Ducks want both of their minor league affiliates to eventually be based out of California

From the Orange County Register: "Henry Samueli is emphatic that his long-term goal is to have both our farm teams in California," Ducks general manager Brian Burke said."

Here is the full article by Dan Wood.

My take: This is a great idea. Hockey is growing in California, and the state is starting to develop a fair number of hockey players that are playing high-level junior or NCAA hockey. Raising awareness and excitement about the game in the state would be an extremely smart move.

NHL Morning Papers--Western Conference (Monday Edition)

Here are the Central Division morning papers:

• On Gordie Howe day at the Joe Louis Arena, Johan Franzen broke one of Howe's records to lead the Wings to a 1-0 overtime victory over Nashville. On the injury front, the Wings are expecting Tomas Holmstrom to return to the line up later this week.
• The Predators got an important point in Detroit yesterday, but John Glennon of the Tennessean wonders if it will end up being enough.
• The Blue Jackets had yesterday's game until Kris Russell lost an edge and the Blackhawks tied it up; the Hawks eventually went on to win in a shootout. The Jackets may be out of the playoff race in the NHL but the team's AHL affiliate in Syracuse is tearing it up.
• "We talked after the second period, and we said if we lose that our season was over," said Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp after his team's come-from-behind 5-4 shootout victory Columbus.

**There are were no St. Louis Blues articles today**

Here are the Northwest Division morning papers:

• After last night's 6-2 debacle in Vancouver, the Flames have left themselves basically no chance at winning the Northwest Division. The Flames lost Daymond Langkow prior to puck drop and Craig Conroy only minutes after, writes Randy Sportak.
• The veteran leaders took the bull by the horns last night in Vancouver's win over Calgary, writes Jason Botchford. Brad Zeimer of the Vancouver Sun says hope is back after last night's big win.
• The Wild beat the Avalanche in overtime on Sunday, which moved them closer to the Northwest Division title. Michael Russo of the Star Tribune has an interesting piece on Mikko Koivu's face-off strategy.
• "If they get in, they're going to be a tough opponent," said Wings GM Ken Holland about the prospect of facing the Oilers in the first round of the playoffs. Here are the results the Oilers fans are hoping for come Tuesday.
• The Avalanche, sans Peter Forsberg, was happy to at least earn one point in the team's 3-2 loss at Minnesota on Sunday. Jordan Leopold was also a scratch for last night's contest.

Here are the Pacific Division morning papers:

• Ryan Clowe's return ended in a 3-1 victory for the Sharks, writes David Pollak. With the Sharks having sewn up second place in the Western Conference, coach Ron Wilson has decided to spread out the ice time a little more between all four lines.
• The Stars lost 3-2 in a shootout yesterday to the Ducks and, as a result, backed up into a playoff spot.
• The Ducks defeated Dallas last night and moved to within two points of clinching home-ice in the first round of the playoffs, writes Dan Wood.

**There were no L.A. Kings or Phoenix Coyotes articles this morning**

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

Morning Musings: A busy Sunday

There are so many articles this morning that I am going to forego my usual preamble and just provide you with the day's articles.

On to the morning papers:

