To say Swedish defenseman Adam Larsson was excited when he learned a deal had been finalized with New Jersey Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello would be a bit of an understatement.
"He said it was the happiest day of his life," Larsson's Swedish agent, Claus Elefalk, told NHL.com. "He said to me, 'I've never been happier than this moment,' so he's flying right now in his mind."
It was Elefalk and Larsson's U.S.-based agent, J.P. Barry, who worked out the details of the three-year, entry-level contract that was finalized by Lamoriello on Thursday night and made public Friday afternoon.
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Prospects
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Prospects
Contract signed, Larsson ready for NHL challenge
Friday, 07.15.2011 / 6:20 PM / Prospects
Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
Ellis has potential to surface soon in Nashville
Friday, 07.15.2011 / 3:03 PM / Prospects
John Manasso - NHL.com Correspondent
Since the Nashville Predators joined the NHL in 1998, only three of their draft picks have earned a roster spot without having first played with the organization's American Hockey League affiliate.
David Legwand, the No. 2 selection in the 1998 Entry Draft, played one game in the expansion franchise's inaugural season. Scott Hartnell, the sixth pick in 2000, did it, but he only scored 2 goals and had 14 assists in 75 games.
And last year, backup goalie Anders Lindback made the jump without the benefit of spending time first with the Milwaukee Admirals, but he was 22 and had played in Sweden's Elite League.
Enter Ryan Ellis. The 20-year-old defenseman won the Ontario Hockey League's player of the year award in 2011, finishing with 101 points (24 goals and a Sergei Zubov-like 77 assists), which tied him for fourth in the league. The others ahead of Ellis in the points race all were forwards.
David Legwand, the No. 2 selection in the 1998 Entry Draft, played one game in the expansion franchise's inaugural season. Scott Hartnell, the sixth pick in 2000, did it, but he only scored 2 goals and had 14 assists in 75 games.
And last year, backup goalie Anders Lindback made the jump without the benefit of spending time first with the Milwaukee Admirals, but he was 22 and had played in Sweden's Elite League.
Enter Ryan Ellis. The 20-year-old defenseman won the Ontario Hockey League's player of the year award in 2011, finishing with 101 points (24 goals and a Sergei Zubov-like 77 assists), which tied him for fourth in the league. The others ahead of Ellis in the points race all were forwards.
Fans turned prospects savor week with Pens
Thursday, 07.14.2011 / 2:40 PM / Prospects
Alan Robinson - NHL.com Correspondent
"The players don't treat you like they're better than you. They're great guys and willing to help you along and help you further your own career and show you some things that made them successful. It's really nice to see." -- Rob Madore
The two college players -- Madore is a goalie at Vermont, Blazek a defenseman at Robert Morris -- are doing exactly that this week at the team's prospect development camp, which concludes Saturday afternoon with a scrimmage at Consol Energy Center that is open to the public for free. The invited but undrafted college players from suburban Pittsburgh were permitted to attend as long as they paid their own expenses.
Nelson ready for next step on way to the Island
Thursday, 07.14.2011 / 12:36 PM / Prospects
John Kreiser - NHL.com Columnist
"Brock looks like a totally different player. That's what happens when you're that size. He's got a long way to continue at North Dakota, but he's put on some muscle, he's put it on the right way. His stride looks stronger. He looks stronger on the puck, even after only one day when I've seen him on the ice. He's making a lot of strides."
-- Jack Capuano
Nelson, taken by the Islanders with the final pick of the opening round of the 2010 Entry Draft after tearing up the Minnesota high school ranks at Warroad High School, had a solid freshman year as UND made the Frozen Four. But it ended painfully -- Nelson was taken off the ice on a stretcher after going back-first into the boards during the Fighting Sioux's 2-0 semifinal loss to Michigan.
But as he showed this week during the Islanders' rookie development camp, there have been no lingering effects from the injury.
Strome trying to enjoy his new home
Wednesday, 07.13.2011 / 4:56 PM / Prospects
Greg Picker - NHL.com Staff Writer
Less than a month after being selected by the Islanders with the fifth pick of the Entry Draft, Strome stepped on the ice Wednesday at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for the first time.
"It was cool. It could be a big part of my future, and hopefully it is," Strome said after his first on-ice session.
Strome and the rest of the prospects at the Islanders' development camp not only are busy on the ice this week, but will take in all sorts of activities around Long Island. After physicals Tuesday, they went fishing on Long Island Sound. On Friday, they will trek to Citi Field and take in a Mets game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Islanders' de Haan aiming for NHL spot
Wednesday, 07.13.2011 / 4:13 PM / Prospects
John Kreiser - NHL.com Columnist
UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- In terms of his NHL career, Calvin de Haan is a rookie trying to make the NHL for the first time. But at this week's New York Islanders development camp, he's one of the old hands.
