The NHL Minute - Jan 1

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News:

• CHICAGO – If you closed your eyes and put your ear to the ground of the Frozen Confines on Thursday, you could almost hear Ernie Banks saying, “Let’s skate two.” The NHL’s New Year’s Day spectacle at Wrigley Field was just that good. (The Full Story on Yahoo)

Transactions:

• None.

Injuries:

• Jamie Heward (D - Tampa Bay) Carried off ice after Ovechkin check.
• Kent Huskkins (D - Anaheim) Will miss 2 - 3 weeks with broken bone in foot.
• Alex Tanguay (LW - Montreal) Will miss min. 6 weeks with shoulder injury.
• Marian Gaborik (RW - Minnesota) May opt for season ending surgery.
• Marc-Andre Bergeron (D - minnesota) Has missed 5 consecutive games, now placed on IR.
• Craig Rivet (D - Buffalo) Shoulder injury, no date set for return.

scores:

• Detroit 6 - 4 Chicago
• Buffalo 4 - 1 Toronto
• Pittsburgh 2 - 4 Boston
• Tampa Bay 4 - 7 Washington
• Vancouver 2 - 1 Nashville

Source: NHL.com, Yahoo! Sports, TSN

The NHL Minute - Dec 31

News:

• Weathor major topic on eve of Winter Classic
  With only hours til the 2009 Winter Classic gets underway, the hot topic around the league is wether the weather will be good… or bad.  Chris Johnston talks about this on Yahoo Sports.
• Steve Mason continues shutout streak
  Columbus Blue Jackets rookie netminder Steve Mason is making the NHL look easy.  Mason backstopped the Blue Jackets to a 2-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks, his third consecutive shutout.

Injuries:

• Patrice Bergeron (C - Boston) Placed on IR for concussion.
• Rick DiPietro (G - NY Islanders) Re-injured groin.
• Marian Gaborik (RW - Minnesota) Re-injured, day-to-day.
• Simon Gagne (LW - Philadelphia) Shoulder Injury.

Transactions:

• Vancouver Canucks acquired Netminder Jason Labarbara from the LA Kings for a 7th round draft pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Scores:

• Florida 2 - 4 NY Islanders
• San Jose 2 - 3 Minnesota (Overtime)
• Colorado 1 - 3 Phoenix
• Atlanta 1 - 3 Carolina
• New Jersey 2 - 4 Dallas
• Columbus 2 - 0 Anaheim
• Edmonton 4 - 6 Calgary

Source: NHL.com, Yahoo! Sports, TSN

The NHL Minute - 21 Dec

Major News

• Bruins Bergeron Suffers Re-Concussion
  Patrice Bergeron has been diagnosed with a concussion and placed on injured reserve. He was released from Massachusetts General Hospital on Sunday.  The Bruins’ centre left in the second period of Saturday’s game against the Hurricanes after a collision with the Canes’ Dennis Seidenberg.  (The Full Story on TSN)
• Crosby sets new NHL record for All-Star votes, passes Jagr
  With almost two weeks of voting remaining, Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby surpassed Jaromir Jagr’s record for the most votes ever received by a player in NHL all-star game fan balloting on Sunday.  (The Full Story on TSN)

Suspensions:

• None
  

Signings & Extensions:

• Penguins centre Maxime Talbot has signed a two-year extension with the team.  The extension will see Talbot earn $1,050,000 per season.

Trades & Transactions:

• Montreal Canadiens re-assigned G Marc Denis to AHL.
• Philadelphia Flyers recalled Randy Jones from a conditioning stint in the AHL.

Injuries:

• Patrice Bergeron (C - Boston) IR. Concussion.
• Tyler Bozak (FA) Out of WCHA Playoffs with leg injury.
• Vesa Toskala (G - Toronto) Sore Groin / Leg.
• Teemu Selanne (RW - Anaheim) Out 4-6 weeks with a quad muscle injury.
• Marco Sturm (LW - Boston) Long-term IR.
• Sami Salo (D - Vancouver) Out 4 weeks with broken rib.
• Owen Nolan (RW - Minnesota) IR. Leg injury.
  

