Senators need to keep Jason Speeza: The Ottawa Senators have been very in trade discussions regarding numerous players and they need to decide what thety want to do with Jason Speeza. The Senators have always had some question marks but in the past they could always count on Spezza, Heatley and Alfredsson to carry them offensively. While the three have combined for 55 points this season, Jason Speeza only has 7 goals and 9 assists this season. There is speculation that the Senators may explore the possibility of moving Speeza but it might not be the smartest decision. They need to continue to build around Heatley and Spezza. Heatley would be a totally different player without playing with a dynamic center like Spezza
Nikolai Khabibulin off the trade block?: Any trade talks regarding Nikolai Khabibulin has been put on the backburner. Khabibulin has responded to the competition of the Hawks bringing in Cristobal Huet and is clearly the Blackhawks #1 goalie. Huet is un tradable so for now the Hawks are stuck with both goalies.
Way too much Boucher: Defenseman Phillipe Boucher has been a solid addition for the Penguins but I didn’t know the Penguins acquired him to be the second coming of Paul Coffey. In Saturday’s game against Vancouver, Boucher led all Penguins players in overall ice time (26:17) and power-play time (6:32). That type of ice time needs to be going to a young defenseman like Kris Letang
Rangers record not the whole story?: The New York Rangers sit at the top of the Atlantic division but there are some serious concerns in New York. Defenseman Michal Rozsival has got off to a rough start after signing a 4 year – $20M contract. Dmitri Kalin has been inconsistent and Wade Redden’s play has been up and down. Offensively the Rangers have 8 players with 10 points or more but there leading scorer Nikolai Zherdev only has 17 points this season. At the beginning of the season the Rangers were led by Brandon Dubinsky and Aaron Voros who got off to hot starts but Dubinsky, has 3 points in his last 11 games and Voros only has 3 points in his last 16 games
Canucks lose Luongo: The Vancouver Canucks could likely lose goaltender Roberto Luongo for a significant period of time but the there appears to be no panic in Vancouver. Backup goaltender Curtis Sanford has played well but the reason for the lack of panic is because of blue chip prospect Cory Schneider. Schneider a former first round pick is 10-1-1 in the AHL and is viewed as highly around the league as Montreal’s Carey Price is.
Pick of the night
Carolina Hurricanes at Florida Panthers (-120)
Florida playing at home is a slight favorite. I like the Canes on the road.