NHL News:
- Thrashers forwards Chris Thorburn and Eric Boulton practice boxing in preparation for possible fights during the season.
- Speaking of fighters, here are some of the best fighters in hockey history.
- Columbus youngster Nikita Filatov says he wouldn’t consider going to the KHL unless he wasn’t getting any ice-time in Columbus.
- The Oilers have hired Wayne Fleming as an assistant coach.
- “As far as player personnel goes, that’s not up to us, but I don’t think they’re leaving us shorthanded with the team we have,” said Oilers veteran defenseman Steve Staios about going into next season with virtually the same team as 2008/09.
- On March 17, the New Jersey Devils are going to sport their old red, white and green colors for one game.
- “I don’t want to get into it — when it’s all said and done, that time will come,” said Dany Heatley when talking about the whole story eventually coming out. Vicki Hall of the Calgary Herald has more on Heatley’s comments.
- The State of Delaware is still hoping to offer parlay gambling options, even though a Court struck down its attempts to be able to offer single-game bets.
- Jerry Reinsdorf has bowed out of the bidding for the Coyotes and, as a result, the NHL has stepped up with its own offer.
- Judge Baum will rule in one week on whether Jim Balsillie can participate in the September 10th auction.
- If the Canucks do sign Mathieu Schneider, he would defintely help improve the team’s power play that hasn’t been good in some time.
- Stephen Walkolm is heading back to the ice to return to being a referee for the first time since 2004 when he took over as the NHL’s officiating director.
Team Canada News:
- “I had been skating back home for about 2 weeks, but not at that high level. I kind of felt that it was getting a little bit tight on me, close to the hip and groin,” said Flyers winger Simon Gagne who headed home yesterday because of injury.
- Will the Staals be part of a select brother group that have both played at the Olympics together? Regardless, the three Staal boys at the orientation camp sure came to Calgary in great shape, writes Damien Cox.
- The Canadian team will most likely have some centers playing the wing in Vancouver.
- This probably won’t be the best Canadian team ever, but it has the ability to create a lot of memories, opines Damien Cox.
- “I’m competitive like everyone else, and with Roberto and I, it’s not like we’re two centres battling for that extra couple of minutes ice time, which is what many of the guys are doing. There’s that line. One of us plays and the other one doesn’t,” said Martin Brodeur regarding his battle with Roberto Luongo for the starting netminder spot.
- “I’m an underdog, and I don’t think it’s a bad thing,” said Milan Lucic about his chances of making Team Canada.
- The reason the Team Canada orientation camp is closed to the public is because the team needs to get down to business and avoid distractions.
- Both Shane Doan and Ryan Smyth know they’ll have to have an impressive first half to crack this team.
- Mike Richards is hoping his surgically repaired shoulders hold up to the upcoming contact drills.
- “I think it’s important that he continues to play the game and have fun and play at a high level offensively — but he’s got to be real good defensively as well,” said Team Canada coach Mike Babcock about Mike Green.
- You jersey buffs should know that Sidney Crosby is sporting number 37 at this Team Canada camp.
- One thing is for sure, Team Canada is not going to be an overly old team, writes Cam Cole.
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