Here is a recap of the final summer Bruins prospect rollup, plus the guys at the low-end to close out the list.
This subjective list will change again at mid-season, when New England Hockey Journal publishes the annual B's prospect roundup in the January 2012 issue.
1. Dougie Hamilton, D
2. Jared Knight, RW
3. Ryan Spooner, C
4. Alexander Khokhlachev, C
5. Max Sauve, LW
6. Jordan Caron, RW
7. Steve Kampfer, D
8. Jamie Arniel, C
9. Matt Bartkowski, D
10. Ryan Button, D
11. Tommy Cross, D
12. Anton Khudobin, G
13. David Warsofsky, D
14. Michael Hutchinson, G
15. Yury Alexandrov, D
16. Zach Hamill, C
17. Anthony Camara, LW
18. Carter Camper, C
19. Colby Cohen, D
20. Craig Cunnningham, C/W
21. Brian Ferlin, RW
22. Zach Trotman, D
23. Marc Cantin, D
24. Lane MacDermid, LW
25. Maxim Chudinov, D
26. Tyler Randell, RW
27. Justin Florek, LW
28. Zane Gothberg, G
29. Rob O'Gara, D
30. Alexander Fallstrom, RW
31. Lars Volden, G
32. Andrew Bodnarchuk, D
33. Stefan Chaput, C
34. Ben Sexton, C- Battled injuries, but had a solid freshman season at Clarkson. Not a great deal of upside, but skates well and plays an effective two-way game.
35. Nick Tremblay, C- Tremendous skater, but lacks the puck skills and offensive hockey sense to capitalize on his pure speed.
36. Zach McKelvie, D- After two years in the active duty Army, the West Point grad with outstanding wheels is very raw and behind in his development, but gets one year to show what he can do.
37. Yannick Riendeau, LW- Undrafted free agent and 2009 QMJHL MVP is small and not a great skater- has yet to make much of a pro impact.
38. Adam Courchaine, G- Helped the ECHL's Alaska Aces win the Kelly Cup championship last season, but will be hard-pressed to see much action in Providence. Should play closer to Boston for Reading Royals, at least.
39. Alain Goulet, D- 2007 5th-rounder has bounced between AHL and ECHL, but doesn't look like much beyond a minor league journeyman at this point.
40. Carl Soderberg, C- Former St. Louis 2nd-rounder acquired for Hannu Toivonen way back in 2007 is just about used up, but still makes list by virtue of being a legitimate talent and not quite 26. Appears content to stay in Sweden for the rest of his career, however.
41. Mark Goggin, C- Dartmouth player and team's last pick in 2008 does not figure to be in the picture.
That wraps up the Bruins prospect coverage and the 2011 NHL draft altogether.
It has been a fun journey going back to a year ago and I hope you found this blog to be a good companion resource out there for your hockey draft needs.
As always, thanks for the support!
*(Not affiliated with the Boston Bruins or the New England Hockey Journal)
Showing posts with label Brian Ferlin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brian Ferlin. Show all posts
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Bruins prospect profile #21 Brian Ferlin
Brian Ferlin, RW
6-1, 196
June 4, 1992
Shoots: Right
Boston's fourth choice, 121st overall, in 2011 NHL Entry Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Good size and progressing well in his maturation and conditioning process. Quick burst of initial speed and separation gear- much better skater than his scouting reports indicate. Not the perfect skating technique, but he's sudden, fast and effective at getting through openings and going to the net. Quick hands and stick. Nice finishing touch in close and has a nifty knack for scoring goals. Fast release on a hard, accurate wrist shot and not afraid to unload. Soft hands for passing, but gets a lot of his assists by getting the puck to the net for rebound chances. Tore it up with Blake Coleman and Danill Tarasov on Indiana's top line, going 1-2-3 in scoring in the USHL last season as the trio accounted for 96 goals and 240 points. Not a thundering hitter or particularly snarly player, but does use his body effectively along the walls and out in front of the net. Shows a consistent effort at both ends of the ice.
Intangibles: Demonstrates impressive instincts and offensive sense and vision. Surprising flair for creativity given that he is Florida-born and trained, not going up to the USHL until age 17. Intelligent, industrious kid- will play for Cornell University in the fall. Still figuring out situational hockey given his non-traditional route and a lack of exposure to elite competition at an early age, but has the look of a natural whose development curve has taken off in the last three years.
Boston Bruins 2011 Development Camp assessment
Like Anthony Camara, Ferlin made himself some real money at development camp as a player who showed off some impressive offensive skill and finish. One memorable play, Ferlin beat top pick Dougie Hamilton in a footrace to a loose puck near center ice, then blew by the talented defenseman with a nice burst of separation. A Zane Gothberg glove save was the only thing that prevented the crowd being brought out of their seats at Ristuccia on the highlight reel-type sequence. Skating on a line with Ryan Spooner and Justin Florek, Ferlin gave the white squad fits in the scrimmages, scoring several times and presenting himself as someone needing to be accounted for on each shift.
Development Camp interview with Brian Ferlin
Projection
Ferlin was an interesting pick for Boston in that it marked the third consecutive year that the B's took an overage player (previously passed over) in the fourth round (Lane MacDermid in '09, Craig Cunningham in '10). Ferlin has top-six forward potential if he continues to develop his offensive skills to go with what appears to be an instinctive grasp of the game and creativity. He's a long-term project who will take several years in Cornell to hone his talents before turning pro. Success won't likely happen overnight for Ferlin, but he proved he belonged at development camp and has the look of a sleeper pick to keep a close eye on.
