Canadiens lock up Price...

The Montreal Canadiens have signed former world junior star Carey Price to a three-year contract. As per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Price will join the Canadiens AHL farm team in Hamilton today.
The Bulldogs have four games left in the regular season.
-TSN

No big surprise here, thankfully, he didn't pull a Jack Johnson.

And, oh, if you're wondrin' how much he'll be putting in his wallet, it's going to be around $650-750 thousand.

The plan is for Price to get some playing time down in Hamilton, likely so he can know what it's like since he'll almost certainly be playing there next year, and, to keep Jaroslav Halak on the Canadiens' roster.

Yann Danis has played well enough to salvage the no. 1 job with Halak up in Montreal.

Phillipe Sauve and Cedric Desjardins each backed up Yann Danis, but none received any significant playing time.

Sauve, a former Avalanche turned Flame traded to Phoenix, was acquired from the Boston Bruins in a "loan" deal, which sent enforcer Aaron Downey to the Bruins' minor league affiliate.

Carey Price's spectacular international play has Habs fans drooling, however, all you guys can forget about him being here next season or the season after (yup, you too Jacques Demers), he is expected to be the Canadiens starting goaltender come the 2009 Centennial Anniversary season of the Montreal Canadiens which will include plenty of interesting suprises: the all-star game, the draft, the world juniors, a Habs movie and likely Carey Price and our Russian friends Alexei Emelin and Pavel Valentenko.

The Habs are set for a bright future.

-There's also speculation that Bob Gainey will step down as GM of my dear Canadiens, there is no source to prove this, but it's going around on the airwaves...

2006-2007 Quarter-Finals predictions...

After diggesting the appetizer (rankings), here's the main platter, and you'll be all set for the playoffs...

Eastern Conference

(1) BUF vs (8) NYI
Matthew M: BUF in 5
I'd like to thank the Isles for making this summer so much easier to stomach after eliminating the Leafs with their shootout win against New Jersey. However, I have to take the very deep and very talented Buffalo Sabres. They have that "Team of Destiny" likeness to them.
Also, without star netminder Rick DiPietro in nets, New York is toast.
BBeR: BUF in 5
As Matthew, I chose the Sabres in 5.
Their roster is simply better than the Islanders, they have more offensive talent than the Islanders do and their team has, perhaps, the best coach in the NHL.
The Sabres have been no. 1 in the East since Day 1, what does that tell you?
Yup, and with Afinogenov and Conolly returning, the team is setting their eyes on the big prize, and they'll start by going through the Islanders in 5.
I'll give the Islanders credit for knocking the Leafs out, but, I don't think they can manage to win more than once against this team, just look at their season series and their most recent game and your answer will be right in front of you.
Oh, and Matt, Dubielewicz is not DiPietro, but c'mon, the guy is 4-1-0 this year and he's been solid...he's not DiPietro though.

(2) NJ vs. (7) TB
Matthew M: NJ in 6
This should be an interesting battle of defense vs. offense. Though, have to go with Martin Brodeur over any of the three netminders Tampa may ice. If the Bolts do sneak by the Devils, it will be thanks to Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis.
BBeR: NJ in 6
I made these picks this morning! Matt made his 43 minutes ago, so far, we have the same opinion.
The Lightning's inconsistency this season concerns me, but, their season record against the Devils is a healthy 3-1. Just for that, they'll give the Devils a scare, but nothing more.
The two-headed monster of Johan Holmqvist and Marc Denis are also the difference maker in my decision. Holmqvist had some nice moments, and Denis just sucked all year long.
Lecavalier and St. Louis will be tough to play against, but, we all know what Jersey does to those offensive teams...Martin Brodeur's between the pipes, and you know these games will be tight. Maybe one goal games, or two, nothing more, the Bolts will have a tough time getting to Brodeur and New Jersey's attack is very enigmatic at this point.
Bottom line: They're known more for playing defence than offence.

(3) ATL vs. (6) NYR
Matthew M: NYR in 7
Jagr and Shanahan.
BBeR: ATL in 7
Kovalchuk and Hossa, don't forget Kozlov.

(4) OTT vs. (5) PIT:
Matthew M: OTT in 6
This looks to be the most offense filled series of all. I give the edge to Ottawa thanks to their better defense corps. It should be interesting to see how much Crosby comes alive in the playoffs, though.
BBeR: OTT in 7
It remains to be seen how Marc-Andre Fleury's play in the playoffs will roll out, and for that matter, the Pens' youngsters too.
Most of their roster has not appeared in a playoff game, we all know Crosby will be a show, but, so will Spezza, Heatley and Alfredsson.
Ottawa takes it in 7, just because they have the slight edge of experience and this:
Spezza+Heatley+Alfredsson= 279 pts (113 G, 166 A) whereas Crosby+Malkin+Recchi= 273 pts.
That's a 6 point differential between the teams' best players...Ottawa offence is more "deep", shall we say than Pittsburgh's, which is centered mainly around Crosby.
Ray Emery has also seen playoff ice before.
It should be a very interesting series, but, I think the "choke" term will soon be gone from the words "Ottawa Senators".

Western Conference

(1) DET vs (8) CGY
Matthew M: DET in 6
Detroit has choked too many times in recent years to not do well this time around. Dominik Hasek is in good condition and makes this team that much more capable of beating anyone and everyone.
BBeR: DET in 5
Everyone thought the Wings minus Shanahan and Yzerman would just be plain ordinary.
They were wrong, not only have the Wings finished atop the West yet again, but Dominik Hasek showed he's still the Dominator.
Despite scoring 50 less goals than last season, the Wings managed to have the best record in the Western Conference and tied for the best in the NHL.
Kipprusoff's play will be key for the Flames, but, barring any living miracle, I doubt the Flames will be able to outscore the Wings, even with Iginla healthy.
Detroit should breeze by this time, but, don't forget about what everyone said when the Oilers played them last year...

(2) ANA vs (7) MIN
Matthew M: ANA in 4
Alright, nothing against the Wild here. Minnesota is a capable team, but the Ducks are here to destroy everyone in their way. Also, I felt obligated to predict a sweep somewhere; the Ducks are my logical choice.
BBeR: MIN in 7
You know how every year there's a Cinderella fairy-tale team?
Last year, it was the Oilers, this year, it's the Wild, led by new number one guy Niklas Backstrom.
Backstrom emerged as an elite stopper after the inconsistent Manny Fernandez went down with a serious injury some time ago.
He ranks first in the NHL in GAA (1.97) and SPCT% (.929) and may make a serious run to win the Vezina Trophy.
He will be key for the Wild, who have not scored many goals but lead the league in GAA.
The Ducks have just not been the force they were in the first half during the second stanza of the season.
Their lead slipped in the Pacific Division and they nearly lost it to their opponent: the Wild.
Oh, and every year, there's a 7 seed that beats the 2 seed.
This'll be it: the games will be tight, but, I think the Wild have what it takes.

(3) VAN vs (6) DAL
Matthew M: DAL in 7
Dallas will pull the biggest upset of all. It's tough to pick Luongo to lose the goaltending battle, but Turco has everything to prove this year. Marcus Naslund better play big or I'm not even sure that it will make it to 6 games.
BBeR: VAN in 6
Three words: Turco's playoff stats.
8-14, 2.53 GAA, .892 SPCT%
Turco has to prove he can play in the playoffs, his .868 save percentage last season is very frightening.
He may turn out to be another Roman Cechmanek if this keeps up.
The Sedin twins and Brendan Morrison, along with Sami Salo's shot and Kevin Bieksa's breakout, will give the win to a hungry Canucks team.
And, it doesn't hurt that they have a guy named Roberto Luongo in goal.


(4) NSH vs (5) SJS
Matthew M: SJS in 5
Forsberg who? Like Turco, it's Thornton 's turn to prove something in the post-season. Also, I'm a Craig Rivet homer and wish him all the success possible. Bill Guerin will out-stage Forsberg in my opinion.
BBeR: SJS in 6
The menacing trio of Marleau, Thornton and Cheechoo and with Bill Guerin to compliment that, there's no telling how far the Sharks will go this post-season.
The Preds will give them a run for their money, but, Forsberg has been a bust and the team, like the Ducks, have slipped a little in the second half.
I also hope Rivet goes all the way :)

Et pour finir...and to finish...

