NHL Morning Papers (Saturday Edition)

Here are the national morning papers:

• Eric Duhatschek of the Globe & Mail examines the Sharks' winning streak and the importance of winning the Pacific Division.
• Kevin Allen of USA Today says Chris Pronger should receive a substantial suspension.

Here are the Eastern Conference morning papers:

• The Thrashers followed their impressive comeback victory on Thursday with a real dud last night, writes Craig Custance.
• A Zdeno Chara weekend return seems unlikely, writes Fluto Shinwaza. In other Bruins news, apparently all three of the team's netminders get along.
• Buffalo finally put forth a performance they could build on last night, after defeating the Hurricanes 7-1 on home ice. The Sabres got the usual energetic performance from their fourth line last night and, as an added bonus, the group also threw in some offense.
• The Hurricanes didn't match the Sabres' desperation and intensity last night, writes Luke Decock. In injury news, the team will be without Ray Whitney for 2-3 weeks.
• The Rangers power play was one of the main reasons why the team was defeated 3-2 by a desperate Florida team last night, writes Larry Brooks. Last night's loss was the Rangers' first loss in regulation in five weeks.
• The return of Mike Richards should give the Flyers a much-needed boost, writes Joe Logan.
• Sidney Crosby is expected to be out of the Penguins lineup for around a week while he rests his sore right ankle. Meanwhile, Georges Laraque was not happy with the three-game suspension handed down to him by Colin Campbell.
• The Capitals still don't think they are out of the playoff hunt, after last night's impressive 4-1 man-handling of the Thrashers.
• Damien Cox says it is the Bruins, not the Flyers, that Leafs fans should have their eyes on. It looks like the Leafs will rely heavily on Alexander Steen if Mats Sundin doesn't suit up tonight.
• While this season is already a write-off, the Lightning do have some exciting pieces in place for next season, writes Erik Erlendsson.
• After taking a closer look at the CBA, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun tells readers that it would be cheaper for the Senators to buy-out Ray Emery's contract, than they probably think.
• The Islanders have mixed up their lines for tonight's game versus Montreal, writes Greg Logan.
• The Devils may be without Patrik Elias (knee) tonight versus Colorado.
• In an effort to motivate Chris Higgins, Habs coach Guy Carbonneau has mixed up his lines.
• Olli Jokinen picked an opportune time to score his first goal in eight games, as it turned out to be the winner in the Panthers' 3-2 victory over NYR.

Here are the Western Conference morning papers:

