Tracking the NHL's training camp tryouts
by James Mirtle on Sep 14, 2009 2:03 PM CDT
45 comments
Hey James,
Just wanted to suggest a post on what NHL players have accepted training camp tryouts (and where!) and which players are still on the outs. It's a pretty new phenomenon that established NHLers are having now to claw their way back into the league... I know the Canucks want to run a competitive camp and have invited guys... Who else is picking up with what teams? Are they long shots or reasonable bets to get a contract?Thanks,
Geoff
There are a lot of these guys this year, aren't there? The salary cap crunch is obviously worse than it has been the past few years and many players simply missed out in the game of musical chairs that went on in free agency.
Here's a look at all of the players with NHL experience I could find on tryouts this year, sorted by their likelihood of catching on:
Decent bets:
Petr Sykora, Wild
Blair Betts, Flyers
Brett McLean, Lightning
Healthy scratch or AHL bound:
Theoren Fleury, Flames
Ryan Bayda, Penguins
Mark Parrish, Canucks
Manny Legace, Thrashers
Darryl Sydor, Blues
Mathieu Dandenault, Sharks
Dan Fritsche, Thrashers
Shawn Bates, Avalanche
Martin Skoula, Panthers
Andy Hilbert, Wild
Alexei Semenov, Rangers
Mark Popovic, Thrashers
Long shots to sign:
Andrew Peters, Devils
Jason Allison, Maple Leafs
Kyle Calder, Ducks
Dan Cloutier, Red Wings
Christian Backman, Panthers
Dave Scatchard, Canucks
Mike York, Panthers
Jared Aulin, Blue Jackets
Mark Bell, Flyers
Jassen Cullimore, Ducks
No hope:
Dan Hinote, Sharks
Keith Carney, Canucks (ret.)
Ronald Petrovicky, Canucks
Players without a tryout:
Robert Lang, Manny Malhotra, Dominic Moore, Jassen Cullimore, Miroslav Satan, Michael Peca, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Francis Bouillon, Rob Niedermayer, Bret Hedican, Eric Perrin, Maxim Afinogenov, Mats Sundin, Chris Chelios
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Players without a tryout:
Robert Lang, Manny Malhotra, Dominic Moore, Jassen Cullimore, Miroslav Satan, Michael Peca, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Francis Bouillon, Rob Niedermayer, Bret Hedican, Eric Perrin, Maxim Afinogenov, Mats Sundin, Chris Chelios
That’s not the worst start to a team right there. That said I’d be shocked if Malhotra and Moore didn’t have a place to play at some point soon.
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by Jibblescribbits on Sep 14, 2009 2:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
There was rumblings about Peca maybe getting a Sabres tryout recently, and it even went to the point where the Buffalo News did an interview with him where he seemed to regret his endgame in Buffalo. However, the Sabres are already stocked full of 3rd/4th/5th line forwards, and his chances of making it would have been minimal at best. Not to mention who knows if management (the same people that were there when he left) still holds a grudge. That’s not likely either though because they brought Grier back after his….crticial comments about the Sabres upon leaving for San Jose.
by Afino on Sep 14, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And it’s funny that four of those 14 players on that list are former Sabres.
by Afino on Sep 14, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I couldn’t agree more. While there are some who are past their prime (or in Chelios’ case waaaaaay past his prime), Moore, Satan, Lang, Afinogenov, and Bergeron could and should make somebody’s roster.
by RCheli on Sep 15, 2009 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tryouts
According to this NHL.com article (down near the bottom), Lang and Cullimore have tryouts – with Montreal and Anaheim respectively:
by Entitynein on Sep 14, 2009 2:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Lang is not in Montreal’s training camp. If he was offered a tryout, he did not accept it.
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by saskhab on Sep 14, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
To confirm, Cullimore is in Anaheim’s camp
-Kevin Forbes
Hockey's Future
by kforbes on Sep 14, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s got Cullimore listed as a longshot. Just has him double listed.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Sep 15, 2009 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, no I added him in after Kevin mentioned that. Sorry I didn’t make that clear.
