Oilers Claim Macintyre

The Edmonton Oilers have claimed Florida Panthers d-man Steve Macintyre off of wivers

KINGS FIND VETERAN D

The LA Kings have acquired Anaheim Ducks Veteran d-man Sean O'Donnell. Finally the Kings have found that veteran d-man they were looking for not that hes outstanding but he can teach the guys like Drew doughty coming up.

Two Sided Arguement

Now that we have all finished laughing, its time to review this decision....

Roberto Luongo exemplifies everything that a captain should. He is the best player on the team; he answers all the questions and he puts a tremendous amount of pressure on himself to be the leader of the team etc...

These reasons amoungst many others can indicate a leader, a captain. Does that captain have to wear a "C" on his jersey? not neccessarily.

For years baseball and football teams have had captains however it wasn't until recently that you started seeing C's stiched onto jersey's in those sports. Not to mention the numerous sports franchises that have depth in leadership within their locker rooms, all you have to do is read the Detroit Red Wings roster from last seasons Stanley Cup Championship.

On the the other side of the agrument

The NHL has a rule imposed that restricts goaltenders from wearing a 'letter'. Therefore Roberto Luongo while being named captain of the Vancouver Canucks will not be permitted to don the captains "C" on his jersey.

Ryan Kesler, Willie Mitchell and Mattias Ohlund have all been named as alerternate captains and will carry out some of the 'captain' duties as Roberto, as a goaltender, may be restricted from doing so.

Is it not a slight to the rest of the individuals in the Canucks' dressing room that management was unable to find anyone but Roberto? Did they have to go to the measure of finding a loop-whole in the the NHL rule book in order to find their captain?

Or, is Roberto Luongo out-and-out by far the best choice for captain of the Vancouver Canucks?

The following video may give you some insight into the selection

The right choice

WHL and NCAA coverage!

Hey, all, I'm brooklynhockeyboy. A few of you might know my personal blog, and some of you might even know me from NHL Connect as Hockeyfreek22. But that's beside the point.

Starting from here on in, I'll be your WHL and NCAA update man. That's right, the good old Western Hockey League in Canada (and the U.S.), and the NCAA, the college league in the U.S.A.

Ok, for those of you who don't know squat about one-third of Canada's junior hockey, here's a little run down for you:

1. The WHL consists of 22 teams: In the East division (of the WESTern league, that's weird), we've got the Swift Current Broncos, the Moose Jaw Warriors, the Prince Albert Raiders, the Brandon Wheat Kings, the Saskatoon Blades, and the Regina Pats. In the Central division, there's the Red Deer Rebels, the Edmonton Oil Kings, the Lethbridge Hurricanes, the Medicine Hat Tigers, the Calgary Hitmen, and the Kootenay Ice. In the British Columbia division (there is no West division, by the way, apparently that would make those teams mightier than the rest, or something), we have the Vancouver Giants, the Prince George Cougars, the Kamloops Blazers, the Kelowna Rockets, and the Chilliwack Bruins. In the U.S. division, there's the Everett Silvertips, the Spokane Chiefs, the Tri-City Americans, the Portland Winter Hawks, and the Seattle Thunderbirds.

2. The WHL goes by the same points system as the NHL; 2 points for a win, 1 for an overtime or shootout loss, and 0 for a loss.

3. The WHL champion is awarded the President's Cup, and goes on to play for the CHL's Memorial Cup against the champions of the OHL, QMJHL, and whichever team hosts the Memorial Cup. Last season, the WHL produced the Memorial Cup champ out of Spokane, a team led by forwards Drayson Bowman (Carolina's 72nd overall pick in 2007) and Mitch Wahl (Calgary's second round pick in 2008), defenseman Jared Spurgeon, and goalie Dustin Tokarski (Tampa Bay's 5th round pick in 2008). They return all 4 players this year, and have started the season with 2 wins in 3 games.


As far as the NCAA goes, there are 69 Division I teams. I would list them all, but that would be way to many links. Some of the more prominent teams are in Minnesota, Boston, Michigan, North Dakota, and Colorado. However, NHL prospects can come out of just about any college team. James van Reimsdyk, the #2 overall pick of the 2007 draft, decided to attend the University of New Hampshire after being chosen, while the Edmonton Oilers have prospect Riley Nash attending Cornell University.

This season, Boston College is the pre-season favorite to top the standings, as they did in the 2008 season. Michigan was ranked second, and Notre Dame was voted third.

I'll be providing weekly updates on both of these leagues, starting this Saturday with an update on the WHL standings, leading scorers, and major news stories. The same will go for the NCAA, although the season has not yet started. Make sure and read http://freshfromtheice.blogspot.com/ for NHL stories as well!

Thanks,
Brooklynhockeyboy/Hockeyfreek22.

Ottawa Out Of Khabby Stakes? UPDATE:TRADE IN WORKS?

According to Pierre Mcguire and some articles around the web the Senators want basically nothing to do with Nikolai Khabibulin looking for more on this.

UPDATE:My Source heard despite the fact that everyone is saying NO CHANCE TO THIS RUMOR. He has heard that the Hawks may or have offered Khabibulin for Gerber and a pick which would be very intriguing if you ask me.
Let you know if i get more.

The Victoria Cup: Metallurg Magnitogorsk vs New York Rangers

For hosts SC Bern, the Victoria Cup is a pertinent reminder of how far European hockey has come, not in the game itself, but as an increasing spectacle in the digital age. Recently noted as Europe’s most successful side in terms of attendance averaging nearly 17,000 fans a night for the comparative backwater rigors of the Swiss League, the thinking behind Switzerland’s hosting of one of hockey’s most momentous inaugurations is not solely down to the landlocked nation being birthplace to the current president of the International Ice Hockey Federation Rene Fasel, but also an recognition of how far European hockey has come on as a rival to the NHL.

Named for the Victoria Skating rink in Montreal where the first documented game of indoor ice hockey took place on March 3rd 1875, the showcase game between the European Champions and a representative of the worlds most elite league has become a centerpiece for the IIHF centennial celebrations and an watershed effort of co-operation between the global games disparate governing bodies. Perhaps even more significantly the game offers up a mouth watering confrontation between the NHL and the KHL in an increasingly disparaged competition for global dominance not unlike the Super Series seen throughout the 70's and 80's. However, where the Super Series games were played out on North American rinks to the fanfare of North American fans, the Victoria Cup will be played out to European specifications and rules.

Despite the celebratory backdrop, the game will remain vehemently competitive, firstly owing to organizational pressure from both the NHL and the KHL and the matter of 1,000,000 Swiss francs to the victor. Regardless, the NHL have managed to make a farce out of co-operating with the international governing body for which it has recently found itself at loggerheads regarding trade pacts. Originally touting the cup as match up between European and Stanley Cup champions, the game was later remarketed as a challenger competition between European holder and NHL owing to reluctance on the side of the Detroit Red Wings. Indeed the games timing comes at a particularly poor nexus in IIHF-NHL relations after a year of torrid emergency trade talks ended in failure.

There was little surprise that Europe’s G7 (minus Russia) were keen to re-open negotiations in December 2007 following the tremendously lopsided player trade agreement ratified less than a year previous. Citing the collapsed agreement between Russia and the NHL in 2005, many an analyst believed the NHL’s attitude to European hockey clubs hardened. The subsequent offer tended by the NHL in early 2007 saw the NHL reduce its compensation funds for European teams which had lost players to the big league from $12 million dollars to $9 million with the insistence that the NHL could sign players up to the 24th of August, usually less than a month before the European leagues get under way. Furthermore the agreement allowed the NHL to sign in contracted players in Europe after the trade deadline minus a comically small fine. The “take it or leave it” agreement left many in Europe stinging and suggested that the NHL saw European competitions as a developmental league from which to pluck players at their own choosing. Demonstrating a brutal and myopic lack of sensitivity to European hockey organizations and its fans, the NHL was itself hardballed when eleventh hour measures where put in place to establish a one year extension of the Player Transfer Agreement. Whilst five of the six nations were keen to keep some kind of agreement in place, the Czech Extraliga refused to sign into the pact and the subsequent agreement collapsed leaving the Europeans to opt out of any form of PTA with the NHL for the first time in over a decade.

Whilst the IIHF was a mere conduit for negotiations, the subsequent fallout has left some embitterment in the mouths of European officials flexing their own muscle and the NHL now forced to approach players and their contracts on a case by case basis to the detriment of the IIHF organization for which it rarely identifies with. Seemingly opting for an increasingly isolationist approach to external and international matters, European and NHL relations received a further blow when Alexander Radulov deserted the Nashville Predators in mid-contract to join the upstart KHL and Salavat Yulaev Ufa in July. The first superstar to desert the NHL for the KHL, Radulov’s exit was one in a sequence of troublesome contracts to swap sides of the Atlantic since the PTA collapse between Russia and the NHL. The ensuing standoff has reopened old wounds between the two organizations that transcend the KHL's threat of future financial dominance in the global game whilst also giving the NHL a taste of its own underhanded trading ethos and a bloody nose to its superiority complex.