Matthew M: Completely off the top of my head predictions. However, I stand by them completely. If you're wondering who I really want to see win: San Jose & Pittsburgh!
BBeR: I want Minny to go all the way, but, I can see the Canucks losing to the Sabres in the Cup Final...

Chris Drury to the Kings?

On Stan Fischler's blog, there is a very interesting little tidbit:

Those close to Chris Drury would not be surprised if this Summer's prize free agent winds up in Los Angeles. They say that CD loves the L.A. area, has a place and friends there...

So, the Sabres would invest to keep Briere, contrary to general belief, and let Drury walk?

I still think Briere's the better player and I would not like to see a player of this caliber (Drury or Briere) end up on a team like this, where hockey is no.3 behind other sports.

Why, just, why can't we hear any rumours of them going to actual hockey cities, where people are crazy about the sport?

McGuire: Koivu almost a Flame...

Now remember...this is a few moons ago when I was trying to become general manager of the Calgary Flames, the first thing I would have done was to get Saku Koivu and I remember there was an amazing offer that had come through.

-Pierre McGuire, on "Melnick in the Afternoon" (Team 990 Montreal), broadcast Apr 09.

EDIT: I'm sorry, it appears I have misheard what Pierre said, thanks to a few readers, here's what he really said.

You won't get this anywhere else, unless you were listening to the Team 990 yesterday.

Wow, Koivu in Calgary, now that would be something!

His first move would've been to get Koivu, but Craig Button won out the GM job.

McGuire was always close to the Flames organisation, so he probably knew of their inner workings.

I wonder what was so amazing about this deal?

2006-2007 Playoff Pool Rankings

The playoffs are coming up in a few days, and here's a prequel to the projections Matthew and I will make of the winners soon.

Here's my top 20 for forwards and defencemen heading into this year's playoffs.

Note: These are my personal opinion and they should be taken with a grain of salt.

FORWARDS
1. CROSBY PGH
2. THORNTON SJS
3. HEATLEY OTT
4. BRIERE BUF
5. SELANNE ANA
6. LECAVALIER TAM
7. ST. LOUIS TAM
8. HOSSA ATL
9. JAGR NYR
10. IGINLA CGY
11. ALFREDSSON OTT
12. DATSYUK DET
13. SPEZZA OTT
14. MALKIN PGH
15. NYLANDER NYR
16. SEDIN, D VAN
17. SEDIN, H VAN
18. VANEK BUF
19. KOVALCHUK ATL
20. KARIYA NAS

Not in the top 20, but close.
-LANGKOW CGY
-KOZLOV ATL
-GABORIK MIN
-McDONALD ANA
-MARLEAU SJS

DEFENCEMEN
1. GONCHAR PGH
2. NIERDERMAYER ANA
3. LIDSTROM DET
4. BOYLE TAM
5. PRONGER ANA
6. WHITNEY PGH
7. RAFALSKI NJD
8. BOUCHER DAL
9. TIMMONEN NAS
10. ZUBOV DAL
11. SCHNEIDER DET
12. PHANEUF CGY
13. CAMPBELL BUF
14. POTI NYI
15. BERGERON NYI
16. CARLE SJS
17. BIEKSA VAN
18. ZHITNIK ATL
19. WEBER NAS
20. ROZSIVAL NYR

Comments and suggestions are always very appreciated.



P.S. Looks for Matthew and I to offer you our quarter-final predictions soon.

Free-agent market trimmed yet again...

Man, at this rate, there'll be nothing left for teams to feast on and me to write about!

Following suit to Pavel Datysuk, two other big-name free-agents have been officially taken off the list.

The list no longer includes the Avs Captain Joe Sakic and the talented bleu-liner from Ottawa who goes by the name of Anton Volchenkov.

TSN reports that Volchenkov has signed a three-year deal, it was announced by Sens GM John Muckler in the last hour.

"Anton has been one of our top defencemen all season," GM John Muckler said in a statement. "We're pleased to have secured him for the next three years, two of which were restricted and the third season when Anton would have been an unrestricted free agent."

Ouch, imagine him being restricted for the next two seasons, with the arbitrators giving away money like there's no tomorrow, he could have possibly made more than he's going to make over the next three years.

No wonder Muckler's happy, although contract details have yet to be released, instead of paying along the lines of $2-2.5 million (that's what I expect he got), he'd probably have to pay about a million and maybe more.

If that were to happen, then he'd be in a sticky situation, just like the Sabres were last off-season when an arbitrator award JP Dumont $2.5 million.

The Sabres just couldn't afford it and they let him go to Nashville.

Except for Muckler, it could have been a much more serious loss.

The loss could've been one of his two top-notch defencemen, namely Chris Phillips (since they'd have less money to keep him) or the man in question Anton Volchenkov (see the Dumont situation.)

Anyhow, great signing by Muckler and it remains to be seen how much he's going to be putting in his bank account in the next three years.

The announcement comes just 2 days before the Senators playoff quest begins at the Scotia Bank Place against number 87 and the Penguins.

Volchenkov, 25, is having a career year for the Senators, who drafted him 21st overall back in 2000.

He only had one goal, but has picked up a high 18 assists and an equally career marker with 19 points.

A more impressive stat, is his +37 mark, which ranks 5th in the NHL.

His play has picked up in the second half, after a slow start which led to many trade rumours involving the young Russian.

-Joe Sakic has re-signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche, per the Denver Post.

The classy Canadian forward, has shown that he still has scoring power left in the tank.

Sakic, 37, is having a phenomenal year with 36 goals and 64 assists, his highest total since he amassed 118 back in 2000-2001.

He made $5.75 million last year and there's no indication he'd make any less this upcoming season.

Finally. It's Over.

Fans of the Philadelphia Flyers went into this season with cautious optimism, such as I did. At the start of the season, I pegged them to be 6th, but only after acquiring Geoff Sanderson for a "cheap" US$1.5M, and trading fan favorite Michal Handzus for the budding Kyle Calder. Both plays by then- GM Bob Clarke were complete busts, as was the entire summer was for the Flyers. To replace Kim Johnsson, Clarke pegged Nolan Baumgartner, who was nothing more than a glorified AHL player. This was Clarke's big spash early in free agency, but he did outdo himself. He threw darts at a thumbtack hole when he signed Randy Robitalle, Lars Jonsson and Mark Cullen. The gyst of the Flyers offseason plan was "Were already a good team, we just need to stay healthy." Anyone with an open mind could clearly see that after being whitewashed by Buffalo in last year's playoffs, the last thing the Flyers needed to do was stand pat.

A heartbreaking 4-3 shootout loss to New Jersey on December 2 is what really signaled the end to the Flyers season. Mike Knuble scored a goal early in the 3rd period and the Flyers twarted any attempts the Devils made at tying the game, leaving to a rare later Devils penalty. Lo and behold the Devils score shorthanded goal, the first of the season for Brad Lukowich (3 of his 4 goals this season came in Philadelphia), the game is tied and the Flyers played like zombies in overtime before a weak attempt in the shootout. The Flyers before that point had shown signs of putting it together despite crucial mistakes leading to losses against Ottawa and Nashville in then-recent games. That loss against the Devils was the beginning of the end and the Flyers only won 4 of their next 24 games.

Also dissapointing, was the Flyers heralded sophomores. Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and R.J. Umberger were massive disappointments offensively. Carter and Richards both spent a significant time on the injured list, and Umberger was missing in action for more than half of the season. Antero Niittymaki left much to be desired after a 2005-06 season that left some promise that he would emerge as the #1 goalie we hoped to have. And while not a sophomore, but in his 3rd year, Joni Pitkanen was thrown into a sink-or-swim situation, and he sank despite career highs in points and assists. He left this season with more questions than answers, and hopefully he can do well in the World Championships as he has committed to playing for the Finnish National team. However, a sophomore who shined bright for the Flyers was superpest Ben Eager, who with a strong work ethic, determination and attitude has had fans being endearing to him, with numerous fans now sporting his name and #55 on their jerseys. Alex Picard has also made strides in his rookie season.

The shining bright spot for the Flyers, this season, was certainly their penalty kill. The Flyers PK was dreadful last season. With players coming in and out all season this year, the Flyers penalty kill was ranked #3 in the league at one point, led with a top unit featuring Derian Hatcher and Denis Gauthier, with Richard and Umberger seeing a large amount of time, along with Sami Kapanen and Mike Knuble who were both signed to two-year contract extensions and will probably end their careers with the Flyers.

