Raffi Torres suspended 25 Games for hit on Hossa

Brendan Shanahan has struck down on Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres who delivered a late hit to the head of Marian Hossa in Game 4 of the Coyotes – Blackhawks series. Shanahan ruled today that he has suspended Torres for 25 games, the NHL announced, sending a statement for those type of hits. Shanahan ruled Torres knew Hossa didn’t have the puck and made Hossa’s head the principle point of contact and Torres in the process not only targeted Hossa’s head but violently launched before contact. Torres history also played a factor in the suspension being 25 games, in addition to Hossa suffering a major injury.

NHL playing hardball with Kovalchuk Again; Torres signs with Canucks

Around the NHL The New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk have agreed to the framework of a new deal in the range of 12-13 years but at this time both sides are not able to push forward with the deal. After Devils officials and agent Jay Grossman met with NHL officials on Monday, the NHL has not signed off on the framework of the deal nearly 48 hours later. Discussions though are ongoing between officials from both sides. A league source told me earlier in the week that the framework of the new deal has Kovalchuk’s cap hit closer to $7 million than the previously $6 million cap hit for the 17 year – $102 million deal that was rejected.

Latest Draft Day Chatter: Armstrong to hit the open market

Draft day Chatter *Winger Colby Armstrong appears headed to the free agent market. According to a league source, no talks are currently scheduled to take place in LA between Armstrong’s agent Don Meehan and Thrashers GM Rick Dudley. The two sides have been far apart for some time as Armstrong is looking to land a multi-year deal worth upwards of $3 million per season. Armstrong is looking for at least a Steve Ott type of contract, source in Atlanta tells me. *Raffi Torres is another mid-tier winger who will hit the open market. Steve Reich the agent for Torres confirmed to Inside Pittsburgh Sports Thursday evening that Torres will become a free agent on July 1. There has been no

Sunday’s NHL Rumor Mill

Trade freeze ends at 11:59 p.m. *Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch reports, “Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson and the agent for unrestricted free agent Raffi Torres spoke during the Olympic break and were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension, the Dispatch has learned. Torres almost certainly will be dealt by Wednesday’s trade deadline.” League sources tell TIOPS, tha Torres is drawing significant interest from several teams including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings. Meanwhile, Reed also reports that “unrestricted free agent defenseman Milan Jurcina is attracting as much interest as Torres.” The Blue Jackets are believed to be seeking a 3rd round pick for Jurcina. *The Boston Globe reports, “the Bruins have

Latest Buzz: Selanne won’t be shopped at the trade deadline

Trade Deadline Buzz *Capitals GM George McPhee was criticized last year at the trade deadline for not doing enough. There is word that the Washington Capitals won’t stand pat this year and are looking to add some grit upfront along with a physical defenseman. The Capitals top targets up front include Raffi Torres of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Steve Ott of the Dallas Stars. The Capitals have also been involved in talks with the New York Islanders about Andy Sutton. *Sources tell me Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell is showing little interest in trading Colby Armstrong in division to the Tampa Bay Lightning who are actively trying to put together a deal that would net the Lightning Colby Armstrong

The Latest NHL Buzz

Trade Freeze Ends on Feb. 28th (11:59 p.m.) Trade buzz during the Olympic break has been on Hurricanes winger Ray Whitney. Whitney had previously drawn significant interest from up to 6 teams but the Hurricanes asking price and Whitney’s NTC have derailed talks with a number of teams. One team yet to become a suitor for Whitney is the Pittsburgh Penguins. One source said it’s likely that Whitney was discussed this week between J.P. Barry, the agent for Whitney, and Ray Shero but Pittsburgh continues to balk at the Hurricanes asking price of a high draft choice and prospect Luca Caputi in exchange for Whitney and defenseman Andrew Alberts. Indications are Carolina doesn’t have much interest in dealing with Pittsburgh