Wolski re-signs with Avs

From Adrain Dater of the Denver Post:

Wolski just re-signed with the Avs. Two years, $5.6 million.

Read more from All Things Avs here.

Wolski wasn't Joel Quenville's favorite player, so it will be interesting to see how he will play under new coach Tony Granato. Also, there has been word he may be moved to center for the upcoming season. All in all, a $2.8 million average on the deal makes sense for both sides.

NHL Morning Papers: Playoff Teams (Friday Edition)

Here are the morning papers for the second round playoff match-ups:

Eastern Conference:

Montreal (1) versus Philadelphia (6):

• The Canadiens used the magic of their past and came back to defeat the Flyers 4-3 in overtime, writes Pat Hickey. Alexei Kovalev was the Habs' first star last night as he scored two huge goals for the club. They may have won, but the Canadiens were not the better team on the ice last night, opines Red Fisher. A couple of breaks went Montreal's way last night and that was the difference.
• Phil Sheridan of the Philadelphia Inquirer has the game report. "It was our third game in 4 nights and I was really, really happy with the way we responded here tonight," said Flyers coach John Stevens after last night's 4-3 overtime loss at Montreal. The Montreal fans are not making a good impression around the NHL. In injury news, it appears doubtful that Mike Knuble (hamstring) will return for this series.

Pittsburgh (2) versus New York Rangers (5):

• Dave Molinari has in depth analysis of the all facets of the game for the Penguins/Rangers series. Heeee's back, writes Shelly Anderson about Jaromir Jagr. The Penguins are going to make sure they protect Marc-Andre Fleury from the over-aggressive Rangers. Thinking back, the Penguins probably wouldn't be here without Ty Conklin.
• Larry Brooks suggests the Rangers do not try and match a checking line with Sidney Crosby's line. Brooks also breaks down both teams and gives his prediction for the series. The Rangers will surely be fresh for tonight's game, writes John Dellapina.

Western Conference:

Detroit (1) versus Colorado (6):

• Chris Osgood shut the door when he had to last night, writes Helene St. James. If you are a Detroit fan, there was a lot to like about Game 1. Last night's game was a good one, but it did not really bring back memories of the late 90's. Meanwhile, Johan Franzen continues to impress.
• Terry Frei takes a closer look at Joel Quenville's line-up changes last night. Jose Theodore clearly wasn't sharp last night, writes Woody Paige. Peter Forsberg pulled his groin during the game-day skate and that is why he did not suit up last night.

San Jose (2) versus Dallas (5):

• Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News likes the Sharks in 6. Sharks winger Ryane Clowe explains how to deal with Steve Ott. Here are the results of the Sharks/Stars games from the regular season. Meantime, the Sharks brass is hoping that Milan Michalek regains his scoring touch this series.
• Steve Ott is apparently giving Sean Avery a run for his money in the pest of the year contest. This series sure won't lack emotion, writes Mike Heika. Marty Turco is a changed goalie from the one earlier in his career, writes Tim Cowlishaw. Here is a preview of tonight's Game 1.

I am not able to post the non-playoff team morning papers today. They will return bright and early tomorrow morning.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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

NHL Morning Papers (Monday Edition)

Here are the Western Conference morning papers:

