Sport-scan daily brief

8.Philadelphia Flyers — D Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL), 6-foot, 175 lb.

Calgary kid has an edge and oodles of offensive skill. Gives Philly a future powerplay quarterback.

9.Winnipeg Jets — C Elias Lindholm, Brynas (Sweden), 6-foot, 185 lb.

Well-rounded centre uses smarts and hockey sense to read play. Vision is elite.

10.Nashville Predators — LW Hunter Shinkaruk, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL), 6-foot, 175 lb.

Natural goal scorer would add offensive element that's been lacking in the Music City.

11.Phoenix Coyotes — C Max Domi, London Knights (OHL), 5-foot-10, 190 lb.

Much different than daddy, this Domi prefers to play with the puck, rather than with fists like Tie.

12.Columbus Blue Jackets — Rasmus Ristolainen, TPS (Finland), 6-foot-4, 205 lb.

They have a new Finnish GM. Now, they'll have a Finnish partner for Ryan Murray.

13.New Jersey Devils — D Ryan Pulock, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL), 6-foot-1, 210 lb.

Could forfeit this pick for Ilya Kovalchuk contract mess, but if not, they grab best d-man available.

14.Edmonton Oilers — D Nikita Zadorov, London Knights (OHL), 6-foot-5, 225 lb.

Zadorov is a physical, stay-at-home presence. Does that sound like something the Oilers could use?

15.New York Islanders — D Robert Hagg, Modo (Sweden), 6-foot-2, 200 lb.

Run on defenceman continues, as Islanders are likely going best-player-available route.

16.Calgary Flames (from St. Louis) — C Curtis Lazar, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL), 6-foot, 190 lb.

They've likely seen a lot of him up the road, and they could use his package of skill, creativity.

17.Columbus Blue Jackets (from New York Rangers) — LW Valentin Zykov, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 6-foot, 210 lb.

Different regime, so they won't be scared away from a Russian after Nikita Filatov fiasco.

18.Detroit Red Wings — C Alexander Wennberg, Djurgardens (Sweden), 6-foot-1, 190 lb.

As always, they can afford to be patient and take the slow cooker approach with this Swede.

19.Ottawa Senators — LW Anthony Mantha, Val-D'or Foreurs (QMJHL), 6-foot-3, 200 lb.

Big, strong winger has a nose for the net, but he needs to bring it each and every night.

20.Toronto Maple Leafs — C Bo Horvat, London Knights (OHL), 6-foot, 200 lb.

Maybe they want Domi, just for nostalgia sake, but they'll settle for his teammate.

21.Buffalo Sabres (from Minnesota) — C Frederik Gauthier, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL), 6-foot-5, 210 lb.

Sabres are starting the rebuild in Western New York. This two-way centre has size and skating ability.

22.San Jose Sharks — RW Adam Erne, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL), 6-foot-1, 205 lb.

Plays a pro-style game and will eventually add some sandpaper to Sharks' top-six.

23.Columbus Blue Jackets (from Los Angeles) — LW Kerby Rychel, Windsor Spitfires (OHL), 6-foot-1, 200 lb.

Picture Kerby Rychel and current Jackets prospect Boone Jenner wreaking havoc on forecheck.

24.Boston Bruins — C Jason Dickinson, Guelph Storm (OHL), 6-foot-2, 170 lb.

Lanky pivot is a good skater for his size and could go higher than this by the time June rolls around.

25.*Washington Capitals — LW Peter Cehlarik, Lulea HF (Sweden), 6-foot-2, 192 lb.

Slovak created buzz when he put up six points in an eight-game cameo in top Swedish men's circuit.

26.*Vancouver Canucks — RW Michael McCarron, U.S. NTDP U18, 6-foot-5, 225 lb.

He's a project and a Western Michigan commit who will take time, but could pay off big.

27.*Montreal Canadiens — D Mirco Mueller, Everett Silvertips (WHL), 6-foot-3, 185 lb.

Rangy puck-mover had up-and-down year, but he's well-rounded with big upside from back end.

28.*Anaheim Ducks — RW Ryan Hartman, Plymouth Whalers (OHL), 5-foot-11, 185 lb.

Aggressive winger would only add to the Ducks impressive group of young forwards.

29.Calgary Flames (from *Pittsburgh) — D Shea Theodore, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), 6-foot-2, 175 lb.

Fluid skater is well-rounded and has big offensive upside once he fills out and matures.

