Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Well I thought id start a new one since all these moves are done in preperation for next year...I was gonna wait until the schedule was announced but ah well....some huge singings to start you off with

Bruins sign Shawn Thornton

The Boston Bruins signed free agent right wing Shawn Thornton to a multi-year contract on Sunday.

Dvorak back in Florida with two-year deal

The Florida Panthers agreed to terms on a two- year contract with right wing Radek Dvorak on Sunday.Dvorak, 30, spent last season with the St. Louis Blues and appeared in all 82 games, totaling 10 goals and 27 assists.

Perrin inks two-year deal with Thrashers

Forward Eric Perrin is shifting teams in the Southeast Division.The 31-year old forward has inked a two-year, $1.5 million contract with the Atlanta Thrashers.

Leafs ink Jason Blake to five-year deal

Looking to add some speed and grit, the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed winger Jason Blake to a 5-year deal worth $20 million.The Minnesota native appeared in all 82 games last season with the New York Islanders, setting career highs in goals (40) and points (69).

Oilers deal Smith, Lupul to Flyers

The Edmonton Oilers made a major splash on day one of the NHL's free-agent signing period - but they did it with a blockbuster trade.The Oilers acquired defenceman Joni Pitkanen and forward Geoff Sanderson from the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday for blue-liner Jason Smith and forward Joffrey Lupul.

Rangers ink Gomez and Drury

The New York Rangers have made a major impact in the free agent market, signing forwards Scott Gomez and Chris Drury.Gomez signed a seven year, $51.5 million contract, while Drury inked a five-year, $35.25 million contract.

Capitals ink Kozlov to two-year deal

The Washington Capitals have added some scoring up front, signing forward Viktor Kozlov to a two-year, $5 million contract.Kozlov played in 81 games with the New York Islanders last season netting 25 goals and adding 26 assists.

Stars sign Zubov to extension

The Dallas Stars have signed defenceman Sergei Zubov to a one-year contract extension worth $5.35 in 2008-09. Zubov's current contract was set to expire at the conclusion of the 2007-08 season.

Hannan inks four-year deal with Avs

Scott Hannan's name has been taken off the list of available free agents, as the veteran blueliner has signed a 4-year, $18 million contract with the Colorado Avalanche.


I've gotta say Philly & Rangers are starting to look like Cup faviourites  so far

We got Drury too? That must have just happened.

Good ol' sabres  :no:

Smyth inks five-year deal with Avs

The Colorado Avalanche have signed Ryan Smyth to a five-year deal worth $31.25 million.
ontract breaks down as follows:

Year 1: $8 million ($4 million salary/$4 million signing bonus)

Year 2: $7.25 million

Year 3: $6.5 million

Year 4: $5.25 million

Year 5: $4.0 million

Contract has a no-movement clause.

Is that what they call the no trade clause in the nhl?

I dont understand your comment? is it serious or a joke?

^ He's serious

Yep i am serious. I just figured thats what it meant. Baseball has no trade clauses. So i just figured thats what no movement means for the NHL.

Pens picked up Petr Sykora and Darryl Sydor.

K sry...ya No Momement and No Trade Clauses are the same thing yep

Kariya inks three-year deal with Blues

The St. Louis Blues signed left winger Paul Kariya to a three-year, $18 million deal on Sunday.The Vancouver native appeared in 82 games for the Nashville Predators this past season, recording 24 goals and 76 points.

Penguins sign Sykora and Sydor

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed winger Petr Sykora and defenceman Darryl Sydor to two-year deals.Sydor will earn $2.5 million per season.  Sykora's financial details have not been released.

paul holmgren has done a phenominal job since taking over as GM of the flyers. incredible trades, and he signed the top FA on the market. after the worst season in franchise history, i think he has transformed them into a playoff team.

and how did the rangers pull those two deals off? that's impressive. you gotta be psyched if you're a fan.

Blue Jackets sign defenceman Brookbank

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Columbus Blue Jackets agreed to a one-year contract Monday with defenceman Sheldon Brookbank.

Krajicek signs deal with Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks have signed defenceman Lukas Krajicek to a two-year deal.CKNW first reported the $2.2 million-deal for Krajicek, who appeared in 78 games for the Canucks last season, scoring three goals and 16 points.

Report: Preissing heading to Kings

Tom Preissing is headed to the Los Angeles Kings, reports the Ottawa Sun.The contract is said to be for four-years and worth $11 million reported the newspaper on Monday.The deal has yet to be finalized.

Blackhawks sign Robert Lang

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed centre Robert Lang to a two-year deal.  Financial terms were not disclosed.
The 36-year-old appeared in 81 games for the Detroit Red Wings in 2006-07, collecting 19 goals, 52 points and 66 penalty minutes in his second full season in Motown.

Canadiens sign Roman Hamrlik

Forget cold weather and high taxes: Roman Hamrlik loves playing hockey in Canada.The Czech defenceman signed a US$22-million, four-year contract as an unrestricted free agent on Monday with the Montreal Canadiens - his third team in the Great White North after stints in Edmonton and, most recently, Calgary.

Capitals sign Michael Nylander

The Washington Capitals today signed veteran centre Michael Nylander to a four-year deal worth $19.5 million.

Well i figured the rangers were letting Nylander go. I guess its certain now.

I thought he went to edmonton? (nylander that is) well ok, back to the capitals i guess

Predators sign Bonk and de Vries

The Nashville Predators signed forward Radek Bonk and defenceman Greg de Vries on Sunday to two-year deals.  Financial terms were not disclosed.

Kings pick up Nagy, Handzus and Calder

The Los Angeles Kings signed four free agents Monday including centre Michal Handzus and defenceman Tom Preissing, who agreed to four-year contracts.

The 30-year-old Handzus, who has played eight NHL seasons, will earn US$16 million over four years. The 28-year-old Preissing, a three-year NHL veteran, will be paid $2.75 million per season.The Kings also signed 28-year-old left wing Kyle Calder to a $5.5-million, two-year contract, and 28-year-old left wing Ladislav Nagy to a one-year deal worth $3.75 million.

''I think today we're a better hockey team,'' Kings general manager Dean Lombardi said on a conference call. ''We got some good hockey players. I might look at one other thing. We certainly have the flexibility of going forward after this year.''The Kings came up empty Sunday on the first day of the free-agent signing period, but Lombardi said Monday made up for it.

Canadiens pick up Bryan Smolinski

Sources tell TSN that the Montreal Canadiens have signed veteran centre Bryan Smolinski to one-year deal worth $2 million.  The agreement also includes a no-trade clause.

Ducks sign Bertuzzi to two-year pact

Todd Bertuzzi is re-uniting with Anaheim Ducks general manager Brian Burke, signing a two-year, $8-million deal with the Ducks

Flames Sign Nolan To 2 Year Deal

The Calgary Flames have signed veteran forward Owen Nolan. Sources tell TSN the 35-year-old has agreed to a one-year contract that could pay him up to $2 million including bonuses.

Flames, Regehr agree on 5-year deal

It looks like the Calgary Flames are about to lock up a key component of their defence corps.  The Flames have agreed to terms with defenceman Robyn Regehr on a five-year contract extension, worth $20-million.

Coyotes buy out centre Scatchard

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - The Phoenix Coyotes have bought out the remaining two years on the contract of centre Dave Scatchard.Scatchard registered 31 points and 156 penalty minutes in 93 games over two seasons with the Coyotes.  He missed the final 32 games of the 2006-07 season with a concussion. 

Thrashers beef up blue line with Klee

The Atlanta Thrashers agreed to terms with defenceman Ken Klee on a multi-year deal.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

stop, the pain is just too much!

They had better stop the bleeding and beef up the blue line with Souray... not to mention resign Zubrus.
But knowing Darcy - something close to nothing will happen  :no:

I'm still pretty shocked they let Drury and Briere walk.

Preds sign Mason to two-year extension

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CP) - The Nashville Predators have signed goaltender Chris Mason to a US$6-million, two-year contract extension.Mason would have been an unrestricted free agent after next season. He will earn $3 million a year in the new deal after making $1.25 million next season.

Canucks ink Isbister, Ritchie, Schneider

The Vancouver Canucks announced a trio of moves on Tuesday.The club signed free agent forwards Byron Ritchie and Brad Isbister, details of the contracts were not released. The Canucks also signed goaltender Cory Schneider on Tuesday, terms were not released.

Zubrus inks 6-year deal with Devils

The New Jersey Devils have signed centre Dainius Zubrus to a 6-year contract.Acquired at the trade deadline in February in a deal with Washington, Zubrus had four goals and four assists in 19 regular season games with Buffalo. He added eight assists in 15 playoff games, helping lead the Sabres to the Eastern Conference Final.

well there goes another Sabre...fuck :no: (Zubrus to the Devils)

Jiri Novotny signs a 2 yr. Deal with the Blue Jackets

Oilers cry foul over Nylander deal

EDMONTON (CP) - The Edmonton Oilers have complained to the NHL that they had Michael Nylander before the Washington Capitals did.

In a statement Tuesday, the Oilers said Nylander had signed with the Oilers on Sunday, only to then sign a US$19.5-million, four-year contract with the Capitals the next day.

To make matters worse, the Oilers say they held off going after other potential free agents because they thought they had Nylander in the bag. The 34-year-old Swede was one of the top catches on the free-agent market, setting career highs in goals (26), assists (57) and points (83) with the New York Rangers last season.

"On Sunday, July 1, 2007, Kevin Lowe, Oilers general manager, and Mr. Mike Gillis, certified agent for Michael Nylander, negotiated and agreed to a multi-year NHL Standard Players Contract, starting in 2007-08. Mr. Gillis confirmed same to the Oilers in writing," the Oilers' statement read Tuesday.

"The Oilers then proceeded with preparations to announce Mr. Nylander's contract agreement on July 2, and concurrently continued with the process of negotiating with other free agents based upon Mr. Nylander being an important roster ingredient for the future.

 

"However, while the Oilers were expecting the returned signed agreements from Mr. Nylander and Mr. Gillis, the Oilers discovered through public announcements made mid-afternoon on July 2, that Mr. Nylander had subsequently entered into a long-term contract with the Capitals.

"The Oilers can find no precedent for such conduct in our history. The Oilers are examining and pursuing every course of action available in the best interest of the team and our fans.

"For legal reasons, the Edmonton Oilers hockey club will not be discussing the details any further at this time."

A lawyer for the Oilers could not provide contract details on the Edmonton deal.

Calls to both Lowe and Gillis by The Canadian Press were not immediately returned Tuesday. The NHL also did not have an immediate response. A call into Caps GM George McPhee was also not returned. 

philly, detroit and NY (big market teams) are signing stud free agents from buffalo, nashville, and jersey (small market teams).

seems like the same old NHL.

Oilers sign goaltender Mathieu Garon

The Edmonton Oilers have signed free agent goaltender Mathieu Garon to a two-year contract.

Ducks sign May to a two-year contract

The Anaheim Ducks have signed left winger Brad May to a two-year contract.

Wild sign Belanger to a three-year deal

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Wild re-signed centre Wes Welz to a one-year deal on Tuesday and also added veteran centre Eric Belanger and goaltender Nolan Schaefer.

Canucks sign Sanford to back up Luongo

The Canucks have signed goaltender Curtis Sanford to a one-year deal worth $600,000.

Lightning sign defenceman Lukowich

TAMPA BAY ? The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed unrestricted free agent Brad Lukowich to a three-year contract.

Stuart agrees to one-year deal with Kings

The Los Angeles Kings continue to be major players in the free agent market.  The Kings have agreed to a one-year, $3.5-million contract with free agent defenceman Brad Stuart.

Oilers re-sign Torres to three-year pact

The Edmonton Oilers have resigned restricted free agent Raffi Torres to a three-year, $6.75-million contract.

Kings sign LaBarbera to two-year deal

LOS ANGELES ? The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with restricted free agent goaltender Jason LaBarbera.

Crosby, Penguins working on extension

Based on the free spending and length of contracts handed out this week, can you imagine the chaos that would erupt with Sidney Crosby available in unrestricted free agency?Crosby isn't eligible until 2012, but he is entering the final year of his entry level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.Discussions between the Penguins and Crosby's agent Pat Brisson are ongoing with the expectation an extension will be announced soon.

Toskala signs extension with Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs and netminder Vesa Toskala have agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract extension.

Iginla, Regehr staying with Flames

The Calgary Flames have signed team captain Jarome Iginla and Robyn Regehr to 5-year, contract extensions, the club announced Wednesday.Financial details were not released but Iginla's contract is believed to be worth an average of $7 million per season and Regehr's worth $4 million per season. Both contracts will start after the 2007/08 season.

Thrashers re-sign forward Kozlov

ATLANTA (CP) - The Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed unrestricted free-agent forward Vyacheslav Kozlov to an US$11-million, three-year deal.The 35-year-old Russian recorded a career-high 80 points (28-52) in 81 games with the Thrashers last season, his fourth with the team. The 5-10, 190-pound winger ranked second on the team in points and assists, and finished third in goals.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Jeremy Roenick is retiring, a newspaper reported, after an 18-year NHL career in which he became the third-leading American goal-scorer in league history.

Roenick, a nine-time all-star who played with four teams, sent a text message to a reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer reading, "I'm retiring; is that still news?" The story was posted on the paper's website Wednesday.

The 37-year-old centre was also an outspoken critic of the lockout that wiped away the 2004-05 season.

"It doesn't matter who wins or loses this anymore," he said when the work stoppage was nearing an end in June 2005. "It isn't about that now. It's about getting a deal and getting the game back on the ice."

Roenick played in 70 games last season for Phoenix, his second stint with the Coyotes, and had said late in the season he was considering retirement. He became a free agent on July 1.

Coyotes president Doug Moss told The Associated Press he was unaware of Roenick's decision. A message left with Roenick's agent was not immediately returned and calls to the player's home in Paradise Valley, Ariz., were not answered.

Before coming to Phoenix last season, Roenick played for Los Angeles and spent three seasons with Philadelphia from 2001-04.

Roenick, a Boston native, began his career with Chicago in 1988 and scored 258 of his 495 career goals there, including a career-best 53 in 1991-92, the year his Blackhawks made it to only the Stanley Cup final of his career. They were swept by Pittsburgh in four games.

The only American-born players with more goals than Roenick, a two-time Olympian, are Mike Modano (507) and Joey Mullen (502).

Devils sign Weekes to back up Brodeur

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CP) - The New Jersey Devils signed goaltender Kevin Weekes to a US$1.375-million, two-year contract Thursday to back up superstar starter Martin Brodeur.

Flames sign UFA defenceman Eriksson

The Calgary Flames announced Thursday the signing of defenceman Anders Eriksson to a two-year contract

Penguins sign Talbot and Christensen

PITTSBURGH (CP) - The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed forwards Max Talbot and Erik Christensen to two-year contracts.Talbot will earn US$1.35 million over the two years, $650,000 next season and $700,000 in 2008-09. Financial terms were not immediately available for Christensen.

Rangers re-sign forward Prucha

The New York Rangers announced Saturday that the club has agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward Petr Prucha.

Avalanche sign Svatos to one-year deal

DENVER (CP) - The Colorado Avalanche have re-signed restricted free-agent forward Marek Svatos to a US$1.2-million, one-year deal.

Habs sign Plekanec to two-year contract

MONTREAL (CP) - The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed restricted free-agent forward Tomas Plekanec to a two-year contract while also signing free-agent defencemen Mathieu Biron and Jamie Rivers to one-year contracts.

Guerin inks two-year deal with Islanders

The New York Islanders today signed veteran forward Bill Guerin to a two-year contract worth $4.5 million a year.

LOL@Devils sign Weekes. Good riddance kevin!

Islanders sign Comrie to one-year deal

Uniondale, NY (Sports Network) - The New York Islanders continued their busy Thursday as the team signed forwards Mike Comrie and Tim Jackman to one-year deals.

Sabres add Thibault, re-sign Peters, Ryan

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Jocelyn Thibault signed a one-year contract with the Sabres on Thursday, as Buffalo bolstered its backup goaltending depth through free agency.Thibault is a 13-year NHL veteran who spent the past two seasons as a backup in Pittsburgh. He had a 7-8-2 record and 2.83 goals-against average in 22 games with the Penguins last season.Slated to play behind Sabres starter Ryan Miller, Thibault is an upgrade over former backup Ty Conklin, who played in only five games after Buffalo acquired him in February after trading veteran backup Martin Biron to Philadelphia.
Conklin is a free agent this summer."Jocelyn will bring veteran experience to our team," general manager Darcy Regier said. "We think he will be a great fit."The Sabres also re-signed two players, unrestricted free agent forward Michael Ryan to a one-year contract and enforcer Andrew Peters, who signed a two-year deal.

Bouchard signs one-year deal with Wild

The Minnesota Wild re-signed forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard to a one-year contract avoiding a potential arbitration hearing.  As per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Hasek agrees to one-year deal with Wings

DETROIT (AP) - Dominik Hasek and the Detroit Red Wings agreed to terms of a one-year contract Thursday that is worth more than US$2 million in base salary and gives the 42-year-old goalie a chance to earn an additional $2 million in bonuses."It's a lot less than he should be making," Hasek's agent Ritch Winter said. "It's one of the few deals that I do in which the player, the club and the agent agree the player is worth $5 (million) or $6 million and we talk it down from there.

The Edmonton Oilers have made a huge splash in the restricted free agent pool.

Sources tell TSN that the team has signed forward Thomas Vanek to a seven-year, $50 million offer sheet, a signing that carries a price tag of four first round picks as compensation to the Buffalo Sabres if the team chooses not to retain him.

The Sabres have called a media conference for 12:30pm et/9:30am pt to address the news.

The deal would pay Vanek $5 million in the first two seasons, and $6.4 million in each of the following five seasons. The contract will also pay him a $5 million and $3 million signing bonus in the first two years.?


EDIT:

Sabres Match Oilers' Offer To Thomas Vanek

Managing Partner Larry Quinn and General Manager Darcy Regier announced Friday that the Sabres will match the offer sheet made by the Edmonton Oilers. WGR has learned through a league source that the offer sheet will pay Vanek $15 million in the first two years, including $10 million for the first year. The total of the contract is 7 years, $50 million.

Quinn said often during the press conference that the Sabres were prepared for this scenario.

Regier said, "The reality is that the marketplace dictates the value and that the agent knew the best place was to go shopping for a contact. You can't blame the agent. It is was he was supposed to be doing. We fully forwarned Edmonton what we would do."

wow

Wow what a huge blow to buffalo that would've been.

You no I really dont see why more Gm's dont do this...Like if they offer them a huge contract, and the other team has to match it, it ups there salary cap, so wouldnt that be a good strategy to eliminate competition?

Yeah but its a bigger risk if the team dosent match, the the other team is stuck with it... Plus I dobut this was edmontons way of thinking... They're in the western conferece and all....

Minnesota signs defenceman Sean Hill

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Sean Hill, the first NHL player suspended for violating the league's drug policy, signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Wild on Friday.The 37-year-old defenceman played for the New York Islanders last season and was suspended hours before their playoff loss to Buffalo on April 20. He received a 20-game suspension and will miss the first 19 games of this season.

Leafs ink Clemmensen

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Friday that the club has signed goaltender Scott Clemmensen to a one-year contract.
''Scott is an experienced professional goaltender, who will provide depth in the organization at that position,'' vice-president and general manager John Ferguson said.

Can someone please explain to me what Arbitration is? and what happens when a player goes?

Arbitration is when a restricted free agent and a team cant agree on a deal.... They go in front of an arbitrator and he decides on the amount the player should get... Its up to the team weather to keep them or not... If the team passes, anyone who signs him has to agree to the terms of the arbitrator....

The best example I can give you is, Briere last year in buffalo... The arbitrator ruled he was worth 5 mil for one year...

Ok many thanks...I got it now

Senators promote Paddock as head coach

Bryan Murray didn't have to look far to find his successor as head coach of the Ottawa Senators.Murray promoted Senators assistant John Paddock to the head job Friday, filling the vacancy created when Murray took over as general manager after John Muckler was fired June 18.

Coyotes sign York to 1-year, $1M contract

The Phoenix Coyotes have signed forward Mike York to a one-year contract.  TSN has learned the deal is worth $1 Million. In 66 games last season split between the Flyers and Islanders, York scored 10 goals and collected 11 assists.  In 515 career games, York has 121 goals, 187 assists and 308 points.

Canucks sign defenseman Miller

The Vancouver Canucks continue to bolster their blue line as they announced the signing of unrestricted free-agent Aaron Miller. It is a 1-year contract worth $1.5 million. Miller played in all 82 games for the Los Angeles Kings last season, registering 8 assists and accumulating 60 penalty minutes.

Red Wings ink Drake to one-year deal

Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland today announced the team has agreed to contract terms with forward Dallas Drake on a one-year contract.In keeping with club policy, additional terms of the deal are not available.

Bieksa agrees to 3-year extension

The Vancouver Canucks signed defenceman Kevin Bieksa to a US$11.25-million, three-year contract extension Monday.
The 26-year-old Grimsby, Ont., native had 12 goals and led all Canucks defencemen with 30 assists and 42 points last season.The extension runs through the 2010-'11 campaign. He will get $4.25 million in 2008-'09 and $3.5 million in each of the final two seasons. Bieksa will make $550,000 next season.

And again nothing relevant for the Sabres.... Although I do think Thibault is an upgrade from Biron...

The Isles are making newly signed Bill Guerin captain. I never like to see a free agent come in and instantly get the captaincy when that team made the playoffs a year before. Not that Yashin was much of a captain.

Hey works for me  ;D

Stars sign Fedoruk to 1-year, $875K deal

The Dallas Stars took a dip into the free agent pool on Monday as they announced the signing of winger Todd Fedoruk to a one-year, $875,000 contract.The Redwater, Alberta native had three goals and 11 assists with 120 penalty minutes last season as he split time between the Anaheim Ducks and the Philadelphia Flyers.  In 354 career games, Fedoruk has 17 goals and 48 assists.

Devils ink Vishnevski to three-year deal

NEWARK, N.J. (CP) - The New Jersey Devils signed free-agent defenceman Vitaly Vishnevski to a US$5.4-million, three-year contract on Tuesday.The 27-year-old split last season with Atlanta and Nashville and recorded 13 points (3-10) in 67 games.

Rangers agree to terms with Shanahan

The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with forward Brendan Shanahan.The 38-year-old Shanahan skated in 67 games with the Rangers this past season, registering 29 goals and 33 assists for 62 points, along with 47 penalty minutes.  He also tied for first on the team with three shorthanded goals and 14 power play goals, and placed second on the Rangers with 295 shots on goal.

Penguins sign Crosby to extension

Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins found a mutually satisfying number in negotiating a five-year contract extension.They settled on US$43.5 million because the annual average is $8.7 million, which corresponds to the No. 87 sweater the superstar centre wears.''That seems like a pretty good number,'' a satisfied Crosby said from his parents' Cole Harbour, N.S., home during a conference call Tuesday. ''It's kind of unique.''

Kings sign Visnovsky to extension

The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to a five-year contract extension with defenceman Lubomir Visnovsky.  Finiancial terms of the deal were not disclosed.''I'm very happy that I'll be staying with this organization for a long time,'' said Visnovsky from his off-season home in Slovakia.  ''I love Los Angeles and I want to play in the playoffs with the Kings.''The 31-year-old Visnovsky has played in 417 games over six seasons with the Kings (2000-07) and he ranks fourth all-time in goals (62), assists (176) and points (238) by a Kings defenseman. 

Rangers, Lundqvist agree to terms

Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist will get US$4.25 million in a one-year NHL contract with the New York Rangers.

Souray and Oilers agree on deal

Sheldon Souray is on his way to Edmonton as the Oilers and the free agent blueliner agreed on a contract.
The Elk Point, Alberta native appeared in 81 games with the Montreal Canadiens in 2006-07 and had a career year with 26 goals and 64 points. Nineteen of his 26 goals came on the power play, which set an NHL record for defencemen.

Penguins re-sign Armstrong to 2-year deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed rugged forward Colby Armstrong to a two-year contract on Thursday.The 24-year-old had 34 points (12-22) in 80 games last season. Three of his goals were scored in overtime."Colby is another young guy who plays with passion, gives us versatility up front and brings an added physical dimension to our team," said GM Ray Shero. "We are confident he'll continue to grow as a player."

Stars re-sign Ribeiro, Lundqvist

The Dallas Stars have signed centre Mike Ribeiro to a one-year contract worth $2.8 million for the 2007-08 season, and centre Joel Lundqvist to a two-year, $1.45 million contract. Lundqvist will make $700,000 this season and $750,000 in 2008-09.

Devils name Sutter head coach

Brent Sutter has accepted one of the NHL's least secure jobs, but he has no concerns about taking over as coach of the New Jersey Devils.The 45-year-old Sutter will be the Devils' 14th coach in 26 seasons in New Jersey, and he will try next season to become the first to finish a season since Pat Burns in 2003-04. Days after the season, cancer forced Burns to step down.

Ferguson Sr. passes away

John Ferguson Sr. has passed away at the age of 68.

The five-time Stanley cup winner succumbed to his second bout with cancer on Saturday at his home in Windsor, Ontario.

''On behalf of my entire family, I'd like to thank the many friends, professional colleagues, medical personnel, and hockey fans who have supported us through this difficult time. Your expressions of sympathy have helped bring comfort to us. Your kind words have helped strengthen us.'' John Ferguson Jr. said in a statement.

''My father battled cancer with the same spirit in which he played the game of hockey. He showed courage, strength, class and tremendous character. He had deep appreciation for the support he'd received from so many people beginning with his initial diagnosis. My father's spirit will continue to live on in all of us whose lives he touched.''

As a player, Ferguson skated in 500 regular season NHL games, all with the Montreal Canadiens. He scored 145 goals and added 158 assists. He developed a reputation as one of the toughest players in the NHL, collecting 1214 penalty minutes over his career.

Ferguson enjoyed great playoff success with the Canadiens, capturing Stanley Cup championships in 1965, 66, 68, 69 and 71. He netted 20 goals, added 18 assists and recorded 260 penalty minutes over 85 games.

Ferguson remained in hockey after his playing days were over. He spent time as both a coach and general manager for the New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets. He also served as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the '72 Summit Series.

Ferguson's son, John Ferguson Jr., is the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Capitals re-sign Eminger and Sutherby

ARLINGTON, Va. (CP) - The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenceman Steve Eminger and centre Brian Sutherby, the club announced Tuesday.Both players were restricted free agents. Financial terms were not released.

Hurricanes acquire Cullen from Rangers

(CP) - Matt Cullen is back where he should have probably never left."I think it'll be just like jumping right back in, picking up where I left off," the veteran centre told The Canadian Press on Tuesday after rejoining the Carolina Hurricanes in a trade from the New York Rangers.Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford re-acquired Cullen in exchange for defenceman Andrew Hutchinson, forward Joe Barnes and a third-round pick in next year's NHL entry draft, filling a hole he said he couldn't replace last year after Cullen left.

Sens deal Schaefer to Bruins for Donovan

The Ottawa Senators have traded winger Peter Schaefer to the Boston Bruins in exchange for veteran winger Shean Donovan.The move will save the Senators space under the salary cap.Schaefer has three years and US$6.7 million left on his deal while Donovan has one year left at $925,000.

Sens avoid arbitration with Emery

The Ottawa Senators and goaltender Ray Emery have avoided salary arbitration by reaching a last minute three-year contract agreement worth $9.5 milliion. Emery was happy to avoid the arbitration process and the knowledge he will remain in the nation's capital:"I'm more excited by the fact I'm staying in Ottawa long term and will have the opportunity to see the team fight to get back to the Stanley Cup final," Emery tells TSN. "So I guess it's less about being relieved and more about looking forward to the future."''It was a difficult negotiation,'' Emery's agent J.P. Barry told The Canadian Press. ''Bryan and I started pretty far apart but we worked hard to close the gap and were able to do so this morning after Bryan was able to speak with Mr. Melnyk.'' The 24-year-old Emery was a restricted free agent. He will earn $2.75 million next season, $3.25 million in 2008-09 and $3.5 million in 2009-10, for an average of $3.16 million a season, a big raise over the $925,000 he made last season.

Blues sign Stempniak to 3-year deal

ST. LOUIS (CP) - The St. Louis Blues have avoided salary arbitration with Lee Stempniak, re-signing the 24-year-old forward to a US$7.5 million, three-year contract Wednesday.''He's a good, young player with a lot of upside,'' Blues president John Davidson told The Canadian Press. ''It's a sensible deal for both sides.''Stempniak, 24, set career highs in goals (27), assists (25) and points (52) while playing in all 82 games with the Blues last season. He ranked first on the team in goals and was second with 52 points while earning $450,000.

Predators sign veteran winger Gelinas

Nashville, Tenn. - The Nashville Predators agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free-agent forward Martin Gelinas.Gelinas, 37, appeared in all 82 games for the Florida Panthers in each of the last two seasons and he notched 44 points in 2006-07. The 5-11, 202-pound winger recorded his 600th NHL point this past season and scored his 300th career NHL goal in April at Carolina. His contract will pay him $1.25 million in 2007-08.

Oilers tender offer sheet to Ducks' Penner

The Edmonton Oilers are back at it again, tendering a five year, $21.25 million offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks Group II restricted free agent Dustin Penner.The Ducks have seven days to match Edmonton's offer. Should the Ducks decide not to match, the compensation from the Oilers would be a first-round draft pick as well as a second-round pick and a third-round choice.The Oilers and Penners agent would not comment until after Anaheim made a decision.''We're going to wait and see what happens here in the next seven days before we make a comment,'' Penner's agent Gerry Johannson told The Canadian Press.The Ducks' salary cap currently sits at around $48 million. With the Penner signing, they would go over the $50.3-million maximum but a team is allowed to be over the salary cap by 10 per cent until Oct. 1.

