Drop on by and kick some tires here at the home of Les Habitant

The whispers turned into a roar this week as news finally was confirmed that George Gillett, owner of the Montreal Canadiens was seeking out a valuation of his franchise, perhaps in a bid to secure some liquidity for his many other business ventures.

Gillett like many other of the monied class is finding that the current economic upheaval is causing no shortage of troubles with his varied interests, from his stake in the English League's Liverpool squad, to his Formula one inclinations and on to any number of car dealerships across America, the bills seem to keep coming due even if the revenues aren't quite as rewarding as they once were.

While Canadians may think that the storied Canadiens franchise is the jewel in a financial portfolio crown, in reality considering the vastness of the Gillett holdings, it probably is just another line item on his financial prospectus, a rather treasured one for Canadians, but an asset none the less that could provide some fast cash in troubled times.

There hasn't been much said as of yet as to what his inclinations are regarding the Habs, though just the prospect of the team going up on the "For Sale" block has caused no shortage of angst in Quebec, where the hockey team is much more than a sports franchise, steeped as it is in the culture, one part emotional touchstone and one part financial status symbol.

Many in Quebec are putting together their own personal short lists as to which company or local notable should be getting ready to contact the lawyers to close the deal. A veritable who's who of Quebec society and financial muscle have been mentioned as potential investors, from the Desmarais family of Power Corporation fame, to Guy Laliberte; the owner of Cirque de Soleil as well as Las Vegas based chanteuse Celine Dion have all been floated as would be owners.

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Even Jim Balsillie the perennial default guy for NHL franchises has been mentioned, though being a non Quebecois and from the occasionally despised locale of Ontario, one wonders how well he might be received.

The Parti Quebecois always quick to find something to fly the nationalist flag over, has called for a Quebecois to repatriate the club from foreign interests, apparently suffering amnesia that the last time the Canadiens were up for sale, it was only Mr. Gillett that offered up sufficient cash to purchase the team at anything close to the asking price, during that last offer for sale many of those now lauded Quebecois chose to sit on their wallets and purses.

It will be with great interest to see if they approach the table this time around.

In among all the hand wringing over the finances is the realization that this 100th anniversary season is certainly turning out to be a memorable one, but unfortunately for many of the wrong reasons.

The hockey team is in a tail spin and very well may miss the playoffs, the coach was fired one month short of the end of the season, and the taint of organized crime for a while seemed to be wafting through the dressing room of Les Glorieux, now comes the news that their white knight of a few years ago may be looking to ride off into the sunset.

All of which seems to sure put a damper on the birthday celebrations...

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Montreal Gazette-- Sale talk adds to Habs' woes

Montreal Gazette-- If Gillett sells, Montrealers will miss him

Globe and Mail-- Gillett denies he's a seller

Globe and Mail-- Gillett is one year too late

Globe and Mail-- GILLETT TURNS TO FINANCIAL ADVISERS

Toronto Star-- Gillett's big garage sale may include Canadiens

National Post-- Players not worried about possible Canadiens’ sale

National Post-- Gillett ponders sale of share in Canadiens

Saskatoon Star Phoenix-- Canadiens haters could unite to ruin franchise

Vancouver Sun-- Potential Habs sale the LAST thing this team needs

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Photo above from the Vancouver Sun website

Canucks continue on their roll towards the playoffs

The winning streak is bound to come to an end before the playoffs begin, but for Vancouver fans as Spring beckons the hockey is getting exciting.

Vancouver continued on their winning ways of late on Thursday night with a convincing 3 - 0 victory over the St. Louis Blues, another night of success in front of the home folk even if the pace of the play wasn't particularly riveting.

The Canucks kept their record settting string of home victories alive as they tallied up win number eleven as their captain and on ice leader recorded his first shut out in four months, his sixth of the season.

Roberto Luongo turned aside all 30 of the Blues shot, full value for his shutout as his team mates seemed at times to be ready to let the Blues shut down the home ice winning streak.

For the bulk of the game it was St. Louis that had the scoring chances and if not for Luongo's skill and more than a few lucky bounces the Blues could very well have been leaving GM Place with the two points.

The Canucks did manage to get untracked enough to pick up some timely goals as Alex Burrows, Mason Raymond and Henrik Sedin tallied the markers for Vancouver while Luongo turned aside the St. Louis attack

The Canucks have been one of the hotter teams in the West over the last number of weeks and seem primed for a good run in the upcoming playoffs, before they get too carried away however with thoughts of Stanley, they still must finish off the regular season.

They hit the road for six games on Saturday in Phoenix, a key trip that could set their tempo for the final stretch period and on into the post season.

Globe and Mail-- Luongo ends shutout drought

Vancouver Sun-- Canucks sting Blues for 11th straight home win

Vancouver Province-- Canucks still flying with shutout of Blues

St. Louis Post Dispatch-- Blues, Tkachuk go down

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Picture above is from the Vancouver Sun website

Habs in no hurry to find Carbo's replacement

Bob Gainey will be the bench boss for the remainder of this season and whatever portion of the playoffs that Montreal might play in, providing they are still among the top eight on the last day of play.

While he contemplates ways to get his suddenly under performing squad to rise to the occasion, Gainey will also have to be rolling around more than line combinations in his head. Then again, judging by some of the speculation in the always rumour crazy Montreal market, maybe he'll just keep the job himself come September.

That's just one of the many theories getting bounced around La Belle province these days as Montrealers come to terms with the slide of their hometown heroes and the nervous looks at the standings that begin each morning now.

While folks look at the wins and losses, and wonder if the Habs will be left standing in the standings when the playoffs begin, the next best bit of sport is the quest to follow the bouncing names around the Montreal media.

So far, only a few days after Guy Carbonneau departed from the scene, there's been a rather interesting who's who of names as potential replacements.

