NHL Morning Papers (Tuesday Edition): Steve Sullivan hopes to return by weekend, Brandon Sutter faces his dad and Bryan McCabe returns to Toronto

Here are the morning papers for Tuesday the 6th of January:

• Sammy Pahlsson will be leaned on a little more over the next couple games to help the Ducks offensively.
• The Thrashers are going to miss Bryan Little who is day-to-day with a rib injury.
• With Marco Sturm and Patrice Bergeron on the sidelines, that doesn’t mean Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli is going to make a trade.  Boston’s goalie rotation has worked extremely well so far this season.
• The Sabres head into tonight’s game with the lowly Senators feeling good about themselves, writes John Vogl.  Additionally, the Sabres get Craig Rivet back in the lineup tonight after the veteran missed the last 11 games.
• If the Flames want to be among the best teams in the NHL, they have to start beating the best teams.  No better team to make that statement against than the visiting San Jose Sharks.  The Flames’ season seemed to turn around after losing to San Jose in November.  Here are some Flames writers’ takes on tonight’s game.
• Adam Burish was very happy to finally return to the lineup for the Blackhawks.
• Hurricanes coach Ron Francis is thinking about whether coaching is something he’d be interested in doing long-term.  Canes winger Brandon Sutter gets to suit up against his dad’s team tonight.
• Adrian Dater tells us that it really is difficult to make trades in today’s NHL.  Meanwhile, the Avalance will be without Adam Foote and Ian Lapperiere for tonight’s game.
• Many of the Blue Jackets players have picked up the slack with the team incurring so many injuries.  Stefan Legein wants back in for the Blue Jackets.  Here are the Blue Jackets’ projected lines for tonight’s game versus Detroit.
• Brett Hull adds a creative element to the Stars front office, writes Mike Heika.
• Both Wings goalies will be getting playing time, it just won’t be an alternating system for every other game.  Detroit really needs to improve its horrible road penalty killing.
• The Oilers have to give it up to the play of their fourth line last night.  They caused havoc just like they set out to do.  Bill Guerin visited Edmonton as an Islander last night but will never forget his time as an Oiler.  If you watched the WJHC, it looks like Oilers prospect Jordan Eberle is a keeper.
• Bryan McCabe returns to Toronto tonight for the first time since being traded from there this summer.
• Here is the Kings mid-season report from the L.A. Daily News.
• Owen Nolan has been a nice breath of fresh air for Wild fans with his improved play as of late.
• Marc Denis knows this could be his last shot at the NHL, writes Pat Hickey. On this date in Canadiens history lots of things happened.
• After being out a long, long time, Steve Sullivan is hoping to return this Saturday for the Predators.  Tonight’s game against Colorado could dictate more internal roster moves for the Predators.
• Brent Sutter isn’t so sure he’ll like coaching against his son tonight, writes Dan Martin.
• The Islanders were victims of a couple bad bounces, and that’s why they left Edmonton with a 3-2 loss after leading the game 2-0 after the first period.  Both Doug Weight and Bill Guerin are used to hearing trade rumors.
• At the end of the day, Henrik Lundqvist will decide how far the Rangers go this season.  His shutout last night sure provides hope for Rangers fans.  Wade Redden was excellent last night, writes Larry Brooks.
• Does Mike Fisher have serious off-ice game?
• Just as some Flyers are getting healthier, others are getting injured, writes Ed Moran.
• The Coyotes will look to exact some revenge against the Blackhawks tonight.
• Last night’s loss to the Rangers makes the Penguins next game against Atlanta a must-win.  Miro Satan was skating on the fourth line last night.
• The Sharks have a terrific road record but they think they can be even better, writes David Pollak.
• The Blues are getting Andy McDonald back at practice, and the speedy center is hoping to return to the lineup soon.
• Gary Roberts could be out another 2-3 weeks with his elbow injury.  The Bolts’ MVP line saw their ice-time cut significantly last game.
• Bryan McCabe expects to be booed at the ACC tonight.  One of the next generation, Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn, returns to the lineup tonight for Toronto.  With Schenn back in the lineup, who will sit?
• Considering they are going to have two All-Star players join their lineup, the Canucks aren’t in bad shape.  Mats Sundin could debut Wednesday versus Edmonton.
• The Capitals sure don’t like the Flyers.