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SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 4/4/2013 Anaheim Ducks Flames Continued 667688 Ryan Getzlaf, Teemu Selanne lead Ducks to win over Stars 667729 Flames lose ugly one to young Oilers 667689 Ducks make moves as deals materialize close to the trading 667730 Flames prospect up for Hobey Baker deadline 667731 Not everyone was available on trade-deadline day for 667690 Final: Ducks 5, Stars 2 Flames 667691 Getzlaf makes the best moves in Ducks victory 667732 Flames must avoid past mistakes 667692 DUCKS 5, DALLAS 2: Ducks make deal with Phoenix for center Lombardi Carolina Hurricanes 667733 Canes' GM Rutherford insists season is not over Boston Bruins 667734 DeCock: Canes are stuck in NHL's neutral 667693 Patrice Bergeron of Bruins diagnosed with moderate 667735 Canes trade Jokinen to Penguins concussion 667736 Broken heel bone sidelines Pitkanen 667694 Devils thumbnails 667695 Wade Redden acquired by Bruins Chicago Blackhawks 667696 Wade Redden to travel to Boston Thursday, doubtful for 667737 Hawks stand pat game 667738 Thursday's matchup: Blues at Blackhawks 667697 Bruins acquire Wade Redden from St. Louis 667739 Hossa expected back vs. Blues, but Sharp still out 667698 Bruins trade Max Sauve to Chicago for Rob Flick 667740 No. 2 center still the Hawks' No. 1 need 667699 Patrice Bergeron has concussion 667741 Blackhawks' Bowman: Any trade 'would have to make sense' 667700 Bruins add D Wade Redden to the mix 667742 Corey is the story for Blackhawks from here on out in net 667701 Wade Redden adds to depth on ‘D’ 667743 Marian Hossa will return against Blues: ‘No reason to wait 667702 NHL deadline nears to pick up play longer’ 667744 Handzus about to find out how much things have changed Buffalo Sabres 667745 No more deals for Hawks at deadline 667703 Sabres continue to clean house 667746 Bowman: 'We believe in the group we have here' 667704 Regier cleaning up his own mess is messed up 667747 Hossa in, Sharp out vs. Blues 667705 Flurry of deals occur at deadline following relatively quiet day 667748 Sauve joins Blackhawks, Flick sent to Boston 667706 Sabres' Regier reiterates need to focus past this season on 667749 Hawks set to face revamped Blues on CSN deadline day 667707 Larsson's 'weird day' starts with leaving Wild's morning Colorado Avalanche skate, ends with Sabres and Amerks 667750 Ryan O'Byrne traded by Avalanche to Toronto for 4th-round 667708 With trade to Sens, Canisius' Conacher gains in standings, pick in 2014 gets earlier trip back to Buffalo 667751 Avalanche makes minor trade; others seem likely as NHL 667709 Regier puts focus on rebuilding Sabres' foundation with trade deadline nears of Pominville (with audio) 667710 Sabres' Larsson, known as 'The Bull,' has shown Columbus Blue Jackets improvement as scorer 667752 Bold move brings ‘explosive player’ to Blue Jackets 667711 Sabres trade Jason Pominville to Minnesota for prospects 667753 Michael Arace commentary: Surprising deal gives Jackets Johan Larsson, Matt Hackett, two picks new look 667712 Tampa trades former Canisius star Conacher to Ottawa for 667754 Blue Jackets notebook: Familiar names depart goaltender; Sens visit Buffalo on Friday 667755 Blue Jackets, Predators at a glance 667713 List of Sabres' deadline deals under Darcy Regier 667756 New digits 667714 Buffalo Sabres trade captain Jason Pominville to Wild for 667757 NHL: Big trading day for Blue Jackets prospects, picks Dallas Stars Calgary Flames 667758 Sherrington: One head coach from the Stars’ past that I 667715 Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff to stay in Calgary: sources wouldn’t be averse to bringing back… 667716 Flames flattened by Oilers in embarrassing defensive display 667759 Stars send Jordie Benn, Colton Sceviour back to AHL 667717 Johnson: Flames won’t be content with a lengthy rebuild 667760 Heika: Stars' youngsters get chance, but youthful mistakes 667718 Veteran not overly surprised by the deal, given that his hurt in loss to Ducks contract was expiring 667761 Stephane Robidas having tough time finding 'good stuff' in 667719 Feaster rebuffs nearly every team on the Curtis Glencross Stars' third straight loss front 667762 Stars' Eric Nystrom still hoping to come to terms on a 667720 Kiprusoff nixed trade to Leafs after experiencing ‘doubts’ he contract extension should leave Calgary 667765 Ducks fear Stars’ unknown quality, but still roll 5-2 667721 Flames deal Blake Comeau to Blue Jackets 667722 Game Story: Edmonton Oilers 8, Calgary Flames 2 667723 Calgary Flames trade Blake Comeau to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a draft pick 667724 Miikka Kiprusoff to stay with the Calgary Flames, but he won't be starting for tonight's tilt against the Oile 667725 Flames ship Comeau to Columbus 667726 Flames playoff goal delusional 667727 Flames aim for quick rebuild 667728 Flames honour Kipper's wish to stay in Calgary Detroit Red Wings Minnesota Wild 667766 Red Wings' Todd Bertuzzi getting closer to return, will go on 667806 Wild GM Chuck Fletcher: "We’re no longer a seller" trip 667807 Wild making calls, has shown interest in Buffalo's Jason 667767 Red Wings stand pat at trade deadline: 'Didn't get it done' Pominville 667768 Red Wings' Darren Helm cleared to push harder in rehab 667808 Wild has acquired Buffalo Sabres captain Jason Pominville 667769 Star defenseman Jacob Trouba leaves Michigan for Jets 667809 Heatley injured as Wild loses sloppily for third time in four 667770 Helene St. James: With no big-money deal, Red Wings GM games Ken Holland banks on future 667810 Sloppy Wild loses 4-2 to Sharks; Heatley injured 667771 It's a quiet deadline day for Wings, but they're happy with 667811 Gameday preview: Wild-Los Angeles their team 667812 Wild deals prospects, draft picks for Sabres captain 667772 Red Wings talk, but don't pull trigger on trade deadline day Pominville 667773 Red Wings coach Mike Babcock comfortable with roster as 667813 Trade sends vote of confidence to Wild players team continues playoff push 667814 Former Minnesota Wild star Marian Gaborik traded to 667774 Red Wings GM Ken Holland made offers for couple of Columbus players but couldn't get deal done at deadline 667815 Minnesota Wild pick up Jason Pominville in trade with 667775 Red Wings stand pat at trade deadline, as cost for top-six Buffalo forward and top-four defenseman too high 667816 Minnesota Wild's rally goes for naught in loss to Sharks 667776 Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg expects to play Thursday; Damien Brunner sits out practice, is day-to-day Montreal Canadiens 667777 Did Detroit Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk reveal future plans in 667817 In the Habs' Room: 'Flyers played hard' Tweet to Tigers' ace Justin Verlander? 667818 Flyers post comeback win over Habs 667778 Red Wings’ defenseman ready to shoulder the load 667819 Bergevin talked trade, for naught 667779 No trades for Red Wings 667820 ‘I like the chemistry on this team’: Therrien 667780 GOPHER HEADS SOUTH: Nick Bjugstad to Join Florida 667821 Current and former stars will shine at first Habathon Panthers, Make NHL Debut on Saturday 667822 About last night … 667781 BIG ADDITION ON TRADE DAY: Panthers Ink Nick 667823 No trades for Habs, but team signs prospect Danny Kristo Bjugstad; Former Gopher to Make NHL Debut Saturday ... 667824 Price burns 2,336 calories in a game; Drewiske will face Smithson D Flyers Edmonton Oilers Nashville Predators 667782 Edmonton Oilers score eight unanswered goals to smother 667825 Nashville Predators trade Martin Erat to Washington Capitals flickering Flames 667826 Nashville Predators trade Scott Hannan to San Jose Sharks 667783 Edmonton Oilers Game Day — No time to inhale as intact 667827 Nashville Predators trade Martin Erat for top prospect line-up kicks off key road trip in Calgary 667828 Nick Spaling diary: Every game, every point is huge now 667784 Edmonton Oilers GM Steve Tambellini tweaks roster on NHL 667829 Western Conference update trade deadline day, nothing more 667830 Preview: Predators vs. Columbus Blue Jackets 667785 UPDATE: Edmonton Oilers acquire centre Jerred Smithson 667831 Nashville Predators taking more shots, but not always from Florida Panthers winning 667786 Trade Deadline Day — Who among the Edmonton Oilers 667832 Josh Cooper's hat trick might be on the block? 667833 Predators unload a veteran in advance of NHL trade 667787 Edmonton Oilers’ D-man Ryan Whitney gets Gordie Howe deadline hat-trick 667834 In search of more offense, Predators trade away one of their 667789 Edmonton Oilers make one trade deadline deal, acquiring all-time leading scorers Jerred Smithson from Florida Panthers for a fourth rou 667835 Erat eager for his opportunity with a new team, says 'I just 667790 Edmonton Oilers battle back from two-goal deficit to down want to win' Calgary Flames 8-2 667791 Edmonton Oilers GM Steve Tambellini ‘happy’ that he New Jersey Devils decided not to trade defenceman Ryan Whitney 667836 Devils bring back Steve Sullivan 16 years after Doug 667792 Edmonton Oilers avoid moving any bodies out at NHL trade Gilmour trade deadline 667837 Devils acquire Steve Sullivan from Phoenix Coyotes 667793 Edmonton Oilers moves to fill in periphery roles long 667838 Devils: Marek Zidlicky missed practice for family issue, will overdue play in Boston 667794 Centre Jerred Smithson ‘excited’ to join Edmonton Oilers 667839 Devils, with trade deadline looming, prepare to face Boston Florida Panthers Bruins 667841 Devils bring back Steve Sullivan in only deadline-day trade 667795 Florida Panthers bring Nick Bjugstad onboard 667842 NHL Power Rankings: Penguins, Ducks and Blackhawks 667796 Panthers sign C Nick Bjugstad; trade C Jerred Smithson get better at trade deadline, which is bad news for the re Los Angeles Kings New York Islanders 667797 Kings consider Robyn Regehr more than a rental 667843 Islanders don't want to disturb chemistry, stand pat 667798 Dean Lombardi interview transcript, video 667844 Rookie Anders Lee makes good first impression on Islanders 667799 Lombardi addresses Mitchell injury 667800 April 3 practice quotes: Robyn Regehr 667801 April 3 practice quotes: Darryl Sutter 667802 Quiet deadline day for Kings 667803 Matt Greene practices 667804 LAKings.com feature: Up, Up and Away 667805 Waking up with the Kings: April 3 New York Rangers Flyers Continued 667845 Trade Deadline Day: Rangers Send Gaborik to Columbus 667897 Flyers staying alive, vying for season-best streak 667846 Rangers Deal Gaborik to Columbus 667898 Flyers-Canadiens: What you need to know 667847 After Hasty Hellos, New Rangers Make Quick Work of 667899 Couturier scores first in Flyers win Penguins 667900 Notes: Flyers' Plan B is a goaltender 667848 NY Rangers send Marian Gaborik to Columbus Blue Jackets 667901 Flyers: 'Comeback kids' grab another late victory as NHL trade deadline expires 667849 Full NHL trade deadline transactions list, led by NY Rangers Phoenix Coyotes sending Marian Gaborik to Columbus Blue Jackets 667902 Phoenix Coyotes decide time to sell is now, even with playoff 667850 NY Rangers trade Marian Gaborik to Columbus Blue Jackets hopes still flickering in exchange for Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett, John 667903 Phoenix Coyotes trade away Raffi Torres, Matthew 667851 Marc Staal has been working out at MSG Training Center; Lombardi and Steve Sullivan NY Rangers assign Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller, Jesper F 667904 Slow start builds to a fast finish at the trade deadline for 667852 After trade of Marian Gaborik, Rangers' newcomers step up Coyotes in rout of Penguins 667905 Uncertainty looms for Coyotes on trade deadline day 667853 Rangers’ Gaborik shipped to Blue Jackets 667906 LaBarbera finds comfort zone for Coyotes 667854 Hurt wrist sidelines Rangers’ Miller 667855 It’s on Tortorella to make revamped Blueshirts work Pittsburgh Penguins 667856 Newest Rangers key lopsided win 667907 Listless Penguins drop 2nd consecutive game 667857 Rangers notes: Ryane Clowe makes Blueshirts debut 667908 Penguins notebook: Crosby endures another dental 667858 Rangers rout Penguins, 6-1, as newcomers lead the way procedure 667859 Rangers trade Marian Gaborik to Columbus 667909 Behind the scenes: Following the big Penguins trade 667861 Trade deadline additions Clowe, Brassard and Moore stand 667910 Penguins add Carolina forward Jokinen out in Rangers' 6-1 win 667911 Second loss in a row as Rangers defeat Penguins, 6-1 667862 Penguins at Rangers. 667912 Penguins continue to deal, add forward Jokinen from 667863 RANGERS ACQUIRE DERICK BRASSARD, DEREK Carolina DORSETT, JOHN MOORE, AND A SIXTH ROUND DRAFT 667913 Penguins Notebook: Jokinen deal adds depth at forward PICK IN 2014 667914 Hungry newcomers lead desperate Rangers past Penguins, 667864 Rangers deal Marian Gaborik to the Blue Jackets (updated) 6-1 667865 Trade deadline today; Penguins at Rangers tonight (7:30 NBC start) San Jose Sharks 667866 Rangers-Penguins & trade deadline in review 667915 Hockeytown 2.0: San Jose a top spot for the icy winter sport 667867 Rangers 6, Penguins 1: Post-game notes, quotes 667916 New Shark Raffi Torres hopes to make amends with San Jose fans NHL 667917 Busy San Jose Sharks get Raffi Torres from Phoenix 667868 Ben Bishop traded for Cory Conacher: Senators goaltender 667918 Sharks re-acquire Scott Hannan for a draft pick ‘sad’ to leave playoff team 667919 San Jose Sharks win sixth in a row, 4-2 over Minnesota Wild 667869 Five reasons the NHL trade deadline could be a dud 667920 Sharks make trades, beat Wild 4-2 667870 The Ones Not Traded: Goalies Luongo and Kiprusoff 667921 Exclusive: Sharks sign Matt Irwin to extension 667922 Wilson adds depth on deadline day Ottawa Senators 667923 Wilson 'refreshes' roster, keeps core together 667871 Senators take a skate break on deadline day 667924 Sharks acquire LW Torres from Coyotes 667872 Senators trade Ben Bishop to Lightning 667925 Former Sharks D Hannan returning to San Jose 667873 Senators fielding offers for Bishop on deadline day 667926 Boyle authors Goal of the Year nominee for Sharks 667874 Scanlan: Bishop deal should help both clubs 667927 Kurz's Instant Replay: Sharks 4, Wild 2 667875 Compelling Conacher brings grit, skill 667928 Vlasic, Heatley get nasty after final horn 667876 Senators goaltender Craig Anderson ready to return to action St Louis Blues 667877 Senators send Bishop to Tampa for Conacher, draft pick 667929 Hockey Guy: West gets wilder at trade deadline 667930 Blues move Redden at trade deadline Philadelphia Flyers 667931 Blues updates: Trade deadline, Bouwmeester's status, Halak 667878 Philadelphia Flyers' Zac Rinaldo leaves game with injury lower-body injury 667932 Blues-Blackhawks matchup box 667879 Flyers trade for goalie Steve Mason 667933 Hitchcock: Blues feel sense of obligation to management 667880 Mason happy to be joining Flyers 667934 Blues perform defensive makeover; now it's up to players 667881 Flyers defenseman Nick Grossmann gets work in 667935 Blues trade Redden, sign rookie forward prospect 667882 Flyers claim Hall 667883 Is Keith Yandle a Flyers possibility? Tampa Bay Lightning 667884 Mild surprise as Flyers acquire goaltender Steve Mason 667936 Former Bolts coach Boucher speaks out about firing 667885 A game of firsts as Flyers rally to beat Canadiens 667937 Tampa Bay Lightning trade F Conacher, pick for G Bishop 667886 Flyers hould resist urge to amnesty Ilya Bryzgalov 667938 Fennelly: Bolts trade an admission from GM 667887 Flyers storm back late and beat Canadiens 667939 Ex-Lightning Boucher takes high road 667888 Flyers rally for third straight win 667940 Lightning acquires goalie Ben Bishop for Cory Conacher, 667889 PARENT: Trades show Flyers are looking for cap space pick 667890 Flyers swap Michael Leighton for Blue Jackets’ Steve Mason 667941 Lightning G prospect Jarolsav Janus says he wants to play 667891 Win, new goalie have Flyers looking toward the future in North America 667892 Flyers claim Hall off waivers 667893 Instant Replay: Flyers 5, Canadiens 3 667894 Flyers keep core of young players intact as deadline passes 667895 Flyers acquire goalie Steve Mason from Columbus 667896 Flyers claim forward Adam Hall off waivers Toronto Maple Leafs Washington Capitals 667942 Leafs stay mostly quiet after chasing Kiprusoff and Luongo 667989 Washington Capitals trade for Martin Erat, part with prospect 667943 Leafs acquire O’Byrne from Avs Filip Forsberg 667944 Leafs’ cap situation key reason to avoid pricey goalie 667990 Capitals trade top prospect Filip Forsberg to Nashville for 667945 Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo admits huge Martin Erat (Updated) contract prevented him being traded 667991 Martin Erat on trade to Capitals: ‘I just want to win’ 667946 NHL trade deadline: Toronto Maple Leafs trade for Ryan 667992 Mike Ribeiro: ‘I don’t really see myself move or sign today’ O’Byrne 667993 NHL trade deadline: Blue Jackets acquire Marian Gaborik; 667947 Kiprusoff staying put in Calgary: report Jason Pominville to Minnesota 667948 NHL trade deadline: Columbus acquires Gaborik 667994 Capitals’ deadline decisions make goal clear: Win now 667949 NHL trade deadline: Look at the last five seasons 667995 Capitals notes: Matt Hendricks played through scratched 667950 Philadelphia Flyers at Toronto Maple Leafs: Thursday NHL cornea game preview 667996 Martin Erat traded to Capitals for prospect Filip Forsberg 667951 NHL trade deadline: Connolly a healthy scratch with Marlies 667997 Capitals get winger Martin Erat in deadline deal 667952 Maple Leafs Clarke MacArthur remains anxious as trade deadline nears Websites 667953 Maple Leafs should go with status quo in net: Feschuk 668011 ESPN / GM McPhee: We weren't going to be sellers 667954 Leafs wise to stand pat in goal 668012 ESPN / The deadline: Who got better, who got worse? 667955 Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo deserved better than this 668013 USA TODAY / And the trade deadline season winner is ... 667956 Nonis lays off playoff experience 668014 USA TODAY / Rangers deal slumping star Marian Gaborik 667957 It's up to new Maple Leaf Ryan O’Byrne to make impression to Blue Jackets 667958 With trade deadline past, Leafs can move forward now 668015 USA TODAY / Things to know about Wednesday's NHL 667959 Maple Leafs' James Reimer must feel like chopped liver games 667960 Maple Leafs land Ryan O'Byrne from Avalanche 668016 USA TODAY / Trade deadline: Pominville, Gaborik 667961 Roberto Luongo’s contract hurts both him and Canucks move 667962 Leafs pin hopes on young goalies after relatively quiet trade 668017 YAHOO SPORTS / 2013 NHL Trade Deadline: Winners & deadline Losers 667963 The best of the NHL trade deadline 667964 Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo blames contract for Winnipeg Jets slow trade talks 667998 Cheveldayoff focuses on long-term assets for Jets 667965 Leafs make a last-minute move at the deadline with Ryan 667999 Santorelli 'super-excited' to join Jets O’Byrne 668000 Trouba arriving Thursday 667966 Leafs are ‘not close to anything’ before NHL trade deadline 668001 Sticking to his BLUE 667967 NHL trade deadline brings different mood for Leafs 668002 Jets talk but make no deals at deadline 667968 NHL trade deadline: Miikka Kiprusoff will reportedly stay with 668003 TaitJetsHabsGD Flames 668004 WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS Vancouver Canucks 668005 Trouba takes big leap from college to NHL 668006 Winnipeg Jets open Jacob Trouba door just a crack 667973 Canucks’ Jannik Hansen says trade deadline moves will 668007 Cheveldayoff stands pat, gives Winnipeg Jets vote of take time to digest confidence 667974 Luongo, Canucks mired in lose-lose situation 668008 Newest Jet Trouba here to learn 667975 Canucks GM Mike Gillis gets no deals done, but touts 'pretty 668009 Jets claim centre Santorelli off waivers, Antropov on shelf strong lineup,' on NHL trade deadline day 668010 Dustin Byfuglien is the answer on right wing for Winnipeg 667976 Chat it to Bulis: The 2013 PITB NHL trade deadline day Jets livechat extravaganza 667977 More wackiness for WHL Giants and grads; Connauton SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 traded and then has place to stay dealt away, too 667978 With Roy and Kesler in the middle, maybe Canucks can flip that playoff switch 667979 A dash of salt, pepper and reality as Kassian recalled after “seasoning” stint 667980 Roberto Luongo would scrap his contract if he could 667981 Gallagher: On dull NHL trade deadline day, fisticuffs tales from McSorley, May brighten things up 667982 Toilet Flushing: Luongo on the ice, and Nonis says nothing happening. 667983 Cross Jokinen off Canucks list 667984 Canucks Hat Trick: Raymond rumours, adios Kipper, get Zack back 667985 Willes: Gillis’ price too high; will the Canucks end up paying for it? 667986 Money can't buy Luongo's happiness 667987 Kuzma: Canucks make switch from mundane to high octane 667988 Gallagher: Scrap that sucky contract? Not likely for Luongo 667688 Anaheim Ducks The Ducks also traded minor league goaltender Jeff Deslauriers to the Minnesota Wild for future considerations. Deslauriers was dealt from a position of strength, since the Ducks possess Ryan Getzlaf, Teemu Selanne lead Ducks to win over Stars Jonas Hiller and Fasth. Getzlaf has a goal and two assists, Selanne also scores a goal in 5-2 Lombardi, 31, has previously played with Ducks Daniel Winnik in Phoenix, victory as Viktor Fasth stops 23 shots. The team acquires center Matthew David Steckel in Toronto and Toni Lydman in Calgary. Lombardi. His contract expires at season's end. "My speed is my game, getting to both ends of the rink quickly and creating By Lance Pugmire opportunities offensively with it," Lombardi said. April 3, 2013, 11:36 p.m. LA Times: LOADED: 04.04.2013 The Ducks on Wednesday added a player who could be the final piece in their bid to win the Stanley Cup this season. They then moved within two points of catching Western Conference leader Chicago. "We're plugging along," Ducks defenseman Sheldon Souray said after the Ducks beat the Dallas Stars for the second time in three days, 5-2, at Honda Center. "We'd like to be the best. We'll keep working until we get there." The Ducks acquired center Matthew Lombardi from the Phoenix Coyotes for left wing Brandon McMillan, a move intended to boost depth at a position of need. But adding depth appeared to be an act of greed on a night when 13 Ducks scored points — including captain Ryan Getzlaf's fourth three-point game of the season on a goal and two assists — and goaltender Viktor Fasth stopped 23 shots and kept Dallas scoreless until the third period. The Ducks are now 25-7-5. "The guys do have a great team," Lombardi (eight points this season) said in a telephone interview from Phoenix on Wednesday. "I want to help any way I can." He might be needed to spell Getzlaf some extra minutes. The captain left the ice after his goal with 9 minutes 30 seconds remaining in the game with what appeared to be right leg or knee pain. Getzlaf was iced down afterward and unavailable for comment, but Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau said he didn't expect the injury to produce an absence Friday when the Ducks and Stars (16-17-3) play again. "He scored the goal, and I said, 'That's enough,'" Boudreau said. In his third game as a Duck, veteran right wing Radek Dvorak scored his first goal with Anaheim 11:44 into the game for a 1-0 lead. After Dallas failed even to get a shot off in the game's first six minutes, Getzlaf launched a hard pass 12 feet in front of the goal to Dvorak, who swatted it past Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen. "Beautiful," Dvorak said of Getzlaf's assist. "One of the best passers in the league." Getzlaf again assisted when Teemu Selanne gave the Ducks a 2-0 lead on a power-play goal after a tripping call against Dallas defenseman Alex Goligoski. Five minutes later, with 3:22 remaining in the second period, 22-year-old wing Kyle Palmieri rushed the Dallas goal and slid the puck past Lehtonen in the crease. Fasth was beaten twice in the third period. First, Erik Cole took a pass behind the net and Fasth's left shoulder from Vernon Fiddler and scored less than three minutes into the third. Then, after Getzlaf made it 4-1 with a backhanded shot for his 13th goal of the season, Dallas' Lane MacDermid fired a shot to Fasth's right with 1:24 left in the game. An empty-net goal by the Ducks Andrew Cogliano, his 11th, followed in the final seconds. 667689 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks make moves as deals materialize close to the trading deadline Ducks get center Matthew Lombardi from Phoenix for wing Brandon McMillan and send goalie Jeff Deslauriers to Minnesota for future considerations. Most of the league-wide deals come in the hour before the cutoff time.

By Helene Elliott April 4, 2013

Like the NHL season, the annual deadline-day trading frenzy was late in starting. But a flurry of deals in the hour before Wednesday's noon Pacific time cutoff changed the complexion of several teams and added depth to others hoping for long playoff runs. The Ducks, seeking strength up the middle, acquired veteran center Matthew Lombardi from the Phoenix Coyotes for left wing Brandon McMillan. They also traded goalie Jeff Deslauriers to the Minnesota Wild for future considerations. "The guys have a great team with depth," said Lombardi, who can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. "It's nice to go where they want you and I want to help any way I can." The Kings didn't make any trades Wednesday. They made their big move Monday by acquiring rugged defenseman Robyn Regehr from the Buffalo Sabres for second-round draft picks in 2014 and 2015. Deadline day had lost some of its impact because many prominent players were traded in the last few weeks. But the ambitious Columbus Blue Jackets spiced things up by acquiring three-time 40-goal scorer Marian Gaborik from the New York Rangers, with defensemen Steven Delisle and Blake Partlett, for center Derick Brassard, injured right wing Derek Dorsett, defenseman John Moore and a sixth-round pick in the 2014 draft. Gaborik, who had been in Coach John Tortorella's doghouse, waived his no-trade clause to join a team that's on an upswing under General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen and hockey operations President John Davidson. The Rangers removed his $7.5-million salary-cap hit from their books, freeing them to re-sign core young players this summer. "He's a good man and I'll miss him," Tortorella told reporters in New York. The retooling Sabres traded team captain Jason Pominville to the surging Wild for two prospects and first- and second-round draft picks. Pominville, a six-time 20-goal scorer, should bring some punch to Minnesota's right side. Also of note, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Jussi Jokinen from Carolina for a conditional draft pick and planned to slot him into Sidney Crosby's spot. Crosby has a broken jaw and is out indefinitely. The Philadelphia Flyers, eternally vexed by their goaltending, acquired Steve Mason from Columbus for Michael Leighton to be the backup for Ilya Bryzgalov, and the San Jose Sharks acquired abrasive forward Raffi Torres from Phoenix for a draft pick. Torres has twice knocked Sharks players out of the playoffs, with a blindside hit on Milan Michalek in 2006 and a hit that separated Joe Thornton's shoulder in 2011 when Torres was with Vancouver. Two goalies reported to be on the move instead stayed put. Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff refused to waive his no-trade clause and will retire after this season, and Vancouver kept Roberto Luongo, who has nine years left on his contract at an annual cap hit of $5.333 million. "I'd scrap it if I could right now," Luongo said of his contract during a news conference in Vancouver. helene.elliott at latimes.com LA Times: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667690 Anaheim Ducks

Final: Ducks 5, Stars 2

April 3rd, 2013, 9:35 pm by ERIC STEPHENS

ANAHEIM -- Ryan Getzlaf scored his 150th career goal and assisted on two others Wednesday night to lead the Ducks to a 5-2 victory over the Dallas Stars at Honda Center. Radek Dvorak got his first goal as a Duck to start the scoring in the first period while Teemu Selanne and Kyle Palmieri broke the game open with tallies in the second. The Ducks (25-7-5) won their second in a row over Dallas in the span of three nights and now have points in their last four games after losing four in a row. They'll take on the Stars again Friday night. Dallas appeared to wave the white flag when it dealt away forwards Jaromir Jagr, Derek Roy and Tomas Vincour after a 4-0 home loss to the Ducks on Monday night. The Ducks rolled again, facing a team with Jamie Benn, Loui Eriksson, Kari Lehtonen and a cadre of prospects. Selanne made it 2-0 with a power-play score for the 673rd of his career while Palmieri got his first goal in his last 14 games when he jammed the puck past Lehtonen after getting a free pass to the net. Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667691 Anaheim Ducks

Getzlaf makes the best moves in Ducks victory

By ERIC STEPHENS / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER ANAHEIM – A quiet trade deadline day perked up near the final buzzer with notable moves made by contending teams around the league. The Ducks jumped in by picking up speedy center Matthew Lombardi. But the Ducks' biggest move to address the middle came weeks earlier and again paid a big dividend Wednesday night. Ryan Getzlaf continued to earn that eight-year, $66-million contract extension with another dominating night in powering his team to a 5-2 victory over the Dallas Stars at Honda ... 667692 Anaheim Ducks

DUCKS 5, DALLAS 2: Ducks make deal with Phoenix for center Lombardi

By Elliott Teaford, Staff Writer Posted: 04/03/2013 10:27:45 PM PDT Updated: 04/04/2013 12:01:53 AM PDT

The NHL's trade deadline came and went Wednesday and the Ducks made only a minor tweak to their roster, keeping their talented core group together for a stretch run that looked all the more promising after a 5-2 victory over the Dallas Stars at Honda Center. Ducks general manager Bob Murray wanted to acquire a speedy center to add depth to a lineup with plenty of speed and depth. Murray also hoped to do it without having to part with anyone from a team that's all but sealed the franchise's second Pacific Division title. So, he dealt left wing Brandon McMillan to the Phoenix Coyotes for center Matthew Lombardi, swapping a minor-league player who appeared in only six games this season for the Ducks for a 31-year-old who has 262 points (101 goals, 161 assists) in 529 games in the NHL. Lombardi didn't make it to the Honda Center in time to join his new teammates for their game against the trade-depleted Stars. He is expected to participate in today's practice and to play in Friday's rematch against Dallas at Honda Center, however. "First and foremost, I'm going to a great team and Stanley Cup contender," Lombardi said. "That's super exciting. It's a great team. To be able to be a part of that is pretty cool. I'm looking forward to it. That's all you can ask for, to be honest with you, to play and go for a Stanley Cup." The Ducks hardly needed Lombardi's speed or experience against a team that hardly resembled the one they blanked ads not by this site 4-0 on Monday in Dallas. The Stars on Tuesday traded Jaromir Jagr to the Boston Bruins, Derek Roy to the Vancouver Canucks and Tomas Vincour to the Colorado Avalanche. Radek Dvorak scored his first goal with the Ducks in his third game after he signed as a free agent March 26, a one-timer off a flawless cross-ice pass from Ryan Getzlaf at 11:44 of the first period. Teemu Selanne (power play) and Kyle Palmieri scored in the second for the Ducks. Getzlaf also assisted on Selanne's 673rd career goal. The Ducks team captain then gave their fans a scare when he went to the dressing room after taking a tumble after a collision with the Stars' Jamie Benn in the opening minutes of the third period. Getzlaf, the Ducks' leading scorer with 43 points, returned to the ice soon enough and scored their fourth goal off a backhander after a pretty pass from Corey Perry. Getzlaf nearly scored on a partial breakaway moments earlier, but Dallas' Kari Lehtonen made a sprawling stop. Ducks goaltender Viktor Fast tried to secure his second consecutive shutout of the Stars. He blanked them on 26 shots Monday in the final game of a four-game trip that features a third straight win over the NHL- leading Chicago Blackhawks. The Stars finally got one past Fasth when Erik Cole scored to trim the Ducks' lead to 3-1 only 2:48 into the third period. Despite their patchwork lineup, the Stars had their moments against the Ducks, who weren't as overpowering as they might have been. Also The Ducks traded goalie Jeff Deslauriers to the Minnesota Wild for future considerations. Deslauriers played with the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL. LA Daily News: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667693 Boston Bruins Following Bergeron’s departure on Tuesday, Rich Peverley assumed his shifts between Marchand and Seguin. Peverley had been centering Jay Pandolfo and Jordan Caron. Peverley will most likely stay with Marchand Patrice Bergeron of Bruins diagnosed with moderate concussion and Seguin on Thursday against the Devils. Kaspars Daugavins, acquired on waivers from Ottawa on March 27, will make his Bruins debut on Thursday. Daugavins was on the left side for By Fluto Shinzawa Ottawa, but Chiarelli said he can play center. Daugavins was also a regular penalty killer for the Senators before becoming a healthy scratch. Daugavins could center Pandolfo and Jaromir Jagr. Jagr, a future Hall of On Tuesday night, Patrice Bergeron was emotional, according to Bruins Famer acquired from Dallas on Tuesday, will also make his Black-and-Gold general manager Peter Chiarelli. Rightfully so. debut on Thursday. Chiarelli said he will not promote a center from Providence. Chiarelli confirmed during a Wednesday news conference that Bergeron had suffered a moderate concussion in the 3-2 win over Ottawa. It is the Other reinforcements could also be arriving shortly. Chris Kelly skated for fourth concussion of Bergeron’s NHL career. Bergeron’s neck is also sore. the third straight day on Wednesday. Chiarelli said he expects Kelly to be in uniform soon. Kelly hasn’t played since March 11, when he suffered a Bergeron will not play on Thursday night at TD Garden against New Jersey. broken left tibia during a collision with former Ottawa teammate Chris Neil. It is unknown when he will be cleared for game action. “That actually had some bearing to it today,” Chiarelli said of Kelly’s “He was in very good spirits,” said Chiarelli, who spoke with Bergeron on pending return on trade talks. “He’ll be back soon. I know you’d like more Wednesday afternoon. “He was out walking today. He was annoyed at it. detail, but I’m satisfied with his prospective return date. He’ll be playing for He was emotional [Tuesday] night.” us soon.” Bergeron suffered the injury in the second period. He and Colin Greening The Bruins could also add Carl Soderberg. The Swedish forward has were racing for the puck near the Boston net. When Greening reached for expressed interest in playing for the Bruins once his playoff run with the puck, the Ottawa forward’s right elbow thudded off the left side of Linkoping in the Swedish Elite League is over. Linkoping trails Skelleftea, 3- Bergeron’s head, behind his ear. 1, so Soderberg’s season could end on Friday. Bergeron slid to the ice, dropped his stick, wavered slightly, then skated “I’m not hanging my hat on this,” Chiarelli said. “I hope to get him, and if we slowly toward the bench. He briefly touched his helmet with his right hand. get him, he will help us.” Bergeron played only 9:06 on Tuesday. Boston Globe LOADED: 04.04.2013 “He sounded really good,” Chiarelli said. “I told him we’ll work together to get him back.” Bergeron suffered a career-threatening concussion on Oct. 27, 2007. Flyers defenseman Randy Jones checked Bergeron facefirst into the Garden end boards. Bergeron hoped to return for the playoffs, but didn’t play again that season. Bergeron suffered his second concussion on Dec. 20, 2008. Bergeron collided with Dennis Seidenberg when the defenseman was with Carolina. Bergeron was sidelined for 15 games. Bergeron’s third concussion took place on May 6, 2011. In Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux thumped Bergeron with an open-ice hit. Bergeron missed the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals against Tampa Bay. Bergeron was wheeled off the ice after his first concussion. He needed help from his teammates to skate off the ice following his collision with Seidenberg. Bergeron left the ice on his own after the last two concussions. Bergeron is the Bruins’ top all-around forward. He impacts the game in every area. Bergeron centers Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin on the team’s most consistent line. Bergeron is the club’s leading scorer (10 goals, 21 assists) and ice-time leader among forwards (19:14 per game). Bergeron is the NHL’s best faceoff man, having won 61.5 percent of his draws. Coach Claude Julien often tabs Bergeron for critical defensive-zone faceoffs late in games. Bergeron logs regular even-strength shifts against top opposing forwards. On the power play, Bergeron has served as the net-front presence on the No. 2 unit. He has two goals and two assists on the power play this season. Bergeron is one of six regular penalty-killing forwards, usually skating alongside Marchand. Bergeron is averaging 2:12 of shorthanded ice time per game. The magnitude of Bergeron’s injury prompted Chiarelli and the hockey operations staff to consider upgrades at center prior to Wednesday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline. But it would have been impossible for the Bruins to acquire a center who could replicate Bergeron’s assets. “You think about it,” Chiarelli said. “You see a player like Patrice go down, and you’re like, ‘There’s no way I’m going to replace him.’ There wasn’t that caliber of player. So, I’m not going to go around chasing it all day. I know our guys. You’ve seen across the league, [players] have picked up the rest of the teams when they’ve had injuries. I expect us to do the same.” 667694 Boston Bruins

Devils thumbnails

■ When, where: Thursday, 7 p.m., at TD Garden. ■ TV, radio: NESN Plus, NHL, WBZ-FM (98.5). ■ Goals: David Clarkson 12, Patrik Elias 10, Ilya Kovalchuk 10, Adam Henrique 10. ■ Assists: Elias 20, Kovalchuk 17, Marek Zidlicky 11. ■ Goaltending: Martin Brodeur (10-3-6, 2.27 GAA), Johan Hedberg (5-9-3, 2.73). ■ Head to head: This is the second of three meetings. The Bruins won, 2-1, in a shootout Jan. 29 in Boston. ■ Miscellany: The Devils are on a four-game losing streak . . . Kovalchuk will not play after suffering a shoulder injury March 23, but is expected back before the end of the regular season . . . The Devils acquired veteran forward Steve Sullivan from the Coyotes Wednesday for a seventh-round pick. Boston Globe LOADED: 04.04.2013 667695 Boston Bruins the big bucks the Rangers handed him in the summer of 2008. Now he’s here. Boston in the springtime. With a chance to show if there’s at least a little bit of spring left in his step. Wade Redden acquired by Bruins . . . The Bruins also acquired minor league forward Rob Flick from the By Kevin Paul Dupont Blackhawks for Max Sauve. Flick, 22, will report to Providence. The center had three goals, two assists, and 97 penalty minutes for Rockford, Globe Staff / April 3, 2013 Chicago’s AHL affiliate. Flick was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 draft. Sauve, the Bruins’ second-round pick in 2008, had 10 goals and 13 assists in 52 games for Providence. One day after adding the legendary Jaromir Jagr and his 1,679 career Boston Globe LOADED: 04.04.2013 points to their front line, the Bruins returned with another “let’s go retro’’ move on Wednesday, adding former premier defenseman Wade Redden to their back line. Jagr, 41, has plenty of game left, while Redden’s game faltered before it was placed in mothballs a few years ago. The former No. 2 overall draft pick, age 35, will join the Bruins after recently finishing a two-year hitch in Hartford of the American Hockey League, the Rangers convinced his assets were too spent and his paycheck too high to justify keeping him with the Broadway varsity. But now Redden, who joined the St. Louis Blues this season after being bought out in New York, has an opportunity to aid a spotty Boston back line that could use a healthy dash of Redden’s puck-moving skills of old when transitioning from defense to offense. A premier puckhandler and passer during his days with Ottawa, where he sometimes partnered with Boston captain Zdeno Chara, Redden is a candidate to help the Bruins improve a somewhat disjointed back end that at times struggles to make quick, efficient passes. He also becomes yet one more stick carrier to help improve the club’s ever-struggling power play, although GM Peter Chiarelli made clear during a late-afternoon news conference Wednesday that Redden arrives with no such lofty expectations. “I really don’t want to put any pressure on him in that regard,’’ said Chiarelli, addressing the media on trade deadline moves for a third time in a week. “He’s more of a heady player . . . that first pass. He’s a terrific passer, first pass, vision. He can play on the power play, but that’s not why we acquired him.’’ Instead, Redden will arrive here (possibly today) for insurance, a “depth’’ player, at a time when the Bruins are just beginning to see some encouraging signs from defensive prospect Matt Bartkowski (nearly dished last week for Jarome Iginla) and while rookie blue liner Dougie Hamilton continues to cut his teeth as the club’s premier puck-moving defenseman of the future. It could be that Boston’s puck-moving deficiencies are fully resolved by that duo. If not, then Redden, with his 455 career points in 1,017 games, at least offers an AARP alternative. “Wade’s strength has always been his head, and his vision, and his sense,’’ noted Chiarelli, who left Ottawa in the summer of 2006, two years prior to Redden departing for his huge payday with the Rangers. “Maybe sometimes you lose your legs in that, but usually you can keep the other stuff.’’ Boston fans of a certain age will remember another aged defenseman, Brad Park, making a lot of hay here in the late-’70s and early-’80s, long after his wonky knees began to crumble. But Park, a Hall of Famer (896 points), was still vital and only 27 when he arrived early in the 1975-76 season. And he was 2-3 years younger than Redden is today when he was still spinning Garden magic. with knees wrapped, paper-clipped, and braced. Redden’s acquisition price was minimal, a a seventh-round pick that could inflate to a sixth if he suits up for one playoff game this spring. The long- forgotten Filene’s Basement built an institution on that kind of pricing. With nothing left on the rack at Wednesday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline, Chiarelli tossed Redden in his cart and raced for the register. “Wade obviously had played in Ottawa when I worked in Ottawa,’’ noted Chiarelli, who didn’t look nearly as spent as a week before when explaining what went awry in his attempt to land Iginla. “I had to get the band back together with him and Chara. I talked to Wade and told him he’d be part of our depth here — and he was excited to come.’’ In 23 games with St. Louis, the smooth-skating Redden , favorite son of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, scored only two goals and had five points. For the two years Redden spent in the AHL, noted Chiarelli, it was as if he had beenincarcerated jailed per the consequences of his limited game and 667696 Boston Bruins

Wade Redden to travel to Boston Thursday, doubtful for game by Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff April 3, 2013 05:35 PM

Wade Redden, acquired from the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, is planning to travel to Boston on Thursday, but Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli didn’t think Redden would play against New Jersey. The Bruins will not recall a center from Providence for Thursday’s game to replace Patrice Bergeron (concussion). Kaspars Daugavins has played center, and he and Jaromir Jagr will make their Bruins debuts against the Devils. Thursday’s possible lineup: Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Nathan Horton Brad Marchand-Rich Peverley-Tyler Seguin Jay Pandolfo-Kaspars Daugavins-Jaromir Jagr Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton Zdeno Chara-Dougie Hamilton Matt Bartkowski-Dennis Seidenberg Andrew Ference-Johnny Boychuk Tuukka Rask Anton Khudobin * Chiarelli said Chris Kelly (broken left tibia) will be playing soon. Chiarelli didn’t disclose a specific timetable for the center’s return. Kelly skated Wednesday for the third straight day. Boston Globe LOADED: 04.04.2013 667697 Boston Bruins

Bruins acquire Wade Redden from St. Louis

April 3, 2013 03:32 PM By Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff

The Bruins have added to their defense by acquiring Wade Redden from the St. Louis Blues for a draft pick. Redden is the veteran left-shot defenseman the Bruins needed heading into the stretch run. Comcast SportsNet New England first reported the deal. Redden has two goals and three assists in 23 games this season, averaging 14:59 of ice time. He projects to be a depth defenseman who could assume some power-play shifts. Redden is averaging 0:50 of power- play ice time. The 35-year-old Redden was teammates in Ottawa with Zdeno Chara and Chris Kelly. Boston Globe LOADED: 04.04.2013 667698 Boston Bruins

Bruins trade Max Sauve to Chicago for Rob Flick

By Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff

The Bruins have traded 2008 second-round pick Max Sauve to Chicago for forward Rob Flick. Flick was selected by Chicago in the fourth round of the 2010 draft. The 22- year-old has three goals and two assists in 51 games for Rockford, Chicago’s AHL affiliate. Flick has 97 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-2, 208- pound Flick will be a size upgrade over the perpetually injured Sauve. Sauve scored 10 goals and 13 assists for Providence this season. Sauve is a fast and skilled wing, but has never been able to stay healthy. Boston Globe LOADED: 04.04.2013 667699 Boston Bruins

Patrice Bergeron has concussion

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Steve Conroy While Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli held a press conference to discuss yesterday’s trade deadline, he also delivered the most pertinent news with regard to his team’s immediate future. And it wasn’t good. Chiarelli announced that center Patrice Bergeron suffered a concussion — the fourth of his career — in the second period of the B’s 3-2 victory against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday at the Garden. Chiarelli described the concussion as “moderate” but warned that brain injuries are hard to gauge. He gave no timetable for a Bergeron return. “I talked to him about an hour ago and he was in very good spirits. He was out walking,” Chiarelli said at his 5 p.m. press conference. “He was annoyed at it, and he was emotional (Tuesday) night. I asked him if I could update the media and he said, ‘Sure.’ . . . He sounded really good and I told him that we’ll work together in getting him back.” Bergeron was injured while defending against Ottawa’s Colin Greening, who inadvertently caught him in the back of the head behind the left ear with his elbow. Bergeron got up slowly and skated off the ice. He did not return. Chiarelli said the Bergeron injury had him thinking about obtaining more help up front, but he decided against it. “It crossed my mind,” the GM said. “But we’ve got a good group. We added a terrific player (Tuesday in Jaromir Jagr). We added a useful player the other day in (Kaspars) Daugavins, we’re a well-coached team, we defend well, we’re going to improve our offense. You see a player like Patrice go down and there’s no way I’m going to replace him because there wasn’t that caliber of player, so I’m not going to go around chasing it all day. “And you’ve seen it across the league where teams have picked it up when they’ve had injuries, and I expect us to do the same.” The Bruins can’t afford to lose Bergeron for any length of time. He is the team’s best two-way forward and has been their most consistent player. He leads the B’s with 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) and a plus-23 rating, and he is the NHL leader in faceoff win percentage at 61.5. Chiarelli wouldn’t divulge how the team will replace him in the lineup, but he does not plan to call up a center from Providence. The least disruptive move would be for Tyler Seguin to move to center and Jagr to play on the right wing with Brad Marchand on the left. Chiarelli also said Daugavins could play center somewhere in the lineup. As for Bergeron’s past concussions, the most recent was in Game 4 of the Bruins’ sweep of the Flyers — on a blow delivered by Claude Giroux — during their march to the 2010-11 Stanley Cup. After a long layoff between series, Bergeron missed the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals but played in every game the rest of the way. The first concussion he suffered cost him nearly the entire 2007-08 season when he was hit from behind by the Flyers’ Randy Jones on October 27, 2007. He returned the following year but missed 15 games when he suffered a concussion on a hit from current teammate Dennis Seidenberg, then with the Carolina Hurricanes. Boston Herald LOADED: 04.04.2013 667700 Boston Bruins

Bruins add D Wade Redden to the mix

By Steve Conroy / Boston Herald

In a move that added to the team's defensive depth, the Bruins obtained St. Louis defenseman Wade Redden for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2014. The 35-year-old Redden played with Zdeno Chara for the Ottawa Senators and, ironically, it was the Sens' decision to keep Redden and sign him to a two-year deal in the summer of 2006 that essentially forced Chara into free agency and to the Bruins. Redden later signed a big contract with the New York Rangers but, after fitting in poorly with the Blueshirts, he and his $6.5 million cap hit were buried in the minors until Redden was bought out after last fall's lockout ended. He signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Blues, with whom he has 2- 3-5 totals and is minus-2 in 23 games. He had some very productive numbers in his time with the Sens, his most productive year being 2005-06 — B's GM Peter Chiarelli's last year as assistant GM in Ottawa — when he had 10-40-50 totals and was plus-35. The conditional seventh-rounder becomes a sixth-round pick in 2014 if Redden plays in one or more games during the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Bruins had the distinction of making the first trade of the day, but it was just a minor league deal as they sent speedy but oft-injured center Maxime Sauve, their second-round draft pick (47th overall) in 2008, to the Chicago Blackhawks for center Rob Flick (4th rounder in 2010), who has 3-2-5 totals and 97 PIMs for Rockford in the AHL. Perhaps the biggest deal that could directly affect the Bruins is the one made by the Ottawa Senators, a possible first-round opponent for the B's. With Robin Lehner playing well and Craig Anderson coming back from injury, the Sens traded goalie Ben Bishop to the Tampa Bay Lightning for for Calder Trophy candidate Cory Conacher. The biggest deal of the day had the struggling New York Rangers, in what would seem like an acknowledgment that they lost their edge without the likes of Brandon Prust and Brandon Dubinksy, shipping the highly talented Marian Gaborik to the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Derick Brassard, scrappy Derek Dorsett (currently out for the season with a broken collarbone), defenseman John Moore and a sixth-round draft pick. Boston Herald LOADED: 04.04.2013 667701 Boston Bruins totals and 97 penalty minutes in the AHL this season. Flick returns some size to the organization after the loss of Lane MacDermid and prospect Cody Payne the previous day in the Jaromir Jagr deal. Wade Redden adds to depth on ‘D’ “Sauve’s been injured quite a bit, but he’s a good kid and probably deserved an opportunity with another organization,” Chiarelli said. . . .

Thursday, April 4, 2013 Chiarelli, though optimistic, wouldn’t give a timetable on a return by Kelly from a broken tibia. By: Steve Conroy “He’ll be playing for us soon,” Chiarelli said. Boston Herald LOADED: 04.04.2013 Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli has been known to swim in familiar waters and, at yesterday’s NHL trade deadline, he took another plunge. With the clock winding down toward the 3 p.m. deadline, Chiarelli obtained defenseman Wade Redden, who enjoyed some of his best NHL seasons with the Senators while Chiarelli was an assistant GM in Ottawa, from the St. Louis Blues for a conditional late-round draft pick in 2014. “I had to get the band back together,” said Chiarelli, who already has defenseman Zdeno Chara and center Chris Kelly with him from those old Senators teams. If Redden plays one or more playoff games for the B’s this year, the Blues will receive a sixth-round pick, if not it’s a seventh-rounder. Redden will be traveling to Boston today but most likely won’t play in tonight’s game at the Garden against the New Jersey Devils. He was happy to be joining friends in Chara, Kelly and Chiarelli. “I’m excited for sure,” Redden said. “Obviously they’re great teammates, and Peter was obviously thought highly of when he was in Ottawa with us. He’s done a great job there in Boston, too, since he’s been GM. I really know what they’re all about and what kind of people they are, so I’m definitely excited to be going to a team like that.” While he was once one of the NHL’s better offensive defensemen, the 35- year-old Redden is considered a depth acquisition and could well be in and out of the lineup, especially whenever Adam McQuaid returns from his shoulder injury. Chiarelli also said he’d like to see a little more of Matt Bartkowski, but with the condensed schedule, Redden will almost surely get a shot to play at some point. “Wade isn’t the player he used to be, but he’s a very smart player,” Chiarelli said. “He can help us in certain ways.” Redden played an indirect part in the rebuilding of the Bruins. Back in the summer of 2006, the Senators were faced with two of their top defensemen, Redden and Chara, becoming unrestricted free agents. Ottawa could only sign one of the players and chose to make it Redden. Chara subsequently signed with the Bruins, who had Chiarelli coming in as their new GM (because of an agreement with the NHL, he was forbidden to conduct any business at the time that Chara signed on July 1, 2006). While Chara went on to win a Norris Trophy and Stanley Cup with the B’s, Redden had a much different career arc. He re-upped with the Senators for two years, then signed a massive deal with the Rangers, which New York would soon regret. The Rangers would eventually bury him, and his $6.5 million cap hit, for two years in the AHL When the new CBA was finally signed, the Rangers were allowed to buy him out in January and he signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Blues, where he had 2-3-5 totals in 23 games. “It was kind of a funny year all around, I guess, with the lockout and my situation after being away from it for two years (while in the AHL),” Redden said. “But right off the bat it was exciting to come back, and it felt really good to be back. I played my 1,000th game six games in, so it was kind of a real high right off the bat. And then it settled in and I was just kind of getting my feet under me after that. “Lately I’ve been feeling pretty good. . . . I was happy with what I was able to do here and how I felt. Obviously, I’m excited to be back and looking forward to Boston now.” Bruins notes The Bruins had the distinction of making the first trade of the day, but it was just a minor league deal that sent speedy but oft-injured center Maxime Sauve, a second-round draft pick (47th overall) in 2008, to the Chicago Blackhawks for center Rob Flick (a fourth-rounder in 2010), who has 3-2-5 667702 Boston Bruins from San Jose, Iginla from Calgary and, yesterday, forward Jussi Jokinen from Carolina. That’s four useful talents that made an already-strong team significantly more so. NHL deadline nears to pick up play “Well, they’re a lock, right?” Chiarelli said facetiously after the Bruins lost Iginla to the Pens last week.

Thursday, April 4, 2013 Well, assuming that Pittsburgh star center Sidney Crosby isn’t out long with his broken jaw, it may turn out that the Penguins were a lock. But the B’s, Stephen Harris assuming they rediscover their missing identity, are somewhat better positioned with Jagr to make a deep postseason run. Ottawa made one of the best moves of Deadline Day, sending unneeded The Bruins could add Jaromir Jagr, Jarome Iginla and Wayne Gretzky to goalie Ben Bishop to Tampa Bay for outstanding rookie center Cory the roster and not go far in the playoffs if they play less-than-sound hockey Conacher. The Senators view rookie Robin Lehner, who stopped 47 shots like they did in Tuesday night’s 3-2 win against the Ottawa Senators, which, Tuesday night at the Garden, as their future franchise guy and have No. 1 indeed, is the way they have played much of this season. Craig Anderson returning from injury. So the Senators moved Bishop to a team for which he should play, and got the 5-foot-8, 180-pound Conacher, The ills aren’t guaranteed to be cured by the arrival of the 41-year-old Jagr, who plays a lot like Marchand and will make Ottawa even more of a high- who will don a B’s jersey this morning and debut tonight at the Garden compete-level team. against the New Jersey Devils. The Bruins can learn something from how the overachieving Senators play. It seems certain that Jagr will help on the ice. After all, he walks through the They have 13 games to apply those lessons. door and becomes, with Brad Marchand, the team leader with 14 goals. How could he not help, considering that on many nights this season the Boston Herald LOADED: 04.04.2013 Bruins have had maybe half of their 12 forwards playing and competing at optimum levels. If that compete level and quality of performance don’t improve, dramatically and consistently, over the final 13 regular-season games, will the B’s really look like a serious Stanley Cup contender? “We have 13 games left,” general manager Peter Chiarelli yesterday at his post-trade deadline press conference. “That’s not many, so it’s time to start thinking about ramping up. It’s easy to think about it; to do it is hard. That’s what our goal and objective is now.” These days in NHL circles it’s trendy to talk about a team’s “culture” and “identity.” In theory, the Bruins are rich in those regards. This is a team with a legacy of sound team defense, toughness and hard work. It is a team which prides itself on being hard to play against. But the Bruins haven’t been at their best frequently this year, and they haven’t been particularly hard to play against. “There was even inconsistency while they were winning earlier,” one NHL pro scout said. “That has lingered around the whole year. That record they had early — what was it, 17-4 (17-3-3) or whatever? — it was deceptive. They had guys who weren’t pulling their weight, or guys who weren’t showing up. You could count on one hand the number of games when they had everything going.” Will the arrival of Jagr wake up the team? “I probably would have taken Iginla over Jagr, but after that, he’s a great acquisition,” the scout said. “I think the guys are just going to be excited that he’s in that room, which means a lot. That’s a big thing. When he steps in that room, as the player and the guy that he is, I think he’s going to have a big impact. When he was with the Flyers, you saw how (Claude) Giroux and (Scott) Hartnell and guys like that spoke so highly of him, with what he did for the young guys there, how he led by example and his work ethic and everything. He took that into Dallas also. So he’s definitely committed. “I don’t think you’re getting a guy almost at the end of his career who isn’t hungry to win.” By adding Jagr without subtracting any roster players, the Bruins did pretty well in a difficult trade market. Defenseman Wade Redden, picked up from St. Louis just before yesterday’s 3 p.m deadline, likely has something to offer on the ice as a likely No. 6 or No. 7, and certainly does add something off the ice as a highly experienced leader. On Deadline Day, there were really only four or five teams realistically out of playoff contention and thus willing to discard players. It was an unusually slow trade market. “The most difficult trade period I’ve been part of in my time in hockey,” Chiarelli said. “At the end there weren’t really a lot of players available.” The sub-par quality of their play notwithstanding, the Bruins are still regarded as one of the NHL’s top teams. But it was the Pittsburgh Penguins who struck it rich in the trade market, acquiring forward Brenden Morrow from Dallas, defenseman Doug Murray 667703 Buffalo Sabres Pominville spent 11 years in the Sabres organization, including the last two as captain. He played 578 games for Buffalo, recording 185 goals, 271 assists and 456 points. Sabres continue to clean house “Everything he represents as a player you can multiply by a big number as Trade of Pominville is biggest step yet a person,” Regier said. “Extremely grateful for everything he’s done and wish him only the best.” Larsson and Hackett were preparing to take part in the Wild’s morning BY: John Vogl skate prior to facing the San Jose Sharks when the trade was finalized. Published: April 3, 2013, 10:42 PM “It’s been kind of a weird day,” Larsson said by phone. “We’re in San Jose right now, and I just stepped on the ice and they took me off, then we go Updated: April 4, 2013, 12:41 AM from there.” The 5-foot-10, 200-pounder can play center and wing. He was the captain of the Sweden’s world junior team and won a gold medal. It’s been a rough couple of years for the Buffalo Sabres and their fans. It’s going to get worse. “I’m kind of an all-around player, play hard, work hard, play physical and make some plays,” said Larsson, who appeared in one NHL game. “I didn’t The struggling Sabres have committed to rebuilding through youth and NHL know so much about Buffalo, but I’m really excited to come there and play. I draft picks. The overhaul began in earnest Wednesday when Buffalo traded hear they have a good crowd.” captain Jason Pominville to Minnesota for two prospects and a pair of picks. It’s a crowd accustomed to lean times and and should expect them to get Sabres owner Terry Pegula had a three-year plan to win the Stanley Cup leaner. when he purchased the team in February 2011, but the dismantling of the roster has put thorns through that rosy outlook. “If you don’t have a foundation of players with which to add free agents to, you’re not likely to be successful, and we weren’t,” Regier said. “It didn’t “It is going to involve rolling back a little bit organizationally,” General work, so we did make a shift.” Manager Darcy Regier said in First Niagara Center. “It’s really difficult to put an exact timeline on it. Obviously, you want it to be as short as possible, but Buffalo News LOADED: 04.04.2013 you’re going to have to accumulate the players, develop the players. “It’s difficult standing here right now to say it’s going to be a year or two years. We’re going to work as hard as we can at this and get it done as quickly as possible.” The Sabres began selling veterans over the weekend when they shipped out defensemen Jordan Leopold and Robyn Regehr. Buffalo accumulated six draft picks in the three deals: a first-round selection this June; four second-rounders (one this year, two in 2014 and one in 2015); and a conditional fifth-round pick this year. “It will provide us with an opportunity to stock the shelves pretty well,” said Regier, who conceded not every player selected will be successful, possibly extending the rebuilding time. “I’m not going to use the ‘R’ word, but it allows us to continue to draft and develop players and build the organization. “There’s very few organizations that haven’t had to endure some pain in order to win.” The loss of Pominville will be felt immediately. Not only do the Sabres lose a popular leader who was fourth on the team in scoring, but neither prospect acquired in the deal – Swedish forward Johan Larsson, 20, and Canadian goaltender Matthew Hackett, 23 – will play for Buffalo. They have been sent to the minor-league club in Rochester. “It’s not fun being where we are,” said Regier, whose team entered Wednesday’s schedule 25th in the 30-team league. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan or you’re in my position, there’s no enjoyment out of it. But there is an opportunity. What we’re going to do is seize on the opportunity.” More well-known, established players are expected to depart. Leading scorer Thomas Vanek, who does not want to be part of a lengthy rebuild, and goalie Ryan Miller have one year left on their contracts. That makes them prime trade targets. “It will continue after the season,” Regier said of the revamping. “To what extent has yet to be determined.” Regier said he had no plans to trade Pominville until Tuesday night. Minnesota initially inquired about the right winger three weeks ago, but talks evaporated quickly. Pominville had a modified no-trade clause, and he could provide a list of eight teams to which he could not be traded. Regier asked him for the list earlier this week just in case a team called prior to Wednesday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline. “Jason Pominville may have been at the bottom of the list of players that I wanted to move,” said Regier, who phoned Pominville with the news before filing the trade with the league. “I felt bad because when I’d asked him for the list there was nothing going on. Within a few days, he’s been traded. I took him through that and just thanked him for everything.” 667704 Buffalo Sabres Lindy Ruff was sent packing this season and rightfully so. He should have been fired last year, when it became evident his players muted his message. Regier should have been kicked to the curb with him but instead Regier cleaning up his own mess is messed up received a contract extension. He sounded like a man Wednesday who would be in charge of the rebuilding project. Just so we’re straight, the same man who made the mess is now in charge BY: Bucky Gleason of cleaning up the mess and, if he sticks around, will have an opportunity to make another mess. Seriously, that’s messed up. Published: April 3, 2013, 12:53 PM Remember, when Terry Pegula purchased the team just more than two Updated: April 4, 2013, 12:49 AM years ago, he expected to win the Stanley Cup in three. Now, they’re worse than when he arrived. Yes, they have regressed. The R&R Railroad continues chugging along to destinations unknown with Darcy Regier didn’t want to use the R-word while announcing that Jason Ruff being replaced by Ron Rolston and getting basically the same results. Pominville had been traded to Minnesota for two prospects and two draft Now that the Sabres can’t get much worse, it’s only a matter of time before picks Wednesday. The coy general manager didn’t need to get specific. the slightest improvement is sold as monumental progress. It’s ridiculous. Anyone listening understood he was talking about some derivative of rebuilding. Certainly, someone would suggest that it’s all good because at least the franchise survived the worst R-word in the dictionary: relocation. Here’s a Reloading, retooling, reworking, reconstructing, take your pick. dose of reality: Gary Bettman was never going to allow that to happen If the Sabres were smart, they would reach into their bowl of alphabet soup based on its fan base and geographic advantages. In truth, there would for a few more R-words. Here are two in particular that carry a nice ring: have been a rebellion. Replace Regier. In the end, Regier had no choice but to send Pominville on his way like so They’re infinitely cleaner and far more sensible than the choice words fans many other good ones who left town for all of the wrong reasons. are using – words that begin with other letters. The Sabres have had too They have been grossly mismanaged for years. Regier is in his 16th few W’s and way too many L’s, which is why so many fans are getting season and is still learning lessons the hard way, but his mistakes come increasingly PO’d. By the sounds of things, it’s going to get worse. without repercussion. Regier deserves no criticism for the trade itself. He picked up a first-round I’ll say it again: managing a hockey team isn’t about spending the most. It’s pick, a second-round pick plus prospects Johan Larsson and Matt Hackett about spending the wisest. And with the Sabres not getting a bang from the Wild. Overall, it’s a pretty good haul for a guy who had one full commensurate with the buck, he has been exposed. It doesn’t take much season remaining on his contract with a team going nowhere. for a general manager to lose leverage, as Regier found out this season. Larsson is a 20-year-old forward whom the Wild hoped would be a Veterans in particular look around, assess the future, and start looking for dependable third-line player in the NHL, perhaps a second-liner. They had the door if they don’t like the view. My guess is Pominville would have concerns about Hackett’s mental toughness, but the goaltender showed rather stayed in Buffalo if the Sabres had a real chance of winning. But flashes of brilliance last season. when it became obvious, he handed over his list of teams for the Sabres to Draft picks always come with a degree of uncertainty, but Regier figured he avoid and landed in Minnesota. would increase his odds for hitting on a few players if he had more He’s not the first good player to leave town, and he’s not going to be the opportunities. He’s playing the percentages. By itself, it makes sense. last. Vanek already stated he doesn’t want to be part of a long rebuilding The real issue is the reason Regier was forced to trade his captain in the project. He and Miller are signed through next season and are set to first place. He needs a new foundation because the one he built has become unrestricted free agents. They’re reaching a stage in their careers crumbled under a mountain of his mistakes. The plan now calls for where they want to win the Cup. beginning at the bottom. Check the standings, and you’ll see that the I’ll forever be convinced that they made that run from near the bottom of the Sabres aren’t far from their starting point. Eastern Conference to the No. 7 playoff seed in 2010-11 because players “It’s no fun being where we are,” Regier said. “It doesn’t matter whether were inspired about Pegula’s pending arrival. They expected big changes. you’re a fan or you’re in my position. There’s no enjoyment out of it. There’s Instead, he adhered to the status quo and ended up with an uninspired an opportunity. What we’re going to do is seize on the opportunity.” team that put together a string of listless efforts. The difference between him and the fans, of course, is that he’s getting paid But what the heck? That’s just my opinion. It’s based on in this R-word: for not doing his job while fans are paying him to not do his job. Their results. loyalty, which hasn’t wavered no matter how many times he botched Regier gets a reward. decisions, will be tested. Fans deserve a refund. Regier called it “rolling back,” which was his way of convincing you that the Sabres need to pull their truck in reverse in order to plow forward. They Buffalo News LOADED: 04.04.2013 want to draft and develop players with the idea they can supplement their roster through trades and free agency when the right opportunity comes along. The timeline? No timeline. The so-called core? No core. Regier for years sold fans on the notion that Pominville was part of a collection of players who would lead them to greatness. It included Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford. Let’s not forget Paul Gaustad and Derek Roy, who have since been traded. Wait, I almost forgot Jochen Hecht. He’s still here, for some unknown reason. “We tried to add to that,” Regier said, “and it didn’t work.” He’s right. It didn’t work. In fact, it failed miserably because Regier put his money on the wrong players or failed to acquire the right players around them or, more accurately, a combination of both. The Sabres have missed the postseason three times in five years, soon to be four in six. Obviously, it didn’t work. 667705 Buffalo Sabres Conacher, the former Canisius College star, had nine goals and 15 assists in 35 goals for Tampa Bay. He was the American Hockey League’s MVP last year and also named the league’s top rookie – a season capped by him Flurry of deals occur at deadline following relatively quiet day helping the Lightning’s then minor-league affiliate in Norfolk win the Calder Cup championship. Bishop has appeared in 13 games with the Senators this season, posting NEWS Staff and wire Reports an 8-5 record, a .922 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average. Published: April 3, 2013, 12:32 PM “It’s always a little shocking,” Conacher told Bruce Garioch of the Ottawa Sun. “A new start in Ottawa. I’m excited to go to Ottawa. Updated: April 3, 2013, 12:33 PM “I’m going to go there and try to help the team win. I’m excited.” Conacher is from Burlington, Ont., and will make his Senators debut Friday The NHL’s trade deadline day was quiet until the final hour, when a handful night against the Sabres in Buffalo. of players, including Sabres captain Jason Pominville, were exchanged. The Carolina Hurricanes shipped Jussi Jokinen to Pittsburgh for a At about the time Pominville was being sent to Minnesota, the New York conditional pick. Jokinen, 30, scored 30 goals in 2009-10 but slipped to six Rangers traded 31-year-old forward Marian Gaborik to the Columbus Blue this year and had been placed on waivers. Jackets for center Derick Brassard, defenseman John Moore, forward Derek Dorsett and a sixth-round pick. The morning produced no activity of note, with the biggest news being that Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff didn’t want to be traded and that he Gaborik has nine goals and 10 assists in 35 games this season and has would retire at the end of the season. one year left of a contract that carries a cap hit of $7.5 million. There were several minor deals. St. Louis sent defenseman Wade Redden, Brassard has seven goals and 11 assists this season and Moore, a first- who has played in 1,017 NHL games, to Boston for a conditional seventh- round choice in 2009, has one point in 17 games. round draft pick next year that becomes a sixth-rounder if he plays in at least one game during this year’s playoffs. He has two goals and three In a deal announced late, New Jersey acquired 38-year-old forward Steve assists in 23 games this season. Sullivan from Phoenix for a seventh-round draft pick. He played for the Devils for parts of two seasons at the start of his NHL career from 1995-97. In another deal involving the Bruins, Chicago sent Rob Flick to Boston for Sullivan signed with Phoenix as a free agent during the offseason and had Maxime Sauve, and then Nashville shipped defenseman Scott Hannan to some good stretches with the Coyotes, scoring five goals with seven assists San Jose for a conditional sixth/seventh-round pick. Sauve has Sabres in 33 games, though he hadn’t registered a point in the last 10 games. connections in that he’s the nephew of former Buffalo goaltender Bob Sauve and son of ex-Sabres forward J.F. Sauve. The Coyotes also traded center Matthew Lombardi to the Anaheim Ducks for left wing Brandon McMillan. Lombardi (four goals, eight points in 21 Also, winger Jerred Smithson was sent by Florida to Edmonton for a games) returned to Phoenix this season after being traded from Toronto midround pick. during training camp. He missed 12 games early in the season with an upper-body injury and didn’t provide the Coyotes with the scoring punch Two players were picked up on waivers. Winnipeg grabbed Mike Santorelli they had hoped and was a healthy scratch March 25 after failing to register from Florida Panthers and Philadelphia took Adam Hall from Tampa Bay. a point in seven straight games. Hall had been acquired Tuesday with a seventh-round draft pick for Marc- Andre Bergeron. In another late deal, the Toronto Maple Leafs bolstered their defense by acquiring Ryan O’Byrne, 28, from the Colorado Avalanche for a fourth- There were significant trades leading up to deadline day. round draft pick in 2014. O’Byrne has a goal and three assists in 34 games this season for Colorado, which currently owns the worst mark in the NHL. The biggest names to move were high-scoring wingers Jarome Iginla and He goes to a team in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Jaromir Jagr. Also, the Washington Capitals sent Filip Forsberg, the 11th overall pick in The Pittsburgh Penguins got Iginla from Calgary for two prospects and a the 2012 draft, to the Nashville Predators for forwards Martin Erat and first-round pick, and he scored his first goal with his new team against the Michael Latta. Erat has four goals and 17 assists this and has two seasons Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night. They also picked up Brenden Morrow and remaining on a contract with a cap hit of $4.5 million per season. The 31- a third-round pick from Dallas for defenseman Joe Morrow and a fifth-round year-old has 163 goals and 318 assists in 723 NHL games. Latta was a pick. third-round pick in 2009 and has 35 points in 69 games this season for the The Boston Bruins picked up Jagr from Dallas for two prospects and a Milwaukee Admirals. second-round pick. Forsberg totaled 33 points in 38 games with Leksand of the Swedish Dallas also traded center Derek Roy, who was acquired from the Sabres in League. He is only 18 years old. the offseason for winger Steve Ott, to Vancouver for a second-round pick Also, San Jose acquired forward Raffi Torres from Phoenix for a third-round and a prospect. draft pick and the Columbus received Blake Comeau from Calgary for a The Rangers added size on the wing with a trade for Ryane Clowe, sending fifth-rounder and sent goalie Steve Mason to Philadelphia for goalie Michael a second- and a third-round pick plus a condition fifth-rounder to the San Leighton and a third-round pick in 2015. Torres has played for the New Jose Sharks. Clowe is a power forward but has not scored a goal this year. York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks and Phoenix Coyotes. He has been traded three times The Kings acquired veteran defenseman Robyn Regehr from the Sabres on at the deadline. Monday, two days after Buffalo traded blue-liner Jordan Leopold to St. Louis. The Blues also added defenseman Jay Bouwmeester from Calgary One player of note who was not moved was Vancouver goalie Roberto shortly after picking up Leopold. The Flames received two prospects and a Luongo. He was long rumored to be a target of the Toronto Maple Leafs. first-round pick. He will continue to split games with Cory Schneider. Buffalo News LOADED: 04.04.2013 Toronto Star columnist Damien Cox tweeted that Luongo said, “My contract … , that’s why I’m still here.” Luongo’s contract runs through 2021-22 at a cap hit of $5.33 million per season. The Tampa Bay Lightning made the first big deal on NHL trade deadline day, acquiring goaltender Ben Bishop from the Ottawa Senators for rookie winger Cory Conacher and a fourth-round pick in the early afternoon. Bishop has filled in well with Ottawa while starter Craig Anderson was recovering from an injury. 667706 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres' Regier reiterates need to focus past this season on deadline day

By John Vogl

The Sabres' impressive win over Pittsburgh apparently has not changed Darcy Regier's plan for his team. The general manager told Sabres.com this morning that this trade deadline day is different for him because he's looking toward the future instead of this season. "It’s different because we’re where we are in the standings and where we are given the shortened season," Regier told the team website. "Our focus has moved to next season and even beyond that. It changes how we view our current lineup, our current roster, and it changes … we’re moving the timeline down a little bit." The Sabres beat the Penguins on Tuesday, 4-1, to snap the Pens' 15-game winning streak. Still, Buffalo is just 14-17-6 and in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with 11 games remaining. The Sabres will be sellers today, but it remains to be seen how the trade market reacts. "I have no idea," Regier said of what will happen. "That’s not … I know some of the players that are in play. I know what teams are generally looking for, so you have a sense of the market, but whether those deals actually are consummated, it’s too hard to know right now. "Depending whether you’re buying or selling, there’ll be a reference to other trades, but ultimately it comes down to how badly a team wants a player and how open a team is to trading a player. That will drive the price." Buffalo News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667707 Buffalo Sabres

Larsson's 'weird day' starts with leaving Wild's morning skate, ends with Sabres and Amerks

April 3, 2013 - 7:12 PM By John Vogl

Johan Larsson was in his Minnesota Wild gear today, ready to take part in the morning skate. The session didn't last long. The Wild and Sabres agreed to a trade that sent Larsson to Buffalo as part of a deal for Jason Pominville, so Minnesota took the forward off the ice to prevent injury. "It’s been kind of a weird day," Larsson said by phone this evening. "We’re in San Jose right now, and I just stepped on the ice and they took me off, then we go from there." Larsson's next stop is Houston to gather his belongings, and he anticipates being in Rochester on Thursday evening. The Sabres said they will have him play for the Amerks. "I’m excited to come there," said the 5-foot-10, 200-pounder. "I’m kind of an all-around player, play hard, work hard, play physical and make some plays. You come over here you have to bear down every time. I’ve been practicing a lot of that and keep practicing on it, but I’ve improved a little bit." Buffalo News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667708 Buffalo Sabres

With trade to Sens, Canisius' Conacher gains in standings, gets earlier trip back to Buffalo

April 3, 2013 - 6:39 PM By Mike Harrington

Cory Conacher is losing out on the Florida sun but he got a big jump in the standings and a much shorter trip to games for his family. The former Canisius College star was traded Wednesday by the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Ottawa Senators for goalie Ben Bishop in one of the more interesting trades on deadline day. Oddly enough, Conacher's debut with the Senators will come here Friday night against the Sabres. He had been scheduled to play the Buffalo homecoming game with Tampa on April 14. Conacher left Tampa Wednesday on a flight to Boston to join the Senators. "I was counting down the days when I was with Tampa and the Tampa team play Buffalo in about a week. And now I get to play them sooner," Conacher said on Team 1200 Radio in Ottawa before boarding the flight. "So it's going to be a lot of fun to go to Buffalo to see some old friends from school, my old coach as well. It's going to be a fun little trip there, a fun start to my Ottawa career and hopefully we get a win there." Click below to hear the entire Conacher interview Cory Conacher Buffalo News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667709 Buffalo Sabres

Regier puts focus on rebuilding Sabres' foundation with trade of Pominville (with audio)

April 3, 2013 - 5:49 PM By John Vogl

Darcy Regier says maybe the Buffalo Sabres could have enjoyed another late surge and sneaked into a playoff spot. But the odds of winning the Stanley Cup this season were extremely slim, so the general manager was determined to look toward the future. "The preference is to build for a Stanley Cup rather than a playoff spot," Regier said today after trading captain Jason Pominville to Minnesota for two prospects and a pair of draft picks, including a first-round selection this June. "It's no fun being where we are. There's no enjoyment, but there is an opportunity." Pominville, who went to the Wild along with a fourth-round pick in 2014, is the third veteran to depart Buffalo during the past week. He joined defensemen Robyn Regehr and Jordan Leopold, who combined to net the Sabres three second-round picks and a conditional fourth. "This will give us the opportunity to stock the shelves," Regier said. It's an immediate step back, however. Pominville had 10 goals and 25 points for the Sabres. Aquisitions Johan Larsson, a forward, and Matt Hackett, a goaltender, will report to the Rochester Americans. The Wild made an initial inquiry about Pominville about three weeks ago, Regier said, but the interest quickly disappeared. The captain has a modified no-trade clause in which he can submit a list of eight teams to which he cannot be traded, and Regier asked Pominville for it just in case any talks resumed. The Wild called Tuesday night, Regier said, and the deal (which includes Buffalo getting Minnesota's second-round selection in 2014) came together today. While Regier said he did not want to bring up the "R" word -- rebuild -- it's clear that is the Sabres' path since they lack, in the GM's words, a "foundation." "You want to make the painful period as short as possible," said Regier. "It's really difficult to put an exact timeline on it. It's difficult standing here to say it's going to be a year or two." Buffalo News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667710 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres' Larsson, known as 'The Bull,' has shown improvement as scorer

April 3, 2013 - 4:46 PM By John Vogl

New Sabres acquisition Johan Larsson is known as a defensive forward, a powerful center/winger who goes by the nickname of "The Bull" in his native Sweden. He's begun to add finesse, too. Larsson, a 20-year-old who is coming to Buffalo as part of the deal that sent Jason Pominville to Minnesota, had 12 goals in 49 games during his last season in the Swedish league. In the American Hockey League this year, Larsson recorded 15 goals and 37 points in 62 games. "Johan is a player that has continued to get better since he was a young player first being evaluated for the draft," his agent, Craig Oster, said about the 5-foot-10, 200-pounder. "He’s not a tall player but extremely stocky, very, very strong. I think his nickname in Sweden is 'the Bull.' "He’s demonstrated at different times a little bit more of a scoring touch than people had originally anticipated. "He can play center, wing, penalty killer. If I had to categorize him, responsibly defensive forward who can also chip in offensively and has some offensive creativity." Buffalo News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667711 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres trade Jason Pominville to Minnesota for prospects Johan Larsson, Matt Hackett, two picks

April 3, 2013 - 3:32 PM By John Vogl

It's official: The Sabres have made a significant alteration to their franchise, shipping captain Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild. The Sabres will receive Johan Larsson, a 20-year-old center/winger who has played one NHL game. Larsson was captain of Sweden's world junior team. He was a second-round pick in the 2010 draft. The 5-foot-10, 200- pounder had 15 goals, 22 assists and 37 points in 62 minor-league games this season. He's been categorized as a responsibly defensive forward who can also chip in offensively. The Sabres also will receive goaltender Matt Hackett, a 23-year-old who was picked in the third round in 2009. He has played 13 NHL games, including one this season. In his career, he is 3-7 with a 2.64 goals-against average and .914 save percentage. Hackett was 19-20-3 with a 2.66 and .907 save percentage with the Wild's minor-league club in Houston. He's 6-2, 173 pounds. TSN reports the Sabres have also received Minnesota's first-round pick this year and a second-round selection in 2014. The Wild gets Buffalo's fourth- round selection in 2014. Pominville had spent his entire 11-year pro career in the Sabres' organization, including the past two seasons as team captain. The right winger has 10 goals and 25 points in 35 games this season. The 30-year- old has 185 goals and 456 points in 578 games with the Sabres. He has one year remaining on a contract that pays $5.3 million annually. Buffalo News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667712 Buffalo Sabres

Tampa trades former Canisius star Conacher to Ottawa for goaltender; Sens visit Buffalo on Friday

April 3, 2013 - 2:24 PM By John Vogl

Cory Conacher, the former Canisius star who was named MVP of the AHL last season, is on his way to Ottawa. Tampa has dealt the forward to the Senators, along with a fourth-round pick, in exchange for goaltender Ben Bishop. The Sabres host Ottawa on Friday. The 23-year-old Conacher has nine goals and 24 points in 35 games to garner consideration for NHL Rookie of the Year. He has just two goals in the last 17 games. Tampa Bay has been in dire need of goaltending, though, and Bishop was in a logjam with the Senators behind injured Craig Anderson and prospect Robin Lehner. Bishop, 21, is 8-5 with a 2.45 goals-against average and . 922 save percentage. Buffalo News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667713 Buffalo Sabres 3-3-10 Acquired RW Raffi Torres from Columbus for D Nathan Paetsch, second-round pick; traded RW Clarke MacArthur to Atlanta for third- and fourth-round picks. List of Sabres' deadline deals under Darcy Regier 2-28-11 Acquired LW Brad Boyes from St. Louis for second-round pick. 2-27-12 Acquired C Cody Hodgson and D Alexander Sulzer from April 3, 2013 - 10:58 AM Vancouver for RW Zack Kassian and D Marc-Andre Gragnani; traded C Paul Gaustad and fourth-round pick to Nashville for first-round pick. Buffalo News LOADED: 04.04.2013 Darcy Regier is busy every year around the trade deadline. Here are the moves made by the Sabres' general manager. 2-4-98 Acquired Geoff Sanderson from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Brad May and a third-round draft pick in 1999. 3-24-98 Acquired Paul Kruse and Jason Holland from the N.Y. Islanders in exchange for Jason Dawe. 3-11-99 Acquired Stu Barnes from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Matthew Barnaby. 3-23-99 Acquired Joe Juneau and a 1999 third-round draft choice (Tim Preston) from the Washington Capitals in exchange for Alexei Tezikov. Traded Mike Wilson to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Rhett Warrener and a 1999 fifth-round draft choice (Ryan Miller). Traded Derek Plante to the Dallas Stars in exchange for a 1999 second-round draft choice (Michael Zigomanis). 3-10-00 Acquired Chris Gratton and a second-round draft choice in 2001 from Tampa Bay in exchange for Wayne Primeau, Brian Holzinger, Cory Sarich, and a third-round selection in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. Acquired Doug Gilmour and Jean-Pierre Dumont from Chicago in exchange for Michal Grosek. 3-13-01 Acquired RW Donald Audette from Atlanta for C Kamil Piros and a fourth-round pick in 2001 NHL Entry Draft; acquired Steve Heinze from Columbus for a third-round draft pick in 2001 NHL Entry Draft. 3-19-02 Acquired C Bob Corkum from Atlanta for a fifth-round pick in 2002 NHL Entry Draft. 2-25-03 Acquired C Jakub Klepis from Ottawa in exchange for RW Vaclav Varada and a fifth-round draft pick in 2003 NHL Entry Draft. 3-10-03 Traded C Stu Barnes to Dallas for C Mike Ryan and Dallas’ second-round draft choice in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft; Traded RW Rob Ray to Ottawa for future considerations. 3-11-03 Acquired C Daniel Briere and Phoenix’s third-round selection in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft for C Chris Gratton and Buffalo’s fourth-round choice in the 2004 Entry Draft. 3-08-04 Acquired Brad Brown and a sixth-round selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft from Minnesota in exchange for a fourth-round selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. 3-09-04 Acquired Jeff Jillson and a ninth-round selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft from San Jose in exchange for Curtis Brown and Andy Delmore; Acquired Mike Grier from Washington in exchange for Jakub Klepis. 3-09-06 Traded G Mika Noronen to Vancouver in exchange for a second- round selection in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. 2-27-07 Acquired C Dainius Zubrus and D Timo Helbling from Washington for Jiri Novotny and Buffalo’s first-round selection in the 2007 Entry Draft; acquired G Ty Conklin from Columbus in exchange for Buffalo’s fifth-round selection in the 2007 Entry Draft; acquired D Mikko Lehtonen from Nashville in exchange for Buffalo’s fourth-round selection in the 2007 Entry Draft; trade Martin Biron to Philadelphia for their second-round selection in the 2007 Entry Draft. 2-26-08 Acquired Steve Bernier and a first-round selection in 2008 Entry Draft in exchange for Brian Campbell and a seventh-round selection in 2008 Entry Draft. 3-4-09 Acquired G Mikael Tellqvist from Phoenix in exchange for a Buffalo’s fourth round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft; Acquired C Dominic Moore from Toronto in exchange for Buffalo’s second round selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft; Acquired Edmonton’s second round selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for RW Ales Kotalik. 667714 Buffalo Sabres Without Pardy, and because of a Brayden McNabb’s season-ending knee injury suffered on March 23, the Amerks defense is a major question mark. Teams have until April 10 to make loans within the AHL and the Sabres say Buffalo Sabres trade captain Jason Pominville to Wild for prospects, picks they will address the Amerks D-corps. “We’re working on it now,” Regier said. Democrat and Chronicle LOADED: 04.04.2013 Apr 3, 2013 Written by Kevin Oklobzija

Even though Buffalo Sabres general manager Darcy Regier refused to use the word “rebuilding,” Wednesday’s trade of captain Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild said it for him. The Sabres acquired third-year goalie Matt Hackett, rookie center/winger Johan Larsson, a first-round draft pick in June and a second-round pick in 2014 for Pominville and Buffalo’s fourth-round pick in 2014. Hackett and Larsson will be assigned to the Rochester Americans and presumably be available for Friday’s home game against the Lake Erie Monsters. For procedural purposes, the Sabres also sent right winger Brian Flynn, center/left winger Luke Adam and defenseman Mark Pysyk back to the Amerks and then immediately recalled them. Players in the NHL needed to be, at least on paper, assigned to an AHL team by 3 p.m. Wednesday in order to be eligible for the Calder Cup playoffs. The Sabres have stockpiled draft picks since the weekend. They traded defenseman Jordan Leopold to the St. Louis Blues for a second-round and conditional fourth- or fifth-round pick in June, and then obtained two second-round picks from the Los Angeles Kings (in 2014 and 2015). “It allows us to get a process — I’m not going to use the R word — but it continues to allow us to draft and develop players,” Regier said. In other words, to rebuild the roster through the draft. “Probably last time we did this: Jason Pominville’s draft (2001),” Regier said. “It really is the lifeblood of the organization and it is the surest way to get back up and running.” In Regier’s words, draft picks “represent the currency we use in the National Hockey League. Younger players can have an impact at an earlier age than they used to. You need those star-quality players as part of the process to win the Stanley Cup. “It’s no fun being where we are (in 12th place in the Eastern Conference). But there is an opportunity (to improve through near-future drafts) and what we’re going to do is seize the opportunity.” Pominville is fourth on the Sabres in scoring with 10 goals, 15 assists and 25 points in 37 games. He has been with the organization his entire 10-year professional career, including three-plus with the Amerks. “Everything he represents as a player you can multiply by a big number as a person,” Regier said. While Larsson and Hackett come to the Amerks, defenseman Adam Pardy and forwards Marcus Foligno, Cody Hodgson and Kevin Porter were not returned. Regier said because NHL teams are limited to four recalls after the Wednesday trade deadline, three immediately were used to send back, and then call up, Pysyk, Adam and Flynn. They saved the fourth to allow themselves flexibility over the final 22 days of their season. Porter required waivers, so when he was not exposed to waivers on Tuesday the Amerks knew they would not be getting him back. To avoid the recall barrier, Regier said he asked the Wild to reassign Hackett and Larsson to Minnesota’s AHL team in Houston before the Pominville trade became official. That way, both can be transferred to the Amerks without any recall implications. Even though the Sabres have just six defensemen, Regier said they could not term Pardy an emergency recall because their own actions — the trading of Leopold and Regehr — and not injuries created the shortage. “You can’t create your own emergency,” Regier said. 667715 Calgary Flames

Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff to stay in Calgary: sources

Calgary Herald April 3, 2013

With the National Hockey League’s trade deadline only hours away, early reports indicate Miikka Kiprusoff is not going to be moved by the Calgary Flames. According to several sources, the Flames’ No. 1 goalie has decided not to leave Calgary. So the Toronto Maple Leafs will not get their hands on Kiprusoff. Kiprusoff, 36, has been the team’s starter since November 2003 when he’d been acquired from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 2005 second- round draft pick (which turned out to be Marc-Edouard Vlasic). Calgary Herald: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667716 Calgary Flames It’s hard to say if the Oilers even noticed. Because before the first-period buzzer could sound, the game was tied thanks to tallies from Sam Gagner and Ryan Whitney. Flames flattened by Oilers in embarrassing defensive display Then three straight man-advantage conversions — by three first-overall Calgary’s leaky defence struggles in 8-2 defeat draft picks (Nail Yakupov, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins) — turned the night into a laugher.

By Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald April 4, 2013 1:04 AM The chuckles continued in the third period as Jordan Eberle counted twice and Yakupov scored again. “They got a couple of goals early and, credit to us, we really didn’t change Before the game, the men in charge had been in agreement. our game,” said Hall. “We didn’t panic. We just stuck with things. That’s what you have to do. That’s us maturing as a team.” General manager Jay Feaster noted that his employees, with the National Hockey League’s trade deadline finally behind them, are likely to play The damage toted up? better. Five points for Hall. Four for Nugent-Hopkins. “We should see that on the ice sheet tonight,” Feaster said Wednesday afternoon, “that there are some guys who are feeling good about the fact “To be down 2-0 and win 8-2 is pretty cool,” said Hall. “Most important, that they weren’t moved.” we’re continuing our streak and we’re in a playoff spot now. We’re right where we want to be. When you win five in a row, you want to keep it going. Coach Bob Hartley, too, pointed out that the distractions are gone — clear No better time than (Thursday in Vancouver).” sailing to the finish line now. Calgary Herald: LOADED: 04.04.2013 “There’s no more hurdles,” said Hartley. “During the season, there’s the Christman break when sometimes . . . you lose a couple of guys (who) go into the Christmas break a little too early. Then you get the all-star game, same thing. The trade deadline. They’re all hurdles in the regular season. This year there has been only this trade deadline.” Free of disturbances, free of pressure, it had been assumed that these Calgary Flames would thrive. That, unburdened, these Flames were ready to get back to the business of playing hockey. How very wrong everyone was. Beyond the brute force of the fourth line, beyond two early goals from Matt Stajan, the Flames had precious little to offer. And that, in the face of the high-flying Edmonton Oilers, turned out to be a joke. The Oilers, in bagging their fifth straight win, merrily mashed the Calgarians 8-2 in National Hockey League action Wednesday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. “That was embarrassing for us as players,” said Mark Giordano. “For us guys who have been around here and want to call ourselves veteran guys, that’s disappointing. Myself, I feel embarrassed of my own play and, obviously, of that loss.” Giordano didn’t want to hear about the effects of the trade spotlight anymore. “That’s a terrible excuse,” he countered. “The deadline is a business. It is what it is. We’re still playing a game for a living. You have to prepare and be better. That was just . . . there’s no way to explain that. I know it’s obviously frustrating for everyone else. But for us as players, it’s got to come from within. The pride thing. Just being a professional and making it hard. “In our own zone, it’s far from good enough.” The Flames, outshot 39-21, allowed three power-play goals — all in the second period, which wrenched what had been a close game into the travellers’ favour. “Teams aren’t going to let up on you,” Giordano continued. “They’re a rival of ours and they just took four points from us in the last two games, which helps them push for a playoff spot. It just seemed like we were giving away too many chances, which we were. But when we got down, we tried to press and you create worse things for yourself when you try to make plays through the neutral zone and at their blue line. “As players, you’re frustrated and all that stuff. But even though you’re down, you have to play the same way. And we didn’t. We played a soft game.” And if ever there was a team designed to excel in a soft game, it is these speed-merchant Oilers. The outburst from Stajan — goals at 2:35, 5:18, of the first period — seemed substantial at the time, seemed like a great sign for the Flames. 667717 Calgary Flames A recent vote of confidence from on high, perhaps? A sense of blessed relief that the long-neglected overhaul had finally been given organizational benediction? Whatever, the man seemed to have his money pitch, his Johnson: Flames won’t be content with a lengthy rebuild fastball, back. Even though the trade deadline has passed, GM Jay Feaster will remain in And considering he remains in charge of the show, however you may evaluation mode as he prepares club for next season personally grade his performance since taking the big job and/or over the past week, that’s a good thing. And he made it perfectly clear that in these troubled times, he simply will By GEORGE JOHNSON, Calgary Herald April 3, 2013 not stand for half-hearted efforts, petulant pouting or any lazy, easy ways out. Any player that’s of a mind to roll over and wait for a tummy tickle had best Another deadline has come and gone. The tremors, the aftershocks, to the prepare for a change of address come summer. No matter what their jarring seismic activity registered hereabouts over the last week, were, as it standing within the dressing room. turns out, mild. “We lead a pretty charmed life, I think,” he said, with welcome candour. Blake Comeau to Columbus? Nice fella. Hard worker. But not exactly off- “We have a lot of people that come here and pay good money to enable the-Richter-Scale, earth-shaking stuff. use to live the life that we live. And we have owners that support us and allow us to do what we want to do, spend to the cap and commit the So with the 1 p.m. MDT trade moratorium passed, auditions to inhabit this resources. post-Iginla, post-Bouwmeester, post-apocalyptic world of the Calgary Flames began last night against those whippersnapper Oilers. And, no, not “And as I said earlier, every one of us, from me right on through to the only for the grass-green, dewy-eyed kids they’ll be plucking out of assistant medical trainer — and that counts every player in that room — we Abbotsford for a look-see, either. have an obligation to be the best we can be, to make sure we’re giving our fans and our owners good value. The big-ticket guys. The remaining marquee names. “That’ll get me on Sports Centre tonight, I guess. And I don’t mean to be They’ll be specimens wriggling under a microscope, too. flippant about that. But honestly, the veterans . . . let’s start playing. The effort level from the young ’uns, looking to make a mark, leave an “Let’s go.” impression, gain a foothold, is a given. Energy and enthusiasm being, after all, their stock in trade. They’ll make mistakes, sure, but they’re going to be There are 13 games remaining. The organizational gaze has shifted, of busting their fannies regardless of the famous names that have departed, course, off towards the horizon. But the challenge of the here and now for the growing sense of playoff hopelessness. any player is to make plain beyond a shadow of a doubt their desire to be a part of that horizon. They have no reputations to sit on, no sense of entitlement to surmount, no time for dissatisfaction or personal pity parties. “There are guys in that room . . . the consternation and concern that they’ve shown over whether they were going to be moved or not,” said Feaster. “They know where I am,” Feaster countered when the possibility of veteran “We’ve had a number of guys tell the coaching staff ‘I’ll feel so much better malaise was brought up during Wednesday’s post-deadline availability. at one o’clock Mountain Time today.’ “They know where I am and if that’s their attitude I wished they’d come and seen me before 3 p.m. Eastern time. “Candidly, I expect that we’re going to see that translated on the ice sheet tonight. We should see that translated on the ice sheet tonight. “If you want out, I’m a pretty available guy. “There are some guys who feel good that they weren’t moved.” “Seriously, if that’s the case, if there are veteran players who are ‘Woe is me!’ and ‘I lost my dog and my best friend!’ and ‘My wife ran away with the Easy to say, of course. lawn-mowing guy!’ then come see me.” No time like the present to go out and actually prove it. There’ll be no need for anyone to bother knocking on the GM’s door. Calgary Herald: LOADED: 04.04.2013 The guilty parties will be easy to spot. For as undeniably difficult as this current situation is, the compounding frustration of playing out the string, watching cornerstone players dealt away with nothing immediate in the way of aid coming back in return, the worst thing any of them can do is now is the minimum. Rebuilds are hellish enough beasts to try to sell to a paying public without piling on the problem with an unmistakable lack of try. “We recognize that we have a job to do,” emphasized Feaster. “The preparation and the approach of the coaching staff is: We’re professionals and we have an obligation. We have an obligation to our fans, first of all. We have an obligation to our ownership. And, candidly, we have an obligation to each other. Every one of us, we all have a job to do, and we need to do it professionally and with pride. “And that’s how we intend to see it out.” He spoke again Wednesday of the 180-degree switch in philosophy, of the importance and quality of this upcoming draft and the very real possibility the Flames will have three first-round selections. Of how he considered few of his assets “untouchable” as he worked the phone and the deadline approached. Of how, despite erroneous — and he felt irresponsible — reports to the contrary, he had, never, ever put Curtis Glencross on the NHL’s version of the Home Shopping Channel. Yes, Jay Feaster, who for the last month and half looked like a guy who actually had just lost dog or his best friend seemed a revitalized spirit Wednesday. 667718 Calgary Flames

Veteran not overly surprised by the deal, given that his contract was expiring

By Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald April 3, 2013

It had been just another game-day lunch with chums. Lee Stempniak was there. Chris Butler and Derek Smith, too. Blake Comeau, multi-tasking, had also been having an innocent text exchange with his agent, Denver-based Kurt Overhardt. Maybe, Overhardt was suggesting, they could break bread next week when the Calgary Flames visit the Colorado Avalanche. Then. Suddenly. “He texted me back five minutes later and said, ‘You might have been traded. Stand by,’ ” Comeau said. “Didn’t hear anything for 15, 20 minutes, then I got the phone call from him saying that it was probably a done deal.” Did your lunchmates immediately become glued to their own phones? Comeau laughed. “I think everyone was uneasy,” he said. “Who knows who was going to get traded? Or who wasn’t? I think guys are happy that the day’s over with. Now you can just move on to playing hockey.” Comeau, one of the good guys, eventually learned the specifics of the NHL trade-deadline deal — that he’d been shuttled to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a fifth-round pick. Which came as a mix of good news — joining a team only a single point out of the Western Conference’s eighth rung — and bad news. “A little bit bittersweet, I think,” said the 27-year-old. “Being out west, having my parents here, my wife’s family here, getting to know the guys over the last year here, it’s always tough leaving. “That being said, with my contract being up and us not being in the playoff picture right now . . . in the back of my mind, I knew there was a chance that I could be traded.” Salvaged off the waiver wire last winter — goalless, he’d been struggling mightily with the New York Islanders — Comeau was re-signed in the summer. The player responded with an earnest effort, collecting seven points in 33 appearances while operating anywhere from fourth-line wing to first-line centre. “I think I can bring some things to (Columbus) with my physical play and my speed,” said Comeau. “Speaking with them on the phone, that’s what they’re excited to have. I feel that, as my ice time grew with the Flames, my numbers started to grow and I started to gain confidence. Hopefully, that can continue. It’s going to be fun to join that playoff push.” Comeau went on to describe the landscape over recent days with the Flames, watching the likes of Jarome Iginla and Jay Bouwmeester shipped. “It’s been a bit of a different atmosphere in the room,” said Comeau. “You never know who’s going to be traded and who’s not. You hear rumours. You hear names. Then you see guys like Iggy and Bouw being traded — they’re such big parts of this team, big presences in our locker-room. “I don’t think it was easy for anyone to see those guys gone. But when you don’t win games and you’re not living up to the expectations, there’s going to be changes. That’s what happened this year.” Calgary Herald: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667719 Calgary Flames understand where we are. We understand what’s ahead of us. But from the standpoint of the organization, the expectation, this is not one where you say to the players, ‘Well, we’re in some full-blown rebuild model. Don’t Feaster rebuffs nearly every team on the Curtis Glencross front worry about it. Don’t worry about winning. Don’t worry about improving. Don’t worry about competing.’ Again, no excuses. GM calls feisty winger one of his untouchables as Flames move forward with rebuild plan “We have players we need to sign. We have guys that we’ve acquired that we want to sign. We’re in the process of signing some of our draft picks. We’ll be working hard in the off-season to plug the holes.”

By Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald April 3, 2013 C-NOTES: Flames prospect Johnny Gaudreau, after a sensational sophomore season at Boston College, is a Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist. Which begs the question — is it time for the wee winger to turn pro? “I don’t believe that we should ever be in a situation where we’re dictating to He didn’t keep track, but the number was big. Like, really big. Nearly every the player, ‘This is what you have to do,’ ” said Feaster. “I believe that that’s team, in fact. an important family decision. The athlete has to feel comfortable. The Calgary Flames boss Jay Feaster figures he fielded calls from 25 — “and parent has to feel comfortable. And what I’ve always said is, ‘We’ll always maybe more” — general managers, all curious about the availability of be there supporting.’ ” Curtis Glencross. Calgary Herald: LOADED: 04.04.2013 Those inquiries, however, were fruitless. Because No. 20 is not going to budge, despite the keen interest. Nor is Mark Giordano. Ditto T.J. Brodie and Sven Baertschi. Beyond the aforementioned four skaters, Feaster declined to offer the identities of those considered untouchable by the Flames. But it’s hard to imagine there are many more. If any. “It’s a small list, it’s a small list,” Feaster acknowledged an hour after the expiration of the National Hockey League’s trade deadline. “We’ve made a decision that we need to go in a different direction. Every guy’s in a different situation, in terms of what their contracts look like, how much money is on the contract, how term is left . . . but clearly that list of guys that we wouldn’t consider (trading), it was shorter than in years past.” Nevertheless, as eager as the local manager had been, Wednesday turned out to be relatively peaceful. After a week in which the Flames hocked Jarome Iginla and Jay Bouwmeester, the day produced a single swap in Calgary — Blake Comeau to Columbus for a fifth-round pick. Feaster was asked if he had expected to get more accomplished before the 1 p.m. horn.“You know what? You never know,” he replied. “Certainly, I thought that there were some things that we put out there, some players that we put out there, that I thought might be attractive, depending on how things went down for some other teams. I’m at the point now where I don’t know if I ever have an expectation one way or another. We just see where it’s going to go.” Not surprisingly, with the Flames very publicly in sell-mode, there had been no shortage of (potential) action. Vultures were circling. “We made a lot of phone calls, we took a lot of phone calls,” said Feaster. “Would it have been nice if we could have done other things and wheeled a couple more second(-round picks)? Sure. When you’ve made the decision that we’ve made, stockpiling assets is an important thing. Yet, as we know, it takes two teams to get a deal done. Sometimes, you just don’t have a trading partner.” Discussing the difficulties of doing deals these days, Feaster pointed to Wednesday’s quip from Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo, who, still untraded, had announced that his “contract sucks.” “That’s just a great comment from a player as to what’s going on,” Feaster said. “I don’t think it’s an indictment of talent that nothing more happened (on deadline day). I think with every one of these, it’s no longer just about the player and the talent of the player. But it’s about contract situations. It’s about term. It’s about money. It’s about cap space.” Lack of fireworks, yes, but this is only one day. The teardown, freshly started, surely continues. Even if pressure from the top remains the same. “(Owner) Murray Edwards told me that he expects to be in the playoffs next year — so there’s my marching order,” said Feaster, whose club is on the brink of its fourth straight post-season absence. “It’s a process. We 667720 Calgary Flames He received the hook in both of his last two appearances, including a stinker Monday night in Edmonton that saw him surrender three goals on the first five shots. Kiprusoff nixed trade to Leafs after experiencing ‘doubts’ he should leave “It’s been a pretty tough last few weeks,” Kiprusoff conceded. “But I’m not Calgary going to use that as an excuse. I haven’t played well, and I know I have to pick up my game.

Goalie remains with Flames, will sit down after season to decide whether to “But I’m pretty happy this is over now, and I can play hockey again.” keep playing or retire When asked if he wants to win a Stanley Cup, Kiprusoff replied in the affirmative.

By Vicki Hall, Calgary Herald April 3, 2013 “That’s been my dream since I was a little boy, and it still is.” Does he plan to retire?

