Category Archives: Ryan Jones
>Ryan Jones Makes the Predators Roster
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Well…he did it. The Nashville Predators have announced their opening night roster…and yes, it does include Ryan Jones. But…the question remains, where will the former RedHawk captain fit in on the Predators line chart? Brandon Felder, from HockeyBuzz, offers his take:
For me the type of game Ryan Jones plays fits better on a line with Legwand and Erat. Jones will go to the net and allow Legwand and Erat to continue their chemistry. Legwand is a playmaker and best used as a set up man. Erat is a finisher if he would just shoot the puck more. Jones will be in front of the goalie allowing Erat to be more comfortable shooting instead of passing.
From The Tennessean:
Jones possesses an attractive presence around the net. Ward, who edged out Pihlstrom for the final spot, is a strong penalty killer with good instincts.
“I told myself that I wasn’t coming here just to have my name be in the organization, I was going to compete for a spot from Day 1,” said Jones, who was acquired from Minnesota for Marek Zidlicky. “Whether or not that was realistic I don’t know, but some things happened this summer in this organization that left some spots open for the younger guys and the cards just played out right.”
Coach Barry Trotz stressed that the roster could change by next week.
Nick Tarnasky, who has a broken thumb, has been practicing and could be ready to join the lineup as early as Monday, when the Predators visit Chicago, Trotz said.
Jones and Hornqvist do not need to clear waivers, meaning they could be sent to Milwaukee at any time.
Let’s hope he stays with the club, however…a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Ryan Jones…we all know what type of guy Jonesy is on and off the ice…he’s sure to make Miami proud.
>Adams Released & Ryan Jones News
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Just a couple tidbits for now, as NHL teams are slicing and dicing to make their opening night roster decisions. The Chicago Blackhawks have released Miami alum Kevyn Adams, a free agent invitee to this years training camp. Adams played for the Blackhawks last season and was an unrestricted free agent this past summer and received the invite to Chicago’s camp. Last season, his time was cut short due to a torn knee ligament suffered in November of 2007. Kevyn was reportedly in good shape once again and ready to add a veteran presence to a young Chicago team.
Hopefully, someone will still have some use for the former Redskin captain and he’ll be able to continue his playing career. On the other hand, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him “hang ’em up” either. Best of luck Kevyn.
Onto the big story…Ryan Jones…
The Tennessean is reporting that the Predators have assigned forwards Josh Gratton and possibly Antti Philstrom to Milwaukee of the AHL meaning that remaining forwards Patric Hornqvist, Joel Ward and Ryan Jones have in all likelihood, have made the opening night roster. Here’s a snippet of the article:
Among players still with the team are prospect forwards Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Jones, as well as Ward, who was an offseason signee.
Trotz said it looks like all three players will be on the opening-night roster, with Ward being the biggest surprise of training camp.
And this comes from Brandon Felder at HockeyBuzz:
Ryan Jones is the type of player this team needs. He will go to the net, take the body, essentially be that Scott Hartnell type of player the Preds lacked since Hartnell’s departure to Philly. Some people have stated they weren’t impressed with Jones in pre-season but I for one liked what I saw and felt that he deserves some NHL ice time.
As I said, things are still unofficial at this point. I’ll keep up on the situation and if anything develops this evening, I’ll post it here.
>Jones Shaken Up in Arnott House Fire
>The Tennessean is reporting that Jason Arnott’s house (where Ryan Jones has been staying) caught fire early Friday morning. Jones reportedly awoke to the smell of smoke to find the Arnott’s evacuating the house. Early reports indicate that an outdoor grilling area, that was used last night, caught fire.
Here is some video, from WKRN-TV in Nashville:
http://www.wkrn.com/global/video/flash/widgets/WNVideoCanvas.swf
Thankfully, there were no injuries, just a lot of tired eyes this morning. Jones will play tonight as the Predators take on the Atlanta Thrashers.
>Jones Feeling the Pressure?
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With the tough battle at the forward position in Predators camp, Brandon Felder over at HockeyBuzz has a post-game quote from Ryan Jones tonight on whether or not he’s feeling the “crunch” to clinch a roster spot:
“You try not to think about it too much because the more you think about it the more stress you get and the tighter you grip your stick out there. I do my best to block it out but obviously it’s always in the back of your mind.”
