Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The IR: Wednesday

A lot of injuries to get caught up on.

*-> The Atlanta Thrashers have lost franchise player Ilya Kovalchuk for a month do to a fracture in his ankle. A huge blow for the Thrashers but good news for Thrasher fans Jason Krog has been called up. Hardly a replacement if I may say so.

*-> TJ Oshie of St Louis Blues will miss up to 2 weeks after having his appendix removed.

*-> The slow start of Philadelphia Flyer forward Simone Gagne could be attributed to the 2 hernias that Gagne is suffering from. Gagne and the team have yet to decide the next route as surgery is required but they may decide to hold off untill a replacement is found.

*-> Peter Budaj of the Colorado Avalanche has the swine flu and is expected to miss up to 2 weeks.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Ice Scoopz: Sunday Morning

*-> Michael Nylander has been sent down to the Hersey Bears this week for a "conditioning" stint its more likely its to showcase his skills for rival GM's and other leagues. There is very little interest in Nylander but some believe a struggling team like Nashville may take a risk. It is also believed that the Caps have accepted the fact they may have to rentry waive him and take the cap hit to clear him out. Nylanders camp is also accepting the fact that he may have to accept being waived in order to resume his career quickly. There isn't much interest overseas so time is running out.

*-> Peter Forsberg is in a similar boat as Nylander. His main goal is to return to the NHL but not many teams have inquired about the former best player in the world. The Preds would love to have him centering them but the risk may be too high. The Blackhawks also were interested but would have to solve there RFA problem first. Another team who is in the market for a 2nd line center is the Senators but they too have cap issues and way too many defensemen. A few moves would be in order.

*-> Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun has been called out for making up rumors by Florida GM Randy Sexton. The original rumor of the Panthers trying to trade away Nathen Horton last week was squashed quickly by Sexton saying the source fabricated the rumor and he has even considered it. This is not the first time Garrioch has been in the spotlight for making up rumor.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Ice Scoopz: Friday Morning

*-> The Toronto Maple Leafs need a goalie bad and its no secret. GM Brian Burke has been making inquiries to almost every team in the league to try and find some extra help. The Leafs have been linked to Goaltender JS Giguere. Its believed the Ducks would love to part ways with there 6 million dollar backup. Js is really the most proven goaltender out there but the Leafs first would have to clear some cap. Another option could be teamless Manny Fernandez. Fernandez would be a good backup or depth signing but would be no Better than Toskala in my opinion. Kevin Weekes and Joclyn Thibault are both still out there to provide depth as well. Another option could be the Habs Jaroslav Halak who is ready to start but the Canadians may decide to stick with him since he is the hotter goalie.

*-> Sergei Kostitsyn has reported back to Hamilton after leaving the team earlier this week. Apparently it was a big misunderstanding between the winger and Bob Gainey. Gainey would love to keep the disgruntled winger and is trying his hardest to end his trade request. The main reason for the demotion was revealed last week. Reportedly Kostitsyn and new star Scott Gomez got in a fight during training camp and Gainey and Jacques Martin wanted to let Gomez get settled and not have any unwanted drama before the season starts. I expect Kostitsyn to remain a Hab for the time being.

That's it for now, make sure to check out and sign up for our Hockey Forum. Its located in the link section on our sidebar!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Trade

*-> The Buffalo Sabers have traded Dan Paille to the Boston Bruins for a 2nd round pick in 2009 and a conditional 3rd round pick depending on whether Dan Paille scores over 16 goals this seasons.

Ice Scoopz: Tuesday Noon

*-> Lots of noise out of Russia this weekend. Ilya Kovalchuk is the center of attention due to the fact he is unrestricted this summer and is looking for a big payout. The rumor has it that Ilya would love to stay in Atlanta and its his number one choice but he'd like to see top dollar and have a set plan and a decent supporting cast around him, in other words he wants proof Atlanta is ready to compete. However the KHL has now slipped out a potential situation for Kovalchuk to ponder. They are believed to be offering over 15 million dollars per season for the franchise forward and would love nothing more than to steal an NHL superstar still before his prime. Personally I believe Kovi would rather play in the NHL but that kind of cash is enough to change most peoples minds. I think hell get a deal done with Atlanta and if not he'll consider bolting at seasons end. This should effect most teams considering selling there futures away for possibly just a playoff run.

*-> The Ilya Zubov fiasco in Ottawa has ended this morning. The Sens have shipped the Russian back to Russia. Well more like loaned him to the KHL till a suitable team is found. He will suit up for Salavat UFA starting next week. I really don't feel this is guna help him NHL career as most teams are already Leary about Russians let alone 2 or 3rd liners who are already home and have previously demanded a trade. I do however think he'l end up back because it seams this is the league hed like to play in.

