Columbus, OH -- The final decisions will be made to determine the opening night roster within the next 24 hours, maybe.
This is the last chance for players to make a push and be told they're staying in Columbus before rosters have to be set on Tuesday at 3 p.m. Last year there were two rookies, Boone Jenner and Ryan Murray, who made the team out of camp.
Right now, five days before the first game, Nathan Horton (back) has missed all of training camp and has yet to skate with the team. Boone Jenner (hand) had surgery on his broken hand last week and is expected to miss approximately 12 games to start the season. Ryan Murray (knee) is skating with the team, but is not taking any contact. And, budding-star Ryan Johansen is as yet unsigned to a contract.
This has provided an opportunity for more rookies to step up and make their case for sticking with the team. Management has said that if a player is good enough and makes the team better, they will find a spot for him. The frontrunners at this stage of training camp are arguably Michael Chaput, Alex Wennberg and Marko Dano, with Kerby Rychel on the bubble. If they go with 8 defensemen, add Cody Goloubef into the mix.
You would think the potential of four rookies making the team might possibly change the dynamic of the room. Not to their way of thinking.
"I don't think so", said defenseman James Wisniewski. "I think we're almost used to having new guys. With the way the game is now, they bring a lot of energy, a lot of passion and fire. They all fit perfectly within our club."
Columbus head coach Todd Richards has said numerous times that he would be content to start the season with the lineup he has now. The rookies notwithstanding, this is still a young team that has to gain more experience and mature. The only way to do that is to go out and play the games.
"I don't see (the dynamic) changing", Richards said. "We were a young team last year. We're going to be a young team this year. I don't see it changing anything."
Alex Wennberg will skate tonight on a line centered by Mark Letestu, with Nick Foligno on the other wing. Young centers seem to get their start on the wing and Wennberg doesn't seem to be the exception. Foligno doesn't see the dynamic changing drastically, either.
"I think if you look at the reason why," said Foligno, "there are guys missing, obviously. It's a great opportunity for them."
"I think they've come in and done such a great job, they fit right in. You don't even notice it. They've done a great job of making us better and they're hungry. I like the fact that they're excited to come to the rink every day. You can see it in their faces. They want to get better and they want to help."
With decisions looming, the final makeup of this team is yet to be determined. While normally the final roster would be pretty much set by tomorrow afternoon, this may just go down to the wire of the 3 p.m. deadline on Tuesday.
Murray update
Ryan Murray was out skating with the rest of the team, sans contact. There has been no timetable set for when he'll be cleared for contact. Consequently, his starting on Thursday is still in doubt, but not looking likely.
"He's been getting better and better each day," Richards said, "being able to do more and more."
Wennberg and Dano transitioning well
Alex Wennberg and Marko Dano are transitioning well to the smaller North American ice rinks. After playing in Europe, they have looked right at home on the smaller rinks.
"They've looked pretty good", said Todd Richards. "Again, they've been playing at a pretty high level. Yes, it is a different surface (size). But, they've been playing against men. So, I think that will help with the transition. I think they've both done a very good job."
Tonight's projected lineup for Columbus
Forward lines:
Matt Calvert/Brandon Dubinsky/Cam Atkinson
Scott Hartnell/Artem Anisimov/Marko Dano
Alex Wennberg/Mark Letestu/Nick Foligno
Kerby Rychel/Michael Chaput/Jared Boll
Defensive pairings:
Jack Johnson/David Savard
Fedor Tyutin/Dalton Prout
Tim Erixon/James Wisniewski
Goalies:
Sergei Bobrovsky with Curtis McElhinney as backup
Where art thou Johansen?
There still seems to be no headway, with neither side willing to make too large of a concession, in the ongoing contract negotiations between Columbus and Ryan Johansen. Progress is slow and he's in real danger of not playing on opening night Thursday in Buffalo. #JoeyWatch is in Day 17...
