NHL Morning Papers (Saturday Edition): Devils hope to name new coach by next week, John Tavares mania hits the Island and Wayne Gretzky fights to keep records private

Free Agency

• Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal tells readers that there are still some quality NHL free agents on the market.
• The Ducks have signed defenseman Steve McCarthy to a one-year, two-way contract.
• Sabres coach Lindy Ruff is happy with the way his team is currently constructed, writes John Vogl.
• Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville is very excited to have Marian Hossa join his roster.
• The Jiri Hudler case is under investigation.  Wings GM Ken Holland says he is “on the sidelines” for this decision.
• Former Oilers defenseman Mathieu Roy has signed on with Scott Howson and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
• The Habs added some size to their lineup on Friday, with the signings of Travis Moen and Paul Mara, explains Dave Stubbs.
• Mark Everson of the NY Post provides a small bit of information on newest Devils signee Yann Danis.
• Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen wonders what the signing of Alexei Kovalev will be like off the ice for the Senators?
• Penguins GM Ray Shero had eyes for Jay McKee and McKee and is agent had eyes for the Penguins, so a deal was consummated fairly quickly.  Money was not an issue in the McKee signing, writes Mike Prisuta of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
• Brian Burke is hoping Rickard Wallin has a little bit of Mikael Samuelsson in his game.
• Newest Lightning signing Antero Niittymaki says his hip isn’t 100%, but it is also not a problem, writes Damian Cristodero.  Niittymaki wasn’t sure who started the rumors that he was off to the KHL, but he claims they weren’t true.
• Brendan Morrison was only offered one-year contracts around the league, and Washington was one of the teams he was interested in signing with, so things have a way of working out.

Development Camps

• Thrashers prospect Angelo Esposito has really developed a two-way game over the past few seasons.
• Bruins prospect Ryan Button has heard “no” before, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to work hard.  Staying in Boston, Matt Dalton has had an adventurous development process.  Adventurous or not, Dalton has some skills.
• With some openings up-the-middle in Denver, former Golden Gopher Ryan Stoa knows of the possibilities ahead of him.
• Wild prospect Tyler Cuma is expected to stay in the CHL next season.
• Islanders coach Scott Gordon is happy to see the excitement surrounding John Tavares on the Island.  Former Islanders great Bryan Trottier is impressed with what he’s seen of Tavares so far.
• Blues netminding prospect Jake Allen is hoping to make a name for himself over the next couple years.  Meanwhile in the St. Louis system, Ian Cole isn’t sure if he wants to turn professional or not yet.
• The Maple Leafs have liked the progress made by goaltending prospect James Reimer.  Meantime, Leafs prospect Robert Slaney has been inspired by Daniel Cleary’s resilience, as both as from Newfoundland.
• So far Dave Gagner’s responsibilities of developing prospects for the Canucks has gone quite well, writes Elliot Pap.

Everything Else

• Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch feels like the Blue Jackets are better set up around Rick Nash than ever before.
• Lou Lamoriello is hoping to name a new head coach of the Devils by some time next week, explains Rich Chere.
• The NHL is expected to announce the Winter Classic teams and location on Wednesday.
• Is a Canadian looking to buy the Coyotes and keep them in Phoenix?  More Phoenix issues have arisen, as a U.S. Trustee is skeptical of the lack of bidding for the Coyotes.
• Still with Phoenix, Wayne Gretzky’s lawyers are fighting the attempted release of Gretzky’s financial information.