NHL Morning Papers (Friday Edition): Todd Richards finding it hard to deprogram Wild, John Tortorella defends Donald Brashear and Wayne Gretzky resignation reaction

Gretzky News

• This certainly is not the last hockey’s seen of Wayne Gretzky, writes Eric Duhatschek.
• Dave Shoalts and Paul Waldie of the Globe & Mail paint a different picture of Gretzky when it came to negotiating his original deal with the Coyotes.
• Don Cherry was not a fan of Gretzky’s decision to leave the Coyotes.
• “I think he’s finished,” is what Wayne Gretzky’s dad said about his son’s involvement with the NHL.
• Here is a look at the Great One’s time in Phoenix.
• Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic does not exactly give Gretzky a nice sendoff.
• In other Gretzky news, it looks like an interesting film is coming out detailing his trade from Edmonton to Los Angeles.

NHL News

• The Thrashers acquired Steve McCarthy on Thursday and are sending him to Chicago of the AHL.
• After a talk from coach Claude Julien, the Bruins seemed like a more motivated bunch last night.
• “As we speak today, I’d probably put him at close to a 50-50 chance,” said Julien about David Krejci playing in the season opener.

• It appears that Sabres prospects Tim Kennedy and Nathan Gerbe may begin the season on the outside looking in.
• In Calgary, Brent Sutter sent down a trio of players expected to compete for NHL spots at the beginning of training camp, but had nice things to say about them.
• Questions about whether Theoren Fleury will make the Flames still surround the Calgary dressing room.
• Tonight’s Hurricanes lineup will look very much like the one the team hopes to ice in the season opener, writes Chip Alexander.
• Milan Hejduk signed a one-year extension on Thursday that saw his salary drop by $900,000, however he was given a no-trade clause.
• Staying in Denver, it looks like Wojtek Wolski is beginning the season on the wing.
• With Alex Auld in town, the Stars are hoping to cut down on Marty Turco’s workload from last season.
• Brad May, always a favorite of Mike Babcock, has been invited to Wings camp.
• The Red Wings players, especially the Swedes, are very pumped to be beginning the season in Stockholm.
• The Oilers are trying to figure out why Nikolai Khabibulin gets so dehydrated, writes Jim Matheson.
• Matheson tells us about Rob Schremp’s game and how he was outplayed by Robert Nilsson.  (Writer’s note: I am not sure I agree with that assessment, but I’ll be post my review of the game within the next few hours.)
• Liam Reddox, a Craig MacTavish favorite, knows he will be in tough to make the Oilers.
• Panthers forward Gregory Campbell has a slight tear in his hip.
• The Kings fully back Sean O’Donnell’s decision to defend Drew Doughty and consequently receive a five-game suspension.
• Todd Richards is finding it difficult to deprogram the Wild from their usual style of play under Jacques Lemaire.

• Meanwhile, James Sheppard is happy he will be able to forecheck again under the Wild’s new system.
• Sergei Kostitsyn is playing his way out of Jacques Martin’s doghouse, writes Pat Hickey.
• Staying with Montreal, Jaroslav Halak continues to prove why he is one of the best backups in the NHL.
• Predators winger Ben Guite would love to play in the NHL for another few years, but at least he has an MBA to fall back on.
• The Devils have decided to sign Andrew Peters to a two-year deal, reports Mark Everson.
• Mario Tremblay is Jacques Lemaire’s assistant in New Jersey and not only is he a knowledgeable hockey man but he brings a contagious energy to the rink everyday.
• “Donald Brashear’s gonna be a big part of the hockey club. I just don’t think he needs to be disrespected. I think you (media) guys disrespected him when we brought him in here, I think that started the ball rolling,” said coach John Tortorella.

• Larry Brooks wonders what the Rangers are going to do on defense?
• Senators winger Alexei Kovalev thinks he hit 40 posts last year while playing for the Habs.
• Ottawa GM Bryan Murray says the trade market is pretty dry out there right now, especially for depth players.
• So long as Daniel Carcillo stays in control, he will be a big asset for the Flyers this season, explains Sam Carchidi.
• If Matt Carle wants to play with Chris Pronger, he is going to have be able to play big minutes.
• Dave Tippett is looking forward to returning to the Pacific Division and getting back behind the bench.
• He sure had his detractors, but Michel Therrien did nurture the Penguins to become a Stanley Cup contender.
• Chris Connor has opened some eyes with his play during Penguins training camp.
• Sidney Crosby left Thursday’s game early because of a groin issue but it is apparently not serious.
• The San Jose Sharks got a real bargain when they decided to sign Manny Malhotra, writes David Pollak.
• The Blues have to work on their power play before the regular season begins.
• Chris Mason is motivated to prove to Blues fans, and the entire NHL, that his second half performance last season was for real.
• The Lightning is giving Steve Downie a look in the team’s top-six if he can play with a lot of energy.
• The Lightning’s lineup from last night’s game was almost exactly how the team will look when it begins the season.
• Mattias Ohlund is very excited to be a member of the Lightning and comes to work everyday with great enthusiasm.
• Do not expect Nazem Kadri to make the Maple Leafs roster, writes Damien Cox.
• Jonas Gustavsson will make his long-awaited Leafs debut tonight.
• Cody Hodgson seems to be hurting because of off-season surgery and it may be inhibiting his chances of making the team.
• Dave Scatchard’s comeback attempt with the Vancouver Canucks has fallen short.
• In other Canucks news, coach Alain Vigneault has been re-signed for three more seasons, as management and ownership demonstrate full confidence in his coaching abilities.
• The Capitals are finally happy to have a healthy Brian Pothier back in the fold.

Other news

• Don Cherry thinks the NHL will return to Winnipeg within five-to-ten years.
• Peter Forsberg scored in his return to professional hockey yesterday in Sweden, but he was not happy with his play overall.