NHL Draft
- The Bruins have their eyes on a specific player and may trade up in the Draft to get him. “I’d like to accomplish a few things, one is I’d like to get a second-round pick,” said Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli.
- The Denver Post has a special profile of Victor Hedman.
- Let’s counter a Hedman story with one about John Tavares, by Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch.
- Not surprisingly, Brian Burke likes Zach Kassian’s game.
- Ray Ferraro’s kid, Landon Ferraro, wants to make a name for himself.
Trade Rumors
- The Panthers are looking to trade Jay Bouwmeester before the July 1st free agency day hits.
- The Leafs still want to trade up to try and select John Tavares. Burke also insists there is still lots of time to make something happen on the Tavares front.
- The fact that Dany Heatley has a $4 million bonus will making trading the star forward more difficult.
Free Agent Rumors
- There is no shortage of free agent issues for Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon.
- Chris Chelios is going to hold a news conference today to speak about his future.
- Apparently Marian Gaborik has not shut the door on a return to the Wild, even though some believe he has his mind set on Vancouver.
- Expect the Leafs to trade and add some toughness via free agency.
Hall of Fame Inductions
- Michael Rosenberg talks about just how brilliant Steve Yzerman’s career really was. “I’m very grateful for the honor,” said Yzerman. The long-time Red Wing center is certainly not taking this honor for granted.
- Waiting for his Hall of Fame call was less nerve racking for Luc Robitaille than waiting for the Kings to call him the summer that he was drafted. Robitaille’s honor is one Kings fans have not had much experience with, writes Helene Elliot.
- Brett Hull was not surprised to be named to the Hall of Fame on Tuesday, but that does not mean he was not honored.
- Brian Leetch was admittedly overwhelmed to be named the newest member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Did you know that Leetch is the first U.S. defenseman to be inducted? Mark Messier says Leetch was one of the hardest working players he ever played with.
- In the builder category, Lou Lamoriello says he was completely surprised to be named to the Hall of Fame. Here are five reasons Lamoriello was named to the Hall of Fame.
Brent Sutter hire
- Lou Lamoriello was classy in his handling of Darryl Sutter’s request to speak to Brent Sutter about the coaching opening in Calgary. “I look at the set of circumstances and the decision. I’m not angry. I’m just moving forward. And I wish him the best. I don’t hold anything against him in any way,” said Lamoriello.
- Lou Lamoriello may not be angry, but Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek is.
- Players may think Mike Keenan is intimidating, but Brent Sutter can be pretty intimidating himself, writes George Johnson.
- “To be able to get who I think is the best free-agent coach out there, and to have the group together and see how they’re going to work, it’s an awesome thing,” said Darry Sutter.
- The Flames are expecting a defense-first philosophy, writes Eric Francis.
Everything Else
- In unfortunate news, the NHL has been found to have been shortchanging NHL widows.
- Mike Babcock will have the most pressure filled coaching job in the world next February.
- Babcock’s boss has been named GM of the Year by The Hockey News.
- Could the Red Wings leave the Joe Louis Arena and its favorable lease?
- In Tampa Bay, things keep getting messier, as Oren Koules and Len Barrie had their responsibilities separated by Gary Bettman. It looks like Oren Koules came out of the meeting with Bettman with final say. Phil Esposito, for one, is concerned about the direction of the Lightning franchise.
- The Flyers could still find themselves playing in the Winter Classic.
- Wayne Gretzky would like to see a team in both Hamilton and Phoenix. Sticking with Gretzky, he appears willing to at least consider take a salary cut if necessary.
- As Kyle linked yesterday, the fact Marian Gaborik has apparently purchased a home in Vancouver is generating lots of press.
- The Toronto area now smells blood for a new NHL team, writes Randy Turner of the Winnipeg Free Press.
Be sure to listen to the IllegalCurve.com Radio Show tonight from 7pm CST to 9pm CST where the crew will be interviewing the former USHL scouting director and then unveiling the IC First Round Mock Draft
