Thursday reading.

Here is an interesting story on former BU star Colin Wilson: It will be interesting to see if he ends up in Nashville or Milwaukee. [Tennessean.com]

He stands 6-foot-1, weighs 230 pounds and produced some of the best offensive numbers in college hockey last season.

So there's little doubt that Predators prospect center Colin Wilson has the size and skill to thrive at some point in the NHL.

But is his time now?

That's what the 19-year-old Wilson will begin to tell everyone today, when he steps onto the ice at Sommet Center to play his first NHL preseason contest.

Here are some questions the Predators will be asking themselves as they try to determine whether the best course of action is for Wilson to start the season on the NHL level or with Milwaukee of the American Hockey League.

Can he keep up? If there's one knock on Wilson's game, it's that he's not a swift skater. In addition, it usually takes time for prospects to adjust to the speed when making the jump from the junior ranks, college or even the AHL.

"Some people have questioned his skating, but I think it's improved and it certainly wasn't a problem in the rookie games,'' GM David Poile said. "It didn't seem to be a problem playing with our guys here (in Wednesday's scrimmage). I just think he needs a few games under his belt.''

Can he be a threat offensively? There wouldn't be much point to Wilson making the roster as a fourth-line grinder, because his skills wouldn't be used effectively and he wouldn't be getting much ice time. He'd probably be better off playing on the first or second line in Milwaukee.

Former Fighting Sioux forward Zach Parise is ok after practice collision with Miami University defender Andy Greene. [Faceoff.com]

Defenceman Andy Greene was apologetic Thursday after colliding heavily with New Jersey Devils star centre Zach Parise at practice Thursday. Fortunately for both parties the 45-goal scorer was unhurt despite falling hard into the boards - but he still got some digs in at his teammate.

"I'm used to that from that guy," Parise said jokingly to the Bergen Record. "He likes to cross-check guys and run guys from behind in practice. He's known as a practice tough guy. . . .

"The D ran me from behind. I thought I was in a pretty vulnerable position - three feet away from the boards, facing the boards."

Not letting Greene off the hook, Parise also suggested the NHL should review the play.

From the Boston Globe today regarding Phil Kessel. [Boston.com]

After the game, Chiarelli spoke outside the locker room with Wade Arnott, Phil Kessel’s agent. “Got nothing for you,’’ said Arnott. The Leafs continue to be interested in Kessel.

Got nothing eh? Apparently there is a big time deal in the works between Boston and Toronto, seems like we hear that every day. Now apparently the Wild are also in the mix, I am not sure where they are going to put Phil's 4.5 to 5 million dollar contract since they are maxed out on cap space...

Because of the looming threat the Bruins will not be able to match an offer sheet for free agent Phil Kessel, two well-placed sources in Toronto said the team is close to pulling off a blockbuster trade involving the 21-year-old sniper.

According to the sources, the deal likely will be finalized within the next week, as four teams are in the running. Toronto and Nashville have made the best offers in talks with B’s general manager Peter Chiarelli. Minnesota and the New York Rangers also are in the mix.

The Bruins hoped all along to keep Kessel but could not re-sign him despite making a lucrative offer, so they are close to getting what they can for him and moving on.

“We’re obviously at an impasse,” Chiarelli said before last night’s preseason game against the Maple Leafs, where he expected to speak to Toronto counterpart Brian Burke. [Boston Herald]

So if Burke makes Phil Kessel an expensive offer and the Bruins don't match is Burke going to apologize to the the Oiler GM Kevin Lowe? In essence; wouldn't that also make Burke a hypocrite? Because if he offers Kessel an expensive deal and Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli doesn't match, wouldn't Burke be doing the same thing he accused Kevin Lowe of doing?

The Phil Kessel saga could be coming to a conclusion soon.

While the Maple Leafs remain the front-runners for Kessel’s services, a well-placed source told NESN.com that the Nashville Predators are in the running as well and have offered a package the Bruins like just as much as the Leafs’ reported offer of two first-round picks and more. According to the source, the Predators have offered a first-round pick, the rights to forward Alexander Radulov (who is currently playing in the KHL in Russia) and a top defensive prospect.

On Thursday’s Leafs Lunch on AM 640 in Toronto, host Darren Dreger claimed that a deal could be reached by this weekend because Leafs GM Brian Burke’s patience is wearing thin. Dreger says the Leafs have tabled the best offer, and if the Bruins don’t take it, Burke will go the route of an offer sheet.

