the various drills, you could see his impressive abilities on display. For me, based on what I'd heard about him from various sources, Randell's stint in Wilmington was a microcosm of where he is as a prospect: an incomplete picture and very much a raw work in progress. The guy can skate well and when he's open for a shot (mostly during the drills), he can really uncork a variety of drives that confound goalies in a variety of ways. However, when he's in action as was the case during the scrimmage, he didn't accomplish an awful lot. He attracted notice during the drills at main camp last year, too, so he's definitely got some ability. It was simply disappointing that Randell was unable to take the proverbial bull by the horns more and make himself stand out given that it was his second time in Wilmington with the prospects and he had an advantage over the first-timers.
Projection
Randell was described to me by one NHL scout as a "poor man's Zack Kassian" at last year's draft, meaning that like the Buffalo first-rounder (and rumored object of Boston's affections when they thought they had traded Phil Kessel to Toronto for Tomas Kaberle and the 7th overall pick), he had some size, skill and toughness, which always makes for a coveted package. Unfortunately, neither player has done a lot to elevate their stock since being drafted and questions abound over the intangibles aspect of their game. I've talked to a lot of people about Randell and I always get the impression that he's getting damned with faint praise...hockey isn't all about the skills, and without the requisite passion and hockey intellect, players don't reach the NHL and stay there.
Quotable
"Tyler is a very big, physical, skilled player. What he's going to need to work on is his consistency. There are games when he's dominant and other nights, he's filling a sweater. At this level, he should be scoring 25-30 goals in a season, so this is a big year for him."- Kitchener Rangers coach Steve Spott to B2010DW; June, 2010
"I've told Tyler that there's going to be someone from Boston evaluating him every night. The difference in the paycheck between Boston and Providence every night is huge. Like (Dustin) Byfuglien, he's going to have to go to the net and make his hay there. Last year was tough for him because he battled through some back injuries, but with his size and skill level, he's capable of bigger things, and he knows that."- Steve Spott to B2010DW; June, 2010
“I think I’ve progressed a lot since the last time I was here. It’s been great so far this week. We did the Program, which was some crazy training. It was great to work as a team with these guys and push each other to be the best we can be.”- Tyler Randell to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
“I think the best thing I bring is strength and teamwork. I’ll battle in the corners and drag the puck to the net. I’ll always be there for my teammates if they’re in trouble. I’m more a team player and hard, gritty player.”- Tyler Randell to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
“When I have the chance, I’ll let the shot go. But other than that, I’ll drive my body to the net and use my size and weight and get in that crease.”- Tyler Randell to B2010DW; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
On paper, Randell should be higher on the Boston prospect depth chart, but he was a sixth-round pick for a reason. Make no mistake-- it was a value selection for the Bruins, because talent-wise, he was probably a solid third-rounder. If he can get the motor started and bring up the effort levels, he has a chance, but as of now, Randell is a longshot. This is a big year for him: if he can get his 25 or more goals as his junior coach has said he's capable of (and even expected), then he'll probably sign and get a shot in the Boston organization next season. If not, then look for the B's to pass on him next June, and he'll likely end up being another draft footnote: a player possessing the right size and ability, but not able to do all of the other things it takes to be an NHL regular.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #27 Jeff LoVecchio
Jeff LoVecchio, LW
6-2, 200
August 26, 1985
Shoots: Left
Signed by Boston as a free agent; March, 2008
Signing status: Signed through 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical: Nice size and strength to go with a real fast set of wheels. Has a long, powerful stride and can accelerate quickly. Very good lateral/crossover mobility and ability to shake and bake in the open ice to elude defenders. Hands and shot are average; he doesn't have the stickhandling or finishing skills to complement his terrific speed. A very good checker/grinder whose feet never stop moving. Plays a solid defensive game and brings the kind of energy that you need from a bottom-line guy. Plays abrasively enough in the physical department, but is not what you would call "hard-nosed" or "tough" in that he doesn't drop the gloves (other than his one preseason donnybrook with Sergei Kostsitsyn last September) and may be averse to such things after suffering such a severe concussion two years ago. Works hard in the weight room and is a capable physical specimen even with the lack of pure skill.
Intangibles: Hard worker and leader who was captain at Western Michigan U. and wore an 'A' for Providence last year even though it was really only his rookie season after missing all of 08-09 with a concussion. Doesn't have the vision or hockey sense to be much more than a fourth-liner at the highest level if he gets there. His heart, desire and coachability are what will keep him in the mix for an NHL job, however, even with his drawbacks. He's a good guy who earns the trust and respect of coaches and teammates with a great attitude.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend.
Projection
It's fourth line or bust for LoVecchio, who has always been an extremely popular player wherever he's gone because he plays with such intensity and enthusiasm. That said, he's very limited in terms of his scoring ability/upside, so you're looking at another Nate Thompson-kind of guy in that LoVecchio will probably make his NHL debut sometime soon, but isn't going to play many minutes or generate much offense.
The Final Word
The size and speed are NHL-worthy, but the hands and offensive hockey sense are what will likely prevent LoVecchio from being the kind of player who enjoys a sustained run at an NHL career. Again, he's a popular guy because he hustles his tail off and always looks like he's doing something. But, at the end of the day, he's not much of a threat to put the puck in the net, so he'd have to do a great deal more than he basically brings to the table to beat out the guys ahead of him on the depth chart. Players like LoVecchio you don't want to count out completely however because they find ways to get it done. The offensive upside just isn't there, but he's going to push for time in Boston this season even if in a limited/fill-in role.
6-2, 200
August 26, 1985
Shoots: Left
Signed by Boston as a free agent; March, 2008
Signing status: Signed through 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical: Nice size and strength to go with a real fast set of wheels. Has a long, powerful stride and can accelerate quickly. Very good lateral/crossover mobility and ability to shake and bake in the open ice to elude defenders. Hands and shot are average; he doesn't have the stickhandling or finishing skills to complement his terrific speed. A very good checker/grinder whose feet never stop moving. Plays a solid defensive game and brings the kind of energy that you need from a bottom-line guy. Plays abrasively enough in the physical department, but is not what you would call "hard-nosed" or "tough" in that he doesn't drop the gloves (other than his one preseason donnybrook with Sergei Kostsitsyn last September) and may be averse to such things after suffering such a severe concussion two years ago. Works hard in the weight room and is a capable physical specimen even with the lack of pure skill.
Intangibles: Hard worker and leader who was captain at Western Michigan U. and wore an 'A' for Providence last year even though it was really only his rookie season after missing all of 08-09 with a concussion. Doesn't have the vision or hockey sense to be much more than a fourth-liner at the highest level if he gets there. His heart, desire and coachability are what will keep him in the mix for an NHL job, however, even with his drawbacks. He's a good guy who earns the trust and respect of coaches and teammates with a great attitude.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend.
Projection
It's fourth line or bust for LoVecchio, who has always been an extremely popular player wherever he's gone because he plays with such intensity and enthusiasm. That said, he's very limited in terms of his scoring ability/upside, so you're looking at another Nate Thompson-kind of guy in that LoVecchio will probably make his NHL debut sometime soon, but isn't going to play many minutes or generate much offense.
The Final Word
The size and speed are NHL-worthy, but the hands and offensive hockey sense are what will likely prevent LoVecchio from being the kind of player who enjoys a sustained run at an NHL career. Again, he's a popular guy because he hustles his tail off and always looks like he's doing something. But, at the end of the day, he's not much of a threat to put the puck in the net, so he'd have to do a great deal more than he basically brings to the table to beat out the guys ahead of him on the depth chart. Players like LoVecchio you don't want to count out completely however because they find ways to get it done. The offensive upside just isn't there, but he's going to push for time in Boston this season even if in a limited/fill-in role.
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #26 Zane Gothberg
Zane Gothberg, G
6-1, 177
August 20, 1992
Catches: Left
Boston's 6th choice, 165th overall in 2010 Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Although lean, Gothberg has a sizeable frame and is long-limbed, which is ideal for NHL goalies these days. Highly athletic, with excellent quickness, reflexes and flexibility. His style is best described as a hybrid between butterfly and standup; he keeps his feet more than the average butterfly netminder, but will scramble and employ older save techniques such as the two-pad stack and the half-butterfly. Quick glove and blocker hands; could stand on working to catch the puck cleanly more, but usually gets a piece of the shot to make the stop. Very good puckhandler; makes crisp passes to start the breakout and can clear it off the glass on his own. Patient; he will outwait the shooter rather than commit first. Decent rebound control, but that is a skill he, like most young goalies, must continue to work on. Fundamentals will need some refining; he's more of an athletic and instinctive player than he is a technician at the position at this stage of his development.
Intangibles: Relaxed, even quirky Gothberg personality masks a fierce competitor and highly successful Minnesota H.S. product. Seems to display exceptional mental toughness and an ability to shake off bad goals with subsequent big stops/tough saves. One-of-a-kind personality and extrovert who keeps everyone loose with his love of Miley Cyrus and Lil' Wayne music and a willingness to admit it on the record. Hard worker who leads by example and is a quick study.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
After Mike Hutchinson, Gothberg was probably the best of the four goalies in camp. Despite not yet being 18 and having faced high school-level shooters as recently as four months prior to his stint in Wilmington, he looked the part of an NHL prospect, flashing the natural, raw ability that could very well see a big payoff for the Bruins down the road. You could see a marked improvement in Gothberg's performance from beginning of the D-Camp to the end, and he seemed to maintain his composure throughout. He made some highlight reel stops against several of the better players there, including Tyler Seguin and Joe Colborne. He also gave up a memorable bomb to Jared Knight that an NHL goalie would not have been able to stop. All in all, he did not look at all out of place. As noted above, his technique has some holes that good coaching can address, but all of the things you can't teach a goalie: size, reflexes and the natural ability to see the play developing and anticipate where to be to make the save-- Gothberg has in spades. As a bonus, he's a character: his midwestern accent could have seen him cast in the mid-90's classic film "Fargo" and he was one of the more popular guys in the dressing room according to an informal poll I took of the B's prospects. It's going to take some time, but this guy could be a very good one.
