NHL: Player News and Rumors (Thread finished)

[Knightfall]

Nonis doesn't know why Clarke made offer
Canadian Press
9/15/2006 5:07:00 PM

VERNON, B.C. (CP) - Vancouver Canucks general manager Dave Nonis says Bob Clarke's actions in signing centre Ryan Kesler to a US$1.9 million offer sheet make no sense.

The Canucks were caught off guard earlier this week when the Philadelphia Flyers general manager signed the restricted free agent to an offer sheet.

The Canucks said Thursday they would match the offer, which was worth far more than they had planned on paying Kesler this year.

"Philadelphia didn't do anything wrong in this process," Nonis said Friday at the Canucks training camp. "Bob Clarke is free to do whatever he wants in signing free-agent players. He didn't break any rules, as he's told the world.

"But I don't understand it. To sign a player to a deal, at far more than what he would normally sign too, knowing full well we were going to match the offer ... To me that doesn't make any sense."

Nonis was controlled and didn't show any visible anger in talking about the situation, but did throw a dig at Clarke.

"Clarke has always been good to me, he's been nice to me," Nonis said. "I was told a long time ago Bob Clarke would kick his grandmother down a flight a stairs if he thought he'd have a better chance of winning. That's what it comes down to.

"It's something I didn't understand. It's something I don't understand this minute."

Kesler and the Canucks were believed to be close to agreeing on a $1.9-million, two-year contract before Clarke made the surprise move of signing Kesler to an offer sheet.

Philadelphia wanted the six-foot-two, 205-pound centre to replace former captain Keith Primeau, who was forced to retire because of concussion-related problems.

It was the first offer sheet signed by a player since 1999. The Canucks had a week to decide whether to match the offer or receive a second-round draft pick.

Kesler, picked 23rd overall in the 2003 draft, played his first full season in the NHL last year, scoring 10 goals and adding 13 assists and 79 penalty minutes in 82 games.

In 110 career games with the Canucks, he has 12 goals, 16 assists and 95 penalty minutes.

Clarke's move sparked debate around the league. Some GMs believe his action will be inflationary and affect future comparable players.

Signing Kesler moves the Canucks payroll to around $43 million, very close to this year's $44-million cap. It could affect who the Canucks sign as a backup goaltender behind Roberto Luongo.

The Canucks had qualified Kesler at $564,000 earlier this summer.

Technically, the last official offer sheet before Tuesday was in July 1999 when Tampa Bay made an offer for little-known Oiler Brett Hauer. Edmonton matched it.

The last offer sheet of any note was in February 1998 when Carolina went after Detroit star Sergei Fedorov and the Red Wings matched it.

For his part, Clarke wasn't concerned about how the move was viewed by others.

"That's the rules in the CBA," Clarke said. "The rules aren't convenient just for one team, they're there for everybody. You can't pick and choose. If you like one rule and I like one rule, does that mean we can only use one rule? That's crazy.

"If you're unhappy with the rules, complain to (commissioner) Gary Bettman."

 

[Knightfall]

Sundin wants to finish career with Leafs
Canadian Press
9/15/2006 5:16:00 PM

TORONTO (CP) - He's said it before, and he'll say it again.

"If the organization wanted to move me, you have no real choice but, if it's up to me, I do want to stay as a Maple Leaf the rest of my career," captain Mats Sundin said after Toronto's first on-ice workouts of their NHL training camp Friday.

The topic arose during a media scrum because Sundin sold his posh home during the off-season, and because he's entering the last year - at US$7.6 million - of his contract.

The team has a $4.6-million option for 2007-2008 but it's likely both camps will start talking about an extension sometime this season.

"I don't have a desire to go anywhere else to be part of a championship team," he said. "We have just as good a chance to be a championship team right here as anyone else.

"I can't see myself trying to go to a contender at the end of the season just to be part of a championship. Any of the 16 teams that makes the playoffs has as good a chance as anyone else."

The Edmonton Oilers proved that after squeaking into the post-season on the schedule's last weekend last spring. Parity propelled by the salary cap levels the playing field.

