Afternoon Hits: Futa, Thornton and Neal, Forsberg, Dumba, Rielly, Devils Injuries, Lupul and Duchene
  • Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider: The Sabres have asked permission to speak with Kings Director of Amateur Scouting, Mike Futa, as they continue their search for a new GM.
  • Jimmy Murphy: Bruins Shawn Thornton will get more games than Penguins James Neal, but many NHL team employees and media “insiders” think what Neal did was just as bad or worse than what Thornton did.
  • Sunaya Sapurji: According to @UffeBodin, the Predators will loan Filip Forsberg to Sweden for the WJC.
  • Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “Nonis told me that if Rielly wasn’t playing we would have to consider sending him to the WJC. It’s unlikely but we would consider” … “Since Rielly has suddenly become a healthy scratch every game it is definitely something Nonis will look at.”
  • NHL Devils PR: Devils Lou Lamoriello said that Peter Harrold has a non-displaced fracture in his foot and will be in a cast for a week.
  • Tom Gulitti: Devils Ryane Clowe worked out off-ice today and will likely practice on Thursday. Steven Gionta (ankle) is skating but not ready to practice yet. Ryan Carter (leg) and Adam Larsson (lower-body) are not skating yet.
  • David Alter: Maple Leafs Joffrey Lupul confirms that he’ll be in the lineup tonight.
  • Adrian Dater: Dater thinks that Matt Duchene could be hurt or somethings as he doesn’t have his normal speed.