For nine years, Miikka Kiprusoff brought Calgary Flames fans out of their “Well, I think I’m going to finish up the season and we’re going to sit down seats with jaw-dropping saves that left people wondering how in the world with the Flames after that, and we’ll go from there.” that just happened. Kiprusoff has clearly not been himself in recent weeks with a new baby at For nine years, the sensational play of Miikka Kiprusoff perhaps too often home and his name swirling in trade rumours. According to Feaster, camouflaged the sins of the 18 guys in front of him. Kiprusoff’s wife Seidi experienced complications during her pregnancy. The baby arrived two weeks early and stayed in hospital for a time after Seidi But in these the twilight days of his storied career, questions loom large in was discharged. these parts over the legacy of No. 34. According to Kiprusoff, all is now good at home with mom, baby Oskar and Is he a hero after (literally) saving the day for the better part of a decade on big brother Aaro. a team with serious defensive deficiencies? “The reality of it is that there are a lot of difficult circumstances,” Feaster Or is he a villain for spurning a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs that would said. “Here’s a player who said, ‘I want to be here.’ I think there’s something have seen the Flames receive at least something in return for the former noble in that, too. Vezina Trophy winner? “I understand we all get emotional. Fans certainly have that right to get Did the love affair between an all-star goalie and a city cease Wednesday emotional. at 1 p.m. MT as the NHL trade deadline passed for another season. “I would just hope fans, the more that they look at it, they’ll say, ‘you know “I sure hope not,” says general manager Jay Feaster. “If you take a step what? That’s pretty first-class guy who wants to be here and is still and look back and say, ‘this guy has been pretty good for this organization.’ committed to the Flaming C.” And I think the world of him. I love the competitor that he is. Calgary Herald: LOADED: 04.04.2013 “This has been a hard time.” A hard time for Kiprusoff. A hard time for his employer. And a hard time for Calgary Flames fans digesting the sorry state of their hockey team. As it turns out, Feaster pulled Kiprusoff aside — along with Jay Bouwmeester and Jarome Iginla — in separate, private discussions during a mid-March road trip to California. Those talks led to the eventual Iginla trade to Pittsburgh and Bouwmeester move to St. Louis. In Kiprusoff’s case, the 36-year-old’s no-trade clause expired last summer. So on paper, the Finnish netminder appeared the easiest chip to ship to a contender in exchange for prospects or draft picks. But word broke last week that, in the event of a trade, Kiprusoff would simply refuse to report to a new team with one year remaining on a six-year deal. “We all know I did talk with the Leafs,” Kiprusoff said Wednesday night. “You know another team wants you, and I was thinking a lot about it. And I got that feeling, doubts, that it was the right thing to do to go there. “If you start second-guessing . . . I don’t think it’s right for the Leafs, if my heart is not 100 per cent in it.” Under the terms of his contract, Kiprusoff’s cap hit is set to remain at $5.83 million next season, but he’ll make $1.5 million should he choose to report in 2013/14. “I’ve been doing lots of thinking the last few days,” Kiprusoff said. “I ended up this morning talking to Jay Feaster and I told him for me, I would love to stay here and finish off the season as a Flame.” The rebuilding Flames could have dealt Kiprusoff to Toronto against his wishes in a conditional deal for picks and/or prospects. Instead, they let the matter drop. “We talked as an organization and said that we felt that it was appropriate to honour that request,” Feaster said. “We’re going to keep Miikka Kiprusoff here. He’s a member of the Calgary Flames. He will continue with us through the end of the season.” By his standards, Kiprusoff’s numbers this season are downright deplorable with a goals-against-average of 3.64 and a save percentage of .868. 667721 Calgary Flames

Flames deal Blake Comeau to Blue Jackets

By Vicki Hall, Calgary Herald April 3, 2013

The Calgary Flames appear to have pulled off their first deal of 2013 NHL trade deadline day. According to TSN’s Aaron Ward, general manager Jay Feaster has shipped right wing Blake Comeau to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a fifth-round pick.. “I think most guys will be relieved when this day is over,” Comeau was saying after the morning skate. “And we can just get on with our game tonight.” After a 2011-12 season to forget, Comeau signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal last summer with the Flames in hopes of getting his career back on track. In 33 games this season, Comeau, 27, has four goals and seven points. More to come . . . Calgary Herald: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667722 Calgary Flames Calgary 4 7 10—21 Power plays (goals-chances) — Edmonton: 3-5, Calgary: 0-1. Game Story: Edmonton Oilers 8, Calgary Flames 2 Goal (shots-saves) — Edmonton: D Dubnyk (21-19, W, 12-10-6). Calgary: J MacDonald (39-31, L, 4-6-1). Referees — Dave Jackson, Francois St. Laurent. Linesmen — Ryan By Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald April 4, 2013 1:07 AM Galloway, Derek Nansen. THREE STARS Att. at Calgary, AB — 19,289. 1. The Herald’s Three Stars THE ROSTERS 1. Edmonton LW Taylor Hall — With one goal, four assists, lad extends his Calgary scratches — D Derek Smith (lower body), C Paul Byron (hand). point streak to six games (15 points). Man-games lost: 83 2. Edmonton C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — Front and centre in visitors’ three- Edmonton scratches — D Theo Peckham, D Mark Fistric, C Jerred goal second period. Four points on the night. Smithson, C Eric Belanger (groin). Man-games lost: 84 3. Edmonton RW Jordan Eberle — Adds a pair of third-period goals to NEXT UP conclude the provincial drubbing The Flames flutter to San Jose to prepare for Friday’s match against Brad WHY THE FLAMES LOST Stuart and the Sharks (8:30 p.m., Sportsnet West, FAN 960 radio) at HP Because, after a peppy opening act, they cough up three goals — all on the Pavilion. Saturday, they face the home-ice Vancouver Canucks. Monday, power play — in the second period. it’s the Colorado Avalanche. Because, defensively, they are bound for dead last in team goals-against Calgary Herald: LOADED: 04.04.2013 average. THE BIG FIGHT The other night in Edmonton, there had been a few “dinner invitations” (as Flames coach Bob Hartley referred to them Wednesday morning). So it doesn’t take much. A bump. A glove rattle. Calgary LW Steve Begin and RW Mike Brown exchange rapid-fire punches — lefts from the former, rights from the latter. THE BIG SAVE Early in the second period, Edmonton G Devan Dubnyk wanders behind his net to make a play. Unfortunately for him, the puck goes directly to C Mikael Backlund, who fires on net. But blocking the sure goal is Dubnyk himself (in full panic) and a sliding D Ladislav Smid.. SUMMARY Oilers 8 Flames 2 First Period 1. Calgary, M Stajan 4 (D Wideman) 2:35. 2. Calgary, M Stajan 5 (C Glencross, L Stempniak) 5:18. 3. Edmonton, S Gagner 14 (J Petry, L Petrell) 9:27. 4. Edmonton, R Whitney 4 (T Hall, R Nugent-Hopkins) 12:59. Penalties — M Brown Edm (Fighting) 4:27; S Begin Cgy (Fighting) 4:27; M Backlund Cgy (Delay of Game) 19:05. Second Period 5. Edmonton, N Yakupov 8 (pp) (S Gagner, R Whitney) 3:34. 6. Edmonton, T Hall 13 (pp) (R Nugent-Hopkins, J Schultz) 7:39. 7. Edmonton, R Nugent-Hopkins 3 (pp) (T Hall, A Hemsky) 9:51. Penalties — M Cammalleri Cgy (Tripping) 2:21; C Sarich Cgy (Cross- checking) 6:34; C Butler Cgy (High-sticking) 9:05; S Horcoff Edm (Hooking) 16:58. Third Period 8. Edmonton, J Eberle 11 (T Hall, R Nugent-Hopkins) 9:56. 9. Edmonton, J Eberle 12 (T Hall) 17:08. 10. Edmonton, N Yakupov 9 (R Smyth) 18:57. Penalties — R Jones Edm (Fighting) 5:43; N Yakupov Edm (Roughing) 5:43; C Glencross Cgy (Roughing) 5:43; C Butler Cgy (Fighting) 5:43; R Whitney Edm (Fighting) 13:15; T Jackman Cgy (Instigator) 13:15; T Jackman Cgy (Fighting) 13:15; T Jackman Cgy (Misconduct) 13:15. Shots on goal By Edmonton 14 12 13—39 667723 Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames trade Blake Comeau to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a draft pick

By RANDY SPORTAK, Calgary Sun First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 01:01 PM MDT | Updated: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 01:50 PM MDT

Blake Comeau has reportedly became the next Calgary Flames player dealt away in the firesale. Comeau was dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets Wednesday for a fifth- round draft choice after netting four goals and three assists in 33 games. Comeau is a pending unrestricted free-agent with a salary of US$1.25 million. The 27-year-old right winger was playing on the line with Michael Cammalleri and Alex Tanguay after Jarome Iginla was traded away. The Flames also called up Roman Horak from the minors. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667724 Calgary Flames

Miikka Kiprusoff to stay with the Calgary Flames, but he won't be starting for tonight's tilt against the Oilers

By WES GILBERTSON, Calgary Sun First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 09:46 AM MDT | Updated: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 01:21 PM MDT

Miikka Kiprusoff reportedly isn't going anywhere before Wednesday's 1 p.m. trade deadline. He's not starting for the Calgary Flames in Wednesday's Battle of Alberta, either. The struggling goaltender arrived at work Wednesday morning and reportedly told Flames management he would refuse to report to a new team if moved, then skipped an optional morning skate at the Saddledome. Joey MacDonald will be between the pipes against the Edmonton Oilers (8 p.m., Sportsnet West, Sportsnet 960). “I prepare myself every game to be ready,” MacDonald said. “As a backup, you have to be ready at all times. The time that you don't think you're playing is when you're gonna play. You just prepare the same way and try to forget about all the focus on the trade deadline.” That's easier said than done for the squad at the Saddledome. The 36-year-old Kiprusoff has been at the centre of trade talks this week, with the Toronto Maple Leafs being granted permission to chat with him and his agent, Larry Kelly, about his future plans. Although he does not have a no-trade clause, Kiprusoff has maintained he doesn't want to leave Calgary and would refuse to take his gear to a new city. With his front-loaded deal dipping to only US$1.5 million next season, there is speculation he could retire. Kiprusoff didn't speak Wednesday morning. After the morning skate, the 33- year-old MacDonald sounded hopeful Kiprusoff was, as has been widely reported, staying put. “He's a great guy and the way his personality is, he handles it really well and I'm kind of the same,” MacDonald said. “It's there. You know what could happen. But, on the other hand, we laughed and we were joking about it in the locker-room today. If something happens, it happens and it works out good for him. If not, if he stays here, it's awesome. “I've only been here for about a month and a half with him and he's a great guy, one of the best goaltenders I've played with, and I hope to enjoy some more time with him.” Kiprusoff is Calgary's all-time wins leader with 303 triumphs but has struggled this season, posting a 6-10-2 record with a 3.64 goals-against average and .868 save percentage. He was yanked after surrendering three goals on six shots in Monday's 4-1 road loss to the Oilers at Rexall Place, the second consecutive game he has been pulled. Flames head coach Bob Hartley told reporters his decision to give MacDonald the nod was a combination of his relief performance and what's been a stressful stretch for Kiprusoff, who's been facing the distraction of trade rumours and also welcomed a second son to the world. “It's a combination of both,” Hartley said. “I think Joey played very good. At the same time, it's been a tough couple of weeks for Miikka. To just to give him a break, and I think Joey deserves the start.” Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667725 Calgary Flames

Flames ship Comeau to Columbus

By RANDY SPORTAK, Calgary Sun First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 05:16 PM MDT

Blake Comeau wasn’t broadsided by the news, considering his team’s position. Nor was he expecting it with so many other candidates around him. Comeau was the last of the Calgary Flames jettisoned in the pre-trade- deadline date portion of the club’s rebuild, the only player traded Wednesday, sent to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a fifth-round draft choice. “I wasn’t caught off-guard, but I was, at the same time,” Comeau said when reached after the trade. “I knew my deal was done and I was unrestricted, but at the same time, I hadn’t heard my name through the media, through my agent, through the Flames or anything like that, so I was caught off- guard a little.” The mixed emotions didn’t end there, either, for the 27-year-old Comeau, who is on a US$1.25-million contract this season. Both him and his wife have family in Calgary, so this was pretty much home, even if it was with a Flames team near the bottom of the standings. At the same time, though, the Blue Jackets are just outside the playoff picture — two points back of eighth place before Wednesday’s NHL action — but making a push to reach the second season. The Blue Jackets, normally a team at the bottom of the standings, were one of the busiest teams on deadline day, acquiring Marian Gaborik from the New York Rangers for Derick Brassard, John Moore, Derek Dorsett and a sixth-round draft choice. The Jackets also traded away goalie Steve Mason to the Philadelphia Flyers for goalie Michael Leighton and a third-round pick. Going from a Flames team which has thrown in the towel to an organization giving its all is exciting. “I think everyone in Calgary wished we were in a playoff position, but when you’re not, changes are going to be made, and that was the case here,” said Comeau, who collected four goals and three assists in 33 games this season. “I haven’t been fortunate enough to play in the playoffs yet in the NHL, so I’m excited about going there, trying to fit in and contribute to help Columbus get into the playoffs. I think that’s what every player wants.” The way Comeau bounced back after a forgettable 2011-12 campaign — five goals in 74 games — and being claimed off waivers from the New York Islanders, he probably deserves that chance. “I’m not 100% satisfied, I wish my numbers were a little bit better, but I think it was a slow start, opportunity-wise, at the start of the year, but I think that was a new coaching staff trying to learn about me as a player,” he said. “I’m sure they didn’t know much about me as a player just like I didn’t know much about them as a coaching staff. I think the more I played more for Bob (Hartley), the more confidence he had in me and expanded my role. “Then, I think my numbers started to improve.” Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667726 Calgary Flames "Again, no excuses here. That's going to be the approach we take to it." It's a solid message for the players, but management should be focused entirely on two, three or four years down the road -- not self-preservation Flames playoff goal delusional over the next calendar year. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013 By Eric Francis, Calgary Sun First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 05:46 PM MDT | Updated: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:12 PM MDT

It was as troubling a revelation as it was unexpected. Punctuating a week that saw the Calgary Flames gut the team by trading its franchise forward and best defenceman, GM Jay Feaster poured cold water on a fan base finally on board with the massive overhaul required here. Asked at Wednesday's post-deadline press conference how long it might be until the organization sees the fruits of its recent purge, Feaster made a troubling declaration: "Murray Edwards told me last evening that he expects to be in the playoffs next year," said Feaster. "So, there's my marching order." The room went silent, which was in stark contrast to the citywide gasps from horrified fans and the laughter from the rest of the hockey world. Just when it appeared the Flames were finally ready to move wholeheartedly in the right direction, Edwards issued the type of directive that got this franchise into this mess in the first place. Instead of building slowly towards something the city can eventually be proud of again, comments like that suggest the organization is destined to, once again, ignore the virtues of patience and better judgment by aiming for something that is not only completely unattainable but counterproductive. Not so, argued president Ken King, who heard the rapid backlash. "Trying to win and rebuilding are not mutually exclusive," insisted King. "We are not straddling the line of trying to balance -- we are completely committed to the rebuilding process and should be judged on our recent and future moves." To think a team can jettison Jarome Iginla, Jay Bouwmeester and likely lose Miikka Kiprusoff to retirement and somehow snap a four-year playoff drought despite receiving no NHLers in return is beyond nonsensical. It's delusional. Intellectually dishonest. So, why even float the idea out there? While it's important players continue to strive for wins throughout the process, standings should be irrelevant the next year or two. Improving with a re-stocked lineup should be the goal, however long it takes. Feaster admitted Monday he hadn't been as intellectually honest as he could have been the last two seasons by mortgaging the future to help a bad team. Edwards' stated goal promotes more of the same. The stage finally appeared to be set the last week for a prolonged rebuild fans have been screaming for. Calgarians are willing to sit through the growing pains absolutely necessary for every organization in pro sport to endure before going from the basement to Cup challengers. The Flames' age-old mandate calling for a team to challenge for the Cup every year isn't realistic. Every franchise in every sport has to eventually take a step or two back to take one step forward. By trying to emulate the Harlem Globetrotters, the Flames have looked more like the Washington Generals by advancing past the first round of the playoffs once in the last 24 years. No one expects Feaster to admit the obvious goal is to lose games while building skill and experience, but he sure as hell shouldn't be pushed into doing exactly what this sordid bunch has done for the last handful of years. "From the standpoint of the organization, the expectation, this is not one where you say to the players 'we are in some full-blown rebuild model, don't worry about winning, don't worry about improving, don't worry about competing,'" said Feaster. 667727 Calgary Flames available guy ... If that’s the case, if there are veteran players who are thinking, ‘Woe is me and I lost my dog and my best friend and my wife ran away with the lawn-mowing guy’, then come see and we’ll see what we can Flames aim for quick rebuild do. “Each and every one of us, from me right on through to the assistant medical trainer, and that counts every player in that room, we have an By WES GILBERTSON, Calgary Sun obligation to be the best that we can be.” First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 05:31 PM MDT | Updated: Good enough to be a playoff team next season? Wednesday, April 03, 2013 06:25 PM MDT That, apparently, is what they’re shooting for. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013 Here’s the thing Calgary Flames fans need to remember about a rebuild. It doesn’t happen overnight. It doesn’t even happen in a hurry. Case in point, the Edmonton Oilers, who might have the best collection of young forwards in the NHL but have been rebuilding since Justin Bieber was a middle-school student and are no lock to end their playoff drought this season, either. “I’d be lying if I said that there wasn’t times last year, and even this year, when you’re thinking ‘When is this going to end?’ ” admitted Oilers winger Jordan Eberle after Wednesday’s morning skate at the Saddledome. “It’s been tough.” It’s been more than tough. It’s been 2,483 days since there was a post- season showdown at Rexall Place. Maybe that’s why Flames GM Jay Feaster, whose squad has already gone three years without a playoff berth and has essentially assured a fourth, is hesitant to even whisper the word ‘rebuild.’ He doesn’t have time for that. As he indicated about an hour after Wednesday’s trade deadline, the Flames ownership group has a tight timeline on bringing spring hockey back to the Saddledome. Feaster’s job security likely depends on it. “Murray Edwards told me last evening that he expects to be in the playoffs next year, so there’s my marching order,” Feaster said. “It’s a process. We understand where we are. We understand what’s ahead of us. But from the standpoint of the organization, the expectation, this is not one where you say to the players, ‘Well, we’re in some full-blown rebuild model. Don’t worry about it. Don’t worry about winning. Don’t worry about improving. Don’t worry about competing.’ “No excuses here. That’s going to be the approach we take to it, and we’ll see how it all plays out.” Not many folks would consider trading away all-time leading marksman Jarome Iginla and big-minute blueliner Jay Bouwmeester for futures — four prospects and two first-round picks — as the initial steps to icing a playoff team in the 2013-14 campaign, but Feaster’s proclamation proves the Flames don’t have the patience for a complete tear-down. The Oilers, with nine of their own first-round selections on their roster, are proof you can sell hope. The Flames, on the other hand, want to sell playoff tickets. Soon. Miikka Kiprusoff got his wish to stay, and you can be certain Feaster will now try to convince the Flames’ struggling goalie to honour the final year of his contract. Michael Cammalleri, Curtis Glencross and Alex Tanguay — with 1,422 big- league points between them heading into Wednesday’s Battle of Alberta — are supposed to be in the prime of their careers. Dennis Wideman and Jiri Hudler didn’t get long-term, big-money deals to be a part of a lottery team for the next several seasons. Even after trading away Iginla and Bouwmeester (and Blake Comeau, if you’re a completist), Feaster bristled at the suggestion some of his veterans might have wanted to be shipped elsewhere in the hours leading up to Wednesday’s deadline. “If that’s their attitude, I wish they’d come see me before 3 p.m. ET today,” Feaster said. “If that’s the attitude, if you want out, then please, I’m a pretty 667728 Calgary Flames Fact is, with only one team showing interest, the return wouldn't have been much higher than a mid-round draft pick. After all, he comes with a $5.8- million cap hit and has the worst numbers of all NHL starters. Flames honour Kipper's wish to stay in Calgary It's been a tough year for ol' Kipper and things won't get better anytime soon. Especially now that some fans are angry he chose not to leave as Jarome Iginla and Jay Bouwmeester did. By Eric Francis, Calgary Sun Jay Feaster gave a nod to Kiprusoff's exemplary service while explaining First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:17 PM MDT | Updated: why the trade wasn't forced on Kiprusoff. Thursday, April 04, 2013 12:18 AM MDT Debate all you want about whether that was the correct approach. But know that, like Iginla, Kiprusoff held all the cards and simply chose to You know that guy who wins the lottery and tells the newspaper he plans to play them differently. keep his job? One last chance at a Stanley Cup be damned. He might, but you can bet he won't play by the rules the rest of the office staff does"¦ because he can. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013 He can walk away at any time -- the kind of freedom everyone dreams of. Miikka Kiprusoff is that guy. As expected, Kiprusoff informed the Calgary Flames Wednesday that, despite the fact his no-trade clause expired in the summer, he wasn't willing to play along"¦ or elsewhere, for that matter. He has that ability because the Flames paid him more than US$33 million over the last five years. But it comes at a cost: His reputation. Many Flames fans will look at the move as selfish and disrespectful -- a modern Mats Sundin who repays the organization and its fans by choosing not to repay either. Others defend it as a family decision. "I was thinking the last days, if I go, I know I can help the Flames get something for me," said Kiprusoff, who was asked by the Flames to discuss with Toronto the possibility of joining the Leafs for the playoffs -- a notion he rejected. "But this morning when I did talk with Jay Feaster and said how I feel and how I found out they want to keep me here, it didn't surprise me. It's how they've been treating me since I came, and that tells a lot about this organization. It's first class, and I appreciate it." That's not to say he didn't seriously consider leaving his newborn son and family. "When you know another team wants you and I was thinking a lot about it, but I did get the feeling -- doubts -- it was the right thing to do," said Kiprusoff, who has struggled all season long. "If you start second-guessing, I don't think it's the right thing to do for the Leafs if my heart is not 100% there." Agreed. Problem is, the Flames don't want or need him anymore, which was made obvious by the decision to start Joey MacDonald ahead of him Wednesday night. The rebuild is underway and having a 37-year-old starter next year makes no sense. The Flames need to start the search for the next Kipper and they have plenty of young candidates. They'll get that chance next year as Kiprusoff is all but certain to retire at season's end. After all, who can drag their carcass out of bed for a mere $1.5 million a year as part of the NHL's very first "back-diving" deal? Asked three different ways last night if he planned on honouring the final year of his deal next year, Kiprusoff danced. "Right now, I'd like to finish this season here, and after that we are going to sit down with the Flames and talk with them," said Kiprusoff. "I'm going to make a decision then." He's done, and that's OK by all involved. Despite being the man who almost single-handedly turned this franchise into a Stanley Cup finalist in 2004, the stage is now set for an unceremonial departure, which is why it wouldn't have been the worst thing had he abruptly left Wednesday. 667729 Calgary Flames "There's always a little added juice to these games, with a rivalry game, and it definitely adds to the bad and adds to the good," Flames forward Mike Cammalleri said. "When it's bad, it makes it worse. When it's good, it makes Flames lose ugly one to young Oilers it better. We were on the bad-makes-it-worse end of that, tonight." Added head coach Bob Hartley: "They gave us a hockey lesson, plain and simple." By RANDY SPORTAK, Calgary Sun The Flames (13-18-4) have dropped three straight and seven of nine First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 11:00 PM MDT | Updated: outings, and now embark on a three-game road trip which begins Friday in Thursday, April 04, 2013 12:09 AM MDT San Jose. They'll look to snap an 11-game road losing skid, in which only one defeat didn't come in regulation. Can't even be spoilers in the Battle of Alberta. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013 Welcome to the long march to the finish line for the Calgary Flames. Now that the trade deadline has come and gone -- with Blake Comeau joining Jarome Iginla and Jay Bouwmeester in being dealt away in the first step of a rebuild -- the Flames began their second stage with Wednesday's 8-2 whipping at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers. "That was embarrassing for us as players," Flames defenceman Mark Giordano said. "For us guys who've been around here and want to call ourselves veteran guys, that's disappointing. Myself, I feel embarrassed of my own play and that loss." The coming phase is the continued plummet as far down the standings as possible to garner what should end up the highest draft the Flames franchise has received since moving to the Stampede City. That would be the Death for Seth, Not Winnin' for MacKinnon, Losin' for Drouin or whatever you call the quest to grab a potential young star to be a big piece to start re-igniting the floundering franchise that's currently 28th overall in the league. Thirteen more performances like that, and the Flames will be at the bottom. The only reason they weren't booed off the ice was the fact it wouldn't have been heard over the celebrating Oilers fans who filled the Saddledome and its announced crowd of 19,289. That, and the fact any supporters were long gone. "It definitely doesn't get any lower than that. It's embarrassing," said forward Curtis Glencross. "It's all about compete-level and wanting it ... and it starts right from myself. We've gotta find a way from inside this room." The only route this team appears headed is not only a fourth consecutive season without playoffs but the worst finish in the final standings in franchise history. "That's our effort. That's what we deserved," said Matt Stajan, who scored twice on his team's first two shots to spot the hosts a 2-0 lead. "We didn't deserve anything better than that." Trade deadline on Wednesday came and went with only one last move by the Flames, sending Comeau to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a fifth- round draft choice. The potential deal which would have seen long-time standout goalie Miikka Kiprusoff to the Toronto Maple Leafs didn't materialize. The club honoured his wish to not be traded, even though Kiprusoff no longer has a no-trade clause and has one more season on his deal following this disappointing campaign. Kiprusoff may return next season, although it's a strong possibility the 36- year-old netminder will retire. All the trade deadline action made the latest instalment in the Alberta rivalry a secondary story in Calgary -- and seemingly among the Flames -- who are doing little to fight to the finish. Sam Gagner and Ryan Whitney erased Calgary's lead by the end of the opening period, and the momentum carried from that point. Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov each scored twice, while Ryan Nugent- Hopkins and Hall added singles for the Oilers (16-13-7). Hall finished with five points for the team on the upswing of its own rebuild after finishing 30th, 30th, 29th in the last three seasons but now is in sole possession of eighth spot in the Western Conference and riding a five-game winning streak. You can't help but think beating the Flames that bad wasn't a good feeling for the young Oilers. The result stung the hosts. 667730 Calgary Flames

Flames prospect up for Hobey Baker

By WES GILBERTSON, Calgary Sun First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 11:14 PM MDT | Updated: Thursday, April 04, 2013 12:09 AM MDT

The little guy is up for a big honour. Calgary Flames forward prospect Johnny Gaudreau, the 5-foot-6 world- junior gold medallist for Team USA and the leading scorer for the Boston College Eagles, was named Friday as one of a hat-trick of finalists for the Hobey Baker Award as the player-of-the-year in the NCAA hockey ranks. Quinnipiac Bobcats netminder Eric Hartzell and St. Cloud State Huskies forward Drew LeBlanc — a teammate of Flames acquisition Ben Hanowski — are also candidates for the prestigious award. The winner will be announced next Friday. Gaudreau, 19, doesn’t have much more to prove at the collegiate level, although the Flames won’t pressure the pint-sized sniper from Carney’s Point, N.J., to turn professional right away. “I don’t believe that we should ever be in a situation that we’re dictating to the player that this is what you have to do,” said Flames GM Jay Feaster. “I believe that’s an important family decision. The athlete has to be comfortable. The parents have to be comfortable. “And what I’ve always said is that we’ll always be there supporting. If the athlete says ‘I’m ready to go. I want to turn pro right now,’ then we’ll be there with a contract. If the athlete says, ‘I think one more year, get bigger, get stronger. I want to win a national championship ... ‘ “Whatever the case may be, as I say, we’ll be there watching you, we’ll be there supporting you and we’ll be there for you when you decide you want to turn pro.” As an added bonus, Gaudreau is apparently good friends with Yale Bulldogs forward Kenny Agostino of Morristown, N.J., one of two collegiate forwards — Hanowski is the other — that became Flames property as part of the Jarome Iginla trade. Around the boards Now that the Flames have honoured G Miikka Kiprusoff’s request to stay put in Calgary, we’ll find out if the non-stop trade speculation was a contributing factor to his recent struggles. To be blunt, Kiprusoff has stunk in his past two outings. “It’s been a pretty tough last few weeks, but I’m not going to use that excuse,” Kiprusoff said. “I haven’t played well and I know I have to pick up my game. I’m pretty happy this is over now” ... For the second consecutive season, Flames D Derek Smith could finish the season on the injured list. The 28-year-old is wearing a brace on his knee and admitted he’ll need “a few weeks” of recovery time ... That fifth-round pick the Flames acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for RW Blake Comeau? Might not sound like much, but keep in mind Kiprusoff and RW Lee Stempniak are both former fifth-round selections ... Strange coincidence? After receiving some shooting advice from Mr. T last week in Chicago, Flames RW Brian McGrattan scored in two straight games. Off the glass One week after the trade, it still feels strange to see stacks of sale-priced Iginla merchandise at the FanAttic store ... With Iginla and D Jay Bouwmeester traded away, the Flames roster has a very un-Edmonton feel for the first time in recent memory. From Bouwmeester (Edmonton) and Iginla (St. Albert) to C Daymond Langkow, D Dion Phaneuf and others, it’s been a long time since there wasn’t a single guy from Oil Country wearing the Flaming ‘C’. Next in the prospect pipeline is Spruce Grove’s Brett Kulak, who is currently toiling with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat on a tryout basis but will be back with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants next season ... On the flip side, Oilers LW Taylor Hall, C Sam Gagner and G Devan Dubnyk all have significant ties to the Stampede City, and they acquired former Hitmen C Jerred Smithson from the Florida Panthers hours before the deadline. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667731 Calgary Flames “It’s going to be a big challenge for myself. Pride is a big thing — playing for that logo and your city and your ownership group and the guys in this room. It’s something where you have to find a way within the 20 guys in this room Not everyone was available on trade-deadline day for Flames to find a way to get it done.” Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013

By WES GILBERTSON, Calgary Sun First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 11:30 PM MDT | Updated: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 11:43 PM MDT

Calgary Flames winger Curtis Glencross was, apparently, on the wish-list of almost every would-be buyer leading up to Wednesday’s NHL trade deadline. Didn’t matter, because he was on GM Jay Feaster’s oh-so-short list of untouchables, too. Meeting with the media after a relatively quiet deadline day, Feaster made a point of rebuffing a rumour from a few days ago that he was dangling the 30-year-old speedster on the trade market. “Someone said that we put Curtis Glencross out there — Jay Feaster put Curtis Glencross out there — and I’m telling you unequivocally that is false,” Feaster said. “I didn’t count them up, but I would estimate I had phone calls from 25 teams, maybe more, on Curtis Glencross. And of course, the minute that (rumour) hits, that you put him out there, then even the people you said ‘no’ to, they call and say, ‘Did you change your mind?’ “I won’t provide you a lot of insight into all the calls and conversations with teams, but I will tell you on that one, that while there were probably a good 25 teams that inquired, Curtis Glencross was never put out there. Furthermore, the organization, we weren’t even saying, ‘Well, what did you have in mind?’ or ‘What would you offer?’ “We were not and are not trading Curtis Glencross.” When the Flames traded away longtime captain Jarome Iginla one week ago, Glencross was mentioned as a potential candidate to eventually wear the ‘C’ in Calgary. At the same time, he was mentioned as a fit for the Boston Bruins, the Ottawa Senators, the New York Rangers ... Glencross, who is in the second season of a four-year, US$10.2-million contract, has a no-move clause and would have had to green-light any deal. Again, didn’t matter. Feaster’s only swap on deadline day was to send winger Blake Comeau to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a fifth-round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. It’s a mild surprise Feaster wasn’t more active before Wednesday’s deadline, but the lack of movement in the final hours wasn’t a result of the Flames GM hanging up on any of his counterparts. In fact, Feaster rattled off only a handful of names when asked about the current list of ‘untouchables’. Grab a pen. This won’t take long. “It’s a small list. We’ve made a decision that we need to go a different direction,” Feaster said. “But we certainly weren’t going to trade some of our young guys. T.J Brodie wasn’t going anywhere. Sven (Baertschi) wasn’t going anywhere. Again, a guy like Glennie, we weren’t going to be trading him. A guy like Mark Giordano ... “But clearly, that list this year of guys that we wouldn’t consider, it was shorter than it would have been in years past.” After Wednesday’s 8-2 embarrassment at the hands of the Oilers, Glencross reiterated that he wants to be part of the long-term solution at the Saddledome. “Obviously, it’s a privilege, but it’s going to be a grind,” Glencross said. “We’re starting over here and it’s going to be a big battle for myself, too, mentally. All of us got frustrated here tonight, and when you get frustrated, you start double-thinking things and not sticking to the gameplan. 667732 Calgary Flames Look what Jason Pominville and a fourth-round pick garnered the Buffalo Sabres in trade from the Minnesota Wild: A couple of top prospects, a first- round pick this year and a second-rounder in 2014. Flames must avoid past mistakes Couldn’t the Flames, whose cupboards are nowhere near as full of up-and- comers as they should be, use an injection like that?

By RANDY SPORTAK, Calgary Sun By all means, NHL teams that plan to inject youth to the degree the Flames are planning for next season needs solid veterans around to help guide the First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 11:36 PM MDT | Updated: ship. Thursday, April 04, 2013 12:06 AM MDT However, those wishes must be weighed with whether those players are willing to be around for the time it takes to rebuild (although the Flames outwardly appear to have a belief they’ll be a playoff team next season). “Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it.” If those players are willing to be the positive guiding forces needed to help — George Santayana turn a franchise around, good for them. Are the Calgary Flames headed to the very same spot a few years from But there comes a time players with top skills and top character have to be now they find themselves today? traded even before their expiry date simply to prevent diminishing returns. Having finally embraced the idea of a rebuild or retool or new direction or The Flames owe it to their fans to not make the same mistakes again. whatever the organization wants to call its recent teardown, the Flames braintrust — which doesn’t just include GM Jay Feaster, but also the Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013 ownership group headed by Murray Edwards and president Ken King — has to ensure they don’t find themselves in the same spot again in a few seasons. This year’s trade deadline, and the buildup before it, was all about the Flames finally coming to the conclusion this was not a playoff team, let alone a potential Stanley Cup contender. In turn, the job was to see what could be done with its long-time stars Jarome Iginla and Miikka Kiprusoff and a big-ticket player in Jay Bouwmeester, and seeing what they can be turned into in terms of draft picks, prospects and players. The answer is: Two players in the NCAA ranks, a minor-league defenceman and a European goalie, plus a pair of first-round draft choices. Can anybody imagine what would have happened had the Flames had their moment of clarity — found that much-needed intellectual honestly — two or three years ago? What would the team have received in trade then if Iginla, Kiprusoff and Bouwmeester could be convinced then to waive their no-trade and no- movement clauses? We’re not sure exactly what the bounty received in such trades would have been, but it would have been a heck of a lot more. That’s the price the Flames paid for hoping they could add a couple of final parts to a core based around those three, and it would be good enough to bottle the kind of lightning that resulted in the 2004 playoff run. It also must be a cautionary tale for the Flames going forward. The salary cap has brought even more parity to the NHL, therefore fewer and fewer sellers in the hours leading up to the trade deadline. This year, being a truncated 48-game season, the disparity in the number of buyers and sellers was even more pronounced, so the Flames had a golden chance to parlay one or two of their players you would normally call “untouchable” into a big return. Yes, we’re talking about Curtis Glencross and Mark Giordano. By no means do we know if one or both of those veterans would even have accepted a trade by Wednesday. They both have no-trade clauses and contracts that are very friendly for the salary cap reality of the league, especially with the cap dropping next season. Glencross is signed through the 2014-15 season with a US$2.55-million salary cap hit. Giordano’s contract runs through 2015-16 with an average of $4.02 million. For what those players offer, the Flames could possibly have cashed-in in a seller’s market. Feaster admitted more than two-thirds of the NHL teams called about Glencross and he didn’t even ask what opposing teams were offering. This team can’t afford to not listen to overtures — not to any of the players it has. 667733 Carolina Hurricanes The Hurricanes face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday at PNC Arena and have 13 games remaining in the regular season. But Rutherford’s said he is "about as frustrated as you can get" about the way the Canes’ season Canes' GM Rutherford insists season is not over has unraveled. "We’re not sitting here saying it’s over," he said. "But the most frustrating thing is that in the first part of the season we showed what kind of team we Published: April 3, 2013 Updated 2 hours ago had ... and we played very well. A whole lot of things happened that put this team in the position that we’ve gone on a long losing streak and it came at the worse time possible." By Chip Alexander — calexander at newsobserver.com Alexander: RALEIGH — The NHL trade deadline came and went Wednesday, and the News Observer LOADED: 04.04.2013 day proved to be a mostly quiet one for the Carolina Hurricanes. And a glum one. The Hurricanes announced Wednesday morning that defenseman Joni Pitkanen would be sidelined 10 to 12 weeks after suffering a broken left heel bone in Tuesday’s game against the Washington Capitals. That takes another key player out of the lineup as the Canes attempt to end a 1-8-1 skid and remain in contention in the NHL’s Southeast Division. The Canes made one trade Wednesday, sending forward Jussi Jokinen to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a conditional 2013 draft pick. Carolina will receive a sixth- or seventh-round pick depending on how many games Jokinen plays for the Pens. Jokinen was dealt to the Canes by Tampa Bay in February 2009 and helped Carolina reach the 2009 Eastern Conference finals against the Penguins. A popular player, the Finn scored some of the most memorable playoff goals in franchise history, including a last-second score that beat New Jersey and goaltender Martin Brodeur. The Hurricanes acquired defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron in a trade Tuesday with the Lightning. That would be their only addition. Pitkanen was injured in the second period when he raced down the ice to touch the puck and force an icing call against the Caps. The Hurricanes said he broke the calcaneus bone in his left foot as he fell and slammed into the boards. The Canes (16-17-2) are 11th in the NHL’s Eastern Conference, trailing divisional leader Winnipeg by four points. Injuries to such key players as goaltender Cam Ward, defenseman Justin Faulk and now Pitkanen leave the Canes in jeopardy of missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for a fourth consecutive season. "It couldn’t have come at a worse time," general manager Jim Rutherford said of the team’s recent slide. "We spent more money on our team this year. I believe we had a team in place that was a very good team. "But when I talk about it coming at a worse time, this is a year we have decided to raise ticket prices and do different things. That doesn’t sit right with the paying customer, when they watch a team that was so good in the first half (of the season) and a team that wasn’t good in the second half.” Rutherford made a number of calls Wednesday, but said there were no deals that made sense and not many impact players available. He said the injury to Pitkanen did not change his plans or scuttle any potential deals. The Jokinen trade was made to move salary – Jokinen has one year left on a contract that has a $3 million salary cap hit next season. The Hurricanes retained a portion of Jokinen’s salary but Rutherford did not disclose the amount. "It wasn’t about him or him as a player," Rutherford said of the trade. "It was about what we’re doing in going forward, payroll-wise." The Hurricanes placed Jokinen on NHL waivers last week but there were no takers. In another personnel move Wednesday, the Canes reassigned defenseman Brett Bellemore to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. Bellemore played six games for the Canes in his first NHL recall. Carolina also signed forward Brock McGinn, a second-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, to a three-year, entry-level contract. McGinn, 19, was immediately assigned to the Checkers. McGinn scored 28 goals and had 26 assists in 68 games this season with Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League. 667734 Carolina Hurricanes

DeCock: Canes are stuck in NHL's neutral

Published: April 3, 2013 Updated 2 hours ago

By Luke DeCock - staff columnist — ldecock at newsobserver.com RALEIGH — It was the kind of thing a fan would say, or a sports columnist, or a radio host. To hear it come from a general manager about his own team was to produce the kind of head-turning double-take that makes chiropractors think about getting a bigger boat. “I believe we had a good product,” Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said. “As we speak today, we don’t.” Coming from the general manager who put the team together, it was nothing short of shocking, even if the candor was refreshing. “It’s hard to sit here with a lot of confidence based on what I’ve watched the last couple weeks,” Rutherford also acknowledged, sharing the sentiments of an increasingly disaffected fan base. As the NHL trade deadline passed Wednesday, only hours after Joni Pitkanen was lost for the season with a broken heel suffered on a needless collision on an icing play and the Hurricanes gave up three unanswered goals to the Washington Capitals in a 5-3 loss, the Hurricanes were paralyzed by mediocrity. Tuesday morning, the Hurricanes were buyers, adding defenseman Marc- Andre Bergeron, a free agent after the season. Twenty-four hours later, they were sellers, dumping Jussi Jokinen, even agreeing to pay some of Jokinen’s salary in the process. Four points back in the division with three games in hand, the Hurricanes are far from out of it, mathematically speaking. With only one win in their past 10 games, they might as well be. A despondent Rutherford admitted as much Wednesday. “Based on the position we’ve put ourselves in here over the past two or three weeks, I wasn’t going to trade younger players or high draft picks for somebody who may or may not make a difference in the last month,” Rutherford said. “There weren’t any deals that made sense for us.” Once again the Hurricanes are trapped in the middle, the worst place to be. If you’re not going to make the playoffs, it’s better miss by a lot and grab a top player in the draft. Instead, the Hurricanes are trapped in a perpetual cycle of mediocrity, never quite good enough to compete, never quite bad enough to rebuild. There’s almost nothing wrong with the Hurricanes now that couldn’t have been foreseen before the season. The concerns about scoring depth and defense were all there in January, and when first Cam Ward and then Justin Faulk went down, the foundation the Hurricanes’ early season success had been built upon crumbled, exposing all the flaws Ward and Faulk had helped paper over. Even with the undisclosed amount the Hurricanes are paying the Pittsburgh Penguins, getting Jokinen’s $3 million off the books next season will help make space for help on defense. That help is needed now, but after watching this team limp through March, it’s hard to blame Rutherford for thinking it wasn’t worth the giving up anything worthwhile to get it. The Hurricanes are now in a position where not only are they likely to miss the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years since winning the Stanley Cup, they’re doing it in the final season before realignment will make it exponentially more difficult to qualify, and they’re doing it before an offseason in which they will raise ticket prices for the first time in years. That’s typically not a time a general manager acknowledges his own team’s failings. It just so happened to come the same day he decided it didn’t deserve any help. DeCock: News Observer LOADED: 04.04.2013 667735 Carolina Hurricanes 667736 Carolina Hurricanes

Canes trade Jokinen to Penguins Broken heel bone sidelines Pitkanen

Published: April 3, 2013 Updated 2 hours ago Submitted by chipalexander on 04/03/2013 - 08:06 By Chip Alexander — Staff writer Joni Pitkanen's broken left heel bone, an injury suffered Tuesday night against the Washington Capitals, has ended the Canes defenseman's Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford had hinted the NHL season. trade deadline on Wednesday might make for a slow day for his team. Turns out it was. General manager Jim Rutherford said Wednesday that Pitkanen has a broken calcaneus bone and would sidelined 10 to 12 weeks. The Hurricanes made only one trade, sending forward Jussi Jokinen to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a conditional 2013 draft pick -- either a sixth- or Pitkanen was injured late in the second period at PNC Arena as he seventh-rounder depending on how much Pitkanen plays for the Pens this attempted to touch up the puck and force an icing call against the Caps. He season. went sliding into the boards, pinning his leg under him, and needed to be carried off the ice on a stretcher. The Canes (16-17-2) are in 11th place in the NHL's Eastern Conference, trailing Southeast Division leader Winnipeg by four points. Injuries to such Canes coach Kirk Muller said after the game Pitkanen injured his ankle or key players as goaltender Cam Ward, defenseman Justin Faulk and now heel. defenseman Joni Pitkanen -- out 10 to 12 weeks with a broken heel bone suffered Tuesday against Washington -- could result in the Canes, 1-8-1 in Pitkanen's injury leaves the Canes with seven healthy defensemen: Tim their past 10 games, missing the playoffs for a fourth straight season. Gleason, Joe Corvo, Jay Harrison, Bobby Sanguinetti, Jamie McBain, Brett Bellemore and Marc-Andre Bergeron, who was obtained Tuesday in a trade "It couldn't have come at a worse time," Rutherford said of the injuries and with Tampa Bay. the team's late slide. "We spent more money on our team this year. I believe we had a team in place that was a very good team. We've talked Justin Faulk, sidelined with a sprained knee, has been skating and is about playing well in the first part (of the season) and not as well in the expected to soon return to the lineup. second part. McBain was a healthy scratch for the Caps game, adding to speculation he "But when I talk about it coming at a worse time, this is a year we have might be moved today before the NHL's 3 p.m. trade deadline. decided to raise ticket prices and do different things. That doesn't sit right News Observer LOADED: 04.04.2013 with the paying customer when they watch a team that was do good in the first half and a team that wasn't good in the second half. So the timing of this could not be worse." Rutherford made a number of calls and inquiries Wednesday, but said there were no deals that made financial sense and not many impact players available. He said the injury to Pitkanen did not change any of his plans or potential deals. "Based in the position we've put ourselves in over the last two or three weeks, I wasn't going to trade younger players or high draft picks for someone who may or may not make a difference here in the last month," he said. The Jokinen trade was made, in part, to move out salary -- Jokinen has one year left on a contract that has a $3 million salary cap hit next season, when the NHL salary cap will be reduced to $64.3 million. The Hurricanes retained a portion of Jokinen's salary but Rutherford declined to give the amount. Rutherford also said that the Hurricanes on Wednesday signed forward Brock McGinn, a second-round draft pick in 2012. McGinn, 19, played this season for the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League. McGinn signed a three-year, entry-level contract that on the NHL level would pay him $700,000 in 2013-14, $750,000 in 2014-15 and $800,000 in 2015-16. At the AHL level, he would be paid $70,000 in each of the three years. McGinn received a signing bonus of $277,500. He will join the Charlotte Checkers, the Canes' AHL affiliate. The Hurricanes have 13 games remaining in the regular season, but Rutherford's comments Wednesday about the team did not sound encouraging. He said he is "about as frustrated as you can get" about the way the season has deteriorated. "We're not sitting here saying it's over," he said. "But the most frustrating thing is that in the first part of the season we showed what kind of team we had ... and we played very well. A whole lot of things happened that put this team in the position that we've gone on a long losing streak and it came at the worse time possible. ... "The real deal here is to put the best product on the ice that we can. I believe we had a good product. As we speak today we don't." News Observer LOADED: 04.04.2013 667737 Chicago Blackhawks 667738 Chicago Blackhawks

Hawks stand pat Thursday's matchup: Blues at Blackhawks NFL trade deadline passes with club content to go with what it has Chicago Blackhawks center Michal Handzus talks about joining the team and his role. Chicago Blackhawks general manager on what happened with Wednesday's NHL trade deadline. 6:40 p.m. CDT, April 3, 2013 By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter 7:58 p.m. CDT, April 3, 2013 TV/radio: 7:30 p.m. Thursday; CSN, WGN-AM 720. Series: Hawks 2-0. Though he already had addressed his most pressing need, Stan Bowman Last meeting: Hawks won 3-0 on Feb. 28 at St. Louis. did his due diligence and answered phone calls Wednesday as the NHL trade deadline approached. Other than a minor deal that actually was the first trade of a relatively Probable goaltenders: Blues, Brian Elliott, 4-6-1, 3.51 goals-against sedate deadline day, fielding calls was all it amounted to for the Blackhawks average; Hawks, Corey Crawford, 15-4-3, 1.97. general manager. Bowman listened but was not involved in the other 16 Team comparison trades that involved 28 players. The GM was content with his acquisition of center Michal Handzus on Monday and stood pat with players already on Averages per game (NHL rank) the roster. BLUES (18-14-2) CATEGORY HAWKS(27-5-3) "We did a lot of listening," Bowman said. "There was a lot of talk leading up to (Wednesday) and even a lot of talk (Wednesday) … but nothing we were 2.82 (10) Goals for 3.26 (2) close on. You have to listen, it's our job to look around at what's available 2.74 (19) Goals against 2.09 (2) but we have to ask ourselves a question, 'Does it make us better?' 22.2 (6) Power-play pct. 17.5 (21) "To make a move just to make a move, we don't believe in that. We had a need at center and to get a little size and (better at) faceoffs and Michal 82.9 (10) Penalty-kill pct. 84.9 (6) accomplished that a couple of days ago."

Now all that remains to be seen is whether Bowman did enough to add to the roster of the team that entered the day with the most points in the NHL Statistics through Tuesday. as the postseason nears or whether another move or two would have Storyline: The Hawks are seeking their fourth consecutive victory overall helped to avoid a third consecutive first-round playoff exit. and third this season against the Blues. Rookie Brandon Saad has three "We believe in the group we have here," Bowman said. "I'm very happy with goals over the last two games. The Blues, who have lost 3 of 4, will be where we're at right now." without forward T.J. Oshie (lower body). Chris Stewart leads the Blues in scoring with 15 goals and 14 assists. Of more importance, the players and coaches believe they have what it takes to make a deep run in the postseason and compete for the Hawks' Chicago Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 second Stanley Cup championship in four seasons. "We're a confident group," said winger Marian Hossa, who is scheduled to return to the ice after missing six games with a shoulder injury when the Hawks face the Blues on Thursday night. "We're doing something special this year and it's a tight group. We've had a great run so we'll see how we are toward the end of the season." Altering the team's chemistry with the hope of catching lightning with a deadline acquisition proved too risky for Bowman. What the Hawks have had for the most part is what they're going to get during the remaining 13 regular-season games and then playoffs. "The chemistry has been good," coach Joel Quenneville said. "The combinations up front have been pretty predictable (with) what you get out of them every game, our back end has been better than it has been in the past and our goaltending has been really strong. We've been very pleased … particularly (with) the consistency." Added Bowman: "We have a lot of depth at every position … which has been the strength of our team. We have young players we have confidence in (and) we have some other players who are rounding into form." Bowman did pull the trigger on a deal Wednesday, sending forward Rob Flick from Rockford of the AHL to the Bruins for forward Maxime Sauve, who had 10 goals and 13 assists in 52 games with Providence of the AHL. That was it, though, marking another trade deadline that has come and gone. Now the focus can be placed entirely on what's happening on the ice rather than what's on the cell phone. "Sometimes it's tricky with teams going into these days with the speculation and the anxiety of potentially some guys being moved in or out," Quenneville said. "As players you can only control what you can control and that's to be ready for the next game." Chicago Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 667739 Chicago Blackhawks

Hossa expected back vs. Blues, but Sharp still out Chicago Blackhawks general manager on what happened with Wednesday's NHL trade deadline.

By Chris Kuc Tribune reporter 6:56 p.m. CDT, April 3, 2013

The injury news was mixed for the Blackhawks as one veteran forward will return to the lineup but not another. Barring a setback, Marian Hossa will be on the ice against the Blues on Thursday night at the United Center after missing six games with an upper- body injury that a source said is to his shoulder. "I felt pretty good (Wednesday)," Hossa said after practice at Johnny's IceHouse West. "I'll go before the game in practice, and most likely I'm going to play. There's no reason to wait longer." Coach Joel Quenneville went further, saying Hossa would return. "He's going to play, and we're looking forward to that," Quenneville said. The news was not as bright for Patrick Sharp, who remains sidelined with a left shoulder injury and will sit out his 12th consecutive game. "It needs to be 100 percent to come back," Sharp said. "It sucks sitting out and missing games. I want to be out there, and when it's ready, I want to play for sure. "I've been skating for three weeks and can shoot the puck under control. I've been doing it for a long time, so it's frustrating knowing I'm that close to getting into a game but there are some limitations with it." Depth charge: Veterans Steve Montador and Rostislav Olesz, who are playing in Rockford as they recover from injuries, cleared waivers and will remain in the AHL for now. "That was really just to see if there was interest out there," general manager Stan Bowman said of the waivers process. "There weren't a lot of trades (Wednesday), but some years there are teams looking for depth moves. That was more or less to see what the market was like. Actually, now that we still have them, it worked out well for us. They're playing great hockey. "I would venture there's no team that has two guys like that in their American League affiliate right now. They've been NHL players for years and they're getting back to top shape and have played really well for us, so if you add them into the mix of our young players, it puts us probably 16 or 17 deep on forwards and eight or nine defensemen. You need that as the stretch run comes." New guy: Michal Handzus participated in his first practice with his new teammates after being acquired from the Sharks on Monday. "I'm just glad to be here — it's exciting," Handzus said. "It's a great team. The first day is always busy. It was a good practice, and I'm just looking forward to games." Handzus skated at right wing on the fourth line with Brandon Bollig and center Marcus Kruger during drills. Probable: Patrick Kane missed practice with an illness but is expected to play against the Blues. Daniel Carcillo left practice early but is also likely to play. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 667740 Chicago Blackhawks You, of course, want names. Derek Roy was a name, but Vancouver got him from Dallas this week. Hope he doesn’t score a big goal in a Hawks- Canucks playoff series. No. 2 center still the Hawks' No. 1 need There’s Steve Ott, who has just six goals, which is one less than Bolland, Michal Rozsival celebrates with teammates after making his shot during the but he has more points and is a plus player on a big minus Buffalo team, shootout. while Bolland is a minus player on the Hawks. And as long as Doug Wilson is holding a yard sale in San Jose, see what Joe Pavelski goes for. He has played right wing most of this season, but he Steve Rosenbloom The RosenBlog has played more center in the NHL and seemed a wonderful No. 2 behind Joe Thornton. 9:59 a.m. CDT, April 3, 2013 There are many reasons not to make a big deal like this, and almost all of them involve money. I don’t expect any major upgrade to occur by the 2 p.m. CDT deadline today. I would love to be happily surprised. In fact, I’d If I were a betting man, and I am, I’d wager the Blachawks will let today’s pay for the bandwagon’s next tank of gas. trade deadline pass without acquiring the true No. 2 center they’ve needed since they won the Stanley Cup. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 I realize the Hawks made a move to acquire a center earlier in the week. But that was a niche deal, putting a Band-Aid on an owwie. Michael Handzus can win faceoffs, but with just two points this season, he apparently can’t do much after that. Think Sammy Pahlsson, part deux. For those of you who weren’t on the bandwagon before Joel Quenneville joined Chicago’s Mt. Mustachemore of championship coaches, Pahlsson was acquired late in the 2008-09 season for the same faceoff-challenged reasons. The Hawks can’t play their beloved puck-possession game if they’re chasing the puck after every faceoff. Pahlsson wasn’t a scorer. Neither is Handzus. If Handzus can win more than half of his faceoffs, he’ll be way ahead of every Hawks center except Jonathan Toews, but here’s the thing: Handzus is the same defensive-minded move that Pahlsson was. It fills a need. But it doesn’t fill THE need, which is a No. 2 center, which might as well be the Holy Grail for Stan Bowman. Bowman tried to sell us on Patrick Kane’s being a No. 2 center, even after Kane failed at that last season. Bowman is now saying he believes the Hawks have “done pretty good so far with that,’’ except that they haven’t. Bolland is not a No. 2 center, he’s playing one line too high and it’s hurting the Hawks because he might be the best No. 3 center in the league. I’ve heard the argument that Bolland was just fine when he was skating with Patrick Sharp, who has been out with a shoulder injury since March 6. Bad argument, and here’s why: Your No. 2 center should be the reason a line works, not get pulled along because of someone else. See Jonathan Toews making a scorer out of an offensive stiff like Michael Frolik for details. Here’s what gets me: Bowman has shown the smarts to acquire and retain defensemen to make sure that nobody is forced to play a role up. Think Nick Leddy as the No. 5 defenseman instead of a top-four guy. But Bowman has not succeeded in filling the second-most-important offensive spot. Sharp said he has not been approached about playing center when he returns, which looks like Thursday against St. Louis. Sharp said he would play center if asked, because that’s the way Sharp does things. But that doesn’t solve a lot. That isn’t the all-in move. Worse, I think the returns from injury of Sharp and Marian Hossa is becoming a convenient delusion. “Some people would say those would be two nice trade deadline additions to have Hossa and Sharp come back --- that’s one way to look at it,’’ Bowman said. “We’ve played well without (Sharp) but we certainly played really well with him, too.’’ No, the Hawks have not played well without Sharp and Hossa. The Hawks have struggled to play above .500 without them. Besides, you don’t look at them as new acquisitions to fill holes that their absences created in the first place. You look at them as part of the original foundation that still needed work. When the Hawks were finding all sorts of ways to win, they were doing it with Sharp and Hossa, but they still had some shortcomings. Don’t shovel this stuff that two injured guys are coming back to make it all better. Instead, give me those two guys AND an addition. Specifically, a No. 2 center. 667741 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks' Bowman: Any trade 'would have to make sense'

By Chris Kuc Tribune reporter 11:41 a.m. CDT, April 3, 2013

General manager Stan Bowman planned to work the phones until the 2 p.m. NHL trade deadline in an effort to improve the Chicago Blackhawks. After acquiring Michal Handzus from the Sharks on Monday in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick, Bowman said he was open to making more moves if they did not disrupt the chemistry of the team that currently leads the league with 57 points. "We’ll have to see how that goes," Bowman said. "It’s our job to keep making those phone calls and we’ve had a lot of meetings internally about guys. It has to make sense for us. We’ve had a good run with the guys we have so far, we don’t’ really want to change that mix, we’re looking to add to it." The Hawks made the first trade of the day when they swapped minor- league players with the Boston Bruins, according to TSN. Rob Flick was dealt from AHL Rockford to the Bruins for left wing Maxime Sauve. Flick had three goals, two assists and 97 penalty minutes in 51 games with the IceHogs. Sauve had 10 goals and 13 assists in 52 games with the Providence Bruins. The has been speculation the Hawks would like to add a defenseman to the mix, and the hunt for a No. 2 center continues into its third season. Bowman was coy when asked what position he might be targeting. "I think we're trying to get better," Bowman said. "If we can find a player that we think will help us, whatever position it is, I'm not going to rule anything out. But we're not really targeting one thing at this point. We've had a lot of discussions about different positions, and we'll see where it goes." At 27-6-5, the Hawks have run away in the Central Division and hold a four- point lead over the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference with one game in hand. The impressive run will likely keep Bowman from doign anything splashy as he does not want to trade a player off the current roster. "The group here has really kind of earned the right to see what we can do as a group," Bowman said. "The strength of our team has been our consistency and our depth. And you don't rule anything out but I think our focus is to keep this group together and try to add to it." Meanwhile, the Hawks on Wednesday recalled winger Brandon Bollig from Rockford of the AHL. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 667742 Chicago Blackhawks website. “Whatever, it happened. I’ve just got to learn from it and be more careful next time.” It looks like there will be plenty of next times for Crawford, this month and Corey is the story for Blackhawks from here on out in net for up to two more months after that. It’s his team, his net and his chance to entrench himself as the No. 1.

BY MARK LAZERUS mlazerus at suntimes.com April 3, 2013 10:17PM Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 04.04.2013

BLUES AT BLACKHAWKS The facts: 7:30, CSN, 720-AM. Updated: April 3, 2013 10:20PM Ray Emery wasn’t on the ice, or even on the bench, when the Philadelphia Flyers played the Blackhawks in the 2010 Stanley Cup finals. But as he recovered from hip surgery, Emery — who backstopped the Ottawa Senators to the finals in 2007 and who expected to be doing so for the Flyers, too — still was rooting hard for his Flyers to knock off the Hawks. “These guys played against Philly in the playoffs when I got hurt that year, but I was on that team, that was still my team,” Emery said. “And I wanted that team to win just as badly as I did in Ottawa. It’s a team. You root for each other.” Despite Emery’s experience in the playoffs, despite becoming the first goalie ever to win his first 12 decisions in a season this year, despite having done everything the Hawks have asked of him and more, Emery knows what he almost certainly will be doing when the calendar flips to May. Rooting for Corey Crawford. “The role that I’m in this year is a supporting role to Corey,” Emery told the Sun-Times on Wednesday. “And Corey’s the guy going into the playoffs.” It was the first time since Emery emerged as a surprise star this season that anyone on the Hawks freely admitted that Crawford has been, is and will continue to be the Hawks’ No. 1 goaltender. His play warrants it. Crawford is 15-4-3 in 21 starts. He’s second in the league with a 1.97 goals-against average and third with a .925 save percentage. Emery is 12-1 in 14 starts with a 2.09 GAA and .919 save percentage. “We have so much confidence in both of those guys,” defenseman Nick Leddy said. “No matter which of them’s back there, they’re going to keep us in any game.” But while goalie tandems are great in the regular season, they don’t fly in the playoffs. Those 2010 Flyers were an exception. Injuries kept shuffling Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton in and out of the net. Hawks coach Joel Quenneville has said all season that he hoped one of his goaltenders would “make the decision” for him, but with less than four weeks left in the season and both goalies playing well, it appears Quenneville has made the decision himself. Crawford will make his third consecutive start Thursday against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center. “Going into the season and all year, he’s had a bit more of an opportunity than Ray,” Quenneville said. “But both guys deserve every single night to get consideration to be played.” Crawford’s postseason statistics are almost identical to his career stats through his first two years, but he has yet to win a playoff series in two tries. Last year, in a six-game loss to the Phoenix Coyotes, he had a 2.58 GAA and an .893 save percentage and allowed two soft overtime goals. He entered this season determined to erase that memory with a big playoff run, and he’ll get his chance. In this third season, Crawford said he’s more confident and less prone to mental breakdowns than he was in the past. On Monday, the Nashville Predators erased a 2-0 deficit with two goals early in the third period. The first came on a bad play by Crawford; the second was swept in after a nice initial stop on a sudden two-on-one on the doorstep. Instead of coming undone, Crawford held the Predators at bay, then made four of five stops in the shootout to secure the victory. “I think before, maybe earlier in my career, I would’ve just fallen apart and maybe given up another two after that [first one],” he told the team’s 667743 Chicago Blackhawks

Marian Hossa will return against Blues: ‘No reason to wait longer’

BY MARK LAZERUS mlazerus at suntimes.com April 3, 2013 10:17PM

The Blackhawks only made a minor-league deal in the hours leading up to Wednesday’s trade deadline, but they will add a 430-goal scorer to their lineup for Thursday’s game against the St. Louis Blues. Marian Hossa, who has missed the last seven games with an apparent shoulder injury, will return. “I felt good [at practice Wednesday], so there’s no reason to wait longer,” said Hossa, who skated in his usual spot at right wing alongside Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews. Patrick Sharp, however, will miss his 12th game in a row with a shoulder injury. He said he’s still “very close” but has yet to be cleared to play. “Trust me, it sucks sitting there watching games,” Sharp said. “I want to be out there, and as soon as I’m allowed to, I’ll be playing.” Dave Bolland, who hurt his foot blocking a shot by Shea Weber on Monday, was back on the ice Wednesday and will be in the lineup, coach Joel Quenneville said. Patrick Kane was sick and missed practice, but Quenneville expects him to play. Stan-ding pat General manager Stan Bowman said he did a “lot of listening” up to the trade deadline, but there was “nothing we were close on.” “We were focused on getting a center,” he said. “We got Michal [Handzus on Monday], and we’re excited about that. We’ve got a lot of depth at every position.” Bowman was believed to be looking at help on the blue line but didn’t pull the trigger on any moves. With Michal Rozsival and Sheldon Brookbank alternating in the sixth spot each night and Steve Montador rounding into form in Rockford, Bowman said he had no regrets about not adding anybody else. “We have to ask ourselves the question, does it make us better?” he said. “And to make a move just to make a move, we don’t believe in that.” Waiver watch Montador and Rostislav Olesz cleared waivers. Bowman said he wanted to gauge interest in them around the league but said he is glad to have them as potential injury replacements down the stretch and in the playoffs. “I would venture there’s no team that has two guys like that in their [AHL] affiliate,” he said. Homecoming Handzus, acquired from the San Jose Sharks for a fourth-round draft pick, skated on the fourth line with Marcus Kruger and Brandon Bollig (called back up from Rockford on Wednesday). Quenneville said Handzus can play wing or center. He likely will take the faceoffs, regardless. He has won 55.6 percent of his draws this year; Kruger has won 45.1. Handzus played eight games for the Hawks in 2006 — during the team’s dark ages — before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. “It’s totally different,” he said. “I remember 10,000 people in the stands.” Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 04.04.2013 667744 Chicago Blackhawks

Handzus about to find out how much things have changed

By Tim Sassone

Things sure have changed around the Blackhawks since Michal Handzus last played here in 2006-07. Like hockey actually matters around town. When Handzus played eight games with the Hawks in '06-07, the United Center was half empty for games, Jonathan Toews was a year away from joining the club, Patrick Kane hadn't even been drafted yet and players could walk down the street without being recognized. "It's totally different," Handzus said Wednesday after his first practice with the team. "I remember 10,000 people in the stands and now, playing against the Hawks for the last six years, the building is great, it's full and there's a lot of excitement. Obviously, they won a Cup in 2010 so it's totally different." Patrick Sharp was with the Hawks back then and said Handzus won't recognize the place. "He's at the best place in the league, if you ask me," Sharp said, "so I'll be curious to see how he reacts to everything over the next few weeks. "He was one of our top forwards the last time he was here and I don't think anyone knew who he was. Today I think he answered more questions in the last five minutes than he did all of that season." Handzus skated at right wing on the fourth line with Marcus Kruger at practice Wednesday. "I'll play wherever they want me and I'll do whatever I can to help the team," Handzus said. "I'll play wing, center, whatever is needed. I'm coming to a great team and there's nothing better I can ask for." Hawks coach Joel Quenneville plans to use Handzus in a variety of ways. "He can play a number of roles for us," Quenneville said. "He can take faceoffs. He can play both wings. He's a smart player who is versatile in a lot of ways. We like his size, his thought process and can kill penalties. We like the person we're bringing into the locker room as well." Handzus played for Quenneville in St. Louis his first three seasons in the NHL. "I learned a lot from him and it's great to be back with him," Handzus said. "I'm just glad to be here. It's a great team. Off ice, I know a lot of guys here: players, coaches, trainers. On ice, I need to work on it pretty fast. "You can see it's fun here. They've been winning a lot and when that happens there's a lot fun in the locker room and everyone is energized." Hossa in, Sharp out: Marian Hossa will return to the Hawks on Thursday night against St. Louis after missing six games with a shoulder injury. However, Patrick Sharp will sit for the 12th straight game with his shoulder problem. "I felt pretty good today and most likely I'm going to play," Hossa said. "There's no reason to wait longer." "It means a lot," coach Joel Quenneville said. "He enhances your team game and he's a player you like the way he plays all over the ice." Dave Bolland practiced Wednesday after leaving Monday's game against Nashville with a foot injury from blocking a Shea Weber shot. Patrick Kane was sick and missed practice but is likely to play against the Blues. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 04.04.2013 667745 Chicago Blackhawks

No more deals for Hawks at deadline

Posted by Tim Sassone on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 15:51

The NHL trade deadline came and went Wednesday with the Blackhawks taking a pass on making another significant deal. Getting center Michal Handzus from San Jose on Monday for a fourth- round draft pick turned out to be it for the best team in the Western Conference. “We believe in the group we have here,” general manager Stan Bowman said. “I think we look at it like we’re a very strong team. You can never get ahead of yourself and there’s still a lot of work to do, but our goal all along was to win the division. We said that from Day 1 and when you do that you get home ice in the first round and that’s our objective. “We want to finish as high as we can in the standings and keep playing a high level of hockey. Regardless of the positioning and how many points you have, we just want to keep playing at high level of hockey.” Marian Hossa said it’s up to the players to show management they are deserving of the support. “We are a confident group in this dressing room,” Hossa said. “The team proved we are doing something special this year. It’s a tight group and full of confidence. We’ve had a great run so we’ll see how we are towards the end of the season. We’ve done lots of good things so far.” Bowman said he never really came close to pulling the trigger on a trade before the deadline. “We did a lot of listening,” Bowman said. “There was a lot of talk and as you saw there was a little flurry at the end there but nothing we were close on. You have to listen. It’s our job to look around what’s available, but we have to ask ourselves the question: Does it make us better? To make a move just to make a move, we don’t believe in that.” Bowman mentioned defenseman Steve Montador and winger Rostislav Olesz as two players who still could figure into the team’s plans down the stretch. Both are rehabbing injuries at Rockford. “Montador and Olesz are back and playing really good hockey,” Bowman said. “I would venture that there no team that has two guys like that in their American League affiliate that have been NHL players for years. You add them to our young players and we’re probably 16-17 deep at forward and eight-nine on defense.” Daily Herald Times LOADED: 04.04.2013 667746 Chicago Blackhawks always want to play a high level of hockey. Coaches have done a good job of preparing guys to give top performances. We want to keep going.” Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 Bowman: 'We believe in the group we have here'

April 3, 2013, 3:30 pm Nina Falcone

The trade deadline day that started quietly ended with several flurries by Wednesday afternoon. But in the midst of all the swapping, and all the talking, the Chicago Blackhawks did a lot of listening, but not much moving and shaking. The Blackhawks remained relatively quiet during the latest trade deadline, getting center Michal Handzus from San Jose on Monday, but just doing a minor-league deal on deadline day. Considering what general manager Stan Bowman said on Monday, it wasn’t totally surprising. The Blackhawks, sitting atop the Western Conference with a 27-5-3 record (and 57 points), like what they’ve got, and Bowman had said several times it would take something that fit to alter things. Obviously, he meant it. “We did a lot of listening, there was a lot of talking leading up to today and even today. As you saw there was sort of a flurry at the end (with other teams trading), but there was nothing we were close on,” Bowman said this afternoon. We’ve got a lot of depth at every position… which has been the strength of our team all year long. We have young players we have confidence in, others who are rounding into form that hadn’t played at the beginning but have shown well in Rockford recently. “It’s our job to look around at what’s available but we have to ask: ‘Does it make us better?’” Bowman said. “To make a move just to make a move, we don’t believe in that.” A few other teams in the Central Division made moves over the last few days. St. Louis traded for defenseman Jordan Leopold on Saturday defenseman Jay Bouwmeester on Monday night. The Columbus Blue Jackets were very active today, and claimed the biggest surprise move when they got right wing Marian Gaborik from the New York Rangers (in exchange for Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett and prospect John Moore) and left wing Blake Comeau from the Calgary Flames. Bowman said it wasn’t a situation where asking prices were too high for certain players. “When we look at our roster we say, ‘Who are they going to replace?’ Especially on defense, we’ve been sitting a good player out every night,” Bowman said, referring to Sheldon Brookbank and Michal Rozsival, who have been playing very well. "That’s the strength of our team and it shows that way. Unless they’re way better than the players you have, we believe in the group we have here. You look at our group up front, we’ve had some injuries and our young players have stepped up and done a good job. That’s our depth. There was a lot of listening today, but we’re very happy with where we’re at right now.” So the Blackhawks will go on with what they have. And players say they are fine with that. “I saw Stan commented that we’ve earned the right to see what this group can do, and that’s a pretty confident thing to say,” said Patrick Sharp, who would return relatively soon from a shoulder injury. “That translates through the team. As a group we have great chemistry, we feel good on the ice together and we like to hear that. It’s nice to hear it from your GM, the one that makes those decisions. I don’t know if we needed to hear it; I think as an organization we feel that way. But it’s nice to hear it.” A few other teams in the West made moves. The Blackhawks chose to go with what they’ve got. If it works, it’ll be considered genius. If not, well, it will be skewered. But the Blackhawks believe they have as good a chance as any team to win the Stanley Cup with what they have on their current roster and in their system. They’ll find out soon enough. “We look at it as a very strong team,” Bowman said. “You can never get ahead of yourself. There’s still a lot of work to do. We’re staying focused, and goal all along was to win the division. You do that, you get home ice; that’s our objective. Regardless of positioning and the points you have, you 667747 Chicago Blackhawks

Hossa in, Sharp out vs. Blues

April 3, 2013, 12:45 pm Mark Lazerus

As the Chicago Blackhawks brass does whatever they do during the waning moments of the trade deadline, one of their stars will be back in the lineup tomorrow. Marian Hossa will play, but Patrick Sharp is still not ready, as the Blackhawks prepare to host the St. Louis Blues at the United Center on Thursday night. For Hossa, the time is now to return from a shoulder injury that’s sidelined him since mid-March. “I felt good today,” he said. “So there’s no reason to wait longer.” Sharp, however, isn’t feeling as good about his shoulder injury yet. “It needs to be 100 percent to come back, especially with the situation we’re in,” Sharp said of the first-place Blackhawks. “It sucks missing games. When it’s ready, I’ll play for sure. It’s tough because I’ve been skating for three weeks now, I can shoot the puck under control and I’ve been doing it for a long time. It’s frustrating that I’m that close, but there are some limitations with it.” Patrick Kane was ill on Wednesday but is expected to play Thursday night. Corey Crawford will get the start in net. Dave Bolland, who left Monday’s game after blocking a shot, practiced today and is expected to play tomorrow night. Meanwhile, where will new acquisition Michal Handzus fit in? He practiced with the fourth line today, going back and forth from wing to center. But perhaps Handzus starts, at least, with the Blackhawks’ second line in Sharp’s absence. “He can play a number of roles for us. He can play both wings and center,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “He’s a smart player, versatile in a lot of ways. We like his experience, his size, his thought process. We like the person we’re bringing into the locker room.” Daniel Carcillo left today’s practice but coach Joel Quenneville said he should be fine, that it was more precautionary that he departed. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 667748 Chicago Blackhawks

Sauve joins Blackhawks, Flick sent to Boston

April 3, 2013, 11:30 am

The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired center Max Sauve from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Rob Flick, according to TSN. Sauve (6-foot-2, 184 pounds) is currently playing with the Providence Bruins, where he has 10 goals and 13 assists in 52 games this season. Flick has three goals, two assists and 97 penalty minutes with the Rockford IceHogs this season Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 667749 Chicago Blackhawks

Hawks set to face revamped Blues on CSN

April 4, 2013, 12:00 am Nina Falcone The Blackhawks will face another division rival tonight as they take on the St. Louis Blues. Catch all the action on Comcast SportsNet beginning with Blackhawks Pregame Live at 7:00. The Blackhawks may have come out of Monday's matchup against the Predators with two points under their belt, but the team felt the victory was a disappointment. After holding a 2-0 lead and 27-11 edge in shots on goal at the end of the second period, the Hawks allowed their opponent to tie the game and take it to a shootout. The lesson here: Chicago's third-period play needed improvement. "It’s a reoccurring theme lately with teams coming at us hard in the third period," captain Jonathan Toews said following the game. "We have to make sure it’s our best period going forward. That’s gotta be at the forefront of our mindset." [More: Bowman: 'We believe in the group we have here'] Tonight the Blackhawks will work to apply that message to their game as they face off against St. Louis. The Blues (18-14-2) defeated the Wild on Monday, ending a three-game skid. St. Louis is currently tied with Nashville as the Western Conference's No. 8 seed, and the team still remains in a very tight race with Edmonton and Columbus as they fight to see playing time past April 27. Point leaders Blackhawks: Patrick Kane (19 goals, 24 assists), Toews (17 goals, 19 assists), Marian Hossa (13 goals, 10 assists) Blues: Chris Stewart (15 goals, 14 assists), Alexander Steen (six goals, 16 assists), David Perron (nine goals, 13 assists) Trade deadline acquisitions Blackhawks: Chicago acquired Michal Handzus from the San Jose Sharks on Monday in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick. The 6-foot-5 forward will provide size for the Hawks, as well as some help on faceoffs. He joined his new team at practice on Wednesday and will lace up tonight at the United Center. Blues: St. Louis has been a bit busier, adding defensemen Jordan Leopold and Jay Bouwmeester to add some depth to their blue line. Leopold recorded two goals and six assists this year with the Sabres, while Bouwmeester tallied six goals and nine assists with the Flames. Both will join their new team tonight in Chicago. Where's Bollig? As Brandon Bollig tweeted Thursday, he'll "come out of hiding." After being sent back down to Rockford, No. 52 was recalled by the Blackhawks and rejoined his teammates at Wednesday's practice. Notes -- Hossa will rejoin the Blackhawks tonight after being sidelined with an upper-body injury. Patrick Sharp said Wednesday he still needs more time off the ice as he recuperates from a shoulder injury. -- Corey Crawford will get the start in net tonight for the Blackhawks. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 667750 Colorado Avalanche

Ryan O'Byrne traded by Avalanche to Toronto for 4th-round pick in 2014

By Adrian Dater The Denver Post Posted: 04/03/2013 01:53:33 PM MDT Updated: 04/03/2013 02:39:40 PM MDT

The Avalanche traded defenseman Ryan O'Byrne on Wednesday on NHL trade deadline day. But for the Avs, that was it. The last-place-in-the-NHL Avs would have figured to be big sellers on such a day, but a host of factors likely made deals tough to make for general manager Greg Sherman. As it stood, Sherman made just the one trade: O'Byrne to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft. O'Byrne, a native of British Columbia, played parts of three seasons with Colorado. While a popular member in the dressing room, his play — like a lot of Avs players — suffered this season. In 34 games with the Avs, he had one goal and three assists and a minus-8. O'Byrne is making $1.8 million this season and can be an unrestricted free agent in July. The Avs end up getting something for a player who they probably would have lost for nothing. In a brief interview with Canada's TSN following the trade, O'Byrne tried to size up what went wrong with the Avalanche this season. "It's tough to say. Obviously in a shortened season, we lost a few in a row and things kind of snowballed there," O'Byrne said. "But there are good young players coming up there and I think they'll be a good team for years to come." While there were a few big trades Wednesday around the NHL — with Marian Gaborik going from the Rangers to Columbus probably the biggest — deals were tougher to make this year than previous ones. One big reason: The NHL's salary cap will be reduced from $70.2 million to $64.3 million next season, so bigger contracts were tougher to move. Also, the shortened, 48-game season has allowed more teams to consider themselves contenders for the playoffs, leaving few teams that were true sellers. The Avs still have a young roster that management may be hesitant to blow up, despite what looks to be a lottery finish for the third time in the past four years. Denver Post: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667751 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche makes minor trade; others seem likely as NHL deadline nears

By Adrian Dater Posted: 04/03/2013 11:06:35 AM MDT Updated: 04/03/2013 11:43:22 AM MDT

With the NHL's trade deadline ticking down to its 1 p.m. conclusion, Avalanche fans want to know what, if anything, will the team do? The last-place Avs are expected to make a deal or two, but how big they are remains to be seen. Of the Avs' defensemen who could be on the move Wednesday, Ryan O'Byrne is the most likely. The Avs would like to move O'Byrne because he can be an unrestricted free agent after this season. His play, especially of late, has not been good, but his size and experience could interest a team looking for defensive depth. So far, Colorado has made only a small trade, dealing minor-league defenseman Cameron Gaunce to Dallas for forward Tomas Vincour. That was the Avs' first trade in nearly 14 months, dating to their Jamie McGinn- Daniel Winnik, multiple-player deal with San Jose last season. The Avs might want to move underachieving forward David Jones, but getting much in return is unlikely. Jones has three years and $12 million left on his contract, and he has had a horrible season, with only three goals. Another player who could be intriguing for some teams is backup goalie J.S. Giguere. He would bring Stanley Cup experience to a contender. Check www.denverpost.com/avalanche later Wednesday for more details of any possible trades. Denver Post: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667752 Columbus Blue Jackets Jackets in a trade last summer that sent team captain and forward Rick Nash to New York. The Blue Jackets also received a first-round pick from the Rangers in that Bold move brings ‘explosive player’ to Blue Jackets trade. In all of yesterday’s moves, the team was delighted to keep all three All-Star winger Gaborik acquired from Rangers of its first-round picks for the upcoming draft. “We had to give up a lot to get a good player,” Kekalainen said. “But those (picks) are very important to us; they’re valuable to us.” By Aaron Portzline Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.04.2013 The Columbus Dispatch Thursday April 4, 2013 6:37 AM

When yesterday dawned, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen wanted to trade for a winger who could give the Blue Jackets a boost on offense, help provide relief for hard-working goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and shore up the power play. There are boosts, and there are rocket-launches. Kekalainen opened eyes across the NHL just before the 3 p.m. trade deadline, acquiring three-time All-Star right winger Marian Gaborik from the New York Rangers in the second blockbuster trade between the teams in nine months. The price was steep. The Jackets sent center Derick Brassard, injured right winger Derek Dorsett, defenseman John Moore and a sixth-round draft pick in 2014 to the Rangers. It’s the Jackets’ first major move under Kekalainen, who was hired in February, and it was the biggest headline of trade- deadline day. “When a player of (Gaborik’s caliber) became available, we were quite excited about it,” Kekalainen said. “This is an explosive player. We worked on it for quite a while. We’re looking at this as a long-term solution, not a rental. He’s under contract through next season, and we would like to see the relationship continue beyond that.” The Blue Jackets also traded goaltender Steve Mason — who won the Calder Trophy in 2009 but has struggled since — to the Philadelphia Flyers for goaltender Michael Leighton and a third-round pick in 2015. In a third move, the Jackets shipped a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft to Calgary for rugged right winger Blake Comeau. Gaborik and Leighton were expected to arrive in Nashville last night and be available for a game tonight against the Predators, while Comeau will take a few days until he obtains a U.S. work visa. The Blue Jackets are in 10th place in the Western Conference but only one point behind eighth-place St. Louis in their push for a playoff spot. Eleven games remain. “It was a big day for us,” Kekalainen said. “It came together fast at the end. I don’t think I put my phone down in the final two hours.” Gaborik, 31, has 333 goals and 333 assists in 757 games with Minnesota and New York. He has had three 40-goal seasons, a cumulative plus-84 rating and 62 winning goals, while fending off numerous groin tweaks, pulls and tears. He had offseason shoulder surgery and hasn’t quite been himself with the Rangers this season, with nine goals, 10 assists and a minus-8 rating in 35 games. “I feel good,” Gaborik said. “It’s hard. Everybody goes through some bumps and bruises, but I feel fine. My shoulder is fine. I feel confident going to Columbus and helping that team make the playoffs.” Gaborik’s contract, which pays him $7.5 million per season through next season, includes a no-trade clause. After Kekalainen and Rangers general manager Glen Sather agreed to the deal at 2:15 p.m., a mad dash ensued to get Gaborik’s approval signed and delivered to the league in 45 minutes. In that span, Gaborik spoke with Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson, Kekalainen and Blue Jackets veteran Vinny Prospal, a former Rangers teammate. Gaborik needed only 25 minutes to give his approval. “It’s nice to be part of a team that really wanted me,” Gaborik said. “The team has shown they’re going in the right direction. We haven’t been performing the way we should (for the Rangers), myself included. It wasn’t the way anybody expected. I haven’t been having fun this year; I don’t think the whole team has at all. I’m looking forward to this challenge.” Besides Prospal, Gaborik will be reunited with former Rangers teammates Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov. The forwards came to the Blue 667753 Columbus Blue Jackets a first-round pick. That is more than rearranging furniture. It is a renovation, well done. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.04.2013 Michael Arace commentary: Surprising deal gives Jackets new look

By Michael Arace The Columbus Dispatch Thursday April 4, 2013 5:30 AM The Blue Jackets have been among the pleasant little surprises of this strange, truncated NHL season. They came from last place, sneaked up on everybody and scrapped their way into playoff contention. They slightly altered the natural order of the league, the way one does by adding a fern in the living room, or by switching out the doormat. Yesterday, trade deadline day, the change became more pronounced. A flurry of deals were made just before the cutoff, none so large and largely surprising as the one pulled off by general manager Jarmo Kekalainen and his boss, John Davidson, president of hockey operations. They traded Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett, John Moore and a sixth-round pick to the New York Rangers for Marian Gaborik — a former All-Star with goal-scoring bona fides and a Rick Nash-sized contract. The first move made by the new brain trust stands as one of the biggest deals in Blue Jackets history, right up there with the one that brought Jeff Carter from Philadelphia, the one that sent Carter off to Los Angeles and the one that sent Nash packing to the Rangers. In terms of shock value and audacity, it might be bigger than all of them. It is like someone blew out a wall in the old place. It is disorienting. Thirteen years ago, the Blue Jackets lost Gaborik on a coin flip and wound up with Rostislav Klesla instead. Klesla is gone — and now, so are Brassard, Moore and the rest of the Jackets’ first 10 first-round picks — and Gaborik is pulling on a new blue shirt. How odd is that? Two years ago, the Blue Jackets acquired Carter, a mercurial star who begged out of town after 39 games. Now, they have swung another huge deal for another expensive sports car. How fussy is the engine? Last year, the Jackets traded a former 40-goal scorer to the Rangers for depth. This year, the Jackets traded depth to the Rangers for a former 40- goal scorer. Who made the right move — Scott Howson, Glen Sather, Kekalainen or Sather? The stated philosophy of the new administration is to build the Blue Jackets brick by brick. Yesterday, the Jackets lost three young blocks. They surrendered some skill, a lot of soul and a 22-year-old defenseman with size and skating ability to get Gaborik — who is 31 years old, has been in and out of Rangers coach John Tortorella’s doghouse, had shoulder surgery last year and nine goals and 10 assists in 35 games this year. Is he the right brick? What is the deal? “We’re trying to win now,” Davidson said, “and we’re trying to win in the future.” The Gaborik deal suits both aims. The fuzzy, feel-good Blue Jackets are a different animal as they head into a 12-game stretch run. They have upgraded their areas of weakness, an anemic offense and addled power play. Whatever happens next week or next season — after which Gaborik’s contract is due to expire — Blue Jackets management has made it clear that it prizes victory and will be bold in its pursuit. It is unfair to compare Gaborik with Jeff Carter, a narcissist who looked down on Columbus. Gaborik’s production in last year’s playoffs, which drew the ire of Tortorella, was due in large part to a torn labrum. There is some suspicion that Gaborik has lost some zip on his shot, but he still has some serious wheels and there is little doubt he will benefit from a change in scenery, not to mention a return to right wing. Kekalainen managed to get Gaborik without compromising the future. Brassard needed a new address, and the addition of Gaborik is a hefty boost in skill. The losses of Dorsett and Moore are mitigated by the Blue Jackets’ depth of bottom-six forwards and young defensemen. It was done without surrendering any of their three, prized first-round picks. They have, in essence, traded Nash, Brassard, Dorsett, Moore and a sixth- round pick for Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon, Gaborik and 667754 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets notebook: Familiar names depart

By Shawn Mitchell The Columbus Dispatch Thursday April 4, 2013 5:28 AM Three of the sturdiest bonds to the old Blue Jackets — those of departed general manager Scott Howson, departed coach Scott Arniel and scant success — were broken yesterday when goaltender Steve Mason was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers and forwards Derick Brassard and Derek Dorsett were traded to the New York Rangers. Also dealt was 22-year-old defenseman John Moore, a once-promising prospect deemed exchangeable for more pressing needs that new general manager Jarmo Kekalainen and president of hockey operations John Davidson hope can be filled by former All-Star forward Marian Gaborik. The trades were jarring, if for no other reason than the familiarity of the departed. Mason, Brassard and Dorsett were three of only seven players on the roster whose tenures dated to the Blue Jackets’ lone playoff season of 2008-09. It was during that season that Mason won the starting job and the Calder Trophy as the NHL rookie of the year at age 20. But the memory of a season that culminated in a first-round playoff sweep was faded by three seasons of struggle. A fourth was marked by his relegation to the backup spot after the emergence of Sergei Bobrovsky. So Mason, a restricted free agent at the end of the season, was traded to the Flyers for backup goalie Michael Leighton and a third-round pick in the 2015 draft. “Obviously with the play of Bobrovsky, he has not played as much and his contract is coming to an end,” Kekalainen said. “There is a business side to every decision, as well. We were thinking about it, and there were a few teams that were interested. I thought this was a deal that we had to take to just protect our interest into the future rather than just letting a player walk at the end of the contract.” Kekalainen acknowledged the example set by Dorsett, an undersized firebrand who led the NHL in penalty minutes last season and is a tough and tireless worker. Dorsett, likely out for the rest of the regular season because of a fractured clavicle, had emerged as a leader. “We realized the importance of Dorsett in the room, but also he’s been injured for a while, and our team’s been doing pretty well without him,” Kekalainen said. “So we felt that this was a situation where team chemistry is going to be fine going forward.” Brassard, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2006 draft, was once viewed by the Jackets as a potential No. 1 center. But he never lived up to the billing, averaging 41 points in three full seasons. He had seven goals and 11 assists in 34 games this season. Moore, too, was a first-round pick (No. 21 in 2009) who played 67 games for the Jackets as a rookie last season. But he was a healthy scratch eight times this season, including four of the previous six games. Slap shots The Blue Jackets activated Dubinsky (left knee) and left winger Nick Foligno from injured reserve. Both are expected to be in the lineup tonight at the Nashville Predatrors. … The Blue Jackets capped deadline day with a minor trade, acquiring minor-league goaltender Patrick Killeen, 22, from Pittsburgh for future considerations. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.04.2013 667755 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets, Predators at a glance

TONIGHT’S GAME vs. Nashville Predators 8 p.m., Bridgestone Arena TV: Fox Sports Ohio Radio: WBNS-FM (97.1)

Thursday April 4, 2013 5:25 AM

Blue Jackets at a glance • Past 10 games: 5-2-3 • Power play: 13.3 percent (27th in NHL) • Penalty kill: 85.7 percent (fourth, tied) • Injury update: LW Nick Foligno (upper body) and C Brandon Dubinsky (left knee) are probable; D Tim Erixon (upper body) and RW Jared Boll (lower body) are out. Nashville Predators at a glance • Past 10 games: 4-4-2 • Power play: 18.1 percent (16th in NHL) • Penalty kill: 77.6 percent (26th) • Injury update: C Mike Fisher (hand) is questionable. LW Colin Wilson (upper body) is out. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.04.2013 667756 Columbus Blue Jackets

New digits

New Blue Jacket Marian Gaborik has worn No. 10 since his rookie season of 2000-01. He traded with Mark Letestu to keep the number. Letestu will switch to No. 55. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.04.2013 667757 Columbus Blue Jackets

NHL: Big trading day for Blue Jackets

By Aaron Portzline The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday April 3, 2013 9:33 PM

NHL trade deadline day started with a hush and ended with a hammer, and the Blue Jackets were a big part of the thunderous final hour. The Jackets acquired three-time All-Star right winger Marian Gaborik and two minor-league defensemen from the New York Rangers in exchange for center Derick Brassard, right winger Derek Dorsett, defenseman John Moore and sixth-round draft pick in the 2014 NHL draft. Gaborik, 31, gives the Blue Jackets an elite offensive scorer, something they can use after a languishing toward the bottom of the league in scoring all season. He has five 30-goal seasons on his resume. Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said his team now has "an explosive player." "Very exciting for us, I think," Kekalainen said. "One area we needed to address was getting more offense, somebody who could play the power play, run the power play, score some goals for us. When a player of Marian’s caliber became available we were extremely excited about the opoortunity and we worked on it for quite a while." Gaborik had to waive a no-trade clause to get the deal completed, which he did with little time to spare. "We finally got it done," Kekalainen said. "I think we were kind of pushing the limit there at the end with the no-trade clause and the papers that had get sent down." The Blue Jackets didn't stop with that trade, however. Goaltender Steve Mason, whose career started with such promise and ended with him being the back-up in Columbus, was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for a third-round pick in 2015 and goaltender Michael Leighton. "Obviously with the play of (Sergei) Boborvosky, (Mason) has not played as much and his contract is coming to an end," Kekalainen said. "There is a business side to every decision, as well. We were thinking about it and there were a few teams that were interested as well. I thought this was a deal that we had to take to just protect our interest into the future rather than just letting a player walk at the end of the contract." The Blue Jackets also acquired winger Blake Comeau from the Calgary Flames for a fifth-round pick in the 2013 draft. He scored 41 goals in a two- year span with New York Islanders, but never produced or made much of an impact the past two seasons in Calgary. "He is something that we needed to add after giving up those players (for Gaborik)," Kekalainen said. "Dorsett obviously is a physical player that we lost in this deal. Blake Comeau hits hard and plays a physical game but he can also score some goals. He’s a guy that’s going to fill an important role for us." Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson was taking a private aircraft to pick up Gaborik tonight and fly him to Nashville, where he will be in the lineup against the Predators on Thursday. Leighton was expected to arrive in Nashville tonight and back up Bobrovsky against the Predators. Comeau must first clear immigration and will join the team in the coming days. The Jackets also acquired AHL/ECHL defensemen Steven Delisle and Blake Parlett from the Rangers. Delisle was drafted by the Jackets in 2008 and was traded to the Rangers in July as part of the deal that sent Rick Nash to New York. The Blue Jackets announced another move tonight. They acquired minor- league goaltender Patrick Killeen from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for future considerations. Killeen was assigned to AHL Springfield. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.04.2013 667758 Dallas Stars

Sherrington: One head coach from the Stars’ past that I wouldn’t be averse to bringing back…

Kevin Sherrington Published: 03 April 2013 07:40 PM

SportsDay columnist Kevin Sherrington answered reader questions during a live chat Wednesday. Here are some highlights: I saw that Lindy Ruff (great NHL coach) is suddenly available now. And I wonder if his (and others'?) availability might inspire Newey to seriously think that maybe it's better to have an experienced coach for an inexperienced team rather than the current "newbie" Gulutzan? Kevin Sherrington: Ruff goes all the way back to the Stars' glory days, which seems like a long time ago now. I have no idea if Ruff would be so inclined, but, yeah, I think he'd be a terrific hire. For that matter, I wouldn't be averse to bringing back Ken Hitchcock. No coach connected with the locals like Hitch. Taught me everything I know about hockey. Do you think the Stars owner is not willing to spend money on the team because they couldn't reach an agreement with Roy and Jagr? Kevin Sherrington: In any professional sport, here's the maxim: If you're not a winning team, and it doesn't appear like you're going to win for a couple of years or more, never keep high-priced, older talent. Trade it for what you can get and rebuild. I applaud Tom Gaglardi's decision to bring in young talent. This team isn't physical enough, which is why Lehtonen is getting killed back there. Remember: Build first, then pay for the final pieces. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667759 Dallas Stars

Stars send Jordie Benn, Colton Sceviour back to AHL

MIKE HEIKA Published: 03 April 2013 03:00 PM

Confusing morning in Anaheim, but Stars want these players ready for AHL playoffs. Here is the press release: DALLAS STARS ASSIGN JORDIE BENN AND COLTON SCEVIOUR TO TEXAS STARS; ACTIVATE RYAN GARBUTT FROM INJURED RESERVE FRISCO, Texas - The Dallas Stars announced today that defenseman Jordie Benn and forward Colton Sceviour have been assigned to the Texas Stars, Dallas' development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). The team also activated forward Ryan Garbutt from injured reserve. Benn, 25, has skated in 23 games for Dallas this season, registering six points (1G-5A), including his first career NHL goal on March 23 against the Colorado Avalanche. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound defenseman returns to Texas with 21 points (7G-14A) in 40 games for the AHL affiliate this season. A native of Victoria, B.C., Benn went undrafted and was signed by Dallas on July 25, 2012 to a one-year contract extension. Sceviour, 23, has skated in two career NHL contests, most recently on Jan. 26, 2013 against St. Louis. The 6-foot, 196-pound forward ranks second on the Texas Stars in scoring this season with 44 points (18G-26A) and is second with a plus-17 rating. The native of Red Deer, Alta., was Dallas' fourth-round selection (112th overall) in the 2007 NHL Draft. Garbutt, 27, has missed the last nine games with a wrist injury and was placed on injured reserve retroactive to the March 14 game against Anaheim. The 6-foot, 190-pound forward has earned five points (3G-2A) in 23 games for the Stars this season and has registered eight points (5G-3A) in 43 career NHL contests. The Dallas Stars faceoff against the Anaheim Ducks tonight at 9:00 p.m. at Honda Center (TV: FOX Sports Southwest; Radio: 1310 The Ticket). Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667760 Dallas Stars opinion. But we worked hard and we were direct. We just didn’t capitalize on our opportunities.’’ MacDermid got his first NHL goal with 1:24 left, and that allowed for some Heika: Stars' youngsters get chance, but youthful mistakes hurt in loss to optimism for the future. Ducks "I thought all of the guys had a lot of energy and tried to do all of the little things right. We did that for the most part but they made some good plays,’’ MIKE HEIKA he said. "There’s a lot of chatter and a lot of energy and everyone builds on that. Published: 04 April 2013 12:27 AM Despite the loss, the Stars know it will be a process to get to where they want, and they believe the best way to attack that process is attempting to win. ANAHEIM, Calif. _ The new look Stars had many of the same problems as the old look Stars Wednesday night. "We’re not giving up, we’re never giving up,’’ Nystrom said. "This is a great opportunity for a lot of these guys, and even for a guy like me who might get With five new players in the lineup after a remodel at the trade deadline, the more of a chance than he usually does. We’re not out of this by any means, Stars still couldn’t solve Anaheim goalie Viktor Fasth and took a 5-2 loss at so we have to play our hardest and see what happens.’’ the Honda Center. The remade Stars had more physicality and jump after sending away Jaromir Jagr, Derek Roy and Tomas Vincour in separate Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.04.2013 trades and assigning Reilly Smith and Francis Wathier to the AHL, but they still couldn’t keep up with the Pacific Division leader. Anaheim moves to 25-7-5 (55 points) with the win, while the Stars drop to 16-17-3 (35 points). The dream of the playoffs seems more distant than ever for Dallas, which will probably have to go something like 9-2-1 in the final 12 games if they want to get to the 54 points that will probably be needed to contend for the eighth spot in the Western Conference. Dallas voiced optimism before the game, as some of the younger prospects off the Texas Stars (AHL) joined some of the prospects who have already been working in the NHL this season. Winger Alex Chiasson, 22, made his NHL debut, while winger Matt Fraser, 22, played his fifth NHL game. Recently acquired winger Lane MacDermid, 23, played in his ninth NHL game. While the Stars didn’t get the results they wanted, players and coaches were still enthusiastic about the energy that will be brought by the younger players. "It’s tough to find the good stuff in a loss like that,’’ said veteran defenseman Stephane Robidas. "There are a lot of new faces, young guys that had their first experience with us and I thought they did really well. That’s the positive sign. They worked hard and did their part. I think we can defend a little harder and be a little more physical in our zone, especially against a team with that much skill. We have to be hard on them and finish our checks whenever we can. That’s something that we didn’t do as well tonight." Bottom line, the energy didn’t carry the play against the veteran Ducks. Instead, a couple of key breakdowns led to open players just feet away from Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen, and Anaheim was in control for most of the game. In a twist of sports poetry, former Stars winger Radek Dvorak scored against his old team to start things off. Dvorak was not signed by the Stars in the summer and played this season in the Swiss Elite League. However, the Ducks signed him as a free agent March 24, and he was wide open in front of the net in the first period. Ryan Getzlaf found him with a pass, and Dvorak scored in his third game as a Duck. Anaheim added to that in the second period, as Teemu Selanne scored the 673 goal of his career. He ranks 11 all-time, just behind the now-departed Jagr. Selanne found open space about 15 feet out and flipped a shot over Lehtonen. Kyle Palmieri then made it 3-0 in the second period when he walked around several Stars defenders and jammed a shot past Lehtonen. The Stars finally scored on Fasth, who had shut them out for 102:48, when Vernon Fiddler made a great pass from behind the net to Erik Cole driving to the goal. It was Cole’s seventh goal of the season. Dallas had a few chances to draw within one, but Fasth was solid in keeping the cushion. Then, Ryan Getzlaf, who had appeared to suffer an injury earlier in the game, sprung off the bench on an odd-man rush, and lifted a backhand into the net for his 13 goal of the season and a 4-1 lead. "We worked,’’ said Stars coach Glen Gultzan. "What I didn’t like was our battle level on the walls. I thought our ‘D’ needed to win more battles on the boards. We let them get to our net a couple times a little too easy in my 667761 Dallas Stars Lombardi from Phoenix and shipping out third-string goalie Jeff Deslauriers in separate deals. Anaheim showed little fatigue in its 22nd game in 39 days, controlling early Stephane Robidas having tough time finding 'good stuff' in Stars' third play and going ahead on the goal by Dvorak, a 17-year NHL veteran who straight loss signed with Anaheim on March 24. The Czech forward had been playing in Switzerland this winter after scoring 21 points in 73 games for Dallas last season. ASSOCIATED PRESS Selanne scored his 251st power-play goal in the second period when a Published: 03 April 2013 09:11 PM drop pass by Getzlaf deflected to him for a nasty wrist shot. Selanne endured a nine-game goal drought in March, but the 42-year-old Finnish Flash has scored at least 10 goals for the 20th consecutive season. ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Although the Dallas Stars traded two of their top Palmieri added his added his eighth goal of the season five minutes later, four scorers in the two days since their last meeting with Anaheim, the easily moving past stationary defenseman Aaron Rome. The Ducks' Ducks didn't take them less seriously in the rematch. promising scorer hadn't found the net in his last 13 games since getting a hat trick Feb. 27 against Nashville. The departures of Jaromir Jagr and Derek Roy actually made the Stars look more dangerous to the Ducks, and the Pacific Division leaders responded NOTES: The 6-foot-4 Chiasson was a second-round pick in 2009 before accordingly. playing three seasons at Boston University. Chiasson hit Anaheim's Matt Beleskey squarely in the face with his stick blade early in the third period, Captain Ryan Getzlaf had a goal and two assists, and Teemu Selanne but wasn't penalized while Beleskey went to the dressing room. ... The scored his 673rd career goal in the Ducks' 5-2 victory over Dallas on Ducks traded C Brandon McMillan to Phoenix for Lombardi, who wasn't in Wednesday night. town to face Dallas. McMillan never solidified a spot in the Ducks' lineup Viktor Fasth made 23 saves and Radek Dvorak scored his first goal for over the past three years despite numerous chances to stick in Anaheim. Anaheim in the second of three straight meetings in five days between the He played in six games with Anaheim this season, spending most of the first-place Ducks and the last-place Stars, who lost 4-0 in Dallas on last two years in the AHL. Monday. While the Stars are young and improving, the Ducks are sitting on Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.04.2013 a double-digit lead atop the division with 11 games to play, closing in on a postseason berth and just their second Pacific title in two decades of existence. "Teams that make trades and do the sell-off are so tough to play down the stretch," Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Experience tells me when you bring in a lot of new guys, young guys especially, they play with so much energy. ... To beat any team three times in a row is difficult, but we're going to try." Kyle Palmieri snapped a 13-game goal drought and Andrew Cogliano scored an empty-net goal as the Ducks improved the NHL's third-best record to 25-7-5 and closed within two points of the league-leading Chicago Blackhawks. Getzlaf had the fourth three-point game in his outstanding season for Anaheim, which is 3-0-1 since a four-game losing streak last month. Getzlaf briefly left the ice after bending his right leg awkwardly while tied up with Jamie Benn in the third period, but returned to score his 150th career goal on a perfectly placed backhand set up by Corey Perry. Boudreau then gave the rest of the night off to his leading scorer. "He's one of the best passers in the league," Dvorak said of Getzlaf, who assisted on his first-period goal with a pinpoint pass from the far boards. "As soon as I see he has the puck, I just try to get open. ... We knew it was going to be a tough game. They were coming hard tonight. They made a lot of changes and had a lot of young guys, and they had a lot of energy." Lane MacDermid scored his first NHL goal in his Dallas debut, and Kari Lehtonen stopped 22 shots in the Stars' first game since trading Jagr to Boston and Roy to Vancouver. Erik Cole also scored for the Stars, who have lost three straight. With the departures of Jagr and Roy, Alex Chiasson made his NHL debut for Dallas and center Ryan Garbutt returned from a nine-game absence with an injured wrist. High-scoring left wing Loui Eriksson also played center for the Stars. "It's tough to find the good stuff in a loss like that," Dallas defenseman Stephane Robidas said. "There are a lot of new faces, young guys that had their first experience with us, and I thought they did really well." Fasth, who shut out Dallas earlier this week, blanked Dallas through the first 42 minutes Wednesday before Cole scored. MacDermid, acquired from the Bruins in the Jagr deal, got his first NHL goal with 1:24 to play. "I thought all of the guys had a lot of energy and tried to do all the little things right," MacDermid said. "We did that for the most part, but they made some good plays." After adding veterans Dvorak and David Steckel last month, the Ducks made only two moves at the trade deadline, acquiring center Matthew 667762 Dallas Stars

Stars' Eric Nystrom still hoping to come to terms on a contract extension

MIKE HEIKA Published: 04 April 2013 12:05 AM

Stars winger Eric Nystrom was a player who could have been traded Wednesday. He can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer. Nystrom and the Stars were unable to come to terms on a contract extension before Wednesday. He said that’s just part of being a pro athlete. “Yeah, sure you worry, but there was nothing I could do about it,” he said. “I’m just glad I’m still here.” Nystrom was rescued somewhat by the Stars when they acquired him from the Minnesota Wild after he had been sent to the minors last season. He said he hopes to still get a contract extension with the Stars. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667763 Dallas Stars Lombardi from Phoenix and shipping out third-string goalie Jeff Deslauriers in separate deals. Anaheim showed little fatigue in its 22nd game in 39 days, controlling early Stephane Robidas having tough time finding 'good stuff' in Stars' third play and going ahead on the goal by Dvorak, a 17-year NHL veteran who straight loss signed with Anaheim on March 24. The Czech forward had been playing in Switzerland this winter after scoring 21 points in 73 games for Dallas last season. ASSOCIATED PRESS Selanne scored his 251st power-play goal in the second period when a Published: 03 April 2013 09:11 PM drop pass by Getzlaf deflected to him for a nasty wrist shot. Selanne endured a nine-game goal drought in March, but the 42-year-old Finnish Flash has scored at least 10 goals for the 20th consecutive season. ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Although the Dallas Stars traded two of their top Palmieri added his added his eighth goal of the season five minutes later, four scorers in the two days since their last meeting with Anaheim, the easily moving past stationary defenseman Aaron Rome. The Ducks' Ducks didn't take them less seriously in the rematch. promising scorer hadn't found the net in his last 13 games since getting a hat trick Feb. 27 against Nashville. The departures of Jaromir Jagr and Derek Roy actually made the Stars look more dangerous to the Ducks, and the Pacific Division leaders responded NOTES: The 6-foot-4 Chiasson was a second-round pick in 2009 before accordingly. playing three seasons at Boston University. Chiasson hit Anaheim's Matt Beleskey squarely in the face with his stick blade early in the third period, Captain Ryan Getzlaf had a goal and two assists, and Teemu Selanne but wasn't penalized while Beleskey went to the dressing room. ... The scored his 673rd career goal in the Ducks' 5-2 victory over Dallas on Ducks traded C Brandon McMillan to Phoenix for Lombardi, who wasn't in Wednesday night. town to face Dallas. McMillan never solidified a spot in the Ducks' lineup Viktor Fasth made 23 saves and Radek Dvorak scored his first goal for over the past three years despite numerous chances to stick in Anaheim. Anaheim in the second of three straight meetings in five days between the He played in six games with Anaheim this season, spending most of the first-place Ducks and the last-place Stars, who lost 4-0 in Dallas on last two years in the AHL. Monday. While the Stars are young and improving, the Ducks are sitting on Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.04.2013 a double-digit lead atop the division with 11 games to play, closing in on a postseason berth and just their second Pacific title in two decades of existence. "Teams that make trades and do the sell-off are so tough to play down the stretch," Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Experience tells me when you bring in a lot of new guys, young guys especially, they play with so much energy. ... To beat any team three times in a row is difficult, but we're going to try." Kyle Palmieri snapped a 13-game goal drought and Andrew Cogliano scored an empty-net goal as the Ducks improved the NHL's third-best record to 25-7-5 and closed within two points of the league-leading Chicago Blackhawks. Getzlaf had the fourth three-point game in his outstanding season for Anaheim, which is 3-0-1 since a four-game losing streak last month. Getzlaf briefly left the ice after bending his right leg awkwardly while tied up with Jamie Benn in the third period, but returned to score his 150th career goal on a perfectly placed backhand set up by Corey Perry. Boudreau then gave the rest of the night off to his leading scorer. "He's one of the best passers in the league," Dvorak said of Getzlaf, who assisted on his first-period goal with a pinpoint pass from the far boards. "As soon as I see he has the puck, I just try to get open. ... We knew it was going to be a tough game. They were coming hard tonight. They made a lot of changes and had a lot of young guys, and they had a lot of energy." Lane MacDermid scored his first NHL goal in his Dallas debut, and Kari Lehtonen stopped 22 shots in the Stars' first game since trading Jagr to Boston and Roy to Vancouver. Erik Cole also scored for the Stars, who have lost three straight. With the departures of Jagr and Roy, Alex Chiasson made his NHL debut for Dallas and center Ryan Garbutt returned from a nine-game absence with an injured wrist. High-scoring left wing Loui Eriksson also played center for the Stars. "It's tough to find the good stuff in a loss like that," Dallas defenseman Stephane Robidas said. "There are a lot of new faces, young guys that had their first experience with us, and I thought they did really well." Fasth, who shut out Dallas earlier this week, blanked Dallas through the first 42 minutes Wednesday before Cole scored. MacDermid, acquired from the Bruins in the Jagr deal, got his first NHL goal with 1:24 to play. "I thought all of the guys had a lot of energy and tried to do all the little things right," MacDermid said. "We did that for the most part, but they made some good plays." After adding veterans Dvorak and David Steckel last month, the Ducks made only two moves at the trade deadline, acquiring center Matthew 667764 Dallas Stars Lombardi from Phoenix and shipping out third-string goalie Jeff Deslauriers in separate deals. Anaheim showed little fatigue in its 22nd game in 39 days, controlling early Stephane Robidas having tough time finding 'good stuff' in Stars' third play and going ahead on the goal by Dvorak, a 17-year NHL veteran who straight loss signed with Anaheim on March 24. The Czech forward had been playing in Switzerland this winter after scoring 21 points in 73 games for Dallas last season. ASSOCIATED PRESS Selanne scored his 251st power-play goal in the second period when a Published: 03 April 2013 09:11 PM drop pass by Getzlaf deflected to him for a nasty wrist shot. Selanne endured a nine-game goal drought in March, but the 42-year-old Finnish Flash has scored at least 10 goals for the 20th consecutive season. ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Although the Dallas Stars traded two of their top Palmieri added his added his eighth goal of the season five minutes later, four scorers in the two days since their last meeting with Anaheim, the easily moving past stationary defenseman Aaron Rome. The Ducks' Ducks didn't take them less seriously in the rematch. promising scorer hadn't found the net in his last 13 games since getting a hat trick Feb. 27 against Nashville. The departures of Jaromir Jagr and Derek Roy actually made the Stars look more dangerous to the Ducks, and the Pacific Division leaders responded NOTES: The 6-foot-4 Chiasson was a second-round pick in 2009 before accordingly. playing three seasons at Boston University. Chiasson hit Anaheim's Matt Beleskey squarely in the face with his stick blade early in the third period, Captain Ryan Getzlaf had a goal and two assists, and Teemu Selanne but wasn't penalized while Beleskey went to the dressing room. ... The scored his 673rd career goal in the Ducks' 5-2 victory over Dallas on Ducks traded C Brandon McMillan to Phoenix for Lombardi, who wasn't in Wednesday night. town to face Dallas. McMillan never solidified a spot in the Ducks' lineup Viktor Fasth made 23 saves and Radek Dvorak scored his first goal for over the past three years despite numerous chances to stick in Anaheim. Anaheim in the second of three straight meetings in five days between the He played in six games with Anaheim this season, spending most of the first-place Ducks and the last-place Stars, who lost 4-0 in Dallas on last two years in the AHL. Monday. While the Stars are young and improving, the Ducks are sitting on Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.04.2013 a double-digit lead atop the division with 11 games to play, closing in on a postseason berth and just their second Pacific title in two decades of existence. "Teams that make trades and do the sell-off are so tough to play down the stretch," Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Experience tells me when you bring in a lot of new guys, young guys especially, they play with so much energy. ... To beat any team three times in a row is difficult, but we're going to try." Kyle Palmieri snapped a 13-game goal drought and Andrew Cogliano scored an empty-net goal as the Ducks improved the NHL's third-best record to 25-7-5 and closed within two points of the league-leading Chicago Blackhawks. Getzlaf had the fourth three-point game in his outstanding season for Anaheim, which is 3-0-1 since a four-game losing streak last month. Getzlaf briefly left the ice after bending his right leg awkwardly while tied up with Jamie Benn in the third period, but returned to score his 150th career goal on a perfectly placed backhand set up by Corey Perry. Boudreau then gave the rest of the night off to his leading scorer. "He's one of the best passers in the league," Dvorak said of Getzlaf, who assisted on his first-period goal with a pinpoint pass from the far boards. "As soon as I see he has the puck, I just try to get open. ... We knew it was going to be a tough game. They were coming hard tonight. They made a lot of changes and had a lot of young guys, and they had a lot of energy." Lane MacDermid scored his first NHL goal in his Dallas debut, and Kari Lehtonen stopped 22 shots in the Stars' first game since trading Jagr to Boston and Roy to Vancouver. Erik Cole also scored for the Stars, who have lost three straight. With the departures of Jagr and Roy, Alex Chiasson made his NHL debut for Dallas and center Ryan Garbutt returned from a nine-game absence with an injured wrist. High-scoring left wing Loui Eriksson also played center for the Stars. "It's tough to find the good stuff in a loss like that," Dallas defenseman Stephane Robidas said. "There are a lot of new faces, young guys that had their first experience with us, and I thought they did really well." Fasth, who shut out Dallas earlier this week, blanked Dallas through the first 42 minutes Wednesday before Cole scored. MacDermid, acquired from the Bruins in the Jagr deal, got his first NHL goal with 1:24 to play. "I thought all of the guys had a lot of energy and tried to do all the little things right," MacDermid said. "We did that for the most part, but they made some good plays." After adding veterans Dvorak and David Steckel last month, the Ducks made only two moves at the trade deadline, acquiring center Matthew 667765 Dallas Stars Anaheim showed little fatigue in its 22nd game in 39 days, controlling early play and going ahead on the goal by Dvorak, a 17-year NHL veteran who signed with Anaheim on March 24. The Czech forward had been playing in Ducks fear Stars’ unknown quality, but still roll 5-2 Switzerland this winter after scoring 21 points in 73 games for Dallas last season. Selanne scored his 251st power-play goal in the second period when a By Greg Beacham drop pass by Getzlaf deflected to him for a nasty wrist shot. Selanne endured a nine-game goal drought in March, but the 42-year-old Finnish The Associated Press Flash has scored at least 10 goals for the 20th consecutive season. Palmieri added his added his eighth goal of the season five minutes later, easily moving past stationary defenseman Aaron Rome. The Ducks’ ANAHEIM, Calif. — Although the Dallas Stars traded two of their top four promising scorer hadn’t found the net in his last 13 games since getting a scorers in the two days since their last meeting with Anaheim, the Ducks hat trick Feb. 27 against Nashville. didn’t take them less seriously in the rematch. NOTE The departures of Jaromir Jagr and Derek Roy actually made the Stars look more dangerous to the Ducks, and the Pacific Division leaders responded • The 6-foot-4 Chiasson was a second-round pick in 2009 before playing accordingly. three seasons at Boston University. Chiasson hit Anaheim’s Matt Beleskey squarely in the face with his stick blade early in the third period, but wasn’t Captain Ryan Getzlaf had a goal and two assists, and Teemu Selanne penalized while Beleskey went to the dressing room. scored his 673rd career goal in the Ducks’ 5-2 victory over Dallas on Wednesday night. • The Ducks traded C Brandon McMillan to Phoenix for Lombardi, who wasn’t in town to face Dallas. McMillan never solidified a spot in the Ducks’ Viktor Fasth made 23 saves and Radek Dvorak scored his first goal for lineup over the past three years despite numerous chances to stick in Anaheim in the second of three straight meetings in five days between the Anaheim. He played in six games with Anaheim this season, spending most first-place Ducks and the last-place Stars, who lost 4-0 in Dallas on of the last two years in the AHL. Monday. While the Stars are young and improving, the Ducks are sitting on a double-digit lead atop the division with 11 games to play, closing in on a Star-Telegram LOADED: 04.04.2013 postseason berth and just their second Pacific title in two decades of existence. “Teams that make trades and do the sell-off are so tough to play down the stretch,” Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau said. “Experience tells me when you bring in a lot of new guys, young guys especially, they play with so much energy. … To beat any team three times in a row is difficult, but we’re going to try.” Kyle Palmieri snapped a 13-game goal drought and Andrew Cogliano scored an empty-net goal as the Ducks improved the NHL’s third-best record to 25-7-5 and closed within two points of the league-leading Chicago Blackhawks. Getzlaf had the fourth three-point game in his outstanding season for Anaheim, which is 3-0-1 since a four-game losing streak last month. Getzlaf briefly left the ice after bending his right leg awkwardly while tied up with Jamie Benn in the third period, but returned to score his 150th career goal on a perfectly placed backhand set up by Corey Perry. Boudreau then gave the rest of the night off to his leading scorer. “He’s one of the best passers in the league,” Dvorak said of Getzlaf, who assisted on his first-period goal with a pinpoint pass from the far boards. “As soon as I see he has the puck, I just try to get open. … We knew it was going to be a tough game. They were coming hard tonight. They made a lot of changes and had a lot of young guys, and they had a lot of energy.” Lane MacDermid scored his first NHL goal in his Dallas debut, and Kari Lehtonen stopped 22 shots in the Stars’ first game since trading Jagr to Boston and Roy to Vancouver. Erik Cole also scored for the Stars, who have lost three straight. With the departures of Jagr and Roy, Alex Chiasson made his NHL debut for Dallas and center Ryan Garbutt returned from a nine-game absence with an injured wrist. High-scoring left wing Loui Eriksson also played center for the Stars. “It’s tough to find the good stuff in a loss like that,” Dallas defenseman Stephane Robidas said. “There are a lot of new faces, young guys that had their first experience with us, and I thought they did really well.” Fasth, who shut out Dallas earlier this week, blanked Dallas through the first 42 minutes Wednesday before Cole scored. MacDermid, acquired from the Bruins in the Jagr deal, got his first NHL goal with 1:24 to play. “I thought all of the guys had a lot of energy and tried to do all the little things right,” MacDermid said. “We did that for the most part, but they made some good plays.” After adding veterans Dvorak and David Steckel last month, the Ducks made only two moves at the trade deadline, acquiring center Matthew Lombardi from Phoenix and shipping out third-string goalie Jeff Deslauriers in separate deals. 667766 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings' Todd Bertuzzi getting closer to return, will go on trip

By Helene St. James

Todd Bertuzzi cracked jokes and laughed at practice -- can a comeback be far away? For the first time in two months, he appears to be on the horizon. Bertuzzi hasn't played for the Detroit Red Wings since limping out of St. Louis Feb. 7, hampered by nerve pain that extended from his back down through his right leg. But he has joined practices this week, and he's in contact drills. Most encouraging, maybe, is that he's scheduled to be on this afternoon's flight to Phoenix -- and someone in pain wouldn't sit on a plane for five hours if there were risk of aggravating anything. Bertuzzi won't play Thursday at Phoenix nor Friday at Colorado, but every day he's on the ice delights teammates, who've missed him. "He tried to take my spot in front of the net," fellow forward Johan Franzen said, laughing. "I told him to beat it." Bertuzzi said he's hopeful that he'll feel even better within a week. Bertuzzi and forward Mikael Samuelsson (upper body) both are practicing, but coach Mike Babcock isn't counting on either until they're cleared. "Him and Sammy are in a spot where we don't really know when they're going to be available," Babcock said. "Some contact today. They seemed to get through it." Babcock said both Bertuzzi and Samuelsson will go on the Phoenix- Colorado trip. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.04.2013 667767 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings stand pat at trade deadline: 'Didn't get it done'

By Helene St. James

Unwilling to pay the prices demanded, the Detroit Red Wings let the NHL's final sale of the 2013 season come and go. "There were a couple of players we had interest in," general manager Ken Holland said. "Didn't get it done. "We made offers. At the end of the day, maybe somebody likes somebody else's players better." Players in whom the Wings had interest, such as defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, and by whom they were intrigued, such as Jaromir Jagr, went for way above what the Wings deemed reasonable -- Bouwmeester, especially. The St. Louis Blues gave a first-round pick to Calgary in return for Bouwmeester, and the Wings weren't relinquishing that for anybody. Not this year, not after using their 2012 first-rounder to acquire Kyle Quincey. "We haven't had a top-10 pick since 1993," Holland said. "We traded eight or nine first-round picks from 1995 to 2003. Those players are in the NHL. They were picked by somebody, and those players are in the NHL. Since '05, for the most part, we've tried to be conservative. I think it's part of the reason why we've got some younger players on the roster, some younger players coming through the system." Holland was only looking to add an impact skater, such as Bouwmeester or Jagr, who went from Dallas to Boston. "We didn't need depth players," he said. "We've got lots of depth. We've got lots of kids we think can come up and play. We were looking for a top-four D-man; we were looking for a top-six forward. Ultimately, we didn't get it done." Part of what influenced the Wings was the belief that no trade could be better than getting back even just some of their players currently injured: forwards Darren Helm, Todd Bertuzzi and Mikael Samuelsson, and Quincey. "Hopefully, we get some of our injured players back," Holland said. "In the meantime, there's been real good opportunity for our kids. I think they've done a good job." This is an unusual season for the Wings; post-Nicklas Lidstrom, they find themselves far more focused on rebuilding than reloading. Rebuilding comes from within -- with high draft picks and through the development of prospects. The Wings believe they have a lot of good players either just arriving in the pipeline or soon to do so, such as Danny DeKeyser, Joakim Andersson, Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Brian Lashoff and Petr Mrazek. There's also a realistic assessment that this 2013 team isn't a Stanley Cup contender and wasn't going to become one via what's available now. Management is much more comfortable making a move at the draft, if it comes down to that. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.04.2013 667768 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings' Darren Helm cleared to push harder in rehab

By George Sipple

Detroit Red Wings forward Darren Helm has been given the OK to push harder in his rehab from a back injury that has sidelined him for all but one game this season. But he will not accompany the team on its two-game trip to play the Phoenix Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche. “Yeah, I talked to another doctor,” Helm said at Joe Louis Arena today. “He’s kind of confirmed what a few other doctors have said. There’s nothing really structurally wrong with it. I can kind of start pushing things and progress and try to push through that pain that I’m having. “I’m not going to have any big problems with it. Obviously, if I go too hard too fast, things will get a little messy. If I keep a steady pace and be smart about it, I shouldn’t have any problems.” Helm said not being able to play has been hard. “There’s a lot of good things that are happening right now,” Helm said. “Just gotta be happy with that.” Helm said he has been skating on his own for about a week. Today was the first time he was able to take shots with the goalies before the team practiced. Helm said he’ll continue to skate by himself this week. Helm already had one setback early in the season. “We don’t know if it was from pushing it too hard or travel or both,” Helm said. "We’re still going forward. That’s the most important thing.” Helm is optimistic he could be back before the end of the regular season. “Hoping to just get back when I get back,” he said. “Hopefully, when I do, there’s some games left where I can play.” Notes: Forward Henrik Zetterberg (groin) said he expects to play Thursday at Phoenix. … Forward Damien Brunner didn’t practice today and is day-to- day. …Wings coach Mike Babcock said he’ll decide whether defenseman Danny DeKeyser will make his NHL debut against the Coyotes. Babcock said DeKeyser practiced today as if he’d be playing. Babcock also told defenseman Kyle Quincey (fractured cheekbone) to be ready to play against the Avalanche on Friday. ... Forward Todd Bertuzzi (leg, back) said he’s not yet ready to return and probably will need another week of practice. … Jimmy Howard will start in net against the Coyotes, Babcock said. ... Northern Michigan goalie Jared Coreau was signed to a three-year entry level contract. Coreau, 21, started all 38 games for Northern Michigan University (CCHA) this year and finished with a 2.70 goals against average, a .919 save percentage and a 15-19-4 record. … The Wings technically assigned DeKeyser, Joakim Andersson, Gustav Nyquist and Brian Lashoff to the Grand Rapids in order to make them eligible for the AHL playoffs, should the Griffins go further than the Wings. All four players will be with the Wings in Phoenix. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.04.2013 667769 Detroit Red Wings

Star defenseman Jacob Trouba leaves Michigan for Jets

Associated Press

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Winnipeg Jets signed Michigan defenseman Jacob Trouba to a contract Tuesday. The 19-year-old from Rochester played 37 games as a freshman for U-M this season. He had 12 goals, 17 assists and 88 penalty minutes. He was selected to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s all-rookie team, determined by a vote of the conference’s coaches, and also was honored as the best offensive defenseman in the league. Trouba has won three medals for Team USA during his career, most recently a gold medal at the 2013 world junior championships in Ufa, Russia. He also took home a gold medal in the 2011 world under-18 championships and a silver in the 2010 world under-17 hockey challenge. He was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round, ninth overall, last June. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.04.2013 667770 Detroit Red Wings there's been real good opportunity for some of our kids, and I think they've done a good job. "If we can get those guys in the lineup in two weeks, I couldn't do any better Helene St. James: With no big-money deal, Red Wings GM Ken Holland moves than getting those guys back in the lineup. And if they don't come banks on future back, it probably doesn't matter what moves you make. You need your players."