30.*Chicago Blackhawks — C Morgan Klimchuk, Regina Pats (WHL), 5-foot-11, 180 lb.

Another Calgary kid, Klimchuk would fit right in with savvy forward group in the Windy City.

* - division leaders

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.08.2013

668719 Calgary Flames

Baertschi recalled to Flames

By RANDY SPORTAK ,Calgary Sun

First posted: Sunday, April 07, 2013 11:14 AM MDT | Updated: Sunday, April 07, 2013 05:01 PM MDT

When Sven Baertschi joined the Calgary Flames at the start of the NHL season, he was told by coach Bob Hartley it was up to him to write the book.

Baertschi now understands what makes a true classic.

“I always think the best books out there, they have a little drama,” said the players regarded as the franchise’s top prospect. “Usually, there’s there’s a happy ending.

“It wouldn’t be a great book if there was just happy stuff in there.”

Baertschi, 20, understands some of the disappointment and turmoil that comes with a hockey season.

Admittedly, Baertschi took it hard when the Flames sent him to the minors a month ago. At the time, he said he had “hit rock-bottom, confidence-wise”. Nobody should have expected the rookie to produce offence at a rate similar to his five-game stint last season during which he scored three goals, but he expected more than just one assist in 10 NHL games before the demotion.

Every Flames fan must appreciate the honesty and emotions the club’s 2011 first-round draft choice expressed. Now, he realizes a career in the game requires a better ability to handle the downs that can come with the ups.

Baertschi has the chance to write some happy chapters now, having been recalled Sunday from the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat. He joined the Flames in Vancouver in time to make the trip to Denver for Monday’s clash with the Colorado Avalanche (7 p.m., Sportsnet West, Sportsnet 960).

“I didn’t reach my goal by staying here all the way, the whole season, so I was disappointed in myself,” Baertschi said Sunday when reached in Vancouver.

“That was the first time a setback really happened in my hockey career. It wasn’t easy for me because the last two years have been so good.

“First-year pro, everybody says it’s not going to be so easy, but maybe I thought it would be a little easier and that I would come in and have a good season. That’s not the way it works.

“To deal with that was the biggest part.”

After being held off the scoresheet in his first two AHL games following the demotion, Baertschi regained his form, netting four goals and four assists in the last eight outings for the Heat.

He’s returned to the Flames with more spring in his step.

“Right now, I’m much more confident than before,” Baertschi said. “Now, I’m really excited. It’s another opportunity to show what I can do out there.”

Moreover, he has a better understanding of himself.

“I’m more mature,” Baertschi said. “It takes a lot to be on that team and get a lot of icetime and play a big role in this league.”

With the Flames’ situation — on the verge of being officially eliminated from playoff contention and having traded away a couple of trio of key pieces in Jarome Iginla, Jay Bouwmeester and Blake Comeau before the deadline — the airlift of players from the minors has begun.

Combined with injuries to forwards Curtis Glencross and Brian McGrattan and defenceman Derek Smith, the team has summoned forwards Baertschi, Max Reinhart and Roman Horak, along with blueliner Brett Carson.

Baertschi learned a little more patience waiting for his call.

“For sure, I wanted to be the first guy up, but those three guys — Carse, he was playing a big role in Abbotsford, and Max and Roman played very well in Abbotsford, and I was excited for them,” Baertschi said. “On the other side, I wanted to be up as soon as I can, but getting the call a day later than Max was a big relief.

“It’s all something you’ve got to deal with. There are different players, and Calgary was looking for certain player.

“I heard Max did a great job last game, and I’m excited for him.”

Flames fans will be excited to see Baertschi back, too.

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.08.2013

668720 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Game Day: Tied with Predators 1-1

By Chris Kuc

Tribune reporter

6:51 PM CDT, April 7, 2013

The Chicago Blackhawks can become the first team in the NHL to clinch a postseason berth if they can manage a point against the Nashville Predators on Sunday night at the United Center.

If they were to get that point, the Hawks would have to do it without the services of Dave Bolland and Patrick Sharp. Bolland missed his second consecutive game with a lower-body injury. He was hit in the foot by a Shea Weber slap shot last Monday night. Sharp, meanwhile, sat out his 14th game in a row with a left shoulder injury.

After one period Sunday, the game was tied at 1-1. Andrew Shaw put the Hawks in front when he redirected a Michael Frolik shot past Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne. Late in the opening period, Nick Spaling tied it for Nashville when he poked in a loose puck in the crease during a goal-mouth scramble.

