Puck Podcast

TORONTO – Jason Allison feathered a pass to Robert Slaney and the first-year pro fired the puck into the back of the net.Allison has certainly done this before, but not for a while

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Buffalo Sabres signed restricted free-agent forward Drew Stafford to a two-year deal Sunday.Stafford, 23, emerged as a scoring threat last season when he set career highs in goals and points in 79 games

EDMONTON – The spot in the lineup Dany Heatley didn’t want is probably the one that will be most hotly contested by the time the Edmonton Oilers break training camp

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Head coach Wayne Gretzky was absent from Phoenix Coyotes training camp for the second straight day.Associate coach Ulf Samuelsson, running the camp on an interim basis, put players through drills Sunday morning as they took the ice together at Jobing

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings open training camp Sunday, hoping for another shot at winning the Stanley Cup that narrowly eluded them last season

FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Stars and new head coach Marc Crawford each feel they have something to prove this year.Each took the first step Saturday when the club opened 2009-10 training camp at their suburban practice facility with a full slate of meetings, fitness testing and other administrative issues, as well as an informal practice session

PITTSBURGH – Three months to the day after they won the NHL championship, the Pittsburgh Penguins reunited Saturday for the start of training camp

CALGARY – The stars of the Calgary Flames walked through the Pengrowth Saddledome doors for the first day of training camp Saturday, yet it was a short forward with lines around his eyes who was the centre of attention

EDMONTON – Pat Quinn admits his first day of training camp as coach of the Edmonton Oilers won’t be as much about assessing players as getting to know names

DENVER – Joe Sakic’s nameplate above his locker has been taken down, his captain’s role handed over to Adam Foote.Although Sakic retired in July, it is just now sinking in that No

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Right wing Derek Dorsett has signed a two-year contract extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets that runs through the 2011-12 season

VANCOUVER, B.C. – The Vancouver Canucks opened their training camp Saturday with coach Alain Vigneault excited about the signing of a pair of free agents over the summer who have won Stanley Cups

BROSSARD, Que. – When Bob Gainey finished his free-agent shopping on Canada Day, a common criticism of the Montreal Canadiens GM’s moves was that a small team got even smaller

BRANDON, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning are looking to stop a free fall that started after winning the 2004 Stanley Cup. The play of goalie Mike Smith will likely be a key factor

OTTAWA – Disgruntled winger Dany Heatley finally got his wish Saturday – a one-way ticket out of Ottawa.

The former 50-goal scorer was traded to the San Jose Sharks, along with a fifth-round pick in 2010 for forwards Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek and a second-round 2010 pick

TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs opened training camp Saturday with fitness tests and the promise that they’ll be a much tougher team to play against this season

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Wayne Gretzky’s status with the Phoenix Coyotes remains up in the air.The team’s coach was not present Saturday morning for the start of training camp

CALGARY – Calgary is where Theoren Fleury started his remarkable NHL career. It may also be where he resurrects it.The Calgary Flames confirmed that Fleury has been invited to attend the Flames training camp, which begins Saturday, on a try-out basis

Movements in the world of hockey Friday:American Hockey LeagueBRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS-Named Matt Broyles equipment manager.ECHLGRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS-Signed LW John Vigilante, D Brett Peterson, D Justin DaCosta and RW Mike Walsh