GrassValleyGreg

Like many, I was not a huge fan of this pick at the time. My limited reading and viewings showed a skater who played on the periphery and was uncomfortable winning puck battles and going to the front of net. I was also obsessed with the idea of getting a player like Ohgren at 16 to match with a high skill guy like Savoie. But the more I read, the more excited I get about Östlund 's high level of playmaking skill (higher than Savoie's in my opinion) and his extremely high ceiling, especially when he adds the weight and confidence to go in the dirty areas. There's also advanced metrics out there that show he drove the Lekki/Ohgren line, which eases the pain of missing out on Ohgren. Similar to Savoie, Östlund has been on scouts' radars for some time. From Draftin Europe: a big favorite since 2020, Östlund has not let down our high expectations since. He had to fight through different injuries during this year and one could argue he didn't take as much of a step forward as some of his peers, but finished his draft season in style with a strong showing at the U18s despite a sore shoulder (a carryover from the Swedish junior playoffs), leading his team to an unlikely Gold Medal. At 15, he was already showing on-ice awareness that most pros don't possess. If you want a strong dose of hopium, I recommend reading Draftin Europe's draft guide, which is currently free and can be found here. They have Östlund as the third best player out of Europe with a Top 5 grade (note: these guys also had Seider and Pettersson as Top 5's so they have a record of going against the grain and actually getting it right). Strengths Östlund is a natural, he’s one of those players that have an instinctive and thorough understanding of the game. At 15 he was already showing on-ice awareness that most pros don't possess. It’s an easy trait to recognize, not only in his play with the puck, but also in his play without it. Noah uses his IQ and vision to be a consistent defensive factor despite limited size, displaying tremendous on-ice attitude and work rate. He is relentless in his efforts and that attitude is, in fact, what we feel really separates Östlund from other prospects. It's particularly rare to find a teenager who plays such a skillful game and at the same time possesses the will (and the cardio) to go after the puck time after time. The combination of that innate perseverance with his ability to read the play and his deft stick work allows him to take away many pucks from the opposition. Östlund is capable of setting up his teammates as soon as he gets possession. Alternatively, he can go to work himself building up the play. His skating agility and stickhandling prowess make him an elusive puck carrier. He can find his way through traffic when attacking the offensive blueline. When being chased with the puck, he regularly relies on fakes and quick turns to create separation. He shows good instincts to protect the puck (positioning his body well to complement his puck handling), usually keeping it out of his opponent's reach. As he buys himself some time with the puck, Östlund can find open teammates in the offensive zone, even when they aren't an available option at first. He remains a deceptive player when he gets closer to the boards as well. He doesn't play scared in any way, and is able to turn in tight spaces to find a way out (between the wall and the pressing opponents), often drawing two players before quickly dishing out the puck to a supporting teammate, who got open as a result of Östlund’s movement. Noah plays with his head up and dances on top of the ice. He has a low center of gravity and wide base and can explode out of tight turns. He makes deep cuts and abruptly shifts his weight and changes direction. He is nimble, slippery, creative, and highly skilled. He is opportunistic around the net and contributes in all three zones. He can be relied on in all situations including first unit powerplay and penalty kill. His traits make him a prime option for top duties on both special teams and at 3-on-3 in overtime. He is the kind of player who still brings a positive contribution to his team overall in his less effective games. He can grind and make his presence felt on the forecheck. His motor, quickness of play and compete level are truly remarkable. He can move the puck in stride within milliseconds, as he processes the game like a chess master steps ahead of his opponents. Weaknesses We feel like most shortcomings in Östlund's game come from his current lack of strength and power. He has good shooting mechanics including a deceiving release, but will need to add power to become a respected shooter at the senior level. He is probably never going to be much of a long-range shooting threat, but becoming more of a threat from mid-range would make it more difficult to defend him off the rush. Noah is effective one on one as he usually finds his way around his opponents, but once physically engaged it becomes difficult for him to keep going. He gets bounced around pretty easily. While he is capable of finding his way through to the middle of the ice with the puck, we feel he doesn’t do this as often as we’d like. Trying to get to the inside more regularly, however, is another thing that may go hand-in-hand with physical growth. Attacking wide in smaller NHL rinks may prove to be more complicated and could expose him to frequent checks along the side boards. Östlund will need to physically develop before making a significant impression in professional hockey. We are positive this will happen, however, given his character and work rate.