"It's tougher and tougher to predict," said Sundin. "Before, you could tell who were going to be the top teams in the league.

"This year, it's impossible. I think we have as good a chance as any of the other teams. Our first focus has to make the playoffs. It's going to be very important for us to get off to a good start."

The six-foot-five centre earned 78 points and scored 31 goals last season. He played his best hockey after leading Sweden to Olympic gold.

"Having success with the Leafs in the playoffs is the ultimate goal," he said. "That in itself is a carrot that you're looking forward to and it helps you train."

While being bitterly disappointed to miss the playoffs last spring, he said there was a positive element to the club's strong finish.

"We had almost as many points as Edmonton had when they started their playoff run, and they went to the final. It was encouraging to see a lot of the younger players come in during the last 20 games and play well. That gave a brighter outlook to the start of this season."

 

[Knightfall]

Great things expected of Sens Kaigorodov
Canadian Press
9/15/2006 5:35:37 PM

OTTAWA (CP) - The Ottawa Senators have had mixed success with their dips into Russia's talent pool over the years, but they're banking on having their newest prospect make a splash in North America.

Centre Alexei Kaigorodov took to the ice for the first time with his potential teammates on Friday and big things are already being expected of the 23-year-old, who signed a two-year, entry-level deal with the NHL team Tuesday.

While trying to be cautious with their comments, the Senators, in need of help down the middle, are hoping Kaigorodov can make the grade and jump straight into the NHL.

"I'm not really going to say much more than he doesn't look out of place," Senators coach Bryan Murray said after putting Kaigorodov through his first on-ice workout. "It looks like he knows the game very well."

In recent years, the Senators have had Russian prospects like defenceman Anton Volchenkov step in and contribute right away, but they've also had others like Petr Schastlivy, who worked himself right out of the league despite being given repeated chances to show his skill.

Ottawa selected Kaigorodov, a native of Chelyabinsk, Russia, with its second-round pick (47th overall) in the 2002 NHL entry draft, but it wasn't until late August that his club, Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian Super League, agreed to suspend his contract and release him to North America.

With the off-season departure of veteran Bryan Smolinski - who was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks with Martin Havlat as part of the three-way deal that also included the San Jose Sharks - the Senators could use help at centre.

As it stands, Kaigorodov has been pencilled in as the No. 2 guy behind Jason Spezza, and he's being given the chance to take up the role alongside Ottawa captain and right-winger Daniel Alfredsson.

"He looked good out there. Today was mostly skating and he's a good skater - smooth," said Alfredsson, who also cautioned that it's still too early to pass judgment. "It's way too early. After camp we'll see where we stand. He's very skilled ... so I'm excited."

Kaigorodov had nine goals and 23 assists in 50 games last season in the Russian league while sometimes playing on a line with highly touted Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Evgeni Malkin.

The Senators want him to provide a natural fit with Alfredsson - the thinking being that it'll make cycling the puck down low and setting up for one-timers more effective. Peter Schaefer would play left wing.

The players haven't had much of chance to see each other, but if the combination sticks, it could provide poolies with a sleeper pick.

"I felt good. I liked it, I just need to get acclimatized more," Kaigorodov said through a translator. "(Alfredsson's) a good player, but we'll need to find an understanding on the ice."

There are questions over whether or not Kaigorodov, who's listed at six-feet, 192 pounds, can withstand the more physical NHL game. His coach at Metallurg, Canadian Dave King, raised them himself in recent interviews after Kaigorodov left Russia.

However, Senators general manager John Muckler has been singing Kaigorodov's praises for the past couple of years and insisted that he would have been on the team last year had Ottawa been able to secure his release.

This time, he'll be given every chance to crack the roster and produce offensively.

"From what I understand, he's a skilled player, a playmaker, a guy who complements other players well," Murray said. "I don't think you're going to see him run guys out of the building. I do think he'll be an offensive-type player."

 

[Knightfall]

From Sportsnet.ca!

