Youngstown Phantoms

Team Canada News: Roy MacGregor of The Globe and Mail tells us that our Prime Minister Stephen Harper has a much less difficult task than Steve Yzerman as the National Drama gets set to begin. Stevey Y will be keeping his options open, and even those players not invited to camp, will still be on his radar for Team Canada. This time around Ryan Smyth is feeling lucky just being invited and knows that he isn't assured a spot on the roster despite his past play. We're told that there are few shoo-ins for a spot on the roster for Team Canada says Sun reporter Steve Macfarlane. The issue of insurance for players continues to be up for discussion but when you look at these players, you can understand why teams would be hesitant to lose them prior to the start of the NHL regular season. Mark Spector over at Sportsnet Ontario rightly suggests that for the next four days, it is about to get crazy, as Canadians from across the land, discuss the tinest details of Team Canada, from who should be captain to when was the last time any of the guys had to try out for a team. If you would like to vote for who you think should be captain, head on down to the CBC. Continuing with the idea of multiple storylines, Jeff Marek, who is down in Calgary for the CBC talks about everything from who will dawn their first team Canada jersey, who is the third goalie and which grit players will crack the roster. Meanwhile Dany Heatley arrived in Calgary early and despite attempts to get him to talk about his trade request, he chose to focus on making Team Canada, and earning some redemption after the loss in 2006. Nashville Predator Shea Weber is excited for his upcoming opportunity to make the team and will be making the most out of this opportunity. NHL News: Bruce Dowbiggin writes that the recent war of words between RIM's Jim Balsille and Senators owner Melnyk exposes all that is wrong in the NHL today. Sticking with Balsillie, he ranks pretty high, in terms of overall owners with the most money. The Coyotes' Don Maloney is doing what he can despite the uncertainty surrounding his team. As if the NHL lawyers didn't have enough to worry about, the Major Sports Leagues continue to put the pressure to Delaware to prevent it from allowing but parlay bets on National Football League games starting Sept. 1. Despite the fact that the mercury is probably hitting 100 in North Carolina, the Canes players are already skating and looking to re-bound from last season's defeat at the hands of the Champion Penguins. Nicklas Lidstrom tops the list of Top Defenceman over 35 and would likely still be on a similar list even if you removed the age aspect of the list. The Minnesota Wild are set to unveil the team's third jersey. Over at nhl.com they make a case for the Penguins to repeat as cup champs as they look at the Pens prospects and do a recap of the 2009 NHL entry draft. Penguins strength and conditioning coach Mike Kadar took the Cup back to Elnora, Alberta. Minor Hockey: It isn't just NHL training camps that will be getting underway soon, as the Peterborough Petes' training camp is set to start Wednesday with plenty of questions to be answered about roster spots. The Windsor Spitfires received their Memorial Cup rings on Sunday. The Red Deer Rebels Swedish import, John Persson, is impressing the crowds with his smooth skating and quick hands. The USHL Youngstown Phantoms will be holding a tryout to determine who will be the purple dragon mascot next season.

NHL Morning Papers (Monday Edition): Team Canada insanity begins today, Steve Yzerman is the man right now and perhaps the Phoenix situation could have been resolved with some civility!