Calgary Flames Flames future will be on display next week

SPORT-SCAN Buffalo Sabres 637108 Sabres keep Leggio, bring back Mancari 637109 Report: Sabres re-sign Leggio 637110 Foligno, Hodgson, Grigorenko, Armia among big names attending Sabres' development camp 637111 Buffalo Sabres sign Leggio, Mancari to one-year contracts 637112 Buffalo Sabres sign center Kevin Porter Calgary Flames 637113 Flames future will be on display next week Chicago Blackhawks 637114 Luongo says he's open to joining Blackhawks 637115 NHL, players' union continue 'productive' talks 637116 Time for Blackhawks to make some noise in free agency Colorado Avalanche 637117 John Mitchell bringing versatility, grit to Colorado Avalanche Columbus Blue Jackets 637118 NHL: Offers scarce for Nash, so Jackets wait 637119 Blue Jackets: Draft picks hope to become net assets Dallas Stars 637120 What the Dallas Mavericks and NHL teams have in common 637121 Dallas Stars sign first-round pick Radek Faksa to three-year deal 637122 Is Gary Roberts the Stars secret weapon? Nieuwendyk: 'I just think we re really fortunate to have him' 637123 Tom Wandell accepts qualifying offer from Stars, signs one-year deal 637124 Old friend of Joe Nieuwendyk a key to getting young Stars ready Detroit Red Wings 637125 National writer: Red Wings a loser in NHL free agency; Is Ducks' Bobby Ryan a trade option? 637126 Two-minute drill: Midday update on Tigers, Lions, Wings, Pistons, U-M and MSU 637127 Big-market teams no longer have advantage in NHL 637128 NHL free agency tracker: Sabres sign former Michigan forward Kevin Porter 637129 5 players to watch in the Red Wings' development camp 637130 Red Wings' prospects get to work as development camp opens today 637131 Here are winners and losers in a hectic NHL free-agent season 637132 Red Wings camp gives prospects an edge 637133 Detroit Red Wings still desirable destination for free agents, says associate coach Tom Renney 637134 Red Wings prospects to attend week-long 'hockey college' beginning Saturday in Traverse City 637135 Ducks' Bobby Ryan a trade alternative to Rick Nash for Red Wings, but he'd be pricey, too Florida Panthers 637136 Panthers, Ellerby agree to one-year deal 637137 Florida Panthers hopeful Quinton Howden anxious to make favorable impression in training camp Los Angeles Kings 637138 Bodnarchuk joins Kings on one-year deal 637139 Player evaluation: Carter NHL 7/7/2012 DAILY BRIEF Minnesota Wild 637140 Wild signs defenseman Brian Connelly 637141 Scoggins: Image overhaul for Wild was bonus in Parise- Suter deal 637142 Minnesota Wild: Zach Parise, Ryan Suter provide marketing bonanza 637143 Shooter Now: Zach Parise will be Minnesota Wild's Pied Piper, skating coach predicts Montreal Canadiens 637144 Canadiens re-sign centre Lars Eller for two years 637145 Canadiens sign Lars Eller to two-year contract New Jersey Devils 637146 What s Next, N.H.L. Bidders? A 20-Year Contract? 637147 Matt Taormina signs with Tampa Bay Lightning 637148 Parise: No regrets over Devs tenure New York Rangers 637149 Surgery kneecaps Rangers McIlrath 637150 Rangers' prospect has knee surgery Ottawa Senators 637151 Breaking down the Senators cap situation 637152 Dear Senators: Take a chance on Semin 637153 Ex-Senator happy he landed in Minny Phoenix Coyotes 637154 Phoenix Coyotes re-sign forward Kyle Chipchura St Louis Blues 637155 Blues are left to ponder next move 637156 Hockey Guy: Pros, cons of Perron contract 637157 If Perron s worth $15.25 million, what s Oshie worth? Tampa Bay Lightning 637158 Lightning sign G Lindback, D Toarmina to contracts 637159 Will NHL come calling on Bolts' farm coach Cooper? 637160 Slater Koekkoek fits in nicely at Tampa Bay Lightning camp 637161 Tampa Bay Lightning signs goaltender Anders Lindback to two-year contract Toronto Maple Leafs 637162 Moving Leafs' van Riemsdyk to centre means someone is expendable 637163 Leafs call on former figure skater Barb Underhill to work her magic Vancouver Canucks 637164 Vancouver Canucks tab Nolan Baumgartner as AHL Chicago Wolves assistant coach 637165 Twitter talk: Roberto Luongo gets free ride to Vegas poker event 637166 Canucks Roberto Luongo to Vancouver: It s time to move on' 637167 Canucks' Luongo states the obvious, he wants to go to Florida 637168 Luongo shocks the world, states it s time to move on during a CFOX interview 637169 Panthers' Theodore could be part of trade for Luongo

Washington Capitals 637170 Jay Beagle looking forward to working with Adam Oates 637171 Adam Oates to throw out first pitch at Nationals game 637172 Capitals Jay Beagle anxious to continue where he left off Websites 637176 ESPN / Debate: Whither the Wings and Rick Nash? 637177 NHL and NHLPA finish two productive days of meetings in New York 637178 USA TODAY / Predators must make Weber big offer, deal him if he declines Winnipeg Jets 637173 Jets sign Maxwell, Dekanich 637174 Would Wild free agent frenzy happen with Jets? 637175 Winnipeg Jets sign Maxwell, Dekanich SPORT-SCAN, INC. (941) 484-5941 phone (619) 839-3811 fax

