News: Ryan Suter says he does not plan to re-sign with the Predators before the Feb. 27 trade deadline, reports USA Today.
Analysis: "I don't see the point of doing it," Ryan Suter said. "It would be a distraction at this point. I will still be with Nashville until July 1, and we could still get something done." The announcement will further fuel speculation that the Preds will try to trade Suter before the deadline in get a top-six forward.
News: Patrick Kane won the Breakaway Challenge at the All-Star Skills Competition with a Superman routine that earned 47 percent of the fan ballots.
Analysis: He skated hard to the blue line before slamming on the brakes and waiting for Hawks' teammate Marian Hossa to meet him. Hossa dressed him in a red Superman's cape and Clark Kent glasses, and Patrick Kane continued forward. When he neared the Blues' Brian Elliott, he sprawled down the ice in a Superman flying pose but he disguised the puck, leaving it where he took off. He then reached back and dragged it past a befuddled Elliott.
News: Jamie Benn won the Accuracy Shooting title at the All-Star Skills Competition on Saturday night.
Analysis: He nailed all four targets in 13.583 during the qualifying round and then bested that in the final with a lightning 10.204 score.
News: Steven Stamkos was crowned the winner of the Elimination Shootout at Saturday's All-Star Skills Competition.
Analysis: He outlasted John Tavares of the Isles and Jason Pominville of the Sabres. He went 3-for-3, beating Carey Price twice and then Tim Thomas.
News: Zdeno Chara broke the record for the hardest shot competition at the NHL all-star skills competition on Saturday. He fired a rocket that was clocked at 108.8 miles per hour.
Analysis: He beat his own record of 105.9 mph which he set last year. He beat out Shea Weber who had the second-hardest shot (106.0 mph).
Penguins' Crosby's Neck Is Healthy, Still Recovering From Concussion
Sidney Crosby, C, PIT
1/28/2012
Sidney Crosby, C, PIT
1/28/2012
News: Sidney Crosby's (concussion) neck is completely healthy, the Penguins' official site reports.
Analysis: In response to an earlier report that Sidney Crosby had abnormality with two of his vertebrae, the Penguins released a statement saying that Crosby did suffer a neck injury but that the injury has since healed. He met with a neurological spine specialist in Los Angeles, and the findings of that doctor will be further evaluated by more specialists in an effort to help Crosby get completely healthy.
News: Claude Giroux will be a wearing a new helmet designed by Bauer in the weeks ahead that reportedly cushions the head against concussions according to Comcast SportsNet.
Analysis: Claude Giroux, who missed four games earlier in the season with a concussion, helped unveil the new helmet, which was called "RE-AKT" on Friday during All Star weekend festivities. It looks just like the current one most NHLers wear but has a different inner lining. Also testing the new helmet will be Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos.
News: The Coyotes have returned Marc-Antoine Pouliot to AHL Portland, the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Marc-Antoine Pouliot played in nine games with the Coyotes this season, tallying two assists.
News: The Coyotes have returned Maxim Goncharov to the AHL, the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Maxim Goncharov has yet to play at the NHL level.
News: Chad Johnson was sent to the AHL on Friday, the Rangers' official site reports.
Analysis: Chad Johnson was called up a few days ago because Martin Biron was out with an illness. Now that Biron is better, Johnson will head back to the minors.