And after the trade deadline, the Flyers found themselves stockpiled with many young assets and a new #1 goalie. Gone was Superstar Peter Forsberg, Kyle Calder, Alex Zhitnik and Petr Nedved (sent off through waivers earlier in the season). In are Scottie Upshall, who has quickly established himself as a fan favorite, scoring goals and creating scoring chances, highlighted with his overtime winning goal in Boston, with 9.9 seconds left. Braydon Coburn and Ryan Parent are two promising defensemen. Coburn will definitely find himself in the lineup next season, and Ryan Parent will see some time as well, he has already played one game vs. New Jersey last week. Lasse Kukkonen has been a solid find, he was brought in for Kyle Calder. Kukkonen was the runaway leader in blocked shots among rookie defensemen. Kukkonen's play has made himself part of the future of this team and has shown to be a valuable player.

For next season though, the player who has been responsible for Flyer fans having hope for next season is Martin Biron. Once the enemy for so many years in Buffalo, New Flyers GM Paul Holmgren made a bold move giving up a valuable 2nd round pick to ensure that this team had a #1 goalie. Biron was recently signed to a two-year contract extension, and if everything goes as planned, both sides know it will be longer than that. With a positive attitude and stellar play, Biron helped shine optimism on a hopeless season. By himself, he has drawn excitement and anxiousness for next season.

The Flyers have over $20M in cap space for next season, and will absolutely make a big splash in free agency and at the very least the Flyers will be far more competitive and hopefully make the playoffs next season.

As for a personal highlight for the Flyers this year...well, there was only 10 home wins, but A February pasting of the Detroit Red Wings is one of two shining moments I have. The Flyers were tied 1-1 after 3, but in the 3rd period, Peter Forsberg led off a 5-goal onslaught capped off with Todd Fedoruk's breakaway goal in a 6-1 win. It turned out to be Peter Forsberg's final game with the Flyers as he was traded three days later. Another would be yesterday's season ending win against Buffalo. The game meant nothing to either team in the standings, but it meant a lot to the Flyers and the fans in that building. At the very least, Flyers fans wanted just one more time to cheer and feel good about the team, and celebrate the future of the team.


I'll be back in a day or two with a Kings season review too.

Gainey out with the flu...

Ooops! We usually say "...out with the flu" during the season, when another damn player goes down with it like many did in 2006-2007 with the Canadiens.

Oh, sweet God, when will the damn flu syndrome end?

Mike Boone on his online eeee-mail, which I got from Habs Inside/Out, posted an interesting little piece of info I was not subjected to earlier.
---------------------
You don't really want to be Bob Gainey this weekend.
He has the flu and did not travel to Toronto.
Gainey had to watch his hockey team miss the playoffs on TV.
Hope he was tuned to RDS, where analyst Yvon Pedneault ended his night's work by offering Gainey some unequivocal advice:
Sign Daniel Brière.
The second period last night showed us what the Montreal Canadiens can be.
The rest of the game showed what they are.
So what's a GM to do?
---------------------
Did you guys know this?
Ah, it was just a little tidbit, I will post my playoff predictions sometime this week.

And in the meantime, the LEAFS are OUT! *claps loudly*

The Leafs should get their golf clubs out...

...especially now that this kind of expected decision has been made.

Maybe he does, because his decision to play the little-used Scott Clemmensen in goal will not please the damned Leafs captain, Mats Sundin.
Actually, it has not yet been announced, but TSN and the Toronto Star are reporting this.

"I hope Brodeur plays," said the Swedish Captain to the TSN media after the Leafs beat you-know-who yesterday, 6-5.

Of course he wants Brodeur to play, then that gives the Devils the advantage over the Islanders.
Now, if you're really behind in all this, the Islanders are a point behind the (sigh) 8th place Leafs and can surpass them and qualify for a playoff spot if they beat Lamoriello's Devils today.

Giving Scott Clemmensen the call in goal is a wise choice by the enigmatic Lou Lamoriello.
Brodeur needs a rest, especially now with the playoffs in the horizon, the Devils netminder will probably enjoy getting a day off; the game today has absolutely no significance to them but is pivotal for the Islanders, who will either qualify for the playoffs today and knock off the Leafs, or, even worse, if they lose (how could they with Clemmensen playing?!), Toronto will win the lottery and advance to the post-season.

The least that the Islanders can do today, is beat Jersey to (yes!) take the Leafs out of a possible playoff run.

All indications point to Wade Dubielewicz getting the nod for the Islanders.
The minor-league callup has been impressive in his recent stint for the Isle, he saved their season after relieving the depleted Mike Dunham, who just couldn't stop a beach ball at this point.

It should be a good game, but, don't be surprised at all if the Islanders win, with respect to Scott Clemmensen, it's obvious right now who has the clear advantage.

Thank you Lou!

I wonder who's the best golfer on the Leafs? I'll put my money on Matt Stajan...

My sob-filled "it's over" post...

Only read this is you want to cry, Habs fans.

*hysterical sob*And as Mark Streit picked the puck up at his own blue line, realizing there were only 07 seconds remaining in play, I sobbed dearly.

I sobbed for the Canadiens, a team that had just blown a two-goal lead, a team that had given fans an ugly ending for the season, a team that lacked the passion the Leafs had tonight, and finally I sobbed because it was all over.

*continuous sobb*There would be no Cinderella runs for the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge this year, no more glory to uphold our pride, no more passion to support our addiction; it's just all gone. *passionate sob*

*sob*Saku Koivu did not lead this team, like I asked in my prayer. *sob*
Sure he had 3 assists and was not a minus, but the guy who we're paying more than Alex Kovalev did not even get a shot on goal, let alone battle in the corners. *sob*

I am really dissapointed in his showing tonight, his opponent, Mats Sundin, recorded 8 shots on goal, had the same number of assists, but nevertheless, he led his team; he was the Captain.

And now we get to...Alex Kovalev,*sob*after all the support I have shown for him even in times of media houndling him, people getting tired with his inconsistency and telling them all he could easily be the best player in the NHL, it's time for him to go. *sob*, *sob*

I don't have anything against Kovalev, despite a poor performance, I don't hold anything against him. I will however, criticize him.

Where were you tonight Alex?
This is the night you were supposed to show up?
This is the night you HAD to show up?
This is the night, you'd shut them all up and come out of hiding!

Except, you were benched for all but two shifts in the last period of play, and worst of all: Guy Carbonneau found it necessary to put you where you don't belong with the season on the line in the last minute of play: on the bench.
And with that said, I just cannot bare to go through the 2008 season with the guy on our team.
I think Gainey needs to trade him...please, do it, I don't want to suffer with all the Kovalev talk again, and besides, you could possibly get a nice package return back for him.
And once again, I don't hate the guy, I think it's just business and that he doesn't get along well with Guy Carbonneau and the media in question.

Sheldon Souray...*sobs again* is gone.
He will file for unrestricted free-agency and leave us...*sob*He's going to leave us!
There's no way we're going to sign him, unless Gainey sacrifics Kovalev and Samsonov for the price of Souray, we can't afford to sign him.

Oh Shelly...*sob*you've played for the last time in Bleu, Blanc et Rouge...
I'd like to thank you from the heart as I sit here sobbing at my computer desk for everything you have given us during this damned season...leadership, record-breaking scoring, maybe even legendary scoring. I salute you, and I will never forget what kind of a leader you were in the dressing room, and what an offensive fireballer, you were on the ice.*sob*
Aurevoir!*sob*

*Sigh* and now we get to Cristobal Huet. My favourite goaltender and by far the classiest guy of the team. I don't blame you, Cristobal, sure you let in 6 big ones, but, you couldn't even stop 4 of them. Remember how the puck hit off a skate, a stick, a body, a helmet, the zamboni, whatever. It always hit off something and went in. I do however, blame you for one thing: not stepping up when it was needed late in the game.

You kept us in the game after facing around 20 shots in the first period, but you did let in a few softies. I also understand you haven't played in about 2 months, but on this play, it's irrelevant.

Take the first goal for example: (I'm a goalie too) What...just what, were you doing on your knees, in your crease, not even facing the player who scored right, 1 second before the shot was even taken in the slot.
You did go down to block the post, but you did not show me the Huet I admire by pushing off to face the second shot in the slot like you ALWAYS do in the season.

