NHL Morning Papers (Friday Edition)

Here are the national morning papers:

• With the Leafs being sellers for the first time in a long time at the trade deadline, the television coverage will be even more intense, writes William Houston.
• Kevin Allen of USA Today says Olaf Kolzig isn't getting a fair shake in the nation's capital.

Here are the Eastern Conference morning papers:

• The Thrasers were playing last night's game on four days rest, so there was no excuse for their terrible first period against the Hurricanes that ended up in a critical 5-3 loss. Apparently, Don Waddell will still tender Marian Hossa one final contract offer before he looks to deal him.
• The Bruins outshot the Panthers last night by a total of 48-to-27, but they wouldn't have pulled out the shootout victory if not for Alex Auld, writes Fluto Shinwaza. "I would say that if we want, the chances of us getting a top-six forward are no longer slim. They're a little better now," said Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli about the current trade market.
• After last night's 5-1 victory over the Maple Leafs, the Sabres jumped into sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Ales Kotalik played on the Sabres' top line last night in place of the resting Tim Connolly and it showed in his production, writes Mike Harrington.
• The Hurricanes got some secondary scoring last night, and rode their second and third lines to a 5-3 victory over division-rival Atlanta. The Hurricanes' heart and soul captain Rod Brind'Amour doesn't know how to take time-off.
• The Rangers are trying to put their collapse in Montreal behind them, writes Howard Kussoy of the NY Post. "We're not going to kick ourselves in the groin over this. We've all got sore groins about it already. We're not going to make anything bigger of this than it was," said Brendan Shanahan about his team's Tuesday loss to the Habs.
• Sam Donnellon of the Philadelphia Daily News opines that the Flyers have to pay closer attention to past concussions. "When the passion and the emotion aren't there, you're not going to win a hockey game," said Flyers coach John Stevens after his team lost its ninth straight contest.
• The Penguins pulled out an important road victory last night over the streaking Habs by a score of 5-4. Sidney Crosby's return to the line-up is still up in the air. (Writer's note: With the Pens playing the way they are, what's the rush?)
• Tarik-El Bashir of the Washington Post tells readers not to expect the Capitals to make a trade.
• The Maple Leafs were no match for the Sabres last night, writes Kevin McGran. Cliff Fletcher is not going to keep Mats Sundin in the dark about any trade options, writes Terry Koshan.
• A number of teams are believed to be interested in Brad Richards, writes Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune.
• According to Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun, the Senators need to acquire some toughness prior to the trade deadline.
• The Islanders made it six straight wins last night with a 1-0 victory over the Lightning.
• The Devils players understand that they have no control over their fate prior to the deadline, writes Rich Chere.
• The Habs' second attempt at a comeback fell short last night because of Penguins superstar Evgeni Malkin, writes Pat Hickey.
• The Panthers somehow found a way to blow a two-goal lead for the third consecutive game last night, writes Steve Gorten. Here is the video of Richard Zednik's first public appearance since his scary neck injury.

Here are the Western Conference morning papers:

• The Ducks will be without the services of center Ryan Carter for the next little while with a broken wrist.
• The Blue Jackets got a huge victory over the Eastern Conference leading Senators last night, writes Aaron Portzline. Rumors persist that the Jackets are interested in Brad Richards. Here are five questions with Jackets GM Scott Howson.
• Dallas coach Dave Tippett wants his young players to bring it every night, writes Mike Heika.
• Here is the latest injury news on the Red Wings' defensemen and goaltending. Due to all their defensive injuries, youngster Jonathon Ericsson will make his NHL debut tonight at Calgary. (Writer's note: I've seen Ericsson play in person, and he should be a pretty good NHL'er. He covers a lot of ground with his large frame and can handle the puck very well.)
• The Kings' second line was the reason for their easy 5-1 home victory over St. Louis last night, writes Dan Arritt.
• The Wild are still in first place in the Northwest Division, so they don't see the need to panic, writes Kent Youngblood.
• The Predators would have had a victory last night if not for the goaltending of Roberto Luongo, writes John Glennon. On the injury front, it appears the team has lost winger Martin Gelinas to a knee injury.
• The slumping Flyers were exactly the medicine for the recently winless Sharks, as they went into Philadelphia and defeated the Flyers 3-1. Just because the Sharks are slumping, don't expect GM Doug Wilson to feel the pressure to make a trade.
• The Blues dreams of the playoffs took a bit of a hit yesterday, as they were defeated 5-1 by the worst team in the Western Conference. Blues veteran Keith Tkachuk has enjoyed his switch back to left wing from center.
• Both Cory Sarich and Robyn Regehr have been specializing in neutralizing the other team's top players for years. The Flames organization is going to honor the memory of Mickey Renaud before tonight's game.
• The Hawks were encouraged about the health of Nikolai Khabibulin after he came back from injury and shutout the Wild 3-0.
• Paul Stastny pronounced himself ready to go tonight versus the Coyotes, writes Terry Frei of the Denver Post.
• Dwayne Roloson would definitely welcome a move out of Edmonton, writes Joanne Ireland. Jim Matheson provides readers with the down-low on the Oilers' trade prospects.
• The Coyotes should be getting rookie Martin Hanzal back in their line-up tonight when they play the Avs.
• Mason Raymond was very impressive last night, but his best NHL game was overshadowed by the tremendous performance from Roberto Luongo.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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