Dev. Camp - Day One Observations
Kent Wilson
July 27 2010 08:14PM
I attended both morning sessions for the forwards and defenders today, as well as a good portion of the mixed afternoon practice. Today was more about building some familiarity with the players overall and my observations will build as the week progresses. Obviously one day lacking any sort of game action is a poor barometer for a player's overall effectiveness, but I'll share what stuck with me nonetheless. Here are my thoughts in no particular order:
- Walk-on try out Giffen Nyren is in tough. The Flames defender ranks are packed and his skating is below average by my eye. Similarly, Chris Breen skates about as well you would expect for a 6'06", 225 pound man.
- The concerns about Bryan Cameron's skating are not overblown. He's awkward fundamentally and that combined with his size probably explains why he went undrafted despite putting up some nice numbers. Keep in mind his strengths likely lie in game situations and not in skating drills.
- John Negrin was on the ice in the mornin but is still clearly not 100%.
- Overagers like Josh Meyers and Jon Rheault stood out in a good way. Meyers is solid in all areas and Rheault's quickness and puck skills are evident. That said, being several years older than most of the group puts them at a sizable advantage.
That's the bulk of it from day 1. More after the afternoon session tomorrow.
Good to hear Rheault is doing well. He was fantastic on the Heat at the end of the season last year. Great addition to the system.
Any thoughts on Wahl? This is one of the first times you've seen him in action in person, no?
Nitpickers local #435 would take away my union card if I didn't mention that Cameron was Drafted (3rd Round, 2007) by the L.A. Kings. But point taken you see why he went unsigned.
Was Mickis noticeably better then his peers? I mean, if he's as good as well hope he is one would hope that he stands out amongst his peer group.
Also new kids (Reinhart, Arnold, Leash specifically)... any good/bad things to note?
F@#k Does Mitch Wahl always look creepy in posed photographs.
Hard to take somebody seriously when they don't even know the players name. IT'S Giffen NYREN NOT NYREN GIFFEN. DO YOUR HOMEWORK PLEASE or mix in a proof read.
Edited. It won't happen again Mr. Caps Lock. I promise.
I noticed him, but I was looking for him. In drills like this over a single viewing, there isn't a lot of separation between most of the guys. We'll see how he looks tomorrow.
Backlund has always stood out to me at these things. At this point, it's more about how he does with the big boys.
As for Reinhart et al, I didn't really notice any of them too much. Leach's skating stood out to me in the morning (in a bad way), but he wasn't outrageously behind. Arnold was a bit faster than I thought he would be given his frame. Reinhart didn't catch my eye one way or the other.
@brad
while you are absolutely 100% right in your "nitpicking" (next time kindly show your union card at the door), you MUST admit that giffen nyren is a name that, for the layman, COULD really go either way... ;)
Man, when I saw the photo of Wahl with the lede I got super excited and was hoping for a post proclaiming him the Calgary Flames super prospect.
Oh well, hopefully that post will come today.
Yeah Brad, did you even know who Giffen Nyren was until 960 told you?
I want to know how the following guys look?
1. Carter Bannacks
2. Erixon
3. Whal
4. Bjorklund
Per Vicki Hall's Twitter:
All signs pointing to arbitration going ahead for Ian White. Jay Feaster and Michael Holditch en route to Toronto for Friday hearing. about 2 hours ago via web
http://communities.canada.com/calgaryherald/blogs/insideflames/archive/2010/07/28/don-t-bet-on-last-minute-deal-between-flames-and-ian-white.aspx
damn, let's hope Feaster doesn't decide White isn't "clutch enough"
hows brodie doing??
@Luc
Had the most woooooo's in the shoot out on day one with a spin o' rama. He looks long on skill and creativity.
after watching the hitmen at ice level all year, I didnt see Nyren's problem being his skating - actually during playoffs he was going coast to coast and beating guys to the outside, making plays and driving the net - and he's a defenseman!! - He's got good hands and again, I thought his skating was average...maybe not lightning quick, but looked to be very mobile and agile. the knock against him would have to be that he's a high risk/high reward player..he was driving some fans nuts during playoffs..personally I was digging it, we were calling him "Bobby" whenever he went coast to coast
- to be clear, I'm fully aware that what a player does in junior doesnt necessarily translate to pro, all im saying is that Nyren's skating definitely did not look out of place.