Hockey Hearsay
September 15, 2006

Jagr accepts the 'C'
Without a true captin since Mark Messier wore the letter back in 2003/04, Jaromir Jagr feels it is now his time to take the Rangers as his team.

Jagr said that as long as his responsibilities didn't include ripping into teammates for losses or poor play, he was ready to take on the role. A formal announcement could come within the next few days.

A return to form last season helped the Rangers return to the playoffs, where an injury to his shoulder in the first round made their appearance a short one. Jagr hopes his health and the health of the important players around him will result in a second-straight appearance.

"If we don't have any important guys injured throughout the year, I think we're gonna make it," he said.

Three Kings in crowded net
The Los Angeles Kings open training camp in the envious (depending on who you ask) position of having three No. 1 goaltenders: Dan Cloutier, Mathieu Garon and Jason LaBarbera.

According to the LAtimes.com, the pecking order is unofficially set at Cloutier, Garon, LaBarbera.

"I pretty much expected to be traded and Vancouver did a good job of getting it down quickly," said Cloutier, adding that he had fully recovered from the surgery. "I've learned that, sooner or later, they are going to bring someone in to try to take your job."

Garon played in 63 games last season and won 31, third-most in Kings history, but his sporadic play down the stretch led to another spring without playoff hockey in Hollywood.

Morrison not 100 per cent
One of they cogs in the Canucks machine is still not completely ready for battle as training camp opens in Vancouver.

Brendan Morrison's surgically repaired hip still isn't quite right four months after undergoing surgery and he is faced with a very unusual problem -- he may have to miss a practice or two.

"I think I've only ever missed two practices in my career so this injury is new to me," Morrison told The Vancouver Province. "I said [to Vigneault], 'I'll be honest with you guys, if I'm sore and I feel that I need a day here or there then I'll be honest and tell you.' I don't want to miss any time but if that's the case then we'll have to take that approach.

Morrison said it may be another couple of months before he will no longer feel the pain of his hip injury.

Penguins going Canadian?
A newspaper in Pittsburgh is reporting the favourite in the race to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins has emerged from north of the border.

Jim Balsillie, chairman and co-CEO of Research in Motion, a company based in Waterloo, is the leading the chase to take control of the Penguins' franchise according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Balsillie nearly signed a letter of intent to buy the team in July but decided against it when he realized how difficult it would be to move the franchise to Hamilton.

It still isn't clear whether Balsillie will try to move the Penguins if he does take control of the ailing franchise.

 

[Knightfall]

Zherdev wants contract, or trade
TheFourthPeriod.com
September 15, 2006

Unable to sign Nikolai Zherdev before training camp, the Blue Jackets turned to Anson Carter yesterday, prompting speculation that Zherdev will not be with the club this season.

Zherdev's agent, Rolland Hedges, told the Columbus Dispatch the Carter signing "doesn't surprise me. I've thought they would want to trade Nikolai or keep him in Russia. We knew (GM Doug MacLean's) position, and now we know the next step. What's the next step after this? That is the question."

According to the Dispatch, Zherdev wants to play in the NHL this season, whether or not he's a member of the Blue Jackets.

"We asked Columbus to trade him months ago if they couldn’t sign him," Hedges said. "As I've told everyone, Nikolai wants to play in the NHL."

MacLean, however, will not (consider) trading Zherdev, the Dispatch claims.

"I've met with ownership and discussed the matter at great length," MacLean said. "We are committed to negotiating with Zherdev. … It (an agreement) is just not happening right now. For whatever reason, we just haven't been able to find common ground. We can't agree on comparables."

 

[Knightfall]

Koivu's vision passes first test
Canadian Press
9/15/2006 5:48:08 PM

MONTREAL (CP) - Neither Michael Ryder's new visor nor Saku Koivu's blind spot prevented the Montreal Canadiens linemates from seeing eye to eye on the ice Friday.

Koivu had no trouble finding Ryder and winger Chris Higgins with passes in his first scrimmage since he suffered a serious left eye injury in the NHL playoffs in April.

