Ryan Spooner, C/W
5-10, 176
January 30, 1992
Shoots: Left
Boston's 3rd choice, 45th overall, in 2010
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Lacks height and has a slight build; will always be considered an undersized player unless he hits some kind of major growth spurt. Plays bigger than his size; takes the puck hard to the net and not intimidated by physical play in front of the crease and in the "dirty" areas. As such, durability will be a concern because Spooner does not slow down for anything. Blazing skater with explosive first few steps and separation gear. Can really fly in a straight line, but is also very good on his edges and able to move laterally. Will burn defenders with his pure speed, but can actually play the waterbug style effectively as well by turning opponents inside-out with shifty moves in traffic. Excellent puckhandler who can carry the biscuit both in space and under pressure. Uses combination of tremendous hands with head and shoulder fakes to create space for himself and open up shooting and passing lanes. Very good shooter who can roof the puck top shelf from the outside or use quickness of hands for the finish off the deke or with lightning strikes in close. Underrated passer who can set the table with the best of them. Diligent backchecker who will gain more awareness of the defensive nuances as he gains more experience and sees ice time in a lot of different situations. Collarbone injury that cost him the rest of the season after mid-January was probably a blessing in disguise for the Bruins: there is little doubt that had he played out the string, he would have been off the board before pick 45.
Intangibles: Excellent work ethic; wants the puck at crunch time and has the natural instincts to finish when the game is on the line. High character player who never stops working. Plays with a lot of guts: on the night he broke his collarbone, he finished out the game without telling anyone he was hurt. Only after x-rays taken the next day showed the fracture did he realize the severity of his injury. Offensive instincts are right up there with Tyler Seguin: Spooner's always on the go and can quickly sense openings and make the right play. Hunts opposing defenses and goalies: using his speed and agility to circle and seek an opening, then exploding into it with the quickness and violence of the ocean's ultimate predator, the shark. A good, solid kid who may be a little shy, but is well spoken and exhibits the requisite confidence and attitude to be a gamer one day.
Bruins 2010 Development Camp assessment
Spooner was in the top-five of the best performances at camp this month, in my opinion. Like Jared Knight, he was a standout offensive performer who attracted positive attention every day. Showed off his impressive speed and stickhandling during the very first on-ice session, making a variety of moves at full gallop and fearlessly attacking into the teeth of the defense and often times scoring the goal or setting up a teammate. He skated on a line with fellow 2010 draftee Craig Cunningham and camp invite Tyler Brenner most of the week and the trio made a lot of hay and opened up some eyes with their strong offensive zone play. His skills and upside culminated in a two-goal performance at the camp's final scrimmage, where he and Knight dueled each other goal-for-goal in impressive fashion and won the respect and praise of those in attendance. His defensive play is still a work in progress, but he showed a willingness to backcheck and pick up his man, so as he continues to play a lot of minutes and learn the nuances of play in his own end, Spooner should develop as a solid player in all three zones, but one who is best served when bringing the offense.
Projection
Spooner is almost assured of going back to junior and the Peterborough Petes for the 10-11 hockey season, but it will be interesting to see how he performs at Bruins rookie and main camps in September and how he looks against the NHL and pro players there. Given his skills and offensive upside, he could one day earn a spot in Boston's top-six forward grouping and has 30-goal potential at the NHL level if he can continue to develop physically. Given the B's current situation, they don't have to rush Spooner, so he'll probably play two more years of junior, turn pro and then work his way up from there possibly with a season or two in the AHL. However, if he maintains his progression, he could speed up the timetable a bit. His size, coupled with his fearlessness and the high tempo at which he plays will be a concern for more lost time to injuries as we saw last winter. If he doesn't make the NHL as a scoring forward, he has the intelligence and work ethic to be a third-liner with special teams capability. Spooner has the potential to be a real scoring force in the AHL-- a high-end point producer who will have to prove he has that extra something that will allow him to bring that production to the highest level. He was not invited to the Team Canada Evaluation Camp which will be held the first week of August, but a strong OHL start could see him work his way into the mix and possibly get a look in December (especially if Seguin makes the B's roster in October and is not cleared to participate in the late-December/early January tourney in Buffalo, N.Y.).
