Here are the morning papers for Saturday the 28th of February:
- The Ducks are still unhappy about Paul Gaustad’s hit on Ryan Getzlaf, and more importantly, the fact he wasn’t disciplined.
- John Anderson gives his thoughts on his first season coaching the Thrashers. In roster news, Atlanta has activated Jim Slater off IR.
- Milan Lucic is questionable for this afternoon’s game with an upper-body injury. Blake Wheeler and Marc Savard also missed practice yesterday.
- If Tim Connolly has a choice in the matter, he’d stay in Buffalo.
- The Flames handled the Wild quite easily on Friday. The Flames did win, but Jarome Iginla’s record will have to wait another night. Don’t expect Darryl Sutter to make a blockbuster before the deadline. Is Gary Roberts to Calgary a possibility?
- The Blackhawks got to celebrate a Jonathan Toews hat trick (twice at that) but it still wasn’t enough for the victory. Here is Scotty Bowman’s take on the deadline.
- Ian Lapperriere hopes to be with the Avalanche past the trade deadline, writes Terry Frei.
- Columbus and video review haven’t got along so well this season. The results of video review involving the Blue Jackets this season. In player news, Jason Chimera wants to know what is wrong with his groin.
- The Stars know that every game is essentially a playoff game for them. Dave Tippett is just the man to lead the Stars into the playoffs, writes J.J. Taylor.
- Chris Osgood returned to the Wings lineup and stopped 30 of 31 shots to lead the team to a 2-1 victory. With a quarater of the season remaining, fans still don’t know who will be Detroit’s starting netminder in the playoffs. (Writer’s note: People don’t remember that Dominik Hasek was the starting netminder for the Wings when they started the playoffs last season. No reason for panic.) Last night was Kirk Maltby’s 1000th NHL game.
- The Oilers are hoping Dennis Grebeshkov will return to the team’s lineup tonight. Dwayne Roloson will have to be sharp tonight versus Minnesota. Robert Tychkowski takes a little shot at Dustin Penner in this morning’s Edmonton Sun.
- Craig Anderson is not on the trade market, says Panthers GM Jacques Martin. Apparently Nick Boynton was sent home from the Panthers road trip for disciplinary reasons. Here are more details on the team suspension.
- The Kings couldn’t crack Chris Osgood more than once, as they lost 2-1 at Detroit.
- Michael Russo called the Wild’s game at Calgary “one of the most hideous efforts in weeks.” Is Stephane Veilleux on his way out of town?
- The Habs picked up an emotional 4-3 overtime victory last night. Pat Hickey tells readers what Glen Metropolit brings to the lineup. Red Fisher talks about Michael Ryder’s success in Boston.
- “We’re trying to be a buyer,” said Predators GM David Poile.
- David Clarkson tells Mark Everson how playing lacrosse helped him play hockey. Ed Jovanovski, Chris Pronger and Derek Morris are just a few names floated out by Everson, as to which players might interest the Devils.
- Brendan Witt has been suspended five games for his hit to the head of Toronto winger Niklas Hagman.
- Sean Avery could be with the Rangers on Sunday, writes Arthur Staple. Jay Greenberg says Avery should likely be in the lineup on Thursday night. John Tortorella wouldn’t mind coaching Team USA in 2010.
- Chris Neil and the Senators are nowhere near a contract agreement, which makes it more likely the gritty winger will be dealt. As a gift for his double-minor on Thursday, Brian Lee has been sent back to the AHL.
- Scottie Upshall received what can only be termed as a very questionable penalty in overtime and the Habs took advantage. If you missed it, Glen Metropolit actually played against the Flyers last night.
- Wayne Gretzky isn’t giving up on his team’s playoff hopes.
- The Penguins won an exciting game at Chicago on Friday, and you could tell by the atmosphere in the dressing room after the game. Impressively, the Penguins won on the road against a very good team without Sidney Crosby.
- The Sharks enter the hockey capital of the world this evening.
- The Lightning played a more balanced and structured game, they just couldn’t get any bounces as the Canucks defeated them 2-1 at GM Place. Shane O’Brien says his former organization panicked way too early.
- Both Tomas Kaberle and Mike Van Ryn will be in the Leafs lineup tonight. Give Tim Stapleton a lot of credit for his persistence. Don’t worry, the Leafs organization is not basing any decisions on the team’s recent success.
- The Canucks were lucky to record two points on Friday and they know it. Hey, at this point in the season any team will take the points when they can get them.
- Washington GM George McPhee doesn’t know if the trade deadline will be busy or quiet.