By Helene St. James Other teams in the West made moves, most notably the Blues in acquiring Bouwmeester, and the Blue Jackets trading for Marian Gaborik, who didn't interest the Wings. Minnesota traded four building blocks for forward Jason Pominville. The Red Wings committed to their future rather than gamble on their present this week, the result of a realistic assessment of this season's Those teams did what the Wings used to do, back when those teams were team. acquiring top-10 picks because they weren't making the playoffs. The Wings had interest in some of the bigger names moved before The Wings looked around this week, made some offers, but the mind-set Wednesday's trade deadline, namely defenseman Jay Bouwmeester and didn't alter: Let this group, maybe with some fresh legs if some of the forward Jaromir Jagr. Other teams anted up more than what the Wings injured guys can return, see what they can do. were willing to throw on the table, so the Wings continue their march toward the playoffs as is. This never looked like the Wings' year to win the Cup, so, better to bank for a bright future. "Would I have liked to have done a deal? Yeah, I would have liked to have done a deal," general manager Ken Holland said. "You're always looking for Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.04.2013 a top-six forward and a top-four d-man. Ultimately, we didn't get it done. "You've got to look at your moment in time, and find out if the trade fits, do you have the assets, is it worth it? We're trying to compete. We're on the bubble." The Wings are not an elite team, not a prime Stanley Cup contender, and weren't going to turn into one even with Bouwmeester or Jagr. Jarome Iginla sent that message last week, when he left Detroit off a list of acceptable destinations for being traded from Calgary. The hope now for the Wings rests on getting back some of the injured guys: Mikael Samuelsson and Kyle Quincey are close, Todd Bertuzzi is on the horizon, Darren Helm may even resurface one of these weeks. Criticizing the Wings for not pulling off a trade is to overlook their history: They freely handed out first-round picks for nearly a decade between 1995- 2003, but that's when they had defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom in his prime, had a core of elite talent up front and no salary cap. Since the cap was instituted in 2005, the Wings have had to consider the future as well as the present -- especially this year after using their first-round pick last year to acquire Quincey. "I think you have to look at what teams have got and the age of their best players, and the position they are in for the next five or six years," Holland said. "We're trying to compete, we're trying to rebuild. "I can't look at the moment in time. I have to look at what we've got and where I think we can go over the next few years. The age of the roster. Who's going to be here for a while." Their best players, Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall, are in their early-to-mid-30s. The next generation lies in the numerous talented 20-somethings the Wings either already are using or will integrate into the lineup: Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Joakim Andersson, Danny DeKeyser, Brian Lashoff and Petr Mrazek, as well as Riley Sheahan. Brendan Smith has shown growth this season, as has Jakub Kindl. "I like the direction we've got going," coach Mike Babcock said. "We've got some kids that I think are really coming. We're trying to figure out which are the best kids to help us be successful." The fact is, the first year after Lidstrom retired always was going to be brutal. Then came injuries so numerous that "we haven't even had a full game with everyone playing," Jimmy Howard said. "I think just getting some guys back healthy would be a great addition for us." The Wings take satisfaction in continuing to hang onto a spot within the eight-team playoff picture despite not having had someone like Helm, for example, for more than one game. They take pride in having gone 3-1 on a recent swing through California and Arizona. And before last Sunday's disaster against Chicago, the Wings were eighth in the NHL in goals- against. "I think our players are better than people give them credit for," Holland said. "We've got a lot of kids on defense, and a lot of injuries up front. Hopefully we'll get some of our injured players back, in the meantime, 667771 Detroit Red Wings

It's a quiet deadline day for Wings, but they're happy with their team

By Ted Kulfan

Detroit — There was nothing brewing on the trade front for the Red Wings as the 3 p.m. Wednesday deadline approached. And that was just fine with the Red Wings and coach Mike Babcock. The believe that with the group they have — and the fact that some injured players are close to returning — the Wings are in good position heading into the final quarter of the season. "Absolutely, 100 percent," said Babcock, when asked if he'd be comfortable with his roster going forward. "I've never felt like we were going to do anything (trades), to be honest with you. "I kind of like what we have going and the direction we're going. We think we have kids that are really coming and we're trying to figure out which are the best kids to help us be successful. "We have a few more kids in the minors — in particular (center Riley) Sheahan — I'd like to take a look at as well, and we're just going to keep doing what we can as players and coaches." Forward Henrik Zetterberg (groin) said he's expecting to play Thursday night in Phoenix after missing two games. Defenseman Kyle Quincey (fractured cheekbone) is tentatively scheduled to play Friday in Colorado, Babcock said. Forwards Todd Bertuzzi (back, could return in a week) and Mikael Samuelsson (upper body, day to day) are expected to return soon. They've played in 11 games combined this season. "All year we've had so many injuries, and getting some guys back, that's new bodies, new fresh blood and the same as getting players from other teams," Zetterberg said. "We have a good squad in here and looking forward to the playoffs." As for his own physical condition, Zetterberg completed the entire practice Wednesday. "I'm feeling better; it was nice to be skating again," said Zetterberg, who was optimistic he'll play Thursday. "We had a couple of good days of treatment and hoping to feel good today and that was achieved." Forward Damien Brunner has an undisclosed injury and didn't practice Wednesday. General manager Ken Holland and Babcock both termed Brunner day to day. Babcock wouldn't rule Brunner out for the game in Phoenix. Either Zetterberg or Brunner would have to play, or the Red Wings would need to call up a forward from Grand Rapids to get to 12 healthy forwards. Detroit News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667772 Detroit Red Wings Injury report Red Wings forward Damien Brunner (undisclosed) didn't practice Wednesday, and is listed as day-to-day. Red Wings talk, but don't pull trigger on trade deadline day Babcock, however, wouldn't rule Brunner out of tonight's game in Phoenix. Zetterberg (groin) participated in the entire practice and appeared ready to By Ted Kulfan play. "Feeling better, it was nice to be skating again," said Zetterberg, who was Detroit — The NHL trade deadline came … optimistic he'll play tonight. "We had a couple of good days of treatment and hoping to feel good today and that was achieved. Hoping for no setbacks." And went. … Helm has resumed skating and remains optimistic he'll rejoin the team With nothing from the Red Wings. before the end of the season. Meaning they're content to face the rest of their season with their current "The last couple of weeks have been pretty positive," said Helm, who has roster. played in one game and will not travel on this two-game trip. "I've been skating quite a bit and working out and doing different things. I've been General manager Ken Holland said he made competitive offers for several progressing, and it's not getting worse." players the last few days, but nothing materialized. Ice chips "When you look at what transpired, you can figure out who we would have had some interest in," Holland said. "At the end of the day we didn't get it Babcock had defenseman Danny DeKeyser practice as if he would play done and it was for a whole host of reasons." tonight. The Red Wings were known to have interest in Flames defenseman Jay "When we put Danny in, it's because he can help us win not because we Bouwmeester, who ended up with the Blues, and Stars forward Jaromir think we owe him a game or anything like that," Babcock said. Jagr, whom was traded to the Bruins. … In a paper transaction, the Red Wings sent DeKeyser, Lashoff, Nyquist Holland was reluctant to trade prospects with the Red Wings (Joakim and Andersson to Grand Rapids — then recalled them — so the four would Andersson, Gustav Nyquist, Brian Lashoff or Dan DeKeyser) or in Grand be eligible for the American League playoffs. Rapids (Tomas Tatar, Petr Mrazek or Riley Sheahan), or any first-round picks. … Goaltender Jimmy Howard starts tonight. There's been no decision for Friday. "We don't need depth players," Holland said. "From a depth standpoint, we have players on our team. We're going to go with the kids." Detroit News LOADED: 04.04.2013 And, with forwards Todd Bertuzzi, Mikael Samuelsson and Darren Helm, and defenseman Kyle Quincey all hoping to return from injuries the next couple weeks, Holland believes those additions are better than what was available on the trade market. Bertuzzi (back) could return in a week, Samuelsson (upper body) is day-to- day, Helm (back) hopes to come back before the season ends, and Quincey (fractured cheekbone) could play Friday. "I couldn't do any moves better than getting those guys back," Holland said. "Now if they don't come back, than it doesn't matter what moves you make. "You need your players." Said captain Henrik Zetterberg: "All year we've had so many injuries, and getting some guys back (from injuries), that's new bodies, new fresh blood and the same as getting players from other teams. I know (the front office) in the war room, they've been in there a few days and probably thinking (about potential trades) but if (nothing develops), we have a good squad in here and looking forward to the playoffs." Coach Mike Babcock was fine with the decision made by the front office. "Absolutely, 100 percent," Babcock said when asked if he'd be comfortable with his roster. "I've never felt like we were going to do anything (trade wise). "I kind of like what we have going and the direction we're going. We think we have kids that are really coming and we're trying to figure out which are the best kids to help us be successful. We have a few more kids in the minors, in particular (center Riley) Sheahan I'd like to take a look at as well." Loving Detroit Unrestricted free agency is calling Red Wings forward Valtteri Filppula unless he and the Red Wings come to some sort of agreement. "I'm focusing on just playing and not thinking about that," said Filppula, who has 13 points (six goals) in 29 games. "When that time comes to think about that stuff, I'll have time to do that, too." The sides are expected to continue negotiations, and Filppula's preference is to remain with the Red Wings. "It's been a great place to be, a great team obviously," he said. "You want to be on that kind of team." 667773 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock comfortable with roster as team continues playoff push

Ansar Khan on April 03, 2013 at 8:01 PM

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings weren't able to make a move by Wednesday's trade deadline, but coach Mike Babcock said he's absolutely “100 percent'' comfortable with what he has. “I never ever felt like we were going to do anything, to be honest with you,'' Babcock said. “Kind of like what we’ve got going and the direction we’re heading. We’ve got some kids that are really coming. “We’re trying to figure out which kids will help us be successful. There are a few more kids in the minors, particularly (Riley) Sheahan I’d like to have a look at as well.'' The Red Wings (18-13-5) are in the thick of the playoff race. They could finish as high as fourth in the Western Conference, or they could miss the postseason for the first time since 1990. They hope to have forwards Todd Bertuzzi, Mikael Samuelsson and Darren Helm back before the end of the season. That's essentially a full third line that has missed most of the season with injuries. “Getting some guys back, some new, fresh blood in, that’s the same as getting a player from another team,'' captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “I think we have a good squad in here and looking forward to the postseason. “All of those (playoff) teams can go all of the way, especially on the Western side. You’ve got to make the playoffs, and when the playoffs start everyone starts over.” Said general manager Ken Holland: “The regular season, it’s meaningful in the sense that you need to be in the top eight. But I think when the playoffs start, you can throw all the statistics in the garbage.'' Goaltender Jimmy Howard said the team is “sitting good.'' “There's a lot of areas in our game where I think we can get better -- not turning pucks over and maybe having that focus a little better, but we're working at it and every day we've gotten a little better,'' Howard said. “We haven't even had a full game with everyone playing, so I think just getting some guys back healthy would be a great addition for us.'' Babcock said he has seen much improvement and expects better things. “I’ve been really impressed with our leadership, Hank and Pav (Datsyuk) and Kronner (Niklas Kronwall) have really been awesome,'' Babcock said. “I think Mule (Johan Franzen) has really stepped up in that department, which is important for us.'' Injuries have forced them to rely more on younger players like defenseman Brian Lashoff and forward Joakim Andersson, who've played a majority of the games, and as well as Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar, who've been back and forth from Grand Rapids. “This year has been invigorating for me because there are so many kids and every day there are so many projects,'' Babcock said. “There’s way more individual video, way more meetings to help kids get better quickly. “Our strength coach (Pete Renzetti) has done a fantastic job this year and it’s all been a part of us getting better.'' Michigan Live LOADED: 04.04.2013 667774 Detroit Red Wings Michigan Live LOADED: 04.04.2013

Red Wings GM Ken Holland made offers for couple of players but couldn't get deal done at deadline

Ansar Khan on April 03, 2013 at 4:19 PM, updated April 03, 2013 at 4:29 PM

DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland was prepared to part with some prospects and made what he felt were competitive offers on a few players, but it wasn't good enough to get a deal done. So, the Red Wings stood pat Wednesday as the NHL trade deadline passed. “Over the last few days we looked and tried to do a bigger deal and couldn’t get it done,'' Holland said. The Red Wings wanted to add a top-four defenseman and a top-six forward but were not willing to part with their first-round pick, which could be fairly high if they miss the playoffs. Holland said they offered some prospects, but “at the end of the day, someone didn’t like them as much as we do or they like someone else’s players better.'' The Red Wings made what they felt was a good offer for future Hall-of- Fame forward Jaromir Jagr, but Dallas traded him to Boston on Tuesday. They liked right wing Jason Pominville, but Minnesota offered Buffalo better prospects. Detroit made a pitch for defenseman Jay Bouwmeester before Calgary traded him to St. Louis on Monday. The Red Wings were not interested in adding struggling right wing Marian Gaborik and his $7.5 million salary-cap hit for next season. The New York Rangers dealt Gaborik to Columbus on Wednesday. Now, the Red Wings will make do with that they have for the final 12 games and, they hope, the playoffs. They hope to get deeper up front with the return, at some point, of forwards Darren Helm, Todd Bertuzzi and Mikael Samuelsson, which amounts to a third line that's been out virtually the entire season. “We played (Monday) and there wasn’t (Henrik) Zetterberg, Samuelsson, Bertuzzi, Helm, (Kyle) Quincey,'' Holland said. “If we can get those five guys in the lineup (within) two weeks, I couldn’t do any better moves than (that). And if they don’t come back, it probably doesn’t matter what moves you make.'' He said he's not concerned about what competing clubs did to improve themselves. “We’re trying to compete, we’re trying to rebuild, reload,'' Holland said. “You look at the moment in time. I can’t look at the moment in time. I have to look at what we’ve got and where I think we can go over the next few years, the age of the roster, who’s going to be here for a while.'' They are pleased with the progress of their young roster players and some of their prospects. “You need your players,'' Holland said. “We’re happy with Jakub Kindl, we’re happy with Brian Lashoff, we’re happy with Brendan Smith. We’re happy with the way the kids have played. We don’t want to trade them away.'' Young players have improved the organization's depth. “If we need forwards, Riley Sheahan deserves a chance, Landon Ferraro, we’ve got Tomas Tatar, Gustav Nyquist, Joakim Andersson, Damien Brunner, certainly on defense with the signing of Danny DeKeyser and the play of Lashoff and Kindl we think the young kids could be real good depth players for us.'' Chicago and Anaheim have separated from the pack in the Western Conference. The Red Wings, currently seventh with 41 points, are just three points behind No. 3 Minnesota. But, they're also just four points up on 11th place Columbus. “We’re trying to compete. We’re on the bubble,'' Holland said. “Would I have liked to do a deal? Yeah, I would have liked to do a deal.'' 667775 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings stand pat at trade deadline, as cost for top-six forward and top- four defenseman too high

Ansar Khan on April 03, 2013 at 2:26 PM, updated April 03, 2013 at 3:10 PM

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings did not make any moves today as the 3 p.m. trading deadline passed, general manager Ken Holland said. Holland had been working the phones the past few days in a search of a top-four defenseman or a top-six forward, but the asking prices were too high. The Red Wings were not prepared to relinquish their first-round pick, like they did last year in the deal that landed them Kyle Quincey, or a top prospect. The club made an offer to Calgary for defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, who was traded Monday to St. Louis. The Red Wings also had discussions with Dallas about right wing Jaromir Jagr, who was dealt to Boston on Tuesday. More details shortly. Michigan Live LOADED: 04.04.2013 667776 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg expects to play Thursday; Damien Brunner sits out practice, is day-to-day

Ansar Khan on April 03, 2013 at 1:37 PM, updated April 03, 2013 at 2:19 PM

DETROIT -- Quick update following Detroit Red Wings practice Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena. Captain Henrik Zetterberg (groin) skated today and said he feels much better and expects to play Thursday at Phoenix (10 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). "We had a couple of days of good treatment and the goal was coming in here today and feeling good,'' Zetterberg said. "That was achieved, and hopefully no setbacks at the (morning) skate.” Said coach Mike Babcock: "He looked good. We plan on playing him tomorrow. But with travel and you wake up tomorrow, then you decide what’s going on.'' Right wing Damien Brunner did not practice due to a minor injury and is listed as day-to-day. General manager Ken Holland said he expects Brunner to play this weekend. Babcock said Thursday still is a possibility. Babcock said he hasn't decided whether Danny DeKeyser will make his NHL debut on Thursday, saying he'll think about it on the flight. He said Kyle Quincey (fractured cheek bone) was told to be ready to play Friday in Colorado. "(DeKeyser) practiced today like he was playing tomorrow,'' Babcock said. "I’ll talk about it with the coaches on the flight. When we put Danny in, it’ll be because we think he’s going to help us win. It’s not because we think we owe him a game or anything like that.'' Todd Bertuzzi (back, leg) continues to practice but said he is at least a week away from playing and he's still experiencing some pain and hasn't had much contact or gone full speed on the ice. Mikael Samuelsson (upper body, day-to-day) skated at the start of practice but left the ice early. "(Bertuzzi) and Sammy are in a spot when you don’t know when they’ll be available,'' Babcock said. "There was some contact today and Bert seemed to get through it.'' Darren Helm (back) continues to skate on his own and won't make the trip. He said doctors told him he can start pushing it on the ice to see how the back responds. Jimmy Howard will start in goal Thursday. Michigan Live LOADED: 04.04.2013 667777 Detroit Red Wings

Did Detroit Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk reveal future plans in Tweet to Tigers' ace Justin Verlander?

Brendan Savage on April 03, 2013 at 11:05 AM, updated April 03, 2013 at 11:14 AM

Did Detroit Red Wings' forward Pavel Datsyuk tip his hand as to future plans during a Tweet this week to Justin Verlander congratulating the Detroit Tigers' ace on his record-breaking contract? It depends on how you want to interpret things. Datsyuk might have just been kidding – which seems to be the likely scenario – or he might have been hinting that the Red Wings won't have enough money to re-sign him when his contract expires after next season. Here's the Tweet Datsyuk posted Tuesday: "@JustinVerlander congrats on the new contract! Mr. Ilitch spent all his money. Nothing left for me :-)." Verlander's response? "@Datsyuk13 thanks man. Dinner is on me." In case you missed it, Verlander became the highest-paid pitcher in Major League Baseball history last week, when the Tigers signed him to a contract extension that will pay him $180 million over the next seven seasons. Mike Ilitch owns both the Tigers and Red Wings and it won't be long until signing Datsyuk becomes one of the Red Wings' top priorities. Datsyuk, 34, spent the lockout playing in his native Russia. During training camp, Datsyuk told MLive.com that it was his dream to eventually return to Russia and play fulltime in his country. "It's my kind of dream to come back and enjoy it with Russian fans because they pull for me in the beginning,'' he said. "You never know how career go. "Home (Russia) always good. It's long time don't play in Russia (since 2004-05). Lots of Russian friends. Always welcome home; it's nice, positive. You never know next time to play in front of Russian fans.'' Michigan Live LOADED: 04.04.2013 667778 Detroit Red Wings “We had a couple of days of good treatment and the goal was coming in here today and feeling good,” Zetterberg said. “That was achieved and hopefully no setbacks at the (morning) skate.” Red Wings’ defenseman ready to shoulder the load The defensive pairings could be the same as they were Monday or there could be changes with either Kyle Quincey (jaw) or rookie Danny DeKeyser getting inserted into the lineup. By Chuck Pleiness “(DeKeyser) practiced today like he was playing,” Babcock said. “I’ll talk Posted: Wednesday, 04/03/13 06:20 pm about it with the coaches in on the flight. When we put Danny in it’ll be because we think he’s going to help us win. It’s not because we think we owe him a game or anything like that. DETROIT – After playing three games in four nights, Wings defenseman “I think I’m going to put (Quincey) in against Colorado,” Babcock added. “I Carlo Colaiacovo seems to have put the shoulder injury that sidelined him talked to him already. But I’ve got a long flight to figure that out for sure. I pretty much the entire season behind him. was going to play him back to back, but we’ll see.” “I think that’s been my mindset for the last couple of days, just getting back Quincey said he’s getting more used to wearing a cage, which he’ll have to to being a hockey player again,” Colaiacovo said after practice Wednesday wear the rest of the season. at Joe Louis Arena. “It’s been an unbelievable feeling. I took advantage of my day off yesterday to get some much-needed rest. Coming off three “As a hockey player you always want to play,” Quincey said. “When you’re really good games, I want to keep building on that momentum as a player out of the lineup for two to three weeks you always want to get back in it. and a person.” I’m good to go for sure one of these next two games. I’d play through anything, but the doctor’s know how bad the break was and how fragile I Colaiacovo missed 33 games after suffering a sprained left shoulder in the am so they’ll talk with the coaching staff and make a decision.” second game of the season. He returned to the lineup in Monday’s 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. Forward Mikael Samuelsson (upper-body injury) skated part of practice before leaving. He played two games with the Grand Rapids Griffins over the weekend as part of a conditioning stint. Jimmy Howard will start in goal against Phoenix. “I think the biggest battle I was fighting was the third game in four nights, Macomb Daily LOADED: 04.04.2013 but I didn’t let that become an issue for me,” Colaiacovo said. “I let the adrenaline take me through it. At the end of the day, my hockey sense and my experience got me through it. I’m confident in myself and I’m confident in my abilities. It’s just felt so great to be out there. You’re out there in the middle of a game, you’re into it, you’re making hits and plays and at the end of the day, it was a huge important win for us and that was a very gratifying feeling.” Now Colaiacovo just has to focus on remaining in the lineup. When Brian Lashoff joins the team in Phoenix, the Wings will have nine healthy defensemen to choose from. “Depth is never a bad thing to have on defense,” Colaiacovo said. “If you look at the unfortunate turn of events we’ve had this year, we’re going to need every guy going into this thing. It makes guys stay on top of their game, because there are guys pushing to get into the lineup. There’s a case to make for every guy on our back end that they deserve to play every night. I’m not the coach, I don’t make those decisions. I just worry about what I need to do, focus on what I need to bring on a daily basis.” Not talking contract Wings forward Valtteri Filppula said he’s not letting his pending unrestricted free agency become a distraction this season. “You automatically think about it, but I’ve been trying to put little thought into it because it’s not going to do me any good,” Filppula said. “We’ll see what happens, but it’s definitely interesting times. It’s been a great place to be, great team. Obviously you always want to be on a team like that.” Filppula is in the final year of a contact that’s paying him $3 million. “There’s nothing going on right now,” Filppula said. He’s reportedly looking for a deal that will give him a $2 million increase per season. “I don’t think it matters that much to me,” Filppula said when asked if he wished he was close to a deal. “I think the focus should be on playing right now. And then when the time comes to think about that stuff I will do that.” Ins and outs Forward Henrik Zetterberg (groin) skated Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena, but Damien Brunner missed practice with an undisclosed injury. “We think one of them is playing,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said after practice. Zetterberg is quite optimistic he’ll play after missing the last two games. 667779 Detroit Red Wings

No trades for Red Wings

By Chuck Pleiness

DETROIT – Red Wings’ coach Mike Babcock said after practice Wednesday that he’s 100 percent comfortable with his current roster. And that’s what he’ll have to work with as the Wings look to extend their consecutive years in the playoffs to 22 as the team was unable to pull off a move on trade deadline day. “I never ever felt like we were going to do anything to be honest with you,” Babcock said. “I kind of like what we’ve got going and the direction we’re heading in. We’ve got some kids that are really coming. We’re trying to figure out which kids will help us be successful. There are a few more kids in the minors, particularly (Riley) Sheahan I’d like to have a look at as well. We’re going to keep doing what we can as will the players.” The Wings’ lineup has been decimated with injuries all season, along the blue line and at forward. They’ve yet to play with the lineup they thought they would have once the season began. “I think for us all year we’ve had so many injuries,” team captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “I think getting some guys back that’s some new bodies, getting some new, fresh blood in. That’s the same as getting a player from another team. I think we have a good squad in here and looking forward to the postseason.” The Wings are currently seventh in the Western Conference, three points up on St. Louis, heading into play Wednesday. “I’ve been satisfied lots of years,” Babcock said. “But they’re different each and every year. This year has been invigorating for me because there are so many kids and every day there are so many projects. There’s way more individual video, way more meetings to help kids get better quickly. Our strength coach has done a fantastic job this year and it’s all been a part of us getting better and I think that’s been more important than ever this year.” Macomb Daily LOADED: 04.04.2013 667780 Detroit Red Wings

GOPHER HEADS SOUTH: Nick Bjugstad to Join Florida Panthers, Make NHL Debut on Saturday

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

It took Nick Bjugstad a little while to get back to the Panthers' director of media relations on Wednesday afternoon. He was too busy packing. "I'm very excited,'' Bjugstad said when finally reached. "It's been pretty hectic today, but I'm very excited." The Panthers signed Bjugstad to a three-year entry level contract on Wednesday. Bjugstad is flying south on Thursday and will be at Friday's practice at the Coral Springs Iceplex. On Saturday, the 20-year-old center who was the 19th overall pick in 2010 will make his NHL debut. "It was just kind of waiting it out to see what would happen, what the deal was,'' Bjugstad said. "Then I got the call. I'm pretty excited and thankful for what I've got going as well. It should be fun. It's a whirlwind. I'm packing up all my stuff, getting ready to get to Florida. "It's pretty surreal. I just got done playing my final college game which was a tough one. But it makes it easier knowing I'm jumping into the NHL. It's very exciting. I'm sure the nerves will be going a little bit.'' Bjugstad said he wasn't thinking about joining the Panthers, not until the University of Minnesota's season surprisingly ended last week. The top- ranked Gophers were upset in the NCAA regionals in overtime by Yale. Last summer, Bjugstad contemplated joining the Panthers but the lure of school, getting his degree and winning another national title for the Gophers was too much to turn back. Bjugstad said Wednesday he was 12 credits away from a degree in Business Marketing Education and could finish those up this summer. "I didn't really think about what the next step was. I was focused on my season,'' he said. "It didn't end the way I wanted it to. I came back to win a national championship and things happen. We lost in overtime and that's a tough deal. But I thought this was right for my future, my development, to move onto the next level. "I think I'm ready to go. I'm close to my degree and we'll see what happens there. I just think I'm ready to go. "I want to get a feel for what the NHL is like. Thankfully the NHL is the opportunity I'm getting. It's pretty crazy it starts on Saturday.'' Macomb Daily LOADED: 04.04.2013 667781 Detroit Red Wings "I'm grateful for the opportunity Winnipeg is giving me and I look forward to helping them out,'' Santorelli said. "It's an exciting time there. It's a great place to play. I hope I can help as much as I can.'' BIG ADDITION ON TRADE DAY: Panthers Ink Nick Bjugstad; Former With all of Florida's injuries, there weren't many chips for Tallon to deal on Gopher to Make NHL Debut Saturday ... Smithson Dealt, Santorelli Picked Wednesday. Tallon and coach Kevin Dineen said they don't feel like the Up Panthers -- who won the division for the first time last season -- are in rebuilding mode.

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards "This is a business. A big business,'' Dineen said. "You have to manage your team appropriately not just immediate but for your long-term future. .-.-. There is a sense we have some real quality guys who are stepping into more prominent role. We don't want to go back to being a Wednesday was one of the slowest trade deadline days the Florida long-term rebuilding project. There's still some excitement left this season.'' Panthers have endured as general manager Dale Tallon made just one minor deal. Tallon expects to have a healthy team come training camp when the Panthers embark on a new challenge of playing in an eight-team division The big news, however, came with what Tallon added away from the with Tampa Bay, Montreal, Boston, Toronto, Ottawa, Detroit and Buffalo. parameters of the deadline. "When you're at the bottom,'' Tallon said, "teams just expect you to panic Nick Bjugstad, the 19th overall pick of the 2010 NHL draft, signed a three- and give up players. That's not going to happen here.'' year deal with the Panthers on Wednesday and will make his NHL debut Saturday against the Capitals. Macomb Daily LOADED: 04.04.2013 Bjugstad, who scored 54 goals over the past three seasons at the University of Minnesota, is scheduled to fly to South Florida on Thursday. "Nick is going to be here,'' Tallon said. "We have 11 games left. This will be a good learning experience for him. If he does well, it will make it that much easier for him at training camp next year. It's a good chance to evaluate him.'' Bjugstad, a 20-year-old center, recently finished his junior season at Minnesota and won't wait long to start his NHL career as he is expected to be on the ice for Florida's practice Friday in Coral Springs. With fourth-line center Jerred Smithson sent to Edmonton for a fourth round pick on Wednesday, well, the Panthers have an open slot. Tallon said he is excited to see his first-round Class of 2010 on the ice Saturday. Defenseman Erik Gudbranson, the third overall pick in 2010, made his NHL debut last season; Quinton Howden (25th overall) joined the Panthers on Jan. 26. "Time flies when you're having fun,'' Tallon said. "This is an exciting time for our franchise." The Panthers have been reluctant to rush their top young players although they are making an exception for Bjugstad. Although they privately wished he would have started his professional career in the minor leagues this year, they didn't want to risk Bjugstad returning to Minnesota for his senior year and becoming a free agent in 2014 by not signing with Florida. The Panthers will burn a year of his entry level contract by bringing him up to the NHL level. It's a tradeoff they were willing to make. "We understand what the consequences are,'' Tallon said. "He is an asset we wanted to get signed. We wanted to get him in the fold, get him some games. We want him indoctrinated with our team now.'' Smithson, whom Florida acquired for a sixth-round pick from Nashville last season, was told of the news after Wednesday's practice. Smithson isn't expected to join the Oilers until after the weekend as he and his wife are expecting their first child this week. "I feel bad about that, he is a solid pro and a classy guy,'' Tallon said. "I have to think about the long-term future of the franchise. That's the business part of it that happens. Sometimes it sucks. You're dealing with family and friends. We told him we would do everything we can to help.'' Florida also lost forward Mike Santorelli as Winnipeg picked him up on waivers. Santorelli played 13:05 in Florida's 3-2 shootout win in Tampa on Tuesday after being waived earlier that day. Santorelli was slated to be third in the shootout but never took the ice as Jacob Markstrom stopped all three Tampa Bay shots. Santorelli said he is excited about the opportunity to join a Winnipeg team that currently leads the Southeast Division and is trying to win the franchise's second division title and first since the Atlanta Thrashers took the banner in 2007. 667782 Edmonton Oilers OIL DROPS: Mike Brown had to have a stubborn cut repaired after a first- period fight with Steve Begin. He returned in the second period ...Winger Magnus Paajarvi, who was pushed into the net in the second, is expected Edmonton Oilers score eight unanswered goals to smother flickering to be good to go against the Canucks. Flames

[email protected] By Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal April 4, 2013 1:04 AM Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 04.04.2013

CALGARY — The message was delivered a few hours before the Edmonton Oilers filed out onto the ice at the Scotiabank Saddledome Wednesday looking to extend their win streak to five games against the free-falling Calgary Flames. If they were going to make a playoff push, they were going to do so with the group of players that started the season. General manager Steve Tambellini made only one move on trade deadline day, adding depth centre Jerred Smithson. The Oilers responded with an 8-2 victory, which pushed them into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with a 16-13-7 record. They will play the Canucks in Vancouver on Thursday. “We feel really good about our chances of making the playoffs and we really like the group in here,” said winger Taylor Hall, who left the game with a goal and four assists. He has now racked up 10 points in the last three games. “This was a big game for us.” After spotting the Flames a 2-0 lead five minutes into the opening period Wednesday, the Oilers pushed back, scoring eight straight goals, including three second-period power-play goals from the club’s three first overall draft picks. “It’s hard not to look at the core and what this team has and see that they’re going to have success,” said winger Ryan Jones, who was one of the players facing a possible move on trade deadline day. “Guys are maturing right in front of your eyes. You watch them become better players all over the ice and it’s going to be an exciting team in the future and, obviously, I want to be a part of it as long as I can and whether that’s just this year or not, so be it. “We’re playing some exciting hockey and playing meaningful games at an important time of the year.” After Matt Stajan, who had just three goals in his first 34 games this season, got the first two goals past Devan Dubnyk, Sam Gagner redirected a shot from defenceman Jeff Petry three minutes later to kickstart the Oilers comeback. Blue-liner Ryan Whitney ripped a one-timer past Joey MacDonald to send the teams into the first intermission tied 2-2. Whitney, too, is heading to unrestricted free agency this summer, but rather than deal him for a draft pick, which is what he would have netted at the deadline, he’s going to finish out the year with Edmonton. He left the game with a goal, an assist and a fighting major after a late scuffle with Tim Jackman. Then there were the draft picks who scored in a span of 6:17. Nail Yakupov, with his second goal in as many games, and his first of two on the night, started the second period spree. Hall, who now has five goals in the last three games, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also contributed before Jordan Eberle netted two in the third. “It was a little stressful (today), then I got word I was going to be here. It feels good,” Whitney said. “We were all excited to play tonight. We had a bit of a rough start, but after that we took over.” “This is the group that we want. We’ve battled for this position, and we’ve been through the crap together,” said Jones, who, like Whitney, pointed to the players’ meeting as the turnaround. The Oilers have gone 8-2-2 since the gathering in Chicago on March 9. “We found a way again to win a game. Obviously, it wasn’t the ideal start, but we battled back, then we took the game over,” said defenceman Ladislav Smid. “We’ve had our ups and downs this year, but lately we’ve been able to get it together and play decent hockey. Again today, we were rolling all four lines and we stuck with our game plan. “We have 12 games left to play and our fate is in our hands. We just have to take it game by game.” 667783 Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers Game Day — No time to inhale as intact line-up kicks off key road trip in Calgary

Bruce McCurdy

Three keys for Edmonton Oilers in Game 36 vs. Calgary Flames Trade deadline has come and gone with such minor tinkering to the Edmonton Oilers’ roster that they will ice the exact same line-up in Calgary tonight as topped the Flames 4-1 in Edmonton on Monday night. While the organization has made three trades in recent days, the only NHLer involved was incoming depth forward Jerred Smithson, and he won’t be incoming in the corporeal sense until the weekend in California. The Oilers did have to return Anton Lander to Oklahoma City to make room for Smithson on the roster, but Lander was merely a press box visitor during his most recent trip to Edmonton anyway. On the ice the forward lines and defence combos remain unchanged: #4 Taylor Hall – #93 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – #14 Jordan Eberle #91 Magnus Paajarvi – #89 Sam Gagner – #83 Ales Hemsky #28 Ryan Jones – #10 Shawn Horcoff – #64 Nail Yakupov #37 Lennart Petrell – #94 Ryan Smyth – #13 Mike Brown #5 Ladi Smid – #2 Jeff Petry #15 Nick Schultz – #19 Justin Schultz #6 Ryan Whitney – #44 Corey Potter #40 Devan Dubnyk [#35 Nikolai Khabibulin] Three keys for the Oilers beating the Flames tonight: 1. Close ranks. The lack of action on trade deadline is a tacit expression of management’s confidence in the current group to get the job done. A worthy response would be a reflection of that confidence in a solid, committed team effort. 2. Play a lot better than they did on Monday night. I had the pleasure of attending Monday night’s game live and while I enjoyed the Oilers converting their opportunities against the flow of play in the first period, I was less than entirely satisfied with the process which saw the Oil hemmed into their own end for minutes at a time. Ralph Krueger noted much the same in his pre-game comments today, saying: “[The Flames] played really hard in our building the other night and everything went our way. In a lot of portions of the game, they were the better team and deserved more than that score. We need to respect what they’re bringing at us today. It’ll be a tough, tight game here today.” 3. Take it to a team that’s down a few quarts. The Flames are still reeling from the departures of Jarome Iginla and Jay Bouwmeester. Today’s loss of Blake Comeau is relatively minor, but there is no cavalry coming. Moreover, Miikka Kiprusoff’s decision to invoke his no-movement clause — entirely defensible as it is given his family situation — might further unsettle the waters. Kiprusoff gets the night off tonight, at least the start of it. (Who knows, given the way the Oilers have bolted from the gate the last two games.) Joey MacDonald, who finished strong on Monday, will get the start. Game time in the Pengrowth Saddledome is 20:00MDT, with the game televised on Sportsnet West. Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667784 Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers GM Steve Tambellini tweaks roster on NHL trade deadline day, nothing more

John MacKinnon

Saying he didn’t want to disrupt the positive chemistry that has emerged on his young, gifted team, Edmonton Oilers GM Steve Tambellini added a depth centre at the NHL trade deadline day, but otherwise left his 9th-place roster intact. In adding 34-year-old Jerred Smithson, obtained for a 4th-round pick from the Florida Panthers, Tambellini shored up an area of weakness on the Oilers all season without touching any other position. How fans react to that will depend on their sensibility. Here’s what Tambellini had to say at his media availability at the Oilers offices on Wednesday. Variously, Eric Belanger (foot, groin), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Shawn Horcoff (broken knuckle) all have missed chunks of time this season. As a result, in recent weeks, veteran left winger Ryan Smyth has been pressed into service at centre, as has Lennert Petrell. With Belanger still nursing a sore groin, Smithson will be useful immediately. Well, not quite immediately, as his wife went to hospital Wednesday to give birth to the couple’s first child. But Smithson is expected to join the Oilers in Los Angeles on Saturday. Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667785 Edmonton Oilers

UPDATE: Edmonton Oilers acquire centre Jerred Smithson from Florida Panthers

By Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal April 3, 2013

Calgary — Over the course of the next few days, Jerred Smithson will welcome his first child into the world, then he’ll slip into an Edmonton Oilers jersey for the first time. Punch-drunk? Just a little. Smithson, a six-foot-three, 209-pound centre, was dealt from the 29th-place Florida Panthers to the Oilers at the trade deadline Wednesday for a fourth- round draft pick. “As you probably know, I have a lot going on right now. We’re heading to the hospital tonight (Wednesday) and hopefully she’ll deliver tomorrow,” Smithson said. “So I was definitely shocked when I heard, but then I started to look forward to it. “Without a doubt, this is a team that’s moving in the right direction.” Smithson will give the Oilers depth on the fourth line and the penalty kill, and he’ll boost the team’s faceoff percentage. It was the lone deal Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini made on trade deadline day, leaving the team otherwise intact. The Oilers are pushing to secure a playoff spot before they close out the regular season against the Vancouver Canucks on April 27. The 34-year-old Smithson will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. He won’t cost the Oilers much, his contract is just $800,000 and it will be pro-rated over the remaining 13 games. “I was definitely shocked. I really enjoyed my time here in Florida, but I had a feeling I might be traded,” he said during a phone interview. “And once I had time to think about it and everything started to settle down, I really started to look forward to it. I love the direction this team is heading. “There’s nothing better than being in that playoff push and there’s so much talent on that team.” The Oilers had seen plenty of Smithson when he was with the Nashville Predators from 2005-12. He was shipped to the Panthers during the 2012 trade deadline. Through 34 games this campaign, he has five points, including two goals, and was 54.8 per cent in the faceoff circle. The native of Vernon, B.C., has 38 goals and 57 assists in 578 career NHL games. He spent his junior career with the Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen through the 1999-2000 season, and went undrafted, but turned pro with the Lowell Lock Monsters of the American Hockey League in 2000. Smithson signed his first NHL contract with the Los Angeles Kings in 2001, spending much of his time with the Manchester Monarchs, the Kings’ AHL affiliate. The Oilers have been without Eric Belanger, their top faceoff man, since March 26. Prior to that, he missed five games with a groin injury. “He’s great in the faceoff circle and an extremely simple hockey player, which is effective in a lot of systems. He’ll complement the team, for sure,” said Oilers winger Ryan Jones, who played with Smithson in Nashville. “Any time you can get a guy who’s played a lot of games in the league and has some playoff experience, it’s a benefit. He will give us some leadership down the stretch. We don’t have too many guys here who have experienced the push to the playoffs.” Smithson isn’t expected to join the team before Saturday’s game against the Kings in L.A. “He’s a defensive centreman who brings size and depth into our group that we can use,” said Oilers head coach Ralph Krueger. “It’s a good acquisition for our organization.” Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667786 Edmonton Oilers the depth chart in the event of Whitney’s departure — barring, of course, an NHL-ready defenceman coming the other way in this or a separate trade. For all his defensive flaws, Whitney does rank second among Oiler Trade Deadline Day — Who among the Edmonton Oilers might be on the rearguards in scoring with 3-8-11 in 27 GP, and is prominent in any block? conversation about who is the best pure passer on the back end. The best time to move him was likely when Brett Clark was still an option, so if it didn’t happen then …

Bruce McCurdy Related post — Oilers should trade Whitney, even if they stay in the playoff race (Willis, March 19) Despite years of trade rumours, Ales Hemsky has never worn any other The trade deadline has arrived — as the pundits are fond of saying, there’s NHL sweater than Edmonton Oilers. no tomorrow. That’s especially true this year, as the Two-Morrow trade already happened last week. Despite years of trade rumours, Ales Hemsky has never worn any other NHL sweater than Edmonton Oilers. Even as their flags currently flutter in a favorable direction, there’s no way to be certain which way the trade wind blows for the Edmonton Oilers. Will Ales Hemsky – His name seems to come up at the deadline every year, so they be buyers or sellers? Will they be barterers of current player for current why mess with tradition? With another year to run at $5 MM Hemsky would player as they were in 2012 (the Tom Gilbert for Nick Schultz deal), or will hardly be a rental; he would immediately step into a top six role on they be holders of the fort? whatever team acquired him or else they wouldn’t be interested. As is his wont, Steve Tambellini has been holding his cards close to his TSN’s thumbnail analysis that “Hemsky could be considered serious trade chest, though Oilers fans can at least be secure in the knowledge there are bait if the Oilers don’t make a run for a playoff spot” appears to have been a few face cards and one or two aces in there among the deuces and the written some days ago, as the Oilers have peeled off four straight regulation treys. When asked by Sportsnet’s Gene Principe during Monday night’s wins to get right into the playoff mix just as the deadline arrives and there’s game whether he expected a busy trade deadline day, Tambellini revealed no more context to be had. As if on cue, Hemsky tweaked a hamstring in little: “Hard to tell. We’re talking to a lot of teams about different options, the third period of Monday night’s 4-1 win over Calgary, which might raise short-term, long-term … I really won’t know until I get there on Wednesday.” red flags on the other end of any hypothetical discussion. Certainly the recent swing in Oilers’ fortunes must have them leaning away from being pure sellers. Players who in other years might be moved along as rentals at the deadline must now be considered in terms of their value as To trade a quality player like Hemsky for some package of futures would be “rentals” to the Oilers. This year — at long, long last — the Oil have a big step backwards, but a swap for another proven NHLer with a different meaningful games to play between now and June 30 when current skill set isn’t out of the question. contracts expire. So the decision around a Ryan Whitney or Ryan Jones Related post — Should the Oilers trade Ales Hemsky? (Staples, March must first start with questions about how does he help the Oilers and how 26) could he be replaced in the immediate short term. Additional arrows in Stu MacGregor’s quiver have to take a back seat to the current needs of the Ryan Jones – Another polarizing player who is popular among much of the team. Which is music to the ears of this Oilers fan. Welcome back, playoff fanbase but detested in some quarters. Jones has his limitations to be sure contention. — nobody has ever confused his play with that of his cousin, John Tonelli — but he also has some positives. Among them is the rather unsettling fact The laundry list of what Oilers might need is long to the verge of that at a listed 205 pounds he is currently the heaviest winger on comprehensive: I’ve heard talk of a #2 or even #1A goalie, a top-pairing Edmonton’s roster. The Oilers aren’t in a very good position to be trading defenceman, a middle pairing d-man, a depth d-man, a big winger, a big away size unless there’s an infusion of same on an inbound flight. centre, etc. ad infinitum. Pipe dreams, most of them, especially at this point in the season with so many teams clustered in the playoff chase and many Just as even a good utility infielder has weaknesses (or else he’d be a of the better names in the rumour mill already traded or re-signed by their starter), Jones’ game has plenty of holes, but the jack-of-all-trades provides current teams. welcome elements in areas the club is lacking. At 28, he’s a prime-of-career player with 272 games of experience and over 50 NHL goals, factors which Who might be targetted as incoming players is pretty speculative at this might make him a desirable quantity elsewhere but which have some value point; there are 29 other teams out there that are potential trading partners. here in Edmonton as well. Coming off an eye injury, Jones has had We can, however, look at members of the 2013-13 Oilers who might be in stretches of ineffective (and occasionally downright bad) play, but continues the discussion to possibly be headed elsewhere. We’ll stick to members on to deliver a robust style. Once again he ranks among the team’s leaders in the current team here, and leave the endless possibilities for Linus Omark hits while doing some of his best work in and around the blue paint, a rare for others to fantasize about to their heart’s content. (“Why not Crosby and enough trait on this club. His ability to play both wings and to move up and Malkin?”) down the line-up has value to the Oilers as well as to any potential suitor. In their comprehensive trade deadline coverage, TSN.ca lists no fewer than Replacing that versatility with another kid, even a promising one like the three Oilers in Whitney, Jones and the omnipresent Ales Hemsky among hulking but unproven Teemu Hartikainen, is by no means a guaranteed their top 25 guys most likely to be traded. Let’s start with that trio and then improvement to the bottom six in the immediate short term. briefly consider a half dozen lesser possibilities. Related post — Is Ryan Jones a keeper or should Oilers deal him at the * * * deadline? (Staples, April 2) Ryan Whitney – His name has been mentioned most often throughout the * * * season, and has been raised again in light of last night’s season-ending ankle injury to Carolina’s Joni Pitkanen (if you missed it, yet another The long shots: catastrophic outcome of a “routine” race to an icing). Whitney knows all about debilitating ankle and foot issues himself, and with his mobility issues Eric Belanger – The 35-year-old might be attractive as a Dominic Moore has become something of a polarizing figure within the fan base. Some see type pick-up for a contender seeking a little faceoff/PK depth down the him as a player so deficient in the defensive aspects of his game that a middle, except for two things: his contract has another year to run at an Whitney deal would be addition by subtraction, and whatever “asset” came increasingly-unattractive $1.75 MM, and he is currently on injured reserve in return would be a bonus. for the third time this season. While he is reportedly close enough to full health that his name is in the great discussion, that has to be a huge red There’s no doubt that the pedigreed backliner has fallen a long way. The flag for opposing GMs. Unless he goes the other way in return for a bigger long-time minute muncher has found himself in an unfamiliar role anchoring salary dump — the recently-waived Jussi Jokinen and his $3 MM ticket for (using the term advisedly) the third pairing, ranking fifth on the Oilers 2013-14 springs to mind — it’s difficult to envision Belanger going blueline in games played, average ice time, and total ice time. He has found anywhere. himself a healthy scratch on no fewer than eight occasions, but has still suited up more often than bottom-of-the-roster alternatives Corey Potter, Mark Fistric, and Theo Peckham, all of whom would be poised to move up Ben Eager – Not currently an Oiler but spent most of the season on the 667787 Edmonton Oilers roster. Potentially a contract going the other way to make room for an incoming one, especially if the incomer is (also) a salary dump à la Jokinen. Mark Fistric — Tambellini spent a third-round pick to acquire the banger Edmonton Oilers’ D-man Ryan Whitney gets Gordie Howe hat-trick when Theo Peckham wasn’t ready to go at training camp. He has delivered more or less as advertised, a big surly body with a take-no-prisoners style who has taken a couple of knocks himself that put him out of the line-up. Jim Matheson He’s also been burned at times by leaving his position to take a run at somebody. Brings zero offence but surprisingly, leads Oilers in plus/minus, surely a textbook case of variance within small sample size. Has value on On the day Ryan Whitney didn’t get traded, he decided he’d get the Gordie the market as a physical 6/7 defender, but has the same value here. If Howe hat-trick to say thank-you. Oilers are confident a healthy, rusty Peckham could fill the same role and if Tambellini could get a higher draft pick for Fistric than he gave up for him, Goal, assist and a fight. All the bases covered by the Edmonton Oilers’ then maybe. defenceman. Related post: Should Oilers try to keep Fistric? (Willis, March 20) “I don’t know if I’d classify that as a fight…it was more a guy jumping on a pigeon,” shrugged Whitney, who was way overmatched with Calgary Nikolai Khabibulin – Rumours that Khabibulin and Whitney would actually Flames’ tough guy Tim Jackman in the third period of the Oilers 8-2 win be re-signed to contract extensions made the rounds on April Fool’s Day, after scoring and setting up one by Nail Yakupov. “Gordie Howe hat-trick? I giving the critics something to hammer Tambellini for on a day that the GM don’t know about that. Like I said, was it a fight?” actually did extend a core player in Ladi Smid. Khabibulin’s own four-year deal wasn’t Tambellini’s finest hour to be sure, but is about to run its “I’d passed the puck up ice and I didn’t see him. I should have cross- course. There might be a market for a veteran back-up with few $$$ checked him right in the face,” said Whitney, who thought he’d had six remaining who has posted outstanding numbers (.930 save percentage, majors in his career “if that counts as a fight.” 2.30 goals against average) in limited action; especially for a team like St. Louis who just lost their #1 stopper and who got an eyeful of Khabibulin just Whitney played on the second powerplay, slapped the 2-2 goal after last week in a transcendent performance that flat-out stole Oilers the win. Calgary scored on two of their first three shots on Devan Dubnyk, and was Difficult to picture a trade with a direct playoff rival, however. There are a on for Matt Stajan’s second goal 5:18 in, but otherwise had a good night. few possible suitors in the other conference such as the unfortunate He made a statement, thanking the Oilers for not moving him for draft picks Hurricanes, and if the Oilers could snag a useful draft pick anything’s like other UFA defencemen Douglas Murray, Robyn Regehr and Jordan possible. Still, the impression I get is that Ralph Krueger would rather have Leopold. Khabibulin as his B option than potential call-up Yann Danis. “I was very happy not to get traded, and then I get my goal and my assist Related post: Oilers could get as much as a second rounder for and that fight,” he laughed. Khabibulin, former NHL GM says (Staples, March 25) The fight will probably make the TV packages. “Yeah, exactly. Interesting Magnus Paajarvi — I mention him only because his name has been Gordie Howe.” rumoured so frequently. Moving Paajarvi seemed more likely when he was “Whit got lucky that he didn’t connect with any punches,but he did jump struggling to find his place in the line-up and in the league, but since his last him,” said defenceman Ladislav Smid. “He didn’t give him much of a recall from OKC he’s become a fixture in the top six while making a strong chance. After all kinds of rumours about him being traded, I’m glad he case he belongs in the core cluster. He brings a pleasing package of youth, wasn’t. He’s been solid for us.” speed, size, skill, and defensive conscience, and recently earned Ralph Krueger’s praise for being the Oiler most frequently found in the blue paint. *** He’s also earned Krueger’s trust in the form of ice time, leading Oilers forwards in EVTOI in two recent games and playing 21:35 in another; in fact The line of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle had 11 his top twelve games for ice time have all occurred in the last five weeks. points. RNH and Hall had a goal and four helpers, RNH a goal and three Any trade of Paajarvi would be as a major piece for what had darn well assists and Eberle two snipes. It was the most points Hall’s had in an NHL better be a major piece coming the other way, and not Alex Stojanov either. game. He had four points in the 8-4 pasting of Chicago last season, the I don’t see it happening. night Sam Gagner had eight points. As a line Hall, RNH and Eberle have 32 points the past five games. Hall is now seventh in NHL scoring with 41 Related post: Paajarvi on block in trade with Bruins? (Staples, March 27) points (15 in his last six games). “They have some great young players and we had no answer for it. The team as a whole gave us a hockey lesson. We Theo Peckham — Hard to imagine there’s a market for him as anything couldn’t skate with them,” said Flames’ coach Bob Hartley. more than what he is here, a bottom-of-the-roster player struggling for ice time. We never did find out whether he would have cleared waivers, but his *** perceived value can’t be much higher than waiver-wire calibre: a late-round draft pick or B-list prospect perhaps. Good health among the blueline crew Interesting goal by Nail Yakupov, his second of the game, to make it 8-2. has kept Theo locked in the #8 spot in the “rotation”, but that can change in Came off a face-off with Ryan Smyth feeding him. “Yeah, it was a set play. I a couple of shifts. Trade him and his 160 games of NHL experience, and told him to be ready,” said Smyth, who won the draw, kicked the puck up to the depth chart becomes dangerously thin. Again, that’s depending on who his stick and hit Yakupov all alone on Joey MacDonald. might be incoming that is able to play right away. Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 04.04.2013 * * * I don’t know that there’s a single player listed above who’s “probably” going to get traded, although collectively the odds probably hover somewhere above 50% for a deal of some sort. That said, I wouldn’t be all that surprised to see Tambellini choose to “rent” his own expiring contracts like Whitney, Jones and Khabibulin for the playoff push. And that said, as a naturally conservative prognosticator in such matters I expect little to happen most years, and frequently I turn out to be dead wrong as the Oilers do something significant right at the deadline. I guess that’s why we watch, and will today. Here at the Cult of Hockey, Staples, Willis and I will post throughout the day as news breaks, then turn our attention to tonight’s game in Calgary after the deadline gun sounds at 13:00 MDT and the smoke finally clears some time thereafter. Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667788 Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers GM Steve Tambellini tweaks roster on NHL trade deadline day, nothing more

John MacKinnon

Saying he didn’t want to disrupt the positive chemistry that has emerged on his young, gifted team, Edmonton Oilers GM Steve Tambellini added a depth centre at the NHL trade deadline day, but otherwise left his 9th-place roster intact. In adding 34-year-old Jerred Smithson, obtained for a 4th-round pick from the Florida Panthers, Tambellini shored up an area of weakness on the Oilers all season without touching any other position. How fans react to that will depend on their sensibility. Here’s what Tambellini had to say at his media availability at the Oilers offices on Wednesday. Variously, Eric Belanger (foot, groin), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Shawn Horcoff (broken knuckle) all have missed chunks of time this season. As a result, in recent weeks, veteran left winger Ryan Smyth has been pressed into service at centre, as has Lennert Petrell. With Belanger still nursing a sore groin, Smithson will be useful immediately. Well, not quite immediately, as his wife went to hospital Wednesday to give birth to the couple’s first child. But Smithson is expected to join the Oilers in Los Angeles on Saturday. Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667789 Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers make one trade deadline deal, acquiring Jerred Smithson from Florida Panthers for a fourth round draft pick

Joanne Ireland

The Edmonton Oilers, looking to add some depth rather than delete on trade deadline day, acquired forward Jerred Smithson from the Florida Panthers for a fourth round pick. Smithson, 34, will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. “I was definitely shocked. I really enjoyed my time here in Florida but I had a feeling I might be traded,” he said. “Once I had time to think about it and everything started to settle down, I really started to look forward to it. I love the direction this team is heading.” He won’t cost the Oilers much, his contract is just $800,000 and it will be prorated over the remaining 12 games, but it does put the Oilers at the contract maximum of 50. The Oilers had seen plenty of Smithson when he was with the Nashville Predators from 2005 through 2012. He was shipped to the Panthers at the end of the 2011-2012 season. Through 34 games this campaign, he’s got five points and was 54.8 per cent in the faceoff circle. The Oilers have been without Eric Belanger (groin) since March 26. Prior to that missed five games with same injury. Clearly he’s going to be out for a while. Smithson, meanwhile, was heading to the hospital Wednesday night with his partner who is pregnant with their first child. He isn’t expected to join the team before Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings. “He’s a defensive centreman who brings size and depth into our group that we can use,” said head coach Ralph Krueger. “It’s a good acquisition for our organization.” Ryan Jones played with Smithson in Nashville and said he plays a simple game, which will be effective in Edmonton. Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667790 Edmonton Oilers “We’ve battled our way back. I don’t even know what our record is since that game (8-2-2) but it’s pretty damn good.” Follow me on TWITTER.com/SUN_TYCHKOWSKI Edmonton Oilers battle back from two-goal deficit to down Calgary Flames 8-2 Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013

By Robert Tychkowski ,Edmonton Sun

CALGARY - It was men against boys. Or, rather, boys against Flames. Same thing. Just hours after GM Steve Tambellini stood pat on trade deadline day, giving his young team a chance to finish what it started, the Oilers responded with a show of force that shook the Calgary Saddledome and everybody in it. Edmonton scored eight straight times to erase an early 2-0 deficit, win their fifth in a row and move into sole possession of eighth place. Yes, it came against Flames, but, still, it was stunning to watch. With all of Edmonton’s child stars leading the slaughter, the scoring summary must have felt like a knife twisting in the side of Calgary’s fans. Taylor Hall had five points, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had four, Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov had two goals each. Sam Gagner had two points. And the UFA everyone thought was gone? Ryan Whitney had a goal, an assist and a fight. And the Oilers are eighth. After six years and more growing pains than any of them care to remember, finally, light at the end of the tunnel. “I’d be lying if I said there haven’t been times last year, or even this year, when you’re thinking, ‘When’s this going to end?’ ” said Eberle, who’s only been here for three years of the misery. “It’s been tough, but in the last 10 or so games we’ve really found our team identity, we’re peaking at the right time. The next step for us is to make the playoffs.” There’s still a long way to go, against teams a lot better than the Flames, but eighth place on April 3 is no small milestone. “Nobody outside this room battled to put us in this position, we’ve done it,” said Ryan Jones, one of the UFAs who thought he might be moved. “We’ve been through the (crap) together the last few years, We went through it together and battled to where we are right now.” The fact they’re still together, that their house wasn’t cleaned of its free agents at the deadline, is their own doing. The Oilers took the decision out of management’s hands leading up to deadline day, playing themselves up the Western Conference ladder and forcing Tambellini to keep the group intact. “We have a great group in here,” said Hall, who had a goal and four assists just two games after breaking Wayne Gretzky’s fastest hat-trick record. “Today was kind of a weird day with the trade deadline, but I think everybody settled down and realized that this is the group we have for this year and I think we’re all excited about that. “To be down 2-0 and win 8-2 is pretty cool.” Tambellini saw enough in the last two weeks to give this group a chance to show what it can do. It’s an endorsement the players appreciate. “It shows they have confidence in the players they have in this locker- room,” said Jones. “We have something good going in this locker-room. Guys are maturing right in front of your eyes. You watch them become better players all over the ice. It’s going to be an exciting team in the future and obviously I want to be a part of it as long as I can.” Their situation was simple: win your way back into the race and the room stays together, fall out of it and you can start saying goodbye to a few of your friends. And after back-to-back shutout losses in Detroit and Nashville, rock bottom if you’re looking for it on a map, the suitcases were half full. “When we lost that stretch in the middle of that road trip it was really gut- check time, it really was then or never,” said Jones. “If we lost a couple more games we were done. 667791 Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers GM Steve Tambellini ‘happy’ that he decided not to trade defenceman Ryan Whitney

By Derek Van Diest ,Edmonton Sun

EDMONTON - Ryan Whitney can start unpacking. He’ll be staying in Edmonton a while longer. The Edmonton Oilers decided against moving Whitney prior to the trade deadline, something that seemed imminent a few weeks ago, mainly because the defenceman is due to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. “The fact that he’s playing well, and his ability to move the puck is something that we desperately need,” said Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini. “We have skilled forwards that demand the puck at the right time to take advantage of transition that they deliver. I didn’t see anywhere in the day where I thought I could replace that puck-moving D.” Whitney had admitted to expecting a trade and essentially having all his things packed up in anticipation of a move. However, despite inquiries about the defenceman leading up to the deadline, the Oilers believed their chances of making the playoffs were better with the Boston product in their lineup. “He’s part of this group, he’s worked hard, he’s part of our power play and that would really be a takeaway that would affect our hockey club,” Tambellini said. “I’m happy that I made the decision to keep Ryan here.” It’s possible the two sides will part ways this summer as they’ve had a tumultuous relationship since his arrival just over three years ago. Whitney suffered through a frustrating ankle injury and this season had been a healthy scratch numerous times before playing his way back into the lineup regularly. Regardless, there have not been discussions about a possible contract extension. “I think now’s not the time,” Tambellini said. “We’ll have discussions with our free agents in the right amount of time. The focus right now is so much on winning hockey games, the rest will take care of itself in the right time.” Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667792 Edmonton Oilers The team fell out of the playoff hunt and soon thereafter bottomed out, forcing a rebuild. “I’m aware of what their mindset (in dressing room) was,” said Tambellini. Edmonton Oilers avoid moving any bodies out at NHL trade deadline “Where they have respect for the group and they’re sacrificing for the group to win. It’s hard to win every single night in this league, especially down the stretch. We’re going to be tested very hard in the last few games. But we’re By Derek Van Diest ,Edmonton Sun very excited about that and the last thing I wanted to do is take away something where they thought they maybe didn’t have as good a chance to win as maybe they did before.” EDMONTON - This time around, Steve Tambellini was not holding the ‘For Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013 Sale’ sign. With his team in a playoff race, the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers wasn’t about to move assets at the trade deadline to acquire draft picks or prospects. The only move he did make added a roster player. “That was an important message in itself, where yes, there were a lot of different scenarios where I could have moved people for mid-round picks or maybe a little higher in a couple of other circumstances,” Tambellini said. “But that wasn’t my goal coming into this trade deadline. It was to find help and not take away from the depth of our dressing room or the people that we asked to compete so hard to get to this spot. It was to show them that we trust this group and they have a wonderful opportunity to get to the playoffs here.” Heading into Wednesday’s game against the Calgary Flames, the Oilers were one point out of the eighth-and-final playoff spot in the Western Conference. It’s a position they have not found themselves in too often recently leading up to the trade deadline. So Tambellini did not want to move a roster player for fear it could hamper the team’s chances to qualify for the post season. Even if that means losing a player to unrestricted free agency this summer. “No question, it’s a total different mindset than trying to leverage your asset to try and get the greatest return,” Tambellini said. “I’m more excited for our players, because you play hockey to win and the fact is that they believe they have a good chance to win every night. That’s when it’s enjoyable going into work and seeing that they’re excited to play. That’s the exciting part for me.” The only move the Oilers made was bringing in fourth-line centre Jerred Smithson from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick. Smithson will provide depth and size for the team up the middle. “I think we’ve been quite open about what our goals are for this hockey club,” Tambellini said. “I can tell you how much energy is being brought into the dressing room from the fact that we are maturing in some areas and we are getting strong play from some our veteran people. “The fact that they’re close and they’re in there, you can sense the excitement and the drive to stick to a gameplan and just be excited about where they are. They want to get in and that’s our goal.” The Oilers had a number of roster players who were rumoured to possibly be on the move. There was believed to be interest in defenceman Ryan Whitney, winger Ales Hemsky and goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin among others. The Oilers were also said to be involved in talks for Ottawa Senators goaltender Ben Bishop, who was eventually moved to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Cory Conacher and a fourth-round draft pick. “We were in some significant discussions,” Tambellini said. “I’m not going to go into them, but it was nothing that involved selling core people on our hockey club. We were trying different ways to improve our club. “We had various opportunities, but there was nothing that we were going to do with our core.” Having tampered at the deadline in the past with his team in contention, Tambellini was aware of how subtracting from the roster can affect the dressing room. Four seasons ago, the Oilers were in contention for a playoff spot when they traded Erik Cole and brought in Patrick O’Sullivan and Ales Kotalik. 667793 Edmonton Oilers The bottom line is that is happening before your eyes and there’s going to be no stopping that talent into growing in to something special together. The question is whether it is going to be sooner or later. And when it could Edmonton Oilers moves to fill in periphery roles long overdue be nudged a bit sooner by supplying a peripheral player like Jerred Smithson, why it took until the trade deadline to make a move is mystifying.

By Terry Jones ,Edmonton Sun At least they made the move. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013

EDMONTON - Mr. Dithers, Tentative Tambellini, whatever your moniker of preference is for the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, took until the trade deadline to do it. The deal he made Wednesday was a deal that should have been made long before only 13 games remained in the season. The Oilers are dead last in the league in faceoffs at 45%, have no depth at centre, had to use Ryan Smyth out of position for a multitude of games and were left in the laughable position of having two donut lines (no centres) when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins came down with the flu before a game recently. The failure this season has been the inability of management to give this team the short-term periphery players so obviously missing. In an interview with your correspondent earlier this season, new senior vice president of hockey operations Craig MacTavish put it perfectly. “When I left, we were missing the big pieces. We had the periphery players taken care of. Now we have the franchise players who can play here for the next 10 or 15 years. We certainly have four or five of those guys. Now we’re more focused on finding the periphery players,” said the former Oilers’ coach. Steve Tambellini did do that with the addition of physical winger Mike Brown from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Give him that. Wednesday he added Jerred Smithson, a 34-year-old, minimal-offence fourth-line centre who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, from the Florida Panthers for a fourth-round draft choice. Tambellini didn’t change the chemistry or the mix in the dressing room by trading away a player. Hardly a blockbuster trade, although it was the biggie of the four deals made prior to the final hour of the deadline dealing yesterday where TSN and Sportsnet had about a dozen trade analysts each per traded player. The attraction with Smithson, in addition to his 6-foot-3, 209-pound size and his 578-games’ experience over 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators and Panthers, is his ability to win a faceoff. Smithson’s faceoff numbers have been consistent. He’s 54.8% this year after putting up 56.1%, 57.4% and 54.9% in the previous three years. Existing Oilers centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is a 19-year-old kid. His faceoff numbers are going to improve with experience and strength. He was 37.5% last year and is currently at 41.4%. It’ll come. Sam Gagner is at 42.5%. He’s in his fifth year under 50%. There’s reason to wonder if that will come for him, but so much else has been coming for Gagner, the face-off wins were going to have to come from now back-from- injury Shawn Horcoff and somebody else short term. The one deal, the home run deal Oilers fans are waiting for, the one which brings a big, physical, top six power forward, was never going to be a deadline deal. That’s a free agency deal. And with the way the Oilers are playing lately and the way their top draft picks are maturing into the legitimate superstars they were projected to become, Edmonton is going to be an attractive destination for such a player. But the bottom six forwards and the bottom three or four defencemen still need dramatic upgrades while the Oilers watch the young talent in the prime positions develop and gain experience. 667794 Edmonton Oilers definitely could be worse. The timing may not be the best, but that’s part of the job, it’s part of the hockey lifestyle. You just have to adapt to it. “Luckily her mother is in town right now and her father is coming into town Centre Jerred Smithson ‘excited’ to join Edmonton Oilers (Thursday). So she does have some help, which definitely makes things a little easier.”

By Derek Van Diest ,Edmonton Sun [email protected] Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013

EDMONTON - Jerred Smithson is a busy guy at the moment. The newest member of the Edmonton Oilers found out he had been dealt Wednesday afternoon as he was leaving the Florida Panthers practice facility. Later that night he and his fiancée, Jaymie, were scheduled to go to the hospital to induce the birth of their first child. “Yeah, there’s a lot going on in my world right now,” said Smithson shortly after the trade was announced. “But hockey-wise, I’m excited, I can’t wait to join the group and be part of the team. “That’s a team that I played a lot of games against during my Nashville days. It’s a team that the direction they are going, it’s pretty exciting. They’re a good hockey club and to get a chance to be a part of it, is very exciting.” Smithson, 34, was acquired by the Oilers from the Panthers in exchange for a fourth-round pick in this summer’s NHL Entry draft. The product of Vernon, B.C., had two goals and five assists in 35 games with the Panthers this season. At six-foot-three, 209-pounds, Smithson is expected to provide a physical presence down the middle of the Oilers fourth line. Earlier in the day, the club announced centre Eric Belanger was likely out the rest of the season with a groin injury. “Jerred Smithson is well known for his defensive abilities,” said Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini. “He’s a very strong face-off person. I believe he was over 70% in the playoffs, the last time he was in the playoffs. He just brings us some size and some strength in that face-off circle. He can play centre, he can play wing, he’s a versatile guy. “The fact that he’s a veteran player is something that we were looking for. He’s played on a couple of different teams and he’s had very good success.” A former member of the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen, Smithson was undrafted coming out of junior. He signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Kings, before moving on to the Nashville Predators organization. Smithson spent nine years with the Predators before being traded to the Panthers for a sixth-round pick midway through last season. “Personally, I feel good, I feel my game is coming along,” Smithson said. “I know what they want me to bring to this hockey club, and that’s to play the same way I’ve always played, try to be good in the penalty kill, good in the face-off circle, try to be a good team player and help out as best I can.” The Oilers are not certain when Smithson will be available to them, as he has pressing family issues at the moment. He was not available for the Oilers’ game against the Calgary Flames Wednesday and probably won’t be in Vancouver for their game against the Canucks. The Oilers travel to face the Los Angeles Kings Saturday afternoon and are in Anaheim to play the Ducks Monday. “I’ve talked to some people there and talked about roughly when I would be able to come in,” Smithson said. “To be honest, it’s dependant on how things go with the birth. That’s the main thing I’m focused on right now and once everything is clear, then we’ll go from there. “I definitely want to get in there as soon as I can, I know the importance of these games and I definitely want to help this hockey club. At this point, it’s family first but I do want to get there as soon as I can.” Getting traded just prior to the deadline, added to what was already going to be a momentous day for Smithson.It sent his world spinning a little faster. “I wish I could explain what’s going on in my head right now, but saying that, it’s exciting,” he said. “I have a lot of good things going on in my life, it 667795 Florida Panthers business part of it that happens. Sometimes it sucks. You’re dealing with family and friends. We told him we would do everything we can to help.” Florida also lost forward Mike Santorelli as Winnipeg picked him up off Florida Panthers bring Nick Bjugstad onboard waivers. Santorelli played 13:05 in Florida’s 3-2 shootout win in Tampa on Tuesday after being waived earlier that day.

Staff Santorelli was slated to be third in the shootout but never took the ice as Jacob Markstrom stopped all three Tampa Bay shots. Santorelli said he is excited about the opportunity to join a Winnipeg team The Panthers were pretty silent at the trade deadline but did make some that currently leads the Southeast Division and is trying to win the noise with the signing of rising star Nick Bjugstad. franchise’s second division title and first since it took the banner in 2007 as the Atlanta Thrashers. Nick Bjugstad, drafted 19th overall by the Florida Panthers, poses on stage during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft at Staples Center on June 25, 2010 in Los “I’m grateful for the opportunity Winnipeg is giving me and I look forward to Angeles, California. helping them out,” Santorelli said. “It’s an exciting time there. It’s a great place to play. I hope I can help as much as I can.” Nick Bjugstad, drafted 19th overall by the Florida Panthers, poses on stage during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft at Staples Center on June 25, 2010 in Los With all of Florida’s injuries, there weren’t many chips for Tallon to deal Angeles, California. Wednesday. Tallon and coach Kevin Dineen said they don’t feel like the Panthers — who won the division for the first time last season — are in Wednesday was one of the slowest trade deadline days the Florida rebuilding mode. Panthers have endured as general manager Dale Tallon made just one minor deal. “This is a business. A big business,” Dineen said. “You have to manage your team appropriately not just immediate but for your long-term future. … The big news, however, came with what Tallon added outside the There is a sense we have some real quality guys who are stepping into parameters of the deadline. more prominent role. We don’t want to go back to being a long-term rebuilding project. There’s still some excitement left this season.” Nick Bjugstad, the 19th overall pick of the 2010 NHL Draft, signed a three- year deal with the Panthers on Wednesday and will make his NHL debut Tallon expects to have a healthy team come training camp when the Saturday against the Capitals. Panthers embark on a new challenge of playing in an eight-team division with Tampa Bay, Montreal, Boston, Toronto, Ottawa, Detroit and Buffalo. Bjugstad, who scored 54 goals during the past three seasons at the University of Minnesota, is scheduled to fly to South Florida on Thursday. “When you’re at the bottom,” Tallon said, “teams just expect you to panic and give up players. That’s not going to happen here.” “Nick is going to be here,” Tallon said. “We have 11 games left. This will be a good learning experience for him. If he does well, it will make it that much Miami Herald LOADED: 04.04.2013 easier for him at training camp next year. It’s a good chance to evaluate him.” Bjugstad, a 20-year-old center, recently finished his junior season at Minnesota and won’t wait long to start his NHL career as he is expected to be on the ice for Florida’s practice Friday in Coral Springs. “It’s pretty surreal,” Bjugstad said from Minnesota. “I just got done playing my final college game, which was a tough one. But it makes it easier knowing I’m jumping into the NHL. It’s very exciting. I’m sure the nerves will be going a little bit.” With fourth-line center Jerred Smithson sent to Edmonton for a fourth-round pick on Wednesday, well, the Panthers have an open slot. Tallon said he is excited to see his entire first-round Class of 2010 on the ice Saturday. Defenseman Erik Gudbranson, the third overall pick in 2010, made his NHL debut last season; Quinton Howden (25th overall) joined the Panthers on Jan. 26. “Time flies when you’re having fun,” Tallon said. “This is an exciting time for our franchise.” The Panthers have been reluctant to rush their top young players, however they are making an exception for Bjugstad. Although they privately wished he would have started his professional career in the minor leagues this season, the Panthers didn’t want to risk Bjugstad returning to Minnesota for his senior season and becoming a free agent in 2014 without signing with Florida. The Panthers will burn a year of his entry-level contract by bringing him up to the NHL level. It’s a tradeoff they were willing to make. “We understand what the consequences are,” Tallon said. “He is an asset we wanted to get signed. We wanted to get him in the fold, get him some games. We want him indoctrinated with our team now.” Smithson, whom Florida acquired for a sixth-round pick from Nashville last season, was told of the news after Wednesday’s practice. Smithson isn’t expected to join the Oilers until after the weekend because he and his wife are expecting their first child this week. “I feel bad about that, he is a solid pro and a classy guy,” Tallon said. “I have to think about the long-term future of the franchise. That’s the 667796 Florida Panthers point out of a playoff berth in the Western Conference, are last in the NHL with a 45 percent success rate. Smithson, in the final season of his prorated $800,000 deal, was told of the Panthers sign C Nick Bjugstad; trade C Jerred Smithson trade after practice and just before heading to the hospital where his wife is preparing to give birth on Thursday.

By Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel "The [deadline] always go through your head this time of year regardless of who you are,'' Smithson said Tuesday the day before he was dealt. "You try 4:52 p.m. EDT, April 3, 2013 not to let it bother you, not to let it get in your head. You worry about what you can control, that's your work ethic, your play and your attitude. If it happens, it happens.'' … General Manager Dale Tallon stuck to his core philosophy as Wednesday's The Panthers also signed 6-2 defenseman Jonathan Racine, their third- 3 p.m. deadline expired, and despite overseeing the Eastern Conference round pick in 2011, to an entry-level deal. cellar-dwelling Panthers, refused to mortgage the franchise's future by trading highly touted propsects for a quick fix. Etc… Certainly not in a bizarre 48-game, post-lockout season in which most of Tallon said that team wanted his veteran players such as Tomas Kopecky, Tallon's bargaining chips are either mending torn ligaments or carrying Marcel Goc and Dmitry Kulikov but they weren't offering equal value. immovable contracts. "Of course teams call when you're at the bottom,'' Tallon said. "They think "We're not going to give up our good players to band-aid something to add you're just going to panic and give up players. That's just not going to some late picks,'' Tallon said in the quiet pressbox at BB&T Center. "We happen here.'' kept our calm, our patience, and had a lot of different possible deals on the table. We felt we [should] take our time and do the right thing overall. Tallon said that he talked with the agent of sidelined center Stephen Weiss on Friday and progress is being made on re-signing the unrestricted free "We're eight points out of first place with a game in hand and we've had 9- agent this summer. 10 guys out of the lineup any different night. … I think we have a great future and we're not going to mess with it just because we had a hiccup in a Tallon also said he is confident that he will re-sign center Peter Mueller (16 short season.'' points) after the season when his one-year deal expires. … Instead of dealing promising youngsters, many who have helped build the Forward Jack Skille practiced and is ready to play after missing the last five Panthers modest three-game winning streak (all in post-regulation, a games with an upper-body injury. franchise record), he focused on keeping one in the fold when he signed 6- Sun Sentinel LOADED: 04.04.2013 foot-6 University of Minnesota center Nick Bjugstad to an entry-level contract. “I came back to win a national championship and things happen. We lost in overtime and that's a tough deal,’’ said Bjugstad, the 19th overall pick by the Panthers in 2010. “I thought this was right for my future, my development, to move onto the next level.’’ Tallon said Bjugstad will practice Friday and play Saturday against the Capitals, so the Panthers will lose a year of control over his free-agent rights. If they didn't sign him by the end of his senior year, the Panthers would've lost his draft rights. "We wanted to get him signed, under the fold and get him some experience,'' Tallon said. "He's 6-6, 220 pounds, and only 20. Once he fills out and becomes a man [Erik Gudbranson and Quinton Howden fills out] … we're going to have some size, speed and skill.'' Bjugstad decided to forego his senior season with the Gophers where he scored 21 goals this season and 54 in 109 career games to turn pro. The Panthers did shed some minor payroll while opening roster spots for young players when inconsistent forward Mike Santorelli was claimed by the Winnipeg Jets, and they sent fourth-line veteran center Jerred Smithson to the Edmonton Oilers for a fourth-round pick. Santorelli, 27, who hasn't lived up to his 20-goal, 21-assist season of 2010- 11 that netted him his first big NHL contract (two years for $3.2 million), was pulled from Panthers practice at Saveology.com Iceplex at about noon after coach Kevin Dineen told him he was leaving South Florida for chilly Winnipeg. It was the third time that Santorelli had been put on waivers since June, and he was sent to the AHL earlier this season in the hope he would regain his confidence and scoring touch. "Yeah, it kind of sucks the first time it happened,'' said an emotional Santorelli, who has just two goals and one assists in 24 games. "After that my mindset was to roll with it, get back to my game and let everything fall into place.'' It was less than a week ago that Santorelli notched one of his most memorable highlights as a Panther when he scored the winning goal in the 5-4 shootout win over the Sabres. Ironically, if the Lightning had tied the shootout up Tuesday, Santorelli was the Panthers' next shooter. Smithson, 34, who was acquired from the Predators at last year's trade deadline, had just five points in 35 games, but led the Panthers with a 54.8 faceoff percentage, including 9-of-14 Tuesday. The Oilers, who are one 667797 Los Angeles Kings Etc. Minnesota did not sit still on trade deadline day, most notably acquiring captain/right wing Jason Pominville from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for goalie Matt Hackett and forward Johan Larsson on Wednesday. Kings consider Robyn Regehr more than a rental LA Times: LOADED: 04.04.2013

By Lisa Dillman April 3, 2013, 4:22 p.m.

