The Devils need to deal for a new head coach.

New Jersey head coach Brent Sutter will not return for a third season, according to Sportsnet.

Sutter walks away with a 97-56-11 record in two years as head coach. The Devils failed to move out of the first round of the playoffs this year, losing to the Canes in seven games.

So what's next for Brent?

Let's see, after firing Mike Keenan, it seems his brother Darryl has an opening in Calgary...

        

A new group has emerged with a proposal to bring a second NHL franchise  to Toronto. They have a name (Toronto Lagace Legacy!), $1 billion, and a sweater and logo.

According to sources in Minnesota, MacT has interviewed for the coaching job.

The Bruins will face either the Capitals or Flyers in Fenway in the 2010 Winter Classic. We're anticipating an epic Ovie goal celebration - jumping into the Green Monster?

The Lightning have apparently informed the NHL of their intentions to play at the salary cap floor of $40.5 million next season. If that's the case, Vinny Lecavalier's $10 million should be off their books fairly soon. The Kings are still out in front, with Vancouver, Edmonton and Montreal have all in the hunt.

NBC and the NHL are set to announce an extension to their relationship for another two years, taking happy couple past the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and Stanley Cup playoffs.  So that's two more years of a tired "game of the week" format, Milbury and Mcguire nearly coming to blows over whethe fighting should be allowed, and random Sundays without hockey?

NHLPA director Paul Kelly says it's time to pull the plug in Phoenix. Kelly wonders, "How much money must (a franchise) lose before someone says "perhaps they ought not to be there?"  $1 Zillion, apparently.

Mike Babcock's coaching reputation is on the line? Really? Same guy who won the Cup last year, right?

        

According to Michael Farber of SI.com the Red Wings are on the verge of locking up Marian Hossa.

Farber writes, "While nothing will be announced during the Stanley Cup final, unrestricted free agent Marian Hossa likely will be signing a long-term deal, believed to be seven years, to stay with the Red Wings."

Not so fast, according to GM Ken Holland.

"There is no agreement on a deal,'' Holland said. "We've never had conversations about a seven-year deal in the three months I have talked to him. No truth to it."

We tend to believe him.

Besides, as Ansar Khan points out, once the Wings inked Johan Franzen to an 11-year, $43 million contract late the season, they were unable to sign anyone else until after the season, due to CBA rules pertaining to tagging space.

Khan also believes that a Hossa deal would likely need to be in the 10-11 year range to work, ala Zetterberg/Franzen.

We think there's a good chance that a deal eventually gets done, but it's doubtful that it's being negotiated during the Stanley Cup finals.

        

Jerry Reinsdorf
Sports Properties Acquisition Corp.

The list of potential Coyote buyers who would keep the team in Phoenix is shrinking.

A publicly held company formed last year to acquire sports properties has agreed to purchase the Florida Panthers hockey team for $240 million, according to a Reuters report.
Sports Properties Acquisition Corp. has apparently agreed to buy the Panthers and the BankAtlantic Center, along with an arena management company and land surrounding the arena.

Sports Properties had been rumored as a potential bidder for the Phoenix Coyotes.

Sports Properties, one of the bidders for the Chicago Cubs, recently raised $215 million in January 2008 in its IPO to invest in the sports, leisure and entertainment sectors.

        

A little more than a week ago the Wild filled their GM void by hiring Chuck Fletcher. Now Fletcher's first item of business will be hiring a new coach.

And it may be Craig MacTavish.

Fletch is considering all available candidates for the position and would like to make the hire before the NHL Entry Draft, held later this month.  And according to the Edmonton Journal, the he's looking in MacT's direction.

But what about the idea of the former Oilers' coach jumping to a new gig within the division?

"They don't have to ask permission from us to talk to Mac," said Oilers president Kevin Lowe.

The Oil will have to pay MacTavish for another season, but there are apparently no caveats for him coaching a Northwest Division rival.

"There were no clauses in his contract (against that)," said Lowe.

We await further word via text message.

        

According to Sportsnet, Florida GM Jacques Martin has been negotiating with the Panthers for a contract buy-out, and the Canadiens want him as their next coach.

Though Martin has several years remaining on his contract, he is willing to leave money on the table to land the Montreal gig.

Hmm, we wonder if he'll try to strike that Bouwmeester-to-Montreal deal first...

        

CKAC is reporting (through our fuzzy Google Translator) that the Montreal Canadiens have asked the NHL to host the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Winter Classic at Olympic Stadium (presumably with the roof retracted).

And the NHL is into it!

Maybe.

According to the report, the NHL is studying the possibility of bringing the Classic to Montreal.

It was rumored (and then reported) in April that the Bruins were told they would likely host the event, possibly facing off against the Washington Capitals.

Olympic Stadium was built...for...the...Summer Olympics in 1976.  Since the Expos moved to Washington, D.C. in 2004, the stadium has been seen as a white elephant without a main tenant, occasionally hosting Alouettes Grey Cup games.

Our money is still on Fenway.

        

The NHL has interviewed Washington Capitals front office employees along with members of the team's medical and training staffs, according to Tarik El-Bashir of Capitals Insider.

"We're following very closely the developments in Florida as the case progresses," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told El-Bashir this afternoon. "We think it's important from the league's perspective to investigate this because any allegations of this type are concerning."

Per El-Bashir, interviews with Capitals personnel are ongoing, but investigators have not been able to establish any connection between the team and suspected drug dealer Richard Thomas.

Thomas was arrested Tuesday in Lakeland, Florida, on charges of possession and intent to distribute steroids.

He then declared himself to be the Steroid King of Central Florida and claimed to have sold steroids to the Caps and Nationals players.

"While there seems to be no evidence to this point that would substantiate any of the claims, it's something we feel we have an obligation to follow up on," Daly said. "We are in the process of touching base with relevant personnel within the Washington organization and finding out as much as we can."

Good to hear. And now Bettman is even talking about off-season testing.

        

Brett Hull and Les Jackson have served as the Stars’ Interim Co-General Managers since Nov. 13, 2007. The interim tag was removed last May after Dallas reached the 2008 Western Conference finals.

Then the Stars went 36-35-11 this season, finishing 12th in the West.

And now the Co-General Managers tag has been removed as well.

So now Joe Nieuwendyk is in as the new GM of the Dallas Stars.

