NHL Morning Papers (Friday Edition): A classy goodbye for Joe Sakic, Radim Vrbata wants back into the NHL and could Dany Heatley actually return as a Senator?

Free Agency

• “This team has won the Cup recently and so many good young players and veteran players. I’m real excited to be on a team that knows how to win,” said newest Ducks defenseman Nick Boynton.  The Ducks didn’t really concern themselves with Boynton’s troubles in Florida, writes Dan Wood.
• Jiri Hudler filed his KHL contract on Thursday.
• Jim Matheson has the story of Ales Kotalik leaving the Oilers for the Rangers.  David Staples says Kotalik wasn’t a great fit in Edmonton.
• Kotalik could find himself on a line with Chris Drury, writes Steve Zipay of Newsday.  The signing of Kotalik is yet another sign that Nikolai Zherdev is on his way out of town, writes Larry Brooks.
• The Sabres signed Matt Ellis to a one-year contact on Thursday.
• The Wild has signed its first round pick from 2008, Tyler Cuma, to an entry-level deal.
• It appears the Penguins could be close to signing former Blues defenseman Jay McKee, reports Shelly Anderson.
• The Sharks have now officially signed Rob Blake and Kent Huskins to new contracts.
• Victor Hedman formally signed his rookie contract on Thursday.
• The Leafs are close to signing center Rickard Wallin to a contract.  “He is a good centre man and a good locker room guy too. He is a good, mature player,” said Jonas Gustavsson about Wallin.
• Calgary made a couple minor signings on Thursday.

Development Camps

• Bruins prospect Jeff LoVecchio has left his concussion problems behind him just as Patrice Bergeron has done.  Meanwhile, Bruins prospect Zack Hamill needs to get bigger and stronger if he wants to make an impact in the NHL.
• Predators much-heralded prospect Colin Wilson may begin the season at the AHL level.
• John Tavares can finally get rid of the microphone and strap on the skates for the Islandes, explains Greg Logan.
• Meanwhile, in Vancouver, Cody Hodgson is going into next season’s training camp with a roster spot to lose.
• Size doesn’t matter to Oilers prospect Tony Rajala.

Joe Sakic Retirement

• Eric Duhatschek runs down the many Joe Sakic career accomplishments.
• Sakic admitted yesterday that health was the biggest reason for his retirement announcement.
• Adrian Dater provides readers with an hour-by-hour account of Sakic’s retirement day.
• Woody Paige keeps it simple by thanking Sakic for his time in Denver.
• Here is a transcript of Sakic’s retirement speech.
• Remember when Joe Sakic almost ended up as a New York Ranger?
• Sakic’s plans in retirement center mainly on time with his family and especially his kids.

Everything Else

• According to Eugene Melnyk, it is still possible we could see Dany Heatley as an Ottawa Senator next season.
• If Radim Vrbata returns to the NHL, it won’t be with the Lightning, writes Damian Cristodero.
• Wayne Scanlan of the Ottawa Citizen says the Canadiens organization lacks a vision.
• Bruce Arthur of the National Post has an interesting piece on Wayne Gretzky.
• Could the Blue Jackets and Sharks be perfect trading partners?
• The Stars have released the team’s pre-season schedule for next season.
• The Wings have released their pre-season schedule as well.
• Staying in Detroit, Justin Abdelkader will have plenty of opportunity to become a Red Wings regular next season.
• The Oilers acquired a conditional draft pick on Thursday.
• The Panthers announced their pre-season schedule yesterday and it sure encompasses a lot of travel, writes George Richards.
• The Flyers have named John Paddock the team’s new assistant GM.
• Darren Pang will be moving from Phoenix to St. Louis to become the Blues’ color commentator next season, reports Jim Gintonio.  As a result of this move, Bernie Federko will find himself at ice-level when he calls home games for the Blues.
• In other Phoenix related news, the NHL is claiming that Jerry Moyes is trying to derail the sale of the team.  Speaking of the sale, is there another bidder now in the picture?
• Pierre Lacroix was using a cane at Joe Sakic’s retirement announcement but the good news is that his health is getting better.