Yet the Habs are in the conference finals and Toronto’s season was over by the end of October with a 1W-11L start en route to a 29th place finish (one spot removed from the NHL crapper).
The Official M.E.R.B. Hockey Thread
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Yet the Habs are in the conference finals and Toronto’s season was over by the end of October with a 1W-11L start en route to a 29th place finish (one spot removed from the NHL crapper).
No you’re not. The two idiots I allude to are the cretin I quote in the post above this and his mentally challenged parrot.
Canadiens' Mike Cammalleri the hottest shooter in NHL playoffs
Cammalleri has a playoff-high 12 goals in 14 games.
http://www.newstimes.com/default/article/Canadiens-Mike-Cammalleri-the-hottest-shooter-in-488356.php
Interestingly, here’s what dumb ass Leaf fan #1 had to say about Cammalleri signing with the Habs;
Originally Posted by Doc Holliday
Mike Cammalleri??? Are you kidding me??
For the sake of Habs fans, i surely hope that Mike Cammalleri scores at least 30 goals. However, it won't be easy for him playing in a Jacques Martin system.
Cammalleri has a playoff-high 12 goals in 14 games.
http://www.newstimes.com/default/article/Canadiens-Mike-Cammalleri-the-hottest-shooter-in-488356.php
Interestingly, here’s what dumb ass Leaf fan #1 had to say about Cammalleri signing with the Habs;
Originally Posted by Doc Holliday
Mike Cammalleri??? Are you kidding me??
For the sake of Habs fans, i surely hope that Mike Cammalleri scores at least 30 goals. However, it won't be easy for him playing in a Jacques Martin system.
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Really, Toronto's season was over before it began: clueless overrated egomaniac of a GM, hopeless coach hated by most players, total lack of talent on team and no heart whatsoever, and the dumbest fans (BOTH of them!) in all of North America (and likely the world!). And as for their 29th place finish, it would have been 30th if the Oilers hadn't 1) been decimated by injuries and 2) been coached by a former leaf boss who has succeeded - through his experience in Hogtown - n learning how to lose.
I agree. But neither are the Habs.
In regards to the Habs, i told a buddy of mine yesterday afternoon over a beer that the worse thing that can happen to them (if they don't win the cup) is that they won't make many moves to their roster & personnel because of their playoffs performance. That in reality, the playoffs have turned their entire season into a mirage. They'll start believing that their team is actually better than it actually is just because of these playoffs. They'll forget that this is a team that barely squeaked into the playoffs, slipping into 8th place on the last game of their season by getting a point from a loss in overtime against The Leafs. They'll forget that for the most part of the season, people wanted coach Jacques Martin's head, there was constant complaining about Scott Gomez' astronomical contract, the Smurfs, the fact they were literally capped out next season unless they got rid of big contracts (e.g. Hamrlik, Gomez, etc), that they had to re-sign one of their two goalies & that goalie would expect quite a raise, etc...that Markov is a free agent after next season, etc.
I wouldn't be surprised that the Habs might miss the playoffs next season. I'm not saying that they will, but that it's quite possible if this recent 'mirage' causes them to make few roster changes.
As for the article i posted, my intent wasn't to be a prick about it. I actually liked the Bruins during these playoffs. But i posted it because it got my attention & i realized how accurate the reporter was in his assessment of what had just happened to the Bruins. Simply put, as a hockey fan first, i had to share it with you guys. Anyways, the Bruins will be a better team next season. All their players will be back from injury, Tuka Raask will be their #1 goalie & play in most games, and they'll have either Hall or Seguin to score goals while at the end of a great Marc Savard pass. Of course, getting a top 4 defenceman will help....maybe Tomas Kaberle?......Mark Recchi might retire.....but all in all, if Claude Julien is still the team's coach (he deserves it), things are looking up for the Bruins, who came within 1 game of the eastern conference final.
Even sweeter was watching the Yankees lead a series 3 - 0 with a guy named Mo on the mound when that immortal collapse began...
Sorry boys...back to hockey...I don't think the Habs are done yet...stay tuned.
For the first time in recent memory, the Habs are actually favored in a playoffs series. I'm curious at how they'll handle the extra pressure of being the favored team? On PrimeTime Sports the other day (Sportsnet & FAN 590), the pundits were saying that now the Habs won't be taken lightly by their opponents & things might be different because of this. They also pointed out that the Caps & the Pens were as responsible for their own demise as the Habs were. Partly true, but i beg to slightly differ: Halak. He was the difference. Halak, Halak, Halak. He was amazing. But will he continue to be amazing? It'll be difficult on this somewhat small goalie, having to do it every 2nd day for another month. Even Superman would find it incredibly draining, both physically & emotionally.