Rumours & Gossip (from spectorshockey.net):

• It’s rumored the Atlanta Thrashers and Minnesota Wild could be working on a blockbuster trade that would go down following the Christmas trade freeze, which would see the Wild ship Marian Gaborik and Kim Johnsson to the Thrashers for Ilya Kovalchuk and Colby Armstrong.
• (Read more at spectorshockey.net)

Scores:

• Philadelphia 2 - 3 New Jersey (Shootout)
• Colorado 0 - 3 Florida
• Boston 6 - 3 St Louis
• Carolina 3 - 2 Montreal (Overtime)

Source: NHL.com, Yahoo! Sports, TSN

The NHL Minute - 18 Dec

Major News

• Canucks Retire Linden’s #16
  The Vancouver Canucks paid homage to one of their fan favorites.  The Canucks retired Trevor Linden’s No. 16 prior to Wednesday’s contest against the Edmonton Oilers, making the him the second player to receive such an honor from the franchise.  (The Full Story on Yahoo!)
• Sundin awaits Rangers offer
  After a lengthy delay, Mats Sundin apparently plans to play the waiting game a little while longer.  The 37-year-old free-agent center is waiting for the New York Rangers to clear enough salary cap space before the team offers a full-season $6 million contract offer, according to a report late Wednesday night in the New York Post.  (The Full Story on Yahoo!)

Suspensions:

• None
  

Trades & Transactions:

• None (NHL)

Injuries:

• Chris Osgood (G - Detroit) Day-to-Day with groin injury.
• Jay McKee (D - St. Louis) Out indefinitely with fractured finger.
• Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (D - Columbus) Out 4 - 6 weeks after arthroscopic surgery.
• Erik Ersberg (G - Los Angeles) Out at least 2 weeks after negative MRI results.
• Marc-Andre Fleury (G - Pittsburgh) To return thursday.
  

Rumours & Gossip (from spectorshockey.net):

• Adrian Dater reports on the possibility of former Colorado Avalanche forward Chris Drury accepting a trade to the Avalanche or perhaps another NHL city of his preference if the Rangers were to ask him to waive his “no-movement” clause.
• Aaron Portzline reports Fredrik Norrena has cleared waivers but it’s possible he might not accept demotion to the Blue Jackets farm team, which would give the club the right to terminate his contract.
• Tim Sassone reports the return of James Wisniewski gives the Blackhawks eight defenseman, which GM Dale Tallon may soon have to decide which one to move.
• Darren Dreger reports Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke hopes to make his first trade soon after the Christmas trade freeze ends. Dreger didn’t specify which Leafs could be peddled but said the only untouchable on the team is young blueliner Luke Schenn, and that Burke is willing to listeon to any trade offers that don’t involve Schenn. The Leafs GM is believed seeking players with size to play the physical game Burke insists his teams play.
• Ken Warren reports Senators GM Bryan Murray has no plans to make any trade prior to the start of the Christmas trade freeze.
• (Read more at spectorshockey.net)

Scores:

• San Jose 1 - 2 Columbus (Overtime)
• New Jersey 5 - 3 Buffalo
• Calgary 3 - 2 Minnesota (Overtime)
• Edmonton 2 - 4 Vancouver
• NY Rangers 3 - 2 Los Angeles (Overtime)

Source: NHL.com, Yahoo! Sports, TSN

The NHL Minute - 17 Dec

News

• Avery NOT in Substance Abuse ProgramClassic
  Contrary to a published report, Sean Avery has not been put into Stage 1 of the joint NHL-NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Modification Program.  But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen at some point in the near future, perhaps in a matter of days or weeks.  (The Full Story on TSN)
• Bettman: Avery’s words “disgusting & Offensive”
  The Dallas Stars have made the best of a bad situation by cutting loose disgraced winger Sean Avery, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday.  “They’re supportive of him getting the counselling he’s getting, they’re continuing to pay his contract, and I think it became obvious that that was an uncomfortable situation for everybody, so they’ve all decided to move on,” he said.  “I think that was a very professional way to handle it.”  (The Full Story on TSN)
• Hordichuk meant no offense towards Linden
  Rugged Vancouver forward Darcy Hordichuk says he meant no disrespect toward Trevor Linden when he made a reference to the former Canuck captain in a recent interview.  (The Full Story on TSN)
• Forsberg hopes for post-season return
  Peter Forsberg says he wants to try the NHL one more time. According to the Denver Post, Forsberg hopes to participate in the 2009 NHL playoffs, and he would like to do so in a Colorado jersey.  (The Full Story on TSN)

Suspensions:

• None
  

Trades & Transactions:

• Fredrik Norrena (G - Columbus) Demoted to AHL (Syracuse, NY)

Injuries:

• Nathan Horton (C - Panthers) Ankle.  Should return Tuesday.
• Ryan Whitney (D - Pittsburgh) Should return next week.

