Sport-scan daily brief

Again, GM Chuck Fletcher said the Pominville deal doesn't inhibit the Wild from re-signing its own players or pursuing other free agents.

OK, need to run and get Selanne for a story.

Talk to you after Saturday's morning skate.

Star Tribune LOADED: 10.05.2013

719552 Minnesota Wild

Upon further review, Granlund is Minnesota Wild's points leader

By Chad Graff

Posted: 10/04/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated: 10/04/2013 09:05:10 PM CDT

About 12 hours after Thursday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings, Mikael Granlund became the Wild's points leader.

As coach Mike Yeo watched video of the game, he noticed that Granlund should have been credited with an assist on Jonas Brodin's first-period goal. The Wild notified the league, which reviewed the play and gave an assist to Granlund, his second of the season opener.

Still a loss

Yeo said he felt his team played well Thursday night, but he was hesitant to declare it a success.

"I don't think that we should just sit here and pat ourselves on the back too much, either," Yeo said. "The bottom line is we didn't win. We played a good game and I know if we continue to play better and continue to develop and grow every part of our game then the wins will come."

Pioneer Press LOADED: 10.05.2013

719553 Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild's Kyle Brodziak hits 'refresh button'

By Chad Graff

Posted: 10/04/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated: 10/04/2013 07:12:40 PM CDT

As much as coach Mike Yeo said Kyle Brodziak's down performance last season was a fluke due to a number of factors, there was always a hint of doubt in the back of his mind -- of everyone's mind.

It was easy to discount last season after Brodziak entered the season sick and never recovered in a shortened season.

But Brodziak stuck out in a good way on the first night of the 2013-14 season, impressing Yeo and the staff with his skating ability alongside new third line forwards Matt Cooke and Mikael Granlund.

"I think it's really big because we can only say so many times, 'Let's hit the re-set button,' " Yeo said. "But we're kidding ourselves if we think that (last season) isn't in the back of our minds. For him to get off to a good start, I think that really allows him to hit that refresh button and just focus on this year now."

Brodziak brought on offensive element Thursday night and was the main reason Cooke scored the season's first goal 64 seconds into the game, when he fired a shot toward the net that banked off Cooke and past Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick.

But more important, in Yeo's eyes, was the way his third line center played physically and defensively.

"He looked really confident out there winning his battles," Yeo said. "I think that he has to be physical, and he had a couple real good hits and that has to be part of his game. I liked the way he played."

Pioneer Press LOADED: 10.05.2013

719554 Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild need young players to take next step

By Chad Graff

Posted: 10/04/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated: 10/04/2013 10:58:08 PM CDT

When Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick looked up after surrendering his second goal of the first period Thursday night, Jonas Brodin was huddled with Wild teammates celebrating his power-play goal.

To Brodin's right was Jared Spurgeon, to his left Charlie Coyle and between them were Nino Niederreiter and Mikael Granlund. That's a unit of three 21-year-olds with 20-year-old Brodin and wily veteran Jared Spurgeon, 23.

They made some head-turning plays in training camp, and at times in the Wild's first game of the season, a 3-2 shootout loss to the Kings at the Xcel Energy Center.

Later, however, the growing pains were felt when Coyle left his man unmarked and Jeff Carter scored the tying goal late in the third period.

The Wild played some of their young players last season and got mixed returns. Now they're going to rely on them to take the next step.

There will be good times such as Brodin's goal, and bad ones such as when Coyle lost track of Carter.

"That goal was a good example of that," coach Mike Yeo said. "We're close to him, but that doesn't mean that you have him (covered), and these are some of the things you have to deal with."

All of the young players who dressed Thursday made plays. Niederreiter fed a nice pass to Brodin on the goal, and Granlund drew a late penalty. Coyle won battles along the wall to set up chances for Niederreiter.

That foursome doesn't include defenseman Mathew Dumba, 19, a healthy scratch for the opener, and Jason Zucker, 21, who's with the AHL team in Des Moines.

Until more consistent play comes, the Wild have to live with the occasional mistake from young players.