Among the coveted or just plain speculated are: Denis Savard, Michel Therrien, Mario Tremblay, Marc Crawford, Jacques Lemaire and every one's favourite horse in the race, Patrick Roy.

Some of the names above are probably serious suggestions some of them just a little on the loopy side, but make no doubt, the list will grow and the names will continue to raise eyebrows, leaving us with a lengthy list of would be coaches who will have to decide if coaching in the pressure cooker of Montreal really is a career move or a career ending move...

Will the Pugilists and Pacifists ever get to make their case?

The ever popular and seemingly never ending debate over the place of fighting in the NHL has once again popped up on the radar, as the two sides of the ages old discussion over the sometimes too physical nature of hockey continue to prepare their cases.

David Shoalts outlines in the Globe and Mail how the recent intervention by the Players’ Association over the controversial hits to the head issue, was less than warmly received by their counterparts in the General Manager’s offices of the NHL.

The GM”s suggesting that those concerns were already addressed by current regulations, a reply that the Players’ Association found to be hard to believe considering the ongoing nature of the head shot in hockey.

That rebuff from the GM’s might come back to haunt them, as Mr. Shoalts points out the competition committee set to meet this summer will be considering some NHL initiatives into fighting, including stronger measures against the “staged” fights, those that typically break out among the teams enforcers prior to a face off.

NHLPA Director Paul Kelly, perhaps still a little annoyed at the dismissive nature of the GM’s over his head shot initiative, offered up the comment that he has yet to discuss any of the NHL’s planned submissions to the committee with his membership.

Perhaps setting the stage for a little political theatre from the player’s side of the negotiating table.

While the battle between the two sides has yet to commence, one might wonder if not unlike Canada’s Parliament, or America’s congress, that partisanship on these issues might yet subvert any possible changes to the way that fighting and the more overt acts of violence in the game get handled.

NHLPA seeks to put punishment on head shots into the hands of the referees

The NHLPA has provided the NHL owners with its review of the controversial practice of head shots during the course of a game.

Paul Kelly, the NHLPA director would like to see the referees provided with more ammunition when it comes to on ice penalties, allowing for them to have the power to assess either a minor or a major penalty depending on the severity of the infraction.

While realizing that the current policy is to assess fines or suspensions after the fact by the league office, Kelly feels that the referees who mark the flow of the game would be in the best position to provide for a fitting instant punishment for those shots that are beyond the normal physical nature of the game.

Kelly feels that a new penalty for checking to the head would have a positive impact on reducing the careless nature of some of the players, though he was cautious to add that not all hits that involve the head necessarily should be punished, only those which highlight an reckless nature or a definitive intent to injure a player.

The NHLPA outlined how it is more concerned at the moment about the increasing nature of these head shots, much more than it is worried about the need to take fighting out of the game. No doubt a positive message for those NHLers who find their roster spots dependant on the call to arms that sometimes is issued during the course of an NHL game.

National Post-- NHLPA boss proposes new penalty for hits to the head
Globe and Mail-- NHLPA proposes rule on hits to the head
Toronto Star-- Players' Association wants to reduce head shots in NHL

Carbo a go - go

The Montreal Canadiens sent out shock waves across the NHL on Monday as they announced that head coach Guy Carbonneau had been relieved of his duties, with General Manager Bob Gainey taking over the reins behind the bench for the rest of the season.

The Habs who went into a horrid slump through January and parts of February had seemed to be slowly getting back on track in the last few weeks, though the results were still sporadic at best and apparently not enough to rescue Carbonneau from the unemployment lines.

The departure of Carbonneau comes after a Montreal victory on Sunday, when the Canadiens came out on top of their match up with the Dallas Stars. Interestingly enough it was Alex Kovalev who scored the winning goal, a rare occasion in recent months and part of the problem that the Habs have had over the last few months as they had struggled.

It wasn't any secret that Kovalev and Carbonneau didn't seem to be on the same page at times in Montreal, with Kovalev recently ordered by management to take some time to reflect on his desire to play, all be it away from the team.
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Upon his return he did seem to get his game back on track to a degree, but still could be counted on to make one or two mental errors per game which must have driven Carbonneau to distraction at times.

While all the Habs were trying to sort out their blahs, the General Manager was apparently trying to figure out his next move. It must have been a very hard decision to have had to make, as he and Carbonneau have seen a lot of ice under their skates over their years together, whether as team mates in their playing days for the Habs, or through their time in Dallas and on to the giant microscope that coaching and managing in Montreal is.

Gainey's decision may have been forced upon him by the Habs competitors in the East, with both Pittsburgh and Carolina suddenly making moves towards the playoff spots, a move which could come at the expense of the Habs who at the start of the season looked like a lock on a post season play, but not so much anymore.

By inserting himself behind the bench, Gainey is apparently sending the message that he believes that this team can not only make the playoffs but succeed at them, even if it means removing a long time partner and friend from the Canadiens mix. It will prove to be a much discussed, analyzed and watched move, one that Montreal's always intense press will be recording in each period, of each game until the end of the season and providing the move pays off, well beyond.

Montreal Gazette-- Canadiens axe Carbonneau

National Post-- Canadiens fire Carbonneau, Gainey takes over
Globe and Mail-- Canadiens fire Carbonneau

Photo above from the Montreal Gazette website

And the winner is...

The votes have been tabulated and the results revealed to an anxious public, and the winner of Kraft Hockeyville 2009 is ...................... Terrace, BC.

The northwest BC community was named Hockeyville on Saturday night as the announcement was made live during the first intermission of the Vancouver Canucks/San Jose Sharks game on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.

The CBC had the commissioner of the NHL, Gary Bettman make the grand announcement, which sent the crowd gathered at the Skeena Mall in Terrace into joy.

As the CBC went to Terrace, the celebration was raucous and the reaction one of being overwhelmed as Terrace residents celebrated the good news.

