Apr.23/08

Jaroslav Modry did in fact miss the last 2 games of the Flyers/Wash. series to attend his fathers funeral. This was a very classy move by the Flyers organization and they still won the series so Modry will be very happy he returned home to pay respects to his Father.

 

Riley Cote was out of the lineup and Steve Downie took his spot. However after 2 2nd period peanlties Downie did not see the ice again. 

 

One more side bar to Phili/Wash.- poor officiating in last nights game. After calling a few penalties in the first 2 periods the whistles were put away for the 3rd. Absolutely nothing was called…..then they call a penalty in overtime that leads to the series winner. Tom Poti looked like the goat for taking a penalty but it should never have been called.

 

Jeremy Roenick played like he was 24 again last night. He had 2 goal and 2 assists in only 12 mins. of icetime. He led the Sharks to the game 7 triumph over Calgary. Talk about making the most of a situation. How many of you felllas' out there have him in your fantasy playoff pool??

 

Sergei Zubov is still day-to-day with his hernia problem but he should return sometime in round 2. Remember he has not played since the end of January so he may need a few games just to get up to speed.

 

Patrick Elias will play for the Czech Republic at the World Championship next month. Martin Brodeur will not play for Canada. I don't blame him, after all he played 78 games in the regular season, 5 playoff games, as well as a handful of preseason games. His poor playoff performances the last few years certainly could be the result of simply being "burned out".

 

Brodeur, along with Lundqvist, and Nabokov are the nominees for the Vezina. My nod goes to Lundqvist.

 

Norris trophy nominees were Phaneuf, Lidstrom, and Chara. These 3 are all very deserving for best defenceman but I think Phaneuf is the most valuable to his team, so I believe he takes his first of many this year.

 

Barry Trotz got a 2-year extension from the Preds. yesterday…………I think Dobber just spilled his beer in Cuba and swallowed a cigar. Trotz has been under Dobbers skin all year for his lack of icetime given to Radulov.

 

L.A signed prospect Oscor Moller to a 3-year entry level deal. This kid has had 2 great WHL seasons and some great showings for his county, including a 5 point performance for Sweden at this past years World Juniors. However, the Kings are very deep in high end talent up front so don't expect much from this kid for 4 years. He may even be a candidate to be traded at some point. 

 

Tomas Kopecky underwent knee surgery yesterday and will be fine for the Wings training camp next September.

 

Again a Canada-Russia final. This time the World under 18 Championship which goes this morning.

 

Brian Burke is trying to quiet rumours of him leaving Anaheim. At a press conference yesterday he stated "no teams have contacted me and I have not asked for permission to talk to any other teams" However, when asked to give a 100% gurantee if he will be back next year he quickly quipped" No, I can't give that gurantee. HMMMMMM. To me it sounds like he will be leaving. Maybe Toronto will have another grumpy old man to follow in the footsteps of Harold Ballard, and Pat Quinn.

 

NHL competition comittee new members are: Spezza, Halpern, Cambell, Ryan Miller, Schneider to replace the outgoingBlake, Iginla, Linden, Shanahan, and Brodeur (who actually quit last year)