179 replies to this topic

[Sean Robinson]

I wouldn't really want San Jose to go after (Rick Nash), as I feel like they'd end up giving up Joe Pavelski (and some other young prospects) to start with. And Pavelski, along with Coture, are my two favorite players on the team.

Plus, I think SJ is finally starting to get some of the chemistry back that they lost when they shipped off Setoguchi and Heatly.

I agree. Why screw with something good? Add to it, but don't rip it apart (and don't give up on the youth).

Sports radio today had someone on (came in halfway, so I don't know who) saying reports of Los Angeles, San Jose, and Vancouver being on Nash' "approved" list are bunk. There is no West Coast team on his list.

If true, I read Chicago & Detroit in the West, NYR & Boston in the East (and maybe Pittsburgh & Philly),
but Nash' true love would be the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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San Jose did make a move today. San Jose acquires Dominic Moore

The San Jose Sharks acquired centre Dominic Moore and a seventh-round draft pick this year from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night for a 2012 second-round pick.

A solid two-way forward, Moore has four goals and 19 points in 56 games this season.

"Dominic is an extremely versatile player that has performed in a lot of important playoff games the last two years," San Jose general manager Doug Wilson said in a statement. "We feel that he is a great fit in several areas and his veteran presence will benefit our team greatly."

Decent move by SJ (maybe saying they are into trading, but not hung up on Rick Nash), and hopefully the ice-breaker for for many moves over the next ten days.
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City of Seattle announces Arena Proposal

Christopher Hansen is making a US$290 million proposal to his hometown that could be the impetus for a new sports arena that could bring the NBA and NHL to Seattle.
All he needs is city and county approval equaling $200 million and the two franchises to make it a reality.

Hansen, a hedge-fund manager based in San Francisco and a Seattle native, submitted a proposal to the city on Thursday that calls for $290 million in private investment toward the construction of a new arena that would cost between $450 and $500 million. Hansen and his investment group would also be responsible for the purchase of an NBA franchise and finding a partner interested in bringing an NHL franchise to Seattle as well.

I would love this. Sports radio has pretty much re-located Phoenix there
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BERTUZZI ORDERED TO RELEASE DETAILS ON DEAL WITH EX-COACH

In a ruling handed down Thursday, Todd Bertuzzi was ordered to provide details to the lawyers for former NHL player Steve Moore of an agreement he had in place with then-Canucks head coach Marc Crawford.

The court decision comes months after Moore's lawyer Tim Danson first learned that Crawford and Canucks owner Orca Bay had struck an agreement with Bertuzzi that would provide him with some kind of financial benefit.

In Thursday's decision, Master Ronald Dash of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice also revealed the agreement calls for Bertuzzi, the Canucks and Crawford to share the responsibility for paying any damages awarded to Moore.

Bertuzzi's lawyer, Geoffrey Adair, said the sides will appeal Dash's decision.

Moore suffered a career-ending sucker punch by Bertuzzi during a March 8, 2004 game between the Canucks and Colorado Avalanche that left him with three broken vertebrae and a concussion.

Moore launched a $38-million lawsuit against Bertuzzi and Orca Bay Hockey Ltd., which is now known as Canucks Sports and Entertainment.

The lawsuit is scheduled to begin on Sept. 22.

[Sean Robinson]

Tuomo Ruutu signs 4-year extension with Carolina

One of the most talked-about forwards of the NHL trade season looks to be off the market, as the Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to terms with forward Tuomo Ruutu on a four-year contract extension worth $19 million.
The average annual value of the deal is $4.75 million per season.
According to the Raleigh News and Observer, the deal has a no-trade clause for the first three seasons.
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Phoenix acquires F Antoine Vermette

The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded veteran forward Antoine Vermette to the Phoenix Coyotes for a second round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft (via Ottawa), a conditional fifth round selection in the 2013 Draft and minor-league goaltender Curtis McElhinney.
Vermette, who is in just the second year of a five-year, $18.75 million contract, has spent the last four years with the Blue Jackets.
The 29-year-old is in his eighth season in the NHL; he's played with both Columbus and the Ottawa Senators.
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Tampa Bay trades with Colorado, then with Detroit

Defenceman Kyle Quincey was traded twice in the matter of minutes on Tuesday.
In the first deal, the Tampa Bay Lightning dealt forward Steve Downie to the Colorado Avalanche for Quincey.
The Lightning then dealt Quincey to the Detroit Red Wings for a first round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and minor-league defenceman Sebastien Piche.
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Detroit is riding a record 23-game home winning streak, and look to make it 24 against Vancouver on Thursday night.