Coach Joel Quenneville said prior to Sunday's contest that Sharp "is really close. I expect him here this week." Quenneville added that there is a good chance Sharp will make the trip to Minnesota where the Hawks will face the Wild on Tuesday night. Bolland is questionable to make the trip but Quenneville said, "we don't think (the injury) is serious."

Ray Emery got the start in goal for the second consecutive game after recording a 1-0 shutout over the Predators on Saturday afternoon in Nashville.

"He's coming off a rock-solid win and deserves to get consideration to get right back in there," Quenneville said.

Nashville was without third-leading scored Mike Fisher, who has an injured hand.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 04.08.2013

668721 Chicago Blackhawks

Hawks' Quenneville riding hot hand in goal

Emery starts back-to-back games, goes 2-0 against Predators

By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter

10:09 PM CDT, April 7, 2013

When it comes to the Blackhawks' goaltending situation, it's a case of what have you done for the team lately.

Coming off his second shutout of the season, Ray Emery was back in goal against the Predators on Sunday night at the United Center. It marked the first time this season Emery started both ends of a back-to-back while Corey Crawford served as the backup.

With 10 games remaining in the regular season, it appears there is no clear-cut No. 1 goalie for the Hawks as coach Joel Quenneville is riding the hot hand. When asked his timetable for establishing either Crawford or Emery as his main goalie for the playoffs, Quenneville was noncommittal, saying, "Those decisions will be made by what's going on."

There has been no drop-off when Emery has gotten the call over Crawford as he improved to 14-1-0 this season after backstopping the Hawks' 5-3 victory over the Predators on Sunday. Crawford is 15-4-4.

"Every game is a different night," Emery said. "I just have to prepare for what's at hand. I like to play whenever I get the chance."

Wild night: Patrick Sharp missed his 14th consecutive game with a left shoulder injury but likely will return when the Hawks face the Wild on Tuesday night in Minnesota.

Quenneville said Sharp "is really close. I expect him here this week." The coach added that there is a good chance Sharp will make the trip to Minnesota.

Meanwhile, Dave Bolland missed his second game in a row with a lower-body injury. The center was hit in the foot by a slap shot from the Predators' Shea Weber last Monday night. Quenneville did not sound as optimistic about Bolland traveling to Minnesota, merely saying, "we'll see."

He said it: The Hawks gave away oven mitts to fans as a promotional item. After the game, Andrew Shaw said of teammate Brandon Saad, who scored his fifth goal in his last five games: "The kid is hot. He better get those oven mitts on those hands."

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 04.08.2013

668722 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks goalie Ray Emery earned a Nashville rerun

BY MARK LAZERUS mlazerus@suntimes.com April 7, 2013 9:35PM

Ray Emery said last week that there was no goaltender controversy, that Corey Crawford was the No. 1 guy and that he was there in a supporting role. But after earning his second shutout in his last three outings Saturday afternoon, Emery again got the start Sunday against the same Nashville Predators.

“He’s coming off a rock-solid win and deserves to get consideration right back in there,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said before the game.

Of course, it’s standard operating procedure in the NHL that if a goalie comes off a shutout and has adequate rest, he gets the call the next game. Just last week, Crawford had a tremendous outing in a 7-1 win at Detroit, then started the following night at home against the Predators. The front end of both of those back-to-backs were day games, giving each goalie more recovery time.

Quenneville hinted last week that Crawford was his No. 1 guy, citing the fact that he’s played more games (23 to Emery’s 17). But he’s been reluctant to flat-out anoint anyone.

“All that stuff will get resolved with how we’re going,” Quenne-ville said before the game. “Decisions will be made by what’s going on.”

And asked for the umpteenth time this season if he’d be open to playing both goalies in the playoffs, Quenneville again demurred.

“You never know,” he said. “I don’t want to say no. We’ll see. I’m not worried about it right now.”

Carcillo climbing

Hawks winger Daniel Carcillo has struggled since his return from a leg injury that cost him 15 of the first 16 games. But after being a healthy scratch for four of five games in mid-March, Carcillo skated for the sixth time in the last seven on Sunday. He was particularly effective in Saturday’s win at Nashville, with four shots and a couple of good scoring chances.

