Report: Calgary, Edmonton, eyeing Tucker

According to a report in the Toronto Star, the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers are taking a close look at Toronto winger Darcy Tucker ahead of the February 27th trade deadline.

According to Star sources, both Alberta clubs are in "tire-kicking" mode when it comes to Tucker, who will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

"I'm probably a prototypical guy for a Western Conference team, so these things (trades) will be talked about," Tucker said.

Tucker also noted, however, that he would like to remain in Toronto beyond 2007.

"I've said from Day One I want to be a Leaf. I'd love to stay here and be part of a championship team," Tucker said.

"But the fact is I'm unrestricted at the end of the year, and when you don't have a long-term contract, these (trade rumours) come up."

Prior to suffering a foot injury that has kept him out of the lineup since December 26, Tucker led the Leafs with 19 goals.

Hall of Fame goalie Worsley passes away

MONTREAL (AP) - Gump Worsley, the Hall of Fame goalie who didn't wear a mask until the final season of his 21-year NHL career, has died. He was 77.

Worsley, who died at his home in Beloeil, had a heart attack Monday, The Montreal Gazette said Saturday night.

Born Lorne John Worsley in Montreal in 1929, he was tagged with the "Gump" moniker as a child because his hair stuck up like Andy Gump, the comic strip character.

The five-foot-seven Worsley began his NHL career in 1952-53, winning the Calder Trophy as the rookie of the year with the New York Rangers. He helped his hometown Montreal Canadiens win four Stanley Cup titles in a five-year span and finished his career with the Minnesota North Stars in 1973-74 - playing only his final six games with a mask.

"He was a terrific goaltender," former North Stars teammate Lou Nanne said. "If I could pick any goalie to win a big game, it would be Gump."

Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1980, Worsley was 335-352-150 with a 2.88 goals-against average and 43 shutouts in 861 regular-season games. In the playoffs, he was 40-26 with a 2.78 GAA and five shutouts.

"He was one of the first real characters in the NHL," Nanne said. "He had a lot of personality and really showed the human side of the game. He didn't look like an athlete and smoked like a chimney between periods, but he was terrific when he put the pads on."

Acquired by Montreal from the Rangers in a 1963 trade that sent fellow Hall of Fame goalie Jacques Plante to New York, Worsley won 29 of 36 playoff games in helping lead the Canadiens to Stanley Cup titles in 1965, '66, '68 and '69.

Worsley won the Vezina Trophy in 1966 and 1968 as the NHL's top goalie, was a first-team all-star in 1968 and played in the all-star game in 1961, '62, '65 and '72. He holds the NHL record for career losses.

All-Star Reconds That are Not Likley to Be Broken This Year

Unbreakable? — Here are some All-Star records that are likely, if not certain, to survive this year’s game.

* Fewest shots in a game: The Campbell Conference won the 1978 game despite taking only 12 shots on goal. Since then, no team has had fewer than 26. The 29 by the East in 2004 matches the lowest total in the last 20 games.

* Fewest Goals: Two games in the pre-expansion era ended in 1-1 ties (1952 and 1956). Since expansion, the lowest-scoring game was the West’s 2-1 victory in Boston in 1971. The last game in which scoring didn’t reach double figures was 1996, when the East beat the West 5-4.

* Most Power-Play Goals: The record is three, accomplished three times in the pre-expansion era. There hasn’t been a power-play goal scored since 1997, and there haven’t been three power plays in a game since 1998. The last time there was a power play awarded was 2000, when Sandis Ozolnish of the World team was called for hooking in the third period.

* Most Goals in a Period: Five players have scored four times in an All-Star Game, and it’s not impossible that someone could match that mark. But while Mario Lemieux, Mike Gartner and Vincent Damphousse have scored three in a period, Wayne Gretzky’s four goals in the third period in the 1983 game on Long Island is a mark that has stood though 19 games and figures to last a while longer.

* Youngest Player: Not counting players who played in an All-Star Game as members of the defending Stanley Cup champions, Steve Yzerman is the only 18-year-old All-Star. Sidney Crosby likely would have broken that mark had the Olympics not intervened last year — he’s almost three months younger than Yzerman. Instead, he’ll have to settle for ninth on the all-time list.

Why the Pens should move from Pittsburgh

Now I understand!!

Coach Jules is Better than Scotty Bowman

This Years All-Star Snubs

10. Alexander Frolov- Not a lot to like about LA this year, Frolov is an exception.

9. Marc Savard - Averaging almost an assist a game on a low-scoring Bruins team.

8. Dan Boyle - Coach Tortorella is screaming mad the bolts blueliner didn't get the call.

7. Daymond Langkow - Flames needed a partner for Iggy and Daymond took the role.

6. Ray Whitney - Two canes forwards made the cut. But the leading scorer did not.

5. Chris Mason - The "backup" with 18 wins and a .930 save percentage.

4. Maxim Afinogenov - Sabres well represented, but what about the skills competition?

3. Dominik Hasek - Injury, not yet. But his GAA is under 2.

2. Paul Kariya - Beat team in the league only sends one player (Timonen) ?

1. IIya Kovalchuk - No defence in All-Star games. He's be just NASTY!!

Patrick Roy Facing Assault Charges

SAGUENAY, Que. (CP) - Former NHL all-star goalie Patrick Roy is facing assault charges after allegedly getting into a shoving match following a major junior hockey game in Chicoutimi, north of Quebec City.

Roy, who both owns and coaches the Quebec City Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, is accused of hitting an opposing team's owner.

Police say about 50 fans of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens prevented the visiting Remparts players from boarding their team bus after a Friday night game.

Roy reportedly then got off the bus and attacked the Sagueneens owner.

Police say they will interview witnesses before meeting with Roy in the coming days.

Roy was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in November.

New York Rangers Interested in Forsberg

It appears the New York Rangers are willing to take a chance on Peter Forsberg if the Flyers are willing to trade him.

According to the New York Daily News, the oft-injured Forsberg would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to join the Rangers for the playoff drive. Forsberg, whom many believe would like to remain in Philadelphia, is in the final year of a 2-year, $12 million contract which has him collecting $5.75 million this season.

