Chelios close to re-signing with Wings

From Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press:

General manager Ken Holland said Tuesday that the two had a very positive meeting about how Chelios would fit into next year's lineup, which really was the only stumbling block to negotiating a new deal. The Wings wanted to make sure Chelios, 46, would not balk at being a healthy scratch for probably around half the season's 82 games.

"We had a real good talk about what I saw as his role," Holland said. "He wants to come back for another year, so I would say we're very close on a contract. The biggest thing was discussing his role -- the contract is not an issue.

Read the entire article here.

He will most likely take more games off this season because of the Wings' solid young defensive depth, but his presence in the dressing room and around the team is very positive. It is amazing to see the 46 year old still going strong.

NHL Morning Papers: Stanley Cup Finals Edition (Monday)

Here are the morning papers for the Stanley Cup Finals which resume tonight...

Detroit Red Wings (1) versus Pittsburgh Penguins (2):

• Tomas Holmstrom will suit up for Game 5 tonight. It appears that Chris Chelios will remain on the sidelines for the possible clinching game tonight. The Red Wings are acting like it is just another game tonight, explains Helene St. James. St. James believes that Henrik Zetterberg has to be the Conn Smythe favorite. Meanwhile, Mitch Albom decided to take a closer look at Nicklas Lidstrom. Wings fans will love the fact that 28 out of 29 Stanley Cup finalists have won the Cup when leading the Finals 3-1.
• Forget winning the series, the Penguins are just concerned about winning Game 5, writes Robert Dvorchak. Sometimes you have to look at the numbers, explains Bob Smizik. Michel Therien explained his distribution of ice-time to the press on Sunday. You just cannot match the Wings' playoff experience, writes Chuck Finder.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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

NHL Morning Papers--Western Conference (Saturday Edition)

Here are the Northwest Division morning papers:

• The coaches did a good job of lightening the mood yesterday at practice, writes Joanne Ireland. Apparently Oilers netminder Mathieu Garon is not 100%.
• Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun is not a big believer of "turning on the switch" but he wonders if the Flames are on their way to doing just that.
• The Canucks blew a chance to take the Northwest Division lead last night, with a 2-1 loss on home-ice to the Wild. Canucks captain Markus Naslund believes the team need to cut down on their penalties come playoff time.
• In Avalanche news, Paul Stastny is going to play today versus Edmonton, and Peter Forsberg remains a game-time decision.
• Not only did the Wild beat the Canucks last night but they also managed to impress their coach, writes Michael Russo.

Here are the Central Division morning papers:

• The sometimes rocky relationship between Jason Chimera and Ken Hitchcock is all about Hitchcock trying to get the best out of his speedy winger. Meanwhile, Blue Jackets winger Alexandre Picard is finally starting to feel like his knee is back to normal.
• It appears Chris Chelios will be back sporting the winged wheel next season, writes Helene St. James. Meantime, if the Red Wings don't get Mike Babcock signed to a contract extension soon, the team will wait until after the playoffs to resume negotiations.
• Barry Trotz usually is not known for a quick hook with his netminders, but this season has been different than past ones, writes John Glennon.
• Here are some news and notes about the St. Louis Blues.
• Even if the Blackhawks do not make the playoffs, the important playoff-like games they have played in the past few weeks will only serve their youth well in the long run.

Here are the Pacific Division morning papers:

