Ten Thoughts Going Into Rockets Training Camp

• I am amazed at the growth spurts that these 16-20 year-olds experience over the summer. A tired veteran at the end of last years post season looks like a muscled-up alley cat wanting to get out of his cage once training camp begins. These athletes have trained hard over the summer and are as fit as a fiddle. On top of that the veterans are a year older and a year wiser.
• The second year players are the ones I am most interested in seeing. Collin Bowman, Kyle Verdino, Jesse Paradis and Tyson Barrie won't have that deer in the headlights look at camp this year. All four have proven they can play at this level, and if you thought they were good last year, they should be extremely good in their draft years.
• What is the mindset of a signed player like Jamie Benn? Benn signed a deal with Dallas over the offseason, and often times that early pay day has an adverse effect on a player. Does Benn come back wanting to dominate, or does he simply feel like he has nothing to prove in junior, when that couldn't be further from the truth.
• When Luke Schenn makes his presence known at training camp, does he become a mentor for others like Shea Weber was when he was a wide-eyed rookie? If I know Schenn, his summer hasn't changed him a bit. He's a big league player on the verge of wearing an NHL jersey full time, but he would be fooling himself if he doesn't think players at Rockets training camp are not watching him closely. The veterans will be looking at him from the corner of their eye while the rookies will be down right gawking.
• Which rookie is going to be fortunate enough to crack this years roster? If more than two 16 year-old's make this years veteran lineup, I'd be shocked. If your a rookie and looking to steal a job from a veteran, you have your work cut out for you.
• In this day and age it's not about which prospect will make the team, but which ones will show up at training camp. Will Luke Moffatt show up? How about Nick Shore? Often times it's the players that don't show up that provide the best story line.
• I would like to see the shock on the faces of the rookies during training camp when they learn they are not allowed to dress in the Rockets locker room. But before the rookies get too excited, it should be noted that the veterans get the same treatment. Until you make the Rockets roster, you'll be gearing up for on-ice sessions elsewhere.
• The battle for the back-up spot. Training camp will be extremely interesting as prospects attempt to earn a spot on the Rockets roster this season, with the main goal to sit on the bench and be a cheerleader for veteran goaltender Torrie Jung. If the back-up sees 20 games this season, he'll be lucky. If the back-up sees limited duty, that's good news. It means Jung has been doing his job.
• The anxiety level of head coach Ryan Huska surely will be lower at training camp this year than a year ago. Huska has finally gone through a training camp as 'the guy', and should feel more relaxed. The same should hold true for second year assistant coach Jeff Finley, who had no clue one year ago at training camp who anyone was.
• How good will the Rockets two Europeans be? Will they be average, or will they be an impact player? Not even the coaching staff can tell you until they compete against the veterans at main camp. You will get an early indication if these two guys can really play.