Hossa signs with Red Wings
July 2, 2008
Less than a month since he faced off against the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals, Marian Hossa has a signed a 1 year deal to play for Detroit.
The $7.4 million that Hossa will earn next season, is the most Detroit would pay anyone - even an unrestricted free agent. The Red Wings were insistent that no one earn more money than six-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom.
The 6-foot-1 winger scored 29 goals and 66 points in 72 games split between the Atlanta Thrahsers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Sundin Testing Free Agency
June 24, 2008
Toronto Maple Leafs captain, Mats Sundin, is prepared to enter free agency and explore his options. Until July 1st, however, Montreal owns the exclusive rights to talk to Sundin.
Ottawa to buy out Emery
June 20, 2008
Less than 1 year after signing Ray Emery to a 3 year contract extension for taking the Senators to the Stanley Cup finals, Ottawa has placed the troublesome goaltender on waivers. This is the first step to buying out a player and it looks like Ray has seen his last game in a Senator’s uniform.
It appears as though the NHL buyout season has begun, leaving two underachieving goaltenders to look for new homes.
Goaltenders Ray Emery and Dan Cloutier have been put on waivers, the first step that must be taken to buy them out.
If not claimed by anyone, the respective teams can then proceed with the buyout.
“We will see if anyone claims (Emery),” Sens’ GM Bryan Murray. “If not, (enacting the buyout) is the plan. It’s unfortunate. I am sure Ray will one day get his game turned around and get things in order and be a good goalie for someone.”
Emery’s buyout marks the end of a tumultous era with the Ottawa Senators. At one time, Emery was considered the future of the Senators between the pipes. But a series of incidents this season, including showing up to practice late on several occasions, soured Emery’s relationship with the team.
Emery signed a three-year, $9.5 million contract in July of 2007.
Crosby a no-go vs Isles
March 24, 2008
I was looking forward to watching Crosby play tonight against the Isles. My boys are huge Sid the Kid fans and the Pens should be lighting up the lowly Isles.
Crosby said he feels better than he has in some time, but isn’t in game condition yet.
”I didn’t come in here expecting I would play tonight,” he said. ”My ankle is feeling pretty good, but I’m just not ready yet.”
Although he wasn’t set to go Monday versus the also-ran Islanders, the Penguins captain wouldn’t say if he would also sit out Tuesday at New Jersey in a key game against the Devils.
Hopefully we’ll get a chance to watch Crosby play Brodeur tomorrow night.
Bulletin: Senators Recall Cody Bass From AHL’s Binghamton
December 15, 2007
OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators today recalled centre Cody Bass from the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Senators.
A native of Guelph, Ontario, the 20-year-old had three goals, five assists, 44 penalty minutes and a +…
Downie Fallout
September 27, 2007
McAmmond has been released from the hospital, but it will take time to know the extent of his concussion. Still waiting for the league to punish Downie on the hit.
The Senators got some good news on Dean McAmmond Wednesday.
The forward does not have any factures after being hit by Philadelphia’s Steve Downie in an exhibition game on Tuesday night.
The NHL is reviewing the incident but are not expected to take any action until they have a full report.
Meanwhile the best quotes on the incidents have come from an unlike source…the Leafs!
TORONTO (Sep. 26) — The league-wide repugnance towards Philadelphia’s Steve Downie for his obliteration last night of Ottawa’s Dean McAmmond spilled into the Maple Leafs’ dressing room after the club’s morning skate today. The Leafs host Buffalo in an exhibition game tonight at the Air Canada Centre.
Veteran Jason Blake had these comments about Downie: “I’ve got one thought… the kid should not be [allowed] to ever play in the league again. There’s no place in hockey for that. Our game is supposed to be fun, exciting, fast… and safe in the same breath. To watch that last night, it’s just unacceptable. Guys like [Downie] should either be suspended or kicked out of the league. To leave your point-man and run a guy all the way from the blueline… I mean, one day, a player is not going to get up. So, something needs to be done about hits of that nature.”
When asked about Downie’s claim that he has to play like that in order to crack the Flyers’ roster, Blake replied: “Has to play like what? That’s just a dumb comment from a kid that’s not going to make the Philadelphia Flyers. I mean, I watched the play over and over, and to see him hit Dean McAmmond with his head down, going full bore, and leaving his feet… [McAmmond] could have died last night. There’s absolutely no place in hockey for that and, if you ask me, [Downie] shouldn’t even be allowed to play hockey in the NHL again.”
