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

[addictedtofreshkicks]

Originally Posted by GingersAintBad

Kotalik and Redden will be benched for tonights game. Tortorella is fed up with them apparently and is trying to spark the team.

If you want to spark the team, send that @+!+$++ Michal Rozsival to the minors. He is #$@#%#* terrible yet he leads the defense in TOI.

 

[proshares]

Originally Posted by AddictedToFreshKicks

I'm hearing rumors that Glen Sather will be fired if the Rangers lose tonight on Long Island... If this is true, I will be the biggest Islander fan ever tonight...

Hearing rumors or reading my previous post?

 

[addictedtofreshkicks]

Originally Posted by Proshares

Originally Posted by AddictedToFreshKicks

I'm hearing rumors that Glen Sather will be fired if the Rangers lose tonight on Long Island... If this is true, I will be the biggest Islander fan ever tonight...

Hearing rumors or reading my previous post?

To be honest, I didn't even read through any of that...

Boomer & Carton were talking about it this morning on 660 and they said they heard that from a legit reliable source.

*EDIT*... just read your post and it said the exact same thing I just said...

 

[proshares]

NY Sports Radio FTW.

 

[addictedtofreshkicks]

the Rangers are saving Sather's job right now...

Chris Drury scored a goal...

.... I also think a pig just flew by mywindow.

 

[bjm5295]

I hate Sturm and I have NO idea why... Its not even like hes bad or anything.

 

[jch3]

I need the Pens to win tonight to keep my streak going.

Anybody want 2 tickets to the Blues/Lightning tomorrow night?

 

[jch3]

Thank you Pens.

 

[proshares]

Originally Posted by AddictedToFreshKicks

the Rangers are saving Sather's job right now...

Chris Drury scored a goal...

.... I also think a pig just flew by my window.

Probably the same one I saw when Colin White scored earlier this year

 

[cquan05]

 

[jch3]

^ Good vid.

What is the selection process like for the Winter Classic?

 

[DeadsetAce]

milan

 

[gingersaintbad]

I honestly hope the Rangers keep Sather, he's allowed the Devils to get guys like Parise by picking bums like Hugh Jessiman. Alas I kid and Ive read fromsome people that even though they won last night he'll be gone after their next loss.

 

[proshares]

http:// [h3][/h3]

[h3]Avs have room for Kovalchuk[/h3]
11:21AM ET

[h5]Ilya Kovalchuk | Thrashers[/h5]
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The list of http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=1175Ilya Kovalchuk suitors is long, but what about the money? Lyle "Spector" Richardson of FoxSports points out on Puck Daddy that the only team that can "comfortably" afford to sign Kovalchuk as an unrestricted free agent is the Colorado Avalanche. But there's a lot that has to happen before we get to that. In fact, the Thrashers may soon work it out with Kovalchuk.

But if not, the latest trade idea has Kovalchuk going to the http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=bosBoston Bruins for a handful of assets. ESPN.com's John Buccigross writes that a potential trade might have Kovalchuk going to Boston for http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3961Blake Wheeler, http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3405Tuukka Rask and the 2010 first round pick they received from Toronto for http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3479Phil Kessel.

Buccigross said the deal would work if Kovalchuk agrees to an extension in the range of nine-years for $63 million, but the rumored asking price has been for much more money. So unless the Bruins figure out their money situation, this may not work.

The http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=phiPhiladelphia Flyers may also be interest, as well as the http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=losLos Angeles Kings and http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=cgyCalgary Flames, though Calgary GM Mike Gillis' denied the rumors. The Kings are reportedly willing to part with http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=2288http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=2288Dustin Brown, but The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta has two sources who say this rumor is false, as well as the one that has the Canucks interested in Kovy.

The KHL might also swoop in with a huge deal.

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

"Sign, Kovalchuk, sign! http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3734http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3734http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3734http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3734http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3734http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3734Tobias Enstrom, http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=5251http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=5251http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=5251http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=5251http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=5251http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=5251Evander Kane, http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=4002http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=4002http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=4002http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=4002http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=4002http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=4002Zach Bogosian, http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3508http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3508http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3508http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3508http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3508http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3508Bryan Little, and http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3502http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3502http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3502http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3502http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3502http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3502Ondrej Pavelec! Ilya is being offered top dollar to play on a young, exciting, offensive-minded, internationally flavored team that really can't go anywhere but up. Get the man a pen." -Robert Vollman

http:// [h3]Whitney a good fit in Columbus?[/h3]
10:41AM ET

[h5]Ray Whitney | Hurricanes[/h5]
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Ray Whitney is on the block as the Carolina Hurricanes look to dump players. And he may be in high demands.

The Boston Bruins might be interested, as CSN writes, "The 37-year-old Whitney is perhaps the perfect rental player for the Bruins this season."

Also interested might the the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jackets Cannon writes, "My guess, and I could be way off-base, is that he could be had for a second round pick and maybe a later pick. I'm not talking about trading Nikita Filatov or any other major piece, or the first round pick for that matter. A second and fifth should get it done."

http:// [h3]Rangers dealing soon?[/h3]
10:37AM ET

[h5]Christopher Higgins | Rangers[/h5]
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The media and the fans are calling for a move. Something needs to be done in New York, they say.

So what?

They've been searching for a scorer in recent weeks, and apparently they couldn't work out a deal for Coyotes' youngster Peter Mueller. They are also rumored to be interested in Oilers' youngsters Patrick O'Sullivan and Andrew Cogliano.

But those guys would all cost the Rangers, and as the Illegal Curve writes, GM Glen Sather has learned his lesson about possibly mortgaging the future. So the website opines that one possible trade possibility is Christopher Higgins, who "has underperformed and wouldn%u2019t fetch a big return."

At this point, however, they may make a move for the sake of making a move.

http:// [h3]Oilers trading for goalie?[/h3]
10:29AM ET

[h5]Edmonton Oilers[/h5]
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The Edmonton Oilers have several guys on the trading block, and one possible trade might involve bringing a veteran goalie into town.

This is according to the .Edmonton Journal's David Staples, who adds, "To get a good goalie, the Oilers would likely have to give up something good in return, such as a propect or two. If the Oilers were a team with a realistic shot at some playoff success, or even of making the playoffs, such a move might well be warranted. But the Oilers aren't marked by any obvious signs of greatness or even goodness at this point."

