Inside the NHL: Capitals, Penguins, Devils the class of the East

Devils, Capitals, Penguins & the rest? Through the first two months of the season, the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils have established themselves as the class of the Eastern Conference. The high-octane Capitals have a conference leading 44 points and are the highest scoring team in the NHL with 111 goals. Despite a number of injuries, the defending Stanley Cup champions have picked up right where they left off and have jumped out to a 20-10-1 record through 31 games. The Capitals and Penguins are right where many expected them to be but the New Jersey Devils? In just 28 games, the Devils are 20-7-1 tied for first in the Atlantic Division. In the first year of

Around the NHL; Stamkos emerging as a star

Coyotes lose $10.8 million since July 1 Per court documents in the Phoenix bankruptcy case that were released last week, the Phoenix Coyotes have lost $10.8 Mil since July 1, to go along with losses of over $100 million since the lockout. The NHL is doing all they can to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix but it’s getting to the point where it might be time to pull the plug and seriously consider relocating. As for the on-ice product, Dave Tippett has the Coyotes (9-4-0) playing great hockey and the NHL is going to do what they can to get the Coyotes in the playoffs. Ownership issues also continue for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. According to the

NHL: Rangers sign Prospal to one year deal

The New York Rangers have signed forward Vinny Prospal to a one year deal worth $1.1 million. The Rangers were among the early favorites to land Prospal from the time he was boughtout by the Tampa Bay Lightning two weeks ago. The Penguins did not express a strong interest in Prospal and never made an offer.

The Latest buzz from the NHL GM meetings in Pittsburgh

Rumor Mill Heating Up NHL GM’s have convened in Pittsburgh for the annual GM meetings, trade winds and free agent talk is starting to heat up. Here’s the latest. Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell has his most important off-season ahead for him as his star forward Ilya Kovalchuk is entering the final year of his contract. Word is Waddell will be aggressive in free agency and will make a strong run at the Sedin twins with Waddell prepared to make long-term offers to both players worth as much as $6 million per season. *Another player on the Thrashers radar is San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau according to a league source. The asking price is steep. *The Atlanta Thrashers have approached

Lightning to grant Malone’s wish and shop him at the draft

Tampa Lightning forward Ryan Malone is expected to be one of the most sought out players at the NHL draft as sources tell Inside Pittsburgh Sports, Malone approached Lightning management about being moved at the trade deadline. Lightning GM Brian Lawton was Malone’s former agent and the two sides have a close relationship. We’re told Lawton will at least look into the possibly of granting Malone’s wish at next month’s draft. During the trade deadline, the Lightning held talks with the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and the Minnesota Wild regarding Malone. Malone expressed a strong desire to former teammates about returning to Pittsburgh. Among the teams already expressing interest are the Ottawa Senators,

NHL Draft: Islanders win draft lottery

1. New York Islanders 2. Tampa Bay Lightning 3. Colorado Avalanche 4. Atlanta Thrashers 5. Los Angeles Kings 6. Phoenix Coyotes 7. Toronto Maple Leafs 8. Dallas Stars 9. Ottawa Senators 10. Edmonton Oilers 11. Nashville Predators 12. Minnesota Wild 13. Buffalo Sabres 14. Florida Panthers Top Prospects

Morning Skate: Godard to return to the lineup

The Penguins just took the ice at 11:35 a.m. as the team prepares to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight. Enforcer Eric Godard will return to the lineup and will play on the 4th line. A source at the arena tells me there is currently some

NHL: Lightning owners no longer on speaking terms

Inside Pittsburgh Sports NHL Rumor Mill 3/17/09 More turmoil in Tampa Bay? Word around is that the two wacky owners of the Lightning, Oren Koules and Len Barrie, are no longer on speaking terms — Toronto Sun