• The Stars are looking forward to getting Steve Ott back in the line up, as the feisty winger returns from suspension to face-off versus the Kings.
• Here is a short preview of the Kings/Stars game today, courtesy of the L.A. Times.
• "We didn't play very good. I'll tell you that," said Ducks coach Randy Carlyle after last night's 2-1 loss at San Jose.
• Wayne Gretzky is making sure his team does not take the Ducks lightly tonight.
• The Sharks have played tremendously as of late, and they validated their recent play last night versus Anaheim.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Wicked Wrister does a great service to hockey by naming the 5 Hottest Girls in College Hockey. As a challenge to our Canadian readers, perhaps someone can compile the 5 Best in in the CIS and have a NCAA-CIS wank-a-thon. We can have the esteemed Ezzy be the final judge since I married and don't look at chicks anymore.
2. Wayne Gretzky was the favorite in a TSN poll on who to light the Olympic Torch in Vancouver.
3. The NHL will have its day before Congress on February 27th.
4. Peter Forsberg's pony died.
5. Jim Kelley of Sportsnet says that GM's are still learning on how to deal with potential UFA's.
6. Want some more trade deadline talk? Here you go. I think Elvis may have been on to something when he sang, "A little less conversation, a little more action...".
7. In case you missed it, Alan Ryder had an interesting piece (thats what she said) on the history of the NHL.
8. A look at Frank and Tom Serratore, the coaches of Air Force and Bemidji State.
9. Shawn Roarke profiles 20 NHL players that got to the big league the hard way.
10. Mike Smith of the Dallas Stars likes to rock out in his spare time.
11. The AHL update from NHL.com.
12. Taking Note gives us the story of Theoren Fleury, who tried to stir the pot a little in a Pats-Warriors alumni game.
13. A tongue in cheek blog post about the most minor hockey injuries.
14. Fanhouse calls out the NY Times for biased reporting on the NHL's southern franchises.
15. David Amber with his list of 10 Guys he would build a franchise around.
16. Damien Cox tells the next GM of the Maple Leafs what he can expect from the job.
17. Jim Kelley discusses the Zednik incident and the effect of the Lighting sale.
18. Fan Nation says that the Minnesota Wild is on the Peter Forsberg's short list.
19. Chris Chelios wants to play in 2010 Olympics. I don't blame him, Vancouver has great senior's discounts.
20. NHL enforcers say its tough to find a fight these days. They should come to my house and leave a cupboard door open and then insult Hilary Clinton. My wife would gladly oblige them.
21. Interesting story about Jean Beliveau and his wife, who taught the Canadiens star how to drive.
22. The Roseau Rams prevailed in their outdoor game last week, a game in which the temp dropped to -42 degrees.
23. Jeff Marek gives a glowing of review of Hockey Day in Canada, hosted this year by Winkler, MB. Note the story at the bottom about the Swedish goaltender.
24. Adam Proteau writes an interesting piece about the death of the "second contract" in the NHL.
25. Puck That Hit gives us a rumour from Columbus saying GM Scott Howson is willing to blow up the team to alter its identity.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Peter Forsberg has resumed skating with Modo.
2. Bob McKenzie with an homage to Don Wittman.
3. The CHL Hot or Not list looks at Claude Giroux of the QMJHL.
4. An update on the ongoing Bertuzzi-Moore scandal.
5. Sidney Crosby will not have an MRI until Tuesday. Expect the NHL to devote full coverage to the event.
6. Mike Lundin has won a spot on the Bolts' blueline by playing a simple game. Checkers?
7. Kyle Okposo is adjusting well to life in the AHL.
8. Patience is paying dividends for Don Waddell in Atlanta.
9. Ice Age looks at how a couple of Flames defensmen deal with trade rumours.
10. Scott Burnside profiles the upcoming Trade Deadline by looking back at past deals.
11. You want NCAA power rankings? Ok, fair enough.
12. Mike Chen tries his hand at predicting trade value.
13. Larry Brooks thinks the Rangers are making a mistake by not honoring past greats.
14. The Puck Stops Here touts Patrick Sharp as the next winner of the Selke.
15. Jacques Lemaire is a fan of consistency. Why wouldn't he be? He has the personality and offensive flair of dry toast.
16. A compilation of NHL trade rumors, courtesy of Spector.
17. An interview with NAHL Commissioner, Mark Frankenfeld.
18. Check out the world's worst fight. I get more touching in washing the dishes with my wife.
19. A little known Swede has become a hot property in the NHL.
20. Scott Morrison details the NHL's plans to "jazz" up the All-Star Game.
21. Jeremy Roenick says Chris Chelios intends to play until he is 50.
22. Very, very good read on the Dave Semenko-Muhammed Ali fight. Is that Jerry Seinfeld in the picture with Ali and Semenko?
24. News and Views from Around the NHL.
25. In a stunning moment of clarity, Mike Brophy writes that the Sabres shouldn't overpay Brian Campbell.

