Feature July 5, 2017July 5, 2017

Final Thoughts of Rookie Development Camp

The 2017 Nashville Predators Rookie Development Camp concluded this past weekend. It provided a really good look at the Predators most recent draft class and several prospects within the system as well as thirteen invitees from abroad. The aim of the week long camp is very much like an orientation process into seeing what it is to be a professional hockey player at an elite level with elite coaches. That is why players such as Vladislav Kamenev or Trevor Murphy were not in attendance. They have experienced it in the past. Yet, for those still on the rise (e.g. Alex Carrier), it is good for some to return once again to build upon leadership skills and be there for those who have yet to take in the week long experience.

Let’s begin first by acknowledging that 2017 Draft Class by the Predators who showed up in Nashville for the camp: Eeli Tolvanen, Grant Mismash, David Farrance, Tomáš Vomáčka, and Jacob Paquette. The lone player missing last week from the draft was Pavel Koltygin.

Tolvanen being the first round draft selection meant having a good focus in on him this week for Nashville. His future as far as the 2017-18 season was much the question mark throughout last week as speculation of him playing with Finnish side Jokerit in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) came upwhile the possibility of him signing an entry-level contract and playing with the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL this season is also possible. As it so happens, he signed a one-year contract with Jokerit this morning in Finland. The speculation ends there. What was never in question though was this: this kid can shoot. I will put myself out there by saying Tolvanen’s shot is one of those darn near uncoachable skills. He is able to flick a shot with no real wind up and snap it on net with accuracy. That shot reminds me eerily of someone by the name of Filip Forsberg who also possesses the same kind of quick release and accuracy. Yet, similarly to Forsberg, Tolvanen at that age has a long way ahead of him. Learning when best to shoot and utilizing his offensive instincts and skating ability to be equally effective on defense as on offense are what can elevate him to another level.

What you perhaps love the most though is that Tolvanen is an 18-year old from Finland who already made the leap to North America and played two-seasons with the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). There is no worry about having a player being lost in translation to a smaller rink and being bombarded by the closing rate of a defense when he is on the puck. He put himself on the map with that skill, with that shot, and did it in a North American structured game.

It’s here where I feel I should bring up Victor Ejdsell alongside Tolvanen. While Tolvanen had the Jokerit link throughout last week Ejdsell joined HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) five-days prior to signing an entry-level contract with the Predators. His decision isn’t certain as of yet. Last season Ejdsell really burst on the scene with BIK Karlskoga in the second tier in Sweden known as the Allsvenskan. He produced 57 points (25 goals, 32 assists) in 50 games en route to being named Allsvenskan MVP and as the league leading scorer. The problem is that he has never played at the top flight of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and showed during the Rookie Development Camp signs that he is far more of a project than an instant splash.

I will likely be calling Ejdsell by the name “The Swedish Skyscraper” for the extent of his time in the organization for how tall and thin he is. And, while size can be a good thing, he almost looks uncomfortable on the ice whilst skating. In Europe, with the larger ice surface, it can mask skating issues because there is more room to build a head of steam up or to make swooping cuts. His skating was awkward and seeing him get his pocket picked a few times during the Future Stars Game came more as a result of his lack of coordination than understanding of who is where on the ice.

It is then that I say, if neither were to play with the Admirals in the AHL this coming season – it isn’t a negative. Tolvanen understands the North American game and a season playing in a league as competitive and skilled as the KHL will be great for him before coming back to North America. Ejdsell can greatly benefit from testing himself in the top flight of Sweden and continue to round out his game while building on a fantastic 2016-17 campaign. There isn’t a pressure for these two to be a factor right now. So, if both played in Europe next season, it wouldn’t be much of a problem. However, let’s say Ejdsell decided that it is time to embark on the great journey right now and get started in the AHL or Tolvanen managed to jump from the KHL early to squeeze into the Admirals late in the season, both would be serviceable and both would likely learn a tremendous amount because of it. That said: no rush.

The United States National Development Team duo of Mismash and Farrance were quite possibly the two recent draftees that I enjoyed watching the most at Rookie Development Camp. Both look extremely polished already and they are both 18-years of age due to join the collegiate ranks in the Fall. Mismash has an NHL ready name and appeared to me to have size, strength, skating ability, and a nasty shot. I’m really looking forward to seeing how Mismash will perform at the University of North Dakota. As for his pal Farrance, what stood out the most for me was an excellent skating ability. Farrance then displayed a knack for being in the right place at the right time during the Future Stars Game with an ability to bury shots on net. Farrance will be joining fellow prospects from the camp, Dante Fabbro and Patrick Harper, at Boston University. Given Fabbro’s all-around ability on defense. Given Harper’s speed and skill – and now a year to settle down into a wing role. BU is rather stacked with high level Predators talent.

