NHL Morning Papers (Valentine’s Edition): Modano looks to the 2010 Olympics, Lemieux eager to face his former team, Mason taking Columbus to Playoffs.

I trust most readers survived Friday the 13th, and as a reward here are the morning papers for Saturday the 14th of February:

Southeast Division

Thrashers score as NHL’s Hockey Love Cupids as something about that Philips Arena ice stoked the fire for these lovebirds.
A day to remember for one 13-year-old fan as the Canes team up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The Panthers will open the 2009-10 regular season in Europe.
The Lightning head into tonight’s matchup against Washington on full alert, knowing they are only a defensive breakdown away from giving Mike Green a treasured spot in the NHL record book.
Waiver Pickup Kronwall is ready for a new opportunity. In other Caps news, Semin is ready to return but Kozlov is not. And finally it appears that Eric Fehr is making great strides.

Northeast Division

Vladimir Sobotka is hearing the call again for the Bruins. Claude Julien points Patrice Bergeron in a different direction.
In the wake of the terrible crash of Continental Flight 3407 in Buffalo the Sabres and the NHL considered postponing the game. The plane crash happened in an area where a number of Sabres players reside.
Jason Pominville breaks out of his massive goal drought.
Canadians snap road skid at 7 in a game they apparently didn’t deserve to win.
Push is about to come to shove between the Senators and tough guy Chris Neil. People around the Nation’s capital are discussing a new phenomenon called the Clouston Effect.
Bates Battaglia and Boyd Devereaux are back in the NHL, at least for now. The Maple Leafs have placed winger Ryan Hollweg on waivers.

Atlantic Division

The New Jersey Devils want to make the Prudential Center uncomfortable for opponents. Looks like Claude Lemieux is relishing the opportunity to return to NJ.
Lost in the Flyers’ goaltender controversy is the fact that the team’s offense has had a staggering drop-off in the last seven weeks. It appears the Flyers margin for error is dwindling.
Ryan Whitney discusses his recovery. The Penguins are looking to redem themselves against the Leafs after their loss two weeks ago.

Pacific Division

Chris Pronger ignores trade rumors.
It appears that Mike Modano will stick around for one more season so he can play in the 2010 Olympics.

Northwest Division

Look for the Oilers to be searching for some blue line help.
Forsberg‘s return to the ice was enough to warrant a standing ‘O’ from the hometown fans.
Vote of confidence is understated but uplifting for Miettinen in Minnesota.

Central Division

Joel Quenneville wasn’t happy with his team’s effot and felt that they didn’t have enough guys playing.
The Bluejackets players are singing Steve Mason’s praise and no it has nothing to do with it being “so cold in the D“. Writer’s Note: I apologzie for the link to the worst/greatest song ever to come out of Detroit.
A former Wing gets the winner vs. his old club. The Detroit area teams continue to run promo‘s to entice fans to return despite the poor economy. Writer’s Note: As I watched the Redwings/Wild game on Thursday they offered 3 games for $81 (calling it the Hossa package). Interestingly they even allowed the writer to select the Redwings/Sharks game as part of this deal.
Blues owner Dave Checketts addresses season-ticket holders complaints.