"What a day...solid practice. Guys are going hard and pushing themselves...time to get some stuff done."
That's Michael Grabner on Twitter, in what sounds like a common refrain from the first days of camp: Hard work, back to reality, unity of purpose being the focus.
That's no surprise for pro training camp among the world's best athletes in their sport. In a cap-limited league that hasn't expanded in a decade, the competition for jobs is fierce and the margins between teams are thin.
For a team that came one game short of a winless November last year, Jack Capuano is wise to focus his troops on hitting camp hard and being ready for the season from Day 1. Of course, any NFL fan knows the flip-side to this is what was said of Scott Gordon if and when early injuries happen: "Awww, he worked them too hard."
While we're on Twitter, here's Mitchell Theoret:
Felt great to be back on the ice today, hoping to be cleared to play by Wednesday #RoadToRecovery
And here's some more links from camp:
- Newsday covers the three-headed monster in net.
- Steve Staios arrives at camp: "I’m here for the team and whatever they need me to do, I’ll be willing to do." And also: "I’m not doing this to just come in and try to feel myself around. I’m here to play and be a big part of the team."
- Not sure if we've shared this yet, but here's TSN's 30 Teams in 30 Days on the Islanders.
- Al Montoya's old team is going with the traditional two-headed battle. If Montoya gets a lot of games this year, I'll be curious to see who among him, the Coyotes and ex-Coyote Ilya Bryzgalov has the better numbers. Not because I think the Coyotes blew it, but because goaltenders are crazy and unpredictable.
- This is the most curious article about an Islanders player I'd expect to read (something about Matt Moulson and a lawyer and a car insurance claim). So of course it's in the Post.
- Talk of the leaders in Bridgeport this year.
- Last night, if you missed it, we collected info from multiple sources on Tim Wallace, former Penguin.
- The Senators and Maple Leafs used the proposed newfangled nets in their preseason game last night.
- Puck Daddy's Rangers season preview.
- Elliotte Friedman's always-good 30 Thoughts discusses the curious case of Kyle Turris, who has the same low leverage that Josh Bailey had but somehow expects to make twice to three times as much. Maybe Turris is just trying to force a trade. More on Turris from Vancouver here. Also: Friedman calls out dumb Toronto columnists about the Tavares contract.
- Also 2: Apparently B.C. fans are already riding Roberto Luongo. I guess it beats rioting.
- Also 3 (really, seriously, you should always read Friedman): Friedman talks of Bryan McCabe getting interest from the Canucks, Islanders and Blues (I can't ever shake the Isles-Blues connections), with a fun anecdote from McCabe's time in Toronto.
Finally, something I've seen a lot but bears no specific link here: The Sabres still need to get under the cap. They appear unworried. If they have a pre-arranged deal if nothing else comes up ... well, I'm just saying.
You know what I think? I think I like hockey.