Morning Hits: 2012 Draft, Backlund, New Avs lines, Dubnyk and the Sabres
Aaron Portzline: Former Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson was thrilled when the Oilers drafted Nail Yakupov over Ryan Murray in 2012. The Blue Jackets wouldn't have drafted Yakupov at No 2. Portzline thinks (if remembers correctly) that Howson would have taken Alex…
Lines and Goalies: Hurricanes, Penguins, Islanders, Canadiens, Oilers, Devils, Bruins and Ducks
Michael Smith: Hurricanes lines: Bowman-E. Staal-Ruutu, Gerbe-J. Staal-Dwyer, Skinner-Nash-Terry, Tlusty-Malhotra-Dvorak. Shelly Anderson: Penguins lines: Kunitz-Crosby-Bennett, Dupuis-Malkin-Neal, Jokinen-Sutter-Gibbons, Glass-Vitale-Adams. NY Islanders: Islanders lines: Vanek-Nelson-Tavares-Okposo; Bailey-Nielsen-McDonald; Grabner-Bouchard-Regin-Clutterbuck; Boulton-Cizikas-Martin. Marc Antoine Godin: Canadiens lines: Galchenyuk-Eller-Prust, Pacioretty-Desharnais-Gallagher, Bourque-Plekanec-Gionta, Moen-Brière-Bournival. Bob Stauffer: Oilers lines: Hall-RNH-Eberle, Smyth-Gordon-Perron, Yakupov-Gagner-Hemsky, Jonesuu-Acton-Gazdic. Same…
Morning Rumors: Rinne, Ducks, Canadiens, Avalanche, Jets and Leafs
Kevin Allen of the USA Today: Allen thinks the Predators may be forced to trade for a goalie as they wait for Pekka Rinne to return. It's not known when Rinne will return. He is scheduled to have another review…
Morning Rumors: Oilers, Flyers, Flames, Jets, Canadiens, Canucks, Sabres and Scouting Avs-Blues
TSN: Some quotes from Oilers GM Craig MacTavish: "I have not seen the same, beat-up, negative group that I've seen here in the past. If I thought for one instant it was a lack of work ethic on the players'…
Injury Notes: Quick, Emelin, McQuaid, Green, Vanek, Volchenkov, Dvorak, Skinner and Glencross
Jon Rosen: Kings Jonathan Quick has a grade 2 groin strain. John Lu: Canadiens Alexei Emelin said he'll return to the lineup on Saturday against the Rangers. Joe McDonald: Bruins Adam McQuaid was able to ride a stationary bike. Chuck…
Morning Hits: Berard, Suter, Pearson, Emelin, Prust and Giguere
New York Daily News: Former NHL Bryan Berard worked with a former policeman and the FBI to bring down two men for multiple fraud counts. Two men ripped off upwards of $$15 million from at least a 12 former and…
Morning Rumors I: Yakupov, Subban, Diaz, Lightning, Cammalleri, Scouting the Habs-Lightning, Avs-Canes
Yahoo Sports NHL: Oilers GM Craig MacTavish said that Nail Yakupov is becoming a distraction, but nothing has changed, so don't expect a trade. TSN Radio: Darren Dreger said that MacTavish is trying move Ales Hemsky and not Yakupov. “There’s…
Morning Rumors: Yakupov, Lundqvist, Goalie Market, Hemsky, Candiens, Leafs, Panthers, Caps and Flyers
Craig Custance: Nail Yakupov's agent said that if the Oilers are unhappy with Yakupov, they are open to a trade: "We're willing to make a move. Any team. That happens and that's part of life." Bob Stauffer: On Larionov and…
Morning Hits: Steckel, Briere, Downie, Whitney, Mottau, Beleskey, Fasth and Berra
Ryan Kennedy: Ducks signed Dave Steckel to a one-year, two-way deal. Renaud Lavoie: Daniel Briere will be back in the Canadiens lineup tonight. Tim Panaccio: Flyers Steve Downie has been cleared to play. George Richards: The Panthers send Ryan Whitney…
Injury Notes: Lightning, Leopold, Islanders, Getzlaf, Koivu, Emelin, Moore, Nash and Stempniak
Erik Erlendsson: The Lightning confirm that Steven Stamkos has a broken right tibia and will be out indefinitely. Nick Kypreos: The break isn't overly complicated and participating in the Sochi Olympics may not be out of the question. Damian Cristodero:…
Afternoon Hits: Anderson, Bolland, Steckel, Smith, Ericsson, Calvert, Jenner, Downie, Raffl and Line Combos
Bruce Garrioch: "Craig Anderson is the No. 1 goalie and he's ready to play. He's ready to play," says MacLean. "Robin has done a good job." David Alter: Maple Leafs David Bolland thinks he'll be on crutches for another month.…
Morning Rumors: Subban, Team Needs, Maple Leafs, Panthers, Predators, Oilers and Yakupov
Chris Nichols: Louis Jean said that P.K. Subban and the Canadiens will begin contract extension talks within the next two weeks. Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie on TSN Radio: "the critical question that needs to be asked: is Therein giving PK tough love…