Free washer | A look at young people elsewhere in the NHL

Eyes have been on the Canadian since the opening of training camp, in particular his youngsters Lane Hutson, Logan Mailloux and Oliver Kapanen, not to mention the concussion caused by the injuries to Patrik Laine and David Reinbacher, and also the blows shoulder (and punch) of Arber Xhekaj, but what is happening elsewhere? Here’s a quick overview.

Matvei Michkov impresses in Philadelphia

No one has ever questioned the talent of Matvei Michkov, seventh choice in 2023. But his behavior in Russia could raise concerns. There were these sometimes unhealthy interactions with teammates, insubordination and an almost complete disinterest in defensive play. The Flyers GM said he saw a personable and committed boy during Michkov’s first weeks in Philadelphia during the summer. In preparatory games, beyond the seven points in four games and some spectacular plays, Michkov offers an impressive level of competitiveness, commitment to his territory and tenacity in his battles for the puck. We even saw him dive to block a shot against the Islanders… and it was a preseason game! The Flyers are right to be excited heading into the season.

Difficult for Hawks rookies

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has been very active in the 2022 draft. He first traded Kirby Dach to the Canadiens to get first and third round picks. He drafted smallish center Frank Nazar at 13^e rank and winger Gavin Hayes at 66^e. Then he dealt Alex DeBrincat to the Ottawa Senators for their first round, seventh overall, second and third round picks. Defenseman Kevin Korchinski was drafted in the first round under the trade.

Korchinski surprised by landing a job in the NHL at just 19 years old last year. He probably would have been better off returning to the junior ranks, even if he had been too strong at that level, rather than being on “survival” in the National League. Korchinski had a rough camp and was sent back to the American League this week, despite having 76 games of NHL experience.

Nazar finished the season in Chicago last spring after a successful season at Michigan (41 points in as many games), but he didn’t show enough to head coach Luke Richardson to be retained. Injured throughout most of camp, 2024 second pick, defenseman Artyom Levshunov, could join them. Connor Bedard will be a rare youngster in Chicago for a while to come.

Injuries, more injuries…

The first four draft picks in 2024 will therefore have been injured during the training period. The first pick, Macklin Celebrini, of the San Jose Sharks, fell in action on Tuesday. His ankle appears to have been hit. He did not return to the game as a preventative measure, but Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky cannot guarantee his presence for the opener. Beckett Sennecke, selected third overall by the Anaheim Ducks, returned to action on Wednesday. He hasn’t done badly, but he would benefit from gaining a little more muscle during a season in the junior ranks. Finally, Cayden Lindstrom, drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets one rank before Ivan Demidov by the CH, is still injured in his back. He did not play any preseason games or participate in rookie camp. He played in only 32 games last year in the junior ranks.

New blood in Detroit?

Despite a vigorous rebuilding process, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman filled his club with veterans last year. Besides the young leaders Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, this club was rather old. And the results have been mixed. There will undoubtedly be a place in the lineup for defender Simon Edvinsson, 21, sixth choice in 2021. Edvinsson also finished the season in Detroit.

Even if the formation is well stocked in attack, we should not exclude center Marco Kasper, eighth choice in 2022. He is having a very good training camp, just like Nate Danielson, also a first round choice , and Carter Mazur.

“We mostly played on the periphery, but these three stood out playing inside,” noted Wings head coach Derek Lalonde after a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this week. When we look at the DNA of several of our attackers, they could change the dynamic of our club. »

If he starts the year in the American League, Kasper could become one of the first forwards called up this fall.

Samuel Honzek impressive in Calgary

In the midst of a rejuvenation phase, the Calgary Flames are delighted by the performance of their first pick in 2023, at 16^e rank, forward Samuel Honzek. This young 19-year-old Slovakian, 6 feet 4 inches and 186 pounds, leads the NHL in scoring in preparatory games with seven points in five games. However, he had just had a mixed season in the junior ranks, marked by injuries. He wasn’t supposed to be in uniform Friday night though. If he is not selected for the start of the season, we could see him again soon in the Flames entourage.