And then there were the Czechs in net. Vomáčka, the most recent addition, and then Karel Vejmelka. Out of all five goaltenders in camp, of which there were three invitees (Étienne Marcoux, Andrew Shortridge, and Atte Tolvanen), it was the Czechs that stood out the most.

Similar to the Predators first round selection this year you have another European prospect in Vomáčka making the leap to North America -far- in advance of his pro years. The result? Impressive. I have now watched enough goaltenders make the leap from Europe to North America in Milwaukee where I can pick up certain tendencies that show how tricky that process can be. It is a much faster game this side of the pond and traffic, screens, and shooting for rebounds are all that much more heightened. Placement of rebounds and lateral speed need to be elevated to match the speed in which traffic can buzz around a net. And Vomáčka, after a single season with the Corpus Christi Ice Rays of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), looks to have really locked into the style of hockey played State-side. His quickness was really good and also how well he battled for pucks. While the Future Stars Game was a run-and-gun sort of scrimmage Vomáčka had the best moments in net of any goaltender there. It’s a credit on his reading of the game, speed, and compete level – the last of which is something I often heard associated with a bloke named Juuse Saros. Neither look in a panic mode or scrambling to recover lost positioning in net. Both look composed while fighting to get a puck and whistle.

Opposite to the new Czech, Vejmelka is someone I feel could make the leap into the AHL scene later this year if needed. In the 2015-16 season, after being drafted by the Predators in the fifth round (just like Vomáčka), he mainly spent his time in the second tier of the Czech hockey scene but advanced the following season to see 31 games at the top flight opposed to 10 games played in the second tier. Perhaps, at 21-years old, Vejmelka could use that one final stamp in the Czech Republic where he plays a full-season in the top league for HC Kometa Brno before making the complete jump for an AHL/ECHL start. I believe, if needed, he could get going this season -but- I do wonder if there is apprehension to do that after how Jonas Gunnarsson did after a European leap last season.

The last draftee, Paquette, didn’t really do anything that positive or negative to me during the camp when looking at the wide range of defensemen around him. When you’re around Carrier, Jack Dougherty, and Samuel Girard it is easy to get lost in the shuffle somewhat.

That is not to say other defensemen didn’t show flashes to make you notice though. Joonas Lyytinen, who did sign his entry-level contract with the Predators a month after signing as a free agent in Finland’s Liiga with Kärpät, looked really good. I feel I was most impressed by his performance at the Future Stars Game when he was displaying a really calm ability in his own zone and around the net. He also happens to be just another one of the Predators style defensemen that can skate really well – go figure. Additionally, I was able to see Frédéric Allard for the first time on-ice. He was supposed to participate in last year’s camp after being drafted in the third round of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Predators but didn’t participate in practices or the game at camp’s end due to injury. What I saw of him was a Frenchie version of Dougherty. I mean that as a complement – and I’m excited for his first pro season this year with the Admirals. Will Lyytinen be in on that mix as well? Time will tell but he is steadfast right now given his contract with Kärpät.

Yet, for all of the names thrown around as well as talk of the 2017 Draft Class, the single most impressive player at Rookie Development Camp last week was the shortest man listed on the roster, an invitee, an Admiral, Tyler Kelleher. I cannot say enough of how impressive he looked. He showed off so much ability, great stick skill, smooth shot, great elusiveness with his quick skating, and a quick read on the ice. Your go-to highlights for Kelleher were his first two shifts of the Future Stars Game that put an exclamation point down on the week he was already having. He skated hard down the right wing, feinted on net, wrapped around the cage, and teed up Farrance for a goal. He then picked the pocket of The Swedish Skyscraper, Ejdsell, and immediately fired a forehand shot high glove on Marcoux. If I could play armchair coach for the 2017-18 Admirals: I want Kelleher centered by Tyler Moy with Anthony Richard as the additional wing. Moy was the second most impressive player at this camp and I think the two playing on a line together throughout the week showcased instant chemistry. The two fed off each other and it is something the Admirals can really embrace for the season ahead.

It is also worth saying that Kelleher is on an AHL contract with the Admirals. That means, if any other NHL team right now wanted to poke their head in and offer up a contract, Kelleher could be gone as quickly as he arrived. After a week as good as Kelleher had: why not sign Kelleher to an entry-level contract, Predators? There could be a high reward out of potentially doing that. I don’t care if you are 5’6″ if you can deliver that hard of work. I believe Kelleher could be good for it once he settles into the pro hockey scene.