While the Flyers have expressed interest in re-signing Forsberg, general manager Paul Holmgren has said if a deal cannot be worked out before the trade deadline, he would have to consider trading his star centre.

"At the trade deadline, if we didn't have something done for future years, we might just be inclined to roll the dice," Holmgren told the newspaper.

Holmgren was hoping to sit down with Forsberg's agent Don Baizley next week to try and work out a deal before the February 27 trade deadline. However, Forsberg is flying home to Sweden for the All-Star break, hoping doctors there can come up with a solution to his ongoing foot problems.

New NHL Uniforms

The NHL's new uniforms are about player comfort and not fan merchandising, according to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

"The focus on this was never about fashion, it was never about retail," Bettman told The Canadian Press on Thursday. "It was about getting the players into a uniform that would be better, that would enable them to have a better range of motion, that would keep them cooler, that would be more aerodynamically fit, that would keep their protective equipment in place, that would be safer. That has been the focus."

The new jerseys will be worn by the NHL all-stars in Dallas next week and then by the entire league next season. That's also when they'll go on sale for the public.
So far there's been a lot of words but not many pictures of the new look.

Judging from the one photo released of Sidney Crosby in the new Reebok gear, the revamped outfit doesn't seemed drastically different than the current ones.

So much for the rumours of a radical one-piece outfit that would make the players look like robots.

"I think there was a lot of speculation and I think a bit much prognosticating on things that people really didn't know about," said Bettman. "But you know, that's OK, it created a lot of interest. The fact of the matter is, this was a very slow and pain-staking process with the goal to get it right."

The uniform, three years in the making, is a little tighter than the current jersey but not as much as the Nike ones worn by Team Canada at last year's Olympics.

The look of the new uniform may not be drastically different, but the feel is. It's dryer, lighter and more flexible.

"It really is just modernizing the NHL uniform and taking advantage of a lot of materials and technologies that exist in the world of sports today and applying it to the game of hockey," Matt O'Toole, president and CEO of Reebok/CCM Hockey, said Thursday.

The biggest change is the fabric, a water resistant material that retains 76 per cent less moisture than the current NHL jersey. Hence it's lighter.

"One of the players was saying, `You won't feel like you're carrying 10 pounds on your back.' That's exactly right," said Bettman. "And it'll keep body temperatures four to 10 degrees lower. The point is guys will be less fatigued at the end of the game."

The new jersey also features stretch mesh in areas including the underarms and back which apparently provides for an additional range of motion.

For a sport that's largely had the same jersey for decades, some people won't like it. But Bettman believes any criticism will eventually be forgotten.

"Change is always something for which, particularly in sports, there's no shortage of opinion," said Bettman. "But if you go back and look at uniforms in the other sports over the years, you look at football uniforms and how the went from being loose and baggy to form fitting.

"The fact is, when the players actually get in them and feel how good they feel, the reaction from the fans will be, you won't notice it after the second game."

The full launch goes Monday at a news conference in Dallas. Just don't expect Bettman to come out wearing the new uniform.

"Will I be wearing them? No," Bettman laughed. "I assure you that they will look better on any of the players than they will look on me."

Iginla Out For A While

CALGARY (CP) - Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla doesn't expect to return to the lineup until after next week's NHL all-star game.

Iginla suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee on Jan 4. At the time, he said he would be out at least a week.
Iginla said Thursday he hoped to start skating again after the all-star game next Wednesday in Dallas.

"I'm hoping right after, but that would be optimistic," he said. "The timeline is a month, but after the all-star break is three weeks so that's what I'm hoping for."

The Flames host Anaheim on Friday and are in Edmonton on Saturday.

Straka signs extension with Rangers

The New York Rangers have signed forward Martin Straka to a contract extension, the team annouced on Wednesday. Terms of the deal were not released but the New York Post reported on its web site that the Czech inked a one-year extension worth $3.3 million.

Straka, 34, has 24 goals and 31 assists for 55 points in 47 games with the Rangers this season.

He has plus-14 rating and 22 penalty minutes. Straka is tied for sixth in the NHL with five game-winning goals and tied for 10th in the league with 24 power play points.

On January 4 against. Philadelphia, he tallied three goals for his sixth career hat trick and reached the 20-goal plateau for the sixth time in his career.

A veteran of 14 NHL seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings and the Rangers, Straka has 238 goals and 423 assists for 661 points in 859 career NHL games.

In 2005-06, Straka appeared in 82 games with the Rangers, collecting 22 goals and 54 assists for 76 points.

His best professional season came in 2000-01 with the Penguins, when he played in all 82 games and charted career-highs in assists (68) and points (95). In 1998-99, Straka tallied a career-high 35 goals and represented the Penguins at the NHL All-Star Game.
The 5-9, 180-pounder has also appeared in 86 career playoff contests with the Penguins, Panthers and Rangers, registering 21 goals and 29 assists for 50 points.

Kings goalie is first native Japanese player in the NHL

Sometimes you never know.

When Los Angeles Kings coach Marc Crawford put goaltender Yutaka Fukufuji in to start the third period of a game at St. Louis Jan. 13, he wasn’t trying to make history by playing the first native Japanese player into a NHL game. He was just trying to win a game.

"We had a power play to start the third period and I wanted to try to change things up, give the team a lift," he said of replacing Barry Brust to start the third period, trailing the Blues, 5-4. "He made a great save on Eric Brewer on what looked like a sure goal (5:18 into the third period), I thought, ‘This could be the lift we need to win the game.’ "

In the end, Fukufuji stopped four of five shots in the third period of a 6-5 loss to the Blues.

But ...

"You know, I’ve seen a lot of players who suddenly got a chance turn into pretty good NHL players," Crawford said. "Sometimes you never know."

"I was really nervous," Fukufuji said. "But when the coach came to me during the second intermission, he said, ‘Have fun. Don’t be nervous.’ That helped."

Playing in an NHL game and stopping four of five shots doesn’t an NHL player make, but it’s nice to dream that some day a Tokyo-born player might become a hockey star, don’t you think?
Especially on a team like the Kings who continue to get a great all-round effort, but are let down by one or two soft goals winding up in the back of their net -- whether its veterans Daniel Cloutier or Mathieu Garon or Brust in the goal crease.

