FanNation - The Republic of Sport

The buzz around the Air Canada Centre Saturday night was not entirely centred on the Leafs snapping a five-game losing streak with a shootout win over Washington. There was also a strong sense there could be some changes coming soon - a sense helped by the presence in the press box of Chicago Blackhawks assistant GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. The Hawks are mulling new contracts for three of their potential free agents - Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Duncan Keith. The club, like any other, has cap considerations, and economics dictate the Hawks can't sign all three without shedding at least one of their existing, big dollar contracts. Leafs GM Brian Burke is said to be seeking draft picks to compensate for the three high-round picks surrendered in the Phil Kessel trade with Boston.

Toronto Star

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Markus Naslund is the last guy who thought he'd be making a comeback. After stepping away from the NHL in May, the 36-year-old rarely thought about hockey and was plenty busy with the construction of a new house in his hometown of Ornskoldsvik, Sweden. But his plans started to change during a recent conversation with Peter Forsberg. The two old friends discussed the struggles of Modo, the local Swedish Elite League team, and felt compelled to try and help -- by volunteering their services. Just like that, Naslund was on the comeback trail.

Toronto Sun

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It seems unlikely that the Penguins would be willing to match the $5 million per season Sergei Gonchar is earning now, but almost certainly will be very interested in keeping him. Gonchar is in a situation that obviously has worked well for both parties, so he might have to choose between remaining in it or going elsewhere for more money.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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The Montreal Canadiens could be set to make a move. While GM Bob Gainey plays his cards close to his vest, he was surrounded by most of his scouting staff before the club's Friday night game in Washington and the speculation is there is a move coming. Gainey would like to deal disgruntled forward Sergei Kostitsyn and his brother Andrei and get some scoring help up front in return. As reported last week, the Edmonton Oilers are interested in the brothers.

Toronto Sun

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The good mayor, Regis Lebeaume, had a few discussions/feelers with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman about bringing back the NHL and is on record that he wants his beautiful city to build a state-of-the-art arena to replace Le Colisee. This can't happen fast enough. If the bricks and mortar get in place, the league has to send its weakest link, Phoenix, to Quebec faster than a Boom Boom Geoffrion slapper.

Boston Globe

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