Who impressed you the most in last week’s 2017 Nashville Predators Rookie Development Camp? How do you feel in regards to the 2017 NHL Draft Class for the Predators? Would it be best for Tolvanen and/or Ejdsell to go to Europe or immediately join the AHL for next season?

Be sure to keep updated with Admirals Roundtable through social media platform of your choice: follow along Twitter, like us on Facebook, get photo updates on Instagram, and listen along on SoundCloud.

News July 1, 2017

Nashville Sign Pierre-Cédric Labrie

In one of the more head-turning moves of the opening day of NHL Free Agency we received the following. The Nashville Predators signed Pierre-Cédric Labrie, formerly of the Rockford IceHogs, to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal is worth $650,000 in the NHL and $100,000 in the AHL.

Press Release via Nashville Predators:

Nashville, TN – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Saturday that the club has signed forward Pierre-Cedric Labrie to a one-year, two-way contract for 2017-18 worth $650,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the AHL level.

Labrie, 30 (12/6/86), appeared in 52 games with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs in 2016-17, recording one goal, eight points and 96 penalty minutes in 52 games. The 6-foot-3, 226-pound winger has appeared in 178 AHL games with Rockford over the past three seasons, amassing 58 points and 311 penalty minutes during that span. A native of Baie-Comeau, Quebec, Labrie has 46 games of NHL experience, all with the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2011-14, tallying five points (2g-3a) and 65 penalty minutes.

Undrafted, Labrie captured the 2012 Calder Cup Championship as a member of the Norfolk Admirals. Since 2007, Labrie has skated for Manitoba, Peoria, Norfolk, Syracuse and Rockford of the AHL, posting 183 points and 1,033 penalty minutes in 566 games.

I believe giving some time to digest this news quickly game me an answer as to why it likely happened. When you think back to the Milwaukee Admirals past two playoff exits to the Grand Rapids Griffins, both sweeps, you immediately think of a Griffins that continually got under the skin of Admirals players and grinded them out. Labrie is a veteran presence that can calm and squash that area of a game and do it around a young Admirals squad to allow the skill players to do what they need to do.

That isn’t to squash Labrie into an enforcer sort of role, either. He is a season removed from scoring 34 points (20 goals, 14 assists) in 66 games… with the IceHogs. In his career he has 566 games of AHL experience as well as 46 games of NHL experience with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Labrie will turn 31-years old in December and adds to a veteran leadership group for the Admirals that -at the moment- consists of Trevor Smith and Cody Bass. The Admirals currently lack a veteran anchor for the defense, as Adam Pardy has yet to sign anywhere, so that duty goes to a 24-year old named Jimmy Oligny. Goodness knows if the organizational landscape at defense changes after acquiring Alexei Yemelin from the Vegas Golden Knights. But there is always a need for a much more experienced and established veteran waiting in the wings in Milwaukee. In the event a recall is needed (e.g. Matt Irwin, acquiring Pardy in an AHL trade and then signing him to an NHL contract).

What the organization received in Labrie is a proven pro, someone who has good leadership skills, and can step up to the plate against the Tyler Bertuzzi types of the AHL. What this means when it comes to the likes of Adam Payerl and Mike Liambas – I don’t know. But this was a signing that does fit a good role in Milwaukee that is always needed.

News July 1, 2017July 5, 2017

Nashville Sign Matt O’Connor

The Nashville Predators have officially signed goaltender Matt O’Connor to a one-year, two-way contract. The terms of his contract are $650,000 in the NHL and $75,000 in the AHL. O’Connor spent the previous two seasons as a member of the Ottawa Senators organization and was a highly touted goaltending prospect out of Boston University prior to turning pro.

O’Connor is 25-years old and is a Toronto, Ontario, Canada native. In his already very brief professional career he has seen spurts of action across the NHL, AHL, and ECHL. The most tenured league for him to date is the AHL where he played with the Binghamton Senators. In his AHL career he has a record of 24-38-5-1 from 71 appearances with a 3.27 goals against average and 0.895 save percentage.

While that doesn’t look particularly good, nor does his finish at Boston University, it is worth pointing out that the Senators were the second worst team in the AHL last season with a 0.395 points percentage. They were the fourth worst team in the league the season before that, 0.454 points percentage. In that two year span the Senators featured a goal differential of -113 (394 GF, 507 GA).

