Alexei Kovalev has struggled during his tenure in Montreal and star defenseman Sheldon Souray decided to take matters into his own hands. There are conflicting reports but indications are of a confrontation that went from verbal spat to a few punches being thrown between Kovalev and Souray Saturday. Rumors are Kovalev has said his last game as a Canadien would be Saturday after he was benched in the third period and then on Monday he came up with a so called upper body injury. Sounds a little fishy and if the Canadiens can’t find a trading partner for Kovalev which seems to be the case considering he is due 9 million over the next 2 years, hitting the waiver could be a possibility.
The Columbus Dispatch is reporting what many of us have been reporting for a few days that the Pittsburgh Penguins are interested in Anson Carter. Like i said only see Carter coming here in a package deal that includes Nikolai Zherdev.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Oilers have joined the Stars and Sharks in “taking a long look at” D Derian Hatcher. “I’ve gotten some calls from people in Edmonton I know,” Hatcher told the Inquirer. “I think Detroit might be in there, too.” Not necessarily linked to any Hatcher deal, the paper also says the Oilers would like to deal RW Joffrey Lupul. Don’t know what Edmonton is trying to do especially give up on a young player like Lupul but the rumors are he can be had and well see if Ray Shero and Kevin Lowe take their talks to another level regarding the Lupul – Christensen rumors.
The Detroit RedWings are in the market for a gritty forward. According to a report in The Detroit News, Holland said players like Peter Forsberg, Bill Guerin and Todd Bertuzzi have all been discussed as options. “Every team has a wish list in this league when you’re a competitive team,” Babcock told the newspaper. “Kenny calls it my Costco list. But you don’t just go to Costco, pull your card out, and get what you want. “It doesn’t work like that. The reality is, it’s my job to fix it if we have any deficiencies with the players we have.” The Anaheim Mighty Ducks are expected to be active at the deadline to get out of their recent slump. We’re working the phones frantically and we’re kicking tires,” Burke told the Los Angeles Times. “So far, no one has made an offer that works for us.” If the Ducks fail to land the biggest prize, Flyers C Peter Forsberg, Burke will be hot after Blues Fs Keith Tkachuk and Bill Guerin to help the team out of its recent scoring slump. And the Times reported Anaheim is also interested in Blue Jackets F Fredrik Modin.
