Playoff weather for season openers

Warm outside. Cold inside. Fog settles in after practice

The Boston Garden lives.

Brett Gallant got back on the ice today, and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow, but otherwise things were pretty much as they were yesterday, with the obvious absence of Sean Wiles and Brayden Irwin, released from tryouts. “Looking at the way they practiced and played in Long Island at my camp, I thought they were two players I was very impressed with,” Scott Pellerin said. “They came to camp here, and they fit in well. Looking at the start of the season, the number of games I have, we thought it’d be best to get them playing at the start of the season.”

Pellerin also conceded that nine defensemen is “a lot. We’re going to have some tough decisions.” A lot can happen in a couple of days in this league, especially, it seems, on defense, so speculating on who might go where and when is a futile exercise. But Pellerin did say it’ll be nice to have Stockton as a place where they can get guys playing; he’s had good communication with Rich Kromm and is looking forward to that relationship. “Last year we were a little handcuffed,” Pellerin said. “Whether they like it or not, guys have to play to get better. You can practice, and that’s one part, but you have to play games. You have to learn the pro game. That league’s a great league.”

Here’s Stockton’s camp roster. Hoping to do some occasional looks at the Thunder over the course of the year.

Edit: Speaking of whom: Corey Trivino, Islanders draft pick, signed with the Thunder today.

No decision yet on captains.

Speaking of veteran leadership: Introducing Cap’n Trevor Smith of the Toronto Marlies. Brock Nelson and Matt Donovan are reportedly in tonight for the Big Club. Jack Hillen is going to need surgery.

Michael Fornabaio