Quotable
“Four was [Brian] Ferlin, I thought Ferlin was good, good stick, protects the puck, you put him on that line, that line was good with [Justin] Florek, [Ryan] Spooner and Ferlin. Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli; July 11, 2011
“That one line, I thought was very good, with [Justin] Florek, [Ryan] Spooner, and [Brian] Ferlin. I thought you could see the, they made plays together, they found each other, they scored. Just, it was just good to see the confidence in the players come out. “- Chiarelli; July 11, 2011
“Well, I think there’s a lot of room for growth on Brian [Ferlin]. He’s got tremendous upside athletically. I think he’ll continue to get more and more comfortable on the ice as he plays more and more hockey. It’s like taking the one thing until they converge, so to speak. I think that’s, as he plays more that athleticism will start to show up. He’s got good speed, he’s got good size, he’s got good skills, he’ll understand now in terms of how to utilize those even better as he plays with better players and moves forward. We’re excited. I think he’s a nice project and a nice piece to have to continue to go to work with and then see where he takes it. “- Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeney; July 9, 2011
6-1, 196
June 4, 1992
Shoots: Right
Boston's fourth choice, 121st overall, in 2011 NHL Entry Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical: Good size and progressing well in his maturation and conditioning process. Quick burst of initial speed and separation gear- much better skater than his scouting reports indicate. Not the perfect skating technique, but he's sudden, fast and effective at getting through openings and going to the net. Quick hands and stick. Nice finishing touch in close and has a nifty knack for scoring goals. Fast release on a hard, accurate wrist shot and not afraid to unload. Soft hands for passing, but gets a lot of his assists by getting the puck to the net for rebound chances. Tore it up with Blake Coleman and Danill Tarasov on Indiana's top line, going 1-2-3 in scoring in the USHL last season as the trio accounted for 96 goals and 240 points. Not a thundering hitter or particularly snarly player, but does use his body effectively along the walls and out in front of the net. Shows a consistent effort at both ends of the ice.
Intangibles: Demonstrates impressive instincts and offensive sense and vision. Surprising flair for creativity given that he is Florida-born and trained, not going up to the USHL until age 17. Intelligent, industrious kid- will play for Cornell University in the fall. Still figuring out situational hockey given his non-traditional route and a lack of exposure to elite competition at an early age, but has the look of a natural whose development curve has taken off in the last three years.
Boston Bruins 2011 Development Camp assessment
Like Anthony Camara, Ferlin made himself some real money at development camp as a player who showed off some impressive offensive skill and finish. One memorable play, Ferlin beat top pick Dougie Hamilton in a footrace to a loose puck near center ice, then blew by the talented defenseman with a nice burst of separation. A Zane Gothberg glove save was the only thing that prevented the crowd being brought out of their seats at Ristuccia on the highlight reel-type sequence. Skating on a line with Ryan Spooner and Justin Florek, Ferlin gave the white squad fits in the scrimmages, scoring several times and presenting himself as someone needing to be accounted for on each shift.
Development Camp interview with Brian Ferlin
Projection
Ferlin was an interesting pick for Boston in that it marked the third consecutive year that the B's took an overage player (previously passed over) in the fourth round (Lane MacDermid in '09, Craig Cunningham in '10). Ferlin has top-six forward potential if he continues to develop his offensive skills to go with what appears to be an instinctive grasp of the game and creativity. He's a long-term project who will take several years in Cornell to hone his talents before turning pro. Success won't likely happen overnight for Ferlin, but he proved he belonged at development camp and has the look of a sleeper pick to keep a close eye on.
Quotable
“Four was [Brian] Ferlin, I thought Ferlin was good, good stick, protects the puck, you put him on that line, that line was good with [Justin] Florek, [Ryan] Spooner and Ferlin. Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli; July 11, 2011
“That one line, I thought was very good, with [Justin] Florek, [Ryan] Spooner, and [Brian] Ferlin. I thought you could see the, they made plays together, they found each other, they scored. Just, it was just good to see the confidence in the players come out. “- Chiarelli; July 11, 2011
“Well, I think there’s a lot of room for growth on Brian [Ferlin]. He’s got tremendous upside athletically. I think he’ll continue to get more and more comfortable on the ice as he plays more and more hockey. It’s like taking the one thing until they converge, so to speak. I think that’s, as he plays more that athleticism will start to show up. He’s got good speed, he’s got good size, he’s got good skills, he’ll understand now in terms of how to utilize those even better as he plays with better players and moves forward. We’re excited. I think he’s a nice project and a nice piece to have to continue to go to work with and then see where he takes it. “- Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeney; July 9, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
2011 Boston Bruins Development Camp: Day 4 recap
Last day for B2011DW in Wilmington, and Sunday was a chance to see the players scrimmage for the first time since the Bruins prospects convened here on Thursday.
They did one more hour-long drills and skills session, resurfaced the ice, and then went to it in a 4-on-4 "Sunday Funday scrimmy" as defenseman Ryan Button put it.
Team Black battled White and after Anthony Camara scored on Zane Gothberg right off the bat to take a 1-0 lead for White, Justin Florek tallied twice, Brian Ferlin pumped in a goal and the "Black Aces" triumphed over the "White Spaders" by a 3-1 score.
