Running 2007 NHL regular season thread

It stinks that, because of the All-Star weekend, we U.S. Center Ice subscribers can't see Elliotte's work (terrific interview last week with the black former player), Coaches Corner and the Hotstove that's a weekly Sunday ritual to watch. I work Saturday nights and record it all on DVR to watch Sunday.

 

All of that should be available on the website tomorrow. Nonetheless, I agree. I'd rather watch CBC than The Huntin' And Fishin' With Jimbo Network.

 

When you watch Coaches Corner online, though, when Grapes is pointing out something by showing video, they can't show that online.

 

That's true.

 

Doesn't that deal tell you exactly why people are mentionining Rutherford for Toronto? He'd be perfect over there. The Johnson trade is almost, just almost as good as a top three pick (Scotty Niedermayer) for Tom Kurvers. It's like he was auditioning for the post.

 

Rutherford certainly left it as if he has not closed the door to the Leafs during a radio interview last week in North Carolina.

 

Trade talk heats up for Pittsburgh and NHL.

1. Wild defenseman Nick Schultz is Pittsburgh's #1 target prior to the deadline and they're willing to use defensive prospect Alex Goligoski to get him. Penguins believe they have the right mix of forwards when Crosby, Roberts and Kennedy return to play and believe Rob Scuderi is getting exposed with the increase in minutes.

2. Rangers want defenseman Brooks Orpik but their unwillingness to trade Petr Prucha is holding the deal. Sather initiates the interest in Orpik and he's not happy about the Pens refusal to ask for anyone other than Prucha. Is it bothering anyone in NY this guy has done nothing during his tenure?

3. Waddell asked Shero if he would trade Staal and this year's #1 pick for Hossa; let's just say the conversation didn't last long. Pittsburgh has made it clear, they're not moving Staal for a rental or 2-year rental.

4. The garage sale sign has been posted in LA. Dean Lombardi is going to be one busy GM retooling his roster after Nagy, Handzus, and Stuart flopped.

 

It should bother Peter Karmanos. But knowing him, the fact that Rutherford hasn't demanded a halfway decent salary keeps him in Raleigh. I mean, we all know Karmanos can't afford to run a hockey organization. :

 

It's really interesting. New York's the biggest sports market in the world, yet Sather can pretty much run the Rangers without a lot of media criticism; newspapers, TV and radio stations are far more focused on the disgraceful state of the Knicks, along with the baseball and football franchises.

I think the Rangers and Rangers fans got conned by Prucha's first season. He scored 30 goals and everyone thought that he was a pure goal scorer. He's not. He's a guy who scores his goals from in close; he scores by jamming home a rebound or a puck deflecting in off of him.

As a rookie, Prucha benefited from getting even strength and PP time with Jagr. Last year and this season, he's bounced around; Prucha is now skating with Brandon Dubinsky and Nigel Dawes.

Another Rangers story to keep an eye on is what will happen with Marek Malik. After the Rangers' 4-0 win over Atlanta on Tuesday, Malik apparently did not shake Renney's hand in the dressomg room. Renney has a tradition of going around the room, shaking the players' hands and complimenting them on the win. It's alleged that Malik received praise from Renney, thanked the coach but did not shake his hand. Several vets--Scott Gomez among them--apparently reamed Malik out later. The defenseman did not dress for Thursday's game and was not with the team.

Would Shero make the deal if he could lock up Hossa long term? Crosby-to-Hossa or Malkin-to-Hossa would be dominant pairings in a league that rewards skating.

Considering that the Ducks won the Cup in only their 13th year of existence and seem to be headed back to the playoffs while the Kings are spinning their wheels, is Lombardi on the hot seat?

 

Listening to DiPietro having a running conversation with Doc Emerick during the hardest shot competition and he's the type of personality that the league needs to market. He's a good looking dude that funny and intelligent.

 

Manny Legace was a riot during the YoungStars game.

 

Yeah, he was. His "there's got to be a time limit!" had me doubled over.