News You Can Use Late in the Day

-Tampa Bay called up former UND defender Matt Smaby.
-Rick Tocchet will meet with Gary Bettman this week.
-A look at Sportsnet's Goals of the Week.
-Who's Hot and Who's Not in the CHL.
-INCH looks at the benefits of a 2-referee system.
-The Bruins and Devils take big dives in this week's Power Rankings.
-The Canadiens call for a rule change in the wake of Boullion's injury.
-Simon Gagne is still hampered by concussion-like symptoms.
-Robbie Ftorek takes over as the head coach of the Erie Otters. No word on the status of his awesome sweaters.
-Hockey Rants examines what ails the Ducks.
-The WHL Power Rankings courtesy of Taking Note.
-Ted Montgomery of USA Today profiles his 10 Most Overrated Players in the NHL.
-A Q and A with Chris Vande Velde.
-Fanhouse notes that there are problems brewing in Vancouver.
-A profile on Islanders prospect Jason Gregoire.
-Anaheim GM Brian Burke is a proponent of the bear hug.
-A look at top-rated WHL prospect Zach Boychuk.
-Claude Julien wants to change attitudes on the Bruins and make them tough to play against.
-The Omaha Lancers are dominating the USHL.
-Jeff Gordon sees the Brad Boyes deal as one of the keys to the resurgence of the Blues.
-A story about the travels of a Thrashers' fan.
-Sidney Crosby returns to Minnesota.
-Pierre Lebrun with a look at back at October in the NHL.
-Mason Raymond has been sent back to Manitoba.
-The Score notes that Jonathan Toews has a 9-game point scoring streak to start his NHL career.
-A rumor roundup from the Hockey News.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior

Prospect Pulse

Today I let my wife pick the feature on Prospect Pulse. She is bored sitting at home recovering from surgery, and I thought it would give her something to do. The good news is that she chose an Oiler prospect, the bad news is that she chose a kid who looks like the lead in High School Musical: Stars on Ice. (Hat tip to Lowetide for the picture)

William Quist, taken in the 6th Round (157th overall) by the Oilers in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, is a 6-3 185 pound winger from Sweden. Though he doesn't appear to have a myriad of offensive skill (judging by the numbers), he does have good size and reach. Said to possess a technically skilled game and be able to use his intelligence to his advantage, Quist seemsto fall under the Project label. Working in his favor is the fact that is he an above average skater with a long reach and good hands. While this doesn't automatically translate into a NHL career, it does suggest that if Quist can continue to mature and use his reach, hands and intelligence, he may play himself onto an NHL roster.

Other teams, most notably the Detroit Red Wings, have had success looking to Sweden in the late rounds of drafts. In an interview with the Pipeline Show, Quist mentioned that he was very excited to be drafted by the Oilers (a boilerplate answer, I am sure) and that he going to play one more year in Sweden with Tingsryd in the Swedish Junior league so that he can graduate from high school. He came to camp this year to get a taste of the North American game and get acclimated to the Oilers' style of play. Asked to describe himself as a player, Quist noted that he grew an inch to 6-4 and put on five pounds(for a total of 190) of muscle. He feels that he is a good two way player who can use his size effectively and is looking to make the jump to the Swedish Elite League this winter. He also noted he has a "good stick". I am sure the girls in Edmonton will be thrilled, especially following the news that Raffi Torres is going to focus on hockey this year.


News You Can Use in the Late Morning:

-Consider checking out the Pipeline Show on September 18th. Lots of great insight into WHL prospects.

-Oilers and Springfield Falcons new uniforms. I am not a fan, though I do like the orange. Check out the response by Oilers fandom here.

-Les Sabres have suspended Teppo Numminen for failing to report to camp in good physical condition. He has a heart condition. The Sabres' brass had better hire themselves a good PR firm, as this has disaster written all over it. First they lose both captains, and now this. Numminen doesn't deserve this kind of treatment.

-A link to every new jersey. (Hat tip, Mirtle)

-Oilers looking to forget last year. Me too.

-Kings open the pre-season with a win. New face Kyle Calder with 2 goals to pace the team, and Cloutier with stellar 7 of 10 goaltending.

-Good run-down of training camp activity by the Score. Note that Phil Kessel may be moved to center. Also note that Krys Kolanos (Flames), Adam Hall (Penguins) and Mark Smith (Rangers) are participating in training camps. Still no Mike Johnson...

-David Tanabe in camp with the Blues.

