Headlines Archives 2012-13

The nature of the season has out archive a little haphazard this season.  We'll pick things up with February 1st, highlighting a gap through January as we tried to figure out if a) there was going to be hockey and b) if we wanted to bother covering it.

Obviously, we were glad to see the a) and after a bit of waffling, chose to follow the path of b) in the affirmative.

So with that preamble out of the way, here's the Headline Archives.

June

June 18-- Stanley Cup History is not kind to the Blackhawks
June 17-- Bruins seize the day and 2-1 Stanley Cup series lead over Blackhawks
June 16-- Blackhawks set to hunker down for long series
June 15-- Bruins rebound with overtime win over Hawks in Game 2 to even up Cup final
June 14-- Bruins' Milan Lucic finds success just in time
June 13-- Blackhawks fatigued, but energized after marathon Game 1
June 12-- Hawks win Game 1 epic in 3 OTs
June 11-- Bruins, Blackhawks offer something familiar, yet completely new
June 10-- Not Hart, not Vezina... just the guy who thwarted the mighty Penguins
June 9-- Blackhawks-Bruins Stanley Cup final 'good for hockey'
June 8-- Star turn behind him, Jagr happy to be one of the boys
June 7-- Bruins finish off dismantling of Penguins in four-game sweep
June 6-- Penguins still waiting for Sidney Crosby to put imprint on series
June 5-- Kane, Toews invisible for Chicago Blackhawks
June 4-- Tuukka Rask has silenced critics with playoff performance
June 3-- Bruins put wretched Penguins in deep hole
June 2-- Penguins must harness emotions in series with Bruins
June 1-- Blackhawks draw first blood on Kings in Western Conference finals

May

May 31-- Blackhawks, Kings series a clash of styles
May 30-- Red Wings' future suddenly looks much brighter
May 29-- Hawks heading to conference finals
May 28-- Kings beat Sharks in Game 7 to win Battle of California
May 27-- Bruins need a new plan when it comes to Penguins
May 26-- Sharks must find way to score on power play away from home
May 25-- Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews the poster boy for team's troubles
May 24-- Like it or not, Quick's still the storyline of these playoffs
May 23-- Staying Alive: Kreider's OT goal keeps Rangers season going
May 22-- Penguins rout Senators to take 3-1 series lead
May 21-- Rangers once again look for solace at Madison Square Garden
May 20-- Third line's the charm for Red Wings
May 19-- Sens complete thrilling Game 3 comeback
May 18-- Red Wings send Blackhawks strong message with Game 2 victory
May 17-- Sharks still debating dubious late-game call
May 16-- Blackhawks dominate third period in Game 1 win over Red Wings
May 15-- Hit on Kings' Jarret Stoll by Sharks' Raffi Torres could alter playoff series
May 14-- Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson expects team will make adjustments after Game 1 loss to Pittsburgh Penguins
May 13-- Maple Leafs season choked away in Game 7
May 12-- Orpik sends Penguins to series win in overtime
May 11-- Maple Leafs forcing Bruins to face their demons
May 10-- Senators rout Canadiens to reach second round
May 9-- Canadiens Goaltender Carey Price will miss rest of Senators series
May 8-- From bad to worse: Daniel Sedin penalty was a cruel end to the Canucks series
May 7-- Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle accentuates the positive
May 6-- Rangers' offence wakes up to cut Capitals' series lead to 2-1
May 5-- Senators rout Canadiens in fight-filled affair
May 4-- Ducks' shutout of Red Wings marred by violent hit
May 3-- Canadiens centre Lars Eller left unconcious after hit by Senators' Eric Gryba
May 2-- Canucks waste Roberto Luongo's strong performance in Game 1 loss to Sharks
May 1-- Penguins must make do without Sidney Crosby in Game 1

April 2013

April 16-- NHL cannot get enough outdoor games; five more planned for 2014, including Vancouver
April 15-- Bruins game postponed after Marathon attack
April 14-- Randy Carlyle and the Leafs are pretty hot
April 13-- Leafs hammer rival Habs
April 12-- NHL meets with IOC to discuss Sochi Olympics participation
April 11-- Canucks' emergency backup goalie gets a thrill
April 10-- Ilya Bryzgalov: "I don't care if Flyers buy me out"
April 9-- Avalanche goaltender J. S. Giguere lashes out at teammates: "I'm embarrased to be here"
April 8-- Jets catch scheduling break in final push toward playoff
April 7-- Ottawa Senators drop fourth in a row to lowly Florida Panthers
April 6-- Four NHL General Managers in desperation mode
April 5-- Jaromir Jager plans to step into any role Bruins need him to fill
April 4-- Ottawa Senators leading way with NHL rookies
April 3-- Roberto Luongo's contract hurts both him and Canucks
April 2-- Big Splash at NHL treadline no guarantee of Stanley Cup success
April 1-- Flames trade Jay Bouwmeester to Blues for draft pick, prospects