With questions clouding the playing future of defenseman Willie Mitchell, the Kings are looking at newly acquired defenseman Robyn Regehr as more than a short-term solution. The Kings traded for the 32-year-old Regehr from Buffalo for two second- round draft choices Monday night. He had his first practice with the Kings on Wednesday and General Manager Dean Lombardi talked about his impact, especially if Mitchell does not return next season. "I think there's a good chance we can retain him," Lombardi said of Regehr, who will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. "This wasn't looked at as just a player for a rental. We're looking at this as a guy that can fit with us for a number of years." But, for the first time, Lombardi addressed the possibility of Mitchell's future beyond this season. The veteran had two surgeries on his knee, the most recent coming this week. His agent suggested, via email to The Times, that Mitchell could return next season. "At least we've got some finality that he's not coming back this year," Lombardi said. "... I guess it's safe to say there's a legitimate concern now whether he plays next year. It could be premature but it's possible where I wouldn't thought it possible. "We always thought, 'OK, if we don't get him this year, this isn't serious.' But apparently some other things might have shown up." The Kings made their deals before the NHL's trading deadline Wednesday, and this move reunites Regehr with Coach Darryl Sutter. He played for Sutter in Calgary when the Flames reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2004. "I'm really really happy," Regehr said. "For a few different reasons: Being in a position to win again and with a team that has proven it can do it in the past and wants to do it again. I'm very excited about that. Also familiar with Darryl as a coach and knowing his style and how demanding he is." He is going from a tough situation in Buffalo to the midst of a playoff race with the defending Stanley Cup champions. This is not quite the Kings team he played against during his Flames days. "They play a little bit different style," he said. "Back when I was playing for Calgary it was a little bit more of a passive style. Now it's a little bit more of an aggressive, forechecking style. And trying to get all five guys out there, working together and being close to one another in all three zones." Lombardi talked about the fit being good for the Kings on several levels. Not only is Regehr in the mix but also Matt Greene has resumed skating and could be ready for the playoffs. "That element he brings is something we need to add to the mix," Lombardi said. "I think you put Greene back in this lineup, and now you have that mix of puck moving and hard-to-play against. "...This guy's character is off the charts. He is no picnic to play against. This is a guy you'd rather have on your side than to play against." Regehr jokingly talked about having to reach out to one of the Kings, a former foe, to make amends. "I remember I separated Justin Williams' shoulder in the corner one game so maybe he's not quite happy with me," Regehr said. "We'll try to work it out. Water under the bridge." KINGS VS. MINNESOTA When: 7:30. Where: Staples Center. On the air: TV: Fox Sports West. Radio: 1150. Record vs. Wild: 0-1. 667798 Los Angeles Kings everything you can to let them grow together. I think you’ve heard me talk about culture – and, quite frankly, and this has always been in the back of my mind. First you need stability and continuity. Then you get an identity, Dean Lombardi interview transcript, video and then you have culture. But if you don’t have the first one, you’re not going to get the culture. And culture takes time, and the only way you’re going to do it is keep a bunch of good players together that care about each other, learn through the ups and downs and learn to win. And that’s a Posted by JonRosen on 3 April 2013, 5:37 pm ‘culture’. And that’s not going to happen in one year. It’s a process, just like we’re just starting to get an identity now. There’s another step here, and if I have to start pulling guys out of that room, and you take away the stability On the process of how a trade such as the one for Robyn Regehr comes and continuity, now you back the whole thing up. And that was very much in together: the back of my mind, that there is an emotional bond and step that we need to take as a franchise, and if I start ripping the guts out of it or whatever and “Well, fortunately we’re at the stage, unlike in the past, that I think it was start getting away from continuity, we’re never going to get there and you’re safe to say that we were really zeroing in on a certain type of player. So, going to end up like everything else. You’ll get mediocrity, back to .500, like certainly unlike five, six years ago when we went from basically acquiring everything. It’s harder and harder in this day and age – that’s what caps are draft picks and prospects to maybe a couple of years ago, you start looking designed to do. Bring everything to the medium and constant changes. But for smaller additions, to now, your market really gets kind of finite because you’re never going to get a team with culture if that’s going on. So I think you’re clearly looking for a certain element. And even though you have a lot I’ve been consistent with that. It’s the first year I’ve really faced the of discussions with people, as a practical matter you essentially zero down challenge of trying to improve the team and keep them together, but it’s into just a couple teams. The one thing about this whole process, too – we always in the back of mind. So when I talk about this deal, it’s very much were engaged fairly early, obviously, because it wasn’t looking good for not just the player, it’s this other thing that’s in the back of my mind that is Willie Mitchell. Losing two guys like that right away, it’s safe to say that I’ve very important, I think.” been looking for this all year. So I mean, you’re looking at two big, physical guys that were clearly part of our identity that have not been in our lineup all On whether Regehr’s evaluation was made easier due to his relationship year. And we knew it was going to be long term. So you could argue that with Darryl Sutter: this process started two months ago. It’s just that again, people aren’t really “Oh, no question. What you get there is now just like with Carter and willing to deal until this time of year.” Richards. You guys, at times, you do your digging to find out about a player, On whether the price went up as discussions progressed due to other but we don’t have to do that. This guy’s character is off the charts. He is no trades made: picnic to play against. And the other thing, you know from your own locker room that in the end the players know. I think this is a guy you’d rather have “I guess so. I think that’s what people generally tend to do, that they’ll see on your side than have to play against him. And I think [he’s got a] left shot what other guys go for, and you kind of work within that framework. But it and we’re blessed with obviously with some really good young defensemen still comes down to – that might be a starting point – but it still comes down and the way Muzzin’s come on. But we still need that element that guys like to you’re competing against other teams, and generally there’s two things Robyn and Greener and Willie Mitchell bring.” the other general manager considers. One – the biggest price, and secondly, in this case, where the player will go, and then do you want him On the evolution of contract negotiations with Rob Scuderi: out of your conference? So those are usually the three things that enter into “I think you’ll see us now – and actually, we just started this this afternoon – the price that might affect it to a certain degree. But in the end, it’s just like it kind of went back to the drawing board here and see the dominoes. So I when a player signs as a free agent, the general manager’s probably going think…we’ve got an idea now of what we can do to try and keep these guys to take the most he can, and you hope to outbid people.” together. So you’ve got these young players up, and so now you say, ‘OK, On a relatively quiet trading deadline for the Kings after moves were made you’ve got to do the balancing act.’ The less term you give, you probably earlier this week: can keep it down to keep the veterans. So you’ve got to do this balancing act now between the advantages of term, but also keeping the other pieces. “We like our team. It’s just filling those two holes. I mean, this group here – And we were kind of unsure, obviously going through until now we’ve done and I think I’ve said this to you guys several times here – the hardest part this, OK, now we know what we want to do. So let’s start working on this. about this wasn’t the player trade. It’s making sure we keep this group So I think Solly’s going to finally earn his money here this year.” together, and I think I’ve made it clear numerous times that the way this cap is coming down next year when we have six young players up for contract On his disinterest of buying out the contracts of Mike Richards and Jeff causes this to be a physics project. So of the players I looked at in making Carter: this deal, I spent way more time evaluating our cap and keeping this group “Buy ‘em out? With Mike? No. Who ever asked me that? [Reporter: In together than I actually did evaluating the player. And that’s not taking January at the press conference, it was just a general conversation about anything away from the work on the player. But we knew we were going to teams using the buy-outs. It wasn’t specific that you were interested. You get to this point some day. I mean, you’ve said it time and time again – build said you didn’t plan on using that buyout clause.] No. With those guys? No.” slowly with young players in the thought of keeping them together. But this CBA really hurt in terms of us having to adjust, because we certainly didn’t On whether the buyout clause would be considered with Willie Mitchell’s plan a dramatic decrease, and then, like I said, we have six million in space. “situation”: We brought this team back we can’t use. And so everything we did in the last two weeks with Solly (Vice President/Hockey Operations and Legal “Well, I think what we know now, and that’s the next thing we’ve got to zero Affairs Jeff Solomon) is we had more physics projects going on the board in on – kind of just like you asked about the contracts, we’re kind of looking than MIT in terms of trying how to figure out how to make sure we keep our at it in like Willie went to see another doctor, we know. I’ve got to get all the own. And so that certainly also had an impact on your market, too, so information out. The one thing we do know is he’s done for the year, which you’re balancing the players and then you say, ‘Wait a minute,’ you don’t was kind of always hanging out there. In terms of his career, that’s what I want to get in the situation where ‘OK, I’m paying this to get the player, but think we have to figure out now where he is health-wise in terms of his then I’m going to pay another tax in the summer because I can’t keep career. So once we have that, and I think we’re going to have the another player.’ So actually your price could increase dramatically if you discussion this week with all the doctors and Willie and try and sort through aren’t cognizant of that. And that’s why I think that’s the other reason this is this thing. The first issue is to see where we are in terms of him playing a really good fit for us. I think with Robyn, clearly that element he brings is again. And then we can decide what to do. Obviously, if he’s going to come something that we needed to add to the mix, and I think you put Greener back, great. I’m not sure how viable that is based upon my preliminary stuff. back in this lineup, now you have that mix of puck moving and hard-to-play- But again, I’ll know more on that by the end of the week. [Reporter: against. So he’s a great fit from that, and I think hopefully, I think there’s a Because he’s had the two surgeries now.] Yeah, and I think without going good chance that we can retain him. I think we’ve got a lot going for us, so into detail, like I said, at least we got some finality that he’s not coming back this wasn’t looked at as just a player for a rental. We’re looking at this as a this year. Now I’m getting some information – and I don’t like speaking to it guy that can fit with us for a number of years here. But it still had to work for because I don’t have it all, but I guess it’s safe to say there would be a us in terms of the whole. I just feel so strongly. I think you know this group. legitimate concern now whether he plays next year. But that could be Through the process, yeah, at times you get frustrated. But there’s no premature. Let’s just say now, though, it’s possible, where I wouldn’t have question they care about each other, and time and time again I’ve seen thought it possible. Like we always thought, ‘OK, if we don’t get him this them they way they stick together through tough times, and you want to do year, this isn’t serious for us.’ But apparently some other things might have shown up. But until I get the whole story, I probably should hold off.” On whether he was close on making any other trades prior to the deadline: “No. I like our team, and I think we addressed our biggest need. And you see Matt Greene in there – we get him back, that’s like getting a player for nothing now. I didn’t see anything that was really going to improve us. Our depth up front with Toffoli and Brad Richardson, we forget about him, but he’s shown he’s a good depth player. So it wasn’t really anything there that made sense as terms of an upgrade, let alone then get to the part where if you upgrade, what’s it going to do to your cap and everything else. The other thing we were able to do on this that I really liked – and you know I’m confident in how I feel about this – we’ve got 10 picks in this year’s draft. You never want to lose sight of that part. Now, we don’t have a first rounder, but we’re going into this, we were able to keep this nucleus, get this piece here, and have 10 picks going in next year’s draft. Our eye going forward, we haven’t sold the farm by any stretch. I think we’ve got the space to keep our young players. Then hopefully…add the right veterans here going forward also. Now it’s up to our scouts to hit in the middle rounds. I mean, we’ve got a lot of swings in there, so we’ll keep the supply line going. But that’s the other thing, too – like, you underestimate those picks coming up overall. So, OK, you get Regehr, and you know the fifth rounder for Drewiske because you’ve got the depth. And then you look at your list, and we’ve got three fourths, two fifths, two sevenths. We’re in good shape there, and that’s unusual for a team coming off the success we had last year. Generally you’ve got to empty the store a little more. So I think we’re in pretty decent shape.” On whether getting a first round pick back is important this year: “You look at it…We were fortunate last year, actually, like we were going to pay it last year or this year, and [Columbus] didn’t take it because it fell to 30. But actually, the kid we got has really done well. So we actually probably lucked out there, to get this kid Pearson in the 30th pick. He’s got a good chance. [Reporter: A little concerned, though, when he came back from the injury?] Yeah, but it’s not structural, so they say that’s the biggest thing. But you can’t predict that. And he’s still a young lad. He’s got to get in shape and everything. But that whole line down there, like we really sucked the lifeblood out of them this year between losing players on waivers and trades. Now we’ve got another wave coming in. But the one thing that was good about it was because we lost a lot of guys – we don’t like losing them – but the benefit of it was Toffoli, Vey and Pearson became the top line, and teams all keyed on them. So they learned to play in a tough environment, where if we had all the players there we probably would have had, they fall to the three hole, where generally you break them in, but they’re not getting the focus. But they’re arguably our best players, but they’re still very young. They moved right to the top, and if you went down there, you’d see they’re going right after them. And that’s a good sign, because teams know that these are three good [players]. And they handled it. Linden Vey’s come a long way. And so that was the good point of having three 20-year-olds on the same line – that they’re drawing the toughest checkers and everything else, and they’re going after them and they’re holding up.” On whether Linden Vey’s progress was catalyzed by the move to center: “No, clearly becoming a pro. It’s the same thing as Tyler. His first thing after the draft, he couldn’t do one push-up or pull-up and he was proud of it. It’s like, ‘Why do I have to do this for?’ So it’s a tribute to the development guys – what you see is maturity as a man as much as a player. And what happened is they’re pushing each other. It’s because Tyler has figured it out, and then Linden – you’ve got two kids there, one is the leading scorer in Ontario, and the other was the leading scorer in the west. So you’ve got a little bit of this going, ‘You’re not going to beat me.’ Now Tyler decides to start working. ‘I’ll stay with him.’ And it’s kind of what you like to have. And Pearson kind of figured out the work because he went through a draft, so he actually started figuring out, ‘I’ve got to get back to work.’ If you look at their bodies, they’re a long way from being men. But the point is they get it. And then Toffoli comes in here now and sees how hard Jarret Stoll and these guys work. Now you’ve got it going. That goes back to what started this whole thing. That’s culture. Again, that takes time, and you can lose that in a hurry if you start shuffling guys in and out and stuff.” LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667799 Los Angeles Kings

Lombardi addresses Mitchell injury

Posted by JonRosen on 3 April 2013, 5:32 pm

Los Angeles Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi was asked earlier today about the amnesty buyout clause, and whether it could be applied in the case of Willie Mitchell. Mitchell, 35, is signed through 2013-14 with a 3.5 million dollar cap hit and is sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a pair of surgeries on his knee, which was injured during the lockout. Though the team is still awaiting more test results, Lombardi’s responses indicated that Mitchell’s injury appears to be more of a long-term ailment. On whether the buyout clause would be considered with Willie Mitchell’s “situation”: “Well, I think what we know now, and that’s the next thing we’ve got to zero in on – kind of just like you asked about the contracts, we’re kind of looking at it in like Willie went to see another doctor, we know. I’ve got to get all the information out. The one thing we do know is he’s done for the year, which was kind of always hanging out there. In terms of his career, that’s what I think we have to figure out now where he is health-wise in terms of his career. So once we have that, and I think we’re going to have the discussion this week with all the doctors and Willie and try and sort through this thing. The first issue is to see where we are in terms of him playing again. And then we can decide what to do. Obviously, if he’s going to come back, great. I’m not sure how viable that is based upon my preliminary stuff. But again, I’ll know more on that by the end of the week. [Reporter: Because he’s had the two surgeries now.] Yeah, and I think without going into detail, like I said, at least we got some finality that he’s not coming back this year. Now I’m getting some information – and I don’t like speaking to it because I don’t have it all, but I guess it’s safe to say there would be a legitimate concern now whether he plays next year. But that could be premature. Let’s just say now, though, it’s possible, where I wouldn’t have thought it possible. Like we always thought, ‘OK, if we don’t get him this year, this isn’t serious for us.’ But apparently some other things might have shown up. But until I get the whole story, I probably should hold off.” LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667800 Los Angeles Kings be able to brush the rust off a little bit. It’s been a few years. Get out there and do it, and do it well.” On whether he can make an impact with a short schedule: April 3 practice quotes: Robyn Regehr “They’re going to ask me to play hard physically, defend well and help out on the penalty kill. Those are going to be the areas that I’m really going to Posted by JonRosen on 3 April 2013, 2:59 pm focus on.” On whether a “mental adjustment” is needed leaving a disappointing Buffalo team and joining a playoff-tested Los Angeles team in the thick of a playoff On joining the Kings: race: “I’m really, really happy for a few different reasons. First of all, being in a “It does a little bit, just because of the very different situation that both of position to win again and with a team that has proven it can do it in the past the teams were in. I played out west enough to know that this is what it’s and wants to do it again. So I’m very excited about that, and also familiar like every year in the Western Conference playoff race, pretty much. So with Darryl as a coach and knowing his style and how demanding he is, and that’s just the reality of the situation.” a couple of the players even from previous hockey experiences.” LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.04.2013 On what he learned from playing against the Kings as a member of the Flames: “They played a little bit of a different style back when I was playing for Calgary. It was a little bit more of a passive style. Now, it’s a little bit more of an aggressive, forechecking style and trying to get all five guys out there working together and being close to one another in all three zones. Things have changed a little bit differently, but I am quite familiar with a lot of the personnel. I don’t know, maybe you’ll have to ask some of those guys of their experiences. I remember I separated Justin Williams’ shoulder in the corner one game, so maybe he’s not quite happy with me. But we’ll try to work it out. Water under the bridge.” On whether he came to L.A. with a short-term or long-term mindset: “Right now, all I’m thinking about is right now and how I can get up to speed personally here with the team and what they want me to do as quickly as possible. But as for all that other stuff about the future, I think it depends on a lot of things. It depends how things go for me personally. It depends how things go for the team, and also probably the most important, there’s also other factors, such as next year we all know that the cap is going down from what it is this year and things like that. So there’s so many things that are out there and that are involved with that decision that I don’t think about that too much at this point. I’m just – like I said – I’ve got enough stuff going on right now to deal with.” On the timeline of finding out he had been traded, flying to L.A. and undergoing a physical: “So, what would it have been? We flew – Buffalo flew to Pittsburgh and then that night, that would have been April 1st, that night we went out for dinner, and I was hearing from my agent that something might be happening, and he had mentioned Los Angeles. There were a couple other teams we had heard rumors about, but he then it was Los Angeles, and we talked a little bit about it and the fit, and all that. I was asked to waive [the no-trade clause] after dinner, so I was gladly accepting. I talked to my wife about it. She was happy. She’s always wanted to be down in Southern California and spend some time here. We were excited that way, and with the team, as I mentioned before – the fit and the coaching and things like that, and what they did last year here, and they’re going to put ourselves in a position to hopefully do that again. All that stuff was very exciting for me to think about. Now I’m here, and I did fly out yesterday for a bunch of medicals and MRIs and things. It was a very full day yesterday, and I was out on the ice today for the first time. But I’m looking forward to getting into a game and into the lineup tomorrow.” On his familiarity with players on the Kings roster: “I had met a few of them. Personally, I had never played with any of them on any team other than there would be a camp here or there or knowing a guy like Jarret Stoll from being around Saskatchewan a little bit. Drew Doughty – I roomed with him at one of the Team Canada camps for three or four days. Stuff like that. So you know guys a little bit, but not really, really well.” On playing for Darryl Sutter again: “Darryl is a very demanding coach. I think any player that plays under him, that’s one of the first things that he would mention. But that being said, when you do the kind of stuff that he asks of you, and you do it well, you put yourself in a position to succeed and also become a very good professional. I was excited to be back and have that opportunity. I know the type of style [is] a very similar style to what he asked for us to play in Calgary. I should 667801 Los Angeles Kings night. He had some good chances. If you can score in practice, then you can score in the game. Might’ve been the difference in the game last night. Had two or three great chances and didn’t score. Had nothing to do with April 3 practice quotes: Darryl Sutter Colin Fraser.” LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.04.2013

Posted by JonRosen on 3 April 2013, 2:16 pm

On what Robyn Regehr brings to the Kings: “Experience. Good guy in back. Fills our left side. Work him in.” On Regehr’s off-ice intangibles: “Well, I think he’s played a long time and he has a pretty strong identity, and that’s pretty clear.” On if he has a sense of what the defensive pairings will be: “I’d like to get everybody healthy, but we won’t have time for that, so it’s not like you think about pairings. We have guys that play power plays, there’s kill penalties. Even though they play five on five together, they don’t always play together [on] special teams.” On whether it’s easier to get a guy into the lineup that he has coached before: “You know, I don’t really even know how to answer that because I’ve done it before and guys have struggled, and you know what? There’s no real answer for that. I think there’s guys that come in and get traded and play well and guys that traded and don’t play well. That’s a fact. That’s one thing about the deadline that everybody’s always talked about – is there enough time for a player to adjust? It doesn’t matter who it is. It doesn’t matter if you know the player or not. It’s not an easy time for players, quite honest, because they’re people, and they have families, and it’s a big chance.” On the modern challenges presented by Twitter and means used to broadcast personal information: “Well, all of that makes it particularly harder now. Right? You don’t like seeing guys get traded. That’s a fact. That’s how I feel about it.” On Davis Drewiske being traded to Montreal: “Hey, Davis wants to play, and he’s at the point of his career – he’s going to be 29 this summer. He’s unrestricted and needs to play. However they see to use him, good, but it’s important for Davis from a career standpoint to be playing. It’s good for him to go to the other conference, too, because then everybody sees him…I was happy for him because of that. It’s no difference than anybody else. Anybody that was on our championship team last year is a member of our family forever, so I want them to do well.” On whether Wednesday was Matt Greene’s first skate: “No. He’s been skating since – when did we go to the White House? [Reporter: Tuesday.] So he flew home Wednesday and skated the next day.” On whether Greene is still on track for a late April return: “I couldn’t even tell you that. He’s on IR. He started skating, so I imagine there’s still a post-surgery [period], so whatever date that they said at the outset, that would still be the same day if everything went as scheduled. And I’m not sure what that date is.” On Greene’s potential return: “I start looking at them when they’re [in] full practice. That’s when I start looking at the real date. So whatever they said – we’ve heard those before, right? And we still haven’t seen those players.” On whether he’s “surprised” by Brad Richardson’s play: “Nope. That’s what I said – he should’ve had a full tank of gas. If he wouldn’t have, then I’d have been surprised.” On whether Colin Fraser sitting out was due to Richardson playing well or Fraser needing “time to think about whatever it is [he wants] him to think about”: “Who has to think about? [Reporter: Colin.] So Brad went in for Colin, right? So that didn’t mean Brad had been playing well, because he hadn’t been playing. That’s what you said. Hey, he scored. He should’ve scored last 667802 Los Angeles Kings

Quiet deadline day for Kings

Posted by JonRosen on 3 April 2013, 1:48 pm

The Los Angeles Kings made a pair of moves by acquiring Robyn Regehr from the Bufffalo Sabres on Monday and trading Davis Drewiske to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday before sitting tight as the 12:00 pm PT trading deadline passed on Wednesday without an additional transaction. Though the day started slowly, a collection of moves were made shortly before the deadline, highlighted by Marian Gaborik’s trade from the New York Rangers to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett, John Moore and a sixth-round draft pick. The Minnesota Wild, who will visit Staples Center on Thursday, also made a significant move by acquiring Jason Pominville from Buffalo in exchange for Matt Hackett, Johan Larsson, a first-round pick in 2013 and a second-round pick in 2014. For a full recap of the trades made in advance of Wednesday’s deadline, I urge you to visit the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline Tracker presented by Graham on LAKings.com. I’m in the process of transcribing quotes from Darryl Sutter, Dean Lombardi and Robyn Regehr. I’ll have those quotes up this afternoon along with KingsVision post-practice videos. Stay tuned. LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667803 Los Angeles Kings

Matt Greene practices

Posted by JonRosen on 3 April 2013, 12:08 pm

Matt Greene took the ice at Toyota Sports Center today, participating in drills with teammates in a green non-contact jersey for 20 minutes. General Manager Dean Lombardi indicated to LA Kings Insider on March 29 that Greene’s projected return was a month away, meaning there is a possibility he could return to the lineup late in the regular season. Los Angeles concludes its regular season slate on April 27 at home against San Jose. If you can bear with some camera phone blurriness, there are some photos of Greene after the jump. LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667804 Los Angeles Kings

LAKings.com feature: Up, Up and Away

Posted by JonRosen on 3 April 2013, 11:19 am

As the Kings opened their season-long road trip with consecutive wins in Chicago and St. Louis, I began gathering quotes on variables that must come together to generate success away from home. It wasn’t always a linear process; the team wasn’t able to hold a two-goal lead and lost a shootout in Minnesota, dominated possession in a quality win at Dallas, and concluded the trip with a regulation loss against a hard-working Phoenix team. It all came together in my LAKings.com feature this week, entitled Up, Up and Away. In it I hope you’ll gain some sentiments from the locker room and hockey staff on a mostly successful road trip in which the team collected seven out of a possible 10 points while facing stiff competition. LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667805 Los Angeles Kings

Waking up with the Kings: April 3

Posted by JonRosen on 3 April 2013, 9:26 am

-A regulation loss punctuated what was otherwise a very good road trip for the Los Angeles Kings, who strung together three wins and seven points from five games over nine days. The players would never be quick to admit it, but I did think last night’s game indicated the batteries could use some recharging. It didn’t have to do with physical fatigue (most of the team had a day off on Monday) as much as it had to do with mental fatigue, and a grinding, workmanlike Phoenix team that presents a challenge on any night was even more effective against an L.A. team at the end of a trip. It was still a game that hung in the balance of several bounces as the Kings were denied on the second and third opportunities in front of a very good Jason LaBarbera and in the face of a committed Coyotes performance. -Speaking of LaBarbera, he was the better goaltender in this game and deserving of the first star. He was well squared to the shooter throughout the night, resulting in several quality opportunities hitting him in the howling Coyote on the front of his jersey. His best saves were made with his pads late in the second period – one on Jeff Carter off a well-placed Brad Richardson two-on-one feed, and the other on a low Drew Doughty blast from the top of the right circle off a feed from Anze Kopitar. There was also a strong first period glove save on Dustin Brown during a Kings power play in a scoreless game. Re-living some of these highlights I’m being reminded how strong of a defensive game Phoenix played despite Los Angeles putting up 40 shots for the third time on the road trip. -Quick, on the other hand, has been better, and Yandle’s insurance tally from below the left hash marks is a tough goal to allow when trailing by one late. But let me be perfectly clear: this game wasn’t lost because of Jonathan Quick. The Kings lost because they scored only one goal and were repeatedly denied second and third opportunities at the other end of the rink by an excellent Coyotes effort. Was anyone else thinking about how L.A. was missing Dustin Penner on the left side last night? I wouldn’t be surprised if the Kings made a trade for a winger today, though it does appear the going rate for a top-six forward may be a touch high for what the team is willing to pay. LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667806 Minnesota Wild cornerstone forwards Charlie Coyle, Jason Zucker and Mikael Granlund and blue-chip defensemen Jonas Brodin and Matt Dumba. From there, the Wild is developing defenseman Marco Scandella, forwards Wild GM Chuck Fletcher: "We’re no longer a seller" Brett Bulmer, Zack Phillips, Tyler Graovac, Raphael Bussieres, is loaded with other college-level players from Mario Lucia and Erik Haula to Adam Gilmour and John Draeger. Posted by: Michael Russo under Wild trade news Updated: April 3, 2013 - 6:36 PM It still has two hotshot goalie prospects with Darcy Kuemper and Johan Gustafsson, who plans to come to North America next year. So since there’s only so many positions on a hockey team and so many The Wild tried hard on Tuesday to trade for San Jose’s Ryane Clowe, but contracts permitted to be handed out, the Wild felt it could afford to give up he wanted to go East. the hefty price and potentially lose a couple top draft picks. In fact, this morning, from people I talked to, it was clear the Wild felt it “Hey, we recognize that we paid a price,” Fletcher said. “Johan Larsson offered a better package to the Sharks than they wound up receiving from and Matt Hackett are good, young hockey players. And anytime you trade a the Rangers. But Clowe had the hammer with a no-trade clause and chose first-round pick, you’re obviously paying a significant price. But as a New York. franchise we’ve spent a lot of time accumulating assets and trading for draft picks, and I think it’s a positive sign that as a franchise we’re now trading From seeing what the Wild was willing to give up to get Buffalo Sabres prospects and picks to acquire players. Typically that means you’re moving captain Jason Pominville, you can bet what I was hearing is accurate. in the right direction. There’s always a balance. You can’t make these moves all the time. But if you never make them, how do you get better?” As you know by now, the Wild traded Johan Larsson, Matt Hackett, a 2013 first-round pick and a 2014 second-round pick to the Sabres for Pominville, Does this mean win now or bust though? “Again, he’s not a rental. He has who has scored 20-or-more goals the past six seasons and twice 30, and a term on his contract. And again, we still have a lot of really good young 2014 fourth-round pick. Pominville, when he arrives hopefully tomorrow, will players. Brent and his staff have shown the ability to draft well and I have be slotted on the right side of Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu for an all- no doubt they will continue to. Our goal is to win as many games as we can. Captain line. We feel we’re a competitive team, we have work to do, but we’re trending in the right direction. We want to keep pushing that. We’re not shy about our Pominville is just an all-situation guy. PK, point on the power play, does all desire to get better. We’re going to be a competitive team for a long time.” the little things, versatile, booming shot, etc. I asked Fletcher what this means going forward for guys like Backstrom and I just talked on the phone to his linemate, Thomas Vanek, who said, "We all Matt Cullen and Pierre-Marc Bouchard, who are in the last year of their heard Darcy's (GM Regier) comments that he could be gone, but when it deals, and Dany Heatley, who is an amnesty buyout candidate this happens, I was shocked. It's part of the business, but we're losing, myself summer. The Wild is only $9 million from next year’s $64.3 million cap also, I'm losing a great teammate in the locker room, somebody I was with without buying out Heatley or maybe re-upping Backstrom or Cullen and for eight years, and a good friend. He's such a great player and linemate. before re-signing restricted free agents like Cal Clutterbuck and Jared The Wild, they're lucky. Just a smart, good hockey player who can adapt to Spurgeon. any situation and make his linemates better. He's going to really help them. We're going to miss him a lot. Jason is as good a guy as there is." “At the end of the year we’ll sort it all out. There’s a lot of hockey left to play. We have flexibility to do the things we need to do, but that’s a But big, big price from the Wild. Chuck Fletcher explains why below. conversation for another day.” First of all, “We’re really excited. Our players have played hard and played By the way, the Wild still has two thirds this summer (one extra for well this year. I believe we’re improving as an organization. We’re starting Sheppard) and two sevenths and then all their picks from Rounds 2-7. to take some positive steps. It was important if we could find the right fit at the right piece, I think it was important for us to try to continue to upgrade Right now, the hope is Pominville can meet the team in L.A. and debut our talent and improve our team. tomorrow, but that is not set in stone yet. I have left messages for Pominville, known as one of the most accomodating athletes in the NHL by “You never know what can happen, but today was an important today. the way, but haven't talked to him yet. I'm sure he's swamped with his life We’re no longer a seller. We want to keep pushing forward and want to being uprooted. compete for talent. It’s just a good day for our franchise.” The Wild also acquired goalie Jeff Deslauriers from Anaheim for future On Pominville: “He’s scored 30 goals in the league, he’s had 70 points, he’s considerations (nothing). He’ll take Darcy Kuemper’s spot in Houston until a team captain. He’s a hard-working, 200-foot player, and I think like some hopefully Josh Harding is ready to return. of our other top players, like Parise and Koivu and Backstrom and Suter and you can go right down the list, not only is he talented, he’s got a hard- Lastly, and I’ll leave you with this, Fletcher is always looking and thinking working mentality and a high level of character. ahead. Pominville was Thomas Vanek’s linemate. They are very close. Vanek has been quoted in the past saying he wasn’t too keen being a part “He plays the point on the power play, he kills penalties. He’s just a guy that of a rebuild in Buffalo. He’s a free agent in the summer of 2014. brings a lot of dimensions and versatility and a player that could fit into a lot of different roles.” Is acquiring Pominville the precursor to pursuing Vanek, the former Gopher, in two summers? Just something to keep in your head from somebody who, You paid a huge price: “There’s no question, we paid a price. Jason’s a if you’ve read me for awhile, guessed for three years that the Wild had its talented player, he’s not a rental, he has term left on his deal (one year), eyes set on the summer of 2012 to go after Parise. he’s the captain of his team and he’s a guy that we wanted. Anytime you want a good player who’s not a rental, you’re going to pay a price. It just makes sense. Regardless, the Wild keeps making bold moves, from the Brent Burns-Devin Setoguchi one, to the Dany Heatley for Marty Havlat “(Assistant GM) Brent Flahr and his staff have done a great job for us. one to signing Parise and Suter to this. They’ve drafted very well. We’ve been able to apply a lot of young assets over the last few years, and the fact that we have really good depth in terms Its eventual goal, besides winning, of course, is to show all players in the of talented young players, it allowed us the opportunity to pursue a player NHL that Minnesota wants to win and should be considered a destination like Pominville. We have plenty of assets in the cupboard and plenty of the way markets like Pittsburgh, the Rangers, Philly, Detroit always have talented, young players at evev position. The last few years, our focus have been. been to gather prospects and picks, but our team is growing and showing some positive signs, at times you’ve got to dip into that pool of talent that A lot more in tomorrow’s paper and the coming days. Oh, and there’s a you’ve accumulated and pay some assets to get in this case an All-Star game tonight, so more later. I’ll be on Fox Sports North during the second NHL player.” intermission tonight. Basically, the price was obviously high, but the way the Wild sees it, the Star Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 foundation of the franchise for years is in place with top-liners Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu and No. 1 defenseman Ryan Suter. Then, there future 667807 Minnesota Wild

Wild making calls, has shown interest in Buffalo's Jason Pominville

Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: April 3, 2013 - 11:36 AM

With 2 hours, 30 minutes left before the 2 p.m. CT trade deadline, there has been one minor trade today in the NHL. As I wrote in today's Insider, there was a good chance today would be a bit of a dud around the league after guys like Ryane Clowe, Jaromir Jagr and Derek Roy were traded yesterday and so many deals had been executed in the days leading up -- Jarome Iginla, Doug Murray, Jay Bouwmeester, etc. The Wild tried hard for Clowe and felt it made a quality offer, but in the end, Clowe decided to go east. That was even with some gentle persuading I hear from former Sharks teammates on the Wild. The Wild is making calls and I do hear it is one of many teams that has been talking to Buffalo the past few days about captain Jason Pominville. I know the Wild has scouted Buffalo recently, too. The 30-year-old right wing was asked to submit a list of eight teams the other day that he would not accept a trade to. Minnesota was not on that list, I am told. Pominville has one more year left on a five-year, $26.5 million deal. That’s a $5.3 million cap hit with $5.5 million in real salary next year. The 2001 second-round pick has played full 82-game seasons in five of his six full years. He has scored 185 goals and 456 points in 578 games. He’s a two-time 30-goal scorer who has also topped 20 goals four other times. He has scored 10 goals and 25 points in 37 games this year. I am not sure what it would take to reel in a fish like that, but as I wrote in today's Insider, just the fact that the Wild showed such interest in Clowe makes you realize that GM Chuck Fletcher is willing to pay a price if he feels the player would provide a significant upgrade. The Sabres have also been shopping Drew Stafford as well. We will see if anything happens with Buffalo and the Wild or anywhere else soon enough. The Sharks skate in one hour, the Wild in two -- 30 minutes before the deadline -- so stayed tuned to www.twitter.com/russostrib for any news. Regardless, NHL trades should start trickling in soon. They always do. Star Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 667808 Minnesota Wild

Wild has acquired Buffalo Sabres captain Jason Pominville

Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: April 3, 2013 - 3:32 PM

The Wild has acquired Buffalo Sabres captain Jason Pominville and a 2014 fourth-round pick for Matt Hackett, Johan Larsson, a 2013 first-round pick and a 2014 second-round pick. Clearly a huge price, but one from a team that has missed the playoffs for four straight years, is looking to win now and is full of young prospects right now and core pieces that are going to be mainstays on the team for a long time. The 30-year-old Pominville, a right winger, was asked to submit a list of eight teams to the Sabres that he would not accept a trade to. Minnesota was not on that list. Pominville, Thomas Vanek's linemate and 2001 second-round pick has played full 82-game seasons in five of his six full years. He has scored 185 goals and 456 points in 578 games. He’s a two-time 30-goal scorer who has also topped 20 goals four other times. He has scored 10 goals and 25 points in 37 games this year. "Heck of a player," Zach Parise said as he left the ice. "Heck of a player." Later, outside the locker room, Parise said he played on a line with Pominville at the 2008 world championships in Halifax. “He works hard. You just look at the way he’s been used, he plays power play, penalty kill, reliable, but he puts pucks in the net, he makes plays, he gets point. He plays a really all-around game. That’s what we’re going to see.” On the acquisition, Parise said, “It’s really exciting for us. It just gives you the sense that they believe in the way we’ve been playing and they believe in our team. Now it’s up to us to elevate our game even more. But just that addition, it really gives us a good look and a lot of good, offensive players.” Pominville has one more year left on a five-year, $26.5 million deal. That’s a $5.3 million cap hit with $5.5 million in real salary next year. Hackett, 23, was a third-round pick in 2009. In two years with the Wild, he went 3-7 with a 2.64 goals against average. Larsson, 20, a 2010 second-rounder who captained Sweden to gold at the world juniors in January 2012, made his NHL debut earlier this season. Coach Mike Yeo said he couldn’t speak until the trade was official. “What I will say is I know that management has a lot of faith in this group and right from Day One has always been very committed to doing whatever we can to put a great product on the ice.” On pulling Hackett and Larsson from the ice, Yeo said, “That is always a tough part of it. It’s not an easy thing, for sure. “Especially for young kids, you just don’t quite know what’s going on. I’m able to say very little. Obviously we know it sure sounds like something is going on.” Darcy Kuemper has been recalled by the Wild and is on his way to San Jose. Nate Prosser will likely have to play wing tonight. The lines will be mix and match tonight. Charlie Coyle may begin to see shifts at center because Pominville, whom I assume will debut tomorrow night in Los Angeles, would skate with Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu. Tonight, Kyle Brodziak will center Devin Setoguchi and Dany Heatley. Pierre-Marc Bouchard will skate with Cal Clutterbuck. That was the line Larsson was supposed to center tonight. Star Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 667809 Minnesota Wild I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but the Wild hasn’t had a full practice in 7-10 days. I can’t even remember the last one. That’s what they look like. Disjointed, out of sync, a mess. Heatley injured as Wild loses sloppily for third time in four games “It’s been tough lately,” Niklas Backstrom said. “We have a system that works. It’s just for us to get back to the details, shift after shift, do the right things and for all the six guys to get out there, work together and do the Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: April 4, 2013 - 1:18 AM right things. We have to just rely on our system no matter what happens. It works. We know it works. If we do it right, we won’t be in our zone and it’ll help our game.” Coach Mike Yeo, after a very abbreviated 20-second press scrum, The game was a mess before it even started. indicated that Dany Heatley will out for awhile with what looked on replay to be a left wrist injury after an altercation he had with San Jose Sharks Matt Cullen was injured. Johan Larsson was the callup to replace him. The defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic after the game. Wild then proceeded to trade Larsson and never brought up a forward as insurance in the morning. Not sure why since rosters have expanded, but Vlasic, Heatley’s former teammate who had an ongoing battle with the the game started with defenseman Nate Prosser playing wing and four veteran much of the third period, got into it with Heatley in front of the brand new lines that certainly looked unaccustomed to playing together. Sharks’ net in the final seconds after Vlasic cross-checked Heatley. Yeo went back to Coyle on with Parise and Mikko Koivu in the second and Vlasic slashed Heatley across the top of the back. Heatley got up and tried things started to look better. to connect with his stick and missed. Vlasic then two-handed Heatley across the forearm and jumped him. Vlasic got the shirt over top Heatley’s Again, Pominville is scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles on Thursday head, lifted him and then violently one-last time drove him down to the ice. morning at 11 a.m. PT. We should talk to him some time in the afternoon or That appears to be when Heatley got hurt. He skated to the exit in pain. before the game. The Wild, right now, isn’t saying if he’ll debut because you know they want to leave it up to him. “He just swung at me and I swung at him,” Vlasic said. “He could have easily hit me. I wasn’t intending to hurt him. I just wanted to slash him He’s a gamer. I can’t imagine he wouldn’t. Heck, Ryane Clowe, the man the because he took a swing at me and missed. He got me the shift before. If Wild missed on before turning its sights toward Pominville, took a red eye he’s going to slash me, I’m going to defend myself and just swing back and from San Jose to New York and scored two goals and one assist in his unfortunately I got him. I didn’t want to hurt him. If he’s going to slash me I debut pounding of Pittsburgh tonight. was just defending myself and swung back. This morning, Yeo wasn’t able to talk about Pominville specifically because “… Unfortunately I got him in the wrist or shoulder. I’m not sure where I got the trade wasn’t official. him. That was not my intent. My intent was just to defend myself.” Before tonight’s game, Yeo said, “It’s a huge, huge vote of confidence by It was an ugly end to an ugly 4-2 loss for the Wild, which will need to call up [GM Chuck Fletcher] and the entire staff. It’s a message to this group that, a forward from Houston with Heatley hurt for Thursday’s game at Los ‘We believe in you.’ So now, let’s go.” Angeles. My assumption is it would be somebody like Jason Zucker, but we will see. Yeo said much like the summer when owner Craig Leipold stepped up and authorized Fletcher to sign Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to 13-year contract I’d also assume Jason Pominville, who is expected to arrive in L.A. at 11 totaling $196 million, Wednesday’s trade for Pominville proves “this is an a.m., will debut. The Wild hasn’t officially said so yet. organization … [that is] extremely committed to winning. We’re not satisfied with being good. We want to be great. That’s an important statement.” But not a good game tonight for the Wild, which for the fourth consecutive game gave up the game’s first goal and then fell behind 2-0 in an awful first Yeo said the Wild will explore the possibility of using Pominville on the point period that could have easily been 5-0. The Wild was making dubious on the No. 1 power-play unit, a slot he played in Buffalo. The other option is decisions in its own end, turned pucks over, took careless penalties. Ryan Pominville replacing Kyle Brodziak in the slot as the net-front presence guy. Suter and Jonas Brodin had a tough go, and Clayton Stoner had one of the most nightmarish games imaginable with turnovers, penalties, bad With Pominville going to the top line, Coyle may move to center, at least decisions, turning pucks over and having the winning goal carom in off of until Matt Cullen returns from a lower-body injury. That’s why he started the him. game there tonight – to get him used to it. Coyle, who has been playing right wing, has played center throughout his life. In the second, the Wild rallied on goals by Charlie Coyle and Heatley. But then a nightmare shift started with Stoner doing a header into the end By the way, the reality of pro sports. Larsson’s parents came from Sweden boards. Later, Heatley fell, then Kyle Brodziak turned it over, then Heatley to Houston this week to see their boy. He was then called up to San Jose. didn’t get it out, then Jared Spurgeon turned it over. You can see bad He was then traded to Buffalo – with his parents in Houston. coming and it did when Joe Thornton centered a pass that deflected in off Larsson and Matt Hackett will report to Rochester, by the way. Stoner’s leg. Talk to you from Los Angeles. The Wild’s momentum was doused and it came out with a poor third period. Star Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 “Just another bad start for us,” Zach Parise said. “It’s kind of been the common theme the last while. Not good enough when you’re playing these teams that … are doing everything they can and playing their best to try to get in the playoffs, I think we expect easy games. Our starts are really killing us. “It’s mental for us, I think. Just mental lapses that we weren’t doing. A few weeks ago, we weren’t making those. We were better prepared for games. We make mental errors out there, and that’s what happens.” Parise continued, saying, “We went on a good streak. When you do that, we started to get too loose. Even when we did win our seventh and eighth in a row, they weren’t great games. We were too loose. I think that’s carried over. So we haven’t been ready to play. I don’t know how many games in a row now we’ve given up the first goal and just not played very well in the first period. It’s happed too much later.” Yeo was brief, saying after he was just too fired up at the Heatley incident, “It’s unfortunate. We played really hard. Things didn’t quite go our way, especially early. But our guys kept playing hard. Definitely disappointing, but we’ve got a game [Thursday] and we just have to bounce back.” 667810 Minnesota Wild

Sloppy Wild loses 4-2 to Sharks; Heatley injured

Article by: MICHAEL RUSSO , Star Tribune Updated: April 4, 2013 - 1:37 AM

SAN JOSE, CALIF. – The Wild, which hasn’t had a full practice in well more than a week because of a heavy schedule, looked like it Wednesday night. A short-lived rally from two goals down against the San Jose Sharks was spoiled when the Wild began running around its own zone aimlessly and turning pucks over en route to a 4-2 loss at the Shark Tank. Not spurred at all by the Jason Pominville trade earlier in the day, the Wild, which lost for the third time in four games, was a mess all night. The final straw came less than four minutes after former Sharks draft pick Charlie Coyle and Dany Heatley scored goals 25 seconds apart to get the Wild back in a game it had no right to be in. A remarkably bad shift started with Heatley falling and turning the puck over. That was followed by a Kyle Brodziak turnover, then Heatley not getting the puck out, then Jared Spurgeon coughing up the puck and finally Joe Thornton’s centering feed being redirected behind Niklas Backstrom off of defenseman Clayton Stoner. It capped a nightmarish game by Stoner, one full of turnovers, penalties, curious decisions and poor positioning. The Wild got off to a horrible start, getting scored upon first for the fourth consecutive game. The Sharks had a 2-0 lead by the intermission. The Wild was lucky it wasn’t at least 5-0 because Patrick Marleau hit the post, Ryan Suter, who had one of his worst games in weeks, stopped a Brent Burns shot from trickling in and TJ Galiardi was denied on a breakaway. After the Sharks already took a 1-0 lead on former Wild Martin Havlat’s fifth goal, Stoner, with nobody on him, airmailed a puck into the stands with Brodziak already in the penalty box. That gave the Sharks a long 5-on-3, and Dan Boyle, a defenseman, made a sick move around another defenseman, Suter, after skating untouched coast to coast to slip a pretty breakaway goal by Backstrom. But the Wild started to slowly get the momentum back and tied the score on goals by Coyle and Heatley. However, after Thornton’s goal, it was all San Jose as the Wild again looked disjointed in the third. The game ended in ugly fashion when Heatley and former teammate Marc- Edouard Vlasic, who were battling all night, got into a violent battle in front of the San Jose net. Vlasic two-handed Heatley across the arm and then jumped him to the ice. Heatley skated in pain back to the Wild bench looking like he sustained an upper-body injury. Star Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 667811 Minnesota Wild

Gameday preview: Wild-Los Angeles

Updated: April 3, 2013 - 11:39 PM MICHAEL RUSSO

9:30 P.M. at Los ANgeles • staples center • FSN, 100.3-FM Preview: The Wild continues its three-game road trip against a team in beat in a shootout, 4-3, last weekend. In that game, the Wild rallied from a 3-1 deficit. The Kings are coming off a 3-1 loss at Phoenix on Tuesday. Players to watch: New Wild RW Jason Pominville wearing No. 29 on the right wing of C Mikko Koivu and LW Zach Parise. He has scored 10 goals and 25 points in 37 games for Buffalo this season. Koivu has scored 22 points in 23 games against the Kings. G Niklas Backstrom might get the night off for Darcy Kuemper. Kings C Anze Kopitar has scored 23 points in 25 games against the Wild, while C Jarret Stoll has 20 points in 41 games. C Jeff Carter leads the Western Conference with 20 goals. Numbers: The Kings are the eighth-best offensive team in the NHL (2.86 goals per game) and 10th-best defensive team (2.47). … The Wild is 4-2 in the second of back-to-backs this season. … The Wild is 20-15-10 all-time vs. the Kings. Injuries: Wild C Matt Cullen (lower body) and G Josh Harding (symptoms related to multiple sclerosis) are out. Kings D Willie Mitchell (knee), D Matt Greene (back) and LW Dustin Penner (lower body) are out. Star Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 667812 Minnesota Wild From there, the Wild is loaded with young talent, from developing defenseman Marco Scandella, to forwards Brett Bulmer, Zack Phillips, Tyler Graovac and Raphael Bussieres to college-level players Mario Lucia and Wild deals prospects, draft picks for Sabres captain Pominville Erik Haula to Adam Gilmour and John Draeger. It still has two hotshot young goalies with Darcy Kuemper and Johan Gustafsson, who plans to come to North America next year. Article by: MICHAEL RUSSO , Star Tribune In other words, Fletcher felt the Wild could afford the hefty price for Updated: April 4, 2013 - 12:17 AM Pominville. “We have plenty of assets in the cupboard and plenty of talented, young players at every position,” Fletcher said. “At times you’ve got to dip into that SAN JOSE, CALIF. – Chuck Fletcher declared Wednesday afternoon, pool of talent that you’ve accumulated and pay some assets to get, in this “We’re no longer a seller,” and the Wild general manager certainly proved case, an All-Star NHL player.” that when he dug into his big bag of assets and spent a pretty penny to acquire the Buffalo Sabres captain. Star Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 In a trade that was designed to propel an already confident team into the playoffs, the Wild traded for Jason Pominville, a versatile 30-year-old right winger who should parachute right onto the Wild’s top line. In exchange for the six-time 20-goal scorer who has twice hit 30, the Wild sent a large parcel to rebuilding Buffalo — prospects Johan Larsson and Matt Hackett, a 2013 first-round draft pick and a 2014 second-round pick. The Wild also received a 2014 fourth-rounder from Buffalo. “Hey, we recognize that we paid a price,” Fletcher said, pointing out that Pominville isn’t a rental (he has one year left on his deal at a $5.3 million salary cap hit). “But as a franchise we’ve spent a lot of time accumulating assets and trading for draft picks, and I think it’s a positive sign that as a franchise we’re now trading prospects and picks to acquire players. “Typically that means you’re moving in the right direction. There’s always a balance. You can’t make these moves all the time. But if you never make them, how do you get better?” When Zach Parise found out the Wild traded for Pominville, he grew an ear- to-ear smile. “Heck of a player. Heck of a player!” said Parise, who played on a line with Pominville in the 2008 World Championships. “It’s really exciting for us. It just gives you the sense that they believe in the way we’ve been playing and they believe in our team. Now it’s up to us to elevate our game even more.” Solid all-around game Pominville has scored 185 goals and 456 points in 578 NHL games. He’s coming off a career-high 73 points last season, has scored 10 goals and 25 points in 37 games this year and has played all 82 games in five of his six full seasons. He’s a strong penalty killer, has a booming shot and gives the Wild a much- needed right shot that can play the point on the top power-play unit. “He’s a hard-working, 200-foot player, and like some of our other top players, … not only is he talented, he’s got a hard-working mentality and a high level of character,” Fletcher said. Added former Gopher Thomas Vanek, Pominville’s star linemate in Buffalo, “The Wild, they’re lucky. Just a smart, good hockey player who can adapt to any situation and make his linemates better. He’s going to really help them.” The Wild heavily pursued San Jose’s Ryane Clowe on Tuesday, but he wanted to play in the East and chose the Rangers. The Wild then set its sights on Pominville late Tuesday and into Wednesday. The Sabres were looking to rebuild and asked Pominville for a list of eight teams he didn’t want to go to. “Everything he represents as a player you can multiply by a big number as a person,” Sabres GM Darcy Regier said. Thursday debut? Pominville couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday. The hope is that he’ll make his Wild debut Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. Larsson, one of three 2010 second-round picks and Sweden’s captain when it won the gold medal at last year’s world juniors, was considered a top prospect and a big loss. The first-round pick is obviously significant, too. But the way the Wild justifies the price, the foundation of the franchise is in place for years with top-liners Parise and Mikko Koivu, No. 1 defenseman Ryan Suter, cornerstone forwards Charlie Coyle, Jason Zucker and Mikael Granlund and blue-chip defensemen Jonas Brodin and Matt Dumba. 667813 Minnesota Wild

Trade sends vote of confidence to Wild players

Article by: MICHAEL RUSSO , Star Tribune Updated: April 3, 2013 - 9:47 PM

SAN JOSE, CALIF – Mike Yeo was late getting on the ice Wednesday morning, and it came after assistant coach Rick Wilson tapped youngsters Johan Larsson and Matt Hackett on the shoulder to go see the Wild head coach. When Yeo finally met with his players at center-ice, he wasn’t allowed to tell them yet that the Wild had acquired Buffalo Sabres captain Jason Pominville. The trade was not yet official. “They were giddy, you could tell,” Yeo said. “It was guys shooting on an empty net in practice. Normally they’d be probably not thrilled with that. But they knew something good was up. It’s a huge, huge vote of confidence by [Genera Manager Chuck Fletcher] and the entire staff. “It’s a message to this group that, ‘We believe in you.’ So now, let’s go.” Yeo said much like the summer when owner Craig Leipold stepped up and authorized Fletcher to sign Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to 13-year contracts totaling $196 million, Wednesday’s trade for Pominville proves “this is an organization … [that is] extremely committed to winning. We’re not satisfied with being good. We want to be great. That’s an important statement.” Yeo also is downright giddy to have so many weapons now. Pominville likely will debut Thursday against the Kings on the top line with Parise and captain Mikko Koivu. That puts three former or current captains on one line. Yeo said Pominville brings “speed, skill, competitiveness, and as much as anything else, this is a quality person, a character guy. Much of what we’ve been trying to do around here is making sure that we not only have talented players, players that fit the way we want to play the game, but people that you want to be around and go to war with.” Yeo said the Wild will explore the possibility of using Pominville on the point on the No. 1 power-play unit, a slot he played in Buffalo. The other option is Pominville replacing Kyle Brodziak in the slot as the net-front presence guy. With Pominville going to the top line, rookie Charlie Coyle might move to center, at least until Matt Cullen returns from a lower-body injury. Coyle, who had been playing right wing, has played center throughout his life and took most his shifts at center in Wednesday’s game against the Sharks. Etc. • While the Wild players on the ice were “giddy” Wednesday morning, it was a contrast to what Yeo had to do moments before stepping on the ice. He had to inform Larsson and Hackett that they had been traded to the Sabres. “That is always the tough part of it,” Yeo said. “It’s not an easy thing, for sure. Especially for young kids, you just don’t quite know what’s going on.” Larsson and Hackett were to fly back to Houston to get their belongings, then report to AHL Rochester. • With Larsson gone, defenseman Nate Prosser played wing Wednesday night. With Hackett gone, goalie Darcy Kuemper was recalled. • The Wild also acquired Anaheim Ducks goalie Jeff Deslauriers for future considerations because it needed a goalie for Houston. • Right winger Torrey Mitchell, a longtime Shark who signed a three-year deal with Minnesota last summer, returned to San Jose for the first time and played right wing with Koivu and Parise. Koivu, by the way, was sporting a nasty shiner and cut under his left eye from Monday’s uncalled first-period high stick from St. Louis’ Chris Stewart. • Defenseman Brett Clark was scratched for Justin Falk. Star Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 667814 Minnesota Wild

Former Minnesota Wild star Marian Gaborik traded to Columbus

Associated Press Posted: 04/03/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT Updated: 04/03/2013 04:55:42 PM CDT

NEW YORK -- The New York Rangers traded slumping forward Marian Gaborik to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday, April 3, just before the NHL's afternoon trade deadline. In return, the Rangers got center Derick Brassard, right wing Derek Dorsett and defenseman John Moore. Gaborik, 31, who spent his first eight seasons in the NHL playing for the Minnesota Wild, waived a no-movement clause in order to allow the deal to be completed. It was the second big trade for the playoff-hopeful Rangers in two days. On Tuesday night, the New York acquired forward Ryane Clowe from the San Jose Sharks for a package of three draft picks. Gaborik has been disappointing this season, his fourth with the Rangers, as he has only nine goals and 19 points in 35 games while shuttling between various lines. He didn't score in his final five games with New York and notched only two goals and five assists in the past 22. Gaborik had two 40-goal campaigns in three-plus seasons after signing with the Rangers as a free agent in July 2009. He netted 42 goals in 2009-10 and 41 last season when he played in all 82 games. He was limited to 22 goals and 62 games in the 2010-11 season because of injury. Gaborik had six goals and seven assists in 25 playoff games with New York over two years, including last season when the Rangers reached the Eastern Conference finals. Gaborik was hampered by a shoulder injury during the playoffs that required surgery during the offseason. Including his eight seasons with the Wild, Gaborik has 333 goals and 333 assists in 757 career NHL games. The deal will give the Rangers much-needed salary relief. Gaborik carries a $7.5 million cap hit this season and next, the final year of his contract. The added flexibility could help New York re-sign the newly acquired Clowe, who can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. The Rangers entered play Wednesday in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, two points behind area rivals New Jersey and the New York Islanders, who currently hold the final two playoff positions. The Rangers have 13 games remaining. Columbus also has its sights on the playoffs, sitting in 11th place in the Western Conference but only one point below the postseason cutoff. The Blue Jackets have qualified for the playoffs only once in their first 11 NHL seasons -- losing in the first round in 2009. Pioneer Press LOADED: 04.04.2013 667815 Minnesota Wild He'll take Charlie Coyle's spot on the top line. Coyle, a winger who has played center, took some faceoffs Wednesday night and may see more action there until Matt Cullen returns from a lower-body injury. Minnesota Wild pick up Jason Pominville in trade with Buffalo Yeo said he told the players of a possible move at Wednesday's morning skate.

By Chad Graff "They seemed giddy," he said. "We love the message it sends as much as anything. It's a message that says, 'We believe in you.' " Posted: 04/03/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT Pioneer Press LOADED: 04.04.2013 Updated: 04/03/2013 08:57:22 PM CDT

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The Wild are all-in this season. Forget about stockpiling prospects and certainly forget about window- shopping at the deadline. The Wild on Wednesday, April 3, made one of the biggest deals on the day of the NHL trade deadline, acquiring Buffalo Sabres captain Jason Pominville in a deal that sent two of Minnesota's top prospects and two high draft picks to Buffalo. In return for the 30-year-old winger, who was an all-star last season, and a fourth-round pick in 2014, Minnesota parted with goalie Matt Hackett, 23, forward Johan Larsson, 20, and its first-round draft pick in 2013 and second-round selection in 2014. "We paid a significant price," general manager Chuck Fletcher said. "We certainly paid full value, and that's to be expected when you're acquiring a top player and dealing with a very smart general manager on the other side." Pominville will join the Wild's top line, playing alongside Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise. He will also probably see time on the power play, where he has run the point in the past, and the penalty kill. "We'll definitely explore that possibility," coach Mike Yeo said. "He seemed very excited. Obviously, there is a lot of emotion involved so there are other factors involved, but he seems extremely excited to be joining this group and to be part of what we think can be a great year. And he's heard great things about the city and the fans." Pominville posted a career-high 80 points in the 2007-08 season and has averaged 63 points in the four NHL seasons since then. His 10 goals and 15 assists this season would have him on pace for 55 points in an 82-game season. Fletcher praised him after the deal as a two-way forward with a mentality similar to that of many Wild players. "He's a player that plays 200 feet," Fletcher said. "He's as strong defensively as he is offensively. His skill set and his mind-set is very similar to a lot of guys on our team in that he takes a lot of pride in his overall game and he's a two-way contributor and a great character guy. The more people you add like that to your group, the stronger you become." Pominville has another year left on his five-year, $26.5 million deal. That contract will come with a $5.3 million cap hit next season. With the addition of his contract, the Wild are projected to finish the season just $295,165 under the cap. "We're obviously monitoring that situation every day, and we're pretty aware of where we are and what we need to do," Fletcher said. "It's one of the challenges to this job, but we're certainly glad we were able to accumulate enough space to make this trade." Hackett, a goalie, and Larsson, a winger, were widely regarded as two of the Wild's top-10 prospects. Hackett was a third-round selection in 2009 and appeared in his first game of the season March 29, surrendering five goals in a loss to Dallas. Larsson was taken in the second round of the 2010 draft and appeared in one game for the Wild this season, registering two shots and no points in 14:02 of ice time in a mid-February win over Detroit. Goalie Darcy Kuemper was called up from the AHL Houston Aeros to fill Hackett's roster spot. He joined the Wild in San Jose. Pominville is set to join the Wild in Los Angeles on Thursday, but Yeo did not say whether he would play. 667816 Minnesota Wild "We played really hard and things just didn't go our way -- especially early," coach Mike Yeo said. Martin Havlat started San Joseâ's scoring just 1:34 in on a one-timer from Minnesota Wild's rally goes for naught in loss to Sharks the left circle off the stick of Thornton. Four minutes later, defenseman Dan Boyle skated 200 feet untouched to By Chad Graff score seconds into a San Jose 5-on-3. He put a nice move on Suter at the blue line and finished the breakaway with a backhand. Posted: 04/04/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT "I think we started to get too loose," Parise said. "You could tell even when Updated: 04/04/2013 01:19:42 AM CDT we did win our seventh and eighth in a row, they weren't great games. And I think thatâ's carried over. We haven't been ready to play." Pioneer Press LOADED: 04.04.2013 SAN JOSE, Calif. -- A 10-man skirmish broke out in front of the net, Dany Heatley skated off the ice alone and in pain, and Clayton Stoner singled out San Jose players with the end of his stick. And that was all after the game ended. The Minnesota Wild overcame an atrocious first period and an early two goal deficit, but then surrendered two more unanswered goals and fell to the San Jose Sharks in a fiery battle here at the HP Pavilion 4-2. Heatley was cross checked, then slashed, then shoved to the ice by Marc- Edouard Vlasic in front of the net as time expired. Heatley skated away holding his left arm while pushing and shoving continued. Vlasic received a game misconduct and a five minute penalty for slashing following the completion of the game. "I wasn't intending to hurt him," Vlasic said. "I just wanted to slash him because he took a swing at me and missed. He got me the shift before. If he's going to slash me, I'm going to defend myself and just swing back and unfortunately I got him." It was the first time the Wild have lost back-to-back regulation games since Feb. 7. "I think that was more frustration than trying to send a message or anything like that," Zach Parise said of the post-game antics. The Wild play here again in two weeks. Heatley's game-tying goal midway through the second meant little after Joe Thornton threw a puck off Stoner and into the back of the net for what proved to be the game-winner. Heatley, Kyle Brodziak and Jared Spurgeon all had chances to clear the zone before Thornton scored, but were unable to against San Jose's top line and the Sharks made them pay. Thornton threw a shot toward the net that was headed wide against a tired Wild unit, but knocked off Stoner's leg and past Niklas Backstrom. TJ Galiardi provided third period insurance when he got enough of the puck to direct it into the net at the doorstop. Scott Gomez unleashed a shot from the point that was deflected before making its way toward Backstrom and eventually found Galiardiââ â-2/3¢s tape. "It's mental for us I think," Parise said. "Just mental lapses that we weren't doing a few weeks ago. We were better prepared for games." The unanswered goals came after the Wild netted two of its own within 25 seconds of each other in the second period to knot the game at 2-2. Charlie Coyle got the Minnesota scoring started tapping in a Parise bid after the two entered the zone together with a pretty give-and-go. Parise threw a wrister on net from the circle that squeezed under Sharks goalie Antti Niemi's shoulder and sat in the crease where Coyle found it and shoved it in. On the next shift, Heatley fired a seeing-eye bomb from above the left circle that made its way through traffic in front of the net and past Niemi. But in the first period, the Wild played like a team hungover from the excitement of acquiring Jason Pominville earlier in the day. The Wild were out-worked and out-shot in the initial frame, but somehow only trailed 2-0 heading into the second. It easily could have been 5-0. San Jose hit a post behind Backstrom, Ryan Suter cleared a puck in the crease headed for the net, and Backstrom poked away a breakaway bid to keep the game within striking distance. 667817 Montreal Canadiens Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Habs+Room+Flyers+played+hard/8 192162/story.html#ixzz2PUNSPJBH In the Habs' Room: 'Flyers played hard' Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.04.2013

By Pat Hickey, The Gazette April 4, 2013 3:04 AM

PHILADELPHIA — Carey Price said the Philadelphia Flyers scored four "lucky goals" but he made it clear that he wasn't using that as an excuse for the Canadiens' 5-3 loss to the Flyers Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. "They got four pretty lucky goals in my opinion, but I don't think we played well enough to win regardless of the bounces," Price said. "I think we definitely could have played better collectively as a group, but you can't play perfect every game." Erik Gustafsson, who was credited with the winning goal, would agree that the Flyers were on the right end of the bounces. He was trying to pass the puck into the crease but the puck was deflected into the net by Montreal defenceman Francis Bouillon to give the Flyers a 4-3 lead at 16:24 of the third period. "I was going to shoot the puck but somebody jumped into the shooting lane," said Gustafsson, whose goal was only the second of his career. "I saw (Matt) Read and Jakub (Voracek) in front and I just tried to get the puck to them and we got a lucky bounce."

Coach Michel Therrien also thought the bounces weren't that large a factor. "We didn't match their intensity," he said. "It's simple, they deserved to win. If you only have six shots on net in the second and third periods, you're not going to win many games. "The (Flyers) played well, they played hard," Therrien added. "They threw pucks at the net and they were rewarded." One important factor in the loss was an injury to Tomas Plekanec, who left the game early in the second period after playing only 7:14. "As soon as we lost Plekanec, we lost our focus and we weren't capable of getting it back," Therrien said. The coach confirmed that Plekanec suffered a groin injury and, while Therrien described the injury as day-to-day, it's unlikely he'll face the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night. And he's questionable for Saturday's key Northeast Division showdown against the Boston Bruins. "He's a big part of our team in every situation," said David Desharnais, who noted that he had a little bit of luck in his go-ahead goal in the second period. "A couple of guys have to step and we didn't tonight." "It's always tough to lose a player of his calibre," captain Brian Gionta said. "But before we lost him, we were struggling and we never seemed to get our rhythm." While the Canadiens managed only six shots over the final two periods, they scored twice in a 21-second span in the second period to take a 3-2 lead. But they failed to take momentum from that outburst. There were some encouraging moments in the game. The Canadiens' penalty-killing unit killed off three Philadelphia power plays and now has gone three games without giving up a power-play goal. Therrien said Price was a key component in the penalty kill and he said the goaltender was "our best player." Defenceman Davis Drewiske made his debut and played a solid game, although he did give Read too much room on the winning goal. Drewiske played 15:31 and registered a hit and two blocked shots. The Canadiens missed a chance to bolster their lead over Boston in the Northeast Division and move closer to the Pittsburgh Penguins in their battle for first place in the Eastern Conference. But Desharnais didn't have time to dwell on the missed opportunity. "We have a game tomorrow and we have to start thinking about that," he said. 667818 Montreal Canadiens

Flyers post comeback win over Habs

By Pat Hickey, The Gazette April 4, 2013

PHILADELPHIA — Eric Gustafsson's pass through the crease went off Montreal defenceman Francis Bouillon at 16:24 of the third period to snap a 3-3 tie as the Philadelphia Flyers rallied to defeat the Canadiens 5-3 Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Wayne Simmonds scored at 14:54 of the third period to spark the comeback for the Flyers, who outshot the Canadiens 26-6 over the final two periods. Explosive comeback: The Canadiens stunned the Flyers with two goals in a 21-second span to take a 3-2 lead in the second period. After Simon Gagné gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead at 15:43 of the second period, Brandon Prust tied the score at 16:29 and David Desharnais put the Canadiens ahead at 16:49 with a blast that had Flyers' goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov ducking for cover. The game might have been a costly one; Tomas Plekanec left the game in the second period with a lower-body injury. Missed chance: The loss left the Canadiens with a one-point edge over Boston in the Northeast Division race and the idle Bruins once again enjoy a game in hand. The Canadiens are five points behind first-place Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference standings and Montreal has played two fewer games. The Flyers moved to within four points of a playoff spot despite being in the basement of the Atlantic division. Emelin delivers: Alexei Emelin scored on a harmless-looking wrist shot from inside the blue line to open the scoring at 13:13 of the first period. Rookie Brendan Gallagher was the unsung hero on the goal as he screened Bryzgalov on the play. Unlucky bounces: Sean Couturier tied the game at 1-1 when he got two fortunate bounces. His shot from a sharp angle struck Price on the wrist and caromed into the net off P.K. Subban's skate blade. Fight night in Philly: The start of the second period resembled a game in the Ligue nord-americaine de hockey. Wayne Simmons and Travis Moen dropped the gloves at 2:13 and Brandon Prust tangled with Zac Rinaldo two seconds later. There was another scrap in the third period with Claude Girioux taking on Lars Eller. Good news, bad news: Defenceman Raphael Diaz, who has been out with a concussion, has been cleared to skate and joined Rene Bourque on the ice in Brossard Wednesday. But there's no good news for winger Colby Armstrong, whose lower-body injury involves his right knee. Coach Michel Therrien said he hopes Armstrong will be back for the playoffs. Future watch: University of North Dakota forward Danny Kristo will join the Hamilton Bulldogs after signing a two-year entry-level deal Wednesday. Chicoutimi's Charles Hudon and Swede Sebastian Collberg also are expected to join the Bulldogs in the next week,. What's next: Peter Budaj's parents will be part of the sellout crowd at the Bell Centre Thursday night (7:30 p.m., TSN-Habs, RDS, TSN-690 Radio) when he gets the start for the Canadiens against the Winnipeg Jets. The Boston Bruins and the Canadiens resume their battle for first place in the Northeast Division Saturday night, also at the Bell Centre. [email protected] Read more: http://www.canada.com/sports/Flyers+post+comeback+over+Habs/819197 3/story.html#ixzz2PUNWRfbc Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.04.2013 667819 Montreal Canadiens As for Kristo, Bergevin said he had a very good season at university. “He’s a prospect, he’s a young player with talent and we’ll develop him and we’ll see where it leads.” Bergevin talked trade, for naught Inevitably, Habs’ fans will wonder if the team has enough size and grit to go deep into the playoffs. By Brenda Branswell, The Gazette April 3, 2013 Asked if he viewed the Canadiens as a Stanley Cup contender, Bergevin said he sees the team as one that has put itself in a good position to make the playoffs. MONTREAL — Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said there were lots of phone calls and conversations on Wednesday. “Anything is possible once you make the playoffs,” Bergevin said. But by the much ballyhooed National Hockey League trade deadline at 3 “We won the President’s Trophy when I was in St. Louis, we lost in the first p.m. there were no new faces added to the Canadiens’ roster. round. So (in the) playoffs, anything is possible.” The only press release from the Canadiens on Wednesday came 10 Read more: minutes after the trade deadline when the team announced it had signed http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Bergevin+talked+trade+naught/819 forward Danny Kristo to a two-year deal. Kristo, who scored 26 goals and 1825/story.html#ixzz2PUNbgRgi picked up 26 assists this season with the University of North Dakota, will Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.04.2013 report to the Habs’ farm club, the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Canadiens selected the 5-foot-11 Kristo in the second round of the 2008 NHL entry draft. “It’s not a period where you have two days to make trades,” Bergevin said of Wednesday’s deadline. The trading period started two months ago, and the Canadiens did add pieces to the team during that time frame. They looked around again on Wednesday. “But at the end of the day we’re proud of where we are,” Bergevin told reporters. Their goal is to make the playoffs and they’re in good position to do so, he added. The team went into last night’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 23-7-5 record. Bergevin’s biggest trade was in late February when the Canadiens sent Erik Cole to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Michael Ryder. The team recently picked up forward Jeff Halpern off waivers from the New York Rangers and acquired a depth defenceman, Davis Drewiske, on Tuesday from the Los Angeles Kings. “The last two months there have been a lot of conversations, kicking tires and looking at how can you make your team better,” Bergevin said. “We added a piece (Tuesday) that we felt the price was right and that Davis (Drewiske) could come and help us. So the strategy has not changed. We have a plan and it’s to make the Montreal Canadiens better for years to come. I think we have a good core. We have some good young players with a good mix of veterans. We’ve got guys coming through the system that we’re developing and making better. So overall I’m pretty satisfied with the direction the hockey club has been taking.” Bergevin said he wouldn’t go into detail about who the Canadiens did or didn’t try to go after. They always tried to put the ingredients in place to help the team, he said, but “there are big prices to pay and often there are a lot of teams that aren’t ready to do that.” Bergevin said he definitely didn’t want to lose good young players. The team also held onto its six draft picks, which Bergevin said he believes are in the first 90 picks of the NHL entry draft. While he values draft choices a lot and believes they’re how you build a team for years to come, Bergevin also said nothing is set in stone. “If at some point down the road I feel that I have to move ... a high pick to get something that I feel is going to help the club at the time, I’ll do that. “But in this case I felt that what was (asked) in return was too much and I want to make sure we kept those picks.” Bergevin contends you can never have enough defencemen, especially if you’re going to make the playoffs. He said he had planned to make a move if there was someone available where he felt the price was right, which was the case with Drewiske. “He’s a stay-at-home defenceman. He’s a decent size, he’s got a great stick, kills penalties, blocks shots,” and can handle good ice time, Bergevin said. 667820 Montreal Canadiens Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/like+chemistry+this+team+Therrien/ 8191291/story.html#ixzz2PUNgn3V2 ‘I like the chemistry on this team’: Therrien Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.04.2013

By Pat Hickey, The Gazette April 3, 2013

PHILADELPHIA — Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin and head coach Michel Therrien like their team. If there was any doubt about that, it was erased when the Canadiens were content to limit themselves to a minor tweak as the National Hockey League trade deadline came and went on Wednesday afternoon. With only a handful of teams willing to acknowledge they were sellers, the annual swap shop was quieter than usual and the silence in Montreal was deafening. The Canadiens did pick up journeyman defenceman Davis Drewiske from Los Angeles on Tuesday in return for a fifth-round draft pick. But they weren’t in the running for higher-profile talent such as Jaromir Jagr, Ryane Clowe, Robin Regehr or Jay Bouwmeester because the price was too high and/or the players weren’t interested in coming to Montreal. “I like the chemistry on this team,” Therrien said Wednesday in the hours leading up to the Canadiens’ game against the Philadelphia Flyers. And why not? While there are still concerns about size and toughness, the Canadiens have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and Bergevin has deftly positioned the team for next season — and beyond. That’s why Drewiske was the perfect fit at the deadline. He has size at 6- foot-2 and 224 pounds, a reputation for hard work and a minimal cap hit of $625,000. Over the past three months, the Canadiens have auditioned youngsters Greg Pateryn, Jarred Tinordi and Nathan Beaulieu, and they all played well enough that the Canadiens feel they have a bright future on the blue line. Drewiske offers one thing the youngsters don’t — experience — but he’s the ultimate short-term rental. He’s in the top six now, but will drop a notch when Raphael Diaz returns from a concussion. The good news Wednesday was that Diaz joined Rene Bourque on the ice in Brossard and — barring a setback — should be back before the playoffs. Getting Bourque back will be akin to adding a gritty forward and Bergevin did make some deals earlier in this shortened season. The GM was a clear winner when he sent Erik Cole to Dallas for Michael Ryder, and waiver pickup Jeff Halpern has provided the Canadiens with a valuable addition on the penalty-kill and in the faceoff circle. There were some notable deals Wednesday, but Roberto Luongo remains in Vancouver and Miikka Kiprusoff will retire as a Calgary Flame. The most prominent moves involving goaltenders saw former rookie-of-the-year Steve Mason go to the Philadelphia Flyers, while 6-foot-7 Ben Bishop leaves the goalie logjam in Ottawa and goes to Tampa for 5-foot-8 forward Cory Conacher. Goaltending has been a major concern in both Philly and Tampa Bay, but neither player figures to be an upgrade on what the teams have now. The most aggressive team was the Pittsburgh Penguins, the only team ahead of the Canadiens in the East. The Penguins added Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow and Douglas Murray last week and topped the tank Wednesday with the addition of Jussi Jokinen from Carolina. That should help them weather the storm while Sidney Crosby recovers from a broken jaw. The Boston Bruins, who are at the Bell Centre Saturday, added veteran Jaromir Jagr and defenceman Wade Redden, but the big news in Beantown is that Patrice Bergeron is out indefinitely with another concussion. The New York Rangers picked up Ryane Clowe, who was a disappointment in San Jose, and traded Marian Gaborik, who was an overpriced disappointment in New York. Gaborik went to Columbus, which is only one point out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The word “buyer” isn’t usually associated with the Blue Jackets, but Columbus also added Blake Comeau. [email protected] 667821 Montreal Canadiens

Current and former stars will shine at first Habathon

By Dave Stubbs, The Gazette April 3, 2013

MONTREAL — Eight current members of the Canadiens, three Hall of Famers, a player famous for driving a stake through the heart of the 1978- 79 Boston Bruins and a talented two-way star of his era will assemble at Place Vertu mall in St. Laurent on Sunday to sign autographs for fans at the first Habathon. Half of all funds raised will be donated to the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation. Last April 7, the Canadiens were playing their 82nd and final game of the 2012-13 season, eliminated from the playoffs. One year later, Montreal is flushed with Habs fever, the club headed toward the postseason in this lockout-shortened campaign. From roughly 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Canadiens Carey Price, Max Pacioretty, Josh Gorges, P.K. Subban, Travis Moen, Ryan White, Jeff Halpern and rookie Brendan Gallagher will meet fans and sign autographs. Featured from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. will be Hall of Famers Henri Richard, Yvan Cournoyer and Guy Lafleur. They’ll be joined by the gregarious Yvon Lambert, who scored the Game 7 semifinal overtime winner against Boston in the famous too-many-men game, and Bobby Rousseau, an important part of the Habs of the 1960s. Combined, the former Canadiens won 34 Stanley Cups — 11 for Richard, 10 for Cournoyer, five for Lafleur and four each for Lambert and Rousseau. A silent auction of Habs memorabilia will also take place on site. Details of the event and pricing: Legends: A $24 general-session ticket will provide fans with an 8x10 photo of the Montreal Forum that will be signed by the former Canadiens. For an additional $20, fans can have a personal item autographed by a combination of Lafleur and Lambert, or Cournoyer and Rousseau, or Richard and a former player to be announced. Current Canadiens: A $31 general-session ticket buys an 8x10 photo of the Bell Centre, to be signed by all eight current players. Personal-item combinations will be $31 for Price and Moen; and $30 for Subban and Halpern, or Pacioretty and White, or Gorges and Gallagher. A $49 ticket will provide access to both general sessions. Fans are invited to bring their cameras, but there will not be an opportunity to have photos taken with the players, given the number of people expected to attend. Also offered will be a VIP package for $499, which will provide front-of-the- line access for two people for signings of Forum and Bell Centre photos and two personal items by all current and former players on hand, as well as a photo opportunity with all Canadiens in attendance. Note that the appearance of players is subject to change in the event of illness or injury. Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Current+former+stars+will+shine+fir st+Habathon/8191263/story.html#ixzz2PUNkUc00 Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.04.2013 667822 Montreal Canadiens While the Canadiens attempt to get back on the winning track against Winnipeg – probably without Plekanec and Pacioretty – the Bruins will be playing the Devils in Boston. Then the Bruins are at the Bell Centre About last night … Saturday night. It’s a tough week, and the schedule may be taking a toll. On L’Antichambre, Michel Bergeron suggested fatigue was a factor in Philadelphia. Posted by Mike Boone “They’re a small team,” the diminutive former Nordiques/Rangers coach added. “Small teams get tired.”

It makes me nervous when the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens Tired and slow. On the same telecast, Gaston Therrien said in order to win is thinking the same way as I about his team. games, the Canadiens have to be faster than their opponents. They were not faster than the Flyers, rarely getting to loose pucks ahead of a At 4 p.m. on trade deadline day, Marc Bergevin was talking about why he Philadelphia defence depleted by the loss of Andrej Meszaros, Braydon hadn’t made any major moves. Coburn and, of course, Chris Pronger. The GM’s goal, when the truncated NHL season began, was making the Playing on the day his team traded for Steve Mason, Ilya Bryzgalov looked playoffs. beatable. But the Canadiens couldn’t muster any sustained pressure to test him. And although they haven’t clinched a postseason spot, Bergevin’s team will be playing hockey in May. One positive note: the Canadiens’ penalty-killers were a perfect 3-for-3 against a Flyers power play that is, statistically, the league’s best. But with I view my team as a team that put themselves in a good position to make three chances, the Canadiens’ PP was impotent as well. the playoffs,” Bergevin said. Did the two stupid staged fights affect the outcome? The GM didn’t say so, but anything else is gravy. He’s playing with house money. The pugilists got the Philadelphia crowd going. But I didn’t see a definitive momentum swing. Bergevin talked about building “a good team for years to come” – a plan that made him reluctant to part with young prospects and/or draft choices. The Flyers won because they were hungrier. They wanted the game more, and the Flyers’ in-your-face style – exemplified by Hartnell and Simmonds – Six hours later, the Canadiens were licking their wounds – figuratively and carried the day. literally – after a 5-3 spanking in Philadelphia. So do you suppose Marc Bergevin cried himself to sleep wishing he’d And back in Montreal, the Winnipeg Jets, who play the Canadiens at the traded the Canadiens’ first-round draft choice for Ryan Clowe? Bell Centre Thursday night, were watching the game and licking their chops. I doubt it. The general manager takes the long view, and his vision of the Canadiens’ future was not clouded by what transpired at the Wells fargo Andrew Ladd and Evander Kane probably paid particular attention to the Center. ease with which Scott Hartnell and Wayne Simmonds moved their big bodies into Carey Price’s kitchen. The Flyers net-crashers were There are, however, short term challenges. unencumbered by any Canadiens defenceman – least of all by Andrei Markov and Alexei Emelin. Nor did newcomer David Drewiske impress me Tomas Plekanec is one of the players – Carey Price and P.K. Subban are as someone who’s going to do much crease-clearing. the others – the Canadiens can’t win without. Pleks does so much – plays against the other team’s best centre, kills penalties, wins crucial faceoffs, (Props to Josh Gorges: He wasn’t on for any Philadelphia goals. But his D plays on the PP. partner has had better nights … up to and including the mistake that led to Voracek’s empoty-netter.) If Plekanec is out for a while, the team is in trouble. The Jets also may have noted the performance of Lars Eller, who was on But maybe you can say the same about Boston without Patrice Bergeron. for every Philadelphia goal except Jakub Voracek’s empty-netter. Eller was minus-4 and went 1-6 in the faceoff circle. And speaking of recalls from Hamilton – which we weren’t – the Bulldogs are in Texas. Eller was attempting to fill in for Tomas Plekanec, who left the game early in the second period. Plekanec sustained a groin injury and is listed as day-to- So Gabriel Dumont – and maybe Michäel Bournival – will have an day. interesting day of travel to face the Jets in Montreal. He wasn’t the game’s only casualty. Max Pacioretty took a shot off his left Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.04.2013 ankle. No word on whether he’ll be able to play against Winnipeg. In his postgame remarks, Michel Therrien said the Canadiens “didn’t match the intensity level” of the Flyers. The coach said six shots in 40 minutes – the Canadiens had four in the second period, two in the third – weren’t enough to win many hockey games.

Certainly not this one. Trailing 3-2 after 55 minutes, their shot advantage notwithstanding, the Flyers kept up the pressure until the Canadiens inevitably wilted. Carey Price had kept them in the game up to that point, making several brilliant stops and being victimized by a few bad bounces. The Flyers played with more desperation. They are 11th in the Eastern Conference. And if the Flyers were scoreboard watching, they would have noted a big win by the Rangers, who are one of the teams Philadelphia will have to catch in order to make the playoffs. A win by the Canadiens would have put them three points behind faltering Pittsburgh for the Eastern Conference lead. And they have two games in hand on the Penguins. The loss left the Canadiens one point ahead of Boston, with the Bruins holding a game in hand. 667823 Montreal Canadiens

No trades for Habs, but team signs prospect Danny Kristo

Posted by Stu Cowan

The NHL trade deadline passed at 3 p.m. Wednesday without the Canadiens making a deal. General manager Marc Bergevin did announce the signing of forward Danny Kristo to a two-year contract (2012-13 and 2013-14). He will report to the American Hockey League’s Hamilton Bulldogs. Bergevin met with the media at 4 p.m. in Brossard, telling reporters: “The trading period started three months ago for us.” “For me, what happens in the room is as important as what happens on the ice,” Bergevin added. “Now, we have a great chemistry in the dressing room.” The GM added that he held a lot of conversations with other teams over the last two months, “kicking tires and looking at how can you make your team better.” He added: “We added a piece yesterday that we felt the price was right and that Davis (Drewiske) could come and help us. So strategy has not changed. We have a plan and it’s to make the Montreal Canadiens better for years to come. I think we have a good core. We have some good young players with a good mix of veterans. We’ve got guys coming through the system that we’re developing and making better, so overall I’m pretty satisfied with the direction the hockey club has been taking.” Asked if he viewed the Canadiens as a Stanley Cup contender, Bergevin said he sees the team as one that has put itself in a good position to make the playoffs. “Anything is possible once you make the playoffs,” he said. “We won the President’s Trophy when I was in St. Louis, we lost in the first round. So in the playoffs, anything is possible.” Kristo, a native of Edina, Minn., was selected by the Canadiens in the second round (56th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. In 40 games with North Dakota University this season, Kristo posted 26-26- 52 totals and was plus-17. He finished tied for second in the NCAA in goals and points, and tied for third in the NCAA with six winning goals. He is one of 10 finalists for the 2013 Hobey Baker Memorial Award honouring college hockey’s top player. You can watch Bergevin’s press conference by clicking here. NHL Trade Deadline 2013 coverage, montrealgazette.com Blue Jackets get Gaborik from Rangers, NHL.com Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.04.2013 667824 Montreal Canadiens

Price burns 2,336 calories in a game; Drewiske will face Flyers

Posted by Stu Cowan

For the last five games, Canadiens goaltender Carey Price has worn a multi-function heart monitor, the wristwatch receiver clipped into the back of his pants. Price’s pulse tops out at 190 beats per minute during the game with an average of 120 bpm, which includes pregame and intermissions. “I wear it in practice and I’ve been curious,” Price told The Gazette’s Dave Stubbs. “I never knew what (calories) I burned during a game. It will give me a good idea what I should be eating and how many calories I should be consuming.” Heading into Wednesday’s game in Philadelphia (7:30 p.m., TSN, RDS, TSN Radio 690), Price has a 18-6-4 record with three shutouts, a 2.24 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage. The Canadiens got some good news on the injury front Wednesday morning as Raphael Diaz skated in Brossard for the first time since suffering a concussion on Feb. 25. Rene Bourque and Raphael Diaz, also recovering from concussions, skated in Brossard as well. Meanwhile, defenceman Davis Drewiske, acquired from the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, skated with his new teammates at the Habs morning skate in Philadelphia. Drewiske will be in the lineup against the Flyers with Price starting in goal. Mike Blunden will take the place of injured forward Colby Armstrong, who suffered what the team is calling a “lower-body injury” during Monday’s win over Carolina. Armstrong has been placed on injured reserve with what appears to be a knee injury. Ryan White will be a healthy scratch. “There are some different things with the system here as opposed to what they do in LA, so this morning (the coaches and I) went over that and what they expect from me,” Drewiske told reporters in Philadelphia after the morning skate. “They want me to be a good defender, a good penalty killer, move pucks quickly and chip in offensively when I can.” Coach Michel Therrien also announced that Peter Budaj will start in goal Thursday when the Winnipeg Jets visit the Bell Centre (7:30 p.m., RDS, TSN-HABS, TSN Radio 690). Budaj’s parents will be in town for the game and Therrien admitted that played a role in his decision, but the coach added that Budaj has been playing well and deserves a start. Budaj has a 5-1-1 record with one shutout, a 2.47 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. Therrien wouldn’t give a timetable for Armstrong’s return to the lineup, but said he hopes he’ll be back in time for the playoffs. Here’s a look at the lines and defence pairings from the morning skate: Forwards: Pacioretty-Desharnais-Gallagher; Ryder-Plekanec-Gionta; Galchenyuk-Eller-Prust; White-Halpern-Moen/Blunden. Defence: Bouillon- Drewiske; Gorges-Subban; Markov-Emelin; Kaberle-Weber. The NHL trade deadline is at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Stubbs joins Postmedia News hockey writers Vicki Hall, Wayne Scanlan, Elliott Pap, Bob Duff, Steve Ewen and John MacKinnon for a live trade blog beginning at noon. You can follow it by clicking here. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.04.2013 667825 Nashville Predators The trade does replenish Nashville’s young assets. In 2011 the Predators dealt their first-round pick for center Mike Fisher, and last year they traded their first-rounder for checking forward Paul Gaustad. Nashville Predators trade Martin Erat to Washington Capitals The Predators ranked 26th in The Hockey News’ most recent system rankings. Nashville’s most recent first-round pick, forward Austin Watson in 2010, has yet to play in an NHL game. Josh Cooper The trade also frees up salary to use toward free agents. The Predators now have $40.9 million committed to 2013-14, when the salary cap drops from $70.2 million to $64.3 million. Predators general manager David Poile laughed heartily. It had been brought to his attention that Wednesday marked the second time he had Forsberg will likely come to Nashville when his season in Sweden ends in traded for a player named Forsberg. order to practice with the Predators and get to know the organization. The deal, sending veteran Martin Erat and prospect Michael Latta to the “I’m not promising and predicting he will play with us,” Poile said of the Washington Capitals in exchange for 18-year-old forward Filip Forsberg at current season. “But certainly we want to see him and hopefully he’ll be in the NHL trade deadline, brought back memories of 2007, when the our system next year.” Predators landed legendary forward Peter Forsberg late in the season. Tennessean LOADED: 04.04.2013 “This one is fresher?” Poile joked. The tone and tenor of this day were drastically different, however. The trade for the then 33-year-old Peter Forsberg — no relation to Filip, who is also from Sweden — solidified positioning for a postseason run. Wednesday’s trade was more about getting younger and retooling for a team that might not even qualify for the playoffs. In addition to dealing the 31-year-old Erat — a seventh-round pick in 1999 who is now the franchise’s second-ranked player in games played, goals, assists and points — the Predators sent 34-year-old defenseman Scott Hannan to the Sharks for a conditional seventh-round pick. The Predators had signed Hannan to a one-year, $1 million contract over the summer. Poile expressed excitement about Forsberg, who was Washington’s first- round pick in the 2012 draft, the 11th selection overall. “We need to be more dynamic with our forwards, and today we got a dynamic forward,” Poile said. “That’s something we haven’t been able to accomplish through trade acquisition and even in drafting, where we’ve been more prone to take defensemen than forwards. We’ve given up a lot of first-round picks the last several years, and this year we’re getting a first- round pick back in essence.” The 6-foot-1, 188-pound Forsberg notched 15 goals and 18 assists in 38 games this season for Leksand of Sweden’s second division. The No. 21 rated team-affiliated prospect according to The Hockey News, he is the most highly-touted forward in Nashville’s system since the Predators drafted Alexander Radulov 15th overall in 2004. “He’s a strong, powerful player. He distributes the puck pretty well, we think his scoring is good,” Poile said. “I really think he has a chance to be a top powerful forward. I like his all-around game.” Despite dealing Erat, the team’s alternate captain and leading scorer from a year ago, Poile said the Predators hadn’t given up on the playoffs. Going into Wednesday’s games, Nashville was tied with St. Louis for the eighth playoff spot, but had played three more games than the Blues. “This has been a tough year in terms of our overall play,” Poile said. “I would have to say to this point we’ve probably performed under what our expectations were, but we still have enough games left to make it.” Erat was tied for the overall team lead in scoring this season with 21 points in 36 games, but he requested the trade about two weeks ago. His contract had two years remaining at $4.5 million per year, and included a no-trade clause. Attempts to change Erat’s mind failed. He said he submitted a list of 10 teams to Poile. The Predators are “going to go with a younger team and see how it goes from there,” Erat said. “But for me, I’m getting older, and it’s not going to be like I have seven-to-eight years to wait for another chance.” It’s unclear who will fill Erat’s void on the top line, but the Predators have become familiar with such situations. They’ve found ways to adjust when players depart. “Once again somebody is going to get to play in a higher position,” Poile said. 667826 Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators trade Scott Hannan to San Jose Sharks

Josh Cooper

The Predators have traded defenseman Scott Hannan to the San Jose Sharks for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2013 draft. Nashville signed Hannan, 34, to a one-year, $1 million contract over the summer. He had one assist in 29 games with the Predators and was a minus-11. The Sharks picked Hannan in the first round of the 1997 draft. He played eight seasons in San Jose, where he developed into one of their top shutdown defensemen. He was one of three pending unrestricted free agents on Nashville’s roster — the other two being forward Brandon Yip and goaltender Chris Mason. Hannan had been out since March 17 with an upper-body injury. He was likely made more expendable when veteran stay-at-home defenseman Hal Gill returned from a lower-body injury on March 23, and first-year blueliner Victor Bartley continued to emerge. Bartley is a plus-6 through 14 games with the Predators. Hannan had seen his minutes drop and his production decrease before his injury. He was a minus-4 his last three games, and played on the third defensive pair with Ryan Ellis, who has since been sent to Nashville’s AHL affiliate in Milwaukee. Earlier in the season, Hannan played on Nashville’s top defensive line with captain Shea Weber. The conditional pick changes to San Jose’s sixth-round selection this year if the Sharks make the playoffs. The NHL trade deadline is 2 p.m. today. Tennessean LOADED: 04.04.2013 667827 Nashville Predators The trade does replenish Nashville’s young assets. In 2011 the Predators dealt their first-round pick for center Mike Fisher, and last year they traded their first-rounder for checking forward Paul Gaustad. Nashville Predators trade Martin Erat for top prospect The Predators ranked 26th in The Hockey News’ most recent system rankings. Nashville’s most recent first-round pick, forward Austin Watson in 2010, has yet to play in an NHL game. Josh Cooper The trade also frees salary to use toward free agents. The Predators have $40.9 million committed to 2013-14, when the salary cap drops from $70.2 million to $64.3 million. Predators general manager David Poile laughed heartily. It had been brought to his attention that Wednesday marked the second time he had Forsberg likely will come to Nashville when his season in Sweden ends in traded for a player named Forsberg. order to practice with the Predators and get to know the organization. This deal, sending veteran Martin Erat and prospect Michael Latta to the “I’m not promising and predicting he will play with us,” Poile said of the Washington Capitals in exchange for 18-year-old forward Filip Forsberg at current season. “But certainly we want to see him, and hopefully he’ll be in the NHL trade deadline, brought back memories of 2007, when the our system next year.” Predators landed legendary forward Peter Forsberg late in the season. Tennessean LOADED: 04.04.2013 “This one is fresher?” Poile joked. The tone and tenor of this day were drastically different, however. The trade for the then 33-year-old Peter Forsberg — no relation to Filip, who is also from Sweden — solidified positioning for a postseason run. Wednesday’s trade was more about getting younger and retooling for a team that might not even make it to the playoffs. In addition to dealing the 31-year-old Erat — a seventh-round pick in 1999 who is now the franchise’s second-ranked player in games played, goals, assists and points — the Predators sent 34-year-old defenseman Scott Hannan to the Sharks for a conditional seventh-round pick. The Predators had signed Hannan to a one-year, $1 million contract over the summer. Poile expressed excitement about Forsberg, who was Washington’s first- round pick in the 2012 draft, the 11th selection overall. “We need to be more dynamic with our forwards, and today we got a dynamic forward,” Poile said. “That’s something we haven’t been able to accomplish through trade acquisition and even in drafting, where we’ve been more prone to take defensemen than forwards. We’ve given up a lot of first-round picks the last several years, and this year we’re getting a first- round pick back in essence.” The 6-foot-1, 188-pound Forsberg notched 15 goals and 18 assists in 38 games this season for Leksand of Sweden’s second division. The No. 21 team-affiliated prospect according to The Hockey News, he is the most highly touted forward in Nashville’s system since the Predators drafted Alexander Radulov 15th overall in 2004. “He’s a strong, powerful player. He distributes the puck pretty well; we think his scoring is good,” Poile said. “I really think he has a chance to be a top powerful forward. I like his all-around game.” Despite dealing Erat, the team’s alternate captain and leading scorer from a year ago, Poile said the Predators hadn’t given up on the playoffs. Going into Wednesday’s games, Nashville was tied with St. Louis for the eighth playoff spot, but had played three more games than the Blues. “This has been a tough year in terms of our overall play,” Poile said. “I would have to say to this point we’ve probably performed under what our expectations were, but we still have enough games left to make it.” Erat was tied for the overall team lead in scoring this season with 21 points in 36 games, but requested the trade about two weeks ago. His contract had two years remaining at $4.5 million per year and included a no-trade clause. Attempts to change Erat’s mind failed. He said he submitted a list of 10 teams to Poile. The Predators are “going to go with a younger team and see how it goes from there,” Erat said. “But for me, I’m getting older, and it’s not going to be like I have seven to eight years to wait for another chance.” It’s unclear who will fill Erat’s void on the top line, but the Predators have become familiar with such situations. They’ve found ways to adjust when players depart. “Once again somebody is going to get to play in a higher position,” Poile said. 667828 Nashville Predators

Nick Spaling diary: Every game, every point is huge now

Apr. 3, 2013 11:27 PM Written by As told to Josh Cooper

It’s a battle this time of year. We need the points. We play the Chicago Blackhawks three times this week, and it’s a divisional team that we may have to be ready to face at some point. These games are huge. The points are huge. We have to take advantage of playing our next several games at home. This whole time right now is playoff-type hockey. It’s make or break for us, this next three weeks. We have a lot of guys who have played playoff games and that type of atmosphere. We just have to focus in. The games get more important as we go. We have to keep being ready. Fantasy baseball is also pretty hot now, and a lot of our spare time is spent on it. There’s a group of eight teams in our league with the Predators. It’s just a lot of fun and something to do on our down time. Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is my top player on my team. I don’t know that much about it to tell you the truth. It’s more for fun and making trades and talking about it with my teammates. I usually do really well with it the first month, and then slide off when we stop talking about it at the rink. It really goes downhill for me. —As told to Josh Cooper Tennessean LOADED: 04.04.2013 667829 Nashville Predators

Western Conference update

Apr. 3, 2013 10:17 PM Josh Cooper

We’re coming down the home stretch in the Western Conference. And with the 2013 season set to end in less than a month, some teams fighting to make the playoffs have started playing well at the right time and look like they can do some damage in the postseason. Below are those squads. San Jose Sharks (18-11-6)* The Sharks have been able to pile up wins against some of the NHL’s top teams. In the past week, San Jose defeated the Anaheim Ducks twice as well as the Vancouver Canucks. Overall, San Jose has looked more like the team that started 7-0-0 and not the group that went 6-11-6 in its next 23 games. Columbus Blue Jackets (15-14-7) The Blue Jackets have learned how to grind out points and have lost just two regulation games in their last 10. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovksy is good enough to steal a series. He has put together a Vezina Trophy-worthy season with a 2.13 goals against average and .927 save percentage. Edmonton Oilers (15-13-7)* The Oilers have gotten hot recently, winning four straight coming into Wednesday night’s game against the Calgary Flames. Forward Taylor Hall broke one of Wayne Gretzky’s records for fastest hat trick in team history in their 4-0 win over Vancouver on March 30. Detroit Red Wings (18-13-5) Detroit has gone 6-3-0 in its last nine games to stay above the logjam around the eighth playoff spot. And it has shown an ability to defeat some good teams — including Anaheim (twice) and Vancouver — in that stretch. Forward Pavel Datsyuk (36 points in 35 games) has looked strong for the Red Wings. Phoenix Coyotes (15-15-6) A three-game point streak has put the Coyotes slightly back into the playoff mix. Phoenix has two games remaining on a homestand to try to gain some ground. But after April 6, the Coyotes have just three home games left and seven road games. This could be their undoing. *Played Wednesday Tennessean LOADED: 04.04.2013 667830 Nashville Predators

Preview: Predators vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Apr. 3, 2013 10:17 PM John Glennon

PREDATORS VS. BLUE JACKETS • When: 7 p.m. today • Where: Bridgestone Arena • TV/radio: Fox TN/102.5-FM • Hat trick: 1. The Predators are 4-1 in their past five home games, averaging four goals per game. 2. Nashville has surrendered the game’s opening goal in 10 of its past 11 games, posting a 3-5-2 record in those 10 games. 3. The Blue Jackets, seeking their first playoff berth since the 2008- 09 season, on Wednesday acquired right wing Marian Gaborik, a former first-round pick who’s recorded at least 30 goals in seven of his previous 11 seasons. • Injuries: Blue Jackets RW Jared Boll (lower body), D Tim Erixon (upper body) are out; LW Nick Foligno (upper body) and C Brandon Dubinsky (knee) are probable. Predators LW Colin Wilson (upper body) is out; C Mike Fisher (hand) and LW Gabriel Bourque (upper body) are questionable. • Next for Predators: 2 p.m. Saturday vs. Chicago. Tennessean LOADED: 04.04.2013 667831 Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators taking more shots, but not always winning

Apr. 3, 2013 10:16 PM Josh Cooper The Tennessean

When it comes to shots on goal, there are different ways the Predators rate their overall value. “You can get lots of shots, but are they quality shots? Are they just shots? Do you have traffic? Do you get secondary chances off shots? All those things,” Predators coach Barry Trotz said. A lot of emphasis in hockey is put on shots on goal. It’s often seen as an indicator of whether a team has played well or poorly. For the Predators, the results have been somewhat uneven recently when they’ve outshot their opponent. In nine of their last 11 games, they’ve fired as many or more shots on goal than the opposition and are 4-4-1 in those contests. So if Nashville is peppering the opposition, why have the results not followed? Even to the Predators, it’s not totally clear. In those nine games, the offense executed at a high rate, averaging 3.22 goals per game. But the defense was more porous, allowing 3.33 goals per contest. “For everybody it’s an emphasis. You look at average shooting percentages and everything kind of balances out,” forward Paul Gaustad said. “If you continue to do the right things, and percentages-wise, it always gets back to that average. You have to keep shooting and get as many shots as you can.” Early in the season, Nashville played a more defensive style, and the results followed. The Predators went on a four-game winning streak from Jan. 31 through Feb. 7, and in all those games they were content to allow low-percentage shots and pounce on limited offensive chances. The Predators didn’t win a game in which they outshot an opponent until Feb. 14 against Phoenix. “I mean, the one thing we were doing well before was we were defending. We weren’t generating a lot, and we were a lot more patient in our game,” Trotz said. “We probably didn’t get the credit we deserved for that … people were criticizing us on our style points versus the end result.” That doesn’t mean the Predators’ secret to winning involves being grossly outshot. But it does mean Nashville has to find a happy medium, where it can fire a lot of shots on goal and still play a defensively stout game. In their win over Colorado, the Predators outshot the Avalanche 38-26 but won 3-1. “You have to stay consistent in the things you think are the proper ways to win,” Gaustad said. “We have to stick to that.” Tennessean LOADED: 04.04.2013 667832 Nashville Predators

Josh Cooper's hat trick

Apr. 3, 2013 10:15 PM Josh Cooper The Tennessean

1. Paul Gaustad is being rewarded for his strong play with more ice time. Gaustad has always had the size and the ability to play bigger minutes. But in his career, the most he has averaged was 17:10 in 2007-08. In his last three games since he returned from an “upper body” injury, he has played 17:35, 24:19 and 20:49. He’s not an offensive player, but he won’t make many plays to hurt your team from a defensive perspective. When Mike Fisher returns from a hand injury, Gaustad’s minutes likely will go down, but in this stretch he has earned more of the coaching staff’s trust going forward 2. Will Pekka Rinne get some time off? The goaltender has played in an NHL-high 35 games, and he could go the rest of the way for Nashville. If this is the case — the Predators have 11 more games — Rinne will have played in 68 contests this year, if you count his time in the Kontinental Hockey League during the NHL lockout. That’s a lot of games. Also, keep in mind the condensed nature of this schedule hasn’t exactly helped overall player exhaustion. In his last three contests, Rinne has stopped 86 of 90 shots on goal. Fatigue hasn’t played too much of an issue, but it could. 3. The Predators still have a difficult road to the playoffs. The Predators have picked up points in six of their last seven games, and they still find themselves stuck in postseason neutral. What will it take to get firmly in the top eight? A long winning streak. The San Jose Sharks were around the eighth spot. They then won five games in a row, put themselves in the top eight and strongly boosted their chances of making the playoffs. Nashville needs a San Jose-like stretch to achieve the same effect. Tennessean LOADED: 04.04.2013 667833 Nashville Predators

Predators unload a veteran in advance of NHL trade deadline

Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 12:47pm By David Boclair

With hours to go before the National Hockey League’s trade deadline, the Nashville Predators sent defenseman Scott Hannan to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday for a late-round draft pick. Hannan signed as a free agent with Nashville during the offseason and appeared in 29 games. He has been on injured reserve since last weekend and has not played since March 17 because of an upper body injury. He has no goals, one assist and a team-worst minus-11 rating. The Predators received a seventh-round pick in this year’s draft from the Sharks. The pick becomes a sixth-rounder if Hannan appears in the playoffs. The 34-year-old spent his first eight NHL seasons with San Jose, which drafted him 23rd overall in 1997. He also spent time with Colorado, Washington and Calgary before he came to Nashville. His contract with the Predators was for one year at $1 million. The league’s trade deadline is 2 p.m. (CDT) Tuesday. Nashville City Paper LOADED: 04.04.2013 667834 Nashville Predators 667835 Nashville Predators

In search of more offense, Predators trade away one of their all-time Erat eager for his opportunity with a new team, says 'I just want to win' leading scorers

Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 9:34pm Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 4:37pm By Associated Press By David Boclair

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Washington Capitals are hoping for a boost to The Nashville Predators are not necessarily ready to say bye-bye to their their playoff hopes with a trade bringing them right wing Martin Erat and playoff chances. minor-leaguer Michael Latta from the Nashville Predators for 2012 first- round draft pick Filip Forsberg. When the National Hockey League’s trade deadline arrived Wednesday afternoon, however, they definitely were not buyers. Erat leads the Predators with 17 assists and is tied for first on the club with 21 points this season. He's played all 723 of his NHL games with Nashville, In one of the day’s final deals, Nashville shipped 31-year-old forward Martin and ranks second in team history with 163 goals and 318 assists. He listed Erat and a prospect, Michael Latta, to the Washington Capitals for 18-year- the Capitals among the teams he would join. old Filip Forsberg, the 11th overall choice in last year’s draft. "They have a great team, they just have to show it on the ice," Erat said on Earlier in the day the Predators traded veteran defenseman Scott Hannan a conference call Wednesday night. "It's just missing a couple pieces here to San Jose for a conditional draft choice. and (there), but they got the right chance every year." Following Tuesday’s games, Nashville was ninth in the Western After a poor start to the season, winning only two of their first 11 games, the Conference standings, tied with St. Louis at 38 points but having played Capitals have slowly moved their way up from last place in the Eastern three more games than the Blues. The 10th, 11th and 12th-place teams Conference. Now they are within striking distance for a playoff berth at 10th, were no more than two points back and all had at least one game in hand two points away from eighth after a 5-3 victory at the Carolina Hurricanes on the Predators. on Tuesday night. That was Washington's seventh win in its last 11 games. “We have used draft picks in recent years to add players at the trade Captain Alex Ovechkin, a two-time NHL MVP, has led the way during the deadline,” general manager David Poile said. “Over the last several years, Capitals' surge, with at least one point in each of the past nine games. He we traded away four first round picks. It was imperative that we add a leads the team with 20 goals and 37 points. Erat is happy enough at being potentially dynamic offensive forward such as Forsberg. traded that he is willing to do whatever the Capitals ask of him. “Our goal remains the same — to win the Stanley Cup. We believe our "I really don't care if I play right or left, or if I'm going to play on the first or current team is a playoff-caliber team. At the same time, we have to be third line," Erat said. "I just want to win." mindful of the long-term and this deal allows us to acquire a top-end young offensive forward that will help us.” The Predators, who have made the playoffs seven of the last eight seasons, also are on the edge of the Western Conference playoff picture. In Erat, a seventh-round pick in 1999, is second to David Legwand in all of the Forsberg, they get an 18-year-old forward considered a possible star-in- franchise’s primary career offensive statistics. He had 163 goals and 318 waiting in exchange for sending off a player in Erat who asked to be traded assists (481 points) in 723 career games. He led or shared the team lead in despite a no-movement clause in his contract. points each of the last two seasons and was a model of consistency with between 49 and 58 points each of the last eight seasons. Erat said he asked Nashville general manager David Poile about the team's long-term plans a couple weeks ago. The Predators build through the draft He had four goals and 17 assists in 36 games this season, which tied him with forwards such as Colin Wilson, Patric Hornqvist and Taylor Beck and with Legwand and Shea Weber for the team lead. defensemen Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis. But Erat turns 32 in August. He He has two years remaining on a seven-year, $31.5 million deal. had a career-high 58 points last season and leaves tied for the Nashville lead with 21 points. But he has only four goals, including a 21-game goal Latta, a third-round choice in 2009, had eight goals and 26 assists in 67 drought. games for Milwaukee this season. The Hockey News recently named him the franchise’s fifth-best prospect. "They're going to go with a younger team and see how it goes from there," Erat said. "But for me, I'm getting older, and ... I don't have seven, eight “It is always difficult to trade a player who was drafted, developed and who years to wait for another chance." has produced for the franchise for many years such as Martin Erat,” Poile said. “However, Marty came to us in recent days and indicated a trade This is the second time Nashville has traded for a forward named Forsberg. might be in his best interests. Thus, the process began and we were able to Trading for Peter Forsberg in 2007 didn't work out too well as he wound up explore options with our primary goal being to acquire a young top end playing only 17 games that season and scoring 15 points. The Predators forward that would address our most critical need. won 51 games and earned the No. 4 seed only to lose to San Jose in five games in the first round of the playoffs. “We thank Martin for all his contributions to the Predators’ success over the years and wish him and his family the best in Washington.” Now the Predators believe they finally have the dynamic young forward in this Forsberg to go with a defense anchored by captain Shea Weber and Forsberg recently completed his season in Sweden’s second division. His goalie Pekka Rinne. Forsberg scored 33 points in 38 games in Sweden. 33 points (15 goals, 18 assists) in 38 games were second only to Pontus Poile said he will be talking to Forsberg's agent about getting the forward to Aberg, a second-round pick by Nashville last year. North America but the general manager sees someone in the 6-foot-1, 188- pound center who may be NHL-ready soon. The 6-foot-1, 188-pound Forsberg was named that league’s top junior player. • Briefly: The Predators also signed Zach Budish to a two-year entry-level contract. The 6-foot-3, 219-pound right wing will join the team's AHL affiliate “With one of the best goaltenders in the world in Pekka Rinne, and the top in Milwaukee. Budish, 21, scored 94 points in 129 games in four seasons at defenseman in the game today in Shea Weber, along with Roman Josi, the University of Minnesota. Kevin Klein and other young defensemen we continue to develop, we believe we are well-positioned at these two positions, but have lacked a Nashville City Paper LOADED: 04.04.2013 dynamic offensive forward.” Poile said. “In Filip Forsberg, we are adding one of the top rated young forwards in the world; we are excited to have him join our other emerging young talent and solid veterans at the position.” Nashville City Paper LOADED: 04.04.2013 667836 New Jersey Devils Lamoriello wasn't willing to give up top prospects or players like Adam Henrique or Adam Larsson to make a bigger deal which might disrupt the team. Devils bring back Steve Sullivan 16 years after Doug Gilmour trade "We're very happy with the team," Lamoriello said. "Fortunately we have players coming back healthy-- (Alexei) Ponikarovsky, Dainius Zubrus and hopefully (Ilya) Kovalchuk is not too far off. We don't know yet (about the By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger timing of Kovalchuk's return). We had the addition of (Andrei) Loktionov earlier and Jacob Josefson is completely healthy now. He'll be ready to on April 03, 2013 at 8:56 PM, updated April 03, 2013 at 9:44 PM come up (from Albany) shortly." Sullivan is hoping he can do what Gilmour couldn’t—help win a Stanley Cup. Sixteen years ago the Devils had to give up a promising young forward in order to obtain future Hall of Famer Doug Gilmour in a serious effort to win “That’s the ultimate goal. I don’t have one," Sullivan said of the coveted the Stanley Cup. trophy. “Going back to being a young kid, that is your dream to win the Stanley Cup. When you don’t have one, your drive for one is the highest it The Devils never did win a Cup during Gilmour’s two seasons on the team, can be.” but the “kid” they gave up is back as a veteran role player hoping to help the Devils secure a playoff spot with 12 games remaining in this shortended While the Devils acquired Sullivan, the Boston Bruins traded for Jaromir season. Jagr on Tuesday. Steve Sullivan 38, was acquired today in a trade with the Phoenix Coyotes “They got a good offensive player there. It will be interesting where they put for a seventh round draft pick in 2014. It was Devils general manager Lou him,” Patrik Elias said. “It makes them more dangerously offensively with Lamoriello’s only deal on trade deadline day. him, obviously.” “It was very shocking. I really didn't see it coming," Sullivan said via David Clarkson said of the Jagr deal: “I believe anytime you add a guy like telephone. "I honestly didn’t think I was going to be moved. But it's a great that it’s definitely a boost. Bringing him in definitely helps.” opportunity. I'm glad to be going back to where it all began. I’ve come full circle. It's a first class organization I had a hard time leaving years ago." DeBoer on where the Devils are in the standings: "We had a good start. We struggled for stretches the second half here, longer stretches than I In that Feb. 25, 1997, deal more than a decade and a half ago, the Devils would've liked, for different reasons, So we're probably where we should traded Sullivan, defenseman Jason Smith and the rights to prospect Alyn be. The important thing is where we finish here. McCauley to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Gilmour, defenseman Dave Ellett and a draft pick. “We have a lot of character in that room. We went on a deep playoff run with a lot of guys sitting in that room right now. It’s on us to recapture some “I remember it like it was yesterday. That was also another shocking day for of that magic down the stretch.” me,” Sullivan said. “I was a young player just trying to stay in the league. I’d been a call-up and hadn’t really solidified a spot in the NHL by any means. Travis Zajac: "He helps them offensively, that's for sure. He's a big guy, Being an Ontario boy, it was a bit overwhelming being traded to Toronto.” tough to move off the puck." Sullivan, who must pass a physical when he arrives in New Jersey, would Star Ledger LOADED: 04.04.2013 become the 24th player to be re-acquired by the Devils. He was the team’s 10th selection in the ninth round (233rd overall) of the 1994 entry draft and appeared in 49 games over two seasons 1995-97. "He's going to be a utility player that will give the coach options. We'll have to see him in practice before we make any judgements," Lamoriello said. "He's a player that can play in versatile situations. He's played in big-time playoff games. He knows the pressures of the league and will be a steadying influence in different areas." Sullivan had five goals and seven assists (12 points) and 20 penalty minutes in 33 games with Phoenix this season after signing as a free agent on July 4. What can he give the Devils? “I’m not 27 years old. Your game has to evolve a little bit as the years go by,” Sullivan said. “I’m not sure what they’re expecting. I don’t think they’re expecting me to come in and be a game-breaker. They have some extremely talented hockey players on that team. I’ll try to be a solid contributor and do the best I can.” Devils coach Pete DeBoer was asked what he expected Lamoriello to do today. “I really came in with no expectations,” DeBoer said. Sullivan recorded a career-high 34 goals and 75 points with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2000-01. He appeared in his 1,000th career NHL game last week with the Coyotes on Mar. 28 at Nashville. He was the recipient of the 2008-09 Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. In 1,002 career NHL games, Sullivan has 742 points (288 goals, 454 assists) and 583 penalty minutes. He's played for the Devils, Leafs, Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins and Coyotes in a 15- year career. "I think he's capable of giving some quality minutes when called upon. I think he can go in any role on any line. He still knows how to score goals. That's been his forte,” Lamoriello said. “There aren't a lot of people scoring many goals anywhere this season." 667837 New Jersey Devils

Devils acquire Steve Sullivan from Phoenix Coyotes

Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger on April 03, 2013 at 7:02 PM, updated April 03, 2013 at 7:38 PM

The Devils acquired forward Steve Sullivan from the Phoenix Coyotes today in exchange for the club’s seventh-round selection in the 2014 NHL entry draft. Sullivan, who must pass a physical tomorrow, would become the 24th player to be re-acquired by the Devils. He was the Devils' 10th selection in the 9th round (233rd overall) selection in 1994. "He's going to be a utility player that will give the coach options. We'll have to see him in practice before we make any judgements," general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "He's a player that can play in versatile situations. He's played in big-time playoff games. He knows the pressures of the league and will be a steadying influence in different areas." Sullivan, 38, had five goals and seven assists for 12 points and 20 penalty minutes in 33 games with Phoenix this season after signing as a free agent on July 4. "I'm very excited. It was a shock. I really didn't see it coming," Sullivan said. "But it's a great opportunity. I'm glad to be going back to where it all began. It's a first class organization I had a hard time leaving years ago." The Devils traded Sullivan, defenseman Jason Smith and the rights to Alyn McCauley to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 25, 1997, for Doug Gilmour, Dave Ellett and a draft pick. He has career totals of 288 goals and 454 assists for 742 points and 583 penalty minutes in 1,002 career appearances over 15 seasons with the Devils, Toronto, Chicago, Nashville, Pittsburgh and Phoenix. "He played last night. To my knowledge he is healthy," Lamoriello said. "I'm sure he has some (bumps and bruises) after 1,000 games. "I think he's capable of giving some quality minutes when called upon. I think he can go in any role on any line. He still knows how to score goals. That's been his forte. There aren't a lot of people scoring many goals anywhere this season." Sullivan recorded a career-high 34 goals and 75 points with the Blackhawks in 2000-01. He appeared in his 1,000th career NHL game last week on Mar. 28 at Nashville. He was the recipient of the 2008-09 Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. "I have no idea what (the Devils') plans are for me," Sullivan said. "I'll go in with an open mind." The Sullivan deal was the only trade made by the Devils today. "We're very happy with the team," Lamoriello said. "Fortunately we have players coming back healthy-- (Alexei) Ponikarovsky, Dainius Zubrus and hopefully (Ilya) Kovalchuk is not too far off. We don't know yet," Lamoriello said. "We had the addition of (Andrei) Loktionov earlier and Jacob Josefson is completely healthy now. He'll be ready to come up (from Albany) shortly." Sullivan was excited to join a playoff race. "It's going to be great," he said. "As hockey players our goal is to play for the Stanley Cup. To do that you have to get into the playoffs. Getting back into the thick of things is going to be refreshing. I look forward hopefully for the chance to play for the Stanley Cup." Star Ledger LOADED: 04.04.2013 667838 New Jersey Devils

Devils: Marek Zidlicky missed practice for family issue, will play in Boston

Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger on April 03, 2013 at 2:38 PM, updated April 03, 2013 at 3:55 PM

The Devils have not traded Marek Zidlicky. The defenseman missed practice today because of a family matter. Coach Pete DeBoer said he would travel with the team to Boston and will play tomorrow night against the Bruins. "Just for a personal reason," DeBoer said. The Devils acquired Steve Sullivan today from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for a seventh round draft pick in 2014. Right winger Tom Kostopoulos said he briefly lost consciousness during his fight with Matt Martin of the Islanders but did not hit his head on the ice. "No. Just the punch," Kostopoulos said. Kostopoulos said he feels good and has not watched the fight on video. Center Travis Zajac, who did not come to the rink yesterday after struggling with the flu during Monday night's game, said he has improved. "I feel better," Zajac said. "It wasn't too bad when the game started. It worse worse." During Monday's morning skate, DeBoer was knocked to the ice by Anton Volchenkov. In practice today, assistant coach Scott Stevens went down when he collided with Mark Fayne. Stevens, not wearing a helmet or other protective gear, was skating as Bryce Salvador's defense partner since Zidlicky was absent. "Two (coaches) have been taken out," DeBoer said with a laugh. "I can tell you neither of us have been traded. If one of us was being traded it wouldn't be Scott. "I think (Fayne) was just an accident. I can see Volchy stepping up on me. I don't know if anybody is (dumb) enough to purposely hit Scott Stevens." DeBoer on Devils' place "We had a good start. We struggled for stretches the second half here, longer stretcjes than I would've liked, for different reasons," DeBoer said. "So we're probably where we should be. The important thing is where we finish here." The Devils practiced shootouts today. "We didn't practice it last year. We didn't need to," DeBoer said of the Devils' 12-4 shootout record in 2011-12. "It's become evident as the season's gone on that we have to do something different. Our preparation on a nightly basis for who we're playing hasn't changed from last year. We have to try something else. Maybe some different guys or practice a little more." DeBoer recalls being a part of a deadline trade when he was playing junior hockey. Toronto dealt him to Vancouver. "Major deal," he said with a laugh. "Was that a deadline deal? What a slow deadline. I got traded from Toronto, who drafted me, to Vancouver. I was on a bus somewhere in northern Ontario. No cell phones at that time so I heard about it (from the coach). "For me at that point it was exciting that someone thought enough of you to trade for you." Star Ledger LOADED: 04.04.2013 667839 New Jersey Devils

Devils, with trade deadline looming, prepare to face Boston Bruins

Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger on April 03, 2013 at 12:05 PM, updated April 03, 2013 at 2:37 PM

