Here are the morning papers for Friday the 12th of September:
- At the press conference to announce the Habs were retiring his jersey, Patrick Roy looked back on his years as a Canadien fondly. John McKinnon of the Edmonton Journal believes Roy is only being honored for his on-ice performance not his off-ice.
- Senators off-season acquisition Jarkko Ruutu knows that his job is to continue to be a pest, writes Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen. “I’ll do whatever it takes to win,” says Ruutu. Senators GM Bryan Murray realizes that his team may have given up some skill since losing to the Penguins, but they should have more character.
- Vesa Toskala would prefer not to see a reduction in his workload, writes Steve Buffery of the Toronto Sun. Hopefully the Leafs’ new HD scoreboard will help provide fans with their money’s worth. (Writer’s note: If you are a Leafs fan, are you more excited for the refurbished arena or the refurbished team?) On point, Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher has asked the fans for patience. (Writer’s note: In other news, the Leafs fans have asked Fletcher for a new team.) No surprise here, Leafs fans are already jumping off the bandwagon.
- The Sedins felt that their dinner with GM Mike Gillis was a good one, explains Elliot Pap of the Vancouver Sun. All the Sedins really want is to be liked and wanted in Vancouver, writes Iain MacIntyre.
- Mike Cammalleri is looking forward to getting training camp underway in a week’s time.
- The Buffalo area is attempting to secure the 2011 World Junior Championships, writes John Vogl.
- The Hurricanes are ecstatic to have Eric Staal signed with the team long-term, writes Chip Alexander.
- Contrary to some text messages, Steve Yzerman is not coming out of retirement. Still with the Wings, Jimmy Howard can’t say he was happy to have seen the team sign Ty Conklin this summer but he is handling it like a true professional.
- Alexander Radulov may want to return to the Predators, writes Jessica Hopp.
- Shawn Horcoff is coming into the 2008/09 season with a point-per-game in mind.
- The hip injury that sidelined Mike Sillinger for the end of the 2007/08 season will probably keep him out of opening night action for the Islanders, reports Greg Logan of Newsday.
- Wade Redden has already erased the 2007/08 season with the Senators out of his memory.
- Max Talbot put in a good word for a friend and that has resulted in that friend getting a chance to prove himself at the AHL level.
- The Sharks have joined the Penguins and Flames and had members of the organization start delivering season tickets to their fans.
- The Blues are not lacking in prospects, so the team’s development camp is an exciting time for management to evaluate talent.
- Vinny Lecavalier may sit out a few pre-season games to rest his injured shoulder and make sure it is 100% for the regular season.
For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.