My joy with the Kasper pick would quickly subside at 16 and turn to anger at 28. Chesley especially is a guy who can't break it out of his own zone. I may still be scarred by Risto but I want nothing to do with high compete, low processing defensemen.

Yes this is the point, which is why your distinction of LHD isn't really relevant and why I grouped our defensive prospects as more or less a single cohort (especially in discussing a player like RJ who can play both sides).

I'm not calling LHD a glaring organizational weakness per se, rather identifying our fairly empty cupboard of defensive prospects outside of Dahlin, Power and Mule.

This signing would be a huge boon for what is now a glaring positional weakness in our pipeline. I'm not sure if it was Lance or Chad, but its been reported there is newfound optimism in him signing. The closing pitch may come next week at development camp, where his peers and overall vibes could tip the scale. I'm hopeful.

Appreciate your opinion, Flash. It is pretty interesting where EP / Youtubers have Nazar compared to where some of the insiders have him. I'll guess we'll find out what the league thinks tomorrow.

Names I'm rooting for per draft pick: 9) Savoie, Kasper, Nazar 16) Ohgren, Mintyukov 28) Firkus, Trikozov, Mesar, Howard, Havelid, Odelius 41) Lund, Lutz, Goyette Others: Sykora, Ludwinski, Haight, George, Hamara, Minten, Sapovoliv, Greene I think I'm most excited about our 28/41 picks. There's just so much talent there.

As mentioned, skating is the overriding concern. From Elite Prospects: "His hunched-over stride affects every aspect of his game, not only his speed and agility. It limits his ability to lean against opponents to cut toward the net, to dangle them off the rush (as he can’t shift his weight smoothly enough to sell defenders on a fake), and to recover the puck after a mistake. McGroarty had no issue matching the pace of USHL opponents this season, but as he rises in level, his strength and motor might not be able to compensate for his inefficient stride mechanics". All that said, he has to be one of the higher character guys in the draft. I also think he has the skill and mind to overcome and improve the skating technique. I'd be ok with him as a safe pick at 28. Not so much at 16.

My hot take is Gleb is the only Russian forward in this year’s draft to find a high level of success in the NHL. I understand Yurov’s points comps in the MHL, but I really don’t see any elite skill in the offensive zone (maybe his forecheck?). Miroshnichenko is also getting a bit overrated in my opinion. Folks tend to think he’d be a top 10 lock if it weren’t for his passport and health concerns, and we’d be getting a hell of a discount if he fell to us at 28. But I just don’t see it from my limited viewings. He’s a consistent threat on the power play with his shot, but there’s a pretty consistent chorus of critique from scouts for his off the puck play (“floating”, “constantly trailing the rush”, “getting lost”). Add in the so called “Russian factor”, and I’d rather we pass on these two. There’s simply too much high ceiling talent in the top 41 to justify the risk. Gleb on the other hand…

Definitely agree on Kulich and Snuggerud, but all the advanced stats I’ve seen on Trikozov are top of class, especially in transition and offensive data (albeit in a weak league). Not to mention the fact he’s one of the youngest players in the draft with an August birthday.

I'm a fan of Beck as well. I'd be happy with him at 28, especially if we target high skill guys with our first two. If we land Kasper and/or Ohgren though, I'd want to swing for the fences on a high ceiling guy like Firkus later on. My sense is teams know whether his body can add another 25 pounds or not. If they think he can, he'll likely be gone by our pick. He projects very similarly to an Alex DeBrincat; an absolute elite arsenal of shots.

