Here are the morning papers for Tuesday the 16th of December:
- Randy Carlyle has challenged his top line to play better against the top teams in the NHL.
- Thrashers coach John Anderson expects Zach Bogosian to return to the team’s line-up within the next 14 days. Meanwhile, coach Anderson explains what he tries to work on with his Thrashers players in practice.
- Matt Hunwick continues to be a very pleasant surprise for the Bruins this season. If you weren’t aware, Zdeno Chara isn’t afraid to drop the gloves to stick up for his teammates.
- Sabres captain Craig Rivet will be out of the team’s line-up for at least two weeks with a shoulder injury.
- The Flames are at a point in their schedule where the team can make a run at first place in the Northwest Division lead, writes Randy Sportak. Meanwhile, Todd Bertuzzi was in Toronto dealing with the legal consequences of the Steve Moore incident yesterday, but plans on being in the Flames’ line-up tonight versus St. Louis. Coach Mike Keenan had his team working on the power play on Monday.
- The Hurricanes went out in the community and helped kids with some nice holiday shopping, writes Luke Decock. Chip Alexander thinks Eric Staal has improved his play since Paul Maurice was hired in Carolina. In injury news, Frank Kaberle returned to practice yesterday.
- The Blackhawks are hoping to carry their momentum onto the team’s upcoming Western Canadian road trip.
- The Avalanche went into the Joe last night and outworked the defending Stanley Cup champions for a 3-2 victory, writes Adrian Dater. Forget Mats Sundin, Peter Forsberg wants to return to the NHL again.
- A .500 record in the NHL isn’t what it once was, and it certainly won’t be enough to make the playoffs, writes Aaron Portzline. Blue Jackets netminder Fredrik Norrena has been placed on waivers.
- If the Stars want to make the playoffs, they have to start putting together a couple winning streaks, writes Mike Heika.
- Last night, getting off to a bad start finally hurt the Red Wings, as they lost to Colorado 3-2. Niklas Kronwall hasn’t been happy with his own play lately. Are the Red Wings going to open next season in Sweden?
- Robert Nilsson’s goal from Saturday night was very bizarre. Did you know Dustin Penner is averaging a point-per-game since coach MacTavish called him out?
- With so many of the team’s top forwards on the mend, the Panthers have gotten a lot of offensive production from the team’s blue line.
- It is possible Marian Gaborik could return to the Wild line-up by tomorrow, writes Brian Stensaas. Meanwhile, it seems the Wild is interested in hosting an outdoor game.
- Habs defenseman Mike Komisarek is ahead of schedule and hoping to be back in the Habs line-up on Thursday.
- Unlike other agitators, Jordin Tootoo isn’t as talkative as you may think.
- Devils coach Brent Sutter hasn’t yet named his starting netminders for his team’s upcoming back-to-back games.
- Injured forwards Mike Comrie and Kyle Okposo are back on the ice but at least a week away from returning to the line-up.
- Steve Zipay speculates as to Mats Sundin’s final decision between the Rangers and Vancouver. The Rangers worked on their power play at practice on Monday.
- Craig Hartsburg had a lot of praise for the preparation and mindset of Martin Gerber on Monday at practice. As a result of his preparation, and more so his play, the Swiss netminder gets the start tonight versus Atlanta. Mike Fisher defended his team’s pre-game attire to Don Cherry.
- Flyers defenseman Randy Jones (hip) has been cleared to return to play.
- The Coyotes have already recalled Kevin Porter from the AHL.
- The Penguins have sold the naming rights for the new Igloo. Meanwhile, Ryan Whitney could possibly return to the Penguins by December 23. Who needs Whitney when Rob Scuderi has been on a two-game scoring tear?
- The Sharks continued their winning ways last night in Southern California with a 3-2 shootout win over Los Angeles.
- After a tough road-trip, the Blues are just happy to be back at home.
- During the early part of this week, the Lightning is being put through a sort of second training camp. Meantime, Martin St. Louis knows he is lucky that a skate blade didn’t cut him worse than it did.
- Both Nik Antropov and Alexei Ponikarovsky have stepped up into a leadership role this season. Speaking of Antropov, he will now have youngster Nikolai Kulemin riding shotgun for him.
- Canucks fans know it is between Vancouver and New York for Mats Sundin’s services. Brad Zeimer of the Vancouver Sun has the details.
- With so many injuries this season, the Capitals’ roster moves have led to some funny stories. Simeon Varlamov was terrific on Saturday night but he is not going to suddenly become the goalie of the present for Washington.
For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.