“It looks like he’s moving better,” Quenneville said. “He’s skating and he’s more effective off the rush, he’s got some back-side pressure, and his attention to detail in our team game’s been in place. We like the energy and the physicality he can add to our lineup. Offensively, [he had] a lot of puck time and some opportunities around the net.’’

Carcillo, who opened the year on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa but has since been on the fourth line, was happy for the opportunity.

“Two great players,” he said. “It’s nice to get time to play there, and it’s even better that we got the win.”

Roster report

Nashville was without third-leading scorer Mike Fisher, who didn’t make the trip because of a nagging hand injury suffered March 29 on a blocked shot. He did play in the previous two games, including Saturday’s game at Nashville, but the center played on the wing because he was unable to take faceoffs.

◆ Sheldon Brookbank, Jamal Mayers and Dave Bolland were scratched.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 04.08.2013

668723 Chicago Blackhawks

‘Good chance’ Patrick Sharp will be back in Blackhawks’ lineup Tuesday

BY MARK LAZERUS mlazerus@suntimes.com April 7, 2013 9:35PM

If the Blackhawks were fighting for a playoff spot, instead of fighting for the Presidents’ Trophy, Patrick Sharp surely would have been back by now. He’s been out for more than four weeks, has been skating for three weeks, has been back at practice for 10 days and has been taking contact for a week.

“It’s just like any other injury that you guys have covered,” Sharp said on Wednesday. “There’s discussion with the player, doctor, trainers, coaches — everybody is involved. Trust me, it sucks sitting there watching games. I want to be out there and as soon as I’m allowed to, I’ll be playing.”

The key word there is “allowed.” Given the luxury of their lofty status in the standings, Hawks coach Joel Quenneville has been hyper-cautious in allowing Sharp to return from the shoulder injury he suffered on March 6. Sunday night’s game against Nashville was the 14th straight Sharp has missed.

But it also might be his last.

Quenneville said Sunday that there’s a “good chance” Sharp will be on the trip to Minnesota for Tuesday’s game against the Wild.

“It’ll be nice to get him going here,” Quenneville said. “I think we probably added a couple extra days to his time away, but he’s been skating well and he wants to play, and we look forward to getting him in the lineup, because it give us a lot more options with the lines.”

Quenneville said Sharp has been itching to play for a while now, but that he wanted to play it extra safe.

The Hawks also were without second-line center Dave Bolland for the second straight game on Sunday. Bolland took a Shea Weber slap shot off the foot last Monday and left the game. He played Thursday against St. Louis, but has been unable to go this weekend. It appears unlikely Bolland will be able to play Tuesday, either.

Without both of his usual second-line linemates, right wing Patrick Kane again skated with center Marcus Kruger and left wing Daniel Carcillo on Sunday.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 04.08.2013

668724 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks first team in NHL to clinch playoff spot with 5-3 win

BY MARK LAZERUS mlazerus@suntimes.com April 7, 2013 8:34PM

In describing what it’s like to play the Nashville Predators, various Blackhawks recently have used the words ‘‘frustrating,’’ ‘‘difficult,’’ ‘‘ugly’’ and even ‘‘boring.’’

Here’s another one: fruitful.

The Hawks beat the Predators for the third time in seven days Sunday, as rookie Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews scored 55 seconds apart midway through the third period to spark a 5-3 victory. The result made the Hawks the first team in the league to clinch a playoff spot. After a spotty stretch in late March, the Hawks are 4-0-1 in their last five games, with three of those victories coming at the Predators’ expense.

‘‘We’re very pleased,’’ coach Joel Quenneville said. ‘‘Any point you earn against them, you know you have to work hard. They’re relentless. Sometimes it can be frustrating playing those games when you’re a puck-possession team. You want the puck, but there are not a lot of direct plays out there. You’ve got to make indirect plays.’’

Toews’ tiebreaking goal was a perfect example of that. And it was Patrick Kane, of all people, doing the Toews-like dirty work to make it happen.

Moments after Saad tied the score 3-3 at 9:37 of the third, Andrew Shaw dumped the puck in. That’s not the usual style for the Hawks, who prefer to carry the puck into the offensive zone with speed.

While three Predators converged on the puck behind goalie Pekka Rinne, it was Kane who outhustled everyone to the boards, lifted a defender’s stick, turned and fired a pass to a streaking Toews, who just had come off the bench. Toews considered a backdoor pass to Saad before keeping the puck himself and firing it past Rinne for a 4-3 lead.

