Hype for December 14, 2009

The company that has just signed a letter of intent to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes is also reaching out to Wayne Gretzky as a potential partner, Hockey Night in Canada contributor Pierre LeBrun told Saturday's Hotstove segment.

"I'm not getting the sense that he wants to do that," LeBrun said.

It's expected that Gretzky will also receive an offer from his former teammate and good friend Mark Messier to coach Team Canada's entry at the world championship.

The Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins took their first look at Fenway Park — hockey-style — less than one month before the clubs meet in the NHL's Winter Classic.

The atmosphere was light as players and personnel from both teams were given a guided tour Sunday of the uncompleted rink, the locker room and other facilities.

Fenway Park, the 97-year-old home of baseball's Boston Red Sox, is in the early stages of being converted to a hockey rink that will host the New Year's Day game between the Bruins and visiting Flyers.

The NHL is staging the outdoor Winter Classic for the third straight year.

The head of Hockey Night in Canadahas come out in strong support of Don Cherry after a Toronto neurosurgeon accused the commentator of contributing to serious injuries and concussions in the sport.

Sherali Najak, executive producer of Canada's longest-running television show, said Cherry's record of safety and respect in hockey speaks for itself.

"Everything from championing on-ice rules and equipment changes to leading the STOP sign campaign, he has been the leader in teaching tough, smart hockey and promotes respect amongst players at every level," Najak said Sunday in a release.

Can the Finnish Olympic hockey team just ice a squad of goalies?

Antti Niemi of the Chicago Blackhawks recorded his third shutout in just seven starts this season, in a 4-0 home win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

For all Miikka Kiprusoff has done for the Flames lately, this is how they repay him?

Calgary hung its star goalie out to dry for the second time in three nights, pairing indifferent defence with a limp attack in a disappointing loss Sunday in Colorado.

The lacklustre effort sent the Flames to their third straight 3-2 loss to the Avalanche this season. It also cost Calgary the Northwest Division lead — the clubs came in tied with 42 points apiece, but the Flames had top spot because they'd earned one more victory.