On the Beat: Montreal has a lights out practice, Devils sign Rob Niedermayer, Oilers replace penalty kill, Can Schenn make the Kings?

Todays news from Beat Writers:

• Things aren’t looking great for suspended Ducks owner Henry Samueli as a plea deal he had worked out with the feds was rejected by a U.S. district judge.
• Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe is reporting that Tim Thomas was razor sharp last night against the Canadiens and will have a chance to repeat his stellar performance tonight versus Ottawa.
• Things are starting to look up for Bruin David Krejci’s chances of playing in Boston’s regular season opener next Thursday writes Stephan Harris of the Boston Herald.
• The Calgary Herald is reporting that Theo Fleury’s comeback has hit the end of the road and it appears this may be the end for the dimunitive forward.
  
• The Blue Jackets have released Doug Lynch and in good news, Tom Sestito returned to the rink, after his nasty fall, post fighting with Jordin Tootoo.
• Chip Alexander of the News & Observer is reporting that Joni Pitkanen was skating this morning with the team.
• While one older vet’s dreams of playing in the NHL have hit a snag, another, 38 year old tough guy Brad May is being given a chance with the Red Wings writes George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press.
• David Staples talks today about the Oilers throwing out the old penalty kill tactics and adopting totally new ones in their pursuit of improvement.
• Rich Hammond discusses with Kings Coach Terry Murray the possibility that Brayden Schenn makes the Kings out of training camp.
• The Canadiens had a lights out practice today writes Kevin Mio of Habs Inside/Out but unfortunately it was written literally, as the practice facility went dark.
• Predator Ben Guite will play hockey until they lock him out of the rink, but has an recently attained an MBA for life after hockey.

  (Photo: SANFORD MYERS / THE TENNESSEAN)

• The Devils just signed free agent forward Rob Niedermayer writes Colin Stephanson of the New Jersey Star Ledger.
• The Senators are bringing out the big guns against the division rival Bruins writes James Gordon of the Ottawa Citizen.
• Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wants fans to forget yesterday’s bad news (Crosby groin injury) and instead focus on the good times at the Igloo instead.