As the NHL trade deadline closed in today at 3 p.m., the Devils practiced at AmeriHealth Pavilion in preparation for Thursday night's game against the Boston Bruins at TD Gardens. Travis Zajac, who did not come to the rink yesterday because of the flu, was first onto the ice to shoot pucks. Tom Kostopoulos, who was knocked out in a fight with Matt Martin of the Islanders Monday night, also took part in the practice. Defenseman Marek Zidlicky did not practice. Zidlicky can become an unrestricted free agent, but has a no trade clause. There was no cause for concern. Zidlicky had a family matter, planned to travel with the team to Boston and will play tomorrow night. Assistant coach Scott Stevens took Zidlicky's spot as Bryce Salvador's defense partner. He was not wearing any protective gear and is not considering a comeback. Stevens was knocked down by Mark Fayne. That makes two coaches sent flying in recent days. Pete DeBoer was knocked down by Anton Volchenkov during Monday's morning skate. Devils' lines: Danius Zubrus-Travis Zajac-David Clarkson Patrik Elias-Andrei Loktionov-Steve Bernier Alexei Ponikarovsky-Adam Henrique-Matt D'Agostini Ryan Carter-Stephen Gionta-Tom Kostopoulos Krys Barch Devils' defense: Bryce Salvador Andy Greene-Mark Fayne Anton Volchenkov-Peter Harrold Henrik Tallinder-Adam Larsson Star Ledger LOADED: 04.04.2013 667840 New Jersey Devils Lamoriello wasn't willing to give up top prospects or players like Adam Henrique or Adam Larsson to make a bigger deal which might disrupt the team. Devils bring back Steve Sullivan 16 years after Doug Gilmour trade "We're very happy with the team," Lamoriello said. "Fortunately we have players coming back healthy-- (Alexei) Ponikarovsky, Dainius Zubrus and hopefully (Ilya) Kovalchuk is not too far off. We don't know yet (about the Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger timing of Kovalchuk's return). We had the addition of (Andrei) Loktionov earlier and Jacob Josefson is completely healthy now. He'll be ready to on April 03, 2013 at 8:56 PM, updated April 03, 2013 at 10:51 PM come up (from Albany) shortly." Sullivan is hoping he can do what Gilmour couldn’t—help win a Stanley Cup. Sixteen years ago the Devils had to give up a promising young forward in order to obtain future Hall of Famer Doug Gilmour in a serious effort to win “That’s the ultimate goal. I don’t have one," Sullivan said of the coveted the Stanley Cup. trophy. “Going back to being a young kid, that is your dream to win the Stanley Cup. When you don’t have one, your drive for one is the highest it The Devils never did win a Cup during Gilmour’s two seasons on the team, can be.” but the “kid” they gave up is back as a veteran role player hoping to help the Devils secure a playoff spot with 12 games remaining in this shortened While the Devils acquired Sullivan, the Boston Bruins traded for Jaromir season. Jagr on Tuesday. Steve Sullivan 38, was acquired today in a trade with the Phoenix Coyotes “They got a good offensive player there. It will be interesting where they put for a seventh round draft pick in 2014. It was Devils general manager Lou him,” Patrik Elias said. “It makes them more dangerously offensively with Lamoriello’s only deal on trade deadline day. him, obviously.” “It was very shocking. I really didn't see it coming," Sullivan said via David Clarkson said of the Jagr deal: “I believe anytime you add a guy like telephone. "I honestly didn’t think I was going to be moved. But it's a great that it’s definitely a boost. Bringing him in definitely helps.” opportunity. I'm glad to be going back to where it all began. I’ve come full circle. It's a first class organization I had a hard time leaving years ago." DeBoer on where the Devils are in the standings: "We had a good start. We struggled for stretches the second half here, longer stretches than I In that Feb. 25, 1997, deal more than a decade and a half ago, the Devils would've liked, for different reasons, So we're probably where we should traded Sullivan, defenseman Jason Smith and the rights to prospect Alyn be. The important thing is where we finish here. McCauley to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Gilmour, defenseman Dave Ellett and a draft pick. “We have a lot of character in that room. We went on a deep playoff run with a lot of guys sitting in that room right now. It’s on us to recapture some “I remember it like it was yesterday. That was also another shocking day for of that magic down the stretch.” me,” Sullivan said. “I was a young player just trying to stay in the league. I’d been a call-up and hadn’t really solidified a spot in the NHL by any means. Travis Zajac: "He helps them offensively, that's for sure. He's a big guy, Being an Ontario boy, it was a bit overwhelming being traded to Toronto.” tough to move off the puck." Sullivan, who must pass a physical when he arrives in New Jersey, would Star Ledger LOADED: 04.04.2013 become the 24th player to be re-acquired by the Devils. He was the team’s 10th selection in the ninth round (233rd overall) of the 1994 entry draft and appeared in 49 games over two seasons 1995-97. "He's going to be a utility player that will give the coach options. We'll have to see him in practice before we make any judgements," Lamoriello said. "He's a player that can play in versatile situations. He's played in big-time playoff games. He knows the pressures of the league and will be a steadying influence in different areas." Sullivan had five goals and seven assists (12 points) and 20 penalty minutes in 33 games with Phoenix this season after signing as a free agent on July 4. He will be unrestricted after this season. What can he give the Devils? “I’m not 27 years old. Your game has to evolve a little bit as the years go by,” Sullivan said. “I’m not sure what they’re expecting. I don’t think they’re expecting me to come in and be a game-breaker. They have some extremely talented hockey players on that team. I’ll try to be a solid contributor and do the best I can.” Devils coach Pete DeBoer was asked what he expected Lamoriello to do today. “I really came in with no expectations,” DeBoer said. Sullivan recorded a career-high 34 goals and 75 points with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2000-01. He appeared in his 1,000th career NHL game last week with the Coyotes on Mar. 28 at Nashville. He was the recipient of the 2008-09 Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. In 1,002 career NHL games, Sullivan has 742 points (288 goals, 454 assists) and 583 penalty minutes. He's played for the Devils, Leafs, Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins and Coyotes in a 15- year career. "I think he's capable of giving some quality minutes when called upon. I think he can go in any role on any line. He still knows how to score goals. That's been his forte,” Lamoriello said. “There aren't a lot of people scoring many goals anywhere this season." 667841 New Jersey Devils

Devils bring back Steve Sullivan in only deadline-day trade

Wednesday, April 3, 2013 Last updated: Wednesday April 3, 2013, 11:50 PM BY TOM GULITTI

NEWARK – There were other deals out there the Devils might have been able to make before Wednesday’s NHL trade deadline, but not at a cost general manager Lou Lamoriello was willing to pay. So, Lamoriello essentially kept the team intact and made just a depth deal in reacquiring forward Steve Sullivan from Phoenix for a 2014 seventh- round draft pick. Sullivan, 38, played 49 total games with the Devils in 1995- 96 and 1996-97 before being traded to Toronto in the deal for Doug Gilmour on Feb. 25, 1997. A Devils’ ninth-round draft pick in 1994, Sullivan had five goals and seven assists in 33 games with the Coyotes this season. He won’t join the Devils in time for tonight’s game in Boston, as he will report to New Jersey for a physical first and, assuming he passes, be available for Saturday’s home game against Toronto. “He provides depth at forward,” Lamoriello said. “Like we’ve always said, you try to get better, but at what expense? So, we really did stand pat.” The Devils have some promising young players and prospects that other teams were interested in who could have brought back a significant return – a possibly the top-six forward the team has been missing since Zach Parise departed via free agency. But Lamoriello wasn’t willing to give them up. Lamoriello also suggested that there were inquiries about some of his potential unrestricted free agents – a list that includes Patrik Elias, David Clarkson and Dainius Zubrus – but he wasn’t interested in breaking up this roster, which he feels “when at full strength” is good enough to win. The Devils got Zubrus back from a left wrist injury this week, but are still missing right wing Ilya Kovalchuk, who they expect to return from a right shoulder injury for at least the final week of the regular season. “You have to be very careful,” Lamoriello said. “Everything is done for today with tomorrow in mind, never [sacrificing] tomorrow with today in mind. It’s the commitment for the players to win … We believe in this team. I believe in the coaching staff and I believe in the players. If not, you would make drastic changes.” After last season’s improbable run to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Devils are clinging to a playoff spot with 12 regular-season games remaining. Still, coach Pete DeBoer also said again that he’s “comfortable” with this group of players. “We’ve got a lot of character in that room,” he said. “We went on a deep playoff run with a lot of guys that are sitting in that room right now. It’s on us to try to recapture some of that magic here down the stretch.” Sullivan said he was “pleasantly surprised” to be returning to the Devils. “I really didn’t see it coming, but it’s a great opportunity,” he said. “I’m glad to be going back to where it all began… It’s definitely a first-class organization that I had a hard time leaving many years ago. A potential unrestricted free agent this summer, Sullivan will become the 24th player to be reacquired and play for the Devils. The 5-foot-9, 165- pound native of Timmins, Ontario, has 288 goals and 454 assists in 1,002 NHL games. Sullivan clearly is nearing the end of his career. How much he has left is the question. Bergen Record LOADED: 04.04.2013 667842 New Jersey Devils 12. Blues (18-14-2, 38 points, 8th in West) — This team will be the sixth seed in the West by the time playoffs roll around, and the recent acquisitions of defensemen Jay Bouwmeester (Calgary) and Jordan NHL Power Rankings: Penguins, Ducks and Blackhawks get better at trade Leopold (Buffalo) are two reasons why. deadline, which is bad news for the rest of the league 13. Red Wings (18-13-5, 41 points, 7th in West) — Detroit wanted Bouwmeester so now must seek help elsewhere if it's available while fighting division rivals St. Louis, Nashville and Columbus who all remain By Pat Leonard / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS within four points of each other in the standings. Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 2:36 PM 14. Devils (15-12-9, 39 points, 7th in East) — New Jersey misses Ilya Kovalchuk badly and has to get goal scoring elsewhere until he returns from injury. Otherwise, the Devils could be the New York-area club left out in the cold when playoffs begin on April 30. Trade deadline activity is as unpredictable as ever this year with so many teams still within reach of the playoffs during a 48-game, lockout-shortened 15. Islanders (18-16-3, 39 points, 8th in East) — Notre Dame product season. It's become less certain who is selling and who is buying, who is Anders Lee scored in his NHL debut Tuesday night as the Isles charged willing to part with assets and who is reluctant to acquire big-name players back into the playoff picture. Captain Mark Streit, looking for an extension to based on the plummeting NHL salary cap next fall. remain on the island, reportedly will not be traded by Wednesday’s deadline. Still, there has been movement and there will continue to be trades up to Wednesday’s 3 p.m. deadline. With several big splashes made already, 16. Rangers (17-15-3, 37 points, 9th in East) — The Blueshirts added gritty here is how the 30-team league stacks up during one of the busiest days of forward Ryan Clowe and could be looking for defensive help, though neither the season: of their most likely trade pieces — Marian Gaborik and Brian Boyle — want to be moved. Marc Staal's status remains uncertain, but it doesn't look good 1. Penguins (28-9-0, 56 points, 1st in East) — Added Jarome Iginla if the Rangers are shopping hard for help on the blue line. (Calgary), Brenden Morrow (Dallas) and Douglas Murray (San Jose) for a Stanley Cup run. Sidney Crosby is out indefinitely with a broken jaw and 17. Jets (18-18-2, 38 points, 3rd in East) — Winnipeg's third-place standing despite having their 15-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday night in is deceiving. The Jets have played two more games than the Capitals, three Buffalo, the Pens are still the hottest team in the NHL. more than the Hurricanes, and have lost to both of the teams chasing them for South-Least division recently when they had opportunities to bury them 2. Ducks (24-7-5, 53 points, 2nd in West) — Anaheim's locked up Ryan in the standings. Winnipeg has talent and strong shots from the point, but Getzlaf and Corey Perry long-term and this week dealt for Harry Zolnierczyk they can hear the footsteps. from the Flyers, a pesky, speedy depth forward who makes the Ducks even quicker. The Ducks swept their three-game season series against the 18. Predators (15-14-8, 38 points, 9th in West) — Smashville is a woeful 5- Blackhawks, winning twice in regulation and once in the shootout. 11-4 on the road, which doesn't bode well if the Preds even get in the playoffs. They've been inconsistent on both ends of the ice and in net, 3. Blackhawks (27-5-3, 57 points, 1st in West) — The early-season NHL though Pekka Rinne always can turn it on and be good enough to steal a darling that picked up a point in its first 24 games has come back down to series. earth slightly. But Chicago added forward Michael Handzus from San Jose and knows it has a roster that can cut like a buzz-saw through most of the The defending Stanley Cup champion Kings - remember them - are flying West. under the radar. 4. Canadiens (23-7-5, 51 points, 2nd in East) — Carey Price and the 19. Oilers (15-13-7, 37 points, 10th in West) — What has gotten into skaters in front of him have sparked a resurgence for the Habs, who added Edmonton? The Oilers won four straight, including shutouts of the Blues defenseman Davis Drewiskie from L.A. to deepen their blue line. and Canucks, and suddenly are knocking on the door of eighth and ninth seeds St. Louis and Nashville. Still a very young club, but dangerous 5. Bruins (23-8-4, 50 points, 4th in East) — Tuesday began on a high note, nonetheless. when Boston acquired Jaromir Jagr from Dallas. But then at night assistant captain Patrice Bergeron was injured and did not return. Boston, which has 20. Blue Jackets (15-14-7, 37 points, 11th in West) — Ex-Ranger Artem faltered a bit but is still one of the East's best teams, holds its collective Anisimov is thriving in his new home, while Brandon Dubinsky has had an breath for good news. injury-plagued season. Columbus is not struggling enough to be a hard seller at the deadline but also not a strong enough contender to add major 6. Wild (21-12-2, 44 points, 3rd in West) — Zach Parise's club has gone 8- pieces. Rock, meet hard place. 2-0 in its last 10 to surge just ahead of Vancouver in the Northwest, but the battle for the third-seed will be intense. 21. Capitals (17-17-2, 36 points, 10th in East) — This team is average at best, and forward Mike Ribeiro is a heavy subject of trade speculation, but 7. Kings (20-13-3, 43 points, 5th in West) — The defending Stanley Cup Washington still is the most likely team to catch the Winnipeg Jets for the champions have scored just seven fewer goals than Anaheim and recently South-Least Division title. added Sabres defenseman Robyn Regehr to beef up their blue line. 22. Hurricanes (16-17-2, 34 points, 11th in East) — The Canes traded for 8. Canucks (19-11-6, 44 points, 4th in West) — Injured center Ryan Kesler defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron to add experience to a blue line with a reportedly is close to returning, and the Canucks also traded for Dallas couple significant injuries, as my pick for this year's surprise team tries to center Derek Roy as Vancouver prepares for one final late-season push for dig out of its recent slump to catch faltering Winnipeg and fend off middling the Northwest Division and the third seed in the West. Goaltender Roberto Washington. Luongo is a constant subject of trade speculation. 23. Philadelphia Flyers (15-17-3, 33 points, 13th in East) — The difference Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers are on the outside of the playoff picture between this team and the Lightning is that Tampa Bay fired its coach, Guy looking in, right now. Boucher, but the Flyers' Peter Laviolette is hanging around at least to finish 9. Maple Leafs (20-12-4, 44 points, 5th in East) — Toronto has won three in the season. a row and been quiet — a little toooo quiet — approaching the NHL trade 24. Coyotes (15-15-6, 36 points, 12th in West) — A recent six-game losing deadline, but the hockey world is expecting some move from the Leafs as streak sent Phoenix spiraling into possible sell mode, with top defenseman they position themselves for a postseason run. Keith Yandle reportedly available, as goals are coming few and far 10. Senators (19-11-6, 44 points, 6th in East) — Paul MacLean is running between. away with the Jack Adams Award this season, and not just because he 25. Stars (16-16-3, 35 points, 13th in West) — Dallas had sold off two of its looks like Teddy Roosevelt. The Senators coach has Ottawa confident and recently-added forwards, Jagr and Roy, as they hover around .500 in a consistent despite losing most of his top players due to injury. Western Conference that is deeper than the East. 11. Sharks (18-11-6, 42 points, 6th in West) — Five straight wins but San 26. Sabres (14-17-6, 34 points, 12th in East) — Buffalo is and has been a Jose is still selling, unloading two forwards in Handzus to Chicago and definite seller during this trade season, but the Sabres still managed to Ryane Clowe to the Rangers while remaining in the fold potentially to deal embarrass the previously-hot Penguins on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh. even more. 27. Lightning (15-18-2, 32 points, 14th in East) — GM Steve Yzerman fired Boucher and unloaded Bergeron on defense for more draft picks as the Lightning search for answers under new head coach Jon Cooper. What they need is better goaltending and defense. 28. Flames (13-17-4, 30 points, 14th in West) — GM Jay Feaster has unloaded the face of his franchise in Iginla and a top defenseman in Bouwmeester, as the Flames begin a new era after a disappointing start to this lockout-shortened season. 29. Avalanche (12-20-4, 28 points, 15th in West) — Former Ranger John Mitchell and ex-Isle and Ranger PA Parenteau have been solid additions, and Matt Duchene is always a dangerous threat. But not much else to say about the Avs. 30. Panthers (12-19-6, 30 points, 15th in East) — The Rangers' 3-1 home loss to this team was inexcusable. New York Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667843 New York Islanders

Islanders don't want to disturb chemistry, stand pat

Originally published: April 3, 2013 8:19 PM Updated: April 3, 2013 9:04 PM By ARTHUR STAPLE

WASHINGTON -- The Islanders were silent on deadline day. General manager Garth Snow was unable to come to contract extension terms with either captain Mark Streit or goaltender Evgeni Nabokov, but neither was in danger of being dealt as the hours wound down to 3 p.m. Wednesday. Snow was never interested in the rental market, acquiring or selling off players with expiring contracts. He did have a few discussions about trades, he said, but nothing that fit his team. "I'm confident with the guys we have in that locker room," Snow told Newsday. "I didn't want to disrupt the chemistry that's been built over the last few months." The Islanders moved into the top eight in the Eastern Conference with Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Jets and the only pieces they've added this season are from their own prospect pool: Anders Lee, the Isles' sixth-round pick in 2009, scored his first NHL goal on his first shot on Tuesday. The Isles activated Jesse Joensuu off the suspended list Wednesday. He has been skating with the team for several weeks after sports hernia surgery and could be added as rosters expanded at midnight on Tuesday. But other than that, there were no deals. Snow had calls on a few of his veteran depth players, most notably defenseman Radek Martinek, but the GM believes he needs those veterans for the playoff push over the final 11 games, beginning with Thursday night's matchup against the Capitals. Snow and Streit's representatives are believed to be less than $1 million per year apart on a proposed three-year extension. But even if Streit leaves when free agency opens on July 5, Snow had no interest in moving Streit for draft picks with the team on the cusp of their first playoff berth since 2006-07. "For me, today is not a deadline in that regard," Snow said. "We're in a playoff position right now and I feel the guys we have will be able to fortify it and take the next step." Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667844 New York Islanders

Rookie Anders Lee makes good first impression on Islanders

Published: April 3, 2013 5:34 PM By STEVEN MARCUS

John Tavares was asked about center Anders Lee, the fresh, new face on the Islanders, and how Tavares might help the college kid from Notre Dame learn about the NHL. "I think he's actually older than me," Tavares said with a grin, "so it's kind of funny that I'd be going to him giving him a lot of advice." Lee, 22, was born July 3, 1990, Tavares Sept. 20 of that year. Lee may have just arrived from his junior year at Notre Dame, where he scored 61 goals and 55 assists in three seasons, but he's certainly ready to take some NHL shifts. "He's obviously a professional now, he's had great years at college," Tavares said. "He showed [Tuesday] that he fits right in." The 6-3, 227-pound Lee scored on his first shot in his first game in the Islanders' 5-2 victory over the Jets. "It was amazing, everything just kind of fell into place," Lee said Wednesday at IceWorks. "It was a dream come true to have that first game, especially how it went down, it was pretty awesome." His parents were at Nassau Coliseum. "I couldn't be happier they could be there to support me. We all enjoyed it." Lee was drafted in the sixth round by the Islanders in 2009, but decided to attend college. The Minnesota native was a star quarterback in high school and watching Notre Dame football from the stands fulfilled his appetite for the sport. "You've got to be a pretty special player to play at Notre Dame, that was something that was out of my reach," he said. "The games were some of the funnest part of the fall. I enjoyed supporting the team and being there with my classmates." After three years of college hockey, Lee decided to accept a two-year entry- level contract with the Islanders. "I was presented with this opportunity, it was something I wanted," he said, "and I felt I was ready to take that step." Coach Jack Capuano was impressed with Lee's debut, saying, "I thought overall he played well, got pucks to the net, went to the net hard. I was pleased with his game." Lee expects to be involved in the playoff push. "These guys are battling," he said. "They're right there. We're all trying to keep that going, keep the wins coming. Whatever part it is, I'm willing to do it." Notes & quotes: Defenseman Andrey Pedan signed a three-year, entry- level deal. He was sent to Bridgeport. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667845 New York Rangers

Trade Deadline Day: Rangers Send Gaborik to Columbus

By JEFF Z. KLEIN

As the N.H.L. trading deadline at 3 p.m. approached, the Rangers blew up their lineup, trading forward Marian Gaborik to the Columbus Blue Jackets. In return, the Rangers will receive three relatively obscure players: forwards Derick Brassard and Derek Dorsett and defenseman John Moore. Dorsett is out indefinitely with a broken collarbone. Gaborik scored 41 goals for the Rangers last season and 42 three seasons ago, his first with the team, who acquired him as a free agent at the express request of Coach John Tortorella. But Gaborik scored only 9 goals in 35 games this season as the Rangers’ offense sputtered, dropping to last in the league in goals per game. At the start of the season, the Rangers were believed to have a fearsome attack, with Gaborik, Brad Richards and Rick Nash, the 35-goal scorer they acquired from Columbus over the summer. “You always hear rumors – that’s just the way it is,” Gaborik said at practice Tuesday, the last time he talked to reporters as a Ranger, when asked how it felt to be the subject of trade rumors. “You can’t control it, so you just try to focus on practice today and the game tomorrow. Whatever’s going to happen is going to happen. “You hear obviously the rumors, but you can’t control what’s going to happen and you can’t let it distract you,” he said. “My job is to play for Rangers.” In exchange for Gaborik, who has scored 333 goals and 333 assists for 666 points in 757 games over 12 seasons with the Rangers and the Minnesota Wild, General Manager Glen Sather acquired three players with low offensive production, one of whom is known for fighting. Gaborik had 393 penalty minutes. Dorsett was the Blue Jackets’ alternate captain. He has 27 goals, 38 assists for 65 points and 727 penalty minutes in 280 N.H.L. games. He has fought 74 times in the N.H.L. Brassard had 58 goals and 111 assists for 169 points in 308 N.H.L. games, and 184 penalty minutes. Moore has 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points and 10 penalty minutes in 86 career N.H.L. games. The Gaborik trade was the highest-profile move of deadline day, which started slowly. Here are the deals that unfolded throughout the day. New York Times LOADED: 04.04.2013 667846 New York Rangers Ottawa traded goalie Ben Bishop to Tampa Bay for center Cory Conacher, second among rookie scorers, and a fourth-round pick in the 2013 draft. ... Buffalo dealt its captain, right wing Jason Pominville, and a fourth-round Rangers Deal Gaborik to Columbus pick in the 2014 draft to Minnesota for left wing Johan Larsson, goalie Matt Hackett, and a first-round pick in 2013 and a second-round pick in 2014. ... Phoenix traded left wing Steve Sullivan to the Devils for a seventh-round pick in the 2014 draft. Sullivan, 38, started his career with the Devils in By JEFF Z. KLEIN 1995. Published: April 4, 2013 New York Times LOADED: 04.04.2013

Seventeen deals involving 30 players were made before Wednesday’s N.H.L. trading deadline, and among the biggest was the Rangers’ trade of Marian Gaborik, a three-time 40-goal scorer, and two prospects to the Columbus Blue Jackets for three relatively obscure players and a late-round draft choice. In exchange for the 31-year-old Gaborik, the Rangers acquired forwards Derick Brassard and Derek Dorsett, defenseman John Moore and a sixth- round pick in the 2014 draft. The Rangers also sent the minor league defensemen Steven Delisle and Blake Parlett to the Blue Jackets. “I was surprised,” Gaborik said in an interview with the Canadian sports network TSN. “It’s a new challenge for me. I enjoyed my time in New York, but when somebody really wants you and somebody tries to trade for you, it’s good.” Gaborik, a soft-spoken Slovakian wing with blazing speed and a strong wrist shot, scored 41 goals last season in leading the Rangers to the best record in the Eastern Conference. He had off-season shoulder surgery and started slowly this year, scoring nine goals in 35 games. His slump was part of a teamwide offensive collapse. Entering Wednesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Rangers were averaging a league-worst 2.26 goals a game. “We have a great team on paper, a lot of talented guys; we couldn’t execute scoring goals, and the power play hasn’t been great,” Gaborik said. Gaborik was often benched by Coach John Tortorella or relegated to the third line. He and Tortorella had an up-and-down relationship, with Tortorella expressing deep frustration with Gaborik or praising him lavishly. Soon after joining the Rangers during the 2008-9 season, Tortorella lobbied to sign Gaborik as a free agent. Glen Sather, the club’s president and general manager, accomplished that before the 2009-10 season. But last season, with the Rangers trailing by a goal during the third period of Game 2 of the conference finals against the Devils, Tortorella benched Gaborik for making a defensive error. “On the second goal, I didn’t get the puck out, I guess,” Gaborik said. “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask him.” On Wednesday, Tortorella said there was no friction between him and Gaborik. “Gabby and I have a great relationship,” Tortorella said. “No matter what’s going on with him, he’s a good man. I’ll tell you right now, I’ll miss him.” Dorsett, 26, was the Blue Jackets’ alternate captain, but he is out for the season with a broken collarbone. He has 27 goals, 38 assists and 727 penalty minutes in 280 games. He has also been involved in 74 fights. Brassard, 25, has 58 goals, 111 assists and 184 penalty minutes in 308 games. He was a first-round draft choice in 2006 after two strong seasons in the Quebec junior league. With Columbus, he played center alongside Rick Nash, now a Ranger, on occasion. Moore, 22, is also a former first-round choice, in the 2009 draft. He has 2 goals, 6 assists and 10 penalty minutes in 86 games. The Rangers gained about $1.7 million under the salary cap, which will fall by more than 9 percent next season. They gave up Gaborik’s cap hit of $7.5 million for next season. The combined hit of Moore’s, Brassard’s and Dorsett’s salaries next season comes to about $5.8 million. That will give Sather room to maneuver as he seeks to re-sign Derek Stepan and other young players in the next two years. SLAP SHOTS 667847 New York Rangers The Penguins’ 15-game winning streak ended Tuesday night in a 4-1 loss to Buffalo. They were without Sidney Crosby, out indefinitely with a broken jaw, and defensemen Paul Martin and Kris Letang. After Hasty Hellos, New Rangers Make Quick Work of Penguins New York Times LOADED: 04.04.2013

By JEFF Z. KLEIN Published: April 3, 2013

No matter how much of a head-scratcher the Marian Gaborik trade may have seemed on Wednesday, the Rangers did not seem to miss him at all at Madison Square Garden. Instead, with three newly acquired players combining to score four goals, the rebooted Rangers put together their best performance of the season, routing the Eastern Conference-leading Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-1. Two of the new players rushed from Columbus and arrived at the Garden 15 minutes before warm-ups, and the third was exhausted after an overnight flight from the West Coast. Yet they played superbly. For one night at least, General Manager Glen Sather looked like a genius. Ryane Clowe, a rugged 30-year-old wing acquired Tuesday from San Jose for draft choices, scored his first two goals of the season and added an assist. Derick Brassard, a 25-year-old former junior star acquired from the Blue Jackets in the Gaborik deal, had a goal and two beautiful assists, all on the power play, and added a third assist at even strength. John Moore, a 22-year-old defenseman also acquired Wednesday from Columbus, who Coach John Tortorella said was “still learning the game,” scored his first goal of the season. “It’s been a crazy day for me and my teammates,” Brassard said. After practicing with the Blue Jackets at noon, Brassard, Moore and Derek Dorsett, an injured forward also acquired by the Rangers, went home to the apartment building they shared to watch trade coverage on the NHL Network. Steve Mason, a goalie who would be traded to Philadelphia that afternoon, was also there. All of them received calls from the Columbus general manager, one after another, minutes apart. “We hopped on a plane at 3 o’clock or so, got to New York about 45 minutes before warm-ups, and then got to the Garden maybe 15 minutes before warm-ups,” Brassard said. “Sometimes you play your best game when you don’t worry about anything. The assistant coach talked to us for five minutes, said this is how we play, then we just jumped out there. It was quite the experience. I’ll remember it the rest of my life, I’m sure.” Ryan McDonagh and Brian Boyle also scored for the Rangers as they hit the three-quarter mark of the season. The Rangers have 39 points, same as the Devils and the Islanders. The Rangers and the Devils have played 36 games, and the Islanders have played 37. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 26 shots and recorded his 268th victory as a Ranger, passing Ed Giacomin for second on the team’s career list and trailing only Mike Richter, who has 301. The Rangers entered the game with the lowest-scoring offense in the N.H.L. They scored more than five goals in a game for the first time this season. The old-look Rangers had not beaten the Penguins in seven straight games, but the new-look Rangers jumped to a 3-0 first-period lead and never let up. “I just shook their hands and told them to go out and have fun,” Coach John Tortorella said of his hasty pregame meeting with Brassard and Moore. “That just throws coaching out the window. Funny how it works sometimes.” Clowe practiced with the Rangers in the morning after sleeping only a half- hour on the overnight flight from San Jose. “I took about an hour sleep after the morning skate because I was too excited to sleep,” Clowe said. “I just came to the game. I kind of felt a little fatigued toward the third. Pure adrenaline for the first couple periods there.” 667848 New York Rangers The Rangers need it, too. New York Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 NY Rangers send Marian Gaborik to Columbus Blue Jackets as NHL trade deadline expires

By Pat Leonard / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Updated: Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 8:00 PM

The Rangers acquired a big-time scorer from the Columbus Blue Jackets last summer, but on Wednesday afternoon, the NHL’s lowest-scoring team surprisingly sent one back. With less than a half hour remaining until the 3 p.m. NHL trade deadline, the Rangers pulled off a stunner by dealing three-time 40-goal scorer Marian Gaborik to Columbus along with AHLers Steve Delisle and Blake Parlett in exchange for center Derick Brassard, 25, right wing Derek Dorsett, 26, defenseman John Moore, 22, and a sixth-round pick in the 2014 NHL draft, a source confirmed to the Daily News. In a telling sign that the relationship between player and organization had run its course, Gaborik agreed to waive his no-move clause so he could rejoin former Ranger teammates Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky and Vinny Prospal in Columbus. “I enjoyed my time in New York,” Gaborik said in a conference call Wednesday night, “but I think the way this played out, there was a team that really wanted me, and another team that wanted to go in a different direction and trade me.” Brassard and Moore made their Rangers debuts immediately on Wednesday night at the Garden against the Pittsburgh Penguins, while Dorsett remains on injured reserve with a broken collarbone. The timing of Gaborik’s trade was even more surprising than its occurrence. The 31-year-old Slovakian carries a hefty $7.5 million annual cap hit into next season, when the salary cap ceiling drops from $64.3 million to $70.2 million, so the Rangers were expected to field suitors. But New York is the NHL’s lowest-scoring team, and trading away one of its few gamebreakers – even if he had just one goal in his last 12 games – does not improve the roster, particularly in the short term. Gaborik scores nine goals and 10 assists in 35 games with the Rangers this season. Gaborik had 114 goals and 115 assists in 255 regular season games in three-plus seasons with the Rangers, but he had a rocky relationship with coach John Tortorella. The coach publicly criticized his team’s leading scorer following last year’s playoff run to the Eastern Conference finals, despite Gaborik scoring the game-winning goal in a triple-OT victory over the Capitals in Game 3 of the second round and leading the team in scoring in the regular season with 41 goals. Not long after Tortorella aired his criticism, it was revealed the 31- year-old Slovakian forward had played most of the postseason – including that game in Washington – with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Last week in Ottawa Tortorella and Gaborik had an animated 12-minute on- ice conversation after practice. It turned out Gaborik’s days as a Ranger were numbered. “I’ll miss him,” Tortorella said Wednesday. “He has grown as he’s been with us. Quite honestly when he first came here I don’t think he really had enough skin on him. He has skin on him, and I respect him, and I believe he’ll get his game back. You can see his game coming … I think he’s going to play really well, and in the situation we get a number of assets and some depth onto our team and with trying to sign (pending restricted free-agent center Derek Stepan) and players like that, it gives us a little flexibility there also.” Depth and flexibility are valuable, but on Wednesday night, only 12 of the Rangers on the ice were players from last year’s club that had finished No. 1 in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets beamed over their acquisition of one of the league’s top scorers. “We are excited to have him on our team,” Dubinsky told the Daily News via telephone on Wednesday. “He has proven in his career he can score, and we need that here for sure.” 667849 New York Rangers

Full NHL trade deadline transactions list, led by NY Rangers sending Marian Gaborik to Columbus Blue Jackets

BY Pat Leonard

Here is a complete list of the 17 trades involving 30 NHL players prior to the 3 p.m. deadline on Wednesday, courtesy of the league: -Anaheim traded C Brandon McMillan to Phoenix for C Matthew Lombardi. -Anaheim traded G Jeff Deslauriers to Minnesota for future considerations. -Boston traded C Maxime Sauve to Chicago for C Rob Flick. -Buffalo traded RW Jason Pominville and Buffalo's 4th-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft to Minnesota for LW Johan Larsson, G Matt Hackett, Minnesota's 1st-round pick in 2013 and 2nd-round pick in 2014. -Calgary traded LW Blake Comeau to Columbus for Columbus' 5th-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. -Carolina traded LW Jussi Jokinen to Pittsburgh for a conditional pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. -Colorado traded D Ryan O'Byrne to Toronto for a 4th-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. -Columbus traded G Steve Mason to Philadelphia for G Michael Leighton and Philadelphia's 3rd-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. -Columbus traded RW Derek Dorsett, C Derick Brassard, D John Moore and Columbus' 6th-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft to NY Rangers for RW Marian Gaborik, D Blake Parlett and D Steven Delisle. -Florida traded C Jerred Smithson to Edmonton for Edmonton's 4th-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. -Nashville traded RW Martin Erat and C Michael Latta to Washington for C Filip Forsberg. -Nashville traded D Scott Hannan to San Jose for a conditional pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. -Ottawa traded G Ben Bishop to Tampa Bay for C Cory Conacher and Philadelphia's 4th-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft (previously acquired). -Phoenix traded LW Raffi Torres to San Jose for Florida's 3rd-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft (previously acquired). -Phoenix traded LW Steve Sullivan to New Jersey for New Jersey's 7th- round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. -Pittsburgh traded G Patrick Killeen to Columbus for future considerations. -St. Louis traded D Wade Redden to Boston for a conditional pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. There also were two waiver claims today: Philadelphia claimed RW Adam Hall from Tampa Bay, and Winnipeg claimed C Mike Santorelli from Florida. New York Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667850 New York Rangers Gaborik finished his Rangers career with 114 goals and 115 assists in 255 regular season games. He had just six goals and seven assists in 25 playoff games with New York, but most of those games occurred when he was NY Rangers trade Marian Gaborik to Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange playing with the injured shoulder. for Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett, John Moore Gaborik did not appear concerned that he would be traded when approached after Tuesday’s practice in Greenburg.

BY Pat Leonard “I try not to think about it,” Gaborik told the Daily News. “Every year there’s some different names flying around, rumors. I’ve heard my name in there. I can’t control it, so I’m not thinking about that. . . . But I want to win with these guys.” The Rangers acquired a big-time scorer from the Columbus Blue Jackets last summer, but on Wednesday afternoon, they surprisingly sent one back. Of course, eventually the Rangers decided it was best to move Gaborik and he responded by their lack of interest in his talents by waiving his no-move With less than a half hour remaining until the 3 p.m. NHL trade deadline, clause. the Rangers pulled off a shocker by dealing three-time 40-goal scorer Marian Gaborik to Columbus in exchange for center Derick Brassard, 25, “We weren’t playing consistently enough,” Gaborik told TSN on right wing Derek Dorsett, 26, defenseman John Moore, 22, and a sixth- Wednesday. “We had a great team on paper. We had a lot of talented guys. round draft pick in this year’s draft, a source confirmed to the Daily News. We just couldn’t execute as far as scoring goals, and the power play hasn’t been great. So there were a few factors there.” Just as tellingly as New York seeking the deal, Gaborik agreed to waive his no-move clause to allow the trade to happen. New York Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 “I was surprised,” Gaborik told TSN on a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. “I had heard rumors here and there but I didn’t try to focus on that. I can’t control what the teams are doing. So I was surprised, but this is a new challenge and I’m looking forward to it … I enjoyed my time in New York, of course. But when somebody wants you and somebody’s tring to trade you, it’s good that somebody actually wants you on their team. So I decided this way, and they seem like they’re going to have a good team down the road.” The entire reason the Rangers dealt for Rick Nash last summer was because they couldn’t score enough goals, even with Gaborik popping in 41 last season, when the team finished No. 1 in the Eastern Conference and advanced to the conference finals before falling in six games to the Devils. New York sacrificed depth in Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov and Tim Erixon in the Nash deal with Columbus. Essentially, the Rangers have sent Gaborik back to the Jackets in order to try and undo the mistake they made last offseason by losing forwards Brandon Prust, Ruslan Fedotenko and John Mitchell in addition to the assets they gave up for Nash. TSN originally reported the deal. Dorsett has a broken collarbone and is on injured reserve. Brassard and Moore are former first-round picks, and Gaborik carried one more year of a $7.5 million salary on his contract, so his contract was not appealing to the Rangers as they must fit under next season’s $64.3 million league salary cap ceiling (reduced from $70.2 million this season). But the Rangers are the NHL’s lowest-scoring team, and trading away one of the few gamebreakers on their roster does not improve the roster, particularly in the short term. Gaborik has just nine goals and 10 assists in 35 games, including just one goal in last 12 games. But almost every Ranger has struggled to score this season, and Gaborik is one of the few who has the talent and experience snap out of it in a big way. Columbus sure is aware of what his acquisition means. “We are excited to have him on our team,” Dubinsky told the Daily News via telephone on Wednesday. “He has proven in his career he can score, and we need that here for sure. Also, I think it will be great for him to have Vinny (Prospal), myself, and Artie (Anisimov) whom he is very familiar with.” John Tortorella started Gaborik at the left wing this season, even though Gaborik prefers the right wing and has played there most of his NHL career. Last postseason, Gaborik struggled and Tortorella criticized Gaborik public for his poor play, particularly in the Eastern Conference finals, until days later when it was revealed that the 31-year-old forward had played through a torn labrum in his shoulder. Early this season, even when Gaborik was scoring, Tortorella delivered backhanded compliments at his star forward when discussing his strong play, saying the Slovakian had improved from his early days with the Rangers when he would sit out practices because he was “sore.” In other words, there shouldn’t be any questions why Gaborik agreed to waive his no-move clause. 667851 New York Rangers 667852 New York Rangers

Marc Staal has been working out at MSG Training Center; NY Rangers After trade of Marian Gaborik, Rangers' newcomers step up in rout of assign Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller, Jesper Fast to AHL's Whale Penguins

BY Pat Leonard By Pat Leonard / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 10:26 PM Rangers defenseman Marc Staal has been working out at the team’s practice facility in Greenburgh, and though that does not necessarily place him close to a return, Staal’s new helmet (photo below) was sitting at his The Rangers explained Wednesday afternoon’s stunning trade of three- locker on Wednesday morning with a large new visor attached to protect time 40-goal scorer Marian Gaborik to the Columbus Blue Jackets the only the right eye he injured on a deflected slap shot in late February. way they could: by throttling the first-place Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-1, hours later at the Garden. Led by Ryane Clowe, Derick Brassard and John Moore, The Rangers continued to shake up their roster just hours before the NHL the newcomers all scored and combined for four goals and eight points in trade deadline, sending rookies J.T. Miller, Chris Kreider and Jesper Fast their debuts. all to the AHL’s Connecticut Whale. “There were a lot of distractions,” said center Brian Boyle, a rumored trade RYANE CLOWE ARRIVES IN NEW YORK ON RED-EYE FLIGHT TO target who stayed put and busted out of a slump with a career-high four PLAY VS. PENGUINS points (goal, three assists) playing with crafty center Brassard (goal, three assists). “It was a ‘When are these guys gonna get here, thank God I’m still Miller played in 26 of 27 games beginning on Feb. 5 following his call-up here’ type of thing. At a certain point you have to focus on Pittsburgh. It was this season, only sitting one game due to injury. But he had no goals in 24 a pretty tough task, but I think we did that. The guys came in, shook our games after scoring two in his second game, his Garden debut. He has hands and we went out and played.” been nursing an injured left wrist, and he struggled in Montreal on Saturday night and again at the Garden on Monday night against the Jets. Brassard, 25, was also instrumental in all three Rangers power-play goals, as the Blueshirts scored on their first three man advantages — the first time Kreider has been a human yo-yo this season, being bounced back and forth they’ve scored three power-play goals in a game this season. between the NHL and AHL. He created offense and scored in Philadelphia during his most recent call-up, but once Mats Zuccarello entered the lineup Clowe, 30, a winger acquired from San Jose on Tuesday for draft picks, and created offensively, John Tortorella dropped Kreider to the fourth line, scored his first two goals of the season and added an assist despite arriving where he plays fewer minutes and is more exposed defensively. Being in New York on a red-eye flight and sleeping a total of 90 minutes all day. demoted to a lower line did not put Kreider in a position to succeed. “My gut feeling was telling me I would fit in pretty well here,” said Clowe, a Tortorella expressed concern about both Miller and Kreider after Monday’s 6-2, 225-pound bruiser who waived his no-trade clause to join the Rangers. 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets, when neither rookie played in the third period. One win over the stumbling Penguins (28-10-0, 56 points) — losers of two straight without injured captain Sidney Crosby (broken jaw) — does not “I’m worried about them,” Tortorella said. “I’m worried about (Miller). We validate GM Glen Sather trading away Gaborik, who had 114 goals and 115 play so many close games, there’s just too many mistakes … Not that I’m assists in 255 games as a Ranger during three-plus seasons. But a blowout upset with them (Miller and Kreider). I just think the stakes are high, we play win over a team that recently won 15 straight games — with Clowe scoring so many close games, and I’ve just got to watch how they go through the as many goals as Gaborik had in his previous 22 contests — certainly was game, do I trust them? I’m kind of up in the air there, quite honestly, a start. because I don’t want to screw up their development either. The stakes are too high right now, so we’ll see where we go there.” “It’s always sad to see someone leave who you’ve played with for a lot of years,” said Henrik Lundqvist (26 saves). “You felt some sort of Fast never officially was added to the Rangers NHL roster, but he skated in responsibility that someone had to leave because we haven’t gotten the job his first Rangers practice on Tuesday to show the coaches what he can do. done. It was almost you use that energy to try to play even better.” He played a full season in the Swedish Elite League with HV71. Gaborik, whose relationship with coach John Tortorella soured, waived his BLUESHIRTS DEAL DRAFT PICKS FOR CLOWE DAY BEFORE NHL no-move clause to allow the trade because, as he said in a conference call: TRADE DEADLINE “There was a team that really wanted me, and another team that wanted to go in a different direction and trade me.” Ryane Clowe and Arron Asham will replace Kreider and Miller in the lineup Wednesday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who will be cranky after But the Rangers (18-15-3, 39 points), in a three-way tie with the Devils and laying an egg in Tuesday’s 4-1 home loss to the Buffalo Sabres that Islanders in points, went from ninth in the Eastern Conference to the snapped the Pens’ 15-game winning streak. seventh spot by virtue of having a game in hand over the Isles and more regulation and overtime wins than New Jersey. Asham goes back into the lineup after inexplicably being scratched for two games despite adding energy and one goal in three appearances after a The deal for Brassard, Moore and Derek Dorsett (broken collarbone; injured long absence due to a back injury. reserve) will help the Rangers regain some of the grit they lost in the Rick Nash trade and to free agency. It also frees up money this summer to re- Pittsburgh, by the way, traded a conditional draft pick to Carolina in sign the likes of pending restricted free agent Derek Stepan. exchange for forward Jussi Jokinen, adding him to their recent haul via trade of Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow and Douglas Murray. Sather, who is recovering from March 21 prostate cancer surgery, worked the phones on this deadline deal, and on Wednesday night, it brought many PROJECTED RANGERS LINEUP (lines other than Stepan’s are educated returns despite the late arrivals of Brassard and Moore and Clowe’s fatigue. guesses) “Throws coaching right out the window, huh?” Tortorella said. Forwards: Rick Nash-Derek Stepan-Ryan Callahan, Mats Zuccarello -Brad Richards-Marian Gaborik, Carl Hagelin-Brian Boyle-Ryan Clowe, Taylor New York Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 Pyatt -Darroll Powe-Arron Asham … Defenseman: Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zotto-Anton Stralman, Roman Hamrlik-Steve Eminger …Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist … Scratches: Matt Gilroy. Notes:Zuccarello could remain on the Richards line or move back down … I believe McDonagh and Girardi will be reunited against the Penguins to face the Iginla-Malkin-Neal line. New York Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667853 New York Rangers

Rangers’ Gaborik shipped to Blue Jackets

By BRETT CYRGALIS Last Updated: 4:31 AM, April 4, 2013 Posted: 2:47 AM, April 4, 2013

It was arguably the biggest trade-deadline move in franchise history, and now the Rangers have to hope it pays off. Before Wednesday night’s 6-1 win over the first-place Penguins, the team sent slumping star winger Marian Gaborik, along with minor league defensemen Steven Delisle and Blake Parlett, to the Blue Jackets for center Derick Brassard, defenseman John Moore and winger Derek Dorsett, plus a sixth-round pick. Brassard and Moore, who scored twice last night, were both in the lineup at the Garden — Dorsett is injured with a broken collarbone, and expected back by season’s end. “I’m hoping it’s going to help us with some new juice,” coach John Tortorella said before the game. “It’s part of the game, it happens a lot at deadlines, and it’s just time to play.” After leading the team with 41 regular-season goals last year, Gaborik had nine goals through 33 games in this lockout-shortened season and that was not enough. Things came to a head with Tortorella in Ottawa last Friday when the two had a lengthy, animated conversation on the practice ice at Carleton University, but the coach does not want their relationship to be taken out of context. “Gabby and I have a great relationship,” Tortorella said. “... He’s a good man and I’ll miss him.” What the team won’t miss is Gaborik’s $7.5 million cap hit, which would go for next season, as well. With the cap ceiling coming down about $6 million to $64.3 million for next year, the Rangers are most concerned with getting deals done for important restricted free agents Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan and Carl Hagelin. The other recent trade acquisition, power forward Ryane Clowe, will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, and is expected to at least have conversations about an extension. Clowe, 30, made his Blueshirts debut last night, as well, and also contributed a pair of goals. Leading the new group is Brassard, 25, who was the sixth overall pick of the Blue Jackets in 2006 and had centered star winger Rick Nash in Columbus before last summer’s deal which brought Nash to Broadway. Moore, 22, is still a work in progress on the blue line, but is noted as a fantastic skater who can add some depth to a defensive corps made shallow by Marc Staal’s absence. As Gaborik said on a conference call, “it’s nice to be on a team that wants me,” and that might not always have been evident during his tenure in New York. At times Tortorella relegated him to the fourth line, and at times benched him entirely. New York Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667854 New York Rangers

Hurt wrist sidelines Rangers’ Miller

By BRETT CYRGALIS and LARRY BROOKS Last Updated: 2:52 AM, April 4, 2013 Posted: 2:50 AM, April 4, 2013

At what first seemed like a move to make up for a roster depletion because of a trade, it turns out Rangers rookie J.T. Miller was recalled Wednesday hours after being sent down to the minors because his left wrist is still bothering him, The Post has learned. Miller took the morning skate Wednesday before the Rangers beat the Penguins, 6-1 at the Garden, and in the early afternoon was sent to the AHL’s Connecticut Whale along with fellow rookie forward Chris Kreider. When the team traded star winger Marian Gaborik just before the 3 p.m. trade deadline, Miller was recalled, and Kreider went to Hartford. Originally, it seemed as a precaution just in case Derick Brassard, a center who came from Columbus in the Gaborik deal, couldn’t make it to New York in time. But it was really because the team wanted Miller to receive treatment on the wrist here rather than in Hartford. It was believed he couldn’t have played if they wanted him to. Miller, 20, originally hurt the wrist in a game in Newark on March 19, but played two nights later against the Panthers before having to sit one game out, March 24 against the Capitals. He returned for the next game, and played four straight before last night. It was after the Rangers’ 4-2 over the Jets on Monday that coach John Tortorella expressed his concern for Miller and Kreider, both of whom he played sparingly that night. “Quite honestly, I’m worried about the two kids,” Tortorella said after the game. “Not that I’m upset with them, I just think the stakes are high, we play so many close games, and I just have to watch how they go through the game and, ‘Do I trust them?’ ” Kreider has been sent down now twice this season, and though before the last call-up Tortorella said he doesn’t want to be “knee jerking him around,” it seems the philosophy is the development of Kreider would be best suited in the minors. “I never said he was here to stay,” Tortorella said about Kreider before the game. “I would never say that about a kid that’s still learning to be a pro.” Defenseman Marc Staal was at the Rangers’ practice facility in Westchester yesterday and had an off-ice workout. He still is recovering from the horrific right-eye injury he suffered on March 5 against the Flyers after taking a puck in the face. His timetable for a return is still unknown, but the team said he has not suffered any setbacks. Staal declined to speak to reporters. Also assigned to the Whale was Swedish winger Jesper Fast, who got his first practice with the team on Tuesday. ... John Moore, a 22-year-old defenseman coming over from the Blue Jackets in the Gaborik deal, took Roman Hamrlik’s spot. Moore scored the Rangers final goal of the night. New York Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667855 New York Rangers training camp during which to instill his values, but the coach was not able to get that group to respond. Now, the Rangers have changed the group and the dynamic. It is on It’s on Tortorella to make revamped Blueshirts work Tortorella to make it work and to direct this orchestra so it makes music to the Garden’s ears.

By LARRY BROOKS New York Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 Last Updated: 4:18 AM, April 4, 2013 Posted: 2:49 AM, April 4, 2013

Listen, given the confluence of circumstances featuring the unhealthy dynamic between Marian Gaborik and coach John Tortorella plus the slumping sniper’s $7.5 million charge next season under a cap that will decrease, general manager Glen Sather did quite well indeed Wednesday in sending No. 10 to Columbus in exchange for Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett and John Moore. That move, a day after the deal with San Jose for Ryane Clowe dramatically resets the Rangers’ season, adding a rocky road mentality to the club that had been absent for much of the rocky road the club had traveled before the extreme makeover produced a bonanza in Wednesday night’s 6-1 rout of the Penguins at the Garden. “If we were where we should be this wouldn’t have happened,” said Brad Richards. “It’s a message to everybody this is not good enough.” Cap issue or not, it should never have gotten to this with Gaborik, who twice hit the 40-goal pinnacle in his three full seasons on Broadway but never could quite convince Tortorella of his value as a winning hockey player. It seems as if there are a lot of players who don’t seem to have the necessities required by this coach; who don’t take the body at every turn, who won’t fling themselves in front of pucks. You hear a name and your first reaction isn’t necessarily, “He could help the Rangers,” but rather, “He could never play for Tortorella.” At some point, that becomes the tail wagging the dog. A coach who compromises his principles is a coach most often out of work. But it is a maestro’s responsibility to recognize an orchestra doesn’t consist of a percussion section alone. It takes strings, woodwinds and bass as well to make beautiful music. The Rangers have hit a dramatic reset button over the last two days in dealing Gaborik and by sacrificing three draft picks to obtain Clowe. They are a deeper team, having used the deadline to add depth and to address deficiencies in grit and grind that arose over the summer with, most notably, the free agent defection of Brandon Prust to Montreal. Quite rationally, the Rangers didn’t want to pay Prust the $10 million over four years he received from the Canadiens. The problem is, they have been paying ever since. They have paid with uninspired play that has them on the playoff bubble with 12 games to go, and eight of those on the road. And they paid on Tuesday by sending a second-rounder and Florida’s previously acquired third-rounder (plus a conditional pick yet to be determined) to the Sharks for Clowe after already having dealt their 2013 No. 1 for Rick Nash. Clowe — a bigger, more talented Prust — is an impending free agent, but it is believed his agent discussed the parameters of an extension with the Rangers before agreeing to waive his client’s no-trade to come to New York. Sather should be careful about that, even if the winger adds as much value down the stretch as he did in last night’s two-goal, one assist Broadway debut. For long-term investments in 31-year-old power forwards — and certainly in the $4-5 million per neighborhood that Clowe, who will turn that age in September, is likely to receive — are dicey propositions. The Rangers most surely got more than a bucket full of pucks for Gaborik, even if he’s one of the rare players around the NHL who can score by the bucketful. They got three relatively young ones — with Brassard a talented center, Moore an exceptional skater on the blue line, and Dorsett a tough pugilist — who could be here for a while. The Blueshirts entered this season dramatically remade, more top-heavy, more talent-driven. Perhaps it is because Tortorella was deprived of a 667856 New York Rangers New York Post LOADED: 04.04.2013

Newest Rangers key lopsided win

By BRETT CYRGALIS Last Updated: 4:09 AM, April 4, 2013 Posted: 2:46 AM, April 4, 2013

Rest assured, it will not be like this tomorrow night in Pittsburgh. Because Wednesday night in the Garden there was as rosy a hue as could be imagined engulfing a once-dormant Rangers team, as new trade additions ran amok and led the way to a 6-1 win over the first-place Penguins. Showing up 15 minutes before warm-ups were two of the three pieces returned from Columbus in exchange for Marian Gaborik at yesterday’s trade deadline, center Derick Brassard and defenseman John Moore combining for two goals and three assists. And Ryane Clowe, who slept 30 minutes on a red-eye flight Tuesday night after being obtained for draft picks in a trade with the Sharks, adding his first two goals of the season as well as an assist. NICE START: New Ranger Ryane Clowe made an immediate impact last night with a pair of goals in a 6-1 win over the Penguins. “Throws coaching right out the window, huh?” John Tortorella sniped. Turns out, it’s not just the sleepless that benefit from trades like this, either. The struggling Brian Boyle managed to get his second goal of the season and add three assists, while Brad Richards also seemed to gain some life and add another two helpers. All in all, the 18-15-3 Rangers are now tied with both the Islanders and Devils in points, but leapfrogged both and into seventh place in the conference by virtue of more wins than the Devils and one game in hand over the Islanders. “Just to have a couple new faces in the room, it changes the dynamic in here,” said goalie Henrik Lundqvist, solid in making 26 saves. “On the ice is one thing, but off the ice, it’s going to change too. So hopefully this can help us.” It will start tomorrow, when they head to Pittsburgh to finish this home-and- home with the Penguins (28-10-0), who played without Sidney Crosby, still nursing a broken upper jaw. The Pens were the ones who had taken all of the early trade-deadline headlines, but they were the ones that came out flat in the second game of a back-to-back and were wiped out by a Rangers team that now looks a lot more like the one that was two wins from the Stanley Cup finals last season. “We were definitely more in-your-face type of team today,” Lundqivst said. “We didn’t give them a lot of room. A lot of great things.” It started early, when Brassard showed immense patience on a power play midway through the first, circling and getting the puck to Richards at the point. He fired it, Boyle deflected it in, and up 1-0 things seemed good. Little did the team know how good they would actually get. Two minutes later, Ryan McDonagh scored the first even-strength goal for a Rangers’ defenseman since Anton Stralman against the Jets on Feb. 26, a stretch of 17 games. Then Clowe got off the season schneid by putting in a backhand, letting the first-period buzzer sound with the Rangers up 3-0. “It feels good to get the monkey off the back overall,” Clowe said from under the Broadway Hat. “I don’t know if it was the no sleep, but there was no pressure because you’re just going out there and playing free. Overall, the guys looked pretty loose and it was good.” Midway through the third, with the Rangers already up 5-1 and Clowe having scored his second of the night — and season — the puck came rolling out to Moore at the point. It seemed implausible that it could happen, but he shot it and somehow it found its way through Marc-Andre Fleury and the fairy tale beginning was complete. “Funny how it works,” Tortorella said, smiling. 667857 New York Rangers

Rangers notes: Ryane Clowe makes Blueshirts debut

Thursday, April 4, 2013 Andrew Gross

Ranger debut Newly acquired Ryane Clowe was in the lineup Wednesday after taking a red-eye flight from San Jose and heading straight to the Rangers' morning skate. The left wing, 30, said leaving his lone team in eight NHL seasons was emotional but he chose to waive his no-trade clause to come to the Rangers because he believes their style of play is the best fit for his rugged game. Clowe, in the final season of a four-year, $14.5 million deal, hopes to stay long term. "I haven't had the year I think I wanted to have," said Clowe, who had no goals, 11 assists and 79 penalty minutes in 28 games for the Sharks. Working out D Marc Staal, sidelined indefinitely with facial injuries and impaired vision since being struck by a puck March 5, was at the practice facility Wednesday morning for an off-ice workout. A helmet with a visor was hanging at his locker stall. Sent to the AHL Rookie Chris Kreider was reassigned to Connecticut (AHL) after being benched in the second period Monday. Bergen Record LOADED: 04.04.2013 667858 New York Rangers Moore, 22, was the 21st pick in the 2009 draft and the offensive-minded defenseman has two goals and six assists in 86 NHL games. He’s in the first season of a three-year entry-level deal that carries a salary cap figure Rangers rout Penguins, 6-1, as newcomers lead the way of $965,000. The Rangers need every cent of salary-cap space they can find heading into the off-season with Derek Stepan, who has developed into their No. 1 Wednesday, April 3, 2013 Last updated: Wednesday April 3, 2013, 11:43 center; speedy left wing Carl Hagelin; and Ryan McDonagh, at times their PM No. 1 defenseman, all restricted free agents. BY ANDREW GROSS Bergen Record LOADED: 04.04.2013

NEW YORK – Marian Gaborik waived his no-trade clause to go where he felt wanted and the three newcomers in the Rangers’ lineup – the two coming in exchange from Columbus not arriving at Madison Square Garden until 10 minutes before warm-ups – all scored at least one goal to make sure he wasn’t missed. “There were a lot of distractions – when are these guys going to get here? Thank God I’m still here, type of thing,” Brian Boyle said. Yet even with Derick Brassard and John Moore running into the building and going on the ice for the game, the Rangers managed a season-high three power-play goals and a season best for goals in a 6-1 win over the Penguins on Wednesday night. “It was crazy, it was wild,” said Clowe, operating on next-to-no sleep after taking a red-eye from San Jose but scoring two goals with an assist after going without a goal this season for the Sharks. Brassard had a goal and three assists, immediately impressing his new teammates with his passing skills, and defenseman John Moore added the final goal. Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves for his 268th win, moving past Eddie Giacomin into second place on the team’s all-time list as the Rangers (18- 15-3) leapfrogged the Devils and Islanders into seventh place in the Eastern Conference. Gaborik and his five-year, $37.5 million deal, were sent to Columbus along with minor league defensemen Steven Delisle and Blake Parlett for Brassard, Moore, the injured Derek Dorsett and a sixth-round pick. “They’re a team that really wants me,” Gaborik, a 40-goal scorer and the Rangers’ leading scorer in two of his three seasons in New York, said on a conference call. “I didn’t have fun this year. I don’t think the whole team has at all, too.” Gaborik and coach John Tortorella downplayed reports of a rift between them. Still, trading a player of Gaborik’s caliber makes everybody take notice. “Yeah, it’s always tough but you just deal with it,” said Brad Richards, who had two assists as he centered Clowe and the newly re-signed Mats Zuccarello. “The biggest thing is if we would have been where we wanted to be, none of this would have happened. It’s a message to everyone that it’s not good enough right now.” The Rangers, looking a lot more like last season’s high-energy grinders with a persistent forecheck, snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Penguins (28-10-0), who host New York on Friday night. The Penguins lost on back-to-back nights after a 15-game winning streak. “We haven’t done what’s expected of us; this a chance to prove them wrong,” said Boyle, who had a goal and two assists after spending the day worried that he would be traded. “It was a lot of fun to win, obviously, and to get the offense going. The new guys gave us a spark. More than a spark.” The 6-foot-1, 202-pound Brassard, 25, was the sixth overall selection in the 2006 draft and had seven goals and 11 assists in 34 games for the Blue Jackets after setting career highs with 17 goals and 30 assists in 2010-11. He has one more season left in a four-year, $12.8 million deal that will cost the Rangers $3.2 million against next season’s salary cap. Dorsett, 26, has been sidelined since March 7 with a fractured clavicle, but is expected to be able to play before the season ends. The 6-foot, 190- pound agitator has three goals, six assists and 53 penalty minutes in 24 games this season and 727 penalty minutes in 280 career NHL games. He’s in the first season of a three-year deal with an annual salary cap hit of $1.67 million. 667859 New York Rangers

Rangers trade Marian Gaborik to Columbus

Wednesday, April 3, 2013 Last updated: Wednesday April 3, 2013, 6:14 PM BY ANDREW GROSS

The Rangers traded underperforming but still elite right wing Marian Gaborik to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday for forwards Derick Brassard, 25, and Derek Dorsett, 26, and defenseman John Moore, 22. The Rangers also receive a sixth-round pick. Also, minor-league defensemen Steven Delisle, 22, and Blake Parlett, 23, are headed to the Blue Jackets’ organization. Dorsett is out for the rest of the season with a fractured clavicle suffered on March 7. It’s not yet clear whether Brassard or Moore will be available for Wednesday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Gaborik, 31, was considered one of the top free-agent signings for the Rangers when he left the Minnesota Wild for a five-year, $37.5 million deal for the 2009-10 season and he reached 40 goals in two of his first three seasons with the team. However, he has struggled through this lockout-shortened season with nine goals and 10 assists in 35 games - and that includes five goals in his first five games this season. He and coach John Tortorella have often seemed to not be on the same page and Gaborik even started Saturday’s 3-0 loss at Montreal with two shifts on the fourth line after also practicing that way the day before in Ottawa. With the salary cap lowering to $64.3 million next season, the Rangers needed to shed salary. Brassard counts $3.2 million against the cap next season, Dorsett’s salary cap figure is $1.67 million the next two seasons, and Moore is at $965,000 next season on his entry-level deal. The 6-foot, 190-pound Dorsett had three goals, six assists and 53 penalty minutes in 24 games this season. Overall in 280 NHL games, he has 727 penalty minutes. The 6-1, 202-pound Brassard has seven goals and 11 assists in 34 games and 58 goals and 111 assists in 309 NHL games. Moore, the Blue Jackets first-round pick (21st overall) in 2009, has two goals and six assists in 86 games and is a career minus-28. This trade is a whopper and it will be the Rangers’ only one on trade deadline day. Bergen Record LOADED: 04.04.2013 667860 New York Rangers

Rangers trade Marian Gaborik to Columbus

Originally published: April 3, 2013 3:00 PM Updated: April 3, 2013 9:51 PM By STEVE ZIPAY

For a team that is searching for goals to trade their top scorer in two of the past three years is unusual. But the Rangers, battling for a playoff spot, did just that at the trade deadline Wednesday. In a blockbuster swap with Columbus -- almost nine months after acquiring the Blue Jackets leading scorer, Rick Nash, in a trade -- the Rangers sent Marian Gaborik and two minor-league defensemen to Columbus for center Derick Brassard, winger Derek Dorsett, defenseman John Moore and a 6th- round draft pick in 2014. Coach John Tortorella said he "will miss Gaborik" and predicted a solid finish in Columbus. "He was getting chances and coming on in the last few games," he said. Gaborik, 33, by far the top player in the transaction, has scored 30 or more goals seven times, but has been in a season-long funk since undergoing labrum surgery in the summer. He had just nine goals, and was in and out of Tortorella's doghouse, occasionally benched. He was demoted to the fourth line last week. When the pair had a very long, public, heart-to-heart on the ice at the end of practice in Ottawa last week, it appeared that a turning point in their relationship had occurred. After the trade, Gaborik told TSN that it was good to be going to a team "that wanted him." Later, on a conference call, Gaborik, who was picked up by a Columbus private jet, said he's talked with ex-Rangers Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov. "I'm looking forward to playing with them again," he said. "You can see this team is going in the right direction." Moving Gaborik, who has a cap hit of $7.5 million next season, helps the Rangers in providing some cap flexibility, which will be needed, in part, to re-sign restricted free agents Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh and Carl Hagelin, Tortorella said. And the trio should fill "some holes in the middle of our lineup," he said. The Rangers also got younger: Brassard, 25, started by centering the third line Wednesday night; Moore, 22 was on the third defensive pair. Dorsett, 26, sidelined with a broken clavicle, is out up to three more weeks. In effect, they are replacing some of the bodies lost in the off-season in the Nash trade and free agency, including defenseman Tim Erixon (Columbus) and Brandon Prust (Montreal). Brassard has a cap hit of $3.2 million next season; Dorsett's is $1.63 and Moore, $965,000. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667861 New York Rangers

Trade deadline additions Clowe, Brassard and Moore stand out in Rangers' 6-1 win

Originally published: April 3, 2013 10:30 PM Updated: April 4, 2013 12:37 AM By STEVE ZIPAY

For one night, at least, call them the rejuvenated Rangers. Trade-deadline additions Ryane Clowe, Derick Brassard and John Moore combined for four goals and eight points in their Rangers debuts, injecting offense and tenacity into the lowest-scoring team in the NHL. The result: A 6-1 rout of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have lost two straight after a 15-game winning streak. Pittsburgh played without injured stars Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang. Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves and earned career win No. 268, moving him past Eddie Giacomin and into second place on the all-time Rangers list. Mike Richter is first with 301 wins. Clowe, the winger who had not scored in 28 games before being acquired from the Sharks on Tuesday, beat Marc-Andre Fleury twice and Brassard, who arrived from Columbus minutes before warmups after the trade of Marian Gaborik, had a goal and three assists. The pair scored two of the three power-play goals, the first time that the Rangers (18-15-3), who climbed into a tie for seventh place in the East, reached that mark. And Moore, a 22-year-old defenseman, scored on a slap shot at 9:47 of the third period for his first goal. "It's crazy, it was wild," said Clowe, 30, who had arrived on a red-eye flight from California. "And those guys [Brassard and Moore] got here just before warm-ups. It's what I was talking about with Brassard. Sometimes you just go play. I didn't expect to have that much offensive input the first game, but I didn't want to ease into it." Brassard, 25, a center who played 12:54 and won 11 of 15 faceoffs, thought along the same lines. "Honestly, when you don's think during the day and you just show up, sometimes you play your best game," he said. "You just jump out there and make plays. I'm going to remember this the rest of my life, for sure." The Rangers scored three goals in the first, and Clowe, who played 15:22 with five shots and four hits, had one of them -- his first goal of the season on his 68th shot. Derek Stepan dug out the puck and fed him at 14:19. Brian Boyle, the subject of trade rumors, tipped in Brad Richards' shot on the power play at 10:01 of the first to make it 1-0. "The new guys gave us a spark -- more than a spark," said Boyle, who also had three assists. "Brassard was making pretty sneaky plays, you have to be ready because he'll put in on your stick." Ryan McDonagh blasted another Richards pass past Fleury at 12:19 for a 2-0 lead before Clowe's first strike. Leading 3-0 in the second, Brassard grabbed a rebound in the slot and roofed a backhander for his eighth goal and second point at 1:54 for a 4-0 lead. Clowe didn't miss on the doorstep with the Rangers on the power play midway through the second when Brassard slid over a no-look pass for his second assist and third point for a 5-1 lead. "For all three to go out and play a game like that, it's just impressive," Lundqvist said. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667862 New York Rangers

Penguins at Rangers.

Staff

So the trade deadline came and went and the Rangers kinda blew up their roster. So Marian Gaborik is gone and the Rangers are back to having one legitimate first-line player, just as they were before the Brad Richards signing. Ya boys have won one in a row as they begin a home-and-home with the Sid Crosby-less Penguins, who should be snarly after having their 15-game winning streak stopped in Buffalo the night before. Ryane Clowe, Derick Brassard and John Moore make their Rangers debuts. Henrik Lundqvist starts in goal. Chris Kreider was sent to Connecticut (AHL), as was J.T. Miller, who was then recalled. No idea who is playing where tonight. Roman Hamrlik is prucha’d. From what I’m being told, the changeover to the new-look format happens Thursday afternoon around 1 p.m. (fingers, toes crossed). Should be better for the mobile devices (fingers, toes crossed). Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667863 New York Rangers Parlett, 23, has registered six goals and 22 assists for 28 points, along with 85 penalty minutes in 67 games with the Connecticut Whale (AHL) this season. He signed with the Rangers as an undrafted free agent on June 2, RANGERS ACQUIRE DERICK BRASSARD, DEREK DORSETT, JOHN 2011. MOORE, AND A SIXTH ROUND DRAFT PICK IN 2014 Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 04.04.2013

Send Marian Gaborik, Steven Delisle and Blake Parlett to Columbus

NEW YORK, April 3, 2013 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired forwards Derick Brassard and Derek Dorsett, defenseman John Moore, and a sixth round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft from Columbus in exchange for forward Marian Gaborik, and defensemen Steven Delisle and Blake Parlett. Brassard, 25, has registered seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points, along with 16 penalty minutes in 34 games this season. He currently ranks third on Columbus in points, is tied for second in assists and fourth in goals. He also leads the team with six power play assists, and is tied for the team lead with seven power play points. Brassard tallied an assist while skating in his 300th career NHL game on March 12 against Vancouver. The 6-1, 205-pounder has skated in 309 career regular season contests over six seasons with Columbus, registering 58 goals and 111 assists for 169 points, along with 184 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in goals (17), assists (30), points (47), penalty minutes (55), power play goals (six), power play points (16), and shots on goal (183) during the 2010-11 season. Brassard made his NHL debut on January 11, 2008, against St. Louis, and recorded his first career point with an assist on January 20, 2008, at Columbus. The Hull, Quebec native was originally selected by Columbus as a first round choice, sixth overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Dorsett, 26, has registered three goals and six assists for nine points, along with 53 penalty minutes in 24 games this season. He has missed the last 12 games with a broken clavicle suffered on March 7 against Vancouver. Dorsett currently ranks second on Columbus in penalty minutes (53) and fighting majors (five), and is tied for fourth in hits (55). He posted his first career Gordie Howe Hat Trick with a goal, assist and fighting major on February 21 at Detroit. The 6-0, 195-pounder has skated in 280 career regular season contests over five seasons with Columbus, registering 27 goals and 38 assists for 65 points, along with 727 penalty minutes. Last season, he established career- highs in games played (77), goals (12), points (20), penalty minutes (235), hits (199), power play goals (two), power play points (three), and shots on goal (137). Dorsett made his NHL debut on October 11, 2008, at Phoenix, and registered his first career point with a goal on October 21, 2008, against Vancouver. The Kindersley, Saskatchewan native was originally selected by Columbus as a seventh round choice, 189th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Moore, 22, has registered two goals and six assists for eight points, along with 10 penalty minutes in 86 career regular season games with Columbus. He has tallied one assist in 17 games this season. The 6-3, 205-pounder established career-highs in games played (67), goals (two), assists (five), points (seven), hits (47), blocked shots (70), and shots on goal (64) as a rookie last season. Moore made his NHL debut on February 5, 2011, against Edmonton, and recorded his first career point with a goal on October 25, 2011, against Detroit. The Winnetka, Illinois native was originally selected by Columbus as a first round choice, 21st overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Gaborik, 31, has registered nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points, along with eight penalty minutes in 35 games this season. He signed with the Rangers as a free agent on July 1, 2009. Delisle, 22, has split the season between the Connecticut Whale on the American Hockey League (AHL) and the Greenville Road Warriors of the ECHL. He has tallied two assists in four games with Connecticut this season. In Greenville, Delisle has recorded four goals and 16 assists for 20 points, along with 85 penalty minutes and a plus-23 rating in 61 games. He was acquired by the Rangers from Columbus, along with Rick Nash, in exchange for Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon, and a first round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft on July 23, 2012. 667864 New York Rangers

Rangers deal Marian Gaborik to the Blue Jackets (updated)

Posted by: Carp - Posted in Hockey, Lockout, New York Rangers, NHL, Rangers Report on Apr 03, 2013

The Rangers have traded Marian Gaborik to Columbus for Derek Dorsett (who is out for the season with a broken collarbone), John Moore and Derick Brassard and a sixth-round draft pick. Brassard, 25, is a center with some skill; Dorsett is a little but very tough winger, and Moore, 20, is a big, mobile defenseman. Gaborik will enter the final season of his contract next year, at $7.5 million. More as it comes. Quick thought: This is a really bad deal for the Rangers who now are back to one legitimate first-line forward (unless you believe Brad Richards will bounce back at some point before being bought out). Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667865 New York Rangers (Callahan). – Four-on-Four: New York did not tally/yield a goal in one four- on-four situation (0:06) on Monday vs. Winnipeg, and are now minus-1 in 23 four-on-four situations (46:19) this season. Four-on-four goals for (1): Trade deadline today; Penguins at Rangers tonight (7:30 NBC start) 1/23 vs. BOS (Gaborik). Four-on-four goals allowed (2): 1/20 vs. PIT (Letang); 1/23 vs. BOS (Horton). TYING A LEGEND Posted by: Carp – Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves in a 4-2 win on Monday vs. Winnipeg to record his 267th career win, and move into a tie with Ed Giacomin for second on the Rangers’ all-time goalie wins list. Pre-game notes courtesy of the NYR: FINISHING THE JOB NEW YORK RANGERS vs. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS The Blueshirts have registered a point in 85 consecutive games when Wednesday, Apr. 3, 7:30 p.m. leading after the second period, dating back to the 2009-10 season, posting a record of 79-0-6 over the span. The Rangers’ last regulation loss in a Madison Square Garden – New York, NY game when entering the third with the lead was Feb. 4, 2010 (6-5 loss vs. Rangers: 17-15-3 (37 pts) WSH). New York is 9-0-0 when leading after the second period this season. Penguins: 28-8-0 (56 pts) MILESTONE MEN TONIGHT’S GAME Rick Nash and Brad Richards both reached significant career milestones in the Rangers’ 5-2 win on Mar. 26 at Philadelphia. Rick Nash notched two The Rangers will face-off against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison goals, including his 300th career NHL goal, and added an assist in the Square Garden (7:30 p.m. — TV: NBC Sports Network; Radio: 970 The contest, while Brad Richards registered two points (one goal, one assist) to Apple), to begin a home-and-home set. The Blueshirts currently rank third record his 800th career NHL point. in the Atlantic Division standings, and rank eighth in the Eastern Conference, with a record of 17-15-3 (37 pts). The Rangers enter the A BROADWAY HIT contest having defeated the Winnipeg Jets, 4-2, on Monday at Madison The Rangers rank third in the NHL in hits (1055) this season. Brian Boyle Square Garden, and have now registered a point in six of their last eight leads the Rangers and ranks seventh in the NHL with 125 hits, while Ryan home games (5-2-1). The Penguins currently own a 28-8-0 (56 pts) record Callahan ranks second on the team and is tied for eighth in the league with to rank first in the Eastern Conference, and have won 15 straight games 119 hits. heading into their contest last night at Buffalo. Following tonight’s contest, the Rangers will return to action when they face-off against the Penguins on EXCLUSIVE CLUB Friday, Apr. 5, at CONSOL Energy Center (7:00 p.m.), to complete their home-and-home set. Rangers’ Head Coach John Tortorella recorded his 400th NHL coaching victory with a 5-2 win on Mar. 26 at Philadelphia, becoming the 30th head RANGERS vs. PENGUINS: – All-Time: 117-103-23-8 overall (65-50-9-3 at coach in league history to reach the mark. He is now two wins shy of fourth home; 52-54-14-5 on the road) – 2013: Tonight is the fourth of five place on the Rangers’ all-time coaching wins list, with 162 career wins as meetings this season, and the third and final meeting at Madison Square the Blueshirts’ head coach. Garden. The Rangers are 0-3-0 overall (0-2-0 at home; 0-1-0 on the road), following a 3-0 loss on Mar. 16 at CONSOL Energy Center. Rick Nash, MEASURING UP Taylor Pyatt and Ryan Callahan have each tallied a goal for the Rangers, while Brad Richards and Derek Stepan have recorded a team-high, two The Rangers rank among the Eastern Conference leaders in several assists apiece in the series. Henrik Lundqvist is 0-3-0 with a 4.02 GAA and . statistical categories… – 5th (T-6th in NHL) in GAA — 2.37 – 5th (12th in 865 Sv%, and Martin Biron is 0-0-0 with a 1.95 GAA and .950 Sv%. – Last NHL) in FO% — 51.1% – 1st (1st in NHL) in Fewest PIM/G — 9.5 – 3rd Season: New York was 2-4-0 overall (1-2-0 mark at home; 1-2-0 mark on (3rd in NHL) in Hits — 1055 – 3rd (6th in NHL) in BkS — 571 – T-2nd (T-5th the road). The Rangers penalty kill was 15-17 (88.2% in the season series. in NHL) in OT wins — 2 Brad Richards led the team with four assists and six points, while Marian QUICK HITS: – The Rangers did not surrender a power play opportunity Gaborik (two goals, three assists) and Carl Hagelin (two goals, two assists) against on Mar. 7 at Long Island, marking the first time the Blueshirts did tied Richards with a team-high, two goals apiece. Henrik Lundqvist was 2-2- not have a shorthanded situation in a game since Jan. 10, 2012, in a 2-1 0 with a 2.28 GAA and .931 Sv%, while Martin Biron was 0-2-0 with a 4.54 shootout win vs. PHX. The last time the Rangers did not allow a power play GAA and .857 Sv%. – New York ranks 12th in the NHL with an 11-6-2 (24 attempt against the Islanders was Jan. 7, 1989, in a 5-1 win at Long Island. pts) record at home; Pittsburgh ranks third in the NHL with a 13-4-0 (26 pts) – The Blueshirts have had 13 players make their regular season debut with mark on the road – The Rangers are 6-5-1 vs. the Atlantic Division this the team this season – New York has registered a point in 11 of 13 games season; the Penguins are 11-4-0 vs. the Atlantic Division this season – New when scoring the first goal this season (10-2-1), and are 7-13-2 when York lists one former Penguin on their roster: Arron Asham (2010-11 – allowing the game’s first goal – The Blueshirts have posted a 7-0-1 mark 2011-12) – Pittsburgh lists one former Ranger on their roster: Pascal when leading after the first period, and are 9-0-0 when leading after the Dupuis (2006-07) second period INDIVIDUAL CAREER LEADERS vs. PENGUINS: – Henrik Lundqvist — 45 THE HOT LIST: – Henrik Lundqvist — has held opponents to three goals or GP, 22-18-5, 2.49 GAA, 2 SO – Martin Biron — 36 GP, 13-17-3-2, 3.05 fewer in each of his last 15 games (8-6-1, 1.98 GAA, .929 Sv%) – Rick GAA, 2 SO – Brad Richards — 36 GP, 8-28-36 – Marian Gaborik — 27 GP, Nash — 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in his last 21 games – Derek 10-12-22 – Rick Nash — 13 GP, 6-5-11 – Dan Girardi — 39 GP, 1-11-12 Stepan — has tallied a point in 12 of the last 17 games (nine goals, nine SPECIAL TEAMS: – The Rangers’ power play is 11-61 (18.0%) in the last assists over the span) – Brad Richards — four points (one goal, three 23 games – The Blueshirts have posted a record of 10-4-1 when not assists) in the last five games – Michael Del Zotto — five points (one goal, allowing a power play goal – Power Play: The Rangers did not tally a goal four assists) in the last seven games in one power play attempt (1:54) on Monday vs. Winnipeg. New York ranks MILESTONES IN SIGHT: – Steve Eminger — 3 points from 100th NHL 25th overall (15-105, 14.3%) and is tied for 21st at home (10-60, 16.7%). career – Carl Hagelin — 1 game from 100th NHL career – Roman Hamrlik The Rangers are 3-9 (7:53) in five-on-three situations (last – 3/24 vs. WSH), — 5 games from 1400th NHL career – Henrik Lundqvist — 2 games from and 1-1 (0:21) when four-on-three (last – 3/7 at NYI). Shorthanded goals 500th NHL career – Marc Staal — 3 points from 100th NHL career – Derek allowed (4): 2/19 vs. MTL (Diaz, EN); 2/21 at OTT (Silfverberg); 3/3 vs. BUF Stepan — 1 game from 200th NHL career – Anton Stralman — 2 points (Gerbe); 3/21 vs. FLA (Kopecky, EN). – Penalty Killing: The Blueshirts held from 100th NHL career the Jets scoreless in five power play attempts (9:15) and notched a shorthanded goal on Monday at MSG. New York is tied for 17th overall (94- MILESTONES RECENTLY ACHIEVED: – Rick Nash — 300th career NHL 116, 81.0%) and ranks 14th at home (58-69, 84.1%). The Rangers are 7-7 goal (3/26 at PHI) – Brad Richards — 800th career NHL point (3/26 at PHI) (8:13) in three-on-five situations (last – 4/1 vs. WPG), and 4-4 (4:24) when – John Tortorella — 400th career NHL win (3/26 at PHI) – Brian Boyle — three-on-four (last – 3/18 vs. CAR). Shorthanded goals for (4): 1/20 vs. PIT 300th career NHL game (3/28 at OTT) – Ryan Callahan — 100th career (Nash); 3/12 at BUF (Stepan); 3/19 at NJD (Del Zotto); 4/1 vs. WPG NHL assist (4/1 vs. WPG) – Anton Stralman — 300th career NHL game (4/1 vs. WPG) INJURIES: – Michael Sauer (concussion, 12/5/11) — 35 – Marc Staal (injured, 3/5) — 14 Total Man-Games Lost: 88 RECENT TRANSACTIONS: – Mar. 28 — Agreed to terms with free agent forward Mats Zuccarello – Mar. 29 — Agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Conor Allen – Mar. 31 — Assigned forward Kris Newbury to Connecticut (AHL) – Apr. 1 — Agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Tommy Hughes Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667866 New York Rangers 14) Brassard wore No. 16, which reminds me, we haven’t heard much from Mr. Avery after the last few games. I’ll have to go back and check Twitter. Or maybe he meant Gaborik wouldn’t play for “this CLOWN.” Rangers-Penguins & trade deadline in review 15) Tuesday was one of those days (well every day is, but Tuesday was especially so) when I really wished I got paid by the comment. I’d be picking out a new car today. I don’t say it nearly enough, but as crazy as you guys by Carp are, as Jekyll and Hyde as you can be, you really do rule! 16) Oh, with a few exceptions. For those who earned a banning yesterday, if you want to come back, email me at [email protected] and we can Thoughts: discuss. Otherwise, adios. 1) Those first three goals. Surreal, wasn’t it? Just ridiculously surreal. That 17) We’re rolling out the new blog design (mobile friendly) this afternoon. most of us were thinking the only question in this home-and-home would be “by how many goals would Pittsburgh sweep?” and that most of us were My Three Rangers Stars: absolutely killing the Marian Gaborik trade, and for that to happen … I am without speech. Probably the most roller-coaster day in the history of this 1. Ryane Clowe. blog. 2. Derick Brassard. 2) Ryane Clowe=Monster. Holy Best Player in the Game. Give him 3. Brian Boyle. Gaborik’s $7.5 M. Seriously? Gotta tell you, I don’t normally make snap judgments on people, but this guy is impressive. He seems to be a really The real Kenny Albert’s Three Rangers Stars: cool guy, a leader, a gentleman (off the ice). Spoke forever, wearing his entire uniform (after doing the live radio postgame interview) and the 1. Ryane Clowe. Broadway Hat. Good guy. I also told him that the biggest upset of the night 2. Derick Brassard. was that he didn’t get the Gordie Howe Hat Trick after getting a goal and an assist in the first period. He laughed and said he thought about it, “but it 3. Brian Boyle. was 6-1 …” and he’s smart enough to fight those fights when they’re needed. And they will be and he will. RangerJHW’s Three Rangers Stars: 3) Because of that, and the return of Arron Asham (and maybe Derek As per Groucho…”it’s like living in Pittsburgh…if you call that living!” Dorsett if they make the playoffs, or next season) for the first time this 1. Slats—always better on the rebound. season, the Rangers resembled last season’s Rangers. 2. Stralman—for that great play on Malkin while wearing #5 (you had to be 4) Seriously, you don’t judge much, if anything, by one performance … but watching NB(I don’t)C Sports to appreciate. it looks as if Brassard really passes the puck well, and isn’t afraid to make a blind pass (though I imagine that won’t look very good when those passes 3. All the new guys—you get the love just for wearing “our” jersey…but all don’t connect). Good hands. those goals will spoil us! 5) John Moore skated pretty well, shot it well, scored the goal (which Loved the moves before the game-don’t even ask me now how I feel! I shouldn’t sway your opinion of him either way). What I liked most was that know-one game … but Slats replaced all the pieces…anybody see he leveled that piece of cooke Matt Cooke, and later hit him again. Hamrlik? 6) Of course all of this was happening as I was writing a column bashing Your poll vote for Three Rangers Stars: the trade. You can read it here. 1. Ryane Clowe (32.36 %). 7) As much as I thought, big picture, that it was a bad deal, and the 82 games next season will tell a lot more than the remainder of this hacked-up 2. Derick Brassard (28.96 %). season (and even John Tortorella admitted as much) in the short-term it 3. Brian Boyle (13.43 %). really could be a boost. Because, let’s face it, the grinding worked pretty well last night, and this was the most grinding lineup they have iced since Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 04.04.2013 Adam Henrique’s goal sent them home. 8) This really does look like a new team, with the three new faces, then you throw in Mats Zuccarello and the return of Arron Asham. But the most important, crucial player in the night’s events might have been Brad Richards, because he skated better than he’s skated in almost every game this season, and he looked like he did at his best last season. Now with Marian Gaborik gone, the Rangers desperately need more out of their top guys, and Richards needs to be one of those. 9) Wouldn’t hurt, too, if Brian Boyle starts kicking one in now and then. His game’s improved lately, though he’s still not the player he was at times last year. If he can give them strong minutes and a point here and there, that’s another piece they need. 10) Three best lines in the pressbox: Gaborik was the player to be named later in the Nash trade … Sather thought he was getting Brashear … Sather should go directly to the cigar store and buy a fistful of lottery tickets. 11) Asham drops the gloves with Glass (remember their staged fight opening night?) after Glass took a whack at Henrik Lundqvist. When was the last time that happened? March 12. Then the two of them made reservations to fight later on, and did so. Asham with an important win. 12) This win makes the Friday rematch a house-money game for the Rangers, who moved into seventh and, after Friday’s game, don’t really have a daunting schedule remaining. 13) Based on what I’ve seen of the Pens the last two nights, Skid Crosby must be the best player who ever lived. 667867 New York Rangers John Moore, and a sixth round pick in 2014, earlier today in exchange for Marian Gaborik, Steven Delisle, and Blake Parlett. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last time a player registered four points while making Rangers 6, Penguins 1: Post-game notes, quotes their Rangers debut was Doug Bentley on January 20, 1954, against Boston. - Brian Boyle recorded a career-high, four points, including one goal by Carp and a career-best, three assists, and registered three shots and four hits in 16:12 of ice time. Three of his four points were tallied on the power play, which represents a career-high. Courtesy of the NYR: - Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves to improve to 16-13-2 overall, including a 12-6-1 mark at home this season. He passed Ed Giacomin for NEW YORK RANGERS POST-GAME NOTES second on the Rangers’ all-time goalie wins list with his 268th career win, April 3, 2013 (Game 36, Home Game 20)| and is now one appearance shy of his 500th career game. Lundqvist has now allowed two or fewer goals in each of the last eight games, posting a Madison Square Garden – New York, NY record 5-2-1 with a 1.72 goals against average and .938 save percentage over the span. Rangers 6, Penguins 1 - Brad Richards recorded two assists, including one on the power play Team Notes: and one on the game-winning goal, in 15:26 of ice time to earn third star - The Rangers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-1, tonight at honors. He has now tallied six points (one goal, five assists) in the last six Madison Square Garden, for their second straight win. New York has now games. recorded a point in seven of their last nine home games (6-2-1). - Ryan McDonagh notched the eventual game-winning goal, and - The Blueshirts improved to 18-15-3 (39 pts) overall, including a 12-6-2 registered four shots in 18:07 of ice time. He has now recorded two points mark at home this season. (one goal, one assist) and a plus-three rating in the last two games. The Rangers improved to 8-1-1 in games when he registers a point. - Newly acquired forwards Ryane Clowe (two goals, one assist) and Derick Brassard (one goal, three assists), along with defenseman John - John Moore tallied a goal and logged 14:09 of ice time while making Moore (one goal), combined for eight points while making their Rangers his Rangers debut. He was acquired from Columbus, along with Derick debut in tonight’s contest. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, tonight’s Brassard, Derek Dorsett, and a sixth round pick in 2014, earlier today in contest marks the first time in franchise history that three players tallied a exchange for Marian Gaborik, Steven Delisle, and Blake Parlett. goal while making their Rangers debut in the same game. - Derek Stepan recorded an assist, three shots on goal, was credited - The Blueshirts have now had 16 players make their regular season with two blocked shots, and won a game-high, 12-21 faceoffs (57%) in debut with the team this season. 20:58 of ice time while skating in his 200th career NHL game. He has now tallied a point in 13 of the last 18 games, registering 19 points (nine goals, - The Rangers are now 8-5-1 against Atlantic Division opponents this 10 assists) over the span. season. - Dan Girardi tallied a power play assist and tied for the team-high with - The last time the Blueshirts tallied six goals in a game was on four hits in 24:31 of ice time. November 25, 2011, in a 6-3 win at Washington. The Rangers’ five-goal margin of victory was their largest since December 11, 2011, vs. Florida (6- - Carl Hagelin registered two shots on goal and was credited with two 1 win). takeaways in 11:59 of ice time while skating in his 100th career NHL contest. - The Rangers notched three goals in four power play attempts (4:25), and are now 14-65 (21.5%) with the man advantage in the last 24 games. Post-Game Quotes: The last time New York registered three power play goals in a game was - John Tortorella on the team’s trade deadline acquisitions… “(Ryane) exactly one year ago, on April 3, 2012, at Philadelphia (5-3 win, 3-6 on the Clowe’s first shift is what he is. He’s going to bang and he’s going to create power play). scoring changes. He had a big hit on (Deryk) Engelland and gets a scoring - The Blueshirts held the Penguins scoreless in two power play chance. You can see (Derick) Brassard’s skill and he has pretty good opportunities (4:00), and are now 7-7 (100%) on the penalty kill in the last awareness. He passed the puck and scored a goal. He was good on face- two games. New York improved to 11-4-1 when not allowing a power play offs. (John) Moore is the one I am really interested in because I know the goal. least about him out of all of them. He’s a terrific skater and I thought he did a really good job defending and made some really good reads.” - New York has registered a point in 12 of 14 games when scoring the first goal this season (11-2-1). - Ryane Clowe on making his Rangers debut… “Exactly what I was talking about with Brassard, sometimes you just play. We went over some - The Blueshirts extended their point streak in games when leading after system stuff before the game and I talked to Torts a little bit and he said the second period to 86 games, dating back to the 2009-10 season, ‘don’t worry about it too much tonight, just go out and play and that’s all you improving to 80-0-6 over the span. The Rangers’ last regulation loss in a have to do’. And I said to myself I just have to worry about skating and game when entering the third with the lead was Feb. 4, 2010 (6-5 loss vs. moving my feet and driving my legs, get some chances, and work down WSH). New York is now 10-0-0 when leading after the second period this low. All that stuff that I think makes me a good player I tried to do tonight. I season. thought for the first game, I gelled pretty well with that line.” Player Notes: - Derick Brassard on playing for the Rangers… “I’ve known Rick (Nash) for a while. They obviously have a great team and great players. When we - Ryane Clowe notched two goals, including one on the power play, were coming in on the plane today we were excited. It’s a great chance for and added an assist in 15:22 of ice time while making his Rangers debut. us to show what we have, and for us, we just want to help in the push He also tied for the game-high with five shots on goal, was credited with towards the playoffs.” four hits and posted a plus-two rating. Clowe has tallied eight points (two goals, six assists) in his last nine games. He was acquired from San Jose Team Schedule: yesterday in exchange for a second and third round draft pick in 2013, and a conditional pick in 2014. - The Blueshirts’ practice schedule for tomorrow, Apr. 4, is 12:00 p.m. at MSG Training Center. - Derick Brassard registered a career-high, four points, including one goal and three assists, and won 11-15 faceoffs (73%) in 12:54 of ice time - The Rangers will return to action when they face-off against the while making his Rangers debut. He has now tallied six points (three goals, Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, Apr. 5, at CONSOL Energy Center (7:00 three assists) in his last three contests, including a goal in three straight p.m. – TV: MSG Plus; Radio: Bloomberg Radio), to complete their home- games. Three of Brassard’s points were tallied on the power play, which is and-home set. a career-high. He was acquired from Columbus, along with Derek Dorsett, Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667868 NHL

Ben Bishop traded for Cory Conacher: Senators goaltender ‘sad’ to leave playoff team

Sean Fitz-Gerald | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 2:36 PM ET

Senators goaltender Ben Bishop was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday before the NHL trade deadline. Ben Bishop heard about it three minutes before he went to air. The 26-year-old had just been traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning from the Ottawa Senators, where he had won in eight of his 13 appearances, posting a save-percentage of .922 — seventh in the NHL. Leafs are ‘not close to anything’ before NHL trade deadline “It’s going to be a good opportunity,” he told TSN host James Duthie moments after the trade on Wednesday. “Obviously, it’s bittersweet: Made a lot of friendships and have a playoff team here in Ottawa, and I feel like I helped the team get to where it is. So it’s sad on that part.” According to TSN, the Senators received forward Cory Conacher and a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft in return. Conacher has 24 points in 35 games (nine goals, 15 assists) with the Lightning, and that means he is now the leading scorer in Ottawa, where Kyle Turris held the team lead, with 22 points. Ottawa sits sixth in the Eastern Conference, heading toward a playoff berth despite a rash of deadlines that has swept across the roster. The Tampa Bay Lightning hold 14th spot, seven points adrift of the eighth and final post-season berth. Obviously, it’s bittersweet: Made a lot of friendships and have a playoff team here in Ottawa “Obviously, you always want to make the playoffs,” Bishop told TSN. “So that’s going to be tough. But the season’s not over ’til it’s over. So you gotta go down there and expect to make the playoffs, and try to win as many games as possible.” National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667869 NHL made four days before the deadline. The deadline is no longer a day, it’s a season. National Post LOADED 04.04.2013 Five reasons the NHL trade deadline could be a dud

National Post Staff | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 8:27 AM ET

A lot of the excitement took place before the deadline, with Jarome Iginla heading to the Penguins. With each deal made before the actual day of the National Hockey League trade deadline, the likelihood that Wednesday will pass without a move of any real significance rises. In fact, it seems pretty likely that the non-stop, wall-to-wall coverage provided by TSN and Sportsnet will, like last season, be given over to incisive analysis of fourth-line centres and fourth-round draft picks. The parade will have come and gone. Here are five reasons we think Wednesday could land with a dull thud. 1. Not enough sellers Heading into Tuesday’s games, eighth place in the East was at 37 points and at 38 points in the West. That put six teams within six points of the Nos. 7 and 8 spots in the East and 11 teams on either side of the cut line in the West. That effectively leaves five teams as sellers: Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Florida, Calgary and Colorado. Buffalo and Calgary have already been active, and Florida’s best asset is injured (Stephen Weiss). Tampa Bay and Colorado are teams with lots of younger players and may not be looking to remake their rosters. That leaves a parking lot full of rental contracts on future free agents, for which the market may be limited. 2. Steep drop in the salary cap next season Teams can spend up to a pro-rated US$70.2-million this season. But the cap is scheduled to fall to US$64.3-million in 2013-14, the same level it was in 2011-12. Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Vancouver appear to have looming cap problems. Others who look to have plenty of cap space for next season may not want to give it away now before getting a look at trades available at the draft in June and at the July free-agent crop. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh 3. The players left on the block are complicated Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo is the biggest name out there with the potential to help any team with goalie trouble. Vancouver also really needs to move him. It makes perfect sense that he is in play this week. But his legacy contract — a legacy of the ridiculous idea that GMs had about long-term deals and a legacy to how quickly most players fade in and out of relevance — has nine more years left and it makes Luongo the last player who will move on Wednesday. Martin St. Louis’s name was tossed around early and Tampa Bay will likely need some cap relief next season. But it’s difficult to make the decision to trade the heart of your club. It took Calgary three years to come to grips with moving Jarome Iginla. Calgary also has Miikka Kiprusoff to deal with, who has said he would rather retire than be traded. 4. Prices too high With not enough sellers in the market, prices go up. Analyst Glenn Healy made this point on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday and repeated it on a Toronto radio station on Monday. He compares the 2009 trade of Bill Guerin, for whom the Islanders were to get a third-round pick from Pittsburgh, to the two second-round picks Pittsburgh needed to acquire Douglas Murray from San Jose last week. On Monday night, Anaheim paid the same price to Buffalo for Robyn Regehr. As the artificial pressure of the deadline ramps up in a sellers’ market, prices will only get higher. 5. The best options are gone Pittsburgh made all its moves last week, picking up Iginla, Brenden Morrow and Murray. Calgary has jettisoned Iginla and Jay Bouwmeester. Heck, Edmonton acted on getting gritty forward Mike Brown on March 4. Unless some general managers are hiding a creative streak, there doesn’t look to be very many interesing pieces in play. In 2010, there were 31 deals made on deadline day, a record. The six seasons before that all had at least 20 deadline-day trades, with 25 each in 2006, 2007 and 2008. But in the last two years there have been only 16 deals each year. None of the deals made on the day last season amounted to much. The deal that sent Jeff Carter to Los Angeles, where he won a Stanley Cup with the Kings, was 667870 NHL “I’d really like to finish the season, and after that I’m going to make my decision,” Kiprusoff said before the Flames’ 8-2 loss to the Oilers. “I’d really like to talk with the Flames before that and to go from there.” The Ones Not Traded: Goalies Luongo and Kiprusoff When the wheeling and dealing begins in the off-season, you can probably expect Luongo and Kiprusoff’s names at the top of the list of most likely to be moved. By DHIREN MAHIBAN New York Times LOADED: 04.04.2013

A total of 30 players were involved in 17 trades before Wednesday’s N.H.L. trade deadline, but it was a pair of goaltenders who didn’t find new a home who dominated the post-deadline conversation. Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo and Calgary Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff were involved in many rumors over the last few days. Toronto was a popular floated destination for both. In the end, each will finish this season with the team he started with, and now rumors and speculation will continue into the summer. In Vancouver, Luongo lost his starting job to Cory Schneider during last spring’s brief playoff appearance by the Canucks. Vancouver’s brass made it clear in the off-season that Schneider, 27, was the future in net and that the team planned to deal Luongo, 34. But it has been nearly 11 months since Vancouver made the decision to move Luongo and he still occupies a roster spot with the Canucks. Luongo said of his contract, “That’s what the problem is, and unfortunately it’s a big factor in trading me and probably why I’m still here.” After the trade deadline, Luongo, who was made available to the news media, said his contract, with an annual cap hit of $5.3 million, is a difficult one to deal. “I’d scrap it if I could right now,” said Luongo, who has nine years and $40.6 million remaining on his deal. Luongo, a former Islanders first-round selection at the 1997 entry draft, said the term agreed to by both sides had its pros and cons: “That’s a decision me and management made a few years ago when we signed it, and we’re going to find a way to get a solution.” The Canucks’ president and general manager, Mike Gillis, defended the deal, saying that at the time the contract was agreed to, under the previous collective bargaining agreement, it was favorable for both sides. Gillis also defended the parameters of Luongo’s contract, which in total is 12 years for $64 million and runs through the 2021-22 season. “The top teams in the league that were competing for Stanley Cups did contracts like” that for franchise players, Gillis said. “Since that’s occurred, there’s been a number of changes; this is a fluid industry, and things do change.” Gillis went on to say that he had discussions with as many as five teams over the past six months regarding Luongo, but he wasn’t able to come to terms on a deal. It is believed Toronto and Florida were among the five teams the Canucks talked to. Luongo said that despite the interest, “nothing ever really materialized to the point where I had to give a decision whether I was going to waive” a no- trade clause. In Calgary, General Manager Jay Feaster, who had already dealt Jarome Iginla and defenseman Jay Boumeester, had given Kiprusoff permission to speak with the Maple Leafs regarding a possible extension on his contract, which expires after the 2013-14 season should the Flames and Leafs agree on a deal.

