NHL Morning Papers (Saturday Edition): Kessel is finally a Leaf, Jerry Moyes asks for an emergency hearing, Sidney Crosby isn’t happy about the Kelly firing, Is it too early to get excited about Canucks prospect Sergei Shirokov?

Morning Papers:

• Air Canada reached a deal with the U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday that will allow the resumption of NHL sports charter flights for the 2009-10 season.
• Being in Southern California is quite a change of pace for Saku Koivu and perhaps it could be just what the doctor ordered to ensure some post season success.
• The city of Boston can finally get on with the business of hockey as the Phil Kessel drama came to an end last night with the B’s trading the young sniper to the Leafs for two 1st round picks (2010, 2011) and one 2nd round pick (2010).
• It wasn’t a good night for the Blue Jackets in Minnesota last night as Jason Chimera was carted off on a stretcher and Freddy Modin was visibly limping after the game.

  (Steve Nesius/Associated Press)

• We know that Calgary’s Dion Phaneuf can hit but why doesn’t he fight when called on to do so?
• The Colorado Avalanche are in for quite the re-building year (or years) but some flashes of what they are in for were on display as Matt Duchene showed off his skills.
• Mike Richards is hoping to return to form and is already excited about his new linemates.
• Young Justin Abdelkader is making it very difficult on the coaching staff to send him back to the AHL and he again contributed to the Wings victory this pre season.
• The Wings have signed Tomas Tatar to a 3 year contract anticipating that he will develop better under a North American system.
• Red Wings senior vice president Jimmy Devellano will be honored in New York on Oct. 21 along with New York Rangers greats Mark Messier and Mike Richter as recipients of the Lester Patrick Trophy.
• Is the love affair with Mike Comrie set to resume after his 3 point night in Edmonton on Friday?
• “Happy Wife, Happy Life” or say the saying goes and it looks like Dennis Seidenberg has made his wife (originally from Florida) happy and it appears that he will be a good fit for the Panthers.
• The goaltending competition continues at Kings training camp and at this point it is anyone’s spot to win.
• The more things change, the more they stay the same and for Niklas Backstrom that might not be such a bad thing.

  David Joles, Dml - Star Tribune Star Tribune

• Now that the Preds have lost out on Phil Kessel, the biggest question they have to be answered is where does the franchise go from here?  Do they make a trade or stand pat with the current lineup.
• If the New York Rangers are going to have any success then they will need defensemen Redden and Rozsival to step up.
• Milan Michalek was the lone bright spot for the Senators as they lost their third pre season game.
• The Sens have been looking for a number 2 center since 1992 and it looks like they will be promoting from within rather than looking towards the free agent market.
• Jerry Moyes has asked the a federal bankruptcy judge for an emergency hearing to order the NHL to mediate the “key sale issues” in the complicated case.
• Tim Wallace has been hanging around the Pens for three years and this is the season he hopes to catch on with the big club.
• You might want to sit down when you read this but local Pittsburgh product and Pens prospect Nate Guenin doesn’t have anything bad to say about the cross state rival Flyers.
• Sidney Crosby isn’t happy with the Paul Kelly firing and now he wants some answers.  While he is looking forward to the upcoming season, Sid the Kid has a crew following him around for the 2010 Olympics, but he is paying them little attention.
• While he cannot wait to get on the ice, the Sharks are going to slowly incorporate Dany Heatley into their training camp.
• Darryl Sydor isn’t ready to retire and despite the Blues having a solid defensive core, he feels that he still has enough in the tank to contribute.
• If the Lightning are to have any success this season they need Mike Smith to be sharp and apparently he was, as he led the Bolts to victory in OT.
• While everyone likes to win and nobody likes to lose, the Lightning, who went five for six during last year’s pre season, know that they need to take the time to learn lessons during camp.

  (Photo: Dirk Shadd, Times)

• Now that the Leafs have added this firepower in Kessel (even if he doesn’t play immediately), what does this mean for Toronto’s post season chances?
• Damien Cox wonders if the Leafs have seen this show before and wonders if they will be watching a replay of past Leaf blockbuster deals.
• There have been preseason prospects who have teased with either speed, playmaking ability or some level of finish and Sergei Shirokov looks to possess all three attributes. 
• Looking at some of Vancouver’s proven assets, the Sedin twins dominated in the Canucks victory over the Sharks.
• Sticking with the Canucks, Shane O’Brien put in a solid effort which earned him praise from his coach and a slice of pizza.
• The Washington Capitals won’t be relying solely on one player’s toughness now that Donald Brashear has departed, instead they will become a tough team to play against,using speed, physical play and relentlessness says GM George McPhee.