Sport-scan daily brief

Julien said it was possible Campbell could play tomorrow but said Patrice Bergeron (ribs) would “probably not” play, though he could get in on Saturday in Detroit....

Defensemen Zach Trotman and Kevan Miller have had good camps, but GM Peter Chiarelli indicated Torey Krug, Matt Bartkowski and Dougie Hamilton still have a step on them.

“No spot is guaranteed, but their body of work is greater than those two, so I would have them ahead,” said Chiarelli.

There has been some speculation that Hamilton could be forced to play in Providence, but it didn't sound like Chiarelli was thinking that way.

“My goal is to have him in the NHL,” said Chiarelli...

The Bruins sent Tyler Randell, Jack Downing, Steven Spinell, Ben Youds, Adam Morrison and Scott Campbell to Providence...

McQuaid took a shot off his leg in practice and was hobbled for a bit, but finished out practice and said he was fine.

Boston Herald LOADED: 09.19.2013

717225 Buffalo Sabres

Girgensons working to force way onto Sabres

By Mike Harrington | September 18, 2013 - 11:11 PM

There are some decisions to be made at the bottom rungs of the defense corps, but the most interesting story line developing at Buffalo Sabres training camp is the play of Zemgus Girgensons.

With seemingly few spots available, the 19-year-old Latvian winger is trying to force his way on to the roster.

Girgensons has been a standout in camp and in the first two exhibition games. If he keeps it up, it may be hard for the Sabres to send him back to Rochester.

The Sabres open the First Niagara Center portion of the preseason with two games in three days, tonight at 7 against Carolina (Radio 550 AM) and Saturday against Toronto. Girgensons is getting a long look and will certainly play in at least one of those games. He might play in both.

Girgensons is the only Sabre with three points in the first two games, collecting two goals in Sunday’s shootout win in Montreal and an assist in Tuesday’s victory in Columbus. The 6-foot-2, 194-pounder played more than 34 minutes and has a plus-3 rating.

His second goal in Montreal was a sensational effort of power down the right-wing boards, finished by a sizzling snap shot past rookie goaltender Zach Fucale.

“Most people talk about if I’m able to put up points. That’s one of the things I’ve been working on,” Girgensons said this week. “I’ve been working on my shooting. It’s about me burying chances. I’ve had some problems with it. I have to put that behind me and be better offensively.

“I was pretty happy with myself. At the start of last season, the second goal would have probably hit in the netting up there, given a souvenir to a fan.”

The Sabres drafted Girgensons in 2012 with the No. 14 overall pick – the highest ever for a Latvian – out of Dubuque of the United States Hockey League. He captained the club and even earned the nickname “The Latvian Locomotive” for his hard-charging, physical style.

He started last season as the youngest player in the AHL and the Sabres have eased him into the pro game by putting him at left wing rather than his natural center slot. Coach Ron Rolston reiterated this week if Girgensons makes the big club out of camp, it will be on the wing.

Girgensons started slowly in the AHL, seeing limited ice and no power-play time, until he started to get up to speed with the pro style. He played in 61 games, collecting six goals and 11 assists.

But by the time the playoffs rolled around, Girgensons had become the Amerks’ top forward. He scored three of the team’s five goals in its three-game sweep at the hands of the Toronto Marlies.

“He had a lot more purpose to his game offensively,” recalled Rolston.

Asked about Girgensons showing in Montreal, Rolston said, “I saw more of the playoff games. Can he continue to do that as we move through the preseason and as these teams get better lineups?”

Certainly a fair point. The Canadiens, for instance, didn’t have premier defensemen such as P.K. Subban, Andrei Markov or Josh Gorges in their lineup.

“It’s a lot about confidence,” Girgensons said. “Especially that playoff run gave me a good boost about what I can do.”

And can a big preseason translate into a roster spot?

“It depends on how I keep performing,” he said. “It’s on the coaches to decide. I have no control.”

Like many of the Sabres’ young players, Girgensons spent time over the summer working on his strides with team skating instructor Dawn Braid, and that’s helped him increase his power game. A fitness fanatic, Girgensons has pulled back on some of his weight regimens, opting for more cardio work to improve his agility and speed.

