Training Camp: Day 1

James Neal was sniping everything in drills. Very impressive.

Nick Johnson looked really good, as well. Some good speed.

Keven Veilleux really worked on his speed. Noticeable difference in his skating from last year's camp.

Weird to see a 55 out there. Phillip Samuelsson was sporting it. 

Rookie Joe Morrow looked pretty poised. 

Steve MacIntyre is terrible. But it is first day on the job. Gotta cut him some slack.

Jordan Staal looked like he had two left skates on.

Joe Vitale displayed his quickness and tenacity that the coaches know he can bring. Darkhorse city.

Ben Street beat Fleury with his patented wrister a few times in drills.

 

 

Group B

Forwards
12 Richard Park
19 Jason Williams
25 Eric Tangradi
26 Steve Sullivan
48 Tyler Kennedy
56 Paul Thompson
57 Brian Gibbons
71 Evgeni Malkin
76 Dominik Uher

Defensemen
4 Zbynek Michalek
7 Paul Martin
47 Simon Despres
52 Alex Grant
53 Joey Mormina
67 Geoff Walker

Goaltenders
1 Brent Johnson
61 Patrick Killeen

 

 

GROUP B practice notes

Malkin cittttty

Some really interesting players in this group. Park, Williams, and Tangradi all playing for jobs.

Tangradi didn't have his best practice. Drills were sloppy for everyone. Be interested to see how he is doing in like two weeks.

J. Williams was hit or miss. Showed flashes of brilliance with his wrist shot but was mishandling the puck at times, too.

Paul Thompson could be a guy to watch at W-B/S this year. Great size and hands.

Joey Mormina was easily the worst defenseman and/or man on the ice today. That includes Gilles Meloche.

Brian Gibbons is about 5'5" and could be described as a poor man's Chris Conner. Jesus.

 

 

Group C

Forwards
9 Pascal Dupuis
10 Mark Letestu
15 Dustin Jeffrey
23 Ryan Craig
24 Matt Cooke
27 Craig Adams
38 Colin McDonald
45 Arron Asham
51 Zach Sill
87 Sidney Crosby 

Defensemen
2 Matt Niskanen
5 Deryk Engelland

6 Ben Lovejoy

54 Alexandre Picard

74 Brandon DeFazio
78 Scott Harrington

Goaltender
39 Brad Thiessen

 

 

GROUP C practice notes

Of course the biggest ovation went to Crosby when he came out. It was good to see.

Crosby scored on his first four practice shots. A little bit later, he picked Brad Thiessen five straight times via the five hole.

Jeffrey skated well, looked like he has recovered well.

Asham, who was booed last year, got a nice ovation this year.

It is no coincidence that Picard, Riskanen, Engelland, and Lovejoy are all in the same group. Four guys for two spots.

Letestu looked pretty refreshed, picking a few of his signature five-hole spots.

Matt Cooke didn't kill anyone. Yet.

2nd round pick from this year, Scott Harrington is going to be a beast. Two-way city.

 

 

 

 

SCRIMMAGE NOTES - Group A vs. Group B.

 

 

Starting lines.

Group A: Kunitz-Staal-Neal

Group B: Sullivan-Malkin-Kennedy

 

Sullivan-Malkin-Kennedy had immediate chemistry. They scored the first two goals of the game. Kennedy with two snipe jobs.

At one point, Malkin dangled around Jordan Staal, making him look like a 3-year-old toddler at the park.

The scrimmage was extremely physical. Something we didn't expect. Big Mac destroyed Alex Grant on the boards. Kunitz started getting chippy.

When you look at Paul Martin and his stats last season, it is easy to think to yourself, "he is overpaid." But when you watch him move the puck, you  realize he isn't overpaid at all. Moves the puck effortlessly. Michalek is going to be even better than he was last year.

Only highlight for the black team was Neal sniping a goal.

Malkin scored on a penalty shot.

Richard Park was everywhere. He hit the post once then he buried one a little later. Lots of NHL depth this year.

 

 

MISC

No idea what Gilles Meloche does.

Hearing Ryan Mill scream into the mic is still tough. In 20 years, 75% of Pens fans will be deaf.

Chicken fingers looked decent.

Tim Horton's coffee was delicious.