At the NHL Board of governors meetings next week in Palm Beach, Florida, the schedule could become the main menu if Comissionner Bettman can be persuaded to put it on the agenda.
Ryan Smyth of the Oilers, will become the most sought after UFA this coming summer. I'm sure they are already teams jockying for position to get the first crack at him, come July 1st. The Rangers, Kings, Wings and Coyotes could be amongst the most interested. The catch here, how many teams are they left that did not participate in the UFA market in the last two years and who has the cap space available for the next 3 to 4 years at 5.25 million a year ? Not too many. Also factor in, that the cap limit could take a plundge next season.
Is President/GM, Doug MacLean, on his way out if Colombus fails to make the playoffs ? He would be the obvious choice if you look at the standings. The have 14 points and have 60 games remaining, even if they got one point in those remaining games, they would still be eliminated. If the team does not improve by Christmas, I think MacLean will be gone and Hitchcock could have double duties till the end of the season.
According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, The Montreal Canadiens GM, Bob Gainey, is listening to offers on David Aebischer. With Huet pretty much taken the number goalie spot, that means Aebischer is available. The Coyotes and Kings have investigated the possibility.
On the Hockey Website, The fourth Period, they gathered their 'Experts'' and asked them some questions:
1. Which team is in most need of a change?
The Senators, Flyers and Canucks came up the most often.
2. Which team will be the first to press the panic button?
The Senators once again come up in the discussion.
3.Will San Jose trade one of their goalies this season?
8 said Yes.
4.Will the Boston Bruins trade Glen Murray?
7 Of them answered said Yes.
5. Will the Philadelphia Flyers trade Peter Forsberg?
6 Said no.
6.Who will be the first big name player to be traded?
Daniel Alfredsson's name came up twice.
I guess we will find out in time if those gentlemen are right or wrong on the their answers.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Around the NHL
Sheldon Souray is starting to look like the defenceman that Habs fans saw at the beginning of the 2003-04 season before going down with a knee injury in February 2004. He struggled a good part of last season, but seems to have regained his confidence and is one of the team's top d-men, along with Craig Rivet, who to everyone's surprise is playing the best hockey of his career, and add Andrei Markov to the mix, and you have a good trio of defencemen. I won't go as far as comparing them to the hall of fame big three of the 70's, but in today's cap restricted NHL, it's a luxury. All three, Rivet, Souray and Markov become UFA's at the end of the season, will Montreal Gm, Bob Gainey be able to re-sign them ? Espacially that there is specualtion that the cap limit could go down next season. I guess Gainey will worry about that when the time comes.
I'm sure they were alot of happy faces on Ottawa Senators fans faces this morning on the way to work. The Sens pulled off a team effort and beat the high flying Sabres in Buffalo, 4-2. To top off the night, Sens defenceman, Chris Phillips, on a lucky bank shot, scored his first goal in more than 50 games, I guess it was a good way to put the icing on the cake. Before, Lord Stanley's cup dances in your head, beware, the slump is not over yet. It was a good feel good win, but that is all it was, temporary relief for the moment. For it to be really over, the Sens have to win the weekend games in New Jersey and in Ottawa against the Sabres again, you know, Buffalo will be looking for revenge and with most likely their number one goalie, Ryan Miller, back in the line-up. Chris Stevenson from the Ottawa sun, noticed that the press gallery had been invaded with scouts from : Washington, Pittsburgh, the Rangers, Toronto, New Jersey, Chicago, Florida, Colorado, Anaheim, Carolina and two from the Oilers. Is something brewing in Ottawa ? Stay tuned.
Will Ken Hitchcock be coaching the Colombus Blue Jackets this weekend ? Good question and Doug McLean is not talking and for a good reason, according to the Colombus Dispatch, an interview with Hitchcock is only due next week. Hitchcock's value could go up, if the Senators fail to win their weekend contest against the Devils and the Sabres. McLean better act fast or he could be walking the unemployment line.
