Two games down in the Irma adjusted rookie tournament at Ford Ice Center as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators split their first two games over the weekend. Nashville winning on Saturday 4-2 and Tampa winning yesterday 6-1. Here are my observations…
- Overall the scrimmages were very well attended, especially surprising was the crowd that came out Sunday, the game was scheduled for the same time as the Titans home opener.
- From a player perspective, I have to say… I expected much more from Yakov Trenin. He seemed sluggish and out of sync, especially during game one. Trenin had a bit more jump in game two, but still looked like he hadn’t laced ‘em up all summer.
- I was VERY impressed with Tyler Kelleher. The smallish forward signed with Milwaukee late last season after four years at the University of New Hampshire. Kelleher showed speed and skill in both games, posting the first goal in game one and an assist on the only Pred goal in game two. - Tampa rookie Mikhail Sergachev seemed to be out to prove something over the weekend, but he showed that he still has some growing to do. He has world-class talent but needs to play within himself just a bit more… too much coast-to-coast and way too much attitude. Definitely has some growing up to do.
- Emil Pettersson showed well in both games, exhibiting some real skating chops and a nose for the net as evidenced by the multiple goals scored in the third period Saturday. I like seeing a youngster with a bit of a killer instinct and Pettersson showed one.
- Alexandre Carrier was chosen captain of the rookie team and lived up to the C. Scoring on a nice pinch in game one and playing solid positional defense the rest of the time. Speed, hands and great puck movement was in evidence in both games. He looks ready for the NHL and he will be one I will be watching when the vets report. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him compete for and win a spot on the Preds blueline.
- Justin Kirkland and Anthony Richard also came to play, both showing a well-rounded game with good speed.
- One last player that stood out to me was Christian Hilbrich. He scored the Preds only goal in game two, but I was impressed with his speed and his size. Hilbrich is in camp on a PTO after spending last year with Scanton/Wilkes-Barre.
Game three is scheduled for tomorrow at 11am. The game will be at Ford Ice Center
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Well, we got an answer to the puzzling question from early in free agent season… why did David Poile make the deal for Alexi Emelin? I had a source or two tell me that Ellis’ injury was a little worse than expected and that he wouldn’t be back until late December…
While certainly Emelin is no Ellis… the experience he brings will help the blueline until Ellis gets back and give head coach Peter Laviolette a veteran to go to if one of the younger players don’t elevate their game.
There’s a little more riding on these rookie games that previously known…
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Random Notes
- Tonight is Petey’s Preds Party at Bridgestone Arena, part of the annual Preds Foundation/Peterson for Parkinson’s Foundation season kickoff fundraiser. Tomorrow’s golf tournament may be in jeopardy considering that the remnants of Irma may be coming in for a visit.
- The unofficial practices are continuing at Centennial. Most everyone is now in town, ready for report day later this week.
- A good chunk of the vets went to Nissan Stadium yesterday to get the Titans season going as the Preds served as the Titans 12th man. Unfortunately, the boys in Columbia Blue dropped their opener to the Oakland Raiders.
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