
Photo: Colorado Avalanche defenseman Chris Bigras played in 37 AHL games with the San Antonio Rampage this season before receiving his first NHL call-up in January (courtesy of Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
With the game on the line, Jack Eichel was cool, calm, and collected with just seconds left on the clock. Likewise, David Pastrnak wasn’t even looking at the net when he sniped Cam Ward’s water bottle. This time of year provides young players an opportunity in the NHL, and Chris Bigras and Zach Hyman took advantage of it to score their first NHL goals. Plenty of other highlights are included in a jam-packed edition of Prospect Impressions.
Jack Eichel continues to demonstrate why he’s among the cream of the crop out of the current group of NHL rookies. Showing off his elite-level skill set, Eichel snuck down the boards, corralled a pass, and calmly tucked his 22nd goal of the year home in overtime. As great as the goal was, make sure you have your volume turned up for Buffalo Sabres announcer Rick Jeanneret’s call.
Eichel OT winner in the final second pic.twitter.com/6cdYXrYL8K
— Stephanie (@myregularface) March 12, 2016
Jack Eichel may have won the game for the #Sabres, but Rick Jeanneret’s call stole the show! #Beauty certified! pic.twitter.com/gu8DNvTkho
— Tim and Sid (@timandsid) March 13, 2016
Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Evander Kane have been a line for seven games. They’ve combined for eight goals, 12 assists and 20 points.
— John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) March 12, 2016
The Boston Bruins have been all over the place in recent drafts, but grabbing David Pastrnak at 25th overall might turn out to be one of the teams best picks in recent memory. The young Czech forward was electric at the World Juniors, averages over a point-per-game in the AHL, and recently cemented his place on the Bruins’ roster. This goal is one prime example of just how elusive he can be, even when he is not looking.
David Pastrnak snipes.. without looking at the net.. and pops the water bottle https://t.co/1mJ7oMTzLT
— Hockey Vines (@TheHockeyVines) March 11, 2016
#NHLBruins Julien on David Pastrnak, “Maturing into being a player that you can utilize for the most part late in games.”
— Shawn Hutcheon (@ShawnHutcheon) March 4, 2016
The rebuild is in full swing in Toronto, and with a handful of games left, young stars are assimmilating into the Maple Leafs lineup on a nightly basis. First NHL goals are a memorable occasion, and Zach Hyman joined Nikita Soshnikov and William Nylander as young Leafs who recently picked up their first NHL goals.
Zach Hyman’s first NHL Goal. #TMLtalkhttps://t.co/4am7zvUPjR
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 8, 2016
Congrats to former @umichhockey standout Zach Hyman, who scored his first NHL goal last night for the @MapleLeafs! pic.twitter.com/MzgVoyUmdo
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 8, 2016
It’s no surprise to see Chris Bigras taking a regular shift in the NHL at just 21 years of age. Just one year removed from a 71-point campaign with the Owen Sound Attack in the OHL, Bigras quickly adjusted to the AHL level and was rewarded with a January call-up that put him right into the daily rigors of the NHL. It took 21 games, but Bigras was in the right place at the right time to log his first NHL goal in a game against the Minnesota Wild.
Chris Bigras’ first NHL goal is the KeyBank Key Play of the Week.https://t.co/P9yOtzdZSV
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 13, 2016
Chris Bigras looks good in the NHL playing for @Avalanche. I was always impressed with his skating at the OHL Level.
— Peter T. Kourtis (@PTKsportsdude) March 4, 2016
With Ben Bishop requiring some rest as the Tampa Bay Lightning enter the stretch run, Andrei Vasilevskiy has picked up a handful of starts over the last couple of weeks. Syracuse Crunch fans could tell the Lightning what to expect, as they have been treated to a number of highlight-reel performances over the last year-and-a-half. Take a look at these two unbelievable saves by Vasilevskiy when it looked like all hope was lost.
Vasilevskiy. I have no words. pic.twitter.com/ugFgDTOz1F
— Greg Balloch (@GregBalloch) March 8, 2016
Vasilevsky with a huge save in tight facing a 2 on 0 break https://t.co/0M4kIWatPB
— Hockey Central (@HockeyCentraI) March 8, 2016
#tblightning franchise record nine game winning streak over after 4-2 loss to #Flyers. Got outshot 40-18. Vasilevskiy was brilliant
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) March 8, 2016
Albany Devils forward Jim O’Brien spent one week with the big club in New Jersey, and while he didn’t pick up a point, O’Brien still should be at the front of the line for the next recall. In a recent game against the Utica Comets, O’Brien turned on the spin cycle and made Comets goaltender Joe Cannata question everything he knows about the position. O’Brien took home first star honors as the Devils pulled out a 4-3 victory thanks to O’Brien’s 11th and 12th goals of the season.
What. A. Move. pic.twitter.com/cxlPhW2XmO
— AHL (@TheAHL) March 12, 2016
How important was Jim O’Brien this weekend? He had six points, setting up the tying and game-winner goals on Fri. He had two goals Sat…
— ADevils PR (@AlbanyDevilsPR) March 14, 2016
When Erie Otters center Dylan Strome was selected third overall by the Arizona Coyotes, it signaled that expectations are high. He came through once again, logging back-to-back 100-point seasons. So too did Barrie Colts forward Andrew Mangiapane, except the only difference being that he was taken 166th overall. It represents fantastic drafting by the Calgary Flames, while also demonstrating that Mangiapane is one heck of a darkhorse after being selected his second time through the process.
WATCH THIS: With 2G & 1A @NHLFlames prospect @andrewmange13 of @OHLBarrieColts is 6th to hit 100PTS and 2nd w 50G’s pic.twitter.com/9XpECaRhtg
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) March 13, 2016
This kid can play. #Flames 6th rounder Andrew Mangiapane with a 7th straight multi-point game today for Barrie. He’s now 50-51-101 in 56 gm.
— Darren Haynes (@DarrenWHaynes) March 13, 2016
Through almost four full years with the Sherbrooke Phoenix, Montreal Canadiens prospect Daniel Audette continues to dish the puck at a high rate. With 155 assists to his credit in QMJHL competition, Audette is used to threading the needle to find a teammate. As an example of that, take a look at this ridiculous saucer pass through traffic. How did Audette even see that as an option?
This assist from Daniel Audette last night was pretty nice. Passed the puck through 3 defenders, tape-to-tape. #Habs pic.twitter.com/n8ShudyyeQ
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) March 12, 2016
#Habs prospect Daniel Audette with 2 assists as the @PhoenixSherbroo lead the @DrakkardeBaieCo 6-1 in the 3rd period.
— NHL Prospects Watch (@Prospects_Watch) March 12, 2016
Sometimes, all you need is a little help from your friends. The St. Louis Blues were in a pickle when Colton Parayko lost his stick, but his calm demeanor while receiving a handoff from Alex Pietrangelo and his return handoff was equally impressive.
Now that’s some good teamwork pic.twitter.com/kqgQdSKlas
— Hockey Tweets (@HKY_Tweets) March 12, 2016
Last week’s Prospect Impressions feature
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