The Official NHL 2007/2008 Thread

[CheapJon]

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

[AxlsMainMan]

They're pretty much unstoppable.

[Malcolm]

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.

[Malcolm]

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.

[Loaded NightraiN]

^ Not bad $$ for a backup

[Malcolm]

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.

[AxlsMainMan]

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

 

[AxlsMainMan]

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

 

[Malcolm]

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.

[AxlsMainMan]

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

[D]

I watched Sidney Crosby for the first time the other day


WOW

That guy really is as good as advertised.

[AxlsMainMan]

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

 

[Malcolm]

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.

[AxlsMainMan]

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

 

[The Dog]

I watched Sidney Crosby for the first time the other day


WOW

That guy really is as good as advertised.

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

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.

[Malcolm]

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.

[Malcolm]

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.
   

[Malcolm]

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.

[Malcolm]

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.

[D]

Selanne was always one of my favorites.


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