Canada's U20s at the National Junior Team Summer Development Camp now know the taste of defeat, after having lost to Russia (and Jets prospect Pavel Kraskovsky) 3-2 in a shootout. It was an entertaining, intense and chippy game, but the story dominating today's headlines is going to be the handshake line extracurriculars:
What a game between #Canada and #Russia in August…3-2 Russians in shootout and Zhuldikov sparks shoving match in hand shake line post game
— Jon Abbott (@HockeyAbbs) August 6, 2015
As handshake lines go, this one was terrible pic.twitter.com/61Ge4L6U4n
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) August 6, 2015
So, who's excited for the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship?
And now the news.
Central Division
After a successful development camp and seeing organizational opportunity, Chicago prospect Sam Jardine has left Ohio State to join the Rockford IceHogs on an AHL deal. (ESPN)
Our Coloradian friends are quite happy with their Tyson Barrie, even if they expect his points total to dip a little. (Mile High Hockey)
According to Jamie Benn, in Johnny Oduya and Patrick Sharp the team has added players who "know how to win". This is I assume in stark contrast to Ryan Garbutt, Trevor Daley and the Dallas Stars 2014-15 backup goaltenders. (Dallas Morning News)
The Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild have unveiled their rosters for the upcoming Stadium Series alumni game. Are you ready for the return of Ed Belfour, Jimmy Waite, Wes Walz and former Detroit Red Wing Mike Modano? (CSN Chicago)
After a somewhat underwhelming inaugural season with Minnesota, Wild fans will probably be quite relieved to hear that Thomas Vanek is feeling good following hernia surgery. (ProHockeyTalk)
Even when you consider that the bar isn't always terribly high, "This is going to be the best All-Star Game in the 100-year history of the NHL" does make for a rather bold quote. At the very least, they're off to a great start with that logo:
“Best All-Star Weekend ever” is right on schedule. Story from @TomAWillis: http://t.co/i7g1TeEv2c pic.twitter.com/8UEG2ub5jk
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) August 6, 2015
Folks are still mulling over Blues chairman Tom Stillman's dedication to stability. It's almost as if there's a slight buildup of dissatisfaction over in St. Louis Land. "…how much are you going to discount making the playoffs?" could end up being the famous last words Ken Hitchcock never actually himself said. (FOX Sports)
We know that Boston hasn't yet pounced on players which would cost them nothing but money in Cody Franson and Marek Zidlicky, and that they're kind-of-sort-of-but-not-really rebuilding. All of which means of course they should go and trade for Dustin Byfuglien; it would be the 'That's so Don Sweeney' move we should have seen coming. (The Hockey Writers)
Yesterday was a good day for Jets prospects participating in the 2015 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp:
#NHLJets prospects @ErikFoley11 and @JRoslovic96 score for @usahockey; Sami Niku also tallied for Finland. https://t.co/d4rJycWy4A
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) August 5, 2015
Jack Roslovic scores a short side goal off pass from Scott Eansor to put USA on the board. USA-1, Finland-0 #NJEC
— USA Hockey (@USAHockeyScores) August 5, 2015
The two top draft eligibles Matthews and Puljujarvi looked great in the 1st. Also liked Boeser-VAN, Roslovic/Foley-WPG, Schmaltz-CHI.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) August 5, 2015
Erik Foley with a quick release from far out ties it at two. He’s been arguably the biggest riser for USA this last week. Typical Winnipeg.
— Adam Herman (@AdamHerman_BSB) August 5, 2015
And A Few Scattered Others
I remember a time when Auston Matthews to Switzerland was reportedly a done deal. He's still likely going to the NLA, but word from the horse's mouth is that a decision will come after the United States National Junior Evaluation Camp is wrapped up. (NHL)
Both Las Vegas and Quebec City have made it to Round Two of the NHL's expansion application process. We eagerly await the phase where Bill Foley and Pierre Karl Péladeau have to walk over hot coals and leap across crocodile-infested waters. (CBC)
Gary Bettman does not believe we have reached an outdoor game saturation point, and from a regional perspective he's probably right. (TSN)
GM Ray Shero is looking to change New Jersey’s luck, beginning with allowing Mike Cammalleri to wear his old #13. (ProHockeyTalk)
And finally, Mike Morreale breaks the New Jersey Devils down into three key questions. The answers are yes, probably not and hahahahahaha no. (NHL)
Thanks for reading! Be sure to say in the Comments section below what your thoughts are on hockey's handshake line tradition.