browsing through hockeysfuture.com, this is what i've been able to find. Clearly the opinions are formed after watching players for maybe an hour, but I thought it was still interesting.
San Jose's Mini-Camp Report:
Murray was hitting everything. He's a good all around player, it seems. Actually, his skating could use some work. It was evident when he was doing the backward skating drill.
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A very respected comment from a member of a Sharks mailing list who attended said the following:
"Doug Murray was clearly heads and tails above the other dmen in this session. He seems to relish playing the body but can handle the puck rather well, also. It will be fun watching him against the big boys in about 6 weeks or so"
Just adds more fuel to my opinion that he has the inside track on the #6 spot, barring any acquisitions.
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Murray was by far the best dman of the group today, but the guy wobbly when skating backwards around the 4 cones. An NHL forward would easily take advantage of that flaw. Skating is just so important IMO. However, that's the whole reason why we have these mini camps. So players can improve upon their weaknesses by the time training camp hits.
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I did see Murray throw a huge hit on Moscevsky during a one on one drill, and he played the body pretty well, but his skating definitely needs work. He looks like a big kid that still needs to grow into his body a little bit more but he did have a real physical edge.
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http://www.sharkspage.com/jpgs/practice2.jpg
http://postoffice.darkalley.net/~aaron/0712-Sharks/0712-07.JPG
Phoenix's Mini-Camp Report:
As I mentioned previously about the un-named goalie, it turned out it wasn't Jean Marc Pelletier but a free agent invitee named Eric Lafrance, 21, a 5-9 165 lb goalie from Quebec who was actually named the game's MVP by the players. I couldn't get a good look since he was at the other end of the rink, but from practices he looked good. Shaky at first near the start of camp, but really improved, making some great stops. Overall good positioning, quick glove, nice lateral movement.
Actually, I thought he looked better than LeNeveu, who let in quite a few during the scrimmage, shoot-out and practices. He had good positioning, but lacked quickness as he usually let in high-glove and low-stick shots. During the shoot-out, he let in back to back five hole shots to Podlesak and Ladislav Kouba, high-stick shot by Lance Monych and a wicked snap shot by Kiel McLeod. He's only 20 though, and hopefully working with Benoit Allaire can help him improve.
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Looks promising for Murray, that's nice.
Too bad about Lenny's performance though (especially the back to back 5-hole goals - that never happens!), although I wouldn't be too worried. He's still a big part of the future of that team, and they all know he's better than his performance in that camp.
How long does everyone think it will take for both Murray and LeNeveu playing full-time in the NHL? (personally, I'm looking forward to the day, whenever it may be, when it's Lenny vs. Fleury).
Post Edited (07-18-03 13:23)
[q]How long does everyone think it will take for both Murray and LeNeveu playing full-time in the NHL? [/q]
Good question. My guess would be:
+ Murray, 1 year
+ LeNeveu, 3 years
Maybe we get four Cornellians playing regularly in the NHL simultaneously for the first time ever.
[q]especially the back to back 5-hole goals - that never happens![/q]
Really? If I were going to point out a weakness from this year, I would say it's ye ole five hole.
Post Edited (07-18-03 15:44)
The reason Murray's skating wasn't all the impressive in the cone drills was because he was, IMO, dead tired on his feet. They had been skating hard for two solid hours. There were only about 7 dmen in the camp but twice as many forwards. So when drill were run, the dmen had at least twice as much skating time as the forwards. The cone drill was in the last 15 minutes or so and he could barely move his legs. With his physical play during the whole two hours, it was no wonder he seemed shakey. Granted, he will need to improve, but there were far worse skaters present than Murray.
As for his positioning for the #6 slot on the Sharks, unless he really blows them away, he'll start in Cleveland, at least for the first half of the season. The current top five on the blueline are Kyle McLaren, Brad Stuart, Scott Hannan, Mike Rathje and Jim Fahey. Rob Davison camp up late in the season and performed well. I'd say that unless the Sharks pull a trade or sign a free agent, its Davison's job to lose. The Sharks like to give their dmen time in the minors to adjust to the pace of the game, it being so much faster and more physical than in the juniors or college ranks. They tried to have Jillson play at the NHL level too quickly and he combusted. Subsequently traded. There's no reason to rush Murray at this stage of the game.
Matt Underhill is in the LA Kings training camp this year. He doesn't have much of a shot - at highest he's #4 on the goalie depth chart. If he's lucky he'll be in Manchester this year.
The best place to go for LA Kings info is the message board at www.letsgokings.com.
Looks like Ithacan Dustin Brown burned Matt in the third.
looks like there are a couple of prospect tournaments coming up. in the one out west, Murray is on the roster for San Jose, and LeNeveu is on the roster for Phoenix.
I was looking at the roster for Atlanta, seeing if Baby had been added, and saw this:
http://www.allsports.com/nhl/redwings/stories/2003_08/20_ProspectRosterAtlanta.html
Looks like Sam Paolini is trying for some team in the thrashers organization?
If anyone on the west coast is interested in going to the rookie/prospect tournament, it's in LA, here's the schedule:
http://www.lakings.com/news/news_detail.asp?id=903
SJ Roster:
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=2068
Phoenix Roster:
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=3624
Why LeNevue might be needed! - hard for Jean-Marc:
Phoenix Coyotes: Goaltender Jean-Marc Pelletier had surgery over the weekend to repair a hernia injury, the team announced.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Pelletier, who played in only two games last season, will be out indefinitely.
"It's unfortunate that Jean-Marc incurred this injury this late in the summer," executive vice president and general manager Michael Barnett said. "We had hoped to have him healthy for training camp and we looked forward to seeing him play with the big team during the exhibition season.
"Only time will tell now when he will return but we have no intention of rushing the process."
Pelletier began last season with Lowell in the American Hockey League before being traded by Carolina along with a conditional draft pick to Phoenix for Patrick DesRochers on Dec. 31.
Matt Underhill is one of the goalies for the LA Kings at the Rookie tournament in LA from Sept 3-8 at healthsouth. As P. Fibiger pointed out earlier, LeNeveu and Murray will also be there. The games are open to the public - tix are $10, and ther are two games most days.