They have the oft-injured Nikolai Khabibulin and the youngster Jeff Deslauriers, so they may be looking at the large number of netminders on the market.

http:// [h3]Flyers' trades after New Year's[/h3]
10:24AM ET

[h5]Philadelphia Flyers[/h5]
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The http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=phiPhiladelphia Flyers have several players they are willing to deal, but according to Lyle Richardson on Puck Daddy, nothing's happening until after New Year's.

Rumor is that they are willing to deal http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=292Simon Gagne or http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=102Danny Briere, according to the Montreal Gazette.

The Philadelphia Daily News adds that Scott Hartnell and Jeff Carter might also be dealt soon. But Greg Wyshynski writes on Puck Daddy, "Carter's value is probably too low right now for the Flyers to do anything, unless it's for the sake of shaking things up and breaking up the frat house in the locker room."

Something is in the works, because 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 http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3775Claude Giroux.

All that said, it might be a bad time for the Flyers to swap parts.

http:// [h3]Sather hot seat buzz[/h3]
10:23AM ET

[h5]New York Rangers[/h5]
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The buzz yesterday was that if the New York Rangers lost to the New York Islanders, they would fire GM Glen Sather.

The only way to know if this was true was if the Rangers lost -- and they didn't. So there's no way to know if the "very reliable" from Craig Carton on WFAN with Boomer Esiason was right (via Hendrick's Hockey).

Most of the experts around the internet are saying he's not going anywhere, like David Pagnotta who writes that he's not going to get canned until the end of the season.

The New York Post adds that there is no indication Sather will be fired -- at least not yet.

http:// [h3]Teams that might trade for a goalie[/h3]
10:21AM ET

[h5]Manny Legace | Hurricanes[/h5]
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Several goalies are on the market, including Vesa Toskala, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Jaroslav Halak, Martin Biron and Manny Legace.

But, thus far, none of them have been moved. Adam Proteau of The Hockey News writes that this is about to change.

After the Olympic break, he writes that GMs will be looking for goaltending depth so a handful of teams will inquire about these stoppers.

These teams include the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild and Tampa Bay Lightning.

http:// [h3]Oilers trade buzz legit?[/h3]
9:57AM ET

[h5]Edmonton Oilers[/h5]
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The past few days have brought about rumors that Ethan Moreau and Sheldon Souray are being shopped around, but David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period said there's nothing to them.

There was also some buzz that Patrick O'Sullivan and Andrew Cogliano were being shopped, and that the New York Rangers were interested, but there's no word on the legitimacy of those rumors.

Some of these trades are linked the Oilers with the Habs. Also, Souray has a no-trade clause in his deal, so he'd have to waive it to be moved.

http:// [h3]Standards for a Halak trade[/h3]
9:43AM ET

[h5]Jaroslav Halak | Canadiens[/h5]
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Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey feels http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3116Jaroslav Halak deserves to be a starting goalie, so he's shopping his 24-year-old stopper. That means he'll be demanding a lot in return -- rumored to be a top-six forward -- but that also limits the teams who might pony up for him.

The Sporting News listed three possible destination for the 24-year-old goalie: the Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. The Habs already tried to deal with the Flyers, but they are not interested. The Blackhawks already have a current goalie (Cristobal Huet) and a future goalie (Antti Niemi), so unless they can somehow save money with the trade, it won't happen. The Stars are posssibility because they may not want to re-sign http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=959Marty Turco at the end of the season.

Also rumored to be interested are the http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=stlhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=stlSt. Louis Blues and http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=detDetroit Red Wings. The Wings have a long-term and short-term option; the Blues may be interested in a younger goalie (both their goalies are 33) but the veterans are playing very well thus far.

So in the end, another surprise team may jump in for Halak, while the Stars -- and maybe the Flyers -- mull over the option.

http:// [h3]Toskala's trade stock rising[/h3]
9:35AM ET

[h5]Vesa Toskala | Maple Leafs[/h5]
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are likely going to shop goalie Vesa Toskala as a short-term rental when the trade deadline comes, but they may get more than they expected earlier in the season.

The Toronto Sun's Lance Hornby writes that Toskala has come on strong as of late, in place of fan favorite Jonas Gustavsson who has been out with an injury.

Still, the 32-year-old is on the last year of his $4 million deal and the Leafs are still rebuilding, so it's possible a playoff bound team may grab him as its backup goalie near the trade deadline. He is one of several goalies who are expected to be on the block.

 

[DeadsetAce]

god that proposed kovalchuk deal to boston would be a disaster for us, even in the short term. rask and wheeler and one of the kessel picks? gthoh.

 

[bjm5295]

I dont think we have to worry about that... Kovy isnt signing for 63 mil.

 

[gingersaintbad]

I dont see how Kovalchuk is worth 10 mil hes apparently asking for. Sure hes a great scorer and stuff but 10 mil? I dont see it.

 

[addictedtofreshkicks]

Michael Russo

The Wild's equipment truck caught fire this afternoon and much of the Wild's equipment was destroyed.

The team is in scramble mode. Trainers returned to the arena from 5-minute drive from practice, and back was smoky.

They opened up and everything was on fire. Nobody knows why. But team is in scramble mode as it tries to determine what was destroyed.

Wild asst equipment trainer Brent Proulx is heading back to Minnesota as we speak

Contrary to reports though, there was not a truck accident. This was discovered once the trainers returned to the arena from practice rink

I just spoke to a bunch of Wild players. They have a 6 p.m. meeting to inform them of what's going on

Hockey players need to feel good in their equipment. For instance, it took Havlat a month to break in his new skates.

He pointed out that if knee braces were destroyed -- and they were, I am told -- how do you just put a new knee brace on Brunette?



wow...

 

[frenchblue23]

Oh my goodness.

But really, a truck doesn't just catch on fire, something happened, and they are not saying it.

 

[addictedtofreshkicks]

finding new equipment isn't the problem... its the goalie equipment, skates, and custom equipment. You can't just put on brand new skates and play.

 

[frenchblue23]

Originally Posted by AddictedToFreshKicks

finding new equipment isn't the problem... its the goalie equipment, skates, and custom equipment. You can't just put on brand new skates and play.

Yeah that's true.

I guess they have no choice now.