Dreger cited Kessel’s wishes to play in Toronto over Nashville as the reason the Leafs remained the front-runners, and the aforementioned source said the same. The Bruins, however, don’t want to trade within the Eastern Conference, let alone with a division rival such as Toronto. That, apparently, is why Peter Chiarelli hasn’t dealt the 21-year old sniper that led the Bruins with 36 goals in 2008-09. [NESN.COM]

Bruins and Leafs still talking.

The Bruins and Leafs are still talking trade and draft picks. It will be interesting to see how long this plays out? Looks like the Leafs are also regretting signing former SCSU Husky Jeff Finger to that rather large contract. There is no way that he is worth 3+ million a season.

DANGLING PICKS

Burke continues to probe middle ground with the Bruins to acquire Kessel for a package of draft picks. The Boston Globe echoed reports of the past few days that the Leafs are dangling two first-round picks and a second-rounder and would want at least a third-rounder coming back, but despite his salary cap crunch, GM Peter Chiarelli might also take a player from the Leafs.

Burke played down speculation that the Leafs are trying to force Boston's hand by insisting a deal gets done in a couple of days, before they go the offer sheet route. Boston could match a Leafs offer, but would then need to move other players to get under the cap to accommodate Kessel. A trade would net a better return for Boston.

To get his own house in order, Burke also said he will demote some players to the Marlies if they don't play to potential at camp, but that rarely has been an issue with White.

He beat the odds to stay with the Leafs last season, making the team as a right winger. He won the club's Bill Masterton Trophy nomination for his perseverance.

"Unfortunately, Whitey's in that group," Wilson said of the limbo Leafs. "When you have eight or nine NHL defenceman, they get to a point where they say: 'Do I have to prove myself again'? But there's nothing wrong with that. That's the way it should be."

Finger, signed to a four-year, $14-million US contract by the previous regime, also is looking over his shoulder.

"The competition should bring out the best in us," he said. "If it doesn't, I won't be playing much."

Was Stafford's deal a little low?

Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Drew Stafford was an RFA and just signed a new deal with the Buffalo Sabres. Actually Drew had reported to camp even though he didn't have a deal in place. Almost unheard of in this day and age. I am wondering if I am the only one that thinks Stafford was low balled on his contract? Seems like he would be worth more than he got.

Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) -- The Sabres didn't have to make a decision today if Drew Stafford could practice or not because he signed a two year deal before hitting the ice. The winger will make $1.5 million this season and $2.3 million next year. Stafford was with the practice group today. He said, "I'm very excited to get a deal done. I was here yesterday skating and being with the guys and wasn't sure yet, but we were able to get it done and I couldn't be happier." Lindy Ruff added, "I think a lot of times a player gets caught in a bad spot. I think in his case he knew he had to be here and made a decision. Being in camp for a couple of weeks and being on pace with the other players is important. I think he realized that."

Stafford scored 20 goals in 79 games last season, but was very inconsistent in his play. It's something he's addressing this year, "I've come here with the mind set of trying to get better, trying to do what I can to contribute, work on my consistency most importantly and just wanting to be part of the solution."

Jason Blake might have a new team mate.

Self professed Phil Kessel hater Kevin Paul Dupont aka "KDP" is all giddy with the prospects of Kessel going to the Maple Leafs. I don’t understand why the Boston Globe keeps this clown on their staff because he is half the writer Minnesota Wild beat writer Michael Russo is. Come on KDP It’s called professionalism and he is letting his bias get in the way of a good story. I don’t understand Dupont's angle other than Phil being the shy type must have not give him the interview he wanted one time and since then has had a burr in is saddle for this kid.

What is going to happen next season when Lucic and Savard start negotiating for their next contracts; both are good players that are going to want good money to stay in Boston, who is going to be KDP's whipping boy next? Check some of the crap that he says in this article. Just for the record this is not like the Dany Heatly situation, Heatly had a contract and decided he didn't want to play for the Senators anymore, Kessel was given one contract offer and told to take it or leave it, or at least this is what I have gleamed from reading this on going mess. So it looks like Kessel could be playing with former Fighting Sioux hockey player Jason Blake who was the Leafs top scorer last season.

Just hours before the Bruins skated yesterday at the Garden for their first bona fide training camp workout, the ever-active rumor mill in Toronto had the Maple Leafs tabling the best offer yet for Boston free agent Phil Kessel. To wit: for a pair of first-round picks and one second-round pick, Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli could be free at last from his summer ’09 migraine, and the 21-year-old Kessel could call southern Ontario home.


Partially true,’’ said one source familiar with the talks between the teams, which have been going on for more than two weeks. “Toronto also wants a third-rounder along with Kessel.’’

