Game On!

• Brent Sutter's decision about returning to the Devils should be in hand momentarily. Tom Gulitti, beat man for the Bergen Record, has a column urging the coach to declare his intentions NOW.
  
  Our guess is that Sutter already has tipped off Lou Lamoriello. It would surprise no one if the Devils boss already has Brent's successor in mind.
  
  Cornered by Calgary Herald columnist George Johnson, Sutter puts it this way: "I know I have to make a decision soon, out of respect to Lou and the Devils. I can't sit around and take months to make a call on this. I'm leaning one way right now, but I want to be absolutely sure."
  
  It says here that he's gone!

• June 18 has been declared "Martin Brodeur Day" in the Garden State. The Devils are inviting fans to a complimentary trip on the "Devils Train to Trenton" to join in the celebration. The train, leaving at 10:26 from Newark Penn Station is sold out in two hours – with a capacity of 300 fans.

• When it comes to getting a mortgage on New York's gossip columns, Sean Avery is the master. After all, they don't call him "Page Six Sean" for nothing. In Sean's defense, we're told that Avery has had his fill of gossip items. But the gossip-mongers pursue him the way they do Paris Hilton.
  
  Right behind Avery in Broadway popularity is his teammate, Henrik Lundqvist. Henny recently was rated behind Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and David Wright as Number Four on New York's "Pretty Boy" athlete list.
  
  And if you're wondering what Avery is up to, well, for one thing, he recently was a guest at Burberry America's unveiling of its Madison Avenue headquarters. According to Richard Johnson of the New York Post, "They sipped champagne in the drizzle."

• Jeff Beukeboom was one of the Rangers' most popular defensemen until a concussion prematurely ended his career. Now we hear that his son, Brock, 6-2, 200 pounds, could be a prize in next year's Entry Draft. Unlike his old man, Brock is an attacking backliner.

• One of the most fascinating goalies to eye – in terms of immediate futures – is Scott Clemmensen who bailed out the Devils when Marty Brodeur went down with an injury this past season. Does Clemmer land a Number One job? (Doubtful, we say.) Or does he return to New Jersey?

• Progress is being made on Charles Wang's Lighthouse Project. This will include a new arena. On July 7, there will be a vote on the completeness of the environmental study. Then they can schedule the public hearings. This is far from over, but it is a step in the right direction.

• Islanders are looking for an assistant coach; possibly a former team member who can work with the defensemen. How about Dave Lewis as a possibility? We'd love it to be Denis Potvin, but his marquee value might dissuade Scott Gordon.

• Just a Though Dep't: Wouldn't it be a neat family affair if the Rangers picked up free agent Joel Lundqvist to team with his brother, Henrik?

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