Here are the observations and thoughts of the specific players
Black Aces
Ryan Spooner: He didn't get a lot done in terms of finishing, but he was the fulcrum for wingers Florek and Ferlin. Man, is this kid ever slick. He did snipe a memorable shot on Mike Hutchinson during the drills portion of the day and continued to show off his speed and high-end puck skills. He hit a tiny window on the short side with his shot (Hutch is a right-catching goalie so Spooner beat him high to the blocker side). Spooner is a dual threat- he can score and set up the play. Offense is what excites most people the most, so it isn't any real surprise that the kid who grew up a huge Montreal Canadiens fan (thanks to his dad, Brad) is the most popular B's prospect right now with the folks who have taken the time to come out to rookie games a year ago and the development camps.
Zach Trotman: One of the more impressive defenders this week given his size, agile skating and a big shot. Trotman looked a lot more comfortable this time around and he activates smartly, jumping up into the play and holding the blue line well on the point. The Michigander turns 21 later this summer, and he's still on the raw side, but for the last pick of the 2010 draft, this guy is worth keeping an eye on.
Justin Florek: Scored two goals- one was an absolute snipe from the outside, where he showed a real penchant all week during the drills, unloading his hard, heavy shot to beat goalies top shelf. Gothberg was the victim on this one, but Tim Thomas may have had a hard time stopping it. Florek has a fast release and a heavy wrister that he can pick the corners with. He's a nice skater for his size and looks like he's spreading his wings offensively from what we saw a year ago. He could score 30 goals this year for Northern Michigan as a senior, though not sure what his pro upside is yet.
Brian Ferlin: He showed why he was the USHL's third-leading scorer this week. He doesn't have textbook technique in his skating, but he has some real speed. He blew past Dougie Hamilton on one play and went in alone on Gothberg, getting robbed by the Minnesotan's glove hand on what would have been a goal to bring the fans out of their seats. He's got a quick snap shot and you can see some real instincts for the offensive side of things. Ferlin is just one of a growing crop of big league prospects coming out of Florida- you would have pegged him for a Michigander or Minnesotan the way he performed this week and in that scrimmage. Ferlin is looking like a solid value for the fourth round, but we'll withhold any further judgment until we see him at Cornell this winter.
Ben Sexton: Not a lot to report on the '09 seventh-rounder. He skates well and got himself in position a few times but either missed the net or wasn't able to generate much in the way of a scoring chance.
Ryan Button: Excellent performance all week from one of the veterans in his third development camp. We're probably not going to see a lot of points from Button, but he's such a good skater, smart defender and hard worker that he's going to be something in the pro ranks. He makes good decisions, can carry the puck on his own and has a quick acceleration and jump in his step that allows him to be effective in small spaces. On one sequence, he did several spin-o-rama moves at the offensive blue line to avoid Camara's forecheck and then got it over to David Warsofsky, who got a low shot on net that Ferlin converted on the rebound. He's also a gym rat who takes his conditioning seriously, and his physical maturation from 2009 when the B's draft him to now is significant. The upside is the issue with Button, but he's a solid performer and person and should become one of Bruce Cassidy's go-to guys in Providence despite his youth.
Robby O'Gara: Raw, yes. But anyone who watched O'Gara this week has to be encouraged by the Milton Academy captain's performance in Wilmington. He has such a long, fluid stride that will only get better as he fills out and develops his physical maturity. But he has the two things you cannot teach: size and hockey sense. At one point, he skated through several players in the neutral zone, gained the line and while looking one way, made a crisp pass in the opposite direction to an open teammate down near the right corner to set up the cycle. The puck ended up in the net shortly thereafter. That's the kind of play that won't end up in the box score, but it was essential to his team eventually finding the back of the net. This fifth-round pick could end up being a player, but the wait is going to be a long one.
David Warsofsky: The guy's an athlete. Even though he's smaller than his listed size of 5-9, 170, he's an agile, elusive skater. He lacks the explosiveness and dynamic element of a player like Ryan Murphy, but there is some potential here for the pugnacious defender. He wasn't a high-end performer this week, but you can see that he has the skill to be effective at the AHL level, at least. Warsofsky has managed to silence the critics thus far in his career, and seems to relish doing so. Whether he can do enough to develop into an NHL regular remains to be seen, but Cassidy intimated that he envisions Warsofsky in a key two-way role for him in Providence this season and he could one day force his way into the mix in Boston.
Alexander Fallstrom: The Harvard junior is quicker this year and stronger. He also showed off some nice hands and has some legitimate potential as an NHL fourth-liner one day (may not be with Boston, though). When he has the puck on his stick anywhere near the net, he's a threat to score. Hasn't done much for the Crimson, but this could be a breakout year for him.
White Spaders
Jared Knight: No points in the scrimmage, but Knight was one of white's most consistent and dangerous threats. If there is even a sniff of an offensive chance, Knight kicks it into high gear. We never thought he was all that explosive a skater, but he's obviously worked on it, because he showed an ability to separate from defenders. He has a preternatural sense for when there's an opening and he goes for it. Underrated in his passing skills and defensive play. The most complete prospect as far as forwards go in Boston's system right now- without question.
