January 16th

KANE & ENSTROM AMONG TOP ROOKIES SELECTED TO NHL YOUNGSTARS TEAMS

Rookie scoring leader Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks and first-year defenseman Tobias Enstrom of the All-Star host Atlanta Thrashers headline the 16 'NHL YoungStars' invited to the 2008 NHL All-Star Weekend.

Comprising the best of the League's stellar rookie class in 2007-08, the eight-player Eastern and Western Conference YoungStar teams will face off in a new three-on-three event as part of the Dodge/NHL SuperSkills competition on Saturday, Jan. 26 at Philips Arena in Atlanta (7 p.m. ET). The YoungStars will be shooting against goaltenders named to participate in the NHL All-Star Game the following day.

Kane was the first overall selection in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft after leading all Canadian Major Junior players in 2006-07 with 145 points (62 goals, 83 assists) in 58 games with the OHL London Knights. He produced one of the finest NHL debuts in recent years, capturing the League's Rookie of the Month award for October after tallying 16 points -- the most by an NHL rookie in October since 1992-93. The Buffalo, N.Y. native continues to lead the League rookie scoring race with 40 points (nine goals, 31 assists) in 45 games.

Joining Kane among Western Conference forwards are Sam Gagner of the Edmonton Oilers, Peter Mueller of the Phoenix Coyotes and David Perron of the St. Louis Blues. The defensemen are the Vancouver Canucks' Alexander Edler, the Blues' Erik Johnson, the Los Angeles Kings' Jack Johnson and the Dallas Stars' Matt Niskanen.

A late-round steal in the 2003 Entry Draft, Enstrom was selected by the Thrashers in the eighth round and 239th overall after capturing the 2002-03 Swedish Elite League's Rookie of the Year award with MoDo. The Nordingra, Sweden native leads all NHL rookies in average ice time per game (24:04), is tied for second in assists (23) and ranks fourth in points (26). He was named the League's top rookie for November.

Enstrom is joined on the Eastern Conference blueline by Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mike Lundin of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Marc Staal of the New York Rangers. The forwards are the Washington Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom, the Rangers' Brandon Dubinsky, the Penguins' Tyler Kennedy and the Boston Bruins' Milan Lucic.

YoungStars players were selected by the NHL’s Hockey Operations Department, in consultation with League General Managers.


CAPS NYLANDER OUT 3-6 MONTHS

Washington Capitals forward Michael Nylander learned Tuesday that he requires shoulder surgery and be sidelined three to six months.

Nylander suffered a torn rotator cuff in a 2-1 win over the Flordia Panthers Dec. 1 and rested for two weeks before returning to the lineup. He did score his 200th NHL goal on Sunday.

Caps head coach Bruce Boudreau gave him full marks for having the courage to play the last three weeks until he couldn't play any more, especially since he couldn't lift his arm over his head or sideways, but added it's best to get the surgery done now.

The 35-year-old signed a four-year, $19.5-million contract with Washington this past July, and in 40 games this season has posted 11 goals and 26 assists for 37 points.

The fourth round, 59th overall pick, by Hartford in the 1991 draft has amassed 200 goals and 646 points in 848 games over 14 NHL season with the Hartford Whalers, Calgary Flames, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, and Capitals.


CAMPBELL PUTS OFF CONTRACT TALKS

According to the Buffalo News, Buffalo Sabers All-Star defenceman Brian Campbell announced that he is done negotiating a new contract with the club until the end of the season.

Campbell told the paper, "I'm done talking about it with the team until the end of the year. There's more important things right now than just me. We've got to win, I think it's for the best."

The Sabres were in a similar situation last season with forwards Chris Drury and Daniel Briere. They failed to lock either player up during the season, and they both left via free agency.

The 28-year-old has four goals and 25 assists this season and is averaging 25:38 minutes per game, and is making $1.75-million this season.


LEAFS ASK FLETCHER ABOUT INTERIM GM JOB

According to TSN, the Toronto Maple Leafs are taking steps to try to replace General Manager John Ferguson and have contacted a number of hockey management types to gauge their interest in the job, and asked former Leaf GM Cliff Fletcher if he was interested in taking over as interim GM.

Fletcher is currently under contract to the Phoenix Coyotes, even though he is no longer working for the organization.

Reportedly, the Leafs plan to launch a full-scale job search this summer for a fulltime GM, but in the meantime are exploring their options to replace Ferguson with an interim GM who would oversee Leaf operations for the balance of the season and beyond, until a new fulltime GM can be hired.

TSN also reported, when asked to comment if Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) has contacted Cliff Fletcher to see if he has interest in the role of interim GM, MLSE president and CEO Richard Peddie responded, "As I have said to everyone I am not talking about management changes. If and when they happen I will talk to the media then.", and that Fletcher couldn't be reached for comment.