Count me in the pro Firkus camp (although I didn't -- and still don't -- mind the Rosen pick). I'm working on some short write-ups on my top targets for the 16, 28 picks. So far, among the forwards, Jagger's there, along with Gleb Trikozov and Filip Mesar. Obviously I'm not a guy who disqualifies an 18 year old on size alone.

Elite Prospects did a deep dive on Marco a couple days ago with in depth video made available to the public. His skating: His physicality: How he scores: He makes his living at the front of the net, showing great creativity and hands in tight spaces and the ability to elevate the puck quickly and finish. Many see a low ceiling for Marco but I see a 30+ goal, glue guy as most likely outcome. Goal map: His passing: I called him a pass first center in my first write up but on deeper dive, I'm not so sure that is the case. Still, he has solid vision and I really like how he opens his hips and uses his edges to see the full ice.

The Athletic just published some insider quotes from scouts and execs on some of the more interesting and debated prospects heading into the draft. Pretty long write up from Pronman so apologies if the length here is obnoxious. Some key names/debates that have been discussed on Sabrespace: Geekie v. Savoie: “Geekie. He’s a true center, I’m not convinced Savoie is a center and it’s close enough that teams will take the center.” ; “Savoie. He has legit top six offense. He has NHL pace, skill, compete. Geekie is just big and has skill, but there’s no motor in his game.” ; “Savoie is too power-play reliant. I don’t see him driving a line in the NHL. Geekie will at least be able to use his size to win battles and help you a bit at evens so I lean Geekie.” ; “I want to love the idea of Geekie but when I actually watch the ICE, Savoie just accomplishes more.” ; “I would take Savoie. He’s a really good player, he will be a top six guy in the NHL. Geekie has the better toolkit but I think he can be too indifferent some games.” ; “Geekie has a lot of upside, he’d have bigger point totals on a different team. I buy him as a top six NHL center so my preference would be him.” ; “When he’s on, it’s Geekie. He’s a big center who can be physically imposing on his opponents and has legit skill. He’s so in and out though, so my preference is Savoie, who I think is much more consistent.” Takeaway: This seems to come down to scouts' preference on size, with some obsessed with a big bruiser at the center position. I'm always skeptical of young skaters who can be "physically imposing" on their age group. Such a wide range of size and maturity at that age that often does not translate to the pros. It sounds like most agree Savoie is relentless, which I've read before and is a trait I really gravitate towards. First I've heard of Geekie being "indifferent" and having "no motor", but as someone who was not a fan on limited viewings (can't get over his skating), count me out. Kemell v. Lekkermaki: “Kemell for sure. He has the skill and the shot, but he has an edge to his game. Lekkerimaki doesn’t get inside, can’t push a line by himself.” ; “Lekkerimaki would be my choice. Kemell is a good player, plays hard, but Lekke has a lot more skill and offensive upside.” ; “It would be Kemell. There’s more pro there, the compete is quite good, and you saw how well he did versus men this season when healthy. Lekkerimaki there’s a lot of talent but a lot of projecting still left to do.” ; “I would guess Kemell just based on what he did production-wise in Liiga. I think both are a little overhyped. There was a time where you thought both could go top 10, but I think one if not both of them will slide out of that range. It’s hard to sell your GM on small wingers who aren’t special at the top of the draft.” Takeaway: This confirms some things I've read and seen with Lekker. I'm nervous about the reliance on his shot from outside of 20 feet and his unwillingness to get into the dirty areas. I feel like I've read this same type of scouting report for Swedish players for years now, with many more resulting in Alex Nylander than Elias Pettersson. I'm not super high on either of these prospects. Lambert: “If you’re thinking of stepping up in the top 10 or 12 and taking him thinking he’s so talented he’ll figure it out, you’re kidding yourself. In the back half of the first when the next best