In The Crease

Kudos to the NHL for hiring Dave Smith, a former trainer for 14 years with the Rangers and the Panthers, to look after referees and linesmen. Traditionally, on-ice officials have had their injuries handled by one of the trainers at the game they were working. Now, Smith will be the point man for diagnoses and rehabilitation....

Why have the Maple Leafs, who were winless in their last six games through Sunday, fallen on hard times? Besides the strained right hamstring of sniper Sergei Berezin, who had missed eight games, and the overuse of goalie Curtis Joseph, who had played in 47 of 59 games, the Leafs' chemistry has been off since three popular players—forwards Derek King and Kris King (no relation) and defenseman Sylvain Cote—were traded or sent to the minors since the beginning of the season....

The Thrashers may have the NHL's worst record (11-41-6-4), but their ice is among the three best in the league. Players rave about the playing surface at Philips Arena, where the ice remains good deep into periods, keeping the puck from bouncing and lowering the risk of in jury....

Some teams looking to upgrade at the trade deadline have put a premium on grit, so expect players such as Doug Gilmour of the Blackhawks, Dixon Ward of the Sabres and Scott Walker of the Predators to be avidly sought....

Two forwards who suffered horrific injuries this season, Magnus Arvedsson of the Senators and Trent McCleary of the Canadiens, have resumed training. Arvedsson lost 20 pounds after having three inches of his intestine removed following a collision with an open bench door on Jan. 20; McCleary suffered a fractured larynx while blocking a shot on Jan. 29 and will have a stent removed from his throat this week....

Look for Hurricanes defenseman Sean Hill to get a big raise when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. Hill, who makes $750,000, is seeking at least $1.8 million per season, the same amount teammate Curtis Leschysyn earns.