Meanwhile, Kessel’s agent, Wade Arnott, attended the Leafs’ workout in Toronto. No, he did not have Kessel at his elbow, wearing a raincoat, skimmer, and sunglasses. But Arnott was spotted talking to GM Brian Burke’s top lieutenant, Dave Nonis, who now has the charge of handling the trade talks with Chiarelli.

For the moment, and possibly well on into November, Kessel holds the cards as a restricted free agent. If Chiarelli were to make a deal with, say, the Predators, Nashville GM David Poile would only give up assets if he is assured Kessel will sign in Tune Town. Likewise, the Leafs won’t flip picks and/or players Boston’s way unless Chiarelli already has inked Kessel to a sign-and-trade.

All signs point to Kessel preferring the Leafs over the Predators, which, if nothing else, proves he did learn something during his year at the University of Minnesota. Decent team, the Preds, but there is only one Toronto (unless Jim Balsillie succeeds in divvying up the hockey mecca).

The dynamic of the Kessel proceedings will shift as late November approaches because Kessel, per the collective bargaining agreement, cannot play in the NHL this season unless he has signed a deal by Dec. 1. But with Toronto so aggressively in the hunt, it’s doubtful it will play out that long. Clearly, Burke is trying to consummate a deal rather than extend Kessel an offer sheet, which had to be the context of the discussions between Chiarelli and Burke when they were spotted across from the Garden at The Four’s two weeks ago, according to a source inside the Canal St. eatery.

Asked yesterday if he cared to comment on the Kessel situation, Chiarelli said via email, “No, but thanks for asking.’’

Burke, reached via phone in Toronto last night, said, “The Maple Leafs cordially decline your request.’’

Everyone is just too polite for words, which makes your faithful scribe think the whole thing could get Bob Probert nasty in short order.

Chiarelli has what Burke wants, and Kessel’s agent already has informed the Bruins that he is done negotiating with the Spoked-B franchise. Both Kessel and Arnott have shot down that impasse, which was reported here first last week, but that’s only because they don’t want Kessel’s reputation in Boston to morph into what Dany Heatley’s became in Ottawa when he requested out over the summer (a wish that was granted Saturday when Heatley was dished to the Sharks)
[read the rest of the article here]

This is the statement that I think is interesting and is a complete head scratcher. I would like to ask the Bruin's management if they are on drugs? My next question is going to be; where the 25-45 goals are going to come from? Who is going to pick up the slack? I keep hearing Marco Sturm and Patrice Bergeron. Only one player was close to scoring 36 goals last season and that was Michael Ryder with 27, Sturm who is 10 years older than Phil has never scored more than 28 goals in a season and that was during the 2002-2003 season. Patrice Bergeron has had two concussions in the past two season and is a check away from ending his hockey career and has only played 82 games in a season once and that was during the 2005-2006 season.

In the Boston front office, they’ve spent months warming to the idea that they can win without Kessel, and they are probably right, given that they have the Norris Trophy winner in Zdeno Chara and the Vezina Trophy winner in Tim Thomas. In the Boston cookbook, most of its tasty concoctions based on defensive ingredients, Kessel is viewed as that little sprig of parsley that makes the plate look better but really doesn’t factor into whether the meal is a true success.

[props to Richard of the Illegal Curve]

Drew Stafford has a new contract.

Former Fighting Sioux forward Drew Stafford has signed a new 2 year contract with the Buffalo Sabres. The terms of the contract have not been released yet but I am sure that we will know in the near future how much Stafford will make.

Buffalo, NY -- (Sports Network) - The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed forward Drew Stafford to a two-year contract.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Stafford notched career highs last season with 20 goals, 25 assists and 45 points in 79 games for Buffalo.

The Milwaukee native, who will turn 24 years old in October, has 49 goals and 61 assists for 110 points in 184 NHL games over three seasons. The Sabres selected him with the 13th overall pick of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft

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Dany Heatley traded to the Sharks.

Former Wisconsin Badgers star Dany Heatley has finally been traded. From looking at the deal it would appear that that Senators got a whole lot better because they got rid of a potential locker room cancer and got two pretty good players in left-winger Milan Michalek and right-winger Jonathan Cheechoo. Also it's hard to imagine in the days of the salary cap that Joe Thornton and Dany Heatly are on the same team, that is going to make the Sharks the beast in the west. Heatley also joins former Badger Joe Pavelski.

OTTAWA — As soon as Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray talked to Dany Heatley on Friday, he knew he had to trade the disgruntled left-winger.

Heatley was so adamant about being moved that Murray knew he couldn’t have him around poisoning the dressing room. Nothing was going to make Heatley change his mind and Murray knew it.