With the clouds darkening over the NHL's own attitude to Europe, many believed the Rangers should have declined participation. However, with the IIHF trying to maintain a workable relationship with the NHL and European nations with an evenhanded slew of press releases the league relented. Whilst such an act could be seen as a mere attempt at saving face, the NHL is quick to realize that Europe remains a particularly verdant market for it's product, more so than many of the cities it has placed franchises in. Whilst bullying trade pacts have turned the most partisan European hockey fans away, there is a strong crowd who follow the NHL more readily than their native leagues. Furthermore, with the KHL showing ambitions to encompass more than its current Eurasian catchment with its "Kontinental" moniker, the NHL is looking to strengthen ties in Europe, not for the sole purpose of future trade negotiations, but to continue it's water testing interest in European expansion which has been touted in recent years in the face of the Premiere series.

For Metallurg Magnitogorsk the game takes on an even greater importance, playing out of the worlds most controversial league, the strong socio-political ties between sport and culture in Russia offers Metallurg a chance of redemption for the Miracle on Ice in what would be a boon for their home nation. For the KHL, Wednesday night offers it's first chance to support its own hype, with disappointing attendances and talk of a Swedish-Finnish league, the KHL is looking for validation as it puts it's money where it's mouth is. Whilst it is impossible to gauge the amount of interaction the KHL hierarchy is having with the Metallurg staff, it's safe to presume that the league will want the best from one of its showcase sides as an advertisement for itself and the state of Russian hockey.

Whilst many have been quick to dub the Victoria Cup little more than an showpiece exhibition, the politics that underline the game give an incredible sense of meaning to the proceedings. Setup as an annual event alongside the Premiere series it will be interesting to see how such future forays into Europe pan out as the NHL licks its wounds. With more than just bragging rights at stake, the game will also provide some barometer to how far European hockey has come in terms of competitiveness and in the case of an embarrassing upset, perhaps reshape how the NHL approaches future negotiations. There’s sure to be little love lost when the Rangers and Metallurg faceoff.

 

Sabres cut 13 players

The following players were cut by the Buffalo Sabres: Philip Gogulla, Tyler Bouck, Jimmy Bonneau, Colton Fretter, Marc-Andre Gragnani, Derek Whitmore, Felix Schutz, Colin Murphy, Mike Card, Mike Kostka, Jonas Enroth, Adam Dennis, and Tyler Myers.

Nathan Gerbe is still with the team.

Flyers cut 19 players

The Philadelphia Flyers cut the following players today:
Oskars Bartulis, Tim Ramholt, Mike Ratchuk, Rob Bellamy, Frederik Cabana, Matt Clackson, Garrett Klotz, David Laliberte, Ned Lukacevic, Patrick Maroon, Jon Matsumoto, Nate Raduns, Jeremy Duchesne, Tim Branham, Brad Brown, Igor Karlov, Mike Kaye, Dennis Packard and Mike Hoffman.

No big surprises here.

Jackets put York on waivers

The Blue Jackets put forward Mike York on waivers today. York had a poor camp and with rookies such as Derrick Brassard, Jakub Voracek and Nikita Filatov knocking at the door there was no more room for York.

Sens Hot On Khabby's Tail

The Ottawa Senators are very hot after Chicago Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin. Apparently they will take a hard look at him through re-entry....if he makes it that far. Ive heard from a couple places he was on there websites roster at some point during today. Ill look for more on this!

Talkcast Starting Now!

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Captain Roberto

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=251272&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_main

Rangers win big in Bern

After going 1-5 in the preseason, the Rangers were looking for a big game to gain some confidence. On Tuesday they got just that. Playing a highly touted SC Bern team, the Rangers scored 6 power-play goals en route to an 8-1 win. The score was 2-0 after one and two periods of play. SC Bern made things close scoring early in the third, but than the Rangers blew the game open. Chris Drury scored on a 5-on-3 power play off an assist from Nik Zherdev. The Rangers proceeded to score five more goals in the third period, three of which were on the power play. Goal scorers for the Rangers included Drury, Redden, Girardi, Potter, Korpikoski, Kalinin, and Dubinsky with two. Travis Roche scored the lone goal for SC Bern. The Rangers play Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Victoria Cup on Wednesday. Metallurg is the reigning European Hockey League champion. I'll have the summary for that game tomorrow, which starts at 1:30 Eastern on MSG for all of you in the New York, New Jersey area. As well it was said during the telecast that Renney stated he will name a captain in the coming days.

Talkcast at 3:30

My next Hockeybums Talkcast is today at 3:30 PM Eastern Time. To go there, click on the blue Talkcast box on the top right of the Hockeybums home page or go here:

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Be sure to chime in with your opinions or questions. Hope to see you all there!

O'Sullivan Update

With Patrick O'Sullivan Still unsigned, Kings winger Oscar Moller is expected to log serious minutes on the top line with Kopitar and Brown.

The Kings front office has confirmed they are a little closer on a new contract for O'Sullivan and expect him to sign within the first 10 games of the season.

A call back is still pending from O'Sullivan's agent.

Khabibulin clears waivers

As expected the Bulin Wall cleared waivers.

Introduction from the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Heading into this 2008-2009 NHL season, I have the great opportunity to keep you apprised of all things Minnesota Wild, but before we really get into all of that I think you should get to know who I am just a little bit.

My name is Steve and I have not always been a Minnesotan. In fact, I grew up just outside of Buffalo, New York, watching the likes of Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin, Phil Housley, and Tom Barrasso battle it out with Adams Division foes like the defunct Hartford Whalers and Quebec Nordiques. Back in the days when jerseys were jerseys and not form fitting RBK wetsuit designs with ugly logos more deserving of the old Roller Hockey International league. Back in the days when you honored hockey's founders with division and conference names instead of needing to have geography explained to you.

And to the dismay of my family, while I watched every Sabres game I could, as well as any Hockey Night In Canada game I could pull down off the antenna on the roof from channels 5 or 11, I was a die hard bleed-orange-and-black Philadelphia Flyers fan. As such, I had to share in the successes and failures and heartbreaks all on my own.

I moved to Dallas in 1991 and rumors of the Winnipeg Jets making the shift to the Lone Star State were rampant. I was all for it. After just a few months of Texas, I couldn't stand it. I needed seasons, I needed brisk autumns and frigid winters. And mostly I needed hockey. When it didn't look like much was going to happen, the winds of change pushed me to Minnesota where, only months later, everyone was told the North Stars were moving to Dallas.

Grrr.

After a few more years in south Florida, where I attended a few Panthers/Flyers matchups, it was back to Minnesota in 1997. Even without pro hockey you are never far from a game in Minnesota. As a kid who has played from the age of 7 right up to today, this area is perfect for the hockey lover. I've officiated. I've coached. And now I get to watch my own son begin his hockey life in my living room, in our driveway, and on the ice. He also has a Flyers jersey.

And a Wild jersey.

Why the Wild if I am such a Flyer backer you may ask? Proximity is the main thing. I live only 20 minutes from the Xcel Energy Center and I am an original season ticket holder. There is Wild gear all over my house mingling with autographed memorabilia. Yes, I am a Wild fan, to be sure, although I did wear my Flyers jersey to the first ever Wild home opener (which ended in a 3-3 tie!), and I have enjoyed the opportunity to watch a team built from the ground up and suffer through the trials along the way.

In the end, though, I am a tried and true fan of the game of hockey, and my passions for any particular team does not dictate my work or my opinions. So while I may be presenting the Wild to you, what you will find is that the filter on these eyes is wide open and I have no problems in criticizing or praising with equal measure. Simple rah-rah pieces are not my shtick.

Hopefully you'll come back often and see what I've got to say about the defending Northwest Division Champs (which, honestly, is a big "whatever") and we can banter a bit about the State of Hockey.

Maple Leafs cut nine players

The following players were cut by the Leafs: Kyle Rogers, Christopher Didomenico, Ben Ondrus, Kris Newbury, Alex Foster, Andre Deveaux, Bates Battaglia, Jaime Sifers, and Josef Boumedienne.

Sharks cut seven players

The following players were cut by the Sharks:
Joe Rullier, Ryan Vesce, Cory Larose, Patrick Traverse, Matt Kinch, Brendan Buckley, and Taylor Dakers

Gaustad and Torres injured

-Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced that forward Paul Gaustad had a torn ligament in his right thumb surgically repaired today. He is expected to be out a minimum of 3-4 weeks.

