Blais not impressed with new icing rule

If you haven't seen this yet, former UND and current UNO Maverick coach Dean Blais is spot on when asked about the proposed icing rule where the penalized team can't ice the puck during the penalty kill.

Among changes moved forward by the NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee is an amendment to the way officials enforce icing. The proposal calls for icing to be whistled, and play stopped, whenever a team dumps the puck the length of the ice out of its own zone — even when that team is on a penalty kill. If adopted, the rule would alter a critical tactic in killing penalties, and it could make it almost impossible for short-handed teams to change lines.

The idea aims to increase the time that a team on the power play spends in its opponent’s zone. That would likely lead to more scoring, which is a strong point of emphasis in most hockey rule changes. It’s also anticipated that the amendment might dissuade teams from taking penalties in the first place — thus cutting down on the obstruction infractions that prevent even-strength scoring chances.

At some levels, hockey already has flirted with this change. There are even rumblings that the NHL might eventually adopt the rule.

But Blais says the idea simply doesn’t merit a place in the NCAA rule book, and he can’t imagine the radical icing rule ever sticking in the NHL.

“It’s ridiculous,” Blais said. “What more do you want? You’re already on the power play, but then the other team gets the puck — what are they supposed to do with it? It sounds like whoever was involved with that rule and pushed it through, I don’t think they understand the game very well.”

Before it takes effect, the proposal would have to be approved by the NCAA’s Playing Rules Oversight Panel in July.

Blais doesn’t believe the icing change will pass that final test, and there have been reports indicating that the rules committee is considering removing the item before it goes up for final approval.

The outcry among coaches has been loud and clear, and many of them have raised concerns about player safety. With penalty killing being such a physically demanding part of the game, many fear that the icing ban would put tired skaters at greater risk when they can’t dump the puck and make a line change on the fly.

Here’s hoping Blais is right and the change never comes about.
[Mavericks today]

Minnesota gets to host yet another regional

Yawn! Boring... I have to agree with Chris Dilks from WCH it's the same old regional sites yet again. Wouldn’t you know it, entitlement hockey gets to host another regional. Last season the Gophers hosted the West Region at the Xcel Energy Center and with the Gophers falling on their nose and missing the west regional the games were played in a half empty arena. You have to wonder if Minnesota will finally be able qualify for the NCAA playoffs and get to play in the regional they are hosting?

The NCAA has named the 2012 NCAA tournament Regional locations.

Two of the sites will be repeats from the 2011 locations — The Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn., and the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis.

Minnesota will host the West Regional, with the games being played at Mariucci Arena; and the Northeast Regional went to Holy Cross, with the games set for the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. [College Hockey News]

Why even bother having applications for the regional tourney anymore if you’re just going to award/reward the regional sites to the same arena/teams/towns every year? Seriously!

Cox: Marc Savard talk risky business for Leafs

When I start hearing these rumors and as a Boston Bruins fan it kind of infuriates me, what is it with the Bruins management that makes them want to trade away their best goal scoring talent? My next question would be; if you were unhappy with Savard attitude or play why did you sign him to a long term contract? I would also ask the same question about their goaltender former Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas. In today’s salary cap NHL, there is little room for error when you’re signing players to long term contracts.

What it means in general is that the Leafs can consider financial commitments other franchises can’t. Today, what it means is that Burke and his hockey department are seriously examining the possibility of acquiring Boston Bruins centre Marc Savard and his mammoth contract, something franchises like Nashville, Florida, Buffalo and Phoenix would never have to bother spending even a moment considering.

Savard’s a very good player, a point-per-game pivot albeit one with warts, like a history of concussions and a background as a fellow a coach might not always enjoy having on the roster.

His contract is — excuse the expression, commissioner — coyote ugly, a seven-year deal that comes with a salary of $7 million in each of the next two years, with an annual salary cap hit of $4 million (all figures U.S.). The B’s gave him that deal a year ago when they loved him and before he’d been cold-cocked by Matt Cooke of the Penguins, and before they’d used the second overall pick this past weekend to draft his successor at centre, Tyler Seguin.