Morning Musings

Here are the morning papers:

• Veteran Chris Chelios, playing in his 1550th career game, scored a rare goal leading the Wings to 4-2 victory over the Oilers. As Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press points out, it sure didn't take long for the Red Wings to reunite Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg on the same even strength line.
• Dwayne Roloson was the reason the Oilers were in the game writes Joanne Ireland in this morning's Edmonton Journal. While Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun, believes much of the Oilers' nervousness early in last night's contest can be attributed to youth.
• After the Senators defeated the Devils 4-2 on home ice Monday afternoon, there are no fears of a Stanley Cup finals hangover writes Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. Monday was just another big day for the team's top line of Spezza-Alfredsson-Heatley. Meanwhile, Chris Stevenson of the Sun wonders if a goaltending controversy has arisen in the nation's capital.
• The Devils have only played 40 minutes of hockey in each of their first three games writes Rich Chere of the Newark Star-Ledger. With only one assist each through three regular season games, both Patrik Elias and Dainius Zubrus know they have to play better.
• The Islanders were beaten by a coupe of ex-teammates yesterday afternoon in their 2-1 loss to the Capitals. After impressing in his first two games as an Islander, forward Mike Comrie's third period giveaway led to the Capitals' game winning goal.
• After Monday's victory, the Capitals remain undefeated on this young season. One of the keys to the Capitals' hot start, Nickals Backstrom, has a Q & A in this morning's USA Today.
• Apparently the Flyers' team building exercises include playing with Lego; Tim Panaccio of the Philadelphia Inquirer has the story. Daniel Briere may look young but he plays like a man writes Mark Kram in this morning's Inquirer.
• According to Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic, goaltender David Aebischer will make his season debut on Wednesday when the Coyotes take on Columbus.
• As Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette explains, Rob Scuderi is trying to open up his game a bit this season. In other Pens' news, Sidney Crosby skipped the team's Monday workout to rest his bruised foot but the superstar expects to be in the lineup versus the Canadiens on Wednesday night.
• The Tampa Tribune provides readers with a Q & A this morning with the Lightning's Brad Lukowich.
• Blues' goaltender Manny Legace has already lessened his games played expectations for 2007/08. On the injury front, the Blues are going to be without Eric Brewer for the next 2-3 weeks with a shoulder injury.
• Mark Zwolinksi and Joanna Smith of the Toronto Star detail the announcement by Jason Blake that he has a rare form of cancer. At times like these hockey doesn't matter writes Damien Cox of the Star. Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun explains what type of cancer Blake has and the treatment process that goes along with it. In an odd way, Jason Blake is lucky that he was diagnosed with this type of cancer this year and not five years ago writes Dave Shoalts of the Globe & Mail. (Writer's note: Needless to say, the writers of Illegal Curve wish Jason Blake a speedy recovery)
• As Ben Kuzma writes in this morning's Vancouver Province, Kevin Bieksa knows he still has a lot to improve on. Don't worry about Roberto Luogno's knee Canucks fans, Luongo took part in the Canucks' 80 minute practice on Monday and is fully ready to go for the team's next game.
• It may take a little while for Thrashers' newcomer Todd White to get comfortable writes Carrol Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
• As Dan Wood of the Orange County Register points out, the Ducks really need to get their offense going if they expect to succeed in the Western Conference this season.
• So far this season, Bruins' coach Claude Julien has followed through on his promise to cut Zdeno Chara's minutes down.
• Cory Stillman and Bret Hedican both made it through practice on Monday and are expected to be in the Hurricanes' lineup tonight versus the Maple Leafs.
• As Scott Cruickshank of the Calgary Herald points out, the Flames have to start dictating the pace of the game to their opponent, not the other way around. Jarome Iginla thinks teammate Daymond Langkow is capable of scoring 40 goals.
• Jonathan Toews will make his NHL debut tomorrow night lining up between Patrick Kane and Tuomo Ruutu.
• According to coach Ken Hitchock there is a difference between being a talent and being a player, and Ron Hainsey is starting to become a player. Coach Hitchcock was busy on Monday trying out new lines in practice, however, he warns that the new line combinations should only be written in pencil.
• Panthers' center Olli Jokinen thinks he can play a lot better than he has the first two games. Meanwhile, Roberto Luongo has some advice for Panthers' fans, give Tomas Vokoun some time to adjust to his new surroundings and don't pass judgment too early on.
• Youngster Matt Niskanen has impressed the Stars' brass enough that the organization has decided to keep him up with the big club and send down Nolan Baumgartner to the minors.
• Seeing the dentist is becoming an all too common occurrence for Kings' youngster Patrick O'Sullivan.
• Barry Trotz likes the balance of his team's top three lines writes Jessica Hopp of the Tennessean.
• Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette opines that Cristobal Huet has left the door open for Carey Price.
• According to Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune, Wild rookie James Sheppard could get into his first NHL game on Wednesday night.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.