Nice to see some hockey during the summer as the Predator Prospect Camp hit the ice today. My initial impressions…

Ryan Ellis – Yes he’s not a big kid… but he is tenacious. Good with his stick. Good hands. I caught quite a few very good passes. Really showed well in the one-on-one drills at the end of the session.

Nick Spaling – I noticed him on the ice constantly. Hard on the puck, was good on both sides, looks to be a complete player. Spoke to both assistant coaches who were very high on him.

Blake Geoffrion – I have to say… it’s funny to watch a kid you saw play as a nine year old actually be part of a professional camp. It may be commonplace in Canada, but it isn’t in Nashville. Blake showed an exceptional defensive game, he shows progress with each passing year.

Chet Pickard – Technically sound, positionally solid, Chet will do well in Milwaukee this season. He made some stellar point blank saves in the session closing one-on-one drills.

Jonathan Blum – Blum has gotten bigger, putting on bulk and a little height. Solid in every drill this morning.

Zach Budish – Good size, not much rust considering he hasn’t seen the ice very much since his ACL injury. Wicked wrister and wasn’t easily knocked off the puck. In talking to Assistant Coach Peter Horachek, he mentioned that he met Zach’s family and that Zach was the smallest (!) of the bunch.

Pictures from today’s session are on HockeyBuzzRadio.com. Next on-ice session is tomorrow at 10am.

---------------------------------

You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates… I’ll also be updating during Pred home games in season with information and explanations from the PA box.

---------------------------------

HockeyBuzz Radio is on hiatus until October… we’ll be weighing on conditioning camp and may even put up a podcast or two during the summer. Keep checking in at www.hockeybuzzradio.com for the latest on the upcoming season and regular columns from hockey writer Mark McGee.

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» The time has come

» Whining through Game 3

» Playoff Picks

» Waiting for he playoffs

» A special night in Smashville