 

[lvjordan238]

Ottawa fans are DESPERATE for a win. LOL

 

[proshares]

Here's a look at the past decade's top players (in no particular order):

• Alexander Ovechkin
  True, Ovechkin has been around for only four seasons, but his highlight-reel résumé is already overflowing with dramatic images, as he has established himself as the game's most dynamic player. In his short career, Ovechkin has managed to earn a rookie of the year award, one scoring title and back-to-back Hart Trophies as the game's most valuable player. In 2008, he became the first player to capture the Art Ross Trophy, the Lester B. Pearson Award, the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy and MVP honors in the same year. He has amassed 221 goals in four seasons, more than any other NHL player.
• Sidney Crosby
  Like Ovechkin, Crosby's presence in the league has been short, but his résumé is already the stuff of legend. After winning a scoring title in just his second season, he rebounded from a serious high-ankle sprain in 2007-08 to lead the youthful Pens to the Cup finals and finished tied for the playoff scoring lead with 27 points. Third in the NHL in scoring last season, Crosby was a force throughout the playoffs for the Stanley Cup-champion Penguins, leading all scorers with 15 postseason goals, including two game winners.
• Nicklas Lidstrom
  Six times in the past decade, Lidstrom was named the NHL's best defenseman and twice was runner-up for the Norris Trophy. He won a Conn Smythe Trophy in 2002 and helped the Detroit Red Wings win Cups in 2002 and 2008 as well as go to the Stanley Cup finals this past spring. A sure-fire Hall of Famer, Lidstrom will spark debate of whether he may well be the greatest defenseman of all time.
• Martin Brodeur
  After being overlooked earlier in his career, Brodeur took home four Vezina Trophies between 2003 and 2008 and was a finalist the other year during that span. He also earned his second and third Stanley Cup rings during the past decade (2000 and 2003) and mixed in an Olympic gold medal with Team Canada in 2002.
• Chris Pronger
  The second overall draft pick in 1993, Pronger won the Hart Trophy in 2000 to become the first defenseman since Bobby Orr in 1972 to earn MVP honors. Pronger, also named the Norris Trophy winner in 2000, then led the Edmonton Oilers to a surprise Stanley Cup finals appearance in 2006 before hoisting the Cup for the first time with Anaheim in 2007. He won a gold medal with Team Canada in 2002 and will be a lock to make the 2010 squad.
• Jaromir Jagr
  Between 1999 and 2009, the dynamic Czech winger won three scoring titles, earned the Hart Trophy and was runner-up for the Hart twice. After being considered by some critics to be something of a coach killer as he bounced from Pittsburgh to Washington to New York, Jagr emerged as a true leader with the Rangers after the lockout before signing on with the Kontinental Hockey League after the 2008 playoffs. Gone, but not forgotten.
• Jarome Iginla
  The good-natured leader of the Calgary Flames was a surprise member of Canada's gold-medal-winning team in 2002, the same year he won an NHL scoring title and was runner-up for the Hart Trophy. He finished second in MVP voting again in 2004 after the Flames lost to Tampa Bay in seven games in the Stanley Cup finals.
• Scott Niedermayer
  The classy Anaheim Ducks defender won Cups with New Jersey (2000, 2003) and Anaheim (2007) during the past decade along with a boatload of individual honors that included his first Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman in 2004 and playoff MVP honors in 2007. Niedermayer, a gold medalist in 2002 with Canada, was also a Norris runner-up twice.
• Peter Forsberg
  Although Forsberg's lack of durability always will cloud the discussion of his greatness, he was part of the Avs' Stanley Cup finals run in 2001 as he posted 14 points in 11 games before a ruptured spleen ended his playoff season. The next season, Forsberg missed the entire regular season but returned with a heroic performance in the playoffs, recording 27 points in 20 games as the Avs fell in the Western Conference finals. In 2003, he won an Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer and MVP honors.
• Joe Sakic
  The legendary Colorado captain finished in the top 10 in NHL scoring four times between 2000-01 and 2005-06 and won the Hart Trophy and Lester B. Pearson Award in 2001. His steadying presence personified the Avalanche organization that, for many years, was a constant Cup contender. Sakic also was captain of the Canadian Olympic team in 2006 and a member of Canada's gold-medal effort in 2002.

NHL drafts are as much luck as science, even with the first pick. We take a look at the past decade's first overall selections:

