I’ll be back next week. Sometimes life gets in the way. Here we go. 

Matvei Michkov didn’t do anything different than he did in the KHL. John Tortorella saw him attempt a Michigan. Fine. He did a spin-o-rama. Ok. His edgework is the best in camp. His stopping and starting or stopping and turning his body to manipulate the defense is elite. No-look passes, no problem. Did he leave the defensive zone early? Yes, he does go back again depending on where the puck is but that will be an adjustment considering the coach. His rapport with Oliver Bonk seemed great. His chemistry with Jett Luchanko was great. That’s the future.  

Jett Luchanko – He was much better than what he showed in Dev Camp. He still has to work on his shot. His forehand-to-backhand exchange is very quick. He is a pass-first guy, but he can score too, and his accuracy can be improved. He gained like five pounds of muscle. Not more, he doesn’t want to lose any speed.

Samu Tuomaala – His one-timer is wicked. His acceleration is improved. His cornering needs a lot of work. This could affect his getting to the NHL. He does his best skating in a straight line.  

Spencer Gill – His gap control was very good. His passing is very accurate. When he had to flat-out sprint when the whistle blew, even though he had just made a play in the corner, his speed was very good.  

Elliot Desnoyers – He looks much faster. He doesn’t seem as confident as a few years ago, but he has games and more camp to see that improve.  

Massimo Rizzo – He’s a tank. He was one of the stronger players besides Emile Chouinard, Zayde Wisdom, and Hunter McDonald. His shot is heavy. It wasn’t as accurate as I’d seen it. That may be rust from missing time late last season. He outbattled Emil Andrae. 

Emil Andrae – He is 15 pounds more muscular since his draft year. He has strong forearms and faster skating than he was last year. He is hungry for an NHL roster spot. 

I need to see more from Santeri Sulku and Alexis Gendron needs to show me more.  

Denver Barkey had mono this summer and Carter Sotheran has a slight heart issue that we will get into detail with on Locked on Flyers. Barkey wasn’t there. Sotheran is and hopes to get out there.

Josh Zakreski – Who is there on an ATO has a heck of a shot. He had 21 goals for Portland last year.