Texas Stars (and Prospects) Thread

[B Kat]

Looks like the feed for today’s game is at the Columbus Blue Jackets site.

[B Kat]

Baby Robertson of TO is much like his big Bro, Jason. Has that low, wide, awkward stride, butt out, as he makes his way across the ice. Not fast, but strong on the puck. He has had a very nice tournament.

Meanwhile, the Stars are a perfect 0-3.

[Troy McClure]

I ended up not watching any of the tournament. But I will read write ups of the players. Here's one from a guy who is generally very nice and optimistic about most of these kids.

LHD Thomas Harley (No. 18, 2019): It was the usual up-and-down roller coaster for Harley. He was extremely active and flowed around the ice like only he can when he’s at his best. He did a good job feeding pucks into pockets of space, identifying second and third options and made some goal-creating plays with his shot and movement on the power play. But he also made a lot of mistakes defensively. Like way more than he should be at this level.

https://theathletic.com/2834875/2021/09 ... ed-article

[B Kat]

I watched most of the games and agree. Harley clearly has offensive skills, and a nice shot, but defending still seemed a problem. At the 2019 tourney, also saw the same. One would hope for a little more progress.

[ScubaSteve]

So we can safely write off Harley as a bust until further notice. Got it.

[Troy McClure]

He's the kind of guy who needed a lot of ice time to learn the d part of his job, but these covid shortened seasons have given him a whole lot less ice time than he should have had by now.

For a lot of draft picks, a big part of development seems to be little more than waiting for them to grow into their man bodies to compete against pros. Those guys aren't hurt as much by covid because they've still worked out and filled out. But for players who've needed time to develop their on ice game, this lost year could be a problem.

[Knives Out]

I knew Harley was a bust the moment he got slotted down to Team Canada's third pairing at the WJC.

[ToddM]

Defense is the easiest thing to learn in the NHL, while offensive ability is more or less unteachable. Bowness will give up on him right before he gets fired for missing the playoffs again, and Harley will get picked up by some team like Tampa and become a fan favorite for his flash and scoring.

[B Kat]

If anyone could teach him defense, it's Bowness.

[Troy McClure]

Defense is the easiest thing to learn in the NHL, while offensive ability is more or less unteachable. Bowness will give up on him right before he gets fired for missing the playoffs again, and Harley will get picked up by some team like Tampa and become a fan favorite for his flash and scoring.

But what d-man enters the NHL unable to defend at any level? I get guys showing up as rookies and looking bad against NHLers only to get better over time, but I can't think of any guys who got called up who sucked at the job in juniors and the AHL only to get good in the NHL.

[ToddM]

He's good at defense at the AHL level already. He just made a bunch of mistakes in the tournament... probably trying to showcase his skills.

[cdanew]

Defense is the easiest thing to learn in the NHL, while offensive ability is more or less unteachable. Bowness will give up on him right before he gets fired for missing the playoffs again, and Harley will get picked up by some team like Tampa and become a fan favorite for his flash and scoring.

But what d-man enters the NHL unable to defend at any level? I get guys showing up as rookies and looking bad against NHLers only to get better over time, but I can't think of any guys who got called up who sucked at the job in juniors and the AHL only to get good in the NHL.

Cam Fowler?

[Knives Out]

Wyatt Johnson and Logan Stankoven have signed their ELC's.

[B Kat]

Wyatt Johnston looks like he has some skill and he's just a pup.

[ToddM]

Wyatt Johnston looks like he has some skill and he's just a pup.

[Knives Out]

McKenzie named Captain, Petrovic and Borgman are the Alternates.

[Jason]

[Knives Out]

Our offensive deficiencies run deeeeep.

[Jason]

[mookie1010]

If your job is to follow the Texas Stars, is that blue check really meaningful?

[Jason]

[Jason]

[ToddM]

Oettinger and Diamani both are NHLers. But neither are 35 yet, so they gotta spend a season or two in the AHL for some reason.

[ScubaSteve]

You guys are doing a lot of Texas Stars coverage this year

[BigAl]

How’s former NHLer Dellandrea doing?

[Knives Out]

GUUUUUCH !!!

[Jason]

[Knives Out]

Gonna have to settle for a Calder Cup this season, boys.

[Jason]

[Knives Out]

^Translation: Bourque out two months.