I thought about it, but between how crappy my IPod camera is and how badly my hands shake these days, it would look like some sort of Blair Witch Hockey Camp.
Armia's slick. They haven't had a finisher like this since they drafted Vanek and IMO he's the better skater and is obviously bigger. *drool* They're already working him with Grigorenko too, so the braintrust seems to have the obvious ide of playing the big, talented natural scorer with the big, talented, natural playmaker.
If Grigo and Armia both pan out to be as advertised (and it seems like Armia's well on his way), that sounds like 2/3 of a dreamy top line.
I think they were talking about Roy's son and then about Grigorenko and Gauthier-Leduc and Sylvester claimed that even he could score 30 points in the Q.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skelley
Just out of curiosity if Armia didn't have his military/Assat committment next year does anyone think he could make a legitimate push for a roster spot? (total hypothetical i realize)
No.
Remember that he's 19 years old and that not many 19 year olds make an impact in the NHL.
I think they were talking about Roy's son and then about Grigorenko and Gauthier-Leduc and Sylvester claimed that even he could score 30 points in the Q.
No.
Remember that he's 19 years old and that not many 19 year olds make an impact in the NHL.
He still has plenty to work on.
Agreed. This wasn't exactly filled with d-zone coverage and backchecking assignments. The shinny was... well... shinny. Even if it was blueline to blueline, they didn't really need to do much. And there was no hitting, even if the 2-on-2 and 3-on-2 drills do feature body positioning. I'd like to see him continue to fill out and work on areas away from the puck this year while maintaining or increasing his offensive output.
__________________
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. - Aristotle
No.
Remember that he's 19 years old and that not many 19 year olds make an impact in the NHL.
He still has plenty to work on.
Figured as much, just hearing a lot of good things and am definitely excited for these young guys in a few years. How far off do you think armia is from making the team? Do you see him in rochester for a year after he's done with Assat?
Figured as much, just hearing a lot of good things and am definitely excited for these young guys in a few years. How far off do you think armia is from making the team? Do you see him in rochester for a year after he's done with Assat?
Unless he really wows over the next year and at next summer's training camp, I'd guess they start him in Rochester to see how he adjusts to the NA game and ice surface. If he handles it well, I don't see any reason to believe he won't force himself onto the roster full-time by 14-15.
Who has impressed you most? I'm getting really pumped about Armia.
Remember, I'm the guy who goes to these things and spends time watching the undrafted invitees and stuff. Tough question.... My top four for today:
I'd say Ullmark as I didn't have a lot of expectations there and he did a lot of good things when I was watching. Boychuk reminded me of Winterhawk Boychuk, not Gwinnett-bound Boychuk too. And Adam, a guy who really could use this as a way to right the ship, was potting things left, right and center from LW. Roy for similar reasons to Ullmark, not having expectations and that he's a smaller guy, for him to engage someone like Fienhage and win the leverage/positioning battle, then make a feed for an easy goal? Tasty.
Remember, I'm the guy who goes to these things and spends time watching the undrafted invitees and stuff. Tough question.... My top four for today:
I'd say Ullmark as I didn't have a lot of expectations there and he did a lot of good things when I was watching. Boychuk reminded me of Winterhawk Boychuk, not Gwinnett-bound Boychuk too. And Adam, a guy who really could use this as a way to right the ship, was potting things left, right and center from LW. Roy for similar reasons to Ullmark, not having expectations and that he's a smaller guy, for him to engage someone like Fienhage and win the leverage/positioning battle, then make a feed for an easy goal? Tasty.
Is Roy AHL-eligible, and if so do you think the Sabres ink him? I think we have enough space under the 50 contracts right now.
Did anyone get a good look at Pysyk? I know there's probably a 75% chance we trade him before he ever cracks the big club but I'm curious as to how he looks. I'd like to think that a 1st round D with size and the ability to contribute offensively would be turning some heads in this kind of format.
