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Daily Cupcakes- January 6th, 2012

By Sandie Gauthier
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 26: Calvin Pickard, drafted in the second round by the Colorado Avalanche, poses for a portrait during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft at Staples Center on June 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 26: Calvin Pickard, drafted in the second round by the Colorado Avalanche, poses for a portrait during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft at Staples Center on June 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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The National Post has a story about the 50-goal club.

Could 40 be the new 50 in the National Hockey League?

The once-exclusive 50-goal club, which had just one member for 15 years, was overflowing with new members during the high-scoring 1980s and 1990s. But in the last few seasons, the exclusive club’s doors appears be closing.

Corey Perry was the only player to reach the 50-goal mark last year. Alex Ovechkin was the only one two years earlier. And with the season nearly half over, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos, one of three players to score 50 in 2009-10, is the only player currently on pace to reach the magical number.

"It’s kind of back to the way it was a long time ago," said Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson. "It’s been tough to score 50 goals for quite some time now.

Todd Bertuzzi has dropped his lawsuit against Marc Crawford.

NHL player Todd Bertuzzi has dropped his lawsuit alleging that former coach Marc Crawford was liable for one of the most infamous moments in modern NHL history: Bertuzzi's career-ending hit on Steve Moore in 2004.

Geoffrey Adair, Bertuzzi's lawyer, confirmed Thursday that the former Vancouver Canuck star and current member of the Detroit Red Wings had dropped the lawsuit, but declined to comment further.

Bertuzzi alleged that Crawford encouraged him to go after Moore because of a previous hit by Moore, which had injured a Canucks player.

The WHL trade deadline is fast approaching.

There were rumours on Twitter last week that goaltender Calvin Pickard had been dealt from the Seattle Thunderbirds, but so far he remains in the Pacific Northwest.

The 19-year-old, who is a 2010 second-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche, is expected to jump to the professional game next season, likely with Colorado's AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters.

The same scenario rings true for 19-year-old forwards Brett Bulmer of the Kelowna Rockets (Minnesota) and Kevin Sundher of the Victoria Royals (Buffalo). All three players could be dealt.

Brian Burke is sad that there is less of a place for character guys in the NHL than before.

Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke is "troubled" by the way the NHL game is being played when there is no longer a place for a "character" player like tough guy Colton Orr on his roster.

"I have this fear that if we don’t have guys looking after each other that the rats will take this game over," Burke said Thursday after Orr, 29, cleared waivers. He will now head to the Toronto Marlies.

"That’s my fear. I see guys running around and starting stuff and won’t back it up. It makes me sick to my stomach."