Rumours & Gossip (from spectorshockey.net):

• Bob McCown reported yesterday Mats Sundin has decided to join the New York Rangers. McCown’s source - said to be close to the situation - believes the decision will be made public later this week.
• (Read more at spectorshockey.net)

Scores:

• Washington 5 - 4 NY Islanders (Overtime)
• Colorado 2 - 5 Philadelphia
• New Jersey 2 - 3 Toronto (Shootout)
• Montreal 2 - 3 Carolina
• Atlanta 4 - 1 Ottawa
• Phoenix 1 - 2 Dallas (Overtime)
• Calgary 6 - 3 St louis
• Chicago 9 - 2 Edmonton
• NY Rangers 3 - 1 Anaheim

Source: NHL.com, Yahoo! Sports, TSN

The NHL Minute - 16 Dec

News

• The Windy City blows no challenge for Winter Classic
  Those capricious winds at Wrigley Field that make baseballs do crazy things could be a factor on New Year’s Day when hockey takes over the home of the Chicago Cubs.  But when the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings meet on a rink that will stretch from first to third base, neither team will have an advantage in the third period—even if it’s a blustery and cold day.  That’s because they’ll switch sides in the middle of the final period, NBC coordinating producer Sam Flood said Monday during a conference call promoting the network’s coverage of the Winter Classic.  (The Full Story on Yahoo)
• Lemieux starts the long road back
  You could call Claude Lemieux “the Comeback Kid.” Except that at his age, he’s no kid. And as for the comeback part, now that’s where it gets interesting.  Five years after hanging up his skates for good – or so he thought at the time – the feisty (some prefer to call him dirty) Lemieux is back in the game he loves, but hasn’t always loved him back.  (The Full Story on Yahoo)

Suspensions:

• None
  

Trades & Transactions:

• None

Injuries:

• Marian Gaborik (RW - Wild) Hopes to return Wednesday.
• Carey Price (G - Canadiens) Could be out til after Christmas.
• Craig Rivet (D - Sabres) Out 2 weeks after shoulder surgery.
• Roberto Luongo (G - Canucks) No time frame for return.

Rumours & Gossip (from spectorshockey.net):

• Bob McKenzie reports barring the unforeseen Mats Sundin’s choices are now down to the Vancouver Canucks and NY Rangers.
• Michael Russo reported on the possibility something could be brewing between the Wild and Atlatna Thrashers. “I was told two days ago from a source of mine in the league that the two teams were talking trade. Then, all of a sudden, Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell appears and attends both Wild games in California. And during the first intermission, Waddell and Wild GM Doug Risebrough looked to be having a serious conversation”, reports Russo.
• Aaron Portzline reports the Blue Jackets have placed goalie Fredrik Norrena on waivers but it remains to be seen whether they’ll try to demote him if he clears waivers on Tuesday since he’s already refused to accept a conditioning stint in the minors.
• (Read more at spectorshockey.net)

Scores:

• Colorado 3 - 2 Detroit
• San Jose 3 - 2 Los Angeles (Shootout)

Source: NHL.com, Yahoo! Sports, TSN

The NHL Minute - 9 Dec

News

• Predators Lose, Accuse Canucks of Head Shots
  The Vancouver Canucks may have defeated the Nashville Predators today, but it may end up that the Preds get the last laugh.  After losing 1-3 to Vancouver, the Predators accused the Canucks of cheap shots to the head.  According to Predators Coach Barry Trotz, “the league will handle it”. (The Full Story on Yahoo!)
• NHL BOG’s Meeting; Cap could drop in 2010-11
  Even though the league’s board of governors meetings wrapped up Tuesday with confirmation that next year’s salary cap won’t move very much, it’s the potential for a major drop in 2010-’11 that has some teams prepared to alter their course.  (The Full Story on TSN)
• Barry Melrose sounds off on the Tampa Bay Lightning
  Almost a month after being fired by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Barry Melrose sounded off on his former club and the people who run it.  Melrose was a guest on Toronto’s Fan 590 radio station and didn’t hold back his feelings about why his stint as head coach of the Lightning only lasted 16 games. (The Full Story on TSN)
• Sabre’s G Miller accuses ref of profanity
  Sabres goalie Ryan Miller on Tuesday accused an NHL referee of using a profanity in response to a question the player asked during Buffalo’s 4-3 win at Pittsburgh a night earlier. (The Full Story on TSN)

