January 14, 2008

 

Calgary told Dustin Boyd to find a permanent place to live. He has 75-point upside, but I think you may have to wait three years. However, things do change and if Lombardi doesn't step up by next year, Boyd will replace him and could become the No.2 center. 

 

Calgary has signed Cujo to be their backup for the stretch run. I don't see more than eight starts from him going forward… and even that is high. It is, after all, Kipper we're talking about.

 

Marek Svatos has become the beneficiary of Colorado injuries. He has seven goals in his last six games and 11 points in 11 games. He is a Cy Young candidate with 20 goals and two assists. 

 

Miro Satan was back in the lineup despite an ankle sprain. As such, Jeff Tambellini did not get in.

 

Darcy Hordichuk suffered a leg injury early in last night's game against Chicago on Sunday night, and Predators Coach Barry Trotz said Hordichuk will be "very doubtful" for games this week against Calgary and Anaheim.

 

Shea Weber will be back in full contact practice yesterday and do not be surprised if he gets into a game before Friday.

 

Marc-Andre Fleury skated hard in full gear and faced shots in practice yesterday. He could be back in a week to 10 days. Unless Conklin wins all those games, Fleury just might get thrown right back out there and given a chance to take his job back.

 

Mike Cammalleri is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Oilers and probable for Friday's game against the Flames.

 

From Philly.com: John Stevens' confidence in rookie Steve Downie continued to grow. Downie played more than 14 minutes and was on the ice late in the third period when the Flyers were protecting a one-goal lead. "I thought he deserved the right to be out there at the end because he was so good on the puck," Stevens said. "He's shown he can be a really responsible player." 

 

Marek Zidlicky has 16 points in his last 21 games for the Preds.

 

Martin Gerber, after starting the season 13-2-1, is 7-5-0 in his last 12 decisions. Ray Emery is 6-1-3 in his last 10 decisions. I think the pendulum is slowly swinging the other way now.

 

Chris Clark was back in the lineup but played just nine minutes, tweaking his groin injury. It was reportedly "minor", and not a setback. Tom Poti was also back in the lineup.

 

Jason Spezza left the game Sunday with an undisclosed head injury. The team says it is 'precautionary', but I don't blindly believe what the teams say. We'll know more soon enough.

 

Evgeni Nabokov started  every game for the Sharks this season and was the only goaltender left in the NHL who could make that claim… until Sunday. Tomas Greiss got his first career start, but lost 4-3 in ovetime.