“When I looked him in the eye, I knew the minute he walked out the door that I had to trade him,” said Murray.

“I didn’t think there was any chance. I just felt that we had to move him. As I said to (Senators captain) Daniel Alfredsson, ‘What we should care about here is the core of this hockey team and how we can help the guys become a competitive team again.’ ”

Alfredsson had also come to the same conclusion. He and defenceman Chris Phillips had sat down to talk with Heatley about his frame of mind coming into camp. Alfredsson left knowing there was nothing he could do or say to change Heatley’s mind.

“He was pretty clear about his stance,” said Alfredsson.

So Murray talked to Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and told him that, for the sake of the team, he had to trade Heatley for whatever he could get.

Murray landed left-winger Milan Michalek, 24, right-winger Jonathan Cheechoo, 29, and a second-round draft pick next year for Heatley and a 2010 fifth-round pick

Stafford in camp? 'I don't know'

Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Drew Stafford is still without a new deal with training camp approaching. Incidently, Drew Stafford is represented by agent former Harvard and Washington Capitals tough guy/star Neil Sheehy. This summer there have been a few RFA's this summer that are unsigned and it makes you wonder what kind of contract these guys are asking for? If a 46 point guy is worth 4 million then what is a 60 point guy worth?

Sabres training camp starts Saturday morning, and the biggest question is will Drew Stafford be in attendance? The answer is a resounding "I don’t know."

Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier and Neil Sheehy, Stafford’s agent, had identical responses today regarding whether the restricted free agent would be signed before the Sabres take the ice in HSBC Arena.

"I don’t know yet," Regier said.

Sheehy, by phone, answered: "I’m always hopeful, but I don’t know."

The sides were scheduled to chat in hopes of clearing the biggest obstacle: How much is the 23-year-old right winger worth?

"It’s always money," Regier said. "Every one of these situations has always come down to money. 'Not enough,' from their side, and, 'Too much,' from our side."

Stafford, the Sabres’ first-round pick in 2004, is penned in as a top-six forward in Buffalo. He set career highs last season with 20 goals and 25 assists. He made $984,200.

It’s possible the Stafford camp could be looking at Florida right wing Nathan Horton as their standard because of their similarities. The Panthers’ first-round pick in 2003 also had 45 points last year. Horton is 6-foot-2, 229 pounds, while Stafford is 6-2, 202. Horton is entering the third year of a six-year, $24 million deal.
[Sabres Edge]

Who would you want on your team?

This is a pretty good question? Who would you rather have on your team former Badger Dany Heatley or former Golden Gopher Phil Kessel. Heatly is the better of the two players. I am not even sure it's a fair comparison. Heatly sets up more goals and Phil not so much.

So, who’s it going to be?

At face value, the inner GM in me screams Heatley. He’s 6-foot-3, has back-to-back 50-goal seasons on his resume and is still only 28.

But don’t go offering up three quality NHLers just yet.

Heatley is set to make an average of $7.5 million over the next five years – if you want a guy who bags 50 a year, you’ve got to shell out some dough.

Kessel, it’s reported, is sniffing around for about $4.5 million a season. He won’t post a huge goal total this year because he’ll be out until November while his surgically-repaired shoulder heals.

But my guess is Kessel, who is six years Heatley’s junior, will be good for more than 40 goals a season over the next decade. With Joe Sakic now focusing full time on golf, Kessel and Philly’s Jeff Carter are vying for the title of most wicked wrister in the league.

So let’s assume the return on investment for Heatley is 50 goals for $7.5 million. Kessel, who had 36 goals in just 70 games last year, comes in at, say, 43 for $4.5 million after this injury-shortened year.

Now let’s see what that $3 million in savings will get you on the open market.

Mike Knuble, who has averaged just over 27 goals the past six NHL seasons, was snapped up for $2.8 million by Washington. Alex Tanguay, a 70-to-80 point guy in the right scenario, will play for $2.5 million this year in Tampa Bay. [Hockey News]

Joe Finley hurt in practice.

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman and Washington Capitals first round draft choice Joe Finley was hurt in practice today.

Joe Finley, the former first-round draft pick I wrote about in today's paper, appears to have suffered some sort of a injury on the opening day of rookie camp. Not sure about the nature or severity of the injury, but he has left the ice and is not expected to return today. [Capitals insider] [props]

The situation in Boston is getting worse.