Projection
Gothberg is a long-term project, but he has NHL starter upside with his natural talent and intangibles. The fact that Minnesota has not been a good producer of NHL goaltending talent probably made teams wary of taking Gothberg too high, but the B's were thrilled to get him in the sixth round. He just put up an impressive performance over the weekend at the USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, forming a tandem with Dallas first-rounder Jack Campbell to lead Team White to a 3-0 record in the intrasquad scrimmages. Splitting the duties, Gothberg allowed just one goal on 26 shots over the three contests. As one of 42 players competing for a spot on the 2010 World Jr. squad which will convene in Buffalo, N.Y. in December to defend the gold medal Team USA won last January, Gothberg is getting a great opportunity to develop his confidence against the best of his peers from the U.S. and will go up against the Swedes and Finns this week in some international exhibition play. Should he beat out Andy Iles and Michael Houser, Gothberg would be Campbell's backup in Buffalo, but Iles likely has the inside track because he's a U.S. NTDP product. Gothberg will have to shine this week and with the USHL's Fargo Force in the early going this year to have a shot. A University of North Dakota recruit, Gothberg will either play one or two seasons in the USHL depending on the goalie situation in Grand Forks a year from now.
Quotable:
“I have been privileged to coach Zane for the last three years. He has been a coaches dream to have on my team. The best things about Zane do not even involve his on ice performance, without being asked he put in the time to help out our youth programs and he just plan gets it. He is a very mature and confident young man. He makes our team better because of this. He has great leadership and his work ethic is where it needs to be to get to the next level. He has size and also quickness. If he continues to progress and I am sure he will, I see good things for Zane.”- Thief River Falls H.S. head coach Tim Bergland to NHL.com, 2010
“This kid is very good. He impressed me the first time I saw him. He's very controlled. He is a lot like Michael Lee (selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in Round 3, No. 91, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft) from the previous year, only quicker. I like his quickness and net coverage. I like his strength. He's smart and reads the play well. There's not a lot that I don't like about his game. As the years go by, he's going to be a very good NHL goaltender."- NHL Central Scouting's Al Jensen to NHL.com, 2010
“We were really excited about Gothberg. He’s a bankable kid for us. We have some goaltending depth right now that we’re very comfortable with. He has excellent quickness. We really like the kid’s character; we had him higher than where he went.”- Bruins amateur scouting director Wayne Smith to New England Hockey Journal, Los Angeles; July 26, 2010
“It just shows you that every ounce of energy you have left, you have to put it forward otherwise these guys are going to beat you clean. Got snipped a couple of times out there but that was just cause mentally and physically I need to get to the next level. From here, it’s a good building block towards the future. Just hanging with the guys and soaking it all in.”- Zane Gothberg to hockeyjournal.com, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
"Yeah, it's exciting for sure. I'm really looking forward to going (to Lake Placid) and getting a chance to play with and against so many great players. I got a taste of it last year when I got a chance to play with the U.S. team in Slovakia, so I'm just going to focus on getting through this week and learning as much as I can and then will get ready for the USA Hockey camp later on."- Zane Gothberg to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
Is Gothberg too low on this list? Given his tools and upside, he probably is. But, he's at least four to five years away from being ready to compete for an NHL job, so time is on his side. Because he's raw and Minnesota hasn't been a strong goalie pipeline, Gothberg is further down the list for now, but if he can play well in the USHL and then take the A-game to UND, he'll be a player to watch. If nothing else, this is a fun guy to root for. He's extremely grounded, has strong family values and brings an impressive resume with him for a sixth-round pick, having won the Frank Brimsek Award this past season, given to the top Minnesota high school goalie. He's ready for the next challenge.
6-1, 177
August 20, 1992
Catches: Left
Boston's 6th choice, 165th overall in 2010 Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Although lean, Gothberg has a sizeable frame and is long-limbed, which is ideal for NHL goalies these days. Highly athletic, with excellent quickness, reflexes and flexibility. His style is best described as a hybrid between butterfly and standup; he keeps his feet more than the average butterfly netminder, but will scramble and employ older save techniques such as the two-pad stack and the half-butterfly. Quick glove and blocker hands; could stand on working to catch the puck cleanly more, but usually gets a piece of the shot to make the stop. Very good puckhandler; makes crisp passes to start the breakout and can clear it off the glass on his own. Patient; he will outwait the shooter rather than commit first. Decent rebound control, but that is a skill he, like most young goalies, must continue to work on. Fundamentals will need some refining; he's more of an athletic and instinctive player than he is a technician at the position at this stage of his development.
Intangibles: Relaxed, even quirky Gothberg personality masks a fierce competitor and highly successful Minnesota H.S. product. Seems to display exceptional mental toughness and an ability to shake off bad goals with subsequent big stops/tough saves. One-of-a-kind personality and extrovert who keeps everyone loose with his love of Miley Cyrus and Lil' Wayne music and a willingness to admit it on the record. Hard worker who leads by example and is a quick study.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
After Mike Hutchinson, Gothberg was probably the best of the four goalies in camp. Despite not yet being 18 and having faced high school-level shooters as recently as four months prior to his stint in Wilmington, he looked the part of an NHL prospect, flashing the natural, raw ability that could very well see a big payoff for the Bruins down the road. You could see a marked improvement in Gothberg's performance from beginning of the D-Camp to the end, and he seemed to maintain his composure throughout. He made some highlight reel stops against several of the better players there, including Tyler Seguin and Joe Colborne. He also gave up a memorable bomb to Jared Knight that an NHL goalie would not have been able to stop. All in all, he did not look at all out of place. As noted above, his technique has some holes that good coaching can address, but all of the things you can't teach a goalie: size, reflexes and the natural ability to see the play developing and anticipate where to be to make the save-- Gothberg has in spades. As a bonus, he's a character: his midwestern accent could have seen him cast in the mid-90's classic film "Fargo" and he was one of the more popular guys in the dressing room according to an informal poll I took of the B's prospects. It's going to take some time, but this guy could be a very good one.
Projection
Gothberg is a long-term project, but he has NHL starter upside with his natural talent and intangibles. The fact that Minnesota has not been a good producer of NHL goaltending talent probably made teams wary of taking Gothberg too high, but the B's were thrilled to get him in the sixth round. He just put up an impressive performance over the weekend at the USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, forming a tandem with Dallas first-rounder Jack Campbell to lead Team White to a 3-0 record in the intrasquad scrimmages. Splitting the duties, Gothberg allowed just one goal on 26 shots over the three contests. As one of 42 players competing for a spot on the 2010 World Jr. squad which will convene in Buffalo, N.Y. in December to defend the gold medal Team USA won last January, Gothberg is getting a great opportunity to develop his confidence against the best of his peers from the U.S. and will go up against the Swedes and Finns this week in some international exhibition play. Should he beat out Andy Iles and Michael Houser, Gothberg would be Campbell's backup in Buffalo, but Iles likely has the inside track because he's a U.S. NTDP product. Gothberg will have to shine this week and with the USHL's Fargo Force in the early going this year to have a shot. A University of North Dakota recruit, Gothberg will either play one or two seasons in the USHL depending on the goalie situation in Grand Forks a year from now.
Quotable:
“I have been privileged to coach Zane for the last three years. He has been a coaches dream to have on my team. The best things about Zane do not even involve his on ice performance, without being asked he put in the time to help out our youth programs and he just plan gets it. He is a very mature and confident young man. He makes our team better because of this. He has great leadership and his work ethic is where it needs to be to get to the next level. He has size and also quickness. If he continues to progress and I am sure he will, I see good things for Zane.”- Thief River Falls H.S. head coach Tim Bergland to NHL.com, 2010
“This kid is very good. He impressed me the first time I saw him. He's very controlled. He is a lot like Michael Lee (selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in Round 3, No. 91, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft) from the previous year, only quicker. I like his quickness and net coverage. I like his strength. He's smart and reads the play well. There's not a lot that I don't like about his game. As the years go by, he's going to be a very good NHL goaltender."- NHL Central Scouting's Al Jensen to NHL.com, 2010
“We were really excited about Gothberg. He’s a bankable kid for us. We have some goaltending depth right now that we’re very comfortable with. He has excellent quickness. We really like the kid’s character; we had him higher than where he went.”- Bruins amateur scouting director Wayne Smith to New England Hockey Journal, Los Angeles; July 26, 2010
“It just shows you that every ounce of energy you have left, you have to put it forward otherwise these guys are going to beat you clean. Got snipped a couple of times out there but that was just cause mentally and physically I need to get to the next level. From here, it’s a good building block towards the future. Just hanging with the guys and soaking it all in.”- Zane Gothberg to hockeyjournal.com, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
"Yeah, it's exciting for sure. I'm really looking forward to going (to Lake Placid) and getting a chance to play with and against so many great players. I got a taste of it last year when I got a chance to play with the U.S. team in Slovakia, so I'm just going to focus on getting through this week and learning as much as I can and then will get ready for the USA Hockey camp later on."- Zane Gothberg to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
Is Gothberg too low on this list? Given his tools and upside, he probably is. But, he's at least four to five years away from being ready to compete for an NHL job, so time is on his side. Because he's raw and Minnesota hasn't been a strong goalie pipeline, Gothberg is further down the list for now, but if he can play well in the USHL and then take the A-game to UND, he'll be a player to watch. If nothing else, this is a fun guy to root for. He's extremely grounded, has strong family values and brings an impressive resume with him for a sixth-round pick, having won the Frank Brimsek Award this past season, given to the top Minnesota high school goalie. He's ready for the next challenge.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Boston Bruins Prospects 1-25
Despite my best efforts, not going to complete the series by August 1st, so I'll close out the prospects coverage tomorrow and next week.
