The worst part about Sunday's Minnesota Wild Development Camp prospect scrimmage is that it's the last time all Wild prospects will be in one place for another year. Everything else was great.
From the players on the ice to the Xcel Energy Center announced crowd of 7,500, a thousand more than Thursday night and more than double last year's attendance, everyone was given a July hockey treat as the future was on in display. While Team White won for the second consecutive scrimmage, the final score isn't important. What is was how Minnesota's prospect individually performed and gelled together as their week together ended.
Both Dan and I attended today's scrimmage and will be giving our full thoughts on the two teams. We tried to split up the two halves by each watching a team - I focused on Team Green in the first half and Team White in the second - although it wasn't exclusive.
(If you missed my thoughts on Thursday's scrimmage, they can be found here.)
That's just something to keep in mind but first....lines:
Sunday Afternoon Lines:
Team Green
Jason Zucker - Mikael Granlund - Justin Fontaine
Marshall Everson (Harvard) - Zack Phillips - Brett Bulmer
Louie Nanne - Adam Gilmour - Bobby Farnham (Brown)
Josh Caron - Drew LeBlanc (St. Cloud State) - Carter Sandlak (Belleville)
Cody Corbett (Edmonton) - Mathew Dumba
Corbin Baldwin (Spokane) - Daniel Gunnarsson
John Draeger
Stephen Michalek (first half)
Johan Gustafsson (second half)
Johan Gustafsson (second half)
Team White
Raphael Bussieres - Johan Larsson - Charlie Coyle
Kris Foucault - Erik Haula - Christoph Bertschy
Ryan Van Stralen (Ottawa OHL) - Kyle Thomas (Norwich DIII) - Will Merchant (Eagan HS)
Joel Broda - Tyler Graovac - Brett Olson (Michigan Tech)
Jonas Brodin - Steve Kampfer
Kyle Medvec - Nick Seeler
Ashton Saunter (Edmonton WHL) - Colton Jobke
Joe Howe (Colorado College - first half)
Matt Hackett (second half)
Changes from Thursday: Sean Lorenz was the lone player who didn't play Sunday after being on the ice Thursday. It left a hole on Green's blue line that saw every defensive combination and a lot of Mathew Dumba.
Other "scratches" were Tyler Cuma (groin), Marco Scandella (old), A.J. Michaelson and Mario Lucia (taking summer classes).
Highlight o' the Scrimmage
Strangely the highlight o' the scrimmage took place only 90 seconds in. 2011 first round pick Jonas Brodin was forced to trip 2010 first round pick Mikael Granlund along the boards and Finnish Baby Jesus did not disappoint on the ensuing penalty shot (all penalties were given penalty shots). Granlund, who has some filthy hands, went backhand through Joe Howe's legs and gave Team Green an early 1-0 lead.
Mikael Granlund - Besides the penalty shot, Granlund scored on a pass by Jason Zucker after a second and third effort. Not bad for a player who once again looked to be the best on the ice despite taking it "easy." There's not much to be said about Granlund which hasn't been said but one of his best attributes is the ability to bring the best out of his linemates. Going back to last year where Zack Phillips and Johan Larsson played well with him to this year with Jason Zucker to even Mikko Koivu with Team Finland, Mikael is always on the line to watch. Figuring out which linemates Granlund should play with this year should be fun.
Jonas Brodin - Outside of the penalty, Brodin looked magnificent and was easily the best defenseman on the ice in. Although he didn't look to be as offensive as Thursday, the 2011 first round pick stayed back and slowed down the talented Green top-6 while staying poised. On the surface Brodin seems NHL-ready as the Kim Johnsson replacement Minnesota has been waiting for two seasons. However whether that happens remains to be seen.
Mathew Dumba - The 7th overall pick this year came to life Sunday, showing off the physical play that Dumba is known for in the WHL.
RIP Kris Foucault. We hardly knew ye.
