Around the NHL (25 2-07)

We are two days from the trade deadline, and another big name has changed teams. Keith Tkachuk was traded to the Atlanta Trashers in return for Greg Metropolit, the 1st and third round choice in 2007, and a second round choice in 2008. A conditional pick may be added if Tkachuck signs with Atlanta this summer. According to Andy Strickland of 1380 ESPN, the deal is being finalized. I think Atlanta paid way too much for Tkachuck, but Waddell will have to live with that choice I guess.

The Blues put an end to speculations to Eric Brewer's future in St-Louis, as they inked in him to 17 million $ 4 year deal, which comes on average to 4.25 million per season. This will have teams most likely putting their sights on Habs D-man, Sheldon Souray. Unless Gainey gets sweetheart deals like the Flyers for Forsberg and St-Louis for Tkachuck, I don't see Souray moving.

Just like Brewer, you can take Marco Sturm off the market, as he signed a 14 million $ 4 year deal, which averages out to 3.5 m $ per season.

So now I guess the two hottest commodities on the market now are Guerin and Souray. Two former New Jersey Devils draft picks. No doubt their value went up with the players above mentionned went off the market. So I guess Montreal's, Bob Gainey and St-Louis Gm, Larry Pleau sit and wait for offers. A weird fact here, you have two former Habs draft choices in Gainey and Pleau holding on to the two hottest commodities, which are two former New Jersey choices, with the history of those three teams in trading with each other, almost makes you wonder will this come full circle somewhere down the line ? We shall see.

Around the NHL (18-2-07)

Well the Forsberg saga finaly came to an end this week, when the Flyers traded him to the Nashville Predators for Scott Upshall, prospect Ryan Parent and 1st round pick in next June's draft. This move has had an effect on the teams who were in the running for Forsberg, and has left them scrambling and set their sights on other top potential candidates.

Fellow blogger Spector in his latest Fox column has a list of players that could be on the move. Among the names mentionned his article, you have Keith Tkachuk from St-Louis who would be willing to waive his no trade clause to go to a contender, the Blues asking will be pretty high, young talent and draft choices, a team seeking his services would have to clear at least 1.5 m in salary, if dealt at the deadline his cap hit for the remainder of the season would be about 1.2 + m. Spector also cites Bill Guerin as being available, his cap hit at the deadline would be more modest that his teammate's,figure around 500 k +.

The Ottawa Sun's hockey columnist, Bruce Garrioch, in a piece takes a stab at who will be buyers and sellers leading up to February 27th's trade deadline. Interesting and worth reading if you want to keep track of the comings and goings on that day. We could say it's the NHL's version of boxing day sales, we love them don't we ?

This week on Sportsnet, an incident happened, when the face of the well known anynomous hockey blogger Eklund, saw his face be revealed. Was it an accident or was it intentional, I guess you would have to ask the parties involved. Eklund has been subject of criticism about his connections and sources, but this week he batted a 1000 with the Forsberg deal, and had it posted on his site before the majority of the news web outlets did, so i have to say he his the real thing, but I would like to see him come up with a few more before i am totaly convinced.

Alot of rumblings coming the fans in Habland, they are not happy campers as we speak, just go visit some Forums, either in english or french, they are pointing fingers everywhere, either the players take the wrath or it's the management, starting with Gm, Bob Gainey and down to head coach, Carbonneau and his associates. I'm surprised they have not asked for the zamboni driver to be fired. As mentionned in the above piece from Bruce Garrioch, he mentions them as being buyers, this in light of the Huet injury and the six game losing streak, that has brought the habs from fourth to tenth place, that is incredible, seeing it being the 30th anniversary of the great season they had in 1976-77, when they recorded 60 wins and only lost one thenth of their games, a team on which Bob Gainey and Doug Jarvis played on. How times have changed in the land of Les Glorieux.

There seems to be a general consent among bloggers that Montreal's Sheldon Souray will be the menu du jour until Bob Gainey makes a public statement that he has no intention on trading his defenceman. An another loss tonight against the Blue Jackets could lead Gainey to decide to tank the season and become a seller rather than a buyer. Could underachieving Samsonov and fellow russian Kovalev be on the block, if such a decision is made ? My personal point of view, I don't think to many people in Montreal or other places that the Canadiens have a fan base, will be too sad to see Kovalev leave the Habs, my myself included. I think he is the source of the teams downfall since christmas, his attitude and not caring does not fall in to Carbonneau's or Gainey's play as a team philosophy. I think Gainey maybe a little more patient with Samsonov, because of the meeting he had with his winger,and he has played better and is working and seems to be more interested in helping the team get out of it's slump than before the meeting, but we will have to see.

