Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: James Wisniewski is hoping the Canadiens will be interested in signing him after the season. The 26-year old will be a UFA at seasons end, and the Canadiens currently only have 3 defenseman under contract. He was told on the Island that he was expendable as they were going with a youth movement (from the sentence above, he’s only 26).
Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News: Buffalo Sabres winger Drew Stafford will miss at least the next 2 games with a groin injury. “It is a relief,” Ruff said after practice in HSBC Arena. “He’s walking fine, and his strength is pretty good. It all bodes well for coming back quickly.”
Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: Robin Lehner could be recalled by the Ottawa Senators from the AHL, and get the start against the Flyers or on Friday against the Canadiens. Warren also reports reports the Senators had over $27 million in salary has absent from practice with various injuries. Daniel Alfredsson, Sergei Gonchar and Brian Elliott are ailing but expected to play. Jason Spezza is ahead of schedule as he recovers from his Dec. 26th shoulder separation, and could be back in 2 weeks. Alex Kovalev could return early next week.
Andrew Gross via twitter: Ruslan Fedotenko will out of the Rangers lineup for 2-4 weeks with a left shoulder separation.
Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: Jimmy Howard was back with the Red Wings after only missing 2 games. Howard took a hard shot near his knee cap, and was inches away from possibly being a lot more serious.
