Training Camp/Exhibition

[Reider]

A few random thoughts:
- I know the goal is to make the playoffs, but the Pats need to be sellers this year in a big way.. And if they are, then I'm leaning towards them not making the playoffs.
- Are the Pats going to fill the vacant assistant coach position that opened up when Dave Struch got the head coaching job? If not, I think the team should leave it open until the right candidate comes along.
- Apparently Cole Dubinsky had a bit of a growth spurt in the off season (grew two inches taller) and also gained 20+lbs (he's now 5'10 175lbs). If he plays the same way he did last year, I can't imagine a situation where he is not on the team. The interesting thing is that he doesn't even turn 16 until December.
- Players with speed, who need to work on their skills? That sounds like a good problem to have for a rebuilding team. If the Pats can build a team that has good speed, a good work ethic, and a good attitude, they'll be able to play against teams that have more skill, but don't work as hard. It's a lot easier to teach / refine basic skills than it is to teach speed.
- If Noah Gregor plays in Prince Albert this year and the Raiders add some quality pieces at the deadline, the potential is there for the team to go a long way in the playoffs.

[Pats7]

Training Camp Scrimmage #1- Thoughts
1- Sergei Alkkhimov might go down as one of the favourite Europeans in recent years. Grit and skill.
2- Instead of going over a few little things each scrimmage. I am going to have a focus. I am going to start today with the defence, mainly because I have seen enough of these guys in the past to start some informed discussion. I think the Pats still have really good depth on defence. They obviously lost Mahura, Hajek, and possibly Fleury.....but I like the remaining depth. From a couple conversations that I have had, I am going to assume Fleury doesn't come back to the Pats. He very well could come back, I know nothing official. If Fleury comes back, he bumps a 20 year old....no brainer.

After watching tonight, I am going to change my opinion on the Pats keeping three 20 year old dmen. They have more depth on D, then forward. I thought Platt was an easy cut, but I know the coaching staff likes everything he brings. So I am going to assume they keep 2- 20 year old D. I will also go ahead and assume they keep 7 dman until Pouteau comes back from injury. I almost expect a trade from the back end, someone has to have interest in Hyman and Pouteau. So here are the training camp battles on D.
a) Two of Hyman, Pouteau, and Schioler play as 20 year olds. With Pouteau hurt, that allows all of them to start the year on the team. If nobody gets traded, Schioler becomes the odd man out.
b) Sedov (lock)- guaranteed, first night showed well. Skates well, passes well, after one night I like what I see.
c) Gavlas (lock)- I have him slightly ahead of Creta, I did last year too then Creta lasted longer on the team.
d) Creta (lock)- Skates well, moves the puck, I dont think he will ever be a shut down type of dman.
e) Harkins, McGinley, and Evans (good chance). Harkins looks to be in better shape this year, I just dont think he will ever by anything of substance. Perhaps Harkins is the 7th dman if you want to let the other two play regularly in Midget. I really like McGinley so far in camp, may as well develop a 16 year old dman this year. Evans was the guy I noticed last year. He obviously wasnt going to make last years squad but he has grown some over the last year. I would prefer Harkins be the odd man out if one of these dont make the cut, but he will have many opportunities in camp to show me wrong. All three should stick around until Pouteau is healthy or Fleury is returned. Only two of these guys will make it if they keep 3- 20 year old dmen.
f) Peaked my interest- The Pats have 5- 2001 dmen at camp that I dont remember from the past. The only one that stood out to me was Eger today. I dont see a way that he makes the team, but perhaps he could if some defensive depth get traded.

[Fight Guy]

I thought Zonneveld was pretty good. Reminds me of Zamula a lot. He skates super smooth and has speed, along with a big, lanky body. Initiated battles, too.

There were a few guys I barely noticed out there, but one I didn't see at all was Harkins. There's a couple other bigger guys in camp, too so might have mistook him for another guy at times.

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

Did panowyk get cut already? His name isn't on the main camp sheet.

