Jason Lewis: Development Camp Q&A with Damir Sharipzyanov and Matt Roy

Valentin Zykov reportedly looking VERY strong in development camp. Coaching staff is impressed.

Valentin Zykov reportedly looking VERY strong in development camp. Coaching staff is impressed.
- PepinoPamplemousse

Not surprising

Not surprising
- Jason_Lewis

I'll admit I knew basically nothing about the kid.

Still don't, really.

I wasn't fond of trading him for Sekera. Esp since I didn't want Sekera on the Kings.

I'll admit I knew basically nothing about the kid.

Still don't, really.
- PepinoPamplemousse

Excellent puck skills. Can stickhandle in a phone booth. Also a bull on the forecheck. Really tenacious, bury your head kind of stuff.

BUT, then he will have consistency issues. You will see that determination every other game or so. I think some of it is frustration, and last year some of it might have been his injury. But he is a very determined and skilled player. Maybe not an outstanding finishing ability but he does have that kind of tenacity and potential skill to at least be a 3rd line guy in the NHL.

He wasn't traded for Sekera, he was traded for Versteeg.

He wasn't traded for Sekera, he was traded for Versteeg.
- scootty

He's thinking of that other ill-advised trade we made with the Hurricanes. I have a feeling that in a few years we're going to be watching the Canes and lamenting the guys we could have had on the Kings.

He's thinking of that other ill-advised trade we made with the Hurricanes. I have a feeling that in a few years we're going to be watching the Canes and lamenting the guys we could have had on the Kings.
- DonzoBean

Julien Gauthier, Valentin Zykov and Roland McKeown

He wasn't traded for Sekera, he was traded for Versteeg.
- scootty

Yeah. Thats my mistake. Both trades were crap. Not even worth the risk imo.

Julien Gauthier, Valentin Zykov and Roland McKeown
- PepinoPamplemousse

Mckeown is the one I was pissed about. Can't believe LA gave him up for an over rated rental

Jason, when the kid talks about going to Detroit to work with a coach and then the other place (MN, I think), who pays for that travel and the coaches time? Out of his own pocket or does the org foot the bill?

Jason, when the kid talks about going to Detroit to work with a coach and then the other place (MN, I think), who pays for that travel and the coaches time? Out of his own pocket or does the org foot the bill?
- Stu17

Id imagine thats all out of his own pocket. If its a super top prospect. Maybe the team hooks them up. But I think this is all on the player. Plus im sure GYM's are willing to take drafted prospects in. As it gives them exposure.

Id imagine thats all out of his own pocket. If its a super top prospect. Maybe the team hooks them up. But I think this is all on the player. Plus im sure GYM's are willing to take drafted prospects in. As it gives them exposure.
- poisondhearts37

man, that can get pricey... I'm thinking he might not have familial support and if he' been playing amateur hockey how much cash can he have...

man, that can get pricey... I'm thinking he might not have familial support and if he' been playing amateur hockey how much cash can he have...
- Stu17

I think these facilities probably take these guys in for nearly nothing. Because of the exposure they get from training what are pro athletes. Probably like a sponsor.

man, that can get pricey... I'm thinking he might not have familial support and if he' been playing amateur hockey how much cash can he have...
- Stu17

Well. Junior hockey is what he was playing. So hes got nothing. Which is why I think these facilities probably take these guys in for nothing.

Excellent puck skills. Can stickhandle in a phone booth. Also a bull on the forecheck. Really tenacious, bury your head kind of stuff.

BUT, then he will have consistency issues. You will see that determination every other game or so. I think some of it is frustration, and last year some of it might have been his injury. But he is a very determined and skilled player. Maybe not an outstanding finishing ability but he does have that kind of tenacity and potential skill to at least be a 3rd line guy in the NHL.
- Jason_Lewis

Very Nikolai Kulemin-esque. Solid player at both ends that shows flashes of more, but can't keep it going.