|
News Around the League.
The Blackhawks are in a real downturn right now as they continue to struggle to win on the road. It really seems like they need a shake-up. Most people blame it on the goalies; could the Hawks go after Nabokov? There has to be something going on; the Hawks are too good of a team, but they looked awful in Calgary, Edmonton, and Colorado.
In Pit, it looks like Sid the Kid is close to coming back. This is nothing but good news for the Pens, and more importantly for the NHL. The league needs its poster child back playing, so they can try to forget about post-concussion syndrome, which seems to be so rampant this season. If we can get Crosby back, maybe we can get some good publicity for once.
The Capitals, with all of their injury woes, have to start thinking of picking up a puck-moving dman, don't they? With Green going on the All Stars, Weldman has been a rock and should be in for a huge pay hike for next season. Where would the Caps be without him? And what about Vokoun? Has he been a bust? I have seen some games where the Capitals have deserved a better fate.
How about the Blue Jackets? Where are they going to go? They have some huge chips in play, in Carter and Nash; and for that matter, Umberger and Brassard may also be had for the right price. The Blue Jackets also inked Vinny Prospal to one year deal earlier this week. It will be interesting to see the phone calls the Jackets get, especially on Carter, who is almost guaranteed to be gone come deadline day.
In LA, they are all pulling out all the stops to make sure they make the playoffs; including stopping the clock in the last second, apparently. The job that Daryl Sutter is doing has to noted, the Kings seem to be making their mark for the playoffs. The Kings have plenty of talent, led by Richards and Kopitar. I predict that they make a move for Parise or try to block the Flames from getting Carter.
Rant of the Week
This goalie interference rule really has to change! It has to be made more clear -- either it's a penalty, or a goal. I really hate that rule. Too many times we are seeing goals being taken back when really they should have counted. This incidental contact is too subjective for the Referees. We have to make it more clear. I just wish there was a way to make it more cut and dried.
Fan poll
Do the Jackets trade Nash and Carter?
Is the Blackhawks' problem solely with the goalies?
|