Until then, here's a one-source post that allows you to see what I've written about the Bruins' top (in my view) 25 prospects:
1. Tyler Seguin, C/W
2. Joe Colborne, C
3. Jordan Caron, RW
4. Maxime Sauve, C/LW
5. Jared Knight, RW
6. Ryan Button, D
7. Brad Marchand, RW
8. Ryan Spooner, C/W
9. Yuri Alexandrov, D
10. Zach Hamill, C
11. David Warsofsky, D
12. Adam McQuaid, D
13. Jamie Arniel, C
14. Tommy Cross, D
15. Michael Hutchinson, G
16. Alexander Fallstrom, RW
17. Andrew Bodnarchuk, D
18. Steven Kampfer, D
19. Yannick Riendeau, RW
20. Jeff Penner, D
21. Mikko Lehtonen, RW
22. Matt Bartkowski, D
23. Craig Cunningham, LW
24. Matt Dalton, G
25. Lane MacDermid, LW
Until then, here's a one-source post that allows you to see what I've written about the Bruins' top (in my view) 25 prospects:
1. Tyler Seguin, C/W
2. Joe Colborne, C
3. Jordan Caron, RW
4. Maxime Sauve, C/LW
5. Jared Knight, RW
6. Ryan Button, D
7. Brad Marchand, RW
8. Ryan Spooner, C/W
9. Yuri Alexandrov, D
10. Zach Hamill, C
11. David Warsofsky, D
12. Adam McQuaid, D
13. Jamie Arniel, C
14. Tommy Cross, D
15. Michael Hutchinson, G
16. Alexander Fallstrom, RW
17. Andrew Bodnarchuk, D
18. Steven Kampfer, D
19. Yannick Riendeau, RW
20. Jeff Penner, D
21. Mikko Lehtonen, RW
22. Matt Bartkowski, D
23. Craig Cunningham, LW
24. Matt Dalton, G
25. Lane MacDermid, LW
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #25 Lane MacDermid
Lane MacDermid, LW
6-3, 210
August 25, 1989
Shoots: Left
Boston's 3rd choice, 112th overall (fourth round) in 2009 Draft
Signing status: Signed through 2012
Talent Analysis
Physical: Big, strong, physical winger with good bloodlines; his father, Paul, played nearly 700 NHL games for the Hartford Whalers, Winnipeg Jets, Washington Capitals and Quebec Nordiques. slightly below average skater; had trouble keeping up with the play in the AHL at the beginning of the season last year, but worked hard on it and is steadily improving. Puckhandling and shooting skills are also a work in progress, but his real strengths are what could get him to the NHL as an enforcer: the hitting and fighting. He goes out and hits everything in sight, kind of like a poor man's Milan Lucic (when Lucic is healthy and on top of his game). Led Providence with 21 fighting majors last season and probably would have had more had he not broken his thumb in a fight against Zach Sill of the Binghamton Senators in mid-March. Has continued to build his strength in the gym and it shows in his fights, as he stands in against opponents and gives and takes punches while remaining upright. Relishes the fighting aspect of the game and is developing into a feared pugilist in the minors.
Intangibles: Hard worker who understands his role and his limitations. Earned Providence coach Rob Murray's respect for his willingness to go the extra mile to address the shortcomings in his game while regularly fighting and taking one for the team. Character guy who understands what it takes to make it in the pros and has been a model citizen on the farm.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend
Projection
Fourth line enforcer; MacDermid is developing into a similar player to Shawn Thornton and could provide the same kind of impact that 'Sugar" has for the B's. He's a willing and nasty fighter and should elevate his offense a bit in his second AHL season after putting in the work to improve his hockey skills.
Quotable
"We've never had to tell him to get in the gym, to do a little extra. We got back from a Sunday afternoon game a while ago, and as I was leaving to go home I looked in the gym, and there was Dermie. We had Monday off and he understood, 'Here's a good chance for me to get a workout in.'''- Providence head coach Rob Murray to Mark Divver, Providence Journal; March 26, 2010
The Final Word
There are other Bruins prospects in the system with better skills and upside than MacDermid, but nobody's tougher. So long as he's willing to be patient, he'll get his shot with Boston when Thornton moves on. We're at the point where arguing about where the prospects are listed is a bit of an exercise in futility, as the Bruins have only so many openings. But, as far as toughness goes, that will be MacDermid's ticket to the big show. He's not great shakes as a player, but he'll go out and fight anyone without needing to be told what to do. We can certainly argue that the Bruins could have gotten more value for their buck than MacDermid in the 4th round of the 2009 draft, but they also ended up with Alexander Fallstrom, so the two together are not a bad haul from that round and both have a shot at playing for the big club if they continue to take steps forward.
6-3, 210
August 25, 1989
Shoots: Left
Boston's 3rd choice, 112th overall (fourth round) in 2009 Draft
Signing status: Signed through 2012
Talent Analysis
Physical: Big, strong, physical winger with good bloodlines; his father, Paul, played nearly 700 NHL games for the Hartford Whalers, Winnipeg Jets, Washington Capitals and Quebec Nordiques. slightly below average skater; had trouble keeping up with the play in the AHL at the beginning of the season last year, but worked hard on it and is steadily improving. Puckhandling and shooting skills are also a work in progress, but his real strengths are what could get him to the NHL as an enforcer: the hitting and fighting. He goes out and hits everything in sight, kind of like a poor man's Milan Lucic (when Lucic is healthy and on top of his game). Led Providence with 21 fighting majors last season and probably would have had more had he not broken his thumb in a fight against Zach Sill of the Binghamton Senators in mid-March. Has continued to build his strength in the gym and it shows in his fights, as he stands in against opponents and gives and takes punches while remaining upright. Relishes the fighting aspect of the game and is developing into a feared pugilist in the minors.
Intangibles: Hard worker who understands his role and his limitations. Earned Providence coach Rob Murray's respect for his willingness to go the extra mile to address the shortcomings in his game while regularly fighting and taking one for the team. Character guy who understands what it takes to make it in the pros and has been a model citizen on the farm.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend
Projection
Fourth line enforcer; MacDermid is developing into a similar player to Shawn Thornton and could provide the same kind of impact that 'Sugar" has for the B's. He's a willing and nasty fighter and should elevate his offense a bit in his second AHL season after putting in the work to improve his hockey skills.
Quotable
"We've never had to tell him to get in the gym, to do a little extra. We got back from a Sunday afternoon game a while ago, and as I was leaving to go home I looked in the gym, and there was Dermie. We had Monday off and he understood, 'Here's a good chance for me to get a workout in.'''- Providence head coach Rob Murray to Mark Divver, Providence Journal; March 26, 2010
The Final Word
There are other Bruins prospects in the system with better skills and upside than MacDermid, but nobody's tougher. So long as he's willing to be patient, he'll get his shot with Boston when Thornton moves on. We're at the point where arguing about where the prospects are listed is a bit of an exercise in futility, as the Bruins have only so many openings. But, as far as toughness goes, that will be MacDermid's ticket to the big show. He's not great shakes as a player, but he'll go out and fight anyone without needing to be told what to do. We can certainly argue that the Bruins could have gotten more value for their buck than MacDermid in the 4th round of the 2009 draft, but they also ended up with Alexander Fallstrom, so the two together are not a bad haul from that round and both have a shot at playing for the big club if they continue to take steps forward.
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #24 Matt Dalton
Matt Dalton, G
6-1, 190
July 4, 1986
Catches: Left
Signed as a free agent by Boston; April 22, 2009
Signing status: Signed through 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical: Good size and athleticism with the requisite quick reflexes to play the position effectively. Takes up a good portion of the net and stays square to the shooter; very good with his angles and positioning. Quick pads and glove; gets down and back up quickly while maintaining good net coverage. Needs to improve rebound control. Puckhandling is average. Is an effective puckstopper who is still honing his skills and fundamentals, but plays a good, consistent game overall.
Intangibles: Big-game player who led tiny Bemidji State to its improbable Frozen Four run in April '09. In five postseason games for the Beavers, Dalton posted insane numbers, going 4-1 wit a 1.60 GAA and .948 save percentage. His heroics kept his team in the semifinal game against Miami Unversity, when the RedHawks tilted the ice in BSU's end and pelted Dalton with shot after shot. Dalton played well in Reading of the ECHL, showing enough poise that he was recalled to Boston for a week in early March to backup Tim Thomas when Tuukka Rask was injured. Although he didn't play, the chance to be around the team and practice with the players provided him some confidence going into his second pro season.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Dalton had an okay camp, but more was expected to be frank. He just turned 24 and was the only player there with any legitimate pro experience (aside from Adam Courchaine's four games with Providence in '08 and '09), but didn't do a great deal to stand out. As Don Sweeney said, the goalies were at the biggest disadvantage, and because they are constantly under assault both in the drills and scrimmages, it's hard to get a read on them in the D-Camp setting. As things stand right now, a solid main camp from Dalton will give him the chance to spend the season in the AHL with Providence, likely backing up the more experienced Nolan Schaefer, but with enough playing time to keep developing.
Projection
A raw prospect who has been a late-bloomer, Dalton would need some major breaks to go his way to see any considerable NHL time. He's a good athlete and has shown promise at the NCAA and ECHL levels, but his chances of making the big show as anything other than a fill-in or backup are pretty slim. That said, he's a serviceable player who's shown a penchant for putting teams on his back when under fire, so keep an eye on him.
Quotable
“I want to dominate at whatever level I’m at. Whether it’s NHL, AHL or wherever, I want to dominate and that’s my goal. I’ve had a taste of it now and kind of know what to expect, and I’m excited.”- Matt Dalton to hockeyjournal.com, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
After Mike Hutchinson, Dalton is the best the Bruins have for goaltending prospects, but none are considered high-end or "blue chip" players at the position as it stands right now. This isn't a bad thing because between Tuukka Rask and Tim Thomas, there isn't any room for young, raw players. If injuries set in, however, Dalton could see a callup, and if the B's were to be hit with a rash of boo boos at the position, that's going to be an issue for Boston. The best thing B's fans can hope for is that Dalton makes the Providence roster and can continue to gain pro experience and play well without being thrown into the fire this season.
