Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

Crosby returns on Thursday night; Forsberg goes off on Vancouver; Savard out with broken bone in back; Carolina signs Sutter; Denis back in the NHL; Antropov expected back on Thursday; and more...

HIGH (ANKLE) HOPES 
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is expected back in the lineup on Thursday night against the New York Islanders.

Crosby has missed 28 of the Pens' last 31 contests because of a high ankle sprain. With winger Pascal Dupuis also due back after missing two games for personal reasons, Pittsburgh should ice their projected top-six forwards for the first time since GM Ray Shero acquired both Dupuis and fellow winger Marian Hossa from the Atlanta Thrashers at the trading deadline last month. With both Crosby and Dupuis due back, the club assigned energy forward Connor James back to the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old Crosby was tied for the NHL lead in points with 63 at the time of his injury. After missing 21 games, he returned to action for three contests and registered two goals and two assists. His 1.4 points-per-game average this season places him on par with current NHL scoring leader Alexander Ovechkin (107 points in 77 games), and just ahead of teammate Evgeni Malkin (102 points in 77 games). Crosby will now have five regular-season games to find chemistry with Hossa and Dupuis before the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Penguins clinched a berth with a 2-0 road win at New Jersey on Tuesday night.

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THREE FOR FOPPA 
Colorado Avalanche forward Peter Forsberg recorded three assists on Wednesday night against the Vancouver Canucks. INTEL: 'Foppa' began the night on a line with Tyler Arnason and David Jones but later replaced Ryan Smyth on the Paul Stastny-Milan Hejduk line. The result was a nine-point evening for Colorado's newfound first scoring line.

BACK-BREAKING LOSS 
Boston Bruins leading scorer Marc Savard is currently battling a broken bone in his back, so he will miss his second straight contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday night. INTEL: The B's were able to win without Savard on Tuesday but won't be able to survive a long-time absence from their top dog.

SUTTER SIGNS 
The Carolina Hurricanes have signed 2007 first-round selection Brandon Sutter to an entry-level contract. He has been assigned to the AHL's Albany River Rats for the rest of this season, since his WHL club (Red Deer Rebels) has been eliminated. INTEL: The 19-year-old Sutter's contract will only kick in next season, though he will only be allowed to play in either the NHL or WHL--and not the AHL--in 2008-09. Sutter faces a training camp battle to win a job at center, since the 'Canes have Eric Staal, Rod Brind'Amour and Matt Cullen under contract.

JIGGY JUNKED 
Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere missed his third consecutive game on Wednesday night against the L.A. Kings. He's currently day-to-day because of back spasms.

ZERO FOR NORRENA 
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Fredrik Norrena stopped 17 shots against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday to record his second shutout and 10th win of the season. INTEL: The 34-year-old Finn is taking full advantage of No. 1 netminder Pascal Leclaire's current head injury.

DENIS BACK UP 
The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled veteran netminder Marc Denis from the AHL's Norfolk Admirals, after he cleared re-entry waivers on Wednesday. He joins a suddenly crowded crease with injured starter Mike Smith (knee), Karri Ramo and Jonathan Boutin.

RETURN OF ROZY 
New York Rangers defenseman Michal Rozsival is expected to return to the Rangers lineup on Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils. He missed Tuesday's home loss to Philadelphia because of a leg injury. INTEL: Fellow Czech Marek Malik is expected to sit in favor of Rozsival against the Devils.

GETZLAF OUT 
Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf missed Wednesday night's home game against the Los Angeles Kings due to a shoulder injury. He also missed the previous contest against the Phoenix Coyotes. He's considered day-to-day but could play Friday against San Jose.

NIK OF TIME? 
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nik Antropov is expected to return to action Thursday night in the second of back-to-back games against the Boston Bruins. INTEL: Antropov missed four games because of a knee problem. With Antropov due back, the Leafs sent Alex Foster back to the AHL's Toronto Marlies.

A FIRST FOR WILSON 
In only his second NHL game, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Clay Wilson scored his first goal and added his first assist in Wednesday's 4-0 home win over the Chicago Blackhawks. INTEL: The Jackets are virtually out of postseason contention, so management is giving a few AHLers a chance to show their worth. For Wilson, this is a great start.

NO GAGNE UNTIL CUP FINALS 
Philadelphia Flyers left wing Simon Gagne (concussion) has been ruled out until the Stanley Cup finals, assuming his team is able to get that far, according to various reports. INTEL: This news should surprise no one. It would also take quite a bit for the Flyers to wind up in the Cup finals, though stranger things have happened in recent years.

WINCHESTER DEBUT? 
Ottawa Senators forward Jesse Winchester, who signed a one-year contract with the team earlier this week, could make his NHL debut against the Buffalo Sabres Thursday night. INTEL: The 24-year-old Winchester played for Colgate University earlier in the year. He's considered a hard-working forward with modest scoring potential.

GRANT SHINES 
Pittsburgh Penguins defense prospect Alex Grant recorded a four-point night for the QMJHL's Saint John Sea Dogs in a 6-3 victory over the PEI Rocket on Wednesday. INTEL: The Dogs eliminated the Rocket in four straight games. Grant, the team captain, is emerging as a quality two-way prospect for the Penguins. Grant should remain in the 'Q' for one more season before embarking on a pro career.

GALIARDI ON FIRE 
Colorado Avalanche winger prospect T.J. Galiardi is currently leading the WHL in playoff scoring with eight assists and nine points in four contests for the Calgary Hitmen. INTEL: The 19-year-old Galiardi was selected in the second round (No. 55 overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. After one year at Dartmouth College, he moved on to the 'Dub'. As a league rookie, he produced 70 points in 72 regular-season contests.

THREE MORE FOR AZEVEDO 
OHL standout forward Justin Azevedo registered three more assists in Game 4 of the Kitchener Rangers' first-round series sweep of the Plymouth Whalers on Wednesday night. INTEL: Azevedo, who turns 20 next week, now has a whopping 13 assists and 14 points in just four postseason games. He was passed over in both the 2006 and 2007 NHL entry drafts but should be worth at least a seventh-round flyer this June if he keeps producing in the OHL playoffs. He is considered AHL material but could be the ultimate fantasy hockey sleeper.

MacDONALD FOR MOLE 
The New York Islanders have summoned goaltender Mike Mole from the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He replaces Joey MacDonald, who was returned to the Tigers. INTEL: MacDonald will play in the AHL playoffs, while Wade Dubielewicz should get most (if not all) of the starts for the Isles the rest of the way.

FROM BOWLING GREEN TO BUFFALO 
The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Derek Whitmore, late of Bowling Green State University, to an entry-level contract as a free agent. INTEL: Whitmore was a 27-goal man for the Falcons. A native of Rochester, New York, Whitmore is ticketed for the AHL in 2008-09.