-Raffi Torres separated a shoulder fighting against Ben Eager in yesterday's game between the Blackhawks and he Blue Jackets. Torres will miss six weeks.

O'Neill ends comeback

From Chip Alexander:
Jeff O'Neill has decided to end his comeback try with the Hurricanes, the team said today.

O'Neill, a former Canes star, came to training camp as an unsigned free agent. The forward did not play in the NHL last season but hoped to win a roster spot with the Hurricanes.

General manager Jim Rutherford said that after Sunday's preseason game against Philadelphia, O'Neill met with team management and they reached a mutual decison to release the former first-round draft pick from training camp.

The Canes' roster now has 32 players.

SuperSchenn to the Rescue

Tied at three with the overtime clock winding down a shootout was enevitable. After much deliberation at the bench Coach Wilson finally decides on the shootout order...John Mitchell missed on the first attempt, Andy McDonald quickly answered with a goal on Vesa, and Leafs fans were feeling deja vu all over again with the third period lead squandered. Then Grab-o tried the one-hander but Legace wasn't having it. Former Leaf Brad Boyes also failed. With the game on the line Kubina strolls down and places a perfect shot top cheese, ringing it off the bar.
Paul Kariya then missed setting up my boy Luke Schenn for his first shootout attempt ever. With the crowd chanting his name and the game on the line, Luke looked a little nervous missing the puck and half-stumbling to startoff but he shook it off and continued down on the vetran Manny Legace. The 19 year old pulled the puck back and forth a few times before leaning to his backhand, Legace bought it, so SuperSchenn wheeled it back and popped it in short side...the crowed goes nuts....the chatroom goes nuts...LeafLand goes nuts. Vesa then stopped T.J Oshie to win the game.

Schenn finished a +3 and third star and Leaf management finished with a tough decision on they're hands...

On Claude Lemieux Comeback

This From A Source About Claude Lemieux Returning:

...I've heard he doesn't really stand a chance with players like Shannahan, Nedved, Parrish not getting much interest. He will definitely have to start in the AHL but I don't see that happening. Being out for five years plus the fact he's 43 its a fat chance he sticks anywhere.

Kings Aint Getting Khabby,Blues Out Of Shanny Stakes?,Parrish

Message From a Source:

LA is not going to pick up Khabby from Chicago. Blues aren't picking up Shannahan now they are very impressed with their young forwards. Parrish is working out. Vancouver is still waiting on Sundin. But I'm told in due time Parrish can be there.

TARNASKY MOVED

Forward Nick Tarnasky has been dealt to the Nashville Predators for a 2009 conditional draft choice (either a 6th or a 5th depending on how many games Tarnasky plays.) Thought to be headed for injured reserve with a bum hand, Tarnasky had been skating recently with the team.

Per Jon Jordan(Hockeybuzz)

Coyotes cut five more players

Josh Tordjman, Logan Stephenson, Jeff Hoggan, Adam Keefe, and Derek Nesbitt were all cut by the Phoenix Coyotes today.

Ducks cut ten players

The following players were cut by the Ducks today: Michal Birner, Eric Boguniecki, John DeGray, JP Levasseur, Ross Lupaschuk, Brendan Mikkelson, Brian Salcido, Petteri Wirtanen, Maxime Macenauer, and Logan MacMillan.

Woywitka out with cracked foot bone

The Blues lost another key defenseman today when they learned that Jeff Woywitka has a cracked bone in his right foot and will miss four to six weeks.
The club already has lost defenseman Erik Johnson for the whole season due to a knee injury.

This latest injury means that Alex Pietrangelo will likely make the team out of training camp.

Gonchar out 4-6 months with shoulder surgery

Sergei Gonchar of the Pittsburgh Penguins will mis 4-6 months due to surgery on a dislocated left shoulder, a source told ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun on Monday.

Gonchar was injured during the first period of the Penguins' preseason opener.
This injury means that rookie Alex Goligoski will make the team. He should run the 2nd PP unit.

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Kings demote rookie goalie Bernier

Los Angeles has sent rookie netminder Jonathan Bernier down to Manchester of the AHL today, but still has four goalies battling it out in training camp.

Bernier will play a full season in Manchester of the AHL before being promoted with the Kings. Erik Ersberg, Jason Labarbera and Jonathan Quick are ahead of him in the the Kings depth chart.

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Lightning put Michel Ouellet on waivers

At $1.3M per year, Ouellet will certainly find a taker.
Ouellet recorded 17 goals and 19 assists last season in 64 games with the Lightning.

Atlanta, Nashville and Vancouver could be interested.

Canucks cut 4 players

The following players have been assigned to the Manitoba Moose:

Dan Gendur - RW, Michael Grabner - RW, Daniel Rahimi D and Pierre-Cedric Labrie LW.

Kings assign 13 to Manchester

The following players were assigned to the Manchester Monarchs (AHL):
Justin Azevedo - C, Andrew Campbell – D, Paul Crosty – D, Vladimir Dravecky - RW, Gabe Gauthier - C, Bud Holloway - LW, Josh Kidd - D, Brady Murray – LW, Marty Murray - C, Scott Parse - RW, Daniel Taylor – G, Eric Werner – D and Jeff Zatkoff - G

The Kings have 40 players remaining on their 2008 Training Camp roster (22 forwards, 13 defensemen and five goaltenders).

Hawks assign 4 to Rockford

The Chicago Blackhawks have assigned forwards Bryan Bickell, Michael Blunden and Jacob Dowell, and defenseman Tim Hambly to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. The Blackhawks’ training camp roster now stands at 38 active players, which includes 23 forwards, 11 defensemen and four goaltenders.

Islanders claim Thomas Pock off waivers

The New York Islanders have claimed defenseman Thomas Pock off waivers from the New York Rangers. Pock has played in 59 career NHL games and has scored 7 goals with 7 assists for 14 points.

Pock should finally get a chance to play regularly in the NHL this season.

Wild cut 15 more players

From Michael Russo:

The Wild has reassigned 14 players to AHL Houston: center Corey Locke, center Bryan Lundbohm, center Peter Olvecky, center Morten Madsen, center Marco Rosa, left wing Matt Kassian, left wing Jason Ryznar, right wing Jesse Schultz and defensemen Paul Albers, Maxim Noreau, Brandon Rogers and Clayton Stoner and goalies Anton Khudobin and Nolan Schaefer.

Marco Scandella was returned to his Quebec League team, Val d’Or.

Khabibulin Placed On Waivers

TSN is reporting Nikolai Khabibulin has been placed on waivers. More to come.....

Predators cut seven more players

They sent Ryan Maki, Ian McKenzie, Robert Dietrich, and Mark Dekanich to Milwaukee of the AHL. Also, Stephen Werner, Scott Ford, and Mark Matheson were released from their pro try- outs, and will go to Milwaukee on AHL contracts.

Canadiens cut 18 players

Goatenders:
Cédrick Desjardins and Loïc Lacasse
Defensemen:
Pavel Valentenko, Shawn Belle, Chad Anderson and P.K. Subban
Forwards:
Brock Trotter, Ryan White, James Wyman, David Desharnais, Mike Glumac, Olivier Latendresse, Thomas Beauregard, Yanick Lehoux, Mathieu Aubin, Ryan Flinn, Ryan Russell and Olivier Fortier.

Florida Panthers cut 23 players

The players cut: Chris Beckford-Tseu, Michal Repik, David Brine, Kenndal McArdle, Janis Sprukts, Stefan Meyer, Mike Duco, Keaton Ellerby, Peter Aston, Brady Calla, Rory Fitzpatrick, David Shantz, Andrew Sweetland, Steve MacIntyre, Drew Larman, Franklin MacDonald, Jordan Henry, Jason Garrison, Dan Collins, James DeLory, Michael Caruso, Luke Beaverson and Tyler Plante.

The notables are: Meyer, Ellerby, Fitzpatrick and Larman.

Panthers Cut Ellerby

Earlier today the Florida Panthers sent down a great prospect in Keaton Ellerby. Ellerby is expected to play on the Panthers AHL affiliate the Rochester Americans and be on the top D pair with "ALMOST" ALL-STAR....Rory Fitzpatrick.

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Khabibulin on his way out?

Different sources report that Hawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin might get traded very soon. He would be traded along with a young defenseman to an Eastern Conference Team.

The Bullin Wall was supposed to start tonight's game versus Dallas, but he's not even dressed.

Instead, recently signed Anti Niemi is in front of the net. The Backup is youngster Corey Crawford.