Vancouver goes in being 2 points behind for the league lead (although NYR has games in hand on both).

[Sean Robinson]

Columbus trades Jeff Carter to Los Angeles

The L.A. Kings acquired centre Jeff Carter from the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenceman Jack Johnson and a conditional first-round pick.
The deal is pending both players passing a physical Friday.
The first-round pick Columbus acquired will be in either 2012 or 2013. If the Kings miss the playoffs this season, Columbus automatically gets L.A.'s choice in 2013. If the Kings make this year's post-season, Columbus can choose between L.A.'s first-round pick in 2012 or 2013.

The move to L.A. reunites the London, Ont. native with fellow centre Mike Richards, who was traded by the Flyers to the Kings last June on the same day Carter was shipped to Columbus in a major Philadelphia housecleaning. The pair helped the Flyers reach the Stanley Cup final in 2010.

OK, I did call an LA-Columbus deal, but I thought it was for Rick Nash.
I knew LA needed to do something, and maybe this will help them from being a first-round knockout.
Not going to put the fear into San Jose for the Pacific division lead (who are 5 points ahead and have 2 games at hand), but will make them think.
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Detroit is riding a record 23-game home winning streak, and look to make it 24 against Vancouver on Thursday night.
Vancouver goes in being 2 points behind for the league lead (although NYR has games in hand on both).

Vancouver never held the lead in regulation, but walked out with a 4-3 shootout victory (halting the streak at 23 games on Feb. 23rd...).
Daniel Sedin scored his second goal of the game with 15.4 seconds left in regulation to force overtime (which solved nothing).
Luongo (who is getting better in the shootout) stopped all 3 shots he faced, and Alex Burrows scored the SO winner.

Vancouver is now 1 point behind Detroit, with a game at hand.
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Speaking of Detroit...

Detroit signs Bertuzzi to a 2-year deal

Todd Bertuzzi has revitalized his career with the Detroit Red Wings, finding a good fit on the ice and perhaps restoring his reputation, too.
The Detroit Red Wings have re-signed veteran forward to a two-year deal worth $4.15 million.
Bertuzzi will earn $1.975 million in the first year of the contract and $2.175 million in the second. The deal also includes a no-trade clause.

[Chris D]

OK, I did call an LA-Columbus deal, but I thought it was for Rick Nash.
I knew LA needed to do something, and maybe this will help them from being a first-round knockout.
Not going to put the fear into San Jose for the Pacific division lead (who are 5 points ahead and have 2 games at hand), but will make them think.

The Sharks have been struggling quite a bit lately. The road trip they're on right now has been brutal. One of their top Defensemen, Murray, took a puck to the throat a few games back and factured his Adam's Apple, and they've been giving up goals like nobodys business. They did finally pull out a win tonight, but I don't think their lead feels very secure at all. Phoenix is right on their tails.

[Sean Robinson]

Ales Hemsky stays for 2 more years in Edmonton

Ales Hemsky won't be testing the free-agent waters.
The Edmonton Oilers signed the forward to a US$10-million, two-year extension on Friday night, keeping him in the fold through 2013-14.
With Hemsky set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, he was considered a prime candidate to be moved ahead of Monday's trade deadline. Instead, he'll remain with the only NHL organization he's ever known.
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New Jersey acquires D Marek Lidlickey

The Minnesota Wild traded defenceman Marek Zidlicky to the New Jersey Devils for defenceman Kurtis Foster, forwards Nick Palmieri and Stephane Veilleux, a second-round pick in the 2012 draft and a conditional third-rounder in 2013.
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LA re-signs D Willie Mitchell for 2 more years - $7 Million

$3.5 million per cap hit each year, same as the previous 2 (LA) years, and same as the 4 years in Vancouver before that.
Good for him.
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The Sharks have been struggling quite a bit lately. The road trip they're on right now has been brutal. One of their top Defensemen, Murray, took a puck to the throat a few games back and factured his Adam's Apple, and they've been giving up goals like nobodys business. They did finally pull out a win tonight, but I don't think their lead feels very secure at all. Phoenix is right on their tails.

I had started typing and went to the standings to check, just filling it in before moving on (without thinking, apparently).
I guess I've kind of blurred over San Jose' status since the new year, but yeah, it's pretty tight. Too tight.
4 teams in the Central division have more points than San Jose (but 2, 3, & 4 can't be division winners), and are behind Detroit).

I prefer cheering for the West Coast teams, but Anaheim is a joke, and LA needs to prove itself.
Phoenix? Get them to Seattle, ASAP. The League owning them for another season is just too sad.
Want to see a Western Final re-match of last year.

