Monday Morning NHL Papers (Eastern Conference): Brian Burke says he won’t ask Tomas Kaberle to waive no-trade clause, Marc Savard returns tonight and John Anderson calls Thrashers’ performance “embarassing”

Posted by Richard Pollock in NHL Morning Papers on November 23, 2009 — No Comments

Atlantic Division

Islanders rookie star John Tavares makes his Toronto debut tonight.
Steve Zipay of Newsday is reporting that Chris Drury could possibly return to the Rangers lineup sometime this week. Expect Chris Higgins to stay on the Marian Gaborik–Vinny Prospal line tonight.
The Flyers have some injury issues so they are going to need improved play from Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. People don’t realize how important a player Blair Betts is to the Flyers’ cause, but the reliable defensive center is injury-prone.
In the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dave Molinari answers some reader questions, including one about possible hometown discounts for Penguins players. Both Jordan Staal and Marc-Andre Fleury admit that possibly making the Olympic team is on their mind. The Penguins face the Panthers tonight.

Northeast Division

Perhaps Byron Bitz may find himself on the top line for Boston tonight, writes Kevin Paul Dupont. After missing 15 games, Marc Savard is excited to return to the Bruins lineup tonight.
Everyone knew Pat LaFontaine was a great person, but when you read this article you realize just how good of a person he is.
Habs enforcer Georges Laraque has a meeting with Colin Campbell today to discuss his “hit” on Niklas Kronwall.
If you are into hockey gossip, here is an interview with Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood. Jason Spezza wants to get his game going (he only has one goal this season), but he knows how to deal with slow starts. Here are some numbers from the Senators’ season so far.
The Leafs have been mentioned in trade rumors but nothing is done yet. “I have not asked Tomas (to waive his clause) and will not,” said Brian Burke about Tomas Kaberle. Vesa Toskala is gaining confidence after his best start of the season on Saturday. Meanwhile, Rickard Wallin is taking his benching like a man. Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says that former Leafs forward Mike Johnson is doing a great job on XM Radio.

Southeast Division

“I think the term should be ‘embarrassed’ after the first two periods,” said coach John Anderson. Anderson changed his lines last night and it worked to some level, as his team did comeback to record a point in the standings.
Chad LaRose is hoping that his early season slump is long behind him, writes Javier Serna.
Scott Clemmensen’s struggles and subsequent comments are in the rearview mirror after his stellar performance on Saturday against Detroit.
The Bolts ended their successful four-game road trip last night with an overtime win at Tampa Bay, writes Damian Cristodero. The Bolts had 40 shots on net on Sunday. Needless to say, Mike Lundin was ecstatic to be called up by the Lightning.
In Washington, Brian Pothier is getting back to his pre-concussion offensive ways.

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