Pre-Game Talk: 2023/24 Training Camp

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[Ararana]

 

[sethro109]

I stopped by and saw some of group one. Guys looked pretty good. After the first part of practice Bednar seem to have a long chat with Colton. Toews in particular looks super dialed in. It's a contract year so I'm not surprised.

RyJo was centering line 1 today with MacK in Halifax.

 

[Anders Cain]

I didn't realize tufte was on the team... Have we fangirled over his size yet?

 

[sethro109]

I didn't realize tufte was on the team... Have we fangirled over his size yet?

View attachment 745215

He's 6'6? I didn't notice him out there. Dermy still looked like he was the biggest human out there.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I know Tuft is listed as a LW but has he ever played center? Have the same question for Kiviranta, he's listed as both a RW and LW. I'd hate to be locked into Meyers on the 4th just because he's a center if these other guys are better. I'm somewhat relieved that Wagner is not going to be an option at least immediately.

Of course, folks have spoken well of Pavel, so maybe he impresses over the next few weeks.

 

[The Merchant]

Deserves its own thread. Very, very well deserved. Glad to see he's staying put.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

I know Tuft is listed as a LW but has he ever played center? Have the same question for Kiviranta, he's listed as both a RW and LW. I'd hate to be locked into Meyers on the 4th just because he's a center if these other guys are better. I'm somewhat relieved that Wagner is not going to be an option at least immediately.

Of course, folks have spoken well of Pavel, so maybe he impresses over the next few weeks.

Cogs is probably the other 4C option. Either way not great options.


I think it's going to be Meyers. Saw a few comments on Twitter about that line looking pretty good though so we'll see.

 

[UncleRisto]

but has he ever played center? Have the same question for Kiviranta, he's listed as both a RW and LW.

And I have the answer: no.

 

[Foppa2118]

RyJo was centering line 1 today with MacK in Halifax.

Forgot about that. Could that be why he left practice early yesterday? Had to catch a flight?

 

[S E P H]

I went to training camp too!

- I did not focus a lot on our past regular NHL players, but the drills were a lot more fun to watch compared to the past couple of training camps.

- Drouin probably got the most talk from Bednar of anyone, especially when it came to his defensive zone play. As Hab fans already said, he's soft and he was soft again today.

- Manson had a brilliant day, super impressive out there but I take it that a lot of this had to do with experience.

- Really impressed by Jack Ahcan. Not saying he gets a roster spot, but his two-way ability was very noticeable. Likewise with Schueneman as well. Fairbrother was definitely the weakest of these three.

- I don't really understand how Wood got a six-year deal. Tatar was probably the best of his linemates, but he's a pretty perimeter player so get used to that.

- Stienburg had some awesome moments out there. He's that type of player who goes invisible for large stretches, but then he does something to make you look at the roster sheet and come away impressed.

- They said that MacDermid spent his entire summer skating and practising in CO, but I see absolutely no difference.

- Malinski was disappointing for someone who would be a major challenge for an NHL roster spot, but Jedlicka and Kiviranta had some smooth moments.

- Johansen looked like a fat arse during the suicides.

 

[henchman21]

- Really impressed by Jack Ahcan out there. Not saying he gets a roster spot, but his two-way ability was very noticeable. Likewise with Schueneman as well. Fairbrother was definitely the weakest of these three.

I 100% believe that if he was 5'11" or 6' he'd be in the NHL. He doesn't have enough offense to be a big time PP QB or point scorer and doesn't have enough size to be preferred bottom pairing guy.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I went to training camp too!

- I did not focus a lot on our past regular NHL players, but the drills were a lot more fun to watch compared to the past couple of training camps.

- Drouin probably got the most talk from Bednar of anyone, especially when it came to his defensive zone play. As Hab fans already said, he's soft and he was soft again today.

- Manson had a brilliant day, super impressive out there but I take it that a lot of this had to do with experience.

- Really impressed by Jack Ahcan. Not saying he gets a roster spot, but his two-way ability was very noticeable. Likewise with Schueneman as well. Fairbrother was definitely the weakest of these three.

- I don't really understand how Wood got a six-year deal. Tatar was probably the best of his linemates, but he's a pretty perimeter player so get used to that.

- Stienburg had some awesome plays out there. He's that type of player who goes invisible for large stretches, but then the play he does makes you look at the roster sheet and come away impressed.

- They said that MacDermid spent his entire summer skating, but I see absolutely no difference.

- Malinski was disappointing for someone who would be a major challenge for an NHL roster spot, but Jedlicka and Kiviranta had some smooth moments.

- Johansen looked like a fat arse during the suicides.

Lucky you! Thanks for the update. Really appreciate everyone who gets to go and then comes back and shares with us. Makes being a long-distance fan more fun.

As for the bolded, if I remember correctly, didn't we used to have a bunch of minor injuries pop up during camp during Bednar's first few years. I think a lot of that had to do with the hard skating he puts them through. I'd rather have RyJo slowly up the tempo than getting some nagging groin issue that will bother him throughout the season.

 

[S E P H]

I 100% believe that if he was 5'11" or 6' he'd be in the NHL. He doesn't have enough offense to be a big time PP QB or point scorer and doesn't have enough size to be preferred bottom pairing guy.

It's one of those issues where you see that he has around the same level of talent as Severson IMHO and plays the same way, but is just small out there. For at least half of the session, I thought he was originally Mayhew who is just as short as he is. Nevertheless, Ahcan had some brilliant snipes and IQ moments both with and without the puck.