That's all for now folks !

Forsberg and …

It’s time for Peter Forsberg to make up his mind, he either stays in Philadelphia or waives his no trade clause and picks where he wants to go. If he does wave it, most likely he will be traded to a western conference team, because i think the cup will be won by a team from that conference, for the simple reason that the top contenders are Detroit, Anaheim and San Jose, the Flames are a dark horse choice, but could move up if one of the above mentionned teams should tank in the first round. If I was a betting man, I would see Forsberg going to Detroit. I think it’s the best team suited for him, the wings are good puck moving team and have veterans that are hungry for an another cup, espacially after early exits in past years after their cup win in 2002. If Detroit does get Forsberg, no doubt they would have to find a team for Lang to clear up cap space.

If i am Doug Riseborough and Jacques Lemaire, I would go and scout Marco Sturm of Boston, he would be a Lemaire type of player and would fit well, and add some scoring punch, he could play with Brian Rolston on the penalty kill and maybe get a few shorthanded goals and help Minnesota move up a few spots in the standings.

Souray won’t be moved at the deadline, but most likely Gainey could trade him at the June draft and get something in return for him , the Habs retain his rights until June 30th. If he does go to LA, no Habs fans, Lombardi won’t trade Kopitar for Souray, but funnier things have happened in LA this season, after all they signed Cloutier to a contract, this same guy cost Crawford’s job in Vancouver. Crawford to Lombardi ‘’ could you tighten the nuce a bit more .‘’ A bit of humour folks.

Even if Gainey stated that he did not want to trade Ryder, who is a thirty goal a season player, the Habs Gm who always wears his poker face, would not hesite to trade his struggling winger for the right return. I concur with Spector on this, Ryder is playing his last games with the Habs. Still with the Habs, I think Gainey should look to try an acquire Gary Roberts, he is a proven leader and could take some leadership weight off of Koivu’s shoulders, I don’t think a team captain should be the one carrying all of that weight on his shoulders, not that I don’t Koivu is not a good captain and leader, but the majority of the players have heard the same message coming from different people, that it’s beginning to sound like a broken record, I think someone new with a different approach would be welcomed and possibly help save a season that seems to be on a free fall. I don’t see Roberts as a savior, but a breath of fresh air the Canadiens need in a big way. The Habs need to add size on the wings and a tough guy that can play and impose some respect, in the same way that Neil does in Ottawa.

If the Leafs miss the playoffs once again, JFJ will be packing his bags. The same could be said of Doug Maclean in Colombus. The Senators players hold the faith of Gm, John Muckler and coach Bryan Murray in their hands, anything short of a conference final appearence, could see owner, Eugene Melnyck clean house. A top a candidate for Muckler’s job is in my opinion, former Gm and Habs assistant Gm, Pierre Gauthier, after all he is responsible for drafting a good part of the Sens present line-up. If this happens Pierre, my two cents worth in a candidate, would be Pat Burns, he has the experience and won a cup with less talented team that you would inherite. In an interview on RDS, he mentionned that he would listen to offers if someone calls.

I enjoy watching Sidney Crosby play like everyone else, but one thing he will have to stop doing, is playing the wounded virgin, it will catch up to him in time, and nobody will believe him, starting with his teammates. Your paid to play hockey, so do that, the best way to answer to the hits, is score goals, that will sting more that anything you could receive.

That’s all for now folks !

Around the NHL (06-02-2007)

The New York Rangers traded Jason Ward and prospects Marc-André Clich and Jan Marek to Los Angeles for bad boy Sean Avery and a junior prospect, John Seymour. Avery has been known to be a distraction in a dressing room, but will have to deal with Brendan Shanahan, who seems to be the one running the show in the Rangers dressing room, maybe it might be what Avery needed.


Mike Chen in his latest blog spot on Fox, thinks it could be a good idea to shop Shanahan and get something in return and try to resign him as a free agent next season. It might not be a bad idea, if the Rangers have sank by the trade deadline.

The Sergei Samsonov saga is continuing in Habland, he cleared waivers and will not be sent to Hamilton. He had a long conversation with Gm, Bob Gainey and head Coach, Guy Carbonneau. Did he understand anything the two last captains to win a cup in Montreal had to say to him ? We shall see in the days to come. Stay tuned !

