Saturday, January 31, 2009

Kaberle To Miss Time

Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle will miss at least one month with a broken hand. He broke his hand during Thursday's win over Colorado. This could hamper the Leafs' effort to trade him, and will almost surely lower his value, at least a little bit.

Sticking with the Leafs, the club continues to talk to Anaheim about J.S. Giguere. Giggy is said to be feeling the pressure in Anaheim, not having won since mid-December. The Ducks are happy with Hiller, and will continue to give him the majority of the starts. Washington and Ottawa are also interested in the veteran goalie.

Though Forsberg will not return to the NHL this season, Philly and Colorado have told him they would be interested in signing him for next season.

Vancouver continues to free fall, and a coaching change could be coming. Some rumours suggest Pat Quinn, however, Hockeyleaks.com has been told that Sundin would prefer someone other than Quinn be brought in.

The Kings Alexander Frolov has been getting a lot of attention from teams as of late, one of them being the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Wild have started to discuss trading Gaborik again, as the winger is on schedule for a March return. The Panthers really like this guy at the moment.

For all the latest, make sure to check Hockeyleaks.com several times a day.


Sports Betting Champ Review

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Zetterberg Signs 12 Year Deal

Doc's Sports Blog

The Red Wings have signed Henrik Zetterberg to a 12-year contract worth $72 million. This means Zetterberg's cap hit will be an incredibly low $6 million per season.

Ken Holland is my choice for best GM in the league.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Leafs/Panthers Talking Again

sports interaction review

Toronto has traded with no team more than they have traded with the Florida Panthers over the past year. The Leafs have sent McCabe, Belak and Kilger to the sunshine state since last year's deadline, while the Leafs have gotten back picks and Van Ryn in return.

Eklund, Garrioch and others have been talking about the Leafs showing serious interest in Jay Bouwmeester, and they are 100% right. With that said, I'm hearing the deal is bigger than that.

First, you may ask why the Leafs would give up something they could potentially get on July 1st for nothing. The Leafs have taken this avenue in the past (Adam Foote is one that really comes to mind) and failed. Burke doesn't want to make this mistake, and understands that Bouwmeester is a guy they could really build a strong defense around.

The first part going to Florida would be Kaberle. He'd be willing to go to Florida, as he is good friends with McCabe and would love to be re-united with him. Florida would take Kaberle, as skill-wise they wouldn't be downgrading much, if at all, from losing Bouwmeester.

Nathan Horton is the next player to come into this discussion. The forward is very unhappy in Florida, and is hoping to be dealt at the deadline. Toronto has serious interest in Horton, and is looking to get Florida to package him with Bouwmeester.

Aside from Kaberle, Florida would be looking for a younger player to go the other way. Grabovski, Kulemin and Tlusty are all names being mentioned. Depending on the young player the Leafs choose to include, a draft pick may also be necessary. In this case, it would likely be a draft pick the Leafs have yet to acquire, but will in the coming weeks when they deal players such as Antropov, Ponikarovsky, Kubina, etc.

While this deal is not imminent, I can confirm it is being largely discussed. Burke is eager to start building "his" team, and both of these players fit the mould that Burke wants to form.

Look for Burke to address the goaltending situation soon as well, with Pogge being called up in the next 10 days to get some work. There are currently rumours that even Pogge could be dealt, in hopes to bring in a proven #1 goalie. Names to look at include Giguere and Backstrom.

Sit tight, this is an exciting time in Leaf land.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

The NHL All-Star Game

Please check out the following website:

sports interaction review

This is an article I wrote for Versus...

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All-Star Game fulfills fans’ fantasies.

By Corey Johnson, Hockeyleaks.com

Since the lockout, there has been a great debate on whether or not the NHL should continue the All-Star Game.

In recent years, injuries have been a big deal when it comes to the All-Star game, with some of the biggest stars missing the game itself due to being injured.
Injuries have also occurred during the All-Star game, as in the case of Rick Dipietro, who is still suffering the effects of playing in the 2008 All-Star game.
While those against the game have valid points, taking the NHL All-Star game away from the fans is something the league cannot do.

