Monthly Archives: December 2010
The Montreal Canadiens have traded forward Maxim Lapierre to the Anaheim Ducks for defenceman Brett Festerling and a 2012 fifth-round draft pick.
Lapierre, 25, had five goals and three assists and was minus-7 in 38 games this year with Montreal. He played primarily as a fourth-line winger.
Senators mull drastic changes
Senators coach Cory Clouston shuffled his forward lines Thursday, then admitted he’s considering a more drastic move on the team’s backend.
While it’s unlikely he’ll start Mike Brodeur over Brian Elliott in goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Clouston confirmed that he is toying with the idea of making one of his two highest paid defencemen a healthy scratch.
Leafs’ loss prompts more trade talk
The Leafs performance in Thursday’s 3-2 loss to Columbus was disturbing enough to prompt serious talk among observers that it’s time for GM Brian Burke to make a trade to help his troubled team.
Burke, of course, does not listen to media rants and won’t be swayed by them. But Thursday’s disappointment certainly carried the point home in large part because it further deflated an almost flat hope that this roster can do very much to rescue a playoff berth.
Blues general manager Doug Armstrong was disappointed that forward Marek Svatos didn’t make it through waivers.
The injury-depleted Predators put a claim on Svatos, so his tenure in St. Louis lasted a day.
Armstrong will continue exploring other options.
Nazem Kadri’s roller-coaster season has taken another sudden turn, one coach Ron Wilson hopes will benefit the young forward in the long run.
Given the mixed signals management has sent the past few months about the 2009 first round pick, that remains to be seen.
Jay Feaster wants to make himself clear on all matters relating to Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla.
“There’s no plan to trade Jarome,” the acting general manager said Wednesday, some 24 hours after taking over for Darryl Sutter. “There’s no desire on my part to trade Jarome.”
HABS ACQUIRE DEFENCEMAN WISNIEWSKI FROM ISLANDERS
The Montreal Canadiens added some depth to their blueline on Tuesday by acquiring defenceman James Wisniewski from the New York Islanders.
Fans Claim NHL Official Taunted Them
Several fans in Nationwide Arena’s section 109 tonight said NHL referee Paul Devorski made a “crying face” and an obscene gesture during the third period of the Blue Jackets’ 4-3 shootout win over the Wild.
NHL director of officiating Terry Gregson confirmed to The Dispatch this morning that the league is investigating the matter.
Leafs GM won't pull trigger on trades
General manager Brian Burke spent the Christmas holiday in the Boston area with family, but did not anticipate jumping into the trade market when the National Hockey League roster freeze ended at midnight Monday.
A shakeup in Calgary is underway as the Flames announced Tuesday that Executive Vice-President and general manager Darryl Sutter is stepping down effective immediately.
Jay Feaster has been appointed Acting General Manager and will assume full and complete responsibilities for day to day hockey operations.
As the Devils threaten to break the record for worst point falloff in NHL history, the lesson is this: The Flyers, who fell from 101 points to 56 in 2006-07, rebounded with 95 the next season.
Catastrophe can present an opportunity, and this one is the Devils’ chance to restock and rebuild after refusing to for so very long. General manager Lou Lamoriello’s old renewal formula of thirds — kids, primes and vets — has become very age-heavy.
Changes coming to underachieving Leafs roster
The peace and quiet the Leafs enjoyed over a five day Christmas break is expected to come to an abrupt halt once the NHL holiday roster freeze ends Monday.
Leafs GM Brian Burke has already stated he will be looking to make changes to his roster, which is, for now, taking the blame for the club’s desperate standing on the playoff ladder.
‘I’m as frustrated as you are,’ Burke tells fans
Trades are on the horizon. The status quo is not an option. Change is coming.
This is what Brian Burke tells me when we meet for lunch at e11even, the swish new bistro on York Street in Maple Leaf Square. The place is hopping merrily with a crowd of Bay Street power brokers and MLSE suits.
But the mood at our table, as you might imagine, is far from festive.