Guy Carbonneau, The Canadiens rookie coach, is not making any friends among the on ice officiating NHL collegiate. Carbo, known to Habs fans, is not very happpy with some questionnable calls by referees since the beginning of the season. I think he is right . Take last night's game against the Lightning, Mike Johnson, a surprise pick up in off season by Gm Bob Gainey, was chasing the puck behind Marc Denis' net and bumped in a lightning player, fell and played the puck, missed it and at the same time an another Bolts player grabbed it and fell, if you check the replay, Johnson was not the cause of the fall, but was called for tripping, those kind of calls have been happening alot, Carbonneau is not putting all the blame on the refs, but would like more transparency and clearity. Carbonneau is as alert behind the bench as he was on the ice as a player. Carbonneau is learning the trade, and will in time, know when to chat with the refs and when not to, it will come with time Guy.
I'm sure they were alot of happy faces on Ottawa Senators fans faces this morning on the way to work. The Sens pulled off a team effort and beat the high flying Sabres in Buffalo, 4-2. To top off the night, Sens defenceman, Chris Phillips, on a lucky bank shot, scored his first goal in more than 50 games, I guess it was a good way to put the icing on the cake. Before, Lord Stanley's cup dances in your head, beware, the slump is not over yet. It was a good feel good win, but that is all it was, temporary relief for the moment. For it to be really over, the Sens have to win the weekend games in New Jersey and in Ottawa against the Sabres again, you know, Buffalo will be looking for revenge and with most likely their number one goalie, Ryan Miller, back in the line-up. Chris Stevenson from the Ottawa sun, noticed that the press gallery had been invaded with scouts from : Washington, Pittsburgh, the Rangers, Toronto, New Jersey, Chicago, Florida, Colorado, Anaheim, Carolina and two from the Oilers. Is something brewing in Ottawa ? Stay tuned.
Will Ken Hitchcock be coaching the Colombus Blue Jackets this weekend ? Good question and Doug McLean is not talking and for a good reason, according to the Colombus Dispatch, an interview with Hitchcock is only due next week. Hitchcock's value could go up, if the Senators fail to win their weekend contest against the Devils and the Sabres. McLean better act fast or he could be walking the unemployment line.
Guy Carbonneau, The Canadiens rookie coach, is not making any friends among the on ice officiating NHL collegiate. Carbo, known to Habs fans, is not very happpy with some questionnable calls by referees since the beginning of the season. I think he is right . Take last night's game against the Lightning, Mike Johnson, a surprise pick up in off season by Gm Bob Gainey, was chasing the puck behind Marc Denis' net and bumped in a lightning player, fell and played the puck, missed it and at the same time an another Bolts player grabbed it and fell, if you check the replay, Johnson was not the cause of the fall, but was called for tripping, those kind of calls have been happening alot, Carbonneau is not putting all the blame on the refs, but would like more transparency and clearity. Carbonneau is as alert behind the bench as he was on the ice as a player. Carbonneau is learning the trade, and will in time, know when to chat with the refs and when not to, it will come with time Guy.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
The Sens, Roy and …
I remember along time ago, the season following the Montreal Canadiens four straight Stanley Cup run, the team entered the 1979-80 season struggling, and legendary hockey broadcaster, Dick Irvin, asked the following : ‘’What is wrong with the Canadiens ? ‘’ I think this is also the case for the Senators. . I’m sure that Spector remembers that period in the Habs history.
Like the struggling Habs team I mentionned, the same factor seems to be downing on the Senators. Ok, you can say, that it’s still early in the season and there is no reason to panic, my question to you then is: ‘’How long will it have to take for the team to gel as coach Murray puts it ? ‘’ A better question then, ‘’ How long will it take before the fans that pay the big bucks to see a game at Scotiabank Place, start howling their discontent at the next home game ? ‘’. Seeing the last Few Senators games, it just might be a question of time.