*sob*

I'm sorry we couldn't help you more tonight. I still have confidence in you, and I can't wait to see you play next season.

''Some people might question Carbonneau for putting Huet in, but I think we made the right move,'' said centre Chris Higgins, who scored two goals and added an assist against Toronto.

"The summer will be long," said Huet to the French press.

And yes, you're right, the summer will be VERY long.

I've had enough of ranting and sobbing now, but another thing bothers me.

The 2008 campaign? It could be the worst season in the new NHL era for the Canadiens.

Saku Koivu is not leading the team to wins, like a typical fan like you or if you're a psychotic fanatic like me, would want.

David Aebischer? Bye-bye! There's zero chance you're coming back next year thanks to your crappy play, and the emergence of Jaroslav Halak, makes it all but clear. I don't want to start on you again, I've already said it many times in many posts.

Radek Bonk? Ah, Radek. I hope you get signed, you had a fine year on defence and I appreciate the little things you did that helped this club A LOT.
I realize that you probably won't be retained, if Bob Gainey wants to attempt to keep Andrei Markov and Sheldon Souray, then you're toast mon ami.

*sob*Barring any big discount from the $2.3 million you're making now, I don't see you coming back, nor do I see the most-expensive d-man on our team returning...no, it's not a Markov or a Souray, it's Janne Niinimaa.

I still think management should offer him a contract and remain as the 7th defenceman, rather than bring up a dud like Jean-Phillipe Cote from Hamilton.
His strong play over the month of March is enough of an indication to me, that he wants to remain here. But maybe Bob Gainey will see it differently, and he likely will.

*sob*Mike Johnson? Wow, just a great pickup by Gainey! He had a very good season, and if Mark Streit didn't have a good year, I think he would have been nominated for the Masterton, and possibly (this is WAYYY stretched out) the Selke.

He had a very sound year on defence, and was a good surprise on offence (30 points and over 15o shots is good production at this point in his career).

I don't know if the Canadiens will retain him, he's making $1,9 million and I doubt he'd make that much next season.
I hope he and Bonk will come back, I really do...

I'm worried about this team for the upcoming season, because there is a major need of talent here. I would absolutely love to get Daniel Briere, but, it seems like nobody wants to come here and that Bob Gainey is reluctant to make big trades.
Both those items will cost us dearly next year.*sob*

Here's to hoping Gainey will make the right decisions and turn our team around.

And in the meantime, Go Sabres, but in my heart, I will always bleed Bleu, Blanc et Rouge.

Canadiens fans everywhere...pray.

May Habs fans everywhere please rise and pray for the Canadiens.

Pray for Cristobal Huet to be healthy tonight, to be back into the game, to have regained his first half magic and last but not least to make those key crucial saves. Pray for him to steal us the win and let us sneak into the playoffs and finally, pray for Cristobal...

Pray for Alex Kovalev to come out of hiding. For his heart to wake up and bring the player that has been hidden inside an imposter's body wearing the same jersey number during the entire season. Pray for him to do what he does best, and his best would be enough to carry us to victory tonight...

Pray for Sheldon Souray. Pray for him to remain a Canadien after the season is over. Realizing this could be his last game, God, please let him score once more and let victory roll over when the siren rings as we see him walk off the ice in Bleu, Blanc et Rouge for possibly the last time ever...

Pray for Michael Ryder to do his thing tonight. Pray for the real Ryder, not the -26 Ryder that doesn't backcheck and gets stupid hooking penalties, but the one who shoots the puck with passion and is driven to get the goal judge to ring up the red light on the opposition's net...

Pray for Chris Higgins to wake up. The Chris Higgins we have seen this year is a mere reflection of last year's breakout. Pray for him to drive to the net, to make the play he made before getting injured, and to become a feared player once again. Pray to God to also let him wake up from a condemned sleep, which has showed us minimal offence...

Pray for Tomas Plekanec. Pray for the guy that was considered too weak to play with Kovalev and Samsonov to carry the team should the Kaptain and Kommander fail to do so...

Pray for the Kaptain. Pray for Saku Koivu to lead us in these times of uncertaincy and keep the pride when we need it most. Pray for him to lead us into Lord Stanley's ring...

And finally...Pray for Guy Carbonneau. Pray for the rookie coach to make the right decision for us when times are dark, pray for him to do what is best for us to win and pray that he continues to blast referees.

Last but not least...Pray for Josh Gorges (who's a healthy scratch). Pray for him not to make that bonehead play and cost us a goal. That's all I'm asking. (Even though he's a healthy scratch! :D)

Ah what the heck, it's the Leafs, I think I'm overreacting, after all, it is the Leafs we're playing...

Photography: Habs prepare for big game

Here are a few photos I "borrowed" from Habs Inside/Out and Yahoo! Sports.

The last time Cristobal Huet gets pulled? Please, yes.

Canadiens stretch out on the Air Canada Centre ice, this morning.

Cristobal Huet works out under the eagle-eyed Guy Carbonneau.

The Canadiens finish up their practice, note that David Aebsicher is miraculously in net (bottom right) and Cristobal Huet is on the other end of the ice.

Despair, dissapointment, effortless, call it what you want, it was disgusting.

This is today's NHL Frozen Moment, no need to caption it....

Islanders' Matinee Can Impact Big Game

Tonight’s monumental game against the Toronto Maple Leafs could be worth all the marbles should the New York Islanders fail to pick up the two points they would need to help themselves into the playoffs.

The great thing about the Islanders’ game today is that it’s at 1pm. Thus, both the Leafs and Habs will know exactly what’s on the line tonight when they square off for the first puck drop.

Should the Isles drop their match to the Philadelphia Flyers tonight (or even lose in overtime or shootout), the winner between Montreal and Toronto will make a post-season dance with the Buffalo Sabres.

For the Leafs, however, a win in regulation would be required because an OT or SO win would bring them into a tie with the Canadiens who would remain ahead thanks to more wins. Also, should the Islanders lose or pick up only a point tonight, Montreal would need only a single point to clinch their playoff spot.

It wasn’t until this morning that I actually felt the full excitement of tonight’s match. Honestly, it’s all that I can think about, and probably all I’ll think about until the middle of next week. I even dreamt of hockey last night, though, I cannot recall the outcome of the dream.

In my opinion, this is Toronto’s game to lose, if only because they hold home-ice advantage. It will be vital for the Canadiens to score early in the game to take the Leafs’ fans out of the game a bit. Thing is, scoring first isn’t one of Montreal’s strong points. I can’t remember a whole lot of games this season where Montreal took the first lead and held it.

Another key to the game tonight is goaltending. You have to like the Habs’ chances with either of Jaroslav Halak or Cristobal Huet. The logical choice would be Huet, even if he is a bit rusty having missed the last 20+ games with a hamstring injury, because of experience. The Maple Leafs have Andrew Rayrcoft, a goaltender Montreal has proven they can beat both in Boston and Toronto.

Either way you slice it, the degree of importance regarding tonight’s game will be heavily decided by the outcome of the Islanders/Flyers match this afternoon.

Do you like horror movies?

You do? Ah, well, here's how it starts:

Here, we examine the worst +/- players in the 28-39-14 Washington Capitals team, in 14th place with 70 points:

And here, we can observe the same stat for the 42-33-6 Montreal Canadiens, in 8th place with 92 points (22 more than the latter)



See anything weird there? Oh, it's no big deal, the Canadiens only have 3 players in the minus twenties whereas the Washington Capitals HAVE NONE!
I can't believe it, really. Even if the Caps have Ovechkin, who is a thousand times better than Koivu and Ryder put together, their team +/- rating is -135, the Habs sit 26 back with...wait for it, -161!
Koivu is -22, Ovechkin is -19.

And worst of all, which makes this stat even more scary, is that the Capitals and Canadiens both have scored the exact same numbers of goals heading into Saturday night, with 234 a piece and the Canadiens, who sit in playoff contention, have allowed about 30 goals less than the Capitals.

There's a problem here, and I just can't see how this can be.
I know the Habs' penalty kill dropped off badly from 1st to the mid-teens recently, but the Capitals have been consistently mediocre all year long.

If anyone can tell me, I'd gladly appreciate it.


In other relative Habs news...

-Cristobal Huet will tend goal for the Canadiens tonight. It will be the French goaltender's first start since he injured his hamstring against the New Jersey Devils about 2 months ago. Huet appeared for the 3rd period of Thursday's 3-1 Habs' loss to the New York Rangers, when he replaced Jaroslav Halak, who allowed 3 goals on 25 shots.

