On the Beat: He’ll be Backlund

What team beat writers are saying this afternoon:

• James Gordon writes that Ottawa Senators head coach Cory Clouston doesn’t believe Daniel Alfredsson is slowing down and doesn’t feel that the Senators success this season hinges on him or any one other player.
  
• St.Louis Today writer Jeremy Rutherford informs us that Blues forward Yan Statsny has been asssigned to Peoria of the American Hockey League.  Rutherford has also posted the Blues lineup for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild.
• Damian Cristodero posts the Tampa Bay Lightning lineup for their preseason game tonight against the Edmonton Oilers in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Richard and I will be in attendance at this game.
• Minneapolis Star-Tribune writer Michael Russo has some notes leading up to tonight’s game between the Wild and Chicago Blackhawks, including head coach Todd Richard’s efforts to lead his team in to the post-Lemaire era.
• 2007 1st Rounder Mikael Backlund hasn’t made the Calgary Flames just yet and will start the season with the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League.