Reaction was quick to pour in as the Premier relayed his best wishes, touching on the theme of community involvement as the key to the successful Terrace bid, a senes of community that was outlined by the many You Tube videos that appeared as the bid process went along.

Terrace managed to unite the normally competitive communities of the Northwest to fall in behind their bid, with many residents from Prince Rupert through to Smithers and Kitimat spending the last few days contacting the Hockeyville website with their vote.

Judging by the voting tallies they were not alone, the final vote count had Terrace edging out Humbolt Saskatchewan by just over 110,000 votes. By the time all the texting, on line and phone balloting had come to an end, Terrace had received 1,923,456 votes.

Overall some 7100 communities began the quest to be named Hockeyville, eight times more than last year's contest provided, but the last one left standing at the end of the competition was Terrace.

The community will receive 100.000 dollars for arena upgrades, a featured spot in a one hour Kraft Hockeyville special and will host the Vancouver Canucks and New York Islanders on September 14th.

Terrace joins the ranks of Roberval,Quebec, North Bay, Ontario and Salmon River, Nova Scotia as selected cities in the Kraft Hockeyville competitions through the years of the competition.

The Terrace victory spilled out into the streets of the city following the announcement as excited residents honked their horns and celebrated with an ongoing parade and carnival like atmosphere throughout the downtown area.

Kraft Hockeyville webpage

CBC Sports-- Terrace, B.C., is Kraft Hockeyville
Opinion 250-- Terrace is Hockeyville
Terrace Daily online-- TERRACE "IS" HOCKEYVILLE 2009!!!
Vancouver Province-- Terrace is Kraft Hockeyville
BC Local News-- Terrace wins Hockeyville 2009
NHL.com-- Terrace, BC wins Kraft Hockeyville 2009 title

Olli looks OK in Flame debut

Reunited with his former coach from Florida days seems to have had instant results for Olli Jokinen, his debut game for the Flames turned into a two goal night for him and seven points for the line he centred for the night.

Jokinen was put onto the starting line with Jarome Iginla and Mike Cammalleri, the chemistry seemed to take from the opening face off as the trio accounted for the bulk of the scoring in the 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night. Calgary's other marquee acquisition Jordan Leopold also got his name on the scoring summary a good start for his second tour of duty in Flames colours.

The trades made during the Wednesday deadline day marathon, have excited Flame fans with its potential and put the Flames into a prime spot to take a long run into the Stanley Cup playoffs. For Jokinen that will be a rather unusual experience, having played on a number of teams through 781 games and has yet to take part in the annual spring time ritual for NHL players.

Over the last few years Jokinen has struggled to find his place in the NHL, a career that promised much in potential suddenly off track as he seemed to lose some passion for the game, the move to Calgary has been hailed by many as probably just what he needed to fire up his game once again.

His last term of employment for Mike Keenan back in the Florida days provided for some of his most inspired hockey, the Flames are no doubt hopeful that he will rediscover that drive to succeed.

And if game number one is any indication, he's ready to take up the challenge.

National Post-- Flyers unable to contain Flames, Jokinen

Globe and Mail-- Jokinen makes splash in debut

Calgary Sun-- Olli cow!

Calgary Herald-- New guys lead Flames to victory over Flyers

CBC Sports-- New Flames make big 1st impressions

And there's winners, and there's losers, but that ain't no big deal...

The 2009 trading deadline has come and gone and much to relief of programming officials at the nation's sports networks, the final hour of wheeling and dealing pushed the number of trades close to recent years totals.

Up until the 2pm to 3 pm eastern hour the prospect of a low number of deals had left the assembled panels with not much more than the option but to talk about the deals that didn't happen. Asking why Jay Bouwmeester didn't make that pilgrimage from Florida to Vancouver, or why the Montreal Canadiens decided to take the day off and go watch soap operas.

While the final flurry didn't provide much in the way of earth shattering trades, it provided volume, volume, volume, which in the end is what the networks want to see, thus to prove that the seven plus hours of coverage was worth it all. When the final trade was completed and the last piece of analysis provided, this years trade deadline only came three trades short of the total for last year and the year before that.

TSN and Rogers Sportsnet have seemed to have turned the trading deadline into the another television spectacle much like the World Junior Hockey Championships have become. The panels, the reporters flung far and near, all keep stoking that fire of the next big story, sometimes left with less than riveting news to pass along, but occasionally ready to outline just how that trade is going to change a team and potentially win a Stanley Cup.

On this Trading deadline day, it seems that the Calgary Flames were crowned as the big winners, the Flames brought back a familiar face on defence in Jason Leopold and added some scoring punch to the offense with the acquisition of Ollie Jokinen. That single trade seems to be the consensus pick of most of the trade observers as the key deal on deadline day.

If Jokinen can return to the kind of success he last had with Mike Keenan while in Florida, then yes this will have been a very successful trading day for Daryl Sutter. If however, he continues to showcase the less than stellar scoring touch as he's had in Phoenix then all that good chemistry thus far in Calgary may very well be wasted and possible Stanley Cup run derailed.

The Boston Bruins were pegged as a success story as they picked up Mark Recchi, a solid addition to an already impressive Bruin line up. Recchi having been through the playoff wars before will be able to help to keep the younger Bruins focused on the task ahead, a very important move on the part of the Bruins who sense that this may be the year that they could go very far in the playoffs.

The Penguins as well were givent the nod for some smart trading today as they solidified their defensive corps with Andy Wozniewski they also picked up Craig Adams off of the waiver wire and more importantly added some strong leadership skills into the mix in the form of Bill Guerin, it's most likely the hopes of the Pens management that Guerin having been an old experienced hand at playoff battles will help to guide the current group of Penguins into the playoffs and on to more than few rounds.

