NHL Training Camp Day 3: Zdeno Chara hits ice with Capitals

Emily Sadler
Chara hits the ice for the first time as a member of the Capitals
Watch as Zdeno Chara hits the ice for the first time as a member of the Washington Capitals. Credit: @Capitals
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    Watch as Zdeno Chara hits the ice for the first time as a member of the Washington Capitals. Credit: @Capitals.

    As we look ahead to the start of the shortened 2020-21 NHL season, which begins Jan. 13, we’re collecting news and notes from training camps around the league.

    Perry makes camp debut with Canadiens

    The Montreal Canadiens welcomed their newest player to the ice on Tuesday, with forward Corey Perry making his camp practice debut with the Habs — one of many jarring sights around the league as we see players skate with their new clubs. The 35-year-old skated on a line opposite Michael Frolik and centred by Ryan Poehling.

    Perry spent the 2019-20 season with the Dallas Stars, where he proved to be not just an effective thorn in opponents’ sides during the playoffs but also a clutch offensive weapon as the Stars went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. He signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Canadiens on Dec. 28. A longtime member of the Anaheim Ducks, this is the Peterborough native and Team Canada veteran’s first time playing for a Canadian NHL club.

    Tyler Johnson poised for rebound season?

    Listed under “things you love to see:” a happy Tyler Johnson hitting the ice with his Tampa Bay Lightning teammates. A fresh start in familiar territory for the 30-year-old forward after a stressful year of uncertainty.

    Johnson’s name has been run throughout the rumour mill for the better part of the past year, his declining numbers and $5-million cap hit a tough combination for Tampa to navigate in a flat-cap world. An extended time on the trade block yielded no deals, resulting in the Lightning placing Johnson on waivers back in October. There, he went unclaimed, his time with Tampa Bay ticking down and nothing but uncertainty ahead.

    Tampa GM Julien BriseBois was able to create some much-coveted cap flexibility without moving Johnson, trading Braydon Coburn and Cedric Paquette to Ottawa and taking on LTIR players, and Nikita Kucherov’s absence to start the season, while a tough blow for the team, means he’s got $9.5 million extra to start the season.

    According to reporters onsite, the feeling amid the Stanley Cup champs is optimistic with regards to Johnson’s ability to seize this new opportunity.

    Pavelski’s back at camp

    If the Dallas Stars are to regroup for another Stanley Cup campaign, veteran forward Joe Pavelski will have to be at the top of his game. The 36-year-old, who signed a lucrative three-year pact with the Stars in July 2019, hit the ice on Tuesday for the first time this year after missing the first day of practice yesterday. Per reports, Pavelski’s arrival was held up by some pending medical results and listed as day-to-day.

    Keefe keeping focus on conditioning

    Contrary to convention, this upcoming NHL season will be more of a sprint than a marathon. Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe is making sure his players are ready to keep pace:

    Keefe indicated in his first camp media availability that he’d be prioritizing conditioning during this shortened camp. There’s no room for rust in a 56-game season.

    Keefe also said forward Alex Kerfoot suffered an injury after getting banged up in practice, and will be listed as day-to-day. It’s unlikely he’ll skate Wednesday.

    Pride on the line in Edmonton

    With the gold medal matchup between Canada and the U.S. just hours away in Edmonton, the Oilers are sporting their nations’ colours and showing their support.

    Around the league, plenty of players were asked about their expectations heading into the big game:

    Chara joins Capitals

    A big development in Washington: Zdeno Chara is officially joining the team on Tuesday for the first time since signing there last week. The veteran rearguard and longtime Bruins captain is set to hit the ice, but won’t join the main group until Wednesday’s skate.

    Avert your eyes, Bruins fans.

    Hoffman impressing his teammates

    Among the surprising signings this off-season — and with Chara going to Washington and Hall headed to Buffalo, there were many — Mike Hoffman joining the St. Louis Blues on a PTO might have been the most startling development. There’s a contract coming, of course, and one befitting of a 30-goal sniper — we quickly learned that the PTO is just a formality before the Blues can take advantage of the LTIR cap space.

    Actual tryout or not, Hoffman’s wasting no time impressing his new teammates:

    Puljujarvi’s return marks fresh start for both sides

    The return of Jesse Puljujarvi has been a big talking point in Edmonton since his departure in 2018. Now that he’s officially back, having signed a two-year pact with the Oilers to make his NHL return, all eyes will be on the Finnish forward as the two sides mend their relationship and look to move on from the long separation.

    Puljujarvi hit the ice with his Oilers teammates on Monday, his first time practicing with the club since 2018. He spoke to the media on Tuesday, saying he’s “really liked” being back:

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