“You don’t want to be bulky, just stronger,” he said. “It can take everything away if you become a bodybuilder.”

“He is big and strong and came in that way,” Rolston said. “They do a lot of power work with them and Dawn has done a great job with him in skating to improve his dynamics. He’s getting around pretty well with his size.”

This could be a huge year for Girgensons. His NHL debut could be at hand, either on opening night or down the road, and he already has an invitation in hand to play for Latvia in the Sochi Olympics.

“That’s a long ways to go and I definitely want to be there,” Girgensons said. “If they call me, I’ll be there. To play in the Olympics is once every four years and not everybody gets to do that.”

And not everybody plays in the NHL at 19 either. Girgensons is pushing to get that chance.

The Sabres were off Wednesday, their first break in camp, and will unveil their lineup for tonight’s game at their 10:30 a.m. pregame skate.

In advance of the first home games, the team issued an advisory Wednesday to remind fans about the impact of HarborCenter construction. Traffic will no longer be able to head southbound toward the arena on Washington Street to access Perry Street and arena parking.

The preferred route toward the arena is now Michigan Avenue, with a right turn on to Perry.

Prior to Saturday night’s game against the Leafs, Sabres players will walk the Blue & Gold carpet beginning at 4:30 in Alumni Plaza before heading into the arena. There will be live music and beverages available. Brian Duff and Danny Gare will host the festivities.

Buffalo News LOADED: 09.19.2013

717226 Calgary Flames

Rebuilt Ottawa 67's pulling for Monahan to make Flames, but would welcome him back with open arms

By Don Campbell, Postmedia News September 18, 2013

OTTAWA — For the foreseeable future, the captain’s C will remain stitched on Ottawa 67’s jersey No. 20 until equipment manager Chris Hamilton is told otherwise.

So, as much as the 67’s like to say they’ve moved on even as he goes through the NHL pre-season with the Calgary Flames, Sean Monahan is never far away.

Just a couple of sleeps away from their Ontario Hockey League season opener, the 67’s can’t escape wondering just how expectations for a rebuilt squad might change if their captain, leader and one legitimate superstar walked back into the dressing room.

“Well I have to think Moni’d be the best player in the league,” winger Ryan Van Stralen, never one to duck a question or an open-ice hit, said Tuesday. “I mean we have to be kind of focused that he’s not coming back and we have to move on.

“But can you just imagine him working with (No. 1 draft pick Travis) Konecny every day in practice? Or him just being around all of us again?”

Monahan will be among the pre-game scratches announced Friday night at Canadian Tire Centre, where the 67’s will to rebound from one of the worst seasons in franchise history by starting off with a home game against the Belleville Bulls.

The 67’s are talented, but really young overall.

“I like the mesh we have in the room,” said forward Joseph Blandisi, back from the Colorado Avalanche camp and, along with Van Stralen and the ever-dependable Taylor Fielding, named an alternate captain on Tuesday.

“The guys all have big expectations for each other,” Blandisi continued. “I like our work ethic.”

The 67’s start the schedule that any team would relish — five in a row at Canadian Tire Centre to start and nine of the first 10 — except, perhaps, for perhaps one that won only six times on home ice in 2012-13.

“Those first five games at home for us are key,” said Fielding, entering his fourth 67’s season. “A lot of guys here have had that feeling of playing on a losing team and we’d like to get rid of that feeling.

“We’re still a relatively young team, but our goal is to establish an identity as a team, as a team that just works as hard as it can and it rough to play against.

“The goals may not come as pretty as some of the goals we scored when we had superstars here, but the coaches had talked to about it and we need some kind of identity.”

Then there’s whatever happens with Monahan.

Drafted sixth overall in June, he’ll get a full shot at making the Flames’ roster.

“We all hope the best for him,” Fielding said. “I got to play three seasons with him, and I hope he lives his dream up in the NHL. He has worked so hard to get there.

“We don’t even want to think what if he comes back. Some of us are still in touch with him. But he has enough pressure on himself.

“We are just going to go out and play with the guys we have. Moni hopes all the best for us and he wants us to do it without him.”

dcampbell@ottawacitizen.com

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 09.19.2013

717227 Calgary Flames

Flames make first cuts from team roster

Staff

Flames make first cuts from team roster

The Calgary Flames' axe fell today, to the tune of 19 re-assignments.