Great game so far.........been watching "Survivor", but still keeping an eye on the game once in a while. Missed most of the goals, but did see the one when Halak was mercifully pulled.
I kind of feel sorry for the guy, to tell you the truth..........really.
Today's news & rumors around the NHL
Brian Campbell for Tim Thomas?
Here's an idea to watch: Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell swapped for Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas.
It's an idea from the Boston Globe's Kevin Paul Dupont writes, "With Bruins goalie Tim Thomas carrying a $5 million cap hit for three more years, and Tuukka Rask now distinctly the No. 1, a Campbell-Thomas exchange is something the sides might explore around the June draft."
It also makes sense for the Blackhawks, who are trying to dump salary and would love to find a suitor for Campbell, who has a $7.14 million cap hit. In addition, goaltending has been a sticky issue for them all season, with Cristobal Huet first imploding and then a young Antti Niemi taking over. But that might just be a bonus because this deal would help the Hawks rid themselves of Campbell's long-term deal, which they would do in a heartbeat given the financial flexibility that comes with such a move.
So although this is pure speculation right now, it's a deal that's has to be discussed because there aren't too many trades that line up this well for both teams.
Hamhuis to Pittsburgh?
Chances are Sergei Gonchar will not be back with the Pittsburgh Penguins, since his demands of $5 million per season are too high. So the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes, "Pursue Nashville's Dan Hamhuis, who at 27 can be offered a cap-friendly long-term deal. Offer him a $1.25 million bump to $3.25 million annually over four years. Sell him on joining a Cup contender. Let him learn from [Brooks] Orpik and grow into a blue-line anchor."
Hamhuis will likely not re-sign in Nashville, because he's asking for something around $4 million a year. So it might be tough to sell him $750,000 short in his next deal.
However, the Pens will look for a blueliner if they lose Gonchar -- a top-four guy to go along with Orpik, Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski. So Hamhuis is definitely a possibility, but it may depend on how much the Pens want to spend on a winger, which is also a top priority.
New name for Devils job: Kirk Muller?
The New Jersey Devils are still looking for a head coach, and now a new name has surfaced: Kirk Muller.
As the New York Post's Larry Brooks points out, the former Devils player, and current Habs assistant, is best friends with Devils assistant John MacLean, who is also being considered for the job. So Brooks writes, "It would certainly be a twist if Lamoriello were to offer the job to Muller rather than MacLean."
Meanwhile, the one name that keeps coming up is former Columbus Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock. Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner may be on board with a Hitchcock hire, as he previously told the Newark Star-Ledger, "He's a demanding coach, but I enjoyed playing for him."
He added that Hitchcock may give more respect to his veterans than his young players, which was a sticking point in Columbus. But Langenbrunner had his differences with former coach Jacques Lemaire, so a veteran-respecting coach might suit his wants.
Previously, E.J. Hradek speculated that the Devils likely wanted to find a tested head coach, at least until Martin Brodeur hang up the pads. So he thinks Hitchcock might be the hire.
Other potential candidate: Guy Boucher, Bob Hartley, Mario Tremblay and Larry Robinson. But there's been little talk of those guys lately.
NHL GMs: Kovalev is untradeable
Alexei Kovalev has one year and $5 million left on his contract. For an injury-plagued 37-year-old, that's not good value.
So thats why three NHL executives don't think the Ottawa Senators will be able to trade Kovalev. One told the Ottawa Sun, "He suffered a knee injury, he's an older player, he makes a lot of money and by the sounds of it, I don'y think he's going to retire, is he? ... The book on him, always, in the last two or three years, was that if you hit him, he was going to pack it in. He's got that element to his character and the older he gets, the more of the chance there is he's going to pack it in. There are some nights you wonder if he's just going through the motions."
That isn't good news for the Senators, who are in a bad financial situation. Right now, it seems their top priorities are trying to retain Anton Volchenkov, Andy Sutton and Matt Cullen -- something they may not get accomplished, since they have less than $10 million to spend and just 16 players under contract.
Markov definitely out for round 3
Andrei Markov supposedly tweaked his ailing knee in practice last Friday & has been unofficially ruled out of round 3 by the team's doctors. Markov hasn't been back on skates since the incident. Here's hoping that he didn't aggravate his knee injury by attempting to return to his defensive duties too early.
Brian Campbell for Tim Thomas?
Here's an idea to watch: Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell swapped for Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas.
It's an idea from the Boston Globe's Kevin Paul Dupont writes, "With Bruins goalie Tim Thomas carrying a $5 million cap hit for three more years, and Tuukka Rask now distinctly the No. 1, a Campbell-Thomas exchange is something the sides might explore around the June draft."
