THE 2009 NYI TRAINING CAMP PREVIEW
And review: Here are the 23 players ending it
Tavares Programming Note: John Tavares will not be in the lineup for the “Hockeyville” exhibition game on Monday on the NHL Network. Katie Strang reports John was never in the plans for the game. I was told at Iceworks today that he didn’t skate because he was “under the weather.” Let’s hope it’s the flu and not the groin.
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Courtesy of the Islanders’ website, here is the list of players traveling to Saskatoon on Saturday for Islanders 2009 training camp. Besides those 46 pros on NHL contracts, you have to go to this link to find the identity of the 7 junior players also going to training camp. They are marked by having jersey numbers next to their names.
Golf claps to the hockey ops staff for keeping it to a manageable 46 skaters and 7 goaltenders. (Players on AHL deals go straight to Sound Tigers camp). I always found the camps with more than 60 players absurd, and I know the head coaches dislike the packed camps more than anyone.
Thankfully, Garth Snow also resisted the urge to extend courtesy invitations to camp. Miroslav Satan skated today at Iceworks on his own between sessions for Islanders incumbents and challengers. Miro wore an Islanders practice jersey and his Penguins pants and socks.
The team leaves for Saskatoon on Saturday without Satan. Here is the Point Blank list of players who will emerge from training camp as Islanders on Oct. 3:
Goaltenders (3) - Martin Biron, Rick DiPietro (injured), Dwayne Roloson
Defensemen (7) - Bruno Gervais, Jack Hillen, Radek Martinek, Freddy Meyer, Mark Streit, Andy Sutton, Brendan Witt
Forwards (13) - Josh Bailey, Sean Bergenheim, Blake Comeau, Trent Hunter, Tim Jackman, Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo, Richard Park, Jon Sim, Jeff Tambellini, John Tavares, Nate Thompson, Doug Weight
It’s rare in most NHL camps for everyone to exit 100% healthy, so the extra defenseman and forward will be utilized.
Joel Rechlicz – cult favorite, Sound Tigers scratch, Lighthouse supporter, Team Store appearance-maker and wonderful underdog – of course, has a fighter’s chance. So does Jeremy Reich.
Jon Sim will make the team because he will be one of the top 12 forwards at camp. Unless he becomes a must-throw-in in a trade, no one is taking on his $1 million, one-way salary. Management knows it. Sim knows it. He’ll bust his tail and do whatever the coaching staff asks of him. Last season, he apparently only did the latter in his goal-filled final week before a demotion to the minors.
I spoke with Sim today at Iceworks. He seemed pretty emotional about the disaster of last season, saying, “I wasn’t myself.” He declined to get into specifics, but did say that returning after a full year away from injury presented challenges he wasn’t prepared for. Sim said he has spoken with head coach Scott Gordon a few times recently and felt very positive about their relationship. “I’m going to give Scott and our team everything I’ve got,” said Sim.
All the players on one-way deals will make the NHL club. There will be plenty of encouraging words for Jesse Joensuu, Matt Martin, Justin DiBenedetto, Robin Figren, Andrew McDonald, Mikko Koskinen and other prospects. They will all start the season in Bridgeport. In almost all cases, it will be for the right reason – continued development.
You’ll hear praise for the play of Greg Moore, Matt Moulson, Tony Romano, Brett Westgarth and other depth players. Unless there is another groin epidemic, they will all start the season in Bridgeport.
You’ll hear about Micheal Haley taking on (and often finishing off) some of the other teams’ big boys. He’ll also hit a lot and everyone will notice him. Haley will start the season in Bridgeport, but will be heard from again.
Hopefully, at least one player I have not mentioned will make a name for himself. Maybe I told this story before, so forgive me. The reason I have so much respect for Steve Webb goes back to his first day at Islanders training more than a decade ago. Webb had the attitude, “Frick it. Before this day ends, the coaches may not think I’m Mario Lemieux, but at least they’re going to know my name.” He then hit every player in sight and dropped the gloves three times in less than an hour. Everyone was talking about Webb that day.
Part of the fun of training camp is finding the happy surprise. More likely, this year’s will be the realization that the Islanders have stability. None of their talented young players were traded. Everyone was signed. They needed two goalies and they signed two good ones. And now they have John Tavares.
