NHL commissioner Gary Bettman chose not to hold back in his assessment of Bryant Gumbel when asked about the TV host by Bob Costas. Back during the NBA lockout, Gumbel played up what he felt was a racial side to the labor dispute during a commentary about NBA commissioner David Stern. "David Stern was eager to be seen as some kind of modern plantation overseer treating NBA men as if they were boys," Gumbel said on Real Sports. Bettman didn't hold back when Costas asked his reaction to that. "That is probably the most ignorant, stupidest statement I've ever heard," Bettman said, as reported by USA Today. The NHL commissioner made that statement on "Costas Tonight," which will air on the NBC Sports Network Thursday night at 8 p.m.

Chants of "Fire Wilson!" echoed through Air Canada Centre on Tuesday night as the Panthers put the finishing touches on a 5-3 win over the sinking Maple Leafs. It was the ninth loss in 10 games for a team GM Brian Burke decided against tinkering with the club ahead of Monday's trade deadline. Even coach Ron Wilson couldn't blame the fans for calling for his job. "It's frustrating, but understandable," he said. "We didn't do anything at the trade deadline and we came out tentative to say the least. We talked ad nauseum to the team about the (last) 20 games and finding our focus and we weren't ready to start the game."

Rick Nash had difficulty sleeping Monday night after it became known that he had asked the Blue Jackets to trade him. After spending nine seasons, Nash is now uncertain of the reaction from fans who have idolized him but now might see him as just another opportunist. "I'm not too sure what to expect," he said Tuesday in his first public comments after it was revealed he had asked to be dealt. "I've been with these fans my whole career here. I love them no matter what. They're a great fan base, loyal. They've been patient with this organization and with this team. No matter what the reception is I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for our fans."

Rick Nash, the biggest prize available, wasn't dealt before the NHL's trade deadline on Monday. But the real shocker is that it was Nash who had asked the Blue Jackets to trade him. Most had believed that the Blue Jackets, stuck with by far the worst record in the league at 18-37-7 for 43 points, were dealing him out of desperation. As it turns out, it was the team captain's idea. "He obviously wants a change," said GM Scott Howson, who said he was so surprised when Nash asked to be traded in January that it took time for him to process the request.

The Lightning have recalled defenseman Evan Oberg from the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL today, Vice President and GM Steve Yzerman announced. Oberg was acquired by the Lightning with Mike Kostka from the Panthers on December 2 in exchange for James Wright and Mike Vernace. He made his Lightning debut, and only game of the season, on January 24 against the Blue Jackets. Oberg has played in five career NHL games with Tampa Bay and the Canucks.

Coyotes GM Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have assigned center Alexandre Bolduc and defenseman David Rundblad to the Portland Pirates of the AHL. Bolduc has played in 12 games with the Pirates this season, recording 2-6-8 and 18 penalty minutes. He missed the first half of the season with an upper-body injury. Rundblad has played in 15 games with the Pirates this season registering 6-4-10. He also has appeared in two games with the Coyotes, collecting two assists. Rundblad posted 1-3-4 in 24 games with the Senators before being acquired by the Coyotes on Dec. 17, 2011.

The owner of the Canadiens says Pierre Gauthier is still his GM. With speculation rampant that Pierre Gauthier had been fired, Geoff Molson took to Twitter to dismiss such talk. He says "rumors of Pierre Gauthier's firing are false."

The Blue Jackets have recalled right wing Cam Atkinson from the Springfield Falcons, Columbus' AHL affiliate, club Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and GM Scott Howson announced today. Playing in his first full professional season, Atkinson, 22, has registered 29 goals and 15 assists for 44 points with 31 penalty minutes and has a +4 plus/minus rating in 50 games. He is tied for the AHL lead in power play goals (13) and ranks second in goals, while ranking fourth among AHL rookies in points.

The Kings have announced that defenseman Slava Voynov has been recalled from Manchester (AHL) and forward Andrei Loktionov has been assigned to Manchester, Kings President/GM Dean Lombardi announced today: Voynov, 22, has 11 points, eight penalty minutes and a plus-4 rating in 26 games with the Kings (his first season in the NHL). Among NHL rookie defensemen Voynov is tied for eighth in points, tied for second in goals and tied for 10th in assists. Loktionov, 21, has seven points and two penalty minutes in 39 games with the Kings this season.

Coyotes GM Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have reassigned forward Matt Watkins to the Portland Pirates, the Coyotes AHL affiliate. Watkins made his NHL debut with the Coyotes on Tuesday versus the Kings, skating in 6:37 of ice time. In 48 games with the Pirates this season, he has recorded 9-18-27 and 30 PIM. Watkins was originally drafted by the Stars in the fifth round (160th overall) in the 2005 Entry Draft.