And wouldn’t this make for a great story?

Fukufuji was an eighth-round pick, 238th overall, in the 2004 Entry Draft. That was just seven picks from the end of the draft that year ... and here he is in the NHL.
Hockey in Japan? I remember way back, when Edmonton Oilers’ defenseman Randy Gregg played over there. Ditto for Darryl Sutter. That was in the 1980s.

"I grew up in a town named Kushiro in Kokkaido," the 6-foot-1, 180-pound goalie said. "It’s not much different from most small Canadian towns. Cold and lots of snow and ice to skate on.
"I started playing when I was about 9, because a lot of my friends played hockey. I’m not sure why I was the goalie, probably because no one else wanted to."

He laughed a little at the thought.

The next question seemed obvious: What did you know about the NHL?
"Not much," he said. "I didn’t see my first game until I was 15. I remember seeing Martin Brodeur in the Stanley Cup Final."

Never let the facts get in the way of a good story, eh? If he saw Brodeur in the finals, it was probably 1995. That would have made Yutaka nearly 13. But there’s no harm, no foul.
Fukufuji never really thought about playing in the NHL, until the Kings picked him in the draft.
"I remember I was playing for Japan in the national championships in the Czech Republic when the Kings called to tell me they had drafted me," he said. "I really didn’t know what to think. It’s not like I had anyone in my family, in my town, in my country who could know what I was feeling ... the pride I had at that moment."

Crawford said he didn’t want to play down the importance of his team having the first native Japanese player to play in the NHL.

"We’ve seen so much global growth in hockey and in some countries you might not normally associate with hockey," Crawford said. "Look at Anze Kopitar. He’s the first NHL player from Slovenia -- and some might say he’s the best rookie in the NHL this season. It’s amazing to think how the sport has grown throughout the world over the last decade or two. Maybe there will be other Japanese players now, because of what Yutaka has done."

Sometimes you never know.

"He gave us a chance to win with a couple of saves he made in the third period," said Kings defenseman Rob Blake.

Yutaka Fukufuji had a 27-9-5 record with a 2.48 goals-against average for Bakersfield of the ECHL 2004-05. The next season, he started in Reading (ECHL) with a 15-9-4 record and 2.91 GAA and finished the season in the American Hockey League with Manchester, where he was 1-1. Before Cloutier and Garon was injured earlier this past week, Fukufuji had a 3-3 record at Reading and was 2-0 with a 1.30 GAA and a .954 save percentage at Manchester.

Not too shabby.

"It’s no secret we’ve struggled with our goaltending this season and we’ve gone through some adversity of late. Yutaka might get another chance to show us what he can do ... and who knows?" Crawford added. "Every team he’s played for has raved about what a great kid he is and how well he has played for them."

Yutaka Fukufuji has already made history once. Why not again? --

NHL Fantasy: Many Happy Returns

It wasn't the best of years for Todd Bertuzzi in 2006, what with the boo-birds, the Olympic flop and the back surgery last fall.

Of course, the previous two years weren't so hot, either.

But instead of dwelling on the past, let's look forward. To about three weeks from now, when poolies can expect the power forward's long-awaited return.

The word from Florida is Bertuzzi's rehabilitation is going extremely well and he should be practising with the team after the all-star break. If not owned in your pool, consider Big Bert a great second-half sleeper pick.

He's not the only player coming off the IR who can help poolies down the stretch.

Defencemen Frantisek Kaberle of the Hurricanes and Bryan Berard of the Blue Jackets have yet to play following off-season surgeries. But the two are now skating and aiming for a return in two or three weeks.

Both have great offensive abilities, and needy poolies should certainly consider their services.
Francois Beauchemin, probably dropped in many pools after lacerating his spleen late last year, is another rearguard set to return after the all-star break. Grab him now because Beauchemin will be the Ducks' power-play quarterback as soon as he's back.

Perreault, Selanne among NHL all-stars

NEW YORK (CP) - Yanic Perreault, who didn't have a team when the season started, will be joining the NHL's best at the Jan. 24 all-star game in Dallas.

The 35-year-old Phoenix Coyotes centre, whose clutch goals have helped turn around his team's season, signed a US$700,000, one-year deal Oct. 29 and didn't look back, putting up 14 goals and 11 assists in 31 games before taking on San Jose Saturday night.
It's the first career all-star nomination for the native of Sherbrooke, Que.

"It's a nice surprise," Perreault told The Canadian Press from Phoenix. "I've really been focused on our team trying to get back in the playoff race, but obviously it's going to be a great experience for me and my family."

"I didn't expect this at all. It's the first time for me and I'll enjoy every minute of it for sure."

Veteran winger Teemu Selanne of the Anaheim Ducks joined Perreault among the Western Conference all-stars named by the league Saturday. Selanne will be playing in his 10th career all-star game. The Finnish Flash had 57 points (28-29) before Saturday night's game against Colorado, eighth among NHL scorers and tops in the Western Conference.

The hometown fans in Dallas will have two of their own in the all-star game, goaltender Marty Turco, who will be appearing in his third all-star game, and defenceman Philippe Boucher, a first-time selection.

Seven other players added to the Western Conference roster will be making their all-star game debut: goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff and defenceman Dion Phaneuf of the Calgary Flames, defenceman Lubomir Visnovsky of the Los Angeles Kings, and forwards Martin Havlat of the Chicago Blackhawks, Brian Rolston of the Minnesota Wild, Ryan Smyth of the Edmonton Oilers and Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings.

Defenceman Kimmo Timonen of the Nashville Predators and forwards Bill Guerin of the St. Louis Blues, Patrick Marleau of the San Jose Sharks and Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets were also named to the Western team. They join the six starters voted in by the fans: forwards Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche, Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo of the Sharks, defencemen Scott Niedermayer of the Ducks and Nicklas Lidstrom of the Red Wings, and goaltender Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks.

Injured stars Jarome Iginla of the Flames and Chris Pronger of the Ducks would have been automatic choices, but will still be on the sidelines during the all-star break.