Will Jacques Martin, the Florida Panthers GM, trade Todd Bertuzzi ? Most likely, because he needs some kind of return to make the Luongo trade make some kind of sense in the long run. Gary Roberts, Martin Gelinas, Josef Stumpel and yes, Eddie the Eagle are also available. I wonder how many Gm's have Jacque's number on speed-dial, we shall find out soon enough folks.

The dummy play of the week or even the season has to go to Calgary's KRISTIAN HUSELIUS, on his shootout attempt, that has to be the dumbest thing any player to do, unless your talented enough to pull it off.

It should be an interesting next three weeks until trade deadline day. More and more rumours will be floating out there in cyberspace. Stay tuned folks !

Ken, How do we Thank you ? and …

Last Monday, the Canadiens retired Ken Dryden’s number 29. A goaltender that made his short career mean something. Dryden by his poise, thinking and play, made one of the biggest upsets in hockey history legendary. Even today, that story has made and still makes Harry Sinden believe that they were really ghost in the Forum at the time. Now, that his famous number 29 will hang from the rafters of the Bell Center on a permanent basis, it will be a constant reminder of that spring in 1971, and many others for that matter.

Those of us lucky enough to have seen him play that series against the Bruins that spring and many others after that, and saw and listened to Dryden’s address to the Canadiens fans last Monday, heard him say ‘’How do I thank you ? ‘’ on many occasions, and that reminded us of those great saves he made, that helped win those many Stanley cups during his short but very prominent career. I think the only thing we can do, is return that very question to him. To Dryden it needed no answer, he got it moments before when he got a standing ovation, he had anticipated the question, the same way he had made those scintalating saves, that the late great Danny Gallivan would often describe, watching Hockey Night in Canada on cold Saturday evenings in January as a youngster. Those of you lucky enough to have read his first book, ‘’The Game.’’ Know that it was written from scribbled notes, often written on pieces of napkins in hotel restaurants during team meals on the road, or sometimes on off days when just resting at home, a mental note was made, to remind him of either a bad home game or one on the road. So using that, hopefully I will be able to return his question to us back to him, which most likely, he will decline.

On many evenings, driving home, the radio blasting, the window of your car wide open, your arm out the window as you drove and thought of that bad goal you let in, and the fans giving you the bronx cheer. As you usualy did, upon a stoppage of play, you drew your stick in a position to lean and think, analyse what had just gone on. You did it and got better everytime, the bronx cheers went to ovations, more times that one. Having the knowledge to admit that you not only you let yourself down, you knew you also, you had let your team, fans, city, province and country down, but always knew, you could come back. How do we thank you ? You lifted us more than you let us down. Again, How do we thank you ? You made a team, an organization, fans, a city, province and country proud. How do we thank you ? A thank you, will never be enough, either it be from you and your family to us, or from us to them, we shall meet half way and shake hands. It answers your question, How can I ever thank you ? You did and we did, but, Merci Ken !

Yes the marketing of up and coming stars as Crosby and Ovechkin are good, but the NHL braintrust has yet to address the most important one, the constant questionning and critisizing of the on ice officials. They are part of the product you are trying to sell, if you are putting down your product in a way, why should as major network want to put that on ? You don’t the leaders of the other sports going to knocking on the doors of the major networks across the United States begging to have their product shown nationaly. They found ways to not belittle their product and it’s the major networks that are falling over each other to get that product on their time slots. I’m not saying that we don’t see bad calls made in the NFL, MLB or the NBA, but they are so few that they go unoticed most of time, but espacially we don’t hear a coach or manager critisizing on a constant basis the officiating. How do we fix it and make it more attractive to the major networks to have them broadcast them ? One step would be to include officials on the competition committee, i’m not sure it has one. The second could be to have officials travel as a unit all thru the season and create some kind of chemistry and hopefully consistancy in their calls. Giving more power to the line judges, not call penalties, but to bring one to the attention of one of the referees, a bit like they do in the NFL. Should the NHL adopt the challenge system also ? I say yes, but first address the question and see if it could work. I’m not saying the NHL should become the NFL on blades, but look at what is working for that league that could help better the product we are trying to sell. It’s a start, it won’t hurt, and it if helps the game in the long run, it will grow and for the good. In my opinion, Gary Bettman looks like a shoe salesman trying to sell used shoes. Gary, some advice, we can get them for free at the local salvation army, go back to the drawing board and find a way to make them look new.