"I think that's part of it," Yeo said. "I think part of it is the early season, too. I don't think that we should just accept it either. We'll show it and we'll talk about it, but it's up to us to make sure that we continue to get better and get those things out."

Coyle, for instance, played in his first NHL game at

center and was whistled for a faceoff violation after he used his hand to brush back a puck on a defensive zone draw.

"It was just a stupid play," Coyle said. "I've got to know that. It was just a reaction."

The high-priced top line of Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu and Jason Pominville can alleviate some of that inconsistency.

"We are going to have a young team mixed with some veteran guys," Parise said. "And I don't like to put a lot of pressure on the young players by saying we expect them to do something. They have to develop at their own rate."

The more quickly they do, the better for the Wild.

General manager Chuck Fletcher said in the offseason that the team doesn't need all of its young players to make big contributions -- but they do need a few in order to take the next step.

Coyle, Brodin, Granlund and Niederreiter seem the likeliest candidates to make that move. Zucker and Dumba likely will get chances, too.

"I thought we came out really good and obviously we didn't win (Thursday), but we're happy with what we came out with," Coyle said. "I think if we keep that energy up and just stick to our system, we'll be OK."

Pioneer Press LOADED: 10.05.2013

719555 Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild: Matt Dumba's roster spot in jeopardy

By Chad Graff

Posted: 10/04/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated: 10/04/2013 04:00:04 PM CDT

Mathew Dumba watched from the press box Thursday night as Jonas Brodin scored a goal from the power-play spot Dumba occupied most of training camp. He watched Clayton Stoner play well in his defensive spot alongside Keith Ballard on the third defensive pairing.

Because of that, Dumba's spot appears to be even more up in the air

After Dumba looked "jittery," according to coach Mike Yeo, in the days leading up to the Wild's season-opening 3-2 shootout loss to the Kings, the curtain may be closing on his audition.

The Wild have nine more games to make a decision on whether the 19-year-old defenseman keeps his place on the roster or heads back to his junior team the rest of the season. The Wild's 2012 first-round draft pick isn't eligible for the American Hockey League because of his age.

Yeo didn't say whether Dumba would play in Saturday's home game against the Anaheim Ducks, revealing only that "we've got a pretty good idea" of what they'll do with him.

Part of the reasoning to keep Dumba was because of the offense he provides from the blue line. But with Dumba a healthy scratch in the season opener Thursday, Brodin took his spot on the second power-play unit and produced a first-period goal off a nifty feed from Nino Niederreiter.

"It's tough to take off a guy who is scoring goals," Yeo said of Brodin. "So if he continues to go out and do that ... I saw a lot of good things, not just from the goal he scored, but the puck movement in the zone. (But) what you do one night, what you see one night, doesn't necessarily determine what you see the next night too."

Pioneer Press LOADED: 10.05.2013

719556 Montreal Canadiens

Brière ready to face old teammates

By Pat Hickey, THE GAZETTE October 4, 2013

MONTREAL — Daniel Brière would like to thank the National Hockey League for scheduling the first meeting between the Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers early in the season.

And he sends out a second thank you for scheduling Saturday’s game in the Bell Centre (7 p.m., CBC, RDS, TSN Radio 690).

“(The scheduling) makes it a little bit easier on the preparation, because for me — because personally — it’s not a normal game,” said Brière, who signed with the Canadiens this summer as a free agent after spending the past six seasons with the Flyers. “You’re facing your ex-teammates. I have a lot of friends there. It’ll be a little tougher, but I really believe that playing it in Montreal makes it a little easier.”

Brière, who says he still experiences butterflies after 14 years in the National Hockey League, said the friendships he cultivated during his years in Philadelphia will be on hold for at least a few hours.

“I don’t expect any breaks from any of them,” he said. “You try to approach the game like it’s any other one but, obviously, there’s a little bit more on the line with your friends and trying to prove something among them. I’m sure little battles here and there are going to happen. On Saturday night, I face my friends, but once the puck drops they have a job to do and so do we. You have to leave the friendships behind until after the game.”

This isn’t the first time Brière has faced his former team. He moved from Phoenix to Buffalo and then to Philadelphia, and said he’s hoping the third time will be easier.

