On the Chicago Blackhawks …
Chris Hine: Both Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook didn’t skate yesterday. Coach Joel Quenneville said they need to skate before they play and isn’t optimistic about them playing on Sunday.
On the Colorado Avalanche …
Renaud Lavoie: Gabriel Landeskog was skating with his regular line yesterday. Can expect him to play against the Canadiens.
On the Dallas Stars …
Mark Stepneski: Coach Lindy Ruff said that Johnny Oduya will likely play this weekend. They have a back-to-back, but he won’t play in both.
Mark Stepneski: Ruff said that there is a chance that winger Jiri Hudler plays today.
Mark Stepneski: Ruff said that Patrick Sharp is feeling pretty good. He is working out and has skated on his own.
Mark Stepneski: The Stars put defensman Julius Honka on the IR with an upper-body injury, retroactive to December 6th.
On the Vancouver Canucks …
Dan Murphy: Coach Willie Desjardins said that they pulled Ryan Miller on Thursday for precautionary reasons. He had tightness in his lower body.
News 1130: The Canucks have recalled goaltender Thatcher Demko.
On the New Jersey Devils …
Andrew Gross of NJ.com: An update on Patrik Elias who continues to rehab at New Jersey facilities.
“He’s not out of the picture,” Hynes said. “He’s still going through the process of trying to figure out whether or not he’s going to be able to play. He’s still training, skating. He’s been around with us, using the facilities.
“We knew coming into this year, it probably wasn’t going to be a first half of the season situation,” Hynes added. “He’s really working toward if he feels and we feel he’s going to be able to play. But we’re not at that point yet.”
If by January Elias thinks he’ll be able to play this season, he’ll let the Devils know. The Devils will then have to decide if they want to sign him.