Alexander Khokhlachev: His conditioning was lagging a bit, but Koko showed flashes of his high-end offensive skills in the scrimmage. He is highly effective when coming out of the corners and off the halfwall with the puck. He just missed on several well-placed shots that Gothberg and/or Lars Volden got pieces of. He's not a blazer and looked lethargic (he admitted to being very sore on Day 2) at times during drills, but he came alive during the scrimmage. He has sublime hands and we expect much bigger things from him a year from now when he'll know exactly what to expect. He's going to be a good one, but he's going to need some time to develop. That's good news for Warren Rychel, Bob Boughner and the good folks at Windsor, who should have him back this season and possibly beyond. Real solid kid, who took on every interview with a smile on his face despite lacking a prolific English vocabulary.
Dougie Hamilton: It was a pretty mediocre performance from Dougie in the scrimmage, but he still showed off his impressive skill set and competed hard. Like most top picks, the expectations surrounding him were enormous, so it was disappointing to hear some folks banging on him like I did (some people chirping us on Twitter, even). We suppose that these "experts" expected Hamilton to fly over the action and simultaneously cure cancer. In all seriousness, Hamilton's talent is undeniable, but like most youngsters, he was taken out of his comfort zone this week and struggled at times with it. Watch him next year- we expect a much more comfortable, settled and skilled two-way defender. All the tools are there.
Anthony Camara: A pleasant surprise, but not really. B's Director of Player Personnel Scott Bradley told us at the draft how underrated Camara's wheels and hands were, but he proved it at development camp. He scored a nice goal to start the scrimmage by taking a Craig Cunningham pass and then waiting for Gothberg to open himself up before slipping it past him. Camara skated well all week, driving to the net hard and making some good body contact. Like Koko, he won't even turn 18 until September and was buried behind skill guys in Saginaw, but with an increased role, look for him to break out a bit. He's not a high-end scoring type, but could be a third-line staple in the NHL one day. Just an impressive overall showing from the guy who looked like a reach at first glance, but who could end up being much more.
Craig Cunningham: One of the most active, and hardest-working guys at camp all week. We're not sure how his offensive numbers will translate in the pros, but he always keeps his feet moving and is a smart two-way guy with high-end character. He's a bit of a stealth player in that you don't notice him all that much until a big play is made and then you realize he's in the middle of it. He's a good, not great skater, but he just seems to be in the right place at the right time. We think he's going to be a very good AHL player in time, but not sure where he fits into the NHL picture yet.
Tyler Randell: His skating is only average and he needs to pick up a step coming out of the gate, but his hands are NHL-caliber. Randell was sniping goals all week, and his shootout move on Volden was a sight to behold, as he moved in, deked at least 6-7 times getting the goalie to commit and go down before skying a backhander up under the crossbar. We're intrigued as to what Randell will do in the AHL this year. He can technically go back to Kitchener for an overage season, but Providence would do well to add his grit, snarl and potential to hit some goals. An effective bottom-six forward with some modest offensive upside.
Marc Cantin: Impressive as an invite to Boston d-camp a year ago, Cantin continued his run of steady, solid play. He looks a bit like Mark Stuart out there, but a better skating version of the former Boston stalwart. Cantin was the most physical presence among the prospects this week, looking to make big hits and never passing up a chance to staple an opponent against the boards whether in drills or in the scrimmage. He's a smart guy who plays well positionally and is an interesting prospect as a lower-pairing D. Not much upside with this guy, but he's solid. Watch for him to earn a lot of ice time in Providence this season despite being a rookie pro.
Tommy Cross: Sharp and composed, he looked and acted the part of Boston's most senior prospect in attendance and the captain of the Boston College Eagles for the upcoming season. Skates well and plays a physical but disciplined game. The main concern with Cross is with his overall offensive hockey sense, which is limited despite having a big point bomb, and with his right knee. He's healthy now, but like Gord Kluzak, will be day-to-day for life, meaning that you hope and pray he'll have a long pro hockey career, but wonder how much he thinks about it and whether he can be as effective at the pro ranks.
Mike Hutchinson: The best goalie in camp this week by far, and opened some eyes with his size and quickness. He didn't allow a single goal in the first scrimmage, and he was tough to beat during the shootout portion. One of the true good guys in any room- Hutch always has a smile on his face, but is also a legitimate competitor who hates to be beaten. Jared Knight revealed some insights about his former London teammate, which leads us to believe that Hutch will be an NHL goalie one day. Unfortunately for him, Boston is going to be a tough nut to crack, but he has an opportunity to earn some playing time in Providence. Consistency has been his biggest challenge thus far, but as far is physical tools and puckstopping skills go, he's a legit NHL prospect.
Zane Gothberg: He doesn't turn 19 until August, but we thought that Gothberg had a solid week. He wasn't Hutch, and his technique has more refining to do than that of Volden, but he's a big guy who battles like Thomas does. He was at fault on the Camara goal, but the Florek shot was a bomb and Gothberg was excellent the rest of the way. At times, he looked unsettled, while at others, he was a rock this week. Gothberg's attitude and competitiveness are strong suits of his, and as a long-term project, he can continue to address his style and build confidence. He's back in the USHL for one more year and will then be in Grand Forks at the University of North Dakota in 2012. We still think that Gothberg is a diamond-in-the-rough and is in the catbird's seat, with no pressure on him whatsoever right now. The Bruins will be patient with him and see where it leads them.