Nieuwendyk had been serving as a Special Assistant to the General Manager with the Leafs, and now heads back to Dallas. The formal announcement will come via a scheduled news conference on Monday afternoon.

Hull and Jackson have been given different jobs within the organization. Hull will be the team's Executive Vice President and Alternative Governor, while Jackson will return as the team's Director of Scouting and Player Development.

        

The NHL announced today that Game 2 on Sunday will start at 8 p.m. EST.

The late announcement comes as a result of having to wait to see whether there would be a Game 7 in the NBA's Western Conference finals between the Lakers and Nuggets.

There won't be.

The Lakers won the series Friday night. If there had been a seventh game in that series, Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals would have started at 7.

It's the first time that has happened in the Stanley Cup finals since 1954.

Games 3 and 4 in Pittsburgh will be shown on Versus, with Games 5-7 coming back to NBC.

Wings coach Mike Babcock wasn't pleased with the league's scheduling of back-to-back games after the Red Wings knocked off the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals on Wednesday.

"Normally when you win in five games, you get this little break. But I think we're trying to jam," Babcock said. "I don't know if we're making up for lost time in the previous three series by jamming this all in 10 days, or whatever we're doing.

"They don't ask me these questions."

They don't ask us either, but we'll throw in our 3 cents.

Back-to-back games to start a series is just weird.

That said, the NHL got itself into this position by way of some poor marketing and the that pesky lockout, but the league is doing a pretty good job climbing back to (U.S) national relevancy.

The scheduling problems are the necessary lumps to take along the way.  And if Big Cheesy and John Collins continue to pay attention to their fans and put the NHL in the spotlight, the league will eventually be given the respect and air time it would (then) deserve.

At some point the NHL needs to shed this Frankenetwork setup. And that could very well mean a return to ESPN. (we just threw up a little in our mouth)

        

Andrei and Segei Kostitsyn have been fully cleared of any illegal activity after the being linked to a sting operation arrest in February, according to Montreal police.

A police spokesman told Le Journal de Montreal that 5,000 phone calls made by Pasquale Mangiola were replayed to see if he had any incriminating conversations with the brothers.

According to Le Journal, more than 2,000 of those calls involved the Kostitsyns, but there was no evidence of criminal activity or sports betting. There was also no evidence of any wrongdoing with Canadiens defenseman Roman Hamrlik, who was also associated with Mangiola.

Hmm.

So what exactly was the topic of 40% of Mangiola's recorded phone calls?  The original report indicated that Mangiola had made luxury cars and women available at bars to Andrei and Sergei, a perk we assume is inherently available to young hockey stars in Montreal.

Meanwhile, Mangiola still faces his hat trick of charges, including drug trafficking, conspiracy and possession of a firearm in connection with cocaine transactions.

        

Ansar Khan reports from the start of Wings practice Friday that Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk and Kris Draper are practicing. However defenseman Jonathan Ericsson, who had his appendix removed on Wednesday, is not skating.

Per Khan, it's the first time Datsyuk (bruised foot) has skated with his teammates since Game 2 of the last round against Chicago, the first time Lidstrom (lower-body injury) has practiced since last Saturday, and the first time Draper has been on the ice since Game 3 vs. the Blackhawks.

GM Ken Holland said yesterday that Lidstrom is likely to play in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals on Saturday.

**UPDATE** Red Wings coach Mike Babcock says that Lidstrom and Ericcson will play Saturday, while Datsyuk will be a game-time decision.

        

In a press release today Jim Balsillie unveiled his vision for a revitalized Copps Coliseum that would be home to a new Southern Ontario NHL franchise.

"A new team for the best new hockey market deserves spectacular new home ice, and that's exactly what the upgraded Copps Coliseum would offer," said Balsillie. "This facility will deliver unparalleled excitement and bring fans closer than ever to the action."

The plans include an atrium-style entrance lobby, luxury boxes, lounges and restaurants, new seats and a state-of-the art video scoreboard. The arena would seat up to 18,000 fans.

"This would be a jaw-dropper of an attraction for Hamilton," said the City's mayor, Fred Eisenberger. "What I've seen would make the new Copps Coliseum a magnet for sports fans and concert-goers across Ontario and North America. It would be a tremendous new asset for our city, and a major part of the revitalization of downtown Hamilton."

It's still not yet known if the renovation, projected $150 million, would use public funding.

The NHL continues to be vehemently opposed to the move, stuck on the idea of finding a buyer who will keep the team in Glendale.

        

The NHL is the new NFL.  Well, not quite, but it's moving in the right direction.

The NHL is wrapping up a season in which it drew record crowds, greater television audiences and a number of new sponsors.  And now the league is looking to be the first in the US to offer a global rights offering, according to COO John Collins.

The league has borrowed marketing strategies from the NFL and is more focused than ever on attracting sponsors that will lead to increased television revenue, including expansion into digital media.

Collins spent 15 seasons at the NFL and helped plan the highly successful “NFL Kickoff” celebration in New York’s Times Square in 2002.

That event was huge for sponsorship, prompting the league to focus its marketing on big events. In 14 months, the NFL doubled its sponsorship revenue to $1.9 billion, Collins said.

“I see so many similarities to the NFL.  They know how to lift their passion for a game to a level that is bigger than just their local team.”

Collins added, “If we grow our share of the sports advertising marketplace, I think somebody will step up.  We can be the first domestic league that looks at a global rights offering.”

“By 2013 the digital, web and mobile audience will be sufficiently larger so the NHL will be able to combine those users with their TV audience to attract sponsorships that will support a major TV deal. I see so many similarities to the NFL. They know how to lift their passion for a game to a level that is bigger than just their local team.”

We applaud the NHL for thinking beyond it's collection of mixed markets, and there's no better place to glean ideas than the NFL blueprint.

Now if they can just figure out that Phoenix thing.  Oh, and Columbus.  (psst...NFL owners tend to operate in markets and stadium deals that make sense, or they move to new ones where they do.)

        

The boo birds were out for the Frenchman during Game Four in Chicago (and deservedly so).  You would have thought the United Center was filled with the kind of people who pull into the drive-thru and order "Freedom Fries".  But le whipping boy, who replaced an injured Nikolai Khabibulin, stood on his head for most of Game Five.

