– The Philadelphia Flyers tanked it this season, but that doesn’t mean they’re blowing anything up. GM Paul Holmgren said that Head Coach Peter Laviolette still has a job and that there is no decision on whether or not they will buy out goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. If they do buy out Bryz’s remaining 7 years under amnesty he will be off the books completely but they’d have to look for help eleswhere. Mike Smith or Ryan Miller would be their best options. Daniel Briere probably played his last game in a Flyers uniform. Nothing is set in stone but they will probably buy him out this summer. He could end up in a Montreal Canadiens uniform come July.
– Patrick Elias might done with the Devils, but there is a 50-50 chance he’ll be back. If not there are a few teams who would be interested in the veteran including the Flyers, Canadiens, Leafs, Red Wings and Sharks.
– Dustin Byfuglien’s name will be in the rumor mill until the Jets finally decide whether or not to re-sign him. Every team would come calling if they don’t.
– Jarome Iginla still has a lot of hockey left this season with his new team and a real shot at a Cup, but his contract is up at the end of the season and the Pens might not be able to re-sign him. The Dallas Stars would love to re-acquire their former first round pick.
– Speaking of the Stars, the man they got for Iginla has been fired as GM. Joe Nieuwendyk was dismissed after 4 years as GM and no playoff appearances. Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill will be his replacement.
– And speaking of firings, the Colorado Avalanche had fired Head Coach Joe Sacco after a brutal season. The Avalanche finished second-to-last in the league. I wonder how hard they will go after former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff. He’d be a perfect fit for the young team.
– The good news is the Avalanche won the draft lottery tonight. Looks like Seth Jones is on his way to Colorado!
– The Buffalo Sabres have a lot of re-building to do. Chances are Ryan Miller and Tomas Vanek will not be with the team next year. GM Darcy Reiger somehow kept his job, but said there will be an overhaul.
– Alex Burmistrov is in limbo right now. The Jets don’t seem to be interested in bringing him back at all. He’s a talented forward and does have potential. He will probably bolt to the KHL but I wonder if the Caps would be interested at all once they figure out what to do with Ribeiro. Burmistrov and Caps defenseman Dmitry Orlov are best friends and that could lure him the Caps way – that and the chance to play with Ovechkin.
– Cory Schneider is hurt. That’s the bad news. The really bad news is that the Canucks got smoked 7-2 against the Oilers in the final game of the season. Roberto Luongo, who let in 5 goals in the final 7 minutes of play stormed off the ice, showered, changed and left the rink in 12 minutes flat ignoring all of the media. Lou issued an apology but it’s clear that he is fed up with the Canucks organization and Head Coach Alain Vigneault. Lou said he was only mad at himself, but there is definitely some tension. The game meant absolutely nothing to either team, and they should have played their rookie back up as the Canucks were resting other top players for the playoffs. It seemed like a slap in the face to Lou who has been nothing but patient and professional through this whole ordeal going back to last season. They have to buy him out come summer time and let him go. If not, he’ll be a back up for the rest of his career unless Cory Schneider falters completely.
Courtesy: Chris Omeara/Associated Press
– The playoffs start Tuesday and it is looking like it will be one of the best playoff years in a long time. All Original 6 teams made the playoffs this year with Toronto making them for the first time since 2007. They will face the Bruins in what is going to be a great matchup. Leafs fans hope that every year is a playoff year and they have been salivating for another chance to win a playoff round, or game for that matter.
– Alex Ovechkin has won his 3rd Rocket Richard Trophy scoring 32 goals this season. He is only the 9th player in NHL history to score 30 goals in each of his first 8 seasons. Ray Emery and Corey Crawford have won the William Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals with 102. Marty St. Louis just doesn’t know when to stop. St. Louis at 37 years old snags the Art Ross Trophy for most points with 60. St. Louis is the oldest player in NHL history to lead the league in scoring.
More to come…