The Canadiens captain even fed a pretty pass from the left side to Higgins for a goal.

"I thought it went well," said Koivu. "Physically, I felt fine and more important, I'm surprised I felt that comfortable with my eye.

"It will be a different scenario when we play against another team, but this was a first step and we have a couple of days before the first pre-season games. I hope that every day I feel a little more comfortable out there."

Koivu wore a contact lens on the eye, which still has a blind spot and recently developed a small cataract after off-season surgery to repair a detached retina.

He also wore a larger visor than the one he had on when Justin Williams' stick clipped his eye during a playoff game against Carolina on April 26.

The team's first day of on-ice workouts before a standing room only crowd at the Sportsplex 4-Glaces boosted Koivu's confidence that he will be ready for the Canadiens' regular season opener Oct. 6 in Buffalo.

"I had some doubts before today how I'd feel and what to expect. but the vision was OK," he said. "I didn't lose the puck in my feet too many times, so it was a pleasant surprise.

"If I don't face any setbacks and the vision is the way it is now, I don't see a problem for the season opener. But the first couple of exhibition games will tell a lot more."

Montreal's first two pre-season matches are against Boston at home on Tuesday and Wednesday. Koivu expects to play a game or two more than usual in the pre-season to get used to his slightly reduced vision.

Ryder is also adjusting to altered vision.

The 30-goal scorer is experimenting with a visor, although it will depend on how well he adapts in the pre-season whether he'll wear it in games that count.

The winger from Bonavista, N.L., said he considered wearing a visor even before Koivu's injury.

"It's a little different, just getting used to the sweat and snow that gets on it," he said. "It feels like you're inside something, looking through. Hopefully, I'll get used to it."

Koivu applauded his linemate's decision.

"Sometimes when something happens to a teammate, you see what might happen if you don't wear one," he said. "I'm hoping that it woke a few guys up and they realize that by wearing one, they might avoid an injury like that.

"I know there's a lot of guys who aren't used to wearing one but for us Europeans, it's never been a problem."

Ryder also showed up 12 pounds lighter than last season at 192 pounds after a summer of therapy for a pinched nerve in his neck.

"Because of my injury, I couldn't work out much," he said. "I was just trying to watch what I eat and make sure I didn't get out of shape and I ended up losing 12 pounds.

"Hopefully, I'm quicker. I don't really feel any pain now. It was in my neck, but I felt it more in my side. But it's gone. Now I'm just trying to rebuild the muscles."

Guy Carbonneau, who directed his first scrimmage since taking over as head coach, opted to keep his veterans together when making up lines.

Koivu, Ryder and Higgins ended last season together, while newcomer Sergei Samsonov showed energy in skating with Mike Ribeiro and Alex Kovalev. That line scored twice in the scrimmage.

Another new acquisition, Mike Johnson, scored a goal playing with Tomas Plekanec and Alexander Perezhogin while Radek Bonk centred Steve Begin and tough guy Aaron Downey, who also scored.

Garth Murray skated with two players competing for a vacant spot at forward - Andrei Kostitsyn and Mikhail Grabovsky.

"It's a short camp," said Carbonneau. "I have to get my team ready first.

"But we had (rookie) Kyle Chipchura's line against Ribeiro's line and they did well. That's good. It shows them what they have to do to play at this level. The first day went well."

One who looked sharp was six-foot-five defenceman Ryan O'Byrne, a 2003 third round draft pick who joined the team from Cornell University.

There is a spot open on defence to start the season as Francis Bouillon recovers from off-season knee surgery. Bouillon is to resume skating in two weeks, but isn't expected back until November.

The public was admitted free and they jammed the 1,200-seat arena. Fans were stacked three deep in the standing room area for the scrimmages.

 

[Knightfall]

Russian tribunal rules against Malkin
Canadian Press
9/15/2006 5:51:43 PM

MOSCOW (CP) - The Evgeni Malkin saga is far from over.

