Here are the morning papers for Wednesday the 15th of October:
- The Capitals lost Viktor Kozlov to an apparent leg injury, writes Tarik El-Bashir.
- Ryan Hollweg is lucky to have only received a three game suspension, writes Paul Hunter.
- Where the heck has Steve Stamkos been? Meantime, long-time journeyman Jamie Heward is just happy to be playing some NHL hockey for the Bolts.
- The Blues need to work on their 5-on-5 play, writes Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- The Sharks are 4-0 after their victory over the Jackets last night. It sure doesn’t hurt that the team is staying out of the penalty box.
- Pascal Dupuis was the unlikely hero on Tuesday as the Penguins defeated their in-state rivals. Petr Sykora returned to the line-up last night.
- Daniel Winnik has looked much improved for the Coyotes so far this young season.
- The Flyers made some steps forward versus Pittsburgh last night, according to coach John Stevens. They may be winless, but Ed Moran of the Philadelphia Daily News has liked what he’s seen from the Flyers’ power play.
- The Rangers’ penalty kill is one of the reasons the team is undefeated so far this season.
- Brendan Witt is fine after hitting his head on the Nassau Coliseum ice on Monday.
- The Predators will be without Jason Arnott from the team’s roster for at least their next three games due to a finger injury. Is Alexander Radulov open to an arbitrator’s ruling on his contract status?
- Having gone through a similar situation with Marian Hossa last year, Atlanta GM Don Waddell knows what Wild GM Doug Risebrough is going through with Marian Gaborik. Gaborik issue aside, the Wild had an impressive team victory Tuesday over the Thrashers.
- Panthers defenseman Karlis Skrastins is close to returning to the line-up.
- Here are some reactions from Red Wings players after their visit to the White House. GM Ken Holland thinks most of the Wings’ games this season will probably be close.
- Mike Modano isn’t the dominant player he once was, but that doesn’t mean he is strictly a role player for the Stars, writes Mike Heika.
- After a poor performance in San Jose last night, the Blue Jackets have two days to get ready for their home opener. After making contact with an official, Mike Peca will get a chance to explain himself on Thursday.
- Chris Drury will try and help his Rangers to a 6-0 record at MSG tonight versus his former Sabres teamamtes.
- Michael Ryder would love for his Bruins to get a victory against his former teammates tonight. Aaron Ward knows he needs to get better, explains Fluto Shinzawa.
- The Thrashers had less than 12,000 fans at the Philips Arena last night to watch them lose 4-2 to the Wild.
- More of the same for the Ducks last as the team took too many penalties and were defeated by the Kings in Los Angeles. “I don’t think we’re working anywhere near hard enough,” said coach Randy Carlyle.
- The Kings were dynamite on the power play last night versus the Ducks. Derek Armstrong sure appreciates playing in the NHL.
- Roberto Luongo says he has to make a couple of adjustments to get back to playing the way he wants to. The Canucks players took responsibility for playing poorly on Monday at practice on Tuesday.
- Martin Gerber needs to limit the questionable goals he is allowing, says Senators coach Craig Hartsburg. Meanwhile, Jason Spezza is on the right track to becoming a complete player.
- The Ducks/Oilers games are always significant from the media’s perspective. Steve McIntyre is going to make his Oilers debut tonight in Orange County. Here are some players to watch for the Oilers’ game against the Ducks tonight.
- The Avalanche penalty killing units are no better than last year and that is one of the reasons the team is 0-3 to start the season. Petr Budaj’s struggles on Tuesday sure didn’t help either. Marek Svatos was a scratch last night but merely as a precaution and the sniper will return to the ice on Thursday.
- Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane says there is no reason to push the panic button after just three games.
- It wasn’t the most impressive win, but it was a win nonetheless for the Flames, writes Scott Cruickshank of the Calgary Herald. Jarome Iginla had a Gordie Howe hat trick last night.
For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.