Could the Islanders have helped themselves a little more this offseason with some creative shopping and swapping? Absolutely. But the good news is, they didn’t take a step back. They acted like a franchise methodically building from scratch.
Comments. I don’t want another lengthy list of line combinations and D pairings, but I welcome your counters to the 20 skaters I believe will make the team. We can have another run of Tambellini and Sim comments if you’d like, but that’s getting as old as when I beat the Josh Bailey to the WJC thing to death.
58 Responses to THE 2009 NYI TRAINING CAMP PREVIEW
And review: Here are the 23 players ending it
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Isles Fan in Toronto says:
I will keep Tambellini. His shootout goals can help the Isles get at least a few more points
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
Are we there yet?
Hope there will be a lot of videos on Islanders TV. -
Staten Islander says:
Last chance for Tambellini, Sim is gone after this year
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billy says:
i’d like to see Dibo or Martin surprise everyone and make this team.
No offense to Thompson, but we dont need another hilbert. This team needs everyone producing. yada yada character and hustle, but hilbert gave us that and now he’s gone. If it werent for gordon, thompson wouldnt even be in the nhl.
that being said, let’s get this all going!!!!!!
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Pat says:
I don’t want to see Thompson or Sim anywhere near this team. They are not our future, let Joensuu and some other promising kid get the experience they need with the big club.
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JPinVA says:
Here’s what I’d like to see coming out of camp. A line of Josh Baily betweek JJ and Robin Figren… IN BRIDGEPORT.
Let these three get top line minutes and PP time at that level. Bailey will emerge in the middle of the season better for it. With injuries and deadline trades they may all be Islanders by March.
Bailey is the the FOURTH center on this team, and he’s just going to get lost in the shuffle.
And… oh boy, I sure do hope they can find the next Steve Webb in this camp. they need a guy to play 4 minutes a game, spend 7 minutes in the box, and be a conversation piece in the local watering holes.
“Webber, tell her how you got that one..”
“Well… it’s a funny story, we were in toronto and I ran their fourth line center..”
“and he hit you?”
“No I got two minutes for charging, and i walked into the penalty box door.” -
Hoser14 says:
Now that Hilbert and McAmmond have been deleted from roster spots, I really can’t see Tim Jackman and Nate Thompson taking up space that should go to real “prospects” like Jesse Joensuu, Matt Martin, Justin DiBenedetto and Robin Figren.
The only thing that players like Jackman and Thompson bring to the table is that they will work for minimun wage; little bang for little bucks….I wouldn’t lose any sleep if Miro gets an invite, at least he has been a productive “NHL” and not productive “AHL” player.
If you are going to go with the kids, play the kids, see if they can play!
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coral springs isle fan says:
Joensuu has a job to lose. I can’t see the Islanders turning a blind eye to his size.
No predictions on a 9 game stint for Calvin DeHaan?
Of course injuries could dictate who starts and who finishes.
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mrlbem says:
I find it difficult to believe that a rebuilding team will have just one rookie (Tavares) on the roster. It would be very cool if DiBo and Martin played out of their minds in Camp and made the roster. Could you imagine Tavares essentially taking Stamkos’ place between those two on a “Kid Line?” OK, time to wake up.
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hale says:
bailey has done nothing to merit him being sent down..he is staying up..
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leviticus says:
Bailey is the #2 center…weight and tavares in some combo will be on the same line…Nielsen #3. And btw, as a goal scorer, maybe JT is better off on the wing. Fewer defensive responsibilities and less of an impact of his less than stellar speed. Most top pure goal scorers in recent years have been wings. I would love to see JJ make the team out of camp, but probably have to wait for second half of season for experience and contracts to play themselves out…
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islesfan999 says:
I would like for Reich or Rechliz to make the team over Thompson.
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LIMBAUGH2012 says:
Thompson to the curb and Haley to the big’s….
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Thomas says:
I still don’t get with the clear lack of scoring on this team we don’t take a shot at Afinogenov or let one of these young guys play..Jon Sim really? Tries hard but we know what he is..it’s time for new blood, I would much rather see a Joensuu get ice time over Jon Sim..