And that's just one of them - Christoph Bertschy also found himself on Dumba's "welcome Matt." While he was able to be physical, Dumba's weekend is a little disappointing. Matt went into camp saying that he wanted to play in the NHL this season and didn't back it up in his first impression. There were flashes where the 2012 first round pick looks like he belongs on the Wild top-four setting up his teammates - no easy task for the youngest player on the ice - but with his expectations, Dumba wasn't consistent on that level. It's not the end of the world and although red flags weren't raised, this weekend was a reminder that Minnesota's newest defensive prospect still has time to develop.
Charlie Coyle - On Thursday, I came away unimpressed with Coyle despite the 28th overall pick in 2010 scoring a goal and assisting on another. That wasn't the case Sunday. Charlie had his moments in the second scrimmage and what really impressed me was the improvement from the things I thought he struggled with on Thursday. Coyle and linemate Johan Larsson played better together (he set up Larsson on his goal), he used his size to throw his weight around and best of all when Charlie was on the ice everyone knew it. There was a moment where Coyle called off Raphael Bussieres for a puck in the corner and took it himself via checking the D off of it. It won't show up on the score sheet but those are the kind of things which I like to see from Charlie Coyle.
Zack Phillips - While it wasn't as good as Thursday's performance - Phillips seemed to have some heavy legs - he had a solid effort setting up his linemates. There was a little more stickhandling and Zack was looking to be a playmaker (honestly I'm not sure if that's an extension of this being an exhibition scrimmage or if Phillips is looking at that more) and it didn't click all the way.
Raphael Bussieres - Maybe it was the dental surgery but Bussieres didn't have the same aggression and physicality Sunday and got lost among his linemates. Still will be an interesting player to follow.
Brett Bulmer - Good performance outside of taking a stick to the face late in the scrimmage. The 39th overall pick in 2010 was a pest at times, clicked with Phillips and not afraid to be physical. Both players got a little too cute at times with passing up shots but overall Bulmer looks to be to straddling that fine distinction between the 2nd and 3rd line.
Johan Larsson - The Swede played well, scoring a goal in both scrimmages and shining as one of the two spotlight forwards on Team White. Despite that, Larsson often gets overlooked - playing in Sweden and being the least-visible of the three 2010 second rounders doesn't help - and it feels like his accomplishments on and off the scoresheet are as well. I hope he gets more attention once he comes over to North America. Larsson is good all-around yet doesn't shine in one particular facet.
Jason Zucker -The 20 year-old continues to raise his stock with his speed and affinity to make the extra effort on both sides of the puck. He's going to have a tough time winning a roster spot with who is ahead of Zucker on the roster (not to mention, who has a one-way contract)
Plus Zucker won a scrap with Steven Kampfer at the end of the scrimmage. Looks like those striking lessons with Dan "the Outlaw" Hardy are finally paying off.
Nick Seeler - It's always satisfying when prospects grow from year to year and that is certainly the case with Seeler. After being the second wheel on a pairing alongside Marco Scandella last year, Seeler held his own with Kyle Medvec. He doesn't have the tools that other defensive prospects in the organization maintain and that's okay. What Seeler does posses is positioning and above-average vision that makes him tough to play against. Those players are needed.
Adam Gilmour - ...was just there. He didn't play poorly or well which for a young mid-round pick isn't bad for his first development camp. Gilmour had his moments and hopefully like Seeler will take something from this weekend when he plays in the USHL.
Gilmour's also a quintessential BC player.
Erik Haula - This was closer to "beast mode" Haula that dominated March for the Gophers and the Finnish native/Minnesota junior had a breakaway he came close to burying. He, meanwhile, had better chemistry with his linemates like most of Team White and Kris Foucault and Haula were beginning to click. He's better off with another year in college despite leading the Gophers in points.
Matthew Hackett & Johan Gustafsson - Both made the tough saves when needed, including the end-of-scrimmage shootout, which is not an easy task in a scrimmage situation. Gustafsson in particular played well; the only goal he gave up was a penalty shot to Lulea teammate Daniel Gunnarsson
In fact, three of the seven goals in Sunday's scrimmage were on penalty shots.