Quotable
"(I'm) an offensive player. I can be both a goal scorer and playmaker and I think that's what sets me apart from most of the smaller forwards out there."- Ryan Spooner at the 2010 NHL Draft, Los Angeles, CA; June 26, 2010
"I think it's sunk in (that I'm a Boston Bruin). I wasn't sure how things would go at the draft, but was very happy when I heard my name called, and so now being here with the guys and having the chance to meet the coaches and the rest of the staff has been great. We're just now getting a chance to skate a bit and show off our hockey skills, so this is just a situation where I'm trying to listen to the coaches and do what I do best, which go out and skate hard, take the puck to the net and generate some offense and all-around good play."- Ryan Spooner to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
"He's a very skilled player who has a lot of speed and can score just about any way you need him to. I'm convinced that he would have been a first-round pick if not for the broken collarbone, so Boston really benefited from that. I know that Ryan may have been disappointed that he slipped down (the board) a bit, but in the end, I think you'll see him use that disappointment as some real motivation to go out and prove that he was in fact a first-round talent."- NHL scout to B2010DW; June, 2010
"We're ecstatic to have Ryan in the organization. I'll admit that as we were getting close to that (45th) pick, we were really hoping that he would be there for us, so there was little hesitation (on our part) when it came time to make the selection. He's the guy we wanted there, and we're thrilled it worked out. He's a player and I think the fans will like him a lot as they get to know him."- Bruins amateur scouting director Wayne Smith to hockeyjournal.com; June 26, 2010
"Clear first-round talent in our view. Did enough before the injury that he should not have been knocked down this far, but small guys always have durability concerns."- Red Line Report, July, 2010 issue; rated Spooner as the 12th-best individual "value" pick of the 2010 NHL draft.
The Final Word
The terms "value" and "upside" epitomize Spooner's selection last month in Los Angeles. He's not a big guy, but he plays big and has a knack for scoring, which is always in demand from NHL teams, especially one that finished dead last in offense during the 09-10 season. Spooner isn't going to provide immediate help to the NHL club, but he's a clear upgrade in talent for the system, and could buck the projections and make an earlier contribution than currently projected. The B's hit paydirt with the 45th overall pick seven years ago in Patrice Bergeron, but expecting Spooner to follow a similar rapid path to the big show is placing the expecations a bit too high right now. That said, most seem to agree that he's an excellent prospect with the room to grow and flourish, but without the kind of crushing expectations that go with being a top selection. He became the first Petes player to score 30 goals at age 16 (a feat duplicated this year by 2011 top prospect Matt Puempel), so he's got the ability and potential to be a legitimate scorer at the next level. Time will tell whether he can get there, but he's got the makings of a good pro.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Back to business
Vacation over...the Texas coast was grand. Couldn't have asked for better weather.
Now, time to get serious about the Bruins prospect list. Gotta close out B2010DW and roll out the next blog. I wanted to get it done by July, but obviously, that will depend on how long it takes me to roll through all of the prospect profiles.
Now, time to get serious about the Bruins prospect list. Gotta close out B2010DW and roll out the next blog. I wanted to get it done by July, but obviously, that will depend on how long it takes me to roll through all of the prospect profiles.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Boston Bruins Prospect Series: #7 Brad Marchand
Brad Marchand, RW
5-9, 190
May 11, 1988
Shoots: Left
Boston's 4th choice, 71st overall (third round) in 2006 Draft
Signing status: Signed through 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical: Diminutive, undersized winger is built like a fire hydrant with strong leg drive and low center of gravity. Excellent quickness and first-step burst. Elusive, agile skater who can handle the puck at top speed and 'shake n' bake' defenders when in possession. Good shooter; sees the ice well and uses his quickness to find open shooting lanes and get the puck on net. Solid passer and playmaker. Plays a gritty, sandpaper game despite the lack of size. Needs to continue building his upper body strength to better handle the competition at the NHL level, but has proven himself able to handle the rigors of the pro hockey grind with two AHL campaigns and time split in the NHL. He did miss time last season due to a freak tendon injury he received due to a cut skate blade, but physicality and strength has not been a problem for him.
Intangibles: Big-game player who elevates his performance in the clutch. Was a playoff performer in junior with Moncton and Val d'Or, and continued his superb postseason play with Providence as a rookie in '09 (the team failed to qualify for the '10 playoffs). With the departure of Vladimir Sobotka, Marchand is now the top agitator in the Boston organization. Good hockey sense, but does not possess high-end offensive instincts. More effective as an all-around player in all three zones. Still working on on-ice discipline and not letting his emotions get the best of him to the team's detriment, but has progressed well as a pro and was given a 20-game audition in Boston when injuries set in. Had a nice stint in Boston at the end of the season with childhood friend and minor/junior teammate Andrew Bodnarchuk, who was recalled to the Bruins to close out the 09-10 campaign to help offset losses to the Boston defense (Dennis Seidenberg, Mark Stuart).
2010 Development Camp Assessment
Did not attend-- graduated from "developmental/rookie" status.