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B-RI says:
Chris this is only a list of 22 in reality. DP will be on IR and not count towards the 23 man limit. I would expect to see Rechlicz or Joensuu take his spot. I also wouldn’t be shocked if both of them made the team, and Sim found himself in Bridgeport to start.
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DanNOLA says:
If it is anything like last year with the injuries, we’ll see all of those AHL guys at one point or another. And as for Nate Thompson, Tambs and Sim, I am hoping that the next part of the rebuild is not having them back after this coming season.
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vteck says:
Chris, I guess you’ve been reading my post on Islandermania about the prospects camp roster.
Unfortunately, you are right about the 23 players (maybe minus 1 or 2). However, I think that there should be at least one prospect/junior player kept with the big club (and I don’t mean JT). What message do you send to your prospects for the next years if their skill and hard work won’t be rewarded. The roster should be 23 BPAs (best players available).
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Madchef says:
Agree on Joensuu deserving of a shot…I will give tambs one last shot..if only he can put it together, is there any chance,still we really could use another goal scorer.I cant stand thompson or sim sorry….watched them enough to last a lifetime and enough with the character player bologne.
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Daniel says:
I think this will be a great training camp for the team. I am excited to hear about how Tavares stacks up against the other players. Too bad there wont be more media from the local outlets covering it but whatever. Does anybody have any news on Vladimir Nikiforov, the kid from Long Island? Will he be at the Sound Tigers camp or is he even signed with them this year?
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JKP in Halifax says:
Rooting big time for Sim to have a great camp and a great season. Love the home town boys!
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Bailey will be a very important piece of this team for many years to come and I think, starting this year, he proves it.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Can’t argue with your 23 CB … with the glut of one way contracts and the need for continued development I can’t see it any other way.
I think if there is any variation it will be Joensuu making a run at Sim’s or Tamby’s job … whether or not Joensuu’s play justifys Garth exposing either Sim or Tamby to waivers is another question all together … Perhaps Thompson will be challenged too … That is what camp is for … let the excitement begin.
Hopefully JT gets over what ails him quickly … this should be a time of excitement for him.
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art says:
Tambellini is an AHL career type player-everybody knows it but he stays up because mgmt doesn’t want to admit that LA made a big mistake taking him #1 and then we bailed them out by making a stupid trade for him. I bet he will not end the year playing with the big team. Look for a trade if we can convince some idiot GM to take him. Otherwise get him a complete set of S Tiger jerseys he is going to need them.
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Lav says:
Thanks CB. Steve Webb is a throwback guy. The exact reason why I took his number in college. He didn’t have the most talent, but gave all he had. I’d go to battle with him any day of the week.
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Blizzard says: There is no reason for Jon Sim and Nate Thompson to be taking ice time away from some of the kids. If your gonna build with your youth then let it all hang out and see what you got IMO.
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Scout says:
Wondering why last year’s BP leading goal scorer and last year’s preseason leading points man does not get mentioned in this discussion.
So we are clear I am a Trevor Smith fan. -
We need a Enforcer. We need size!!!!!!!!!!!
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Bob Bassen says:
I actually liked Thompson last year until he got hurt. Decent skater, good on face-offs and as good at dropping the gloves/sticking up for a teamate as anyone else the Isles had last year. Either way, it is good to have competition amongst everyone going into camp…
Go Isles. -
Again with enforcer stuff!! No, we need more talent… Which will come with time, development and more high draft picks!
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Anthony says:
I don’t know why everyone is so down on Sim and Thompson… Two solid guys who lead by example; they’ll do some teaching/role playing this season. This team needs some vets like them and Weight to lead; can’t do it with kids alone… Face it, there’s no budget to sign anyone better, so deal with it! This is our team going into the season…
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Hey Chris, what is up with some of the older European prospects such as Axelsson, Stonkus, and Ullstrom???
And personally I’d like to see Joensuu make the team since he is a legitimate prospect with size and talent who goes hard to the net.
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Chooch75 says:
I really don’t mind Sim. His first few games as an Islander, he hit everything in site. Unfortunately he also hit the boards, but I think he can bring some energy to this team. He played well the end of the year.
They just signed Jackman, so he is staying. He is the closest thing to an enforcer we got right now.
And Thompson is not too bad. He just gets 4th line minutes. Kind of hard to see what he has when he hardly plays.