March 2013

March 31-- Penguins' Sidney Crosby out indefinitely with broken jaw
March 30-- Blue Jackets continued unexpected playoff push with win over Flames
March 29-- Red Wings win Dan DeKeyser sweepstakes
March 28-- Flames deal greatest legend in franchise history to Penguins
March 27-- Canadiens rally to beat rival Bruins
March 26-- Kings hang out with Obama at the White House
March 25-- Tampa Bay Lightning name Jon Cooper new coach
March 24-- Blame Yzerman, not Boucher, for Lightning's woes
March 23-- Cory Schneider, Canucks grind down Kings in shutout victory
March 22-- Recovery expected for Rangers GM Sather
March 21-- Sharks take game away from Oilers in shootout
March 20-- Jets on right path toward playoff appearance in sophomore season
March 19-- Senators forward Milan Michalek out indefinitely
March 18-- Ducks sign Corey Perry to eight-year contract extension
March 17-- Plenty of negatives for Canucks in disappointing loss
March 16-- Blues stay afloat despite all obstacles
March 15-- Oilers finally return home to begin bulk of playoff push
March 14-- Flames GM keeping quiet on trade options
March 13-- Canadiens capture fourth straight victory in shootout win over Senators
March 12-- Canucks' Mayson Raymond seals win over Blue Jackets with 'questionable' shootout goal
March 11-- Chicago Blackhawks' reaction to losing will tell us a lot
March 10-- Alex Ovechkin wants refs to "respect" Capitals
March 9-- Vancouver Canucks, owner dragged to court by Italian soccer club sports psychologist
March 8-- A Smaller place in NHL for fighting
March 7-- Marc Staal eye injury should be another wake-up call for NHL
March 6-- Jets have enough talent, so what's missing?
March 5-- Hossa, Hawks beat Wild, extend streak to 23
March 4-- Sidney Crosby scores in orgy of offence
March 3-- Canucks feel effect of snow storm, dropping decision to Flames
March 2-- Nazem Kadri: 'It's Only One game"
March 1-- Calgary Flames' bone-headed pitch to sign RFA Ryan O'Reilly backfires spectacularly

February 2013

February 28-- Gordie Howe's one-of-a-kind ferocity a distant memory for present NHL
February 27-- Canadiens-Leafs is not your average rivalry
February 26-- Rangers remade for Nash, now lack identity without star
February 25-- Ben Bishop stands tall in Senators win over Canadiens
February 24-- Edmonton Oilers' Taylor Hall agrees to disagree with suspension
February 23-- Colin Greening scores in final minute to give Senators win over Leafs
February 22-- Cult of Hockey - Hall's hit sends a message: Stop messing with us
February 21-- Tavares coming into his own, on and off the ice
February 20-- Buffalo Sabres fire Lindy Ruff as head coach
February 19-- Canadiens net fifth straight win against Rangers
February 18-- Taylor's first NHL start ruined by Coyotes
February 17-- Chicago Blackhawks close in on record with win over L. A. Kings
February 16-- If at first you don't succeed, get worse
February 15-- Senators' owner Eugene Melnyk takes aim at Matt Cooke over Erik Karlsson injury
February 14-- Sharp skates, no kevlar socks cost Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson
February 13-- Blue Jackets hire Kekalainen as GM
February 12-- Columbus Blue Jackets fire GM Scott Howson
February 11-- Mikhail Grabovski won't be suspended for allegedly biting Canadiens' Pacioretty
February 10-- Leafs-Canadiens ugliness shows NHL is truly back
February 9-- Bruins' Snow Day Against Lightning Joins New Jersey's '334' Game in NHL lore
February 8-- Want Roberto Luongo? NHL teams must 'pay a price': Canucks GM Mike Gillis
February 7-- New CBA bringin' on actual NHL hockey trades
February 6-- Vancouver Canucks buddies face up to no more roomies on the road
February 5-- Flames coach Bob Hartley does not think much of Calgary's slow start
February 4-- Canucks come back to defeat Oilers in overtime
February 3-- Senators burned by officials in loss to Canadiens
February 2-- Habs explode for six goals against Sabres
February 1-- Best of NHL's goalies playing like 'we're still in pre-season'


June 2012-December 2012

Cancelled, Cancelled, Cancelled: Labour talks timeline

Features of the 2012-13 Season

Our Archive of Items from the 2012-13 Season

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2013
Memorial Cup Championships 2013
Trade Deadline 2013
World Juniors (Ufa, Russia) 2012-13
Spengler Cup 2012-13

NHL Awards Winners 2013
NHL Rookie of the Month Archive 2013
NHL Stars of the Month Archive 2013

The Owners Box 2013
Attendance Watch 2013

NHL Suspensions 2012-13
The Trading Post 2013
Hired to Be Fired 2013

NHL Entry Draft Page

2012 Free Agents Signing Tracker
Free Agents List

Markham arena project moves forward by slim margin

After seven hours of discussion and a meeting that involved over 500 residents, the city council in Markham, Ontario (a community north of Toronto) approved plans to move forward with a controversial 325 million dollar arena, the first step that those wishing for a second NHL team for Toronto hope brings that goal a little bit closer.