-Team Canada captain Milan Lucic may get an extended look by the Bruins.

-A preview of the Minnesota Wild. This is just for you, Pipers.

-A recap (pun intended) of the Caps first day of training camp.

-Steve Rucchin fails his physical at Thrashers camp.

-Six goalies vie for jobs at Coyotes camp. Can they use all six at once, just to keep it close?

-Luongo the comedian. Note his quote when asked to describe the collision with Cowan.

-More on the gayest hockey movie ever.

-Blackhawks preach puck possession. And if you don't like it, they will take their puck and go home.

-USA Today Hockey Power Rankings.

-Kevin Allen sees the East as a toss up.

-Trevor Linden discusses the changes in training camps over the years.

-A discussion of Eric Lindros' chances for the Hall of Fame.

-Simon Gamache looking for a job at Leafs camp.

-Six players to watch. Just days ago it was 5 Players to Watch!

-Doug Janik impresses with his speed at Lightning camp.

-Bruins positive to start the season. Related: Chiarelli looks to make Bruins relevant in Boston's sportscape.

-Finally, a comprehensive look at what team employs tarts to clean the ice. Meow.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior

Prospect Pulse

Note: My recent prospect features have been very heavy on Euro and American content. I feel that most Canadians get a pretty steady diet of information on the top Canadian juniors and prospects from our sports media. With that in mind, I am trying to go off the path a little to highlight some exceptional talents from around the world.

Both of these young Slovaks are named Juraj Mikus. (The left one is the older, former Canadiens prospect) They are about a year about in age and are/were prospects in the NHL. I had heard some buzz about Juraj Mikus the forward playing on a line with Ziggy Pallfy in the Slovakian league and thought he might be a good feature for Prospect Pulse. About 20 minutes into researching this post, I realized there was double the fun. Here goes:

Juraj Mikus the Elder, originally taken in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens (4th Round, 121st overall), came over to play in North America last year and ended up with decent point totals despite a slow start. Despite the more than point a game clip, the Canadiens declined to sign him, citing too many forward prospects in their system. The right shooting forward had a strong draft year campaign, leading the Slovak team in scoring at the World Junior Championships. He is playing this year with Skalica of the Slovak Extraleague.

Taken in nearly the same spot (5th Round, 134th overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mikus the Younger is a talented offensive rearguard who put up very good numbers in the Slovak junior league. The 6'4, 185 defender posted a solid +32 rating, but needs to fill out his frame in order to advance to the next level. Expected to stay in Slovakia to develop, internet scouting reports on him are sketchy and/or unreliable because of the other Mikus. Even Hockey's Future has the wrong picture and stats up for him. He is expected to play this year with Dukla Trencin in the Slovak Junior League.

News You Can Use in the Late Morning:

-Lightning forward Tim Taylor likely finished after hip surgery.

-Colby Cosh with a post linking pre-season success to regular season wins. (Hat tip, Mirtle)

-Pens and Sabres to play an outdoor game.

-The Leafs' Paul Maurice predicts the playoffs for the Leafs. They were pretty close last year, and with the steps backward taken by the Islanders, its certainly possible.

-Interesting notes on off-season training.

-Profile on Oilers prospect Chris Van de Velde. The Oilers hope he builds upon last years' strong second half.

-Sens' prospect Jim O'Brien has not changed his mind about the pro game.

-Cujo waiting for the phone to ring.

-Mike Comrie plays grab-ass with Hilary Duff. Maybe she is after the Brick fortune? Little Mikey should watch out, at only 19, she has been passed around by more than her share of emo rockers.

-Panthers ink Noah Welch.

-5 Rookies to watch at Leaf's camp.

-Killer named one of the assistant coaches for the Spengler Cup. Maybe there are some 14 year old babysitters in Switzerland.

-5 Players on the bubble at Leafs' camp.

-Arnott named Predators captain.

-An update on the Wickenheiser playing with men story.

-The Kings' Derek Armstrong is willing to play any role on the revamped roster.

-The Ducks' Bobby Ryan ready for a fresh start.

-Hints and tips on how to select a hockey stick. (Hat tip, Kukla)

-Hawks open camp today.

-Ducks-Kings Game Day Preview.

-A heated battle to back up Kipper.

-A couple of brief profiles of Caps' prospects.]

-Wes Goldstein with a preview of the Central and Northeast divisions.

-Lightning players look for ways to escape Camp Torturella.

-Lightning training camp lines.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior