Around the NHL

Winnipeg Free Press:  Jets debate hometown allegiances in Grey Cup.  We wouldn’t expect Aaron Rome of the Canucks to start cheering on the Lions just because he plays in Vancouver.  Similarly you can’t expect Ladd, Kane and Festerling to start cheering on the Bombers.  The team should be home from the road trip on Grey Cup Sunday, and perhaps there might be some friendly wagering between the Manitoba (Fehr, Meech) and the BC Jets.

Crosby Watch:

NHL.com:  Teammates and foes discuss Crosby’s return.   The collective hockey world is going to be watching tonight’ s Islanders/Penguins game to see how Sid the Kid handles a return to full contact NHL hockey.

Globe and Mail:  Islanders won’t hold back on Crosby in tonight’s return to NHL.  The Penguins star probably doesn’t expect any special treatment tonight, which is for the best, as the Islanders only focus is on preventing him from scoring not his health.

Globe and Mail:  Comeback hinged on doctor’s assessment.  The NHL head office has to be breathing a sigh of relief that the face of the game is finally returning to play.

TSN:  Crosby’s return a chance for something special.  Will Sidney Crosby have a spectacular game in his return?  Tune in tonight to find out.

Around the NHL:

NHL.com:  Flyers unveil ‘special’ Winter Classic jerseys.  The Flyers didn’t go too far “out there” when selecting the jerseys they will wear for the Winter Classic.  What do you think?  They have already started to prepare the rink for the Winter Classic.

Fox Chicago:  Ugly loss in Edmonton raises questions about Blackhawks.  A lot of the elite teams have faltered of late and this is causing all sorts of consternation.

Star Telegram:  Tom Gaglardi takes over as Dallas Stars owner.  The Stars need to turn it around on the ice, where the team is mired in a 5 game losing streak.  Now that they have the stability of a solid owner hopefully we can see the America Airlines Center full to capacity again.

Globe and Mail:  Leafs get their quarter-season report cards.  Just imagine where this team would be if Manitoba product James Reimer was healthy.

CBC:    Sabres lose Myers for at least a month.  After being a healthy scratch, my guess is the young Sabres blueliner will use the time off to figure our what he had done to lose favour with his coach.

Jets next opponent news – Washington Capitals:

Washington Post:  Capitals woes start with number 8.  Barry Melrose puts it best when he says:

“I’m not slamming Alex; I love him. But when I talk about great players I always say, ‘To those who are given the most, the most is expected.’ When you are given as much as Alex, being average isn’t good enough, and right now Alex is average.

Washington Post:  Dmitry Orlov to make NHL debut.  We might be in for quite a different team than the Jets saw at the MTS Centre last Thursday night.

NBC Sports:  Refs have it out for Semin.  The Caps coach is simply trying to remove some of the pressure off his embattled Russian.