- Jennifer Pagliaro of the Globe and Mail: Waffles have been a hot topic around the Toronto Maple Leafs recently, with the 2nd waffle throwing incident taking place on Monday. But this time the culprit was caught. Joe Robb was charged with mischief after he thew a box of Eggo’s over the boards during play. Joe is a ‘diehard’ fan, but is frustrated with the team. “I didn’t intend for it to hurt nobody and maybe I shouldn’t have done it while the play was going on,” the 31-year-old Oakville resident told The Globe and Mail Wednesday. “I totally love the Leafs and that’s pretty much my hobby, to watch the team play.” He’s been banned “indefinitely” from the ACC and other MLSE venues. In case you haven’t seen the video, it’s at the bottom of this post. Keep your eye on just above the Rogers sign to see Joe in action.
- John Niyo of the Detroit News: Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk will be out for at least a month after breaking a bone in his right hand last night. Datsyuk tripped over Mikael Samuelsson and fell awkwardly with less than 2 minutes left in the first.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Dreger wonders what kind of trade interested there would be in Islanders goalie Dwayne Roloson
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller will go for career win number 200. He would be the 67th goalie to reach 200 wins. The 30 year old Miller has posted a career 199-114-37 record.
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Keith Yandle is the Coyotes leading scorer and will be an RFA at season’s end. He’s currently making $1.3 million and will be looking for a nice raise. GM Don Maloney can’t do anything until the new owner takes over. Both sides will be paying attention to other RFAs Shea Weber, Jack Johnson, and Drew Doughty.
- Jesse Spector of the NY Daily News: Marian Gaborik was unable to practice yesterday and will not be in the lineup for the NY Rangers tonight. Gaborik could return on Monday. Michael Del Zotto is out with the flue. The Norwegian Hobbit Mats Zuccarello was called up to yesterday. Ryan Callahan will be out until February with a broken left hand.
- Ken B|elson of the NY Times: Practically every team has inquired about hosting or participating in the 2012 Winter Classic, the Commish Gary Bettman, said it’s too early to say where it will be held next New Year’s Day. The league had hoped to hold a game at Yankee stadium but the “Pinstripe Bowl” is held a few days before New Year’s Day.
- David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: SJ Sharks Douglas Murray skated yesterday but it’s still not known if he’ll return tonight. Antero Nittymaki (12-3-3, 2.31 GAA) may have the upper hand over Antti Niemi (6-8-2, 3.15 GAA). Coach Todd McLellan will still continue to use both goalies, but my go with the hotter goalie more often.
- Don O’Neill of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: St. Louis Blues injured forward TJ Oshie skated for 45 minutes before yesterday’s optional skate. Oshie broke his left ankle on Nov. 10th and is projected to be re-evaluated in mid-February. Patrick Berglund left Tuesday’s game early but will be in the lineup tonight.
- James O’Brien of Pro Hockey Talk (NBC Sports): Cam Ward is likely to play tonight despite having an infection on his forehead that swelled up so bad it almost closed his left eye. Matt Bradley will be out for 2-4 weeks with a broken finger. Patrick Kaleta is listed as day-to-day after only playing 1 period on Tuesday.