The vote split is indicative at just how controversial the GTA Sports and Entertainment project is in the community, the motion to move ahead passed by a margin of 1 in 7 / 6 split.

The proposed 20,000 seat multi-purpose arena is to be located the Highway 407 and Kennedy Road area of the community, the focal point it would seem of a proposed new downtown for the community.

The concept of if we build it, they will come, seems to be one of the guiding forces in  getting the plans developed and eventual footings in the ground, rumblings in NHL circles have it that Gary Bettman is offering up the lure of expansion fee money to his employers, the NHL Board, with Toronto's long desired second franchise apparently a tantalizing prospect.

Though Bill Daly who at times takes on the role of consigliere, was pretty quick to offer the hold onto your hats declarations on that prospect, suggesting that the NHL wasn't ready to expand, for now.

Considering the attendance figures of some of the member clubs, one has to wonder how expansion would ever fly in these teams, especially if ready to move in franchises seem to always be available for those willing to purchase.

Undaunted by the failure of the public funding concept as delivered in Glendale, Arizona, the proponents of the GTA centre of which Mayor Frank Scapitti is heading the parade, suggest that the prospects forToronto are very different situation than the one in Glendale.

The financials of the project would have the city borrow $325 million dollars which would be paid back over the course of twenty years by the Remington group, the backers of the project.

The project would offer up much of the new apparent necessities of such developments, along the lines of the LA Live complexes adjacent to the Staples Centre. Glendale also constructed a similar themed development, the only problem being that it's place on the Greater Phoenix sports map a hasn't provided for the kind attendance figures (for the hockey team at any rate) required to make the complex successful.

The folks in favour of the project in Markham are no doubt banking on the prospect that hockey fans in Greater Toronto are willing to travel a bit to watch a game.

Should the Markham project move forward and Gary Bettman turn over the deed to a new NHL franchise in the future, many feel that the dreams of Hamilton fans for their own NHL franchise would the be dashed.

Giving cause no doubt for more dislike of the neighbours to the east, something that doesn't take much to stoke at the best of times.

Toronto Star-- Markham arena to proceed with plan for public funding
Toronto Star-- Ex-Canadiens owner George Gillett noses around Markham arena deal
Toronto Star-- Markham arena risky proposition without guarantee of NHL team
National Post-- Markham's plans for NHL-ready arena live on, for now
National Post-- Markham's proposed NHL arena would come with no guarantees
Toronto Sun-- Markham council approves public funding for NHL-size arena

An arena deal to change more than the fortunes of a hockey team

The deal announced last week between the Edmonton Oilers and the City of Edmonton will not only help to bring increased revenues to the hockey club, but may make for a bit of social engineering designed to change the fabric of a neighbourhood.

Much is being made about the 480 million dollar development, which could start as soon as August, with debate still part of the discussion as to whether it was the best possible deal for the City.

Gone it seems is the threat of moving the Oilers to Seattle, the prospect of the new destination building for Edmonton's downtown area more than securing the teams future as a fixture in Northern Alberta for years to come.

That prospect came to a positive resolution for hockey fans with the 10-3 city council vote of last Wednesday night, securing approval for the project and leaving behind he bitterness and anxiety over the past troubles that the project ran into over the last year.

There is one item that might leave Edmontonians wondering about the project however, there is some suggestion that the provincial government may provide some of the funding for the proposal, and the Alberta government isn't quite ready to write a direct cheque  to the cause.

There does seem money set aside in something called the Municipal Sustainability Initiative and most observers seem to believe that it's just a matter of moving money from one pile to another to solve that funding issue.

Credit is being shared among the three key components of the deal, Oilers Daryl Katz, Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who may not find anyone buying him drinks in twenty nine other cities (well maybe Phoenix, he has been kind there) but in Edmonton, he probably won't have to pay his bar bill well into the future.

Both Daryl Katz and The City of Edmonton were quick to trumpet the deal forged last week.

Some suggest that it was through Bettman's hand holding in the last few weeks, that the deal finally got from discussion phase to signing phase.