Stuck with Tim Thomas, a very expensive goalie they might not be able to move, the Bruins may be prepared to surrender Savard in a so-called “soft” deal. In other words, basically for free. [thestar.com]

2010 NHL Draft Results and Review (RW77)

Ok, a lot happened today (and yesterday) in Los Angeles at the NHL Draft, but before I go on I must say: NHL.com's live draft tracker: Awful.

Yup. They were spot on and super vigilant...until about the end of the 4th round. Then, it seemed like they either hit technical difficulties or they stopped caring. Then, at the end of the 5th round, they waited until ESPN had basically posted half of the 6th round to continue updating. In the end, I just sat and watched ESPN's website and hit reload a bunch of times. Nice work by ESPN.com covering a sport they care little about. Awful work by a website whose sole business is the NHL.

In any case, here are the results for all UND incoming recruits eligible for this year's draft:

1st Round, 15th Overall - Derek Forbort - to the LA Kings
1st Round, 30th Overall - Brock Nelson - to the NY Islanders
4th Round, 113th Overall - Mark MacMillan - to the Montreal Canadiens
5th Round, 149th Overall - Michael Parks - to the Philadelphia Flyers
6th Round, 156th Overall - Brendan O'Donnell - to the TB Lightning
6th Round, 165th Overall - Zane Gothberg - to the Boston Bruins
6th Round, 180th Overall - Nick Mattson - to the Chicago Blackhawks

Undrafted (eligible players): Danny Mattson

Ineligible Players: Dylan Simpson and Colton St. Clair (2011 Draft eligible)

Reaction:

First off, WOW hath Cam Fowler fallen. He and Gormley fell like stones.

Second, I'm amazed at where UND's recruits ended up. Forbort and Nelson were the only two that went right about where I thought they would. Gothberg and Mattson fell like rocks off a cliff.

However, I must say this regarding Zane's draft placement: I saw it coming. When I noticed all those European and MJ goaltenders going (some of them out of left field before Calvin Pickard even got drafted) I know Gothberg's stock was falling. I didn't know when he'd get drafted but I still had hopes he'd get picked in the 5th round. I'm not all that concerned really about Gothberg's draft position overall. I think this will take the heat off of him to be "better than Eidsness" (which has already been batted about at certain message boards) and I think it is rather risky to draft goaltenders before the 4th round anyways. I mean... Jeff Frazee, anyone?

In unrelated news: Sam Brittain is a big kid. 6'3 215. WOW. Minnesota will have to watch out when they inevitably "crash the net" (aka run the goaltender).

Mark MacMillan went a LOT higher than I thought. His stats and videos aside, I thought, if he got drafted at all, he'd be taken in the 6th or 7th round. Same with O'Donnell (which I was right). In my mind, however, I didn't have Parks getting drafted at all. And he goes higher than Mattson and Gothberg.

All in all, only Mattson, St. Clair, and Simpson are listed as UND recruits that have not been drafted. Simpson and St. Clair aren't eligible yet. Both St. Clair and Simpson have big years ahead of them regarding drafting.

Here's the WCHA breakdown of players drafted:

UND: 7 (highest: 1st rd. 15th overall)
UMN: 6 (highest: 1st rd. 19th overall)
UMD: 3 (highest: 2nd rd. 37th overall)
SCSU: 1 (5th rd. 148th overall)
UNO: 1 (7th rd. 196th overall)
MSUM: 1* (3rd rd. 88th overall)
UW: 2 (highest: 3rd rd. 82nd overall)
CC: 2 (highest: 1st rd. 14th overall**)
DU: 3 (highest: 1st rd. 20th overall)
UAA, BSU, MTU each had no recruits selected

* - Didn't count Pitlick. The guy is MJ property now so he's an MJ pick.
** - Jaden Schwartz was the top college-bound player picked

UND leads the way with 7 recruits. Minnesota on their heels (Lucia's totally lost all interest in the Gopher program based on his ineptitude, right? Please).

I remember when UMD didn't get that many draft picks. Don't you? Oh, and former UMD recruit Mac Carruth got drafted too.

