On the Beat: Hicks denies report about Hull

What team beat writers are saying this afternoon:

• If the Thrashers aren’t going to trade Ilya Kovalchuk, will they trade one of their three goalies?  Makes some sense, the question is who?
• Tom Hicks says there is no truth to the report that Brett Hull will be re-assigned within the organization.  He’s the owner so we’ll take his word for it.  To be honest, that would be quite a knee-jerk reaction if the team were to scrap Hull as GM because of the Avery situation.
• Mark Streit is taking his role as a defenseman seriously on the Island.  He’s added a nice offensive element to the Islanders’ back-end.
• Check out the Binghamton Senators’ new jerseys.  Pretty, pretty, pretty ugly.
• Chris Gratton is going to show up in Norfolk of the AHL.  The veteran wants to hold off making a decision on whether he wants to retire or not and has decided to accept his demotion.
• The Capitals’ lines from practice this morning can be found here. The team is sure happy to have Semin back on the top line.