Cory Stillman

Here are the national morning papers: Eric Duhatschek of the Globe & Mail gives his take on the Cory Stillman trade. Here is Damien Cox's take on the Stillman trade. Mats Sundin continues to say that he would like to remain a Maple Leaf, writes Tim Wharnsby of the Globe & Mail. Jim Matheson of the National Post talks with Clint Malarchuk about the Richard Zednik incident. Kevin Allen of USA Today has an interview with USA Hockey executive director Dave Ogrean. Here are the Eastern Conference morning papers: Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette has the details behind the arrests of two Canadiens players in Tampa. Things are looking positive for Panthers forward Richard Zednik after the winger was sliced in the neck with a skate. The doctors who operated on Zednik say that he his lucky to be alive. The Thrashers have the necessary amount of veteran players so as to not panic with the playoff race already underway, writes Craig Custance of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara missed practice yesterday for a "maintenance day" and the team is hoping he will be able to play tonight against the Hurricanes. Kevin Paul Dupont has the Bruins' take on the Richard Zednik incident. Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News suggests that the Sabres deal Brian Campbell before the trade deadline. Meanwhile, the Sabres were very satisfied with the play of his Tim Connolly in his return to the line-up on Saturday. Luke Decock of the News Observer has the Carolina perspective of the Stillman trade. Now that the Rangers are close to signing Henrik Lundqvist to a contract extension, Larry Brooks of the NY Post suggests they make sure they sign Sean Avery to an extension next. The Rangers have played more games than any other team in the Eastern Conference, so that makes their five day break far less enjoyable. Ed Moran of the Philadelphia Daily News has the details behind Simon Gagne's latest concussion. Here are some notes about the Flyers. Ron Cook writes about the evolution Ryan Malone as a player, in this morning's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Even with the Cory Stillman trade yesterday, Penguins GM Ray Shero doesn't see his team making any big moves before the trade deadline. Rich Chere talks about the immense value of having John Madden on your hockey team, in this morning's Newark Star-Ledger. If Mike Comrie had his way, he'd be an Islander for a while, writes Greg Logan of Newsday. Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune interviews former Lightning and Sabre Dave Andreychuk about the Richard Zednik incident. Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star says Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are two of the best bargains in the NHL. The Leafs held practice outside yesterday, much to the delight of their many young fans. "I think it's a message again to the community that this team wants to win a Stanley Cup," said Senators GM Brian Murray after his team's four player trade on Monday. Chris Stevenson of the Ottawa Sun gives you his take on the deal. Here are the Western Conference morning papers: The Ducks will be without center Doug Weight for at least a week because of a shoulder injury, writes Dan Wood of the Orange County Register. The Flames head on the road for a five game road trip starting in San Jose, and they are hoping the road trip brings similar fortunes to their six-game road trip earlier this season. Here are some news and notes about the Flames/Sharks. Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch has a very interesting article on European coaches in the NHL. In good news, the Jackets are expecting to have three important regulars back at practice today. The Stars made it seven wins in a row last night with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the Coyotes. Michael Russo of the Star Tribune gives the Wild perspective on the Zednik injury. The Sharks are looking to upgrade their defensive corps via trade, writes David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News. “We’ve fallen on some tough times of late, but we’re still a contender and we’re still competing on a nightly basis," said Blues coach Andy Murray yesterday. The Blackhawks are still fuming over Ryan Shannon's shootout winner from Sunday night, writes Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune. Even though Sunday was his first game back from injury, the Hawks weren't light on the ice-time with Jonathan Toews. Injured forwards Ryan Smyth and Paul Stastny are close to returning to the Avalanche line-up, writes Adrian Dater of the Denver Post. Wings coach Mike Babcock still wants to split up Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg but he needs to see better production from his wingers to ensure the move wouldn't hinder his team's ability to score. Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal tells readers that Tom Gilbert has had his fair share of struggles recently. The Oilers are hoping Fernando Pisani can bust out of his goal-scoring slump as they try and make a run at the last playoff spot. "We have to be tough to play against. Teams don't like when you play that style of game. If we can do it against Calgary then we can do it against anybody," said Oilers captain Ethan Moreau about the way his team needs to play down the stretch. Apparently there are more problems with the Predators ownership situation. The Predators road to the playoffs goes through Detroit, writes John Glennon of the Tennessean. It is fair to say coach Wayne Gretzky wasn't happy with a late-game penalty call against the Coyotes that cost them the game, writes Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic The Coyotes were without Shane Doan last night in Dallas because the rugged winger was out with a groin injury. The Canucks have one of the harder roads to the playoffs, writes Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province. For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock. Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

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