Day 1 of training camp

- First-round draft pick Nino Niederreiter said his first true training camp practice was "really exciting."

"It's just good to be a part of a professional team. I was on a line with some good players today--Josh Bailey and Frans Nielsen."

Niederreiter said he could definitely notice a difference in the pace and tempo of practice compared to rookie camp earlier this week.

"Everything was a lot faster, the passes were harder, but I thought it went pretty well."

Today was also the first day he took the ice with fellow Swiss countryman Mark Streit. Having the top defenseman as a mentor has been really helpful for Niederreiter who described him as, "like a big dad." (Let's assume he meant to say "big brother" :) )

-P.A. Parenteau seems to have found a very good fit on Long Island. Not only does he already know a bunch of the guys on the team--Gervais, Wisniewski, Konopka, Gillies--he feels really good about the opportunity he might receive.

"When I signed here, I really felt that they wanted me to be here, I really sensed that, and that's what made me decide."

Parenteau said he sees the trajectory of a guy like Matt Moulson--who had a breakout 30-goal season last year after spending the majority of his career in the AHL--and wants to mirror that success.

"We're not the same type of player but I look at him and want to do the same type of thing. He had to play a little longer in the AHL and prove himself, but he got good ice time and the opportunity to play with some good players last year "

"Nothing's going to come by itself, but I just want to have a good camp and make the most of this opportunity."

-Josh Bailey played the left wing on a line with Frans Nielsen and Nino Niederreiter this morning.  There has been no formal discussion between Bailey and coach Scott Gordon yet, but Bailey thinks he'll be on the wing at least for camp. Bailey said he's happy either way, and after a good stretch at wing last season, he's almost as comfortable there as at center.

-Trevor Gillies, who quickly became a fan favorite with his irrefutable toughness, dynamic personality and awe-inspiring mustache last season, was dishing out words of encouragement left and right during the first on-ice session. Gillies may not be in the lineup every night, but he's a tremendous teammate and a very vocal leader.

-I did confirm that defenseman James Wisniewski has some baseball experience, so those two bombs at Citi Field didn't come from nowhere. Wisniewski played third base at Plymouth Canton High School in Canton, Michigan.

-Andy Hilbert, who was on a line this morning with Rob Hisey and Rhett Rakhshani, left the ice with a mild groin strain. He will not return today