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tommytightpants · 08-27-2021, 01:28 PM

Detroit's preseason has now gotten under way, and they've gotten a chance to look at the rookies they've managed to add to the team over the offseason. We're going to be examining each rookie's performance over the first four games, and seeing how they've stacked up so far.

The Big Picture:
Detroit got out to a rough start by ways of a 5-1 loss in their first game, and the preseason hasn't gone their way, with that first loss being followed by two more blowouts, 7-2 and 5-2. However, during each of those games, their young core showed what potential the GMs saw in them, culminating in a grinding, tough, overtime win against the Grizzlies to bring their record to 1-3. Detroit's looking down the barrel of a season full of growing pains, as their rookies look to slot in to roles that had been filled by now graduated players.

The Little Details:

Rodrigo Rivic, C:
Rivic hasn't had the showing he nor his GMs wished to see off the drop - but the kid has potential. His defensive numbers are a little lackluster for a Center of his stature, but the offensive game is balanced, and he's proven to be a person who can the final pass. If there was a stat to track the Assist to the Assist, Rivic would probably be leading it right now. Once his TPE begins to even out, we should be talking a lot more about the kid - he's shown flashes of what caused Detroit to pull the trigger on him in the draft.

Preseason grade so far: C

Carson Bishop, C:
Bishop is a similar case to Rivic - haven't seen much from him on the ice so far. His first two games were... rough. No matter which way you cut it - box score, analysis, watching it live - the rookie did not have a good first showing in the league. But, on the strength of strong defending, the second pair of preseason games went much better for him. Look for him to slowly become an anchor on the third line this season, as his defensive impact cannot be understated.

Preseason grade so far: C+

Oskar Von Walther, RW:
Oskar, like much of the team, stumbled out of the gate. And again, like much of the team, improved tremendously over the latter pairing of games. Oskar has had a very middling preseason so far - nothing too flashy, just head down and grinding out possession, both on the offensive and defensive end. So far, he won't be a liability on either - but it remains to be seen if he can elevate an attack above what it naturally would be.

Only time will tell.

Preseason grade so far: C

Vasily Arkhangelsky, LD:
I know it's still preseason, and to take everything with a grain of salt - guys are getting used to the league, setting up their futures, and GMs are trying to slot guys in to rotations. But.

Vasily looks like the real deal.

After stumbling out of the gate with two mediocre games, he came alive during the second pairing of matchups, in which he was vital to the Falcons getting their first win with two assists. Vasily has looked every bit the part, and Muted seems to have hit on a diamond in the rough here. With a little more training and work from the coaches, Vasily has a chance to break out and become a first pairing defenseman in his rookie season.

Preseason grade so far: A

Hugh Jass, G:
Jass has struggled during the beginning of preseason, allowing almost 5 goals per game. However - the fact that both his save rating (currently at just under 87%) and his Game Rating (53) aren't in the gutter attest to the load that the rookie is being asked to carry. He's currently faced down 151 shots against - leading the league - and still boasts a better save percentage than some veterans on the ice on other teams. Jass has the skills and the fundamentals to anchor a defense, but he'll need some help from his defensemen if Detroit is looking to succeed this year.

Let's hope he can get it.

Preseason grade so far: B+

Akashi SixNine Jr., RW:
Winger has been a difficult topic for the Falcons thus far in preseason. When their left side of the attack is firing on all cylinders, the right side is falling behind, and vice versa. Akashi has been struggling so far to get his skates underneath him at the right time. His timing, however, could not have been more perfect in the Falcon's first win, where a blocked shot rolled to Akashi, who set up the play on goal that won the game for Detroit. He's got potential as a skater - but his IQ will need to increase so he can take advantage of his natural talent.

Preseason grade so far: C+

Dirty Boots, LD:
Boots has been a consistent highlight amongst the rookies for Detroit, coming in and filling his role on the defensive end flawlessly. He played out of his mind trying to save their first game, and I think it affected his mental game, as he did not show up in the same capacity again. Look for him to rebound against an easier slate of opponents today, and recapture some of what made his first performance stand out so much.

Preseason grade so far: Strong B, Light B+

{974 words}

*Leppish* · 08-27-2021, 04:18 PM

Approved! +5 TPE @tommytightpants

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