I’m still on the mend, but getting better. I’ve had a my arm in a sling for a few days now and it is stiff! Flu is going away and I thought I’d at least get some news and notes out to our hockey readers.
Courtesy: Yahoo Sports
– The Top 5 Available Defenseman are Ryan Whitney (Edm), Roman Hamrlik (Wsh), Adrian Aucoin (Col), Jordan Leopold (Buf), and Yannik Weber (Mtl). All except Weber are UFA’s at the end of the season. They will most likely be dealt however Hamrlik hasn’t been getting much love from other teams.
– GM George McPhee has apparently been on the phone the last few weeks trying to unload veteran defenseman Roman Hamrlik, but has not received any offers. Hamrlik has played only four games this season and has a cap hit of $3.5M. He also made a stink about the players union during the lockout which received some harsh feedback from his brethren. Someone could use him, but not sure what McPhee could get for him other than a bag of pucks for Ovie to overshoot. Hamrlik will most likely retire after this season, unless someone takes a chance on him.
– Ryan O’Reilly, according to HockeyBuzz, could have up to as many as 8 suitors. The New York Rangers were said to be on the verge of making a deal that would send defenseman Michael Del Zotto over to the Avalanche for the young two-way center, but that never came to fruition. The Florida Panthers are also looking at O’Reilly and that could work if the Panthers decide to blow the team and start over again. O’Reilly is looking for a multi-year deal worth $5M. Is he worth that much at such a young age? He lead the Avs with 55 points last year. The Avalanche want a proven offensive or defensive player and a draft pick for O’Reilly. Seems a bit steep, but teams are pining over him. Toronto is said to be out because the Avs are not interested in Tyler Bozak.
– Luongo and Schneider look to be comfortable in Vancouver and that will most likely last until the summer. With the return of Ryan Kesler and the imminent return of David Booth, the Nucks are in good shape and might not need to make a drastic move.
– Mark Streit and Lubomir Visnovsky could both be up for grabs now from Islanders. If they fall out of the playoff race, look for the Isles to unload one or both of these two. Marty Reason and Evgeni Nabokov could also be included. Reasoner has been dangled but there haven’t been any bites.
– Flyers GM Paul Holmgren says, “I still believe in this team, but we need to play better.” The Flyers are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference with a -11 goal differential. They’ve dropped they’re last 2 games and have looked sloppy. Scott Hartnell is back skating and could return soon which would make a big difference on the offense side of things. Defensively, the Flyers could use some help. Holmgren is most likely looking at one of the top 5 d-men available, but who would he give up in return? Schenn and Coturier would be on every one’s list, but would Holmgren let them go to save a shortened season?
Video Caption via YouTube
– Herb Dawe. You probably don’t know the name, but he certainly made an impression to anyone who was watching hockey last night. Herb attended his very first hockey game in Vancouver at the age of 101. The Canucks are running a promotion for fans who have never been able to attend a live game. Called ‘My First Game’ fans can vote online for someone who they fell deserves to see the Canucks play. Herb Dawe was last nights winner and he recieved an autographed jersey, however the Nucks lost 3-0. Herb donned his headphones so he could hear the play-by-play and was wrapped in a blanket while flanked by what looked to be his son and grandson (or maybe his grandson and great-grandson). He got a standing ovation.
More to come…