Projection
Marchand's NHL upside may be as a third-liner, but his versatility and big-play ability should see him play a more active and prominent role for the big club in 10-11, even if it may have to come on the fourth line. The Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia native will need to make sure he comes to camp hungry and ready to perform as he did a year ago; he's on the bubble and must get off on the right foot with the coaches given Boston's roster turnover. With ice time and a regular role, he could be a modest scoring presence for the B's good for about 40 points, but his real value will lie in his energetic play, ability to get under opponents' skin and a penchant for coming up large when the games matter most. However, nothing's going to be handed to him.
Quotable
"Brad is a player who has really grown over the past season and more since he turned pro. He's a smart, instinctive player who understands his role and has a knack for getting it done when he's needed the most. He's still addressing the finer points of his game and the importance of not hurting the team with bad penalties, but he's done a fine job for us and has a chance to make an impact with Boston pretty soon."- Providence head coach Rob Murray to hockeyjournal.com; December, 2009
"I like the challenge of the playoffs, and I think I'm a player who can raise the level of my play when the pressure goes up and every game counts. It's something I've always been able to do and I take a lot of pride in it."- Brad Marchand to hockeyjournal.com; April, 2009
“It’s really special. It’s very, very rare that two best buddies growing up end up playing together in the NHL. It’s something that is very special for us to enjoy together and it’s a lot of fun.”- Brad Marchand to hockeyjournal.com; April, 2010
The Final Word
Marchand has paid his dues and should be ready to be a roster regular in Boston this season. That said, competition for spots will be fierce, and he'll need to avoid anything that could put him behind the eight ball right off the bat. His 20 games of experience last season was a nice start, but he didn't find the back of the net (one assist), so he'll need to produce more in order to hold down a spot. Like Sobotka, he may find himself shuttling between Boston and Providence depending on his performance, but if he puts his best foot forward, he should get his chance. Again, with Marchand, it's all about his versatility. He's the closest thing to a finished product that the Bruins have in their system, but the lack of offensive upside is what has dropped him behind others ranked ahead of him right now. In time, however, he could prove to be a much more valuable contributor than his seventh overall ranking would seem to indicate.
5-9, 190
May 11, 1988
Shoots: Left
Boston's 4th choice, 71st overall (third round) in 2006 Draft
Signing status: Signed through 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical: Diminutive, undersized winger is built like a fire hydrant with strong leg drive and low center of gravity. Excellent quickness and first-step burst. Elusive, agile skater who can handle the puck at top speed and 'shake n' bake' defenders when in possession. Good shooter; sees the ice well and uses his quickness to find open shooting lanes and get the puck on net. Solid passer and playmaker. Plays a gritty, sandpaper game despite the lack of size. Needs to continue building his upper body strength to better handle the competition at the NHL level, but has proven himself able to handle the rigors of the pro hockey grind with two AHL campaigns and time split in the NHL. He did miss time last season due to a freak tendon injury he received due to a cut skate blade, but physicality and strength has not been a problem for him.
Intangibles: Big-game player who elevates his performance in the clutch. Was a playoff performer in junior with Moncton and Val d'Or, and continued his superb postseason play with Providence as a rookie in '09 (the team failed to qualify for the '10 playoffs). With the departure of Vladimir Sobotka, Marchand is now the top agitator in the Boston organization. Good hockey sense, but does not possess high-end offensive instincts. More effective as an all-around player in all three zones. Still working on on-ice discipline and not letting his emotions get the best of him to the team's detriment, but has progressed well as a pro and was given a 20-game audition in Boston when injuries set in. Had a nice stint in Boston at the end of the season with childhood friend and minor/junior teammate Andrew Bodnarchuk, who was recalled to the Bruins to close out the 09-10 campaign to help offset losses to the Boston defense (Dennis Seidenberg, Mark Stuart).
2010 Development Camp Assessment
Did not attend-- graduated from "developmental/rookie" status.
Projection
Marchand's NHL upside may be as a third-liner, but his versatility and big-play ability should see him play a more active and prominent role for the big club in 10-11, even if it may have to come on the fourth line. The Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia native will need to make sure he comes to camp hungry and ready to perform as he did a year ago; he's on the bubble and must get off on the right foot with the coaches given Boston's roster turnover. With ice time and a regular role, he could be a modest scoring presence for the B's good for about 40 points, but his real value will lie in his energetic play, ability to get under opponents' skin and a penchant for coming up large when the games matter most. However, nothing's going to be handed to him.
