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NOTES FROM PREDS CAMP: Day 4…

Notes from today’s training camp practice at Centennial SportsPlex:

* The top line of Steve Sullivan-Jason Arnott-JP Dumont is still intact, which is expected for the remainder of camp.

* Cody Franson and Dan Hamhuis are still skating together as well while Nolan Yonkman was paired with Kevin Klein and Wade Belak was paired with Robert Dietrich. (By the way, Belak finally got himself a white helmet. He was the last defenseman to do so).

* In today’s “AHL line” we saw Peter Olvecky, Ben Eaves and Hugh Jessiman skate together.

* Dumont shows absolutely no ill signs after yesterdays scare, which comes as great news to Preds fans. (If you’ve been following our coverage the past few days, you know that camp hasn’t been an easy one for JP).

* Marcel Goc, while on a line with Jerred Smithson and Patric Hornqvist, was putting on some moves but Hamhuis eventually said no. Goc has shown off some speed, a quick shot and the versatility to play with anyone he’s skated with thus far. An early lock (of the new 2-way contract guys) to make the big club out of camp.

Pekka Rinne stops defenseman Robert Dietrich during goaltending practice.

Pekka Rinne stops defenseman Robert Dietrich during goaltending practice.

* Pekka Rinne is on fire. During the early goaltender drills with goaltending coach Mitch Korn, he was impressive but then went above an beyond during the official Group A session. Early on, he dove across the ice to take away a goal away from Dumont then, on a rebound that came straight out to Sullivan on the far side of the crease, he snared the puck with an amazing glove save. Later in the 2-on-1’s, he made a flailing (is that even a word?) blocker save on what should’ve been an empty net slam dunk by Olvecky. Then, during the 3-on-2 transitioning drill, it appeared that Dominik Hasek entered his body as he took yet another goal away from Dumont. Rinne is fighting for every single puck, much like it’s the middle of December.

* During 2-on-1’s, Goc rang a shot off of goaltender John Decaro’s mask, breaking a strap. After the drill was over, Goc skated around and tapped his pads as if to say “sorry about that.”

* Nolan Yonkman, who was involved in the first training camp fight yesterday, took out his frustration on Smithson after the two went head to head in a physical battle for supremecy in front of Decaro. Yonkman gave Smithson a shot in back and then broke his stick in two while skating away. While he’s the captain in Milwaukee, his work ethic in Preds camp is bordering on desperation with two aggresive incidents in as many days.

* Sullivan went to the locker room for about 10-15 minutes late in Group A’s practice session reportedly with a skate issue. He returned for offensive zone drills.

We apologize for not being able to bring you notes on Group B’s session. Please refer to John Glennon’s blog for complete notes on the entire days happenings.

Also, the only planned scrimmage of training camp is set for tomorrow so head on out to Centennial SportsPlex to take in a little Pred-on-Pred action.

 

DAY 4 STANDOUTS:

Returning Preds – Pekka Rinne.

“New” Preds – none

 

DAY 4 DUDS:

Nolan Yonkman

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PHOTO CREDITS: Jeremy K. Gover/section303.com

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