Slightly North

After just 54 games of his rookie coaching career, the New York Rangers have fired Bryan Trottier.

Tis the season to fire the head coach... Except maybe in Ottawa.
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The Colorado Avalanche announced Wednesday that captain Joe Sakic will be sidelined 2-4 weeks with a broken foot.

The injury occurred during the second period of Monday's game against the Dallas Stars when Sakic was hit by a Sergei Zubov shot.

Toronto look to extend their home unbeaten streak to 14 games tonight as they face the Flyers. Ed Belfour is expected to miss tonight's game due to a back injury. Backup Trevor Kidd is also hurting with a groin injury giving the Leafs no option other than calling up Jamie Hodson from St. John's of the AHL to backup Tellqvist. Tellqvist made his NHL debut when he replaced an injured Kidd in the third period on Saturday, and stopped nine of 10 shots as the Leafs beat the Canadiens 3-2 in overtime.

However, Alexander Mogilny could be back in the lineup to help carge Toronto's offensive threat.

Also, yesterday the 2003 All-star teams have been fully named. You can find the complete rosters here.

Montreal let coach Michel Therrien go today after the Canadiens lost 10 of their last 12 games. Their last two losses (to Atlanta and Philadelphia) were maked by being outshot badly.

Therrien is replaced by Claude Julien. Julien was the coach of the Canadiens' AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Rumor Mill Highlights:

- There is speculation around the New Jersey area that Joe Nieuwendyk's career as a Devil will not go beyond this season. Nieuwendyk, 36, has struggled offensively this season. He becomes an unrestricted free agent in the summer, but has yet to hear from the team about a contract extension.

- Speaking of the Devils, no pun intended, it seems they are trying to talk the Capitals into dealing high-scoring right wing Peter Bondra . New Jersey has also been asked about the availability of center Scott Gomez by Colorado. (I really hope this does not happen)

- Nelson Peltz, the billionaire New York businessman who owns the Arby's food chain, is reportedly the mystery financial backer in the bid by Ottawa Senators CEO Rod Bryden to buy the team out of bankruptcy protection.

- Internet mogul Todd Wagner has apparently moved to the top of the list of prospective Dallas Stars buyers.

- Columbus Blue Jackets GM Doug MacLean will handle the coaching duties for the remainder of the season, but most people believe he has already targeted his successor for next season. MacLean is said to be very interested in Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff, whose contract expires after the year, and Calgary assistant Brian Skrudland, who captained the Florida Panthers team MacLean coached to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996.

The Buffalo Sabres filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection yesterday. This is the second team in a week to seek protection from creditors. Commissioner Gary Bettman said the Chapter 11 filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Buffalo is a step toward resolving the financial problems that put the Sabres under the league's control in June.

Well, Bob Hartley has a job again.

The Thrashers just named Heartly head coach. They have little hope of making the playoffs this year, but look to Hartley to jumpstart their next season.

ABC Sports in the United States and CBC Sports in Canada will present exclusively the announcement of the starting lineups for the Eastern Conference and Western Conference All-Stars on Saturday, Jan. 11 at approximately 2 p.m., ET.

Canadiens brass slapped with fines

Savard has been fined $50,000 US while Therrien has been fined $25,000 for "abuse directed at the on-ice officials".

During the game, referee Kerry Fraser disallowed a first-period Montreal goal and allowed Joe Nieuwendyk's winning, third-period goal to stand even though Canadiens goaltender Jeff Hackett was knocked down by a Devils player.

Therrien and Savard screamed at Fraser as he walked off the ice after the game. Savard had to be physically restrained from going into the dressing room seconds after the game, according to security officials at the Continental Airlines Arena who asked not to be identified.

"First of all, we believe we got robbed," Therrien said after emerging some 20 minutes after the game. "There is no doubt about that."

From NHL.com:

Ottawa Senators to file for bankruptcy protection

The cash-strapped Ottawa Senators reportedly will file for bankruptcy protection in the United States and Canada, a move that could be followed by a cash infusion from the National Hockey League.

The announcement could come "as early as the next 24 hours," according to TSN of Canada.

Citing an anonymous source, the Ottawa Sun reported Tuesday that the NHL is poised to announce a financing package that would help the Senators get through the summer.

Team spokesman Phil LeGault refused comment on both reports.

Tuesday's developments came a week after FleetBoston Financial Corporation and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce backed out of a complex $234 million deal that would have erased much of the Senators' considerable tax debt.

The plan included $42 million to cover operating expenses, including players' salaries. The team missed a payroll payment Wednesday, with players receiving a note from owner Rod Bryden, saying they would be paid in the "next couple of days."

So far, Ottawa's financial woes have not filtered down to the ice. The Senators lead the NHL with 56 points and have just three losses in their last 28 games (20-3-4-1).