How's them apples?

NHL Draft Results...

1 Edmonton Oilers - Taylor Hall, F, OHL
2 Boston Bruins - Tyler Seguin, F, OHL
3 Florida Panthers - Erik Gudbranson, D, OHL
4 Columbus Blue Jackets - Ryan Johansen, F, WHL
5 New York Islanders - Nino Niederreiter, F, WHL
6 Tampa Bay Lightning - Brett Connolly, F, WHL
7 Carolina Hurricanes - Jeff Skinner, F, OHL
8 Atlanta Thrashers - Alex Burmistrov, F, OHL
9 Minnesota Wild - Mikael Granlund, F, Finland
10 N.Y. Rangers - Dylan McIlrath, D, WHL
11 Dallas Stars -- Jack Campbell, G, OHL, American
12 Anaheim Ducks - Cam Fowler, D, OHL, American
13 Phoenix Coyotes - Brandon Gormley, D, QMJHL
14 St. Louis Blues - Jaden Schwartz, F, C.C.
15 Los Angeles Kings - Derek Forbort, D, UND, American
16 St. Louis Blues - Vladimir Tarasenko, F, Russia
17 Colorado Avalanche - Joey Hishon, F, OHL
18 Nashville Predators - Austin Watson, F, OHL, American
19 Florida Panthers - Nick Bjugstad, F, Gophers, American
20 Pittsburgh Penguins - Beau Bennett, F, Pioneers, American
21 Detroit Red Wings - Riley Sheahan, F, Notre Dame,
22 Montreal Canadiens - Jarred Tinordi, D, ND, American
23 Buffalo Sabres - Mark Pysyk, D, WHL
24 Chicago Blackhawks - Kevin Hayes, F, B.C., American
25 Florida Panthers - Quinton Howden, F, WHL
26 Washington Capitals - Evgeny Kuznetsov, F, Russian
27 Phoenix Coyotes - Mark Visentin, G, OHL
28 San Jose Sharks - Charlie Coyle, F, BU, American
29 Anaheim Ducks - Emerson Etem, F, WHL, American
30 Chicago Blackhawks - Brock Nelson, F, UND, American

11 American were selected in the first round the 2010 NHL draft that is a new record.
As a Wild fan I am disappointed in their first round pick. You could have at least drafted a North American with your first round pick.

Keith Ballard traded to the Canucks

Former Gopher Keith Ballard was traded to the hated Vancouver Canucks, so now Wild fans will probably boo him when he comes to the Xcel Energy Center.

LOS ANGELES -- After two seasons with the Panthers, Keith Ballard is moving once once more.

The former Phoenix Coyote is off to Vancouver after Dale Tallon traded him west for forward Steve Bernier and the No. 25 pick in tonight's draft.

This trade is not official nor has it been announced.

This is an obvious salary dump, with Ballard making $4.2 million in each of the next five seasons.

Bernier, who scored 11 goals with 11 assists in 59 games for the Canucks last season, is making $2 million next season and is a restricted free agent in 2011. [Miami Herald]

Bruins and Wild dealing?

Here is an interesting trade rumor, the Wild have said they would like to trade Brett Burn's big contract. You have to wonder if Blake Wheeler is included in the deal?

According to a source, the Bruins and Wild are talking trade, with a defenseman coming to the Bruins and a forward and a defenseman going to Minnesota. The source said that it would be partially a salary dump for the B’s. Attractive defenseman on the Wild would be Brent Burns or Nick Schultz. No word yet on who would be going to the Wild in return [Boston Herald]

Bruins yet to approach Savard regarding no-trade clause

This might Savard getting traded rumors to bed. One has to wonder where the rumors are coming from. I have read Toronto fans pontificating about how Savard would look good on a line with Kessel in Toronto. I would be very surprised if he was traded tonight or this summer especially with his no trade clause.