A Russian arbitration tribunal issued a court order Friday prohibiting the Russian centre from playing in the NHL. But exactly what that means isn't clear.

"We are happy to review and consider anything that may be provided to us," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Canadian Press on Friday. "Having said that, we remain very dubious as to the validity or binding effect of a private arbitration panel's decision on the matters that are at issue here."

A Pittsburgh Penguins spokesman said Friday that Malkin would be at camp as scheduled this weekend. Pittsburgh's first pre-season game goes Tuesday night in Halifax against the Ottawa Senators.

The Penguins signed the 20-year-old rookie to a three-year, entry-level contract Sept. 5 after he slipped out of Russia in late August.

The tribunal Friday ruled that Malkin can't play anywhere else other than Russian club Magnitogorsk, where he signed a new one-year deal just days before changing his mind and fleeing the country.

"Metallurg has several options," New York lawyer Alexander Berkovich, representing Magnitogorsk, told Reuters. "The first option is to seek enforcement of the Russian arbitration award in a U.S. court. This is pursuant to the (1958) treaty for the enforcement of tribunal awards to which both the U.S. and Russia are signatories. Other options for Magnitogorsk include filing a lawsuit against the NHL and the Pittsburgh Penguins in a U.S. court."

Metallurg knows Malkin won't return to play for them this season but wants financial compensation for his loss. The NHL is adamant it would not negotiate compensation packages with any Russian club after the Russians refused to sign the IIHF transfer agreement which other European countries belong to.

Malkin, the second overall choice behind Alexander Ovechkin in the 2004 NHL entry draft, had 21 goals and 26 assists in 46 games with Metallurg last season, his third with the Russian club. He's the early season favourite for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year.

 

[Knightfall]

Great One wants grit from Coyotes
Associated Press
9/15/2006 6:51:22 PM

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) - As a player, Wayne Gretzky used uncommon skills to become the most prolific scorer in NHL history.

But as the coach of the Phoenix Coyotes, Gretzky wants to see grit as well as grace. He expects his players to skate. He also wants them to hit.

That was Gretzky's message as the Coyotes opened their 10th season in the desert Friday with a full-squad workout in Glendale Arena.

"There were nights (last season) when I felt like maybe we got physically outmatched, and not because guys weren't trying to be as physical as possible, but we were not quite as strong as some of the other teams," Gretzky said. "There were liberties taken at times that I wasn't very pleased with. We went out and addressed that. We're much stronger and a much more physical hockey team."

Looking to add a physical presence, the club acquired five veterans over the summer, led by three-time all-star defenceman Ed Jovanovski. The Coyotes also added forward Georges Laraque, one of the NHL's most feared enforcers, forward Owen Nolan and defenceman Nick Boynton, as well as Jeremy Roenick, a nine-time all-star centre whose recklessness made him a fan favourite during his first tenure with the Coyotes.

"I think that has to be the mentality that becomes our identity, that there's no game that we're going to get outworked or out-hit," Roenick said.

The Coyotes hope the new approach will put them back in the playoffs after a four-year absence. They finished 12th in the Western Conference last season, 14 points out of a playoff spot.

Gretzky had his first look at his fortified roster Friday morning. Outside, the temperature approached 38 C. But it felt like mid-winter as the Coyotes went through drills to prepare for their exhibition opener against Edmonton at Winnipeg Sunday night. It's the first time the Coyotes have played in Winnipeg, their former home, since they departed after the 1995-96 season.

On Friday, Gretzky put Roenick on a line with captain Shane Doan and Mike Comrie. Doan and Comrie shared the team lead with 30 goals apiece last season. Roenick scored only nine goals in 58 games with Los Angeles last season but is vowing to jump-start his career.

"I think we all bring something a little different," Roenick said. "It's a nice creation."

Gretzky said he has not decided on his other lines or his defensive pairings.

Roenick, who lives in Paradise Valley, helped lead the Coyotes to four consecutive playoff berths from 1997-00. He signed a one-year deal that could be worth US$1.5 million with incentives.