6-1, 190
July 4, 1986
Catches: Left
Signed as a free agent by Boston; April 22, 2009
Signing status: Signed through 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical: Good size and athleticism with the requisite quick reflexes to play the position effectively. Takes up a good portion of the net and stays square to the shooter; very good with his angles and positioning. Quick pads and glove; gets down and back up quickly while maintaining good net coverage. Needs to improve rebound control. Puckhandling is average. Is an effective puckstopper who is still honing his skills and fundamentals, but plays a good, consistent game overall.
Intangibles: Big-game player who led tiny Bemidji State to its improbable Frozen Four run in April '09. In five postseason games for the Beavers, Dalton posted insane numbers, going 4-1 wit a 1.60 GAA and .948 save percentage. His heroics kept his team in the semifinal game against Miami Unversity, when the RedHawks tilted the ice in BSU's end and pelted Dalton with shot after shot. Dalton played well in Reading of the ECHL, showing enough poise that he was recalled to Boston for a week in early March to backup Tim Thomas when Tuukka Rask was injured. Although he didn't play, the chance to be around the team and practice with the players provided him some confidence going into his second pro season.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Dalton had an okay camp, but more was expected to be frank. He just turned 24 and was the only player there with any legitimate pro experience (aside from Adam Courchaine's four games with Providence in '08 and '09), but didn't do a great deal to stand out. As Don Sweeney said, the goalies were at the biggest disadvantage, and because they are constantly under assault both in the drills and scrimmages, it's hard to get a read on them in the D-Camp setting. As things stand right now, a solid main camp from Dalton will give him the chance to spend the season in the AHL with Providence, likely backing up the more experienced Nolan Schaefer, but with enough playing time to keep developing.
Projection
A raw prospect who has been a late-bloomer, Dalton would need some major breaks to go his way to see any considerable NHL time. He's a good athlete and has shown promise at the NCAA and ECHL levels, but his chances of making the big show as anything other than a fill-in or backup are pretty slim. That said, he's a serviceable player who's shown a penchant for putting teams on his back when under fire, so keep an eye on him.
Quotable
“I want to dominate at whatever level I’m at. Whether it’s NHL, AHL or wherever, I want to dominate and that’s my goal. I’ve had a taste of it now and kind of know what to expect, and I’m excited.”- Matt Dalton to hockeyjournal.com, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
After Mike Hutchinson, Dalton is the best the Bruins have for goaltending prospects, but none are considered high-end or "blue chip" players at the position as it stands right now. This isn't a bad thing because between Tuukka Rask and Tim Thomas, there isn't any room for young, raw players. If injuries set in, however, Dalton could see a callup, and if the B's were to be hit with a rash of boo boos at the position, that's going to be an issue for Boston. The best thing B's fans can hope for is that Dalton makes the Providence roster and can continue to gain pro experience and play well without being thrown into the fire this season.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #23 Craig Cunningham
Craig Cunningham, LW
5-10, 180
September 3, 1990
Shoots: Left
Boston's 4th choice, 97th overall, in 2010 Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Short but stocky forward is naturally strong and better suited to transition from major junior to the pro grind than one would think simply by looking at his vitals on paper. Strong upper- and lower-body drive for his size. Very good skater who doesn't have explosive speed, but is highly quick and agile; outstanding edge control provides him the balance and elusiveness to slip checks and create space for himself. Soft hands for passing and scoring goals. Can feather feeds through traffic and find open teammates for quality scoring opportunities. Has a quick stick and is exceptionally good at getting it on loose pucks and putting them home in close. Chippy player who gives as good as he gets; not afraid to get his nose dirty. Doesn't have the size to be a physical force, but willingly initiates contact and finishes his checks-- plays with a lot of energy. Another dedicated gym rat who became a close friend and workout partner of Milan Lucic's when the two were teammates on the Memorial Cup-winning Vancouver Giants in 2006-07.
Intangibles: This fierce competitor has had to overcome a great deal before age 20; lost his father, Alvin, to a car accident 10 years ago and had to grow up quickly. Highly coachable player who is as mature and focused as any 19-year-old prospect you'll find. Has the kind of heart and desire that may transcend his size deficit at the next level, but has a ways to go before he'll be ready to seriously compete for an NHL job. An affable yet serious type who learned the value of hard work watching his mother, Heather, work two jobs to support him and his two brothers after his father passed away. One of those classic "more than the sum of his parts" type players you hear about; he elevated himself from 0 goals at age 16 to 11 to 28 to 37 this past season while facing other teams' best defensive focus. Driven to succeed and is a fine leader and teammate.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Cunningham kept the skeptics (present company included) at bay in Wilmington this month by showing off the skills and drive that the B's raved about when they drafted him with a surpisingly high pick for a player who was twice passed over previously in the draft. He played well on a line with Ryan Spooner and camp invite Tyler Brenner, going hard to the net and generating some good scoring opportunities. All three wore a teal penney throughout camp and scored goals while making it exciting for the fans in attendance. Cunningham also showed a nice chemistry skating with '09 top pick Jordan Caron when the team went to a three-on-three scrimmage format on the last day. Cunningham wasn't a dynamic presence, but he grew on me as the days progressed, and certainly did not look out of place.
Projection
The Bruins did not draft Cunningham with the thought of having him serve as an AHL Marty St. Pierre-type of filler player, but hope that he could one day become a fixture on their third line and see a lot of special teams time. If you listen to Cunningham's junior coach, Don Hay, and former NHL star and family friend Ray Ferraro, he's going to not only make it to the NHL one day, but stay there. If you look at the youngster's steady progression, there is reason to believe that he can make that happen at some point, but his lack of size will be the biggest obstacle to his quest to reach the highest level. He has an overage year of junior eligibility left, so depending on how Boston's contract and cap situation looks, they could defer his signing for another season, or go ahead and get the soon-to-be 20-year-old into the pro mix right away.
Quotable
“He’s just such a coachable young man. Right from the time he was 16, he really understood everything that was being taught to him. He tried to do everything that was being taught to him, and he continually got better and better. The evolution is that he’s a 19-year-old player now; he knows what the expectations are and he’s grown with different leaders. He’s a real Giant-type player—he’s a really hard-working young man.”- Vancouver Giants Don Hay to Straight.com; December, 2009
“When he was 16 we saw some skill in him, but he didn’t score a goal the whole year. But in that training camp with his own age group, he was one of the top players. We knew he had the skill, but he wasn’t having the success as far as putting up numbers. But killing penalties and doing all the things—playing five-on-five, finishing checks—he did all those things. Now, as a 19-year-old, his skill level has caught up and he’s been a real, real good player for us.”- Don Hay to Straight.com; December, 2009
"We really like this kid. He led Vancouver in scoring andwas one of the top scorers in the entire WHL this past season, but beyond that, you have to look at what he's gone through in his life and how he's had to overcome a lot. He brings a lot of energy and passion to everything he does, and he's just one of those players that we looked at a lot this year and felt he brought both that scoring and character to the table."- Bruins director of amateur scouting Wayne Smith
to B2010DW; Los Angeles; June 26, 2010
"Craig Cunningham / LW ('90): Has become shifty and dangerous enough that he's turned into a real pro prospect. Seems to me like he's grown a little bit (maybe an inch or so) in the last two years, so that also helps. And he was one of the youngest players in the 2008 draft, so he's closer to being a part of last year's group. I'll be shocked if someone doesn't grab him at least late in the draft - could even go in the middle rounds. If somehow he doesn't go, he'll have a lot of calls from teams for a camp invite."- Mike Remmerde, NHL Draft Notes Blog, June 22, 2010
"It was a great experience. I really like all the guys here; it kind of felt like we became a team right away which was pretty cool. All the stuff we did in the first few days-- I mean-- it was hard, but I think it made the week easier as you got more and more comfortable within the organization and with the people you were around all day."- Craig Cunningham to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
"I'm a two-way player. I can play a checking role or scoring role; it doesn't matter. I can play up or down the lineup-- I can be moved up or moved down. I pride myself on my work ethic and that's kind of what gets me to where I am today."- Craig Cunningham to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
Fast rising Cunningham leads Vancouver Giants to the net
http://www.straight.com/article-275161/vancouver/fastrising-cunningham-leads-giants-net
The Final Word
Looking back on it, it's easy to get caught up in the fact that the Bruins spent a top-100 pick on a player who was passed over some 420 times previously as Red Line Report pointed out in their July draft recap, where Cunningham was featured as one of the most "overvalued" picks of the draft. That said, some players simply take a longer time to develop, and in Cunningham's case, the skill was always there, he just took more time to put it together. I went to Wilmington interested in what he could do because the fact of the matter is, while sources I spoke to from the WHL beat at the draft expressed surprise that Cunningham was drafted as high as he was, not one person had a bad word for him. Not one. Now, is he going to be a legitimate NHL player, or one of these 'tweener guys who's an AHL star, but only plays bit roles now and then as he bounces around the circuit with numerous NHL clubs? That's for Cunningham to determine, but he's one of those guys who you come to appreciate the more you see him. He could in time prove the doubters wrong and establish himself as a valuable character role player who can do a little bit of everything.
5-10, 180
September 3, 1990
Shoots: Left
Boston's 4th choice, 97th overall, in 2010 Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Short but stocky forward is naturally strong and better suited to transition from major junior to the pro grind than one would think simply by looking at his vitals on paper. Strong upper- and lower-body drive for his size. Very good skater who doesn't have explosive speed, but is highly quick and agile; outstanding edge control provides him the balance and elusiveness to slip checks and create space for himself. Soft hands for passing and scoring goals. Can feather feeds through traffic and find open teammates for quality scoring opportunities. Has a quick stick and is exceptionally good at getting it on loose pucks and putting them home in close. Chippy player who gives as good as he gets; not afraid to get his nose dirty. Doesn't have the size to be a physical force, but willingly initiates contact and finishes his checks-- plays with a lot of energy. Another dedicated gym rat who became a close friend and workout partner of Milan Lucic's when the two were teammates on the Memorial Cup-winning Vancouver Giants in 2006-07.
