Gretzky News:
- Has the league failed Gretzky or has Gretzky failed the league?
- Hockey Canada is seeing Phoenix’s loss as their gain, as they hope to have the Great One increase his involvement within the organization.
Eastern Conference:
- The changes the NHL has undergone have allowed for smaller, skilled players to make the cut and in Bruins camp, 21 year old Brad Marchand is making his case to stay with the B’s this season.
- The work ethic shown by Buffalo’s Matt Ellis has earned him some praise from head coach Lindy Ruff and Ellis in turn speaks glowingly of the team.
- It is often easy to get seduced by an exciting start for a young player who would be better served playing big minutes in the minors instead of small minutes on the team’s 4th line and the Hurricanes need to stick with their plan and keep Brandon Sutter in Albany to continue his development.
- Coach Pete DeBoer hopes to minimize the effect that the Panthers trip to Finland will have on his squad while at the same time allowing his players to appreciate the experience.
- Everyone is quite eager to see what will happen with the social experiment that Bob Gainey & Jacques Martin have going in Montreal this season.
- The Habs are hoping that Mike Cammalleri can be their little big man.
- Good news for Islanders fans as Kyle Okposo has returned to skating after suffering a massive hit by the Flames Dion Phaneuf.
- Despite whatever his coach may have said about him or his agent, it appears that Brandon Dubinsky is off to a quick start with the Rangers.
- After last night’s loss, the Ottawa Senators are scheduled to start making cuts to get the roster in line. Although it appears the biggest cut was to Chris Neil’s face after a few Lucic punches…
- Looks like the Flyers might be putting high priced defencemen Randy Jones on waivers which will free up some cap space for the team.
- Penguins backup goalie Brent Johnson downplays his knee injury suffered in an exhibition game versus the Leafs saying “I would have been back for the third period,” had it been a regular season game. Sticking with Pens injuries, Sidney Crosby didn’t participate in the 90 minute team practice yesterday.
- Tony Granato‘s former standing as a player is holding him in good sted with his new charges and he feels that it will be easier because Pittsburgh’s relative youth.
- The contest for the 7th Penguins defensive spot is down to two (Nate Guenin or Deryk Engelland) as Ben Lovejoy who was also in the running injured his shoulder and will likely be out for a few weeks.
- Long shot Lightning prospect Jamie Wright might have the right stuff for the Bolts this season as he tries to crack the roster.
- Coach Ron Wilson tried to dampen his excitment over the development of Leafs prospect Viktor Stahlberg but it seems after tonight’s 2 goal performance in Detroit he can’t hold back the praise any longer.
- His excitement about Stahlberg though didn’t prevent him from saying, that as opposed to last year’s training camp, Tomas Kaberle isn’t fat coming into camp.
- ‘Archie’ Irbe returns, tutors Capitals’ Russian goalie Semyon Varlamov.
Western Conference:
- Back when Brian Burke was GM of the Anaheim Ducks, he apparently made three contacts offers to Steve Moore, someone he had referred to as a “marginal player,” “grinder,” and “minor-leaguer,”.
- The Flames were doused on Theo Fleury‘s dream for a return to the NHL on Friday as it appears that despite his head, heart and hands being sufficient, his legs just couldn’t handle the rigours of today’s NHL game. Now while the Flames did give Fleury a look, the next question being asked is if they gave him a fair chance. That being said, looking at some of the other options teams without the Flames depth have, couldn’t Fleury improve them?
- Marian Hossa is doing everything in his power to hasten his rehabilitation from July 24 rotator cuff surgery, but unfortunately that means he is forced to miss the European leg of the Blackhawks season opener. These same Hawks finally saw the first pre season win courtesy in part by a strong effort from Patrick Kane.
- As per usual it will be the fans on the receiving end of this short changing, as the Avalanche season opener on Versus might not be seen by fans with DirecTv as the dispute continues between the broadcasters.
- Jason Chimera will be undergoing neurological tests today to determine if he can resume exercising after he was carted off the ice in Minnesota last week.
- Attorneys for Steve Moore want Stars coach Marc Crawford to testify in civil court that he took his orders from Brian Burke, “his tough-talking boss who also advocates in favour of violence in hockey.”
- The above story goes from Dallas to Detroit as the Wing’s Todd Bertuzzi is named in the suit by Moore being brought in the Province of Ontario.
- As the Wings get ready to depart for Sweden, has anyone informed Wings coach Mike Babcock of the Euro curse?
- Wild GM Chuck Fletcher isn’t panicking just yet as the Minnesota players haven’t fully begun to implement Coach Todd Richards game plan. One player who should thrive under the new system is defencemen Kim Johnsson whose high price tag (2nd only to Backstrom on the team this year) has drawn criticism.
- Opening night at jobing.com arena is on Oct. 10th and the Phoenix Coyotes are looking to sell out and they are currently offering lower bowl seats for $25 and fans will receive a “Welcome Back WhiteOut” shirt.
- However it still appears to be quite a tough sell as some try to get rid of Coyotes tickets.
- Despite the fact that the Ducks held out players like Getzlaf and Niedermayer, there were still many things to be happy with said Sharks coach Todd McLellan.
- The St. Louis Blues are finally starting to understand Coach Andy Murray bigger picture and his record of 101-85-32 over past 2 seasons would seem to justify that trust. The Blues signed veteran defenceman Darryl Sydor yesterday to a one year, one million dollar contract.
- While some have called him a “can’t fail” prospect, it appears that Cody Hodgson has been reading too many press clippings and hasn’t been worried about his on-ice play as he has failed to impress Canucks brass.
- While one Canucks super rookies stock has fallen, it appears anothers is on the rise as Sergei Shirokov, however he will still need to dazzle in Alberta this weekend to ensure a spot on the regular season roster.
- One player who will not be on the Canucks roster is veteran forward Mark Parrish who was released by Vancouver on Friday.
- It appears that Canucks coach Alain Vigneault has decided that Andrew Raycroft‘s performance this pre season has all but assured he will backup Roberto Luongo this season. This notion is substantiated with news out of Winnipeg, that it is looking like Cory Schneider will be back with the Moose this season.
* For the record his name was spelt differently in a number of sources:
NHL.com has him listed as Stahlberg on his player page & his draft page.
Maple Leafs web site has him as both Stalberg (Player Roster/Player Page) and Stahlberg (Player Page, heading).
CBC.ca, TSN, Torono Sun all have him listed as Stalberg.
Back of his jersey says Stalberg.