Tonight's match-ups in the Eastern Conference have steep implications for three teams in terms of their playoff hopes and dreams.
The Devils face-off against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Prudential Center in Newark. In order to keep pace with the top 8 teams in the Eastern Conference, the Devils need to win this match up. For a change, it really does not matter if the Devils win in regulation or not, as long as they get those two critical points.
A half hour after the Devils and Penguins face-off, the Rangers begin their critical matchup with the Ottawa Senators in Ottawa. Just a night ago, the Rangers fell to the eighth seed in the East. Just two points are separating the them from the Buffalo Sabres and being on the outside looking in. This is almost a must win for the Blueshirts because not only are they in an absolute free-fall, but they have played a considerable number of more games when compared to every team in the Eastern Conference.
Then at 830 pm, the final game which fans of teams on the bubble are keeping an eye on is the Hurricanes vs the Chicago Blackhawks. This matchup has playoff implications for both conferences as both Carolina and Chicago are in the thick of the hunt, both are in for the time being.
Optimal results for Devils fans is obviously for both the Rangers and Hurricanes to lose their games in regulation. Should the Devils win and these results come to fruition, the deficit would be 8 and 9 points, respectively. This would be a huge turn of events as the Devils have games in hand on both teams to their advantage.
It should be an entertaining Friday night for hockey fans across the league.
It could also be a great start for New Jersey Devils fans with growing dreams.
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Showing posts with label Chicago Blackhawks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago Blackhawks. Show all posts
Friday, March 4, 2011
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Hossa to Hawks, Clemmensen not bound for St. Louis
-Marion Hossa, the player who lost back to back Stanley Cups with two different teams, is a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.
12 years/$5.2 million
For a player who disappears in the playoffs, the Blackhawks gave way too long of a deal here.
-With St. Louis just inking Ty Conklin to a 2 year deal worth $1.3 million, former Devils backup Scott Clemmensen's list is now down to 2 potential teams. It is unclear if the Devils are one of the 2, but commen sense suggests not. I think Detroit could be a landing spot, as well as Florida.
-Craig Anderson has been signed by the Colorado Avalanche.
12 years/$5.2 million
For a player who disappears in the playoffs, the Blackhawks gave way too long of a deal here.
-With St. Louis just inking Ty Conklin to a 2 year deal worth $1.3 million, former Devils backup Scott Clemmensen's list is now down to 2 potential teams. It is unclear if the Devils are one of the 2, but commen sense suggests not. I think Detroit could be a landing spot, as well as Florida.
-Craig Anderson has been signed by the Colorado Avalanche.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Draft Day 1
Thefourthperiod.com [one of the more credible rumor sites out there] is reporting that Olli Jokinen will be traded today before the first round of the NHL draft begins. They report suggests the key point in trading Jokinen is at least a first round draft pick, which Florida covets so that they may have a spot in the first round. Florida's 1st Round pick, which would have been 9th overall, was sent to the Nashville Predators as part of the Tomas Vokoun trade last summer.
Do not expect the Devils to be a player in Jokinen sweepstakes today unless GM Lou Lamoriello can convince the Panthers to take something other than a first round pick. First round picks are something that Lamoriello would love to horde like a squirrel to acorns. Lamoreillo has also told numerous media outlets that he would like to move up in the draft, and even would consider moving down for the right deal. A.K.A. - he'd do what any good GM would do on draft day. Again, don't count on the Devils landing Jokinen, the price tag is too high with no first round pick to work with on Florida's side.
Speaking of Tomas Vokoun, last night the Predators traded Chris Mason to St. Louis for a 4th round pick in this weekend's draft. This is the second time that the goaltender who started the season in net for the Predators has been shipped out the following summer. The move signals a full vote of confidence in Dan Ellis, who stepped up nicely when Mason showed his human side last season. The season prior, Mason platooned the Preds goaltending job with Vokoun and lead them to an incredible 51 win, 110 point season in only their 3rd season in the NHL. The Predators have not missed the playoffs since 2003-2004 [4 straight seasons], so there is some weight on Ellis' shoulders, but for a goalie who lead the league in save percentage last season and set the franchise record in shutouts with 6, it does not look like it will be a difficult task being the only go-to guy in net.
