NHL Morning Papers (Tuesday Edition): Dean Lombardi talks honestly about Alexander Frolov, Marian Gaborik sits out and no lack of motivation for the Leafs

• After a season where he found himself on three NHL teams, Steve Eminger is hoping to finally settle down in Anaheim.
• Drew MacIntyre knows he has a tall task ahead of him if he wants to make the Thrashers team.
• “For us to succeed, he has to at least match or exceed the level he was at last year,” said Thrashers coach John Anderson about Bryan Little.
• Bruins center David Krejci says there is a 10% chance he will be able to play on opening night of the NHL regular season.
• Dennis Wideman became a polished two-way defenseman under coach Claude Julien last season.
• Theoren Fleury will not be dressing for the Flames’ pre-season opener against the Oilers tonight.
• Steve Macfarlane of the Calgary Sun writes a good column about the distraction that has been Fleury’s attempted comeback.
• Mark Giordano is looking forward to getting back into game action, but he knows that he has to perform well from the outset, as many players want his job.
• Brent Sutter has everyone moving in the same direction, writes Allan Maki.
• Here are the Flames’ projected lines for tonight’s contest.
• It is hard to set a better example than Hurricanes captain Rod Brind’Amour.
• With Nikolai Khabibulin now in Edmonton, Corey Crawford wants to lock in the Hawks’ backup netminding job.
• Matt Duchene is making a great impression at Avalanche camp, writes Adrian Dater.
• It looks like Scott Howson and Antoine Vermette’s agent are close to agreeing to a contract extension.

• If the Blue Jackets are to move forward, the team is going to need good performances from Derick Brassard, Jakub Voracek and Steve Mason.
• Marty Turco is happy with the way Marc Crawford is treating his netminders, writes Mike Heika.
• With Andreas Lilja for what looks like a long time, Jonathan Ericsson’s presence on the Wings’ back-end becomes even more important.
• The Wings lost speedy center Darren Helm for two-to-four weeks with a shoulder injury.
• Lubomir Visnovsky’s right arm is still not 100%, even though his surgery was last February.
• It looks like Patrick O’Sullivan is getting the first chance to play left wing on the Oilers’ number one line.
• Speaking of the first line, Shawn Horcoff is not going to think about his salary anymore and is instead, just going to play his game.
• Gilbert Brule knows he has to do something to differentiate himself from the many other players vying for a depth spot on the Edmonton roster.
• Rob Schremp is getting a fresh chance in Edmonton to prove to the team’s new coaching staff that he deserves a spot on the NHL roster, explains Jim Matheson.
• Both the Panthers’ coach and GM are excited to have Dennis Seidenberg now in the fold.
• Can Panthers youngster Shawn Matthias realize the potential many believed he had when he was drafted by the Red Wings?
• Los Angeles GM Dean Lombardi had some interesting comments about Alexander Frolov, explains Helene Elliot.

• Brent Burns wants to put the 2008/09 season behind him, as the talented defenseman foresees a far better 2009/10.
• Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune hints that the Wild’s training camp invitation to Petr Sykora will result in a contract.
• Barry Trotz says David Legwand and Martin Erat are capable of posting 65-70 points.  (Writer’s note:  Don’t bet on that.)
• Jacques Lemaire was a lot happier with the second day of Devils camp than the first.
• With the season still two weeks away, the Rangers see no reason to rush Marian Gaborik (tightness and soreness) into the lineup.  (Writer’s note: Wild fans are probably happy they are done with this kind of stuff.)

• The Brandon Dubinsky contract issue continues, as Larry Brooks states that Brandon Dubinsky’s request for his team equipment to use while he practices on his own, was rejected.
• Do not be surprised to see Jonathan Cheechoo lineup alongside Jason Spezza this season in Ottawa. 
• Cheechoo’s attitude is a welcome addition to the Senators locker room.
• As David linked yesterday, here is another story on Joe Frazier meeting Ray Emery.
• Ulf Samuelsson continues to run Coyotes camp, as Wayne Gretzky’s status is still up in the air.
• It is only news because it is Sidney Crosby, but the superstar is trying out a new stick.
• Coach Bylsma has been happy with what he’s seen from his Penguins early in training camp.
• Surprise, surprise; Dany Heatley is most likely going to line up alongside Joe Thornton, says coach Todd McLellan.
• D.J. King is the resident tough-guy in St. Louis, writes Jeremy Rutherford.
• Reports say that Brad Winchester looks better than ever so far this training camp.
• Martin St. Louis really is the emotional leader of the Tampa Bay Lightning, writes Damian Cristodero.
• Bolts netminder Mike Smith may have been critical of his own effort, but he’s happy to be back on the ice after last season’s concussion issues.
• With so many pending free agents after this season, Damien Cox makes a very good point about motivation and the Leafs roster.
• If Nazem Kadri does not crack one of the top two forward lines, Leafs coach Ron Wilson says he won’t make the team.
• Ian White knows he is in tough with the numbers game on the back-end in Leafs land.
• Sergei Shirokov impressed all with his two-goal performance at yesterday’s NHL pre-season opener for the Canucks.
• The Sedins sounds excited to be joined by Mikael Samuelsson this season.
• Meantime, young center Cody Hodgson is feeling better injury-wise, reports Ben Kuzma.
• Chris Clark of the Capitals is feeling good and is excited about the upcoming season, writes Corey Masisak.

The IllegalCurve.com Radio Show is tomorrow night with guests Ron MacLean of Hockey Night in Canada and Will Carroll of Puck Prospectus.