It also makes sense for the Blackhawks, who are trying to dump salary and would love to find a suitor for Campbell, who has a $7.14 million cap hit. In addition, goaltending has been a sticky issue for them all season, with Cristobal Huet first imploding and then a young Antti Niemi taking over. But that might just be a bonus because this deal would help the Hawks rid themselves of Campbell's long-term deal, which they would do in a heartbeat given the financial flexibility that comes with such a move.
So although this is pure speculation right now, it's a deal that's has to be discussed because there aren't too many trades that line up this well for both teams.
Hamhuis to Pittsburgh?
Chances are Sergei Gonchar will not be back with the Pittsburgh Penguins, since his demands of $5 million per season are too high. So the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes, "Pursue Nashville's Dan Hamhuis, who at 27 can be offered a cap-friendly long-term deal. Offer him a $1.25 million bump to $3.25 million annually over four years. Sell him on joining a Cup contender. Let him learn from [Brooks] Orpik and grow into a blue-line anchor."
Hamhuis will likely not re-sign in Nashville, because he's asking for something around $4 million a year. So it might be tough to sell him $750,000 short in his next deal.
However, the Pens will look for a blueliner if they lose Gonchar -- a top-four guy to go along with Orpik, Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski. So Hamhuis is definitely a possibility, but it may depend on how much the Pens want to spend on a winger, which is also a top priority.
New name for Devils job: Kirk Muller?
The New Jersey Devils are still looking for a head coach, and now a new name has surfaced: Kirk Muller.
As the New York Post's Larry Brooks points out, the former Devils player, and current Habs assistant, is best friends with Devils assistant John MacLean, who is also being considered for the job. So Brooks writes, "It would certainly be a twist if Lamoriello were to offer the job to Muller rather than MacLean."
Meanwhile, the one name that keeps coming up is former Columbus Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock. Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner may be on board with a Hitchcock hire, as he previously told the Newark Star-Ledger, "He's a demanding coach, but I enjoyed playing for him."
He added that Hitchcock may give more respect to his veterans than his young players, which was a sticking point in Columbus. But Langenbrunner had his differences with former coach Jacques Lemaire, so a veteran-respecting coach might suit his wants.
Previously, E.J. Hradek speculated that the Devils likely wanted to find a tested head coach, at least until Martin Brodeur hang up the pads. So he thinks Hitchcock might be the hire.
Other potential candidate: Guy Boucher, Bob Hartley, Mario Tremblay and Larry Robinson. But there's been little talk of those guys lately.
NHL GMs: Kovalev is untradeable
Alexei Kovalev has one year and $5 million left on his contract. For an injury-plagued 37-year-old, that's not good value.
So thats why three NHL executives don't think the Ottawa Senators will be able to trade Kovalev. One told the Ottawa Sun, "He suffered a knee injury, he's an older player, he makes a lot of money and by the sounds of it, I don'y think he's going to retire, is he? ... The book on him, always, in the last two or three years, was that if you hit him, he was going to pack it in. He's got that element to his character and the older he gets, the more of the chance there is he's going to pack it in. There are some nights you wonder if he's just going through the motions."
That isn't good news for the Senators, who are in a bad financial situation. Right now, it seems their top priorities are trying to retain Anton Volchenkov, Andy Sutton and Matt Cullen -- something they may not get accomplished, since they have less than $10 million to spend and just 16 players under contract.
Markov definitely out for round 3
Andrei Markov supposedly tweaked his ailing knee in practice last Friday & has been unofficially ruled out of round 3 by the team's doctors. Markov hasn't been back on skates since the incident. Here's hoping that he didn't aggravate his knee injury by attempting to return to his defensive duties too early.
Don't credit Gainey for the Habs' success
by Jack Todd, The Gazette
MONTREAL – Despite the revisionist historians, the man who deserves the accolades is Halak, not Bob Gainey. Had Gainey been in charge after Game 4 of the Washington series, when the critical decision was made to go back to Halak rather than sticking with Price, you know the nod would have gone the other way.
Mercifully, Halak got the call for Game 5 against Washington, and the rest is history.
A playoff run that has galvanized an entire city. A slightly built Slovakian goaltender emerging as the early favourite for the Conn Smythe trophy as the playoff MVP. A story that we'll be talking about for at least the next 20 years, or until the Canadiens win their next Stanley Cup.
Those who want to credit Gainey for putting this team together ignore two things. First of all, this team barely made the playoffs. Second, had Gainey still been in place, the Canadiens would have been playing golf since mid-April, if not before.
Had Gainey remained, it is entirely possible that Halak would be elsewhere - possibly even backstopping these same Flyers, who have gotten outstanding playoff goaltending from Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton.
This assumes also that head coach Jacques Martin would still have his job, and that he would not have been replaced with 10 games left in the season by Gainey, who would have played Price in every game down the stretch while the Habs missed the playoffs.