--2 PM Update--
Well here it is folks, my first Sabres post on the blog. Although it will come as no surprise to anyone in Buffalo, Max Afinogenov is being talked heavily by GM's at the NHL Draft in Ottawa. Hockeybuzz suggests that Washington and Chicago are the leading candidates. Now all you Buffalonians, do not get too excited when you read Chicago in there, because there is ZERO chance it will be for Calder winner Pat Kane, and that's an (e5). My guess is the deal will be centered around Patrick Sharp. The 26 year old center has a $3.9 million annual cap hit over the next 4 years [$15.9 mil/4 yr left on the current deal]. Max will be entering the final year of his contract, taking a cap hit of $3.5 million with him. If he goes to Washington, my guess is for prospects and picks. The move could also be an indicator that the Capitals are going to give up on re-signing Sergi Federov because the two have comparable contracts, but Max is 10 years younger and could still make an impact in a system that fits him. Could pairing up with Alex Ovechkin be that solution?
--5 PM EXCLUSIVE Update --
I have just received an exclusive tip from a Buffalo source about Maxim Afinogenov. The source has told me that the Sabres and the Florida Panthers are discussing a possible deal with Olli Jokinen being involved. My source has told me that the Sabres are offering Max and the 1st round, 26th overall pick in exchange for Jokinen and either prospects, picks, or both. the stumbling block right now is trying to figure out compensation for the extra $2 million plus in cap space that the Sabres will be taking on by acquiring Jokinen. Jokinen, 29, will be making $5.25 million next season and $5.5 million in 2009-2010, compared to Max's $3.5 million next season.
--7 PM Update--
Jokinen to Phoenix, Tanguay from Calgary to Montreal, Cammalleri from LA to Calgary
Do not expect the Devils to be a player in Jokinen sweepstakes today unless GM Lou Lamoriello can convince the Panthers to take something other than a first round pick. First round picks are something that Lamoriello would love to horde like a squirrel to acorns. Lamoreillo has also told numerous media outlets that he would like to move up in the draft, and even would consider moving down for the right deal. A.K.A. - he'd do what any good GM would do on draft day. Again, don't count on the Devils landing Jokinen, the price tag is too high with no first round pick to work with on Florida's side.
Speaking of Tomas Vokoun, last night the Predators traded Chris Mason to St. Louis for a 4th round pick in this weekend's draft. This is the second time that the goaltender who started the season in net for the Predators has been shipped out the following summer. The move signals a full vote of confidence in Dan Ellis, who stepped up nicely when Mason showed his human side last season. The season prior, Mason platooned the Preds goaltending job with Vokoun and lead them to an incredible 51 win, 110 point season in only their 3rd season in the NHL. The Predators have not missed the playoffs since 2003-2004 [4 straight seasons], so there is some weight on Ellis' shoulders, but for a goalie who lead the league in save percentage last season and set the franchise record in shutouts with 6, it does not look like it will be a difficult task being the only go-to guy in net.
--2 PM Update--
Well here it is folks, my first Sabres post on the blog. Although it will come as no surprise to anyone in Buffalo, Max Afinogenov is being talked heavily by GM's at the NHL Draft in Ottawa. Hockeybuzz suggests that Washington and Chicago are the leading candidates. Now all you Buffalonians, do not get too excited when you read Chicago in there, because there is ZERO chance it will be for Calder winner Pat Kane, and that's an (e5). My guess is the deal will be centered around Patrick Sharp. The 26 year old center has a $3.9 million annual cap hit over the next 4 years [$15.9 mil/4 yr left on the current deal]. Max will be entering the final year of his contract, taking a cap hit of $3.5 million with him. If he goes to Washington, my guess is for prospects and picks. The move could also be an indicator that the Capitals are going to give up on re-signing Sergi Federov because the two have comparable contracts, but Max is 10 years younger and could still make an impact in a system that fits him. Could pairing up with Alex Ovechkin be that solution?
--5 PM EXCLUSIVE Update --
I have just received an exclusive tip from a Buffalo source about Maxim Afinogenov. The source has told me that the Sabres and the Florida Panthers are discussing a possible deal with Olli Jokinen being involved. My source has told me that the Sabres are offering Max and the 1st round, 26th overall pick in exchange for Jokinen and either prospects, picks, or both. the stumbling block right now is trying to figure out compensation for the extra $2 million plus in cap space that the Sabres will be taking on by acquiring Jokinen. Jokinen, 29, will be making $5.25 million next season and $5.5 million in 2009-2010, compared to Max's $3.5 million next season.
--7 PM Update--
Jokinen to Phoenix, Tanguay from Calgary to Montreal, Cammalleri from LA to Calgary
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