Happy Tuesday! I am in a fairly decent mood for a Tuesday which is a good thing…hopefully it will translate into a good day.
I will be down at Mellon Arena this morning taking in the team’s 11:00 am practice, so hopefully that will yield some good news regarding Sergei Gonchar and Evgeni Malkin. Dan Bylsma was cautious in discussing their injuries/sicknesses on Sunday, but mentioned that Wednesday could be a possibility for both. We shall see…
In the meantime, (one of my favorite Helmet tunes) here is today’s Around the Net — your morning skate around the league.
First off, this goes out to all of those folks that are constantly calling for Jordan Staal to be traded. Dave Molinari takes a look at the amazing season that Staal has put together and the fact that he is on his way to becoming a contender for the Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward.
Staal quick becoming a Selke candidate
Question number two in this Q and A is one that many have been wondering about… will John Barbaro be able to participate in the April 8th regular season finale.
Here is a look at the amazing new video screens that the Penguins will be using next season in the Consol Energy Center. Our friend Chris DeVivo is prominently featured for his expertise on the matter. (Don’t forget to read his Backteching Blog for all the up to date news on the Consol’s bells and whistles…find it in the blogroll)
Amazing video a part of the Consol Energy experience
Here is an update on the Phoenix Coyotes situation. Ice Edge Holdings is still working towards closing on the purchase of the team, while Bill Daly issued a statement saying that the league doesn’t have an agreement in place to move the team if suitable owners cannot be found.
’Yotes still howling in Phoenix
Speaking of Phoenix, Paul Bissonnette has truly found a home there. Bissonnette, who was grabbed on waivers by Phoenix earlier this season, has just signed a two year contract extension to stay with the ‘Yotes. Congrats Paul!
Brian Elliott of the Ottawa Senators was named the Number One Star of the Week after posting a perfect 4-0 record. Elliott has been a great story this season for the Senators and has been a huge reason for their success.
Elliott named Number One Star of the Week
Wilkes Barre-Scranton goaltender Brad Thiessen, late of Northeastern University, was named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Mar. 28, 2010 after three great performances in net for the Penguins.
Thiessen named AHL Player of the Week
The Rocket Richard Trophy race is now one with three horses and it seems as if it is going to go down to the wire. Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos are neck and neck and neck for the honor. Who will step up and take the honor?
Rocket Race coming down to the wire
Here is Phil Coffey’s Atlantic Division notebook. He takes a look at the Flyers goaltending woes, they have now used six tenders on the year…
Sixth goalie the charm for Flyers?
Here is a look at some of the best Russians available for this year’s NHL Entry Draft… could one of them be the next Alex Ovechkin or Evgeni Malkin?
Nick Bonino, who starred with BU last year as they ran to the NCAA Frozen Four Championship, scored his first NHL goal on an assist from Teemu Selanne.
Senators ink Bobby Butler from the University Of North Dakota to a two year deal. Butler scored a NCAA D-1 leading 29 goals this season and served as his team’s captain.
More later…