This is a reasonable move, Carbonneau probably panicked at Halak's shaky play and didn't want it to transition to this game, he knows they can't afford to risk anything with the playoffs on the line, and the logical choice was to go with Cristobal Huet, who hopefully, once again will save the team as he did last season.

See Matthew's post above for more information heading into tonight's Habs-Leafs tilt.

Koivu interview by Harry Rosen...

I realize I'm a month late, but I found this on Harry Rosen while trying to learn how to tie a tie for Easter!

Hey Koivu, wow, c'est chic ça!

I wonder if he got to keep the clothes?

Q: Thanks for your time today, I understand you've got a hectic schedule.
Saku: Yeah, we just finished practice and now it's straight off to Boston.

Q: Saturday's game in Toronto: Pleased with the outcome?
Saku: Yeah, it was a good game for me personally, and of course we won. But playing against Toronto is always fun. Those are probably the games you enjoy the most. The crowd is always so excited; you can feel the tension. It's usually half Maple Leafs fans, half Canadiens cheering and so those are big, exciting games.

Q: Growing up in Finland were you able to follow the NHL?

Saku: No, not a lot. We liked to watch but we didn't get many games. Usually the ones we got were Edmonton, because Jari Kurri and Esa Tikkanen played there. Maybe once a month we'd see a game. But it was enough to give us our heroes.

Q: You've become quite a hero yourself in Montreal. How do you enjoy living here?
Saku: I've been living here since '95. It's a great city. I mean, you can always complain about the weather, it's not the greatest. But for a young couple - it was just my wife and I when we moved here - all the restaurants and the culture made it very exciting for both of us. And of course the French aspect makes it very unique.

Q: Did your wife come with you from Finland?
Saku: She's been here - now don't quote me - I think, seven, eight years. She loves it here. There are a lot of great cities but this one is up there for being social and vibrant… Pretty much anything you are looking for you can find in Montreal.

Q: How are the fans?
Saku: Montreal fans? They are very, very passionate. There's a long tradition and they are used to winning. Not that it's easy or fun all the time. When things are not going well they let you know how they feel about it. But at the same time, and I really feel this, if you can play in Montreal I believe you can play anywhere.

Q: So how do you like being Captain?
Saku: Well, I've been captain since '98, so it's a few years now. I like it, but it's a big job, especially in Montreal. I still feel it's about being myself - and relating to the guys. I'm sure that one day, when I look back on who else have been captains here, the full weight of it will be something I realize and I'll say, "Wow!" There have always been big skates to fill in this town, that's for sure.

Q: I remember watching an eight-minute standing ovation when you stepped on the ice after your battle with cancer. How did that feel?
Saku: The reaction I got from fans that night was really something, but honestly it's a bit of a blur for me because so much was going on. It was a short time, but a long road for me. My wife and I, we sunk right to the bottom when we found out about the cancer. We thought the worst. First of all, 'Am I going to live?' And then, 'Am I going to play hockey?' There was no guarantee that things would be good in the end. I missed a good chunk of that year, but then there I was back for the playoffs. And it was kind of a goal for us to get there. Being on the ice again was like proof for me that the cancer was gone. There was a lot of emotion for me there, that night.

Q: You battled back from non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. What was that like?
Saku: We got the diagnosis in September and started treatments right away and stopped treatments in January. Then I had the PET scan in February that said I was in remission. So, really, it was the end of February when I was able to start getting back into shape. I think my first game back was April 6th.

Q: You've been in remission for five years now?
Saku: Yes. I just passed the five-year mark in January. You know, every year you're in remission is a positive marker, but the fifth year is a big deal. Now that we're past that, we're feeling quite positive about things. I still need to get tested regularly, but from a medical standpoint the cancer is gone and I can lead a normal life.

Q: Do you think in some ways it's made you a better hockey player, or a better captain?
Saku: Yeah, totally. I mean I think I was very tough on myself, competitive and passionate about the game before, but it was in what I now see was a selfish, immature way. It would take me a while to get over a bad game and even when things were going well, I might beat up on myself to push harder, to do more and more. That's good in a way, but at a certain point that stuff becomes a barrier too. The cancer gave me a new perspective - to enjoy myself and my life and the game, whether it's going well or not. It's a game, not life or death every minute I'm on the ice, because now I actually know what life or death situations really feel like.

Q: That 'perspective' is common among survivors, but some would argue that your game has improved since the cancer. What do you make of that?
Saku: Maybe. Playing hockey at this level, where everyone is that good, a mental thing kicks in and you play mind games with yourself that can diminish your own ability. I think, in a strange way, cancer has freed me of that. I'm not competing with myself so much anymore. I'm just out on the ice playing the best hockey I can.

Q: Can you talk about the foundation you created coming out of that ordeal?
Saku: It's something we set up during the treatments. My wife and I, and our families, we got talking a lot about the treatments and we couldn't help wondering if there was something more that could be done, given the life-and-death nature of our situation. We also wanted to give something back to the medical community and the community in general that had rallied around us. Our battle with cancer was a very public one and it dawned on us that we could use that to generate momentum for a cause. Then along the way we also realized that we were getting these vital PET scans to monitor my recovery. We were traveling to Sherbrooke for them because there wasn't a PET scanner in Montreal. Those results were so pivotal and cathartic for us that one day, when we were coming back from Sherbrooke, we said to ourselves, "Montreal needs to have one of these machines! That's what the foundation is going to achieve!" And we did it. In fact, my last check-up was on that machine.

Q: Forgive me, but what exactly is the role of a PET Scan in terms of treatment?
Saku: It's a machine that catches stuff early. And that provides instant, emotional gratification in terms of the recovery process. So, I said to myself, "The people of Montreal have to have access to one of these!" Don't get me wrong, I would love to win a Stanley Cup for this town, but going through what I did in terms of cancer and then being able to help bring a PET Scan machine to Montreal. That felt like a big win right there.
(Adda boy Saku!)

Q: What's next for the Foundation?
Saku: Our next project is raising funds to assist families coping with cancer, to help them go to appointments, look after themselves and all of that. We need to do what we can as a community to lift some of the burden.

Q: What's it like being a father?
Saku: My son is eight months, my daughter is two years and three months. It's just amazing. I used to say cancer changed my life, but it was nothing compared to these kids. They widen your perspective in ways no one can explain. And it was an especially big deal for us because, with the cancer treatments, there are no guarantees you'll be able to have children. Now, having two happy, healthy kids is the ultimate reminder that we beat cancer.

Q: How does playing for the Canadiens differ from playing for Team Finland?
Saku: Well, your home country is your home country, so there's an emotion attached that's different. It's more intense, too, because you come together with guys you don't normally play with. The training camp is very short, very intense versus the long NHL season, so it brings different things out of you as a player. It's very exhilarating. I think if you ask any guy in the NHL, you'll find that however much allegiance he may have for his team - and when you play for the Canadiens, you have a lot - when you pull on your National Team Jersey and you hear the anthem, that means a lot as an experience.

Q: Still a bit of a different game over there?
Saku: Yes, sure. But for me that's not really an adjustment because, like other European players, I grew up playing on those ice surfaces. So even though it may be only every four years of so, it still feels very familiar, very second nature to play that game.

Q: Who do you think would win if we could get Team Finland to play the Canadiens?
Saku: (Laughs.) Okay, whoa! Now you're putting me on the spot. That's like asking if I'd prefer a gold medal or Stanley Cup. The truth is, I want both!

Q: A lot of players wear suits these days. Is that like a second uniform for you guys?
Saku: Yeah, it's a league rule for how we present ourselves. But I think it's good. It brings a level of professionalism and, hey, it is our profession after all.

Q: Who picks your clothes out in the morning, you or your wife?
Saku: My wife of course. She has better taste than me, but she's teaching me a lot. And so now I do have veto power if I don't like something.

Q: Do you find shopping intimidating?
Saku: No, not at all. I like to shop, especially in Montreal. There's a lot of style here and so it's easy. But not only that, you have to keep up in this town, so that you don't look like a bum from Toronto. (Laughs.) I'm kidding, but no, I definitely enjoy shopping.

Q: Who's the best-dressed guy in the league?Saku: Well that's hard to say specifically but I'm certain us guys who play for the Canadiens are up there. Like I said, this is a stylish town.

