Red Wings to start off by raising Cup banner

Last update: October 9, 2008 - 12:54 AM

Opening week in the NHL continues tonight, with the Detroit Red Wings hoisting their 11th championship banner before their season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs (6 p.m., VS).

Red Wings forward Jiri Hudler said: "Really excited about tomorrow night. I'm going to enjoy it for sure. It's going to be a great time. But at the same time, the exciting thing about tomorrow night is we're playing the Toronto Maple Leafs. We're going to be pumped up."

Tonight's four games are the first of the season in North America.

Palin to drop puck

Sarah Palin, the GOP vice presidential nominee, will drop the ceremonial first puck when the Philadelphia Flyers open the regular season against the Rangers on Saturday. The Alaska governor is a self-described "hockey mom."

Etc.

• Veteran Vancouver Canucks forwards Matt Pettinger, Jeff Cowan and Jason Krog were sent down to the AHL after clearing waivers on Wednesday. The Canucks also announced defenseman Lawrence Nycholat will start the season on the injured reserve list.

• The San Jose Sharks assigned defenseman Kyle McLaren to their minor league affiliate in Worcester after no NHL teams claimed the 12-year NHL veteran on waivers. McLaren, who spent the past 4 1/2 seasons with the Sharks, was waived Tuesday in a move to create salary-cap room.

• Columbus Blue Jackets left winger Raffi Torres was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Sept. 29. Torres dislocated his shoulder in a fight during a preseason game and is expected to miss up to six weeks.

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