At the very least, Gainey would have seen no reason to bench a "thoroughbred" who had just taken two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the waning minutes of Game 4. Price would have been back between the pipes in Washington and the Canadiens would have had no chance.
Ironically, last summer's radical makeover (for which Gainey is now being given belated credit) had its origins in the second round in 2008, when the Canadiens were run over by these same Flyers. The Canadiens, everyone seemed to agree, where too small and too skilled. They needed big, rugged forwards to match up with the Flyers.
So Gainey dumped Steve Bégin and Tom Kostopoulos (among many others) replaced his small, skilled forwards with more small, skilled forwards - and built a skilled team capable of beating the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins but, perhaps, not these big, rugged Flyers.
Yes, Gainey did succeed in locating some players who would show up come playoff time. Michael Cammalleri, Brian Gionta, Hal Gill, Jaroslav Spacek, Travis Moen and Scott Gomez.
But no one, least of all Gainey, knew this was going to happen. It is one of the enduring fascinations of sport, the way teams mysteriously come together - or, correspondingly, fall apart. In a media world perpetually ga-ga over the stars (Ovechkin, Crosby, the wretchedly selfish LeBron James) far too little attention is paid to the concept of team, but teams, not individuals, win championships.
It's all well and good for Gomez to claim that the Canadiens were together from the beginning, but they sure fooled the world for the entire regular season. They were the worst of the 16 teams to qualify for the playoffs, with a miserable 88 points. In the Western Conference, they would have finished in a tie for 12th with Dallas, a point behind Anaheim, Overall, they finished 19th in the NHL.
Sure they had injuries. Everyone has injuries. What are you going to do, cry to the Boston Bruins about the Canadiens injuries? But when Halak played well enough to give his teammates a chance, they stepped up. They blocked shots by the bucketful. They came up with timely scoring, mostly from Cammalleri and Gionta.
They played with courage and nerve. They played the way guys play when they have a hot goalie at their backs.
Through the first 15 games of this playoff season, the Canadiens have been outshot, out-hit, out-chanced and beaten blue in the faceoff circle. They are where they are today because Halak was given a chance.
In the Pittsburgh series, we watched Halak, the 271st choice in the 2004 draft, beat the pants off No. 1 pick Marc-André Fleury. Even if he doesn't win the Conn Smythe, Halak is the story of the 2010 playoffs.
With Gainey still in charge, Halak would never have had a chance. It's not that Gainey was a terrible GM. He wasn't. He inherited a mid-pack team, he left a mid-pack team.
Gainey made some good moves - among his best, the decision to deal Craig Rivet for Josh Gorges. Or drafting P.K. Subban. He also made some terrible moves, but the worst damage was not with trades or draft choices, but with the way he handled some of his young players, Price in particular.
This team might recover from last night's mugging. They might overcome officiating which has been consistently bad since the first round. They might go on to win this series and meet the Chicago Blackhawks in an Original Six final.
If they do, the credit goes to them, not to someone who quit in mid-season. It goes to Cammalleri and Gionta, to Gill and Spacek and Gorges, to the remarkable rookie Subban.
Above all, it goes to Halak. Because with Gainey gone, he got his chance. He made the most of it.
Boring Bob Gainey, one of the most enthusiastic men in Montreal
by Jack Todd, The Gazette
MONTREAL – Despite the revisionist historians, the man who deserves the accolades is Halak, not Bob Gainey. Had Gainey been in charge after Game 4 of the Washington series, when the critical decision was made to go back to Halak rather than sticking with Price, you know the nod would have gone the other way.
Mercifully, Halak got the call for Game 5 against Washington, and the rest is history.
A playoff run that has galvanized an entire city. A slightly built Slovakian goaltender emerging as the early favourite for the Conn Smythe trophy as the playoff MVP. A story that we'll be talking about for at least the next 20 years, or until the Canadiens win their next Stanley Cup.
Those who want to credit Gainey for putting this team together ignore two things. First of all, this team barely made the playoffs. Second, had Gainey still been in place, the Canadiens would have been playing golf since mid-April, if not before.
Had Gainey remained, it is entirely possible that Halak would be elsewhere - possibly even backstopping these same Flyers, who have gotten outstanding playoff goaltending from Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton.
This assumes also that head coach Jacques Martin would still have his job, and that he would not have been replaced with 10 games left in the season by Gainey, who would have played Price in every game down the stretch while the Habs missed the playoffs.
At the very least, Gainey would have seen no reason to bench a "thoroughbred" who had just taken two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the waning minutes of Game 4. Price would have been back between the pipes in Washington and the Canadiens would have had no chance.
Ironically, last summer's radical makeover (for which Gainey is now being given belated credit) had its origins in the second round in 2008, when the Canadiens were run over by these same Flyers. The Canadiens, everyone seemed to agree, where too small and too skilled. They needed big, rugged forwards to match up with the Flyers.
