Illegal Curve Hockey

Categories: NHL Morning Papers

NHL Morning Papers (Thursday Edition): Peter Forsberg bests Brett Favre, Sean Avery takes a shot at 2008/09 Rangers and Ron Wilson tells Leafs fans to simmer down

In Atlanta, Nikolai Antropov continues to make management look like they made the right move bringing him in.
Former Bruin Brad Park is unhappy with the decisions made by current Bruin Andrew Ference when it comes to the NHLPA firing of Paul Kelly.
The Bruins are still unsure of whether David Krejci will be able to start the season or not.
Theo Fleury is pulling a comeback at 41, but Mark Recchi has played right through and the 41 year old is still quite productive.
Jochen Hecht came to Sabres training camp with a different, more upbeat attitude, writes John Vogl.
What would the impact on Buffalo be if a team came to Hamilton?
In Calgary, Miikka Kiprusoff has not exactly had the most stellar pre-season.
Here is the report card for last night’s Flames game versus the Oilers.
Still with the Flames, Theoren Fleury added another point last night to maintain his point-per-game pace.
Brandon Sutter has played so well at Hurricanes camp that he may be playing himself into a top-nine role.
Adrian Dater tells us that Peter Forsberg hopes to sign with an NHL team before October 1.

Peter Forsberg does not want to call it a career just yet. (Picture courtesy of cbc.ca)

Staying in Denver, will Chris Durno finally crack an NHL roster at age 29?
The Blue Jackets players were willing to do anything this summer that would see them improve their conditioning over last season, writes Tom Reed.
Dallas coach Marc Crawford sees a lot of himself in Steve Ott, the only different is that Steve Ott has talent.
The Red Wings line-up has yet to be decided as the team moves closer to its trip to Sweden.
“When we get home we’ll be fatigued. There is no question about that,” said coach Mike Babcock about the Wings’ trip to Sweden.
Pat Quinn is still unsure of how the Oilers forwards will line-up this season, writes Joanne Ireland.
Edmonton was beat in the face-off circle and between the pipes last night in the team’s loss to Calgary.
A positive from last night’s contest was the play of J.F. Jacques who lined up alongside Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky.
Skating in his first pre-season game, it sure looked like Radek Dvorak hadn’t missed a beat.
Ethan J. Skolnick found it difficult to not like Panthers GM Randy Sexton.
Sean O’Donnell was suspended for five games by the NHL on Wednesday.
Mammoth Wild defenseman John Scott has impressed at training camp and the coach even knows his name.
In Montreal, Patrice Brisebois has decided to call it a career.

Patrice Brisebois has decided to retire. (Picture courtesy of Radio Canada)

Here is an interesting article about Jacques Martin’s attempts to change the culture of the Habs.
Kansas City showed no interest in being home to an NHL team, writes Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette.
Nicklas Bergfors has continued to improve through training camp and Jacques Lemaire has noticed.
Sean Avery believes he can be in the Rangers line-up for opening night.
Avery also went on to say that last year’s Rangers team was not as close as some believed.

You cannot say Sean Avery doesn't speak his mind. (Picture courtesy of weblogs.com)

The Senators new second line is Mike Fisher-Peter Regin-Alexei Kovalev, at least for now.
Riley Cote should have no concerns of not making the Flyers after comments from GM Paul Holmgren solidfied his position with the team.
The Coyotes are planning a “Welcome Back White Out” for the first home game of the seaseon.
Everything is okay with Dave King after a scare in Washington yesterday.
In Pittsburgh, Alex Goligoski could find himself paired with Jay McKee to start the season.
In fact, Goligoski is one of the team’s three offensive minded defensemen.
For whatever happened in Ottawa, Dany Heatley is feeling positive about his new surroundings and won’t be bringing any of that alleged “baggage” into the room.
“He’s come around so much … the way that he presents himself and the way he carries himself,” said Blues veteran Keith Tkachuk about David Perron.
Martin St. Louis wants his team to start playing the right way before the season begins.

Martin St. Louis knows his team cannot just turn it on. (Picture courtesy of cbc.ca)

Lightning netminder Mike Smith was happy he survived a collision and did not feel any effects of his past concussion troubles.
With so many people at Lightning camp, roster decisions have to be made.
Jiri Tlusty hasn’t blown away anyone at Leafs camp but after scoring a goal against Buffalo last night the team is hoping that gets him on the right track.
If you don’t know Leafs prospect Viktor Stalberg you should get to know him.
Ron Wilson tells the Leafs media and fans to simmer down when talking about Nazem Kadri.
Alain Vigneault is not concerned about Willie Mitchell and Sami Salo’s age.
In other news, the Canucks continue to be perfect in the pre-season.
Corey Masisak writes about the retirement of long-time Capitals goaltender Olaf Kolzig.
“I think all 10 of [the defensemen still in camp] are capable of playing in the NHL on a regular basis,” said coach Bruce Boudreau.
Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press advises Winnipeg hockey fans to save their money and stay home, instead of paying significant dollars to watch exhibition hockey.