Sabres sign Roy to 6-year deal

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Derek Roy avoided salary arbitration Friday by agreeing to a US$24-million, six-year, contract with the Buffalo Sabres.It's a hefty deal for a third-line centre coming off a career season in which he finished fifth on the Sabres with 63 points (21-42) in 75 games. He was also a plus-37, fifth-best among all NHL skaters.The deal will pay him $4 million on average per season, a significant raise for Roy, who made $627,000 last year.

4 Mil a year for Derek Godgamn Fucking Roy  :rant:

Darcy reiger is so fucked in the head.. I swear he's getting paid off by Philly and NYR to tank the sabres... BULLSHIT!!!!!

He had better hope that Roy and Vanek play to what their paychecks claim or its going to turn extremely ugly over the next couple years.

Dont most GM's hope that? lol, and dont most things turn ugly if they dont?lol

you're right, GM's do ...- but Darcy has even pointed out? to the Buffalo News that this offseason was a complete flop!
Enter in the failure to keep either Drury, Brierre, or Zubrus.? And now putting the money saved from not signing Drury or Brierre into steeper paychecks of Vanek and Roy instead of finding at least one decent player to fill a gaping void left by these players.
The whole thing was mismanaged, i'm not saying I could do a better job, but instead of keeping his mind cluttered with thoughts of Drury and Brierre leaving during the season - he could have took care of other free agents so this wouldn't have gotten this bad.
 Not to mention that the FA's leaving were the faces of the team.? To not keep at least one, in my opinion was not only a bad hockey move - but a bad PR move.? The money from Roy's contract plus the leftover money could have signed either Brierre, Drury, or Zubrus no problem.

Ugh the hole situation gives me a headache - along with most Sabres fans. All I know is that 3 key players to Buffalo's playoff run will not be returning and everything else remains unchanged. Banking on your player development and coaching as explanation to why 2 MVP calibre type players leave while you overpay for role players will be the demise of Darcy's stay in Buffalo if the next couple years see no progress.

Ya I gotcha, Well IMO Buffalo still has a pretty good team, A 5th,6th place finish is not to far fetched, solid goaltending, a minor upgrade in D and youve still got Vanek,Connolly,Roy,Pominville, who knows they may blossom in the spotlight?

Signing a big free agent is a dream. A bad dream. Big names do not come to Buffalo. In the NFL either. The Bills and the Sabres are cheap organizations who only improve through their own minor league/draft picks with the occasional middle-name free agent who blossoms, like Drury.

Besides, the strength of the Sabres these past years has been largely from Rochestor. There will be players who step up, and Vanek and Connolly are both ready to be captains and on the first line.

Well when it comes down to it - I'll be in the rink and buyin the tickets havin' my fingers crossed! Should be an exciting '08 season.

Yes most of their talent has come from Rochester... But not to keep one of those guys, and to sign Roy to that money for that long is bad news... This isint the NFL, they cant cut him in 2 years....

Rangers avoid arbitration with Hossa

The New York Rangers announced Tuesday that the club has agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward Marcel Hossa on a $780,000 (US), one-year deal.Hossa was set to go to salary arbitration with the Rangers on August 2.Hossa, 25, appeared in 64 games with the Rangers this past season, recording 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points, along with 26 penalty minutes.

Senators sign Kelly to one-year deal

The Ottawa Senators have re-signed centre Chris Kelly to a one-year, $1.2625 million deal, avoiding an arbitration hearing with him.Kelly recorded his best season in 2006-07, scoring 15 goals and adding 23 assists for 38 points in 82 games. He also had seven points while playing in all 20 post-season games.

Arbitrator awards Avery $1.9-million

An arbitrator has awarded New York Rangers centre Sean Avery a $1.9-million salary for next season.Avery, 27, was seeking $2.6-million in arbitration after scoring 48 points in 84 games last season with the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers.Avery earned $1.1-million last season and the Rangers were offering him $1.3-million in arbitration.  A well-known agitator, Avery has 134 points and 913 penalty minutes in 322 career games. As with any arbitration hearing, the team didn't hesitate to downplay the player's contribution, even though the Rangers were 17-6-6 after acquiring Avery from the Kings in February. The New York Post reported that the Rangers described Avery to an arbitrator as "a reasonably effective player as well as a detriment to the team."

Parise signs multi-year deal with Devils

The New Jersey Devils have signed forward Zach Parise to a new four-year, $12.5-million contract.Parise led all Devils last season with 31 goals, also a career high. He set career marks in assists (31), and points (62) while playing in all 82 games of the 2006-07 campaign, his second in the NHL.The Minneapolis native didn't miss a beat in the postseason, recording career highs in goals (7), assists (3), and points (10) in 11 playoff contests.

Preds sign letter of intent with locals

The Nashville Predators aren't going anywhere.Owner Craig Leipold signed a letter of intent  Wednesday to sell the team to a local group of investors trying to keep the NHL franchise from leaving town.The group of eight partners plan to pay US$193 million, according to Leipold. One of the partners, David Freeman, chief executive officer of 36 Venture Capital LLC, has put down a $10-million deposit to make sure the deal is completed.The only partner from outside the Nashville area is William (Boots) Del Biaggio, a California venture capitalist who is a part-owner of the San Jose Sharks.''I'm excited to pass the torch to David and to Boots and their group,'' said Leipold. ''I know that they are all committed to Nashville.''

Ducks decline offer sheet for Penner

The Anaheim Ducks have declined to match the Edmonton Oilers' five-year, $21.25 million offer sheet for winger Dustin Penner.

As a result, Penner becomes property of the Oilers while the Ducks receive the Oilers' first, second and third round picks as compensation. Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe will hold a 4:30pm et conference call while Ducks' GM Brian Burke will conduct a conference call at 6pm et.

In a poll on TSN.ca, 82% of users feel the Ducks should not match the offer and let Penner go to the Oilers.

Last season, Penner scored 29 goals and added 16 assists for 45 points in 82 games. In the Ducks run to the Stanley Cup, he scored three goals and added five assists for eight points in 21 playoff games.

Alright sorry about no updates I've been busy

Welcome Back: Brisebois signs with Habs

MONTREAL - The Montreal Canadiens have signed free agent defenceman Patrice Brisebois to a one-year contract for the 2007-08 season.Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed."Patrice is a seasoned veteran who brings a vast experience at the NHL level. His presence adds depth to our group of defensemen," said Bob Gainey.Brisebois, 36, returns to Montreal where he spent the first 14 seasons of his career.

Devils sign free agent winger Asham

The New Jersey Devils signed free agent right wing Arron Asham to a one-year, $700,000 contract on Tuesday.
Asham recorded 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points and 63 penalty minutes while appearing in a career-high 80 games last season."Arron Asham is a veteran forward who brings a level of toughness, intensity, and feistiness to our lineup," said Devils' general manager Lou Lamoriello.

Cammalleri awarded 2-yr $6.7 million deal

LOS ANGELES (CP) - Mike Cammalleri won't be getting the raise he had hoped for after an arbitrator awarded the Los Angeles Kings winger a two-year deal worth US$6.7 million.He will earn $3.1 million this season and $3.6 million in 2008-09.Cammalleri asked for $6 million per season while it's believed the Kings offered $2.6 million.Cammalleri, 25, made $1.7 million last season and was the team's leading scorer with 34 goals and 46 assists. He also played on Canada's gold-medal winning team at the IIHF World Hockey Championship in Russia last spring.

Thrashers sign Pilar, Bartovic

The Atlanta Thrashers have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent defenseman Karel Pilar and forward Milan Bartovic.  Terms of the deals were not disclosed.The 29-year-old Pilar recorded seven points (two goals, five assists) in 10 games last season after joining the Toronto Marlies (American Hockey League) on March 5, 2007.  The 6-3, 210-pound defensemen missed the majority of the 2005-06 and 2006-07 campaigns with a heart ailment, and spent the 2004-05 season with HC Sparta Praha in the Czech Republic, where he led all defensemen and ranked sixth on the team with 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists) in 52 games. 

Senators sign Luke Richardson

The Ottawa Senators have signed defenceman Luke Richardson to a one-year, two-way contract.An Ottawa native, Richardson recorded three assists and 16 penalty minutes in 27 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2006-07 season. In 1,339 career NHL games, he has scored 33 goals, added 159 assists and recorded 2,012 penalty minutes. The defenceman has added eight assists and 130 penalty minutes in 69 career NHL playoff games.''Luke is a character player who brings experience to our club,'' said Senators general manager Bryan Murray. ''We feel he can be a leader who can be an great example for our young defenceman to learn from.''

Former coach/GM MacLean buys Lightning

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A group led by former Florida Panthers coach Doug MacLean has agreed to buy the Tampa Bay Lightning.The NHL team says a group called Absolute Hockey Enterprises has signed a purchase agreement with current owner Palace Sports and Entertainment.The deal includes the leasing rights to the St. Pete Times Forum and adjacent properties.The sale is subject to approval by the NHL's board of governors.

Isles ink Sutton to three-year deal

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) - The New York Islanders got bigger and a bit younger on the blue-line Friday night when they signed six-foot-six defenceman Andy Sutton to a three-year contract.Sutton will absorb a lot of the minutes and responsibilities of 37-year-old Sean Hill, a defensive defenceman who signed with the Minnesota Wild after being suspended during last season's playoffs for violating the NHL's drug policy.

Blackhawks acquire Adams from Coyotes

The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired center Kevyn Adams from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for forward Radim Vrbata.'In Kevyn Adams we're getting a veteran player who is extremely versatile, is a good skater and is a very good face-off man,'' said Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon. ''Kevyn has won a Stanley Cup and is a proven leader.''
The 32-year-old Adams split last season between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Phoenix Coyotes.

Coyotes sign Auld to one-year deal

GLENDALE, Ariz. (CP) - The Phoenix Coyotes signed goaltender Alex Auld to a one-year contract on Monday.
The 26-year-old spent last season with the Florida Panthers. The native of Thunder Bay, Ont., had a record of 7-13-5.

NHL veteran Mike Ricci retires

Mike Ricci is hanging up his skates.The 16-year NHL veteran announced his retirement during the Peterborough Professional Hockey Alumni charity golf tournament at the Kawartha Golf and Country Club.Ricci underwent neck surgery last year and told the Peterborough Examiner that he has not recovered like he had hoped.  He missed all but seven games last season due to his injured neck.In 1099 NHL games with the Coyotes, Sharks, Avalanche, Nordiques and Flyers, Ricci has totals of 243 goals, 362 assists and 974 penalty minutes

Devils re-sign Martin to 3-year deal

The New Jersey Devils have re-signed defenceman Paul Martin to a 3-year, $11.5 million contract. Martin will earn $3 million this season, $4 million in 2008 and $4.5 million in 2009.The Minneapolis native scored three goals and collected 23 assists while playing in all 82 games last season.  He also had four assists in 11 playoff games.''Paul Martin is an all-situations type of defenceman, and has developed into one of the more talented young players in the National Hockey League,'' Devils CEO, President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello told the Canadian Press.

Canucks re-sign veteran Linden

VANCOUVER (CP) - Fan favourite and 16-year Vancouver Canuck veteran Trevor Linden has re-signed with the team.
The contract will pay the 37-year-old US$600,000 in base salary. The deal also includes an additional $350,000 in bonuses for games played.The signing is a relief for Linden.''For the last week or so, I was, for the lack of a better word, getting a little cranky," he laughed. ''Just with the uncertainty, now it focuses in for me..it just puts some closure to it.''

Peca agrees to deal with Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets and free agent forward Michael Peca have come to terms on a one-year contract. Don Meehan, Peca's agent, confirmed to TSN that the deal will become official pending a physical with the club within the next few days.

Panthers, Weiss agree on six-year deal

The Florida Panthers have agreed to terms with Stephen Weiss on a 6-year, $18.6 million contract.  The deal will pay Weiss $3.1 million per year.

Sharks ink Michalek to six-year deal

The Sharks locked up another core player for the long haul today by signing winger Milan Michalek to a six-year deal worth in excess of $24 million.

Preds' Sullivan to miss three months

Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Nashville Predators forward Steve Sullivan will miss the first three months of the upcoming season due to ongoing back problems.Sullivan, who has not played since February 22 due to a back injury, underwent a second operation Thursday and is expected to miss three months while recovering. The original surgery to repair a defragmented disk took place on June 27.

Avalanche sign Brett Clark to extension

The Colorado Avalanche have signed defenseman Brett Clark to a two-year contract extension good through the 2009-10 season.

Ducks sign Kunitz to contract extension

ANAHEIM, Calif. (CP) - The Anaheim Ducks have signed forward Chris Kunitz to a US$14.9-million, four-year contract extension.Kunitz will earn $1.15 million in the last year of his old deal this season before the new contract kicks in, paying him $3.5 million in 2008-09, $3.6 million in 2009-10, $3.8 million in 2010-11 and $4 million in 2011-12.

Belfour signs with Swedish club

Ed Belfour will be stopping pucks in Sweden this coming season.The 42-year-old netminder signed on with Swedish club Leksands IF on Monday.Belfour went 27-17-10 with a 2.77 goals-against average for the Florida Panthers last season.

Niedermayer may still return this season

It came as a surprise to almost everyone in the hockey world when reports surfaced this summer that Anaheim Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer was seriously considering retirement - just after leading the team to its first Stanley Cup.
But when the 33-year-old NHL veteran returned to his hometown of Cranbrook, B.C., with teammate and brother Rob to show off the Cup on Monday, he admitted that a return next season is still very much a possibility."Obviously, it's a lot different after the Stanley Cup playoffs," Niedermayer told TSN. "You're tired, you've been through a long year. And after having some time off, you're feeling better physically."The Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP informed general manager Brian Burke of the possibility of retirement during the players' exit interviews a few days after Anaheim won its championship. But a couple of months away from the ice has the future Hall of Famer in a somewhat different mindset.

Sharks sign Marleau to $12.6M extension

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Patrick Marleau agreed to a US$12.6-million, two-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks on Friday, keeping the longtime captain with the club through 2010.After months of negotiations and public speculation on Marleau's future, he finalized a deal two weeks before training camp opens to stay with the club that drafted him in 1997.The 27-year-old will earn US$4.5 million in the final year of his current contract. He will then make $6.3 million each of the next two years.

Stars re-sign winger Jussi Jokinen

DALLAS (CP) - The Dallas Stars have re-signed winger Jussi Jokinen to a US$3.625-million, two-year contract.

Leafs' Bell suspended indefinitely

Sources tell TSN Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mark Bell has been suspended indefinitely without pay after being placed into stage two of the NHL's substance abuse program.In order to be reinstated, Bell will require the recommendation of program doctors along with the approval of both the National Hockey League and the NHLPA.

Roenick signs one-year deal with Sharks

Jeremy Roenick is not retiring after all, as the veteran centre has signed a one-year contract with the San Jose Sharks for $500,000.

RANGERS TO RETIRE LEETCH'S NO. 2 ON JAN. 24     
Brian Leetch, who has every major scoring record for Rangers defensemen, will see No. 2 go to the rafters on Jan. 24, 2008 -- just under 20 years after his Feb. 29, 1988, NHL debut.

9/6/2007

The New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the organization will retire jersey No. 2 in honor of Rangers great Brian Leetch in an on-ice ceremony prior to the Rangers -- Atlanta Thrashers game on Thursday, January 24, 2008.

"When we talk about what it means to be a New York Ranger, Brian Leetch is the player who exemplifies that model," stated Sather. "He is simply the greatest defenseman in the history of the franchise and gave the same effort when it came to helping the community off the ice. There is no higher honor to grant Brian then to have his number raised to the rafters of Madison Square Garden to join the other Garden legends."

Leetch, who retired from professional hockey after a memorable 18-year career, established himself as the most prolific defenseman to don the Rangers sweater. He holds the franchise record with 741 career assists and ranks second in career points (981) and games played (1,129). Leetch also holds the Rangers record for goals by a defenseman, with 240.

"I appreciate that the New York Rangers have extended the honor of raising my jersey to the Madison Square Garden rafters alongside team icons Rod, Eddie, Mike, and Mark," Leetch said. "New York City, the Garden and Rangers fans hold a special place in my heart and have supplied me with a lifetime of extraordinary memories. This night will be a very special one for me and my family and I look forward to returning to Madison Square Garden and being able to call it home."

Leetch appeared in 1,205 career games with the Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins, registering 247 goals and 781 assists for 1,028 points, along with 571 penalty minutes. Leetch was selected to participate in eleven NHL All-Star games (1990-1998 and 2001-2002) and was honored with the Norris Trophy twice (1992 and 1997), the Conn Smythe Trophy (1994) and the Calder Trophy (1989).

Leetch was a catalyst during the Rangers' run to the 1994 Stanley Cup Championship, in which he led the NHL with 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points (second highest total by a defenseman in playoff history) in 23 matches and became first American born player to capture the Conn Smythe Trophy. The three-time Olympian helped Team USA capture a silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics while being named to the All-Tournament Team.

The native of Corpus Christi, Texas will join Rod Gilbert (7), Eddie Giacomin (1), Mike Richter (35) and Mark Messier (11) as the only Rangers players to have their jersey numbers retired. Gilbert's No. 7 was first to ascend to the Garden rafters on March 9, 1977; Giacomin's No. 1 on March 15, 1989; Richter's No. 35 on February 4, 2004; and most recently Messier's No. 11 on January 12, 2006.

In addition, Leetch's jersey number will be among nine New York Knickerbockers that have been remembered in the ceiling of The World's Most Famous Arena. Former Knicks players Walt Frazier (10), Dick Barnett (12), Earl Monroe (15), Dick McGuire (15), Willis Reed (19), Dave DeBusschere (22), Bill Bradley (24) and most recently Patrick Ewing (33) have all had the numbers honored by the team, along with Hall-of-Fame coach Red Holzman (613).

Due to high season subscription renewals for the upcoming season, there will be no individual tickets available for this game.

Only the 5th in team history to have this honor and absolutely deserved.

NHL hands Downie 20 game suspension

The National Hockey League has handed down its verdict on the Flyers' Steve Downie.

Colin Campbell, the NHL's Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations, has suspended Downie for 20 games for his hit on Ottawa Senators forward Dean McAmmond in Thursday's exhibition game. Based on his average annual salary, Downie will forfeit $63,101 during his suspension.

''Over the last several months, the League has met with players, coaches, general managers and owners on the subject of hits to the head,'' said Campbell. ''While all of the stakeholders in our League agree that hitting is an important part of the essence of the NHL game, all were also unanimous in the belief that where a player deliberately targets an opponent's head, the conduct should be subject to review and the possible assessment of supplemental discipline.''

Downie will miss the first 20 regular season and/or playoff games (in addition to the last Flyers' pre-season game - Saturday vs. NY Rangers) that he is a member of the Flyers' 23-man roster. If Downie's 20 games are all served in the regular season, he would be eligible to return to the Flyers on November 23 for a game at home against the Capitals. The following day, they face the Senators in Ottawa.

Terrible suspension - equivalent to Bertuzzi's ?!?!?!?

Total bullshit overkill. Should have been 2-3 games.

The NHL is setting new standards ok..Bertuzzis incident was a few years ago now and headshots werent as big of a deal back then..There trying to eliminate headshots and are sending a message.....

Anyways is anyone watching the Ducks/Kings first NHL Season game over in London today at the 02 arena? I think its been an amazing game so far...Berneir looks tremendous in net

The hit deserved five games, tops.

By the way, the NHL has proposed new rule changes, suspensions, and incentives in light of Steve Downie's bullshit suspension.

2 games:
-Tapping a player with the body

3 games:
-non-violent use of stick beyond touching of puck

5 games
-Hitting a player without intent to injure

10 games
-Hitting a player with intent to injure

12 games
-shouting obscenities at fellow players

15 games
-elbowing
-playing a full 60 minutes

17 games
-tripping

18 games
-slashing

19 games
-crosschecking with intent to injure (Tomas Sandstrom pussy award)

20 games
(the Steve Downie crucifixion rule)
-hitting a player with ridiculous brass-level management decision to deem it necessary that you wanted to injure him

25 games
-dropping the gloves

30 games
-Fighting in a manner that fight hobbyists call "draw in a shit fight"
-acting as though you care if you win or lose a game

40 games
-Fighting and actually wanting to fight
-Showing emotion

50 games
-Fighting toe to toe

60 games
-fighting and winning

70 games
-fighting and scoring at TKO/knockdown
(this is detrimental to league image because it will gain fan exposure on ESPN highlights and thus increase fan base)

82 games (season)
-fighting Sidney Crosby or the like, even if Crosby commits acts listed above against you, he will be exonerated of fines/suspensions, but defending yourself or a teammate consummates 82 game suspension

Lifetime ban
-speaking bad of the new rule changes, which are meant to "better the game" and thus decrease contact. There is simply no room in hockey for violence, hitting, rough play, etc.

Zero games and a congratulatory pat on the back
Being born in Europe, wearing a visor, spearing a player from behind, and hiding behind the linesman

INCENTIVES
$1,000 for saying you sorry when you make contact with someone on the ice (add another $500 if you pat him on the ass while you say sorry)
$2,500 for holding the door to the penalty box open for a member of the opposing team
$5,000 for bringing roses to the arena each time you play the Pittsburgh Penguins (Sid's favorite are white roses, white symbolizes the color of a dove, the international symbol for peace)
$1,000,000 bonus for avoiding any and all contact while on the ice

^^  ;D

good read right there haha

at first i thought mal was for real :rofl:

Heatley agrees to 6-year deal with Sens

Sources tell TSN Dany Heatley has agreed to a 6-year contract extension with the Ottawa Senators believed to average between $7.5 and $8 million per year.

Although details of the structure remain confidential, sources say it's similar to the contract Daniel Briere signed in Philadelphia in terms of a heavily weighted salary at the front of the contract that ratchets downward, making the cap hit the team will absorb more attractive.

The on again - off again negotiation resumed this afternoon with the Senators tabling an offer that the two sides used as the base to avoid tonight's season opening deadline.

Good start for the rangers last night. Drury and Gomez both made immediate impacts. This could be a very exciting season for ranger fans.

No Need for Selling Seats in Toronto

"With a full house expected every night at the ACC the NHL isn't worried about Hockey in the Southern Ontario Region. The same can be said for the majority of Canadian Teams where fan support doesn't have to be solicited, unlike in the majority of redneck American markets.

This seems to have created a base in the NHL with disciplanary and game deciding decisions all favouring the weaker team.

Take for example the Mark Bell case, I by no means condone drinking and driving but feel Mr. Bell has been dealt with by the law, when he was in San Jose there was no suspension forthcoming for his crime, dawn a Leaf jersey and an example has to be made of him. Bouwmeister in Florida is allowed to walk away scott free.

If you kill your friend driving recklessly in Atlanta and are convicted, get 0 Games.

Head hunt a third rate player from Ottawa get 20 Games, be a goon from a desperate empty seated arena in New jersey who Head hunts one of the best defenders in the game get 3 Games. In contrast be a goon from Toronto do the same get suspended from the Playoffs and miss 28 Games of regular season action, not to mention ruin your teams excellent chances that year.

Watching tonights game even makes the situation clearer.. Blake goes hard to the net, Steen bangs in a rebound and they call the goal for goaltender interference.. fast forward to Heatley intentionally kicking a puck into the net.. award a goal directly from the NHL Home Office because of a commercial break.

For the Sens fans the fortune you get against the Leafs will turn to misfortune when encountering our redneck rivals. I have seen these decisions constantly go against the Teams with fan support. Why should Canadian loyal fans have to pay the bill for for a fat drunk Nascar fume filled retard.

Bettman's NHL is the most distasteful, sport full of collusion of the grandest nature. Why do you think Small Market Teams keep hoisting our beloved Cup, because of skill alone. Everyone knows it takes some lucky bounces along the way to get you there, fortunately for the redneck down south Bettman & Campbell have all the lucky bounces built into the system for them.

So every Team with a loyal fan base can suffer for a minority.
"

That wasn't the penguins tonight was it?  I think it was Nintendo hockey or something.  pathetic  :'(

Leafs finally got a win...all 3 games have been great though....Theyll do just fine this year

Mats Sundin is fuming, make no mistake about it.

Off ice, he's testy with reporters, so out of character for one who has stood in the line of controversy, effectually rationalizing and defending an organization that has emanated nothing but ineptitude for most of his career-long tenure.

On ice, he's kicking ass and taking names. Ask Mike Komisarek, who certainly would re-think his attempt to bowl over the captain if given the opportunity. Or Andre Markov, who thought he was innocently engaging in a friendly pushing match in front of the net, but was promptly rabbit-punched to the ice.

Mats is simply tired of losing. He's stood, lips zipped, as he played alongside mediocrity for the majority of his career. Enough is enough.

Mats is pissed... And that's a good thing.

Sykora looks good in a pens uniform.  Fleury is still letting in WAY too many goals.  Pens need to get a solid stay at home D man though - hopefully it'll come together.

great pass by Crosby last night to Malone.

ridiculous

Mats's the man :love:

fuck? :-\

http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=339449

first bell's shit.. now blake is diagnosed with Leukemia :no:

EDIT: well he can continue to play but still

Leafs' injury woes continue

DAVID SHOALTS
October 10, 2007 at 2:56 PM EDT

The medical woes continued for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday when Alexei Ponikarovsky had to be helped from the ice during their practice.

Ponikarovsky appeared to injured his left knee when he was in a collision with teammate Chad Kilger.

Ponikarovsky laid on the ice for several minutes and had to be helped off as he favoured his knee.

Leafs head coach Paul Maurice did not reveal the extent of the injury but said "it was not as bad as it looked on the ice." Maurice added Ponikarovsky may be able to play Thursday night against the New York Islanders

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071010.wsptleaf10/BNStory/Sports/columnists

Niedermayer, Selanne remain undecided about retiring from Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks

 ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -Fans chanted "one more year!" at Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne when they joined the rest of the Anaheim Ducks in unveiling the team's Stanley Cup championship banner Wednesday night.

Even NHL commissioner Gary Bettman chimed in, telling Niedermayer, "We, of course, would love to see you back" during the first period intermission of the Ducks' home opener against Boston.

Niedermayer and Selanne have yet to announce whether they intend to play this season or retire.

Both players definitely heard the fans' pleas of another season, and witnessed the standing ovations.

"It was pretty convincing," Niedermayer said after the first period.

Selanne added, "It was pretty awesome. It was emotional, too."

Even while they wait, the Ducks have moved on. Defenseman Chris Pronger was named captain in place of Niedermayer, and the team signed defenseman Mathieu Schneider from Detroit during the offseason as insurance in case Niedermayer called it quits.

Then, Niedermayer said he told general manager Brian Burke that he was leaning toward retirement at 34. But now, he said, "I'm not as sure as I was."

The Ducks could use their two veteran stars. Anaheim had lost three consecutive games heading into Wednesday night after splitting a season-opening two-game series with the Los Angeles Kings in London.

"When things aren't going well, you'd like to be out there to help," said Niedermayer, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as last season's playoff MVP.

 He spent a harried summer in his hometown of Cranbrook, British Columbia, where he was bombarded by friends and strangers wanting to know if he'd be back.

"It was hectic in Canada, talking about it everyday, 10 times a day," said Niedermayer, who said he has not skated in months.

He returned to Southern California about six weeks ago, where he is less hassled and has had more time to think.

"I have a little bit of an idea in my mind," he said.

But he offered no timetable for making an announcement.

"The team has been too understanding," he said. "This has taken it too far already. When it does come to a conclusion, it's probably best for everybody."

During the summer in Finland, Selanne kept busy with daily off-ice workouts, shuttling his kids to soccer and hockey practice and whittling down his golf handicap. Being away from Anaheim kept his mind off hockey.

"It has been so easy because I haven't been around," he said. "I know when I'm around more, I'm probably going to get the feeling again."

Selanne said the Ducks haven't pushed him to make a decision, and he also offered no timetable.

"If I'm going to come back, it has to come from inside," he said. "I want to make sure this decision is right."

What if Niedermayer calls and says he's coming back?

"I'm going to have second thoughts," Selanne said, smiling.

Before the game, the Ducks celebrated the Stanley Cup title they won in June over Ottawa by raising an orange-white-and-black banner and lowering the gleaming Cup from the ceiling on a silver tray.

It was carried to a table where the Conn Smythe and Campbell trophies rested. The team also raised banners signifying its first Pacific Division championship and Western Conference title.

Selanne wore his glittering Stanley Cup ring, which includes the words `California's First Cup' and the Ducks' 16-5 postseason record on one side. The other side has his name and 93, marking the Ducks' inaugural year, and 07 for their championship season. The ring contains 14 diamonds representing the years the team has been in existence.

wild one in toronto - while I could have scored crosby's goals nice to see him get on the score sheet.   amazing save by fleury, total highlight reel stuff.

still, the pens defense is a total joke right now.  some of those toronto goals were cringe worthy.  where the fuck was the defense!!!

wow what a game tonight vs Buffalo...Unfortunately the Leafs didnt win but what a game

Buffalo had no business winning that game.... But they did play in typical Buffalo fashion  : ok:

Toronto should be embarrassed  :hihi:

Thrashers fire head coach Hartley

After six straight losses to open the season, the Atlanta Thrashers have fired head coach Bob Hartley.  Sources tell TSN that general manager Don Wadell will take over behind the bench on an interim basis until a replacement can be hired.

With all six losses coming in regulation, the Thrashers have yet to register a point this season and sit last in the overall standings.  They are also 30th in the league in goals scored with nine and trail only the Kings and Maple Leafs in goals against 27.

"It's obviously something that I felt we had to do," Waddell said in an interview with The Canadian Press. "We started the year 0-and-6 and if you go back to last year how the playoffs went for us, we've lost 10 games in a row. And I didn't see anything that was going to change for us."

Toronto Sun Reaches An All-Time Low
Wednesday @ 9:43 PM ET | Comments (210)
TORONTO (Oct. 17) -- The idea and execution of the front-page layout/headline in today's edition of the Toronto Sun was so astoundingly cruel and small-minded that it pains me to grace it with further attention. In so doing, I am deliberately playing into the hands of those whose decision it was to humiliate Toronto Maple Leafs' defenceman Bryan McCabe. And, for that, I apologize in advance. But, I find it impossible to ignore such blatant idiocy.

