Canucks Young Guns

[Picker of Cherries]

AI told me,
“Matthew Stienburg is a 25-year-old, 6'1" physical power forward who recently signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Vancouver Canucks to provide gritty bottom-six organizational depth. Originally a third-round draft pick by Colorado, his development and playing time have been heavily limited by a history of long-term structural upper-body injuries—primarily shoulder issues stemming from his aggressive, high-hitting style of play—rather than a documented history of concussions. While naturally a centre who can also play the wing, Stienburg’s realistic potential is a hard-nosed, energy-injecting fourth-line banger or primary AHL call-up option, provided his body can withstand the physical toll of his high-impact game.”

[Tciso]

I just watched the summer camp 3 on 3. The usual suspects performed well. Cootes had at least 5 goals, with Malholtra and Patterson both with a pair. Novotny and Aaram-Olson also scored. I couldn’t see names or numbers well enough to track assists. But it was fun pond hockey.

[Aaronp18]

Have seen a few clips online, Novotny can move.

[UWSaint]

I just watched the summer camp 3 on 3. The usual suspects performed well. Cootes had at least 5 goals, with Malholtra and Patterson both with a pair. Novotny and Aaram-Olson also scored. I couldn’t see names or numbers well enough to track assists. But it was fun pond hockey.

The whole thing is closer to a social than a tryout, and I don't think that you can draw any conclusions from how people looked. But without drawing conclusions, you can see some individual things. Like Novotny's wheels are real (though appear faster against a guy on a long shift who can't turn....) and seems very physically developed for an 18 year old. And like Aaram-Olson showed us he possesses the kind of rare shot that can beat an NHL goalie face up. (Almost anyone can get a hold of one, but when a guy is drafted where he was because of the shot, when you see it deployed, you start imagining what it would be like if that was consistent and he had a chance to get it off regularly). And that Braeden Cootes looks like he honestly possesses a "first round" suite of skills, which is a nice thing to see when it was a non-skill-based attributes (hockey IQ, "character") that were the talking points distinguishing him from the rest of the mid-to-late first round tier last season.

[Lancer]

It’ll be interesting to see how Cootes’ skills translate to the pros. I agree the kid has legit skill to go with the IQ and character that were his standout traits at his draft.

If he turns out as a less-physical, less agitating Kesler that’s nothing to sniff at, and not a bad option as a 2nd/3rd-line C.

One thing the kids playing centre in this organization will enjoy is having a face off Jedi master behind the bench. Whatever the wins and losses the next couple of years, hopefully they learn to win faceoffs if nothing else.