October 4, 2014
steve laidlaw
2014-10-04
Breaking down the latest training camp cuts around the league including Trochek, Shore and Howden in Florida…
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The Flyers made some more cuts yesterday including hulking defenseman Samuel Morin. I'm not entirely shocked about Morin getting sent back to junior, though I'm a little surprised they didn't give him a nine-game run to start the season after keeping him this late.
It's also a little surprising because there had been scuttlebutt earlier this week about the Flyers trying to trade a defenseman to make room for Morin on the roster. I don't know if that was just noise or if serious discussions took place. You've got to like Morin to make the leap next year though.
Also cut was Rob Zepp, Philadelphia's 33-year-old rookie goaltender. He'll skate at the AHL level. I can envision a scenario where Ray Emery gets hurt, Steve Mason plays like Steve Mason and Zepp becomes the Flyers starter. That would make him the next Tim Thomas, though I'm certain that Zepp becoming the best goaltender in hockey is in the zillionth percentile of outcomes. But he could be a serviceable goalie. Something to watch for.
These cuts mean that Jason Akeson and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare have made the team. I didn't love Akeson's game in junior. He was too much of a perimeter guy. He seems to have found another level as a pro and looks like he can at least be a secondary scorer at this level. I'm not sure he'll hold up as a two-way player though.
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Rangers' forward and training camp standout Anthony Duclair was named top rookie at Rangers camp by the media. Not surprising considering the buzz. Included in that link is a list of prior winners of the award. Not too many busts on that list. Take that for what you will.
Previous winners include Derek Stepan, Henrik Lundqvist and Marc Savard. Nigel Dawes is also on that list…
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Take a deep breath guys, this one's a shocker… the Blues released Ryan Whitney yesterday. I know, I know. I had to peel my jaw off the floor too.
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The Flames cut three more on Friday, among them was Michael Ferland, who had been making a solid push for a roster spot.
Johnny Gaudreau, Sam Bennett and Josh Jooris remain among forward hopefuls. Gaudreau should make the team outright, even if it leads to a demotion later in the season. Bennett probably gets nine games before heading back to junior.
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The Hockey Writers think that Jakub Voracek will have a big year. It's hard to argue with them. While I think that the Flyers will struggle this season, they should have an awesome power play and their top line will excel at the very least.
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The Coyotes are debating if Sam Gagner fits better as a winger or a centerman. The answer is neither. He's a tweener who will only fit on a line where two players can uplift his deficiencies and allow his skills to shine. He never could find that fit in Edmonton. I'm so happy that he's some other team's problem.
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Elliotte Friedman explains the Vladimir Tkachev situation and more in his latest 30 Thoughts.
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Check out the final two parts of Sean McIndoe's season preview for Grantland: the contenders and the no-clue division.
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TSN breaks down the analytics of why the Avalanche should regress this season. I am all over this bandwagon. The only reason that I could see them bucking the regression monster is internal improvement. This team has so much young talent that they could become a "legitimately" strong team and I wouldn't bat an eye. If they keep getting outshot like crazy though? The I'll refuse to believe in them.
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Justine Bourne on how the Blackhawks power play should be so much better than it is, the latest in his unique team traits series.
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Anyone who missed my ramblings on Thursday needs to check them out. They are the juiciest. I dished on a bunch of different players, rankings and draft strategies as I broke down the Dobber Hockey Experts Draft, which took place earlier this week. You can also see the full draft results here. There's a poll up where you can vote to decide which of the writers had the best draft!
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Elias Lindholm with the hat-trick last night:
I'm high on Lindholm this season. Not because of the hat-trick. I don't even know how many points Lindholm had this preseason. I don't care. Those stats are irrelevant to me. What I do know is that he's a skilled player with a tremendous opportunity to play on the Hurricanes' top power play unit. I think that 55 points is a realistic total for him.
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You can follow me @SteveLaidlaw.
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