Running 2007 NHL regular season thread

Bob McKenzie just reported on TSN - which is showing the Vs. feed of the Pens-Rags - that Cliff Fletcher may have been contacted about coming to the Leafs as an interim GM.

 

Fletcher told Mr. Friedman yesterday that he had been not been contacted yet, according to his blog. But the possibility of it happening was apparently being discussed.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/sportsblog/2008/01/desperate_leafs_turning_to_cli.html

 

Ferguson is apparently going to die by the sword instead of handing in his papers. The blood on some players and upper management's hands on this firing should be plenty. I know JFJ hasn't been good but the guy has had nothing but questions about his credentials since day one and because the intense pressure to win kills any chance for him to build from scratch, he was left building a team full of misfit toys. He should be counting down the minutes for his release because it will be the best thing for his career.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's superstar forward Evgeni Malkin nets another hat trick. Malkin's teammates were less than thrilled with the NHL's announcement of Marc Savard as the replacement for injured Dan Heatley. I think Geno's performance tonight was a statement to the NHL, he's on a mission.

 

And I hope he continues that mission all the way to the Stanley Cup finals. I love how this team is playing, especially with Conklin being such a surprise in net.

 

Attendance leaders, according to ESPN ...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?year=2008

 

When the Penguins are "on," they're an absolute pleasure to watch.
And when they play like they did last night in the first period ... Wow.

 

Bill Houston of the Globe says that if Hockey Night in Canada were smart, they'd ditch the Leafs for countrywide distribution and go with Ottawa for the rest of the season.

As much as I'm a Leafs fan, I'd rather watch Ottawa right about now--well, almost anyone but the Leafs. It would also help non-Ottawa fans familiarize themselves with the Sens who will likely make it to the Cup Final again.

In short, it would set up the rest of the season nicely.


http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080114.truth15/GSStory/GlobeSportsHockey/home

 

Forty years ago today, Bill Masterton became the only NHL player to die as a result from injuries suffered during a game.

NHL player’s death, 40 years ago today, changed hockey

 

I think the Leafs should inquire about Neil Smith's availability and get him in for an interview.

 

It's funny but I can't find anything on this anniversary in any of the Canadian papers or on the NHL website.

Weird.

 

Not to be picky ... but it's Masterton.

 

Be picky. I haven't had my quota of caffeine yet today.