echoes

What team beat writers are saying this afternoon: Playoff teams: Erik Cole is going to suit up tonight for Carolina. Don't you feel he's due for a goal tonight????? Cole may be in, but Tuomo Ruutu will not be. They'll miss his physical presence. Duncan Keith and Nikolai Khabibulin sat out practice for Chicago today. Just resting apparently. Dave Staples echoes many of the same sentiments from last night's IC Radio Show regarding the mistakes by the Blackhawks' defensemen. Good piece. Non-playoff teams: Are the Ducks still Scott Niedermayer's first priority? I'd say probably yes, but Vancouver and the Olympics in his home province could prove enticing. Phil Kessel's shoulder surgery has been deemed successful. Good news. Ken Hitchcock has been watching a lot of video. He's one of the best for a reason. There is reason to be optimistic Stars fans. Jamie Benn has been pretty darn impressive.

On the Beat: Cole in, Ruutu out and the Blackhawks’ defense