Rick Sadowski: Redmond making case for spot

What's the scoop on Siemens? Is his stock still as high as it was when he was originally drafted?

Siemens has been physical -- he wanted to fight Cody McLeod in a scrimmage but the officials separated them -- and he's been solid overall. He just turned 21 this month and needs more seasoning. He'll likely start in the AHL but could get a call-up at some point if needed. No point being an extra guy in the NHL.

What's the scoop on Siemens? Is his stock still as high as it was when he was originally drafted?
- Jackman

as rick was saying, he has been looking really good this camp and bouncing back nicely from an injury plague year last season.

Hes my bet for the 1st D Call up incase of injuries, looking like EJs future partner.

I think Redmond starts on the opening night roster paired with Holden.

as rick was saying, he has been looking really good this camp and bouncing back nicely from an injury plague year last season.

Hes my bet for the 1st D Call up incase of injuries, looking like EJs future partner.

I think Redmond starts on the opening night roster paired with Holden.
- DDM-Coga

Good for Redmond. If he does, he should send Anthony Peluso a nice bonus present. I'm rooting for him. Great mental psyche to be able to put the accident out of his mind and play his best.

Good for Redmond. If he does, he should send Anthony Peluso a nice bonus present. I'm rooting for him. Great mental psyche to be able to put the accident out of his mind and play his best.
- stljam

I was a big fan of his signing, good pick up as its low risk high reward.
Elliott and him will be battling for that spot, but I think it goes to Redmond with Elliott being a healthy scratch to start the season.

Have to protect Elliott from Waivers, I think he would be picked up by a team if we sent him down.

How has Mueller looked in camp?

I was a big fan of his signing, good pick up as its low risk high reward.
Elliott and him will be battling for that spot, but I think it goes to Redmond with Elliott being a healthy scratch to start the season.

Have to protect Elliott from Waivers, I think he would be picked up by a team if we sent him down.

How has Mueller looked in camp?
- DDM-Coga

I have not seen any games or practices, just some web based highlights of goals for and against. Having said that, reading between the lines on Hitch's comments, it looks like he is trying to push him and give him every opportunity but he isn't exactly seizing the opportunity yet.

Before the games, Hitch talked about how intelligent he was on the ice, how he just needed to play his game and not worry about anything (injury, etc). After his preseason game, Hitch said - "He's still got to get ... he's like a guy that's got to get up to speed. He's got to move his feet ... he's got great vision, he's got great hands, he's just got to learn to move his feet. He's played a different game, he's played a sideways game and now he's got to move his feet and play this game in North America."

Not a glowing review but he said similar things about Lehtera too. I think he will be given every opportunity and then some to make the team, especially with Schwartz unsigned. Heck, he put Mueller with Tarasenko and Lehtera, easily the best potential linemates he could have had in the first two games.

I'm going Thursday and will share thoughts if he plays.

I have not seen any games or practices, just some web based highlights of goals for and against. Having said that, reading between the lines on Hitch's comments, it looks like he is trying to push him and give him every opportunity but he isn't exactly seizing the opportunity yet.

Before the games, Hitch talked about how intelligent he was on the ice, how he just needed to play his game and not worry about anything (injury, etc). After his preseason game, Hitch said - "He's still got to get ... he's like a guy that's got to get up to speed. He's got to move his feet ... he's got great vision, he's got great hands, he's just got to learn to move his feet. He's played a different game, he's played a sideways game and now he's got to move his feet and play this game in North America."

Not a glowing review but he said similar things about Lehtera too. I think he will be given every opportunity and then some to make the team, especially with Schwartz unsigned. Heck, he put Mueller with Tarasenko and Lehtera, easily the best potential linemates he could have had in the first two games.

I'm going Thursday and will share thoughts if he plays.
- stljam

Yeah seems like the same sort of Mules after he came back from injury with the Avs. Playing tenative and thinking too much protecting himself from injuries. When he stopped playing so tenative, you started to see the guy who was lights out with Duchene as a line.

Frustrating yet promising is the best way to describe him. I think he will get his groove back again, but hes still a work in progress.

not overally shocked to see Bigras and Bleackley sent back, but thought they would have survived another round of cuts first.

But I like how Roy doesnt sugar coat their camps. Bleackley needs to be in better conditioning for the NHL level and Bigras just didnt wow him this year, he must of had higher expectations of the kid. Dont think its negative, its better for them to be honest about it and let them know what they need to do to get to the Avs. Hopefully both are WJC bound this season for Team Canada. That would be a treat to watch

not overally shocked to see Bigras and Bleackley sent back, but thought they would have survived another round of cuts first.

But I like how Roy doesnt sugar coat their camps. Bleackley needs to be in better conditioning for the NHL level and Bigras just didnt wow him this year, he must of had higher expectations of the kid. Dont think its negative, its better for them to be honest about it and let them know what they need to do to get to the Avs. Hopefully both are WJC bound this season for Team Canada. That would be a treat to watch
- DDM-Coga

Being honest with the players is good for their development but I don't know if making it public is the best thing. It just seemed kind of unnecessary to announce and reporters (Dater/Chambers) present it like they're lazy and Roy is pissed about how they're playing rather than points that they should work on prior to camp next year.

