Morning Hits: Nonis, Folin, Grigorenko, Arcobello, Carlyle and Clarkson
  • Kid Ish: Darren Dreger: “Nonis delivered word to owners that this was going to be a tough year, and next year as well.” … “The message I’m getting from the boardroom is that they’re frustrated but everyone’s fine.” … “The reality is this team is where management projected it would be at the start of the year.”
  • Minnesota Wild: The Wild have signed college UFA Christian FolinMichael Russo: GM Chuck Fletcher on Folin: “Physically, you don’t normally have a young man coming out of college or jr that possess his physical attributes”
  • Kevin Oklobzija: Mikhail Grigorenko after his first AHL practice: “It’s a good opportunity for me. I’ll show the new (#Sabres) GM (Tim Murray) and Ted Nolan I can maybe make the step to the NHL next season.”
  • Edmonton Oilers: Oilers sign Mark Arcobello to a one-year contract extension.
  • Hope Smoke: TSNs Ray Ferraro: “Remember when Carlyle was hired the one thing we heard was how detailed he was and how he would drive his players nuts with detail” … “There’s either an unwillingness from the players or they’re incapable of paying attention to detail in Toronto” … “I don’t think there’s a belief in the systems from the guys in the room in Toronto” … “You can preach as much as you want but if the guys refuse to do it, you’re in trouble”
  • Hope Smoke: Ray Ferraro: “Does Lupul seem like a core player to you? Certainly not this year.”
  • Hope Smoke: Ray Ferraro: “I don’t know what you do with Clarkson. Maybe they don’t have a choice and they have to bring him back.” … “Eventually the salary doesn’t matter. He’s either helping or he’s not. The coach can’t keep putting Clarkson out there.”