Players Still In Camp

Luke Schenn signed an entry level deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Not a big surprise there. Bob McKenize had a column on the top five of the 2008 NHL Draft all getting a shot this season. I didn't realize that this will be the first time since 1990 that all the members in the top five will play in the NHL the following season. It's the Wayne Gretzky effect that we haven't seen this since 1990. More high profiled players are coming from the United States. Players from Europe are more willing to come over too.

Speaking of youngsters making the team. Oscar Moller who has played for the Chilliwack Bruins of the WHL has made the Los Angeles Kings to start the season. Former Owen Sound Attack and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds player, Wayne Simmonds, has also made the Kings. He doesn't have to return to the Ontario Hockey League as he's a twenty-year-old. The good question to ask is how many Kings can buy a drink?

Blake Wheeler will most likely make the Boston Bruins roster this season. They waived Peter Schaefer. He has spent the last three years with the University of Minnesota.

Here are players that's still in the NHL that are still eligible to return to the WHL.

Chilliwack: Oscar Moller (L.A.)
Kelowna: Luke Schenn (Toronto)
Lethbridge: Zach Boychuk (Carolina), Luca Sbisa (Philadelphia)
Red Deer: Brandon Sutter (Carolina)
Saskatoon: Colton Gillies (Minnesota)

The Seattle Thunderbirds got Thomas Hickey back from Los Angeles Kings camp. Tyler Cuma has returned to Ottawa 67's after spending time with the Minnesota Wild. Akim Aliu has been returned to the London Knights. The question becomes will he be traded out of London?

That's My Take

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)