And though I would love for them to make the team, I say leave JJ and Martin down in BP so they can play 20 minutes a game, not 5 here on the 4th line.
We’re not winning the Cup this year, let the kids earn some more experience in the AHL.
This year is all about Johnny T, Okposo, Bergenheim, Bailey and Comeau. -
Spinner9 says:
I’d like to see Trevor Smith over Nate Thompson.
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Kevin says:
Nate Thompson is ok at faceoffs. Outside of that not much of a NHL player. Belongs in the AHL.
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LouD says:
Here’s another example of haters blaming the team for something that was not their fault. Jon Sim admitting that he was not himself last year and that he’s going to bust his butt for the team this year. At the time of the demotion there were fans on this site accusing Snow and Gordon of mishandling the situation. The same thing happened with the whole “system” parinoia and supposedly all the players hated it. then we found out it was like three guys, two of which were shipped out at the trade deadline. I know the team hasn’t given us a lot to trust them with in the past decade but I really hope people will start giving them a little breathing room this season.
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neologizer says:
Agree with CB even the Sim pick.
Don’t quite get the arguements about sending Thompson, Sim even tamby down because their “taking away” time from prospects.
How much development is a prospect going to get as a forth liner. Look at Bailey last year and he wasn’t a fourth liner. No put them at Bridgeport develop them properly and when their good and ready move them up. There will be spots up due to inhury
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Strummer's Army says:
I am thrilled Andy Hilbert is gone and was thrilled when Sim was sent down that I’d never have to watch them again (much like when Yashin and Kvasha were moved on).
Riechelcz has to be on the roster. These wimpy little fellas can’t play anyone without him. Even with him they don’t have enough fire power.
I want Joensuu on the team, at this point he is the best fit for Tavares.
Jackman, Sim, Tambs, Weight, Thompson, Hunter could all be moved at some point this season.
Same for Geravis, Witt, Meyer, Martinek.
The forwards if Riechlecz and Joensuu make the squad are pretty good and will only get better. I can’t complain much there.
Goaltending much better but this defense SUCKS and has for years. Cam Fowler and Taylor Hall must be future hall of famers because that is the only reason for not improving the defense.
Anyway, while many positives have happened this summer it’s tough to get very excited when you actually look at the roster or Botta’s projections. They still have a long way to go.
I found it interesting in the artcile Botta did for Fanhouse on the Army D-man who signed with Boston. He said something about Boston being a better fit because “they are an up-tempo, aggressive team”. Islanders are a very up-tempo team to, what it tells you is he looked at the sissy brand of hockey that is produced on LI in recent years and didn’t want to go into battle with the softies on this team. I can’t say I blame him.
So barring injuries we’ll see improvements but unfortunetly we’ll have to watch the guys get the crap beat out of them and then Snow’s excuse parade.
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Tavares says:
Thanks Botta.
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Magnus says:
Mark Flood wearing #4. Isn’t that a hint telling us he’s considered to make the final roster?
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James says:
Gordon made a statement last year sending Comeau down, so I don’t think he is averse to doing again to someone else. I think if Joensuu has a good camp, he could push one of the fringe players to the press box or down to Bridgeport. Out of everyone on the fringe, I think Joensuu has the best shot of sticking, at least to start the season.
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WM says:
I agree, CB – 47 in camp is fine. The Maple Leafs are having 62 bodies in camp this year – ridiculous.
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isles72 says:
I’d like to see joensuu make the team only if gordo can get him 10+ minutes a night
otherwise he’s best served to play 1 more season for the Tigers
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isles14 says:
thank god it’s finally starting.
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No offense but I’d rather see Jesse getting top line minutes in Bridgeport tha season. He’s a lock to mke the starting lineup next year. Let him start off on the Bridge & call him up when necessary. Remember this qull only be his second year playing in NA. Let him tear up the minors and gone his skills under Capuano, who’s already done a phenominal job with a lot of our prospects.