Cuts around the league

Calgary: John Negrin
Colorado: Jason Bacashihua, Matt Hendricks, Nathan Smith, Darcy Campbell, Aaron MacKenzie
Nashville: Mike Santorelli, Andreas Thuresson, Cody Franson
Phoenix: Joel Gistedt
Pittsburgh: Danny Richmond, Connor James
St. Louis: Marek Schwarz, Ben Bishop, Jim Jackson, Alexander Hellstrom

Blue Jackets cut eight players

The following players were cut: Steve Kelly, Nick Holden, Jonathan Sigalet, Kyle Wharton, Devin Didiomete, Trevor Frischmon, Joe Mirasty and Blair Yaworski.

Hurricanes cut ten players

The following players were cut: Drayson Bowman, Matt Murley, Jakub Petruzalek, Jerome Samson, Noah Babin, Brett Bellemore, Casey Borer, Brett Carson, and Mark Flood.

Thrashers cut eight players

The following players were cut: Angelo Esposito, Dan Turple, Grant Lewis, Scott Lehman, Chad Denny, Spencer Machacek, Rylan Kaip, and Riley Holzapfel.

Selanne Ducked

Not that this wasn't expected....

TSN is report that Teemu Selanne has just inked a contract with the Ducks.

Depth Rather Than Poor Fitness Level May Not Be The Only Reason Wellwood Can't Fit In...

As the Canucks travel to Anaheim for this evenings pre-season tilt versus the Ducks some players need to show a lot to stay with the big club as the season opener nears.

A 3-0 mark to open the pre-season is just that, pre-season. However, it appears that competition for roster spots is extremely tough as names like Jannik Hansen and Jason Krog have thrust themselves into the limelight along with Kyle Wellwood and Mason Raymond.

In no particular order the Canucks top 10 forwards may read as follows:

Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Taylor Pyatt, Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows, Darcy Hordichuk, Steve Bernier; Ryan Johnson, Pavol Demitra.

Juggle them any way you may see fit and these 10 have a roster spot that someone needs to steal from them. With that said there are two spots remaining in the starting line-up plus one possible reserve spot as a thirteenth forward.

In camp are the likes of Mason Raymond who is probably your number 11 forward and Jannik Hansen who essentially needs to make it, or break it this season.

Possibly on the outside looking in is Jason Krog who many feel the Canucks need with his penchant for wins in the face-off circle. Not to mention Michael Grabner, his world-class speed and his desire to make the team have been extremely evident throughout camp.

Cody Hodgson may find himself to be an odd-man out as he continues to develop into one of the NHL's future stars, another season in junior, being a big fish in the small pond may be just what the doctor ordered.

And that leaves Kyle Wellwood, looking for a place to play. The most proven player of the "bubble-boys" Wellwood picked the wrong time to fail his fitness test. Grabner and Hodgson spent the summer work on the weights and getting into shape for this camp to make the team while its obvious that Wellwood felt his stats could get him a roster spot.

If Alain Vigneault and Mike Gillis want to set a standard for this club going forward then Wellwood will be looking elsewhere come Monday morning. For a hockey club that wants so desperately to be known for their hard work Wellwood's work ethic does not fit. The message and example that should be followed is the of the efforts of two of the teams youngest prospects.

Reggie Dunlop passes away

From Puck Daddy:
We lost Paul Newman yesterday, to cancer at age 83, We lost an entertainer whose philanthropy has overshadowed, rather than enhanced, his celebrity. We lost someone whose dedication to his art has inspired thousands of filmmakers and actors. We lost a great American.

As a puckhead, it's selfish to assign too much of Newman's legacy to "Slap Shot," the seminal 1977 hockey comedy considered one of the greatest sports movies, But the movie exists because of Paul Newman. The movie works because of Paul Newman. The Hansons, the quotable moments, Ogie Oglethorpe ... that's window dressing. Newman was the foundation, the heart of the film. If you don't believe that, try suffering through "Slap Shot 2."

His Reggie Dunlop embodied what we adore about hockey (or, in the NHL's case, hope to one day adore again): Tough, vulgar, compelling, blue-collar and sexy, with eyes that display both game-night intensity and an undeniable sense of mischief. "Let 'em know you're there!"

I no longer ask "Where are today's Reggie Dunlops?" when I look at the NHL; they're still around, but their numbers are dwindling. But I think about how Reg would roll his eyes and ask for another cold one as he watches generations of hockey players (and their employers) abandon the primal magnetism of The Game for the sake of money and personal accomplishment.

That's why "Slap Shot" still resonates. It is, in ways much more subtle than a Hanson Bros. brawl, what we want hockey to be.

The French version is still a hockey classic in Quebec because of its very good translations. I'd say it's even more better than the original version.

R.I.P., Reggie Dunlop aka Paul Newman.

Predators cut six players

The Predators reassigned defenseman Jonathon Blum to his junior team in Vancouver and reassigned five players — defenseman Teemu Laakso and forwards Kelsey Wilson, Mark Santorelli, Nick Spaling and Geoff Peters — to Milwaukee of the AHL.

Bruins cut 13 players

The Boston Bruins cut 13 players from the pre-season roster.:

Defensemen Mike Egener, Ryan Stokes and Johnny Boychuk will be assigned to Providence (AHL) if they clear waivers. Another pair of D, Andrew Bodnarchuk and Adam McQuaid - were sent straight to Providence. Joining them are forwards Zach Hamill, Mikko Lehtonen, Brad Marchand, Matt Marquardt, Martins Karsums, Byron Bitz and goalie Kevin Regan.

Thrashers Cut Esposito

The Atlanta Thrashers have cut forward Angelo Esposito. He has been returned to his new junior team the Juniors De Montreal.

Sens Sign Richardson

The Ottawa Senators have signed d-man Luke Richardson to a 1 year,2 way contract.

TALKCAST A SUCCESS

Our first ever HOCKEYBUMS TALKCAST was a success. It was only a 30 minute test run but it went really well. Regular Episodes will appear starting this Monday at 3:30pm Eastern Time. HOPEFULLY YOU WILL ALL BE ABLE TO MAKE IT!!!

Scotty

HOCKEYBUMS TALKCAST PREMIERE!

HEY GUYS,

HOCKEYBUMS IS ON A ROLL ADDING MORE AND MORE FEATURES WE HAVE NOW ADDED A HOCKEYBUMS TALKCAST! THE TALKCAST WILL BE HOSTED BY HOCKEYBUMS OWN "Dewey" THE PREMIERE WILL TAKE PLACE AT 6:30 EASTERN TIME WHICH IS 1 HOUR FROM NOW.

GO TO HERE AT 6:30

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=27965&cmd=tc

HOPEFULLY WE WILL SEE YOU IN THE HOCKEYBUMS TALKCAST CHATROOM!

Scotty

P.S. WE WILL BE TAKING CALLS!

Coyotes cut 13 players

The Coyotes cut the following players: Francis Lessard, Chad Kolarik, Steve Goertzen, Dave Spina, Adam Perry, Brett MacLean, Simon Ferguson, Sean Zimmerman, Sean Sullivan, Dave Schlemko, Dylan Reese, Drew Fata, and Michael Stone.

Flames cut 16 players

The Flames cut the following players: JD Watt, Jon Tremblay, Aki Seitsonen, Carsen Germyn, Adam Cracknell, Kris Chucko, Daniel Ryder, Warren Peters, Hugo Carpentier, Pete Vandermeer, Cam Cunning, Ryan Wilson, Dan Spang, Brett Palin, Brad Cole, and Leland Irving.

Daniel Ryder is Michael Ryder's brother.

SENS CUT 5

THE OTTAWA SENATORS have cut 5 players including

Forward Brad Isbister and D-man Brendan Bell.

CHECK OUT OUR FEATURES!

HEY EVERYONE

JUST A REMINDER TO CHECK OUT ALL HOCKEYBUMS HAS TO OFFER LIKE OUR MESSAGE BOARD/FORUM AND THE HOCKEYBUMS FANS GATHERING ALL LINKS LOCATED ON LEFT SIDE OF PAGE. DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR HOCKEYBUMS TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS!

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Rangers cut 13 more players

The Rangers assigned G Matt Zaba, D Mike Busto, D Vladimir Denisov, D Bobby Sanguinetti, D Mike Sauer; F Joe Barnes, F Dane Byers, F Brodie Dupont, F Ryan Hillier, F Andreas Jamtin, F Tom Pyatt, F Justin Soryal, and F Tomas Zaborsky to Hartford (AHL).

Some players cut

EDMONTON OILERS-Assigned F Stephane Goulet to Springfield (AHL).

LOS ANGELES KINGS-Assigned F Dwight King to Lethbridge (WHL), D Colten Teubert and G Linden Rowat to Regina (WHL).

