Archive for March 3rd, 2009
NHL Games and Picks
For in depth look into the NHL teams records and preview of tonight’s games please go back to the “Home Page” on Hockey God, at the bottom lower left hand side:
Click on “Scoreboard” and review every game by clicking in the individual games being played on Tuesday.
Today’s Picks
PHI @ BOS: Take BRUINS
CAR @ WSH: Take CAPITALS
FLA @ ATL: Take PANTHERS
LAK @ CLB: Take BLUE JACKETS
NJD @ TOR: Take DEVILS
CGY @ OTT: Take FLAMES
PIT @ TBL: Take PENGUINS
EDM @ NSH: Take OILERS
ANA @ CHI: Take BLACKHAWKS
DET @ STL: Take RED WINGS
MIN @ VAN: Take CANUCKS
DAL @ SJS: Take SHARKS
BURKE’S TIME . . . HOCKEY HITS !
Toronto GM Brian Burke started on the job months ago now but his real time as GM reshaping his Maple Leafs starts today and Wednesday.
This is his time to shine, this is his time to show why the Toronto brass went out and got him as the new boss in the big smoke.
Burke has very valuable assets to play with in Nik Antropov, Tomas Kaberle and having a career year Dominik Moore.
It’s yet to be seen if Burke will be able to trade 12 goal scoring defenceman Pavel Kubina, who has a no trade clause until the summer or the often talked about other Russian on the roster Alex Ponikarovsky. All of these moves would open up salary for Burke this summer when free agency starts.
BOUWMEESTER FOR KABERLE ?
The most intriguing move being talked about is the Kaberle to Florida who still has a year left on his contract for the soon to be free agent Jay Bouwmeester.
This trade would be perfect for both teams. Florida knows that the big Jay doesn’t want to return to the sun and wants to go to where hockey is number 1. The Leafs if they could get the old sign and trade done with Bouwmeester they would have themselves a stud on the back end who is still young with upside.
MOORE - WHITE HAVE FUTURE IN TORONTO ?
Burke must resist the temptation to keep Moore at all costs because he is what he is, no matter how well he has played with the Leafs this season or particularly with Jason Blake.
Moore was seeking in the $2.5 million range to stay with the Leafs and Burke was offering $1.5 million right where Moore’s salary should be to stay in Toronto as at best the 3rd line center.
Ian White the versatile small player who mostly plays D can also play on the teams 4th line in a pinch was supposedly asked about by several teams looking to add depth.
Burke said he was offered a 2nd round pick for White who is under contract for this year and next at a reasonable $850 per year.
If Burke really believes White can fill a role next year in the same fashion utility player than he should keep him, but that’s a very tough pill to swallow turning down a 2nd rounder for a guy that is small and limited. Very tough call for Burke to make !
DAVIDSON JOB WITH BLUES SHOULD BE IN JEOPARDY
I’m still not sure whatever made broadcaster and former goalie John Davidson such an authority on hockey when he left the broadcast booth to become the new boss in St Louis ?
But he got the job none the less through friendships he built while in New York working in the booth. When Owner David Checketts who Davidson has a personal relationship with bought the Blues he brought Davidson.
With Larry Pleau already with the Blues as GM and has been for years it was odd to see the team make Davidson President of Hockey Operations. It seemed to spell the end for Pleau as GM in St Louis but he remained and has told the Blues he will retire in the near future. Pleau having dealt with him myself is a very professional, solid upfront guy and well respected by his players.
Davidson since taking over the Blues operation has not made the playoffs something that Pleau did every single year he was the clear boss. Now it’s deadline time for all NHL teams and the word out of St Louis is because they have moved closer to a playoff spot but are still on the outside looking in they may not be sellers at the deadline.
Are you kidding me if the Blues hang onto players such as Kieth Tkachuk, who will be a free agent at season end just to make a run at playoffs or better yet squeak in and get smoked in the first round then heads should roll.
Fans with the Blues have dwindled down since Davidson took over with basic ticket give aways becoming the norm in St Louis. There has been some bad moves and free agent signings followed by some strange coaching decisions from the top.
But the strangest may be yet to come, the Blues are rumored to be chasing their former captain who they already let get away Chris Pronger.
Pronger would bring fan excitement back to St Louis. I would bet is the hope of Davidson landing the big D. But why would a team who seems to always be stuck between a rebuild and too many veterans want a Pronger with no chance at a championship in the foreseeable future.
Pronger would only ever even consider coming back to St Louis because his wife is from there certainly not because it would give him a chance to win now as he is going into the latter years of his career. This would be a typical Davidson mistake he has made since taking over the Blues operations.
AVERY-OTT IN NEW YORK THIS WEEK
Former Dallas Star teammates are both in New York this week. Sean Avery, who has become a Ranger again today being picked of by the Rangers and is back on Broadway.
The Torts-Avery watch starts officially today in New York . .
Steve Ott, who was suspended by the NHL for one game for some sort of eye gouging incident during which Ott got beat up for messing around late in the game.
HOLLAND-DETROIT-GM
Red Wings GM Ken Holland has to be nervous going into playoffs the way his goaltending has played the entire season.
There is not much available in the NHL with the Wild re-signing their number one Niklas Backstrom today to a contract for $6 million a year. Holland could cost his team a chance at another Stanley Cup if he does nothing in this department.
NEIL SENS COULD CAVE ?
Chris Neil could cave in on contract demands depending on how bad he really wants to remain a Senator today or Wednesday. Neil is seeking in the $2 million range with Sens, GM Bryan Murray is offering in the $1.5 million dollar range to retain the tough Sens winger.
I think the Sens have no choice but to make damn sure Neil is back in Ottawa next season given how soft their roster already is. Murray will undoubtly unload defenceman Filip Kuba by Wednesday who will also be a free agent at seasons end.
SATHER WANTED BELL FOR $2 MILLION ?
I just have a question for the hockey world! Why in the hell did GM Glen Sather want the Leafs Mark Bell who is making $2.5 Million this season on a one way contract no matter where he plays NHL or AHL ?
Sather just sent down Bell to make room for Avery on his roster and is now paying Bell with the Leafs $2.5 Million to play for his AHL team in Hartford. This is another Sather beauty with the Rangers ownership paying a player that kind of dough to play in the minors.
Wednesday is the trade deadline but if there is any trades today Hockey God will update this post as they happen.
For Hockey God I’m Dave Frost