• 2000 Draft N.Y. Islanders select goalie Rick DiPietro
  Injuries certainly have muddied the picture with what we could have seen from DiPietro. He was pretty good from 2003-04 through 2007-08 before hip and knee problems felled him. Still, it's hard to look back now and not think the Isles should have instead kept Roberto Luongo and taken Dany Heatley first overall. Heatley went second overall to Atlanta in 2000, while Marian Gaborik went next to Minnesota.
• 2001 Draft Atlanta Thrashers select winger Ilya Kovalchuk
  This very much remains the right decision today. Jason Spezza went second overall, Mikko Koivu sixth, Mike Komisarek seventh and Ales Hemsky 13th, but Kovalchuk is head and shoulders the best player from this draft class.
• 2002 Draft Columbus Blue Jackets select winger Rick Nash
  The Jackets moved up to get Nash, flipping their third overall pick with Florida, while the Panthers got the option to flip first-round picks with Columbus the next year. Not a bad deal for then-Panthers GM Rick Dudley, because he still got the player he wanted in the 2002 draft, Jay Bouwmeester. But as it turns out, the Panthers were naturally set to pick higher than Columbus the next year, so the flip never happened. As talented as Bouwmeester has proved to be, most people would agree Nash is the class of that draft by a hair over Bouwmeester. They're both great players.
• 2003 Draft Pittsburgh Penguins select goalie Marc-Andre Fleury
  Until this past June, you probably could find a lot of people willing to argue that Pittsburgh took the wrong guy. But a Stanley Cup shuts up a lot of people, especially given Fleury's clutch performance. But this was an amazingly deep draft in which a few players could have made the case to go first overall. Other first-round picks that year included Eric Staal (second), Thomas Vanek (fifth), Ryan Suter (seventh), Dion Phaneuf (ninth), Jeff Carter (11th), Dustin Brown (13th), Brent Seabrook (14th), Zach Parise (17th), Ryan Getzlaf (19th), Brent Burns (20th), Ryan Kesler (23rd), Mike Richards (24th) and Corey Perry (28th). Staal, Getzlaf and Parise are legitimate arguments to Fleury's being taken first overall. Interestingly, Fleury, Staal and Getzlaf all have won Cups early in their careers.
• 2004 Draft Washington Capitals select winger Alex Ovechkin
  OK, one would think this is nondebatable … except the No. 2 overall pick was Evgeni Malkin. At the time, Malkin received less fanfare than Ovechkin; the thought was he would be a very good player but likely not a superstar like Ovechkin. That certainly has changed. They're both superstars. If you polled today's 30 GMs, Ovechkin probably would win out. Of note, the Caps also nabbed Mike Green 29th overall in the same round. Nice work, George McPhee!
• 2005 Draft Pittsburgh Penguins select center Sidney Crosby
  Ah, no kidding. We won't soon forget the words of then-Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke that day in Ottawa after he selected Bobby Ryan with the second overall pick. "We couldn't believe he was still available," Burke told the media with a straight face. (Ryan hadn't heard that anecdote until we told him about it this past February.)
• 2006 Draft St. Louis Blues select defenseman Erik Johnson
  Well, this one is too early to tell, especially with Johnson missing all of last season with the knee injury he suffered in a freak golf-cart accident. You talk to anyone around the league, and he'll tell you he still thinks Johnson is very much the stud, Shea Weber-like defenseman waiting to happen. But there's a good argument at this point as to who should have gone first overall in 2006 given that Jordan Staal went second, Jonathan Toews third, Nicklas Backstrom fourth and Phil Kessel fifth. Hmm, we'll need to revisit this one in two or three years.
• 2007 Draft Chicago Blackhawks select forward Patrick Kane
  At this point, this one is uncontested. James van Riemsdyk went second overall, and he may tell us more this season. Kyle Turris went third overall and began this season in the AHL. Thomas Hickey and Karl Alzner were next, and they've yet to make full-time NHL impressions. Kane, of course, has been an offensive machine since jumping right out of the gates at 18 years old.
• 2008 Draft Tampa Bay Lightning select center Steven Stamkos
  Well, this one could end up being interesting. Obviously, it's way too early to reach any conclusions. But blueliner Drew Doughty, taken second overall, certainly had the bigger impact in his rookie NHL season. Defenseman Zach Bogosian, the third pick, also was impressive last season, as was Luke Schenn, the fifth pick. Stamkos struggled in the first half last season but has been dynamite since. We doubt very much Tampa Bay will regret the pick, but the Stamkos/Doughty debate could be a good one for years to come.
• 2009 Draft New York Islanders select forward John Tavares
  Well, let's let this one simmer for a few years before we say anything, but he's had a solid start for the Islanders in his rookie season. The debate heading into this draft centered on Tavares, defenseman Victor Hedman and center Matt Duchene. They went 1-2-3, respectively. Again, time will tell.

The Detroit Red Wings aren't the NHL's modern-day dynasty by luck. They draft better than any other club. Here's a look at the past decade's late-pick gems (third round or lower to qualify):

• 2000 Draft Henrik Lundqvist
  Hello! Nothing like stealing a perennial Vezina Trophy candidate in the seventh round (205th overall). Did we tell you netminder Brent Krahn went ninth overall in the first round to Calgary? Wowsers. Honorable mention: Los Angeles Kings for taking defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky 118th overall in the fourth round.
• 2001 Draft Marek Svatos
  The best late pick of this year has to be Colorado with winger Marek Svatos, 227th overall, the last pick of the seventh round. He's not a big star, but he scored 89 goals in four NHL seasons before the 2009-10 campaign. Honorable mentions: Brooks Laich, 193rd overall, Ottawa; Marek Zidlicky, 176th overall, N.Y. Rangers; Ryane Clowe, 175th overall, San Jose; Kevin Bieksa, 151st overall, Vancouver; Patrick Sharp, 95th overall, Philadelphia; Tomas Plekanec, 71st overall, Montreal.
• 2002 Draft Jonathan Ericsson
  The last player taken in this draft, 291st overall at the end of the ninth round, was … Jonathan Ericsson. The Wings at their best. The Swedish blueliner will be a stud for years to come after getting a nice taste of the big time this past spring. Honorable mentions: Dennis Wideman, 241st overall, Buffalo; Maxime Talbot, 234th overall, Pittsburgh; Tom Gilbert, 129th overall, Colorado.
• 2003 Draft Tobias Enstrom
  Thrashers GM Don Waddell and his scouting staff get kudos for finding Tobias Enstrom at 239th overall. It's not every day you find a puckmoving, top-four defenseman in the ninth round. Honorable mentions: Jaroslav Halak, 271st overall, Montreal; Dustin Byfuglien, 245th overall, Chicago; Joe Pavelski, 205th overall, San Jose; Kyle Quincey, 132nd overall, Detroit.
• 2004 Draft Pekka Rinne
  He's done it for only one season, but if Pekka Rinne is indeed the real deal in goal for Nashville, the Predators absolutely stole him with the last pick of the eighth round in 2004 (258th overall). It's also tough to beat the guy who went 97th overall to the Red Wings, Johan Franzen. Honorable mentions: Mark Streit, 262nd overall, Montreal; Chris Campoli, 227th overall, N.Y. Islanders; Matt Hunwick, 224th overall, Boston; Roman Polak, 180th overall, St. Louis; Mikhail Grabovski, 150th overall, Montreal; Kris Versteeg, 134th overall, Boston; Ryan Callahan, 127th overall, N.Y. Rangers; Alexander Edler, 91st overall, Vancouver.
• 2005 Draft Sergei Kostitsyn and Matt D'Agostini
  Montreal Canadiens scouting chief Trevor Timmins gets props for finding a pair of serviceable players very late in this draft in Sergei Kostitsyn (200th overall) and Matt D'Agostini (190th overall). The Wings, led by the scouting brain trust of Jim Nill and Joe McDonnell, were at it again with the section of Darren Helm at 132nd overall. Honorable mentions: Keith Yandle, 105th overall, Phoenix; Jonathan Quick, 72nd overall, Los Angeles; Kris Letang, 62nd overall, Pittsburgh.
• 2006 Draft Steve Mason
  We highly doubt the Columbus Blue Jackets knew they were drafting the 2008-09 Calder Trophy winner when they selected Steve Mason at 69th overall. The talented netminder obviously should have been higher than a third-round pick but actually barely played major junior in his draft year, which hid him from most scouts. What a steal. Honorable mentions: Sergei Shirokov, 163rd overall, Vancouver; Viktor Stalberg, 161st overall, Toronto.
• 2007 Draft Yannick Weber
  We're still waiting for a lot of these prospects to develop at this point, so it's early in the game to find so-called gems in the late rounds. But Montreal may have found one in Yannick Weber when it selected him 73rd overall, a Swiss blueliner with offensive talent who put up 44 points (16 goals, 28 assists) in the AHL last season.
• 2008 Draft Time will tell
  The Los Angeles Kings believe they got a good one in defenseman Andrew Campbell, taken 74th overall. At 6-foot-4 and 206 pounds, he should develop into a physical blueliner whom the Kings project to play in their top four, perhaps as a partner to Drew Doughty. Campbell began this season in the AHL.
• 2009 Draft Time will tell
  Obviously, it's much too early to know, but given the solid drafting history of the Nashville Predators, it's worth mentioning a pair of third-round picks they made this past June. Forwards Taylor Beck and Michael Latta were taken 70th and 72nd, respectively, and are teammates on the Ontario Hockey League's Guelph Storm.