Huet's 44 saves were solid, but none more than the final one of regulation that extended the Blackhawks season... eh, a touch over four minutes.  Chicago fell in the series' third OT game, setting the stage for a repeat of last year's Stanley Cup Final, but Huet's pad save was one that we will always remember.

Great season for the Blackhawks.  We will see what they do next year about having $12 million in salary tied up between two players who play between the pipes.  Khabibulin (the playoff starter) is a free agent, while Huet (pine rider until Nikolai's injury) is signed through 2012.

The Cup Finals get underway this weekend with back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday night.  You can NBCee them on your local Technicolor Peacock carrier.  Or on the CBC.

        

Anheuser-Busch is taking on the Columbus Blue Jackets over a proposed tax increase.

According to the Canadian Press, team owners want to tax beer, wine and cigarettes locally to underwrite a county takeover of Nationwide Arena.

The beer giant's president flew to Columbus on Thursday to meet with the governor and legislators.

The Blue Jackets apparently want the proposal included in a July 1 budget.

The problem?  The voters don't want the tax, and have rejected public financing of the arena.  Repeatedly.

This could quickly become a PR nightmare for a franchise who, coming off its first-ever (though short-lived) playoff appearance, is in a position to build a strong and loyal fan base.

We side with the voters here, and think they will win this one.  Again.

        

In an email to the AP on Thursday, Tom Hicks clarified his intentions for the two North American sports teams he owns.

"With the right partners, I would be willing to sell a controlling interest in the Rangers. Not so with the Stars."

In March Hicks had stated that he was seeking minority investors to purchase up to 49 percent in each team.

Then the holding company that owns the teams, Hicks Sports Group, defaulted on about $525 million in loans.  Hicks said he intentionally made the move to help negotiate with banks.

Nice.  This is the same guy who signed A-Rod to that $252 million contract.

Hicks, along with Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr. purchased the English soccer club Liverpool through a different entity.

        

Richard Thomas claims to be the "biggest steroid dealer in central Florida".

But according to T.J Quinn of ESPN.com, sources have indicated that the steroids seized during the Thomas bust aren't the type taken by athletes who submit to regular drug testing.

Per Quinn, the steroids listed in the arrest affidavits would remain in the system for extended periods of time.

"It is more the veterinary type steroids and not the nice commercially compounded stuff," one of the sources said.

However, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd seemingly contradicts this notion, quoted as saying, "I went down there and there was every kind of steroid you could imagine."

Furthermore, a spokeswoman for Judd's office said ICE and sheriff's office detectives were combing through the Thomas' records for information that may include the names of athletes who have acquired steroids from the Florida couple.

Maybe Judd was just reacting to the unexpectedly large quantity of steroids found at the home.

And maybe Thomas is just building the street cred he'll need on his way into the joint.

And maybe D.C. sports teams were the first things to pop into his head.

Maybe.

        

According to a report in Newsday, former Islander John Tonelli was charged with DWI last week after crashing his car along an interstate in Harrison, New York.

Police say Tonelli was arrested at his home two hours after fleeing the scene of his smashed Lexus at a highway ramp.  (sound familiar?)

Tonelli has declined to comment.

        

Tough week in Washington.  First, a couple of old guys with suddenly rejuvenated careers are fleeing to Russia to play in the KHL.  Now the Caps have been (allegedly) linked to a Florida steroid dealer.

The Tampa Tribune and Washington Times have reported that two people were arrested in Lakeland, Florida Tuesday on charges of steroid possession.

The individuals claimed to have sold them specifically to players on the Washington Capitals and Washington Nationals.

According to the reports, Richard and Sandra Thomas were arrested on 10 counts of steroid possession with intent to distribute, 10 counts of importing the drugs and one count of maintaining a residence for drug sales.

Washington Capitals president Dick Patrick released the following statement:

"We have no reason to believe there is any merit to this story, but the National Hockey League and the Washington Capitals take all such allegations seriously. Capitals players have fully participated in the NHL's random drug testing program, and at no point has a Capitals player tested positive. In addition our players have been tested at international events, such as World Championships and Olympics. We welcome and will fully cooperate with the NHL's investigation."

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly added the following:

"The Washington Capitals have no knowledge of any aspect of this allegation. Capitals players were subjected to no-notice testing three times in each of the past two seasons pursuant to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and there was no indication of any improper conduct or wrongdoing.

"Even though there are no specifics provided in the story and we have no reason, at this point, to believe the allegations are true, the National Hockey League takes all matters of this nature very seriously and will conduct a prompt investigation."

No word from the Nationals yet, but steroid allegations and baseball?  That's old hat.

        

As reported by The Denver Post, Patrick Roy will not be the new coach of the Colorado Avalanche.

Roy spent nearly two weeks on the decision which ultimately came down to family reasons, specifically remaining close to his children.
 
"I felt pretty comfortable moving up, but the family situation is just not quite there for me right now," Roy told the Post on Wednesday morning. "When it comes to family, it's always easier to make a decision. But don't get me wrong here, I have the Avalanche at heart. There's two very special organizations for me -- Montreal and Colorado -- and it's never easy. I would have seen it as a great challenge."

Hmm, Montreal?  It's never easy?  Staying close to his family?

Sounds like someone's interested in a potential Habs coaching vacancy.

That is if Bob Gainey decides to hold himself accountable.

        

After not firing ...and then firing former Head Coach Craig MacTavish, the Edmonton Oilers have hired NHL coaching veteran Pat Quinn to lead the team.  Former Rangers coach Tom Renney was hired as Associate Head Coach as well.  Both men signed 3-year deals.

The team announced the hirings via "press conference" rather than "text message".

Not only does he look like a guy that could kick your butt six ways to Sunday, Quinn has coached for the Flyers, Kings, Canucks and Maple Leafs, amassing a total of 657 regular season wins, 481 losses, 154 ties and 26 OTLs in 1,318 regular season games.  Quinn has coached in at least a part of 19 seasons, appearing in the playoffs 15 times.  The closest he came to a cup is when he led the Canucks to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1994, where they ultimately lost to the New York Rangers.  Quinn did coach the Canadian men's team to an Olympic gold medal in Salt Lake City in 2002, the first Canadian gold since 1952, and won the World Championships two years later.

Tom Renney coached the New York Rangers last year before being replaced by John Tortorella in February.

