NHL Morning Papers (Wednesday Edition): Bob Gainey is not the most popular man in Quebec, Jay Bouwmeester does not mind the lack of attention and are the Leafs worth all the hype?

• Erik Christensen is hoping to return from his shoulder injury for the final three games of the pre-season.
• Ondrej Pavelec is expected to get the start tonight for Atlanta, writes Chris Vivlamore.
• Mark Popovic is hoping he can crack the Thrashers roster after a season in the KHL.
• Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference stands behind the NHLPA’s decision to fire union boss Paul Kelly.
• Could Blake Wheeler be the man to replace Phil Kessel on the number one line in Boston?
• Who is going to replace Aaron Ward as Zdeno Chara’s partner in 2009/10?
• It is amazing to think that Henrik Tallinder is the longest-serving Buffalo Sabre.
• If Theoren Fleury makes the Flames, merchandise sales will go through the roof, writes Doug McIntyre.
• Fleury has not yet been offered a contract by the Flames, explains Steve MacFarlane.
• “I want us to play like a team. It shouldn’t matter which guys go over the boards — you’re structured to play the same way,” said new Flames coach Brent Sutter.
• His Flames teammates are ecstatic to have Jay Bouwmeester on their side this season, as he has formed a comfortable partnership with Robyn Regehr on the back-end.

Jay Bouwmeester does not mind the lack of attention he is receiving in Calgary. (Picture courtesy of yahoo.com)

• The Blackhawks’ Adam Burish has a torn ACL and will be lost to the team for six months, writes Dan McGrath of the Chicago Tribune.
• Both Craig Anderson and Peter Budaj have excelled for the Avalanche so far this pre-season.
• The Blue Jackets were really impressed with the play of Nikita Filatov last night in the team’s exhibition win over the Bruins.
• Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch has been blown away with the play of 2009 first round pick John Moore at training camp so far.
• Meanwhile, Jackets GM Scott Howson is trying to figure out why there are so many injuries at Jackets camp.
• Which Stars netminder is going to be the starter for the team’s AHL affiliate?
• Even if Dan Cloutier does not make the Red Wings, which seems likely, his play may garner some interest from other NHL teams or teams in Europe.
• Here is a recap of last night’s Wings loss to Philadelphia.
• Both Todd Bertuzzi and Jason Williams returned to the Red Wings lineup last night, as the Wings are beginning to get healthier.
• Ryan Stone continues his attempt to crack the Oilers’ roster, writes Jim Matheson.
• Matheson also looks at the Oilers roster so far and tries to determine what Pat Quinn has learned about this group so far.

Pat Quinn has some big decisions to make in Edmonton. (Picture courtesy of tsn.ca)

• Even if it may not be fair, contract dollars will play a factor in the Oilers’ decisions over the next week.
• “We have no excuses now. People were blaming the coaching staff last year, but that definitely wasn’t it. Getting new coaches is just like a new start,” said Oilers defenseman Tom Gilbert.
• The Panthers were excited to add Stephen Reinprecht to the fold this off-season and Reinprecht was excited to be joining the Panthers, writes Steve Gorten.
• The Wild sent Tyler Cuma back to the OHL on Tuesday, writes Michael Russo.
• Russo also has an interesting profile on Wild fan-favorite Cal Clutterbuck.
• Bob Gainey is certainly not the most popular man in Quebec.

Bob Gainey did not score well on a Quebec survey. (Picture courtesy of cbc.ca)

• It looks like Max Pacioretty will make the Habs out of training camp.
• You need to take a look at the picture of this corn maze that pays tribute to the Habs.
• Nashville has brought in Francis Bouillon on a tryout agreement until he proves he is healthy enough to play, then the team will officially sign him to an NHL deal.
• With Colin Wilson fighting off a groin injury, it may inhibit his chances of proving himself enough to make the Nashville roster, writes John Glennon.
• Which Devils youngster is going to replace Brian Gionta on the wing this seasons, wonders Mark Everson of the NY Post.
• Martin Brodeur is slated to make his pre-season debut tomorrow night, writes Rich Chere.
• With Brandon Dubinsky’s new contract comes more pressure and expectations.
• If the Rangers are to improve this season, the team has to improve on its 29th ranked power play.
• It looks like both Peter Regin and Erik Karlsson are going to make the Senators roster out of training camp.
• Meantime, Senators GM Bryan Murray is happy with the progress of Pascal Leclaire so far at camp.
• “He’s just an energetic, positive guy – both on the ice and in the locker room,” said Flyers GM Paul Holmgren about Ole-Kristian Tollefsen.
• James van Riemsdyk scored two goals yesterday against Detroit to move himself closer to a roster spot with the Flyers.

JVR has impressed the Flyers brass this pre-season. (Picture courtesy of yahoo.com)

• Many around the Coyotes are excited by the team’s hiring of veteran coach Dave King, explains Jim Gintonio.
• In roster news, the Coyotes demoted former Ranger Ryan Hollweg to the AHL.
• Meanwhile, Brett MacLean has apparently played well enough at Phoenix camp to earn a roster spot for 2009/10.
• The Penguins are happy with their three signings of Brent Johnson, Jay McKee and Michael Rupp this off-season, writes Shelly Anderson.
• Meantime, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma likes what he sees out of 23 year old Nick Johnson.
• Mark Emmons of the San Jose Mercury News explains why the captain “C” is so important in hockey.
• Patrik Berglund and Keith Tkachuk have switched spots on the Blues forward lines, reports Jeremy Rutherford.
• Here is the latest on the Lightning’s ownership issues with Oren Koules and Len Barrie.
• Rick Tocchet likes Andrej Meszaros, but wants him to improve some of the defensive aspects of his game.
• Damien Cox admits there is great optimism in Leafs camp but he wonders if there are facts to back up such optimism?
• “I’m a little bit under the radar but I’m fine with it,” said Leafs center Rickard Wallin.
• The Leafs’ “Frat Pack” has been impressing Ron Wilson, writes Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun.
• Nazem Kadri got the Leafs fans going crazy twice last night, even though Ron Wilson says it was not one of his better games.
• Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province takes a good look at whether Cody Hodgson is ready to be up with the big club.
• Both Brendan Morrison and Mike Knuble are trying to become more comfortable with their new surroundings in Washington.

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