• After further review, Chris Pronger is likely to face a suspension, writes Dan Wood.
• Owen Nolan has been named the Flames' Masterton nominee, writes Jean Lefebvre.
• Newest Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash was not pleased with his team's performance last night, writes Tom Reed.
• Even though the Stars have struggled as of late, the team's coaches are not hitting the panic button.
• The Wings' pre-season plan of splitting up Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk has finally started to work out for Detroit. Here is the injury news for the Red Wings.
• Kent Youngblood provides readers with Chris Simon's perspective of the Chris Pronger "stomp."
• Dan Ellis has a problem many people would love to have, writes John Glennon.
• The Sharks made it eleven in a row last night, with a 4-1 easy victory over the Blues.
• The Blues got off to a horrible start last night in San Jose, and the game was basically over after the first period.
• The Coyotes are looking to get closer to the eighth and final playoff spot tonight when they face-off against the Oilers.
• Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal says that the Oilers really miss Shawn Horcoff on their first line. On the injury front, Joni Pitkanen is expected to return from injury tonight.
• The Hawks recorded an important road victory at Columbus last night, as the win moved them to within five points of the final Western Conference playoff spot with only ten games remaining on the season.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. James Mirtle with a post on David Brine, the first graduate of Making the Cut to skate in the NHL.
2. The weekly release from the USHL.
3. The Avalanche have recalled Michael Wall.
4. Kukla discusses the upcoming trade deadline, specifically the value of rumours.
5. Alex Pietrangelo is drawing comparisons to Chris Pronger. I assume this means he is "friendly" with local tv reporters, has a nasty gap in his teeth and has had Oiler fans burn his baby furniture.
6. Bryan McCabe may return to the Leafs lineup by Thursday night, thus reclaiming his role as lead pylon.
7. The NHL's Junior Report interviews USHL president Gino Gasparini.
8. The ECHL Report you have all been waiting for.
9. Fabian Brunstrom has NHL GM's all aflutter.
10. BC defeats BU to advance to the Beanpot final to face Harvard. How do you like them apples?
11. The Forechecker explores the myth that goalies get better if they are facing more shots.
12. Taking Note details the suspensions and fines handed down by the WHL for last Friday's fights.
13. Maple Leafs' forward Robbie Earl credits Wayne Gretzky for getting him interested in hockey.
14. Scott Morrison details the calamity that has been the Oilers' season.
15. Jim Kelley is pissed off at the Peter Forsberg situation.
16. The Clutch Factor adds more formulas to the way fans look at the NHL.
17. The New York Times suggests that Nike (and likely Bush-Cheney) were ultimately responsible for their own downfall in the hockey market.
18. A slow hockey news day has brought us the story that elite hockey players sweat more.
19. The Phoenix Coyotes have sent Daniel Carcillo to the minors for a wake up call.
20. The University of New Brunswick is the class of Canadian men's college hockey.
21. Dr. Hockey with his list of the 10 Players most likely to be traded at the deadline.
22. Paul Friesen wonders if the asking price for an NHL team has put Winnipeg out of the running for a new team.
23. Proving that he can use complete sentences, Chris Pronger offers advice for Gary Bettman.
24. Kyle Okposo is featured in this week's hot list.
25. Actual Headline: "Oilers Suffer Big Blow". If I "suffered" big blow's as often as the Oilers, I doubt you could wipe a smile off my face.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. LZ Granderson tells us the Willie O'Ree is still trying to make a difference in hockey.
2. You want more Willie O'Ree? You got 'im.
3. Darren Dreger writes that the NHL and NHLPA are discussing the implementation of a declaration date for players to decide their playing fate.
4. Bob McKenzie says that the ideal situation would see Calgary make some trades to free up money for their impending free agents.
5. Pierre Lebrun writes that Ken Hitchcock didn't even get to see Rick Nash's spectacular goal, despite being on the bench.
6. The ECHL is inducting four into their Hall of Fame.
7. The NHL Notebook from the Globe and Mail reminds us its almost deadline time.
8. Nike is about to sell their Bauer division.
9. The Puck Stops Here examines who gains the most from long term contracts for young players.
10. Chris Chelios is saying that Rob Blake wants to be a Red Wing. Chelly must need someone to carpool with when its Senior's Night at Cracker Barrel.
11. Lets Play Hockey has a feature on Brady Hjelle of the Cedar Rapids Roughriders.
12. To help illustrate this slow news day, the papers in Philly are reporting that 76'ers forward Samuel Dalembert will attend his first ever hockey game, despite being a Canadian.
13. The Duluth News Tribune says that college players are feeling the pull to turn pro earlier than in the past. I've seen girls from Duluth before, I bet they feel the urge to pull something else rather than subject themselves to those lovelies.
14. A story on the US Pond Hockey Championships, set for this weekend.
15. Charles Wang is spreading good will through hockey, and hoping that the good will reaps benefits.
16. Fanhouse does a follow-up on the Chris Pronger furniture burning story.
17. St. Louis Blues fans werethisclose to getting free beer for attending a home game.
18. Allan Muir gives us the most bang for the buck team. Might I also suggest Regina girls if Illegal Curve fans are looking for more bang for their buck?
19. Dean McAmmond has an alter ego.
20. The latest cartoon from The Instigator.
21. CBC has a feature where you can send in questions to Commissioner Gary Bettman.
22. Ryan Dixon looks at the next wave of Swedish defensemen.
23. Ross McKeon examines Brett Hull in his new role as co-GM in Dallas.
24. Check out these hockey pictures from The Best Seat in the House blog.
25. Lowetide updates us on the Oilers 2004 draft choices.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. TSN is reporting that Brent Sopel and his hair have agreed to a three year contract extension with the Hawks.
2. The Hawks also sent Magnus Johannson to the Panthers in a trade today.
3. Former Preds owner Craig Leipold has bought a majority stake of the Wild.
4. The AHL has named their Planet USA roster for the upcoming All-Star game.
5. In an exchange of players no one has ever heard of, the Ducks and Islanders swapped Matt Keith and Darryl Bootland.
6. Teppo Numminen will likely miss the rest of the season. If he only had a little heart...(too much?)
7. Tom Preissing wrote his senior thesis on the competitive balance in the NHL. Meanwhile, TJ Oshie uses elevators as toilets...
8. NHL.com asks former collegians what they would have done differently with their college career. Still no mention of getting arrested in an elevator...
9. John Kreiser looks at who is hot and cold in the NHL and gives a comprehensive run-down of each team's injury list.
10. Chris Pronger tops the list of Western Conference All-Star additions. I wonder if his wife will let him play?
11. Darren McCarty is attempting a comeback with the Flint Generals of the International Hockey League.
12. A look around the American Hockey League.
13. Jeff Gordon thinks its time for a regime change in Los Angeles. They had better find WMD's first, or the Democrats will never let them live it down.
14. Check out this brawl from the Russian Super League. The referees are sure Stalin before getting in there. I guess they are all about Lenin them go.
15. Interesting story about the new CBC drama, MVP.
16. Craig MacTavish has asked Ethan "Mr. Glass" Moreau to stop fighting.
17. Mike Toth with his thoughts on the Leafs.
18. On Frozen Blog is reporting that Alex Ovechkin has signed a contract extension with the Washington Capitals.
19. James Deacon of AOL Sports says Brendan Shanahan is the poster boy for the new NHL.
20. Brian Duff of the Hockey News says that Thomas Vanek was set up for failure.
21. Michael Farber wonders which goalie is the best in the NY area.
22. Damien Cox thinks that the Ducks' blueline is the best in the NHL. Nah, just a bunch of quacks. Someone stop me, please.
23. The Hockey News tells us all about Aaron Voros of the Minnesota Wild.
24. The latest in installment on the Roseau Rams.
25. The USHL has announced the rosters for the All-Star/Prospects game set for Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Morning Musings

