So, Chad Kilger still hasn't returned to the Panthers. He's MIA and the Panthers have suspended him.

I think he's really convinced himself that he, in fact, had a "no trade" clause and refused to waive it.

Canes keep chugging along with a 6-3 win in Atlanta tonight. Problem is, so is Washington, which dumped Buffalo. At this rate, the Southeast might get two teams in yet. Carolina up three with Caps a game in hand and will get another in hand tomorrow as Carolina goes home to play Minny. Canes (and Cam Ward especially) have had troubles in back-to-backs this year.

the Avs have had some huge wins lately against teams they've struggled against this year. On Thursday, they shut out the Ducks 1-0 and then yesterday they beat the Stars 3-1. Both games had a playoff atmosphere to them. Avalanche fans seem rejuvenated by the signing of Forsberg and the return of Foote - Forsberg's debut 3 games ago was the highest rated Avs game for Altitude (the team's station). The team seems revitalized as well. With the addition of Foote and Ruslan Salei and the subtraction of Karlis Skrastins (yay!), our defense is the best it's been since the last Cup.

and, incredibly, Ryan Smyth is skating already. Our powerplay is still atrocious, however, and we aren't going anywhere if that doesn't change.

Awesome game going on between the Rangers and Bruins right now. 0-0 with 4 minutes left...Auld and Lundqvist have been unbelievable.

Rangers win in a shootout, 1-0. Henrik was just nasty.

Sabres lose against Carolina on Saturday night in another heartbreaking OT decision.

Their 'best' player (Vanish...er, Vanek) is benched almost the entire second period for lackluster effort. I don't see them getting their act together in time to make a playoff push but hope I'm wrong.

What a difference a year makes...President's Trophy winners in '07 to early season golfers the next. :(

Carolina gets help from the Pens in turn today as they get the fluke own-goal from Backstrom late to beat the Caps 4-2. Carolina now up seven points on Washington (the Caps now have just one game in-hand) and are playing as well as they did when they got off to that great start early in the season (13-5-1 since the All-Star break). Things are looking better for the playoffs. I wouldn't dare hope for a deep run, but after all the adversity with injuries, illnesses, and the like, this team has played with tremendous heart.

and as soon as I say something nice about the Avs, they get absolutely smoked by the Stars. Forsberg missed the game with a groin injury, Foote missed the game with a hip injury, and Salei left the game with an eye injury - there's your three deadline acquisitions right there.

Hey Rangers fans!!

I reported that post.

i dont know how this isnt tampering, but uh, cool for the devils i guess

The Devils will sign former Oilers captain Jason Smith this summer when he's an unrestricted free agent. Smith started his NHL career with the Devils.

Edmonton Journal

The Wings finally signed Super Dan Cleary to a contract extension. $14 million over 5 years, which comes out to about $2.8 million a year. I think Holland was angling at $2.5 million, but considering Cleary would have likely made a lot more than $2.8 million on the open market, it's a great deal. He scored 20 goals in 57 games before getting hurt. He can play in any situation and can play both on a top line and a third line. He's been a great player for the Wings and I think the deal is fair and another indication of a "home town" discount for the Wings.

The Wings had finally righted the ship. They won 5 in a row after their terrible February where they only won 2 out of 12. It's not at all surprising to see the Wings' fortunes make a turn for the better as soon as they got Kronwall, Rafalski, and Lidstrom back. So much of the Wings' offense comes from their defense. Their entire puck control style relies on capable, skilled defensemen who are able to carry the puck and make that first great outlet pass. When your top pairing is Brett Lebda and Andrea Lilja, that's not going to happen. The loss of Lidstrom was catastrophic the Wings' defense as well. He's a steadying force back there and they completely rely on him. Up until the knee injury, I think he's only missed something like 15 games over the course of his entire career. If what we saw when he was out is any indication of what the Wings will look like post-Lidstrom, I am afraid. Very, very afraid...

More recently, however, they are mired in a 2 game slump. It's annoying to constantly struggle against Nashville, Columbus, Chicago, and the like.

The Wings will have plenty of opportunities to work out any kinks against these teams. Just look at the Wings SUPER SWEET schedule the rest of the way: Columbus-Nashville-Columbus-St. Louis-St. Louis-Nashville-Chicago-Columbus-Chicago.

As was my worry when the season began, the Wings' goaltending situation is beginning to be troublesome. Hasek has not seemed sharp in a few months. These minor aches, the hip thing, the back thing, make me nervous. He's old and easily distracted. I have a hard time seeing him making it through the entire playoffs. Osgood hasn't been too stellar of late either. A creaky Hasek and Osgood do not lift one's spirits.

So, I'm watching a replay of PTI and they show a goal just scored on the Leafs.

Wow. I think Jay Onrait just chuckled and didn't say anything.

Vesa Toskala may have surrendered the worst goal in NHL history. If you didn't see it, check Youtube tomorrow -- there will be about 800 versions of it.

To his credit he stood on his head the rest of the way. The Leafs were down 1-0 in the third and no doubt every Toronto sports writer was getting their "You can't spell Toskala without s-a-l-o" jokes ready, but the Leafs ruined it by pulling out a 3-1 win.