Kyle Medvec - Gets credit for going Brian Rolston in the shootout.
Joel Broda - If there's ever a MVP trophy for the Prospect Scrimmages, it needs to be named the "Joel Broda Award." 2 goals Sunday, good two-way play and chemistry with Tyler Graovac was par for the course with the Houston Aero. Broda is good in these situations and seems to make an impression yearly.
Justin Fontaine - Showed why he's a player who flourishes in the top-six with his hands and vision when surrounded by good players. Fontaine didn't look like a third wheel on the Granlund-Zucker line even though there were more talented and skilled forwards. At the same time, however, Justin wasn't very noticeable outside of a few plays. His presence gave Team Green two scoring lines and although the former UMD Bulldog has a number of players above him, he will be that guy in Houston.
That's it...congratulations on reaching the end! If you have a question about a player who wasn't covered, leave it in the comments or ask me on Twitter @gopherstate.
Photo Credit: Nathan Wells, Jason Zucker, Felix "Big In Finland" Levasque (videos)
Matt Hackett (second half)
Changes from Thursday: Sean Lorenz was the lone player who didn't play Sunday after being on the ice Thursday. It left a hole on Green's blue line that saw every defensive combination and a lot of Mathew Dumba.
Other "scratches" were Tyler Cuma (groin), Marco Scandella (old), A.J. Michaelson and Mario Lucia (taking summer classes).
Highlight o' the Scrimmage
Strangely the highlight o' the scrimmage took place only 90 seconds in. 2011 first round pick Jonas Brodin was forced to trip 2010 first round pick Mikael Granlund along the boards and Finnish Baby Jesus did not disappoint on the ensuing penalty shot (all penalties were given penalty shots). Granlund, who has some filthy hands, went backhand through Joe Howe's legs and gave Team Green an early 1-0 lead.
Mikael Granlund - Besides the penalty shot, Granlund scored on a pass by Jason Zucker after a second and third effort. Not bad for a player who once again looked to be the best on the ice despite taking it "easy." There's not much to be said about Granlund which hasn't been said but one of his best attributes is the ability to bring the best out of his linemates. Going back to last year where Zack Phillips and Johan Larsson played well with him to this year with Jason Zucker to even Mikko Koivu with Team Finland, Mikael is always on the line to watch. Figuring out which linemates Granlund should play with this year should be fun.
Jonas Brodin - Outside of the penalty, Brodin looked magnificent and was easily the best defenseman on the ice in. Although he didn't look to be as offensive as Thursday, the 2011 first round pick stayed back and slowed down the talented Green top-6 while staying poised. On the surface Brodin seems NHL-ready as the Kim Johnsson replacement Minnesota has been waiting for two seasons. However whether that happens remains to be seen.
Mathew Dumba - The 7th overall pick this year came to life Sunday, showing off the physical play that Dumba is known for in the WHL.
RIP Kris Foucault. We hardly knew ye.
And that's just one of them - Christoph Bertschy also found himself on Dumba's "welcome Matt." While he was able to be physical, Dumba's weekend is a little disappointing. Matt went into camp saying that he wanted to play in the NHL this season and didn't back it up in his first impression. There were flashes where the 2012 first round pick looks like he belongs on the Wild top-four setting up his teammates - no easy task for the youngest player on the ice - but with his expectations, Dumba wasn't consistent on that level. It's not the end of the world and although red flags weren't raised, this weekend was a reminder that Minnesota's newest defensive prospect still has time to develop.
Charlie Coyle - On Thursday, I came away unimpressed with Coyle despite the 28th overall pick in 2010 scoring a goal and assisting on another. That wasn't the case Sunday. Charlie had his moments in the second scrimmage and what really impressed me was the improvement from the things I thought he struggled with on Thursday. Coyle and linemate Johan Larsson played better together (he set up Larsson on his goal), he used his size to throw his weight around and best of all when Charlie was on the ice everyone knew it. There was a moment where Coyle called off Raphael Bussieres for a puck in the corner and took it himself via checking the D off of it. It won't show up on the score sheet but those are the kind of things which I like to see from Charlie Coyle.
