SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF - NHL.comflyers.nhl.com/v2/ext/07.08.2011 nhlc.pdf2011/07/08 · 574959...

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 7/8/2011

Atlanta Thrashers 574893 Family draws Ramsay back to Florida

Boston Bruins 574894 Time on Dougie Hamilton’s side 574895 Tommy Cross finds future look 574896 On lookout for next star

Buffalo Sabres 574897 Sabres sign goalie MacIntyre 574898 Barnaby sentenced to community service, counseling

Calgary Flames 574899 Flames prospect Negrin hopes time has come 574900 Flames prospect has already travelled a tough personal journey 574901 Flames GM far from finished 574902 Czech mate rejoins friend with Flames

Chicago Blackhawks 574903 New Hawk backs Konerko 574904 Hayes makes big impression on Hawks 574905 Blackhawks have their eyes on promising Hayes brothers 574906 Hawks’ prospects trying to make an impression 574907 Familiar connections surface at Hawks camp 574908 NHL to shake up Central Division alignment?

Colorado Avalanche 574909 Varlamov says injuries are behind him, sees team back in playoffs 574910 Inspired by Roy, Semyon Varlamov introduced as new Avalanche goalie

Columbus Blue Jackets 574911 NHL notebook: Jackets deal Blunden to Canadiens for Russell's twin brother 574912 Islanders veteran added to Blue Jackets' blue line

Dallas Stars 574913 Stars finish development camp with skills competition today

Detroit Red Wings 574914 Red Wings sign free-agent forward Chris Conner 574915 GM Ken Holland: Red Wings to announce two assistant coaches on Friday 574916 Wings draft pick Tomas Jurco a Net sensation with big potential 574917 Wings coach Mike Babcock poised to add two assistants Friday 574918 Wings sign Westland native Chris Conner to one-year deal 574919 Red Wings sign forward Chris Conner to one-year deal 574920 Red Wings development camp in Traverse City offers potential glimpse of future talent

Edmonton Oilers 574921 Oilers rookie centre Lander models play after Red Wings’ Zetterberg 574922 Nugent-Hopkins to play in Penticton prospects tournament 574923 Of mosquitoes, Musil and Marincin: the Oilers development camp

Florida Panthers 574924 Original Florida Panthers assistant coach Craig Ramsay happy to be ‘home’ 574925 Will Florida Panthers’ makeover translate into success? 574926 Panthers re-sign Santorelli to one-way deal 574927 Panthers hire Ramsay as assistant coach 574928 Panthers' season-ticket prices probably will be raised

Los Angeles Kings 574929 Potential roster, by the numbers

Minnesota Wild 574930 Leipold talks Latendresse, Fletcher, realignment on KFAN

Montreal Canadiens 574931 Habs’ Subban says trip to quake-ravaged Haiti a life-changer 574932 Habs add veteran forward Brian Willsie 574933 Montreal Canadiens pick Nathan Beaulieu starstruck at development camp 574934 Canadiens make two minor moves

Nashville Predators 574935 Nashville Predators re-sign free agent foursome

New Jersey Devils 574936 Devils suspend operations of minor-league affiliate Trenton Devils 574937 Carbonneau waiting on Devils 574938 Devils re-sign Greene, Hedberg; will cut others

New York Rangers 574939 Hoping Moves Pay Off After Free-Agent Frenzy 574940 Rangers reunite Brad Richards, Ruslan Fedotenko, former Stanley Cup winners with Tampa Bay Lightning 574941 Serby's Q&A with Brad Richards

Ottawa Senators 574942 Scanlan: Sens’ summer optimism tempered by winter realism 574943 The livin' is easy for Sens in summer

Philadelphia Flyers 574944 Flyers sign Simmonds to 2-year contract 574945 Parade of Hall of Famers to enter Philly Sports Hall 574946 Sources say Flyers shopping goalie Bobrovsky 574947 Flyers sign former first round goaltender 574948 Malone, Howe headline Philly Sports Hall of Fame class 574949 HOWE ABOUT THAT HALL OF FAME CLASS? 574950 McCAFFERY: Mark Howe lives up to dad’s big dreams 574951 Flyers ink Simmonds to two-year contract 574952 First-round pick Couturier aims to make Flyers 574953 Flyers' Read hopes to follow in JVR's footsteps

Phoenix Coyotes 574954 Andy Miele looks to impress Phoenix Coyotes at prospect camp 574955 Phoenix Coyotes promote Sean Burke to director of player development and goaltending coach

Pittsburgh Penguins 574956 Razing Civic Arena to cost $2.9 million 574957 Red Wings sign former Pens wing Conner

St Louis Blues 574958 How much can Arnott, Langenbrunner add to Blues? 574959 Langenbrunner, Arnott say they have a lot to give

Tampa Bay Lightning 574960 Bolts bolster roster by signing Shannon 574961 Stronger Connolly hoping to turn heads 574962 Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman says roster set, for now 574963 Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman says roster is set (for now) after signing RW Ryan Shannon

Toronto Maple Leafs 574964 Leafs sign Dupuis 574965 The breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks of wannabe champions 574966 Leafs’ Biggs headed for bigger, better things 574967 Leafs sign Phillipe Dupuis, Matt Lashoff to one-year deals 574968 Heard of this guy? Undrafted rookie making noise at Maple Leafs camp 574969 Feisty German impresses Leaf scouts 574970 Mem Cup rivals now on the same team 574971 Leafs' prospects go all out

Vancouver Canucks 574972 Canucks stay home for training, but ship their young stars to Penticton 574973 Canucks mine for diamonds in the rough 574974 Canucks' rookie Jensen focuses on opportunty in the corners 574975 Ebbett takes one-way Canucks offer for 'security' 574976 Canucks ink D-man Sulzer to two-way deal 574977 Archibald looking to make big impact as Canucks' prospect 574978 Canucks release 2011 pre-season schedule 574979 They're Swedish, they're twins but they're no Sedins 574980 Canucks sign Panther D-man Alexander Sulzer 574981 Canucks sign goaltender Matt Climie 574982 Canucks Young Stars Tournament announced

Washington Capitals 574983 Statistical analysis: The importance of Alexander Semin 574984 Washington Capitals announce development camp schedule, roster

Websites 574990 NBCSports.com / City of Glendale’s Mayor: “what would life be like with no team in the arena?” 574991 YAHOO SPORTS / ‘Perfect storm’ sparks NHL summer spending spree

Winnipeg Jets 574985 Jets prospects to play in pre-season tourney 574986 Gregoire signs deal with his hometown Jets 574987 Ex-coach Ramsay slams Jets owners 574988 Jets blueliner has brush with royalty 574989 Gregoire signs with Jets

SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129

574893 Atlanta Thrashers

Family draws Ramsay back to Florida

By Chris Vivlamore

In a sense, Craig Ramsay is going home.

Ramsay grew up outside Toronto and spent 22 NHL seasons in Buffalo as a player and coach. He found warmer confines in 1993 when he went to Florida to help start the expansion Panthers. Ramsay, and several of his children, established roots in Florida.

The NHL life took him to other cities — Tampa, Philadelphia, Ottawa, Boston and Atlanta — but now he is going back.

The former Thrashers coach was announced as an assistant coach with the Panthers on Thursday. Ramsay coached the Thrashers for one season before the franchise was sold and relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Ramsay interviewed for his position, but was not hired.

“It is kind of like going home,” Ramsay said. “A couple of other teams and I had discussions, but this seemed to make the most sense. It felt comfortable. It just seemed to be the right fit.”

Ramsay’s son, Travis, lives in Fort Lauderdale. He and his wife are expecting their first child in December. Ramsay’s son, Brandon, is a teacher near Tampa, just a few hours away. Ramsay won the Stanley Cup as an assistant with the Lightning in 2004.

Ramsay knows Florida vice president and general manager Dale Tallon from their playing days. Also on new coach Kevin Dineen’s staff is assistant Gord Murphy, who was a player for the Panthers during Ramsay’s two seasons (1993-95) with the team. Defenseman Ed Jovanovski also has returned to the Panthers, where he spent his first four NHL seasons. He was coming up in the organization when Ramsay was there. The connections made for an easy return.

“We are pleased to welcome Craig back to the Florida Panthers family,” Tallon said in a statement. “He is a brilliant hockey mind and brings to our organization a wealth of hockey experience having served as player, head coach, assistant coach and director of player personnel.

“Craig’s vast knowledge of the game will be an asset for hea coach Kevin Dineen, our entire coaching staff and all our players.”

Ramsay, who had one year remaining on his contract to coach the Thrashers, said he thought briefly about taking a year off.

“I just really wanted to get back to work,” Ramsay said.

In other news regarding former Thrashers:

General manager Rick Dudley accepted a front-office position with Toronto.

John Torchetti, who spent last season as the Thrashers’ associate coach, has been hired to coach the Houston Aeros, the AHL affiliate of Minnesota.

Clint Malarchuk, who was the Thrashers’ goaltender coach last season, was hired by Calgary in the same capacity.

Captain Andrew Ladd signed a five-year, $22 million contract with Winnipeg just before the restricted free agent could have filed for salary arbitration. Winnipeg officials have said Ladd will remain captain of the Jets.

Zach Bogosian, Blake Wheeler, Arturs Kulda, Spencer Machacek and Ben Maxwell, other restricted free agents, received qualifying offers from Winnipeg.

Anthony Stewart and Rob Schremp did not receive qualifying offers and became unrestricted free agents. Stewart signed a two-year, $1.8 million deal with Carolina.

Radek Dvorak signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with Dallas.

Eric Boulton, Freddy Meyer and Noah Welch remain unrestricted free agents.

Ben Eager, who began last season with the Thrashers and was traded to San Jose, signed a three-year, $3.3 million deal with Edmonton.

Niclas Bergfors, who began last season with the Thrashers before being traded to Florida, signed with Nashville.

Drew McIntyre, who was brought up from the minors as a second goaltender because of injuries last season, signed with Buffalo.

Atlanta Journal Constitution LOADED: 07.08.2011

574894 Boston Bruins

Time on Dougie Hamilton’s side

By Stephen Harris | Friday, July 8, 2011 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Boston Bruins

WILMINGTON -— The Bruins’ annual development camp is all about first impressions.

And the initial assessment on Dougie Hamilton, the first-round choice (No. 9 overall) in the recent NHL draft, is that he’s a tall and skinny kid with plenty of skill but isn’t going to contend for a big league job for a year or more.

The first step: Adding to his 188 pounds, and eventually, Hamilton hopes, getting to 220 or 230.

“A big boy, (who) moves really well for a kid that’s 6-foot-4,” said Don Sweeney, the B’s assistant general manager, who is running this camp.

“I like his overall approach to the game. He looks like he wants to get up ice and he’s conscientious about his one-on-one play. It’s a small sample size, obviously, but based on all of our games we watched him play, he’s a well-rounded player who has a lot of room for continued development. So we’re really excited to have him.”

Hamilton’s very excited.

“It was definitely pretty fast out there,” he said. “(There were) a lot of older guys who are obviously pretty strong. But it was a lot of fun in the middle of the summer to get out there and play at full speed. There were a bunch of OHL guys I’ve played with or played against. It’s to have people here you know.”

Although he will attend the B’s main camp, and maybe play in one or two exhibition games, it’s quite likely Hamilton will return to his Niagara IceDogs OHL team next season.

“Whatever the staff wants to do with me, and whatever is best for my development, I’m happy with it,” he said. “I just want to be a dominant player in the NHL one day. Whatever it’s going to take, that’s what I want to do.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 07.08.2011


Tommy Cross finds future look

By Stephen Harris | Friday, July 8, 2011 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Boston Bruins

WILMINGTON — Tommy Cross has been a part of the Bruins’ development camp for as long as the camp has existed.

His first one was five years ago at age 17, a few days after the big, mobile, talented and tough defenseman was drafted by the B’s early in the second round of the 2007 draft.

Unfortunately for Cross, it was also a short time after he damaged his right knee sliding into third base of an American Legion baseball game, and was merely an off-ice spectator at the first rookie camp.

That was the start of knee woes that would hamper the big youngster from Connecticut for years. But now, almost 22, Cross is healthy and strong, headed back for his senior year at Boston College, where he will captain the Eagles.

And he is the most experienced and advanced player at the fifth annual mid-summer camp for young hopefuls, which opened yesterday and runs through Monday. The daily sessions are open to the public.

“There’s been a lot of growth since that point,” said Cross of his first camp in ’07 and the path he’s followed since. “It was a good starting point, and then I continued to learn the second year, the third year, the fourth year. I’m still learning a lot.”

Some of his teammates in that first camp were Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Tuukka Rask, and Cross said it doesn’t bother him that those guys have become NHL stars and Stanley Cup champions, while he has encountered some bumps on his path to the NHL.

“You want to keep moving along that path,” said Cross. “But I also look at it as, you’ve got to enjoy the process. Take pride in getting down that path and how you do it, whether it takes one year for some guys or four, five or eight years for other guys. It’s about making sure you’re always moving down that path.”

No doubt, the knee injuries, which required three separate surgical procedures, slowed his progress. Even as he played well for the Eagles, at times it seemed he was playing on one leg.

“It takes time, it just takes time,” he said of the knee woes. “Over time it just gets better and gets stronger. The farther you are away from it, the better off you’re going to be. Anyone who’s gone through this knows it’s not something that’s going to get better overnight.”

Throughout the injury battles, the Bruins remained confident Cross will have an NHL future.

“Tommy looks in real good condition,” said B’s director of player personnel Scott Bradley. “He looks like he’s ready to make that next step. We’re looking forward to watching him play. He’s got to get over the stigma of the injuries. Hopefully he’s going to be healthy from here on in, and we look forward to him making a run here.”

Cross is thrilled that he should finally get to play as a professional after BC’s year is done. Which is not to say he isn’t also thrilled to have one more year under Jerry York at The Heights.

“I’m so excited for this year,” said Cross. “I love Boston College. It’s a great place to learn and get better. The coaches there, the team we’ve got, the culture, it’s fun to be a part of. I’m excited for my senior year.”

Did he consider, after posting 7-11-18 numbers in 28 games last season, leaving early to turn pro?

“As a hockey player, obviously your goal is to play in the NHL, but I certainly wasn’t rushing anywhere,” said the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Cross. “Like I said, I’m in a great situation at BC. I love it there. I’ve got to get better and that’s a great place to get better, and try to go for another (NCAA) championship this year.”

As for the Stanley Cup won by the Bruins, the team had no more absorbed and excited fan than Cross.

“People ask, did I watch? I think I watched every second of it,” said Cross. “I don’t think I missed a period. It was unbelievable watching that playoff run. Just how well they played, all the things the team went through, it was just so impressive. It was incredible to watch. Being from New England and being a Bruins fan growing up, that was reason enough to feel part of it.

“And being in the Bruins organization, it’s just fun to be a part of it, to watch those guys and learn from them and hope to be in their shoes someday.”



On lookout for next star

A chance to shine

By Stephen Harris / Bruins Notebook | Friday, July 8, 2011 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Boston Bruins

WILMINGTON — Fans at the Bruins’ annual development camp will be asking the obvious question: Who is this year’s Milan Lucic, David Krejci or Blake Wheeler? Who will emerge from the pack and, who knows, maybe even take the first steps toward making the team next year?

“We hope someone does that,” said the B’s director of player personnel Scott Bradley. “We hope that happens every year. There are a few good kids in this group who maybe could force us to have some tough decisions to make. Those kids will hopefully go on to the main camp and maybe get to play in some exhibition games.

“I’m going to say there’s probably 3-4-5 kids who legitimately have the chance to prolong their stay into the exhibition season. Look at Ryan Spooner. He had such a good camp last year he made it tough on the coaches to send him back.”

If you had to predict one kid will do that this year, it could well be the multi-talented Spooner. The 5-foot-101?2, 185-pound 19-year-old posted 25-37-62 numbers in 50 games last season for Kingston (OHL), then skated with the Providence Bruins for three games on an amateur tryout basis and got two goals and an assist.

Winger Jared Knight, like Spooner a second-round pick a year ago, also played three late games with Providence (0-2-2), and had a good OHL campaign (25-45-70).

One trait the 5-11, 200-pounder brings: A willingness to take the puck hard to the net. That was in evidence yesterday, when he crashed the net and absolutely annihilated goalie Michael Hutchinson.

After being down for a couple of minutes, Hutchinson headed off aided by trainer Derek Repucci. He was OK.

The unfortunate NHL/juniors rules mean anyone must return to his junior team if he does not remain with the Bruins.

Local wonder

Just imagine what this camp must be like for 17-year-old Milton Academy senior-to-be Robby O’Gara, the B’s fifth-rounder, 151st overall.

O’Gara is a 6-2, 185-pound defenseman for the New England prep champions, and headed to Yale. He admitted he felt a little intimidated coming in, but didn’t look out of place skating with kids who’ve played college or junior hockey.

“You start off the drills and it’s fast-paced and quick,” said the Long Island, N.Y. native.

“But once you get settled in, there’s a comfort level there. I’m just doing what I love to do. This is great. This is going to be great experience.”

Get with it

The most challenging part of last year’s camp was the off-ice workouts and tests conducted by a group called “The Program.” The players were put through some difficult endeavors, notably group exercises in the pool at UMass-Lowell.

This year, the program is not here, and players are getting off relatively easy.

“They get to shoot some paintballs at each other (today),” said Sweeney. “They’ll have a little social media and how to deal with you guys (the press) and the rest of the world. We’ve got a nutritional cooking class set up for them, community service, you know, a little different twist than what we had on last year.

“Again, just kind of stretch and pull in different directions and just see what these kids are made of in that regard.”

Plenty of room

The crowd at Ristuccia Arena wasn’t as large as last year, when the rink was packed with fans getting their first look at Tyler Seguin. Crowds will probably grow Sunday and Monday when scrimmages are scheduled. Call 617-624-1910 for details.


574897 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres sign goalie MacIntyre

Goalie brings vital experience

By John Vogl

The hockey development process has a few general guidelines. Forwards are usually ready to see the NHL during their second season as a pro. Year Three is a solid bet for defensemen.

Goaltenders? Let's just say there's a lot more sand in the hourglass.

The most vital position is usually the toughest to learn. Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas played in five leagues for eight seasons before finally sticking with Boston. Buffalo's Ryan Miller, the previous holder of the Vezina, spent three years in the minors before claiming the Sabres' job (though there's no telling if he would have been ready for the canceled 2004-05 season).

So recently, rather than wait for a prospect, the Sabres have been picking up experienced netminders for the organization. That continued Thursday when they announced the signing of Drew MacIntyre.

The 28-year-old has spent the past eight seasons in the minor leagues, learning the ins and outs of the crease. He knows them well.

MacIntyre excelled last season with Montreal's American Hockey League affiliate in Hamilton, Ont. Acquired via trade in midseason, MacIntyre went 12-6-2 with a 1.89 goals-against average and .938 save percentage. He was 11-9 with a 1.95 GAA and .930 save percentage in the postseason, leading the Bulldogs to Game Seven of the Western Conference finals.

The 6-foot, 184-pounder has posted a save percentage above .920 in four of the last five seasons. A fourth-round pick by Detroit in the 2001 entry draft, MacIntyre has appeared in two NHL games. He went 0-1 for Vancouver in 2007-08, stopping 19 of 22 shots in 61 minutes of work.

He wants more. He'll compete for the Sabres' backup spot with Jhonas Enroth, the restricted free agent who remains the favorite to play behind Miller after earning nine victories last season.

If MacIntyre, who has a two-way contract, fails to win the job, he'll report to Rochester and split time with Williamsville's David Leggio. He signed with Buffalo last year after playing in three leagues in three seasons.

MacIntyre was one of three signings announced Thursday. The Sabres also brought back forwards Derek Whitmore and Colin Stuart to play in the minors. Whitmore, a Rochester-area native, had 27 goals with Portland last season. Stuart had a three-game call-up with the Sabres during a 44-point season in Portland.

The addition of MacIntyre leaves two goalies at the Sabres' prospect camp, Nathan Lieuwen and Connor Knapp, with another year to develop before turning pro.

Lieuwen, who is at Niagara University this week but isn't practicing because of recent hernia surgery, was eager to play for Rochester after completing his fourth season of junior hockey. The 19-year-old is eligible for an overage year with Kootenay, however, and the MacIntyre signing all but ensures a return to the Western Hockey League.

"It wouldn't be the worst thing. I'd get to play lots and develop, but you always want the best," Lieuwen said Thursday in Dwyer Arena. "I'm just going to go out there and play the best hockey I can, and where I end up will be the best place for me to be."

The Sabres selected Lieuwen in the sixth round of this year's draft. Passed over during his first two years of eligibility because of injuries, he finally heard his name called after helping Kootenay to the league title. He went 33-16-4 with a 2.79 GAA.

"It showed me that I've still got it," he said. "When I was younger I had a lot of confidence in my ability. For a few years there with the injuries, it was tough sledding. To have a year like this, I had all my confidence, played with all the poise and intensity that I can, and things can only go up from here."

Knapp is participating in his third prospect camp. He'll head back to Miami (Ohio) University to split time with fellow senior Cory Reichard.

"Every year you want to come in here and feel like you're getting better," said Knapp, recognizable because of his 6-5, 215-pound frame. "I'm starting to make my game more directed toward the pro level, playing deeper in the net, covering my angles better, using my size to my advantage. In the college game you might be able to play a little farther out, but once you get to the pro level guys will beat you wide and point out your weaknesses.

"I think I've developed quite a bit."

With goalies, the development takes awhile.

Buffalo News LOADED: 07.08.2011

574898 Buffalo Sabres

Barnaby sentenced to community service, counseling

Former Sabre also barred from "offensive" conduct against estranged wife

By Patrick Lakamp

The domestic disturbance case against former Buffalo Sabres player Matthew Barnaby was "over-charged" and, if he had been convicted on the initial charges, he could have been deported, Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III said Wednesday.

"He would likely have been deported," Sedita said of the retired Canadian ice hockey right winger.

That would have been too harsh a punishment, Sedita said, so prosecutors worked out an agreement in which misdemeanor counts will be dismissed within a year if Barnaby complies with a judge's conditions.

State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges ordered Barnaby to perform 500 hours of community service and to continue anger management counseling.

Haendiges also issued court orders of protection barring him from "offensive" conduct against his estranged wife and directing him to stay away from her boyfriend.

Barnaby had been charged with felony criminal mischief, criminal contempt, criminal trespass, harassment and aggravated harassment following a domestic disturbance May 13 at his former residence in Getzville. Barnaby stood accused of attempting to enter the home by kicking the garage door, causing an estimated $300 damage.

There was no physical violence toward Barnaby's estranged wife or her friend, according to Rachel L. Newton, chief of the Erie County District Attorney's Domestic Violence Bureau.

"He beat up his garage door," Sedita said.

This is Barnaby's first offense, Sedita said.

And both victims agreed to the adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, the prosecutors said.

Prosecutors agreed to reduce the charges to misdemeanor criminal mischief and aggravated harassment, and the charges will be dismissed if Barnaby complies with the court orders.

Neither Barnaby nor his lawyers, Frank LoTempio III and Michael H. Kooshoian, made any comment as they walked past cameras and reporters outside the judge's downtown courtroom Wednesday morning.

Sedita called the 500 hours of community service an unusually high level.

"It's about five times what most people do," Sedita said.

Just what Barnaby, who has worked as a hockey analyst for ESPN, will do for his community service was not described in court.

"We'll get working on those right away," LoTempio told Haendiges.

During the hearing, LoTempio called the further counseling Barnaby must attend "appropriate."

Haendiges told Barnaby to return Aug. 8 for a compliance hearing.

Buffalo News LOADED: 07.08.2011

574899 Calgary Flames

Flames prospect Negrin hopes time has come

By Scott Cruickshank

CALGARY — Take a peek at the draft grab from 2007.

The Calgary Flames’ first pick turned into a National Hockey League player, that being forward Mikael Backlund, part of the Flames’ top-nine mix.

Their fourth-rounder is an NHL presence, too. That’s Keith Aulie, now patrolling the blue-line of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Sandwiched between them?

John Negrin — who is still trying to establish himself.

Hampered by knee issues, the West Vancouver native has suited up only 69 times the past two winters in the American Hockey League.

“It doesn’t matter what age you are when you’re fighting to make it to the NHL,” says Negrin, the 70th overall selection, who did get into three Flames games during the 2008-09 season. “Age doesn’t really matter. For everyone here, they’re working hard and they want to make the team. I’ve been through it for quite a few years now.

“My main focus is getting back to being healthy. I’m finally feeling comfortable for the first time in a while out there. I’m getting my strength back. And my confidence.”

This marks his fifth appearance at the Flames’ prospects camp. Given his contract status — going into the final year of his entry-level deal — this will be his final one, too.

“Some familiar faces out there,” says Negrin. “But there are a lot of new, young guys coming through the system. Just watching them in this camp, they are very talented players. They bring a lot of skill. That’s one thing the organization is moving toward — more skilled players. I’ve been coming to this camp for years and I haven’t seen it where the young guys are this skilled, this confident.

“So it looks like they have a bright future.”

Where exactly does Negrin fit in?

It’s worth noting that the big redhead is only 22.

Long adored by former boss Darryl Sutter, Negrin is a smart and mobile defender — and has size at six-foot-three.

The overhauled organization, however, is not standing still.

Gaining traction on the defensive depth charts are chaps such as T.J. Brodie and Chris Breen.

Meanwhile, Matt Pelech and Gord Baldwin — bright lights of the past regime — have been set adrift. (Pelech, subsequently, has signed by the San Jose Sharks.)

“For a time line? I want to get (to the NHL) as soon as possible,” says Negrin. “I’ve got that experience to see what guys like Jarome Iginla do, what it takes. It’s just a matter of that work ethic and believing in yourself.”

Last July, sitting on the players’ bench in the vacated Saddledome, Negrin said he had high hopes for the upcoming season.

He did make it through training camp, but immediately after pre-season, he was travelling to Cleveland for surgery. Again. For his left knee (and its cracked-up patella). Again.

“Disappointing . . . it’s difficult, but the only way you learn is by going through the tough times,” says Negrin. “It’s been about eight months (since the operation), and it’s starting to feel really good. I’m just trying to build my leg strength. This summer’s really big, just to get my strength, just to get on the ice and skate. It’s a great opportunity for me to really work hard and take advantage of it and go into (main) camp feeling really confident and good.”

The ordeal, he admits, has been a challenge.

“With injuries and stuff, you have to be confident. You’re starting from Square 1 — your leg’s half the size and you can barely skate. I try to work hard and stay positive. I’m happy with the progress and all the help I’ve had from everyone around me. I’m looking forward to moving forward.”

Negrin rejoined the Heat for its final 24 games this past winter, picking up six assists and 24 penalty minutes.

“It’s been a long year and a half,” says Negrin. “But you’ve got to be positive — it’s part of hockey and it happens to everyone. Hopefully, all my injuries are out of the way now and I can move forward and be healthy.

“All that matters now is that I’m healthy and I’m ready to play. I feel great. Things are good.”

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 07.08.2011


Flames prospect has already travelled a tough personal journey

Now the hard work really begins

By Vicki Hall, Calgary Herald July 7, 2011

Ryan Howse need only look at the tattoo emblazoned on his right forearm for the secret to making it in the National Hockey League.

The word 'sacrifice' tells the Calgary Flames prospect everything he needs to know.

"When someone looks at the tattoo, they just think it's some word," Howse says in a quiet moment during prospects camp at the Don Hartman Northeast Sportsplex. "But it's not. There's a story behind it. It really gets me through a lot of things.

"Some days, when you're at the rink or at a workout, you don't think you can do it. But you can do it if you want to."

Howse, 20, has a reached at a crossroads in his hockey career. A prolific scorer in junior, the former Chilliwack Bruin must now prove those eye-popping numbers will translate to goals and points in the professional ranks.

The National Hockey League is not always a kind, gentle place for young men chasing their dreams. With Stanley Cups and million-dollar contracts on the line, coaches and managers generally tell things as they are. Even if the message stings a little upon delivery.

"If Ryan gets serious about his nutrition and trying to get a little bit lighter, we think he'll be fast-tracking to the NHL," said general manager Jay Feaster. "He's a guy who can finish. He sees the ice really well. He has great offensive instincts. The next big step for him is to recognize how elite level athletes train and how they take their nutrition seriously. That way he can get himself in a position where he can challenge for a spot."

In other words, the six-foot Howse needs to drop a bit of weight from his 205 pound frame.

"It's about recognizing the proper things to eat and when and how," Feaster said. "That's part of what this week is about. We bring in a nutritionist to work with the guys.

"We think he is a guy who has all kinds of ability. The sooner he puts it all together and figures out the steps he needs to take, the sooner he'll be in the NHL."

Howse takes the nutrition and fitness suggestions from the Flames seriously. In fact, he moved to Calgary in May to train full-time with Rich Hesketh, strength and conditioning coach for the Flames.

"Pretty intense stuff," Howse said. "Definitely a lot better than what I was doing back home."

Around the same time, the Howse family relocated to Calgary from Prince George, B.C. Ryan's dad Jason found work as supervisor in the custodial department at SAIT. Mom Roxanne plans to look for job and enrol nine-year-old Dryden Howse in elementary school. Make no mistake: this family is close-knit with Roxanne showing her

Five years ago, Ryan attended his first Western Hockey League training camp in Chilliwack, only to return home to tragedy. One of his close friends, Ashten Calliou had died in an ATV collision with a truck.

She was only 15. "I had to go to the funeral," Ryan said. " I was one of the guys who walked the casket out. That was very tough for me."

All the while, Roxanne waited for the right moment to break her own tragic news to her son.

"My mom let that settle in, and a few weeks later, she let me know she had breast cancer," Ryan said. "She's a very tough lady."

Roxanne Howse endured chemotherapy and radiation. At the end of his school day, Ryan would come home to find his mom on the couch.

"Some days she would be crying," he said. "Other days she would be just lying there."

Upon completion of her treatment, Roxanne opted to have both breasts removed to reduce the chance of a recurrence.

"She told us that family was more important than anything," Ryan said. "Now that's sacrifice."

Through it all, hockey gave the Howse family a welcome reprieve from doctors and hospitals. Ryan learned to immerse himself in the moment at the rink.

The Flames selected him in the third-round (74th overall) of the 2009 NHL entry draft. He responded with 51 goals and 83 points last season on a line with fellow Calgary prospect Roman Horak.

The time has come for Howse to take that next step. His journey will likely take him to Abbotsford of the American Hockey League. First, he'll try to make a drastic jump right from juniors to the NHL.

Regardless, Howse knows what really matters. If he forgets, he need only look down at his left forearm for a reminder.

"This tattoo is new," he said. "I got the Breast Cancer symbol, with hockey sticks behind it. My mother's initials are there -and my brother's and my dad's -along with the word 'hope.' "

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 07.08.2011


Flames GM far from finished

By STEVE MACFARLANE, QMI Agency

CALGARY - Shopping is currently one of Jay Feaster’s favourite hobbies.

The Calgary Flames GM has said more than once over the last few weeks he’s interested in improving his team in any way possible, and that teams looking to move salary ahead of the coming season will be on his list of calls to make.

If he’s tired of lifting the phone to his ear, maybe he can skip the middle man and just sign a restricted free agent to an offer sheet.

There are plenty of big names still unsigned, with stud Nashville Predators defenceman Shea Weber, Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Steven Stamkos and Los Angeles Kings cornerstone Drew Doughty still yet to come to terms with their current clubs.

Of course, those teams would be nuts to not match whatever came forth.

And giving up high draft picks if they choose not to may not be part of Feaster’s future philosophy.

Still, there are some intriguing situations that seem ripe for the testing.

The Washington Capitals sit nearly a couple of million dollars over the US$64.3-million cap ceiling, and have former Calgary Hitmen blueliner Karl Alzner sitting unsigned as a restricted free agent.

Alzner hasn’t been an offensive dynamo in D.C., but the 22-year-old was a big-time plus player suiting up for north of 20 minutes most nights down the stretch and into the playoffs.

He’s considered a shut-down defender for the Capitals, and the Flames could use a legitimate top-four blueliner with Robyn Regehr gone and a lot of uncertainty behind Jay Bouwmeester, Mark Giordano and Cory Sarich.

