Illegal Curve Hockey

Categories: NHL Morning Papers

NHL Morning Papers (Tuesday Edition): Separate profiles of the Koivu brothers, more optimism regarding Winnipeg and is the Battle of Ontario still relevant?

In the hardly surprising category, Saku Koivu is fitting in well with his teammates, explains Eric Duhatschek.
Colby Armstrong appears closer to a return to the Thrashers lineup, and yesterday at practice he was lined up alongside Evander Kane and Rich Peverley.
Matt Hunwick got quite the surprise at practice yesterday, as he was placed on the top line alongside Marc Savard and Marco Sturm in place of Milan Lucic who was excused from practice for personal reasons.
Hunwick understands the value in versatile players when taking into account the salary cap retraints that teams face.
When Adam Mair returns to the Sabres lineup, somebody is going to be sent to the AHL that probably doesn’t deserve to go, Bucky Gleason examines those players.
David Moss doesn’t care if his goals are pretty or not, he just cares if he scores.
With Eric Cole on the mend, the Hurricanes are going to try and rely on their depth to weather the storm.
Joel Quenneville didn’t just think of the idea in theory, he put the idea of Patrick Kane on the penalty kill into practice over the weekend.
Avalanche GM Greg Sherman looks quite good after offseason signing Craig Anderson won an NHL star of the week honor.
Matt Duchene may be an 18 year-old rookie, but Adrian Dater is mighty impressed with what he has seen.

Matt Duchene is the real deal, according to Adrian Dater. (Picture courtesy of yahoo.com)

At Wojtek Wolski’s age, he is not supposed to be growing, but that is the case, writes Adrian Dater.
The Jackets did not expect it, but they’ll take four goals on four straight shots against Roberto Luongo any day of the week.
Former Blue Jackets forward Dan Fritsche has signed a minor-league deal with the team’s AHL affiliate in Syracuse.
With Brett Lebda struggling in his first two games, Winnipeg’s Derek Meech will check into the Wings’ lineup versus Chicago.
It is a young season, but once again the Wings are struggling on the penalty kill.
Ethan Moreau has an infection in his ankle, so if he cannot suit up on Tuesday night versus Dallas, then Marc Pouliot will take his place in the lineup.
“The guys were really supportive after,” said Nikolai Khabibulin about his teammates after his gaffe on Saturday.
The Oilers were happy with the play of Patrick O’Sullivan-Mike Comrie-Ryan Stone on Saturday.
The Panthers are excited to add Dominic Moore to the lineup as he provides a good defensive presence with face-off ability.
Former King Rob Blake speaks highly of Dean Lombardi and his long-term plan to build the Kings back into being contenders.
It is Washington and Pittsburgh atop Helene Elliot’s week one power rankings in the L.A. Times.
Michael Russo of the Star Tribune has an excellent profile on Wild center Mikko Koivu.

Mikko Koivu is as intense as they come. (Picture courtesy of cbc.ca)

The Wild will be opening the Xcel Energy Center doors early tomorrow to accomodate fans wanting to watch the Twins/Tigers play-in game.
Who is going to play with who on the Habs’ back-end?
In Nashville, Joel Ward (groin) returned to practice on Monday, reports Bryan Mullen.
Meanwhile, offseason acquisition Marcel Goc’s previous success playing for the Sharks is the kind of attitude Barry Trotz wants in his locker room.
For the first time since 2001-02, the New Jersey Devils have started a season 0-2, writes Rich Chere.
The Devils were done in by the Rangers’ young defensemen, writes Mark Everson.
As for the Rangers, they played the game the right way and came out on top, writes Larry Brooks.
“We need to crash the net and make it a little more difficult for the goaltender,” said Senators coach Cory Clouston heading into his team’s game tonight versus the Maple Leafs.
Ryan Shannon has a head injury and won’t be suiting up tonight for Ottawa.
The Flyers looked good against the Devils on the weekend, but now Washington, Pittsburgh and Anaheim come to town.
Even though Phoenix won the opening game of the season, Dave Tippett still has his players working on cutting down on turnovers and penalties.
You may not know much about Alex Goligoski but the defenseman is a talent and has been given the opportunity by coach Dan Bylsma to prove his worth.
Both Michael Rupp and Jay McKee have both provided the Penguins with some much-needed grit early on this season.
Ruslan Fedotenko is expected to return to practice today after sitting out yesterday recovering from a big hit on the Island.
It is early in the season, but injuries have already hit in San Jose, as second line center Joe Pavelski is expected to be out for a couple of weeks with a foot injury.

The Sharks will be without Joe Pavelski for the next couple weeks. (Picture courtesy of tsn.ca)

Eliminating jet lag is one of the goals for the Blues over the next day or two.
In Tampa Bay, Matt Smaby may not be getting the ice time he wants, but he’s not putting himself before the team.
Smaby does not seem to be in line to replace the injured Kurtis Foster, as coach Rick Tocchet is said to be considering David Hale or Lukas Krajicek for that spot.
Mum’s the word, as Ron Wilson still will not reveal which netminder will start tonight for Toronto.
“You’ll just have to come to the game and see who comes out of the tunnel first,” said coach Wilson.
Is the Battle of Ontario still relevant?
It looks like Nikolai Kulemin will find himself on the third line for tonight’s contest.
After last night’s game, the Canucks are 0-3 and their team leader in points is Willie Mitchell.
For whatever reason, the Canucks’ secondary scorers cannot get on the board.
Should Roberto Luongo be concerned with the Olympics?
Chris Clark is very happy to be back on the ice and is hoping the injury bug doesn’t hit again.
Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun thinks there is real hope for an NHL return to Winnipeg.
Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Free Press speculates as to who would be the owner of any NHL team in Winnipeg.