Both men have a history with current Oilers, and former Canucks, general manager Steve Tambellini from their shared time together in Vancouver.  Quinn coached there from 1990-1996 and Renney spent the following year behind the bench in Vancouver and was fired 18 games into the '97-'98 season.

        

Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville was fined $10,000 by the NHL on Monday.

Quenneville called Sunday's first period penalty on Hawks defenseman Matt Walker "the worst call in the history of sports".

Joel.  We're sure some pretty shady stuff went down in the Colosseum back in the day.

Walker's roughing penalty was called in a scrum as the horn blew to end the first period.  Val Filppula scored on the ensuing power play 1:13 into the second period to stake the Red Wings to a 3-0 lead.  Detroit went on to win 6-1.

        

The Minnesota Wild will name Pittsburgh Penguins front office executive Chuck Fletcher the franchise's second General Manager.  The Associated Press confirmed the hire today.

Fletcher was rumored among the candidates for the spot earlier in the month and will be leaving his current team in the middle of a Stanley Cup run.

Fletcher has worked for the Panthers, Ducks as well as the Pens, and most recently managed hockey operations for Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.  The 41-year old worked closely with Pens' GM Ray Shero in contract negotiations, scouting and all front office operations.

Fletcher graduated from Harvard in 1990 and is the son of Cliff Fletcher, who was inducted into the NHL hall of fame under the Builders' category for his "architecture" work in Calgary and Toronto.

Losing Wild GM candidate Pierre McGuire commented from Pittsburgh, where he is calling the Eastern Conference finals, “The Minnesota Wild is a great organization, and they made a great hire in Chuck Fletcher”.

No word yet on if Pierre's creepiness factored into the hiring decision.

        

The NHL is helping rabid hockey fans figure out one of the who, where, when questions around the final battle for Lord Stanley's Cup.

Game One of the 2009 Stanley Cup Final will be either May 28 or June 5.  That's a big difference.  Given the later date, and some of the playoff scheduling quirks we have seen thus far, the Final series could drag out until June 19.  The winning team may have to coordinate the victory parade schedule around July Fourth firework celebrations.

OK, maybe not, but it will be close.

Per the NHL report: If both Conference Final series are over by Tuesday, May 26, Detroit or Chicago would host Game One of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday, May 28. If not, Game One will be played on Friday, June 5.

No other scheduling information for the Final was released.  Right now it appears that Pittsburgh and Detroit are on a collision course for a 2008 Final repeat.  But a lot can change.  In a hurry.

        

Evgeni Malkin notched a hat trick on Thursday night to help the Pens take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.  Malkin's final tally put the Penguins up by two goals in a game they would eventually win 7-4.  More notably though, Malkin's one-man effort is as spectacular as you are going to see.

Take the faceoff?  Check.  Win the puck in the corner?  Check.  Out-skate the defender?  Check.  Make a crazy move and score on a no-look quick and pretty back-hand?  Check.

Note the replay from the goal-cam to see just what little an opening that Malkin had in order to sneak the puck by Ward's shoulder/dome.  We're sure Cam Ward won't want to watch that view again. His name on the back of the jersey is plastered all over the screen of Malkin's gross exploitation of the Canes' defense.

        

Boston native and NHL veteran, Jeremy Roenick accused Detroit Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock of being biased against American players in an interview today.  Roenick also said Babcock harbors a disdain for future hall of fame Red Wings defenseman, Chris Chelios.  Chelios has been a healthy scratch for most of the playoffs and doesn't appear to be cracking the line-up anytime soon in the Western Conference Finals.

Roenick made the comments on Chicago's Comcast Sportsnet this morning.  Below are some of Roenick's comments aimed at Babcock:

"The coach just doesn't like him for some ungodly known reason. I think he's got a grudge against American players, but he does not like Cheli at all.''

"I don't know if it's hatred because hate is a strong word, but there is some underlying issue there that I don't understand. You have to respect (Babs) for his decisions on who he plays and that's well and (dandy). Sometimes it's just the verbal stuff that goes back and forth from what I understand. Cheli will never complain. He is the ultimate professional. He will do whatever the team needs.''

"If you'd know some of the things that Babcock says to Chris Chelios, it would make your stomach churn. Just total disrespect for not even just one of the best Americans, but one of the best defensemen to ever play the game. The way he is talked to is just unacceptable. I wish I could elaborate, but that's not proper, it's just disrespectful.''

Ouch, babe...  Hold on here, Jer.  Maybe Chelios isn't playing because, (a) he's old as dirt, (b) not good anymore, and (c) on a team with more talent than you can shake a skate at.

Cheli commented on Roenick's mouth flapping:

"I don't know what J.R. is talking about. Mike North and J.R. are buddies, so they're trying to dig up something against the Red Wings.  I don't know anything about it, so I'm not going to comment. I'll call J.R. and ask him what he said, but he probably won't even remember.''

The whole notion that Mike Babcock would do anything other than he is paid millions of dollars per year for (namely trying to win every game possible ...especially in the playoffs) is laughable.  Usually putting the best players he has available on the ice helps achieve this goal.  Judging by Babcock's comments below, we think he finds this laughable too:

"Two of my kids are American, so I think that kind of takes out the (biased against) Americans thing.  Plus, I've made my living down here for 16 years, kind of enjoy it. The people in Michigan treat me real good.  As far as Cheli goes, I actually think Cheli and I got a pretty good relationship. I don't think there's one player I ever coached that wasn't in the lineup who was thrilled about it. I bet you Cheli's the same.''

        

No, not these Big Three.

NHL.com is reporting that the NFL, MLB and NBA have filed statements of support of the NHL in U.S. Bankruptcy court.  The report goes on to state...

All three statements ask the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to "respect the National Hockey League's rules and procedures regarding ownership transfer and relocation."

The statements of baseball and the NBA ask that the court "not set precedent that could severely disrupt the business of professional hockey," baseball, basketball and other major league sports.

The NFL statement had similar wording, asking the court to avoid a "precedent that has the potential to undermine or disrupt the business of professional hockey, football or other major league sports."

The court is expected to deliver a verdict today on whether or not Phoenix Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes has the right to complete a sale of the franchise to Jim Balsillie, who would move the team to Hamilton, ON against the league's wishes.

        

Court documents filed in the Phoenix Coyotes bankruptcy case revealed that the Big Cheesy would rather see the franchise move back to Winnipeg, Manitoba, rather than Hamilton, Ontario.