With tonight's first round approaching and picks remaining in play, the Bruins are expected to continue fielding inquiries for Marc Savard. However, the Bruins have yet to inquire with Savard about waiving his no-trade clause, which is a significant hurdle they must clear. [Boston Globe]

NHL Governors approve major penalty for hits to head

This type of hits will no longer be legal in the NHL anymore. This is the right decision by the NHL, people will argue that it will take hitting out of the game but that is incorrect. You can hit effectively hit someone without having to hit someone in the head.

LOS ANGELES – A passionate debate about hits to the head that has lasted the better part of a year was officially settled Thursday night when the NHL Board of Governors approved a new penalty for next season.

The penalty for a lateral, blindside hit to the head, which will be called "illegal check to the head," is a five-minute major penalty, as well as an automatic game misconduct. The League also will consider supplemental discipline.

t was unanimously approved by the Board of Governors during Thursday's meeting, the first for the body since last December. The rule was proposed during the spring edition of the General Managers' Meeting in Florida after several controversial hits during the season.

"I think we are really pleased with where it is," Columbus GM Scott Howson told NHL.com. "But I also think it is something really fluid and we will have to continue to work at it if we see the need."

Cam Neely, the freshly minted president of the Boston Bruins, also stressed that vigilance would remain necessary, but was happy to see a mechanism in place to protect the League's players.

"I think it was important for the League to try to address this as quick as possible," Neely told NHL.com. "The GMs got on board, the Competition Committee got on board. Obviously, for the health of the players, it is good to get a rule like this in place and try to get it out of the game and get to a situation where you are going to have fewer concussions because of it."

Blaming BC students? Not so fast

Rusty Para gave me a heads up on this story but it is an interesting turn of events. The MBTA trolley driver is some trouble for speeding and is facing charges of perjury. Now basically it boils down to some college students riding in a car where the driver was sober, there were passengers that are under age with open containers. It will be interesting to see if the Eagles hockey team disciplines any of these players.

Three members of the BC hockey team, which had just won the national championship, were passengers in the Jeep, and detectives found the vehicle strewn with beer cans and a bottle of vodka. “These students should be held accountable for their reckless and dangerous behavior,’’ railed the MBTA police chief the day after the crash.

All of which turned a relatively minor incident into national news, splashed across the pages and websites of The New York Times, USA Today, ESPN, and the Huffington Post, as well as every major media outlet in Boston. The hockey team not only failed to receive the customary White House invitation that national champions receive, it hasn’t gotten so much as a congratulatory sign on the Massachusetts Turnpike.

But since then, the story has taken several striking twists, far from the glare of the cameras. In May, with no fanfare, the MBTA suspended the trolley driver for two weeks after the agency’s investigators determined he was driving 35 miles per hour at the time of the crash, well over the 10-mile-per-hour speed limit, T officials confirmed yesterday.

Then, in a closed-door hearing in Brighton District Court last week, the most serious charges against Jane Stanton, the BC student driving the Jeep, were abruptly dismissed. Her toxicology tests showed she had not been drinking, her cellphone records showed she had not been texting, and she faced only three civil traffic infractions, officials and her lawyer said. [Boston Globe]

Sources: Flyers Inquire About Boston Goalie Thomas

This is a story that has picked up steam tonight on line. Redwing77 mentioned in an earlier blog post that the Boston Bruins are shopping their over priced former number one goalie around the NHL. The Bruins are going to be hard pressed to trade Thomas because of his age and his expensive contract.

LOS ANGELES – Goalie Tim Thomas is 36 years old and would cost $5 million a year in cap space, “if” someone decided to make a trade with Boston.

Sources at the Board of Governors confirmed on Thursday that Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren and Boston’s Peter Chiarelli have spoken about the netminder, who has three years left on his contract and has been replaced as a starter by Tuukka Rask.

Chiarelli is trying hard to unload Thomas and has spoken to a number of clubs. Neither Holmgren nor Chiarelli would comment.

Flyers’ sources say, however, they consider Thomas “too expensive,” despite his 2.56 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in 43 games last season.

Outside sources say, however, the Flyers are willing to move two players “if” they decide to go the Thomas route and “if” it’s the right players to move. Those sources added the only untouchable Flyers are Mike Richards and Jeff Carter.