Over the past decade, we witnessed more than our share of shocking upsets. In most cases, stellar goaltending was the most important factor in these results. Other times, poor puck-stopping led to the unexpected. And in a few situations, there just might have been divine intervention. With that in mind, here's a look at our top 10 upsets:

• 2002 Winter Olympics Belarus stuns Sweden, 4-3
  After being outscored 22-6 in three preliminary-round games, Belarus shockingly eliminated a very strong Swedish team. Little-known goalie Andrei Mezin backstopped the upset. He said afterward: "Sometimes even a gun with no bullets fires." (That's my all-time favorite postgame quote!) Swedish goalie Tommy Salo surrendered a bizarre goal that caromed off his helmet before falling behind him and into the net. Belarus later lost to Canada and Russia en route to a surprisingly good fourth-place finish. The Swedes made up for the embarrassing loss by taking gold at the 2006 Games.
• 2003 playoffs No. 8 Mighty Ducks sweep Red Wings
  Behind an amazing goaltending performance by Jean-Sebastien Giguere, the Mighty Ducks posted a four-game sweep of the defending-champion Wings in the first round of the playoffs. The Mighty Ducks advanced to the Cup finals before falling to the Devils in Game 7. Interestingly, Anaheim coach Mike Babcock would eventually come to Detroit to take the Wings job.
• 2000 playoffs No. 8 Sharks eliminate top-seeded Blues
  The Blues carried the Presidents' Trophy as the league's top regular-season team into the playoffs. That didn't matter much to Darryl Sutter's Sharks, who won this showdown in a decisive Game 7. Journeyman goalie Steve Shields backstopped San Jose's series win, but the Sharks came back to earth in the next round when they were sent packing by the Stars in five games.
• 2006 playoffs No. 8 Oilers knock out top-seeded Wings
  During the regular season, the Wings compiled a league-best 124 points. They finished 29 points ahead of the Oilers in the standings. Still, Edmonton sent Detroit to the golf course with a six-game series victory. Goalie Dwayne Roloson was the key player for the Oilers, who advanced all the way to the Cup finals. This series marked the last games for Wings icon Steve Yzerman.
• 2001 playoffs No. 7 Kings top second-seeded Wings
  Buoyed by a late third-period Game 4 comeback -- scoring three goals in the final six minutes of regulation time -- the Kings eliminated the Wings in six games. L.A. goalie Felix Potvin turned in a brilliant performance in the series. The Kings' playoff run ended in the next round; the eventual champion Avalanche stopped the Kings in a surprisingly close seven-game series.
• 2006 Olympics Switzerland shuts out Canada 2-0
  The defending gold-medal champs couldn't solve Swiss stopper Martin Gerber, who turned back all 49 shots en route to the stunning shutout win. Ex-Montreal Canadiens forward Paul DiPietro scored both goals for Switzerland.
• 2002 playoffs No. 8 Habs oust Bruins
  Inspired by the return of captain Saku Koivu (who had missed most of the season as he battled cancer), the Habs handed their longtime rivals more postseason disappointment. Montreal goalie Jose Theodore, who won the Hart and Vezina Trophies during that season, proved too much for Boston. The Canadiens' Cup dream ended in the next round, when they were eliminated by the Hurricanes.
• 2004 playoffs No. 7 Habs KO second-seeded Bruins
  The Canadiens overcame 2-0 and 3-1 series deficits en route to a stunning seven-game victory. Habs goalie Jose Theodore again came up big in the key games, allowing just three goals in the final three games. In the next round, the Canadiens were swept by the eventual Cup champions Lightning.
• 2009 playoffs No. 8 Ducks oust Sharks
  In just the second all-California playoff series, inexperienced Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller proved a difference-maker. The Swiss stopper led one of the strongest No. 8 seeds in league history to a six-game series win over the Sharks. While Hiller continued his solid play, the Ducks couldn't overcome the Wings in the next round.
• 2006 playoffs No. 7 Avs bash Stars
  Dallas fell victim to self-inflicted wounds in this first-round series. Stars goalie Marty Turco allowed far too many soft goals in the surprisingly short five-game series. Joe Sakic and Andrew Brunette each netted three goals to lead the Avs, who were swept out of the playoffs by the Ducks in the second round.

Is there any postseason in sports like the NHL's run to the Stanley Cup? Here are our top series from the past decade:

• 2009 Stanley Cup finals Detroit versus Pittsburgh
  The comeback kids from Pittsburgh won in dramatic fashion in a rematch of the 2008 Cup finals. After falling behind 2-0 and 3-2 in the series, the Penguins managed to win four of the last five games to win their first Cup since 1992. In both Games 6 and 7, the Penguins held off furious last-minute charges by the Wings to edge out one-goal victories.
• 2009 Eastern Conference semis Pittsburgh versus Washington
  The first playoff clash between young titans Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin produced a classic. Both stars recorded hat tricks in Game 2 and the Caps jumped out to a 2-0 series lead. But the Penguins, who lost star defenseman Sergei Gonchar to a controversial Ovechkin hit in Game 4, prevailed by winning a seventh game in emphatic fashion (6-2) in Washington. Crosby and Ovechkin combined for 27 points in the series.
• 2000 Eastern Conference finals Philly versus New Jersey
  Down 3-1 to Eric Lindros and the Flyers, the Devils battled back to win three straight games, outscoring Philadelphia 8-3 to advance to the Stanley Cup finals, where they defeated Dallas in six games.
• 2001 Stanley Cup finals Colorado versus New Jersey
  The Devils looked to have this series well in hand when they stole Game 5 in Denver with Patrick Roy having an uncharacteristically soft game. He redeemed himself in Game 6 in New Jersey and the Avs provided defenseman Ray Bourque with his long-awaited first Stanley Cup with a 3-1 victory in Game 7.
• 2003 Eastern Conference finals New Jersey versus Ottawa
  The Senators were vying for their first Stanley Cup finals berth after coming back from a 3-1 series deficit to force a seventh game in Ottawa. But Jeff Friesen broke the Sens' hearts with a goal with just over two minutes to play in the third period of Game 7 that gave the Devils a 3-2 victory. New Jersey would go on to defeat Anaheim in another seven-game tilt in the Cup finals.
• 2004 Stanley Cup finals Calgary versus Tampa Bay
  This was a classic clash of styles, as the rough-and-tumble Flames took on the speedy, skilled Lightning. It looked like the Flames would win their first Cup since 1989 when Martin Gelinas appeared to score in Game 6 in Calgary. But video replay could not confirm a goal as the puck was blocked by netminder Nikolai Khabibulin's pad against the goal post. The Bolts won Game 6 and then prevailed at home in a seventh game. The series marked a dramatic fight between respective stars Jarome Iginla and Vincent Lecavalier.
• 2004 Eastern Conference finals Tampa Bay versus Philly
  This was the series that featured Philadelphia GM Bob Clarke's renaming of Tampa coach John Tortorella as "The Great Tortellini." It was just a slice of the ongoing war of words between the two teams. The subplot was enriched by dramatic action on the ice. Philadelphia captain Keith Primeau turned in virtuoso performances in what would be his last games before concussion issues forced him into retirement. The Lightning would edge out a 2-1 victory in Game 7, setting the stage for their first Cup win against Calgary.
• 2006 Stanley Cup finals Carolina versus Edmonton
  The first post-lockout finals did not leave fans wanting. Edmonton starter Dwayne Roloson was injured in Game 1 and a gaffe by replacement Ty Conklin with 32 seconds left in regulation allowed Rod Brind'Amour to score and give Carolina the Game 1 win. Fernando Pisani's short-handed overtime goal in Game 5 helped Edmonton erase a 3-1 series deficit and force a Game 7, but the Hurricanes won that final game 3-1 for their first Cup championship.
• 2002 Western Conference finals Detroit versus Colorado
  This would mark the last of the great postseason meetings between these two bitter rivals and featured some of this generation's greatest players in the twilight of their careers. Hall of Famers Patrick Roy and Steve Yzerman, and Peter Forsberg, who remarkably ended up leading all playoff scorers even though the Avs were dispatched in seven games by the Red Wings. Although the series see-sawed back and forth, the Wings drove Roy from the net in Game 7 in a 7-0 win, as Dominik Hasek picked up his fifth postseason shutout of the spring.
• 2004 Eastern Conference quarterfinals Boston versus Montreal
  The Bruins entered the postseason as the second seed in the Eastern Conference and held series leads of 2-0 and 3-1 against the undermanned Canadiens. But Jose Theodore was sensational and the Canadiens shut down the Bruins in Boston 2-0 in Game 7. The series marked the beginning of the end for Bruins captain Joe Thornton, who didn't score in the series, although it was later revealed he was playing hurt. Nonetheless, at least one local columnist suggested Thornton should be stripped of the captaincy, and the big center was dealt to San Jose early in the season following the lockout.

In chronological order, here are 10 NHL trades that made you go "hmm" from the past decade:

• March 1, 2000 Montreal trades Vladimir Malakhov to New Jersey for Sheldon Souray, Josh DeWolf and New Jersey's second-round pick in 2001 (later traded away)
  Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is among the league's best, but he gave away too much on this one for a rental player. Souray went on to become a star blueliner, one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL. Mind you, the Devils won the Cup in the spring of 2000. So who cares if you're Lou, right? Malakhov joined the New York Rangers in July 2000.
• June 24, 2000
  New York Islanders trade Roberto Luongo and Olli Jokinen to Florida for Mark Parrish and Oleg Kvasha
  Ah, good ol' Oleg Kvasha. He's just begun his fourth season in Russia. Let's give Florida the nod in this deal, right? Luongo would become a franchise goalie, which people were already assuming back then, and Jokinen a No. 1 center (although you could argue where you rank him there in the league). Still, for Parrish and Kvasha?
• Oct. 2, 2000
  Toronto trades Alexander Karpovtsev and a fourth-round pick in 2001 (Vladimir Gusev) to Chicago for Bryan McCabe
  Great trade by then-Leafs GM Pat Quinn. McCabe still hadn't matured yet, on or off the ice, but Quinn took a chance on him. McCabe would go on to have major offensive seasons in Toronto.
• March 5, 2001
  Phoenix trades Stanislav Neckar and the rights to Nikolai Khabibulin to Tampa Bay for Paul Mara, Mike Johnson, Ruslan Zainullin and prospect Mathew Spiller
  Simply put, this deal won the Lightning the Cup three seasons later. Khabibulin was instrumental in Tampa Bay's 2004 Cup triumph. The Coyotes had been unable to sign Khabibulin, who held out for nearly two years.
• June 23, 2001
  Ottawa trades Alexei Yashin to the New York Islanders for the Isles' first-round pick in 2001 (Jason Spezza), Zdeno Chara and Bill Muckalt
  Man, this one hurt if you're a Long Island hockey fan. All the Isles gave up was a star No. 1 center who has since put up 418 points in 404 games (before this season) and a future Norris Trophy winner. Yashin put up 290 points in 346 games with the Isles before being bought out of a ridiculous contract and going back home to play in Russia.
• Jan. 7, 2002
  Florida trades Dan Boyle to Tampa for a fifth-round pick in 2003 (Martin Tuma)
  This was pre-lockout, so the jury was still out on small defensemen. But what a brutal mistake. Since leaving the Panthers, Boyle has put up 310 points (remember, he's a blueliner) in 471 games while playing top-four minutes and also winning a Cup. Tuma never appeared in an NHL game. He's currently playing in his native Czech Republic.
• March 10, 2003
  Buffalo trades Chris Gratton and a 2004 fourth-round draft pick (later traded to Edmonton) in exchange for Daniel Briere and a 2004 third-round draft pick (Andrej Sekera)
  A brain-rattling steal by Sabres GM Darcy Regier. Briere put up 230 points in 225 games with the Sabres. And Sekera is now part of their NHL lineup.
• Nov. 15, 2005
  Anaheim trades Sergei Fedorov and a 2006 fifth-round choice (Maxime Frechette) to Columbus for Tyler Wright and Francois Beauchemin
  One of the first cap-era blockbusters. Then-Ducks GM Brian Burke pulled off a coup here. First, he unloaded a huge contract in Fedorov to create cap space (remember, it was a $39 million cap in 2005-06), and then saw the amazing emergence of Beauchemin as a top-four blueliner. That was an important move for the Ducks' eventual Cup win in 2007.
• June 23, 2006
  Vancouver trades Todd Bertuzzi, Alex Auld and Bryan Allen to Florida for Roberto Luongo, Lukas Krajicek and a 2006 sixth-round pick (Sergei Shirokov)
  The trade of the decade? Nice one by then-Canucks GM Dave Nonis. Franchise goalies don't grow on trees. Plus, Nonis could probably see the beginning of the end in Bertuzzi's game. Bertuzzi played one injury-riddled season in Florida before moving on. Brutal deal for the Panthers, one that set them back years. The kicker for the Canucks is that the sixth-round choice, Shirokov, appears to be a player. Amazing.
• Sept. 30, 2006
  Montreal trades Mike Ribeiro and a 2008 sixth-round choice (Matthew Tassone) to Dallas for Janne Niinimaa and a 2007 fifth-round choice (Andrew Conboy)
  We know there were "off-ice" reasons the Habs wanted Ribeiro out, but they basically gave away an 80-point player. That's not good business.

