I have never seen him play, looking forward to it. As long as he can play with BST in the playoffs.
Given that we have only 3 current NHL defenseman signed for next year, Unless we resign Reese, I get the uneasy feeling that we may see 2 rookies in our Def 7 next year choosing two from the #1 pick, DeHaan, Donovan and/or Ness . Maybe one UFA and one of Staios/Eaton/Jurcina to round out our 7. So I hope they are ready.
Yoooo, expect it.
These guys like Donovan and de Haan are the Isles' stud Dmen prospects. Throw in the small but crafty Katic and Ness and welp, they just are not likely to be looking for much more back there.
I do however suspect that Reese and Jurcina will be retained.
I think Donovans defensive game is good, but his skating needs a little more work. I'm fine for him coming up for a cup of coffee though.
Maybe I used a poor choice of words. I meant "Strength on his skates." He is always falling down, causing bad giveaways, putting himself in awkward positions. Most likely due to being hit and/or skill of the opposing player. Im fine with his game, just that one thing he needs to work on. Ask any BPT faithful and they will say the same thing.
Maybe I used a poor choice of words. I meant "Strength on his skates." He is always falling down, causing bad giveaways, putting himself in awkward positions. Most likely due to being hit and/or skill of the opposing player. Im fine with his game, just that one thing he needs to work on. Ask any BPT faithful and they will say the same thing.
I have never seen him play, looking forward to it. As long as he can play with BST in the playoffs.
Given that we have only 3 current NHL defenseman signed for next year, Unless we resign Reese, I get the uneasy feeling that we may see 2 rookies in our Def 7 next year choosing two from the #1 pick, DeHaan, Donovan and/or Ness . Maybe one UFA and one of Staios/Eaton/Jurcina to round out our 7. So I hope they are ready.
I have seen him play in college games and the WJHC's. One thing I like about him is, he never stopped jumping into the offensive plays. He's an offensive defenseman, and seeing the results statswise from his first Pro season, obviously he's going to stick with what has worked for him. So many defensemen who have offensive talent rather change their game to be defense first (Amac and Hamonic come to mind, both had excellent offensive stats in juniors), that they ignore the instinct they had to run powerplays and jump into the play. With Streit being the ONLY offensive defenseman we have, I'm hoping Donovan makes the jump to the NHL next season and keeps playing the way he played his rookie season in the AHL. I remember seeing him score a onetimer goal from Stamkos favorite spot, I love seeing a D-man jump up to do that.
These guys like Donovan and de Haan are the Isles' stud Dmen prospects. Throw in the small but crafty Katic and Ness and welp, they just are not likely to be looking for much more back there.
I do however suspect that Reese and Jurcina will be retained.
I'm okay with Reese on a two-way but Jurcina is a big no. Last year he looked like he would be okay in a bottom pairing role but he is completely lost out there this year.
I'm okay with Reese on a two-way but Jurcina is a big no. Last year he looked like he would be okay in a bottom pairing role but he is completely lost out there this year.
Agreed. Reese should be in BP next year as an emergency call-up. I would like to not see Jurcina in an Isles sweater next season. If it came down to one or the other I would rather see Eaton brought back, although I would prefer to let both of them go and upgrade elsewhere.
BTW, I thought Donovan played very well last night. Had a couple of rough spots but that is expected from an offensive d-man playing in his first NHL game. I think he has a real shot at making the team next year.
