Petry, Lerg and Chorney: Videos and Talent Assessment

We've seen and heard a lot of about the likes of Petry, Lerg, and Chorney. But here are some videos for your viewing pleasure, just to get a real visual experience of just how good these kids are:
Jeff Petry
He scores the first goal in the clip, and plays a big role in setting up another at 3:08. Both are thanks to his speed up the ice. We get to see some of his PP poise at the 4:14 mark, as he sets up a beauty one-timer to Oilers signee Bryan Lerg.

Michigan State vs Michigan

Here's a clip of some of his physical game. He's a big body at 6'3, and has added 10 pounds to his draft-time 200 lb weight.

Big Hit

This is the only MSU highlight video on the internet. For all we know, Petry may be dominating like this game-in, game-out. Petry obviously has ridiculous speed for a guy his size, and being on a strong MSU team has allowed him to jump into the play many a time to create odd-man chances. We didn't get to see much of his shot in the clip, but the guy has a rocket from the point, topping out at 98 mph at the Spartan's skill competition. He's easily the Oilers #1 prospect, and an absolute gem for a 2nd round pick. I could see him leaving after his 2nd year, because he will be 21 (Chorney's age) by the end of it.
We've all heard tons about his physical skills, but boy this kid reminds me of Pitkanen the way he skates.

Bryan Lerg
Here he uses his speed to capitalize on 2 breakaways short-handed. Pretty nice move on the goalie both times

Breakaway goal 1
Breakaway goal 2
Highlight Video with Brother

It's great that he was getting a lot of SH time with the Spartans, it shows he can be relied on as a 2-way player in a bottom-6 role. But as you can see he's got some flash to his offensive game. It'll be interesting to see how much of it will translate into success at the professional level. He's a bit undersized at about 5'10, 180 lb. But if Cogliano can do it, so can he.

Perhaps the most exciting thing about this pickup is the fact that unlike other guys like VandeVelde who are playing with legitimate NHL blue-chippers like Oshie, Lerg has been playing with essential no-names. He has been able to be an offensive force at the collegiate level, and even if he doesn't crack the opening night roster, he's sure to be a first-line presence with the Falcons, and a top-5 choice for the call-up list to the big team.

Taylor Chorney
We get to see some of his powerplay game here in these clips...he eventually gets the goal at around the 44 second mark:
Powerplay Goal 1
Powerplay Goal 2
Crashing the Net

Although there's no clip of him really flying up the ice, we've seen him do it repeatedly with the US Jr Team. But we do get to see some of his lateral mobility along the blue-line on the PP, as well as his wicked slapshot. Chorney never has been known for his slapshot, but it sure does look lethal in the clips provided. He's honestly NHL top-4 ready in terms of his ability to make reads both offensively and defensively. If he can learn to adjust physically to the bigger players, he is a lock to be a top-pairing defenseman.