The Habs sent Chipchura and Price down to the minors and recalled Halak and Locke. Halak is coming off player of the week honors, while Locke has deseved the recall all season long. This was the only way that the team could reward those two players. I don't read anything into it. Price will get some much needed starts and I expect he will be back up in a couple of weeks. Locke will get an opportunity to show his stuff at the NHL level. Another theory may be that Locke and Halak are being showcased. We shall see…

The Canes, smarting from the long-term loss of Justin Williams and the short-term losses of Walker and Ladd, have plucked Sergei Samsonov off of re-entry waivers. Samsonov is a borderline NHLer now with offensive skill – reminding me of Jeff Hamilton. You might remember that Hamilton was flying for 15 games to start the season before fading back to his real, occasional- healthy- scratch self. I think you might see that with Sammy. A good start and then a slow fade. This is it for him. Probably no more chances. 

The Sharks want Dimitri Patzold to get some action in so they are risking him sending through waivers to get him to the minors. Thomas Greiss has been recalled.

Ryane Clowe skated for the first time yesterday, but he is still "weeks away" from a return.

Craig Rivet and his wife are expecting a child any minute now…so if he doesn't play next game you will know why. 

Jordin Tootoo has a groin injury and will not be in the lineup tonight with the Preds.

Shea Weber (leg) is doubtful for either of this weekend's contests.

The Edmonton Journal is speculating on a Dick Tarnstrom to Carolina trade, and how it would help the 'Canes. I agree, that's what they are looking for that would be in their price range. 

New Florida line combos: Jokinen with McLean and Zednik. Stumpel with Olesz and Dvorak. Weiss with Horton and Booth. Campbell with Stewart and Kreps.

Teemu Selanne was at the Ducks game last night saying all the right things, but you could sense an underlying excitement.

Mike Cammalleri was back on the ice skating for the first time in two weeks. It was non-contact, and he will likely be out for another few days at least. He is targetting January 15.

Tomas Holmstrom (sprained knee) is expected to play tonight.

Ty Arnason could be back in the lineup tonight for the Avs.

Jose Theodore will apparently get the start tonight for the Avs. 

Interesting – the Blackhawks have lost every game that Toews has been out of the lineup – four of them this year. 

Brad Boyes has no goals and two assists in his last seven games. 

For some weird reason, the Oilers scratched Robert Nilsson in their first game against the Islanders since the Ryan Smyth deal. You would think that they would bank on that extra motivation. It was Nilsson's second straight healthy scratch.

The Islanders sent Kyle Okposo to Bridgeport. He will be recalled sooner, rather than later, unless he bombs out in the AHL.

Chris Clark was back in practice for the Caps for the first time in six weeks, but he is still a good two weeks away from returning from his groin injury.

Tom Poti, Brian Pothier and Michal Nylander all missed practice yesterday. Nylander is expected to play in their next game, but is playing with a very bad shoulder. He is coming off a game where he played a season low in minutes. Poti (upper body) is day to day. Pothier (possible concussion) is unknown.

Raffi Torres will go under the knife. Knee surgery will take him out for the season.

The Pens have recalled Ryan Stone. They are going on a road trip, so they just want the flexibility. He will likely sit in the press box. He has had a poor season in the AHL so far. If you recall he was one of my darkhorses in the preseason, along with Kennedy (who obviously won out).

Pascal Leclaire has an illness so the Blue Jackets made Steve Mason an emergency recall yesterday. There is an outside chance that Mason will get his first career NHL start…but I doubt it.

Jaroslav Halak was the AHL player of the week for last week, thereby solidifying his spot as potential trade bait for the Habs.

I had some late news yesterday, so you may want to click "next" below. 

My article on the Avs is up on The Hockey News now…