alternative has nowhere near the tools he has then it will start to make more sense.” ; “I would take him somewhere in the teens. He didn’t have a great season, but you have to remember all he’s done before, and how good the skating and skill package is.” ; “He’s not for me. I’ve seen little progress in his game year over year. The skating is awesome but there’s not much else there that interests me, lot of circling the perimeter, doesn’t make many plays. We’ll let someone else take him.” ; “People talk about how talented he is, but outside a couple World Junior games when I watched him this season he didn’t really accomplish anything. If I had a top 20 pick I would hope to get a better player.” Takeaway: No thanks. Marco Kasper: “I’m in on him as a top 15 pick, maybe even top 10. His compete and character are excellent. The offense isn’t all-world, but he has good skills and plays a pro-style game.” ; “I think you’re for sure getting a player. He’s a third line center all day. Can he be a 2? I’m not sold there’s enough offense there.” ; “I’ve thought third line forward most of the season, but towards the end he started to persuade me there may be more offense to his game. I could buy a second line center but top 10 seems a little rich.” ; “I think he’s a stud. If we had a top five pick he would be in our conversation. I think he does a lot of things at a clear NHL level.” Takeaway: Marco brought me out of a 3 year posting hiatus so I think you all know how I feel about him. I'd be ecstatic with him at 16. I have a similar takeaway after my deep dive on him to the quote about his improvement over the season. No questioning on his character, drive/motor, and development arc. I understand concern of a third line center ceiling, but I just think his skill set exceeds that. Best Dman after top 2: “Denton Mateychuk. Kevin Korchinski and Pavel Mintykuov have the flashy talent but they don’t play defense. Mateychuk can make plays and competes in his own end even though he lacks size at 5-foot-11.” ; “I think Mintyukov would have the slight edge on talent, but due to his Russian passport I would take Korchinski.” “I say Korchinski but with the caveat that I think it’s a massive drop from 2 to 3 on the D list. I wouldn’t take any non-Nemec/Jiricek defensemen in the top 15.” ; “It’s Lane Hutson for me. I get the size concerns but all he does is makes plays. He’s an elusive skater, and he has a high compete level. He was one of the best players in every game I saw him.” ; “It’s for sure Korchinski. He could be a top 10 pick. He’s a dynamic player, a guy you’re projecting as the next Shea Theodore.” ; “It’s Korchinski for me. Don’t over think this one. He’s 6-2, he’s a great skater, he makes a ton of plays. The upside is really high in his game.” Takeaway: Admittedly need to do a lot more work on defensemen, but really like what I see from Mateychuk. Again, it's mostly a size thing with some scouts completely discounting a player because they have some strict player prototype in their heard Excited to dig in deeper on these three, especially Mintykuov who Curt and LGR (two perspectives/opinions I often seek out) both mentioned him on previous pages. Do Korchinski / Mintyukov defend well enough?: “I think both are overrated for that reason, I don’t think either think it well enough in their ends or care enough about defending. They get you excited with their rushes and o-zone play but they’ll frustrate the hell out of coaches.” ; “I’m not as worried about it with Korchinski. The ice tilts when he’s on the ice, he must be doing something right in his own end. Mintyukov I don’t think tries to play defense, but I think part of that is what the team told him to do.” ; “Mintyukov is a little wild with his pinches, but he plays hard and can be heavy on his checks. I think you can work with him. Korchinski just never engages physically, I’m worried he’ll get pushed around in the NHL.” ; “Do I think they’re great defensively? No. But I’m not that concerned about it. They’ll generate so much offense and help you in transition that on balance you’ll be really happy to have them on your team.” Takeaway: Something I'll definitely keep an eye on when I dig a bit deeper. Does Bichsel have enough offensive upside?: “Not for me. I like him but I don’t see enough there to do it in the first round. He’s just big and physical.” ; “I