Tuesday Morning NHL Papers (Western Conference): Battle of Southern California, Heatley trade called “no-brainer” and ownership issues in Nashville

Central Division

• Patrick Kane has been moved to the second line right wing spot, explains Chris Kuc.  Marian Hossa makes his Hawks home debut tonight. 
• The Blue Jackets finally put an end to their mysterious slump last night, thanks to R.J. Umberger’s hat trick.  At least the Jackets were finally good in the third period last night.  Rostislav Klelsa is going to be out for a while for the Jackets.
• Todd Bertuzzi’s smile after his goal last night was one of relief, writes Helene St. James.  If you take into account all the circumstances surronding the team, the Wings aren’t in that bad of a position right now.
• The Predators’ top line came up empty yesterday against the Flames.  The Flames proved their road record is no fluke.  As if the loss to Calgary wasn’t bad enough, David Shoalts of the Globe & Mail reports that Predators owner David Freeman may have some cash flow issues.
• The Blues were tentative in the third period, says Keith Tkachuk.

Northwest Division

• The Flames got an A from Steve MacFarlane for their performance yesterday in Nashville.  The Flames have been just that good on the road this season.
• You have heard this before; Craig Anderson led the Avalanche to victory yesterday at Tampa Bay.  If you didn’t know, Adam Foote is one tough cookie.  It is hard not to root for Peter Budaj, but he has had a difficult season for a variety of reasons, explains Adrian Dater.
• There is no word on Nikolai Khabibulin’s return to the lineup in Edmonton, but Ryan Stone is ready to return.  Is it too early to panic in Edmonton?
• Antti Miettinen will return to the Wild lineup after contracting H1N1.  Martin Havlat will try to play tomorrow night for the Wild if he can.
• Christian Ehrhoff’s time with the Canucks has been a complete success thus far.  The Canucks need to copy their division-rival Flames and start playing better on the road.

Pacific Division

• Eric Stephens wonders if the Kings have surpassed the Ducks as the best team in Southern California?
• “Marty has been around long enough that he knows he didn’t have his best stuff,” said Stars coach Marc Crawford about Marty Turco’s play last night. Was yesterday’s game Mike Modano’s last at the Joe?
• The Kings face the Ducks tonight and coach Terry Murray wants his team to develop an attitude similar to Anaheim’s, writes Helene Elliot.
• Marc Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News says the Dany Heatley trade was a no-brainer for San Jose.  Mark Emmons takes a look at the former Sharks’ perspective on their return to San Jose.

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