Sheppard eager for second season: Minnesota Wild assistant general manager Tom Thompson was walking out of the dressing room at the conclusion of a weeklong prospect camp and was asked about James Sheppard. "Quite honestly," Thompson said, "I wasn't really watching Sheppard too closely." It wasn't negligence on the part of Thompson, but rather confidence that the 20-year-old center is ready for his second season as a Wild center, and far down on the list of priorities for evaluation that Thompson had going into this camp. Sheppard has firmly entrenched himself in the rotation, a big difference from a year ago, when he came to this camp not knowing where he fit in. "That added relief was there just because I knew I had established myself with the organization in my first year," said Sheppard, who had five goals and 14 assists while playing in a franchise rookie-record 78 games last season. (Updated 07/15/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 7/24/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Sheppard turned 20 years old in April, but he felt a bit like a veteran at this prospect camp. He's been through all this before and, thanks to a dearth of centers on the roster and his hard-nosed play last season, Sheppard knows his spot on the roster is safe. Sheppard is the third center on the depth chart behind an emerging star in Mikko Koivu and veteran Eric Belanger, who had a quiet first season in Minnesota last year. After that, 21-year-old Benoit Pouliot appears to have the fourth spot sewn up in what is shaping up as a talented but inexperienced centermen corps. "We are young, but we do know how to play hockey," Sheppard said. "Mikko's one of the best centermen in the league and Eric can do some things that surprise you. I'm up and coming, but I can establish myself in this league as well." Sheppard remains a low-end Fantasy option until he really bulks up his offensive numbers. (Updated 07/15/2008).
No information available at this time.
Sheppard eager for second season: Minnesota Wild assistant general manager Tom Thompson was walking out of the dressing room at the conclusion of a weeklong prospect camp and was asked about James Sheppard. "Quite honestly," Thompson said, "I wasn't really watching Sheppard too closely." It wasn't negligence on the part of Thompson, but rather confidence that the 20-year-old center is ready for his second season as a Wild center, and far down on the list of priorities for evaluation that Thompson had going into this camp. Sheppard has firmly entrenched himself in the rotation, a big difference from a year ago, when he came to this camp not knowing where he fit in. "That added relief was there just because I knew I had established myself with the organization in my first year," said Sheppard, who had five goals and 14 assists while playing in a franchise rookie-record 78 games last season. (Updated 07/15/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 7/24/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Sheppard turned 20 years old in April, but he felt a bit like a veteran at this prospect camp. He's been through all this before and, thanks to a dearth of centers on the roster and his hard-nosed play last season, Sheppard knows his spot on the roster is safe. Sheppard is the third center on the depth chart behind an emerging star in Mikko Koivu and veteran Eric Belanger, who had a quiet first season in Minnesota last year. After that, 21-year-old Benoit Pouliot appears to have the fourth spot sewn up in what is shaping up as a talented but inexperienced centermen corps. "We are young, but we do know how to play hockey," Sheppard said. "Mikko's one of the best centermen in the league and Eric can do some things that surprise you. I'm up and coming, but I can establish myself in this league as well." Sheppard remains a low-end Fantasy option until he really bulks up his offensive numbers. (Updated 07/15/2008).
