Around the League – Feb 25, 2010

Ice women of the week

Random thoughts

• With Pekka Rinne signing a two-year, $6.8 million extension with Predators, Dan Ellis is definitely on the market. I wonder who garners more attention leading up the deadline: Ellis or Marty Turco.
• Turco is a $1.13 million cap hit the remainder of the year, while Ellis is only $366,492 and that could be the difference.
• Ethan Moreau is a $366,492 cap hit, while Fernando Pisani is $523,560 and Steve Staios will cost $565,445 the remainder of this season. It seems very likely that Moreau and Pisani will be moved by next Wednesday.
• Jaroslav Halak’s play for Slovakia might be the deciding factor for Pierre Gauthier. Gauthier has to move Halak or Carey Price, and you wonder if Price is now the man to move. Either way I doubt the Canadiens will get market value in return for either Price or Halak.
• Minnesota, Calgary, Anaheim and Washington don’t play a game until March 3rd, so they don’t have any games to showcase a player prior to the deadline.
• It looks like Tampa Bay continues to be a mess. GM Brian Lawton fired assistant coach, Wes Walz without consulting head coach Rick Tocchet. Lawton’s played the game ,so I don’t get why he would think this is a good move, unless it’s a tip-off that Tocchet’s job is in danger.
• Steve Ott could be an attractive rental player. Ott is an UFA this summer and it sounds like he’ll get $3 million a year. Darryl Reaugh said on my show this week that he doesn’t think the Stars will go that high, so Ott could be had before Wednesday. He is one of the best pests in the league and is a great guy in the dressing room. The Sharks could use his abrasive style during the playoffs.
• Some are whispering that if the Flames miss the playoffs Darryl Sutter’s job could be on the line. Interesting that when I talk to guys close to the team they don’t think that’s the case. Sutter has a long leash, but if they miss the playoffs and don’t have a first or second round pick, I can’t see ownership being overly happy.
• The trade deadline is Wednesday, but don’t be surprised if some teams get a jump on things on Monday. GMs have had 14 days without any hockey to analyze their team and address their weaknesses. Boston, Edmonton, Dallas and LA are rumoured to be close to some deals, but not necessarily with each other.
• With Russia getting crushed by Canada I expect Alex Ovechkin to light it up down the stretch and win the Maurice Richard trophy by four or more goals.
• Ray Emery’s injury might force Paul Holmgren to bring in another goalie just in case. Traditionally the Flyers’ goalie has been their weakness, and if Emery isn’t healthy Holmgren can’t afford not to make a move. Dan Ellis to Philly maybe???
• If you didn’t think Shea Weber was top-end D-man before the Olympics, I’m guessing you do now. He is tough, physical, skates well and has an heavy and accurate shot.
• Rene Bourque at $3.3 million for the next six years is a good contract for him and the Flames. Problem for Brent Sutter is that after Bourque, Nik Hagman and Jarome Iginla he doesn’t have much proven offensive depth.

Leaders through the season

Final Word