I hope that Forsberg will make up his mind and decide to or not waive his no trade clause and put an end to the speculation once and for all. I figure that we could have alot of activity about 2 weeks before trade deadline. So this week may determine how it goes within that 2 week period. It will be interesting to see. We may get a surprise trade that throws a monkey wrench in the hole process.

Around the NHL (24-1-2007)

Well it's the All-star break and nobody is sturring, not even a mouse. All the Gm's are in Dallas, so we should be hearing some juicy rumours, but nothing yet, or at least something worth reporting besides league executives hoping to land Mr.Forsberg, who has said that he does not want to leave Philadelphia and hoping to return to Sweden and start getting his foot ready for next season.

No wonder Forsberg is in high demand, you have 8 of the potential 16 teams that could be playoff bound come April 9th searching for that extra push that could guarantee them home ice for a good part of the playoffs, espacially potential 4th seed teams in both conferences, like Montreal and Ottawa in the East, San Jose and Detroit in the West. A healthy Forsberg would be a good pick up, but would he be even at 75% ? No doubt, at 75%, Forsberg is better than alot of players at 100%, but is the future of your franchise worth a long shot like that ? In the NHL salary cap era all teams live in, it's a very big gamble.

Teams that we could we possibly see in the Playoffs for the East according to the rythm that they have maintained since the beginning of the season.
In The Eastern conference.
1.Buffalo 117
2.New Jersey 108
3.Atlanta 102
4.Montreal 99
5.Ottawa 95
6.Carolina 92 )(Defending Cup Champions)
7.Tampa Bay 89 (more wins than Pittsburgh)
8. Pittsburgh 89
We should have a great race in the East between, Montreal, Ottawa and Carolina for 4th seed and for the 7th and 8th and final in the East. Games between those teams will be like playoff games.

In the West, it could like this :
1.Nashville 119 (possible winners of the President's trophy)
2.Anaheim 111
3. Calgary 96
4. San Jose 110
5.Detroit 109
6.Dallas 101
7.Vancouver 96
8. Minnesota 90
The biggest battles in the west could be between Vancouver and Calgary for third place and San Jose and Anaheim for second place.

The scenario presented could be altered with the trade deadline and injuries to key players. An exciting end to the season in perspective for sure.

Stay tune Folks !

Around the NHL (15-1-2007)

Saturday, was Hockey day in Canada, the CBC posting a thirteen hour marathon of comments and NHL games opposing Canadian teams. In the first of three games, the most storied franchise in NHL history, the Montreal Canadiens were in the nation's capital to take on the Senators in an afternoon stint. The Habs simply did not show up, and the score after the second period was evidence enough. I think if the players had turned around and slapped Head coach, Guy Carbonneau, and associate coaches, Kirk Muller and Doug Jarvis in the face, the sting would have lasted a shorter time than watching their guys getting stung badly. Saturday's massacre was an insult to the guys behind the bench and the guy who gave them pretty good contracts. They had bled for the red white and blue and have cup rings and the scars to prove it . The Ottawa Senators brass had to offer apologies to Habs GM, Bob Gainey for a tastless clip that appreared on the scoreboard. As we know Gainey lossed his daughter in boating accident last month.


In the second game of the triple header , the Vancouver Canucks took on the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Center. Like the Canadiens in Ottawa earlier, Toronto was smoked 6-1. I'm sure that Leafs coach had plenty to say to his players after the game just like Carbonneau did. It stings more when it happens in your building. At least in the last game of the day, the Oilers showed some kind of opposition to their Alberta rivals.

Tim Panaccio from the Philadelphia Inquirer, notes that rival Gm's should forget about Peter Forsberg, he is going nowhere. He has a no-trade clause and has no intentions on waving it and claims that he owes the Flyers one year.That should not prevent Gm's from asking, espacially that they will know Forsberg's cap hit come deadline time and would make a good pick- up for a team looking to go deep in the playoffs. The phone lines in Philadelphia may burn up come February 27th.

Brett Hull made his debut on NBC's telecast on Saturday, as usual he spoke his mind. And it was not the blah blah you get from JR, but well thougth ideas and opinions. Also on the telecast, they introduced the Bellowing moose, who has kind of a blog thing going. On his last post, he mentions that Pittsburgh Penguins coach, Michel Therrien could be on his way out, and this before the end of the season. The problem is find a replacement at this time of the season, mostly likely one of his assistants could take over til the end of the season.

