Illegal Curve Hockey

Categories: NHL Morning Papers

NHL Morning Papers (Friday Edition): Tomas Holmstrom says the Wings are going back to the Finals, denials all around of the Heatley trade rumor and Phil Kessel apparently wants to join the Leafs

Phil Kessel is apparently done negotiating with the Bruins, explains Kevin Paul Dupont.
Staying in Boston, Milan Lucic would love to play himself onto the Canadian Olympic team.
Expectations in Boston have been raised from years prior, as the 2009/10 version of the Bruins has the Stanley Cup on the their minds.
Here is a Bruins training camp primer, courtesy of the Boston Herald.
Mike Weber wants to use his size and toughness to become a regular on the Sabres’ blue line.
Flames winger Kyle Greentree is not complaining that the organization brought in a lot of players on one-way deals, he knows it just means he has to work harder to prove himself, writes Randy Sportak.
Meanwhile, Theoren Fleury has been cleared by the NHL to pursue his comeback.

Theoren Fleury has been cleared by the NHL to attempt his comeback. (Picture courtesy of ctv.ca)

Hurricanes defenseman Joni Pitkanen will miss two-to-four weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.
Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman is eager for his first season as the boss to begin.
T.J. Galiardi has put on a ton of muscle heading into training camp this season with the Avalanche.
It looks like Stefan Legein’s comeback to the Blue Jackets organization is going quite well.
The Stars are expecting to receive a lot better production next season out of the goaltending position, after a tumultuous 2008/09 season between the pipes.
“We still like what we have in our dressing room,” said long-time Red Wings center Kris Draper about the Wings team even though the team lost a number of goal-scorers over the summer.
“For sure we are going back to the Stanley Cup Finals,” said a clearly confident Tomas Holmstrom.
Derek Meech loves being apart of the Red Wings organization, but he realizes that if doesn’t work out in Detroit, it can workout somewhere else too.
Mike Comrie admits that his first time as an Oiler, he didn’t handle things as best he could, writes Jim Matheson.
Terry Jones of the Edmonton Sun wonders why the Oilers would sign a player that does not fill any of the team’s current needs?
Many people believe that Dustin Penner will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Oilers’ coaching change.
The man who the Oilers replaced behind the bench, Craig MacTavish, will be head coach for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup.
Edmonton management likes the progress of prospect Milan Kytnar.
Panthers center Stephen Weiss is looking forward to playing this season with a healthy wrist.
Michael Russo profiles new Wild head coach Todd Richards in this morning’s Star Tribune.
The Molson family says Bob Gainey and Pierre Boivin will be kept on after the ownership change is finalized.

The Molson family intends to keep Bob Gainey in the fold. (Picture courtesy of globesports.com)

Ryan Suter would love to win an Olympic gold medal just as he dad did.
Speaking of players with good bloodlines, Predators prospect Colin Wilson made a physical impression at Predators camp yesterday.
Larry Brooks gives us the latest details on the Rangers’ negotiations with restricted free agent Brandon Dubinsky.
Dany Heatley arrived back in Ottawa last night amidst rumors that he had been dealt to the San Jose Sharks, writes Bruce Garrioch.
Heatley won’t be attending the team’s charity golf tournament on Friday because the team wants the focus on the Sens Foundation itself.
“I don’t think it’s possible to put everything behind,” said Senators coach Cory Clouston about the Heatley situation.
“We’re going to talk about it with him, obviously, and I don’t think it’s going to be an issue,” said Daniel Alfredsson about the ongoing saga.
The kid known as JVR is hoping to crack the Flyers roster out of training camp, writes Ed Barkowitz.
Carrie Watters tells readers about Judge Baum’s suggestion that he may not choose either existing bid.
Gary Bettman takes the stand in what should be a very intense hearing day, explains Dave Shoalts.

Gary Bettman will take the stand today in Phoenix. (Picture courtesy of cbc.ca)

The Penguins had a blast at yesterday’s appearance with President Obama at the White House.
The talk from the White Hous was about the needling that President Obama gave Sidney Crosby.
In roster news, the Penguins have invited former Hurricanes forward Ryan Bayda to camp.
Sharks GM Doug Wilson denies that the team has acquired Dany Heatley.
Here are ten questions surrounding the St. Louis Blues heading into the 2009/10 season.
Stephane Veilleux would love to contribute in a more offensive role in Tampa Bay than he did in Minnesota.
Apparently the Lightning is trying to bring in Adam Oates as a coach/consultant.
Damien Cox of the Toronto Star writes that he hears Phil Kessel wants to join the Leafs.
The Leafs defense is going to be one nasty group to play against this season.
Prab Rai is a local Vancouver kid that wants to make his childhood team but knows that dream will take time.
You may hear a lot about Simeon Varlamov but Capitals prospect Michael Neuvirth may be just as good.
Bruce Dowbiggen reviews the link I posted late last night of the feud between Bob McCown and Doug MacLean.