NHL Morning Papers (Sunday Edition): Another take on the Dany Heatley controversy, Ryan Smyth could have acted like Heatley and did the Rangers break the code by signing Donald Brashear?

NHL Free Agency

• With the signing of Rick Nash to a long-term deal, the Blue Jackets may now have a far better chance of attracting talent to Columbus, opines Aaron Portzline.
• The Wings are working on a deal with Jiri Hudler, while also looking to add a forward through free agency.
• The Islanders aren’t expected to make another splash in free agency but it is possible.
• Through free agency, trades and the draft, the Rangers are a better team today than they were heading into last season, explains Steve Zipay.
• Penguins netminder Marc-Andre Fleury thought his team would lose a lot more players than it has so far this off-season.
• Vancouver fans have to be happy after reading what Mike Babcock had to say about Mikael Samuelsson.

Trade Rumors

• Consider Kevin Paul Dupont unimpressed by the way Dany Heatley has handled his trade demand situation.
• Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is very angry at what’s been going on with the Heatley situation.
• Ryan Smyth was not surprised that he was traded by Colorado, writes Adrian Dater.
• Speaking of Smyth, he didn’t have to waive his no-trade clause to Los Angeles but he did.

Everything Else

• Larry Brooks chastises the Rangers organization for its signing of Donald Brashear.
• The Sabres have made a point of drafting toughness lately, writes Larry Felser.
• If Jerry Reinsdorf does buy the Coyotes, could his son be in charge of running the franchise?
• Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Tribune says hockey is the biggest news in Chicago in July and he’s as surprised about that as anyone.
• Things were looking great in Chicago until the team was slow in sending its qualifying offers out to a number of players, leaving the NHL to figure out whether these players may now be deemed to be free agents.
• Meanwhile, Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch says sports stars spending their entire careers in Columbus is rare.
• Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune is impressed that Wild GM Chuck Fletcher hasn’t taken any advice from any other of the Minnesota area GMs.
• Pittsburgh draft pick Andy Bathgate will be playing in his grandfather’s shadow.
• The Calgary Flames players are looking forward to playing for a coach in Brent Sutter that expects the same things out of each and every player.
• Who will be the next captain of the Habs?