Here are the morning papers:

• Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun is reporting that Peter Forsberg may make a decision on his future by November 15 and that the Senators are one of the teams that the superstar is interested in coming to.


• Damien Cox of the Toronto Star tells readers which people are really to blame for the Leafs' seemingly endless struggles. In other Leafs' news, coach Paul Maurice appeared to have a heart-to-heart with a number of Leaf veterans at center ice after practice on Monday.


• The Bruins were riding high until they played in Montreal last night and got humbled by a score of 6-1. Marc Savard only lost two draws last night, unfortunately for the Bruins, both lost draws resulted in immediate goals for the Habs. While, Manny Fernandez was given the opportunity to start back-to-back games and flopped.


• In Detroit, Igor Grigorenko was recalled from the AHL because Dallas Drake is currently injured, however, Ken Holland said it is unlikely that the youngster wins a roster spot because, "he hasn't wowed us."


• Kings' coach Marc Crawford says there is nothing to the rumors that L.A. is looking to trade either Alexander Frolov or Dustin Brown for a netminder.


• It is unclear whether Wild winger Pavol Demitra will be healthy enough to dress in the team's first game of a three game road trip Wednesday at Calgary.


• The struggling Predators are going to attempt to end their losing skid by trying new line combinations tonight. Michael Cass of the Tennessean has more news on the sale of the Predators.


• Flyers' winger Scottie Upshall thinks he is about 9-10 days away from returning to the lineup from a wrist injury suffered in the preseason. Coach John Stevens was happy with the results of his Mike Knuble/Joffrey Lupul line swap.


• The Penguins are looking to make it three wins in a row tonight on national television versus the high-powered Rangers. After yesterday's practice in which he took a high stick to the face, Jordan Staal now looks like a real hockey player.


• Chris Pronger hardly has any ties to the St. Louis area anymore writes Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.


• As Tarik El-Bashir tells us, Chris Clark will be returning to Alexander Ovechkin's line for tonight's game and maybe beyond.