Perhaps then a change of scenery could do him a world of good. Standing at nearly 6’6″ and needing to find that place to rebound. You can’t help but make a quick comparison to the 2013-14 season when the Milwaukee Admirals ECHL option for goalie was Scott Darling. With the different organization, and new coaches, O’Connor could rebound. And I believe that is what the Predators will be hoping for. Did O’Connor just pick the wrong starting point with the Senators organization or will that blunder in the NCAA National Title Game against Providence always haunt him?

News July 1, 2017

He’s Back; Nashville Sign Anders Lindbäck

The Nashville Predators have signed Anders Lindbäck to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2017-18 season. The terms of the deal are worth $650,000 in the NHL and $100,000 in the AHL. Lindbäck was drafted by the Predators in 2008 and played for two-seasons in the organization.

In Lindbäck’s time with the organization he played 44 games between the NHL and AHL. The majority of his time was spent in the NHL as a member of the Predators where he played for 38 games, earned 16 wins, and had a 2.51 goals against average, 0.914 save percentage, and 2 shutouts. He played 6 games previously with the Milwaukee Admirals: 3 wins, 3.13 goals against average, and 0.897 save percentage.

He has been on quite the odyssey ever since being traded by the Predators to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2012 off-season. He has since played for eight different teams across three different leagues since his time with the Lightning came to a close. In his 2016-17 season he was signed to a PTO Contract with the Ontario Reign in the AHL, was released, and ended up playing back in his native Sweden with Rögle BK.

Game Recaps June 30, 2017

Kelleher Shines; Team Gold Wins 7-4

Team Gold won 7-4 tonight’s Future Stars Game at the Bridgestone Arena. Tyler Kelleher scored two goals and an assist on the night for Team Gold and several soon-to-be Admirals also delivered quite nicely.

Tonight’s game was segmented into two twenty-five minute halves. In the first half Team Gold finished with a 5-2 lead with two goals scored by David Farrance that were set up by a pair of Admirals, Tyler Kelleher and Tyler Moy.

Kelleher’s assist for Farrance saw him race down the right wing, coast around the net, and pick out Farrance camped in front of Étienne Marcoux for a one-timed finish. Kelleher would follow that up with a slick goal for himself on his very next shift. He picked the pocket of Victor Ejdsell to generate a turnover right in front of Marcoux and then feinted the backhand, switched to forehand, and roofed his shot.

Moy’s work rate in the first half was hard to ignore. His hustle in the four-on-four ice sheet showcased his skills very well and the go-to highlight was his assist for the second goal scored by Farrance. Moy was free in the left wing pocket and worked a spin-o-rama no-look backhanded pass to the tape of Farrance for a one-timer. After the first half concluded Moy then had the best move in the shootout segment. He hit the Forsberg deke to perfection.

The second half of tonight’s contest started out with some phenomenal work in net by Tomáš Vomáčka. He was making lots of high quality saves and displaying real flexibility and lateral movement. He would concede goals to Nathan Sucese and Rem Pitlick but they were efforts that you have to tip your cap to the shooters.

Anthony Richard would work a one-two with Eeli Tolvanen to pick up a goal in the second half. Team Gold entered on a three-on-one with Richard carrying the puck down the right wing. He would drop the pass back to Tolvanen who instantly tapped it back to Richard for a one-timer low in the right wing circle.

Kelleher’s solid night would be capped off with a second goal. Where the first one had some defensive skill sprinkled into the play Kelleher’s second was all offense. He cut hard into the left wing circle and labeled a snapshot past Andrew Shortridge.

Amusingly, not a lot happened once the game went from four-on-four to three-on-three. The five minute session saw a bit more defensive quality than offense. That’s not to say that was a bad thing. In particular Joonas Lyytinen looked very good in the three-on-three. I’m surprised how calm he makes plays around the net look.

2017 Nashville Predators Rookie Development Camp is now in the books and the focus turns to the start of NHL Free Agency tomorrow. It could be a busy day tomorrow -or- it could be a slow day as everyone figures out where the market is going. My hope is to see the Predators get some of their own players new deals and retain as much of the 2016-17 group as they can. There certainly is a lot that could play out though. That’s the fun of Free Agent Frenzy.

Ramblings: Among tonight’s prospects there were seven players expected to join the Milwaukee Admirals for the 2017-18 season: Frédéric Allard, Alex Carrier, Jack Dougherty, Tyler Kelleher, Tyler Moy, Anthony Richard, and Yakov Trenin. Justin Kirkland is here this week but did not participate in tonight’s game nor the past few days of on-ice sessions at Centennial Sportsplex. Both Victor Edjsell and Joonas Lyytinen are possible to join the Admirals this season but both have contracts to play in Europe later this Fall as well. Team Gold’s coaches: Scott Ford, Wade Redden, and Austin Watson. Team White’s coaches: Stan Drulia, Scott Nichol, and Kevin Fiala.