Now that I've said that, excuse me while I go slam my fingers in the door for questioning Roy's methods.

Has Alexis Pepin played or is he still hurt?

Being honest with the players is good for their development but I don't know if making it public is the best thing. It just seemed kind of unnecessary to announce and reporters (Dater/Chambers) present it like they're lazy and Roy is pissed about how they're playing rather than points that they should work on prior to camp next year.

Now that I've said that, excuse me while I go slam my fingers in the door for questioning Roy's methods.
- westonie

Im sort of changing my view on it now since I read that Beakley interview saying he hired a conditioning coach in Calgary this summer, changed his diet, etc etc. So basically it means now that all that he did with this coach this summer was pointless as Roy didnt like the results of it. That would suck to hear and be very discouraging since it did seem he went the extra mile to train, just he picked the wrong coach.

Could have been a closed door comment, but thats Roy, he will always shoot from the hip, even if says the wrong thing pubically.

At least we are getting this info compared to years bast of not knowing the reasons behind hockey decisions....could be like how he called out Barrie. Saying he needs to be better after sending him down.

What becomes of Elliott DDM?

What becomes of Elliott DDM?
- JeffShantz

I think starting the year at the 7th dman or trade bait. If he doesnt make the opening roster, hes a healthy scratch. Cant afford to lose him for nothing sending him back down to the AHL..someone will pick him up.

Holden - Elliott/Redmond is the 3rd pairing in my mind, just who wins that camp battle for the right hand side.

not overally shocked to see Bigras and Bleackley sent back, but thought they would have survived another round of cuts first.

But I like how Roy doesnt sugar coat their camps. Bleackley needs to be in better conditioning for the NHL level and Bigras just didnt wow him this year, he must of had higher expectations of the kid. Dont think its negative, its better for them to be honest about it and let them know what they need to do to get to the Avs. Hopefully both are WJC bound this season for Team Canada. That would be a treat to watch
- DDM-Coga

Not really surprised either.

Bleackley is still a bit raw for the NHL from the accounts I've read. Skating is a bit of an issue.

Bigras wasn't anything special in the OHL last year. But he's young, so we'll see.

But realistically, neither were gonna make the team this year anyway without an incredible camp.

Not really surprised either.

Bleackley is still a bit raw for the NHL from the accounts I've read. Skating is a bit of an issue.

Bigras wasn't anything special in the OHL last year. But he's young, so we'll see.

But realistically, neither were gonna make the team this year anyway without an incredible camp.
- aschuter82

I agree, no way they were even in the conversation of potential roster players even if they had good camps. Just too many vet contracts.

But Im not too concerned with them as prospects. I think they will be good 2nd Pairing, 3rd line type guys once they hit their potential. And by that time, there should be some roster spots for them.

I have been following Vincour and Rendulic instead, they really giving the call up material from the monsters more hope. I really hope Hishon makes the team.

I agree, no way they were even in the conversation of potential roster players even if they had good camps. Just too many vet contracts.

But Im not too concerned with them as prospects. I think they will be good 2nd Pairing, 3rd line type guys once they hit their potential. And by that time, there should be some roster spots for them.

I have been following Vincour and Rendulic instead, they really giving the call up material from the monsters more hope. I really hope Hishon makes the team.
- DDM-Coga

Saw somethin that said Roy was playing Rendulic with Duchene tonight.

Saw somethin that said Roy was playing Rendulic with Duchene tonight.
- aschuter82

yeah saw that as well on the line up card. Im interested to see how that mix works. Intially when we signed him this summer I thought he was just a big body experiment player, maybe turn into a depth guy who is worth the gamble on.

But the more North American coverage I am seeing about him is that he has some soft touch/decent hands and is a pretty good skater. He might be a diamond in the rough if thats the case. Promising to say the least

Yeah seems like the same sort of Mules after he came back from injury with the Avs. Playing tenative and thinking too much protecting himself from injuries. When he stopped playing so tenative, you started to see the guy who was lights out with Duchene as a line.

Frustrating yet promising is the best way to describe him. I think he will get his groove back again, but hes still a work in progress.
- DDM-Coga

So Mueller's second game with Tarasenko and Lehtera, well at least part of the game with them. Note the ice time of the three - 20:12 to 19:50 to 13:31. I think this likely tells the story as much as I can.

Mueller's skating looked poor last night - slow/inefficient, etc. His hands and vision are there you can tell but he seemed to have trouble keeping up with the play and making the quick bursts needed for separation, etc. I will say his primary assist was very, very good. He reminds me of where Jason Allison shortly before he retired. He also seems like a much cheaper version of Derek Roy with better hands and worse feet. If he plays in STL, he'll be a PP specialist and log @ 12-14 minutes a game imho.