The Hockey Herold

Our New Home!!!

2007-06-25T13:30:00.001-05:00

Please check out our new home:

http://www.TheHockeyHerald.com

That is where we have been posting updated stores etc. Please visit there instead of here from now on.

Thanks in advance.

The Real Washington Caps Jersey For Next Year

2007-06-20T00:13:00.000-05:00

Just thought I'd let you guys know, this si what the caps will be wearing next year.

CCM Vector helmet PICTURES

2007-06-20T00:01:00.001-05:00

You guys asked for it and here it is.

Clark, the Canadian Hockey Goalie

2007-06-07T15:42:00.001-05:00

This video gets me everytime.

Snoop Dogg on CBC

2007-06-04T01:19:00.001-05:00

Anyone else see his kids hair cut?

Snoop Dogg is a Ducks Fan

2007-06-04T01:12:00.000-05:00

Snoop Dogg interview on FSN. Its his first hockey game. AHHAHAAHHAA the finger kills me. By the way doesnt he know they're in the finals now?

Anaheim GM Brian Burke Speaks Out.

2007-06-04T01:10:00.000-05:00

''He thinks he's from Red Deer.'' - Anaheim GM Brian Burke on the determination of checking-line forward Samuel Pahlsson.

The quote kills me.

Flames Used Equipment Sale 2007

2007-05-28T00:46:00.001-05:00

The Calgary Flames FanAttic Annual Used Equipment Sale is scheduled for June 2 starting at 8 a.m. and running until 2 p.m. on the concourse at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

Use the northeast entrance to the building and look for some great deals on game-used skates, gloves, pants, goalie equipment and more.

Below is a list of some of the items that will be on sale.

Link here

Mike York’s Wife Kicks Some Ass

2007-05-28T00:33:00.001-05:00

Former Islander Mike York’s wife Aimee was convicted of assaulting her sister-in-law at a family gathering last year, according to the Associated Press.

A Michigan judge declined to give Aimee York jail time but did order her to pay $595 in fines and expenses, according to the story.

Here comes a great quote from Jackson County District Judge R. Darryl Mazur:

“I believe she decked her sister-in-law and a cat fight ensued,” Mazur ruled.

Former NHL player pleads guilty in N.J. gambling ring case

2007-05-25T13:08:00.000-05:00

MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. -- Former NHL player Rick Tocchet pleaded guilty Friday to running a sports gambling ring, but might not have to serve any jail time.

Tocchet, who played for Phialdelphia, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington and Phoenix in a career that spanned 22 seasons, is on leave from his job as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Coyotes. He pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to promote gambling and promoting gambling. Such offenses usually do not carry a jail sentence for first-time offenders.

''It's a huge operation and I think it exposes to people the allure of gambling, illegal gambling, in New Jersey,'' state Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw said outside the courthouse.

The maximum sentence for the charges Tocchet pleaded guilty to are 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. Paw would not say whether prosecutors will ask for jail time for Tocchet.

The 43-year-old Tocchet is the third man to plead guilty in the case, which New Jersey authorities dubbed ''Operation Slapshot.'' The others, including state Trooper James Harney, are expected to get jail time.

Janet Jones, the wife of hockey great Wayne Gretzky, was accused of betting but was not charged in the case.

Prosecutors said in February 2006 that the ring handled $1.7 million in wagers during a 40-day stretch that began at the end of 2005 and included college football bowl games and the Super Bowl. They said there were no bets on hockey games.

Tocchet did not speak during Friday's court hearing except to answer yes or no questions. When asked by his attorney, Kevin Marino, if he ever bet on professional hockey, Tocchet said ''no.''
Marino said Tocchet has not spoken with the NHL about how his guilty pleas will affect his coaching career.

Tocchet played in 1,144 regular-season games, scoring 440 goals and 952 points. He also appeared in 145 playoff games, with 52 goals and 112 points.

Female Ottawa Sens Fan Caught Adjusting Herself

2007-05-25T00:05:00.000-05:00

The thing that kills me is the guy rewinds and plays it back. At least shes hot.

Salming poses nude for artist

2007-05-24T23:43:00.000-05:00

Borje Salming's play on defence was as close to artistry as the Toronto Maple Leafs had in the Harold Ballard era.

Now, the lanky Swede, who began the influx of European players into the National Hockey League, has become an objet d'art himself.

At 56, the remarkably fit Salming took off his clothes to pose for a series of paintings by Swedish artist Johan Wattberg. There are 31 canvases in all, and 10 of them go on display in Stockholm Thursday night.

The remaining 21 – matching the numeral Salming wore when he played 16 seasons on the Toronto blueline – will be shown in Toronto in the fall, publicist Andreas Grant said.

“We are working right now to find a good gallery, to show them around the time the NHL season starts,” Grant said in a telephone interview from Sweden.

The iconic Salming already had celebrity status in his homeland, both for his Hall of Fame hockey career and for his posthockey ventures. Salming's name is known by a new generation for the line of designer undergarments he manufactures.

“Borje was a bit hesitant at first, but then he saw Johan's earlier work,” Grant said. “There's a rough style to it and he identified with it. Johan's best known as a graffiti artist in the past, but he's evolved onto the mainstream art scene. His work still has a street feel to it.”

Salming said in a statement that he was skeptical at first. “I've never done anything like this before,” he said. “But it's not the everyday artsy-pantsy stuff. It's hard core. I like them and I think others will, too.”

Salming started his NHL career in 1973 and was already playing in his fourth all-star season when Wattberg was born in 1978. He played 1,148 regular season games and 81 playoff games, scoring a total of 150 regular-season goals and 637 assists. He was Sweden's first player enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Leipold selling Predators to Balsillie

2007-05-24T23:12:00.000-05:00

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CP-AP) - The years of mounting losses and indifference from the local corporate community convinced owner Craig Leipold that he could never make his Predators profitable in Nashville.

Maybe Canadian entrepreneur Jim Balsillie - who has entered into a letter of agreement to buy the NHL team for US$220 million, Leipold confirmed Thursday - will have better luck. Or maybe it's the first step in the team's departure from the Music City.

Either way, Leipold is done after losing of $70 million during the team's nine seasons. He made the deal with Balsillie, who outbid the Anschutz Entertainment Group, which is seeking a team for Kansas City.

''I have come to the conclusion that I cannot make it work here,'' said Leipold, who became emotional and had to pause at one point. ''We are one of the elite teams in this league and we are by far the lowest revenue team in the league.''

Under terms of the deal, the sale - including approval from the league's board of governors - must be completed by June 30.

As Balsillie, co-CEO of Waterloo, Ont.-based Research In Motion (TSX:RIM), the company that makes BlackBerry handheld devices, found out last autumn when his deal to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins fell apart, that's no slam dunk.

That's probably why he was playing things close to the vest Thursday, not returning phone calls and issuing a statement saying he is respectful of all the ''due diligence'' required before the deal can close.

''This is still Craig Leipold's franchise until the deal is completed, so for me to comment at this time on any number of topics relative to the franchise would not be appropriate,'' Balsillie said in the release.

Those careful words didn't stop speculation that the Predators will soon be on the move, perhaps to the Waterloo area.

If paid attendance in Nashville does not average at least 14,000 next season - the Preds averaged 13,815, 2,000 below the NHL average in 2006-07 despite low ticket prices and one of the best teams in the league - the team could pay an exit fee of US$18 million to get out of its arena lease and leave.

Balsillie's $175 million deal to buy the Penguins unravelled when commissioner Gary Bettman attached a list of conditions to the sale, including, it is believed, one that he not move the club until every possible avenue was exhausted.

That condition likely wouldn't be needed this time, given Leipold's many failed efforts at wooing the local corporate community. While the NHL doesn't want teams moved, Nashville hasn't shown that it will support the Predators long term.

''(The NHL) knows how hard we've worked in this market and the things we've done, the group that we have and the team that's already here,'' Leipold said.

''There are some major corporations that are just completely missing in action in our business. It's not because we haven't knocked on their door.''

So while the NHL would have been Balsillie's biggest hurdle in moving the Penguins, the biggest obstacles in his way of relocating the Predators would be the lease in Nashville and territorial rights issues with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres.

Both those teams would take issue with another team in the region and under NHL by-laws, a team cannot move within 80 kilometres of another city's corporate limits.

The Kitchener-Waterloo area is right on that border.

Leipold has until June 19 to exercise a ''cure'' clause in the team's arena lease that would force the city to buy tickets and ensure attendance averages 14,000 next season. Leipold said he has not yet discussed with Balsillie whether to exercise that clause but will.

The Predators have fewer than 9,000 season ticket subscribers. The team amassed 110 points, third best in the league, but still lost US$15 million this season.

Balsillie said he would visit Nashville, talk with Predators fans and ''become more familiar with the community'' once the deal is final.

Leipold predicted that ''we'll have hockey here for a long time'' if attendance improves. Balsillie will make an effort to keep the team in Nashville, he suggested.

''I think he's going to give it a chance,'' said Leipold. ''If (attendance) is over 14,000 paid, it's not going anywhere.''

Leipold said last January he was looking for one or more local investors to buy up to 40 per cent of the team in the hope that local owners could boost attendance. No local buyer or buyers stepped forward.

If the Predators had advanced to the NHL's conference final or even the championship series, it ''could potentially change the whole aspect of this team'' and investors might have stepped forward, said Leipold.

''It didn't work out,'' he said. ''That's just the way it is.

''We had injuries and, unfortunately, we got knocked out in the first round.''
Leipold signed a multi-year naming-rights deal for the city's hockey arena with Franklin, Tenn.-based Sommet Group last week. The revenue from that agreement goes to the team.
It is Leipold's team until at least June 30.

''This is truly one of the toughest days of my life,'' said Leipold. ''I poured my heart and soul into this franchise for 10 years.''

He lives in Wisconsin.

''We have had the most incredibly wonderful time owning this team,'' he said. ''My family, my kids, we just love doing this.''

But he's tired of losing millions.

Coach Barry Trotz, whose option for the next season was picked up recently, said he spent Wednesday night calling players. He hasn't met the prospective owner but likes what he has read of the amateur hockey player.

''He says, 'I want my name on the Cup,''' said Trotz. ''There's only one way to do it, and you have to win it. So I'm really excited about that.''

New NHL Rule?

