Handing Out Camp Invites (Sep 16)

In this off-season, 34-year old forward Jason Williams signed with the Oklahoma City Barons, the AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers and leading up to the 2015 season, he has been given a tryout for the big club. Williams was last seen in the NHL back in the 2012 season, when he played in eight games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing the majority of that season in the AHL. Since then, he was toiling in Switzerland for a couple of seasons, but appears to be ready to be back to playing in North America.  I don't think I would keep much for high expectations here, but it is good to see him back.

Williams best ranking in hockey pool scoring came way back in 2006, where he finished 111th overall, scoring 58 points in 80 games with the Red Wings.

Looking at the Arizona Coyotes' projected roster does give the impression that this team could use a little bit more functioning muscle, someone who can put in some quality bottom six minutes and impose somewhat of a physical threat on the ice, so that may have been a leading factor to why Krys Barch got an invitation to camp on Monday.  Barch, not necessarily known for his offensive prowess, 4 assists in 55 games with the Panthers last season, but he will at least get a look in Coyotes camp, starting at the end of the week.

Two rough seasons with the Dallas Stars led to Aaron Rome getting the remainder of his contract bought out in June, putting him into free agency this Summer.  There wasn't very many bites in the free agency period, obviously, but a team known historically for their defensive depth, the Red Wings, have come calling, looking for some extra depth at training camp.  With Dan DeKeyser still unsigned heading into camp, there may be a need for an extra body or two at camp.  Rome hasn't been much of a hockey pool type player, but he does afford us the look at where the Red Wings are heading into camp.

The St. Louis Blues had already announced their training camp roster in the past few days, but they made an addition on Tuesday morning, announcing that forward Paul Bissonnette will be joining the club on a tryout basis.  Bissonnette played in 39 games for the Coyotes last season, scoring 2 goals and 8 points, not making him much of a hockey pool player, but he could provide a guy like Max Lapierre, Steve Ott or Ryan Reaves with a little bit more incentive to play with more grit and fervor.  I don't think there is much room for Bissonnette on this team, but that's why they have training camp... to prove people otherwise.