Friday finish: workout observations

A few thoughts after another week observing at the RecZone:

Joni Pitkanen is listed at 6-3 and 215 pounds but looks bigger. The defenseman has broad shoulders and a big frame. He's a smooth skater and does move the puck well.

Questions about Rod Brind'Amour coming off the knee injury? Forget it. He's his old snorting self, barreling around the ice with that wide-eyed intensity and controlling the puck.

You never know how things will unfold, but defenseman Dennis Seidenberg appears really fit physically and is a hustler. He really gets after it.

Ray Whitney and Chad LaRose are always entertaining, even in the informal five-on-five games. Always needling, always with a quick quip. Always fiesty.

No Brandon Sutter sighting yet. It's too bad he couldn't come in early like a Casey Borer, Michael Leighton or Brett Carson and gotten extra time with the veterans.

With Bret Hedican gone, Tim Gleason will now wear No. 6, Hedican's old number. Still seems strange not having either Hedican or Glen Wesley around. As Gleason put it, "I miss those boys."

Eric Staal came to the RecZone today about $58 million richer than he was Thursday morning. You don't think that earned him some teasing, do you?

Justin Williams and Brind'Amour work so well together. Always in sync. Then add Whitney ...

Goaltending coach Tom Barrasso has put in a lot of work with Cam Ward and Leighton after some of the workouts. Both seem to be good, patient listeners.

Still no sign of Sergei Samsonov. Maybe Monday.

UPDATE: Oops. My bad. Sutter has been playing preseason exhibition games
with the Red Deer Rebels and will report next week for training camp.

Matt Cullen is due in Monday.