NHL: Jan. 26, 2006

If the Wirtz family is pondering changes for the Blackhawks, Martin Lapointe said, they should start in the dressing room and not with the head coach or general manager. Lapointe sought out the media Wednesday to offer his defense of coach Trent Yawney and general manager Dale Tallon. -- Chicago Tribune

The shock of being a healthy scratch in the Blackhawks' last game has worn off for Tyler Arnason. Trent Yawney will put Arnason back on the top line for tonight's meeting with the Flames. -- Chicago Sun-Times

Eric Lindros could be close to returning for the Maple Leafs after the removal the cast on his right wrist and subsequent MRI revealed, as Lindros predicted two weeks ago, that no surgery will be required. -- Toronto Sun

Olli Jokinen's agent, Mark Gandler, said he and the Panthers started negotiations Wednesday on a multiyear contract for the team's captain and leading scorer. -- Sun-Sentinel

After the Rangers' sluggish loss to Buffalo, Steve Rucchin called out his teammates, saying, "There's no question that only a few of us came to play; really a handful at best." Coach Tom Renney agreed with Rucchin's statement and had no problem with him voicing his opinion. -- New York Post

Wild captain Willie Mitchell is near the end of his second month in the leadership role he long sought, and coach Jacques Lemaire indicated the defenseman's tenure might continue into a third month if Mitchell's play and maturity continue on their upward track. -- St. Paul Pioneer Press

Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo is getting used to playing on consecutive nights, and coach Jacques Martin said he wasn't worried about his All-Star being tired Wednesday. Luongo has played more minutes than any player in the league, coming into Wednesday logging 2,637 minutes. -- Miami Herald

Lightning goalie John Grahame easily could've crumbled under the weight of coach John Tortorella's fist-pounding, expletive-filled tirade last month. Grahame has climbed out of the hole and the team's goaltending has gone from a major weakness to a strength. -- St. Petersburg Times

The Flyers got some good news yesterday on two injury fronts concerning their defense. Joni Pitkanen, who is experiencing some tightness and adhesions in his right groin, practiced and said he felt good. He expects to play Saturday afternoon against Tampa Bay. Kim Johnsson, who has been complaining of sinus pressure around his eyes, had another CT scan, which was negative. Johnsson will practice today and is expected back in the starting lineup against the Lightning. -- Philadelphia Inquirer

Defenseman Aaron Miller is expected to return to the Kings' lineup tonight after sitting out the last 16 games because of a back injury. The Kings were sure enough about Miller to make room on the roster, sending defenseman Richard Petiot to minor league Manchester on Wednesday. -- Los Angeles Times