This new development in the Coyotes drama sheds some insight into the inner workings and dynamics of the discussions between the NHL and current Coyotes ownership, led by Jerry Moyes.  Of course, we also love that this tidbit is based on a "he-said, he-said" affidavit filed by the legal team of would-be Hamilton owner Jim Balsillie.

In the document, Balsillie had some choice words for NHL management, some business advice and commented on North American child rearing traditions.  We guess all of this (and "disliking" someone) is admissible in court.

"If the decision is to deny the relocation application or stall the consideration of it, we believe that would likely be on account of an effort to block competition in the Toronto area or a dislike of Mr. Balsillie and would be unreasonable, illegal and an abuse of discretion, in violation of antitrust laws.  ...Children in Canada often strap on hockey skates before they start school and grow up in an atmosphere of intense hockey enthusiasm...Children in Arizona do not, and most never, step on an ice rink. PSE believes that the Coyotes simply do not have a sufficiently large base of paying fans in the Glendale area to ever generate enough money to repay the Coyotes' existing debts, let alone turn a profit, and certainly do not have sufficient support to justify a purchase price of $212.5 million if forced to remain in Glendale."

The affidavit goes on to state Bettman communicated to Moyes, that if the franchise were to move back to Canada, Winnipeg would be the NHL-supported choice for relocation.  The Coyotes moved to Phoenix from Winnipeg in 1996, and the Jets thus became the Desert Dogs, Dawg.  The affidavit also revealed that the only way Big Cheesy and the powers that be would support a Southern Ontario team, would be through expansion.

That method is not going to happen anytime soon.

This storyline now introduces a new character.  Collectively, Southern Manitoba hockey fans and Winnipeggers.  Who writes these compelling plots?

One thing that Winnipeg lacks is a buyer that would move the club to Peg City's MTS Centre.  The modern arena was opened in 2004 and is home to the AHL Manitoba Moose.  The arena's capacity is just over 15,000 and it's ability to host an NHL franchise is debatable.  Winnipeg mayor Sam Katz (whose website is not as fun as Hamilton Mayor Fred's) commented that the new development  targeting his city is "heartbreaking" and warned his residents against getting their hopes up.

Back to the affidavit.  Basillie and Moyes also contend that the NHL is protecting the Toronto Maple Leafs who would have to split its fan base with any potential team that would reside in Hamilton or other Ontario location.  The company line that the league is touting is a policy of not moving a team within 80 km of an existing NHL franchise.

Meanwhile, a few hundred fans showed up at a rally in Phoenix to support the local team.  U.S. bankruptcy judge Redfield Baum is expected to rule on who controls the Coyote's future by Tuesday.  Will it be Moyes/Basillie or the NHL?

        

The all-time leading point and goal scoring leader among American-born NHL players will be returning for a 20th season.

Mike Modano will return to the Dallas Stars for the 2009-2010 season.  He will remain with the franchise where he has spent his entire career.  Modano is already under contract next year for the low-low price of $3.45 million, but had contemplated retirement after an injury plagued season.

That last statement goes for the whole Stars team.  Dallas lost 366 player games due to injury this season, which tied them for third in the league.  Of course there are many ways to look at who and what you lose due to injurues.  No question the Stars lost a lot.

Even with all the boo-boos and the youth movement, the Stars put together an impressive streak, barely missinig the playoffs.

The Livonia, Michigan native has 543 career goals and 786 assists in 1400 games.  No comment from Mrs. Modano.

        

Hurricanes forward Scott Walker avoided suspension by the NHL  for throwing a punch that may have broken Boston defenseman Aaron Ward's orbital bone.

Ward left the game after Walker punched him in the face.  Walker received a misconduct, a fighting major and an instigator penalty.

Prior to the decision, Bruins coach Claude Julien had strong words for the NHL regarding the play, as well as Jussi Jokinen's slash that knocked Zdeno Chara out of the game with less than a minute left in the second period.

"The slash on Zdeno is a cheap shot; we all know that.  The Walker incident is not something they should be proud of," Julien said after Boston beat Carolina 4-0 in Game 5 to avoid elimination in the Eastern Conference semifinals.  "Something like that is not what you want to see, your player put in that position.  Hopefully the people in charge will see that play and decide what they want to do about it."

They saw it.  And their decision?

Julien did not get his wish.

Walker has been fined $2500.

According to Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford, the automatic suspension given to Walker was rescinded during a hearing with league disciplinarian Colin Campbell after it was determined the hit was not a "sucker punch."

Sucker Punch:  to punch (a person) suddenly without warning and often without apparent provocation.

Well, Ward's gloves were on and his hands at his sides.  And Walker did receive that instigator penalty.

So how was this not a "sucker punch"?

        

In an interview today with Daren Millard and Nick Kypreos of Hockey Central, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly addressed the Coyotes situation.

And he didn't pull any punches.

"It’s a sham bankruptcy," Daly said. "The only reason bankruptcy was filed was because the debtor thought they could avoid a lease that has 26 years left on it.

"We’ve extended financing to the club to help (Moyes’) financial difficulties and we’ve worked together to try to find a buyer for the club. And we now find out he was also working behind our back without our knowledge with Mr. Balsillie and filed this bankruptcy petition even after having encouraged us to close a local deal."

Daly specifically spoke to the Balsillie offer, saying Moyes has overstepped his bounds:

"(Moyes) is trying to sell an asset he doesn’t own. He doesn’t own a franchise opportunity in Southwestern Ontario. He owns a franchise in Glendale Arizona. That’s what he bought. And that’s what he owns.

"He doesn’t have the right to sell something he doesn’t own."

Wow.

Per daily, the NHL's contention here is that the problems with the franchise are Moyes’ fault and that new owners could be successful in Glendale. 

Daly said there have been "three expressions of interest" from parties willing to keep the team in Arizona.

Well, if one of the three angels was Jerry Reinsdorf, it now appears that his interest is riding off into the sunset.

So how exactly would a new owner go about turning around a franchise that loses $30 million per season and is currently on NHL life support?

The NHL is seemingly hell-bent on keeping the mirage franchise in the desert, but why?  This experiment has failed.

Move on, we say.

Might we suggest Mayflower?