Who impressed you the most at this week’s Rookie Development Camp? How are we feeling about the Predators’ 2017 Draft Class? And who would you like to see the Predators sign or acquire tomorrow?

Chatterbox June 29, 2017

Chatterbox, Vol. 211

Day 4 of 2017 Nashville Predators Rookie Development Camp saw the return of on-ice sessions at Centennial Sportsplex. The prospects were split into two sessions today between defensemen and forwards. Each session had a rather clear focus on high level skating.

The defensemen took part in the day’s first session. Dante Fabbro made his first appearance here this week. He had been finishing up classes prior to making it to Development Camp. Considering the emphasis today on skating it didn’t seem like Fabbro missed much of a beat. He ran drills very well and uncorked a hammer of a shot at times.

Someone who continues to impress me this week is Jack Dougherty. He does have an experience edge on some of those he is with but it’s clear he is using that in a leadership role, as well. Around all the skill and skating drills I’ve noticed Dougherty always talking with the group and keeping things light. It’s an area a few of the first-year Admirals have been pushing themselves toward with Alex Carrier and Anthony Richard both being active as leaders around this crop of prospects.

Speaking of Richard: today he was selected to wear the gold helmet and to lead the forward group to the ice to start their practice session. Carrier on Day 1. Tyler Moy on Day 2. And now Richard on Day 4. Not too shabby, Admirals.

The forwards ran a rather similar style practice. It was -again- very skating oriented with angles off the wings to shoot on net, deflection drills, and there were some variations in skating end-to-end.

It’s getting hard to not mention how good Eeli Tolvanen and Grant Mismash can shoot. Both have a quick release but pack a punch to their shot. Mismash has especially looked good. I feel like Mismash, who already has an NHL ready name, has all the tools to be a really good NHL player. When Mismash heads to the University of North Dakota in the Fall I feel like he’ll be in a great place to test his skill set.

As for Tolvanen’s future? It is still a little unclear but, whether he does go to Jokerit (KHL) or happens upon the AHL scene, I think he’ll be in for a welcome challenge to push him to be more than simply a sniper. No matter what happens there: Tolvanen is an 18-year old with a high ceiling. I’m excited to see if he can hit it. That shot will take him a long way.

Someone else who looks particularly good, all around, is Patrick Harper. He might not be the tallest of skaters you’ll see -but- we are seeing more and more players of his cut playing in the NHL provided they have the speed and work rate to stick. He likely isn’t any sort of a long-term fit for center and that’s why it made sense at Boston University for him to move to the wing. It worked rather well, too. He scored 37 points (13 goals, 24 assists) in 38 games during his first collegiate season. He will turn 19-years old next month. For some reason I keep seeing a lot of Brendan Leipsic‘s ability in Harper. Both are very crafty on the puck.

Earlier in the week I spoke with Karel Vejmelka. Today I decided to speak with the -other- Czech goaltender in camp this week, Tomáš Vomáčka. I must say, similar to Tolvanen, it is very impressive seeing -not just a player- but a kid come all the way over from Europe to North America to get a jump start on a potential NHL career. The language barrier isn’t as harsh. The smaller rinks and style of game isn’t as much of a question mark. And I see a lot of confidence in Vomáčka’s game already with tracking shots and rebound placement. The two Czech goalies have impressed me a ton this week.

Interviews today were spaces out across the two sessions. We did get some familiars but also caught up with a few others that should be on everyone’s radar. Here were the interviews from Day 4 at Centennial Sportsplex.

Ramblings June 28, 2017June 28, 2017

First Impressions from Rookie Development Camp

Day 3 of 2017 Nashville Predators Rookie Development Camp is one that doesn’t feature on-ice practice. That isn’t to say the group in camp aren’t getting a day-off though as today will see everyone being active in the local communities. Being a pro on the ice is one thing. Being a pro off the ice is something completely different and something far more important.

That’s their plan for the day. And Day 4, tomorrow, will be back to practice sessions at Centennial Sportsplex for the final stop before the Future Stars Game held at the Bridgestone Arena Friday night. With this community day set I find it a nice time to give an analysis of some of my first impressions from the opening two days of on-ice practices.

