Illegal Curve Hockey

Categories: NHL Morning Papers

NHL Morning Papers (Tuesday Edition): Alexander Frolov deep in the Los Angeles doghouse, Ryan Smyth pushing for spot on Canadian Olympic team and the effect of the rising Canadian dollar

What kind of effect with the rising Canadian dollar have on Canadian sports teams?
With the Ducks struggling on the power play, Ryan Getzlaf has been taken off the point.
Don Waddell remains optimistic about re-signing Ilya Kovalchuk in Atlanta.
Meanwhile, Waddell is busy working on a contract extension for Rich Peverley.
The Bruins players were surprised that Chuck Kobasew was traded to Minnesota, but understand the nature of the business.
“I talked to him and he’s unhappy to go obviously,” said Kobasew’s linemate and roomate on the road Patrice Bergeron.
The Sabres are so concerned about the flu spreading through the team that Clarke MacArthur was asked to wear a surgical mask during the team’s flight to Florida.
New Flames defenseman Aaron Johnson can tell his teammates all they need to know about tonight’s visiting superstar, and his best friend, Rick Nash.
Dion Phaneuf is bouncing back offensively this season, writes Randy Sportak.

Dion Phaneuf has been better offensively this season. (Picture courtesy of cbc.ca)

The Hurricanes are doing their best to consistently create offense, explains Chip Alexander.
Joel Quenneville will announce today who his starting netminder will be for the team’s next game against Vancouver.
Yesterday we received word that Matt Duchene was staying in Colorado this season, now we find out youngster Ryan O’Reilly will be doing the same.
Forget the rookies, Terry Frei of the Denver Post cannot get over the play of goaltender Craig Anderson.
Scott Howson was very happy to be able to bring in Anton Stralman to address his team’s power play issues, writes Aaron Portzline.
Mike Commodore will not return to the Blue Jackets lineup tonight in Calgary.
The Stars slept in the second period last night against Los Angeles and it cost them the game, writes Mike Heika.
Optimism over Mike Modano’s return did not last very long, as he will now be out longer than expected.
Pavel Datsyuk was skating on a line with Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom on Monday.
“That’s the thing I would tell you about Bert; he’s really tried to look after his defensive game since he’s been here,” said Wings coach Mike Babcock about Todd Bertuzzi.
“I don’t think we started the game well but from the second period on, we took it to them,” said Nikolai Khabibulin about his team’s win over Vancouver last night in which he was the Oilers’ best player.
In injury news, Oilers forward Ryan Stone left Rexall Place on crutches last night after being injured in the first period.
Radek Dvorak is really happy he decided to stay in Florida this off-season, writes George Richards.
Helene Elliot of the L.A. Times has more on Kings GM Dean Lombardi’s unhappiness with Alexander Frolov.
Meantime, Kings winger Ryan Smyth is making a hard push to be considered for the Canadian Olympic team.

Ryan Smyth sporting a Team Canada jersey is not an unfamiliar sight. (Picture courtesy of tsn.ca)

Todd Richards knows the only way the Wild can get out of their slump is from hard work.
The Wild is hoping newcomer Chuck Kobasew can create a spark tomorrow in Colorado.
Mike Cammalleri wants the Habs to avoid pressing the panic button, explains Dave Stubbs.
Marc-Andre Bergeron wants to help the Habs’ power play but he made it clear he’s not Andrei Markov.
The Predators have lost Jason Arnott to an arm/shoulder injury for about one-to-two weeks.
At least Nashville signed first round pick Ryan Ellis to an entry-level deal.
The New Jersey Devils have waived offensive defenseman Cory Murphy.
The Devils really have to cut down on their high amount of too many men on the ice penalties this season.
Doug Weight and John Tavares gave back to the youth of Long Island on Monday.
With the Rangers giving Henrik Lundqvist a night off, Steve Valiquette didn’t do the job last night for New York.
The Rangers took too many offensive zone penalties last night.
Meantime, Chris Higgins is having a difficult time changing his mindset under John Tortorella’s new aggressive system.
Peter Regin is slated to return to the Senators’ lineup for the team’s next game against Nashville.
There were a number of line changes for the Flyers yesterday at practice.
It is scary for his opponents, but Sidney Crosby just continues to get better in all areas of the game.
Meantime, Maxime Talbot is back on the ice with his Penguins teammates but he is still a ways away from returning to the lineup.
The Sharks came out with their most balanced offensive attack of the season, in defeating the Rangers 7-3 at MSG.
Jeremy Rutherford talks to Jay McKee about playing against his old Blues teammates tonight.

Jay McKee plays against his former Blues teammates tonight. (Picture courtesy of yahoo.com)

Rookie James Wright has been placed on a line with Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis.
Standing at 0-6-1, lots of practice time may be exactly what the Maple Leafs need right now.
In postive news, Jonas Gustavsson was back on the ice for the Leafs yesterday.
Staying in Toronto, defenseman Luke Schenn responds to his quasi-benching on Saturday night.
The Canucks outplayed and outshot the Oilers last night but they, once again, lost on the road.
Former Hershey Bears head coach and now Capitals assistant Bob Woods has been enjoying his time in the NHL.
The talk in Quebec yesterday was whether there is a bias towards French-Canadian hockey players.