One might think that these exhibition games are meaningless because they don’t “count” in the overall team’s standings. However, they matter to a small group of people as they fight for jobs on the Phoenix Coyotes.

The Coyotes invited 50 players to training camp this year for 23 available spots. The number is actually less if we figure in the core group of players, but the number is significant. With the departure of the older veterans, the team looks to fill at least five but possibly more positions based on the individual performances in camp, which includes the games.

So, with the first game against the Anaheim Ducks this afternoon, for many on the Coyotes training camp roster, it’s the first time to make a good impression.

Goaltender David Aebischer will start in the net today with Josh Tordjman as his backup. The lines are still being configured, but according to Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic, Shane Doan, Steven Reinprecht, and Mike York have been skating together so far.

Enver Lisin returns to the Valley after departing to Russia early in the season last year and his refusal to report to San Antonio. According to head coach Wayne Gretzky he looks good; he has improved his defensive game, and has a lot of energy.

Lisin can skate, and there is no doubt about that. Along with his defensive issues, he had difficulty seeing the whole ice surface, and he would furiously skate forward with blinders on without noticing the open forwards he had available to him in plays. With his departure, and his refusal to report to the Rampage, I wonder that if he gets sent down to the AHL team, will he leave again?

Many of the prospects will get a look in the upcoming weeks, and that includes Lisin, along with Peter Mueller, and Martin Hanzal (who is skating on a line with Lisin).

Therefore, even though the win or the loss is meaningless for this group of Coyotes, the internal battles will be extremely important with the first game of the exhibition season.

Unfortunately, with the pre-season games, there is always risk for injury. In last night’s contest against the Los Angeles Kings, Ducks defenseman Matthieu Schneider turned his ankle and will go undergo an MRI today to determine its severity.

Original post by PB

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