There are some talented youngsters in the Flames system showing their stuff at the development camp this week, but none are as seasoned as Alzner at the NHL level.

Trades are also an option, with the Caps the most obvious choice of partner thanks to their overages.

If they could somehow pry Mike Green away — yes, they’d have to dump some of their own salaries by the start of the season to carry Green’s $5.25-million price tag — the Flames blueline would skyrocket in value.

Alzner makes the most sense economically, but after all the buzz about the Flames’ pitch for star centre Brad Richards July 1, a sexier swap might include someone like Alex Semin, who’s set to become an unrestricted free agent a year from now.

Tough to say how he’d fare without translator Alex Ovechkin on his squad or playing for a coach like Brent Sutter, but it’s a good bet the Flames will look elsewhere for a serious playmaker.

The Sabres have little breathing room with the new owner spending freely, so considering their recent conversations, it’s possible the Flames could be looking to pick talks back up again if Buffalo decides to dump one of its many talented forwards.

Feaster plans on going on vacation early in August, but before then, anticipate plenty of behind-the-scenes action even if none of it ever comes to light. And if he hasn’t been satisfied, it’ll be an equally busy few weeks after his return leading into the fall.

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 07.08.2011


Czech mate rejoins friend with Flames

By STEVE MACFARLANE, QMI Agency

CALGARY - His agent gave him the news over the phone as Roman Horak rested on his bed back home in the Czech Republic.

Horak was on the move from the New York Rangers to the Calgary Flames in the Tim Erixon deal.

“The only thing I knew about Calgary is Ryan Howse is here. That’s all,” Horak said of his Chilliwack Bruins linemate who’s also a prospect with the Flames. “He was excited.

“I was excited, too. It’s nice to have someone you know. He was my linemate for two years.”

A Facebook message from his WHL friend came through a couple of hours later.

While Horak was still a little surprised to learn he’d be leaving the franchise that drafted him in the fifth round in 2009, Howse was anticipating the possibility of keeping alive the partnership that produced a 51-goal season last year, with setup man Horak earning 52 assists amid a 78-point campaign.

“He can finish, too, but I have to credit him for about half my goals or even probably over half my goals this year,” Howse said Thursday at the Flames development camp at the Don Hartman Northeast Sportsplex. “It’s pretty neat. Building chemistry with him for two years, playing every single shift with him and every practice, and now we get to do it again here ... I’m looking forward to it.”

Both were billeted in Chilliwack, and the prospect of turning pro with the Abbotsford Heat in the fall means they’ll be fending for themselves.

It’s possible they’ll team up on and off the ice if they decide to room together.

“I don’t know yet. I still have to ask him if he can cook,” Horak joked.

“That might be a reason.”

Howse, apparently, is pretty proficient with the pots and pans.

“One thing, straight up, I’ll give myself the better cook,” Howse said with a laugh.

“I’m going to have to pick up a barbecue here soon, too.

“I’m not a big cleaner.”

Interestingly enough, Horak is the product of Flames GM Jay Feaster cleaning up a mess in Calgary.

Erixon, their top pick in 2009, refused to sign with the Flames, so Feaster was forced to try and trade his rights at the 11th hour.

He managed to squeeze a couple of second-round picks and Horak in return for Erixon and a fifth-round pick.

“It (news) got to me what happened here,” Horak said of the Erixon situation.

“He didn’t want to sign.

“That’s not my problem. I’m happy to be here. And he can be happy in New York.”

Admittedly, Horak was surprised at hearing from his agent that night.

Not being a highly-touted prospect, the idea of being traded hadn’t crossed his mind.

“At the beginning, I just didn’t know what to think. Now, I’m happy to be here,” he said.

“I was surprised. It was just a new challenge. It wasn’t bad or anything. I’m looking forward to trying something new again.”

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 07.08.2011

574903 Chicago Blackhawks

New Hawk backs Konerko

Fred Mitchell

One fascinating aspect of Paul Konerko's successful bid to become an AL All-Star was that the Sox slugger had so many endorsements from people outside of baseball.

Representatives from several Chicago teams encouraged fans to vote for Konerko, including Blackhawks center Dave Bolland, who had a video on the team's official website.

One of Konerko's biggest fans is Hawks free-agent acquisition Sean O'Donnell, who was with the L.A. Kings when Konerko broke into the majors with the Dodgers in 1997.

"We just kind of met a couple of times and kind of have similar laid-back personalities. We just seemed to hit it off," said O'Donnell, a veteran defenseman who spent last season with the Philadelphia Flyers.

"One of the things I really like about him is that if you didn't know him any better and just knew him as 'Paul,' you would have no idea what he did or the fact that he has had so much success."

Local attraction: Comedian Hannibal Buress, appearing this week at Zanies, will throw out the first pitch Sunday before the Sox-Twins game.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 07.08.2011


Hayes makes big impression on Hawks

At 6-5, 233, winger makes presence felt at prospects camp

By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter

Jimmy Hayes stood out on the ice during the first day of the Blackhawks' prospects camp.

At 6-foot-5 and 233 pounds, Hayes was easy to spot as the five-day camp kicked off Thursday in Chicago as the organization's top prospects hope to catch the eye of the Hawks' hierarchy. The winger's skill level also set the 21-year-old apart, and the native of Dorchester, Mass., should get a look from the Hawks during training camp in September.

After three seasons at Boston College, Hayes decided to forgo his senior year and finished last season at Rockford of the American Hockey League.

"I set goals at the beginning of the year, and I achieved most of the goals I wanted to get to," said Hayes, who was a second-round draft pick (60th overall) by the Maple Leafs in 2008 before being traded to the Hawks on June 26, 2010. "It was a big decision, (but) I think I made the right one."

With a Hawks roster already crowded with veterans, it's likely Hayes will end up back with the IceHogs, with whom he had two penalty minutes in seven games. But if the Hawks are looking to go big, Hayes has a body fit for the NHL.

"He's just a physical specimen," said Jimmy's brother, Kevin, who is also in camp after being taken 24th overall by the Hawks in the '10 draft. "He's huge. He's in the weight room every day and just wants to get better every day. To me, he's built like a pro."

First look: Mark McNeill, the team's No. 1 pick in the '11 draft, showed good hands while participating in drills. The 18th overall selection said he has a lot to prove to his new organization.

"Everyone here is on the same level — it's a clean slate," said McNeill, who had 32 goals and 49 assists with Prince Albert of the Western Hockey League last season. "The real work starts now. It has nothing to do with where you got drafted."

McNeill is already impressed with one of the current Hawks, who reached out to him shortly after the draft.

"I got a text from Jonathan Toews," McNeill said. "It was very kind of him, and it just shows why he's the captain of this team."

Something to prove: Projected by many to be a first-round pick, Brandon Saad slipped to the second round, where the Hawks scooped him up at No. 43.

"(I had) to wait until the second day, and it was nice to be picked by Chicago," the winger said. "I'll just use it as a motivator. I'm a two-way player with play-making ability and goal scoring up front and pretty dynamic playing all areas of the ice. I'm just looking to work hard, and wherever they put me I'll be happy to be."

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 07.08.2011


Blackhawks have their eyes on promising Hayes brothers

By ADAM L. JAHNS

Winger Jimmy Hayes was the last player from his eight-member group to leave the ice Thursday during the first day of Blackhawks prospect camp at Johnny’s IceHouse West. Instead of meeting the media or hitting the showers, he feverishly skated around cones in the middle of the vacant ice, focusing on the footwork needed to move his 6-5, 233-pound frame.

Standing by the Hawks’ locker room, general manager Stan Bowman and others got a good look at Hayes’ progression, and also that of Hayes’ younger brother, Kevin.

A year ago, the Hawks set out to add more size, so they drafted Kevin Hayes with the 24th overall pick in 2010 and then acquired Jimmy from the Toronto Maple Leafs, who took him with the 60th pick in 2008. Now the Hayes brothers from Boston College are considered a big part of the Hawks’ future.

‘‘Every year you just want to try to show everybody that you’ve improved,’’ Jimmy said of his second camp with the Hawks. ‘‘I’ll try to put myself in the best position and see what happens.”

Unlike many others at prospect camp, Jimmy already has his three-year, entry-level deal. That gives him a spot with the Rockford IceHogs, with whom he had a seven-game stint last season after signing an amateur tryout offer.

But Kevin is hoping for bigger things for his big brother.

‘‘He’s just a physical specimen,’’ Kevin said. ‘‘He’s huge. He lifts the most reps. He kills everyone in the weight room. .?.?. To me, he’s built like a pro. I’m hoping he makes the team, and I don’t see why he can’t.’’

That may seem like a long shot with the Hawks overflowing with forwards at the moment. But at 21, Jimmy has more seasoning than most prospects and could become the top option to be recalled. He had 21 goals and 33 points for Boston College in his junior season last year before joining the IceHogs, though he was held without a point in his first seven games in the American Hockey League.

‘‘It’s different seeing a lot of guys my size out there,’’ said Jimmy, who was a linemate of Ben Smith at Boston College and also roomed with Smith on the IceHogs. ‘‘In school, I was one of the bigger guys. It’s a different game. It’s more controlled. Everybody is good. It was just a great way to end my year getting those seven games.’’

That’s why he’s set on improving his skating.

‘‘I’ve been working on it,’’ said Jimmy, who has trained with Hawks skating coach Paul Vincent. ‘‘It’s just a thing I need to improve on.’’

Meanwhile, it’s Kevin — 19 years old and 6-3, 205 pounds — who may have the most potential. His freshman season at BC was shortened after he tore his posterior cruciate ligament and missed five weeks, but he finished with four goals and 14 points in 31 games.

Bowman recently said Kevin, who was drafted as a winger, was just behind Marcus Kruger and Brandon Pirri on the center depth chart after playing primarily in the middle his freshman year.

‘‘Center is what I’m hoping to be,’’ Kevin said.

The Hawks have yet to approach him about heading to Rockford, so he’s committed to going back to Boston College and rooting for Jimmy.

“Hopefully when they decide to sign me, he’ll be praying for me to make the team as well,’’ Kevin said.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 07.08.2011


Hawks’ prospects trying to make an impression

By Tim Sassone

A year ago before the start of prospects camp, nobody could have expected any of those kids invited to attend to have any impact in the coming Blackhawks season.

But Nick Leddy opened the eyes of general manager Stan Bowman and the coaching staff to the point where he left college after one year, came to training camp and won a job for opening night at Colorado.

Leddy eventually needed to go back to the American Hockey League for more seasoning, but by the middle of the year he was a regular on the Hawks’ defense as a 19-year-old.

There may or may not be another Leddy in the mix at this year’s camp that starts Friday, but anything is possible. And that’s why, for prospects such as No. 1 draft picks Mark McNeill, Phillip Danault, Kevin Hayes and Dylan Olsen, this an opportunity to make the kind of impression that sticks with management.

“My mindset right now is I’m here to try to make the Chicago Blackhawks,” McNeill said Thursday. “At the end of the day it’s the coaches and staff’s decision. I just have to come here and make a good first impression and work my hardest.”

McNeill and Danault were drafted in the first round last week and come to camp amid lofty expectations.

The Hawks see the 6-foot-1, 211-pound McNeill as their second-line center of the future behind Jonathan Toews. He had 32 goals, 81 points and 53 penalty minutes in 70 games at Prince Albert in the Western Hockey League.

“I’m a two-way power forward and can play a pretty versatile game,” McNeill said. “I can chip in defensively as well as hold my own offensively. Some areas I want to work on are my first few steps and my explosiveness out of the game to help me down the road.”

Danault is a 6-foot, 181-pound left wing who had 21 goals and 67 points for Victoriaville in the Quebec League and was captain of his team.

Kevin Hayes, the Hawks’ first-round pick in 2010, is headed back to Boston College for his sophomore year. The Hawks also see the 6-3, 205-pound Hayes as a center down the road.

“I played center the whole year,” Hayes said. “Center is were I’m hoping to be.”

Defenseman Dylan Olsen was drafted first in 2009 and appeared in 42 games at Rockford last season after leaving the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The 6-3, 220-pound Olsen could be someone the Hawks recall from Rockford during the course of the 2011-12 season if injuries should arise.

Bowman likes to hear prospects say their goal is to make the big roster in September.

“McNeill is 210 pounds right now, and when you talk to him, he’s determined to make the Blackhawks next year, which is a good attitude to have,” Bowman told Blackhawks.com. “I don’t know that it matters that it’s their first exposure to us; we’re looking at them with a fresh set of eyes.

“They’re younger, but they may not be that far behind. There are some interesting guys there, and I’d like to see how they compare in their first go-round here, once they get the nerves out of the way.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Bowman said. “The idea is to get these kids a bigger taste of Blackhawks hockey, so that when they turn pro, it won’t be the first time that they hear the things that are important to Joel (Quenneville).

“They need to become familiar with the Blackhawks’ philosophy, and this will give them a better sense of what we expect of them later on.”

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 07.08.2011


Familiar connections surface at Hawks camp

By Tracey Myers

Jimmy and Kevin Hayes stood next to each other during their Blackhawks prospect camp practice session on Thursday. At 6-foot-5 and 6-3, respectively, the brothers certainly represent the size the Blackhawks would love to see in the future.

For Kevin, this is a chance to work out with fellow prospective Blackhawks before heading back to Boston College, where he played with Jimmy last season. For Jimmy, however, he’s hoping this weekend’s work leads to a potential spot on the Blackhawks in the near future.

“We’ll see what happens. I’ll try to get my game to the highest level and hopefully I have a shot of making this team,” he said. “You come in and you want to be competitive and you want to show everyone your game and hope to get to another level.”

Jimmy Hayes signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Blackhawks in March. His size is immediately appealing – the 6-5 forward weighs in at 233 pounds, just a few higher than what he calls his “playing weight” of 230. He decided to go pro after a great tenure at Boston College, where he helped the Eagles win the 2010 national title.

“I set goals at the beginning of the year and I achieved most of what I wanted,” he said. “I talked with family and coaches and decided it was time for me to move on. It was a big decision and I think it’ll be the right one.”

Meanwhile, brother Kevin is using this opportunity to show the Blackhawks what he could do in the future. But for now, Kevin is expecting to return to Boston College and fill the void left by Jimmy and other departed Eagles.

“Hopefully I have a bigger role,” said Kevin, who missed five weeks with a torn posterior cruciate ligament last season. “We’ve lost a lot of goals between Jimmy, Cam (Atkinson) and Scotty Gibbons. Hopefully I’ll be a go-to sophomore.”

Brotherly love?

The Blackhawks have another brother duo at prospect camp in Alex and Terry Broadhurst. The two are staying together through their camp stay; and given their brotherly rivalry, they said that could lead to some angst.

“We’re actually rooming together so who knows what’s going to happen in the hotel room after the game,” said Terry, who added that the two have been competing since they were young. “He and I spent many hours in the basement playing against each other.”

Alex said he and Terry left “a lot of broken windows in the basement” when they were kids. And Alex said he made sure to hang up his draft jersey, which he got a few days ago, in their hotel room.

“(Terry) said, ‘Take that thing down. I don’t want to stare at that thing all week.’ It was pretty funny,” Alex said. “There’ll be a lot of fighting, bickering and wrestling, but it’ll be fun.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.08.2011


NHL to shake up Central Division alignment?

By Tracey Myers

With the Winnipeg Jets coming back into the NHL, realignment is on the horizon. And from what the Minnesota Wild’s owner is saying, the Chicago Blackhawks will be seeing them often.

Craig Leipold gave what could be the future Central Division today when he talked to KFAN in Minnesota. Here’s what he said about the potential lineup:

“Our division would include the Winnipeg Jets, (the Wild), the Blues, the Nashville Predators, the Dallas Stars, the Blackhawks and maybe the Columbus Blue Jackets… maybe not, depending on if they go east or west. I’m all in favor of that. I think it’s a grand slam, home run, hat trick for our team.”

For Leipold, it’s a return to the old Norris Division look, at least for one year (1981-82) when the Jets joined the ‘Hawks, Red Wings, North Stars, Blues and Maple Leafs. This new potential version, however, wouldn’t include the Wings; but that’s hardly a surprise. The Red Wings have been lobbying to move to the Eastern Conference for quite some time now and they could get their wish with realignment.

So that means no six Hawks-Wings games per season anymore. It would be one, maybe two, tops. Maybe it’s just me, but haven’t the Vancouver Canucks become the Blackhawks’ bigger rival in recent years anyway? The Canucks are the ones the Blackhawks love to hate now, the ones Hawks and their fans rooted against when said ‘Nucks made the Cup finals.

The ‘Hawks and Wings will always be Original Six foes, but the animosity between Chicago and Vancouver has made them the more must-see matchup in recent years.

If these changes do happen, captain Jonathan Toews will certainly be a happy guy. Three trips a season to play in front of the hometown fans? Not a bad deal for the Winnipeg native. Other than that, the Blackhawks have long been in a travel friendly division and will basically stay that way – Winnipeg and Dallas are both roughly two-hour flights.

By the way, if anyone will be celebrating this potential division, it’s the Dallas Stars. A central time zone team, the Stars have nevertheless been logging the miles nonstop as part of the Pacific Division. They were the only team in their time zone even in the Pacific; otherwise, it was a one- or two-hour time difference for every other stop.

Whatever the final realignment lineup, the NHL has a chance to actually make it more logical. Here’s to that.


574909 Colorado Avalanche

Varlamov says injuries are behind him, sees team back in playoffs

By Adrian Dater

The Denver Post

Posted: 07/08/2011 01:00:00 AM MDT

Semyon Varlamov is looking to fill the goalie position as capably as his idol, former Avs great Patrick Roy, did from 1996-03.

Semyon Varlamov wore number 40 in his three seasons with the Washington Capitals. He'll wear No. 1 with the Avalanche. Yes, there is symbolism there.

Varlamov, acquired by the Avs for two high draft picks last week, was introduced to the media Thursday. He promptly put on his newly numbered sweater and spoke in halting English about beginning a new era — and about how his favorite player growing up was an Avalanche goalie who wore the number 33.

"Patrick Roy, he was my favorite player," said Varlamov, who signed a three-year, $8.5 million contract with Colorado. "I remember watching the great Detroit vs. Colorado games as a kid."

Varlamov, 23, who didn't speak English when he came over from Russia to the Capitals in 2008, alternated between casually confident smiles and conversation about his future with the occasional furrowed brow over questions about his recent past.

About the injuries (groin and knee) that helped cost him his starting job at times in Washington, Varlamov said: "I don't want to be thinking about my injuries. The injuries, I think, are behind me. I see my future in Colorado. I see my big future in Colorado."

About reports that he was contemplating going home to play in the Kontinental Hockey League because of his unhappiness with his role and contract negotiations in Washington, Varlamov said: "I don't want to talk about that right now. It's none of (anybody's) business."

Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman reiterated the organization's belief that Varlamov can blossom in Denver as a top-flight, No. 1 goalie. And, that he made the final call on not just the Varlamov trade, but on the acquisition of three other players (Jan Hejda, Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Chuck Kobasew) on free-agency day.

"A hundred percent," Sherman said. "I make the decision. I'm surrounded by great hockey people, but at the end of the day, I make the decision and move forward. I and we believe what we've

done in the last couple of weeks, culminating with last Friday, has upgraded this hockey club. We've addressed the areas that were a priority for us, and we believe we have put ourselves in position to continually grow this team together and get us back to where we rightfully belong."

With the goalie additions — Giguere is a former Conn Smythe Trophy winner — Varlamov wasn't shy in expressing where he believes the team will belong.

"I think we're going to help getting back in the playoffs," Varlamov said. "Of course, every goalie wants to be No. 1, but I'm happy to be able to play with J.S. Giguere. He's a great goalie."

Varlamov, considered more of a stand-up goalie than the butterfly style that Roy and so many others have used in recent years, said he will train hard over the summer to get stronger for what — he and the team hopes anyway — will be a busy workload. He plans to work in tandem with a private, Finnish goalie coach, Jussi Rynnas, and with Avs goalie coach Kirk McLean as training camp nears.

Asked if he is up to the potential challenges — and the pressure of expectations that will come his way — Varlamov said: "Of course, of course. That's why I'm here right now."

Of the trade to Colorado, Varlamov added, "Every trade is a surprise for every player, because you never know what might happen, but I'm very happy."

Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or [email protected]

Always on the lookout

The Avs have made three big trades for starting goalies in their time in Denver, including last week's with the Capitals for Semyon Varlamov:

Dec. 5, 1995: Avs trade Jocelyn Thibault, Martin Rucinsky and Andrei Kovalenko to Montreal for Patrick Roy and Mike Keane.

March 8, 2006: Avs trade David Aebischer to Montreal for Jose Theodore.

Denver Post: LOADED: 07.08.2011

574910 Colorado Avalanche

Inspired by Roy, Semyon Varlamov introduced as new Avalanche goalie

By Adrian Dater

Saying the Avalanche was the team he always wanted to play for while growing up in Russia, new Avs goalie Semyon Varlamov made his first public appearance in Denver this morning.

Appearing from behind a curtain, Varlamov said "Hi guys" when introduced by Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman.

While his English skills are still limited, Varlamov said he came to love the Avalanche as a boy because of his favorite player — Hall of Famer Patrick Roy.

"I'm excited to play here, where he played. I'm very happy I'm here to play for Colorado," Varlamov said. "I remember watching the Detroit vs. Colorado games. They were my favorite club, it's true."

Varlamov, 23, was acquired last week by the Avs from the

Washington Capitals for a first-round pick in 2012 and a conditional second-round pick. He signed a three-year, $8.5 million contact with Colorado and is expected to be the No. 1 goalie, with veteran Jean-Sebastien Giguere as the backup.

Varlamov said he plans to train hard this summer, with the goal of getting stronger to avoid some of the injuries that have plagued his short career so far. He has spent time on the injured list with groin injuries, and also had minor knee surgery in March that essentially cost him his starting job with the Capitals.

"The injuries are behind me," he said. "I just need to train very hard for a new season, new city, new club. I need to be ready. I see a big future in Colorado, and I don't want to think about my injuries."

Varlamov said he will work this summer with Avs goalie coach Kirk McLean. While his idol, Roy, was a butterfly goalie, Varlamov is considered more of a stand-up goalie.

Asked if he feels ready for the challenge — and the pressure of expectations — ahead of him, Varlamov said, "Of course, of course. That's why I'm here right now."

Denver Post: LOADED: 07.08.2011

574911 Columbus Blue Jackets

NHL notebook: Jackets deal Blunden to Canadiens for Russell's twin brother

Staff and wire reports

The Blue Jackets acquired minor-league forward Ryan Russell - twin brother of Jackets defenseman Kris Russell - in a trade yesterday with Montreal. Columbus sent right winger Mike Blunden to the Canadiens.

Russell, 24, spent the past four seasons with the Canadiens' top minor-league club in Hamilton, Ontario. In 243 games, he has 51 goals, 49 assists and a plus-54 rating. He is a restricted free agent.

Blunden, also 24, played in 41 games with the Blue Jackets the past two seasons, mostly on the fourth line.

• Former Blue Jackets coach Dave King has stepped down from his position as assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes to become a development coach for the franchise, general manager Don Maloney said.

King will oversee all pro player development, including working with coaches and players with minor-league Portland of the American Hockey League.

The Coyotes also promoted Sean Burke to director of player development.

The former NHL goaltender spent parts of five seasons with the Coyotes from 1999-2004 during his 18-year career. He will continue in his role as goaltending coach.

• The Tampa Bay Lightning signed Alexandre Picard, a first-round draft pick of the Blue Jackets in 2004, to a one-year, two-way contract.

The Lightning also signed right winger Ryan Shannon to a one-year contract.

Shannon played in 79 games with Ottawa last season with 11 goals and 16 assists - both career highs.

• The Philadelphia Flyers agreed to terms with right winger Wayne Simmonds on a multi-year contract extension.

Simmonds, 22, was acquired from Los Angeles on June 23, along with center Brayden Schenn and a draft pick, in exchange for center Mike Richards. In 80 games with the Kings last season, he had 14 goals and 30 points.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.08.2011

574912 Columbus Blue Jackets

Islanders veteran added to Blue Jackets' blue line

Martinek hailed as competitive but has history of injuries

By Aaron Portzline

The final piece of the Blue Jackets defense was put in place yesterday when veteran Radek Martinek signed a one-year, $2.2 million contract.

"Columbus was the first team to call me," Martinek said. "There were other teams, but they were first. And it seems like a good fit for me. I'm going to be in a pretty good role on a pretty good team. They've made lots of changes that are good. They're very serious about winning."

The tentative plan is to play Martinek on the right side of the second pair with Marc Methot. But the word tentative is never far away with Martinek.

The 34-year-old from the Czech Republic is regarded as a hard skater and a highly competitive player, one who is willing to put his body on the line for checks and to block shots. But his fearlessness has come at a cost: Martinek has averaged only 50 games per season over his nine-season NHL career, all spent with the New York Islanders.

The most recent injury was a concussion suffered at the world championships in April. Martinek said it took four weeks for him to recover.

The Blue Jackets had him in Columbus on Monday and Tuesday for a battery of tests.

"Our doctors were convinced that he's recovered," general manager Scott Howson said. "We know what his history is. It's because of the way he plays. He plays hard; he's competitive."

Martinek has twice suffered torn knee ligaments, along with ankle, foot and leg fractures and a separated shoulder. The concussion in April was the second of his career, but the first since the 2003-04 season.

"Radek puts himself on the line every game," said Matthew Deutsche, Martinek's agent. "He blocks shots, plays physical and takes care of business in front of the net. But he has also had his share of bad luck. He's fine now (and) excited by the opportunity in Columbus."

Martinek had three goals, 13 assists and a minus-5 rating in 64 games last season. He was an eighth-round draft pick (No.228 overall) by the Islanders in 1999.

"He's a very good skater," Howson said. "He's more of a defensive player than an offensive player, but he makes a good first pass and he's good with the puck. He can play against top people."

Howson set out to reshape the defense this offseason. Yesterday, he declared the project a success. Fedor Tyutin likely will pair with James Wisniewski, who signed a six-year, $33 million contract on Friday. Methot and Martinek are the second pair, and Grant Clitsome fits on the third.

The competition for the sixth and seventh spots will involve veterans Kris Russell and Aaron Johnson and rookies John Moore, David Savard and Nick Holden.

"As a group, it's better with the puck, for sure," Howson said. "When you bring in Wisniewski and Martinek, it's better with the puck, and that was our primary goal. Now, we finally have two right-shot guys (Wisniewski and Martinek) on the right side.

"We think it's a better group, but the proof will come in training camp and once the season starts."

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.08.2011

574913 Dallas Stars

Stars finish development camp with skills competition today

Mike Heika / Reporter

The Stars have had 17 draft picks among 38 players at their development camp in McKinney for the past week, and they end today with a skills competition at 10 a.m. at the Dr Pepper StarCenter there.

Here are the directions.

Here is Les Jackson on the purpose of the camp:

`Ìt's education mostly,'' said Les Jackson, director of scouting and player development for the Stars. ``First year guys, they get to know a little about our coaching staff, and our style. And the other guys, it's a nice follow-up to see where they are in their development. The coaching here is awesome, and we've been able to touch a lot of areas in their games and help them advance.''

Here is defenseman Jamie Oleksiak, who was taken with the 14th pick in the 2011 draft and was getting his first taste of an NHL camp at age 18.

`Ìt's kind of surreal at the draft, but this definitely makes it more real,'' said Oleksiak, who will either return to Northeastern University or play in the OHL next season. `Ìt's very humbling. I don't think it's really hit me yet.''

We have a feature today on goalie Jack Campbell, who is participating in the camp. He said he knows all about the debate that rages over whether or not the Stars should have taken Cam Fowler instead of him, and said it doesn't bother him.

``Truthfully, it's more of a compliment,'' said the goalie who was taken one pick ahead of Fowler in the 2010 draft. ``Dallas selected me _ I got picked where I wanted to get picked. People can say what they want, and I'm just going to try to be the best player I can be.''

He later added:

``You're never really given anything when you get to this level, you've got to earn it,'' he said. `Ànd it doesn't matter if there is one spot or two spots or zero spots going into (training) camp, I'm just going to go in there proving I should be there.''

`Ì'm just trying to be the best player I can be,'' he said with a matter-of-fact look, `ànd hopefully help Dallas win a couple of Stanley Cups down the road.''

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.08.2011

574914 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings sign free-agent forward Chris Conner

By GEORGE SIPPLE

The Red Wings signed free-agent forward Chris Conner to a one-year, two-way contract today. Financial terms were not announced.

Wings general manager Ken Holland said Conner (5-8, 180) will add depth in case of injury for the Wings and a skilled forward at Grand Rapids (AHL).

“He’s got speed. He’s got skill,” Holland said. “We want some depth. We’ve missed the playoffs in Grand Rapids the last three years. We want to get that team back into a playoff spot.

“Conner’s played in the NHL and over the course of 82 games you’re going to get injuries. You need your depth to help you win some games.”

Conner is a Westland native who starred at Michigan Tech in 2002-06. He set career-highs with seven goals and nine assists for 16 points in 60 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season.

He also played in seven playoff games for the Penguins, scoring one goal.

In 139 career NHL games, between the Dallas Stars and Penguins, Conner has 16 goals, 24 assists and 40 points.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 07.08.2011


GM Ken Holland: Red Wings to announce two assistant coaches on Friday

By GEORGE SIPPLE

TRAVERSE CITY — Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said the team plans to announce Friday the hiring of two assistant coaches.

Western Michigan coach Jeff Blashill is among those believed to be a finalist for the position.

Holland wouldn’t discuss any potential candidates but did say they were looking “some people with some different ideas. We’ll see.”

He said Wings coach Mike Babcock talked to many people in the industry, from college and junior coaches to assistant coaches to former NHL head coaches.

“We got down to a small, workable number the last few days,” Holland said Thursday. “Tomorrow we’ll announce our staff.”

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 07.08.2011


Wings draft pick Tomas Jurco a Net sensation with big potential

Ted Kulfan/ The Detroit News

Traverse City — He's been labeled a YouTube sensation but Tomas Jurco doesn't really care for the term.

Jurco, the Wings' first pick in June's entry draft, has a video of his stickhandling that's gone viral in its popularity.

And for good reason. It's quite impressive.

"I made the video when I was 14 and put it up on a Slovakian hockey website," Jurco said Thursday, the first day of the Wings' prospect development camp. "Someone put it on YouTube. I never thought it would get as popular as it got.

"But I can't stay I'm happy about it."

You see, Jurco doesn't like the term YouTube sensation.

"I want to be called a good hockey player," Jurco said. "Not a YouTube sensation."

Ask many hockey scouts, and they'll call Jurco a good hockey player. Probably one that deserved to go in the first round of the draft, much higher than where the Wings picked him (second round, 35th overall).

"Our scouts loved his potential," said general manager Ken Holland, who has yet to see the stickhandling video.

Jurco (6-foot-1 191-pounds) was disappointed to not be picked in the first round — most draft boards had him going then — but that was softened the next day when the Wings picked him.

"Detroit's hockey team has such great history," Jurco said. "For me it was an unbelievable feeling (to be picked by the Wings). Ever since I was little, it was my dream to be drafted one day.

"To be picked by Detroit, it was a dream come true."

Most scouts compare Jurco's stickhandling skills to those of Pavel Datsyuk. That, too, awes Jurco.

"He's unbelievable what he does on the ice," Jurco said. "I just try to do the same stuff he does but there's only one Pavel Datsyuk. I don't really have a favorite player but he's one player I've always watched because of his stickhandling."

Jurco had 31 goals and 25 assists in 60 games last season with Saint John in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He added six goals and 12 assists in 19 playoff games.

Jurco is coached by former Red Wing Gerard Gallant at Saint John. Gallant ran into Holland at the draft and made sure to tell him the Wings might have gotten a steal.

"He (Gallant) thinks he has real good potential, tremendous potential," Holland said.

But as with any young player, there's much to work on.

Some scouts felt Jurco disappeared at times, going long stretches without making an impact. He also needs to gain strength.

Jurco admits he needs to learn to go to the net, something that's so important in North American hockey, and not to play on the outside as much.

Holland sees no difference between Jurco and any other Wings prospect.

