March 26, 2007

TSN is reporting that Jack Johnson has indeed signed with the Kings. He will be in the lineup Thursday. Expect three or four points in the final six contests for the big blueliner.

 

TSN is also reporting that Martin Biron is set to sign a two year deal with the Flyers worth just under $7 million. Brilliant move by the Flyers. 

 

Dark horse on defense? The Panthers signed Finnish League rearguard Cory Murphy as an unrestricted free agent. Murphy is 29 and is an offensive rearguard that reminds me of a lesser Marek Zidlicky. More on him in the Forum – Prospects section. 

 

Wojtek Wolski was a healthy scratch yesterday. 

 

My thoughts on the CBC rights signing…posted in the forum.

 

Dustin Penner was benched for the second period of last game and Brad May practiced on his spot on the second line yesterday. Penner may be a healthy scratch next contest. 

 

As I expected, Jack Johnson is going to forgo his final two years of college to play in the NHL. He is negotiating a contract with the Kings, which is really just a formality. He plans to play the final six games of the season. If your roto-league allows it, pick him up for the homestretch. he could join the team as soon as Tuesday.

 

About Robert Nilsson: "He showed he's got the skill level, but he has to develop more speed … if he'll apply himself to that, he'll create a lot more," said MacTavish. "It's very questionable whether he'll be an impact player on our team next year. It'll be up to him. "He's a little guy, but he's not afraid. Defensively, he learned the game quickly and he was in the right spots. What he has to do is impress the coaches in practices, too, every day. That's the message we gave him. You can't get casual. You have to have a thirst and a desire to be a player and if he can get that …" 

 

Zetterberg looked great in practice yesterday and now hopes to return for the final week of the regular season.

 

Gary Roberts has 10 points in 14 games in a Pittsburgh uniform, which is about what you would expect from him in terms of production. Two of those games were three-point efforts so they really do come in spurts for him.

 

Matt Carle established a franchise record for points by a rookie defenseman with 40.

 

If Patrick Sharp can't score two more goals, or Jeff Hamilton can't score three more goals, it will be the first time in 50 years that Chicago has not boasted two 20-goal scorers. Martin Havlat has 24.

 

Darryl Sydor is questionable for the next Dallas game. He left Saturday's contest with a hand injury.

 

Jeff Hamilton returned to the Chicago lineup yesterday.

 

The Pens chased Tim Thomas from the Boston net in their 5-0 win.

 

Marian Gaborik has 43 points in his last 33 games.

 

Henrik Lundqvist has started 42 of the last 43 Rangers games and has been a top five goalie since December. He really only had a rough October/November because his numbers have been phenomenal otherwise.