Myers was, by far, the best rook last night. Forgive him the young gun turnovers he had, and he played a helluva game. He made plays from his back and knees, and was still able to fight along the boards. During one play in the defensive zone, he fought off two Capitals from getting the puck by using his stick and both of his skates. And he WON the battle.

His reach affords him the great ability to keep the puck in the zone while he's camped out at the point of the PP, and his balance keeps him from getting knocked down when hit. One check wobbled him pretty good, but he only had to plant one of his feet down to prevent from falling - that hit would have taken a smaller man out. His general size also intimidated a number of Capitals players into not even trying to skate around him with the puck - a built-in advantage a number of players would like.

His shot has clearly improved, but it isn't quite where we'd all like it yet. He also looks like he needs to improve on his conditioning a little - the kid can go for days, but this is the preseason and it's not quite what NHL hockey is. If he improves further during this preseason (at about the rate he is), he'll definitely get that tryout.

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mechaphil

At this point, I believe he has the tools. He just needs the comfort-zone; the headspace, to make it.

A touch of confidence and his game will improve substantially - Being paired with a veteran will help his game enormously, too.

Awesome review Phil, do you know of any clips of him on youtube from the preseason game at all?

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I'd like to emphasize that he did in fact make a couple of bad turnovers, but otherwise was rock solid. He and Butler made a great pairing, but yes Ice, he'd be and do even better with a solid veteran.

And Skyline, nothing on Youtube yet.

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mechaphil

Well the turnovers I can live with for now, you have to remember this is his first ever taste of NHL hockey, so every rookie makes bad turnovers once in awhile.

I'm sure Crosby had a few his first year also, same with Malkin.

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Exactly - his rate of improvement will leave him making fewer and fewer mistakes by the time the red carpet is rolled out next Wednesday

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mechaphil

I really liked the way he and Butler played also, there were a few rookie mistakes but none that Roy didn't make which was disappointing. I would like to see how Myers and the rest of oyur defense would fair against a team with their regulars playing. The Capitals were excluding three of their top players (Ovie, Green, and o~). I am hoping that Detroit plays more of their regulars but even if they only start their bottem 9 that is still a good team that we will have to face.

They worked well together, and as a PP point team they looked good.

One thing I forgot to add is Myers has VERY (and I mean REALLY FUCKING) crisp passing. Speedy. Instinctive. If there is one thing I never noticed about him before that I did last night, it's that his passing is lightning-quick.

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mechaphil

A nice contrast to Andrej "dilly dally" Sekara

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Also, and this might sound weird, but he does dilly dally behind the net with the puck. A Capital would skate in and hover above the crease, and you'd think "Shit, here comes a turn over" but then somehow he'd either skate it out right past him or make some smart pass to start a play.

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mechaphil

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

I'll just go ahead and declare you winner of the Internet for the night

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mechaphil

Nice...Steven Wright, I love it when he starts to break his character.
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I wish Myers could play in Portland if worst came to worst. It would suck for him to go back to Junior

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

Myers is one of those players who would benefit from playing in Portland, provided he isn't ready for prime time here. Nothing left to prove in Junior, so what good will it do him? The chance to really improve his offensive play is about it....

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

but he cant go to portland due to that obnoxious 20 year old limit rule.

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Worst. Rule. EVER.

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

right? myers is inbetween to me. not ready for the NHL, but too good for the WHL. id ALMOST rather him go over seas to the KHL for a season.

but nah.

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How did Hecht do? I'm kidding people. I know he did swimmingly.

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All the things we wanted each other to be we'll never be.

Vast Uber Stank........

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

So how did Myers play tonight?

And who is to think Myers, if he goes back to Juniors, won't go until Preseason is up so he gets in as much NHL experience as possible or after his ten game tryout?

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