In the East, headed to his ninth all-star game will be New Jersey Devils superstar goalie Martin Brodeur, putting him fourth on the all-time goaltenders list behind Glenn Hall (13), Terry Sawchuk (11) and Patrick Roy (11).

Also selected to the Eastern Conference roster were five players making their all-star game debut: forwards Eric Staal and Justin Williams from the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, goaltender Cristobal Huet of the Montreal Canadiens, defenceman Jay Bouwmeester of the Florida Panthers and forward Jason Blake of the New York Islanders.

Rounding the Eastern picks are defencemen Brian Rafalski of the Devils, Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins and Tomas Kaberle of the Toronto Maple Leafs plus forwards Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Marian Hossa of the Atlanta Thrashers, Dany Heatley of the Ottawa Senators, Simon Gagne of the Philadelphia Flyers and greybeard Brendan Shanahan of the New York Rangers.

"It's a great honour," Heatley said during CBC's Hockey Day In Canada. "It's a fun weekend, I'm looking forward to it."

The roster additions were selected by the NHL's hockey operations department, after consultation with NHL GMs.

Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby, winger Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, goaltender Ryan Miller, defenceman Brian Campbell and centre Daniel Briere from the Buffalo Sabres, and defenceman Sheldon Souray of the Canadiens were already selected in fan balloting as starters.

Jagr, the New York Rangers captain, won't be making the trip despite being tied for fifth in the league with 58 points entering play Saturday. The nine-time all-star has been slow to regain strength in his left shoulder following off-season surgery, and will instead use the week off to rehab, and rest an aching hip - at the request of the Rangers.

"We talked about it that it would be better for me not to go," Jagr said.

With only 18 skaters and three goalies on each team, the league has a tough task and some obvious names didn't make it: centre Marc Savard of Boston, defenceman Dan Boyle of Tampa, centre Rod Brind'Amour of Carolina, forward Martin Straka of the Rangers, centre Olli Jokinen of Florida, winger Paul Kariya of Nashville, wingers Ilya Kovalchuk and Vyacheslav Kozlov of Atlanta, winger Maxim Afinogenov of Buffalo, goalie Dominik Hasek of Detroit, winger Alexander Frolov of Los Angeles, and goalie J.S. Giguere of Anaheim, among others.

The NHL, meanwhile, also announced the roster for the Jan. 23 YoungStars Game. Rookie scoring leaders Evgeni Malkin of the Penguins and Anze Kopitar of the Kings headline the East and West lineups.

Malkin will be joined up front on the Eastern team by the likes of Boston's Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh's Jordan Staal and Ottawa's Patrick Eaves, while Kopitar will line up on the Western team with such youngsters as Anaheim's Ryan Getzlaf, Nashville's Alexander Radulov and Colorado's Wojtek Wolski.

Brent Simon on Jimmy Kimmel

This isn't hockey related but incase you guys didn't see it. Most might laugh at the song but I can't get it out of my head ahhahaah

First Japanese Player in The NHL and Cloutier is a JOKE!!

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) - Los Angeles goalie Dan Cloutier underwent hip surgery in Colorado and will be out indefinitely, the Kings said Friday.

Cloutier, acquired from the Vancouver Canucks last summer and given a two-year, US$6.2 million contract extension, had a torn labrum in his hip repaired. He hasn't played since Dec. 23 when the Kings lost 7-0 to Nashville.

Cloutier, 30, ranks last in the NHL with a 3.98 goals-against average and .860 save percentage.
Mathieu Garon figured to get the bulk of the playing time with Cloutier sidelined, but he was placed on the injured list Friday because of a finger problem. Garon is 8-7-3 with a 2.80 GAA in 20 games.

The Kings, who will play Saturday at St. Louis, recalled Yutaka Fukufuji on an emergency basis from Manchester of the AHL. He is 2-0 with a 1.30 GAA in three games with the Monarchs this season.

Fukufuji became the first Japanese-born player to dress for an NHL game last month when he suited up for the Kings when they faced Dallas. He has yet to make his debut.

Michigan Governor Honours Yzerman

DETROIT (AP) - Steve Yzerman was honoured on the ice for the second straight Detroit Red Wings home game.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm declared Saturday as ''Steve Yzerman Day,'' more than a week after Yzerman's No. 19 jersey was retired. The state did not honour Yzerman on Jan. 2 because it was the national day of mourning for former President Gerald Ford, who was raised in Michigan.

Granholm honoured Yzerman ''on behalf of young people everywhere who could never come to Joe Louis Arena and to those watching on TV for being an unbelievable role model,'' during a brief presentation before Detroit played the Chicago Blackhawks.

Yzerman retired last summer after serving as captain for a league-record 20 seasons during his 22-season career, which was spent entirely with the Red Wings. He now works for the team as a vice president.

He led Detroit to Stanley Cup championships in 1997, 1998 and 2002 and ranks sixth in NHL history with 1,755 points.

Yzerman's jersey was the sixth retired by the storied franchise, joining Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Terry Sawchuk, Alex Delvecchio and Sid Abel. Yzerman's No. 19 now hangs in the Joe Louis Arena rafters between Sawchuk's No. 1 jersey and the team's 10 championship banners.

On Jan. 2, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick dubbed the day ''Steve Yzerman Day'' and presented Yzerman with a key to the city. Kilpatrick also said the intersection of Third and Atwater Streets, which meet at Joe Louis Arena, will be changed to ''Yzerman Drive.''

Fantasy Hockey Goalie News for Jan.13 2007.

Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres - Miller is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Lightning. Probability of start occurring: 85%

Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks - Luongo is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Maple Leafs. Probability of start occurring: 85%

Andrew Raycroft, Toronto Maple Leafs - Raycroft is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Canucks. Probability of start occurring: 85%

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils - Brodeur is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Islanders. Probability of start occurring: 90%

Rick DiPietro, New York Islanders - DiPietro is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Devils. Probability of start occurring: 85%

Johan Hedberg, Atlanta Thrashers - Hedberg is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Hurricanes. Kari Lehtonen started last night but took a loss against the Devils; however, he didn't play badly and could get a second consecutive start. Probability of start occurring: 55%

Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes - Ward is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Thrashers. Probability of start occurring: 75%

Peter Budaj, Colorado Avalanche - Budaj is now the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Ducks, reports the Rocky Mountain News. Horrible news for Jose Theodore and his owners and if it was us, we'd go ahead and drop Theodore in most leagues as there's no hope in sight for him getting his job back. Probability of start occurring: 85% [ UPDATED ]

Curtis Joseph, Phoenix Coyotes - Joseph is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Sharks, reports the Arizona Republic. He's also expected to start on Monday. Probability of start occurring: 85% [ UPDATED ]

Ty Conklin, Columbus Blue Jackets - Conklin is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Predators, reports the Columbus Dispatch. Probability of start occurring: 75% [ UPDATED ]
Nikolai Khabibulin, Chicago Blackhawks - Khabibulin is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Red Wings, reports the Chicago Tribune. Probability of start occurring: 90% [ UPDATED ]

Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins - Thomas is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Rangers, reports the official Bruins website. Probability of start occurring: 85% [ UPDATED ]
Cristobal Huet, Montreal Canadiens - Huet is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Senators, reports RDS. Probability of start occurring: Probability of start occurring: 85% [ UPDATED ]

Ed Belfour, Florida Panthers - Belfour is now the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Capitals, reports the Miami Herald. Probability of start occurring: 85% [ UPDATED ]

Antero Niittymaki, Philadelphia Flyers - Niittymaki is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Penguins, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette & the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. We're not sure what to think here as Niittymaki wasn't very strong his last time out in losing his 12th straight game. Because of that, we'd have normally listed Robert Esche in this spot but if both Pittsburgh newspapers are listing Niittymaki, perhaps they know something we don't. We'll attempt to get an update before the game but that may be asking for too much since it's a very early start. UPDATE: The Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News has now confirmed Niittymaki. Probability of start occurring: 85% [ UPDATED ]

Chris Osgood, Detroit Red Wings - Osgood is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Blackhawks, reports the Detroit News. Probability of start occurring: 90%

Chris Mason, Nashville Predators - Mason is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Blue Jackets, reports the Nashville Tennessean. Probability of start occurring: 90%

Ray Emery, Ottawa Senators - Emery is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Canadiens, reports the official Senators website. Probability of start occurring: 90%

Barry Brust, Los Angeles Kings - Brust is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Blues, reports the LA Times. Mathieu Garon and Dan Cloutier are both injured so expect Brust to see the majority of games for his team unless the Kings decide they want to trade for a more established goaltender. Probability of start occurring: 90%

Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins - Fleury is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Flyers, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette & the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Probability of start occurring: 85%

Manny Legace, St. Louis Blues - Legace is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Kings. Probability of start occurring: 90%

Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers - Lundqvist is the probable starter for Saturday's game
against the Bruins. Probability of start occurring: 75%

Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals - Kolzig is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Panthers. Probability of start occurring: 75%

Marc Denis, Tampa Bay Lightning - Denis is now the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Sabres, reports the Tampa Tribune. Okay, so we had it right originally even though we didn't mean it but this time, the Tribune blog confirms it. Probability of start occurring: 90%. [ UPDATED ]

Ilya Bryzgalov, Anaheim Ducks - Bryzgalov is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Avalanche. Probability of start occurring: 85%

Jussi Markkanen, Edmonton Oilers - Markkanen is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Flames. Probability of start occurring: 55%

Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames - Kiprusoff is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Oilers. Probability of start occurring: 90%

Dan Cloutier, Los Angeles Kings - Cloutier will undergo surgery today in Colorado to repair torn cartilage in his hip, reports the LA Times. The exact recovery period is unclear, but Cloutier has a very real danger of missing the rest of the regular season with the injury. It doesn't really matter though as Cloutier was pretty useless before going down.

Mathieu Garon, Los Angeles Kings - Garon will be sidelined for at least one week due to a broken finger, reports the LA Times. He underwent X-rays after Thursday night's game against the Sharks and his finger was placed in a splint. Coach Marc Crawford indicated that Garon will be re-evaluated next Friday but this is obviously terrible news for Garon himself and those who own him in fantasy leagues as he will not get to show his stuff while starting in place of Dan Cloutier. Barry Brust will be thrust into the starter's role with Yutaka Fukufuji serving as the backup.

Wayne Gretzky Dropped The Gloves...Once

I never knew about this until now. Wtf was Wayne thinking? I guess he really was a team player, I mean common Wayne everyone knows your a lover not a fighter.

Tough 2 weeks for RORY!!

Two weeks ago Rory Fitzpatrick was almost named a start in the NHL All-Star game in Dallas. But lastnight he was a healthy scratch for the game against the Wild.
Maybe its time for Rory to hang them up hahahah.

Fantasy Hockey Goalie News

January 12, 2007:

Tomas Vokoun, Nashville Predators - Vokoun is now the probable starter for Friday's game against the Blue Jackets, reports the Nashville Tennessean. The two Predators goalies are gonna split starts either way and the Tennessean speculates that it will be Vokoun tonight and Mason tomorrow. Probability of start occuring: 75% [ UPDATED ]

Kari Lehtonen, Atlanta Thrashers - Lehtonen is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Devils. Probability of start occuring: 65%

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils - Brodeur is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Thrashers. Probability of start occuring: 90%

Fredrik Norrena, Columbus Blue Jackets - Norrena is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Predators. Probability of start occuring: 75%

Manny Fernandez, Minnesota Wild - Fernandez is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Oilers. Probability of start occuring: 75%

Dwayne Roloson, Edmonton Oilers - Roloson is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Wild. Probability of start occuring: 75%

LET HEAR SOME COMMENTS!!!

Note: The notes on this page are normally compiled from various sources, including local newspapers, radio stations and game recaps. However, at times, we are forced to make educated guesses so nothing here is reputed to be completely accurate.

Oklahoma City a NO GO!!

If the Pittsburgh Penguins plan to re-locate to a new city, it seems Oklahoma City won't be on the list.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that an Oklahoma City business group has decided not to court the NHL team to move and play in the city's Ford Center arena.
Brad Lund, chief executive officer of the company that runs the arena, told the newspaper that his group couldn't meet the team's timetable to work out a deal.