2007-05-17T20:59:00.000-05:00

whats the story with the double goal line that they were testing out at the ducks practise? what do you guys out there think they will do? the idea came from a tv producer in LA.

Alex Ovechkin and His Equiptment.

2007-05-13T21:19:00.000-05:00

Those Skates look sick.

Note the pictures on his stick.

Hot selling NHL jerseys and teams

2007-05-09T19:34:00.000-05:00

The National Hockey League (NHL) announced Tuesday sales of NHL-licensed product increased on Shop.NHL.com for the eighth consecutive month and online sales for the month of April increased56.32% compared to the same period last year.

Nineteen NHL teams experienced growth in sales for the month of April on Shop.NHL.com. Leading the group were the Buffalo Sabres, with a sales increase of more than 895% compared to last April. Other teams that increased sales of merchandise by more than 200% include: Pittsburgh Penguins (292%), New York Islanders (245%), Vancouver Canucks (234%) and Minnesota Wild (201%).

The Sabres have been consistently a top-selling team and continue to dominate player jersey sales, accounting for six spots on the top 10 sellers on Shop.NHL.com. Jerseys bearing the names of Sabres forwards Daniel Briere, Maxim Afinogenov, Chris Drury, Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville and goaltender Ryan Miller were among the top sellers on Shop.NHL.com.

TOP 10 SELLING PLAYER JERSEYS ON SHOP.NHL.COM (April 1-30, 2007)
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres
Daniel Briere, Buffalo Sabres
Maxim Afinogenov, Buffalo Sabres
Chris Drury, Buffalo Sabres
Thomas Vanek, Buffalo Sabres
Jason Pominville, Buffalo Sabres
Sean Avery, New York Rangers
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks
Jaromir Jagr, New York Rangers

Boston College women's hockey coach resigns after probe into allegations

2007-04-26T00:24:00.000-05:00

BOSTON (AP) - Boston College women's hockey coach Tom Mutch resigned Tuesday after a university investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct.

The school gave no details of the probe.

"An allegation of inappropriate conduct has been raised involving" the coach, Boston College athletics director Gene DeFilippo said in a statement. "The University takes any such matters very seriously. As a result, the Athletics Department began an investigation of the alleged incident as soon as it was brought to our attention. Coach Mutch subsequently submitted his resignation, and his resignation was accepted."

Boston College spokesman Chris Cameron said he had no further comment.
A telephone message left at Mutch's campus office was not immediately returned.

Earlier Tuesday, the school had issued a statement that made no reference to any allegations, saying Mutch resigned "to pursue other career interests."

That statement also praised Mutch, who led the Eagles to their first appearance in the women's Frozen Four this year and was Hockey East coach of the year.

"Tom Mutch brought our women's ice hockey program to a new level and built a strong foundation for the future," DeFilippo said in the first statement. "We wish him the best in his future endeavours."

Mutch spent four seasons at Boston College with the team improving each year. The Eagles went 24-10-2 in 2006-07 and reached the semifinals of the NCAA tournament, losing to Minnesota Duluth 4-3 in double overtime.

The picture on the top right is the player that the coach has apparently slept with (Kelli Stack, 18 years old).

Mutch played hockey at Northeastern from 1986-88. He became assistant coach of the U.S. women's national team in 1996 and held that position on the team that won the gold medal at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan. In 2002, he was an assistant coach on the Northeastern men's team.

Crosby all-star jersey nets $47,520 at auction

2007-04-23T21:39:00.000-05:00

Sidney Crosby's first NHL all-star jersey fetched $47,520 US during a recent auction in support of Hockey Fights Cancer.

In all, the online event — a joint venture between the league and the NHL Players' Association — raised $140,397.

Hockey Fights Cancer was founded in 1998 by the NHL and the NHLPA to raise money and awareness in the fight against cancer. More than $9 million has been raised to date.
Other notable final bids were $5,681 for Brendan Shanahan's jersey and $5,020 for Martin Brodeur's jersey.

The jerseys were worn during the first period of the Jan. 24 game in Dallas.
Other final bids on jerseys were: Ryan Miller, $4,880; Rick Nash, $4,860; Joe Sakic, $4,679; Eric Staal, $4,520; Daniel Briere, $4,464; Roberto Luongo, $3,640; and Vincent Lecavalier, $3,179.

John Tortorella interview on CBC

2007-04-23T21:06:00.000-05:00

Classic..

Penguins sign six-foot-three forward Aaron Boogaard to three-year deal

2007-04-23T20:22:00.000-05:00

Look out:

PITTSBURGH (CP) - The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Aaron Boogaard to a three-year entry-level deal, the team announced Monday.

The six-foot-three, 245-pound Boogaard spent the past five seasons in the Western Hockey League, where he collected 54 points (26-28) and 589 penalty minutes in 273 games. He racked up 173 penalty minutes with career highs in goals (10), assists (11), and points (21) in 69 games with the Tri-City Americans this season.

The Regina native was originally drafted in the sixth round (175th overall) by the Minnesota Wild in 2004. His older brother, Derek, is a forward with the Wild. --

Flames backup goaltender Jamie McLennan suspended five games

2007-04-23T00:23:00.000-05:00

NEW YORK (CP) - The NHL came down hard on Calgary Flames backup goaltender Jamie McLennan on Sunday, suspending him for five games for his slash on Detroit's Johan Franzen in Game 5.

In addition, Calgary coach Jim Playfair was fined US$25,000 and the Flames' organization was fined $100,000. McLennan was given a match penalty for his slash, which occurred at 17:01 of the third period. There were several other scraps and penalties in the closing minutes of the game, which the Red Wings won 5-1.

"In our pre-playoff conference calls with the coaches and general managers of the respective organizations, we addressed a number of topics - and one of them was actions late in the game when the score was out of hand," Colin Campbell, NHL's senior executive vice-president and director of hockey operations, said in a statement.

"The coach and the organization must be held accountable for the players' actions."
Calgary needs a win in Game 6 on Sunday to force a deciding game in the best-of-seven first-round series.

The Flames recalled goalie Brent Krahn from their AHL affiliate in Omaha.

Blues sign Johnson, top overall pick of 2006

2007-04-19T17:19:00.000-05:00

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Defenseman Erik Johnson, the first overall pick of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, signed with the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.

The 19-year-old Johnson decided to go pro after his freshman season at Minnesota, where he totaled four goals and 20 assists in 41 games. He turned down a chance to join the Blues for the final few regular-season games after Minnesota fell one game short of the NCAA Frozen Four in St. Louis, but changed his mind a few weeks later.

The Blues envision Johnson as one of their top six defensemen next season.

"We are very excited about Erik's decision to join our club next season," team president John Davidson said. "We wanted to give Erik the proper time to make the best decision for himself and his family."

Johnson will play for Team USA at the World Championships from April 27-May 13 in Moscow. He played for the United State in the 2007 World Junior Championships, had four goals and six assists in 10 games and was selected the top defenseman of the tournament.

GEORGE PARROS - DUCKS HAS THE BEST MULLET AND MUSTACHE!!

2007-04-16T18:35:00.000-05:00

I love this guy. Love it! He's got the hair, and the soft-porn mustache to go with it. George got into Princeton. So, to have a hockey player that looks like this and to have him come from the Ivy League and have him be a fighter, too? That's just perfect.

Talk About Kneeing!

2007-04-16T18:24:00.000-05:00

Shea Weber takes a knee from Scott Hannan right in the cahones! Ouch!
Have a look at the fans in the background. The facial expressions are priceless.

Brent Sopel Scratched

2007-04-11T19:06:00.000-05:00

So my sources in the NHL tell me that Brent Sopel of the Vancouver Canucks has been scratched from tonights game due to having back spasms from bending trying to reach a crack that was on the ground.

this has to be the funnest thing I've heard in awhile.

Panthers Goalie Belfour Arrested At Bar

2007-04-10T13:12:00.000-05:00

Belfour and teammate Ville Peltonen were at the bar when security guards from the club asked police to make Belfour leave, police said.

The 41-year-old hockey player refused and walked toward the officer "in a fighting stance" and pushed him, a Miami Beach police report said.

Belfour pulled away from the officer trying to arrest him and grabbed his shirt. The hockey player then fell forward on the ground, kicking and refusing to place his hands behind his back, the report said.

Belfour had slurred speech, blood shot eyes and smelled of alcohol, police said. He was charged with disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer without violence.Peltonen, 33, was charged with criminal mischief after he broke a metal pole off a fire rescue truck parked in the area, a police report said.

Belfour was released later Monday from Miami-Dade County jail on $1,500 bond. Peltonen was released on $500 bond.

"We have been informed about the incident that occurred last night and we are currently in the process of gathering all the information," the Panthers said in a statement. "We have no further comment at this time."

While playing for the Dallas Stars in 2000, Belfour pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest following a scuffle with a security guard at an upscale hotel.He was sentenced to two years' probation and a $3,000 fine.

Belfour thinks it a Dive I Guess..

2007-04-04T18:12:00.000-05:00

Devils fire Julien in a surprise move

2007-04-02T18:31:00.000-05:00

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Lou Lamoriello is back behind the bench after firing Claude Julien on Monday.

The question is, why?

"I did not feel that we were going in the right direction, both mentally and hockey(-wise), going into the playoffs, for a variety of reasons," the New Jersey Devils GM told The Canadian Press.
Lamoriello will coach the final three regular-season games, starting Tuesday night against Ottawa, and the playoffs. It marks the second straight season he has taken over behind the bench. Last year, he replaced Larry Robinson in December.

"It was never my intention to ever possibly go back (behind the bench) again," Lamoriello said.

"It's just the timing to put somebody else in at this time with the number of games left wouldn't have been fair."

Lamoriello understands why people around hockey Monday were surprised, or even stunned, by the decision given New Jersey's No. 2 ranking in the Eastern Conference.

"Without question," Lamoriello said. ". It's surprising to people but they only have the surface and not the knowledge. This was an easy decision not to make. It's certainly a decision that's more difficult to make."

One GM, who requested anonymity Monday, told CP: "I thought April Fool's Day had moved a day."

Earlier Monday, Lamoriello repeated to reporters outside the Devils' deserted locker-room at Continental Airlines Arena that he didn't feel his team was mentally ready for the playoffs.

"I am not saying that is going to change. But I think there has to be better focus going forward," Lamoriello said.

The firing comes after the Devils won four of their last five games. The team is in first place in the Atlantic Division although it went 6-6-2 in March.