That said, these sources have the impression that, in the end, the Flyers may end up re-signing Michael Leighton...

Former Badger Joe Pavelski gets a big pay day...

Former Badgers star Joel Pavelski has been resigned by the San Jose Sharks. Joe Pavelski had a break out season with the San Jose Sharks scoring (25g - 26a - 51pts) in 67 games. Pavelski also had (9g - 8a - 17) in 15 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Pavelski was also on team USA that secured the Bronze Medal during the Olympic games.

Two days after announcing they wouldn't bring back unrestricted free-agent goalie Evgeni Nabokov, the Sharks came to terms with the two forwards they targeted that money for, re-signing unrestricted free agent Patrick Marleau and restricted free agent Joe Pavelski.

San Jose general manager Doug Wilson had told reporters earlier in the week that getting both men back in the fold would be "a home run," and he actually might have hit a grand slam. Wilson signed two of the team's most important players to four-year deals -- the Sharks are steering clear of the extra-long-term deals that are now hampering teams like the Blackhawks.

It appears he got particularly favorable terms with Pavelski, a rising star who will make $4 million per year on average. Many had thought it would take at least $5 million per year; Ryan Kesler's six-year, $30 million extension in Vancouver often has been the comparison point.

"You look at a lot of things, and the structure of our team is a lot different than Vancouver's, different forwards all making different amounts," Pavelski, 25, said on a conference call Thursday morning. "There are some areas you have to cut back, and if this helps, that's a good thing. This is a decent deal and I'm really excited to be here for four years. The biggest thing is winning."

Wilson won't talk specific financial terms, as per the Sharks' policy, but there's little question that San Jose is happy about how things worked out from a payroll perspective. [NHL Fan House]

NCAA Proposes End to Early Scholarship Offers

I saw this over at the fan house. I believe this is a good rule because it tell the college coaches hands off until the student athletes are juniors in high school and it also gives the kids more time to decide where they want to play.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- An NCAA committee wants to prohibit scholarship offers to recruits before July 1 of their junior season of high school.

Under the proposal, coaches would need to acquire five semesters or seven quarters of a high school transcript before making an offer.

It is the first recommendation to come out of the Recruiting and Athletics Personnel Issues Cabinet, which has been looking into recruiting conduct and would apply to all sports.

Committee chairwoman Petrina Long said Thursday that recruits and their families told the cabinet they felt pressured to make early decisions. Coaches also said they were under pressure to make the offers to "keep up" with competitors.

The Legislative Council will not vote on the proposal until at least January.

More News (RW77)

Not a lot on the news fronts, but there are some tidbits.

Former UND Defenseman Brad Bombardir has been named the Director of Player Development for the Minnesota Wild.

--> This is not a job I'd want. He has to look the Wild Administration right in their eyes and say "Our minor leagues have talent." On the flip side, he could get to help develop some real talent now that the moron Risebrough is gone and the Wild can now draft players that meet their needs rather than solely meet their "system."

Former UND Associate Head Coach Brad Berry was named the Assistant Coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

--> This is great news. I just hope things go better for him in Ohio than it did for Dean Blais.

Rumor has it that former UND forward Erik Fabian is the leading candidate for the vacant Assistant Coaching position for UND's women's hockey team.

--> FAAAAAAABIIIAAAAAAAANNNNN!!!!

In more NHL News:

-- Chicago traded away the rights to Center Colin Fraser for a 2010 6th Round draft pick (Edmonton). Too bad because, with Byfuglien and Eager's departures, Fraser probably would have seen a lot more ice time with the Hawks. On the flip side, Fraser will be a 2nd line center with the Oilers. Not because he's 2nd line material... rather because the Oilers are that bad.

-- Tim Thomas' agent is looking for suitors for a trade out of Boston. Good luck. Nobody wants to touch that $5 million/year for 3 year salary.... well, unless the Minnesota Timberwolves rehire Kevin McHale and switch over to Hockey.