"He has to get stronger like all young kids," Holland said. "He has to play with more consistency, he's in and out. He has flashes. But that's the maturity of learning to go to the gym and competing every day.

"We have to go about being patient and educating him."

Detroit News LOADED: 07.08.2011


Wings coach Mike Babcock poised to add two assistants Friday

Ted Kulfan/ The Detroit News

Traverse City — Coach Mike Babcock has gone through an extensive and thorough interviewing process looking for two new assistants.

It's finally come to an end, with the Red Wings naming Babcock's two assistants today, replacing the departed Paul MacLean and Brad McCrimmon.

MacLean, who spent the last six seasons with the Wings along with Babcock (and in Anaheim before then), was named head coach of the Ottawa Senators last month.

McCrimmon, who was with Babcock the last three seasons, took a head coaching job in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League.

General manager Ken Holland leaned on Babcock in the search for the assistants.

"He's in the coaching industry and he's familiar with the coaches at all levels," Holland said. "We were looking for people with new ideas."

A short list was comprised this week.

"The guys we'll announce will bring energy and some new ideas," Holland said. "You want guys with communication skills, some ideas on speciailty teams."

Holland feels it's important to find two coaches who players will be comfortable with as a buffer between the players and Babcock.

"Somebody to go to and talk to," Holland said. "At times they want to be heard."

The Wings are likely to hire two coaches from the junior or college levels, coaches who've run their own programs but with minimal pro experience.

One of the confirmed finalists was Western Michigan coach Jeff Blashill, who told his team earlier this week.

Babcock was unavailable for comment Thursday.

Conner signed

For the second consecutive summer, the Red Wings have added another forward from Westland.

After signing Mike Modano last year, the Wings signed Chris Conner Thursday to a 1-year contract.

Conner, 27, will likely start the season with Grand Rapids.

Last season for the injury-battered Penguins, Conner played in 60 games with 7 goals and 9 assists.

Conner played in all 7 games in the playoffs for Pittsburgh against Tampa Bay, and scored 1 goal.

"He's going to give us some depth," Holland said. "He's played in the NHL and has some speed and skill. We wanted some depth. Grand Rapids has missed the playoffs the last three seasons and we want that team to get back into a playoff spot. It's good for our kids to get playoff experience at that level."

Holland compared Conner to goalie Joey MacDonald , who last season came up from the Griffins when Chris Osgood was hurt and provided able depth behind Jimmy Howard .

"During an 82-game season you're going to have some injuries," Holland said.

Ice chips

Holland said he'll speak to Osgood and Draper after both return from golfing trips this weekend. Holland said he won't make a goaltending move until talking to Osgood first.

As for Draper, who is celebrating his 40th birthday on this trip, it's likely his long Wings career might have come to an end after the Wings re-signed Drew Miller and Patrick Eaves last week.

… This is a big upcoming season for Grand Rapids goalie Thomas McCollum (1st round 2008), who has yet to show consistency.

"It's the last year of my contract, and since I've turned pro I haven't really had a good season yet," McCollum said. "Time is getting short. It's time to get down to business."

… Calle Jarnkrok , a promising Swedish forward, is not at the camp. He's recovering from a shoulder injury.



Wings sign Westland native Chris Conner to one-year deal

The Detroit News

Free-agent forward Chris Conner, a native of Westland who played for Michigan Tech, has signed a one-year contract with the Red Wings.

Financial terms were not announced.

Conner, 27, played 60 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, with seven goals and nine assists. He has played in 139 NHL games with Dallas and Pittsburgh.

Conner (5-8, 180) played for Michigan Tech from 2002-03 through 2005-06. He had 69 goals and 60 assists for the Huskies in 151 games.



Red Wings sign forward Chris Conner to one-year deal

Ansar Khan

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings have signed right wing Chris Conner to a one-year, two-way contract.

Conner, 27, had seven goals, nine assists and 10 penalty minutes in 60 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season. He appeared in all seven games of the Penguins' first-round playoff loss to Tampa Bay, picking up one point (a goal).

Conner will compete for a spot in training camp, but the team already has 13 forwards on one-way deals and a 14th, Cory Emmerton, who must clear waivers to be sent back to Grand Rapids. So Conner likely will start the season with the Griffins.

The 5-foot-8, 180-pound Westland native has 16 goals, 24 assists and 30 penalty minutes in 139 games over parts of five NHL seasons with Dallas and Pittsburgh.

Conner scored the game-winning goal, on a penalty shot against Joey MacDonald, in the Penguins' 4-1 win over the Red Wings on Jan. 18 at the Consol Energy Center.

He played four years at Michigan Tech and wasn't drafted.

Here is what The Hockey News' Web site said of Conner:

ASSETS: Displays blazing speed and plenty of energy every shift. Works extremely hard and can play either wing position. Produces points at lower levels.

FLAWS: Is fairly tiny by today's NHL standards and lacks the strength to win battles in the corners regularly. Also lacks a little hockey sense and confidence at the highest level.

CAREER POTENTIAL: Speedy depth winger with a lack of size.

Michigan Live LOADED: 07.08.2011


Red Wings development camp in Traverse City offers potential glimpse of future talent

Ansar Khan

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings will see how many of their prospects have progressed with strength and conditioning over the next week at the team’s summer development camp.

And these young players will continue to learn how the Red Wings go about their business.

Four of the club’s past five top draft picks (defenseman Brendan Smith, goaltender Thomas McCollum, forwards Landon Ferraro and Tomas Jurco) are among the 28 players participating at Centre I.C.E. in Traverse City today through July 14.

"It’s not so much us learning about them, it’s them learning about us," Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill said. "There’s one group that’s been here before, you want to see how they’ve improved. There’s another group that hasn’t been here.

"Some don’t understand the commitment it takes. Trainers will work with them on strength and conditioning and nutrition, get them prepared for training camp."

Players will go through on-ice and off-work workouts, including power skating drills. The camp concludes with a scrimmage and skills competition. All sessions are open to the public.

"They’ll be tested at the start of camp," Nill said. "You can tell who’s improving and who’s not."

DEVELOPMENT CAMP

Where: Centre I.C.E., Traverse City

When: July 7-14

Tickets: Admission is free today and $5 per day the rest of the camp.

Players scheduled to attend: Forwards -- Louis-Marc Aubry, Mitchell Callahan, Julien Cayer, Willie Coetzee, Landon Ferraro, Philippe Hudon, Tomas Jurco, Brooks Macek, Gustav Nyquist, Nick Oslund, Alan Quine, Brent Raedeke, Mark Tvrdon

Defensemen -- Adam Almqvist, Travis Ehrhardt, x-Gleason Fournier, Nick Jensen, Brian Lashoff, Richard Nedomlel, Max Nicastro, Xavier Ouellet, Trevor Parks, Sebastien Piche, Bryan Rufenach, Brendan Smith, Ryan Sproul

Goaltenders -- Thomas McCollum, Petr Mrazek

x-Injured. Participating in off-ice workouts only

Smith, the premier prospect, is coming off his first pro season with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He will have an opportunity to earn a spot on the Red Wings roster in training camp, but, barring a couple of injuries, likely will start the season in the American Hockey League. The Red Wings are set with their top seven defensemen.

"He’s right on the cusp of making it to the NHL," Nill said. "He needs another strong off-season of strength and conditioning."

McCollum is looking to bounce back after two rough seasons as a pro. He split last season between Grand Rapids and Toledo, struggling with the Griffins (6-12-2, 3.33 goals-against average) but playing better for the ECHL’s Walleye (11-9-2, 2.76 GAA).

"Part of becoming a pro is you’re going to have good days and bad days," Nill said. "He had a tough season. He’s maturing, learning how to handle these things."

Ferraro, who is turning pro this season, is an excellent skater with good hands who scored 37 goals the season before being drafted. But he managed only 26 goals combined in his final two seasons of junior hockey. He has battled injuries and had hernia surgery in February.

Left wing Gustav Nyquist, a two-time finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top college player at Maine, is preparing for his first full season with the Griffins.

"He’s got high-end skills," Nill said. "He’s got to get used to the pro game, playing three games in three nights (in Grand Rapids). He’ll have as much skill as anybody."

Other prospects getting ready for their first pro season include forwards Louis-Marc Aubry, Trevor Parkes and Mitchell Callahan and defensemen Gleason Fournier and Adam Almqvist.

This year’s camp features seven of the team’s nine selections from the 2011 draft, including Jurko and defensemen Xavier Ouellet and Ryan Sproul, all picked in the second round.

"We want to see young kids like Jurco and how they match up," Nill said. "Are they close to being pros or are they a long ways away?"

Highly touted 2009 picks Calle Jarnkrok (shoulder injury) and Teemu Pulkinen, as well as Griffins Tomas Tatar and Joakim Andersson, won’t be attending. Riley Sheahen, the team’s 2010 top pick, had summer classes at Notre Dame and cannot attend.

Griffins coach Curt Fraser and assistant coach Jim Paek will be running the drills, aided by Red Wings player development personnel Jiri Fischer, Chris Chelios and Aaron Downey and goaltending coach Jim Bedard.

The camp was moved from Joe Louis Arena to Centre I.C.E. this year.

Michigan Live LOADED: 07.08.2011

574921 Edmonton Oilers

Oilers rookie centre Lander models play after Red Wings’ Zetterberg

By Jim Matheson,

EDMONTON - You can’t teach what Anton Lander has.

“He’s a leader amongst men,” said Edmonton Oilers president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe.

Lowe would know all about that. He was pretty good at it when he was on their blue-line.

Lander may be the most intriguing young player in the Oilers’ arsenal. He’s had none of the hype of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, or fellow Swede and good buddy Magnus Paajarvi. But Lander, a teammate of Paajarvi’s at Timra, had a letter on his jersey in the Swedish Elite League as a teenage -centre.

This is no back-of-the-bus player. He’s a front-seat kid.

He’s got talent, although nobody’s saying Lander will ever be as good as his favourite player, Henrik Zetterberg, who also played for Timra.

“I had his picture on my wall … with an autograph,” Lander said at the Oilers development camp.

“I look at his game and he works so hard on defence. He doesn’t go for offence right away. That’s the kind of player I want to be.”

The 20-year-old Lander will play in the NHL, probably sooner than later, either as a second or third-line centre. He’s smart, knows how to take people off the puck. He will put up points (26 in 49 games last year), but he’ll likely be a Shawn Horcoff type NHLer. He may have to start his North American education in Oklahoma City because the Oilers are chock-a-block with NHL centres, but maybe it’ll only be a few months in the American Hockey League.

“I’m not a high points guy ... defence means a lot for me. In the Swedish Elite League, though, I made some points this past year. I don’t want to be in a box where I’m just a checker. I have a feeling I can produce (points). We will see,” he said.

Oilers head of amateur scouting Stu MacGregor got an eyeful of Lander before taking him in Round 2 in 2009, the same year they took Paajarvi in Round 1.

“His effort is so consistent, every shift. The best way to put it is he works smart,” said MacGregor. “He’s really intelligent, good on -faceoffs. That really stood out for us. His skating may have held him back from being a first-round pick, but it’s improved.”

“The people in Sweden are always talking about Lander being a leader guy. On his Timra team there were older players not facing the music, but Anton wasn’t afraid to stand up in front of the media. They (reporters) were really impressed with that. The year we interviewed kids for the 2009 draft, we saw quite a few Swedes and we asked them all who the leader was on their (junior national) team and they all said Anton Lander. Every one of them. For us that was a good sign,” said MacGregor. “He handles himself like a pro.”

Playing in the Swedish Elite League is a boon for guys like Lander and Paajarvi.

“I haven’t seen much of the KHL (Russia), but Sweden is the best league in Europe. It’s great for the good young players playing against older guys,” said MacGregor.

He will need work in claustrophobic spaces in North American rinks, but he has no fear of that.

“I’ve played a few games with the (Swedish) national team on a small rink. I love the small rinks. More speed, more situations. You have to keep your head up and be ready for everything. You’re not waiting for things to happen like on bigger ice,” said Lander. “I like the physical part of the game. That’s better for me.”

“At the end of the day if a guy is so good (and young) you’re not going to hold him back, but as an organization we want to be as patient as we can. We’d like to be like Detroit is,” Lowe said.

True enough, but Lander’s countryman Paajarvi, who also had several years of Swedish Elite League experience, stepped right in last year with 34 points as an NHL rookie. But the Oilers weren’t as deep then.

“We’re starting to fill up holes. With Paajarvi … with his skating and stuff, we needed his offence.”

Maybe the Oilers will try him with Paajarvi and fellow Swede Linus Omark in the main camp.

“It would be a pleasure … we will see,” Lander said.

Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 07.08.2011


Nugent-Hopkins to play in Penticton prospects tournament

By Jim Matheson,

EDMONTON - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the NHL’s 2011 No. 1 draft pick, will get his first taste of big-league play in September at the second annual prospects tournament in Penticton.

The best young players from the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets and San Jose Sharks will participate in the Sept. 11-15 event. The new Jets franchise replaces the Anaheim Ducks this time around.

The Oilers will play the Canucks Sept. 11, the Jets Sept. 13 and the Flames on Sept. 14.

Last year’s tournament was a rousing success, with at least 10 players who participated making it to the NHL for regular-season games.

Oilers’ Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Magnus Paajarvi, Ducks’ Cam Fowler, Canucks’ Chris Tanev, Mikael Backlund of the Flames and Benn Ferreiro of the Sharks all played in the tournament.

Omark turning heads

Oilers head of amateur scouting Stu MacGregor says he gets more questions about Edmonton winger Linus Omark than any other player when he watches games in Sweden.

“I went into Skelleftea last year to watch Adam Larsson (2011 fourth overall pick selected by the New Jersey Devils) and after all my questions, the management there said: ‘How about Omark?’ Even (former NHLer) Jan Erixson said, ‘What about Omark?’ ” laughed MacGregor. “They love this guy.”

Management material?

Former Oilers bench boss Craig MacTavish still wants to coach if he’s not back at TSN in Toronto working as a hockey commentator.

MacTavish know coaching is where the action is, but NHL teams may be missing the boat by not hiring the him as a management type.

After all, he has He’s got a master’s degree in business from Queen’s University, and he knows players. Why couldn’t he be an assistant general manager with some NHL team, learning the ropes to eventually become a GM some day? That’s the route Ray Shero and Peter Chiarelli took once upon a time. Both men were assistants GMs in Nashville and Ottawa, respectively.

Get off Cogliano’s back

At the risk of sounding like the campaign manager for Group 2 free-agent Andrew Cogliano, his first four NHL seasons in Edmonton aren’t anywhere near as bad as some carping Oilers fans would think.

Cogliano has 146 points in four seasons, one fewer point than Nashville Predators’ first-round pick David Legwand (third overall in 1998).

Forty-seven of Cogliano’s 57 career goals are even-strength markers. He gets almost no power-play time, unlike his teammate Sam Gagner, who has 59 NHL goals in four seasons with 39 coming on 5-on-5 situations.

True, Cogliano may never be any good on faceoffs, unlike Todd Marchant who was 52 per cent lifetime. But for those folks who maintain that Cogliano needs to get some grit, he had 64 penalty minutes in 2010-11. Former Oiler J.F. Jacques had 63. Of the regular Oilers forwards, Cogliano had more time in the penalty box than anybody else who played at least 40 games. Marchant, now Anaheim’s director of player development, only had four NHL seasons with more than 64 penalty minutes and he had an edge to his game.

ON THE BENCH: The Oilers are paying winger Ryan Keller and defenceman Corey Potter $225,000 US and forward Josh Green $200,000 to play with the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League. This puts them all in the top 25 in AHL salaries. Keller had 25 points in 23 playoff games with Binghamton, who won the AHL title, this past spring. Former Oilers forward Alex Giroux is the top AHL dog at $325,000 with the

Springfield Falcons, the Columbus Blue Jackets farm club) ... The Oilers offered 41-goal farmhand forward Colin McDonald the same two-way deal ($525,000 NHL/$105,000 AHL) to sign again, but he opted to play for the Pittsburgh Penguins. “He thought his opportunity (to make the NHL) would be better there,” said Oilers assistant GM Ricky Olczyk ... The Oilers still may need a veteran fourth organizational goalie, but may wait until training camp and waivers to see if junior grad Olivier Roy isn’t ready for the AHL. The Oilers were sniffing around hotshot Swedish free-agent goalie Viktor Fasth, who played for the Swedes at the worlds, but Fasth is staying over there for another season. He reportedly told all NHL interested teams that he would need a guarantee that he would be, at worst, an NHL backup, not an AHLer. The Oilers can’t do that, not with Nikolai Khabibulin and Devan Dubnyk under contract ... Free-agent goalie Jeff Deslauriers, who reportedly bought a house in Edmonton, is still waiting for an NHL offer. He’s good enough to play in the league as a backup, but he might have to go to Europe to revive his career if no offer comes his way. Either that or the Oilers sign him again to play with the Barons ... The Oilers aren’t bringing back hard-nosed farmhand defenceman Jake Taylor ... Former Oiler Dean Arsene has signed with the Phoenix Coyotes to play on their AHL farm club ... The Oilers dropped 2009 third-round draft pick defenceman Troy Hesketh (Chicago Steel and Sioux City, United States Hockey League juniors) from their list and he was back in the draft this June, with no takers. He was attending the University of Wisconsin, but now he’s not. The Oilers have until Aug. 15 to see if they want to sign 2005 third-round draft centre Robby Dee, who just finished up at the University of Maine (35 points, 36 games). The Oilers are loaded with organizational forwards and centres, so they may let him walk.



Of mosquitoes, Musil and Marincin: the Oilers development camp

David Staples

Of course, there are many things more disconcerting than being swarmed by mosquitoes inside a lukecold hockey arena.

But for this day of July 7, 2011, mosquitoes biting the hell out of me at the Edmonton Oilers development camp was high on my list.

Bloody disgusting.

Oh well, there was some Oilers hockey to watch, and I gathered at Millenium Place in Sherwood Park with hundreds of other Copper & Blueheads to take in the latest gathering of Oiler prospects. This group isn’t quite so thrilling as last year’s bunch (the three phenoms Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Magnus Paajarvi), but still features many vaunted names, such as Anton Lander, Martin Marcincin, Curtis Hamilton, Tyler Pitlick and, of course, RNH, the Nuge, the Hopp-y-long Kid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, #72 on the ice, #1 in the 2011 NHL entry draft.

We, the Hopparazzi, came to be impressed and we left thrilled, though the mosquitoes and the play of Marcincin and, most of all, young David(Frank Jr) Musil left an even bigger impression with me, as I’d seen RNH’s circus act against the Oil Kings in the Western Hockey League playoffs.

At the rink, I met Bruce McCurdy, dedicated chronicler of this event for the Cult. We chatted awhile watching our new favourite, RNH, but soon split up, as the team was split into groups on two rinks, and we both have different obsessions, him goalies and prospects in general, me the players with the biggest reputations.

Here are some observations:

The drills that skating coach Steve Serdachny can do with ease himself look like a form of medeival torture when most other humans attempt them, even players with near NHL-level skating ability.

In one drill the players had to get their butts low to the ice, cost on two skates, then kick one forward up into the air, parallel to the ice, and coast from blueline to blueline. Next, the players had to do this skating backwards.

Only one players, Nugent-Hopkins, pulled off this drill consistently, though Marincin wasn’t bad.

In another drill, two players were hooked together at the waist by a three or four foot span of stretchy cord. One player had to take off, and try to elude the other, while the other gave chase. Last year Hall and Eberle were hooked up in a pair. This year it was Lander and RNH.

The defencemen were asked to do a drill where they were passed the puck repeatedly at the blueline, then had to walk the line and engage in quick shifts and dekes before firing the puck. Jeremie Blain of Longueuil, Quebec looked particularly adept at this drill.

Throughout the practice, the players were pitted in one on one competitions. Every player won some, lost some.

There were more than 25 players on ice, so it was no easy matter to focus on one for more than a few instants, but glimpses and strong Images of players did come out.

Hamilton looked stronger and smoother on his skates than Pitlick, for instance, but Pitlick did have a few good moments handing the puck during a three-on-three mini-game. Pitlick is also coming off an injury, but he nonetheless looked a bit awkward at times.

Hunter Tremblay is not a kid, he’s 25 already, but he’s got tremendous skill with the puck. If I were to pick the two best linemates for RNH out of this bunch right now, for this coming season, I’d go with him and lanky Hamilton.

Anton Lander does it with grit and quickness, more than with superlative skill. That lack of high-end flash separates him from the top Oilers prospects, but there’s no denying his effort.

Nugent-Hopkins has a vastly different skillset than Taylor Hall, but he’s every bit as skilled. RNH isn’t a bullet up the ice, like Hall, but instead twists and slides around, like a clever point guard looking for the perfect pass, then, suddenly, in a lightning strike, making it.

As a hockey player, he does a helluva Steve Nash impersonation, at least against this level of competition. Of course, like Nash, he also forces the play at times and gives away the puck. More often than not, though, he kicks it up a gear and wins it back.

The numerous big trees on defence, 6-foot, 5-inch Kyle Biggos, 6-foot, 3-inch Musil, 6-foot-5-inch Martin Gernat, 6-foot, 4-inch Marincin and 6-foot, 4-inch Colten Teubert, all looked like players, with Marincin, Teubert and Musil the most commanding defenders at this point.

Musil, especially, looked solid. He was rarely beat in numerous one-on-one drills. He played it just like his mean old, rugged old dad used to play it, and that’s a very good thing.

I can see why Musil was rated so highly as a prospect at the beginning of last season. I’m not sure why he dropped, but he fell to the Oilers, so who really cares?

It’s an impressive group, bringing back fond memories of Steve Smith, Jeff Beukeboom and Randy Gregg.

Bottom line: The Oilers are stacked with young talent. Stacked.


574924 Florida Panthers

Original Florida Panthers assistant coach Craig Ramsay happy to be ‘home’

By GEORGE RICHARDS

[email protected]

Craig Ramsay was born in Ontario, spent much of his young life playing hockey in Buffalo and has coached in a number of places, including Ottawa, Philadelphia, Tampa, Boston and Atlanta.

Yet upon officially being re-hired by the Florida Panthers on Thursday, the 60-year-old sent out a simple text message: “Looking forward to coming home.’’

Ramsay jokes that he always told people the only way he would leave Buffalo was “when they put a team in Florida” and after a few years away, he’s back in the Sunshine State.

The Panthers announced Thursday that Ramsay – an original member of the Panthers in 1993 – would be returning as an assistant under new head coach Kevin Dineen. Ramsay was an assistant coach for the first two Florida teams, leaving in 1995 when then-general manager Bryan Murray fired original coach (and Hall of Famer) Roger Neilson.

I’M COMING HOME

“I’m coming home and I feel real good about coming back to Florida,’’ said Ramsay, who spent seven seasons with the cross-state Lightning, winning his only Stanley Cup there in 2004. “There are some good people and my son lives there. It’s a pretty good opportunity for me. We became a Florida group after we had that first adventure with the Panthers. … This is where I want to be. I want to go home, I like the way [the Panthers] are heading. I like the ideas they have.’’

Ramsay spent last season with the Atlanta Thrashers, the only head-coaching job he got that didn’t start with the interim tag attached to it. The cancer survivor, who had a major health scare during his first run with the Panthers, was left hanging when the Thrashers were sold and moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Despite seeing the Thrashers experiment fail first-hand, Ramsay says he believes the NHL can work in the Sun Belt. His early years with the Panthers – and successful run with the Lightning – fuel that confidence.

“I’ve seen it work in Tampa and I’d love to be part of that again,’’ said Ramsay, who still had time left on his contract with the Atlanta/Winnipeg organization. “The fans come out to see an exciting team on the ice and win. In the south, you can do it. I know it.’’

POWER-PLAY HELP

One thing Ramsay will help the Panthers in is their power play. Gord Murphy, whom Ramsay coached when Murphy was a defenseman for the original Panthers, is Florida’s other assistant coach under Dineen. While Murphy’s penalty kill units ranked sixth in the league last season, the Panthers’ power play was in a state of perpetual blackout.

Florida set a franchise record (in a non-shortened season) for fewest power-play goals (35) in a season. Ramsay hopes the influx of new players will help get Florida’s last-place power play a lift.

Miami Herald LOADED: 07.08.2011


Will Florida Panthers’ makeover translate into success?

By Greg Cote

Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon (right) announces that Kevin Dineen has been named the 11th head coach in the club's history on June 1, 2011 at Bank Atlantic Center In Sunrise.

Joe Rimkus Jr. / Staff Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon (right) announces that Kevin Dineen has been named the 11th head coach in the club's history on June 1, 2011 at Bank Atlantic Center In Sunrise.

The Heat’s makeover last summer was so dramatic it was unveiled in a pyrotechnic celebration in a packed arena — the occasion notoriously over-the-top yet seeming warranted. The placards read “Yes We Did” and there was no doubt. Adding LeBron James and Chris Bosh to Dwyane Wade made Miami an instant NBA power.

On Friday, about 30 miles to the northwest, the Panthers’ makeover of this summer will be introduced more humbly in a standard news conference, and that’s probably wise. Adding Jose Theodore and Ed Jovanovski to Stephen Weiss doesn’t quite bring the same power surge or suggestion of NHL reign. If there were placards, they would read, “We Hope We Did.”

The Panthers followed the recent hockey draft with a big-spending flurry of additions that will make at least half the roster new — with no team in the league making a bigger splash in refashioning itself.

The question is whether this splash into the trade and free-agent pool will prove worthy of being scored an Olympic 10? Or whether this splash was more of a cannonball — mostly noise?

The splash has created a wake, at least, an awakening for a stagnant franchise and fandom, and for now that seems enough based on starving fans acting as if the Cats have just pulled off a bounteous coup and are now the Heat On Ice.

You can’t blame the overreaction to what Florida and decisive general manager Dale Tallon have done. I don’t. I get it. The Panthers have been flat-lining for years, ice symbolically melting in the tropical sun. When you last made the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2000 and last won a playoff game in 1997, you have forfeited any claim to relevance.

A decade-plus in a coma and the slightest murmur or eyelid twitch is big news — any change is good — so, naturally, the Panthers are right to feel reborn by the nine new players being introduced, along with the recent hiring of Kevin Dineen as coach.

Underpinning whatever optimism buoys is the guiding hand of Tallon, 60, who helped build the Chicago Blackhawks into champions before 14 months ago taking on the challenge of resuscitating the Panthers.

A team-builder who can flash a championship ring has hypnotic sway. It is why Dolfans spent more than 20 years trusting Don Shula would deliver another title. So Cats fans are not wrong to believe Tallon might do here what he managed in Chicago, although his honeymoon is done and the hard work of marriage begins.

Tallon inherited a coach (Pete DeBoer) and now has his own guy. He inherited a roster but has given it a facelift and shot it full of Botox and the team now is his. He has had two drafts and time to change the “culture” and help rebrand the Panthers.

A team out of the playoffs a league-worst 11 consecutive years should be favored to end the sad skid if only by the law of averages. That and this massive makeover should make the Cats a certain playoff team in 2012. Right?

“I don’t know,” Tallon told us Thursday. “I can tell you our group will play an exciting brand of hockey, and, if they all fit together, we’ll be competitive. I wish I could give you a guarantee. But I like our chances.”

As we spoke by phone, Tallon’s dog, Lucy, kept yapping in the background. She is a havanese, a Bichon-type breed whose lineage began as the blanquito de la Habana, or “little white dog of Havana.” Which explains Lucy’s barking in Spanish.

Where was I?

Tallon would not guarantee a playoff team because that might be disingenuous of a man who inherited the yoke of an historic postseason drought — but mostly because he is a hockey lifer who knows what he has. And what he does not.

“We’ll be deeper at all positions, but it’d be nice to have that 40-, 50-goal scorer,” Tallon said. “There’s not a guy [on the roster] who’s done it in the past. We either trade for one or we build one.”

Meantime, they will get by this season with medium-grade scorers such as holdovers Weiss and David Booth, augmented by new guys like Scottie Upshall, Sean Bergenheim and Tomas Fleischmann.

The defense will be better with traded-for Brian Campbell. And for sure there are bright future stars in the farm system, such as defensemen Erik Gudbranson and junior scoring star Jonathan Huberdeau, the recent No. 3 overall draft pick.

Tallon is aware, though, that many of his new acquisitions have question marks. Truth is, this was not a great year for NHL free agency. Florida had a ton to spend to meet the new league minimum payroll, but not a great market to shop. “Not a lot of great franchise players,” as Tallon put it. “A lot of good NHL players.” Reminded me of when the Dolphins had the No. 2 overall pick and Ronnie Brown was the best they could do.

Jovanovski, an early era Panther (1995-99), is 35 now, and returns with his career tank nearing empty. The signing of “Jovocop” has that warm, rosy feel — he reminds fans of the halcyon days, of rubber rats — but does he have enough left to justify the $4-million-plus per year he is being given?

Theodore, soon turning 35, is a goaltender likewise seen as beyond his prime, his last All-Star appearance in 2004. The Cats have enjoyed a timeline of solid net-minding from John Vanbiesbrouck to Roberto Luongo to Tomas Vokoun. Can the combo of an aging Theodore and journeymen Scott Clemmensen, 34, live up?

The wisdom of Tallon’s free agent bounty relies on other ifs turning his way.

Fleischmann’s four-year, $18 million deal looks smart if he is the guy who scored 21 points in 22 games for Colorado last season — and not the guy who missed time with blood clots in both lungs. “If he’s healthy he’s a dynamic player,” Tallon said.

Bergenheim? The Panthers are paying him quadruple what he made with Tampa Bay because Tallon believes he is the guy who scored nine goals in the playoffs last year, not the guy whose career season high is only 29 points.

Upshall will be a smart addition worth the price if the 22 goals he scored last season proves to be a launching pad, not a ceiling.

“If they all fit together,” as Tallon put it, the Panthers’ excruciating playoff drought will end.

Meantime change itself is enough for now, for a franchise stagnant for way too long.

Miami Herald LOADED: 07.08.2011


Panthers re-sign Santorelli to one-way deal

Forward scored 20 goals in first full NHL season; Report says Ramsay returns to fold as assistant to Dineen

By Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel

7:14 PM EDT, July 6, 2011

Mike Santorelli, a long shot to make the Panthers last summer with two goals in 32 career NHL games, seemed destined for their former AHL affiliate in Rochester.

Never happened.

Santorelli, who deservedly beat out high-profile acquisition Michael Grabner — who went on to notch 34 goals for the Islanders — scored 20 goals in his first full NHL season, good enough to earn a two-year contract Wednesday afternoon.

"My mindset going into last year's camp was to impress and focus on what I do best, but the goal is to make the team,'' Santorelli said from his home in Vancouver.

There won't be as many job openings when the Panthers open training camp Sept. 17; 11 new players were added in the past two weeks.

"I was watching here in Canada on TSN's July 1 frenzy,'' said Santorelli, who was second-best scorer on the Panthers with 41 points in 82 games while leading in shootout goals with four.

"The team looks great. All those players are high-class players in the league and I look forward to being part of it.''

Santorelli, 25, a speedy center who wants to improve on his minus-17, played with new addition Marcel Goc when the two were in Nashville in 2009-10.

"He taught me a lot on faceoffs,'' said Santorelli, third on Florida with 518 faceoffs won (50.2 percent).

Although Santorelli won't be looking over his shoulder for a demotion to San Antonio, he's not resting on his laurels.

"Yeah, [it's] definitely [a relief],'' said Santorelli, who was a restricted free agent but never considered arbitration. "But the attitude for me is I always want to get better and hopefully improve on my assets and my faults.''

Ramsay back?

According to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Panthers have hired former Thrashers coach Craig Ramsay as an assistant coach to Kevin Dineen.

Ramsay, 60, who was on the Panthers' original coaching staff under Roger Neilson from 1993-95, was an interim head coach in Buffalo and Philadelphia for parts of 1986 and 2000. After one season at the helm, he was not retained when the Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg.

The Panthers wouldn't confirm the hiring.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 07.08.2011


Panthers hire Ramsay as assistant coach

Former Thrashers head coach returns to his roots where he worked on the Panthers' original staff in 1993

By Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel

9:58 PM EDT, July 7, 2011

In the end, Craig Ramsay was able to put aside another frustrating, short-lived head-coaching stint with the since relocated Atlanta Thrashers, to return to Florida to take the assistant job under first-time NHL coach Kevin Dineen.