Around the NHL (7-1-2007)

Tis the season for trades ? A good question. It appears so, last week we saw the Ottawa Senators acquire Mike Comrie from the Phoenix coyotes. Petr Nedved finally landed in Edmonton, after speculation that Ottawa would claim him, that was the plan as far as the Sens were concerned, but the Oilers were quicker. As Scott Morrison from CBC's Hockey satellite hotstove mentionned last week on his blog, the Senators are better off with Comrie than Nedved.

Is Kevin Lowe looking to acquire Brad Stuart from the Bruins ? According to Bruce Garrioch from the Ottawa Sun, the answer is yes. He also mentions that the Sharks, Avs and Wings have also inquired about Stuart, who becomes an UFA at the end of the season, but the Bruins have started contract talks with his agent, and unless the B's tank from now to trade deadline, I don't see Stuart being moved.

In the same article, Garrioch mentions that a fire is lighting up under both Lightning Gm, Jay Feaster and Coach,John Tortorella to bring the team within playoff contention or we could see a major fire sale in Tampa Bay, as in major salary dumps, ie: Richards, St.Louis and Lecavalier. If Feaster was put in the situation of doing so, would he find a taker for one of those hefty contracts ? I think Richards would stay, but either St.Louis or Lecavalier will have to go. Who has the cap room to absorb the remainder of those contracts ? Lecavalier becomes an UFA in 2009 and St.Louis in 2011. Lecavalier would be the easiest to move. But for who ? We might find out soon enough.

Getting back to the Comrie trade. Garrioch mentions the real reasons that they traded the center, was money, what else is new. The Coyotes ownership wanted Comrie's salary off the books as they are not going to make the playoffs. It's believed that Nagy (3m), Nick Boyton (2.95m) and Dennis Seidenberg ($750,000) could be the next to go.According to Garrioch, the Habs, Hawks, Canucks, Rangers and Flames gave the Coyotes a call about Comrie's availability. I guess the call that Habs Gm, Bob Gainey gave, did not last long when he heard who the Coyotes wanted in return.

Speaking of the Habs, they have been hit by the gastro bug, and had alot of players out in their game vs the Rangers. It's not the only bug hitting the team lately. Their poor performances in the last few weeks surely must have Gainey and coach Carbonneau worried. Gainey is not the type of Gm to make trades out of panic. The poor play of his team and two wingers, Samsonov and Ryder, don't give him much options.

Around the NHL (30-12-2006)

The Anaheim Ducks are on their way to the best season in the team's history, which also includes the days when they were known as the Mighty Ducks. Keeping up the same pace in the second half as they did in the first, they could record a sixty win season. A task that will be hard to keep up with both your regular goalies are hit with the injury bug.

The Buffalo Sabres are on their way to beating a team record for points in a season. The Sabres of the mid seventies had recorded a 113 point season in 1974-75 and reached the Stanley cup finals that same season. This season, the Sabres will set a new record and have a second 100 point + season for the first time since the team of seventies that I mentionned.

When will we see the first significant trade this season ? A good question. The Salary cap has played a major factor in why we have seen little movement so far. It's playing the role it was meant to do. I like it, because everyone has the same chance to put together the best team possible and it creates parity.

The preparation for the trade deadline starts in the new year, as we will enter the second half of the season and half the players salaries will have been paid out, so it will be easier to absorb salaries under the cap.

The big question is who is going where and who is staying ? Sundin will be staying in Toronto and finish his career as a Leaf. The same could be said of Joe Sakic in Colorado.

Most likely the Philadelphia Flyers and the St-Louis Blues will be sellers as they will want to rebuild.

The tradeline might be one the most interesting in years.

Around the NHL

We are not even half way thru the season and already we have seen four guys losing their jobs (Hitchcock, Yawney, Gallant and Kitchen). Could we see more before the end of the season ? Very possible, Gretzky would step down before the obvisious would happen. Is Joel Quenneville’s job on the line in Colorado ? I don’t rule it out, unless he can turn around Jose Théodore’s poor play. I would not be surprised to see Colorado buy out Théodore’s contract at the end of the season, he will be earning 6 million next season, so at two thirds, Colorado would be on tap for about two million in dead cap space and save 3.3 million in the cap. Brisebois and Turgeon will not be returning next season also. Pierre Lacroix has been known for pulling rabbits from his hat in the past, but the Théodore trade is not one of his best, combined with the Brisebois and Turgeon signings, will be a blotch on his legacy in Colorado.