• Teemu Selanne became the Ducks' all-time leading scorer yesterday, with an assist on a Ryan Shannon goal, as the Ducks defeated the Flames 4-2 at the Honda Center.
• If the Blue Jackets continue to play like they did Sunday against St. Louis, they will be sellers come next Tuesday, writes Tom Reed. Ken Hitchcock usually doesn't like distractions, but he has no problem with his team being the opposition this upcoming Saturday when the Montreal Canadiens retire the jersey of Bob Gainey.
• The Red Wings lost their sixth straight game on Sunday by a score of 1-0 to Dallas, writes Helene St. James. While the Wings couldn't crack the scoresheet, they were very impressed with the play of young goaltender Jimmy Howard in yesterday's loss.
• Kings defenseman Rob Blake came out on Sunday and said that he'd prefer not to be traded.
• The Wild shouldn't have needed overtime to defeat the Predators, but that's what it took to record a 5-4 victory at the Xcel Center on Sunday night. Apparently the Wild still hold out hope in the Peter Forsberg sweepstakes.
• Being down two goals going into the third period against the Wild gives the Predators something to build on, even though they ended up losing 5-4 in overtime. Predators winger Jordin Tootoo returned to the line-up yesterday after missing 19 games with a hip flexor injury.
• David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News says the Sharks' loss yesterday at MSG can be boiled down to 13 seconds of action.
• The Blackhawks can thank their penalty killing for yesterday afternoon's 2-1 victory over the Avalanche, writes Chris Kuc. "There will be a lot of conversation, and if it makes sense, we'll pull the trigger," said Hawks GM Dale Tallon.
• "I didn't like how we played. We were on the receiving end all night," said Avalanche coach Joel Quenville after yesterday's 2-1 loss at Chicago. Apparently Andrew Brunette was being scouted yesterday in Chicago, writes Adrian Dater of the Denver Post.
• Sam Gagner proved a lot to his teammates and coaches on Saturday night by dropping the mitts with Ryan Kesler. Meanwhile, Mathieu Roy can't seem to ever stay healthy for the Oilers, writes Robert Tychkowski.
• Here is a preview of the Coyotes' game versus the Kings tonight.
• After last night's convincing 5-1 win over the Blue Jackets, the Blues are only three points back of the Canucks for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, writes Jeremy Rutherford.

Here are the Eastern Coneference morning papers:

• Don Waddell has a big decision on his hands regarding Marian Hossa, writes Craig Custance of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Custance also lists five teams that are very interested in Marian Hossa.
• The Bruins could sure use a top-six forward for the stretch run, writes Kevin Paul Dupont.
• The Hurricanes visit the Devils this afternoon and the organization has sure realized how much has changed since the they last played New Jersey; the thing is, it really wasn't that long ago, writes Luke Decock. Decock expects Matt Cullen's role to expand in today's game.
• The Rangers defeated the Sharks 3-1 on Sunday afternoon, and after the game the team admitted that they have bought into the defense-first identity. Fans and teammates have been very impressed with the recent play of Chris Drury.
• The Flyers visited the penalty box too many times and it led to their seventh consecutive loss, as the Habs came into Philadelphia and were victorious by a score of 5-3. The Flyers have been hit hard with the injury bug and Ed Moran provides readers with the most recent members of the Flyers' injury club.
• After last night's victory over the Sabres, the Penguins moved into first place in the Atlantic Division. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby still won't set a date for his return to the line-up.
• The Panthers may have lost Stephen Weiss to a hand injury, writes Steve Gorten. Weiss is questionable to play Tuesday at Pittsburgh.
• After last night's impressive victory at Philly, the Habs are tied for first overall in the Eastern Conference with the Ottawa Senators.
• The Devils believe they are Stanley Cup contenders this year, writes Rich Chere.
• The Islanders believe their recent three-game winning streak can be attributed to better defensive play, writes Erik Boland.
• Jay Feaster won't tip his hand as to what he is going to do come trade deadline day, writes Erik Erlendsson.
• The Senators have to somehow get out of their February funk out on the road, writes Don Brennan.
• Damien Cox of the Toronto Star speculates on a possible Cliff Fletcher replacement.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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

NHL Morning Papers

Here are the national morning papers:

• ESPN analyst Barry Melrose has apologized for comments he made about the area around the newly opened Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
• Alan Maki of the Globe & Mail has the details of superfan Steve Williamson's journey across North America to catch 30 hockey games in 30 days.
• Peter James of the National Post profiles soon-to-be Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Al MacInnis.
• The USA Today has a Q & A with Kings' forward Michael Cammalleri.
• Rick Westhead of the Toronto Star touches on the possibility of the NHL returning to Winnipeg.

