Atlantic Division
- Lou Lamoriello was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame last night but he still wants to be GM of the Devils for as long he has his passion and health. Johnny Oduya returned to Devils practice yesterday but then left the ice early, putting into doubt his availability for tomorrow night’s game. Could Brian Leetch have once been a Devil?
- The Islanders’ young talent on defense could be the difference between this year and last.
- Brandon Dubinsky has been lost to the Rangers lineup for at least a month with a broken hand. In good news, Chris Drury may actually be available to play Thursday for NYR. New Hall of Famer Brian Leetch was actually quite worried that Mike Keenan would have him traded out of NY in 1993/94.
- There will be money on the board on Thursday, as Ray Emery faces off against the Senators for the first time. The Flyers are hoping that James Van Riemsdyk (broken pinkie) can play on Thursday.
- We usually provide links written by Dave Molinari every morning, but this morning we have the privilege of providing an article written about yesterday’s Hall of Fame inductee of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Sidney Crosby has been held off the scoresheet for four straight games, so he’ll have new linemates for the team’s next contest. In injury news, Kris Letang will be out about two weeks with a shoulder contusion. Penguins President David Morehouse had a minor heart attack over the weekend but is luckily alright.
Northeast Division
- Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe has a terrific profile of Lou Lamoriello. The Bruins don’t care that Sidney Crosby is missing a lot of his important teammates, they still won’t take any team with Crosby lightly. The Bruins are expecting David Krejci, recently recovered from H1N1, to be in the lineup tonight.
- The Sabres placed Adam Mair on waivers on Monday.
- Defenseman Jay Leach will make his Montreal debut on Tuesday against the Calgary. Former Habs winger Steve Shutt wonders why some hockey players these days don’t want to play in a hockey market like Toronto or Montreal.
- Ray Emery wants to win a bit more against his old Senators squad on Thursday. Senators coach Cory Clouston says his team needs to change its “mouthy” reputation to the referees around the league. Pascal Leclaire is not guaranteed to get the start tonight. Meanwhile, Daniel Alfredsson missed practice on Monday.
- The talk of a second team in Southern Ontario is back again. James Mirtle of the Globe & Mail looks at Jonas Gustavsson and the possibility that he may follow in the footsteps of Niklas Backstrom. It is Gustavsson’s job to lose in Toronto, writes Paul Hunter. Leafs defensemen are playing less time and it is paying off. Meanwhile, Matt Stajan has been demoted to the fourth line, but he is not lashing out about it.
Southeast Division
- With no scoring from the team’s forwards, the Thrashers defensemen are filling the net as of late in Atlanta, writes Chris Vivlamore.
- Just because Manny Legace signed in Carolina doesn’t mean he will automatically be named the team’s starter, writes Chip Alexander.
- Florida forward Greg Campbell got hit in the face with a puck, but he is tough and will likely be in the team’s lineup for its next game. Radek Dvorak and Kamil Kreps are also expected be back in the lineup for the Cats’ next games.
- Victor Hedman was on the ice on Monday, but Rick Tocchet wants to play it safe with his talented rookie. Meanwhile, Tocchet also hinted that he won’t be moving away from Antero Niittymaki in net.
- Alexander Ovechkin is apparently about a week away from a return to the lineup. Did you know the Capitals are one of the best bargains in the NHL?