The first day utilized a lot of the practice toys I often poke fun at here in Milwaukee because it is like watching a real life mini-game out of an EA Sports NHL series game. The drills highlighted skate speed, hand speed, puck control, and edge control. Ultimately at the end of the run players would be firing shots on net, often times attacking from different angles which also work the goaltenders in camp for lateral speed and in-tight shots.

For my experience watching the Milwaukee Admirals, who do get to use props such as that to run drills on occasion, I could see some of those players having an advantage to running those drills. Some of those drills would have been familiar and, at the very least, the have worked with the practice equipment before. In addition, those are the guys already honing their skills at the AHL level so naturally they look that much flashier and sharper. Watching guys such as Alex Carrier and Anthony Richard were attention grabbing as a result. They are incredibly quick. The same could also be said of Samuel Girard working through the prop obstacle course. For a defenseman to be as agile on his feel and maintain puck control through such harsh cuts of movement it is amazing. Girard looked every bit as advertised when he made his pro debut with the Admirals at the end of the 2016-17 season. He might have a year of junior hockey left but -mercy- is he good.

While recent Admirals may have experience with the skill drills it did highlight some who looked a little flustered and some who excelled in the moment.

Victor Ejdsell on Day 1 had me holding my breath a bit. He is listed on the roster this week at 6’5″ and looks almost more than that. What was concerning was that he looked to suffer from a term I’d like to refer to as Jonathan Diaby Syndrome: he looks too big, and too lanky, for his own good. Size is a great thing to have but, especially in today’s game, size has taken a backseat to outright skill and ability and primarily speed. If you can play with speed you are going to put yourself in a position to have success. Ejdsell has been playing in the lower tiers of Swedish hockey. He really burst on the scene last season in the second tier of Sweden, Allsvenskan, and produced great offensive numbers: 57 points (25 goals, 32 assists) in 50 games -plus- 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists) in 10 playoff games. That’s being done on a much larger ice surface where there is more freedom to roam and more runway strip space to rev up to a high gear. Ejdsell’s skating on Day 1 looked awkward. He looked a little more loosened up and smooth on Day 2 in more of the scrimmage style line drills but he is going to need some time to adjust into the North American game.

On the opposite side to that, David Farrance cutting through all the skill drills on Day 1 was a heck of a sight to see. My rapid fire “analysis” was that he can skate really, really, really good. Imagine that, a Nashville Predators defenseman who can skate. But he demonstrated a lot of ability with puck control and a shot behind it on that day as well. On Day 2 they paired him up with Jack Dougherty and the two looked as if they were a defensive pairing last season. Add a dash of Grant Mismash showing a wicked shot these last two days and I cannot say enough good things about the United States National Team Development Program. It works very well.

I feel I’ve said it in each of the Chatterbox columns on Day 1 and Day 2. I want to say it in more blunt terms now. The player who has impressed me the most so far as been Tyler Kelleher. Part of that is seeing how he looked, practiced, and played upon arrival to the AHL late last season.

When Kelleher arrived to Milwaukee last season I could wrap my head around what I was seeing and the term “Hobey Baker Award Finalist” to the way he was skating, shooting, and then playing in-game. I couldn’t see a difference in Kelleher’s game versus Stephen Perfetto who was being thrown in on a PTO Contract from the now defunct Alaska Aces of the ECHL. If anything, I’d have preferred Perfetto to Kelleher based on effectiveness and all I saw during practices in Milwaukee.

That said, it’s a bit too harsh to think that way when in reality he is a 22-year old kid that went from finishing up his collegiate career at University of New Hampshire, signed his first career professional contract, and was thrust right to game action before acclimatizing to the team, the league, and the situation he just found himself in. What I have seen this week out of Kelleher is a player that very much looked the part of someone that was Hobey Baker Award Finalist. He looks much more relaxed, confident, and explosive. His skating skill is evident. His puck handling skills are impressive. And he has been flashing of a nasty range of shots. It’s as if he has been able to slow his world down a bit and settle in. I certainly have noticed a difference in talking with him this week. He’s getting to be himself. And that could bode incredibly well for the Milwaukee Admirals this season because they lost a player this off-season who I think Kelleher very much could emulate: Matt White.

In net, there are a number of prospects in this week and not many of them are necessarily Predators property. Étienne Marcoux, Andrew Shortridge, and Atte Tolvanen are all invitees. Shortridge has been the one in that group who I’ve enjoyed watching the most. He’s a 22-year old listed at 6’3″ who is really quick in net and tracks pucks real well. I think it is his lateral speed for the size which stands out.