* To Abbotsford Heat (13) — G Laurent Brossoit, G Joni Ortio, D Mark Cundari, D Brady Lamb, D James Martin, D Zach McKelvie, C Paul Byron, C Brett Olson, LW Carter Bancks, LW Turner Elson, LW Ben Hanowski, RW David Eddy, RW Greg Nemisz

* Returned to junior (6) — D Brett Kulak (WHL Vancouver), D Ryan Culkin (QMJHL Quebec), D Eric Roy (WHL Brandon), LW Morgan Klimchuk (WHL Regina), RW Coda Gordon (WHL Swift Current), RW Emile Poirier (QMJHL Gatineau)

Remaining in Calgary are 38 players — three goalies, 13 defencemen, 22 forwards. National Hockey League teams can carry 23 players.

After off-days today and Thursday, camp resumes Friday morning at WinSport.

The Flames have two pre-season dates remaining, both at home — Monday against the New York Rangers, Wednesday against the Phoenix Coyotes.

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 09.19.2013

717228 Calgary Flames

Impressive first-rounder Monahan not among Flames’ first big swath of cuts

Calgary’s NHL squad sends 19 players to junior or the minors, trimming camp roster to 37

By Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald September 18, 2013

Impressive first-rounder Monahan not among Flames’ first big swath of cuts

Calgary Flames forward Sean Monahan moves the puck against the New York Islanders during third period NHL pre-season action on Tuesday in Regina.

Focus, as it should, remains on those players in town.

Front and centre of the still-standing gang is Sean Monahan, sixth overall pick at this past summer’s National Hockey League draft. And while the teen is impressing local observers with his savvy displays, the Calgary Flames were aware of what they had all along.

“We knew what kind of player he was, we knew what kind of maturity he had,” general manager Jay Feaster said Wednesday afternoon. “It’s impressive what he’s done. We’re pleased with it. When you look at the way he’s performed, he certainly doesn’t look he’s a young man.”

At the Young Stars Classic in Penticton, B.C., Monahan had scored twice — and was plus-two — in two appearances.

In three NHL pre-season games, he’s produced two more goals, going plus-one.

Throughout, he’s proven to be a responsible centreman, no small thing at this level.

Monahan, who turns 19 on Oct. 12, is going to get — and certainly deserves — a longer look. (Just the other day, coach Bob Hartley was saying that the boy, in some ways, reminds him of, ahem, Joe Sakic.)

“I’m not going to go overboard about being surprised,” said Feaster, “because we had done our homework ahead of time. I guess people don’t believe us. But the fact of the matter is, we knew what kind of player we were drafting. And we had said from the beginning that we were going to give this young man an opportunity. We saw the determination at the development camp (in July). This is a young man, who, from the time we drafted him, said, ‘My goal is to make the Calgary Flames.’

“What’s unique about him is, as a first-year draft guy, I think he grasps the need to be in shape better than maybe a lot of guys do. Typically what you see is guys coming in and they don’t realize the kind of shape they have to be in. That’s not the case with this player.”

Hanging around yet are the stubborn likes of defencemen Keegan Kanzig, Tyler Wotherspoon, Chad Billins; forwards Josh Jooris, Michael Ferland, Mikael Granlund, Ben Street.

Clearly, the Flames’ loud spiel about roster vacancies had not been not lost on the challengers.

“I don’t think there’s any question about that,” said Feaster. “I think you see it in the play of the kids. I think you see it in the play of the veterans. I think the veterans are stepping up their play because they recognize that positions are open.

“We’re very pleased with training camp so far.”

Flames brass, however, did need to cut a wide swath through the group, re-assigning 19 players.

“(The process) is a collective effort — myself, John Weisbrod, Craig Conroy, the coaching staff here in Calgary,” said Feaster, pointing out that although president of hockey operations Brian Burke wasn’t in the room Wednesday, he had his say. “And, obviously, we don’t just sit down once. We sit down at the end of every day and we evaluate players . . . and we came to the conclusions that we announced.”