The new arena already is getting notice, marked by some as the most ambitious development that the city has seen, which puts it in rather impressive company we imagine, up there with Commonwealth Stadium and the West Edmonton Mall to name a few.

It obviously will be much more than a hockey rink, it will be more of an entertainment destination, providing a forum for any number of events, some of which perhaps were passing Edmonton by owing the aging nature of the Northlands palace of shinny.

When it opens, we imagine it will be the envy of many a community across the nation, wit the most likely jealous looks coming some two hours from the south.

Stand by Calgary, we suspect that soon, very soon, the competition with the cousin's to the north will be renewed.

The Oilers website featured a few items of interest on the latest developments on the arena proposal.

City and Katz Group Score Framework on New Arena
Edmonton's Downtown Arena Deal: We Are A Great Northern City
A Landmark Day (video)

Some other background on the deal between Daryl Katz and Edmonton can be found below.


Edmonton Journal-- Devil's in the details for new arena
Edmonton Journal-- What's in the Edmonton arena deal?
Edmonton Journal-- Council approves revised downtown Edmonton arena deal (video)
Edmonton Journal-- City Council takes leap of faith for new arena
Edmonton journal-- Arena deal greeted with rousing round of ... silence
Edmonton Journal-- We owe thanks to Mandel, Katz and Bettman for this arena deal
Edmonton Sun-- A year and a half later, city council approves Katz Group deal very similar to one approved in October 2011
Edmonton Sun-- City makes 'absolute deal ' to build downtown rink, says Edmonton's mayor
CBC-- Arena approval
CBC-- Arena construction will go ahead
CBC-- Agreement for Edmonton arena passed by council

Roots is rooting for a Nordiques return

We won't place too much prognostication possibilities on the current offerings of the Roots brand of clothing, but should the NHL return to the Quebec capital, then the Canadian clothing chain will clearly be ahead on the fashion curve.

A province that is renowned for its fashion sense, has a fascinating line available for the folks in Ville de Quebec, a line that could serve to stoke the rivalry with that other city down the river.

In their current advertising campaign, Roots has launched a line of hockey themed clothing, celebrating the return of hockey (and perhaps helping to move all that product that perhaps sat on shelves during the lock out period).

There's the usual array of Maple Leaf, Canadien, Senator, Jets, Flames, Oilers and Canucks material there for the purchase, from jackets to caps, shirts and scarves.

And for the hopeful of a seventh NHL franchise, there's a selection of Nordique themed items, ready to celebrate what seems like possibly the most sensible decision that the NHL could make coming out of the lockout drama.

The momentum continues to build to bring Quebec City back into the NHL collective and there are perhaps more than few potential franchises in southern outposts of the league that may be of interest to the folks at Quebecor who at the moment seem the favourite to bring hockey back.

Though as outlined above, the NHL being the ATM that owners seem to try to make it into from time to time, may instead go the route of expansion. Something that seems rather foolish considering the issues of recent years in some locales, but never underestimate the ability to try to make as much money as possible, when it comes to the folks around the board table.

Regardless of the road north,  whether through an established team or an expansion version, should they prove successful, the folks in Quebec will be more than dressed for success.

National Post-- Sidney Crosby shares his feelings on Quebec getting another NHL team
Toronto Star-- Can Canada save the NHL?
The Score-- Quebec City and other prospective NHL towns are the winners of this lockout
The Toronto Sun-- Which cities are in line to receive an NHL team?
CBC-- Canada could support 3 more NHL teams, study says

The Owners Box 2013

Our Archive of items regarding ownership of NHL franchises, highlighting the moves in the structure of team ownership and items of interest surrounding the NHL's franchises.

March 14-- Board of Governors-- Realignment plan approved by Board of Governors

March 14-- Los Angeles-- Kings, AEG no longer for sale

March 8-- Buffalo Sabres -- Sabres acquire deed to begin construction of $172 million hockey-entertainment complex

March 8-- Board of Governors-- Board of Governors vote next for realignment plan

February 28-- Carolina Hurricanes-- Hurricanes add four to ownership group

February 26-- Board of Governors -- NHL proposes realignment, new playoff format

February 18 -- Los Angeles -- Former Kings owner Jerry Buss dies at 80

February 2-- Phoenix-- A new migration pattern for the Coyote (HockeyNation)

February 1-- Phoenix-- Greg Jamison misses deadline to buy Coyotes

January 31-- Phoenix-- Jamison faces deadline in bid to buy Coyotes

January 31-- Edmonton-- An arena deal to change more than the fortunes of a hockey team (HockeyNation)

January 23-- Edmonton-- Edmonton City council approves new arena deal

January 15-- San Jose-- Original Sharks owner George Gund III dies

January 9-- Board of Governors-- Board of Governors ratifies terms of new CBA

January 9-- Board of Governors-- Statement from Jeremy Jacobs, Boston Bruins owner and Chairman of the NHL Board of Governors

January 3-- New Jersey-- Vanderbeek gains sole ownership of Devils

2012

October 27-- New York Islanders -- Islanders Make a Commute (HockeyNation)

September 29-- Edmonton Oilers -- Burning multiple bridges with Daryl Katz (HockeyNation)

 .