The situation in Boston is only getting uglier by the day. This article basically says what I have thought all along that the current GM Peter Chiarelli is using very simular tactics of the former GM Harry Sinden and Mike O’Connell with their take it or leave it attitude. As a fan I am frustrated because there is a common line of thinking when you score 36 goals are the top goal score on the team you should be compensated for it, and a player shouldn't have to feel guilty for asking for it. The Bruins without Kessel aren't as prolific scoring wise. No one in the current line up came close to matching the 36 goals that Kessel scored Michael Ryder scored 27 last season. I don't blame Kessel's agent for taking that stance. Phil should be paid at least 3.75 million in my opinion.

Kessel opted to head home to Wisconsin in August after reporting to the Team USA Orientation Camp in Illinois, and it’s hard to blame him given the complete lack of progress with the Bruins on the contract front.

Kessel led the team in goals by a wide margin with his 36 strikes last season as a 21-year-old while also suffering through a bout of mononucleosis during the toughest stretch of games for the B’s last season.

Following the season, the wunderkind scorer watched his good friend David Krejci bank a three-year, $3.75 million deal in the first few weeks of the summer, and Kessel naturally assumed his turn was coming next in the following few weeks.

But then the B’s signed fellow restricted free agents Byron Bitz and Matt Hunwick to multi-year deals, and filled out the rest of their roster.

Kessel and agent Wade Arnott understandably expected – given his status as a high first-round pick, his track record of improved scoring through three NHL seasons straight out of college and the sizeable leap made from his second to third seasons – that the burgeoning Bruins sniper would bank a bit more than Krejci given his hockey resume and player comparables around the NHL.

But that deal never came to fruition in the first few weeks after the Krejci agreement, and then the trade rumor came down with Kessel wrapped up in a very public botched deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs for Tomas Kaberle.

The aborted Leafs/Bruins trade was followed by long weeks of deafening silence. Contrary to some reports, Kessel’s camp has not refused a series of proposed deals by the Bruins. There has simply been nothing beyond an offer below Krejci money, which was rejected out of hand. [WEEI]

Here is a candidate for my moron of the week. This guy doesn't have a clue what he is talking about; Phil Kessel had 6 goals and 5 assists for 11points in 11 playoff games last spring, that is third on the team in goals. Kessel also to a shot to kill the pain so he could play in the playoffs.

GANMAN wrote:
Wait just a minute!!! Kessel is a not worth 3-4 plus million because he lacks courage and physical power. He will never deliver a cup to Boston because he can be shut down in Stanley Cup play (only great during reg season). Am I the only one who sees this?????? Burke is a fool in love. Let Kessel ride, get the sweet draft picks and move on.

Cross posted at [MVN.COM]

Hockey rumors and rumblings.

Former Golden Gopher and Boston Bruin RFA has been the subject of many rumors this past summer. So Bruins fans have to wonder where Phil "the Thrill" Kessel is going to end up. There has been a stand still in the negoiations and the Boston Bruins are going to have to move someone to make room for him under the cap. From this article it doesn't appear to be Edmonton isn't in the running. Any team that makes Kessel an offer sheet is going to have to give up a lot if the Bruins don't match that said offer sheet.

While Comrie's out of the picture, it appears the Oilers aren't going to make a pitch to deal for Group 2 free agent Phil Kessel. The Boston Bruins forward, who had 36 goals last year, is being shopped because Boston is already well over the$56.8-million cap ceiling. [Edmonton Journal]

Here is some more from the self professed Phil Kessel Hater KPD.

Headed into the weekend, it was same ol’, same ol’ on the Phil Kessel watch. No reason to expect him on Causeway Street when the Bruins open training camp Sept. 12. A Group 2 free agent, he remains without a contract. A source familiar with the sporadic talks throughout the summer confirmed that the Bruins front office has made multiple offers, with varying length of term, but nothing has convinced the speedy 21-year-old winger to sign on the dotted line. Kessel told this space two weeks ago that he will have a new deal prior to the season - be it here or elsewhere - and he also felt that David Krejci’s new three-year pact (average $3.75 million) didn’t factor into where he set his value. Meanwhile, a New York Post story had the Rangers possibly ready to pony up for Kessel, who must sign prior to Dec. 1 or will be unable to play in the NHL in 2009-10. [Boston Globe]

Speaking of Mike Comrie, there have been a lot of rumors bouncing around that the Wild were interested in signing the former Michigan Wolverine and Senator to a contract. According to Wild beat writer Mike Russo that isn't true.

Contrary to the rumor mongers out there, the Wild has zero interest in Mike Comrie. [Russo's Rants]

Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Drew Stafford is a restricted free agent and still unsigned and doesn't have a contract for the up coming season.

