The Colorado Avalanche: News from around the NHL - January 8th, 2014

Hockey players are tough people (video of the incident in the article, but doesn't start automatically).

Schenn was sliced in the abdominal area on Tuesday night by the skate of Dainius Zubrus of the New Jersey Devils. The incident, which happened when Schenn was checking in front of the Devils’ bench, was caught by television cameras and can be viewed below.

The Flyers forward got the last laugh, going on to tally the winner for Philadelphia in overtime.

Khabibulin is out 4-5 months.

Nikolai Khabibulin's NHL career could be over.

And, as you might expect with his recent history of ailments, the end might have come due to an injury.

The 40-year-old Chicago Blackhawks goaltender had surgery Tuesday to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder and is expected to be out for 4-5 months.

Sandis Ozolinsh is heading to the Olympics.

Latvia saw the Czech Republic put Petr Nedved, 42, on its roster and countered with seven-time NHL All-Star Sandis Ozolinsh, who is 41 and has been out of the NHL since 2008.

Ozolinsh has been around so long that he played for the Soviet Union team in junior in 1991. He went on to play for Latvia at the 2002 and 2006 Olympics, retiring from international play after Torino but coming back to help it qualify for Sochi.

Gabriel Landeskog is also heading to the Olympics.

The 21-year-old Colorado Avalanche captain will make his national team debut at the Sochi Games. Tuesday is the deadline for countries to submit their rosters to the Olympic organizers, and the hockey tournament begins Feb. 12.

"To be named to the team at such a young age, right now it might be a bit of a blur, but down the road looking back at videos and pictures and all the memories it will create, that's when you sit back and realize maybe what you did," Landeskog said Tuesday after practice. "But for now just try to enjoy it, take it in stride and have as much fun as possible."

Semyon Varlamov is heading back to Russia to play for his home country for the Olympic games.

For Varlamov, the pressure to play well until the Olympics remains as big as it was to make the team. While Varlamov probably has the inside track to be the starter for Russia, Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky could steal it away with a big January and early February.

"There's always pressure here, but yeah there's maybe going to be more pressure in Russia to play in front of your fans, in front of your Russian president. But it's going to be so much fun to play at home," Varlamov said. "I have to stay focused with what I'm doing here, play well and be healthy."

Roy wasn't surprised that Matt Duchene made Team Canada, in fact, he said he'd be surprised if he didn't.

“I’d be very surprised if he’s not on the team,” says Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy, as per the Calgary Herald.

“He’s speed will be an important asset on the bigger-sized rink. When I spoke to Steve Yzerman they had some points they wanted to talk about. I’m not saying (points) they wanted me to work on . . . but I explained to Duchy that’s what they’re going to look at.

“If you’re good defensively, if you’re capable of moving the puck more, stuff like that. And that’s what he’s doing.”