"Years ago they asked me if I'd ever leave Buffalo, and I said, 'When they put a team in Florida,' so this is my third try,'' cracked Ramsey, who was with the Buffalo Sabres organization for 22 years as a player and coach.

Ramsay, 60, was an associate coach on the Panthers in the franchise's first two seasons (1993-95) under late coach Roger Neilson, where he tutored young defenseman Gord Murphy, now a fellow assistant, and a then 18-year-old Ed Jovanovski in training camp. His relationship with Panthers GM Dale Tallon goes back 40 years to juniors.

"I liked the people and the direction the team's taking. I've got an opportunity to help a young coach get started in the league,'' said Ramsay, an interim coach for Buffalo in 1986 and Philadelphia in 2000 before coaching Atlanta last year.

Ramsey guided the 34-36-12 Thrashers to 12th place and was "very disappointed'' when the franchise relocated to Winnipeg, especially without him. He considered taking the year off and collect the final year of his contract.

"I thought about it, but not for long,'' he said. "When I got this call [from Dineen] it was like sent from heaven to go back and start again, [which] brought back great memories.''

He also was a Lightning assistant for six years, including their 2004 Stanley Cup championship season.

"I'd love to be part of it again, to see the fans come out to see an exciting team on the ice and win in the South,'' he said.

His decision was made easier with one son, Travis, living in Fort Lauderdale with his pregnant wife, while another, Brandon, is a teacher in Tampa.

With Murphy focusing on the defense, Ramsay who notched eight seasons with 20 or more goals, will try to bolster last year's 30th-ranked power play.

"I like to have my hand a little bit in everything,'' Ramsay said. "People look at me as a checker, but we scored a lot of goals on that line, 99 one year. We know something about scoring goals.'' …

Panthers center Mike Santorelli, who agreed to a two-year deal on Wednesay, will make $1.6 million per year, according to capgeek.com.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 07.08.2011


Panthers' season-ticket prices probably will be raised

By Brian Biggane

The Panthers are considering an increase in season-ticket prices that would take effect on July 15, President and CEO Michael Yormark said Thursday.

"Our season-seatholders were notified about a month ago that we're going to look at our pricing model and decide what to do with it," Yormark said.

"We don't expect a significant increase, but our prices are now on the lower end of the NHL, and at some point we have to come up to the league average."

According to a report by Canada's The Globe and Mail newspaper, however, the Panthers ranked 15th in the league last season at an average ticket price of $54.12, just below the NHL average of $54.25. The average price of a premium seat, $76.92, ranked 28th, ahead of only Buffalo and Tampa Bay and well below the NHL average of $121.04.

For the first time in years, Yormark said, there is a palpable excitement among Panthers sponsors and fans after the team added 10 veteran players via trades and free agency during the past two weeks. The Panthers have gone a league-record 10 seasons since last making the playoffs in 2000.

Ramsay named assistant: Craig Ramsay, an assistant coach under Roger Neilson the first two years of the franchise and final head coach of the defunct Atlanta Thrashers last season, was named assistant coach. It is expected new coach Kevin Dineen will bring back Gord Murphy, who worked under Peter DeBoer last season, as his other assistant.

Palm Beach Post LOADED: 07.08.2011

574929 Los Angeles Kings

Potential roster, by the numbers

Posted by Rich Hammond on 7 July 2011, 10:04 am

Over the past few days, we’ve been to the lab and drawn up the Kings’ potential lineup for 2011-12. Now, how much will it cost? To determine that, we have to make a few assumptions. First, let’s assume that Kevin Westgarth is also on the roster (given Terry Murray’s preference for a “heavyweight,” that’s not much of an assumption). Let’s also presume the eventual salaries for the restricted free agents (Doughty, Richardson, Lewis, Martinez), which is a little more of a crapshoot. Put it all together and here’s what you get. A big tip of the hat to the folks at capgeek.com, who do a tremendous job of compiling and organizing accurate contract information. It’s a fantastic resource. So, given the numbers, the Kings’ payroll could be in the range of $61.7 million. That would leave roughly $2.6 million. Given that Dean Lombardi prefers to enter the season with a bit of cap space, in order to have the flexibility for in-season trades, that would seem to fit. What do you think?

—–

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR

FORWARDS

Dustin Penner ($4.250m) / Anze Kopitar ($6.800m) / Justin Williams ($3.650m)

Simon Gagne ($3.500m) / Mike Richards ($5.750m) / Dustin Brown ($3.175m)

Kyle Clifford ($0.870m) / Jarret Stoll ($3.600m) / Brad Richardson ($1.500m)

Scott Parse ($0.900m) / Andrei Loktionov ($0.816m) / Trevor Lewis ($1.000m)

Kevin Westgarth ($0.525m)

DEFENSEMEN

Willie Mitchell ($3.500m) / Drew Doughty ($6.500m)

Rob Scuderi ($3.400m) / Jack Johnson ($4.357m)

Alec Martinez ($1.000m) / Matt Greene ($2.950m)

Davis Drewiske ($0.616m)

GOALTENDERS

Jonathan Quick ($1.800m) / Jonathan Bernier ($1.250m)

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)

(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)

SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $61,710,476; BONUSES: $347,500

CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $2,589,524

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 07.08.2011

574930 Minnesota Wild

Leipold talks Latendresse, Fletcher, realignment on KFAN

Posted by: Michael Russo

Afternoon, if you didn't hear this morning, Kevin Gorg -- while filling in for Paul Allen -- had a great interview with Wild owner Craig Leipold on KFAN. The full interview can be listened tohere.

In the first segment, Leipold and Gorg talked a lot about coach Mike Yeo and had a touching conversation about Derek Boogaard.

In the second segment, Leipold talked about Chuck Fletcher's guts as a GM, Cam Barker's buyout, Guillaume Latendresse's fitness and realignment. The second segment was gold.

The Latendresse stuff was great.

Here's some Leipold excerpts, and like I said, the full Leipold/Gorg interview on KFAN can be listened to by clicking the above link:

On Chuck Fletcher: “The status quo is not acceptable. … He’s not afraid to make a trade. He’s not afraid to make a trade. If you go back to the first year that he was here, … he traded Leddy for Barker. It was a mistake. He knows it was a mistake. He’s the first one to admit it. The scary part of someone making a mistake is that they’re afraid to do it again. He’s not afraid. He admitted it. He stepped up, made a mistake, ‘I learned from it, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to become conservative or I’m not going to look outside the box to make this team better. I’ll pull the trigger when its ready,’ and he does and you can see it. I respect that of Chuck a lot.”

Leipold talked a lot about his respect for Fletcher and what he's doing to right this franchise.

Also, great stuff on buying out Barker, so listen to the link.

On Latendresse: “Well, first of all, he came to camp out of shape. Let’s just call it like it is. He will not come into camp this year out of shape. That’s just the way it’s going to be. And he has a trainer that is working with him, I’ve been told, everyday. And I ask this question a lot because Latendresse is a very important part of our team. And the statement that he will make when he walks in the locker room when camp opens up in August, the statement that he makes when he walks in that room and he’s in shape is going to be a powerful statement of who he is, how hard he wants to win, how hard he wants to play. I know for a fact that our people are there, our people being from St. Paul are going to visit him almost every other week to make sure he is staying in his routine and staying in shape, eating right, everything else like that. So I feel good about Gui Latendresse next year.”

On realignment: Leipold confirms what I’ve been reporting, that realignment a year from now will likely be 4 divisions made up of 8 or 7 teams in each division. Leipold said the Wild’s division would include “the Winnipeg Jets, us, the Blues, the Nashville Predators, the Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks and maybe the Columbus Blue Jackets – maybe not, depending on which way they would go East or West. So that’s the only team that would probably be up in the air. I am all in favor for that. That is a grand slam, home run, hat trick for our team.”

Russo talking: One team is missing, which is Detroit. So the 7th/8th teams would be Detroit and Columbus OR if there's only seven teams in the division, it would be Detroit OR Columbus -- depending on which of these teams

Star Tribune LOADED: 07.08.2011

574931 Montreal Canadiens

Habs’ Subban says trip to quake-ravaged Haiti a life-changer

Bill Beacon

The Canadian Press

Visiting earthquake-ravaged Haiti has been an eye-opening experience for the Montreal Canadiens P.K. Subban.

The rookie defenceman and former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque spent three days this week meeting patients and their families at Grace Children's Hospital in Port-au-Prince and getting a first-hand look at the effects of the Jan. 12, 2010 quake that killed an estimated 300,000 and left more than one million homeless.

“I've never been to a poor country, I've never even been anywhere in the Caribbean, so this is a pretty different experience,” Subban said in a telephone interview this week. “I don't know if it changes you, but it definitely affects you as a person.”

Subban and Laraque made the trip to help fundraising efforts for Hockey For Haiti, a joint effort by the NHL Players' Association and World Vision, a Christian relief organization.

Most of the visit centred on Grace Hospital, one of the country's leading pediatric facilities that was almost completely destroyed. More than $1.3-million raised so far by Hockey For Haiti has helped build a temporary hospital across the street from the old location. They hope to raise more for a new permanent facility.

“There's not much left of the old one — the roof has collapsed,” said Subban, who was due to return on Thursday night. “They are still running some medical facilities on that side of the street, but they're not operating facilities.

“It's just the only way to do it. They need a hospital. But as a temporary facility, I was truly amazed with what they've done.”

“The health services at Grace Children's Hospital are even more critical since the earthquake,” Dave Toycen, president of World Vision Canada, said in a statement. “Too many children suffering from tuberculosis have abandoned their treatment and care.

“The disease spreads through prolonged exposure in close quarters such as the tent camps where thousands of families are still living.”

The fun part for Subban and Laraque was a coupe of ball hockey games with patients. Laraque, who is of Haitian descent, has been active in relief efforts since early on. It helps that he can speak the local languages, French and Creole.

For Subban, it has been an experience he never dreamed of growing up in Toronto.

“It makes you value things,” he said. “It gives me a different perspective on life.

“I've never seen a country like that. I've never seen a city in that state. Seeing people in that state is definitely going to have an effect on you. It's had a huge effect on me. I'm going to take back my experience here and the knowledge that I've gained and I'm going to share it with my family and friends because it's definitely a life-changing experience.”

Subban said he joined the cause after a chat two weeks ago with Laraque.

“Before he was finished talking I said ‘just let me know the dates and I'll be there,“’ said Subban. “I want to be a part of it.

“I asked my parents and they said ‘it's a great cause and we're happy you're a part of this.’ I want to help.”

Toronto Globe And Mail LOADED: 07.08.2011


Habs add veteran forward Brian Willsie

MONTREAL— The Canadian Press

The Montreal Canadiens added depth to their forwards by signing veteran Brian Willsie on Thursday.

They also dealt minor-league centre Ryan Russell to Columbus for forward Michael Blunden. Russell is the twin brother of Blue Jackets defenceman Kris Russell.

Willsie, 33, has appeared in 381 career NHL games but only five over the last two seasons.

The two-way contract means Willsie can be shipped back and forth between the NHL and American Hockey League.

He finished 11th in AHL scoring a year ago with 68 points (30 goals, 38 assists) in 76 games for the Hershey Bears. He had an assist in one game for the Washington Capitals.

Willsie is a former seventh-round pick by Colorado in 1996 and has scored 52 goals and 109 points over his NHL career with Washington, Los Angeles and Colorado.

The six-foot-four Blunden played 51 NHL games over four seasons with Chicago and Columbus, recording two goals and two assists. The 24-year-old had 12 goals and nine assists in 37 games with AHL Springfield last season.

Ryan Russell played the last three seasons with AHL Hamilton and has yet to play in an NHL game. He had 10 goals and 11 assists in 65 games in 2010-11.



Montreal Canadiens pick Nathan Beaulieu starstruck at development camp

By Pat Hickey

MONTREAL - When Nathan Beaulieu was growing up, he was surrounded by future National Hockey League players.

His father, Jacques, was an assistant coach with the London Knights and Nathan was exposed to role models like Corey Perry, Rob Schremp and Danny Syvret.

But the 18-year-old from Strathroy, Ont., admitted to being starstruck Thursday as he encountered Andrei Markov at the Canadiens’ training complex in Brossard.

“I said: ‘Hey, you’re Andrei Markov. I’ve seen you on TV,’ ” said Beaulieu, who is one of a dozen players attending the second part of the Canadiens’ development camp. “I think I also saw (Mathieu) Darche working out and it’s exciting to think I might be playing with these guys in three years.”

Beaulieu is the star attraction at the camp which features seven defencemen and five forwards. He was Montréal’s first-round pick (17th overall) at last month’s NHL entry draft.

“I was so excited when they picked me,” said Beaulieu, who auditioned for the Canadiens at the NHL combine in Toronto and the team’s own combine in Brossard a week later. “I was ranked 10th or 11th and I was thrilled when I was still there and Montreal picked me.”

The development camp is the first step for prospects like Beaulieu. The emphasis in the three-day camp - which wraps up Friday - is on testing, skills and skating, with skating coach Paul Lawson running the players through their drills Thursday.

Beaulieu is realistic enough to know that he’s unlikely to make the jump from the Memorial Cup-champion Saint John Sea Dogs to the Canadiens this fall, but he has some goals. He wants to have a strong showing at the Canadiens main camp and he’s also hoping to win a spot on Team Canada for the world junior championships.

He is currently working out in London with Jarred Tinordi, the Canadiens’ first-round pick in 2010. Tinordi recently completed his rookie season with the London Knights.

While Beaulieu was excited to be drafted by the Canadiens, he said that he grew up as a Detroit Red Wings fan and that his favourites included Brendan Shanahan, who played for the London Knights before Beaulieu was born.

Beaulieu also plans to squeeze in some French lessons when he returns to Saint John. His father is a Franco-Ontarian, but there was little need for French in southwestern Ontario.

“Now that I’m going to be in Montreal and with a French name, I should learn the language,” Beaulieu said.

None of the players in the camp are ready to challenge for an NHL job. The closest is 21-year-old defenceman Magnus Nygren, but he said general manager Pierre Gauthier advised him that he would better off spending another season with Farjestad in the Sweish League.

Daniel Pribyl, a 6-foot-3 centre from the Czech Republic, said he would have been open to the idea of playing junior hockey in Shawinigan, but he’s under contract to Sparta Praha. He spent most of last season with the Sparta junior team, but is hoping to make the jump to the Czech Extraliga. He played two games with the big club last season, and also had three goals and four assists in eight games at the world junior championships.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.08.2011


Canadiens make two minor moves

Posted by Kevin Mio

The Canadiens made a pair of minor moves on Thursday, signing forward Brian Willsie to a one-year, two-way deal, and acquiring minor-league forward Michael Blunden from the Columbus Blue Jackets in return for forward Ryan Russell.

Blunden is a big boy: 6’4?, 210 pounds. And, in limited NHL action, he’s been a willing warrior.

But a glance at some of his fights on YouTube suggests Blunden has a legitimate shot at dethroning Tom Kostopoulos as the worst fighter in team history.

Here are the team releases:

MONTREAL (July 7, 2011) – Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced today the signing of forward Brian Willsie to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2011-12 season. As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

In 2010-11, Willsie finished second in scoring with the Hershey Bears and 11th overall in the AHL with 68 points (30 goals, 38 assists) in 76 games. He maintained a +27 plus/minus differential, the team’s second best and served 68 penalty minutes. He was the team leader, ranking fourth overall in the AHL with 14 powerplay goals. Willsie also appeared in one NHL game with the Capitals, collecting one assist.

Willsie, 33, played 381 career regular season games in the NHL with Colorado, Washington and Los Angeles. He has registered 109 points (52 goals, 57 assists) and 217 penalty minutes. He also suited up for 10 playoff contests with the Avalanche between 2001 and 2003.

Since his professional debut in 1998-99, the 6’01’’, 202 lbs forward appeared in 473 career regular season games in the AHL, registering 365 points (173 goals, 192 assists) and 308 penalty minutes.

A native of Belmont, Ontario, Willsie was drafted in the seventh round, 146th overall by the Colorado Avalanche at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He joined the Capitals as a free agent on July 14, 2010.

MONTREAL (July 7, 2011) – Montreal Canadiens general manager, Pierre Gauthier, announced today the acquisition of forward Michael Blunden from the Columbus Blue Jackets in return for forward Ryan Russell.

The 24-year old Blunden played 37 games with the AHL Springfield Falcons in 2010-11, recording 21 points (12 goals, 9 assists) and serving 41 penalty minutes. Blunden also appeared in one NHL game with the Blue Jackets.

Blunden suited up in a total of 51 career regular season games in the NHL with Chicago and Columbus, including a 40-game season with the Blue Jackets in 2009-10, registering four points (2-2-4) and 59 penalty minutes. Since the 2005-06 season, the 6’04’’, 211 lbs right winger played a total of 240 career games in the AHL.

He has collected 120 points (52 goals, 68 assists) and served 294 penalty minutes.

A native of Toronto, Blunden was drafted in the second round, 43rd overall by the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by the Blue Jackets on January 10, 2008 in return for forward Adam Pineault.

Ryan Russell played 65 games with the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs in 2010-11, recording 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists). Acquired from the New York Rangers on May 31, 2007 in return for a seventh-round draft pick in 2007, he registered 100 points (51 goals, 49 assists) in 100 career games with the Bulldogs between 2007 and 2011.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.08.2011

574935 Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators re-sign free agent foursome

Team avoids ruling on players' status

Josh Cooper | The Tennessean

General Manager David Poile ended a large amount of Nashville Predators offseason uncertainty Thursday when he re-signed restricted free-agent forwards Nick Spaling, Matt Halischuk, Cal O’Reilly and Chris Mueller.

Sergei Kostitsyn, who decided for salary arbitration, did not sign.

“They were a good fit for us and we were a good fit for them,” Poile said.

All five were scheduled to take part in a grievance hearing in New York today to decide if the players were tendered a qualifying offer by the June 27 4 p.m. deadline.

An unfavorable ruling for the Predators would have made the players unrestricted free agents, meaning Nashville would not have been compensated if they had signed elsewhere.

For the four who re-signed, the ruling will not affect their free-agent status. Kostitsyn is the only player who could reap the benefit of UFA status. Poile and Kostitsyn’s agent, Don Meehan of Newport Sports are expected to be present.

“I think we’re in a very good position, but we just have to see what happens,” Poile said. “The (players’ association) wouldn’t file a grievance if they didn’t think they had a case.”

After the arbitration hearing, Poile said he will turn his attention to defenseman Shea Weber. Nashville’s captain is also a restricted free agent. The Predators decided to go to salary arbitration with Weber and a hearing date is expected to be announced soon. Nashville can re-sign Weber before the hearing.

“Really we have the next 10 days or two weeks to get something done,” Poile said. “I’m always in Shea Weber mode.”

The contract details for those who signed:

Halischuk’s is a one-way deal that pays $1.425 million over two seasons.

Spaling’s is also a one-way deal worth $2.1 million over two seasons.

O’Reilly’s is a one-year, one-way contract for $1.05 million.

Mueller will be paid $550,000 at the NHL level and $65,000 at the AHL level.

Tennessean LOADED: 07.08.2011

574936 New Jersey Devils

Devils suspend operations of minor-league affiliate Trenton Devils

Erin Duffy/

TRENTON — The Trenton Devils minor league hockey team is no more.

The New Jersey Devils, owner of the ECHL minor league affiliate, announced Wednesday that the troubled team was shutting down.

“It’s a sad day for Trenton hockey,” said Jim Leahy, executive director of the Trenton team, known to fans as the T-Devils.

A statement posted on the NJ Devils website said “The ECHL’s Trenton Devils will suspend play beginning with the 2011-12 season” and thanked fans for standing by the T-Devils the past five seasons.

Once the star attraction at the Sun National Bank Center arena on Hamilton Avenue, the team’s luster faded in recent years amid a name and ownership change and ticket sales that dwindled more and more each year.

Leahy yesterday declined to comment on the reason behind the team shutdown. Officials at the Devils could not be reached for comment, and the ECHL, the league the T-Devils belong to, issued only a short statement saying it was reviewing options for the team and league schedule.

Though on thin ice the last few years, the team still released a 2011-2012 season schedule in June, began selling season tickets in April and recently re-signed contracts with a goalie and defenseman.

Leahy would not comment on the status of the team — whether it would be sold or moved to a new market and what would become of its players — but he promised all ticket holders would be refunded in full.

“We know who they are and we will start the immediate process to get them all of their money back,” Leahy said of the team’s dedicated season ticket holders. “We’re committed to make sure every ticket holder who’s given us money is refunded.”

That’s good news for Sandy Goodwin, a T-Devils fan and season ticket holder since 2003.

Goodwin, her husband and two daughters began attending games at the end of the 2001-2002 season, when the T-Devils were still the Trenton Titans, the team’s previous incarnation.

A Hamilton resident, Goodwin was grateful for the team’s proximity. Hamilton fans needed to drive only a few minutes to watch fights ignite and players race across the ice.

“This is a very sad day for all the fans of Trenton hockey,” she said. “I just can’t believe I won’t be going to games in the fall.”

The team’s rise and fall was quick.

Local developer Ronald Berman, who still owns a minority interest, founded the Trenton Titans in the mid-1990s.

Fans packed the stands during the team’s inaugural season in 1999, nearly selling out what was then the Sovereign Bank Arena. Boosters predicted a renaissance for the capital city’s downtown on the back of the success of the team and arena.

But hockey failed to gain much of a foothold in the Mercer County area, and this past season the T-Devils ranked last in the ECHL for attendance, drawing an average of only 2,390 fans to an arena that holds more than 7,500.

The team ended the 2010-2011 season in April, with a record of 27 wins and 37 losses.

Formerly an affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, the team was bought by the National Hockey League’s NJ Devils organization in 2006.

The acquisition — and subsequent name change — soured some fans on the T-Devils. Mercer County sports fan are traditionally split between rooting for Philadelphia or New York/New Jersey teams, and Flyers fans like Goodwin weren’t thrilled with the team’s new owners.

Even so, “(I) was happy to still have hockey in Trenton,” Goodwin said.

Phil Miller, executive director of the Mercer County Improvement Authority (MCIA), said he hopes the area will still have a hockey affiliate to its name.

The MCIA owns the Sun Center arena and has a lease with the Devils through the 2018-2019 season.

“We’re certainly disappointed the NJ Devils made this decision for their minor league team, but we’ll continue to work with the ECHL league to bring minor league hockey into Trenton,” said Miller.

The arena hosts roughly 160 events a year, including more than 30 home hockey games.

Miller wouldn’t speculate on the teams the county hopes to lure to the city, but he said, “I believe the venue is a great venue. It’s convenient, affordable, safe, and there’s an entertainment value to any minor league sports.”

In 2008, rumors persisted that the Philadelphia Phantoms, an American League hockey team that played at the Spectrum, could be headed to Trenton, but the move never materialized and the team has since relocated to New York.

Goodwin’s spare cash will now head to the major leagues. She plans to use her season ticket refund to buy tickets for the Flyers, but still mourns the loss of a team she’s spent a decade cheering for.

“I can just hope that someone else will eventually put hockey back in Trenton,” she said.

Star Ledger LOADED: 07.08.2011


Carbonneau waiting on Devils

By MARK EVERSON

The Devils are nearer the start of training camp than the end of last season, and they still don't have a coach. The subject of speculation, Guy Carbonneau, told The Post yesterday that while he e-mailed New Jersey an interview request months ago, he has yet to hear a word from the organization.

"I don't think they've spoken to anyone," Carbonneau said, only half-joking. "I haven't heard anything. I've sent a few messages a couple of months ago, e-mails, and I'm still waiting. Only one team left, now."

Meanwhile, former Oilers coach Craig MacTavish told The Post from British Columbia that he hasn't heard from the Devils. He did mention, however, that he expects to be in New Jersey next week to attend a wedding.

Carbonneau, 51, yesterday ceased being the interim coach of the Quebec league's Chicoutimi Sagueneens, a junior team he co-owns, launching the speculation that he squelched, at least for now. Carbonneau coached the Canadiens for two-plus seasons.

Until a coach is hired, Carbonneau will remain a candidate to follow Jacques Lemaire, who replaced John MacLean Dec. 23. MacLean replaced Lemaire June 17, 2010 after Lemaire succeeded Brent Sutter.

Other obvious candidates include Ken Hitchcock, Michel Therrien and Mike Keenan, although some believe Lou Lamoriello is still hoping Lemaire changes his mind about retirement.

*

The Devils' Trenton (ECHL) farm team has suspended play for this coming season . . . Defenseman Radek Martinek left the Islanders, signing a one-year deal as an unrestricted free agent with Columbus for $2.2 million.

The Blues signed Jamie Langenbrunner from the Stars and Jason Arnott from the Caps yesterday. Both Arnott and Langenbrunner were dealt by the Devils last season as they headed toward the unrestricted free agency they exercised yesterday. Langenbrunner's signing means the Devils' compensation, a 2011 third-round pick from Dallas, is complete, while the Flyers are known to have offered a second-rounder that could have become a first.

New York Post LOADED: 07.08.2011


Devils re-sign Greene, Hedberg; will cut others

By MARK EVERSON

Probably finished with the free agent market after re-signing defenseman Andy Greene and goalie Johan Hedberg, Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said he soon will shed some players to satisfy the salary cap that is an issue again.

"We'll be doing some subtraction. There will not be a salary cap problem here," Lamoriello told The Post yesterday. "There will be different transactions taking place over a short period of time."

One possibility might be Bryce Salvador, who sat out last season with a concussion and a $2.9 million cap hit. Brian Rolston's $5.1 million hit remains on the books, as does the $3.4 million salary of Dainius Zubrus and some teams need costly players to reach the cap floor. Buyouts, trades, retirements and waiver demotions are the possible routes.

Greene and Hedberg each turned down multiple offers as unrestricteds to remain with New Jersey. Greene is believed to have earned a pay raise from $750G to $3 million per season.

The craving for redemption among the Devils is so strong that Hedberg actually took a pay cut as the 15-12-2 goalie on a playoff-missing team, dropping from $1.5 million to $1.25 million.

"I think the whole organization is looking for redemption," Hedberg said. "Money isn't everything for me. I probably could have gotten more with some other team, but I had a gut feeling, and that's what I usually go with."

Lamoriello said that it is "absolutely true" that redemption figured strongly in being able to sign both.

"We wanted them to come back and it worked out. Andy is a top-four defenseman, and Hedy did a great job for us," Lamoriello said.

Lamoriello agreed that Hedberg's presence might ease the arrival for prize draftee Adam Larsson.

The Devils had some $12 million in cap space, counting 17 players, before the signings, and can figure on using at least $6 million of that when Zach Parise's arbitration is decided.

Greene and Hedberg count for $4.25 million of that, and Larsson is likely to cost at least $2 million, which will put them over the cap with two roster spots still unfilled and no coverage for short-term injuries and call-ups -- and that's a best-case scenario. Teams are allowed to exceed the cap by 10 percent until the season opens.

Both Hedberg and Greene turned down several offers to remain with the Devils. Hedberg, in particular, had a half-dozen, including some for more than he received from New Jersey.

Greene said his signing was a relief.

"I'm doing well, now," Greene said after signing. "The whole time, I was thinking 'I'm staying in Jersey.' "

Greene said that testing the unrestricted market "wasn't something I wanted to do, but if it happened, it happened.


574939 New York Rangers

Hoping Moves Pay Off After Free-Agent Frenzy

By JEFF Z. KLEIN

It might have been a relatively weak class of free agents, but the spending frenzy that broke out across the N.H.L. last weekend said a lot about the financial and competitive state of the league. From noon Friday to 5 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, about 100 free agents signed contracts with new N.H.L. clubs or headed to Europe.

Only time will tell if any of the moves will have the positive effect of Boston’s signing of Zdeno Chara on July 1, 2006, or the negative effect of the Rangers’ signing of Wade Redden on July 1, 2008. But at this early stage, some teams and players already appear to have come out winners and losers.

RANGERS, BRAD RICHARDS Both emerged as winners. The Rangers got the playmaking center and power-play ace they sorely needed, and Richards got a big, front-loaded contract that will pay him $12 million next season, tops in the N.H.L. He could have made more elsewhere, but he also got his wish to play on a contender, and his presence makes the Rangers the third- or fourth-best team in the East.

FLYERS, JAROMIR JAGR Both emerged as losers. In his anxiety to sign a No. 1 goalie, Philadelphia General Manager Paul Holmgren blew up the team that reached the Stanley Cup finals in 2010 and finished second in the East last season, trading away Mike Richards and Jeff Carter for salary space and losing the wherewithal to re-sign Ville Leino. He signed Phoenix goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to a huge contract — although goalies like Tomas Vokoun and J. S. Giguere could have been signed at a fraction of the cost — and Jagr, who at 39 is returning to the N.H.L. after three years playing in Russia, was the Flyers’ most significant offensive addition.

Jagr burned bridges by seeming to have misled Mario Lemieux, the Penguins’ owner, about his desire to return to Pittsburgh. “The Penguins seemed like I did something wrong or something bad,” Jagr said. “If I hurt somebody, I apologize, I didn’t mean it, but this is my life, and I want to make the choice.” Penguins fans already had mixed feelings about Jagr — great in the early 1990s, sulky and petulant in the late 1990s — but now they hate him.

PANTHERS One oddity of the collective bargaining agreement, which is scheduled to expire at the end of next season, is that it mandates a salary ceiling, set at $64.3 million for each team in 2011-12, and a salary floor, set at $48.3 million. Some teams have trouble reaching the floor and wound up overpaying free agents just to get there. The most vivid example is Florida — or Floor-ida, as it was jokingly referred to last weekend.

Before July 1, Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon took the skilled but overpaid defenseman Brian Campbell and his $7.1 million-a-year contract off Chicago’s hands. He then acquired or signed Ed Jovanovski, Scottie Upshall, Jose Theodore, Sean Bergenheim, Tomas Fleischmann and a few other players of middling achievement, all at inflated prices, in an effort to reach the salary floor.

Florida still has not reached it — and neither have Ottawa, Carolina, Winnipeg, Colorado, Phoenix, Nashville or the Islanders. Look for Montreal to trade the underproductive Scott Gomez and his $7.5 million salary to one of those teams before the season.

SABRES The team owner Terry Pegula probably overpaid to sign Ville Leino, a promising player who has never scored more than 53 points, to a six-year contract worth $4.5 million a year. The Sabres also paid a lot for the offensive defenseman Christian Ehrhoff: 10 years at $4 million a year.

What makes Buffalo a winner is the signal sent by Pegula that the Sabres are now willing to pay good players to make the club a contender. After the chaos of John Rigas’s tenure as the owner and the austerity of Tom Golisano’s reign, the Sabres were a tough sell to free agents. Pegula has changed that in his remarkably upbeat few months as owner.

BRUINS Boston lost only two players from its Stanley Cup championship roster: forward Michael Ryder, who signed with Dallas, and the expendable defenseman Tomas Kaberle, who signed with Carolina. Contrast that with last year’s salary-cap-stressed Blackhawks, who lost 10 players from their Stanley Cup-winning team.

JAMES WISNIEWSKI He may be the biggest winner of all. A steady, unspectacular defenseman, he started the season with the Islanders and was suspended for directing a vulgar on-ice gesture at the Rangers’ Sean Avery. Traded to Montreal, he scored 30 points in 43 games. His reward: a six-year, $33 million contract with Columbus.

Nice payday, made possible by a league structure that can encourage overpayment.

New York Times LOADED: 07.08.2011


Rangers reunite Brad Richards, Ruslan Fedotenko, former Stanley Cup winners with Tampa Bay Lightning

By Jesse Spector

Even if the NFL lockout continues, there might be a version of the Tampa 2 in New York this fall.

When Brad Richards signed a nine-year, $60 million deal with the Rangers on Saturday, it not only gave the Rangers an All-Star center for Marian Gaborik's line, it reunited the 31-year-old with left wing Ruslan Fedotenko, who had re-signed with the Blueshirts a day earlier.