"You can look at 102 points any way you want but it's my responsibility is to give us the best possible chance of winning," Lamoriello said.

Julien, who was informed of his dismissal on Monday morning by Lamoriello, was not immediately available for comment.

"I sat down with him this morning and in my mind he certainly understood," said Lamoriello.
A practice scheduled for Monday was called off after Lamoriello discussed the move with the team.

"Our job is to listen to what has been said and why the decision was made," Devils captain Patrik Elias said. "Management said it gives us the best chance to accomplish what we want to accomplish and that is to win the (Stanley) Cup."

The firing came less than 24 hours after New Jersey beat Boston 3-1 to take a one-point lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins and improved its record to 47-24-8.

"You don't always judge by wins and losses as far as where you are at," said Lamoriello, who has guided New Jersey to three Stanley Cups since 1995, the last in 2003. "The way we put ourselves in this organization, you have to look at the big picture. To say that 102 points today isn't an excellent accomplishment, it's extremely positive.

"But I have to look at a lot of factors."

Lamoriello would not say what factors went into his decision. The Devils, who have struggled scoring all season, have slumped recently with forwards Brian Gionta, John Madden and Elias sidelined by groin injuries. However, the three are back in the lineup.

Julien also was handicapped by a roster problems because the Devils have battled the NHL salary cap all season. Injuries have forced him to play several minor league players.

"I think everybody takes responsibility, including me," Lamoriello said.

Monday's firing isn't the only time Lamoriello made a late-season coaching move. He fired Robbie Ftorek with eight games left in the 1999-2000 season and Robinson led the team to its second Stanley Cup title.

Lamoriello didn't consider the change in 2000 in deciding to replace Julien.

"You don't think of those things," Lamoriello said. "Nothing makes it any easier, believe me. The day anything like this becomes easy, or when it's trading a player or when you have make these decisions and it becomes easy, that's the day you look for a different position."

Julien previously coached the Montreal Canadiens from January 2003 until January 2006.

WTF IS GOING ON HERE?

Biggest Joke I've EVER SEEN 1972: Kanada's Humiliation

2007-03-27T20:38:00.000-05:00

I found this on youtube and this is what it said on the description:

"We must ignore recent revisionist propaganda by underground CBCnik insurgents.Is all lies. Now is time to be telling true story of Soviet hockey superpower and it's crushing victory, winning all eight games in 72 Summit Series, over country formerly known as Kanada, . Irrefutable evidence direct from archives in Ottawagrad is be seen here.Join us Komrades of Soviet Kanuckistan as we look back at the glorious victorious Summit of '72 and rejoice in Kanada's Humiliation as we look forward to celebrate the Arts & Kulture of Soviet Kanuckistan this Saturday, April the 15th at Lee's Palace, Torontovsk."

does this bother anyone else or do you guys think its just plain embarrassing?

Malkin Wears the Vapor XXXX Skates too

2007-03-26T00:31:00.000-05:00

Looking like Malking is wearing the Vapor XXXX skates as well.

Get them here:

The New Vapor XXXX Stick

2007-03-26T00:28:00.000-05:00

CHECK OUT OUR NEW HOME:

www.TheHockeyHerald.com

Could this be the new Vapor XXXX (Vapor 40) stick?

Get it here:

Pro Stock Nike Bauer ONE90 Hockey Skate

2007-03-26T00:17:00.000-05:00

Alright so I came across these when I was looking on ebay for some gear. These are a pro stock model of the one/90s. In the auction it states that these are "SKATES ARE BAUER 8000'S WITH SOME FEATURES AND THE GRAPHICS OF THE ONE90'S." I think they look pretty sweet if you ask me.

Get them here:

Johnson to sign with Kings

2007-03-25T20:44:00.000-05:00

Michigan star defenseman Jack Johnson is negotiating a contract with the Los Angeles Kings today, ending speculation of whether the sophomore would forgo his two remaining years of eligibility.

Johnson confirmed his departure in an exclusive interview with The Michigan Daily this afternoon.

"I thought I was ready for a new challenge," Johnson said. "With all my close friends, the seniors, gone now and everything, I thought it was time for me to pretty much go for a new challenge."

So much for him being difficult to sign.

Given the young phenom is going to be playing in the NHL beginning Tuesday, you have to think the Carolina Hurricanes would like a do-over of the deal that saw them acquire Eric Belanger and Tim Gleason for a player who posted nearly a point a game in the NCAA from the blueline.

GM Jim Rutherford was obviously dealing for the 'now' — something that doesn't appear to have paid off given their position in the standings.

At least with the NHL's wonky division-play heavy schedule, North Carolina hockey fans won't have to worry about him terrorizing them in person.

Johnson's the early favourite for the Calder Trophy in 2008, regardless of where the Kings sit in the standings. He's just a terrific player — one of the best young defencemen to join the league in years — and should make an immediate impact over the Kings' final six games of the regular season.

Not that they need him or anything.

Fedoruk: Let fighters wear gloves

2007-03-25T20:32:00.000-05:00

The NHL should take a page from the UFC when it comes to fighting, says in-the-spotlight Flyers enforcer Todd Fedoruk.

Fedoruk, who spent the night in hospital earlier this week after being at the wrong end of a nasty knockout, says maybe NHL tough guys should wear padding on their hands under their gloves.

"You look at extreme fighting, they've got those four-ounce gloves on," Fedoruk said.
Such padding would lessen the blows, he argued.

Despite being knocked out cold by Colton Orr of the New York Rangers on Wednesday night, Fedoruk doesn't want fighting to be taken out of the game.

"If you want to change something, do something to lessen the blow," Fedoruk said in an interview with The Canadian Press. "If it takes a three-ounce glove or something like that, that role players have to wear which would only cover the knuckle part, maybe that's something you can do. But I just don't think you can take fighting out of the game."

The small gloves that fighters wear in mixed martial arts is an idea that Fedoruk embraces.

"They're trained fighters and a lot of the NHL guys are trained fighters," he said. "I myself do a lot of training in the off-season that has to do with fighting. If they (the NHL) think too many bad things are happening to us, maybe that's a solution. But taking fighting out of the game is definitely not a solution.

"You just can't do it. It's ingrained in the roots of hockey."

NHL tough guys have become so big and so strong, there's concern in some quarters about the damage they now inflict on each other.

No argument from the 6-2, 240-pound Fedoruk.

"Well yeah, I'm proof of it," he said. "Not only what happened with Colton Orr but what happened earlier this season with (Derek) Boogaard."

Boogaard smashed Fedoruk's face in during an Oct. 27 fight. He required surgery.
"It was close to ending my career but luckily it didn't," said Fedoruk. "Yes, the guys are bigger.

But I just think it's our choice to do this. There is a reason for it. Orr came after me the other night because the game before I hammered (Jaromir) Jagr. Orr was only doing his job. And I'm more than willing to deal with it. It's my job."

Take out fighting and it's no longer hockey, Fedoruk said.

"I think if fighting was banned the NHL would like what the all-star game looked like this year," he said. "Back and forth, goal after goal, nice play after nice play . You going to watch that for 60 minutes? It gets a little boring."

Tough guys have an important part on each and every club.

"If you were in the dressing room you would really see it," said Fedoruk. "The respect that tough guys get from the other players and the type of role that the tough guy plays in the room, most tough guys on every team are good guys, they're the glue, they keep the team together. .

"They bring a light-heartedness to the dressing room, they keep the team tight, they look after everybody and I think that's a big role on a hockey team."

He points to his days in Anaheim last season when rookies Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry were happy to have him around.

"Having that tough guy really helps out the young guys on the team," said Fedoruk. "Being in Anaheim, that was a really young team and I played with Getzlaf and Perry and they were really appreciative of the comfort level they feel. Because if they don't feel comfortable, they can't play their game. And I think that's what the tough guys bring."

Pens Have the Worst Rink in the League

2007-03-20T15:47:00.000-05:00

Im not sure if you guys have seen this but i had to post it.

Lemieux no longer planning to sell Pens

2007-03-16T00:08:00.000-05:00

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Now that there is a new arena deal in place, Mario Lemieux and his partners no longer plan to sell the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Lemieux, the former Penguins star and Hall of Famer, and his investors bought the Penguins in federal bankruptcy court in 1999. They first put the team up for sale in 2005, but a proposed buyout by venture capitalist William (Boots) Del Biaggio III - a friend of Lemieux's - fell through.

Three months ago, Lemieux and partner Ron Burkle negotiated an estimated US$175-million sale of the 40-year-old franchise to Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie, but he pulled out within a few days of the planned closing date. He apparently balked at the NHL's insistence that he couldn't move the franchise even if an arena agreement wasn't reached.

Selling the Penguins would have allowed Lemieux, one of the most popular athletes in Pittsburgh history, to escape blame if the team had relocated. The Penguins were free to move after their Mellon Arena lease expires in June - possibly to Kansas City, with Del Biaggio as the owner - but a deal to build a new $290-million arena in Pittsburgh was finalized Tuesday.

With young stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal, the Penguins figure to be a contending franchise for years and Lemieux prefers to keep his stake in the team.

"We went through a lot the last few years and we see that the team is turning around and we want to be part of it," Lemieux said. "Ron wants to be part of it, the ownership group wants to be part of it and I want to be part of it."

Lemieux became the first star athlete to buy the major pro sports team he once played for when he leveraged the more than $25 million owed him by the franchise in deferred compensation into a large stake in the team.

"I've said for years my goal was to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh and win the Stanley Cup," Lemieux said. "We have one out of two. It's a good start."

Teams approve new system for NHL draft

2007-03-14T00:16:00.000-05:00

There will be a new format for determining the order of selection for the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

NHL teams have voted 23-6 (with one abstention) in favor of introducing a ranking system that places a greater emphasis on playoff performance than regular season results.

Under the existing format, non-playoff teams were placed one through 14 with the lowest regular-season point totals getting the higher pick in the draft, subject to the draft lottery which allows the winning non-playoff team to move up as many as four places.

The remaining 16 teams were seeded 15 through 30 based on inverse order of regular-season finish with one exception - the Stanley Cup-winning team automatically received the 30th and final pick of the first round.

The new format will work as follows:

- The 14 non-playoff teams will be seeded in inverse order of regular-season finish, just as they used to be, with the draft lottery remaining the same.

- Teams that lose in the first round of the playoffs, except those that won regular-season division titles, will be slotted next in inverse order of regular-season point totals.