The Ottawa Senators more than aware that the possibility of playoff action now is most likely a lost cause were ready to deal today, but in the end only one transaction took place. Once again the Sens focused on goaltending as they acquired Pascal Leclaire from the Columbus Blue Jackets sending Antoine Vermette off to Ohio. Leclaire will suffer the expectations of the frustrated, as the always entertaining Senators goaltending situation takes on a new directkon.

Everyone's favourite centre of the universe Toronto made a few deals, mostly unloading some of the players that no longer seemed to fit into the new era of Leaf's Nation hockey. Nik Antropov finally won't be kicked around any more by the leafs management and fan base, off to new York he can now prove to be enigmatic to new coach John Tortorella. Also exiled from Toront was Dominic Moore, who despite having a pretty decent season in TO, didn't seem to be on the long term radar of GM Brian Burke.

The Leafs also made a very interesting transaction at the end of the trading day, taking on salary from Olaf Kolzig and Jamie Heward both of whom are injured an in the case of Kolzing destined not to play any more hockey this season. All sorts of possibilities exist for the interesting nature of the trade, though at the end of the day and of the season for that matter, not much in the way instant help came the way of the Maple Leafs, the steady collection of draft picks will surely pay off in the years of the future, but in the here and now, there wasn't much coming into Toronto that suggests that a playoff run would be a sure thing.

The final observation of the trading day came out of the sunbelt state of Arizona, where th Coyotes seemed to hold some kind of fire sale of established players. Gone from the sunny climes of Arizona are Mikael Tellqvist, Ollie Jokinen, Daniel Carcillo and Derke Morris, mainly for either draft picks or minor league or third line players.

Depending on the tentative financial situation of the club, many of those names that went to Phoenix today may yet find that another team is their destination, should the Coyotes continue to struggle financially one has to wonder how long the NHL would allow the team to exist, contraction of the league would result in a dispersal draft of Coyote players, it's not in the cards yet, but considering the quick pace of player dispersal today one wonders if it was not a preview of what may have to come.

As the final trades cleared the NHL office the final tally found that 22 transactions took place, relocating 45 players in the process. Many will make the difference between making and missing the playoffs, a select few could provide one of those turning point moments that lead to a Stanley Cup and for others, Wednesday will have proven to be just another day when they found out that they were playing with another team.

Some are buyers, some are sellers, some just sit on their hands

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The wall to wall coverage of the NHL Trading deadline on Canada's sports channels has highlighted an awful lot of practice sessions, more than a few hockey players walking to their cars and provided more analysis of thin air than your local oxygen dealer.

With an early wake up call of 5 am on the West coast, those in Vancouver that slept in until seven could wake up assured that they missed absolutely nothing.

The 8 am eastern start time provided the hosts of both Sportsnet, TSN, the NHL Network and The Score ample opportunity to speculate and ruminate over what they thought may transpire before the 3 pm (ET) final bell, and for the first two hours speculate and ruminate they did.

You could almost sense their relief when the news of the first trade was announced just before 10 am ET (7 am PT).

930 -10 am (ET) Ottawa/Columbus (details)

The first deal of the day saw the Ottawa Senators once again seek out a goaltender, this time grabbing Pascal Leclaire from the Columbus Blue Jackets, sending Antoine Vermette off to Ohio. The Senators also receive a 2nd round draft pick for the transaction.

1130 - Noon (ET) Calgary/Colorado (details)

Some blue line reinforcement is heading towards Cowtown as the Flames bring back Jordan Leopold for a second tour, Leopold leaves the Avalanche and instantly joins a team in the thick of the playoff race. In return the Avs receive Lawrence Nycholat, Ryan Wilson and a 2nd round pick in the 2009 draft.

1130 - Noon (ET) Buffalo/Phoenix (details)

The Sabres picked up some insurance in the net as they made a deal with the Coyotes, bringing Mikael Tellqvist back to the east, the deal proves to be an inexpensive project for Buffalo as all they gave up in the transaction was a 4th round draft pick in the 2010 draft.

1130 - Noon (ET) Pittsburgh/St. Louis (details)

The Penguins shore up their defense on trade deadline day as they grab Andy Wozniewski from the Blues, sending Danny Richmond off to the Blues defensive corps.

Noon- 1 pm (ET) Toronto/Ottawa (details)

It's not a trade but a pick up for the Leafs, as Brian Burke went to the waiver wire to bring Martin Gerber into the Leaf Nation, a head scratching move at first but then one that made a lot more sense when it was announced that Vesa Toskala who has suffered groin and hip problems this season will require surgery and was done for the season.

Noon -1 pm (ET) Dallas/Anaheim (details)

Brendan Morrison moves on from Southern California as the Dallas Stars grab him off the waiver wire out of Anaheim, Morrison who has struggled to regain his form from his Vancouver days, will gain a new start with the Stars

Noon - 1 pm (ET) Boston/Anaheim (details)

The Bruins add to their roster with Steve Montador who must feel as though he's won the lottery heading to a Stanley Cup contender in Boston, heading off to work on his tan in Southern California will be Petteri Nokelainen.

Noon - 1 pm (ET) Calgary/Phoenix (details)

Olli Jokinen will be reunited with Mike Keenan as the Flames swing a deal with the Coyotes to bring the enigmatic Jokinen into the line up. Jokinen had probably his best success under the steel grip of Keenan while in Florida, the trade provides him with perhaps his last chance to show that all that promise of the early days finally will begin to shine through. Of to the shaky foundations in Arizona will be Matthew Lombardi, Brandon Prust and a first round pick.