think so. People are sleeping on this guy, not dissimilar to how they slept on Moritz Seider in his draft year. I don’t think he’s as good as Seider, but there are rhymes in their games.” ; “If he’s top four, it’s a No. 4 probably due to the puck-moving game.” Takeaway: Feel some people are obsessing with his size, especially in the context of how nicely he'll fit on our back line. I'd be prefer someone else at 28. Can 5'11'' Mateychuk play top four minutes in NHL?: “Where a lot of the public lists have him like top 15 is rich, I just don’t think that’s reality and where he fits in a draft. Once you get to 20-25, that’s where it starts to make more sense, where the talent level will be so much higher than the alternatives you’re willing to take on the size risks.” ; “I like him. He steadily grew on me as the season went along. I think you can get higher upside defensemen in the front half of the first like Korchinski and Mintyukov, but in the back half he’s more in play for us.” ; “I don’t see it. I get the skating and the skill, but there aren’t many top four D who look like him.” ; “I’m a believer. He makes a ton of plays, his team always has the puck when he’s on the ice. His skating is excellent so I think it will work in the NHL.” ; “If he was 6-1 we would be talking about him in the top five of the draft.” Takeaway: He won't be there at 28 and I'd prefer two forwards at 9 and 16, but I'm a really big fan on limited viewings. (Again, it's so frustrating to hear some of these scouts obsess with size! Not sure what he measured at the combine, but 2 inches is the difference between top 5 and back half of draft?!). How high can Gauthier go?: “I think he could go top three, he has immense pro potential. I’m not sure Cooley is a better pro prospect.” ; “He could be a top five pick for sure, especially for a team that covets those big, fast, hard type of players. I wouldn’t rule out even top 3, although top 5 is more realistic.” ; “I would project him between 4-8. I would guess that’s where most of the league has him, with a third higher having him higher or lower than there.” ; “He will go top 10, but I would personally have reservations on him there. The tools are awesome, he’s big, fast, strong, can shoot it as well as anyone but his brain concerns me.” ; “He’ll be a top 10 pick but his ceiling is 6. I think there’s a grouping at the top of 5 players: Wright, Cooley, Slafkovsky, Nemec and Jiricek who have distinguished themselves." ; “He’ll go somewhere between 4-7. I think he’s a guy teams will keep talking themselves into bumping up their list as draft day approaches due to how toolsy he is.” Takeaway: Like most, I would love him at 9 but he won't be there. I know some here don't think he has the playmaking ability to warrant a top 10 pick, but I feel his hands and vision are (or at least were) underrated. The brain/intelligence comment is interesting and supports the playmaking critique. Third best USNTDP after Cooley and Gauthier?: “It’s clearly Nazar for me. His skating is awesome, he plays on the inside, he has a lot of skill. I think the potential there is really enticing.” ; “I would take Snuggerud. He’s continued to get better and better, he’s so far ahead of where he was a year ago. He’s big, skilled, competes, and can score. I think he’s scratching the surface.” ; “I saw the remark from Nazar about your scouting report that he can be like Brayden Point. That’s high, but I don’t think he’s that far off. He’s a big time talent whose game will work as a pro.” ; “It’s Rutger McGroarty. His compete is elite, he has skill, he scores, he has good hockey sense. The feet are tough but you know he’s going to work at it to improve that area.” Takeaway: I see Nazar as clearly ahead of Snugs and McGroarty, mostly because of the latter two's skating. If our scouts feel this can be improved significantly for one or both of them, I'd be open to them at 16 (McGroaty and then Snugs), especially because their character and vibes are off the chart. The Nazar character rumor wreaks of BS, although I haven't read anything openly positive there. I'm sure Sabres have done their due diligence though, and if they are comfortable with him, he'd be a dream at 16. Lane Huston: “I love watching him play, he’s probably one the most entertaining players in the draft, but I can’t see us picking him, I just don’t