1.) What's more surprising? The New Jersey Devils holding a 3-1 series lead over the Philadelphia Flyers, or the New Jersey Devils holding a 3-1 series lead over the Philadelphia Flyers without any kind of positive impact from blue liner Anton Volchenkov?
Volchenkov's struggled from time-to-time this season, but New Jersey's most expensive defenseman has really picked a bad time for a downswing or regression. The Devils and head coach and Peter DeBoer have taken notice, slicing his TOI by almost three minutes in the post-season.
When Volchenkov first signed his six-year, $25.5M contract with New Jersey, the Devils were expecting the rock-steady defensive defenseman that earned the reputation of hockey warrior with the Ottawa Senators.
Unfortunately, it hasn't panned out as planned.
Volchenkov's TOI has dipped from a high of 18:06 in 2010-2011 to a paltry 15:24 through eleven playoff games with the team this year. Peter DeBoer's already on record as admitting that Volchenkov's struggling to adapt to New Jersey's style of play, and if his rapid decline in ice time is any indication, he's losing favor with the coaching staff.
It's hard to tell whether Volchenkov simply feels out of his comfort zone or his game has legitimately regressed, but regardless of the case, it's going to grow difficult for a New Jersey front office to justify his expense on the ledger -- especially with pending UFA Zach Parise looking for a big dollar contract in the off-season.
If New Jersey's serious about retaining Parise for a steeper price and building around the core of talent already in place, they may need to clear a bit of space. New Jersey's just a shade under the cap ceiling in 2011-2012 ($2M), and only stand to lose two remotely significant contracts in terms of dollars with Bryce Salvador($2.9M) and Alexei Ponikarovsky($1.5M).
Both could return. One could return. Neither could return. The dollars should be comparable regardless of outcome.
Back to the original point, though. If New Jersey wants to clear a bit of space, and they legitimately believe Adam Larsson, a UFA, and the rest of the blue line are competent enough in Peter DeBoer's system, do they consider moving Anton Volchenkov's $4.25M cap hit through 2015-2016?
There may not be a ton of suitors, but you'd have to imagine the Ottawa Senators would show interest. Volchenkov made his name in the nation's capital, playing the role of shutdown defender alongside Chris Phillips. And, Bryan Murray's been adamant about the team picking up a defensive defenseman in the off-season -- whether by trade or UFA.
Considering the absurdity of cap room Ottawa has [north of $27M in 2012-2013], would the Devils and Senators consider a trade? Devils get some nice cap relief, but the deal isn't treated as a cap dump, per se -- Lou Lamoriello would almost certainly request something of real value in return.
Just something to ponder.
2.) If there's one thing I know, it's that Team Canada/Team USA still don't approach the IIHF World Championships as a life-or-death competition.
Now, don't take that negatively. I still think both clubs are going out there and putting it on the line. But, you're kidding yourself if you think the same level of commitment is being shown over there as it is with other comparable international play, such as the Olympics.
Largely, it has to do with the fact that the U.S. and Canadian rosters are automatically depleted thanks to the National Hockey League schedule running into June. It shouldn't serve as an excuse for the teams to falter in competition(especially considering Sweden, Russia,m Finland, et al. lose players in the same manner), but it does marginalize the importance of winning.
If you don't believe me, just take a glance at the rosters(USA / Canada). There's plenty of talent, but it's almost entirely comprised of young talent. Player development is the priority over there, even if it's not suggested.
3.) The best highlight from Worlds trickled out over the weekend, with Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Jamie Benn, et al. hitting a night club in Finland a day after losing to Team USA in a tough 5-4 OT contest.
Naturally, one would expect that hockey players enjoying the night life isn't a huge story. After all, for veterans like the above-mentioned, this is more of a two-week vacation than some international hockey gauntlet.
And naturally, you'd be wrong. This is Team Canada, and every player is held to the highest of standards at all times. Commence eye-rolling.
In fairness, though, the pair of Anaheim Ducks skaters didn't exactly do themselves any favors. Reports have the dynamic pair looking for any reason to go with a bunch of local Finns as the party trickled out at about 3:00 AM. Allegedly.
If you thought the story couldn't get any better, check out an [alleged] report of the situation from an eyewitness:
Getzlaf was alleged to have waved his fist at the Finns and said that "you do not want this" of his fist. Another report said proclaimed himself as "the captain of the Anaheim Ducks" and that he "threatened to knock everyone out in three minutes."
Personally, I prefer the far-looser translation provided by Google:
Three minutes, and all ye are fallen," cried Getzlaf Finns threatening tone.
Video of the incident seems pretty innocent -- unless you're Jamie Benn. Time to eighty-six those dance moves, my man. Michael Jackson is rolling around in his grave right now.
Ottawa Senators Blogger • 
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