What was said goal?

A 180-foot slapshot that bounced about a half dozen times.

The ice was awful all night, and it just ate him up. The last bounce was a ridiculous hop over his shoulder. It was a one-in-million fluke, but will probably follow him to his grave.

The Rangers need to sign Avery.

I love youtube.

Caron did that with Pittsburgh a few years ago.

Wow.

This is still the worst goal as that goal killed a career.

Plus, I dig that song.

Here's the live game clip:

Southwest needs to use that in a commercial...

"Wanna get away...."

It wasn't Toskala's fault. Ponikoravski puts his stick out and deflects it -- he needs to get down and block that shot!

Need to, but won't.

I can't stop chuckling over that shot... :D

On a more serious note, the Caps picked up two more points against Nashville so Carolina's lead is down to three with eight to play for both sides (and Florida's now five back with their recent streak). Carolina has back-to-back roadies starting tomorrow night in Atlanta then Thursday in Florida. Needless to say, it's important that they win these games. The Canes do get a little advantage as Washington has to play the next five on the road including one in Raleigh next Tuesday.

Don Cherry has been telling those players for YEARS to stop deflecting shots with their sticks. Will they never learn?

Been meaning to mention here for awhle, I got my THN Future Watch a few weeks back.

If anyone is interested, I can try and post their team's top 10 prospects.

Bumping...this is pretty weird. I posted above at 12:21, yet the thread remained on the 2nd page, showing Fidatelo's post at 9:17 as the last post?

:confused:

Is anyone else watching this Buffalo/Tampa game? What a comeback by Buffalo.

w00t, Drury!

Unbelieveable....down 4-1...the Sabers have scored 4 goals in like 5 minutes.

Geez, 6 goals in the 3rd period.

Nigel Dawes is awesome.

The Sabres continue to confound...after tonight, they are now the highest scoring team in the NHL.

How the hell did that happen?

Yeah, those are always fun. What do they have on the Ducks and Kings? Thanks!

Every time I see the score of a Sabres game they are either blowing someone out or getting blown out. There doesn't seem to be a lot of middle-ground with this team.

TELL ME ABOUT IT.




gah.


Awesome game last night though, Telle and I met up with Chubby and his Fiancee and we were all bumming after 2 periods, then all hell broke loose!!

Great night overall!

Pics.

Lol @ MikeVic!

Yes, Chris Osgood is indeed a nerd.

Hey I just want to see what FOFCers look like.

I tried to snag some pics with my camera phone, but it was too dark at the pub. Sorry to dissapoint dude ;)

I give Chubby some props though, he found himself a cutie!


We all really had a great time last night, I wish more of the buffalo area folks could have come!

that's Alton Brown!

Dammit. Don't tease.

They used to give a ETA on the NHL roster, but no longer do that.
Player with rank in the top 75, draft position and current league.

21 and under grade= prospects plus any NHLers age 21 or under.
Leveling rank is comparison of ranking and teams avg draft position int he last 4 drafts. For example, Pittsburgh has the #1 21 and under grade (due to Crosby, Malkin, Staal & Letang). Avg draft position of 6.3 is 3rd highest during the period, so Pittsburgh's a +2.

Ducks

21 and under grade: C+ (21st out of 30)
Leveling = -12 (ADP of 12.3 (ranks 9th))

1) Bobby Ryan RW (7th overall) 2nd overall pick 2005 draft - AHL
2) Brian Salcido D (NR) 141st in 2005 -AHL
3) Brendan Mikkelson D (NR) 31st in 2005 -AHL
4) JP Levasseur G (NR) 197th in 2005 - AHL
5) Petteri Wirtanen C (NR) 172nd in 2006 - AHL
6) Logan Macmillan C (NR) 19th in 2007 - QMJHL
7) Eric Tangradi C (NR) 42nd in 2007 - OHL
8) Mark Mitera D (NR) 19th in 2006 - CCHA
9) Matt Belesky LW (NR) 112th in 2006 - OHL
10) Maxime Macenauer C (NR) 63rd in 2007 - QMJHL


Kings

21 and under: A- (5th of 30) (includes Kopitar and J Johnson)
Leveling: +1 (ADP 9.3 ranks 6th)

1) Jonathan Bernier G (10th) 11th in 2006 - QMJHL
2) Teddy Purcell RW (26th) 2007 free agent - AHL
3) Thomas Hickey D (30th) 4th in 2007 - WHL
4) Brian Boyle C (72nd) 26th in 2003 - AHL
5) Trevor Lewis C (NR) 17th in 2006 - AHL
6) Oscar Moller RW (NR) 52nd in 2007 - WHL
7) Wayne Simmonds RW (NR) 61st in 2007 - OHL
8) Lauri Tukonen RW (NR) 11th in 2004 - AHL
9) Jaff Zatkoff G (NR) 74th in 2006 - CCHA
10) Jon Quick G (NR) 72nd in 2005 - ECHL

Could you post the Rangers? Thanks.