Sunday Morning NHL Papers (Western Conference): Ducks looking to make a deal, Daniel Sedin returns tonight and who on the Blackhawks could be dealt?

This week’s IC Radio Show, with guests Aaron Portzline and Craig Custance, has been archived, click here to listen/download to the show.

Central Division

• The Blackhawks continue to win and the organization may be happiest about Cristobal Huet’s recent play.  There is also talk of the Hawks dealing Brent Sopel to relieve some salary cap pressure.  Scary to think this team is getting Marian Hossa back soon.
• “We get outworked. They competed harder for the puck, and they forced us to take bad penalties. And we paid for it, dearly,” said an angry Ken Hitchcock after his team’s loss.  Derick Brassard has struggled this season but the organization still has full confidence in him.
• The Red Wings blew a two-goal lead but came away with two points against a non-conference rival.  Last night’s victory came at a cost, as defenseman Niklas Kronwall was kneed by Georges Laraque and will miss at least two weeks of action.  Detroit players  understand that the first quarter of the season has been a struggle.
• David Legwand probably had the best day of his life last nigth, explains John Glennon.  Wade Belak was benched last night for a stupid second period undisciplined penalty.
• Looks like Andy Murray’s challenge to a couple of his players after two periods worked out.  What will the Blues do with Alex Pietrangelo?

Northwest Division

• Not that his spot was an issue, but Jarome Iginla demonstrated to Steve Yzerman why he should be on the top line for Team Canada on Saturday in Los Angeles.  Make no mistake, the Flames’ penalty killing was terrific yesterday.
• Terry Frei of the Denver Post checks in on former Denver University standout Matt Carle and discusses Craig Anderson’s chances of making Team USA.  Frei also has some information on Avalance prospect Brad Malone.
• Scary to think that the scoreboard flattered the Oilers in the team’s 5-2 loss last night but that was the case, writes Jim Matheson.  The highlight of the day for some Oilers fans was the fact that youngster Torrie Jung had to dress for Edmonton because of Nikolai Khabibulin’s late back injury.  John MacKinnon of the Edmonton Journal was impressed with how complete the Blackhawks team is.
• Michael Russo has more on recent Minnesota Wild acquisition Andrew Ebbett.  Could being really bad this season help the Wild in the long run?
• Daniel Sedin returns to the Vancouver lineup tonight after a long injury break.

Pacific Division

• A small mistake cost the Ducks in a big way last night, writes Eric Stephens.  Coach Randy Carlyle liked his team’s compete level but Mark Whicker of the OC Register thinks the Ducks have a lot of holes.
• Stephane Robidas had four points in his team’s win over New Jersey last night and he may be under more serious consideration for Team Canada than you think.  He is important to the Stars’ success but Brad Richards is just as important.
• For whatever reason, the Kings are playing with little energy lately, explains Helene Elliot.
• In Phoenix, Matthew Lombardi came back from a three-game injury absence to post a goal and an assist and lead the Coyotes past Philadelphia.
• The Heatley-Thornton combination continued to dominate last night in Anaheim.  In sad news, the Sharks’ first president has passed away far too early at the age of 58.

Sunday Features:

Here are some feature articles from out East this Sunday morning that were posted after I posted the Eastern Conference papers.  As well as some feature articles from out West too:

• Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe talks about lightweight sticks, the possible return of the NHL to Quebec City and who is likely to be traded from Chicago in this week’s Hockey Notes.
• Larry Brooks says that Brendan Shanahan was greatest in Detroit and he also thinks Curtis Glencross was let off the hook for his hit on Chris Drury.
• Jim Matheson features Brendan Shanahan in this week’s Hockey World.
• Matheson also tells us that Steven Stamkos is hurt, the Ducks are looking to make a deal and that Dany Heatley only plays three times in Canada this season.

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