Trade

*-> The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Philadelphia flyers have swapped former second round picks today. The Jackets have sent former World Junior star Stefan Legion to the Broadstreet Bullies for defenseman Michael Ratchuk.

A pretty even trade I would say. Ratchuk could be a pretty decent pickup for the Jackets considering they lack defensive depth. I say this over Stefan Legein because he has proven to have had doubts about his playing career several times already and he's only 20. He could be a pretty good player eventually but there's still too many warning lights on.

The IR: Tuesday

*-> Milan Lucic had successful surgery on his index finger yesterday after breaking it. The Boston winger is expected to return within 3 weeks to action.

*-> Nashville has placed injured center and captain Jason Arnott on the IR this morning. He is expected to miss up to 4 weeks with his undeclared arm injury.
*-> Dallas has more injury woes to add to Steve Ott. The Stars have placed both Mike Modano and Jere Lehtonen on the reserve. Modano is suffering from bruised ribs while Lehtonen has a severlly pulled groin still.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Ice Scoopz: Thursday Evening

*-> The Edmonton Oilers have been involved in quite a few trade talks the past few days. The Oilers are reportedly shopping defenseman Tom Gilbert with the emergence of Denis Grebeshkov and the offensive tandem of Lubomir Vishnovsky and Sheldon Souray there's not much room for him. The Buffalo Sabers are openly interested but would have to trade some salary to make the deal work. The Oilers are asking for Drew Stafford in return. I think this situation is highly unlikely but could work if the Sabers dump a body or 2.

*-> The Oilers have also shown interest in disgruntled Montreal Canadian Sergei Kostitsyn. Tom Gilbert could be the offensive pointman the Habs are looking for but cap space again would be the problem. Montreal could clear some space by packaging the brothers but its highly unlikely. The more likely scenario is the Oilers making a direct deal for SK74.

*-> The Wild are in some hot water with 2 of their top 6 wingers out for the count and not enough depth. Minny is already starved for offense and there isn't many options left. One rumor that has surfaced is free agent Miroslav Satan. He could be an option as he'd be cheap and could boost the offense. He also has good repor with fellow countryman Petr Sykora.

The IR: Thursday

Lots of catchup to do today as I missed the last day and a Thanksgiving. So here's the IR.

*-> The Vancouver Canucks have run into injury problems as of late as they have lost Sami Salo for 5 to 6 weeks with a knee injury and also lost Daniel for atleast 5 weeks with a broken bone in his ankle. Sedin insists it'll be an easy heel and he'll be back playing within 5 while team doctors insist it'l be up to 8. Michael Grabner has been recalled from The Manitoba Moose to try and fill their void.

*-> The Minnesota Wild will be without Petr Sykora for a week or so while he tends to a groin injury. Reports have led me to believe that this will be a lot longer injury then indicated.

*-> The Buffalo Sabres have lost Thomas Vanek to an "Upperbody" injury. Lindy Ruff said after the game he expects its to be weeks not days but later retracted his statement by saying it should only be days.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

The IR: Sunday

*-> Defenseman Joni Pitkanen of the Carolina Hurricanes is still being plagued by a lowerbody injury. It appears he will miss the next several games still even after being taken off the IR.

*-> More Trouble for Detroit. It has been revealed that Johan Franzen will miss until February with the torn ACL he suffered last week. This is a major issue for the Wings as they already lost top 6 winger Juri Hudler in the offseason. Ken Hollands depth will be tested as he claims the Red Shirts will not look for a deal at the moment and also stated that the remaining crop of free agents are unworthy of a top 6 role.

*-> Barret Jackman of the St. Louis Blues was placed on the IR last night and is expected to miss 2 to 3 weeks while D.J King was taken off the IR and sent back down to Peoria.

Ice Scoopz: Sunday Afternoon

*-> The Michael Nylander situation just took a turn for the worst. The Capitols have been trying to dump Nylander and his 4$mil salary. Bruce Boudreau has stated he expects the situation to be resolved by the weekends end but it appears Nylander is refusing to waive his no movement clause or except a transfer to the KHL like planned. Bruce Boudreau has also stated he won't play Nylander so it is in his best interest to waive his no movement or a transfer.

*-> Brad May has signed with the Detroit Red Wings for 750K and it is believed to be a 2 way deal.

*-> The Tampa Bay Lightning are showcasing David Hale as they curently have 9 defensemen under contract for this season. Not many teams however are interested in Hale except for the Atlanta Thrashers and the New York Rangers who look to fill the spot left for Alexander Semenov 2 weeks ago.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Ice Scoopz: Wednesday Morning

*-> The New Jersey Devils tave placed veteran Brendan Shannahan on waivers this morning in hopes someone will claim him. Lou Lamorrello has stayed not much is known to what they will do if the aging winger is not picked up. Its highly doubtful he'll be assigned to a minor league team. I expect someone would want his services. We should know by noon Eastern time.