Teams, controversies, uniforms and moments on Monday.

 

[proshares]

[h3]Habs eying scorer for Halak?[/h3]
8:49AM ET

[h5]Jaroslav Halak | Canadiens[/h5]
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Montreal Canadiens might be hoping to land a scorer for backup goalie Jaroslav Halak, and Spector writes that they'll have to package a pick with Halak to land one.

GM Bob Gainey feels Halak deserves to be a starting goalie, so that means he'll be demanding a lot in return -- rumored to be a top-six forward -- but that also limits the teams who might pony up for him.

The Sporting News listed three possible destination for the 24-year-old goalie: the Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. The Habs already tried to deal with the Flyers, but they are not interested. The Blackhawks already have a current goalie (Cristobal Huet) and a future goalie (Antti Niemi), so unless they can somehow save money with the trade, it won't happen. The Stars are posssibility because they may not want to re-sign Marty Turco at the end of the season.

Also rumored to be interested are the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings. The Wings have a long-term and short-term option; the Blues may be interested in a younger goalie (both their goalies are 33) but the veterans are playing very well thus far.

So in the end, another surprise team may jump in for Halak, while the Stars -- and maybe the Flyers -- mull over the option.

http:// [h3]GM wants to keep Carter?[/h3]
8:47AM ET

[h5]Philadelphia Flyers[/h5]
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The Philadelphia Flyers have several players they are willing to deal, but according to Lyle "Spector" Richardson on Puck Daddy, nothing's happening until after New Year's.

The Philadelphia Daily News write that Scott Hartnell and Jeff Carter might be dealt soon. Spector writes, "It's been suggested Carter or Scott Hartnell could be traded but GM Paul Holmgren doesn't appear keen to part with either player."

Also, there are rumors that they are willing to deal Simon Gagne or Danny Briere, according to the Montreal Gazette.

Something is in the works, because 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.

All that said, it might be a bad time for the Flyers to swap parts.

http:// [h3]Rangers' trade plans[/h3]
8:44AM ET

[h5]New York Rangers[/h5]
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The New York Rangers might not have any big moves coming, despite the media and the fans calling for a move.

Fox Sports' Spector writes, "With only $2 million available cap space and too many players on big contracts there might not be any significant changes coming for the Blueshirts."

Still, they've been searching for a scorer in recent weeks, and apparently they couldn't work out a deal for Coyotes' youngster Peter Mueller. They are also rumored to be interested in Oilers' youngsters Patrick O'Sullivan and Andrew Cogliano.

But those guys would all cost the Rangers, and as the Illegal Curve writes, GM Glen Sather has learned his lesson about possibly mortgaging the future. So the website opines that one possible trade possibility is Christopher Higgins, who "has underperformed and wouldn't fetch a big return."

http:// [h3]Drury pushing to score?[/h3]
8:40AM ET

[h5]Chris Drury | Rangers[/h5]
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The New York Rangers are struggling to score, which might be putting even more pressure on Chris Drury to find the back of the net.

GM Glen Sather told the New York Post that Drury puts too much pressure on himself. "He wants it so much. He wants to do well for the team so much that sometimes that gets in the way."

Beyond Marian Gaborik, the Rangers scoring has been nonexistent. They've been searching for scoring in the trade market, but nothing's come of it yet. And now that the trade freeze is underway, they're stuck with this team for a few more weeks.

http:// [h3]Outdoors in Calgary?[/h3]
8:34AM ET

[h5]Winter Classic 2010[/h5]
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It's possible the NHL will bring a second Winter Classic game next season, and it will probably be in Cananda.

ESPN The Magazine's E.J. Hradek has some info on where that game might be.

He writes, "Last June, NHL ice guru Dan Craig was spotted taking measurements in the home of the CFL's Calgary Stampeders. At the time, the league was pondering the possibility of a second outdoor game -- in Calgary -- on New Year's Day 2010. That proved logistically too tough to pull off. If things go well in Boston, though, I figure it will be full steam ahead for two outdoor games in 2010-11."

http:// [h3]Ducks trade plans[/h3]
8:32AM ET

[h5]Anaheim Ducks[/h5]
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The Anaheim Ducks had a few deals reportedly in the works, but don't expect anything soon.