Intangibles: This fierce competitor has had to overcome a great deal before age 20; lost his father, Alvin, to a car accident 10 years ago and had to grow up quickly. Highly coachable player who is as mature and focused as any 19-year-old prospect you'll find. Has the kind of heart and desire that may transcend his size deficit at the next level, but has a ways to go before he'll be ready to seriously compete for an NHL job. An affable yet serious type who learned the value of hard work watching his mother, Heather, work two jobs to support him and his two brothers after his father passed away. One of those classic "more than the sum of his parts" type players you hear about; he elevated himself from 0 goals at age 16 to 11 to 28 to 37 this past season while facing other teams' best defensive focus. Driven to succeed and is a fine leader and teammate.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Cunningham kept the skeptics (present company included) at bay in Wilmington this month by showing off the skills and drive that the B's raved about when they drafted him with a surpisingly high pick for a player who was twice passed over previously in the draft. He played well on a line with Ryan Spooner and camp invite Tyler Brenner, going hard to the net and generating some good scoring opportunities. All three wore a teal penney throughout camp and scored goals while making it exciting for the fans in attendance. Cunningham also showed a nice chemistry skating with '09 top pick Jordan Caron when the team went to a three-on-three scrimmage format on the last day. Cunningham wasn't a dynamic presence, but he grew on me as the days progressed, and certainly did not look out of place.
Projection
The Bruins did not draft Cunningham with the thought of having him serve as an AHL Marty St. Pierre-type of filler player, but hope that he could one day become a fixture on their third line and see a lot of special teams time. If you listen to Cunningham's junior coach, Don Hay, and former NHL star and family friend Ray Ferraro, he's going to not only make it to the NHL one day, but stay there. If you look at the youngster's steady progression, there is reason to believe that he can make that happen at some point, but his lack of size will be the biggest obstacle to his quest to reach the highest level. He has an overage year of junior eligibility left, so depending on how Boston's contract and cap situation looks, they could defer his signing for another season, or go ahead and get the soon-to-be 20-year-old into the pro mix right away.
Quotable
“He’s just such a coachable young man. Right from the time he was 16, he really understood everything that was being taught to him. He tried to do everything that was being taught to him, and he continually got better and better. The evolution is that he’s a 19-year-old player now; he knows what the expectations are and he’s grown with different leaders. He’s a real Giant-type player—he’s a really hard-working young man.”- Vancouver Giants Don Hay to Straight.com; December, 2009
“When he was 16 we saw some skill in him, but he didn’t score a goal the whole year. But in that training camp with his own age group, he was one of the top players. We knew he had the skill, but he wasn’t having the success as far as putting up numbers. But killing penalties and doing all the things—playing five-on-five, finishing checks—he did all those things. Now, as a 19-year-old, his skill level has caught up and he’s been a real, real good player for us.”- Don Hay to Straight.com; December, 2009
"We really like this kid. He led Vancouver in scoring andwas one of the top scorers in the entire WHL this past season, but beyond that, you have to look at what he's gone through in his life and how he's had to overcome a lot. He brings a lot of energy and passion to everything he does, and he's just one of those players that we looked at a lot this year and felt he brought both that scoring and character to the table."- Bruins director of amateur scouting Wayne Smith
to B2010DW; Los Angeles; June 26, 2010
"Craig Cunningham / LW ('90): Has become shifty and dangerous enough that he's turned into a real pro prospect. Seems to me like he's grown a little bit (maybe an inch or so) in the last two years, so that also helps. And he was one of the youngest players in the 2008 draft, so he's closer to being a part of last year's group. I'll be shocked if someone doesn't grab him at least late in the draft - could even go in the middle rounds. If somehow he doesn't go, he'll have a lot of calls from teams for a camp invite."- Mike Remmerde, NHL Draft Notes Blog, June 22, 2010
"It was a great experience. I really like all the guys here; it kind of felt like we became a team right away which was pretty cool. All the stuff we did in the first few days-- I mean-- it was hard, but I think it made the week easier as you got more and more comfortable within the organization and with the people you were around all day."- Craig Cunningham to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
"I'm a two-way player. I can play a checking role or scoring role; it doesn't matter. I can play up or down the lineup-- I can be moved up or moved down. I pride myself on my work ethic and that's kind of what gets me to where I am today."- Craig Cunningham to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
Fast rising Cunningham leads Vancouver Giants to the net
http://www.straight.com/article-275161/vancouver/fastrising-cunningham-leads-giants-net
The Final Word
Looking back on it, it's easy to get caught up in the fact that the Bruins spent a top-100 pick on a player who was passed over some 420 times previously as Red Line Report pointed out in their July draft recap, where Cunningham was featured as one of the most "overvalued" picks of the draft. That said, some players simply take a longer time to develop, and in Cunningham's case, the skill was always there, he just took more time to put it together. I went to Wilmington interested in what he could do because the fact of the matter is, while sources I spoke to from the WHL beat at the draft expressed surprise that Cunningham was drafted as high as he was, not one person had a bad word for him. Not one. Now, is he going to be a legitimate NHL player, or one of these 'tweener guys who's an AHL star, but only plays bit roles now and then as he bounces around the circuit with numerous NHL clubs? That's for Cunningham to determine, but he's one of those guys who you come to appreciate the more you see him. He could in time prove the doubters wrong and establish himself as a valuable character role player who can do a little bit of everything.
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #22 Matt Bartkowski
Matt Bartkowski, D
6-1, 190
June 4, 1988
Shoots: Left
Acquired by Boston from Florida with Dennis Seidenberg for Byron Bitz, Craig Wellar and a 2010 2nd-round pick (Alex Petrovic); March 3, 2010
Signing status: Signed through 2012
Talent Analysis
Physical: Live, athletic frame with room to grow. Will need to add bulk, but is on the right track in his physical maturation process. Good skater; moves well in all directions. Isn't a blazing skater, but is able to keep puck carriers in front of him and can crossover and pivot fluidly. Decent passer; can hit the long clearing pass and moves the puck out of his end quickly. Puckhandling is a bit rough; better at making the safe passing play than having to carry it out under pressure. Has an underrated shot that he gets off quickly from the point; heavy and accurate. Very good defensively; understands positioning and likes to take the body. An effective open-ice hitter and does well at pinning his man along the boards and clearing traffic from in front of his own net. Keeps things pretty safe and simple for the most part, but has the mobility and potential to play more of a two-way game if he can improve his puckhandling and overall confidence. Has a reputation for being a tough, hard-nosed player, but will need to prove that in the AHL first-- wearing full face shields in the NCAA is one thing, but how he does when the gloves come off in the pros will be another thing entirely.
Intangibles: Bright kid (engineering major at Ohio St.) who brings a good attitude and some tenacity to the ice. Seems to have a good, solid instinctive feel for the defensive flow of the game, but the questions he must answer at the next level are whether he can bring the same kind of effectiveness offensively. A mature 22-year-old who spent two years away from home with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL before spending two seasons at Ohio State closer to his Pittsburgh home.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Bartkowski had a solid, solid performance. He's not a dynamic player who really stands out, but he does skate well and surprised me a bit with some plays he made where he joined the rush or made some smart pinches to not only maintain offensive possession, but get a good shot off from the point or make a nice pass. I thought going in that he would be a lot more conservative and play it safe, so it was nice to see that he was more aggressive. The camp itself didn't lend itself to seeing the kind of physical, hard-edged stuff that Bartkowski reportedly excels at, so it will be interesting to see how he does at rookie camp and in the minors this season. Overall, he was a pleasant surprise and looks to be a player who is pretty well-rounded and only lacks seasoning and experience.
Projection
Bartkowski looks like a lower-pairing, stay-at-home defender who could end up working himself into a fourth spot with special teams time if he can improve his puck skills. If he can develop an ability to fight (not a skill that can be honed in the NCAA), he'll be even more appealing, because he skates pretty well even if he is more of a vanilla type of defender who isn't dynamic. He's pretty buried on the depth chart right now, but the best thing for him will be to go down to Providence, work hard and earn a lot of minutes. From there, he might be able to work himself into a limited stint from Boston and who knows where it might go from there?
Quotable
"It was a hard decision to make (turning pro or staying in school) but in the end, I weighed my options with my family and we felt that signing with Boston was the best thing for me right now. I can finish my degree in the summers, but the situation was right for me to go ahead and take that next step, so I'm glad to be here."- Matt Bartkowski to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010.
"I consider myself a good defenseman who takes care of my own end first and sticks up for my teammates. I would say that's the biggest thing; just keeping things simple and making the right plays whenever I can."- Matt Bartkowski to B201DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
This is a player who could move up the prospect depth chart pretty well, but is similar to Adam McQuaid in that he's a defense-first player who plays the game with an edge, and will need a good amount of time in the minors to get seasoned before he's ready to make a run for an NHL job. He doesn't have McQuaid's size or toughness, but he's a better skater, so he should be able to carve a niche for himself in Providence this season and next. He's on the long path to a possible spot in Boston, but seems to have the physical and intangibles package to generate some positive notice from here on out.
6-1, 190
June 4, 1988
Shoots: Left
Acquired by Boston from Florida with Dennis Seidenberg for Byron Bitz, Craig Wellar and a 2010 2nd-round pick (Alex Petrovic); March 3, 2010
Signing status: Signed through 2012
Talent Analysis
Physical: Live, athletic frame with room to grow. Will need to add bulk, but is on the right track in his physical maturation process. Good skater; moves well in all directions. Isn't a blazing skater, but is able to keep puck carriers in front of him and can crossover and pivot fluidly. Decent passer; can hit the long clearing pass and moves the puck out of his end quickly. Puckhandling is a bit rough; better at making the safe passing play than having to carry it out under pressure. Has an underrated shot that he gets off quickly from the point; heavy and accurate. Very good defensively; understands positioning and likes to take the body. An effective open-ice hitter and does well at pinning his man along the boards and clearing traffic from in front of his own net. Keeps things pretty safe and simple for the most part, but has the mobility and potential to play more of a two-way game if he can improve his puckhandling and overall confidence. Has a reputation for being a tough, hard-nosed player, but will need to prove that in the AHL first-- wearing full face shields in the NCAA is one thing, but how he does when the gloves come off in the pros will be another thing entirely.