If Florida wanted to shop Gary Roberts, I think he could be a good fit in Montreal and center the maligned Kovalev-Samsonov line. He is a good leader and could take off some pressure from Koivu in that department, he also could be a good influence on the youngsters coming in to a playoff run. I don’t think too many teams will want to meet the Habs in the first round of the playoffs, or any round for that matter. The comeback kids are deadly when it comes to the second and third periods, a lead is not safe with them. I would not be surprised also, to see Gainey keeping an eye on what the Leafs will do with Tucker. I think if the Leafs don’t sign him to a contract extension and becomes a free agent, Gainey could offer him a contract, which in my opinion could spell the end of Micheal Ryder in Montreal.

If the Senators fail to make the playoffs , I can see the owner cleaning house, Muckler and Murray would be out of jobs. If this happens, we might see the return of Pierre Gauthier as Gm, who is presently acting as the Habs Gm during Gainey’s leave for the reason we all know. Would Gauthier be tempted on giving Pat Burns a call ? Burns is recovering from cancer, has mentionned his desire to get back in to coaching. In a way Burns would be coming back to where he started. He was the coach of the Hull Olympiques when a certain Wayne Gretzky was the owner in the mid 80’s and had players like Luc Robitaille, Pat Brisson (now a player agent) and Benoit Brunet in his line-up. Remember it was Burns’ Devils that eliminated the Sens in game 7 of the Eastern conference final in 2003 and went on to win the cup against the Mighty Ducks in seven games. It would be a good comeback for Pat, espacially that he would be meeting three of his four former employers on a regular basis (Montreal, Toronto and Boston).

The season is 187 days long, divide in two and it comes to 93.5 days, so the half way point as calculating the cap, would come on day 94, which brings us to about the first weekend in January. So look for movement to start in the week of January 8th and would end at the trade deadline on February 27 th.

Could Anaheim beat the Habs record for most Points in a single season ?

The Anaheim Ducks may want to put back Mighty in their name again , because thay have been just that this season so far. If the Ducks were to keep the same pace, they could finish with 133 pts, which would beat the Montreal Canadiens record of 132 points from the amazing 1976-77 season, thirty years ago.

An another team is on a strong pace, the Buffalo Sabres could tie a record from the 1995-96 season, established by the Detroit Red Wings, who finished the season with 62 wins. Scotty Bowman who coached the Habs team I mentionned earlier, was also behind the wings bench in 1995-96, which made him the first coach to win 60 games with two different teams. The Hall of Fame coach could have company this season, if Lindy Ruff keeps his team on the same pace.

Of course my calculations do not take in to account the injury factur or possible trades after the mid season point when half the salaries will have been paid out, which would change a lot of things. Also, possible slumps by teams who are on hot streaks now, like Anaheim and Buffalo.

If we were in perfect world and everything went as planned, this is how the Eastern and Western conferences could look like come April 9th. In the East, Buffalo would have home ice advantage in the first three rounds. They would meet the Washington Capitals. The Atlanta Trashers would meet the Boston Bruins. The New Jersey Devils would meet the Islanders in a New York area series. The New York Rangers would meet the Montreal Canadiens in an original six series.

In the West, The Ducks would meet Calgary. Edmonton and Detroit would meet for a second year in a row. The Nashville Predators would take on the Minnesota Wild. Dallas and San Jose would face off in the last of that conference’s first round match ups.

I will repeat the excercise after the trade deadline, and see where we are at that point and should give us a better idea at who will make the playoffs in April.

Is Mats Sundin playing his last year in the NHL ? Speculation is that he could retire and finish his playing in Sweden. If the Leafs don’t pick up the option, Sundin will be owed 1million US, which will count in the Leafs cap for next season.

My best wishes go out to the Gainey family, in hoping that they find Laura.

This Week In the NHL (29-11-06)

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.

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.

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 !

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.

City of Brotherly love, not so brotherly ?

Is Bobby Clarke on his way out in Philadelphia ? Can't rule it out, after all, ten years ago the most storied franchise in hockey, the Montreal Canadiens made a house cleaning when the team President, Ronald Corey, fired about every hockey man in his sight, including Serge Savard, who had built him two Stanley cup teams in his twelve year stint with the organization. Could this happen in Philly ? Anything is possible. Like him or not, Bobby Clarke built three teams that went to the Stanley cup finals, but the name of the game is about Winning the trophy and not being second. The knock against the former Flyers captain and now Gm, is he has not be able in his two stints as Flyers Gm, to find that number 1 goaltender that will bring him to the promiseland, he had a chance to pick up Patrick Roy, he declined, Roy went on to Colorado and won two cups there, and won the Memorial cup as coach and Gm of his junior team in Quebec city.