Meanwhile, the two Predators prospects in net are both Czechs and both have had moments where you sit back and smile. Karel Vejmelka and Tomáš Vomáčka are both really talented. I’m not sure how close either would be to making a push for the AHL but, if needed, I would love to see Vejmelka given the breakthrough into the North American game. He has yet to do that in his playing career and is looking potentially like a season with HC Kometa Brno in the Czech league is afoot. Vomáčka has been playing in the North American Hockey League and looks set to join the collegiate ranks with UConn after a season spent in the USHL this Fall. For an 18-year old goaltending prospect Vomáčka could be a lot of fun to watch grow as he’ll be acclimatizing to a North American style game in advance of turning pro.

If you have been attending 2017 Nashville Predators Rookie Development Camp this week: who are the players that are standing out the most to you?

Chatterbox June 27, 2017

Chatterbox, Vol. 210

This morning marked Day 2 of on-ice activities from Centennial Sportsplex for the 2017 Nashville Predators Rookie Development Camp. After getting first impressions out of the way yesterday today’s skate marked a better look from the group as jitters, rust, and familiarity all start to get worked out.

Yet, before the practice today went into full swing, a big talking point of the morning was seeing Kevin Fiala back on the ice and participating in lots of skating and shooting drills. To put it bluntly: it is shocking that he broke his femur two months ago and is where he is in his rehabilitation process.

I often say hockey players are made of rubber and magic. Fiala simply has to be made of pure magic. I would have thought an injury that serve would have meant losing a Summer worth of physical fitness and preparation for a hockey season, starting the 2017-18 season in Milwaukee until his legs are well and truly back under him and his conditioning is set, and he could be in the boat he was in like last season. After seeing him skate today I don’t think he is losing all that much and should be ready for the Predators to start the season. How? I will never know. But I think he won’t miss a beat.

Today’s practice for camp was a little different than Day 1. A few players were here, there, off, and done. Most though grouped all together rather than working as Team White or Team Gold which will compete at the Future Stars Game held at the Bridgestone Arena this Friday night. Today everyone blended together and did a few line drills.

The two defense pairings that I hoped I would see form this week did get a run out today: Samuel Girard–Alex Carrier and David Farrance–Jack Dougherty. Both looked great, gelled well, and I’m getting the feeling Farrence could be one of the better picks of that 2017 Predators draft class down the road. He’s very slick and his skating ability is really good.

I have to give a tip of the cap to two of the smaller forwards in this week. Ryan Hughes has a really wicked shot. He is a 17-year old invitee from the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL who scored 57 points (27 goals, 30 assists) in 70 games last season. For looking ahead into the future for the Predators he could be someone you see back in the mix in the years ahead. Tyler Kelleher once again really impressed me today. It is like watching a different player than the one that showed up to Milwaukee at the end of the 2016-17 season. He’s quick with everything he has been doing on the ice these last two days, accurate passing and shot, and smooth skating. I admit to not being impressed when he showed up initially. I am now and I’m looking forward to seeing this type of form trickle into the AHL this season. I have to imagine it was frantic for Kelleher being thrust from college to his first pro contract being signed and then instantly making his pro debut without really acclimatizing to the AHL. He looks much more confident.

Unlike yesterday, I feel like today’s interviews were a little hit and miss as far as finding the right people to chat with. Some actually had left by the time media availability had come. Neigh bother. We’ll find Joonas Lyytinen aka International Man of Mystery before this week ends. Today we spoke with: Victor Ejdsell, Tyler Moy (who wore the gold helmet today), and Milwaukee Admirals assistant coach Scott Ford.

Which prospect are you most excited to potentially see in Milwaukee or Nashville? Of the invitees are there certain players you feel could contribute in the organization next season? And are there certain players involved in this camp right now who you feel could challenge for an NHL opportunity out of pre-season camp?

Chatterbox June 26, 2017

Chatterbox, Vol. 209

Today was the first day of 2017 Nashville Predators Rookie Development Camp. The group participated in on-ice activities this afternoon at the Centennial Sportsplex and the full roster for the week’s festivities became that much clearer as it was split into two teams.