-- Rumor has it (and it's not all that much of a rumor really) that Montreal has started serious talks about re-signing Carey Price. I don't know why this is big on ESPN.com's Rumor Central (I don't have access to the Insider material...lousy budget!), but it's not like Montreal is going to go out and spend big money on anyone like Nabokov, Turco, or whoever. The upside of Price in Montreal is that you get to see him do incredibly stupid things like getting two unsportsmanlike conducts in the same game (one of which was while he was on the bench) and then rationalizing it much like fellow d-bag Matt Cooke by saying "Let 'em know you're there." Don't believe me? Watch this!

Ok, I admit wedging that last one in there because I missed it when I could have put it in a more relevant post. Oh well.

Johnny Boychuk resigns with Bruins

Bruins fans got some very good news today. Free agent defenseman Johnny Boychuck is back in the fold for another two season with the Boston Bruins.

CSNNE.com CSNNE.com has confirmed that the Bruins have signed 26-year-old defenseman Johnny Boychuk, who would have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, to a two-year deal. The agreement was first reported by New England Hockey Journal.

According to sources that spoke with CSNNE.com, the deal is for $3.75 million (with Boychuk set to make $1.75 million next season and $2 million in 2011-12) and doesn't have any no-trade provisions within the deal. The cap hit for Boychuk over the term of the two-year deal is for $1.875 million and keeps the physical, easy-going blueliner in the Boston fold for another two seasons.

The defenseman won a starting job with the Bruins over the second half of the regular season, and deftly stepped into the No. 2 defenseman role alongside Zdeno Chara once Dennis Seidenberg went down with a forearm injury. Boychuk averaged over 26 minutes of ice time during the 13 games he played during the playoffs, led the Bruins with 39 blocked shots and authored the "statement hit" of the postseason for the B's when he decked Buffalo Sabres forward Matt Ellis during Game 3 of the opening round.

What's up with the Savard rumors?

Darren Dreger seems to think that Bruins star center Marc Savard is available and on the trading block, first off Savard is signed for a very long time through the 2016-2017 season and a no trade clause for the 2010-2011 season. You have to wonder if Dreger is a leaf’s fan with a case of wishful thinking. The deal makes no sense what so ever unless the Bruins are going to replace Savard with another top line offensive player.

Prelude to another deal?

By landing Nathan Horton, the Boston Bruins had to punch a hole in their blueline by including defenceman Dennis Wideman in the deal with the Florida Panthers. This move has sparked speculation that the Bruins may not be done - and some believe Boston may now zero in on Toronto's Tomas Kaberle.

Now Leafs GM Brian Burke and Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli thought they had a trade involving Kaberle and Phil Kessel at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, but the deal was scuttled over confusion as to whether or not draft picks would be included.

Burke has publicly stated he wants a scoring winger as compensation for Kaberle, but according to league sources, star centre Marc Savard is available.

Boston and Toronto have yet to re-open talks involving Kaberle, but it's likely the Bruins will express interest and if Savard is in play, why wouldn't the Maple Leafs consider reuniting him with Phil Kessel?

Big Buff to the Thrashers

I guess I can cross Dustin Byfuglien off my list players I would like to see the Minnesota Wild sign in the offseason. Personally, I think the Thrashers got the better end of this deal. They get a mountain of a power forward in Dustin Byfuglien a serviceable tough guy in Ben Eager and a decent defenseman in Brent Sopel. The extra throw in player is Akim Aliu was the player that got into a major incident with Lightning Hack Steve Donnie over a hazing incident in juniors that lead to a fight in practice. The Chicago Blackhawks get the 24th, 54th picks over all as well as Marty Reasoner and Jeremy Morin.

TSN - Dustin Byfuglien, one of the breakout players for the Stanley Cup-winning Blackhawks last season, is in the process of being traded to the Thrashers, pending league approval.

Byfuglien, along with Brent Sopel, Ben Eager and Akim Aliu, will be headed to Atlanta in exchange for the 24th overall pick at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the 54th pick, Marty Reasoner and Jeremy Morin.

The picks that Chicago get in the deal were acquired by Atlanta in the trade that sent Ilya Kovalchuk to New Jersey last February.

The 25-year-old forward had 17 goals and 17 assists in 82 games with the Hawks last season.

