Preseason thoughts so far...

 As we wind our way through the preseason, I figured I'd share a few thoughts.

1. While Nedeljkovic struggled in his first couple outings, he looked largely stellar in the 4-2 loss to Columbus. I only say largely because this is where my observations come in. While he was making quick saves, practically standing on his head a few times, it was the first goal that I've seen a few times out of him. The puck took a funny bounce and went over his head, and he looked absolutely clueless. There was no regathering, no repositioning, just leaving the far side of the net wide open for the puck to be buried behind him. Literally, not even looking at it. Now, you can't put this all on Ned. This is where the defense needs to learn to communicate with the new goalie, and tell him where he needs to be if he is clearly unaware. But the fact of the matter is, if the puck takes a funny bounce, he usually looks lost, and bad goals are being given up as a result. Bad bounces are part of the game, but it has seemed like quite a few of them early on. Hopefully the team can help communicate with him to correct some of this.
2. Lucas Raymond has looked like the real deal. His puck skills are probably tops in the organization, save for maybe Vrana. He has looked outstanding with the puck on his stick. Without the puck, it's hit or miss. Positionally, he looks good, but he's not exactly a puck hound in trying to get it back. He looks very timid defensively when the play comes his way, and instead of trying to make a play on the puck, he tends to shy away from engagement in the play. I'm sure he will learn better as he becomes more comfortable with the physicality of the NHL, but maybe the biggest knock I've seen  on him yet. Still, the future is bright for Raymond.
3. Holy smokes, Seider is a beast. Skating the puck, he has power, pace, and poise. Unlike a lot of defenders in the offensive zone that tend to just dump it deep, he is always looking toward the net, and I have seen so many times where he gets the puck at the blue line, drifting backward, and somehow gets it to the net. And I have been seeing it this preseason. And rushing the puck up the ice, he does it with authority. His skating is a major asset given his size, and while he doesn't have Cale Makar level puck skills, he is good enough to make some really nice plays. I can't wait to see the physical presence in the defensive zone when he gets more comfortable. He is clearly learning, taking what's given to him, and experiencing a few growing pains along the way. The ceiling is very high for Seider.
4. It would be a disappointment if Bobby Ryan didn't make the team. He would clearly be one of the top-9 forwards in the organization, possibly top-6. The skill is there as it always was, and you notice him every time on the ice. Over a full season in good health, I think he would push for 30-40 points. Unfortunately, the numbers are not on his side. More on that next...
5. With Raymond showing he belongs, and garnering rave reviews from captain Dylan Larkin (who benefitted from then-captain Henrik Zetterberg clamoring for his inclusion on the team), and Joe Veleno looking like he is ready to take the next step, you wonder how many spots are really up for grabs. Even with injuries to Vrana, and shorter term to Rasmussen, there likely aren't enough spots for everyone. If Raymond and Veleno are to make the team, it would appear to be at Ryan's expense.