On the morning after our federal government's Speech from the Throne; after an elderly Toronto couple was found dead from an apparent murder-suicide, and with the world-wide manhunt for an alleged pedophile from British Columbia gaining momentum, the Sun chose to feature -- on its cover-page -- a photo of a beleagured hockey player beneath a headline that read: "BRYAN McKLUTZ". It was somebody's wretched stab at humor on the heels of McCabe's overtime blunder in Buffalo Monday night, when an attempted clearing pass in the goalcrease ricocheted off the post and into the net behind teammate Andrew Raycroft. The fact it demonstrates a narrow, pitiable approach to selling its product is obviously of no concern to Sun executives, and what a departure that is from days gone by.

Make no mistake, a decision like this is not accidental. In fact, it is meticulously planned. It requires a meeting of the paper's top-level editorial personnel; the wilfull choice to ignore legitimate news on its front page; and the approval of a staff member's hairbrained idea. In this case, it sparks of absolute desperation... an appeal for purchase to the lowest common denominator among readers. We are talking here about a brilliantly conceived newspaper, just more than two week's shy of its 36th birthday. A tabloid concept that evolved, in late-1971, from the demise of the old Toronto Telegram. One that industry experts predicted would never establish a foot-hold in our conservative, snooty town.

The fact the Sun not only gained footing here, but thrived beyond imagination, is a credit to those with seemingly more aptitude and grace than the current executive. I can't imagine the forefathers of the newspaper -- Douglas Creighton and Donald Hunt -- approving of such a wickedly unkind decision like the one to demean McCabe. Same applies to Peter Worthington, the classy, sage columnist that has contributed to the Sun since its inception. Veteran George Gross, another original who directed the sports department for so many years, takes a dim view of today's media critics. I can only imagine, therefore, how irritated he is by the McKLUTZ headline. And, I am certain the paper would never have reached so deeply when Paul Godfrey roamed the offices as chief poobah.

It is important for me to emphasize that the front-page stupidity should not cast a shadow on the writers who cover hockey and other sports for the newspaper. I have a number of friends and colleagues at the Sun; people I have long admired as professionals and human beings. Opinionated, tough-minded writers who would know when to stop short of such mindless exploitation. Names like Mike Zeisberger, Steve Simmons, Lance Hornby, Dave Fuller, Terry Koshan, Bill Lankhoff, Ken Fidlin... and one of my closest pals -- layout editor Joel Colomby.

I'm thinking that none of the abovementioned was overly proud to see the cover of his newspaper this morning.

^^ So the world dosent want to be depressed first thing in the morning... So put sports on the cover.. No biggie to me

Being from Toronto what do you think Malcolm??

http://origin.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/nhl_giving_it_another_try

Love it!

REPORT: LINDROS TO RETIRE.

TSN: Darren Dreger tonight reports Eric Lindros hasn't made it official yet, but during today's announcement of the NHLPA's hiring of Paul Kelly as their new Executive Director Lindros made it clear to the media that his playing days are behind him, due to years of accumulated injuries. It's believed he could be hired by the PA as an ombudsman.

This sucks...Lindros was one of the best....He had better get into the Hall Of Fame

Tocchet suspended until February 2008

The National Hockey League has suspended Rick Tocchet until February 7, 2008 for his role in Operation Slapshot.

His suspension is conditional upon his ability to refrain from gambling in any way in the future. He must also  submit himself to NHL-NHLPA doctors to see if he has an issue with compulsive gambling.

Tocchet, who was an assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes at the time of the incident, has been on indefinite leave since February 7, 2006.

Commissioner Gary Bettman also reserves the right to further discipline him if he doesn't observe the terms and conditions of the suspension.

''Employment and participation in the National Hockey League is an honour and privilege that can't be taken for granted,'' Bettman said during a news conference Thursday. ''I felt that two years was the appropriate punishment.''

Forsberg's return takes turn for the worse

Peter Forsberg's comeback to professional hockey has seemingly taken a turn for the worse.According to the Globe and Mail, Forsberg left the ice at Sweden's national team practice on Monday after an hour, saying his ankle wasn't holding up.
"It's extremely tough and I know that everyone can understand how I feel," he told a Swedish television station.
"It doesn't feel good, I always try to stay positive, but today is a very dark day."

Forsberg was skating with the team and hoped to play in the Karjala Cup - a four-team international tournament. The former Hart Trophy winner was going to use the event as a measuring stick to see if his ankle would be able to withstand the rigors of an NHL season.

'I will have to go back to one of the doctors to see if there's something I can do.'' Forsberg added. ''I'm not going to play if it's not working. I might as well retire.''The 13-year NHL veteran had been reluctant to talk about his plans to return, but was every emotional after leaving the ice.

''I've never been so close to the end of my career," he said. "I'm not going to retire today, I'm going to check with the doctors to see one more time what can be done. They should be able to fix it. I don't want it to be any major procedures, if it's a small thing they can fix, I'll be okay, if not I think I'll let it be. It's looking pretty dark."

Lindros officially announces retirement

LONDON, Ont. - Eric Lindros combined the announcement of his retirement as an NHL player on Thursday with one of the largest one-time donations ever received by the London Health Sciences Foundation.

The Big E is giving $5 million to the facility.

The money will support hospital programs including the Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic where Lindros was treated during his playing career.

The 34-year-old centre was at the London Hunt and Country Club for a dinner honouring clinic co-founder Dr. Peter Fowler. Lindros was born at London Health Science Centre's Victoria Hospital.
Related Info

    * Clarke says Lindros is a Hall of Famer

''Eric's generosity is a tremendous boost to the dedicated team of researchers and health care workers at London Health Sciences Centre,'' said Fowler.

 

Lindros lauded Fowler's work.

''I believe him to be simply the best,'' said Lindros. ''Not only is he a world-class surgeon, but also tops as a teacher and inspiration to other doctors.''

Lindros quipped that, in moving into a new phase of his life outside the NHL, that he'd signed a five-year contract to play Monday nights in the Toronto area.

Lindros finished his playing career with 372 goals and 493 assists for 865 points, while being assessed 1,398 penalty minutes, in 760 NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars. Numerous concussions and other injuries restricted him to an average of only 58 games a season over 13 campaigns, but he was an impact player when in his prime.

He won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP in 1995.

Some of his best hockey was in Canada's colours. He was on two teams that won world junior championships, he was on Canada's victorious 1991 Canada Cup team, and he won gold (2002) and silver (1992) Olympic medals.

Lindros is expected to join the staff of the NHL Players' Association.


The Hockey Hall Of Fame becomes a joke if Lindros dosent get in

Lindros shouldn't get into the HOF. If he does something afterwards as a builder, I'm fine with it, but based on his playing career. He definately doesn't deserve a Hall nod.

Lundqvist is the best damn goalie in the world :yes: if only he'd play for the leafs


lindros should get in to HoF no question 'bout it

Ducks place goalie Bryzgalov on waivers

The Stanley Cup champions placed the 27-year-old goaltender on waivers Friday. Ducks GM Brian Burke had been trying to trade the netminder since the start of the season but was unable to find a fit.

"What I promised Bryz is that I would find him a place to play," Burke told The Canadian Press on Friday. "Bryz is a great kid and a loyal soldier. He's won three playoff rounds for us and he deserves to play somewhere. But I was unable to move him.

"The single, biggest obstacle was that he's unrestricted at the end of the year. I wasn't offered anything of value for him. But I promised him, 'If I can't get something of value for you, we'll put you on waivers."'

Bryzgalov is earning US$1.36 million this season and will be an unrestricted free agent July 1. The Ducks signed Swiss netminder Jonas Hiller to back up star goalie J.S. Giguere last spring. Hiller was sent to Portland of the AHL but will be called up.

Should he clear waivers, which seems unlikely, Bryzgalov will be sent to Portland.

Bryzgalov said goodbye to his Anaheim teammates after Thursday night's 6-3 victory at Los Angeles. Bryzgalov was hoping for a chance to start somewhere else.

"In my mind, he's earned this," said Burke. "When a player gives you everything he has and he's a quality person, he deserves a chance to play. And if you can't manufacture that chance, then this is the way you have to do it."

Bryzgalov is 2-3-1 this season with a 2.55 goals-against average and .909 save percentage. He's 26-23-8 for his NHL career with a 2.48 GAA and .909 save percentage. He was taken 44th overall by Anaheim in the 2000 NHL entry draft.
Click here to find out more!

Coyotes claim Bryzgalov off waivers

The Phoenix Coyotes claimed goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov off waivers on Saturday. The 27-year-old will get the start in goal this afternoon when the club visits the LA Kings.

Bryzgalov could become the No. 1 goaltender in Phoenix, where Alex Auld and Mikael Tellqvist have been splitting starts.

"We are excited to bring in a world class goaltender with a Stanley Cup on his resume," Coyotes GM Don Maloney told The Canadian Press. "At 27 years old, he is just entering his prime and we look forward to having him in our lineup."

''We are very happy for Ilya,'' said Ducks GM Brian Burke. ''He's a great kid who deserves a chance to be a starting NHL goaltender. We thank him for all he has accomplished in a Ducks uniform, and we wish him well with Phoenix.''


   

Capitals fire Hanlon; Boudreau takes over

The Washington Capitals have fired head coach Glen HanlonBruce Boudreau has been named the team's interim head coach, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.The Capitals have been a disappoitment this season with a 6-13-1 mark. They are last in the Southwest Division, eight points behind the fourth-place Florida Panthers.
The Capitals lost to the Atlanta Thrashers 5-1 last night, with the crowd jeering the team and chanting for Hanlon's dismissal.

no, he was just the most dominant player of the late 90s, had the skills to do everything, was a PPG player, hart trophy winner and pearson trophy winner. if cam neely got in, lindros definately should

NHL approves sale of Predators

The National Hockey League's Board of Governors have approved the sale of the Nashville Predators to a local group headed by David Freeman.

NHL approves new schedule format

For its new-look schedule, the National Hockey League will be going back to an old look.The NHL has approved a scheduling format that will have each team play 24 divisional games, 40 in-conference matchups, 15 games against non-conference teams and three wild card games against out of conference teams."Every team will play every other team at least once," commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters after the day's Board of Governors meetings."And we did it notwithstanding that this is likely to be the third year in a row with record attendance and the fact that divisional games are better attended than any others we did want to be responsive to the fans."

will the predators move to another city or stay?

Stay

I'm glad they are changing the schedule. I liked when everyone played eachother at least once.

I like the wild card idea.... Will they be home games?? How will they prevent teams from getting over booked??

I would guess something like after a team has been chosen 3 times they wont be able to be picked again?

Ducks confirm Niedermayer's return

The Anaheim Ducks made it official Wednesday as the team announced that Scott Niedermayer would return for the remainder of the season.

The announcement, made prior to the Ducks game against the Buffalo Sabres, ended weeks of speculation surrounding the four-time Stanley Cup champion's pseudo-retirement.

"We are obviously very pleased that Scotty has chosen to come back and play," said Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke. "He earned the right to take time in making a decision, one that was clearly difficult for him."

The three-time all-star has not played this season after capturing the Conn Smythe trophy last season while helping lead the Ducks to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.  He has been under suspension by the team after failing to report to Ducks training camp as he has mulled retirement.

Predators sign Legwand to six-year deal

The Nashville Predators announced Friday that the club has signed forward David Legwand to a six-year, $27 million contract extension. Legwand, 27, is the Predators' all-time leader in points (304) and goals (113)."This is the first step moving forward under new ownership and is a sign of commitment, a desire to win and a desire to keep the core of our young team together in Nashville," said GM David Poile in a team statement.Legwand is tied for second on the team this season in points (21) and assists.

Thrashers get Recchi off re-entry waivers

Looking to add some experience to their lineup, the Atlanta Thrashers have claimed veteran winger Mark Recchi off re-entry waivers.

Bruins Fernandez undergoes knee surgery

BOSTON - Bruins goalie Manny Fernandez had knee surgery on Wednesday and likely will be sidelined for the rest of the season.Fernandez hurt his left knee during practice on Oct. 30. It's the same knee he injured last January, ending his season with the Minnesota Wild. The Bruins acquired Fernandez last July for forward Petr Kalus and a fourth-round draft pick.

Richards signs 12-year deal with Flyers

Centre Mike Richards, who has emerged as one of the league's top two-way forwards this season, has signed a contract extension with the Philadelphia Flyers."I want to be here, I love the city, I love the organization and when I was given the opportunity I was excited to be here over the next twelve years," Richards relayed to the Associated Press.TSN has learned it is a 12-year extension for $69 million that averages out at $5.75 million per year for the cap hit.

Ducks send McDonald to Blues for Weight

Doug Weight is on his way to the West coast as the Blues have traded the playmaker to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Andy McDonald in a move that will free up enough cap space next season to allow Scott Niedermayer to make his return to the Ducks. The Ducks also receive Czech prospect Michal Birner and a 7th-round draft pick in the 2008 NHL Entry draft.

Hahah I love these stupid ass signings... 6-7 years from now the flyers will be crying, and i'll be loving it  :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Toews' OT tally lifts Hawks over Sens

Ottawa, ON (Sports Network) - Jonathan Toews scored 2:07 into overtime to give the Chicago Blackhawks a 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place.

Patrick Sharp intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and skated into Ottawa's zone up the left boards. Sharp then cut towards the net and dished a pass to a streaking Toews, who slid the puck past Ray Emery to give Chicago the extra point.

"It was a quick turnover and I just tried to go hard to the net and try to give Sharpie some time to get the d-man to back off, but he said he was looking for me the whole way so I just put my stick on the ice and was able to get the shot off," explained Toews.

Toews also had two assists in regulation while Sharp scored in the third period for the Blackhawks, who have won two straight.

Nikolai Khabibulin made 26 saves in the victory while Martin Havlat, who spent his first five seasons in the league with the Sens, made his return to Ottawa for the first time since being traded and failed to pick up a point.

"This was a good win for us obviously," said Havlat. "Ottawa is such a good team. But tonight our young guys came through for us and our goaltending was fantastic. This is a big two points for our hockey club."

Dany Heatley scored twice while Emery ended with 25 saves for the Senators, who have lost two in a row.

Dean McAmmond's short-handed goal gave the Senators the early lead 5:48 into the opening period. McAmmond intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and flew into Chicago's zone up the left wing. From the left circle, McAmmond cut across into the slot and backhanded the disc past Khabibulin.

The Blackhawks evened the score less than two minutes later as Martin Lapointe tallied his second goal of the season.

Ottawa regained its lead at 10:43 of the first after Heatley deflected Wade Redden's shot from the point past Khabibulin for his 21st goal of the campaign.

Heatley found the back of the net for the second time of the game 2:46 into the second stanza to give the Sens a two-goal lead. From the right circle, Shean Donovan centered a pass to a streaking Heatley, who deked down low and slipped a backhander home.

A power-play goal by Brent Seabrook at 7:21 of the second made it 3-2. From the right point, Dustin Byfuglien slid a pass across to Seabrook and he one- timed the feed past a sliding Emery.

At 11:07 of the second, Sharp had a great chance to even the score, but he fired a snap shot wide on his first-career penalty shot opportunity.

Sharp was able to make up for the miss by tying the game just 38 seconds into the third stanza with his 17th goal of the season.

Game Notes:

The Blackhawks have won four of five and five of the last seven meetings with the Sens...Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson had a 10-game point streak come to an end...Chicago ended 2-for-5 on the power play while Ottawa did not score in five chances with the man advantage.

12/23 00:02:27 ET

http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4118631.htm

 :beer:

Chicago hosts LA aiming for longest winning streak in six years

(Sports Network) - The Chicago Blackhawks will try for their first five-game winning streak in about six years, as they host the Los Angeles Kings tonight at the United Center in the opener of a home-and-home set.

The Blackhawks posted their season-high fourth consecutive win on Wednesday, a 5-2 home victory against Nashville. Robert Lang scored twice, while Patrick Sharp lit the lamp for a fourth straight game.

Sharp, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane each contributed a goal and assist for the Blackhawks, who have won four straight for the first time since March 30- April 5 of last season. Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 30-of-32 shots to notch the win.

The club hasn't won five in a row since a six-game winning streak from December 26, 2001 through January 6, 2002.

What is remarkable is that Chicago is on its winning run despite a rash of injuries. Prior to the game against Nashville, the Blackhawks placed Martin Havlat (groin), Dave Bolland (broken finger) and Ben Eager (mild concussion) on injured reserve.

Then in the game, James Wisniewski injured his knee -- the same knee that he had surgery on last year -- while fighting and could be out up to a month. Also, Brent Sopel left the game with a broken finger after blocking a shot and is out 1-2 weeks.

Tonight's game wraps a three-game homestand for Chicago, and it is 12-9-0 as the host this season. The club next hits the road for three straight, starting New Year's Day in LA.

The Kings enter this contest having just halted a season-worst eight-game losing streak on Saturday with a 3-1 win in Colorado. Derek Armstrong and Scott Thornton scored 1:17 apart in the third period to lift the Kings.

Anze Kopitar added an empty net goal for the Kings, who were on their longest losing streak since dropping the final 11 contests of the 2003-04 campaign. Jean-Sebastien Aubin turned away 29-of-30 shots in the win, just the third the Kings have posted in all of December (3-11-1).

The Kings were without Michael Cammalleri for the second straight game due to a rib injury. He has 15 goals and 14 assists on the season.

The Kings improved to 5-12-1 on the road this season and play the second of back-to-back road games tonight. The club begins a six-game homestand on New Year's Day against Chicago.

Chicago recorded a 6-3 home win over LA on December 12 and has won four of the last five meetings in the series.

12/30 10:36:26 ET

http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4119432.htm

 :smoking:

I've always liked Chicago...Good to see them doing well....The Leafs on the other hand are blowing without McCabe and Toskala

I watched my first Hockey game in 2 years last night.

I became such a huge fan a few years ago before the strike. I followed Colorado religiously. Watched all the playoffs and the Finals.

Played the video games, I knew almost all the players and I really enjoyed watching it.

After the cancelled season

I just couldn't get back into it.

Some reason, I've been itching to watch it again.

So I got the NHL HD channel.

Having Hockey in HD is amazing! Way better to watch in HD than regular TV. I watched Montreal destroy Florida and I enjoyed every minute of it.


Since I am starting back new to the NHL and I live like an hour and a half from Nashville. I think Im gonna roll with The Predators as my fav team.

Im gonna watch them and see if I can get attached to them.

If not, Im gonna watch every game I can and see which team I get a vibe with.

The Leafs blow with McCabe and Toskala ;)

The Leafs sure got creamed last night by the rangers. It was a laugher.

Really looking forward to the Winter Classic.  hope the weather holds up.

GO PENS!

As a lifelong diehard Leafs fan I must say this season and last have really sucked. Along with the last 33 I've been alive for...93' that was the year (how sad is that statement alone).

Whatever


GO LEAFS GO!!

wow could that Outdoor NHL game really have gone much better for the NHL? I mean there was your excpected ice conditions which needed tending to...but the crowd was into it, no injuries, it went into a shootout and there biggest star Sidney Crosby won it for his team in the shootout....hats off to the NHL

def a story book ending for the NHL.  But, as a hockey fan and a HUGE pens fan I was a little disappointed in the game itself.  the switching 10 mins into the 3rd and halfway through OT was really dumb (big deal if the home ice team has an advantage, thats the benefit of playing the game at home!).  The ice conditions were REALLY ridiculous too, esp that one patch, but I guess they felt it necessary to make sure nobody got hurt.  Most of all though, only 2 goals, no shots for the Pens the ENTIRE 2nd period...  the last 5 mins or so had some good action though.

game took WAY too long.  If it was my first time watching a hockey game I wouldn't be too impressed.  Sid did have some sick moves and they did a good job of highlighting his unrealness.

i read the flyers and penguins are in talks about an annual out door game being played at the stadium at Penn State.  That would be really really cool if they pull it off.  great rivalry.

that was one of the best sporting events i've seen in a while. great ratings as well for the game.

and it all comes down to one word....SNOW.

any sporting event in snow is just awesome to watch.

 

what were the ratings?

First outdoor NHL game played in U.S. draws big TV numbers down south

NEW YORK - More people in the U.S. tuned in on New Year's Day to see the NHL play outdoors than any other regular-season game in more than a decade.

The Penguins-Sabres game in snowy Buffalo - the first regular-season outdoor NHL game in the United States - drew a 2.6 overnight rating and a 5 share on NBC. Those were the best numbers since a six-game regional telecast on Fox drew a 3.0 overnight rating and a 7 share on Feb. 3, 1996.

Pittsburgh won 2-1 in a shootout on a Sidney Crosby's score before a crowd of more than 71,000 at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

CBC's ratings weren't available Wednesday.

The big U.S. numbers, in the stands and on TV, came three years after the NHL lockout forced the cancellation of an entire season and after last season's Stanley Cup finals on NBC drew record-low ratings.

"We're delighted by the success of this historic event," NBC Sports president Ken Schanzer said. "The Winter Classic exposed hockey to a larger audience and definitely made new fans of the game."

The Winter Classic ratings also surpassed Wayne Gretzky's final game, which was broadcast on Fox on April 18, 1999, and drew a 2.5/6.

The Buffalo and Pittsburgh markets led the ratings, at 38.2/58 and 17.7/30, respectively. But markets such as Sacramento, Calif., St. Louis and Denver also drew strong ratings, even though the game went up against a number of college football bowl games, including an intriguing Capital One Bowl between Florida and Michigan.

"This was one of the best events I've ever been a part of as a player, coach or broadcaster," NBC game analyst Eddie Olczyk said. "It truly was a memorable experience and a great day for the sport of hockey."

Overnight ratings measure the 55 largest TV markets in the United States, and each ratings point represents about 735,000 households. The rating is the percentage watching a telecast among homes with televisions, and the share is the percentage tuned into a broadcast among those households with televisions on at the time.

Man let me tell you, the Ice Bowl was insane.... The crowd was pumped, the weather was great, but Sabres lose  ::)

It looked so great from the clips I saw on TV, but didnt do it real justice...

Glad it did well, but dont think it will pull to many fans into the playoffs, who wouldent normally be there

NHL investigates Downie's punch on Blake

The Phildelphia Flyers seem to be on roll this season, and it's certainly not in the standings.

Playing in just his fourth NHL game since serving a 20-game suspension for a pre-season hit on Ottawa's Dean McAmmond, forward Steve Downie was at it again in the team's 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

With his team up 2-0 early in the third period, Downie hit Toronto winger Jason Blake - who was being held by an official - in the face with what many are describing as a sucker-punch.

The hit left a large golf ball-sized welt under Blake's left eye, which didn't sit well with Leafs head coach Paul Maurice.

Well, we're going to have to have Jason looked at, because he's not looking too good right now," Maurice told reporters after the game. When asked of his opinion on the hit, Maurice replied, "I have a strong one that matters not."

 

Blake didn't sustain any structural damage to his eye, but was kept off the ice as a precaution and received treatment for it on Sunday.

While Downie received a minor penalty for the punch, the NHL is investigating the incident.

Downie's incident is the latest for a Flyers team that has been hit with 52 games in suspensions this season.

So far this season, the Flyers have had five players punished for on-ice acts of violence.

Downie got 20 games for a head shot on McAmmond in the pre-season, Jesse Boulerice got 25 games for a crosscheck to the head of Vancouver's Ryan Kesler, defenceman Randy Jones got two games for a hit from behind on Boston's Patrice Bergeron, forward Scott Hartnell got two games for hitting Boston's Andrew Alberts' head into the boards when the player was on his knees and defenceless, and Riley Cote took a three-game suspension for a high head-shot on Stars defenceman Matt Niskanen.

I must say that was a good ole hockey game I really enjoyed watching even though Downie had to ruin what was a great night for him by being stupid again, and that the Leafs lost..
(http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20080106/downie_47863.jpg)

Hurricanes take a chance on Samsonov

The Carolina Hurricanes have claimed forward Sergei Samsonov off re-entry waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Samsonov, 29, is expected to join the Hurricanes in Boston for Tuesday's game against the Bruins.Samsonov has appeared in 23 of Chicago's games without scoring a goal. He has four assists, and a minus-seven plus-minus rating. He was acquired last June from Montreal for Jassen Cullimore and Tony Salmelainen.Samsonov is under contract for US$3.525 million this season and can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.With the move, the Blackhawks are responsible for half of Samsonov's remaining salary - about $800,000 for the balance of this season that counts against the cap. Carolina is responsible for the other half.

Red Wings sign Osgood to extension

DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings have signed goaltender Chris Osgood to a three-year contract extension.Osgood is earning US$800,000 this season and was slated for unrestricted free agency July 1. His new deal will average close to $1.5 milliion a season, a source told The Canadian Press.

Watched Detroit vs Colorado the other day


WOW, Detroit's Defense was unreal. It was one of those where it seemed Detroit had 7 skaters out there.

well they have the best defenseman of the 2000's in lidstr?m

They're pretty much unstoppable.

Ovechkin agrees to extension with Capitals

Alexander Ovechkin is going to be sticking around Washington for the long haul as he has signed the biggest contract in the history of the NHL Thursday by agreeing to a 13 year extension with the Capitals worth a whopping $124 million.

Sources tell TSN it is believed the structure of the contract will pay Ovechkin 9 million per year for the first six years of the term and 10 million for the remaining seven years.

The Capitals will make an announcement Thursday night at a news conference following the team's Meet the Team Party for season ticket holders.

The contract will expire in the 2020-'21 season when Ovechkin wil be 35-years-old. Ovechkin, who represented himself in the contract talks easily trumped the mega-deals signed by Islanders' goaltender Rick DiPietro and Flyers' forward Mike Richards.

The Calder Trophy winner is having another outstanding season for the Capitals, leading the team with 32 goals, 52 points and a +6 rating.  He is currently 9th in the NHL in scoing.  In 206 career games, the Moscow born sniper has fired home 130 goals and picked up 120 assists.

Joseph chooses Flames over Rangers

Looking to take the work load off Miikka Kirpusoff for the stretch run, the Calgary Flames have signed goaltender Curtis Joseph to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.With half of the season gone, he'll earn about $650,000 for the rest of the year.Joseph, who led Canada to a Spengler Cup victory last month, chose the Flames over the New York Rangers on Monday afternoon and will report to the team on Wednesday.

^ Not bad $$ for a backup

Capitals' Nylander out for the season

WASHINGTON - The Washington Capitals have lost one of their key players for likely the balance of the season. Centre Michael Nylander requires shoulder surgery and will be out three to six months.

Nylander, one of Washington's key off-season signings, was trying to play through the injury before it became too painful.

''He did a courageous job of trying to come back, but sometimes he didn't have the strength in his arm to play like Michael Nylander,'' Boudreau told the Washington Times after Tuesday's pre-game skate. ''It is very, very sore so he is going to get it fixed.''

Nylander, 35, had 37 points (11-26) in 40 games this season, the first of a US$19.5-million, four-year contract.

Blackhawks crush Blues

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Patrick Kane posted two goals and an assist, as the Chicago Blackhawks routed the St. Louis Blues, 6-1, in a Central Division clash at the United Center.

Dustin Byfuglien registered a goal and two assists for the Blackhawks, who have won two straight following an eight-game skid. Jack Skille and Rene Bourque each added a goal and an assist, while Brent Seabrook collected two helpers. Patrick Lalime stopped 32-of-33 shots in the win.

"Everybody is playing extremely well," said Lalime. "It's a good feeling. We were very close and now we're seeing the results. It's a huge win. Everybody gets credit for this one. We all have our role and we stuck to the plan."

Lee Stempniak scored the lone goal for St. Louis, which has dropped three in a row. Manny Legace sustained a sore right arm following a first-period collision with Chicago's Patrick Sharp. Legace completed the first period, making seven saves in the process, but did not return. Marek Schwarz began the second period between the pipes and allowed five goals on 13 shots.

"We didn't compete hard enough in 50 of the 60 minutes," said Stempniak. "We gave them too many chances. Our intensity just wasn't there. We had a lot of optimism and then we gave up the power-play goal and it really deflated us."

Chicago outshot the Blues 7-4 in a scoreless first period.

The Blackhawks' ferocious fore check generated the first goal of the game. Skille then walked out of the corner and lifted a backhander over the glove of Schwarz at 9:19 of the second.

Bourque made it a 2-0 game six minutes later when he ripped a wrister past the blocker of Schwarz and just inside the near post.

St. Louis cut the deficit in half with 1:19 remaining in the middle frame. David Backes' shot from the left circle glanced off the catching glove of Lalime and Stempniak, standing on the edge of the crease, poked in the rebound.

Kane's power-play tally 62 seconds into the third extended Chicago's lead to 3-1. The advantage grew to 4-1 when Byfuglien's intended pass to Bourque deflected off the right skate of St. Louis defenseman Bryce Salvador and into the net with 7:23 left.

An empty-net goal by Kane and a marker by Yanic Perreault accounted for the rest of the scoring.

Game Notes

Martin Lapointe (flu) missed his first game as a Blackhawk after signing as a free agent in 2005, snapping the streak at 209...Chicago halted a four-game losing streak at home...Chicago's defense has scored 29 goals this season...For the first time in eight games, St. Louis did not score the first goal...Chicago went 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Blues failed to score on their three chances with the man-advantage...Chicago's Kris Versteeg suffered a right shoulder bruise in the third period...The Blackhawks kick off a three-game road trip on Friday in Denver. Chicago plays 14 of its next 18 games on the road...St. Louis hosts the Predators on Saturday.