637108 Buffalo Sabres Sabres keep Leggio, bring back Mancari Mancari back after year spent with the Vancouver organization By John Vogl The Buffalo Sabres have kept one familiar face and brought back another. In need of a veteran goaltender for the Rochester Americans, the Sabres have agreed to a one-year deal with David Leggio, the Williamsville native who manned the crease for the minor-league club the past two seasons. In addition, the Sabres agreed to a one-year deal with right wing Mark Mancari. The former Sabres prospect left the organization last year to sign with Vancouver. Leggio, an unrestricted free agent, played 54 games for the Amerks last season as the No. 1 netminder. He went 28-24-2 with a 2.63 goals-against average and.917 save percentage. He also was in the crease 36 times for the Portland Pirates in 2010-11 when they were the Sabres affiliate. The Sabres have first-year pros Connor Knapp and Nathan Lieuwen slated to compete for time with the Amerks. Knapp, a sixth-round pick in 2009, just completed his collegiate career at Miami of Ohio. Lieuwen, a sixth-round pick in 2011, finished his final season with Kootenay of the Western Hockey League. Mancari returns to the Sabres organization after recording 30 goals and 58 points with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL last season. He appeared in six games with the Canucks. Mancari will provide depth on the right side and will likely skate on the first line with the Amerks. Mancari has scored 119 goals in the last four AHL seasons, an average of just less than 30 per year. He has three career NHL goals with 10 assists for 13 points in 42 games. Buffalo News LOADED: 07.07.2012

637109 Buffalo Sabres Report: Sabres re-sign Leggio The Sabres, who were in need of a veteran goaltender for Rochester, are sticking with a familiar face. Buffalo has agreed to a one-year deal with David Leggio, the Williamsville native who manned the crease for the Sabres' minor-league club the past two seasons, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Leggio, an unrestricted free agent, played 54 games for the Amerks last season as the No. 1 netminder. He went 28-24-2 with a 2.63 goals-against average and.917 save percentage. He also was in the crease 36 times for the Portland Pirates in 2010-11 when they were the Sabres affiliate. The Sabres have first-year pros Connor Knapp and Nathan Lieuwen slated to compete for time with the Amerks. Knapp, a sixth-round pick in 2009, just completed his collegiate career at Miami of Ohio. Lieuwen, a sixth-round pick in 2011, finished his final season with Kootenay of the Western Hockey League. ---John Vogl Buffalo News LOADED: 07.07.2012

637110 Buffalo Sabres Foligno, Hodgson, Grigorenko, Armia among big names attending Sabres' development camp The Sabres' development camp kicks off this weekend, with sessions available to the public from Monday to Thursday. Here are the players scheduled to attend: FORWARDS Luke Adam, Joel Armia, Riley Boychuk, Daniel Catenacci, Brian Flynn, Marcus Foligno, Zemgus Girgensons, Mikhail Grigorenko, Cody Hodgson, Christian Isackson, Colin Jacobs, Kyle Jean, Justin Jokinen, Justin Kea, Jacob Legace, Brad Navin, Logan Nelson, Jonathan Parker, Judd Peterson, Frederick Roy, Kevin Sundher, Shawn Szydlowski, Corey Tropp, Phil Varone. DEFENSMEN Mark Adams, Brady Austin, Mackenzie Braid, Nick Crawford, Kevin Czuczman, Corey Fienhage, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, Alex Lepkowski, Matt MacKenzie, Jake McCabe, Brayden McNabb, Mark Pysyk. GOALTENDERS Mark Guggenberger, Connor Knapp, Nathan Lieuwen, Linus Ullmark. Here is a detailed look at the 2012 Development Camp Roster. ---John Vogl Buffalo News LOADED: 07.07.2012

637111 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Sabres sign Leggio, Mancari to one-year contracts Written by Kevin Oklobzija The Rochester Americans have their MVP goalie back, and while their hometown hero is quite likely leaving, a familiar veteran winger will be taking his place. Goalie David Leggio signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres on Friday, as did right winger Mark Mancari, who played for the Amerks from 2005-06 through 2007-08. But the agent for Greece native Derek Whitmore said the veteran winger is, at least for now, looking to sign elsewhere with the hopes of getting more NHL playing time. Whitmore was the Amerks leading goal-scorer and also the face of the franchise in the community, winning the team s man of the year award. But in four years in the Sabres system, he has played just two NHL games. Both came this past season, around the Christmas holiday. I think we re just assuming it s time to look elsewhere, said Steve Bartlett of Pittsford-based Sports Consulting Group. I m not saying the door is completely closed, but both sides appear to be looking in different directions. Whitmore, 27, scored 28 goals, 16 assists and 44 points in 75 games. His goal production has gone up every year 11 to 18 to 27 to 28 and he is extremely durable. He has missed just six games in his four seasons. He had a very good reason for the one Amerk game he missed this past season: He was on his first NHL recall. He was never the first or second winger on the Sabres call-up depth chart and a mutual parting of the ways could provide him with a better chance. Mancari will be expected to match, or exceed, Whitmore s scoring output. A veteran of seven pro seasons, he has scored 119 goals (by year, with most recent output listed first: 30, 32, 28, 29). He played with the Chicago Wolves last season and was with the Sabres development team the previous six years (three in Rochester, then three with the Portland Pirates). He has size (6-4, 217), goes to the net and has a cannon slap shot that allows him to be used at the point on the power play, if coaches so choose. Leggio, meanwhile, will be preventing goals. And while he s returning to the same team, he ll still be in a different place: No. 3 on the organizational depth chart. That s a first for the four-year veteran who grew up in the Buffalo suburb of Williamsville. He s anxious to prove he deserves it, too. I wanted to come back to Rochester and compete for a Calder Cup and for a job in Buffalo, said Leggio, the Amerks MVP in the 2011-12 season. I think I can be a No. 3 and I think I can be an NHL goaltender as well. I m looking forward to building on what we did last year. We all took big strides the second half. Leggio went 28-24-2 with a 2.63 goals-against average and.917 save percentage last season. He was tied for third in the American Hockey League in victories and was second in minutes played (3,243:16). He also led the AHL in saves and was terrific in the tiebreaking skills competition: He led the AHL in shootout wins with a 6-2 record and he also had the second-best shot-stop percentage (.800) for goalies who participated in at least four shootouts. He will get a deserved bump in pay, likely to around $100,000 after earning $75,000 last season. From Feb. 22 until the final playoff loss on April 23, Leggio was the only Amerk goalie to play, a workhorse 26 straight games after coach Ron Rolston lost faith in Drew MacIntyre. He carried a big load down the stretch run and was a big reason these guys snuck into the playoffs, Bartlett said. Every step of his career (starting at Clarkson), he s had to prove himself and he has done so. Leggio is only looking ahead, though. I just want to work on the things I need to improve on and try to make a push for an NHL job, said Leggio, who turns 28 on July 31. Something else that s new: he doesn t need to learn a new city. This is the first time in my career I get to go back to the city I played in the year before, he said. He started his career in 2008-09 with the ECHL s FLorida Everblades, played in Finland in 09-10, was signed by the Sabres for Portland in 10-11 and came to Rochester with the Sabres last season. Leggio figures to play a great deal again this coming season. The backup will be either Connor Knapp of York, a former goalie at McQuaid who just completed a four-year career at Miami-Ohio, or Nathan Lieuwen, who played with the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League. Both are big. Knapp, 22, is 6-5, 215. Lieuwen, who turns 21 in August, is 6-5, 192. Democrat and Chronicle LOADED: 07.07.2012