• Paul Maurice is on the hot seat writes Steve Simmons in this morning's Toronto Sun.
• Ducks' off-season acquisition Mathieu Schneider injured his ankle in Saturday night's exhibition game versus Los Angeles writes Dan Wood of the Orange County Register.
• Jason King of the Ducks has two goals in two exhibition games which should considerably help his efforts to crack the Ducks' roster as one of the team's depth forwards. (Writer's note: Having played for Randy Carlyle with the Manitoba Moose may give King a leg up)
• It appears Marian Hossa is in no rush to sign a contract extension with the Thrashers. Realistically, can you really blame him? He is coming up on UFA status right in the middle of his prime.
• It wouldn't be a Sunday morning without Kevin Paul Dupont's terrific article in the Boston Globe. This morning, Dupont discusses, among other things, the Bruins' upgrade in net as compared to a season ago.
• Former Memorial Cup MVP Milan Lucic is trying to make a good impression at Bruins' training camp.
• Manny Fernandez wants the starting goaltending job all to himself writes Stephen Harris in this morning's Boston Herald. (Writer's note: This news is a real shocker!)
• Stephen Harris also has a quick rundown of the highlights of yesterday's intra-squad scrimmage in Boston.
• Tim Graham details the possibility of veteran winger Jochen Hecht moving to the middle to center the Sabres' third line in this morning's Buffalo News.
• Without the firepower of a season ago, the Sabres are going to have to shift more of their focus on to the defensive side of the game.
• As Seth Macfarlane writes in this morning's Calgary Sun, Mike Keenan pulls no punches and his former Panthers players appreciated that quality.
• Kristian Huselius and Mike Keenan are looking to start anew in Calgary and put their Florida days behind them.
• Matthew Lombardi wants to improve his consistency and bring it every night like Flames' captain Jarome Iginla.
• Owen Nolan can contribute in many different aspects of the game writes Jean Lefebvre of the Calgary Herald. (Writer's note: I think I have read five Owen Nolan feature articles in the past week.)
• In contrast to the team's strong forward depth, Carolina has only seven NHL defenseman under contract. (Writer's note: Not only do they lack depth on defense but talent isn't exactly pouring out of their top six.)
• After being forced into early retirement because of a genetic disease, Steve Konowalchuk is adjusting to life as the player development coordinator for the Avs.
• Jiri Novotny can't suit up at Blue Jackets' training camp because he can't get a visa.
• Coming into their contract years, Adam Foote and Sergei Fedorov are looking to have rebound seasons; Aaron Portzline has the story in this morning's Columbus Dispatch.
• Dave Tippett loves the competition for the final spots on the Stars' roster writes Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News.
• Mike Babcock is impressed with a couple of Red Wings youngsters writes Helene St. James. While general manager Ken Holland has been very impressed with Tomas Kopecky thus far in camp.
• Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal takes issue with the actions of the Buffalo Sabres after Teppo Numminen failed his physical.
• Dennis Grebeshkov is looking to crack the crowded Oilers' defense writes Joanne Ireland.
• Joni Pitkanen shrugs off his minus rating from a year ago and is looking forward to starting anew with the Oilers. (Writer's note: The Flyers are going to regret trading Pitkanen when he wins a Norris Trophy in Edmonton.)
• Michael Russo profiles Brent Burns in this morning's Star Tribune.
• With all the attention on Carey Price and Cristobal Huet, Jaroslav Halak has yet to allow a goal in two days of scrimmages; Pat Hickey has the story in this morning's Montreal Gazette.
• They may have lost a number of offensive weapons but the Predators still have one of the best young defenses in the league.
• Kevin Weekes is excited to be able to give Martin Brodeur a rest whenever he needs it writes Rich Chere of the Newark Star-Ledger. (Writer's note: Weekes' line after the season: 3 wins, 2 losses.)
• Darius Kasparaitis is in terrific shape heading into training camp this season for the Rangers. (Writer's note: Don't you just love stories about a player being in shape a year after they came to camp fat? Are we supposed to commend them?) (Extra writer's note: Best line I've read all morning, "He liked my haircut." -Kaspar in reference to Glen Sather.)
• Greg Logan of Newsday has the story of Rick DiPietro being the man for the Islanders coming into camp. (Writer's note: It still trips me out that I will be 37 when his contract expires.)
• Bruce Garrioch tells us John Paddock is already line-juggling early in camp.
• Erin Nicks explains the possible organizational repercussions, both positive and negative, of a breakout offensive season for the Sens' Mike Fisher.
• The Coyotes have some of the top prospects in all of hockey at training camp and he wants them to play as much as possible.
• Dany Sabourin is excited to be back in Pittsburgh and is looking forward to playing more than once a month.
• Marc Vlasic is looking for a new defensive partner with the departure of Scott Hannan to Colorado, but as Mark Emmons writes, Ron Wilson isn't the least bit worried about Vlasic.
• Local kid Mike McKenna is making quite the impression at the Blues' training camp writes Jeremy Rutherford.
• Andreas Karlsson is looking to rebound from a difficult 2006/07 campaign.
• Tarik El-Bashin documents the many allergies that Tom Poti has to deal with in this morning's Washington Post.
• Bryan Muir thinks he is fortunate to just be at an NHL training camp writes Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star. (Writer's note: How many more Bryan Muir stories do I have to read?)
• As Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun points out, the Leafs are sure to get a win tonight in the Blue/White matchup.
• Is Jason Blake the missing link? (Writer's note: Over/under 45 more stories on Jason Blake possibly playing with Mats Sundin)
• Ryan Shannon is not taking anything for granted at Canucks' training camp.
• Don't expect Todd Bertuzzi to return to Vancouver this Monday.