Did anyone get a good look at Pysyk? I know there's probably a 75% chance we trade him before he ever cracks the big club but I'm curious as to how he looks. I'd like to think that a 1st round D with size and the ability to contribute offensively would be turning some heads in this kind of format.
Did anyone get a good look at Pysyk? I know there's probably a 75% chance we trade him before he ever cracks the big club but I'm curious as to how he looks. I'd like to think that a 1st round D with size and the ability to contribute offensively would be turning some heads in this kind of format.
Pysyk's game is about so much more than offense though. Smart kid with the base the Sabres want in their d-men -- positioning, speed, agility, and a quick stick to break up plays. He looks like he hasn't missed a beat since the end of the EOK season -- probably pressing up the depth chart and it wouldn't surprise if he's seeing some time when the injury bug hits by the middle third of the season.
Pysyk's game is about so much more than offense though. Smart kid with the base the Sabres want in their d-men -- positioning, speed, agility, and a quick stick to break up plays. He looks like he hasn't missed a beat since the end of the EOK season -- probably pressing up the depth chart and it wouldn't surprise if he's seeing some time when the injury bug hits by the middle third of the season.
That'd be sweet. I really hope they can find a way to keep him if they end up trading for a center before the season starts. My assumption is that teams would be after Sekera or McNabb but I don't see parting with either of those two as a good move for us.
That'd be sweet. I really hope they can find a way to keep him if they end up trading for a center before the season starts. My assumption is that teams would be after Sekera or McNabb but I don't see parting with either of those two as a good move for us.
He's not as sexy a prospect as some posters on HF would want since his game is about brains and quickness, but he's on the path to being a fine pro and there are probably GM's who are much more interested than their fans are.
I think they were talking about Roy's son and then about Grigorenko and Gauthier-Leduc and Sylvester claimed that even he could score 30 points in the Q.
Sylvester couldn't score a point in a 3 hour rec league roller hockey game.
Figured as much, just hearing a lot of good things and am definitely excited for these young guys in a few years. How far off do you think armia is from making the team? Do you see him in rochester for a year after he's done with Assat?
Personally I think he'll make the team next year but there's a very good chance he'll end up win Rochester first. His shot and shooting instincts are so clearly ready to contribute, but he's still relatively lanky and still needs to improve in his own zone, especially with the level of responsibility our coach/system ask for.
I think a lot of that decision will fall on how the roster shapes up, as you'd expect. If they trade Vanek next offseason, for example, then I think it's far more likely he gets pressed into the mix.
At this point I personally have no doubts that the guy will make an impact in the NHL but I do think we'll need to be patient with him. The kid's a natural when it comes to putting the puck in the net and in some ways in beating guys to get to the net, but he is raw in his development. I don't remember the exact circumstances but I do remember that he rose through the ranks of Finnish hockey relatively late in his career, in other words he wasn't fast tracked as an elite prospect until much later than such prospects typically are. That's in part what made it so surprising that he rose to be playing against adults in the top league as a 17 year old.
This season will be his third playing in the big leagues with grown men, and I expect a nice step up in his overall game and hopefully in his consistency (avoiding a slow start).
Quote:
Originally Posted by BWidz8930
Did anyone get a good look at Pysyk? I know there's probably a 75% chance we trade him before he ever cracks the big club but I'm curious as to how he looks. I'd like to think that a 1st round D with size and the ability to contribute offensively would be turning some heads in this kind of format.
IMO there's only like a 20% chance they trade him and only because there's a small chance they'll make a big trade and if they do -- if Ennis and Hodgson are truly off the table -- he's one of the few really valuable prospects. I don't see it happening and think it would be a major mistake in most scenarios. He's far more a sure thing to be a top 4 defenseman than McNabb, and the two of them could be our #2 pairing through years of contention.
Did anyone get a good look at Pysyk? I know there's probably a 75% chance we trade him before he ever cracks the big club but I'm curious as to how he looks. I'd like to think that a 1st round D with size and the ability to contribute offensively would be turning some heads in this kind of format.