        

The Mayor of Hamilton, Ontario confirmed that he spoke with Jim Balsillie's legal team regarding moving the Phoenix Coyotes to the city that has long been rumored to be a target to host an NHL franchise.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger (of www.mayorfred.ca fame) released a statement today that renews the city's plead for an NHL franchise.  In it Mayor Fred states:

"I can confirm that a meeting was held this morning with the City of Hamilton, HECFI and a member of Mr. Balsillie's legal team to discuss the bringing an NHL Team coming to Hamilton - specifically to Copps Coliseum.

The Balsillie group is asking the City to consider entering into an agreement. The City will be going through its usual process to ensure due diligence. Members of the City's legal and finance staff are already working on this and at this point there are no other details.

We are prepared to work hard and do what we can to try to land a team here in Hamilton. Having an NHL franchise would be a huge boon for the city's economic development, drawing fans from a large area."

Right Said Mayor Fred goes on to state that there are a "potential 9 million hockey fans within a two hour drive of Copps Coliseum", a facility specifically designed for professional hockey (is he counting babies and senior citizens? Do they count?  And what about that border crossing?  Is that calculated in the 2 hours?  It's a time-eater).

Meanwhile, the NHL ended up in court today for initial proceedings in the Coyotes Chapter 11 hearings.  It is important to note that the bankruptcy was not initiated due to inability to pay its creditors, but for reorganization to clear the way for a sale to Balsillie.  Current owner Jerry Moyes is in favor of selling the club to Balsillie's group, a sale that would be contingent on the franchise's move to Ontario.

The NHL not only has provided an unspecified amount of debt to the Coyotes, but has first right to approve any sale or move of the franchise, and wants to keep the club in Phoenix at all costs.  It appears that the league is turning to the Windy City to solidify its position.  White Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf has been tabbed by Big Cheesy as a potential White Knight in keeping the Coyotes in Arizona.  The White Sox spring training home is near Glendale, AZ.

Stay tuned.  This one is going to change the face of the league, and it's just getting started...

        

The Russian billionaire, who owns the equally Russian Continental Hockey League (KHL), has commented on his due diligence efforts to evaluate the possible purchase of an NHL franchise.  In other words, he talked about expending a lot of work for something that will never happen.  Call it posturing, perhaps.

Alexander Medvedev was quoted as saying:

"We have considered 10 opportunities, we have short-listed three and we continue to look at these three teams.  We will just make our due diligence.  It's a very strange situation when real hockey (cities) like Quebec don't have an NHL team."

There is more of a chance of the Pentagon allowing Russia to set up missile silos in Cuba (complete with a U.S. Navy escort across the Atlantic), than Medvedev being allowed to own any portion of any NHL franchise.  The NHL and the league's franchise owners must approve a sale.  And the buyer.

But think of the cultural exchange possibilities!

It has long been know that the Russian mob is involved with KHL team management.  Conspiracy theorists take the sinister nature of the league a step further.

Medvedev seems to think that a partnership between the NHL and KHL could exist and said that the "ball is on their side".  We think he meant "in their court", but any way that you say it, we don't think that the NHL is going to extend open arms to the league that houses teams that are now in direct competition to sign NHL talent, and have made it hard for some NHL targeted players make the move to the NHL via contract disputes and other various defensive shenanigans.

The KHL is currently targeting an alliance with five popular Swedish Elite teams that have recently defected from the Scandinavian league.

Some of the 24 KHL teams had trouble meeting payroll last year, which is something that could never happen in the NHL, right?  Um, not anymore.  Phoenix, we are looking in your direction.  The NHL-courting Medvedev couldn't resist a parting shot at his North American counterparts.

"We don't need clubs with debts.  We don't want to repeat the mistakes of NHL when 10 clubs already in big trouble."

        

The Coyotes have filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 law.  The NHL has released a statement which reads:

"We have just become aware of today's Bankruptcy Court filing purportedly made on behalf of  the Phoenix Coyotes.  We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the petition, including the propriety of its filing.  We have removed Jerry Moyes from all positions of authority to act for or on behalf of the Club.  The League will appear and proceed before the Bankruptcy Court in the best interests of all of the Club's constituencies, including its fans in Arizona and the League's 29 other Member Clubs."

An offer of $215 million for the franchise has been made by usual suspect, Blackberry billionaire Jim Balsillie.  The offer was made public in a press release.  The offer is contingent on moving the club to southern Ontario.  A "grass roots" effort is already under way, complete with ".ca" web address.

Current 'Yotes owner Jerry Moyes has confirmed that a sale will be completed by June 30 in order to facilitate scheduling of the "Coyotes" 2010 season...

Wherever that may be.  Holy smokes.  That means no NHL games may be played in Phoenix next year.  Nor are the divisional alignments set in stone.  This one is gonna be tied up in the courts and Big Cheesy's head for the summer... and beyond.

STAY TUNED TO PPT!

        

The Minnesota Wild have started their search for a new general manager, targeting Pierre McGuire along former Leafs Pat Quinn and John Ferguson, according to the Toronto Star.

Per the report, McGuire is expected to be interviewed by Wild owner Craig Leipold either today or tomorrow, and interviews will also take place with Quinn, Ferguson, Chuck Fletcher, agent Neil Sheehy and possibly others.

Former Wild GM Doug Risebrough was fired in April after serving in the role for 10 years, and Jacques Lemaire's resignation also left a head coaching vacancy in Minnesota.

McGuire, perhaps best known as a close talker hockey broadcaster, has NHL management experience in both Hartford and Ottawa, along with coaching experience in Pittsburgh.

Quinn has been out of the NHL since leaving the Leafs in 2006.

Ferguson, fired as Leafs GM in 2008, is currently scouting for the San Jose Sharks.

Fletcher is currently an assistant GM with the Penguins.

        

A couple of weeks ago an unidentified group met with NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly in downtown Toronto to discuss bringing a second team to the Greater Toronto Area.  The group had also discussed its proposal with Paul Kelly, the executive director of the NHL Players' Association.

Commissioner Gary Bettman quickly squashed it, saying there would be no to second Toronto NHL team.

That was last week.  This week the NHL is stuck with the bill in Phoenix.

In an appearance today on Hockey Central, Paul Kelly discussed the possibility of a second team in Toronto.

Candidly.

"It's a no-brainer to consider the placement of another team here either in Toronto or in Southern Ontario," Kelly said. There is unparalleled interest here. There's no question it would draw well."