637112 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Sabres sign center Kevin Porter Sabres sign centerman to add to depth Kevin Oklobzija A year ago at this time, Kevin Porter had to be feeling secure in knowing he had finally proven himself to be a full-time NHL player. Now, after signing a contract with the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, he very much back in limbo-land. The Buffalo Sabres don t have much depth at center so Porter will have a chance in training camp to earn a job on the NHL roster, either up the middle or on left wing. But a more likely scenario is that the 2008 Hobey Baker Award winner will start the season with the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League. He kind of understands he has to fight his way back to the NHL, said Amerks coach Ron Rolston, who nearly a decade ago was trying to recruit Porter to play at Boston College. The speedy forward out of the Detroit area instead stayed close to home at the University of Michigan. I watched him grow up in Detroit and I know how talented he is, Rolston said. A lot of decisions being made are about depth in the organization and strengthening the depth for Buffalo. Porter scored 14 goals, 11 assists and 25 points in 75 games in 2010-11 with the Colorado Avalanche but last season became a part-time player who was often a healthy scratch. He scored just 4-3-7 in 35 games, and played in just eight games after Jan. 16. That s why, until he proves otherwise in training camp, he s most likely expected to be an Amerk before he s with the Sabres. If he starts with us, obviously he s a premier guy for us, and he understands that, Rolston said. This is a real good signing for us (as an organization). Right away we had him on our list. For him, not only is the organization first-class, but it s also the opportunity he s going to get. He ll have a chance to be in Buffalo or he ll be a key guy for us. Either way, he s going to get a tremendous opportunity to show what he can do. Porter, 26, was a first-year pro in 2008-09 with the AHL s San Antonio Rampage. He did play in seven Rampage playoff games the previous spring (four assists) after his college career ended. He played half of his rookie season with the Phoenix Coyotes (5-5-10 in 34 games), though they admitted he was rushed to the NHL before he was ready. In parts of two AHL seasons in San Antonio, he scored 29-47-76 in 98 games. He was dealt to Colorado along with forward Peter Mueller for Wojtek Wolski at the 2010 trading deadline. Democrat and Chronicle LOADED: 07.07.2012

637113 Calgary Flames Flames future will be on display next week Nearly 40 prospects hitting WinSport complex for club s development camp 9 a.m. All players Calgary Herald: LOADED: 07.07.2012 By Calgary HeraldJuly 6, 2012 11:51 PMRockLake The Calgary Flames future will be on full display next week. Nearly 40 prospects, including recent first-rounders Sven Baertschi and Mark Jankowski, are participating in the team s annual development camp, which begins Monday afternoon at WinSport s Athletic and Ice Complex at Canada Olympic Park. A dozen of the players on hand for the weeklong camp are on amateur tryout agreements. The rest of the lads 27, to be exact are property of the Flames. Here is the position-by-position breakdown (with 2011-12 club in brackets): Goalies (5) Dan Bakala (WCHA Bemidji), Laurent Brossoit (WHL Edmonton), Jared Coreau (CCHA Northern Michigan), Jon Gillies (USHL Indiana), Joni Ortio (TPS Turku) Defencemen (10) Chris Breen (AHL Abbotsford), Sean Callaghan (OHL Ottawa), Ryan Culkin (QMJHL Quebec), Connor Hardowa (HE University of New Hampshire), Brett Kulak (WHL Vancouver), Brady Lamb (WCHA University of Minnesota-Duluth), James Martin (AHL Abbotsford), John Ramage (WCHA Wisconsin), Patrick Sieloff (USA U-18), Tyler Wotherspoon (WHL Portland) Centres (7) Matt DeBlouw (USHL Muskegon), Markus Granlund (HIFK Helsinki), Roman Horak (NHL Calgary), Mark Jankowski (HS Stanstead College), Gaelan Patterson (AHL Abbotsford), Max Reinhart (WHL Kootenay), Eric Robinson (HE Dartmouth College) Left-wingers (12) Sven Baertschi (WHL Portland), LW Carter Bancks (AHL Abbotsford), Turner Elson (WHL Red Deer), Michael Ferland (WHL Brandon), John Gaudreau (HE Boston College), Coda Gordon (WHL Swit Current), LW Ryan Howse (AHL Abbotsford), Ross Johnston (QMJHL Moncton), Tim Schaller (HE Providence College), Dustin Sylvester (AHL Abbotsford), Garrett Thompson (CCHA Ferris State), Frank Vatrano (USA U-18) Right-wingers (5) David Eddy (WCHA St. Cloud State), John McGuire (OHL Erie), Wade Murphy (BCHL Victoria), Greg Nemisz (AHL Abbotsford), Carter Rowney (WCHA University of North Dakota) CAMP SCHEDULE All on-ice sessions at WinSport s Athletic and Ice Complex are open to the public. Refer to calgaryflames.com for Group A and B rosters: Monday 3:30 p.m. Group A 4:30 p.m. Group B Tuesday 9 a.m. Group A 10:30 a.m. Group B 2:30 p.m. All players Wednesday 9 a.m. Group B 10:30 a.m. Group A Thursday 9 a.m. Group A 10:30 a.m. Group B Friday