Intangibles: Bright kid (engineering major at Ohio St.) who brings a good attitude and some tenacity to the ice. Seems to have a good, solid instinctive feel for the defensive flow of the game, but the questions he must answer at the next level are whether he can bring the same kind of effectiveness offensively. A mature 22-year-old who spent two years away from home with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL before spending two seasons at Ohio State closer to his Pittsburgh home.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Bartkowski had a solid, solid performance. He's not a dynamic player who really stands out, but he does skate well and surprised me a bit with some plays he made where he joined the rush or made some smart pinches to not only maintain offensive possession, but get a good shot off from the point or make a nice pass. I thought going in that he would be a lot more conservative and play it safe, so it was nice to see that he was more aggressive. The camp itself didn't lend itself to seeing the kind of physical, hard-edged stuff that Bartkowski reportedly excels at, so it will be interesting to see how he does at rookie camp and in the minors this season. Overall, he was a pleasant surprise and looks to be a player who is pretty well-rounded and only lacks seasoning and experience.
Projection
Bartkowski looks like a lower-pairing, stay-at-home defender who could end up working himself into a fourth spot with special teams time if he can improve his puck skills. If he can develop an ability to fight (not a skill that can be honed in the NCAA), he'll be even more appealing, because he skates pretty well even if he is more of a vanilla type of defender who isn't dynamic. He's pretty buried on the depth chart right now, but the best thing for him will be to go down to Providence, work hard and earn a lot of minutes. From there, he might be able to work himself into a limited stint from Boston and who knows where it might go from there?
Quotable
"It was a hard decision to make (turning pro or staying in school) but in the end, I weighed my options with my family and we felt that signing with Boston was the best thing for me right now. I can finish my degree in the summers, but the situation was right for me to go ahead and take that next step, so I'm glad to be here."- Matt Bartkowski to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010.
"I consider myself a good defenseman who takes care of my own end first and sticks up for my teammates. I would say that's the biggest thing; just keeping things simple and making the right plays whenever I can."- Matt Bartkowski to B201DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
This is a player who could move up the prospect depth chart pretty well, but is similar to Adam McQuaid in that he's a defense-first player who plays the game with an edge, and will need a good amount of time in the minors to get seasoned before he's ready to make a run for an NHL job. He doesn't have McQuaid's size or toughness, but he's a better skater, so he should be able to carve a niche for himself in Providence this season and next. He's on the long path to a possible spot in Boston, but seems to have the physical and intangibles package to generate some positive notice from here on out.
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #21 Mikko Lehtonen
Mikko Lehtonen, RW
6-3, 200
April 1, 1987
Shoots; Right
Boston's 3rd choice, 83rd overall in 2005 Draft
Signing status: Restricted free agent
Talent Analysis
Physical: Wide-bodied power forward has the size and strength to do a lot in this game, but is still filling out and hasn't yet learned to use his physical gifts properly. A substandard first-step skating ability and his top speed is good, not great. Although he has a long stride, he seems to be a lumbering skater who takes too long to get it in gear. Directional change is mediocre; turns more as opposed to stopping and moving in a different direction. Has been observed skating better and faster than in some of the games watched with Providence; is it a lack of ability or lack of hustle? Very good hands and shot; can score from the outside and in close. Wrist shot has a rapid release and is accurate. Decent passer, but the strength of his offensive game is in the finish. Defensive play is average to below average; struggles with assignments and sticking with his man, especially when the tempo of the play picks up. Not very physical and gets pushed off the puck too much for a player of his size and natural strength.
Intangibles: After spending two seasons in Providence, you can see why this first-round talent fell down to the bottom of the third round in '05: his intensity and work ethic isn't where it needs to be in order to keep a job in the NHL. Like most players, Lehtonen is a nice guy and talks a good game about putting in the work, but the fact that Rob Murray benched him in the playoffs two years ago after he led the team in goal scoring (28) in the regular season speaks volumes as to where Lehtonen's head and compete levels have been since coming over to North America from Espoo of the Finnish SM-Liiga in 2008. He's gotten a pair of one-game recalls to Boston, but one can only deduce that the coaching staff didn't see enough that they liked of him to give Lehtonen an extended look. This is a damning assessment when you consider the injury woes the B's had last season and the fact that jobs up front were up for grabs, but he wasn't able to secure one.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend
Projection
At one time, Lehtonen had the ability and upside to have an outside chance at being a top-two line forward in the NHL, but the skating and lack of fire has been his biggest hindrance and is why he's dropped out of the top-10 from where he was a year ago. Last season was an important test for Lehtonen, and he pretty well flunked it. He wasn't able to be the kind of consistent presence and difference-maker that Providence was desperate for despite ample opportunities to get it done. Sure, he didn't have much of a supporting cast, but the legitimate players find a way to get it done and make an impact. Lehtonen's best contributions have been fleeting at best. He's reportedly decided to play in Europe this year, and it wouldn't surprise if he were to give up his NHL pursuits with Boston altogether. Lehtonen has the skill to be a serviceable player in Europe, but without the grit and passion, he's simply not good enough to be much more than a solid AHL guy over here. Luckily for Boston, as a player picked in the late third round, a miss here isn't catastrophic and isn't the bad April Fool's joke (a play on his birthdate, folks) it would have been had they grabbed him in the first or second.
The Final Word
You don't want to write off a prospect with Lehtonen's physical abilities at age 23, but it appears to be where he's headed. He's just outside the top-20 because he could theoretically turn things around and his ability alone should have him higher even if it looks like he may be at the end of the line and is following the same path back to Scandinavian obscurity that former 1st-rounder Martin Samuelsson did five years ago. Lehtonen's been solidly productive in the AHL, but has also come off as soft and lacking in the drive that NHL coaches demand from players who can't get by on their talent alone. Boston's system and ethos do not appear to be a good fit for the affable but uneven Lehtonen, and he's on the verge of becoming a classic case study in what often happens to those players with impressive talent who fall down the draft board because of concerns about intensity and work ethic. He's not a bad guy, but the perception is that he wasn't willing to work as hard at improving his game that he needed to. And the fact that Boston gave him little opportunity speaks volumes to where they see him: icetime must be earned.
6-3, 200
April 1, 1987
Shoots; Right
Boston's 3rd choice, 83rd overall in 2005 Draft
Signing status: Restricted free agent
Talent Analysis
Physical: Wide-bodied power forward has the size and strength to do a lot in this game, but is still filling out and hasn't yet learned to use his physical gifts properly. A substandard first-step skating ability and his top speed is good, not great. Although he has a long stride, he seems to be a lumbering skater who takes too long to get it in gear. Directional change is mediocre; turns more as opposed to stopping and moving in a different direction. Has been observed skating better and faster than in some of the games watched with Providence; is it a lack of ability or lack of hustle? Very good hands and shot; can score from the outside and in close. Wrist shot has a rapid release and is accurate. Decent passer, but the strength of his offensive game is in the finish. Defensive play is average to below average; struggles with assignments and sticking with his man, especially when the tempo of the play picks up. Not very physical and gets pushed off the puck too much for a player of his size and natural strength.
Intangibles: After spending two seasons in Providence, you can see why this first-round talent fell down to the bottom of the third round in '05: his intensity and work ethic isn't where it needs to be in order to keep a job in the NHL. Like most players, Lehtonen is a nice guy and talks a good game about putting in the work, but the fact that Rob Murray benched him in the playoffs two years ago after he led the team in goal scoring (28) in the regular season speaks volumes as to where Lehtonen's head and compete levels have been since coming over to North America from Espoo of the Finnish SM-Liiga in 2008. He's gotten a pair of one-game recalls to Boston, but one can only deduce that the coaching staff didn't see enough that they liked of him to give Lehtonen an extended look. This is a damning assessment when you consider the injury woes the B's had last season and the fact that jobs up front were up for grabs, but he wasn't able to secure one.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend
Projection
At one time, Lehtonen had the ability and upside to have an outside chance at being a top-two line forward in the NHL, but the skating and lack of fire has been his biggest hindrance and is why he's dropped out of the top-10 from where he was a year ago. Last season was an important test for Lehtonen, and he pretty well flunked it. He wasn't able to be the kind of consistent presence and difference-maker that Providence was desperate for despite ample opportunities to get it done. Sure, he didn't have much of a supporting cast, but the legitimate players find a way to get it done and make an impact. Lehtonen's best contributions have been fleeting at best. He's reportedly decided to play in Europe this year, and it wouldn't surprise if he were to give up his NHL pursuits with Boston altogether. Lehtonen has the skill to be a serviceable player in Europe, but without the grit and passion, he's simply not good enough to be much more than a solid AHL guy over here. Luckily for Boston, as a player picked in the late third round, a miss here isn't catastrophic and isn't the bad April Fool's joke (a play on his birthdate, folks) it would have been had they grabbed him in the first or second.
