The two NHL general managers generally considered the shrewdest at the trade deadline may have ended up the two biggest losers Tuesday. Lou Lamoriello of the New Jersey Devils didn't make a single deal despite critical injuries on defense, while the Colorado Avalanche's inscrutable Pierre Lacroix made two trades that made sense and another that may have sabotaged them both.

Tootsies Orchid Lounge in Nashville has been the start of many a country music career, but a different kind of sad ballad was sung there last Sunday. According to the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, Chicago Blackhawks coach Brian Sutter and forward Tyler Arnason got into an altercation at the nightclub when the Hawks were in town to play the Predators.

Worth noting.

In the latest bizarre sortie in a labor war that long ago cruised past the surreal, the NHL has created a Web site to inform fans about its negotiations with the NHL Players Association over a new collective bargaining agreement. It has all the same features as nhl.com, such as sortable stats and biographies.

As hard as this season has been for him, Washington Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig said he has never asked for a trade away from the woeful franchise with which he has spent his entire career. But it was clear Thursday he wouldn't mind that one bit.

Trying to keep track of whether the Carolina Hurricanes are building or rebuilding has become a task of great difficulty. This past summer, the Canes looked to rebuild their defense to contend in the Eastern Conference, with Danny Markov the keystone. By January, the plan was to acquire as many young players as possible, in this case at the expense of Markov, who now makes too much money.

It looks like the 2007 NHL All-Star Game is going to be played in Dallas. At least, the Stars think so. "We are anticipating that," team president Jim Lites told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I think it's going to be done, but no one has said one word to me about it, which is good news. I think we're a natural. We've been a good soldier, we've paid our dues, we have a new building and the city is a great place to be in February."

The NHL had a conference call with its referees on Monday to highlight three points of emphasis for the second half of the season. Obstruction, slashing and goaltender interference were on the agenda.

The NHL's annual Hockey Fights Cancer online auction has become a tremendous success, raising $300,000 for cancer research over the past three years on sales of special game-worn jerseys alone. This year, the Professional Hockey Writers Association is having one of its own, to help raise money for one of its members who is fighting cancer.

Now, there are two NHL general managers who have fired themselves as coach. Mike Milbury of the New York Islanders did it a few years back; the Columbus Blue Jackets' Doug MacLean did it this week, replacing himself with assistant coach Gerard Gallant.