The Trading Post 2012-13

The trade, it can change a players career for good and sometimes for the bad. An opportunity for a fresh start for some players, or just one final indication that their days in the pros may soon be coming to an end.

Perhaps like few seasons in recent years, this years abbreviated schedule will find General Managers a little more fidgety than usual, with a short dash towards playoff positions, the opportunity to add on to a lineup for some, may find many GM's in a particularly trading frame of mind this season.

For the General Manager it provides the opportunity to improve a team heading towards a playoff spot or fill in some gaps that suddenly become urgent due to injuries. For teams that are going nowhere fast, the trade can line up future prospects or remove burdensome contracts in preparation for a better tomorrow.

We track the deals as they come to pass during this 2012-13 season, providing some background for the names that now trot off to the Post Office for change of address cards.

April 3-- Anaheim/Minnesota-- The Wild pick up some insurance in the nets with a trade that brings Jeff Deslauriers to Minnesota, the Ducks receive future considerations in exchange (NHL Trade Alert)


April 3-- Nashville/Washington -- The Predators send Martin Erat and Michael Latta to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Fiillip Forsberg (NHL Trade Alert)

April 3-- Anaheim/Phoenix-- The Coyotes continue to clear the decks, sending Matthew Lombardi to Anaheim in exchange for Brandon McMillan (NHL Trade Alert)

April 3-- New Jersey/Phoenix-- The Devils bring back Steve Sullivan for another tour of the swamps, sending a seventh round pick to the Coyotes (NHL Trade Alert)

April 3-- St. Louis/Boston-- Wade Redden changes a uniform once again, heading to Boston to join the Bruins, reunited with Zdeno Chara and Peter Chiarelli (NHL Trade Alert)

April 3-- Toronto/Colorado -- The Leafs and Avalanche make a trade, Ryan O'Byrne heads for Toronto in exchange for a fourth round pick (NHL Trade Alert)

April 3-- San Jose/Phoenix-- San Jose picks up some of the toughness they lost when they traded Ryan Clowe, as they grab Raffi Torres from the Coyotes, Phoenix or wherever they may end up next year receives a third round draft pick (NHL Trade Alert)

April 3-- Calgary/Columbus-- The Flames pick up a fifth round draft pick, sending Blake Comeau to the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL Trade Alert)

April 3-- Buffalo/Minnesota-- The Sabres continue to move players, sending Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Johan Larson and Matt Hackett (NHL Trade Alert)

April 3-- Columbus/New York Rangers-- The Blue Jackets pick up Marion Gabork, sending a draft pick and Derek Brossard to the Rangers (NHL Trade Alert)

April 3-- Columbus/Philadelphia -- The Blue Jackets send Steve Mason to the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL Trade Alert)

April 3-- Ottawa/Tampa Bay -- The Senators make a deal with Tampa Bay sending Ben Bishop off to Florida (NHL Trade Alert)

April 3-- Pittsburgh/Carolina -- The Penguins pick up some help to tide over the Crosby convalesence, with Jussi Jokinen making his way (after Mrs. Jokinen delivers the baby) to the Penguins, the Hurricanes get a 7th round pick in the deal and turn over diaper duty to the Penguins (NHL Trade Alert)

April 3-- San Jose/Nashville -- The Sharks reacquire Scott Hannan, sending a 7th round conditional pick to Nashville in return (NHL Trade Alert)

April 3-- Edmonton/Florida-- Edmonton picks up Jerred Smithson from the Panthers, sending a fourth round pick off to Florida (NHL Trade Alert)

April 3-- Boston/Chicago-- Minor leaguers change up some uniforms as Maxime Sauve heads for Chicago for Rob Flick who joins the Bruins (NHL Trade Alert)

April 2-- Tampa Bay/Chicago-- Tampa Bay picks up Phillipe Paradis from the Blackhawks, in return the Hawks acquire the rights to Kirill Gotovets (NHL Trade Alert)

April 2-- New York Rangers/ San Jose -- The Sharks made the much anticipated shipment of Ryan Clowe, sending the physical left winger eastbound as it turns out, Broadway bound, in exchange the Rangers send the Sharks a 2nd round pick in the 2013 draft, a 3rd round pick in the 2013 draft and a conditional 2nd round pick in the 2014 draft (NHL Trade Alert)

