News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Playoff positioning is extra tight in the East. Thats what she said?
2. The Flyers will be without Derian Hatcher and RJ Umberger for the season and the next two weeks, respectively.
3. Is Malkin better without Crosby?
4. Jim Kelley weighs in on the Pronger suspension.
5. Don't look now, but the Panthers are surging.
6. A preview of the CHL Playoffs, with a look at the favourites.
7. The weekly release from the USHL.
8. Minnesota Gophers Forward Tom Pohl has surgery to relieve bleeding on the brain.
9. ECHL'er Robin Gomez may face charges for sucker punching Chris Ferraro.
10. The Hockey News catches up with Fred O'Donnell.
11. Want to know more about a player you never heard of? Check this out.
12. The weekly Hot List from the Hockey News.
13. Meet the consensus #1 pick in the OHL Draft.
14. The Canadian Press pegs the Pacific Division as the race to watch.
15. The weekly Campbellnomics post.
16. A preview of the CIS Men's Hockey Championships.
17. A list of some of the more creative nicknames in the NHL.
18. A look at the internet hype created by NHL goalie equipment.
19. The Blue Jackets are having trouble staying healthy.
20. Someone made a documentary about the Whalers.
21. Detroit is abuzz with Babcock rumours.
22. Darren Eliot tabs Marty Brodeur as the best goalie ever.
23. Erik Ersberg is the latest puck stopper in the Kings Dial-a-Goalie system.
24. Mary Buckhelt gives her opinion on the tie game in the Michigan High School championship.
25. Joe Pelletier's Top 10 Defenders.

Prospect Pulse:Teddy Purcell

Teddy Purcell, a Newfoundlander, a graduate of SJHL's Notre Dame Hounds as well as the USHL's Cedar Rapids Roughriders, is a LA Kings prospect who figures to start the season in Manchester of the AHL. A lanky, playmaking center, Purcell put up 43 points in 40 games with the Maine Black Bears as a freshman.

At 6'2, 175 pounds, Purcell still needs to add some muscle to his frame to adapt to the pro game. Last season, he showed a willingness to improve his all around game and made great strides with his shot and acceleration. He has stated that he wants to increase his size and strength so that he can continue to develop at the pro level.

An undrafted player, Purcell so impressed the Kings with his talent that they persuaded him to leave college after only one year. Purcell was pursued by about a dozen NHL teams, but chose Los Angeles because he grew up idolizing Luc Robitaille. The Kings feel he possesses Top-6 talent and can contribute offensively after some seasoning in the minors. A solid contributor at every level he has played at, Purcell will be thrust into a scoring role in the American League this season.

News You Can Use Late in the Day:

-The Islanders signed defenseman Radek Martinek to a three-year extension today.

-The Flyers are optimistic after an opening night win.

-Burnside and Cox discuss the Devils playoff hopes in Friday Face-off.

-Teppo Numminen has returned to Buffalo to rehab.

-Ryan Shannon excited to start life as a Canuck.

-A look at the WCHA.

-Don Cherry disagrees with Burke, does not envision the Oilers in the sewer.

-Jose Theodore to make a rehab start in the American League tonight.

-The Sioux Falls Stampede welcomes a local product to the team.

-A preview of the Philadelphia Phantoms.

-Cape Breton Screaming Eagles' coach gets a two-game suspension for jumping on the ice.

-Hockey's Future previews the QMJHL.

-A look at the Sabres' AHL prospects.

-Rocky Wirtz is now in control of the Blackhawks.

-In the bottom story of the day, no news from Scott Niedermayer.

-Prospects to watch in the WHL.

-Alain Vigneault says he will spare no feelings in Vancouver.

-Fanhouse wonders if the Roberto Luongo deal is the worst trade in hockey.

-Shea Weber out with a dislocated kneecap.

-Leafs are looking to knock off the Habs for their first win.

-The Oilers will apparently bring up Brian Burke's outburst to Gary Bettman. I say let it go. The NHL needs some press in the US right now.

-Speaking of Bettman, he promises to make the NHL All-Star Game interactive. Good deal, I would like to play Left Wing please.

-An Interview with Sean Simpson.

-A story about Torrey Mitchell's road to the NHL.

-Interesting story about a trainer taking every precaution to prevent player deaths.

