Yesterday, I received a long and detailed series of observations on prospects from Blackhawk Prospect Camp, compiled by reader GoHawks1.
(Thanks, GoHawks1).
I'll share them here, and comment. Obviously, these are the impressions of one observer, likely on just one day, so it is all to be seen as just that—a snapshot and one person's take— but there are some interesting insights here:
"1st, Team C didn't scrimmage. Difficult to see what they really bring when they don't play a game. However, there were some things that were noticeable from Team C.
Let's start with some of this years draft picks: Peeters - They may actually have something here. He moved well for such a big kid. And, at 17, he's likely to get bigger. He stood out head and shoulders (no pun intended) during the practice session of the day. I was impressed. Be interesting to see what comes of him as the years go by.
(Matthias) From – Looks promising as well. Skates well. Thought his physical game was there. Nice shot. Good speed.
Debrincat – I was impressed by him. Hard to know given his size. Passes well. Skates well. Not afraid to go into the corners or into the middle of the ice. Sees the ice well. Seems pretty instinctive. Wouldn’t be surprised with another solid juniors season that he’s on the Hawks next year, or even when his upcoming juniors season is over. No doubt to me the only reason he fell was size."
(Here's where I'll jump in: what's the hurry with DeBrincat? I would say unless this kid is another Patrick Kane—mmmm . . . highly unlikely—there would be no reason to even think of him in the NHL next year.)
"Next up, Nick Schmaltz. This is certainly what you’ll find most noteworthy from this entire message. Didn’t play, so not easy to get a good gauge. Did play well in drills. Came up short where I’m sure most younger kids do, in some of the drills requiring strength. Here’s what stood out most about him, and it wasn’t a positive thing. They did 3-on-3 at either end of the ice, cross ice, inside the blue line. He repeatedly leaned on his knees after his “shifts…, or leaned on his stick, or got down on one knee, behind the rest of the campers as they were lined up on the blue line awaiting their next turn. Is he relying on his skills to get him by? Sounds similar to a just jettisoned Teuvo. Conditioning was definitely way, way, off compared to everybody else there. There wasn’t one other player doing that. On top of it, wouldn’t you think with all of the brass looking on, including your potential coach next year, you would have at least pushed through and not shown any fatigue?"
(My response: he could be on to something here. Or not. Having fought an intestinal bug for the last four days myself, and knowing how "draining" that can be, what if Schmaltz was under the weather, playing through an injury, what have you? Maybe Schmaltz is "leaving more out on the ice" than other players in drills, more effort. Time will tell and this is something to watch or to listen to if it comes up on other observations.)
"I was impressed with Forsling and Kempny. Can Forsling supplant Roszival? Certainly has the talent. And, although young, I think he has the talent to get in good graces with Coach Q. We’ll see when training camp hits. That’s going to be the real test for Forsling obviously."
(Hmmm)
"Although we only saw him in the 3-on-3 games, I was impressed by John Hayden. I truly think he’d have a shot at the team if he didn’t go back to college. He seems adamant though that he’s wanting to finish his college career completely before signing with the Hawks.
Another kid I was really impressed with was Dylan Sikura. Seems to have a nose for the puck. Willing to be physical although smallish. (Definitely needs to bulk up). Seems to have terrific instincts.
On the impressive side still there was the “star… of camp, Alexandre Fortin. Another player who seems to have terrific instincts. I’d like to say he was lucky to be in the right place at the right time in a lot of his scoring situations. But, when a player is repeatedly in the right place at the right time, that’s not luck, that’s instincts, and knowing the game. Even more impressive given the rat hockey nature of the scrimmages. Haven’t read anything about any Hawks plans for him as of yet. I see he wants to sign with the Hawks. He’d be interesting to take a flyer on."
("when a player is repeatedly in the right place at the right time, that’s not luck, that’s instincts"— a great observation—and maybe the Hawks have something to develop in Fortin.)
"I was impressed with Radovan Bondra and Beau Starrett and their skating ability for big guys. It’ll be interesting to see how they develop. Their size would be a nice addition. Couple years at best though.
Two guys who’ve been discussed as possible Hawks this season that I was impressed with were Ryan Hartman and Tyler Motte. While I’ve never had much issue with Hartman’s hockey game, it’s his head that is the concern. We’ll see if he can maintain his composure game to game. Tyler Motte, another who didn’t scrimmage on the big ice. He was very impressive in drills and the 3-on-3 however. I’m looking forward to seeing him at camp. Hinostroza, not really noticeable. Who knows though. Prospect Camp certainly not his focus. Looking forward to training camp for him as well."
So I'll conclude this by saying—again, thanks to GoHawks1—and that we all have to remember, it's Prospects Camp. The "matriculation" rate of players seen here to the NHL someday is pretty low. Eventual NHL players should look really strong—dominant— in these camps.
I'm sure there will be ample discussion on the thread.
JJ