After already inviting Devin Setoguchi and Curtis Glencross to training camp, the Toronto Maple Leafs have now signed Brad Boyes to a professional tryout as well. With Casey Bailey being a prime AHL candidate and Nathan Horton rather unlikely to play hockey again, there's the possibility of at least one roster spot among the forwards up for grabs. Adding these three vets to the mix of internal options should make earning that and possibly other spots a truly competitive process.
I actually think Brad Boyes is still an above average scorer in the NHL – Last 3 years combined 1.7 pts/60 at 5v5 and 1.9 pts/60 overall
— Stephen Burtch (@SteveBurtch) September 10, 2015
I wrote about Brad Boyes a few weeks back. Dude can play. http://t.co/m4OBWy6J1P
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) September 10, 2015
Brad Boyes Brad Boyes… whatcha gonna do… whatcha gonna do when he scores on you Brad Boyes Brad Boyes
— Dave (@BmoreDaveS) September 10, 2015
I'm not upset Chevy, just disappointed. And upset.
And now the news.
Central Division
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is going to allow the legal process to unfold before the league comes to any decisions. Which sounds like a nice way of having the Chicago Blackhawks be the ones to take action (or not). (CBC)
With Chicago, Dallas, Minnesota and St. Louis all participating, this year's Traverse City Prospects Tournament might be a good place to size up the future competition. (NHL)
In case you missed it, the Colorado Avalanche traded Stefan Elliott to Arizona in exchange for Brandon Gormley. This was a solid trade for Colorado, sending away a player who wasn't going to make their roster anyways for an interesting former first round selection. Why are the Avs doing the smart thing? (Denver Post)
The Dallas Stars seem to know what they're doing when it comes to deploying John Klingberg and Alex Goligoski on the power play. Speaking of Goligoski, he's very quietly reached pending UFA status, and his will be a situation to watch. (Defending Big D)
In far more important Dallas Stars news, Valeri Nichushkin's instagram profile is well worth a follow. There are cats, very very big cats. (DBD)
And in the most important Dallas Stars nudes news, Tyler Seguin is worried that fans may shower the American Airlines Center ice with rubber duckies whenever he scores a goal. Which of course means they absolutely have to do it. (Yahoo! Sports)
Niklas Backstrom continues to be a headache for the Minnesota Wild. I can't help but think it'll be a merciful end for all involved when his contract is up in 2016. (StarTribune)
The song Saint Louis Blues is remembered as "one of the most celebrated in jazz history". A brief bit of background on where the NHL team takes its name from. (The Telegraph)
It's safe to say there's a fair bit of excitement among Jets prospects leading up to this weekend’s Young Stars Classic in Penticton. (The Runway)
Paul Maurice is planning to use training camp to "re-teach the foundations of our system and try to re-create the competitive levels that we did get to". (NHL)
And All The Rest
The rather tense relation between Glendale and the Arizona Coyotes continues, as the city has moved to find a new arena manager. (AZCentral)
All three of Boston's first round selections at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft failed a team conditioning test. This has exactly zero worth as an indicator on any future success or lack thereof Jakub Zboril, Jake DeBrusk and Zach Senyshyn may experience. (ProHockeyTalk)
The New York Islanders have agreed to an ELC with 2015 16th overall pick Mathew Barzal, who is otherwise known as a player I would have selected ahead of any of Boston's trio. (Lighthouse Hockey)
The Mike Richards legal proceedings continue at their glacial pace, with the case now adjourned until December 8th. (Sportsnet)
The Montreal Canadiens are planning to both play Alex Galchenyuk at centre and name a team captain prior to the end of training camp. The question of course is, if Galchenyuk plays down the middle, who's getting bumped out? (The Score)
Between John Moore and now David Schlemko, the New Jersey Devils have made some nice depth adds to their blueline. (Fire and Ice)
And finally, Toronto Maple Leafs legend Mats Sundin will have his bronze statue added to Legends Row outside the ACC, and his reaction upon learning the news was wonderful:
You just found out Mats Sundin is being added to Legends Row. Here’s exclusive footage of Mats Sundin finding out https://t.co/czldbIJEMf
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 11, 2015
Blight On The Land
I love hearing that the #NHLJets prospects “have a real shot” at earning a roster spot. Gee, you think? No “real” competition helps.
— Ryan Blight (@arby_18) September 10, 2015
Thanks for reading! Be sure to catch the final installment of our Top 25 Under 25 series later today, where we unveil Ondrej Pavelec as our #1.
