On the Beat: Rick DiPietro has entered the building

What team beat writers are saying this afternoon:

• “Andrei Markov has told management he doesn’t want to be captain“, writes Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette. You would have to believe that head coach Jacques Martin will ask Scott Gomez or Roman Hamrlik next. Who else is there? Is Carey Price going to become the next goalie/captain?
• The rebuilding (?) New Jersey Devils appear to be giving several rookies a serious look early at training camp, including defenseman Alexander Urbom (2009 3rd Round Draft Pick), forward Patrice Cormier (2008 2nd Rounder), forward Alexander Vasyunov (2006 2nd Rounder) and right winger Vladimir Zharkov (2006 3rd Rounder). Okay, the Devils are never rebuilding but with the departure of Brian Gionta and subsequent retirement of Bobby Holik, the Devils will surely have a few new faces on forward this year.
• Rick Dipietro was practicing with the New York Islanders today. Dipietro’s got 99 problems but a long-term mega-contract ain’t one.

  Isles goalie Rick DiPietro is practicing with his team at training camp this week. (Picture courtesy of thehockeynews.com)

• Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe has posted an interview on his blog (conducted by writer Emily Sweeney) with new inductee in to the  Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Fred Cusick. Please view this YouTube clip of Fred Cusick calling several of Bobby Orr’s memorable goals.  Listening to this gives me goosebumps.
• Florida Panthers head coach Peter DeBoer asked ‘Canes head coach Paul Maurice for his opinion on defenseman Dennis Seidenberg before the team signed him.
• The Chicago Blackhawks will be using a triumvirate of goalies for their final two preseason games and season-opening games against the Florida Panthers in Europe, writes Tim Sassone of the Chicago Daily Herald. Get your passports ready boys!
• Adrian Dater blogs about Avalanche training camp. Must-read material for Colorado hockey fans!
• Former Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish may be using his new job at TSN as a resume-enhancer.