At 6'4, 257 pounds, the Minnesota native will bring his thunderous size and strength to the struggling Thrashers franchise.

Byfuglien was originally selected 245th overall by the Blackhawks in the eighth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Blockbuster Blackhawk Deal

Well, everyone knew that something would have to break in the Hawk salary cap situation. The first step has dropped as the Blackhawks completed a massive trade with Atlanta.

What Atlanta Gets:

Dustin Byfuglien
Akim Aliu
Brent Sopel
The Rights to Ben Eager

Roughly a $5 million cap hit.

What Chicago Gets:

Marty Reasoner
The Rights to Jeremy Morin
2010 First and Second Round picks (acquired by Atlanta from New Jersey in the Kovalchuk trade)

A Cap hit of $1.12 million (above the $1.2 million contract of Reasoner)

Redwing77's Take:

A necessary evil, this seems to be something that was doomed to occur. My only regret is that the Hawks couldn't somehow get rid of Huet in the deal.

The roughest part is losing Byfuglien. He was KEY in the Stanley Cup victory. He completely unravelled Vancouver.

Losing Sopel and Eager aren't biggies. Eager was good and will continue to be a gritty winger. Losing Sopel won't be missed. Gaining Reasoner is a lot like gaining another Sopel. Unless Versteeg, Ladd, and Sharp aren't retained, I don't think Reasoner is going to be an every game player. He's a veteran and he is pretty reliable, but certainly more of a salary throw in.

The acquisition of Jeremy Morin is interesting. It's too bad he's not NHL ready yet because he'd be a good addition to the team instead of Eager.

What this DOES mean is: Eager and Byfuglien's departures means that this is Skille's and Fraser's (should Chicago re-sign them) chances to stick in the NHL.

The first rounder makes me wonder if they may now try to trade away their 30th overall pick in a package with some more salary.

Here's a list of remaining free agents the Hawks have left to decide upon:

Restricted Free Agents:

Colin Fraser (C)
Andrew Ladd (LW)
Antti Niemi (G)
Jordan Hendry (D)
Niklas Hjalmarssen (D)

A slew of minor leaguers headlined by Jack Skille, Hannu Toivonen, and Bryan Bickell

Unrestricted Free Agents:

Nick Boynton (D)
Adam Burish (RW)
Kim Johnsson (D)
John Madden (C)

3 minor leaguers: Mark Cullen, Danny Bois (awesome name), and Richard Petiot.

I don't know about Boynton or Burish, nor do I know about the minor leaguers but I doubt Johnsson (who spent most of the year injured) or Madden will return solely because of financial reasons.

I'd like to see Ladd, Hjalmarssen, Toivonen, and Skille at least re-signed. Colin Fraser is good too.

But right now the main things that Chicago needs to accomplish is:

1. Get some sort of solution regarding Huet.
2. Dump more salary
3. Start thinking about next year when Seabrook becomes a free agent.

Analysts make a big deal about Versteeg and Sharp but I don't see the Hawks getting rid of both if they can at all help it. To be honest, I'd love to see either or both on the Red Wings.

Nabokov's loss Stalock's gain?

During this spring’s run to the Stanley Cup playoffs it was pretty much proven that a team doesn’t need a top of the line, expensive and or over paid goaltender to advance to the Stanley Cup finals. Both goalies for the teams in the finals were relative unknowns and at times weren’t all that impressive.

Less than 24 hours after making his first trade of the offseason, Sharks General Manager and Executive Vice President Doug Wilson announced a major shakeup in the Sharks lineup: goalie Evgeni Nabokov will not be returning to the team after Wilson declined to offer him a UFA contract.

“We’ve made a decision to go a different direction on the goaltender,” explained Wilson in a meeting with Bay Area media on Tuesday at Sharks Ice. “I had a conversation with him this morning because he deserves that respect and he’ll get nothing but great reviews on what he’s meant to this organization."

According to Wilson, Nabokov’s reaction to the news was “professional” and “the type of emotion that would be expected.” The Sharks General Manager delivered the news at Sharks Ice in a face-to-face meeting prior to sitting down with the media.