- Regular-season division winners that did not advance to the Conference finals will be slotted next, in inverse order of regular-season point totals.

- Teams that make the Conference finals will be slotted next, in inverse order of regular-season point totals.

- The two teams that make it to the Stanley Cup final will get the final two picks - No. 29 for the Cup finalist and No. 30 for the Cup champion.

It is a little more difficult to explain than it was, but the basic premise is the farther a team proceeds in the playoffs, the later it will pick in the entry draft.

The concept was initially proposed by the Detroit Red Wings, who argue that playoff success is the true measure of a team's success in any given year and the draft order should reflect that.

The six teams which voted against the change were the Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, New York Islanders, San Jose Sharks and Washington Capitals. The Montreal Canadiens abstained. All remaining NHL teams voted in favor of the change.

New RBK 9KO Reebok Hockey Stick

2007-03-12T20:31:00.001-05:00

This new RBK 9KO clearly reveals the holes in the shaft of the stick, which is supposed to make the RBK 9KO 20% more aerodynamic than other sticks.

What do you think of the stick? How durable do you think it will be? Will the holes in the shaft really make it that much better or is it just a marketing ploy by Reebok?

Please leave a comment and let us know what you think!

Get it here:

Nolan: Simon suspension too harsh

2007-03-12T20:14:00.000-05:00

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CP) - New York Islanders head coach Ted Nolan says the NHL's 25-game suspension of winger Chris Simon was too harsh. "To take away the rest of his regular season would have been plenty enough," Nolan told newyorkislanders.com Monday. "But to say he can't be part of the team for the Stanley Cup playoffs does not seem fair."

Nolan, who also coached Simon with the OHL's Soo Greyhounds, said he wasn't defending Simon's two-handed chop to the face of New York Rangers forward Ryan Hollweg, but said something wasn't right with Simon. The rugged Islanders winger suffered a concussion after being hit by Hollweg into the glass just before the incident.

"I've known Chris since he was a teenager," Nolan said. "He doesn't take out personal vendettas when it's 1-1 with six minutes left in the biggest game of the season against our biggest rival. That's just not the player or person he is.

"I was thinking (the suspension) would be 12 games. This way Chris would be out for the last two games we have against the Rangers at the Coliseum. Maybe the rest of the regular season. But not beyond that."

"He knows what he did was wrong and we're all happy the other player (Hollweg) was not injured and returned to the game," said Nolan. "Chris is going to need some time, but when he's ready he'll still be a part of our team. As I said, Chris was very proud to be an Islander this season and he is a very important player for us. He made a mistake, but everyone who cares about this franchise is going to be there for him."

The Islanders play at Montreal on Tuesday but don't expect to hear Nolan address the suspension.

"I'll tell you what: this is the last we're talking about it," he said. "The media was here today and we addressed this issue. But this is not going to continue in Canada tomorrow and for the rest of the trip. It's over today. From now on in, our responsibility is to rally around Chris and win as many games as we can."

Samsonov regrets signing with Canadiens

2007-03-12T20:12:00.000-05:00

It's been a season of disappointments for the Montreal Canadiens, especially for Sergei Samsonov.

The high-priced Russian forward, who was a healthy scratch for the sixth time on Saturday, pulled no punches this weekend saying he regretted signing with the team last summer.

"I've been blamed for everything that has gone wrong. Why stop now?" Samsonov told the Gazette.

"Obviously, looking back, I regret my decision (to sign with the Canadiens). All you can do is make things different and learn from your mistakes. Things could have been done and handled differently."

After a 53-point season last year with Boston and Edmonton, Samsonov signed to a two-year, $7.05 million contract with the Canadiens in July. He is arguably the biggest free agent bust from last summer, scoring just nine goals and 26 points this season. Head coach Guy Carbonneau tried to light a spark under the former first-round pick like scratching him out of the lineup and shuffling him between all four lines.

The Canadiens placed him on waivers on Feb. 7 and also tried to trade him to one of 10 preferable teams indicated on his contract.

"I need a different, a fresh start," Samsonov told the Gazette.

"I'm looking forward to that. This hasn't worked out the way I expected, but life goes on. I thought this was going to be a better fit, because of the guys in the lineup and the way management portrayed things. But it was never meant to be."

The 28-year-old has one more year remaining on his contract that will pay him $3.525 million next season.

Perezhogin Hitting Stafford With a Baseball Swing

2007-03-09T20:28:00.000-05:00

I think this definatly out does what Simon and the rest have done but fo r some reason most people dont remember it.

Nike Goalie - "Bank Robbery"

2007-03-09T17:24:00.000-05:00

ahahhahaahha first time I saw this. Had to add it.

Wideman’s Shootout Blunder

2007-03-09T16:57:00.000-05:00

Heres the clip of Dennis Wideman falling during a shootout a few months back.I know it isn’t new, but I really couldn’t have a hockey site without including this hilarious video. Enjoy!

Ugliest Hockey Skates Ever Made

2007-03-09T16:35:00.000-05:00

The Micron hockey skate, although made in Canada, was a shameful display of engineering and style. The boot of the skate was made completely of plastic, as if they attached blades to a couple of painted Javex bottles.

Sadly, these skates did make their way into the National Hockey League and were even worn by Kevin Lowe for a period of time.

Worst Helmet Ever Worn

2007-03-09T16:03:00.000-05:00

As you can see, this is the ugliest helmet of any kind ever produced. Not only that, it was probably the worst name for a helmet, or any hockey equipment for that matter.

That said, the XL7 is now the name of a Sport Utility Vehicle produced by Suzuki…which is also ugly. Someone with some authority over at Suzuki should tell them to stick to motorcycles.

So there you go. If you are producing any type of product and you want it to be at least remotely cool, don’t name it “XL7″.

Bertuzzi vs Simon vs Janssen vs McSorley

2007-03-09T14:34:00.000-05:00

Simon

Bertuzzi

Janssen

McSorley

Alright so whats the worst cheap shot?

Simon's costly stick puts Rangers in 8th

2007-03-09T01:00:00.000-05:00

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) - Ryan Hollweg was able to smile, knowing the vicious shot he took to the face from Chris Simon led to the New York Rangers' biggest win of the season.

Hollweg was felled by Simon late in the third period Thursday night when the New York Islanders' forward angrily charged him and nailed him with a clothesline hit with his stick.

Simon was ejected, and Petr Prucha scored on the resulting long power play to lift the Rangers to a 2-1 win and a sweep of the home-and-home series between the local rivals.

"The best retaliation is to score on that power play," Hollweg said. "I couldn't feel any better than when that puck went in."

Hollweg stayed down on the ice for several minutes after the hit and was bleeding from the chin when he got up. He took a few stitches and had his face numbed, but expects to play Saturday when the Rangers visit Pittsburgh.

"I feel good," he said. "We got the win. I kind of lost my hearing for a bit after it happened. I might've been out for a second or two. The pain goes away when you get those two points."

The hit was reminiscent of often-replayed clips of Marty McSorley's swinging stick shot to the head of Donald Brashear, and Todd Bertuzzi's blindside punch against Steve Moore. Those both drew lengthy suspensions, and Simon could conceivably be shelved for the Islanders' remaining 15 regular-season games.

"I feel bad for taking a penalty that led to us losing the game," said Simon, who cut his remarks short. "I think I'll wait until I talk to the league office, and then I'll answer all questions afterward. I've always been known as a team guy, and I feel real bad about letting the team down."

Prucha smacked in a shot from the slot, off a feed from Michael Nylander with 5:14 left in the game and 1:17 into Simon's penalty.

The Islanders killed off the rest of the power play and thought they tied the game with 20.4 seconds left. Marc-Andre Bergeron's shot was stopped by Henrik Lundqvist and Trent Hunter slid the puck back to the goal line where Lundqvist barely swept it out.

After a lengthy video review, with fans chanting "Goal! Goal!" while accompanied by the organist, referee Kevin Pollack signaled no goal.

"I turned around and saw the puck just sliding toward the goal," Lundqvist said. "It's almost like slow motion. You try to get back with your stick. It's hard to see if it's a goal or not."

As tough as the save was, waiting for the ruling became excruciating to the helpless goalie.

"I looked up at the big TV there. Some replays it looked like a goal and some it looked like a save," Lundqvist said. "There was still 20 seconds left and they still had a big chance after that. It felt like the game was over almost but you have to get back in the game."

It was the second crucial call to go against the home team during an action-packed third period.
Hollweg drove Simon into the boards with a hard, clean check. Simon got up angrily and met Hollweg as they came together again. Hollweg fell to his back and rolled over onto his stomach by the boards.

"I just finished my check on the half wall," Hollweg said. "I think he was a little fazed by it. I turned around, and the next thing I knew he's winding up and hitting me in the face."

Simon, who gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead in the second period, was ejected - slapped with a match penalty for deliberate attempt to injure.

"I didn't really have time to react to it," Hollweg said. "It's scary to your health but in the back of my mind I couldn't believe he did it."

Paul Mara scored a power-play goal for the Rangers to tie it in the middle period. The Rangers used a pair of 2-1 wins over their biggest rival to move into position for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Rangers are 4-0-1 in their past five games and have moved into an eighth-place tie in the Eastern Conference with 15 games left. The seventh-place Islanders are just three points ahead despite failing to earn a point for just the third time in 21 games (12-3-6).

"It's not easy to see a teammate lose his cool, and to have it happen with six minutes left in the game - it's a tough one to swallow," said Brendan Witt, a hard-hitting Islanders defenseman.

"We were undisciplined, and it cost us."

The Rangers also won 2-1 on Monday at Madison Square Garden but needed a shootout to beat Rick DiPietro, who made an Islanders-record 56 saves.

Both he and Lundqvist were stellar again, but for the second time in four nights Lundqvist - the Rangers' second-year goalie - was one save better. Lundqvist made 30 stops, DiPietro blocked 28.

Just like Monday, the Islanders struck first.

Richard Park carried the puck behind the Rangers net and passed it off to Arron Asham in the slot. The rugged forward wound up for a big drive that hit traffic in front and didn't get to Lundqvist. The puck bounded to Simon, who scored his 10th this season and fifth in eight games at 3:33 of the second period.

Mara tied it with his first with the Rangers just more than 8 minutes later.

