It’s time for a special Summer Sunday Shots from yesterday’s prospects game at Bridgestone Arena as SlapShot Radio’s intrepid shutterbug was out capturing the action…
Courtesy DLM/SlapShot Radio
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It was a solid turnout at Bridgestone Arena as the hard core got a summer hockey fix by way of the annual Blue/Silver Prospect Game. An estimated crowd of over 2,000 fans took in the action and got a look at future Predators like 2014 1st rounder Kevin Fiala. The event capped of a day of fun at 501 Broadway that included the annual used equipment sale and an open skate.
Development Camp was moved this year from the Predators normal location due to updates being performed at the Predators practice facility. It’s something the team may want to keep in mind… keeping this game at the arena if possible as it did add much more of an “event” feel to the annual scrimmage.
My observations…
Speed - A few prospects showed some wheels in the game, but the one that really stood out to me was Brendan Leipsic, the 3rd round draft pick from the 2012 draft. The former Portland Winterhawk showed speed to burn and a nice chemistry with Filip Forsberg, driving several odd man rushes and showing an escapability to avoid big hits. The overall pace was fairly quick until the ice got chewed up in the second period.
Size - A few players showed some size, but the one that stood out for me was 6’5, 223 lb. Jonathan-Ismael Diaby. Nashville’s 3rd round pick in the 2013 draft, he showed no fear in using his size yesterday, delivering a couple of fine hits and a nice open ice play in the third period that led to a scoring chance for Team Blue.
Tommy Veilleux - Scoring the only two goals for your team helps you stand out and the 6th rounder from 2013 did just that, showing some nice finish, especially on his first goal, a snappy little one-timer, going top corner.
2014 - Three draft picks from the Philly draft a few weeks ago showed well, especially in the shootout. 11th overall pick Kevin Fiala did some nice things in the game but saved his best for the post-game shootout, channeling Peter Forsberg’s 1994 Olympic move in scoring for Team Silver. Fourth round pick Viktor Arvidsson brought the crowd to its feet with a fantastic “spin-a-rama” move to salt the shootout away for Team Silver. Vladislav Kamenev, 2nd round pick, played well during the regular session, showing some speed and a few shifty moves.
The prospect game certainly showed Pred Nation that the pipeline has been rapidly replenished with some prime talent on both sides of the puck. Now, it’s a matter of time, hard work, and more than a little patience.
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Random Notes
- The Hockey News has Nashville as one of their three teams that missed the playoffs last season that could make it in 2015.
- Filip Forsberg looked good as well over this development camp. The experience of the past 14 months looks to have been taken to heart. He showed leadership and poise that, frankly, is beyond his 19 years. Forsberg has taken a healthy amount of unwarranted criticism for a 19 year old. The Predators patience with him should pay off… may be as soon as this season.
- Congratulations to former Pred Associate coach Peter Horachek who has been hired as an assistant in Toronto. Very good move for the Leafs.
- A six year extension for Brandon Dubinsky from Columbus for $35 million. Long term deals are certainly in vogue right now.
- I know locking up Jonathan Towes and Patrick Kane for 8 years is being widely hailed as a great move… but you have to wonder if the $21 million + cap hit will be good long-term for the team.
- I know everyone is crowning the Dallas Stars as the next hot team, but I still have questions about their blueline and goaltending… more moves still need to be made IMHO.
- You can tell Shark fans are pissed at their team when they are complaining about initiating a cheer squad.
- Vladimir Sobotka has decided to go to the KHL, clearly pissing off the St. Louis Blues. Apparently, the two sides were separated by about $300k.
- From the “Stop Me If You Heard This One Before” Department – Ryan O’Reilly and the Colorado Avalanche are going to arbitration, one of only three “club-elected” sessions. First an offer sheet… now arbitration.
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