Lars Volden: Wow. We banged him for his performance in the WJC, but it was one game and he showed some legitimate upside this week. He's big, quick and a classic butterfly goalie. He didn't play as well in the scrimmage as he had in the drills the previous three days, but there's something there. He stays square to the shooter, takes up a lot of the net and has the look of a guy who could play in the AHL right away. He'll try and make the Espoo Blues senior team this season and see where it takes him, but for a sixth-rounder, this guy looks like a player. Like Gothberg, Volden is a long-term project, but worth keeping tabs on.
The invites:
Brett Olson- The Michigan Tech senior is the oldest guy there with a 1987 birthdate, but worked hard and appreciated the opportunity. He grew up with Devils prospect and former UNH standout Mike Sislo, the two skating on a line together throughout their minor hockey days.
Josh Jooris- Union College playmaker is a good skater and passer; not all that tall, but strong and showed flashes of talent. From Burlington, Ontario- skated in the OJHL for his hometown team before going to the NCAA.
Steve Spinell- Carter Camper's teammate at Miami University is from Illinois. Has good size and mobility, though doesn't have much upside. Along with Cantin, was the most physical player in camp. Reminds us of a Matt Bartkowksi-type guy.
They did one more hour-long drills and skills session, resurfaced the ice, and then went to it in a 4-on-4 "Sunday Funday scrimmy" as defenseman Ryan Button put it.
Team Black battled White and after Anthony Camara scored on Zane Gothberg right off the bat to take a 1-0 lead for White, Justin Florek tallied twice, Brian Ferlin pumped in a goal and the "Black Aces" triumphed over the "White Spaders" by a 3-1 score.
Here are the observations and thoughts of the specific players
Black Aces
Ryan Spooner: He didn't get a lot done in terms of finishing, but he was the fulcrum for wingers Florek and Ferlin. Man, is this kid ever slick. He did snipe a memorable shot on Mike Hutchinson during the drills portion of the day and continued to show off his speed and high-end puck skills. He hit a tiny window on the short side with his shot (Hutch is a right-catching goalie so Spooner beat him high to the blocker side). Spooner is a dual threat- he can score and set up the play. Offense is what excites most people the most, so it isn't any real surprise that the kid who grew up a huge Montreal Canadiens fan (thanks to his dad, Brad) is the most popular B's prospect right now with the folks who have taken the time to come out to rookie games a year ago and the development camps.
Zach Trotman: One of the more impressive defenders this week given his size, agile skating and a big shot. Trotman looked a lot more comfortable this time around and he activates smartly, jumping up into the play and holding the blue line well on the point. The Michigander turns 21 later this summer, and he's still on the raw side, but for the last pick of the 2010 draft, this guy is worth keeping an eye on.
Justin Florek: Scored two goals- one was an absolute snipe from the outside, where he showed a real penchant all week during the drills, unloading his hard, heavy shot to beat goalies top shelf. Gothberg was the victim on this one, but Tim Thomas may have had a hard time stopping it. Florek has a fast release and a heavy wrister that he can pick the corners with. He's a nice skater for his size and looks like he's spreading his wings offensively from what we saw a year ago. He could score 30 goals this year for Northern Michigan as a senior, though not sure what his pro upside is yet.
Brian Ferlin: He showed why he was the USHL's third-leading scorer this week. He doesn't have textbook technique in his skating, but he has some real speed. He blew past Dougie Hamilton on one play and went in alone on Gothberg, getting robbed by the Minnesotan's glove hand on what would have been a goal to bring the fans out of their seats. He's got a quick snap shot and you can see some real instincts for the offensive side of things. Ferlin is just one of a growing crop of big league prospects coming out of Florida- you would have pegged him for a Michigander or Minnesotan the way he performed this week and in that scrimmage. Ferlin is looking like a solid value for the fourth round, but we'll withhold any further judgment until we see him at Cornell this winter.
Ben Sexton: Not a lot to report on the '09 seventh-rounder. He skates well and got himself in position a few times but either missed the net or wasn't able to generate much in the way of a scoring chance.
Ryan Button: Excellent performance all week from one of the veterans in his third development camp. We're probably not going to see a lot of points from Button, but he's such a good skater, smart defender and hard worker that he's going to be something in the pro ranks. He makes good decisions, can carry the puck on his own and has a quick acceleration and jump in his step that allows him to be effective in small spaces. On one sequence, he did several spin-o-rama moves at the offensive blue line to avoid Camara's forecheck and then got it over to David Warsofsky, who got a low shot on net that Ferlin converted on the rebound. He's also a gym rat who takes his conditioning seriously, and his physical maturation from 2009 when the B's draft him to now is significant. The upside is the issue with Button, but he's a solid performer and person and should become one of Bruce Cassidy's go-to guys in Providence despite his youth.
Robby O'Gara: Raw, yes. But anyone who watched O'Gara this week has to be encouraged by the Milton Academy captain's performance in Wilmington. He has such a long, fluid stride that will only get better as he fills out and develops his physical maturity. But he has the two things you cannot teach: size and hockey sense. At one point, he skated through several players in the neutral zone, gained the line and while looking one way, made a crisp pass in the opposite direction to an open teammate down near the right corner to set up the cycle. The puck ended up in the net shortly thereafter. That's the kind of play that won't end up in the box score, but it was essential to his team eventually finding the back of the net. This fifth-round pick could end up being a player, but the wait is going to be a long one.