I had more (I think), but I'm off to bed (Saturday OT starts early in the morning).

Here's the standings after Friday's results (and remember the trade dealine is Monday at 3PM EST (12PM/noon Pacific).

Or maybe just click the NHL Conference standings link

[Lucian Von Dooom]

I wish they'd trade Hemsky. He is such an underachiever.

[Sean Robinson]

The trading deadline has come and gone with Rick Nash remaining in Columbus.

Vancouver addressed it's biggest concern (toughness), but paid for it.
After acquiring Sami Pahlsson from Columbus for a pair of 4th round picks, they traded F Cody Hodgson & D Alex Sulzer to Buffalo for F Zack Cassian and D Marc-Andre Gragnani.

A lot of Vancouver fans are upset at the deal, but if it helps us win the Cup I'm all for it.
Hodgson will go on to have a very good career, but this Cassian kid sounds good.

Some say Vancouver and Nashville did the biggest shouts out that they intend on going far in the playoffs.
Too much to process for me now. Only time will tell.
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All the trades

While all eyes were on Rick Nash and the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Vancouver Canucks stole the spotlight late on NHL Trade Deadline Day.

Just before the 3pm et deadline arrived, the Canucks traded forward Cody Hodgson and defenceman Alexander Sulzer to the Buffalo Sabres for forward Zack Kassian and defenceman Marc-Andre Gragnani. Earlier in the day, the Canucks acquired forward Sami Pahlsson from the Blue Jackets for defenceman Taylor Ellington and two fourth round draft picks in 2012 and also picked up forward Andrew Gordon from the Anaheim Ducks for defenceman Sebastien Erixon.

"They've taken a step back in their skill level. That's how they beat teams, with their puck possession, puck management, and offensive plays and that's where Cody Hodgson is better than Samuel Pahlsson and Zack Kassian," TSN hockey analyst Mike Johnson said.

"But where they did get better is winning a specific kind of game - a grinding, physical game, maybe a playoff series. That's where Pahlsson and Kassian can help, and that's why they were brought in: for that specific kind of game, specific kind of series like the one they lost against Boston last year."

"Cody Hodgson is a better skill player than the skill player they brought back, but they need to be a playoff-style team," TSN hockey analyst Marc Crawford said. "They're going to have to play in very physical games in the playoffs. You need players like Samuel Pahlsson and Zack Kassian."

The Canucks host the Sabres in Vancouver on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Nash remains the captain of the Blue Jackets as no teams were willing to meet the price that was set by general manager Scott Howson.

"The price was high and I don't apologize for that. It had to be high," said Howson after the deadline.

You can look back at every single move on our TSN.ca trade list.

In other moves:

The Nashville Predators acquired forward Andrei Kostitsyn from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a second round pick in 2013 and the conditional fifth round pick in 2013 the Predators received from the Canadiens in the Hal Gill trade.

The Predators also added forward Paul Gaustad and a fourth round pick in 2013 from the Buffalo Sabres for a first round draft pick in 2012 just before the deadline.

The San Jose Sharks acquired forwards Daniel Winnik, T.J. Galiardi and a seventh round draft pick in 2013 from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward Jamie McGinn and prospects Mike Connolly and Michael Sgarbossa.

The Vancouver Canucks acquired forward Sami Pahlsson from the Columbus Blue Jackets for two fourth round draft picks in 2012.

The Edmonton Oilers acquired defenceman Nick Schultz from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenceman Tom Gilbert, who is currently injured and not with the Oilers on their current road trip.

The Winnipeg Jets traded defenceman Johnny Oduya to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a second round and third round pick in 2013.

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded Keith Aulie to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Carter Ashton. In a minor-league deal, the Leafs acquired defenceman Mark Fraser from Anaheim for forward Dale Mitchell.

The Ottawa Senators traded defenceman Brian Lee to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenceman Matt Gilroy.

The Boston Bruins acquired Brian Rolston, who cleared waivers earlier in the day, and Mike Mottau from the New York Islanders for forward Yannick Riendeau and defenceman Mac Cantin. The Bruins also picked up defenceman Greg Zanon from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenceman Steve Kampfer.

The New York Rangers picked up defenceman John Scott from the Chicago Blackhawks for a fifth round pick.

The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired defenceman Mike Commodore from the Detroit Red Wings for a conditional seventh round pick in 2013.

On the waiver wire, the Canadiens claimed forward Brad Staubitz from the Minnesota Wild and the Winnipeg Jets claimed defenceman Grant Clitsome from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Eric Boulton of the New Jersey Devils, Ryan Russell of the Blue Jackets and Krys Kolanos of the Calgary Flames all cleared waivers today.

