Tom Kurver Prospect Showcase

[STL fan in MN]

I thought I heard one of the announcers tonight say that Jiricek had put on 25 lbs. Did anyone else catch that?

As first reported via this website..

https://www.stltoday.com/sports/profess ... 30e8.html

It’s been repeated quite a few times over the last few days now.

[hockey jedi]

His on ice physique was more solid than I've ever seen before on him. I'd love to see another 20 pounds of muscle on him.

[DawgDad]

I thought Dvorsky again played a solid game. He's not flashy or fast like Moore but time after time he was getting puck possession in his own end then making calm and controlled puck handling and passing plays to get the rush started and gain zones. Made some good passes in the offensive end, had a couple of good shots and a couple of wide misses and seemed to win faceoffs cleanly. He and the Blues were stonewalled by that goaltender. He doesn't hang onto the puck and distribute like Thomas, he's quicker to pass or shoot and head for the slot or circle when he doesn't have the puck. He doesn't seem inclined to set up low on or behind the goal line, he wants to play facing the net with or without the puck. He's going to have more value as a center than at wing (he needs and uses space, Snuggerud plays like a winger with board skills and DD plays like a skating center) but he will have to be solid defensively and show he can play his game against NHL level opponents, play an ROR type of game. We'll soon see where he's at compared to Suter and Schenn, and to Thomas defensively and in transition.

Stenberg has some game but not the big body or shot, Carbonneau is the opposite right now. There are still developing scoring threat wingers, Peterson as a pest, and centers who aren't near as close as DD. The top defensemen are individually intriguing but none look ready to make the jump. The goalies were less intriguing but Cranley seems to have improved. I can see where Peterson as a 4th liner may see some NHL ice time.

[Bluesfan1978]

I thought Dvorsky looks much better than last year. Never really seen him carry the puck much last year through the neutral zone. If he did he got rid of the puck quick and was always seeming like he would slow down. I think he carried the puck more this year and played with more speed. His puck skills are incredible. That play he made to 65 after receiving the puck in his skates was high end.
Stenberg best player on the team. JC looked good, love how he plays, he’ll need to control his emotions more before playing in the NHL.
Peterson showed flashes, would love to see him on a line with Torpo some day.
Perkeric made some high end passes.
Jecho was pretty noticeable at times
Jiricek I think was the teams top D. Love his skill level and speed. His angle was the best on the GW goal but I think it’s crazy he was skating backwards at that speed. Can’t wait to see what he looks like after playing 60-70 OHl games in a season.
Lindstein looked better in game 2.
Burns and Fisher I thought I had pretty strong games.
Future looks bright.

[Bluesfan1978]

I thought Dvorsky looks much better than last year. Never really seen him carry the puck much last year through the neutral zone. If he did he got rid of the puck quick and was always seeming like he would slow down. I think he carried the puck more this year and played with more speed. His puck skills are incredible. That play he made to 65 after receiving the puck in his skates was high end.
Stenberg best player on the team. JC looked good, love how he plays, he’ll need to control his emotions more before playing in the NHL.
Peterson showed flashes, would love to see him on a line with Torpo some day.
Perkeric made some high end passes.
Jecho was pretty noticeable at times
Jiricek I think was the teams top D. Love his skill level and speed. His angle was the best on the GW goal but I think it’s crazy he was skating backwards at that speed. Can’t wait to see what he looks like after playing 60-70 OHl games in a season.
Lindstein looked better in game 2.
Burns and Fisher I thought I had pretty strong games.
Future looks bright.

That should say Jiricek’s angle wasn’t the best.

[Bluesfan1978]

74 Anthony Kehrer caught my attention a few times, did anyone watching the game live have any feedback on how he played? I’m going to rewatch the game and pay attention to his play.

[a smell of green grass]

Somewhere in these 14 pages of Showcase, I was really hoping to see somebody mention how wrong ASOGG is about our prospects. Or how wrong the ratings by the National Writers are.

Not to be.

[Harry S Deals]

Still a really poor angle and play by Jiricek. Oh well, he’s still a few years away, so hopefully he learns.

Jiricek is like Kyrou playing defense; smooth, slick and gifted offensively but frail, weak on the puck and gets caught reaching a lot.

He's 19 he'll get coached up. If he goes back to Brantford hes got a great mentor in Jay McKee the size, skating is all there now its time to polish the product