“From what I remember, those games were tough to play in,” he said. “At times, it’s tougher to focus, but I’m hoping with being a little bit more mature that experience is going to help me when the puck drops. Hopefully, everything is behind you and you can focus on your game. I can’t wait for the first period to be over. I think after the first period it’ll be a little easier to move on and the first step will be taken.”

Brière hasn’t always felt comfortable in the Bell Centre. The Canadiens courted him in 2007 when he became a free agent in Buffalo, but he decided to sign with the Flyers. He was booed on each of his subsequent visits to Montreal.

This time around, the boos will be reserved for Vincent Lecavalier, although they may not be deserved. Montreal showed some interest in Lecavalier after Tampa Bay bought him out this summer, but his failure to land in Montreal was probably more a case of the Canadiens’ reluctance to make a long-term commitment.

The Flyers signed Lecavalier after buying out the final two seasons of Brière’s contract. But the 36-year-old Brière said there are no hard feelings over the split.

“There’s no extra friction with the Flyers because of it,” he said. “They treated me with a lot of class. It’s reality. It’s part of the game. They were within their rights. On my side, it turned out really well. I get to play for my childhood team. I’m not sure it turns out so great for every player.”

Brière said he enjoyed playing in Buffalo and Philadelphia, but noted he spent a longer time in Philly and “the family’s still there.”

He was referring to his three sons, who he noted are “100 per cent Montreal Canadiens (fans) now, which is happy to see.”

Coach Michel Therrien said George Parros “is looking good,” but the forward still has headaches as the result of the concussion he suffered during a fight Tuesday in the season-opening 4-3 loss to Toronto. Ryan White and Michael Bournival both worked on the fourth line at practice Friday and Therrien said he would defer his decision until Saturday on which one will play. White is likely to get the nod because he’s a better fit against the physical Flyers.

After Saturday’s game, the Canadiens will get ready to head to Calgary for the start of a four-game Western Canada swing on Wednesday.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 10.05.2013

719557 Montreal Canadiens

Emphasis on toughness might hurt Habs

By Pat Hickey, THE GAZETTE October 4, 2013

MONTREAL - Grit.

That was a buzzword for the Canadiens heading into the new season. The team bulked up over the summer with the addition of George Parros and Douglas Murray (both of whom are now injured) and the Canadiens showed they won’t be pushed around as they engaged in five fights during Tuesday’s season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

But Max Pacioretty, the Canadiens’ leading scorer in each of the past two seasons, says the new emphasis on toughness might have hurt the team in the 4-3 loss to the Leafs.

“I think we got away from what we do best,” Pacioretty said. “We’re a speedy group of players and we have to use our speed to create chances.”

Pacioretty said the added toughness is fine, but “we have to stay away from the after-the-whistle stuff.”

The Canadiens found themselves short-handed seven times in the Leafs game and Toronto scored once on the power play. When teams take a lot of penalties, it takes away from the rhythm of the game, but Pacioretty refused to use that as an excuse for his performance. The 24-year-old veteran holds himself to a high standard and wasn’t happy he was held off the scoresheet and was on the ice for a Toronto short-handed goal, finishing minus-2 on the night.

“Just speaking for myself, I’m not happy with the way I played,” he said.

Pacioretty did have a legitimate excuse because he left the game in the first period for some medical treatment on an upper-body injury. The one thing we can tell you is that Pacioretty played the final two periods with an injury that might have been a strain or a bruise on his hand or wrist, or any combination of the above. We do know he didn’t suffer a cut.

Pacioretty took a therapy day Thursday while his teammates travelled to Lac-Mégantic. He was back on the ice for practice Friday in Brossard, but Pacioretty and coach Michel Therrien said no decision had been made on whether he would face the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday night.

“I hope I’m ready to go,” said Pacioretty, who has a reputation for bouncing back from injuries.

But Therrien said there’s more involved than sucking it up and playing with pain.

“It’s not about being 100 per cent, it’s about being able to compete,” Therrien said. “I’ll talk with our medical people and we’ll make a decision tomorrow.”

