Helenius Story at NHL.com

[timothy]

Full story here (http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=379420).


"After sitting out seven months with the shoulder injury, I felt I really played well in Seattle and it was a great year for me," Helenius said. "I also got used to the North American game and the coaches and that was important. I have every intention of earning a spot with (Tampa Bay's American Hockey League affiliate) Norfolk this coming season."

Helenius was certainly out to prove that point during Tampa's prospect camp at the Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, British Columbia in late July.

"I'm ready for the season and ready to fight for a spot in the NHL or the AHL," he said.


Interesting that the article has quotes from Tampa head scout Jake Goertzen.

[timothy]

This Morreale guy at NHL.com is a busy man today -- published a second article with some focused analysis on the Lightning prospects in Norfolk:

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=379413

This should register with the Admirals faithful:

"We're going to completely revamp our minor-league system," Melrose said. "Ownership realizes this is one of the main areas we must improve on. The minor-league teams are going to become much more of a focal point. We're going to spend more money, more time and a greater commitment into building a good foundation for Tampa Bay."


Not sure how thorough the analysis is... Morreale says that Blair Jones will likely center the Admirals top line, but he must have missed the Wyatt Smith and Zenon Konopka signings. There's no mention of Cunti getting drafted by Rimouski in the 2008 CHL Import draft. A lot of Goertzen quotes and some references to Jeff Reese, so I'm guessing some of this stuff is a little dated.