But GM Darcy Regier still has one more noteworthy task at hand, and that is to reach a deal with restricted free agent, Drew Stafford.

Earlier this summer, Regier extended qualifying offers to three of the Sabres' five restricted free agents, Pat Kaleta, Andrej Sekera and Stafford.

Kaleta signed a one-year deal, while Sekera was inked for two years at a little over $1 million per year. Clarke MacArthur, another restricted free agent, signed a deal similar to Sekera's.

Both parties (Stafford and the Sabres) are likely working feverishly behind closed doors to get a deal done. But when talks extend all the way until mid-August, there becomes a growing concern that both sides may be far apart. [Bleacher Report]

Here is another blurb about Drew Stafford's contract negoiations. Sounds a lot like the Kessel situation in Boston, young players with pretty good numbers, the negoiations are at a stand still.

Then there's Drew Stafford, who remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. Stafford, 23, scored 20 goals last season. He's big (6-foot-2, 202 pounds), skilled and plays with an edge. He is a big part of the team's future. But two weeks before camp, he's still looking for a contract.

Maybe Stafford's agent is shooting for the moon, knowing the Sabres need to sign someone of consequence. But if they believe in Stafford, why play hardball? If their plan is to develop stars from within, they should sign Stafford and show the fans how much they believe in him.

Of course, you have to wonder if Stafford is truly worth the money. There is no lack of pro athletes in this town, on both the Sabres and Bills, who are being paid like stars but fall short of the designation. [Buffalo News]

Chris from Western College Hockey profiled two Sioux recruits Mike Cichy and Danny Kristo. I am excited to see both players in a Fighting Sioux uniform this fall.

Another Kessel Rumor.

Doesn't look like we can blame this rumor on KPD. I dunno, I also don't think teams are going to give up a first, second and third round pick on a player that has only three seasons in the NHL. Also, the Bruins don't have any room under the cap. That being saied, if there was one team that would over pay a UFA 6 million it would be the New York Rangers. This rumor almost sounds like some of the ones that come from EK.

Time is running short for the Rangers to renew their interest -- and for the Devils to jump into the bidding -- with trade talks said to be heating up elsewhere for Boston's Phil Kessel.

The Bruins have no cap space left to accommodate the $5 million salary their restricted free agent commands, and would have to dismantle their team to fit him by Oct. 1, when all teams must be under the $56.8 million cap.

The Rangers are believed to have talked seriously with the Bruins about trading for Kessel, but not lately. At least two other teams are believed to have stepped up their bidding of late. Kessel is rehabbing from rotator cuff surgery, but may be ready to skate when camps open next month.

A righty center/right wing, Kessel led the Bruins with 36 goals last season, despite missing 12 games, and stood plus-23. He went 6-5-11 and plus-7 in 11 playoff games for Boston. He won't turn 22 until Oct. 2.

Once Oct. 1 passes, the Bruins would be unable to match any Group 2 offer sheets, and would thus receive draft-pick compensation for Kessel. For salaries between $4.520 million and $6.026 million, compensation is a first-, second- and third-round pick. Fifth overall in 2006, Kessel is the Bruins' highest pick since they grabbed Joe Thornton first overall in 1997.

Kessel would fill a major need for either the Rangers or the thus-far uninvolved Devils, both in serious need of a No. 1 center -- one with blazing speed, a major scoring touch and defensive skills, as well. [New York Post]

Blues will be better this season.

With former Golden Gopher Erik Johnson returning to the Blue's opening night roster after missing the entire 2008-2009 NHL season with an injury, (lost battle with a golf cart in the pre-season) and with the return of former Maine Black Bear star Paul Kariya who also missed all but 11 games with a leg injury, the St. Louis Blues are going to be a much stronger hockey team.

Seriously! How can anyone think that the St. Louis Blues aren’t going to be a major force during the regular season, but also a make a run deep into the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

What makes last year's electric run a potential precursor of even better things is that the Blues accomplished it without Erik Johnson, their most talented defenseman who was out for the season following pre-training camp knee injury, Paul Kariya, a seven-time All-Star who saw his season cut to just 11 games before having surgery on both hips, plus captain/defenseman Eric Brewer, whose surgically repaired back ended his season Dec. 11 after just 28 games.

"When I see Erik Johnson wind up and then rip one into the net now, I realize even more what we were missing last season and what we accomplished without him," Blues President John Davidson said. "You don't just assume that things are going to be better, but how can they not be with us getting Erik, Paul (Kariya) and Eric (Brewer) back this season?"

"I think we're going to see a fired-up Paul Kariya," added Murray. "I'm convinced, with his pride as a player, he's going to come back very determined."