I hope people dont get their hopes up about Fleury. He definitely shouldn't be back. Even if he is a late birthday, and even if the incompetent Canadiens drafted him, I'm sure he will get a contract out out their camp.

[chopper]

From what I seen, Panowyk was at or near the top of the 02 D-men prospects. It would seem barring an injury that this might be a commitment issue i.e. WHL vs NCAA. I have noted that the Pats have had zero success with all the Minnesota prospects they listed, and only marginal success with Colorado and Arizona kids. I've heard that moving Lockner didn't sit well in some circles down there. Nevertheless perhaps the Pats better look at California and the Pacific Northwest for American prospects. There has been an almost unprecedented lack of information and/or new articles posted about training camp/movements/human interest stories. A real lack of communication is prevalent for sure.

There will be much movement and change before this team takes it's final shape. Probably in a state of flux until January 11th. I would agree that three OA d-men gives the Pats the biggest chance of early success. Platt for all his attributes is not a scorer or genuine tough guy. He doesn't bring enough overall to be used up as a 3rd line forward OA spot. There will be other guys who are younger and just as capable of filling whatever role he might be looked at to fill i.e. Pratt. This team will likely be quite a mish -mash before all is said and done. It will have one look after final cut down roster and another after january 10th.

[Pats7]

As far as the lack of information goes, I wonder if the lack of info is on purpose. For example, do the Pats really want negative media regarding the lack of American signees? I assume the commitment issue is the exact reason that Panowyk isnt still here. That is negative press, I assume that the Pats avoid that at all cost. John Paddock isnt the most warming guy in terms of media, he probably prefers to keep personal issues of 14-20 year olds out of the press. As much as I would love the info, I am ok with protecting privacy for these kids.

[chopper]

I can't agree with controlling the press and perhaps some scrutiny that is avoided by not facing the facts! The fact remains the Pats haven't done particularly well signing higher end USA players. Sounds like total BS where I come from. Just because it's not being printed doesn't mean it's not happening. Let's all put our heads in the sand. The WHL and other CHL teams are deemed to be semi-pro leagues by many people including the NCAA. This is where pro contracts are signed from and where many kids go on to pro hockey from. Every year kids are retuned to Midget, Jr A, and other leagues and it has always been reported without major negative repercussions. I don't recall any catastrophic issues as a result of that. Guys getting cut, traded, or released hasn't affected the organization adversely. These kids and parents know what they've signed on for and it sure isn't mini-novice. Heck they can't even keep their list up to date. In a year where a lot of tough times may be ahead it might be better to build a buzz and promote their brand. Creating interest by publishing info and other interesting items is far superior to hiding behind closed doors and acting in secrecy.

[Fight Guy]

I wouldn't be so sure it's as bad as it may look with Panowyk. I really don't know, but is there much reason for him to sign as a 16 year old and probably play little this season? It's looking like there will be a lot of 17 year olds on the team this season and defense isn't a place where you're going to have more than one 16 year old. The only 16 year old that I figured might have the upper hand after seeing him the past week is McGinley. It's not that ridiculous for Panowyk to keep his options open till next season.

As for the others, as mentioned before, Minnesota kids will most likely be "college first" 95% of the time. And Smilanic is going to the top American program. Would be silly to turn down after what players have developed out of there. If these 2001's the Pats add this season can develop well and be a strong group come their 19 year old season, Regina might be a good team for Smilanic to join for a season or two.

[chopper]

Last night's game showed what was expected in that the vets dominated the younger less experienced guys. However there were a number of younger guys who showed a remarkable amount of talent. Massier continues to look good and contribute. Ryker Evans impressed me and has quietly gone about scoring 4 points in the past 3 games. Fortin and Sanders also had respectable outings for young guys. There were others who all had their moments during the game. Henry look extremely good and I think not starting the year like last with an injury will really great for him. Certainly would have been nice to see Dubinsky in the mix but hopefully we see him soon. I'm interested to see the newer bigger version. The coaching staff looks to have some good pieces to work with.

[Reider]