Eric Brewer has an upbeat attitude about his current situation.

"There's never been the thought that I'm never going to play again," Brewer told the media recently. "I never had one doctor or one therapist tell me anything other than you'll be playing. It's been a little bit longer than I would have liked, but that's never been an issue. I've always been told, and I continue to be told, that I'll be fine and I'll be playing hockey."

The Blues' captain and ice-time leader has been feeling a nagging back injury for quite some time, which limited him to just 28 games played in 2008-09.  It was announced shortly before December 13th to Blues fans that their captain would be sidelined indefinitely with what is said to be an undisclosed back injury.  Brewer underwent back surgery in early January, and received a second surgery in mid-April.  The 6'3” defenseman says that he still has minimal feeling in his right leg and foot.

Continue reading "Brewer Prepared for Return"

"It was a really tough decision for me to make," forward Marian Hossa stated last July. "When I compared the two teams, I felt like I would have a little better of a chance to win the Cup in Detroit."

How wrong he was.

Marian Hossa watched as NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman handed the Stanley Cup off to Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sydney Crosby Friday night from the Detroit locker room.  Just one year ago, Hossa watched from the Pittsburgh locker room as Bettman handed the Cup to Red Wings' captain Nicklas Lidstrom.  To Pittsburgh fans, this was the sweet irony that they had wanted since Hossa rejected an offer from Penguins' management last summer to play with the Red Wings.  To Red Wings fans, it was all about the anger of Hossa's poor effort and lack of goal scoring in the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals.

Continue reading "Hossa Perfect Fit for Islanders"

It was reported Friday that Chris Pronger found a new home in the town of Los Angeles.  The unconfirmed reports said that Pronger was sent to the Kings for up-and-coming defenseman Jack Johnson and a fifth-round pick.  The LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks quickly shot down the report.  Kings GM Dean Lombardi was asked via e-mail, and he quickly responded with the simplest of replies:  “No.”

The allegations of this deal seemed bogus from the start.  First of all, it is rare that a team would let that information leak before trading is allowed by the NHL.  The Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins were still yet to play a decisive Game 7 of their Stanley Cup Final series, meaning that all 30 teams were not permitted to begin trading players. 

Continue reading "Pronger Trade Rumor Ridiculous"

St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced Friday that forward Keith Tkachuk has agreed to return to the club for one more year.  The Blues and Tkachuk have been having talks about a return since being ousted from the playoffs in April.  The deal is reportedly worth $2.15 million.

“Keith is a veteran leader who played a key role with our club’s success this past season,” Davidson added. “He and his wife Chantal are first class people and have been tremendous to the St. Louis Blues organization and the St. Louis community.”

Tkachuk tallied 25 goals and 24 assists in 79 games in 2008-09, along with 14 power-play goals that placed him second on the team just behind Brad Boyes.  He started the season red hot though, scoring 7 goals in the Blues' first 6 games of the season.  He was also the only Blue to participate in the 2009 NHL All-Star Game, which saw him score the first goal of the game.  His point totals have trailed off in his eight seasons in a Blues jersey, considering in 2001-02 Tkachuk netted 38 goals and 75 points.  Scoring is not what Tkachuk was brought back for though.

Continue reading "Tkachuk Signs One-Year Contract and other NHL Notables"

Analysis:  The biggest name in this deal is obviously 2-time Stanley Cup winner Scott Gomez.  Being signed through 2013-14, this Alaska native has been a slight disappointment for the New York Rangers.  Being signed in the summer of 2007 to a 7-year, $51.5 million deal, Gomez has registered 128 points in two seasons with the Rangers, which is a little lower than the Rangers had originally expected.  In 2005-06, Gomez registered 84 points in 82 games with the New Jersey Devils.  He is still a top-line center, but Montreal will be hoping that he can earn his paycheck with better point totals for the remainder of his contract.

Going with Gomez is 22-year old winger Tom Pyatt.  Being selected in the fourth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Rangers, Pyatt is known for his offensive instincts and good hands, but has yet found a way to crack the Rangers' lineup.

Continue reading "Rangers Trade Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt and Mike Busto to Canadiens for Chris Higgins, Doug Janik, Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko"

Jay Bouwmeester got his wish on Tuesday; a long-term contract worth a handsome sum.  After having his rights traded last Saturday from Florida to the Flames for defenseman Jordan Leopold and a third round pick, Bouwmeester met with Calgary management all week but finally came to a deal just before the deadline.

“Jay is one of the most complete defenseman in the game,” said Flames General Manager Darryl Sutter, “and we are very pleased to have reached an agreement that will make him an important component of the Calgary Flames success.”

This agreement will help bolster the Flames' defensive corps, but it leaves little with re-signing an important Flames forward.  Mike Cammalleri is coming off a career-year with the Flames, tearing the ice up with 82 points and being a top-center for Jarome Iginla's line all season.  After earning $3.6 million last season, Cammalleri is now expected to remain unsigned. 

Continue reading "Calgary Flames Sign Jay Bouwmeester to a Five-Year, $33 Million Contract"

 **This deal was declined by Heatley since he has a no-trade clause.  He is buying time, so this deal could still be made.

Analysis:  The Dany Heatley saga has possibly come to a close.  TSN.ca is reporting that Heatley had a chance to be dealt to the Oilers Tuesday night.

The Senators are giving up their potential 50-goal scorer, but would be receiving a top-notch return.  Being selected 25th overall in 2005, Andrew Cogliano brings speed and gifted hands to an Ottawa team that lacks offensive depth.  He scored just 38 points last season, but is expected to be an NHL-caliber center for years to come.

Dustin Penner was a restricted free-agent pick-up in 2007, when Oilers GM Kevin Lowe took a plunge and signed him despite giving up their first, second and third round picks in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.  Dustin scored 84 points in two seasons for the Oilers, but his grit in front of the net and on the power-play can only help the Senators.

Continue reading "Deal Dead -For Now- Senators Trade Dany Heatley to Oilers for Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner and Ladislav Smid"