NHL: Jan. 24, 2006

Is Mats Sundin living on borrowed time with the Maple Leafs? While the Leafs captain has a no-trade clause in his contract and isn't going to ask for a deal before the March 9 deadline, don't rule out the possibility of the veteran being moved. Sources say Sundin isn't entirely happy with the direction in which the Leafs are headed, but that he has not asked for a trade. -- Toronto Sun

The next move for Blackhawk Tyler Arnason might be out of town. Toronto and Florida are rumored to have expressed interest. Arnason is coming off his first healthy scratch in three seasons, and the criticism that surrounded him under former coach Brian Sutter has resurfaced under Trent Yawney . Arnason is Chicago 's leading scorer, but it's becoming very clear, however, that his temperament is not conducive to being "the man" on a team. -- Chicago Tribune

Neil Smith still doesn't appear to be the front-runner to become the next general manager of the Islanders, but that didn't stop the former Ranger GM from contacting soon-to-resign Mike Milbury late last week about replacing him. It is believed Smith eventually will be brought in for an interview, at least as a courtesy, but owner Charles Wang doesn't appear to be in any rush to fill the holes before the season ends. -- New York Daily News

Despite the Devils' improvement under his watch, Lou Lamoriello said yesterday that does he not intend to remain interim coach the remainder of the season. -- New York Daily News

The Lightning's three-game win streak may be the result of three brutally honest meetings -- two led by the coaching staff and another involving only the players. The Lightning dressing room had become divided in the wake of the waiving of captain Dave Andreychuk and floundered while veterans tried to find their voices within the team. -- St. Petersburg Times

Kings forwards Jeremy Roenick (finger) and Eric Belanger (groin), along with defenseman Aaron Miller (back), have been skating with teammates, which is a positive sign for coach Andy Murray . Miller and Roenick will travel to San Jose but will not play. -- Los Angeles Times

Eric Daze badly wants to get back on the ice in Chicago . But the reality is his career might be over. He has had three back surgeries in the last five years. Progress has been minimal. The Blackhawks put Daze on injured reserve after his back problems flared up in October. They weren't happy with his conditioning coming into training camp or the fact that he didn't play anywhere during the lockout. -- Chicago Sun-Times

New coach Brad Shaw got tough with his underachieving Islanders yesterday. When he wasn't cracking the whip during a lengthy workout in Syosset , he was blowing play dead to deliver expletive-laced instruction on how not to coast into corners or glide over the red line. There was a refreshing, businesslike approach at practice that had been missing for weeks under the deposed Steve Stirling . -- New York Post

Thrashers coach Bob Hartley is not happy with the play of his top line and hopes the return of Peter Bondra will help. Bondra, who returns tonight after missing almost half the season (22 of 49 games), will play on the No. 1 line with Ilya Kovalchuk and Marc Savard . -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

There are three key reasons for the Bruins' turnaround the last few games. One has been the strong play of goaltender Tim Thomas, the second is the much-improved play in the defensive zone, and the third is the contribution of the top line, center Patrice Bergeron , left wing Marco Sturm and right wing Brad Boyes . -- Boston Globe