Posted by admin on 21st, 2008
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It’s that time of year people, and the rumour mills are running wild. On the eve of the NHL Entry Draft, rumours about trades and free agency are starting to heat up. Here is a brief rundown of a few of the latest.
- The Sedin Twins. Although Canucks GM denies it, the rumours are rampant.
- Markus Naslund will apparently become a free agent, and will not be re-signed.
- Toronto acquired Jamal Mayers from the Blues for a 3rd round pick.
- Bryan McCabe is rumoured to be on the block in Toronto. Cliff Fletcher, GM of the Leafs denies all.
- Tampa Bay are rumoured to be trying to tie up top line centre, Vinnie Lecavalier to a multi-year deal.
- The San Jose Sharks are rumoured to be contemplating shopping the rights to Brian Campbell before the draft.
- The LA Kings are rumoured to have put Mike Cammalleri on the block.
- The Ottawa Senators are rumoured to be wanting to trade Ray Emery, however there is also talk of a buy-out if a trade can not be found.
- Wade Redden will most probably be leaving Ottawa if rumours prove to be true. Senators GM Brian Murray has confirmed he is open to the idea.
- Pavel Kubina’s NTC is no longer an issue, so he may change teams before the season starts.
And what of the 2 most popular trade rumours?
- Patrick Marleau has been talk of the town for a few years now, so trade rumours about the Sharks shipping him are not unheard of. At over $6 million a year, and declining offensive numbers it may be harder than it appears.
- Florida captain Olli Jokinen apparently wants out of Florida, and is rumoured to have made it clear to Panthers management he wants a trade. Olli would be a positive addition to most NHL teams… but which one?
Article Sources: NHL - Yahoo! Sports | Slam Canoe | NHL.com
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Posted by admin on 12th, 2008
Todays article by Ross McKeon of Yahoo! Sports is all about the Brad Richards trade to the Dallas Stars, and talks about how Richards shines during the post season. Richards fit into the Dallas system didn’t come easy however. After a career best 5pt game in his first appearance for the Stars, the star forward went the next 11 games with only a handful of points.
“It was a lot tougher than I ever imagined,” Richards said in preparation for Saturday’s Game 2 of a best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series the Stars lead over the Anaheim Ducks. “The last couple of weeks I wasn’t doing anything wrong but I wasn’t doing anything right either. I had clogged my head with too many things. It’s tough when you get traded and your new team loses. It’s a new experience for me.”
- Yahoo! Sports
And then there was 2 days ago in Anaheim, in the Dallas Stars post season opener against the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Anaheim Ducks. A game that saw the Stars, with Richards assistance win by a convincing 4-0 shutout.
…Tippett said it was Richards’ best game as a member of the team, and that includes the Feb. 28 score-a-thon against the Chicago Blackhawks.
“It’s like when a traded player finishes up and comes back the next season. Everything comes easier, and that’s what we’re looking for right now,” Tippett said. “And (Game 1) was a byproduct of that transition from one phase to another.”
- Yahoo! Sports
Anaheim Ducks players and coaches alike had nothing but praise for Richards after his impact on Game 1 of the series.
“You’re talking about an MVP of the playoffs, we’re not talking about a player who doesn’t know how to get around the rink,” Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle said.
“He’s one of those guys who can cause everyone a lot of headaches when they’re on the ice because it’s up to everybody to play smart and be in position to protect breakout passes and stuff like that,” Ducks defenseman Scott Niedermayer added.
- Yahoo! Sports
Game 2 between the 2 clubs starts this evening, and the Stars can be sure to see a much more physical and determined Ducks team than they did in game 1.
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Posted by admin on 26th, 2008
Change. Often said to be as good as a holiday, sometimes said to be a hockey players best friend. For Jeff Halpern, the change of teams from Dallas to Tampa Bay seems to have litten a spark within him, and he’s been shining on a regular basis since.
You could go as far as to say that for the moment, Jeff Halpern is the best thing since sliced bread for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
In the 64 games Halpern played with the Dallas Stars this season, he put up seemingly good numbers of 10 goals, 14 assists for 24 points. Halpern, the checking center on the Stars roster was not expected to be a top line goal scorer.
