Monday Morning NHL Papers (Eastern Conference): Martin Brodeur thinks Ryan Miller is easy choice for U.S., Eugene Melnyk calls out his stars and Alexander Ovechkin returns tonight

Atlantic Division

• Martin Brodeur thinks that Ryan Miller is the clear number one netminder for the United States at the upcoming Olympics.  The Devils’ 5-on-3 power play unit now includes five forwards.
• New York played well enough to beat Detroit on Sunday, but just couldn’t get on the scoreboard, writes Michael Obernauer.  The Rangers’ poor power play is costing them games, explains Artur Staple of Newsday.  It sure is odd, but it appears that John Tortorella is beginning to stress defense-first in the Big Apple.
• The Flyers are a disaster in all three zones right now, but what has happened to Ray Emery?  There may be a lot of controvery surrounding the Flyers, but Mike Richards seems to be taking control of the locker room.
• Mark Letestu knows he is replacing Sidney Crosby on the Penguins roster, not his production.  The Penguins shouldn’t have too much trouble tonight, as the Hurricanes are visiting Mellon Arena and have yet to win a game on the road.  Jordan Staal is really coming into his own, explains Rob Rossi.

Northeast Division

• Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe says the jury may be out on the Phil Kessel deal, but the Tuukka Rask deal was a straight steal.  “It’s nice to have two solid, solid goaltenders,” said Zdeno Chara.
• Sabers legend Gilbert Perraeault thinks the Sabres can go all the way this season, writes Mike Harrington.  Tim Connolly is not very strong in the face-off circle, and coach Lindy Ruff has take notice.
• Jack Todd says Bob Gainey never should have fired Guy Carbonneau.  Dave Stubbs has a good article about the Canadiens organization retiring Elmer Lach’s number.  Ryan O’Byrne was happy to change his number so his old number three could be retired.
• Eugene Melynk didn’t name names, but it is clear who he is calling out when he says his best players need to play better.  Some of those players showed up last night, as the Senators won in a shootout at Anaheim.
• The Leafs had their annual skills competition at home yesterday.  If you didn’t know, Francois Beauchemin has quite a hard shot.  Chris Zelkovich says that the Phil Kessel return to Boston was a straight bust.  Tonight marks the return of Pavel Kubina and Nikolai Antropov to Toronto.

Southeast Division

• Here are some Thrashers notes heading into tonight’s game in Toronto.
• Jussi Jokinen will return tonight as the Hurricanes try and win their first road game of the season.
• Last season, the Panthers got some nice production from their third and fourth lines, this season, however, that has not been the case.
• Tampa Bay coach Rick Tocchet wants his team to play angry, as the Bolts have lost eleven straight against Washington.  Here are some notes on the Bolts and Capitals heading into tonight’s game.
• David Steckel hopes he has turned the corner of his season-long slump but he knows Bruce Boudreau is supporting him.  In other news, that guy named Alexander Ovechkin returns to the Capitals lineup tonight.