Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

Jokinen is silencing critics of his leadership; Sykora joins Hossa on sideline; Spacek and Kalinin gone; Cleary gets rewarded; Vinny and Heatley post hat tricks; Price still hot; and more...

OLLI CAN BE 
On paper it can be hard to figure out how the Florida Panthers are challenging for a playoff spot. They give up too many shots (33.5 per game, 2nd-worst in the league) and they're too soft (with just 910 penalty minutes, 20th in the league). So how are they doing it?

Simple answer: with a solid show of leadership from Olli Jokinen. Seen as likely to be traded at this year's February 26 swap deadline, Jokinen instead stayed with Florida for the duration. And since that deadline, the underrated Finnish sniper has been simply superb. Jokinen has tallied six points in his last six contests, and is averaging a whopping 8.7 shots per game over his past three. That has led Florida to a four-game win-streak and rocketed them up the playoff board.

If Jokinen's recent surge helps the Panthers scratch their way into the postseason, it will be that much sweeter considering comments former Panther John Vanbiesbrouck made over the summer, criticizing the Florida captain's leadership. As the Panthers go for another win Wednesday hosting the Islanders, will Olli's outburst continue?

---

SORE SYKORA 
According to several reports, Penguins' sniper Petr Sykora is day-to-day with a sore back and is unlikely to play in Wednesday's game against the Sabres. INTEL: This news also comes with reports that superstar Marian Hossa still isn't quite ready to suit up for the Pens and that forward Maxime Talbot is gone again with a re-aggravation of his ankle injury. Sykora has quietly enjoyed a very good season for Pittsburgh so far, and with him and Hossa both out, it should be easier for Buffalo to key on Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin more than usual.

SPACEK HITS THE SHELF . . .  
After suffering a fairly serious chest injury in Monday's contest against the Rangers, Sabres' veteran defenseman Jaroslav Spacek is out for possibly the rest of the regular season according to several media sources. INTEL: This is a devastating blow to an already-depleted defensive group in Buffalo. Spacek wasn't doing much offensively of late but his 31 points lead all remaining Buffalo rearguards after Brian Campbell was traded. The Buffalo News reports Buffalo's top-scoring winger, Jason Pominville, may be asked to play defense. In the meantime, the expected Wednesday return of Henrik Tallinder will help, as will recent call-up Mike Weber.

. . . AS DOES KALININ! 
Compounding the hard news that top defenseman Jaroslav Spacek may be gone for the rest of the regular sked, the Sabres have learned that Dmitri Kalinin will be gone for at least two weeks with a shoulder injury. INTEL: As mentioned, Henrik Tallinder's return will help fill the gap, but the Sabres are scrambling for help on the blueline. The underrated Nathan Paetsch is sure to play more as a result, even though he's still feeling the effects of a hard hit in Monday's game. Paetsch was a scratch for most of February but he has shown in the past he's capable of putting up solid offensive numbers when given the playing time.

SEEING MORE CLEARY 
The Red Wings have signed winger Dan Cleary to a five-year contract extension, worth roughly $2.5 Million per season, according to the Detroit Free Press. INTEL: He won't be back until the end of March because of a broken jaw, but this is still a feel-good story for Cleary and the Wings. The 29-year-old was seen by some as a bust a few years ago after being drafted 13th overall in 1997 by the Blackhawks. He was a prolific scorer in the OHL and AHL, but embraced a defensive role in the NHL and has reaped the rewards. Cleary is plus-23 in 57 games with 20 goals and 20 assists.

HATS OFF TO VINNY . . . 
After scoring no goals over a recent 12-game skid and then tallying one on Mar.9 against the Blue Jackets, center Vincent Lecavalier went off for a hat-trick against the Islanders on Tuesday night. INTEL: This was Lecavalier's second hat-trick of the season, and will obviously do a lot to rebuild his recent lull in confidence. The loss of Brad Richards seemed to affect Vinny, but Tuesday's performance breathes a little life back into his game. The best sign is that Lecavalier took nine shots in this game, suggesting he is more focused than he has been in recent weeks.

FOPPA OUT AGAIN 
On Tuesday star center Peter Forsberg missed his second straight game due to a groin injury, but the Denver Post reports he was able to skate with teammates before their 5-2 win over the Thrashers. INTEL: It's not a shocker that Foppa sat out this second contest, but it has to be a disappointment for the Avs and their fans. Forsberg showed with his two-assist effort against Dallas on Mar.8 that he can still play elite hockey, but he is also showing that his increasing fragility is nowhere near a thing of the past. Look for him to return within the next game or two, but be day-to-day going forward.

PRICE STILL CAREY-ING HABS 
With 38 saves on 38 shots Tuesday night against the Devils, rookie goaltender Carey Price continued his hot streak of late. The 4-0 shutout makes him 5-2 in his past five outings. INTEL: Price is fast becoming a fan favorite in Montreal, where he is helping lead the Habs' great recent run. With Montreal now atop the Eastern conference, Price is showing remarkable poise for a player who is still only 20 years old. Then again, he has made quite a name for himself as a clutch performer over the past year (including his great showing at the World juniors) and the shutout only cements his status as Montreal's clear No.1.

JONES, MEET JOE! 
In just his 16th NHL game, on Tuesday winger David Jones exploded for three points (one goal and two helpers) as well as a plus-2 rating to lead Colorado to a 5-2 win over the Thrashers. INTEL: It would appear that playing alongside Joe Sakic can do wonders for a young winger. Jones assisted on one Sakic goal and got the return favor from his superstar teammate. This may have been an anomaly, but it's worth noting that Jones is a talented young power forward who is seeing increasing ice time (and power play time) for the Avs.