Quotable
"Brad is a player who has really grown over the past season and more since he turned pro. He's a smart, instinctive player who understands his role and has a knack for getting it done when he's needed the most. He's still addressing the finer points of his game and the importance of not hurting the team with bad penalties, but he's done a fine job for us and has a chance to make an impact with Boston pretty soon."- Providence head coach Rob Murray to hockeyjournal.com; December, 2009
"I like the challenge of the playoffs, and I think I'm a player who can raise the level of my play when the pressure goes up and every game counts. It's something I've always been able to do and I take a lot of pride in it."- Brad Marchand to hockeyjournal.com; April, 2009
“It’s really special. It’s very, very rare that two best buddies growing up end up playing together in the NHL. It’s something that is very special for us to enjoy together and it’s a lot of fun.”- Brad Marchand to hockeyjournal.com; April, 2010
The Final Word
Marchand has paid his dues and should be ready to be a roster regular in Boston this season. That said, competition for spots will be fierce, and he'll need to avoid anything that could put him behind the eight ball right off the bat. His 20 games of experience last season was a nice start, but he didn't find the back of the net (one assist), so he'll need to produce more in order to hold down a spot. Like Sobotka, he may find himself shuttling between Boston and Providence depending on his performance, but if he puts his best foot forward, he should get his chance. Again, with Marchand, it's all about his versatility. He's the closest thing to a finished product that the Bruins have in their system, but the lack of offensive upside is what has dropped him behind others ranked ahead of him right now. In time, however, he could prove to be a much more valuable contributor than his seventh overall ranking would seem to indicate.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Jared Knight: The Sebastian Vollmer factor?
Here's a brief interlude from the prospects series, but had a quick flash of inspiration after reading my daily Boston sports links today.
I was glancing at Mike Reiss's always excellent mailbag over on ESPN.com Boston, and I came across an interesting discussion about Patriots offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer, who was a second-round selection of the Pats in 2009, and was considered in some circles to be a reach at the time, and had very low expectations going into the 2009 NFL season. He ended up being the team's most impactful rookie (although you can also make a case for WR Julian Edelman) but, as I read the exchange between Reiss and a Pats fan, I couldn't help but be reminded of the similarity between Vollmer and Bruins '10 second-rounder Jared Knight, who like Vollmer, was not invited to the draft combine, but still managed to sell the team on his merits.
Granted, there's a world of difference between a pro football prospect and a hockey one, but the whole thing has me thinking: could Knight end up being the B's version of Vollmer? A player who was drafted pretty high but without the requisite pedigree, but who comes in an overachieves despite where he was viewed in the public/conventional/media-based scouting reports?
Here's the excerpt from the Reiss mailbag, and I do think that there are some interesting parallels between the two players. Again-- not saying that Knight is going to come in and light it up and be playing in the NHL at 18 (he's got some very limited options and stiff competition up front, so I don't see it happening), but you don't want to count guys like him out, either.
Q. Hey Mike, I was reading a bit about Sebastian Vollmer today and I came across this piece from last year, in which you provided analysis on the Pats selecting Vollmer in the second round. I don't mean to rake you over the coals, but I did get a chuckle reading your comment that "Even though he played on the left side in college, he won't be asked to protect Tom Brady's blindside." Not that many could have predicted his development, but it really is amazing to see how opinions change on a draft after a year or two. At the same time, it got me thinking about how some players work out great in a particular scheme, but might not have the same impact for another team. There were a lot of circumstances that lead to Sea Bass starting for the Pats, but BB [Bill Belichick] and [assistant head coach Dante] Scarnecchia didn't seem to have any reservations about keeping him on the line when [[Nick] Kaczur came back. Do you think that Vollmer was an underrated talent coming into the draft, or do you think the particular circumstances in New England are what has lead to his quick development? -- Jon (Chicago)
A. Great submission, Jon. I like it because it shows how quickly opinions can change, adds some accountability to the process, and shows how some of the media-based draft "scouting" reports influence opinion. A lot of people were wrong on Vollmer, who was an underrated talent coming into the draft (he wasn't invited to the combine). I also think the Patriots' system has aided in his development.
Link to full story here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/columns/story?columnist=reiss_mike&id=5395135
I like Mike's answer, and I think it is certainly an interesting development to watch if you happen to be a Bruins and Patriots fan.
I was glancing at Mike Reiss's always excellent mailbag over on ESPN.com Boston, and I came across an interesting discussion about Patriots offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer, who was a second-round selection of the Pats in 2009, and was considered in some circles to be a reach at the time, and had very low expectations going into the 2009 NFL season. He ended up being the team's most impactful rookie (although you can also make a case for WR Julian Edelman) but, as I read the exchange between Reiss and a Pats fan, I couldn't help but be reminded of the similarity between Vollmer and Bruins '10 second-rounder Jared Knight, who like Vollmer, was not invited to the draft combine, but still managed to sell the team on his merits.