100 - 2 pm (ET) Pittsburgh/Chicago (details)

The Penguins added some experience to the line up as they claimed Craig Adams from Chicago off of the waiver wire

130 - 2 pm (ET) Boston/Tampa Bay (details)

Mark Recchi once again has to pack a suitcase on trade deadline day as the Tampa Bay Lightning send him off to the Boston Bruins, not the first time that a team looking to make that step into a Stanley Cup final has picked up Recchi for the push to the Cup. The Bruins also will apparently gain a second round draft pick in the 2010 draft. Reportedly heading towards the Lightning will be Matt Lashoff and Martin Karsums.

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130 -2 pm (ET) Pittsburgh/New York Islanders (details)

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Bill Guerin is on the move again, destination Pittsburgh, Pa. Guerin leaves what has been a disappointing situation on Long Island to join a team with great potential, but one struggling through this year. The Pens no doubt are hoping that Guerin's veteran leadership will help to push the Penguins into the playoff race with an eye on returning to the final. A fifth round pick goes the other way, with any number of possibilities as to where in the draft, depending on the success of the Penguins in the playoffs.

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230 - 300 pm (ET) Philadelphia/Phoenix (details)

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The Flyers add some grit, energy and hard work to their line up as they pick up Daniel Carcillo who moves east. Scottie Upshall now heads for the desert as the Coyotes continue their collection of draft picks picking up a 2nd round draft pick in this transaction.

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230 - 300 pm (ET) Toronto/New York Rangers (details)

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The much maligned Nik Antropov will be skating in New York now, as the Leafs and Rangers came to an agreement which will see the Leafs receive a pair of draft picks ( a conditional and a second round pick) in exchange for the occasionally spectacular Leaf, who at times also tends to disappear a habit that has left both coach Ron Wilson and GM Brian Burke annoyed to say the least. It will be interesting to see how Antropov fits in with the new ear of John Tortorella.

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230- 300 pm (ET) New York Rangers/Phoenix (details)

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The Coyotes continue to clear the shelves as they send Derek Morris to the New York Rangers, he will provide some depth on the Ranger blue line. With Mike Barnett serving as an advisor to Rangers GM Glen Sather, it's no surprise that he was an advocate to see Morris in Ranger blues. Three players in the Rangers system will be seeking the desert sun, as Dimitri Kalinin, Nigel Dawes and Petr Prucha join up with the Coyotes.

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As the final horn went off, a few trades were still working their way through the NHL bureaucracy providing a few post deadline announcements to come after the 3 pm deadline.

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300-330 pm (ET) Toronto/Buffalo (details)

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The much anticipated move of Dominic Moore took place at the deadline as the Leafs sent him to the Buffalo Sabres, in return the Leafs will receive Buffalo's second round draft pick by way of Carolina.

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300-330 pm (ET) Anaheim/Atlanta

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The Thrashers and Ducks exchange some Eric's, as forward Erik Christensen heads for Anaheim while forward Eric O'Dell will enjoy the charms of the south.

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300-330 pm (ET) Florida/Tampa Bay (details)

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The east west highway of southern Florida will be busy as the Panthers and their cross state cousins the Lightning exchange players. Heading to the east will be Defenseman Steven Eminger, while making the move to the West coast of Florida will be Defenseman Noah Welch, the Lightning also receive a 3rd round pick in the transaction.

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330- 400 pm (ET) Columbus/Calgary

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The Blue Jackets shore up the goaltending acquiring Kevin Lalonde from the Flames system for a 4th round pick.

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330-400 pm (ET) Philadelphia/San Jose

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The buzzer beater deals flitered through the system, as the San Jose Sharks sent Kyle McLaren to Philadelphia for a sixth round pick.

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330-400 pm (ET) Chicago/Anaheim (details)

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Samuel Pahlsson will trade in the Santa Ana winds for the blustery gusts of Lake Michigan, as the Ducks send him off to Chicago in exchange for James Wisniewski.

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330-400 pm (ET) San Jose/Anaheim (details)

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The Sharks add some depth to their system as they acquire forward Travis Moen and defenseman Kent Huskins from their southern relations in Anaheim, the Ducks receive forward Nick Bonino, Goaltender Timo Pielmeirin and a conditional pick in return.

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330-400 pm (ET) Carolina/Los Angeles/Edmonton (details)

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A three way deal of sorts at the deadline sees Patrick O'Sullivan eventually packing a bag for Edmonton, while Justin Williams ended up in Los Angeles and Erik Cole returns to Carolina, with the Canes gaining a draft pick for their troubles.

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400-430 pm (ET) Buffalo/Edmonton (details)

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The Oilers gain some help on the forward lines, as they take Ales Kotalik from Buffalo in exchange for a second round draft pick.

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400-430 (ET) Toronto/Tampa Bay (details)

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Suddenly the Maple Leafs are chock a block full of goaltenders as they pick up Olaf Kolzig from the Bolts, also heading to Toronto from Tampa are Jamie Heward, Andy Rogers and a 4th round pick. Kolzig is injured as is Heward, so one wonders if they ever play a game for the Leafs. Tampa receives Richard Petiot for there day and removes a whack of payroll from their ledger with the numerous departures.

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Tracking the trades:

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TSN

Sportsnet

The Score

NHL Network

Tick Tock, they'll soon be on the clock

The NHL trade deadline looms large as Wednesday prepares to dawn across North America, the major sports networks in Canada are set to launch their open to close coverage, offering up some speculation, some fact and a whole lot of filler when there's not much happening.

A number of NHL teams disappointed by the progress this season (hello there Ottawa) will be sellers on this Trade day, seeking to retool their squads for next year, hoping that there are some quality offerings out there to make a deal worthwhile. The Senators who surely must by now realize that the playoffs are but a dream now, have a number of assets to put forward on Wednesday, it will be with interest that Sens fans watch GM Bryan Murray navigate the trade deadline obstacle course in his quest to return the Senators to a legitimate threat for the Stanley Cup.