April 2-- Colorado/Dallas -- Tomas Vincour is Colorado bound, after the Stars traded him to the Avalanche in exchange for Cameron Gaunce. (NHL Trade Alert)

April 2-- Montreal/Los Angeles -- Montreal picks up Davis Fewiskie from the Kings in exchange fro an fifth round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft (NHL Trade Alert)

April 2 -- Boston/Dallas -- Jaromir Jagr is on the move again, the consolation prize it seems for Bruins fans who watched Jarome Iginla head for Pittsburgh over Beantown. The Stars picked up a conditional second round pick in the 2013 draft as well as a pair of prospects, Lane McDermid and Cody Payne. (NHL Trade Alert)

April 2-- Edmonton/Washington -- Edmonton picks up defenseman Garret Stafford from the Capitals in exchange for Dane Byers (NHL Trade Alert)

April 2-- Vancouver/Dallas -- The Stars continued to move some of their assets, sending veteran Derek Roy off to Vancouver, receiving a second round pick in the 2013 draft and a prospect defenseman Kevin Connauton (NHL Trade Alert)

April 2-- Carolina/ Tampa Bay -- The Hurricanes pick up defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron from the Lighting, sending Adam Hall and Carolina's seventh round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft (NHL Trade Alert)

April 2-- Washington/Phoenix -- Minor league players change address cards on Tuesday, as the Capitals sent Matthew Clackson to Phoenix for forward Joel Rechlicz (NHL Trade Alert)

April 1-- Buffalo/Los Angeles-- The Sabres continue with their next year plan, sending Robyn Regehr to the Kings, picking up two second round draft picks from the Kings, one for 2014, the other in 2015. The trade is contingent on Regehr passing a medical for the Kings (NHL Trade Alert)

April 1 -- Calgary/St. Louis-- Calgary continues with the clearance sale, this time sending defenceman Jay Bouwmeester to the St. Louis Blues, on the way to Alberta, the Blues first round pick in the 2013 draft, minor league defenceman Mark Cundari and goaltender Reto Berra, currently whiling away the hockey hours in Switzerland (NHL Trade Alert)

April 1-- Chicago/San Jose-- Chicago picks up some depth for an already impressive lineup, securing Michal Handzus from San Jose, sending a fourth round pick in the 2013 draft in return. (NHL Trade Alert)

April 1-- Anaheim/Philadelphia-- The Ducks and Flyers exchange forwards, with Anaheim picking up Harry Zolnierczyk in exchange for Jay Rosehill (NHL Trade Alert)

March 30-- St. Louis/Buffalo-- St. Louis isn't waiting for the trade deadline to try and shore up their lineup, swinging a deal with Buffalo on Saturday which sees Jordan Leopold from Buffalo in exchange for  a second round and conditional fifth round pick in the 2013 draft, the conditional pick moves up to number four should the Blues win a playoff round, if they make the playoffs (NHL Trade Alert)

March 30-- Philadelphia/Detroit -- The Flyers continue to try to rebuild their lineup picking up Kent Huskins from the Red Wings in exchange for a conditional seventh round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft (NHL Trade Alert)

March 29-- Phoenix/Edmonton-- The Coyotes and Oilers swap a pair of junior prospects with Tobias Rieder moving to the Coyotes list, while Kale Kessy gets inked with the Oilers (NHL Trade Alert)

March 27-- Calgary/Pittsburgh -- The Flames send the face of their franchise, Jarome Iginla, off to Pittsburgh, receiving the Pens first round pick in 2013 as well as the rights to a pair of unsigned draft choices Kenneth Agostino and Ben Hanowski. (NHL Trade Alert)

March 25-- Pittsburgh/San Jose-- Pittsburgh adds to their depth on Defense with the addition of Douglas Murray from the San Jose Sharks, the cost of the defenseman was second round pick in the 2013 and 2014 drafts. (NHL Trade Alert)

March 24-- Pittsburgh/Dallas -- Pittsburgh adds some more experience to the lineup as the Stars send captain Brenden Morrow to the Penguins in exchange for defenceman Joseph Morrow and a 2013 fifth round pick. Pittsburgh also receives third round pick in the 2013 as part of the deal (NHL Trade Alert)

March 22 -- New Jersey/St. Louis -- New Jersey adds a veteran to the line up picking up Matt D'Agostini from the Blues in exchange for a conditional draft pick in the 2015 NHL draft (NHL Trade Alert)

March 15-- Florida/Buffalo -- The Panthers pick up defenceman T. J. Brennan in a deal with Buffalo, sending a fifth round pick in the 2013 draft to the Sabres (NHL Trade Alert)

