You don't have tell Jeff Frazee that Scott Clemmensen signed with the Florida Panthers and Kevin Weekes has yet to re-sign.
He knows that the Devils' backup goaltender job might up for grabs in training camp between him and Yann Danis, who was signed as an unrestricted free agent on Friday.
And, though no one with the organization has told him directly that he has a shot to be in the NHL in 2009-10, he's gotten the message.
"I've read what's been in the papers," he said after the morning session of the team's development camp today at Prudential Center. "There hasn't been anything that's been said directly. But, I just know that if I improve every day it can be a good battle."
Frazee, the Devils' second choice, 38th overall, in the 2005 Entry Draft, didn't want to say too much when I asked him if he believes he is ready to play in the NHL.
"To be honest, that's not really my decision," he said. 'I would like to think I am, but at the same time I guess I'm not that experienced."
Frazee, 22, revived his standing as the team's possible goaltender of the future with a strong 2008-09 season with Trenton (ECHL) and Lowell (AHL). After starting the season in Trenton and going 2-2 with a 2.65 goals-against average in five games, Frazee shifted to Lowell when Clemmensen was called up to New Jersey (because of Martin Brodeur).
He went 28-22-6 with a 2.62 GAA in 58 AHL games and represented Lowell in the league's all-star game.
That came after Frazee lost his job as the No. 1 goalie for the University of Minnesota as a junior and decided to forego his senior season to turn pro.
"I'm really happy with last season." he said. "There's some things that I wish could have gone differently. I wish we could have made the playoffs, but, all in all, I think it was a very good season and, hopefully, something I can build off of."
Frazee believes he still has to work on many facets of his game.
"It's hard to say just one thing," he said. "(Goaltending coaches) Chris Terreri and Jacques Caron have been very good. I've worked on everything from getting set to plays behind the net, everything."
Frazee said playing more often in his first full season as a pro (he played in one game wiht Lowell at the end of 2007-08) also helped speed his development.
"I got the chance to build off good games and rebound off of bad games, to see how my body reacts after a couple of games in a row, back-to-back games," he said. "I think it was just a great overall situation for me to kind of learn my body and learn my self a little bit better."
Frazee will be spending the summer in New Jersey working out at the team's practice facility and getting in the best condition he can be in for training camp.
"I'm just going to try to get better every day," Frazee said. "My plan is to be down here the rest of the summer and work with the strength coach (Mike Vasalani). Other than that, I just want to be ready for camp and do best I can and we'll see what happens."
***
I also had a chance to talk this morning with the Devils' 2009 first-round draft pick, center Jacob Josefson, after the morning session.
Here's a transcript of the interview.
What is your objective at this week's camp?
"It's a good opportunity for me to be on the ice with all of these players and all of these coaches. I hope to learn some new stuff and develop my game while I'm here."
Are you hoping to establish a foundation here so that when your contract in Sweden is up after next season you will be ready to make the jump to North America?
"Of course, I want to come over here as fast as possible. If I'm ready, I'll come over."
Does it help having (2008 first-round pick) Mattias Tedenby at camp with you?
"Yes. When you come here from home to a different country, it's nice to have someone here that you can talk in your own language with and support you. It makes you feel a little more at home."
There's also assistant coach Tommy Albelin and your Djurgardens teammate, defenseman Alexander Urbom (the Devils' third-round pick, 73rd overall 2009). You play with Urbom, so what is your scouting report on him?
"He's a very good defensively, but he's good everywhere. He has very good positioning and he's a very good skater. He makes a good first pass. I really like him a lot as a player."
{Josefson, Tedenby and Urbom all took the same flight from Sweden to New Jersey on Saturday).
***
I'll have more from Tuesday's sessions.
Really excited about the swedes. Josefson the most.
Posted by: Scotty K | July 13, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Gulitti-zilla...
You are a beast with this blog and the stories. /bow to the quality.
Posted by: Zorin | July 13, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Tedenby, Josefson, Urbom take on NYC:
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=662944
Posted by: ay yay yay | July 13, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Morgan Freedman, gumdrops, hahah.
Those guys are so euro...get to Newark, check out your 'real home' gents!
Posted by: Zorin | July 13, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Oh jeez...someone needs to talk to these kids. They look like extras from Bruno.
Posted by: Neil Skorka | July 13, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Haha Zorin...is that a Family Guy reference?
Posted by: Neil Skorka | July 13, 2009 at 11:28 PM
haahahahaahah Those pictures are awesome! I can't wait to see these kids in Jersey in a few years.
Posted by: Nick | July 13, 2009 at 11:29 PM
At least the Devils marketing folks can make a play for the 'diverse' demographic now.
Posted by: Tom | July 13, 2009 at 11:32 PM
Glad to see Jeff is staying in Newark area. At the end of GM7 in Trenton he and his wife had no diea where the were going until they heard from Lou. NO matter how well Jeff does, he is in Lowell next year and that's the best thing for him.
Posted by: Philly Devil | July 13, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Get busy livin' or pose next to a wax statue of Morgan Freeman.
Posted by: TG | July 13, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Anyone know Tommy played for Djurgardens as well? I'm guessing that also helps.
Posted by: Adrian | July 13, 2009 at 11:51 PM
You are the man tg!!!
Posted by: DrivinMeNutz29 | July 13, 2009 at 11:51 PM
AND WE're puttttin it on 'WAX' -- it's the NEEW STYLE!
Finish the next line, TG and I will be your very best friend!
Posted by: Zorin | July 14, 2009 at 12:00 AM
The Beastie Boys, TG...caaame on!
Posted by: Zorin | July 14, 2009 at 07:22 AM
everyone knows that with only 1x full pro season, it's in everyone's best interest that Frazee starts the season in Lowell and gets quite a few games in. Why have him sit on the bench for 65+ games? Then recall him here and there, such as for a 2nd game of back-to-backs, and send Danis down. I really don't see Danis starting more than 5 games this season, because of the spot starts for Frazee
I'm really excited about Tedenby coming over after next season, but in a few years we should have a really nice kid line of Tedenby-Josefson-Bergfors
Posted by: mikeP | July 14, 2009 at 08:18 AM
You guys are welcome with those pictures by the way. I'm Devilsfanatic there, thread starter :)
Posted by: Vishal | July 14, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Where can I find the pictures?
Posted by: Jim | July 14, 2009 at 12:45 PM
4 and 3 and 2 and 1...what up?
hey TG - how are the swedes' english/accents?
are they fluent/understandable at all for marketing/interviews?
or will it be like bobby holik circa 1993?
guess it won't be so bad if they are anywhere near as funny/candid as holik always was!
Posted by: gregdil | July 14, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Facebook, but, they are all there in that thread on hfboards.
Posted by: Vishal | July 14, 2009 at 04:21 PM
The more I hear from YaYo, the more I like (not to mention that he's a good-looking kid). He and Teddy are gonna be sick.
Posted by: jules | July 14, 2009 at 09:17 PM