“I met with Kipper this morning, and Kipper indicated that he really would like to remain with the Calgary Flames,” Feaster said. “From his perspective, given the family situation and the new baby, he just doesn’t feel that he’s ready to move on, that he didn’t want to go to another organization, that he would like to finish things here.” Kiprusoff, 36, has one more year left on his six-year, $35 million deal, which will pay him $1.5 million. 667871 Ottawa Senators

Senators take a skate break on deadline day

by Ken Warren

BOSTON, Mass. — One by one, Ottawa Senators players walked out of a downtown Boston sports club in gym clothes late Wednesday morning, fresh from a yoga class, ready to tackle whatever Beantown had to offer on a rare day away from the ice. Following back-to-back losses in which they’ve yielded dozens upon dozens of scoring chances — including Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat to the Boston Bruins in which they were outshot 50-47 — it was a welcome change of pace. “I find it’s really important to have a day like this, where you can do stuff other than hockey, just to change things up,” said centre Kyle Turris, acknowledging that he was checking trade chatter on twitter every few minutes. “With how tough the regular season is, with how compact this one is, it’s mentally fatiguing. Having a day to relax, kind of get your mind off things — thinking about baseball and that sort of thing — it rejuvenates you.” Defenceman Marc Methot says it was a break “to get out of our element, away from the arena for a change,” but had made no grand plans. “I will walk around,” he said. “I like to people watch. It’s a big city here, there are a lot of characters floating around.” Then there was tough guy Matt Kassian, who was seriously considering a different type of entertainment, only a two-minute walk from the club’s hotel. “This is the first time I’ve been in Boston for more than a very brief moment and I was hoping there was a ballet in the afternoon,” he said. “I probably haven’t been to a ballet since I was 11 or 12 and my grandparents took me to the Nutcracker.” When the Senators do return to practice at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., Thursday, followed by a flight to Buffalo for Friday’s game against a trade-depleted Sabres lineup, they can expect coach Paul MacLean to pay special attention to the club’s defensive zone play. The sloppiness against the Bruins came on the heels of shaky play inside their own blueline during last Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. “We’ve had plenty of defensive breakdowns (this season) where we’ve been saved by our goaltender or by another player,” said Methot. “Once in a while, they’re going to capitalize on those, but can’t afford to be having those lapses late in games at this time of year. We’re a young team and mistakes will happen. It’s how we handle them coming back.” INJURY UPDATE Mike Hoffman will have a second X-ray in Buffalo on Friday, but Senators general manager Bryan Murray believes he won’t be out too long after leaving Tuesday’s game following a hit by Boston’s Dougie Hamilton. Hoffman had missed eight weeks this season due to a broken collarbone and Murray said the hit caused a “shock on the scar tissue that had healed from the break.” Murray said “at this point, we think it will just take a little time to recover.” Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 04.04.2013 667872 Ottawa Senators

Senators trade Ben Bishop to Lightning

by James Gordon

The Ottawa Senators have traded goaltender Ben Bishop to Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for winger Cory Conacher and a fourth-round draft pick. Conacher, 23, has nine goals and 15 assists in 35 games with the Lightning this season, which instantly makes him the Senators’ leading scorer. He finished second in American Hockey League scoring last season, becoming just the fourth rookie to be named that league’s MVP since the award was established in 1948. The 5-foot-8, 175-pound Burlington, Ont., native is currently second in NHL rookie scoring. Bishop, meanwhile, was 8-5-0 with a 2.45 goals-against average and .922 save percentage and had been getting the bulk of the work in the Senators’ net after No. 1 netminder Craig Anderson went down with a severe ankle sprain. With Bishop gone, Robin Lehner will take over until Anderson is ready to return (likely in the next week or so). The trade clears up a logjam in the Ottawa crease, clearing the way for Lehner to finally ascend to the NHL level permanently. He’s been ready for the big show for some time, but was the odd man out when Anderson was healthy because of his two-way contract. Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 04.04.2013 667873 Ottawa Senators

Senators fielding offers for Bishop on deadline day

by Ken Warren

BOSTON — The Ottawa Senators are fielding offers for goaltender Ben Bishop from “four or five teams,” assistant general manager Tim Murray said late Wedneday morning. Bishop, who is tied for seventh in the NHL with a .922 save percentage, is clearly the most valuable chip the Senators have at their disposal. Murray also said the team is interested in adding a depth forward and or a depth defencemen. Again, though, the price must be right and the Senators will not part with their blue-chip prospects. Murray suggested it was likely the team would do something, but he admitted that it’s a situation where one NHL trade sets the stage for others to follow. One domino has fallen already. TSN is reporting that Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff has decided to play out the year where he is and retire at the end of the season. Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 04.04.2013 667874 Ottawa Senators Lehner’s two-way contract dictated that the 21-year-old Swede was the odd man out, the goalie for AHL Binghamton as long as Anderson and Bishop were healthy. Despite assurances from management that he had a bright Scanlan: Bishop deal should help both clubs future in the organization, the stress showed on Lehner. Now, he can settle in knowing he’s not going anywhere. No wonder he tweeted about his happiness on Wednesday.

by Wayne Scanlan Anderson has nearly recovered and he could return to start as early as Friday in Buffalo. Otherwise, he would likely back up Lehner, who stopped 47 of 50 Boston Bruins shots in a 3-2 Boston victory Tuesday night. Sure, the Ottawa Senators lost 11 inches in height on the deal. No longer do the Senators have a goaltending “situation,” gone is the “crowded crease syndrome.” What remains is pressure on Anderson to stay Still, the trade of 6-foot-7 goaltender Ben Bishop for 5-foot-8 forward Cory healthy and on Lehner to continue to progress into a legitimate NHL starter. Conacher, plus a fourth-round draft pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning, is a good return. Bishop, remember, was scooped by the Senators last year for Anderson was the NHL’s top goaltender until he suffered that ankle injury a second-round draft pick. Feb. 21 versus the New York Rangers. Instead of a future selection, Ottawa gets immediate scoring punch. What kind of form will he have when he returns after six weeks away from game action? Conacher, 23, is a distant relative of the famed sporting Conachers, including legendary Lionel ‘Great Train’ Conacher, voted Canada’s top Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 04.04.2013 athlete of the first half of the 20th century. Born in Burlington, Ont., Cory Conacher is remarkable in a number of ways, and not just because he’s a smaller train. Undrafted and considered too small in a big man’s game, he played four years at unheralded Canisius College, and had several tryouts before catching on in the AHL with Norfolk and Syracuse. He became an AHL MVP and was part of a Calder Cup team. Like Bobby Clarke of the Philadelphia Flyers in the Broad Street Bullies heyday, Conacher suffers from type 1 diabetes. He removes his insulin pump, attached to a port in his abdomen, in order to play. For all his challenges, Conacher is a rookie of the year candidate off his early play with the Lightning, 12 points in his first seven games, before cooling off lately. While he only has two goals in his past 17 games — or two in his last six, including one against Ottawa, depending on how you want to measure it — he was among Tampa Bay’s top four scorers with nine goals and 24 points in 35 games. That puts him second among NHL rookies and yes, Conacher instantly becomes the Senators’ leading point producer as soon as he name is added to the list. In Tampa Bay, Conacher was viewed as a Marty St. Louis clone, a small, quick player who hustles, battles above his weight class. Tiny dancer. He’s bound to be a crowd favourite at Scotiabank Place. Because the Lightning have another little big man, Tyler Johnson, waiting in the wings, they could afford to let Conacher go. Teams only need so many sub-six-foot forwards. This looks like one of those deals that can help both clubs. With Steven Stamkos, St. Louis et al., Tampa Bay can score. Stopping pucks is another matter. Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman had to do something to shore up his goaltending situation, considering how Anders Lindback and Mathieu Garon have struggled. Bishop gets a chance to move in there and challenge for the No. 1 position right away. He’s not a sure thing, but neither is it unusual for a 26-year-old goalie to be seeking to establish himself. His size and decent athletic ability for a big man make Bishop promising. Now he needs to make this successful Ottawa run a springboard to a long term place in the NHL. Bishop’s .922 save percentage this season, 8-5-1 record and 2.45 goals-against average are the best numbers he has had in parts of four NHL seasons. Will he suffer by moving away from Ottawa’s strong team game? Playing behind Tampa’s defence will be a challenge for him. Meanwhile, Bishop’s departure — and Conacher’s arrival — changes things dramatically on the Senators’ roster. With Conacher added to the centre position, the club acquires some badly needed offensive spark with top centre Jason Spezza still sidelined following back surgery and last year’s top scorer, Milan Michalek, not ready to return from having his knee scoped. Look for Conacher to step right into a top-six role with the Senators at centre or wing. Back in the goal crease, Robin Lehner draws a giant sigh of relief. For weeks, Lehner has been living on borrowed time in Ottawa, assured of a place only because starter Craig Anderson was out with an ankle sprain. 667875 Ottawa Senators Bishop wasn’t surprised by the trade, but he called it “bittersweet” because he’s leaving many friends behind. “I developed a very good friendship with Robin this year, playing with him in Compelling Conacher brings grit, skill Binghamton during the lockout and up here and (Anderson) is a good goalie,” Bishop said. “You can’t get mad at guys for playing well and everybody’s playing well. It’s just kind of unfortunate that one of us had to by Ken Warren go. Robin is the young guy with the bright future, so I’m the guy to go. But I’m excited to go to Tampa.” Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 04.04.2013 BOSTON — Big Ben Bishop and Cory Conacher, the little train that could, were due to pass each other in the night skies late Wednesday. Bishop was leaving his former Ottawa Senators teammates behind in Boston for the opportunity to become a No. 1 goaltender with the Tampa Bay Lightning, while Conacher was coming the other way, with a shot at being a point producer for a Senators team likely headed for the playoffs. The Senators also received a fourth-round draft choice from Tampa in the trade deadline deal. “He’s a gritty guy, he’s not afraid to go to the net and spear the goalie or anything like that,” said Bishop, paying Conacher a compliment before leaving Boston. “He’s a good player, he’s got a nose for the net and I’m sure he’ll fit in well (with the Senators). He’s always going into the scrums and stuff.” Conacher — whose great grandfather’s cousin was Canadian sporting legend Lionel “Big Train” Conacher — agreed with Bishop’s description of his style. “Sounds about right,” the 23-year-old rookie said in a conference call, before jumping on a flight to Boston, where he’ll join the Senators for practice Thursday. “Maybe I go a little too hard at the goalie sometimes. I like to be first on the puck and dig for turnovers.” Conacher, who has nine goals and 14 assists and is in the running for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year — he trailed Florida’s Jonathan Huberdeau by a point before Wednesday’s games — instantly becomes the Senators’ top scorer. His rise to the NHL is also a compelling story. At 5-foot-8 and 176 pounds, he was a long-shot to make the big leagues. He was cut from AA and AAA minor hockey teams in his native Toronto because of his size, didn’t receive a sniff from major junior teams or big- time United States colleges or universities and was completely overlooked during his draft-eligible days as a teenager. He used the rejections as motivation, clinging to the hope provided by Tampa Bay’s Martin St. Louis — “he made it in the league when it was all about size,” says Conacher — and attracted attention by re-writing the record book at Canisius College, a small school in Buffalo. As luck would have it, Conacher will make his Senators debut in Buffalo Friday, playing in front of the Canisius coaches he credits for his development, as well as family and friends making the drive from Toronto. Conacher scored 80 points in 75 games in 2011-12 with the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals, helping them win a league record 28 consecutive games and a Calder Cup title. He began the NHL season on a tear and, while he has cooled off in recent weeks, Senators general manager Bryan Murray believes he could be a fit with fellow rookies Mika Zibanejad and Jakob Silfverberg. “His skill set is real high,” said Murray. “He’s not a big player, but he’s quick, courageous, he handles the puck, he makes plays and gets points and if we need anything, we need a point-getter.” Trading away Bishop, which wasn’t a surprise, finally opens the door for 21- year-old goaltender Robin Lehner to remain in the NHL full-time. With Craig Anderson ready to return to the lineup from his sprained ankle — he could start Friday in Buffalo — the Senators would have been forced to assign Lehner back to Binghamton of the AHL. “That was ridiculous, really,” said Murray. “Robin has done anything and everything that a young guy has to do to prove he’s NHL ready and (Tuesday) against Boston once more confirmed that. He was just superb (stopping 47 of 50 shots) and we lost but not because of him.” Murray credited Bishop for “saving us last year,” but says he was the odd- man out due to the fact he had a contract that expires at the end of the season. 667876 Ottawa Senators

Senators goaltender Craig Anderson ready to return to action

By Don Brennan ,Ottawa Sun

Craig Anderson is good to go. Out since Feb. 21 with a high ankle sprain, the NHL's leading goalie has declared he's ready to return to action, Senators GM Bryan Murray said after trading Ben Bishop Wednesday. "That's what I've been told," said Murray. "I don't know if he'll play in Buffalo (Friday). That's up to (coach) Paul (MacLean). But he has told us he's ready to play." Anderson's availability and the play of 21-year-old Robin Lehner convinced Murray it was safe to deal Bishop for some much-needed scoring help. In nine games since being recalled from Binghamton, Lehner has a .940 save percentage and a 2.15 goals against average to go along with a 3-2-4 record. "Robin to me has done everything and anything a young guy has to do to prove he's NHL ready," said Murray, who added it would have been "unfair" to Lehner to send him back to the AHL. "I think the game against Boston (Tuesday) once more confirmed that. He was just superb." Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.04.2013 667877 Ottawa Senators finish checks when I can. Skate hard, backcheck hard, be responsible on the ice. That's kind of what I'm working on right now. I think Ottawa is a team that has a lot of players that do those things. It'll be a good fit for me. Senators send Bishop to Tampa for Conacher, draft pick I'm excited to play there. He's also hopeful of having a long and fruitful career like that of his childhood idol, Lightning star Martin St. Louis. By Don Brennan ,Ottawa Sun "I see his size, and he had to make the league when the league was all about size," said the Little Train. "I know if he can do it, then it's possible for myself to do as well." BOSTON - The Senators lost almost a full foot, but gained a draft pick and a 'Little Train' in their crease-clearing deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning at [email protected] Wednesday's trade deadline. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.04.2013 Gone is Ben Bishop, their 6-foot-7 goalie who, with the emergence of 21- year old Robin Lehner as a rising star, always figured to be the odd man out once NHL goalie stats leader Craig Anderson recovered from an ankle injury. Incoming is 23-year-old winger Cory Conacher, a 5-foot-8, 179-pound sparkplug who is not only second in NHL rookie scoring this season, but with nine goals and 15 assists automatically takes over the Senators points lead. Conacher is related to both legendary Toronto Maple Leaf Charlie Conacher -- whose banner hangs from the rafters at the Air Canada Centre -- and former NHL defenceman Lionel Conacher, who was known as "Big Train" both for his stature and style of play in the 1920s and '30s. The great grandson of Big Train's cousin has a reputation as a player with a nasty edge who has no problem running into people. He's also out to prove himself as another Little Engine That Could. "I actually saw that in one of the articles, they actually called me Little Train," Conacher said from Tampa, before flying to Boston and joining the Senators Wednesday night. "That's a neat little name. I hope I can be that Little Train, I try to be that gritty player. "It's very important for me to play hard, play the same way and do whatever it takes for the team to win and for me to be a part of that win." Senators GM Bryan Murray looked at rentals as well as depth defencemen and forwards before settling on Conacher, whom he currently sees as a winger on the team's third line with Mika Zibanejad and Jacob Silfverberg when everybody is healthy. In the meantime, Conacher is expected to fill in for the injured Mike Hoffman, who was on the first line, when he makes his debut in Buffalo Friday. "His skill set is real high ... he's not a big player, but he's quick, courageous, handles the puck, makes plays, gets points," Murray said. "If we need anything, we need a point-getter, and I think he addresses one of those needs at least. "We've been talking to a variety of teams for quite some time, really. Finally, we thought that Cory Conacher was the most productive player we could get. We wish he was 6-foot-7, but he's not. He's a guy that addresses a need of points." Conacher, who was cut from teams as a kid because he was deemed too small, didn't start thinking of a career in pro hockey until he had great success at Buffalo's Canisius College, where he still holds numerous Golden Griffins records. Undrafted, he worked his way to the AHL, and last season led the Calder Cup-winning Norfolk Admirals in goals (39) and points (80), while finishing third on the team in penalty minutes, with 114. "All I heard our team in Binghamton complain about is this guy Cory Conacher scoring goals and (being) competitive, and dirty," said Murray. "He's mean around the net." Even Bishop attested to that. "He's a gritty guy," said Bishop, who played against Conacher in the AHL. "He's not afraid to go to the net and spear the goalie or anything like that. He's a good player and he's got a nose to the net. I'm sure he'll do well here." Told of Bishop's scouting report on him, Conacher offered confirmation. "That sounds about right," said Conacher, whose cap hit on a contact that expires in 2014 is $925,000. "I maybe hit goalies a little too hard sometimes, just going to the net. I'm a guy who likes to be first on the puck, and likes to be in the corners and dig for loose pucks, create turnovers and 667878 Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers' Zac Rinaldo leaves game with lower-body injury

Jerry Gaul, Philly.com Posted: Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 9:58 PM The Flyers announced that winger Zac Rinaldo left Wednesday's game against the Montreal Canadiens with a lower-body injury. He will not return. Rinaldo amassed 5:06 of ice time in the game. He recorded two hits and fought the Canadiens' Brandon Prust in the second period. Including tonight's game, Rinaldo appeared in 32 games. He scored three goals and recorded two assists, while accumulating 85 penalty minutes. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667879 Philadelphia Flyers Hall, 32, had four points in a combined 26 games with the Lightning and Carolina this year, but he was effective in the faceoff circle, winning 54.9 percent of his 173 draws. Flyers trade for goalie Steve Mason Adding Hall was an "easy decision," Holmgren said. "Adam has been around. He's a bigger guy and can play left wing, right wing, or center. It's depth and experience." Sam Carchidi, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 Posted: Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 7:56 PM

TORONTO - The Flyers' future goaltending situation was apparently put into disarray after they acquired Steve Mason from Columbus just before the NHL trade deadline Wednesday. The move could pave the way for the Flyers to use a compliance buyout on starter Ilya Bryzgalov after the season. The Flyers sent backup goalie Michael Leighton - did the ghost of Patrick Kane's 2010 Stanley Cup-winning goal go with him? - and a 2015 third- round draft pick to Columbus for Mason, who has regressed after winning the Calder Cup as rookie of the year in 2008-09. That season, he recorded a 2.29 goals-against average and 10 shutouts in 61 games. This year, he was 3-6-1 with a 2.95 goals-against average and .899 save percentage. In the last four seasons, his goals-against average has been 3.05, 3.03, 3.39, and 2.95, respectively. Mason, 24, was available because Sergei Bobrovsky - whom the Flyers traded to Columbus after last season for three draft picks - has blossomed into the Blue Jackets' top goalie and one of the best in the NHL this year. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Mason is a restricted free agent after this season, and the Flyers want to resign him at a lower rate than he currently receives ($2.9 million). General manager Paul Holmgren said he expected to sign him before the season ends. "We see him as one of our two goalies not only the rest of this year but moving forward," Holmgren said. "We'll just leave it at that for now." Will Bryzgalov be the other half of the tandem? That may depend on how the rest of the season unfolds. Earlier in the day, the Flyers were outbid for the goalie they really wanted, Ben Bishop, whom Ottawa traded to Tampa Bay for gifted rookie winger Cory Conacher (24 points) and a fourth-round pick. Reportedly, the Flyers refused to part with slumping sophomore center Sean Couturier, preventing them from making the deal. An NHL source would not confirm whether Ottawa wanted Couturier, but he did say the Flyers "never" had intentions of putting the 20-year-old in the deal. Holmgren is hoping a change of scenery invigorates Mason, who is young enough to bounce back. "We still think there's a tremendous upside there," Holmgren said, adding that goalie coach Jeff Reese was high on Mason. "Every goaltender wants a fresh start," Mason said. Mason is viewed as an upgrade over Leighton, but he is also a lot more expensive. If the Flyers keep Bryzgalov next year - that's a big if at the moment - and Mason re-signs for around his current salary, the Flyers will have about $8.6 million committed to their goalies next season. They probably would not be getting enough bang for their buck. Acquiring Mason could mean the Flyers will "amnesty" Bryzgalov next year and try to sign an unrestricted free-agent goalie in the offseason. The most attractive candidates are former Flyer Ray Emery, Jimmy Howard, Mike Smith, and Niklas Backstrom. After this year, Bryzgalov, 32, will be owed a total of $34.5 million over the last seven years. If he is bought out through the amnesty procedure, the Flyers would have to pay two-thirds of that salary. But it would not count against the salary cap. Before they acquired Mason, the Flyers claimed 6-3, 213-pound forward Adam Hall off waivers from Tampa Bay. Hall has played in 10 NHL seasons and figures to be used on the penalty kill and eat some minutes supplied by Max Talbot, who is out for the season with a broken left leg. 667880 Philadelphia Flyers

Mason happy to be joining Flyers

POSTED: Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 3:09 PM

Steve Mason said he was ecstatic to be traded today to the Flyers. The Columbus Blue Jackets traded the 24-year-old goalie for goalie Michael Leighton and a third round pick in 2015. “I am more than thrilled to have this opportunity and have a fresh start,” Mason said in comments distributed by the Flyers. Mason hasn’t come close to matching his production when he won the Calder Cup as Rookie of the Year in 2008-2009. That was his lone playoff season when he recorded a 2.29 goals against average and recorded 10 shutouts in 61 games. This season he was 3-6-1 while backing up former Flyer Sergei Bobrovsky in Columbus. When asked if Mason would back up Ilya Bryzgalov, general manager Paul Holmgren said, "He is one of our two goalies, not only for this season but moving forward." Mason, who will be a restricted free agent, talked about being a teammate with Bryzgalov. "I am looking forward to working with him," Mason said. Here's video of Flyers' GM Paul Holmgren adressing the media: Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667881 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers defenseman Nick Grossmann gets work in

POSTED: Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 1:05 PM

Flyers defenseman Nick Grossmann says he is under strict orders not to discuss his current upper body injury but he was among the last off the ice during today’s morning skate. While saying that general manager Paul Holmgren would have to update his status, Grossmann did allow that he did extend his work today. “That was the most (work) in a few days,” Grossmann said. Grossmann last played on March 18. He was hurt in practice on March 22 and hasn’t played in the last five games. Holmgren said Grossmann would not play tonight. "He's coming along but not enough to change his status," Holmgren said. -Marc Narducci Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667882 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers claim Hall

POSTED: Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 12:35 PM

The Flyers have claimed well traveled center Adam Hall on waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 32-year-old Hall began the season on Tampa Bay, was claimed on waivers March 16 by the Carolina Hurricanes and traded back to Tampa Bay on Tuesday. This season he has no goals and four assists in 26 games, 20 with Tampa Bay and the other six with Carolina. In his career he has 65 goals and 82 assists in 591 regular season games. -Marc Narducci Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667883 Philadelphia Flyers

Is Keith Yandle a Flyers possibility?

POSTED: Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 11:12 AM Frank Seravalli

UPDATE (3:05pm): Keith Yandle remained with the Phoenix Coyotes through the trade deadline. Expect the possibility of trade talks resuming at the Draft in June, since that's when the Flyers and Coyotes first opened dialogue last summer.

TORONTO -- Heading into Wednesday's trade deadline, the Flyers' plan was to remain 'status quo' unless they could acquire a franchise-altering player to build the future around. Phoenix defenseman Keith Yandle is that player - and he's suddenly on the market, after the tea leaves indicated on Tuesday that he was untouchable. Yandle, 26, is that puck-moving No. 1 defenseman the Flyers - and nearly all 28 other teams - are craving. The Coyotes, though, will require nothing short of an absolute haul to move Yandle out of the desert. Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren has indeed be in touch with Coyotes general manager Don Maloney on Wednesday. This is not the first time the Flyers have inquired about Yandle over the years. Yandle is tied for the Coyotes' team lead in points with 21. He has 8 goals and 13 assists this season, which would tie him for fifth on the Flyers in goals this season. Yandle has 3 years and $16.5 million remaining on his contract. His salary cap hit is $5.25 million per season. The Flyers have enough salary cap space to add Yandle by adding more players, such as Andrej Meszaros, to the long-term injury list. One name who would likely have to be heading out West is forward Sean Couturier, who was actually born in Phoenix while his father, Sylvain, was playing for the AHL's Roadrunners. Couturier has seen an up-tick in his minutes - nearly 2 more minutes on average per game over his rookie season - and that is expected to increase with Max Talbot's injury leaving a hole on the penalty kill. The Flyers were looking for more out of Couturier offensively in his sophomore season, yet his numbers have gone down. He is averaging 0.08 less points per game (down to .27) and he has only 9 points in 33 games. Couturier already has 110 career NHL games under his belt. I am not suggesting he has come anywhere close to reaching his ceiling, but the question needs to be asked: at which point is the book on Couturier written, causing his value to drop? In some ways, Couturier's value may never be higher than it is as this very moment. Does that mean the Flyers would be willing to part ways with the still- blossoming 20-year-old? It would likely be a surprise if Holmgren is willing to make that judgment call before 3 o'clock on Wednesday. Even if Couturier is part of the asking price, Holmgren will have to listen and even strongly consider. Yandle is still young, he has been durable and hasn't missed a game since 2008-09, and he's a rare commodity in the NHL. He would instantly make the Flyers a more formidable foe - both now and over the next three seasons.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667884 Philadelphia Flyers divided by double the term remaining, so $23 million divided by 14 years is $1.64 million per season until 2027 . . . to not play for the team. How much of this trade is a sign that the Flyers might be cutting Bryzgalov Mild surprise as Flyers acquire goaltender Steve Mason loose in the summer? Mason is due more than a $3 million qualifying offer as a restricted free agent to retain his rights. Of course, Mason could re- sign prior to the summer for less money, which is possible given his FRANK SERAVALLI, Daily News Staff Writer seravaf at phillynews.com decreased numbers recently. Posted: Thursday, April 4, 2013, 1:16 AM If Mason does not sign for less, the Flyers would be spending an all-time franchise-high $8.7 million in goaltenders with both Bryzgalov and Mason. ILYA BRYZGALOV started his 20th straight game on Wednesday night Holmgren said he has already held discussions with Mason's agent and against Montreal, something Peter Laviolette said he didn't have much expects to re-sign him before this season ends. choice about, given the Flyers' position in the standings. "I don't think it will be $9 million [total spent on goaltenders]," Holmgren Well, now Laviolette has a choice. And so do the Flyers this summer in said. "I think there is a way to work with Steve and his agent to get that retaining Bryzgalov's rights. salary down." The Flyers acquired goaltender Steve Mason from Columbus before Historically, Holmgren does not believe in spending a lot of money on Wednesday's trade deadline, the same team they traded backup Sergei goaltenders. See: Leighton and Brian Boucher as a tandem in 2010. Bobrovsky to last summer. The Flyers were also reportedly in the hunt for Bryzgalov joining the Flyers was at the mandate of chairman Ed Snider. Ottawa's Ben Bishop, who was dealt to Tampa Bay. With the salary cap decreasing to $64.3 million next season, you can bet on the Flyers not spending nearly 15 percent of the cap on goaltending. Backup Michael Leighton was sent to the Blue Jackets along with a 2015 third-round pick. Leighton is a pending unrestricted free agent. This is the Instead, the Flyers could amnesty Bryzgalov and bring in another young, Flyers' first trade-deadline-day move since 2009. affordable goaltender to work in tandem with Mason. At the very least, if the Flyers don't have interest in moving away from Bryzgalov, the question is: When asked if the Flyers view Mason as a backup, general manager Paul Why Mason? There were a myriad of other less expensive backups Holmgren was quick to not pigeonhole Mason into a specific role. Holmgren available with fewer performance question marks. passed up an opportunity to stress that Bryzgalov is the Flyers' long-term starter. Bringing in Mason opens a world of possibilities. Buckle your seat belt. It will be fascinating to see how Bryzgalov responds to Wednesday's "We see him as one of our two goalies, not only the rest of this year, but somewhat surprising move. moving forward," Holmgren said. "We'll just leave it at that for now." "I didn't know [the Mason deal] was going to happen and, to be honest, That would seem like an ominous response for Bryzgalov's future here, with even if I knew, I wouldn't have talked to [Bryzgalov] anyway," Holmgren the option of a contract amnesty coming in the summer. said. "His job is to stop the puck when he's in the net. It's not to worry about Bobrovsky, 24, was a March "Star of the Month" and he's the big reason the other things like that." Blue Jackets are in the playoff hunt. He has a 2.13 GAA and .927 save Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 percentage. Mason, also 24, was the 2009 Calder Trophy winner as the NHL's Rookie of the Year. He was pulled in his first game the following season and has never really recovered. Mason was looking for a change of scenery after Bobrovsky took over Columbus' starting role by force. Mason said he is "just looking for the opportunity to go there and get my game back on track." He is in the final year of a 2-year, $5.8 million deal. "I'm super excited to get into Philadelphia," Mason told Rogers Sportsnet. "It's a tough place to play, fans expect the most out of their goaltenders. I'm looking forward to getting into a market like that. When you're playing well as a goaltender in that situation, there is no better situation." Mason said he retooled his game last summer with the Blue Jackets' goaltending coach, calming down his style. His save percentage averages under .900 over the last four seasons since winning the Calder, but he is still young. "We've changed a couple things, with the depth I've been taking off the rush. When your calm, the game seems to hit your sometimes," Mason said. "It's definitely a great feeling. With the players they have in that organization, and the history they have there . . . I'm really just looking forward to starting off on the good fit." Holmgren said Flyers goaltending coach Jeff Reese saw something he liked in Mason. "I think he's bounced back a little better this year," Holmgren said. "Steve is still a young goalie, still has a lot of upside. Jeff Reese, our goalie coach, studies a lot of goalies around the league and likes Steve. He thinks there is something there. We still think there is tremendous upside there." Now, with Mason in the fold, it sure seems as if the Flyers have plans to use the amnesty clause on Bryzgalov in the summer. The Flyers would still be required to pay Bryzgalov his remaining salary, over a longer period of years, but they would be relieved of his salary cap hit and he would become a free agent. The Flyers owe Bryzgalov $34.5 million over the remaining 7 years on his deal after this season. Bryzgalov is 48-30-10 with a .905 save percentage since joining the Flyers. The buyout formula is two-thirds money remaining 667885 Philadelphia Flyers "We don't control what other teams do," captain Claude Giroux said. "I saw that the Rangers won. It's something we don't control, so we don't need to stress about it. We just have to worry about our game and getting better. If A game of firsts as Flyers rally to beat Canadiens we keep winning, that's the only way we'll have a chance to get in." Ice cubes

ED BARKOWITZ, Daily News Staff Writer barkowe at phillynews.com The Flyers obtained goaltender Steve Mason from Columbus for Michael Leighton and a third-round pick. They also plucked Adam Hall off waivers Posted: Thursday, April 4, 2013, 12:47 AM from Tampa Bay. Hall, 33, has played in 26 games this year and is ostensibly a veteran replacement for Max Talbot, who is out for the season PARAPHRASING Mark Twain a bit here, but any rumor of the Flyers' death with a broken leg. Hall is expected to make his Flyers debut on has been greatly exaggerated. Thursday . . . Cal Heeter served as Ilya Bryzgalov's backup on Wednesday. Mason will join the team in Toronto . . . Nick Grossmann (upper-body injury) At least for now. missed his sixth game, but skated extensively in the morning and appears The Flyers followed up a pair of wins over the weekend with perhaps the close to returning . . . With the trade deadline passed, the 23-man roster most dramatic victory of the season on Wednesday night, beating visiting restriction is lifted and the Flyers are free to recall whomever they Montreal, 5-3. please . . . Zac Rinaldo sustained a lower-body injury in the second period and did not return. "We won't give up. We still have a chance," said youngster Sean Couturier, who ended a 27-game streak without a goal. "If we keep winning, we'll be Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 back in the mix." The Flyers not only have won three in a row for the first time all year, they finally won a game that they had trailed after the first period. They were 0- 12 in that situation coming in. So in 12 of their 17 losses, they basically were cooked even before the oven got warm. Now, they're the ones cooking. "We just have to keep playing, play a full 60 [minutes] and ride this wave that we're on," said forward Matt Read. The Flyers are banged up mightily on defense, most notably Braydon Coburn (shoulder separation), Nicklas Grossmann (upper body) and Andrej Meszaros (torn rotator cuff). Their active blue-liners are more green than any other color. But Wednesday, two of them contributed mightily to the deciding goals. Bruno Gervais, who has been thrust into the top pairing thanks to Coburn's injury, had an assist on a goal off Wayne Simmonds' skate that tied the game with a little more than 5 minutes left. Then Erik Gustafsson clanged one off Canadiens defenseman Francis Bouillon that ended up being the game-winner. Gustafsson was patiently trying to feed Read, who was creating confusion in front of Montreal netminder Carey Price. "I don't know if I got a piece of it," Read said afterward. "I'm happy to give it to Gus." So were the official scorers. It was Gustafsson's first goal of the season. "We got a lot of [defensemen] that are getting called up, covering the guys that are hurt right now," Read said. "You can't tell if they're minor league players or NHL players right now. You have to give them a lot of credit, playing with the confidence they're playing with right now." Even Couturier, who was a popular subject of trade inquiries from many of the other general managers around the league, got on the scoring sheet. His second-period score bounced off Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban and past Price. On the scoresheet, however, it might as well be Kurri from Gretzky and Coffee. The last time Coots scored a goal was Jan. 27. "It's nice to get the monkey off the back," Couturier said. "Sometimes all you need is a lucky bounce. I'll take it." The Flyers have 12 games left and still lots of work to do. But they haven't raised the white flag and started calling around for golf reservations. The last 5 minutes of Wednesday's game allowed them to jump from 13th to 11th place. The Rangers' resounding win over Pittsburgh created an even larger logjam for the final playoff spot. Both New York teams and the Devils occupy the seventh, eighth and ninth spots in the Eastern Conference, with 39 points. The Flyers are four points back of those three teams, with a very quick turnaround Thursday night up in Toronto. They packed their bags for a charter immediately after the Montreal win. In addition to sticks and pucks, they also were bringing hope. 667886 Philadelphia Flyers * The Phillies paid Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels $57 million for their 54 wins the past two seasons. They owe Hamels $144 million; Lee, as much as $102.5 million. Flyers hould resist urge to amnesty Ilya Bryzgalov In the meantime, the Phillies in 2006 traded promising lefty Gio Gonzalez (and baffling righty Gavin Floyd) to the White Sox for Freddie Garcia, who arrived as damaged goods, won one game and made $10 million. Gonzalez Marcus Hayes, Daily News Sports Columnist is 52-29 and twice was an All-Star since 2010. Posted: Thursday, April 4, 2013, 12:40 AM Brand, while diminished from his All-Star days, is a productive bench player in Dallas. Andre Iguodala, part of the trade to acquire Bynum, is a key cog ALL PAUL HOLMGREN had to say was, "Bryz is our No. 1 goalie, now and with a dangerous Denver team. Nic Vucevic, also traded to get Bynum, has for the foreseeable future." emerged as a passable post player, and rookie guard Mo Harkless, also part of that deal, has shown promise. Words to that effect would have squelched speculation that the Flyers' deadline trade Wednesday for Steve Mason, a young, pedigreed goalie, The Eagles, still evaluating personnel and formulating a plan, have no idea might mean an early divorce from Ilya Bryzgalov. what their defensive backfield will look like without Asomugha, other than it won't be as well-dressed. Instead, Holmgren said, "We see [Mason] as one of our two goalies, not only the rest of this year, but moving forward. We'll just leave it at that for So, no, throwing money at the problem does not always work. now." And now, the Flyers could pay Bryz a humongous $23 million to occupy Of course, nothing concerning the Flyers gets left at that. Not for now; not another quadrant of the universe. for later. Flyers goalie coach Jeff Reese is smitten with the potential of Mason, a 24- For better or worse, Holmgren's Flyers, like every other team in this town, is year-old who won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie in 2009. poised to throw big money at a problem in hopes of currying local favor and quickly fixing a perceived problem. Of course, the Flyers might just ride out Bryzgalov's deal and hope he continues to control his neuroses and earn his money . . . or, start earning Holmgren also created an atmosphere in which his hypersensitive franchise it, depending on how you see him. goalie can stew while the team makes a likely futile push for the last playoff spot in this bastardized season. He was 48-30-10 as a Flyer with a .905 save percentage entering Wednesday night's game. A lockout-shortened season, in which Bryzgalov played pretty well. He has been brilliant at times, but he also has been ordinary, and A compressed season, in which Bryz suppressed his guileless and sometimes downright poor. entertaining personality at the behest of paranoid handlers and party-line teammates. Last season he irritated his teammates, coaches and Holmgren with comments perceived as selfish, and with comments perceived as eccentric. A season in which a shaky defense was rent to tatters by free agency and He lost his starting job by the time the Flyers played in the Winter Classic, injury. the league's showcase game. Wednesday night, with the word "AMNESTY" floating in a bubble above his Then he clammed up in interviews and clamped down between the pipes net, Bryzgalov let in a softie early, then, late in the second, he got burned and was splendid last spring, but his tender feelings were so bruised by by lousy backchecking and a deflection from a teammate, the last a then that he ignored accolades. forgettable Kodak moment, since Bryz looked like he ducked the deflection. He also sweetly denied two evil shots in the first and in the third. Yes, it has been a prickly union, with an all-too-brief honeymoon, but there is no need to contemplate a costly split. It was Bryzgalov's 20th consecutive start, and he made 14 saves in the Flyers' 5-3 victory over Montreal. He declined to address the media The teams in this town have wasted enough money already. afterwards. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 He should get Thursday night off, in Toronto.He probably would not get the Toronto game off had Mason not arrived Wednesday night, in exchange for shelved veteran backup Michael Leighton and a third-round pick in 2015. It is very probable that while Bryzgalov watches Mason work, Bryz will ponder his future. There is much to ponder. If Mason shines down the stretch the Flyers, in anticipation of the shrinking salary cap, will be tempted to use an amnesty buyout to rid themselves of the $34.7 million burden of Bryzgalov's contract over the next seven seasons. Amnesty rules would limit the buyout cost to $23 million, paid over twice the remaining term, or 14 seasons. Bryzgalov would become a free agent and his cap hit would disappear. The Flyers already are negotiating Mason's deal to a number lower than the $3 million qualifying offer required to retain his rights as a restricted free agent next season. If they buy out Bryz, they could acquire an even cheaper backup for Mason. Bryzgalov certainly has considered all of those possibilities. He might be flighty, but he ain't dumb. As for Philadelphia brass impatiently throwing money around, consider: * The Eagles paid cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha $4 million in guaranteed money to leave and join the best team in the NFC. Asomugha would have earned $15 million in his third season as an Eagle. * The Sixers paid forward Elton Brand $18 million in an amnesty buyout to play zero games for them, on someone else's bench. They used most of that cap room to acquire Andrew Bynum, whom they paid more than $16 million . . . to also play zero games for them. 667887 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers storm back late and beat Canadiens

Marc Narducci, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER Posted: Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 10:32 PM For the Flyers to get back into the playoff hunt, they must do some extraordinary things, such as going on a lengthy winning streak. The Flyers won their third straight game for the first time this season with a 5-3 comeback victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers came through in the third period, outscoring Montreal, 3-0, and outshooting the Canadiens, 14-2. "We are winning battles, making better decisions with the puck, and we're having more fun playing that third period," said captain Claude Giroux, who assisted on Erik Gustafsson's winning goal. "When we are down, we want it so badly and keep working." Gustafsson scored the decisive goal with 3 minutes, 36 seconds remaining. Jake Voracek added an empty-netter. Taking a pass from Giroux, Gustafsson skated deep in Montreal's end and sent a puck on goal that bounced off a Canadiens defenseman and went in. It was Gustafsson's first goal of the season. "I got it from [Giroux] and was looking to shoot it first, but the guy came out in my shooting lane so I faked it and put it in front," Gustafsson said. ". . . You never know what will happen, and it went in on a lucky bounce." The Flyers had gotten the equalizer on Wayne Simmonds' 12th goal with 5:06 left. Bruno Gervais' shot bounced off Simmonds' skate. With 12 games left, the Flyers are four points out of the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. The New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, and New York Islanders are each tied for seventh with 39 points. This was the end of a five-game homestand for the Flyers, who went 3-1-1 (3-0-1 after an opening loss) and play in Toronto on Thursday night in the first stop on a three-game trip. Injuries continue to plague the Flyers. Zac Rinaldo did not return after he suffered a lower-body injury in the second period. Montreal opened the scoring on defenseman Alexei Emelin's snap shot from inside the blue line with 6:47 left in the first period. Emelin received an outstanding back pass from Max Pacioretty for the only goal of the opening period. The Flyers tied the score on a fluke goal by Sean Couturier, whose pass from inside the left circle went off the leg of P.K. Subban and into the net with 15:13 left in the second period. "I got a nice pass in the slot from [Ruslan Fedotenko] and saw a chance to put the puck on the net and got a lucky bounce off a skate," Couturier said. "And I will take it." The Flyers took a brief, 2-1 lead when Simon Gagne scored on a rebound off the boards with 4:17 remaining. Luke Schenn and Oliver Lauridsen got the assists. For Lauridsen, it was his first NHL point. Montreal took the lead by scoring twice in 20 seconds. Brandon Prust got the equalizer on a wrist shot after a nice feed from Jeff Halpern with 3:31 left in the period. David DeSharnais broke the tie, scoring from close range on a feed from Emelin with 3:11 remaining. The Flyers came roaring back in the third period. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.04.2013 667888 Philadelphia Flyers “Yeah, I’m young and obviously if there’s big names coming, my name is always going to be thrown around,’’ he said. “I try not to think about it and just play the game and do what I do. Flyers rally for third straight win “It (the drought) was tough. I think the last couple of games I’ve been getting some good scoring chances and when you get scoring chances it’s just a matter of time before you find the back of the net and one lucky Posted: Thursday, April 4, 2013 12:00 am | Updated: 5:38 am, Thu Apr 4, bounce is all I need. Hopefully I can get some more here.’’ 2013. As for his teammates, Couturier says there’s no quit in them. By Wayne Fish Staff writer “We won’t give up,’’ he said. “We still have a chance and if we keep winning we’ll be right back in the mix. We’ve got to make our own destiny and we still have a chance so it’s good for us.’’ PHILADELPHIA — Another night, another resilient effort by the suddenly no-quit Flyers. For coach Peter Laviolette, his team is finally showing the character he’s been waiting for all season. Down by a goal with just a handful of minutes remaining, the Flyers picked up goals from Wayne Simmonds, Erik Gustafsson and Jake Voracek to “You change so much from year to year and certainly it’s an area that we stun the Montreal Canadiens, 5-3, at the Wells Fargo Center on have not been good at up until this point,’’ the coach said. “So it’s nice to Wednesday night. see some results in the third period. The win gave the Flyers their first three-game winning streak of the season, “We’re putting games away, we’re coming back in games and getting the after failing on five previous occasions. points and wins that we need.’’ Down 3-2, the Flyers came roaring back. Simmonds watched a puck deflect Short shots off his skate at 14:54. Then Gustafsson executed a brilliant fake to deliver a goal at 16:44. Voracek put it away with an empty-netter. Zac Rinaldo left the game with a lower body injury in the second period and did not return. Rinaldo reportedly needed assistance to leave the Wells Just a few days ago, the Flyers rallied to tie Washington with nine seconds Fargo Center, leading to speculation the injury is fairly serious. to play in regulation and won it in overtime, so what gives? Why the sudden turnaround, especially in the third periods, which have been a problem all Burlington County Times LOADED: 04.04.2013 season? “We’re playing real solid right now, good confidence,’’ said Gustafsson, who banked a puck off Montreal defenseman Francis Bouillon for the winner. “I think we’re coming together pretty good as a group, playing for each other, as a unit of five, helping each other better than we did earlier in the season.’’ Leading briefly late in the second period, the Flyers suffered one of their frequent mental lapses and gave up a pair of goals. But then came the rally, and the Flyers managed to stay four points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference standings. This much we know, the Flyers haven’t given up hope. “We played one of our best games tonight,’’ Claude Giroux said. “When we’re hungry, that’s when we play our best. “We’re winning battles, making better decisions with the puck. Sometimes when we’re down, we want it so bad, we just keep working.’’ The Flyers held the lead in the second period courtesy of a Simon Gagne goal. But then the Canadiens came roaring back with a pair of goals just 20 seconds apart as the period was coming to a close to retake the lead at 3-2. Gagne put the Flyers briefly in front at 15:43, when he beat Carey Price from close range, courtesy of an Oliver Lauridsen assist (his first NHL point). Lauridsen’s shot actually took a friendly bounce off the end boards and right to Gagne’s stick. It didn’t take long for the Canadiens to recover. They made it 2-2 on a Brandon Prust goal at 16:29. The Canadiens worked a nice odd-man rush, with Jeff Halpern setting up Prust at the right hash marks for a shot under Ilya Bryzgalov’s glove. Unsettled by that goal, the Flyers allowed another on a wide-angle shot by David Desharnais. But the final rally erased any bad memories. Earlier, Sean Couturier finally broke a 27-game goal drought at 4:47 of the second period. Ruslan Fedotenko picked up the assist as Couturier scored for the first time since Jan. 27, just his third goal of the season. Ending the drought was quite a bit of a relief for Couturier, who had been the subject of trade rumors leading up to Wednesday’s deadline. 667889 Philadelphia Flyers It seems a stretch to think the Flyers have the time to determine that Mason will be a No. 1, that they can find another competent backup goalie and that they can eat that much cash just to send Bryzgalov and his cap hit on their PARENT: Trades show Flyers are looking for cap space way. But this is a team that needs half of an overhaul at the blue line, and that can only come with cap room to spare. No matter how much it costs. April 04, 2013 Delaware County Times LOADED: 04.04.2013 By ROB PARENT

VOORHEES, N.J. — Having managed an early skate just to reacquaint himself with the ice Wednesday, Danny Briere had a spring in his heart if not in his step. “It smells like playoffs,” Briere said of the upbeat vibe in the building, or maybe predicting when he could next play hockey. Aside from that verbal shot of warmth, however, the news on Briere didn’t seem much better. He says he’s still suffering symptoms from the concussion caused by a fall into the boards during a practice March 23, but he doesn’t know when he will next sniff a game. Briere said he’d tried to start a real rehabilitation since he bumped his head, but “had a couple of setbacks.” He was hoping to avoid another one after this skate, but remains out indefinitely. “You get to the point where you feel OK, and so you push it a little bit more every day,” Briere said. “And if that’s fine, you push a little bit more.” You get the idea that he won’t have any problem pushing hard if the Flyers go on some kind of April dash despite their long playoff odds. But what’s not so clear about Briere’s status is what will become of him after the season. He’s likely on a Flyers farewell tour right now, and it’s possible goalie Ilya Bryzgalov is going to take a bow with him if the Flyers decide to eat a ton of cash to say goodbye. For clarity, look at Paul Holmgren’s actions at the trade deadline Wednesday. From the looks of things, he traded one backup goalie for another, and picked up a journeyman forward off the waiver wire. But you could also see Holmgren’s acquisition of goalie Steve Mason as a precursor to an offseason rebuild. You can especially see that when you see how the Flyers can’t possibly go into another season with a team lacking so much and so strapped by a couple of contracts, those of Briere and Bryzgalov. Briere is an obvious candidate for a compliance buyout under the so-called “amnesty clause included in the collective bargaining agreement that was painfully hashed out in January. His cap hit is $6.5 million for each of the next two years, though his actual salary is only a total of $5 million for those two years. If the Flyers included him as one of the two amnesties they’re allowed to exercise over the next two offseasons, all of Briere’s money would come off the cap and the Flyers would only have to pay him two-thirds of the remaining salary on his contract ($3.3 million), then give him a grateful handshake and send him on his way. It’s possible that Briere’s concussion complicated matters, since teams are not allowed to use the compliance buyout on injured players. The Flyers would not be able to use the amnesty clause on him until he got cleared by a doctor. Whether that means a team doctor or Briere’s personal choice isn’t something clear in a CBA apparently still being printed into nice little books in the NHL offices. Either way, the Flyers likely will be able to move Briere in that fashion, which will get $6.5 million off the cap books for next season. That done, a decision will have to be made: Can Steve Mason become this team’s starting goalie? If so, the Flyers would be able to erase another $5.6 million off their cap next year and six years after that by calling an amnesty on Bryzgalov. But that will truly come at a cost, since, let’s see ... Bryzgalov has $35.5 million in salary left on his deal. How’s a nice $23.3 million severance check sound, Bryz? “We like Steve as a young goalie,” Holmgren said of his new backup goalie, a guy just four years removed from winning a Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. “I still think there’s tremendous upside there.” 667890 Philadelphia Flyers Asked if Mason would naturally be considered the backup goalie, Holmgren said only, “We see him as one of our two goalies, not only for the rest of this year, but moving forward.” Flyers swap Michael Leighton for Blue Jackets’ Steve Mason For now, though, Holmgren is fine with the fate that his team’s inadequacies, slow start and recent injuries have dealt it. He was not going to gamble any of his young assets at the deadline in a blind attempt to alter April 04, 2013 his team’s present course. By ROB PARENT “We like our young group,” Holmgren said. “I still think we can make a little push here. We’ll see what happens over the final 13 games, but we have a lot of good, young players that we like and I think a lot of other teams like them, too. We didn’t want to do anything to disrupt that. We’ll ride out the VOORHEES, N.J. — Picking up right where he left off last June at the NHL rest of the year and try to make a playoff push.” draft, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren again made a goalie trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets and thereby may have ignited a lot of Holmgren said he’s already spoken with Mason’s agent about a contract goalie gossip going forward. extension. His current deal is paying him $3.2 million salary with a $2.9 million cap hit in this, the final year of the deal. He is scheduled to be a Beating the 3 p.m. trade deadline by about a half-hour, Holmgren restricted free agent, and considering Bryzgalov’s $5.6M hit, the Flyers Wednesday acquired Steve Mason from the Blue Jackets in exchange for could be looking at $9 million or so of what’s expected to be a $64 million backup goalie Michael Leighton and a third-round draft pick in 2015. It was payroll limit next season dedicated to two goalies. Or not? the marquee move of the day for Holmgren, who aside from making a few other minor moves in the days leading up to the deadline stood pat with the “I don’t think it will be $9 million,” Holmgren said. “I think there’s a way you core of his team despite holes up and down the Flyers’ roster. can work with Steve and his agent to get his salary down a little bit. I don’t think that will be an issue.” Also acquired Wednesday was veteran checking line forward Adam Hall, plucked off waivers from Tampa Bay. Saturday Holmgren had traded for NOTES: Nick Grossmann practiced Wednesday but still seems at least a Detroit defenseman Kent Huskins (for a conditional 2014 pick) and Monday couple of game days from playing. He’s likely the only Flyer of the current sent minor leaguer Harry Zolnierczyk to Anaheim for fighter Jay Rosehill. injured group (Max Talbot, Danny Briere, Meszaros, Braydon Coburn, Grossmann) that will be able to return this regular season. ... Holmgren At least bringing in Mason is an intriguing move. Still only 24, he was the confirmed Talbot’s fractured left leg ends his season. For that reason, Hall 2009 NHL Rookie of the Year, going 33-20-7 in 61 appearances with a 2.29 was picked up off waivers. “He’s a good kid, works hard and can play any goals-against average and .916 saves percentage for a typically bad Blue position,” Holmgren said. Jackets team. Delaware County Times LOADED: 04.04.2013 That breakout first season came after Mason was hailed as a hockey hero in leading Team Canada to the gold medal at the 2008 World Junior Championships. Since those early successes, his career has dovetailed. The low point came this season, as he lost his starting position to former Flyers backup Sergei Bobrovsky, who was traded to Columbus at the NHL draft in June for three draft picks. In 13 games this season, Mason has a 3-6-1 record with a 2.95 GAA and . 899 saves percentage, while Bobrovsky has been claiming player of the week and month honors while leading the Blue Jackets to the verge of respectability. That put Mason, a pending restricted free agent, on the verge of delight that he was getting out. “With the way that Sergei has played, he’s taken the ball and really run with it,” Mason said in an interview with TSN at the deadline. “Every goaltender wants to be able to have a fresh start. Nobody likes sitting on the bench. Myself, going to a new organization and re-establishing my career, I’m looking forward to that.” Mason played with Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds and Luke Schenn on that gold-medal winning Canadian junior tourney team and he said he’s “more than thrilled” to be renewing old acquaintances. When asked what he thought went wrong with the Blue Jackets, Mason added, “I put a lot of expectations on myself. When one bad thing happened, it seemed to have a snowball effect, and I just couldn’t get out of it. Now, with a fresh start, you just forget about all the negative things.” But Mason’s presence and stature could represent something negative to starting goalie Ilya Bryzgalov. Making his 20th straight start Wednesday night against the Montreal Canadiens, Bryzgalov has been relatively solid this season. But when you consider the Flyers were likely to put a player like Andrej Meszaros on long-term injured reserve just so they could clear space for roster additions, there are implications going forward about a rebuilding job being hampered by the $5.66 million salary cap hit Bryzgalov’s contract calls for in each of the next seven years. With Mason on board, speculation will likely increase that the Flyers may make Bryzgalov one of two cap compliance buyouts the Flyers are allowed to exercise this offseason and next. Holmgren said he had not spoken to his starting goalie about the Mason move. “His job is to stop the puck while he’s in the net,” Holmgren said. “It’s not to worry about other things like that.” 667891 Philadelphia Flyers shift. That’s when Paul Holmgren moved Michael Leighton and a third- round 2015 draft choice to Columbus for goalie Steve Mason, a former rookie of the year. The quick analysis was that it at least gives the Flyers a Win, new goalie have Flyers looking toward the future cushion should they choose to buy Bryzgalov out for the cap relief, an option that came with the new bargaining agreement. But with Bryzgalov making his 20th consecutive start Wednesday, and an April 04, 2013 ordinary one at that, Mason could be an appealing net alternative for a club with continuing postseason hopes. By JACK McCAFFERY “He’s a young goaltender who has had some success in the league,” Peter Laviolette said before the game. “I’m sure he is looking to get here and get going with us for a fresh start for him. So we’re excited. He’s a big PHILADELPHIA — By day, the Flyers gave indication Wednesday that they goaltender that has had a lot of success in the league.” were edging toward reshaping their next season. By night, they would continue to try to salvage this one. With those 12 games left in the regular season, the Flyers will play their next five on the road, beginning tonight in Toronto. With three goals in the final 5:06, the Flyers would earn a 5-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens at the Wells Fargo Center, good for their first three- They are not talking about the playoffs, but a successful five-game game winning streak of the season, and for continued hope that the homestand earned them the option to start thinking that way. fractured season may last beyond their final 12 scheduled games. “We have just been talking about our games, and less about what other That was only hours after they’d put themselves in position for a major teams are doing around the league,” Laviolette said. “We just focus on our offseason personnel shift by trading for another capable goaltender and the opponent and on being ready to play when we have to. The only thing we possibility of new salary maneuverability. can control right now is our games and making sure that we win them.” The Flyers entered the game in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, yet Delaware County Times LOADED: 04.04.2013 finished what was felt to be a season-defining five-game homestand at an encouraging 3-1-1. “Any time you play at home, in front of your fans, you have to get those wins,” captain Claude Giroux said. “Obviously, it is not a secret our record is not too good on the road. So we have to focus here.” Wayne Simmonds was rewarded for his focus in front of Carey Price at 14:54 of the third, when he redirected a Bruno Gervais attempt and forged a 3-3 tie. And 2:30 later, Erik Gustafsson was credited with the game-winning goal on a deflected pass to Matt Read in front. Jake Voracek’s goal with 39 seconds left added the flourish. Sean Couturier and Simon Gagne each scored odd goals to help build a 2- 1 lead in the second period, but Montreal answered with two goals within 20 seconds. Zac Rinaldo left with a lower-body injury during the game. The Flyers offered no deeper explanation. The first period ended with 20 seconds of tension between Brayden Schenn and P.K. Subban. After a collision in the Montreal zone, the two skated back around toward the Flyers’ bench where, at the horn, Schenn elbowed Subban, who crashed into the boards and tumbled. The crowd was delighted, the authorities were not, and Schenn was smeared with a two- minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. By then, the Canadiens had built a 1-0 lead. With Brendan Gallagher screening and Luke Schenn providing minimal help, Alexei Emelin would send a 20-yard wrist shot past Bryzgalov at 13:13. But Couturier answered at 4:47 of the second with a flip that hit Price, then ricocheted off the leg of a stunned Subban and into the net. The goal was Couturier’s third of the season and first since Jan. 27, a span of 27 games. The Flyers made it 2-1 on another fluke goal at 15:43 of the second. That’s when Luke Schenn shot way wide of the net, only to have the puck ping- pong off the back boards and directly to an unattended Gagne, who redirected it past a shocked Price. “It was good work by our line,” said Gagne, of his third goal of the season. “There was good cycling of the puck and keeping the puck on the wall. I got a lucky rebound from the board right on to my tape. I think Carey Price was looking at the other side, so I had a pretty much open net. It was a lucky bounce, but I’ll take it.” The Flyers took the goal, the lead and what should have been momentum. But just 46 seconds later, Brandon Prust hustled into the zone, accepted a pinpoint pass from Jeff Halpern and scored to even it up. And 20 seconds after that, David Desharnais took a shot from the deep right-wing circle that deflected off of Brayden Schenn’s stick and so startled Bryzgalov that he lifted his arms above his head as if unable to see the puck, which promptly sailed past him for a 3-2 Montreal lead. If not necessarily for any of those such reasons, but just because of the way the money and the opportunities are shuffled about the NHL, it was the Flyers’ activity earlier in the day that indicated a more lasting goaltending 667892 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers claim Hall off waivers

One day after the Carolina Hurricanes sent forward Adam Hall and a seventh-round draft pick to Tampa Bay in exchange for Marc-Andre Bergeron, the Lightning put Hall on waivers ... and the Flyers made him theirs today. That's been the extent of their Trade Deadline Day activity so far, picking up the veteran Hall off waivers. They also apparently have kept defenseman Kurtis Foster, who was to be on waivers until 12 noon. There has been no word of him being claimed. Hall is 32, hasn't scored a goal this year but provides needed depth with both Max Talbot and Danny Briere both likely out for at least the balance of the regular season. Hall is rather well traveled. He has 591 career NHL games under his belt, including stints with Pittsburgh, Minnesota, the Rangers, Nashville, Carolina and Tampa twice. He has 65 career goals and 147 career points. As for Briere, who has been out the past 10 days with a concussion, he told the Daily Times today that he's still experiencing rather severe symptoms and only now is starting light exercise again after suffering a few setbacks. Briere is not optimistic of a return to action anytime soon. More on this later. posted by Rob Parent Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 667893 Philadelphia Flyers Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013

Instant Replay: Flyers 5, Canadiens 3

April 3, 2013, 10:00 pm Sarah Baicker

It took five tries, but the Flyers finally managed to win three consecutive games, and they did it in front of the home crowd. Wednesday’s effort at the Wells Fargo Center was certainly mixed. There were highlights, sure, but lowlights too, as the Flyers once again fell victim to bad luck while also slipping into some of the same bad habits that have plagued them all throughout this lockout-shortened season. They fought through it, however, besting the Montreal Canadiens, 5-3. The Habs are a fast team, and entered Wednesday’s game in the midst of a rather hot streak – they had won their last three in a row, including a big 3-0 shutout of the New York Rangers. If ever there were a time for the Flyers to prove they could play with desperation for a full 60 minutes, this was it. They did start the game with some jump, claiming the first three shots on net of the evening, but the pace began to decline as the period went on. And it took only until the unlucky time of 13:13 of the first period for the Canadiens to strike. Defenseman Alexei Emelin got lucky on a shot from the point, as Ilya Bryzgalov was screened. The Canadiens carried their 1-0 lead into the second stanza, which the Flyers started on the penalty kill thanks to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Brayden Schenn. Schenn allowed Habs defenseman P.K. Subban to do what he does very well – draw a needless penalty. They killed that penalty off, and followed it up with a back-to-back fights, injecting some energy into what had been becoming a listless effort. First, Wayne Simmonds took on Travis Moen in a short-but-sweet match that saw Simmonds land one good punch before the two toppled to the ice. As soon as play resumed, Zac Rinaldo squared off with Brandon Prust – though Rinaldo was on the losing end of the tussle. He later left the game with a lower-body injury, and didn’t return. Moments later, Sean Couturier tied it up for the Flyers. A strange bounce off of what appeared to at first be a pass hit Montreal goalie Carey Price before bouncing off of Subban’s leg and deflecting into the net, but even the ugly ones count. It was Couturier’s first goal since Jan. 27. The Flyers added to Couturier’s tally when Simon Gagne picked up a puck that had bounced off the boards behind Price and whipped it home. “It was good work by our line,” Gagne said. “There was good cycling of the puck and keeping the puck on the wall. I got a lucky rebound from the board right on to my tape. I think Carey Price was looking at the other side, so I had a pretty much open net. It was a lucky bounce, but I'll take it.” Unfortunately for the Flyers, however, their 2-1 lead lasted less than a minute. To make matters worse, it took a mere 20 seconds for Brandon Prust to tie the game at 2 and center David Desharnais to return the lead to the Canadiens, who carried the 3-2 score into the third period. While he can’t bear all the fault for Prust’s tally, Bryzgalov appeared to duck as Desharnais’ shot flew at him. The Flyers picked up the pace in the third period, peppering Price with a handful of solid shots. Claude Giroux even got in the mix, getting physical in a small scuffle with Habs center Lars Eller. Wayne Simmonds tied the game at 3 when he camped out on Price’s doorstep to get a piece of a point shot from Bruno Gervais with his skate. The crowd, newly reinvigorated, got to its feet and got loud. Just seconds later, Erik Gustafsson gave the Flyers the 4-3 lead. Jakub Voracek then sealed the victory with an empty-net goal to make it a 5-3 final. (more coming...) 667894 Philadelphia Flyers “Max Talbot is out for the year,” Holmgren said, in explaining why Hall is here. “It was an easy decision. Adam’s been around. He’s bigger guy who can play left wing, center, right wing. It’s depth and experience.” Flyers keep core of young players intact as deadline passes Talbot has a broken left leg. You sensed the Flyers weren’t going to be terribly active on trade deadline April 3, 2013, 5:45 pm Tim Panaccio day, and although they made a number of calls to teams looking toward the future, they didn’t make any impact moves. “We did a lot of whistling the last few days, but didn’t push hard for anything “Don’t do anything rash.” to happen,” Holmgren said. “Don’t waste our young kids on a has-been.” Actually, the Flyers were in it to the end for Ottawa goalie Ben Bishop before he was moved to Tampa Bay. They also inquired about Phoenix Those words came directly from a couple of Flyers scouts, who said they defenseman Keith Yandle, a player who was available at last summer’s would speak their mind on trade deadline day to keep their younger players NHL draft on the very day the Flyers made the JVR trade for Luke Schenn. from being moved. An Ottawa source said the Senators wanted Sean Couturier for Bishop, a To that end, the Flyers were entirely successful during Wednesday’s NHL price the Flyers felt was too high. Indeed, it was because the Flyers may trade deadline. They didn’t move Sean Couturier or Matt Read or Scott very well need to move Couturier this summer for a defenseman. Laughton, or even any minor-league prospect in any deals. “We like our young group,” Holmgren said. “I think we can still make a little That said, the Flyers remained unable to fortify their rather gaping holes on push here [in the standings] and we’ll see what happens over the final 13 defense for the remainder of the season, but that wasn’t surprising. games. Their entire defense can be tackled in the offseason. By then, the Flyers “We have a lot of good, young players that we like and I think a lot of other could also have a very high first-round draft pick, depending upon where teams like them, too.” they finish in the final Eastern Conference standings, to assist them in deal- making. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 The only actual trade the Flyers made today was sending backup goalie Michael Leighton to Columbus for backup Steve Mason (see story). The Flyers had lost confidence that Leighton could actually spell Ilya Bryzgalov and get a win. Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren feels Mason can do that, although his stats over the past three years really don’t suggest he can be effective with a goals-against average over 3.00. “I think he’s bounced back a little bit better this year,” Holmgren said, meeting with reporters late Wednesday afternoon. “Sergei [Bobrovsky] has taken over the spot there. Steve is still a young goalie and has a lot of upside. Jeff Reese, our goalie coach, studies a lot of goalies and likes Steve, thinks something is there. Moving forward, he’s a guy we had an interest in.” Holmgren dodged the question of whether he saw Mason as simply the backup to Ilya Bryzgalov. “We see him as one of our two goalies,” he said. “Not only for the rest of this year, but moving forward. We’ll just leave it at that for now.” Mason is a restricted free agent earning $2.9 million. Given his poor numbers, the Flyers will look to re-sign him for less money. It’s hard to see the Flyers spending in excess of $8.5 million next season on Mason and Bryzgalov ($5.66 million) combined – assuming Bryzgalov is here. “There’s a way you can work with Steve and his agent, to get his salary down a little bit,” Holmgren replied, all but saying Mason will have to take a pay cut. “I don’t think that will be an issue.” A former Calder Trophy winner, who enjoyed considerable success in junior – 2008 gold medal for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships and MVP – Mason didn’t shine on a number of poor Blue Jacket clubs. The Flyers feel he’ll do better here. Then again, the Flyers have to improve themselves on defense to really have an impact on any goalie right now. “I don’t know what’s gone on there [in Columbus], but we liked Steve as a young goalie,” Holmgren said. “I still think there’s tremendous upside there. We’ll bring him in, work with him and try to achieve his goals of being a better goalie, as well.” In an unrelated move, the Flyers picked up 32-year-old forward Adam Hall off waivers from Tampa Bay (see story). This was an obvious depth move that cost them nothing. 667895 Philadelphia Flyers Roughly an hour before the deadline, the Ottawa Senators dealt Bishop – a player the Flyers had definite interest in acquiring – to Tampa Bay for talented rookie Cory Conacher and a fourth-round pick this summer. Flyers acquire goalie Steve Mason from Columbus Conacher immediately became the Sens’ No. 1 points guy with 24. The Flyers were in it till the end on Bishop. One Ottawa source said April 3, 2013, 2:30 pm Tim Panaccio Senators general manager Bryan Murray was asking for Sean Couturier. Given they got Conacher from the Lightning, it would make sense that Ottawa wanted Couturier. They couldn’t get Ben Bishop. The Flyers felt that price was too high. So the Flyers settled on trading for Columbus goalie Steve Mason on Wednesday at the NHL trade deadline. The team needs to restock its blue line after the season and find a young, franchise defenseman -- if it can. Those are the toughest deals in hockey, Not even an hour after Ottawa traded Bishop to the Tampa Bay Lightning, as the Flyers found out last summer with Ryan Suter and Shea Weber. the Flyers went out and got Mason in exchange for Michael Leighton and a 2015 third-round draft pick. For now, the Flyers are holding onto the very few valuable chips they have until the summer when they reshape the club. A goalie, you ask? Not a defenseman? Yep. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 The only other move the club made Wednesday was claiming 32-year-old veteran forward Adam Hall off waivers from Tampa Bay (see story). Mason carries a $2.9 million cap hit. He’ll be a backup to Ilya Bryzgalov right now but, what happens this summer when he’s up for renewal as a restricted free agent? Don’t be surprised if the Flyers go after another goalie this summer as their new starter and amnesty Bryzgalov with Mason as the backup. General manager Paul Holmgren was vague on Bryzgalov's role with the team in the future when asked if he saw Mason as simply a backup goalie. “We see him as one of our two goalies,” Holmgren said. “Not only for the rest of this year, but moving forward. We’ll just leave it at that for now.” It’s hard to imagine the Flyers will invest over $8.5 million into one position given Bryzgalov's cap hit is $5.66 million. The Russian has been worn down this season without an adequate backup that coach Peter Laviolette feels can win on any given night after being a healthy scratch for games in succession. Mason can certainly do that, but his numbers have been awful for three straight seasons. “I’m really excited and going to a new organization with a fresh opportunity to play with some players I have a history with from World Juniors there. Just really looking forward to meeting the new guys and starting off fresh,” Mason said in an interview with TSN. “I’m more than thrilled to have this new opportunity. With the way Sergei [Bobrovsky] has played, he’s taken the ball and really run with it. “Every goaltender wants a fresh start and not be sitting on the bench. I’m going to a new organization to re-establish my career and really looking forward to that.” Mason has been poor in Columbus, posting a 2.95 goals against average and .899 save percentage for the Blue Jackets in 13 games. Ironically, the former Flyer Bobrovsky took his job. Think about it. The Flyers trade their backup goalie to Columbus; he becomes a star; then the next season, the Flyers trade for the Blue Jackets' backup, who lost his job to the ex-Flyer backup. This stuff can only happen in Flyerdom. The 24-year-old is a former Calder Trophy winner as NHL Rookie of the Year (2008-09), when he won 33 games for Columbus with a 2.29 goals against average and .916 save percentage under ex-Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock. “I put a lot of expectations on myself and when bad things happen and seem to snowball, I just couldn’t get out of it,” Mason said of his play since 2008-09. "You forget all the negative things and go into a new, positive situation and try to make the most of it. “Going to Philadelphia and working with Bryzgalov, I’m looking forward to working with him and moving forward with things.” 667896 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers claim forward Adam Hall off waivers

April 3, 2013, 12:45 pm Tim Panaccio Having lost Max Talbot for the remainder of the season with a broken left leg, the Flyers added depth today at the trade deadline off waivers. Veteran forward Adam Hall, who’s gone through waivers a few times this season already, was claimed from Tampa Bay. In March, he had previously been claimed by the Hurricanes from Tampa Bay, then traded back to the Bolts for Marc-Andre Bergeron on Tuesday. A 1999 draft pick of Nashville, Hall has bounced around the NHL. This will be his seventh club. He played 20 games with four assists for Tampa Bay this season and six games with Carolina and registered no points. Hall, a center who wins more than 50 percent of his draws, might also be used on the penalty kill, which was one of Talbot’s specialties. His cap hit is $650,000 and he is a unrestricted free agent this summer. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 667897 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers staying alive, vying for season-best streak

April 3, 2013, 11:00 am Tim Panaccio

A season first. That’s what is at stake Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center as the Flyers host the Montreal Canadiens (see game notes). Peter Laviolette’s club is attempting to win three games in succession for the first time this year. “Montreal has been playing very good this year,” Flyers captain Claude Giroux said. “It’s going to be a good test for us. They’re a fast team. They find a way to win a lot of games.” On Sunday, the Flyers were two points behind the eighth-seeded Rangers. Since then, the standings have changed again in the Eastern Conference as the Flyers have fallen further behind. The Islanders now occupy the eighth seed, six points ahead of the Flyers. “It’s nice to win two in a row,” Scott Hartnell said. “It’s been a long time since that happened. We’re feeling good where we are. Our play is a lot better in the last couple games.” There is different feel lately in the Flyers' dressing room. Confident smiles have replaced concerned brows. Though the Flyers may not be in a playoff spot and their chances still remain slim, they believe they’ve straightened some things out and are actually competing in games, despite the staggering loss on the back end with defensemen Andrej Meszaros and Braydon Coburn done for the season, while Nick Grossmann remains day to day with an upper body injury. “It’s do or die right now and it’s fun hockey – this is what it is all about,” Hartnell said. “Focus on catching teams ahead of us in the standings. “Seems every night we will have a chance tie or pass a team it’s such a close race. This is where you decipher between boys and men, and hopefully we come out on top.” Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov will make his 20th consecutive start tonight. “Bryz looks good,” Laviolette said. “We’ve tried our best to give him some rest. We understand where we’re at as a group. Bryz has played well for us. “We don’t have the luxury of picking games or looking at back-to-back sets where maybe [we] can get Michael [Leighton] in there. Every game is so important to us right now. “We have to get Bryz back out and have tried to manage his time as best as we can on the ice with practices and days off.” Bryzgalov, who has started all but two games, is third in the NHL in minutes played at 1,899:31. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 667898 Philadelphia Flyers The Flyers, who have won two games in a row five times this season but have yet to put together a three-game winning streak, will complete a five- game homestand on Wednesday night. They have gone 2-1-1 in their last Flyers-Canadiens: What you need to know four contests at the Wells Fargo Center and have won two straight after a 0- 2-2 skid. The NHL’s top power-play unit will be facing off against one of hottest April 3, 2013, 9:30 am Tim Riday penalty-kill units on Wednesday. The Flyers have gone 6 for 9 on the man advantage in their last five games and are a league-best 24.8 percent on the PP. Montreal, however, has been lights out while a man down, successfully killing off 21 of their past 23 penalties. Flyers vs. Canadiens – 7:30 p.m., CSN Did you know? Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia The Flyers have outscored the Canadiens 15-6 while winning their last four Records matchups in South Philly against Montreal. Flyers: 15-17-3 (Last in Atlantic Division, 13th in Eastern Conference) Injuries Canadiens: 23-7-5 (First in Northeast Division, second in Eastern Flyers: Another game, another injury for the orange and black. Talbot will Conference) be out indefinitely after sustaining a broken left leg on Sunday. Last meeting Briere (concussion), Braydon Coburn (separated left shoulder), Jody In the last matchup between these two clubs, the Canadiens handled the Shelley (left hip surgery) are all on injured reserve and are also out Flyers in a 4-1 win in Montreal on Feb. 16. Danny Briere potted the Flyers’ indefinitely. lone goal, while four different Canadiens found the back of the net. Brendan Nicklas Grossmann, who has missed the last five games with an upper- Gallagher, David Desharnais and Tomas Plekanec each beat Ilya body injury, is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game. Bryzgalov before Rene Bourque sealed the victory for the Habs with an empty-net marker. Andrej Meszaros (left shoulder) is expected to miss the remainder of the season. Wednesday will mark the second of three meetings between the Flyers and Canadiens this season. The two teams will play once more in 2013 on April Canadiens: Ryan White has missed Montreal’s last five games and is 15 in Montreal. questionable to play against the Flyers on Wednesday. Previous games Bourque (concussion), Colby Armstrong (lower-body), Yannick Weber (knee) and Raphael Diaz (concussion) are all on IR. Ruslan Fedotenko scored for the second time in as many games and the Flyers rallied for a furious 5-4 overtime victory over the Washington Capitals Sound off on Sunday. The Flyers went down 4-2 in the third period, but Claude Giroux and Kimmo Timonen each scored before Fedotenko ended the game in OT Will the Flyers win their season-best third straight game? with his third tally of the season. The win did come at a cost, however, as Max Talbot, who scored the Flyers’ first goal, suffered a broken leg in the Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 second period. After scoring just one goal in 12 contests, Max Pacioretty tallied two markers to help the Canadiens upend the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-1, on Monday. Habs netminder Carey Price turned aside 18 saves in his 300th career NHL game. After beating Carolina, Montreal has won all 10 games its played against Southeast Division opponents this season. Who's hot Claude Giroux has been playing like a man possessed over the past six games. The Flyers’ captain has recorded three goals and six assists during that span and has vaulted himself into a tie with Jakub Voracek for the team-lead in points with 35. For Montreal, P.K. Subban has posted six points in his past three games. The Canadiens’ defenseman has 10 goals and 18 assists for the Habs this season and is tied with Minnesota’s Ryan Suter and Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang for the league lead in points amongst defenseman with 28. Who's not A year after scoring a career-high 37 goals, Scott Hartnell has struggled offensively in this lockout-shortened season. The winger has tallied just three points – all goals – in his last 10 contests and is on pace to record seven markers and 12 points in 2013. Price hasn’t had much success against the Flyers as of late. In his last six starts versus the orange and black, he’s gone 1-5 with a 3.38 goals-against average. Keep an eye on... Time is running out for the Flyers. They have 13 games left to put together a run for a playoff position and enter Wednesday trailing the New York Islanders by six points – with two games in hand – for the eighth seed in the East. Montreal, which is currently riding a three-game winning streak, holds a one-point lead over the Boston Bruins for the top spot in the Northeast Division. The Habs also enter this contest with one of the NHL’s best road marks at 12-3-2. 667899 Philadelphia Flyers

Couturier scores first in Flyers win

Apr. 3, 2013 10:18 PM Written by Dave Isaac Courier-Post Staff

PHILADELPHIA — The double fist pump and a yell from the lungs of second-year player Sean Couturier spoke…well, screamed volumes. His shot deflected off the stick of Montreal defenseman Lars Eller. Then off goalie Carey Price’s arm. Then off P.K. Subban’s left skate and into the Canadiens’ net. A 27-game goalless drought was over and Couturier got the Flyers on the board for the first time on the night in a 5-3 Flyers win, their third in a row. Both Couturier and the Flyers are schneid. Five other times this season the Flyers had won two in a row, but came up short when going for the third consecutive victory. This is the first time all year they’ve done it. Couturier’s goal tied the game at one apiece at 4:47 of the second period, when the Flyers decided to take over. They outshot Montreal 12-4 in the second stanza and got going thanks to a couple of tough guys. Wayne Simmonds and Zac Rinaldo tried to put some fight in the game by dropping the gloves. Simmonds fought Travis Moen off a faceoff and on the ensuing draw, Rinaldo dropped the gloves with Brandon Prust. Two minutes and 32 seconds later, Couturier got the Flyers on the board. Simon Gagne put the Flyers up a goal at 15:43 of the second period off a back-boards pass from Ruslan Fedotenko. “It was good work by our line,” Gagne said. “There was good cycling of the puck and keeping the puck on the wall. I got a lucky rebound from the board right on to my tape. I think Carey Price was looking at the other side so I had a pretty much open net. It was a lucky bounce, but I'll take it." The win for the Flyers is the second consecutive come-from-behind effort. They did it Sunday against Washington, too. Montreal threatened with two goals in 20 seconds from Prust and David Desharnais in the waning minutes of the second period. Third periods haven’t been kind to the Flyers, but they scored three goals in five minutes to put the Canadiens, the Eastern Conference’s second seed, to bed. Goals by Simmonds at 14:54, Erik Gustafsson at 16:24 and an empty netter by Jake Voracek at 19:21, gave the Flyers three consecutive wins for the first time all season. Empty netters Rinaldo didn’t return to the game after his fight with a lower-body injury. … Nick Grossmann practiced with the team in the morning skate, but missed his sixth consecutive game with an upper-body injury. … Center Danny Briere missed his sixth as well with a concussion, but he skated by himself Wednesday morning. …Former captain Chris Pronger was in attendance as a guest in GM Paul Holmgren’s suite. Reach Dave Isaac Courier-Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667900 Philadelphia Flyers

Notes: Flyers' Plan B is a goaltender

Apr 4, 2013 | Written by Dave Isaac Courier-Post Staff PHILADELPHIA — Paul Holmgren did a lot of listening as Wednesday’s trade deadline approached. When the clock ticked closer and closer toward the 3 p.m. deadline, the Flyers general manager decided to pull the trigger. He’d been working on a deal for two weeks. When Ottawa traded highly coveted goalie Ben Bishop to Tampa Bay, Holmgren went with Plan B. He picked up a goalie from the Columbus Blue Jackets. But he didn’t trade for the guy he let go last year for a second-round draft pick and a pair of fourths. He acquired Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup in exchange for a 2015 third-round pick and Michael Leighton. Steve Mason, 24, was the NHL’s rookie of the year in 2008-09, but has struggled since. In 13 games this season, Mason has a 2.95 goals-against average and .899 save percentage. He carries with him a $2.9 million cap hit and is a restricted free agent after this season. So, he’s got to be the backup, right? “We see him as one of our two goalies,” Holmgren said. “Not only for the rest of this year, but moving forward.” How did Ilya Bryzgalov react to this when he was told? The Russian goaltender is under contract until 2020. “I didn’t know it was gonna happen,” Holmgren said. “And to be honest, if I knew, I wouldn’t have talked to him anyway. His job is to stop the puck while he’s in the net. It’s not to worry about other things like that.” What the new goalie is worried about is reviving his career. He’ll have some friends around as he tries. He played with Claude Giroux, Luke Schenn and Wayne Simmonds on the 2008 gold-medal-winning Canadian World Junior team. Jake Voracek was a teammate in Columbus. “He’s got great talent and great potential,” Voracek said. “Everybody knows he hasn’t had the same year as he did the first year. Obviously he’s a great goalie and a big guy and he was working really hard when I was in Columbus.” As a restricted free agent-to-be, Mason’s qualifying offer is $3.2 million, but Holmgren thinks he can get a discount. He’s already begun working on an extension with Mason’s agent. “I think there’s a way you can work with Steve and his agent to get his salary down a little bit,” Holmgren said. “I don’t think that will be an issue.” Earlier in the day, Holmgren didn’t need to make a trade call for what he thinks is a valuable short-term addition. Future unrestricted free agent Adam Hall was waived by the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday and the Flyers picked him up to help offset the loss of Max Talbot, who is out for the year with a broken left leg. Both Holmgren and Peter Laviolette know the center from Kalamazoo, Mich. through USA Hockey. “We don’t really have that player that’s ready internally, we believe, so this was an easy decision to make today,” Holmgren said. There were a few calls, though, that Holmgren didn’t return. Many NHL teams were interested in young forwards on the Flyers’ roster like Sean Couturier. Although Holmgren said he was open to improving his team, he wasn’t open for a fire sale. “We like our young players, both today and moving forward,” Holmgren said. “You’d like to keep them all together to grow and see where it takes you. That’s been the plan. … This year, maybe the expectation levels haven’t been met but I haven’t changed our plan because of that.” Courier-Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667901 Philadelphia Flyers He left the game with a lower-body injury and reportedly won’t even make the trip to face the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight. He was seen after the game in a walking boot. Flyers: 'Comeback kids' grab another late victory It’s Another injury for the Flyers, but they’re finding their form, albeit late in games. Wednesday was the second come-from-behind victory in as many games. Written by Dave Isaac “We called ourselves ‘The Comeback Kids’ last year and we are kind of Courier-Post Staff back on that same page,” Read said. “You play with confidence and when you’re down one or two goals you just fight back and it’s another comeback. PHILADELPHIA — The double fist pump and a yell from the lungs of ‘The Comeback Kids’ win again tonight.” second-year player Sean Couturier spoke…well, screamed volumes. Courier-Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 His shot deflected off the stick of Montreal defenseman Lars Eller. Then off goalie Carey Price’s arm. Then off Montreal defenseman, P.K. Subban’s left skate and into the Canadiens’ net. A 27-game goalless drought was over and Couturier got the Flyers on the board for the first time of the night in a 5-3 Flyers come-from-behind win, their third in a row. “I was talking to him on the bench,” said Simon Gagne, who assisted on the goal. “He felt relief. Sometimes you just need that one to get going. Even before that, he was playing much better, but after that first goal, he started to skate with the puck, be a little more confident and it’s gonna be a big plus for us.” “It was good for the confidence to get the monkey off the back,” Couturier added. “It’s been a while and it’s nice to find the back of the net.” Couturier, 20, was the subject of trade rumors for weeks and after Wednesday’s trade deadline came and went and he was still wearing orange and black, he felt relieved and relaxed. “I’m glad to be here,” he said. “I try to control what I can control, and trades, you can’t really control what’s going to happen.” All of a sudden, both Couturier and the Flyers are off the schneid. Five other times this season the Flyers had won two in a row, but came up short when going for the third consecutive victory. This is the first time all year they’ve done it. “It feels good,” Couturier said. “We need these wins, especially at this time. We’re a little behind in the standings and every game is a must-win for us. We’re just trying to get two points every night.” With the win, the Flyers are four points back of most of their division rivals. The New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders all have 39 points and are occupying the seventh, eighth and ninth seeds respectively in the Eastern Conference. For a change, it was resilience in the third period that got the Flyers the all- important win. Entering the night, the Flyers had been outscored by opponents 41-25 in the final stanza. Wednesday, they scored three goals in 4:27 to win the game. “We’re winning battles and making better decisions with the puck,” said Claude Giroux, who had an assist on the game-winning goal by Erik Gustafsson. “I think it’s huge. We’re having more fun playing that third period. We just want it so bad that we keep working and we got a couple bounces in. It feels good to get another big win like this.” The Flyers outshot the Canadiens 26-6 over the last two periods of the game and 14-2 in the third period alone. The Flyers say luck was on their side as a product of firing pucks at the net. Gagne’s goal in the second period came off a deflection off the back boards, giving him an empty net to shoot at. Wayne Simmonds’ goal at 14:54 deflected off his left skate and Gustafsson’s game-winner was actually intended to be a pass to Matt Read. “They got four pretty lucky goals in my opinion,” Price said. “That’s the difference.” It wasn’t all good news for the Flyers, though. Zac Rinaldo fought Brandon Prust at 2:15 of the second period. After he served his penalty in the box, he skated off the ice for the last time. 667902 Phoenix Coyotes the rules of the game after a reforming 21-game suspension, will be missed. But to feel encouraged, look at the deals that weren’t consummated. Phoenix Coyotes decide time to sell is now, even with playoff hopes still flickering The defense wasn’t razed with Keith Yandle and Derek Morris still intact and very much vital pieces on the blue line. And the Coyotes retained two other upcoming unrestricted free agents, By Sarah McLellan, columnist Wed Apr 3, 2013 7:08 PM goalie Mike Smith and center Boyd Gordon despite, again, running the risk The Coyotes haven’t been able to yank down the for-sale sign for almost of having them leave for free agency in the summer. four years, but they had no problem finding buyers at the NHL trade “Neither of those players do we have anything done or imminent, but deadline for their on-ice goods. they’re important parts of our team,” Treliving said. “Those are guys that we They advertised grit, speed and experience and got returns on all three, want to have with us beyond this year, and we’ll continue to work at that.” dealing forwards Raffi Torres, Matthew Lombardi and Steve Sullivan for a The Coyotes recalled forwards Chris Brown and Chris Connor from their compilation of draft picks and a prospect. American Hockey League affiliate with McMillan reporting for duty there. Even a win Tuesday night against the defending Stanley Cup champion Los It’ll be somewhat of a patchwork effort to end the season, but the Coyotes Angeles Kings that, at the time, moved the Coyotes two points back of the have had successful stretches as a rag-tag bunch. eighth seed in the Western Conference couldn’t convince the Coyotes brass to remove the seller tag that probably began to stick in the midst of That isn’t a guaranteed precursor to a magical finish, but today’s roster that crippling seven-game losing streak. does more closely resemble the one that went to the Western Conference finals. But hope for a fourth straight playoff berth hasn’t been extinguished. The Coyotes still have a chance, albeit a slim one, because despite the heavy “We know it’s a tough climb here the remainder of the season,” Treliving subtraction, the core of the team was untouched. said. “But we hope our group can continue to push forward.” “The balancing act that we tried to do today was maximize the return on Arizona Republic LOADED: 04.04.2013 some of our unrestricted players right now without impacting our roster as best we could,” said Assistant General Manager Brad Treliving, who was manning the phone at the team’s headquarters on Wednesday while General Manager Don Maloney dealt with the recent death of his father. The exodus at the deadline was uncharacteristic during coach Dave Tippett’s watch, but the reasoning behind it was actually the same one that’s guided the Coyotes amid ownership uncertainty. Take the safe approach and do more with less. That’s what the Coyotes did in dealing away three impending unrestricted free agents, recouping assets instead of letting all three sign elsewhere once free agency opens July 5. “You cannot continually get to a point at the end of the season where people walk away from your team and you get nothing in return,” Treliving said. As much as the Coyotes tried to alleviate Sullivan’s responsibilities by not labeling him as a wholesale replacement for veteran Ray Whitney’s offensive production, Sullivan never could shake that comparison. With five goals and only 12 points, he underperformed, and since the Coyotes had no plans to re-sign him, they sent Sullivan to the New Jersey Devils for a seventh-round pick in 2014. “We would both agree it probably didn’t go as well as we all hoped,” Treliving said. Same can be said for Lombardi, who landed with the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for minor-leaguer Brandon McMillan. Lombardi joined the team three days before the season started and seemed to solve the Coyotes’ ongoing problem at center but never recaptured the effectiveness he had during his first stint with the team, from 2009-10. A shoulder injury further complicated his transition, and he was also unlikely to return after this season. “He never really seemed to get a rhythm,” Treliving said. Torres’ departure is the hardest to digest because not only is it to a Pacific Division rival — the San Jose Sharks, who will face the Coyotes two more times this season — but his value only rises as the playoffs approach. That no doubt made him one of the more coveted Coyotes on deadline day, with the Coyotes eventually pulling a 2013 third-round pick (the market price for a depth forward) away from the Sharks. The pick is actually Florida’s, handed off to San Jose via the New York Rangers in Tuesday’s Ryan Clowe swap, so the chance of it translating into an impact player is decent. The Coyotes were unsure if they’d be able to agree on a new contract with Torres, and his physicality and energy and quick release, packaged within 667903 Phoenix Coyotes

Phoenix Coyotes trade away Raffi Torres, Matthew Lombardi and Steve Sullivan

By Sarah McLellan azcentral sports Wed Apr 3, 2013 12:53 PM After adding players on or before the NHL trade deadline in the last three seasons, precursors to three straight playoff berths, the Coyotes took a different approach at Wednesday’s deadline by trading away forwards Raffi Torres, Matthew Lombardi and Steve Sullivan. All were pending unrestricted free agents, and the Coyotes secured a return rather than letting these players walk for nothing in the summer. The Coyotes sent Torres to Pacific Division rival San Jose in exchange for a third-round pick in 2013. Lombardi will go to Anaheim, another division opponent, and the Coyotes receive center Brandon McMillan in that deal. McMillan, taken in the third round by the Ducks in 2008, has played six games with the team this season after splitting time the last two seasons with the Ducks’ American Hockey League affiliate. And the Coyotes took a seventh-round pick in 2014 from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Sullivan, who signed a one-year contract with the Coyotes last summer as a free agent. The 38-year-old winger never really panned out, unable to fill at least part of the offensive void left by Ray Whitney. Sullivan scored five goals – including a hat trick – and added seven assists. The Coyotes honored him for becoming the 285th player to reach the 1,000-game milestone before Tuesday’s game. Lombardi was another pick-up before the season that didn’t help the Coyotes like they hoped. The center seemed to give the team the depth up the middle they’ve constantly been looking for, but Lombardi struggled after an early-season shoulder injury. He had four goals and four assists in 21 games and was recently a healthy scratch after falling down the depth chart. That was surprising because he had the best season of his career in 2009- 10 with the Coyotes, scoring 19 goals and 53 points. Torres’ tenure with the Coyotes was more effective. In 107 regular season games with the team, he scored 20 goals, 38 points and 96 penalty minutes. Of course, his time with the Coyotes will be synonymous with a 21-game suspension handed down in the first-round of the 2012 playoffs for his hit on Marian Hossa of the Chicago Blackhawks. The Sharks will be the seventh stop for Torres, who will add grit, a physical presence and scoring ability to their playoff push. Arizona Republic LOADED: 04.04.2013 667904 Phoenix Coyotes “I wouldn’t say we were close on anything else or anything was framed up that went away,” Treliving said. Speculation built in the days leading up to the deadline that the Coyotes Slow start builds to a fast finish at the trade deadline for Coyotes would deal a few of their other impending UFAs, most notably Smith and center Boyd Gordon, but the team is still hopeful it will be able to re-sign both players. Sarah McLellan Regarding Smith, Trelivign said, “We hope that Mike is going to continue to The Coyotes management staff convened at 5 a.m. Wednesday at their be with us for a long time.” office in Glendale to start entertaining and placing calls on potential deals, but all three of their transactions weren’t completed until right before the And as far as McMillan, he’s in his third-year pro and has split time between noon trade deadline hit. the Ducks and their AHL affiliate all three seasons. He’s been in six games with the Ducks this season, adding an assist. “Each year the supply of players gets less and less and as the day goes on and you get closer to the witching hour, the prices in a lot of cases start to McMillan scored 11 goals and 21 points his rookie season and is a versatile get more defined and people that were maybe kicking tires throughout the forward that adds depth to the Coyotes organization. day either pick up or drop off and things come into a little more focus,” said “He has a lot of attributes that we value,” Treliving said. “He’s a competitive Assistant General Manager Brad Treliving, who was the team’s mouthpiece player, plays fast and we really like him going back to his draft year.” on deadline day with the recent passing of General Manager Don Maloney’s father. Arizona Republic LOADED: 04.04.2013 The Coyotes were active sellers, moving forwards Raffi Torres, Matthew Lombardi and Steve Sullivan for two draft picks and prospect Brandon McMillan. Torres, Lombardi and Sullivan were all set to become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. “You’d like to get those commitments from those players in terms of a contract extension prior to the trade deadline,” Treliving explained. “The uncertainty still surrounding our team — some players are still not prepared to commit. They don’t know if the team will actually still be in Phoenix or if it’s going somewhere else, how is it all going to work? So it’s been a challenge. You have to do what you think is right for your organization.” For the Coyotes, that was obtaining a third-round pick in this year’s draft from San Jose (Torres), a seventh-round pick in 2014 from New Jersey (Sullivan) and forward Brandon McMillan from Anaheim (Lombardi). The third-round pick from San Jose is actually Florida’s, and it was flipped to the Sharks via the Rangers in the deal that sent Ryan Clowe to New York Tuesday. With Florida sitting in the basement in the Eastern Conference, it’s a promising pick. “We didn’t know if we were going to be able to re-sign (Torres) come the summer time, and we think we’ve got a really good asset,” Treliving said. “That third-round pick, again, depending on how things turn out can turn into an excellent asset for us. It opens up opportunity, and I know the players that are going to come up here are going to inject some energy and we hope that we can get on a little bit of a run here and push forward.” After the trades, the Coyotes recalled forwards Chris Brown and Chris Connor from the American Hockey League. The development of the youth there was another reason why the Coyotes were able to move three forwards. “The recalls are not guys you’re going to sit here and say, ‘You’re going to be our savior,’” Treliving said. “They can add to different parts of the game. Offense is obviously a part we think some guys can bring to the table, but we think we can add some energy. We think getting (goalie) Mike (Smith) back, that’s a big thing for us. Trying to get our No.1 goalie back is going to make us a better team, but we can’t just rely on people coming up from Portland to be the answer. We need a little more from everybody in the room here. The group this year, right now, we need a little more from everyone that’s here, and we’re going to hope and push the people that come up from Portland bring some energy, offense and, again, anybody that follows our team, we don’t rely on one or two guys. We’re going to need everybody.” Among the players dealt, Torres seemed like the most likely to return with the Coyotes beyond this season and moving him to a division opponent, especially one that the Coyotes will encounter twice in their final 12 games while they battle for a playoff spot, seemed peculiar. But it was the strongest return they were offered. “There’s a reason why we went out and got Raffi and liked him here,” Treliving said. “Maybe it’s not ideal that you put him in your division. He’s a UFA at the end of the year. We’ll see where that goes but, again, as we completed this, it was to get the best asset we could.” The Coyotes didn’t have any other possible trades on the table. 667905 Phoenix Coyotes

Uncertainty looms for Coyotes on trade deadline day

Sarah McLellan

The Coyotes made one final plea to remain intact past today’s NHL trade deadline by beating the Kings 3-1 Tuesday, jumping up a spot into 12th in the Western Conference and sitting only two points behind the eighth- seeded St. Louis Blues. “The biggest thing is we’ve got a pretty close group of guys here,” defenseman Derek Morris said. “You never want to see anyone go anywhere, that’s for sure. Obviously the other part of it there’s nothing we can control. Whatever management does is what they think will make this organization and this team better but that being said, we don’t want to see anybody in this locker room move.” With a crew of nine impending unrestricted free agents, including all three goalies used this season, it’s highly unlikely General Manager Don Maloney is inactive. Based on his track record, his staff can usually be counted on to make a move. The Coyotes didn’t pull a deadline-day trade last year, but they acquired center Antoine Vermette five days before that. “It can be exciting, and it might not be exciting for a lot of teams around the league,” goalie Jason LaBarbera said. “Everybody’s interested in what happens and what goes on. It’s part of the business, and everybody knows what day it is. It’s just a matter of what happens.” Leading candidates to be dealt include winger Raffi Torres, who has reformed his style this season after a 21-game suspension and yet is still a gritty agitator with a scoring touch, and center Boyd Gordon, a faceoff specialist that kills penalties and blocks shots. Gordon, however, would like to stay in Phoenix. Morris is another player being batted around in trade rumors, but he’s also hopeful he remains with the Coyotes. Unlike Torres and Gordon, who would be classified as rental acquisitions, Morris is under contract for next season with a $2.75 cap hit. “It’s nothing I can control about it,” Morris said. “If they feel they can better their team by moving me, then I’m sure that they’ll do it. I think that’s the way Donnie looks at it. He looks at an opportunity to improve this team at all times and whatever happens happens.” Morris has a limited no-trade clause, but he has a list of eight teams he’ll waive it for submitted to management. “Last time I’ve had a list of teams before, too, and it’s never worked,” he said with a laugh. “Obviously, I love it here. Everybody knows that, and I hope to stay here but whatever happens with this team and whatever Donnie chooses, he’s the GM and he has to do what he feels best for his team.” Arizona Republic LOADED: 04.04.2013 667906 Phoenix Coyotes 667907 Pittsburgh Penguins

LaBarbera finds comfort zone for Coyotes Listless Penguins drop 2nd consecutive game

Craig Morgan By Josh Yohe April 3, 2013, 10:27 p.m. GLENDALE, Ariz. – Jason LaBarbera was gushing with a long-forgotten Updated 5 minutes ago feeling Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings. NEW YORK — The Penguins don't lose often, but when they do, they Confidence. follow a familiar script. “It’s gratifying to get that feeling again,” said LaBarbera, who stopped 39 Like 24 hours earlier, the Penguins took untimely penalties, failed to kill shots in a 3-1 win at Jobing.com Arena. “It’s been a while since I’ve had them and looked generally lifeless in a 6-1 setback Wednesday against the that.” New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. In a condensed season where numerous Western Conference teams have Winners of 15 straight in March, the short-handed Penguins were employed a two-goalie approach to keep things fresh, LaBarbera has been outclassed for a second consecutive game. Buffalo snapped the Penguins' a mainstay at the end of the Coyotes bench, waiting and wondering when win streak with a 4-1 victory Tuesday at Consol Energy Center. his next chance would come. In their 10 losses this season, the Penguins have been outscored, 45-19. Following a three-game stretch early in the season where he replaced an injured Mike Smith and went 1-2 while allowing nine goals on 87 shots, The Penguins, still the leaders of the Eastern Conference by five points LaBarbera made just one start over the next 26 games. because of Montreal's loss in Philadelphia, will look to avoid a three-game losing streak when they host the Rangers on Friday night. Was it the right move? They should be better equipped by then. On the one hand, LaBarbera’s shaky play early this season may have felt like a carryover from last season’s so-so performance, understandably New center Jussi Jokinen — acquired in a trade from Carolina on shaking the coaching staff’s confidence in him. Wednesday — is expected to be in Friday's lineup. So, too, might defenseman Mark Eaton, who missed Wednesday's game because of an Coyotes goalie coach Sean Burke and coach Dave Tippett have stood fast illness. by the notion that playing Smith regularly gives the team the best chance to win. But Smith’s struggles this season have been well-chronicled, and he Star defenseman Kris Letang (broken toe) also could be back in the lineup has talked openly about the mental challenge of playing so regularly. shortly. Other goalies -- Vancouver’s Cory Schneider, Los Angeles’ Jonathan Quick Although the Penguins are missing obvious star power — center Sidney and Chicago’s Corey Crawford -- have espoused the two-goalie approach Crosby remains out — the competitiveness that was so evident during their in this lockout-shortened season because it has allowed them to stay at the winning streak has been lacking during the past two games. During their top of their game. streak, the Penguins seemingly created turnovers at will and rarely committed mental lapses. So if the Coyotes didn’t have confidence in LaBarbera, why didn’t they acquire another backup to share the load? And if they didn’t feel it was The opposite has taken place during the past two games. necessary to give Smith more help, will they rethink that belief at the end of Center Evgeni Malkin and left wings Chris Kunitz and Matt Cooke took the season if they miss the playoffs? penalties that led to Rangers power-play goals. All of this analysis is easier in hindsight, of course, but after watching The Penguins were outmuscled in front of the net on all three power-play LaBarbera shine on Tuesday, it is fair to wonder what would have goals. Dan Boyle and two new Rangers — Derick Brassard and Ryane happened if the staff hadn’t been so quick with the hook on its longtime Clowe — scored. Clowe scored twice, his first two goals of the season. backup. When the Penguins lose, they spend time in the penalty box. “Barbs is a battler,” Tippett said. “He’s in there trying hard. Barbs was really good.” In their 28 wins, the Penguins killed 86 percent of their penalties. In their 10 setbacks, their penalty kill dipped to 69 percent. LaBarbera made his fifth consecutive start on Tuesday with Smith still on injured reserve with what has been reported as whiplash-like symptoms. The Penguins find themselves short-handed five times per game when they LaBarbera is 2-1-2 in that stretch and has stopped 170 of 184 shots (92.4 lose but three times per game when they win. percent). Of course, they weren't much better during five-on-five play. With the Coyotes needing a win in the worst way to have anything close to a realistic shot at the playoffs – and to give general manager Don Maloney After Boyle had given the Rangers a 1-0 lead midway through the first, a pause before he sells off pieces at the Wednesday trade deadline -- defensive lapse allowed Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh to skate LaBarbera was at his best, stopping every shot except one that deflected toward the net untouched from the right point and bury a shot over off defenseman Michael Stone’s chest and into the net. goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury's glove. L.A. had scored 15 goals in its last four games, but given a chance to Two minutes later, another defensive miscue led to another New York tally. establish a rhythm by playing several consecutive games, LaBarbera said it Defenseman Brooks Orpik had possession of the puck to Fleury's right but was easier to rise to the task. was ridden out of the play by center Derek Stepan. Clowe gathered the “It’s way easier,” he said. “It’s tough when you play once a month and you loose puck and beat Fleury with a backhand shot to give the offensively put a lot of pressure on yourself. challenged Rangers a sudden 3-0 advantage. “That’s been my role for the last few years. I’ve had ups and downs at it, The Penguins never recovered. but it’s kind of been nice the last week and half to get some games and feel Josh Yohe good about yourself. Tribune Review LOADED: 04.04.2013 “It kind of makes me feel like I did when I was a little bit younger and I played a lot.” foxsportsarizona.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 667908 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins notebook: Crosby endures another dental procedure

By Josh Yohe April 3, 2013, 8:27 p.m. Updated 11 minutes ago Sidney Crosby had an outpatient dental procedure in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, an anticipated follow-up from his surgery to repair a broken jaw, his agent Pat Brisson said. There remains no timetable for Crosby's return, mostly because of the uncertain nature of his recovery — an infection could delay his return. Crosby has gone four days without concussion symptoms since taking a puck to the mouth during the Penguins' home win over the New York Islanders on Saturday. There are no symptoms of post-operative infection, and Crosby remains in good spirits, Brisson said. Coach Dan Bylsma did not offer an update regarding Crosby's health. • Bylsma also did not offer details about the recoveries of defenseman Kris Letang (broken toe) and defenseman Paul Martin (broken bone in hand). Letang has skated numerous times this week, and his return could be imminent. Along with the toe injury, he has been dealing with a sore groin for the past few weeks. Martin remains a possibility to return when the postseason starts. • Defenseman Mark Eaton was not in the lineup against the Rangers on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. Eaton was not feeling well during the Penguins' 4-1 loss against the Sabres on Tuesday, prompting the Penguins to leave the veteran in Pittsburgh. Eaton has surprised many with his play since being signed in February, and the coaching staff has been pleased with his penalty killing. • Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo finally made it back into the lineup Wednesday. He had not played an NHL game since Feb. 28. Bortuzzo played three games during March in a conditioning assignment in Wilkes- Barre. • Root Sports Pittsburgh's broadcast of the Penguins-Buffalo game Tuesday generated a 15.01 rating, according to Nielsen Media Research. About 450,300 local television viewers tuned into the broadcast, which was the eighth-highest rated Penguins regular-season game in Root Sports Pittsburgh history. — Josh Yohe Tribune Review LOADED: 04.04.2013 667909 Pittsburgh Penguins

Behind the scenes: Following the big Penguins trade

By Justin LaBar April 3, 2013, 5:00 p.m. Updated 6 hours ago It's always fun getting to know or see something that most normally can't. Every practice, every game, every trade and every injury-you see the press conferences at the podium, quotes from the players and analysis from the reporters. The Penguins have been busy as the NHL trade deadline was quickly approaching. Our TribLIVE cameras followed Penguins beat reporter Rob Rossi on another day at the office, or arena, while covering the big trade that brought Jarome Iginla to Pittsburgh. See the behind the scenes of covering the team, plus some fun interactions with players such as Evgeni Malkin and James Neal. Tribune Review LOADED: 04.04.2013 667910 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins add Carolina forward Jokinen

By Rob Rossi April 3, 2013, 1:54 p.m. Updated 6 minutes ago Jussi Jokinen is a Penguin because of Sidney Crosby's broken jaw. The Penguins acquired Jokinen, a versatile forward, on Wednesday because Crosby is out indefinitely, general manager Ray Shero said. Also, Jokinen's former club, Carolina, agreed to paying part of his salary next season, the last on a contract that counts $3 million against the salary cap. The Penguins will not be on the hook for all of that cap hit because, under the new labor agreement, clubs can retain salary and cap cost for a traded player. “It made it more appealing for us,” Shero said, declining to identify how much Jokinen will cost the Penguins next season. The Penguins swapped a conditional sixth- or seventh-round pick in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft for Jokinen. Jokinen, 30, was third on the Hurricanes, trailing only centers Erik and Jordan Staal, with 283 faceoffs. He won 168 of those draws (59.4 percent). Faceoff wins are not a Penguins strength without Crosby, who has claimed 54.3 percent of his draws. Center Joe Vitale, who rarely plays on the penalty kill, leads the Penguins at 63 percent, but he has taken only 211 draws. Jokinen is a candidate to fill the top-line center role until Crosby returns. The Penguins had tried right winger Tyler Kennedy, but Shero said playing Kennedy out of position is “not something we'd love to keep doing.” Upon Crosby's return, and pending the availability of the top three centers, Jokinen could work on a fourth line — just as wingers Pascal Dupuis and the combination of Petr Sykora and Miroslav Satan did for the Penguins during their 2009 playoff run to the Stanley Cup. “It's always been my strength,” Jokinen said of his versatility. “At junior I played center every other year, and it's been that way since I got to the NHL. Offensive role, defensive role, it's something I've always be able to do.” Jokinen did not play Wednesday night. He is scheduled to join the Penguins in Pittsburgh on Thursday for practice. Rob Rossi Tribune Review LOADED: 04.04.2013 667911 Pittsburgh Penguins

Second loss in a row as Rangers defeat Penguins, 6-1

April 3, 2013 10:32 pm By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

NEW YORK -- The New York Rangers defeated the Penguins, 6-1, at Madison Square Garden tonight. The loss was the second in two nights for the Penguins, who had won 15 in a row before being beaten at home, 4-1, by Buffalo Tuesday night. They are 28-10 and remain in first place in the Eastern Conference, but Montreal and Boston, both of the Northeast Division, remain within striking distance. The Rangers took control of the game during the first period, building a 3-0 lead. Brian Boyle put New York up, 1-0, during a power play at 10:01, when a Brad Richards shot from just inside the blue line deflected off him and past goalie Marc-Andre Fleury while Penguins winger Chris Kunitz was serving a slashing minor. The goal initially was credited to Richards, whose shot appeared to glance off penalty-killer Pascal Dupuis before eluding Fleury. Ryan McDonagh gave the Rangers a two-goal cushion by beating Fleury from above the right hash at 12:19 and Ryane Clowe, acquired from San Jose in a trade Tuesday night, made it 3-0 two minutes later. Clowe, who did not have a goal in 28 games with the Sharks, collected the puck after teammate Derek Stepan knocked Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik off it, then threw a backhander by Fleury from the left side of the crease. The Rangers' rampage continued early in the second period, when Derick Brassard, acquired earlier in the day from Columbus, scored on a backhander from the right hash to swell New York's advantage to four. The Penguins finally broke through at 2:27, as Dupuis beat Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist from the inner edge of the left circle for his 18th of the season. Robert Bortuzzo and Brenden Morrow got assists. If that goal gave the Penguins a lift, it didn't last for long, because Clowe struck again during a power play at 11:52 to restore New York's four-goal advantage. Defenseman John Moore, acquired in the same deal that made Brassard a Ranger, made it 6-1 at 9:47 of the third. The Penguins and Rangers will play Friday at 7:08 p.m. at Consol Energy Center. First Published April 3, 2013 10:20 pm Post Gazette LOADED: 04.04.2013 667912 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins continue to deal, add forward Jokinen from Carolina

April 3, 2013 1:41 pm By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Penguins have acquired forward Jussi Jokinen from Carolina for a conditional draft choice. The choice will be a seventh-rounder unless Jokinen appears in at least half of the Penguins' playoff games this spring and they win the Stanley Cup, in which case it becomes a sixth-rounder. Jokinen was on waivers last week, but went unclaimed. Jokinen, who turned 30 two days ago, has six goals and five assists in 33 games this season. His most productive season was 2009-10, when he had 30 goals and 35 assists. Although the Penguins were believed to be in the market for a fourth-line forward today, there's no guarantee Jokinen will be used there. He is versatile and skilled and a good faceoff man, going 168-115 this season. Those qualities are of particular value to the Penguins since there is no word on when injured center Sidney Crosby will return to the lineup. Jokinen also has a history of scoring in shootouts, although there are none of those during the playoffs. He is not a classic rental player, because he has one year -- with a cap hit of $3 million -- remaining on his contract. The Hurricanes will assume responsibility for some of Jokinen's salary in both this season and 2013-14, although precisely how much wasn't immediately known. Post Gazette LOADED: 04.04.2013 667913 Pittsburgh Penguins The New York Rangers team the Penguins faced at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night was a lot different than it would have been 24 hours earlier. Penguins Notebook: Jokinen deal adds depth at forward New York acquired rugged forward Ryane Clowe from San Jose Tuesday night, then dealt winger Marian Gaborik to Columbus shortly before the trade deadline Wednesday afternoon. April 4, 2013 12:32 am Both moves might have seemed a bit perplexing, given that the Rangers By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette entered the game averaging a league-low 2.26 goals per game and that Clowe did not have a goal in 28 games with the Sharks this season and Gaborik was one of New York's few big-time offensive talents. NEW YORK -- If Sidney Crosby were healthy, there's little chance Jussi Gaborik's game did not mesh with coach John Tortorella's style, however, Jokinen would be on the Penguins' payroll today. and New York was looking to add the rugged edge Clowe can provide. In addition to Clowe, forward Derick Brassard, and defenseman John Moore, But it turns out that Jokinen, acquired from Carolina Wednesday for a both acquired in the Gaborik deal, were in the lineup. conditional draft choice, won't just be taking Crosby's place on the roster. He will be moving into Crosby's spot on the No. 1 line, between Chris "They're changing pitchers on the fly here on you," Bylsma said a few hours Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis. before the game. "At our meeting this morning, in terms of what to be ready for, a good portion was about Gaborik." Which doesn't mean Jokinen sees himself trying to fill the entire void created when Crosby was forced out by a broken jaw. Tip-ins "I don't think I can try to be a player like Sidney Crosby," he said. "There's Penguins defenseman Mark Eaton missed the game because of illness. ... only one Sidney Crosby in the world." The Penguins and Rangers are involved in a relatively rare home-and- home series, with the rematch scheduled Friday night at Consol Energy Jokinen, however, has no problem with temporarily moving into Crosby's Center. ... The Penguins traded minor league goaltender Patrick Killeen to spot. Columbus for considerations. "Obviously, [Kunitz and Dupuis] are two pretty good hockey players," he The New Guy said. Season and career statistics for newly acquired Jussi Jokinen, a 30-year- Putting Jokinen, who is scheduled to join the team today, in the middle will old left winger acquired from Carolina: allow the Penguins to shift Tyler Kennedy back to right wing, a position for which general manager Ray Shero believes he is "better suited." Category ... 2013 ... Career Jokinen, who turned 30 Monday, put up 30 goals and 35 assists in 2009-10, Games ... 33 ... 569 but has managed just six goals and five assists in 33 games this season. Goals ... 6 ... 121 The Hurricanes put him on waivers last week, but he went unclaimed, at least in part because of his $3 million salary-cap hit, which runs through Points ... 11 ... 346 next season. Plus/minus ... --8 ... --11 Carolina agreed to pick up a portion of his salary for what remains of this season and all 2013-14, although neither team would divulge precisely how Post Gazette LOADED: 04.04.2013 much. The Hurricanes couldn't have done that if the Penguins, or any other club, had claimed him on waivers. "The price to get him is worth it," Shero said. Actually, the Penguins won't pay any price at all if they don't have serious success this spring. They won't have to give Carolina anything unless they reach the Stanley Cup final and Jokinen appears in at least 25 percent of their playoff games, in which case the Hurricanes would get a seventh-round draft pick. That choice will be upgraded to a sixth-rounder if the Penguins win the Stanley Cup and Jokinen appears in at least half of their postseason games. The Penguins initially inquired about Jokinen several weeks ago with his ability to work in any forward position the primary attraction. "He's a versatile guy," Shero said. "Depth is important at this point." Coach Dan Bylsma said that when Crosby comes back, "you could see [Jokinen] being a guy playing on a fourth line and fill[ing] specific roles on your team, be it faceoffs, be it on the power play. A faceoff guy on the fourth line, as well. "There are various roles he could fill at that point in time where you get everybody healthy. He's not just a guy who's here for one specific thing, then out of the lineup." Jokinen played with Brandon Sutter in Carolina and Brenden Morrow in Dallas, so he won't be walking into a locker room full of strangers. Not that fitting in figures to be much of an issue, anyway. "He's pretty quiet, for the most part, but a great guy," Sutter said. "He gets along with everyone. No concern there." Facing a different lineup 667914 Pittsburgh Penguins If Dupuis' goal gave the Penguins a boost, it didn't last for long, because Clowe struck again on a power play at 11:52 to restore New York's four- goal advantage. Hungry newcomers lead desperate Rangers past Penguins, 6-1 Defenseman John Moore, who went to New York in the deal that made Brassard a Rangers player, made it 6-1 at 9:47 of the third.