The trade deadline however saw Halpern shipped to Tampa Bay Lightning along with team mates Jussi Jokinen and netminder Mike Smith. Halpern has not looked back! In the 13 games with the bolts this season Halpern has put up 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points… better than a point a game!
In todays 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers, Halpern netted a goal and 2 assists.
Jussi Jokinen has 1 goal and 9 assists for 10 points in 14 games with the Lightning, down on goals from his average with the Stars, but up on points.
*** image courtesy of gettys images .
*** Original location of image: http://lightning.nhl.com
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Posted by admin on 12th, 2008
Joe Pavelski and Milan Michalek led the San Jose Sharks to a new record tonight, defeating the Nashville Predators 2-1 on the road. The win, the Sharks 10th in row has them sitting atop the Pacific Division, 1 point ahead of the Dallas Stars and 4 points ahead of the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Anaheim Ducks.
The Sharks, 10-0-0 in their last 10 games have been surging since acquiring Brian Campbell from Buffalo at the Trade Deadline. They have been favorites to win the cup since the beginning of the season, and are starting to make the push at the right time of the season.
Ross McKeon commented in his latest column…
“It is a battle in that Pacific Division,” said Joe Thornton, the team’s leading scorer. “I believe we’re going real good right now, and it’s a good time to play those good teams and see how good we actually are.”
Three key factors have put San Jose on track. First, Jonathan Cheechoo is healthy. Second, Patrick Marleau rediscovered his game. And last, the addition of defenseman Brian Campbell at the trade deadline added a new dimension to the team.
- Yahoo! Sports
Threatening the Sharks for the Division Title are the Dallas Stars who are 6-4-0 in their last 10 games. The Stars made big news recently by acquiring Brad Richards from Tampa Bay in a blockbuster move at the Trade Deadline. The Stars have been leading the Division for the last month, but a few recent losses now see them having to compete hard to win the Division.
4 points back from the Sharks sit the Anaheim Ducks, who have also started to make a push. They are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. The Ducks have been on again off again however and will need to push harder if they wish to compete with the Sharks and Stars.
The Sharks have 2 games in hand over both the Stars and the Ducks which could put them a few points ahead of their Division Rivals come the end of March.
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Posted by admin on 1st, 2008
When the Dallas Stars traded for Brad Richards on the day of the trade deadline, they knew they were getting a top playmaker and setup guy. They never expected however the impact he would have on the team in his first outing as a Star.
Richards led the Stars to a decisive 7-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, setting up 5 of the 7 goals.
The team seems very happy with Richards;
“We brought in an elite player and he is going to make us better around him,” said Modano, who had a goal and an assist. “I think talent and skill guys never have a hard time adjusting and coming in and fitting in on a team. If anything, they raise their level and everybody raises theirs right with them. Those type of players are few and far between that can make an impact like that.”
- Yahoo Sport
The Stars next play the Nashville Predators on March 1 at the American Airlines Center.
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Posted by admin on 1st, 2008
After such a blockbuster trade on the day of the trade deadline, Penguins and Hossa fans gasped in horror as Hossa was injured in his Penguins debut.
News out of Pittsburgh is good however, and Hossa is said to only miss 1 week with his sprained knee injury.
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Posted by admin on 27th, 2008
Ross McKeon of Yahoo! Sports has been busy today, grading all 30 teams of the NHL according to how they did with the Trade Deadline.
It may come as a suprise to some that Dallas and Pittsburgh, the 2 teams who made the blockbuster trades yesterday are graded so differently.
McKeon grades the Dallas Stars at #1, citing their trade as “the big strike”.
