Nightly Hockey News and Notes
Monday February 8, 2010
**
Bob Gainey has stepped down as Canadiens' GM at a 4pm news conference today and has been replaced by Pierre Gauthier on an interim basis. Reasons have not been publicized yet, but as soon as I know so will you.
**
The St. Louis Blues have let other GM's around the NHL know that Defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo is available. NJ and Minn are definitely interested.
**
Newest Flyer Ville Leino will not suit up tonight against the Devils. Has me wondering, will he be moved again?
**
Check out new Video of the Week!!'
Sunday February 7, 2010
**
Happy Superbowl Sunday!! With their 10th straight loss last night, the Boston Bruins have moved to the top of the Ray Whitney trade list.
**
I have also heard that the Sabers are trying to create a deal that would bring Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu to Buffalo. Not sure what the price would be, but i bet it is steep.
**
Carey Price seems to be the unspoken man on the trading block. Chicago, San Jose, and Edmonton seem to be the front runners.
**
Saturday February 6, 2010
**
Minor trade today. Detroit traded under achieving forward Ville Leino to Philly for defenseman Ole Christian Tollefson. Detroit immediately put Tollefson on waivers, without a doubt to clear cap space for the return of Johan Franzen.
**
Patrik Elias is set to return tonight against the Rangers. Expect him to play with Kovalchuk tonight. He could be the perfect set up man for Kovy.
**
More later...
Friday February 5, 2010
**
Kovalchuk and Salmela will be in the line up tonight as the Devils host the Maple Leafs. 7pm.
**
Now that Kovy is gone, who will be next? Most say Ray Whitney or Scott Niedermeyer. I say Alex Ponakarovski to the Pens.
**
Toronto GM Brian Burke's son killed in car crash tonight, our prayers are with the family.
Thursday February 4, 2010
Ilya Kovalchuk is a New Jersey Devil. This is an extremely uncharacteristic deal for Devils GM Lou Lamoriello, but it says that he thinks his team is poised to win now, and made a play for the most sought after free agent in recent memory. What the Devils have given up makes me think that Lou is smiling somewhere, because he definitely got his way. Johnny Oduya is a solid defensive player, but he was re-signed to be an offensive minded puck moving defenseman, and in stead he has only 4 points in 40 games. Niclas Bergfors has had his moments of brilance this season, but has not had points in 10 plus games now and is a minus 7. So far that's two underahieveing players. Now prospect Patrice Cormier, this is a talented player, who should have a successful NHL career, but as of late has been a headache with his nasty hit in a QMJHL game. In true Lou fashion, he made a problem just dissapear. Their first round pick could be valuable, but it will most likely be 14th or higher (hopefully 30th). In return they have a new team leader in goals and points, in Kovalchuk and Anssi Salmela who is a younger D-man with potential. The Devils have high expectations now. Its Cup or bust.
**
Ryan Whitney has been officially named as Paul Martin's replacement on Team USA. Komisarek's replacement will be Tim Gleason. Not sure I agree with the last one, Rob Scuderi would probably be better.
**