"We cannot compete aggressively for the Penguins the way (Pennsylvania) and Kansas City are going about it," Lund told the Tribune-Review.

The Penguins and owner Mario Lemieux have been seeking a new arena in Pittsburgh and have already visited Kansas City and have an offer to move there. Lemieux has said the team will be free to move if an arena deal isn't in place by the time the Penguins' lease at Mellon Arena expires at the end of the season.

Former NHLer Burnett in hospital with coma

Police in suburban Vancouver are investigating an assault that has left a former NHL player in a coma and fighting for his life.

The Hockey News reports that Garrett Burnett, who played 39 games for the Anaheim Ducks in 2003-04, was allegedly assaulted in the early hours of Dec. 26 when he was out with a group of friends at a nightclub in North Delta, B.C.

Delta police say Burnett was at the club with a small group of friends and became involved in a dispute with another group inside the club. Both parties were asked to leave and when Burnett and his friends left the club, the group with whom they had the dispute was reportedly waiting for them and assaulted them. Police say Burnett was “severely” hit in the head during the incident.

"We are treating this very seriously," said Acting Sgt. Wave Steinwand of the Delta Police Department. "He's still in a coma and could go either way."

Police are currently investigating the incident and have gone over video of the assault and have several potential suspects in mind, but charges have yet to be laid, Steinwand said.

A native of nearby Coquitlam, B.C., Burnett was in his home province after being banished from the Quebec-based North American Hockey League in December.

In a Dec. 17 game for the Summum Chiefs, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound former enforcer threw a net at an opposing goalie, then made a spectacle of himself on the ice during a brawl. He was suspended by the league for the remaining 36 games of the season and the playoffs. Burnett had played just four games for the Chiefs this season.

The Chiefs reportedly learned of Burnett's condition when team president Pierre Rochefort tried several times to get in touch with Burnett during the Christmas season. After leaving several voicemail messages for Burnett, Rochefort received a call from Burnett's father telling him that his son was in a coma.

Burnett scored one goal and two assists and had 184 penalty minutes in his 39 games with the Ducks in 2003-04.

Signed as a free agent by the San Jose Sharks in 1998, then by the Ducks in 2003, Burnett has spent most of his career bouncing around the minor leagues. Last season, he split time between the Phoenix Roadrunners of the ECHL and the Iowa Stars of the American League, the Dallas Stars' top affiliate.

Burnett signed as a free agent with the Stars in the summer of 2005, but is no longer under contract with any NHL team.

Patrick Lalime is Apparently Still Playing.

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Patrick Lalime has been assigned to Norfolk for a two week conditioning period.

Signed as a free agent on July 1st, Lalime underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back in early September and has not yet played a game for the Blackhawks.

He officially begins his conditioning stint Wednesday with the Norfolk Admirals.

I wasn't aware that he was still in the NHL.

Frank Caliendo as John Madden on Letterman

This isn't hockey but it made me die none the less. Thoughts?

Shanahan "rides" the bike

I'm actually suprised that no one has done this before. Seems like the only ones not to ride the bike after the game are the goalies.

This is the greatest post game interview ever!! ahhahaha

Fantasy Hockey Goalie News

January 10, 2007:

Alex Auld, Florida Panthers - Auld is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Penguins, reports the Miami Herald. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has Ed Belfour listed as the starter, but we should get an definitive word later today when the Miami-area newspapers update. NOTE: The Herald has confirmed Auld's start. Probability of start occuring: 85% [ UPDATED ]

Jocelyn Thibault, Pittsburgh Penguins - Thibault is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Panthers, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette & the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. We'd be a bit skeptical of this prediction under normal circumstances, but if both Pittsburgh publications are saying it, there's gotta be some merit. Probability of start occuring: 85%

Manny Legace, St. Louis Blues - Legace is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Devils, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Coach Andy Murray indicated that Legace would probably get the start today depending on last night's game and we assume that to mean that he'll get both starts unless he imploded badly - which for the record, he did not. Probability of start occuring: 85%

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils - Brodeur is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Blues. Probability of start occuring: 90%

Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres - Miller is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Blackhawks. Probability of start occuring: 75%

Nikolai Khabibulin, Chicago Blackhawks - Khabibulin is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Sabres. Probability of start occuring: 85%

Dwayne Roloson, Edmonton Oilers - Roloson is the probable starter for Wednesday's game
against the Sharks. Probability of start occuring: 85%

Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks - Nabokov is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Oilers. Probability of start occuring: 90%

LET HEAR SOME COMMENTS!!!

Note: The notes on this page are normally compiled from various sources, including local newspapers, radio stations and game recaps. However, at times, we are forced to make educated guesses so nothing here is reputed to be completely accurate.

Kessel Back in Action

OTTAWA (CP) - Exactly one month after he played his last game with the Boston Bruins, 19-year old Phil Kessel was back in the lineup Tuesday night.

He had successful surgery for testicular cancer, where one of his testicles was removed.
Kessel had 17 shifts and 10:04 of ice time as the Bruins fell to the Ottawa Senators 5-2 at Scotiabank Place.

''I was happy to be back on the ice, but I'm disappointed with the loss,'' Kessel said. ''I just wanted to get back as soon as I could and now try to play through it.''

He did take a good hit from Joe Corvo at the Senators blue-line 11 minutes into the game, but he bounced right up before heading to the bench. He took a second big hit, this time from Mike Comrie towards the end of the second period.

''I felt those, but that's hockey.'' he said with a chuckle. ''I felt fine. You get hit and you just get back up and play.''

Despite being diagnosed with testicular cancer in early December, Kessel still played one game before leaving the Bruins and undergoing surgery. That game was a 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Dec. 9.

Bruins coach Dave Lewis was satisfied with Kessel's play Tuesday night.

''I thought Phil was effective getting his legs underneath him first time and I was happy with his effort,'' Lewis said.

''His character is something you really couldn't identify until after (the surgery). Now you can tell something about him since he came back so early and he played so soon after surgery. It says a lot about him.''

