Finally, the National Hockey League in Winnipeg returns this weekend as the Jets host the Montreal Canadiens at the MTS Center (Sunday, CBC, 3PM). When the Phoenix Coyotes moved to Winnipeg on July 1, 1996, Manitoba sports fans have been circling this date on their calendar. Fifteen years later and they finally have their wish. Players that will become household Jets’ names will include Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, Bryan Little, Blake Wheeler and Evander Kane.
The Canadiens (0-1) meanwhile got off to a slow start as they lost 2-0 to the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday night at the Air Canada Centre. James Reimer was brilliant in posting a shutout.
The boys from “15 Minutes of Fame” are back for another week, running down the top stories in the world of sports! This week: The Oilers continue a busy off season, Matthew Hulsizer is back in the running to be an NHL owner, Jonathan Cheechoo gets another shot and, in football, Anthony Calvillo makes history.
In the GABBYs: Ryan Whitney & Twitter, MLS goalie goals, Jose Cano, the Tour de France and more!
A day after the St. Louis Blues opened their pocket book by signing Edmonton-born and Calgary-raised center Scott Nichol from the San Jose Sharks, the Blues made two more significant signings on Wednesday.
The Blues signed forwards Jason Arnott (a former Edmonton Oiler) from the Washington Capitals and Jamie Langenbrunner from the Dallas Stars. They each signed a contract for one year worth $2.5 million.
Both will be re-acquainted in 2011-12 after each starting last season with New Jersey.
Arnott had 17 goals and 14 assists for the Capitals and New Jersey Devils. He was traded from New Jersey to Washington for David Steckel and a second round pick on February 28, 2011.
Langenbrunner had nine goals and 23 assists for the Devils and Dallas Stars. He was traded from Dallas to New Jersey for a third round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Since Canada Day, the Blues have also signed defenceman Kent Huskins to a one year deal worth $1 million from San Jose, left winger Brett Sterling to a one year deal worth $600,000. Sterling had five points in seven games for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2010-11.
One of the more interesting storylines so far in the 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs has been the strategy of the Washington Capitals. The players have bought into head coach Bruce Boudreau’s defensive mindset and limited the quality of scoring opportunities by the New York Rangers considerably. One Capital defenceman that is receiving considerably high praise is defenceman Scott Hannan who was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche for Tomas Fleischmann on November 30. Hannan had four blocked shots and two hits in 28:39 in Game One Wednesday and was a +1 with a blocked shot in 21:34 last night. Offensively, two former Oilers have been producing for the Capitals. Jason Arnott and Jason Chimera found the puck past Henrik Lundqvist last night. Game three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal is set for Sunday at 1pm (NBC) at New York’s Madison Square Garden with the Capitals leading the series 2-0.
The overall prognosis on February 28th, was that the majority of teams in the National Hockey League didn’t improve themselves all that significantly by moves they made on the final day of the trade deadline.
However two former Oilers have stepped up since being traded.
I know Jason Arnott has not been an Oiler since 1998, but the former Oilers’ first rounder has been a definite spark plug for a Washington Capitals team that is red hot. Since Arnott was traded from the Devils for Dave Steckel, the Capitals are 7-0, and Arnott has two goals, three assists, is a +5, and 16 shots on goal over that time. He has also played extremely well alongside Alexander Semin and Alexander Ovechkin on the powerplay. Over that time Ovechkin has four goals and seven assists and Semin has three goals and three assists.
Throughout the day, stay with www.anysportanytime.ca, for my analysis, and Jim’s analysis, on transactions that have taken place.
Here are the sixteen deals that have been made:
Atlanta trades Niclas Bergfors and Patrick Rissmiller to Florida for Radek Dvorak and a fifth round pick.
Analysis: I’m a little surprised in this one. I think Bergfors is the best player in the deal and better than Dvorak. With Atlanta in more playoff contention than Florida, I thought they wouldn’t get rid of him. In 2010-11, Bergfors has 11 goals and 18 assists, compared to Dvorak’s 7 goals and 14 assists. Dvorak, who was a first line player in Florida, playing with David Booth and former Oiler Marty Reasoner, has not lived up to his potential this season and is on the downside of his career.
Finally, the National Hockey League in Winnipeg returns this weekend as the Jets host the Montreal Canadiens at the MTS Center (Sunday, CBC, 3PM). When the Phoenix Coyotes moved to Winnipeg on July 1, 1996, Manitoba sports fans have been circling this date on their calendar. Fifteen years later and they finally have their wish. Players that will become household Jets’ names will include Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, Bryan Little, Blake Wheeler and Evander Kane.
Loading ...