David Warsofsky: The guy's an athlete. Even though he's smaller than his listed size of 5-9, 170, he's an agile, elusive skater. He lacks the explosiveness and dynamic element of a player like Ryan Murphy, but there is some potential here for the pugnacious defender. He wasn't a high-end performer this week, but you can see that he has the skill to be effective at the AHL level, at least. Warsofsky has managed to silence the critics thus far in his career, and seems to relish doing so. Whether he can do enough to develop into an NHL regular remains to be seen, but Cassidy intimated that he envisions Warsofsky in a key two-way role for him in Providence this season and he could one day force his way into the mix in Boston.
Alexander Fallstrom: The Harvard junior is quicker this year and stronger. He also showed off some nice hands and has some legitimate potential as an NHL fourth-liner one day (may not be with Boston, though). When he has the puck on his stick anywhere near the net, he's a threat to score. Hasn't done much for the Crimson, but this could be a breakout year for him.
White Spaders
Jared Knight: No points in the scrimmage, but Knight was one of white's most consistent and dangerous threats. If there is even a sniff of an offensive chance, Knight kicks it into high gear. We never thought he was all that explosive a skater, but he's obviously worked on it, because he showed an ability to separate from defenders. He has a preternatural sense for when there's an opening and he goes for it. Underrated in his passing skills and defensive play. The most complete prospect as far as forwards go in Boston's system right now- without question.
Alexander Khokhlachev: His conditioning was lagging a bit, but Koko showed flashes of his high-end offensive skills in the scrimmage. He is highly effective when coming out of the corners and off the halfwall with the puck. He just missed on several well-placed shots that Gothberg and/or Lars Volden got pieces of. He's not a blazer and looked lethargic (he admitted to being very sore on Day 2) at times during drills, but he came alive during the scrimmage. He has sublime hands and we expect much bigger things from him a year from now when he'll know exactly what to expect. He's going to be a good one, but he's going to need some time to develop. That's good news for Warren Rychel, Bob Boughner and the good folks at Windsor, who should have him back this season and possibly beyond. Real solid kid, who took on every interview with a smile on his face despite lacking a prolific English vocabulary.
Dougie Hamilton: It was a pretty mediocre performance from Dougie in the scrimmage, but he still showed off his impressive skill set and competed hard. Like most top picks, the expectations surrounding him were enormous, so it was disappointing to hear some folks banging on him like I did (some people chirping us on Twitter, even). We suppose that these "experts" expected Hamilton to fly over the action and simultaneously cure cancer. In all seriousness, Hamilton's talent is undeniable, but like most youngsters, he was taken out of his comfort zone this week and struggled at times with it. Watch him next year- we expect a much more comfortable, settled and skilled two-way defender. All the tools are there.
Anthony Camara: A pleasant surprise, but not really. B's Director of Player Personnel Scott Bradley told us at the draft how underrated Camara's wheels and hands were, but he proved it at development camp. He scored a nice goal to start the scrimmage by taking a Craig Cunningham pass and then waiting for Gothberg to open himself up before slipping it past him. Camara skated well all week, driving to the net hard and making some good body contact. Like Koko, he won't even turn 18 until September and was buried behind skill guys in Saginaw, but with an increased role, look for him to break out a bit. He's not a high-end scoring type, but could be a third-line staple in the NHL one day. Just an impressive overall showing from the guy who looked like a reach at first glance, but who could end up being much more.
Craig Cunningham: One of the most active, and hardest-working guys at camp all week. We're not sure how his offensive numbers will translate in the pros, but he always keeps his feet moving and is a smart two-way guy with high-end character. He's a bit of a stealth player in that you don't notice him all that much until a big play is made and then you realize he's in the middle of it. He's a good, not great skater, but he just seems to be in the right place at the right time. We think he's going to be a very good AHL player in time, but not sure where he fits into the NHL picture yet.
Tyler Randell: His skating is only average and he needs to pick up a step coming out of the gate, but his hands are NHL-caliber. Randell was sniping goals all week, and his shootout move on Volden was a sight to behold, as he moved in, deked at least 6-7 times getting the goalie to commit and go down before skying a backhander up under the crossbar. We're intrigued as to what Randell will do in the AHL this year. He can technically go back to Kitchener for an overage season, but Providence would do well to add his grit, snarl and potential to hit some goals. An effective bottom-six forward with some modest offensive upside.
Marc Cantin: Impressive as an invite to Boston d-camp a year ago, Cantin continued his run of steady, solid play. He looks a bit like Mark Stuart out there, but a better skating version of the former Boston stalwart. Cantin was the most physical presence among the prospects this week, looking to make big hits and never passing up a chance to staple an opponent against the boards whether in drills or in the scrimmage. He's a smart guy who plays well positionally and is an interesting prospect as a lower-pairing D. Not much upside with this guy, but he's solid. Watch for him to earn a lot of ice time in Providence this season despite being a rookie pro.
Tommy Cross: Sharp and composed, he looked and acted the part of Boston's most senior prospect in attendance and the captain of the Boston College Eagles for the upcoming season. Skates well and plays a physical but disciplined game. The main concern with Cross is with his overall offensive hockey sense, which is limited despite having a big point bomb, and with his right knee. He's healthy now, but like Gord Kluzak, will be day-to-day for life, meaning that you hope and pray he'll have a long pro hockey career, but wonder how much he thinks about it and whether he can be as effective at the pro ranks.
