Rookie Camp Day 1

I went out to Glendale this morning and caught most of the practice.  It appeared there were about 150 people or so out watching.  Overall, I came away unimpressed with the youngsters.  Lack of depth in org continues to be a huge concern. Here are my quick takes on what I saw.

• The older guys who were at camp like MacLean & Kolarik looked fine and not surprisingly looked in sync more than young guys who hadn't played in the system before.  Of the non-rooks at rookie camp, Kevin Porter, was the only disappointment to me.   He should be dominating at this point and isn't. I wonder if he's ever going to be an NHL player.
  

• D-men were slow to jump up into the play in drills and scrimmage.  Ray Edwards exhorted them several times to get going.  Staal did nothing to excite me.  He's looked slow and clumsy even in drills.
  

• Only tryout guy who really caught my eye was Hagel.  Nice motor, good speed, and seemed to have a nose for the puck.  He's an older guy who will probably be lucky to make an AHL squad this year, but I liked the jump he had. 
  

• One person was noticeable in their absence, the head coach.  I can't say that I'm surprised.  From afar it seems like he treats coaching like a part-time gig.  I thought Rampage coaches did a good job teaching, but I think it speaks volumes when the head guy is watching and when he's not.  Conditioning at the end was weak.  Guys skated to the dots and back and then to far end and repeated this with a little twist.  I would have much preferred a good 20-30 minutes of conditioning drills.  The young guys need to learn what type of shape they need to be in.  The pace was not exactly punishing.  Overall the tone was not what I'd want if I was in charge.

It was just the first day and I would expect that everyone will look better as camp moves along, however besides MacLean I'm not sure I saw any guys on the ice sheet that will one day have an NHL career.  I hope I'm wrong.