Granted, there's a world of difference between a pro football prospect and a hockey one, but the whole thing has me thinking: could Knight end up being the B's version of Vollmer? A player who was drafted pretty high but without the requisite pedigree, but who comes in an overachieves despite where he was viewed in the public/conventional/media-based scouting reports?
Here's the excerpt from the Reiss mailbag, and I do think that there are some interesting parallels between the two players. Again-- not saying that Knight is going to come in and light it up and be playing in the NHL at 18 (he's got some very limited options and stiff competition up front, so I don't see it happening), but you don't want to count guys like him out, either.
Q. Hey Mike, I was reading a bit about Sebastian Vollmer today and I came across this piece from last year, in which you provided analysis on the Pats selecting Vollmer in the second round. I don't mean to rake you over the coals, but I did get a chuckle reading your comment that "Even though he played on the left side in college, he won't be asked to protect Tom Brady's blindside." Not that many could have predicted his development, but it really is amazing to see how opinions change on a draft after a year or two. At the same time, it got me thinking about how some players work out great in a particular scheme, but might not have the same impact for another team. There were a lot of circumstances that lead to Sea Bass starting for the Pats, but BB [Bill Belichick] and [assistant head coach Dante] Scarnecchia didn't seem to have any reservations about keeping him on the line when [[Nick] Kaczur came back. Do you think that Vollmer was an underrated talent coming into the draft, or do you think the particular circumstances in New England are what has lead to his quick development? -- Jon (Chicago)
A. Great submission, Jon. I like it because it shows how quickly opinions can change, adds some accountability to the process, and shows how some of the media-based draft "scouting" reports influence opinion. A lot of people were wrong on Vollmer, who was an underrated talent coming into the draft (he wasn't invited to the combine). I also think the Patriots' system has aided in his development.
Link to full story here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/columns/story?columnist=reiss_mike&id=5395135
I like Mike's answer, and I think it is certainly an interesting development to watch if you happen to be a Bruins and Patriots fan.
Boston Bruins Prospect Series: #6 Ryan Button
Ryan Button, D
6-1, 195
March 26, 1991
Shoots: Left
Boston's 2nd choice, 86th overall (third round) in 2009
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Does not possess ideal height for a defenseman, but is long-limbed and in very good physical condition. Needs to continue to add muscle mass and strength, his biggest hurdle to making it as an NHL regular. Superb skater with high-end four-way mobility; can accelerate rapidly and use his speed to lead the rush. Very good on his edges, with the ability to make tight turns and change direction in an instant. Excellent athleticism; has fluid movement in his hips when pivoting and can handle the most elusive of skaters who attempt to jitterbug, or the fastest of them who will try to use their speed to gain position on the outside. Comes from excellent athletic stock: father is an accomplished triathlete, while cousin, Jennifer was an Olympic swimmer. Makes a very good first pass and keeps his head up, looking to make the quick outlet. Can carry the puck at speed and lead the rush if he is inclined to do so. Shoots the puck well from the outside, but is more lethal with his wrist and snap shots when he steps in from the blue line and works inside the circles. Has not been all that productive because his team, the Prince Albert Raiders, has struggled to generate a lot of offense in his time there. Could be poised for a breakout offensive season given his age, experience and budding confidence. Solid defensively; takes the body and finishes his checks. Understands positioning and just needs to continue to gain experience and resist the urge to try and do too much. Tough: will drop the gloves and fight to defend teammates and is pretty effective for a middleweight. One scout I spoke to last year believes that head coach Bruno Campese restricted Button's pugilistic activities because of his role and value to the team, but the lack of quantity in bouts is not due to a reluctance on the player's part.
Intangibles: A solid citizen and hard worker who is a good teammate. Works out in the offseason with several Edmonton-based pro players, including Boston fan favorite Johnny Boychuk. Humble to a fault; can be very tough on himself when he doesn't play to his and others' expectations. A leader; has the ability to inspire his teammates through his play or in the dressing room, where he is articulate and confident enough to speak up when something needs to be said. Outworked and outperformed higher bantam selections to earn a spot on the Raiders as a WHL rookie three years ago, so he understands that draft position doesn't mean much-- that it is what you do with the opportunities presented that matter most. Will likely go back to junior for one final year, but has a chance to make an extended stay at training camp in Boston and present himself as a legitimate option for the team in 2011.
2010 Development Camp analysis
Button was arguably the best all-around player for the team at the July camp. He showed off his sublime skating skills at drills and in the scrimmages. The two-way defenseman also outshined other more experienced players with his good decision-making, physical play and offensive production.