GM Bob Murray told the Orange County Register he doesn't plan on making any moves today, and there may not be any coming in the near future. "If there's a chance to improve the hockey team, I will do it. But nobody's talking to anybody right now. There?s nothing going on in the game right now."

Previously, we told you Murray was spotted by The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta at the Thrashers-Leafs game, which might've indicated that something is going on between the Leafs and Ducks. Meanwhile, Leafs scouts were spotted at previous Ducks games, only furthering the speculation.

Rumor was that Murray has been entertaining "numerous trade scenarios," according to The Fourth Period. Teams have asked about the availability of Bobby Ryan and Scott Niedermayer, but it appears Ryan isn't going anywhere while Niedermayer may be trade bait.

Two names that keep coming up in Ducks trade talks are Joffrey Lupul and Jean-Sebastien Giguere, so those guys may be moved at some point this season. Though the Leafs will likely stay away from Giguere, Lupul might be the guy they're after.

Puck Prospectus writes that one possible scenario might be a Giguere for Vesa Toskala deal, with other pieces involved.

[h5]Puck Prospectus[/h5]
This could work

"The Maple Leafs and Ducks would actually make intriguing trade partners, as a swap centered around Jean-Sebastien Giguere for Vesa Toskala would make sense for both teams. How so? While Toskala (-9.7 GVT in 12 GP) is again in the running for the worst player in the NHL, he's signed for this season only at $4 million, while Giguere (3.5 GVT in 13 GP) is owed $6 million this season and $7 million next season. While Jonas Hiller can man the Anaheim nets as well as Giguere -- as proven by his performance throughout the 2008-09 playoffs--the Ducks could make good use of the cap room both this year and next, to better optimize their squad. Other pieces could round out the trade, but I'm not sure that a straight up deal wouldn't be beneficial to both teams." -Timo Seppa

http:// [h3]Demitra suffered setback?[/h3]
8:25AM ET

[h5]Vancouver Canucks[/h5]
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Pavol Demitra decided to leave the team and see a specialist in Slovakia. Some speculated he suffered a setback, but the Canucks have said he is simply "on his own program," The White Towel reports.

But that said, it is possible Demitra wasn't happy with his recovery with the team. In fact, he told GM Mike Gillis that he want to go see a massage therapist who helped him out a lot when he was with the Slovakian national team.

Demitra may be drawing some interest from the New York Rangers, so they may also have an eye on the situation.

http:// [h3]Likely trade trends[/h3]
8:20AM ET

[h5]Trades[/h5]
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'Twas the night before the holiday trade freeze, when all through the league, not a big trade was stirring, not even a little one.

Why? Because as Fox Sports' Spector writes, "The fact the average payroll is currently $55.055 million, that 25 of 30 NHL teams have payrolls in excess of $51 million, with a salary cap of $56. 8 million, tells us all we need to know about why there's been a whole lotta nuthin' goin' on."

So what kinds of trades will happen after the New Year's? Spector says: "A marginal player carrying little salary shipped to a team seeking affordable depth."

http:// [h3]Backstrom's luck up in flames?[/h3]
8:02AM ET

[h5]Nicklas Backstrom | Capitals[/h5]
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Nicklas Backstrom's gear is reportedly all up in flames as the Minnesota Wild equipment truck caught on fire yesterday.

And if anyone is very affected by this, teammates say it'll be Backstrom -- they're worried about the poor guy.

"He's one guy that could be affected. He's pretty anal to begin with," Andrew Brunette told the Star-Tribune, laughing.

Backstrom has been reported to be a somewhat superstitious guy, and goalies are generally pretty attached to their gear, so there is some reason for concern. (Of course, the rest of the team will have to break in skates, too, but there's no supernatural powers at work there!)

Backstrom told the Strib, "You can't worry about this. You can't hide behind this. You can't find any excuse. You have to do what you can do. These things happen. You have to find a way to play a good game [tonight]. It's not easy, that's for sure, but it is what it is. It's only equipment."

http:// [h3]More Kovalchuk buzz[/h3]
7:51AM ET

[h5]Ilya Kovalchuk | Thrashers[/h5]
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The rumor out of Russia is that Ilya Kovalchuk is demanding a 10-year deal worth $11.5 million a season, but as The Fourth Period writes, it isn't true.

First off, Thrashers sources denied it. Secondly, the maximum he could sign for is $11.34 million a year, and teams simply aren't willing to commit that much money for that much time.

A deal is reportedly still being hammered out between the two sides, and the Thrashers keep denying reports of a potential Kovalchuk trade.

But if and when he goes on the block, here's the potential list of interested teams:

Boston Bruins: ESPN.com's John Buccigross writes that a potential trade might have Kovalchuk going to Boston for Blake Wheeler, Tuukka Rask and the 2010 first round pick they received from Toronto for Phil Kessel. Buccigross said the deal would work if Kovalchuk agrees to an extension in the range of nine-years for $63 million, but the rumored asking price has been for much more money. So unless the Bruins figure out their money situation, this may not work.

Colorado Avalanche: This is pure speculation, but Lyle "Spector" Richardson of FoxSports points out on Puck Daddy that the only team that can "comfortably" afford to sign Kovalchuk as an unrestricted free agent is the Avalanche. But they have young players who they might need cap room to sign down the road.

Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers may also be interest, but there's a lot they have to take care of before working out a deal of this magnitude.

Los Angeles Kings: The Kings are reportedly willing to part with Dustin Brown, but two sources say this rumor is false.

Calgary Flames: Calgary GM Mike Gillis' denied the rumors, as did other Canucks sources in the media, but it's possible they are playing this one close to the vest.

KHL: KHL president Alexander Medvedev might also swoop in with a huge deal. He said he's already talked to Kovalchuk and can offer a better deal than the NHL because of tax laws.

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

"Sign, Kovalchuk, sign! Tobias Enstrom, Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian, Bryan Little, and Ondrej Pavelec! Ilya is being offered top dollar to play on a young, exciting, offensive-minded, internationally flavored team that really can't go anywhere but up. Get the man a pen." -Robert Vollman

 

[bjm5295]

@ that thing saying Ovie/Crosby have had a bigger impact on the decade than Lidstrom and Marty. Are they better/the best in the league right now? Sure. Overthe decade? No way.