Hockey Rambling

  What are the Sharks doing? They have nine experienced NHL forwards and $2 million in cap space - and that's if they're lucky in what they can sign Devin Setoguchi for. Add Logan Couture and perhaps Benn Ferriero and they still can't ice four lines - and they have no room to anything more [...]

  Brock Trotter has signed a one-year deal to go play in the KHL next season. He had a fantastic 2009-10 campaign in the AHL with Hamilton, but was a longshot to make the Habs.   Fantasy mailbag time! Ask me your questions all day today on the forums.   Even with Sami Salo’s injury, [...]

  Reports out of Finland have been comfirmed - Sami Salo has suffered an achilles tendon injury and will miss the next 3-6 months. Does this change Vancouver's plans with Kevin Bieksa?   Ondrej Pavelec’s contract is very, very nice for the Thrashers. Two years, $1.15 million cap hit. He’ll learn a lot from Chris [...]

  Robert Nilsson is off to the KHL. He has always struck me as a solid 'tweener' (a good player without a role). He has fabolous hands but was often overmatched physically at the NHL level.   Pool Guide 2010-11... Nine days and counting. Get excited.   Not a peep about Marek Svatos so far... [...]

  Clarke MacArthur was awarded $2.4 million in arbitration today and the Thrashers have indeed decided to walk away from it. MacArthur is now an unrestricted free agent.   David Perron has signed a two-year contract for $4.3 million.   Joffrey Lupul reported on his Twitter account that he will undergo an MRI on his [...]

  NHL GM's remind me of little children in the manner in which they push things a little bit more each time. "Don't do that Billy. Don't touch!" And then Billy slowly reaches out with his finger and 'almost' touches it. Then he sees you don't object, so he just lightly touches. Then, still no [...]

  According to Philly beatwriter Frank Seravalli, the Flyers have traded Simon Gagne to Tampa Bay.   The Kings were brilliant to stand firm. No need to put Doughty and JJ at risk. Now their current core can remain in place and grow together. Meanwhile, they could bring in lesser lights at a small cap [...]

  The Edmonton Sun reports that the Leafs will not be signing Bill Sweatt. Full story here, but essentially they have 48 contracts (with the recent Marcel Mueller signing) and the CBA allows 50. They don't want to close the doors on any trades/UFA's to come. Hat tip to kbooks in the forum.   The [...]

  I have been reading last year's guide for reference, and it has been interesting to look back at all of the projections. I was astounded after reading Justin Goldman's "Goalies to Watch" section - he was on the money.   Dobber here - I'll be taking your fantasy hockey questions throughout the day in [...]

  Kovalchuk to the Kings is inching closer. Emphasis on inching.   It sounds like Modano will be a Red Wing this season. If Todd Bertuzzi can play for Calgary, anything is possible, but this will take some getting used to.   Elliotte Friedman's final 30 Thoughts of the season is posted. Arguably the best [...]