-Tomas Kaberle is on waivers...how about Toronto? I'm serious, he's an upgrade over Mike Kostka, he can run a powerplay and he's had success before with the Leafs. He could be valuable moving the puck up the ice and setting up Dion Phaneuf shots. He wouldn't be the No.2 D-man that Phaneuf desperately needs (he's the best d-man and he needs someone to play with), but he wouldn't hurt. The only problem would be his contract, which is ugly for how much he's been playing in Montreal, but he only has a year left, so if Toronto felt that the risk was justified without having to give up an asset, then maybe they explore this route. I don't think they ultimately will, but stranger things have happened. A former 8th round pick in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, he's had a good career, and I won't be shocked if he gets claimed by somebody because of his track record. He never fit in with Montreal, and it just wasn't a very good trade for then GM Pierre Gauthier to make.
-If you're watching HNIC right now like I am, you're enjoying how fun the Leafs vs Senators game is. The Leafs continue to be a fun team to watch, because anything can happen, from a good play to a fight to a terrible giveaway etc. I'll be tuning into Oilers vs Canucks too. The Canucks continue to play for the division lead, something Edmonton hopes to do in a year or two. It will be a fast game.
-I believe Toronto can beat anyone in the playoffs other than Pittsburgh, even the Boston Bruins. However, there are a lot of variables to deal with. The goaltending has to continue being strong, the D has to be shored up a tad and they need to keep up the magic they are getting from Nazem Kadri and Joffrey Lupul. Getting Leo Komarov (and JVR, who's slumping) back would be huge. If any of those variables fail...it could become comedy in May. The variability and unpredictability of the team in the next few months would make me want to stand pat if I were Dave Nonis (or at least keep my bigger assets). There are no guarantees here.
-Pittsburgh was impressive today. Missing Sidney Crosby for most of the game (I hope he's okay, losing teeth always hurts), as well as Fleury/Martin/Kunitz/Letang would seem like an excuse for their winning streak to end, yet they kept on going strong. Matt Cooke played the best game of his career with a superhuman PK shift on a 5 on 3, and Jarome Iginla looked very comfortable in his spot with James Neal and Evgeni Malkin. It was very weird seeing Iginla in a different jersey, but I wish him the best there. There are no guarantees in Pittsburgh, but they are far and away the scariest team in the NHL right now. They played one hell of a March. Flames fans definitely hope Jarome can win a cup, and they'll be watching him score PP goals off of Crosby and Malkin feeds very soon.The question here will be goaltending. Can Fleury or Vokoun or both play well enough?
-I wonder if the Flames trust Jay Feaster as their man for any upcoming rebuild. I wouldn't necessarily based on his track record and previous quotes that suggested he wasn't the best at being a developmental general manager. I guess we'll see what Murray Edwards and crew decide at the end of the season.
-He still hasn't said it officially or publicly, despite reports, but I think the rumors that Miikka Kiprusoff won't report to any new team have some credibility to them. It's a similar situation to Lubomir Visnovsky's, when he wanted to stay in the KHL for family reasons when the lockout ended. He's been a loyal goaltender who has been through it all in Calgary, and I hope they treat this situation properly and give Miikka the reigns on this one.
-Montreal sure looks good, and that was without Brandon Prust, who's been dynamite after many called him an overpayment (including myself).
-The Boston Bruins seem to be making many excuses lately. Injuries, bad calls from refs, other teams are diving, we lost out on Iginla...the team is in a funk right now, and they have to start taking some accountability for the inconsistency and lack of finish. A few additions will help, but it starts with the leaders in that dressing room along with Claude Julien at the helm, who has also been guilty of making excuses. I like their team, but if this continues, they could be headed for another first round exit.
-Jordan Leopold gets dealt to the Blues from Buffalo. St. Louis paid a bit too much in my mind, but they've been looking for a left handed shot on D for seemingly forever. He's reliable enough for Ken Hitchcock to use a lot. This trade signals a possible fire sale coming out of Buffalo. The irony is both Leopold and former teammate Robyn Regehr, who also could move, were teammates of Jarome Iginla in the 2004 Calgary cup run. How time flies.