So Gainey dumped Steve Bégin and Tom Kostopoulos (among many others) replaced his small, skilled forwards with more small, skilled forwards - and built a skilled team capable of beating the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins but, perhaps, not these big, rugged Flyers.
Yes, Gainey did succeed in locating some players who would show up come playoff time. Michael Cammalleri, Brian Gionta, Hal Gill, Jaroslav Spacek, Travis Moen and Scott Gomez.
But no one, least of all Gainey, knew this was going to happen. It is one of the enduring fascinations of sport, the way teams mysteriously come together - or, correspondingly, fall apart. In a media world perpetually ga-ga over the stars (Ovechkin, Crosby, the wretchedly selfish LeBron James) far too little attention is paid to the concept of team, but teams, not individuals, win championships.
It's all well and good for Gomez to claim that the Canadiens were together from the beginning, but they sure fooled the world for the entire regular season. They were the worst of the 16 teams to qualify for the playoffs, with a miserable 88 points. In the Western Conference, they would have finished in a tie for 12th with Dallas, a point behind Anaheim, Overall, they finished 19th in the NHL.
Sure they had injuries. Everyone has injuries. What are you going to do, cry to the Boston Bruins about the Canadiens injuries? But when Halak played well enough to give his teammates a chance, they stepped up. They blocked shots by the bucketful. They came up with timely scoring, mostly from Cammalleri and Gionta.
They played with courage and nerve. They played the way guys play when they have a hot goalie at their backs.
Through the first 15 games of this playoff season, the Canadiens have been outshot, out-hit, out-chanced and beaten blue in the faceoff circle. They are where they are today because Halak was given a chance.
In the Pittsburgh series, we watched Halak, the 271st choice in the 2004 draft, beat the pants off No. 1 pick Marc-André Fleury. Even if he doesn't win the Conn Smythe, Halak is the story of the 2010 playoffs.
With Gainey still in charge, Halak would never have had a chance. It's not that Gainey was a terrible GM. He wasn't. He inherited a mid-pack team, he left a mid-pack team.
Gainey made some good moves - among his best, the decision to deal Craig Rivet for Josh Gorges. Or drafting P.K. Subban. He also made some terrible moves, but the worst damage was not with trades or draft choices, but with the way he handled some of his young players, Price in particular.
This team might recover from last night's mugging. They might overcome officiating which has been consistently bad since the first round. They might go on to win this series and meet the Chicago Blackhawks in an Original Six final.
If they do, the credit goes to them, not to someone who quit in mid-season. It goes to Cammalleri and Gionta, to Gill and Spacek and Gorges, to the remarkable rookie Subban.
Above all, it goes to Halak. Because with Gainey gone, he got his chance. He made the most of it.
Boring Bob Gainey, one of the most enthusiastic men in Montreal
Taylor Hall CRUSHED into the boards but comes back...
To score a beautiful goal. This is the likely overall #1 next season.
To score a beautiful goal. This is the likely overall #1 next season.
yea they showed that last night on cbc during the habs loss to philly, Don Cherry was raving about Hall as usual, but unless that kid grows bigger, he is gonna get pummled in the NHL , hope the bruins get him ,
Today's news & rumors around the NHL
Markov underwent ACL surgery today
Andrei Markov of the Montreal Canadiens had ACL surgery performed today. Recovery period is a minimum of six months.
Tim Thomas might not waive no-trade clause
Most assume the Boston Bruins will try to deal Tim Thomas this offseason, but there's just one problem: He may not waive his no-trade clause.
He told NESN.com, "There's a lot of other factors in every decision that people make," he added. "Not just you guys but us guys too. You know I have family, I have kids in school -- I have other things to think of. So having that kind of control of a no-trade clause is comforting."
Thomas is, of course, invested in this team and he'd like to stay. But he lost his No. 1 job to rookie Tuukka Rask just one year after winning the Vezina. So if he wants a starting job, he'll have to be willing to go elsewhere. However, NESN's James Murphy writes, "Thomas also indicated that he wouldn't mind helping this current nucleus on the Bruins finish what they started. He appreciates the fans' pain and frustration and would love to be here if the Bruins were to end their 38-year Stanley Cup drought."
So if Thomas wants to keep his family in town, he might simply ask to stay put and play behind Rask. He has two years left on his deal at a $5 million cap hit.
No Stevie Y with the Bolts
The Tampa Bay Lightning may have lost their top two candidates for their vacant GM gig. First, Dave Nonis, the Toronto Maple Leafs' No. 2 man, but Nonis signed an extension with the Leafs.
Now, The Fourth Period has a source saying Steve Yzerman turned down the job as well.