In 2004, Fedotenko and Richards scored 12 playoff goals apiece to lead the Lightning to the Stanley Cup. In Game 7 of the Finals against the Flames, Fedotenko scored both of the Lightning's goals, the first coming off a Richards assist.

If Fedotenko joins Richards and Gaborik on the Rangers' top line, he would provide balance to an offensive-minded unit. Last season Fedotenko had 10 goals and 15 assists.

"It's up to the coaches," Fedotenko said Wednesday in Greenburgh, where Richards made his first appearance since the signing, at a skating party with children from the Garden of Dreams foundation. "They will make the decisions. I would love to play with him. It would be great. It's the coaches' decision and we'll go from there."

The head coach, of course, is John Tortorella, who was the man behind the bench for the 2004 Lightning and a big draw for Richards to come to New York. Wednesday, Richards got his new sweater, with the No. 19 that Fedotenko wore last year.

"He won't let me (provide compensation for the number)," Richards said. "We'll figure something out."

Richards also is trying to figure out where he will live. He is looking for a place in the city, but is most looking forward to his new on-ice home. Because of renovations at the Garden, the Rangers' home opener is not until Oct. 27. For the first three weeks of the season, the Blueshirts will travel to Sweden for two games, then stop over at Nassau Coliseum to face the Islanders before a four-game swing through Western Canada.

"I don't know if it's ideal, with the scheduling and all that, but it has to happen," Richards said. "So you accept it and I think it's going to be a lot of fun. We'll get the team together really quick, being together for a while....Last year, our team went out to Prince Edward Island and spent a week up there and we got together right away. It helped us get off to a good start and it was a great experience."

NUMBERS GAME

Fedotenko will switch his jersey number from 19 to 26, which he wore with the Flyers, Islanders and Penguins. Erik Christensen, who wore No. 26 last season, now will wear 40. Newly-signed forward Mike Rupp took No. 71.

New York Daily News LOADED: 07.08.2011


Serby's Q&A with Brad Richards

By STEVE SERBY

The Post’s Steve Serby had an in-depth chat with Rangers free-agent signee Brad Richards.

Q: The pressure being in the New York market?

A: It’s gonna be a different animal, I’m not gonna lie to you. It’s not the same as playing in Tampa or Dallas. But I’ve been through playoff runs. If you’re getting into a Game 7, it’s as much pressure as you can handle no matter where you’re playing, ’cause we all have pride and we want to win. I think the experience of playing on home soil for Team Canada, playing for the Olympics, that’s a lot of pressure that people don’t realize if you’re a Canadian playing on those teams. There’s no option, you have to win. . . . I think that’s something that will make me better, it will drive me, it’ll push me more. Can’t have those nights where you don’t feel like playing hard, you have to play hard in front of these fans, they’ll let you know.

Q: But you don’t want to be perceived as a quote-unquote savior?

A: No, I don’t. Be great if we won a Cup, then you can call me whatever you want.

Q: If the Rangers don’t win the Cup during your time here, would that be unfulfilling, would that be a failure?

A: There is one thing I want to do here, and that’s win. Torts [John Tortorella] and I have talked about that, if there’s one place you could win, this would be the great place to do it so . . . it wouldn’t matter if I’m in New York or wherever I signed, I want to win another Cup before I retire. . . . Wherever I finish my career, it won’t be unfulfilling, it won’t be a failure . . . but I can tell you that no matter what, I want to win another one. It’d be amazing to do it here.

Q: Is this team close?

A: Yeah, I think they’re very close. . . . This team from the outside looking in would be closer than people would have thought about our team in Tampa the year we won. So you don’t know. By Christmas in Tampa that year, we were out of a playoff spot . . . after Christmas, we lost four games, I think, during regulation, so . . . it’s a lot about confidence.

Q: You’re single — Broadway Brad?

A: It was neat to see the headline. . . any headline about yourself in the New York Post.

Q: The very first time you played at the Garden?

A: I remember facing off against Mark Messier . . . very nervous. . . . I got two assists that game, it was a pretty nice moment for me, pretty cool moment.

Q: You didn’t stop to ask for Messier’s autograph?

A: No, I was just hoping he didn’t crosscheck me.

Q: Favorite memory of Coach Tortorella from your Stanley Cup season (with the Lightning) in 2004?

A: In the Finals when we got spanked pretty bad and he took all the attention off us for a few days by going on a rant. . . . There’s lots of days I remember where it was miserable to be around him too. . . . He made us drive around the city on a bus here one year . . . in our equipment for no reason (smile). You’d have to be part of the team to understand why. It was well-deserved. It was a way of teaching us a lesson.

Q: Winning the Cup (as a rookie)?

A: It’s kind of all a blur right now. I remember hoisting the Cup, looking for my family when I had the Cup in my hands. There was such a high that whole night that you have to watch it again to remember each moment. . . . You’re in a different world. I think what makes it so much fun if you win it twice, you’ll be able to savor a lot more than you did the first time . . . We didn’t have a clue how to cherish the moment. It was still the best moment of my life but . . . I want to win it again because I’ll make sure I have that

Cup in my hands probably for 10 laps, not one. . . . I think once you get a taste, you really want to win it again.

Q: Did you take the Cup to bed with you when you brought it home?

A: I put it in mom and dad’s bed. I didn’t go to bed . . . We put it in with them, so that when they woke up they could go do some stuff with it.

Q: The ’94 Rangers winning the Cup?

A: I remember how excited I saw Messier when he grabbed the Cup . . . the Garden atmosphere . . . I remember them chanting ‘1940’ or whatever it was they were chanting.

Q: Brad Richards scouting report?

A: I get a lot more enjoyment out of trying to feed someone for an empty net or a goal or something than I do scoring sometimes, which I’ve tried to change a little bit to help me.

Q: Your friend Sean Avery?

A: I think he has a lot bigger heart than a lot of people think.

Q: Superstitions?

A: It would take forever to get through those. . . . My No. 1 is my stick blade, once it’s taped it can’t touch the ground until it touches the ice. I’ll retape the stick if that happens. And I come out last on the ice . . . unless someone’s older than me that I can’t trump.

Q: What drives you?

A: Just being lucky enough to play. You know it’s gonna come to an end someday. The year I got traded — ’07-08 — probably didn’t have as much fun in the game as I should have, put way too much on myself. The last years I just kinda realized how lucky we are to be playing. No matter what, it’s gonna end some day, so really put it all out there because there’s nothing like getting to perform in front of 20,000 people, I’ll never have that again.

Q: Captain?

A: I’m gonna do whatever they want me. I’m gonna definitely help, whether I have nothing on my jersey or a letter, it doesn’t matter.

Q: The impact your cousin Jamie has had on your life?

A: He was my best friend, my buddy, we grew up across the street from each other. . . . To see him pass away at an early age, he didn’t really have an impact at that age, you just lost your buddy. . . . Now it’s impacted me a lot more than I ever would have imagined.

Q: Impacted you in what way?

A: How I get involved with charities and why I want to. I started a foundation in his name in PEI (Prince Edward Island) at the Childrens Cancer Wing of the hospital, so it’s gonna be a legacy we can create for the rest of hopefully my life and continue on.

Q: How old was he?

A: He was 7 and I was 9. He was still my buddy, and didn’t understand why I couldn’t hang out with him that much anymore, but that was about it. At that age, you’re not really in tune of what a brain tumor is or what it’s doing to the kid, so . . .

Q: What do you remember about him?

A: It’s amazing, I see it still with all the kids I deal with — they never complain, they never frown, it’s hard to imagine what they’re going through. He still tried to do everything every day, his parents had to hold him back from doing stuff because it just wasn’t going to be healthy for him.

Q: The Autism Society?

A: I have a cousin that has three boys and the two youngest boys have autism. So we just paired the Children’s Wish and Autism in together with my golf tournament.

Q: Richy’s Rascals?

A: That was in Tampa. I bought a suite for all the games to bring cancer kids and their families in. So you had three or four families every game, and we called them Richy’s Rascals so they could bring their siblings in. We re-did the suite into kind of a playland — some of them weren’t hockey fans obviously, but it was something for them to do, get out of the house, so. . .

there were other things for them to do . . . and I would meet with them after the games.

Q: Taskforce 19?

A: I was just bringing military troops to every home game just as a thank you.

Q: Boyhood idol?

A: Joe Sakic. His demeanor, the way he does everything — he was always quiet, professional . . . just underrated, but did his job night in and night out the way it was supposed to be done, never got into trouble . . . loved how he played on the ice too. That’s why I have No. 19.

Q: Favorite childhood memory?

A: I got to go to the Canada Cup in 1991, watch Team Canada play Team USA in the final, and I got to meet a bunch of players before the game in the lobby, getting autographs.

Q: Three dinner guests?

A: Bobby Jones; Phil Mickelson; JFK.


574942 Ottawa Senators

Scanlan: Sens’ summer optimism tempered by winter realism

By Wayne Scanlan

OTTAWA — Is too much of a good vibe a bad thing?

The thought comes to mind while receiving feedback on Ottawa Senators developments in the past few weeks, including the NHL entry draft, development camp and the first week of free agency.

As we know, the Senators made a fair bit of noise at the draft, then lauded the talent present at the development camp and were mostly spectators during the “free agent frenzy,” receiving heaps of praise on all counts.

Sure, there were some fans and bloggers who wondered aloud why the team wouldn’t pursue an Erik Cole, a Simon Gagne or Max Talbot to add some veteran talent to the roster, but, for the most part, the fan base here understood that this was a year for owner Eugene Melnyk to keep some powder dry for those years when a piece or two could make a real difference.

Unlike the grumbling in southern Ontario over the Maple Leafs’ swings and misses at free agents, the Senators are getting a free ride for sitting this one out.

Gone are the high-pressure days when the team would be expected to be in the mix for the most expensive, sought-after free agents on the market. Was it really only a year ago the club was boasting about landing the No. 1 defenceman on their free agent list, Sergei Gonchar?

Today, that three-year, $16-million US contract is considered unfortunate, not so much because Gonchar turned in one of the least-productive years of his career — 27 points in 67 games — but because the deal is now hugely out of step with the Senators’ in-house rebuilding program.

Gonchar was one of the last additions of the old Senators program, which was still frantically chasing a closing window, expected to contend for a Stanley Cup that looked within reach as recently as 2007.

Wielding a broom the like of which the organization has not seen before, general manager Bryan Murray swept aside veterans Mike Fisher, Chris Kelly, Brian Elliott, Chris Campoli and Alex Kovalev in a mid-season tidal shift to a younger team with a longer time frame for contending.

With his wheeling and dealing, and perhaps especially for landing goaltender Craig Anderson in exchange for Elliott, Murray bought himself time in more ways than one.

Time, as in the three-year contract from Melnyk, removing any doubt about Murray’s future with the club.

But also time to generate a strong, deep program that isn’t expected to contend for a few years.

Fans here are knowledgeable enough to understand the patience required in an overhaul at the NHL level — unless they are getting fooled by the hype around Ottawa’s “kids,” or the prospects of an AHL championship in Binghamton translating into big things up here.

As I explored in a previous piece, historically, AHL glory does not project future Stanley Cups, although the experience should help several individuals who will get opportunity in Ottawa.

This is where things have become tricky for an organization on the cusp of turning 20 years old, having been through expansion, the growth years, a glimpse of Cup contention — and now its first rebuild.

Every team needs players to market.

In the past, the Senators difficulty was deciding which players belonged on the marquee without hurting the feelings of another high-profile player — Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, Chris Phillips, Dany Heatley, Fisher etc.

With Fisher and Heatley both gone, it’s Spezza now and a healthier Milan Michalek, plus Alfredsson coming back from back surgery and Phillips hoping to rebound from a tough year.

After that, it’s the next wave of Erik Karlsson, Jared Cowen, David Rundblad and so on.

While the Binghamton bounty should produce steady, effective players in the Erik Condra and Colin Greening mould, the next offensive star is likely to come from one of those first-round draft picks — a Mika Zibanejad, a Stefan Noesen or a Matt Puempel.

Who really knows how long it will take for this year’s crop to mature, as good as they looked at the recent development camp?

It’s way early to market anyone from that group, thinking that stardom is assured or near at hand.

It has been a fun summer around here. The mood is light when the new picks are wearing those new jerseys, when the team is undefeated and the afterglow of a Calder Cup win is still visible on the horizon.

Know, though, that the summer months are usually the best of times for a rebuilding team. It’s in the dead of winter, when six or seven players are headlong into their first full NHL season, and lack of experience and star talent becomes an issue, that patience and expectations are put to the test.

Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 07.08.2011

574943 Ottawa Senators

The livin' is easy for Sens in summer

By Wayne Scanlan,

Is too much of a good vibe a bad thing?

The thought comes to mind while receiving feedback on Ottawa Senators developments over the past few weeks, including the NHL entry draft, development camp and the first week of free agency.

As we know, the Senators made a fair bit of noise at the draft, then lauded the talent present at the development camp and were mostly spectators during the "free agent frenzy," receiving heaps of praise on all counts. Sure, there were some fans and bloggers who wondered aloud why the team wouldn't pursue an Erik Cole, a Simon Gagné or Max Talbot to add some veteran talent to the roster, but, for the most part, the fan base here understood that this was a year for Eugene Melnyk to keep some powder dry for those years when a piece or two could make a real difference.

Unlike the grumbling in southern Ontario over the Maple Leafs' swings and misses at free agents, the Senators are getting a free ride for sitting this one out. Gone are the high-pressure days when the team would be expected to be in the mix for the most expensive, sought-after free agents on the market.

Was it really only a year ago the club was boasting about landing the No. 1 defenceman on their free agent list, Sergei Gonchar?

Today, that three-year, $16-million U.S. contract is considered unfortunate, not so much because Gonchar turned in one of the leastproductive years of his career - 27 points in 67 games - but because the deal is now hugely out of step with the Senators' in-house rebuilding program.

Gonchar was one of the last additions of the old Senators program, which was still frantically chasing a closing window, expected to contend for a Stanley Cup that looked within reach as recently as 2007.

Wielding a broom the like of which the organization has not seen before, GM Bryan Murray swept aside such veterans as Mike Fisher, Chris Kelly, Brian Elliott, Chris Campoli and Alex Kovalev in a midseason tidal shift to a younger team with a longer time frame for contending.

With his wheeling and dealing, and perhaps especially for landing goaltender Craig Anderson in exchange for Elliott, Murray bought himself time in more ways than one. Time, as in the three-year contract from club owner Melnyk, removing any doubt about Murray's future with the club. But also time to generate a strong, deep program that isn't expected to contend for a few years.

Fans here are knowledgeable enough to understand the patience required in an overhaul at the NHL level - unless they are getting fooled by the hype around Ottawa's "kids," or the prospects of an AHL championship in Binghamton translating into big things up here. As I explored in a previous piece, historically, AHL glory does not project future Stanley Cups, although the experience should help several individuals who will get opportunity in Ottawa.

This is where things have become tricky for an organization on the cusp of turning 20 years old, having been through expansion, the growth years, a glimpse of Cup contention - and now its first rebuild.

Every team needs players to market. In the past, the Senators' difficulty was deciding which players belonged on the marquee without hurting the feelings of another high-profile player - Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, Chris Phillips, Dany Heatley, Fisher etc.

With Fisher and Heatley both gone (and Heatley on his second team since leaving), it's Spezza now and a healthier Milan Michalek, plus Alfredsson coming back from back surgery and Phillips rebounding from a tough year. After that, it's the next wave of Erik Karlsson, Jared Cowen, David Rundblad and so on.

While the Binghamton bounty should produce steady, effective players in the Erik Condra/ Colin Greening mould, the next offensive star is likely to come from one of those first-round draft picks - a Mika Zibanejad, a Stefan Noesen or a Matt Puempel.

Who really knows how long it will take for this year's crop to mature, as good as they looked at the recent development camp? Fans were encouraged to flock to the Sensplex to watch the youngsters, and they enjoyed the show, prospect versus prospect. But it's way early to market anyone from that group, thinking that stardom is assured or near at hand.

It has been a fun summer around here. The mood is light when the new picks are wearing those brand new jerseys, when the team is undefeated and the afterglow of a Calder Cup win is still visible on the horizon.

Know, though, that the summer months are usually the best of times for a rebuilding team. It's in the dead of winter, when six or seven players are headlong into their first full NHL season, and lack of experience and star talent becomes an issue, that patience and expectations are put to the test.

SHANNON SIGNS WITH LIGHTNING

The Ottawa Senators officially said goodbye to winger Ryan Shannon on Thursday. The 28-year-old, who played the past three seasons in Ottawa, signed a free agent deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The deal is for one year and a reported $625,000 U.S.

Also, former Senators enforcer Brian McGrattan signed a one-year, two-way deal with Anaheim. The 29-year-old will make $600,000 U.S. at the NHL level and $105,000 if he plays in the minors

Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 07.08.2011

574944 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers sign Simmonds to 2-year contract

By Ray Parrillo

In the long run, the development of 19-year-old center Brayden Schenn will determine whether the Flyers made a smart move by trading Mike Richards to the Los Angeles Kings.

But if right wing Wayne Simmonds can compensate for some of the goals that Richards and Jeff Carter gave the Flyers before they were sent away, the wait for Schenn to attain the stardom many predict of him will be somewhat easier.

The 22-year-old Simmonds, whose feistiness Flyers fans should find appealing, signed a two-year contract with the Flyers on Thursday worth $3.5 million, with a salary-cap hit of $1.75 million a year. Simmonds was acquired along with Schenn and the Kings' second-round pick in the 2012 draft in the surprising June 23 trade.

Simmonds played three seasons and 240 games with Los Angeles and had 39 goals and 54 assists along with 264 penalty minutes. He was the Kings' second-round pick, No. 61 overall, in the 2007 draft. At the time of the deal, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said he felt strongly that Simmonds is capable of scoring more goals.

"I think Wayne can score more than he scored in L.A., given a little more opportunity," Holmgren said last week during a news conference to introduce some new Flyers. "We look for big things from Wayne. He's a rough-and-tumble, rugged winger who we think has a real upside in offensive production."

At the same news conference, the 6-foot-2 Simmonds sounded eager to embrace the Flyers' penchant for physical play.

"Broad Street Bullies like to play physical and hit everything that moves," he said. "That's the way I like to play. I feel if I'm not playing physical, then I'm not playing well. I think I can help in that aspect."

Simmonds was a restricted free agent. His signing means the Flyers have all the players they acquired in the Richards and Carter trades under contract.

Simmonds played in all 82 games as a rookie and quickly became popular with Kings fans because of his hard-charging style of play.

In his second season, when he spent some time on the Kings' top line after Justin Williams suffered an injury, Simmonds had 16 goals and 24 assists and added two goals in six playoff games. But rather than increase his offensive production last season, he slipped slightly to 14 goals and 16 assists. He had three goals and three assists in 12 playoff games.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.08.2011


Parade of Hall of Famers to enter Philly Sports Hall

By DICK JERARDI

AFTER 8 YEARS, it has become clear that the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame may never run out of qualified candidates. Class VIII was introduced yesterday morning at the Sheraton Society Hill.

It included one member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a newly elected member of the Hockey Hall of Fame (who came with his father, who is included in any discussion of the greatest in his sport's history), a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, a recently elected NFL Hall of Famer, another certain Basketball Hall of Famer, a pair of Eagles from the 1981 Super Bowl team, a legendary broadcaster and a basketball coach who is not that far from winning 1,000 games.

The 15 individuals and one event (Penn Relays) will be formally inducted on Nov. 11 at the Sheraton. Dan Baker, the man who does introductions as an art form, introduced them.

Moses Malone, the great Sixers center, is in his sport's Hall of Fame. Mark Howe, the wonderful Flyers defenseman, is going into his sport's Hall later this year. Legendary manager Joe McCarthy, who won seven World Series with the Yankees and is in the Baseball Hall of Fame, grew up in Germantown. NFL Films' Ed Sabol will be enshrined in Canton next month. Ed will be joined on the dais with his son Steve in November.

Dawn Staley, from Dobbins Tech, has to get into the Basketball Hall of Fame someday soon. Bill Bergey and Wilbert Montgomery were in the middle of everything for the 1980 NFC champion Eagles.

Al Meltzer, who came to town in 1964 to work for WFIL radio, called all those Big 5 games on Channel 17, was the sports director at Channel 3 and Channel 10 before finishing his career at Comcast SportsNet. He worked everywhere because he was that good.

Speedy Morris has won 883 games, first at Roman Catholic, then at Penn Charter, La Salle University and now St. Joseph's Prep. Nobody won more games at La Salle. And nobody has won more in the Catholic League.

They are joined in this class by Philadelphia A's infielder Jimmy Dykes; the great Negro Leagues catcher James "Biz" Mackey; a two-time Olympic gold-medal winner (1912 Stockholm Games), middle-distance runner Ted Meredith; lefthander Curt Simmons, an anchor, along with righthander Robin Roberts, for the 1950 Whiz Kids; and tennis and basketball champion Ora Washington, who competed in the 1920s and '30s when the top echelons of her sports had no opportunities for African-Americans.

Howe, along with his father Gordie, Bergey, Meltzer and Morris were all at the Sheraton. Daily News alum and Philly Hall member Ray Didinger spoke for the Sabols. Bill Zimpfer, from the Breakfast Club on WOGL-FM, spoke on behalf of Simmons, his uncle.

Gordie Howe looks as if he could still play. And you know he would like to. After all, the man did play professional hockey with his sons.

"I'm just proud somebody saw [Mark] through my eyes," he said of his son. "It was about his love for the game and love for the fans."

When he was asked his age, Gordie said, "Old enough."

He is visiting Mark, who lives in South Jersey.

"I enjoyed my time playing with my dad and brother [Marty] so much, and it meant everything to me," Mark said. "But when Dad retired, I had an opportunity to come here and state my case as an individual."

Mark stated it eloquently over 10 seasons with the Flyers.

"It was a perfect fit for me," he said. "You always heard how tough the fans are here. Well, no, I don't find them tough at all. If they know you're putting in the effort every day, the fans here will love you."

The Eagles fans loved Bergey, the quintessential middle linebacker.

"The older you get, awards like these mean so much more to you," Bergey said. "A lot of people thought I was a little screwed up in the head, because there wasn't one thing I didn't love about pro football."

That showed in the way he played. He had only one regret, that Super Bowl loss to Oakland.

There was nothing "Big Al" did not do in this city, but one assignment always stood out for him - calling those Big 5 games on Channel 17.

He just finished a book about his life in the business that will be out in the fall. He has stories to tell. And few can tell them better.

Speedy was not a good player. When he actually got into a game at Roman and had the ball driving to the basket, he was called for 3 seconds. At least, that is his story and he has been telling it well for years.

"To go in with guys I rooted for, cheered for, admired," Morris said. "It's a great class. I think every class has been extraordinary. It's an honor for a me, a kid from Manayunk."

Didinger, who worked at NFL Films and now works for Comcast SportsNet Philly, said, "NFL Films really is a Philadelphia creation, a Sabol creation."

Zimpfer remembered wearing those authentic Phillies jerseys in the summer, those wool deals. He said how much his uncle will enjoy being in a Hall with his goods friends, Roberts and Rich Ashburn.

Penn Relays director Dave Johnson explained how the event went from 5,000 at Franklin Field in 1895 to a record 1-day attendance of 54,310 in 2010. Jesse Owens ran there. So did Carl Lewis.

When this class is inducted, the Hall will have 121 individuals, five teams, one organization, one venue and one event. The individuals represent more than 240 various Hall of Fame inductions. The ninth class will be inducted in 2012. Even with all the great names already in, it is now clear organizers will have no trouble finding more names to add to a list that keeps getting longer and better. *



Sources say Flyers shopping goalie Bobrovsky

By FRANK SERAVALLI

Yesterday in Denver, more than halfway across the country, the Avalanche welcomed goaltender Semyon Varlamov to Colorado with a news conference.

Varlamov just as easily could have been Sergei Bobrovsky.

According to sources, the Flyers began to shop Bobrovsky - the man they called "the goaltender of the future" as recently as May - to all suitors once they struck a 9-year deal with Ilya Bryzgalov on June 23.

General manager Paul Holmgren vehemently denied it when asked whether Bobrovsky had been involved in trade talks.

The Flyers, though, couldn't get the exact asking price they hoped for when shopping Bobrovsky's services on the open market. Varlamov, a fellow Russian only 5 months older than Bobrovsky, netted Washington a first- and second-round pick in a July 1 trade.

It's plain to see that Bobrovsky - without the first-round pedigree and nearly 3 full years' worth of experience in North America - would not garner as much as Varlamov on the market. The Flyers would have pulled the trigger at that price.

Then again, it isn't every day that 22-year-old goaltenders are able to make a starting impact in the NHL. Bobrovsky played 54 regular-season games for the Flyers last season as a rookie. Varlamov has only 59 regular-season games under his belt over parts of three seasons.

While rosters have begun to fill out since free agency commenced on July 1, just because Bobrovsky is here now does not mean he will remain the Flyers' backup come Opening Night on Oct. 6.

Why?

The Flyers will continue to look to move him if the price is right. Bobrovsky, with a $1.75 million salary next season, will become the second-highest paid backup in the NHL on a team that usually spends to the limit.

Bryzgalov, who hasn't played fewer than 65 games in each of the last three seasons, is a workhorse. While few say Bryzgalov would be a bad mentor for his fellow Russian, Bobrovsky would be cut from 60 appearances last season (including playoffs) to nearly 20 next season. Few experts would go out on a limb and say that would not stunt Bobrovsky's development.

It's not as if Bobrovsky, who would be 31 at the end of Bryzgalov's deal, will be waiting in the wings for the term of Bryzgalov's contract as the supposed "goaltender of the future."

Starting in October, Bobrovsky will need to clear waivers to get in more work with the Phantoms - something he won't do without being claimed.

The Flyers' goaltending situation got a little murkier yesterday when they signed free agent Jason Bacashihua, a former first-round pick, to a 1-year contract. The Flyers had not announcedthe deal last night, which was circulated in an NHL Players Association memo as being worth the minimum $525,000 in the NHL and $125,000 in the minors.

While Bacashihua, 28, has 38 games of NHL experience on his resumé, he is a longshot to see any time in a Flyers uniform - short of another Year of the Seven Goalies.

In front of him on the depth chart are Bryzgalov, Bobrovsky, Michael Leighton and Johan Backlund. The final year of Leighton's $1.55 million salary can be stashed in Adirondack, off the salary cap, as it was for the bulk of last season. This season, however, Backlund's contract converts to a one-way NHL deal worth $800,000.

Between the Flyers and Phantoms, only four roster spots are available - two starters and two backups. That means one of those five goaltenders will be without a spot. Or if you're putting two and two together, one of them will be dealt before the season.

It's important to keep in mind that the Flyers are not unwilling to go into the season with Bobrovsky on their roster. To think that Holmgren will move

Bobrovsky without a solid return is foolish. It would be better to keep him than to give him away.

Besides, the Flyers will have a T-shirt bonanza next season if their duo is Bryzgalov and Bobrovsky. It will be the Flyers' version of the old hammer and sickle Communist logo.

Even 35 years after pounding the Soviet Red Army team, who would have seen that coming?

Simmonds signs

It took 2 weeks, but the Flyers were finally able to re-sign restricted free-agent forward Wayne Simmonds to a 2-year deal yesterday. The extension is worth $3.5 million, with a $1.75 million salary-cap hit per season.

Simmonds, 22, netted 14 goals and 16 assists for Los Angeles last season. He was acquired in last month's trade for Mike Richards.

Slap shots

The Flyers also signed draft pick Tye McGinn to a 3-year, entry-level deal. McGinn, one of the prospects involved in this week's camp, was a fourth-round pick in 2010 . . . The Flyers will hold their annual Trial on the Isle today in Stone Harbor, N.J., beginning with a bike race at 9th Street and 2nd Avenue at 9 a.m. and concluding with an autograph session and softball game in the afternoon. *



Flyers sign former first round goaltender

The Flyers have signed free agent goaltender Jason Bacashihua, a former first round pick, to a contract, the Daily News has learned.

According to a confidential email released to NHL Players Association members, the two-way deal is worth $525,000 in the NHL and $125,000 in the AHL.

The Flyers have yet to announce the signing. The deal was completed, according to the NHLPA, on July 5.

Bacashihua, 28, was first round pick (No. 26 overall) by the Dallas Stars back in 2001. He has 38 games of NHL experience on his resume, all with the St. Louis Blues, where he posted a 7-17-4 record.

The Dearborn Heights, Mich., native is 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds. It is believed Bacashihua will fill in the gaps on the Flyers' depth chart, most likely as a backup with the Phantoms.

Bacashihua has bounced around a bit over the years, but has spent the last three years in the AHL, mostly as a starter. He was 23-16-3 with Lake Erie last season, posting a 2.29 goals against-average and .917 save percentage. Bacashihua was an astounding 17-3-1 in 2009-10 with Hershey.

He is a veteran of 233 AHL games, holding a career record of 99-103-18 with a 2.81 goals against-average.

EARLIER:

The Flyers have signed Tye McGinn, a fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft, to an entry level contract. McGinn is among the players taking part in the prospect camp this week.

According to capgeek.com, the deal is a two-way contract is for 3 years. McGinn figures to be playing in Adrondack for the Phantoms this coming season.

McGinn, a scrappy left wing, had 31 goals and 33 assists in 42 games with Gatineau in juniors this past season. He also posted 13 points (5 goals) in 14 postseason games.

His older brother, Jamie, plays for the San Jose Sharks.



Malone, Howe headline Philly Sports Hall of Fame class

Philadelphia Daily News

Daily News Staff Report

Basketball Hall of Fame Moses Malones, soon-to-be Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Howe headline the eighth induction class of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.

NFL Films founder Ed Sabol, who will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame next month, and his son Steve are among the group of 15 inductees and one event revealed today during a news conference at the Sheraton Society Hill.

Howe, a Flyers defenseman who was selected to the Hockey Hall of Fame two weeks ago, was joined at the news conference by his legendary father, Gordie Howe.

Linebacker Bill Bergey and running back Wilbert Montgomery, both members of the 1980 NFC championship team, will represent the Eagles.

Lefthander Curt Simmons, a member of the 1950 Whiz Kids, is the lone Phillie in this year's group.

Here is the complete list:

Eagles linebacker Bill Bergey

Negro League baseball player Biz Mackey

Phillies lefthander Curt Simmons

Olympic gold medalist basketball star Dawn Staley

NFL Films founder Ed Sabol and son Steve

Philadelphia Athletics infielder Jimmy Dykes

Yankees manager and Germantown native Joe McCarthy

Sixers center Moses Malone

Flyers defenseman Mark Howe

Tennis and basketball player Ora Washington

Two-time track Olympic gold medalist Ted Meredith

Eagles running back Wilbert Montgomery

Special awards will be given to Speedy Morris (Lifetime Committment), Al Meltzer (Legacy of Excellence) and the Penn Relays (Special Enshrinement).

The induction is scheduled for Nov. 10 at the Sheraton Society Hall.



HOWE ABOUT THAT HALL OF FAME CLASS?

The eighth class of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame will be inducted Nov. 10 at the Society Hill Sheraton.

These inductees were revealed Thursday:

Bill Bergey, former A's manager Jimmy Dykes, Mark Howe, Biz Mackey of the famous Hilldale Daisies of Darby and the Negro Leagues, Moses Malone, former big-league manager Joe McCarthy, sportscaster Al Meltzer, track's Ted Meredith, Wilbert Montgomery, basketball coach Speedy Morris, Ed and Steve Sabol of NFL Films, former Phillie Curt Simmons, basketball star Dawn Staley and Ora Washington, of basketball and tennis fame. Also, the Penn Relays will receive a special enshrinement.

It was interesting that of all that sports excellence, the most famous athlete in the building was not an inductee at all. It was Mister Hockey, Gordie Howe, who was there to enjoy the moment with his son Mark.

Delaware County Times LOADED: 07.08.2011


McCAFFERY: Mark Howe lives up to dad’s big dreams

PHILADELPHIA — Gordie Howe was just an interested father, not an interesting hockey legend, when he used to accompany his son Mark to youth baseball games. And he was a fan, not a teacher, when Mark’s smooth left-handed swing used to terrify opposing pitchers.

