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The St. Louis Blues and Finnish prospect Jori Lehtera are apparently discussing a deal that would see the 25-year-old center play in North America next season. Andy Strickland of TrueHockey.com reports contract talks between Blues GM Doug Armstrong and Lehtera are actively ongoing, and a concrete decision could come in the next few days. However, Lehtera would have to be open to a pay-cut from the estimated $2-million/year he currently earns in the Kontinental Hockey League.

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UPDATE: As far Patrick Roy's brother is concerned, this is essentially a done deal. As reported by the Denver Post, Stephane Roy said the two sides are in the process of hammering out the finer details of a contract that would see Patrick become the next head coach of the Colorado Avalanche.

"They're discussing the final details of an arrangement. Colorado is going to be very happy. Patrick is looking for a new challenge," said Stephane Roy.

The younger Roy brother also posted the following on Facebook: "For all my friends I'd like you to know before the official news spreads that my older brother will be the new coach of the Colorado (Avalanche)."

No word of confirmation yet from the Hall of Fame goaltender, VP of hockey ops Joe Sakic, or any other member of Avalanche management.

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Viktor Stalberg isn't accustomed to sitting. The Chicago forward played in 156 of the Blackhawks' 164 regular season games over the previous two seasons, suiting up for all 13 of their playoff games in that stretch as well. This year, he was on the ice for 47 of the club's 48 games, plus all five tilts of their opening round series with Minnesota.

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It's been a frustrating couple of weeks for Martin Havlat. The veteran winger had to leave after the first period of Game 1 in San Jose's opening round showdown with Vancouver, and ended up missing the rest of the series because of a lower-body injury. That same ailment kept him out for the first two contests of the Sharks' second round matchup with Los Angeles as well, before he finally made it back for Game 3 on Saturday. Unfortunately, that return was short-lived.

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It would have been easy to write the Detroit Red Wings off heading into their second round matchup with the highly touted Chicago Blackhawks. After all, the 'Hawks have the best record in hockey, just cruised past Minnesota in Round 1 and had beaten Detroit seven straight times heading into the series. Following a 4-1 Chicago victory in the opener, things weren't exactly looking up for the Wings.

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The Buffalo Sabres have a few players on the roster that could fill the enforcer role at the moment. And none of them is tougher than John Scott.

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UPDATE: Forward Jason Spezza is pegged to return to the Ottawa Senators lineup for Sunday's Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sportsnet's Ian Mendes reports Spezza is expected to skate on a line with Milan Michalek.

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UPDATE: Forward Drew Miller is expected to return to the Detroit Red Wings' lineup for Saturday's Game 2 matinee with the Chicago Blackhawks. He's reportedly -- as per Matt Sitkoff and others -- taking part in the pre-game warmup. Miller could take the place of Todd Bertuzzi.

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While speedy and skilled, in general, the Montreal Canadiens are on the small side. And Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette suggests GM Marc Bergevin may look to add some size via the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.

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Supporters of the Carolina Hurricanes can exhale in relief. TSN's Aaron Ward reports forward Eric Staal doesn't appear to be in too bad shape following a nasty knee-on-knee hit from Swedish defenseman Alexander Edler at the IIHF World Championship.

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UPDATE:A return for Game 3 hasn't been ruled out yet. On Friday, Martin Havlat acknowledged the possibility of facing the Los Angeles Kings Saturday.

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Unsurprisingly, the list of potential candidates to fill the coaching vacancy in Colorado is growing. Andy Strickland of TrueHockey.com suggests Marc Crawford is believed to be interested in returning to his old coaching stomping grounds.

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UPDATE: The Boston Bruins could have defensemen Dennis Seidenberg, Andrew Ference, and/or Wade Redden back in the mix for Sunday's Game 2. According to the Boston Globe, the team appears reasonably open to the possibility.

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Todd McLellan didn't come right out and say it, but it's safe to assume the San Jose Sharks coach wasn't happy with the penalty that led to two late goals by Dustin Brown and Trevor Lewis that gave the Los Angeles Kings a stunning 4-3 win over his team Thursday night.

"You go back and look at it, it looks like it changed direction" after hitting the glass, McLellan, speaking about Marc-Edouard Vlasic's late clearing attempt that resulted in a delay-of-game call that put San Jose two men down, told David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News and the rest of the media throng shortly after the crushing defeat.

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