Suspensions:

• None
  

Trades & Transactions:

• Radim Vrbata (RW - Tampa Bay) Assigned to European Team BK Mlada Boleslav-Czech Extraliga
• The Vancouver Canucks acquired a conditional 2009 draft pick from the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday for defenceman James Sharrow. (The Full Story on TSN)

Injuries:

• Mathieu Dandenault (D - Montreal) Out indefinitely with a broken left arm.
• Christopher Higgins (LW - Montreal) Shoulder Injury.
• Hal Gill (D - Pittsburgh) Out 2-4 weeks with a shoulder injury.
• Roberto Luongo (G - Vancouver) Improving but not ready to return yet.

Rumours & Gossip (from spectorshockey.net):

• Mats Sundin is visiting the NY Rangers apparently.  Could we hear news of a comeback within days?

Scores:

• NY Islanders 3 - 4 Philadelphia
• Calgary 1 - 4 Montreal
• Vancouver 3 - 1 Nashville
• Los Angeles 1 - 6 Colorado

Source: NHL.com, Yahoo! Sports, TSN

The NHL Minute - 8 Dec

News

• Quinn denies report Sabres are looking for a buyer
  Buffalo Sabres minority owner Larry Quinn denied a report on Monday saying majority owner Tom Golisano is looking to sell the NHL club.  A story to be released in Western New York Hockey magazine later this week says - citing an unnamed source - that talks are in the exploratory stage and that Golisano is listening to offers. The story adds that Quinn is actively looking to find a buyer, and that Research in Motion co-founder Jim Balsillie has been approached.  (The Full Story on TSN)
• Hicks meets with front office Wednesday to discuss Avery’s future.
  Sean Avery’s fate with the Dallas Stars could be decided as soon as Wednesday. And it doesn’t sound too good for the NHL’s super pest.  The team’s brass will meet on Wednesday afternoon and discuss the Avery situation in depth. (The Full Story on TSN)
• Canadiens skate for first time in new practice facility
  BROSSARD, Que. - It is a nondescript glass and brick building by a highway in a particularly soulless part of the suburbs, but the Montreal Canadiens love it. (The Full Story on TSN)

Suspensions:

• Blackhawk’s Versteeg suspended, Quenneville fined
  Chicago Blackhawks rookie forward Kris Versteeg has been suspended for one game and head coach Joel Quenneville fined $10,000 for Versteeg being assessed an instigator penalty in the final seconds of last night’s 7-1 win over Phoenix. (The Full Story on TSN)

Trades & Transactions:

• None

Injuries:

• Stephane Yelle (C - Bruins) Left game early with an upper body injury after colliding with an official.
• Marco Sturm (Bruins) Will not play Monday against the Lightning, the Boston Globe reports.
• Marc-Andre Fleury (G - Penguins) Practiced with the team on Monday for the first time since getting hurt back on Nov. 15
• Roberto Luongo (G - Canucks) Should return Saturday Vs the Oiles.

Rumours & Gossip (from spectorshockey.net):

• Minnesota have demoted C Krys Kolanos, possibly in anticipation of Gaborik’s return.
• James Gordon reports Florida Panthers defenseman Jay Bouwmeester remains noncommittal over his future and if his plans include the Panthers. The Senators are rumored to be a potential destination for Bouwmeester if the Panthers shop him.
• Bob McKenzie reports the Mats Sundin sweepstakes have entered its final week, with Sundin expected to make a decision by December 15th. It’s believed Vancouver, Montreal, Chicago and the NY Rangers are the prime candidates for his services.

Scores:

• Tampa Bay 3 - 5 Boston
• Buffalo 4 - 3 Pittsburgh
• Florida 4 - 3 Ottawa (Overtime)
• NY Islanders 2 - 4 Toronto
• Nashville 3 - 6 St. Louis

Source: NHL.com, Yahoo! Sports, TSN

The NHL Minute - 7 Dec

News

• Sagging Economy hot topic at Board of Governors meeting
  The sagging economy will be front and centre as the NHL’s board of governors convenes for meetings this week.  Team owners and executives will be addressed by leading economists from both sides of the border on the longer-term effects the economy is expected to have on the league’s business. (The Full Story on TSN)
• Leafs Hire Former GM Nonis to Front Office
  The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Saturday that Dave Nonis has been named senior vice president of hockey operations. (The Full Story on TSN)

Trades & Transactions:

• None

Injuries:

• Dan Ellis (G - Predators) Day-to-Day with bruised knee.
• Cam Ward (G - Hurricanes) Placed on IR.

