Dan Hamhus

Today's word from the team beat writers: The Ducks opened a new rink, with the aim of spreading the game of ice hockey to local communities and help popularize the sport, and they had Ryan Getzlaf and Jonas Hiller greeting visitors. If you ever wanted a tour of the Thrashers practice facility Chris Vivlamore gives you on an inside look. Fluto Shinzawa is reporting from practice that Bruins coach Claude Julien says that Dennis Wideman will be a game time decision. Usually first goalie off will be the one starting but the entire Boston team left the ice at the same time so it isn't clear if Tuukka Rask or Tim Thomas will be starting against the Leafs. Perhaps it was his familiarity with the Thrashers or the fact that he's been playing great the last month, but the Calgary Flames Olli Jokinen played really well last night against Atlanta. In somewhat bizzare news, the New York Yankees took Jamie Hoffman, a former Canes pick who had been selected in the 8th round of the 2003 draft but ditched hockey for baseball. It looks like the injury woes will continue for the Red Wings as they will be without Dan Cleary for one month due to a seperated shoulder. Former Red Wings defenseman Viacheslav Fetisov is expected to play for CSKA Moscow in a competitive game in the Continental Hockey League on Friday. Ironic that when the calls to blow up the team are at their loudest, the Edmonton Oilers are playing their best hockey of the season as they won again last night, with Zach Stortini playing the best game of his career. The Habs got some good news nn the injury front as Jaroslav Spacek will play tonight against the Penguins and despite Halak's hot play last game, it appears that Carey Price will get the start. Nashville's defenceman Dan Hamhuis, who guest contributes for the Tennessean, with a little insight into the Preds raising awareness for prostate and testicular cancer by growing mustache's. With so many injuries and a new system to learn the New Jersey Devils could not have gotten off to a better start suggests coach Jacques Lemaire. Today was another day of light skating although enforcer Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond is back on the ice after finishing his conditioning stint at Lowell (AHL). Word from the Tampa Bay Lightning is that the injuries sustained Wednesday night by Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone are not serious. Damien Cox has his usual Thursday Mail Bag which this week delves into such Leaf issues as; UFAs, in-game entertainment at Leaf games, improved goaltending, CBA, whether the Leafs have just one top-six forward and many other Leaf related questions. Early indication out of Vancouver is that the Canucks will be without Alex Edler for about two weeks due to the arm injury he sustained against Nashville. The Washington Capitals had a few streaks broken in last night's shutout loss to the Sabres as the team's six-game winning streak as well as a streak of holding a lead in 30 straight games were both snapped.

On the Beat: Former Canes pick selected by Yankees, Ex-Wing Viacheslav Fetisov, 51, to play for Russian team, Injuries to Stamkos & Malone are minor

On the Beat: Eric Staal expected to play tonight, Todd Bertuzzi feeling the pressure, Oilers O’Sullivan shrugs off negativity, Andrei Kostitsyn is doubtful, Dan Boyle to play tonight.