Illegal Curve Hockey

Categories: NHL Morning Papers

NHL Morning Papers (Wednesday Edition): David Booth’s concussion issues, Ice Edge Holdings wants Coyotes and Canadian beat writers caught in middle of free-trade fight

The Ducks have lost four straight, so the best reprieve from their struggles may be a day away from the rink.
Ilya Kovalchuk says he is not going to bring a negative attitude to the rink because he is currently injured.
Claude Julien likes Tuukka Rask’s intensity and competitiveness, writes Kevin Paul Dupont.
Marco Sturm is really happy that his surgically repaired knee has held up well so far this season.
In Buffalo, Lindy Ruff is happy with the play of seventh defenseman Nathan Paetsch.
Cory Sarich absolutely loves playing with the quiet Jay Bouwmeester, writes Randy Sportak.

Jay Bouwmeester is really easy to play with. (Picture courtesy of SI)

Lots of changes to the power play and line combinations in Carolina.
Troy Brouwer knows the key to his success for the Blackhawks is getting dirty and working hard.
“That may have been our best 60 minutes of the season, from start to finish,” said Avalanche coach Joe Sacco after his team’s 3-0 win at Edmonton.
Meanwhile, coach Sacco has confirmed that Peter Budaj has H1N1.
“Right now, he’s letting different things affect him, and that’s part of the maturity process. It’s not uncommon with goalies,” said Columbus goaltending coach Dave Rook about Steve Mason’s propensity to let early goals bother him.
Staying in Columbus, Andrew Murray has been placed on IR and Nikita Filatov’s game has been improving.
Steve Ott has been suspended two games by the NHL for his low hit on Carlo Colaiacovo.
Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks continues to say he has no plans to sell his team.
The Wings finally won their first road game last night with an impressive performance at Vancouver.
Darren Helm was a healthy scratch for the Red Wings last night.
“The way Colorado plays, they try and entice you with turnovers and we played right into their hands by trying to go through everybody,” said Sam Gagner about his team’s style of play against Colorada on Tuesday.
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal answers readers questions including on about the the Drew Stafford for Tom Gilbert rumor.
In positive Oilers news, Fernando Pisani is close to returning to the lineup.
“I do nothing. I’m either lying in bed or sitting on the couch. I’ll go on the computer for five minutes or I’ll read for five minutes,” said David Booth about his concussion.

David Booth doesn't seem close to a return. (Picture courtesy of SI)

The Panthers have decided to keep Dmitry Kulikov with the big club for the season.
“Kopi’s really responded. He’s got a great feel about his game. He’s shooting the puck. He’s got that mentality going right now,” said Kings coach Terry Murray about Anze Kopitar.
Instead of putting his Wild players through a full practice yesterday, Todd Richards decided to have a video session with his club.
If the Habs want a chance against the Penguins, they need to not give them any power plays, says Brian Gionta.
Greg Zanon’s now in Minnesota, but the visiting Predators sure miss his shot-blocking ability.
Will new forward lines in Nashville create more scoring?
Jacques Lemaire is not yet sure whether Cory Murphy will play for the Devils tonight.
Henrik Lundqvist got into a car accident but luckily he is okay.
It looks like Marian Gaborik will sit out tonight’s game versus the rival Islanders.
The Senators demoted Erik Karlsson to the AHL on Tuesday and he was quite emotional about it.
The Ottawa Sun beat writers chime in with their opinions on the Karlsson move.
Meanwhile, Ottawa Citizen writers were caught in the middle of a free-trade fight.
For whatever reason, Kimmo Timonen continued his struggles last night in Washington, as the Flyers lost 4-2.
It looks like Simon Gagne may need surgery for two hernias.

It appears Simon Gagne may need surgery. (Picture courtesy of TSN)

Daryl Jones of Ice Edge Holdings did an interview with the Arizona Republic about trying to buy the Coyotes.
On the ice, the Coyotes need to improve in the goals-against category.
Hal Gill returns to Pittsburgh tonight for the first time since winning the Cup in June.
Sure Chris Kunitz hasn’t scored this season, but give him credit for not making excuses.
Both Joe Pavelski and Torrey Mitchell returned to Sharks practice on Tuesday.
“I don’t think we have played nearly as good as we can. (But) we’re still right there. So there’s not panic there by any means,” said Blues President John Davidson.
In great news, original Lightning team member John Tucker is relieved to be in remission.
The Bolts need to make some tweaks to the power play but Rick Tocchet is not too concerned.
Damien Cox wonders how long Tomas Kaberle will be a Maple Leaf for?
With Brian Burke and Francois Beauchemin’s return to Anaheim complete, Niklas Hagman now has his return to Dallas.
Hagman admits he was very embarassed to be a healthy scratch a few games ago.
With Olympic eyes on him, Roberto Luongo couldn’t turn away the Red Wings last night.
In injury news, it looks like Sami Salo is close to returning to the lineup.
Jose Theodore looked like the Jose Theodore of early in the decade, as he stonewalled the Flyers on Tuesday.