Eric Staal and Robitaille join different hockey programs

It is reported that Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal will join NHL Live and Robitaille will join NHL Hour. NHL Live can be seen from noon to 2 p.m. on NHL Network and NHL.com, and can be heard on XM Radio. Another special guest Thursday is Hall of Famer Johnny Bower, who played 15 NHL seasons. Also joining the show is TSN hockey analyst Mike Milbury, Hockey Night in Canada broadcaster Greg Millen.

Thursday also marks another weekly program of the NHL Hour with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman which will be joined by Luc Robitaille, who will talk about his upcoming induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame and his incredible career.

Flyers and Capitals will meet on Tuesday night

Two powerhouses in the Eastern Conference begin to do battle on Tuesday night as part of a schedule in the NHL. The Philadelphia Flyers, who are consistently one of the top teams in the Atlantic Division, will get the action started at 7 p.m. against the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center. Washington, led by Alex Ovechkin in capitals jersey, have built a five-point lead in the Southeast Division. The game can be seen in America on Versus and TSN and RDS in Canada.

In the final game of the night, the Detroit Red Wings will look to get back on track against the Vancouver Canucks at G.M. Place. The Canucks are leading a 2-0 win against Edmonton on Sunday night that lifted them above .500 for the first time this season.

Scuderi is punished due to the hit on Chimera

NHL Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell said that Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi has been fined for a hit on Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jason Chimera on Sunday. "Scuderi went really low and I felt it was a clip," Campbell said in Canada Radio. "Fortunately, he didn't injure the guy. He did hurt him on the play, as far as receiving a cut. But he came back in the game, Chimera, so I didn't think it was a fair play and we fined him."

Campbell also compared Scuderi's hitting style to that of fellow NHL defensemen Rob Blake and Kyle McClaren. "He does hit guys with a hip check," Campbell said. "Rob Blake's name came up and Kyle McLaren's, but they hit guys with their rear ends and they hit them in the hips and they hit them hard, not low."

Rockies may sign O'Dowd and Tracy

The Rockies are going to sign general manager Dan O'Dowd and manager Jim Tracy to contract extensions. It's likely that O'Dowd will be signed first, and then Tracy.

The deals for O'Dowd, who has been in his position since the end of the 1999 season, and Tracy, who joined the club as bench coach last winter and led a dramatic change after replacing Clint Hurdle on May 29, will need to be in place before the Rockies can formally extend offers to the coaching staff. The Rockies went 74-42 during the regular season and made the playoffs as the NL Wild Card before falling to the Phillies in the National League Division Series.

Jason Heyward nursing injured gluteus in Arizona Fall League

The Braves sent Jason Heyward to the Arizona Fall League to gain the experience that will benefit him as he attempts to fulfill the plan of making his Major League debut next year. But over the course of the past week, the highly-regarded outfielder has been sidelined with a strained gluteus muscle. Heyward suffered the leg injury last week and hasn't played since recording one at-bat for the Peoria Saguaros on Saturday. The Braves remain hopeful that Heyward is dealing with a minor injury and will be able to continue playing within the next couple of days.

Heyward, who is among the game's top prospects, hit .286 with three doubles in the 14 at-bats before being sidelined. Because he has recorded just 173 at-bats above Class A, there is a reason to wonder whether the Braves would be willing to allow him starting the 2010 season in the Major League. But the Braves have continued to believe that they are definitely open to this possibility. And Heyward was named Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year.

MInnesota Wild acquires Kobasew from Boston Bruins

Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher announced the National Hockey League club has acquired Chuck Kobasew (in wild jersey) from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Craig Weller, a second round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, who was selected by wild in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Kobasew recorded one assist in seven games with the Boston Bruins this season. He has collected 42 points and 56 penalty minutes in 68 regular season contests with the Bruins in 2008-09. He has also tallied 155 points and 272 PIM in 368 career NHL contests during seven seasons with Flames and Bruins. Kobasew collected 49 points in 43 games with Boston College in 2000-01 and was named the MVP of the 2001 NCAA championship.

Canadiens has suspended Kostitsyn

It is reported that Kostitsyn (in canadiens jersey) left the Montreal Canadiens AHL team on Wednesday. According to the Montreal Gazette, he was convinced to return to the farm team after a meeting with Montreal General Manager Bob Gainey. Kostitsyn's brother, Andrei, is also a member of the Canadiens. But, Sergei was suspended on Sept. 30 when he refused to report to Hamilton after being sent down by the Canadiens.

In his first five games with the Bulldogs, Kostitsyn scored four points. According to the report, he rejoined Hamilton on Thursday.

Three NHL games will be on show

The Detroit Red Wings( red wings )aim for their third straight win against the host Buffalo Sabres( sabres jerseys )at HSBC Arena. The Sabres have scored only four goals in their first three games, yet are off to a 2-0-1 start. Detroit has won two in a row after opening the season with constantly losses to the St. Louis Blues in Sweden.

The Calgary Flames( flames jersyes )will attempt to clear the cobwebs after losing to the Chicago Blackhawks( Blackhawks jerseys)as they face the Columbus Blue Jackets( blue jackets )at Nationwide Arena. Calgary scored all five goals in the opening period and Columbus has won three of its first four games.

Lastly, the hottest Colorado Avalanche will "fight with" Toronto Maple Leafs( maple leafs )at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto has allowed 24 goals in its first five games on Monday night.

Red Sox pitching coach will stay in Boston next season

It was made officially that Red Sox( red sox jerseys )pitching coach Farrell informed the Indians he is simply not interested in the job. "It's an honor to be considered for the job. Especially for a team that I played for, my father played for and where there are so many people I know and respect. All those things considered, my desire is to fulfill the commitment between Boston and myself." said Farrell.