Fantasy sporting leagues are at their peak, and the NHL All-Star game is the one game a year where fans can see their fantasy rosters come to life.
Take Ilya Kovalchuk for example. He is one of the NHL’s best and most talented stars, but is unfortunately playing on an Atlanta team that hasn’t been able to surround him with other super-star talent. The All-Star game gives NHL fans a chance to see Kovalchuk at his best while surrounded by players such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Andrei Markov.

Another example would be a healthy Marian Gaborik, who plays on a defense-first team in the Minnesota Wild. Even on the Wild, Gaborik is a special player, but think about watching him on a powerplay that featured Patrick Kane, Joe Thornton and Nik Lidstrom?

The solution to the All-Star game is not to cancel it, but instead to freshen it up. Let’s change the format each year. One year, have the traditional East vs. West format. Follow it up the next year with a North America vs. the World format. Why not try the AHL’s format of Canada vs. the World the year after?

Changing the format of the All-Star game would just give the game a new twist each year, but would also allow for different line combinations.

Under the current format, we will never see Crosby and Thornton on the same team. Same goes for Malkin and Zetterberg, Kane and Ovechkin, etc. Switching the formats year after year would allow fans to see different players play together, which in turn keeps the game fresh every year.

The NHL-All Star break is a special time of year, and allows the fans of the game of hockey to really see the pure skill the NHL’s top stars possess. Keeping the All-Star game around is the right move as the NHL moves forward.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Goalie Saturday

Two big goalie moves today...

the first was the Oilers trading Garon to Pittsburgh for Sabourin, Stone and 4th in 2011 (nothing like dealing for a pick that's three years away).

This gives the Penguins are guy to push Fleury, something this team really needed. On the other side, the Oilers still have three goalies as we approach the deadline. Roloson is on his way out...

Wade Dubielewicz was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jackets. What's this mean? Look for Columbus to deal Leclaire, while look for the Islanders to make a move for Vancouver's Sanford.

Check the rumour mill for the latest rumours including ones on Pronger, Weight, Guerin and Leclaire.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Columbus/Atlanta make a trade

The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded Clay Wilson and a 6th round pick to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for Jason Williams. Williams has 7 goals and 11 assists in 41 games for the Thrashers this season.

Check Hockeyleaks.com for all the latest

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Sundin, Staal, Kaberle

Those are the three names making the biggest news today.

Sundin made his return last night against the Oilers. He went pointless, but the Canucks won the game. I wonder how many games Sundin can go pointless for before he gets heat from the fans and entire NHL world?

Jordan Staal got a new contract from the Penguins today. 4 years / 16 million dollars. In my opinion, he's not a $4 million dollar player, and the penguins can't afford to pay him this.

Thomas Kaberle made the allstar team today, and it's also come out that he's willing to waive his NTC. Before everyone jumps on the Kaberle to Columbus rumours, I am hearing Kaberle wants to go somewhere that is guarenteed to be in the playoffs should he be traded...more on this below.

Before I jump into the rumours I want to apologize for me jumping the gun yesterday on the Ottawa Situation. I was told by a source, and confirmed the news with a few others. Other outlets, such as the Ottawa Citizen and Sportsnet.ca quickly jumped on this as well. In this industry, when you get word of something this big you jump on it. Sometimes you're right (I have been the first to break many things, like the Sean Avery trade to the Rangers, like the Zubrus trade to New Jersey), and sometimes you're not entirely correct (as I was yesterday). There is substance to this story, and I still believe something similar will go down in Ottawa soon. Only time will tell for sure.

Now to the rumours:

Jordan Staal could still be traded. In fact, one source told me today they believe he signed to up his trade value. The Penguins are in terrible shape right now, and cannot afford to go south. This is a team said to be in their prime, and in no way, shape or form can the Penguins afford to regress from their Stanley Cup appearance last year. Staal is the most moveable piece they have, and they continue to shop him despite signing him to a brand new contract.

