Taffe & Pohl strong in NHL camps!

[SNAPSHOT]

Check out the Coyotes & Blues websites. Taffe's buries one in scrimmage as his line "sizzles" and Pohl's 2 assists put him near the top in Blues training camp scoring so far. It's early...but they look good.

I didn't see anything on the flames website about Leopold. Anybody have any info there?

[Rookie]

I can't imagine Leopold not making the NHL roster for the Flames. They need help right away. He'll go through an adjustment period, but he'll catch up pretty quick I think. Mentally he's very mature, so that part of it should be easy for him.

[Greyeagle]

Check out the blurb Grandpa Sports had in his Satuday column about Leo. You'll need to scroll down to the "Jottings" section.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/507/3232464.html

Edit - The Star-Trombone links usually disappear after a week. So I've copied in the pertinent text.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sid Hartman: Gophers show improvement against Toledo
Star Tribune

Published Sep 15, 2002

John Pohl, who led the nation in scoring and helped the Gophers to the NCAA hockey title last season, played well in the St. Louis Blues rookie camp in Traverse City, Mich., and was invited to the team's regular camp in St. Louis. Pohl, a ninth-round pick of the Blues in 1998, is unsigned, however. "We're at a stalemate when it comes to a contract, but being on the Blues reserve list, he can work out with them," said Pohl's agent, Neil Sheehy. . . . The word in Calgary is that the Flames are very impressed with Jordan Leopold, who won the Hobey Baker Award last season with the Gophers, and that he will make the team as a rookie defenseman.
-----------------------------------------------------

And for fun: :D

a little about...
Sid Hartman is the dean of Twin Cities sports columnists. His first bylined column appeared in the Minneapolis Daily Times on Sept. 11, 1945. Since then, he's written about virtually every significant sports event and personality in Minnesota. His "close personal friends" include countless sports figures across the country, from Bobby Knight to Lou Holtz to George Steinbrenner. His columns appear on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Saturday.You can listen to him on WCCO Radio (830 AM) during the morning and afternoon commutes each weekday. His "Sports Huddle" show airs from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Sunday.You can send him e-mail in care of the Star Tribune's sports department

[jen]

aren't these people...... alums???? ;) hint, hint!!

I don't think the Flames should stick Leopold in the fire right away. Defensemen take longer to mature, and as a guy who's not huge and physical, the Flames don't have a lot of room to give him to make mistakes and adjust to the pro game (and not even the mental part... he has to defend against guys like Joe Sakic and Mario Lemieux. Think that's a little different than college?) Defensemen take longer than forwards to adjust. Taffe and Pohl, maybe later in the year.

[Greyeagle]

Originally posted by jen
aren't these people...... alums???? ;) hint, hint!!

Shhhhhhhhhhh. :D

You're absolutley correct about players needing more time to develope into a NHL caliber defenseman. Heck, it amazes me when a player like Leo or Tanabe steps into the WCHA to play defense and do so very well. However, from what I've read the Flames are very thin at D and Leo playing for the big club early would not be a surprise.

[Badgers1]

Sounds like Leopold may get PP time early in Calgary, I would think he'd be lower on icetime then the rest of the players 5 on 5. Like Tanabe was 2 years ago.

[scsutommyboy]

Johnny pohl smoker is in a NHL camp!:eek: I am sure Johnny will have a great season in the AHL this year. :D

[Greyeagle]

Originally posted by scsutommyboy
Johnny pohl smoker is in a NHL camp!:eek: I am sure Johnny will have a great season in the AHL this year. :D

...and checking the time on his 2002 NCAA champion watch so he knows how long until he's called up. :p

[go westrum]

I am a big Leo fan, but he may not break into the Flames lineup right away.

The Flames are the deepest at D. They have one open spot for the season and while they want Loe to be there, he would get alot more playing time in Saint John.

[SNAPSHOT]

Okay, so I'm an idiot (or spent a long night at my local pub) and posted this in the wrong spot.....

Johnny bagged a goal in the Tuesday scrimmage...Doug Weight got 2, they won 4-3.

If he keeps this up, he just might crack the Blues roster...

They have great daily updates on their site if anyone's interested.

[SNAPSHOT]

Wishful thinking (dreaming) on my part....Pohl assigned to Blues AHL team. But not before scoring the double OT game winning shootout goal in the scrimmage!

[JF_Gophers]

Pohl
Pohl was sent to the Worchester Ice Cats on Wednesday.

Taffe
Here's a clip from phoenixcoyotes.com about the Black & White scrimmage they held on Sunday, Sept 15th.

"The entire line of Martin Podlesak, Jeff Taffe and Frantisek Lukes sizzled, as each tallied in an attempt to showcase their talents to the coaching staff. The importance of this event wasn't as vital to the veterans, as it was to the up-and-comers in trying to earn final spots on the roster.

"It's imperative that they play hard or they won't make the team," said left wing Brad May, noting that the first cut-off date is this Monday. "There are many things to do to be a professional, and work ethic is one of them."

"When I was young and came in to camp, my goal was to make the team," said center Daymond Langkow. "So, obviously that's why these kids are here and they are giving it their all."

Much to the delight of the crowd, "The Great One" -- no other than Wayne Gretzky -- was on the ice representing Team White. It was the first time Gretzky had ever donned a Coyotes uniform in competitive play. The crowd of season ticket holders got a chuckle when along the boards Martin Grenier tried to deliver a hard check to a player in white - not knowing that it was his boss. Grenier put on his breaks and avoided the collision. Gretzky came away with a big smile."

[JF_Gophers]

The St. Louis Blues have recalled John Pohl to the big club.

http://www.stlouisblues.com/index.html

[JF_Gophers]

and back down he goes. heh

OCT 6th

"President and General Manager Larry Pleau announced today that the club has assigned forwards, Sergei Varlamov, <b>John Pohl</b>, Greg Davis, Steve McLaren, defenseman Aris Brimanis and goaltender Curtis Sanford to the Blues American Hockey League affiliate, the Worcester IceCats."

[JF_Gophers]

Oct 5th

Coyotes have assigned the following players to the Springfield Falcons (AHL): Martin Grenier (D), Darcy Hordichuk (LW), Martin Podlesak (C) and <b>Jeff Taffe (C)</b>.

The Coyotes also announced that the team has recalled center Jason Jaspers from the Springfield Falcons.

[JF_Gophers]

Phoenix Coyotes - Recalled forwards Darcy Hordichuk and Jeff
Taffe from Springfield of the American Hockey League.

Edit:

NHL Debut
October 14th
Vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Shifts: 10
Total Ice Time: 5:30
Even Strength: 5:23
Shorthanded: 0:07

Faceoffs: Won 3, Lost 0
+/- : 0
PIM: 0
G-A-P: 0-0-0