01/16 23:58:35 ET

 :beer:

(http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/8272/chicagokc7.gif)

BLACKHAWKS STAT LEADERS

OFFENSE Goals Assists Points +/-
 
Kane         11      32        43      -5
Lang         16      20        36      11
Sharp        22     14         36      11

GOALIES GAA SAVE% Wins   SO
 
Lalime       2.69 .900       6      0
Khabibulin  2.82 .898      15     0

CENTRAL STANDINGS
                   
                     W    L    OTL  PTS
 
Red Wings   33    10    4      70
Blue Jackets 22   18     6      50
Blues           22   16     6      50
Predators     22   19     4      48
Blackhawks 21    21    4      46

 :smoking:

Surgery sidelines Leafs' Bell eight weeks

TORONTO - Mark Bell will be out another eight weeks after the Toronto Maple Leafs forward underwent surgery to repair facial fractures.

Hurricanes send Craig Adams to Chicago

The Hurricanes have sent veteran forward Craig Adams to the Chicago Blackhawks for a conditional pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Sharp inks four-year extension with Hawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed forward Patrick Sharp to a four-year contract extension worth US$15.6-million.

I'm glad Sharp is sticking around, he's an incredible player :beer:

I watched Sidney Crosby for the first time the other day


WOW

That guy really is as good as advertised.

Lang's shootout winner lifts Blackhawks over Avs

Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Robert Lang scored in the fourth round of the shootout to lift the Chicago Blackhawks over the Colorado Avalanche, 2-1, at the Pepsi Center.

Patrick Kane scored in the first round for Chicago, getting netminder Jose Theodore to commit to the backhand, and finding the back of the net with a forehand shot. Milan Hejduk then squeaked a shot through Patrick Lalime's pads in the third round, sending the shootout to an extra frame.

Lalime stopped T.J. Hensick's shot with a poke check, setting up the potential game-winner for Lang. He delivered, threading a wrister just above Theodore's stick.

"It's always great to be put in that position," Lang said. "It's a tough shot for a goalie to defend. If you put it in the right spot, he can't stop it."

Kane also scored the only regulation goal for the Blackhawks, who have won three straight after losing eight in a row. Lalime turned aside 22 shots in the win.

Andrew Brunette tallied Colorado's only goal, as the Avalanche had a three- game win streak snapped. Theodore also stopped 22 shots, but in a losing cause.

"We played well tonight," Theodore said. "We are still getting our chances. We got the point, (but) we're sure disappointed we couldn't get two."

Kane opened the scoring 2:31 into the game, springing on a breakaway after receiving a sharp pass from Martin Havlat. He skated past Colorado defenseman Brett Clark and tucked a wrist shot into the left side of the net.

"I just jumped off the bench and found the seam," Kane said. "Havlat made a great pass, and I thought I'd just take the shot."

Brunette tied up the game at the 8:03 mark of the first period, banging in a loose rebound that Lalime couldn't quite get his glove on.

But after that, the teams' offenses went silent, tallying a combined 24 shots between the second and third periods.


Game Notes

Earlier Friday, Blackhawks forward Jason Williams underwent successful surgery to repair a sports hernia. He is expected to miss about six weeks in recovery...Colorado kicked off a five-game homestand that continues Sunday against Columbus...Chicago was 0-for-5 on power-play opportunities.

01/19 00:01:24 ET

http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4123804.htm (http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4123804.htm)

 :smoking:

Crosby-less Penguins take on Canadiens

(Sports Network) - The Penguins will take the ice tonight without one of the brightest stars in the NHL. Minus captain Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh heads to Montreal and the Bell Centre to battle the Canadiens.

Crosby, last season's Hart Trophy winner, left Friday night's loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning midway though the first period with a high right ankle sprain.

As he skated toward the Tampa Bay net on a rush, the Lightning's Paul Ranger pulled Crosby down from behind. Crosby slid on the ice, and hit the end boards feet first. He grabbed for his right leg, and moments later limped off the ice, helped by team trainers.

He is excpected to miss upwards of 4 weeks.

Hawks nip Coyotes in shootout

Glendale, AZ (Sports Network) - Patrick Kane netted the winner as Chicago picked up its second consecutive shootout win, 2-1, over Phoenix.

With the first shot in the extra round, Kane scored by lifting a backhander over Ilya Bryzgalov. Patrick Lalime followed by stopping Joel Perreault. Martin Havlat then scored low to the stick side, and Lalime closed his pads on a forehander by Peter Mueller to end the game.

Brent Seabrook scored for the Blackhawks, who have won four games in a row.

Lalime made 38 saves to earn his eighth win of the season.

Mueller tallied in regulation for the Coyotes, who have dropped two in a row and four of six.

Bryzgalov made 23 saves in the loss.

Phoenix broke a scoreless tie at 12:08 of the second period with a power- play goal, as Perreault's blast deflected off a Hawks defenseman and Mueller on its way into the cage.

Seabrook equalized at 15:56, when his one-timer from the left circle sailed past Bryzgalov on the far side.

The best chance for either side to net a game-winner after that came when Coyotes defenseman Ed Jovanovski pulled down Hawks forward Rene Bourque at center ice, preventing a possible breakaway with 15 seconds left in overtime.

Bourque was granted a penalty shot, but Bryzgalov went for the poke check, forcing the young forward to pull his shot off the top of the goaltender's stick and wide.


Game Notes

The Hawks posted a 2-1 shootout win over the Avalanche on Friday...Despite the loss, Phoenix has won six of the last nine meetings...There were 10 penalties in the contest, evenly divided...Chicago completes its three- game road swing in San Jose on Tuesday, and Phoenix continues its five-game homestand by welcoming Buffalo on Monday.


01/20 00:30:50 ET

http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4124297.htm (http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4124297.htm)

 :smoking:

check out youtube for crosby highlights - there are many of them  : ok:

great caps/pens game on VS tonight.  Malkin is really stepping up his game.  If Conklin started i'm sure the pens would have won.  can only imagine how many goals Sid would have had if he was playing.

I hope the pens can hold on till he gets healthy - going to be a looooong month.

Forsberg practices with Modo in Sweden

TOCKHOLM, Sweden - Peter Forsberg practised with his hometown team Monday in what was seen as a possible sign of a comeback.The 34-year-old Forsberg has been sidelined with a foot and ankle injury since finishing last season with the Nashville Predators. But Sweden coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson said last week that the forward may try to play in the LG Hockey Games in Stockholm between Feb. 7-10.

Oilers weigh Katz's bid to buy team

EDMONTON - The fate of billionaire Daryl Katz's bid to buy the Edmonton Oilers is now in the hands of individual shareholders after a final meeting on the matter Monday brought not consensus, but renewed confusion."There is no (shareholder) vote planned," said Bill Butler, chairman of the 33-member Edmonton Investors Group."Each shareholder will make his own decision."Butler also said the board once again urged shareholders to reject Katz's offer, reportedly worth $188 million.He said the board also plans to come back to shareholders with alternative ownership options, but would not give details.

Malkin one of five All-Star additions

The Penguins' Evgeni Malkin will be heading to the All-Star game after all as the Russian sniper was one of five injury replacement players added to Sunday's game.Malkin, along with Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas have been added to the Eastern Conference roster while Ducks defenceman Scott Niedermayer and forward Corey Perry have been added to the West along with Stars forward Mike Ribeiro.The players named today replace Colorado Avalanche forward Paul Stastny, Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg, Stars defenseman Sergei Zubov, New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur and Penguins forward Sidney Crosby.  Crosby will miss the next six to eight weeks of the season as he recovers from a high ankle sprain suffered during Friday's game against the Lightning.   Crosby led all players in fan All-Star balloting and was scheduled to start the game.

Coyotes ink Bryzgalov to extension

The Phoenix Coyotes and goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov have agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension.
Sources tell TSN the deal breaks down as $4 million in the first year, $4.25 million in the second and $4.5 million in the third.The 27-year-old former Anaheim Duck was claimed off waivers back in November and has paid big dividends.

Pens: Crosby to miss 6-8 weeks

Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby will be sidelined six to eight weeks due to a high ankle sprain.

Ferguson fired, Fletcher named interim GM

The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired general manager John Ferguson Jr. The team informed Ferguson of his fate earlier early Tuesday morning. Cliff Fletcher has been made the club's interim general manager.

When contacted by TSN, Ferguson said he would not be commenting at this time but when asked if he was offered, or considered, the option of staying on in a different capacity, he bluntly said, "no."

"After full consideration of the Leafs' situation, it has become clear that change and a new direction is needed,'' stated MLSE President and CEO Richard Peddie at a press conference held at the Air Canada Centre Tuesday. "Regrettably, we did not win enough games to reach our goal, winning the Stanley Cup.

"Our team performance has fallen short of what is to be expected.  Today, we need to forge the start of a new beginning for (the) Toronto Maple Leafs. And we begin with the man seated next to me, a man with Hall of Fame credentials, who is highly regarded by Leafs fans and by hockey people around the globe. We have reached out to Cliff Fletcher and his 50-plus years of hockey management experience to serve as general manager of the Leafs on an interim basis."

Fletcher had been linked to much of the speculation regarding the team. He had been one of several hockey management types contacted last week to gauge their interest in the job, he was then offered the position for the remainder of the season serving as interim GM until a new general manager can be found.  He will then serve as a consultant for the remainder of his 19 month contract.

"I know here in Toronto the expectations are high," Fletcher said at the press conference. "I look forward to the challenge and a few tough months ahead.

"The key here is to initially start the process to move the club ahead to the next level so that it can compete with all the top teams in the league, which will eventually lead to the playoff success."

"The first step will be to meet with all the people involved in the hockey department here," Fletcher said. "I'm looking forward to their input on how they see the internal operation of the hockey team here and how they see the club moving forward.

"Out of that, a plan will developed on how we're going to pursue the next few weeks. There are 35 days to the trade deadline and within two weeks we should be prepared to philosophically at least know what direction we've chosen to go."

During the Press conference Fletcher stated that he has no interest in becoming the Leafs full-time general manager.

"It is a job for a much younger man," said Fletcher.

Peddie believes that Fletcher's experience will give the team plenty of time to find the ideal candidate for the position.

"It gives us the luxury of conducting an absolutely thorough search," said Peddie.

Maple Leafs head coach Paul Maurice left the ice during practice Tuesday morning to 'get a whistle.'  He was seen talking to Peddie before returning to practice.  Maurice was sombre when he met with the media later in the afternoon.

"A very, very difficult day both professionally and personally," said Maurice. "You try desperately to find the positives and for me it was John's example and leadership through difficult times was clearly something to see.

"He was always there with support and open with his convictions and what he believed in about the hockey team. An absolute pleasure to work for, completely and totally."

There is speculation that Maurice could be the next one to follow Ferguson out the door.

Peddie disagrees with that line of thinking.

"Right now he's our coach but Cliff and/or the new replacement will ultimately make that decision and Paul understands that," stated Peddie.

Fletcher, though, said Maurice and his staff will remain with the club until season's end.

"Paul Maurice is the coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs," he said. "He will be the coach for the balance of this year as will the assistant coaches that work with him."

Toronto currently sits in 14th place in the Eastern Conference with a 19-22-5-3 record. They have missed the playoffs for the last two seasons.

Forward Jason Blake, who was signed by Ferguson as a free-agent in the off-season, believes that the players are at least partly to blame for Ferguson's firing.

"I've only been here for a few months and there are certain things you can't control," Blake told reporters. "We weren't getting the job done.

"There's a change a made and I think it's the players that have to be accountable to make sure we're ready to play. We're trying to turn this thing around and move in the right direction. I guess as players you can't control it so you've got to make sure you're ready to play."

The Maple Leafs also announced that Toronto sports lawyer Gord Kirke has been retained to assist Peddie in the search for the team's new GM. The search team has specific qualities in mind for the next full-time GM of the club.

"Our ideal candidate will be a long-term builder and a short-term fixer who has an established track record of success on the ice," explained Peddie. "Along with experience and extensive knowledge in the areas of drafting and identifying talent in the professional, amateur and international ranks, this individual will be comfortable with the intense scrutiny within the Toronto hockey market and will work effectively with the media.

"He will have the full autonomy to lead this hockey club in the manner he feels is best," added Peddie.

Fletcher, a Montreal native and Hockey Hall of Famer, was GM of the Leafs from 1991 to 1997. His NHL career spans more than 50 years, starting as GM of the Verdun Blues in 1956. Verdun was a junior team operated by the Montreal Canadiens and Fletcher ran the club for 10 years with Sam Pollock never very far away.

Ten years later, the Habs hired him as a scout.

When St. Louis joined the NHL, Fletcher was hired by the Blues to head up the scouting department and later became their assistant general manager.

He got his first GM job with the Atlanta Flames in 1972. He was general manager of the Calgary Flames from 1980-1991.  In that time, the Flames won two President's Trophy's and a Stanley Cup.

In 1991, he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as president, GM and COO. He stayed with Toronto through 1997, after helping to turn the team into a contender again.

He joined the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1999 as a senior advisor, before taking over as GM of the Phoenix Coyotes in 2001.

Fletcher was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2004.
   

Selanne agrees to terms with Ducks

Teemu Selanne is back.

The Finnish winger and the Anaheim Ducks have agreed to terms on a contract for the balance of this season and Selanne has re-joined the team.  Selanne confirmed his intentions at a press conference at the Honda Center on Monday.

"I feel the passion again to play hockey," he said. "Anaheim is the only place I wanted to play and I'm very happy that the Samuelis (owners Henry and Susan) and Brian Burke have welcomed me back."

Sources tell TSN that Selanne signed a one-year deal with an annual base salary of $1.5 million, which means Selanne will receive just under $600,000 for the balance of this season. But as a player older than 35, Selanne is entitled to performance bonuses and he will almost certainly earn another $1.35 million from the Ducks this season. That performance bonus is achieved by simply playing 10 games, so, barring injury, Selanne will actually receive close to $2 million in base salary plus performance bonus for the balance of this season.

I think this would make the ducks the favourites for the cup again...same team as last year minus Penner and McDonald plus Weight,Bertuzzi and Schnieder.

Dumont agrees to 4-year with Predators

J.P. Dumont will be sticking around Nashville past the trade deadline as the Predators have signed the forward to a four-year, $16 million contract extension.

Selanne was always one of my favorites.


My fav player right now is Kovalchuck from Atlanta. Im gonna go watch them play this season.

Flames sign Phaneuf to 6-year extension

The Calgary Flames announced Wednesday that the club has signed defenceman Dion Phaneuf to a six-year contract extension.Sources tell TSN that the deal is worth $6.5 million a season."It remains very important for us to lock up our key young players," said general manager Darryl Sutter in a team statement. "Our goal with Dion was to provide an arrangement that will allow him to take his game to the next level."Phaneuf, Calgary's first pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, is playing in his third season with the Flames.

no one in the NHL deserves the cup more then sundin.. shame what shitty team toronto have become :-\

Blackhawks extinguish the Flames

Calgary, AB (Sports Network) - Nikolai Khabibulin made 26 saves as the Chicago Blackhawks downed the Calgary Flames, 3-1, at Pengrowth Saddledome.

Patrick Sharp had a goal and an assist while Duncan Keith and Yanic Perreault each had a goal for the Blackhawks, who snapped a five-game losing streak.

Adrian Aucoin scored the lone goal while Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 25 shots for the Flames, who have lost three of their last four games.

It was a scoreless first period as Calgary had 10 shots on net and Chicago had eight.

The Blackhawks got on the board at the 7:14 mark of the second period as Keith's one-timer from the top of the right circle snuck past Kiprusoff.

The Flames got the goal back with 8:30 left in the second as Aucoin's slap shot at the right point beat Khabibulin cleanly over the glove.

Chicago, though, took a 2-1 lead into the second intermission. Martin Havlat had the puck at the right boards and flicked it to Sharp, who one-timed it from the slot past Kiprusoff for his 25th goal of the season.

Calgary completely outplayed Chicago in the final stanza but was continually frustrated by Khabibulin.

His nicest save of the frame came in the final moments of the game. With Kiprusoff on the bench for the extra attacker, Jarome Iginla threw a shot on net that Khabibulin stopped and he followed up with a pair of saves on the rebound attempts before finally covering the puck with under 30 seconds to play.

Perreault added an empty-net goal in the final seconds of the contest to seal the victory.

Game Notes

Chicago continues its seven-game road trip in Vancouver on Sunday...Calgary hosts Edmonton on Saturday...Neither team scored on the power play with Chicago having five chances and Calgary four.

02/07 23:46:15 ET

http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4128708.htm (http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4128708.htm)

Hey guys I need a quick question answered.


I am going to my first in person hockey game tomorrow between the Atlanta Thrashers and the Tampa Bay Lightning and I need to know what to wear.

Is it warm in the arena?


I cannot fucking wait.

Ive always heard how awesome hockey games are live and I am excited as hell.

Kovalchuk and Hossa are my fav players a long with St Louis and LeCavalier and I can't wait to watch them.

it's ICE hockey ... think about it   ;)

Unless you're a complete dork, you wear your team's jersey and jeans.


Edited to clarify:  An AUTHENTIC team jersey ... not that replica shit.

Authentic Jerseys cost 300 bucks! Fuck That!

The arenas are usually warm though right and its the rink that is cold??

No.  The arena itself needs to be fairly cool ... I'm guessing like 50?F.

Since you're too cheap to get a jersey, at least wear a sweatshirt in your team's colors.  Just don't tell anyone you're a member of HTGTH or a GNR fan.

You will need a sweater but thats it

Awesome!

I actually won a Thrashers Reebok Premier Jersey on Ebay for 31bucks!  So A 115 dollar jersey for 31 is a steal!



Gyspsy? WHy u keep following me around and trolling?

stalkers calls it love

You asked a question and I knew the answer.  Sorry for trying to help you out.

I said "Guys'

and u weren't trying to help, u were trying to be a smartass which is unappreciated. : ok:

You shouldn't make comments about her being a smart ass since you often make that kind of posts yourself.....

You asked a question and somebody who knows the answer replied.


Did you ever see a hockey game on TV?

Maybe there's your answer. You don't often see people dressed up in beach gear at the games....  :P




/jarmo

Yeah but Hockey is usually in the winter time so I figured they dressed cause it was cold outside.

Tonights game was awesome!

I was so close to getting to see a shootout but Zhitnik scored the overtime game winning goal.


Hockey live is amazing.  The Thrashers were playing sloppy as hell and gave the goal away to Tampa as they turned it over in their offensive zone and LeCavalier had an easy one on one with Lehtonen which he buried.


we came back in the third period when Marion Hossa scored a very nice 2 on 1 goal with the assist from Kozlov.


In OT Zhitnik took the puck himself over the blue line, faked a shot, skated around the defender and buried it.

I am definitely goin back. Im thinkin of goin back in March and watching them play Jarome Iginla and Calgary.
Id like to score some tix to watch them play the caps but its on a school night, So I dont know if I want to try and go and get home real late.


Great first experience though, I was already a huge fan but tonight made me even more of a fan.


Wasn't real cold in the arena I wore a Tshirt and a hoodie.

Enjoy your purchase D, I pretty much live in my Blackhawks jersey :hihi:

I will also! Hockey jerseys are awesome, they look great, feel great.

I bought tickets to watch them play Calgary March 13th.

Im thinking of buying Season Tickets next season.

I can get two Season Tickets in the 10 dollar seats for 880 dollars.

10 dollars seats are great cause u can still see really well.


I can then pick out 25 games I want to see, sell the other 16 games on Ebay.

I could easily get double the ticket price and pretty much pay for one set of the season tickets.

Holy Shit!!


Richard Zednik of the Florida panthers just got cut in the throat in the by a teammates skate!! He was gushing blood all the way down the ice, into the locker room...

Looks pretty serious although there has been no update..  Hope hes ok!!  :no:



UPDATE: He has been listed as stable, and is being taken to a Buffalo area hospital  : ok:

i wonder where the fuck i have left my Rangers #99 shirt :-\

Senators acquire Stillman, Commodore

he Ottawa Senators have shuffled the deck in a big way by completing a four-player transaction with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Sources say the Senators have acquired defenceman Mike Commodore and forward Cory Stillman in exchange for defenceman Joe Corvo and forward Patrick Eaves.

Commodore and Stillman are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Stillman had to agree to waive his no-trade clause to go to Ottawa.

"We're very happy to address one of our needs, making our defence more mobile and adding a player like Joe that can play on the power play," Rutherford told The Canadian Press. "Also, we view Patrick as a real character player, a real good young player that can fit into our style of play.

We"Atlanta" are in a dead heat with Carolina. Hopefully we can push through and overtake them and win the division and get into the playoffs. Last I checked, it seems whoever doesn't win the division could be out.

Byfuglien nets hat trick as Blackhawks thump Blue Jackets

Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Dustin Byfuglien had a hat trick, and the Chicago Blackhawks scored four first-period goals on their way to blasting the Columbus Blue Jackets, 7-2, at Nationwide Arena.

Brent Seabrook, Martin Havlat, and James Wisniewski each had a goal and an assist for Chicago, which has won two of three. Patrick Kane also tallied, and Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 24 shots in the win.

Dick Tarnstrom and Fredrik Modin scored power play goals for Columbus, which has lost three in a row, and allowed a season-high in goals. Fredrik Norrena allowed six goals on 28 shots, and Pascal Leclaire allowed one goal on three shots -- though Leclaire played just five minutes in relief of Norrena in the first period.

02/13 22:08:18 ET

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 :smoking:

Thanks for the Blackhawks updates Stoned....

I'm sure its nice for all the people in Chicago who cant see them on TV  :hihi:

As far as I know, every Blackhawks game is now shown on TV.

Oh ok haha.... I was just bustin your balls

Last time I knew they werent, so very well could be  : ok:

Lundqvist inks 6-year deal with Rangers

The New York Rangers and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist have agreed on a new six-year contract.

Lundqvist will earn $6.875 million per year for a total of $41.25 million over the six year period with a limited no-trade clause that would commence in the 2009-10 season.

The Rangers and Lundqvist have been working on a deal since the start of 2008 because the goaltender was on a one-year contract. Without a new deal, the 25-year-old would become a restricted free-agent on July 1.

Lundqvist is 24-21-5 with a 2.37 GAA over his 50 games this season. For his NHL career he is 91-55-22 with a 2.32 GAA over 173 games, all with the Rangers.

^ Thats an afwul lot of money for an just above average goaltender.. But who cares it the rangers  :rofl:

i just got home from a holiday to canada, we were in vancouver and while there took in the canucks vs blackhawks games, iv never even seen a hockey game before but i have to say i really enjoyed it and thought it was a great game, i really enjoyed the shootout, i met nathan mciver after the game in a club got a pic with him and my ticket signed

id also like to say tickets are a rip off, $95 for the cheapest from a ticket agent and when they hand you the ticket it says $34.98  on it :rant:

Hey they gotta make their overhead some how... Plus if the game was sold out, its about typical!

I paid 73 dollars for 2 tickets to the Atlanta game.

Face value they were 10 each.......

Cant complain, Excellent view *Right at Center Ice just high up but u could see great and the game was soldout so......


I bought my next game seats off Ticketmaster for face value this time.

they announced at the game that was over the 200th consecutive sell out but there was a shitload of empty seats, i didnt mind paying cos it was a one off but if the ticket was only worth 35, does all star tickets get the other 60?

Toews leads Blackhawks to rout of Predators

Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Jonathan Toews scored twice and had an assist, and Patrick Lalime stopped 24 shots, as Chicago rode a three-goal first period en route to a 6-1 thrashing of Nashville at Sommet Center.

Duncan Keith, Rene Bourque, Cam Barker and Patrick Sharp also lit the lamp for the Blackhawks, who followed up a 7-2 road rout of Columbus on Wednesday with another five-goal division road victory.

Jason Arnott provided the only offense for the Predators, whose two-game win streak was snapped.

Starter Chris Mason allowed three goals on only seven shots almost 13 minutes of action. Dan Ellis finished the game by allowing three scores on 13 shots.

Keith opened the scoring at 1:04, then Toews scored twice -- once on a wraparound at 6:22 and again on a wrister from the left circle with 7:18 to go, and the Hawks led 3-0.

Mason was promptly pulled for Ellis, and although he stemmed the tide, Chicago went into the intermission ahead by three.

Things did not get better for Nashville in the second, as Bourque upped the Hawks' bulge to four at 2:28 and Barker pumped a wrister home 42 seconds later for a 5-0 lead.

Sharp added to his career-high with his 27th goal of the season, which put Chicago up by six at 3:47 of the third.

Arnott broke the shutout at 6:12 with a power-play goal, giving him 20 goals for the ninth consecutive season, but the Preds were powerless to beat Lalime for the remainder of the contest.

Game Notes

The Hawks have won the last four meetings, all this season...J.P. Dumont had a secondary assist on Arnott's goal, giving him points in 21 of his last 23 games.

02/14 22:51:46 ET

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 :smoking:

Havlat, Blackhawks edge Avs

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Martin Havlat scored the eventual game-winning goal with 2:53 gone in the second period and the Chicago Blackhawks held on to defeat the Colorado Avalanche, 2-1, at United Center.

Dustin Byfuglien added a goal, while James Wisniewski chipped in with a pair of assists for Chicago, which has won three straight and four of its last five games.

Patrick Lalime was stellar between the pipes for the Blackhawks, stopping 21- of-22 shots. Chicago, which ended a seven-game road trip with a 6-1 win at Nashville on February 14, had dropped five of its previous six home games coming into the contest.

Jaroslav Hlinka accounted for the lone Colorado goal. The Avalanche have lost three in a row and four of their last six. Jose Theodore made 25 saves in defeat.

With the Blackhawks holding a 2-0 lead after two periods of play, neither team could mount many quality scoring chances for most of the third. But Colorado was able to cut the deficit to 2-1 with 2:25 left. Hlinka, standing in the goal mouth, took a pass from Cody McLeod, who was standing behind the net and shoveled the puck under Lalime's pad.

Colorado then had a golden opportunity to tie the contest when it got a power play chance with 2:03 left after Byfuglien was whistled for a tripping penalty. The Avs pulled the goaltender setting up a 6-on-4 situation, but despite heavy offensive pressure, couldn't get the equalizer.

"All the hard work, getting through the injuries, now we have a lot of energy and things are good," Wisniewski said. "But we have a long way to go and we have to play every game with a sense of desperation."

Chicago got on the board 4:48 into the contest while on the power play. With John-Michael Liles in the box serving a hooking infraction, Wisniewski's one timer from the mid point off a feed from Patrick Kane was tipped in by Byfuglien, giving the Blackhawks the early lead

After Chicago rose to the forefront, killing off three consecutive minor penalties, Havlat put the home team up 2-0 2:53 into the second stanza. With the Blackhawks sustaining the offensive pressure, Wisniewski's shot from the left point was stopped by Theodore, but the rebound couldn't be handled and Havlat put home the rebound with a wrist shot from the low right circle.

The Blackhawks outshot the Avs 10-3 in the second frame and took a 2-0 lead into the intermission.

Game Notes

Attendance was 21,715...Chicago will play at St. Louis on Tuesday night, while Colorado will host Detroit on Monday...The Blackhawks finished 3-1 against the Avalanche this season...Chicago finished 1-for-4 on the power play, while Colorado was 0-for-7.

02/17 16:29:17 ET

 :smoking:

NHL considering one-minute OT penalties

NAPLES, Fla. - One-minute penalties for overtime during the regular season?That was one of the many issues discussed Monday as the NHL's 30 GMs broke out into four different groups to tackle a number of subjects.Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke is keen on the idea of one-minute penalties in overtime instead of two. The thinking is that 4-on-3 power plays in overtime take up 40 per cent of the entire five-minute period and more than often end the game."One-minute penalties in overtime just makes so much sense," Burke said Monday after the first day of meetings.Any idea that has enough support from the GMs at the conclusion of the meetings Wednesday must then be approved by the board of governors.

Kings trade Modry to Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired defenceman Jaroslav Modry from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a third-round draft pick in 2008. Already without defencemen Derian Hatcher (knee), Rory Fitzpatrick (sports hernia) and Mike Rathje (back), Modry should add a boost to the blueline.

I'm not so sure about that one minute penalty idea.

Saw the Stars beat the Red Wings on Sunday, 1-0. Best hockey game I have ever seen. Period. Turco was spectacular, fantastic, stupendous. Whatever superlative you want to use. The Red Wings are so tough, I was so impressed with them. They come at you and just don't stop. Big, well-coached, hard hitting, energetic, just a great team. But the Stars stepped up and showed a lot of internal fortitude. If the two teams meet again in the finals it is going to be one hell of a series, I guarantee that.

Khabibulin, Blackhawks blank Wild

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Dave Bolland scored twice and Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 38 shots to record his first shutout of the season to send Chicago past Minnesota, 3-0, at United Center.

It was Bolland's first career multi-goal game, as well as Khabibulin's 37th career whitewash.

Patrick Kane also hit the net and Rene Bourque added a pair of assists for the Blackhawks, who snapped a nine-game losing skid to Minnesota dating back to October 2005.

"It's good that we won a game," Khabibulin noted. "Whether it's Minnesota or whoever, we need points."

Josh Harding made 27 stops in defeat for the Wild, who have lost two straight.

Kane scored his 14th goal of the season 3:49 into the game, as he followed up a one-timer by Robert Lang by potting the rebound from the top of the crease.

With just over four minutes left in the second and the Wild on the power play, Brent Burns rang a wrister off the left post, and the game remained close.

The missed chance proved to be costly, as the Hawks took a two-goal edge when Bolland pumped a shot past Harding with 20 seconds left in the period to put the home team up by two.

"I took the pass from Bourque, and two guys came at me, so I shot the puck and it went in," Bolland said about the sequence which led to the score.

Bolland netted his second of the night for a 3-0 Chicago lead at the 5:24 mark of the third. Duncan Keith unloaded a blistering slapper from the point which ticked off Harding's pad and knocked the netminder on his backside. Bolland was left alone to shovel the rebound under Harding and into the open net.

The shutout was still intact on another Minnesota man advantage, as Brian Rolston clanged a big slap shot off the crossbar with 4:25 left in the contest.

Harding wasn't allowed to get to the bench until 11 seconds remained, and by then the Wild could not set up in the Chicago zone with the extra attacker.