Gretzky said he believes Roenick can score 25 goals this season.

"The key is to stay healthy," Gretzky said. "If we can keep him healthy and he can play 80 games, I expect good things out of him."

Health was a problem for the Coyotes last season. A knee injury sidelined winger Ladislav Nagy, perhaps their most gifted player, for the season's final 29 games. He still finished the season as the team's assist leader, with 41.

The Coyotes had a brief injury scare Friday when a deflected puck hit Jovanovski above his left eye. He sported a red welt after practice but said he didn't expect to miss any ice time.

"It's always scary when you get hit in the face," Jovanovski said.

Jovanovski said his vision was not affected - literally or figuratively.

"We have to see the big picture and the prize that we're after, and that's the Stanley Cup," Jovanovski said. "That's got to be our vision."

 

[Knightfall]

Cooke looks for new role with Canucks
Canadian Press
9/15/2006 7:55:21 PM

VERNON, B.C. (CP) - Matt Cooke is healthy again after a year of battling injures and the scrappy forward is looking for a role change with the Vancouver Canucks.

The question of who will play on the NHL team's top line along with Brendan Morrison and Markus Naslund has been asked ever since the Canucks traded forward Todd Bertuzzi to Florida in a package for goaltender Roberto Luongo.

Cooke's name has been mentioned as a possible replacement, along with free-agent signing Jan Bulis.

"I'm going to have to go out there and earn it," Cooke said Friday on the first day of the Canucks training camp. "What we've done in the past is history. Your performance at camp is going to be your opportunity."

Cooke managed eight goals and 10 assists last year in a season limited to 45 games because of injures. As a junior, playing with Windsor of the OHL, Cookie had 45 goals and 90 points in 65 games back in 1996-97.

"I was depended on a lot in junior to be a scorer," said Cooke, 28. "I knew I wasn't going to make the NHL that way. If I get the opportunity this year I look forward to that role."

Naslund thinks Cooke deserves a chance to at least audition for the first line.

"I think he's shown he can play there before," said the Canucks captain. "He's always been in a situation where he hasn't been able to show that he's got skill and a touch around the net.

"He has the potential to play a different role."

The five-foot-11, 205-pound native of Belleville, Ont., has carved out a reputation as a grinding, third-line agitator. Like that annoying dog down the street that barks all night, Cooke has the ability to get under other player's skins.

He will deliver a stick in the ribs or an elbow to the chops, then use his speed to get away to get away before a player can retaliate. He plays with a chip on his shoulder an irritating grin on his face.

"We have a lot of other guys on the team right now in that role," said Cooke. "The focus isn't solely on myself to go out and create that distraction.

"The physical play will always be there because that is part of my game and a part of the game I won't let go."

New Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said Cooke will get a chance "to have a bigger role" on the team. But he cautioned that to remain successful, Cooke can't completely abandon his in-your-face style.

"Even if he would go on an offensive line, I don't think he can change his style of play," Vigneault said. "If he all of a sudden thinks he's a skill player, he's going to be in trouble.

"He knows he has to play with grit, with drive, get in people's faces. That part of his game can't change."

Cooke was moved up to the top line near the end of the 2004 season when Bertuzzi was suspended for his hit-from-behind on Steve Moore.

He surprised many by playing well down the stretch. He stepped his game up in the playoffs and scored the goal that forced overtime in Game 7 of Vancouver's opening round loss to Calgary.

Cooke came late to training camp last year after holding out for a new contract. He finally signed a three-year deal, averaging US$1.5 million, but then spent more time in the infirmary than on the ice.

He broke a jaw when hit in the face during practice, then suffered an ankle injury in a collision with a teammate. The final insult was a hip injury from a border-line check during a game against the Los Angeles Kings.

Cooke said he worked over the summer getting back the conditioning he lost last year.

"I worked hard to make sure my conditioning was where it needed to be because I missed so many games," he said. "I just want to go out there and get back to the level I was a couple of years ago."

