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Canadiens' GM Bob Gainey passes torch to Pierre Gauthier
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February 9
Montreal Gazette
 
"The Canadiens didn't have to look far to find a replacement when general manager Bob Gainey decided to step down. Pierre Gauthier, who has served as Gainey's right-hand man for the past 61/2 years, is the team's new GM. "I've done my best and now it's time for me to pass the torch," Gainey said during a news conference at the Bell Centre yesterday afternoon. "I believe that the general manager position requires a long-term vision and a long-term commitment. At this point, I'm not prepared to make a commitment of four or five or six more years in this position. "If I had to choose between leaving a little earlier, or a little later, I'd prefer (to go) earlier," added Gainey, who will remain ..."
Ryan Getzlaf injures ankle against Kings
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February 9
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Ducks ended the Kings' streak, but the two points in the playoff race might have come at a high price. Ryan Getzlaf, the team's leading scorer, sprained his left ankle during the second period and left the arena wearing a boot and on crutches. X-rays were negative, but an MRI exam is scheduled for Tuesday. "That will give us a better indication of the severity of the sprain," Coach Randy Carlyle said. The Ducks have three games remaining before the Olympic break, when Getzlaf is scheduled to play for Canada in Vancouver. Canada's first game is Feb. 16, eight days after his injury. "Hopefully, he won't be out too long," Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer said. "I don't have to say what he ..."
Bergeron out 6 to 8 weeks
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February 9
Montreal Gazette
 
"Marc-André Bergeron wasn't at practice Monday and the word is that he will out of action for six to eight weeks. Bergeron left the Feb. 4 game against Boston after he was hit in the leg with a shot. He missed the weekend games against Pittsburgh and Boston and was limping noticeably in the press box Saturday."
Source: Flyers' Emery might need hip surgery
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February 9
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Michael Leighton started his third straight game in goal for the Flyers last night in place of Ray Emery, who underwent an MRI yesterday on his sore left hip. A team source told the Daily News that Emery could have a torn labrum that may require surgery. General manager Paul Holmgren said the results from the MRI were not immediately available yesterday. "It seems to be an issue with a lot of goalies in the league and we're hoping to learn from what Ray underwent today," Holmgren said. "A lot of goalies have this issue because of the way they play, so I think it's probably something like that." Holmgren wouldn't rule out the possibility of surgery for Emery - but didn't say it was ..."
Collapse after scary injury to Devils' Anssi Salmela
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February 9
New York Post
 
"With their latest likely concussion case walking and talking, the discussion turned from Anssi Salmela's face-plant to the way the Devils crash after being dented. For the fifth straight game, the Devils last night gave up three straight goals, losing for the fourth time in that stretch, this time 3-2 to the Flyers. It wasn't just the horror of seeing Salmela prone and motionless on the ice, leveled by Jeff Carter after Salmela gave the Devils a 2-0 lead 1:01 into the second period. The collapse has happened in every game they've played this month. "It's definitely trouble, how quickly we get scored upon. They get one, then it's two and three," goalie Martin Brodeur said. "It's a big ..."
President: Stars will stay in Dallas, but budget tight
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February 9
Dallas Morning News
 
"Tom Hicks said Monday he lent $85 million of his own money to Hicks Sports Group over a two-year period that ended March 31, 2009, and that the Stars must operate under a tight budget if they want to be viable going forward. Hicks, who controls Hicks Sports Group, was overseas last week when it was announced HSG would seek possible new ownership for the Stars, spoke to the media Monday for the first time since the announcement. He said that HSG, which owns the Stars and is in the process of selling the Rangers, took on too much debt because teams spent more than the budget allowed. He now has to monetize the sports assets to pay down the debt, he said. Hicks said while the public ..."
Johan Franzen will play vs. Blues; others ailing
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February 9
Detroit Free Press
 
"Right wing Johan Franzen will return to the Red Wings' lineup tonight against the host St. Louis Blues. Franzen, out since Oct. 8 with a torn left anterior cruciate ligament, will play three games before the NHL shuts down for two weeks because of the Vancouver Olympics. "He's been trying to get back for over two weeks," Wings coach Mike Babcock said of Franzen. "He thinks he's been ready, but there's a process they go through." Though Franzen returns, the Wings aren't getting everyone back they had wanted. Defenseman Niklas Kronwall (knee) practiced Monday, but said he won't play because he's waiting for a knee brace. Tomas Holmstrom (knee) will be a game-day decision, and Patrick Eaves ..."
David Koci suffers break in right hand
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February 9
Denver Post
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"Stewart's goal was his 18th of the season, tying him for the team lead with Matt Duchene, and although his role is as a physical power forward, it raises the question of whether it's wise for him to be fighting. It's even more pertinent now that Avalanche enforcer David Koci will be out for a while with a broken right hand suffered in a first-period fight with the Blues' D.J. King. "It's nice to get a goal and a couple of assists," Stewart said, "but anytime you get in a physical altercation and it's been awhile, you can be a little rusty.""
Bourque out with injury?
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February 9
Calgary Sun
 
