How did the prospects do at the Devils rookie camp?

I've had a few requests for something like this, so here's my evaluation of five prospects that stood out last week at the Devils' rookie camp. I should mention that I was trying to watch the 2009 draft picks over players I've seen before, so that plays into why I don't mention someone like Tyler Eckford, who I watched a lot more closely last year.

Mattias Tedenby was a 2008 pick, but this was my first chance to see him in person because he did not attend last year's rookie camp.

Matt Corrente played in only one scrimmage before having to sit out the rest with a left shoulder strain, so there is no way to tell if he's made any progress. Also, I always issue the reminder that playing well in a rookie camp against fellow rookies and AHL and ECHL players doesn't necessarily translate into playing well in the NHL.

1. Mattias Tedenby, LW: Quick feet, impressive stickhandling in traffic. Needs to get a little thicker to play in the NHL and needs to learn to keep his head up in traffic. There was one moment in Friday's scrimmage when Jean-Sebastien Berube could have taken Tedenby's head off if he had wanted.

2. Eric Gelinas, D: You could really tell this guy can skate from watching him just a little bit. He's still learning the position because he was a forward up until four years ago. When you have a guy who is 6-foot-4, 190 pound and he skates like this, those are very good tools to work with. Wasn't able to tell whether he plays a physical game.

3. Alexander Urbom, D: Another big kid at 6-3, 195. Stood out with his passing and skating. I liked him a lot. I believe he has the makings of an NHL player.

4. Patrice Cormier, C: I watched him a little more later in the week after I heard that he had signed. He's a well-rounded player and he's filled out some from a year ago (6-2, 200). He looks like an NHLer and a the kind of guy the Devils like. He probably doesn't have the offensive skill to play on the first two lines. I don't like putting ceilings on 20-year-olds, but usually a guy who can play on the top two lines puts up bigger numbers in juniors than Cormier has. He did show improvement in registering 23 goals and 28 assists last season, though. Lou Lamoriello said the plan is for him to go back to junior for one more year, but it's clear the Devils think Patrice Cormier is going to be a part of their future.

5. Jacob Josefson, C: Another guy who looks like a Devil because he's well-rounded. Good skater and passer. He's only 18, so he needs to grow. He's listed at 6-0, 185. It''s hard to tell his offensive potential from his season in the Swedish Elite League because he was playing on the fourth line over there. Maybe he'll get a bigger role in the upcoming season.

I should also mention that defenseman Seth Helgeson (6-5, 220, fourth-round choice 2009) caught my eye more than a few times. I think he has potential. Curtis Gedig (6-3, 190) as well.

Actually, all of the big defensemen the Devils drafted in June looked like they can skatl. Their size stands out most, but after seeing them skate, I understand why Lou Lamoriello and the Devils' scouts are excited about this year's draft.

That said, we're probably talking about three years (possibly more) of development before we see them in the NHL. They are only 18.

In addition, I thought that Alexander Vasyunov and Vladimir Zharkov did some good things where I often had to look at my roster to tell who they were earlier in the week and knew their numbers without looking by the end of the week. 

Right wing Nathan Perkovich also showed an edge that I liked. He'll be an AHL this season, but he was more noticeable than a year ago.

Comments

[NJromano]

i got 3 out of 5 right.. tedenby,cormier,josefson

http://devils.nhl.com/tea...e=TeamPlayers&type=roster
murphy pl3 an danis added to roster on devils web site.. does this mean these are the guys we are stickin with an bergfors,halishuk ,pelley wont be with us?

[TG]

No.

[Mhowitzer]

ill post it here to romano:

from what i have been hearing pelley is a shoe-in this season as logn as he performs decently in camp.....i cant imagine our whole big "youth movement" would be summed up by pl3 a backup goalie, a 30 year old defenseman and pikachu....i expect bergfors to be given the best shot and then maybe halischuk if he really impresses at camp

[Joe stinson]

To me judging from saturdays scrimmage , gelinas could be another Neids big frame at 6'5 has a brother who kis 6'8. But what is most impressive is his skating, very fluid. I think in 2 years he could be a top4 guy for sure.

