Here are the morning papers for Friday the 23rd of January:
- Blake Wheeler has surprised even those close to him with how well he has played this season. Meanwhile, the Bruins are probably wishing they never traded Kris Versteeg.
- The Flames are going to try and enjoy their time away from the rink this weekend. Dion Phaneuf may be suspended for his hit on R.J. Umberger. When the All-Star break ends, the Flames will have their sights set on catching the Detroit Red Wings in the standings. The Flames’ Calgary Herald writers give you their take on the Flames so far this season.
- Considering the ugly stretch the Hawks have recently had, the All-Star break has come at the right time.
- Milan Hejduk is excited to make his first appearance at the All-Star game since 2001. Rick Sadowski of the Rocky Mountain News gives Claude Lemieux a lot of credit for his comeback.
- Rick Nash will suit up at this weekend’s All-Star game. Wade Dubielewicz should get a start next weekend for the Jackets. Even after two tough losses in Alberta, the Blue Jackets head into the break pretty happy with their season.
- Marty Turco is looking forward to some time off with the family this weekend.
- Anthony Stewart seems comfortable playing on the Panthers’ fourth line. If you hadn’t noticed, the Panthers are only one point out of the playoffs.
- The All-Star game isn’t what it used to be, writes Red Fisher. Bob’s son Steve Gainey is back in the AHL after coming back from retirement a couple seasons ago. The Habs’ All-Star defensive duo have come from different places but always find themselves together. Red Fisher remembers a classic Habs/Hawks game. Alexei Kovalev will be wearing the “C” for the Eastern Conference this weekend. Martin St. Louis is excited to be playing the All-Star game in his home province.
- John Glennon of the Tennessean tells us just how good Shea Weber has become.
- MSG and Cablevision want the Islanders to stay on Long Island.
- Here are five things the Rangers need to improve after the All-Star break. Henrik Lundqvist has been the key to the Rangers’ season. Larry Brooks calls out Glen Sather for his “hands-off” approach to the Rangers.
- Some notes from Bruce Garrioch from All-Star weekend.
- The Flyers have spoken to Peter Forsberg about coming back to Philadelphia. Never mind former Flyers, current Flyer Jeff Carter has come into his own in 2008/09.
- Even though the Coyotes played well into the break, they don’t mind the time off even if some think it will affect their momemtum. Here’s a Q & A with Peter Mueller.
- Sidney Crosby’s knee won’t allow him to suit up in Montreal. Meantime, Mathieu Garon and Michel Therrien don’t have a beef.
- Joe Thornton has been named captain of the Western Conference. Ray Ratto tells Sharks GM Doug Wilson to start making some phone calls.
- Tampa Bay’s defense is starting to contribute offensively.
- Tomas Kaberle is at the All-Star game representing the Maple Leafs but feels other teammates deserve it more than he does. Here is a list of who Brian Burke is looking to move. Marc Savard would love to be on Team Canada’s roster in Vancouver in 2010.
- The Canucks can figure it out. Canucks prospect Cody Hodgson can’t wait to play for Vancouver.
- The Capitals can improve post-break, writes Tarik El-Bashir. The 2006 NHL draft is bearing fruit as evidenced by this weekend’s game.