• Ducks' coach Randy Carlyle doesn't want to hear any more excuses because he knows his team can succeed on the road. Meanwhile, Dan Wood of the Orange County Register informs us that former Duck Paul Kariya has no hard feelings towards his former organization.


• It looks like the Thrashers are going to split up the combination of Slava Kozlov and Marian Hossa for tonight's game.


• Flames' coach Mike Keenan gave Miikka Kiprusoff the hook near the end of the second period of last night's game 4-1 loss to San Jose. It wasn't all bad news for the Flames last night as veteran Owen Nolan played in his 1,000th NHL game. Forward David Moss did not play in last night's contest due to a concussion he suffered at the hands of Raffi Torres on Saturday night.


• The Hurricanes were impressive in their 3-1 victory over the visiting Canucks last night.


• Brad Zeimer of the Vancouver Sun opines that the Canucks need to stay out of the penalty box if they want to turn their ship around and get above the .500 level. Markus Naslund was visibly frustrated after last night's game, so much so that he questioned the Canucks' offensive system.


• Rocky Wirtz is doing what his dad refused to do and that is putting home games on television in the Chicago market. (Writer's note: It's about time!)


• Ryan Smyth admits he will probably breakdown tonight in his return to Edmonton, the only place he knew as home in the NHL until the end of last season.


• Smyth told the Edmonton media yesterday that are no hard feelings against his former club. Dan Barnes of the Edmonton Journal says the team has yet to replace Smyth with a new face of the franchise. The Oilers are going to try to avoid distraction tonight and keep their attention on the task at hand and that's maintaining a winning record at home.


• The Blue Jackets need to improve their five-on-five goal output writes Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch. Here are the Blue Jackets' line combinations for tonight's contest versus Chicago.


• The new NHL crackdown has significantly benefited Stars' center Mike Ribiero; Bill Nichols of the Dallas Morning News has the story.


• With injuries abound in Florida, expect a lot of lineup shuffling come game time tonight says Panthers' coach Jacques Martin


• Although the 6-1 score was lopsided for the Habs, it may not have been so had Cristobal Huet not turned aside all the Bruins' chances in the first period writes Red Fisher of the Montreal Gazette. Owen Nolan wasn't the only NHL player to play in his 1000th game last night as Bryan Smolinski joined him in achieving this relatively rare feat.


• Brent Sutter has challenged his two big star forwards , Patrik Elias and Brian Gionta, to up the quality of their play writes Rich Chere of the Newark Star-Ledger.


• Rangers' superstar Jaromir Jagr is not sure why his team is struggling. Jagr's teammate Brendan Shanahan thinks he has the answer to the Rangers' problems so far this season and that's that the team is too selfless.


• Islanders' captain Bill Guerin thinks Long Island is a perfect fit for him writes Mark Herrmann of Newsday.


• According to coach Wayne Gretzky, Derek Morris has been "unreal" for the Coyotes this season.


• Coach John Tortorella doesn't think Vinny Prospal's upcoming free agency has anything to do with his production so far this season. Carter Gaddis of the Tampa Tribune profiles the Bolts' equipment manager Ray Thill.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Recap, Recap, Recap

• Goalie Andrew Raycroft was able to stop all of the Sabres shots in the overtime period, but not the clearing attempt by defensemen Bryan McCabe; with 3.7 seconds left it ricochet off both posts and into the goal to give the Sabres the 5-4 win over the Maple Leafs. Chad Kilger and Johnny Pohl had 3 points each for the Leafs. Hecht, Pominville, Roy and Connolly each had two points for the Sabres.
  
• After scoring only eight goals in their past five games (while getting shutout twice), the Anaheim Ducks are able to put some pucks in the net, they beat up on the Red Wings 6-3. BEASTS of the night Ryan Getzlaf and Chris Pronger each had 3 points and Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 32 of 35 shots to record his 2nd win of the young season.
• Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo cash in for the Sharks. They score 3 and 2 points respectively. The San Jose Sharks defeat the Vancouver Canucks 4-2.

Tomorrow's Schedule (all times Eastern)
7:00pm: ATL@PHI
7:30pm: FLA@MTL
9:00pm: CGY@COL
10:30pm: MIN@LA