Ice Scoopz: Saturday Afternoon

Some quick hits to get the long weekend started.

*-> The New York Rangers have invited former San Jose Shark defenseman Kyle McLaren to their training camp depending on a physical. Last season he struggled with his fitness and failed a physical on a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers.

*-> Speaking of the Flyers, they've decided to give former Blackhawk and Maple Leaf Mark Bell another chance in the NHL by inviting him to camp.

*-> Dan Hinote has received an invite from the San Jose Sharks to their training camp.

*-> The Detroit Red Wings have extended 2 training camp invites to 2 goalies. The Wings have invited former NHLer Dan Cloutier. Cloutier who hasn't played since playing in LA has conquered his back problems and could possibly be signed as a third string goalie. The other goalie invited to camp is undrafted Chris Whitley of the Allen Americans of the CHL. He's an unlikely candidate to get signed but he caught the eye of former Steve Duschane while playing for his Americans.

*-> The Atlanta Thrashers have also invited a goaltender to camp in hopes of finding a third string goalie. Manny Legace has been invited to camp to fill that void while Dan Fritsche also gets an invitation as well.

*-> Daryl Sydor has yet to give up on his NHL career by securing a try out with the St Louis Blues. Sounds like the Blues need a mentor for their young D.

*-> In other tryout news RDS has reported the Montreal Canadiens have offered Robert Lang a tryout with the Habs. Conflicting reports have also placed Lang in the KHL. Another report has claimed as many as 6 teams have extended offers to him. I personally expect RDS to be accurate because not too often their wrong. I think Lang resigning in MTL is a possibility just not for anything close to what he made last season.

*-> Steve Eminger has found another team for the upcoming season. The Ducks have decided to take a chance on the once promising blue liner. The deal is reportedly worth 950K$ for 2 years.

*-> The Minnesota Wild are still searching for a top 6 forward after loosing out on Alex Tanguay. Rumors have the Wild connected to free agent Peter Sykora. The Wild have interest also in Danny Heatley but are refusing to give in to the demands of Senator GM Bryan Murray. Murray is requesting Brent Burns in return which the Wild wants none of.

*-> While were on Danny Heatley expect a deal by the end of camp. Bryan Murray is expected to take a lower offer for Heatley on the grounds he doesn't want any distractions going into camp and the preseason.