Matt Cullen won an offensive-zone faceoff back to Karel Rachunek, who moved the puck to his defensive partner at the right point. Mara, playing despite a shoulder injury sustained in Monday's win, loaded up for a shot that rocketed past DiPietro and flew back out at 11:54.

Notes: Rangers C Brandon Dubinsky, taking the place of injured forward Marcel Hossa, made his NHL debut. Hossa, who sprained a knee Monday against the Islanders, is expected to be out up to a month. . The Islanders had their fifth home sellout of the season, including both meetings with the Rangers, who will visit twice more.

Finally a good fight..

2007-03-07T14:48:00.000-05:00

Finally some old time hockey!!!!

Quote of the Day

2007-02-27T19:35:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day

"I'm tired of answering calls about the refereeing, I don't know why the referees don't get questions on these types of things because what can we say about it?"

-Maple Leafs forward Jeff O'neill on a non-call on Leafs captain Mats Sundin.

Finally The Deadline is here!!

2007-02-27T11:04:00.000-05:00

There have been a number of notable trades made at the trade deadline featuring draft picks that would turn into star players.

1980-81 Season
March 10, 1981 - Los Angeles Kings obtained LW Rick Martin from Buffalo for Los Angeles' third-round choice in 1981 Entry Draft (D Colin Chisholm) and first-round choice in the 1983 Entry Draft (G Tom Barrasso). The Kings received Martin, who posted eight seasons of 30-or-more goals and was a member of the Sabres' famous "French Connection" line with Gilbert Perreault and Rene Robert. Buffalo used the future first-round draft pick to select another high school phenom, goaltender Tom Barrasso of Acton-Boxboro (Massachusetts).

1994-95 Season
March 23, 1995 - Hartford obtained D Glen Featherstone, D Michael Stewart and a first-round pick in the 1995 Entry Draft (Jean-Sebastien Giguere) and a fourth-round pick in the 1996 Entry Draft for RW Pat Verbeek. Giguere led Anaheim to the 2003 Stanley Cup Final and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy after posting a 1.62 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage.

1997-98 Season
March 24, 1998 - Tampa Bay traded D Bryan Marchment and D David Shaw and a first round draft choice (later traded to Nashville) to San Jose for F Andrei Nazarov and a first round draft choice in 1998 (C Vincent Lecavalier). Lecavalier helped Tampa win its first-ever Stanley Cup in 2004 and has emerged as an elite plaer in the National Hockey League.

1997-98 Season
March 24, 1998 - Tampa Bay obtained RW Sandy McCarthy, a third-round draft pick in 1998 (F Brad Richards) and a fifth-round choice from Calgary for C Jason Weimer. Richards has developed into a pivotal centre for the Lightning. He was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2004 after he totaled 26 points in the post season, including seven game-winning goals. Richards also won the Lady Byng trophy in 2004.

1999-2000 Season
March 23, 1999 - Buffalo obtained a fifth-round pick (G Ryan Miller) and D Rhett Warrener from Florida for D Mike Wilson. Miller has become a money goalie with Buffalo, helping the Sabres tie an NHL record by winning their first 10 games of the season in 2006-07.
2000-01 Season

March 13, 2001 - Los Angeles obtained Adam Mair and a second-round pick in the 2001 Entry Draft (Mike Cammalleri) from Toronto for Aki Berg. Cammalleri has become one of the young cornerstones for a rebuilding team in L.A. and has all the makings of a solid scorer.

Joe Sakic Scores 600th Goal

2007-02-16T02:13:00.000-05:00

Colorado Avalanche Joe Sakic shows his 600th career NHL goal puck after beating the Calgary Flames, 7-5, in Calgary, Canada,Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007. Sakic scored twice and added three assists to lead Colorado to its second straight win.

Alex Ovechkin Blue Visor

2007-02-13T00:32:00.000-05:00

Is this going to be legal next year?

Pictures of Gaborik wearing XXXX's

2007-02-12T23:46:00.000-05:00

This is the only guy i've seen wearing the xxxx's and to be honest I see more people wearing the xxx's instead of the one90s.

Buy your new XXXX's, One/90's or anything else here:

Dallas Stars acquire Ladislav Nagy from Phoenix for Tjarnqvist, draft pick

2007-02-12T15:46:00.001-05:00

DALLAS (CP) - The Dallas Stars hope Ladislav Nagy can help put them over the top.

Dallas acquired the speedy winger on Monday from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for a first-round draft pick and forward Mathias Tjarnqvist. "Ladislav brings speed and skill to our hockey club and has proven to be a top-six NHL forward over his career," said Stars GM Doug Armstrong. "We look for him to come in and make an immediate impact on our roster."

Nagy is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He became expendable after Coyotes GM Mike Barnett was unable to sign him to a long-term deal. He's earning US$3 million this season.

The push is on for the Stars, who are currently sixth in the Western Conference but trail Anaheim by just four points for first place in the Pacific Division.

Nagy had 41 points (eight goals, 33 assists) in 55 games for the Coyotes this season. He spent six seasons with the Coyotes, racking up 249 points in 321 games.

Tjarnqvist is more of a role player. He had four points in 18 games for Dallas this year and has 12 points in 69 career NHL games. The 27-year-old is earning the league's minimum salary of $450,000.
Phoenix now has two first-round selections at the upcoming entry draft in Columbus.

and we Thought Chara was Tall...

2007-02-11T22:59:00.000-05:00

wow I thought Chara was a beast. UNREAL

Old School Nike Hockey Commercial #2

2007-02-11T15:07:00.000-05:00

"long haired russian freak boy"

Flames grab Stuart, Primeau from Bruins

2007-02-11T04:22:00.000-05:00

BOSTON (CP-AP) - The Calgary Flames have nabbed the most coveted defenceman on the market more than two weeks before the NHL trade deadline.

The Boston Bruins traded defenceman Brad Stuart, forward Wayne Primeau and a conditional draft pick to the Flames on Saturday for defenceman Andrew Ference and forward Chuck Kobasew.

The Flames expect both Stuart and Primeau to be in the lineup on Sunday when Calgary ends a three-game road trip in Detroit.

It's the second big deal made by Flames GM Darryl Sutter in the past two weeks. Calgary acquired centre Craig Conroy from Los Angeles on Jan. 29.

Stuart, a key player in last season's deal that sent former Bruins captain Joe Thornton to San Jose, had been mentioned in recent trade talk because of his upcoming free-agent status.

Boston's inability to work out a new contract with Stuart forced the deal, completed just over an hour after the Bruins beat the New York Islanders 4-3 in a shootout.
'
'It became evident that when I wasn't having success signing Brad that I was going to have to trade Brad,'' general manager Peter Chiarelli said.

Stuart, 27, was acquired with Primeau and Marco Sturm on Nov. 30, 2005, for Thornton - who went on to win NHL MVP honours with the Sharks last season.

Boston missed the playoffs and is in danger of doing so again this year. They're last in the Northeast Division with 54 points.

''When any team doesn't win hockey games something has to change,'' Boston coach Dave Lewis said.

Stuart has seven goals and 10 assists in 47 games this season, but has struggled defensively on
the underachieving Bruins with a minus-23 rating.

His best season was with the San Jose Sharks in 2003-04, when he had 36 points and a plus-9 rating.

The six-foot-two, 213-pound native of Rocky Mountain House, Alta., was San Jose's first-round pick, third overall, in the 1998 NHL entry draft.

He has 201 points and 285 penalty minutes with a minus-2 rating over 479 career games with San Jose and Boston.

Stuart joins a talent-rich Calgary blue-line already boasting the likes of Robyn Regehr, Dion Phaneuf and Roman Hamrlik.

Primeau is also an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He had seven goals, eight assists and 73 penalty minutes in 50 games for the Bruins this campaign.

Primeau was Buffalo's first round pick, 17th overall, in 1994. The six-foot-four, 231-pound Toronto native never displayed the scoring touch in the NHL that he showed in a promising Ontario Hockey League career with Owen Sound and Oshawa. His best season was also 2003-04, when he had 29 points and 90 penalty minutes in 72 games with the Sharks.

Primeau has 165 points and 676 penalty minutes in 620 career games with Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, San Jose and Boston.

Ference, 27, played in 53 games this season for Calgary. He is signed for three more seasons.

''Part of what we have to do is preserve the assets of players that are unrestricted,'' Chiarelli said. ''Chuck is 24 and Andrew is 27. They add some youth and energy, which we want to add to this team.''

Kobasew, who played on Boston College's 2001 NCAA championship team before going pro,
appeared in 40 games with Calgary - notching four goals and 13 assists.

Ference played in Buffalo on Saturday night. Kobasew has been sidelined with an elbow injury since late January.

''I'm really looking forward to it,'' Kobasew said in a statement released by the Bruins. ''It's disappointing to leave Calgary, but I did play two years of my career in Boston; one at Boston College and one at Lowell in the AHL.''

Ference was surprised to be sent away by the Flames.

''It's always a bit of a shock when you get traded,'' he said. ''But obviously when you're traded to a storied franchise it's definitely a little easier to take.''

Chiarelli hopes this trade shows he is trying to build a winner now while also looking toward the future.

''I would like to think it says that we're getting two high-character players and we have an influx of youth and energy,'' he said. ''I don't want to send a message that we're throwing in the towel. These are players that are on a division-leading team with experience. They're good players.''

Old School Nike Hockey Commercial

2007-02-10T16:06:00.000-05:00

I've decided that once a day until they are done I will be posting the old school Nike Hockey commercials because I find them so funny.

"Learn how to make a glove save"

Comments?

The Sedins' Working It

2007-02-10T16:02:00.000-05:00

I saw this and had to post it. One of the better commercials I've seen for the NHL.

Trade Deadline Rumour List

2007-02-10T15:18:00.000-05:00

The NHL's annual trading deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 27. And with an earlier date than previous years, teams won't be making deals for successful playoff runs so much as they'll be loading up just to clinch a postseason berth. Here is a little list i put together for the names heard prominently in trade rumours around the league.

Here are some names in play:

Adrian Aucoin
Position: Defenceman
Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 33
Rumoured Suitors? - Canadiens
The Blackhawks pinned much of their immediate future on Aucoin when they signed him to a four-year, $12 million deal in 2005. But the veteran blueliner has not lived up to expectations, battling groin injuries and spending a lot of time in the press box because of his recent defensive struggles. Aucoin can get his game back with a new team, but with two years and $8 million left on his contract, the price could be too much. A recent rumour had him possibly going to Montreal for Craig Rivet and Sergei Samsonov.