see it working in the NHL.” ; “I’m a believer. Torey Krug, Jared Spurgeon, Matt Grzelcyk, this guy’s next. He’s a unique small defenseman.” Takeaway: Size! Yurov and the Russia concern: “I can’t see a team considering him in the top half of the draft. He’s top 10 on talent, but if he’s close to the next best player the GMs are going to pick the next best player. I don’t think serious conversations start with him until about 20.” ; He won’t go close to where he belongs on talent, but after 15 I think it’s going to be too tantalizing for a team. He’s a big-time player.” ; “Everyone’s going to have a top tier of guys. For some it’s 8, 10, 12 players deep. It will depend. After those guys are all gone, you have to start talking about Yurov because the next best guy on your list won’t be close to the player he is.” ; “I think he could get out of the first round or go very late in the first. We love the player, but I think there’s going to be a lot of pressure on managers to not go that route.” ; “We’re not picking any Russians, I can tell you that. Those orders came from way over my head.” Takeaway: If he somehow drops to 28 because of some informal collusion across teams, we should absolutely take advantage. Won't happen though. Best chance to crack top 10 outside of usual consensus: “Kevin Korchinski. He kept getting better as the season went along. He’s got a lot of pro upside.” ; “Jiri Kulich. He looked the part in front of a ton of general managers and scouting directors in Germany at the U18s. I think that will be influential.” ; “Noah Ostlund. He was the best player at the U18s even if he wasn’t named MVP.” ; “It’s Korchinski. He’s a lot closer to Jiricek/Nemec than most people are giving him credit for.” ; “Nathan Gaucher. He’s a big right-shot center, he plays hard, I think there’s some offense there. He played well in front of a lot of GMs at the CHL showcase game too.” ; “It’s not the question you asked, but I think people are sleeping on Lekkerimaki in the top five. When you talk pure skill and offensive upside there aren’t many better in this class.” ; “Marco Kasper is my vote. He finished very well between the SHL playoffs and the Worlds. There’s a lot there to like from an NHL standpoint, he’s shown he can do it versus men, and he’s highly competitive.” Takeaway: No real surprises here. Korchinski top 10 could make our pick there even more interesting (e.g. does Kemell slide?). Need to watch some Kulich tape as a potential pick at 16. Most overrated in Top 10: “Joakim Kemell. I like the shot and skill, but I don’t see him as a driver in the NHL. I think he’s close to a finished product physically too.” ; “I think it’s Lekkerimaki. He’s got great skill and an elite shot, but I think he can be a bit of a passenger at even-strength. He drifts to the perimeter, can’t be the engine on a line. On the power play you love him, but I want more at the top of the draft.” ; “Probably Yurov and it has nothing to do with the player — just due to his passport. He may not go top 20.” ; “I don’t get the Conor Geekie hype. I get the big center thing. We all want big centers. He has skill but it’s not elite skill, he doesn’t skate that well and his compete is average at best.” ; “I think it’s Shane Wright. For a guy who is a presumptive No. 1, when I watch him it doesn’t jump out to me. I have to put the pieces together and overthink on why he’s No. 1. It doesn’t mean he’s not great but at the top spot I want it to be obvious.” ; “I would struggle taking either of Savoie or Lekkerimaki where they’re projected right now. They are great players, they will score in the NHL, but I’m not convinced you win with players like that.” ; “I’m guessing it’s Kemell. He kinda came back to earth in the second half of the season after that run he went on. That 5-foot-9 ½ measurement at the combine didn’t help his cause either.” Takeaway: Don't disagree with many of these assessments as I am lower than most on Kemell, Lekker and Geekie. Informal poll: Best skater: Cooley, Lambert, Nazar Best puck skills: Cooley, Del Bel Belluz, Isaac Howard, Kemell, Lekkerimaki, Neuchev, Trikozov, Shane Wright, Yurov Best hockey sense: Del Bel Belluz, Lane Hutson, Mintyukov, Nemec, Ostland, Slafkovsky, Wright Best shot: Gauthier, Kemell,Kulich, Kyrou, Lekkerimaki,Slafkovsky Most competitive: Bichsel, Gauthier, Jiricek, Kasper, McGroarty

