Chris Pronger has received a one-game suspension for his hit from behind on Tomas Holmstrom. had Holmstrom remained out of the lineup instead of being the warrior that he is and returning (what was he thinking – they had the game well in hand!), I believe that Pronger would have received two or even three… 

Minutes after next year's Calder Trophy winner signed with Washington, the Calder Trophy runner up signed with Chicago. That's right, Jonathan Toews has signed a three-year entry-level deal with the 'Hawks.  

As if there would be any doubt – the Caps just signed their first round pick and Dobber's top fantasy prospect Nicklas Backstrom to a three-year entry level deal. Calder Trophy. Done deal. 

Anaheim general manager Brian Burke describes deposed NHL Players' Association boss Ted Saskin as a "hero."Burke noted it was Saskin's efforts that brought an end to the 2004-05 lockout….Yeah, just replace "ero" with "own" and "h" with "cl" and you're absolutely right, Brian. I just lost respect for one of my favorite GM's. Hey Burke – I could have brought an end to the lockout, and I could have done it before the thing started and I could have done it with a more favorable salary cap. Saskin is a clown, plain and simple.

Dallas signed Tom Wandell, their fifth-round pick from 2005. He ranked 329 on my Fantasy Prospects list, but with the signing should move closer to 200 or so. He has a 75-80 point upside, but is a bit of a longshot to ever make the NHL. You will see a lot of prospects drafted from 2005 signing over the next two weeks, because they will go back into the draft if they don't. June 1 is the deadline. 

He's a long shot, but suddenly Stevie Y's name has come up as being considered for the Columbus GM post. I'll bet the house on…no. 

Despite being on the ropes, the Sabres will not be dressing Drew Stafford, Nathan Paetsch, Andrew Peters or Dan Paille tonight. 

Dainius Zubrus has not scored in 14 postseason games. The longest he went in the regular season without scoring this year was 10 contests.

Tomas Holmstrom had two goals, one assist, and one comeback from a brutal-looking hit last night. Rob Niedermayer and Chris Pronger both hammered him from behind into the boards and he left the game bleeding. Niedermayer got kicked out…but it will be Pronger who will be suspended. Holmstrom returned to the game a period later.

J-S Giguere was chased from the contest after giving up three goals on 13 shots.

Todd Bertuzzi (finally) scored and played over 16 minutes. Tomas Kopecky played just over seven minutes in his first playoff game of his career. Kyle Calder was a healthy scratch.

Nik Kronwall is doing some light skating and is targeting a return to action some time in the Stanley Cup Final if the team gets that far.

It is looking doubtful that the 'Hawks will be able to sign Michal Handzus. He really wants to play for a winner…so that pretty much rules them out. On the bright side, however, they are close to signing future superstar Jonathan Toews…we should hear more on that one later in the week.