Neither Hiller nor Backstrom will be back.
On goaltenders, Treliving confirms neither Hiller nor Backstrom will be back. Says they need to “solidify” position next season. #Flames
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) April 11, 2016
Patrik Elias admits playing for another team would tarnish his career
It seemed strange hearing Patrik Elias call the Devils “they” and “them” as he cleaned out his locker at Prudential Center Monday morning.
But Elias, who turns 40 Wednesday, said it wasn’t a slip of the tongue indicating that his career was over. He’d still like to come back for more more season.
Injuries Can’t Slow Islanders Down
The New York Islanders have been riddles with injuries all season long, which reduced their NHL sports betting odds of making the playoffs. Despite the injuries, the Islanders found a way to keep winning and qualified for the playoffs.
After losing another player to injury, head coach Jack Capuano told reporters he couldn’t remember how many times in recent weeks that his team only had five defensemen.
A visibly upset Capuano told reporters that he was tired of answering question about injuries because it has been a long month for the team and there was nothing he could do about it.
Coyotes fire general manager Maloney
Further to @RealKyper report on GM change in Arizona. High placed source says Don Maloney is out. Seemed to be ongoing power struggle there.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 11, 2016
Pavel Datsyuk says he will leave the Red Wings after playoffs
Pavel Datsyuk wants to go home. His career has been here. His wealth has been here. His celebrity has been here.
But his heart is somewhere else. It’s in Russia — with his teenage daughter and his roots, both of which he wants replanted into his life.
“I’m thinking I go home after this season,” he said, in a long discussion at the Northville home of his agent and friend, Dan Milstein. “I may not be done with hockey, but — it is hard to say — I think I am done playing in NHL.”
While this may be a shock to fans, it cannot be to the Red Wings. The truth is, Datsyuk has been squirming to go home since 2012, the year he played in Russia during the NHL lockout.
NHL Draft Lottery Standings
| Position | GP | PTS | PT% | CHANCE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 69 | 0.421 | 20% |
| 2 | Edmonton Oilers | 82 | 70 | 0.427 | 13.50% |
| 3 | Vancouver Canucks | 82 | 75 | 0.457 | 11.50% |
| 4 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 82 | 76 | 0.463 | 9.50% |
| 5 | Calgary Flames | 82 | 77 | 0.470 | 8.50% |
| 6 | Winnipeg Jets | 82 | 78 | 0.476 | 7.50% |
| 7 | Arizona Coyotes | 82 | 78 | 0.476 | 6.50% |
| 8 | Buffalo Sabres | 82 | 81 | 0.494 | 6% |
| 9 | Montreal Canadiens | 82 | 82 | 0.500 | 5% |
| 10 | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 82 | 0.500 | 3.50% |
| 11 | New Jersey Devils | 82 | 84 | 0.512 | 3% |
| 12 | Ottawa Senators | 82 | 85 | 0.518 | 2.50% |
| 13 | Carolina Hurricanes | 82 | 86 | 0.524 | 2% |
| 14 | Boston Bruins | 82 | 93 | 0.524 | 1% |
Leafs On potentially having the first overall pick:
First of all, we don’t have it. All we know right now is that we’re one of four, and that’s important for us to know because that’s the way we’ll plan. Once we know exactly what our pick is, we’ll go from there. We’re not going to get excited over it. We’ll just be prepared to draft and work with our scouting staff, certainly, in preparation for that first pick one to four. And then we have another pick in the latter part of it. It won’t be something that we’re waiting and hoping for. We’re just getting ready.
Read more at: https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2016/04/10/lou-lamoriello-the-fans-have-just-been-tremendous/
Calgary Flames target net gains to upgrade goaltending in off season
Here are some of the candidates they’ll be looking at:
OIlers could look to move Jordan Eberle or Nail Yakupov
Maroon is under contract for two more seasons at $1.5 million annually, thanks to Anaheim’s agreement to retain $500,000 each year. While Maroon’s play and contract make him safe, the same can’t be said of Jordan Eberle or Nail Yakupov, the two most at risk of being moved for blue-line reinforcements.
Who will the Canucks go after on July 1?
“I think Loui Eriksson is a real good target for the Vancouver Canucks. I think we keep hearing that it might be a real good fit for Eriksson with the Sedins, if they go down that road, so I think that’s a realistic one.
What Are the Odds? Drouin Returns to Crunch amid Continued Rumors of Trade
In any pro sports league there are bound to be rumors of player dissatisfaction and coaches that aren’t giving players a fair shot. Such is the case with Jonathan Drouin who has recently been called off a suspension that was imposed for refusing to play again at the AHL level. In a bold move by Drouin and his agent, Allan Walsh, Drouin opted not to show for a January game between the Syracuse Crunch and the Toronto Marlies. Having been suspended without pay for what was to be an ‘indefinite length of time,’ young Drouin has returned to the game and now it is anyone’s guess what will happen next.
Calgary Flames might be perfect fit for free-agent-to-be James Reimer
Is it big enough to transport Reimer’s home in Toronto to Calgary?
After all, this is one of the destinations Reimer could very well be eyeing up this summer when he decides where to sign as an unrestricted free agent.
Michalek didn’t want to leave Ottawa
Toronto GM Lou Lamoriello and coach Mike Babcock both called Michalek to let him know he’d be important with the Leafs. Michalek admitted he was disappointed to leave Ottawa.
“I’ve been there for so long and it’s been my home and my family was happy there, too,” he said. “It’s business. I’m here and I’m going to make the best out of it.”