Kyle Turris wants to be the player that made him a third overall NHL draft pick. Can he reach those expectations in Phoenix where’s there’s a greater emphasis on defense that there is offense?

In defense of the Coyotes, Head Coach Dave Tippett has no other choice but to play a conservative style considering his lack of fire power up front.

You can argue Turris might be best suited playing in a system that stresses puck possession and offensive creativity. Whether or not Phoenix GM Don Maloney gives him that opportunity remains to be seen. It’s safe to assume Turris would welcome a change of scenery.

From Turris’s standpoint, there isn’t as much urgency to sign as some may think. He’s not missing any paychecks and last I checked Phoenix doesn’t play their first game until October 8th. On the flipside he’s a young player who’s missing some valuable days on the ice especially as we creep into the pre-season schedule.   

Turris is not sitting at home watching Oprah as Don Maloney has suggested. He’s currently working out and skating in British Columbia.

Sources close to Turris tell me any reports of him asking for a contract in the $3 million range are completely false. This is more about his agent wanting him in the best situation for his career moving forward. There are some questions as to whether or not Phoenix is the best option. Time remains on the side of both parties.

Don’t forget Turris’s agent Kurt Overhardt also represents goaltender Mike Smith. So there is proof he can negotiate a deal with Maloney. 

USA HOF Date Set….

The USA Hockey Hall of fame induction ceremony will take place on December 12th in Chicago. The 2011 class which includes Chris Chelios, Keith Tkachuk, Gary Suter, Doc Emrick, and Ed Snider will be honored the night before prior to the Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks game.

Goaltender Jake Allen Ready to Build off of 2010-2011

Blues prospect Jake Allen is hoping to build of an impressive beginning to his professional career. Last season he came as advertised in route to earning an invitation to the AHL All-Star team.  The jump from Junior to the AHL is often considered a bigger leap than going form the AHL to the NHL. This is especially the case for goalies. The organization took their time last year before throwing him into an AHL game. He served as Ben Bishop’s backup in each of the first eight games which gave him a chance to sit back and watch the pro game.

He stayed off the ice most of this summer before skating with NHL’ers Michael Ryder, Teddy Purcell, and Ryan Clowe.

Jake Allen is destined for Peoria to begin the season but don’t rule him out of the NHL equation if Jaroslav Halak were to miss significant time. There are some who believe Allen might be the best option in goal after Halak. He’ll see plenty of action in Peoria where he’s likely to play every two out of three games.

I would expect Allen to see at least one NHL pre-season game as he did last year. He lost in Dallas 4-3 after giving up all four goals in the first period. Davis Payne tells me Bishop and Elliott will see an equal amount of action this pre-season.

More to come,
Andy Strickland
strickland.andy@gmail.com