There are confirmed candidates left, including Ron Hextall, the former NHL goalie. He's currently an assistant GM with the Los Angeles Kings, but the St. Petersburg Times reports that Hextall and the Lightning have had preliminary talks.
The other candidates for new owner Jeff Vinik are former Wild GM Doug Risebrough and TV analyst Pierre McGuire. We know Risebough's been interested in this job from the beginning, but The Fourth Period reports that Risebrough might be out of the picture. But there are some reports that Vinik wants a young guy, so that would make Hextall a top choice.
However, other names could arise and speculation is rampant. The St. Petersburg Times thinks Mike Santos, the Nashville Predators' director of hockey operations, is interested. But he has not yet been contacted. Also, Preds assistant GM Paul Fenton might also get a call, but he has denied being contacted.
Devils management to blame?
Former New Jersey Devils forward Brian Gionta spoke out about why the Devils may have exited early from the playoffs in the last few years, and his criticism landed right on GM Lou Lamoriello.
The Newark Star-Ledger writes, "He is not the first to hint that some of the fun has gone out of playing the game in New Jersey. ... He did not point a finger at Lamoriello or the team's last two coaches, Brent Sutter and Jacques Lemaire. But Gionta still speaks to former teammates and he's heard all about the tensions between Devils players and management."
This year was especially disappointing for the Devils. They made a huge midseason trade to acquire winger Ilya Kovalchuk, who will likely sign elsewhere this offseason. But one thing that might change this culture is a new vibrant coach, since they do need to replace the departed Lemaire.
Many believe former Columbus Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock and current assistant John MacLean may be the leading candidates.
Markov underwent ACL surgery today
Andrei Markov of the Montreal Canadiens had ACL surgery performed today. Recovery period is a minimum of six months.
Tim Thomas might not waive no-trade clause
Most assume the Boston Bruins will try to deal Tim Thomas this offseason, but there's just one problem: He may not waive his no-trade clause.
He told NESN.com, "There's a lot of other factors in every decision that people make," he added. "Not just you guys but us guys too. You know I have family, I have kids in school -- I have other things to think of. So having that kind of control of a no-trade clause is comforting."
Thomas is, of course, invested in this team and he'd like to stay. But he lost his No. 1 job to rookie Tuukka Rask just one year after winning the Vezina. So if he wants a starting job, he'll have to be willing to go elsewhere. However, NESN's James Murphy writes, "Thomas also indicated that he wouldn't mind helping this current nucleus on the Bruins finish what they started. He appreciates the fans' pain and frustration and would love to be here if the Bruins were to end their 38-year Stanley Cup drought."
So if Thomas wants to keep his family in town, he might simply ask to stay put and play behind Rask. He has two years left on his deal at a $5 million cap hit.
No Stevie Y with the Bolts
The Tampa Bay Lightning may have lost their top two candidates for their vacant GM gig. First, Dave Nonis, the Toronto Maple Leafs' No. 2 man, but Nonis signed an extension with the Leafs.
Now, The Fourth Period has a source saying Steve Yzerman turned down the job as well.
There are confirmed candidates left, including Ron Hextall, the former NHL goalie. He's currently an assistant GM with the Los Angeles Kings, but the St. Petersburg Times reports that Hextall and the Lightning have had preliminary talks.
The other candidates for new owner Jeff Vinik are former Wild GM Doug Risebrough and TV analyst Pierre McGuire. We know Risebough's been interested in this job from the beginning, but The Fourth Period reports that Risebrough might be out of the picture. But there are some reports that Vinik wants a young guy, so that would make Hextall a top choice.
However, other names could arise and speculation is rampant. The St. Petersburg Times thinks Mike Santos, the Nashville Predators' director of hockey operations, is interested. But he has not yet been contacted. Also, Preds assistant GM Paul Fenton might also get a call, but he has denied being contacted.
Devils management to blame?
Former New Jersey Devils forward Brian Gionta spoke out about why the Devils may have exited early from the playoffs in the last few years, and his criticism landed right on GM Lou Lamoriello.
The Newark Star-Ledger writes, "He is not the first to hint that some of the fun has gone out of playing the game in New Jersey. ... He did not point a finger at Lamoriello or the team's last two coaches, Brent Sutter and Jacques Lemaire. But Gionta still speaks to former teammates and he's heard all about the tensions between Devils players and management."
This year was especially disappointing for the Devils. They made a huge midseason trade to acquire winger Ilya Kovalchuk, who will likely sign elsewhere this offseason. But one thing that might change this culture is a new vibrant coach, since they do need to replace the departed Lemaire.
Many believe former Columbus Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock and current assistant John MacLean may be the leading candidates.
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Today's news & rumors around the NHL (as reported by ESPN)
Iggy to Pittsburgh or Toronto?
Jarome Iginla to Pittsburgh? With Sidney Crosby? A longshot, right?