637114 Chicago Blackhawks Luongo says he's open to joining Blackhawks By Chris Kuc The goaltender Chicago Blackhawks fans love to hate said that he's open to the possibility of joining the team if a trade could be worked out. Roberto Luongo, who lost his starting job with the Canucks to Cory Schneider, told a Vancouver radio station Friday that, "I think it's time to move on" and didn't rule out a deal to the Hawks. "I'd rather not talk specific right now," Luongo said on CFOX-FM 99.3. "I mean, there's a lot of stuff going on... I've always said I like playing in Chicago." The host then asked Luongo if he would seriously consider playing for the Hawks, a team that has become a major rival after facing off in the postseason three consecutive seasons prior to not meeting in the playoffs last season. "That's a good question," Luongo said. "I think there's a lot of cities that are great to play in, and Chicago's definitely one of them. But you have to realize that it works both ways. There's not only me involved in this decision. It's also a question if the Blackhawks would be interested, if the team would be interested in trading me there, and if I wanted to go there." While the Hawks may be on the lookout to upgrade the goalie position after an inconsistent season by starter Corey Crawford, trading for Luongo would be a major investment as the veteran is in the midst of a 12-year contract that carries a $5.33 million salary-cap hit through the 2021-22 season. Earlier in the week, the Hawks made an offer to 40-year-old netminder Martin Brodeur but the free agent instead decided to re-sign with the New Jersey Devils. The Hawks declined to comment on Luongo, who was 31-14-8 with a.919 save percentage last season. Luongo also indicated the Florida Panthers would be a desirable landing spot. "(Canucks GM) Mike Gillis is obviously in charge of the negotiations and making a trade," Luongo, 33, said. "Florida is definitely one of the spots I'd be willing to go to." During the interview with CFOX, Luongo flashed a sense of humor about the rivalry with the Hawks when asked if he could deal with hearing the team's goal song of "Chelsea Dagger." Luongo heard it plenty of times while facing the Hawks, including seven when they eliminated the Canucks in the 2009 Western Conference semifinals with a 7-5 victory May 11, '09 -- a game during which Patrick Kane had a hat trick. "I like that song -- it's catchy," Luongo said. "I heard it seven times in one game." Chicago Tribune LOADED: 07.07.2012

637115 Chicago Blackhawks NHL, players' union continue 'productive' talks By Chris Kuc The NHL and the players' association continued negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement Friday in New York. The sides met for the second consecutive day and the talks were "productive," according to NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. "We had two productive days of meetings with the NHLPA and the Players, concluding (Friday) afternoon at about 1:45 p.m. (Eastern)," Daly said in a statement. "A number of important issues were raised on both sides of the table, all of which will be discussed more thoroughly as we get deeper into bargaining. We are pleased with the level of engagement and look forward to meeting again next week." NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr said in a statement: Eight Players, along with NHLPA staff, met with three owners and League officials at the NHL s office in New York over the last two days. A number of items were discussed and, along with the League, we will be looking at these CBA matters in greater detail at upcoming bargaining sessions. We look forward to re-convening for further talks on Tuesday at our office in Toronto. The current CBA expires Sept. 15 and the sides are meeting with the hopes to avoid a work stoppage. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 07.07.2012

637116 Chicago Blackhawks Time for Blackhawks to make some noise in free agency TRACEY MYERS As the first week of free agency draws to a close, the Chicago Blackhawks went into the weekend much as they began this period: quietly. The Zach Parise/Ryan Suter blockbuster was finally completed on July 4, with the Blackhawks coming up empty on their attempt to land, at least, Parise. It was worth a shot, certainly, but the Blackhawks need to address needs like defense, center and perhaps even goaltending still exists. General manager Stan Bowman talked with the media on Wednesday night, but wouldn t say whether he d go through free agency or trades to find what the Blackhawks need. I don t want to handicap it. It s possible we could pursue players. But one thing I ve tried to convey is we ve got a really good nucleus of our team here, he said. Unlike some teams who have had players who left or (teams that have) holes in the roster, we re not in that position. We ve got a full roster and we re confident with our group right now. The only mention of Blackhawks today was by Roberto Luongo on the Jeff O Neil Show, when he said he kinda wouldn t mind/maybe would consider playing for the Blackhawks. Here s what he said about potentially playing for them: There are a lot of cities that are great to play in and Chicago s definitely one of them. But you have to realize it works both ways, said Luongo, who has nine years remaining on the 12-year, $64 million deal he signed in 2009. It s not only me involved. It would also be a question if the hawks would be interested in me and if (Vancouver) would be interested in trading me and if I d be willing to go there. Meanwhile, here s what he told O Neil about playing for the Florida Panthers again: Florida s definitely one of the spots I d be willing to go to, said Luongo, who lives there in the offseason and added that a trade there makes sense. Yes, it seems very likely Luongo s wearing a red jersey next season. But it s very unlikely the one in Chicago. So back to the Blackhawks and their quiet week. Bowman acknowledged that one thing he s learned though this whole process is that drafting and developing players, and building a team that way, is better in the long run. Any doubters, please see the Detroit Red Wings. There are a lot of free agents and you have to overpay to get them; it drives home the significance of drafting well and developing well. That s been our strength, Bowman said. The last two (summers) we ve drafted very well. This one is no different. We intend to bring these players to the Blackhawks in short order. That s what s become apparent to me. If you re trying to build a team through the July free-agent market, that s tough to do. We re trying to add a piece or two, as opposed to ones desperately trying to get their team going. No, the Blackhawks aren t in desperate mode. But they are in determined mode; determined not to have another first-round exit. And if they want to avoid that, they ll have to make some noise eventually. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.07.2012

