Here are the morning papers for Tuesday the 4th of November:
- Dion Phaneuf has all it takes to be a Norris Trophy winner, he just needs to work on his defensive game to take him over the top.
- Playing the Avalanche seems to bring the best out of the Blackhawks’ youngsters, as that was once again evident last night. The Blackhawks are emphasizing more shots from the point, writes Chris Kuc.
- The Avalanche lost last night’s tilt against their former head coach Joel Quenneville by a score of 6-2. Avalanche youngster David Jones was a healthy scratch on Monday.
- Tom Gilbert finally seems to be returning to last season’s form for the Oilers. If you think Craig MacTavish may have a problem with Dwayne Roloson’s baseball swing at the puck–he doesn’t. Meanwhile, Dave Staples of the Edmonton Journal examines the NHL’s ability to make it through the current economic struggles around the world.
- The Wild has placed Owen Nolan on IR with a right leg injury. Marian Gaborik will also miss the remainder of the Wild’s current road trip and Brent Burns is questionable for tonight’s tilt versus San Jose. The Wild players will be facing head coach Todd McLellan for the first time since he was had coach for many of them in Houston of the AHL.
- The Predators are about to embark on the team’s longest continuous road trip in franchise history, writes John Glennon.
- Georges Laraque thinks Obama will win the U.S. presidential election today.
- Mike Fisher still hasn’t recorded a point so far this season but Chris Stevenson of the Ottawa Sun reminds us that this really isn’t anything new for the streaky scorer. Here are some notes about tonight’s game versus the Capitals.
- The Canucks need to stop taking so many penalties, writes Ian Walker of the Vancouver Sun. Brad Zeimer tells us what life in the penalty box feels like. The Sun also has an interview with Steve Bernier. Here is the Canucks’ schedule of home games for this week.
- The Ducks have spoken to Mats Sundin about signing with their club. Ryan Getzlaf has been dominant as of late, writes Helene Elliot.
- Brian Little has been the Thrashers’ top goal scorer through the first twelve games of the season.
- Tim Thomas has been terrific for the Bruins lately and has basically wrestled the number one spot away from Manny Fernandez for now, writes Fluto Shinzawa. In injury news, Chuck Kobasew’s ankle is pretty much back to normal and the winger is expecting to return to the line-up Thursday versus the Maple Leafs.
- Lindy Ruff had to ensure that his team didn’t take the Devils lightly last night, and he obviously did a good job as the Sabres blanked New Jersey 2-0.
- The Ruutu-Helminen-LaRose line came together almost entirely by chance, yet it has created scoring chances for Peter Laviolette and the Hurricanes, writes Chip Alexander. In roster news, the Hurricanes have waived Dan LaCouture.
- The Blue Jackets rallied from down three goals in the third period to take the Islanders into overtime, but ended up losing in bizarre fashion, writes Aaron Portzline. The Blue Jackets were without Derick Brassard (flu) and Rostislav Klesla (wrist) for last night’s contest.
- The Stars have signed Mark Parrish to a one-year contract.
- The Red Wings don’t play again until Saturday so the team’s focus will be on improving its defensive play. Mike Babcock didn’t realize how much of a difference the NHL’s new offensive zone face-off after a penalty rule would really make.
- With the Kings facing off against the Ducks tonight, Rich Hammond of the L.A. Daily News examines the current state of both teams. Chris Foster of the L.A. Times says Anze Kopitar needs to pick up his intensity. Meanwhile, Erik Ersberg gets the start tonight for the Kings, his first of the season.
- Peter DeBoer has not been happy with his team’s effort, writes Brian Costa. The stats don’t lie, as the Panthers are near the bottom in all important statistical categories. One of the positives for the Panthers this season has been the play of off-season acquisition Cory Stillman.
- “I couldn’t answer that right now,” said Devils GM Lou Lamoriello about whether Martin Brodeur’s injury was serious or not.
- The Islanders blew yet another lead last night versus Columbus, but this time they came back and scored (twice) in overtime to walk away with a much needed two points. Meanwhile, Mike Peca isn’t very sold on the Islanders’ current youth movement.
- Nigel Dawes is suffering a sophomore slump so far this season, writes Steve Zipay. The Rangers aren’t going to let Saturday’s meltdown versus the Leafs get them down too much.
- The Flyers are considering signing Brendan Shanahan. Coming into the season, people didn’t know what to expect from Simon Gagne but he sure has exceeded everyone’s expectations, writes Ed Moran.
- The Coyotes have reunited Peter Mueller with Olli Jokinen and Shane Doan. Meantime, the Coyotes need Ed Jovanovski to start recording points, because he has somehow been held without a goal or assist so far this season.
- The Penguins practiced their team soccer skills on Monday. Rob Rossi wonders if Michel Therrien has mellowed?
- San Jose coach Todd McLellan has been pleasantly surprised by the play of youngster Devon Setoguchi.
- The Lightning hasn’t produced on the power play but that doesn’t mean they aren’t close to breaking out. Matt Carle is finally starting to feel comfortable for the Bolts.
- The Capitals are ecstatic to have Alexander Ovechkin back in the team’s line-up for tonight’s game against Ottawa.
- The Leafs have gained more offensive confidence after their last few games, writes Rob Longley. October went very well for Toronto, but we may see the true Leafs team when they go through a tough November schedule.
For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.