Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Ice Scoopz: Tuesday Afternoon

Lots of new today, including a retirement and a major waiver...

*-> Michael Peca has finally decided to pack it and call it a career after 13 years. Peca who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets last season was not resigned and became a free agent. Although during the fall Peca admitted there still was interest in the gritty captain he was more of a family man now and was being "choosy" when it came down to where he would play next. Rumors had him back to the Sabres, and to the Nations Capital but nothing ever came of them. Many had said Peca would have loved to retire in Toronto and he was holding out for a call. Peca has said his family has now become his number one and he has no regrets on retiring.

A good captain and great guy. Although Peca was always one of my most hated players for being that pesky annoying checking center. I respect him deeply and wish him well for the future.

*-> The Petr Sykora era of the Minnesota Wild has come to a quick end today. Sykora was placed on waivers today by the Wild after not fitting well with the team and barely being able to ice due to injuries. I expect him to be claimed almost certainly by a bubble team looking for a little extra offense. The Pittsburgh Penguin players have been reportedly lobbying for management to trade for him all season long as he was a well liked guy in the room and has chemistry with Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins do need to get him going as Jalen commented. The Ottawa Senators have also been linked but cap space is tight. The New York Islanders have a ton of cap space and could use a little extra help. The Toronto Maple Leaf's have been looking for help for Phil Kessel all season long and the Detroit Red Wings could use some help with their pile of injured players. LA and Atlanta have also both been mentioned. My guess is the Pittsburgh Penguins or the Wings will claim him.

*-> On to the rumors ... Ottawa Sun reporter Bruce Garrioch is once again under fire for falsely reporting trades. The Sun reported that the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning were in talks about Vincent Lecavalier. The deal was rumored to be Wade Redden, Matt Gilroy and ether Brandon Dubinsky or Ryan Callahan for Lecavalier. Lightning GM Brian Lawton denied even speaking to Glen Sather for weeks and no such deal for Lecavalier was in the works. Complete BS is what he called the rumor to the Tampa Bay Tribune. Even to me this rumor seams far fetched. I highly doubt many teams would be interested in giving up a star player for an overpaid defenseman like Wade Redden at this current time.

*-> Robbie Earl has also been placed on waivers today by the Wild today. He is expected to clear.

More later on this afternoon, keep up the comments guys and thanks for joining to all my new fans.

No comments: