Happy Easter - Few things...

According to Guy Flaming from the Pipeline show, Vandy is close to getting his contract signed. It will be interesting to see how Chris VandeVelde does in the professional ranks.

The Pipeline Show has learned that the contract between the Edmonton Oilers and prospect Chris Vande Velde is to be settled on Sunday. The timing sounds a bit odd considering the holiday but since the deal was apparently very close to being inked on Tuesday evening, it's already a bit overdue.

The Springfield Falcons have just three games remaining on their schedule this season, the next coming on Friday night in Providence. In fact, the AHL club completes its Oilers affiliation next weekend with three games in three days finishing at home on Sunday against Manchester.

According to Stanley Cup of Chowder former DU Pioneer Joe Colborne had two points in his professional debute.

- Joe Colborne had 2 assists in his pro debut on Friday night for the Providence Bruins. The Baby B's beat the Worcester Sharks 3-1 .

Apparently the Philadelphia Flyers and Make Me Laughs are interested in former Cornell goalie Ben Scrivens.

Philadelphia and Toronto among the NHL teams with interest in Cornell goaltender Ben Scrivens.

The talk of having an NHL franchise return to Winnipeg is not going away and keeps popping up in the Canadian media and blogspehere almost daily. I am telling the nay sayers that an NHL team returning to Winnipeg is a possibility.

In some ways, if the Coyotes do stay in Phoenix — and that’s still an if when you’re dealing with politicians and lease concessions until the transaction between the NHL and either Ice Edge or Jerry Reinsdorf is signed, sealed and delivered — it will only help Winnipeg’s chances in the long run.

How can it help Winnipeg’s chances, you rightfully ask?

That’s simple. Chipman and company are playing the game the way the NHL want it to be played.

That means no outlandish quotes in the press and no season ticket deposits being accepted before the NHL has rubber stamped a move.

Chipman has succeeded on that front, to the point the NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly went on record saying discussions have been held with Chipman and billionaire David Thomson for quite some time and that Winnipeg could be a viable market, should the need arise down the road.

There was always something about the prospect of the Coyotes returning to their birthplace that intrigued many in this city — and province, for that matter.

You know, the theory that this could right a past wrong.
[Winnipeg Sun]