1. Dallas Stars – Grade: A+: The Stars made the big strike by acquiring arguably the best player available for now and moving forward. Center Brad Richards was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner when Tampa Bay won the Stanley Cup in 2004. He’s 27, skilled and durable – just a perfect fit for any team. Never mind that $7.8 million owed for each of the next three years. The Stars parted with backup goalie Mike Smith, who may emerge as a No. 1 with the Lightning, Jussi Jokinen, Jeff Halpern and a fourth-round pick. Dallas did not have to surrender any of its young defense, another key. That deal makes a lot more sense than what Pittsburgh gave up to Atlanta in the day’s other blockbuster.
The Pittsburgh Penguins however, failed to gain such a high ranking, coming in at #22 with a D+ grade.
22. Pittsburgh Penguins – Grade: D+: No one can accuse the Penguins of being shy at the deadline. Pittsburgh changed more than any team by adding three players and deleting two from the roster and one from the pipeline and parting with three draft picks in two separate deals. Pittsburgh got rental Marian Hossa to play alongside either Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby. They got versatile and dependable Pascal Dupuis in the same deal with Atlanta but surrendered young, popular teammates Colby Armstrong and Erik Christensen and prospect Angelo Esposito. You have to wonder what team chemistry will form out of all these moves. In addition, Hal Gill comes aboard to add size and a physical element on defense. First-, second- and fifth-round picks were dealt away.
Filling out the top 10 are:
2. Atlanta Thrashers – Grade: A
3. Washington Capitals – Grade: A-
4. Colorado Avalanche – Grade: B+
5. San Jose Sharks – Grade: B
6. Columbus Blue Jackets – Grade: B
7. Carolina Hurricanes – Grade: B
8. Chicago Blackhawks – Grade: B
9. New York Rangers – Grade: B-
10. Buffalo Sabres – Grade: B-
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Posted by admin on 27th, 2008
2 Blockbuster trades highlighted todays Trade Deadline, with Tampa Bay moving Brad Richards to the Dallas Stars in a 5 player deal and also Atlanta Thrashers doing a 5 player deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Here is a full list of todays known trades.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING traded Brad Richards & Johan Holmqvist
to the
DALLAS STARS in exchange for Mike Smith, Jeff Halpern, Jussi Jokinen & a 4th round draft pick
ATLANTA THRASHERS traded Marian Hossa & Pascal Dupuis
to the
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS in exchange for Erik Christensen, Colby Armstrong, Angelo Esposito & a 1st round draft pick
LOS ANGELES KINGS traded Jean-Sebastien Aubin
to the
ANAHEIM DUCKS in exchange for a 7th round draft pick
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS traded Chad Kilger
to the
FLORIDA PANTHERS in exchange for a 3rd round draft pick
NEW YORK RANGERS traded Al Montoya & Marcell Hossa
to the
PHOENIX COYOTES in exchange for David LeNeveu, Fredrik Sjostrom, Josh Gratton & a Conditional Pick
NEW YORK ISLANDERS traded Marc-Andre Bergeron
to the
ANAHEIM DUCKS in exchange for a 3rd round draft pick
NEW YORK ISLANDERS traded Chris Simon
to the
MINNESOTA WILD in exchange for a 6th round draft pick
LOS ANGELES KINGS traded Brad Stuart
to the
DETROIT RED WINGS in exchange for a 2nd round draft pick and a 4th round draft pick
ST LOUIS BLUES traded Christian Backman
to the
NEW YORK RANGERS in exchange for a 4th round draft pick
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS traded Hal Gill
to the
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS in exchange for a 2nd round draft pick and a 5th round draft pick
VANCOUVER CANUCKS traded Matt Cooke
to the
WASHINGTON CAPITALS in exchange for Matt Pettinger
SAN JOSE SHARKS traded Rob Davidson
to the
NEW YORK ISLANDERS in exchange for a 7th round draft pick
WASHINGTON CAPITALS traded Ted Ruth
to the
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS in exchange for Sergei Fedorov
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS traded Adam Foote
to the
COLORADO AVALANCHE in exchange for a 1st round draft pick
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS traded Martin Lapointe
to the
OTTAWA SENATORS in exchange for a 6th round draft pick
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS traded Tuomo Ruutu
to the
CAROLINE HURRICANES in exchange for Andrew Ladd
FLORIDA PANTHERS traded Ruslin Salei
to the
COLORADO AVALANCHE in exchange for Karlis Skrastins & a 3rd round draft pick
MONTREAL CANADIENS traded Cristobal Huet
to the
WASHINGTON CAPITALS in exchange for a 2nd round draft pick
SAN JOSE SHARKS traded Steve Bernier & a 1st round draft pick
to the
BUFFALO SABRES in exchange for Brian Campbell & a 7th round draft pick
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS traded Wade Belak
to the
FLORIDA PANTHERS in exchange for a 2008 5th found draft pick
ST LOUIS BLUES traded Byrce Salvador
to the
NEW JERSEY DEVILS in exchange for Cam Janssen
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Posted by admin on 26th, 2008
According to an NHL Executive, a multi-player trade has been made between Tampa Bay Lightning and the Dallas Stars.