637117 Colorado Avalanche John Mitchell bringing versatility, grit to Colorado Avalanche By Mike Chambers Imagine a fourth-line forward serving as a shootout specialist. Free-agent acquisition John Mitchell could do just that for the Avalanche next season. Mitchell, 27, is regarded as a gritty natural center, a good faceoff man and being smart and effective in the defensive end. He basically replaces Jay McClement, but unlike McClement, who recently signed with Toronto, Mitchell also can dazzle you on breakaways. "I don't think he gets enough credit with how skilled he is," said former University of Denver star and current Toronto center Tyler Bozak, who played with Mitchell for the Maple Leafs over two seasons. "He did some shootouts for us, and I remember him scoring like five in a row." Mitchell signed a two-year, $2.2-million contract with the Avs last Sunday and figures to play center behind Paul Stastny, Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly at even strength. He produced five goals in 63 regular-season games with the New York Rangers last season, but during the regular season he was among coach John Tortorella's top shootout choices after Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik. He also skated on the Rangers' second power-play unit, killed some penalties and played both wing positions during New York's run to the Eastern Conference finals. "Toronto gave me the opportunity with the shootouts, and I did quite well, but I didn't fare quite as well in New York last year (0-for-4)," Mitchell said Thursday from his vacation home in Ontario, Canada. "Hopefully I can get another opportunity with Colorado and again find my mojo with the shootouts. "But in junior and whatnot, I was always looked upon as an offensive player and put the puck in the net. I certainly know I can do it. Hopefully as my career evolves I'll get more offensive opportunity and run with it." Along with former Maple Leafs teammate Jean-Sebastien Giguere, the Avs' backup goaltender, and Colorado captain Milan Hejduk, Mitchell brings valuable playoff experience to Denver. He played in 18 of the Rangers' 20 playoff games this year. "That was my first playoff experience, and it was absolutely awesome to go through," he said. "At the same time, it's frustrating to get that close to the Stanley Cup Finals. It was a lot of fun, but it makes you hungrier to get back and win that." "He's another player we feel we can spot in the special-teams area, on the power play if need be," Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman said just after Mitchell was signed. "It's another tool for (coach) Joe Sacco on his special teams. And his team had a real positive experience in the season and playoffs, so he got the experience of what it's like to play in the most recent postseason, and he's a good fit overall for our team. He's got versatility, and can play on the wings too." Bozak, who spends his offseason in Denver, said Mitchell will fit in well with the Avs. "I was pretty close with him. I knew him really well," Bozak said. "He's a great guy in the room and he can play any role. In practice he's one of the most skilled guys. He's really fast, really strong, and he will hit. He's not going to run around hammering guys, but his speed and hands are really impressive." Mitchell has a wife, Mia, and a 10-month-old daughter, Gracyn. The family has yet to visit the Denver area to shop for a home, but is eager to do so. "We're really excited. I've played my entire career on the East Coast, and obviously never played in the Western Conference and didn't get out there much," Mitchell said. "My family and I are excited about living and playing in Colorado." Mr. Versatility New Avalanche forward John Mitchell did a little of everything for the New York Rangers last season in 63 regular-season games: 3 Forward positions played 5 Regular-season goals 10 Plus-minus rating while averaging 10.09 minutes per game.518 Faceoffs-won percentage Denver Post: LOADED: 07.07.2012

637118 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL: Offers scarce for Nash, so Jackets wait By Aaron Portzline The Rick Nash saga chugs on, and with this scary possibility it might just be getting started. Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson hoped the first few days of free agency specifically the signing of free-agent winger Zach Parise would spur the marketplace toward more serious trade offers for the Columbus winger and team captain. But Howson has maintained that he won t trade Nash for less than market value, even if the saga drags well into July, even into August, and yes, even into the start of training camp in September. Parise was signed by the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday, but as of late last night, Howson did not seem any closer to reaching a deal. Howson has declined to speak publicly regarding Nash the past two days, and Nash s agent, Toronto-based Joe Resnick, hasn t spoken extensively in months. Nash has declined to speak to reporters since April 7, the last game of the season. The Dispatch confirmed yesterday that the Boston Bruins are on Nash s list of approved clubs, joining the New York Rangers, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and San Jose. As of yesterday, the list hardly mattered for two reasons: First, Howson has listened to offers from all 29 clubs, hoping that Nash eager to avoid a messy spat would relent and broaden his list. And, second, because Howson hasn t come close to trading Nash. The general tone from GMs around the NHL is that Howson is asking too high a price for a player he is being forced to trade. The Blue Jackets, who never scored enough goals even with Nash in the lineup, figure to struggle mightily once their franchise player is gone, so they re hopeful of getting at least one NHL-ready forward in return. Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford, unwilling to part with winger Jeff Skinner, has pulled out of trade talks with Howson, according to the News & Observer of Raleigh, N.C.. And so it goes. Today is the 130th day since Howson stepped before a throng of media on Feb. 27 and, reading from a prepared statement, made it known that Nash had a month earlier requested a trade when presented with plans by management to rebuild the franchise. Plans to rebuild have been scrapped in favor of yet another reshaping, but plans to trade Nash forge on, with Howson showing no signs of caving. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.07.2012

