NHL Morning Papers (Tuesday Edition): Nobody untouchable for the Lightning, Zherdev and Rangers talking contract extension and Joel Ward’s different route to the NHL

Here are the morning papers for Tuesday the 13th of January:

• Ducks rookie Brendan Mikkelson is learning how to play in the NHL from Chris Pronger.
• Phil Kessel is going to be of the Bruins lineup for approximately a month with mono.  In good news, Patrice Bergeron was on the ice for the second time since his concussion on Monday.
• Chris Butler has been so good in Buffalo that coach Lindy Ruff has decided to dress seven defensemen.  The Sabres have some travelling on the horizon, and sometimes that serves to bring teams closer together.
• Did you know Miikka Kiprusoff is on pace for 50 wins?  Former Flames owner Doc Seaman, who passed away over the weekend, was just a true gentleman.  Here’s what Flames media personnel have to say about tonight’s game versus St. Louis.
• Joe Corvo and Patrick Eaves are back in Ottawa to face the Senators, which allows for some reflections about their time in Ottawa.
• The Blackhawks are a little bit tired at the midway point of the season, but they realize they have some much-needed time off coming up at the end of the month.
• The Avalanche know how difficult it will be to make the playoffs, which means every game is important from here on out.  Teams are paying young players based on potential these days, writes Adrian Dater.
• The Blue Jackets have an impressive young stable of top-end talent, writes Aaron Portzline.  Apparently the Jackets’ attendance is up from last season.  Here are the Blue Jackets’ projected lines for tonight’s game against Colorado.
• The Stars outshot the Wings 49-30 last night and came back late in the third period before defeating Detroit in overtime on a goal from Trevor Daley.  Goals from Nicklas Grossman never hurt either.
• Chris Osgood was great on Monday, but his team didn’t match his performance, as they lost 5-4 to Dallas in overtime.  The Wings really want to improve on their last place road penalty killing ranking.
• Ales Hemsky has accompanied the Oilers on their four-game road trip, but don’t expect him to suit up tonight against Washington.  Without Hemsky in the lineup, the Oilers really need to be on their game tonight.  The Canadian forces will be honored tonight in Washington.
• The Panthers recalled Cory Murphy and then waived him on Monday.  The Panthers have been getting solid performances from the third line of Peltonen-Campbell-Dvorak.
• The Kings’ performance on Monday was admittedly weak, writes Rich Hammond.
• There is no coincidence that the Wild’s fall in the Western Conference has coincided with the offensive struggles of Mikko Koivu and Andrew Brunette.  Cal Clutterbuck has been a pleasant surprise for the Wild this season.
• Habs GM Bob Gainey is happy with his team through the first half of the NHL season.  Pat Hickey wonders if Vinny Lecavalier can help the Habs?
• John Glennon with an interesting story about Toronto native Joel Ward.  Jason Arnott is doubtful for tonight’s game.
• The Rangers and Nikolai Zherdev’s agent are discussing a contract extension.  It is the Rangers versus the Islanders tonight.
• Brian Elliot will start in net tonight for Ottawa against the Hurricanes.  Bryan Murray won’t deal away the Senators’ first round pick.
• Just because the Penguins are struggling, does not mean the Flyers will take them lightly.  Meanwhile, the Flyers are hoping to have Daniel Briere back in the lineup by Thursday.
• Kyle Turris is learning how to live on his own in Phoenix.
• Sidney Crosby makes sure he picks and chooses when to speak his mind to his teammates.  The Penguins are certainly desperate to get their game on track.  Pascal Dupuis is questionable for tonight’s contest.
• The Sharks have a few injuries these days that they have to deal with.  It is fair to say the Sharks have been quite impressive up to the midway point of the season.
• Andy Murray made sure his players paid for a horrible performance in Edmonton on Sunday.
• Brian Lawton says nobody is untouchable in Tampa.  Apparently if a trade happens, it won’t happen quickly.  By the way, the Bolts did win last night.
• Mike Van Ryn and Jeff Finger are still out tonight for the Maple Leafs.  Ron Wilson definitely made his point when he sent Nikolai Kulemin to the minors.
• Pavol Demitra has been demoted to the fourth line in Vancouver.  Taylor Pyatt will find himself on a line with Mats Sundin.
• John Erskine is ready to return to the Capitals lineup from a concussion.  Alexander Semin’s first game against Sidney Crosby is coming up soon.