Update: Make it three things:
I offered two sets of “Player Takes” regarding the Red Wings prospects’ 5-1 and then 3-2 victories over the Dallas Stars at the Prospect Games this weekend.
Tonight:
- EP Rinkside’s Sean Shapiro, who covers both the Red Wings and the Dallas Stars, has offered a set of his own observations…
This was kind of a weird showcase, because the Red Wings brought largely a CHL roster and players that have just recently turned pro. Detroit also had a defense consisting almost entirely of free agent invitees, while the Stars brought a roster filled with AHL experience. Detroit also had by far the best player in the tournament in Nate Danielson.
Danielson had a slow start to the first period of Game 1, but effectively took over the two-game set after that. He was by far the best player on either team, and honestly he looks like he could compete for NHL playing time this season. I’ll have a larger piece on just Danielson tomorrow.
Amadeus Lombardi, Emitt Finnie, and Jakub Rychlovský were also key difference makers for Detroit, all three looked solid in both games.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård only played in one game and was nursing a slight groin injury in Game 2. I thought he was pretty good in Game 1 and personally I think it would behoove the Red Wings for him to play in the AHL this season.
Continued (paywall)
2. And the Hockey News’s Connor Eargood offers “6 more takeaways” from the Red Wings’ second Prospect Games affair:
Hunter Johannes Flashes Skating, Shot to Complement Size: The Grand Rapids Griffins had a type this offseason. They signed Hunter Johannes (formerly an amateur tryout with the team), Gabriel Seger and Carson Bantle this offseason, all towering above 6-foot-3. Out of the trio, Johannes showed a lot of skill this weekend with a big role on that dominant second line with Lombardi and Doucet.
Johannes showed up on the stat sheet, scoring a goal Sunday after notching an assist Saturday. What was more impressive was the way Johannes constantly put himself in the play. He played with a hunter’s mentality, scrapping for the puck with speed and hands not often found with a guy of his size. His goal came off a nice rotation to the top left circle, getting open as an option for his linemates. There’s a certain advantage found in being the oldest invitee to the camp, but Johannes made use of it.
“We got to see him a little bit last year. What I like about him is he put a lot of work in the offseason,” coach Dan Watson said Saturday. “I know that for a fact he was in Detroit most of the summer. His skating certainly improved, and he’s able to get in on the forecheck, and he’s not scared of the physicality. He gets in there, he’s going to be aggressive along the walls, he’s going to be able to get pucks out. He’s got more skill than people probably give him credit for.”
As a Griffins signee, Johannes won’t be cracking Detroit’s roster, but his blend of size and skill is a promising combination. If he can continue dominating play, he could be a really intriguing UDFA option for an NHL club.
Continued; at 26, I’m not certain that Johannes has a lot of runway with which to become an “undrafted free agent” signing for another NHL team, but that’s just my gut feeling.
Update: Among DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills’ quotes:
Grand Rapids Griffins head coach Dan Watson on Gylander’s performance this weekend: “I thought he had a great game and a half. He played aggressive today. He had a lot more action today than he did last night. For him to be able to put together four and a half really, really solid periods was good for him.”
Watson on Danielson’s play this weekend: “With Danielson, I think what we saw was just a smart hockey player. Everyone can see it. He has the ability to make plays, is a smooth skater, sees the ice extremely well and has a lot of great vision.”
Doucet on what he wanted to show this weekend: “I wanted to show that I improved compared to last year. There’s a lot of good prospects here, so I’m just trying to work hard and compare myself to them.”
Doucet on playing alongside Lombardi and Johannes: “It’s pretty easy to play with them. I think Lombardi is a pretty fast skater with a good IQ who can make good plays. Hunter is a big body, skates well. He has an amazing shot. We had a good two games.”
Gylander on what he hoped to accomplish this weekend: “This is my first tournament here, so it was nice to assess where I’m at and see how far I’ve developed over the summer and training in Detroit. My expectations heading in were just evaluating where I am out there and try to keep up with the pace.”
