Tuesday Morning NHL Papers (Western Conference): Peter Forsberg’s chances of playing in Olympics, Nikita Filatov could leave for KHL and Hawks close to deals with Toews, Kane and Keith

Central Division

• The Hawks are closing in on new contracts with Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith.  Speaking of Toews and Kane, they thoroughly enjoy playing together.
• Mathieu Garon demonstrated why his career shootout record is tremendous, leading the Jackets to a 3-2 shootout victory over his former Oilers teammates.  The Blue Jackets could be losing Nikita Filatov to the KHL.
• For all that has been made about the roster changes in Detroit, did you know the Red Wings lead the Western Conference in scoring?  Chris Osgood (flu) should rejoin his teammates today.
• The Predators are playing very well, so the team will be able to tell just how well things are going when they face the Sharks and Devils in the next thre days.
• Dan O’Neill has an interesting piece about the relationship between Blues coach Andy Murray and youngster David Perron.

Northwest Division

• If the Flames defeat Colorado in regulation time, the Flames will pass the early season cinderella story in the standings.  Curtis Glencross will return from suspension tonight and join Olli Jokinen and Jarome Iginla on the team’s first line.  Miikka Kiprusoff doesn’t need weekly awards from the NHL, as his teammates know he has been the team star since day one of the season.
• Terry Frei writes about Matt Duchene’s maturation process in this morning’s Denver Post.  Adrian Dater doubts we will see Peter Forsberg play for Sweden at the Olympics.
• Edmonton just continues to find a way to lose one-goal games.  Sam Gagner didn’t play for the Oilers last night with a lower-body injury.  Gilbert Brule returned to Columbus last night and was booed.
• There is a reason that Ryan Johnson is a favorite of his teammates, writes Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province.  Canucks GM Mike Gillis was the one who broke the news that Peter Forsberg is staying in Sweden.

Pacific Division

• The Ducks lost last night at Pittsburgh and it resulted in a post-game closed-door meeting from Randy Carlyle.  There is some positive news around the Ducks, as Kyle Calder is ecstatic to be back in the NHL.
• New Stars coach Marc Crawford wants to make sure that his defensemen continue to pressure the opposition.
• Helene Elliot talks about the pressure the Kings will face if they continue to play well and earn some of the L.A. sports spotlight.  The Kings don’t seem too thrown off by the pressure so far, as they won last night in Florida.
• Dave Tippett was impressed by his team’s effort last night but it just didn’t come together, as the Coyotes lost at home to Tampa Bay.  The Coyotes have recalled Kevin Porter from the AHL.  Gary Bettman was in Phoenix yesterday to hold some discussions with the City of Glendale.
• None of the members of the Sharks’ third line were with the team last season, but the newcomers are coming together quite well, writes David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News.  (Writer’s note: David Pollak will be on the IC Radio Show tomorrow night.)

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