NASHVILLE PREDATORS-Assigned G Chet Pickard and G Jeremy Smith to their junior clubs. Released F Brandon Buck.

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS-Assigned D Kevin Marshall to Quebec (QMJHL).

PHOENIX COYOTES-Assigned D Michael Stone to Calgary (WHL).

VANCOUVER CANUCKS-Assigned RW Juraj Simek and G Karl Goehring to Manitoba (AHL) and D Yann Sauve and D Taylor Ellington to their junior teams.

Maple Leafs cut 13 players

The Leafs assigned F Darryl Boyce, F Tim Stapleton, F Brent Aubin, F Stefano Giliati, F Kyle Rogers, F Dan Rudisuela, F Greg Scott, D Scott Langdon, D Phil Oreskovic, D Juha Uotila, G Adam Munro, G Michael Ouzas, and G James Reimer to Toronto (AHL).

Stars - cuts and signings

Here the players that were cut : D Trevor Ludwig to Manitoba (AHL), F Tyler Shelast to Hamilton (AHL), F John Lammers to Idaho (ECHL), F Lauri Tukonen to Ilves Tampere (Finland), and F Jamie Benn to Kelowna (WHL). Benn had a very impressive training camp, he should crack the roster next season.

The Stars also released G Joey Perricone, D Nolan Pratt and D Matt Stephenson.
Pratt was there on a try-out basis.

Finally, the Stars announced yesterday that the club has signed defenseman Guillaume Monast to a three-year entry-level contract, and defenseman Trevor Ludwig to a two-year entry-level deal.
Trevor is the son of former NHL-er Craig Ludwig.

Hurricanes cut eleven players

Assigned to Albany of the AHL are F Mike Angelidis, F Nicolas Blanchard, F Stefan Chaput, F Nick Dodge, F Patrick Dwyer, F Bobby Hughes, F Harrison Reed, F Ryan Weston, D Ryan McGinnis, D Benn Olson, and G David Leggio.

The KHL gets under way: A Month in Eurasia

With the NHL slowly whirring back into action after a colorful but entirely hockey free Summer it’s easy to forget that across the Atlantic hockey is in competitive full swing. Indeed as the NHL dusts off the cogs and goes through the oft tedious motions of pre season conditioning, the dropping of the puck at HV71’s Kinnarps Arena signaled the beginning of the Swedish Elitserien and the last major European league to get under way.

With numerous big name players opting to return to Europe in the face of the NHL’s renewed contract business model, European hockey is experiencing a new era of competitiveness and media world focus. In response Europe’s major leagues have demonstrated increased presentation efforts and accessibility as it embraces the liability of elite hockey standards and big business finance in what promises to be a highlight season for European hockey fans.

A considerable amount of responsibility for the limelight can be laid squarely at the feet of the upstart KHL. Replacing the old Russian Super League, the Kontinental Hockey League has devoured top clubs from satellite regions of Eurasia into an American formatted, oligarch financed elite league that has helped bolster awareness of European hockey through the acquisition of superstar NHLers such as Jagr, Emery and Radulov. Whilst the players may be veteran, trouble or wantaway in another tongue, the KHL’s ambitions to live up to its NHL rivaling hype has been nothing if not entertaining and the overshadowed element of hockey has been strong and exciting as well.

Now three weeks down the line from the inaugurating faceoff that saw eight of the KHL’s 24 teams get under way, the balance of power is beginning to immerge from the fanfare. Split into four divisions named for the greats of Russian hockey royalty the (Alexander)Kharlamov, (Vsevolod)Bobrov, (Anatoli)Tarasov and (Arkady)Chernyshev, the league has been structured to the NHL model with the top four seeds earning the top four births with the next best twelve, in lieu of conferences, being ranked 5 through 16. Early pace setters have proven to be Atlant Mytischi of the Bobrov Division. Backstopped by troubled ex-NHLer Ray Emery, the former Senator has been outshone in the early part of the season by bit part former Av’s netminder Vitaly Koleshnik. Aided by the goals of 2002 Blue Jackets draftee and 2008 RSL scoring leader Sergei Mozyakin and one year NHL wonder Esa Pirnes as well as the excellent defensive production of Magnus Johansson who played D for both Florida and Chicago last year, Atlant have made a noted improvement from last season’s fourth place in the RSL under their decade old moniker Khimik Moscow Oblast.

Currently proving Atlant’s stiffest competition is fellow Bobrov division side and reigning RSL champions Salavat Yulaev Ufa helped in no small part by leading scorer Alexander Radulov. Despite his tempestuous exit from the NHL and now reported desire to return, Radulov currently lies twelfth in the KHL scoring race having clicked with the leagues third leading goal getter Alexander Perezhogin. Ufa also boast arguably the best goaltending in the leagues early stages with Alexander Yeremenko showing the school of ex-NHL back stoppers such as Moss,  Emery, Chiodo, Dubielewicz and Esche how its done.    

Outside the Bobrov Division, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, with the aide of Finnish head coach Kari Heikkilä, are leading the best of the rest from the Kharlamov. Demonstrating excellent scoring depth across the top three lines, experienced ex-NHLer Josef Vašiček is currently leading by example whilst former Ottawa draftee Vitaly Anikeyenko boasts one of the leagues top plus/minus ratings.

Fourth placed Mettalurg Novokuznetsk has proven to be the surprise package of the early weeks. Foregoing the big money acquisitions of former NHLers and top European players preferred elsewhere, Novokuznetsk are little altered from the team that finished seventeenth of twenty in the final year of the RSL yet lead out all teams in goals scored in the KHL. Playing out of the same division as Atlant and Salavat, the Bobrov boasts four teams in the early top ten with Spartak Moscow sitting ninth.

In the Tarasov division, Traktor Chelyabinsk has also proved something of a surprise. Poor starts from expected frontrunners Metallurg Magnitogorsk and wealthy CSKA Moscow have let last seasons fourteenth placed finishers Traktor pull out an early divisional lead whilst utilizing the leagues top power play. Coached by former NHL enforcer Andrei Nazarov, Traktor are the third worst team for PIM’s but boast veteran NHLer Andrei Nikolishin amongst their ranks.

You have to look down to sixth to find the leaders of the Chernyshev Division. Perennial nearly men AK Bars Kazan currently lead out in what could be a season long battle with Dinamo Moscow for the divisional seeding. Despite bolstering the team heavily in the last two years, its come down to AK Bars’ longest serving player Danis Zaripov to lead out the team and the KHL in scoring with team mate and long-time Penguin Aleksey Morosov keeping pace for early honors.

Elsewhere around the KHL it has been slow start for Jaromir Jagr’s Avangard Omsk. Having won only two of their first six games, head coach Sergei Gersonsky was relieved of his position. Since Avangard have improved winning two of their next three games and winning their other in overtime, Jagr currently leads team scoring with eight points (five goals and three assists) in nine games.

Marcel Hossa is another noted ex-NHLer now plying his trade in Russia, currently sitting fifth in league scoring, Hossa’s Latvian side Dinamo Riga have made a good start playing some exciting passing hockey and lying second in the Kharlamov division. Riga is currently dominating the other two sides brought from outside Russia with Belarus’s Dynamo Minsk struggling in twenty first and Kazakhstan’s Barys Astrana improving only slightly to sixteenth.

Each team in the KHL will play out a 56 game regular season schedule set to close out on the 26^th of February. Keep an eye out for updates on the NHL’s new WHAesque competitor as I provide season long coverage.

CAPS TRIM ROSTER

Josh Godfrey, Andrew Joudrey, Andrew Gordon and Daren Machesney have also been sent down to Hershey.

There are now 34 players remaining at training camp.

HOCKEYBUMS:TEXT ALERTS

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Schneider Traded To Atlanta

The Anaheim Ducks have traded defenseman Mathieu Schneider to the Atlanta Thrasher sin exchange for D-man Ken Klee, Left wing Brad Larsen and Prospect Chad Painchaud.

Props To USATODAY for breaking this before All Other Sites

Schneider Dead Duck?

This may have been reported earlier by another website but the Anaheim Ducks Blog is reporting word around Anaheim is Schneider will not be a Duck by end of the day.

Blues Plan -post EJ

Various sources have reported due to the injury of Erik Johnson the Blues plan to use 5 forwards on the Powerplay. Possibly, Perron-Tkachuk-Boyes up-front with Lee Stempniak and Paul Kariya as acting defensemen.

The Erik Johnson injury has also opened up a slot for a defensemen who can handle the puck. With Woywitka-Wagner-Polak-Jackman-Brewer-McKee as the favorite for the top 6, Mike Weaver looks to rotate in as the 7th man.

