Colin Greening(15) Ottawa Senators

2005 7th round Ottawa Senators draft pick (#204 overall) Colin Greening(15) has to be viewed as somewhat of a diamond in the rough find by their scouts, considering how low he was drafted.

In the off-season he signed himself a three-year, one-way deal before his one-year entry level contract ran out and now is being hyped as a sizable pick-up for the Sens.

Last season in his rookie year he appeared in 24 NHL games (6 goals, 7 assists) and 59 with Binghamton in the AHL (15 goals, 25 assists), plus another 23 Calder Cup Playoff games (1 goal, 4 assists) en route to winning it. That totals a pretty outstanding 106 games played in the 2010/2011 season. He recently got to play a pro game in his native

The future for Ottawa is looking brighter. He recently got to play a preseason game in St. John’s, Newfoundland, where he was born.

 

 

 

 

Antoine Roussel(24) Vancouver Canucks

2nd year forward Antoine Roussel(24) scored himself an invite to Vancouver Canucks‘ training camp after Boston Bruins didn’t pick up his option following his rookie season.

He managed to impress the brass in camp and throughout NHL preseason games enough to stick around longer than most would have expected him to. Assigned to camp with first year AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves he looks poised to pick himself up a contract for 2011/2012.

In 42 games with Providence last season he scored 8 points (1 goal, 7 assists) but brought a feisty attitude onto the ice with every shift. Kind of surprised to see he was a +5 skater for the team.

Zach Hamill(52) Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins‘ 1st round pick in the 2007 draft (#8 overall) center Zach Hamill(52) had to clear waivers before being reassigned to the AHL Providence Bruins. He’s on the fourth year of his entry level contract.

Usually players can go up and down between leagues for the first three years, which was the case with him. But this season since he’s already had three full campaigns in the AHL (due to a late birthday and initial contract signing), he has to clear waivers each time he’s called up and sent back down.

The Bruins have a lot of depth at the center position, so this may be his last season in the system.

Alexander Khokhlachev(76) Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins‘ 2nd round draft pick in the 2011 draft (#40 overall), the new Russian Rocket, Alexander Khokhlachev(76) was very impressive through all three training camps before recently being returned to his junior team, Windsor Spitfires of the OHL for his second season.

In one game back with them he’s already potted 1 goal and an assist. Last season he was over a point per game player averaging a little over a goal and an assist a contest.

He’s listed as being 5’10″ 183 lbs. but they must be dipping him in heavy paint before weighing him, because he looks a lot smaller. He does have wheels and abilities and only just turned 18 a couple of weeks ago (Sept. 9, 1993).

Nick Niedert(39) Mississippi RiverKings

8th year veteran goaltender Nick Niedert(39) was first reported last Spring to be returning to Danbury Whalers for another season after successfully guarding the net for them in 2010/2011.

But then just recently word has it that he will heading down south to play for the first year SPHL Mississippi RiverKings (formerly of the Central Hockey League, where the team spent 19 years). It will be their 20th season as a pro hockey organization.

He’s small at 5’8″ 185 lbs but plays aggressively and has shown flashes of brilliance at the single A level. Last season he led the league in a number of categories, including games and minutes played, saves and shutouts (a measly 2 in the FHL, a league know for more football-like scores).

Derek Smith(24) Calgary Flames

Defenseman Derek Smith(24) has played his entire pro career in Ottawa Senators‘ system mostly with their AHL affiliate Binghamton Senators, other than 11 games over the last couple seasons up in the NHL. Coming back from injury he helped the B-Sens win their 1st Calder Cup in a very memorable playoff run.

For his 5th season, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with Calgary Flames. He’ll likely spend most of his time with Abbotsford Heat. He was undrafted. We’ll miss his presence in the Eastern Conference.

Jeff Jakaitis(31) Rochester Americans

Undrafted goalie Jeff Jakaitis(31) enters his 5th pro season with his first AHL contract for the 2011/2012 season courtesy of Rochester Americans.

He played most of last year with Dayton Gems of the Central Hockey League but was called up by Worcester Sharks and then Portland Pirates where he dressed for 9 games (5 wins, 3 losses).

After participating in Buffalo Sabres training camp and recently reassigned, he’ll join the Amerks for the start of their camp this week.

Tough to say where he’ll fit in with Drew McIntyre and David Leggio signed to two-way NHL deals with the parent club.

Dougie Hamilton(53) Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins released defenseman Dougie Hamilton(53), their 2011 1st round draft pick back to his junior team, Niagara IceDogs of the OHL for the upcoming season.

He participated in all three camps (prospects, rookie and the main camp) with the team showing some sharp skating and both defensive and offensive abilities.

He’s a giant at 6’5″ but still needs to fill out his 193 lbs. frame to a playing weight in the 220 lbs. range for maximum effectiveness.

I have him pegged to be a punisher on defense much like Chris Pronger is.

Dylan Reese(2) New York Islanders

5th year defenseman Dylan Reese(2) looks to become a full-time NHL player after splitting time with New York Islanders and their AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers the last couple seasons.

He scored the Isles first two goals in their preseason game against the Bruins on 9/23 (a 6-3 loss) and looked good offensively but less stable in the defensive zone.

It’s almost certain that he’ll be making a few car trips between Long Island and Connecticut again in 2011/2012.

Originally drafted by New York Rangers in the 7th round of the 2003 draft (#209 overall), he only skated 10 games with Hartford Wolf Pack at the end of his college career with Harvard Crimson but never signed with the team.

Tim Thomas(30) Anton Khudobin(35) Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins held open to the public practices to start training camp on September 17 and 18.

Stanley Cup Champion and Conn Smythe Trophy winning goalie, Tim Thomas(30) and very likely Providence bound, but potential piece to the future of the Bruins, goalie Anton Khudobin(35) feed skaters pucks during an early warm-up drill at TD Garden.