When a reporter noted that Pacioretty has been unlucky when it comes to injuries, he offered an interesting perspective when he said luck has nothing to do with it.

“I think you make your own luck,” said Pacioretty, who went on to suggest he has to be more aware of when he puts himself in a vulnerable position.

That might be easier said than done when you’re an elite player who is being targeted by the opposition.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 10.05.2013

719558 Montreal Canadiens

‘It’s not a normal game,’ Brière says of facing Flyers

Posted by Stu Cowan

Playing against former teammates is nothing new for the Canadiens’ Daniel Brière. He did it after he left the Phoenix Coyotes and again after he left the Buffalo Sabres. And he’ll do it for a third time Saturday when he faces his old teammates from the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., CBC, RDS, TSN Radio 690).

“(The scheduling) makes it a little bit easier on the preparation, because for me — because personally — it’s not a normal game,” Brière, who is happy to get it over with early in the season, told reporters after practice Friday in Brossard. “You’re facing your ex-teammates. I have a lot of friends there. It’ll be a little tougher, but I really believe that playing it in Montreal makes it a little easier.”

Brière added that the friendships he cultivated during his years in Philadelphia will be on hold for at least a few hours.

“I don’t expect any breaks from any of them,” he said. “You try to approach the game like it’s any other one but, obviously, there’s a little bit more on the line with your friends and trying to prove something among them. I’m sure little battles here and there are going to happen. On Saturday night, I face my friends, but once the puck drops they have a job to do and so do we. You have to leave the friendships behind until after the game.”

On the other side of the ice, Hal Gill is looking forward to being back in Montreal and seeing his old Canadiens teammates.

“You never know and that’s what makes Montreal so great,” Gill, who made the Flyers after signing a tryout contract, told The Gazette’s Dave Stubbs about the reception he will get from Canadiens fans. “The fans are awesome, but I’m on the bad guys now.

“I loved my time in Montreal and my family loved it,” Gill added, “so I would expect nothing but huge cheers like P.K. (Subban) gets.”

GM Marc Bergevin announced Friday evening that the Canadiens have recalled defenceman Nathan Beaulieu from the Hamilton Bulldogs. Beaulieu appeared in one AHL preseason game with Hamilton, picking up an assist on Sven Andrighetto’s game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over the Utica Comets on Thursday. The 20-year-old split last season between Hamilton and Montreal.

Montreal Sun LOADED: 10.05.2013

719559 Montreal Canadiens

Pacioretty, Moen back on the ice at Friday practice

Posted by Stu Cowan

A day after missing practice in Lac Mégantic, Max Pacioretty and Brandon Prust were both back on the ice Friday in Brossard as the Canadiens prepared to face the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday night at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., CBC, RDS, TSN Radio 690).

Pacioretty, who appeared to suffer an upper-body injury during the season-opening 4-3 loss to Toronto on Tuesday, took a “therapy day” Thursday, while Prust missed practice for family reasons.

With George Parros out indefinitely after suffering a concussion in a season-opening fight with the Maple Leafs’ Colton Orr, rookie Michael Bournival and Ryan White took turns playing centre on the fourth line at Friday’s practice between Prust and Travis Moen. Coach Michel Therrien said he will decide Saturday morning which player will get the start at centre against the Flyers.

Therrien also said he met with Parros for the first time since the enforcer suffered a concussion and indicated he is doing well, but is still suffering from headaches.

For Canadiens fans who enjoyed the 24CH show last season, the first episode of the second season will air Saturday night at 6:30 on Canal D and at 10:30 on RDS.

Here’s how the lines looked at practice:

Pacioretty-Desharnais-Briere

Bourque-Plekanec-Gionta

Galchenyuk-Eller-Gallagher

Prust-White-Bournival-Moen

Diaz-Markov

Gorges-Subban

Tinordi-Bouillon

Montreal Sun LOADED: 10.05.2013

719560 Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators hint at payback for big hit to Roman Josi's head

Oct. 5, 2013

Josh Cooper

DENVER — The Predators were not exactly thrilled with Steve Downie’s flying hit toward Roman Josi’s head that knocked Nashville’s blueliner out of Friday’s 3-1 loss to the Avalanche with an upper-body injury.