Some have already penciled Jonesy in on the Preds opening night lineup. I will say that I am one of those people. I’ve said all along that I expect Jones to make this team. Things will get interesting through the final days of camp though. Nashville has a few other young talents that could leapfrog Jones and claim a roster spot.
Keep your fingers crossed!
>Updates from Around the NHL
>Just a short update here. I’ve compiled this post of where our Miami alumni are, training camp wise after all the cuts, reassignments, and whatnot.
Los Angeles Kings:
Assigned goaltender Jeff Zatkoff to Manchester of the AHL
Montreal Canadiens:
Assigned forward Mike Glumac to Hamilton of the AHL
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins:
Assigned forward Nino Musitelli to Dayton of the ECHL
Other notes:
– Ryan Jones is still in the hunt for an NHL roster spot in Nashville
– Marty Guerin will be attending the Hartford Wolfpack AHL camp
– Nathan Davis is attending the Rockford IceHogs AHL camp
– Mitch Ganzak is in camp with the Binghamton Senators of the AHL
– Alec Martinez is still in camp with the LA Kings
– Kevyn Adams may indeed be a Chicago Blackhawk on opening night, as he was a free agent invitee. He’s had a solid camp for a veteran player.
>Jones Continues Hot Streak
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Things just keep getting better for Ryan Jones. He scored his first official preseason goal of the season in a 4-2 Nashville loss to the Atlanta Thrashers, although he had one goal and one assist in two rookie games against the Thrashers earlier in the week.
Jones in front of the net?? Really?! Who knew! The NHL.com game summary reports that Ryan was also selected as the game’s third star by the Nashville media.
Brandon Felder, over at HockeyBuzz is becoming my new best friend. Here are some post game quotes from Jonesy, from Felder’s column:
(Jones received the number three spot on Felder’s Five, based on his performance tonight)
Ryan Jones on his 1st pre-season experience: “The game was a lot faster than even the games a couple days ago so it took me a few minutes to realize that guys would be on you that much quicker. I was a little nervous.”
Jones on his deflection goal: “It was a great play. Mikey won the draw and Kleiner did a good job of getting the shot through. All I had to do was go to the net, which basically what I try to do all the time, and put a stick on all the pucks that come through and it went in.”
Jones will be in the lineup on Friday when the Predators travel to Columbus to take on my Blue Jackets. What a bittersweet moment it’ll be for me…Ryan Jones, playing against my favorite team and for a division rival.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE:
From The City Paper:
ALONG CAME JONES: Forwards Ryan Jones and Patric Hornqvist both did a great job of establishing themselves in front of the net. Jones was able to redirect a shot by Klein past Atlanta goaltender Ondrej Pavelec.
“We played a possession game down low,” said Jones. “All around we did a pretty good job. We kept them off of the scoreboard which is pretty important when you are out there.
“I’ve done a decent job down low. There are still a few plays where I could have done a better job, but overall I think our line has done a great job of cycling the puck down low and playing that possession game.”
Jones knows there is no security for a prospect. He has played in two rookie games as well.
“I’m just trying not to stretch out of my game,” Jones said. “I don’t want to be somebody I’m not.”
>Jones Scores Goal, Preds Drop Rookie Game
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Per Nashville Predators Official Website:
“Mike Sanotrelli picked up a goal and an assist and Ryan Jones netted a goal as the Predators rookies rallied from one-goal down on two occasions, before eventually dropping a 3-2 shootout decision in Monday night’s rookie game against the Atlanta Thrashers at the Sommet Center.”
Great for Jonesy!
UPDATE:
The Predators, today, found themselves in the “W” column of game two of the rookie series against the Thrashers. Sounds like Ryan Jones had another solid day.
The standout line of Mike Santorelli paired with Andreas Thuresson and Ryan Jones would combine for the lone five-on-five goal of the game with 2:50 expired in the middle frame. Santorelli’s second goal is as many days came on a rebound attempt – he slammed an initial stuff attempt home by Jones.
Jones therefore gets credit for the assist! One goal and one assist for ol’ number 26 (now 28) in two games against Atlanta.