‘‘That should be the headline right there,’’ Toews said with a smirk. ‘‘You’re not going to see that too often.’’

It was Toews’ goal 19th of the season, finally catching him up to his buddy Kane after a seasonlong chase. But Kane scored an empty-netter with 31.1 seconds left when Saad turned down his own chance and passed to him.

‘‘Always finds a way,’’ Toews said, laughing.

Saad finished with a goal and an assist, tying the score in the third by stuffing a rebound past Rinne from the doorstep. He has 20 points in his last 19 games.

That gave Shaw an idea about how to use the promotional oven mitts the team handed out to fans attending the game.

‘‘Kid’s hot,’’ Shaw said. ‘‘Better get those oven mitts on those hands.’’

Before the mini-flurry in the third, the headline was the Hawks’ newly reconfigured third and fourth lines, which spent most of their time buzzing around Rinne and creating scoring chances. Shaw tipped in a shot by Michael Frolik at 6:34 of the first to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. After Nick Spaling tied the score, Bryan Bickell snapped a wrister past Rinne 2:09 into the second for a 2-1 lead.

Shaw had a goal and an assist, tried to pick a fight with Hal Gill — eight inches taller and nearly 70 pounds heavier — and picked up an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty after being thrown out of a faceoff that led to Shea Weber’s tying goal four minutes after Bickell’s tally.

‘‘It’s perfect,’’ Shaw said of his line. ‘‘That’s what we need to do — bring energy and get every other line to feed off it. It worked out in the end.’’

Indeed, after David Legwand gave the Predators a 3-2 lead seven minutes into the third, the Hawks stiffened and took over the game from there.

No third-period woes, no last-second chances for the Predators, no problems at all. With 10 games left, a playoff spot locked up and a cushion on the second-place Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference, the Hawks can turn their attention to May.

‘‘These wins are very important,’’ Toews said. ‘‘We want to keep our confidence and keep our momentum as a team and keep reinforcing the fact that we have high expectations for ourselves come playoff time. We’ve got to work for that, though.’’

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 04.08.2013

668725 Chicago Blackhawks

Saad’s maturity growing fast with Hawks teammates

By Bob Verdi

Chatter is building about chances of a Calder Trophy for Brandon Saad, the Blackhawks' prodigy at left wing. He skates on the top line for an elite National Hockey League team, so he deserves consideration as this year's outstanding rookie despite that nickname of "Man-Child." Only the birth certificate is visual proof that he's 20.

Saad's maturity on ice is backed by evidence, but it's his deliberate maneuvers elsewhere that fascinate his lodge brothers. Andrew Shaw, his road roommate, regales anyone who will listen about how it takes Saad two hours to watch "60 Minutes" — that is, when "Man-Child" isn't bivouacked in the bathroom, shaving and fixing his hair.

"Not true, none of it," insists Saad.

Shaw is relentless, volunteering that Saad might even don a robe on occasion, like Hugh Hefner. But he was born four score and seven years ago. Then there's the airplane, where Saad will drape a napkin from his collar across his chest so as to protect his shirt.

"Now, how many rookies would think of that?" Shaw chirps. "How many kids are that far advanced? That's why he's Man-Child."

Saad could note the absence of soup stains on his ties, but what's the point? He just rolls his eyes and listens. Shaw, who is nicknamed "Mutt," has a huge advantage in seniority, being a fossil at 21. Besides, the "Man-Child" and the "Mutt" exemplify the chemistry that pervades this Blackhawks roster. They might be opposites, but more important, they are teammates.

"Fearless," praises captain Jonathan Toews, who centers for Saad and Marian Hossa. "Man-Child looks and plays a lot older than he is."

There have been a few Blackhawks of Saad's ilk. Grant Mulvey was a big, raw-boned kid who got tagged with "Granny" almost instantly. Mulvey rarely hurried, except to reach the NHL. He spent nary a day in the minors, scored his first goal when he was 18 and remains the only man in franchise history to collect five in a game.

Then there was Steve Larmer, alias "Grandpa." Laconic, with a voice that was guttural going on grumpy, Larmer enjoyed a cigarette with his coffee while shunning the limelight whenever possible. Drafted 120th, Larmer became one of the best two-way wingers ever, an iron man who played the same on the road as he did at home while building a consecutive-game streak of 884. He belongs in the Hall of Fame. Ask Denis Savard about "Grandpa."