NHL Morning Papers (Friday Edition): NHL investigating Blackhawks, Flames not interested in bringing back Bertuzzi and an update on the Coyotes situation

• The Thrashers have signed Josh Gratton and Mike Vernace to contracts.
• Flames winger Dustin Boyd has signed a one-year, one-way deal worth $650,000.
• “No calls from them whatsoever. So obviously, I’m out of their picture,” said Todd Bertuzzi about the Flames.  (Writer’s note: Can you blame them?  Bertuzzi was not good last year.)
• In big news, it looks like the NHL is investigating whether Marian Hossa and the Blackhawks discussed Hossa’s possible retirement before the completion of his recently signed twelve-year contract, explains Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune.
• “They are building a strong case against Chicago to make an example of them. This issue won’t just go away. Lots of other GMs are supporting the league here,” said a league executive to the Toronto Sun.
• Sergei Zubov is close to signing a deal with the KHL, reports Mike Heika.  (Writer’s note: His name carries more value than his actual play these days.  The fact is, Zubov has been injury prone the last two seasons and the Stars can benefit from moving on with the young core they have on the back-end.)
• Mike Heika’s player profile series continues with pest Steve Ott.
• The KHL has registered Jiri Hudler’s contract.  (Writer’s note: After receiving the press release from the KHL regarding this issue, it is clear the KHL is still going head-to-head with the NHL in their minds.)
• “We’re proceeding with the belief Jiri will be playing in Russia next season,” said Wings GM Ken Holland last night about the Hudler situation.
• Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette is incredulous in his attempt to understand how Jim Balsillie’s attempts to purchase a team are so universally rejected, yet other far more troubling individuals have had ownership stakes in NHL teams before.
• Stephen Brunt of the Globe & Mail says somewhere along the line Balsillie lost the individual support he was attempting to put together to earn more clout with the NHL.
• Construction has begun on the Championship Plaza outside the Devils’ new arena in Newark, New Jersey.
• Staying in the tri-state area, the Rangers have to decide whether to walk away or accept the impending arbitration ruling for Nikolai Zherdev.
• “Ole is a defenseman with size and defends very well. At 25 years old he is an ideal fit to the core of our team,” said Flyers GM Paul Holmgren after signing Ole-Kristian Tollefsen to a one-year contract.
• Jerry Moyes has filed a motion challenging Jerry Reinsdorf’s offer to purchase the Coyotes, explains Andrew Bagnato of the Arizona Republic.
• On the ice, Coyotes recently signed winger Scottie Upshall says he has something to prove.
• Which five wingers could the Lightning possibly be targetting to replace Vaclav Prospal?  (Writer’s note: Isn’t Prospal better than four of those players???????)
• Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star says the NHL would consider the concept of some Coyotes games being played in Saskatoon and Halifax.
• The Canucks and Kyle Wellwood have signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal.
• In Washington, Brendan Morrison is doing his best Bob Seger impression, as he is looking to turn the page.