While he could definitely be a piece in a trade, I think Pysyk has extra value to the Sabres as a RHD. Big #57 is the only RHD on the Sabres roster at this point if I'm not mistaken.
drfinitely loved what I saw from the G's and Armia. Paid most of my attention on that line alone. I gotta feeling im gonna be in love with those 3. Also was very impressed with Freddy Roy
Heading to Triple a all-star game, so if anyone wants to know about specific players, i can provide that later on
4 Leduc: The kid can shoot it, as advertised. I like him in the defensive drills... reminds me a bit of another big-shooting RD draftee who needed time to fill out before he settled into the NHL as a quality player.
Agreed. This wasn't exactly filled with d-zone coverage and backchecking assignments. The shinny was... well... shinny. Even if it was blueline to blueline, they didn't really need to do much. And there was no hitting, even if the 2-on-2 and 3-on-2 drills do feature body positioning. I'd like to see him continue to fill out and work on areas away from the puck this year while maintaining or increasing his offensive output.
He didn't have the opportunity to take any bad penalties either.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skelley
Figured as much, just hearing a lot of good things and am definitely excited for these young guys in a few years. How far off do you think armia is from making the team? Do you see him in rochester for a year after he's done with Assat?
I think it depends on how much he progresses this season.
I like him a lot but he hasn't shown me enough to make me think it'd be a good idea to put him right into the NHL next season.
As for Rochester, I'm probably alone on this but I don't think the AHL is a place for Europeans to develop and don't want him there.
I hope that if he's not ready to play in the NHL in 13-14 that he'll play another season in the SM-liiga, which is a better league than the AHL.
Since he hasn't consistently dominated yet and doesn't have the resume of other Europeans that can jump into the NHL at 20, it's likely that he'll need another year and hopefully his agent has told the Sabres that he's not interested in playing in the minor leagues.
The agency he's represented by has a bunch of other SM-liiga players as clients, so one would think that they'd push hard to keep him there if he's not ready.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GrigsAndGirgs
Is Roy AHL-eligible, and if so do you think the Sabres ink him? I think we have enough space under the 50 contracts right now.
He's not worth an NHL contract right now but if they like him they'll probably bring him back for Traverse (if it's not cancelled), training camp, and Amerks camp.
He's too old to play junior, so his options are to turn pro, make use of his CHL scholarship and go play CIS hockey, or retire.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Paxon
Sylvester couldn't score a point in a 3 hour rec league roller hockey game.
Here's my rundown of a few guys that I found myself paying attention to out there. I had other things that I wanted to say while they were fresh in my mind but I can't remember .
I can't help but wonder if the 4:30 wake up and subsequent training impacted the guys' games.
The standout of the first day was without a doubt Armia. I wasn't expecting him to dominate as he did. One play in particular stands out. During 3-on-2 drills (zone entry, chance off the rush, sustain offense until the d clears the zone), a defenseman (don't recall who) had an angle on Armia to a loose puck on the half wall. Armia lowered his shoulder, beat the guy to the puck, fended off said defenseman and turned it back up ice. Went bar down on Knapp with an explosive shot. Just unreal power and determination, something many have said he's been devoid of in his game. A great showing from Joel, to put it in layman's terms.
Grigorenko's hands were on display, but other than that it was a rather pedestrian showing from Mikhail, I thought. Unlike Chain, I actually like the 3-on-3 blue-line-to-blue-line game as it entails working in tight spaces. He was smooth in these drills and eventually scored the game winner by beating Knapp with a wrister from center or so. He celebrated with the same "fist pump" that he often used in Quebec, which got one of the louder ovation's from the crowd. I can't wait to see him on Wednesday - I'm hoping we see more (he was by no means bad).
Mikhail's draft mate, Girgensons, was as advertised. Unfortunately, the physical side of his game isn't on display in these camps, but you can see some of the offensive potential in him. What stood out to me was the fact that his intangibles were on display. Always front and center when Lindy had the guys take a knee when he marked up a new drill on the dry-erase. He looked like he was having fun with the guys and he was getting acclimated with his new teammates. It was good to see.
