- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Alexander Radulov will take part in the Predators morning skate [today]. Radulov will take his physical this morning as he was too tired to do it last night. GM David Poile and Radulov will have a press conference at 9:30 CT [today].
- Elliotte Friendman of CBC: The Russian factor may play a role in rumors that the Blue Jackets and Oilers could consider trading their high first round pick. Nail Yakupov, Alex Galchenyuk and Mikhail Grigorenko are expected to be high 1st round picks, and all play in the CHL. Teams are concerned that some players may pull a Radulov and bolt back to Russia during their entry level contract to make more money in the KHL.
- QMI Agency in the Toronto Sun: Patrick Roy denies rumors that he would be the next coach of the Canadiens. “It makes me laugh and I’m flattered that my name is circulating, but at the end of the day, it’s Mr. Molson, who will make decisions about who is going to be his coach and general manager,” Roy told the Journal de Quebec.
- Dave Stubbs via twitter: Canadiens Scott Gomez tells Stubbs that the buyout/Devils talk is news to him: “I’m just trying to get healthy & get back. Buyout’s never been brought up”
- Steve Buffery of hte Toronto Sun: With James Reimer’s and Jonas Gustavsson’s play this year, the Maple Leafs will have to go out and get a goalie through free agency or trade. Either way, it may take away assets (money/players) that may have been used in attempt to land a number 1 center. If Burke did try to trade away Phil Kessel, there is no way he would get back what he gave up.
- Ted Kulfan via twitter: Red Wings Jimmy Howard will be day-to-day with a groin issue. Ty Conklin was recalled but he has to clear re-entry waivers.
- Ansar Khan via twitter: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock hopes that Nicklas Lidstrom will be ready for Saturday, but Lidstrom is not as sure.
- Edmonton Oilers via twitter: Oilers forward Taylor Hall (concussion) took part in yesterday’s morning skate.
- Paul Hendrick via twitter: Maple Leafs forward Mike Brown is expected to skate this week. Joffrey Lupul will start skating in about 10 days.
- Nick Kypreos via twitter: Shane Doan will have a disciplinary hearing at 5 PM for his elbow on Stars Jamie Benn.
#1 by hotwings at March 21st, 2012
another nightmare awaits brain burke this summer… with marginal assets like lombardi, connoly, armstrong, komi and reimer still signed thru next year and into the future…
not only is he looking to get a lot of assets, but he has to try to get rid of a lot of bad assets… add kulemin to that mix as well…
the team needs yet another overhaul.. the d core is just not working out either.. why did he give liles an extension? whats he gonna do with phaneuf?
why is it taking burke 4+ years to land a number one centre?
i think there is a major character issue and compete level with this team… toronto blue jackets anyone?
#2 by Wunschkind89 at March 21st, 2012
why is it taking burke 4+ years to land a number one centre?
Because Burke is too stupid to figure out that to build a successful team, it has to be done through the draft. Let’s look at all the teams that have won the cup since the lock out, and their best player, and how the acquired them:
2006: Carolina, Eric Staal–Draft
2007: Anaheim, Ryan Getzlaf–Draft
2008: Detroit, Zetterberg or Datsyuk–Draft
2009: Pittsburgh, Crosby or Malkin–Draft
2010: Chicago, Toews or Kane–Draft
2011: Boston, Tim Thomas–free agent signing out of Europe. Seguin is their best player now though, and drafted by them (no thanks to Burke).
My point is you need to draft your core and use free agency to fill the gaps. Imagine if the Leafs never traded for Kessel and drafted Tyler Seguin, Jared Knight and Dougie Hamilton. So much cap room saved and you get more than Kessel’s production.
Of course Burke will never figure it out, so we’re stuck to see if he gets lucky.
#3 by I_am_I at March 22nd, 2012
@Wunschkind
Detroit’s draft picks you listed are 6th and 7th rounders. Pittsburgh and Chicago won the draft lottery for Crosby and Kane respectively. Also Getzlaf was the 19th overall pick and Perry the 28th overall pick. So hardly top draft picks.
Seguin was a factor in exactly one game vs. Tampa Bay in the playoffs. If you are saying his 1 assist (on the 3rd or 4th goal in a 4-0 win) and 7 minutes a night of ice time in the final was a factor that is just reaching. Boston’s best players are Thomas (free agent) , Lucic (2nd round), Chara (Free agent), Bergeron (2nd round)
So I guess your point is that to build through the draft you also have to be very luck (Chicago, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Anaheim). Drafting high and going nowhere is far more common. See Atlanta (8 top 10 picks since 2000), Columbus (10 top 10 picks since 2000), Florida (8 top 10 picks, ONE of which is on their current roster).
If the Leafs never made that trade all you would hear about is that Seguine isn’t all that good with his 30 points centering Jason Blake and Alexei Ponikarovsky. Or on Matt Stajan’s wing….
Anyway you are talking about one of 2 people that built the current Vancouver Canucks, the other is some guy named Nonis. I’m pretty sure they know how to build a good hockey team.
Finally Toronto has as many Boston first round picks in their system (Kessel, Lashoff, Colborne) as Boston (Seguin, Hamilton, Hamill). Boston has a terrible record of keeping their picks.
I really hate when people spout off about drafting is the key to success as if that is the only thing that is necessary when success is much more difficult than that. Otherwise we’d be seeing a lot more NYI and Columbus cups.