Top Line: Sidney Crosby doing fine, dazzling debuts, more links
Minus a few teeth, but otherwise fine after taking a puck to the jaw, Sidney Crosby hung out with his teammates. (Photo by Gene J. Puskar/AP)
An annotated guide to this morning's must-read hockey stories:
• Sidney Crosby is out of the hospital and on his way to recovery. He stopped by the Pens' practice on Thursday where Coach Dan Bylsma was hoping the time on ice would help acclimate the team's new players to Pittsburgh's system.
• New details emerged on the Roberto Luongo-to-the-Leafs trade talk...and they ain't pretty...
• Zack Kassian is back with the Canucks after being sent to the AHL for a behavior timeout. So, apparently hanging out at the bars with your buds is frowned on when you're supposed to be rehabbing a back injury.
• Ben Bishop was dazzling in his debut with the Lightning, stopping 45 shots for his second career shutout. That sound you hear emanating from up north is thousands of Senators fans, gently rocking themselves and repeating, "Robin Lehner is the future....Robin Lehner is the future..."
• Jaromir Jagr gave the Bruins the net presence they needed in his Boston debut.
• No one knows why there's a WWE belt hanging in Marian Gaborik's locker, but no one was asking after his stellar debut with the Blue Jackets. The 4-1 win was Columbus' first regulation victory in Nashville in seven years.
• New center Derek Roy displayed immediate chemistry with Chris Higgins, helping the Canucks romp over the Oilers.
• Joffrey Lupul is 50/50 to practice today after being demolished early in Toronto's Thursday night loss to Philly.
• Montreal GM Marc Bergevin took some heat for a quiet trade deadline, but he'd already made his big deal when he acquired Michael Ryder. The streaky winger kept up his sizzling pace, scoring two more Thursday night to power the Habs over the Jets. That's s nine goals in 11 games for the sniper.
• With the season lost in Calgary, they're starting to cheer for losses with all eyes on the draft.
• The loss was the fifth straight for the Jets, who fell out of first in the Southeast. They may also have lost Evander Kane after a helmet-swinging incident in a fight with Alexei Emelin.
• The Caps took over top spot in the Southeast after a shootout victory over the Isles. The win helped take the sting out of losing top prospect Filip Forsberg.
• On Broadway, Derick Brassard hopes to build on his strong debut with the Rangers, and Mats Zuccarello is finding success with a more aggressive style.
• It's been 17 years since Daniel Alredsson won the Calder, but the Ottawa Senators now boast five rookies who merit consideration for the trophy.
• The Buffalo Sabres haven't given up on making the playoffs. In other news, friends and family are gathered at the dock anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Titanic.