Here are the morning papers for Wednesday the 24th of September:
- Dustin Boyd was very impressive last night against Florida, writes Scott Cruickshank of the Calgary Herald. Boyd played with Jamie Lundmark and David Moss last night, and the line was the best forward group for the Flames last night, opines Steve Macfarlane of the Calgary Sun.
- Peter DeBoer is attempting to change the attitude of the Panthers’ dressing room. DeBoer is part of a new group of up-and-coming coaches in the NHL, explains Eric Duhatschek of the Globe & Mail. The young coach got off to a good start last night with a victory in his first pre-season game. DeBoer will have some tough decisions to make on his blue line.
- The Blackhawks announced on Tuesday that they have broken the team record of season tickets purchased for a season. On the ice, you could see the Blackhawks line up Patrick Kane at center this season.
- John Davidson was not about to start making excuses for the Blues after the season-ending injury to Erik Johnson. Johnson’s possible replacement, Alex Pietrangelo had two assists in the Blues’ 3-2 pre-season win last night.
- Paul Stastny appears to be recovering from the shoulder injury he sustained a few days ago. Meanwhile, Peter Budaj is very excited to come in to the exhibition season as the Avs’ number one netminder.
- The Wild brought Andrew Brunette and Owen Nolan to Minnesota for their on-ice and locker room abilities, writes Michael Russo. North Dakota native Danny Irmen didn’t let family and friends distract him during training camp in Grand Forks because he knows he has a job to do. So far this training camp, Nick Schultz and Jesse Schultz have been able to spend lots of family time. The Marian Gaborik contract situation continues to drag on.
- The Predators held a ticket drive yesterday. Coach Barry Trotz has been impressed with youngster Michael Santorelli.
- Randy Turner of the Winnipeg Free Press agrees with Wayne Gretzky that there are obstacles in the way of an NHL return to Winnipeg; however, he does not understand why Gretzky doesn’t speak about the obstacles of success where the NHL already is–in Phoenix.
- The Habs/Bruins game last night was a slugfest, writes Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette. Michael Ryder does not know any better than you or I, why he struggled so much last season in Montreal.
- Bill Guerin is not going to be caught babying the Islanders youngsters this season, writes Greg Logan.
- Bryan Murray once had a very bad European hockey experience with the Washington Capitals, but he feels a lot better about the Senators’ trip this year, explains Ken Warren. Coach Craig Hartsburg had the team focusing on structure at practice on Tuesday and expects a better performance from his team Wednesday night versus Philadelphia. Daniel Alfredsson (groin) will be in the team’s line up tonight, however, Mike Fisher (groin) will not. Martin Gerber got a new mask, but he is not sure he is even going to keep it.
- Mikhail Grabovski is going to get the chance to center Nikolai Antropov and Alexei Ponikarovsky in an all-Russian unit. Ryan Hollweg has brought a necessary physical presence to the Leafs’ line up, writes Lance Hornby. The former Ranger grew up in California and without a hockey-loving mom, he may not be where he is today.
- Dave Tippett says Tobias Stephan is ready to be the Stars’ back up netminder this season.
- The Canucks/Oilers game last night was not exactly what you would call intense, writes Gordon McIntyre of the Vancouver Province. Youngsters Yannick Hansen and Michael Grabner were the best Canucks on the ice on Tuesday. Matthew Sekeras of the Globe & Mail provides readers with what to expect from Canucks goaltending prospect Cory Schneider.
- New Sharks coach Todd McLellan wants to hold off on labelling himself as a certain type of coach, writes David Pollak.
- Bobby Ryan is in far better shape at this season’s training camp than he was last year, writes Helene Elliot of the L.A. Times. As a result, the Ducks are hoping Ryan can carve himself out a spot on one of the team’s top two lines. Ryan’s possible center, Brendan Morrison, is trying to fully recover from knee surgery.
- Joe Motzko wants to prove to John Anderson that he can crack the Thrashers’ opening night roster. A spot may have opened up front with the loss of Erik Cristensen to a shoulder injury.
- Shawn Thornton was out for a little revenge last night versus the Bruins and Steve Begin sure felt it, writes Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald. Helping Thornton in the physicality department will be youngster Milan Lucic who knows he can’t abandon his physical game to be a scorer. Meantime, he may seem older than 22 year old, but Bruins defenseman Matt Lashoff has an opportunity to make the Bruins as a depth defenseman this training camp.
- The Hurricanes coaching staff will be watching the defense pairing of Casey Borer and Brett Carson closely tonight, explains Chip Alexander.
- Derick Brassard and Jakub Voracek inspired confidence last night with their play against the Blackhawks. On the injury front, it has been tough luck for young netminder Steve Mason.
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press speculates as to what type of attributes the Wings will want from their final forward spot. Kyle Quincey is going to do whatever it takes to make the Wings roster, even if that means fighting.
- Exhibition or not, the Devils are always geared up to play the Rangers, writes Mark Everson.
- Wade Redden has been burned in consecutive games, writes Steve Zipay of Newsday.
- Simon Gagne is targeting Sunday as his first game back from last season’s concussion.
- Wayne Gretzky just wants his players to be themselves, writes Jim Gintonio. Gretzky would not be able to do what he does without having such a great family at home.
- As Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tells us, Michel Therrien is utilizing Sidney Crosby on the penalty killing unit now. Here are the details on the Penguins’ cuts from yesterday.
- The humble Karl Azner is trying his best to make the Capitals’ opening night line up.
- Arguably the key to the Lightning’s season, Mike Smith, made 38 saves for the Bolts last night in their 3-2 win over the Rangers. Mike Smith is trying to make his case and so is Jussi Jokinen, writes Erik Erlendsson.
For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.