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Brother Rat says:
Too bad that JT won’t be part of the showcase. Just FYI, as I’m in Boston I’ve been checking out Bruins mini-plans, and they have one called “The Super Stars Plan” that includes games with the Pens, Caps, TB, Thrashers, etc., yet headlining the plan is a game against the Isles. Yeah, JT…
As for the roster, as much as I really hope that a bubble youngster steps their game up to be a regular, productive player, I just don’t see that happening yet. I’m excited to see how the new yout’s improve in Bridgeport: Martin, Dibo, Figren, etc. I’m very worried that we do not have enough depth with defensemen, and MacDonald will not be enough of a stopgap when 2+ go down. But, all in all, I’m cautiously optimistic…
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bob says:
So, no Daily News or Post coverage, I guess, for Pre Season.
And, and for the third time in a couple of months, Billy from NYI Fan Central has said his Blog is done. I give him about 2 days before he’s back.
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Chris Mc says:
I’ll say it one more time, Nate Thomspson shouldn’t even have an Islanders jersey at his disposal. The only jersey he should have is a Sound Tigers one, unless his 4 points can’t be replaced by someone else.
And for anyone down on Tim Jackman, you’re insane. Jackman is a huge part of this team, at least for this year. The guy proved to be huge in the clubhouse last year and he may be the best example on this team to the young guys of how to leave it all on the ice every 30 second shift. He and Richard Park should be 4th line mainstays the entire season.
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Peter Puck says:
I think it would be good to follow CB’s link to the juniors who are at camp. Got to be an indication of whom the management has high regard
De Haan, Harmonic Spurgeon and Niemi you would expect but Cizikas? and Klementyev, The last interests me Could we have another Kaspar? -
chad says:
LIMBAUGH2012 – “Thompson to the curb and Haley to the big’s….”
your a smart guy – RUSH rules and haley is just what this team needs – tough SOB who can play. thompson is a waste of space
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Blizzard says:
…..second Jackman. Gritty bastard, great 4th line guy
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How many people talk about getting rid of Thompson to make way for Islanders young players and some grit! Like he is so old and soft or something. Im all for younger players, but he IS one of the Islanders younger players, and he HAS some grit. What is with the flippin hostility? I dont get it.
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battfist says:
Based on CBs roster
JT-Weight-Park
Radek-WittBlake C-Bailey-KO
Streit-GervisBerg-Frans-Hunter
Sutton-FreddySim-Thompson-Jackman
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I think the best point CB made in this post is that the team did not take a step backwards – they did not trade a young up-and-comer – they pretty much didn’t do most of the things the Islanders used to do that drove us batty – for this, I am thankful. I am a believer in the fact that this team needs an enforcer, or at least could use one to help protect the youth, but whatever – I’m ready for this season to begin with or without a heavyweight!
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nycdavid says:
I’d love to see Justin DiBenedetto turn some heads and come close or even shock fans by making this team. Long shot but would be a great story!
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a REAL hockey fan says:
__ The roster in september and the roster in march will be dramtically different (They usually are in most sports as well besides hockey!!) This is OBVIOUSLY not the final season roster
__ For those of ya (thankfully not many on the site) ‘making fun-mocking’ the physical Steve Webb types, you guys are nutz! The guy brought so much energy, passion, hitting, etc to the ‘team’ and the building itself. The coliseum would go NUTZ and the Islanders team would have some electricity when Webb jumped on the ice for a shift! (In fact the physical Toronto playoff series in 2002 was the LOUDEST i have ever heard the coliseum in 20+ yrs of going, it was insanely loud!) He was a bowling ball knocking down other players like pins! He played a very important part of that team.
__ This is a smallish, younger team and i think they will get tested by other teams. Hockey is soooooo much more than talent, its also about lunchpail energetic-gritty types who bring “it” 110% of the time, thats what helps make a “team”!
__ Glad to see the preseason start and hopefully get the ‘deadline’ behind us and just talk hockey – lets go Isles!
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DM says:
hope that nate the not-so-great doesn’t make it and jonsseu does instead…other than that, can’t argue w/ you….team seems high on jackman as a character-3rd/4th line guy.
I am high on Joensuu. I think he comes out of camp on the roster. The team generally lacks size and I think has a knack to drive the net hard which many of our players don’t do enough of. In the cup of coffee last season, he used his size well. Perhaps Sim and Tambellini make it but I think they will have very little margin for error. I also believe a deal is still possible either before camp or shortly after the season starts.