Todd Bertuzzi
Position: Left Wing
Team: Florida Panthers
Age: 31
Rumoured Suitors? - Red Wings
Coming off back surgery, a healthy Bertuzzi could give any team an edge in a tight playoff race. But off-ice issues aside, a big drawback is the remainder of his $5.3 million salary that has to be paid out. That will limit the number of potential suitors, but teams would be getting a player who can still dominate and set the tone in any given game. Bertuzzi will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Eric Brewer
Position: Defence
Team: St. Louis Blues
Age: 27
Rumoured Suitors? - Oilers, Thrashers
Head coach Andy Murray has brought a winning attitude to the Blues, but a playoff spot might not be in the picture this season. Brewer, acquired by St. Louis in 2005 in a deal for Chris Pronger, is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, and the remainder of this year's $2 million salary is workable for a team looking to improve its blueline.

Joe Corvo
Position: Defenceman
Team: Ottawa Senators
Age: 29
Rumoured Suitors? - Oilers
Where stats are concerned, Corvo has kept pretty much the same pace as last season when he finished with 40 points with the L.A. Kings. But a plus-minus rating of -8 has made him his own worst critic and other teams could be clamouring for his services as a solid puck-moving defenceman. The Oilers were reportedly interested in dealing a player like Raffi Torres or Joffrey Lupul for Corvo, but his four-year, $10.5 million contract could be a point of contention.

Peter Forsberg
Position: Centre
Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 33
Rumoured Suitors? - Rangers, Avalanche, Canadiens, Red Wings, Hurricanes
Almost a dozen teams have reportedly expressed interest in Forsberg, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in July. But trade rumours are the farthest thing from Foppa's mind these days, as the former Hart Trophy winner is more concerned about getting the proper skate for his ankle and playing with a clean bill of health. There's no doubt that he's hurting this season, so how much is a team willing to give up for two or three months (at best?) for his services?

Bill Guerin
Position: Right Wing
Team: St. Louis Blues
Age: 36
Rumoured Suitors? -
Guerin, who won a Stanley Cup with New Jersey in 1995, has plenty of playoff experience and brings veteran help to any team looking to make a postseason run. The one-year contract he signed with the Blues last summer makes him the perfect rental player, much like Mark Recchi and Doug Weight were last season. If St. Louis seems like it's on the outside looking in, the gritty scorer will be a hot commodity come Feb. 27.

Ladislav Nagy
Position: Left Wing
Team: Phoenix Coyotes
Age: 27
Rumoured Suitors? - Rangers, Canadiens
The direction the Coyotes take at the trade deadline all depends on whether or not they're still in a realistic postseason hunt. With Nagy and captain Shane Doan set to hit the free agent market this summer, one or the other could be traded to a contending team. A club acquiring Nagy also gets the best opportunity to sign him to a long-term deal. At 27, he still has a lot of good hockey ahead of him.

Gary Roberts
Position: Left Wing
Team: Florida Panthers
Age: 40
Rumoured Suitors? - Maple Leafs, Senators
If Florida falls quickly out of contention, GM Jacques Martin could be looking to sell off some veteran talent in exchange for picks or prospects. Roberts could be a candidate if he waives his no-trade clause. Injury woes aside (suffering a hip flexor in January), Roberts takes very good care of himself and would be beneficial for any team in a short-term postseason run. The Roberts-to-Toronto rumours have always been kicking around, but it won't have much meat to it if the Leafs fall out of the race for a playoff berth.

Sergei Samsonov
Position: Left Wing
Team: Montreal Canadiens
Age: 28
Rumoured Suitors? - Blackhawks
Simply put, the stats show that Samsonov has been a bad fit for the Canadiens. A change of scenery may be the remedy to get this speedy and skilled forward back up to par, but the sticking point for the Habs may be his $3.75 million salary next season. He was recently waived by the Canadiens, but it looks like the Russian sniper and the team are stuck together until a) he finds his groove down the stretch or b) GM Bob Gainey is able to find a suitable trading partner.

Brad Stuart
Position: Defenceman
Team: Boston Bruins
Age: 27
Rumoured Suitors? - Oilers
Stuart, acquired by Boston in 2005 as part of the blockbuster Joe Thornton trade, is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. The Bruins might deal Stuart if two factors come into play. First, the team would have to miss the postseason and pack it up. The second is even more crucial - seeing if he'll sign with the team. If Stuart and the Bruins can't come to terms, then it would only be logical to deal him rather than lose him for nothing in July.

Mats Sundin
Position: Centre
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Age: 35
Rumoured Suitors? -
Most hockey pundits didn't have lot of expectations for the Maple Leafs this season. And if Toronto is well on its way to a second straight non-playoff campaign, they might bid farewell to their soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. That doesn't mean he'll be gone from Toronto forever, as the Leafs could hypothetically re-sign him in the summer. But if an April tee-time on the golf course is imminent, John Ferguson Jr. could be tempted to rent out his captain for a few months.

Jose Theodore
Position: Goaltender
Team: Colorado Avalanche
Age: 30
Rumoured Suitors? -
Another season, and another year of struggles for the former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner. Pierre Lacroix's big acquisition from Montreal last March has turned out to be an $11.5 million ($5.5 million this year, $6 million next year) albatross for current GM Francois Giguere as backup Peter Budaj has unceremoniously taken the No. 1 job in net. There are few doubts that the Avalanche would love to trade Theodore and his hefty salary, but you won't find any takers. Reports out of Denver suggested Theodore could be shipped to Philly in exchange for Peter Forsberg, but those rumours were quickly refuted.

Keith Tkachuk
Position: Left Wing
Team: St. Louis Blues
Age: 34
Rumoured Suitors? -
Even at 34, Tkachuk has all the makings of a solid power forward. WHen he's on his game, he can crash, bang and score like the rest of them. Though he makes $3.8 million this season, his salary counts for $5.7 million against the cap. Perhaps a fraction of that money is digestable for a team looking to make the postseason...that is, if the Blues are looking to cash in their chips early.
Darcy Tucker
Position: Right Wing
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Age: 31
Rumoured Suitors? - Oilers, Flames
The rumour mill started swirling with reports of the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers showing interest in the feisty winger. The Alberta native, who played his junior hockey with Kamloops of the WHL, would be a welcome character player in either lineup. But are the Leafs willing to part ways with him without trying to sign him to a long-term contract first? Tucker could always re-sign with the blue and white in the summer, as it seems that both he and the Leafs want to get a deal done so he can stay in Toronto.

Leafs, Tucker continue to talk deal

2007-02-09T17:44:00.000-05:00

"We're at a critical time."

That's how Darcy Tucker's agent Carlos Sosa views ongoing contract negotiations with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"The negotiation at this point is promising, but not fulfilled and it's at a place where there is a chance to get something done," Sosa added.

Sosa and Maple Leafs general manager, John Ferguson talked yesterday with the Tucker camp tabling a new proposal.

Sosa would not comment on the term, or the money Tucker is seeking. However, it is believed the veteran forward is asking for a four year agreement, armed with a "no movement" clause.

"The discussions have been positive. That hasn't changed," Ferguson offered in response to Sosa's characterization of the process.

The two sides are expected to resume discussions today (Friday), however neither side anticipates a deal will be reached that quickly.

"If it gets done in the next week or sooner, great. If not, it may be awhile," Sosa told TSN.

"Awhile," meaning post trade deadline which would clearly apply a pressure point on Toronto to consider all options, with the potential of Tucker walking away as an unrestricted free agent in the summer not one of them.

"This guy is what every playoff team wants, so why would you move him?" Sosa concluded in response to the trade speculation that persists.

"I don't see too many playoff worthy teams shedding top players at the deadline. I would call that atypical," said Ferguson.

In the meantime, the 31 year old received encouraging news following his latest round of x-rays, Friday morning.

His injured foot has repaired itself to the point a protective cast has been removed and replaced with a more workout friendly version. However, Tucker's return to the lineup is unlikely for at least another 10-14 days.

Should the Leafs cut their losses and trade him for Bobby Ryan, an Anaheim Ducks prospect that was taken #2 after Crosby in the 2005 Entry Draft. I wouldn't mind the trade considering he will come back to Toronto for $3 million after the season is over since after all his entire family is in the Toronto area.

Kim Kardashian Sex Tape Link

2007-02-08T21:20:00.000-05:00

Shes hot and I had to post this:

LINK HERE

For Skrastins, it's work, work, work

2007-02-08T16:10:00.000-05:00

Perhaps it would have been more fitting if he was Nashville’s first ever draft pick. But the reality is that iron-man defenseman Karlis Skrastins was the Predators’ last pick in their very first draft. He was their "Mr. Irrelevant."

Players like Geoff Koch, Kent Sauer, Martin Beauchesne, Craig Brunel and Martin Bartek – you’re not alone if you just asked “Who?” -- were all picked before him. Skrastins was selected in the now-defunct ninth round (No. 230 overall) by the expansion club in 1998.
Funny how things turn out.

He is now a member of the Colorado Avalanche and the 32-year-old Skrastins has put together quite a career for himself. When he was traded to the Avs, the Predators didn’t even immediately get a player back for him, flipping him instead for future considerations in 2003.

Thursday, Skrastins will go into the NHL record book when he passes Tim Horton for the impressive feat of playing in what will be 487-consecutive games as a defenseman. That would be 487 more games than Koch, Sauer, Beauchesne, Brunel and Bartek combined to play in over their NHL careers. By the way, the total number of games those higher picks played add up to zero. None. Zippo.

Funny, indeed.

Horton played in 486-consecutive games for Toronto between 1961 and 1968. The NHL’s all-time record for consecutive games played may never be broken. Doug Jarvis played in 964-straight games between 1975 and 1987. Gary Unger played in 914 between 1968 and 1979, Steve Larmer dressed in 884 between 1982 and 1993, Craig Ramsay played in 776 consecutive games for 10 years between 1973 and 1983, and Andy Hebenton played in 630-consecutive matches between 1955 and 1964.

Horton owned the consecutive games played mark for a defenseman, an achievement Skrastins matched in a game against Florida Tuesday night. And it’s really the first time Skrastins has gotten much attention for anything after playing a simple, steady game that’s allowed him to stealthily slip under the radar all these years.