The Isles' "other" first-round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft -- de Haan was taken 12th, 11 slots after New York grabbed John Tavares with the No. 1 pick -- is attending his third development camp this week at the Nassau Coliseum, the place he hopes to call home this fall. That makes the 20-year-old a veteran among the 18- and 19-year-olds who are getting their first look at professional hockey.
"I'm old news now," de Haan said with a laugh after Wednesday's workout at the Coliseum. "I try to be welcoming to the younger guys, kind of show them the ropes a little bit."
The Isles' "other" first-round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft -- de Haan was taken 12th, 11 slots after New York grabbed John Tavares with the No. 1 pick -- is attending his third development camp this week at the Nassau Coliseum, the place he hopes to call home this fall. That makes the 20-year-old a veteran among the 18- and 19-year-olds who are getting their first look at professional hockey.
"I'm old news now," de Haan said with a laugh after Wednesday's workout at the Coliseum. "I try to be welcoming to the younger guys, kind of show them the ropes a little bit."
Lauridsen set for next move in his hockey career
Wednesday, 07.13.2011 / 12:18 PM / Prospects
Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor
"I'm in the gym every day and I see him in the gym every day. I know if a guy trains or a guy works out. There's a difference. There's people that train to stay in shape or there's guys who work out to get better, and Oliver is in that category." -- Ian Laperriere
However, one current member of the team feels he has a pretty good idea what the big Danish-born blueliner is all about.
"I'm in the gym every day and I see him in the gym every day," Ian Laperriere told NHL.com during the team's recent prospect development camp. "I know if a guy trains or a guy works out. There's a difference. There's people that train to stay in shape or there's guys who work out to get better, and Oliver is in that category."
A 2009 seventh-round draft pick, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound Lauridsen had a chance to further impress Flyers management at the week-long camp. It was his first game action since March 22.
Prospect goalies looking to post-Marty future
Wednesday, 07.13.2011 / 9:59 AM / Prospects
Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
"Goalies are funny … you never know when they're going to come forward. But we've been extremely pleased with Clermont and Wedgewood. They both had very good years with the teams they played for. I know (goalie coaches) Chris (Terreri) and Jacques (Caron) have been very impressed by them."
-- Lou Lamoriello
It even could be at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season, when the NHL's all-time leader in regular-season wins, shutouts, games played and numerous other marks has played the final season of the six-year deal he signed prior to the start of the 2006-07 season. Whenever the inevitable does occur, who takes over between the pipes?
Will the Devils consider someone from outside the organization? Or do they begin a new era from within?
"Whoever it is, I hope it's (another) Martin Brodeur," Devils Director of Scouting David Conte said.
Ashton ready to make his mark with Lightning
Tuesday, 07.12.2011 / 1:00 PM / Prospects
Greg Picker - NHL.com Staff Writer
At Tampa Bay Lighting development camp, a familiar face is on the ice for the third consecutive summer. Carter Ashton, the 29th pick in the 2009 Entry Draft, looks to be another young piece of the puzzle being assembled by the club in a quest to bring the Stanley Cup back to Florida.
"Obviously I'd have to prove myself," Ashton told NHL.com. "But that's my goal, just to be in the NHL this season."
Although Ashton has not made his mark on the NHL just yet, his opportunity seems close. He had 33 goals and 71 points in 62 Western Hockey League games last season with the Regina Pats and Tri-City Americans. He also had 3 points in seven games for Canada at the 2011 World Junior Championship.
"Obviously I'd have to prove myself," Ashton told NHL.com. "But that's my goal, just to be in the NHL this season."
Although Ashton has not made his mark on the NHL just yet, his opportunity seems close. He had 33 goals and 71 points in 62 Western Hockey League games last season with the Regina Pats and Tri-City Americans. He also had 3 points in seven games for Canada at the 2011 World Junior Championship.
Hayes brothers aim to be Hawks teammates soon
Tuesday, 07.12.2011 / 10:13 AM / Prospects
Brian Hedger - NHL.com Correspondent
"We played (on the same line) a little bit at college and it was unbelievable. Then you come in here and get to play with each other again and we were roommates here. It was unbelievable. It's a dream come true. A lot of guys dream about playing with their brother for a long time and for me and him it's come true so far. Hopefully we can keep it going." -- Kevin Hayes
This time, the brothers from Boston came back to the Windy City for the Hawks' summer camp feeling like seasoned veterans among the many draft picks and other free agents invited to participate. Not only was it their second prospects camp, but both Kevin and Jimmy have developed quite a bit in the last year -- physically and in their skills.
"Last year I was a lot more nervous," said Kevin, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound center who was Chicago's top pick (No. 24) in the 2010 Entry Draft. "I was their first-round guy. I felt like I had to do a lot of good things, and I was pretty nervous on the ice. I wanted to make sure I showed them why they picked me. This year, I came in with my brother again and was more relaxed. I felt a lot more comfortable."
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