Tuesday Morning NHL Papers: Western Conference

Central Division

• In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, former NHLer Keith Primeau admits it was difficult to watch Jonathan Toews get hit by Willie Mitchell.  There is no word on when Toews will return, writes Tim Sassone.
• “Every day is a good day in Jake’s world,” said Blue Jackets center Derick Brassard about teammate Jakub Voracek.  Worries about Derick Brassard and Fedor Tyutin were lessened when their x-rays were negative, so both players should be in the lineup tomorrow night.
• Playing on a line with Darren Helm and Patrick Eaves, Kris Draper thinks they may be his two fastest linemates ever.  Meanwhile, Jamie Samuelsen writing in the Detroit Free Press points out that the Wings haven’t played very well, yet don’t sit far back from their competition in the standings.
• The Predators have lost top defenseman Shea Weber for one-to-two weeks with a foot injury.
• The Blues know they have the talent on the ice, they just haven’t had the same intensity and work ethic so far this season.

Northwest Division

• Craig Anderson, the NHL’s first star of the month, could garner consideration for Team USA when it comes to the Vancouver Olympics.
• To say Brent Sutter wasn’t happy at Flames practice yesterday would be a massive understatement.  Lucky for Daymond Langkow and Eric Nystrom, they were given the day off to rest injuries.  Meanwhile, there is some controversy surrounding the Flames’ H1N1 shots and whether the team jumped the line.
• “We don’t stick with our game plan. It’s a real problem,” said Oilers defenseman Ladislav Smid after his team lost on the Island.  Pat Quinn sounded plain disappointed in his club after last night’s contest.  Former Oiler Rob Schremp was a healthy scratch for the Islanders on Monday.
• Would you be surprised if Michael Russo told you that Marek Zidlicky’s jersey wasn’t tied down for his fight with Sidney Crosby?
• The Canucks have signed Matt Pettinger to a one-year contract.  In good news, Roberto Luongo was back on the ice yesterday.  Hey, things could be worse in Vancouver, writes Iain MacIntyre.

Pacific Division

• Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski has been suspended two games by the NHL for his hit on Shane Doan.  Meantime, Mark Whicker of the Orange County Register profiles former Ducks forward Dan Bylsma.
• In Dallas, Marc Crawford is trying out some new forward lines, explains Mike Heika.
• Terry Murray gave the Kings players a wake-up call in the second intermission of last night’s game at Phoenix and his team responded.
• “Tonight, we just weren’t very good,” said Coyotes coach Dave Tippett after losing 5-3 to the Kings at home.  They may not have been good last night, but the Coyotes have sure been surprising overall, writes Jim Gintonio.  By the way, the Coyotes sale was approved by Judge Baum.  Apparently no one told the fans in Phoenix, as less than 6,000 fans came to watch last night’s game.

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