The Latest NHL Buzz: Ovechkin playing reckless?

Alexander Ovechkin’s own coach called him “pretty reckless” today, just a day after Ovechkin delivered a punishing knee-to-knee hit to Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason.

It was a scare for both players but both players are expected to be okay.

Does Ovechkin need to tone it down? Ovechkin, the NHL’s most unique player, is putting other players in danger, including himself. If he keeps playing with the recklessness that he does, he won’t have a long career.

However, even Bruce Boudreau has doubts that Ovechkin will ever tone it down. The NHL is reviewing the hit.

Bruins, Savard agree to 7 year extension

The Boston Bruins and center Marc Savard has agreed to a seven-year contract extension worth around $4.2 million per year, according to Kevin Dupont of the Boston Globe.

Savard, a two time All-Star was in the final year of a four deal that paid him $5 million per season.

Savard took less money per season for more years and helps the Bruins cap situation going into next season.

GM’s frustrated by inability to make trades

General Manager’s around the league are frustrated by the inability to make trades. There is plenty of trade talk but the salary cap era makes it so difficult to move players before the trade deadline.

The ability to take on salary will be on the table in the new labor talks.

Predators scouting Chelios?

The chances that Chris Chelios signs with a team are slim but the Nashville Predators have been scouting Chelios in recent weeks.

The Predators have scheduled a team scout to attend the Wolves road game against Lake Erie on December 13th, according to a minor league source.

*Look for the Chicago Blackhawks to place a call to Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson in the near future. Blue Jackets defenseman Rostislav Klesla will be out four to six weeks with a torn groin and could be out for months, if he opts to have surgery.

The Blackhawks are aggressively looking to move defenseman Brent Sopel in the short-term.

Regarding the Blackhawks cap problems into next year, keep an eye on the Atlanta Thrashers.

The Thrashers offered Hawks defenseman Brian Campbell a 9 year – $62 million offer two summers ago and if Thrashers GM Don Waddell could get the “OK” from ownership, it’s widely believed that Waddell will explore making a play for Campbell.

The Thrashers have also been linked to Patrick Sharp.

*The New York Rangers hit the jackpot in finding a way to move Scott Gomez’s salary, which led to the Rangers signing Marian Gaborik. Gaborik is on his way to an MVP season but the Rangers are a flawed team and they have a nightmare situation in trying to improve their team over the next two seasons, due to the money they have tied up in Chris Drury and others.

They need a star forward to team with Gaborik. Drury is paid like one, ($7 million cap hit) but he’s a third line center at this point in his career. Drury, 32, is on the books until 2012.

*Coaches wear out their welcome in the NHL and that appears to be the case in St. Louis with Andy Murray. Players are not responding to his tough tactics and veterans are turning on him.

*Another coach who could be on the hot seat after the new year is Flyers head coach John Stevens. The Flyers are 13-10-1 and have Stanley Cup aspirations.

Stanley Cup Preview?

*Marian Hossa returns to Pittsburgh Saturday night in what could be a Stanley Cup Preview between the Blackhawks and Penguins.