JUST THOUGHT PEOPLE MIGHT LIKE TO READ HOW BABY, ET AL ARE DOING AT CAMP.
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=4780&mode=threaded&order=0
As a very quick summary:
The author rated the performances of both McRaes as "OK", and Bâby as "Good", along with our old pal Brad Tapper.
The author's opinion of Bâby changed a bit the next time that he saw him http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=4792&mode=threaded&order=0 .
Like any of us think of Bâby as a skater?
He's a big body and a hard-nosed checker who can put the puck in the net. You're not going to see that in skating drills.
Hockey ain't figure skating. There are no points for artistic impression.
Some pictures from the Atlanta training camp: http://www.4thrashers.com/prospectcamp02.html . Only Bâby is mentioned.
That's true...it's not figure skating but...
I recall 20 years ago or so, Laura Stamm, who had a figure skating background, made quite a name for herself with her power skating training of NHL players. Anyone know if she's still around?
In particular, she worked with a lot of the NY Islander players, notably the "lesser skaters" like Nystrom and Gillies, among others, to improve their skating ability.
Her training incorporated/utilized many principles of figure skating techniques so call it "style" or whatever you like...she proved there is a lot to be learned from the skaters with the funny lookin' skates! :-D
And the Islanders credited her with helping them to win all those Stanley Cups!
Baby sort of reminds me of Sandy McCarthy of the Rangers, or at least he could develop into that kind of pro player with some improvement in his skating, which is what McCartyhy had to do to make use of his shooting skills.
ursaminor wrote:
QuoteThe author's opinion of Bâby changed a bit the next time that he saw him http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=4792&mode=threaded&order=0 .
Knew what was coming as soon as the author said that the session that was described was entirely skating drills.
Highlight of the article: "Atlanta may not be a historic hockey area, but we sure knows our air conditioning."
I guess it seems relevant enough to put in this thread. Here's the report on Doug Murray from Hockeysfuture.com's Sharks beat writer's list of the Sharks' top 10 prospects.
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=4790&mode=threaded&order=0
[q]9th: Doug Murray-D
Murray has nowhere to go but up on this list. Murray was also a Hobey Baker finalist last season, in only his junior year. This season he'll be a year older, with a year more experience, and will have a legitimate chance to win the award while playing for an improved Cornell University team.
Murray plays a style not much different than that of (Northeastern grad Jim) Fahey's style. Murray is a bit stronger than Fahey, and will play the body more, however, Murray doesn't have the stick handling or shooting ability that Fahey has.
What Murray does have are a lot of the intangibles. The term "hockey sense" is one that is very difficult to define, but is necessary to have. It's a combination of knowing what's happening on the ice, and how to successfully accomplish what you want to get done, along with a dozen other factors at times. Whatever it is, Murray has it. He always knows where the puck is, and is never fooled. He knows how to react and change his game in accordance with his opponents, and is smart enough not to get in over his head.
Unfortunately, there is a very basic element that may hold him back, his skill level. While hockey sense can take you far, there is a certain amount of skill one must inherently have to succeed at a higher level of hockey, and there is question as to whether Murray has it. Fortunately for him, he has a full season of college hockey left, and likely at least a season or two in the AHL to get himself ready.
[/q]
Quite a jump up; before this season Doug wasn't mentioned at all on hockeysfuture, and now (according to the author) he ranks as a top 10 prospect.