Early on, Foligno looked dominant. Even offensively. He had a few dangles around defenseman in the 1-on-1 drills that piqued my interest. I think we all know what we're getting in Foligno, and today he played like a man who knows he's a professional. He played like he knew he was already a Sabre - and not in a bad way.
Ullmark looked confident. He just has a certain...swagger to him. He has a quick glove and looks really smooth in net. I had never even heard of the guy until we drafted him - can one of our more prospect-savvy posters explain why he fell so far?
I loved what I saw from both Pysyk and McCabe. The play a simple game that's just so effective. Pysyk played near-flawlessly while he was out there. McCabe had a miff here or there but for the most part, you could see why the organization had him rated as highly as they did.
Catenacci and Sundher are both fast. I honestly don't have much else to say about them. They can skate and Sundher is creative. Nothing else really stood out from either player (though, as Chain pointed out, I counted at least four posts by D-Cat). It was nice that Catenacci skated this year - he was hurt during the sessions I attended last year.
Adam looked dominant during his session. I had almost forgotten that a confident Luke Adam is a player to look out for. Hopefully others can comment, but was it just me or did Luke look much, much quicker out there today? He showed off some slick mitts and looked like a guy eager to get to camp and prove he can still play - even if there isn't much room for him right now.
Hodgson's smarts and skill were clearly noticeable, but he didn't dominate like I had hoped. When he kept it simple it was effective and usually ended up in the net. Had had some very creative setups.
We already know what we're getting with him, but Tropp skated well, too. Like Adam, he looked eager to get to the real stuff. He's hungry.
Another standout for me (for the second year in a row) was Varone. The guy is quick and hard on the puck. He's not the biggest guy but he's hard to knock off it. I came away extremely impressed by his showing last year and I was glad that he landed an AHL contract. I'm even more glad that Buffalo has him inked, too, as I do believe he'll be a quality AHL scorer. I think there's enough skill there for him to be in the NHL someday, but he's the kind of guy who, without top six minutes, likely won't be in a position to succeed. Minor detail - he led stretches for his group's session. You like to see that, even if in the grand scheme it doesn't matter.
Gauthier-Leduc stood out in his ability to move the puck but he's a lot lankier than I remember him being. Didn't assert himself defensively - he looked timid and unsure. It'll be interesting to see how his play develops as a pro.
Lepkowski moves well for a big man. He seems like he actually has some decent offensive skills but I hope, during his last year of junior, he embraces a role as a shutdown-type player. He's certainly got the size and wheels for it.
I liked Kea and Jacobs. Both play a simple north-south game and both look like they'll have pro careers in third/fourth line roles, based on what I saw today. Both looked comfortable after relatively-shaky starts.
I liked Nelson's game. He drove the net a bunch. He had a nice move on the breakaway drill but rang it off the red. I liked the pick when we made it and I still do. I think there's a lot to like in his game.
Unlike Chain, I actually like the 3-on-3 blue-line-to-blue-line game as it entails working in tight spaces.
Woah, woa, woa. Hang on. I did NOT say I didn't like it. I mentioned that it is not the same as a full scrimmage. It's not going to give a broad scope view of defensive assignments, coverage and long-space hustle, which was the context of the comment about Armia's readiness. I have no issue with them being forced to play in a band box and be in constant motion and transitioning from offense to defense.
Woah, woa, woa. Hang on. I did NOT say I didn't like it. I mentioned that it is not the same as a full scrimmage. It's not going to give a broad scope view of defensive assignments, coverage and long-space hustle, which was the context of the comment about Armia's readiness. I have no issue with them being forced to play in a band box and be in constant motion and transitioning from offense to defense.
My mistake. Based on context, I inferred that you didn't like it.
Even if it was blueline to blueline, they didn't really need to do much. And there was no hitting, even if the 2-on-2 and 3-on-2 drills do feature body positioning. I'd like to see him continue to fill out and work on areas away from the puck this year while maintaining or increasing his offensive output.