The big question on everyone's minds this year was whether or not Columbus Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash would be moved but no team was willing to meet the price that was set.

[Chris D]

A nice recap of all the moves yesterday. I'll miss Jamie McGinn on the Sharks. He was a very solid 3rd liner who has been playing quite well this season. Don't really know much about the prospects we gave up or the guys we got in return. Though I hear they are good with the PK, an area where the Sharks desperately need to improve. Anyway, I'm just glad their disasterous road trip had finally ended. What a mess this month has been.

[Sean Robinson]

Leafs fire coach Ron Wilson

The Toronto Maple Leafs' slide out of a playoff position has cost head coach Ron Wilson his job.
The club relieved Wilson of his duties on Friday evening after nearly four seasons in Toronto.
Taking over for Wilson will be former Anaheim Ducks coach Randy Carlyle (who will be officially introduced as head coach at a news conference in Montreal Saturday).

The Leafs, who only have one win in their last 11 games, have fallen out of a playoff spot, and currently sit in 12th place in the Eastern Conference.

"This was not an easy decision for me to make," general manager Brian Burke said in a statement. "I want to thank Ron for all of his hard work and dedication to our organization over the past four seasons."

The move comes just a few months after Wilson was given a one-year contract extension in late December.

Carlyle has a history with Burke, as the two were together during the Ducks Stanley Cup title in 2007.

Last Saturday, Leafs fans were chanting "Fire Wilson", and now they have their wish.

What a fishbowl to work in...

[Sean Robinson]

Sunday's games are mostly over (Anaheim is playing Edmonton, but neither team is playoff bound).
Less than a week left in the season now.
Last day is Saturday April 7th, and every team in the League will play that day (15 games).
The playoffs will start on Wednesday April 11th.

In the East, Washington has a slim chance of winning the Southeast (3rd seed), but sit in 8th, and Buffalo is 2 pts. behind.

In the West, 4 pacific division teams (LA, SJ, PHX, and DAL) are fighting for the division (3rd seed), and then 7th, 8th, and one will miss in 9th.

Anything less than a second round appearance in LA and San Jose and there will be management shake-ups.
(Although that can be said of a lot of teams.)

Here's the current standings:

Attached Files

•  NHL WEST april 1st.JPG   62.28K   0 downloads
•  NHL East april 1st.JPG   62.81K   0 downloads

[Chris D]

Anything less than a second round appearance in LA and San Jose and there will be management shake-ups.
(Although that can be said of a lot of teams.)

If San Jose even makes it in, I don't see them making it past round 1. They've been wildly inconsistant all season long. It's been very frustrating watch them play these last 2 months. It's like they are a completely different team from night to night. So I'm anticipating a harsh off-season.

[Lucian Von Dooom]

I'm looking forward to Pitsburgh vs Philadelphia. There will be blood.

[Sean Robinson]

Blood? That's an understatement, but I'm sure the League will let each side know they will be closely watched.

They still have one more regular season meeting left (Sat.), and home ice could be the deciding factor.

Shame that one team will not advance to the second round.

Laviolette, Granato fined by NHL

NEW YORK -- Flyers coach Peter Laviolette was fined US$10,000 Monday after calling out counterpart Dan Bylsma for sending out his checking line late in Philadelphia's 6-4 win at Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Penguins assistant Tony Granato, who stepped on the top of the side boards and in between the two head coaches, was also fined $2,500.
The incident occurred at 18:57 of the third period. Fine money will go to the NHL Foundation.
Laviolette was upset that the Penguins' fourth line took a shift shortly after Jakub Voracek's empty-net goal concluded the scoring.
During the shift, Penguins forward Joe Vitale levelled Flyers centre Daniel Briere shortly after the ensuing faceoff, starting a chain of events that included Laviolette smashing a stick over the glass.
"Those guys hadn't been out there in 12 minutes," Laviolette said in his postgame press conference. "It's a gutless move by their coach. It's gutless."
Bylsma didn't quite see it that way, claiming Vitale's shot on Briere was clean, unlike the crosscheck Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby received from Brayden Schenn shortly after Steve Sullivan's second goal of the game pulled the Penguins within 5-3 late in the third period.
"It's clearly a cheap shot," Bylsma said. "It's clearly a guy targeting a player that was well after the whistle."
Crosby, who has missed all but 19 games this season due to concussion-like symptoms, agreed.
"It's pretty cheap," Crosby said. "He skates 10 feet in between the whistle. I don't know. If that's a sign of what's to come it's going to be a pretty tough playoff series."
One that won't even start until the teams meet again in the regular-season finale next Saturday.

