Ice Scoopz: Tuesday Evening

Draft, Draft, Draft the past few days, I've been finalizing my lists and watching a ton of tape to get my final analysis of this years first round.

On with the news.

*-> It was revealed Monday morning by the Ottawa Citizen that the Ottawa Senators were getting ready to announce that Detroit's assistant coach Paul MacLean will be the 9th coach in Ottawa Senators history Tuesday afternoon. Today that became reality as the Sens told the media MacLean would be there guy. Many are saying that the announcement of Dave Cameron as one of his assistants could also be in the works as owner Eugene Melnyk has been pushing Murray hard for Cameron's promotion.

Around the league many are saying that Paul MacLean was a surprise but the right choice. MacLean is a "players" coach who is known for being good in the dressing room with the veterans and the rookies while still maintaining control of the room. MacLean is a proven winner and has the experience the Sens are looking for as they look to rebuild and move forward.

*-> Many people have been e-mailing me asking for my thoughts on the Brad Richards situation in Dallas so here's what I think guys!. We all know Brad Richards leaving Dallas is official as Joey Newiendyk has told the world that the Stars cannot afford to keep Brad Richards. I expect the Dallas Stars will have a sit down with Richards sometime in the upcoming weeks before the draft and ask him for a list of teams he'd be willing to be dealt to (his rights) and the front runners will jump at the opportunity to get a head start at negotiations. I believe the Stars could fetch a high end prospect of player plus a conditional pick out of it. Newiendyk has stated that he is looking to replace Richards at center and will address the loss via trade so a lesser financially burdening already contracted player who plays center could be an option as well. We all know Brad is a heart a soul player and since he has a no trade clause he does control the teams he he could be dealt to; I have a feeling that where ever his rights do go he'll try to make it fit with the team and show loyalty, it's just who Brad Richards is. So who are the possible teams? Well we know the New York Rangers are extremely hot for Richards and have needed a player of his caliber to help turn the corner from being a boarder-line team to a playoff team. The pressure is on in the Big Apple to succeed and time could be running out for management as well as John Torterella's previous history with Richards. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been pushing for a long time to bring in that big name center to help carry them back into the post season but however Richards has shown hesitance in the past towards T.O so they could be on the outside looking in. The Columbus Blue Jackets have been looking at getting Rick Nash some help up the middle for ages and Richards could be there guy. Tampa Bay could also be in the mix according to rumors but it's still murky, I'm hearing that the Bolts do not have interest unless they can Steve Stamkos gets moved to the wing which isn't likely. Another team I've heard whispers out of is the Calgary Flames as they are looking to help Jarome Iginla out but it would take a major move or two to clear up the cap space. Finally at deadline day I did hear whispers that the Montreal Canadiens had did a bit of fishing in Dallas before but the Stars weren't ready to part with Richards. He could be a good fit for a Montreal team with a lot of payroll turnover this summer and the need for some high end skill but it's expected they will continue on with the Scott Gomez saga unless he is buried. So my final thoughts on the ricahrds debate is I think that the Rangers will throw everything at this and could possibly be the next home for Richards as they make the most sense at the current time.

*-> While on the Rangers, recent rumors have revealed that Glen Sather is very close to buying out underachieving and down right expensive Chris Drury. The Rangers are looking to shed cap hard to clear up space from that premier pivot and their key restricted free agents. They also are rumored to be interested in buying out Wojtek Wolski but I personally feel they'll attempt a trade before a buyout as many still believe Wolski can put up numbers if given the right situation.

*-> Also it sorta relates to the whole Brad Richards situation, the Columbus Blue Jackets are highly interested in Jeff Carter of the Broadstreet Bullies. The rumor has recently resurfaced as the Flyers are expected to clear some cap space in order to sign the recently acquired Ilya Bryzgalov and free agent Ville Leino. Carter has been a frequent fixture in the rumor mill as he remains one of the few shop-able Flyers without a no trade clause. Jakob Voracek and the 8th overall have reportedly been offered by Columbus around the league for that centerpiece to compliment Rick Nash.

*-> Lugano is rumored to be courting Ryan Potulny of the Ottawa Senators for next season.

*-> The Toronto Maple Leafs have resigned Carl Gunnarsson to a 2 year deal this morning.

*-> The Montreal Canadiens have reportedly offered Dinamo Riga's Brock Trotter a one way deal with the Canadiens in order to bring him back home from the KHL.

*-> While on Riga, Kaspar Dauvagins of the Ottawa Senators have reportedly told Riga management that he is still 50/50 of whether or not he wants to sign with the KHL club. He has stated in the past if he doesn't get a roster spot he could be headed home to Latvia.

*-> Andrei Zubarov of the Atlanta Thrashers has gone back to the KHL as he has signed with Atlant Mytishchi citing the lack of opportunity in Atlanta has his main reasoning.