March 15-- Anaheim/Toronto -- The Anaheim Ducks make use of their new scout Brian Burke, swinging a deal with Burke's old team the Toronto Maple Leafs, with Center David Steckel moving to the Ducks in exchange for right winger Ryan Lasch and a seventh round draft pick in the 2014 NHL Draft (NHL Draft Alert)

March 14-- Toronto/Washington-- The Leafs acquire defenceman Kevin Marshall from the Washington Capitals, sending Nicolas Deschamps to DC in exchange (NHL Trade Alert)

March 14-- Washington/Minnesota-- The Capitals picked up a minor leaguer as they swing a deal with Minnesota that sees Chay Genoway move to the Washington organization, in exchange the Capitals sent the Wild a conditional pick in the seventh round of the 2014 draft (NHL Trade Alert)

March 12-- Ottawa/Minnesota-- The Senators pick up Matt Kassian from Minnesota sending a sixth round draft pick to the Wild in exchange (NHL Trade Alert)

March 12-- Philadelphia/Columbus-- Future considerations and a minor league player make up the Flyers/Blue Jackets transaction of the day, as Philadelphia sends Matthew Ford to Columbus in exchange for future considerations (NHL Trade Alert)

March 12-- Anaheim/Tampa Bay-- A pair of minor league forwards change organizations as the Anaheim Ducks pick up Kyle Wilson from the Tampa Bay Lightning, sending Dan Sexton to the Lightning organization (NHL Trade Alert)

March 10-- Columbus/Winnipeg-- The Blue Jackets have sent Tomas Kubalik to Winnipeg with the Jets sending forward Spencer Machacek to the Blue Jackets with his destination their AHL affiliate in Springfield (NHL Trade Alert)

March 4-- Toronto/Edmonton -- Mike Brown is moving west, the Leafs traded Brown to the Oilers for a fourth round pick in the 2014 draft (NHL Trade Alert)

February 28-- Calgary/Nashville-- Brian McGratton makes a return to the Calgary organization, as the Flames swing a deal with Nashville to bring the renowned scrapper back to the fold, in exchange the Flames send Joe Piskula to the Predators (NHL Trade Alert)

February 26-- Dallas/Montreal -- Michael Ryder is heading back to Montreal, the one time Canadien was packing for Quebec as the Stars and Canadiens closed a deal, with Erik Cole heading for Dallas apparently in a bid to clear up some cap space for the Habs. The move was the first major trade put together by new Montreal GM Marc Bergevin (NHL Trade Alert) 

February 26-- Los Angeles/Philadelphia -- It's reunion time in Philadelphia, as the Flyers bring Simon Gagne back from the west coast, the Flyers send a conditional draft picks to the Kings in exchange for the popular Gagne. (NHL Trade Alert)

February 25-- Calgary/Philadelphia -- The Flames and Flyers appear to be stocking the shelves of their respective farm clubs, as the Flames picked up the services of Mike Testwuide in exchange for Mitch Wahl, both players are expected to report to their new AHL teams. (NHL Trade Alert)

February 13-- New Jersey/ Winnipeg -- The New Jersey Devils re-acquire Alexei Ponikarovsky once again, picking up the forward from the Winnipeg Jets for a seventh round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft and a fourth round selection in 2014. (NHL Trade Alert)

February 13-- Winnipeg/Pittsburgh-- The Jets picked up Eric Tanardi from the Pittsburgh Penguins, sending a seventh round draft pick in 2013 NHL Draft in return to the Penguins (NHL Trade Alert)

February 8-- Los Angeles/Florida-- Keaton Ellerby is LA bound, as the Kings make their second trade in three days sending the fifth round pick obtained on Wednesday to Florida for Ellerby (NHL Trade Alert)

February 7-- Boston/NY Islanders-- The Bruins have moved their recalcitrant goaltender Tim Thomas, sending the suspended now former Boston Goaltender to the Islanders. Whether Thomas ever suits up for the Islanders however would seem to be something for the future to provide for us. For now the Islanders surrender a conditional second round pick in the 2014 or 2015 draft (NHL Trade Alert)

February 6-- New Jersey/Los Angeles-- Andrei Loktionov is leaving the California shores for the Jersey shore as the Devils and Kings make a trade with the Kings receiving fifth round pick in the 2008 draft in return (NHL Trade Alert)

January 24-- New York Rangers/Pittsburgh -- A minor league change of address as the Rangers pick up Benn Ferriero from the Pittsburgh Penguins, sending the Pens Chad Kolarik. (NHL Trade Alert)