The possibility is too tantalizing to ignore, since Iginla said he would waive his no-trade clause, and perhaps even hoping he's dealt.
But the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dave Molinari writes that it's unlikely for two obvious reasons: 1) The Flames' likely demands for Iginla will be staggering and 2) the Pens are unlikely to be able to fit his $7 million cap hit under their budget.
Iginla is owed $21 million over the next three seasons, and another team that could trade for him is the Toronto Maple Leafs. We know the Leafs are looking for a top-six forward this offseason and they may have the assets to acquire Iginla. The Boston Globe previously wrote, "Iginla would be a huge get for Toronto, a deal that would have to start with Mikhail Grabovski and Tomas Kaberle going west."
Another speculated trade has him going to the Boston Bruins for the No. 2 overall pick, which would mean the Flames get either Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin. But this might not work on the money side of things, plus it looks like Boston wants to keep that pick.
Anton Volchenkov to sign with Pens?
The Pittsburgh Penguins' offseason will depend on whether they can re-sign Sergei Gonchar. Many believe Gonchar won't back down from his $5 million a year demands, so the Pens may let him walk.
So the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes, "For the moment, the thinking here is that the Penguins will try to get at least one defenseman who is solid and reliable in his own end -- Anton Volchenkov of Ottawa presumably would be at the top of their wish list, and that Nashville's Dan Hamhuis also would be on it."
Both Volchenkov and Hamhuis are talking with their own clubs now, so they could end up avoiding the free agency market. But it's unlikely, since Volchenkov is demanding $5 million a season and the Senators don't have the money to pay. Also, Hamhuis wants $4 million a year, and that's stretching the Preds' budget.
There will be a bidding war for Volchenkov, which might price him out for Pittsburgh. So Hamhuis might be the more likely possibility for the Pens.
Tim Thomas wants to be #1......in Boston?
Most assume the Boston Bruins will try to deal Tim Thomas this offseason since Tuukka Rask has take over as the No. 1 goalie.
But Thomas may have other plans: First off, he may not waive his no-trade clause. Secondly, the Boston Globe writes, "There is also the worry that Rask could regress as a second-year NHLer. The Bruins' puckstopping prospects (Matt Dalton, Adam Courchaine, Michael Hutchinson) are not close to NHL-ready, so a motivated Thomas could be a valuable asset for the Bruins to retain."
And then Thomas told the Globe that he plans on coming back stronger than ever. So, in his mind, he may be hoping to reclaim the No. 1 gig in Boston, a year after losing the job to Rask and two years after winning the Vezina.
One reason he may want to stay in Boston, and not go elsewhere to be a No. 1 goalie, is because of his family. But this leaves Boston in a tough spot because now they have a backup goalie who has a $5 million cap hit for two more seasons.
Will Shawn Thornton be back with the Bruins?
Shawn Thornton, the Boston Bruins' enforcer, wants to stay in Boston. In fact, the tells the Boston Herald that he wants to end his career in Boston.
"We've set up our roots here and we love being here," he told the Herald."
But Thornton seems to be unsure of whether he'll be extended. He made just $550,000 last season, but he demands much more, the Bruins might not extend this fourth-line player. But Boston will likely want someone -- whether it's Thornton or another tough guy -- to protect their stars, especially after the Marc Savard incident and the arrival the No. 2 pick, which will be either Tyler Seguin or Taylor Hall.
Iggy to Pittsburgh or Toronto?
Jarome Iginla to Pittsburgh? With Sidney Crosby? A longshot, right?
The possibility is too tantalizing to ignore, since Iginla said he would waive his no-trade clause, and perhaps even hoping he's dealt.
But the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dave Molinari writes that it's unlikely for two obvious reasons: 1) The Flames' likely demands for Iginla will be staggering and 2) the Pens are unlikely to be able to fit his $7 million cap hit under their budget.
Iginla is owed $21 million over the next three seasons, and another team that could trade for him is the Toronto Maple Leafs. We know the Leafs are looking for a top-six forward this offseason and they may have the assets to acquire Iginla. The Boston Globe previously wrote, "Iginla would be a huge get for Toronto, a deal that would have to start with Mikhail Grabovski and Tomas Kaberle going west."
Another speculated trade has him going to the Boston Bruins for the No. 2 overall pick, which would mean the Flames get either Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin. But this might not work on the money side of things, plus it looks like Boston wants to keep that pick.
Anton Volchenkov to sign with Pens?
The Pittsburgh Penguins' offseason will depend on whether they can re-sign Sergei Gonchar. Many believe Gonchar won't back down from his $5 million a year demands, so the Pens may let him walk.
