Maxim Afinogenov made last year’s Thrashers team after coming into camp on a tryout basis and in a climate where there are many more mid and lower tier free agents available than there are jobs, going the tryout route is something more teams are likely to do this season. It’s a risk-free way to assess a player while also evaluating the needs of your team during training camp. Dan Fritsche was another tryout candidate in last year’s camp as were Mark Popovic and Manny Legace. Popovic earned a contract as a depth defenseman and if Evander Kane hadn’t looked ready for NHL action Fritsche may have gotten a contract as well. It turned out that Fritsche and Legace’s services weren’t required, but it cost the team nothing to bring them in and take a look.
With that in mind the Thrashers will be inviting at least one player to camp this September on a tryout basis.
According to Rick Dudley, who I had an extensive chat with today (look for the Q&A on the site sometime soon) veteran defenseman Kyle McLaren will be coming to training camp on a tryout in an attempt to revive his career and earn a contract.
McLaren is a 33-year-old 6-4, 220 lb dman who was drafted ninth overall in 1995 by the Bruins out of Kelowna (WHL). He played for them for seven seasons before being traded to the San Jose Sharks in 2003 when Hal Gill emerged as a dominating force on the blueline, making McLaren a movable asset. After establishing himself in San Jose as a solid defensive defenseman who hit like a train McLaren re-signed with the Sharks for three years and $7.5 million n 2006. Two years later the Sharks waived him and sent him to Worcester in the AHL to make room for Dan Boyle and Rob Blake. He hasn’t played in the NHL since and wasn’t able to attend the Rangers camp last year on a tryout because of a bad knee injury
Dudley likes the potential of what McLaren could bring to the table.
“Kyle is a big, strong guy who, if he can stay away from injuries, is certainly capable of playing in this league.”
In his last three years in San Jose McLaren led the Sharks in hits and was in the top three in blocked shots. That typifies his style of play which has led to a lot of his injuries, including foot and facial injuries from blocked shots.
“He was a big, nasty guy at one time and his agent assures me that he’s as healthy as he’s been in a long time,” said Dudley. “That’s encouraging, but we have a lot of options on the blueline.”
Sounds good to me
If I see one more over-the-hill veteran being signed by this team…
Wayne- Our veteran dman last year was 48. This year the veteran (who isn’t signed but on a tryout) is 33. Big, big difference.
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Any idea what time some of players typically skate over at Duluth?
Kyle played in Tacoma (Not Kelowna as reported. The team moved after Kyle was drafted from Tacoma to Kelowna) when he was drafted by the Bruins. His coach at the time was Marcel Comeau, the head scout for the Thrashers. Certainly not a coincidence. Kyle is a BIG hitter that would fill a nice role for this team IF he can stay healthy. He is hungry and Atlanta can get him for a cheap price with potential big dividends. Great move in my eyes.
It will be nice to see Kyle on the ice again, I’m sure Marcel Comeau knows exactly what Kyle has and what he can do for the team.