Official NHL Regular Season Thread... Capitals win President's trophy

wow
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flyers won
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Yeah I actually have a Maroney Pats jersey from Jersey101 thats near perfect. I didnt wanna go with the Classic jersey from there cause the color is prettyoff. and I have the intention of getting it autographed if I can so I wanted a real one. Thanks, though.
 
Originally Posted by FrenchBlue23

Originally Posted by JCH3

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@ Versus for shutting me out of the Blues/Flames.

Seriously, Versus needs to die.
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I wish the NHL would go back to ESPN!!!!
Amen to that.

I hate ESPN too, just not as much as Hades himself, also known as Versus.
 
^ I would, but all the Blues games would be blacked out anyways.

ATDHE, FTW!
 
^ I'm a half season ticket holder, so usually 15 or so.

SMH at me for not going to the game tonight due to work. Blues win in thrilling fashion, Hull ceremony, Fuhr/Gretzky among others in the house.
 
Originally Posted by FIRST B0RN

You guys need to quit whining and get Center Ice
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Hell, I don't want to pay for it.
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When the Kings go on the West Canadian Road trip, or anywhere in Canada, Fox Sports is unable to broadcast them.
 
^Don't think it's a trade rumor, haven't read anything like that yet today...here's the latest stuff...


http:// [h3][/h3]
[h3]Flyers now after Kovy[/h3]
11:22AM ET

[h5]Ilya Kovalchuk | Thrashers[/h5]
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It looks like teams are lining up to grab Ilya Kovalchuk in case he goes on the market.

The latest team lining up might be the Philadelphia Flyers. ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun writes that the Flyers would be interested, if the Thrashers and Kovalchuk can't agree on a deal.

Previously, we told you the Los Angeles Kings have reportedly inquired about Kovalchuk. The Flames are also reportedly interested in the young star, despite GM Mike Gillis' denials.

The Kings are reportedly willing to part with Dustin Brown, but it will take more to get Kovalchuk to Hollywood.

These rumors jive with what USA Today's Kevin Allen reported last week. He wrote, "If the Thrashers can't get a deal done, I'm aware of at least two Western Conference contenders who will make a strong pitch."

LeBrun said previously that trade talks might heat up in the next month or so. It is unclear whether Kovalchuk and the Thrashers are still trying to hammer out a deal for nine- or 10-years, rumored to be worth $9 million a year.

The KHL might also swoop in with a huge deal.

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[h5]Puck Prospectus[/h5]
Thrashers' great future

http:// [h3]Earliest Lecavalier trade[/h3]
11:22AM ET

[h5]Vincent Lecavalier | Lightning[/h5]
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All the Vincent Lecavalier rumors have begun, but before we get to up in arms, the Sporting News,/a>' Lyle Richardson says a trade won't come until at least June.

We previously linked to an item that said Lecavalier might be a good fit next to the Kings' Anze Kopitar, according to Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal. "The Kings could use a centre to complement Anze Kopitar, have the salary-cap room, and have lots of young pieces to move to the Lightning," Matheson writes. But today, it appears the Kings are looking to acquire Kovalchuk.

Meanwhile, CBC's Elliotte Friedman writes that a trade might happen in the offseason: "Don't think any trade would happen during the season. After this year is over, I'd expect there will be some kind of sitdown. If the same management group is in place, he would be willing to explore trade options."

Former NHL coach Pat Burns told Corus Sports he thinks Lecavalier will be traded this season. ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun wrote that three possible destinations for Lecavalier are Montreal, New York and Los Angeles.

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[h5]Puck Prospectus[/h5]
If Gainey's crazy, then maybe
"Stop the presses, it's another Lecavalier to Montreal rumor (Yes, we're aware he's from Quebec). We know the first overall pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft has talent -- his 27.2 GVT was second among skaters to Hart Trophy winning http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3114http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3114http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3114Sidney Crosby in 2006-07 -- so it's not surprising that another team would be interested in him. But at one of the worst contracts in the NHL and two seasons removed from producing at a point per game clip? Only if the other team is willing to take on baggage as well. A swap with Montreal would need to include overpriced veterans in return, such as http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=312http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=312http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=312Scott Gomez, http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=2568Andrei Kostitsyn and http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=341http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=341http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=341Roman Hamrlik. But who are we kidding? At $10 million annually through 2015-2016, Bob Gainey would have to be crazy to do it." -Timo Seppa

http:// [h3]Rangers goalie scene might settle[/h3]
11:18AM ET

[h5]New York Rangers[/h5]
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The New York Rangers were rumored to be trading for a goalie soon, but it appears they might try to internally solve the problem.