Capitals cut 14 players

The Capitals have assigned today to Hershey in the AHL the following players: Greg Amadio, Dean Arsene, Jay Beagle, Francois Bouchard, Sean Collins, Viktor Dovgan, Michael Dubuc, Alexandre Giroux, Bryan Helmer, Maxime Lacroix, Tommy Maxwell, Patrick McNeill, Graham Mink, Travis Morin, Michal Neuvirth, Oskar Osala, Steve Pinizzotto, Sasha Pokulok, Darren Reid and Kyle Wilson.

38 players remain with the Capitals... for now.

Tyler Kennedy extended by Pens

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed forward Tyler Kennedy to a two-year extension through the 2010-11 season, it was announced today by GM Ray Shero.

Kennedy, 22, played 55 games for the Penguins last season, registering 19 points. Kennedy was drafted by the Penguins in the third round (62nd overall) in the 2005 Entry Draft.

Kennedy can play right wing and center. He should play on Pittsburgh's 4th line this season.

Rangers cut Nedved and 4 others

From Sam Weinman:

Artem Anisimov, Greg Moore, Dale Weise, and Thomas Pock are the players reassigned by the Rangers today.

So much for Petr Nedved at least making the trip to Europe. The 36-year-old center was among those given the pink slip before today’s practice.

Devils cut nine players

The Devils returned the following players to their junior teams today:

LW Jean-Sebastien Berube (Rouyn-Noranda), C Patrice Cormier (Rimouski), C Adam Henrique (Windsor), D Ryan Molle (Swift Current), C Kory Nagy (Oshawa), C Tony Romano (Peterborough); D Harry Young (Windsor), D Matt Delahey (Regina) and RW Nick Palmieri (Erie).

None of these players was expected to make the team.

Some players cut

Colorado: Michael Vernace, Kevin Montgomery, Philippe Dupuis
NY Rangers: David Stich, Tomas Kundratek, Michael Del Zotto, Evgeny Grachev.
Phoenix: Mathieu Brodeur
Washington: Braden Holtby

Rumor:Shanny In St.Louis?

Theres a rumor im hearing that Brendan Shanahan may indeed be in St.Louis speaking with the Blues. According to a source a deal could come in the next couple /few days. It will be interesting to see how this turns out because Shanahan declined the tryout contract with the Rangers.

Kings Send Two Down

1st round draft pick Colten Teubert was returned to the Regina Pats of the WHL. During training camp he always looked one step behind. No doubt he has huge potential but he needs some work. LW Dwight King was returned to the Lethbridge Hurricanes, also of the WHL.

Bruins - Penguins talking trade?

According to Depaoli, the Bruins inquired about defenseman Danny Richmond since they are looking to add a depth defenseman to their young d-corps.
In exchange they would likely send veteran forward Per-Johan Axelsson. The Bruins are waiting to see if the Pens put Richmond through waivers before making a move.

Stay tuned.

Gerber's new mask

That will be Martin Gerber's new mask this season.
What do you think? It can't be worse than the all-black mask he used last year!

Lightning put 2 on waivers

Zenon Konopka and Brandon Bochenski have been waived in order to be sent to the Norfolk Admirals. The 2 players might well be scooped since they had great camps so far!

Also, Matt Smaby will go directly to the AHL as he doesn't have to clear waivers.

Wild cut five players

The Wild announced that Cody Almond, Carson McMillan,Justin Hodgman, Frederic St. Denis and Tyler Schmidt were cut from their training camp.

Capitals cut six players

The Capitals announced that Joel Broda, Stefan Della Rovere, Dmitry Kugryshev, Brett Leffler, Eric Mestery and Justin Taylor were returned to their junior teams.

Trashers cut eight players

The Thrashers have sent forwards Tomas Pospisil, Matt Siddall and Myles Stoesz to the AHL. They also returned goaltender Chris Carrozzi, forward Danick Paquette and defenseman Paul Postma to their respective junior teams. Finally they released defenseman Scott Marchesi and forward Matt Anderson.

Oilers cut 15 players

The Oilers cut the following players today: Jordan Eberle, Andrew Perugini, Sebastien Bisaillon, Josef Hrabal, Jake Taylor, Cody Wild, Bryan Young, Hans Benson, Justin Chwedoruk, Garet Hunt, Bryan Lerg, Colin McDonald, Sean McMorrow, Ryan O'Marra, and Geoff Paukovich.

Ducks cut nine players

The following players were cut today: Ajay Baines, Stu Bickel, Bobby Bolt, Ryan Dingle, Eric Regan, Matt Stefanishion, Adrian Veiderman, Eric Tangradi, and Stefan Warg.

Blue Jackets cut 12 players

Seven players are heading to the Crunch: forwards Brian McGuirk, Petr Pohl, Kirill Starkov, John Vigilante, and defensemen Trevor Hendrikx, Jon Landry and Dan Smith.

Five players were released: forwards Erik Felde, Ryan Garlock, John Hughes, and Shane Willis, as well as goaltender Ryan Mior.

Other traning camp cuts

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS-Assigned F Zac Rinaldo, D Marc-Andre Bourdon and G Jacob DeSerres to their junior teams.

PHOENIX COYOTES-Assigned D Nick Ross and RW Jared Staal to their junior clubs.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS-Assigned F Joel Champagne, F Dale Mitchell and F Mikhail Stefanovich to their junior clubs.

Jared Staal is the youngest of the Staal brothers and the less talented.

Hurricanes cut seven players

The Canes returned F Justin McCrae, F Samuel Morneau, F Robert Slaney, F Chris Terry, F Brett Theberge, D Michal Jordan and G Mike Murphy to their junior clubs.

Canadiens sign goaltender Robert Mayer to three-year contract

Robert Mayer has been rewarded with a contract from the Canadiens.

The 19-year-old goaltender agreed to a three-year deal with the Habs on Thursday after attending training camp on a tryout. He's a member of the QMJHL's Saint John Sea Dogs. Mayer is 1-1 in two games this season after posting a 16-11-0 record last year.

Canucks Notes:

Barry's New Approach
It was mentioned in today's Vancouver Province that Mats Sundin's agent will be taking a new approach as he attempts to force his client's hand one way or the other...to play or not to play.
In the coming weeks, Barry will be visiting Mats in Sweden and the two will be taking in some hockey games.Maybe some visual therapy will bring out the passion to play.

Cody May Stick
As the Vancouver Canucks continue to look for that elusive top-six forward it seems that management and coaches are seriously considering keeping 2008 First Rounder Cody Hodgson with the big club. Looking at the depth of the organization you would be doing Hodgson, and the fans, a considerable diservice if you placed him in a battle to make the team. His skills and vision of the game clearly place him within the top 12 forwards on the clubs depth chart and therefore he should earn a spot barring any lapse in his recent performances.

The Twining of Bernier
After an impressive outing crashing the net against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday evening, Steve Bernier found himself on a line with Daniel and Henrik Sedin during practice on Wednesday.
It is expected that the threesome will form a line in at least of the the Canucks next two pre-season contests in either San Jose on Saturday or Anahiem on Sunday.

Columbus Camp Cuts

7 players were assigned to Syracuse, while 5 others were given their outright release. The 7 headed to the Crunch were forwards Brian McGuirk, Petr Pohl, Kirill Starkov, John Vigilante and defensemen Trevor Hendrikx, Jon Landry and Dan Smith.The 5 that were released were forwards Erik Felde, Ryan Garlock, John Hughes, Shane Willis and goaltender Ryan Mior.

NEW JERSEYS LEAKED?

THESE FROM HOCKEYFIGHTS.COM:
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!

Ready . . .

*I still have spots open in 2 fantasy hockey leagues on yahoo ... email nephew23_1@yahoo.com if you are interested*

The door bell rang the other day and as usual the dogs let me know about it. By the time I got there I heard the best sound in the world … the UPS truck was driving away! Sure enough, the email I received just two days prior – telling me a package had been shipped – was, in fact, telling the truth. Since I mostly home office, the UPS driver frequently visits our home. Only this delivery was particularly important, because the package was filled with highly valuable contents. Inside was my nine-month long Christmas gift … my Dallas Stars season tickets! Family, dogs, work, and anything else going on immediately went to the back burner. Most people would say it was simply two books of colored cardstock, but for me it was paid entry to nine months of the ultimate fun! Work has been relentless since school began so there has been little time to focus on hockey. Receiving my tickets brought me back to the entrance of my happy place, and keeping track of the Stars’ first pre-season game last night thrust me through the doors. My hockey pants are fully jumping! I cannot wait to head to the AAC tomorrow night to watch the Stars take on the Avalanche … and Friday, October 10, is getting closer by the minute. Are you ready?!?!

