Hitchcock Interview

[27Blue]

-May end up calling up one more forward and D-man from peoria for camp. Thinks it will take 30 players to get through this season.

-McDonald-Steen-Tarasenko will be together.

-Likes Steen's progress in re-learning the center position in the SEL.

-Talked about how he's going to handle different conditioning levels. To paraphrase: Just because you were at 20 minute player in the past doesn't mean you are going to be one this year. If all you can give is 15 minutes at a high level then that's what you'll get.

-Mentioned something about possibly 3PP units or two strong ones.

-At least 8 players regular PK duty.

-Thought Schwartz was playing well in Peoria says he was a dependable player.

-Cole is a cut above players at AHL level. Still needs to find consistency in his game.

-on Chris Stewart: "He looks great. He looks like a different player on the ice." Stewart said "This is the leanest I've ever been in my life."

[Chili con Carne]

Thanks for the post IB. I only caught part of this interview - the point about maybe only playing 15 minutes instead of 20 is interesting. From a fantasy standpoint, if this is really only to open the season (first month or so) while guys get into game shape this could present some good buy low options in February. Pounce on some dissapointed managers!

[Shoeless]

-McDonald-Steen-Tarasenko will be together.

-Likes Steen's progress in re-learning the center position in the SEL.

Hmmm Backes is a C and Berglund is a C - oops for Berglund - will he be playing with Stewart and Schwartz maybe?

[27Blue]

hitch likes his pairings and so i think we will definitely see:

macdonald - steen - tarasenko

then oshie and backes will play together, probably with dagostini
and perron and berglund will play together, probably with stewart

schwartz starts the year in the ahl, but is first forward called up when needed.