NHL Morning Papers (Thursday Edition): Babcock switches up his lines, the Monster wants to be Leafs #1, Predators might be interested in Chelios and drama in Phoenix continues.

Team Canada:

• Move over Jarome Iginla, as Martin St. Louis, the guy who beat him in 2004, took his spot with Crosby and Nash as Babcock begins switching things up.
• John Tavares isn’t feeling any pressure to make the Canadian Olympic squad and won’t allow the fact that he would be the youngest ever, get him to buckle.
• Eric Duhatschek explains that injuries are just part of the game and that it will continue to be important all the way to the start of the games.
• There is going to be plenty of competition for a blue line spot this time around as only 3 players are returning from the 2006 team.
• One guy who should likely be a lock for one of the above positions would love to win Gold for Canada in his own backyard.
• The 40-plus Olympic hopefuls in Calgary this week are having all kinds of fun together and it’s all being done in the name of chemistry.
• Intensity and ingenuity remain on display at Team Canada’s Olympic orientation camp in Calgary.
• But it looks like the players were allowed to have some fun, including Crosby fishing and Iginla golfing.
• It’s not just about the Men as Hayley Wickenheiser reminds us.
• Canada’s three hockey teams out together for the first time.

General NHL:

• The Boston Bruins reward long-time season ticket holders by not raising the cost of tickets, although for new fans, costs are increasing.
• The Monster wants to be the Leafs undisputed #1 goaltender when the season gets underway.
• The Vancouver Canucks and goaltender Roberto Luongo are under a Sept. 13 deadline to agree to new contract terms.
• The Detroit Red Wings want their fans to start thinking about hockey and buying season ticket packages, and they are hoping that this will begin, this weekend, at Hockeyfest 2009.
• One Red Wing who would like to be able to party but instead is still recovering from a concussion is Andreas Lilja.
• The Predators would like to use young prospects to fill holes in their defensive corps, but would look at veteran players, like Chris Chelios, if the need became apparent.
• Cory Clouston wants to look Dany Heatley in the eyes before deciding whether to rip the ‘A’ off the disgruntled winger’s chest.
• Looks like Simon Gagne should be ready for the Flyers training camp which starts on September 12th.
• Sticking with the Flyers, Ray Emery is apparently all smiles and very happy that he was chosen by Philadelphia for this upcoming season.

Phoenix Situation:

• The NHL’s reputation is taking a beating and they cannot expect the citizens of Arizona to line up in droves to support the team, simply because they purchased it.
• It appears that the league is prepared to spend $140 million to purchase the Coyotes and could still see them leaving Phoenix.
• The CBC aptly uses the Wile E. Coyote parallel when describing the ongoing battle between Balsillie and Bettman.
• Shane Doan says the Coyotes staff are on “pins and needles” as they await word of the fate of the team. 
• According to a report by KPNX-TV in Phoenix, the city of Glendale has spent more than $800,000 US so far in legal and consultant costs in an effort to keep the Coyotes.
• If the franchise ends up moving to Toronto, playing out of the Maple Leafs’ home would help keep non-hockey profits in MLSE’s coffers and might be one way to convince the powers that be in Toronto that there is a way to make this situation work for them.
• It doesn’t appear that the NHL throwing its “hat in the ring” is worrying the other non-Balsillie offer.
• All 3 offers that are currently “out there” are sized up by the Arizona Republic’s and last night’s Illegalcurve radio guest Carrie Watters.
• Ultimately though the man with all the answers is Judge Redfield T. Baum regarding the city’s NHL franchise.

Minor Hockey:

• Chris Byrne steps into the spotlight for the Ottawa 67’s as he takes over for legendary coach Brian Kilrea.
• The Rochester Americans, who were one of the worst team’s in the AHL, expect to have a much improved on ice product and want to show it off to the fans by televising all 40 home games next season.