The St. Louis Blues will begin the on-ice portion of their 2024-25 training camp on Thursday, having announced on Wednesday that six players will join the camp on tryouts.
Forwards Nikita Alexandrov, Sam Bitten, and Matthew Peca, along with defenseman Scott Harrington and goaltender David Tendeck, will participate in professional tryouts, while forward Jake Gudelj will be on an amateur tryout.
Alexandrov, a second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, has played 51 games over the past two seasons, recording three goals and six assists. He is currently a restricted free agent who has received a qualifying offer but has not yet signed.
“Right now, we’re at 50 contracts too,” said Armstrong. “So Niki’s going to come to camp. We’re working on getting something that he’s comfortable with under contract for when our junior players go back. Those things open up, but he wants to be in camp, he wants to push for a roster spot, and he and I and his agent are working behind the scenes to make sure that gets done. He’ll just come in on a PTO now, and we’ll take care of that as the camp progresses.”
Bitten, Harrington, and Peca are all under contract with Springfield in the American Hockey League (AHL). Harrington is a nine-year NHL veteran who last played in the league during the 2022-23 season with the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks.
Gudelj recently participated with Blues prospects at the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase held at Centene Community Ice Center.
A full training camp roster and schedule for the first four days can be found online. The Blues will kick off their preseason on Saturday against the Dallas Stars and face the Utah Hockey Club in Des Moines, Iowa, on Sunday. Both games are set to start at 6 p.m.
‘He Needs To Show Us That He Doesn’t Have All The Junior Habits Anymore’: Easton Cowan’s Chances at Maple Leafs Camp Will Come Down to Details.
There is considerable optimism surrounding Easton Cowan’s chances of making the Maple Leafs’ roster following training camp, but the team is not offering any easy opportunities as they approach the 2024-25 season.
Cowan is competing for a left wing position against several players, including Matthew Knies, Max Domi, Bobby McMann, Max Pacioretty, Nick Robertson, and potentially others. However, Fraser Minten’s success in making the team as a 19-year-old last year serves as a reminder that unexpected outcomes can occur.
“He’s a hard worker and has shown impressive performance in junior hockey,” said Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube on Wednesday before camp starts on Thursday. “He’s a fierce competitor, but he needs to refine his game. Many players coming from junior still have some habits from that level, and he must demonstrate that he has moved past them.”
When Minten made the team last year, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving emphasized that roster spots are earned based on merit; if a player can contribute at the NHL level, they will be included. Treliving reiterated this sentiment on Wednesday when discussing prospects and their chances of making the team.
“This is the NHL. If you can help us win, age doesn’t matter—whether you’re 18 or 38. Perform well, and you’ll have an opportunity. We believe there’s a wave of young talent coming through,” Treliving remarked.
He acknowledged that everyone knows which players are likely to compete for spots. “Let’s be honest; there’s competition at camp—come earn your place. Auston will be on the roster, Mitch will be too, and a few others are guaranteed spots.”
If Cowan, who was the Maple Leafs’ first-round pick (28th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft, does not make the team out of camp, he will be ineligible to play for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies as a 19-year-old. His only alternative would be to return to the London Knights, where he may find little left to achieve after being named the Ontario Hockey League’s most outstanding player and playoffs MVP.
While it’s too early to make definitive judgments, Treliving noted that many players are vying for limited spots. “I believe Easton is making progress. However, we all want to finalize our roster in July and August. Preseason is one thing; the regular season presents different challenges,” Treliving added.
He continued, “The latter stages of the NHL season differ significantly. Easton is pushing himself. Unfortunately, Fraser has sustained an injury but is also progressing. Young Grebenkin is showing promise as well.”
“We are prepared to create opportunities for young players who can help us win. Don’t get caught up in the idea of pathways; it all begins with performing well, and then we will assess the situation.”
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