January 21-- Chicago/Caglary-- Chicago adds some depth at Goaltender picking up Henrik Karlsson from the Flames, Calgary collects Chicago's seventh round draft pick in this year's entry draft. (NHL Trade Alert)

January 14-- Montreal/Florida -- The Habs and Panthers exchanged minor league defencemen with Brendon Nash heading for San Antonio in the Panthers system, while the Canadiens picked up Jason DeSantis, who heads for Hamilton. (NHL Trade Alert)

January 14-- Edmonton/Dallas -- The Oilers pick up defenseman Mark Fistric from the Dallas Stars, giving the Stars a third round pick in return (NHL Trade Alert)

January 13-- Philadelphia/Carolina --  the Flyers send minor leaguer Luke Pither to Carolina for goaltender Brian Boucher and prospect Mark Alt.  (NHL Trade Alert)


Trade Summary

April -- 27
March -- 16
February -- 9
January  -- 5

Most Active Traders


Anaheim-- 5
Boston-- 4
Buffalo-- 4
Calgary -- 6
Carolina -- 3
Chicago -- 4
Colorado -- 2
Columbus-- 5
Dallas-- 6
Detroit -- 1
Edmonton -- 5
Florida-- 4
Los Angeles-- 5
Minnesota -- 4
Montreal -- 3
Nashville -- 3
New Jersey-- 4
New York Islanders--1 
New York Rangers-- 3
Ottawa --2
Pittsburgh-- 6
Philadelphia -- 7
Phoenix -- 5
San Jose -- 5
St. Louis -- 4
Tampa Bay-- 4
Toronto -- 4
Vancouver -- 1
Washington -- 5
Winnipeg -- 3

Attendance Watch 2013 - AKA, Mr. Bettman's Box Office

While it may be a new season and everyone happy that #hockeyisback, there is still one elephant in the room these days in the NHL, some of the member cities it seems, don't particularly like hockey.

At least, that is what we could surmise if we check the attendance figures from the nightly contests of last year.

However, since we're all turning pages and all of that with hockey's return, perhaps hope will spring eternal of a Renaissance of sorts in such locales as Dallas and Columbus, with an eye watchful on developments on Long Island (hang on Brooklyn, we are comin') and Phoenix (no really, anyone want to buy a hockey team?).

So with the 2013 season now underway, we'll keep an eye on the attendance listings (all be it sometimes perhaps less than, oh shall we say, reflective of the actual numbers) from some of the teams that may make up our talking points later in the season.

For our faithful readers in Quebec City, Seattle, Hamilton and other would be NHL host cities, the numbers may provide some hint as to who may one day be making moving plans in the future.

It's an arbitrary number on our part, but we will use the 13,000 mark as the cut off for our attendance review, so only those games which are listed as having 13,000 or less in attendance will be listed below. We also will include which team was in town that night to perhaps provide some explanation as to the recorded attendance.

We will be watching with interest to see if the numbers grow or if teams stabilize as the season moves forward, regardless as sure as a puck will find the net, somewhere along the way this year rumours will start to swirl as to possible troubles in some hockey paradise locations, the numbers below will probably help explain some of those percolating points.

The review can be accessed from our GM's office links on the right hand sidebar.

Attendance figures as of April 16, 2013.

Bottom Feeders (our three dim star selection)
Three teams with lowest attendance, teams the most times below 13,000.

1. New York Islanders 
2. Phoenix Coyotes
3. Columbus

Columbus

February 26, 2013 -- 11,523 (Dallas)
February 11,2013-- 10,837 (San Jose)
February 7, 2013-- 10,484 (Calgary)
February 5, 2013-- 11,019 (Los Angeles)
January 28, 2013-- 10,475 (Dallas)


New York Islanders

April 2, 2013-- 11,819 (Winnipeg)
March 21, 2013-- 11,012 (Montreal)
March 19, 2013-- 10,668 (Ottawa)
March 5, 2013-- 9,498 (Montreal)
February 28, 2013 -- 9,222 (Toronto) 
February 26, 2013 -- 12,788 (Boston)
February 24, 2013 -- 10,048 (Carolina)
February 11,2013 -- 9,622 (Carolina)
February 9, 2013 -- 12,608 Buffalo
February 5, 2013--  11,318 (Pittsburgh)


Phoenix

April 2, 2013-- 12,934 (Los Angeles)
March 7, 2013-- 11,482 (St. Louis)
March 4, 2013-- 11,024 (Anaheim)
February 28, 2013-- 11,547 (Minnesota)
February 4, 2013-- 9,508 (Minnesota)
February 2, 2013-- 12,151 (Dallas)
January 30, 2013-- 12,995 (Edmonton)
January 28, 2013 -- 8,581 (Nashville)
January 23, 2013 -- 8,355 (Columbus)