NHL Morning Papers (Tuesday Edition): Wild not expecting to make trade in near future, Robert Nilsson doesn’t show to optional skate and the Hurricanes have waived Frantisek Kaberle

Here are the morning papers for Tuesday the 30th of December:

• Ilya Kovalchuk has somehow gone eight games without scoring a goal, writes Mike Knobler.
• Milan Lucic has been trying to do too much as of late and that’s why he’s been switched off the team’s top line for the time being.  Steve Conroy with five things to expect in the future if you are a Bruins fan.
• The Sabres have to stop playing so poorly in the third period.
• It was Eric Nystrom’s night on Monday, as the young winger scored the winning goal short-handed against the Wild. 
• The Hurricanes have placed Frantisek Kaberle on waivers.
• Brian Campbell thought the Blackhawks would eventually be very good, but he didn’t think they’d be this good this fast.
• Who needs Paul Stastny and Joe Sakic? As the Avalanche scored five times to defeat the Predators 5-1.  Meanwhile, Tony Granato doesn’t think Jordin Tootoo answers the bell.
• Steve Mason continued his terrific rookie season last night in Los Angeles, as his Jackets defeated the Kings 2-0.  Andrew Murray has been promoted to the second line for Columbus.
• The Stars played well on Monday but they still lost 3-1 to the NHL leading Sharks, writes Mike Heika.  Stars fans can look forward to WJHC star Jamie Benn eventually manning the ice sometime soon for Dallas.
• Considering only four points separate the two teams, the Wings understand how important the team’s upcoming home-and-home with the Blackhawks is.  Nicklas Lidstrom is doubtful for tonight’s game at Joe Louis Arena.
• Robert Nilsson isn’t exactly working his way into the Oilers’ coaches good books by skipping yesterday’s optional workout.  Even though both teams are heading in different directions, Edmonton won’t be taking Ottawa lightly.
• If you didn’t know better, you would have thought the Habs were playing at home last night.  Considering they only have one player with 10+ goals, the Panthers are certainly using the “scoring by committee” approach.
• Since Jonathan Quick got his sleeping issues figured out, he has looked like a very capable goaltender for the Kings organization.
• The Wild actually played quite well last night at the Saddledome but they couldn’t score and lost 2-1.  Even with his team struggling mightily, GM Doug Risebrough doesn’t see any big changes on the horizon.
• Maxim Lapierre was the story last night for the streaking Habs, writes Pat Hickey.
• The Predators got dominated for a second straight day last night in Colorado.  Will the Predators make some AHL callups to try and improve the team’s ever-struggling offense?
• The Islanders played a poor third period as per usual, writes Arthur Staple.  In what is becoming an almost expected event, Rick DiPietro is down with an injury.
• The Rangers picked up arguably the most important win of the season last night versus the Islanders.  It looks like Tom Renney made the right move putting Petr Prucha in the lineup.
• The Senators won’t be claiming Frank Kaberle off waivers because of his contract.  All the Ottawa Sun hockey columnists think the Senators’ work ethic has been lacking.
• The Flyers were excited to finally be able to practice on Monday, writes Ed Moran.
• You might not hear a lot about him, but Ken Klee has provided a nice veteran element for the Coyotes’ defense.
• The Penguins players have taken responsibility for the team’s poor play as of late.  Hal Gil will return to the Penguins lineup tonight.
• Evgeni Nabokov was great for the Sharks last night in the team’s win at Dallas.  Dave Tippett comments on Claude Lemieux’s possible return.
• It looks like Paul Kariya’s season is over.
• The Tampa players like the way Rick Tocchet runs the show.
• Pavel Kubina is trying his best to ignore all the trade talk surrounding him.  Ron Wilson says his team needs more leadership.
• Mats Sundin has shown up in Vancouver.
• Jose Theodore is trying to earn the number one spot in Washington.  The Capitals deserve a couple All-Star spots.

For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.

**Once again, the Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal and Vancouver Province sites are giving me trouble.  Thus, those articles are not included.**