A crowd of several hundred people showed up at the Vernon arena to watch 50 Canucks veterans and rookies hold their first workouts.

It was Vigneault's first on-ice session with the veterans.

Vigneault, who replaced the fired Marc Crawford, spent most of this time at centre ice watching the players. He didn't use a whistle and rarely seemed to raise his voice when giving instructions.

"It was a different feeling out there," said veteran defenceman Mattias Ohlund. "We had the last coaches for so many years, we didn't know what to expect."

Naslund said he likes Vigneault's style.

"I like what I've seen so far," he said. "I agree with what he's been preaching."

 

[Knightfall]

Thornton, Cheechoo ready to team up again
Associated Press
9/15/2006 8:06:46 PM

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Just a few minutes into the San Jose Sharks' first scrimmage of training camp, Joe Thornton already had Jonathan Cheechoo in his sights.

The reigning NHL Most Valuable Player's chemistry with the league's top goal-scorer apparently hasn't waned since the Sharks were knocked out of the second round of the playoffs. Playing together on a line with newcomer Mark Bell, Thornton repeatedly found Cheechoo for shot after shot Friday despite their teammates' best defensive efforts.

''Cheech was hitting everything but the back of the net,'' coach Ron Wilson said. ''It's important that we create chemistry, and get it early. We've got to get them up to speed, because they've got a new guy.''

A morning practice and the lively scrimmage were a great start to camp for a team that believes it can contend for the Stanley Cup - and a necessary jump-start for a club that started slowly last season.

After winning all seven of its exhibition games last fall, San Jose stumbled to an 8-12-4 record and a 10-game winless streak before acquiring Thornton from Boston on Nov. 30. The Sharks had one of the NHL's best records from that point forward, going 36-15-7 and steaming into the playoffs while Thornton and Cheechoo became the league's most prolific scoring duo.

But they ran out of steam in the post-season against Edmonton, done in by bad bounces, poor penalty-killing and an overall lack of playoff toughness that wasn't surprising from such a young roster.

The Sharks don't want any excuses next spring, however.

''I came in on Dec. 1, and it was just a dogfight to get into the playoffs all the way,'' the easygoing Thornton said in the Sharks' locker room while wearing a black velour Sharks robe with ''Jumbo'' stitched on the lapel.

''This year we don't have to wear ourselves out by April. Cheech worked hard in the off-season, and so did Bellsy. We're not going to catch anybody by surprise, but we'll just keep working hard and pushing each other.''

Wilson already has grouped his players into tentative line combinations and defensive pairings beyond his vaunted first-line trio with Bell replacing Nils Ekman, traded to Pittsburgh.

Captain Patrick Marleau centred youngsters Milan Michalek and Steve Bernier in the scrimmage, just as he did last season. With most defences' top pairings focused on stopping San Jose's top line, Marleau should have a chance to improve on his career-best 86 points last season.

''I don't want to jinx it too much,'' said Marleau, who is no longer Bernier's landlord after allowing the 21-year-old wing to crash with him last season. ''But any time you get to play with linemates and stick together for a while, the better off you are.''

Wilson is hoping to settle on a gritty trio of two-way forwards to form a ''shutdown line,'' likely including Curtis Brown and Ville Nieminen. With 10 forwards already near-certain to make the opening-night roster, competition will be fierce for the final few spots.

Wilson also must sort out his defence in camp. Kyle McLaren, Scott Hannan, Christian Ehrhoff and rookie Matt Carle are expected to be San Jose's top four defencemen, with a lively battle among Doug Murray, Rob Davison, Jim Fahey, Josh Gorges, newcomer Mathieu Biron and even 19-year-old Marc-Edouard Vlasic for the final spots.

The Sharks again made the Pacific Division's smallest splash in free-agent signings during the off-season, adding forwards Bell, Brown and Mike Grier. San Jose still believes in its talented young core, and Wilson thinks his players share that faith.

''This team has a different attitude,'' Wilson said. ''They understand how they're viewed by other people now, and they should embrace that. That's what we want, that kind of pressure.''