General manager Ray Shero spoke briefly with the media a moment ago. Here are some of the highlights from that conversation, which mostly centered around free agency.
On trying to lock up the team's free agents before July 1
"We'll go back Monday and really turn our attention to trying to get the players before July 1."
On possibly re-signing Ruslan Fedotenko
"We'll see where that goes over the next week as well. We'll wait and see what happens next week."
On if he expects Rob Scuderi to test free agency
"I think he'll do that and it's a good idea. We've had conversations with his agent and Rob and there is the unknown as far as what's out there. We've had good discussions but I believe he will go to July 1. When guys go to July 1, sometimes they come back, sometimes they don't. They don't know what a hometown discount is; they don't know what's out there. We'll have a conversation Monday and Tuesday but that wouldn't surprise me, wouldn't shock me, won't disappoint me. Rob knows we'd like to have him back but at the same time, Rob has never made a lot of money. We'll see how it goes for him but we've made it clear that we want him back."
NHL Central Scouting’s Chris Bordeleau: "I think for a potential pro player, he's got the size and mobility. I've seen him many games, and he never seems to make a bad play. He's never going to get 100 points, but definitely, when you want a guy to play defense, he's your guy. He does it all, he'll block shots and he moves the puck at the right time.”
Saint John Sea Dogs head coach Jacques Beaulieu: “Simon is a very good skater with and without the puck. He has good hands for a big man and he has outstanding vision as well as hockey sense. To make it to the next level he will need to improve his upper body strength and his shot, but overall Simon is an outstanding person on and off the ice. He loves the game. He is without a doubt an NHL prospect.”
-- NHL.com
"One look at Laval native Simon Despres on the ice, and it's immediately clear he is the epitome of the modern, puck-moving defenceman so coveted in today's hockey world. His skating stride is smooth and effortless, reminiscent of the player Despres admires most in the National Hockey League, Anaheim Ducks defenceman Scott Niedermayer.
His stickhandling and agility give him a rare level of confidence and poise with the puck, and he has a shot that is both powerful and accurate."
"Despres is one of the top 2 defenseman coming out the QMJHL this year. Already has really good size at 6’4” and 215. Plays well at both ends of the ice, but despite his size, he doesn’t play the body as much as he should. Tough to beat one-on-one, plays good positional hockey. Struggled during the playoffs and Under 18s (possibly due to a hip injury) which might hurt his draft stock, but he should still go in the 15-25 range."
-- MyNHLDraft.com
"At 6'4 and 215 pounds, Despres has the physical tools to make the lives of attacking players difficult as they enter the zone. Meanwhile, he already has the poise and intelligence to make the safe and, more importantly, correct play in his own zone. His vision and ability to anticipate the play also benefit him in offensive situations, where he saw his point totals more than double over the previous year."
-- Hockey's Future