Farrell, a former Indians pitcher and farm director, was widely regarded as a top choice of the Tribe. The Indians, in search of a replacement for Eric Wedge, expect to announce the names of the final 3-5 candidates sometime next week. The team's goal is to announce its new manager after the end of the World Series.

Jose Theodore leaves Capitals game with injury

Washington( capitals jerseys )goalie Jose Theodore suffered an undisclosed injury in the first period of game against San Jose( sharks jerseys )at Verizon Center and the team said he will not return.
Rookie Semyon Varlamov started the second period for the team, despite getting five power-play opportunities in the first period. The Capitals quickly took a 3-1 lead early in the second period with costant goals from Alex Ovechkin.

Theodore may have been injured when he dove out of his crease through the period. Sharks forward Ryane Clowe also dove for the puck, and it remained loose until Theodore started to get up and finally saw it lying in front of him.

Shawn Chacon was arrested

Authorities told The Associated Press that former Major Leaguer Shawn Chacon was arrested Monday night on charges related to unpaid gambling markers in Nevada. Chacon was arrested at a Colorado bowling alley and put in the Weld County Jail. On Friday, It is reported that Chacon faced a felony charge for owing the Las Vegas hotel Caesars Palace $150,000 .

Chacon, who attended high school in Greeley, pitched eight seasons in the Major Leagues, debuting in 2001 with the Rockies. He played for 4 teams and was an All-Star in 2003. He last pitched in the big leagues with the Astros in 2008.

Coyotes' home opener is sold out

Team President and Chief Operating Officer Douglas Moss announced Thursday that the team's home opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night is sold out. "The fan response to the 'Welcome Back WhiteOut' offer has been tremendous and we'd like to thank everyone for their support," Moss said. The Coyotes are holding a "Welcome Back WhiteOut" during the home opener to celebrate the beginning of the 2009-10 season.

The Coyotes spent most of the summer in bankruptcy court before Judge Redfield T. Baum did not allow either the NHL or Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie to buy the team.

Marlins' two coaches will return next week

The Marlins announced pitching coach Mark Wiley and first-base/infield coach Andy Fox would not be retained On Tuesday. Bench coach Carlos Tosca, hitting coach Jim Presley and bullpen coordinator Pierre Arsenault all agreed to return next season and serve under manager Fredi Gonzalez, who was also guaranteed to return this week.

The Marlins also released right-hander Scott Proctor and Dave Davidson. Proctor signed a one-year, $750,000 deal with Florida this offseason but never pitched an inning in 09 season. Davidson, claimed off waivers by the Pirates in April, made just 13 Minor League appearances and pitched one big league inning this season because of shoulder issues.

Stars sign Robidas to a four-year contract

The Dallas Stars signed defenseman Stephane Robidas to a four-year contract extension which worth $13.2 million. The contract puts Robidas undert contract with the Stars through the 2013-14 season.
"We are very happy to sign Stephane to this contract extension," General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk said. "He has been a rock for this team on the blue line and is a key member of our leadership group. Stephane is a consummate professional who gives us everything he has each night."

Robidas set career-highs in 23 assists and 26 points with the Stars in 2008-09. He ranked 12th in the NHL, and was tops on the team with an average of 24:32 per game. He has played in 394 games with the Stars, scoring 21 goals and 79 assists for 100 points. His career includes parts of three seasons with Montreal and one with Chicago, he has 30 goals and 105 assists for 135 points with 418 penalty minutes in 561 games.

Twins set tentative weekend rotation

The Twins' pitching rotation has been set for this weekend's series with the Royals. Manager Ron Gardenhire said on Thursday morning that Jeff Manship will start on Friday night and Nick Blackburn on Saturday. But Gardenhire said that things could change depending on the outcome of Thursday's contest in Detroit. If the Twins get to the final day of the regular season, Carl Pavano is likely to start Sunday's finale at the Metrodome.

If the Twins are out of contention by Saturday, the team could have Blackburn deliver a very short outing and then turn to their relievers. "We're not thinking about that right now," Gardenhire said. "We're thinking about winning today and going the rest of the way."

Sharks' Pavelski is out of the game with a body injury

Joe Pavelski will miss a couple of weeks due to a minor procedure performed on him. "Pavs obviously wasn’t at practice," said Sharks Head Coach Todd McLellan. "He was hurt the other night and had a minor procedure this morning. He will be out a couple of weeks with a lower body injury."

During Monday’s practice, Pavelski’s spot was filled by Patrick Marleau, who was flanked by Ryane Clowe and Benn Ferriero. "Pavs plays a huge role," said McLellan. "Today we moved Patty back in there. He's accustomed to playing there and we trust him. I think Patty is a tremendous center."

Astros right-hander Mortensen is arrested

During the second inning of Sunday's season finale against the Angels the Astros announced that rookie right-hander Clayton Mortensen was arrested and detained on Saturday night under suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

He was acquired in the trade which sent Matt Holliday to the Cardinals in July. Mortensen made his big debut with St. Louis on July 29. "First off, I want to apologize to the A's and their fans and my family," Mortensen said after Sunday's season finale. "Calling my dad this morning was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I'm deeply ashamed and embarrassed."

Montreal's defenseman announce the retirement

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Patrice Brisebois will announce his retirement, according to the NHL. Brisebois played in his 1,000th game last season, and finishes his NHL career, includingtwo seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, with 98 goals and 420 points in 1,009 games.

Brisebois' 896 games with the Canadiens is third among the club's defensemen, and his 87 goals and 371 points ranks fifth. As part of Thursday's ceremony, Brisebois will receive the Jean Beliveau Trophy from the Montreal Canadiens' Children Foundation.