On the Beat: Devils lose Greene, Kovalchuk gets new linemates and Khabibulin gets the start

What beat writers are saying this afternoon:

• Ilya Kovalchuk is now playing alongside Jason Williams and Brett Sterling.  The Thrashers need to get their top sniper going.
• The Hurricanes have signed Michael Ryan to a one-year contract.  Just passing this along.
• Devils defenseman Andy Greene is out 4-6 weeks with a broken right hand. Pretty significant loss for the Devils, as Greene seemed to have found a comfort-zone after his slow start to the season.
• Nikolai Khabibulin will start in net tonight for the Blackhawks versus Dallas.  Let the Chicago goaltending controversy continue…
• Jared Boll has been suspended one-game for his instigator penalty with under five minutes remaining last night in Colorado.  I’m sure the team doesn’t have too many problems with him sticking up for a teammate.