Today’s morning news:
- Kyle Calder is in tryout mode with the Ducks, despite having a number of 20 goal seasons under his belt.
- Slava Kozlov says the end is not near for his career despite entering his 18th season in the NHL, he still feels like he has a few good years left.
(Photo: AJC file)
- It is finally coming out that Phil Kessel was unhappy in Boston and Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli gives us his take on the trade that sent the Bruins sniper to Toronto.
- Perhaps a large part of why he was unhappy was due to a personality clash with his now former coach, Claude Julien, who said his only goal was to improve Kessel as a player.
- The Bruins players realize that this is part of the business of hockey and are prepared to move forward without Kessel in the fold.
- Top centers realize how important faceoffs are and the centers for Boston know that they need to increase their proficiency.
- When the season ended back in April, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff wanted his players to be more accountable and now is the time for the players to show they’ve learned the lesson.
- Time is running out to impress Brent Sutter and the Flames and for some prospects its about to get very chilly.
- New Colorado coach Joe Sacco feels “pretty strongly that Peter’s going to have a good year,” and is giving his backup the start in tonight’s preseason game against St. Louis.
- The Blue Jackets must be getting sick of stretchers as for the second game in a row a member of Columbus was carted off. This time Tom Sestito’s head hit the ground after a fight with the Predators Jordin Tootoo.
- Left handed winger Jamie Benn has already seen what life as a prospect is like and this time around he is ready to challenge for a regular roster spot.
(Photo: Dallas Morning News)
- Coach Mike Babcock has to decide whether Jimmy Howard should be Chris Osgood’s backup and last night put the goalie to the test giving him all 60 minutes versus the Sabres.
- Randy Sexton has the inside track still to become the Panthers GM and it appears the rest of the organization is happy with the progress he has been making.
- Brayden Schenn, the Kings’ first-round pick and fifth overall in the June draft, set a modest goal for his first NHL training camp.
- The Star-Tribune’s Michael Russo sat down with Greg Zanon, the 3rd best shot blocker in the NHL last season, and had quite the Q&A session.
- The Minnesota Wild’s two biggest off season acquisitions will be in the lineup today and Wild fans should be excited to see what Havlat and Sykora can do.
- After the loss to the Sens, Carey Price and the Habs still have quite a bit of work to do in order to make sure they don’t have a repeat of last season.
- Barry Trotz has a tendancy to downplay injuries so what will be his response to the possible groin injury to injury-prone Steve Sullivan.
- Speaking of injuries, the good news for Islanders fans is that Kyle Okposo is feeling better after the monster hit he suffered at the hands (technically shoulder) of Dion Phaneuf.
- Mike Fisher helped his coach celebrate his 40th birthday in style when he scored a hat trick in the Sens 6-1 victory over Montreal.
- Alexi Kovalev didn’t know where he was as he was both booed and cheered by the Sens faithful at Scotiabank Place. (Hat tip to IC reader Bryan for catching my mistake).
- He’s fast. He kills penalties. He backchecks and he has got a great shot. What’s not to like about Milan Michalek?
- Despite thousands of empty seats at Coyotes games, these aren’t enough to attract the city of Glendale to Jim Balsillie’s offer.
(Photo: Paul Connors/Associated Press)
- Who knew that Judge Baum could have so much fun in bankruptcy court.
- Danny Briere last night started showing what he means to the Flyers when he is healthy.
- The Penguins have a problem most teams wished for, too much talent at the goaltender position. John Curry will likely spend another season in the AHL despite the fact that he continues to improve.
- Despite the focus on the new season, the Penguins players and coaches love to share stories of the day they got to spend with the Cup.
- Sounds like Dany Heatley was a bit rusty last night as he saw his first action with the Sharks, although playing with Joe Thornton and Devin Setoguchi should quickly eliminate any rust.
- Call the Blues cautiously optimistic over the apparent return to form by Paul Kariya as he is still rebounding from two hip surgeries.
(Photo: Robert Cohen/P-D)
- Is Stephane Veilleux next up in the Lightning’s search for Vinny Lecavalier’s right wing?
- Tampa Bay Lightning rookie Victor Hedman has a solid support system in veteran and fellow Swede Mattias Ohlund which could be huge for his development.
- For now, Leafs Nazem Kadri has escaped the cuts but most expect Toronto’s first round pick to play this season in the OHL.
- Phil Kessel was introduced to the Toronto media on Saturday and apparently he is excited to be playing in hockey mad Toronto.
- Brian Burke has seized the moment (I refuse to say carpe diem) in his acquisition of Kessel, just another step in his plan to take the Leafs to the next level.
- If you missed the Burke/Kessel press conference, here it is:
- Michael Grabner needs a high-wire act to make the Canucks and it appears the only place he will be taking his act is back to the Manitoba Moose for a season if he keeps this up.
- Promising defencemen Karl Azner is showing the Caps that he is prepared to do whatever it takes to make the squad, even if that means mixing it up.
