Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: After a day off, Sidney Crosby was back on the ice yesterday. It was the 3rd time in the last 4 days that he’s skated. “I don’t want symptoms, and I don’t want to rush anything,” he said. “It’s not something you can rush. I know it’s going to take time.” Mike Comrie skated for the first time yesterday since he had hip surgery in December. Mark Letestu is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk left with a lower-body injury after getting hit by Rick Nash in the 3rd period. Brian Rafalski injured his knee after Blue Jackets Antoine Vermette fell on it. Rafalski didn’t seemed concerned about it.
Matthew Sekeres of the Globe and Mail: Manny Malhotra had surgery Wednesday night to reduced swelling and take some blood from his eye. If the eye is permanently impaired likely won’t be known for a couple days. Victor Oreskovich was recalled by the Canucks. Maxim Lapierre will likely take Malhotra’s 3rd line center role.
Chris Vivlamore of the Altanta Journal Constitution: 3 groups have shown interest in buying the Thrashers and keeping them in Atlanta, with the majority of discussions between 2 groups. 2 groupls have shown interest in buying the Thrashers, Hawks and the Arena, with one group having talked to both the NBA and NHL.
Andy Strickland of True Hockey: The Blues are for sale as well, but fans should be worried about relocation. Bettman and the league are involved with the Blues situation, though the level of their involvement is unclear. “In fact sources confirm the $110 million offer made by Tom Stillman was delivered directly to the NHL and Bettman, not to Dave Checketts or TowerBrook Capital.” TowerBrook Capital ownes around 70% of the Blues.