"We had opportunities, just no luck," Rolston said. "We played hard but we gave them some goals. It was just one of those nights."

Game Notes

Bolland had only scored one goal in 23 previous NHL contests...It was the first time the Hawks blanked an opponent this season, while the Wild failed to score for the fourth time this season and second time in February...Only two of Khabibulin's 37 career shutouts have come with Chicago...Minnesota forward Matt Foy suffered a cut above his right eye when hit with a carom of a shot with 7:45 left in the contest...Neither team scored in five combined power- play chances.

02/20 23:35:41 ET

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 :smoking:

Miller stops 34 shots as Sabres shut down Leafs

TORONTO (AP) -The Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs used to be in the same place - far out of the playoff picture.

Not anymore.

Ales Kotalik scored two goals to help Buffalo win for the 10th time in 14 games, beating Toronto 5-1 Thursday night and showing the Leafs what could have been.

"It was a put-up or shut-up situation and we stepped up and rose to the occasion," Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller explained. "It doesn't mean we're in the playoffs yet but it means we're in position to make it now.

Brian Campbell, Jaroslav Spacek and Derek Roy also scored for the Sabres, who are on a 10-2-2 run and moved into a tie with the New York Rangers for sixth place in the East.

"We've got to keep winning games," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "When you're playing games against teams you're right there with, you're going to have to win the majority of them to stay ahead of them."

Pavel Kubina scored for the Leafs, who are eight points out of a playoff spot and seem unlikely to qualify. A month ago, the two teams were at the same place in the standings but now the Sabres now are nine points clear of the Leafs.

Ryan Miller stopped 34 shots for Buffalo.

Campbell scored 2:36 into the game with a waist-high slap shot from the blue line that appeared to catch Vesa Toskala off guard.

The Sabres then took three penalties in a row, but the fifth-best penalty kill in the league trumped Toronto's power play.

"We created a lot of scoring chances but we just couldn't score the goals," said Toskala.

Spacek made it 2-0 at the 59-second mark of the second period with another slapper from the blue line on the power play.

Kubina got Toronto on the board when he teamed up with Tomas Kaberle for a rare Leafs power-play goal. Kaberle fed his defense mate a breakaway pass and Kubina, who had sneaked behind Nolan Pratt, made quick moves that baffled Miller. Kubina tucked the puck into the open side of the net at 2:48 with Miller sprawled on the ice and Henrik Tallinder serving a hooking penalty.

Kotalik made it 3-1 at 8:59 when he got a pass from Vanek and took a wrist shot from the circle to Toskala's right. The puck struck the side of the goalie's glove and dribbled into the net. It was Kotalik's first goal in 16 games since Jan. 18.

"I shot a lot of those the last couple of games and they didn't go in," Kotalik said. His second goal was an empty-netter with 52 seconds left.

Roy made it 4-1 at 14:49 with Buffalo's second power-play goal, on Vanek's second assist.

Thousands among the announced Air Canada Centre crowd of 19,467 booed as the Leafs left the ice for the second intermission.

"I just don't think we showed enough urgency with the puck," Leafs coach Paul Maurice said. "We had a 3-on-1 and went offside and you can't do that in a game like this."

Notes: Buffalo was 2-for-5 and Toronto was 1-for-5 on power plays ... Leafs C Boyd Devereaux, who injured the medial collateral ligament in his right knee late in the 3-1 win over Columbus on Tuesday, will be out for four to six weeks. ... Buffalo RW Drew Stafford missed a seventh straight game while recovering from a sprained right ankle, and Buffalo RW Maxim Afinogenov missed a 23rd consecutive game since suffering a groin injury Jan. 1 ... Leafs RW Wade Belak and Sabres C Tim Connolly were scratched. ... After a home game Saturday against Atlanta, Toronto plays in Ottawa on Monday and flies south for games against Florida, Tampa Bay and Washington.


 :peace: :peace: :peace:

Islanders sign Hunter to five-year deal

The New York Islanders and forward Trent Hunter have agreed to a five-year extension worth $10 million.The 27-year-old right winger has eight goals and 32 points this season with the Islanders and 20 goals and 35 points last in 2006-07.Last season, Hunter's fourth in the NHL - all with New York - he ranked fifth in the league with 246 hits while picking up only 20 penalty minutes. In 306 career games, Hunter scored 69 goals and 157 points.

Wild, Schultz agree to contract extension

Sources tell TSN the Minnesota Wild and defenceman Nick Schultz have agreed to a 6-year contract extension, totaling $21 million.The contract breaks down as follows; $3.2 million (2008-09), $3.4M (2009-10) and $3.6M in each of the following four seasons.

Leafs secure Steen with two-year deal

The Toronto Maple Leafs and forward Alex Steen have agreed to a two-year contract extension believed to pay Steen $1.7 million per year. The 23-year-old Steen has 10 goals and 26 points in 56 games for the Maple Leafs this season.

Sharp's OT tally lifts 'Hawks, negates furious LA rally

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Patrick Sharp's second goal of the game, coming with 3:12 left in overtime, clipped a late Kings rally and sent Chicago over Los Angeles, 6-5, at Staples Center.

Jonathan Toews and Martin Havlat had a goal and assist each for the Blackhawks, who blew a four-goal lead but recovered to win for the fifth time in six games.

Andrei Zyuzin and Jason Williams also hit the net and Patrick Lalime hung on for the win by making 34 saves.

"When they tied it up, you're back on your heels," Toews admitted. "They had the momentum, but we weathered their storm and did what we had to do to get two points."

Anze Kopitar and Mike Cammalleri picked up a goal and two helpers apiece for the Kings, who have dropped three of four. Peter Harrold, Patrick O'Sullivan and Tom Preissing also scored in a tough loss.

Starter Dan Cloutier was pulled after allowing five goals on only 17 shots through less than half of regulation. Erik Ersberg took the loss in his NHL debut, despite allowing just the game-winning goal on 19 shots.

Down by four, the Kings mounted a major charge in the third period. Cammalleri potted a rebound at 9:06, then Preissing ripped one past Lalime at 12:41 to make it a two-goal game.

Ersberg kept the momentum going under a minute later, stoning Sharp on a breakaway by making a pad stop.

The Kings brought out the extra attacker with 2:17 left in regulation, and drew within a goal when O'Sullivan kept digging for a loose puck in the crease and poked it through with 1:07 left. The comeback was complete when Kopitar entered a scramble in front of Lalime and popped home the tying goal with under 15 seconds to play.

"This was as good an overtime loss as you're going to see," said Kings head coach Marc Crawford. "All 20 guys played hard in the third period. We didn't stray from what we had to do. There was a lot of blood and guts there to come back like we did."

Harrold notched his first NHL goal by blasting a slapshot through Lalime's pads 5:23 into the game, then Sharp equalized on the power play at 9:32 for Chicago.

The Hawks used an early second-period blitz to temporarily assume control of the contest.

Havlat finished off a nice play from Patrick Kane at 4:11 to take the lead, and 15 seconds later Zyuzin ripped one past Cloutier for a 3-1 advantage. Toews followed at 7:07 with his 18th of the season and Williams put Chicago up 5-1 at 8:17.

Game Notes

The Kings had won the last two games against the Blackhawks this season by a combined 12-4 count, including a 9-2 blowout in LA on January 1...Harrold was a standout defenseman for the Boston College Eagles from 2002-2006, and Jeff Giuliano, who also played for Jerry York at BC from 1998-2002, assisted on his goal...Los Angeles outshot Chicago 19-11 in the third period...Eight of the last 11 games between the clubs have been decided by one goal.

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 :smoking:

Sundin will not waive no trade clause

After weeks of trade speculation, Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin has made his decision and will not waive his no trade clause.

Sundin and his agent J.P. Barry met in Ottawa on Sunday in an effort to provide Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher with an official answer on whether or not the Leaf captain will consent to a trade.

"I have carefully considered the team's request that I waive my no-trade clause," Sundin said in a statement. "I have always believed I would finish my career as a Toronto Maple Leaf so the actual request was still a very difficult one for me to contemplate."

"I have spoken to and listened to my family and those closest to me about this issue. In the end, there is no right decision in a situation like this one."

"I cannot leave my teammates and join another NHL Club at this time. I have never believed in the concept of a rental player. It is my belief that winning the Stanley Cup is the greatest thing you can achieve in hockey but for me, in order to  appreciate it you have to have been part of the entire journey and that means October through June. I hope everyone will understand and respect my decision."

 "He advised us that he's staying where he is, which is his contractual right, and that at this time he's not interested in entering into a deal for next year," Fletcher told The Canadian Press on Sunday night.

"Hey look, when people sign contracts, both parties are happy with it when they sign them," said Fletcher. "The club was happy to give the player a no-trade contract and the player exercised it - what can you say? It's the business of sport. So we'll live with it, we'll move on and we'll do what we can to start moving the club forward."

Sundin has been in Toronto since being acquired in a June 1994 trade.  This season, he has scored 25 goals and 37 assists.

In 970 career games with the Maple Leafs, Sundin has 413 goals, 558 assists and 971 points.

Sundin is a Class A guy and I respect his decision and am glad to know hes staying put in the Leafs uniform...what a great guy

Wow this guy defines class.

I always hated when athletes chased a ring or a cup. Do it with YOUR team and I think its awesome what he said about being apart of the entire journey.


If I could skate with Dany Heatley and the rest of the awesome Ottawa Senator team, I think I would've waived the no trade, I dont know many who wouldnt.

That's too bad.

Sundin is well past his prime, and hasn't done shit for Toronto in ages.

Ru kidding me? Hes been there leading scorer almost every year, usually by a long shot, easily there most productive player and is the heart and sole of that team, not Tucker like some think....Hes the only superstar they have and is showing no signs of slowing down

Sundin have always been my favourite hockey player, there's nothing to not like about him, he's a legend

Yeah..and what do Toronto have to show for it?

This team has been a joke for ages, yet fans will still fork over their money to see the Leafs lose, and not make it to the playoffs.

Even if Sundin were to hit the road, it wouldn't change a damn thing.

The whole team sucks.

Their coach sucks.

Their management sucks.

Forsberg returns to NHL with Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche have won the 'Peter Forsberg sweepstakes', signing the centre to a one-year deal to return to the team for the rest of the season. "We're proud to announce to our fans that Peter Forsberg has decided to come back and play with our franchise where he's enjoyed so much success early in his career," said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere in a statement. "His addition should complement our roster and will bring our team to an even higher competitive level." Sources tell TSN Forsberg will earn $5 million (US) prorated for the remainder of the season, approximately $1 million. The deal also includes a no-movement clause.

Red Wings sign McCarty to one-year deal

The Detroit Red Wings have signed right wing Darren McCarty to a one-year contract and assigned him to Grand Rapids on a 14-day conditioning loan. ''Darren has earned this opportunity,'' said Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland. ''He's made great strides in the past several months and we wanted to give him the chance to continue in hopes he can contribute to the Red Wings once again.'' Sources tell TSN McCarty's contract is for $535,000 (US) plus bonuses.

Jackman signs extension with Blues

Barret Jackman won't be going anywhere at the trade deadline as the St. Louis Blues have signed the defenceman to a four year contract extension worth $14.4 million. Jackman will earn $3.6 million in each of the four years of the deal.

Flyers acquire Prospal from Lightning

Vinny Prospal will be returning to the team that drafted him. The Lightning have shipped forward Vaclav Prospal to the Philadelphia Flyers for defensemen Alexandre Picard and a second or third round draft pick in 2009.

Lightning, Boyle agree to 6-year pact

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed the 31-year old defensemen to a six-year, $40 million dollar deal. TSN has learned that the deal will pay Boyle $6.66 million per year for six years. The deal will include a no trade clause in the first four years and a modified no trade in years five and six.

Isles sign Comrie to 1-year contract

The Islanders and centre Mike Comrie have agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal to keep the Edmonton, Alberta native in Long Island.

Devils acquire Salvador from Blues

The New Jersey Devils have bolstered their defence for the stretch run, acquiring defenceman Bryce Salvador from the St. Louis Blues for forward Cam Janssen.

Avalanche get Salei from Florida

The Colorado Avalanche have acquired defenceman Ruslan Salei from the Florida Panthers for defenceman Karlis Skrastins and a third-round draft pick.

Hurricanes get Ruutu from Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have traded forward Tuomo Ruutu to the Carolina Hurricanes for winger Andrew Ladd.

Sharks ship defenceman Davison to Isles

The San Jose Sharks have dealt defenceman Rob Davison to the New York Islanders for a seventh-round draft pick.

Sharks acquire Campbell from Sabres

Unable to sign their potential unrestricted free agent to a long-term deal, the Buffalo Sabres have traded defenceman Brian Campbell to the San Jose Sharks for forward Steve Bernier and a first-round draft pick.

Lightning trade Richards to Stars

After much speculation, the Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to trade one of their 'Big Three' forwards, sending centre Brad Richards and goaltender Johan Holmqvist to the Dallas Stars for goalie Mike Smith, centre Jeff Halpern, winger Jussi Jokinen and a fourth-round pick. Richards, who makes $7.8 million a season through the 2010-11 camapaign, waived his no-trade clause for the deal to go through.

Blue Jackets trade Fedorov to Capitals

The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded centre Sergei Fedorov to the Washington Capitals for blueline prospect Theo Ruth.

Avalanche bring back defenceman Foote

The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded veteran defenceman Adam Foote to the Colorado Avalanche for a conditional first-round draft pick in 2008 or 2009.

Maple Leafs trade Belak to Panthers

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded forward Wade Belak to the Florida Panthers for a 2008 fifth round pick.

Senators add Lapointe from Blackhawks

The Ottawa Senators added some more grit to their lineup, acquiring winger Martin Lapointe from the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2008 sixth-round pick. Lapointe, 34, was signed to a three-year, $7.2 million contract by the Hawks in 2005 and becomes an unrestricted free agent this season.

Canucks trade Cooke to Caps for Pettinger

Washington Capitals added anohter veteran player acquiring forward Matt Cooke from the Vancouver Canucks for left winger Matt Pettinger.

Habs trade goaltender Huet to Capitals

The Montreal Canadiens have traded goaltender Cristobal Huet to the Washington Capitals for a 2009 second-round draft pick.

Leafs send defenceman Gill to Penguins

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded defenceman Hal Gill to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a second-round and fifth round pick.

Rangers acquire Backman from Blues

The St. Louis Blues have traded defenceman Christian Backman to New York Rangers for a fourth round draft pick.

Wild acquire Simon from Islanders

The Minnesota Wild added lots of toughness on Tuesday, acquiring Chris Simon from the New York Islanders for a sixth-round draft pick.

Penguins land Hossa from Thrashers

The Atlanta Thrashers have traded sniper Marian Hossa and winger Pascal Dupuis to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for prospect Angelo Esposito, forwards Colby Armstrong and Erik Christensen and a first-round pick.

Wings get defenceman Stuart from Kings

The Detroit Red Wings added a healthy body to their blue line Tuesday, acquiring Brad Stuart from the Los Angeles Kings for a pair of draft picks.

Leafs trade Kilger to Panthers for pick

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded forward Chad Kilger to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday for a third round draft pick.

Coyotes trade Sjostrom in multi-player deal

The New York Rangers and Phoenix Coyotes pulled off a multi-player deal on Sunday, with the Coyotes sending forwards Fredrik Sjostrom and Josh Gratton and goaltender David Leneveu to the Rangers for forward Marcel Hossa and netminder Al Montoya.

Defenceman Bergeron goes to Anaheim

The Anaheim Ducks added some blueline depth on Tuesday, acquiring Marc-Andre Bergeron from the New York Islanders for a third round draft pick.

WOW Hossa playing with Crosby and Malkin. I'm tempted to buy NHL Center Ice now just to watch that.

Atlanta's my team, but Hossa wasn't re-signing unfortunately so he had to be dealt. damn shame they gave u Heatley for him though.


Colorado seem to be reaching a bit much into the past. Forsberg still has a bad foot right? Adam Foote is getting old as well.

Pittsburgh was clearly the big winner. They have to be the favorite to come out of the east now.

his foot has been a big sports-talk here in Sweden.. they say it's good now but it can probably get hurt like on the game on saturday..

he once was the best in the world so if he can stay healthy he can probably help Avs a bit but he really does have a history of injuries

Murray replaces Paddock as Sens' coach

Having dropped six of their last eight games and 14 of their last 21, the Ottawa Senators fired head coach John Paddock with just 18 games remaining in the regular season.

Bryan Murray, who coached the Senators for two seasons before taking the general manager's job last summer, returns behind the bench for the stretch run.

"(The change) comes certainly because of performance lately," Murray told reporters at the team's hotel in Philadelphia.  "I think the results that we'd been having or not having was an indicator that some adjustment, that some emotion had to be brought back to the team."

The team also announced that assistant coach Ron Low was relieved of his coaching duties, while assistant coach Greg Carvel, goaltending coach Eli Wilson, conditioning and player development coach Randy Lee and video coach Tim Pattyson remain on the staff. Paddock has been offered to stay with organization in a different role, and Murray said the former head coach will take a few weeks and decide.

I am not a fan of this trade.  Hossa is a free agent at the end of the year, he also does not perform well in the playoffs.  Colby was Sid's best friend and a VERY popular player on and off the ice.  Esposito could be a stud in a few years AND we gave up ANOTHER future 1st rounder.

If Hossa doesn't resign, this was a GOD awful trade

^ Yup if the pens dont get the cup this year(which they wont) time to rebuild  :hihi:

Kane powers Blackhawks past Canucks

The Canadian Press

3/2/2008 7:44:18 PM


CHICAGO - The Chicago Blackhawks and rookie Patrick Kane were more impressed with their defence than their offence after beating the Vancouver Canucks.

Kane, the NHL's first overall draft pick in 2007, had two goals and an assist to lead Chicago to a 4-1 victory Sunday night.

Andrew Ladd and Patrick Sharp also scored for Chicago, which is 7-3-0 in its last 10 games.

With three points, Kane retook the NHL rookie scoring lead. He entered the game tied with idle Washington's Nicklas Backstrom with 52 points.

Although depleted by injuries - six Blackhawks regulars sat out - Chicago dominated the Canucks with aggressive play. Chicago managed 28 shots, while holding Vancouver to a season-low 10.

"Every win is huge," Kane said. 'We'll try to do things the right way to get in (to the playoffs). From defence comes offence, like the last goal today."

The Blackhawks are six points out of eighth place and the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Canucks are in a three-way tie for eighth in the West.

"We had everybody going," Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith said. "Defensively we were doing the little things."

"It was a big game and we stepped up," Blackhawks coach Denis Savard added. "We stuck to our gameplan. There were barely any turnovers and we finished our checks."

Ryan Kesler scored for Vancouver, which lost its third straight (0-2-1), but first in regulation in nine games. The Canucks entered the contest with points in each of their eight previous games, going 5-0-3.

"They wanted it more than we did," Canucks captain Markus Naslund said. "They came out hard and we didn't respond to them at all.

"Ten shots on goal? That's embarrassing," he added. "Considering where we are, we should be more desperate than they are."

Canucks coach Alain Vigneault agreed.

"They came to play," he said. "They played hard, they were physical and they were the better team on the ice."

Chicago's Patrick Lalime made his fifth straight start in place of the injured Nikolai Khabibulin (back spasms).

Vancouver's Roberto Luongo blocked 22 shots in his 14th straight start before being replaced by Curtis Sanford at 9:49 of the third period.

"Maybe it's best that we just forget about this one," Luongo said.

Chicago outshot Vancouver 9-2 in the first and took a 1-0 lead on Ladd's goal with 2:58 left.

From the edge of the crease, Ladd knocked in a rebound of Kane's shot. Kane set up the play when he stole the puck from Canucks defenceman Willie Mitchell in the Vancouver zone, turned and drove to the net through traffic.

The goal was Ladd's second in three games with Chicago since being acquired from Carolina last Tuesday.

Kane's power-play goal at 4:19 of the second made it 2-0. His screened shot from the slot bounced past Luongo's right side.

Kesler cut it to 2-1 with 1:29 left in the period during a 4-on-4.

Sharp made it 3-1 at 5:27 of the third, scoring on a mid-air deflection of Keith's shot from the left point.

Kane extended it to 4-1 with his second goal at 9:24 of the period. He knocked in a rebound of Ben Eager's shot out of the air at the right side of the crease.

Notes: With Khabibulin out, Lalime was backed up by Corey Crawford. Besides Khabibulin, Chicago regulars sitting out with injuries were: LW Martin Havlat (shoulder); C Robert Lang (back) D Brent Sopel (wrist); C Yanic Perreault (wrist; and C Kevin Adams (knee surgery). Adams has resumed skating. . The Blackhawks will determine this week whether Havlat's injury is season ending. . Chicago recalled forwards Bryan Bickell and Jacob Dowell from Rockford of the AHL in time for Sunday's game. . Out for Vancouver were C Brendan Morrison (wrist) and D Lukas Krajicek (shoulder). Veteran Canucks C Trevor Linden was a healthy scratch.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=231088&hubname= (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=231088&hubname=)

 :smoking:

Blackhawks keep playoff hopes alive with win over Minnesota

St. Paul, MN (Sports Network) - Jason Williams had a goal and an assist as the Chicago Blackhawks doubled up the Minnesota Wild, 4-2, at Xcel Energy Center.

Duncan Keith, Dustin Byfuglien and Craig Adams each lit the lamp for the Blackhawks, who have won three of their last four games. Patrick Lalime made 28 saves in the win.

Chicago currently has 70 points and sits four points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

"We've been thinking about the playoffs for a long time," said Chicago's Brent Seabrook. "We've been digging and fighting to get into that final playoff spot. Our team is really clicking right now and we can taste it. Everyone is stepping up and it shows."

Pavol Demitra and Stephane Veilleux each scored a goal for the Wild, who had a three-game winning streak stopped. Niklas Backstrom stopped 30 shots in the loss.

"With the way the standings are right now it's a tough loss," said Veilleux. "It's a tight race and we need to take care of business at home. Obviously tonight we didn't do it."

Minnesota is tied with Calgary atop the Northwest Division with 77 points.

Minnesota got the first goal of the game just 5:56 in. Marian Gaborik skated down the right wing and slammed on the brakes at the right circle before sending the puck across the ice to Demitra, who one-timed the puck past Lalime for his 14th goal of the season.

Chicago, though, tied the game just 45 seconds later as Williams beat Backstrom with a wrister from the left circle.

The Blackhawks took a 2-1 lead at the 7:40 mark of the second period as Keith tipped in an Andrew Ladd shot for his ninth goal of the year.

Lalime stopped all 14 shots he faced in the second period.

Chicago padded its lead to 3-1 on the power play just 2:32 into the third period. Williams skated the puck from his end to the Minnesota zone and from the high slot fed the puck over to Byfuglien, who blasted a shot between the pads of Backstrom for his 14th goal of the season.

The goal proved fortunate as Minnesota made it a one-goal game at the 6:47 mark. Kim Johnsson rushed the puck into the zone, but lost control of it near the left circle. However, the disc bounced around before landing near a scrambling Lalime, who was unable to cover the puck before Veilleux slammed it home.

Lalime made a big save on a Gaborik shot with under a minute to play and Adams' empty-netter sealed the victory.


Game Notes

The Blackhawks host Anaheim on Wednesday...These teams split the season series, but Minnesota has won nine of the last 11 games...Minnesota hits the road for a game in Carolina on Thursday...Chicago went 1-for-5 on the power play while Minnesota finished 0-for-4...Chicago's Rene Bourque finished the game with two assists.

http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4136004.htm (http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4136004.htm)

 :smoking:

Face it Stoned there not making the playoffs lol...I've always liked Chicago...and they have a bright future...but this is Anehiems year again....no questions asked

There are 16 games left, and Chicago has won 7 of their last 10 games.

It's still entirely possible, and I bet they'll do it :)

Anaheim vs. Chicago tonight ;)

They dont have the goaltending with The Khabi...Lalime is playing good, but whos gonna come out of those top 8 spots? There all a lock except Vancouver...and I hope Phoniex makes it over Vancouver

Lalime is just as good as Khabiboulin, I wouldn't worry about having to go the distance without him.

Anything can happen in 16 games, we'll just have to wait and see :)

Chicago rookie Crawford blanks Ducks

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Rookie Corey Crawford stopped 19 shots to earn a shutout in his first start of the season, as Chicago blanked Anaheim, 3-0, at the United Center.

Crawford earned his first career NHL victory and his first career shutout, all while making just his second-ever NHL start, as back spasms have forced regular starting netminder Nikolai Khabibulin to the sidelines. Backup Patrick Lalime was also riding the bench for the night after he played the last six games.

"I wanted to go out and do my best," said Crawford. "I never expected this. They had no second chances.

"It was nice to get that second goal and give us some breathing room. The guys played awesome in front of me and I could see the puck real well."

Dustin Byfuglien and Cameron Barker each had a goal and an assist, and Patrick Sharp was also credited with an empty-net tally for the Blackhawks, who have won three straight and moved two points ahead of Columbus for 11th place in the Western Conference. They also pulled within four points of Colorado and Nashville, which are tied for seventh.

Patrick Kane added a pair of assists, as Chicago improved to 8-3-0 in its last 11 games. The Blackhawks also snapped a six-game skid to the Ducks in the Windy City, posting a win against them on home ice for the first time since November 2, 2003.

"As a team we relate well as young guys, and being young is only an issue if you let it be an issue," said Barker. "We seem to do really well together as a cohesive group."

Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 25 saves for Anaheim, which had its season-high six-game win streak broken. The Ducks were also on an 11-1-0 stretch coming in, that had moved them into second place in the Pacific Division, four points behind first-place Dallas. The Stars lost to the Phoenix Coyotes, 2-1, on Wednesday. However, the Ducks fell back to third in the division later Wednesday, a point behind the Sharks, when San Jose defeated Ottawa, 3-2, in overtime.

The Blackhawks got the only goal of the first period, and it came on the power play, as Byfuglien knocked a rebound attempt into a wide-open net at 7:07.

The game then turned ugly, as Adam Burish took a run at Anaheim defenseman Chris Pronger, who had returned with a broken jaw after missing two games. Teammates immediately came to Pronger's defense, and as the first period wore down, the teams had accumulated 20 penalties (95 minutes), five misconducts (including two game misconducts) and five fighting majors in the opening stanza. Sean O'Donnell was shown the gate for Anaheim, while James Wisnewski was sent packing for Chicago.

"It was a chippey game, and they play physical," said O'Donnell. "When you take swings at Chris' face with a brace (on), that got us going. You don't take liberties with a guy with an injury."

The Blackhawks got an insurance tally on Barker's power-play goal at 9:01 of the second period, and with 1:31 remaining in the third, Sharp was credited with a goal after his wrist was slashed by Pronger during a breakaway to an empty net.


Game Notes

The Ducks reassigned center Andrew Ebbett to Portland (AHL) on Wednesday...NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday that Chicago would "make a lot of sense at some point in time" for an outdoor game, adding that at least nine teams have expressed interest...The Ducks failed to match a franchise record with their seventh straight win -- a feat they haven't accomplished in nine years (Feb. 20-March 7, 1999)...Giguere had a personal five-game win streak stopped...Chicago bested Anaheim for the first time this season, as the Ducks had won the first three matchups. The win also improved the Blackhawks to just 1-12-1 in the last 14 meetings.

03/06 01:11:33 ET

http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4136278.htm (http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4136278.htm)

 :smoking:

                                        Western Conference
                              Season                        Last 10
                             GP W L OTL Pts GF GA W L OTL
1 Detroit Red Wings  68 44 18 6 94 213 151 3 6 1
2 Dallas Stars            70 41 24 5 87 208 173 6 4 0
3 Minnesota Wild       67 37 25 5 79 181 181 5 4 1
4 San Jose Sharks     67 38 21 8 84 179 161 7 3 0
5 Anaheim Ducks       69 38 24 7 83 173 168 8 2 0
6 Calgary Flames       67 35 23 9 79 187 185 6 3 1
7 Colorado Avalanche  67 35 26 6 76 185 181 5 4 1
8 Nashville Predators   67 34 25 8 76 198 191 5 3 2
______________________________________________

9 Vancouver Canucks  66 32 24 10 74 173 169 5 2 3
10 Phoenix Coyotes    67 34 28 5 73 178 177 6 3 1
11 Chicago Blackhawks 67 33 28 6 72 194 190 7 3 0
12 Columbus Blue Jackets 68 30 28 10 70 164 177 4 5 1
13 St. Louis Blues       67 29 28 10 68 165 186 3 6 1
14 Edmonton Oilers    67 31 31 5 67 183 205 6 4 0
15 Los Angeles Kings  68 26 37 5 57 195 227 2 6 2 

great game today, pens/caps.  really is a treat seeing three of the top players in the game going up against each other.  I have to say Malkin is stepping out of Sid's shadow in a big way.  Just an insane player.  Fleury played well today and Sid was just being Sid again.

I KINDA feel bad for that guy that put it into his own net, thats gotta suck.  huge loss for the caps too.  they needed the points big time.

great playoff like atmosphere.

I would like to see the Canadiens against Boston in the series... that always make for great games!  Go HABS go!!  :)

Josee

Blackhawks thrash Blue Jackets, stop four-game slide

Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Patrick Kane registered a goal and an assist, as the Chicago Blackhawks doubled up the Columbus Blue Jackets, 6-3, at Nationwide Arena.

Cam Barker and Andrew Ladd also posted a goal and an assist each for the Blackhawks, who snapped a four-game losing streak. Patrick Sharp collected two assists, while Patrick Lalime stopped 29-of-32 shots to pick up the win.

Chicago has 75 points on the season and is five points behind idle Vancouver for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Fredrik Modin, Dan Fritsche and Rick Nash all scored for the Blue Jackets, who have dropped four of their last five outings. Pascal Leclaire allowed three goals on six shots before he was lifted in favor of Fredrik Norrena, who finished the game with 16 saves.