[devilstown]

"SUPERFAN", you"re kidding right?

This has got to be the dumbest idea since giving out white towels during the playoffs while promoting the theme of "Rock your Red". Time for a new PR department.

[Jason]

Do any of those bid D-men actually play physical? That is the component of the defensive game that with the exception of Salvador, this team completely lacks.

[NJromano]

thanx MH

[TG]

Also, to repeat from the post below, there is no limit on the number of times a player can file for arbitration and go to a haering (providing he meets the other eligibility criteria). A team can request arbitration only once during a player's career and just twice each off-season.

[DrivinMeNutz29]

Wooh TG!!! what about Matt Halishuk??? He was amazing on saturday's scrimmage. Had a goal and two assists. There was no doubt that he and Tedenby where by far the most productive players out there. He's got a ton of skill and he's a work horse. Eckford had a great game as well.I was a little disappointed in Cromier and Henrique on saturday, they didnt do to much and there both great junior players.Matt Daley and McIntyre looked impressive as well. We also forgot about ask why David Wohlberg wasnt there, so i asked Brandon Burlon were he was and he said that he was nursing a back injury. They both had great years at Michigan.

[RickyM2]

if that were the case, we'd be missing one from the 3rd line offense, and the entire 4th line offense. Plus, didnt we hear that the pikkarinen dude is playing in NJ? There are more guys that will be filled in soon. Thats the list of basically who's left. Lets see what new numbers are available for their sweaters just from 09. We lost #1, #2(Brkbnk), #11, #14, #16, #17, #18, #19(not yet settled) #28, #35

[Jonathan]

TG any update on bergfors's personal matter. I heard rumors there was a death in the family. Can you confirm?

[Intern Rob]

Interesting that you didn't mention Matt Halischuk in the top 5. You obviously saw more of the players than I did but when I went to the session open to the public on Saturday I thought he played incredibly well. Tedenby stood out the most to me also but Halischuk was right up there too in my opinion.

[Shimmy]

tbl traded radim vrbata, but where??

[TG]

I wasn't at Saturday's scrimmage, though Halishcuk was good from what I saw in the other scrimages. But I had mentioned that I was concentrating mostly on players who I hadn't seen before, so that was why he wasn't among the players I listed. He looked like the same player as a year ago. (I think I mentioned previously that he looks like he's filled out a little bit). To say Halischuk has a ton of skill is probably overstating. He's more of a hard-worker, gritty type of player. I'm not sure if he's skilled enough to play on the top two lines in the NHL.

And I had mentioned earlier in the week that Wohlberg was injured, though Lamoriello wouldn't say what the injury was.

[murph]

totally agree devilstown..and i was wondering why not red towels too..and drivinMeNutz29 Tg wasnt at the scrimmage on saturday..said it in an earlier post

[TG]

I expect I'll have plenty of time to watch Halischuk in the real training camp, whereas most of the guys I mentioned above will either be in Europe or headed back to junior after a few days.

[TG]

I don't know if he had a death in the family.

[Number6]

So, does it look like we have any centers that are good enough to be called up in case one of our starters goes down? I guess we would have to include our current AHL roster too, and not just those who attended the prospect camp.

[NJromano]

SHIMMY- where an how did u hear of radim vrbata being traded?????????

[Tom]

So by TG's review (and other independent reviews I have seen) we only have a handful of top 6 forward prospects (Bergfors, Tedenby & Josefson). I know everyone wants to trade prospects for a top 2 center, but I don't think we have the depth to do it, and I think in the salary cap environment we have to give Bergfors a chance to show what he can do.

[Jason]

Vrbata is an overpriced rental.

[Intern Rob]

http://blogs.tampabay.com/lightning/2009/07/lightning-castoff-radim-vrbata-traded-to-coyotes.html

/\ source

[AK47]

TG,thank you for the update!
How was Tedenby defensive game and without the puck? Did any of the forward you mentioned have any defencive flashes in their game?

[DrivinMeNutz29]

Thanks tg your the man

[Shimmy]

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