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Bluelines: Rangers only have one concern heading into season

Now it has become evident why Tie Domi shied away from discussing his "private life" at his recent farewell press conference. Turns out that our old buddy reached a settlement in his divorce proceedings. But that's just for starters. The Toronto media has been going nuts over Domi and his alleged gal pal, Belinda Stronach. This is no BS; Ms. Stronach not only is an heiress but also a Liberal member of the Canadian Parliament. As for Belinda, she pulled a Tie, claiming she won't discuss her private life either. "Whether it's true, false or it's just the opinion of others, I'm not prepared to talk about my personal life at this moment," says Stronach. Meanwhile, Domi makes his TV debut Tuesday (Oct. 3) on TSN. That should be fun - until Tie gets grilled

There's only one concern facing the Rangers and that's Sports Illustrated. A year ago, SI's sages couldn't have been more wrong, picking the Blueshirts to finish 30th out of the 30 teams. This year the geniuses have them winding up second in the Atlantic Division. Glen Sather must be wondering whether to worry or not!

Dany Heatley appears to be taking a leaf out of the Gordie Howe hit-first-ask-questions-later book. DH's exhibition game chop on the Leafs' Brendan Bell, so outraged Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons, that SS asserts Heatley "should have been suspended for the chop." (P.S. He was not!)

NHL honchos held a big bash last week at a Manhattan club in conjunction with FHM men's magazine. Gary Bettman and a slew of players - even the NHLPA's Ted Saskin - showed up. It was a splendid time for interplay with the stickhandlers and the Commish; except for one thing; the over-hyped music. "It was impossible to talk in a rational way," says one reporter who tried to hold a conversation with a player. "Saskin looked like he wanted to run for the door!"

Rangers' tough guy and former Bruin, Colton Orr, is not one of Bobby Orr's relatives in the game. (AP)

The Rangers' Colton Orr often is asked if he's related to Hall of Famer Bobby Orr. He's not, but Bobby does have relatives in the ice game. His nephews, Doug and Kyle, skate for the Arizona (Prescott Valley) Sundogs. They're in the Central League and will be playing out of the brand, new Prescott Valley Convention and Events Center, opening November 10th.

Michael Barnett ranks among the top story-tellers in our game. He relates a gem about the time that Cliff Fletcher ran the Atlanta Flames. "Cliff was in his office late one night when they were having a concert at the old Omni," Barnett tells us. "Suddenly he gets a phone call that one of the performers wants to see a hockey person. Being the only one there, Cliff went down and met a big, burly guy and they went to Fletcher's dressing room where he met the performer. The performer asked Cliff all kinds of hockey questions - about the fights and whatn not - and they talked for a half-hour. Then, the performer had to go on stage. It was Elvis Presley! And the big, burly fellow happened to be Presley's manager, Colonel Parker."

Atlanta FlamReality TV has found its way into the NHL. In "Making The Cut," a show airing only on Canadian television, Scotty Bowman and Mike Keenan ran an instructional group, giving the top six players a chance to attend an NHL training camp. Goalie Michael Mole wound up with the Senators. "It was a great experience," says Mole, who eventually landed a spot on the Coyotes' ECHL affiliate, the Phoenix Roadrunners.

The Kiddie Korner: It's possible that the oldest player on Boston's top line could be 24-year-old NHL sophomore, Brad Boyes, who would skate alongside Patrice Bergeron, 21, and 19-year-old rookie, Phil Kessel.

Hockey lost one of its most diligent journalists with the passing of 53-year-old Jack Lautier. The Bristol, Connecticut journalist was responsible for many marvelous works before being defeated by lung cancer. Our favorite was a magnificently esoteric work called, "Forever Whalers - From Abrahamsson To Zuke; An Encyclopedia Of Hockey's Icemen." It was so comprehensive that even Pierre McGuire is in the tome - with hair!

Kings made another good move, acquiring Jack Johnson and Oleg Tverdovsky. Third overall in the 2005 Draft, JJ will fit nicely alongside Rob Blake. As for center Eric Belanger and defenseman Tim Gleason, who moved to Carolina, the Canes are equally tickled. "The deal improves our forward lines and adds a very good, young defenseman with NHL experience," says Jimmy Rutherford who's made precious few mistakes in recent years. "Eric and Tim strengthen the balance of our team." Can't argue with that!

Quote Of The Week: Saku Koivu, discussing the small cataract that limits vision in his left eye: "It's not a good feeling. I worry about it, but it's not cancer." Koivu knows all about it.

Claude Julien is one of three current NHL coaches who were at one time fired by the Habs. (AP)

There's a fascinating Trifecta in the NHL coaching ranks: three fired Canadiens' coaches whose lives impinged on one another. Alain (Vancouver) Vigneault was replaced by Michel (Pittsburgh) Therrien who then got canned and Claude (New Jersey) Julien next got the job. "We all acquired a huge experience being able to coach the Canadiens," says Therrien. "Whether it was on the ice, in practice or dealing with the media, those elements made us the better for it."

There are lots of reasons to like the Coyotes but one of the more esoteric explanations comes by way of the Arizona Republic's, Bob Young, discussing Jeremy Roenick: "He's not only a dynamic player - still - but he's also one of the most quotable guys in sports. Plus you never know when he's going to tell somebody - media, fans, management - to kiss his frosty fanny."

John Davidson pursued Jay McKee based on his observations as an MSG Network analyst. "I talked to him," says JD, "and got to know his character." Meanwhile, McKee's new teammate, Eric Brewer, compares McKee to Jason Smith. "Like Jason," says Brewer, "Jay was a captain, he blocks shots, hits and does all those things that not a lot of people notice." Except Davidson!

Pat LaFontaine continues his relentless pursuit of charity work. His "Companions In Courage" foundation will be hosting another golf classic while Patty will engage in a fund-raising Ironman Triathlon. Patty's brainchild, The Lion's Den - a hospital play area for kids to distract them from their troubles - program is expanding. The Hall of Famer hopes eventually to have one in every hospital in America.

Was Nicky Zherdev crying wolf with his threat to play in Russia? Whatever; he's back where he belongs re-signing with Columbus.

The Blues hammered out a deal on arena naming rights in record time. From here on their home will be called Scottrade Center. The St. Louis-based online investment brokerage's CMO Chris Moloney clinched the agreement with the Blues exec Peter McLoughlin. Interestingly, both execs were new to their jobs but clicked immediately in their dealing.