Reportiong (nearly live) from the Development Camp

Day 1

http://senators.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp

(The video editore really likes Linkin park)

wprager wrote:They said training sessions every day except for when they have the 3-3 tournaments. But the place was locked up like a vault today. I thought I'd stop by on the way home from Canada Day at Walter Baker Park, but no go.

I think that they said there was an outing scheduled today for Whitewater rafting or similar activity.

wprager wrote:I wonder, could we make Wiercioch into a forward? He's a very good skater for a guy his size, probably a better skater than Chara was at this stage, and he's quite good with the puck. Plus he could probably get a ton of points just standing in front of the goalie.

What's with your obsession with converting defencemen to forwards? :^^^^:

asq2 wrote:

wprager wrote:I wonder, could we make Wiercioch into a forward? He's a very good skater for a guy his size, probably a better skater than Chara was at this stage, and he's quite good with the puck. Plus he could probably get a ton of points just standing in front of the goalie.

What's with your obsession with converting defencemen to forwards? :^^^^:

Spezza centering Karlsson and Wiercioch FTW!

To make up for all the talent lost on the blue-line, why not convert Spezza to defence?

Big guy, long reach, great vision and passing, solid slapshot/great wrister, right-handed...

asq2 wrote:To make up for all the talent lost on the blue-line, why not convert Spezza to defence?

Big guy, long reach, great vision and passing, solid slapshot/great wrister, right-handed...

Skating backwards is a problem, though. In all seriousness, it's probably easier to convert a defenseman to a forward. They are (the good ones) generally better overall players.

http://www.insidehockey.com/blog/more_development_camp_some_quotes_prospects

Can anyone confirm what time this starts tomorrow?

Also, apparently Petersson blew Murray out of the water.

Prospects that impressed Murray yesterday included:

Goalie Robin Lehner, the Senators’ second, second- round pick who was yesterday selected by the Soo Greyhounds in the annual CHL import draft.

Lehner impresses

“He looks to me like the real deal,” said Murray, who added that Lehner should get lots of shots on a Greyhounds team that isn’t expected to be very strong. “Watch him out here, he’s so competitive.”

Defenceman Patrick Wiercioch, the team’s second pick in 2008:

“Patrick looked good. He’s put on a lot of muscle,” Murray said of the now 197-pounder, who stands 6-foot-4. “He’s actually a better skater than he was at the end of last year at 177 pounds.”

Winger Andre Petersson, the fourth-round pick in 2008:

“For me, he is the guy,” Murray said when asked who ‘wowed’ him. “His hands ... If he does everything right for two years, he could be Slava Kozlov. That’s how skilled he is.”

First-round pick (2008) Erik Karlsson also looks like he’s ready to challenge for a job on Ottawa’s blue line.

“He’s put on some muscle,” said Murray.” He’s over 170 (lbs). It doesn’t sound like a lot, I know, but compared to where he was.

“I think he can (play at that). He’ll have his deficiencies, in his own end, the big 1-on-1 battles that a lot of defenceman have. But going the other way with the puck ... you watch the drills ... he’s got special, special hands. Special offensive ability.”

We`re doing it the right way. Patience my fellow fans, in 2 years, we are back, and teams like Montreal and New York will be on their knees to try dumping some contracts.

What time does the camp begin tomorrow? I'm scared to miss it.

Sure does sound exciting...BMurray is doing an amazing job a drafting talent...this team is going to look great in a few...

Karlsson
Wiercioch
Petersson
Cowen
O'Brien
among others...

this may be the only excitement we get to see this off season, dang this team is going to look good in 2 or 3 years, don't be foolish and ruin it by trading these guys off for proven talent, rather take it on the chin for the next couple of years.

SpezDispenser wrote:What time does the camp begin tomorrow? I'm scared to miss it.

1:30 today is the practice session (they are supposed to be daily but yesterday they had an earlier one before heading off for some fun stuff). They do about 45 minutes on one ice surface before taking a break and switching to another. Around 2:45-3PM they may break into a 5-5 scrimmage.

Tomorrow (Friday) is the first of their two 3-3 tournaments. It begins at 10:30. The second one is Monday, and it begins at 9:35.

The rest of camp they should have the daily 1:30 practice sessions. The off-ice stuff is happening at the SBP but is not open to the public.

marakh wrote:http://www.insidehockey.com/blog/more_development_camp_some_quotes_prospects

Interesting, Wiercioch is not as committed to DU as we were led to believe:

I hope to be up here (Ottawa), that's my number one goal. If Ottawa
sees something in me that is deserving of a chance to make the team
then it will be a tough decision.

I thought the decision had already been made. Does this mean he'll come to camp on an amateur contract?

wprager wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:What time does the camp begin tomorrow? I'm scared to miss it.

1:30 today is the practice session (they are supposed to be daily but yesterday they had an earlier one before heading off for some fun stuff). They do about 45 minutes on one ice surface before taking a break and switching to another. Around 2:45-3PM they may break into a 5-5 scrimmage.

Tomorrow (Friday) is the first of their two 3-3 tournaments. It begins at 10:30. The second one is Monday, and it begins at 9:35.

The rest of camp they should have the daily 1:30 practice sessions. The off-ice stuff is happening at the SBP but is not open to the public.

the off ice stuff includes a pinata the shape of Dany Heatley, no candy inside, but they had many made up for people to take out their frustrations, word is Bryan Murray took about 10 of them for his own personal use.

marakh wrote:We`re doing it the right way. Patience my fellow fans, in 2 years, we are back, and teams like Montreal and New York will be on their knees to try dumping some contracts.

No doubt!  As Dung as this Heatly situation is, I'm really glad we haven't dipped into the UFAs.  Do you know how old Hossa will be at the end of that contract?  I just can't believe the contracts signed yesterday...not so much the money but the term...Chicago is screwed next year!

Vandelay wrote:

marakh wrote:We`re doing it the right way. Patience my fellow fans, in 2 years, we are back, and teams like Montreal and New York will be on their knees to try dumping some contracts.

No doubt! As Dung as this Heatly situation is, I'm really glad we haven't dipped into the UFAs. Do you know how old Hossa will be at the end of that contract? I just can't believe the contracts signed yesterday...not so much the money but the term...Chicago is screwed next year!

The contract is meant to be 8 years after which he retires. It's significantly front-end loaded.