Two plays that captured the potential Button brings to the Bruins down the road: in the first scrimmage (Thursday) he took a pass at the left point and drew his stick back like he was going to fire a slap shot. When Jordan Caron moved in close to block the shot, Button pulled the stick down, gathered the puck and zipped around the forward, curling around the left circle and then beating goalie Mike Hutchinson with a bullet snap shot to the short side that knocked the water bottle off the net. The shot was all the more impressive because Hutch catches right, meaning that Button beat him cleanly to his glove side. The second play happened on the second day (Friday) when Button took the puck in the neutral zone, accelerated to the blue line, then put the puck into the right corner. Then, he beat the defender to it in a footrace, fought off the check to maintain control and put a perfect pass out front to a wide-open and alone in front Joe Colborne, who one-timed the shot home.
Button showed off good improvement in his physical conditioning, having grown about an inch since he was drafted and adding good weight and strength to his build. It showed on the ice, and he made a definitive statement about his potential at the next level. Based on his camp performance, he is one player to keep a close eye on at main camp in September.
Projection
A year ago, it was looking like Button would be a solid No. 4 in the NHL, but after a very good second half of the 09-10 campaign and his standout camp performance, he has the tools to be a solid No. 3 and possibly even a No. 2 if he continues to develop the offensive side of his game. His size will not be an issue, as he has the skating chops and will likely be stronger than average given his diligent off-ice work habits. How far he goes and how quickly he makes the jump will likely depend largely on factors beyond his control, as Boston is pretty well stacked with defensemen under contract at present, but if he makes the same kind of statement in September that he did in July, he'll force the Bruins to re-think his timeline a bit. The team was thrilled to land Button in the late-third round in '09, but he struggled in the early part of 09-10. Once he seemed to relax, his production came on and he carried that success into the summer. Watch for him to continue his upward mobility in September.
Quotable
"I'm just a lot more relaxed this year. I know the coaching staff, I know the trainer, I know the general managers; (Don) Sweeney. I just know everyone. I'm a lot more comfortable and I'm not afraid to come ask and I can also help the young guys out. They're here for the first time like I was last year, so I have the responsibility to help them out."- Ryan Button to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
"The first day (at camp) was a lot of team-bonding stuff; having to do stuff together, having to help each other out. Then, the second day was swimming and kind of helping each other again. It was all about helping each other; that was the main thing and objective to help your teammates. It wasn't about yourself, but your teammates. They told us straight out, 'We don't care about you, you don't care about yourself. It's all about your teammates-- it's all about the guy beside you. If they fail, then we all fail.' I think it was really good to start off with that and kind of bond us as a team-- well, we're not a team, but we're here for a good week, so it's good to know the guys and I think it really sped up the process of meeting people and getting on the same page."- Ryan Button, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
"I think it went really well. It started off, and things were pretty tough with The Program and stuff like that, but it got easier as the week went along and it made it a little easier on the players that we could relax and play hockey-- that's the main reason we're here. We're not here to swim in pools or run a million times. We're here to play hockey, and as the week went on, we got to do that and so it was a lot of fun and I feel a lot more comfortable going to main camp now."- Ryan Button, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
"I've been working hard on my strength and my fitness. I think I came here and people told me that I look a little taller, I look a little thicker, so hopefully, I can do that a little more and keep getting thicker before the main camp. I mean, those guys are men out there, so I'll spend more time in the gym so I'm better prepared to handle the size, strength and speed those NHL players all have."- Ryan Button, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
“Actually, physically, he surprised me a little bit walking through the door. I think he hit a little growth spurt during the course of the year. I had seen him out in a very cold part of the world earlier in the year and he wasn’t as physically developed as he is right now. He’s done a lot of bit of work; he’s working with a bunch of pro guys in the off-season and the fruits of those labors are starting to bear forward. So, I’m happy with where he’s at right now. But again, he’s got a long way to go and he understands that. But he’s a good skater and yet you get on the power skating side and dial it down to little specifics and everybody has things to work on.”- Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeney on Ryan Button, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
No player did more to raise his profile in the Bruins organization at camp than Button. He demonstrated all of the positive attributes that had the team raving about him in Montreal when they nabbed him at the end of the third round. Even with the excellent showing in Wilmington this month, Button is not a sure bet to be a top-flight two-way NHL defender, but it certainly looks like he'll play and contribute to some degree because of his athleticism, intelligence and attitude.