~Team 1~

Forwards: Tyler Kelleher, Justin Kirkland, Seamus Malone, Tyler Moy, Tommy Novak, Alex Overhardt, Anthony Richard, Jason Salvaggio, and Eeli Tolvanen

Defensemen: Frédéric Allard, Jack Dougherty, Dante Fabbro, David Farrance, Joonas Lyytinen, and Jacob Paquette

Goaltenders: Karel Vejmelka and Atte Tolvanen

~Team 2~

Forwards: Hank Crone, Victor Ejdsell, Patrick Harper, Ryan Hughes, Grant Mismash, Rem Pitlick, Gera Poddubnyi, Nathan Sucese, and Yakov Trenin

Defensemen: Alex Carrier, Samuel Girard, Matt Foley, Zach Osburn, and Adam Smith

Goaltenders: Étienne Marcoux, Andrew Shortridge, and Tomáš Vomáčka

From those rosters alone there is a lot to digest because the 2017 NHL Draft took place since the preliminary roster surfaced in addition to more invitees to the week ahead here in Nashville. I will add though that it felt like there were some bodies missing from today’s practice with the most noticeable being Fabbro. Not sure why that was the case but he was absent on Day 1.

There were numerous players that really impressed me from today’s first on-ice session. Mismash has a lot of skill, great shot, and skates well and looks a lot bigger on the ice than I expected – so you can check off strength in his skill set as well. Farrence was another member of the 2017 draft class who I felt looked outstanding for how quick his skating ability was. As for Milwaukee familiars: Richard, Kelleher, Carrier, and Trenin looked as most fans would remember. I say that with a slight asterisk to Kelleher because he looked much better than I remember him in his brief stay at the end of the season with the Admirals right out of college. He looked far more comfortable today.

An end-season question that I had was also answered: did Moy graduate from Harvard on time? He in fact did and earned a degree in Human Evolutionary Biology from Harvard. He was still finishing up homework as he was making his pro debut as a member of the Admirals at the end of the 2016-17 season. The degree has been earned. The professional hockey career begins this Fall.

After both teams sessions ended the media was given access to the prospects. Rather than shoot for the most recent draft class I went with the Admirals bound lads and familiar faces on Day 1. Amusingly, a lot of those familiar faces just so happened to be sat next to one-another so there was a lot of playful ribbing taking place. Here were all of today’s interviews.

Admirals Roundtable will be active in Nashville this entire week for Rookie Development Camp. Expect continued updates and interviews from this week.

News June 24, 2017

2017 NHL Draft; Day 2 Recap

The 2017 NHL Draft is officially in the books. After selecting Finnish winger Eeli Tolvanen thirtieth overall in the first round the Nashville Predators had five more draft picks to make. Here were their selections from Day 2 of the 2017 NHL Draft.

~Day 2~

Grant Mismash, (2nd Round, 61st Overall): An 18-year old center from Edina, Minnesota. He was part of the United States National Team Development Program fresh out of the famed Shattuck St. Mary’s program. He was part of the 2017 IIHF World Juniors gold medal winning United States U-18 team. And is committed to University of North Dakota.

David Farrance, (3rd Round, 92nd Overall): An 18-year old left-shooting defenseman from Victor, New York. Farrance was a teammate of Mismash at the USNTDP as well as with that 2017 IIHF World Juniors winning team. Farrance is committed to Boston University and he will be joining fellow Nashville Predators prospects Dante Fabbro and Patrick Harper.

Tomáš Vomáčka, (5th Round, 154th Overall): An 18-year old goaltender from Trutnov, Czech Republic. Vomáčka breaks the trend by the Predators of drafting Czech goaltenders who catch with the right glove, Marek Mazanec and Karel Vejmelka. Standing at 6’3″ and catching with the left glove, Vomáčka has spent the past season in North America as a member of the Corpus Christi Ice Rays of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He is committed to the University of Connecticut.

Pavel Koltygin, (6th Round, 176th Overall): An 18-year old forward from Moskva, Russia. Koltygin is a flexible forward that can play out on the wing as well as down the middle at center. He played this past season in North America with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Québec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) where he produced 47 points (22 goals, 25 assists) in 66 games. It was his first season in juniors after developing in his native Russia as part of Dynamo Moskva’s youth academy.

Jacob Paquette, (7th Round, 216th Overall): An 18-year old left-shooting defenseman from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Paquette was part of the Ottawa Jr. 67s program before being selected in the 2nd Round of the 2015 OHL Drafy by the Kingston Frontenacs. He has spent his last two seasons playing for Kingston and has a nice track record going for himself: 23 points (4 goals, 19 assists) in 115 games with a plus/minus rating of +6. He will start his third junior playing season in 2017-18 on the back of his first playoff run with Kingston that ended in the second round of the 2017 OHL Playoffs.

What are your overall thoughts on the Nashville Predators 2017 NHL Draft Class? Are you surprised at all that the Predators didn’t make any trades during the draft or could it be like last year where trade talks were initiated at the draft? What steps are next for the Predators off-season?

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