MORE THURSDAY NHL NEWS

• Peter Forsberg has named the captain of the Flyers. Simon Gagne and Derian Hatcher will be the alternate captains.
• Paul Maurice is going to play Mats Sundin alot more than Pat Quinn did. Maurice said that Mats will play with a lot of different players until the right combo is revealed. He isn't overly concerned about it. Where Maurice did show a little bit of caution was with the Leafs' chances of making the playoffs.
  "It's a dogfight now for everybody to get into the playoffs," he said. "My biggest concern outside of hockey is controlling the emotional rollercoaster our team will go on based on the interest in the team.
  
  "That's part of being here - managing that rollercoaster. I understand that we're going to be in a dogfight to make the playoffs. That's hard for home-town fans to hear but it's the (reality) of the NHL" now that the salary cap's levelling of player hiring capabilities has promoted parity.
  

I like how he is realistic, but he has not yet felt what the pressure of winning in Toronto is like!

• New Black Hawks goalie Patrick Lalime will miss 2 to 3 months after he undergoes back surgery.
  
• The Hurricanes may deal prospect Jack Johnson as they are not in favor of him. With Frantisek Kaberle out for a large portion of the season, the Canes may look for a replacement. Don't forget, Jason Woolley is at their training camp. He could be the filler. Or maybe Anton Babchuk will replace Kaberle. For more of the Jack Johnson saga, see TSN.
• The Predators and Dan Hamhuis' agent Ross Gurney are still a ways apart, according to Sportsnet. Gurney said: "We've certainly done our homework as well," Gurney told The Tennessean. "I guess when they think Dan is important enough, we'll hear some more from them." Oh great. I heard that Hamhuis only wanted $1.5 million, is that so high for a defenceman who led the team in ice time, and has alot of upside?