Claude Julien and...

Former Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils coach, Claude Julien to be confirmed by the Bruins today, according to Fluto Shinzawa from the Boston Globe. A press conference will be held at the TD Banknorth Garden today at 10.30 am. Julien was fired by Lou Lamoriello with less than a week left in the 2006-07 season.

Speaking of Lou Lamoriello, he should be naming his new coach soon also, may even do it this weekend during the Draft. I suspect, and this is just speculation on my part, but I would not be surprised if we see the return of familiar face behind the bench next year. Yes I think , Pat Burns may return as the Devils coach. Double LL, has been known to pull out rabbits from his hat in the past, stay tuned.

Jeremy Jacobs named as chairman of the Board of Governors

The Owner of the Boston Bruins, Jeremy Jacobs, was elected as the new Chairman of the NHL's Board of Governors. The same Board, rubber stamped the new cap limit, which should between 48 and 50 million. Jacobs is taking over from Harley Hotchkiss of the Calgary Flames, who had held the position the last twelve years. He was instrumental in helping draft the present CBA.

Would Bolts Trade Richards For A High Pick?

Bruce Garrioch of Sun media, mentions that he has heard from league sources that Tampa Bay Gm, Jay Feaster could dangle forward Brad Richards as trade bait in order to get a top pick in tomorrow's first round of the 2007 entry draft in Colombus. Feaster must of forgotten that Richards has a no trade clause in his contract. It won't happen, the Hawks already have 34, 161,000 million in salary under the cap, and have at least 9 more players to sign to be within the limit of 23 players on the roster. I doubt the league would approve such a one way trade.

Why is Bettman so scared of Canada?

Toronto Star columnist, Damien Cox, Threw the book of common sense at NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman, as why he did not bother to invite Jim Balsillie to the Board of Governors meeting, so that he could make a pitch to the Governors for his bid to purchase the Nashville Predators. Even the greatest player in the history of the NHL, Wayne Gretzky, got in to the Nashville situation, "If the franchise is able to move into that area, it'll be tremendously successful," speaking of the Hamilton area. I would think, that in Gary Bettman's mind, if the Predators moved to Canada, he would have to admit that hockey in Nashville is not working, but also would see it as making it even more difficult to obtain a national broadcasting contract in the US market. Gary, wake up, hockey is a regional sport in the US.

I sometimes wonder who is more clueless, Gary Bettman or George W.Bush. Which leads me to quote the great Jackie Gleason in one the of the Smoky and the bandit movies '' I remember when a pair of boobs were two dumb guys. '' I guess it speaks for itself.