Illegal Curve Hockey

Categories: NHL Morning Papers

NHL Morning Papers (Thursday Edition): Jim Balsillie vows to keep trying, Pascal Leclaire may be key to Senators’ season and Brendan Shanahan has decision to make

Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf underwent successful sports hernia surgery yesterday and is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News profiles the underrated Karlis Skrastins.
Red Wings up-and-coming netminder Daniel Larsson may have a chance to play for Sweden at the Olympics, writes George Sipple.
Speaking of Detroit, as David linked last night, the Wings have apparently offered Jason Williams a one-year contract. “To be honest, there is no time frame, but he’d like to get something done soon,” said Wade Arnott, the agent for Williams.
Just like Larry Brooks said over the weekend, Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News says that a continued pursuit of Dany Heatley is beneath a classy organization like Edmonton.
So much for Liam Reddox leaving Edmonton, as the winger signed a one-year, two-way deal on Wednesday, writes Jim Matheson. Matheson also has some interesting notes in this column about the Oilers’ attempts to trade Rob Schremp for a second round draft pick at the Draft in Montreal.
In Florida, the Panthers are close to signing an agreement to be sold, but that does not mean anything will be official quite yet.
In the land of 10,000 lakes, new Wild GM Chuck Fletcher has admitted he’d trade Josh Harding.
The Devils want Brendan Shanahan to return for another season, now the decision is up to Shanahan if he wants to sign on.
If the Senators have a rebound year, that may be most contingent on how Pascal Leclaire plays between the pipes, opines Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen.
Jerry Reinsdorf’s group that is interested in purchasing the Coyotes was unanimously approved by the NHL board of governors on Wednesday.
In other Coyotes news, the team has signed Scottie Upshall to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
It sure did not take long for the Penguins to sell out the suites at the team’s new arena.
Rick Tocchet has hired former Stars assistant coach Rick Wilson to become the Lightning’s associate coach in charge of the team’s defense, writes Damian Cristodero.
Even though his chances at purchasing the Coyotes were ended on Wednesday, Jim Balsillie vows not give up the fight for a seventh NHL team in Canada, explains Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star.
Ice Edge Holdings did not take anything negative about yesterday’s pronouncement by the NHL that the group’s bid is incomplete.
Sidney Crosby has helped out a Tim Horton’s in Alberta after a theft resulted in the Tim’s being Crosby-less.
Looking forward to the Olympics, Martin Brodeur is very excited to have Sidney Crosby on his side.
Wayne Primeau is really looking forward to moving back Ontario where he can be closer to his and his wife’s families.
Over in British Columbia, Kyle Wellwood’s agent says there is no chance his client will be a free agent as a result of this week’s arbitration hearing.