I'm only going to discuss the guys who impressed me. I watched all of yesterday's game, but was unable to watch all of Saturday's game, only about 10 minutes in total here and there, along with the highlight video. Here are my takeaways:
Forwards:
Fabian Lysell: Obviously he was going to be the first guy I talked about. Jeez, this kid can fly! His speed looked effortless out there, and I was impressed with his ability to move the puck in the offensive zone, despite this being his first game action in smaller, North-American style rinks. He's clearly not NHL ready, but I'd like to see him in Providence this year, just to see how he'd fare against men in these smaller rinks.
Jakub Lauko: I was kinda hoping for a big weekend out of him, and in that way I was a little disappointed. However, he certainly wasn't bad. Like Lysell, his skating seems effortless, and the kid is a speedster. I think he's due for a big year in the AHL, and I hope he earns himself a couple of games with the big club.
Jesper Froden: Despite him being the oldest player at the tournament (by a lot), he really impressed me from what I saw. His shot was incredible, and he seemed to have the offensive instincts of an NHL player. I didn't notice him out there on defense, which I'm not sure is a wholly bad thing. I'm curious to see if he can at the very least put some pressure on guys like Blidh, Kuhlman, and maybe even Wagner to be a healthy scratch or the primary AHL call-up option.
Samuel Asselin: Here's a guy who I was not expecting to like as much as I did. Asselin was a solid pivot for the prospect team this weekend, and contributed a lot via his skating ability and his determination. I definitely don't think he's an NHL type guy yet, but maybe a top six role in Providence this year could really unlock something in him that I haven't noticed from this kid before.
Jack Ahcan: This kid shouldn't have gotten into any NHL action last year, he wasn't ready. But he could be the next undersized offensive-dman for the big club. His offensive instincts are next-level. He controls the puck extremely well, and has the vision to be a great power play quarterback for the P-Bruins this year.
Brady Lyle: Not a flashy weekend from him by any means, but he was a guy who was solid all-around. He tried to limit his mistakes, and when he did make one (he nearly caused a breakaway) he was able to recover. He's probably our best all-around defensive prospect right now, and I think he may be a guy who gets a short stint in the NHL when injuries occur.
Goalies:
Kyle Keyser: I think he punched his ticket to be the number one guy in Providence this year. He was incredible against Buffalo from the little bit of game action I watched live. He displayed his awesome athleticism and an aggressiveness to his game that I haven't really seen from him in the past. With Swayman getting theNHL spot and Vladar shipped off, It may finally be Keyser's turn to shine in the AHL.
Lysell is heading to the WHL this year unless he has some monster camp (i.e. Pasta is rookie year) and even then the WHL is a better fit. Heavy league where he can play against his peers.
Froden is more than likely a call-up if there is an injury. I wouldn't put much stock in a (tomorrow going to be) 27yr old looking good against kids. He was a man among boys this weekend and it showed.
Keyser was slated to be the #1 in Providence this year, even before his play this weekend.
Grosenick will likely be the starter in Providence unless there's taxi squad. Keyser could challenge him and hopefully there are two #1s at the end of the season in Providence.
Grosenick will likely be the starter in Providence unless there's taxi squad. Keyser could challenge him and hopefully there are two #1s at the end of the season in Providence.
I'd be shocked if Grosenick was the #1 in Providence. Guys 32yrs old and a career AHLer
I'd be shocked if Grosenick was the #1 in Providence. Guys 32yrs old and a career AHLer
Exactly, he has 7 seasons as starter in the AHL, has been one of the best G over the past years and was the 3rd string G for LAK last season. Keyser was good last season but has only played 11 AHL games. He'll need to earn it and prove he's ready.
Exactly, he has 7 seasons as starter in the AHL, has been one of the best G over the past years and was the 3rd string G for LAK last season. Keyser was good last season but has only played 11 AHL games. He'll need to earn it and prove he's ready.
The AHL is a development league and at 32yrs old there is no developing left, he is what he is. The guy sat on the Taxi squad most of last year, just like Booth did for Boston.
The AHL is a development league and at 32yrs old there is no developing left, he is what he is. The guy sat on the Taxi squad most of last year, just like Booth did for Boston.
Max Lagace was the starter or at least 1A with Vladar in 2019-20, there are career AHLers that play in the AHL. Sure the AHL is a development league but Curtis Hall didn't play more than Paul Carey because the former is a prospect and the latter a career minor leaguer. Keyser should start as backup first. If he's playing well, then 1A/1B and then, starter. Grosenick is a top AHL goalie so he'll probably be the starter at the beginning of the season.
Max Lagace was the starter or at least 1A with Vladar in 2019-20, there are career AHLers that play in the AHL. Sure the AHL is a development league but Curtis Hall didn't play more than Paul Carey because the former is a prospect and the latter a career minor leaguer. Keyser should start as backup first. If he's playing well, then 1A/1B and then, starter. Grosenick is a top AHL goalie so he'll probably be the starter at the beginning of the season.
Curtis Hall was injured for most of last year. IIRC he got hurt in the first game of the year and didn't return till towards the end of the season. Also tough to compare skaters to goalies since there is only 1 goalie plays vs 18 skaters.
Curtis Hall was injured for most of last year. IIRC he got hurt in the first game of the year and didn't return till towards the end of the season. Also tough to compare skaters to goalies since there is only 1 goalie plays vs 18 skaters.
The main point is there are 1st liners and 4th liners in the AHL. Just like there is a starter and a backup. Keyser hasn't even been a regular backup in the A and you want him to be the starter?
The main point is there are 1st liners and 4th liners in the AHL. Just like there is a starter and a backup. Keyser hasn't even been a regular backup in the A and you want him to be the starter?
To be fair its his 3rd year of pro hockey. His first year he got injured and last year Swayman and Vladar were the guys between the pipes for most of the year. That meant the best thing for Keyser's development was to be the #1 in the ECHL, which he was. What's better for Keyser's development now? the answer is getting reps and facing shots. There is is still development and upside with Keyser, there is none of that with Troy. At this point Troy is a veteran AHL goalie and mentor for Keyser.
To be fair its his 3rd year of pro hockey. His first year he got injured and last year Swayman and Vladar were the guys between the pipes for most of the year. That meant the best thing for Keyser's development was to be the #1 in the ECHL, which he was. What's better for Keyser's development now? the answer is getting reps and facing shots. There is is still development and upside with Keyser, there is none of that with Troy. At this point Troy is a veteran AHL goalie and mentor for Keyser.
To be fair its his 3rd year of pro hockey. His first year he got injured and last year Swayman and Vladar were the guys between the pipes for most of the year. That meant the best thing for Keyser's development was to be the #1 in the ECHL, which he was. What's better for Keyser's development now? the answer is getting reps and facing shots. There is is still development and upside with Keyser, there is none of that with Troy. At this point Troy is a veteran AHL goalie and mentor for Keyser.
Indeed that's why he'll get reps by starting as backup. If he's playing well, he'll get more and more starts.
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