Maple Leafs center Mikhail Grabovski, Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne and Senators right wing Daniel Alfredsson and have been named the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the week ending Jan. 29. FIRST STAR -- MIKHAIL GRABOVSKI, C, MAPLE LEAFS Grabovski tallied a League-leading five points (one goal, four assists) in two games during a shortened week prior to the All-Star break as the Maple Leafs (25-19-5) recorded back-to-back victories and drew even in points with the #7 Panthers and #8 Devils in the Eastern Conference playoff race. SECOND STAR -- PEKKA RINNE, G, PREDATORS Rinne extended his winning streak to nine games by posting a 2-0-0 record, 1.00 goals-against average and .961 save percentage as the Predators closed within three points of first place in the NHL overall standings at the All-Star break. THIRD STAR -- DANIEL ALFREDSSON, RW, SENATORS Alfredsson tallied goals in each of the Senators' two games leading into the 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend and was a star attraction in front of a home crowd as Ottawa hosted the League's mid-season showcase. He tallied his team's lone goal in a 4-1 loss at Los Angeles Jan. 23 and notched the 406th goal of his NHL career in a 3-2 loss to the Coyotes Jan. 24.

An insider told QMI Agency that Leafs GM Brian Burke is tired of Don Cherry criticizing his team, and he is contemplating asking for a meeting with CBC brass to complain. "He is furious at the comment Cherry made about head coach Ron Wilson not applauding for the troops and for other things too," said an insider. "He is fiercely loyal to his guys."

A time capsuled that has been buried at Maple Leaf Gardens since 1931 was opened on Thursday. Contents of the capsule include: - A four-page typewritten letter from the directors of Maple Leaf Gardens. Four-page stock prospectus for Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. - 1930-31 NHL rule book. - 1931 rule book for the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. - 1930 Ontario Hockey Association rule book. - 1931 Toronto Municipal Handbook. - A red ensign flag. - A small ivory elephant with fragments of a blue ribbon. The Maple Leaf Gardens stock prospectus revealed Thursday reports that hockey gate revenues for the 1929-30 season were just over $186,000 and expected to be "close to $200,000" for the following year. The Leafs now collect an estimated $2 million in gate revenue per game.

Brian Burke addressed a crowd of 400 business students, teachers and hockey fans on Wednesday at the University of Toronto. Bruke talked about the need for ruthlessness to be an effective GM. “I’ve done more good things for my players over time than I have ruthless things, but I will do what’s necessary to make our team better. If that’s hard on a family, I’m still going to do it. The average person doesn’t have that. It’s a lonely side of the business. I think the average person in North America wants very little to do with leadership because of the loneliness of the role, because of the difficulties of the decisions. I think the average person wants to be competently and honestly led, rather than driving the bus. They wouldn’t mind being in the front seat making suggestions, but they don’t want the wheel — because, goddamnit, it’s too lonely.”

The Leafs have signed defenseman John-Michael Liles to a four-year contract extension. Liles, 31, has played 34 games for the Leafs this season, collecting 21 points on four goals and 18 assists. He ranks second among Leafs defensemen in points, and has recorded two assists in a game on four occasions.

Mike Van Ryn, a former defenseman with the Leafs, has become one of hockey's most well-regarded coaching prospects since retiring in June of 2010. Van Ryn is still only 32 and is now an assistant with the Houston Aeros of the AHL. "I knew I wanted to stay in the game," said Van Ryn. "Last year was more of an experiment, an opportunity to stay in hockey."

Jonas Gustavsson made 25 saves for his third shutout in January as the Leafs defeated the Islanders on Monday by a 3-0 final. "We did a good job in front of him and he's been there when we need him to make a big save every once and awhile," Ron Wilson said. Gustavsson has a record of 6-3 this month. Joffrey Lupul said shutting down John Tavares was something the team discussed before the game. "He's obviously been on a pretty good streak lately, and he's still looked dangerous tonight," Lupul said. "Again we're going to have to shut him down tomorrow."

The Islanders are on a three-game winning streak, largely due to the strong play of John Tavares. Tavares has a 12-game points streak, with eight goals and 21 points over the period. “I’m certainly aware of how skilled a player he is,” Leafs goalie Jonas Gustavsson said after the morning skate. Tavares grew up in the Toronto area. “To be honest, I enter every game with the same mindset. I approach every game the same way. I try to bring a great attitude and a good work ethic to each game,” Tavares said. “I’ve been trying to be consistent on a nightly basis, both offensively and defensively, for the 2½ years that I’ve been in this league. And capitalize on my chances. I keep challenging myself to be better." Coach Ron Wilson said he plans to use his “better defensemen” against Tavares and his line.

Joffrey Lupul returned to the team's top line with Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel at practice on Sunday, a day after the Maple Leafs lost 3-1 to the Montreal Canadiens. Matthew Lombardi, who got the only Leaf goal in that game on a great feed by Bozak, was put on a line with Tim Connolly and Nazem Kadri. The Leafs broke up the top line in order to spread the offense around, but they had lost four of their last five games.

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Monday that defenceman Jake Gardiner has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL). Gardiner, 21, was assigned to the Marlies yesterday and played against the Hamilton Bulldogs, collecting an assist and two penalty minutes in a 2-1 loss. He has registered 10 assists while averaging 20:32 of ice-time in 37 games with the Maple Leafs in 2011-12.