637119 Columbus Blue Jackets Blue Jackets: Draft picks hope to become net assets By Blake Williams The gap between the Blue Jackets and the top teams of the NHL last season was an expansive one. That chasm started in net. The Blue Jackets allowed the third-most goals in the NHL, letting 102 more pucks in the net than did the league s stingiest defense, the St. Louis Blues. The Jackets, who recorded just one shutout, also were last in the league in points. The correlation was not lost on the team s brain trust, which used the team s second- and third-round picks in the NHL draft on 18-year-old goaltenders. Oscar Dansk was selected in the second round (31st overall) out of Sweden, and Joonas Korpisalo, a native of Finland, joined him as a Jacket the following round with the 62nd selection. Goaltending coach Ian Clark said he was impressed with the mental skill set of the Europeans. There is some tremendous talent here, he said. There are certain things in goaltending that you can teach, and there are certain things that you can develop. I really believe we have some great intangibles with this young group. Dansk and Korpisalo are training at the Blue Jackets developmental camp this week. The camp is the first opportunity for them to get on the ice together. We think we ve got some quality prospects, general manager Scott Howson said. They are all very young players, and goaltenders take more time (to develop), but we are really pleased with the draft and what it gave us in terms of goaltending depth. After last season s performance, acquiring that depth was a priority. Among goalies who played in at least half of their team s games, Steve Mason led the NHL in goals allowed per 60 minutes of ice time. More than 10 percent of the shots Mason faced found the back of the net. An elite No. 1 goaltender in the National Hockey League makes every other player better performers, Clark said. You go out there with more swagger, you go out there with more confidence. The Blue Jackets can t have a ton of confidence about their goalie situation in 2012-13. For now, it appears that newly acquired Sergei Bobrovsky will share the No. 1 job with Mason. Bobrovsky had a strong 2010 season with the Philadelphia Flyers but slipped last season and became available. Having a top-notch player in net has equated to championships goaltenders have won the past two Conn Smythe Trophies as most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Dansk and Karpisalo believe they could become that kind of NHL player. That has been the dream since I was little; now it s the goal, Korpisalo said. I have to go step by step, but I think I have a good chance to make it. Dansk s mental approach to the game and ability to remain composed instill confidence in his teammates, Clark said. He has a tremendous calmness in the game, he said. He s able to make those saves that other goalies find difficult, those saves where you have to work outside your main toolbox to find ways to make those difficult saves. Building strength and speed will be a focal point for both prospects. Neither is expected to play in Columbus this season and likely will play for their junior national teams while continuing to develop in their home countries. The potentially long road to an NHL roster has not dampened Dansk s expectations. My goal is to get the starting position and win a Stanley Cup with the team, he said. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.07.2012

637120 Dallas Stars What the Dallas Mavericks and NHL teams have in common MIKE HEIKA The Mavericks aren t alone. Banking on the same kind of return in NHL free agency that the Mavericks were hoping for in the NBA, the Detroit Red Wings also struck out this summer. And while there is some consolation in knowing that you re not the only organization receiving hundreds of copies of the book Hope is Not a Strategy from your fans, it s probably pretty chilling to serve as a cautionary tale for all of sports. Bottom line, free agency is a risky game. The Red Wings were pushing hard for Ryan Suter and/or Justin Schultz. They missed out when Suter went to Minnesota and Schultz went to Edmonton. Now, the powerhouse that is Hockeytown has lost Nick Lidstrom to retirement and Brad Stuart via trade to San Jose and has no replacements on defense. But, wait, aren t players supposed to be awed by the Wings and their organization? They sure were in the past, but nowadays, players are awed by a younger team or a 10-year (or 13-year) contract. And so the field has expanded. Minnesota can attract a top-level player, just like Brooklyn did in the NBA. Edmonton can wow with its stable of talented youngsters, just like Oklahoma City should in the NBA. And that s part of the regular turning of the soil in any sports league. No teams can stay on top forever, right? There has to be a downtrend at some point. Well, yeah, except that free agency helped prevent that in the NHL. The Red Wings could load up. So could Philadelphia or the Rangers or Vancouver. There was always a Band-Aid waiting for teams with money. But that s changing. If you look at the landscape of the NHL over the last few summers, the contract of 10 or more years has become a common occurrence. Washington winger Alex Ovechkin is under contract for 13 years. Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo s deal is 12 years. Same with Chicago s Marian Hossa and Duncan Keith, as well as Detroit s Henrik Zetterberg and LA s Mike Richards. So what does that mean? Well, it used to be that after a player exited his first big free-agent contract, he still had some years left. Dallas got Brett Hull and Ed Belfour each at age 34, but there s a very good chance that players of that caliber won t be free agents at that age anymore. That means the free-agency pool is going to be much smaller each summer. Last season, Brad Richards ran roughshod over free agency as the only real home run hitter. This year, it was Suter and Zach Parise, who landed with Minnesota. Next season, it could be Shea Weber or no one. And while we don t know the new rules that will come with the new collective bargaining agreement next season, it s pretty safe to assume that you will have to carve a big hole in your salary-cap space to make a run at a player such as Weber, and that you will be left holding an empty bag if you don t get him. That s one reason these offers are getting so ridiculous: The demand is high and the supply is low in free agency, and teams are going to be in full panic mode when they are making a push to be the one team that doesn t have to go to Plan B. The contingency for NHL teams is that you can always make a trade. The Canucks are ready to deal Luongo. Columbus is trying to trade Rick Nash. You probably could have Lecavalier for the proverbial bag of pucks. The struggling center will make $10 million in each of the next four seasons. And that s other side of the free-agency coin. If you get so caught up in paying for an acquisition or paying to keep your own players out of free agency, then you could really be saddled with a deal that could hurt you for years. Maybe that s just part of being a league that has guaranteed contracts and a salary cap. Maybe there s no other way around these summers of doom. But rest assured that GMs in each league are studying the teams that did it wrong, because the fallout can be quite disappointing. Coming drought? With so many teams offering players deals of 10 years or more, the free agency pool in the NHL could be drying up soon. Here are the expected top free agents for the summer of 2013, and this group could shrink if players sign with their own teams: Player Pos. Team Age Shea Weber D Nashville 27 Corey Perry RW Anaheim 28 Ryan Getzlaf C Anaheim 28 Travis Zajac C New Jersey 28 Jarome Iginla RW Calgary 36 Mike Fisher C Nashville 33 Patrik Elias C New Jersey 37 *age at free agency Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.07.2012

