Ian White

Here are the morning papers for Monday the 22nd of December: Ducks coach Randy Carlyle says he believes Teemu Selanne will return before the 4-6 week projection on his rehab. If it is anything like the last time these two teams met, it should be an eventful game tonight when the Leafs walk into Philips Arena to play the Thrashers. The Bruins continue to score goals at a rapid pace, as evidenced by yesterday's six spot they tossed on the board against the Blues. On the injury front, Patrice Bergeron doesn't feel the same way he did after last season's hit, but he is almost certain to miss the rest of December and some time in the new year. The Sabres will have their hands full with an ornery Penguins squad tonight. It looks like Andre Roy has some fighting help in Calgary. The Hurricanes know it is difficult to walk into the Bell Centre and pick up two points, so the team was very satisfied after yesterday's 3-2 overtime win. Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune tells readers to give Dale Tallon some props for building this terrific young Blackhawks squad. The Avalanche only put forth twenty minutes of solid hockey last night, says Ryan Smyth, which is why they were defeated handily by Florida. Adrian Dater says the Avalanche should make sure they bring Peter Forsberg back if he can play. Speaking of injured players, Ruslan Salei went hard into the boards yesterday and left the game. Terrible news for the Blue Jackets, as Derick Brassard's injury seems like it will be season-ending. Toronto native Trevor Daley is excited to suit up for the Stars in his hometown tomorrow night, writes Mike Heika. Wings youngster Jiri Hudler has really found his groove in his third NHL season. Hudler is happy with his production but certainly not content. With many of the team's players struggling so much, Marc Pouliot got some quality ice time last game. Meanwhile, Robert Nilsson is getting the Brodziak/Penner treatment, writes Derek Van Diest. Tonight's game versus Phoenix is one that will certainly affect the Oilers' holiday mood. Tomas Vokoun is showing Craig Anderson that he still has what it takes to be a top netminder in this league, as he shutout the Avs 3-0 on Sunday. Sure there are other good teams in the Eastern Conference, but Red Fisher tells Canadiens fans to take a deep breath anyways. The Habs sure could use a nice surge after Christmas, writes Dave Stubbs. Pat Hickey has the recap of yesterday's overtime loss to Carolina. In Minnesota, Wild coach Jacques Lemaire wants his defensemen to play a safer game. The Predators have been better as of late, and much of that success can be attributed to tighter defensive play. Nothing can get in the way of the Devils these days, as they defeated the Flyers 3-2 in a shootout on Sunday afternoon. The Islanders currently have nine regulars that are injured and Greg Logan of Newsday says that is just too many for the team to compete on a regular basis. Maybe the fans have written off the Senators this season, but owner Eugene Melnyk has not. Jeff Carter is pretty shy, so he is fine with letting his play speak for itself. It did yesterday, but his Flyers still lost to New Jersey in a shootout. Meanwhile, Flyers defenseman Randy Jones returned to the lineup on Sunday. Mikkel Boedker may be a rookie, but he doesn't play like one for the Coyotes. The Penguins decided to bus it to Buffalo. Ryan Whitney will finally return to the Pens lineup tomorrow versus Tampa Bay. Andy Murray didn't hold back after his team's poor performance to Boston on Sunday. Yesterday was Dennis Wideman's first game in Boston since being traded to St. Louis. Rick Tocchet has supported Martin St. Louis' comments about some of his teammates. There has always been a lot of hype surrounding him, so Justin Pogge gets to prove there is truth behind some of that, tonight at Atlanta. Ian White will be looking for revenge on Ilya Kovalchuk tonight. The Canucks get a break on Monday when they get to face the Ducks without Teemu Selanne. For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

NHL Morning Papers (Monday Edition): Brassard likely out for season, Ryan Whitney returns to Penguins lineup tomorrow night and Andy Murray names names after Blues lose to Bruins

NHL Morning Papers (Wednesday Edition): Brian Burke deal almost complete, Erik Cole needs to step it up and the Stars are pressing

NHL Morning Papers (Monday Edition): Lightning put forth embarassing performance, Senators could be interesed in Bouwmeester and Gainey apparently working the phones

The Score Gives Steve Ludzik a Mulligan