7 of 12 Winterhawks Returned From NHL Camps/ More on the Way?

The Winterhawks got a major life this week, when they had six more players to go along with Adam De Champlain's return last week, meaning the Hawks have 7 of the 12 players from their roster back in Portland.

Let's review:

• 20 year old new Winterhawk Garrett Haar was released the other day from camp. Because he is a 20 year old, who played college hockey, he needs to be signed by his graduation date in June, or he becomes a free agent (correction from earlier post. Thanks to those who caught it). 
• 18 year old Swedish D-man Anton Cederholm was sent down by the Vaouncouver Canucks last Saturday. Hopefully, playing with fellow Swedish D-men: Alex Edler, Peter Andersson and Henrik Tommernes, helped him adjust a little more to the North American game.
• 18 year Goalie Brendan Burke was sent back on Tuesday by the Phoenix Coyotes. I have to think that a couple weeks playing under his Father's tutelage and with longtime NHL Goalies Mike Smith and Thomas Griess playing in front of him had to help Brendan make some adjustments that will benefit him in the coming season and beyond.



Petan

• Nic Petan was returned on Tuesday by the Winnipeg Jets, even though word is that he had a very impressive camp for the Jets. If Nic has another excellent season for the Hawks, look for Winnipeg to hold onto him a bit longer next season in camp and most likely offer him a contract.
• Oliver Bjorkstrand was sent back yesterday by the Columbus Blue Jackets after they got him into a preseason game on Monday night. Word is that he had an excellent game for the Blue Jackets, but was just too far down their very young and deep depth chart to warrant a longer look in camp.
• Taylor Leier was also sent back yesterday by the Philadelphia Flyers, a week after signing with the Flyers and scoring his first goal wearing the orange and black. This was a bit surprising as I was expecting Taylor to be in camp a bit longer for the Fly boys.

There are 5 players that COULD play for the Hawks this season that have yet to be returned by their NHL teams, so they will miss at least the home opener Friday night vs. Prince George.

• Brendan Leipsic (19)- Just went with the Nashville  Predators on their preseason trip down to Florida for split squad games with Florida on Monday and then another game on Tampa Bay on Thursday. Since Leipsic made the trip, played Monday and has yet to be returned, I could see him staying in camp until at least after the game on Thursday. Then, since Nashville's next preseason game is up in Tennessee on Monday, Leipsic will probably be sent back sometime this weekend.

  

  Leipsic

• Derrick Pouliot(19)- He will get into his 3rd straight NHL preseason game tonight for the Pittsburgh Penguins at Chicago. Pouliot has looked impressive in camp and because his skill set is so valuable in the Penguin's system, I would not be surprised if he plays some regular season games, before getting sent back to the Hawks.
• Ty Rattie- Rattie has 0% chance at getting sent back by the St. Louis Blues, because they have already signed Rattie and have been pairing him with a lot of their top scoring forwards. In my book, there is a real good chance that Rattie pushes for a job at the NHL level as a 20 year old, this season.
• Tyler Wotherspoon(20)- Another guy with almost no shot of being sent back to the Northwest. Tyler has impressed in camp and because of the youth movement in Calgary and his very stellar defensive play adjusting well to the next level, he has a great chance at making the NHL squad.
• Seth Jones(18)- Jones has made a lot of news in camp because of his transition to left defense and pairing in camp with Kevin Klein and Shea Weber. He has the best shot of the last 3 on this group to be sent back, as he is not eligible to play in the AHL, but that is just a pipe dream, as he seems to have too much skill to be sent back from the Preds. 

Overall, there really should not be any surprises for the Hawks as they have 7 of the 12 guys back from camps, but should, eventually, get 2 more in Pouliot and Leipsic sometime within the next 2 weeks.Any more players being sent back by their pro teams would be reason to celebrate for allWinterhawk fans.