-Varsity hockey returns to Carleton University.

-Dan Barnes surmises that JF Jacques may be on the trading block. How are they going to replace his 3 minutes a night?

-The daily roundup from the Score. Note that Mike Peca doesn't figure to dress for the Blue Jackets.

-Some predictions from Hockey Rants.

-The Bruins focusing on special teams going into the season.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior

Prospect Pulse

Coyotes' prospect Nick Ross, currently a member of the Regina Pats, intrigues me because he fits my fetish stereotype of a player who can play forward or defense. An offensive defenseman, Ross has good instincts for jumping into the rush and distribute the puck effectively. Once more highly touted than his defense partner Logan Pyett, Ross was moved to forward early in the Pats' season to jump start their slumbering offense.

A feared open ice hitter, Ross' offensive numbers do not yet match his potential. That being said, he plays a strong 2-way game and can contribute in other areas if he is not scoring. With that in mind, the Phoenix Coyotes selected him with the 30th overall pick in the 2007 draft. Not a well known player, Ross never-the-less caught the eye of Hockey Canada and he has participated in the World Under-18 Cup. Pats' Head Coach and Team Canada Assistant Coach Curtis Hunt notes that Ross has great talent but is still adjusting to playing against stiffer competition. He was relegated to a bottom pairing defenseman with Team Canada, a move that Coach Hunt feels will help Ross down the road by highlighting deficiencies in his game.

Still, Ross was able to compete with some relatively famous junior talent, including Thomas Hickey, Luke Schenn and Drew Doughty. Ross himself felt that observing the top talent from Europe helped him to improve his game, especially in regards to positioning. Though GM Don Maloney is pleased with Ross and his talent level, look for him to return to the Pats blueline this winter.

News You Can Use in the Late Morning:

-Battle of Alberta has a clarification on yesterday's Allan Maki story on the rising Canadian dollar. Lots of math here, so contact your friendly neighborhood Asian for help. ( I believe RP has Marc Hoe's contact info.)

-Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury excited to play a meaningful hockey game outdoors.

-A recap of the the USHL's trip to Quebec for the CCM Junior Classic.

-An interesting read on Coyotes' training camp. Very candid points by Don Maloney.

-Mirtle with a goaltending history lesson complete with charts and graphs. Also note the explanation of the no juniors in the minors rule.

-Coyotes with a local prospect in camp.

-Scheduling a hot topic at NHL Board of Governors' meetings. Also note that expansion came up, with the typical lip service paid to Winnipeg.

-Perhaps the greatest hockey name ever.

-A video montage of Ray Emery's greatest hits and an updated Caps' roster from On Frozen Blog.

-A Q and A with Cory Sarich.

-Flames vets talk about the old days of training camp.

-Rangers and Islanders previews.

-Islanders' alums watch their sons participate in camp.

-Darren Eliot notes that young stars are the straws that stir the drink in the Western Conference.

-NHL training camp notebook.

-Wickenheiser faces a setback in her goal to play men's hockey in Europe.

-Taking Note with some Odds and Ends.

-The Bubble Boys from Leafs' camp. I wonder if they know the Moops invaded Spain?

-Lafleur pats himself on the back, says Crosby reminds him of himself. Don't hurt your arm their Guy. I don't expect to see Sidney smoking in the concourse any time soon.

-A pre-game report for the Jackets-Blackhawks game.

-A quick note on Illegal Curve favorite, Antoine Vermette.

-Oilers get a new dressing room. 10,000 sq. ft? Wow.

-Manitoba Moose a major player in children's charities. RP and I did some work for the Yearling Foundation and their efforts are much appreciated in Winnipeg.

-Wes Goldstein sees parity in the Atlantic Division.

-Eastern media discovers thriving city in Western Canadian tundra. News at 11.

-Running game notes from last night's Oilers-Panthers game.

-Scores from the Minors and Junior.

-Notes from the Score.

-Notre Dame gets $15 million for a new hockey rink. They might as well stick to hockey, because not even Touchdown Jesus can save that football team.

-Sean Burke retires. He was a good one.

-Canadiens lose two prospects in last night's game. Kudos to Archer for answering the bell when Le Grand Georges came knocking.

-Sportsnet with a preview of three teams with the talent to make the Memorial Cup.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior