Nabokov.

Yes, one more NHLer will be showing up at camp who did not play in the NHL last season. I asked Jack his thoughts on the veteran net minder who made such a media splash by refusing to report to the Islanders after being claimed off waivers last season.

“My thoughts? You know what, I do have a better understanding NOW of the situation at the time that he didn’t report that I didn’t know THEN. And, as far as my knowledge from my conversations with Garth, he is committed to the New York Islanders. The homework I’ve done -- he’s a great guy. He’s going to come in here and challenge just like everybody else. I’m looking forward to seeing Nabby in September.”

I suppose that means I’ll have to actually learn how to spell his name correctly. As a fan, I may not be as forgiving as Jack. While he didn’t disclose the information he received about the situation, I am not sure my fan heart will be quick to forgive and forget.

I asked Jack how important chemistry on a team is for him and how he cultivates it from the beginning of training camp.

“The positive thing about our team, again what Garth and Charles have tried to do, is build within, whether here, Bridgeport or from the draft. We haven’t had a lot of changeover. So I think as far as chemistry goes, there’s going to be a lot of guys that I think from the start of training camp that I may start together and D partners just to get back accustomed to playing right from the start. We want to get off to a good start. Six of our first nine games are at home. We want to be prepared, so I will juggle a few people on different lines in training camp, but there is a good chance that we may start with some of the same lines that we had last year.”

With so many young players on the bubble of making the team or being returned to Junior or minor leagues, I asked Jack how he felt about on ice scuffles during training camp.

“The way I always grew up was you came in to earn a job. Obviously, you know what people you have to beat out to earn a spot on our team. But there is going to be plenty of time during the exhibition games where guys can prove themselves. There’s uncontrollable circumstances and controllable. I want the guys to play with a lot of passion. I want them to know that what has happened in the past is unacceptable and the guys that come in and perform are the guys that are going to play.”

Seems simple enough, doesn’t it?

While Jack had a good look at many of the young prospects at the mini-camp in July, I asked if there was anyone he had his eye on to see how they had progressed over the summer.

“No. Really, it’s everybody. For me and our coaching staff, it’s everybody. It’s how we ended last year. How our year-end meetings went with Garth. What the expectations are as far as their physical on-ice and off-ice testing . So it’s not just one or two people. For me, it’s going to be a challenge for each and every one of them.”

The good thing is that from what I’ve read, a large portion of the players cut their off-season short and began training early in the summer. Gone are the days of showing up to camp chubby and out of shape. Not in this NHL where jobs are scarce and there is always someone else who can take your spot on the roster.

There are those first-round draft picks waiting in the wings who are hungry to make the team. I tried to be diplomatic about it. I asked Jack if he was a betting man, without naming names, would he bet on any of those first-rounders making it.

“You know what? It’s wide open. I know that Strome and Niederreiter are both the first round picks you’re talking about, but again -- we can’t sit here today with a crystal ball and look at our opening day line-up. There are certain guys that come in through the exhibition games and training camp that make it so tough on us as coaches that ‘Hey, how are we going to send this guy back?’ that we can’t. So, I think it’s going to be a challenging camp. It’s going to be a camp where guys know, from my standpoint and Garth’s, that the time is NOW. We HAVE to win hockey games. If you perform, you’ll play.”

With so many players coming to camp, including veteran player Jay Pandolfo, the decisions made have to be tough on the coaching staff. I asked Jack how long that process takes.

“It’s a little bit different situation this year because Bridgeport doesn’t have any exhibition games. So, I think there will be some guys here with us a little bit longer. We’ll have a real good chance to see not only on the ice, but off the ice, what kind of professionals they are, how passionate they are. And I have no doubt that they will ALL be like that. It does give us a little bit longer of an evaluation period to take us through our training camp and those five games. Certain guys are going to get a look and if they are playing well and if they earn that opportunity -- they’re going to get more ice time.”

Each year, NHL training camps are not all work. There are always team-building off-ice outings. Of course, golf is a big part of that and Long Island does offer some wonderful courses. The full schedule of outings hasn’t been determined yet.

“We’ll talk it over with the staff and come up with a few things and have some fun with the guys. The one thing here is, as much as we want to win games, we have to want to come to the rink every day. They have to invest in themselves, they have to get better. But they have to enjoy themselves too. Hopefully they know, the way I am as a coach is there is a fine line. But we’ll come up with a few things and have some fun.”

For the fans, the fun will begin on September 13th with the rookie game at the Coliseum. With tickets at only $10 going to charity, it’s a perfect way to start the season and see who may catch coach Jack’s eye during camp.

See you there.

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