Kelly addressed the potential obstacle that the Maple Leafs present, expressing that he's not certain the Leafs ownership group would get in the way of another franchise.

Kelly also feels that the Leafs would prefer to see a rival franchise play at the Air Canada Center, and went on to explain that the team would rather not see another concert venue built in the city.

"If you were going to put a second team in Toronto the Leafs would rather see them in the Air Canada Center rather than build another arena north of the city."

We're starting to wonder if this situation is turning into the whole Sonny/Sollozzo thing.  And seriously, how long can the Big Cheesy maintain that a franchise like Phoenix is (ahem) going nowhere when every indication points to otherwise?

We think it will be one more season.

        

For the first time ever, a trio of Russians will vie for the Hart Trophy, given to the most valuable player in the NHL.

Alexander Ovechkin Goal Scoring Machine of the Capitals, NHL points champ Evgeni Malkin of the Penguins, and the multi-dimensional Pavel Datsyuk of the Red Wings have been named as finalists for the award.

Ovie has a chance to will become the first repeat winner of the Hart since Dominik Hasek in 1997 and 1998, and the first forward to do it since Wayne Gretzky won the Hart Trophy eight straight times from 1980 to 1987. 

"It means a lot for me to be up for this award," Ovechkin told the Capitals' website. "I always wanted to be the best, so this is a great honor.

"It's special, too, with three Russians nominated. It's a great thing for our country and our sport."

Last season, Ovechkin took home the Hart along with the Art Ross Trophy as NHL scoring leader with 112 points and the Rocket Richard Trophy as goal-scoring leader with 65.

This season, Ovie led the NHL in goals with 56 goals, and his 110 points were second only to Malkin's 113.

Malkin, last year's Hart runner-up, finished this season with 35 goals and 78 assists.

Datsyuk, also a finalist this year for the Lady Byng and Selke Trophies, is probably the NHL's most complete player as he finished fourth in scoring with 97 points, was plus-34 and won 56 per cent of his faceoffs.

        

The NHL has lent the Phoenix Coyotes an unspecified amount of money in order to keep the beleaguered franchise afloat.

Although specific news of the loan is just coming to light, the financing package was closed on February 24.  Terms of the transaction were undisclosed, but the Coyotes made a previously overdue payment on its lease at Jobbing.com Arena on the day following the close of the NHL loan.

The NHL has the right to foreclose on the franchise should the Coyotes be unable to repay the debt.  The franchise has reportedly lost $30 million per year historically.

Good luck selling this lemon.  Time for rich peoples in Winnipeg, Toronto and Hamilton to go bargain hunting.

        

Via nhl.com, here is the complete schedule for the Eastern and Western conference semifinals...

<< MORE >>

Washington Capitals forward Donald Brashear received a six game suspension for two separate incidents, and will now miss Game 7 of the series against the New York Rangers.

Brashear got one game for initiating contact with Rangers forward Colton Orr during the pre-game warm-up.

The other five are for a blind-side hit on New York forward Blair Betts in the first period of Sunday's game six.

“Brashear delivered a shoulder hit to an unsuspecting player,” said NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. “It is also my opinion that the hit was delivered late and targeted the head of his opponent, causing significant injury.”

Brashear will begin serving his suspension tomorrow night when the Caps face the Rangers in Game Seven.

The suspension will extend through the Capitals’ next five 2009 playoff games, the 2009-10 regular season, or both, as circumstances warrant.

Or his children's games, or his children's children's games...

Sheesh.

        

The league's 30 GM's have voted Niklas Backstrom of the Minnesota Wild, Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins as finalists for the Vezina Trophy for the NHL's top goaltender.

Thomas, most likely the favorite here, led the NHL with a 2.10 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage for the Eastern Conference-leading Bruins.

Mason, also a Calder Trophy finalist,  carried the Blue Jackets to the franchise's first ever playoff appearance (where they were summarily steamrolled 4-0 by the Red Wings).

Backstrom ranked among the top five goaltenders in goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts, and his 37 wins were a franchise record.  He recently received a four-year, $24 million contract extension that will begin next season, the start of which will most likely be delayed for the Minnesota franchise player.

        

It's official: John Tortorella is suspended for Game Six for pulling a Ron Artest.

Somehow Torts got doused with a lager (or pilsner) and... well, the NHL puts it like this...

"That investigation revealed that Mr. Tortorella squirted a fan with water before Mr. Tortorella was doused with a beverage.  While, in these circumstances, it always is easy to allege mitigating circumstances, the fact is we do not tolerate contact with our fans in this manner. That is communicated before each season in a memo that is issued by the League to all of the management, coaches and players of every team."

What mitigating circumstances?  Were words exchanged?  Elaborate?  It seems that he squirted the fan before he was doused with the beer.  Sounds like the beer douser had to deal with "mitigating circumstances", like getting squirted with a nasty water bottle that may, or may not have been contaminated with the NHL Avian/Pig Flu equivalent: mono.

In the official press release, the NHL subtly hammers home it's position that Torts broke with league protocol, by quoting its own official September 2008 memo to coaches, players and management of all teams...

"Even where a fan is verbally abusive, intoxicated, or profane, club personnel should either ignore the conduct or, where appropriate, seek the assistance of police or security personnel at the arena. This prohibition extends to all forms of physical contact, whether it be direct physical contact, the throwing of objects (including hockey sticks and other equipment) or even the squirting of water. While the latter form of conduct may have, in the past, seemed to be of a minor or harmless character, such conduct may serve only to incite and provoke an unruly fan and may ultimately lead to unforeseen consequences."

Translation?  "Told ya so, Hothead".

In the preamble to the press release the League seems to (subtly again) suck up to Rangers fans...

"While it is a difficult decision (SORRY!) to suspend a coach at this point in a playoff series, it has been made clear to all of our players, coaches and other bench personnel that the National Hockey League cannot -- and will not -- tolerate any physical contact with fans,”

We think that Sean Avery would be facing a multi-game suspension, or a ban for the duration of the playoffs, had he been in Torts' shoes.  Too bad Avery didn't play in Game Five.  Oops.

Here's the video...
...and here's the longer -- but less revealing -- TSN feed of the incident.

