Funny additions to training camp

So, I haven't posted a training camp roster yet, for three reasons in equal parts: some kids from prospect camp and Traverse City have yet to be added, Staal has yet to be signed, and it's probably not all that interesting anyway. However, there are three people of note who I haven't yet told you will be at training camp. All three will be invited to tryouts at training camp, none have been given contracts.

First up: Ruslan Fedotenko. Fedotenko is a 31 year old, mediocre winger (what else is new?). Most recently, he was a member of the Cup-winning Penguins, but before that, he actually played for Torts in Tampa. He's another middle-of-his-career, middle-of-the-road, middle-line winger that we'll give a shot in training camp, and a contract if he earns one. No harm done (yet). Fedotenko is most famous in my mind for being the subject of the worst sign I've ever seen at a hockey game: I was at a Rangers game here in Pittsburgh last season and some girl had a sign that read "Fedotenko does not stenko!"

Oof.

Next, we have Jordan Parise, a goalie trying to earn a spot with Hartford. Parise is notable only for being Zach's older brother. There's not much else to say there: he's 28, he's definitely not going to end up a Ranger, and he's not nearly as talented as his 26-year-old brother. I say we sign him on the contingency that he convinces Zach to come to New York. Devils can't afford him next season anyway, thanks to the most important hockey contract ever.

And finally, a name that may or may not ring some bells for you: Alexei Semenov. If not, let me help. Semenov was at training camp last season. Torts liked his not-flashy, stand-up-at-the-blue-line, stay-at-home play. In fact, the 6'6", 235 lb. veteran made the cut, and the Rangers offered him a modest one-year, $600,000 deal. Then things got weird. Sounding familiar yet? He's the one who, according to all reports, really wanted to accept the contract, until his wife said no.

Apparently he left Sather's office in tears, forced to reject a contract he, his agent, and the Rangers all approved of, but that his wife was unhappy with. The word was that she didn't want to move to New York, and she wanted him to continue playing in Russia. But you have to wonder what she thought he was doing in New York all that time, if not trying out for a hockey team. I believe Semenov then went off and signed a 2-year, $1.5 million deal with Dynamo Moscow, which he is now halfway through. And here he comes again.

Sather claims to have spoken to Semenov's agent many times, and says that if he makes the cut again, a contract has already been agreed upon and no such issues will arise. So, I guess we'll see? I'd certainly like a cheap, stay-at-home, giant veteran on our blue line somewhere, so I'm hoping that he plays in this camp as well as or better than he did last and that we can work something out. If not, I'm not so unhappy with our blue line as it is (assuming Staal and Redden get sent their appropriate ways).

Ruslan "Does-Not-Stenko" Fedotenko, Jordan "The Wrong" Parise, and Alexei "Only If My Wife Lets Me" Semenov: only 2 days until training camp begins!