Gomez to Minnesota?

Here is a entertaining rumor from Eklund The Anonymous Hockey Blogger. I don't see that happening because Gomez and Gabby are two different types of players Marian Gaborik scores goals he had 42 of them last season and well Gomez doesn't score as many goals as Gabby. 42 > 16... This would be a one sided deal.

Had a long day of travel and I am just now getting to all of the emails and texts from various sources now that the Gomez rumours have begun.

One source told me that although he has heard that Vancouver is the likely destination that Gomez would end up should Sundin sign with the NY Rangers in the next few days don't think for a second that Edmonton and Minnesota won't also get involved.

"I heard a Gomez for Gaborik rumour (this morning)...of course this wouldn't help the cap situation for the NY Rangers, but Gaborik who is in the last year of his deal could come to NY and Minnesota would get a player in Gomez who is under contract for some time."

Another source, connected to the Oilers since the W days said, "It is no seret that the Oilers were VERY in on Gomez on July 1 2007 and I am quite sure that if he becomes available they are in line."

NHL Getting a Spring League?

This would be an awesome deal. I also think the writer is right; you wouldn't see the College hockey players that were drafted in it because of eligibility issues. I am sure it would be play in on a NHL summer league team and you would be done.

By Nathan Fournier | June 3rd, 2008 The NBA has the summer league for rookies, MLB has Fall Baseball, and could the NHL have something similar? The Bleacher Report is reporting that it’s on the table at the GM’s meetings. TSN’s Darren Dreger is also reporting this.

Mike Barnett the former Phoenix Cayotes GM has proposed this. It would last four weeks and one scenario on the table will determine a champion. Each NHL club will fill their team with drafted players still playing in the CHL, some young AHLers, players from Europe, and undrafted free agents. I think you won’t see NCAA players just the simple fact of eligiblity issues. Players would have to pay their own way to maintain NCAA eligible.

Of course there are issues with the NHLPA, where will they play the games and money. The perfect place if they can get the ice time is the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Massachusetts. The place has five rinks under one roof. I’ve been to this place and you can have five games going and fans can see them all. I know the place is pretty booked in the summer. I think there are a few other places in North America with a complex like this too.

The writer from the Bleacher Report mentions injuries that might happend. For starters, there are a couple of prospect tournaments that some teams take part in already. Most if not all teams have their own seperate rookie camps. They include games. Lastly, NHL teams will most likely not put there 1st round picks in this just for exactly for this reason. They might practice but most of them might not play. All the other players, they play in summer tournaments all the time. It’s nothing new to their NHL and Junior clubs.

This type of league is meant for the mid round prospects to get in a few more games. Maybe we will see a high profile pick play in a league like this.

Overall I like this concept. Hopefully it gets passed and maybe the NHL Network will broadcast so the fans can see the future.

The Return of Melrose place?

This could turn out to be an interesting turn of events.

The hockey news is reporting that According to various media reports, ESPN analyst Barry Melrose will replace John Tortorella as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Melrose, 51, last stood behind an NHL bench during the 1994-95 season with the Los Angles Kings.