Coach John Tortorella previously said he wouldn't play young prospect Chad Johnson, but now it appears Johnson might start tomorrow against the Islanders, the New York Daily News reports.

At first, it appeared the Rangers would trade for a goalie because the other option was AHL call-up Matt Zaba. But now it appears they might give their youngsters a chance behind Henrik Lundqvist.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post suggested that they sign former draft pick Dan Cloutier, who is now attempting a comeback.

In the trade market, the Islanders' Martin Biron will be available when Rick DiPietro is ready to play. With a $1.4 million cap hit, he'll be affordable and more importantly, he'll be a reliable veteran the Rangers can trust. But the demand for Biron might be high, given the small cap hit and the minimal commitment. (He's an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year.)

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[h5]Puck Prospectus[/h5]
Wrong move, guys
"Steve Valiquette was flat out awful against Pittsburgh on Nov. 28, giving up eight goals in what would be his last game as a Ranger. Not surprisingly, the 32-year-old journeyman didn't last the week in Manhattan. But as "King Henrik" Lundqvist starts 70-plus games a season, does it really matter who the Blue Shirts' backup is? Not so much. You certainly don't make moves to hurt your everyday roster for a marginally better dozen games in goal. Yet that's what New York did, in rash reaction to another poor performance. Talented young Matt Gilroy was sent back down to Hartford after allowing Dustin Byfuglien to score in OT on Wednesday, even though Gilroy leads Rangers' defensemen in Relative Plus Minus and defensive Goals Versus Threshold. If you're looking for defensive zone dreck, the worst Blue Shirt blueliners to date have been overpriced veterans Wade Redden and Michal Roszival -- that's where fingers should be pointing, not at the Rangers' promising young d-man. If you're simply looking for cap space, there are half a dozen replacement level forwards on the squad that wouldn't be missed." -Timo Seppa

http:// [h3]Star's wish list[/h3]
11:11AM ET

[h5]Dallas Stars[/h5]
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The Dallas Stars need a lot of things. The Dallas Morning News listed the needs GM Joe Nieuwendyk must address.

As far as the trade front, the Morning News lists two main needs: defensemen and a right-shooting forward.

With a young blueline, the Stars may looke to add experienced defensemen. That might cost them goalie Marty Turco, who is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year.

Also, all but one of their forwards shoot left, so a right-handed forward might be needed for some balance.

http:// [h3]Teams will have pay for Ward[/h3]
11:05AM ET

[h5]Aaron Ward | Hurricanes[/h5]
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Teams were waiting for the recently waived http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=1001Aaron Ward to go on re-entry waivers, which would've allowed them to pick him at at half price -- $1.25 million, which is half of $2.5 million.

But ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reports that he won't go on re-entry waivers, so the Flyers will hope that some team picks him up and takes on all of his salary.

The Hurricanes are in the middle of dumping players and salary, but the process has yet to be jumpstarted.

http:// [h3]Flyers' trade chips[/h3]
10:54AM ET

[h5]Philadelphia Flyers[/h5]
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The Philadelphia Flyers may not give into temptations of trading for Habs goalie Jaroslav Halak, but they may have some guys they're willing to part with.

According to the Montreal Gazette, the Flyers might be willing to deal Simon Gagne or Danny Briere, but the Gazette points out that they have a history of injury and high salaries -- part of the reason a Halak swap may not work with them.

ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reports that GM Paul Holmgren has been working the phones pretty hard the last few days.

One player who probably won't be dealt, however, is 21-year-old Claude Giroux.

http:// [h3]Kings looking for top defenseman[/h3]
10:52AM ET

[h5]Los Angeles Kings[/h5]
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The Los Angeles Kings are looking for a top-four blueliner, according to ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun. But a move for a highly touted player like that may not come until it is closer to the March 3 trade deadline.

At that point, they can see who is available to try to swing a deal.

LeBrun also believe the Kings will enter the bidding for Ilya Kovalchuk, if he goes on the market.

http:// [h3]Rangers desperate for top-six forward[/h3]
10:48AM ET

[h5]New York Rangers[/h5]
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ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun writes that for weeks now, the New York Rangers have been looking for a top-six forward to complement Marian Gaborik.