Very interesting, to say the least.

Datsyuk signs 7-year pact with Detroit...

Pavel Datsyuk will be a Red Wing for a long time.
How long you ask?

Oh, just seven years.

According to TSN, At 1:00 PM today, Red Wings GM Ken Holland announced the deal, which will pay the young Russian star $6-7 million anually, for a total of $46.9 million in that span.

He's making $3.9 million this season and it's paying off; the 28-year old forward has 27 goals and 60 assists to lead the Wings this season and is poised for greatness in the years to come.

He would have been a highly-sought player on the free-agent market, but instead, he decided to remain in Hockeytown for the next 7 seasons.

"Pavel really wanted to commit here for his career,"general manager Ken Holland said of the longest contract extension in team history."In the end we felt very comfortable with a long-term commitment to Pavel."

"Everyone in the organization wanted him to stay with us," said team owner Mike Ilitch.

I hope for the sake of Ken Holland, that he'll live up to this money.
If anything, he's certainly going to come close to living up to that.

Nevertheless, the 2006 Lady Byng Memorial recipient is happy.

"This contract was extremely important to me," Datsyuk said. "Especially since I have been a Red Wing since 2001."

Among other tidbits...Francis Bouillon next one out?

Can Francis Bouillon's time in Montreal be over?

Got this off of Spector, it's very interesting to say the least (corrected the spelling and grammar)

"Daniel" recently sent in the following on the Canadiens

This is probably not possible to check if it's true or not but former referee Ron Fournier said yesterday on popular radio show "Les amateurs de sports" that Gainey's plan is to have Huet as a starter next season and have Halak or young Carey Price as a backup. On defence, the 7 starters planned are Dandenault, Markov, Streit, Komisarek, Gorges with young Jean-Philippe Côté and Ryan O'Byrne leading to the speculation that Sheldon Souray and Janne Niinimaa won't be signed and Francis Bouillon will be traded somewhere this summer. He also said that Gainey wants to pursue a big UFA name such as Bill Guerin, Daniel Brière and Chris Phillips. Fournier said that there's some big surprise for the forwards and doesn't want to reveal it until the Habs season ends. He also said that he has a source from
the Habs management but don't want to say who it is.

This was broadcast on CKAC 730AM around 5PM Tuesday.

Well, Ron Fournier is definitely a good journalist and radio host and I'm sure this isn't far off.

Sheldon Souray will probably command around $6-$6.5 million per season, and I doubt the Canadiens can give him that(I had a post earlier in February on how the Habs could re-sign Souray, but the price has risen now.)
And besides, Souray's only asset is his booming slap shot, besides that, he's not a very good defenceman (he's hovering around -20 these days), and his 5-on-5 play is just plain ordinary.

I know he'll get that kind of money elsewhere, but seriously, it's not the end of the world if the Canadiens let Sheldon Souray walk and invest that money in bringing in a prime-UFA scorer this offseason.
Ok, ok, the powerplay will likely suffer without him, but, look at the bright side, a Daniel Briere, Bill Guerin or Chris Drury would be an even better addition.

Francis Bouillon is having a mediocre season by his standards.
After having an oustanding 2005-2006 campaign, Bouillon's play has declined sharply this season.
The problems start in his own end, despite being able to put up that bone-crushing check often, where he coughs up the puck way too much and shoots the puck up the middle instead of around the boards.
He looks like Sheldon Souray on defence and is nothing close to him on offence.
His offensive input has been miminal this season (3 G, 11 A in 61 games), but an injury he suffered late last season, could be the reason for his inconsistency.
He had 22 points last year, not much off from this year, but it looks like he felt more into it last year. He had 3 powerplay goals and 20 more shots on goal than so far this season.
I wouldn't be sad to see him go, he was a scratch once or twice this season and he has only himself to blame for that.
He's making close to $2 million this season, and if this keeps up, I'd rather have a guy like Ryan O'Byrne or Josh Gorges out there.

Janne Niinimaa...I've already said it, he's having a horrible year all-around, but his play has picked up recently.
He's making a push to get a contract offer from Bob Gainey this summer, to remain as the possible 7th defenceman, but no way for the price he's getting now ($2.5 million).
With that said, I'd rather have him that (blech) Jean-Phillipe Cote up here.

And again, everyone wants these Brieres, Drurys, Guerins, Shanahans to come and put on the Montreal Canadiens jersey, but, every year we get dissapointed.

And if the defence looks like that next season, we're in for a long one.

With respect to O'Byrne, Dandenault and Gorges, that's a pretty crappy defensive back.

Maybe that "surprise" is that a guy like Alex Kovalev, Michael Ryder or even (shudder) Saku Koivu are on the move?

God, I hope not.

Will $2600 be wasted?

Tonight, contrary to general belief, is the night, it's the night we find out who wasted $2 600 on a ticket to the highly-anticipated Leafs-Habs game in T.O on Saturday.

Forget all that Leafs-Habs showdown blablah...if things go a certain way tonight, there will be no need to buy the ticket that's going for $2 600 on eBay...

First off, the Rangers play host to the Canadiens.

I was personally there when the Canadiens blew them away 6-4, when the first-star of the week-Henrik Lundqvist-was pulled from the game.

Backed by hot rookie Jaroslav Halak, a surging offence to compliment a newfound team chemistry, and if fate allows it, the Canadiens seemed destined to clinch a playoff spot tonight in front of a sold-out Madison Square Garden crowd.

Saku Koivu (above) has confirmed that he can still score...he put in two highlight-reel goals against the Bruins on Tuesday, and more impressively, by going through the mammoth that is Zdeno Chara.

Sergei Samsonov (left) has been of invaluable help to the team.

No, no...not on the ice-are you joking?-but off the ice...he's sat for 11 straight games and it appears very unlikely he'll ever dress for hockey's most storied club ever again.

In those 11 games, the Canadiens have gone 9-2.

THANK YOU SERGEI!

Anyway, ahem, it's expected that the 28-year old forward's contract will be bought out at 2 thirds of the price at the end of the current campaign (and eventual playoffs).

Samsonov, Bob Gainey's then-prime offseason signing, has been nothing more than a branch in the mud for Guy Carbonneau's squad this season, he's only put in 8 goals this year, and more dissapointing is his point total: a measly 28.

But...we must not forget about those Toronto Maple Leafs either, who, fresh off a 3-2 overtime W over the Philadelphia Flyers, are on the other side of town, in Long Island actually, taking on the New York Islanders.

The Islanders looked like a playoff contender 2 weeks ago, but have fallen off a deep cliff recently and find themselves on the verge of missing the playoffs and making Garth Snow a mad man.

With one game in hand over the Leafs, Habs and Rangers, the Islanders must win tonight to avoid the same situation the defending Stanley Cup champs, Carolina Hurricanes, have innundated themselves in.

Wade Dubeliewicz, career minor-league goalie with the Isles' AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, seems like that last hope Charles Wang's team has of making it to the post-season.

With Rick DiPietro out with a post-concussion syndrome, induced by Canadiens enforcer Steve Begin a few weeks ago, Mike Dunham has responded horribly to his new role...this can be verified by taking a look at last Friday's Isles-Sabres box score: he allowed 5 goals in the first period alone...

The Leafs are on the brink of (yes!) missing the playoffs for the second straight season.

They sit in 9th place, one point behind the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge, with the risk of never giving fans (especially the ones who paid $2 600...) the "winner-takes-all" battle at the ACC on Saturday night, the eve of Easter Day.

To sum all this talk up: if the Habs win and Isles win tonight (in regulation), somebody out there will have wasted $2 600 on a worthless piece of paper.

If the Rangers win and Leafs win, the Leafs move into the 8th spot and the Rangers clinch their second-straight playoff spot in the last two seasons (and yes, it's a big deal, remember the pre-lockout terror-filled horror movies...sorry, they were the Rangers' dismal seasons).

I certainly hope that the first option is the one, otherwise, I will wake up tomorrow morning with a terrible headache...

Nabokov key to Sharks' Stanley Cup hopes...

Rewind back to May of 2006 and Evegeni Nabokov's story is completely different from now.

After a few sensational starts in the first half of the season, Evgeni Nabokov's play began to physically deteriorate.
At the all-star break, he boasted mediocre numbers for a goalie of his calibre...his .892 SPCT% and 2.95 goals-against average were HUGE dissapointments.