Thomas Kaberle is all but an ex-leaf at this point. With his permission, Burke will now begin to shop the defenseman around the league. With that said, don't expect Kaberle to go anywhere until around the trade deadline. Kaberle loves Toronto, but will move on if it means a shot at a Stanley Cup. Early teams in the Kaberle race include Pittsburgh, Vancouver, Minnesota, Phoenix, New Jersey, Washington and yes, Philly still wants him. Columbus and Carolina are two teams I also see putting feeler offers in for him.

A rumour popped up recently involving Liles and Svatos going from Colorado to Ottawa. I don't believe this one, as I don't see what Ottawa possibly could offer Colorado (beyond their first round pick) for these established players. With that said, I know for a fact Colorado has inquired about Jason Spezza.

Jagr to New Jersey? Forget about it...

Mattheiu Schneider will be traded by Atlanta before the deadline this year. Montreal likes this vet, as does Minnesota.

Mike Comrie is another player on the move before the deadline. I'm hearing Minnesota, New Jersey and a possible Edmonton return.

For all the latest check out Hockeyleaks.com

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Murray, Hartsburg still employed...

My apologies for reporting that these two men were fired earlier in the day. I was told from three seperate sources that this was done. Three papers, as well as Sportsnet.ca also picked up the story shortly after I reported on it.

While both men still have jobs, I am hearing big changes in Ottawa could come as early as this weekend, with Murray and Hartsburg both fighting for their lives.

I still believe Quinn and Nicholson will be Senators, as the information I acquired earlier in the day is very real. This is the start of big changes in Ottawa.

Murray, Hartsburg Fired

Just got word from a good source that both Bryan Murray and Craig Hartsburg have been fired by the Ottawa Senators...being told that Bob Nicholson will replace Murray, while Pat Quinn will replace Hartsburg.

Stay Tuned To HockeyLeaks.com for all the latest

Leafs Acquire May From Ducks

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded a sixth round draft pick to the Anaheim Ducks for Brad May.

Check Hockeyleaks.com for all the latest

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Who Is Your MVP?

Almost at the halfway point of the season, we have several surprises. Chicago is one of the top teams in the league, Boston is the top team in the league, and both Phoenix and Columbus are in the playoffs. If the season were to end today, who would you pick as the league mvp?

If I had the decision, I think I would take Marc Savard. While Boston has several great stories this year (the goaltending, Phil Kessel, Michael Ryder), I think Savard has been the best on this team. Savard is fourth in the league in points, third in the league in assists, and has a league-leading +25. He has led the Bruins by example, and taken them from a fringe team to one of the league's best.

Other candidates: Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, Jeff Carter of the Philadelphia Flyers, Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Zach Parise of the NJ Devils, and Mikka Kiprusoff for the Calgary Flames (he has all 23 of their wins).

Who is your MVP? Go to the Question of the Day forum and let me know, I'm interested to hear it.

As for rumours, we have some fresh ones for today including the latest on Nathan Horton, The Ottawa Senators and Jordan Staal. Click on the link below to go to the rumour mill!

http://www.hockeyleaks.com/index.php?page=rumors

Friday, January 02, 2009

Remember When...

Remember when the Dallas Stars were just two points out of a playoff spot, with games in hand? Well thats the situation we are in right now. This team is going to make the playoffs, and could do damage once their in it.

Great work by the NHL yesterday with the winter classic. The game featured scoring, great plays, big hits...it really couldn't have gone any better for the NHL.

Alex Tanguay out for six weeks is a huge crutch for the Habs to overcome. They are also without Higgins, Price, Koivu and others, this is just one more obstacle for this team to overcome. They will, but the hill just got that much steeper.

Gaborik is done for at least ten weeks...so tack that on to the three months he's already missed. Taking the surgery now was a great move on his part though. He will return sometime in late march, maybe help the Wild into the playoffs, and be in top form for just long enough to get some offseason attention. This guy is still going to be one of the biggest fish in the sea come July 1st.

There are some rumours out there today, including more on the Blue Jackets/Leafs deal, so check out the rumour mill for the latest.