An another question also could be asked : ‘’ Is it time to change the chemistry of this team ? ‘’ I think so, a rebuilding process may start in Ottawa before too long.
Patrick Roy, like him or not, your choice. Will become a member of the Hockey Hall of fame come Monday November 13th. This past week, Roy made a joke about Habs rookie Guillaume Latendresse scoring his first NHL goal on Tuesday against the Oilers. Since then the Quebec media have been having a field day with this. Today (Thursday) Roy changed his tune, and stated that he had nothing against the young man, and in a way, without saying, whished he had not said it. Unfortunatly Latendresse fell in the trap laid out by the former Habs great. The Habs rookie, said : ‘’ I did not really like him, even if i was a fan of the team.’’ Guy Carbonneau, Habs head coach and former Roy teammate for ten years, has not and probably won’t even come to his rookie’s defence, but will likely will have a little talk with him, on how to goat his former teammate, and to take the episode as a learning experience. If I would of been in Latendresse’s position I would of answered : ‘’ Too bad I did not score it against him.’’ Good answer, but Roy could of replied : ‘’ I was having an off night.’’ Possible Patrick, but i’m sure you would of had to think a few times before answering. Roy is unique, he is able to get the press eating out of his hand, and is very good at it. Scotty Bowman, was a master at that, even today, four years after coaching his last game, he still attracts attention, sorry Don, but once again he out matches you. Sorry guys and gals from the media, but Bowman, Cherry, Roy, Gretzky, Lemieux (Mario) wave the their magic wands and you all come running.
I think we will have a big trade this month, which teams will be involved, your guess is as good as mine, but it could and mostl likely have an impact on how the trade deadline activity goes come February 28th.
Stay tuned, the words : Leapping lizards, may come to mind.
That’s all for now folks !
Like the struggling Habs team I mentionned, the same factor seems to be downing on the Senators. Ok, you can say, that it’s still early in the season and there is no reason to panic, my question to you then is: ‘’How long will it have to take for the team to gel as coach Murray puts it ? ‘’ A better question then, ‘’ How long will it take before the fans that pay the big bucks to see a game at Scotiabank Place, start howling their discontent at the next home game ? ‘’. Seeing the last Few Senators games, it just might be a question of time.
An another question also could be asked : ‘’ Is it time to change the chemistry of this team ? ‘’ I think so, a rebuilding process may start in Ottawa before too long.
Patrick Roy, like him or not, your choice. Will become a member of the Hockey Hall of fame come Monday November 13th. This past week, Roy made a joke about Habs rookie Guillaume Latendresse scoring his first NHL goal on Tuesday against the Oilers. Since then the Quebec media have been having a field day with this. Today (Thursday) Roy changed his tune, and stated that he had nothing against the young man, and in a way, without saying, whished he had not said it. Unfortunatly Latendresse fell in the trap laid out by the former Habs great. The Habs rookie, said : ‘’ I did not really like him, even if i was a fan of the team.’’ Guy Carbonneau, Habs head coach and former Roy teammate for ten years, has not and probably won’t even come to his rookie’s defence, but will likely will have a little talk with him, on how to goat his former teammate, and to take the episode as a learning experience. If I would of been in Latendresse’s position I would of answered : ‘’ Too bad I did not score it against him.’’ Good answer, but Roy could of replied : ‘’ I was having an off night.’’ Possible Patrick, but i’m sure you would of had to think a few times before answering. Roy is unique, he is able to get the press eating out of his hand, and is very good at it. Scotty Bowman, was a master at that, even today, four years after coaching his last game, he still attracts attention, sorry Don, but once again he out matches you. Sorry guys and gals from the media, but Bowman, Cherry, Roy, Gretzky, Lemieux (Mario) wave the their magic wands and you all come running.
I think we will have a big trade this month, which teams will be involved, your guess is as good as mine, but it could and mostl likely have an impact on how the trade deadline activity goes come February 28th.