April 4, 2013 12:32 am Moore's goal came at even-strength, but manpower wasn't a key variable at any point. New York had its way five-on-five, on the power play and while By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette short-handed. NEW YORK -- This is, at least for the moment, not much more than a "The Rangers were very desperate, hungry," Iginla said. "We didn't match hiccup. it." The challenge for the Penguins will be to prevent it from turning into a The Penguins seem to understand that that must change. And that they hemorrhage. can't count on any miracle recoveries by injured teammates to make it happen. Their 6-1 loss against the New York Rangers Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden was their second lopsided defeat in as many nights. And "It's going to have to be the guys in this locker room," Dupuis said. "Sid's while this isn't the first time the Penguins have lost consecutive games this not going to come back Friday, and [Letang] and Paul Martin are not going season, it is the first time they've done so after winning 15 in a row. to be here. The momentum they built while charging through March without a defeat "It's the guys who are in here. It has nothing to do with the skill level or has dissipated, and the reality of having to compete without the likes of whatever you want to talk about. It has to do with battle level, and wanting it Sidney Crosby, Paul Martin and Kris Letang in their lineup seems to be more." setting in. A lot more, it seems, than the Penguins have in the past two games. Hard. Post Gazette LOADED: 04.04.2013 Although the Penguins, as currently constituted, hardly are devoid of skill, the holes the injuries to those three have left in their lineup make the Penguins look far more vulnerable than they did just a few days ago. Still, the most troubling thing is not that they've lost the past two games, but how it has happened. They did not compete against the Rangers at anything approaching their usual level. They lost more individual confrontations than usual and didn't appear interested in getting involved in some others. "They beat us [in] battles," left winger Matt Cooke said. "That's unacceptable. "Obviously, we know the right way to win and the way we did win. For the last two games, we haven't been even close to that level, that execution. And that needs to change." Coach Dan Bylsma didn't pull goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, perhaps because he recognized early that most of the 18 guys in front of Fleury were the ones who deserved to be replaced. The Penguins played with no hint of desperation, while the Rangers fought with the fury of a team in genuine peril of sitting out the Stanley Cup playoffs. Which, not coincidentally, they are. The Rangers, who never led in three previous games against the Penguins this season -- all three-goal defeats -- never trailed Wednesday night. Or were in real danger of falling behind, at least after the initial few minutes. New York took control of the game in the first period, building a 3-0 lead after Chris Kunitz and Jarome Iginla of the Penguins hit goalposts on an early power play. Brian Boyle put New York in front to stay on a power play at 10:01, when a Brad Richards shot from just inside the blue line deflected off him and past Fleury while Kunitz was serving a slashing minor. Ryan McDonagh gave the Rangers a two-goal cushion by beating Fleury from above the right hash at 12:19 and Ryane Clowe, acquired from San Jose in a trade Tuesday night, made it 3-0 two minutes later. Clowe, who did not have a goal in 28 games this season with the Sharks, collected the puck after teammate Derek Stepan knocked Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik off it, then threw a backhander by Fleury from the left side of the crease. The Rangers' rampage continued early in the second, when Derick Brassard, acquired earlier in the day in the trade that sent Marian Gaborik to Columbus, scored on a backhander from the right hash to swell New York's advantage to four. The Penguins finally broke through at 2:27, as Pascal Dupuis beat Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist from the inner edge of the left circle for his 18th of the season. Robert Bortuzzo and Brenden Morrow got assists. 667915 San Jose Sharks Meanwhile, the San Jose Jr. Sharks youth system has grown to become one of the country's 10 largest. The program celebrated a milestone this week when 22-year-old defenseman Matt Tennyson, of Pleasanton, Hockeytown 2.0: San Jose a top spot for the icy winter sport became the first local to skate for the Sharks. "It wasn't until I retired and started spending time at the other side of the rink with my kids that I realized just how big the operation has become," By Mark Emmons said former Shark Curtis Brown, a Saskatchewan native who now is the Jr. Sharks director. "It's not only the Shark Tank where people are cheering. Posted: 04/03/2013 04:08:51 PM PDT Holy moly, there are these huge grass-roots programs that are building interest." Updated: 04/03/2013 05:37:00 PM PDT There's enough interest that last fall a professional minor league team even was launched as the San Francisco Bulls began playing at the Cow Palace. When Sharks star Patrick Marleau arrived in 1997 as a 17-year-old rookie, Hockey also is big business. This week's tournaments are resulting in more it never dawned on him that San Jose still was relatively new to hockey. than 6,000 hotel room nights with the South Bay alone receiving an "Maybe it was because the fans always were here and so supportive," estimated $1.13 million in visitor spending, according to Team San Jose, Marleau recalled. "Everybody always seemed to like the sport." which serves as the city's convention and visitors bureau. Now, as girls' and women's players from around the country have Sharks Ice events, which will pump about $5.3 million into the local descended this week upon the Bay Area for marquee tournaments, there's economy this fiscal year, often bring visitors to town on weekends and no denying what Marleau sensed way back then. Yes, the nickname of holidays -- dates when hotel rooms can go vacant in business-travel- Hockeytown already is claimed by Detroit. But San Jose quietly has oriented Silicon Valley. become a strong hockey town in its own right -- even with our flip-flops "It's a huge bonus for us to tailor a sales pitch that says: '300 days of weather, swaying palm trees and lack of long history with the wintry game. sunshine a year and you can come play hockey,' " said Meghan Horrigan, And it goes beyond the fact that the popular Sharks are riding a 128-game Team San Jose's director of communications. "That's a hard selling point to sellout streak as spectators have made HP Pavilion one of the NHL's beat." loudest arenas. The Bay Area now is home to the country's largest number Earlier this week, teenagers from the powerhouse Shattuck St. Mary's prep of adult-league players. Demand for ice time is so high throughout the school in Minnesota were lounging outside Sharks Ice, catching some rays region that there are plans to add two more rinks to the sprawling Sharks before practice. So was coach Gordie Stafford. Ice complex in San Jose. "It's so important for hockey that we grow in these nontraditional markets," Those facilities help explain why this week about 2,200 players are in San he said. "That's why it's great that California hockey is coming on. The Jose, Fremont and Oakland for the USA Hockey Girls' and Women's Sharks have raised the profile of this area throughout the country." National Championships. The events, the biggest ever hosted by the Bay Area, are the latest examples of how the game has established a strong It might even be time for someone to come up with a catchy nickname for toehold in a sun-kissed locale that can seem so out of place with the icy San Jose. sport. "Everybody around the NHL knows this is a hockey town now," Marleau "We really said. "Maybe we're almost-Hockeytown." are a poster child for the nontraditional hockey market," said Jon Contact Mark Emmons at 408-920-5745. Follow him at Gustafson, general manager of Sharks Ice Properties, which manages Twitter.com/markedwinemmons. three local recreational venues. "The city just fell in love with the Sharks, and the sport started to grow from there." Sharks have sold out every game at HP Pavilion since Dec. 3, 2009. Hockey also has become an engine for the local economy. In addition to the The Sharks Ice at San Jose facility is the largest west of Mississippi River. "thwack" of slap shots, you might be hearing the sound of cash registers ringing. All those players and their families are filling up hotel rooms and Sharks Ice has the nation's largest adult-league program with nearly 5,000 restaurants. players. But even those visiting for the first time are aware that the game has San Jose Jr. Sharks youth program is one of the country's 10 largest. bloomed in the Bay Area. Matt Tennyson just became first former Jr. Shark player to skate for the "When you're in our world, you know where there's strong interest in Sharks. hockey," said Glenn Patrick, coach of the Keweenaw Storm girls' team from Minor league San Francisco Bulls began play this season at Cow Palace. the rural Upper Peninsula of Michigan. "So people know all about San Jose and how it supports the sport." Sharks Ice is second only to San Jose Convention Center for booking hotel nights. Oh, and you better believe teams from northern climates -- where winter continues to drag on -- are happy to be playing in a place where you don't San Jose was voted by Bleacher Report as 10th best hockey city. need a parka. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.04.2013 "It's not snowing and I'm kind of like, 'Wait a minute, it's not hockey weather!' " added Phoebe Manchester, coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite. "It's weird not needing a jacket and only wearing a T-shirt. People are lucky here where they can play hockey and then wear shorts." That was the idea behind the NHL's if-you-freeze-it, they-will-come strategy of Sun Belt expansion that gave rise to the Sharks in 1991. Even though the Bay Area has transplants from traditional hockey country and previously had an NHL team (the Seals) from 1966 through 1976, the Sharks made a conscious effort the last two decades to build a base of new fans from the ground up, teaching them the game. The recreational venues overseen by the Sharks serve as what Gustafson calls a "fan factory." The main center in San Jose, an 188,000-square-foot, city-owned facility featuring four rinks, is the largest west of the Mississippi River under one roof. The adult leagues -- which have almost 5,000 participants -- play games past midnight each night, which is why more rinks are on the drawing board. 667916 San Jose Sharks The Sharks see him adding veteran depth at a position where two rookies are now in the starting lineup while Jason Demers recovers from a head injury. New Shark Raffi Torres hopes to make amends with San Jose fans "Scotty's been here before — we understand his character and how he carries himself around the rink and around the locker room and

By David Pollak The San Jose Sharks have re-acquired defenseman Scott Hannan. Posted: 04/03/2013 02:50:13 PM PDT we thought he'd be a very good fit to come in and be a mentoring defenseman," coach Todd McLellan said. Updated: 04/03/2013 03:50:40 PM PDT Wilson said that Hannan is hobbled by a neck injury, but suggested he could be given a clean bill of health within the next week.

SAN JOSE -- The Sharks decided Wednesday that the way to improve their Both new Sharks will become unrestricted free agents on July 1. chances for playoff success was to put Raffi Torres, a longtime villain known for his often reckless style of play, into a teal jersey. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.04.2013 "San Jose fans have been pretty tough on me the past couple years, but I get it," Torres said. "It's the way I play. Hopefully once I get starting on the body and scoring a couple goals they'll turn into fans." General manager Doug Wilson acquired the left wing from the Phoenix Coyotes for a third-round pick in the 2013 draft minutes before the Wednesday NHL trade deadline. Earlier in the day, he added former San Jose defenseman Scott Hannan to the roster by sending a conditional seventh-round pick to the Nashville Predators. Neither of the new Sharks will be in the lineup against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night when San Jose tries to extend its winning streak to seven games. Wilson said that Torres -- though somewhat reformed since a 21-game suspension for hitting Chicago Blackhawk Marian Hossa in the head during the 2012 playoffs -- brings a toughness the team lost with the trade that sent Ryane Clowe to the New York Rangers on Tuesday. What about Torres's reputation? "That's exactly what you want," Wilson said. "You hate playing against him. You want him on your side." But he stressed that Torres, 31, is not a one-dimensional player. "People certainly know when he's on the ice, but he can play, too," Wilson said. "He can play the game and he can get in there. The speed to his game is a big part of it. You want your physical presence to have speed. . . . He can play with good players. I think he has five goals this year, so he can shoot the puck, too." Torres has done some serious damage to San Jose's playoff chances in the past. In a 2006 second-round series against Edmonton, his open-ice hit to Milan Michalek's head became the turning point as the Sharks were eliminated 4-2 in a series they once led 2-0. Playing for the Vancouver Canucks in Game 4 of the 2011 Western Conference finals, Torres delivered a hard but clean hit on Joe Thornton that separated his shoulder and limited his mobility in Game 5. Torres said the 21-game suspension for the hit on Hossa led the left wing to clean up the dirtier aspects of his game. "You know what?" Torres said. "I knew my game, prior to the suspension, was at a place where I didn't want to end up hurting someone. My game was a little bit reckless. My problem was that I got a little too caught up in the moment... I was running around and it was almost kind of deteriorating my overall game. "I'm at a point now where I'm not really looking for the big hit. . . . I will not back down from trying to run someone over to change momentum, but I think I just do it a little more cautiously now." The acquisition of Torres overshadowed Hannan's return to San Jose earlier in the day. Hannan, 34, had 25 goals and 102 assists in 508 games with the Sharks from 1998 to 2007 before leaving as a free agent. Since then, he has played for the Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Calgary Flames and Predators. 667917 San Jose Sharks

Busy San Jose Sharks get Raffi Torres from Phoenix

By David Pollak Posted: 04/03/2013 12:22:40 PM PDT Updated: 04/03/2013 12:41:36 PM PDT

SAN JOSE -- The Sharks have acquired forward Raffi Torres -- one of the NHL's most feared and physical players — from the Phoenix Coyotes for a third-round draft pick. The move right at the NHL noon Wednesday trade deadline comes less than a day after the Sharks sent one of their more physical players, Ryane Clowe, to the New York Rangers. "Our guys have played well enough that they deserve an addition," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said, acknowledging Torres will bring some of the toughness lost with Clowe. In picking up Torres, the Sharks get a player with a history of suspensions, including one for 21 games last spring for a hit on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa. Torres also has ST PAUL, MN - MARCH 27: Tom Gilbert #77 of the Minnesota Wild and Raffi Torres #37 of the Phoenix Coyotes go after a loose puck during the second period of the game on March 27, 2013 at Xcel Energy Center in St Paul, Minnesota. (JpgHannah Foslien/Jpg hurt San Jose in the past as his hit on forward Milan Michalek during a 2006 playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers is considered the turning point that sent the Sharks down to defeat. Torres, 31, is in the final year of a contract paying him a pro-rated $1.75 million this season. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667918 San Jose Sharks

Sharks re-acquire Scott Hannan for a draft pick

By David Pollak Posted: 04/03/2013 10:38:45 AM PDT Updated: 04/03/2013 11:06:53 AM PDT

SAN JOSE -- The Sharks are bringing Scott Hannan back to where the defenseman's career began 15 years ago. General manager Doug Wilson sent a conditional seventh-round draft pick to the Nashville Predators for Hannan just hours before the NHL trade deadline of noon Wednesday. If Hannan plays in a postseason game for San Jose, that pick becomes a sixth-round selection. Hannan, 34, is in the final year of a contract that pays him a pro-rated $1 million this season. Wilson had said on March 25 that he didn't expect to be adding rental players this season, but that was before defenseman Jason Demers was injured in a game against the Detroit Red Wings. The Sharks currently have two rookies on the blue line, The San Jose Sharks have re-acquired defenseman Scott Hannan, who played 508 games with the Sharks from 1998 to 2007 before leaving as a free agent. and this provides added depth at that position. Hannan played 508 games with the Sharks from 1998 to 2007 before leaving as a free agent. He had 25 goals and 102 assists before going on to play for the Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Calgary Flames and Predators. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667919 San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks win sixth in a row, 4-2 over Minnesota Wild

By David Pollak Posted: 04/03/2013 10:25:09 PM PDT Updated: 04/03/2013 11:43:41 PM PDT

SAN JOSE -- Sharks coach Todd McLellan talked about the need for his team to make hay on this season-long, seven-game homestand. Maybe it's time to build a bigger barn. Wednesday night, the Sharks got goals that ranged from a beautiful end-to- end rush by Dan Boyle to a fluky bounce that went Joe Thornton's way to dispose of the Minnesota Wild 4-2 in a friction-filled game that ended with Marc-Edouard Vlasic and former teammate Dany Heatley scuffling on the ice. "The last shift both teams were cross checking, slashing, slew foot," said Vlasic, who earned a minor and game misconduct penalties at the finish. "He took a swing at me and missed. I took a swing at him and got him. That's what it is." The Sharks are now a perfect 5-0 during this stretch at HP Pavilion as they extended the NHL's longest current win streak to six games. With 44 points, the Sharks leapfrogged the Los Angeles Kings into fifth place in the Western Conference standings. In addition to Boyle and Thornton, the Sharks got goals from Marty Havlat and TJ Galiardi, with Antti Niemi making 31 saves for the win. Two players with San Jose connections -- Charlie Coyle and Heatley -- accounted for the Minnesota scoring. Havlat's goal at 1:34 of the first period gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead, but it was Boyle's less than four minutes later that really impressed the sellout crowd. With two Wild players in the penalty box, Boyle hauled the puck the full length of the ads not by this site ice, faked out All-Star defenseman Ryan Suter and tucked a backhand shot behind Minnesota goalie Niklas Backstrom. Boyle said the decision to make it a one-man show was spontaneous. "I was going to drop it, probably at the red line," he said, "but I just changed my mind and I'm glad I did." But in the second period, Minnesota got two goals 25 seconds apart to tie the game. Onetime San Jose prospect Coyle tapped in a rebound of a shot by Zach Parise at 10:33, and on the next shift Heatley launched a 56-foot slap shot that eluded Niemi. Thornton got what turned out to be the winning goal at 14:42 of the period when what appeared to be a centering pass banked off Wild defenseman Clayton Stoner and into the Minnesota net. "You just want to funnel pucks close to the net," Thornton said. "You never know what can happen." The insurance goal came at 6:55 of the third period when Galiardi, getting rare power-play time, camped out in front of the Wild net and got to a loose puck before anyone else. The Sharks rewarded rookie defenseman Matt Irwin with a two-year contract extension Wednesday that will pay him $900,000 the first year and $1.1 million the second. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667920 San Jose Sharks

Sharks make trades, beat Wild 4-2

Associated Press Updated 11:58 pm, Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Dan Boyle scored on a spectacular end-to-end rush with a two-man advantage to help the San Jose Sharks win their sixth straight game, 4-2 over the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night at HP Pavilion. "I've had a lot of highlight rushes, but I never seem to finish it with a goal," Boyle said. "It was nice to put it away and get a little momentum for our team." Marty Havlat got the scoring started for San Jose, and Joe Thornton broke a tie with a goal off the skate of a Minnesota defender late in the second period. TJ Galiardi also scored, and Antti Niemi made 31 saves to help the Sharks move into a tie for fourth place in the Western Conference. Charlie Coyle and Dany Heatley scored for the Wild, who lost for the third time in four games following a seven-game win streak. Both teams made moves earlier in the day before the trade deadline with the Sharks getting forward Raffi Torres from Phoenix and defenseman Scott Hannan from Nashville, and Minnesota acquiring forward Jason Pominville from Buffalo. The Coyotes received a third-round pick in this year's draft for Torres; the Predators will get either a sixth- or seventh- rounder for Hannan. After starting the lead-up to the trade deadline by dealing bruising defenseman Douglas Murray, physical forward Ryane Clowe and center Michal Handzus, general manager Doug Wilson made some additions to help a team move up from ninth place. "This group earned that equity by their performance," Wilson said. "They earned the ability and the need to add these type of guys who are playoff- type guys and give you the depth that you need." Minnesota overcame a slow start to tie the game with a pair of goals in a 25-second span midway through the second period. The Sharks went back ahead after the Wild kept turning the puck over as they tried to clear the zone. The last turnover came when Brent Burns took the puck from Jared Spurgeon and fed it to Thornton, whose pass back to Burns hit off Clayton Stoner's skate and into the net to give San Jose a 3-2 lead heading to the third. Galiardi scored his first power-play goal since 2009 early in the third when he poked in a rebound with Cal Clutterbuck out for hooking Andrew Desjardins. The Sharks scored twice in the opening period. Burns beat Jonas Brodin to the puck deep in the Minnesota zone and got it to Thornton behind the net. Thornton fed Havlat, who beat Niklas Backstrom with a one-timer from the circle to make it 1-0 just 1:34 into the game. Boyle then delivered his breathtaking goal with the Sharks on a two-man advantage when Stoner shot the puck over the glass for a delay of game with Kyle Brodziak already in the box for hooking. Minnesota won the face- off and cleared the puck. Boyle retrieved it deep in San Jose's zone and started his rush from behind the goal. He went straight up the middle and juked Ryan Suter inside the blue line before stickhandling past Backstrom to knock in the backhand to make it 2-0. San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 04.04.2013 667921 San Jose Sharks

Exclusive: Sharks sign Matt Irwin to extension

April 3, 2013, 6:30 pm Staff

SAN JOSE - The Sharks have signed defenseman Matt Irwin to a two-year contract extension, a source confirmed to CSNCalifornia.com. The Sharks made it official later on Wednesday. Irwin will receive $900,000 in the first year of the deal in 2013-14, and $1.1 million in 2014-15, according to his agent. “We’re very excited to have Matt Irwin for the next two years. We think he has a bright future,” Doug Wilson told CSNCalifornia.com. Irwin, 25, was due to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 26 games, Irwin has five goals and four assists for nine points and four penalty minutes. The six-foot-two-inch British Columbia native was originally signed by the Sharks as a free agent on March 23, 2010. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 667922 San Jose Sharks your physical guys have to have the element of making the other people nervous.” Hannan’s arrival will give the Sharks some insurance on the blue line, and Wilson adds depth on deadline day allows San Jose to keep Brent Burns at forward, where he’s been a more effective player. Hannan has a minor neck injury, according to Wilson, but he’s expected to be ready “within the week.” April 3, 2013, 2:00 pm “He’s a guy coming in here to help the depth of our defense,” Wilson said. Staff “Our guys know him very well and he’s a veteran guy that come playoff time, that’s what you’re looking for.” Brad Stuart played with Hannan during his first stint with the Sharks. SAN JOSE – One is a veteran defenseman that spent the entirety of his early career in a Sharks uniform, and a player that will provide depth and “Good veteran guy that can step in and play an important role, I think,” some size on the blue line. Stuart said. “If you’re going to make a [playoff] run, you’ve got to have an abundance of defensemen that can play and has experience in those types The other is one of the most reviled players in recent franchise history. of situations. He does, and it’s a good addition.” Raffi Torres, of course, is the latter. The Sharks sent the third round pick Torres will wear uniform number 13, while Hannan will wear 27. Neither will they acquired from the New York Rangers on Tuesday for Ryane Clowe to play on Wednesday night when the Sharks continue their homestand Phoenix, in exchange for Torres, who is set to become an unrestricted free against Minnesota. agent this summer. He’s expected to arrive in San Jose on Thursday. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 Defenseman Scott Hannan, who spent his first eight years in the NHL with the Sharks from 1999-2007, was acquired from Nashville for a conditional seventh round pick. It would become a sixth round pick if he plays in a single playoff game, and he, too, has an expiring contract. Regarding Torres, Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said the 31-year- old could help fill the void left by Clowe’s departure. “That’s exactly what you want. You hate playing against him; you want him on your side,” Wilson said. “He can skate, people know when he’s on the ice, and he can play, too. With Ryane moving on to New York, having that physical presence I think is very important. He’s a guy that we’re all very familiar with, but he can play the game and get in there. The speed to his game is a big part of it. You want your physical presence to have speed.” Torres was surprised by the move to a division rival. “That definitely surprised me going to San Jose,” he said. “At the end of the day, I love playing in San Jose. It’s an electric building, it’s loud, and it’s something I think can help my game. I get energy off the crowd and that gets me excited, so I’m looking forward to it.” [RATTO: Wilson 'refreshes' roster, keeps core together] There are two hits in particular that Torres is known for in the Bay Area. While playing for Edmonton in the playoffs in 2006, he hit then-Shark Milan Michalek with an elbow to the head. A few years later with Vancouver in 2011, he leveled Joe Thornton with a clean check that separated Thornton’s shoulder. The Sharks went on to lose both series. “San Jose fans have been pretty tough on me the past couple years, but I get it,” Torres said. “It’s the way I play. Hopefully, once I start getting on the body and score a couple goals, they’ll turn into fans.” More recently, Torres is known for his dirty check to the head of Chicago’s Marian Hossa in the playoffs last season while with Phoenix. That hit resulted in a 25-game suspension that ended his playoff run with the Coyotes, who went on the Western Conference finals. The suspension was eventually reduced to 21 games, and forced him to sit for the first eight games this season. This year, Torres has just 13 penalty minutes in 28 games. What changed? “Well, my bank account changed,” Torres joked. “I knew my game, prior to the suspension, was at a place...I didn’t want to end up hurting someone. My game was a little bit reckless. My problem is I get a little too caught up in the moment, and I feel like I need to go out there and throw that big hit. I’d run around, and it was deteriorating my overall game. “I think I’m at a point now where I’m not really looking for the big hit. I’m trying to work on stick-on-puck, and taking away the puck and taking the body. I will not back down from trying to run someone over to change the momentum, I think I just do it a little more cautiously now.” Wilson compared him to another player that has seemingly altered the way he plays after a number of suspensions. “I think you’ve seen Matt Cooke do it in Pittsburgh, too,” Wilson said. “These guys can play the game and they can skate. They are not the three or four minute, one-dimensional players. That’s what you’re looking for. All 667923 San Jose Sharks

Wilson 'refreshes' roster, keeps core together

April 3, 2013, 1:15 pm Staff

The Sharks enter Wednesday's tilt with Minnesota at sixth place in the Western Conference. Programming note: Coverage of Sharks-Wild begins at 7:00 PT with Sharks Pregame Live on CSN California. So in the end, Doug Wilson sanded a bit at the ends, traded two low picks for two higher picks, Douglas Murray for Scott Hannan, and Ryane Clowe for Raffi Torres. If that’s “refreshing” the Sharks’ roster, then so be it. It does reinforce the long held belief that Wilson as general manager still believes in the true core of his team as a Stanley Cup contender. He has always been an active but conservative trader in that way, and confronted with the opportunity to make a loud statement, he preferred to whisper. It is interesting, though, that the chip people pointed to the most, Clowe, netted only draft picks. It leads to one of the major disconnects between the outside world and the reality – Clowe was a favorite everywhere except in the marketplace. Indeed, the marketplace clearly wonders if he might not simply be on the back few holes of his career. He could thrive in New York under John Tortorella. He could find a place and role that fits his current skill set better than his place in San Jose. This could turn into quite the deal for the Rangers. But the picks say otherwise. Between his struggles the past couple of seasons and his unrestricted status, that fact is hard to avoid. Hannan, of course, came west for a sixth-round pick and is equally free come summer, so one could make a similar argument for him. But Wilson’s decision there is a simple one – he decided the Sharks still need what Murray used to be able to do, and concluded that Hannan was the best buy in a restricted market for that. And Torres, the little ball of other people’s hate, will chafe a lot of purists, is designed to be the less banged-up version of Clowe. He is still the classic disturber, and if he can stay within the guidelines of play that everyone else in the game has generally agreed upon, he could have a value down the stretch. He might also needlessly consume a lot of teammates’ energies if he cannot. In sum, the Sharks changed their shows and hat but not their overall look, and the only real ways that this can end badly are if (a) Hannan and Torres provide less than Murray and Clowe and the team finishes poorly ...... or (b) if head coach Todd McLellan is forced to play them both when he desires otherwise. There is no indication that Wilson has ever imposed his will on McLellan’s lineups, and this would be an odd time to change their interpersonal dynamic. In addition, it is unlikely that McLellan objected strenuously to either deal or could not see the values in Hannan and Torres, so the daily decisions on their presence among the 18 won’t be acts of self-justification. So no, the Sharks were not remade. They did not make a play for Marian Gaborik or Jason Pominville or Blake Comeau or Ryan O’Byrne because Wilson still wanted to keep the working heart of the group together. Whether this decision will pay off in May – or if there will be a May – remains to be seen. But for the moment, this is what Doug Wilson calls “refreshment.” Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 667924 San Jose Sharks

Sharks acquire LW Torres from Coyotes

April 3, 2013, 12:00 pm Staff

Programming note: Coverage of Sharks-Wild begins at 7:00 with Sharks Pregame Live on CSN California. The Sharks have acquired 31-year-old left wing Raffi Torres from the Phoenix in exchange for a third round pick in the 2013 draft, the team announced Wednesday afternoon. The 6-foot, 210-pound left wing has five goals and seven assists for 12 points and 13 penalty minutes in 28 games. Torres is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, as he’s in the final year of a two-year deal worth $3.5 million. The trade came just before the noon NHL trade deadline. Torres was given a 25-game suspension by the league for his illegal hit on Chicago’s Marian Hossa in the playoffs last April. That was later reduced to 21 games, and carried over to the first eight games of this season. In 619 career NHL games over parts of 11 seasons with the Islanders, Oilers, Blue Jackets, Sabres, Canucks and Coyotes, Torres has 132 goals and 117 assists for 249 points and 486 penalty minutes. He was drafted in the first round (fifth overall) by the Islanders in the 2000 draft. The move caps a busy 10 days for the Sharks. They acquired defenseman Scott Hannan for a conditional sixth round pick earlier on Wednesday, and sent right wing Ryane Clowe to the Rangers for three draft picks on Tuesday. On March 25, defenseman Douglas Murray was traded to Pittsburgh for two draft picks. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 667925 San Jose Sharks

Former Sharks D Hannan returning to San Jose

April 3, 2013, 9:45 am Staff

The Sharks have acquired 34-year-old veteran defenseman Scott Hannan from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a conditional sixth/seventh round draft pick, the team announced Wednesday morning. The deal is for a seventh round selection but could become a sixth round selection in the event Hannan plays in one playoff game in 2013. Hannan, 34, has played in 29 games for Nashville this season, posting one assist and 20 penalty minutes. He spent the 2011-12 season with Calgary, notching 12 points (2 goals, 10 assists) and 38 penalty minutes in 78 games. “Scott Hannan is a player we are very familiar with and gives us an added veteran depth presence on defense,” said Wilson. Hannan spent the first eight years of his career in San Jose, playing 508 games which ranks him 10th all-time among Sharks players. His +45 rating ranks him 5th all-time. San Jose Sharks media services contributed to this report. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 667926 San Jose Sharks

Boyle authors Goal of the Year nominee for Sharks

April 3, 2013, 11:45 pm Staff

SAN JOSE – Right about center ice, and with the puck on his tape, Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle had a decision to make with his team on a two-man advantage. He could drop a pass to a teammate and wait for it to be brought into the offensive zone, or keep it, and continue charging ahead. He chose the latter. The result was the prettiest goal the Sharks have scored all season, as Boyle went end-to-end and walked Wild defenseman Ryan Suter in the high slot before sliding it past Nicklas Backstrom. Boyle’s sixth marker – and fifth on the power play – gave the Sharks a 2-0 first period lead at 5:19. “I was going to drop it probably by the red line, and I just changed my mind. I’m glad I did,” Boyle said. Suter, a potential Norris Trophy candidate after signing a $98 million deal with the Wild in the offseason, will probably want to avoid seeing replays that are sure to be repeated on various networks nationwide. “Obviously, he’s a great defenseman and doesn’t get beat too many times,” Boyle said. “It’s probably not something that happens to him very often.” Todd McLellan was asked what the reaction was like on the Sharks' bench following Boyle’s beautiful rush. “Wow,” McLellan said. “You could feel the excitement for him. There was a lot of ‘wows.’ It was a pretty impressive individual rush.” The Sharks have scored five goals on a two-man advantage this season, four by Boyle, including this one. Boyle, who was the subject of several trade rumors leading up to Wednesday’s noon deadline, ranked it second on his list of the best goals of his career. His favorite came when he was in Tampa against a player whom he now calls a teammate. “The nicest one I scored is actually against Minnesota years ago, when I was in Tampa. [Brent Burns] was on defense, and I kind of undressed him,” Boyle said with a smile. “If you guys can look that one up, that was my favorite one.” The Sharks surrendered the two-goal lead, but markers by Joe Thornton and TJ Galiardi broke the 2-2 tie and gave San Jose its sixth consecutive victory. So far, the Sharks are 5-0 on a season-long seven-game homestand. They jumped over Los Angeles with the win and now sit in fifth place in the Western Conference. “We’ve got to start catching some teams and separating ourselves from that final playoff spot,” Boyle said. “We’re doing good things, but we saw last month how quickly that can go the other way if you start cheating.” Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 667927 San Jose Sharks Lineup The Sharks acquired defenseman Scott Hannan and winger Raffi Torres earlier Wednesday, but neither played. Both are expected to arrive and Kurz's Instant Replay: Sharks 4, Wild 2 practice with the team on Thursday. The Sharks lineup was the same from their 3-2 win over Vancouver on April 3, 2013, 9:30 pm Monday, as Jason Demers remained out with an undisclosed injury and Matt Tennyson played his second career NHL game on defense. Staff Demers is expected to return in the “next couple of days,” according to general manager Doug Wilson.

Joe Thornton and Marty Havlat had a goal and an assist, while Dan Boyle Up next and TJ Galiardi added power play goals in a 4-2 Sharks win over Minnesota at HP Pavilion on Wednesday night. The Sharks’ close out their homestand with the Calgary Flames on Friday night and Dallas Stars on Sunday afternoon. A four-game road trip begins San Jose continued its steady ascent in the standings, jumping over Pacific on April 9 in Columbus. Division rival Los Angeles into fifth place in the Western Conference. The Sharks have won six in a row, including all five on their current homestand, Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 and are a league-best 13-1-4 at their home rink. The game was tied 2-2 in the second period when the Sharks took advantage of some sloppy play by the Wild in their own zone. Minnesota failed to get the puck out numerous times, and Jared Spurgeon turned it over to Brent Burns. Burns gave the puck to Thornton, whose attempted pass deflected off of Clayton Stoner’s skate and past Niklas Backstrom at 14:42 to give the Sharks a 3-2 lead at the intermission. Galiardi gave them some insurance with a power play goal at 6:55 of the third period. Scott Gomez deflected a Brent Burns’ shot towards the net, and Galiardi deposited the loose puck for just his second goal. The Sharks finished 2-for-5 on the power play, and had to kill off just 53.3 seconds of power play time to Minnesota at the end of the game. The game got nasty at that point the Wild on the power play, looking to close the gap. Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Heatley exchanged slashes and wrestled at the side of the net, and the result was Heatley leaving the ice clutching his left arm/wrist area. The Sharks saw a 2-0 lead evaporate in the second. Minnesota’s offense was dormant for much of the game until former Sharks draft pick Charlie Coyle got on the board. Coyle feathered a pass to Zach Parise who put it on net, and Coyle tipped in a loose puck behind Antti Niemi at 10:33 of the middle frame to make it 2-1. It didn’t take long for the Wild to tie it. Just 25 seconds later, Thornton’s clearing attempt up the wall went right to Dany Heatley’s stick, and the former Shark blasted a shot inside the far post for his 11th goal. Stoner’s ill-advised delay of game penalty in the first period led to the Sharks taking a 2-0 lead. The defenseman carelessly shot the puck into the stands from his own zone, putting the Sharks on a two-man advantage. Dan Boyle went coast-to-coast on a rush from behind his own goal line, sidestepping Ryan Suter in the process, and slid home his sixth goal on what may have been the highlight-reel goal of the year for San Jose at 5:19. Havlat gave the Sharks an early lead with his fifth goal at 1:34 on a pass from Thornton, after Burns skated the puck in deep. The Sharks and Wild will play the rubber match of their three-game season series on April 18 at HP Pavilion. The Sharks snapped a four-game losing streak to the Wild. Special teams Boyle’s goal was his fourth five-on-three goal of the season, setting a new team record. Five of his six goals have come with a man advantage. Galiardi’s power play goal, the third of his career, was his first since Dec. 15, 2009 when he was with Colorado. The Sharks have had to kill off just three penalties in their last four games. James Sheppard’s hooking minor at 19:06 of the third period was the only time they were shorthanded. In goal Niemi made his 14th straight start, and 23rd in the last 24 games. He made 31 saves for his 18th win. Backstrom, who pitched a 33-save shutout of the Sharks on March 23 made 29 saves on 33 shots. 667928 San Jose Sharks

Vlasic, Heatley get nasty after final horn

April 4, 2013, 12:00 am Staff

SAN JOSE – Marc-Edouard Vlasic was still in a feisty mood after an altercation with former teammate Dany Heatley at the end of the Sharks’ 4- 2 win on Wednesday night at HP Pavilion. The Wild were on a power play with the clock winding down, and had a six- on-four advantage with the goalie pulled. At the side of the net next to Antti Niemi, Heatley and Vlasic exchanged some slashes, shoves and punches, and the result was Heatley skating off of the ice in pain with what looked to be a left arm or wrist injury. Vlasic gave a succinct interpretation of how events unfolded. “He took a swing at me and missed. I took a swing at him and got him. That’s what it is,” Vlasic said. Where did Vlasic hit him? “I don’t know. He just swung at me and I swung at him. He could have easily hit me. I wasn’t intending to hurt him. I just wanted to slash him, because he took a swing at me and missed. He got me the shift before. “If he’s going to slash me, I’m going to defend myself and just swing back, and unfortunately I got him. I didn’t want to hurt him. If he’s going to slash me I was just defending myself, and swung back.” Vlasic was issued a five-minute major for slashing and a game misconduct at the 20-minute mark of the third period, while Heatley got a minor for roughing. Vlasic indicated that the game took a nasty turn in the third period. “The last couple of shifts, you can watch the video. [Joe Pavelski] got slew footed, I got cross checked by [Heatley] in front. I gave him a cross check back. Guys were battling in front. If you’re going to get a cross check, I assume you can give one back. That’s what happened in the last shift. Unfortunately, I got him in the wrist or shoulder. I’m not sure where I got him. That was not my intent. My intent was just to defend myself.” According to a tweet from Mike Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Wild coach Mike Yeo “indicated Heatley will be out for awhile.” Todd McLellan said of the game: “There were some battles and that type of stuff, but it was emotional. It gets right down to the end when we’re down six-on-four…competitive teams and competitive players, on both sides.” Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.04.2013 667929 St Louis Blues

Hockey Guy: West gets wilder at trade deadline

6 hours ago • BY JEFF GORDON

The already crazy Western Conference got even nuttier before the NHL trade deadline hit this afternoon. While the Blues did a little housekeeping — sending extraneous defenseman Wade Redden to Boston for a seventh-round pick in 2014 — some of their immediate rivals muscled up. (The Blues did make a nice addition for the long-term, signing power forward prospect Dmitrij Jaskin to an entry-level deal. He starred at the World Junior Championships and tore up junior hockey, so he could be something in a few years. For now he is a Riverman.) Perhaps the biggest surprise came when the rebuilding Columbus Blue Jackets took on disgruntled New York Rangers winger Marian Gaborik. New general manager Jarmo Kekalainen made a splash with that move, citing Gaborik as “a long-term solution, not just a short-term fix” according to the Columbus Dispatch. So much for the notion that Columbus was starting over from scratch with younger players. The Blue Jackets will try to extend Gaborik's contract this summer and make him the new Rick Nash. The Rangers got back forwards Derek Dorsett and Derick Brassard and defensive prospect John Moore. Columbus replaced the disappointing Brassard by adding Blake Comeau from Calgary for a fifth-round pick. The Blue Jackets also did some housekeeping by moving No. 2 goaltender Steve Mason to the Philadelphia Flyers for goaltender Michael Leighton and a third-round pick in 2015. Here were some other moves of note: • The Minnesota Wild sent two prospects, Matt Hackett and Johan Larsson, plus first- and second-round draft picks to Buffalo to land skilled winger Jason Pominville -- who scored 25 points in 37 games this season. Pominville will give the Wild some badly needed secondary scoring. The San Jose Sharks added agitating Raffi Torres from the Phoenix Coyotes, spending a third-round pick for the pending unrestricted free agent. Torres will fill the slot vacated by Ryane Clowe’s departure to the Rangers in an earlier deal. Will Raffi regain his reckless playing style after taking it easy this season in the Valley of the Sun? Brendan Shanahan hopes not. San Jose added journeyman defenseman Scott Hannan from Nashville for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. That gives them a bit more insurance for the blue line. The Anaheim Ducks added offensive depth, getting center Matthew Lombardi from the Coyotes. The Coyotes also shipped 900-year-old winger Steve Sullivan to the New Jersey Devils The Canucks tried to ditch Roberto Luongo and his onerous contract, but the Toronto Maple Leafs took a pass. Luongo told reporters that he would redo his 12-year deal if it allowed him to become a No. 1 goaltender again. “I’d scrap it right now if I could,” he said. Goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff was much less eager to move. He will finish out the season in Calgary and then retire. So that’s that. Our Town’s Ben Bishop got a chance to become a No. 1 goaltender, moving from Ottawa to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Senators did well in that deal, getting skilled rookie winger Cory Conacher and a fourth-round pick. The Predators moved winger Martin Erat, a fixture on the Nashville hockey scene, to Washington with Michael Latta for prospect Filip Forsberg. Toronto got a little tougher be spending a fourth-round pick to get Ryan O’Byrne from Colorado. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.04.2013 667930 St Louis Blues

Blues move Redden at trade deadline

6 hours ago • By Dan O'Neill

The Blues made a move to address their glut on left defense today by trading veteran Wade Redden to the Boston Bruins before the trade deadline expired at 2 p.m. The team received a conditional seventh-round pick in 2014 from Boston in return. If Redden appears in one or more playoff games for the Bruins this season, the compensation becomes a sixth-round pick. Redden, 35, played in 23 games with the Blues, scoring two goals, three assists and accumulating a minus-2. The Blues signed Redden to a one- year, $800,000 contract on January 18, after he was was waived and bought out of the remaining two years of his contract with the New York Rangers. Redden got off to a terrific start in St. Louis, scoring goals in two of his first three games. Then on Feb. 17, the Blues honored Redden at Scottrade Center as he played in his 1,000th career game. But in the past few days, the team has made trades to acquire defensemen Jordan Leopold and Jay Bouwmeester. Like Redden, both are lefthanded shooters. In addition, the Blues also have lefthanded defenders Barret Jackman, Kris Russell and Ian Cole on their roster. In Boston, Redden will be reunited with his former teammate and defense partner Zdeno Chara. The two were blue-line standouts for the Ottawa Senators in the early 2000s, a team that played in the Stanley Cup finals in 2007. The Blues also announced they have signed Dmitrij Jaskin (dih-MEE-tree YEAH-skihn), the team's second-round selection in the 2011 NHL draft, the 41st player chosen overall. Jaskin, 20, agreed to a three-year entry level contract. He will report to the Blues’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Peoria. But it is possible the 6-foot-3, 205 pound forward could see NHL time before the season ends. “Jaskin is an NHL-ready combination of size and skill,” Blues’ director of player development Tim Taylor said. “His offensive prowess, physicality and hockey sense give him the versatility to play up and down the lineup and contribute in a variety of roles.” Jaskin played in 51 games for Moncton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He led the Wildcats with 99 points, including 46 goals and 53 assists, and collected 73 penalty minutes. A native of Omsk, Russia, Jaskin was named the QMJHL’s first star of the month for November 2012 and January 2013. Prior to 2012-13, Jaskin spent two seasons with Slavia Praha HC of the Czech Extraleague collecting 12 points (four goals, eight assists) and 32 penalty minutes in 63 games. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.04.2013 667931 St Louis Blues Hitchcock was complimentary of Elliott’s performance in Minnesota, but said not to read too much into it as far as how the netminder will play Thursday. Blues updates: Trade deadline, Bouwmeester's status, Halak injury “I think you have to be careful on that evaluation,” Hitchcock said, “because there’s a difference between relieving and starting. Starting is a different mindset. You go in at the start of the game and there’s a different set of 8 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford anxieties that go on with that. Let’s make an evaluation after the Chicago game.” OSHIE ON IR While the Blues did a little housekeeping, some of their immediate rivals muscled up. Read more Blues forward T.J. Oshie, who was placed on IR Tuesday, is not eligible to return to the lineup Friday. But Hitchcock indicated today that Oshie, who is There is less than one hour left before the NHL trade deadline. It should believed to have suffered a bruised left foot blocking a shot against Los come as no surprise that Blues players, as they came off the practice ice Angeles, could be out longer. this morning, said they hope the roster stays intact and this group finishes out the regular season and perhaps beyond. “When a guy goes on IR like Osh, now you’re in week to week,” Hitchcock said. “Osh can come off on Friday, but we’ll see. He certainly hasn’t been “We’ve shown that the core in here has got what it takes to be good on a able to skate yet and I doubt he’ll be able to skate tomorrow.” regular basis and win games and win a playoff round,” Blues captain David Backes said. “That being said, we’re not satisfied with those results. We’ve When asked if Oshie had more than a bruise, Hitchcock replied: “No, that’s got to keep growing and keep progressing or else I think changes may be what it is.” made. But the group in here is a group of character guys that put it in every single day. We need to stick together and bring it every night, and when we JASKIN SIGNS do, we like our chances.” The Blues announced the signing of forward Dmitrij Jaskin (6-foot-3, 205) to The instant rebuttal, which has been heard in recent weeks, is that this core a three-year entry-level contract today. Jaskin has been assigned to the group has not done anything other than win one playoff round last year. I Peoria Rivermen. asked defenseman Barret Jackman for his response to that sentiment. “Jaskin is an NHL-ready combination of size and skill,” Blues director of “You’ve got to start from somewhere,” Jackman responded. “Every team player development Tim Taylor said in a statement. “His offensive prowess, hasn’t done anything until they win. You look at other teams around the physicality and hockey sense give him the versatility to play up and down league and nobody is satisfied until they’ve won the Stanley Cup, and if the lineup and contribute in a variety of roles.” they don’t win it, they’re disappointed. There’s always expectations on a Jaskin, 20, led the Moncton Wildcats and was fifth in the Quebec Major team. We expect to win and until we do that, it’s going to be disappointing. Junior Hockey League with 99 points (46 goals and 53 assists) this season. “I really hope (this is the group). It’s a group that’s been together for quite a He was the Blues’ second-round pick (41st overall) in 2011 few years now with the exception of a few pieces. But we’ve been in the St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.04.2013 slums together and last year we were at a high and then back down to a low in the playoffs. We’d love to ride a high all the way to the prize.” BOUWMEESTER UPDATE New Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester was not on the ice this morning. On Tuesday, he was seeking a work visa and had hoped to meet the club soon and be in Thursday’s game against Chicago. “I don’t know where the visa stuff is right now,” Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. “As soon as I get through with (the media), I’ll go back and see where that’s at. The assumption is that if (Jarome) Iginla can get in Pittsburgh in that period of time from Calgary, then we’re hoping Jay can get in quick too.” HALAK'S STATUS Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak, who left Monday’s 4-1 win over Minnesota in the first period, has a groin injury and is out indefinitely. Some rumblings are that Halak didn’t re-aggravate the injury that caused him to miss eight games earlier this season, but rather it’s a new injury in the groin. “Halak is out,” said Hitchcock, who indicated the goalie may be put on injured reserve. “He’s out … that’s the best way I can describe it. I’ll let you know when he’s in.” Asked if Halak will play at all the remainder of this season, Hitchcock replied: “I can’t tell you that right now.” Is there a guarantee? “No,” Hitchcock said. After his 20-save relief effort in Minnesota, picking up his first victory since Jan. 31, Brian Elliott will get the start Thursday against Chicago. Elliott said that he’s better equipped for the job today than in early February, when his poor performance forced the Blues to turn to Jake Allen. “We’re deeper into the season, we’ve played some games and seen a lot of pucks,” Elliott said. “I think as a team, we’ve gotten a lot more in control and into the way we want to play. I think guys are more comfortable on the ice in each position. Going into a big game, we need to have everybody and be comfortable, trusting each other.” 667932 St Louis Blues

Blues-Blackhawks matchup box

4 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford

BLUES AT BLACKHAWKS When • 7:30 tonight Where • United Center TV, radio • FSM, KMOX (1120 AM) Blues • The Blues are 0-2 against Chicago this season and 0-4-4 in their last eight games at the United Center. They enter tonight’s game on a high after winning 4-1 over Minnesota on Monday. The game will be the Blues debut for defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, who was acquired in a trade Monday. Brian Elliott will be in net against the Blackhawks, starting in place of the injured Jaroslav Halak. The Blues’ penalty-killing unit has not allowed a goal in three games (nine for nine). Blackhawks • Chicago is in first place in the Western Conference with 27 victories. The Blackhawks are coming off a 7-1 win over Detroit and a 3-2 shootout victory over Nashville, and Blues coach Ken Hitchcock says the team is playing as well as it has in a month. The Blackhawks are expected to get Marian Hossa back in their lineup tonight after the winger missed six games with an upper-body injury. The team added former Blue Michal Handzus at the trading deadline. Injuries • Blues — G Jaroslav Halak (groin) and RW T.J. Oshie (lower- body injury), out. Blackhawks — RW Marian Hossa (upper-body injury) and RW Patrick Kane (illness), probable; C Dave Bolland (lower-body injury), questionable; LW Patrick Sharp (shoulder), out. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.04.2013 667933 St Louis Blues You go in at the start of the game and there’s a different set of anxieties that go on with that. Let’s make an evaluation after the Chicago game.” The Blues will also be without T.J. Oshie, who the team said suffered a Hitchcock: Blues feel sense of obligation to management bruise blocking a shot last week against Los Angeles. He was replaced on injured reserve Tuesday, and Hitchcock said, “When a guy goes on IR like ‘Osh,’ now you’re in week to week.” Hitchcock also said the injury has not 4 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford been found to be more than a bruise. That leaves it up to the rest of the post-deadline Blues, who tonight will face conference-leading Chicago, which knocked off Detroit 7-1 on Sunday. CHICAGO • The Blues were like many NHL clubs that partook in this year’s trade-deadline deals, in that the “heavy lifting” was done before the final “We’ve shown that the core in here has got what it takes to be good on a day. regular basis and win games and win a playoff round,” Blues captain David Backes said. “That being said, we’re not satisfied with those results (last Seventeen trades were consummated around the league Wednesday, and season). We’ve got to keep growing and keep progressing or else I think just one involving the Blues. They sent defenseman Wade Redden to changes may be made. Boston for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2014, trimming their defensemen to a manageable group of eight. “But the group in here is a group of character guys that put it in every single day. We need to stick together and bring it every night, and when we do, we Outside of Marian Gaborik going to Columbus, deadline day lacked the like our chances.” quality of names that fans have seen change sweaters in the past several days, such as Jarome Iginla to Pittsburgh and Jay Bouwmeester to the Jaskin signs Blues. The Blues announced the signing for forward Dmitrij Jaskin to a three-year, But teams like the Blues, who added Jordan Leopold last week, believe entry-level contract Wednesday. He has been assigned to play with Peoria they have done enough for the stretch drive — and what a wild one it in the American Hockey League. Jaskin (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) was a should be. In addition to the 16 teams that were holding a playoff spot second-round pick in the 2011 NHL draft. He led the Moncton Wildcats and Wednesday, seven more were within three points of a postseason ticket was fifth in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 99 points (46 before Wednesday’s games. goals) this season. “I think we were looking all year to improve the team and looking at ways St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.04.2013 we could do it that made sense, but making sense means we also know what’s on the horizon,” Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. “We know that there’s a lot of younger players that we’re going to have to make decisions on long-term. I don’t think we wanted to go and do anything panic-wise.” “We got Leopold really for the stretch run, take a hard look at him, and then we got Jay to be part of the group for long term. I like the fact that management is committed to making us better. They’re not just sitting and watching the group. I think the players are impressed by this. They feel an even higher sense of obligation to try to help out as much as management is helping them.” Sitting in the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference before Wednesday, with 14 more regular-season games remaining, the Blues are set. Bouwmeester, the latest addition, was expected to arrive in Chicago tonight and make his debut wearing No. 19 against the Blackhawks. Leopold will play in his second game after posting a plus-1 rating in 16 minutes, 43 seconds of ice time in Monday’s 4-1 win over Minnesota. “I thought he played really well in the third period, really composed,” Hitchcock said. But will the recent changes improve the Blues’ overall game? While they’ve added, they’ve also subtracted. The team will move forward without goaltender Jaroslav Halak, who went down in the first period of Monday’s game with a groin injury. The best-case prognosis for the netminder’s return is several weeks. “He’s out ... that’s the best way I can describe it,” Hitchcock said. The coach couldn’t guarantee that Halak would return this season, however, saying, “I can’t tell you that.” Tonight the Blues will turn to Brian Elliott following his 20-save performance in relief of Halak on Monday, in which he picked up his first victory since Jan. 31. Elliott believes he’s better-equipped to handle the assignment than he was in early February, when Halak missed eight games with a groin injury and Elliott’s 0-4-1 run forced the Blues to insert rookie Jake Allen. “We’re deeper into the season, we’ve played some games and seen a lot of pucks,” Elliott said. “I think as a team, we’ve gotten a lot more in control and into the way we want to play.” After his two-game conditioning stint in Peoria, Elliott seemed more reliable Monday against the Wild. But Hitchcock said not to read too much into that performance. “I think you have to be careful on that evaluation,” he said, “because there’s a difference between relieving and starting. Starting is a different mind-set. 667934 St Louis Blues Jackman said the motivation of Bouwmeester making his first playoff appearance should light a spark. "He's going to really enjoy having a chance to possibly be in the playoffs for Blues perform defensive makeover; now it's up to players the first time in over 700 games," Jackman said. Leopold and Bouwmeester once had their rights traded for each other, so By NORM SANDERS their names have been linked before. Now they are teammates. Leopold said the Blues' system and structure is a bit different than what he experienced in Buffalo, but he's making a quick transition. ST. LOUIS — In the span of three days, the St. Louis Blues performed a defensive makeover they hope will lead them to postseason success. "I've been through it a few times, working with a new partner that I'm not real familiar with," he said. "The concept, the way we play is different than For now, nailing down a playoff spot has been made a bit more attainable what I'm accustomed the past few years. I'm making the transition but right with the addition of veteran defensemen Jay Bouwmeester and Jordan now I'm a sponge. Leopold. "I'm taking it all in and trying to get up to speed." "This is an addition where part of it is to help us win now, but part of it is also to augment the team for (the) future," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 04.04.2013 "I like the fact that management is committed to making us better. They're not just sitting and watching the group, they're doing their own level of work, too. "The players are impressed by this, I think they feel an even higher sense of obligation to help out as much as management is helping them." Blues veteran defenseman Barret Jackman agreed, saying the time for excuses is over. "We've got two great players that are going to come in here and make us that much better," Jackman said. "If you look around our dressing room we have every piece that we need. Now we have to put that on the ice and win. They're definitely showing their faith in this team." Blues captain David Backes said the players appreciate the commitment, but now must work even harder to reward it. "No excuses in here, we just need results," Backes said. "We've shown that the core in here's got what it takes to be good on a regular basis, win games and win a playoff battle. "That being said, we're not satisfied with those results. We've got to keep growing and keep progressing or else I think it changes the outlook. We need to stick together and bring it every night. Then we like our chances." Bouwmeester, 29, was expected to join the Blues Wednesday night in Chicago once his immigration paperwork cleared. He is expected to make his Blues debut Thursday against the Blackhawks and will wear No. 19. Known as one of the top skaters in the NHL, Bouwmeester also adds a talented left-handed partner on the No. 1 defense pairing with Alex Pietrangelo. Bouwmeester also provides a steadying influence on the back end. "Hopefully we can use him in the areas where he's most effective," Hitchcock said. "He can really play against top players and he eats up a lot of minutes. He's a real good addition." So is Leopold, who played his first Blues game on Monday in Minnesota. "Any time you get moved, there's a want and a need from that team you get moved to," said Leopold, who came in a Saturday trade from the Buffalo Sabres. "It's something to be excited about and obviously they've showed some confidence in my game that there's a role to be filled." Leopold will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, but Bouwmeester's contract runs through 2013-14. "He's an addition made long term," Hitchcock said of Bouwmeester. "He's an addition for this year, for next year...this is building something that we want to build. We want to make the playoffs like everybody else does, but we're trying to build a team here that's going to win long term and he's a good fit for us." Bouwmeester already has a friend on the Blues in fellow defenseman Jackman. The pair played together on several Canadian national teams. "We've known each other and crossed paths quite a few times over the years," Jackman said. "I had a great time with him over in Russia and Sweden. He's a great personality and a great guy that really is going to fit in well in our dressing room." 667935 St Louis Blues With a glut of defense depth, they traded veteran Wade Redden to Boston for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2014. The 35-year-old Redden has two goals and five points in 23 games. Those Blues trade Redden, sign rookie forward prospect goals came in his second and third games after joining the team. The Blues also signed forward prospect Dmitrij Jaskin to a three-year entry- Published: April 3, 2013 Updated 5 hours ago level contract and assigned him to the Peoria Rivermen. By NORM SANDERS — News-Democrat The 20-year-old Jaskin (6-3 205), a second-round draft pick from Russia, had 46 goals and 99 points in 51 games for Moncton this season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

ST. LOUIS — With starting goaltender Jaroslav Halak out indefinitely with a He spent the previous two seasons with the Slavia Prava HC of the Czech lower-body injury, the St. Louis Blues' playoff hopes may hinge on the Elite League, scoring four goals and 12 points in 63 games. performance of Brian Elliott and rookie Jake Allen. "Jaskin is an NHL-ready combination of size and skill," said Blues' Director After practice Wednesday, Blues coach Ken Hitchcock made it sound like of Player Development, Tim Taylor. "His offensive prowess, physicality and Halak may not make a rapid return. ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reported the hockey sense give him the versatility to play up and down the lineup and injury could keep Halak out for at least three weeks. contribute in a variety of roles." Asked whether Halak will play again this season, Hitchcock's response was Scouting the Hawks "I don't know about that. I can't tell you that right now." The Blues have lost their last eight games in Chicago, not winning at United Halak missed time earlier this season with a groin injury. Center since Feb. 3, 2010. The Blackhawks are 27-5-3 and show no signs of slowing down, recently adding former Blues forward Michal Handzus to Hitchcock said Elliott, who relieved Halak after Halak's injury against the mix. Minnesota, will start Thursday in Chicago. After hammering Detroit 7-1 on Sunday, the Blackhawks beat Nashville 3-2 "We're on a one-game basis," Hitchcock said. "We'll see how he plays in a shootout on Monday. Thursday, then we'll evaluate Friday." "We'll have our hands full and we know that," Hitchcock said. "They've been Elliott went 3-4 in the playoffs last season after Halak was injured in Game in the best team in the NHL right from day one. I would say the last two 2 of the first round. games they played are the best they've played in a month. They were terrific in Detroit in that bombing there and I though for 2 1/2 periods they This season went Halak went down again, Elliott's struggled and created an were unbelievable against Nashville." opportunity for Allen. The rookie responded by winning eight of his first nine decisions. Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 04.04.2013 Elliott will be watched closely Thursday with each point precious in the final 14 regular season games. "I think you have to be careful on that evaluation because there's a difference between relieving and starting," Hitchcock said when asked to rate Elliott's relief performance against Minnesota. "Starting's a different mindset...there's a different set of anxieties that go on with that, so let's make an evaluation after the Chicago game." Elliott went 1-1 in two starts with Peoria during a conditioning assignment in the minors. Before Monday, he had not won at the NHL level since Jan. 31. Elliott was asked if he feels different about replacing Halak than he did earlier. "We're deeper into the season and we've played some games, I've seen a lot of pucks over the time since (then)," he said. "I think as a team we've gotten a lot more in control and getting into the way we want to play. Going into a big game we know we need to have everybody and be comfortable and trust each other." A year ago Elliott led the NHL in goals-against average and save percentage, but hasn't been able to recapture the magic. "You always try to go back to what's given you success, whether it's tying your left skate before your right or doing something on the ice," he said. "Your game evolves and changes over the course of the year and the game changes so you have to adjust. Those adjustment periods happen quick, especially in a short season." Elliott praised Allen's work this season. "He's given a lot of confidence to the guys. You always want to just get back in there and I'm sure he's itching to the do the same. In every position, guys want to be out there and want that responsibility." Blues winger T.J. Oshie remains in injured reserve with a bruised foot and isn't eligible to return Friday, but Hitchcock said he doubts if Oshie can begin skating Thursday. Another trade, another signing While the Blues made their major trade deadline moves before the deadline with the acquisition of defensemen Jay Bouwmeester and Jordan Leopold, they were still busy Wednesday. 667936 Tampa Bay Lightning

Former Bolts coach Boucher speaks out about firing

By Ira Kaufman | Tribune Staff Published: April 3, 2013

- BRANDON – In the first public appearance since his dismissal 10 days ago, former Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher lavished praise on the organization and denied any friction with general manager Steve Yzerman on the direction of the struggling franchise. “I wanted to let my emotions settle down and I didn’t want to be a distraction,’’ Boucher said Wednesday at Tampa Bay’s alternate practice rink in explaining his silence since he was sent home from Winnipeg on March 24 after a 5-3 setback at Ottawa. “My story is very simple – I’m very grateful to have had an opportunity to coach in the NHL and in such a great organization. It’s truly been an incredible ride, one we’re going to cherish for the rest of our lives.’’ Since Boucher was replaced behind the bench by minor-league coach Jon Cooper, he has watched an array of NHL games on television. Boucher has chosen not to watch the Lightning’s recent games, including a 3-2 shootout loss at home to the Panthers Tuesday night. For Boucher, the emotions are still too raw. “It was a shock,’’ he said of the short conversation with Yzerman, informing Boucher he had coached his final game with the Lightning. “But that’s the business and you have to deal with it. The last three Stanley Cup champion coaches have all gone through it. It’s something you have to deal with and it puts a lot of things in perspective. This is difficult. It’s a tough one, but adversity makes you grow.’’ Boucher said he didn’t notice any change in his relationship with Yzerman in the weeks leading up to his dismissal as Tampa Bay struggled to contend for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. “Steve and I had had a brief conversation that day and he said he wanted to make a change,’’ Boucher said. “We didn’t have any problems. We stuck together as a team and as a staff and made a lot happen. You can’t control injuries and you can’t control personnel that’s available and not available.’’ Boucher guided the Lightning to within one win of the Stanley Cup finals in his first season as an NHL coach, but the last two years were disappointing as Tampa Bay was undermined by mediocre goaltending and some key injuries. On the same day Boucher spoke his mind, the Lightning traded for Ottawa backup goaltender Ben Bishop to compete against 24-year-old Anders Lindback for the No. 1 job. “Whether it’s a forward, a defenseman or a goalie, there’s a growth process,’’ Boucher said. “Anders Lindback is a terrific individual. He’s a young guy that’s growing and he’s going to become a good goaltender in this league. But expectations have to go with the moment and the circumstances that you’re in.’’ Tampa Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 667937 Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning trade F Conacher, pick for G Bishop

By Erik Erlendsson | Tribune Staff Published: April 3, 2013

TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired goaltender Ben Bishop from the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday in exchange for rookie forward Cory Conacher and a fourth-round draft pick in 2013. The acquisition of Bishop creates competition for the No. 1 goaltending job with Anders Lindback, who was acquired from Nashville in June. Lindback is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain. “I am extremely excited to be part of the Lightning organization,” Bishop said in a statement issued by the Lightning. “They have a lot of great players and hopefully we can win a lot of hockey games this season and moving forward.” Bishop was a strong fill-in for injured Craig Anderson with the Senators this season. In 13 games with Ottawa, Bishop was 8-5 with a 2.45 goals against average and .922 save percentage. The Senators acquired Bishop from St. Louis last season for a second- round pick. Conacher, second in the NHL rookie scoring race with 24 points, burst onto the scene with five multi-point games among his first seven this season while playing on a line with captain Vinny Lecavalier. In recent games, however, Conacher saw his ice time dip as he dropped to a lower-line role, playing less than 10 minutes twice in the past three games. He is looking forward to getting started with Ottawa. “They are a team that wants me,” Conacher said. “I’ve talked to the organization down there and they are a team that wants me, so it’s a new start and it’s going to be fun. They are a team on the rise and hopefully we will get on a nice little playoff run this year.’’ Conacher found it hard to leave the organization that gave him his first opportunity. “I was a little shocked, I didn’t expect that,’’ Conacher said of the trade. “It’s something that a lot of guys never expect, to be traded. But it’s the way the hockey world works.” Undrafted out of Canisius College, Conacher signed with the Lightning as a free agent. He went on to earn Most Valuable Player in the American Hockey League last season while helping lead Tampa Bay affiliate Norfolk to the Calder Cup championship. “Tampa Bay wanted Bishop and Ottawa wanted me, so it’s straight up and that’s how it works. I love Tampa, I love the organization and they have done so many good things for me, but now it’s time to start fresh in Ottawa.’’ Tampa Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 667938 Tampa Bay Lightning

Fennelly: Bolts trade an admission from GM

By Martin Fennelly Published: April 4, 2013

BRANDON It was the height of irony, and we mean height. Wednesday afternoon, former Lightning coach Guy Boucher spoke publicly for the first time since he was fired by Bolts GM Steve Yzerman. Oh, and about 15 minutes before that, the Lightning announced that they’d traded for … a goaltender. It’s Ben Bishop, who came from Ottawa just before the trade deadline, though at a hefty price: Lightning rookie playmaker Cory Conacher. If you’re Boucher, you had to be thinking, “Ah, now the goalies aren’t good enough.” I like the deal, but it had better work. The Lightning need the help if Anders Lindback’s inconsistency is any indication, and it is. Bishop kept the Senators winning even after No. 1 Craig Anderson, the best goalie in the NHL this season, at least statistically, went down with an injury. Bishop owns a 2.45 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. That beats Lindback’s 2.88 and .903, which helped seal Boucher’s fate. And there’s the towering trivia of it all. The Lightning now have the highest goaltending tandem in NHL history as the 6-foot-7 Bishop (the tallest man ever to play goal in an NHL) joins the 6-6 Lindback, two tape-measure jobs. The Bolts now possess 13 feet, 1 inch of goalies. Right now this team would take a 4-foot guy hopping out of a circus car if he could play between the pipes. The long and short of it is that Yzerman, who has made his mistakes, is basically admitting that the goalie he brought in hasn’t been up to speed — enough to trade Conacher, the second-leading rookie scorer in the league when he wasn’t falling down, though not enough to give Boucher a pass. The new coach, Jon Cooper, gets the help. Yzerman has entirely mixed reviews when it comes to goaltender. Dan Ellis was his guy, but, no go, at least here, then Dwayne Roloson rode to the rescue in his Fountain of Youth pumpkin carriage. Then Roloson bombed last season, you know, after Mike Smith had opted to go to Phoenix, where he flourished. Then came Lindback, and so on and so on. A lot of times, goalies are where GM’s jobs go to die. Still, I like Bishop. It’s a great deal if he can be the guy. Lindback is a great deal if he turns out to be the guy. But one of these guys better be the guy. I know Redwoods don’t yield fruit, but these two better or this organization will be deep in the forest. The Lightning could have grabbed Bishop for less last offseason. They picked up Lindback. Now they have both, with Yzerman giving up Conacher, two second-round picks, a third-round pick and a fourth-round pick — all for two goaltenders who have a combined 95 games of NHL experience. Then again, Bishop, 26, is two years older than Lindback. That should count for something, growth wise. On the other hand, in Bishop’s first game this season, he allowed five goals on 30 shots in a loss against … the Lightning. Yes, Wednesday was an open skating session for irony. It’s not about this season, no matter what Cooper says. You can’t be serious about the playoffs when you can’t win at home against Florida. No, this is about speeding up the future. It’s a great deal if Ben Bishop does that. Or if anyone else does. Once again, this team needs a stopper. Lightning history teaches us that finding one is usually a very tall order. Tampa Tribune LOADED: 04.04.2013 667939 Tampa Bay Lightning But either Yzerman urged Boucher to play a system Boucher didn't want to or Boucher ignored Yzerman's suggestions. Whatever the case, this was not the same system the team played during Boucher's successful rookie Ex-Lightning Boucher takes high road season. The results were no longer there, and a change was made, a change that Boucher said surprised and stung him. He has watched a lot of hockey on TV since his firing but has yet to watch a Lightning game because it remains too painful. Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer "I have nothing but respect for Steve Yzerman,'' Boucher said. "Like I said, I Wednesday, April 3, 2013 4:43pm will not point fingers.'' Ultimately, a good goalie would've solved everything. Everyone, including Yzerman, agrees Lindback needs more time to develop into a reliable No. 1 Pretty interesting that on the same day Guy Boucher spoke publicly for the goalie. And this is where you can't help but feel a bit for Boucher. first time since being fired as coach of the Lightning, the team traded for a hotshot young goalie. Yzerman cannot have it both ways. You can't preach patience with your young goalie then fire the coach when you lose too many games because, If general manager Steve Yzerman had brought in a goalie a month ago, mostly, your young goalie isn't ready. maybe Boucher would still have a job today. Which brings us back to Wednesday. Give Yzerman credit for acquiring When asked about the timing of such a trade, Boucher didn't say a word. goalie Ben Bishop from Ottawa. You have to give up something to get He just smiled. something, and Yzerman had to give up Cory Conacher, a nice young That's what you do when you're taking the high road. That's what Boucher player. But don't get too worked up over losing Conacher. He's small and took Wednesday inside the Brandon Ice Sports Forum. has cooled off after a fast start. Besides, the Lightning needs a goalie way more than another small forward. He thanked Yzerman. He thanked owner Jeff Vinik. He thanked the entire front office. He thanked his coaches. He thanked the players. He thanked The trade says the Lightning isn't convinced Lindback can be a No. 1 the fans. He thanked everyone but the Zamboni driver. goalie. At worst, it now has two youngsters to fight it out for the top spot and, at best, they'll end up with two pretty good goalies. "No regrets," said Boucher, fired March 23 after 21/2 seasons. "I'm grateful for getting the chance to coach in the NHL and to be surrounded by quality It's a great move. Too bad it happened too late for Boucher. people. It has truly been an incredible ride, one that I will truly cherish." Tom Jones can be heard from 6 to 9 a.m. weekdays on WDAE-620 Yeah, yeah, yeah. On it went. Blah, blah, blah. Boucher saying nice things Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 04.04.2013 about Yzerman. Boucher complimenting the players. Boucher talking about the good times. You just knew it was going to be like this. Boucher wants to work again in the NHL. The last thing he is going to do is get into a spitting match with a hockey legend such as Yzerman. But for the record, no, Boucher said, there was nothing personal between he and Yzerman. Yes, Boucher said, the players played hard for him. No, Boucher said, no one on the team quit. So, what then? If everything was hunky-dory with Yzerman and the players played hard, why was Boucher in Brandon while his former team was flying to Carolina with another coach in his seat? "I think when we started the year, we had all the hopes possible," Boucher, 41, said. "But it's like every season. Once the season starts, different things come into play; whether it's at forward, defense or a goaltender. There's a growth process there. Sometimes, you're asking people to do things they can't do consistently yet. …Expectations have to go with the moment and the circumstances that you're in. "I want to respect the process of the young goaltender. I don't want to point fingers. I don't want to do that." You don't have to be Lord Stanley to figure out what Boucher meant. Anders Lindback, acquired to be the Lightning's No. 1 goalie, simply wasn't ready for that role. There's more. Ryan Malone got hurt. Vinny Lecavalier got hurt. Third-line players weren't ready to be second-liners. Too many rookies were forced into the lineup. The defense wasn't nearly as good as everyone thought it would be. The shortened season heightened urgency. Losses piled up. Those are facts. But I also think the relationship between Yzerman and Boucher soured quickly. Boucher and Yzerman both admit to "philosophical differences," although neither has said anything more than that. If I had to guess, Yzerman and Boucher differed on the style of play. Now this is where the story gets complicated. Something clearly changed and caused a major difference of opinion between the first-time NHL coach and the first-time NHL GM. Yzerman or Boucher got stubborn. Maybe both did. There are always two sides to every divorce. 667940 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning acquires goalie Ben Bishop for Cory Conacher, pick

Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer Wednesday, April 3, 2013 2:24pm

The Lightning pulled off a bold move an hour before Wednesday's trade deadline by acquiring goaltender Ben Bishop from the Senators for rookie left wing Cory Conacher and a fourth-round draft pick. The move to get Bishop was not a complete surprise as Tampa Bay has been struggling with goaltending all season and having Bishop to take some of the pressure off Anders Lindback is probably smart. The surprise was letting go Conacher, who was at practice and worked out on Wednesday. Bishop, 26, a 2005 third-round draft choice by the Blues, is 8-5-0 this season 2.45 goals against average and .922 save percentage. Interestingly, it was believed the Lightning passed on Bishop last season because it believed the price was too high. But the Lightning has so improved its depth at forward through the draft and player development that it was able to deal from strength. Still, Conacher, 23, had a huge impact on the Lightning this season. Is 24 points are second in the league among rookies and his 15 assists are tops. He also was tied for the team lead with two game-winning goals. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 04.04.2013 667941 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning G prospect Jarolsav Janus says he wants to play in North America

Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer Wednesday, April 3, 2013 10:13am

While we wait to see if the Lightning can perhaps grab a goalie before today's 3 p.m. trade deadline, let's talk about a goalie who might figure into the team's future. Prospect Jaroslav Janus said Wednesday he has no idea where the story came from that he will stay in the KHL next season with HC Slovan Bratislava in Slovakia. "They made it up, like a rumor or something," Janus said from Sweden, where he is with the Slovak national team. Janus said he still wants to play next season in North America. "If Tampa still wants me I would love to go back, that's for sure," he said. And Tampa Bay clearly wants Janus back, especially after last season's stellar performance in which he helped HC Slovan to the KHL playoffs with five shutouts, a 2.17 goals-against average and .928 save percentage. Lightning assistant general manager Julien BriseBois said it is his understanding Janus, 23, drafted 162nd overall in 2009, has a buyout clause in his contract that runs through 2013-14. The sticking point for Tampa Bay might be Janus' preference for a one-way deal. The Lightning prefers Janus play with AHL Syracuse, though he would get a look at training camp. But all that is still to be figured out. The bottom line for now, Janus said, is that the story of his return to HC Slovan next season, which ran on the team's web site, is not, at the moment, accurate. "I read it and my friends keep asking me and, 'What is this about?' It's news for me as well," Janus said. "It's pretty funny. They just keep making stories up." Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 04.04.2013 667942 Toronto Maple Leafs you in this business, it doesn’t hurt. That was something that we had looked at. That was one of our goals. But if it wasn’t going to come to fruition, it wasn’t a devastating blow to us. We weren’t crushed today that we weren’t Leafs stay mostly quiet after chasing Kiprusoff and Luongo able to get Kiprusoff because we felt we had two quality guys here.” Nonis also offered praise for the rest of his lineup on Wednesday, noting that despite being the lone deadline day addition, O’Byrne wouldn’t JAMES MIRTLE necessarily be guaranteed a spot in the lineup every night. The 6-foot-5, 235 pound Victoria native has been a regular on the Colorado Avalanche blueline the last three years and played extensively with Leafs TORONTO — The Globe and Mail veteran John-Michael Liles two years ago. He brings the sort of size and toughness coveted by coach Randy Carlyle but is also noted for being Published Wednesday, Apr. 03 2013, 8:35 PM EDT somewhat slow and penalty prone. Last updated Wednesday, Apr. 03 2013, 8:53 PM EDT It’s expected O’Byrne and Liles will initially be partnered together as part of a new look third pairing, taking away some of the ice time that Jake Gardiner, Mike Kostka and Mark Fraser have been logging on the Leafs He fielded call after call – including several late breaking ones from the back end. Vancouver Canucks on Roberto Luongo – and came close to a deal for a depth centre. That the organization only made the one minor addition was more reflective of where Toronto sits in its evolution more than anything. Not in the position In the end, however, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis was one of the to contend for a Stanley Cup or to begin a rebuild, Nonis was tasked with quieter execs around the league on deadline day, making just one small finding the middle ground of trying to add useful pieces without giving up deal for depth defenceman Ryan O’Byrne with his team on the verge of its much from his roster. first playoff appearance in nine years. That included hanging onto pending unrestricted free agents like Tyler For all the talk of gaining experience in goal or down the middle the past Bozak and Clarke MacArthur – two forwards who may yet re-sign before the two weeks, the truth was the Leafs brass were fairly content with the status summer – and left the 2014 fourth-round pick they gave up for O’Byrne the quo. only asset they lost. But it never hurts to know what’s available. “There’s a lot to be said for keeping this group together,” Nonis said. “The guys have battled with heart, and it was important to us to not take anyone “We were close on a few other things, but not really until late in the day,” out of the lineup unless we were getting someone significant back… “I think Nonis said. “Some of the [experienced players] that were available to us we’re still in a position to keep adding assets [in the future]. Some of the today were quality guys who would have been good adds four or five years deals we were presented today were about moving players within our ago but weren’t players that would get in the lineup [regularly].” system, but we’re trying to build that up… We’re still developing; we’re still The most intriguing part of Toronto’s day by far was in their pursuit of two growing as an organization. We need to add more pieces and we’re in a veteran goaltenders. good position to do that. The first option, Calgary’s Miikka Kiprusoff, scuttled a deal that was in place “There was never a notion of moving a young player, a Nazem Kadri, for early when he informed both teams he would like to remain with the Flames another established guy. That was never something we discussed at all and his newborn in the city he’s played in since 2003. because if we’re going to have long term success we need to add to that group.” Talks around the second – Roberto Luongo and the nine years remaining on his enormous contract – heated up late, with the Canucks making Toronto Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.04.2013 repeated offers in the final hour before the deadline according to TSN’s Darren Dreger. Vancouver was apparently willing to accept as little as backup goalie Ben Scrivens and draft picks or prospects in return, but Nonis still wasn’t biting. “I’m not going to speak specifically about any player other than Miikka because that was out there and we had permission to talk to him,” Nonis said. “But any player that we bring in has to make sense for us long term and you couple that with the assets you have to give up to get that player. “With Miikka, it would have been a different story in terms of length of term and the amount of money we would have had to pay... The benefit of bringing Kiprusoff in would have been we weren’t moving either of our goalies out.” Ultimately the day was a mild vote of confidence for Leafs starter James Reimer and Scrivens, who have posted the NHL’s seventh best team save percentage and been a big part of Toronto’s 20-12-4 record this season. While they have started only a combined 116 NHL games and have no playoff experience, they also have shown enough promise that either one could potentially be a solid No. 1 for many more years. The Leafs – led by new goalie coach Rick St. Croix – remain very high on Reimer, in particular, and didn’t want all of the deadline talk to take away from what they’ve accomplished. “We have two quality goalies,” Nonis said. “These guys have earned the right to play.” Nonis added that he had sat down and talked to Reimer earlier in the day, pointing out that the team’s pursuit of a veteran wasn’t as a result of his play or the organization’s views of his potential. “He’s still a young goaltender,” Nonis said. “It’s not about his ability. In fact, his play has been exceptional. It was just about getting some experience to help him. There’s nothing more to it than that… “Having someone mentor 667943 Toronto Maple Leafs 13.45 Leafs acquire O’Byrne from Avs -0.163 JAMES MIRTLE TORONTO — The Globe and Mail -8.2 Published Wednesday, Apr. 03 2013, 3:28 PM EDT Last updated Wednesday, Apr. 03 2013, 4:49 PM EDT 1.8

The Toronto Maple Leafs have added a Randy Carlyle-type player just in 50.4 time for their playoff drive. 2009-2010 Leafs GM Dave Nonis finished off a quiet trade deadline day on Wednesday by shipping a 2014 fourth-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche near the 3 p.m. deadline in exchange for Ryan O’Byrne, a 28- MTL year-old right-handed blueliner who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

O’Byrne, a Victoria native, is huge at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds and 55 generally plays a simple shutdown game. His best season recently was 2010-11 alongside Leafs defenceman John- Michael Liles when both were together in Colorado, and it’s expected that 13.71 pairing will be reunited in Toronto. O’Bryne can also kill penalties and fight, much like current Leafs -0.304 defenceman Mark Fraser and much to the liking of Carlyle, who likely saw him play in the Western Conference quite a bit.

His arrival likely means that Jake Gardiner and Mike Kostka have a much -5.5 harder time getting into the lineup. The Leafs went into the deadline searching for both a veteran goaltender and depth on defence but came away with only one of those desires filled 1.4 after Calgary Flames netminder Miikka Kiprusoff chose not to leave and the asking price for Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo was still too high. 47.2 Here’s a closer look at some advanced statistics related to O’Byrne over the past five seasons. Detailed explanations of their meaning are available at 2010-2011 behindthenet.ca: SEASON COL

TEAM 67

GP 16.96

TOI 0.888

Qual Comp -3.7

Corsi Rel 1.4

PIM/60 42.3 2011-2012 Zone Start 2008-2009 COL

MTL 74

37 15.74 0.523

-18.4

1.0

32.8 2012-2013

COL

34

15.82

0.471

-15.1

1.2

48.0 Basically, the last three years in Colorado, the coaching staff has been using O’Byrne in fairly difficult minutes, playing him against first and second lines and often in the defensive zone. Possession wise (Corsi Rel), he has had middling success, with his numbers in the red the most the last two seasons as he and the Avs have struggled. The other thing worth noting is that he takes quite a few minor penalties given his ice time, which is another sign he’s being beaten by some of those offensive players. In a depth role, as a fifth or sixth defenceman, O’Byrne may be fine, especially if he regains some of his chemistry with Liles. They played roughly 60 per cent of their minutes together in what looks like O’Byrne’s best season. At the very least, he gives Toronto some injury insurance going into the playoffs. The Leafs have been remarkably lucky with injuries on the back end this season and that may not continue the rest of the way. O’Byrne does have 300 games regular-season and 19 games playoff experience, which is a lot more than at least three members of Toronto’s current blueline (Fraser, Gardiner and Kostka). Toronto Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.04.2013 667944 Toronto Maple Leafs Grabovski Leafs’ cap situation key reason to avoid pricey goalie Frattin

JAMES MIRTLE

TORONTO — The Globe and Mail $5.5-mil Published Wednesday, Apr. 03 2013, 11:30 AM EDT

Last updated Wednesday, Apr. 03 2013, 12:12 PM EDT $925k

It is, by far, the most neglected element when it comes to the notion the Toronto Maple Leafs pursuit of a veteran goaltender. McLaren His cap hit. And, more specifically, the Leafs cap situation next season. McClement Now, the salary cap is expected to drop to $64.3-million for 2013-14, which will put a lot of teams in a bind and needing to shed salary. At first glance, Komarov Toronto looks fairly safe from all that with roughly $19-million in space and a buyout-in-waiting for Mike Komisarek, but the tricky part is the number of $696k free agents they’ll have to sign. Cody Franson needs a contract, and he’s having a breakout season. Carl Gunnarsson also needs a contract, and he’s played big, important minutes $1.5-mil for this team the past two years.

And, most significantly, Nazem Kadri is due a huge raise given the $900k incredible season he is having.

By my estimates, those three are all probably going to sign in the $3-million a season range, give or take $500,000 either way depending on the term in Gunnarsson the deal. If you then fill in the organization’s other restricted free agents with cheap deals and you add Miikka Kiprusoff’s $5.83-million cap hit next season, Phaneuf you’re left with about $6.7-million in cap space and four or five roster spots to fill – including two gaping holes in your forward lineup where Tyler Bozak and Clarke MacArthur (both UFAs) once were: $2.75-mil Van Riemdsyk

$6.5-mil -- empty --

Kessel $4.25-mil Fraser

Franson $5.4-mil

$800k Lupul

$2.8-mil Kadri

Kulemin $5.25-mil Gardiner

$3.2-mil Liles

$2.8-mil $1.12-mil

-- empty -- $3.88-mil

Reimer

Kiprusoff

$1.8-mil

$5.83-mil That is only a skeleton roster of 18 players so for argument’s sake let’s add in the two extra bodies at $1.5-million. That leaves about $4.5- to 5-million to either re-sign Bozak or MacArthur (not both) or replace those two 50-point players to bring the team’s skaters basically back to the level they were at last season. That likely means no upgrades on the blueline, other than from within, and no significant upgrades down the middle, other than whatever improvements Kadri can bring after a dream first full season. Adding Kiprusoff (or Luongo) in other words, comes at the direct expense of upgrading elsewhere on the roster via trade or free agency. The Leafs would be able to replace Bozak or MacArthur with perhaps a better player, but they wouldn’t be able to add to what they have. And given one of the team’s most pressing needs is a top four defenceman, which can get pricey, it would leave likely as many question marks as they had this season. (There’s a reason most contending teams have more than one blueliner committed to a big contract.) Add in the fact that Kiprusoff may not be that big of an upgrade over Scrivens and that you may lose that young goaltender, and there are more than enough warning signs against adding a big ticket in goal. There are other ways to free the necessary salary room to make improvements, with trades for Mikhail Grabovski or John-Michael Liles two ways to accomplish that. But, in both cases, that would be selling low and would open other holes in the lineup. If the goal here is to progress this team up the Eastern Conference in the next two or three years, GM Dave Nonis has to pick a window to win in and go with that. The summer is the perfect time to add another key piece to the blueline or up front to help them take the next step before Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf’s contracts come up for renewal. The cap is likely to rise quickly starting in 2014-15 and beyond, but especially for next season, it makes little sense to commit so much to an area (goaltending) where the Leafs have had stability this season. The better bet is to continue to go cheap in goal, hope that both youngsters continue to develop into No. 1 goalies and spend the available cap space elsewhere. Because, for all of the Leafs success this season, the rest of the roster could certainly use the upgrades. Toronto Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.04.2013 667945 Toronto Maple Leafs

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo admits huge contract prevented him being traded

By: Mark Zwolinski Sports reporter, Published on Wed Apr 03 2013

Roberto Luongo wasn’t traded, and neither was Miikka Kiprusoff. So nothing materialized with the two goalies the Maple Leafs had pursued leading up to the NHL trade deadline Wednesday. That deadline passed at 3 p.m. with 10 moves made. The Leafs, though they did not acquire Luongo or Kiprusoff, will likely re- approach their goalie situation in the off-season. Luongo, in a candid and emotional press conference shortly after the deadline, said he was relieved that all the trade speculation was ending, and admitted his monster contract was the sticking point in him being moved out of Vancouver. “My contract sucks,” said Luongo, who is on the books for nine more seasons with a cap hit in excess of $5 million (U.S.) “That’s what the problem is . . . unfortunately it is a big (factor) in trading for me. I’d scrap it right now if I could.” The Leafs were confirmed to be one of the three or four teams seriously in the Luongo sweepstakes. Other teams were said to be Washington and Tampa, but Tampa swung a deal (sending Cory Conacher to Ottawa) that brought them a solid young goalie in Ben Bishop. Luongo admitted he’s been frustrated and emotional leading up to trade deadline day, and ever since he arrived at a decision to ask out of Vancouver last spring when Cory Schneider upstaged him as the club’s top goalie. “I’ve had a whole year to think about it,” Luongo said. “It’s (contract) been good for some things, not good for others. That decision (to sign the deal) was made when we signed it and we will have to find a solution now. It’s a tough situation for everyone, we’re all trying to make the best of it and make something that is best for both sides. The time wasn’t now, so we’ll have to wait.” Luongo was also asked if the difficulties in getting out of the contract were fully explored when he signed the deal, and he was asked if he had personally changed his stance since, several months ago, he said he could dictate a trade out of town on his own circumstances. “That’s a good question and a tough one to answer,” Luongo said. “I was never approached with a trade somewhere else . . . obviously, other teams were interested but nothing ever materialized to the point where I would have to waive off or not (no trade clause). “If I’d taken a different approach as to the way I conducted myself things might be different. I’m not disappointed in the way I handled myself, I didn’t create negative energy around the team. I don’t regret the way I handled this. “I’m 100 per cent dedicated to this team the rest of the year, I love this team and I love this city, and the goal is the Stanley Cup and I will give myself 100 per cent to that.” Toronto Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.04.2013 667946 Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL trade deadline: Toronto Maple Leafs trade for Ryan O’Byrne

By: Kevin McGran Sports reporter, Published on Wed Apr 03 2013

The Maple Leafs acquired defenceman Ryan O’Byrne from the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday as the NHL trade deadline passed. With Miikka Kiprusoff deciding to stay put in Calgary, Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis found himself shut out on the goaltending front. But he had also been looking for a defenceman with playoff experience and found one in O’Byrne at the cost of a fourth-round pick in 2014. O’Byrne is 28 and a former draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens. He is 6-5 and 234 pounds with 19 playoff games — all with Montreal — to his credit. A shutdown defensive-type defenceman, he has played the last three seasons in Colorado. The Leafs talked with Kiprusoff, who decided against moving his family to Toronto. He hinted he would retire as a Calgary Flame rather than extend his career as a backup in Toronto. The Leafs were also talking to Vancouver about Roberto Luongo, who remained a Canuck. But Nonis said he’s OK with the idea of standing pat with James Reimer and Ben Scrivens. “We feel they’ve done a good job and are going to be with us for a long time,” Nonis told TSN. The Leafs have had talks with Tyler Bozak’s agent on a possible contract extension for the pending unrestricted free agent. “If the dollars made sense,” said Nonis. “We’re not shopping Bozak. He’s been a good player for us.” Luongo had left Vancouver’s practise early — about 15 minutes before the deadline hit — just in case he was traded. “It’s been an emotional ride,” Luongo said in Vancouver. “I love it here.” Luongo was asked why he thought he remained in Vancouver after having been promised to be traded when Cory Schneider took over as the No. 1 goalie. “My contract sucks. It’s a big factor in trading me,” he said. Toronto Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.04.2013 667947 Toronto Maple Leafs

Kiprusoff staying put in Calgary: report

By: Damien Cox Hockey, Published on Wed Apr 03 2013

It’s like a blind date, with one of the partners hemming and hawwing over whether this is really a good idea. That would be Miikka Kiprusoff, the Calgary goaltender, who knows the Maple Leafs would like him to twin with James Reimer and give the young Toronto squad some much-needed post-season experience. Reports out of Calgary on Wednesday say the goalie is firm in his refusal to report to any team he is traded to and he will not come to Toronto as a result. GM Dave Nonis pitched Kiprusoff on the idea of coming to Toronto on Tuesday, and then began discussions with agent Larry Kelly on the possible parameters of an extension. That would have had to have been a gentleman’s agreement, as an actual extension to Kiprusoff’s deal can’t formally be done until the summer. It’s likely the Leafs would have been willing to pay Kiprusoff in the neighborhood of $5.5 million for one more season after his current contract expires after next year. Nonis and Kelly are expected to talk again in the hours before today’s 3 p.m. NHL trade deadline. With 10 notable players moving over the past seven days, all is currently quiet on the NHL trade front, with movement expected to kick in shortly after noon. Last year, the first trade on the final day occurred at 10:35 a.m., with Andrei Kostitsyn moving to Nashville from Montreal. We all know how that turned out for the Predators. So maybe it’s better to wait until lunch. Toronto Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.04.2013 667948 Toronto Maple Leafs With basically four low-on-the-radar players being moved up until 90 minutes to deadline, the Pittsburgh Penguins spiced things up a bit by acquiring Jussi Jokinen from Carolina for a conditional draft pick. NHL trade deadline: Columbus acquires Gaborik Jokinen adds more veteran presence to the Penguins in their drive to return the Stanley Cup to Pittsburgh. Jokinen is a noted shootout specialist, and is over 50 per cent career on the faceoff. The Penguins are adding as much By: Mark Zwolinski Sports reporter, Published on Wed Apr 03 2013 depth as possible at the deadline, and with Sidney Crosby out with a broken jaw. Crosby was released from hospital Tuesday and despite his broken jaw and The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired sniper Marian Gaborik from the New dental surgery, he’s expected to return to the lineup by the end of the month York Rangers shortly after trading goalie Steve Mason to Philadelphia when the playoffs are set to open. Wednesday. This deal is important for our financial flexibility moving forward,” Hurricanes Columbus sent three players — Derek Brassard, Derek Dorset, and John GM Jim Rutherford posted on his twitter account. Moore — and a sixth-round pick to the Rangers for Gaborik. Dorset is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. The Hurricanes recently signed Alex Semin to a seven year, $35 million deal, and have six Ufa-eligible players after next season when the cap Columbus sent former rookie of the year goalie Steve Mason to drops from $70 million to $64.3 million. The club also has seven core Philadelphia. players signed through 2015-16. “I’m super excited to get into Philadelphia, the fans expect a lot out of their Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman — facing a crossroads with his aging goaltenders there, and it’s a lot like the junior markets I played in London,” hockey team — made a solid move in acquiring young goalie Ben Bishop Mason told Sportsnet. from the Ottawa Senators. Columbus has also picked up Blake Comeau from Calgary for a fifth-round Tampa is now looking at Bishop to realize his potential with the Lightning, pick. and likely replace Mathieu Garon as the club’s top goalie. Bishop was third on the depth chart in Ottawa, behind Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner. The Minnesota Wild, who have been strongly mentioned in talks for Buffalo Bishop has held high expectations in the NHL ever since he emerged as captain Jason Pominville, completed a trade for him just before the one of the top goalies in the AHL last season. deadline. The Wild sent Johan Larsson and Matt Hackett to Buffalo — with an additional draft pick expected as well. Ottawa gets Cory Conacher and a fourth rounder in return for Bishop. Conacher, a teammate of Leafs defenceman Mike Kostka with the AHL The move bolsters the Wild, who are battling with Vancouver for first place championship-winning Norfolk Admirals last season, is a solid second- to in their division. third-line forward who grew up and starred in the Burlington minor hockey The Canucks only deadline move remains the acquisition of Derek Roy; league system. His is a distant relative of Hockey Hall of Famers Charlie, they did not manage move goalie Roberto Luongo. Roy, and Lionel Conacher. The Leafs, who were actively in pursuit of goalies Roberto Luongo and Conacher, with nine goals and 15 assists in 35 games in Tampa, now Miikka Kiprusoff, made a last minute deal, acquiring added toughness in becomes the highest scorer with the Senators. Ryan O’Byrne from Colorado for a fourth-round pick. In a late deal, Phoenix traded Raffi Torres to San Jose for third-round pick. The trade deadline’s first deal came up just after noon Wednesday, with According to TSN, the Leafs are in the early stages of discussions on a Boston trading winger Maxime Sauve to Chicago for centre Rob Flick. potential contract extension for first-line forward Tyler Bozak. Flick was the Blackhawks’ fourth-round pick in 2010 from the former Bozak and the Leafs reported to practice Wednesday morning in a business Mississauga-St. Mike’s Majors, and he built a reputation as an enforcer- as usual fashion — there seems to be a mood of calm over the team, type player the past two years with Rockford in the AHL. He comes to a especially goalies James Reimer and Ben Scrivens, who have been the Boston team that was looking for added grit after trading Lane MacDermid centre of trade talks surrounding the Leafs the past month. to the Stars in the Jaromir Jagr trade. But Kiprusoff ended all speculation just before noon Wednesday when he Sauve was Boston’s second rounder in 2008. The native of Tours, France, declared he would decline all trades. Kirpusoff’s wishes are now to remain played in the Quebec junior league for Quebec and Val d’Or. He’s played in Calgary and he will likely retire at the end of this season. 158 games in the AHL the past two seasons, and a lone game in the NHL with Boston. The Leafs, while saying they made and fielded dozens of calls, were all but standing pat, aside from the deal with Colorado, after falling short in their In a slightly bigger movie, San Jose picked up Scott Hannan from Nashville. bid for Kiprusoff. The defenceman had previously played for the Sharks for seven seasons in his career. “From where we stand right now, I don’t see us doing anything …” Leafs GM Dave Nonis said with an hour to go before the deadline. Hannan was dealt for a conditional draft pick in 2013, believed to be a sixth or seventh rounder. That pattern — player for draft pick — was followed in Toronto Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.04.2013 the second move of the day when Florida sent Jerred Smithson to Edmonton for a fourth rounder. Hannan returns to San Jose, which originally drafted him in the first round, 23rd overall, in 1997. The 34 year old forward comes to San Jose on the heels of a deal that saw the Sharks send veteran tough guy Ryan Clowe to the Rangers. Both Hannan and Clowe have yet to score this season, but Clowe does present some playoff pedigree for the Rangers. Clowe has 45 points in 68 career playoff games in San Jose. He is expected to play on a line with Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards. The Rangers are looking for some grit from Clowe and have obviously lost that element from their game when they lost Brandon Prust and Mike Rupp in the off season. Smithson has been a third-fourth line winger in Florida, and is expected to provide some spark in Edmonton. Undrafted, Smithson, a graduate of the Calgary juniors, scored the game winning goal for the Predators over the Ducks in game five of the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs. 667949 Toronto Maple Leafs doing during their burnout era. Deluding yourself that you’re a playoff contender is dangerous. 2009/10: Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup NHL trade deadline: Look at the last five seasons Deadline: March 3, 2010. What the cup winner did: The Hawks were quiet on the day of the deadline By: Kevin McGran Sports reporter, Published on Wed Apr 03 2013 and were mostly quiet all year in terms of trades. The most significant moves came in February, adding depth in Michael Frolik and Chris Campoli. If you think the players are nervous at trade deadline day, just think about how on edge the folks in the front office are. Seller’s remorse: The Boston Bruins acquire defencemen Dennis Seidenberg and Matthew Bartkowski from the Florida Panthers for forwards “For me it’s about making sure you dot your i’s and cross your t’s,” said Craig Weller and Byron Bitz and a 2010 second-round draft pick. There’s a Leafs assistant GM Claude Loiselle. “It’s a time a year that stresses me out reason the Panthers are usually at or near the bottom of the standings, and a little bit. You’re aware. It could be a trade with 15 minutes left. You’ve got it’s a history of trades like this one. Seidenberg is a B’s top-four D-man. to go over your roster, you’ve got to go over your cap, you’ve got to go over Bartkowski was almost traded for Jarome Iginla. Weller is in Germany. your projections.” Buyer beware: The Phoenix Coyotes acquire forward Wojtek Wolski from Their moves — or lack thereof — will be picked apart by analysts and fans the Colorado Avalanche for forwards Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter. It alike. Some GMs will look aggressive. Some stand pat. Some, in retrospect, looked like a clean slate would be just the thing for Wolski and Mueller. look smart. Others, not so much. Both played their way off their new teams and further down the depth charts on others. Here’s a look at select moves made on the NHL’s trade deadline day over the last five years: Meh: The Atlanta Thrashers acquire forward Clarke MacArthur from the Buffalo Sabres for a 2010 third-round draft pick and a 2010 fourth-round 2011/12: L.A. Kings won the Stanley Cup draft pick. This trade worked out great — for the Maple Leafs. Deadline: Feb. 27 2008/09: The Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup. What the cup winner did: The Kings were silent on trade deadline day, Deadline: March 4. having made their biggest moves prior — hiring coach Darryl Sutter and acquiring centre Jeff Carter (Feb. 23) from Columbus. What the cup winners did: The Penguins pulled off a series of minor trades — acquiring Andy Wozniewski from St. Louis and adding veteran Bill Buyer beware: The Nashville Predators acquire Andrei Kostitsyn and a Guerin from the Islanders. 2013 fifth-round draft pick from the Montreal Canadiens for 2013 second- round draft pick. One could argue that Kostitsyn did more damage than Buyer beware: Historic underachiever Patrick O’Sullivan moved from the good to the Predators’ Stanley Cup hopes, staying out late during the Kings to Carolina (for Justin Williams) then shipped to Edmonton (for Erik playoffs and getting benched by the team. He was anything but a Barry Cole and late pick.) Williams and Cole remain solid producers. The Carolina Trotz kind of player, and his presence might have been bad for team Hurricanes acquire Patrick O’Sullivan and a 2009 second-round draft pick chemistry. It remains to be seen what Montreal does with Nashville’s two from the Los Angeles Kings for Justin Williams. O’Sullivan mostly toiled picks, both up this summer, but subtracting Kostitsyn seems like a good around the minors. addition for Montreal. Player’s remorse: The Buffalo Sabres acquire Dominic Moore from the Seller’s remorse: The Toronto Maple Leafs acquire Mark Fraser from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2009 second-round draft pick. Moore turned Anaheim Ducks for Dale Mitchell. Mitchell was never highly regarded by the down a contract extension from the Leafs, where he had a chance to be a Leafs and Anaheim thought so much of their new acquisition, he played the No. 1 centre. He ended up signing for less elsewhere. The Leafs used that year in Europe this year. Anaheim wanted Fraser’s salary off the books. pick to draft Jesse Blacker. Fraser has worked wonderfully on the Leaf blue line, a true Randy Carlyle- type stay-at-home and fight defenceman. 2007/08: Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup. Meh: The Vancouver Canucks acquire Zach Kassian and Marc-Andre Deadline: Feb. 26 Gragnani from the Buffalo Sabres for Cody Hodgson and Alexander Sulzer. What the cup winners did: The Red Wings acquire defenceman Brad Stuart The Canucks didn’t win the Cup. Kassian was just dispatched to the minors. from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2008 second-round draft pick and a 2009 Gragnani long gone. The Sabres got a potential No. 1 centre in Hodgson. fourth-round draft pick. Down the road, the Sabres will be the happier team. Not what you think: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire forwards Marian 2010/11: Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup Hossa and Pascal Dupuis from the Atlanta Thrashers for forwards Colby Deadline: Feb. 28 Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito, and a 2008 first-round draft pick (Daultan Leveille). A signal that the Penguins meant business, this What the cup winner did: The Bruins made only a small trade on deadline trade worked out — only later and in an odd way. The Pens didn’t win the day — getting goaltender Anton Khudobin from the Minnesota Wild for Cup that year. Hossa jumped ship, to Detroit, then to Chicago (where he defenceman Jeff Penner and the rights to forward Mikko Lehtonen. The finally got his cup). The lasting effect of this trade was Dupuis, a stalwart in Bruins significant moves were made earlier, getting Chris Kelly (Feb. 15) Pittsburgh. He was thought to have been the throw-in. from Ottawa and Rich Peverley (Feb. 18) from Atlanta to form a tremendous shutdown third line. Even Steven: The Dallas Stars acquire forward Brad Richards and goaltender Johan Holmqvist from the Tampa Bay Lightning for forwards Even Steven: The Los Angeles Kings acquire forward Dustin Penner from Jussi Jokinen and Jeff Halpern, goaltender Mike Smith, and a 2009 fourth- the Edmonton Oilers for defenceman Colten Teubert, a 2011 first-round round draft pick. In retrospect, this trade didn’t work out for either team. draft pick (Oscar Klefbom) and a conditional 2012 third-round draft pick. Both teams were happy with the package. Penner was integral to Kings Toronto Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.04.2013 Cup win a year later. Seller’s remorse: The Washington Capitals acquire defenceman Dennis Wideman from the Florida Panthers for forward Jake Hauswirth and a 2011 third-round draft pick. Wideman blossomed in Washington. Can’t imagine what Florida was thinking, a selling team getting an ECHL player in return. Buyer beware: The Calgary Flames acquire forward Fredrik Modin from the Atlanta Thrashers for a 2011 seventh-round draft pick. Even though it was a late pick, this is just the kind of trade the Flames should not have been 667950 Toronto Maple Leafs

Philadelphia Flyers at Toronto Maple Leafs: Thursday NHL game preview

By: Mark Zwolinski Sports reporter, Published on Wed Apr 03 2013

AIR CANADA CENTRE FACEOFF: 7 p.m. TV: Sportsnet RADIO: TSN Radio 1050 WEB: Follow the Star’s live updates during Thursday’s game at TheStar.com/sports LEAFS INJURIES Leo Komarov (upper body) Clarke MacArthur (lower body) FLYERS INJURIES Maxime Talbot (broken leg) Braydon Coburn (lower body) Andrej Meszaros (knee) Nicklas Grossman (lower body) Danny Briere (concussion) NOTES Flyers played in Montreal on Wednesday night and were gunning for their first three-game win streak of the season. They are six points out of the final playoff spot in the East, so every game is a must-win situation for them. . . . This game also represents a huge opportunity for the Leafs: they are 11 points ahead of the Flyers, and a win should all but ensure that Philly has no chance of catching Toronto in the standings. UP NEXT Saturday at New Jersey, 7 p.m. Toronto Star LOADED: 04.04.2013 667951 Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL trade deadline: Connolly a healthy scratch with Marlies

By: Kevin McGran Sports Reporter Published on Wed Apr 03 2013

Let the speculation begin. With a 3 p.m. trade deadline looming, Tim Connolly was to be a healthy scratch for the AHL Marlies for their day game Wednesday. “My decision,” said Marlies coach Dallas Eakins. Even so, Leafs GM Dave Nonis had said earlier this week he'd try to get Connolly back in the NHL with another team, and is probably happy a possible trading chip won't get hurt in game action prior to his last chance to move him. Connolly, a 31-year-old 12-year NHL veteran, had never played in the minors until the Leafs cut him at training camp this year. Connolly carries a $4.75 million cap hit and is due about $700,000 in actual cash before becoming a free agent this summer. Moves were at a premium Wednesday morning after a busy Tuesday that saw the Boston Bruins acquire Jaromir Jagr from Dallas, the New York Rangers get Ryan Clowe from San Jose and the Vancouver Canucks acquire Derek Roy from Dallas. Toronto Star LOADED: 04.04.2013 667952 Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Clarke MacArthur remains anxious as trade deadline nears