        

The Goal Scoring Machine did it again on Friday night: scoring a goal while his body was parallel to the playing surface.  This time it was done in the Capitals' most important game of the year, as D.C. beat New York four-zip to stave off elimination.  The Caps still need to win two games in a row.  They trail the Rangers two games to three.

        

According to the International Ice Hockey Federation, Kosice (Slovakia) police arrested 23-year-old forward Ladislav Scurko on Thursday.

The Slovakian player is suspected of murder and has confessed, police announced at a press conference on Friday.

Scurko is suspected of having killed referee Marek Liptaj with 14 knife stabs in January 2008 at a highway roadhouse. The body was found buried in a forest in December 2008.

No motive has been given for the crime.

Scurko reportedly faces a jail sentence of (only?) 15 to 20 years.

As a sixth-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2004, Scurko played for his hometown club, Spisska Nova Ves, and the Western Hockey League’s Seattle Thunderbirds before beginning his professional career with HC Kosice of the Slovakian Extraliga.

Scurko also represented Slovakia at two World U20 Championships and two World U18 Championships.

We'll have more to say on this as details come in.

        

Sean Avery will be in the lineup for Game 5 on Friday.

After nearly costing the Rangers' Game 4 with some untimely penalties, there was speculation that Avery might be held out of Game 5, but coach John Tortorella told of Steve Zipay of Newsday that Avery will not be benched.

"We have some nicks along the way here, it'll be a game-time decisions for some guys, I don't see a real big problem, so yeah," head coach John Tortorella told Zipay when he asked if he was dressing the same lineup. Asked directly if he was benching Avery he said "No."

Avery has a minus-one rating and 24 penalty minutes in four playoff games.

**UPDATE**  Turns out Avery was a healthy scratch...

        

Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings looks to become the first man to win four straight Lady Byng awards since New York Rangers forward Frank Boucher did it from 1928-1931.  The Byng recognizes the NHL's most gentlemanly player.

Folks, we're on the edge of our seat.

Joining Datsyuk as nominees for the award are Martin St. Louis of the Tampa Bay Lightning (the 'Ning might actually win something!) and Zach Parise of the New Jersey Devils.

Datsyuk led the Wings with 65 assists and 97 points, earning a minuscule 22 penalty minutes in 81 games.

St. Louis finished with 30 goals and 80 points in 82 games and had an even more gentlemanly 14 minutes in the box.

Breaking out this season, Parise's 45 goals were second in the NHL, and he finished with 95 points, a plus-30 rating and a barbaric place-his-coat-over-the-puddle-esque 24 penalty minutes.

        

• Alexander Ovechkin wants Caps fans to keep the faith, and he is reading your message board posts:

"Nobody's going to believe it, but, you know, I like to go to our fan club message boards.  They say, 'OK, like, what's next?' 'What do we have to do?' 'Trade him.' 'Build new team.' It's kind of an interesting situation."

Ovechkin goes on:
"I just want to see how our fans react," he said. "Of course, they're not happy, but we're not happy either. But it is what it is. We lost three games. I think we played good enough in the games, but one guy beats our team."

Stay off the boards, Ovie.  And stay off the road.

• There's talk that Norris Trophy nominee Mike Green's play is to blame for Washington's dire playoff situation.  He's apparently been sick and finally feels good.  Huh.  We'll know tonight.
• Henrik Lundqvist has the Rangers up 3-1, and has done so pretty much by himself.  Washington has more shots (149-99), more goals (8-7) and has outplayed the Rangers through five games.  King Henrik has the Rangers looking to advance to the Eastern Conference semi-finals for the third straight year.
• One of the big questions for tonight is whether or not Sean Avery will play.  The agitator's mind-bogglingly careless actions forced the Rangers to face the league's second-most potent power play twice in Game 4's waning minutes.  Insert you favorite tugging-on-a-sleeping-giant-Satan's-cape cliche here.
• Don Cherry chimes in on Avery.  He's 100% correct, by the way.

        

As the Worm Squirms continues...

Montreal Head Coach/GM Bob Gainey met with the media at a press conference today, one day after the final nail was driven into the coffin that became the Habs' 100th season.

Gainey disclosed that it was Tampa Bay's GM Brian Lawton who was responsible for the leak of the juicy news that Montreal was in talks to acquire Vincent Lecavalier from Tampa Bay.  He then goes onto say "The second half of our season was when things started to go off course and I felt the first place was when we had discussions with Tampa Bay.  We had an agreement with them."

Gainey's rationale goes like this:

1. Montreal was contacted by the 'Ning with a list of names that it was interested in for purposes of trading Montreal-native Lecavalier from Tampa Bay to the Habs.
2. Montreal and Tampa Bay then sign a confidentiality agreement regarding trade discussions.
   
3. Tampa Bay named forwards Tomas Plekanec and Chris Higgins, in addition to defenseman Josh Gorges to Montreal as potential targets in a deal for the Bolt all-star centerman.
4. Brian Lawton then uses the names of the Canadiens players as leverage for trade discussions with other teams.
5. The other teams contacted intentionally or unintentionally leak the information, and terms of the talks became public.
6. Montreal slides to the eight seed in the East and is subsequently swept by the Bruins in the first-round of the NHL playoffs.

Of course, there was the rash of injuries, the coaching change, the talk of the sale of the franchise, the benching of the star player, the trade requests, the other off-ice issues, and the lackluster goalie play, that one could assume contributed to the melt-down.  ...Whew.  But it is interesting to see the anatomy of how the Lecavalier-to-Montreal rumors were generated.

Gainey also addressed Carey Price's reaction to Habs fan's jeers during the final game against Boston.  Gainey characterized the fans' actions as "rude" and "unfair".

He did not address the goalie's fake lunge at a Bruins fan after getting yanked after two periods in Game Two.

As the Worm Squirms...  just because Montreal's season is over, it doesn't mean the end of entertaining Habs news.

        

Minnesota Defenseman Brent Burns has been added to the list of Wild players who have included surgery in their plans this offseason.  He joins goalie Niklas Backstrom and fellow blueliner Marc-Andre Bergeron in that regard.

Burns had his right shoulder repaired Thursday.

The team said it went well, and that Mr. Burns' shoulder will be immobilized for up to a month, and he should be at full strength in time for the start of next season.

The Wild also said Burns' post-concussion symptoms have "improved greatly."

In other words, upgraded to a milder sinus infection.  Allegedly.