Berggren isn’t cleared to practice due to an injury in the prospects camp. Raymond has a lower body injury but might skate tomorrow. Larkin is being eased back from his neck injury but should be good to go for the start of the year.
Yzerman: “Tyler, if you get this vaccine you might be in line to wear a letter this season” Bertuzzi: “Can it be Q?”
Can't take credit for this but someone in the replies said 'a Bertuzzi finally chooses not to take a cheap shot'
Vrana is dealing with Visa issues, but he will likely slot in on the second line for Ryan. Zadina and Larkin haven’t played well together so I’m not sure about that top line but it’s worth trying.
Still doubt Raymond makes it, even without Vrana they still have a lot of forwards (listed not in line order I'm expecting, just easier to count guys listing this way) Bert-Larkin-Zadina Fabbri-Suter-Ryan Erne-Namestnikov-Ras Smith-Stephens-Gagner Rowney Doesn't include guys like Veleno, Berggren and Hirose either who all could have a shot as well. Don't think any of those guys have options to be sent down (although I wouldn't mind losing a couple of those guys to make room for the young guys). But the way I've seen this team run I'd expect the young guys to at least start in GR
Ryan is on a PTO, so while it’s possible he makes the team, he’s less likely to be in the top six than Raymond IMO. Berggren is hurt and is probably behind the eight ball at this time. Veleno could make it as a wing, but who knows. Raymond did slot in for Vrana in the scrimmage tonight.
I could be wrong but I believe we can slide Raymond’s contract as long as he doesn’t exceed nine games.
Vlad - Ras - Erne seems all but set to be our third line, so they should get the top line minutes tonight. Smith - Stephens - Ryan will probably be the second line tonight, though I could see Rowney supplanting Smith. Some combo of those four guys will make up our fourth line I think. Osterle is probably our 7th D, but I imagine he’s filling in for DeKesyer as Hronek’s partner tonight.
Even though we're not trying to win, I would assume that means Raymond is up for most of the season unless he's bad.
Right. If he's good enough to at least hang as a top 6 forward this year, I don't see what the point of keeping him down would be now that he'd clearly get that kind of ice time. If he's not good enough for that yet, that's another story. Just saying at this point they don't have a ton of excuses not to keep him up unless he disappoints.
I think it just means they keep Ryan. This organization hasn't shown me they are going to keep young guys up until a stint in AHL is done. So I assume this will be no different. They signed a few 4th liner types at end of offseaso. And have Smith out of options. Still don't see Raymond here out of camp. Interesting thing will be what they do when they have to go to Canada. If there is a Canadian road trip and Bert can't play, could see them giving him a couple game look then
Based on the lineup and stuff Blash has said, I expect the lineups to be Fabbri - Suter - Raymond Gagner - Veleno - Zadina Leddy - Stetcher Witowski - Stetcher Renouf - Newpower