The Blackhawks swatted the Blue Jackets from the drop of the puck, scoring just 60 seconds into the contest. Off an errant clearing attempt by Columbus' Nikolai Zherdev, Barker fired a quick shot from the left point that deflected off a body in front and found the twine behind Leclaire.

Duncan Keith netted a power-play goal to make it 2-0 with 8:39 remaining in the first period. Robert Lang made a perfect tape-to-tape pass from below the right circle to Keith streaking down the slot, and the defenseman buried the puck past Leclaire.

Chicago tallied again less than two minutes later to chase Leclaire from the net. Leclaire turned aside Kane's backhanded offering, but the rebound went right to the stick of Dave Bolland, who was driving hard to the cage, and Bolland slipped the puck into the open net with 6:48 to go in the opening frame.

Columbus got on the board in the second period courtesy of the power play. David Vyborny carried the puck into the offensive zone before dropping it in the high slot to Modin, who rifled a slap shot through the legs of Chicago defenseman Jordan Hendry and past Lalime at the 6:27 mark.

Twenty-seven seconds later Fritsche notched his 10th goal of the season to cut the deficit to 3-2, but Kane restored Chicago's two-goal advantage with eight minutes remaining in the frame.

The Blue Jackets climbed back to within one at 7:15 of the third on Nash's 36th tally of the season. Nash, who made his debut as Columbus' new team captain, snapped a wrister from the top of the right circle that made its way through traffic and caromed off the far post.

Dustin Byfuglien redirected a shot from Ladd in behind Norrena to make it 5-3 with 9:40 remaining in regulation. Ladd's power-play goal with 3:23 to go sealed the win.

Game Notes

Norrena made his first appearance since a 7-2 loss to Chicago on February 13th...Nash became the fifth captain in team history, joining Lyle Odelein, Ray Whitney, Luke Richardson and Adam Foote, who was dealt to Colorado at the trade deadline....Chicago finished 2-for-3 on the power play. Columbus went 1- for-5.

03/14 22:15:11 ET

http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4138356.htm (http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4138356.htm)

 :smoking:

I am so pissed.

I had tickets to the Thrashers/Flames game and got lazy and didnt want to drive the 2 hours to go watch it.


Wouldn't u know it, my fav player Ilya Kovalchuk got a Hat Trick. :hihi:

Atlanta won 6-4


If I had went, Nothing like that would've happened.

Khabibulin, Blackhawks blank Caps

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Nikolai Khabibulin stopped all 25 shots he faced en route to his second shutout of the season, and Jason Williams tallied a goal and an assist to help the Chicago Blackhawks to a 5-0 pasting of the Washington Capitals at the United Center.

Jonathan Toews, Yanic Perreault, Patrick Sharp and Rene Bourque all added goals, and Robert Lang had a pair of assists for Chicago, which has won two of three.

Khabibulin earned the shutout with an 11-save third period that included a couple of highlight-reel plays after cruising through the first two frames, which saw him face just 14 shots combined as the Blackhawks dominated in the offensive zone.

Olaf Kolzig was bombarded with 42 shots on the night, making 37 saves, and received little help from his teammates as the Caps had a four-game win streak halted. Washington also lost ground in the division behind Southeast-leading Carolina, a 5-3 winner in Atlanta.

"Going into the game we know they're succesful in the first period," Kolzig said. "They got the jump on us, and sometimes it's your job just to survive. We didn't. We were too busy watching and not creating our own energy. We didn't play well in the neutral zone, and that's usually our signature, clogging things up."

Washington, which has 80 points, now trails the Hurricanes by five in the division, and remains two points behind idle Philadelphia for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Williams deflected James Wisniewski's shot past Kolzig to give the 'Hawks a 1-0 lead just 1:27 into the game, and Toews made it a two-goal advantage less than two minutes later. Standing on the goal line's edge during a Chicago power play, the rookie squirted one through after no whistle was blown, though it appeared the goaltender controlled the puck momentarily.

Later in the first, Lang took a long lead pass from Brent Sopel along the left wing, then dished back to Perreault, who fired one over the glove of Kolzig for a 3-0 lead at the 9:14 mark.

Sharp finished the first-period onslaught when he rammed one home from the doorstep with just 2:06 left in the stanza.

Washington tightened defensively during the second period, but Bourque made it a 5-0 contest with his goal at the 10:19 mark. Khabibulin continued his stinginess, turning away eight more shots and thwarting a pair of power plays during the middle frame.

The Capitals' chances were few and far between, though Brooks Laich had the best scoring opportunity to that point around the 12-minute mark of the third. Laich found himself with a one-timer from the right wing, but Khabibulin made a fabulous glove save.

Khabibulin later topped that dazzling stop with a sprawling snare of an Alexander Semin shot inside the three-minute mark of the third, preserving the shutout by making a full-extension save of a Semin missile after scrambling to get back into position.

"Stops like that happen every once in a while," Khabibulin said. "You can't practice it. It's always nice to win the game. We just have to keep on winning."

Game Notes

It was Khabibulin's 38th career shutout, and Chicago moved within seven points of idle Colorado for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoff race...The Blackhawks have won two straight over Washington...The Capitals finished 0-for-2 on the power play, while the 'Hawks were 1- for-5...Kolzig made 13 saves in the third period.

http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4139435.htm (http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4139435.htm)

 :smoking:

BUFFALO (Mar. 21) -- If Mats Sundin's torn groin muscle allows him to play again this season -- and it's doubtful he'd be able to perform at more than 50 percent capacity -- take a hard look at perhaps the most dignified athlete to ever grace the city of Toronto. There's a very good chance it will be your last glimpse of the venerable No. 13.

Every strain of reason and practicality suggests that Sundin is taking his final lap in blue and white. Unless he has a complete shift in sentiment and chooses to play elsewhere in the NHL, Sundin will follow true to his word and retire as a member of the Maple Leafs this summer. There is no plausible motive for him to return. After giving his soul to the franchise for a decade-and-a-half, Sundin has finally come up against a brick wall. At no time in his tenure with the Maple Leafs have I seen him so thoroughly spent -- physically and emotionally. The cumulative effect of missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year has pushed him to the edge. The untimely injury he sustained last week in Philadelphia may be the final straw.

This isn't to suggest that Sundin won't think long and hard about returning. Walking away from the game is never easy for those who play it best (he will not, however, pull a Scott Niedermayer and re-join the club in mid-stream). Nor is there reason to believe the next GM of the Leafs will disregard the possibility of re-signing the future hall of famer. In the end, however, Sundin will understand the futility of coming back. The Maple Leafs may be a vastly different team next season, but they aren't likely to improve by any measure.

Should Cliff Fletcher follow through on his pre-trade-deadline aspiration to abolish the core of the roster -- and, don't forget, eliminating players with contract restrictions is no simple matter -- the return will be minimal. Among the foursome of Pavel Kubina, Bryan McCabe, Tomas Kaberle and Darcy Tucker, only Kubina can be moved this summer (for a period of seven weeks) without consent. The others will either return to the hockey club, or be subject to buyout and waiver restrictions.

The group of young players the Leafs hope to move forward with (Jiri Tlusty, Anton Stralman, Jeremy Williams, Justin Pogge) will still be maturing next season, and there is little reason to expect radical improvement from the most populated segment of the roster -- players of middling caliber (Matt Stajan, Alex Steen, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Kyle Wellwood, Ian White). Jason Blake's contract is an albatross. Nik Antropov and Carlo Colaiacovo are valuable parts, but too fragile to be counted upon. Only Vesa Toskala represents a truly worthwhile commodity, by virtue of his talent, and his reasonable stipend.

So, what is there for Mats Sundin to come back to? On several occasions, he's referred to the growing challenge of preparing his body and mind for the long NHL season. He isn't certain he'll be able to do so again this summer. The gibberish about winning a Stanley Cup in Toronto long ago subsided. Though he is unfailingly polite, Sundin is doing his best to avoid the media these days, for there is nothing encouraging or enlightening to discuss. He was pushed to the limit by a club that is substantially devoid of front-line personnel, and his body, ultimately, could not hold out. Given his advanced hockey age -- and the potential for similar dependency next season -- big Mats will only continue to break down.

These are all reasons -- not to mention the financial well-being he has secured for several generations of Sundins, and his affinity for the home-life in Sweden -- to move on now, and be remembered for greatness. Mats would depart after the splendor of a 77-point season; not like so many before him, whose stars have faded while grasping to hang on. He'd be assured of a first-ballot hall of fame election in 2013.

Expect the big Swede to step away gracefully -- while he still can. Savour his remaining moments, if they come.

E-mail howard.berger@rci.rogers.com

Patrick Kane's overtime goal lifts Blackhawks past Blues 4-3

CHICAGO ? When the Chicago Blackhawks gave up the go-ahead goal late in the third period, it appeared any hope of post-season play disappeared with the lead.

Patrick Kane and James Wisniewski made sure that didn't happen.

Kane scored 1:09 into overtime after Wisniewski tied it in the final minute of regulation and the Blackhawks boosted their playoff hopes with a 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.

With six games left in the regular season, Chicago is four points behind Colorado for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot. The Blackhawks haven't been to the post-season since 2002.

"They know what it takes to win, to battle," Chicago coach Denis Savard said of Kane, a leading candidate for rookie of the year, and Wisniewski, who scored his first goal in 18 games. "Whether we get there (the playoffs) of not, they'll prove a lot of people wrong."

Kane scored off a rebound of Niklas Hjalmarsson's shot from the left point, jamming the puck inside the left post past Hannu Toivonen. It was Kane's 18th goal and fourth against St. Louis.

"I thought the shot was going wide, and it was right there," said Kane, who leads all rookies with 65 points. "It was good to jam it in."

The Blues went 1-7-1 on their season-high nine-game road trip, almost assuring they won't make the playoffs in three straight seasons for the first time in the franchise's 41-year history.

"We've competed in every game with the exception of one," Blues coach Andy Murray said. "Our team competes hard on a nightly basis.

"What we need to do is find a way to turn these losses into wins, because our compete level is pretty strong."

St. Louis has not played at home since March 4, and its 11-20-7 road record is the worst in the West.

Adam Burish and Dustin Byfuglien also scored and Nikolai Khabibulin made 26 saves for the Blackhawks. Lee Stempniak, D.J. King and Keith Tkachuk scored for the Blues.

These teams will meet for the final time this season on Saturday. Savard, though, was upset about the Blues going after some of his young players.

"We've got two young kids playing their hearts out," he said referring to Kane and Jonathan Toews, who had an assist. "Cheap shots, behind the neck, behind the back, after whistles. We don't need that in our game."

Both teams combined for four goals in the final 10:50 of regulation. Byfuglien scored his 18th goal at 9:10 when he took a pass from Kane and snapped a shot past Toivonen to make it 2-1.

St. Louis tied it 2:09 later when David Backes' shot from the right point deflected off King's skate in front of Khabibulin.

The Blues grabbed a 3-2 lead with 1:18 to play on a miscue by Kane, who had the puck stripped by Brad Boyes in front of the St. Louis bench. He then fed Tkachuk, who scored on a breakaway for his 23rd goal.

Wisniewski made it 3-3 just 23 seconds later, beating Toivonen from the high slot for his seventh goal.

"I don't think I've scored a bigger goal," he said.

Both teams traded goals in the second. With 12:05 to play, Stempniak beat Khabibulin for his 13th goal and fourth in as many games against Chicago.

That also ended Khabibulin's home shutout streak at 197 minutes, 28 seconds since Jan. 24.

Khabibulin's shutout run in Chicago was the longest by a Blackhawks goalie since Ed Belfour blanked the opposition for 195 minutes, 33 seconds in November 1991, according to STATS, LLC.

The Blackhawks scored less than 10 minutes later. Troy Brouwer, recalled from Rockford of the AHL before the game, carried the puck behind the net and threw it off Burish's skate.

It was Burish's second goal of the season and first since Jan. 22.

Notes: Kane tied the Blackhawks' rookie record for assists in a season with his 47th, joining coach Denis Savard (1980-81) and Steve Larmer (1982-83). ... Dan Hinote, Martin Rucinsky and Jay McKee were scratches for St. Louis. Chicago didn't have Robert Lang, Martin Havlat, Cam Barker, Andrei Zyuzin, Ben Eager or Yanic Perreault in the lineup. ... Former Blackhawks goalie Murray Bannerman dropped the ceremonial puck. ... A crowd of 19,146 turned out on Easter.

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5h6-dgp5ZfSJFrQmQllENQdQ4-UNA (http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5h6-dgp5ZfSJFrQmQllENQdQ4-UNA)

Blackhawks thwart Blues' comeback try

BY NORM SANDERS
News-Democrat

ST. LOUIS --After digging themselves a 4-0 hole that included a pair of short-handed goals, the St. Louis Blues finally located a shovel Saturday.

They nearly managed to erase the four-goal deficit, but wound up losing 4-3 to the Chicago Blackhawks before a sellout crowd of 19,150 at the Scottrade Center.

"It might be fun for fans to see somewhat of a comeback game," said Blues defenseman Jay McKee, whose team scored three goals after falling behind 4-0 early in the third period. "But for players, management and coaches, it's only satisfying when you win. To have a solid third period, sure that's great for us.

"But we look at it as a whole game --and we're awfully disappointed with the way we got behind like that."

It was the 19th sellout this season after the Blues (31-35-12) -- who have won only three times in their last 19 games -- sold out only three homes games in the past two seasons combined. Two of those were easy sells on the nights the team retired the jerseys of Al MacInnis and Brett Hull.

Blues winger Keith Tkachuk broke up the shutout with his 24th goal at 6:11 of the third period. The goal left Tkachuk three away from 500 in his career.

Brad Boyes collected his 41st with 4:58 remaining after a pass from David Perron bounced in off his leg. Blues winger Paul Kariya scored a power-play goal with 2:40 remaining, his 14th this season and first in 21 games.

Tempers flared when Chicago's Duncan Keith, who was penalized for an elbow to Kariya's head earlier in the period, knocked down Blues center Andy McDonald with 5.4 seconds remaining. Everyone left on the ice wound up in a pile near the Chicago net before order was finally restored, with Keith receiving a match penalty.

Just 1:40 into the game, Chicago (37-33-8) got a goal from Andrew Ladd that appeared to go in off the stick of Blues defenseman Matt Walker.

Blues winger Cam Janssen dropped the gloves with Chicago's Craig Adams in a lively bout just two seconds after the goal. After the fight, Janssen raised his arms toward the roof as if to signify victory, pumping up the sellout crowd.

Blues winger David Backes tried to go at it with Chicago's Adam Burish later in the first period, but the pair quickly wrestled each other to the ice.

The rough stuff was a carryover from Chicago's 4-3 win Sunday, when Blackhawks coach Denis Savard felt the Blues were being too rough on young forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.

Savard even took the rare step of calling out Blues players Barret Jackman and David Backes.

"They were complaining last week that we were too rough on them, and it is hockey," Blues goalie Manny Legace said. "It's a tough game. If guys want to go to the net they're going to pay the price and those guys go to the net hard.

"Their coach has got to realize that he used to go to the net hard, too."

Toews scored his 22nd goal of the year late in the first period, firing a shot past a screened Legace.

Perron used a highlight-reel move to cut in on goal late in the second period, forcing two players and goalie Nikolai Khabibulin to deal with him. Perron clipped Khabibulin on the way by and got a slash from the goalie in retaliation.

The Blackhawks increased their lead to 3-0 with 4:48 remaining in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Keith.

Blues defenseman Erik Johnson broke his stick during a power play and the Blackhawks started a rush to the other end. Keith's shot from just inside the blue line went by Kariya and skipped past Legace.

"I was horrible, plain and simple," Legace said. "Didn't play well tonight. I've got to make those saves, it's as simple as that."

Chicago leads the NHL with 16 short-handed goals this season. The Blues have allowed 12 and the Blackhawks have scored five of them.

The Blackhawks collected another short-handed goal early in the third period to make it 4-0.

The Blues managed only one shot during a 5-on-3 power play and Kariya couldn't control the puck along the left boards.

Craig Adams set sail for the net and a sliding Blues rookie defenseman Erik Johnson upended Legace. Adams managed to get his shot in before the net was knocked loose from its moorings and after a video review, the goal stood.

http://www.bnd.com/sports/blues/story/294960.html (http://www.bnd.com/sports/blues/story/294960.html)

 :smoking:

Blackhawks 5, Blue Jackets 4 (SO): Another strange way to lose

Monday,  March 31, 2008 3:05 AM
By Aaron Portzline

CHICAGO -- With very little margin for error, the Blue Jackets have spent most of the season standing on the precipice.

Last night, two split-second sequences -- one that hinged on the edge of a skate, the other on the tip of a goaltender's glove -- spelled doom for the Blue Jackets and served as the perfect metaphor for their season.

They couldn't hold leads of 3-1 and 4-3, ultimately losing to the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 in a shootout before 20,885 in the United Center.

Chicago rookie Patrick Kane scored in the first round, the only shootout goal for either side. Joakim Lindstrom, Nikolai Zherdev and Rick Nash failed to scored for the Jackets.

But the troubles started long before the shootout.

"We had the game in perfect control, especially in the third period," Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We had it.

"It's too bad. The kid falls down and the puck is in the net."

Blue Jackets rookie defenseman Kris Russell would be "the kid."

With 6:18 remaining and the Blue Jackets leading 4-3, Russell came from behind the Jackets' net with the puck. But he slipped and fell to the ice, turning the puck over to Chicago's Dustin Byfuglien in the process.

A tic-tac-toe later, Blackhawks center Yanic Perreault scored off a rebound to make it 4-4.

"I lost (a skate) edge," said Russell, who had missed the previous five games because of a strained groin.

That play might have been the final stage of the collapse, but its beginning occurred in the second period.

The Blue Jackets got goals from Michael Peca and Nikolai Zherdev to take a 3-1 lead only 3:36 into the period.

They seemed to be in control, leading 3-2 late in the second, until the Blackhawks were granted a two-man advantage for a full two minutes with 4:29 left. Gilbert Brule went to the box for slashing, and Aaron Rome went off for delay of game after knocking the net off its moorings.

The Blue Jackets killed of all but 14 seconds before Chicago's Patrick Sharp scored to tie it at 3.

Robert Lang's shot on the doorstep glanced off the glove of Blue Jackets goaltender Fredrik Norrena -- "I almost had it," Norrena said -- before Sharp poked home the rebound.

"We did a great job on that kill," Hitchcock said. "The goal should have never gone in. We need to be better there. That's when we needed a save, right there. The guys did a great job killing it, we just needed a save right there.

"Those are the fine lines we're dealing with right now."

Norrena, making his eighth consecutive start in place of Pascal Leclaire (concussion), made 29 saves.

"That's a gifted offensive team," Norrena said of Chicago. "I don't know why we get two penalties on the same play. That made it tough.

"We almost killed it, and I almost had it. Right there. In my glove."

Key word: almost.

In an "almost" season, the Blue Jackets landed back at the .500 mark -- 34-34-11 -- with a thud.

It marked their eighth shootout loss in 11 attempts this season. The Jackets have failed to score in five of the 11 shootouts.

Last night, Kane came in on Norrena with such speed and trickery that Norrena was almost in the net when Kane scored over his left pad with a backhand.

"My (left) pad was right there," Norrena said. "Right there, but he got it over it, just enough."

Chicago goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin took care of the rest. He kicked aside attempts by Lindstrom and Nash and used his glove to brush off Zherdev's attempts.

Andrew Murray tied the score at 1 in the first period for the Blue Jackets, who have converted just 11 of 37 shots (29.7 percent) in shootouts.

"What can you say?" Hitchcock said.

It ended a rough day for the Jackets. By mid-afternoon, they were officially eliminated from the playoffs when Nashville earned a point with an overtime loss against Detroit.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/bluejackets/stories/2008/03/31/jackets31.ART_ART_03-31-08_C1_GO9PQAK.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101 (http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/bluejackets/stories/2008/03/31/jackets31.ART_ART_03-31-08_C1_GO9PQAK.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101)

 :smoking:

Kane, Blackhawks keep playoff hopes alive with win over Detroit

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Patrick Kane's goal and two assists sparked Chicago past Detroit, 6-2, at United Center.

Jordan Hendry scored his first NHL goal for the Blackhawks, who have won three in a row and moved into 10th place in the Western Conference with 86 points, only three points behind idle eighth-seeded Nashville for the final playoff berth.

Chicago has two games remaining, hosting the Predators Friday before completing the regular season in Detroit on Sunday.

Robert Lang, Cam Barker, Dustin Byfuglien and Adam Burish tallied once each while Nikolai Khabibulin made 26 saves in the win.

"We seem to rise to the occasion when we play these guys," Hendry noted. "They're the best and we want to show we can compete with them."

Henrik Zetterberg and Kirk Maltby lit the lamp for the Red Wings, who failed to clinch the top seed in the Western Conference with the regulation loss.

With the regulation defeat, Detroit remained three points ahead of idle San Jose in the race for the top seed. Both teams have two games left on their respective regular-season slates.

Dominik Hasek started the game, but was yanked after allowing three goals on six shots early in the first period. Chris Osgood finished up by allowing three goals on 22 shots.

The Hawks got on the board at the 5:53 mark of the first as Barker picked up a power-play marker.

It was 2-0 as Hendry's left-circle drive from a face-off deflected off a Wings defender and got through Hasek at 6:36, and Lang converted a partial breakaway to make it a three-goal bulge at 7:52.

Hasek exited in favor of Osgood with the shots 6-0 in favor of Chicago, and the move finally paid off as Zetterberg potted a power-play marker with 5:40 left in the first.

The momentum was short-lived as Byfuglien's man-advantage marker 3:13 into the second restored Chicago's three-goal lead. Maltby got one back for the Wings at 6:10, but Kane's 19th of the season nearly a minute and a half later gave the Hawks a 5-2 edge.

Burish provided the clincher with 4:19 left in the contest, snapping a wrister from the right wing over Osgood's glove.

"We're kind of up and down right now," admitted Osgood. "We had a stretch where we played real well, and now it's back and forth."

Game Notes

Chicago has won five of seven meetings...Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk recorded an assist on Zetterberg's goal, giving him 64 on the season, second in the NHL only to San Jose's Joe Thornton (66)...Detroit committed 10 of the game's 18 penalties...Hawks defenseman Duncan Keith picked up a pair of helpers...The Red Wings dropped their first game of the season on a Wednesday, falling to 12-1-0.

04/02 23:47:04 ET

http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4142403.htm (http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4142403.htm)

 :smoking:

Kane, Lalime lead Blackhawks past playoff-bound Predators

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Blackhawks wish they had played the Nashville Predators a day earlier

Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist and Patrick Lalime stopped 29 shots as the Blackhawks posted a 3-1 victory Friday over the playoff-bound Predators, who concluded their regular season.

Rookie Jonathan Toews also scored and Adam Burish netted a shorthanded goal for Chicago, which was eliminated from postseason contention on Thursday.

"This was a tough game for us," Blackhawks coach Denis Savard said. "We have been on a high here for a long time, so it was tough to get up for this game without the playoffs to fight for. They are still our goal, along with winning a Stanley Cup."

Toews' 24th goal of the season at 4:52 of the first period tied the game at 1-1, and the Blackhawks pulled away later in the session on tallies by Burish and Kane.

Rich Peverley scored the lone goal for the Predators (41-32-9), who posted a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday to help them clinch a playoff spot and end the Blackhawks' postseason hopes. Nashville was guaranteed a berth when Vancouver fell to Edmonton later that night.

"Tonight was tough for us mentally," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "Last night was a very emotional night, and it took something out of us."

Peverley opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the season at 2:18 of the first. However, Chicago responded with three straight and Lalime slammed the door.

Toews knotted the contest just 2:34 after Peverley's goal, as he fired a wrist shot from the slot that beat goaltender Chris Mason.

Burish put Chicago ahead for good at 7:11, when he broke up a pass at the Blackhawks' blue line and scored on a breakaway.

Burish moved across the crease and tried to stuff the puck under Mason, who made the initial save. However, Nashville defenseman Ville Koistinen, who had been in pursuit of Burish, slid into Mason, causing the puck to come loose and slide into the net.

"It was a lucky goal, but I will take it," Burish said. "I think their defenseman knocked it in, but if anyone asks, I went top shelf."

Kane made it 3-1 at 11:09, when he redirected a pass from Patrick Sharp over the glove of Mason for his 20th of the season.

"The puck was coming at me and I tried to deflect it in off my body," Kane said. "When they reviewed it, I thought it wouldn't count. I'm glad it did."

Mason made nine saves before being replaced at 10:36 of the second by Pekka Rinne, who turned aside all eight shots he faced.

"I just wanted to split up the time between the goalies," Trotz said. "I wanted to give Rinne sometime before he goes back to Milwaukee (of the American Hockey League)."

http://www.sbrforum.com/Recaps/NHL/20080404NHL--CHICAGO---0.aspx (http://www.sbrforum.com/Recaps/NHL/20080404NHL--CHICAGO---0.aspx)

 :smoking:

Ok so the first round matchups are set. Lets get the picks started.

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Montreal Canadiens vs. No. 8 Boston Bruins

No. 2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 7 Ottawa Senators

No. 3 Washington Capitals vs. No. 6 Philadelphia Flyers

No. 4 New Jersey Devils vs. No. 5 New York Rangers

Western Conference

No. 1 Detroit Red Wings vs. No. 8 Nashville Predators

No. 2 San Jose Sharks vs. No. 7 Calgary Flames

No. 3 Minnesota Wild vs. No. 6 Colorado Avalanche

No. 4 Anaheim Ducks vs. No. 5 Dallas Stars

My picks:

Montreal d. Boston in 5

Pittsburgh d. Ottawa in 4. Ottawa is in a free fall and i just can't see them mustering much against Pittsburgh.

Washington d. Philadelphia. 5 Washington is a scary team right now. I would not want to play them at all.

New York d. New Jersey.  Rangers in 5. The rangers were 7-1 against the devils. I can't overlook that and think the devils have much chance. They can't score and Brodeur can only do so much.

Detroit d. Nashville. Detroit in 6. I think Detroit can win this one but they always seem to play sloppy in first round series so i think a let down is possible.

San Jose d. Calgary. San Jose in 5.

Minnesota d. Colorado. Minnesota in 6.

Anaheim d. Dallas in 5. I can't pick against the defending champs.

Eastern Conference

Montreal d. Boston Bruins in 6.
Pittsburgh d. Ottawa Senators in 5.
Washington d. Philadelphia Flyers in 6.
New York Rangers d. New Jersey Devils in 6.

Western Conference

Detroit d. Nashville Predators in 5.
San Jose d. Calgary Flames in 5.
Colorado d. Minnesota Wild in 6.
Anaheim d. Dallas Stars in 6.

 :smoking:

Montreal
Pittsburgh
Washington
Rangers

Detroit
San Jose
Colorado
Anehiem

008 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS - ROUND #1
     
SERIES A    TIME    
#1       vs.       #8
   Network
Thurs, April 10, 2008    7:00 PM    Boston at Montreal    CBC, RDS
Sat., April 12, 2008    7:00 PM    Boston at Montreal    CBC, RDS, VERSUS
Sun., April 13, 2008    7:00 PM    Montreal at Boston    CBC, RDS
Tues., April 15, 2008    7:00 PM    Montreal at Boston    CBC, RDS
Thurs, April 17, 2008    7:00 PM    Boston at Montreal    CBC, RDS
Sat., April 19, 2008    TBD    Montreal at Boston    CBC, RDS
Mon., April 21, 2008    TBD    Boston at Montreal    CBC, RDS
                         
SERIES B    TIME    
#2       vs.       #7
   Network
Wed., April 9, 2008    7:00 PM    Ottawa at Pittsburgh    VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Fri., April 11, 2008    7:00 PM    Ottawa at Pittsburgh    CBC, RDS
Mon., April 14, 2008    7:00 PM    Pittsburgh at Ottawa    CBC, RDS
Wed., April 16, 2008    7:00 PM    Pittsburgh at Ottawa    CBC, RDS
Sat., April 19, 2008    TBD    Ottawa at Pittsburgh    VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Sun., April 20, 2008    TBD    Pittsburgh at Ottawa    CBC, RDS
Tues., April 22, 2008    TBD    Ottawa at Pittsburgh    CBC, RDS
                         
SERIES C    TIME    
#3       vs.       #6
   Network
Fri., April 11, 2008    7:00 PM    Philadelphia at Washington    VERSUS, TSN
Sun., April 13, 2008    2:00 PM    Philadelphia at Washington    NBC, TSN
Tues., April 15, 2008    7:00 PM    Washington at Philadelphia    VERSUS, TSN
Thurs, April 17, 2008    7:00 PM    Washington at Philadelphia    VERSUS, TSN
Sat., April 19, 2008    1:00 PM    Philadelphia at Washington    NBC, TSN
Mon., April 21, 2008    TBD    Washington at Philadelphia    VERSUS, TSN
Tues., April 22, 2008    TBD    Philadelphia at Washington    TSN
                         
SERIES D    TIME    
#4       vs.       #5
   Network
Wed., April 9, 2008    7:00 PM    NY Rangers at New Jersey    TSN
Fri., April 11, 2008    7:00 PM    NY Rangers at New Jersey    TSN
Sun., April 13, 2008    7:00 PM    New Jersey at NY Rangers    VERSUS, TSN
Wed., April 16, 2008    7:00 PM    New Jersey at NY Rangers    VERSUS, TSN
Fri., April 18, 2008    7:30 PM    NY Rangers at New Jersey    TSN
Sun., April 20, 2008    TBD    New Jersey at NY Rangers    VERSUS, TSN
Tues., April 22, 2008    TBD    NY Rangers at New Jersey    TSN
                         
2008 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS - ROUND #1

   
SERIES E    TIME    
#1       vs.       #8
   Network
Thurs, April 10, 2008    7:00 PM    Nashville at Detroit    VERSUS
Sat., April 12, 2008    2:00 PM    Nashville at Detroit    NBC
Mon., April 14, 2008    TBD    Detroit at Nashville    VERSUS
Wed, April 16, 2008    TBD    Detroit at Nashville    VERSUS (JIP)
Fri., April 18, 2008    7:30 PM    Nashville at Detroit    VERSUS
Sun., April 20, 2008    3:00 PM    Detroit at Nashville    NBC
Tues., April 22, 2008    TBD    Nashville at Detroit    
                         
SERIES F    TIME    
#2       vs.       #7
   Network
Wed., April 9, 2008    10:00 PM    Calgary at San Jose    VERSUS, CBC
Thurs, April 10, 2008    10:00 PM    Calgary at San Jose    CBC
Sun., April 13, 2008    10:00 PM    San Jose at Calgary    CBC, VERSUS
Tues., April 15, 2008    10:00 PM    San Jose at Calgary    CBC
Thurs, April 17, 2008    10:00 PM    Calgary at San Jose    VERSUS, CBC
Sun., April 20, 2008    TBD    San Jose at Calgary    CBC, VERSUS
Tues., April 22, 2008    TBD    Calgary at San Jose    CBC
                         
SERIES G    TIME    
#3       vs.       #6
   Network
Wed., April 9, 2008    9:00 PM    Colorado at Minnesota    
Fri. April 11, 2008    9:00 PM    Colorado at Minnesota    VERSUS (JIP)
Mon., April 14, 2008    10:00 PM    Minnesota at Colorado    VERSUS
Tues., April 15, 2008    10:00 PM    Minnesota at Colorado    VERSUS
Thurs., April 17, 2008    9:00 PM    Colorado at Minnesota    
Sat., April 19, 2008    TBD    Minnesota at Colorado    VERSUS
Tues., April 22, 2008    TBD    Colorado at Minnesota    
                         
SERIES H    TIME    
#4       vs.       #5
   Network
Thurs, April 10, 2008    10:00 PM    Dallas at Anaheim    VERSUS, TSN
Sat., April 12, 2008    10:00 PM    Dallas at Anaheim    VERSUS, TSN
Tues., April 15, 2008    8:30 PM    Anaheim at Dallas    TSN
Thurs., April 17, 2008    8:00 PM    Anaheim at Dallas    TSN
Fri., April 18, 2008    10:30 PM    Dallas at Anaheim    VERSUS, TSN
Sun., April 20, 2008    TBD    Anaheim at Dallas    TSN
Tues., April 22, 2008    TBD    Dallas at Anaheim    TSN


I still don't like the tv schedules the nhl needs to get a better tv deal so that everyone can see every game. I am only gonna be able to see 3 of 7 ranger games.