>Monday’s NHL Training Camp Notes
>Los Angeles Kings:
Split squad game in Kansas City vs. St. Louis tonight. Jeff Zatkoff and Alec Martinez will both dress for tonight’s game.
Nasvhille Predators:
Brandon Felder over at HockeyBuzz has some great Predators news & notes and some great observations on Ryan Jones: (Thanks to Bill for the heads up)
“Ryan Jones is very good with the puck in tight around the goalie. He scored a couple times on the drill in which the forward comes out from behind the net and shoots near side.
Felder’s Friday Fantastic Five:
3. Ryan Jones – A pretty significant difference in Jones play today. I would have to say that Jones game translates much better 5 on 5 than it does in drills like yesterday. Jones took a pass from Mike Ryan, who had to dig the puck out from the corner, and set up Weber for a real nice goal. Also, Jones showed a real drive and played physical when needed. One of his hits even took out two Silver squad players at one time…
Ryan Jones on his first impressions of Predators camp:
“Well it’s a little different. It’s my first camp so I didn’t really have anything to base it off of. I came in early to skate with the guys and this is obviously a step up from that, the games will be a step up from this and then regular season games will be a step up from that so it’s a lot faster, the guys move the puck quicker, so basically I’m just trying to stay with my game and not really step away from it too much.”
Jones on his style of play :
“I’m a power forward player so I play a puck possession game, try to grind it out down low, look for guys open out front, and I just try to get to the front of the net, get in front of the goalie and clean up the garbage.”
Preds head coach Barry Trotz on Ryan Jones:
“Sometimes you just watch practice and Jonesy in practice blends in. But when you put 5 opponents on the ice and the game starts he always seems to be around the puck and the net. He made a real good play on that goal. That’s part of our game. It was textbook. Get on the forecheck, separate someone, get a loose puck with quick support and activate people from the backend and that’s how they score so it was sort of the textbook Predator game right there.”
>Updated: Miami Alumni In Training Camps
>As training camps begin to open for many leagues, here is a running list of former RedHawks who’ll be involved. Obviously, some of the names won’t be a shock, as there are a few “established NHL-ers” here. If you find a name I’ve missed, please contact me.
Binghamton Senators:
Mitch Ganzak, Defenseman
(Link to Official Release)
Chicago Blackhawks:
41- Nathan Davis, Center
(Blackhawks Team A Camp Roster)
17- Kevyn Adams, Center
**Adams was a free agent invitee**
(Blackhawks Team C Camp Roster)
Los Angeles Kings:
53- Alec Martinez, Defenseman
36- Jeff Zatkoff, Goaltender
(Kings Training Camp Roster)
Montreal Canadiens:
98- Mike Glumac, Forward
(Canadiens Training Camp Roster)
Nashville Predators:
28- Ryan Jones, Left Wing
(Predators Training Camp Roster)
New Jersey Devils:
6- Andy Greene, Defenseman
San Jose Sharks:
22- Dan Boyle, Defenseman
(Sharks Training Camp Roster)
Toronto Maple Leafs:
*Joe Cooper, Forward
(Maple Leafs Rookie Training Camp Roster)
Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins:
Nino Musitelli, Forward
(WB/Scranton Training Camp Roster)
*Denotes rookie camp attendee
>Monday Tidbits
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NHL.com has a great series of team by team previews for the upcoming 2008-2009 season. As you may expect, Nashville has a great bit about Ryan Jones. Enjoy!
Knowing that (Alexander Radulov’s NHL status), Predators Head Coach Barry Trotz said he’s banking on a pair of youngsters to make a significant jump into the top six, even though both Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Jones have yet to play a NHL game. As for Jones, who came to Nashville in a trade from Minnesota, Trotz said he has seen and heard enough to know he’s ready for the NHL.
“Talking to our scouts and scouts from other teams, everybody seems to think this guy is the most ready college player,” Trotz said. “We want to see him in the second hole, but if not he’ll play in a third- or fourth-line role.”
Jones, 24, recorded 147 points in 161 games over four seasons at Miami University.
If you’re interested in checking out any other of the “Miami alum” teams, you can follow these links:
Los Angeles Kings (Jeff Zatkoff, Alec Martinez)
The Blog of Brotherhood - RedHawks Hockey 