This summer, his coach, Ken Hitchcock, was without a contract, he finally got renewed and now things seem to be falling to pieces. Is Hitchcock the problem ? I doubt it, but of course I am not in the dressing room. What is the problem in Philadelphia ? Hopefully, Clarke and Hitchcock can find it before they are out of their respective jobs. Guys, you don't have to be Einstein to figure this out, you can't decide who will be your number one goalie, you have a defense that looked like firehydrants in the 9-1 blasting against Buffalo. You have a number one center that has been known to be injury prown, and out of 13 forwards, about only one third can score, you don't win too many games with that. Under the old NHL, you could get away with it, but under new one, skill, speed and youth are front and center, just look at the team that bombed you the other night, they have the ingridients for what will be and probably is the recipe for success in the NHL under the cap world.

Who is responsible for the mess in the Flyers camp ? is it the coaching style of Hitchcock or is it the guy that signed the players that he should not of, Bobby Clarke ? I don't blame Hitchcock, but as I said, I am not in the dressing room, I think he should stay and Clarke should be the one to go. If the Flyers should make Hitchcock the scapegoat, you have a certain Bob Gainey, that would scoop him up and make him a special adviser to his coach, Guy Carbonneau, not that he does not trust his former teammate and coach, but as they say, two heads are better than one. A role that Jacques Lemaire played with the Habs in the 80's and 90's, alot of times you can learn things watching the game from a different perspective than when your running the bench, not everybody can be Scotty Bowman. He could be on a cellphone with his wife making up the following week's schedule for the family meals, change his lines, be two steps ahead of the other team, win a game, hell the Stanley cup, and not a lose a step, I think Mr.Bowman would of been able to do all at once.

To conclude, the Flyers are in bad shape, they have no Dryden or Roy, far away from having the big three, the offense is shooting blanks, no Lafleur, Shutt or Lemaire as an explosive first line, and no Bowman behind the bench. Sorry Philly fans, but Lord Stanley does not have you on his radar for this year or next, he maybe flying north this year.

Note: Sorry, i have not been around to update my blog, but i have had personal issues to deal with in the past few weeks and now are resolved, hopefully i will be able to update my blog on a regular basis from now on. Thank you for your patience. !

Islanders to buy out Yashin and ...

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the New York Islanders will buy out the remainder of under achieving forward, Alexei Yashin's contract at the end of the season. Yashin is in the sixth year of his idiotic contract. As far as the cap goes the Islanders will have to absorb 12 million in cap space for the next 8 years, which comes up to 1.5 million in dead cap space, compared to the space he is taking now, which comes up to 7,4 million. I think it's a pretty good deal for the Islanders, and clean up a mess that should never of happened.It is well stated in the CBA, that buyouts at two thirds are to count in the team's cap space for twice the remaining years of the contract. In Yashin's case, he will have four years remaining on his contract, so spread out it comes up to eight years.

Garrioch also mentions in his article, that the Red Wings could have an eye on Martin Biron from the Buffalo Sabres, should Dominic Hasek fall on his face. Other names are also mentionned to be of interest to the Wings, J-S Giguere in Anaheim, but his contract presents a major obstacle, but could be a good pick up come the tradeline in late February or early March.

In the same article, Garrioch believes Pittsburgh's coach Michel Therrien and Dallas coach, Dave Tippett could be on the bubble and could become the first coaching casualities of the season. If Tippett was too fall in Dallas, former Leafs Bench boss, Pat Quinn could be considered to take over. Garrioch mentions also, that Ottawa Senators owner, Eugene Melnyk, is being patient with his coach, Bryan Murray, and suggest that he should offer him an extension and kill the speculation that he could be bumped at the end of year or before, if the team should fail to live up to expectations. I have always wondered why Murray was hired in the first place, because his coaching record in the playoffs pretty much looked the same as Jacques Martin's who was fired after the early exit in the spring of 2004.

It seems that Washington Capitals owner, Ted Leonsis, is taking offers from potential buyers, but has not mentionned if he would actually sell the team, but you never know.

That's all for now folks !

A week to go Folks

Well folks, we are a week away from the opening of the 2006-07 NHL season. Three and half months have gone by since we saw the Carolina Hurricanes win Lord Stanley's prize.