637121 Dallas Stars Dallas Stars sign first-round pick Radek Faksa to three-year deal MIKE HEIKA The contract will not start until Faksa becomes a pro player. If he does not make the Stars next season, he must return to his junior team in Kitchener, Ont. Here is the press release: DALLAS STARS SIGN 2012 FIRST-ROUND PICK RADEK FAKSA TO THREE-YEAR ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT FRISCO, Texas The Dallas Stars have signed center Radek Faksa (RHAD-ehk FOX-uh), the club s 2012 first-round draft pick to a standard three-year entry-level contract. Faksa, 18 (born Jan. 9, 1994 in Vitkov, Czech Republic), was selected by Dallas No. 13 overall in the 2012 NHL Draft on June 22 in Pittsburgh. He is currently participating in the Stars annual Summer Development Camp, which runs from July 5-12 at the club s Frisco practice facility. Faksa spent the 2011-12 season with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League, leading all OHL rookies in goals (29), assists (37), points (66), game-winning goals (6) and plus/minus (+19). The 6-3, 202-pound center represented the Czech Republic at the 2012 World Junior Championship, recording two goals in six games to help the Czech Republic finish in fifth place. He also played for the Czech Republic at the 2011 Under-18 World Championships and the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. Ranked as the No. 7 North American skater by Central Scouting leading up to the 2012 NHL Draft, Faksa lived in a hotel for five years while playing for Trinec, which is roughly 50 miles southeast of his hometown. His mother is a former figure skater, and taught him to skate at the age of three. His older brother, Martin, was a defenseman, and his uncle, Stanislav Pavelec, played in Czech pro leagues for seven years. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.07.2012

637122 Dallas Stars Is Gary Roberts the Stars secret weapon? Nieuwendyk: 'I just think we re really fortunate to have him' MIKE HEIKA Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk has been friends with Gary Roberts since the two were boys growing up in Whitby, Ont. So it was no surprise when Nieuwendyk made Roberts a conditioning consultant to the Stars in 2010. Now, with Roberts summer boot camp getting more and more popular, the decision to align with Roberts is proving to be pretty fruitful for the Stars. Roberts will train approximately 50 hockey players in different segments this summer at his training facility, and nine of them will be Stars. He s clearly adjusting to help get our players in, and that s a great situation for us, Nieuwendyk said. I firmly believe this is a great opportunity for our players, and we re going to take every opportunity to use it. Matt Fraser will miss Stars Development Camp because he is up in Ontario training with Roberts. Alex Guptill is an NCAA player and would have to pay his own way to Texas, so he also will miss development camp. An Ontario native, he also is up training with Roberts right now. When the Stars development camp is over, Brenden Dillon, Jamie Oleksiak, Alex Chiasson, Scott Glennie, Reilly Smith, Brett Ritchie and Luke Gazdic are expected to spend time with Roberts. While many of the players are from Ontario and have easy access to Roberts training facility, the Stars are also doing everything they can to help players who are not from the area. They have either paired prospects with fellow Stars prospects for lodging during the 3-5 week sessions or set up billet families for the summer. Roberts played 22 seasons in the NHL, scoring 438 goals and 471 assists for 909 points in 1,224 career games. He missed the entire 1996-97 season because of issues with his neck, and many thought his career was over. However, he dedicated himself to an intense physical fitness plan, and played 10 more seasons. He uses those practical experiences in training young players, and has had huge success with players like Steven Stamkos and James Neal. Here s a story on some of the techniques he uses. I obviously believe in it, Nieuwendyk said. Alex Guptill went up there last summer and came back and had a tremendous season at the University of Michigan (16 goals, 17 assists in 41 games). You can see in the players some immediate improvement, and I think the lessons they learn change how they view diet and training for their entire careers. It s just a good thing to have. Nieuwendyk said the Stars have to do everything they can to reach the potential of the players they draft. Obviously, we re emphasizing the draft and we re emphasizing our prospects, just look at what we re doing here, Nieuwendyk said of the development camp. It s a huge part of what we believe in as an organization, and having Gary as someone who can help us with development, I just think we re really fortunate to have him. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.07.2012