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by James Mirtle on Sep 16, 2009 12:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
BTW, James, some of those players that you have in “long shots” or “no chance” might get two way deals with those teams. In fact, Mike York is indeed signed with Rochester of the AHL, he just doesn’t have a NHL portion to his contract. So he’ll be in Florida’s system whether they sign him by Oct. 1 or not.
I don’t see why Andrew Peters or Kyle Calder couldn’t be on the AHL affiliates of the teams they are trying out for.
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by saskhab on Sep 14, 2009 2:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Just making a couple predictions. I’m obviously not making the cuts.
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by James Mirtle on Sep 14, 2009 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In Calder’s case, Anaheim doesn’t have an AHL affiliate this season, so they’re in a bit of a bind trying to find spots for all their prospects and already signed minor league players. I would be surprised if they started signing more players as well.
-Kevin Forbes
Hockey's Future
by kforbes on Sep 14, 2009 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What Kevin said on the Ducks. And Peters will be competing with Leblond in the enforcer role.
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by James Mirtle on Sep 14, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is Andrew Peters you’re talking about. You forgot the quotes, as in “enforcer”.
I have to be honest, while I expected Peters to turn up somewhere, New Jersey was probably last on the list of possible teams I would have thought of.
by Afino on Sep 14, 2009 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of "enforcers"...
…it’s pretty obvious that Ulf has had some input on the Coyotes’ training camp, as we have King Douche of the World Ryan Hollweg competing with Giant Thug of Doom Mitch Fritz and Scary Manic Misanthrope Francis Lessard.
That’s what this franchise needs… a shot of class! :P
You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
by zyllyx on Sep 14, 2009 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
AHL teams often have more than one enforcer.
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by saskhab on Sep 14, 2009 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe we read the list too quickly, but only 1 goalie on the list?
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sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
by Fauxrumors on Sep 14, 2009 2:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Cloutier and Legace. Goaltending’s not a position left to the last minute usually.
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by James Mirtle on Sep 14, 2009 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Again, as Fauxrumors said, only one goalie was offered a tryout.
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
by saskhab on Sep 14, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You wouldn't believe the local coverage of Fleury's comeback attempt
Both papers for three solid days now, just story after story on Fleury. In some ways, I think it was actually a brilliant move to give him the tryout. He’s got the media completely distracted, allowing the rest of the Flames to focus on camp.
by Resolute on Sep 14, 2009 3:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Heh, I’ve gotten a lot of emails from out that way, too. People love these stories. He’ll probly get a standing-o if he makes it into their lineup.
Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com
by James Mirtle on Sep 14, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And the key to the city, no doubt. So far, it sounds like he’s earned the position he’s in too.
I was hoping they’d throw him into Tomorrow’s game. Looks like the Flames are sending the Abbotsford Heat up against the Oilers. Some sort of “veteran” presence would have been nice. Ultimately, I think he’s headed to the minors, but it would be great if he could get a late season call-up if nothing much is on the line and a couple of games to end his career right.
by Resolute on Sep 14, 2009 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he can go burn it up in the AHL for a half season, he’s earned it. That’s a much tougher league that it generally gets credit for.
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by James Mirtle on Sep 14, 2009 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he can go burn it up in the AHL for a half season
I see what you did there.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there)
by Doogie2K on Sep 14, 2009 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Go to Abby, and cheer for Fleury. That’s gonna take some supreme effort.
I've seen enough to know that I've seen too much.
by Smoboy41 on Sep 15, 2009 1:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Manny Malhotra can't find a job in this league?
Wow, I didn’t think he was bad at all in a checking role for Columbus. Am I wrong? Is there something about him that I, as a Dallas fan who doesn’t watch a ton of Columbus except when we play, am missing?
by Hull Fan on Sep 14, 2009 3:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
No, I think he’s an NHL calibre player, but teams are all out of cash.
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by James Mirtle on Sep 14, 2009 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Out of cash?
He shouldn’t even cost two million. Are things that tight? A team like the Islanders could really do with his work ethic to show the kids the way. Wow, what has this league come to.
by Hull Fan on Sep 14, 2009 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to the youth movement.
The last few years have seen a surge in young talent, especially from Europe. As those kids make their way onto NHL rosters, they’re going to push out more and more of the not-quite-as-good-and-much-more-expensive crowd.