"The way we look at it is adding Kariya, Johnson and Brewer to your lineup is almost like gaining a few free agents," Davidson explained. "Plus, the extension of Andy McDonald's contract was a key, since he would have become a free agent."
[NHL.com]

Heatly explains his side.

You can hear former Badger Dany Heatley explain his side of this crazy story, you an also listen to it at this TSN link. I have to scratch my head when I hear these highly paid athletes make these types of comments. Seriously! If anything Dany sounds petty and if your disappointed with your playing time and you don't feel your getting enough playing time you work harder you don't ask for a trade. You complain about it in the media. Now, if the GM from the Sens can't trade him there is a serious distraction in the locker room.

Dany Heatley says that he feels that his role with the Ottawa Senators has been diminished, and that's the biggest reason why he has asked for the team to trade him.

The veteran forward spoke in Kelowna, B.C. on Friday for the first time since he made the request in June. He stated that his wish to be traded has not changed over the summer.

"When I signed in Ottawa two years ago, I felt it was to be an integral part of the team," Heatley said. "Over the last two years and more recently over the past year, I feel my role was diminished. This past season, it diminished a lot more.

"This is a straight hockey decision. I have nothing against the fans of Ottawa, or the city of Ottawa. I would like the opportunity to go somewhere where I can play to the best of my capabilities and be the player that I can be."

Despite his demand to be moved, Heatley confirmed that he will still report to the Senators' training camp next month if he is not dealt.

"I have a contract, and if I'm still a Senator at training camp time, I'll be ready to go. But at the same time, I think we know that there are other teams out there that are interested, and hopefully something can get done," added Heatley.

For his part, Senators executive vice-president and general manager Bryan Murray said on Friday that finding trade partners for a high-priced player like Heatley has not been easy. [TSN] [Props]

Zach Parise interview

Zach Parise addresses the media at USA Hockey Camp in Woodridge, IL. Zach is a well spoken and a good interview to listen to. I am excited for the Olympics this season. Here is the link to Zach Parise wearing the new Olympic hockey jersey.

USA's two headed monster in net.

I think this could be historically one of the best goaltending tandems for team USA in the history of the Olympic hockey. Both Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins and UVM) and Ryan Miller (Buffalo and MSU) are solid all pro NHL goalies and either one should prove to be a solid back stop for team USA.

International hockey is stocked with quality goaltending, so the Americans are simply putting themselves on equal footing this time around with the excellent Thomas/Miller duo. From this vantage point, it's the best netminding the U.S. will have since Mike Richter's heyday.

Team USA coach Ron Wilson said not to count out impressive youngster Jonathan Quick, or the injured and rehabbing DiPietro. But let's be realistic: It's going to be the Thomas/Miller show in Vancouver, in more than ways than one. For a team that -- on paper, at least -- appears to have less natural scoring ability than the Canadas and Russias and Swedens of the world, Miller and Thomas will be heavily leaned on come February.

''The goaltending position is very important in the Olympics because it's short term and it's one-game, head-to-head elimination," Thomas said Tuesday after Day 2 of the U.S. Olympic camp. "A goalie can make a huge difference. In a seven-game series, a goalie can still make a difference, but it's more team-dependent. But in one game, a goalie can make or break the game for you.'' [ESPN]

KPD on Kessel.

When ever I read an article from Kevin Paul Dupont I almost have to wonder what is his agenda is? If I was Kessel I would think twice about what I say to this guy. It would be interesting to know if he actually said that or was his quote taken out of context. From everything I have read Phil sounds like he is happy to be in Boston. In a way it almost seems that KPD is trying to push their young star player out of town.

Kessel underwent surgery to repair a torn left rotator cuff some 12-1/2 weeks ago. He said he has some 95 percent of the joint's range of motion back and is now working on recovering strength in the shoulder and his entire upper body. He also said he is about a month away from getting back on skates, which would peg his return to the ice at about when NHL
camps open. The Bruins open up their camp Sept. 12 at the Garden.

Meanwhile, Kessel still has not come to contract terms on a new deal with the Bruins. He remains a restricted free agent, calling his current talks between his agent, Wade Arnott, and Boston GM Peter Chiarelli "a stalemate.''

''I don't know what is going to happen, to tell you the truth,'' he said. ''It will be interesting, I think. I am not disappointed or anything because, obviously, it's is a business for [the Bruins]. It is kind of like we are at a standstill, and I think it can go either way at this point.''

One way or the other, added Kessel, he will have a new contract by the Oct. 1 start of the 2009-10 NHL season. He is not sure it will be with the Bruins.

