Ellis’ new mask features Thor and Zeus, very fitting for a guy new to the Lightning.

The Caps and Ted Leonsis are not thrilled with the book, especially in light of Cox’s recent column criticizing Ovechkin’s long-term deal alongside of those of Roberto Luongo and Vincent Lecavalier.  Never heard of Ovechkin’s contract being lumped in with the questionable ones before?  That’s because he gets paid $10 million in the last season of his deal.  Not exactly the huge drop off that has been so controversial.  Ovechkin’s contract actually increases over the term.

So, things are a little bit tense.  If we want to get back to the subject at hand – Cap’s Blog Japer’s Rink has posted excerpts from the book.  I don’t want to copy them, so head on over to check things out.  My gut reaction?  Its really not surprising that the Caps aren’t real thrilled with the book.  Cox admitted as much in a radio interview:  “A hardcore fan who just wants to hear good things about their team [isn't] going to be happy.”

I generally only buy a book if I can see myself reading it more than once.  I will try to get a copy of this book and post a review on it.  It sounds interesting, if not necessarily balanced.

During the Pats training camp, Weal has definitely shown his skill.  He’s an excellent skater with great hands and vision.  He has also shown a tendency to get frustrated easily, as I’ve seen him slam his stick on the ice when a play doesn’t go his way.  It hasn’t impacted his hustle or effort level at all, but on a Pats team that might be terrible this year, Weal might have to get used to things not going his way.  Based on training camp, Weal and Carter Ashton will be the offensive threats on this team.  I would say there is still the slightest chance that Ashton makes the Tampa Bay Lightning out of training camp, but Weal will almost certainly be returned to the WHL for more seasoning.

Last season in the WHL, Weal became one of the youngest players to ever record a 100 point season.  There will be a lot of pressure on him this season to match those numbers, both to carry the offense for the Pats and to prove that he wasn’t depending on Eberle to rack up the points.

Taylor Hall Busts OPC Premier

Carter Ashton

He spent most of his time on the bike and skating by himself while his teammates scrimmaged, but he finally got to join them during the team’s annual Blue and White game yesterday.  He made it worth everyone’s wait, scoring all 4 goals as Team Blue defeated Team White 4-2.  Any athlete will tell you, that sometimes the bounces just go your way, and Ashton certainly had that kind of a night.  Hopefully, he can keep the streak going into the regular season, whichever level he ends up at.

During one of the public scrimmages, I snapped a few shots of Ashton as he rode the bike and watched.  I certainly wouldn’t accuse the kid of dogging it, as he went all out even when he wasn’t participating in the scrimmages.  He would definitely know what it takes to make it in hockey, watching his father Brent play in the NHL.

Check out the thread here.

Bell finished his rookie season with the Pats in 2009-10, suiting up in 61 games and recording 18 points.  His season also included time off to represent Team Pacific at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge at Christmas.  During the past summer, Bell represented Canada at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Memorial, where he helped capture gold.  Bell patterns himself after Mike Green of the Washington Capitals.  He is eligible for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Bell sat out Sunday’s scrimmages after getting his bell rung, but he was on the ice last night, and was all over the ice.  He made some great rushes and moved the puck well, but those were sandwiched around a few defensive miscues that resulted when he tried to do a bit too much on his own.

The ultimate goal for any team is to win some games, but as a consolation prize in the junior leagues, sometimes its nice to watch a talented kid really come into his own.  The way Bell has looked during training camp, and the international experience he gained over the summer are hopefully a sign of good things to come.

I had the pleasure of watching Mitchell in a training camp scrimmage last night.  Its early in camp, and he really is in no danger of losing his spot on the team (they aren’t going to cut their captain coming out of camp), but he was still everywhere on the ice.  He’s not the biggest guy on the ice (the biggest guy on the ice almost never plays for the perpetually pint-sized Pats), but he is all heart.

If you follow Pats when they are out and about in the community, Mitchell is almost always front and center.  There was one player from the Pats rollerblading during the parade in the city this year – yep, Mitchell.  The Washington Capitals  picked up Mitchell in the 5th round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.  I think they went and got themselves a player.

Leading off the night was a scrimmage between two of the rookie squads in camp.  These guys still look a bit nervous, but the Pats first round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, Morgan Klimchuk has been the star of rookie games so far, even though he can’t play for the club full time this season.  Klimchuk had five goals between the two games the rookies played today.

Later in the evening was a blue and white scrimmage between the veterans trying to make the team.  Watching the Pats and their rookies play last night, one thing was clear – however they make this team up, they are going to be small.  Jordan Weal is the most talented player on the ice, but second year Swede Hampus Gustafsson brings a lot to the plate as well.

The veterans game was fast paced, and got a little bit chippy at time.  Tyler Parker (blue) and Dyson Stevenson (white) squared off during the first period.  One interesting thing – if you get in a fight at training camp, after you are done you don’t get to skate off the ice to the roar of the crowd.  You have to go pick up your own equipment and just head to the bench.  After this tilt, Parker and Stevenson had to swap gloves, because they got mixed up when they were picking up their stuff.

Basically, Panini has been soliciting autograph contracts from prospects and young players and including a clause that would not allow these players to sign for another company, unless they are NHLPA licensed.

Pretty much a direct shot at ITG.  Although, from the information at hand, it is not entirely clear where this clause originated.  To me, the fact that it says “NHLPA licensed” rather than “NHL / NHLPA licensed” might mean it comes from the PA, rather than Panini.  The NHLPA has to be concerned about losing revenue in a battle with an unlicensed manufacturer.  Indeed, if the PA is charging for licenses, it is in their best interest for unlicensed companies to be unsuccessful, and including this language in contracts might be just the way to go about it.

As of right now, there is a lot of unknowns.  If Panini included this language themselves, it is certainly interesting, and it clearly shows who they think they can make inroads against, while still staying within the NHL and NHLPA’s mandate against exclusive contracts.  If it is a case of the NHLPA mandating or encouraging the inclusion of such a statement, it shows that they are becoming more and more interested in protecting the interests of their licensed manufacturers.

Update: I found this posted on Beckett’s Blog from when the deal with Panini was announced, strongly hinting that the NHL and PA were looking to shut out unlicensed manufacturers:

The letter also addresses signing stickers for companies other than the two official NHL card licensees:

“As always, unless you are receiving small signature labels directly from Panini, Upper Deck, or the NHLPA, we strongly advise that players not sign labels for other autograph dealers as there is no way to control where labels will end up once a player has signed them.”