So the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes, "For the moment, the thinking here is that the Penguins will try to get at least one defenseman who is solid and reliable in his own end -- Anton Volchenkov of Ottawa presumably would be at the top of their wish list, and that Nashville's Dan Hamhuis also would be on it."
Both Volchenkov and Hamhuis are talking with their own clubs now, so they could end up avoiding the free agency market. But it's unlikely, since Volchenkov is demanding $5 million a season and the Senators don't have the money to pay. Also, Hamhuis wants $4 million a year, and that's stretching the Preds' budget.
There will be a bidding war for Volchenkov, which might price him out for Pittsburgh. So Hamhuis might be the more likely possibility for the Pens.
Tim Thomas wants to be #1......in Boston?
Most assume the Boston Bruins will try to deal Tim Thomas this offseason since Tuukka Rask has take over as the No. 1 goalie.
But Thomas may have other plans: First off, he may not waive his no-trade clause. Secondly, the Boston Globe writes, "There is also the worry that Rask could regress as a second-year NHLer. The Bruins' puckstopping prospects (Matt Dalton, Adam Courchaine, Michael Hutchinson) are not close to NHL-ready, so a motivated Thomas could be a valuable asset for the Bruins to retain."
And then Thomas told the Globe that he plans on coming back stronger than ever. So, in his mind, he may be hoping to reclaim the No. 1 gig in Boston, a year after losing the job to Rask and two years after winning the Vezina.
One reason he may want to stay in Boston, and not go elsewhere to be a No. 1 goalie, is because of his family. But this leaves Boston in a tough spot because now they have a backup goalie who has a $5 million cap hit for two more seasons.
Will Shawn Thornton be back with the Bruins?
Shawn Thornton, the Boston Bruins' enforcer, wants to stay in Boston. In fact, the tells the Boston Herald that he wants to end his career in Boston.
"We've set up our roots here and we love being here," he told the Herald."
But Thornton seems to be unsure of whether he'll be extended. He made just $550,000 last season, but he demands much more, the Bruins might not extend this fourth-line player. But Boston will likely want someone -- whether it's Thornton or another tough guy -- to protect their stars, especially after the Marc Savard incident and the arrival the No. 2 pick, which will be either Tyler Seguin or Taylor Hall.
Leafs looking longingly
One step closer to taking over Cup-less drought honours
Before the Maple Leafs dream up next season’s syrupy slogan — remember ‘The Passion That Unites Us All’ and ‘Spirit Is Everything’ — the Chicago Blackhawks might hang a simple, yet ignominious tag on them that would make it a very long 82 games.
How does ‘Longest Active NHL Streak Without a Stanley Cup’ sound?
The derisive ‘Sixty-seven’ chant and hand-clap sequence is already becoming a favourite taunt of the Leafs ... And of those younger NHL teams yet to win a Cup, eight can claim to have at least made the final, which the post-expansion Leafs can’t.
Toronto has nowhere near the offence and little overall to show in draft returns for being in the post-season poorhouse since the lockout.
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/05/24/14057801.html
One step closer to taking over Cup-less drought honours
Before the Maple Leafs dream up next season’s syrupy slogan — remember ‘The Passion That Unites Us All’ and ‘Spirit Is Everything’ — the Chicago Blackhawks might hang a simple, yet ignominious tag on them that would make it a very long 82 games.
How does ‘Longest Active NHL Streak Without a Stanley Cup’ sound?
The derisive ‘Sixty-seven’ chant and hand-clap sequence is already becoming a favourite taunt of the Leafs ... And of those younger NHL teams yet to win a Cup, eight can claim to have at least made the final, which the post-expansion Leafs can’t.
Toronto has nowhere near the offence and little overall to show in draft returns for being in the post-season poorhouse since the lockout.
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/05/24/14057801.html
Buds, Burke lowest of the low
Now 16 months into his tenure as Toronto Maple Leafs GM the club has sunk to its lowest position since 1990-91
the Leafs [exited] 2009-10 with only 74 points, seven fewer than a year ago, a remarkable regression given how weak the Eastern Conference is this season and the fact Burke had nine months to evaluate and rework his roster leading up to training camp.
the Leafs [finished] second last in the NHL – 29th overall – this season, the lowest rung they’ve occupied since placing 20th of 21 teams in 1990-91.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/buds-burke-lowest-of-the-low/article1529699/
Now 16 months into his tenure as Toronto Maple Leafs GM the club has sunk to its lowest position since 1990-91
the Leafs [exited] 2009-10 with only 74 points, seven fewer than a year ago, a remarkable regression given how weak the Eastern Conference is this season and the fact Burke had nine months to evaluate and rework his roster leading up to training camp.
the Leafs [finished] second last in the NHL – 29th overall – this season, the lowest rung they’ve occupied since placing 20th of 21 teams in 1990-91.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/buds-burke-lowest-of-the-low/article1529699/
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