Kessel was on a three-game conditioning stint with the Providence Bruins prior to his return to Boston, where he had missed 12 games.

''I was with the Providence Bruins and got some ice there and it felt good to play, but I was excited to get back here'' Kessel said.

The former University of Minnesota player is in his first professional season after being selected by the Bruins with the fifth overall pick in the 2006 entry draft. He has five goals and four assists in 28 games, including Tuesday night.

''It was (just) another game, but I really wanted to win so I'm a little disappointed with that,'' Kessel said.

Follow-up tests after the surgery showed the cancer had not spread and doctors said the likelihood of a reoccurrence was low.

Syd is #1

Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby is the youngest player ever voted to an NHL all-star game since fan balloting began in 1986.

The NHL announced its starters Tuesday and Crosby, at 19 years five months, is the youngest since Jaromir Jagr was voted in at 19 years 11 months in 1992.

''It's an honour,'' Crosby said after scoring a goal in Pittsburgh's 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday night. ''Growing up watching it, and who would have dreamed of playing in it?
Related Info

''It's something I will enjoy.''

Hes such a class act. Does Wayne need to watch out?

No Dice for RORY!!

It appears an awkward situation for Rory Fitzpatrick will be avoided.
According to the Vancouver Sun, Fitzpatrick will not be among the top two vote getters among Western Conference defencemen when the NHL releases its All-Star Game voting results later today.

"I've said all along I don't think I'll get in that top two," the Canucks blueliner told the Sun Monday. "We'll wait and see what happens [today]."

Fitzpatrick became an internet phenomenon in recent weeks as fans stuffed the ballot box with the name of the journeyman defenceman. This season, the Rochester, New York native has one assist in 28 games with Vancouver.

Fantasy Hockey Goalie News

January 9, 2007:

Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers - Lundqvist is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Islanders, reports the New York Post. It will be his eighth consecutive start. Probability of start occuring: 85% [ UPDATED ]

Mikael Tellqvist, Phoenix Coyotes - Tellqvist is now the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Stars, reports the official Coyotes website. Probability of start occuring: 75% [ UPDATED ]

Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins - Thomas is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Senators, reports the Boston Globe. Probability of start occuring: 90% [ UPDATED ]

Fredrik Norrena, Columbus Blue Jackets - Norrena is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Blues, reports the Columbus Dispatch. Probability of start occuring: 75% [ UPDATED ]

Peter Budaj, Colorado Avalanche - Budaj is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Red Wings, reports the Rocky Mountain News. Probability of start occuring: 85% [ UPDATED ]

Tomas Vokoun, Nashville Predators - Vokoun is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Ducks, reports the Nashville Tennessean. He'll be evaluated one final time today - likely after the morning skate - but all indications are that he's ready to go after returning from a thumb injury. Probability of start occuring: 75%

Marty Turco, Dallas Stars - Turco is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Coyotes, reports the Dallas Morning News. Mike Smith remains out due to a concussion so Tobias Stephan will once again serve as Turco's backup. Probability of start occuring: 95%

Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins - Fleury is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Lightning, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Probability of start occuring: 85%

Johan Holmqvist, Tampa Bay Lightning - Holmqvist is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Penguins, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Probability of start occuring: 75%

Ray Emery, Ottawa Senators - Emery is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Bruins, reports the official Senators website. Probability of start occuring: 90%

Rick DiPietro, New York Islanders - DiPietro is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Rangers. Probability of start occuring: 75%

Robert Esche, Philadelphia Flyers - Esche is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Capitals. Probability of start occuring: 85%

Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals - Kolzig is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Flyers. Probability of start occuring: 65%

Manny Legace, St. Louis Blues - Legace is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the
Blue Jackets. Probability of start occuring: 75%

Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes - Ward is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Maple Leafs. Probability of start occuring: 75%

Andrew Raycroft, Toronto Maple Leafs - Raycroft is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Hurricanes. Probability of start occuring: 65%

Kari Lehtonen, Atlanta Thrashers - Lehtonen is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Canadiens. Probability of start occuring: 85%

Cristobal Huet, Montreal Canadiens - Huet is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Thrashers. Probability of start occuring: 75%

Ilya Bryzgalov, Anaheim Ducks - Bryzgalov is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Predators. Probability of start occuring: 85%

Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings - Hasek is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Avalanche. Probability of start occuring: 75%

Manny Fernandez, Minnesota Wild - Fernandez is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Flames. Probability of start occuring: 85%

Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames - Kiprusoff is the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Wild. Probability of start occuring: 90%

Lets Hear Some COMMENTS!!!

Note: The notes on this page are normally compiled from various sources, including local newspapers, radio stations and game recaps. However, at times, we are forced to make educated guesses so nothing here is reputed to be completely accurate.

More Cities in the Mix for the Pens?

With Kansas City already in the running to land the Pittsburgh Penguins, three more cities have thrown their hats in the ring.

Reports indicate Oklahoma City Blazers owner Bob Funk plans on inviting the Penguins ownership group to the Ford Center next week while sources say Houston and Portland are also interested in landing the NHL team.

''We've always had an interest in the NHL or anything that contributes to Oklahoma City or the Oklahoma environment,'' Funk told The Oklahoman newspaper. ''I think the NHL has a good future.''

Currently, Oklahoma City plays host to the NBA's New Orleans Hornets, who were displaced following the Hurricane Katrina disaster. But the Hornets may be returning to New Orleans next season, leaving the Ford Center without a major league tenant. The Blazers play in the Central Hockey League.

"Tthe first team in certainly would have the advantage,” Funk told The Oklahoman. "That ended up being the NBA. If the NBA is not going to be here, then I would think there would be corporate support for hockey.”

But an Oklahoma City group purchased the Seattle SuperSonics last season and gave that city one year to commit to building a new arena. If a deal cannot be worked out, the Sonics could be headed for Oklahoma City. That decision is expected as early as May.

Bauer Nike Vapor XXXX Skate Pictures

There they are my fellow hockey fans. They more or less look like the flexlite 12's. But you guys tell me. They still have the Lightspeed 2's.

