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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 2600968" data-attributes="member: 2012">Injuries, movements, rumors and newsmakers...The Score's Camp Notebook (for Sept 21st)Chris Campoli wows 'em at Islanders camp; Leafs' Alexander Steen could emerge as an important rookie in 2005-06; Sidney Crosby debuts for the Pens; Red Wings' Chris Osgood goes down with a groin injury; and more...CANADIENSIs a new star born in Montreal? Not quite, but 18-year-old Guillaume Latendresse continues to impress. Tuesday night, he potted two goals and added an assist in a 6-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Latendresse skated on a line with center Radek Bonk and right wing Marcel Hossa, which totaled 11 points on the night. It didn't secure a roster spot for Latendresse, but it did give him another shot: Thursday night at Toronto. Obviously, the Habs love the youngster's combination of size and skill up front, so the Latendresse decision may go right down to the wire. CANUCKSThe Canucks surprised many when they opted for QMJHL defenseman Luc Bourdon in the first round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft (10th overall), but the talented two-way rearguard is surprising them right back with a strong training-camp performance. In fact, Bourdon was even in the lineup for Vancouver's preseason opener at Edmonton on Wednesday night. However, if the 18-year-old blueliner is to start the season in Vancouver he'll have to outperform several others--including rookies Kevin Bieksa, Kirill Koltsov, Tomas Mojzis and Brett Skinner, as well as journeymen Sven Butenschon, Nolan Baumgartner and Jason Doig (training-camp invite). CAPITALSWhile several jobs are up for grabs in Washington this season, Czech-league veteran Petr Sykora should be able to stick if he adapts quickly to the North American game. Sykora is headed to Washington after finally securing his working visa. He's expected to join the team this weekend. The 26-year-old Sykora can play either center or right wing, which should enhance his chances of landing on one of the scoring lines in Washington when training camp breaks. ISLANDERSDefenseman Chris Campoli continues to make waves in the preseason. Tuesday night against the New York Rangers, the 21-year-old Campoli was arguably the best player on the ice in the Isles' easy 5-1 victory. He was paired with another rookie hopeful: 20-year-old rearguard Bruno Gervais. The duo was stellar together with AHL Bridgeport last season, but they may be fighting for the same spot (No. 6 defenseman) at this camp--with the loser heading back to the 'A'. MAPLE LEAFSAlexander Steen has done enough so far in training camp to be considered a candidate to crack the opening-night lineup. In fact, Steen has spent time at left wing alongside No. 1 center (and fellow Swede) Mats Sundin, which could be a sign of things to come. Even if Steen doesn't stay on the big unit, he could still emerge as the fourth-line center to begin the 2005-06 campaign. He's probably competing for a job with fellow youngsters Matt Stajan and Kyle Wellwood. OILERSJ.J. Hunter's chances of breaking camp with the Oilers ended on Tuesday, after suffering a dislocated shoulder in the 6-4 loss to the Dallas Stars. Hunter was considered a long shot to make the big club anyway, and is now out indefinitely. Capable of playing either center or right wing, Hunter has a history of shoulder dislocations--which does not bode well for his NHL aspirations. He'll likely return to action in the AHL and may never get another shot with the Oil. PANTHERSOne of the players on the bubble in this training camp is talented center Stephen Weiss, who played very well in a 5-4 exhibition win against Carolina last weekend. That's the good news. The bad? Weiss scored poorly on an anaerobic fitness test earlier in training camp, which has raised the ire of Panthers management. Weiss needs to continue to produce in the preseason, since the Panthers have four veteran alternatives at center: Olli Jokinen, Joe Nieuwendyk, Jozef Stumpel and Chris Gratton. If Weiss forces his way into the lineup, somebody will move to wing. PENGUINSPhenom Sidney Crosby made his NHL debut on Wednesday night in the Pens' 5-4 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins. Crosby used his speed to create several scoring chances throughout the contest, but came away with only one assist on this night. While he began the evening on a line with Ryan Malone and Mark Recchi, Crosby eventually played with captain Mario Lemieux. Look for the combination of Lemieux-Crosby-Recchi on the first line opening night. RED WINGSThe Wings' goaltending picture got a little murkier this week, as veteran Chris Osgood will be sidelined for the next 2-3 weeks because of a groin injury. In his place, Manny Legace started on Wednesday night against the Colorado Avalanche and earned a 3-2 overtime victory. Look for Legace to begin the 2005-06 campaign as the starter, since Osgood will need to play catch-up once his injury heals. If Osgood cannot start the season, prospect Jimmy Howard is a possibility. WILDThe Wild entered training camp with a nice problem at the center position: Three quality prospects vying for a roster spot. And then there was just one, after Patrick O'Sullivan suffered a separated shoulder during preseason action earlier this week. Meanwhile, Rickard Wallin was assigned to the AHL's Houston Aeros. That leaves Finn Mikko Koivu as the rookie pivot most likely to begin the season in St. Paul. He may even see time as a top-six forward right away.</blockquote>

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