Chris Connor

I have to be honest, I'm not sure how much predictions are worth. Nevertheless, they make for an interesting read. Thus, we at Illegal Curve are going to provide you with our predictions for the upcoming NHL season. Without further ado, here are our predictions: Note: We will be reviewing these predictions at season's end. On to the morning papers: The Red Wings have demoted Igor Grigorenko to the AHL because they would rather him get into game action than sit up in the press box; George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press has the story. The Rangers have demoted Al Montoya to Hartford of the AHL writes Larry Brooks of the NY Post. As Damien Cox tells us in this morning's Toronto Star, Paul Maurice has more important things to worry about than the gridlock on Toronto freeways. Meanwhile, Maurice has yet name a starting goaltender for Wednesday night's game versus the Senators. Mats Sundin is hoping his efforts to pass Darryl Sittler on the Leafs' all-time goals list don't hit a wall like the end of last season. Mark Bell is hoping to return to the lineup on November 6th in Ottawa writes Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun. With so many young, up-and-coming players at Habs' camp, Jack Todd of the Montreal Gazette details the difficulty of cracking the Habs' roster. Bob Gainey is clearly in charge in Montreal writes Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette. Patrick Kane will need some time to adjust to the systems played in the NHL writes Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune. Milan Lucic impressed many at Bruins' camp and as a result the youngster has made the Bruins' final roster. Meanwhile, coach Claude Julien has yet to decide who is going to start in between the pipes for the team's first game of the season. Kari Lehtonen will be starting in net for the Thrashers' season opener versus Washington writes Craig Custance of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. As Tim Graham explains, Lindy Ruff has his roster set, however, that does not mean he won't be tinkering with the Sabres' lines throughout the season. Mike Keenan doesn't put much stock in the Flames' preseason record. Although some say the Flames may be too old to compete for the cup, the team believes that age is just a number. Mike Commodore is one season away from unrestricted free agency and as Luke Decock of the News Observer explains, it is something he is quite aware of. Ken Hitchcock is one of Kris Russell's biggest fans writes Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch. Sam Gagner has a contract in hand so his next goal is to stick with Edmonton for the entire season. The impressive play of the Oilers' younger players led to the team's release of Anson Carter. Terry Jones of the Edmonton Sun tells us that Coach MacTavish is giddy about the team's young talent and sees their youthful exuberance rubbing off on their veteran teammates. Just because Chris Connor was demoted by the Stars on Monday doesn't mean he didn't impress the Stars' brass writes Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News. Avs' youngster Tyler Weiman has earned the backup goalie spot to Peter Budaj heading into the season; however, once Jose Theodore is ready to go, Weiman will be sent to the AHL. With nine players coming up on unrestricted free agency, it is sure to be an intriguing season in Minnesota writes Michael Russo of the Star Tribune. Michael Cass of the Tennessean informs readers that the deal to keep the Predators in Nashville appears to have fallen apart. Steve Gorton of the South Florida Sun Sentinel has an interesting piece on the budding relationship between Florida teammates Nathan Horton and Olli Jokinen. Rich Chere of the Newark Star-Ledger warns Devils' fans that may not recognize the style of play from their beloved team under new coach Brent Sutter. This, of course, is not a bad thing. The Islanders are still contemplating some roster decisions writes Greg Logan of New York Newsday. As Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun informs us, it sure didn't take long for the big three to be reunited in the nation's capital. The Sharks are excited to have a fully healthy Craig Rivet in the lineup heading into 2007/08. According to Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jordan Staal has been promoted to Pittsburgh's number one line. The Capitals have signed Tomas Fleischmann and demoted Ben Clymer. Of note, Fleischmann is expected to play on the number one line with Oveckin and Kozlov. Today is d-day for impressive rookie David Perron at Blues' camp. Generally a team that avoids injuries, the Lightning have uncharacteristically been on the mend all preseason. The Coyotes are hoping to put last season behind them writes Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic. Jason Smith has been named captain of the Philadelphia Flyers; Tim Panaccio of the Philadelphia Inquirer has the story. Mason Raymond and Ryan Shannon are ecstatic to have made the Canucks' roster. For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

NHL Morning Papers: Prediction time