The Final Word
You don't want to write off a prospect with Lehtonen's physical abilities at age 23, but it appears to be where he's headed. He's just outside the top-20 because he could theoretically turn things around and his ability alone should have him higher even if it looks like he may be at the end of the line and is following the same path back to Scandinavian obscurity that former 1st-rounder Martin Samuelsson did five years ago. Lehtonen's been solidly productive in the AHL, but has also come off as soft and lacking in the drive that NHL coaches demand from players who can't get by on their talent alone. Boston's system and ethos do not appear to be a good fit for the affable but uneven Lehtonen, and he's on the verge of becoming a classic case study in what often happens to those players with impressive talent who fall down the draft board because of concerns about intensity and work ethic. He's not a bad guy, but the perception is that he wasn't willing to work as hard at improving his game that he needed to. And the fact that Boston gave him little opportunity speaks volumes to where they see him: icetime must be earned.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #20 Jeff Penner
Jeff Penner, D
5-10, 191
April 13, 1987
Shoots: Left
Signed by Boston as a free agent; March, 2008
Signing status: Signed through 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical: Did someone say undersized defenseman? Blazing skater whose mobility is his best attribute. Explosive first few steps and excellent four-way directional speed. Jumps up into the play; a very good puck mover at the AHL level. Makes the quick first pass and can transition from defense to the attack quickly. A key element of the Providence power play over the past two seasons for his ability to move well along the blue line, shoot the puck from the point and distribute effectively into the more open spaces on the ice. Still learning how to play the position in terms of locating himself and does not play a very physical or rugged game, which stands in contrast to Andrew Bodnarchuk. Suffered a major back injury during his bantam year which prevented his being drafted into the WHL; since then he's worked himself gradually to the NHL by playing Jr. B and going all the way to Fairbanks, Alaska to get his shot, playing two scoreless games for Boston last season after injuries to the defense corps gave him his chance.
Intangibles: Hard working, character player who has stuck with hockey instead of giving up when facing some tough adversity. His defensive hockey sense is suspect; doesn't seem to play instinctively and gets caught out of position. A riverboat gambler who will go for the score, but has a lot to learn yet about playing defense.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend
Projection
Third-pairing defenseman and power play or penalty killer is about the best Penner can hope for at the NHL level. He's a skilled player, but because he's so similar to the glut of what the Bruins already have, Penner appears to be on the outside looking in unless injuries open the door for him this year. He has the look of one of those career 'tweener AHL players: he'll spend most of his time at that level and play pretty well, but will not likely be able to translate that success into a regular stint in the big show.
The Final Word
As an undrafted free agent, Penner was not a bad signing and has progressed in the two full years since becoming a part of the Boston organization. However, he lacks the size and grit that other small prospects like David Warsofsky, Andrew Bodnarchuk and even Steve Kampfer possess. I hesitate to use the word 'soft' but there has to be a certain on-ice tenacity that I have found lacking in Penner when viewing him. His skills are right behind Warsofsky, but the toughness quotient is going to be his biggest stumbling block to making a lasting impact in Boston. That said, he played well enough to get his cup of coffee last year and may get another look, even if the odds are stacked against him.
5-10, 191
April 13, 1987
Shoots: Left
Signed by Boston as a free agent; March, 2008
Signing status: Signed through 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical: Did someone say undersized defenseman? Blazing skater whose mobility is his best attribute. Explosive first few steps and excellent four-way directional speed. Jumps up into the play; a very good puck mover at the AHL level. Makes the quick first pass and can transition from defense to the attack quickly. A key element of the Providence power play over the past two seasons for his ability to move well along the blue line, shoot the puck from the point and distribute effectively into the more open spaces on the ice. Still learning how to play the position in terms of locating himself and does not play a very physical or rugged game, which stands in contrast to Andrew Bodnarchuk. Suffered a major back injury during his bantam year which prevented his being drafted into the WHL; since then he's worked himself gradually to the NHL by playing Jr. B and going all the way to Fairbanks, Alaska to get his shot, playing two scoreless games for Boston last season after injuries to the defense corps gave him his chance.
Intangibles: Hard working, character player who has stuck with hockey instead of giving up when facing some tough adversity. His defensive hockey sense is suspect; doesn't seem to play instinctively and gets caught out of position. A riverboat gambler who will go for the score, but has a lot to learn yet about playing defense.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend
Projection
Third-pairing defenseman and power play or penalty killer is about the best Penner can hope for at the NHL level. He's a skilled player, but because he's so similar to the glut of what the Bruins already have, Penner appears to be on the outside looking in unless injuries open the door for him this year. He has the look of one of those career 'tweener AHL players: he'll spend most of his time at that level and play pretty well, but will not likely be able to translate that success into a regular stint in the big show.
The Final Word
As an undrafted free agent, Penner was not a bad signing and has progressed in the two full years since becoming a part of the Boston organization. However, he lacks the size and grit that other small prospects like David Warsofsky, Andrew Bodnarchuk and even Steve Kampfer possess. I hesitate to use the word 'soft' but there has to be a certain on-ice tenacity that I have found lacking in Penner when viewing him. His skills are right behind Warsofsky, but the toughness quotient is going to be his biggest stumbling block to making a lasting impact in Boston. That said, he played well enough to get his cup of coffee last year and may get another look, even if the odds are stacked against him.
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #19 Yannick Riendeau
Yannick Riendeau, RW
5-10, 180
June 18, 1988
Shoots: Left
Signed as a free agent, May, 2009
Signing status: Signed through 2012
Talent analysis
Physical: Small winger who is coming off an injury-riddled first pro campaign after dominating the Quebec league in scoring the year before. Needs to add weight and functional strength to his undersized frame. Below average skater who skates hunched over and has a choppy stride. Slow first step and only average speed. Excellent passer and shooter; has terrific hands and an ability to create something from nothing. Deadly in between the hashmarks, where he can get rid of the puck in an instant and has a very accurate shot. Tends to play on the perimeter when the hitting picks up. Not a physical player, but will take the hit to make the play. Played through a shoulder injury that required major surgery in the summer of '09 and forced him to miss the first three months of the season. Also injured his wrist during the '09 Memorial Cup tournament and then re-aggravated it after a few games with Providence, further setting him back.
Intangibles: Possesses elite offensive hockey sense; was a highly productive player in junior and even though an overage player at 20, scored 29 goals in 19 games in leading Drummondville to the '09 President's Cup as QMJHL champion. His 53 playoff points were as many as Mario Lemieux racked up with the Laval Voisins in 1984. Hard worker who is dedicated to being a player after being passed over in the draft despite being a high midget draft pick. Posted his career-best season while dealing with the pain of the shoulder injury for much of the 08-09 campaign; a gutsy competitor albeit a fragile one.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend
Projection
Riendeau is a flawed player as far as hockey tools go. His size and lack of skating ability get to the heart of why he wasn't ever drafted, but as far as his hockey intellect goes, he's right up there with the best prospects in Boston's system. It's very difficult to project what kind of impact he'll make in the NHL (if he even gets there), but history has shown that more than a few guys who didn't look like players coming out of junior or college became legitimate NHL stars (Adam Oates and Steve Thomas to name two). Will Riendeau follow a similar path? That's asking a lot, but given that the Bruins didn't spend a draft pick on the 22-year-old, then it's not a bad roll of the dice to take-- the team is playing with house money on this guy. Because he lacks speed and size, Riendeau probably can't be a bottom-six forward who is required to perform a grinding/checking role, so his immeasurables and outstanding passing/shooting/hands are going to have to take him into a top-six role at some point. Tall order, but in looking at his numbers and how he played in the Memorial Cup a little over a year ago, he's worth keeping an eye on.
Quotable
“Yannick’s a very instinctive player. Can you teach the hockey sense side of things? Probably not; I think you can get players to become more aware during offensive situations, but the offense comes naturally to him. We’re excited that he’s the kind of player who reads the developing play so well and sees things on the ice others don’t.”- Bruins assistant GM Don Sweeney to hockeyjournal.com; January, 2010
“His first game was the best out of the ones he’s played. He showed some offensive touch, played well defensively and showed that he has some upside. His speed wasn’t an issue. He was moving his feet and staying involved in the play, and as long as he’s playing at that higher pace and skating, he’ll be fine at least at our level.”- Providence Bruins head coach Rob Murray to hockeyjournal.com; January, 2010
Holding Pattern for Riendeau
http://www.hockeyjournal.com/news/2010/01/16_holding.php
The Final Word
At first glance, Riendeau doesn't look like he has a shot at being an NHLer given his lack of size and skating ability, but people said the same things about Mark Recchi, too. Riendeau's first pro season was a wash, but he showed flashes of promise and was a point-per-game player for Reading of the ECHL. If he can stay healthy, he should make a much bigger impact this year for Providence's fortunes. If not, he'll put up big numbers for the Royals. Either way, he's an intriguing prospect who has some real upside even if he's quite the longshot.
5-10, 180
June 18, 1988
Shoots: Left
Signed as a free agent, May, 2009
Signing status: Signed through 2012
Talent analysis
Physical: Small winger who is coming off an injury-riddled first pro campaign after dominating the Quebec league in scoring the year before. Needs to add weight and functional strength to his undersized frame. Below average skater who skates hunched over and has a choppy stride. Slow first step and only average speed. Excellent passer and shooter; has terrific hands and an ability to create something from nothing. Deadly in between the hashmarks, where he can get rid of the puck in an instant and has a very accurate shot. Tends to play on the perimeter when the hitting picks up. Not a physical player, but will take the hit to make the play. Played through a shoulder injury that required major surgery in the summer of '09 and forced him to miss the first three months of the season. Also injured his wrist during the '09 Memorial Cup tournament and then re-aggravated it after a few games with Providence, further setting him back.
Intangibles: Possesses elite offensive hockey sense; was a highly productive player in junior and even though an overage player at 20, scored 29 goals in 19 games in leading Drummondville to the '09 President's Cup as QMJHL champion. His 53 playoff points were as many as Mario Lemieux racked up with the Laval Voisins in 1984. Hard worker who is dedicated to being a player after being passed over in the draft despite being a high midget draft pick. Posted his career-best season while dealing with the pain of the shoulder injury for much of the 08-09 campaign; a gutsy competitor albeit a fragile one.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Did not attend
Projection
Riendeau is a flawed player as far as hockey tools go. His size and lack of skating ability get to the heart of why he wasn't ever drafted, but as far as his hockey intellect goes, he's right up there with the best prospects in Boston's system. It's very difficult to project what kind of impact he'll make in the NHL (if he even gets there), but history has shown that more than a few guys who didn't look like players coming out of junior or college became legitimate NHL stars (Adam Oates and Steve Thomas to name two). Will Riendeau follow a similar path? That's asking a lot, but given that the Bruins didn't spend a draft pick on the 22-year-old, then it's not a bad roll of the dice to take-- the team is playing with house money on this guy. Because he lacks speed and size, Riendeau probably can't be a bottom-six forward who is required to perform a grinding/checking role, so his immeasurables and outstanding passing/shooting/hands are going to have to take him into a top-six role at some point. Tall order, but in looking at his numbers and how he played in the Memorial Cup a little over a year ago, he's worth keeping an eye on.