“He was always one to take to any game as a kid,” Howe remembers. “When the little guys used to play the game of baseball, he used to hit it out of the park pretty good. Then, there was golf. I remember trying to teach him the game. One day, he beat me. And I shut up.”

Howe was laughing at the father-son memories Thursday, but proud of where they’d landed them both in what is becoming one of their greatest hockey years of all. And they’ve enjoyed one or two. He was at the Society Hill Sheraton, where Mark would be introduced as a member of the eighth class of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame, just days after being elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

A father, a son … and two legends, certified at last.

“I am very, very proud of him,” Gordie said. “He’s a gentleman, in many ways. There won’t be any bragging. With him, if you didn’t hear it today, you won’t hear it tomorrow.”

The Howes were seated side by side, applauding the inductees who will be formally presented at a Nov. 11 dinner. They will also be together, physically and historically, Nov. 14 in Toronto, when Mark Howe will join the Hockey Hall of Fame, his left-handed swing good for 197 NHL goals, 138 for the Flyers from 1982 through 1992.

“What took so long?” Gordie Howe said.

It took Mark Howe 16 years after his retirement to reach the Hockey Hall, or exactly 16 more years than it took Gordie. That’s because anyone commonly known as Mister Hockey gets in right away. But once that formal induction is complete, there will never be another need to answer the eternal Howe family question.

It was, after all, a good idea to let Mark try to match his father’s hockey achievements rather than to continue to loop home runs over right-field fences.

“We talked about it when he was young,” said Gordie, of the towering family hockey standard. “He said it would be no problem.”

As a defenseman, Mark would never be in a position to match the statistics of his father, a right wing. But once his plaque is affixed to the same wall in Canada, they literally will be on an even hockey surface.

“They could have told me to try some other sport, but I wouldn’t have listened,” Mark said. “I knew I was going to play hockey. I knew I had the ability to play. But the most important thing was that I had the love of the game. It has been in my heart and soul since the day I was born. You either have it or you don’t. You can’t teach that. You play the game because you love the game.”

Mark Howe played hockey because he loved it, and he made his home near Philadelphia because he loved that, too.

“Except for five years in Detroit, I have basically been in this area since 1982,” he said. “I lived in Huntingdon Valley for a while, but primarily in New Jersey. I have spent every summer since 1986 on Long Beach Island. So this is home for me.”

Howe will join former Eagles Bill Bergey and Wilbert Montgomery in the Philly Hall, along with ex-Sixer Moses Malone, former Phillie Curt Simmons, sportscaster Al Meltzer, former big-league managers Jimmy Dykes and Joe McCarthy, basketball star Dawn Staley, Ora Washington of basketball and tennis fame, Ed and Steve Sabol of NFL Films, Olympic track gold medalist Ted Meredith, basketball coach Speedy Morris and Biz Mackey, who once helped propel the legendary Hilldale Daisies to Negro League baseball success in Darby. The Penn Relays will also be enshrined.

“This and the NHL Hall of Fame?” Mark Howe said. “It’s more than you could ever dream of.”

But it was a vision, and a clear one, that one interested father once enjoyed.

Delaware County Times LOADED: 07.08.2011


Flyers ink Simmonds to two-year contract

By Tim Panaccio

Wayne Simmonds scored 14 goals for the L.A. Kings last season. (US Presswire)

Whatever hangup the Flyers had with getting winger Wayne Simmonds signed disappeared overnight.

The former restricted free agent signed a two-year contract on Thursday worth $3.5 million, according to a league source. That's a very nice bump over the $821,667 Simmonds made on his entry deal with the Los Angeles Kings.

Simmonds, 22, netted 14 goals for the Kings last season, and general manager Paul Holmgren has said more than once he believes the right wing is capable of more as a member of the Flyers.

"He is a rough-and-tumble, rugged winger who we think has a real upside in terms of offensive production," Holmgren said at the press conference that introduced Simmonds and two other new flyers, Jakub Voracek and Brayden Schenn. "We look for big things from Wayne."

With Simmonds' signing, all the players from the Jeff Carter and Mike Richards mega deals last month are now under contract for the coming season.



First-round pick Couturier aims to make Flyers

By Sarah Baicker

Sean Couturier had a sneak preview of the barrage of media attention that comes along with joining the Flyers when the team selected him eighth overall at last month’s draft – but even that whirlwind experience didn’t set him up for what he encountered after he arrived in Philadelphia.

On Wednesday, the first day of Flyers prospect camp, Couturier didn’t even have a chance to pop in his fake teeth before a pack of reporters and cameras approached him at his locker just moments after he left the ice. (He's missing most of his top front teeth because of a puck he took to the face a couple years back.)

So the lanky 18-year-old center wore a toothless grin while he was peppered with questions about where he’s staying (at a hotel by Skate Zone), who he’s rooming with (fellow highly touted prospect Brayden Schenn) and what it’s been like to be coached by Ian Laperriere (“Great!”).

Couturier is rather quiet, a trait that, according to Schenn, he demonstrates both in the locker room and outside of the rink. But when asked about his goals now that his tenure in the Flyers organization has officially begun, his volume didn’t get in the away of his confidence.

“My main goal is to make the team,” Couturier said. “But I’m just going to have to work hard this summer and come prepared to camp and give everything I’ve got. It’s going to be up to the staff to decide.”

Before Couturier earns a spot with the Flyers, however, he’ll have to overcome some hurdles. He will definitely need to put on muscle (at 6-foot-3, he’s currently a little undersized at 200 pounds), and he’ll need to prove he deserves to play up more than some others he’s competing against. The Flyers are suddenly crowded down the middle.

A self-described two-way forward who is “reliable defensively,” Couturier hopes to show the Flyers’ coaches that he’s talented at controlling the puck and can find a niche setting up plays. His first chance to do so is this week at development camp, but the work will continue deep into the summer.

“I’m going to work hard this summer and do everything I can to make the team,” Couturier said. “But come September, I’ll be ready for [training] camp. And once camp is on, just give everything, and we’ll just see what happens.”

Among the youngest invitees at the camp, which has about 40 participants, Couturier noticed immediately when he stepped out onto the ice before a large crowd of fans that he’d entered a new echelon of hockey. He admitted he felt plenty of butterflies at the camp’s first day. But on Thursday, he began to shine, standing out during some puckhandling drills.

“It’s not juniors anymore,” Couturier said. “It’s pro. Guys are a lot stronger and faster, the speed’s faster. But I think it felt pretty good.”

Couturier was born in Phoenix, but moved to New Brunswick, Canada, at a young age. His father played professional hockey for the Phoenix Roadrunners of the IHL, and growing up in a hockey family most certainly helped Couturier learn the discipline necessary to succeed in the sport – a quality he hopes to show off to the Flyers’ brass while he’s here this summer.

“Just my work ethic,” he said. “Work hard, show them I have a good work ethic and that I’m a good person, and just work hard every time I’m out there.”

The Flyers’ prospects will head to the shore Friday for the annual Trial on the Isle mini-triathlon event. But for Couturier – who’s never participated in anything like Trial on the Isle – the camp’s highlight came early: putting on an NHL jersey and skating out onto the ice for the first time.

“It felt pretty special,” Couturier said. “Since I’m young, I dreamed to play in the NHL one day, and now it’s a step closer. There’s still a lot of work left to do, but it’s progress, and it felt good.”



Flyers' Read hopes to follow in JVR's footsteps

By Tim Panaccio

Even before Mike Richards was traded, the magnetized placard “Matt Read” was hanging up in Paul Holmgren’s office on a line with Richards and Kris Versteeg.

Now Richards and Versteeg are gone – but Read is still here and was among the on-ice contingent at Skate Zone this week during the Flyers’ prospect camp.

If there is one thing we have learned about the new-direction Flyers this summer it’s this: Anything is possible.

“I didn’t know what to think, at first,” Read said, adding his friends were texting him after the Richards trade, saying the odds of him making the Flyers’ roster went up.

“It’s still a big jump for me. I’ve got to come prepared. There could be an open spot. I have to look at it in the way it could be an opportunity for me and opening up a spot for myself. They’re a developing team that wants to win a Stanley Cup.”

Read is the first American-born Flyer since Joel Otto to have played collegiately at Bemidji State in Minnesota. He’s also what you’d call a “thick” player.

Though just 5-foot-10, he’s broad-shouldered and a solid 186 pounds. He’s a guy who can play both wing and center. He’ll come into training camp this fall with rather intriguing numbers.

Read played just 11 games with the Phantoms after making the jump out of college last spring, compiling seven goals and six assists for 13 points. What everyone wants to know is whether that was an aberration … or something else.

Can he project out to a point-per-game player in the NHL without a full season of understudy in the American Hockey League? Probably not. But what about making the Flyers’ roster?

There was a reason Holmgren had Read’s name on the board. The organization is betting he can. The 25 year old is on a one-way contract, too.

“That’s the price of doing business with that type of free agent because of his age, he’s out of the entry-level system,” Holmgren said. “He demands a one-way deal. When you sign him, he’s either going to play for you or you’re going to live with him in the minors for a little bit of time and hope he’s quick to develop.

“Matt is a real smart player. When you watch him play, he looks like a hockey player. How quickly it translates into jumping to the NHL, I don’t know.”

It wasn’t mandatory for Read to attend this camp. He volunteered. He’s that eager to get his NHL career going.

“It’s hard to know where I will be at the beginning of the year,” he said. “Obviously, the goal is to make the team and we’ll go from there and make goals from there.”

As for how those glittering stats for 11 games translate over the course of the season, even Read admits he’s never played more than 40 games in any season, and knows it’s going to take him time to adjust to a pro schedule.

“It’s a different animal,” Read said.

The Flyers think he can handle it.

“I saw him play in the Phantoms last game and he was clearly the Phantoms’ best forward,” said Holmgren, adding the organization was impressed that his game didn’t drop off despite playing a grueling AHL schedule which often has three games in three nights.

“He adapted and in every game, he played good,” Holmgren said.

Consider this: other than Read’s age, what is so vastly different between him making the jump out of college and James van Riemsdyk doing the same out of New Hampshire in 2009-10?

JVR played seven games out of college at the end of 2009, then played 78 as a rookie for the Flyers.

The jump from college to pro wasn’t easy for van Riemsdyk, who had a turbulent rookie season and then gradually blossomed into a stronger, more aggressive forward. Whether he’ll ever become a consistent power forward isn’t known, but he certainly took major steps toward that direction last season.

Which is to say: The transition from college to pro might not be much different for Read.

“I’ve thought about that,” Read said. “I went to Adirondack and learned a lot in the 11 games there. I think I’m a quick learner. Hopefully, if I get a shot here, I can learn as quick as I can and develop into an NHL player.

“It wasn’t easy. It was beneficial going up there and playing with their top guys ... I surprised myself for sure.”

What impressed the Flyers initially about Read was that he’s a responsible two-way on the ice. He had two role models, he said: Sidney Crosby on the offensive side of the puck and Pavel Datysuk on the defensive side.

“Defense wins hockey games,” Read said. “You start in your own zone and go from there.”

For Read, this prospect camp is just a start. The real test comes when the full training camp opens in September.


574954 Phoenix Coyotes

Andy Miele looks to impress Phoenix Coyotes at prospect camp

By Diana C. Nearhos - Jul. 7, 2011 06:11 PM

At age 5, Andy Miele's mother had to pin him down to get his hockey gear on. He just didn't like skating. Now, 17 years later, Miele is playing at the Coyotes prospect camp, trying to make it into the National Hockey League.

"I used to hate getting on the ice," Miele said. "But obviously I've learned to love the game."

Miele not only learned to love hockey, but learned to excel at it. The center scored during his first-ever shift for Miami (Ohio) in a 6-1 win for the Red Hawks.

"I don't know many players who get to do that," Miami head coach Enrico Blasi said. "That was obviously a sign of things to come."

Those things to come included an impressive senior year, highlighted by the Hobey Baker Award, given to college hockey's best player. Miele was also the nation's top scorer with 71 points and helped lead the Red Hawks to their first conference tournament championship. He earned other player of the year titles, but the most unusual might be Miele's nomination the College Athlete of the Year ESPY.

"I want to go and win (the ESPY, next Wednesday)," Miele said. "College basketball and football have bigger fan bases, but who knows what could happen? I'm writing a speech so I'll have that ready if I win."

Miele entered the 2010 draft but was not selected, making him a free agent. But the past year's performance made many teams take a closer look at the 5-foot-8 Miele, who many had thought could not make it in the NHL due to his height. The Coyotes signed him on April 2; with a strong performance in the prospect camp and training camp, Miele might be playing with Phoenix in October.

In a group of almost 30 players shaking off the rust of not having played in a few weeks, Miele caught the eye of Coyotes coach Dave Tippett.

"He's an ultra-skilled guy; he makes a lot of stuff happen out there," Tippett said. "Sometimes early in a practice like this, those are the guys who jump out at you."

Much has been made of Miele's height, but he sees it as a positive.

"I think that's part of why I get a little feisty on the ice," Miele said. "I try to prove I can play a bigger man's game and that's what teams like about me. I don't try to imitate anyone; I want to be me and make my own name for myself with my own style."

His height sure has not kept Miele from being successful in the past, and he is not going to let it stand in his way now.

Tippett recognized that determination in Miele.

"He had a great college career, but now going into the pro game, everybody has to prove themselves again," Tippett said. "He's a dedicated player. He's going to work hard to prove people wrong."

Arizona Republic LOADED: 07.08.2011

574955 Phoenix Coyotes

Phoenix Coyotes promote Sean Burke to director of player development and goaltending coach

Associated Press

The Coyotes have promoted Sean Burke to director of player development and the team's goaltending coach.

In his new role, Burke will be responsible for all off-season amateur player development including overseeing the Coyotes development camp and monitoring amateur player development during the season. The former NHL goaltender spent parts of five seasons with the Coyotes from 1999-2004 during his 18-year career.

Meanwhile, Coyotes' General Manager Don Maloney says Dave King has stepped down from his position as assistant coach to become a development coach for the Coyotes. King will oversee all pro player development including working with coaches and players with Portland of the AHL.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 07.08.2011

574956 Pittsburgh Penguins

Razing Civic Arena to cost $2.9 million

By Bill Vidonic, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW

The city-county Sports & Exhibition Authority on Thursday moved forward with tearing down the vacant Civic Arena, despite a federal lawsuit to save it.

The SEA, which owns the arena, awarded Noralco Corp. of Penn Hills a $2.9 million contract to demolish the former home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 59-year-old company, according to president Allen J. Cousin, also has razed past Pittsburgh icons, including Forbes Field, the Kaufmann's warehouse in the North Side and the former Children's Hospital in Oakland.

Noralco was the lowest of three bidders that met all the specifications the SEA requested. The second-lowest came from Independence Excavating of Pittsburgh at $3.5 million. Three bidders failed to meet requirements for being able to remove asbestos.

"We bid low, we get a job. We bid high, we don't get a job," Cousin said.

The company will get salvage rights to most of the arena, according to the contract. Some items, including center ice, gate pylons and a portion of the outdoor marquee, will be saved to be incorporated into any redevelopment at the 28-acre site.

Noralco vice president George F. Boehm said the company hopes to make $1 million from the salvage effort.

Cousin said the company uses union workers. SEA employees said the company also met requirements for female and minority employees.

SEA Executive Director Mary Conturo said the demolition should begin with asbestos removal in August and take nine to 10 months.

Some materials will be donated to nonprofits. Construction Junction in Point Breeze, which sells and donates recycled building materials, will receive ceiling tiles, floor tiles and some lights. Goodwill Industries will receive fax machines, copiers, computers and other equipment.

SEA Project Executive Douglas Straley said some of the items were included in auctions of arena memorabilia, but no one bid on them.

Urban Tree Forge, a for-profit furniture manufacturer in Lincoln-Lemington that accepts "salvaged" trees, will receive more than a dozen trees to turn into lumber.

The SEA also voted to distribute a collection of architectural drawings, videos of the arena and other memorabilia to Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the Heinz History Center for educational and public use.

The SEA will pay the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation $30,000, about half the cost, to produce a guidebook that will honor "mid-modern architecture" throughout Western Pennsylvania, including the Civic Arena, Conturo said.

The demolition contract was scheduled for a vote well in advance of a federal lawsuit that Preservation Pittsburgh filed on Wednesday. The group contends that redeveloping the site would violate federal law because the effort would use federal highway funds.

"This appears to be the latest attempt to delay our work," Conturo said. "We are confident about our legal position."

Tribune Review LOADED: 07.08.2011

574957 Pittsburgh Penguins

Red Wings sign former Pens wing Conner

By Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Detroit Red Wings signed former Penguins right wing Chris Conner to a one-year, two-way contract on Thursday.

Conner, an unrestricted free agent, played 60 games for the Penguins last season, recording seven goals including three game-winners and nine assists.

In parts of two seasons with the Penguins, Conner played 68 regular season games and eight postseason games.

Tribune Review LOADED: 07.08.2011

574958 St Louis Blues

How much can Arnott, Langenbrunner add to Blues?

By ROGER HENSLEY | Posted: Thursday, July 7, 2011 11:40 am

QUESTION: Do you think aging veterans like Jamie Langenbrunner and Jason Arnott can really add much to the Blues on-ice, or do you think their influence will be more in the lockerroom?

JEREMY RUTHERFORD

I may be in the minority, but I think Langenbrunner and Arnott can contribute. Will Langenbrunner score 20 goals and put up 60 points? No, but he’s only had four 20-goal seasons in his 14 seasons in the NHL, and he’s only had 60-plus points three times. He’s a battler, who’s going to set a good example and give the Blues more consistency than they’ve had on their third and fourth lines in the past.

Is Arnott the 30-goal, 70-point guy he once was? Probably not. But playing in between Alex Steen and Matt D’Agostini, he could score 18-20 goals and put up 40-45 points, which is more offense than the Blues have been getting from their third-line center in recent years. Arnott won’t be asked to carry the load and my guess is he’ll be able to produce in that situation.

JEFF GORDON

They should help on both fronts. Arnott, in particular, should have an impact on the ice. He will add size and skill to one of the scoring lines. Langenbrunner is just a year removed from highly productive play, so he should bolster the supporting cast. The fact that both players agreed to one-year deals is huge, since this team will have to offer some bigger long-term deals to core players in future years.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)

I’ve never thought the Blues’ problems were in the room, I’ve always thought they were on the ice so I guess that’s where my answer lies. Their biggest problems the past couple of years have been a lack of depth to make up for losses due to injury and a lack of experience in some important game situations.

With the addition of Langenbrunner, Arnott and Scott Nichol the Blues have 12 reliable forwards heading into camp and that doesn’t count David Perron, who is a question mark because of lingering concussion symptoms. That will help the team be more consistent, something every player I’ve spoken with has pointed to as a key to this upcoming season.

The Blues finished 10th in the league in goals scored last year and that was with Andy McDonald and T.J. Oshie missing huge chunks of the season. That also happened with Chris Stewart around for just 26 games, so they really didn’t need to add a ton of offense. As long as everyone plays up to standard – forwards, defensemen and goalies – they’ll be fine.

ANDY STRICKLAND (Truehockey.com, KFNS)

It’s hard to argue both players won’t be welcome additions on and off the ice. The Blues didn’t bring them on board to babysit and watch over the Oshies, Berglunds, and Perrons. They obviously bring a ton of experience and I think their game will benefit from playing in a youthful, enthusiastic environment. Doug Armstrong wouldn’t have signed either player unless he honestly believed they could upgrade the roster. Are they the players they once were? No, but they can still contribute and complement a core of offensive players lacking winning experience. They aren’t signed to eight-year deals and therefore won’t be fully ingrained in the Blues organization, but for one year they can certainly give some much needed direction. Signing these types of players is long overdue.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.08.2011

574959 St Louis Blues

Langenbrunner, Arnott say they have a lot to give

By JEREMY RUTHERFORD | Posted: Thursday, July 7, 2011 11:28 am

Last season was a forgettable year for new Blue Jamie Langenbrunner. The club with which he began the season, New Jersey, had an insufferable start, and after he was traded to Dallas, the Stars slumped down the stretch and missed the playoffs in their final game.

Between the two teams, Langenbrunner had a combined nine goals and 23 assists in 70 games. It was a far cry from the 29 goals and 69 points he had in 2008-09 and 19 goals and 61 points he managed in 2009-10. In fact, the nine goals Langenbrunner posted last year was the fewest total of his 14-year career in seasons when he's played at least 50 games.

"Myself, I want to put last year behind me," Langenbrunner said today. "Before that, I had two of the best years of my career. Unfortunately, it was a tough one last year, but I want to come back and get back to the level where I was. Putting up some points, but also playing the game the right way. I think with the depth we have in our lineup, it should be able to come from a lot of different lines and take the pressure off one group to get it done."

Arnott's production has also tailed off in recent years - from 72 points to 57 to 46 to 31 in the last four seasons. His goals have dipped from 33 to 19 to 17 in the last three seasons. Like Langenbrunner, he split the season last year with two teams, starting with New Jersey and finishing with Washington. He had 13 goals in 62 games with the Devils and four goals in 11 games with the Capitals.

"I still feel that I’m in great shape and I have a lot to give," Arnott said. "Obviously I love to score goals. I think every player does. It’s one of my goals this year to help out on the goal-scoring, no question."

Blues coach Davis Payne said he believes Langenbrunner and Arnott would offer more than just experience.

"You talk about Langenbrunner, a guy where his strength is in the battle," Payne said. "It's the one-on-one situation, it's coming up with the puck, it's providing an emphasis in the fore-check, providing great defensive play, providing some shot-blocking, a great nose for the net and a guy that plays on the interior.

'With Arnott, a big body that can play in the middle. His ability to shoot the puck and contribute offensively (are important). He'll be a big, physical body to lean on people. That's something that we value very high."

********

LINE COMBINATIONS

A lot of readers and Twitter followers have been asking about the Blues' potential line combinations with Langenbrunner and Arnott in the fold. I think you have to look at it two ways - with David Perron and without David Perron.

With Perron...

McDonald-Backes-Perron

Oshie-Berglund-Stewart

Steen-Arnott-D'Agostini

Sobotka-Nichol-Langenbrunner/Crombeen

Without Perron...

McDonald-Backes-D'Agostini

Oshie-Berglund-Stewart

Steen-Arnott-Langenbrunner

Sobotka-Nichol-Crombeen

Extras: Chris Porter, Evgeni Grachev, Ryan Reaves

********

PERRON UPDATE

When addressing the signings yesterday, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong was asked if they were done in part because the team doesn't feel Perron will be available for the season opener.

Armstrong's reply: "No. We made these with the information that we think David is going to be ready for training camp. But we are into July now and (potential injuries during the season), we wanted to have some depth, and I think we’ve created our depth. All indications are that David is doing well and getting better, but he’s not to the point to workout. Until he gets to that point, he’s not in consideration."

Payne added: "We still anticipate good things with Perry. We still anticipate him being ready to go. Obviously there's still a process that he still has to go through with getting into shape and up to speed. But you talk about (Perron), you talk about Langenbrunner, Arnott, Nichol ... these guys coming into a lineup that has guys who are ready to go and ready to win now ... Backes, Steen, McDonald. Lots of pieces there that we can move around."

********

CAPTAIN CANDIDATES

Langenbrunner and Arnott have both been captains in the NHL, but neither are considered candidates to assume the Blues' vacancy captaincy position.

"These players are coming in to help supplement and help that core group go," Armstrong said. "They’re going to be asked for leadership, be asked for their experiences. But Davis and I will discuss with other people in the organization on the captaincy, whether we want to annoint a captain in training camp or just go with the A's."

Langenbrunner said he would give strong consideration to Backes. Backes played a part in recruiting Langenbrunner to St. Louis, speaking to him the past few days on the phone.

"He called me a few times and also I played with him for those couple of weeks at the (2010 Olympics in Vancouver)," Langenbrunner said. "I saw a lot of that (captain material) in him. I don't know the rest of the guys in the dressing room real well, but from what I've seen from him, definitely, he has that make-up and he defininitely plays like a captain, leading by example. Definitely a guy that should be in that role and could be in that role."

Langenbrunner should know. Not only has he worn the "C" in the NHL, he wore it for Team USA at those Olympics. Backes watched and learned how to lead during that tournament.

"He's got a calm presence but with that calm presence comes the work ethic that's unmatched," Backes said. "He's achieved a lot of his success from outworking his opponents. That's kind of the blue-collar mentality that the Blues have had, and now we're going to continue to have to be successful. He'll bring a lot to the table. He had a lot of words of wisdom at the Olympics, and those words of wisdom are still ringing true every time we step on the ice."

********

ODDS AND ENDS

Langenbrunner on Payne: "He's one of those guys that is excited about his team. He loves the makeup of it. He loves the direction. He knows what he wants and has no problem not sugar-coating stuff ... he tells it the way it is. I think that's great. I like a guy that's straight foorward with you and honest. It makes everyone's job easier, and they know exactly where you are."

Langenbrunner on Blues goalie Jaroslav Halak: "He's definitely talented. I've been fortunate enough in my career to play with a few good ones ... in Eddie Belfour and Marty Brodeur. I think when you have that consistency and know that somebody is going to come up big for you, it just helps the whole team play."

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.08.2011

574960 Tampa Bay Lightning

Bolts bolster roster by signing Shannon

By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

While the vigilant wait goes on regarding a new contract for All-Star center Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay went about rounding out their roster on Thursday signing forward Ryan Shannon to a one-year deal worth $625,000.

The Lightning also signed former 2004 top ten draft pick Alex Picard to a one-year, two-way contract to add to the team's organizational depth.

The addition of Shannon all but rounds out the expected roster for opening night in October after adding the 28-year-old former Boston College standout who won a Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007. In five NHL seasons, the past three with Ottawa, Shannon has 31 goals and 87 points in 260 career games. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Connecticut native, who works out with Marty St. Louis in the summer, enjoyed career highs with 11 goals and 27 points.

Signing with Tampa was something Shannon had in mind even before any contact was made between the two sides and the versatile forward could contend for a spot in a top six role come training camp.

"The impression I got from playing against them and then watching them in the playoffs is like a boxer always hitting the body and then just pouncing on teams as the game went along,'' Shannon said. "It's a winning culture and to be part of that, there really is nothing better in the league. I think it's a great fit the way they team plays.''

Talks regarding Stamkos, meanwhile, continued on Thursday as the two sides inch closer to reaching a new deal.

"We are talking about things, and it's not just a simple contract,'' Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said. "This is an important player and in light of everything that has happened over the last week, and we are making progress. I expect to, and I'm optimistic we will get him signed and both parties are continuing to work towards that.''

Tampa Tribune LOADED: 07.08.2011


Stronger Connolly hoping to turn heads

By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

The magnifying glass hovering over Lightning prospect Brett Connolly intensifies each time he steps on the ice.

And until the sixth overall pick in the 2010 draft proves that he's capable of making it through a season without dealing with injuries, that focus will continue to be on him and his future.

Before he was selected by the Lightning, many draft experts were concerned about a pair of hip injuries that cost him all but 16 games of his season in 2009-10 with Prince George of the Western Hockey League, and that might have stunted his development. Connolly faced all those questions from scouts and team officials last summer to the point that some were surprised Tampa Bay used the sixth pick to select the 6-foot-1 left winger in front of eventual rookie of the year Jeff Skinner and highly touted defenseman Cam Fowler, who played all last season with Anaheim.

Yet if he could live up to the potential many envisioned in him before the injury woes, Connolly could easily wind up being one of the top players selected from his draft class.

But, oh that injury bug finds a way to bite the 19-year-old, who suffered a minor concussion while with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships. Then there was a minor shoulder separation suffered in the first game of the WHL playoffs that ended things prematurely.

So in order to minimize the risk of injury moving forward, Connolly is trying to do something, spending the summer in Toronto living with relatives while working out with a personal trainer and a power-skating coach. The results have been noticeable.

"The one thing that I was impressed with, and this is only the first day, is his physical appearance,'' said Jon Cooper, head coach of Tampa Bay's top minor-league affiliate, who is running the Lightning's development camp at the Ice Sports Forum. "Last year at this time, he kind of looked like a frail little boy, but this time he was looking like a man, and that means he has dedicated himself in the weight room this past year and that was pretty impressive. So I think he's taken all the right steps to figure out where he needs to be.''

Some of that dedication comes at the urging of former NHL player Steve Thomas, who is the player development consultant for the Lightning and put him in touch with the trainer in Toronto.

"I don't think for his frame he was strong enough. He's still got a ways to go, but that jump from junior to the National Hockey League is huge,'' Thomas said. "But if he continues to work the way he has been over the offseason here, do the power skating and get the mindset going on what it takes to be a professional and to play at the NHL level, then he may be vying for a position for the Tampa Bay Lightning.''

That opportunity is something Connolly is well aware of as he eyes training camp in September.

"For me, I feel that moving to Toronto was a good step for me in my development, so I am hoping to turn some heads come September, that's for sure,'' Connolly said.

Tampa Tribune LOADED: 07.08.2011


Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman says roster set, for now

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer

The Lightning has some work to do to sign restricted free-agent forwards Steven Stamkos and Teddy Purcell.

But assuming those contracts take care of themselves, as general manager Steve Yzerman said he believes they will, Tampa Bay's roster was completed Thursday with the signing of free agent right wing Ryan Shannon. "We are in a position now where we are a set roster," Yzerman said.

Tampa Bay also signed left wing Alex Picard to a one-year, two-way deal, but that is more for organizational depth.

It is believed Shannon, 28, with 11 goals and 27 points in 79 games last season for the Senators, will get the chance to earn the top-six forward spot vacated by Simon Gagne, who signed with the Kings.

With the available bottom-six forward position expected to be filled through competition among Tom Pyatt, Mattias Ritola, Blair Jones and perhaps Carter Ashton, Yzerman said he is willing to stand pat, including having eight defensemen with one-way deals.

"If something unforeseen comes along, we will re-evaluate," he said. "If there is a good player we can afford to sign, we will explore it. But for now, we have a player who fits what we're trying to do and the way we play."

As for Stamkos, Yzerman said he spoke to agent Don Meehan on Thursday and reiterated "we are making progress." Yzerman and Purcell's agent, Kent Hughes, have said they expect to reach a deal before their arbitration hearing.

That brings us back to Shannon. "He can really skate," Yzerman said. "He's a smart player. He's got good skills and can play any of the three forward positions. And his contract fits in with what we're trying to do right now." Said Shannon, "I love the game. I just want to be part of a winning culture, and that is what Tampa Bay is."

Realignment: Wild owner Craig Leipold may have given details in a radio interview. The Wild will be in a division with the Jets, Blues, Predators, Stars, Blackhawks and maybe Blue Jackets, he told Minneapolis' KFAN-AM in comments reported by prohockeytalk.com. Columbus is the only team not in the Central time zone; Yahoo Sports has reported that new divisions, in effect for 2012-13, would be time zone-based.

Flyers: Right wing Wayne Simmonds agreed to terms on a two-year, $3.5 million contract extension. He was acquired from the Kings last month in a trade that sent captain Mike Richards west.

panthers: Craig Ramsay, let go as coach after the Thrashers moved to Winnipeg in May, was hired as an assistant for new coach Kevin Dineen. Ramsay, an ex-Lightning assistant, was an associate Panthers coach during the franchise's first two seasons (1993-95).

St. Petersburg Times LOADED: 07.08.2011


Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman says roster is set (for now) after signing RW Ryan Shannon

Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman on Thursday signed free-agent right wing Ryan Shannon to a one-year, $625,000 contract. Yzerman said the signing is the final piece of the roster puzzle.

"We are in a position now we're a set roster," Yzerman said. "We're comfortable if we want to start in September."

Not that Yzerman won't be looking at who may not get a contract out of the arbitration process or who hits the waiver wire or possible trades. But with Shannon apparently to get an opportunity to play with the top six forwards and the open bottom-six position set to be a competition between Tom Pyatt, Mattias Ritola, Blair Jones and perhaps Carter Ashton, Yzerman is comfortable standing pat.

Yzerman even said he is ready to start the season with the eight defensemen he has with one-way contracts.

"If something unforeseen came along then we will re-evaluate," Yzerman said. "If there is a good player and we can afford to sign him we certainly will explore it. But for now, we have a player (Shannon) who fits into what we’re trying to do and the way we play. So, let's not let this one pass by."

