I was not able to get to a stream of the CSN broadcast. Being limited to a radio call, I will refrain from detailed comments for now, but because of the volume of interesting developments, I am hoping to loop back and watch game if/when it hopefully appears in the NHL.TV archive.
I figured I would post this, so people who watched the game can chime if they wish and also to offer a couple observations on the radio version of it.
Competition increases
At forward Valentin Zykov had two points in his preseason debut. Julien Gauthier had what sounded like a power forward goal off the rush and added a pass on a 2-on-1 though it was not finished. And Martin Necas name keeps coming up again and again suggesting he is engaged with the puck regularly and making some plays.
My impression of Zykov in the practice sessions I have attended is that he looks a step quicker. As a player who I viewed as having borderline mobility for the NHL level, this would be significant, and coupling it with two points on the score sheet would just make it more interesting.
On defense, following a strong outing by Haydn Fleury on Wednesday, Trevor Carrick notched a goal and an assist to perhaps match Fleury and make it clear that Coach Bill Peters should let the try out play out for the remainder of training camp.
Cam Ward
One goal against is a good number obviously, and per Chuck Kaiton’s call it sounded like he earned.
Dicey on D?
Part of the reason, I am hoping to catch a replay of the television version is to thoroughly assess the defense. Justin Faulk making his first appearance of preseason was front and center in my ‘what I’m watching’ preview, and it sounded like he was in the middle of Evgeni Kuznetsov seemingly running rampant at times in the offensive zone.
He just scores goals
Justin Williams collected a power play tally giving him two of those in two games now.
Hopefully others were able to watch the game and will generously share their observations with the group.
Next up is a pair of games out in western Canada on Monday and Wednesday.
Go Canes!
I didn’t watch the game or even listen to it – I saw some of the video.
Gauthier’s goal was of the type you want to see him make – strong play in the neutral zone, effective use of his body, strong skating towards the goal, and a blistering shot.
That is what he needs to bring to the table every shift.
In no particular order.
~~Williams is not showing any signs of age. He looks like the scorer the teams needed and plays every shift like he has something to prove
~~The Canes should be able to roll three solid scoring lines based on the preseason so far. I have said before I like TT/Staal/Williams, they looked good together last night.
~~Cam Ward is the best backup in the league–he was unbelievable, made great stops, he will be the single factor that gets the team over the playoff drought (surely we don’t want C&C to only have one-sided hyperbole do we?). Seriously, Ward was solid and better than Grubauer, whom many on this site thought might be the best option after Darling as a target last summer.
~~Carrick’s goal had two strong components; a nice pass in traffic from Zykov and a deadly release/location fro Carrick, who played well last night except for being way too passive on the PK that Washington scored on.
~~As tj mentioned, Gauthier finally made me see what Matt has been so excited about. I was underwhelmed by what I saw at the prospect tournament. Even last night, Gauthier lost his edge on two occasions and looked like a non-factor. Then on one play there it was–the 30-goal scorer that Matt has been so high on. A really impressive combination of puck-handling, skating, and a world-class shot. Even the Washington announcers were stoked.
~~Wallmark is making a case for himself. Even the two penalties should not be a detriment, because both were borderline calls. Usually high-sticking is cut-and-dried. But it appeared to me that the Capital player put his stick under Wallmark’s and lifted it inadvertently making it hit himself.
~~Necas is very close–my one concern and it wasn’t assuaged last night is that he doesn’t seem to have scoring touch yet. My fear is that like Aho last season it will take a month or more to come and like last year that may be a minor contributor to the team digging a hole.
Through 4 “meaningless” games, my optimism remains at an all-time high.
I was able to see the game on NHL.tv. What stood out most is our team speed and crisp passing (vets and prospects seem to mesh well which speaks volumes for our pipeline and how we’ve drafted).
Kid line #1 (Necas, Saarela and Kuokannen) were flying all over the ice. Necas’ speed and puck control can be viewed as elite for a prospect. His name was called so much by the Washington broadcast team who raved about his skill. I think he will earn another game or two in preseason with the chance to find the roster opening night. This kid is going to be the steal of the draft.
Kid line #2 (Gauthier, Wallmark, Zykov) were solid and productive scoring two goals. Gauthier driving the right side for a goal, and Zykov feeding Carrick for a one-timer had this group churning. They were good, a few times sloppy, but hungry.
Top Line (Staal, Williams, Teuvo) were very good in my opinion. Williams ability to feed at the net when needed was nice to see.
Nordy, Kruger played a solid PK…and McGinn returned after being cut on the ear after getting hit with the puck. I could see this as a potential opening night 4th line.