The excitement is not the same as last year of course, because then we had gone a full season with no hockey as we got closer to opening night in 2005-06. The excitement should get bigger, because we know that after a year with the rule changes, hockey this season should even be better.

All the teams have had a year to adjust to the rule changes and hopefully we will see the game get better as the season progresses.

Living in the Ottawa area, i will get to see the two first games of the battle of Ontario, between the Senators and the Maple Leafs. Friday, my team the Montreal Canadiens will begin their season on the road, against the Buffalo Sabres and the following night, they will be in Toronto to play the leafs. This on top of following the baseball playoffs that should be starting next week, and the NFL on Sunday. It's a long weekend here Canada, so all works out great. Beer, turkey, chips and plenty of sports to watch , what else could a guy ask for ?

Habs to Honour 2 greats and ...

The Most storied franchise in NHL history, The Montreal Canadiens, are to honour two hockey greats in a sweater retiring ceremonies to take place during the season.

Serge Savard, long time defenceman and member of the famous Big Three of the Habs in the 1970's, will see his number 18 lifted to the rafters of the Bell Center on Saturday Nov 18th. Savard also played in the famous 1972 Soviet-Canada series. He also was the GM of the last two Stanley Cups won by the Habs.

Legendary goaltender, Ken Dryden, will also see his famous number 29 lifted to glory on January 29th, in a ceremony before the game between his former team and the Ottawa Senators. Dryden, since retiring from the game in 1979, was elected to the hockey Hall of Fame in 1983, has written two books on hockey, one called the Game. He also wrote on the education system in Ontario. Dryden is presently an MP in Ottawa and is running for the leadership for the Liberal party.

Well, with training camps opening last week and teams playing pre-season games, we can tell hockey season has started. Still with all of this, alot of players are looking for teams to play for next season. Gentleman, welcome to the new reality of the NHL in the salary cap world. Under the old CBA, we rarely saw this happen, but look for this happen more and more during the life of the new CBA. Unless teams have major long term injuries that they need to replace, the chances that free agents find work next season are slim to none.

I hope Colombus Blue Jackets' GM, Doug Maclean stands his ground with his young Russian superstar. Restricted free agents must have a signed contract in hand by December 1st 5pm eastern time, or else they become ineligible to play the remainder of the season. Something to think about Mr.Zerdhev.

That's all for now folks !
See you Sunday !

What was Charles Wang thinking ? And...

I'm sure all of you are wondering like the rest of the hockey world, what was Charles Wang thinking ? I guess, only Charles Wang can answer that, well at least we think he can. I'm sure alot of you, myself included think the Islanders owner has gone insane, but that is for the State of New-York to determine.

According to an Eastern conference GM " There's nothing in the constitution that says you can't sign a player for 15 years'' and there was nothing NHL commissioner, Gary Bettman could of done to stop it.

Deputy commissionner, Bill Daly had this to say ''Clubs are free to make their own decisions within the confines laid out in the collective bargaining agreement and other applicable league rules,'' and added on saying ''Some decisions turn out well, others not so well.''

Also pointed out in the TSN article i quoted, is the fact that the present CBA expires in six years, and nobody knows what the next one will be like, that is the danger, i have to agree. As Bobby Clarke mentions '' If he becomes the goalie they expect him to become, it's a hell of a deal.'' If not, what happens then ? Don't forget that contracts are guaranteed, so the Islanders are stuck with it for as long as DiPietro's career will last or even longer.

The Wang circus continues on the Island.

Lou Lamariello's cap problems are keeping him busy these days, but he says he is not worried as he has until the end of training camp to resolve them. Very true, teams can go over the cap by 10% (48.4m) from June 30th to the end of training camp, then all teams must be cap compliant, of course there is the long term injury factor that comes into play also, but there is a mechanism in place in the CBA for that reason.

It's called the long term injury exemption. What it does, it allows clubs such as the Devils that are close to the Upper Limit (the cap max) to replace an injured player that qualified for the exemption, to go over the cap for the period that the player is out injured, but they cannot go over for the full amount of the unfit player's salary. Exemple: Player x on club B, has a cap hit of 4m and that club is at 42 of the 44 million upper limit, only two million of that salary can go over the limit. Once the unfit player is ready to comeback, you must clear the salary and become cap compliant or the player cannot return until that is done.

For CBA faq's please visit this site to get a better idea.

Note: Now that training camps will be opening across the league, i will be updating on a weekly basis, more if a major trade or event happens between my postings. I will see you all back here on Sunday.