Agree that Kasper seems like a Red Wing type of pick, especially if Yzerman's stable of Swedish scouts see what many others are beginning to. And I understand the comp to Z to a point, and the obvious trepidation of wasting another top draft pick on a high energy guy. But I'd say Kasper has loads more skill. In my opinion, he's a high skill forward with some bite to his game, whereas Z was a bruiser with some skill who mostly outmuscled his peers in the USHL. Kasper certainly isn't outmuscling most in the SHL.

Count me in @dudacek / others camp with Gauthier. But I also expect him to be gone by 9 -- shooters with that size and skill don't come around often -- so a player I've really started to hone in on is Marco Kasper. While he'd be a dream at 16, I could see a scenario where he continues his rise to 9. Here's why I wouldn't be mad about it: For one, I think he is the most NHL ready prospect in the draft. He played 46 games (>11 minutes per) in his second season on one of the best teams in the SHL, and finished the year strong with 6 points in 13 playoff games. He also "played very well for Austria’s senior team, including four points in three games performance at a tournament in November and a major role for their World Championship team" (Athletic). The tape I've seen confirms this -- he was consistently leaned on to carry the puck through the neutral zone and gain zone entries, which he did often and with ease against men. What I really love about Marco is his reputation as a "wrecking ball" and "violent" skater (again, mostly playing men). From Elite Prospects: "Kasper starts every game by taking a run at someone along the boards. He looks for every possible opportunity to run into someone, limited only by his lack of strength. But Kasper’s physicality isn’t mindless. It’s integral to his game. He seems to thrive when turning hockey into pinball. Because when he’s locked into the physical aspect, he’s also winning footraces on pucks, turning board battles into inside-lane attacks, and stretching the ice with well-timed sprints to the opposing blue line." There's a bit of pest to his game and you can see him getting under opposing team's skin. When matched with his level of skill, I see Marco as the player type KA is looking to build around. I'd call him a powerful two-way, pass first center who can easily slot in to the Amerks top 6 or even the Sabres 3rd line out of camp (at least for the first 9 games). I see some Mason McTavish to his game and I can see him taking a similar path in his first year. He's a dynamic skater who pops off the screen when he has the puck, especially when he's able to gain speed through the neutral zone. He's got some dangle to him and is slick in tight spaces, especially around the net (where he drives consistently). He has great vision and is creative with his passing. It's also no surprise that he's a puck hound who is aggressive on the forecheck and in his own zone. He saw PK time in the SHL. He needs to improve his wrist shot and add strength, but has a great frame at 6'1" 200 lbs frame and is extremely coachable according to his SHL coach. All character reports I've read are positive. I haven't seen him talked about much on the draft threads so curious to hear what others think.

Sobotka is clearly not a good offensive forward but no other player can provide the faceoff support needed for a center who's started the year 7 for 24 in the circle. Surprised he has not taken more in the first 2 games, but I expect that to change if Marcus continues to struggle.

I know the Jets have been struggling, but shocked at how little confidence they are playing with. Laine has been non-existent. (knock on wood)

We've controlled the play for 2 periods now. It would be nice to be rewarded with 2 points.

Sobotka gets a lot of deserved heat on here, but there's little doubt that KO is the most stifling offensive player we have.

Confirms what many have seen with their eyes.

Its their development plan for one of our top prospects, which includes variables beyond advanced metrics (e.g. Tage's confidence, his adjustment to NHL speed, etc.). Sometimes The Plan will outweigh optimal lineup. It's a calculated sacrifice for sure, but you'll just have to trust the player/human level assessment from the kid's head coach and GM or else you'll drive yourself crazy. Definitely an easier decision to make when winning.

Will you two please shut up? Take it off the boards

Pretty sure that was the first MTL possession in our end, with less than 8 minutes remaining. Almost entirely due to two lazy plays from Berglund. Our possession game these last two games have been so impressive and foreign to the last 8 years.

The home ice is tilltttedddd big time