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.

David Krejci's chances of playing in the team's opener are improving. (Picture courtesy of boston.com)

• 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.

Coach Richards is finding it difficult to change the ways of his team. (Picture courtesy of yahoo.com)

• 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.

Even Rangers fans boo Donald Brashear. (Picture courtesy of yahoo.com)

• 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.