For Brian Burke, this trade deadline will no doubt be more familiar thistime around, ensconced as he is in the bunkers of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, every name mentioned that wears a Maple Leaf will find more than a bit of coverage, not since his days in Vancouver will Burke have felt the all encompassing blanket that the trade deadline brings to Toronto, where the locals hope against hope that this time around they'll win the trade, they'll attract the name players and they'll be a different team when all is said and done.

In Montreal Bob Gainey has to decide whether the Habs of the last few weeks are going to be the team to go down the stretch with, or still suffering the nightmares of January and early February, whether he shouldn't start seeking out some vital parts for his teams Stanley Cup run.

Edmonton always seems to offer up some of the best intrigue on deadline day, it will be quite interesting to see what Kevin Lowe has up his sleeve this Wednesday deadline day. The Oilers still deep in young and promising players have to decide if a move will take them further along the playoff trail this year.

Calgary most likley won't be too heavily involved in Wednesday's proceedings, with the exception of the occassional hic cup on the ice, the Flames seem to have all the parts they'll need for a long run in the playoffs.

Likewise Vancouver, suddenly back on the winning track will have to thnk carefully about chaning up the chemistry of the team, over the last two weeks the Canucks have managed to put together some impressive wins and seem ready to make their move into the playoffs.

For the early risers this deadline day (5 am on the west coast for the truly dedicated deadline follower) we provide some background items to help get you in the mood for the NHL's version of March Madness..

Globe and Mail-- Deal, or no deal?
Globe and Mail-- A warning to deadline-crazed NHL
Globe and Mail-- Staying put?
Globe and Mail-- NHLers rarely enjoy deadline buzz
National Post-- Deadline day causes anxiety for players
National Post-- Trade plans for Canadian teams remain fuzzy
National Post-- Economy drives the trends at NHL trade deadline
National Post-- Trade deadline is Burke's time to shine
Toronto Star-- Going, Going. . .
Toronto Star-- Trade winds are swirling
Toronto Star-- Leafs' Moore a lock to be traded
Montreal Gazette-- Clubs wary of making bad deals
Ottawa Citizen-- Anxious days for Kuba & Co.
Calgary Herald-- Dowbiggin: Impossible to move these millionaires
Edmonton Journal-- Oilers not interested in Miroslav Satan: sources
Vancouver Province-- Hot GM Place rumour has Canucks trading for Jay Bouwmeester
Vancouer Sun-- Let's (not) make a deal

TSN Tradecentre Tracker
Sportsnet Trade Deadline centre
Globe and Mail trade tracker
Canada.com trade tracker
The Score trade tracker
NHL.com trade deadline blog

Bad Boy, Bad Boy, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do in your Broadway Blues

He's back....

Time once again for NHLers to hide their girlfriends and prepare to slip into ignore mode, as one of the NHL's most outrageous of players prepares to resume his career.

Sent adrift by the Dallas Stars and fresh from his stint in purgatory (aka Hartford) and ready to return to action, the New York Rangers have decided to give right winger Sean Avery one more skate in the NHL.

The Rangers picked up the NHL's version of Public Enemy number one off of re-entry waivers on Tuesday, in a hopeful bid to have the Rangers playoff ambitions re stoked by his, uh, er, temperamental ways. Whether he becomes a tonic or a distraction for their woes remains to be seen, but it certainly seems like a risky move on the part of the Rangers.

Avery last saw action in November, his career suddenly sidelined thanks to his own boorish behaviour after he made derogatory remarks about a former girlfriend, one who is currently dating the Calgary Flames Dion Phaneuf.

At the time of his running off at the mouth, many hockey observers felt that he had finally stepped over the line and would soon be but a forgotten memory of the NHL. Even his own team mates in Dallas couldn't wait to distance themselves from him, sending definite signs that he had already worn out his welcome in Big D, with few other teams showing any form of interest in his talents, it was left to his old team the Rangers to give him cause for rehabilitation one more time.
Since he first appeared on the Ranger radar the Blue shirts have changed coaches, replacing the rather calm and aloof Tom Renney with the occasionally bombastic stylings of John Tortorella, a take no crap kind of coach who will certainly be putting Avery on the shortest of leashes.

If things go off the rails early between coach and player, it might be worth the price of admission to sit in on the one on one session between the two, you have a sense that somehow New York as big as it is, may not be big enough for both.

National Post-- Rangers claim Avery on waivers
Dallas Morning News-- Sean Avery leaves Dallas Stars for New York Rangers
New York Daily News-- Rangers ready to embrace Avery
New York Times-- Rangers Acquire Avery for Second Agitating Run
Newsday-- Rangers, Tortorella react to the return of Sean Avery...

New York Post-- RANGERS CLAIM AVERY OFF WAIVERS
CBC Sports-- Rangers claim Avery off re-entry waivers
Globe and Mail-- SEAN AVERY ENDEARING PEST?
MSNBC/Sporting News-- Volatile would replace vanilla if Avery joins Rangers

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Photo from New York Post website

Cherry barbs deflected by Ovechkin

"As much as I really like the guy, I thought he was wrong," -- Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau, outlining where he and Don Cherry part company when it comes to impressions of Alex Ovechkin.

We're not sure exactly why Don Cherry doesn't seem to like Alexander Ovechkin, after all he probably is one of the more physical of the current crop of Russian players in the NHL. He delivers a body check with the ferocity of the legendary Barry Beck, isn't afraid to go into the corners and take his lumps and has embraced the physical traits of the game with little in the way of complaint, all the while as he continues to score goals many of them remarkable efforts destined for the nightly highlight reel.

It of course is the rather exuberant nature that Ovechkin celebrates his success that seems to have stuck in the craw of Mr. Cherry, who went on a wee bit of a diatribe on Saturday on Coach's corner when the the topic of Russian hockey players and Ovechkin in particular came up.