[Sean Robinson]

Ok, so Vancouver had a chance at repeating the President's Trophy (thanks to NYR losing Thurs. night), but choked, losing to Calgary in regulation.
(Depending on where you were, some could see the skies opening up, horses riding, and blood raining down from above.
Couldn't find a news report around the world to support that, so maybe it was a local event...).

Now everyone has plaed 81 games, and every team in the League will play on Saturday (game times are all day, early to late).

Tonight's only game was Phoenix at St. Louis, and I got forced into cheering for Phoenix.
Phoenix won, giving themselves control of the Pacific Division (ugh!), but did let Vancouver regain control of being Best-in-the-West.

Now I have to cheer for Washington to beat NYR tomorrow, and Van can repeat as President's Trophy winners.
Oh shit, almost forgot (as some players tend to do) Van still has to win against Edmonton.

Latest standings:

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[Sean Robinson]

Dan Boyle just won it in OT for San Jose (over LA), and now all the playoff matches are set.

Vancouver repeats as President's Trophy winners (fall ass-backwards into it with St. Louis losing last night, and the Rangers losing today).

Chris, I'm kinda glad we won't meet in the first round, and I will definitely be rooting for your team to win over St. Louis.
Don't think a win is out of the possibility. St.Louis is very inexperienced in matters of playing past this weekend.

I'm assuming the first round playoff schedule will be released Sunday (don't know when).
An announcer tonight said that anyone meeting L.A. (now Vancouver) will be in for a scheduling nightmare.
L.A. has the Lakers, Clippers, and concerts in the same building. Kings in the playoffs are an afterthought.

Anyhow, cheers to all, and sorry for those that missed.
You always have next year, and I have learned that statement does come true (no matter how long it takes...).

Here's the standings. 1st meets 8th, 2nd meets 7th, 3rd meets 6th, and 4th meets 5th.

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[Chris D]

Chris, I'm kinda glad we won't meet in the first round, and I will definitely be rooting for your team to win over St. Louis.
Don't think a win is out of the possibility. St.Louis is very inexperienced in matters of playing past this weekend.

And I'll be rooting for you guys to destroy LA. They really pissed me off during the last two games of the season with a couple of blatant dirty, dangerous hits on Couture. So good luck to you. Hopefully our teams will meet in round 2.

[Sean Robinson]

The schedule for the Conference Quarter-Finals (round one) is now up.

Opening night is Wednesday April 11th, and has Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh, Detroit @ Nashville, and Los Angeles @ Vancouver.

[Sean Robinson]

Predictions, thoughts, and ramblings...

Eastern Conference

New York Rangers vs. Ottawa Senators

Not going to give Ottawa too much hope here, but they may push it to 6.

Rangers in 5

Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals

Boston is too good, and Washington still don't have their act together, but Ovechkin may yet wake up.

Bruins in 6

Florida Panthers vs. New Jersey Devils

Florida lucked out, won the division, and are simply happy to be here.
Not going to count as an upset when NJ wins.

Jersey in 6

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Oh yeah, this is going to be good. Bring the hate and watch the show.
The Battle of Pennsylvaina.

Flyers in 7

Western Conference

Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings

No surprise I'll be taking Vancouver, but may end up being tougher than I first thought.

Canucks in 5

St. Louis Blues vs. San Jose Sharks

Hitchcock-coached STL is pretty good, but they have zero experience in winning.
San Jose will benefit from the competition, and focus them.

Sharks in 7

Phoenix Coyotes vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Phoenix may not seem to be worthy winning a division, but they are worthy of being in the playoffs.
Not good enough to beat Chicago, though (especially if Towes bis healthy and 100%).

Blackhawks in 6

Nashville Predators vs. Detroit Red Wings

Another great 4/5 match-up. Detroit still has the goods, but Nashville can grind out wins.
They made it to the second round last year, and you can tell they're unsatisfied with that.

Nashville in 7

[Sean Robinson]

Ok, ****ing sucks right now. LA leads 2-0, and everybody in the known universe wants Vancouver to fail.
Not really Luongo's fault. He was second star in the first loss, but not as good in the second loss.
Two words: Cory Schneider.
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Apparently other things have happened in hockey (like Philly taking a 2-0 lead over Pittsburgh), but I hope to get to all that tomorrow.

[Patrick A]

I am cheering for the Rangers (because I like them, thanks HBO!), the Sharks (because my gf likes them) and the Canucks (because my gf's son likes them, although he is six and calls them "The Vancouvers" which makes them sound like a 90s band)

The Sharks/Blues double OT game was pretty amazing. Do they not do shootouts in the playoffs?

I know nothing of hockey.