The best quote came from Leafs enforcer Wade Belak, who certainly can not be considered a fan of the Senators.
Leafs’ enforcer Wade Belak plays the game close to the edge, and he incurred the wrath of the NHL in March, 2004 when he high-sticked Colorado defenceman Ossi Vaananen over the helmet, making a loud, cracking noise that echoed through the Air Canada Centre. He was handed an eight-game suspension for the incident, but Belak is not a head-hunter, and he also had harsh words for Downie.
“It was just a dirty hit, and I hope they really throw the book at him. You know, I did a stupid thing with that stick swinging, though it was unintentional. But, I’ve never taken a deliberate run at an opponent like that. Or blindly tried to hurt someone. I mean, he obviously tried to take [McAmmond’s] head off. But, the big problem is there is no fear factor in the game anymore, and there hasn’t been since the dumb instigator rule went in. I blame the league for that. When I came into the NHL, if I had done something like Downie, I think my own teammates would have slapped me around. If a guy does that, he SHOULD have 20 guys [from the other team] jumping over the boards and beating the crap out of him. He deserves it and it’s not going to happen again… he’ll think twice before he does it. Instead, you grab a player, try to get even for a teammate, and you get five [minutes], a game [misconduct] and other discipline… all for what? It’s a joke. I’m not the only player who will tell you this. We do need to police situations ourselves, to a degree. There has to be some sort of fear factor out there. Otherwise, first-year players like [Downie] can come in and hurt a veteran like McAmmond.”
Amen. Wade Belak for commissioner?
McAmmond Injured
September 25, 2007
Bad news for Ottawa and Binghamton. Dean McAmmond was injured during a preseason game vs Philly today and it looks like he could be out for some time with a concussion. Hopefully the injury isn’t as severe as it looked.
In the meantime, another slot has been opened on the Sens roster. If it looks like McAmmond could make it back this season than I expect the spot to be filled by a rookie who could be sent down without the need to clear waivers. So far Foligno has made the best impression in camp.
At the 2:39 mark of the second, moments after Downie had been checked into the glass from behind by Ottawa’s Christoph Schubert in the Senators’ zone, he skated the length of the ice and took a run at McAmmond, who had just released the puck while circling behind the Flyers’ net and was met by Downie coming around the other side. Downie also appeared to leave his feet as he flattened the veteran.
With McAmmond laying motionless on the ice, first Schubert, then McGrattan jumped Downie, with Philadelphia’s Jesse Boulerice joining in followed by the rest of the players.
Senators right-winger Patrick Eaves rushed to the far end of the rink to assist paramedics in getting a stretcher to McAmmond, who was knocked out by a hit from Anaheim’s Chris Pronger in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final in June.
Under the watch of Senators team doctor Don Chow, McAmmond was taken off the ice and a team spokesman said he was taken to hospital for further examination.
Here is the video of the hit.
Nikulin translations
September 22, 2007
Whoa! Just discovered that the Ottawa Citizen incorrectly listed me as the translator for the Nikulin blog entries. Nice work by the Ottawa Citizen taking something on a blog and never contacting the person. I don’t speak any Russian. I grabbed the translations from the Sportsnet forums and didn’t see any credits so figured they had used Google translator or something.
Looks like the true translator is over at hfboards.
As for the Ottawa Citizen…nice to know they trust Google to identify their sources. Good work guys 
McGrattan concerned over new jerseys
September 22, 2007
I never considered what impact the new jerseys would have on fighting…and apparently the NHL
One of the spins put on the new sweaters NHL players are wearing is the jerseys would enhance player safety.
But Senators policeman Brian McGrattan wonders about that.
The jerseys are tighter and made of a slicker material.
One line of thinking is with the tight sleeves and slick material, players in a fight won’t be able to tie up an opponent, perhaps opening the door for some big punches.
McGrattan’s concern is with what happens when a player gets “jerseyed,” having his sweater pulled over a player’s head. “I saw (New Jersey’s) Cam Janssen in that situation the other night and he got fed pretty good. He couldn’t get out of it,” said McGrattan.
STHA September Schedule Posted
September 14, 2007
Woohoo! STHA hockey begins THIS weekend. Check their site for the September schedule. Make note of where the practices are because there is a new rink in town, Southern Tier Ice Center on Old Vestal Road.
I also learned that they added a 6th mini-mite team. Sounds like there are over 80 mini-mites this year.