Mike Hutchinson: The best goalie in camp this week by far, and opened some eyes with his size and quickness. He didn't allow a single goal in the first scrimmage, and he was tough to beat during the shootout portion. One of the true good guys in any room- Hutch always has a smile on his face, but is also a legitimate competitor who hates to be beaten. Jared Knight revealed some insights about his former London teammate, which leads us to believe that Hutch will be an NHL goalie one day. Unfortunately for him, Boston is going to be a tough nut to crack, but he has an opportunity to earn some playing time in Providence. Consistency has been his biggest challenge thus far, but as far is physical tools and puckstopping skills go, he's a legit NHL prospect.
Zane Gothberg: He doesn't turn 19 until August, but we thought that Gothberg had a solid week. He wasn't Hutch, and his technique has more refining to do than that of Volden, but he's a big guy who battles like Thomas does. He was at fault on the Camara goal, but the Florek shot was a bomb and Gothberg was excellent the rest of the way. At times, he looked unsettled, while at others, he was a rock this week. Gothberg's attitude and competitiveness are strong suits of his, and as a long-term project, he can continue to address his style and build confidence. He's back in the USHL for one more year and will then be in Grand Forks at the University of North Dakota in 2012. We still think that Gothberg is a diamond-in-the-rough and is in the catbird's seat, with no pressure on him whatsoever right now. The Bruins will be patient with him and see where it leads them.
Lars Volden: Wow. We banged him for his performance in the WJC, but it was one game and he showed some legitimate upside this week. He's big, quick and a classic butterfly goalie. He didn't play as well in the scrimmage as he had in the drills the previous three days, but there's something there. He stays square to the shooter, takes up a lot of the net and has the look of a guy who could play in the AHL right away. He'll try and make the Espoo Blues senior team this season and see where it takes him, but for a sixth-rounder, this guy looks like a player. Like Gothberg, Volden is a long-term project, but worth keeping tabs on.
The invites:
Brett Olson- The Michigan Tech senior is the oldest guy there with a 1987 birthdate, but worked hard and appreciated the opportunity. He grew up with Devils prospect and former UNH standout Mike Sislo, the two skating on a line together throughout their minor hockey days.
Josh Jooris- Union College playmaker is a good skater and passer; not all that tall, but strong and showed flashes of talent. From Burlington, Ontario- skated in the OJHL for his hometown team before going to the NCAA.
Steve Spinell- Carter Camper's teammate at Miami University is from Illinois. Has good size and mobility, though doesn't have much upside. Along with Cantin, was the most physical player in camp. Reminds us of a Matt Bartkowksi-type guy.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
2011 Boston Bruins Development Camp: Day 1 recap
The first day is in the books and things were a little discombobulated today with travel and touching base with folks hadn't seen in a while.
Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeney told me that center Carter Camper, who signed as a free agent with Boston last spring, is not in attendance because he is still recovering from a recent procedure on his hip. No word on whether he'll be ready to go for the start of rookie camp in the fall.
Tomorrow will bring a better, more cohesive report, but for now, here are the highlights from today:
Ryan Spooner: Absolutely flying around the ice and doing his high-end puck work. Was lighting up Zane Gothberg pretty good at first (but I still thought Gothberg had a solid day overall though some disagree). Spooner is a puck wizard and he looks like his off-ice work is paying off- he's added some mass to his small frame and is getting there. Didn't cost him any in the speed department. The more I look at Spooner, the more I think he was a steal with the 45th overall pick a year ago.
Jared Knight: His competitiveness shines through in everything he does. He was lasering shots up under the crossbar all day and then he blew up goalie Mike Hutchinson in a huge collision when he took the puck to the net. For a smaller guy, Knight packs a lot of power in his lower leg drive and when he gets up under bigger defensemen with a higher center of gravity, he's able to drive them back. Impressive. And, Hutch wasn't hurt. Knight went right to him after the session was over to apologize and make sure his former London mate was OK. Once again, Knighter proves the old adage: it isn't the size of the dog, but the size of the fight in the dog that counts.
Alexander Khokhlachev: Skill. He has it. And as slick and dynamic as he looked, little Koko is still a work in progress. He got turned inside out by Alexander Fallstrom on one drill who then beat him to the puck and rifled it past Lars Volden while Koko was several steps behind him. But after it all, the kid had a huge smile plastered on his face in the locker room and truly relished the chance to be out there with a spoked-B on. He's likely missing something in translation when it comes to the drills, so no one is going to kill him for getting turned around. The real proof will be in the pudding when he gets to speak the international language of hockey in the scrimmages and preseason games (possibly) in the fall.
Dougie Hamilton: He moves well, but noticed that he has an upright stance. The B's top pick didn't do anything really flashy today, but that's his game. He had an active stick and stayed with his man in the drills. He was shooting the puck with good velocity. It was an OK day for Dougie, and like Tyler Seguin last year, I heard rumblings of people being disappointed because he didn't dominate. Sometimes I don't know what people expect from these kids, but Hamilton looked like a first-rounder today.
Robby O'Gara: Turned 18 just yesterday and his skating really came to the fore today. He's tall, but a stringbean. But, have to keep going back to the fluid stride and quick, agile footwork. Had he spent two years at Milton Academy before the draft instead of just the one, I'm convinced that he would have been as high as a third-round pick, but solid at least a solid fourth-rounder. I don't think enough NHL teams knew about this kid going in, but Boston did because he plays in their backyard. Long-term project, but O'Gara could be a steal. Size + mobility + intelligence + character almost always = player.
