NHL clubs get set for training camp
As the rookie camps came to a close on Tuesday, National Hockey League franchises and their players begin to turn their attention to training camp and pre-season hockey. Most team’s camps are set to begin this weekend and are set to provide several exciting
story lines over the next two weeks.
For several teams camps this off-season will simply be a chance to get a good look at a couple of the organizations youngsters before they are sent back to their respective junior and American Hockey League teams. Squads such as the Washington Capitals,
Detroit Red Wings, and New Jersey Devils do not have a great deal of space in their deep, veteran heavy line-ups and therefore the fight for spots will be much less interesting. However, for most squads throughout the NHL, training camp is an exciting opportunity
to get a good look at some of the new faces that could be playing with the club next season.
Perhaps the most intriguing club to watch during the pre-season will be the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers have a plethora of young players coming into camp with real chances at making a thin squad. It has already been reported that first overall pick Taylor
Hall will be with the team next year. However, youngsters Jordan Eberle and Magnus Paajarvi could be major rookie addition to the franchise if they can perform in camp and pre-season.
Another squad that is facing questions heading into camp this weekend is the Dallas Stars. The Stars have still not signed restricted free agents James Neal and Matt Niskanen. If these players remain unsigned for the remainder of the week they may not be
available to take part in camp or pre-season. Certainly the Stars are hoping they can get the two youngsters locked up before Friday as pre-season work outs are becoming more-and-more important.
The Toronto Maple Leafs also promise to have an interesting camp, as the team broke up the majority of its core last year and brought in several new faces this off-season. This type of drastic change will likely bring about a furious fight for positions.
Moreover, the club has made a strong commitment to developing its youngsters and with so many players ranging from 20-25 attending camp in Toronto this weekend, it should provide a tight race at every position. In addition, Leafs fans will be keeping a close
eye on 2009 first round pick Nazem Kadri, as he is thought to crack the line-up this season.
The excitement for the beginning of camp and pre-season in the NHL is palpable in hockey circles. The approach of mid-September generally means that teams have their rosters in line; having finished making their moves for the off-season. Moreover, debate
begins to run rampant about which youngster has what it takes to crack the line-up and steal a spot from a well known veteran. Perhaps most important, the hockey pre-season means the regular season is fast approaching.
The majority of clubs will break camp on 17 September in anticipation of the pre-season which begins on 21 September.
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