- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Sidney Crosby didn’t rule a Friday return date, but he didn’t suggest it’s any more likely that any other upcoming games.
- Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes Gm Jim Rutherford said they won’t be shaking up their coaching staff but changes need to done to “strengthen our team.” The Canes are off to a 5-6-3 start. Eric Staal has just 6 points in 14 games, and is not injured according to Rutherford.
- James Mirtle via twitter: Maple Leafs forward Tim Connolly will be out up to 2 weeks with an upper-body injury. Terry Koshan via twitter: James Reimer is not practicing.
- Harvey Fialkov via twitter: The Panthers send goalie Jacob Markstrom to the AHL and recall Scott Clemmensen. This move gives GM Dale Tallon time to find a trade partner for Clemmensen.
- Craig Custance via twitter: If the Blues continue their struggling ways under new coach Ken Hitchcock, trades could be coming.
“You’re going to see guys moved out of there,” the source said. “Those are the guys that you’re going to find out that they weren’t ready to buy into his program. He’s going to move them. Doug Armstrong is going to move them out and bring in people.”
- Tim Wharnsby via twitter: Ken Hitchcock said he was offer the Blues head coaching position at 3 pm, and was heading to St. Louis in his car by 6:30 pm.
- Ian Mendes via twitter: Daniel Alfredsson is making progress. He’s able to skate but still no timetable.
- Chris Kuc via twitter: Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith is back practicing today.
- Tim Wharnsby via twitter: Oilers coach Tom Renney said that there is a “reasonable chance” that Ales Hemsky will get back in the lineup later this week.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: The Devils have placed Mark Fraser and Rod Pelley on waivers.
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: Devils lines at practice: Parise-Henrique-Clarkson; Sykora-Elias-Zubrus; Tedenby-Carter-Palmieri; Pelley-Mills-Janssen. Rich Chere via twitter: Kovalchuk isn’t practicing today. Defenseman Andy Greene is practicing. Devils coach Peter Deboer said that Kovalchuk won’t play tomorrow unless there is a dramatic recovery overnight.
- Fluto Shinzawa via twitter: Tuuka Rask will start in net for the Bruins. Rich Peverley is out. Joe Haggerty via twitter: Peverley has a minor undisclosed injury according to Claude Julien.
- Arthur Staple via twitter: Looking like Evgeni Nabokov will start in net for the Islanders tonight in Boston.
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: Martin Brodeur will start in net for the Devils tomorrow.
- James Mirtle via twitter: Jonas Gustavsson is expected to start tomorrow against the Panthers. Luke Schenn will return to the lineup.