After a third-place overall finish and two wins away from the Stanley Cup Finals, the Dallas Stars are chomping at the bit to get back on the ice and challenge the hated Detroit Red Wings for stellar intergalactic domination! Of course other teams stand in the way, but odds are that in May of 2009, Stars vs. Wings II will take place for a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. I find it hilarious that Eklund has Dallas not even making the playoffs! In fact, I almost fell out of my chair I was laughing so hard! What happened during the off-season that would make this team finish out of the post-season? Will the loss of Barnes, Norstrom, Halpern, Jokinen, Miettinen, and Hagman hurt us that bad? Was it a bad decision to bring in Richards, Avery, and Brunnstrom? Is it wrong to go with a rookie backup goal-tender and three rookie defensemen? The Stars may have been the 6th seed two years in a row, but keep in mind they had a comfortable lead in the division last season way into early March. San Jose went on an amazing run and several key Stars went down with injuries. Furthermore, the team scored more goals in the Western Conference than any other team but Detroit. They may have lost some goal-scorers in the off-season but they certainly added some as well. Finally, last time I checked, Marty Turco is still in net. I mention all of that to make this point – there is no question this team will make the playoffs. The question, barring major injuries of course, is will they have enough left in the tank to finish off the champs? I firmly believe the answer is YES!

Some quick notes on this early season…

*Dallas lost to St. Louis last night 3-2; Eriksson and Avery had the goals; the Stars had 66 minutes in penalties – Barch, Avery, and Otter were the main culprits; rookie Tobias Stephan gave up all 3 goals in 2 periods of net-minding; rookie Matt Climie replaced Stephan for the third period, giving up no goals on 4 shots … we are beginning to hear his name more around here.

*Coach Tippett is experimenting with multiple different lines, including putting Mike Modano on a wing with Richards and Lehtinen or Avery; another line that clicked well in practice today was Eriksson, Ott, and Crombeen – according to www.dallasstars.com, during a scrimmage, the line was a +5 with Crombeen scoring a natural hat trick and Otter scoring the other 2 goals – its only practice, but that’s pretty impressive.

*Also according to www.dallasstars.com, defenseman Philippe Boucher has a sore enough foot that he will not even put on skates for 10 days??? Not sure what happened, but I was fully expecting him to be healthy and ready to go after last year’s injury-plagued season.

*The Stars sent 5 players back to their junior teams – Tyler Beskorowany, Luke Gazdic, Sergei Korostin, Guillaume Monast, and Colton Sceviour. This takes the roster to 43 players.

Our Team, Our Time … GO STARS!

Carle Out On Stretcher,In Stable Condition

Canadiens Prospect Mathieu Carle was taken off the ice in a stretcher during tonights preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings. The game is not available on TV but from what ive heard it was a knock out hit by Wings player Tomas Kopecky and questionably an Elbow.

UPDATE: After being taken to hospital Carle is now in stable condition. Hes communicating and moving and will likely now remain in hospital for further tests.

Video Of The Hit:
http://www.rds.ca/video/visionneuse.html?video=14565

Gonchar out indefinitely

Executive VP and GM Ray Shero announced today that Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar has a dislocated shoulder and will be out of the lineup indefinitely.

Gonchar suffered the injury in the pre-season opener against Tampa Bay on Sept. 20.

Sergei will continue to be evaluated as our team medical personnel consider several treatment options,” Shero said. “In the meantime, we will look for our other defensemen to step up and fill the void created by his absence.”

Hawks cut 17 players

The following players were cut today: Adam Berti, Dan Bertram, Nathan Davis, Adam Hobson, Peter MacArthur, Mike Radja, Michael Brenna, Danny Groulx, JC Sawyer, Brennan Turner, Joseph Fallon, Richard Greenop, Maxime Tanguay, Shawn Lalonde, Teigan Zahn, Josh Unice and Olivier Labelle.

Maxime Tanguay is Alex Tanguay's younger brother.

Senators cut seven players

BIG Ottawa Cuts: Ryan Shannon, Josh Hennessy, Ilya Zubov, Alexander Nikulin, Mattias Karlsson, Jeff Glass and Dany Bois have all been cut.

Shannon was acquired this summer in exchange for Lawrence Nycholat.

The Senators camp roster is now comprised of 30 players: three goaltenders, nine defencemen and 18 forwards. Rookie Jesse Winchester is still in training camp, if he sticks with Spezza and Heatley after training camp, he'll be a diamond in the rough this season.

Thoughts Go Out To The Markkanens

Id like to send my thoughts and prayers to Jussi Markkanen and his family. His 4 year old son fell out of a 3 story building today and he is no longer with us.

Leave you thoughts in the comment section.

Blues cut 12 players

here are the players cut: Nicholas Drazenovic, TJ Fast, Tomas Kana, Nikolai Lemtyugov, Eric Neilson, Cam Paddock, Grant Potulny, Ryan Reaves, Julian Talbot, Anthony Peluso, Mark Cundari and Jake Allen.

Sharks cut 18 players

Here are the players cut: Rick Cleaver, Julien Demers, PJ Fenton, Matt Fornataro, TJ Fox, Sam Groulx, Matt Jones, Frazer McLaren, Timo Pielmeier, Ashton Rome, Tyson Sexsmith, Brett Westgarth, Jon Bonneau, Adam Leblanc, Zach Harnden, Matt Pistilli, Tyler Shattock and Mathieu Tousignant.

Sharks extend Douglas Murray

San Jose Sharks Executive VP and GM Doug Wilson announced today that the team has signed defenseman Douglas Murray to a four-year contract extension.The terms of the deal are still unknown.

The Swedish defenseman recorded 10 points in 66 games last season with the Sharks. Murray is more recognized for his defensive and feisty style of play than his offensive talents.

Habs Centennial Season Schedule

Heres This Years Montreal Canadiens 100th Year(CENTENNIAL SCHEDULE)


September 08:
- NHL 09 Centennial team
- Canadiens book, "Honoured Canadiens"

October 08:
- Canadiens Monopoly!
- Six collectors coins
- Over ten million loonies ($1 coins) with the Habs centennial logo on it
- Ring of Honor
- Classic jerseys
- Coaches night on October 28th.

November 08:
- DVD set
- Outdoor arena being built

December 08:
- Cetennial Plaza (heh, was supposed to be open in October...)
- Original Six matchup vs NER
- New website for all the classic players

January 08:
- Original Six Matchup 2 vs Toronto
- Upper Deck will release a 200 card Centennial set
- All Star game on January 25th

April 09:
- Montreal Canadiens Hall of Fame at the Bell Centre
- Some symphony crap

June 09:
- Entry draft on June 26-27

July 09:
- DVD documenting the entire 08-09 season.

September 09:
- 4 million Canadiens stamps will be made

October 09:
- 100 Years of History DVD set
- More classic jerseys

December 09:
- "Pour Toujours, Les Canadiens" a Canadiens' movie comes out in theatres on December 4th-
- December 4th match "sur le glace du Centre Bell" (not outside as rumored)
- December 5th, Centennial Gala

Blues NOT In On Schneider?+LA Kings Pregnancy..

This From A Source:

Don't forget, Andy Murray and Schneider had it out when Schneider was with the Kings. Andy made everyone fill out "I play my best hockey when..." and Matt absolutely refused to participate.

Schneider told me (we train at Golds together with TR) he has a list of 4 teams he'd like to go to and the Blues ain't one of them.

Lombardi isn't likely to deal for him either.

FYI - Dustin Brown's wife is pregnant again, Tom Preissing's wife of 6 months is pregnant and Jason LaBarbera's girlfriend is pregnant. WHAT THE HELL???

I'm told O'Sullivan wants to be in camp but his "dumb agent is screwing everything up"

Enstrom extended by Trashers

Short of pulling off a blockbuster trade, it’s the biggest move Don Waddell could possibly make heading into the season. Tobias Enstrom just signed a 4-year extension with the Thrashers, keeping in an Atlanta uniform through the 2012-13 season.
Enstrom appeared in all 82 games during his rookie season in the 2007-08 campaign and totaled five goals and 33 assists on his way to being named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

Edit: The financial terms are $3,75M per year.

Lightning cut six players

The Lightning reduced its preseason roster to 32 (28 healthy players and four injured) with six cuts: C Wyatt Smith, LW Radek Smolenak, D Ty Wishart, C Paul Szczechura and G Riku Helenius were sent to training camp at AHL Norfolk. C Dana Tyrell was returned to WHL Prince George.