Here are the Western Conference morning papers:

• Chris Osgood is slated to get the start in net tonight for the Red Wings when they face off against the Predators. For our Michigan readers, February 16th has been proclaimed Hockey Day in Michigan.
• Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster finally scored his first goal of the season earlier this week but, overall, he has been frustrated by his lack of offensive output.
• Predators' coach Barry Trotz has yet to name a starting goaltender for tonight's contest versus the Red Wings, believing that both of his goaltenders will be better prepared when unaware if they are starting or backing up. It looks like Martin Gelinas will return to the lineup after missing a few games with a shoulder injury.
• The Blues still have three games left in David Perron's "trial" to decide if the rookie winger is going to stay up in the NHL all season or be sent back to juniors.
• For some reason, the Blackhawks are far more successful on the road than they are at home and they are hoping to change that starting tonight versus Columbus. Here is the stat line for both teams.
• Avalance off-season signing Scott Hannan has the worst plus/minus on the team with a -7 rating, however, Avs' coach Joel Quenville doesn't put too much stock in short term plus/minus ratings.
• Blue Jackets enforcer Jody Shelley has been a healthy scratch in ten of the team's first thirteen games, but he is not going to become a distraction for the team writes Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch. David Vyborny has struggled out of the gate this season, however, his lack of offensive production has been a lot easier to take with the team finally winning on a consistent basis. Here are the Blue Jackets' projected lines for tonight's contest.
• Flames' defenseman Dion Phaneuf missed practice yesterday because of an aggravated leg injury and his status for the team's game on Thursday is up in the air.
• The Stars record short-handed this season is incredible writes Mike Heika in the Dallas Morning News. Here is Heika's preview of the Stars' game tonight versus the Sharks.
• Craig MacTavish lit into his team yesterday in practice and questioned their heart and desire. The coach needs Jarret Stoll to bust out of his season-long slump and help contribute offensively and improve his defensive game.
• Coyotes' coach Wayne Gretzky says he excited about the NHL schedule change next season which will see a return to the format of every team playing each other at least once a season.
• Evgeni Nabokov has been a horse for Ron Wilson and the Sharks; the 32 year old netminder has started every game for San Jose this season writes Mark Emmons of the San Jose Mercury News.

Here are the Eastern Conference morning papers:

• Wholesale line changes by coach Glen Hanlon helped the Capitals put forth an improved performance last night in comparison with their dud on Monday night, however, it was not enough as the Caps fell 2-1 in overtime to the Thrashers in Atlanta.
• The Leafs, once again, lost to the Senators last night by a score of 5-1 and excuses aside, the Senators are just flat out better than Toronto.
• Dan Boyle is going to be lost to the Lightning for quite a while, which is why Bolts' coach John Tortorella is not going to harp on the injury and is only looking forward to other people stepping up and carrying the load.
• After winning all eight games against the Flyers last season, the Penguins are ready to face a totally different Flyers squad tonight. Expect Dany Sabourin to be between the pipes tonight versus the Flyers.
• The Flyers have switched their lines up, flipping Mike Richards and Daniel Briere for tonight's game.
• Everything is rosy for the Senators right now with only one loss on the season. Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun wonders if it is too early to start comparing this season's version of the Senators to the 1976/77 Canadiens. Hugh Adami of the Ottawa Citizen looks at the Senators cap structure and analyzes their ability to keep defenseman Wade Redden.
• It took the Islanders two periods, but they finally broke the Lundqvist code and scored three times in the third to win the Battle of NY 3-2 on home ice.
• The Rangers wore down in the third period, with last night's game being their third in four nights, and they didn't have the necessary mental focus to put the game away. Unnoticed by many, has been the fact that the Rangers are winless on the road to start the season.
• The Devils have sent veteran defenseman Richard Matvichuk down to the minors. It is fair to say that Jamie Langenbrunner probably would have preferred to pick another day for his first practice, as the veteran winger had to pay the price for the team's lackluster effort versus Pittsburgh on Monday in practice yesterday.
• The Canadiens have gained confidence from their recent homestand and are hoping to take that confidence out on the road writes Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette.
• According to the Miami Herald, Panthers' defenseman Bryan Allen will miss tonight's game versus the Lightning.
• With Niclas Wallin lost to the Canes with an injury, defenseman Dennis Seidenberg is getting the opportunity to strut his stuff.
• Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News says that team are starting to adjust to the Sabres skating/free-wheeling style and that means less scoring chances and more adjustments for the coaching staff.
• Bruins' winger Glen Murray says that Boston has to start out-working opposing penalty-killers if they want to score on the powerplay because the talent is there.
• The Thrashers pulled out a big 2-1 win in overtime last night after Ilya Kovalchuk, who has been carrying the team in recent games, left the game with back-spasms.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.