“I’m not going to score a lot of goals and I’m not going to score a lot of points,” Skrastins said.
Not much about Skrastins stands out. He doesn’t score a lot. The 17 points he put up during the 2001-02 season with Nashville remains a career high. This season with Colorado, Skrastins failed to register a point the first 31 games of the season. He’s not a punishing menace on the blue line either. But he doesn’t make many mistakes.

And he never takes a night off.

“Pain is kind of part of our game,” Skrastins said. “If I can get through it and I feel alright, I’m going to play.”

He’s done quite a bit of that. Skrastins’ streak began Feb. 21, 2000, his rookie year with the Preds. Since then, he has not missed a single regular-season game his teams have played in, close to seven years of service time. Going into Thursday’s game against Atlanta, when Skrastins is expected to pass Horton for the most durable defenseman honor, he had played a total of 10,086 minutes and averaged 20:48 of ice time over the course of his iron run.

“My mother worked two jobs,” Skrastins said. “That’s what I learned from my mom and dad, to be a hard worker.”

Skrastins has played a steady, simple brand of defense since breaking into the NHL with the Predators.Making the feat more impressive is the fact that the NHL game is tougher than ever on defensemen. No longer can you hold up opposing forecheckers and the defensemen are being hit harder than ever under the new rules. It has also become increasingly more difficult for d-men to defend within the rules. Mobility and durability now trump size and strength on the blue line.

And Skrastins isn’t exactly a floater either. He leads the Avalanche in blocked shots this year, his 147 blocks ranking him third in the league. That’s 147 times he’s thrown his body in front of a frozen piece of vulcanized rubber that moves over 100 miles an hour during NHL games. Hey, if the hockey thing doesn’t work out, Skrastins could work for the Secret Service, diving in front of actual bullets. He’s got enough practice.

“After games I have a lot of ice bags on my body,” he said.

It takes a tough man to put together this kind of streak, and Skrastins is as tough as they come. He’s also one of the loyal team guys in the NHL. He admitted the worst injury he ever played through during his streak was a broken wrist, which would have 99 percent of the league watching from the press box in street clothes. Not Skrastins.

“It was one year before the lockout, towards the end of the season, too, I think the last 10 or 15 games,” Skrastins said. “I had a broken wrist. The team doctors and trainers did a big, big job. They made a nice wristband for me. I played one game, I played the second game, and I was feeling good. It was a lot of pain, but it didn’t bother me to play my game. If I was a forward, I don’t know if I would be able to play that game with that wrist injury.”

There would have been no shame in sitting then. But he didn’t.

“Yeah, but hockey is my job. It’s what I like to do and I like to be in the game,” Skrastins said.

“Usually if I can help the team, I’m going to be ready.”

And for the better part of the last seven years, he’s been ready. Ready for work. --

This is NOT What I Wanted to Hear

2007-02-08T16:00:00.000-05:00

VANCOUVER (CP) - Gary Bettman dismissed any speculation Wednesday he may leave, or be forced from, his job as NHL commissioner.

"I've watched with fascination some of the newspaper reports having me going on sabbatical shortly," Bettman said prior to the Vancouver Canucks playing the Chicago Blackhawks. "That isn't the case, wasn't the case.

"I think people were somehow under the impression my contract had a year to run and got fixated on that. Those stories were, to say the least, inaccurate."

Bettman said he "doesn't really keep track" of how long his current contract runs, but said "it sounds right" that it is for at least four more years.

There have been stories in some media outlets that the patience of certain owners is running thin with Bettman.

Some are frustrated with the current US TV contract with Versus, a cable network formerly known as the Outdoor Life Network, that is unknown to many people. Others are upset with the current unbalanced NHL schedule which means some superstars don't play in certain markets for three years.

Edmonton Oilers chairman Cal Nichols was vocal in his anger after the league voted down an attempt to change the schedule during the recent NHL all-star game in Dallas.

"I think we should be more concerned about the future of the game than specific interests,"

Nichols said at the time.

Bettman admitted not all the owners always support him.

"At any given time I am sure there are owners who may disagree with me on certain issues," he said "But overall I believe I have the support of the owners. I haven't heard to the contrary."

In a 40-minute meeting with reporters, Bettman defended the NHL's U.S. TV contract and said the schedule could be changed when a solution that "makes sense to everybody" is agreed upon.
One issue that could impact changing the schedule is whether the Penguins stay in Pittsburgh or are moved to another city.

"This issue if far from dead," he said. "We want to make the appropriate adjustments; we want to make our fans happy. We will over time get to that point. I just think people need to be a little bit patient."

The NHL switched from ESPN, which reaches millions of viewers, after the network offered the league less money and would not give the programming hours the league wanted.

Bettman remains confident Versus can grow hockey in the U.S. Already the network has increased from 64 million households to 72 million, he said.

"We believe we can, which is why we went with them," he said. "Do we believe we can do it in a year and a half, no.

"We knew that in the short term we would be giving up some distribution for better treatment.

We like the treatment we are getting from Versus. They are very NHL-focused in terms of the telecast. Their intermissions are about us, not about everything else that is going on in sports."

Bettman said the competition committee has studied changing the points awarded for games to three for a win in regulation, two for a win in overtime or a shootout, and one for an overtime or shootout loss.

"The view was based on the dynamics on the way the game is being played, the openness of the game, the predictability, the lead changes we are now seeing with a wide-open game, may disappear," he said.

"We decided to see, over time, if another change was appropriate."

Are the Jerseys to Expensive or Is It Me?

2007-02-07T19:10:00.000-05:00

Reebok 2007 NHL All-Star Game Personalized Authentic Eastern Conference Jersey:

The 2007 NHL® All-Star Game Personalized Replica Eastern Conference Reebok® Jersey is made of double knit polyester with a spandex four way stretch pique core mesh body, which provides a balance of ventilation and range of motion in the underarm and back regions. The 2007 NHL® Eastern Conference and [ersonalized graphics on the chest, back and sleeves feature a combination of direct stitched embroidery and twill appliqué.

$424.99

Does anyone else think the price of the new RBK jerseys are a bit to high? I mean look at the cost of all the other jerseys out there, maybe the NHL is pricing themselves out of the professional sports market. This is yet another reason why Gary Bettman should be fired. The game shouldn't be about how much margin the NHL is going to make on a sale of a jersey. The game should be all about the quality of the game.

Messier wants to return to Rangers, as GM

2007-02-07T14:33:00.000-05:00

Mark Messier is hoping to return to the New York Rangers again. This time though, he is looking to return as the general manager.

According to a report in the Toronto Sun, Messier wants to talk to current Rangers general manager Glen Sather about taking over the job when Sather decides to retire.

"I'm going to have discussions with Glen," Messier told the Sun. "I don't know how long Glen is going to keep doing it. Maybe he'll continue for another five or 10 years.

"I just know New York fits best for me and my family. And this is what I know best and what I love the most."

Messier who retired in September of 2005 also told the paper that he is going to make New York his primary residence again and that he plans on talking to Sather after the Oilers retire his jersey number on February 27.

When asked if Messier could begin an apprenticeship with Sather, the current Rangers GM didn't deny the possibility.

"He probably could," Sather told the Sun. "We'd have to sit down and figure out a lot of details.

The first thing would be to be sure it's what he really wants to do because it's not something you can work at part time. I talked to him previously, just last spring, and he wasn't sure.

"I'm glad he's interested," Sather added. "He has been able to accomplish everything he set his mind to at this stage in his life. Most guys who have stepped in as a general manager have worked to get a little background, either in coaching or working under others in an organization.

I think there are necessary steps to take."

Messier's father, Doug, believes that his son must be confident that something with the Rangers will get done.

"He's not moving back just to go to nightclubs," Doug Messier told the Sun. "He must know something."

Avery Going Broadway

2007-02-05T19:50:00.000-05:00

The Los Angeles Kings have traded centre Sean Avery and prospect John Seymour to the New York Rangers for right winger Jason Ward along with prospects Marc-Andre Cliche and Jan Marek.

Avery, 26, has established a reputation as a contentious player with controversial statements and a league penalty minute crown part of his package.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound pivot has toned down his act this season and is on pace for his most productive season. Through 55 games, Avery has 10 goals, 28 points, 116 penalty minutes and is minus-10.

Last season, Avery scored 39 points and led the NHL with 257 penalty minutes. He has 114 points and 855 penalty minutes in 293 career NHL games.

Avery will be a restricted free agent this summer.

Ward, 27, is a 6-foot-3, 195-pound checking winger, who has 10 points in 46 games with the Rangers this season.

Cliche, who played for Canada's gold medal-winning entry at the World Junior Hockey Tournament was a second-round pick of the Rangers in 2005. Playing for Lewiston of the QMJHL, he has 36 points in 35 games this season.

Marek is a 27 year-old forward who is the leading scorer, with 43 points in 42 games, for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Russian Super League.

Seymour was drafted in the 7th-round by Los Angeles in 2005 and has six points and 29 penalty minutes in 34 games with the Brampton Battalion of the OHL.

Take nothing for granted in the 'final' minute

2007-02-05T14:54:00.000-05:00

Coaches always preach that hockey is a 60-minute game. That warning is especially important when the opponent is the New Jersey Devils.

The Devils lead the NHL in scoring game-tying goals in the final minute. Zack Parise’s tally with 32 seconds left in regulation Thursday night in Philadelphia marked the 27th time this season a team has scored a goal in the final minute to force overtime. The Devils have done in five times, by far the most in the league — five teams have done it twice and 12 others once each. Two of the Devils’ five last-minute tying goals have come against the Flyers. New Jersey’s Brian Gionta has three of the five goals, and New Jersey has won four of the five games in which it rallied to force overtime. In all, the teams that scored to tie the game and force OT have gotten a boost: They’re 18-0-9 in the 27 games.

The Atlanta Thrashers are the only team to allow three last-minute goals that forced overtime — six teams have allowed two and 12 have surrendered one. The Devils, one of those 12 teams, allowed the latest of the 27 goals, surrendering a game-tying tally to the Islanders on Jan. 13 with :00.7 left on the clock.

Another Record -- Martin Brodeur has been the beneficiary of four of the Devils’ five last-minute, game-tying goals, and he’s made the most of them — New Jersey has won all four games, three in shootouts and Thursday night’s game in overtime. That victory gave Brodeur another line in the record book: It was the 45th overtime (non-shootout) victory of his career, breaking a tie with Patrick Roy for the most in NHL history. It was also Brodeur’s 31st victory of the season — he became the first goaltender in league history to post 11 30-win seasons when he blanked Tampa Bay on Jan. 26.

