NHL Trade Deadline Report: Who’s in Play? On the Potential Sellers Market
The NHL Trade Deadline is less than two weeks away but the trade market has yet to take off. A big reason for that is due to a limited number of sellers. According to one league source, there are only three true sellers right now in the Columbus Blue Jackets, Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers. In the Eastern Conference, teams such as the Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning who are eight points out of a playoff spot are believed to be a week away from whether to go into full sell mode, while a team like the Montreal Canadiens who are 6-4-0 in their last 10 games and only seven points out of a playoff spot,
Monday Night Pens Buzz: Martin, Park on the mend but the same can’t be said for Crosby or Letang yet
The Pittsburgh Penguins returned from the holiday break today in preparations for Tuesday night’s contest against the Carolina Hurricanes who were victorious tonight, defeating the New Jersey Devils 4-2 on home ice. Brandon Sutter scored twice and Cam Ward made 23 saves to earn the win. Carolina took over the game in the second period, outshooting New Jersey, 13-2 and getting goals from Tuomo Ruutu and Anthony Stewart in the period. The Hurricanes (12-19-6, 30 pts) have won two straight and are 14th in the East with 30 points. Pittsburgh (20-11-4, 44 pts) enters Tuesday trailing the New York Rangers (22-8-4, 48 pts) by four points for the conference and division lead. New York shutout the Islanders 3-0 tonight, earning
Eastern Conference Preview: Few teams rival Pens depth in deep conference
Atlantic Division 1. Pittsburgh Penguins Storyline:All eyes are on the return of Sidney Crosby that should come in November as long as things continue on the upswing. The top storyline right now is Evgeni Malkin’s who’s presence makes the Penguins a top contender in the Eastern Conference even without Crosby. Notable Additions: Steve Sullivan, Richard Park, Steve MacIntyre Sullivan at age 37 still has the skill to be a factor on a nightly basis but injury concerns will follow him all season. The Penguins are banking on a top-6 role and top power play time for Sullivan. The 35 year old Park will provide depth as an extra forward and gives the Penguins speed up front and excellent penalty killing
NHL News: Rangers land Richards with 9 year deal
The Brad Richards sweepstakes are over. The prized free agent will sign a reported 9 year – $60 million deal with the New York Rangers today. Richards turned down less money to reunite with head coach John Tortorella and he is now Broadway bound. The finalists in the Richards sweepstakes were believed to be the Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings. TSN reports that the Flames offered Richards a 9 year deal worth around $65 million. Calgary was a surprise suitor but due to Richards close relationship with GM Jay Feaster they garnered serious consideration. Offers from Toronto and the LA Kings were also believed to be in the $60 million range. The addition of Richards is
NHL: Friday’s Draft Day Rumblings
Friday’s NHL RUMOR MILL
Pens/NHL Tidbits: Increased cap won’t influence Pens to overpay free agents to be
DePaoli’s Thursday Morning Pens/NHL Notes *NHL executive Bill Daly told reporters in Vancouver that the NHL salary cap could be as high as $63.5 million for the 2011-2012 season. That is great news for teams like the Flyers, Penguins, Rangers but not good news for small market teams who are struggling to spend to the minimum cap floor. It’s amazing how much the cap has increased since the lockout when the league had a $39 million cap in 2005-2006. The transformation of the Penguins as a franchise has also been something to watch. They have evolved into one of the strongest financially and they are right up there with big market teams like the New York Rangers, when it comes
NHL Rumors Thursday: The Latest Buzz around the League
DePaoli’s NHL Thursday Rumor Roundup — Darren Dreger of TSN.CA reports the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs are inching closer to a deal that would send Tomas Kaberle to Boston. The deal could be finalized as early as Friday. The Bruins have been actively seeking a puck moving defenseman and this will address a serious need. To make room for Kaberle, the Bruins are trying to move Blake Wheeler. Several teams showing interest, including the Atlanta Thrashers. The New Jersey Devils who were among Wheeler’s top choices when he was let go by the Phoenix Coyotes two summers ago, also have interest.
NHL Rumors Saturday: Flyers, Gonchar, Rangers, Higgins/Pens
NHL RUMOR SATURDAY Flyers looking to Add: The Philadelphia Flyers lead the Eastern Conference with 71 points and arguably have the most depth in the National Hockey League. Philadelphia ranks 1st in the league in goals per game at 3.46 and are tied for a league-high with 8 players scoring 10 or more goals. Despite offensive depth that few teams if any can match, the Flyers are actively exploring the market for a top-9 forward. They made a strong run at New Jersey’s Jamie Langenbrunner and reportedly have serious interest in Hurricanes forward Erik Cole who could become available next month. The Flyers are a dangerous team leading up to the trade deadline because they can take on a cap
Rangers continue winning ways in one goal games
Rangers snap Canucks 17 game unbeaten streak New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella said earlier today via NHL.com that the Rangers wouldn’t be able to win a 1-0 game against the NHL-best Vancouver Canucks Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. Tortorella was willing to eat those words after the game as the Rangers defeated the Canucks 1-0 behind a 31 save shutout performance from Henrik Lundqvist who earned his 6th shutout of the season and 30th of his career. With the win, New York improved to 26-16-2, 55pts, moving a season best 10 game over .500 and only three points behind second place Pittsburgh in the Atlantic division. The Rangers are now a league best 13-3-3 in one goal
Rangers hopeful that Tortorella can get the most out of Wolski
D-Men McCabe, Tyutin on Rangers radar Just passed the halfway mark, the New York Rangers (25-16-3, 53pts) have emerged as a surprising contender in the Atlantic Division. New York is just five points behind 2nd place Pittsburgh (27-14-4, 58ts) and six points behind first place Philadelphia (26-10-5, 57pts) Under head coach John Tortorella, the Rangers have emerged as one of the best defensive teams in the NHL, ranking 6th at 2.46 goals against per game. Tortorella has done an excellent job getting the most out of his squad that includes a young inexperience blueline but there’s no way around it that the Rangers lack the kind of fire power to in the long run, compete with the likes of Pittsburgh