NHL Morning Papers (Thursday Edition): Saku Koivu is going to be missed in Montreal, Brendan Morrison possibly back to New Jersey and late-night calls from the Lightning

Free Agency

• Saku Koivu was offered a multi-year deal by the the Wild but did not feel comfortable with the idea of possibily overshadowing his brother, so he opted for Anaheim, writes Lisa Dillman.  The Ducks’ top-six forward group is now the best it has been since the team won the Cup, opines Dan Wood of the Orange County Register.
• Apparently the Wild offered Saku Koivu a two-year deal at approximately $8 million.
• Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette has a terrific article this morning on the type of person the Ducks are getting in Koivu.
• While he opted to sign in New York, Marian Gaborik came back to the Minnesota area yesterday to say his goodbyes.
• While David Krejci may have been able to get more money from the Bruins, he’s perfectly content with the contract he signed, explains Fluto Shinzawa.
• In Carolina, the Hurricanes hope to sign Tuomo Ruutu to a two or three year deal before his arbitration hearing.
• Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon admits that he is relieved to have signed the players involved in the qualifying offer controversy.
• It sounds like Jiri Hudler is gone to the KHL for a two-year, $10 million deal.  (Writer’s note: This move caught me off-guard, as I expected Hudler to be a very important replacement for Marian Hossa’s lost offense.  In my opinion, this is the Wings’ most important defection because it was the most unexpected.)  “He got a great offer, an offer he couldn’t refuse,” said Wings GM Ken Holland.
• The Wings lost Hudler, but did add depth on defense by signing Doug Janik.
• It sounds like the Devils are interested in signing Brendan Morrison.
• Staying in New Jersey, the team has signed Ilkka Pikkarainen to a one-year deal.
• The Lightning has signed defenseman Kurtis Foster to a one-year deal worth $600,000.

Joe Sakic’s Retirement

• Mike Modano considers Joe Sakic among the top five players he ever played against.
• Dave Krieger says that Joe Sakic was always fine with quietly getting things done.
• Peter Forsberg, Sakic’s long-time teammate, says he owes a lot to the Burnaby native.
• If you read what people are saying around the NHL, you begin to understand just how respected Joe Sakic was by his peers.
• They don’t make ’em like Joe Sakic anymore.

Claude Lemieux’s Retirement

• This time around, Claude Lemieux gets to leave the NHL on his own terms, writes Dave Pollak.
• Lemieux says that his 1995 Conn Smythe Trophy was one of his career highlights.

Development Camps

• Bruins youngster Tommy Cross was just happy to be back on the ice on Wednesday.
• The Oilers youngsters did some important team-building exercises yesterday.
• Will the Predators sign Blake Geoffrion after his final season in college?
• James van Riemsdyk isn’t driving as far as he did last year to compete in the Flyers’ development camp.
• Mike Lee, who is headed to St. Cloud State in the fall, impressed former netminder Sean Burke.
• Blues prospect Lars Eller is shooting to make the team’s roster this fall.
• The Canucks have told prospect Patrick White to stop being so nice.
• The Leafs love Tyler Bozak’s work ethic.  Sticking with the Maple Leafs, prospect Christian Hansen says it was important for him to get his college degree.

Everything Else

• Have you been getting late-night calls from the Lightning?
• Apparently Vincent Lecavelier was “never up to be traded.”
• Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen examines the changes made by the Senators, Leafs and Habs over the past couple weeks.
• Another bidder for the Coyotes?
• In Toronto, Brian Burke wants to add some penalty killers, writes Paul Hunter.
• If the Blue Jackets can, they’d like to deal a forward for a defenseman, writes Tom Reed.
• On Wednesday, the Stars acquired Alex Auld from Ottawa.  Trading Auld saves the Senators money against the cap.
• Next year you will be able to go see a Panthers game for as little as $7 per game.  In other Panthers news, the team has hired a new strength and conditioning coach.
• On the Island, John Tavares is demonstrating to the Islanders faithful just how polished he is for an 18 year old.  Make no mistake, there is a lot of pressure on Tavares to turn around the Islanders’ fortunes.