Lucky you! Thanks for the update. Really appreciate everyone who gets to go and then comes back and shares with us. Makes being a long-distance fan more fun.

As for the bolded, if I remember correctly, didn't we used to have a bunch of minor injuries pop up during camp during Bednar's first few years. I think a lot of that had to do with the hard skating he puts them through. I'd rather have RyJo slowly up the tempo than getting some nagging groin issue that will bother him throughout the season.

In the past training camps, Bednar pushed them with full-length skating and timed each one of them. They didn't do that today, but it might've happened yesterday which I didn't go to. Or that drill could've been the one that caused the minor injuries that you were referring to.

 

[sethro109]

Forgot about that. Could that be why he left practice early yesterday? Had to catch a flight?

I believe that was the reason. Someone posted a picture of him on a jet a few hours after practice.

 

[tigervixxxen]

I went to training camp too!

- I did not focus a lot on our past regular NHL players, but the drills were a lot more fun to watch compared to the past couple of training camps.

- Drouin probably got the most talk from Bednar of anyone, especially when it came to his defensive zone play. As Hab fans already said, he's soft and he was soft again today.

- Manson had a brilliant day, super impressive out there but I take it that a lot of this had to do with experience.

- Really impressed by Jack Ahcan. Not saying he gets a roster spot, but his two-way ability was very noticeable. Likewise with Schueneman as well. Fairbrother was definitely the weakest of these three.

- I don't really understand how Wood got a six-year deal. Tatar was probably the best of his linemates, but he's a pretty perimeter player so get used to that.

- Stienburg had some awesome moments out there. He's that type of player who goes invisible for large stretches, but then he does something to make you look at the roster sheet and come away impressed.

- They said that MacDermid spent his entire summer skating and practising in CO, but I see absolutely no difference.

- Malinski was disappointing for someone who would be a major challenge for an NHL roster spot, but Jedlicka and Kiviranta had some smooth moments.

- Johansen looked like a fat arse during the suicides.

I pretty much agree with all of this. Drouin was fine to me but co-sign the rest. All the regular D look a step above, really too.

 

[Foppa2118]

- Manson had a brilliant day, super impressive out there but I take it that a lot of this had to do with experience.

I'd say this is a good sign. Usually vets don't give a ton of effort in camp, because they don't have to. Their priority is getting their body ready for the season.

If he's pushing himself that means his ankle's doing ok. Especially after taking it easy in the pre camp practices.

 

[tigervixxxen]

It's one of those issues where you see that he has around the same level of talent as Severson IMHO and plays the same way, but is just small out there. For at least half of the session, I thought he was originally Mayhew who is just as short as he is. Nevertheless, Ahcan had some brilliant snipes and IQ moments both with and without the puck.

In the past training camps, Bednar pushed them with full-length skating and timed each one of them. They didn't do that today, but it might've happened yesterday which I didn't go to. Or that drill could've been the one that caused the minor injuries that you were referring to.

Yesterday it was somewhat similar except they did some speed skating type figure 8s before the mini suicides. But yeah it didn’t seem as structured and timed as in the past.

As far as Mack I think something strung him a bit and he bailed when they switched sheets. (They can only spend 30 minutes at a time on the crappy FSC ice so they keep switching). He took a private jet from the executive airport literally across the street, I don’t think he needed to bail on the last half hour of practice for that. But I’m sure he’s fine either way.

 

[Foppa2118]

Yesterday it was somewhat similar except they did some speed skating type figure 8s before the mini suicides. But yeah it didn’t seem as structured and timed as in the past.

I wonder if they may be finally easing back on all the hard skating? I really think that has something to do with the injuries, because they skate hard in all the games too. l

Whether it's fatigue leading to injuries or just overworking muscles it can definitely play a factor.

Groin injuries especially. We see a fair amount with this team and I always have a feeling that's what some of the lower body injuries are too. Including Pavel who looked to be skating like crazy in pre camp to show his hustle.

 

[tigervixxxen]

It still was pretty strenuous but not timed or as structured. Maybe they decided it wasn’t worth it.

 

[ASmileyFace]

Yesterday it was somewhat similar except they did some speed skating type figure 8s before the mini suicides. But yeah it didn’t seem as structured and timed as in the past.

As far as Mack I think something strung him a bit and he bailed when they switched sheets. (They can only spend 30 minutes at a time on the crappy FSC ice so they keep switching). He took a private jet from the executive airport literally across the street, I don’t think he needed to bail on the last half hour of practice for that. But I’m sure he’s fine either way.

Lol the FSC has got to be one of the worst practice rinks for an NHL team right? I mean the ice was shit 20 years ago when I was playing peewees I can't imagine how much damage the pros do to it.

 

[S E P H]

I pretty much agree with all of this. Drouin was fine to me but co-sign the rest. All the regular D look a step above, really too.

Drouin looked strong offensively, only concerns I had about him were in the defensive zone.

 

[S E P H]

As @tigervixxxen reported, the suicides still were no joke. A lot of these players probably aren't super adjusted to the altitude yet, so it's a killer for the players from back East. Just less structured with no timing involved.

It still was pretty strenuous but not timed or as structured. Maybe they decided it wasn’t worth it.

I think they might've relaxed after winning the Cup?

 

[MonsterMack]

Not sure where this belongs but here ya go

 

[lionsDen]

All the good riffs in this song were ripped off from The Airplane, QMS, and the Dead. And nobody will ever care about "The Templars." And that's the real key to the whole thing.

I think you missed the over arching point there.