Lucky for the Sharks, they had a guy named Vesa Toskala to save the season.

His pre all-star game numbers were even shakier than Nabokov's, his inconsistent play cost his dearly in the numbers category.
A glaring .883 SPCT% and 3.12 GAA kept him on the bench.

However, he turned it around in the second half, his strong play netted him the no. 1 job down the playoff stretch and heading into the 2006-2007 season.
He proved to be durable and reliable, starting the 19 of the team's 26 games down the stretch and posted awesome numbers.

Toskala won over fans' hearts, heck he won over mine too.

Evgeni Nabokov shouldn't have been happy, but he was after signing a five-year $25 million deal, just as Vesa Toskala stole the starting job from him.

Injuries and inconsistency led to the Russian-born goaltender's worst season ever, he finished off with a 16-19-7 record, hardly spectacular, to go along with a 3.10 GAA and .885 SPCT.

The Sharks ended up being eliminated by the fairy-tale Oilers in the Western Conference semi-finals but Toskala was not to blame.

Trade rumours dogged Nabokov entering the new campaign, a report here, a report there...there was even a rumour he was to be dealt to the Bruins in November.
Wilson was doing everything he could to get rid of the hefty salary that was dragging down his team's free cap space.

WAIT!

Vesa Toskala started well but not well enough to hold onto the no.1 job.
He was VERY streaky and never seemed to be able to post consistent numbers game-in-and game out like he did in the second stanza of the previous season.


Evgeni Nabokov meanwhile, waited patiently.

The wait paid off for Nabby, Toskala went down with an injury and in he came.
And when Toskala returned, he did not show the same spunk he had earlier in the season.

Ever since he's taken over the no. 1 job, Nabokov's put up a spectacular show for Sharks fans...

He's been consistent all year long, that was something that hurt him last season, and his 2.25 GAA and .914 SPCT clearly show it.

He also has 7 shutouts, 4 of which he posted in the second half.

I recently asked Sharks fans a question...who should start in the playoffs?

Sure Nabokov is looking like Brodeur now, but you can't forget about Toskala.
Despite the fact he went down with an injury, he's been able to keep up respectable numbers...

The answer was unanimous.

Sharks fans agree...Evgeni Nabokov is the number one guy, he's hot right now and you play him.
Ehh ehh! No buts!

Nabokov is playing awesome now and that's what your team would love to have, heading into the Stanley Cup playoffs, a hot, confident goalie.

And should Nabokov fail, Toskala's always there to help.

It would be sad, however, to see him fall like that after a great season...

For you Habs and Sens fans...

...here's something that'll make you giggle.

Hat tip to Sherry over at HLOG and Scarlett Ice for this little beauty.

Lamoriello fires Julien - The league is shocked, but Devils fans are unsurprised

Once again a Devils coach has been fired midseason, and for the second time in recent memory it's been in the very final stretch of the season. In 2000, Lamoriello fired Rob Ftorek with less than ten games left in the season. Now, in 2007, Claude Julien finds himself out a coaching job - although he apparently will remain inside of the Devils organization - and Lou Lamoriello himself will be back behind the bench.

Lamoriello was definite in his stance that he would never coach again following last season, after a long winning streak which ended against the eventual champions, Carolina, but has reneged on that position and goes back behind the bench.

For the NHL, this comes out of nowhere. The Devils, while they have fallen off slightly from their earlier success, have returned to their winning ways in recent games. But many Devils fans have been far from happy about the recent play of the team, despite the victories, and felt that something was missing which push the team from playoff caliber to serious contender.

From Lamoriello's recent remarks, he and Julien were both aware of this fact as well and have since acted, with Julien's firing, to attempt to rectify the problem. I personally have felt for weeks that the Devils were missing... something undefinable... and so here we are.

Will Julien's firing make the Devils a better team going into the playoffs? I don't know, and I won't ever know, since Julien's Devils no longer exist and they're now Lamoriello's team again. But I do know that yesterday the Devils, while they were a playoff team, were not a Stanley Cup team, in my opinion. This change might not make the team better, but it has the potential to be that spark that every championship team needs to go the distance.

To paraphrase: this would have been an easy to decision not to make, and a difficult one to make, but Lou decided to make the hard decision and go out on that limb, as he has so many times before. There is a reason that Lamoriello is still around, despite 14 coaching changes, 3 owners, and multiple roster remakes during his 19 year tenure as Devils GM. Lou looked at New Jersey, saw a team missing something, something undefinable, and acted to try to make a change which could push the team over the hump. It's not the first time he's done something like this and it will not be the last.

What makes Lou the best GM of the league is that he's willing to make the tough decisions, put himself on the line and submit himself to ridicule, if he believes it will make his team better. Today the Devils strike me as a stronger team than they did yesterday.

The league might not like it, but this is the kind of decision I want my GM to make in a crisis...

Quoi! Claude Julien fired...again?!

This is out of nowhere, really, Lou Lamoriello today fired his head coach Claude Julien.

Julien was fired mid-way through the 2005-2006 season by the, guess who, Montreal Canadiens.
The Canadiens were in the midst of a slump that saw them fall desperately out of a playoff spot; Jose Theodore's shoddy goaltending was the reason to blame, but in hockey, you don't blame your players, you blame the coach.

The Canadiens and Bob Gainey had no problem with Julien, but the team needed a major shakeup and they thought by firing the coach they would do that.

The New Jersey Devils are not in need of a desperate shake-up.

1 year and 3 months later, Claude Julien gets canned again.

Just a day after leading his team to a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins and regaining posession of the top spot in the Atlantic Divison (recently taken over by the surging Pittsburgh Penguins), Lou Lamoriello insists there were no "personal circumstances" involving the Ontario-born coach's dismissal.

"It came to a point where, were this decision not made, I would not be doing my job," Lamoriello said.

Call me vulgar if you like, but, what the hell?

The Devils have suffered a small funk recently, emphasis on small, which resulted in them in a dismal 3-7 record, but they pulled their act back together, by winning 4 of their last 5 and taking over the Atlantic Division lead and the no.2 spot behind the Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference.

But really, what the hell?

The guy leads his team to a 102 point season with a 47-24-8 record and he can't hold onto a job.
I don't think it's a question of "making a decision" Lou, you didn't have to make any decision, you could've left him where he rightfully belongs and merits, behind your team's bench.

Oh and so what, a few players complain to you about his tactics and you go ahead and fire him?

And looky here, this isn't the first time Lamoriello's done this, I don't know what he feels and how he feels about certain GM's, but I think it's bull that there were no personal circumstances to this, how else can you explain it?

"I don't think we're at a point of being ready both mentally and (physically) to play the way that is necessary going into the playoffs," Lamoriello said outside the Devils' deserted locker room at the Continental Airlines Arena. "I am not saying that is going to change. But I think there has to be better focus going forward."

Maybe there were no personal circumstances, maybe Lamoriello just didn't like Julien's coaching manner.

Oh but for God's sake, your team goes in a slump and comes back strong and you think they're not ready for prime time?

His team manages to win 4 of their last 5 without Brian Gionta, John Madden and Patrick Elias, but, which probably caused Lou to overreact, have lost 8 of their last 15 overall.
Nevertheless, Lamoriello's record last year, after assuming the coaching duties from Robinson, was a great 32-14-4 (a .680 winning percentage).

Maybe the bizarre move had nothing to do with Julien, and he was just upset at his team's effort over the month of March.

Something's sure to come out in the next few days, and until then, good luck Claude Julien, you are a very underrated coach and a great person.

Lou Lamoriello's a smart guy, but I don't think this was a smart move.

Connolly and Afinigenov Practice with Team

For the first time all season the Sabres saw Tim Connolly and Maxim Afinigenov on the ice. It appears that Connolly will make his return Thursday night against the Boston Bruins and Max could play in the Easter weekend tilts against the Capitals and Flyers.

Recap:

The opportunistic Sabres defeated a sloppy New York Islander team 6-4 on Friday night. Chris Drury had 2 goals and Thomas Vanek scored his team leading 39th. On Saturday the Sabres fell to a desperate Canadiens team. The Sabres played fairly well and held the Habs to only two shots in the first period. Unfortunately the Sabres were plagued by a few untimely giveaways in the 2nd and 3rd periods which the opportunistic Canadiens promptly turned into goals.

