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I can confirm that Tim Thomas has agreed to an extension in Boston as reported on ESPN last night. I am thrilled for Tim. There are some guys that when they sign their big money deals I feel somewhat indifferent about, but Thomas has absolutely worked his tail off to get to this point and is completely deserving of every cent. Here is a guy who when the NHL shut down went to Europe and dominated in Finland. Then he signed as a backup and despite the Bruins constantly trying to find a better #1, Thomas always just kept working hard. The past two seasons, despite amazing numbers, Thomas has been kept off of the All-Star ballots, yet has gone on to make the All-Star team and in each of the All-Star Games Thomas has had the most memorable saves of any goalie playing.

And through all of that Tim has never once complained, yet instead you will not find a nicer, more down-to-earth athlete in all of sports. Tim lacks any pretense whatsoever. Really happy for his success.

Bozak, Second College Star Signed in a Week by the Leafs

I am a few minutes behind TSN on this one, but I did just get an email from Brian Burke confirming this and I may have a perspective on this that is a little different.

The Leafs are excited to have signed Bozak. Burke continues to sign solid young players out of college that not only can play solid roles but are giving the Leafs more depth to deal from going into the draft.

I continue to feel very strongly that this accumulation of players and getting them a look in the NHL will play a factor in Burke's attempt to move up to #1 or #2 at the draft. It is a brilliant strategy because even if the Leafs were to get Tavares they still need bodies and young depth. Signing these college stars gives him the ability to trade 4 or 5 picks and get to #1...

Ron Wilson to Coach US Team in Vancouver

Sources are telling me that Ron Wilson will coach the US team in Vancouver. Good, solid choice.

Major Changes in the Final Predicted Standings as a Result of Last Night

So I went 4-4 last night, keeping me at .500 (7-7) so far in my stretch run predicted standings. Last night I was right on Boston, Montreal, Calgary and San Jose, but I missed on St. Louis, Carolina, Anaheim, and Phoenix. When I miss on a game prediction the final standings adjust- adding points that I hadn't counted on and taking away points that I had.

So we see some major projected changes as a result of last night's games.

*Calgary jumps back into the #3 spot over Vancouver
*St. Louis ties Columbus in points in 6th, but would take 6th place based on wins.
*Anaheim jumps over Nashville for the final spot
*The NY Rangers tough schedule here on out, combined with Florida's easy schedule, puts the Rangers in more serious danger of missing.
*I thought the NY Islanders may get a point last night because they always play Montreal tough, but no Okposo and no Streit meant no point. Therefore the Isles and Avalanche are now tied with the worst projected points (62). However, the Isles, (who are a much worse team that the Avs) lowly projected 26 wins versus Colorado's 31 would mean that they are once again ever so slightly ahead of the Avalanche for Tavares.

MY HUNCH FINAL PROJECTED STANDINGS

EAST
1. Boston 120
2. Washington 109
3. New Jersey 108
4. Philadelphia 101
5. Pittsburgh 98
6. Carolina 97
7. Montreal 96
8. Florida 95
----------------------
9. NY Rangers 92
10. Buffalo 90
11. Toronto 82
12. Ottawa 79
13. Atlanta 72
14. Tampa 66
15. NY Islanders 62

WEST

1. San Jose 121
2. Detroit 115
3. Calgary 101
4. Vancouver 100
5. Chicago 99
6. St Louis 93 (on wins)
7. Columbus 93
8. Anaheim 92
----------------
9. Nashville 91
10. Minnesota 89
11. Edmonton 88
12. Dallas 80
13. Los Angeles 76
14. Phoenix 71
15. Colorado 64


Tonight

TB@NJ=NJ 2
TOR@PHL=PHL 2
BUF@WAS=BUF 2, WAS 1
ATL@FLA=FLA2
CGY@MIN=MIN 2
NAS@CHI=CHI 2, NAS 1
-------------------
NYR@BOS=BOS
NJ@BUF=NJ 2, BUF 1
MOT@TOR=TOR 2
PHL@OTT=OTT 2
TB@NYI=NYI
PIT@CAR=CAR 2, P 1
CBJ@NAS=NAS 2
STL@DAL=ST 2
ANA@SJ=SJ 2
VAN@EDM=EDM 2, V 1
PHX@LA=LA2
MIN@DET=DET 2
ATL@WAS=WAS 2
PITT@FLA=FLA 2 PIT 1
CHI@CBJ=CBJ 2
SJ@ANA=ANA 2
COL@VAN=VAN 2
DET@BUF=DET 2
OTT@MON=MON 2
LA@CGY=CGY 2
TOR@NJ=NJ 2, TOR 1
MTL@NYR=MTL 2, NYR 1
FLA@PHL=PHL 2
NYI@CAR=CAR 2
WAS@ATL=WAS2
BOS@OTT=BOS 2
PITT@TB= PIT 2, TB1
CHI@NAS=NAS 2
DAL@MIN=MIN 2
LA@EDM=EDM 2, LA 1
CAL@VAN=CGY 2
STL@PHX=STL 2
COL@SJ=SJ 2
BUF@TOR=BUF 2
CBJ@CHI=CHI2, CBJ 1
MON@BOS=BOS 2
PHL@NYR=PHL 2
BUF@CAR=BUF 2
FLA@ATL=FLA 2
NJ@OTT=NJ 2, OTT 1
NYI@PITT=PITT 2
WAS@TB=WAS 2
NAS@DET=DET 2, NAS 1
DAL@COL=DAL 2
LA@VAN=VAN 2
PHX@SJ=SJ 2
NAS@MIN=MIN 2, NAS 1
CBJ@STL=STL 2
CAL@EDM=EDM 2, CGY 1
DAL@ANA=ANA2
CAR@NJ=NJ 2
PHL@NYI=PHL 2
VAN@COL=VAN 2
CHI@DET=DET 2
SJ@LA=SJ 2
BOS@BUF=BOS 2, BUF 1
OTT@TOR=TOR 2
PIT@MON=MON 2
TB@ATL=ATL 2
WAS@FLA=FLA 2, WAS 1
MIN@CBJ=MIN 2, CBJ 1
ANA@PHX=ANA 2
EDM@CGY=CGY 2
DET@CHI=CH 2
STL@COL=STL 2
BOS@NYI=BOS 2
NYR@PHL=NYR 2, PHL 1

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