-Last note: With the Anaheim Ducks low on cap space in the summer, I have a slim wish to make. Can Teemu Selanne give Winnipeg a farewell season? He can bring Saku Koivu if he wants, Winnipeg's No.2 C has been a huge disappointment (Olli Jokinen).
-If you're watching HNIC right now like I am, you're enjoying how fun the Leafs vs Senators game is. The Leafs continue to be a fun team to watch, because anything can happen, from a good play to a fight to a terrible giveaway etc. I'll be tuning into Oilers vs Canucks too. The Canucks continue to play for the division lead, something Edmonton hopes to do in a year or two. It will be a fast game.
-I believe Toronto can beat anyone in the playoffs other than Pittsburgh, even the Boston Bruins. However, there are a lot of variables to deal with. The goaltending has to continue being strong, the D has to be shored up a tad and they need to keep up the magic they are getting from Nazem Kadri and Joffrey Lupul. Getting Leo Komarov (and JVR, who's slumping) back would be huge. If any of those variables fail...it could become comedy in May. The variability and unpredictability of the team in the next few months would make me want to stand pat if I were Dave Nonis (or at least keep my bigger assets). There are no guarantees here.
-Pittsburgh was impressive today. Missing Sidney Crosby for most of the game (I hope he's okay, losing teeth always hurts), as well as Fleury/Martin/Kunitz/Letang would seem like an excuse for their winning streak to end, yet they kept on going strong. Matt Cooke played the best game of his career with a superhuman PK shift on a 5 on 3, and Jarome Iginla looked very comfortable in his spot with James Neal and Evgeni Malkin. It was very weird seeing Iginla in a different jersey, but I wish him the best there. There are no guarantees in Pittsburgh, but they are far and away the scariest team in the NHL right now. They played one hell of a March. Flames fans definitely hope Jarome can win a cup, and they'll be watching him score PP goals off of Crosby and Malkin feeds very soon.The question here will be goaltending. Can Fleury or Vokoun or both play well enough?
-I wonder if the Flames trust Jay Feaster as their man for any upcoming rebuild. I wouldn't necessarily based on his track record and previous quotes that suggested he wasn't the best at being a developmental general manager. I guess we'll see what Murray Edwards and crew decide at the end of the season.
-He still hasn't said it officially or publicly, despite reports, but I think the rumors that Miikka Kiprusoff won't report to any new team have some credibility to them. It's a similar situation to Lubomir Visnovsky's, when he wanted to stay in the KHL for family reasons when the lockout ended. He's been a loyal goaltender who has been through it all in Calgary, and I hope they treat this situation properly and give Miikka the reigns on this one.
-Montreal sure looks good, and that was without Brandon Prust, who's been dynamite after many called him an overpayment (including myself).
-The Boston Bruins seem to be making many excuses lately. Injuries, bad calls from refs, other teams are diving, we lost out on Iginla...the team is in a funk right now, and they have to start taking some accountability for the inconsistency and lack of finish. A few additions will help, but it starts with the leaders in that dressing room along with Claude Julien at the helm, who has also been guilty of making excuses. I like their team, but if this continues, they could be headed for another first round exit.
-Jordan Leopold gets dealt to the Blues from Buffalo. St. Louis paid a bit too much in my mind, but they've been looking for a left handed shot on D for seemingly forever. He's reliable enough for Ken Hitchcock to use a lot. This trade signals a possible fire sale coming out of Buffalo. The irony is both Leopold and former teammate Robyn Regehr, who also could move, were teammates of Jarome Iginla in the 2004 Calgary cup run. How time flies.
-Last note: With the Anaheim Ducks low on cap space in the summer, I have a slim wish to make. Can Teemu Selanne give Winnipeg a farewell season? He can bring Saku Koivu if he wants, Winnipeg's No.2 C has been a huge disappointment (Olli Jokinen).
