On the Beat: Michael Cammalleri pays tribute to the troops, Ilya Kovalchuk returns to practice, Bryan Murray wants to still tinker with his squad, Caps haven’t confirmed Nylander to Russia.

Word from team beat writers:

• After a nagging groin-muscle injury kept him out for more than two weeks, Jean-Sebastian Giguere figures to return to the lineup this week as the Ducks go on a four-game road trip.
• If the Thrashers hope to get scoring from some forwards, the good news is that Ilya Kovlachuk returned to practice this morning writes Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
  
• The Bruins are hoping that Derek Morris, who is feeling a tad sick and skipped the morning skate, will be ready to play tonight against the Penguins.
• Looks like Adam Mair will remain with the Buffalo Sabres, as he wasn’t claimed off waivers and the team will keep him up with the NHL squad.
• Craig Conroy traded in the driver for a 5-iron last week and, so far, it hasn’t helped either as he continues his quest for his first goal of the season.
• The new look Carolina Hurricanes are throwing Manny Legace right into the fire as he will be starting Wednesday against the Kings.
• Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News writes about Brett Hull‘s passion for hockey which is as big as his achievements on ice.
• After last night’s speeches at the Hockey Hall of Fame, Red Wings Vice President Steve Yzerman is being hailed for his class, skill and remembering his roots.
  
• The Oilers Lubomir Visnovsky is averaging more than a point a game this season, at least if you take into account all the plays he has made that have led to goals being scored by the Oilers, and that only seems fair to me to do just that.
• Kings coach Terry Murray wants his young goaltender to continue making the spectacular saves, but he also wants him to make the routine ones.
• Canadiens forward Michael Cammalleri is paying tribute to Quebec-based soliders who have recently returned from Afghanistan by providing tickets to 21 homes games for the troops and their families.
• Nashville Predators defen­se­man Shea Weber prac­ti­ced with the team and may be ready to play tonight against San Jose.
• Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger is reporting from practice today that Brian Rolstron was missing for the second day in a row.
• Rick Carpiniello brings some Brian Leetch memories including when he first showed up to join the Rangers as a teenager, his teammates—I think Ron Greschner might have been behind it—nicknamed him “Norm” after the Cheers character?
  
• Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray is pleased with his team’s performance this season, but he isn’t done tinkering yet.
• Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos gave Bolts fans a scare when he fell yesterday but he is okay after his fall in practice and it appears that Victor Hedman has been cleared to play and could go against the Wild.
• Despite all the rumours that Michael Nylander is heading to Russia to play, the Washington Capitals haven’t confirmed this.