6-1, 195
March 26, 1991
Shoots: Left
Boston's 2nd choice, 86th overall (third round) in 2009
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Does not possess ideal height for a defenseman, but is long-limbed and in very good physical condition. Needs to continue to add muscle mass and strength, his biggest hurdle to making it as an NHL regular. Superb skater with high-end four-way mobility; can accelerate rapidly and use his speed to lead the rush. Very good on his edges, with the ability to make tight turns and change direction in an instant. Excellent athleticism; has fluid movement in his hips when pivoting and can handle the most elusive of skaters who attempt to jitterbug, or the fastest of them who will try to use their speed to gain position on the outside. Comes from excellent athletic stock: father is an accomplished triathlete, while cousin, Jennifer was an Olympic swimmer. Makes a very good first pass and keeps his head up, looking to make the quick outlet. Can carry the puck at speed and lead the rush if he is inclined to do so. Shoots the puck well from the outside, but is more lethal with his wrist and snap shots when he steps in from the blue line and works inside the circles. Has not been all that productive because his team, the Prince Albert Raiders, has struggled to generate a lot of offense in his time there. Could be poised for a breakout offensive season given his age, experience and budding confidence. Solid defensively; takes the body and finishes his checks. Understands positioning and just needs to continue to gain experience and resist the urge to try and do too much. Tough: will drop the gloves and fight to defend teammates and is pretty effective for a middleweight. One scout I spoke to last year believes that head coach Bruno Campese restricted Button's pugilistic activities because of his role and value to the team, but the lack of quantity in bouts is not due to a reluctance on the player's part.
Intangibles: A solid citizen and hard worker who is a good teammate. Works out in the offseason with several Edmonton-based pro players, including Boston fan favorite Johnny Boychuk. Humble to a fault; can be very tough on himself when he doesn't play to his and others' expectations. A leader; has the ability to inspire his teammates through his play or in the dressing room, where he is articulate and confident enough to speak up when something needs to be said. Outworked and outperformed higher bantam selections to earn a spot on the Raiders as a WHL rookie three years ago, so he understands that draft position doesn't mean much-- that it is what you do with the opportunities presented that matter most. Will likely go back to junior for one final year, but has a chance to make an extended stay at training camp in Boston and present himself as a legitimate option for the team in 2011.
2010 Development Camp analysis
Button was arguably the best all-around player for the team at the July camp. He showed off his sublime skating skills at drills and in the scrimmages. The two-way defenseman also outshined other more experienced players with his good decision-making, physical play and offensive production.
Two plays that captured the potential Button brings to the Bruins down the road: in the first scrimmage (Thursday) he took a pass at the left point and drew his stick back like he was going to fire a slap shot. When Jordan Caron moved in close to block the shot, Button pulled the stick down, gathered the puck and zipped around the forward, curling around the left circle and then beating goalie Mike Hutchinson with a bullet snap shot to the short side that knocked the water bottle off the net. The shot was all the more impressive because Hutch catches right, meaning that Button beat him cleanly to his glove side. The second play happened on the second day (Friday) when Button took the puck in the neutral zone, accelerated to the blue line, then put the puck into the right corner. Then, he beat the defender to it in a footrace, fought off the check to maintain control and put a perfect pass out front to a wide-open and alone in front Joe Colborne, who one-timed the shot home.
Button showed off good improvement in his physical conditioning, having grown about an inch since he was drafted and adding good weight and strength to his build. It showed on the ice, and he made a definitive statement about his potential at the next level. Based on his camp performance, he is one player to keep a close eye on at main camp in September.
Projection
A year ago, it was looking like Button would be a solid No. 4 in the NHL, but after a very good second half of the 09-10 campaign and his standout camp performance, he has the tools to be a solid No. 3 and possibly even a No. 2 if he continues to develop the offensive side of his game. His size will not be an issue, as he has the skating chops and will likely be stronger than average given his diligent off-ice work habits. How far he goes and how quickly he makes the jump will likely depend largely on factors beyond his control, as Boston is pretty well stacked with defensemen under contract at present, but if he makes the same kind of statement in September that he did in July, he'll force the Bruins to re-think his timeline a bit. The team was thrilled to land Button in the late-third round in '09, but he struggled in the early part of 09-10. Once he seemed to relax, his production came on and he carried that success into the summer. Watch for him to continue his upward mobility in September.
