Sea Dogs At NHL Development Camps Update

PENGUINS

Pittsburgh Penguins development camp kicked off today at Consol Energy Center. Former Sea Dogs defenseman Simon Despres is taking part once again this year.

The Penguins website has a full recap of the day.

“I can see (Despres) as a big-bodied guy that can defend. Putting him next to Kris (Letang), you see a formidable pair,” Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma told the Pens website. “Both can defend, but also have the ability to make a pass and make a play. It’s an intriguing matchup. You see a young guy paired with a guy who was a young guy, who is now mature and at a different point in his game. They’ve had similar paths. Simon is a couple years behind Kris and can lean on that. You see that in the pairing.”

“Simon is a highly talented player. He got great experience last year, coming into rookie camp, in Wilkes-Barre and got to play in the playoffs at the National Hockey League level. Those guys are knocking right on the door,” said Wilkes-Barre/Scranton head coach John Hynes said, referring to Robert Bortuzzo, Brian Strait and Despres. “They’ve proven themselves through their experiences that they’re ready to take that next step.”

WILD

Minnesota Wild development camp is underway as well. Attendees include Charlie Coyle and Zack Phillips.

“The attendees went through some fitness testing yesterday and had a group outing last night before hitting the ice for the first time today,” states the Wild website. “The drills at today’s morning skate were eerily very similar to those that the Wild conduct during the season.”

There will be scrimmages on Thursday and Saturday. Both will be streamed online.

There is still a buzz around the Wild with the addition of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter.

"It's great they landed those two guys," Coyle told the Pioneer Press. "Obviously, it takes away spots on the team, but that's best for our organization. It makes everyone work harder. It's good, all the way around, for everyone."

RED WINGS

The Left Wing Lock had an article on Tomas Jurco the other day. He’s not officially signed by the Detroit Red Wings yet due to the lack of transfer agreement Slovak hockey federation and the NHL.

“The (transfer agreement) between the Slovak Federation and the NHL expired this summer,” Jurco explained. “They have to agree to a new one before I can officially sign. I don’t really know much about it, but they are working on the deal and then I will sign my contract.”

Red Wings development camp goes until Friday. There is a scrimmage being held this evening.

CAPITALS

Another day brings us another handful of articles on Stanislav Galiev at Washington Capitals development camp.

Washington Post – Stan Galiev ready to leave his mark

NBC Washington - Stanislav Galiev Could Be Capitals' Scoring Solution in Near Future

CSN Washington - Galiev living the American dream

Caps camp ends on Saturday.

PANTHERS

On Monday, the Florida Sun Sentinel had an article on Jonathan Huberdeau.

"He plays better with better players; he's got a presence out there,'' said Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon. "There's a purpose to every play and every move. He's really a heady player and has got hockey sense that's really incredible.''

Photo Credit: Marc Henwood/Station Nation