If you went to Conditioning Camp on Thursday...

I was there for the first period Tuesday and the whole game today (except for a few minutes when I walked outside with my grandpa as he left) but I could definitely tell the difference between the two days. Today was MUCH more physical, bigger hits, and rougher, not to mention dirtier, play. I really like Newton. He impressed me on Tuesday but he continued to impress me today. Clark was impressive too. He always seems to be in a good position to make a play. Maybe it’s coincidence that he is in the right place at the right time but i’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he’s there because he means to be. Palmieri was fun to watch as he flew around making plays. He had possession of the puck alot, and maybe that could be seen as him being a puck-hog but I am a big fan of puck possession so if he can control the puck and make plays then more power to him. Sexton was the best player on the ice at most times which I expect from him since he has the most experience. Etem will be very interesting to watch as he develops. He has the skill but he needs to learn to either play more physical or learn to skate defensively. He took some big hits today and I could definitely see him getting laid out alot if he doesn’t learn to keep possession of the puck while under attack. I think he needs to take some notes from Andy Mac. THAT guy knew how to hold onto the puck even when he took hits, AND he could evade hits to keep a play going. If Etem can do that he’ll be alright. Vaive looked pretty good too. That’s one bid dude out there and he uses his size well.
All in all I am very impressed with them all. It really makes me excited for the future of our team.

I thought Etem was invisible a lot of the time. I personally expected more from him.

Fowler was smooth and composed with the puck – he’s going to be fun to watch in the coming years.

All in all, I was most impressed by Palmieri and Da Costa (is that right?…I dont know who he is). Yes, you could call Palmieri a puck hog…but then again, almost everyone out there was. Rush upon rush upon rush…north/south the entire time. There were a few times, however, the white team got set up in their offensive zone…good to see passes along the blue line between Gardiner and Mitera.

Mitera was good at getting shots through as well. It seemed like most of his point shots got onto net.

Devante Smith-Pelly (sp?) needs to work on his conditioning…A LOT. He’s like a winded bull in a china shop…bulldozed the goaltender Brown at one point.

Holland showed a good flash here and there, but I thought he was somewhat invisible…kind of like Etem.

All in all, I’d like to see Fowler or Mitera make the team this year (in addition to Sbisa, of course). It would also be nice to have Palmieri in the position to be called up assuming we are in need of a plug due to injuries.