Zack Phillips - While it wasn't as good as Thursday's performance - Phillips seemed to have some heavy legs - he had a solid effort setting up his linemates. There was a little more stickhandling and Zack was looking to be a playmaker (honestly I'm not sure if that's an extension of this being an exhibition scrimmage or if Phillips is looking at that more) and it didn't click all the way.
Raphael Bussieres - Maybe it was the dental surgery but Bussieres didn't have the same aggression and physicality Sunday and got lost among his linemates. Still will be an interesting player to follow.
Brett Bulmer - Good performance outside of taking a stick to the face late in the scrimmage. The 39th overall pick in 2010 was a pest at times, clicked with Phillips and not afraid to be physical. Both players got a little too cute at times with passing up shots but overall Bulmer looks to be to straddling that fine distinction between the 2nd and 3rd line.
Johan Larsson - The Swede played well, scoring a goal in both scrimmages and shining as one of the two spotlight forwards on Team White. Despite that, Larsson often gets overlooked - playing in Sweden and being the least-visible of the three 2010 second rounders doesn't help - and it feels like his accomplishments on and off the scoresheet are as well. I hope he gets more attention once he comes over to North America. Larsson is good all-around yet doesn't shine in one particular facet.
Plus Zucker won a scrap with Steven Kampfer at the end of the scrimmage. Looks like those striking lessons with Dan "the Outlaw" Hardy are finally paying off.
Nick Seeler - It's always satisfying when prospects grow from year to year and that is certainly the case with Seeler. After being the second wheel on a pairing alongside Marco Scandella last year, Seeler held his own with Kyle Medvec. He doesn't have the tools that other defensive prospects in the organization maintain and that's okay. What Seeler does posses is positioning and above-average vision that makes him tough to play against. Those players are needed.
Adam Gilmour - ...was just there. He didn't play poorly or well which for a young mid-round pick isn't bad for his first development camp. Gilmour had his moments and hopefully like Seeler will take something from this weekend when he plays in the USHL.
Gilmour's also a quintessential BC player.
Erik Haula - This was closer to "beast mode" Haula that dominated March for the Gophers and the Finnish native/Minnesota junior had a breakaway he came close to burying. He, meanwhile, had better chemistry with his linemates like most of Team White and Kris Foucault and Haula were beginning to click. He's better off with another year in college despite leading the Gophers in points.
Matthew Hackett & Johan Gustafsson - Both made the tough saves when needed, including the end-of-scrimmage shootout, which is not an easy task in a scrimmage situation. Gustafsson in particular played well; the only goal he gave up was a penalty shot to Lulea teammate Daniel Gunnarsson
In fact, three of the seven goals in Sunday's scrimmage were on penalty shots.
Kyle Medvec - Gets credit for going Brian Rolston in the shootout.
Joel Broda - If there's ever a MVP trophy for the Prospect Scrimmages, it needs to be named the "Joel Broda Award." 2 goals Sunday, good two-way play and chemistry with Tyler Graovac was par for the course with the Houston Aero. Broda is good in these situations and seems to make an impression yearly.
Justin Fontaine - Showed why he's a player who flourishes in the top-six with his hands and vision when surrounded by good players. Fontaine didn't look like a third wheel on the Granlund-Zucker line even though there were more talented and skilled forwards. At the same time, however, Justin wasn't very noticeable outside of a few plays. His presence gave Team Green two scoring lines and although the former UMD Bulldog has a number of players above him, he will be that guy in Houston.
That's it...congratulations on reaching the end! If you have a question about a player who wasn't covered, leave it in the comments or ask me on Twitter @gopherstate.
Photo Credit: Nathan Wells, Jason Zucker, Felix "Big In Finland" Levasque (videos)
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