My picks:

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Montreal Canadiens vs. No. 8 Boston Bruins

I don't really see either going all the way, although Montreal has been really consistent even after they traded their no1 goalie.. Montreal in 5.

No. 2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 7 Ottawa Senators

Hopefully this will be the year for Penguins. I'll say Pens in 5.

No. 3 Washington Capitals vs. No. 6 Philadelphia Flyers

This is a close one, but I doubt that the Flyers will be able to shut down Ovetchkin as well as they'd like. 4-3 Washington.

No. 4 New Jersey Devils vs. No. 5 New York Rangers

This is something that could go either way. The Devils were shaky against Rangers in the regular season, but I'll go with the Devils 4-2 with one away win...

Western Conference


No. 1 Detroit Red Wings vs. No. 8 Nashville Predators

No. 2 San Jose Sharks vs. No. 7 Calgary Flames

No. 3 Minnesota Wild vs. No. 6 Colorado Avalanche

No. 4 Anaheim Ducks vs. No. 5 Dallas Stars


I'll edit my post later for the Western Conference comments, but apart from Colorado, NY Rangers and Philadelphia, I don't see the away teams passing to second round..

Eastern Conference

Montreal d. Boston Bruins in 4
Pittsburgh d. Ottawa Senators in 7
Washington d. Philadelphia Flyers in 7
New York Rangers d. New Jersey Devils in 5

Western Conference

Detroit d. Nashville Predators in 5.
San Jose d. Calgary Flames in 7
Colorado d. Minnesota Wild in 4
Anaheim d. Dallas Stars in 6.

You've gotta admit, the Pens are looking good so far.   :beer:

Yeah, I think Ottawa will win atleast one of their games at home though.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

WASHINGTON (AP) -Flyers left wing Patrick Thoresen was taken to the hospital for tests after getting hit in the groin by a shot during Philadelphia's 5-4 loss to Washington on Friday night.

"He's going to the hospital to get an ultrasound done on his testicles. It's bad enough they may have to remove one," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. "Right now, we're not sure how serious it is, but there's a chance he may need surgery."

Thoresen blocked Mike Green's shot with about 6 1/2 minutes left in the game, then dropped to the ice, writhing in pain. Moments later, Washington scored to tie the game 4-4.

"Obviously, I'd have liked to see a whistle," Flyers coach John Stevens said.

Thoresen was helped off the ice and taken to the locker room.

Colorado/Minnesota has been an amazing series. Both games in OT, now tied 1-1


Minnesota were up 2-1 last night, Colorado pulled the goalie, Minny got a horribly stupid penalty.


Colorado keep Theodore pulled, 6-4 advantage, Liles shoots from the blue line, Hejduk redirects it in with under 50 seconds!

Very exciting game

Colorado turns the puck over in their defensive zone, Minnesota shoots a crazy angled shot that somehow finds the net.


This is the series I am most interested in.

I am hoping Dany Heatley can get it going against Pittsburgh but they do look unstoppable.

I'm sure they will.  For a while there, I thought they were going to pull ahead last night...

god i'da thought the Habs would've put them Bruins away.
cue the cranberries music - they let them "linger" hopefully it doesn't backfire!


edit: all is good in OT - if the Habs had lost that i'd be a bit dissapointed!

Good series between the Rangers and Devils so far. The Devils are in big trouble though. The rangers have never lost after going up 2-0 and if thats gonna change the Devils have got to get more than one puck a game against Lundvist. He is outplaying Brodeur badly

I'm watching the Anaheim Dallas series right now. Wow is Anaheim sucking bad. Where is their defense? These guys couldn't stop a beach ball. Their defensemen just stand around watching the puck they don't even try to block shots and they can't stay out of the penalty box to save their lives.

Tremendous game between the Sharks and Flames last night.

Definitely the most exciting series at the moment :beer:

Tonight ( 4/16) you will see a very focused and determined Ranger team -   

I'd say thats been true so far after one period. We got the first goal so that bodes well. The team scoring first in the first 3 games has won the game.

F*ck!   Everything looked good man, and the Devils came right back. They keep tying the game - gotta give em' credit - Good Game so far

4:43am here, and I can go to bed now with the Penguins safely through to the next round... The last one didn't come easy though, and who knows what might've happened if the kick went unnoticed and brought the Senators back to tie it 2-2...

Rangers pulled it out -  Friday night = hopefully can finish the Devs off

That Staal family must be proud of their boys - this kid is starting to look like he could be another Brian Leetch type player

I hope so. I don't want a game 6 even though it would be at home. Yeah those Staal brothers are all very good. He is really starting to turn into a great defensemen. I thought it was just great that it was Gomez that put the final dagger in the devils heart to put the game away.

Definitely - Brilliant play by Gomez -  I was getting scared untill about 6-7 minutes left in the 3rd and it looked like the Blueshirts just went into a different level and the Devs could not keep up. Avery almost put that one in right before the Staal goal too.

Yeah i don't know how the hell Avery missed that one. He just couldn't seem to lift it up off the ice. I honestly thought it was in. Gomez and Drury coming up with big goals. We've seen this before, thankfully they are doing it for us now not against.

I know it. I remember this time last year, we were finishing off Atlanta and talking about upsetting Buffalo -  That Buffalo team was loaded too.  It sucks that they could'nt keep their players, but I'm glad Drury is here

Me too. I hope he will have several more to add to the one he had yesterday.

I said this already but Drury and Gomez scoring big goals we've seen this before and thank god its for us now!

How about those Bruins?!

Go Bruins

If they pull this off, then the re-seeding factor could give the Rangers home-ice in a matchup vs Philly ( if they move on)

I'm also hoping for Bruins to pull it off, as it would give the Pens a possible home ice advantage all the way through the eastern conference.

What's with Game 7 of the Philly/Washington series being played the NEXT night?

That's the way it should be, get these series over with already.  The NHL has the right idea.  The NBA is ridiculous with 2 days off in between games in the same city.  If anything the NHL should have that kind of layoff because it's a much more strenuous game.  But I like the back to back nights, there should be more of that.

Completely agree. I want to get the next round started. By the time it starts we'll have a few teams waiting around for days or even a week.

I can understand them having a few back-to-backs... but between Game 6 and 7?  Give them one day to regroup !

Yeah I hear you, they probably should have a day to regroup.  It's the NBA that pisses me off, no reason for the long layoffs there.

Well so much for the bruins pulling it off and the flyers didn't finish off the capitals so second round is still completely up in the air. If the caps win the rangers play montreal ugh.

Yeah, Boston fans all of a sudden remembered the Bruins again and got excited there for a couple days.  So much for that, attention shifts back to the Sox and the C's.  Not a bad showing though I guess for an 8 seed, although losing 5-0 in game 7 is a little unimpressive.

The Bruins just couldn't get anything going offensively, and their defense was absolutely atrocious.

Fuck that

I say bring on the Habs

Pittsburgh is a deadlier team , imo

Montreal letting Boston take them 7 is a sign

We'll deal with Pitt in a couple of weeks!

Thats true they haven't been great recently but i just think back to the season when we blew that 5 goal lead against them. I think the pens deadliness is a little misleading. They killed a team that limped into the playoffs riddled with injuries.

I am an NBA fanatic but I must admit, I turned off the NBA game and am watching Game 7 of washington/Philly

What a fantastic game.

Sergei Federov had the game winner but just whiffed on Ovechkin's pass after that amazing steal he pulled off.

I cant imagine getting to see Pittsburgh/Washington in the 2nd round.

I will watch every minute of every game if that series happens.

Well second round in the east is set. Montreal v. Philadelphia Pittsburgh v. Rangers.

Ok second round is set and starts tomorrow lets get our picks in

Eastern Conference

Montreal v. Philadelphia Montreal in 5

Pittsburgh v. New York Rangers in 6. I can't pick against my team. This should be a good hard fought series.


Western Conference

Detroit v. Colorado Colorado in 6.

San Jose v. Dallas San Jose in 7.

Montreal > Philadelphia in 5

Pittsburgh > New York in 5

Detroit > Colorado in 6

Dallas > San Jose in 6

 :)

NYR  - PITT   -  RANGERS IN 6

MONTREAL -  PHILLY  -  MONTREAL IN 7

DALLAS - SAN JOSE  -  SAN JOSE IN 5

DETROIT - COLOR  -  DETROIT  IN  4

NOBODY'S picking the Flyers over the Canadians in an upset, eh?

Yeah, I know...Montreal is really that good...but I can't believe SOMEONE isn't gonna pick the Flyers just because they're a Philly team trying to win a championship.

I think an upset of Montreal is possible they did get taken to a game 7 but i still think they pull it out against the flyers. Now in the conference finals against the rangers or piitsburgh i think they could be in serious trouble.

And the league and refs continue to jerk off to sidney crosby and decide the game instead of the players. Sid dives and its interference. Doesn't the league know that everyone outside of pittsburgh hates this stupid kid and doesn't even want him in the playoffs?

I don't think a penalty was necessary, but I really don't think it was a dive either. It was an interference by this season's standards from what I saw ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVYctha2YQ0 ), but usually refs don't call those in the playoffs with that little time left on the clock.

That said, the Rangers did manage to fuck it up all on their own. You don't let a team come back from 3-0.

Yeah that first one the pens got was a complete fluke off a ranger but the others. The game winner was a little questionable too but 3 of the 5 they just shouldn't have let happen. I still think it was a shitty call in a tied game with that little time left. Just let them play and decide it don't help one team decide a game that late. You're right they usually don't call those but you know bettman's love affair with crosby can't let ANYTHING go when he's involved.

I have all the confidence in the world that the Rangers will bounce back and take the next 2 games at home

Bold Prediction ( and I'll accept the abuse if wrong!) -  Rangers 6 -2 in Game 3

Can't wait

I know we can win the games at home but we have gotta find a way to steal game 5 or 7 at the mellon. We've only won once there all season i think.

Yeah... Pittsburgh went 0-3-1 at New York and 3-0-1 at home against the Rangers if I remember correctly.

I do look forward to the games in NY, but I'm a bit worried about the chances of getting an away win there.

The series looks really tight, and if the Penguins play a bit more defensive game away, I think it'll only benefit the Rangers. And while keeping the home ice advantage is enough, it's not too secure..

Timothy - based on the fact that we should have won the first game and a fast whistle keeping us from tying Game 2 late, what makes you think we cannot go into that arena and win?  I think we can, that's for sure.

Yeah should've but should've doesn't matter now. I'm not all that confident about game 3 either after one period.

As a Pens fan, I'm surprised by what I'm seeing here.  Who would've thought?

We'll see what happens in period 2...

Again, they shoot, they score. It's not what I'm used to seeing with Henrik.  Here's hoping the next 2 periods are different  :'(

So the Pens kill two - TWO - five-on-threes, and then we still end up tied 5 minutes later.

Crazy stuff.

Reading what you Rangers fans post, cracks me the hell up..

It was all the same last year in round two: "Lucky, Close, Should Have, Fast Whistle"  :rofl:

Ugh the rangers are out playing the pens in this whole series except where it counts the most the scoreboard.

What do you want ?  Ooohh, that Crosby's great?  Wow that Malkin? 

  We had a chance to win each game and it did'nt happen -  Tonight the Rangers did not deserve to win, period.  Game 1 ( if you actually watched it) was ours. Game 2 , did you not see that whistle play?  Ref blew it without even noticing that the puck was not in Fleury's control. Sorry, but get yourself a clue before you speak.

Not knocking the Pens - they are too fast, too explosive and we can't keep up, but you can't deny the obvious fact that this series should not be 3-0 right now.

I really don't think we played as bad as you think tonight. We kept them without shots on goal for very long stretches. Most of the goals they scored were not far apart. We made some stupid defensive mistakes but so did the pens. The worst thing we did is not scoring on the consecutive 5 on 3 pp's. Thats simply inexcusable. We score goals there we maybe win this game. But your right we definitely deserve a better fate then what we have down 3-0. Defense has got to be a priority in the offseason for this team. We have the weapons on offense but we give the puck up too much. I don't know who we could get from free agency on defense or who else might be ready to make the team from the minors defensively but we have got to improve cause we just can't hold leads.

Didnt see game 1 so I dunno...

That whistle was a early, but i've seen worse, plus when it happens to the Rangers I have no problem with it.. Its a rule that needs to be changed tho...

Trust me, if you dont give the Pens credit I dont give a crap, they're not my team..... But they are 7-0 thus far

I'm just going off all of the excuses people around here had last year VS the sabres, the same ones as this year... I wish I could have heard you guys, the 7 straight years they missed the playoffs  :hihi:

I'LL GO SLOW FOR YA  : ok:  GAME 1......UP 3-0    ( not making any excuses there)
GAME 2:  Refs blew a whistle when they should'nt have....Pens next goal was an empty netter....get the point?......Game should have been tied
GAME 3:  No excuses -  We lost, and could'nt stop them

So, once again, you're laughing about us NYR fans making excuses.......but I don't believe any were made except for the obvious whistle one

On a side note, Jagr basically said the Rangers would be winning this next game :confused:

Well of course he's gonna say that. Its not like we have a choice any longer. Either win now or we go home.

Coma:

The whistle sucks, but get over it... They still woulda lost...

Relax its not just you i'm talking about, all rangers fans  :peace:

I'm over it...trust me

Just focusing on the next game

Never say die!

HOLY SHIIIIIIITE!!!!!!!!!!

NY Radio Stations are reporting that Sean Avery was taken to the Hospital last night -  passed out - possible cardiac arrest????

If I hear more, I'll post it

haha hope he's kinda ok... but i hope hes out for at least a year

karma is a bitch  ;D

 :peace:  Yeah, if he was on another team, I'd kinda have mixed feelings  too, I admit that

Apparently he's got a ruptured spleen and is DONE LIKE DINNER - out for the year

Fuck!

^^ Yeah he should be able to play some of next season...

Who was it... Forsberg who came back for the playoffs after that, and kicked ass?

Lacerated spleen.

He's at St. Vincents...came in about 3 AM, in cardiac arrest and not breathing.

He's done for the playoffs, that's for certain...but he's doing fine and is expected to make a full recovery.

Spleens tend to heal well, and I'd bet dollars to donuts he'll be back by the beginning of next season.

No physical activity for 6 weeks-ish.  He'll be back to normal, if his case is typical, within 4 to 6 months.

Edit: Depending on severity, he could actually recover quicker.  Maybe as soon as 2 months.....the estimate above was estimating based on a severe grade of splenic laceration.

Hey Batman...that was an interesting explanation - have you had this injury or someone in your family?  Or are you a doctor or something?

NOT a doctor (or a nurse, or anything like that).

But I work in the health care industry....sort of on the IT side...for an Ivy League affiliated health care institution.

The "piece" I work for sees lots of Motor Vehicle, Motorcycle and..well..even sports related injury.   Splenic lacs are not uncommon amongst people  with that injury cause, and, while I couldn't diagnose one to save my life, I do talk with the docs, pull lots of data for research, etc.  So I have at least a passing familiarity with recovery times, etc.  Certainly in a laymans perspective, though...and NOT in a trained medical professional perspective.

Fooled me pal. You spoke like a Man in the know , that's for sure

Is a Splenic Lac caused by a hit or something, or can it just go on it's own?

Usually blunt force trauma.  Hit, Fall, whack in the back/side with a stick....something like that.  They don't just "happen on their own".  They do happen in sports sometimes...usually in football...sometimes in hockey....almost NEVER in baseball or basketball.  Heck, the only baseball one I can think of was one involving 2 outfielders colliding.

They're not as frequent as, say, the orthopedic injuries in sports.  But they're not completely out of left field, either.

Edit: Another thing:  The reason I'm thinking the lac grade is pretty severe is how quickly he was symptomatic.  Some guys, in football, go 12 to 18+ hours without realizing they're injured (or that they're THIS kind of injured...they think they pulled something or are dehydrated).  Then they start to bloat in the belly and pee tomato soup (all from the internal bleed), and realize they need to get to the ER, pronto.  He became symptomatic AND bled out enough to cause cardiac arrest in about...what....5 hours from the end of the game?  Just from my laymans logic, that would mean the lac was more severe because he was bleeding faster.  It could also just mean he took a handful of ibuprofen or worse, asprin, and his body wasn't clotting.

ESPN just reported that was false... He walked into the hospital on his own

Yup, I just read the report.  Daily News was the one with the initial report...

I certainly wasn't claiming any inside knowledge of his stay at St. Vincents....just relaying what had been reported.

That report also indicates he was simply in pain, and went with the team Doc to the hospital.  Might mean the laceration is less severe, too.  Might not...but it certainly not as bad of a sign as "3 AM, in cardiac arrest and not breathing" would be.

If I remember correctly ,the spleen is what shelved Chris Simms' career for awhile too

Yup, same type of injury...though Simms was worse.  He had to have surgery...and I'm pretty sure they removed the spleen altogether.

Edit: I checked.  Simms was ruptured, while this is a laceration.  Similar, but not EXACTLY the same,.  A rupture is MUCH worse, and ruptured spleens typically require surgery.  Lacerations (depending on grade) can often heal on their own.

Oh I know...  : ok:

That is quite the false report tho  :hihi:

I agree....sort of a BIG thing to get wrong, if they did (and it looks like they did).

but....Eh...it's the Daily News.  I guess I shouldn't be so surprised. 

The radio station was reporting that he collapsed as well, don't feel bad

RANGERS' AVERY TAKEN TO HOSPITAL WITH LACERATED SPLEEN

Sean Avery has a lacerated spleen and will be out for the remainder of the season.

The laceration was detected with a CT scan after Avery was taken to hospital directly following Game 3 with the Penguins.

"He's stable and everything is going to be okay," Rangers vice president of public relations and player recruitment John Rosasco told TSN.

Avery suffered the injury during Game 3 but the Rangers are unsure of exactly when it occurred. The winger's pain got continuously worse during the game and became more of an issue when play concluded. Team doctor, Dr. Andrew Feldman, suspected Avery had suffered an injury to his spleen and the pair were driven to hospital. Avery entered the hospital under his own power and checked in between 10:30 pm et  and 11pm et.

According to Rosasco, Avery never lost consciousness and never stopped breathing, and his condition was never considered life threatening.

The CT scan detected bleeding and the lacerated spleen and Avery is expected to remain in hospital for the next few days.

The Rangers expect Avery to make a full recovery in the off-season.

The 28-year-old winger played over 14 minutes in the Rangers 5-3 loss to the Penguins on Wednesday. He recorded one assist and had three shots on net.

During the regular season Avery picked up 15 goal and 18 assists, with a plus-6 rating over his 57 games. He has four goals and three assists in eight playoff games.

The bad news did not end with Avery. Both Chris Drury and Blair Betts were injured on Wednesday.

Drury has a torso injury and his status for Game 4 will be determined on Thursday.

Head coach Tom Renney said that Betts has likely suffered a broken jaw after taking a puck in the face on Tuesday night. The team is waiting to see if he will be able to play in Game 4.

The Rangers are down 3-0 to the Penguins in their best-of-seven series. Game 4 goes Thursday in New York.

Well i think this kills any slim chance we had of coming back in this series. We are not the same team without Avery. We lack a real toughness without him.

And the Rangers live to fight another day. They clearly dominated this one.

 :beer:

Complete game by the Rangers - Jagr really has been un-believable this series

One game at a time Timothy.......The pressure is shifting towards being on the Pens now.......

They played the end of November Rain during the second period tonight :D

We win the next one i say anything can happen. We're good at home and anything can happen in a game 7.

Wow how did i miss that.

It was a good game by the Rangers. Penguins weren't bad, except for the powerplay... Lundqvist was really solid. It might become a long series. I hope not though..

Eh hem......

Flyers are looking pretty good right now, eh?

Wait...am I allowed to use "eh" considering they're beating a Canadian team?

I hope you put some cold hard cash on the Flyers, Pilferk ;)

I did...but not enough to matter.  I bet $25 that the Flyers would win...hardly a big payday.

And I have to admit...I'm not exactly a Flyers fan.  I just like to root for the underdog....and I like the Flyers/Philly mystique when it comes to pro-sports.  And heck, if they can keep the Canadians from catching up to my vaunted Yanks in number of Championships won in professional sports...all the better.

My Dad hates the Habs just because they pretty much always won the cup back in his days of youth, so if Philly wins, they're essentially his new favorite team :hihi:

the flyers - canadiens series has been incredible. there's nothing more stressful in sports than playoff hockey.

Guy Carbonneau is a little bitch.

this series is far from over. back to back games saturday and sunday. it's gonna be intense.  

Montreal didn't seem to play one game right.... No wonder they're out.





/jarmo

Thats what they get for rioting after ROUND 1  :rofl:

In last night's game, was it three goals in three minutes or something?

 :no:



/jarmo

About an hour away from the Rangers Game

If they pull this off today......Look out

0-2 after the second.. A really lucky break for the Penguins not getting the 2+2 from the high stick. Sure he didn't do it on purpose, but still.. The rules are very clear. Ruutu being a real pain in the ass for Jagr. Always on the edge of the rules, tonight more outside than in. Hopefully he tones it down in the third.

and just like that it's 2 all.. wow..

:wave: <-------Rangers

My heart was racing like crazy during the overtime. Shots 40 - 22, a pretty much deserved win. Some questionable officiating again. Lundqvist was amazing again. Player of the game by far for the Rangers.

Agreed.  Personally, the shots speak for themselves.  The Pens dominated the game, except for that unbelievable 3 minute period that tied the it at 2-2.  From the time overtime started until they scored, the Penguins seemed to have all the momentum.  Can't wait to see what happens with the Flyers...

Agreed completely about LUndvist. He was a lot better then his goals against will indicate. A lot of those goals you just can't blame on him. He can't do it all himself. He needs help from his defense. If the rangers get better on defense this offseason they are gonna be pretty scary i think.

the Battle of Pennsylvania. this should be great.

what the flyers have done is unbelievable. they were the worst team in the league last year. and it wasn't even close - the second worse team had 11 more points than them. and now they are in the conference finals.

all the pressure is on the Pens. AND they tanked the last game of the regular season just so they wouldn't have to face the flyers. the philly sports page headline was perfect...

"Tank's for Nothing"

 :rofl:

I think it's weird that it's always reported as a sure fact that the Pens tanked the last game of the season on purpose. The game ended 2-0 with the last goal scored a little less than a minute left in the game (can't remember if it was an empty netter). The shots were 22-20 to Philadelphia's (who was the home team) favor. I really didn't see it as such a bad result. Or were the Flyers trying to lose the game as well?

I know that some of the Penguins don't really like playing the Flyers, so I'm not counting it out that they lost on purpose. But the ones whining about it back then seemed to be Philly fans and their coach. So was their coach crying about how they were the ones who wanted to lose the game?


I agree with sandman. The series should be great, and all pressure will be on the Penguins. And I'm sure Sid and Malkin will be targeted. Sid for the way he plays and Malkin for the comments he's made about playing against Philadelphia.

What Philadelphia has done this season has been amazing, but I'm hoping this will be the end of it.

I watched every bit of Dallas/SanJose last night and it was one of the most exciting games I have seen.  4 OT's!!!!! It was crazy with all sorts of amazing saves.

SJ were victim of the penalty and couldnt hold on



Still though, I was on the edge of my seat the entire overtimes.

Ok, time for me to shut up now

I can honestly say, that after this series - the better team won.

Plus, I think they will knock Philly out in 5 or 6 games

check your box score and let me know how many shots crosby had on goal in that final game of the season.  :hihi:

but i agree....i don't think they totally tanked it, but winning was not a priority for them. i believe that was their own words. but coaches and players in the league believe they tanked it.

one of the flyers-pens games back in november was filled with fights. these two teams hate each other.

Tanking games and playing out the string of "meaningless" games are 2 different things.  I don't know the specifics, but if that game meant nothing as far as playoff seeding to the Pens, then I wouldn't see that as a big deal.  Lots of teams rest guys down the stretch to be rested for the playoffs.

I think you're right but man i'm hoping you are wrong. I want the flyers to beat the snot out of that crybaby.

Well, it wasn't meaningless in the sense that had the Penguins won that game they would've won the eastern conference and would've faced the Flyers already in the first round. Instead they rested Crosby who'd just come out from an injury and ended up second. It was meaningless in the sense that now they'll face the Flyers anyway. The only difference is that now the Flyers were allowed to play two more rounds of playoff hockey.. ;)

So what's everyone's picks for the conference finals? Here's mine

Detroit d. Dallas in 7. I would love to see Dallas win this but i think Detroit is just too good too well balanced of a team

Philadelphia d. Pittsburgh in 6. I honestly think this one could go either way but i'm picking philly cause my pride won't let me pick the pens.  :hihi:
 

Detroit d Dallas in 5.  Detroit's been just amazing ever since Osgood took over, and I don't see Dallas winning more than 2. Propably one.
Pittsburgh d Philadelphia in 5. Here's to hoping...  :beer:

Flyers in 7.

Detroit in 6.

Penguins in 6.

Stars in 6.

Penguins in 5

Wings in 6

Wow only one of us picking the stars. I know i didn't pick them either but i really hope i'm wrong with my pick. If i can't have my rangers in the finals i'll take the next best thing my local team.

Dallas and Detroit is going to be an incredible series :beer:

Pens in 7
Stars in 6

MAPLE LEAFS FIRE HEAD COACH PAUL MAURICE
When Cliff Fletcher took over the GM responsibilities from John Ferguson Jr., he promised there would be changes to the organization. Those changes began today.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired coach Paul Maurice.

"My objective is to create the best environment possible for the next Leafs general manager to bring in his own staff and to create a new culture around the team," Fletcher said in a statement.

"Since the season ended we've spent considerable time evaluating our organization and how best to move it forward. Paul has been in a difficult position for several months. Making this decision now also provides the best opportunity for Paul to pursue all options potentially open to him."

The move didn't come as a surprise to Maurice, who sensed that his job could be in jeopardy after after another disappointing season that saw the Maple Leafs miss the playoffs for the second straight season.

"You know the way the season ended up and the changes that are going to take place on the team," Maurice told The Canadian Press from his Toronto home. "So I was very aware that it was a possibility.

"I can't say that I was surprised."

Maurice had one year remaining on his original three-year contract.

"You don't take it nearly as personally I don't think," said Maurice. "It's always a very difficult thing because it's a competition every day and when you lose that competition it's difficult. The fact of the matter is, the first time is more difficult."

Maurice spoke to NHL Insider Darren Dreger Wednesday morning and said that he was thankful that the Maple Leafs let him go now, rather than three months from now, making things easier for his family and allowing him to jump back in the NHL as a head coach.

As for the timing of the announcement, Dreger noted that there are two schools of thought circulating.

"One might be, whether a manager has been hired and he doesn't want the bloodletting," Dreger said.  "Or two, it's Cliff Fletcher holding onto the position moving into next year."

Fletcher had previously been non-committal about Maurice's future with the club, saying only that Maurice's fate would be decided by the incoming GM.

"There will be discussions, but you can be sure of one thing," Fletcher told the Canadian Press. "The person coming in is going to be a strong hockey person and he's going to have very definite opinions of his own."

But during the press conference Wednesday at the Air Canada Centre, Flether stressed the importance of providing the new GM and the organization with a fresh start.

"This is a start of a new era for the Maple Leafs," said Fletcher. "This is all part and parcel of that."

"The team missed the playoffs the last two years. A new regime is coming in place and I think when you bring in a new regime they bring their own people. It's just common sense."

