3-2-09 NHL Trade Deadline Frenzy; Live Updates appear at the bottom of the page
NHL Trade Deadline updates
Red Wings considering Gary Roberts
The Detroit Redwings are looking to add grit at the trade deadline. They are currently highly involved in talks with the Ottawa Senators about forward Chris Neil If the Wings fail to land Neil who is being pursuing by half a dozen teams, they are strongly considering Tampa Bay Lightning forward Gary Roberts.
Sunday Morning Report
Hossa expects loud boos from Penguins fans: Red Wings forward Marian Hossa who turned down a 7 year – $52 million from the Penguins this past summer¬†expects fans at Mellon Arena to be very loud when he touches the puck Sunday afternoon. Hossa speaking to the Toronto Sun had this to say on Saturday; “It will be loud,” Hossa acknowledged yesterday. “And when I touch the puck, it will be louder. That’s what I’m expecting. I try not to think about it — just focus on my game and do my stuff. “I had a great time in Pittsburgh. There are great fans in Pittsburgh, a sellout every night.” Saturday Roundup: Wings defeat Oilers 8-3 Head to Head Comparison Detroit
Around the NHL
Evgeni Malkin leads the NHL with (24 goals – 56 assists – 80 points) and is a +19. Despite leading the NHL in the points, Malkin is not even in the top 3 when it comes to the M.V.P. discussion. For him to get into the top three by the end of the season, he will have to get the Penguins into playoffs and there’s been talk he will have to get into the 40 goal plateau. A lot of experts who have votes look at goals, Ovechkin and Parise are going to easily top 40. Is it right to overlook the assists Malkin is putting up? No it’s not but he’s going to need at least 40-43 goals to
The Latest on Sykora, Bouwmeester, Zetterberg and Shanahan
Sykora would like to re-sign with Pittsburgh Dave Molinari reports on the status of Penguins right winger Petr Sykora who will be a UFA following the season. Sykora has made it known he would like to stay but he will have to decide whether taking a bit of a home town discount to stay with the Penguins is worth it. Sykora may have to settle for a two year deal with the Penguins. Sources tell Inside Pittsburgh Sports, that Sykora could command a 3 yr deal worth $11-$12 million on the open market. Talks with Zetterberg at an impasse? The Detroit Red Wings felt going into training camp that negotiations with star forward Henrik Zetterberg would be a lot easier
Friday’s NHL Rumor Mill
The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired former Ducks GM Brian Burke. Is Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish on the hot seat? Hossa over Franzen?
Around the NHL
Red Wings C Henrik Zetterberg, who has been sidelined with a groin injury, was back on the ice Monday and is expected to play Wednesday against the first place St. Louis Blues. The Blues have claimed tough guy David Koci on waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Koci is the player who hit Sergei Gonchar in the 1st period of the Penguins first preseason game which resulted in Gonchar being sidelined for 4-6 months The Tampa Bay Lighting are winless and Barry Melrose may be on the hot seat. The Lighting host the Thrashers tonight in what some believe may be a must win for Melrose.The Lightning can’t blame goaltender Mike Smith (1.91 GAA) for their 0-2-3 start. Newcomers such
NHL Opening Night on Versus
Toronto Maple Leafs (36-35-11) at Detroit Red Wings (54-21-7) 7:00 p.m. The defending Stanley Cup Champions begin their title defense tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Red Wings head into this season with what some argue may be the deepest team the NHL has seen in the past decade. The Red Wings not only brought back their entire team from last spring, but they signed Marian Hossa who was the #1 player on the free agent market. Hossa will team with Pavel Datsyuk to form one of the league’s most dynamic duos. To offset Hossa and Datsyuk, the Red Wings have two of the games top five players in F Henrik Zetterberg and D Niklas Lidstrom. The Red Wings
The Latest NHL Buzz
The central division is improving and the Red Wings may have to worry about a divisional rival who has targeted next year’s top free agent. Plus, are the Bruins keeping a close eye on the Florida Panthers? Will Henrik Zetterberg take a discount? Read more the latest
Babcock to Hossa: “see you soon”
Marian Hossa to Detroit might have been set in stone during the Stanley Cup Finals. TIOPS reported in June Hossa denied the Penguins offer prior to free agency because he wanted to see what Detroit and Boston were going to offer. Those two cities were Hossa‚Äôs top choices. The Edmonton Journal reports During the Penguins and Wings handshake after the Red Wings defeated the Penguins in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals, Detroit coach Mike Babcock told Pittsburgh winger Marian Hossa “See you soon,” Ritch Winter the agent for Marian Hossa had a few interesting quotes in the Edmonton Journal. ‚Äú”I remember Chris Chelios phoning Marian and saying, ‘If you’re just coming here to win a Stanley Cup, don’t