Rumours & Gossip:

• Thrasher’s GM Don Waddell is said to be looking to move star Winger Ilya Kovalchuk.
• Mats Sundin’s agent states he will decide on a team by December 15.  Front running teams include the Rangers, Canucks, Blackhawks, Flyers and Canadiens.
• Leafs GM Brian Burke is said to be looking at offers for defenseman Tomas Kaberle.
• The Rangers are said to be looking to move Wade Redden & Michal Rozsival.
• Florida could be looking to move Nathan Horton, Rostislav Olesz and Brett McLean
• Oilers could be interested in moving Ladislav Smid.
• Are the Capitals thinking of shopping Jose Theodore?
• The Flyers are looking to dump salary and may shop Joffrey Lupul.
• Thrashers could be looking to move defenseman Mathieu Schneider.
• Tampa Bay could be looking to move veteran players including Gary Roberts, Matt Pettinger and Chris Gratton.

Scores:

• Washington 1 - 3 Carolina
• Phoenix 1 - 7 Chicago
• Calgary 3 - 0 NY Rangers
• Columbus 3 - 5 Anaheim
• Vancouver 4 - 5 Colorado (Shootout)

Source: NHL.com, Yahoo! Sports, TSN

The NHL Minute - 5 Dec

Avery Alert: With so much news surrounding the Sean Avery situation, our new section “Avery Alert” will bring you all the news comments you need in one handy location.  Don’t worry though, this section will only last a short time and will stop once we all get sick off hearing about Avery.

• NHLPA Plans to file grievance on Avery suspension
  The National Hockey League Players Association is planning on grieving Sean Avery’s 6-game suspension. The PA believes NHL commissioner Gary Bettman handed down a summary suspension before the hearing, constituting a violation of the collective bargaining agreement. The CBA suggests for off-ice discipline a hearing must take place before action is taken. (The Full Story on TSN)

News

• Wild keeping Gillies from World Juniors
  While Team Canada’s December camp roster for the World Junior Hockey Championship has room for additions, forward Colton Gillies will not be one of them. (The Full Story on TSN)
• Wilson puts struggling leafs through early morning skate
  For most NHL teams taking a road trip through a warm and sunny locale, a round of golf is usually on the schedule. But for a Toronto Maple Leafs club that dropped two of three games after a humiliating loss to the Phoenix Coyotes, it’s a good ol’ fashioned bag skate. (The Full Story on TSN)
• Can the Stars start fresh without Avery?
  While it has been made clear that the Dallas Stars aren’t interested in getting Sean Avery back in their lineup anytime soon — if at all — are there any other opportunities that might work with other teams around the NHL? (The Full Story on TSN)
• Canucks GM Gillis believes Sundin decision imminent
  As Mats Sundin continues to ponder his future, Canucks general Mike Gillis is once again attempting to convince the Maple Leafs all-time leading scorer that Vancouver should be his destination of choice. (The Full Story on TSN)

Trades & Transactions:

• None

Injuries:

• Sam Gagner (C - Oilers) Day-to-Day with concussion.
• Owen Nolan (RW - Wild) Day-to-Day with lower body injury.
• Robert Nilsson (LW - Oilers) Placed on Injured Reserve.

Rumours & Gossip:

• Possible trade locations for Avery?
  Could there be a trade involving Sean Avery?  An article allegedly from TSN lists 5 teams who could provide possible trade locations for the forward.  All would involve long term contracts that have not paid off; Dustin Penner (LW - Oilers), Jason Blake (LW - Maple Leafs), Radim Vrbata (RW - Lightning), Rostislav Olesz (LW - Panthers) & Sergei Samsonov (LW, Hurricanes).

Scores:

• Calgary 4 - 3 St Louis (Overtime)
• Vancouver 2 - 1 Minnesota
• Dallas 2 - 1 Colorado (shootout)
• Edmonton 5 - 4 Los Angeles (Shootout)

Source: NHL.com, Yahoo! Sports, TSN