Illegal Curve Hockey

Categories: NHL Morning Papers

NHL Morning Papers (Monday Edition): Word on the Leafs’ offer for Phil Kessel, Dennis Seidenberg close to deal with Panthers and are Senators better without Heatley?

Last season’s performances won’t factor into Randy Carlyle’s decision as to who will start in net for the Ducks this season.
Staying with Anaheim, Carlyle also said that he foresees starting the season with Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu playing on the same line.
Thrashers coach John Anderson says the number one goaltending spot is up for grabs.
Atlanta superstar Ilya Kovalchuk is hopeful a contract extension can be agreed on with the Thrashers organization.
Bruins winger Blake Wheeler put on 15 pounds of muscle this off-season to try and help him avoid hitting the wall near the end of the upcoming campaign.
Patrice Bergeron wants to return to his lofty offensive totals in 2009/10, writes Fluto Shinzawa.
Kevin Paul Dupont reports that the Leafs have apparently offered two first round picks and a second round pick for Phil Kessel.
The Sabres finally signed Drew Stafford on Sunday, as the former UND Fighting Sioux winger penned a two-year deal, worth $3.8 million.
Comeback “kid” Theoren Fleury talks about his problems with alcohol and the challenges of turning his life around.
If he’s healthy, netminder Miikka Kiprusoff would love to play for Team Finland at the Olympics.
Flames youngster Mikael Backlund is focusing on the mental part of the game, explains Randy Sportak.
“I think the changes made this summer were positive changes, and I think that gives us a real strong sense of optimism and excitement heading into the season,” said Hurricanes veteran center Matt Cullen.
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville thinks Cristobal Huet will benefit from coming into the season knowing he is the undisputed number one starter.

Cristobal Huet is the undisputed number one netminder in Chicago this season. (Picture courtesy of bleachereport.com)

It appears that new coach Joe Sacco has moved Avalanche winger Wojtek Wolski back to the left side.
Blue Jackets players have come to camp with some serious intensity, writes Aaron Portzline.
In good news, the Blue Jackets have increased the team’s season ticket sales over last season.
The Stars players are trying to get accustomed to the system Marc Crawford is trying to install.
Could Ville Leino and Jason Williams replace Jiri Hudler and Mikael Samuelsson on the Red Wings’ third line?
Meanwhile, Andreas Lilji was placed on IR with postconcussion symptoms.
Pat Quinn has mixed it up this season, as he has veterans and prospects getting ready in the same dressing rooms.
Rob Schremp wants to be an Oiler, but if he doesn’t make the team, then waivers will be a factor, writes Robert Tychkowski.
Coming off a knee injury, Panthers defenseman Bryan Allen is excited to be back on the ice at training camp.
It appears the Panthers are close to signing former Hurricanes defenseman Dennis Seidenberg.
The only reason the Kings are at training camp is to make the playoffs, and they have the t-shirts to prove it.
Petr Kalus wants to make the Wild roster and is willing to do just about anything–even to teammates–to make the team.
Todd Richards is implementing a far more aggressive system for the Wild players than they played under ultra-conservative Jacques Lemaire.
Scott Gomez is impressed at the passion of Montreal fans, explains Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette.
Georges Laraque came to camp lighter than he did last season, writes Dave Stubbs.
The Predators are very happy to have Steve Sullivan back at training camp this fall.
Meantime, John Glennon describes the new Predators third jerseys, among other things.
Martin Brodeur is a fan of Jacques Lemaire’s system, even though most Devils players were confused on the first day of camp.
Devils fans should not be concerned that Parise/Zajac/Langenbrunner were playing apart yesterday, explains Rich Chere.
“Time will tell who wins the deal, it’s always like that, but it certainly looks pretty good for both sides right now,” said Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle.
Daniel Alfredsson thinks the Senators are a better team than they were before the Heatley trade.

Daniel Alfredsson thinks the Senators are better off with the return they got for Heatley. (Picture courtesy of cbc.ca)

Flyers fans have reason to be jacked up for the 2009/10 season, writes Mark Kram.
Dan Bylsma is trying Tyler Kennedy on Evgeni Malkin’s wing, as the team waits for Maxime Talbot to eventually return from injury.
Sidney Crosby respected Alex Goligoski’s intensity at practice on Sunday.
“Of the guys I’ve talked to in Ottawa, nobody has anything bad to say about him,” said Dan Boyle about Dany Heatley.
Heatley and the Sharks both have an opportunity to remake their image, opines Eric Duhatschek.
Aaron Palushaj has surprised the Blues brass, but is likely to still begin the season in the AHL.
Just how good is Victor Hedman?
Lightning coach Rick Tocchet is happy with the way training camp has gone so far.
Jason Allison’s best chance at making the Leafs may be because Brian Burke teams generally don’t rush young players.
If the Leafs want to turnaround last season’s fortunes, goaltending will play a big part in that.

The Monster could change the Leafs' fortunes this season. (Picture courtesy of sportsnet.ca)

Toronto has also added more scouts to the team’s staff.
Here are the top four defensemen for Toronto this season: Mike Komisarek, Tomas Kaberle, Luke Schenn and Francois Beauchemin.
Phil Kessel’s agent was around Leafs camp, so talk of Phil Kessel’s possible arrival has not simmered.
The Canucks may be playing Terrace, but Willie Mitchell doesn’t know where that is.
Capitals forward Tomas Fleischmann has a blood clot in his leg, but luckily is going to be alright.