Tampa Bay also signed left wing Alex Picard to a one-year, two-way contract. But it was Shannon who was the real get. He had 11 goals, 27 points and was plus-3 in 79 games last season with the Senators.

"He can really skate," Yzerman said. "He's a smart player. He's got good skills and he can play any of the three forward positions, and his contract fits in with what we're trying to do right now."

Posted by Damian Cristodero

St. Petersburg Times LOADED: 07.08.2011

574964 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs sign Dupuis

By James Mirtle

Checking centre expected to compete for a spot on Toronto's fourth line

The Leafs signed free agent Philippe Dupuis on Wednesday afternoon, giving the former Colorado Avalanche centre a one-year, two-way deal for $650,000 in the NHL and $250,000 in the minors.

Dupuis, 26, is expected to compete for Toronto's fourth-line centre role after Tim Brent signed with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 1.

The former fourth-round pick played his first full NHL season last year in Colorado, scoring six times and adding 17 points in 74 games.

A scoring star in junior, Dupuis has evolved into a checker at the pro level, averaging only nine minutes a game in ice time with the Avs.

"He plays well defensively, he's physical, he's a good penalty killer," Dupuis' agent Normand Dupont said. "He's got upside offensively, too.

"There's a spot for him available and he's the one who's going to have to take it. He's ready to do that. He's going to have to battle like he did last year in Colorado."

Dupuis' signing comes a day after the Leafs re-signed restricted free agents Clarke MacArthur and Tyler Bozak on two-year deals.



The breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks of wannabe champions

Kevin McGran

Hockey players are creatures of habit. There’s the big pre-game meal at lunchtime. It’s usually fettuccine alfredo.

But Dr. Ashley James, a naturopathic doctor and the Leafs’ nutritionist, is trying to get the elite hockey players under her charge to change their ways.

James would rather they eat a bit less at lunch and a bit more food closer to game time.

“Instead of having one huge meal and not eating a lot before the game, they actually need to have a good-sized meal before their nap and the same again after the nap,” said James.

She also wants them to cut down on the fettuccine alfredo, the hockey players’ meal of choice.

“It’s really been hard to change that,” said James. “There’s not enough protein in that meal, so adding some chicken helps. And we compromised with a rose sauce, which makes it a little bit lower fat.”

James spent some time this week with prospects invited to Leaf camp. She works closely with Anthony Belza, the Leafs’ strength and conditioning coach, in helping to teach these young players what they should eat in order to become high-performance athletes.

“We want to have a good mixture of carbohydrates, protein and good healthy fats,” said James. “Carbohydrates are the primary fuel source for an athlete, and we want to have lower glycemic load carbohydrates, things like brown rice, slow-cooked oatmeal.

“Then, good protein sources. Whey protein, lots of lean cuts of meat, lots of chicken, turkey, fish. And about 30 per cent of an athlete’s diet should be healthy fats, omega-3 fish, fish oils, eating lots of fish, nuts and seeds, raw unroasted almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts.”

Belza encourages water over juice and cautions against sweeteners in or on any food, but might look the other way on maple syrup if that’s only way a player will eat his pancakes. He pointed out that variety is important, so the player wouldn’t eat the same meal every day. And Belza also encourages his athletes to eat organic foods whenever possible.

“Breakfast doesn’t have to be breakfast foods,” said Belza. “We’re trying to convince our guys to have leftovers from the night before for breakfast — like chicken or fish.”

Fruit and vegetables are always plentifully available in the Leafs dressing room. But they won’t find white starches.

“We avoid anything white like white rice, white pasta,” said Belza.

On the road, the Leaf room is filled with pizza, something Belza frowns upon but considers the lesser of two evils. “Sometimes guys are famished and have the pizza as a stopgap,” said Belza.

When it comes to chocolate, treats and even beer, Belza preaches moderation.

“There’s room for them to have food they enjoy as long as they fall into the principle (of) moderation,” said Belza.

It’s game day, so what is the elite NHL player supposed to eat?

We asked James: if she was billeting the team’s top pick and wanted him to eat right, what would she feed him the day of the season-opener? Because a hockey player’s routine is different, it’s not a breakfast-lunch-dinner scenario. Here’s what she came up with:

Morning: Slow-cooking oatmeal (non-instant), some scrambled eggs, maybe some peameal bacon, some fruit and a big glass of water. “You need the yolk to get some of the nutrients that are in the egg white. I tell people if you want to do an egg-white omelette, always throw at least one yolk in there.”

Notably, there’s no juice. “It can spike your insulin, especially early in the morning. We’re doing our best to keep our insulin at a steady rate.”

There’s no tea or coffee — “Caffeine is a proven performance enhancer. You need to have it only before a game. Your body adapts to caffeine. If you want to use it as a performance enhancer, you should be having it just pre-game.”

Post-morning skate: “A protein shake that is a little bit of carbohydrate and a little bit of protein, a three-to-one (carb-to-protein) ratio. In the shake, there is a sugar source. Our body needs sugar after a workout.”

Pre-game (midday) meal: “Ideally, brown rice or a brown-rice pasta, and you want that to be 50 to 60 per cent of your plate, and then lots of green leafy vegetables, some broccoli, a couple of chicken breasts, grilled.”

Post-nap meal: “It would be very similar to their pre-game meal. I’m trying to get them to split, and make it two meals. Similar food. Maybe some wild salmon, maybe a brown-rice penne with olive oil and basil sauce.”

Pre-game snacks: “Right before they go on the ice, it’s oatmeal, scrambled eggs, chicken breast slices, and fruit. They need to eat that 30 to 60 minutes before they go on the ice, just to top up their energy.”

In-game snacks: “Protein: Chicken breasts, protein bars.”

Post-game: “It’s a huge meal. They usually have steak and some pasta. We want the same ratio of carbohydrate and protein to replenish what they’ve lost during the game. It’s huge but they need it. Also they go to bed later, because they’re wired for nightly games.”

Toronto Star LOADED: 07.08.2011


Leafs’ Biggs headed for bigger, better things

Kevin McGran

Goodbye Tyler Biggs. See you next year.

There will be some top-notch Leaf prospects at September’s rookie camp and the main camp that follows, but the Leafs’ top draft pick from this summer’s draft won’t be one of them.

Biggs, a centre, insists he’s heading to college — Miami of Ohio, to be specific — and for that reason, he can’t risk his NCAA amateur eligibility by mixing with professionals.

So the prospects camp this week — which wound up Thursday with a visit to the Toronto Police Academy — was his one and only chance to get to meet some of his future teammates and impress the brass.

“It was fun,” said Biggs, chosen 22nd overall. “It was a good experience. I’ve learned how intense it is. You have to bring that intensity 24-7.”

As much as it was a chance for GM Brian Burke and company to see what Biggs and others could do, it was also a chance for Biggs to measure himself against mostly older, more experienced players.

“I definitely have my work cut out for me,” said Biggs. “It was the best of the best you were playing against. You’ve got to be bigger, stronger, faster. You’ve got to be ready for it.

“I had a great time; I can’t wait to come back next year.”

The Oshawa Generals own Biggs’ OHL rights. But Biggs is focused on college and trying out for the U.S. Under-20 world junior team.

Defenceman Stuart Percy — the Leafs’ other first-round pick, at 30th overall — had an excellent camp.

“I learned the game’s really fast, even at this level,” said Percy. “I’ve got to work on my speed and my agility. If I do that, I’ll be fine.”

For now, Leafs director of player development Jim Hughes will go over his notes with Burke and the rest of the coaching, scouting and front-office staff to decide who to bring to the rookie camp in Oshawa. It will likely be whittled down from the 42 that were here.

Beyond that, Hughes will start working closely with prospects to get them ready for the pros, monitoring their progress in junior and college.

“We’ve got to continue to be patient with some,” said Hughes. “We’ve got to expedite the process with others. We’ve got to leave some kids alone, like the young ones, like Biggs and Percy. Just having them here to experience this, that’s good enough for us. Let them get their feet wet.

“It’s an awakening, an arrival.”

The final blue vs. white game — more intense than the previous two — had a bit of everything as prospects used their last chance to make an impression. It was a 3-2 decision for white, which won all three games. There were fights, a game-tying goal with the goalie pulled in the last minute, overtime and a shootout.

That game-tying goal was on a play drawn up for Percy and Jesse Blacker, two OHL rivals who looked at home with each other.

“It went off six or seven different people until it went in the net,” Blacker said of his game-tying goal. “That’s okay. They don’t ask how, they ask how many.”

Blacker and Percy, with the winner, also scored in the shootout. Percy, from the Mississauga St. Mike’s Majors, said he was taking some good-natured ribbing from Blacker, of the Owen Sound Attack. Blacker’s Attack beat the Majors for the OHL championship.

“He’s not a rival anymore,” Blacker said of Percy. “We’re on the same team. We’ve got a lot of confidence in him when he has the puck.”

Mitchell Heard of the Plymouth Whalers had another strong game, netting a goal and an assist to lead the tournament in scoring with four goals. Hughes suggested Heard, an undrafted free agent from Bowmanville, may have earned himself a trip to the Leafs’ September rookie camp.

Hughes said he was impressed with Josh Leivo and Nick Broll. Leivo, a forward, was a third-round pick from the Sudbury Wolves. Broll, also a forward, was a sixth-rounder from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

On the gritty side, German forward Martin Buchweiser, at 5-10, got into a fight with 6-foot-3 Kevin Tansey.

“Everyone is looking for a spot in the next camp,” said Buchweiser, who sees himself as a power forward. “I had a couple of fights in Germany, but it’s different here. Every game is faster. More intense. I like (fighting). If I have to, I’m not afraid to fight. It’s good if you can do more than score.”

Hughes was also quite forthright in commenting on Jerry D’Amigo, who quit college last year to play for the AHL Marlies and found himself in junior with the Kitchener Rangers.

“Some kids grow faster than others,” said Hughes. “He’s made some jumps forward and taken some steps backward. It’s going to be a process for him. It’s a mental mindset he’s got to work on and develop.”

Also Thursday, GM Brian Burke added some quality depth to his lineup by re-signing defenceman Matt Lashoff to a one-year deal. Lashoff, a former first-round pick with the Bruins, split his season between the Marlies and the Leafs.



Leafs sign Phillipe Dupuis, Matt Lashoff to one-year deals

Kevin McGran

The Toronto Maple Leafs forward Philippe Dupuis and defenceman Matt Lashoff to one-year contracts on Thursday.

Dupuis, 26, played his first full NHL season with the Colorado Avalanche in 2010-11. In 74 games, the 6-0, 196-pound forward registered six goals, 11 assists and 17 points, along with 40 penalty minutes.

The Laval, Que., native was Columbus’ fifth choice, selected 104th overall, in the 2003 NHL entry draft.

Lashoff, 24, played 11 games for the Maple Leafs this past season collecting one assist and six penalty minutes. He also played 69 games for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies and collected 28 points on seven goals and 21 assists along with a team high 137 penalty minutes.



Heard of this guy? Undrafted rookie making noise at Maple Leafs camp

Kevin McGran

And the leading scorer through two games at Leafs rookie camp is . . . Mitchell Heard.

The 19-year-old from Bowmanville — who went undrafted by the OHL and NHL — has three goals after accepting an invitation from the Maple Leafs to join a roster filled mostly with draft picks.

“Coming in undrafted, I didn’t know what to expect,” said Heard, who had 19 goals last year with Plymouth. “I didn’t really know anybody. A lot of nerves to begin with, but once you get going out there, it’s quite fun. Play your game and everything will go fine.”

When GM Brian Burke was mentioning a few guys who had stood out in his state of the union, he mentioned Heard along with the likes of Jake Gardiner and Tyler Biggs.

“There’s been no question some guys have popped off the page in the two days (so far),” said Jim Hughes, the Leafs director of player personnel who is running this camp. “We do have to place some value in (Heard’s goals).

“He had a strong day (Tuesday) and another strong day (Wednesday). He’s a guy who continues to make himself a conversation piece. He’s done some good things. Just keep learning more and keep watching.”

That’s really all Heard can do. He was quick to praise his linemates — Conor Morrison of Harvard University (son of Leaf scouting director Dave Morrison) and David Broll of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, who was the sixth-round pick in 2011 by the Leafs.

Heard’s dream is, of course, to play in the NHL. He’s not going to let a little thing like not being drafted get to him.

“I wasn’t drafted in the O (OHL) and I’m there now,” said Heard. “If you get drafted, it’s great. You’ve got to look past it. You keep working hard, you keep plugging away and good things happen.”

That’s the message Hughes hopes all the players will leave here with this week.

“We’re very hopeful for these kids,” said Hughes. “We want good things to happen for all these guys. Some will play in the NHL, some will play in the American league, some will play in the ECHL.

“They will all find their way to their level.”



Feisty German impresses Leaf scouts

By Lance Hornby ,Toronto Sun

TORONTO - With some of the brawn brought in for the Maple Leafs prospects camp, some with triple-digit penalty minutes, the Munich Mauler was over-looked.

The camp’s first fight on Thursday involved a 5-foot-10 German, Martin Buchwieser, who is looking for a shot down the road in the Leafs’ system. The left winger had a lively scrap with 6-foot-3 Kevin Tansey from Cumberland of the Eastern Ontario-based Central Canada League.

“Everyone is looking for a spot to get them through to the next camp,” Buchwieser said of trying to impress the scouts. “I had a couple of fights in Germany, but it’s different here. Everything is faster, the ice is smaller and everything is more intense.

“I’m not afraid to fight if I have to. I don’t really know how it started today. We were half-looking at each other and decided ‘let’s go’. But I don’t care if he’s bigger.”

The 22-year-old had 43 points in 47 games playing at home last year. He is one of three Germans who were ostensibly invited just for the North American experience, along with Adler Mannheim forward Matthias Plachta and defenceman Florian Kettemer.

“It’s good if you can show you can do more than score, like if you’re good at penalty killing,” Buchwieser said. “I like being a power forward, going to the net and making some space for my linemates.”

In the German league, a player gets an automatic game suspension for a fight and another game for accruing three majors.

Among the spectators on Thursday at the MasterCard Centre was Mike Schmidt, the Willowdale-raised coach of Mannheim, who is a guest instructor here.

“That’s quite a size difference in a fight, but good for Martin,” Schmidt said. “He’s quite a competitor.”

Toronto Sun LOADED: 07.08.2011


Mem Cup rivals now on the same team

By Lance Hornby ,Toronto Sun

TORONTO - Jesse Blacker versus Stuart Percy was starting to sound like those endless Wrestlemania or UFC events with the lengthy Roman numerals.

So the Ontario Hockey League rivals, Blacker from Owen Sound, Percy from St. Mike’s, were relieved to find out they’d been placed on the same White team defence at the Maple Leafs’ prospect camp this week, and were stablemates in the big team’s dressing room at the MasterCard Centre.

They were worn out after a couple of regular season meetings, a bitter seven-game OHL playoff series (won by the Attack) and two rematches in the Memorial Cup playdowns (a split).

“We’re so used to playing against each other, now we’re sitting beside each other,” Blacker said.

They started off the week being respectful of what the other went through in the spring, making the playoffs a taboo topic. But it didn’t last.

“He was fortunate to get the win in the OHL final and he’s given that back to me a couple of times this week,” Percy said with a laugh. “He was one of their strongest offensive defenceman in that series. I knocked him down once, but I haven’t told him that yet.”

Blacker, a second-round pick in 2009, is a veteran at this camp, likely to play with the Marlies next year if he doesn’t scrape out a spot as the sixth or seventh Leaf defenceman. Percy, one of Toronto’s two first-rounders from this year, is still too raw for pro hockey, but is fully prepared for another year in Mississauga. In Thursday’s scrimmage game, they drew up a play during a last-minute timeout that led to Blacker’s tying goal. Percy had the shootout winner.

“He’s helped me with little tips about the camp,” Percy said. “When we played against each other, we were enemies, but we’re pretty good friends now, with a strong relationship to start off as Leafs.”

They have developed a good on-ice chemistry, too, though they weren’t paired regularly in the scrimmage games.

“Stuart’s a smart player, a guy I’d like to play with,” Blacker said. “He can move the puck, but also play a solid defensive game.”

One day they could be sharing the same Leaf room again, but as full-fledged teammates.

“You never know,” Blacker said. “You have to be prepared for anything. Coming out here and working hard is a first step. I’m sure we’ll be running into each other at off-ice training in the next year with (strength coach) Anthony Belza.”



Leafs' prospects go all out

lance-hornby

TORONTO - What’s not to like about hockey in July, with big hits, fights, a late-game sixth-man goal and overtime with a shootout winner by a first-round pick?

That’s the kind of fireworks the Maple Leafs wanted to see at this September’s rookie camp. But they arrived two months early, when 42 prospects wound up a three-game scrimmage tournament on Thursday — sending management a few messages to ponder.

“We got a bang for our buck,” said player development director Jim Hughes, after the Whites beat the Blues, 3-2 on Stuart Percy’s shootout winner. “We were hoping the Whites would tie it up, then it was overtime and a (seven-round) shootout. We got our money’s worth.”

Many of the Leafs most promising draft picks did well throughout the week and a few “popped off the page” in Hughes’ opinion, to merit a chance as walk-ons to the rookie camp in Oshawa. Defencemen Percy and Jesse Blacker, deep OHL rivals just a few weeks ago, drew up a play during a last minute timeout to force the extra period. Blacker tipped a Mitchell Heard shot that gave the latter a two-point game to support a four-goal camp.

In a morning match full of evil-eye glares, trash talking and pushing and shoving, 5-foot-10 German tryout Martin Buchwieser punched away at the 6-foot-3 Kevin Tansey to a draw.

“It was the last game and everyone wanted to make their final impression,” said forward Tyler Biggs, who along with Percy were the marquee 2011 first-rounders coming into camp. “Those are the games that you want to be part of. I definitely learned I have my work cut out for me (here next year). I had a blast going through all this. There’s a lot of intensity going on and you have to bring it 24/7.”

The next stage is for players such as Percy to attend the Canadian junior team camp in August and for the Leafs to set their rookie roster for their tournament against freshmen from Ottawa, Pittsburgh and Chicago. It will take place at GM Place in Oshawa, prior to the main Leafs camp. With NCAA picks such as Biggs unable to play in September, 90% of the Leafs will be formed from their OHL, WHL and Euro picks, 16 forwards, eight defencemen and three goalies, including a handful of walk-ons. Last year, the Leafs invited OHL exile Mike Liambas for a tryout and he eventually caught on with the University of British Columbia.

Hughes doesn’t have final word on the non-drafted players, but a contender has to be the Bowmanville native Heard.

“He did a good job this week, (but) we have all our draft picks we need to give an opportunity to grow and develop. We’ll grab some invites and get them into the mix.”

Forwards David Broll and Josh Leivo, also 2011 picks, did well this week, while thumper Jamie Devane had a couple of goals. The team liked the fiery temper of Guelph goalie Garret Sparks.

But Jerry D’Amigo, an up and coming winger a year ago, who sought to speed up his career by leaving school at RPI for the Kitchener Rangers, was not as dominant as hoped.

“He’s made some jumps forward and taken some backward,” Hughes said. “We’re hopeful for all our kids, though some grow faster than others. It’s a mental mindset. He’s got the skills, he just has to keep working on the mental side. He’s got to work and play, have a longer leash and be allowed to make mistakes.

“We have to be patient with some players, expedite the process with others and just leave some kids alone, such as Percy and Biggs. This experience alone for them was enough. With others, we will intensify the relationship a bit, push their buttons harder. This was an awakening, an arrival, to play against those two, three or four years older.”

Blacker is expected to stay all the way to the big camp to stack up against those trying to fight for the sixth and seventh jobs, the likes of Matt Lashoff and Jeff Finger.

“That’s what camp is about, making good impressions on people,” Blacker said. “You have to worry about what you can control, instead of everything else. The next step is the rookie touranament, another level higher.”


574972 Vancouver Canucks

Canucks stay home for training, but ship their young stars to Penticton

Staff Report

VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Canucks are staying home for training camp in September but they're sending their kids back to Penticton.

As the National Hockey League team finally opened its week-long summer development camp to the media today, the organization announced it will stage a five-team Young Stars tournament in the Okanagan, starting Sept. 11.

The five-day tournament will feature prospects and young NHL players from the Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets and San Jose Sharks.

The Oiler lineup could feature first-overall draft pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of Burnaby..

“This tournament last year produced an economic impact of $1.8 million and not only showcased our beautiful community and state-of-the-art facility but also exposed the residents of the Okanagan to NHL caliber hockey,” Penticton councilor Andrew Jakubeit said in a statement released by the Canucks..

The Canucks' main camp will be in Vancouver, and two players who will compete for jobs were signed today.

The team signed free-agent defenceman Alex Sulzer, a 27-year-old German who has played 62 career NHL games and split last season between Florida and Nashville.

Veteran minor-league goalie Matt Climie, who played for the Phoenix Coyotes' farm team in San Antonio last season, also signed with the Canucks.

The 28-year-old adds depth and could push for the backup job on the Canucks if Vancouver trades excellent No. 2 Cory Schneider this summer.

After their heart-breaking loss in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Vancouver Canucks have taken the first steps toward another run as the team announced their 2011 pre-season schedule on Thursday.

Kicking off September 20 in Calgary, the Canucks will play a total of 8 pre-season games (four at home, four away) against Western Division teams including the Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks and the San Jose Sharks.

Below is the complete pre-season schedule:

Tues., Sept. 20th vs Calgary 7:00 pm

Tues., Sept. 20th @ Calgary 7:00 pm

Thurs., Sept. 22nd @ Edmonton 6:00 pm

Sat., Sept. 24th vs Anaheim 7:00 pm

Sun., Sept. 25th vs San Jose 6:00 pm

Wed., Sept. 28th @ Anaheim 7:00 pm

Thurs., Sept. 29th @ San Jose 7:30 pm

Sat., Oct. 1st vs Edmonton 7:00 pm

Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 07.08.2011


Canucks mine for diamonds in the rough

Unheralded 2011 picks Grenier and Honzik among young NHL hopefuls trying to impress at Rogers Centre

By Iain MacIntyre,

Alexandre Grenier couldn't believe he got drafted. A lot of other people felt the same way.

Unrated by Central Scouting, Grenier started last season on a tryout with a second-tier junior team in Saint-Jerome, northwest of Montreal. He had been ignored in the previous two National Hockey League entry drafts.

But at the 2011 selections in St. Paul two weeks ago, the Vancouver Canucks used their third-round pick, 90th overall, to choose Grenier, who turns 20 in September. Nineteen picks earlier, with the first of two choices acquired from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for the Canucks' second-round spot, Vancouver drafted Czech goalie David Honzik. Honzik, who plays junior hockey in the Quebec League, was ranked 13th among North American draft-eligible goalies, but was the third one chosen.

One website devoted to hockey prospects ranked the Canucks' draft 28th out of 30 NHL teams, saying Honzik was chosen too high and Grenier was largely unknown.

Each player qualifies as a "reach" -a high risk/reward pick in which the Canucks are gambling they know something other teams don't. But in this way, Grenier and Honzik are probably no different than about 150 other players chosen in Minnesota. For any team at any draft, two is about the over/ under for players who may eventually become NHL regulars. And the success rate plummets after the opening round. The Canucks left Minnesota with eight new players. If they can nurse any three of them into the NHL, they'll be ecstatic.

In 2000, 2002 and, probably, 2007, the Canucks got nothing out of the entry draft. In 2001, four of their six choices played in the NHL and two of them -R.J. Umberger and Kevin Bieksa -became regulars. In 2004, Vancouver went 4-for-7, and Cory Schneider, Alex Edler and Jannik Hansen still play for the Canucks. Hansen was chosen 287th and has logged 238 games in the NHL. The previous draft, the Canucks claimed a Matthew Hansen 285th and he never played a game as pro. So you never know.

How did the Canucks do with Grenier, Honzik and others in 2011?

Ask us in about four years. But on Thursday, they looked perfect as the Canucks opened the door a crack for the media during the team's weeklong summer development camp at Rogers Arena.

All shiny and new and full of promise and ambition, Grenier and Honzik are among 35 prospects between the ages of 17 and 22 taking baby steps toward the NHL. With his 18th birthday still a month away, Honzik is the youngest.

"It's still a long way to go," Honzik said of the NHL. "I have to keep working and be patient. My condition must be so much better, my agility. First thing, play well on my [junior] team and then we'll see."

Honzik left the Czech Republic before last season to play for Victoriaville and found the transition to compact, quicker North American hockey difficult. In 36 games, the 6-2 goalie had a 3.54 goals-against average and .884 save rate. But his second half was much better than his first, and it was Honzik's sharp progression that impressed the Canucks.

It was Grenier's similar trajectory that attracted the Canucks to the 6-foot-5 winger with hands soft enough to collect 40 points in 46 games for Patrick Roy's Quebec Remparts after a mid-season promotion from Saint-Jerome.

The Canucks' Quebec scout, Darrell Young, vouched for both players. "If you can get bigger guys and late-bloomers, like [Canucks rookie] Chris Tanev ... we were looking for those guys," Canucks assistant general manager Lorne Henning said. "There was a lot of similarities on these guys. You hope that two years down the road you're seeing some results."

Grenier was in a serious car accident three years ago. He suffered an arm injury and concussion, although he refused Thursday to blame those for his late development in junior hockey.

"I'm happy for where I am now," he said. "I think that never quitting, always believing, helped me. If I had stopped thinking about [making it to the NHL] or abandoned my goal, I wouldn't be here now. That was my first goal since I was young and I never stopped believing it. I don't know how other people will see me, but I'll work my ... off to make it."

Grenier actually left the word out of that quote, wary of offending. He did not look like a long shot or a reach or someone's possible draft mistake on Thursday. He was in an NHL dressing room, sitting at Daniel Sedin's locker.

Grenier watched the draft with his parents at home in St-Constant, a South Shore suburb of Montreal. Grenier's dad manages a nursing home. His mom is an artist. A friend walked in the door just as the Canucks called Grenier's name at the end of the third round.

"I jumped in my buddy's arms," Grenier said with a smile. "I was so happy. I wasn't expecting anything at the beginning of the season. I did talk to some teams and was just hoping my name would come up. But I was very surprised I got drafted."

The greater challenge starts now.

Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 07.08.2011


Canucks' rookie Jensen focuses on opportunty in the corners

By Jim Jamieson

Nicklas Jensen has always idolized one-time superstar Jaromir Jagr and even mused after Thursday's prospects camp workouts that it would have been really cool if the huge Czech winger had signed with the Canucks instead of Philly.

He was joking, of course, but you know the Canucks are seriously happy that the player they used their first round pick to select 29th overall in the NHL entry draft on June 24 is all about using his big body to protect the puck and make plays.

“Growing up, I really enjoyed watching Jaromir Jagr and the way he can protect the puck,” said Jensen,18, a 6-foot-2, 202-pound power forward from Herning, Denmark. “If you can protect the puck well it's going to make it even harder for the opponent to get it off you. If you're strong on the puck that will help you out a lot instead of losing it all the time and having to go back and get it again. It's one of the things I really want to focus on, using my size and creating chances out of really nothing from the corners.”

That Jensen's English is excellent is no surprise because his father, Dan, is from Toronto and played in the OHL before playing in Denmark and settling down there. But the Canucks were more impressed with his maturity when doing pre-draft interviews.

“He played in the top pro league (in Denmark) at 16 and he put up numbers,” said Canucks director of player development Dave Gagner. “So he's got some experience playing with men already. He's got a really big body. He talks like a pro already. Most of the kids you interview don't say things like puck protection and battle, but he already understands that. From what our scouts have told us, he enjoys that one on one confrontation where he uses his body to shield the puck and wait for help.”

Already having an NHL frame to go along with the 29 goals and 58 points in 61 games a rookie with Oshawa of the OHL last season just enhances his track to the NHL.

Jensen said he's spoken with fellow Dane Jannik Hansen, who called to welcome him to the organization on draft day.

“I don't know Jannik as well as the other Danish guys, but he seems like a really nice guy and I'm really looking forward to seeing him,” said Jensen.

That will be in September at training camp, but until then he's enjoying his first visit to Vancouver.

“It's like having a little New York in the mountains,” he said. “I'm not used to the big towers and it's the most beautiful place on earth almost with the mountains and the lakes and the ocean.”

- The Canucks announced the signing of free agent depth defenceman Alexander Sulzer, who signed a two-way deal that pays $700,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 in the minors. Vancouver also signed minor league goaltender Matt Climie to back up Eddie Lack for AHL Chicago Wolves.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.08.2011


Ebbett takes one-way Canucks offer for 'security'

By Jim Jamieson

No one knows if Andrew Ebbett would have received an offer of a one-way contract from another NHL team because he accepted the one tendered by the Canucks so quickly.

There were several teams that came at him with two-way deals – the utility forward has had a series of them in his four-year professional career – right away after the free agency gun sounded on July 1. But when the Canucks offered a one-way – albeit at the NHL minimum $525,000 – to break the competition logjam, that was enough to get it done for the Vernon native.

“That was the No. 1 goal, to get some security,” said Ebbett, 28, on the phone from Ann Arbor, Mich., where he lives in the off-season. “It's a big step to get that (one-way) deal. Some teams, like Detroit and Pittsburgh, were really interested, but when it came down to Vancouver it was an easy decision. You just look at the calibre of team. I'm very excited.”

Not that Ebbett, who's from Vernon, was a Canucks fan growing up. He was born in Calgary but moved to the Interior B.C. city at age six, so he and his family always rooted for the Flames.

“I went to my first NHL game in Calgary as a young guy,” said Ebbett, who just returned from a honeymoon in Europe with his wife Maggie. “But once we moved to B.C. I watched every Canucks game on TV.”

Giving Ebbett a one-way deal may have been necessary to put the Canucks at the head of the pack, but it also suggests they expect he has a good chance of playing a significant portion of the time in Vancouver. He's played 145 NHL games over the last four seasons and has 19-33-52 and is plus-2.

Ebbett, a former U.S. College star at University of Michigan, is small at 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, but plays a high-skill, high-energy game. He had 32 points (8-24) playing mostly on the Ducks' second line two seasons ago, but two years ago found himself getting claimed off waivers twice. Last season, he split the year between Phoenix and the Coyotes' AHL team in San Antonio.

Ebbett feels his versatility got him to the NHL and will give him a chance to stay there this season on a Canucks team that's revamping it's third and fourth lines.

“I fell like I'm a utility guy, who can play all three forward positions, anywhere from the fourth to the second line,” said Ebbett. “I think I can bring a lot to the table. I take pride in my work ethic, I keep my feet moving and like to create energy. I also love to kill penalties.”

But he also knows the one-way deal guarantees nothing. He can make the NHL money in the minors.

“Nothing is ever handed to you,” he said. “It gives me some confidence but it also puts some pressure on me. I'm looking forward to it.”



Canucks ink D-man Sulzer to two-way deal

By Jim Jamieson

Newly signed Canucks defenceman Alexander Sulzer will get a chance to crack the NHL club's lineup this fall, but it's more likely he'll be minor league depth.

In an deal announced on Thurday by the Canucks, the Kaufbeuren, Germany native gets a two-way deal with Vancouver that pays him $700,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 in the minors.

“We've been watching him for quite a while now,” said Canucks assistant GM Lorne Henning. “He's good on the power play, he moves the puck, he's a really good skater. We're excited to get him. He gives us depth. He's got a good shot to make our team.”

Sulzer, 27, split the 2010-11 season between the Nashville Predators, recording four points (1-3-4) in 31 games, and the Florida Panthers, collecting one point (0-1-1) in nine games. He has appeared in 62 career NHL games, recording seven points (1-6-7) and 18 penalty minutes over the span of three seasons with the Predators and Panthers.

The six-foot-one, 198-pound D-man was originally selected 92nd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators.



Archibald looking to make big impact as Canucks' prospect

By Jason Botchford

Darren Archibald's baby face is gone and so is the beanpole body. In fact, he looks like he could be quite comfortable skating onto the ice for an NHL game some time soon. He's big enough to cause some damage, too.