In fact, they were downright disgusted with it.

“I take issue with that,” Predators forward Paul Gaustad said. “He’s one of those players who looks for the crowd to cheer him on or something like that. I don’t know … it was a dumb hit and we know who did it. We play these guys several times this year.”

Midway through the second period, Downie left his feet and led with his hands toward Josi’s head and neck in the Predators defensive zone. Josi was knocked down and appeared dazed, but he left the ice under his own power. Defenseman Shea Weber and forward Gabriel Bourque immediately jumped on Downie for retribution.

“I haven’t seen a replay yet. It looks like he left his feet on the ice, but (I) have to watch it,” Weber said.

Predators coach Barry Trotz was hopeful the NHL would examine the hit. On the play, Downie was given a two-minute minor for charging, and Weber was given a double minor for roughing.

“We’re trying to get all that out of the game, launching yourself with the head shots and stuff like that,” Trotz said. “We’re trying to get that out of the league.”

The Predators said Josi will be re-evaluated Sunday. He was seen walking around Nashville’s locker room after the game in his street clothes.

Big minutes for Jones: Rookie defenseman Seth Jones looked like a sturdy veteran Friday night. The 19-year-old led all players with 25:46 of ice time.

It was Jones’ first game in Colorado, against the team that decided not to take him with the No. 1 pick in the 2013 draft. Jones was rated first by many scouting services.

“It was definitely tough,” Jones said of his high ice-time, “but those are the kinds of things you have to battle through, and those are the kinds of things that win hockey games for you.”

Colorado rookie Nathan MacKinnon, who went No. 1 overall, notched an assist.

Rinne all the way: Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne played the full 60 minutes in the loss – his first full game since April.

Rinne did not play a full game in the preseason and was pulled midway through the first period of Nashville’s loss Thursday at St. Louis. Rinne made 33 saves on 35 shots.

“Personally I felt good, and I’m just happy to be back out there,” Rinne said. “Everything is feeling good.”

Injury updates: Trotz said forward Viktor Stalberg had started skating in his recovery from a shoulder injury. Stalberg is supposed to miss three to four weeks.

Trotz also said forward Filip Forsberg continues to skate as he recovers from a lower-body injury.

Tennessean LOADED: 10.05.2013

719561 Nashville Predators

Preds' scoreboard: no wins, few goals

Oct. 5, 2013

Staff

Nashville had solid defense and goaltending, but it didn’t seem to have enough finishers up front. Through two games, that question seems to have been justified.

Nashville simply hasn’t had enough offense to pick up any points, and it showed again Friday night in the Predators’ second straight loss — a 3-1 defeat to the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center.

Through two games, the Predators (0-2-0) have scored a total of three goals. The team’s skill players, such as Matt Cullen, Colin Wilson, Craig Smith, Gabriel Bourque and Patric Hornqvist, have yet to find the back of the net.

“I don’t know if I can get them going. It’s up to them to get them going,” coach Barry Trotz said of his forwards, without naming names. “There’s no magic dust I can throw over them and say you have to produce. They need to produce. That’s part of their role on this team, so they have to produce.”

The Predators’ lone goal came when forward Mike Fisher found Paul Gaustad in front of the Colorado net. Gaustad fired a shot high over the goalie’s glove to make the score 2-1 in favor of Colorado with 5:50 left in the second period.

The Predators had several other scoring chances, including a close opportunity by rookie Seth Jones in the last two minutes. Jones fired the puck wide, and Colorado then scored on the empty net on the ensuing rush.

Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne made 32 saves on 35 shots one day after being pulled. In the previous game, Rinne allowed three goals on six shots by the St. Louis Blues.

“We’ve had some chances in both games,” Gaustad said. “I don’t know the solution for scoring. I’m not the guy that’s a pure sniper, but I think one of the things is if we keep getting pucks at the net and getting guys driving in and over time pucks will go in that way. I think for a lot of guys that’s the recipe and we have to stick with it.”