- Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins defenseman Kris Letang has some concussion symptoms according to coach Dan Bylsma. He will miss Saturday’s game, but will remain with the team until they return home after the game. Winger Steve Sullivan is questionable for Saturday night.
- Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun: Sportak notes some of the best UFAs available in an overall weak crop: Zach Parise, Shane Doan, Jiri Hudler, Mikhail Grobovski, Alexander Semin .. Role players in: Chris Kelly, Daniel Paille, Shawn Thornton, David Jones, Jarret Stoll, Travis Moen, Paul Gaustad, P.A. Parenteau, Brandon Prust, Arron Asham and Dominic Moore … Along the blueline: Ryan Suter, Bryan Allen, Brad Stuart, Barret Jackman, Pavel Kubina, Matt Carle and Nicklas Grossman … noteworthy RFAs: Tuukka Rask, Cory Schneider, Anders Lindback and Shea Weber. (our free agent lists, starting with the Centers and RFAs)
- Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: Koshan lists some coaches who could replace current Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson if he’s fired: The Usual Suspects: Randy Carlyle, Marc Crawford, Mike Keenan. Ready for the Next Step? Dallas Eakins, Mike Haviland, Brad Shaw, Todd Nelson, Patrick Roy. And then there is: Scott Gordon, John Anderson, Andy Murray and Craig Ramsay. Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Cox thinks that Dallas Eakins should be the next Leafs coach.
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom will be out for both Friday and Sunday’s games, and will be re-evaluated on Monday. He has a deep bone bruise on his ankle.
- Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom left last night’s game with what looks to be a serious lower-body injury. Backstrom was not able to put any pressure on his leg as he was helped off the ice. GM Chuck Fletcher said it’s not a short-term thing.
- Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Flyers James van Riemsdyk blocked a Milan Jurcina shot and broke a bone in his foot. There is no timetable yet, he’ll be re-evaluated today.
- Renaud Lavoie via twitter: Lavoie thinks that Wild forward Guillaume Latendresse will need to feel better in the next 10 days or his season could be over.
- Mark Stepneski of ESPN: Stars forward Brenden Morrow skated yesterday. He’s been out for 14 games with neck and back issues.
“I am nowhere near game shape. It’s probably going to be a week or so before I am in any action,” Morrow said. “It’s going to be skating and different movements that my body hasn’t been in and make sure I am not causing any pain and then we’ll start getting in some practices, getting bumped around a bit. I’ll take it slow at the beginning and then ramp it up before getting into a game.”
- TSN: Senators goalie Craig Anderson is still unable to hold a stick after cutting several tendons on his pinky finger while preparing dinner last week. “It’s hard to say … obviously the timeline is wide open right now,” Anderson told reporters Thursday. “All I can do right now is make sure I stay in shape. I’m able to go out there and skate with my gear on. The main thing right now is keeping my legs, keeping everything strong, so when I do have a chance to come back, I’m physically ready to go.”