* Sent to the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Heat (13) — G Laurent Brossoit, G Joni Ortio, D Mark Cundari, D Brady Lamb, D James Martin, D Zach McKelvie, C Paul Byron, C Brett Olson, LW Carter Bancks, LW Turner Elson, LW Ben Hanowski, RW David Eddy, RW Greg Nemisz

* Returned to junior (6) — D Brett Kulak (WHL Vancouver), D Ryan Culkin (QMJHL Quebec), D Eric Roy (WHL Brandon), LW Morgan Klimchuk (WHL Regina), RW Coda Gordon (WHL Swift Current), RW Emile Poirier (QMJHL Gatineau)

For Poirier, 22nd pick overall at the draft, this hardly stands as a failure.

Quite the opposite.

“He’s been very good,” said Feaster. “He had a good rookie camp. He had a good camp here. He’s not ready to make our hockey team and play in the NHL right now. So for that reason, we decided, ‘Let’s get him back.’ His junior team starts up on the weekend. He’s going to be an important guy there, a go-to guy. As we told him, we want him to set the goal in the first half of the season that his play is such that he makes the world-junior team for Canada.”

Remaining in Calgary are 38 gents — three goalies, 13 defencemen, 22 forwards. NHL clubs can carry 23 players.

After off-days for the players Wednesday and Thursday, camp resumes Friday morning at WinSport.

The Flames have two pre-season dates remaining, both at home — Monday against the New York Rangers, Wednesday against the Phoenix Coyotes.

“Now (cuts) will get more difficult,” said Feaster. “We have two games left. We’ll talk with the coaching staff about how they want to approach those games and we’ll go from there. It’s still an evaluation process.”

FLAMES’ CURRENT DEPTH CHART

LEFT WING (6)

Curtis Glencross

Michael Cammalleri

Sven Baertschi

Jiri Hudler

Lance Bouma

Michael Ferland

CENTRE (11)

Matt Stajan

Mikael Backlund

T.J. Galiardi

Roman Horak

Sean Monahan

Corban Knight

Markus Granlund’

Max Reinhart

Blair Jones

Josh Jooris

Ben Street

RIGHT WING (4)

Lee Stempniak

David Jones

Tim Jackman

Brian McGrattan

DEFENCEMEN (11)

Mark Giordano

Dennis Wideman

T.J. Brodie

Kris Russell

Shane O’Brien

Chris Butler

Derek Smith

John Ramage

Chad Billins

Keegan Kanzig

Tyler Wotherspoon

GOALIES (3)

Karri Ramo

Reto Berra

Joey MacDonald

INJURIES (3)

D Patrick Sieloff (broken cheekbone)

D Chris Breen (shoulder surgery)

LW Steve Begin (hip)

scruickshank@calgaryherald.com

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 09.19.2013

717229 Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames prospect Josh Jooris may be breakthrough player for N.Y.-based college

By WES GILBERTSON,First posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013

An alumnus of Union College has never scored a regular-season goal at hockey’s highest level.

Calgary Flames hopeful Josh Jooris is making a case he could be the first.

“We wish, as a coaching staff here, that every player in our program could score a goal in the National Hockey League. It’s an unbelievable feeling and not a lot of people have experienced that,” said Union head coach Rick Bennett, who joined the club with one big-league tally for the New York Rangers in 1990.

“For me to give any coach-speak on whether Josh Jooris is an NHL sniper, that’s beyond me ... But judging by what he has done early? Yeah, I think it’s realistic for any guy. Obviously, Calgary signed him for a reason.”

They’re keeping him around for a reason, too.

The Flames announced their first round of training camp cuts Wednesday, assigning 13 players to the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Heat and a half-dozen more to the junior ranks, but Jooris is staying in Calgary a little while longer.

In fact, with two goals in exhibition action, the 23-year-old centre has been the biggest surprise of Flames training camp so far.

“With a lot of guys, it’s almost as if they’re wading into the pool, want to test the water temperature, and every day go a little further towards the deep end,” said Flames GM Jay Feaster. “He’s a guy who hasn’t waded in at all. He decided to dive into the deep end.

“He’s not awed by this, he’s not taking a back seat. He’s out there competing. He’s been full marks so far.”

Jooris figured to be worried about his psychology marks this fall, but that changed when he chose to forego his final season of collegiate eligibility and sign an entry-level deal with the Flames after July’s development camp.

