Chris Osgood's slow start has raised questions about his future as the Red Wings' No. 1 goalie. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)

HNIC's senior online reporter Tim Wharnsby dishes out the latest news, buzz and inside information in the hockey world.

1. Fighting the flu

Frequent handwashing. Separate towels and water bottles on the bench. Even a mask worn by Buffalo Sabres forward Clarke MacArthur on a team charter because he was sick. These are some of the precautionary measures NHL teams have taken and will continue to follow amid the threat of the H1N1 virus. On Tuesday, Colorado confirmed backup goalie Peter Budaj has contracted the virus, and after the Avalanche's 3-0 victory in Edmonton, Oilers officials revealed that defenceman Ladislav Smid also has H1N1, even though he played a full game against Colorado. The Oilers have been ravaged by the flu in recent days, but at this point have no other confirmed cases of swine flu. Smid's defence parter, Lubomir Visnovsky, departed after two shifts in the third period because of the flu.

2. Canucks' Johnson dodges bullet

The initial reports the Canucks received on Ryan Johnson's scary shoulder-first collision into the end boards suggested the Vancouver centre was not seriously injured. Johnson was taken off the ice and to hospital on a stretcher after he lost his balance while trying to squeeze by Detroit defenceman Nick Lidstrom early in the second period of Tuesday's game. "So far, I think everything looks good," Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said. "He had X-rays and a CT scan, and we're waiting for results, but the initial outlook is that everything seems to be fine."

3. Gagne's Olympics in jeopardy?

There should be more news out of Philadelphia later on Wednesday regarding Simon Gagne 's chronic groin problems. It has been revealed that two small hernias were discovered in the groin area of the Canadian Olympic team candidate. The Flyers have said they will discuss all the medical options before deciding on the best course of treatment, including surgery that could take Gagne out of the Olympic mix. The forward, who potted 34 goals in 2008-09, has only one goal in nine games this season.

4. Os(not so)good

Over the past few seasons, an intriguing debate has developed over whether Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood, who is only eight wins shy of 400 for his career, has Hall of Fame credentials. He has won the Stanley Cup three times, twice as the team's No. 1 goalie. But did we witness a changing of the guard on Tuesday night when Detroit coach Mike Babcock gave Osgood a quick hook in Vancouver? Backup Jimmy Howard came in and played well enough to push the Wings to a win. It will be interesting to watch how many starts Howard, 25, receives in the next few weeks. The 36-year-old Osgood has won just three of his eight starts and has a .882 save percentage.

5. Who will go No. 1 in 2010?

The Los Angeles Kings reported on their website that the team will host the 2010 NHL entry draft. An official announcement is expected in December. The early favourites to become the first overall selection are Windsor Spitfires teammates Taylor Hall and Cam Fowler, as well as Plymouth Whalers centre Tyler Seguin. The three have put up some impressive numbers this season. Hall, a forward, has 16 goals and 34 points in 16 games for the defending Memorial Cup champions. Fowler, a defenceman, has two goals and 21 points in 16 games. Seguin has scored 17 times and piled up 30 points in 14 games.