NHL Morning Papers (Sunday Edition)

Here are the Eastern Conference morning papers:

• The Thrashers put forth one of their worst performances of the season last night in Toronto, writes Craig Custance. It is official, the Thrashers will not be re-signing Marian Hossa before Tuesday's trade deadline.
• The Bruins capped off a successful five game road trip last night with a 5-3 victory over the Lightning, writes Fluto Shinwaza. Kevin Paul Dupont says he expects the Bruins to make a deal before Tuesday. (Writer's note: Dupont's articles are always top notch.)
• Even though he scored twice last night, Ales Kotalik wore the goat horns, writes John Vogl. The Buffalo fans didn't exactly give Chris Drury a warm welcome in his first game back at the HSBC Arena.
• After last night's victory over Washington, the Hurricanes stretched their lead to six points in the Southeast Division.
• Jaromir Jagr ended his twelve game goalless drought last night in the Rangers' 4-3 victory over the Sabres. Larry Brooks of the NY Post gives kudos to the NY Islanders franchise and also provides readers with a fair number of rumors to chew on before deadline day. Meanwhile, if you are expecting a Jaromir Jagr trade--don't, writes John Dellapina.
• The Flyers were less than five seconds away from ending their nine-game losing streak last night, but unfortunately for Flyers fans, the team blew their 1-0 lead and lost 2-1 in overtime. Also in the Philly papers, Tim Panaccio takes a closer look at the GMs efforts to minimize goalie equipment.
• The Penguins blew a 3-0 lead to the Senators at home yesterday, and are hoping that their blown point doesn't come back to bite them in the end. Off the ice, the Penguins are doing terrific at the box office.
• The Capitals continue to lose crucial ground in the Southeast Division race, writes Tarik El-Bashir.
• Having blown third period leads far too many times this season, the Panthers finally were able to turn the tables last night against the Flyers, writes Steve Gorten. In a strange way, Jacques Martin's future depends on the play of Olli Jokinen, writes Ethan Skolnick.
• The shutout machine that is Pascal Leclaire ruined Bob Gainey night in Montreal, leading the Jackets to a 3-0 road victory. Habs coach Guy Carbonneau was disappointed with his team's performance last night.
• Martin Brodeur made sure the Islanders' dominance of the Devils stopped yesterday, writes Rich Chere.
• On Long Island, the Isles have lost Mike Sillinger for the season with a hip injury.
• The Senators were ripped into by coach John Paddock last night, and the team actually responded, writes Bruce Garrioch. Here are Garrioch's Sunday rumors and here are more rumors courtesy of Garrioch.
• There are rumors all over the place about Brad Richards, writes Erik Erlendsson.
• Rose Dimanno of the Toronto Star breaks down Mats Sundin's possible line of thinking. Sundin isn't the only player being asked to waive his no-trade clause, writes Mike Zeisberger.

Here are the Western Conference morning papers:

• Today's important tilt versus the Wild, could go a long way in determining who wins the Northwest Division, writes Jean Lefebvre of the Calgary Herald. The Flames are treating every remaining game like a playoff contest, writes Steve MacFarlane.
• The Blackhawks were able to salvage two points last night in Los Angeles after they blew a huge lead to the Kings in the third period.
• Terry Frei previews the trade deadline in this morning's Denver Post.
• Jackets netminder Pascal Leclaire can't explain why Quebec is a goaltending factory, writes Aaron Portzline. Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch has some advice for Jackets GM Scott Howson.
• With the way the Stars are playing, Mike Heika wonders if they have to do anything at the trade deadline.
• Kevin Allen of USA Today gives Red Wings fans his take on a lot of issues involving their favorite team. In injury news, Chris Chelios has joined the rest of the Wings' ailing defensemen with a chip on his fibula.
• In Edmonton, Ethan Moreau continues to exhibit why he is such a great leader. Ryan Smyth will be returning to Edmonton for the third time this season, but this will be his first trip back without his legendary mullet.
• The Kings made a valiant effort to comeback on the Blackhawks and earn a point in the standings.
• Michael Russo has the details behind the Wild's re-signing of Nick Schultz.
• The Predators were playing short-handed last night, but that doesn't mean they couldn't have brought a better game to the table, writes John Glennon.
• Coyotes forward Mike York's play has improved as of late, writes Jim Gintonio.
• Sharks coach Ron Wilson has experienced his fair share of trade deadlines, writes David Pollak.
• The Blues saw what could happen at last year's trade deadline, so they aren't averse to some movement again this season.
• With a healthy defense corps, the Canucks are looking like their old-selves these days, writes Jason Botchford.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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