Campoli had on his Italian jersey after practice. Paul Camelio said the celebrations in Toronto Sunday weren’t for Italy’s win; they were for Campoli’s 22nd birthday. (Campoli said he was old. I insisted he wasn’t; he has at least nine years till then. But then we discussed whether he was a young old guy or an old young guy. I don’t think we landed anywhere.)
Nice to see the boys again, from on and off the ice. Probably the most interesting thing to happen happened thousands of miles away, as Denis Grebeshkov, as called by Alan Hahn in the morning, seems to have bolted for home because he wants a one-way contract. While it clears up the Isles’ eight-D logjam in a hurry if he stays there, it’s an interesting decision. He is, granted, one of those fascinating fourth-year tweeners who can make money in Europe; the flip side is he seemed to be about to establish himself as an NHLer, and the long-term reward would seem to be higher if he did so this year. I guess you can go either way. Perhaps this works out for everyone. (Incidentally, this doesn’t seem to have posted on Yaroslavl’s Web site yet, but then again nothing seems to have posted there since June.)
Anyway, I spent more time in Syosset yapping than scouting (not that I’m much good at that anyway). Did a little Frans Nielsen feature to get the week started; chatted with some of the old Tigers and the staff, fun and funny as ever. Among potential Sound Tigers, Halvardsson is a big boy for sure. Ogorodnikov was down at the other end, but supposedly he busted a nifty move on a breakaway, going between the legs to shoot.
The rest of the summer will obviously affect the roster, but they’re probably looking for a few more free agents to fill out the Bridgeport roster, a couple of forwards, a few defensemen and a goalie. (There seems to be at least a belief that Wade Dubielewicz will be back in the organization; whether that’s justified or not, I haven’t gotten a good read. He’s apparently still away on his honeymoon, so one hopes he’s not thinking about contracts now.)
Gonna try to get back down there later in the week, and maybe actually watch a little bit.
BTW, it’s only a month later, but I added a link up in the blogroll to Mike Daly’s “Road Trip” blog, his and his daughters’ diary of a cross-country trip. (And you know I’m a sucker for road-trip stories.) Worth the time.