NHL Morning Papers (Friday Edition): Letting Brendan Shanahan go was not an easy decision, Vancouver comes out flat and a call for the NHL to stop opening the season in Europe

National Newspapers:

• Even with all its warts, the hardcore hockey fan continues to keep the spirit of the NHL alive, opines Stephen Brunt of the Globe & Mail.
• Jeff Blair thinks Hal Gill is a worthy leader in Montreal.
• How much do you really know about the history of the Maple Leafs?
• Bruce Dowbiggen provides readers with the latest in the NHLPA leadership saga.
• Does Ice Edge Holdings have another chance at the Coyotes?

Canadian Teams:

• Miikka Kiprusoff was terrific last night, and that may be the difference when it comes down to who wins the division at the end of the season.
• The Flames should be the favorites in the Northwest Division because Vancouver has an awful schedule.
• Ethan Moreau (ankle) will not suit up Saturday at home to Calgary.
• Dustin Penner has flown under the radar, and he has no problems with that.
• The Oilers are going to have to improve their face-off struggles and penalty kill trouble from within.
• Jacques Martin has confidence in Carey Price and that confidence was warranted after Price’s terrific performance at the ACC last night.
• Scott Gomez talks about what he heard about playing in Montreal before arrive in La Belle Province.
• Here is an interview with Senators owner Eugene Melnyk.
• Mike Fisher has some minor aches and pains and may not be 100% for the team’s opener.
• Ron Wilson was very happy with the play of Mike Komisarek in his team’s opener.
• Poor penalty killing cost the Leafs in the team’s home opener.
• The Leafs certainly were a tougher bunch last night than at anytime last season.
• Roberto Luongo explains why he insisted on an out-clause as part of his new contract.
• The Canucks are not going to beat anyone if they start games the way they did last night in Calgary, writes Iain MacIntyre.
• Ben Kuzma tries to explain just how bad Vancouver was to begin last night’s contest.

U.S. Teams

• Scott Niedermayer is the veteran and clear leader on the Ducks’ back-end now that Chris Pronger and Francois Beauchemin now in the Eastern Conference.
• Here are five things to watch for with Anaheim this season.
• Is this the Ducks’ last real kick at the Cup with the current group?
• With contracts talks still not settled, Ilya Kovalchuk is still going to be the captain for the Thrashers.
• “This will not be the team you’re going to see night after night this year,” said Bruins coach Claude Julien after his team’s poor home opener last night.
• Coach Julien was only really happy with the play of his team’s fourth line.
• In positive news, David Krejci played in the home opener and looked quite good.
• Drew Stafford (concussion) may miss the team’s home opener, but if he does, he will almost certainly play in the team’s second game.
• Carolina’s core aren’t spring chickens, so they know this may be their last chance to win a Cup together, writes Chip Alexander.
• With all the controversy off the ice this summer, it appears a trip to Europe has brought the Blackhawks closer together, at least according to Patrick Sharp.
• “Right now, I’m really enjoying just spending time with my family,” said Joe Sakic after yesteday’s retirement ceremony.
• The crowd was loudest for Sakic’s banner, but the Avalanche played surprisingly well last night in defeating the Sharks.
• This year, pressure will be on the rookies in Denver, writes Adrian Dater.
• Don’t tell Rick Nash that Columbus is not a hockey town, writes Tom Reed.
• Unfortunately for the Blue Jackets, Anton Stralman won’t suit up in the team’s home opener.
• The Stars have signed reliable Stephane Robidas to a four-year deal.
• Joe Nieuwendyk is a natural fit as GM of the Stars, writes Mike Heika.
• Here’s what the Detroit Free Press writers think is in store for the Wings this season.
• Here are ten questions surrounding the Wings heading into 2009/10.
• Chris McCosky of the Detroit News doesn’t like the idea of starting the season over in Sweden.
• In Florida (or in Europe if you are being picky), the Panthers have named Randy Sexton GM.
• The Panthers are facing the flu in Finland it may affect their line combinations.
• Kings coach Terry Murray was impressed with Wayne Simmonds in the pre-season.
• Todd Richards has been so busy as coach of the Wild that he hasn’t really had time to reflect on everything that’s been happening around him.
• The Predators’ netminder still don’t know who will start game one of the season.
• Nashville may be without Jordin Tootoo for the team’s opener.
• With Brendan Shanahan on his way out of Jersey, the kids are taking over, writes Mark Everson.
• Letting Shanahan go was not an easy decision, said coach Jacques Lemaire.
• There will be no excuses for the Rangers this season, explains Larry Brooks.
• The writers of the Philadelphia Daily News predict the Flyers season.
• Here are five things to watch for the Flyers this season.
• Dave Tippett likes what he’s seen from Martin Hanzal since he’s been hired.
• The Penguins will celebrate last season’s Cup victory one more time tonight before shifting their focus to repeating.
• What’s next for the Penguins according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review?
• David Pollak was less than impressed with the Sharks’ opening night contest in Colorado.
• The Blues’ hardcore fans went all the way to Sweden to follow their beloved Blues.
• Mattias Ohlund has been named an alternate captain in Tampa Bay.
• The calmnees surrounding Tampa Bay this season is in stark contrast to last season and that’s how Rick Tocchet wants it.
• Washington wasted little time letting the league know they mean business in 2009/10, writes Corey Masisak.