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Impressions after rookie camp |
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The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames capped off their respective rookie camps with two games against each other. The first game went to the Oilers in a 4-3 loss. The next to the Flames in a 2-1 victory.
Three players stood out in particular, but let’s cover a few more than just those three.
Standouts:
Ryan Francis: It’s hard not to notice Ryan Francis on the ice. Despite his size he plays a fearless game in the corners and he reads the play exceptionally well. He made a beautiful one-timer shot off a feed from Cole Huckins to put the Flames up 2-1 in game two.
Jeremie Poirier: I was blown away by how Poirier looked in two games. He looks like a better powerplay quarterback then half of the Flames blue line already. He had easily the best puck control of any player on both rosters. The Flames recently signed the 2020 3rd round selection to an ELC. I had my doubts about his defensive game, but he looked like a future star in two limited showings. He needs to work on his foot speed, but the sky is the limit for Jeremie Poirier.
Martin Pospisil: Pospisil was a roving tornado of infractions in both games. He also has a nose for the net. With three goals in two games, he made a strong case for himself. With two season ending injuries in two straight seasons, a broken leg and a concussion, I’m amazed to see him playing so well. This guy is a Sutter player through and through.
Solid:
Connor Zary: Zary fractured his ankle blocking a shot off of the inside of his leg in game two. It was a great shot block at a pivotal point in the first period, but the shot connected with bone. He’ll be out a few weeks. He showed his speed and hockey IQ in game one. Zary has a knack for getting into the slot at the right time.
Jakob Pelletier: Pelletier’s skating is extremely impressive at this stage of his development. I tried to spot him on the wrong side of the puck and got nothing. That kind of accountability makes it very hard on management to put him on Stockton this year, but chances are that will happen.
Cameron Whynot: You can see Whynot has some jam to his game. He plays a chippy style and handles the puck well. He needs to get a lot stronger to make that style work in the NHL, but his heart-on-his-shoulder style of play is enticing.
Dustin Wolf: Wolf held his own in both games. He looked small in the net on the fourth goal against in game one, but looked otherwise very solid.
Mattias Emilio-Pettersen: Pettersen could have impressed more, but his game was solid. He’s fast and very hard to knock off the puck. His style gets compared to Andrew Mangiapane for a reason. He has motor on him.
Ilya Nikolayev: Ilya missed the first game, but looked impressive in the second. He froze the goalie with a great fake on the first Flames goal. He plays a very quiet game, but he looks good when you do notice him.
Cole Huckins: Huckins had a nice assist on Francis’ goal setting up the one timer. He’s a few years away from being in the discussion, but there’s a lot to like so far from the 6’3” center.
Underwhelming:
Dmitri Zavgorodny: It’s easy to forget about Zavgorodny. A smaller, skilled, Russian left wing who is coming off his first season of AHL hockey — 29GP 1G 3A 4pts. Zavgorodny has good puck skills, but lacks urgency with the puck. If he doesn’t start to produce; he may be going back to the KHL. He had three assists in six games with SKA St. Petersburg last season before heading to Stockton.
Colton Poolman: Poolman looks decent enough with the puck, but didn’t look strong enough on his skates to play at the NHL level.
Tomorrow the Flames face off against the Oilers in Calgary as the preseason begins. It’s looking like it will only be available via radio on the Fan 960. I’ll be in attendance and will be sure to provide a report.
Thanks for reading,
Trevor Neufeld
Follow me on Twitter @Trevor_Neufeld
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