UPDATE: TSN is reporting that Carey Price has made the Habs and will start the season as the team’s backup goaltender.
INSTANT ANALYSIS: Price is arguably the best goaltending prospect in hockey and will definitely make the Habs a better hockey team. As I wrote in my preview of the Canadiens, Price will be the starting netminder before season’s end.
- Kevin Allen of USA Today provides readers with ten reasons why the Penguins will win the Stanley Cup in 2007/08.
- Six players are battling for the final two roster spots in Capitals’ camp writes Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post.
- Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province evaluates players who remain on the roster bubble in Canucks’ camp and their chances of making the team.
- As Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun writes, there really aren’t as many new faces on the Leafs’ roster as you may think.
- Andy Wozniewski has impressed the Leafs’ brass by adding a physical dimension to his game writes Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star.
- The Tampa Tribune provides us with final observations from Lightning training camp.
- Dimitri Patzold has been named the backup goalie in San Jose. Patzold beat out Thomas Greiss for the position.
- Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Penguins may start 2008/09 in Prague. Never mind 2008/09, the Penguins won’t be as successful this season if Marc-Andre Fleury can’t become a consistent netminder.
- The Flyers will do their best to forget 2006/07 heading into their first game of the season at Calgary on Thursday.
- With the Dean McAmmond injury, the Sens now have an open roster spot to fill prior to the season. One player who won’t be among the cuts is Nick Foligno, who has secured a roster sport with a strong training camp.
- Jeff Tambellini and Bryan Berard could be among the cuts at Islanders’ camp writes Greg Logan of New York Newsday.
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post speculates that the Rangers will most likely keep Marcel Hossa rather than put him through waivers.
- Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette informs readers that Mathieu Dandenault may play forward this season in Montreal.
- Brent Burns of the Minnesota Wild has confidence in his shot this year and that could lead to a breakout offensive season for the 22 year old.
- The Ducks bounced right back from their opening night loss to defeat the Kings 4-1 on Sunday. The Ducks looked more like the 2007 Stanley Cup champions on Sunday writes Dan Wood of the Orange County Register.
- Steve Montador will be out of the Panthers lineup with a knee injury, but it is not known for how long writes Steve Gorton of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
- Dustin Penner is rounding into form at Oilers’ camp after a rough start to the preseason; Derek Van Diest of the Edmonton Sun has the story. In other news out of Oilers’ camp, defenseman Mathieu Roy is okay after being slammed into the boards on Sunday by Rick Rypien of the Canucks.
- Pavel Datsyuk has been named an alternate captain in Detroit, which is a testament to his growing leadership skills writes Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.
- Youngster Chris Conner is making roster cuts more difficult for the Stars’ brass writes Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News.
- Both Kris Russell and Jared Boll have made the Blue Jackets’ opening day lineup.
- The Hurricanes, like many other teams, are sweating more because of these new RBK jerseys. Here are some notes from Canes’ camp heading into the season.
- Chris Kuc details all the roster moves from Blackhawks’ camp in this morning’s Chicago Tribune.
- After reading this piece in the Denver Post, you can’t say Ian Lapperierre isn’t a hockey warrior.
- Jochen Hecht may be the new captain of the Buffalo Sabres writes Tim Graham of the Buffalo News.
- Bruins’ coach Claude Julien expects big things from Brandon Bochenski heading into the 2007/08 season. Although after reading this Boston Globe article, maybe he doesn’t…
- Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun says the Flames may be the most intriguing team in the league.
- Cory Sarich is a horse, which is why the Flames signed him this off-season.
For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.