Quotable
“Yannick’s a very instinctive player. Can you teach the hockey sense side of things? Probably not; I think you can get players to become more aware during offensive situations, but the offense comes naturally to him. We’re excited that he’s the kind of player who reads the developing play so well and sees things on the ice others don’t.”- Bruins assistant GM Don Sweeney to hockeyjournal.com; January, 2010
“His first game was the best out of the ones he’s played. He showed some offensive touch, played well defensively and showed that he has some upside. His speed wasn’t an issue. He was moving his feet and staying involved in the play, and as long as he’s playing at that higher pace and skating, he’ll be fine at least at our level.”- Providence Bruins head coach Rob Murray to hockeyjournal.com; January, 2010
Holding Pattern for Riendeau
http://www.hockeyjournal.com/news/2010/01/16_holding.php
The Final Word
At first glance, Riendeau doesn't look like he has a shot at being an NHLer given his lack of size and skating ability, but people said the same things about Mark Recchi, too. Riendeau's first pro season was a wash, but he showed flashes of promise and was a point-per-game player for Reading of the ECHL. If he can stay healthy, he should make a much bigger impact this year for Providence's fortunes. If not, he'll put up big numbers for the Royals. Either way, he's an intriguing prospect who has some real upside even if he's quite the longshot.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Boston Bruins Prospects Series: #18 Steve Kampfer
Steven Kampfer, D
5-11, 197
September 24, 1988
Shoots: Right
Acquired from Anaheim for 2010 fourth-round pick (Justin Shugg- Carolina via Anaheim) , March, 2010
Signing status: Signed through 2013
Talent Analysis
Physical: It feels like deja vu all over again after banging out profiles on David Warsofsky, Andrew Bodnarchuk, but Kampfer is another undersized defender in Boston's system. Like Bodnarchuk, Kampfer is strong for his size and puts in an honest effort with his off-ice conditioning and strength training. Good skater with nice blend of speed and quickness. Moves well laterally and backwards. Likes to jump up into the play and has a separation gear that can get him past defenders when he sees an opening. Fine passer who can start the play up and out of his zone quickly. Possesses a nice shot; better with quick wrister or snap shot than he is firing a slap shot from the point. Good passer who sees the ice well and can get the puck out quickly. Like most defenders his size, he has his hands full when trying to move bigger, stronger forwards out from in front of his net or fighting for pucks along the walls. Chippy and rugged; adept at making contact in the open ice (as Michigan State's Corey Tropp can attest). Made a nice first impression in six games with Providence last spring, scoring a goal and three points while earning the distinction to most as the best of the team's late-season additions (Joe Colborne, Max Sauve). Positioning needs work, and he'll get that chance in Providence.
Intangibles: Had a strong senior season after struggling to make his mark in his first three collegiate campaigns. Has been involved in several ugly incidents both on and off the ice, but appears to have turned the corner (for more on the issues, see the link in the quotable section) and kept his nose clean as a senior. Has persevered despite several tough setbacks; the Bruins traded for him even after being well aware of his past. Seems to bring a maturity and understanding of his shortcomings, which is a good sign as he begins the first real phase of his pro career.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Kampfer was the defense version of Alexander Fallstrom at camp: he had a very good performance that didn't go unnoticed, but didn't generate a lot of attention, either. He's got nice wheels and you could see him taking advantage of openings to jump up into the play and bring the offense. Kampfer scored a nice goal on a long clearing pass from Tyler Seguin in one scrimmage, zooming up the left side of the ice, then making a nice oblique cut to his right before wiring a low wrister into the net.
Projection
Like Bodnarchuk, the odds for Kampfer are long, but he does bring the requisite skill level to make a run at an NHL job at some point. He looked good in his late-season audition with Providence, so it will be interesting to see how he performs over the course of a full season. College players often have trouble adjusting to the longer schedule and grind, so that may be Kampfer's biggest challenge as a rookie pro. The trade (originally drafted in the fourth round in 2007 by Anaheim- missed being eligible for the 2006 draft by 10 days) originally didn't look all that great on paper, but Kampfer has been better than advertised and is a player to watch this season.
Quotable
“I think it helped me out a lot. I was excited to get out there, I was excited to sign with the Bruins. Going out there and playing with guys of that level and starting my development going forward was a big help.”- Steve Kampfer to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
“I need to work on my defensive game. It was something that we talked about at the end of the year, just positioning, stickwork and just getting stronger in the corners and moving guys out of the way. Overall, I gotta get better in every aspect of the game, but those are the things I gotta keep working on.”- Steve Kampfer to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
"It was a year of hell. With everything I went through, you take things for granted and you want to make sure you're not missing out on certain aspects of life and you're not taking things for granted. So when I came into this year, I was excited, I was happy to play hockey. It was a second chance to get back and play hockey, and I wanted to make it everything I could."- Steven Kampfer to Ann Arbor.com; March, 2010
Here's a link to a very good story by Jeff Arnold of Ann Arbor.com which chronicles Kampfer's college career and controversy that dogged him:
http://www.annarbor.com/sports/michigan-hockey-defenseman-steve-kampfer-leaves-the-past-behind-to-enjoy-the-fruits-of-the-present/
The Final Word
He's never been a point producer at any level, but Kampfer has the tools to be an NHL player eventually. How far he goes and whether he can get it done in the Boston organization remains to be seen, but he's been impressive in limited viewing since the team traded for him at the March deadline. He provides the Bruins with a more mature, pro-ready player to help Boston's farm team in Providence and gives them more of an emergency option as opposed to what they would have likely drafted in the June draft's fourth round.
5-11, 197
September 24, 1988
Shoots: Right
Acquired from Anaheim for 2010 fourth-round pick (Justin Shugg- Carolina via Anaheim) , March, 2010
Signing status: Signed through 2013
Talent Analysis
Physical: It feels like deja vu all over again after banging out profiles on David Warsofsky, Andrew Bodnarchuk, but Kampfer is another undersized defender in Boston's system. Like Bodnarchuk, Kampfer is strong for his size and puts in an honest effort with his off-ice conditioning and strength training. Good skater with nice blend of speed and quickness. Moves well laterally and backwards. Likes to jump up into the play and has a separation gear that can get him past defenders when he sees an opening. Fine passer who can start the play up and out of his zone quickly. Possesses a nice shot; better with quick wrister or snap shot than he is firing a slap shot from the point. Good passer who sees the ice well and can get the puck out quickly. Like most defenders his size, he has his hands full when trying to move bigger, stronger forwards out from in front of his net or fighting for pucks along the walls. Chippy and rugged; adept at making contact in the open ice (as Michigan State's Corey Tropp can attest). Made a nice first impression in six games with Providence last spring, scoring a goal and three points while earning the distinction to most as the best of the team's late-season additions (Joe Colborne, Max Sauve). Positioning needs work, and he'll get that chance in Providence.
Intangibles: Had a strong senior season after struggling to make his mark in his first three collegiate campaigns. Has been involved in several ugly incidents both on and off the ice, but appears to have turned the corner (for more on the issues, see the link in the quotable section) and kept his nose clean as a senior. Has persevered despite several tough setbacks; the Bruins traded for him even after being well aware of his past. Seems to bring a maturity and understanding of his shortcomings, which is a good sign as he begins the first real phase of his pro career.
Boston Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Kampfer was the defense version of Alexander Fallstrom at camp: he had a very good performance that didn't go unnoticed, but didn't generate a lot of attention, either. He's got nice wheels and you could see him taking advantage of openings to jump up into the play and bring the offense. Kampfer scored a nice goal on a long clearing pass from Tyler Seguin in one scrimmage, zooming up the left side of the ice, then making a nice oblique cut to his right before wiring a low wrister into the net.
Projection
Like Bodnarchuk, the odds for Kampfer are long, but he does bring the requisite skill level to make a run at an NHL job at some point. He looked good in his late-season audition with Providence, so it will be interesting to see how he performs over the course of a full season. College players often have trouble adjusting to the longer schedule and grind, so that may be Kampfer's biggest challenge as a rookie pro. The trade (originally drafted in the fourth round in 2007 by Anaheim- missed being eligible for the 2006 draft by 10 days) originally didn't look all that great on paper, but Kampfer has been better than advertised and is a player to watch this season.
Quotable
“I think it helped me out a lot. I was excited to get out there, I was excited to sign with the Bruins. Going out there and playing with guys of that level and starting my development going forward was a big help.”- Steve Kampfer to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
“I need to work on my defensive game. It was something that we talked about at the end of the year, just positioning, stickwork and just getting stronger in the corners and moving guys out of the way. Overall, I gotta get better in every aspect of the game, but those are the things I gotta keep working on.”- Steve Kampfer to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
"It was a year of hell. With everything I went through, you take things for granted and you want to make sure you're not missing out on certain aspects of life and you're not taking things for granted. So when I came into this year, I was excited, I was happy to play hockey. It was a second chance to get back and play hockey, and I wanted to make it everything I could."- Steven Kampfer to Ann Arbor.com; March, 2010
Here's a link to a very good story by Jeff Arnold of Ann Arbor.com which chronicles Kampfer's college career and controversy that dogged him:
http://www.annarbor.com/sports/michigan-hockey-defenseman-steve-kampfer-leaves-the-past-behind-to-enjoy-the-fruits-of-the-present/
The Final Word
He's never been a point producer at any level, but Kampfer has the tools to be an NHL player eventually. How far he goes and whether he can get it done in the Boston organization remains to be seen, but he's been impressive in limited viewing since the team traded for him at the March deadline. He provides the Bruins with a more mature, pro-ready player to help Boston's farm team in Providence and gives them more of an emergency option as opposed to what they would have likely drafted in the June draft's fourth round.
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