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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