''Rumors happen all the time,'' said Kessel, asked about the late-June trade talks between the Bruins and Maple Leafs, in which the Bruins believed they had a deal consummated to ship him to Toronto for Tomas Kaberle. ''You hear rumors about a lot of guys. I wasn't too worried. If you get traded, you go to that team and do what you can for them -- it's a
business.'' [Boston Globe Sports]

Kessel will probably be an Olympian. But will be he a Bruin?

Here is an interesting article from the USA Today that talks about Phil Kessel's surgery/rehabilitation, also the article mentions where Kessel is at in the contract negotiations, they are kind of still at a stalemate. On the positive note it seems like the rehab is going better than the contract negotiations. Kessel is saying he will be back in November some time. I get kind of giddy especially when I have read that he might not be back till December. Of course if Kessel ends up in anything other than a Wild or Bruins jersey I won't be all that giddy. Personally I think Kessel would be smart to take 3.75-4 Million in the form of a one year contract and go from there. If Kessel has a strong year then he can get himself a decent raise.

WOODRIDGE, Il. -- It seemed appropriate that injured Phil Kessel modeled one of Team USA's new sweaters Monday because it might be more likely that he will wear that jersey than his Boston Bruins garb next season. Given his speed and skill, Kessel is close to being a sure bet for the Olympic team, but he is not close to a new deal with the Bruins. "It's at a stalemate and I don't know what's going to happen," Kessel said. "…I think it could go either way at this point." Kessel, 21, said he would like to stay in Boston, but he certainly understands that the Bruins might deal him because of the contract issue. The Bruins did discuss trading Kessel to Toronto during the NHL draft in June. He would like to know sooner rather than later about his future. "There is no date," Kessel said. "…either way it will get done before the season for sure." Kessel is coming off shoulder surgery, but he believes he will be ready to play in early or mid-November. His range of motion is now at about 95% on the repaired shoulder. "I'm in the strength phase now," Kessel said.

Neither side is revealing where the negotiations are at, but the Bruins signed David Krejci, 21, for an average of $3.75 million over three seasons. Meanwhile, another 21-year-old, Anze Kopitar, received an average of $6.8 million from the Los Angeles Kings. At 23, Paul Stastny in Colorado is making $6.6 million per season. The compromise is probably in the middle of that range, but the Bruins likely would want to be closer to the Krejci number, closer to an average salary of $4 million. [props]

Dany Heatley to the Wild?

I saw this rumor over the Hockey Wilderness. I have to wonder about this rumor. First last night there was a rumor floating around the Internet that had the Wild trading their star defenseman Bret Burns to Senators in a package deal for Heatley. However, there was nothing about this rumor over on Russo Rant's. Michael Russo is ussually dialed in on what is going on with the Minnesota Wild. One rumor that was floating around last night had Burns going to the Senators but now the rumor has been squashed. Now the rumor is Koivu being traded in a package deal to the Senators for Heatley. I don't know if I can see Koivu being traded. The fact that it's on Hockey Buzz makes it less credible than if it had come from TSN, or Russo.

Here we sit, the night before the deadline in the Dany Heatley sweepstakes and it sounds like the Minnesota Wild have tabled an offer that will be tough for Murray to turn down. While the proposed deal does not include stud defenceman Brent Bruns, it does apparently include Mikko Koivu, Nick Schultz and Tyler Cuma. Rumours are there would be other pieces involved both on Ottawa's end as well as Minnesota's. Sounds like the swap could include a salary dump on Ottawa's end and potentially Colton Gillies coming back from Minnesota. By all indications there is a very solid offer coming from Minnesota although Ottawa is trying to see if they can include Martin Havlat in the package. Even if the Wild decide not to include Havlat, they will still have a very legitimate offer on the table for Heatley. [SensChirp]

Ryan Jones resigned by the Preds.

This is one guy that I wish the Wild hadn't traded away. Think about this; Jones scored twice as many goals as our heraled first round draft choice James Sheppard, had roughly the same amount of points as Cal Clutterbuck and scored more points than the Wild's first round draft choice Colton Gillies in the same amount of games. I think in the end this is going to go down as being a bad move for the Wild. This illustrates the reason it was a good move to get rid of the former GM Doug Risebrough.

The Nashville Predators announced today that they have re-signed former RedHawks captain Ryan Jones. The deal is a two-year, one-way contract that will pay Jones roughly $975,000 per season.

In 46 games with Nashville last season, Jones registered ten goals and seven assists. His first NHL goal came on October 15, 2008 against Dallas and CCHA alum Marty Turco. [The Brother Hood]