Thank you a LOT for this man!
Why this? {the number changes}
New regime, new rules. Cammalleri had always worn 13 going back to his days as a kid (he told a story about how he was the youngest kid on his team and had last pick of jersey numbers. 13 ended up being his be default and it stuck ever since.)
Tootoo wearing 22 for obvious reasons. Gelinas wore 44 as a junior player.
What does this mean? He only has a one way contract now or what?
He does have a one way contract, but even if he had a two way deal that wouldn't make him waiver exempt. Somebody like Jarred Tinordi signed a two way deal I believe, but he'd have to pass through waivers if Montreal tried to send him down.
Short answer: Matteau finished up his entry level deal is finished and with it his waiver exemption.
Who are Coleman and Thompson? Where does OBrien come from, what did we pay?
Coleman was a 2011 draft pick who played four years (and finished his college degree). So he's a bit older for a rookie; He'll be 24 in November. So Coleman might be more physically mature/NHL ready than say some other guys who are 20/21.
As Payce said, Joseph Blandisi might be in the mix as well. Blandisi was drafted by Colorado but didn't earn a contract. Then he had a huge overage year for Barrie and signed with the Devils. If I recall correctly he looked good at the summer prospect camp and vowed to crack the opening night roster. Might be tough with the center depth and he might have the typical adjustment period to the AHL.
O'Brien was a former first rounder (29th overall, 2007) of Ottawa's. He's bounced around since then including a stint in the KHL. O'Brien played under John Hynes with the US National Program as a teenager, so there's some familiarity there. O'Brien played for division foes of Hynes in the AHL in two of the last three seasons. The AHL has a division heavy schedule, so Hynes probably had a close look.
Thompson has a few years of AHL seasoning under his belt. Started with the Penguins organization and was signed by Albany last year. Led the A-Devs in goals with 33 and finished 2nd in the AHL behind Teemu Pulkkinen (34). Remains to be seen if he's NHL caliber. He was college teammates with Bobby Butler and I think Butler was thought to be the better player (and we had a glimpse of Butler in the NHL). But given our depth at RW, Thompson will probably get an extended look during preseason.
Where is Hrabarenka coming from? And Salv is out?!
Salvador remains unsigned. A couple weeks ago, there was an article where Salvador was hoping to play somewhere but realized it might be the end of the line for him.
Hrabarenka has three seasons with Albany. He got a game with the big club at the end of last season. I didn't see that game, but I seem to recall that people thought he looked decent enough.
Not sure if I'd rather have him as a 7th defenseman or getting regular time with Albany. I suppose they could periodically call up/send down Hrabarenka/Helgeson maybe Burlon as well.