The tone of Cherry's comments so annoyed the Capitals, that head coach Bruce Boudreau took it upon himself to rebut much of the Saturday night commentary on the topic of Ovechkin. While he calls he and Cherry good friends (and Cherry is supposed to do the forward to the upcoming Boudreau autobiography) Boudreau was quick to point out that Cherry just doesn't seem to see the talents and contributions that Ovechkin makes to the Capitals. Suggesting that Cherry was taking his normal pro Canadian role just a little too far in this instance.

For his part, the subject of so much discussion hasn't really had much to say. Ovechkin when asked for a reaction to the Cherry bombs of Saturday said only that "He's a funny guy and old guy. He likes old-fashioned hockey," going further to outline how he has little interest in the wrath of Grapes, "He's not interesting to me, so he can say whatever he wants. I don't care about him,"

The tempest was a hot topic on sport talk shows through the weekend and into Monday, as many pondered the latest commentary from Cherry with many suggesting that he occasionally misses the boat when it comes to his analysis.

On most nights a game featuring Ovechkin is a welcome relief from the tedium of many of the other matches that the NHL is throwing out there this year, you can normally count on a fast pace, more than a few hits and some exciting scoring chances, yes he occasionally over celebrates his goals, but in a league where parity seems to be the goal and the need to turn each roster into almost a carbon copy of the other, the sight of Ovechkin coming over the boards at least offers the promise of a bit of entertainment.

For those that have marvelled at the way that Ovechkin is redefining the game these days, this was probably one of those miss the boat moments for Mr. Cherry.

Globe and Mail-- Boudreau fires back at Cherry
Globe and Mail-- ALEX OVECHKIN SQUISHES GRAPES
National Post-- Cherry's act beginning to show its age
National Post-- Boudreau defends Ovechkin after Cherry's comments
Vancouver Province-- Cherry totally out of touch
Toronto Star-- Hey, isn't it Cherry-canning season yet?
Philadelphia Daily News-- Ovechkin has no time for a 'funny old guy' like Don Cherry
CBC Sports-- 'Don't care' about Cherry: Ovechkin
Washington Times-- Boudreau: Cherry "over the top"
Detroit Free Press-- War of words: Don Cherry picks a new target

"Iggy! Iggy! Iggy!"

Last year when the Vancouver Canuck;'s Trevor Linden took his final skate around GM Place, it was Calgary Flames Captain Jarome Iginla who saluted the Canuck by leading his Flame team mates to shake Linden's hand, a shared minute between the two caught Linden telling Iginla that he was one of the league's top players.

It was a moment that showed the remarkable class of both players and highlighted the respect that Iginla has received from many, many of his fellow competitors in the NHL.

On Sunday night in Calgary, he once again proved that Linden was wise, as he took claim to the Flames record books on a five point night.

Iginla passed Theoren Fleury on Sunday, zooming by the 830 point mark and setting the course of his own beyond with four more points on the night.

Over the years Iginla has matured to his leadership role, the heart and soul of the franchise on most nights, the one that the rest of the team looks toward as they carve their chunk of ice out of the NHL's Western Conference.

He is by far the most valuable of Flames on the roster, known equally for his hockey talent and his good nature and dedication to growing the game and celebrating its roots. He is by definition the icon for team, which is probably why Sunday night's success probably wasn't as big an item for him as it should rightfully have been.

Despite the Iggy show at the Saddledome, the Flames still managed to lose the game, an 8-6 shootout at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Two valuable points surrendered and no doubt of more concern to the team's captain than his remarkable night and his climb to the top of the Flames record books.

That in a nutshell outlines his importance to the franchise, one of hockey's great talents who constantly strives to put team first, we admire his dedication to team first, but today we'll take some time to celebrate individual achievement.

Hockey fans regardless of their own personal team affiliation, will no doubt cheer on his every point from here on, hopeful that when his playing days are done, that Flames record for points will forever be topped by the name Iginla.

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Calgary Herald-- Iginla sets record but Flames lose

Calgary Sun-- Leader of the pack

Globe and Mail-- Iginla sets record in ugly loss

The photo above is from the Calgary Herald website

The Centurian

For many years now, Martin Brodeur has been hailed as one of hockey's greatest of goaltenders, mentioned in the same breath as Terry Sawchuk and Patrick Roy, conicidentally two former guardiens de but that he will soon eclipse in the record books.

Sunday, Brodeur collected his 100th regular season shut out, a three to nothing victory by his New Jersey Devils over their long time rivals the Philadelphia Flyers. The shut out was Brodeurs second consecutive goose egg since returning to the ice last week, after a fifty game absence.
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Showing little in the way of ill effects from his extended lay off, Brodeur has looked sharp and resumed his normal steadfast work in the Devil's end of the rink.

As he returns to the top of the goaltending depth charts of the NHL he has his eyes fixed on two new goals, eclipsing Terry Sawchuks record for shutouts of 103, which judging by the way he's been playing this week could very well fall by the end of next week.

Also within reach over the next few days could be Patrick Roy's league record of 551 victories, Sunday provided Brodeur with win number 547, leaving him but four wins away from passing the Quebec folk hero.

These would all have been records that would have long since fallen had it not been for Brodeur's elbow injury and the required surgery that took him out of the line up for an extended period of time, with his return the league is once again on notice that one of it's long serving stars is set to claim his titles.

They are honours that deserve to be celebrated, considering the relative anonymity that he has played in over the years with the Devils (despite their proximity to New York, they remain the hidden team of the Big Apple) , one can only wonder what kind of respect he may have received had he been playing for a team in a hockey intense market.

Fortunately most hockey fans can acknowledge his achievements regardless of the lack of press from his days of Jersey, it's quite a remarkable set of records he is compiling worthy of an all star and future Hall of Fame inductee.