“He’s been a big part of our successes and I have a great respect for him as a player, as a man, as a teammate and a guy who gets involved with his community. We’ve got some very good, young goaltenders that are trending up and Nabby certainly deserves credit for their growth.”

Wilson explained that after examining trends in the National Hockey League over the last three or four years --- in particular, the dollars that are spent on goalies --- the organization has decided to put their faith in 24-year-old Thomas Greiss, 22-year-old Alex Stalock and possibly a veteran goalie from the free agency market. [NHL.COM]

It would appear that the Sharks by not resigning the free agent goaltender Evgeni Nabokov; former Bulldog goalie Alex Stalock will be the one that benefits from this decision.

Miscellaneous Transactions around the League (RW77)

I'll leave the Bruins commentary to Goon, but I thought I'd report on the latest transactions around the league.

The big blockbuster today was that the Bruins traded away Defenseman Denis Wideman, their first round (15th overall) pick in this weekend's draft, and their 2011 third round pick to the Florida Panthers for star winger Nathan Horton and center Greg Campbell.

--> Reading around, the take on this trade is mixed. Some say that Chiarelli took Tallon to the bank. Others say it was a decent trade. I'm not sure. It really comes down to, imo, Campbell vs. the 15th overall pick (or you could argue that the pick was direct compensation for Horton and Wideman lines up with Campbell). Greg Campbell is an unknown to me, other than his stats show he's not much of an offensive center. If he's solid defensively, I think that will be good for the Bruins. What do you think, Goon?

Goon's Take: With Deni Wideman being traded to the Florida Panthers, the Bruins get rid of an offensive puck moving defenseman that was seen by some to be a defensive liability, to me personally Wideman was a brutal reminder of the bad Denis Wideman for Brad Boyes trade. By trading the 15th over all pick away the Bruins will not have their second first round draft choice that they were hording all of last season.

Nathan Horton has played in five NHL season and has never scored less than 20 goals. The Bruins need offense up front and Horton will probably play on one of the top three lines. Gregory Campbell is a bit of an unknown and from what I have read is more of the rugged type forward that will drop the gloves if he needs to. Campbell's last fight was against Av's hack/goon Cody McLeod.

The other trades weren't as noteworthy.

Minnesota acquired Brad Staubitz from San Jose for their 5th round pick in this weekend's draft.

--> I actually think this is a good move. Fletcher and crew need to rebuild fast. Late rounders could take longer to develop (and may not develop at all) than those taken in the first three rounds. Staubitz isn't a glamorous player. However, he is a pretty gritty defenseman and had over 100 PIM last season.

New Jersey reacquires Jason Arnott from Nashville for Matt Halischuk and their 2011 2nd round pick.

--> I have misgivings about this trade. I think if this trade was Arnott for Halischuk straight up, it would be a good deal for both sides. If the pick had been a lower pick, such as a 4th or even a 3rd rounder, I think it would have been ok. I think Halischuk and a 2nd round pick is too much for an aging Arnott, despite the fact that he did pretty well last year and he has shown great leadership on and off the ice.

Philadelphia and Nashville exchange young D -Ryan Parent for the rights to Dan Hamhuis

--> I think this is probably the most even trade out there. Good for both sides.

Former Michigan standout TJ Hensick is now a St. Louis Blues. Colorado gets AHLer Julian Talbot

--> TJ Hensick hasn't done much in limited time in the NHL. He came on fast and then swooned like nobody's business. He did come off his best year as an AHLer though. Who knows which direction Hensick will go. Colorado gets an unknown. The best part? Over the past 3 seasons, Talbot's AHL numbers have been steadily decreasing. So, who cares. Colorado is declared the loser in this trade and that's ok by me. They re-signed Peter Budaj so karma's a biznitch.

Already talked about the Halak trade.

In other news: San Jose has decided NOT to even attempt to re-sign goaltender Evgeni Nabokov. I think he'll probably end up in either Montreal or Washington.

Also, Future Hall of Famers Rob Blake and Scott Niedermeyer retired.