It was a good thing for Brodeur that the Devils were able to score in overtime and avoid a shootout. New Jersey is 3-0 in OT this season, all with Brodeur in net, but he’s only 5-5 in shootouts and has allowed 13 goals, more than any other netminder in the NHL.

Flyer Foiler -- New Jersey’s Brad Lukowich is the prototype of a defensive defenseman, a player whose success is measured more in the goals his team doesn’t allow rather than the ones he scores. But Lukowich seems to save his rare offensive successes for games against the Philadelphia Flyers. Lukowich had the overtime winner on Thursday night in the Devils’ 6-5 victory. He has two of his three goals this season and three of his five in the last two seasons against the Flyers — and two of those have been game-winners.

Sid’s Shootout Struggles -- Sidney Crosby may be on his way to his first NHL scoring title. Luckily for him, shootout success — or lack thereof — doesn’t count in scoring totals. Crosby failed to score in Thursday night’s shootout against Montreal, dropping him to 0-for-7 for the season, by far the biggest 0-fer among all shooters this season. Florida’s Nathan Horton, Vancouver’s Daniel Sedin, Toronto’s Alex Ponikarovsky and Chicago’s Radim Vrbata are next at 0-for-4.

And who is this season’s top gun? Try Minnesota defenseman Petteri Nummelin, who’s 6-for-6 — even though he’s scored just two goals in regulation play. The only other players who are perfect on more than one attempt are Phoenix’s Shane Doan, the Rangers’ Marcel Hossa and Boston’s Phil Kessel, all of whom are 2-for-2.

Just What They Needed -- The Philadelphia Flyers are on the way to the worst season in franchise history, but they’ve still got the Atlanta Thrashers’ number. The Flyers improved to 16-4-6 all-time and 8-2-3 at Atlanta when they beat the Thrashers 2-1 at Philips Arena on Jan. 27. The Flyers have just 12 wins this season, but have won both their games against Atlanta, where they play again on Saturday night.

No one was happier to see the Thrashers than Flyers goaltender Antero Niittymaki, who had lost 15 straight decisions before the victory over Atlanta. Niittymaki is now 5-0-0 lifetime against Atlanta.

Blue Cheer -- Nashville is three-quarters of the way to its second straight eight-game sweep of the St. Louis Blues. The Predators’ 6-3 win over the Blues last Saturday gave them a 6-0 mark against St. Louis this season, after an 8-0 mark in 2005-06. The teams meet again on Feb. 16 in St. Louis and April 5 in Nashville. No team has ever swept a season series of eight or more games against an opponent in back-to-back seasons, and the Predators’ 14-game winning streak against St. Louis is the longest current streak by one team against another.

The streak also ended years of domination by the Blues. Prior to 2005-06, the Predators were 8-19-4-2 against St. Louis and had never beaten the Blues more than twice in a season.
Balanced Attack -- One secret to the Buffalo Sabres’ success has been their offensive balance. Six Sabres entered February with 20 or more goals, the first time that’s happened since 1995-96, when the Pittsburgh Penguins had six 20-goal scorers after January play ended.

One They’d Rather Forget -- The New York Islanders blew a 3-0 lead after two periods and lost 4-3 in overtime to Detroit on Jan. 30. It was only the second time they’d ever lost a home game when leading by three or more goals in the third period — the other was a 7-6 overtime loss to Pittsburgh on Oct. 15, 1991. They have also had three-goal leads turn into ties three times, the last against Boston on Dec. 26, 1995. --

Former Blues co-owner Wolfson passes away

2007-02-05T14:51:00.000-05:00

CREVE COEUR, Mo. (AP) - Robert L. Wolfson, who helped bring the NHL to St. Louis and was a part-owner during the Blues' early success in the late 1960s, has died. He was 88.
Wolfson, who lived in the St. Louis suburb of Clayton, died Friday at a hospital, Rindskopf Roth Funeral Chapel said Sunday.

Wolfson, Sidney Salomon Jr. and Sid Salomon III obtained an NHL franchise for the city in 1966. The Blues reached the Stanley Cup final their first three seasons (1968-70) but have never won the title.

"It was the place to be on a Saturday night," Bob Plager, who played on the first Blues team and is now involved in the team's community relations and radio operations, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Wolfson and the other owners often invited the players to their homes after games, said Plager, who remembered Wolfson as "a good friend to everyone who played in those early days of hockey in St. Louis."

When the team was sold to Ralston Purina in 1977, ensuring that the Blues would stay in St. Louis, Wolfson helped put the deal together.

Wolfson owned several car dealerships and was chairman of GEM, a chain of membership discount stores that once had 50 locations nationwide. He also helped charter several banks in the St. Louis area. He was appointed chairman of the Missouri Gaming Commission in 1993 and served until 1998.

Wolfson, who was born in Velva, N.D., served as an Army captain in India during the Second World War.

He is survived by his wife, Ethel; sons Andrew Wolfson and Robert Wolfson Jr.; daughter Anne Wolfson; stepdaughter Jill Lee; two grandchildren; and five step-grandchildren.

The funeral is Monday in Creve Coeur, with burial in Affton.

Ottawa 67's coach Brian Kilrea to reach milestone game No. 2,000

2007-02-01T23:35:00.000-05:00

OTTAWA (CP) - Coaches, like milestones, come and go, says Brian Kilrea.

So, on the eve of his 2,000th game behind the bench of the Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67's, the 72-year-old has to admit he's surprised even himself by making it this far. "Any coach other than Scotty Bowman that thought they'd be there forever would be lying," Kilrea said

Thursday from the Ottawa Civic Centre, where the 67's meet the Toronto-St. Michael's Majors on Friday in another milestone night for the Hockey Hall of Famer.

The Ottawa native, the winningest all-time coach in Canadian major-junior history, becomes the first to reach the mark, and he does it while the club is celebrating its 40th anniversary and his 30th season in charge.

He'll be honoured with a pre-game ceremony before the nationally televised contest.
"It's not like when we won the Memorial Cup or when we got to 1,000 wins, (but) it's posting a number and being proud of it," he said.

Kilrea, who also serves as Ottawa's general manager, was hired by an ownership that included Howard Darwin and Earl Montagano.

He took over from another Hockey Hall of Fame member, Leo Boivin, on May 8, 1974.
With the exception of the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons when he left to become Al Arbour's assistant with the NHL's New York Islanders, and 1994-95 when he moved into the 67's front office for health reasons and allowed ex-Ottawa star Peter Lee to coach the team, he's been a constant.

"This is longevity at its best," said his longtime friend and assistant Bert O'Brien.

"It's just a thing that every year you say, 'Well, can you do it again?' I look at him in the summer and he's just chomping at the bit getting ready to go, so what do you do? You go back for another one."

Kilrea was long into his coaching career when any of his current players were born and the idea of lasting 2,000 games is tough for them to wrap their heads around.

It's just amazing," said 67's left-winger Jamie McGinn, a San Jose Sharks prospect. "Me - I'd probably get sick of hockey by then, but he just loves it so much."

Kilrea already stood in rare company as one of only three coaches to reach 1,000 career victories, a milestone he hit in March 2003 - the same year he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The only two other coaches to hit the 1,000-win mark are Bowman and John Brophy.
The 73-year-old Bowman is now retired but serves as a consultant to the Detroit Red Wings. Brophy, at 74, still coaches the Richmond Renegades of the Southern Professional Hockey League.

Bowman, who coached 2,141 games at the NHL level - winning 1,244 of them, was Kilrea's mentor when he first stepped behind the bench.

"On Saturday nights I'd go down to watch Scotty Bowman and Montreal," Kilrea recalled. "Just to see what they were doing this time, if they were doing things; try to bring them back here."
Kilrea will be seeking his 1,116th career victory on Friday and those around him don't see any signs of him slowing down.

"He's still got the burn in him," said Tim Higgins, who played for Kilrea in the mid-to-late '70s, moved on to a long NHL playing and scouting career and finally returned to serve as an associated coach with the 67's earlier this season.

"Some guys are always looking to move up, but he's always been very content where he is because he's a simple person. He doesn't look for life's extravagant things. He looks for a comfort zone and he found it. I think that's a good lesson for everybody in life."

Like Bowman, Kilrea carries a reputation for being tough on his players.
Underneath his cigar-chomping, gruff exterior, however, the players - past and present - see a big heart.

"It's amazing to hear the stories of the guys that do come back that always thought he was a hard guy to play for and a hard-ass," Higgins said. "They come back and, they were 10 years in the minor leagues or 10 years in pro, and they realize how good they had it here.

"He's a father figure, a coach and a mentor. He was like my second father where he basically gave you the goods when you needed the goods and he also patted your ass when you need a pat."

Even after 1,999 games in charge, Kilrea insists he still gets a kick out of the game and says that as long as he stays healthy, he plans to keep going.

"If I wasn't having fun, I wouldn't be here," he said. "You'd like to think you can coach forever, but the time comes when the trips are a little bit longer and the defeats hurt more and then you get a bit more tired. Who knows how many are left, but we'll wait and see on that one."

Report: Calgary, Edmonton, eyeing Tucker

2007-01-29T18:31:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-28T16:11:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-24T15:42:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-23T23:53:00.000-05:00

Now I understand!!

Coach Jules is Better than Scotty Bowman

2007-01-23T22:23:00.000-05:00

This Years All-Star Snubs

2007-01-23T13:25:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-21T14:06:00.001-05:00

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

2007-01-20T18:06:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-19T14:02:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-18T16:42:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-17T14:06:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-16T17:08:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-16T16:59:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-15T13:56:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-14T16:48:00.000-05:00

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!!

2007-01-14T14:03:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-14T13:56:00.000-05:00

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.

2007-01-13T17:51:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-12T22:54:00.000-05:00

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!!

2007-01-12T19:02:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-12T15:38:00.000-05:00

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!!

2007-01-12T15:36:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-11T23:31:00.000-05:00

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.

2007-01-11T23:25:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-10T17:50:00.000-05:00

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

Shanahan "rides" the bike

2007-01-10T17:05:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-10T12:53:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-10T12:43:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-10T12:38:00.000-05:00

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!!

2007-01-09T14:02:00.000-05:00

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.