"Someone else is going to have to shoulder the load. Rene Bourque's left arm was spotted in a sling, and the right-winger's bum wing — a shoulder injury that could keep him out through the Olympic break — means either Brian McGrattan or Jamie Lundmark will be elevated into an active role for the Flames Tuesday night against the Senators. No details were given on the severity of Bourque's injury, and the man himself preferred not to talk about the hit in the back from Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Kurtis Foster that popped his helmet off and maybe the shoulder out of joint, too. Lundmark skated with Mikael Backlund and Curtis Glencross Monday during practice at Scotiabank Place and appears ..."
Gagner's injury needs closer look
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February 9
Edmonton Sun
 
"The Edmonton Oilers have decided to take a closer look at Sam Gagner's knee. The Edmonton Oilers forward is flying back to Edmonton today for further observation. He won't be in the line up tonight when the Oilers taken on the Phoenix Coyotes. "I hurt my knee a couple of weeks ago and it's been bugging me and getting worse," Gagner said. "I'm going to back to Edmonton tonight, get it checked out tomorrow and if there is nothing structurally wrong, then maybe I can rejoin the team in Anaheim and maybe play there." Gagner, who has 14 goals and 21 assists this season, left Saturday's game against the Colorado Avalanche after the second period with a sore knee."
Avalanche goalie Anderson stays in game after arm numbness in second period
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February 9
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson stayed down on the ice and seemed shaken after a shot from St. Louis' Alexander Steen caromed off Anderson midway through the second period of Colorado's 5-2 win over the Blues. After some nervous moments for the Colorado coaching staff, though, Anderson remained in the game and finished with 32 saves while earning his 29th victory of the season. "It got me right in the shoulder, and my whole arm went numb," Anderson said. "It was just one of those spots. Once the feeling comes back, it's just a bruise." Anderson, who was making his 13th consecutive start and his 50th of the season, had some sympathy for Blues starter Chris Mason, who allowed five goals on ..."
Krejci improving, probable for today
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February 9
Boston Globe
 
"Good afternoon from HSBC Arena, where a handful of Bruins have concluded practice. David Krejci didn't skate, but was present for treatment on his injured right leg. Krejci said he felt much better today and that he's hopeful to play tomorrow against the Sabres."
Demitra out of the lineup, again
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February 9
Vancouver Sun
 
"Just when it looked like Pavol Demitra was finally back, he is gone again. Demitra left the Canucks Monday afternoon and returned to Vancouver to deal with what the team is calling a personal matter. "He has a personal matter that he had to take care of so he flew back to Vancouver this afternoon," coach Alain Vigneault said after his team's practice here. Vigneault said he does not know whether Demitra will be back for any of the four remaining games of the Canucks' eight-game road trip. The team would not make any further comment on Demitra, who is scheduled to play for Slovakia at the Winter Olympics. Demitra, who had missed most of the season with a serious shoulder injury, had his ..."
Lehtonen practices, no timetable for NHL return
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February 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"Thrashers goaltender Kari Lehtonen practiced with the team Monday after returning from a two-week conditioning assignment at AHL Chicago. There is no timetable for Lehtonen, returning from two off-season back surgeries, to play his first NHL game since April 11, 2009. "Kari is not going to go just yet," Thrashers coach John Anderson said. "We'll see what he looks like on a day-to-day basis. I don't want to set him up to fail. I want to make sure he's 100 percent ready to go in and make an impact for us. "I don't know exactly what we are going to do. We might carry three [goaltenders]. We still have two or three weeks to decide.""
Vesa can't wait to wash away `blue and white'
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February 9
Toronto Star
 
"Former Leaf goaltender Vesa Toskala is already making waves on his new team, despite not yet having played for them. Upon arriving via trade, Toskala's first move was to request the number 35 – the one worn by the most successful goalie in Anaheim Ducks history and the newest Leaf, Jean-Sebastien Giguere. He was refused. "It didn't work out," Toskala told the Orange County Register. Both netminders wear the number 35. Giguere got Toskala's old number when he moved to Toronto. Toskala has been forced to switch to No.36."