The trade is rumoured to have Center Brad Richards move to Dallas in exchange for Center Jeff Halpern, Goalie Mike Smith and rookie Defenseman Mark Fistric.
“The Stars have looked to make a splash since Les Jackson and Brett Hull took over in the co-general manager role for the fired Doug Armstrong earlier this season. The source said Dallas is expected to package veteran checking center Jeff Halpern, backup goalie Mike Smith and young defenseman Mark Fistric to the Lightning, who needed to move Richards after signing defenseman Dan Boyle to a six-year, $40 million contract extension late Monday.”
…
By landing the 6-foot, 198-pound Richards, the Stars are set to receive a player who can handle loads of ice time, has a Stanley Cup on his resumé and is a centerpiece to build around as Mike Modano and Zubov look to pass the torch.
Richards has 18 goals and 51 points in 62 games, 228 shots and has averaged 24:17 of ice time. He’s durable as well. Richards has appeared in 552 of a possible 554 games since breaking into the league in 2000-01. The pivot is signed for $7.8 million each of the next three seasons.
- NHL @ Yahoo
It was also announced that the Atlanta Thrashers would ship Marian Hossa to the Montreal Canadiens. Details of the trade have not been released at this time.
Expect the Canadiens to send at least a forward (Michael Ryder?) to Atlanta, which insisted it would only trade the 29-year-old Hossa if it could get a current NHL player in return. Hossa is the Thrashers’ second-leading scorer with 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists and a team-high 229 shots). Hossa is a minus-14 averaging 21:55 of ice time in 60 games.
- NHL @ Yahoo
Details of these trades are yet to be confirmed by their respective teams.
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Posted by admin on 25th, 2008
Those who had hopes of their NHL team picking up veteran scorer, Mats Sundin will have to wait til possibly next year after the Maple Leaf Forward today refused to waive his no trade clause.
Sundin, a Maple Leaf all his professional hockey career does not want to leave the team he has dedicated his life to for the last 13 seasons.
“I have always believed I would finish my career as a Toronto Maple Leaf so the actual request was still a very difficult one for me to contemplate,” Sundin said in a statement released by his agent J.P. Barry on Sunday night. “I have spoken to and listened to my family and those closest to me about this issue. In the end, there is no right decision in a situation like this one.”
- NHL @ Yahoo
The Toronto media has not been easy on Sundin over recent weeks, with some sources claiming his refusal to waive his no trade clause will damage the team in the future. The fact is, while the media and fans may complain about his refusal to be traded, they are forgetting that Mats Sundin IS the face of that franchise, and he has more than earned his right to stay in Toronto.
Due to his age, a trade would have put Sundin as a rental player, something Sundin himself completely disagrees with.
“I have never believed in the concept of a rental player. It is my belief that winning the Stanley Cup is the greatest thing you can achieve in hockey but for me, in order to appreciate it you have to have been part of the entire journey and that means October through June. I hope everyone will understand and respect my decision.”
- NHL @ Yahoo
The club now faces a major decision to make during the upcoming off-season. Do they opt to re-sign Sundin, or let him go into the Free agent market? Realistically, the best option for the Leafs would be to sign him for another year and let him finish out his career with the team he knows and loves.
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