В пост-газете появилась хорошая статья Молинари, в которой предлагается топ-10 проспектов Питтсбурга с комментариями от Фитцджеральда и Боттерила (ГМ Уилкес-Барре).
1. Simon Despres (19); 2. Beau Bennett (19); 3. Eric Tangradi (21); 4. Dustin Jeffrey (22); 5. Philip Samuelsson (19);
6. Tom Kuehnhackl (18); 7. Brian Strait (22); 8. Robert Bortuzzo (21); 9. Brad Thiessen (24); 10. Nicholas D'Agostino (20).
Из интересного:
Beau Bennett: "He's in a big-time program, playing big-time minutes, and you can't forget that he's still [19] years old. He's a guy who gets you off your seat when you watch some of his hand skills. The way he handles the puck, the way he sees the ice, he knows what he's doing with the puck before he gets it. It's like he's playing chess when other guys are playing checkers. He really thinks the game very well and his skills set is fun to watch. ... There's not one kid where we don't talk about getting stronger, but that will come, especially in a program like Denver." (Fitzgerald)
Dustin Jeffrey: "He could be the smartest player we have in the organization, hockey IQ-wise. He's a very bright player. The puck always follows him around. Pucks don't follow guys around if they're not smart and don't know where to go. ... He's always had a good skills set, so [his assets are] his skills set and his hockey sense. His biggest hurdle to being an everyday NHL player probably would have been his skating, and that has improved, because of his dedication. To us, that is not a hurdle anymore. Can it still improve? Absolutely. But he's worked on his deficiencies. He can play against a top line as a checker or he can play against top lines as a head-to-head power guy. He's got it going on." (Fitzgerald)
Philip Samuelsson: "Philip has been a picture of consistency this year. Every game you watch him play, it doesn't change. I would say he is probably their best defenseman, every single night, and they've got some good players. He moves the puck well, he sees the ice well. He can play on your second power play, which he does, or he can play against top lines, which he does. He's only a sophomore, but plays with the demeanor of an older player, a senior. ... In the transition game, he can move the puck. They have some nice forwards on that team, but it doesn't matter how skilled they are if the defense doesn't move the puck up the ice. His first couple of steps could improve and will with his strength development." (Fitzgerald)
Brad Thiessen: "When he's on, he's aggressive, he challenges guys. To me, what was so helpful for him was that down the stretch last year, Wilkes-Barre had these pressure-packed games where [the Baby Penguins] were trying to get into the playoffs, and Brad just had this confident demeanor. I don't think he gets too rattled. I don't think he gets too excited over a shutout, and he doesn't get too rattled if four or five get in. He has a very even-keeled personality. We're asking him every game to continue to be focused, and he's done a great job. He proved in that playoff stretch that when the pressure's on, he can raise his game." (Botterill)
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10359/1113353-61.stm
Вдруг его папе на стройке кирпич на голову упал бы и парень взялся бы за ум.
