Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

Vancouver looks to Luongo; Gomez returns to action; Whitney switched to wing; Vancouver loses Morrison for the season; Schremp to Sweden? Draft-eligible goaltenders shine; and more...

LUONGO'S LAST STAND? 
Vancouver Canucks netminder Roberto Luongo has been a very busy man lately, both on and off the ice.

On Tuesday, he played in goal against the Flames in Calgary and the next night he started for the Canucks in Colorado. On Wednesday, he flew back to Florida to be with his wife and newborn baby but he's expected to be back with his teammates in time to play against the Minnesota Wild on Friday night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. There will be no rest for the weary either, since Vancouver will need Luongo to be at his all-star best down the stretch.

That's because the Canucks are now the Western Conference team in eighth position and feeling the heat from behind. Nashville is only two points behind Vancouver, while the Edmonton Oilers are just three points back. Further complicating matters for Canucks coach Alain Vigneault is the recent injury to center Brendan Morrison, who is gone for the season. Therefore, the 'Nucks will look to their top player to help guide them into the postseason. Can Luongo hold the fort, starting on Friday night against the division-rival Wild?

---

GOMEZ RETURNS 
New York Rangers center Scott Gomez returned to the lineup on Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils. Gomez missed one game due to bruised ribs. INTEL: The former Devil centered a line between Sean Avery and Brendan Shanahan, with Avery returning to his more customary left-wing position--after one game as Gomez' replacement at center.

WHITNEY WINGS IT 
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ryan Whitney played left wing for the second game in a row on Thursday night against the New York Islanders INTEL: Whitney still played the point on the power play. However, Whitney's indifferent style and dubious decision making has landed him squarely in coach Michel Therrien's dog house.

MORRISON OUT FOR SEASON 
The Vancouver Canucks will be without center Brendan Morrison for the rest of the '07-08 campaign because of a torn ACL. He suffered the injury in Wednesday's road loss against the Colorado Avalanche.

SUNDIN RETURNS 
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin returned to the lineup after missing five games because of a groin injury. INTEL: There's no telling what might have happened to the Leafs' playoff drive had Sundin not gotten hurt.

CLUTCH CHRIS 
New York Rangers center Chris Drury registered three assists in the team's 3-2 home win over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night. Drury played alongside Nigel Dawes and Ryan Callahan on the third line.

RUUTU ON A ROLL 
Pittsburgh Penguins agitator Jarkko Ruutu scored a short-handed goal and added two assists in a 3-1 home win over the New York Islanders on Thursday night. INTEL: Ruutu is in the final year of his contract, so the timing of his recent point surge is ideal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. He's a perfect fourth liner but could start seeing third-line duty if he keeps this production up.

SCHREMP TO SWEDEN? 
According to reports out of Sweden, Edmonton Oilers forward prospect Rob Schremp may play in the Swedish Elitserien next season. INTEL: Schremp, a supremely gifted offensive player, hasn't had a lot of NHL opportunities with the Oil so far, but he's still considered a very good prospect. It would be surprising if he jumped to the SEL but stranger moves have been made over the years.

SURGERY FOR EAVES  
Carolina Hurricanes winger Patrick Eaves will miss up to three weeks because he needs surgery to correct a shoulder injury. INTEL: Eaves was starting to become an important cog in the Hurricanes attack. He could still be a regular in the lineup upon his return.

WILLIAMS TO RE-SIGN? 
The Chicago Blackhawks are currently negotiating a contract extension with veteran winger Jason Williams. INTEL: Williams has great chemistry with Blackhawks center Robert Lang, but he's awfully brittle. That said, both sides should get this done soon.

ANTROPOV RETURNS 
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nik Antropov returned to the lineup against the Boston Bruins on Thursday night, after missing four games because of a knee injury. Antropov skated with captain Mats Sundin and rookie Jiri Tlusty.

MACHACEK SIGNS 
The Atlanta Thrashers have signed 2007 third-round draft pick Spencer Machacek to an entry-level contract. INTEL: Machacek, a right-winger by trade, was selected 67th overall out of the WHL. The 19-year-old led the Vancouver Giants in both goals (33) and points (78) in 70 regular-season games this season.

CHECK OUT CHET 
Tri-City Americans (WHL) netminder Chet Pickard, the top-rated goaltender among North Americans in Central Scouting's mid-term rankings, has been a standout for his club in the first round of the playoffs in the 'Dub'. INTEL: Pickard, who stands 6-2 and weighs 210 pounds, sported a nifty 1.79 goals-against average in three games against the Kamloops Blazers.

TAYLOR RECALLED 
The Los Angeles Kings have recalled goaltender Daniel Taylor from the AHL's Manchester Monarchs. INTEL: Taylor will replace veteran Dan Cloutier (groin) as the backup to Erik Ersberg for the rest of the regular season.

POULIN SHINES 
Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) netminder Kevin Poulin stopped 25 of 27 Halifax Mooseheads shots on Thursday night to help his club win 3-2 and tie their first-round series 2-2. INTEL: Poulin was rated fourth among North American goaltenders in Central Scouting's mid-term rankings. More performances like Thursday night should help his draft stock immensely.