*-> Montreal Canadians have signed defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron to a 1 year deal worth 750K$ as previously mentioned. Bergeron will report to Hamilton of the AhL until he is in game shape. Good but bad signing for the Habs. He'll help but he's nothing Montreals rookies couldn't do.

*-> Derek Armstrong of the St.Louis Blues has cleared waivers and has been assigned to Peoria of the AHL.
More to come soon!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Ice Scoopz: Monday Afternoon

*-> It looks like Sergei Kostitsyn has had a change of heart. The speedy Belarussian has agreed to report to the Hamilton Bulldogs and end his bitter dispute with the Montreal Canadiens management. It is rumored a phone call from his brother Andrei and a 1 on 1 with Bob Gainey helped change his mind.

*-> More Habs news, it appears with Andrei Markov out for an extended period of time the organization is looking into the free agent market for help. It is rumored that Bob Gainey has spoken with Patrice Briesbois about coming back and it is believed he would under the right conditions. Another option that has been thrown about is Marc-Andre Bergeron another free agent defenseman. I personally feel the right move would to promote within because neither of those two guys can fill Markov's shoes so rather than give a spot up to them let a rookie like Carle, Webber, Belle, or Subban steal a spot. If their going to try the UFA route maybe place a call to Sergei Zubov as he has a NHL release clause still.

*-> Dominic Moore has found a new home. The defensive energy forward has signed a 1 year deal with the Florida Panthers. The deal is worth 850K$ it is rumored. Great deal for the Cats Moore is a guy who can produce playing only 3rd or 4th line minutes while giving you a valuable penalty killer and faceoff man.

Monday, October 5, 2009

The I.R: Monday

*->Montreal's blue line took another huge hit Saturday night when they lost Ryan O'Byrne to injury. The big defender took a shot off his ankle and is believed to have fractured a bone in his right ankle. The it appears he will miss atleast 6 weeks to recovery. Montreal has good defensive depth in my opinion to replace O'Byrne but to replace Andrei Markov is going to be a huge chore. Yannick Webber is a perfect powerplay replacement and his overall game isn't bad ether but he's no Markov. Alex Henry could be an easy fill to replace the size lost with O'Byrne out of the lineup.

*-> The Canadiens have also lost Glen Metropolit to injury. Not much is known other than he suffered the "upperbody" injury during Montreal's O.T win over the Sabres. It's not expected to be serious but will be out of the line-up for atleast a week. Kyle Chipchura has been called up as a replacement.

*-> The Carolina Hurricanes have lost Erik Cole for 6 to 8 weeks with a fractured bone in his left leg. The injury occurred Saturday night after he collided with a Bruins defender.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Ice Scoopz: Saturday Afternoon

*->The Norfolk Admirals have signed world junior stand out Jaroslav Janus to a deal. Janus was the Slovakian goalie who carried his team single handedly.

*-> More has come out on the Ilya Zubov situation in Ottawa. Bryan Murray has told Zubov that he will honor his request and find him a team willing to play him but he doesn't feel its realistic at the moment as Zubov reported to camp out of shape and with 15% body fat.

*-> The Atlanta Thrashers have claimed Ottawas Christoff Shubert off rentry waivers. Ottawa worked out a deal with the Thrashers where they would take him off their hands as long as it was rentry waivers.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Ice Scoopz: Friday Lunch

*-> Brendan Shananhan's departure from the New Jersey Devils just took another twist. It appears the veteran was urged by management to retire but has yet to decide on the matter. He is still on the roster and will count against the camp and roster space till he retires, gets traded or placed on waivers. It appears he's leaning towards playing still but it may be hard to find a team.

*-> Ottawa Senators have placed Christof Shubert on reentry waivers with the hopes he gets claimed. The Coyotes and Nashville are looking.

*-> Speaking of the Sens they have yet to solve the Ilya Zubov situation. The disgruntled Russian would love to remain in North America but it seams the Sens are reluctant to trade him so the KHL may be the solution.

*-> The Stars have locked down Stephan Robidas for the next 4 years the terms on the deal have yet to be abounced.

The IR: Friday

*-> Bad news for the Montreal Canadiens. Andrei Markov was injured last night while playing the Toronto Maple Leafs. RDS has reported a ligament in his ankle was slashed when he collided with Carey Price. Expect him to be out 4 months! Awful news for Habs fans but awesome news for Yannick Webber who is going to get recalled to run the powerplay.