Some of these guys will get opportunities in midseason, as injuries take their toll and the relative cap hit grows less.
by BleedBlue42 on Sep 14, 2009 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He shouldn’t even cost two million.
That’s what he was asking for back in June. Dunno if he’s wised up since then.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there)
by Doogie2K on Sep 14, 2009 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
One of the problems in San Jose is that some of the talented younger prospects would garner considerable salaries if they make the NHL roster. So a veteran making the minimum might actually have a better chance in some cases.
Torrey Mitchell was on crutches yesterday with tendonitis in his knee, and Cheechoo is going to Ottawa, so that leaves 6 third and 4th line positions, and 2 defensive positions up for grabs.
Forwards: Nichol, Shelley, Ortmeyer, Hinote, McGinn, Couture, Staubitz, Frazer McLaren, Ferriero, Ryan Vesce
Defense: Joslin, Petrecki, Moore, Jason Demers, Dandenault
There is a chance Dandenault could assume a 7th defensive role, Joslin is the front runner for the 6th spot. Vesce might be in until Mitchell heals, Other than that who knows how it is going to shake out. McGinn-Vesce-____, Shelley-Nichol-Staubitz-Ortmeyer-Hinote.
by pj48 on Sep 14, 2009 4:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Nikolai Zherdev
There was a story from RDS this past summer that said he signed with Ufa of the KHL, but he never actually did. He’s still a free agent, and teams like Atlanta are kicking the tires with him:
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by saskhab on Sep 14, 2009 4:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Does Zherdev have the Thrashers confused with Ray Emery’s KHL team from last season?
by Bosc Ulrich on Sep 14, 2009 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Zherdev
Zherdev passed up the Thrashers and signed in KHL lately.
by nightmare_49 on Sep 14, 2009 5:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Am I the only one who first thought of this when I saw the picture?
by Bosc Ulrich on Sep 14, 2009 6:55 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
heeeeeeere’s Fleury
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by FrankD on Sep 15, 2009 2:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
When Scatchard started with the Canucks he was a heart and soul player still looking for his scoring touch. He seemed to find it in NYI with a couple of 20 goal campaigns but something went awry during his ‘03-’04 campaign with the Isles and he never regained his form in Boston or Phoenix.
To me he’ll always be the guy that gave big Joe Thornton his first NHL fight. A couple of rookies swinging for the fences. Great stuff. Good luck with the Canucks Scatch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGfUeLvjK3g
MG
by puckreport on Sep 14, 2009 7:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
No kidding. Haven’t heard a word on him.
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by James Mirtle on Sep 14, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
At Francois Bouillon!
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by PPP on Sep 14, 2009 9:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
From “Decent bets”, down through "Players without a tryout, that is quite a list. IMHO Blair Betts might be the best value.
I would send them all to Hamilton and end the off ice drama.
Missing from the list is co-holder of the Jennings Trophy Manny fernandez.
by cubanpuckstopper on Sep 15, 2009 9:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Also missing is Marc Denis, who retired today to become a goaltending coach for Chicoutimi in the Q:
http://www.rds.ca/lhjmq/chroniques/282331.html
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by saskhab on Sep 15, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shawn Bates
thought he might have a chance, but he was released by the Avs today
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by David Driscoll-Carignan on Sep 15, 2009 7:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Eric Perrin signed for Omsk Avangard some time ago, in any case before the KHL season started.
Dean McAmmond really needs to be signed. He looked very good last season after he was traded to the Islanders.
Dominic Moore. I wonder if he thinks he should have taken what the Leafs offered last season. I thought it was a bad judgment call at the time, and now it looks even worse. Maybe his humble pie will be filled with rubles.
One of the downsides of the salary cap world for the players. There are teams who would love to add some of these free agents to their roster, but there is no cap space, and those teams that do have cap space can’t afford to spend more. As a result of stressed-out GMs signing players to overpaying contracts, there are now many good players who can’t get a job, and even if they can, not for the money they should get. Oh well. Over to you NHLPA.
by bearhunter on Sep 17, 2009 12:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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