The Night  Before...

Well it's finally here - the night before the Canes open training. The first day is one where the players all officially report by taking part in medical and physical examinations. I thought maybe in this space tonight we could briefly recap what goes on during the first official day of camp and what the night before can be like.

Bright and early (7 a.m.) players start reporting for a battery of exams. Veteran players are given the option of going first so that they can get most of their day out of the way . This is also the time when publicity photos are taken for print and marketing video is shot for in-house and broadcast purposes.

After the medical portion, the players are off for one of their toughest parts of the day. Physical testing takes place and a player's "summer of diligence" is put to the test. The Hurricanes have certain guidelines for each player and also as a team as far as various fitness requirements they must meet. If not, it won't be pretty for that player. Players are measured in stength, agility, aerobic capacity and body composition. It's never a favorite for a player, but a necessary evil for them to go through. The info is passed along to the coaching staff who can then weigh in on the positive or negative side in terms of each player and how they prepared in the off-season. Let's just say that by not making the playoffs the Canes have lofty expectations for all of the athletes as they attempt to get back to the postseason.

The players had the option of skating on the RBC Center ice this afternoon before getting some rest, but really the first step in terms of setting a tone for the season happens the night before. The coaches hold a meeting tonight where a lengthy  video session is conducted.  Peter Laviolette and his staff  lay out the various "systems" the Canes will employ. This becomes important for the organization as a whole, because players who will play in Albany will utilize the exact same tactics under their coach, Tom Rowe.  In some of the conversations I've had with  Laviolette this summer, he is planning on going back to that same style of play that he has taught since joining the Canes in December 2003. - pressure on the puck when you don't have it and playing with it a lot when you do.

That's why the fitness levels are so important. His is a demanding style that needs "tireless" skating when clicking on all cylinders. When  you don't or can't because of fatigue, it's a system that will break down in a hurry. I'm  expecting to see a tough first few days of this training camp to set the "tone" as they say.

After that  video session comes a team dinner and then rest for the task ahead. I'm sure it's a night where the coach is as anxious as anyone to start. The veterans who have done this before know what to expect, yet coming off a non-playoff year I'm sure they think about what's in store.  Then there are the prospects - some attending their first NHL Camp. There has to be a level of excitement but  at the same time a level of  tension as they make the step to world's highest level.

It's the night before training and no matter what your role is, it's a great feeling.

ETC. ...

As far as injuries are concerned, the Canes will have few tomorrow. Frank Kaberle (knee) is getting to the point where he could resume skating. He has been placed in the last group so I'm sure they will ease him in. Andrew Ladd may not skate tomorrow. It seems to be some soreness in his back. It doesn't appear to be serious, but I'm sure they will use caution. Jeff Hamilton is likely not to skate too. His injury has not been disclosed, I'm hedging that it's a groin problem of some sort - we'll have to wait and see.

Everything else is good to go...