Weekes' surgery; Assorted other updates

Those of you wondering about backup goaltender Kevin Weekes, who appears to have his left arm in a sling in a photo on his Web site, you're not seeing things. Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said Weekes had surgery earlier this summer on his left arm because of lingering stiffness from a bruise. "It was nothing serious," Lamoriello said. "He didn't have to have the surgery, but he wanted to get it cleaned up."

Weekes was struck with a shot in the arm during the season and the bruise apparently developed into something else -- possibly a calcium deposit.  Lamoriello insisted that Weekes will be recovered in plenty of time for the start of training camp in September.

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Lamoriello said the hold-up in completing the signing of Fedor Fedorov was getting his contract with Moscow Dynamo -- the team Fedorov played for last season -- translated into English. "We wanted to get his contract translanted to make sure he was not under contract (for 2008-09)," Lamoriello said. "He is not."

The IIHF apparently isn't as sure because it has suspended Fedorov -- Sergei's younger brother -- from international competition until it can investigate further.

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Defenseman Tyler Eckford is not participating in this week's developmental camp because he's taking classes this summer at Alaska-Fairbanks. According to Lamoriello, Eckford must complete his course-load in order to for Alaska-Fairbanks to use his scholarship for another player next season. Eckford is expected to skate in New Jersey later this summer and will be at the full training camp in September.

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Lamoriello said Vladimir Zharkov, who also is not at this week's camp, is on his way to North America from Russia and might take part in camp later this week or skate in New Jersey later this summer.

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Scott Clemmensen, who signed to rejoin the organization two weeks ago, stood in the second goaltender at today's session and is expected to do the same tomorrow. After that, Dave Caruso, who played in Lowell and Trenton, will take over the remainder of the development camp.

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Lamoriello said defenseman Mark Fraser was not required to attend the development camp because of his AHL experience, but requested to do so to get in some extra work. 

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And, because more than one of you asked, Lamoriello confirmed what I wrote earier that 2008 first-round pick Mattias Tedenby is not at the camp because he is under contract in Sweden.

Comments

[JoeDevs]

Good work TG, we reall appreciate these updates and Devils info. We really crave this stuff.

[LuziferDevs]

Thx TG for all the info and make sure you let Lou know that we appreciate the pictures of the camp and fan interaction on the website this year.

[jim b]

Did anybody else get a call from prudential center this past week asking about how ur experience was at the arena? I had a good convo with a guy who called me and gave me some information on tickets and the devils' desire to get more "devils fans " in the seats as opposed to rangers fans, it was interesting and surprising, at least it seems like they are trying to get people back to the arena and to see games

[BF]

As usual you come through with the answers. TG you do a great job with this site. It keeps us going during the warm months!

[Scott731]

That's a stand up job from Eckford and the Devils by having him complete his studies so they can get an extra scholarship. Some players or teams may have just wanted their player there and asked the player to screw over their old school.

[crashlanding]

TG,
Could you possibly find out whether Vasyunov's contract ends after next year or if there are still multiple years left? Thanks.

[jss]

Tg,

could you just find out for me that who the heck is gona stood upto fight some of the heavyweights in the division. Lou has not addressed this area so can you ask him next time.

Thanks in advance.

[MoonDragn]

TG, I was looking through the list and I noticed Bergfors and Vrana were not on that list. Are they no longer considered prospects?

Also, Jss, why the heck do we need someone to fight the heavyweights? what is this world federation hockey combat?

[LL]

jss im pretty comfortable with Rupp/Holik/Clarkson with the fighting. Im sure Clarkson can handle some of the heavyweights. If not.. there is always Rupp/Holik who are heavyweights.

[Xander Crews]

Moondragn:

Bergfors and Vrana are really what this camp is for. This camp is for people who are prospects in the sense theyve never played with the organization in anyway (including the AHL). Bergfors and Vrana were in training camp last year and with Lowell alot Bergfors also made the big team out of camp.

Think of this as a precamp to see where Lou is going to put players. Bergfors and Vrana already have a spot to prove themselves when the real camp starts.

[Pat D]

Thanks TG. Your effort to bring Devils fans news does not go unnoticed and is appreciated by all who read your blog.

[Pat D]

Also I hope Fraser has a good training camp and makes the big team. Good to hear that Lou told him to go to the developmental camp.

[Madden4C]

Lou didnt tell him to go...he went by himself. He really doesnt need this because of his years in Lowell, but i love seeing his dedication to making the big club...much cutos

[ScottE]

"Possibly a calcium deposit". TG, are those your words or Lou's? I suspect they're yours (otherwise it would read "possibly an upper body injury").

I wonder if this has anything to do with Brodeur not getting as much rest as Sutter promised at the beginning of the season. Any idea when, during the season, this occured?

[Iggy]

Great work as usual, TG. Thanks for all this - I know plenty of us appreciate your hard work (even on vacation days) during this long off-season.

[MoonDragn]

Xander, Your logic sounds plausible, but Clemmenson will be there and several other Prospects who already play for Lowell will be there as well. I was just wondering if this means that Bergfors and Vrana are already considered a sure shot for the team.

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

I doubt Vrana and Bergfors are considered 'Locks" for the team, but this is mostly to get the guys who have no experience some time training with the coaching staff and for Lou to evaluate where they belong within the organization or if they should be returned to their previous teams for more seasoning.

As for weekes, i doubt the calcium deposit or whatever it is, would have kept him out of the nets if we needed him. I think its just Marty being Marty, and Marty likes to play, and he(and i) feel the more he plays the BETTER he plays. Is age going to catch up to him.... its possible, but if you look at other elite goalies over the last couple of years, they all seem to play better when given more playing time than if they were playing 4 games in a row, then sit for 2 then 4 again. I think that was part of Minnesotas problem last year is that they kept platooning Backstrom and Harding instead of sticking with one of them and letting them get in a groove

[Ralph]

Moondragon - you can't be serious mentioning Holik as somebody willing to take on the heavyweights he's had zero fights in the past four seasons and a total of three fights in the last eight years.

[Mike from Elmwood Park]

If this camp was open to the public I would be at The Rock right now.

[BF]

I just got off the phone with one of the assistants in the PR department and he said that the prospects camp will not be open at all and there are no plans to open practices up this year.

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

see thats total BS. they should open these camps up so fans can start getting excited early on for the up coming season.

I admit i drink the Kool Aid, but i have to say the team is dropping the ball on this one, as there are so many fans who want to go to at least training camp why make such a stink and not let us go?
TG,
if and when you next speak to Lou, tell him the fans would love an opportunity to go to training camp, just like when they used to have it at south mountain(richard Codey) arena

[JJ]

I thought I heard they were opening the regular training camp for the public. If not, maybe they just don't want to deal with the security issues. South Mountain is small and easy to police compared to the Rock so I wouldn't be surprised if that's part of the deal. I hope they do the meet & greet with season ticket holders like they did last year.

[BF]

They hold regular events in the practice arena all the time. Whats the difference in security, i think its crazy that they are not opening it. The other teams make a big deal about opening the camps to the public.

[JJ]

Not sure BF, I'm just throwing out ideas that's all. I agree with you 100%.

[Pando20Rules]

TG,

any official word on why Larry Robinson left the bench to become a roving instructor and Tommy Albelin took over? Knowing Robinson's past, I assume it's to spend more time with his family, but was just curious..