637123 Dallas Stars Tom Wandell accepts qualifying offer from Stars, signs one-year deal MIKE HEIKA Here is the press release: The Stars also signed Tyler Sloan to a two-way contract and he provide help for the defense in the AHL. His signing is below the Wandell release: TOM WANDELL ACCEPTS QUALIFYING OFFER FROM DALLAS STARS Frisco, TX The Dallas Stars announced today that Tom Wandell has accepted the club s qualifying offer for a one-year, one-way contract ($892,500). Wandell, 25, skated in 72 games during the 2011-12 season for Dallas, notching six goals and nine assists for 15 points. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound center from Sodertalje, Sweden has appeared in 211 career NHL games (all with Dallas) and has recorded 19 goals and 23 assists for 42 points. DALLAS STARS SIGN DEFENSEMAN TYLER SLOAN TO ONE-YEAR, TWO-WAY CONTRACT Frisco, TX The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has signed defenseman Tyler Sloan to a one-year, two-way contract. Sloan, 31, spent the 2011-12 season with the Milwaukee Admirals in the American Hockey League (AHL), skating in 62 games, scoring one goal and nine assists for 10 points with a plus-12 rating. The 6-foot-4, 207-pound defenseman has played in 99 NHL games, all as a member of the Washington Capitals, earning four goals and 13 assists for 17 points in parts of three seasons with the club. He has also appeared in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, earning one assist in four games with Washington. A native of Calgary, Alberta, Sloan has spent the majority of his professional hockey career playing in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch and the Hershey Bears. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.07.2012

637124 Dallas Stars Old friend of Joe Nieuwendyk a key to getting young Stars ready MIKE HEIKA Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk has been friends with Gary Roberts since the two were boys growing up in Whitby, Ont. So it was no surprise when Nieuwendyk made Roberts a conditioning consultant to the Stars in 2010. Now, with Roberts summer boot camp getting more and more popular, the decision to align with Roberts is proving to be pretty fruitful for the Stars. Roberts will train approximately 50 hockey players in different segments this summer at his training facility, and nine of them will be Stars. He s clearly adjusting to help get our players in, and that s a great situation for us, Nieuwendyk said. I firmly believe this is a great opportunity for our players, and we re going to take every opportunity to use it. Matt Fraser will miss Stars Development Camp because he is up in Ontario training with Roberts. Alex Guptill is an NCAA player and would have to pay his own way to Texas, so he also will miss development camp. An Ontario native, he also is up training with Roberts right now. When the Stars development camp is over, Brenden Dillon, Jamie Oleksiak, Alex Chiasson, Scott Glennie, Reilly Smith, Brett Ritchie and Luke Gazdic are expected to spend time with Roberts. While many of the players are from Ontario and have easy access to Roberts training facility, the Stars are also doing everything they can to help players who are not from the area. They have either paired prospects with fellow Stars prospects for lodging during the 3-5 week sessions or set up billet families for the summer. Roberts played 22 seasons in the NHL, scoring 438 goals and 471 assists for 909 points in 1,224 career games. He missed the entire 1996-97 season because of issues with his neck, and many thought his career was over. However, he dedicated himself to an intense physical fitness plan, and played 10 more seasons. He uses those practical experiences in training young players, and has had huge success with players like Steven Stamkos and James Neal. Here s a story on some of the techniques he uses. I obviously believe in it, Nieuwendyk said. Alex Guptill went up there last summer and came back and had a tremendous season at the University of Michigan (16 goals, 17 assists in 41 games). You can see in the players some immediate improvement, and I think the lessons they learn change how they view diet and training for their entire careers. It s just a good thing to have. Nieuwendyk said the Stars have to do everything they can to reach the potential of the players they draft. Obviously, we re emphasizing the draft and we re emphasizing our prospects, just look at what we re doing here, Nieuwendyk said of the development camp. It s a huge part of what we believe in as an organization, and having Gary as someone who can help us with development, I just think we re really fortunate to have him. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.07.2012

637125 Detroit Red Wings National writer: Red Wings a loser in NHL free agency; Is Ducks' Bobby Ryan a trade option? Brian Manzullo It might be a bit obvious to say the Red Wings -- missing out on defenseman Ryan Suter and forward Zach Parise to the Wild -- are losers in this year's NHL free agency. But, as CBSSports.com blogger Brian Stubits points out, there's still time for general manager Ken Holland. Stubits analyzed the NHL free agency winners and losers thus far, placing the Wild, Canucks (who signed defenseman Jason Garrison) and Avalanche (for signing right wing P.A. Parenteau) atop his list of winners and putting the Red Wings, Predators (for losing Suter) and Flames (for signing questionable contracts such as ex-wing Jiri Hudler) among the losers. But, as we all know, it's not like the Red Wings are done making moves. Stubits writes: "They still have a ton of salary cap space to work with right now so there's still time to work out another move (and it would almost certainly have to be a trade given the current state of the free-agent market, outside of Alexander Semin) but the Red Wings have a couple of areas that still need addressing right now, and a huge hole on the blue line. With Nicklas Lidstrom gone it was long assumed (at least in this corner of the Internet) that Suter would be the guy to slide in and fill that void. They had the cap space, they made competitive offers (for Suter and Parise) but came up short. It seems every couple of years everyone waits for the Red Wings machine to slow down and it never happens. But with Lidstrom no longer anchoring the blue line, and quite a bit of turnover at the position over the past few years (Brian Rafalski and Brad Stuart are also gone) this might be when it really starts to happen." So who could the Red Wings go after now? With free agents coming up slim (although Shane Doan could be an option if he decides the Coyotes organization is still unstable), it could be up to a trade. They're in the mix to trade for Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash, as we know, but another name the Wings could be interested in is Ducks winger Bobby Ryan, according to sources. Ryan totaled 57 points last year (31 goals, 26 assists) and is 25 years old. Other teams interested in Ryan include the Lightning, Penguins, Flyers, Senators and Maple Leafs. What do you think? Would you like to see the Red Wings go after Bobby Ryan, or would it cost too much in a trade? Should the Red Wings pursue a trade for Ducks winger Bobby Ryan? Detroit Free Press LOADED: 07.07.2012