Danius Zubrus continued his strong play with 2 goals and an assit in the last 3 games. He has been a tremendous presence cycling the puck down low and has blended well with Chris Drury and Ales Kotlaik.

For the first time in 2007 the Sabres were able to play all 6 of the teams top defenseman with the return of Toni Lydman. The pairings heading into the playoffs appear to be Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman, Teppo Numminen and Dimitri Kalinin and Brian Campbell and Jaro Spacek. Nathan Paetsch who has been a positive part of the powerplay has moved to right wing supplanting enforcer Andrew Peters.

7 teams fighting for 3 spots...

The Hurricanes and Islanders have fallen (make that) 4 points out of the final spot...7 teams are fighting for a playoff spot.

With the Canadiens, Islanders, Maple Leafs, Rangers and Lightning in action tonight, the playoff barely got clearer and it looks like we're gonna see it all go down to the wire folks!
The Canes are failing and their schedule isn't very easy till the end of the season...the Islanders won't go anywhere without Rick DiPietro...

• The Canadiens held on to beat the East-leading Buffalo Sabres, 4-3.

Michael Ryder, Radek Bonk, Maxim Lapierre and Saku Koivu all scored for the Canadiens and Jaroslav Halak, winning his 6th of his last 7 starts, made 22 saves.
The Sabres got to the Habs first, Daniel Briere became the first player since Pat LaFontaine to surpass the 90-point mark for the Sabres, scoring 9:20 into the first frame.

Michael Ryder responded with a trickle through-the-legs goal on backup goalie Ty Conklin, who got the start over the tired Ryan Miller and did not impress me at all as he allowed 4 goals on 19 shots.

Dainius Zubrus, who indicated he might be interested in coming back to Montreal as a free-agent this summer provided the Sabres with their 3rd goal and that was where the line was drawn for Lindy Ruff's club.

The game was nearly penalty free, with both teams getting only 2 powerplay opportunities and both going 0-fer with the extra man tonight...4 of the Canadiens 5 goals were assisted by defenceman (the lone attacker to get a helper tonight was Alex Kovalev, who was blanked for the second straight game after scoring two 2-goal games in a row against the Rangers and Capitals) namely Janne Niinimaa, only his 3rd point of the season, Andrei Markov, Francis Bouillon, who shot the puck that was tipped in by Michael Ryder in the first period, and Mark Streit (well, he is a d-man playing forward...)

The Canadiens have won 5 of their last 6 games and things are looking mighty good after tonight's win over the Sabres, the chemistry is very good, the team is focused, they know what's at stake...Jaroslav Halak made a few very good saves, but...Cristobal Huet is coming back in a few days and is the dream over for the young Slovakian netminder?

He's played great and all, but his last 3 starts (he's allowed 11 goals) are a worrisome indication...and you know what else? Everyone's making a HUGE deal out of Halak winning 5 in a row and not how the Canadiens have won 5 in a row.
You know? Hockey c'est un team sport.

He had a 1.33 GAA last week and was named the NHL's third star, he deserved it, he played awesome...and I shudder to think how it'd ruin his confidence if he was sent down.

Or maybe I'm exaggerating at the 11 goal stat and just sore that Cristobal Huet still isn't cleared to play...I really don't know how Gainey will go along with this.
Aebischer you ask? Screw 'im...

• Wow! The Leafs beat the Penguins

It's desperation time for Paul Maurice's squad now, the Leafs know that margin for error in their upcoming stretch is little to none.
After a sad 3-2 overtime loss to the Atlanta Thrashers, Paul Maurice promised his team would be ready for tonight's game.

They sure were: my NHL.com scoreboard read 4-1 Leafs at some point in the second period, and I was like: "Wow!".
Another "wow" goes to Tomas Kaberle, who scored his team's 3rd goal in the second period and flashed "clutch" by potting the game-winner in extra innings just as Bob Cole exploded.

A "wow" to the Penguins also, who rallied from a 3 goal deficit to tie the game and send it to overtime. Sidney Crosby gets a goal to further add to his scoring lead over the Sharks' Joe Thornton...just as all was said and done and Harry Neale put away his broadcasting equipment, Ryan Whitney ties the game with 4 seconds to go!

I think that deserves a "wow" too.

Andrew Raycroft made 32 saves and Leafs TV made a horrible choice for the 3 stars, putting in Pavel Kubina as the 3rd (he had only one assist on the Kaberle goal in overtime), simply ignoring Kyle Wellwood's 3 helpers.

Jocelyn Thibault was pulled after allowing 4 goals on 20 shots and that likely spells the end of the veteran goalie's attempt to win over Michel Therrien's heart and be the Pens' number one guy come playoff time. Marc-Andre Fleury relieved the latter about half-way through the game and made 16 saves.

• 
  
  THANK YOU OTTAWA!

And I'm saying those words after the Scotia bankers beat the Habs last night...and they repaid me nicely, but not entirely, by knocking the Islanders even further on their rear end.
Victor Kozlov and the revived Marc-Andre Bergeron scored the only 2 goals for the Isle, who lost for the second time in as many nights and in that span being outscored 11-6.
Mike Dunham simply isn't getting it done for the Islanders, so Ted Nolan goes to minor-league goalie Wade Dubielewicz and the result was astonishing.

I don't think the likes of Tom Poti, Brendan Witt, Chris Campoli, Bruno Gervais, Sean Hill and Marc-Andre Bergeron were there tonight.

They allowed 46 shots on goal and Dubielewicz did the best he could, pushing away 42 of those shots and keeping his team in the game as long as he could...you don't win games by allowing the double of your shots on goal and scoring only twice.

Mike Comrie scored twice, Christoph Schubert, the defenceman/forward put in his 8th and Dany Heatley is 2 goals away from yet another 50-goal season after scoring late in the 3rd to put the game entirely out of reach.

Dean McCammond scored his 14th and Martin Gerber got the start in goal.

• The Flyers can't upset this time..

The Flyers closed some mouths a few days ago by beating Peter Laviolette's awe-strucken Hurricanes team 5-1.
Tonight was a different story, well, it was the same story entering the game: A nothing to lose team trying to ruin a team's chances of making a run at Lord Stanley's Cup.
Final score: 6-4, not bad, the Rangers didn't exactly coast through this one.

Jaromir Jagr, the shadow of last season's version of himself, scored twice for Big Apple, Martin Straka, Tomas Pock, Ryan Callahan and Peter Prucha scored the others.
Jagr also added an assit, as well as Martin Straka (he had 2).

Michael Nylander added 2 assists and Sean Avery stayed out of the penalty box.
For the Flyers now...the 23rd overall pick by the 'Yotes back in '02, Ben Eager, scored his 5th and 6th goals of the season and Braydon Coburn, the young defenceman acquired from Atlanta for Alexei Zhitnik, scored only his 3rd and Ryan Potulny potted his 6th of the season. Simon Gagne was also on the scoresheet with 2 assists...
Martin Biron was pulled from the Flyers' goal after giving in to 5 Rangers' goal on 22 shots, Antero Niittymaki made 11 saves out of a possible 12.

The Ligtning still alive...

After beating out on the Canes 4-2 last night, the Lightning had an easy opponent in the Washington Capitals and the score proved it once again: 5-2 Lightning.

The league-leader in goals, Vincent Lecavalier, scored his 51st of the season while quebecois Martin St. Louis added his 43rd.

Lecavalier also added his 54th and 55th assists as he continues his career season...
Jason Ward, Dan Boyle and Ryan Craig scored the other 3 Tampa goals...Cory Sarich got his 14th and 15th assists.

The Lightning still hold a 2-point lead over the 8th place Canadiens and a one point lead over the Rangers...

Yawn...good night!

Oh, and on a side note, the Panthers are still winning and they have not lost hope yet...but, with barely 5 games to go for the season and a 4 point deficit, barring any *ouches wood* Habs losing streak, the Cats are probably out.

Kronwall's injury is more serious than expected, he'll miss 6-8 weeks of action and that possibly means the entire playoffs. HUGE blow for this Wings team, Kronwall is a fine puck-moving defenceman but I think Andreas Lilja can compensate for this loss.
This is the third major injury of Kronwall's 3 season career (knee surgery, broken leg...)
And he didn't strain his hip, he BROKE his sacrum, which is a "large triangular bone at the base of the back" (Hat tip to Wikipedia).
Yow! That's gotta hurt.

And here's something for you to sleep...or wake up on: