Canucks/Oilers prospects game

[Knuckles14]

I'm a lower mainlander up here in Edmonton for a few days on biz....happened to hear that the Nucks/Oilers were squaring off Thurday night down in Leduc...

1. anyone else going to be at the game?
2. I know my Canucks guys well enough I think, but anyone from the Oil I should be watching?

I'll do my best to give a bit of a report on what I see in the game....for anyone interested.

[Kudelskis Krushers]

I'm very interested, and would love to hear any news on Eberle. Thanks!

[beyondthewall19]

Magnus paajarvi svensson ahhhh

[doulos]

Hes playing in the SEL sadly. He's doing quite well in preseason action (for what it's worth)

[joos]

Schroeder there?

[fzusher]

Schroeder is not in camp because he is still in college and not eligible.

I am particularly interested in three lesser known players on the Nucks side: Eric Walsky, Justin Taylor, and James Reid.

On Walsky - what kind of player is he (or being played as) - top-6 offensive, bottom-6 defensive, top-6 two-way, 3rd line half and half?

On Taylor, a tryoutee on camp - general impression. His junior numbers were strong, including PIM, but they were with Tavares. And Washington, who drafted him, didn't sign him. The attitude seems to not be the problem - he does the dirty things, fights when needed. So what is - skating? skill?

James Reid is a goalie on tryout and may very well not play, but if he does, he's intriguing. 18 yr old and only 5'11, but already 206 so he should be pretty bulky, and he posted 1.68 GGA with an 0.94 in 18 games for Spokane last season (though granted Dustin Tokarski, their starter, posted 1.97/0.937 in 54 games). Again, general impression.

[Knuckles14]

ok here goes:

General notes: Edmonton was all over them for most of the game. Hit hard, seemed tighter. Game ended 6-3 Edm.

Van players.
-Looked like top 3 consisted of Walsky/Bliznak/Shirokov although Shirokov didn't play much with them in the 2nd. Beautiful pass off the rush for the first Canuck goal (or second, can't remember). Tap in back door. Didn't seem scared in the corners at all. Ripped one off the post on the rush too.
-Oberg took the skate, but didn't play.
-Collins was prominent with a nice PP goal back and forth with Sauve at the point.
-Ellington seemed to be the strongest defenceman.
-Expected more from Sauve, as he's been hyped a bit back in Vancouver...
-Nadeau played the first period in net and Clark played 2nd/3rd. Clark allowed more goals I think, but the D hung him out a bit, and he made several good saves in tight.
-Labrie was the physical force with a definite win in his fight. (can't remember opponent)
-fzusher...sorry man, not much info on Taylor. Didn't really play much of a prominent part of the game that I could see.

Edm players:
-Eberle was the leader offensively. Dangled twice and scored. First one left three Canucks wondering what happened. Somehow only the 3rd star. Blind guy naming the stars I guess. Should have been first.
-Lee seemed to be a force too. Good speed for a big guy.
-Pitton started, and switched out for Mucha half way through the second. Both played well, but Mucha probably made more quality saves as the game opened up later on.

What I would say here is that nobody shoudl read too much into this game....yes Eberle stood out a bit, but it's only one game...so take the comments above in context. With the Oil picking up Comrie that may very well hold Eberle back a year....

[natgeo]

The oil could really have a deadly top six within the next year or two.

O'Sullivan - Gagner - Hemsky
Paajarvi - Cogliano/Horcoff - Eberle

Pure speed and skill that second line, especially if Cogliano gets slotted there.

Andrew Cogliano or Shawn Horcoff could then anchor a third line with some scoring prowess. Are the Oilers reminding anybody of the Buffalo Sabres team of a couple years back? I could see the Oilers being able to launch three decent scoring lines within a couple of years time. Very nice.

And I'm a Flames fan. LOL.

[kech]

cody hodgson in attendence

had the chance to talk and take a picture with him

[Knuckles14]

oh man, I missed him....best I could see was Ryan Walter!! lol...

[fzusher]

Thanks for the write up, Knuckles.

That Taylor was unnoticable itself says quite a bit.

I don't think Comrie signing sets Eberle back a year. I'd say it gains him a year of proper, unrushed development. But that's me - hell, I would've let Stamkos spend the first 3 or so months of last season in the AHL acclimating to the pro game at his own pace without the big club pressure.