Quotable
"I'm just a lot more relaxed this year. I know the coaching staff, I know the trainer, I know the general managers; (Don) Sweeney. I just know everyone. I'm a lot more comfortable and I'm not afraid to come ask and I can also help the young guys out. They're here for the first time like I was last year, so I have the responsibility to help them out."- Ryan Button to B2010DW, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
"The first day (at camp) was a lot of team-bonding stuff; having to do stuff together, having to help each other out. Then, the second day was swimming and kind of helping each other again. It was all about helping each other; that was the main thing and objective to help your teammates. It wasn't about yourself, but your teammates. They told us straight out, 'We don't care about you, you don't care about yourself. It's all about your teammates-- it's all about the guy beside you. If they fail, then we all fail.' I think it was really good to start off with that and kind of bond us as a team-- well, we're not a team, but we're here for a good week, so it's good to know the guys and I think it really sped up the process of meeting people and getting on the same page."- Ryan Button, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
"I think it went really well. It started off, and things were pretty tough with The Program and stuff like that, but it got easier as the week went along and it made it a little easier on the players that we could relax and play hockey-- that's the main reason we're here. We're not here to swim in pools or run a million times. We're here to play hockey, and as the week went on, we got to do that and so it was a lot of fun and I feel a lot more comfortable going to main camp now."- Ryan Button, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
"I've been working hard on my strength and my fitness. I think I came here and people told me that I look a little taller, I look a little thicker, so hopefully, I can do that a little more and keep getting thicker before the main camp. I mean, those guys are men out there, so I'll spend more time in the gym so I'm better prepared to handle the size, strength and speed those NHL players all have."- Ryan Button, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
“Actually, physically, he surprised me a little bit walking through the door. I think he hit a little growth spurt during the course of the year. I had seen him out in a very cold part of the world earlier in the year and he wasn’t as physically developed as he is right now. He’s done a lot of bit of work; he’s working with a bunch of pro guys in the off-season and the fruits of those labors are starting to bear forward. So, I’m happy with where he’s at right now. But again, he’s got a long way to go and he understands that. But he’s a good skater and yet you get on the power skating side and dial it down to little specifics and everybody has things to work on.”- Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeney on Ryan Button, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010
The Final Word
No player did more to raise his profile in the Bruins organization at camp than Button. He demonstrated all of the positive attributes that had the team raving about him in Montreal when they nabbed him at the end of the third round. Even with the excellent showing in Wilmington this month, Button is not a sure bet to be a top-flight two-way NHL defender, but it certainly looks like he'll play and contribute to some degree because of his athleticism, intelligence and attitude.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Still on vacation, working on prospect series
Yes, faithful readers-- I am still very much alive.
I'm actually enjoying the beach and some time away from hockey and the prospects analysis.
But, will start putting together a few more prospect profiles this week and will be back full bore next week (Monday) to finish up the player-by-player look at Boston's system.
Just wanted to give you and update and let you know to check in tonight or tomorrow for prospect #6-- Ryan Button.
Prospect #7 will be between Brad Marchand, Ryan Spooner and Yuri Alexandrov.
I'm actually enjoying the beach and some time away from hockey and the prospects analysis.
But, will start putting together a few more prospect profiles this week and will be back full bore next week (Monday) to finish up the player-by-player look at Boston's system.
Just wanted to give you and update and let you know to check in tonight or tomorrow for prospect #6-- Ryan Button.
Prospect #7 will be between Brad Marchand, Ryan Spooner and Yuri Alexandrov.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
B's Prospect Series 1-5 in the books, 6-10 coming soon
I've managed to get the top five Boston Bruins prospects (at least as I see it) in the books for you, but I'm headed to the beach this week and next, so I'll do what I can, but the rate at which I post these may be sproradic. I'll do my best, faithful readers.
But, to keep it all centrally located for you, here are the first five with one-click links to 'em for ease of navigation. You already know that Ryan Button is No. 6 if you read all of Jared Knight's profile, but 7-10 will have to be a surprise. One thing D-Camp reinforced to me: while the forward prospects look pretty good, the Bruins really need to do something about the 'D' and goaltending. There are some decent darkhorses, but no one who is really going to strike fear into the hearts of the opposition the way Drew Doughty does. Get ready for a long string of Norris Trophies out in Tinseltown, btw. It's coming. And the goalies? I like Mike Hutchinson, and Zane Gothberg is an intriguing project, but there's not one high-end future NHL starter in the bunch. At least, not as it stands right now.
Well here's your 1-5, at least:
1. Tyler Seguin, C
2. Joe Colborne, C
3. Jordan Caron, RW
4. Maxime Sauve, LW/C
5. Jared Knight, RW
But, to keep it all centrally located for you, here are the first five with one-click links to 'em for ease of navigation. You already know that Ryan Button is No. 6 if you read all of Jared Knight's profile, but 7-10 will have to be a surprise. One thing D-Camp reinforced to me: while the forward prospects look pretty good, the Bruins really need to do something about the 'D' and goaltending. There are some decent darkhorses, but no one who is really going to strike fear into the hearts of the opposition the way Drew Doughty does. Get ready for a long string of Norris Trophies out in Tinseltown, btw. It's coming. And the goalies? I like Mike Hutchinson, and Zane Gothberg is an intriguing project, but there's not one high-end future NHL starter in the bunch. At least, not as it stands right now.
Well here's your 1-5, at least:
1. Tyler Seguin, C
2. Joe Colborne, C
3. Jordan Caron, RW
4. Maxime Sauve, LW/C
5. Jared Knight, RW
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