It’s hard to get a read on the defense being enamored by Necas, but they were okay (caught in their end a few times with sloppy passing). Agree with the others Ward seemed solid and if he plays like that he’ll be the best backup in the league.
Matt Necas is good, so good that I don’t see how returning him to the Czech elite league or juniors to play against lesser competition aids in his development. Is dominating at a lesser level vs developing at an elite level more beneficial? Good problem to have but in my opinion having nhl caliber coaching and teammates would be more beneficial.
To contrast Even though Gauthier scored an awesome looking goal he looked like he could use a little seasoning at the AHL level which in Necas case isn’t an option.
@haunski I agree on Gauthier, he could benefit from some seasoning in the AHL, but he could be a nasty power forward with his skating, size, and filthy shot he displayed last night. Also, Necas actually DOES have the option of playing in Charlotte due to being European born. Alex Nylander did this last year for Buffalo’s AHL team straight out of his draft year (Rochester if I’m not mistaken). Necas could also be sent to the CHL, I think he was taken by Saginaw of the OHL in the first round of the Import draft or be returned to the Czech Republic. Couple other notes… I’d much rather have Zykov as the 4th line RW with Kruger and McGinn or DiG. He brings some grit, gets to the net, is heavy on the puck and wins battles, and has plenty of offensive upside that Nordstrom just doesn’t bring… I think Nordstrom is the most upgradeable piece this team has. And Trevor Carrick is screaming “hey, don’t forget about me!!” He has a nasty edge, both with playing the body and his willingness to drop the gloves, and has a rocket of a shot which he showcased last night. That’s four points in two preseason games and they aren’t just more or less a lucky product of passing to the right guy. Unfortunately he’s likely a casualty of the numbers game, but he could absolutely help another team and probably fetch a decent offensive prospect in return. I’m trying not to get overly excited about preseason, but Necas looks so good, and Wallmark (he could make this team if the depth wasn’t so strong now) and Kuokkanen aren’t far off either. I wanna see more of Saarela, and am still bummed Nicolas Roy hasn’t been able to get in yet because he could be making a name for himself as well. The veterans all look to be clicking and rounding into shape already, hopefully this will lead to a far stronger start than we’re accustomed to. If Cam can continue to play to this elevated level with a decreased workload it will be a huge boon to the 2017-18 canes, but after he struggled last game I’m not all that confident this will happen. Regardless… I think this team is going to make some serious noise this year and WILL make the playoffs.
I stand corrected….I didn’t realize he (Necas) was eligible for the AHL.
Having Gauthier learn to play more consistently in the AHL seems unanimous. However, I am still not sure about Necas. He “looks” great. But the scoring isn’t happening. Nor did it happen in the Czech league last year. So I can see giving him another season with some serious mature competition in Czech league. I don’t really see that slowing his growth. I do think the CHL might –because if the first weekend is any indication, the Canes have two of the best scorers in junior hockey: Mattheos has 4 goals through 2 games; Elynuik has 2 goals and 2 assists. And Necas did look quite a bit further along then either of them. (By the way Helvig has also been outstanding in 2 games.)
I guess I think there are so many other options (Zykov, Wallmark, etc.) that unless there is almost no chance of stunting Necas’s growth, I would prefer him in Czech league or AHL.
A final note, I think Nordstrom is under appreciated. I noticed last night that he (much like Kruger) not only slows other teams down, but gets the puck so that the next scoring line can take over and immediately be offensive.
Regardless of what I think, I trust BP, RF, and their staff to decide what is best for the current team and the future of the players and organization. Because honestly, none of us expected this much talent in the pipeline nor being acquired. So as much as I like and admire the opinions of folks here at C&C, the people making the decisions are a lot better at it than we would be.
Gauthier being to returned to Charlotte this morning (along with 6 others) – Checkers start training camp tomorrow – indicates management knows that is where he will be this season. But at least he gets to show some great promise (I didn’t realize that Zykov had dug out the puck for him on that play) against NHL players. Hopefully he can build off that success and become more proficient and polished.
Carrick’s play is changing my mind about him – I have been labelling him a career AHLer who was surpassed even by McKeown. It is not so much “his time” – as suggested in a Coffee Shop a week or two ago. He is playing hard to show he belongs – and he may be making it a tough decision to choose between him and Fleury when the final cuts are made.
It looks like Zykov will get another look. And Roy should get into at least one game.
I agree that if Necas had shown any sort of scoring touch this preseason his start at the NHL level would be a given.
And I don’t think people really appreciate what Nordstrom brings to the table for a checking line and on the PK (and effective PK’ers are tough to find). I think he will be very good on Kruger’s wing.
One things for sure, The Checkers should be be in good shape if this preseason has shown us anything about the pipeline. Calder Cup for Charlotte this year?