Avalanche cut 22 players

Colorado cut the following players: Jean-Philippe Cote, Kelsey Tessier, Cameran Gaunce, Peter Delmas, Joel Chouinard, Trevor Cann, Nigel Williams, Tyler Weiman, Marty Sertich, Derek Peltier, Wes O'Neill, Mark McCutcheon, Bryan Marshall, Raymond Macias, Ian Keserich, TJ Galiardi, Tom Fritsche, Chris Durno, Robbie Drummond, JD Corbin, Jack Combs, and Codey Burki

Sabres cut eight players

As per the Buffalo news, the Sabres returned eight players to their respective junior teams, leaving 49 players in training camp.

Departing were: forwards Luke Adam (St. John’s, QMJHL), Paul Byron (Gatineau, QMJHL), Tyler Ennis (Medicine Hat, WHL) and Jacob Lagace (Chicoutimi, QMJHL) and defensemen T. J. Brennan (St. John’s, QMJHL), Nick Crawford (Saginaw, OHL), Drew Schiestel (Niagara, OHL) and Jordan Southorn (Prince Edward Island, QMJHL).

A 'Warm' Welcome...

There was no numbered bracelet system, no 'Optimum' pricing, no $10 Molson Ex... No lights show was seen, no U2 or Gnarls Barkley heard, no player introductions made, but then none were needed... the moment Francis Bouillon and Josh Gorges set skate to ice, a few hundred fans at the Sportplexe 4-Glaces in Pierrefonds burst into the season's first true 'Go HABS Go' chant.

Many (myself included) arrived hours in advance, early on a sunny Saturday morning in the middle of September, just to secure a view of training camp's first skating and team drills. Finding a seat among the three rows lining one length of the primary practice rink meant a painfully long wait on an ice cold bench, time seemingly slowing like the flow of blood to my toes.

A noticeable tension filled the air prior to this public debut, everybody in attendance wrought with anticipation of a season saturated with potential. Men and women, boys and girls of all colours, creeds and languages gathered, all connected by the place in their hearts they hold for the tricoloured crest of the 'CH'.

Daily sports sections and 'Season Preview' hockey magazines in hand, camera flashes abound, and the tell-tale chatter of a hockey season around the corner, the fans in Pierrefonds were wholly appreciative of the conclusion of an off-season that carried on just a little too long.

There were no rioters, no boo-birds, no stirring of controversy where none is merited... only unconditional support, hope, and faith.

These are the true fans of the Montreal Canadiens.

Red Wings cut 10 players

The Red Wings have made the following cuts: Randy Cameron, Zach Torquato, Stephen Johnston, Travis Ehrhardt, Thomas McCollum, Cameron Cepek, Jordan Foreman, Cody Thornton, Bryce Swan, and Joe Ryan.

Steve Mason to miss 4-6 weeks

As per TSN, the Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday and will be sidelined approximately four to six weeks.

Mason, who was Columbus' second pick, 69th overall, in the 2006 Entry Draft, suffered the injury last spring playing with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League.

Mason was trying to make the Jackets as Pascal Leclaire's back-up out of training camp. This injury means Fredrik Norrena will start the season in Columbus.

Breaking news

Blues defenseman Erik Johnson has a torn ACL in his right knee and will undergo surgery in a couple of weeks. Johnson, 20, is expected to be sidelined six to nine months after injuring his knee in a golf-cart incident last week at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Johnson, the No. 1 overall pick in 2006, led all Blues' defensemen with 33 points last year as a rookie.

As a result of this freak injury, Johnson will miss the entire 2008-09 season.

Expect the Blues to sign a veteran defenseman to fill Johnson's void. Mathieu Schneider might soon wear a Blues jersey...

Stay tuned.

Oilers @ Canucks Preview

The Canucks "B Team" posted a gritty, come from behind victory on Monday in Edmonton and now it is time for the "A Team" to step up and strut their stuff.

The Canucks line-up will include the following:

Michael Grabner looks to continue his impressive camp on a line with Henrik Sedin and Jannik Hansen.

The Canucks' second line will consist of 2008 first rounder Cody Hodgson with wingers Steve Bernier and Pavol Demitra.

Darcy Hordichuk and Alex Burrows will flank the wings of Ryan Johnson on the third-line while the fourth line will consist of Alexander Bolduc, Mark Cullen and tough guy Mike Brown.

On Defence, Sami Salo and his heavy shot will play along side Nathan McIver and 2008 second rounder Yann Sauve is paired with Kevin Beiksa.

Lukas Krajicek returns from a summer of rehab to be paired with Zach Fitzgerald.

And last but not least, in goal, Roberto Luongo make his first pre-season start and is expected to split the game with back-up Curtis Sanford.

Claude Coming Back?

According to RDS former NHL'er Claude Lemieux is looking to return to the league. The 43 year old is looking to return to any team for any amount of money really. He does not care if he starts out in AHL first.

Scotty's Take: Lemieux signs a Try out with an NHL team is what I think will happen/

Crosby makes the cut

As per the Pittsburgh Penguins:

Thirteen players have been assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate of the Penguins. The 13 players include forwards Kris Beech, Ryan Stone, Adam Henrich, Aaron Boogaard, Tim Wallace, Jonathan Filewich, David Gove and Christopher Minard; defensemen Deryk Engelland, T.J. Kemp, Ben Lovejoy and Joey Mormina; and goaltender David Brown.

Thrashers after Schneider?

The Atlanta Thrashers are still pondering a move for another defenseman and Anaheim's Mathieu Schneider might be a logical choice if they can fit him into their budget. The Thrashers are presently near the $41 million mark and don't want to go too far above that. They might have to convince Ducks GM Brian Burke to accept something in return, like Ken Klee ($1.25 million ) and another $500K player to make it work. Florida's Karlis Skarastins and Pittsburgh's Darryl Sydor as possibly more affordable options for the Thrashers.
Also, if Schneider is dealt it could be part of a bigger trade, noting some teams have inquired about forward Bobby Ryan, who might be considered expendable as his salary this season counts as a hard $1.9 million against the cap. The Ducks could however clear Ryan's salary by demoting him as he doesn't have to pass through waivers.
Sources : Kevin Allen and Bob McKenzie

Canucks 4 Oilers 3 F/SO

Cory Schneider played the complete game stopping 33 shots including a second period barrage as the Canucks escaped Edmonton with a 4-3 shootout victory.

Facing a largely veteran line-up Schneider faced 15 second period shots making several key saves. With just under 5 mins remaining in the middle frame and the Canucks looking sloppy on the Power play, Sam Gagner scored on a shorthanded breakaway to give the Oilers the lead.

The Canucks entered the third period down 3-2 before Dan Gendur locked the game at 3 with just over 5 mintues remaining.

In the shootout, both Kyle Wellwood and Jason Krog scored while only Sam Gagner was able to beat the Canucks netminder.

It was a busy night for television so I was unable to see much of the game but from what I did see, here is the good and the bad:

For Vancouver, Cory Schneider looked stellar in goal while defenceman Rob Davison did not. Davison is simply here to provide some toughness to the Canucks line-up and did that well, however, he does seem to be a liability in his own end.

As for the Oilers, Sam Gagner continues to shine and will definitely be a force for years to come in Oil Country. Meanwhile, Sheldon Souray seemed to have a tough time moving his feet. Although he did unload several canons from the point, there were numerous times where he was beat rather easily to the outside.



Canucks Camp Notes:

Not too much news came from the Canucks' express two day camp in Whistler BC, of note are the following:

Its no secret that off-season waiver acquisition Kyle Wellwood has better things to do than fitness training, to that coach Alain Vigneault the following statement:

“His commitment to conditioning and being a professional athlete probably wasn’t where it needed to be for him to have success,” said Vigneault. “His test results showed from early July [to training camp] significant improvements. That being said, it’s still not NHL calibre.”

To that coach A.V. added an ultimatum

“He’s going to be re-tested after the first four [preseason] games,” added Vigneault. “As long as we see improvements and consistent improvements, we’ll work with him and give him the benefit of the doubt.

“The day that stops, it [roster-spot battle] stops.”

Elsewhere, 2008 first round selection Cody Hodgson continued to impress. Hodgson was paired with veterans Pavol Demitra and Steve Bernier and seemed to leave a lasting impression with his potential future teammates.

"He's a young player who just got drafted but it doesn't seem like he's nervous on the ice, he's playing like he was in junior," said Bernier. "He's so calm on the ice, he can see everybody on the ice very well, he seems like he's a goalscorer too, he scored a couple of goals in practice. He's got good speed, he plays well offensively so he's going to be a pretty good player very soon.

"It's been fun to play with a guy like this and hopefully we're going to have the same lines for one of the two games next week"

Blues unveil 3rd jersey

The Blues unveiled their 3rd jersey and I think it's very nice looking. It's creative and old-fashioned at the same time. Brad Boyes, who was modelling for ths shooting said "I think it mixes both the past and the future, but at the same time, it's not as if we're messing with (a good thing) too much." What do you think?