Globe and Mail-- Brodeur reaches century mark
National Post-- Brodeur shines again as Devils blank Flyers
New York Daily News-- Martin Brodeur notches 100th career shutout as Devils top Flyers
Newark Star Ledger-- Martin Brodeur posts 100th career shutout in New Jersey Devils' 3-0 victory over Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Inquirer-- Brodeur bedevils Flyers in shutout

Photo above from the New York Daily News website

Headlines of March 2009

We continue to scour the headlines looking for the major story of the day in hockey.

March 31-- Oilers continue to sink
March 30-- Gainey's tinkering begins to pay off
March 29-- Canucks blank the Blackhawks in Chicago
March 28-- Sabres edge Habs in shootout
March 27-- Four-point night for Ovechkin
March 26-- Columbus steamrolls over Calgary
March 25-- Canes cool off Senators' charge
March 24-- Habs snap losing streak
March 23-- Sale rumours add to Habs' woes
March 22- Oilers waste opportunity
March 21-- Shadows of themselves
March 20-- Changes in store for Habs
March 19-- Maple Leafs not good enough to throw games
March 18-- Carbonneau surprised by firing
March 17-- Brodeur celebrates St. Patrick's Day in style
March 16-- Mannino wins first in goal as Isles beat 'Hawks
March 15-- Iron Mike takes blame as Flames fall to lowly Leafs
March 14-- Brodeur matches Roy with 551st NHL win
March 13-- Clouston's making his case
March 12-- Leafs lose, gain ground on draft lottery position
March 11-- Get ready for the fight over fighting
March 10-- Talks with Sedin twins reach standstill
March 9-- Bob Gainey: Change of direction was needed
March 8-- Tavares breaks OHL scoring record
March 7-- Canucks win fifth in a row
March 6-- Colleen Howe dead at 76
March 5-- Sutter's big additions not without risk
March 4-- Networks do credible job with little material
March 3-- Economy drives the trends at NHL trade deadline
March 2-- Gaborik back in Minn. to skate off the rust
March 1-- Brodeur reaches century mark

Talent showcase night at Scotiabank

Saturday Night in Ottawa over most of the years of the past has been a pretty special night for hockey in the National capital, the Sens normally in the midst of playoff drive always found that matching up against their cross province rivals the Maple Leafs brought out the best of them and of the game.

This year of course, it is but the fanciful wish of Sens owner Eugene Melnyk that the idea of playoff hockey in Ottawa will come true, and if the Leafs and their fans are true to themselves as well they'll realize that they're most likely on the the outside looking in as well.

Yet despite that stark dose of reality staring them in the face, the two squads once again provided for a traditional Ottawa-Toronto match up, complete with the traditional hard edged play and energetic intentions of the participants.

In the end, Saturday night's show was but a preview tape for the number of GM's tuning in to see which of the two team's talents may best fit into their own playoff ambitions, making their notes and getting ready to hit the speed dial to Bryan Murray's office before next weeks trading deadline.

Saturday night the scouts in the building and the GM's waiting for the reports were provided with a solid evaluation camp for their decision making moments of next week. With any number of players soon to be up for offer, Saturday provided a good opportunity to make a pitch for a chance to play some playoff hockey and maybe, just maybe grab a hold of the Stanley Cup.

It's doubtful that they will make that journey where they are now, Saturday a good number of them provided the requisite resume tape, one that should the Hockey Gods smile favourably may just turn into Stanley Cup success by June.

Globe and Mail-- Kubina the hero in Leafs' win

National Post-- Maple Leafs continue to shine in extra time

National Post-- Ontario hockey rivalry no longer the battle of old

Ottawa Citizen-- Familiar story for Sens

Ottawa Sun-- Clouston takes shot on goal

Toronto Sun-- Leafs put on display

Toronto Star-- Surging Leafs sink Senators

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Picture above from Toronto Star website

Habs back on track after battling Sharks

He wasn't very well known at the start of the season, lost in aura of the rising star of Carey Price, but for Jaroslav Halak, the last two weeks have been an announcement of his arrival as the Canadiens suddenly hot goaltender finds his share of the hockey spotlight in the most over analyzed hockey town there is.

Halak recorded his fourth consecutive victory for Montreal, a string that has secured his place for now as the go to guy for Guy Carbonneau, who finally had to take the youngster Price off the hot seat, such were his struggles through January and February.

Since Halak has settled down his team mates, the Habs have once again started to show some of that flash that had everyone talking about them prior to the all star break, Saturday while outplayed significantly by San Jose in the third period, Halak held off the Shark attack and rewarded his team with two points and some much needed confidence.

Now with the trade deadline approaching next week, GM Bob Gainey can start to think about what it will take to improve the team for a playoff run as opposed to where he was two weeks ago and the prospect of having to improve his team just to make them.

Globe and Mail-- Halak stands tall as Canadiens keep rolling

Montreal Gazette-- Halak keeps cool as Sharks circle

Montreal Gazette-- Halak makes it a hunt to remember

Picture above from Montreal Gazette website

We're off the IR and no longer day to day

Well it's been a rather ugly week as we battled the flu and found that even hockey can't cure you when that nasty little bug rolls around.

We had an upper body injury, which presented a number of challenges the most important one of all the ability to breathe without hacking out an internal body part.

Our apologies for the missing content over the last week and a bit, we really weren't inclined to write and the Nyquil/anti biotic haze left us somewhat delirious, hell we even thought that those rumours that the Ottawa Senators were making a push for the playoffs were paying off.

As we've since discovered they're pretty well where they have been for most of the season, far down the list looking up and not seeing much in the way of potential success to come.

Our hope is to get back into the article writing business pretty quickly here, we'll try and tidy up some of the other items that got a little neglected over the last few weeks as well.

We of course don't have much time to get back up to speed with the Trade deadline coming up fast this week, so we'll skim the hockey universe and get to it in short order..