Who Impressed Tortorella In The First Preseason Game?

Morgan Frost and Noah Cates also looked like they had excellent jump in their game, although Frost's compete level on the puck at times, didn't look as enthusiastic as Tortorella may demand. There is no arguing Frost's hockey IQ and fantastic vision though, as evident with his no look pass on the power play goal by Noah Cates. That is an elite play by any standards.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/videos/goals/?type=goals&game_id=2469618&video_id=6312811285112

Wade Allison also made his presence known, jumping to the aid of the agitating veteran, Antoine Roussel, who is on a professional tryout. Allison should be a lock for a bottom six roll and if he lands on a line with Zach MacEwen; lookout!

The most difficult player to evaluate in the preseason is often the goalie. Goalies in preseason games do not face the elite shooters in the league and if they do, the intensity in their game usually isn't present. In saying that, Felix Sandstorm looked calm and squared up the majority of the night. Sandstrom does not have a lot of wasted movement in his game and he came up with some dynamite saves, during his split duty between the pipes with Troy Grosenick. Sandstrom did kick out a couple of juicy rebounds, but he is a battler and did not let any of those rebounds bulge the twine. Sandstrom was perfect on the night, stopping all 17 of the shots he faced and made it known to Tortorella and the coaching staff that he is going to challenge for the backup job.