Get them at:

Fantasy Hockey Goalie News

Ok so everyday we will be posting the probable starters in the Goalie Position for all you fantasy hockey players other there.

So here are the ones for January 8, 2007:

Dwayne Roloson, Edmonton Oilers - Roloson is the probable starter for Monday's game against the Kings. Probably of start occuring: 80%

Mathieu Garon, Los Angeles Kings - Garon is the probable starter for Monday's game against the Oilers. Probabily of start occuring: 90%

Peter Budaj, Colorado Avalanche - Budaj has seemingly become the #1 goalie in Colorado, reports the Denver Post. He has started five straight games in place of Jose Theodore and coach Joel Quenneville, while not ready to endorse him as the #1 goalie, described Budaj's play as "rock solid". It's tough to say what will happen over the next few weeks, but one thing is certain - if Budaj continues to play as well as he has thus far, it will be very hard for Theodore to win back his job. We wouldn't drop Theodore in fantasy leagues just yet but if there is someone else enticing sitting there waiting to be picked up, go ahead and do it.

Tomas Vokoun, Nashville Predators - Vokoun is scheduled to make his first start on Tuesday since tearing ligaments in his thumb in late November, reports the Nashville Tennessean. He will probably end up alternating starts with Chris Mason for the first week or two before reclaiming his spot as the team's top goalie. This will all but render Mason's fantasy value useless but he is still worthy of a spot on your fantasy team as insurance to Vokoun. There's also the remote chance that Mason and Vokoun split starts for the rest of the season or the even smaller chance that Mason outperforms Vokoun to the point where the team appoints him their full-time starter.

Note: The notes on this page are normally compiled from various sources, including local newspapers, radio stations and game recaps. However, at times, we are forced to make educated guesses so nothing here is reputed to be completely accurate.

PLEASE POST YOU COMMENTS!!

Fantasy Hockey Goalie News

Ok so everyday we will be posting the probable starters in the Goalie Position for all you fantasy hockey players other there.

So here are the ones for January 8, 2007:

Dwayne Roloson, Edmonton Oilers - Roloson is the probable starter for Monday's game against the Kings. Probably of start occuring: 80%

Mathieu Garon, Los Angeles Kings - Garon is the probable starter for Monday's game against the Oilers. Probabily of start occuring: 90%

Peter Budaj, Colorado Avalanche - Budaj has seemingly become the #1 goalie in Colorado, reports the Denver Post. He has started five straight games in place of Jose Theodore and coach Joel Quenneville, while not ready to endorse him as the #1 goalie, described Budaj's play as "rock solid". It's tough to say what will happen over the next few weeks, but one thing is certain - if Budaj continues to play as well as he has thus far, it will be very hard for Theodore to win back his job. We wouldn't drop Theodore in fantasy leagues just yet but if there is someone else enticing sitting there waiting to be picked up, go ahead and do it.

Tomas Vokoun, Nashville Predators - Vokoun is scheduled to make his first start on Tuesday since tearing ligaments in his thumb in late November, reports the Nashville Tennessean. He will probably end up alternating starts with Chris Mason for the first week or two before reclaiming his spot as the team's top goalie. This will all but render Mason's fantasy value useless but he is still worthy of a spot on your fantasy team as insurance to Vokoun. There's also the remote chance that Mason and Vokoun split starts for the rest of the season or the even smaller chance that Mason outperforms Vokoun to the point where the team appoints him their full-time starter.

Note: The notes on this page are normally compiled from various sources, including local newspapers, radio stations and game recaps. However, at times, we are forced to make educated guesses so nothing here is reputed to be completely accurate.

Top 30 Skates in the 2007 NHL Draft

Hurricanes deal Adams

RALEIGH, N.C. (CP) - The Carolina Hurricanes acquired defenceman Dennis Seidenberg from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for centre Kevyn Adams on Monday.

The Hurricanes were looking for help on the blue-line after losing veteran Bret Hedican to injury last week, joining the likes of Frantisek Kaberle and Tim Gleason on the sidelines and leaving Carolina short-handed.

''With some uncertainly concerning when our injured defencemen will be able to return, we needed to make this move now,'' Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said in a statement. ''Dennis will be a good fit for us on defence. We thank Kevyn for his good service during his years in Carolina.''

Seidenberg, 25, had been a healthy scratch in recent games with the Coyotes. With Nick Boynton set to come back Tuesday night for the Coyotes after missing six weeks with a broken foot, Phoenix needed to move a blue-liner.

''Dennis Seidenberg is a valuable NHL defenceman, he's young, and I'm sure has a lot of good years ahead of him,'' Coyotes GM Mike Barnett told CP on Monday. ''But if there's anywhere where we have any depth it's on the blue-line and it wasn't serving us any purpose having to pay him and make him a healthy scratch. And it wasn't helpin his career, either.''

Seidenberg had one goal and one assist in 32 games with the Coyotes this season. The German has 33 points (8-25) and 56 penalty minutes in 158 career NHL games with Philadelphia and Phoenix.

Adams, a checking centre, had 72 points (38-34) in 300 games with the Hurricanes over the past five years. He has two goals and two assists in 35 games this season.
''Kevyn Adams was a piece that was instrumental in Carolina winning the Stanley Cup last year,'' said Barnett. ''He's a veteran, an aggressive, hungry forward that will bring more leadership to our group. And he's very versatile.''

Stefan is the Joke of the League

This has to be the lowest point in Patrick Stefan's hockey career. Just bad luck i guess.

Petes Trade Downie To Rangers

A day after Steve Downie returned home with his gold medal from the World Junior Championship, he was traded by the Peterborough Petes to the Kitchener Rangers.
The Petes have dealt their captain Downie to Kitchener in exchange for forward Yves Bastein and three second-round draft picks.

Downie is in his final OHL year and the Petes, defending OHL champions, are not a contender this season so it makes sense for them to trade Downie for future considerations.

''It is a sad day having to let Steve go, however we see this deal and the acquisition of a young player like Yves Bastien as a vital part of building a future Memorial Cup championship team,'' Petes GM Jeff Twohey said on the team's website.

Could it be time to also get rid of Jeff Twohey?