The Leafs also shook up the rest of the coaching staff. Assistant coach Randy Ladouceur has been let go, while assistant coach Dallas Eakins has been offered a non-coaching position elsewhere in the organization. Keith Acton will remain as an assistant coach.

Maurice, 41, originally joined the Maple Leafs orginization June 24, 2005 as head coach of Toronto's AHL affiliate the Toronto Marlies. He was promoted to the Maple Leafs on May 12, 2006 following Pat Quinn's dismissal.

In two seasons with Toronto, Maurice compiled a 76-66-22 record. The Leafs have now missed the playoffs for three straight years, something that hasn't happened since 1928.

Before joining the Leafs, Maurice, a native of Sault Ste. Marie, spent eight seasons with the Harford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes franchise. His best season came in 2001-2002 when he took the Hurricanes to Stanley Cup Finals, defeating the Maple Leafs along the way.

Maurice is expected to address the media Thursday at 10:30am et/7:30am pt.

the upsets are over. the two best teams will meet in the finals.

Pens in 6
Wings in 6

Timonen is out for the flyers. that is a devastating loss. he's their best D, has been one of their best players in the playoffs, and was arguably the most important player heading into this series.

philly, and especially the flyers, are snake-bitten. the same thing happened in 2004 when Rico went down with an injury and we lost in the conference finals to TB in 7 games.

then there was lindros in 2001, premieau in 2005, gagne this year. it's just unreal. 

i was predicting the pens, but really thought the flyers had a good shot at pulling the upset. now, there is very little chance of that happening. 

Given the injury to Timonen....I think my pick isn't looking so good right now.

I tend to agree.  We'll have to see if the tide turns in Philly tomorrow night...

Sharks fire Wilson following second-round exit from playoffs
Associated Press

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Sharks fired coach Ron Wilson on Monday after the team's latest disappointing early ouster from the Stanley Cup playoffs.
   Ron Wilson
Ron Wilson went 206-134-45 in 385 games with San Jose.

Wilson, hired by the club in December 2002, is the Sharks' leader in wins and winning percentage, but San Jose only advanced past the second round of the postseason once with him behind the bench.

The Sharks were the No. 2 seed in this year's Western Conference playoffs, but were eliminated in the second round by the Dallas Stars after falling into a 3-0 hole. In four-plus seasons, Wilson -- the sixth coach in team history -- went 206-134-45 in 385 games.

San Jose earned two Pacific Division titles, including this season when the Sharks went 49-23-10, under Wilson and reached the Western Conference finals in 2004 before falling to upstart Calgary.

In four-plus seasons, Wilson -- the sixth coach in team history -- went 206-134-45 in 385 regular-season games.

"Ron helped foster a new era in San Jose Sharks hockey with some record-setting, regular-season performances," general manager Doug Wilson said in a statement. "However, ultimately we have decided that it is time for a different voice and a different approach to lead this team.

"We are proud of what we've accomplished as an organization, but we feel that this team is capable of achieving greater success."

Wilson is the franchise leader in postseason games, posting a 28-24 mark in 52 games. In addition to the appearance in the conference finals, Wilson also led the Sharks to the second round in his final three seasons as coach.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3392749

I know we're still in the third period here, but the writing's on the wall.  Flyers = done.

Agree, same goes for the stars. I think a sweep in both series is likely. How boring of a conference finals i hope the stanley cup finals are more competitive.

Pittsburgh - Detroit has the makings of one of the best Stanley Cup Matchups in recent history

I can't wait

While it is likely that the two finalists will be Detroit and Pittsburgh.. I don't want to say anything for too sure before they both have the fourth W under their belts from these series'.

Penguins played really well. Incredibly disciplined hockey. I liked what I saw. I hope they can bag it up in 4, because it looks like the Red Wings will, and I wouldn't want to give them any more time to rest than the Penguins.

GO PENS!

Lidstr?m is going to rise the cup

GO PENS Indeed!  It's a good time to be a Pittsburgh fan.  Hopefully, we wrap in 4 tomorrow...

The pens are really surprising me. You rarely see such a young team play such disciplined hockey.

...until they crumble like they did last night.  Seriously, what was that?!?!   I just hope they got all that "suck" out in last night's game so they can wrap the series on Sunday.

Wow.

Yeah they sure didn't show up to play hockey last night thats for sure.

With 5-0 at the end of the second, I'd say they showed up today.   :beer:

Yes yes they sure did. I really didn't think they would blow a 3 game lead. Detroit i'm not so sure about though.

Hey, give the Stars some credit. They have crawled back from the dead. They have a shot at home tomorrow to make it 3-3 and then anything can happen, as they say. The AAC (American Airlines Center) is not as raucous as some arenas, but still, it is home ice. The determining factor is whether my friend watches the game with or not at my house. When we watch together, they lose, and when we don't, they win. I am kidding, but seriously, if Turco can play like he has the last 2 games then I like the Stars changes. Go Stars!!

I was gonna say if you were being serious watch the game in your own homes lol. I really wanna see the stars come back in this. If i can't have my rangers in the finals ill take my second favorite team the stars.

Well, that was different from game 4... :)

wow.. Bring on the.. well whoever... Should be good!

Whoever the pens get in the stanley cup finals it should be very good. Those are two damn good teams out in the west.

The Penguins propably wish to have Stars out there because it would (if I'm not mistaken) give them the home advantage, but somehow I think the Red Wings might make for even a better final series... But we'll see..

Well i think its safe to say Dallas is in big trouble.

Detroit it is...

As a Penguins fan I'm already excited about the fact that they're in the finals. Hope they're still hungry for the Cup! Can't wait for saturday.

I think this is going to be a great finals. I look for this to be a long one that can go either way.

So who's everyone like to win this thing?

I'm gonna go with Detroit in 7. I'm mostly hoping it goes 7 so i can see the last 4 games in HD since time warner in my area doesn't have versus HD yet.

I'm going to be an optimist and say Pittsburgh in 6!!

I'd try to out-optimist you and say Pittsburgh in 5, but I'm not sure I can be quite so hopeful.  Either way, I want to see the Pens get the cup.  Can't wait for Saturday...

  :beer:  :peace: : ok:


I'd like to say Pens

But realistically Detroit in 6

CANUCKS AGREE TO TERMS ON EXTENSION FOR VIGNEAULT

The Vancouver Canucks have agreed to terms on an extension with head coach Alain Vigneault that keeps him under contract through the 2009-10 season.

GRANATO RETURNS TO HEAD COACHING JOB WITH AVALANCHE

The Colorado Avalanche announced Thursday that the club has appointed Tony Granato as the team's head coach.  Granato previously served in the role from 2002-2004.With Granato behind the bench, the Avalanche compiled a record of 72-33-17-11, giving him the top coaching mark in franchise history based on points percentage (.647).  Granato owns a .605 career winning percentage as an NHL head coach (72-44-17), the second highest in franchise history.  "We're extremely pleased to announce Tony Granato as the Avalanche's head coach," said general manager Francois Giguere in a statement. "Tony has gained tremendous coaching experience over the last five seasons behind the Avalanche bench.  He has great knowledge of our depth chart, a strong admiration for our players and really enjoys working with the organization's young and talented group of athletes."

BLACKHAWKS SIGN BYFUGLIEN, BURISH AND WISNIEWSKI

The Chicago Blackhawks re-signed left wing Dustin Byfuglien, right wing Adam Burish and defenceman James Wisniewski on Wednesday.

ROENICK SIGNS ONE-YEAR DEAL WITH SHARKS

TSN has learned that the San Jose Sharks have re-signed veteran forward Jeremy Roenick to a one-year contract. TSN has learned that the contract is worth roughly $1 million, or slightly more than twice what he earned last season, however the paper work on the contract must still get approval from the NHL.

STARS SIGN HULL, JACKSON TO CONTRACT EXTENSIONS

DALLAS - The Dallas Stars are taking the interim tag off co-general managers Brett Hull and Les Jackson. The NHL team said Thursday that Hull and Jackson have signed contracts to remain in their positions through the 2010-11 season. They were named interim co-GMs last November after Doug Armstrong was fired.

To all Stars fans--the loss to Detroit is my fault. My friend and I watched the game at my house. (lol)
To NHL fan--it's going to be a great series. I would love to see Pitt win, but my brain says Red Wings in 5.
But watch out for the Stars next year!

Damn you man! lol j/k!

I'm going to wait until tonight to get a feel for how things might realistically play out.  I'm hoping there will be some great matchups...

a fair weather fan huh? pick a side  :P

i say detroit in 6....they just have too much experience over the pens...

this will be a great experience for the pens though...so many young players it'll be like the first time the oilers played the islanders back in the 82/83 finals

Oh, I've picked a side.  I'm a Pens fan through and through....I just wanted to see how game one went before I would realistically predict the series.  At this point, I'm still hopeful that the Pens can make a turn-around.  They were out-classed tonight, that's for sure.

Excellent news :smoking:

Pens are in serious trouble in this series.

Agreed.  I'm a huge Pens fan, but "postponing the inevitable" is the phrase that comes to mind.

Yeah Osgood has to be in their heads and making them wonder if they're gonna score at all. The inexperience is really showing in this series. They will be back though they are too good of a team to not get more chances at a cup.

I'm still not ready to count them out as of yet.  I hope they win one.  Hell, I hope they score once!   You're right, they'll be back.  I just wish they didn't look so totally outclassed so far.  Given the talent they have, it's a bit on the embarrassing side.

Yeah i think its mostly the experience thing. I'm seeing them compared to the 83 oilers a lot. That was a great team but lacked experience and got killed in the 83 finals but we all know what happened after that year.

This is pretty much it.. a win here, and there's a chance..

And now that we're 2-1, I'll just say I'm "cautiously optimistic."  I hope the Pens can pull this one off.

Yeah looking good so far for the pens.

undisciplined penalties from Gill... And the second one cost the Penguins. One goal lead, but several great opportunities. Hope the series will be 2-1 after the game.

Now that was a goal. Right off Osgoods ass.

that was a great game  :beer:

A different team showed up to play, that's for sure.   They *really* needed that first goal, you know?  Gill's penalties aside, I hope the Pens can keep this home-ice momentum going into Saturday...

I was gettin ready to go to bed and decided to watch the first five minutes of the 3rd period...I couldnt turn it off I stayed to watch the end...That was some of the best end to end hockey I have ever seen...what a great game...and how could Roberts not be a star? Cherry was right

CANUCKS BLUELINER BOURDON KILLED IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Luc Bourdon was killed in a motorcycle accident in northern New Brunswick on Thursday. He was 21.

Bourdon, a promising young defenceman who played his junior hockey with the Moncton Wildcats, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Val d'Or Foreurs of the QMJHL, split his first pro season in 2007-08 between Vancouver and the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose.

He scored two goals and was a plus-7 in 27 games with the Canucks last season.

"Luc was a winner, he was a competitor," said Kent Hughes, his agent. "There was no quit in him. He persevered through a lot. He was a great guy and a great teammate."

Hughes added that he never knew about his client's new hobby. "I had no idea," he explained to CKNW in Vancouver. "Another client of ours Kris Letang said Luc let him know he was riding his dad's motorcycle with some friends a week or two ago. I have since been told - though I don't know - that he actually bought a motorcycle two days ago."

The Shippagan, New Brunswick native was drafted 10th overall by the Canucks in 2005 and was among the last pre-season cuts at training camp just a few months later.

He was an integral part of Brent Sutter's gold medal-winning squad in the 2006 World Junior Hockey Championship, posting six points in six games and earning a spot on the tournament all-star team. His dream season continued when the Eagles dealt him to Moncton and he helped lead Ted Nolan's Wildcats to the 2006 Memorial Cup.

Bourdon signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Canucks that spring and played a nine-game stint with the team to start the following season. He was then returned to the QMJHL and helped lead Canada win its third straight gold medal at the world juniors.

"We are deeply saddened by today's news and on behalf of the entire Vancouver Canucks organization, I would like to extend my sincere sympathies to Luc's family," said Canucks general manager Mike Gillis in a statement.

"Luc was an extremely talented player with a bright future. He brought great passion to the game and was a valued team member on and off the ice. He will be greatly missed."

Well i think this thing is just about over. I can't see Pittsburgh beating Detroit 3 straight.

Neither can I.  Pittsburgh simply can't generate what they need offensively at this point.   I think we're heading into the final game at this point...sigh.

Yeah detroit is just proving too good defensively. The way they control the puck is just outstanding they just don't let the penguins have it long enough to generate anything usually.

and ozzy is coming up with the saves when they need them

i've always thought Osgood was a great goalie i was kinda bummed when they traded him...and was pretty excited to see him come back  :beer:

Dallas Drake is another...and McCarty obviously

Yeah osgood has been big. I would be shocked if he isn't the conn smythe winner after its over.

Well, i'm a newer NHL fan, but I definatley will be watching parts of this game 5.

I hope Pitt can pull it out. Lets go Penguins!!!

I don't like the Red Wings, there just that media darling I can't stand.

Just out of curiosity, anyone here who has HDTV did nbc have trouble with their HD feed for you too during the last game? During the second period the picture froze and when it came back on the rest of the game was in 4:3 not 16:9. I'm wondering if it was just a local nbc affiliate problem or national.

Wow if this ends up being the last game what a game it has been.

Yes indeed, a true classic :beer:

I can't describe that game any other way then WOW! I can't believe Detroit lost that. They basically dominated most of the game.

Holy fuck, I'm tired.

no doubt

Me too i was tired just watching them. I can only imagine how they felt.

I can't believe the Pens blew a 2 point lead like they did, let alone tied it up with 35 seconds left, LET ALONE ended up winning in triple overtime.  If nothing else, that was an amazing game overall.  How exhausted they must be, and they have to start all over again in 36 hours....

Great game guys! I watched the 2nd period till the end.

Long night. Great game.

So glad the Pens won, so glad!

Crosby had 2 assists but it was Talbot or whatever at the end of regulation that gave them a chance..

and might I mention Fleury, had a "few" saves  :hihi:

Haha a few saves thats putting it mildly.

Indeed.  I'm trying not to get over-excited about this whole deal.  Although I'd love to see a game seven at this point, I'm just happy to see the Pens play in Pittsburgh one more time...

I'd love to see a game 7. What an ending to a great series that would be.

The game is tonight on NBC @ 8pm cnt time.

Lets go Pens!!!!

I predict the Pens win this game and force a dramatic game 7 in Detroit.

Pitt - 4 Det - 2

I can't bring myself to make a prediction, but I hope you're right.  If nothing else, I hope it's a game that's anywhere near exciting as game 5 was...

I'm a huge Pens fan, but I think Detroit takes game 6 and the Cup, 4-1 final.

I have to agree, game 6 seems to be the toughest game to win for teams down 3-2. You just rarely see them win it.

Man, did I get my hopes up on that last shot.  An exciting ending, overall. 

Yeah good series, good teams, Detroit was the better team.

The consistency with the calls is flukey.

That last shot was so so so close. 2 inches to the right and it's a goal.

Good job Detroit, even though i hate them

One personal mistake by Orpik on the third goal and a bad decision by Fleury on the second. That was enough to seal the deal for Detroit.

It was an extremely entertaining series for the last 4 games... Can't be too disappointed with the performance the Penguins gave.

And there's always next year. This was an amazing year to be a Penguins fan. First time in 16 years to make it to the cup finals.

Bring on 2008-2009... :)

Congrats Detroit.

More Malkin and maybe Pittsburgh win it.

Did Detroit just make a conscious effort to eliminate him from the game or did he just not show up?


Happy to see my man Marian Hossa show up and have a great playoff.

NHLratings were up HUGE in the US though and thats a great sign.

cant wait to the draft.

hopefully my thrashers pick up a gem!

we need DEFENSE or a center to pair with Kovy.

nice

FLYERS SHIP PROSPAL'S RIGHTS BACK TO LIGHTNING

The Philadelphia Flyers announced Wednesday that they have traded the rights to forward Vaclav Prospal to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a seventh round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and a conditional pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. "Vinny really didn't express much of an interest in coming back and playing for us next season," said General Manager Holmgren in making the announcement. "His heart is elsewhere."

MAPLE LEAFS ACQUIRE F MAYERS FROM BLUES


The Toronto Maple Leafs added some toughness Thursday, acquiring right wing Jamal Mayers from the St. Louis Blues for a third-round pick in this weekend's draft. Mayers, a Toronto native, skated in 80 games for St. Louis this past season, collecting 12 goals and 27 points along with 91 penalty minutes.


BLUES ACQUIRE MASON FROM PREDATORS

St. Louis Blues have acquired goaltender Chris Mason from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 4th round draft choice, 111th overall, in the 2008 Entry Draft.
 
PREDATORS INK ELLIS TO TWO-YEAR DEAL

After dealing Chris Mason to the St. Louis Blues for a fourth round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft, the club has signed Dan Ellis to a two-year, $3.5 million contract. The deal will see Ellis make $1.5 million in 2008-09, followed by $2 million in 2009-10.

PANTHERS TRADE CAPTAIN JOKINEN TO COYOTES

The Florida Panthers have traded centre and team captain Olli Jokinen to the Phoenix Coyotes in a draft-day deal announced Friday at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa. The Coyotes sent defencemen Nick Boynton and Keith Ballard along with a second-round pick (49th overall) in this year's draft. Jokinen, 29, had 34 goals and 37 assists in 82 games for the Panthers last season. The Finnish star leaves Florida as the franchise's all-time leader in goals (188), assists (231) and points (419).

FLAMES ACQUIRE CAMMALLERI, SHIP TANGUAY TO HABS

The Flames acquired forward Mike Cammalleri from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for the 17th overall pick in this year's draft and their 2009 second round pick. That deal was a three-way trade that saw LA deal the 17th selection and its 28th pick to Anaheim for the Ducks 12th overall pick in this year's draft. Calgary also dealt forward Alex Tanguay to Montreal for the Canadiens 25th pick. In Cammalleri, the Flames get a player who notched 34 goals and 80 points just two seasons ago for the Kings. This past season Cammalleri battled injuries and wound up with 19 goals and 28 assists in 63 games.

OTTAWA -- David Carle was a lock to be drafted at some point during the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, but a promising career has been stopped before really getting a chance to start.

Carle was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the walls of the heart that has been cited in the sudden death of young athletes.

Through his agent, Kurt Overhardt, Carle informed all 30 teams of his diagnosis and his decision to no longer play hockey.

Yet, the Tampa Bay Lightning used their final pick, No. 203, to select Carle.

"It was a selection made by our new owner, Oren Koules," said Jay Feaster, the Lightning GM. "He did some discussions with some people, but he came and asked us if we would make that pick. He said the young man worked his whole life to be in a position to be drafted today. He wanted us to make the pick and that's why we did it."

heartbreaking story, honorable thing to do

And so very rare in this day and age.  That's fantastic that they did that, for all involved.

NIEDERMAYER TO RETURN WITH DUCKS NEXT SEASON

Scott Niedermayer is returning for one more season. Niedermayer and Anaheim Ducks general manager Brian Burke met briefly Thursday morning at which point the 34-old-defenceman informed Burke he will return for the final year of his contract. ''I had a great time last season after returning to the team,'' said Niedermayer. ''I'm excited about having another opportunity to win, and fully expect this team to be competing for another Stanley Cup next spring.''
Last month, the Ducks reportedly gave Niedermayer and soon-to-be free agent winger Teemu Selanne a late-June deadline to make their intentions on next season known. ''It's no secret what Scotty has meant to this organization over the past three years,'' Burke said in a statement. ''Needless to say, we are thrilled he's returning to play for the upcoming season.'' After the Ducks' Stanley Cup win in 2007, Niedermayer contemplated retirement and did not play for the team until Dec. 16. Last season, Niedermayer played in 48 regular season games scoring eight goals with 25 points and a minus-2 rating.

SALARY CAP IN THE NHL GOING UP FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT SEASON

The salary cap in the NHL is going up again. Sources tell TSN that for the 2008-09 season, the salary cap will rise to a maximum of $56.7-million. That is a $6.4-million increase from this past season when the cap was set at $50.3-million. The lower limit also rose to $40.7 million, the minimum each of the 30 teams must spend on player salaries. The most an NHL player can earn in a new contract next season is $11.34 million a year. This is the fourth straight season the salary cap has risen since the end of the NHL lockout when the cap was set at $39-million.

PREDATORS SIGN WEBER TO THREE-YEAR, $13.5 MILLION DEAL
REPORT: ROBERTS WON'T RE-SIGN WITH PITTSBURGH
REPORT: SAKIC WON'T MAKE DECISION ON FUTURE BEFORE JULY 1
MAPLE LEAFS PLACE WELLWOOD, RAYCROFT ON WAIVERS
MAPLE LEAFS BUY OUT TUCKER'S CONTRACT
REPORT: THEODORE TO TEST FREE AGENT MARKET
SHARKS SIGN PAVELSKI, ROENICK AND BOUCHER
LIGHTNING BUY OUT CONTRACT OF GOALTENDER DENIS
CANUCKS CLAIM CENTRE WELLWOOD OFF WAIVERS

LECAVALIER STAYING IN TAMPA WITH $77 MILLION DEAL

The final touches are still being worked on and nothing can be formally announced until July 1, but sources tell TSN the Tampa Bay Lightning and superstar centre Vincent Lecavalier have agreed to terms on a mega-deal that will pay him $77 million over nine years. The annual salary cap hit to the Lightning will be about $8.55 million for the length of the contract, but the final year of the contract is said to be only for about $3 million, which means that if Lecavalier retired after eight seasons, his average salary would be as much as $9.4 million. The deal comes with the expected "no-movement" clause and should guarantee that Lecavalier will finish his NHL career with the team that drafted him No. 1 overall.

You think Melrose like Vinny L?.........Guess so

FLYERS, CARTER AGREE TO $15 MILLION EXTENSION

Sources tell TSN the Philadelphia Flyers and forward Jeff Carter have officially agreed to terms on a three-year, $15 million contract extension.

FLAMES RE-SIGN LANGKOW, CONROY, NYSTROM, MCELHINNEY

The Calgary Flames announced Friday that the team has re-signed centres Craig Conroy and Daymond Langkow, left wing Eric Nystrom and goaltender Curtis McElhinney. "Conroy and Langkow are two of our top centremen who are strong role models for our team both on and off the ice," said GM Darryl Sutter in a statement. "Especially with more young wingers in our line-up next season, their experience and leadership will be important. We are happy to be able to make it work by fitting them into our salary structure."

BERTUZZI CLEARS WAIVERS; BECOMES UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT

Veteran winger Todd Bertuzzi cleared waivers on Saturday, making him unrestricted when the free agency period begins on Tuesday. Bertuzzi was reunited with Ducks general manager Brian Burke last summer after signing a two-year, $8-million deal. By going unclaimed, the team will pay two-thirds of his remaining deal.

LIGHTNING GETTING A HEAD START ON FREE AGENT SWEEPSTAKES

The Tampa Bay Lightning's new ownership group vowed to be "staggeringly aggressive' in the NHL's free agent sweepstakes and they are trying to get a head start on that. The Lightning have traded a fourth-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for the exclusive negotiating rights to forwards Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts, who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. ''We said earlier this week we would be aggressive in our pursuit of free agents in order to win and compete,'' Lightning owner Oren Koules said.  ''This trade today doesn't guarantee anything, but we believe it gives us a leg up in our attempt to sign these two impact players.'' If the Lightning were to sign Malone, the more coveted free agent of the two, Pittsburgh will receive Tampa Bay's third-round pick in 2009 or they will receive Dallas' fourth-round pick in 2009, previously acquired by the Lightning, if they are not able to sign Malone. Malone has indicated he intends to go to July 1 to see what the market would bear for his services. Whether this development changes that remains to be seen. It is more likely the Lightning may be able to sign the veteran Roberts, who said during the playoffs that he intended to play again but knew it would not be for the Penguins.

So is there anyone here thats hoping there team will sign a certain UFA player? Or maybe even toss an offer sheet at a certain player? Lets hear it

I'm hoping the Leafs will take a shot at Malone...for no more then $5 million though
Todd Bertuzzi (still think hes got alot left in the tank)
Curtis Joseph (good backup goalie with lots of excperience, can handle 10-15 games...still can perform as seen in the playoffs last year)
Niklas Hagman
LADISLAV NAGY...I've wanted this guy in a leafs uniform forever
Cory Stillman...Good hometown boy
Jason Smith
and please please re-sign Dominic Moore...this guys awesome and goes for it every shift

and for some reason I can see Fletcher throwing some offer sheets around....so how bout Corry Perry

At this point , with Jagr's return up in the air, Straka all but gone, and Avery looking to cash in somewhere, the prospects are not looking great for NYR
I'd like to see them go after Campbell and Sundin. I would not bring Shanny back though, he was basically invisible throughout the playoffs.

Its time for the rangers to give some of the kids on the minor league team a chance. We got some good young kids on the wolf pack. Time to see what they can do. I'd still like to see Jagr and Avery back. The other two need to go.

Just heard that the Red Wings nabbed Marian Hossa!!!!!!!

PENGUINS INK MALKIN TO FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed Evgeni Malkin to a five year contract extension. The extension mirrors the one signed by Penguins captain Sidney Crosby in July of 2007, a five-year deal averaging $8.7 million.

RED WINGS SIGN HOSSA TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT

Less than a month after being bounced from the Stanley Cup Final, Marian Hossa has decided to join the Detroit Red Wings. Sources tell TSN that free agent Hossa has signed a one-year, $7.4 million deal with the Red Wings. The $7.4 million that Hossa will earn next season, is the most Detroit would pay anyone - even an unrestricted free agent. The Red Wings were insistent that no one earn more money than six-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom.

AVERY, STARS AGREE TO A FOUR-YEAR, $15.5 MILLION DEAL

One of the NHL's most spirited and hated players has been snapped up off the free agent list, as forward Sean Avery has been signed by the Dallas Stars to a 4-year, $15.5 million contract. The contract has a limited no-movement clause. Avery, 28, was a key player with the New York Rangers since joining them midway through the 2006-07 season in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings. The Rangers are 50-20-16 over the last two seasons (10-8 in the playoffs) with him in the lineup, and 9-13-3 without him.  "We are excited about the opportunity to add a player like Sean Avery to our group," said Stars Co-General Manager Brett Hull. "His ability to play the game with skill and tenacity makes us a better team and is a great complement to the players we have here."

RANGERS SIGN REDDEN TO SIX-YEAR, $39M CONTRACT

One of the NHL's top free agent blueliners is off the market, as the New York Rangers have signed defenceman Wade Redden to a six-year contract worth $6.5 million a season. Redden, 31, became an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday. ''The time has definitely come for me to move on. A fresh start is going to be exactly what I need to rejuvenate myself,'' Redden told The Canadian Press. ''I feel I've got a lot to offer the Rangers on the ice and off the ice. I'm certainly looking forward to a new beginning and a new chapter.''

BLACKHAWKS LOCK UP CAMPBELL WITH 8-YEAR, $56.8M DEAL

The most sought-after defenceman this summer has been snapped up, as free agent Brian Campbell has agreed to an eight-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks worth $7.1 million a season. "I'm pretty elated," Chicago general manager Dale Tallon said. "It's been a long struggle the past few years.  This day was always a tough day for us.  We worked hard, and to come home empty-handed wasn't a very good feeling."

OILERS BRING IN COLE, BRULE WITH PAIR OF TRADES

While other teams were focused on the free agent market, the Edmonton Oilers re-vamped their roster with a couple of trades. The Oilers have traded hard-hitting left winger Raffi Torres to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for 21-year-old centre Gilbert Brule, and sent defenceman Joni Pitkanen to the Carolina Hurricanes for winger Erik Cole. The Oilers have now made three trades in the last few days. On Sunday they acquired defenceman Lubomir Visnovsky from Los Angeles for forward Jarret Stoll and defenceman Matt Greene.

ROLSTON AND HOLIK RETURN TO NEW JERSEY

The New Jersey Devils have brought back two stars of yesterday, signing free agent forward Brian Rolston to a four-year, $20.25 million contract and centre Bobby Holik to a one-year, $2.5 million contract.

AVALANCHE SIGN TUCKER TO TWO-YEAR DEAL

he Colorado Avalanche have signed unrestricted free agent forward Darcy Tucker to a two-year, $4.5 million contract. Tucker, 33, was bought out by the Toronto Maple Leafs last week. His new deal will pay him $2.2 million next season and $2.3 million in 2009-10.

CAPITALS SIGN THEODORE, RAYCROFT JOINS AVS

The Washington Capitals have signed goaltender Jose Theodore to a two-year, $9 million contract. The Colorado Avalanche quickly replaced Theodore, signing Andrew Raycroft to a one-year, $800,000 deal.

MAPLE LEAFS SIGN HAGMAN, FINGER AND JOSEPH

The Toronto Maple Leafs jumped into the free agent market on Tuesday, signing forward Niklas Hagman to a four-year, $12 million contract, defenceman Jeff Finger to a four-year deal worth $3.5 million a season and goaltender Curtis Joseph to a one-year, $700,000 contract.

BLACKHAWKS SIGN NETMINDER HUET

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed goaltender Cristobal Huet to a four-year deal worth $5.635 million a season.

PERRY SIGNS FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH DUCKS

The Anaheim Ducks have agreed to terms on restricted free agent forward Corey Perry. It is five-year deal worth $26.625 million and an average of $5.325 a year. The breakdown by year is as follows: $4.5 million, $6.5 million, $5.375 million, $5.375 million and $4.875 million. Of the more than $26 million, $8 million is in signing bonuses, including $3 million in the first year, $2.5 million in the second year and $1 million in each of the following three years.

TAMPA BAY ADDS VRBATA, HALL, KOLZIG

TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Lightning signed unrestricted free agent forward Radim Vrbata to a $9-million, three-year contract Tuesday, and also agreed to terms with UFA forward Adam Hall on a 3-year deal for $1.8 million and goaltender Olaf Kolzig with a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

Crap i was hoping we'd get Avery back. I don't know anything about Redden that we signed. Anyone know anything about him?