Imagine trying to prepare for an exam without knowing the actual day, or week you will be writing it.
That's essentially what NHL players are dealing with this summer. Staring down the barrel of a lockout, players like P.K. Subban and Cody Hodgson are doing their best to stay on task despite knowing their offseason could quite possible stretch late into the winter.
They've been working for months to turn themselves into bigger, better, stronger athletes but they can't be sure when they'll be able to put all that hard work on display.
This week, that work consists of on and off ice drills with former Toronto Maple Leafs strength and conditioning coach Matt Nichol and former NHLer and player development consultant Gary Roberts.
Nichol, who created BioSteel Sports supplements during his time with the Leafs, is currently partnered with Roberts and together they're holding their third annual BioSteel Sports hockey training camp for roughly 30 of the NHL's top players. Subban is using the camp as a way to jump-start his conditioning ahead of Canadiens camp.
"When I attend BioSteel camp, it's sort of to prepare for the season, for training camp," said the Montreal Canadiens defenceman. "And we're very fortunate in Toronto to have a camp where you can have 25 to 30 of some of the best NHL players and some of the best players in the world and put them on the ice for an hour and a half a day. You're not going to find much of a better skate anywhere else I don't think."
The 23-year-old from Toronto says that while that camp is a great training opportunity, the ongoing CBA negotiations are clearly weighing on players' minds.
"I think maybe guys maybe aren't aggressive on the ice because they know maybe training camp may or may not start on time, so I don't think there's that fiery passion on the ice to get yourself in the best shape possible," said Subban.
"Guys are optimistic and guys are still working hard, but in the back of their minds they know that we may or may not start on time. So the reality of it is that you don't want to peak too early," he added.
Buffalo Sabres centre Hodgson says he isn't changing his routine.
"I'm still training the way I would if the season starts on time and hopefully we can reach an agreement that's beneficial for both of us."
Subban has an added off-ice distraction this summer as he continues to try and negotiate a new contract with the Habs. The former Belleville Bull turned down their offer of two-years, $5.5 million, but it's been reported in previous weeks that both sides are still talking.
Despite the fact that his name is making the rounds in the media, Subban insists a new contract is the furthest thing from his mind.
"I think at this point actually it's been really good because I've just an opportunity just to focus on training," he said. "I haven't really focused on it too much and I think that the fact that it's been contract negotiations, the summer's gone by even quicker, you know, because I've been forced to just focus on my training and have fun and enjoy my summer."
Enjoyment may seem hard to come by when the possibility of unemployment is looming, but on the ice the men are almost all smiles.
"I think it's just a lot of fun to see friends and opponents that you normally wouldn't see and to see them and train against them. It's a fun atmosphere," Hodgson said.
When camp wraps up on Friday and everyone goes their separate ways, Subban says the focus for most of them will be on maintaining the work they've all done for as long as it takes of the 2012 season to start.
"I think that now after this camp it's just sort of keeping that edge for camp, not overdoing it, not tiring yourself, but just finding a way to stay sharp until you get the call to go to training camp…" Subban said.
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