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Coyotes Kick Off Training Camp

September 19, 2014, 3:20 PM ET [16 Comments]
James Tanner
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Training camp opened Thursday with veterans reporting after the rookie tournaments ended earlier in the week. While the beginning of camp is a joyous occasion because it marks the end of the summer and there is finally actual hockey news to report, it is ultimately a bit of a let down. I mean, the players report, it's media day, everyone is optimistic and yet we still don't get to actually watch any hockey! Still, it's an exciting time and everyone is tied for first place, so there's that.

One of the most interesting things about the Coyotes training camp is the battle for jobs. The entire first line appears up for grabs, and there are several rookies who will get long looks over the next few weeks. Besides the obvious Max Domi, who will likely make the team, there is Henrik Samuelson, himself a good bet to break camp with the team, and then there is also Tyler Gaudet, Lucas Lessio and Tobias Rieder, forwards who all have a shot.

The 'Yotes first rounder from this year, Brendan Perlini, will also get a look as he was invited to the main camp after a nice showing in the rookie camp. One assumes he would have to blow the competition away to make the team, but it will still be interesting to see him in a pre-season game or two.

On defense, with Derek Morris gone, the group will include OEL, Yandle, Michelek and Stone. Rookies Brandon Gormley and Connor Murphy will compete with Dave Schlemko, Chris Summers and several other invites for the chance to make the team.

Also of note is winger Brandon McMillan, who played well in a brief audition last year. It should be fun to see if he makes the team. I think he will, as I liked what he brought to the table last season.

Overall, there are a lot of guys gone from last years team: Ribeiro, Vbrata, Bissonnette, Morris, Halpern, who's spots have a chance to be filled by the rookies mentioned above, as well as new comers like Joe Vitale.

Besides the question of which rookies will make the team, the other, more obvious question is who will score for this team? We will get a good chance to find out on Monday when they play their first pre-season game vs. the Kings.

In case you are interested, here, via Craig Morgan, is the list of Coyotes hopefuls cut from rookie camp.

D - Hanley, Joel
D - Mayo, Dysin
D - Southorn, Joel
D - Leboeuf, Guy
D - Sautner, Ashton
D - Mermis, Dakota
F - Playfair, Jackson
F - Cave, Colby
F - Manigiapane, Andrew

Thanks for reading, and as always, more news as it happens.
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