On the Beat: New defense pairings for Canada, DirecTV versus Versus and Nikita Filatov’s situation

What team beat writers are saying this afternoon:

• Bruce Dowbiggen gives readers some more information on the Versus/DirecTV squabble in the U.S., as well as his opinion on a myriad of other media related topics.  Again, these two sides need to figure this thing out.  You can’t provide casual fans with excuses to not watch games and that’s just what would be happening here.
• The issue of ice-time and Nikita Filatov should resolve itself, says Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch.  I do agree; however, I don’t see the point of Filatov’s comments regarding ice-time.  He’s too young to play that leverage card in my opinion.
• The Bruins’ rookie camp roster has been announced.  Unless you are a Bruins fans, you won’t recognize many of those names.
• Apparently the Panthers’ key players look like they are in great shape.  Good to hear if you are a Panthers fan, because the loss of Bouwmeester is huge.
• Barry Trotz envisions Joel Ward playing on the third line this season because of his all-around game.  I still think the Predators would like to sign a scorer and will see if a player like a Mike Comrie–type (although they’d prefer a winger) will sign for a cheap one-year deal.
• Two Senators front office members have been given new job titles.  Nice to see these two men work their way up through the organization.

Team Canada News:

• Scott Niedermayer for Canadian Olympic team captain?  His international success is insane, so it is hard to disagree with him as captain.  In fact, he’d be my choice.
• The forward lines stayed the same today, but the Canadian defense pairings have been changed.  To be honest, it is really hard to predict who is going to make this blue line when it comes to spots 5-7.  I suspect that the first three months of the season will play a large part in dictating those decisions.