I took a small road trip down highway 401 to Guelph to take in the game between the Guelph Storm and the Plymouth Whalers. The Whalers of course are the home of Jackets first rounder Sonny Milano. I was very excited to get my first live look at Sonny especially after seeing those Youtube highlights from the combine.
I was focused on three things in this game. Milano’s usage by Head Coach Don Eiland, and how he played in offensive and defensive zones.
This season Milano has been one of the most relied upon players by the Whalers. He is estimated to play the most minutes on the team with just over 27 minutes a night (per CHL Stats). Milano played on the top line with over-ager Mathew Campagna and LA Kings sixth rounder Matt Mistele. Eiland used that line in all situations giving them similar offensive and defensive zone starts. They started the game against Robbie Fabbri’s line, the top line for Guelph. For the most part these lines cancelled each other out. In the second period Guelph head coach Scott Walker put Fabbri’s line up against Plymouth’s second line and that’s when Fabbri really started to take over.
On special teams Milano was on the top power-play unit. Plymouth uses an unconventional power play set up with five forwards. Sonny set up in the space below the point above the circle. He was more of the setup man than he was the trigger guy but he did shoot the puck if there was a good lane. The power play was not very strong in this game getting six opportunities and not able to convert on any of them.
When the game was close Milano did not receive any penalty kill time but as the game started to slip away for Plymouth in the third, Milano was thrown out there a few times. I think Milano was used on the PK in an effort to try and create some offense as well as rest/send a message to the usual penalty killing forwards. Guelph had eight power plays and converted on six of them. Milano did not look comfortable when he was out there.
In the defensive zone Milano played the typical role of a winger. He stayed along the wall covering the point and was always looking to go on the counter attack. Once his team got control of the puck he wanted it on his stick. He regularly was yelling “here here” or banging his stick on the ice hoping for a stretch pass. When he did get the puck he was able to skate it cleanly out even when faced with pressure as he’s very quick and shifty on his skates.
In the offensive zone is clearly where Milano is at his best. I counted him as taking nine shot attempts, six of which were scoring chances. His best chances were off the rush where he was able to use his quick speed and hands to beat defenders one on one and get a shot. While he didn’t make any moves like in the clip above, it was clear how good his hands are. They allow him to accept passes no matter how good or bad they are. He made a couple nice plays where the pass was behind him and he put his stick back and poked it up to himself, and another where the pass was in his skates and he simply just kicked up to his stick like it was nothing. This also helped him to create turnovers as he was able to step into passing lanes and corral the puck, which lead to some quick counter attacks.
With sustained pressure in the offensive zone Milano was more of a play maker. He has very good vision passing the puck through the smallest spaces. This has had a big impact on his teammates particularly on Mistele, who in 10 games with Milano has 9 goals.
Future Outlook
Depending on how the rest of this season goes, Milano has the chance to be the best prospect in the Blue Jackets system (he was fourth entering the season). I think worst case scenario he ends up being a highly sheltered third liner who’s a power play specialist. His upside is much higher than that, as he has the potential to be a poor man’s Patrick Kane, with his hands and speed.
Previous Reports
Blake Siebenaler, by Cory Bell
Julien Pelletier, by Cory Bell
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