Stay tuned, the words : Leapping lizards, may come to mind.
That’s all for now folks !
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Roy, Gretzky and ...
Next weekend, we will see Patrick Roy's hockey career come full circle when he is inducted in to the Hall of Fame. Like him or not, he deserves his spot in the hall among the greats that have played the game. I'm wondering if the league arranged to have the Montreal Canadiens play the Leafs on what is called the Hall of Fame weekend. The official induction will take place on Monday, November 13th.
If my memory serves me right, this will be the first time Roy will be on the same ice as his former team without his former Colorado teammates. Only two players on the actual habs edition were around when Roy played his final games with the Canadiens in 1995-96. Captain Saku Koivu, was in his rookie season when Roy was still in Montreal, I think Rivet was there also, but was a fill in from time to time at the time.
He will though have a chance to exchange some good memories with former teammates, Guy Carbonneau, Kirk Muller and Habs Gm, Bob Gainey, who was team captain in his rookie season and won the cup in 1986. Could this be the first step to welcome Roy back into the Habs family and put to rest the way he had left eleven years ago. That will be Patrick's decision if he wants to make the next move towards that, The Habs President, Pierre Boivin has mentionned, that Roy was more than welcome to comeback when he feels comfortable to do so. Stay tuned !
The Coyotes fans are not happy campers, and they are pointing fingers at Wayne Gretzky, the Head Coach. Is Gretzky's inexperience as a coach starting to show, and things will get worse before they get better ? It seems to be showing it's ugly head. As we know, the great one has been known to surround himself with friends and be loyal towards them, that's fine outside the rink, but in the dressing room it's not something that will help team chemistry. Last season, the Gretzky effect worked for awhile, but faded as the season went along, and it's light has gone out. I think that Gretzky should step down in the best interest of the team.
It seems that the cap limit could be coming down next season, not in dragstic way, but will come down, I would say at about 42M and stay there for the remainder of the life of the CBA. Teams that went wild on free agents in 2005 and 2006, could feel the pinch and be forced to dump some salaries, espacially the big contracts. Example, Martin St.Louis in Tampa Bay could hit the market, but it takes two to trade.
If my memory serves me right, this will be the first time Roy will be on the same ice as his former team without his former Colorado teammates. Only two players on the actual habs edition were around when Roy played his final games with the Canadiens in 1995-96. Captain Saku Koivu, was in his rookie season when Roy was still in Montreal, I think Rivet was there also, but was a fill in from time to time at the time.
He will though have a chance to exchange some good memories with former teammates, Guy Carbonneau, Kirk Muller and Habs Gm, Bob Gainey, who was team captain in his rookie season and won the cup in 1986. Could this be the first step to welcome Roy back into the Habs family and put to rest the way he had left eleven years ago. That will be Patrick's decision if he wants to make the next move towards that, The Habs President, Pierre Boivin has mentionned, that Roy was more than welcome to comeback when he feels comfortable to do so. Stay tuned !
The Coyotes fans are not happy campers, and they are pointing fingers at Wayne Gretzky, the Head Coach. Is Gretzky's inexperience as a coach starting to show, and things will get worse before they get better ? It seems to be showing it's ugly head. As we know, the great one has been known to surround himself with friends and be loyal towards them, that's fine outside the rink, but in the dressing room it's not something that will help team chemistry. Last season, the Gretzky effect worked for awhile, but faded as the season went along, and it's light has gone out. I think that Gretzky should step down in the best interest of the team.
It seems that the cap limit could be coming down next season, not in dragstic way, but will come down, I would say at about 42M and stay there for the remainder of the life of the CBA. Teams that went wild on free agents in 2005 and 2006, could feel the pinch and be forced to dump some salaries, espacially the big contracts. Example, Martin St.Louis in Tampa Bay could hit the market, but it takes two to trade.
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