"When I saw his first game with us, he wowed us," said Head Coach Joel Quenneville. The bench boss added that Ejdsell's play dipped from that first night. He played five more games for Chicago before heading to Rockford to assist in their playoff run.
With the IceHogs, Ejdsell blossomed in the postseason to the tune of seven goals and five assists in 13 games.
"He had some games in Rockford or some periods or some stretches where he had a big impact on the game," Quenneville said. "It looked like he was getting quicker, looked like he was finding the puck more and I think with those types of attributes that he has, he can help us."
Fast forward this morning, just a few days removed from Ejdsell's two-assist performance in the Training Camp Festival scrimmage. Quenneville explained after practice what he sees from the 6'5'', 214-pound 23-year-old Swede.
"Victor is a big-body guy that is pretty handy with the puck and he's got a tremendous shot," Quenneville said. "He sees plays as well, for a big man."
If he wants to continue to make a good impression, Ejdsell needs to play with a bit more pace, according to Quenneville.
"He certainly gives us, with his size, a different look in some areas that we don't mind along the wall. Just the pace of his game is something that we'll keep an eye on."
There are some things you can do to help a young player so they can anticipate more rather than react.
"Some guys are faster than others, some guys are quicker than others… Anticipation is the reason for quickness," said Quenneville. "I think just taking out hesitation in games or in a certain guy's game… You've got to react a little bit earlier, a little bit more with your reads in that area. I think some players instinctually always go to the right area, right away, without that split second. If you can add that to your game with your skill, your size and your strength, it's going to help him out. Getting him a little more familiar with his linemates or his team can help as well and working on things, whether it's in the gym for quickness with your foot-speed, that can help as well."
Ejdsell has been skating with Artem Anisimov and Dylan Sikura quite a bit at camp so far, with the latter getting some praise from Quenneville on Monday as well. If Ejdsell wants to make an impact on this Chicago roster, the path for him is clear to his coach.
"I think it all goes back to anticipating and quickness, because with the other parts he should have no problems."