"On top of that, Gaborik doesn't have a bona fide No. 1 center to play with him," LeBrun writes."

As the Rangers tumble to the bottom of the standings, their search for a another scoring option is getting desperate. Last month, coach John Tortorella admitted his team's biggest weakness was secondary scoring behind Gaborik.

But with the Christmas freeze coming soon, the Rangers may not be pulling off a trade until 2010 -- and even then, top-six forwards don't fall out of stockings.

The Rangers were suitors for http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=284Peter Forsberg, before he decided to stay in Sweden. They also almost pulled off a trade with Phoenix for Peter Mueller, but they refused to give up Brandon Dubinsky or Ryan Callahan. There's also a rumor that links them to Vincent Lecavalier, but most analysts feel that trade -- if it were to happen -- wouldn't be pulled off until the offseason, when teams have more cap flexibility to deal with his massive contract.

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[h5]Puck Prospectus[/h5]
Rangers, go grab a forward
"Marian Gaborik is the only current Ranger forward to score at least 2.0 even-strength points per 60 minutes last season. GM Glen Sather brought together a collection of forwards who require a talented linemate in order to contribute above that second- or third-line level. Sadly, only two of them can play with the 27-year-old Slovakian at a time, so I think it would be an excellent move to engineer a trade for a second top-line offensive forward who can bring out the best in two more." -Robert Vollman

http:// [h3]Halak moving soon[/h3]
10:33AM ET

[h5]Jaroslav Halak | Canadiens[/h5]
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http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3116Jaroslav Halak reportedly wants to play more, as he's stuck behind Carey Price in Montreal, so Habs GM Bob Gainey has agreed to try to trade him, TSN reports.

Halak was reportedly offered to the Philadelphia Flyers and Gainey asked for a top-six forward. Flyers GM Paul Holmgrem did not respond to the offer. Gainey downplayed his demands, saying that both Martin Biron and Cristobal Huet netted second-round picks, so he may be lowering his asking price.

RDS's Bob Hartley, a former NHL coach, writes that the Canadiens need some depth and Halak should be dealt soon, before more goalies start going on the market, such as the Thrashers' http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=2106Kari Lehtonen.

Another rumor is that the St. Louis Blues are interested, Cyberpresse reports. With Chris Mason and Ty Conklin, though, it doesn't seem it's an urgent matter. And as with every goalie rumor, the Detroit Red Wings might be looking this direction, too, but acquiring Halak might mess with the development of Jimmy Howard so the Wings might be favoring a short-term veteran stop-gap. Even so, scouts told Cyberpresse that teams are interested in Halak.

EDIT: Maybe it's this from LeBrun's blog:

americasinnfein: The Flyers. Need I say more? How can a team so deep and talented flounder to such lows? The Flyers have only more points then the last-place Hurricanes. I love the Flyers, but this?! WHY???!!! Betts, Powe and Gagne go out and this is what happens in return? Stevens got the boot and now heads need to roll on the players' end. Ship out Carter! All the money and strategy in the world can't buy us intensity or wins. Ughhhhhhh -- what is this?

My advice: It is indeed amazing to see what's happening. Perhaps last night's 3-1 win in Boston will help kick-start things. I know every team has had injuries; it's been the Year of the Injury in the NHL. But losing a leader like Simon Gagne and your starting goalie in Ray Emery (who was terrific before trying to play through his abdominal injury), plus other injuries, you can't discount that.

I will also say that three NHL GMs I spoke to over the past few days told me Flyers GM Paul Holmgren was working the phones pretty diligently trying to find something that made sense. I will mention Kovalchuk again, as I did above; the Flyers I believe would be interested in his services if the Thrashers put him up for sale.

Finally, and this is I think an important point, give new coach Peter Laviolette some time. It's hard to come in and change things with the way the schedule is set up right now with so many games and so little practice time. He'll make his impact felt over the course of time. Be patient, Flyers fans!
 
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at Kovy going to either Philly or LA.....

I'm hoping he goes out to the West Coast and leaves the SE Division....Kings would probably have to part with Jack Johnson I bet...
 
^ Definitely but they have a TON of young kids to keep this team afloat, team is stacked for the future.

Detroit would be ******ed to bring in Halak.
 
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