There has been some legitimate momentum generated over the last few days or so involving the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Wolves D-man Chris Chelios. Don’t be shocked if we here some news on this in the next little while.
I’m told by some pretty reliable hockey people that the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks are the two leading candidates to sign free agent forward Peter Forsberg. The future Hall of Famer is getting closer to making his return to the NHL which I’m told should happen around Christmas time. Forsberg has told a few people that Chicago and Detroit are his top two choices.
Kane Or Toews??
There is a good chance the Chicago Blackhawks may have make a choice between Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane after this season.
As we sit right now the club is leaning heavily towards keeping Jonathan Toews over former first overall pick Patrick Kane if they were forced to make a decision today. Obviously they don’t need to make any decisions before the end of this year but the organization is certainly planning ahead. The Hawks are up against it cap wise and may not be in position to match an offer for Kane, if he were to receive one, after this season.
There has been some talk about sticking goaltender Cristobal Huet in the minors to create some cap flexibility and word is the club has even flirted with the idea of moving a quality player like a Patrick Sharp.
The belief is that Kane, who will become a RFA after this season, would love to play for his hometown team in Buffalo, would they take a run at him after this season?
Don’t forget the team still wants to re-sign D-man Duncan Keith after this season and guys like Dustin Byfuglien and Sharp have one year remaining on their deals after this year.
Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff apparently is ok after battling the flu the last few days.
Longtime Flames broadcaster Peter Maher and Canucks color man John Garrett have been hired by Rogers Radio to broadcast the Olympic Ice Hockey games in Vancouver. They will broadcast every Canadian game as well as the medal round games even if Canada isn’t playing. They will also broadcast the Women’s gold medal game. This will be the first time Maher will broadcast Olympic hockey games in his legendary radio career. The Canadian radio feed will be picked up by several radio stations across Canada.
Bloomington Prairie Thunder goaltender Paulo Colaiacovo, twin brother of Blues D-man Carlo, was recently named the IHL goaltender of the week following his 4-0 shutout over Dayton.
Are the Toronto Maple Leafs planning on placing forward Jamal Mayers on waivers? There could be a few teams interested in placing a claim on a guy who could add a veteran presence as well as some toughness.
Blues Clues!
Lars Eller was hoping to wear #16 when he arrived to the NHL. He got drafted by the wrong team for that to happen. He’s decided to flip it around and go with #61 instead which was his number in Frolunda in the Swedish Elite League.
The Blues game will begin at 2:30 am in Denmark where Eller’s parents and two brothers will be watching on the NHL network.
Is there a more likable player in the Blues system than Eller? It’s pretty hard not to pull for this kid who will play with fellow youngsters Patrik Berglund and T.J. Oshie tonight vs. Calgary.
Speaking of Blues prospects, I’m sorry to hear University of Minnesota forward Jay Barriball suffered a season ending knee injury in practice on Tuesday. The injury will require surgery set for this Friday. Barriball has played in five of the teams six games this season and is eligible to receive a medical redshirt and the opportunity to return in 2010-2011.
Forward Andy McDonald is questionable to return this weekend as the team hits the road. His head is fine but he continues to be bothered by a back strain following a heavy crash into the boards last weekend.
D-man Carlo Colaiacovo is still a few days away from returning from the flu. He skated again Thursday morning but lost his lunch on a few occasions during the skate.
Prior to Thursday’s game vs. Calgary Head Coach Andy Murray showed his team an inspirational video of a U.S. Marine who saved the lives of two fellow Marines after alertly jumping on a grenade that was thrown into a foxhole.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
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