NHL Morning Papers--Eastern Conference (Thursday Edition)

Here are the national morning papers:

• Alan Maki of the Globe & Mail gets Ken Hitchcock's take on why Guy Carbonneau is succeeding as head coach of the Canadiens.
• Dave Shoalts reminds readers that the Leafs' next GM is going to have to focus on the team's full body of work, not just their recent surge up the standings.
• Like so many teams in today's NHL, the Flames are relying on three players to take them to the promised land, writes Eric Duhatschek.
• Legendary hockey writer Red Fisher does not think Patrick Roy deserves the honor of having his number retired as a Montreal Canadien.
• Fans may not have had high expectations for Les Habitants, but Guy Carbonneau had higher expectations than some may think, writes Kevin Allen.

Here are the Atlantic Division morning papers:

• The Rangers and Devils face-off tonight and there may be some tension between Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist after Broduer's comments in a recent issue of SI. (Writer's note: People still read SI?) The Rangers will be getting Michael Roszival back in the line up tonight.
• With their recent success, the Flyers have suddenly gone from the hunted to the hunters, writes Tim Panaccio of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Sidney Crosby will return to the Penguins line up tonight and will be playing alongside Marian Hossa, writes Shelly Anderson. While he is not thrilled about it, Ryan Whitney will continue to play forward if that is where coach Michel Therrien puts him.
• The Islanders are giving the team's young players a chance to play in the NHL, but that has required a lot of travel because they are also trying to ensure Bridgeport's position in the AHL playoffs.
• "We need to win for the standings," said Devils coach Brent Sutter heading into tonight's game versus the Rangers. Even with their recent offensive struggles, the Devils aren't as worried about it as the press, says Zach Parise.

Here are the Northeast Division morning papers:

• Guy Carbonneau knew his team was capable of more than most prognosticators believed, writes Herb Zurkowsky. In light of the recent QMJHL brawl, some people are wondering about Guy Carbonneau and Patrick Roy's friendship, but you don't have to, writes Zurkowsky.
• The play of David Krejci has impressed the Bruins brass, writes Fluto Shinwaza. It is now being reported that Marc Savard has a broken bone in his back, however, the injury is not believed to be overly serious.
• Everyone is wondering how the Sabres will react to their awful third period on Tuesday, writes Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News. Derek Roy does not think he'll miss tonight's game versus the Senators with a charley horse.
• Brian Lee had an impressive debut with the Senators on Tuesday, and will be sticking with the big club. Meanwhile, Martin Gerber wants to play every remaining game on the Senators schedule.
• At the team's media outing yesterday, Leafs coach Paul Maurice took the blame for the team's poor play this season. Nevertheless, the team's is not officially eliminated from post-season play, and will continue their last gasp tonight at Boston.

Here are the Southeast Division morning papers:

• With the Capitals in town to play the Lightning, Erik Erlendsson discusses the greatness of Alexander Ovechkin in this morning's Tampa Tribune.
• If the Panthers want to take the next step, they need to add more natural talent, writes Ethan Skolnick. "We have to be desperate coming into these last five games,"said Panthers forward Nathan Horton.
• Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post has an interesting article about former Cap Jeff Halpern, and his recent trade from Dallas to Tampa.
• The Hurricanes have signed first-round pick Brandon Sutter to a three-year deal.
• The Thrashers have their share of underachieving veterans, but Niclas Havelid is not among them, writes Craig Custance.

The Western Conference morning papers will be posted with the hour...

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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