Josh Jooris: Camp invite from Union College, but I saw some good wheels and a real smart passer. He's the one guy who really stood out among the camp invites. It was just one session, but going to watch him closely and see where he takes things this week.
Brian Ferlin: He does skate like he's carrying a baby grand piano on his back, but he has some speed to him. Was getting shots off from all over the ice. Put on a whale of a hit in the offensive zone on one drill that woke everyone up. For a guy not known as a big hitter, he eliminated his man along the boards and rattled the glass. Here's some video from some of the guys
Jared Knight
Zach Trotman
Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeney told me that center Carter Camper, who signed as a free agent with Boston last spring, is not in attendance because he is still recovering from a recent procedure on his hip. No word on whether he'll be ready to go for the start of rookie camp in the fall.
Tomorrow will bring a better, more cohesive report, but for now, here are the highlights from today:
Ryan Spooner: Absolutely flying around the ice and doing his high-end puck work. Was lighting up Zane Gothberg pretty good at first (but I still thought Gothberg had a solid day overall though some disagree). Spooner is a puck wizard and he looks like his off-ice work is paying off- he's added some mass to his small frame and is getting there. Didn't cost him any in the speed department. The more I look at Spooner, the more I think he was a steal with the 45th overall pick a year ago.
Jared Knight: His competitiveness shines through in everything he does. He was lasering shots up under the crossbar all day and then he blew up goalie Mike Hutchinson in a huge collision when he took the puck to the net. For a smaller guy, Knight packs a lot of power in his lower leg drive and when he gets up under bigger defensemen with a higher center of gravity, he's able to drive them back. Impressive. And, Hutch wasn't hurt. Knight went right to him after the session was over to apologize and make sure his former London mate was OK. Once again, Knighter proves the old adage: it isn't the size of the dog, but the size of the fight in the dog that counts.
Alexander Khokhlachev: Skill. He has it. And as slick and dynamic as he looked, little Koko is still a work in progress. He got turned inside out by Alexander Fallstrom on one drill who then beat him to the puck and rifled it past Lars Volden while Koko was several steps behind him. But after it all, the kid had a huge smile plastered on his face in the locker room and truly relished the chance to be out there with a spoked-B on. He's likely missing something in translation when it comes to the drills, so no one is going to kill him for getting turned around. The real proof will be in the pudding when he gets to speak the international language of hockey in the scrimmages and preseason games (possibly) in the fall.
Dougie Hamilton: He moves well, but noticed that he has an upright stance. The B's top pick didn't do anything really flashy today, but that's his game. He had an active stick and stayed with his man in the drills. He was shooting the puck with good velocity. It was an OK day for Dougie, and like Tyler Seguin last year, I heard rumblings of people being disappointed because he didn't dominate. Sometimes I don't know what people expect from these kids, but Hamilton looked like a first-rounder today.
Robby O'Gara: Turned 18 just yesterday and his skating really came to the fore today. He's tall, but a stringbean. But, have to keep going back to the fluid stride and quick, agile footwork. Had he spent two years at Milton Academy before the draft instead of just the one, I'm convinced that he would have been as high as a third-round pick, but solid at least a solid fourth-rounder. I don't think enough NHL teams knew about this kid going in, but Boston did because he plays in their backyard. Long-term project, but O'Gara could be a steal. Size + mobility + intelligence + character almost always = player.
Josh Jooris: Camp invite from Union College, but I saw some good wheels and a real smart passer. He's the one guy who really stood out among the camp invites. It was just one session, but going to watch him closely and see where he takes things this week.
Brian Ferlin: He does skate like he's carrying a baby grand piano on his back, but he has some speed to him. Was getting shots off from all over the ice. Put on a whale of a hit in the offensive zone on one drill that woke everyone up. For a guy not known as a big hitter, he eliminated his man along the boards and rattled the glass. Here's some video from some of the guys
Jared Knight
Zach Trotman
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Bruins Assistant GM Jim Benning recaps Bruins draft
Bruins assistant GM (and scouting guru) Jim Benning met with the media after the Bruins selected Lars Volden in the sixth round to break down the events from the last two days.
Warning- this video is more than 9 minutes long, so only the hardest of the hardcore draftniks will likely have the attention span to sit through it. Wish I had broken it up into two segments, but here is Benning's remarks in their entirety from Alex Khokhlachev (and he recaps Hamilton later on) to Volden.
Warning- this video is more than 9 minutes long, so only the hardest of the hardcore draftniks will likely have the attention span to sit through it. Wish I had broken it up into two segments, but here is Benning's remarks in their entirety from Alex Khokhlachev (and he recaps Hamilton later on) to Volden.
Bruins grab Ferlin in 4th round
Indiana Ice (USHL) forward Brian Ferlin was Boston's fourth-round selection, 121st overall. The 1992 birthdate from Jacksonville, Florida was eligible for the 2010 draft but passed over.
Red Line Report's Max Giese said that the Florida native is a big kid with good hands. "He's an awkward skater- he skates with a weird style but is more quick and agile than fast. He has a wide base, but is hunched-over when he moves."
In 55 games, Ferlin had 25 goals, 73 points and 26 penalty minutes.
Red Line Report's Max Giese said that the Florida native is a big kid with good hands. "He's an awkward skater- he skates with a weird style but is more quick and agile than fast. He has a wide base, but is hunched-over when he moves."
In 55 games, Ferlin had 25 goals, 73 points and 26 penalty minutes.
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