He introduced himself to fans in Alberta with a pair of goals in Saturday’s pre-season win over the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place and almost added a shortie in Tuesday’s split-squad victory over the New York Islanders at Regina’s Brandt Centre.

About 2,500 km away in Schenectady, N.Y., you can bet his former Union Dutchmen teammates have been tracking the action online.

“The guys back at school have been great,” Jooris said earlier this week. “That’s one thing I was worried about, because you develop such great relationships over three years with those guys, and that was obviously the hardest part — leaving them behind. But I’ve been keeping in touch with all of them. Obviously, they’re following me really closely and they’re real excited for me.

“They’re in it with me.”

They’ll sure miss him, though.

“(Jooris) was just a good locker-room guy, good team guy, always stuck up for his teammates. Everybody really liked him,” Bennett said. “But the biggest thing for me was the way he showed up in the big games. I think he started off his collegiate career here with a hat-trick. He’s used to starting out pretty darn fast.”

Two goals in his first exhibition game with the Flames is further proof of that.

Jooris remains a long-shot to crack Calgary’s opening night roster, but there’s no doubt the 6-foot, 180-lb. pivot from Burlington, Ont., has boosted his stock with the organization.

He might even be competing with Carolina Hurricanes up-and-comer Jeremy Welsh — with five NHL outings and one assist already under his belt — to be the first Union hockey grad to score in The Show.

“We’ll get to that when the time comes, but it would be pretty cool,” Jooris said. “It would pretty cool to score an NHL goal and if it is the first Union alum to score a goal, that would be really special. I owe everything to that school. They made me who I am today.”

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 09.19.2013

717230 Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames want Greg Nemisz to start being "go-to guy"

By RANDY SPORTAK,First posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Greg Nemisz would seem a natural at a card table in Las Vegas.

It’s not often you’ll see the Calgary Flames hopeful — and 2008 first-round draft choice — tip his hand.

When asked whether last season could be called “disappointing” though, Nemisz lost the poker face in an instant.

“Oh yeah,” he answered with obvious exasperation. “It couldn’t have been more disappointing. But those are the years you learn the most from.

“As tough as it was, I had a summer to recharge and get ready for this season. I’m really excited to play again.

“I’m coming into camp healthy and really don’t have any pressure on myself. I’m trying to turn some heads and just play hard every time I step on the ice.”

Nemisz will have to turn heads in the minors. He was among the first wave of players reassigned by the Flames Wednesday, which included 13 players sent to the AHL Abbotsford Heat.

Nemisz had best make the most of his opportunities this coming season. The Flames, well aware of the reasons for his struggles last year, are giving the 23-year-old winger a year to show he still belongs in the mix to battle for a NHL roster spot.

“In our minds, he gets a pass on last year, but it is time now to start being a go-to guy. It’s an important year for him,” GM Jay Feaster said.

Nemisz appeared to be taking big steps during the 2011-12 season, but a hip injury left him on the shelf to start last season and he admittedly never caught up.

“Coming into camp injured is a tough way to do it. I never really got my feet under me after missing training camp,” said Nemisz, the 6-foot-3, 210-lb. forward selected 25th overall.

At least Nemisz learned some lessons.

“Yeah, how to deal with ups and downs,” he said of the campaign in which he collected three goals and 10 points in 55 AHL games. “It was a big down year. It’s a funk you have to work through by coming to the rink and working hard, regardless of how you’re playing, and keep a good attitude.”

The Flames would like that attitude to include more moxie.

The addition of Brian Burke to the hockey department has brought the word “truculence” into the team’s vernacular, but that message has been given to Nemisz for a while now.

“He needs to be a harder guy to play against,” Feaster said. “We’re not asking him to fight and not asking him to do things he’s not capable of. I talked to him about the fact two years they made the playoffs in Abbotsford and played Milwaukee in the first round, and I felt he started to be a more physical player.”

Nemisz has helped himself in that regard by physically bulking up. He’s no longer the tall, skinny teen the club drafted five years ago.

“I definitely feel stronger,” he said. “You come (when you’re first drafted) and don’t really realize the difference when you’re playing against men. Now, it’s not as much of an eye-opener. You’re ready to get physical and the type of force you’re dealing with out there.