A six-foot-three, 210 pounds, Archibald fits nicely among the best prospects in an organization which admittedly wasn't just looking for the best player in last month's draft. The Canucks were looking for the biggest, best player. They got Nicklas Jensen in the first round, Alexandre Grenier in the third and Joseph Labate in the fourth. All of them are forwards and all of them are at least six-foot-three.

They are all probably several years away from making an impact and as such they are part of a plan to change the look of the Canucks for future. Archibald, however, thinks he can bring his size, skill and youth to the NHL table much sooner.

"I am going to come to camp and I'm going to show them everything I have," Archibald said. "For me, I know I'm going to have to be a role player right now. So, I'm going to come in the fall, crash and bang and hopefully use my size to my advantage."

He's got the body for it.

"He's a really skilled kid with a big, NHL body," said Dave Gagner, the Canucks director of player development. "Physically, he's ready. But he has to learn to play at the pace and the urgency that pro players play with. In junior, you can get away with lackadaisical days. But not here. He's going to have to learn to compete at a high level every day."

After an OHL season in which he scored 51 goals, including 10 in 14 playoff games, Archibald has climbed near the top of the list of the Canucks' best prospects.

Archibald's first goal, however, will be to make it to main training camp in Vancouver in September. His next, will be to leave a strong enough impression that he'll get the opportunity to play some NHL games some time in the next year.

"But I've been taking baby steps my whole life and I don't want to rush into it if I'm not ready to make that big step," Archibald said. "I don't want to come up and struggle. I want to be ready to play."

The 21-year-old goal scorer with the mean streak is something of a late bloomer. Just three years ago he finished playing tier II for a good, heavily scouted team in Stouffville. Two of his teammates, Corey Trivino and Ethan Werek, were drafted in early rounds. Archibald was not, passed over in each of his draft-eligible years.

"I knew it wasn't the end of the world," Archibald said.

He's been proven right. Not long after he participated in last year's training camp with the Detroit Red Wings, Archibald, as an OHL free agent, signed an entry level deal with the Canucks.

It didn't take him long to feel a part of the organization. When his OHL season ended, he joined the Manitoba Moose and then had the chance with other prospects to come to Vancouver for a couple of playoff games, one against Nashville and another against San Jose. It meant a lot. So much, that when it came to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, he felt he couldn't miss it.

He flew with his mother on their own for that final game against the Boston Bruins.

"I just wanted to be here for that moment," he said. "My mom had never been out here and we saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime thing."

It was, but for all the wrong reasons. Archibald and his mother were staying at hotel on Granville and made the long walk back through the riot after the game.

"We were very shocked," he said. "It took a couple hours to get back to the the hotel.

"You just couldn't move. There were fires and vandals. It was really disappointing. There were a lot of kids who were not making smart decisions."

Archibald is not without questions. Both Columbus and Detroit invited him to NHL camps and passed on opportunities to sign him. Also, one of the first YouTube clips of him you'll find in a search is vicious body check on an unsuspecting goalie behind the net.

"It's not something I'm proud of," he said. "It was just the heat of the moment. They were after our goalie all series. That's not really my style of game at all.

"That was a one time thing for me."



Canucks release 2011 pre-season schedule

By Sports staff,

The Vancouver Canucks released their 2011 pre-season schedule today featuring eight games beginning September 20 and concluding October 1. The Canucks begin the pre-season with a split squad playing one game at home and one game away against Calgary on September 20. Both games will begin at 7 pm Pacific Time. Vancouver will play the remaining six games both home and away against the Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks.

In total, the Canucks will play four pre-season games at Rogers Arena and four on the road. Each game features a Western Conference match-up: Anaheim (2), Calgary (2), Edmonton (2) and San Jose (2).

VANCOUVER CANUCKS 2011 PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE

Date

Opponent

Time*

Tues., Sept. 20th

vs

Calgary

7:00 pm

Tues., Sept. 20th

@

Calgary

7:00 pm

Thurs., Sept. 22nd

@

Edmonton

6:00 pm

Sat., Sept. 24th

vs

Anaheim

7:00 pm

Sun., Sept. 25th

vs

San Jose

6:00 pm

Wed., Sept. 28th

@

Anaheim

7:00 pm

Thurs., Sept. 29th

@

San Jose

7:30 pm

Sat., Oct. 1st

vs

Edmonton

7:00 pm

All start times are Pacific and may be subject to change.

TICKET INFORMATION:

The Canucks sold out all regular season home games last year and have again capped their season ticket base at 17,000 for the upcoming season. To secure a spot on the Blue Line Waiting List for ticket packages that become available in the future, please call 604.899.GOAL or 1.855.462.2682 or go to canucks.com/blueline for more information, including benefits you receive while you wait.

ON THE AIR:

All pre-season games can be heard live on the Canucks official broadcaster, Team 1040 AM. A schedule of televised pre-season games will be announced at a later date.



They're Swedish, they're twins but they're no Sedins

By Jason Botchford

They are Swedish twins, intelligent and are better together.

But that's about where the similarities should end with the Sedins and the Westerholms.

Pathrik Westerholm, a sixth-round Canucks draft pick and his brother, Ponthus, who was undrafted, are at the Canucks development camp for prospects this week. Being twins, it's inevitably unavoidable, and totally unfair, to compare them with the Sedins

"They're not as far along in their personal development as Daniel and Henrik were at their age," said Dave Gagner, the team's director of player development. "It's going to take time for them.

"They're similar in the sense that hockey sense is the key thing. They're not wowing you, they're not speedy guys but they are very intelligent players and they put up big numbers at the junior level in Sweden."

If the Westerholms every play together in Vancouver, it's going to take some time and some luck.

"They play well together and it's important to show we have a keen interest in them but (Ponthus) still has to go through the draft a couple of times, so he's not really our property," Gagner said.



Canucks sign Panther D-man Alexander Sulzer

By Sports staff

Newly signed Canucks defenceman Alexander Sulzer will get a chance to crack the NHL club's lineup this fall, but it's more likely he'll be minor league depth.

In an deal announced on Thurday by the Canucks, the Kaufbeuren, Germany native gets a two-way deal with Vancouver that pays him $700,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 in the minors.

“We've been watching him for quite a while now,” said Canucks assistant GM Lorne Henning. “He's good on the power play, he moves the puck, he's a really good skater. We're excited to get him. He gives us depth. He's got a good shot to make our team.”

Sulzer, 27, split the 2010-11 season between the Nashville Predators, recording four points (1-3-4) in 31 games, and the Florida Panthers, collecting one point (0-1-1) in nine games. He has appeared in 62 career NHL games, recording seven points (1-6-7) and 18 penalty minutes over the span of three seasons with the Predators and Panthers.

The 6-foot-1, 198- pound D-man was originally selected 92nd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators.



Canucks sign goaltender Matt Climie

By Sports staff

Vancouver Canucks President & General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that the Canucks have signed goaltender Matt Climie.

Climie, 28, spent the 2010.11 season with the San Antonio Rampage, posting a record of 26-22-3 and save percentage of .913. He also appeared in one game for the Phoenix Coyotes, making 16 saves and registering a goals against average of 1.88.

The Leduc, Alberta, native has played in five career NHL games with the Dallas Stars and Coyotes, posting a record of 2-2-0, goals against average of 3.24 and save percentage of .892.



Canucks Young Stars Tournament announced

By Sports staff, The ProvinceJuly 7, 2011

Vancouver, B.C. – The Vancouver Canucks announced today that they will host the 2011 Young Stars Tournament in Penticton, British Columbia, beginning on Sunday, September 11th. For the second consecutive year, the Vancouver Canucks and the city of Penticton will host the Vancouver Canucks Young Stars Tournament: a round-robin tournament, featuring prospects from the Canucks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets from September 11-15.

“We are excited to host the Vancouver Canucks Young Stars Tournament in Penticton again this year,” said Vancouver Canucks President and General Manager Mike Gillis. “The city of Penticton showed tremendous support for last year’s event and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to return to this great hockey city.”

“This tournament last year produced an economic impact of $1.8 million and not only showcased our beautiful community and state-of-the-art facility but also exposed the residents of the Okanagan to NHL caliber hockey. The caliber is fast, hard-hitting and intense,” said City Councilor and Committee Chair Andrew Jakubeit.

The Vancouver Canucks Young Stars tournament will begin on September 11th and will feature a number of notable NHL prospects from the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets. The 2010 Young Stars Tournament featured 20 players who dressed in NHL games during the 2010-11 season, including Mikael Backlund, Lance Bouma, Jordan Eberle, Benn Ferriero, Cam Fowler, Taylor Hall, Brandon McMillan, Brandon Mashinter, Magnus Paajarvi, Chris Tanev and Aaron Volpatti.

Tournament packages, which include a ticket to each of the eight games, will be available for purchase, starting at $80 plus applicable fees. The first game of the 2010 Young Stars Tournament was sold out with more than 29,000 tickets sold for the entire tournament.

Tournament ticket packages will go on sale July 16th at 10 am online at www.valleyfirstTIX.com, by phone at 1-877-763-2849 or in person at the South Okanagan Events Centre box office. Single game tournament tickets will be made available in mid-August. Please go to canucks.com for up-to-date information on the Young Stars Tournament. Game dates, times and opponents may be subject to change.

Vancouver Canucks Young Stars Tournament*

GAME TEAMS DATE TIME

Game 1 Vancouver vs Edmonton Sept. 11 4:00 pm

Game 2 San Jose vs Calgary Sept. 11 7:30 pm

Game 3 Winnipeg vs San Jose Sept. 12 4:00 pm

Game 4 Calgary vs Vancouver Sept. 12 7:30 pm

Game 5 Winnipeg vs Edmonton Sept. 13 7:30 pm

Game 6 San Jose vs Vancouver Sept. 14 4:00 pm

Game 7 Edmonton vs Calgary Sept. 14 7:30 pm

Game 8 Winnipeg vs Vancouver Sept. 15 12:00 pm

*Game dates, times and opponents subject to change.


574983 Washington Capitals

Statistical analysis: The importance of Alexander Semin

By Neil Greenberg

One glance at how the Washington Capitals' roster has changed these past few days is enough for some to suggest that trading Alexander Semin is the smart next move. The argument is that trading the Russian winger would create the much-needed cap space to sign the Capitals’ best shutdown blueliner, Karl Alzner. However, moving Semin just to create cap space would do more harm than good.

Semin has been one of the most prolific scorers in the NHL since the lockout. Over that time period he has scored 166 goals, including five straight seasons of 25 goals or more and one season of 40 goals scored.

Fans only have to look at Semin’s ill-timed offensive zone stick penalties, chronic injuries or perceived scoring inconsistencies to be reminded how he has negatively impacted the Washington franchise. Despite these shortcomings, Semin holds the key for Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom to have any hope at a statistical bounce-back next season, because beyond them, the rest of the Washington roster is not made up of proven scorers.

Brooks Laich, who recently signed a six-year contract extension worth $27 million, has never scored more than 25 goals in a season. Mike Knuble can still find the net, but at some point, his age will be a factor. Eric Fehr has the scorer's touch but will likely start the season on injured reserve. Jason Chimera has produced a 17-goal season, but that was once, more than five years ago. It's doubtful sophomore center Marcus Johansson takes a huge step forward from his 13-goal debut and new acquisitions Joel Ward (career high 17 goals) and Troy Brouwer (career high 22 goals) have yet to show they can be consistent 20-goal scorers in the NHL.

Take a look at Washington's best five line combos (based on points scored) over the past two years:

Rank Line Combo Points

1 Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble 118

2 Semin-Backstrom-Ovechkin 96

3 Semin-Fleischmann-Laich 46

4 Semin-Backstrom-Laich 21

5 Morrison-Chimera-Fehr 21

Semin is on three of the top five, two of those combos without Ovechkin. Ovechkin is only on the list once without Semin, and one of the remaining trios features an injured player (Fehr) and one who is no longer with the team (Brendan Morrison).

Take Semin off the second line and not only do you reduce the Capitals’ scoring ability, you allow teams to stack their best defenders against the trio of Ovechkin, Backstrom and Knuble, stifling any hope that the triumvirate comes close to the magic it had during the 2009-10 season.

Washington Post LOADED: 07.08.2011

574984 Washington Capitals

Washington Capitals announce development camp schedule, roster

By Katie Carrera

The Capitals have announced the full schedule for next week’s development camp, where all on-ice sessions are open to the public. The team also released the list of prospects who will be in attendance, highlighted by forward Cody Eakin and defenseman Dmitri Orlov. Offseason signee Mattias Sjogren, 23, will also attend the camp.

The roster for development camp (by position) is as follows:

FORWARDS

No. Name (Ht., Wt.) Team, Acquired (*signed)

--53 Travis Boyd (5-10, 185) USNDT/USA (WJC), Draft ‘11

--54 Greg Burke (6-3, 205) New Hampshire (NCAA), Draft ‘08

--50 Cody Eakin (5-11, 179) Swift Current/Kootenay (WHL)/Canada (WJC), Draft ‘09*

--49 Stanislav Galiev (6-1, 188) Saint John (QMJHL), Draft ‘10

--72 Caleb Herbert (5-11, 185) Sioux City (USHL)/USA (WJAC), Draft ‘10

--93 Dmitry Kugryshev (5-11, 193) Hershey (AHL)/S. Carolina (ECHL), Draft ‘08*

--76 Garrett Mitchell (5-11, 195) Regina (WHL)/Hershey (AHL), Draft ‘09*

--33 Mattias Sjogren (6-1, 209) Farjestads BK (SEL)/Sweden (WC), Free Agent ‘11*

--96 Taylor Stefishen (6-0, 185) Prince George (WHL), Trade ‘11

DEFENSEMEN


--65 Samuel Carrier (6-1, 186) Lewiston (QMJHL), Draft ‘10

--29 Brett Flemming (5-11, 184) Mississauga (OHL), Draft ‘09*

--38 Garrett Haar (6-0, 193) Fargo (USHL), Draft ‘11

--44 Patrick Koudys (6-4, 210) RPI (NCAA), Draft ‘11

--81 Dmitri Orlov (6-0, 197) Metallurg (KHL)/Hershey (AHL)/Russia (WJC), Draft ‘09*

--66 Dustin Stevenson (6-5, 220) South Carolina (ECHL), Free Agent ‘10*

--56 Patrick Wey (6-2, 200) Boston College (NCAA)/USA (WJC), Draft ‘09

GOALIES


--78 Brandon Anderson (6-0, 163) Lethbridge (WHL)/Hershey (AHL), Free Agent ‘10*

--31 Philipp Grubauer (6-0,180) Kingston (OHL)/Germany (WJC), Draft ‘10*

--40 Steffen Soberg (5-11, 176) Manglerud (Norway), Draft ‘11

Check out the full schedule after the jump.

Schedule of on-ice activities:

Monday, July 11

9:45 a.m.: Group A on ice

2:00 p.m.: Group B on ice

Tuesday, July 12

9:30 a.m.: Group B on ice


Wednesday, July 13



3:00 p.m.: Intrasquad scrimmage

Thursday, July 14

9 a.m.: Intrasquad scrimmage

Friday, July 15



Saturday, July 16

Capitals Fan Fest

10 a.m.: Intrasquad scrimmage

Washington Post LOADED: 07.08.2011

574985 Winnipeg Jets

Jets prospects to play in pre-season tourney

By: Tim Campbell

Mark Scheifele

The Winnipeg Jets announced today their prospects will compete against four other NHL teams at a prospects tournament in Penticton, B.C. in September.

The Jets, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks will participate in the five-day Vancouver Canucks Young Stars Tournament .

Jets prospects will play San Jose on Sept. 12, Edmonton on Sept. 13 and Vancouver on Sept. 15.

The Jets said today they expect recent draft choices Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry, Zachery Yuen and Austen Brassard all to play in the tournament.

Game dates, times and opponents are subject to change but here’s the tournament schedule that was released today:

Sept. 11

Vancouver vs. Edmonton 6:00 pm

San Jose vs. Calgary 9:30 pm

Sept. 12

Winnipeg vs. San Jose 6:00 pm

Calgary vs. Vancouver 9:30 pm

Sept. 13

Winnipeg vs. Edmonton 9:30 pm

Sept. 14

San Jose vs. Vancouver 6:00 pm

Edmonton vs. Calgary 9:30 pm

Sept. 15

Winnipeg vs. Vancouver 2:00 pm

*All times Central

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED: 07.08.2011


Gregoire signs deal with his hometown Jets

By: Tim Campbell

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets have announced their deal with local product Jason Gregoire of the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

The NHL team has come to terms with the Winnipeg-born left-winger as the Free Press had reported earlier. The heady Fighting Sioux forward met with the new NHL team’s brass at the entry draft almost two weeks ago and the Jets got the deal in competition with as many as eight teams, sources have said.

Gregoire’s deal will be an entry-level, two-way contract for two years.

Gregoire, 22, spent the last three seasons in Grand Forks but decided he would turn pro and pass up his senior year of college hockey. He officially left school this spring to take advantage of a loophole in the league’s collective bargaining agreement.

The heady winger was drafted by the New York Islanders in 2007 in the third round, but had not been signed.

Gregoire, when was was drafted by the Islanders, was playing for the USHL’s Lincoln Stars. He went to North Dakota the following season.

In the NHL’s CBA, any college player who does not remain a bona fide college student through the graduation of his college class becomes a free agent four June 1sts after he was drafted. The Islanders kept his exclusive rights up to that date, but not beyond, because he left college.

That put Gregoire on the open market early last month.

The only other player known to have taken advantage of the labour-agreement loophole is Blake Wheeler, also of the Jets, the Grand Forks Herald reported this spring. Wheeler signed with the Boston Bruins in 2008 after being drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2004’s first round.

Gregoire put up seasons of 29, 37 and 43 points for the Fighting Sioux. His production in 2010-11 was even more impressive given that he played eight fewer games than the previous season due to injury.

He scored 25 goals in 35 games in the season just completed.

Gregoire will be at Jets training camp this fall in a bid to jump straight from NCAA hockey to the NHL.

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED: 07.08.2011


Ex-coach Ramsay slams Jets owners

By QMI Agency

Former Atlanta Thrashers coach Craig Ramsay ripped into Winnipeg's True North Sports and Entertainment Wednesday over the way he was treated after the company bought the team.

Former Atlanta Thrashers coach Craig Ramsay ripped into True North Sports and Entertainment Wednesday over the way he was treated when the team was purchased and moved to Winnipeg.

Ramsay told Sportsnet’s Mike Brophy Wednesday True North didn’t communicate its intentions to him and said it wasn’t fair that they left him hanging while the organization searched for a coach.

“I never got a phone call from the Winnipeg people when they apparently bought the team,” Ramsay, who lost out on the Winnipeg job when Claude Noel was hired, told Brophy. “None of us did. There are always three choices: ‘We want you; we don’t want you or we really don’t know at this point because we don’t have a general manager in place.’ At least then the communication is open and you’ve spoken to the (new owners) and that didn’t happen. It’s disappointing.

“The fact that they dragged it out meant there were jobs that were going by the wayside while we were under the assumption that perhaps Winnipeg was interested in bringing our group along. It was a month or more just sitting by the phone waiting for things to happen while you are under obligation not to talk to other teams because of tampering charges. When Kevin Cheveldayoff got the (GM) job he at least called right away. Other than that we were just sitting there and waiting and that’s not fair.”

Winnipeg Sun LOADED: 07.08.2011


Jets blueliner has brush with royalty

Flood paddles behind Prince William

Staff Report

WINNIPEG - This was a brush with royalty Mark Flood won’t soon forget.

While much of the nation is aflutter with the royal visit of Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, the Winnipeg Jets defenceman actually got a firsthand look at the royal couple on the weekend in Prince Edward Island.

As Wills and Kate took part in a dragon boat race in Dalvay-by-the-Sea, Flood was among the local athletes asked to take part.

“It was a really neat experience,” said Flood, who played with the Manitoba Moose last season and signed with the Jets on Saturday. “I was fortunate enough to be sitting behind Prince William in the boat. I didn’t know how popular they were, really. I knew they were in the tabloids all the time, but to shake their hand and to see the media follow them around was pretty amazing.”

Flood didn’t have much time to interact with either William or Kate.

“They shook our hands really quick and after we finished the race he shook our hands and said ‘Good job’ and they were off to their next thing,” said Flood.

“I couldn’t imagine the life they live, they’re just whisked in and out of wherever they are.”

Among the other athletes who took part in the race were Boston Bruins defenceman and Stanley Cup champion Adam McQuaid, Olympic bobsleigh gold medallist Heather Moyse and sprinter Jared Connaughton.

“It’s great for the province of P.E.I., it’s a beautiful place, especially in the summer,” said Flood, a Charlottetown product who had 11 goals and 40 points last season with the Moose. “The people were pretty happy that they came.”

Flood, who has six games of NHL experience with the New York Islanders, is excited about the season ahead.

“I really enjoyed the city and playing there with the Moose,” said Flood, 26. “It was tough last summer not getting an NHL deal, but I was lucky to play in that market. Playing in Winnipeg was a great experience. It was by far the best organization I’ve ever played in. To have a good year, to get an NHL contract out of it and to stay with Winnipeg, I couldn’t be happier.

“There were a few other options but I knew all along that this is where I wanted to be. Zinger (Jets director of hockey operations Craig Heisinger) helped revive my career and I wanted to stay with the organization.”



Gregoire signs with Jets

By KEN WIEBE, QMI Agency

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets are about to add a little more local content.

A source confirmed Wednesday night that the Jets have agreed to terms with left-winger Jason Gregoire.

Gregoire, a 21-year-old Winnipegger, decided to turn pro after three seasons with the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

A third round pick (76th overall) of the New York Islanders in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Gregoire had 57 goals (including 15 game-winners) and 52 assists for 109 points in 120 career games with the Fighting Sioux.

Gregoire, a two-time member of the All-WCHA Academic team, became an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after exercising a clause in the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement that allows college players to become free agents four years after they’re drafted, provided they’re not signed by the team that drafted them.

Gregoire posted career-highs of 25 goals, 18 assists and 43 points in 35 games last season.

Terms of the deal were not available at press time, but it’s believed to be a two-way, entry level contract for three years.


574990 Websites

NBCSports.com / City of Glendale’s Mayor: “what would life be like with no team in the arena?”

Matt Reitz

Just because True North has found their team and brought the NHL back to Winnipeg, the Coyotes situation in Arizona still hasn’t been magically solved for the league. Potential owner Matthew Hulsizer dropped his bid to buy the struggling franchise on June 27 and the league has not publically announced any new potential suitors. There have been rumors of Jerry Reinsdorf (yet again) and even a new “mystery buyer,” but still no concrete, public offers to classify anyone as the front-runner.

It certainly seems like we’ve heard this story before.

For the first time throughout the four year fiasco in the desert, the city of Glendale may be seriously considering life after the Coyotes. Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs openly wondered in an interview if it was time to “look at what the alternative looks like?” Here are a few key quotes from Mayor Scruggs in an interview with 12 News in Phoenix:

Here’s video of the interview with 12 News; s/t to Preds on the Glass for the find.

“It’s disappointing from the aspect that of all the people who have owned the team and all of the people who have shown an interest in buying the team, he would have been the best owner.”

(snip)

“Mr. Bettman felt that the Goldwater Institute’s threat of a lawsuit might make the sale to Mr. Hulsizer invalidated in the future.”

(snip)

“At some point, and I have reached that point, we have to say ‘this is the situation the way it is, we must move on, and we must look at options.’ That’s where I’ve moved to at this point. However, now I believe the only realistic thing to do is to take a look, for all of us as elected officials, to take a look at: what would life be like with no team in the arena. What would costs be for the city of Glendale? That’s our building. We have to make the most of it. We have to make it as productive as possible… we can’t walk away from it. So someone has to pay the expenses of managing it and that may be the city of Glendale. It’s time for us to see what that looks like.”

(snip)

“All I’m saying now is the way this whole situation has progressed from the time the team went into bankruptcy until the NHL bought it, until ‘exciting buyer’ one after another went by the wayside, isn’t it time for us to look at what the alternative looks like?”

The interview is an important development because it’s the first time a public official has openly wondered about a post-Coyotes era. People around North America (particular Winnipeg) and talked about a Coyote-less Arizona for quite some time because of the outsider’s perception that it’s just not working. Ignoring the argument whether hockey can succeed in the Phoenix market, this is the first time we’ve heard a major decision maker concede that a deal may not get done. Can you imagine the celebrations in the streets if True North hadn’t already bought the Atlanta Thrashers?

The good news for hockey fans in Arizona is they city hit the snooze button on the situation when the city council dropped $25 million for another year of Coyotes hockey. But the payment wasn’t a solution—it was temporarily postponing the need for a deal. At some point, the NHL is going to have to find a feasible deal in Arizona or open themselves to the possibility of ownership groups who want to move the team. Since Winnipeg’s thirst for NHL hockey has been quenched, the vultures aren’t circling like they were a few months ago. But the situation will have to be remedied by the end of next season because it’s unlikely the city of Glendale will be willing to shell out another $25 million temporary solution.

For the first time, the mayor has accepted the possibility that the Coyotes may not be a permanent resident in Glendale. If there were any potential buyers out there waiting for the very last minute, this would be their cue.

The clock is ticking.

NBCSports.com / LOADED: 07.08.2011

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YAHOO SPORTS / ‘Perfect storm’ sparks NHL summer spending spree

Nicholas J. Cotsonika

On June 1, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman held his state-of-the-league news conference at the Stanley Cup Final. He barely touched on the labor situation. He gave a friendly acknowledgment to NHL Players’ Association executive director Don Fehr, standing at the back of the room.

No need to panic, not with the collective bargaining agreement running until September 2012. The sides hadn’t even gotten down to business yet.

“I would hope that when we discuss these kinds of issues, we’ll find a way to come to some common agreements and understanding, and I share Gary’s hope that it can be done quietly,” Fehr said after Bettman finished. “I’ve had that happen once or twice. A few other times, it didn’t. But the once or twice was nicer.”

Fehr laughed.

On July 1, the free-agent market opened, and all hell broke loose. Actually, it broke loose even before that, with teams trading for pending unrestricted free agents so they could have the exclusive right to overpay them. The Florida Panthers did it with Tomas Kopecky (four years, $12-million), the Buffalo Sabres with Christian Ehrhoff (10 years, $40-million), the Columbus Blue Jackets with James Wisniewski (six years, $33-million).

No need to panic? Maybe not yet. The union and the league still have plenty of time to reach an agreement - Fehr pegging the start of talks for “midwinter” some time - and there are plenty of reasons to think they should avoid another Armageddon.

But with the NFL locked out, the NBA locked out and the NHL facing some of the same issues that led to its last lockout, there are plenty of reasons to be concerned that next summer will be a lot hotter than this one. The gap remains great between rich and poor teams, and some are being forced to spend more than they can afford by the very system that was supposed to save them.

“We all know that we’re going to get a new system; nobody knows what that’s going to be,” Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said. “You have to do your best with your team this year, and you have to be positioned for the following year for the unknown.”

The owners were supposed to have broken the players in 2004-05. They sacrificed an entire season to achieve what they called “cost certainty” - in other words, the salary cap they had long sought and the union had long fought against. Salaries were rolled back 24 percent. Team payrolls were limited to $39-million - half of what the high-end Detroit Red Wings had been spending. The players were required to put money in escrow so the owners could recoup some of it for spending above a certain percentage of revenues.

Instead of doomsday, it was the dawn of a new era. The lockout gave the league an opportunity to reinvent itself with new rules that opened up the action, and with the cap came competitive balance. The league added new events like the Winter Classic, the annual outdoor game on New Year’s Day. The product improved. The marketing improved. A $2.1-billion business became a $3-billion business.

The salary cap and salary floor rose because they were tied to rising league-wide revenue. Problem was, while the cap and floor rose the same for everyone, the rise in revenue was disproportionate among the teams. The strong became stronger. The Canadian teams benefited from a Canadian dollar that strengthened dramatically after the CBA was signed. But emerging markets were still, well, emerging.

That’s not all. This CBA reduced the age for unrestricted free agency from 31 to 27. That led teams to lock up core players with long-term contracts. That led to fewer elite players making it to market. That led to less supply when there would be more demand, with the 2011-12 cap set at $64.3-million, the floor at $48.3-million - $9.3-million above the original cap.

Rich teams could spend more. Poor teams had to. That led to big trades and strange signings.

Limited only by the cap thanks to new billionaire owner Terry Pegula, the Sabres not only signed Ehrhoff to his mega-deal, but they gave a six-year, $27-million contract to Ville Leino, a 27-year-old winger who has one 19-goal regular-season and one 21-point playoff.

Needing to reach the floor, the Panthers not only signed Kopecky to his curious contract, but made a flurry of trades and signings that included four years and $16.5-million for Ed Jovanovski, a 35-year-old defenseman.

Rick Dudley, the former Atlanta Thrashers GM now working for the Maple Leafs, told Toronto reporters some of the deals were “silliness” and “asinine”. Both Rutherford and Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero used the same term to describe the dynamic: “the perfect storm.”

“The market was very favorable for the players this year,” Rutherford said.

Said Shero: “We’re six years into the cycle with the CBA, and so many teams have re-signed their own players. Less and less unrestricted players are available… The cap went up $5-million. You see the terms and you see the money that is out there right now, and it’s good to be a free-agent player or an agent today. A lot of money is being thrown around.”

You can bet the owners will want to get a handle on it - especially those struggling as a business because the floor is so high. They’re going to want to give the players less than the 57 percent of revenues they currently do. They’re going to want other adjustments, too.

Take the structure of contracts. The league rejected the 17-year, $102-million contract Ilya Kovalchuk signed with the New Jersey Devils last summer because it circumvented the salary cap - the unrealistic length of the term artificially lowering the cap hit. The league and union amended the CBA to add more specific language to what had been a vague rule. Leafs GM Brian Burke might be opposed to such deals on principle, but others are signing back-diving deals that just aren’t as crazy as the Kovalchuk contract. The only solution is to negotiate a stricter standard.

You can bet Fehr will fight all of it, and you can bet one of the keys will be closing the gap between the rich and poor teams.

“I will tell you, I’ve got a lot of long experience in it,” said Fehr, who led the Major League Baseball Players Association for a quarter century. “In my judgment, the lynchpin of the labor peace you’ve had in baseball for a very long time now is in fact the revenue-sharing agreement. There is no cap in baseball, but it’s the revenue-sharing agreement that made it work.”

Could it be the lynchpin in hockey, too?

“Is it conceivable that it could be?” Fehr said. “Yes. But I don’t know yet.”

The NHLPA accepted a cap in 2005 on the condition the league also introduce a revenue-sharing system “intended to enhance the ability of all clubs to be financially competitive with one another.” It’s written right in Article 49 of the CBA. But it hasn’t been effective enough.

Fehr cautioned that the revenue-sharing systems in baseball and hockey are significantly different - from the definitions of revenue and sharing to how they are calculated. A veteran executive with experience in both sports said it also boils down to this: In baseball, there is far more revenue to share - more established teams, more games, more seats, more TV money.

No one really knows what to expect from Fehr. He tells reporters that he doesn’t want to extrapolate too much from prior experience, that he’s still studying the economics of hockey, that the union still has a lot of work to do before it is ready to outline its positions for bargaining. An NHL executive said Fehr tells Bettman the same thing.

And there are questions as to whether each side has the stomach for another work stoppage. Why kill the league’s momentum when you can tweak the system, considering the game has bounced back better than expected, the owners have the cap they always wanted and the players’ salaries have continued to rise? Why would the high-revenue teams want to stop generating revenue now, and do the low-revenue teams have enough power to set the agenda? Why would the players want to lose a season of their careers, when many have lost one already? Are the players even engaged, or do they assume everything will be fine now that they have Fehr?

But the threat of trouble is real. Brad Richards, the only marquee name on the free-agent market, signed a nine-year, $60-million deal with the New York Rangers. It reportedly is front-loaded not just to make for a manageable cap hit. It will pay him $20-million over the first 12 months to protect him from a potential lockout or salary rollback.

“All I can say is that, if you can come out with an agreement without a stoppage - or better yet, without the threat of one - that creates the kind of an atmosphere in which everybody pulls together and you grow the game,” Fehr said at the Cup final. “That’s the best possible result. That, seems to me, goes without saying. Sometimes you can do that. Sometimes you can’t.”

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