By: Bob Mitchell Sports Reporter, Published on Wed Apr 03 2013

At least nobody was called off the ice during practice so the Maple Leafs remained intact on Wednesday following their skate at the MasterCard Centre. But winger Clarke MacArthur won’t feel any relief until the 3 p.m. deadline passes, and he’s still a Leaf. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer so the Leafs could get nothing for him if they don’t sign him before then so he is an interesting piece that could be traded. “I could be moved. You just never know what’s going to happen,” said a subdued MacArthur in the Leafs dressing room after practice. “We’ll see what happens. It’s one of those days where there is always a lot of hype and never a lot of relief. We’ll see how it goes.” MacArthur has been traded once before at the deadline, going from Buffalo to Atlanta in 2010 for two draft picks. “I’m sure there will be some stuff going on, but hopefully we’ll be able to keep as much as we can because we’ve been on a good roll here. It’s out of everybody’s control here. “This is a good group of guys. We’ve been building it for the last two years that I’ve been here. We’ve been pretty sound the last three games. “ MacArthur has been nursing an upper body injury since being hit late in last week’s game in Boston. He could be ready to play Thursday at home against the Philadelphia Flyers, provided he’s still with the Leafs. Forward Fraser McLaren was the only player, who didn’t practice on Wednesday. But he had the flu. With word out of Calgary that goalie Miikka Kiprusoff had decided to stay there, it appears as if the Leafs will ride the season with James Reimer and Ben Scrivens, something the majority of Leaf Nation seemed to want based on the number of calls to Toronto sports radio talk shows on Wednesday morning. That’s not to say GM Dave Nonis won’t swing a deal by the time the 3 p.m. deadline ends. The Leafs scratched Tim Connolly from Wednesday’s Marlies game at the Ricoh Coliseum. Nonis will move the veteran centre if he can find a willing taker so Connolly was scratched as a precaution. “We’re not in a sell off mode. We will add players if we can,” Nonis told Sportsnet TheFan 590 on Wednesday morning. Nonis thought he would have “something to consider” by the end of the day although he wasn’t close to any deals. Many Leafs planned on keeping track of the deadline on their cell phones. Reimer has been hearing goalie rumours since training camp when a deal for Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo was believed all but done. Although he insists he would be “honoured” to work with either Luongo or Kiprusoff, there’s no doubt he dearly wants to finish the job and will be relieved one way or the other when the deadline passes. “It’s status quo … I’m definitely not going to sit by the TV. Whatever happens, happens,” Reimer said after practice. “As an athlete you want to do your best and work hard and so far Ben (Scrivens) and I have done that. “But management has the right to do what they want. They gave us the opportunity to play here. If they want to take that away, it’s their right. I feel blessed for the opportunity given to me so far.” There had also been some speculation that Tyler Bozak could be moved because of his unrestricted free agent status, but the latest word is that the Leafs and his agent are trying to work out an extension that will keep him with the Leafs beyond this season. Toronto Star LOADED: 04.04.2013 667953 Toronto Maple Leafs “murder” for the Leafs, are capable of rising to the psychological challenge of the post-season even though they’ve never been there before. The NHL’s lore is festooned with stories of playoff neophytes making good Maple Leafs should go with status quo in net: Feschuk in goal. No one’s saying Reimer and Scrivens are poised to carry the Leafs as deep as, say, Felix Potvin in 1993, when the post-season first-timer backstopped Toronto to within a win of the Stanley Cup final. But the By: Dave Feschuk Hockey, Published on Wed Apr 03 2013 current Leafs ooze chemistry and energy. It’s a squad that has overachieved, and Reimer and Scrivens, if you’re being fair in your assessment, have over-delivered. Here’s something worth thinking about if you’re of the mind that the Maple With their collective $2.4 million cap hit, they’re one of the great bargains in Leafs have a burning need for a proven playoff goaltender. the game. And since when have the Leafs been accused of getting great value out of a key cog in a playoff-bound roster? There’s a first time for Consider that, in matters of goaltending, one man’s definition of “proven” is everything, and this would be a good time for the Leafs to avoid a perilous, another’s salary-cap poison. And consider these numbers. If you combine pricey roll of the dice for a performer who is proven in name only. the 10 NHL teams with the largest goaltender-related salary-cap commitments this year, their average save percentage is about .910. The Toronto Star LOADED: 04.04.2013 typical NHL team’s save percentage is, give or take, around .910. That means that even the NHL teams that have thrown a bundle of money at what they once believed to be superior goaltending aren’t typically getting superior goaltending. In other words, betting on puckstoppers is a gamble that’s hard to win. Just when an NHL GM thinks he’s got himself a game- changing goalie, it’s just as likely he has bought himself an average one (or worse) with a not-so-attractive price tag. That is but one of the key reasons why the Leafs would be wise to stick with the status quo in goal as Wednesday’s NHL trade deadline approaches. The Leafs, if they choose to skip making a deadline deal for a new net presence, will avoid risking precious salary-cap resources at what amounts to a craps table. They’ll be better off for it, both now and down the road. Which is not to say they’re bound to take the prudent course. As of Tuesday evening the Leafs appeared to be engaged in ongoing discussions to acquire a veteran net presence, with Calgary’s Miikka Kiprusoff the most likely target. Certainly one can understand the urge. Ours is a brand-crazy society where household names hold weight. People know Kiprusoff mostly because he won a Vezina Trophy back in 2006, and because he carried the Calgary Flames to a Stanley Cup final in 2004. People know Roberto Luongo because he’s played 61 playoff games for the Vancouver Canucks (and won 32 of them); he has also been among the league’s top handful of goaltenders for most of the past decade. And people know what the Leafs have lately been synonymous with: specifically, sieves in net. In four of the previous five seasons, Toronto’s team save percentage has been one of two things: the very worst or the second-worst in the NHL But this season, if you haven’t been paying attention, there’s been a distinct upgrade in the blue-and-white’s blue ice. James Reimer and Ben Scrivens, far from being the dregs of the league, have actually been an above-grade tandem. Yes, 36 games is a small-ish sample size. And yes, neither man has ever played in an NHL playoff game. But certainly both guys have been exposed to an endless barrage of implied criticism for most of the past year, as rumours of Luongo’s impending arrival in Toronto swirled and swirled. And certainly both guys have responded with more-than-respectable performances in the pressure cooker. Heading into Tuesday’s games, Toronto sat eighth in team save percentage. No one would accuse Reimer or Scrivens of perfection. Both have struggled at times. But both, too, have had their moments of convincing solidity. The Leafs have plenty of weaknesses, including a lack of high-end talent at most positions on the roster. But there isn’t an argument to be made that goaltending should sit atop anyone’s priority list. Perhaps the same can’t be said of the Calgary Flames, owners of the NHL’s worst team save percentage despite Kiprusoff’s $5.8-million cap hit, which, should the Leafs acquire him, would be on Toronto’s books next season. Kiprusoff, who reportedly would be interested in playing in Toronto if he could negotiate a contract extension beyond the remaining year on his current deal, is 36. He is four years removed from his last playoff game and nine years removed from winning a playoff series. On Monday night he was pulled by the Flames after allowing three goals on five or six shots. His save percentage is a career-worst .868, which suggests there is precisely no evidence, other than ancient history, that he is still a viable prime-time puckstopper. There is more evidence that Reimer and Scrivens, playing amid a Toronto media churn that Brian Burke always called 667954 Toronto Maple Leafs And there’s no guarantee now, whether it’s Reimer or Scrivens or Drew MacIntyre, who probably would get the call if one of the incumbents is injured, that the Leafs will have a long playoff run. Leafs wise to stand pat in goal But it’s time for Leafs management and the rest of the organization to find out whether Reimer, or Scrivens in the event of an injury, is capable. With Nonis failing to land a veteran on Wednesday, there is no other choice, and By Terry Koshan ,Toronto Sun that is not a bad thing. First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:12 PM EDT | Updated: Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.04.2013 Wednesday, April 03, 2013 11:29 PM EDT

No Miikka Kiprusoff, no Roberto Luongo. Not even Nikolai Khabibulin. So no hope, then, for the Maple Leafs? No way. The Leafs haven’t ascended this season to fifth place in the Eastern Conference because they have been lucky with their goaltending. They haven’t laid waste to just about every pre-season prediction that had them missing the playoffs with goaltending that has been mediocre. General manager David Nonis went looking for experience in net and thought he had Kiprusoff, until the 36-year-old Finn said no, his heart was not really in it. The dance with Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis regarding Luongo went down to the wire on Wednesday. But, when the National Hockey League trade deadline passed, Luongo remained a Canuck and, in a news conference, lamented the term of his contract, which expires in 2022. Nonis tried to improve his team and he can’t be faulted for that. Had he not tried to do so until the NHL mandated that teams no longer could make trades, he would not have been doing his job properly. The dust settled and the Leafs’ crease looked the same as it was when everyone went to bed on Tuesday night. James Reimer and Ben Scrivens. Perhaps it’s true that the pair will have a bit of a neglected feeling when it sinks in that Nonis tried really hard to acquire an established goalie. But both are confident. Give either one the start in Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs — we’re pretty close to the point where participation in the Stanley Cup tournament will be a certainty for the Leafs — and there’s no way he will want to relinquish the crease. And both, though Reimer especially, are at the point where starting in the playoffs is the next natural step in development. As Nonis said more than once on Wednesday, the only way one or both gets post-season experience is by playing the games. Reimer has shrugged off a knee injury suffered in February. In the past two months, he has lost just once in regulation. Overall, he has a 13-4-4 record, a .920 save percentage and a 2.52 goal-against average. Sure, there are kinks in his game, but that’s not unusual with any 25-year-old goalie. When his teammates say they have no problem with him as their main guy in the nets, there is no reason not to believe them. It’s the same with Scrivens, who would have been bound for Vancouver had Gillis convinced Nonis it was the deal to make. Scrivens’ won-lost record is average at 7-8, but with a .918 save percentage and a 2.59 goal-against average, he is not far off Reimer. What’s good for both now, with just 12 games remaining in the regular season and the Philadelphia Flyers at the Air Canada Centre on Thursday night, is that any distraction is gone. Reimer acknowledged on Tuesday that trade speculation, whether the Leafs were going to acquire Kiprusoff or Luongo, had been weighing on him mentally. That hurdle has been cleared, and it should be with a fresh mindset that Reimer looks ahead. If anything, all the talk that didn’t come to fruition should, the hope would go, make him stronger. There would have been no guarantee with Kiprusoff or Luongo that the Leafs would have achieved playoff success. Neither has been lighting up the NHL with consistently stellar performances this season, and both are on the downside of their respective careers. Has anyone considered that adding one or the other might have set Reimer and/or Scrivens back? 667955 Toronto Maple Leafs He probably could have had one last summer. But reports from the left coast indicated Gillis wanted too much. There were some suggestions that the Canucks were seeking a Nazem Kadri-Tyler Bozak-first round pick Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo deserved better than this package. Good luck with that. Dave Nonis was the man who, while the GM of the Canucks, brought Luongo to Vancouver in a one-sided 2006 trade with Florida, but even he By Mike Zeisberger ,Toronto Sun was smart enough not to be fished in to overpay for the veteran goalie. First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:21 PM EDT | Updated: Now, given the fact that the Canucks will be pressed up against a salary Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:26 PM EDT cap that will drop to $64.2 million next season, perhaps their only option is a mutual agreement between player and team to walk away from the remaining $40 million of the deal come the summer. On his phantom twitter account @Strombone1, Roberto Luongo Until then, Luongo, who has shown grace under pressure, will still be the commented on the Blue Jays’ 4-1 home opening loss to the Cleveland focus of this Luongo-Cory Schneider soap opera. Indians on Tuesday, a game soiled by wild pitches and passed balls. On Wednesday, for example, Luongo left practice with 10 minutes Tweeted @Strombone1: “Maybe the Blue Jays need a goalie to catch RA remaining. Management claims it was done in case a transaction involving Dickey? Just sayin...... ” him took place just before the deadline. Maybe @Strombone1 — a.k.a. Luongo — believed he was heading to Either way, the optics were bad. Luongo’s departure from the ice ignited a Toronto in a trade and figured he might moonlight as a catcher for the Jays Twitter frenzy suggesting he had been traded, perhaps to Toronto. once he got here. After all, once you’ve plucked a Taylor Hall slapshot out of the air, how hard can it be to snare one of those fluttering Dickey In the end, it didn’t happen. And for Roberto Luongo, that “sucks.” knucklers? Just like his contract. Alas, Roberto Luongo isn’t going anywhere in the near future. Other than that seat at the end of the Vancouver Canucks’ bench, that is. And just like the way he has been treated by the Canucks. Thursday is Roberto Luongo’s birthday. As a present, he would have loved Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.04.2013 to be shipped out of Vancouver to a place where he was wanted, a place where he could be a No. 1 goalie. The Canucks did try to make him a Maple Leaf. As the clock ticked down toward the 3 p.m. trade deadline Wednesday, there reportedly were numerous calls from the left coast to the Air Canada Centre. All for naught. And in his own words, there is a good reason why he wasn’t dealt to Toronto or anywhere else. “My contract sucks,” Luongo said Wednesday evening. “That’s what the problem is. It’s a big factor in trading me and probably why I’m still here.” Luongo, who has a no-trade clause in his pact, has 10 years remaining on a 12-year contract that’s worth $64 million (U.S.). He’ll be 44 by the time the deal runs out. Those are the types of numbers that likely had any potentially interested general managers agreeing that, yes, it does “suck.” “I’d scrap it if I could right now,” Luongo said. “It’s a hit on your pride that teams aren’t willing to give up much. Obviously, that doesn’t mean it’s a knock on me, but my situation with my contract. It’s a tough spot to be in for myself, for the organization and for everyone involved. “Obviously, the time isn’t now and we have to wait.” Wait for what? For Canucks GM Mike Gillis, who must shoulder much of the blame for this mess, to finally pull the trigger on a deal he hasn’t been able to make since last summer? Good luck with that. Told of Luongo’s “my contract sucks” comment, Gillis suggested Luongo take “a deep breath,” then come talk to him personally. “These days are very emotional for everybody,” Gillis said. “When you have a day like this where your whole life can be turned upside down and then you speak to (the media) right after, there’s a chance for things to be said that in the clear light of day might not be reflective of how he really feels.” Or maybe, just maybe, Luongo’s comments were exactly reflective of how he really feels. Luongo admitted having a queasy feeling in his tummy Tuesday night. Deep down, that likely was a symptom of a guy who finally thought he’d be escaping the asylum and getting a new start. 667956 Toronto Maple Leafs

Nonis lays off playoff experience

By Rob Longley ,Toronto Sun First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:21 PM EDT

On a perfect trade deadline day, Dave Nonis would have acquired some more playoff experience and that, in itself, marks a significant culture shift for this developing Maple Leafs team. In defenceman Ryan O’Byrne, the Toronto GM did get a defenceman with 19 post-season games on his resume from his time with the Montreal Canadiens. As for the rest, Nonis and coach Randy Carlyle will have to rely on roughly half of the current Leafs roster learning on the job. Nonis said that tracking down players with some post-season pedigree was on management’s mind as Wednesday’s NHL trade deadline approached, but the options weren’t the right fit. “Those players are pretty hard to come by,” Nonis said. “There are a couple (of players presented to the Leafs) who had playoff experience but weren’t capable of helping us. The one thing that a player with playoff experience has to be able to do is get into the lineup or else he’s not going to help you. “Some of the ones that were available to us were quality guys who would have been good adds four or five years ago, but wouldn’t necessarily get into the lineup (now.) Having that experience (and being unable to use it) is really useless.” The Leafs aren’t completely void of playoff-tested bodies. Red-hot Joffrey Lupul leads the team with 39 games (and 23 post-season points) followed by forward James van Riemsdyk and defenceman John-Michael Liles with 36 each. One option that did present itself on Wednesday was one that Nonis was able to resist — teams looking for draft picks in return for depth roster players. “We were close on a few things, but not really until late in the day when the logjam breaks and things start happening and the prices become reasonable,” he said. “But there wasn’t a lot we had to consider.” Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.04.2013 667957 Toronto Maple Leafs

It's up to new Maple Leaf Ryan O’Byrne to make impression

By Lance Hornby ,Toronto Sun First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 09:26 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 09:31 PM EDT

TORONTO - The Maple Leafs finally can take their 2013 team picture, now that they’ve added another tall kid to the back row. Ryan O’Byrne, who once played for the arch-rival Montreal Canadiens, fits the team’s rock-em, sock-em style, but just because he’s a Randy Carlyle type player, it doesn’t automatically mean he’ll play for Carlyle right away. “He’ll be one of eight defencemen,” said general manager Dave Nonis, who parted with a 2014 fourth-rounder to get the 6-foot-5, 234 pounder from the Avalanche. “He’s a depth player. We felt we needed that.” Nonis said where the 28-year-old fits in is up to the coaches, but there should be a place for him, especially with clubs such as Thursday’s opponent, the Philadelphia Flyers, always carrying big forwards. Lack of reserve stay-at-home defencemen (Korbinian Holzer and Mike Komisarek) prompted the trade as the Leafs eye a potential playoff berth. Offensive- minded Jake Gardiner was the healthy scratch on the blue line before the Leafs took a four-day schedule break, but Mike Kostka might have the hardest time getting back in if O’Byrne makes an impression in coming days. O’Byrne was playing almost 19 minutes a game with Colorado. He had a goal, three assists and 54 penalty minutes, third on that team. He should be familiar to Toronto Marlies fans from his days playing for Montreal’s AHL team, the Hamilton Bulldogs. He has 19 playoff games with the Habs in parts of three seasons, but wasn’t headed to any post-season action with sagging Colorado. “Toronto is a team that’s right in the (playoff) mix and I’m excited to be joining them,” O’Byrne told TSN. “From my days in Montreal, I always enjoyed playing in Toronto. “I was pretty surprised (at the trade), but my contract is up next year, so I had a feeling something might happen.” He’s from Victoria, B.C., which will make him popular in the Western flavoured Leafs room and he played college hockey at Cornell, where club chairman Larry Tanenbaum attended, as did goalie Ben Scrivens. The Leafs were not successful dealing centre Tim Connolly and the last of his $4.75 million US contract, holding him out of Wednesday morning’s Marlies game just in case there was a late deadline trade. They did settle a formal contract with goalie Drew MacIntyre, who cleared NHL waivers and will resume No. 1 duties on the farm. That move likely means the end here for goalie Jussi Rynnas, who played a bit with the Leafs the past two years. He will be out a month or more with an ankle injury and with his contract done, it’s expected he’ll return to play in Finland unless he gets a one-way next year. Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.04.2013 667958 Toronto Maple Leafs Could anything prepare him — and the rest of the team for that matter — for what it’s going to be like around here in four weeks? It sure looks like we’re going to find out. With trade deadline past, Leafs can move forward now “There’s a lot of potential in the room here right now,” Leafs forward Clarke MacArthur said following Wednesday’s practice. “The way we play, too, I feel like it would be a great playoff style. I feel confident with our group.” By Rob Longley ,Toronto Sun Apparently, the Leafs management team agreed. First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 07:30 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 07:37 PM EDT LEAFS HAVE NEW PIECES TO PLAY WITH Dave Nonis didn’t bring in many new bodies for his coach, but Randy Carlyle still has options down the stretch. In James Reimer they trust. With 12 games remaining and a potential playoff run after that, the Leafs And Tyler Bozak. general manager likes the options he has provided for Carlyle, including the acquisition of defenceman Ryan O’Byrne and the imminent return of injured And for the most part, a defensive unit that is still a hold-your-breath work in forwards Clarke MacArthur and Leo Komarov. progress on some nights. “Randy’s got some pieces that he can move around,” Nonis said on And in a roster that has just 10 players with NHL playoff experience. Wednesday. “That is important to him and it’s important to the players, too, for a number of reasons. There’s pressure to perform because you know The trade dud-line came and went on Wednesday and barely made an that someone else is there. Also, the players that we have, the guys who impression on the Leafs. But at this point in the development of the have sat out various nights, we haven’t had any issues at all. franchise as a whole, as much as the roster that returns to action Thursday night against the Flyers, it’s tough to pick apart Dave Nonis’ work in his first “Everyone understands we have a lot of players on the roster, but this trade deadline as the Leafs’ general manager. group is very close.” With his team safely inside the playoff bubble and only a dozen games left Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.04.2013 to protect and/or enhance that spot, Nonis and coach Randy Carlyle have some very meaningful short-term preparations in front of them. But with a young roster and prospect-heavy organization, the long-term plan is at least as important. So rather than dismiss the value of just squeaking into the playoffs, this team will use what’s left of the 12 remaining regular-season games and a likely playoff visit both as a developmental tool and opportunity to see what it has now. “You’ve got to get experience somehow,” Nonis said a couple hours after the 3 p.m. deadline had expired. “(The players on the roster) have done a lot of good things so far. There’s a lot to be said about keeping that group together, the guys that have battled this hard. “It was important for us not to take anyone out of the lineup unless we were getting somebody significant back.” Factor in that there wasn’t much significant out there, with those predetermined parameters it doesn’t sound like it was difficult for Nonis to stick to the plan. The growing confidence and rise up the standings has served the young Leafs well to this point, allowing them to climb to fifth place and a relatively comfortable seven-point cushion on the final playoff spot. With a three- game win streak and 13 points in their past 10 games, only the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens have more over that stretch in the Eastern Conference. Nonis acknowledged that those results certainly had an impact on his mindset as the deadline approached. And given that selling off players for prospects was never in the plan, limiting himself to the lone depth move of acquiring big Colorado defenceman Ryan O’Byrne suited him fine. “When your team is playing well, it can affect some of the decisions you are going to make,” Nonis said. “The coaching staff has done a very good job with this team in terms of getting them ready to play and asking them to do certain things. “The last two or three weeks, we’ve played some very good hockey and it was not our intention to alter that group and take some of those players that have worked hard to put points up on the board, to take them out of the lineup. That wasn’t something we really had an interest in.” If there was a concern about Reimer and his ability to lead the team into the playoffs, Nonis was unable to address it at the deadline. More likely, he wasn’t willing to pay a huge price to do so, given that the team seems fine with allowing Reimer the chance to face up to the playoff heat. But there’s another factor to consider: Sure, Reimer has yet to play in the NHL post-season, but his time in Toronto hasn’t exactly been pressure-free. From winning the starting job as a rookie, to being anointed the team’s starter the next fall to the injury-related slide that followed, he’s certainly seen his share of expectations. 667959 Toronto Maple Leafs puck better. And if they can’t handle it, at least they should be adept at setting in behind the net on a dump in. Reimer has difficulty doing this regularly. The more difficulty he has, the more a target of forecheck the Maple Leafs' James Reimer must feel like chopped liver Leafs become. That may not matter on a fast-forward regular season with no time to breathe. But it will matter in a best-of-seven playoff series where an By Steve Simmons ,Toronto Sun opponent has studied the nuances of the Leafs goalie. First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 06:18 PM EDT | Updated: That’s a problem for Reimer, as are his puck control around the net and his Wednesday, April 03, 2013 09:50 PM EDT rebound control. He allows too many loose pucks and, again, come playoff time, when the intensity is amped up, that kind of mistake can lead to an inadvertent goal. It is James Reimer’s job for now and he will smile beneath his mask, What Reimer needs to do now is work on the areas of concern, continue to because that’s what he does. be solid in net, and take the job Leafs management wasn’t sure he ready for. But, inside, he has to know better. It won’t be easy. But he has to do it with the knowledge the very people who Inside, there has to be a little hurt, a little disappointment, that as well as now trust him were working to replace him just a day ago. he’s played and as much as he has been a part of the Leafs’ success, it didn’t seem like enough to those who manage the decisions with the Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.04.2013 hockey club. Inside, he has to know that general manager Dave Nonis and the Maple Leafs’ staff made every possible effort to bring Miikka Kiprusoff to Toronto. And not just make him part of the Leafs, but sign him up for two more years. And when Kiprusoff finally made the difficult decision Wednesday morning, a decision that is was time to say goodbye rather than change uniforms, the Leafs didn’t stop there. They made one final lunge at the Vancouver Canucks, hoping to determine if their improbable pursuit of Roberto Luongo, and the contracts that “sucks,” was in any way possible for the Leafs. Kiprusoff didn’t happen and Luongo didn’t happen for the Leafs and now they turn back to a goaltender who is younger, cheaper, and statistically better. For now, the Maple Leafs’ management and coaching staff will hold their breath, say all the right things and indicate this wasn’t a slight at Reimer or Ben Scrivens. But, clearly, the opposite was at play here. You don’t pursue Kiprusoff, even at this stage of his career, even after this terrible season, to wear a baseball cap on the bench and play the good soldier. You pursue him because you believe he is an upgrade, even now, with the playoffs — those ever-elusive playoffs — this close. And you don’t pursue Luongo, with that twisted contract that he would like to walk away from, unless there is every belief he will be your goaltender for today and for the next many years. So here is James Reimer today, the first-string goalie without portfolio, without consensus backing, and if every move wasn’t scrutinized before, it will be now. He is like that song from The Police: “Every single day, every word you say, every game you play, every night you stay, I’ll be watching you.” Reimer understands, but it doesn’t mean he has to like it. He understands this season has been all about first among equals and he is winning that competition. He has put the Leafs in a position to make the playoffs and the best way to define a goaltender isn’t necessarily by statistics: The Grant Fuhr axiom works best in this case. Did you give your team a chance to win? If you do that, you’re doing your job. Reimer, for the most part, has done that — and still the Leafs were looking. They wanted more than him. They wanted better than him. They wanted a veteran — they will say — to teach the kid. Montreal didn’t care much about that when Patrick Roy is a kid, but nobody is about to call Reimer the next Roy. And the Leafs didn’t care much about Felix Potvin playing as a kid and beating out the Hall of Famer Fuhr when the time was right. With Reimer, though, no one was willing to say the time is right. There are still parts of his game that concern the Leafs, and probably should concern them. He’s had trouble with his catching glove and around the league that’s becoming a point of focus. Everybody shoots high glove on Reimer and they will continue to do so until he makes more saves in that area. It isn’t just the glove. It’s the way in which he handles pucks dumped into the Maple Leafs’ zone. Goalies, these days, are expected to handle the 667960 Toronto Maple Leafs defender. The Avalanche were not keen on bringing him back after his $1.8 million (U.S.) contract runs out this year. “The price tag we had early was not to our liking,” Nonis said. “As the week Maple Leafs land Ryan O'Byrne from Avalanche went on, it became something we were comfortable with. He’ll be one of eight defencemen. He won’t come in here and take over the defence, but he can play with good players, play with John-Michael Liles, with Jake By Lance Hornby ,Toronto Sun Gardiner, with Mike Kostka. How much he plays, that’s up to the coaching staff.” First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 03:43 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:21 PM EDT Holding all of his picks for the 2013 draft heading into the deadline, Nonis acknowledged he could have used them to pick up more veterans. But without naming names, Nonis said their “best before” date stamp was long past. It might be the Leafs revisit some in the free-agent market next TORONTO - If he couldn’t get insurance in the net, Dave Nonis opted to summer. add someone who can clear the front. “We added one player today we think can help us and, as we get healthy, And in acquiring big defenceman Ryan O’Byrne as Wednesday’s NHL trade we’ll have five full lines up front. The message to our team was we’re happy deadline closed, the Maple Leafs’ general manager gave a vote of with their play. This wasn’t about trading draft picks for (rental player) UFAs, confidence to his incumbent goalies and the gratitude of most players who this was about keeping the team together.” didn’t want the band broken up. The surprising Leafs now head into their final 12 games and a possible playoff appearance without losing anyone Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.04.2013 from the roster, just as the players hoped would be the case before the 3 p.m. bell sounded across the league. “We can definitely make a run with the guys we have here,” leading scorer Nazem Kadri said earlier in the day. “We haven’t been in this position in a long time and we’re still hungry for more.” Not to say that Nonis didn’t try to add some grey power to the goalie mix after scooping the 6-foot-5 O’Byrne from Colorado for a fourth-round pick in 2014. He delved into the Calgary Flames’ fire sale and went hard after 36- year-old stopper Miikka Kiprusoff to bolster James Reimer and Ben Scrivens. That discussion, with counterpart Jay Feaster, player agent Larry kelly and, ultimately, Kiprusoff himself, went deep into Tuesday night and resumed Wednesday morning. “The benefit of bringing Miikka in was that we wouldn’t have been moving either of our goalies out. We’ve always said if we could get a veteran presence to help them get experience and tips, it would’ve been ideal. I had that conversation with Miikka directly. Part of him was excited about that, part of him was not having his heart in it 100%, coming here and then letting us down.” Kiprusoff’s wife just gave birth and, even if he took a contract extension from Nonis, there was doubt the Finn wanted to stay in the NHL beyond this season, especially if he’s changing cities. “He didn’t want to take the extension (which the Leafs would have had to work on in July) if he wasn’t fully committed,” said Nonis. “I appreciated him giving us the heads up early in the day as opposed to us making the deal and not having it work out.” TSN reported the Vancouver Canucks came back to the Leafs three times in the closing hour of the deadline to revive the Roberto Luongo trade, but Nonis wouldn’t meet their price, even though it was likely reduced from the summer. Nonis wouldn’t comment on Luongo specifics. “We’ve also said that we’re happy with our goaltending, it’s quality goaltending,” Nonis said. “And that if we couldn’t (add someone), these two guys have earned the right to play. I know there is a big deal about goaltending and always has been in this market. But you look at what James has done (a .920 save percentage). We expect him to grab the net and go with it. He’ll play the majority of the games. “I know (coach) Randy Carlyle has confidence in him. We have a quality goaltending coach (Rick St. Croix) whom we bring into a lot of decisions on our goalies and future goalies. He has a lot of time for James and that factors into our decision.” Reimer, expected to start Thursday’s home game against the Flyers, was relieved he won’t have to field questions about everyone from Luongo to Jonathan Bernier to Kiprusoff taking his job. Though there have been holes in the plan to institute a cleaner defensive game to take pressure off of himself and Scrivens, he’s done what Carlyle asked — keep the Leafs in games. “We have some great character in this room,” Reimer said. “Everyone who has played has been deserving. When that happens, you feel good because you know no one has been cheated. It’s been a fun run this year.” O’Byrne should help keep Reimer’s front stoop free of traffic. About two weeks ago, Nonis initiated talks about the former Montreal Canadiens 667961 Toronto Maple Leafs But still, they got close, and the contract came between them, and the Canucks were left to pretend otherwise. Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis said there had been discussions with five teams over the last six Roberto Luongo’s contract hurts both him and Canucks months, and “there’s been changes to the CBA that affect these situations, and it isn’t like when we signed the contract. There are significant changes to how they’re dealt with … at the time it was done it was very favourable to the organization, and very favourable for Roberto. Bruce Arthur | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 11:00 PM ET “And the top teams in the league that were competing for Stanley Cups did contracts like this for franchise players, and since that has occurred there have been a number of changes. It’s a fluid industry.” Roberto Luongo was always going to be the star of this deadline one way or the other. My contract sucks. That’s what the problem is “My contract sucks,” said Roberto Luongo, live on national television. Gillis protested that the contract was not as big an impediment as some “That’s what the problem is. It had been an odd NHL trade deadline to that people thought, which sounds like spin followed by an audible record point, first a ghost town and then a busy intersection. Also, there was the scratch, but this summer he will get another chance to be proven right. moment a little later when Jay Feaster said his owner expected the Calgary Flames to be in the playoffs next season, but we’ll get to that masterpiece A compliance buyout would seem like a dangerous request for almost any of delusion in a minute. GM — imagine going to your owner and saying you have made a US$40- million mistake. It means he’s going to have to trade his obviously unhappy The best of the NHL trade deadline goaltender, and that contract with it. But Luongo was always going to be the star of this deadline one way or the The Canucks, meanwhile, have to hope they can knit their injured and other, and his news conference in Vancouver was a strange thing, an oddly aging core back into a contender in under a month, and hope that Luongo electric thing, because it’s not every day an NHL superstar comes out and can wait without it getting ugly. Not Calgary-ugly, but then, that sort of thing says he hates his 12-year, US$64-million contract, and wishes, two years takes years. after reaching Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, that he could start all over again. National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 “I’d scrap it if I could, right now,” said Luongo, who admitted it had been an emotionally difficult time. When it was reported he had been pulled off the ice with minutes to go before the deadline everyone’s ears perked up, and when it was announced he had not been traded, the balloon went pop. For Luongo too, clearly. He said that if any trade had gotten to the point where he would have been asked to waive his no-trade clause, “Obviously I would have said yes.” He said he had to gather himself. He seemed to intimate that he could have conducted himself differently since the club chose Cory Schneider over their 33-year-old warhorse as the team’s No. 1 goaltender, but instead chose not to create negative energy. There was a weariness to him, an exhaustion, flickers of deep disappointment. TSN’s Darren Dreger reported the Canucks made three last-ditch offers to Toronto between 2 and 3 p.m., asking for Ben Scrivens and multiple draft picks, and that the final one led to Luongo being yanked off the ice in case he had to waive his no-trade clause. That clearly meant they had gotten close, but something in the contract — the prospect of Vancouver retaining some of Luongo’s salary, Vancouver’s softening but still significant demands, something about the golden anvil — must have derailed it. It was the messiest part of the day’s Canadian hockey landscape. The plummeting Winnipeg Jets watched idly as Washington burned a top prospect for help right now in the Southeast Division, and Edmonton and Montreal didn’t change their very different situations, and Ottawa managed to snag a new leading scorer in Cory Conacher, Tampa’s 23-year-old, 24- point rookie, in exchange for surplus goaltender Ben Bishop. Oh, and in Calgary the fire sale more closely resembles an actual fire. Feaster told reporters “[Owner] Murray Edwards told me last evening that he expects to be in the playoffs next year, so there’s my marching order.” The Flames appear to be taking their nickname too seriously, and Edwards appears to be fiddling as it burns. Between Columbus stepping on the gas in its playoffs run by acquiring star Marian Gaborik from the New York Rangers and Murray Edwards saying he wants to make the playoffs next year, Calgary wins the up-is-down derby without breaking a sweat. But Luongo was the potential franchise-changer for two Canadian teams, and afterwards he looked like a basset hound who had been kicked. He’s not a tragic figure, obviously, but it’s easy to feel sympathetic for the guy, even if you don’t follow his delightful semi-anonymous alter ego on Twitter, @strombone1. The NHL had always warned that the long-term, long-tail deals that were splashed around during the life of the last collective bargaining agreement would be subject to penalty, and Luongo is the first one to feel its effects. Under the new CBA, the team that signed and the team that trades for a long-contract player will be penalized under the salary cap if that player retires before the contract ends. Luongo’s big money stops in 2018. There are four seasons left after that. Unless he plays until he’s 43, the contract is going to hurt somebody. 667962 Toronto Maple Leafs contending for the Stanley Cup. So the plan was to try to add some depth without disrupting the current lineup or giving away the future. “I didn’t see a blockbuster,” Nonis of the trade landscape available to him. “I Leafs pin hopes on young goalies after relatively quiet trade deadline think everyone that made some deals made some modest improvements. And that’s all that was available to most teams.

Michael Traikos | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 7:09 PM ET “The message [to the Leafs] is: We’re happy with their play. They’ve put us in a good position.” National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 TORONTO — It was not exactly a vote of confidence. More like a lukewarm endorsement. In an ideal world, the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to add a goaltender at Wednesday’s NHL trade deadline. Not to necessarily replace James Reimer or Ben Scrivens, but to augment the inexperienced duo. They had received permission to talk with Calgary’s Miikka Kiprusoff and tried desperately to convince him to waive his no-trade clause. They reportedly talked again to Vancouver about acquiring Roberto Luongo. The best of the NHL trade deadline But by the time the 3 p.m. ET deadline rolled around, Toronto’s only move was bringing in 28-year-old depth defenceman Ryan O’Byrne from Colorado in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in 2014. And so, with 13 games remaining and the team sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, the Leafs will continue with most of the same group that got them this far. “Nothing changed at all,” general manager Dave Nonis said in a news conference at Air Canada Centre. “I know there was a big deal about goaltending. There always has been in this marketplace. The benefit of bringing Miikka Kiprusoff in would have been we weren’t moving any one of our goalies out. And we always said that if we could get some veteran presence to help these guys along and give them some experience and some tips, that it would have been an ideal situation. “I had that discussion with Miikka directly. I think that part of him was excited about that, and part of his apprehension was not having his heart in it 100% and coming here and letting us down. That was the direction we wanted to head.” Instead, a 25-year-old (Reimer) and a 26-year-old (Scrivens) with a combined 123 NHL games and zero NHL playoff experience will lead the team. That might not be necessarily a bad thing. Reimer, who has won his last three games and has not lost in regulation in his last seven starts, has a better save percentage (.920) this season than Luongo (.904) and Kiprusoff (.868) and as many wins (13) as both combined. “We’re happy with the goaltending,” Nonis said. “We have two quality goaltenders. We’re not trying to move one of them out. We wanted to add to that group. But if we couldn’t, those guys have earned the right to play. “[Reimer is] still a young goaltender. It’s not about his ability. We’re fine with his ability. His play has been exceptional. It was just about getting him some experience to help him. There was nothing more to it than that.” We have two quality goaltenders. We’re not trying to move one of them out. We wanted to add to that group. But if we couldn’t, those guys have earned the right to play While the Leafs were unable to add that experience in net, the team beefed up its blue line with the acquisition of O’Byrne. The 6-foot-5 and 240-pound defenceman, who ranks second on the Avalanche in hits and is fourth in blocked shots, has appeared in 19 playoff games. “He’s going to be one of our eight defencemen,” said Nonis, who added that O’Byrne would likely play on the second defensive pairing alongside former Avalanche teammate John-Michael Liles, Mike Kostka or Jake Gardiner. “He’s not going to come in here and take over our defensive corps. He’s a defensive defenceman. We feel he can play with good players.” It was a small move. But for where this team is, both in terms of age and in the standings, it was probably the right one. David Zalubowski/The Associated Press Nonis said that this is the first year in his Leafs tenure in which the club is in playoff mode as opposed to selling off players for draft picks. At the same time, he knows that the team is not one or two pieces away from 667963 Toronto Maple Leafs Oilers pick up centre Jerred Smithson from Panthers The Edmonton Oilers have acquired centre Jerred Smithson from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a fourth-round pick in this year’s NHL The best of the NHL trade deadline Entry Draft. The 34-year-old native of Vernon, B.C., has five points in 35 games this Canadian Press and National Post Wire Services | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: season. Smithson made his NHL debut with the Los Angeles Kings in the 13/04/03 6:18 PM ET 2002-’03 season. The undrafted forward spent parts of seven seasons with the Nashville Predators. He was dealt to Florida last season. Smithson has recorded 95 points (38 goals, 57 assists) in 578 career NHL Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo blames contract for trade troubles regular-season games. After learning he had not been traded before the NHL-mandated deadline, The Pittsburgh Penguins are adding another veteran forward for the playoff Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo stood behind a lectern run. The Penguins have acquired Jussi Jokinen from the Carolina and, with brutal honesty, blamed his long-term contract for preventing a Hurricanes for a conditional sixth- or seventh-round pick in this year’s NHL deal: “I’d scrap it if I could, right now.” Entry Draft. Jokinen has 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 33 games this season. The 33-year-old has nine years remaining on a 12-year contract, carrying a cap hit of US$5.3-million through the 2021-22 season. He has been tied to Pittsburgh has landed forwards Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow and trade speculation for months, long before the NHL ended its lockout in defenceman Douglas Murray in deals over the last two weeks. January. The Penguins enter play Wednesday night with a five-point lead on second- The Ottawa Senators have traded goalie Ben Bishop to the Tampa Bay place Montreal in the Eastern Conference standings. Lightning for rookie centre Cory Conacher and fourth-round pick. Jokinen has recorded 346 points (121-225) in 569 career regular-season The 26-year-old Bishop was acquired by Ottawa from the St. Louis Blues NHL games with Carolina, Tampa Bay and Dallas. last season in exchange for a second-round pick. Veteran blue-liner Scott Hannan returns to Sharks Ottawa had a crowded crease this season with Bishop, No. 1 goalie Craig Anderson and rising star Robin Lehner all seeing action. Veteran defenceman Scott Hannan is returning to San Jose. The Nashville Predators have dealt Hannan to the Sharks for a conditional seventh-round Anderson suffered an ankle injury early in February, forcing both Bishop pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Hannan has one assist in 29 games this and Lehner to shoulder the load. season. But with Anderson set to return, Bishop was the odd man out. The 34-year-old Richmond, B.C., native spent parts of eight seasons with San Jose. He has also played for the Colorado Avalanche, Washington Leafs pick up Ryan O’Byrne before the deadline Capitals and Calgary Flames. Hannan has 198 points (33 goals, 165 assists) in 937 career NHL regular-season games. An hour after telling a TSN reporter he did not expect his team to complete a last-second trade — before adding the addendum “that can change The seventh-round pick would change to a sixth-round selection if Hannan quickly” — Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis acquired a appears in the playoffs. large defenceman who could fill out one of the team’s top two pairings. Bruins acquire Wade Redden from Blues, Rob Flick from Blackhawks Blue Jackets add Marian Gaborik, send goaltender Steve Mason to Flyers The Boston Bruins have acquired defenceman Wade Redden from the St. The Columbus Blue Jackets have shown they’re serious about making the Louis Blues and centre Rob Flick from the Chicago Blackhawks. playoffs, acquiring forward Marian Gaborik from the New York Rangers. Gaborik has had an off-year offensively in New York with nine goals and 10 The trades came before the NHL’s trade deadline Wednesday and one day assists in 35 games. But he is a proven scorer and is just one year removed after the Bruins obtained five-time NHL scoring champion wing Jaromir Jagr from a 41-goal, 35-assist campaign in 2011-12. from the Dallas Stars. The left-wing from Trencin, Slovakia, has 333 goals and 333 assists in 757 Redden, who has played in 1,017 NHL games, was obtained for a career games with Minnesota and New York. His best statistical season conditional seventh-round draft pick next year that becomes a sixth-rounder was in 2009-10, when he had 42 goals and 44 assists in his first season in if he plays in at least one game during this year’s playoffs. He as two goals New York. and three assists in 23 games this season. Sabres trade captain Pominville to Wild Flick was traded for forward Max Sauve in a deal involving AHL players. Flick has three goals, two assists and 97 penalty minutes for Rockford. A person familiar with trade talks has confirmed the Buffalo Sabres have Sauve has 10 goals and 13 assists for Providence. agreed to deal captain Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild. Coyotes trade Matthew Lombardi to Ducks for Brandon McMillan The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the trade has not yet been approved by the NHL. French-Canada’s RDS sports network first The Phoenix Coyotes have traded centre Matthew Lombardi to the reported the deal Wednesday, before the NHL’s trade deadline hit. RDS Anaheim Ducks for left wing Brandon McMillan. reported the Sabres were to receive rookie forward Johan Larsson and rookie goalie Matt Hackett in return. Lombardi returned to Phoenix this season after being traded from Toronto during training camp. He missed 12 games early in the season with an Both Wild players were pulled off the ice earlier in the day before their game upper-body injury and didn’t provide the Coyotes with the scoring punch at San Jose. they had hoped. Pominville is an eight-year NHL veteran, and a six-time 20-goal scorer. Lombardi had four goals and four assists in 21 games with Phoenix and was a healthy scratch on March 25 against Detroit after failing to register a Predators trade Martin Erat and Michael Latta to the Capitals for Filip point in seven straight games. Forsberg McMillan played six games with the Ducks this season and had one assist. It was the last trade of the day — The Predators sent Martin Erat and He had eight goals and five assists in 41 games with Norfolk of the AHL. Michael Latta to Washington for Filip Forsberg. National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 The Predators picked up Forsberg to be “mindful of the long-term.” He spent this season in the Swedish league. “In Filip Forsberg, we are adding one of the top rated young forwards in the world,” the Predators said in a release. “We are excited to have him join our other emerging young talent and solid veterans at the position.” 667964 Toronto Maple Leafs

Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo blames contract for slow trade talks

Sean Fitz-Gerald | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 5:12 PM ET

Roberto Luongo said he was pulled aside because there were only 10 minutes left to the 3 p.m. ET deadline, and the team wanted him nearby, in case he needed to sign off on a deal. After learning he had not been traded before the NHL-mandated deadline, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo stood behind a lectern and, with brutal honesty, blamed his long-term contract for preventing a deal: “I’d scrap it if I could, right now.” Relive the NHL trade deadline The 33-year-old has nine years remaining on a 12-year contract, carrying a cap hit of US$5.3-million through the 2021-22 season. He has been tied to trade speculation for months, long before the NHL ended its lockout in January. And after the deadline passed Wednesday, he looked and sounded disappointed. He said he started getting “weird feelings” in his stomach, nerves, on Tuesday night. Luongo said it was the first time in the whole process that he felt that way. The Canucks pulled him off the practice ice early, fuelling speculation that he had finally been moved. Luongo said he was pulled aside because there were only 10 minutes left to the 3 p.m. ET deadline, and the team wanted him nearby, in case he needed to sign off on a deal. In a press conference with reporters, Luongo was asked what he viewed as the primary obstacle in facilitating a move. “Uh,” he said, “my contract sucks. That’s what the problem is. Unfortunately, it’s a big factor in trading me, and it’s probably why I’m still here.” Youtube Luongo has a no-trade clause in his contract. He said he was never approached with a trade that he declined: “There were obviously some teams that were interested, and nothing ever really materialized to the point where I had to give a decision whether I was going to waive or not.” The Toronto Maple Leafs were long rumoured to be one of the teams interested in adding Luongo. Vancouver’s asking price was often cited as the stumbling block. My contract sucks. That’s what the problem is. Unfortunately, it’s a big factor in trading me, and it’s probably why I’m still here Cory Schneider has become the team’s starting goaltender. Luongo has appeared in 16 games with the Canucks this season, winning in only seven. His save percentage (.904) and goals-against average (2.44) are both weaker than Schneider’s (.922 ands 2.27). “Obviously, in the last couple of weeks, things have been a little bit emotionally tough for me, as far as where I’m going or whatnot,” Luongo said. “But now I can really make sure that I’m focusing on the right thing.” National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667965 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs make a last-minute move at the deadline with Ryan O’Byrne

Sean Fitz-Gerald | 13/04/03 3:33 PM ET

The Leafs acquired Ryan O’Byrne in a deal with the Colorado Avalanche not long before the NHL trade deadline tolled at 3 p.m. ET. An hour after telling a TSN reporter he did not expect his team to complete a last-second trade — before adding the addendum “that can change quickly” — Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis acquired a large defenceman who could fill out one of the team’s top two pairings. As first reported by TSN, the Leafs acquired Ryan O’Byrne in a deal with the Colorado Avalanche not long before the NHL trade deadline tolled at 3 p.m. ET. The 28-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, with a cap hit of US$1.8-million this year. O’Byrne averaged 18 minutes 51 seconds in 34 games with the Avalanche this season. He has one goal and three assists. According to TSN, the Leafs sent a fourth-round pick in next year’s draft to the Avalanche. National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667966 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs are ‘not close to anything’ before NHL trade deadline

Sean Fitz-Gerald | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 2:48 PM ET

Dave Nonis was also asked whether he was concerned at the prospect of heading into the stretch drive of the season with James Reimer and Ben Scrivens (pictured) in goal. Neither goaltender has experience in the NHL playoffs. Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis does not expect the team to complete a trade before the deadline tolls on Wednesday afternoon. “We’ve made a lot of calls, and we’ve fielded quite a few,” Nonis told TSN Wednesday, about an hour before the 3 p.m. ET deadline. “But it’s been pretty slow, at least to this point. There’s not a lot of movement, there’s not a lot of players available.” There’s always going to be a flurry at the end. believe that will be the case again today. But again, we’re not close to anything. Four trades had been completed to that point. According to the NHL, an average of about 22 trades had been completed on the previous 10 deadline days. “There’s always going to be a flurry at the end,” Nonis told TSN. “I believe that will be the case again today. But again, we’re not close to anything.” Nonis, who replaced Brian Burke as general manager on the eve of the lockout-shortened season, said the team was not shopping centre Tyler Bozak around the market. Bozak, 27, is in the final year of a contract that carries a cap hit of US$1.5-million. “He’s been a good player for us,” Nonis said. “Unless we got a player back who would help us down the stretch, Tyler will be here. At the end of the day, we’ll see what makes sense, financially, in terms of a long-term deal for him.” He was also asked whether he was concerned at the prospect of heading into the stretch drive of the season with James Reimer and Ben Scrivens in goal. Neither goaltender has experience in the NHL playoffs. The Leafs had been tied to a possible trade with Calgary for veteran Miikka Kiprusoff, but the 36-year-old reportedly told the Flames he does not want to leave the team. “It’s not a concern in that we think we have two quality NHL-calibre goaltenders,” Nonis told TSN. “We feel that they’ve played that way all year. They’ve done a good job, and they’re going to be with us for a long time.” So what will the Leafs do before 3 p.m. ET? “As we sit right now, I don’t see us doing anything,” he told TSN. “That can change quickly. Usually it does. There’s often something that happens in the last half-an-hour, at least something to think about. We’ll see what is put in front of us and make a decision at that time.” National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667967 Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL trade deadline brings different mood for Leafs

Michael Traikos | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 1:53 PM ET

For Clarke MacArthur, this trade deadline feels a bit different if only because of the mood in the dressing room. In the past, the Leafs would normally be on the outside looking in at a playoff spot. James Reimer shoved his skates in the bag and shouted, “My bags are packed.” It was meant as a joke. As though the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender had just been traded. But as of noon — three hours before the NHL’s trade deadline went into effect — the entire roster was still intact. And if many players inside the dressing room had their wish, it would remain that way. The Leafs, who have won their last three games and have gone their last eight games without a loss in regulation time, are sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Left intact, they will likely make the playoffs. That does not mean that they could not use an upgrade. The team lacks an experienced goaltender, depth on the backend and would benefit from another centre. But if management decides to sit quietly, the players would appreciate the message being sent. “I feel personally that we’re pretty comfortable in this room and think that we could definitely make a run with the guys we have in this dressing rom who have been battling since Day 1,” said forward Nazem Kadri. “It’s always unfortunate when you have to move someone who gets you into this position.” “It’s just a good group of guys,” forward Clarke MacArthur said of the Leafs. “We’ve been kind I’ve building this for the last two years. The team has had success. That being said, there’s a lot of work to be done here for the last 12 games or so. But it’s a good group here. A group we’d like to keep together.” For MacArthur, this trade deadline feels a bit different if only because of the mood in the dressing room. In the past, the Leafs would normally be on the outside looking in at a playoff spot and would be in the process of dismantling the roster. Now, there appears to be optimism. “It’s actually been real quite this year,” said MacArthur. “Usually it’s ‘dynamite the team’. It’s not as fun for you guys when we’re doing so well. “There’s a lot of potential in the room here. And with the way we play, I think it would be a good playoff style.” National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667968 Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL trade deadline: Miikka Kiprusoff will reportedly stay with Flames

Sean Fitz-Gerald | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 12:00 PM ET

It was rumoured the Leafs might make a deal for Miikka Kiprusoff, but a new report says he is staying with the Flames this season. Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff appears to have made the most impactful move of the NHL’s trade deadline day … by indicating he wants no part of a trade. NHL trade deadline 2013 live: Tracking the latest deals According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the 36-year-old is leaning toward remaining with the Flames. It has been widely reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs had spoken with him — or his representation, at least — about a potential contract extension after a trade. His apparent decision to remain in Calgary shifts the focus back to where it began when the lockout-shortened season opened in January. Vancouver Canucks veteran goaltender Roberto Luongo is still on the market, though his contract situation diminishes his value to a team like the Leafs. Kiprusoff only has one year left on his six-year deal. And since it was a back-diving deal, it would only pay him US$1.5-million next year. According to capgeek.com, Kiprusoff does not have a no-trade clause in his deal, but his leverage came from the threat he would not report to a team that acquired his rights, unless he gave prior consent. Luongo is a different case. The 33-year-old has nine years remaining on his contract, which carries an annual cap hit of US$5.3-million. “We’re on a three-game winning streak and the team is playing well,” Leafs assistant general manager Claude Loiselle said on Tuesday. “The guys are feeling good about themselves. And so, absolutely, there’s no urgency to do anything.” Both Toronto regulars, James Reimer and Ben Scrivens, have a better save-percentage than Kiprusoff and Luongo. With the Leafs on the verge of ending their long playoff drought, the concern related more to their overall lack of experience. The guys are feeling good about themselves. And so, absolutely, there’s no urgency to do anything Barring a move for Luongo — which seems like a long-shot at this point — Reimer and Scrivens will likely get their playoff experience this spring. (Scrivens was asked about the rumours on Tuesday, about how Kiprusoff’s name seemed to have replaced Luongo’s as the dominant topic of speculation.) “I guess that newspaper story wasn’t selling as well, so they had to switch up the face,” he said with a smile. “Honestly, we can’t control any of that stuff. And my answer was the same over the summer: All I can control, personally, is what I do on the ice.” National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667969 Toronto Maple Leafs “I didn’t see a blockbuster,” Nonis of the trade landscape available to him. “I think everyone that made some deals made some modest improvements. And that’s all that was available to most teams. Leafs pin hopes on young goalies after relatively quiet trade deadline “The message [to the Leafs] is: We’re happy with their play. They’ve put us in a good position.”

Michael Traikos | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 7:09 PM ET National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013

TORONTO — It was not exactly a vote of confidence. More like a lukewarm endorsement. In an ideal world, the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to add a goaltender at Wednesday’s NHL trade deadline. Not to necessarily replace James Reimer or Ben Scrivens, but to augment the inexperienced duo. They had received permission to talk with Calgary’s Miikka Kiprusoff and tried desperately to convince him to waive his no-trade clause. They reportedly talked again to Vancouver about acquiring Roberto Luongo. The best of the NHL trade deadline But by the time the 3 p.m. ET deadline rolled around, Toronto’s only move was bringing in 28-year-old depth defenceman Ryan O’Byrne from Colorado in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in 2014. And so, with 13 games remaining and the team sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, the Leafs will continue with most of the same group that got them this far. “Nothing changed at all,” general manager Dave Nonis said in a news conference at Air Canada Centre. “I know there was a big deal about goaltending. There always has been in this marketplace. The benefit of bringing Miikka Kiprusoff in would have been we weren’t moving any one of our goalies out. And we always said that if we could get some veteran presence to help these guys along and give them some experience and some tips, that it would have been an ideal situation. “I had that discussion with Miikka directly. I think that part of him was excited about that, and part of his apprehension was not having his heart in it 100% and coming here and letting us down. That was the direction we wanted to head.” Instead, a 25-year-old (Reimer) and a 26-year-old (Scrivens) with a combined 123 NHL games and zero NHL playoff experience will lead the team. That might not be necessarily a bad thing. Reimer, who has won his last three games and has not lost in regulation in his last seven starts, has a better save percentage (.920) this season than Luongo (.904) and Kiprusoff (.868) and as many wins (13) as both combined. “We’re happy with the goaltending,” Nonis said. “We have two quality goaltenders. We’re not trying to move one of them out. We wanted to add to that group. But if we couldn’t, those guys have earned the right to play. “[Reimer is] still a young goaltender. It’s not about his ability. We’re fine with his ability. His play has been exceptional. It was just about getting him some experience to help him. There was nothing more to it than that.” We have two quality goaltenders. We’re not trying to move one of them out. We wanted to add to that group. But if we couldn’t, those guys have earned the right to play While the Leafs were unable to add that experience in net, the team beefed up its blue line with the acquisition of O’Byrne. The 6-foot-5 and 240-pound defenceman, who ranks second on the Avalanche in hits and is fourth in blocked shots, has appeared in 19 playoff games. “He’s going to be one of our eight defencemen,” said Nonis, who added that O’Byrne would likely play on the second defensive pairing alongside former Avalanche teammate John-Michael Liles, Mike Kostka or Jake Gardiner. “He’s not going to come in here and take over our defensive corps. He’s a defensive defenceman. We feel he can play with good players.” It was a small move. But for where this team is, both in terms of age and in the standings, it was probably the right one. Nonis said that this is the first year in his Leafs tenure in which the club is in playoff mode as opposed to selling off players for draft picks. At the same time, he knows that the team is not one or two pieces away from contending for the Stanley Cup. So the plan was to try to add some depth without disrupting the current lineup or giving away the future. 667970 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs make a last-minute move at the deadline with Ryan O’Byrne

Sean Fitz-Gerald | 13/04/03 3:33 PM ET

An hour after telling a TSN reporter he did not expect his team to complete a last-second trade — before adding the addendum “that can change quickly” — Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis acquired a large defenceman who could fill out one of the team’s top two pairings. As first reported by TSN, the Leafs acquired Ryan O’Byrne in a deal with the Colorado Avalanche not long before the NHL trade deadline tolled at 3 p.m. ET. The 28-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, with a cap hit of US$1.8-million this year. O’Byrne averaged 18 minutes 51 seconds in 34 games with the Avalanche this season. He has one goal and three assists. According to TSN, the Leafs sent a fourth-round pick in next year’s draft to the Avalanche. National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667971 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs are ‘not close to anything’ before NHL trade deadline

Sean Fitz-Gerald | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 2:48 PM ET

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis does not expect the team to complete a trade before the deadline tolls on Wednesday afternoon. NHL trade deadline brings different mood for Leafs “We’ve made a lot of calls, and we’ve fielded quite a few,” Nonis told TSN Wednesday, about an hour before the 3 p.m. ET deadline. “But it’s been pretty slow, at least to this point. There’s not a lot of movement, there’s not a lot of players available.” There’s always going to be a flurry at the end. believe that will be the case again today. But again, we’re not close to anything. Four trades had been completed to that point. According to the NHL, an average of about 22 trades had been completed on the previous 10 deadline days. “There’s always going to be a flurry at the end,” Nonis told TSN. “I believe that will be the case again today. But again, we’re not close to anything.” Nonis, who replaced Brian Burke as general manager on the eve of the lockout-shortened season, said the team was not shopping centre Tyler Bozak around the market. Bozak, 27, is in the final year of a contract that carries a cap hit of US$1.5-million. “He’s been a good player for us,” Nonis said. “Unless we got a player back who would help us down the stretch, Tyler will be here. At the end of the day, we’ll see what makes sense, financially, in terms of a long-term deal for him.” He was also asked whether he was concerned at the prospect of heading into the stretch drive of the season with James Reimer and Ben Scrivens in goal. Neither goaltender has experience in the NHL playoffs. The Leafs had been tied to a possible trade with Calgary for veteran Miikka Kiprusoff, but the 36-year-old reportedly told the Flames he does not want to leave the team. “It’s not a concern in that we think we have two quality NHL-calibre goaltenders,” Nonis told TSN. “We feel that they’ve played that way all year. They’ve done a good job, and they’re going to be with us for a long time.” So what will the Leafs do before 3 p.m. ET? “As we sit right now, I don’t see us doing anything,” he told TSN. “That can change quickly. Usually it does. There’s often something that happens in the last half-an-hour, at least something to think about. We’ll see what is put in front of us and make a decision at that time.” National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667972 Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL trade deadline brings different mood for Leafs

Michael Traikos | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 1:53 PM ET

For Clarke MacArthur, this trade deadline feels a bit different if only because of the mood in the dressing room. In the past, the Leafs would normally be on the outside looking in at a playoff spot. James Reimer shoved his skates in the bag and shouted, “My bags are packed.” It was meant as a joke. As though the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender had just been traded. But as of noon — three hours before the NHL’s trade deadline went into effect — the entire roster was still intact. NHL trade deadline 2013 live: Tracking the latest deals And if many players inside the dressing room had their wish, it would remain that way. The Leafs, who have won their last three games and have gone their last eight games without a loss in regulation time, are sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Left intact, they will likely make the playoffs. That does not mean that they could not use an upgrade. The team lacks an experienced goaltender, depth on the backend and would benefit from another centre. But if management decides to sit quietly, the players would appreciate the message being sent. “I feel personally that we’re pretty comfortable in this room and think that we could definitely make a run with the guys we have in this dressing rom who have been battling since Day 1,” said forward Nazem Kadri. “It’s always unfortunate when you have to move someone who gets you into this position.” “It’s just a good group of guys,” forward Clarke MacArthur said of the Leafs. “We’ve been kind I’ve building this for the last two years. The team has had success. That being said, there’s a lot of work to be done here for the last 12 games or so. But it’s a good group here. A group we’d like to keep together.” For MacArthur, this trade deadline feels a bit different if only because of the mood in the dressing room. In the past, the Leafs would normally be on the outside looking in at a playoff spot and would be in the process of dismantling the roster. Now, there appears to be optimism. “It’s actually been real quite this year,” said MacArthur. “Usually it’s ‘dynamite the team’. It’s not as fun for you guys when we’re doing so well. “There’s a lot of potential in the room here. And with the way we play, I think it would be a good playoff style.” National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667973 Vancouver Canucks “It was mostly English at the house but when I was five years old they put me in French school and I went all the way through high school in French,” he explained. “It worked out well because I have a lot of French buddies Canucks’ Jannik Hansen says trade deadline moves will take time to digest who can hardly speak English. It’s also good when you travel to be able to speak a couple of languages. But in the house, we watched English movies and TV and all that stuff except for watching the Montreal Canadiens on RDS.” By Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun April 3, 2013 Roy added that the family name, given its French roots, is actually pronounced ‘roi’, as in Patrick Roy. VANCOUVER — From the perspective of his five years in the National “It was Derek ‘Roi’ but I’m happy with Derek Roy,” he smiled. “Whatever.” Hockey League, Vancouver Canuck right-winger Jannik Hansen summed up the league’s trade activity Wednesday like a man just finishing a large WAKE-UP CALL: Rookie Nicklas Jensen’s NHL debut Monday in San Jose dinner. created a minor dilemma for his parents back home in Denmark. The game began at 4:30 a.m. Danish time and, according to Nicklas, they had to make “It’s hard to digest right now,” said the Dane. “It’s going to be a little easier the big decision whether to stay up late or get up early. to see once the guys actually get settled and everything. Some good players are coming into our conference but some good ones are going the “They went to bed and woke up early,” said Jensen, whose father Dan is a other way, too. Teams are trying to find a way to optimize their rosters.” Canadian from Toronto. “I’m not sure how they saw the game, whether they bought it online and hooked it up to the TV, but I talked to them and they Hansen will likely find himself skating alongside one of those player coming definitely found a way to watch it. My dad just told me ‘good job.’ He was west, Derek Roy, when the Canucks return to action Thursday to face the proud. He knows it’s tough in your first game but, obviously, he had a few Edmonton Oilers. Hansen, Roy and Chris Higgins were a line in practice tips for me to work on.” Wednesday. Roy was obtained Tuesday from the Dallas Stars for a 2013 second-round pick and minor-league defenceman Kevin Connauton. Jensen spent most of the night skating with the Sedin twins, a line that saw much of Joe Thornton’s unit. “Obviously Derek is extremely skilled and he seems like he has a really good feel for the puck,” said Hansen, who enters the Edmonton game as “We were pretty much against them the whole game so, obviously, it was the Canucks’ third-leading scorer with 21 points. hard but it was also a great experience,” he summed up. SOUR PLAY: In their last 20 games, the Canucks are 2-for-52 on the power QUOTABLE: “Well, we’re going to try and get a save on the first couple of play, which computes to a ghastly 3.84 per cent. In those 20 games, they’ve shots. That should help.” – A chuckling Canuck coach Alain Vigneault when had two chances eight times, one chance once and zero chances twice, asked what type of challenge the Oilers would present. Edmonton scored most recently Monday in San Jose. The other 0-for-0 night occurred last on its first three shots and four of the first five in last Saturday’s 4-0 victory Thursday. On Wednesday, they were ranked 29th in the league. over the Canucks. “Well, you can’t score on the power play unless you get them,” general “I caught him at the right time where you get a player’s attention and he just manager Mike Gillis said dryly when asked if he was shocked at being No. listens to what he has to do and that’s what he does. We’re very fortunate 29. that he agreed to stay here for another four years.” – Vigneault on versatile forward Chris Higgins re-upping with the team. The GM did admit the power-play outage was not acceptable. In the same 20-game span, the opposition is 12-for-61, or 19.67 per cent. The Canucks Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013 had the league’s best power play two seasons ago and were fourth in 2011- 12. “A lot of teams have copied our power play over the last couple of years because of the success we’ve had so every day in practice they’re defending the same things,” Gillis said. “We’ve made some changes and we’re getting more shots to the net. I really think it’s a product of how the game is being played today. When you shoot the puck 80 times at the opposition net and you get 32 on net, that’s what we’re facing. We have to find ways to be better.” Henrik Sedin, who quarterbacks the power play, conceded the lack of production is getting to him and brother Daniel. Henrik enters Thursday’s game with 31 points while Daniel has 29. They each have seven points on the power play but Daniel had five of those in the team’s first four games. “That bothers us,” Henrik said. “Usually at this time of year, we have 15, 16 or 17 points on the power play and, if you add those numbers to our point totals, we’re top five or top 10 in the league. So that’s the only thing that weighs on us. If we get that going, no one would be talking about our points. “We still have time to get it going here,” he added. “I’m sure it’s going to be OK.” SICK BAY WATCH: The Canucks’ lengthy injury list now sits at five – excluding Manny Malhotra (vision) — but it could be down to just one by next week. Centre Ryan Kesler (broken foot) is expected to begin skating Thursday, left-winger Mason Raymond (shoulder) is also supposed to skate this week while right-winger Dale Weise (shoulder) did skate Wednesday and defenceman Keith Ballard (foot) is close to skating as well. That would leave just David Booth, gone for the season with ankle surgery, out long term. FRANKLY SPEAKING: New Canuck Derek Roy can handle himself in both official languages thanks to a francophone father (Felix) and a French education. His mother (Colleen) is English from the Kingston-Gananoque area. Derek was raised in Ottawa. 667974 Vancouver Canucks “Since that occurred, there have been a number of changes (in NHL dynamics). It’s a fluid industry; things do change. There have been a lot of shifting sands and we’re going to have to deal with it as we move down the Luongo, Canucks mired in lose-lose situation road. “I do feel obligated to trade Roberto and get him into a position where he’s happy and competing the way he likes to and at the level he’s accustomed By Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun columnist April 3, 2013 to. The need of our team also plays a role and trying to balance them are a difficult thing.” If Luongo is serious about escaping his contract, he can withhold services, VANCOUVER — It wasn’t Roberto Luongo’s contract last summer that which would allow the Canucks to terminate the deal. But the team would undermined the Vancouver Canucks’ attempt to trade him, but his singular first have to place him on waivers, meaning Luongo would have no input on focus on going to the Florida Panthers. where he plays and could be claimed for a fee of $125. When the Toronto Maple Leafs, run back then by Brian Burke, were ready It was hard not to feel sorry for him on Wednesday. He has been humbled to negotiate a trade, Luongo reiterated his desire to play only in South and embarrassed, a totem chopped to the ground. Florida. “I think it’s more, honestly, a hit on your pride that teams aren’t willing to Wednesday, with the goaltender desperate to go somewhere he can start, give up much,” he said of his feelings. “I don’t think disappointment is the the Maple Leafs reportedly rejected Canuck trade offers three times in the right word. It’s been an emotional ride, the last year. I think it’s more the final hour before the National Hockey League dealing deadline. unknown that has gotten to me more than anything else. I’m human and sometimes it gets to you.” At least new Toronto general manager Dave Nonis answered the phone. Luongo has never seemed more human than during the last year, when he It would make a delicious storyline if Nonis, who always felt Canuck general has maintained dignity, his sense of humour and loyalty to Schneider and manager Mike Gillis stuck a shiv in him five years ago, exacted revenge by the Canucks when the goaltending situation could have become toxic leaving his successor stuck with Luongo. enough to choke the entire team. But it was likely the goalie’s $64-million contract that scared the Maple “I’m going to gather myself for the rest of the day,” he said, “and make sure Leafs as it certainly has other teams. when I come to work tomorrow, I’m going to be 100 per cent dedicated to Luongo would probably like a do-over on last summer. this team the rest of the year, no matter what that capacity is.” A lot of this is his fault. How would he write his saga? But there’s no sport in battering someone who’s down, and Luongo was “TBD – to be determined.” never lower than on Wednesday when he was whisked from the ice to Still. management offices at Rogers Arena and informed the Canucks could find no taker for him. Today is Luongo’s birthday. Bet he has never felt older. In the emotional 12 months since he was deposed in goal by Cory Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013 Schneider, Luongo has felt many things. But unwanted was probably not one of them until Wednesday. Luongo looked beaten. “My contract sucks,” the 34-year-old told reporters, his anguish evident, his fall complete. “That’s what the problem is. Unfortunately, it’s a big factor in trading me and it’s probably why I’m still here. “I’d scrap it if I could right now.” Luongo has nine seasons and more than $40-million left on his 12-year deal. He would give that up for a chance to be a starter again in a city of his choosing? “I think he was very emotional,” Gillis said. “These days are emotional for everybody. Where you have a day like this, where your whole life could be turned upside down ... I think there’s an opportunity for things to be said that in the clear light of day might not be reflecting how you really feel. “I think he said that in a highly emotional state. I think that as Roberto settles down and we get through decompressing ... we’ll have a discussion about the future with him again.” It’s hard to see how the market gets better for Luongo. The National Hockey League economy – at least as it relates to players – shrinks after this season when the salary cap dives to $64.3 million from $70.2 million. Luongo’s albatross of a contract isn’t going to be any more appealing in the summer. The consequences for the Canucks are more immediate. While trying to win a Stanley Cup this spring, they have $5.33 million of payroll invested in a guy sitting on the bench when that money could have significantly upgraded the team at other positions. This is a lose-lose for player and team. “At the time it was done, it was very favourable for this organization and it was very favourable for Roberto,” Gillis said of the contract negotiated in 2009. “The top teams in the league that were competing for Stanley Cups did contracts like this for franchise players. 667975 Vancouver Canucks have a good team. So I think we have a good team, we need great goaltending and we need to get some luck. You can emerge from the West if you get those things, but everything does have to go perfectly for you to Canucks GM Mike Gillis gets no deals done, but touts 'pretty strong lineup,' win the Stanley Cup." on NHL trade deadline day Later in the day, the Canucks did recall Kassian from the Chicago Wolves. The big winger played just one game after being sent down on Sunday.

By Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun April 3, 2013 After finishing second in the pursuit of Clowe on Tuesday, the Canucks again were bridesmaids in an attempt to reacquire Raffi Torres from the Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday.

VANCOUVER — Mike Gillis says teams need a lot of luck to win the "We were talking to them about Raffi for some time now," Gillis said. "He is Stanley Cup. a player we are familiar with. He was a good player here and we were talking to them all day today and it didn't work out for us." The Vancouver Canucks now must hope they get a lot more of it than their general manager did on Wednesday. The Sharks got Torres for a third-round pick. The Canucks were also believed to be offering a third-rounder. The Sharks won out because their Gillis and the Canucks came up empty on trade deadline day and are now third-round pick is one they acquired from the Florida Panthers and hence a gambling that Tuesday's acquisition of centre Derek Roy and the impending much higher pick than the Vancouver's. return of injured centre Ryan Kesler will be enough to carry the team deep into the playoffs. The Canucks were also in the market for another right-hand shot depth defenceman, but again came up empty. Gillis went down swinging on a couple of potential deals Wednesday, leaving the Canucks with at least one significant hole on their roster and The Minnesota Wild, the team the Canucks are chasing in the Northwest one unhappy goalie. Division, added some significant offence Wednesday when they acquired Jason Pominville from the Buffalo Sabres. Not only did Gillis fail to deal Roberto Luongo, he also was unable to add any more offensive punch to a team that has had real trouble scoring goals The Canuck players now know exactly what their team is as the season this season. winds down. Captain Henrik Sedin thinks the addition of Roy and the return of Kesler should give the team a big boost. The Canucks should be buoyed by Kesler's return, likely some time next week, but Gillis was unable to add a proven winger to complement Kesler "I think Derek is a great pickup for us," Henrik said. "We played on Vancouver's second line. shorthanded for the most part this year, missing Kes and (David) Booth and other guys with injuries. Those are big holes to fill. I don't think people "We made a big pitch to get Ryane Clowe, we didn't end up with him realize that a lot of other teams have gotten better and, from injuries, we because of personal reasons," Gillis told a news conference at Rogers have gotten worse. And we're still where we are. We've been winning Arena. "He was a player we were after." games and we know we can play better and that's going to come with getting guys back." Seventeen deals were made on a relatively quiet trade deadline day involving 30 players. The Canucks were not in on any of them, but Gillis That view was echoed by winger Chris Higgins. said it was not from a lack of trying. "Kes is going to be a big addition," Higgins said. "We have gone almost the "We were in every deal we could possibly get in," he said. "They often don't whole season without him so it is kind of like getting a new player back with work out, so you just have to keep staying in them and staying in them. him." With our lineup the way it is now, I think we are strong down the middle, our defence is strong, our goaltending is strong. We need to get some support Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013 from our wingers and score more goals. I think we have a pretty strong lineup." Gillis maintained the team accomplished its main goal heading into the week by acquiring Roy from the Dallas Stars on Tuesday for a second- round pick and minor-league defenceman Kevin Connauton. "That was our primary focus, to get a third-line centre," Gillis said. Roy skated between Jannik Hansen and Chris Higgins in Wednesday's practice. Presumably, Mason Raymond will join Kesler on the second line, but who else? If coach Alain Vigneault knows, he wasn't saying on Wednesday after he spent the morning in the team's trade deadline day war room. "I think we'll address that situation when Ryan is back with the team," Vigneault said. "Now we've got 12 healthy forwards and seven healthy defencemen so we are going to try and come up with a plan that is best suited for that group that we have right now. When those guys do come back we'll see how the pieces fit. We don't have a lot of time, we have 12 regular-season games left. We have to make some good decisions." In hindsight, assistant general manager Laurence Gilman may regret saying in a radio interview after the Roy trade on Tuesday that the Canucks weren't done dealing and were going "all-in" in an attempt to chase a Stanley Cup. A day later, with no new additional reinforcements, Gillis suggested the Canucks lineup is good enough, with some luck, to compete for the Cup. "I think with the addition of Derek we filled a real need that we have and with Ryan coming back, Zack (Kassian) will be coming back, Mason (Raymond) will be back, Dale Weise will be coming back, so we are going to fill out our roster with good players," Gillis said. "I think to win in the Stanley Cup playoffs, you need two things: You need goaltending and you need some luck. And the third thing is you have to 667976 Vancouver Canucks

Chat it to Bulis: The 2013 PITB NHL trade deadline day livechat extravaganza

Daniel Wagner,

Normally, NHL trade deadline day is massive bore, with nothing happening for most of the day until the very last minute, particularly when it comes to Mike Gillis, who usually treats deadlines the same way a college freshman treats studying for a final exam: last minute cramming. We expect this year’s trade deadline will be completely normal. But PITB will be here all day, from 5 AM in the morning until there’s no chance that Gillis snuck in a last-second fax to the NHL head offices. We’ll give you up-to-the-minute updates and analysis, not just of the various trades throughout the day, but also of James Duthie’s bad jokes, Aaron Ward’s tie, and Bob McKenzie’s on-air cell-phone use. If past livechats are an indication, we’ll also talk about penguins, what we’re eating for breakfast, and Batman. The Canucks have one big piece to move, Roberto Luongo, and numerous needs, so it’s entirely possible that the Canucks will do something big and crazy that will shake the world to its core. Either that or the Canucks will do nothing and an angry mob will storm Rogers Arena with pitchforks and torches. Or, at the very least, pitchfork and torch apps on their smartphones. It’s going to be a good time. So please, join us. Otherwise we’ll just be talking to ourselves for 8 hours, which would be really depressing. The fun starts at 5 AM Pacific. Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667977 Vancouver Canucks to Edmonton). As well, James Wright (Florida to Winnipeg) shifted teams on waivers. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013 More wackiness for WHL Giants and grads; Connauton traded and then has place to stay dealt away, too

Steve Ewen

It’s been a strange season for the Vancouver Giants and many of their grads. Sure, Brendan Gallagher is adapting to the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens and Milan Lucic and Evander Kane are once again key players with the Boston Bruins and Winnipeg Jets, but things take a turn from there. The current Giants finished last in the entire CHL. Grads Mark Fistric (Edmonton), Jon Blum (Nashville) and Tomas Vincour (Dallas) were all healthy scratches when coming through Vancouver with their NHL teams. And when the Vancouver Canucks dealt Kevin Connauton to Dallas as part of the Derek Roy swap on Tuesday, he became one of six former Giants traded as part of an NHL deal this season. Connauton, a defenceman, had been with Vancouver’s AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, and was re-assigned to Dallas’ farm team in that league, the Texas Stars. One of the first people he contacted when he found out about the trade was former Giants winger Tomas Vincour, who had just been sent back to the Texas after a stint in Dallas. The AHL Stars are based in Cedar Park, Texas, and Vincour had kept a place in nearby Austin and said that Connauton was welcome to stay with him. Connauton relaxed. He hung up the phone. At least he had that. That would make things easier. No sooner had that thought shot through his mind when the Twitter on his phone went off — Dallas had traded Vincour to the Colorado Avalanche. The plans were quickly changed. Connauton, 23, said that heard about the deal from Canucks’ vice-president of player of personnel Lorne Henning and admitted that he was “grateful,” that he was moved to a club where he might have a better opportunity. Connauton is a left-handed puck mover, and Vancouver is already locked in longer term to guys like that in Alexander Edler, 26, and Jason Garrison, 28. “I really liked it there,” said Connauton on Wednesday. “I really wanted to be there. “You can’t always be in the perfect situation.” The Canucks drafted Connauton, an Edmonton native, in the third round in 2009 out of Western Michigan University. They suggested that he jump to the Giants the following season, figuring that a more pro-like schedule was what he needed to develop quicker. He was adept offensively immediately, and went on to score 24 goals, but he struggled defensively and showed that he had plenty to learn in his own end. He did improve, and he maintains that he’s gotten even better defensively in his three years in the AHL. His numbers slipped this year (he had seven goals and a minus-12 rating in 60 games with Chicago this year after putting up 13 goals and a minus-three in 73 games with Chicago in 2011- 12) but he attributed that to a “slow start.” “I’ve taken a lot of heat and been pigeon-holed as a defensively liability, but I would have not been playing in the situations that I have been playing in — last minute of the period, penalty kill — if that was really the case,” he said. “I’m confident in where my game is going.” Connauton did admit that being used as a forward for a time at Canuck training camp this year made him realize that he wasn’t likely in Vancouver’s long-term plans. “Right then and there, it was pretty obvious that I wasn’t going to be around much longer,” he said. Besides Connauton and Vincour, other former Giants to be traded this year include Fistric (Dallas to Edmonton), Spencer Machaeck (Winnipeg to Columbus), Matt Kassian (Minnesota to Ottawa) and Kale Kessy (Phoenix 667978 Vancouver Canucks “Smart. Savvy,” he said. “He makes really good passes over the blueline and makes that pass when some players have to chip it in — he can make that and wins a lot of puck battles.” With Roy and Kesler in the middle, maybe Canucks can flip that playoff Kesler is out of his protective boot and was doing off-ice drills Wednesday. switch He’s expected to skate soon and Raymond’s status is list as day-to-day. And if Kassian can develop more professionalism, who knows what may develop in this bunch? April 3, 2013. 4:16 pm • Section: The White Towel “When we’re healthy we’re a good team,” said Canucks coach Alain Ben Kuzma Vigneault. “Sometimes your personnel permits you to play one way or it permits you to play another way to win games.” The improving roster is starting to dictate an up-tempo approach is on the First came The Coin. Now comes The Switch. horizon. And with the Edmonton Oilers here Thursday, maybe it’s time to mash that gas pedal and get off the brakes. From deciding which goaltender to play to deciding what style of play would allow the injury-ravaged Vancouver Canucks to withstand their version of Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013 Survivor, the club can look at the newly-acquired Derek Roy and the newly- healed Ryan Kesler and look at the game differently. From passive to pushing the pace. From defence first to offence. To drawing penalties and actually converting those opportunities. Imagine that? “For sure,” suggested winger Chris Higgins, who signed a four-year, $10 million extension Tuesday that has a partial no-movment clause. “Look at all the points Kes and Derek have put up in the past and that will help get our offence going. And that little breath of fresh air with Derek, it should be interesting to see how it develops. It’s a lot more fun when you’re scoring goals and we’re not used to putting up one or two a game and only coming out on top if our goalies play well.” With Roy centring Higgins and Jannik Hansen at practice Wednesday and Kesler working between Mason Raymond and either Alex Burrows or Zack Kassian — when the former Selke Trophy winner returns for the stretch drive after fracturing his right foot and Raymond mends a shoulder strain — the Canucks believe they can contend in the wild west. Even without physical wingers Ryane Clowe and Raffi Torres, who they tried to land at the NHL trade deadline. And even with conference rivals adding to their arsenals with Jason Pominville going to Minnesota and Marian Gaborik to Columbus. “Pominville was our captain in Buffalo and is a great leader and a good player with a good shot and Gaborik obviously has tremendous speed,” said the diminutive Roy, and unrestricted free agent who was acquired from Dallas on Tuesday for a second-round 2013 draft pick and minor-league defenceman Kevin Connauton. “They’re two good players and that might give them a resurgence.” The Canucks hope they can say the same. In Roy, they get a small but quick and crafty playmaker who had four goals and 22 points in 30 games with the Stars this season. Although far removed from 32, 28 and 22-goal seasons with the Sabres, the 5-foot-8 centre has played in 41 playoff games and knows what awaits. “It’s a grind and you have to stay even-keeled,” said the 29-year-old Ottawa native. “It’s mostly about how hard are you going to work at the system and how you’re going to listen to the coach. I just have to play my game. Set up plays and score, use my linemates, get to the net and do all the little things that win games. “I played against Higgins a lot when he was in Montreal and he’s a good player who works hard, makes nice moves and finds his linemates. We’re going to have to talk a lot and keep a lot of communication lines open and know what we’re doing on the ice.” Roy worked the second power-play unit Wednesday with Higgins and rookie Nicklas Jensen and anything to improve the 29th-ranked power play is a plus. Henrik Sedin was between Burrows and Hansen on the first unit with Daniel Sedin and Jason Garrison on the points. “Derek is going to be a big help to us on the power play and five-on-five,” predicted Henrik. “Getting Kes back and with Derek, they’re point-a-game guys and it’s also going to put guys back into positions where they feel comfortable. We’ve played shorthanded most of the year and people don’t realize what we’ve been through. Through injuries we got worse.” The Canucks now believe they’re better. How much better remains to be seen. They need Kesler’s two-way dominance and Kassian’s single focus after being recalled Wednesday from the Chicago Wolves in what the Canucks called more “seasoning”. They need more great goaltending and a better overall push. Roy is a step in the right direction, according to Higgins. 667979 Vancouver Canucks

A dash of salt, pepper and reality as Kassian recalled after “seasoning” stint

Ben Kuzma

A dash of this and a pinch of that. Zack Kassian has been recalled by Vancouver Canucks after the young, impressionable and wayward winger was re-assigned to the Chicago Wolves on Sunday for what coach Alain Vigneault called “seasoning” after he missed eight of nine games with a back ailment. Well, it’s not Kassian’s game that needed work in the AHL, it was his approach to being a consummate professional on and off the ice in the Vancouver fishbowl. If the Canucks have to keep Kassian on a short leash to get the most out of a big, physical winger who could bring a playoff presence to the top-six mix, so be it. And if they have to give it a yank once in a while, all the better. Anything to get his complete attention. With five goals in his first seven games on the top line, Kassian played with power, poise, feistiness and finish. He became a fan favourite and was the toast of the town. However, for a 22-year-old still learning the challenges of collecting a big cheque and unrelenting attention of the faithful, it can come with pitfalls. Everybody knows your name. Everybody knows your game. And it seems everybody has a camera phone where your image can change in one click. “Definitely, especially in a market like this,” Kassian told The Province last week. “It’s not Buffalo. “There are a lot of people who are fans a lot of people who are always watching. You definitely want to be pro on and off the ice. We have an older team and everybody expects a lot from each other and guys are going to have your back. It’s kind of the way we work. “I’m really focused in helping the team have a good stretch. I believe I’m a playoff player and I can show people what I can do. I’m really excited.” So are the Canucks. If Kassian lines up with Henrik and Daniel Sedin in the postseason, Ryan Kesler could work between Mason Raymond and Alex Burrows. That would put Derek Roy between Chris Higgins and Jannik Hansen. Ryane Clowe or Raffi Torres could have helped that mix and the Canucks tried to add a physical presence at the NHL trade deadline, but Kassian could provide that. As long as his head is on straight and his game is ramped up. OF NOTE — Winger Bill Sweatt has be re-assigned to the Wolves. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667980 Vancouver Canucks

Roberto Luongo would scrap his contract if he could

April 3, 2013. 12:55 pm • Section: The White Towel Jason Botchford

Millions, who needs millions? Turns out, Roberto Luongo doesn’t. At least not all of them. Luongo said he would kill his $64 million contract if he could. Today, anyway, the 12-year deal feels more anchor than financial security. Dollar bills don’t buy happiness. Or playing time. His contract may have looked like the best in hockey a few years ago. To Luongo now, it may as well be the worst. The onerous contract was the big reason why the trade deadline came and went and Luongo is still a Canuck. And a backup at that. “My contract sucks,” Luongo admitted. “That’s what the problem is. Unfortunately, it’s a big factor in trading me. And it’s why I’m still here.” “It’s good for some things. But not so good for others. That’s a decision me and management made a few years ago when we signed it. “We’re going to have to find a way to find a solution.” “I’d scrap it if I could right now.” Well, he can’t, meaning he has to embrace life for the rest of this year which he may spend, mostly, sitting on the bench playing behind Schneider. A month ago, Luongo said: “If I really wanted to be traded that bad, I could have done other things, and I would have been gone a long time ago.” Luongo was asked about that Wednesday. “What I meant by that is if I took a different approach, from the end of last year to now as how I conduct myself, I think things would have been different,” he said. Basically, if he was malcontent and was public about it, he’d be a starter somewhere right now. “I’m not disappointed in the way I handled the situation. I tried to handle it the right way and not create any negative energy around the team. “Whether that (impacted) the trade or not, I mean, I don’t regret the way I handled things.” Luongo said he is focused on the rest of the year, and not thinking about what could happen in the summer when we get to do all this again. In the offseason, Luongo thought there would be a bidding war for his services but it never materialized. There was interest, but no one was ever willing to pay general manager Mike Gillis’s price. “I wouldn’t call it frustrating,” Luongo said. “Honestly, it’s a hit on your pride that teams are not willing to give up much. “It doesn’t mean it’s a knock on me, more my situation with my contract. “It’s a tough spot to be in for myself, for the organization and for everyone involved.” Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667981 Vancouver Canucks

Gallagher: On dull NHL trade deadline day, fisticuffs tales from McSorley, May brighten things up

Jonathan McDonald

Province Sports columnist Tony Gallagher reports from Rogers Arena, where the Canucks are practising and team management continues to hunker down behind closed doors on trade deadline day … With all the deals made in the last couple of days, you certainly could have predicted that both TV networks covering this trade deadline day the way they do would be in the situation of having so very little happen for so long. They both seemed to know it was coming, as well, so both have had the cast of War and Peace on hand to kill time and tell stories, and both seemed to have had some good and bad sections, as well you might. Grading them is about all that’s left for most people who might have been hoping for hard news and, if you were a Vancouver fan, only some of the material was ill-informed and generally outrageous, as opposed to most of it, given they are 2,500 miles away. TSN was saved by Ray Ferraro, who is outstanding at what he does. But it’s a good thing they did have a fellow so familiar with the Canucks given how the “Reporters” seemed to have very little idea of the history of the Roberto Luongo saga. None seemed to be aware that Lui turned down one trade to Toronto back in June, and Bruce Arthur of the National Post kept focusing on Vancouver as a poor team right now when in fact they’ve been riddled with injuries. What matters is what they’ll be like when Ryan Kesler and Derek Roy get into the lineup. Like they generally do, TSN had the upper hand on calling the trades slightly ahead, but really that doesn’t matter to the enjoyment of the telecast. No matter who breaks it, the other has it an instant later. Clearly the most amusing stories of the day were told by the Sportsnet tough guys, Brad May talking about his many fights with Kris Barch, and Marty McSorley going over his big fight with Wendel Clark during the 1993 playoffs, when the Leafs and the Los Angeles Kings played each other in the semifinals. May and Barch clearly loved fighting each other. May related how he was older and would get tired a little earlier, and that during the fights Barch would encourage him, saying: “Come on, Brad, keep going, keep going. We want to be the top pair!” That of course was a reference to the long league tradition fighters aspired to of being the most watched fighting pair, as was the case for years with, for instance, Bob Probert and Tie Domi. May and Barch, of course, never got close to that status but it certainly didn’t stop them from trying; and the stories certainly generated some laughs. McSorley and Clark went through their fight and talked about why it happened, the situation at the time and what both parties were trying to achieve; the big Kings defenceman ran over the Leafs’ Doug Gilmour, resulting in Clark challenging him. All good stuff to people who remember those incidents, certainly as interesting as the movement of Scott Hannan again. Although, perhaps, younger people were left somewhat at a loss to figure out how the game was played in those days. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667982 Vancouver Canucks

Toilet Flushing: Luongo on the ice, and Nonis says nothing happening.

April 3, 2013. 11:08 am • Jason Botchford

The possibility of a Luongo trade is getting flushed, if you are to believe Toronto GM Dave Nonis, anyway. With an hour to go before the trade deadline, Nonis on TSN said: “As it sits right now, I don’t see us doing anything.” Of course, that could change late. But Roberto Luongo is on the ice skating in Rogers Arena this morning and the only other NHL goalie the Canucks have signed after the big two, is Joe Cannata who started the year in the ECHL. And really, if the Leafs were honestly going to bring Miikka Kiprusoff in via trade, they’re backup plan can’t be Roberto Luongo. You’d be hard pressed to find two paths more different than the Kiprusoff and Luongo paths. One, would be playing a year or two more. The other has nine years left on his contract. Nonis suggested he’s willing to ride James Reimer into the playoffs. “(Goaltending) is not a concern. We feel we have two NHL quality goaltenders,” Nonis said. Too bad. Because it would have been one helluva fit. This has been going on for 11 months: Toronto, Vancouver, and Luongo There’s a reason for it. It looked like it would have been an ideal place to be for Luongo, and the Canucks and the Leafs would both be better off for it. As of now, it appears that will never happen. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667983 Vancouver Canucks

Cross Jokinen off Canucks list

April 3, 2013. 10:46 am • Jason Botchford

Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero is being hailed for yet another move by acquiring Jussi Jokinen and getting the Carolina Hurricanes to eat some of his salary. This is a player who is creative on the power play, can kill penalties and can win you some face-offs. Oh, and he has a rep for being a shootout savant. And he’s 29 years old. You think that could have helped the Canucks? The Canucks management team have been open the past 24 hours, after acquiring Derek Roy, about an intriguing option they’d like to explore regarding the regularly hurt Ryan Kesler. Vancouver GM Mike Gillis suggested a way the team could produce more offend would be pulling the trigger on an interesting option, moving Kesler to wing and playing him on a second line centred by Roy. Just one problem. Who centres your third line? Max Lapierre? Definitely not the best option when you consider the team thought Samme Pahlsson last year was better. Maybe the Canucks will have an answer for that. But they could have had Jokinen essentially for free if they claimed him off waivers, before the Penguins traded for him. Jokinen is owed $3 million next year, which isn’t a wild amount, especially if you consider the Canucks believe a player like Chris Higgins could have commanded a $3.5 million a year salary on the open market. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667984 Vancouver Canucks

Canucks Hat Trick: Raymond rumours, adios Kipper, get Zack back

April 3, 2013. 9:12 am Ben Kuzma

Three things to ponder as we await the noon NHL trade deadline on the Left Coast: 1. DOES EVERYBODY LOVE RAYMOND?: We’re told that Mason Raymond suffered a shoulder strain Saturday in Edmonton. We know the speedy winger is a pending unrestricted free agent, who was taken to cut- down arbitration in the offseason by the Vancouver Canucks. The sobering $325,000 US pay cut put a chip on his shoulder to get a one-year deal for $2.275 million. And instead of sulking, Raymond found his stride, shot and confidence to such a degree that he is an attractive commodity. Raymond is in line for a hefty pay raise next season. But where? You can argue that the best time to deal any player is when he has the most playing worth — and the Canucks could lose him for nothing in the offseason — and roster curiosity and a speed need are paramount now with Raymond. But any team acquiring the winger must be confident enough that drawing up a new deal would just be a formality and not a drawn-out process — even with the salary cap ceiling dropping to $64.3 million US next season. Raymond had been effective on a Canucks speed line with Jordan Schroeder and Jannik Hansen, but the acquisition of centre Derek Roy changes the dynamic. So does the postseason. And there’s the rub. Raymond has but seven goals in 51 playoff games but is this his playoff breakout spring? You can also see him on a second line with Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows, while Zack Kassian skates with Henrik and Daniel Sedin. You can also see him somewhere else next season and hitting a home run in free agency. One thing we didn’t see is Raymond being moved at the trade deadline. Maybe he goes home to Calgary in the offseason and plays for the Flames. One thing is certain. He won’t take a pay cut. 2. ADIOS, KIPPER: With Miikka Kiprsuoff announcing today that he’s going to play out his existing contract with the Calgary Flames and probably retire at the end of the season, the goalposts in a possible Roberto Luongo trade have shifted once again. If the Toronto Maple Leafs are serious about acquiring a proven starter — they talked at length to Kiprusoff about the parameters of coming to the Maple Leafs as a UFA and also discussed a contract extension — then any talks before the deadline with the Vancouver Canucks will change. General manager Mike Gillis got his centre, but basically needs to replace the picks he coughed up because the deal cost him a second rounder and Kevin Connauton was a third-round pick. The Canucks could use size, they could use a depth defenceman with Keith Ballard out with a foot fracture and Kevin Bieksa playing through bothersome groin strains. Luongo has arrived for practice at Rogers Arena. In the end, the Canucks tried to move Luongo but couldn’t. They tried to land Ryane Clowe and Raffi Torres but couldn’t. 3. GET ZACK BACK: What can Zack Kassian learn in Chicago on his current “seasoning” stint in the AHL? Probably nothing. If the hulking winger has fallen out of favour with the Canucks for his lack of professionalism on and off the ice, deal with it and move on and get him out of there. The Canucks need Kassian in the postseason. They need him back on the top line with the Sedins where he scored five goals in his first seven games this season. They didn’t land Ryane Clowe or Raffi Torres, so the Kassian dynamic is a much bigger one now. Players will tell you it’s easier to play in the NHL than the AHL. You have to do your job and somebody else’s in the minors where there’s such a wide range of skill. In the NHL, you do your job and that’s where Kassian needs to hone his game before the playoffs. Do it in Vancouver. Not Chicago. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013 667985 Vancouver Canucks discussion? What’s a formal offer? — but it also leaves the parties in exactly the same place. The sense here is Gillis could have traded Luongo at the deadline if he was Willes: Gillis’ price too high; will the Canucks end up paying for it? willing to come down — OK, way down — on his asking price. He didn’t, and that’s left the Canucks with the highest-paid backup goalie in the game. By Ed Willes, The Province April 3, 2013 That’s not necessarily a bad thing. On Tuesday, Gillis swung a killer deal for Derek Roy that addressed the Canucks’ greatest need. Over the next 10 days, the team will also be getting back Ryan Kesler, Zack Kassian and Dale Weise which should make for a formidable lineup. It isn’t often you hear a hockey player curse his $64-million contract or see a general manager frustrated over his inability to trade a three-time All-Star, A Luongo trade wasn’t going to add anything meaningful to the team for this but as you may have surmised, the Roberto Luongo soap opera isn’t playoff run. Will it this summer? exactly a routine situation. You just hope that question is finally answered. Routine, in fact, left town about 10 months ago when the Vancouver Canucks decided to trade the best goalie in the franchise’s history. On Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013 Wednesday, the trade deadline came and went, producing 17 deals involving six goalies and, of course, the biggest news of the day was the ‘keeper who didn’t move: our man Luongo. That development, in turn, produced drama by the truckload; emotionally charged press conferences with Luongo and Gillis; and enough sound bites to keep everyone in the media happy until Canada Day. What it didn’t produce, however, was a trade and, as much as we’re a fan of Wednesday’s theatre, the Canucks’ problem remains the same today, as it was yesterday and as it was back in the summer. How do they trade the goalie with a millstone of a contract? Check that. The real problem is how do they trade the goalie with a millstone of a contract and get something back? Gillis say Luongo’s deal hasn’t been an issue in any trade discussions. Luongo said: “My contract sucks. That’s what the problem is. Unfortunately it’s a big factor in trading me, and it’s a big factor in why I’m still here.” So which characterization is accurate? Well, if Luongo’s contract isn’t the problem, you can ask why hasn’t he been traded? And that’s the question which will continue to be asked until this mess is resolved. “I think he was very emotional and I think these days are emotional for everybody,” Gillis said in response to Luongo’s bombshell of a quote. “When you have a day like this when your whole life could be turned upside down and you speak to you guys right after, I think there’s an opportunity for things to be said that, in the clear light of day, might not be reflective of how he really feels.” Or maybe all that emotion burned through the filters and the result was an honest answer. It’s hard to say. What isn’t hard to say is Luongo is still a Canuck and that creates more than a few issues for the organization. Gillis, of course, understands everything in play. He clearly wants to do right by Luongo, but he also wants a return for the organization. As the GM said, the two don’t always line up. “We’ve been doing that for six months; trying to put him in the best situation, trying to put our team in the best situation,” Gillis said. “Occasionally, they’re in conflict.” But how does that change this summer? Who’s going to step up and make a hockey trade for Luongo in July who wouldn’t in March? The Canucks maintain there is a market and if they can get a respectable return for Luongo, it will be a massive home run for the organization. But if that market doesn’t materialize and Luongo hasn’t been moved by July, this could get ugly. On Wednesday, Luongo seemed to indicate he’d welcome a move almost anywhere at this point. “I was never approached about a trade and said no,” Luongo said. “If that would have happened I would have said yes, obviously.” Later he said: “Nothing ever materialized to the point where I had to make a decision whether or not I was going to wave (his no-trade clause).” Luongo’s agent Gilles Lupien said the same thing on Wednesday before he declined to discuss the matter in further detail. Gillis, for his part, said Luongo has been involved in the process and there have been discussions. It’s probably all a matter of semantics — What’s a 667986 Vancouver Canucks Luongo said he was never presented with a trade. But Gillis said they did have discussions about whether he’d be willing to waive his NTC, suggesting it was actually a bigger issue than his contract. Money can't buy Luongo's happiness “I’ve never been told there was a stumbling block (with his contract),” Gillis said. “The discussions we’ve had didn’t surround a stumbling block, they surrounded players, draft picks, places where he might go. Those were By Jason Botchford, The Province April 3, 2013 bigger hurdles than discussions about his contract.” Really, they were both right. At the draft, talks between the Canucks and the Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets were moving past toddler stage, and A $64-million contract can buy a player a lot of things, but playing time isn’t Vancouver wanted to know if Luongo would be willing to waive. At the time, one of them. he still believed Florida was going to come hard for him, and said no. It essentially ended talks at the draft with any team but the Panthers. Neither is happiness. Months later, when the Florida push never materialized, Luongo was open Roberto Luongo is lacking both, something he detailed in an awkwardly to places like Toronto. But even then Toronto and Vancouver could never human, emotionally raw press conference that he handled like he’s handled consummate a deal. everything else this year — beautifully. It may never have been possible. In a few days, the humiliation of feeling unwanted will fade. In a few months, he will be traded — we think — and all of this will be a bitter “Obviously, in the last couple of weeks things have been emotionally tough memory, one he will use to fuel the next chapter of his career. for me as far as where I’m going,” Luongo said. “But now I can really make sure I’m focusing on the right thing.” There was something wrong about seeing Luongo Wednesday at the podium, humbled and forced to explain what it felt like not to be traded. It Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013 couldn’t have been easy explaining that no one really wanted him. His honesty was exhilarating, however, especially when he declared he’d annul his contract if the CBA allowed for it. “My contract sucks,” he said. “That’s what the problem is. Unfortunately, it’s a big factor in trading me. And it’s why I’m still here. “I’d scrap it if I could right now.” Despite all the millions he’s made, and will make, to hear him describe his 12-year, $64-million deal as an anchor provided a keyhole into his heart and soul. He wants to play, desperately so, and who among us who has ever played a sport at any level can’t relate with that? It was hard not to feel some sympathy for Lu, especially when he admitted his pride was dented because the bidding war he expected in the offseason never materialized. Not then, and not on Wednesday before the noon deadline. It leaves a situation no one wanted, or thought possible, a year ago. Luongo will be a Canuck for the rest of the season. Of course, things could have been different. Maybe if he was less loyal, and more of a malcontent he’d have what he craves. Maybe if was more about himself and less about the team, he’d be a clear-cut starter again. “I’m not disappointed in the way I handled the situation,” Luongo said. “I tried to handle it the right way and not create any negative energy around the team. I don’t regret the way I handled things.” The Canucks put on a big push to move him in the final hour, making several calls to the Toronto Maple Leafs. But every time they called, the Leafs changed what they were willing to give up for him. One time it was nothing but a prospect. On the next call, it was only a player. Then it was just draft picks. In the end, the Canucks asked for backup goalie Ben Scrivens and two second-round draft picks. Toronto still said no. That offer leaked out hours later. As if Luongo’s pride hasn’t taken enough of a hit. It leaves you wondering how serious the Leafs were, and if a lot of their alleged interest in Luongo was really a put on or a long con. If it was, and they were sure to always keep the dialogue going, that’s quite the emotional mudslide they dragged Luongo through. “It has been an emotional ride the last year,” he said. “I think it is more the unknown that has gotten to me more than anything else. I’m human, and sometimes it gets to you.” Both Luongo and GM Mike Gillis held press conferences when it was over, making Wednesday possibly the first time ever there were duelling pressers in Rogers Arena to explain why a player wasn’t traded. Something in them felt a little cheap when it turned into ‘he said, he said’ territory over the issue of Luongo’s no-trade clause. 667987 Vancouver Canucks The Canucks now believe they’re better. How much better remains to be seen. They need Kesler’s two-way dominance and Kassian’s single focus after being recalled Wednesday from the Chicago Wolves after he got what Kuzma: Canucks make switch from mundane to high octane the Canucks called more “seasoning.” They need more great goaltending and a better overall push. Roy is a step in the right direction, according to Higgins. By Ben Kuzma, The Province April 3, 2013 “Smart. Savvy,” he said. “He makes really good passes over the blueline and makes that pass when some players have to chip it in — he can make that and wins a lot of puck battles.” First came The Coin. Kesler is out of his protective boot and was doing off-ice drills Wednesday. Now comes The Switch. He’s expected to skate soon and Raymond’s status is list as day-to-day. And if Kassian can develop more professionalism, who knows what may From deciding which goaltender to play, to deciding what style of play develop in this bunch? would allow the injury-ravaged Vancouver Canucks to withstand their version of Survivor, the club can look at the newly acquired Derek Roy and “When we’re healthy we’re a good team,” said Canucks coach Alain the newly healed Ryan Kesler and look at the game differently. Vigneault. “Sometimes your personnel permits you to play one way or it permits you to play another way to win games.” From passive to pushing the pace; from defence first to offence first. The improving roster is starting to dictate an uptempo approach is on the To drawing penalties and actually converting those opportunities. horizon. And with the Edmonton Oilers here Thursday, maybe it’s time to Imagine that? mash that gas pedal and get off the brakes. “For sure,” said winger Chris Higgins, who signed a four-year, $10-million Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013 extension Tuesday that has a partial no-movement clause. “Look at all the points Kes and Derek have put up in the past, and that will help get our offence going. And that little breath of fresh air with Derek, it should be interesting to see how it develops. “It’s a lot more fun when you’re scoring goals, and we’re not used to putting up one or two a game and only coming out on top if our goalies play well.” With Roy centering Higgins and Jannik Hansen at practice Wednesday — and Kesler working between Mason Raymond and either Alex Burrows or Zack Kassian, when the former Selke Trophy winner returns for the stretch drive after fracturing his right foot and Raymond mends a shoulder strain — the Canucks believe they can contend in the wild West. Even without physical wingers Ryane Clowe and Raffi Torres, who they tried to land at the NHL trade deadline. And even with conference rivals adding to their arsenals, with Jason Pominville going to Minnesota and Marian Gaborik to Columbus. “Pominville was our captain in Buffalo and is a great leader and a good player with a good shot, and Gaborik obviously has tremendous speed,” said the diminutive Roy, an unrestricted free agent who was acquired from Dallas on Tuesday for a second-round 2013 draft pick and minor-league defenceman Kevin Connauton. “They’re two good players, and that might give them a resurgence.” The Canucks hope they can say the same. In Roy, they get a small but quick and crafty playmaker who had four goals and 18 assists in 30 games with the Stars this season. Although far removed from 32-, 28- and 22-goal seasons with the Sabres, the 5-foot-8 centre has played in 41 playoff games and knows what awaits. “It’s a grind, and you have to stay even-keeled,” said the 29-year-old Ottawa native. “It’s mostly about how hard are you going to work at the system, and how you’re going to listen to the coach. I just have to play my game. Set up plays and score, use my linemates, get to the net and do all the little things that win games. “I played against Higgins a lot when he was in Montreal, and he’s a good player who works hard, makes nice moves and finds his linemates. We’re going to have to talk a lot and keep a lot of communication lines open and know what we’re doing on the ice.” Roy worked the second power-play unit Wednesday with Higgins and rookie Nicklas Jensen, and anything that improves the 29th-ranked power play is a plus. Henrik Sedin was between Burrows and Hansen on the first unit with Daniel Sedin and Jason Garrison on the points. “Derek is going to be a big help to us on the power play and five-on-five,” predicted Henrik. “Getting Kes back and with Derek, they’re point-a-game guys and it’s also going to put guys back into positions where they feel comfortable. We’ve played shorthanded most of the year, and people don’t realize what we’ve been through. Through injuries we got worse.” 667988 Vancouver Canucks Given the Canucks weren’t going to get the solid winger they had hoped to land Wednesday in this deal anyway, handing him away for nothing now made no sense as long as Lui stays professional. Gallagher: Scrap that sucky contract? Not likely for Luongo And evidently they’re pretty confident that will be the case. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013 By Tony Gallagher, The Province April 3, 2013

VANCOUVER, CANADA - JANUARY 31: A male fan of Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks holds a sign n the stands during the game against the Minnesota Wild at General Motors Place on January 31, 2009 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Minnesota won 4-3 in overtime. When Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis said that Roberto Luongo may have said some things that in the light of day he might not express the same way in less stressful conditions, he may have had a point. Luongo said he would “scrap” his contract if he could, and that his “contract sucks” given the situation he found himself in Wednesday afternoon when he remained a Canuck when he probably had high hopes his situation would clear up and he’d be able to take over as a starter with another team. Of course, there is a way Lui could actually have a chance to have his bluff called and scrap his contract. It won’t happen, but if this contract were in fact as onerous as people claim it is, Luongo could get himself free. It could (but it won’t, of course) happen this way. Lui could tell the Canucks he’s fed up and that he won’t be reporting this summer, or even now were he so disposed. The Canucks could then put him on $125 unconditional waivers for purposes of his release and wait. If nobody claimed him (as so many doomsday types think could happen) they could send him notice that his contract has been terminated and he would then be an unrestricted free agent. Ergo, his contract is scrapped. Won’t happen for a myriad of reasons of course, but Lui had perhaps be a little more careful about his livelihood, because if his contract is as sucky as he and so many of Wednesday commentators were saying, it’s not completely impossible he would have that opportunity. In reality, if Luongo didn’t want to face another season of this and refused to report, the team would suspend him, not have to pay him, and wait until he got tired of waiting. So he won’t be doing that, it would take all the financial pressure off Vancouver. But if he wanted to be true to his emotional word of Wednesday, he could do it. In reality, if worse comes to worse, the Canucks can put him on regular waivers this summer because he does not have a “no movement” clause and he would almost certainly be claimed. If somehow the goaltending market became so clogged with unrestricted free agents Mike Smith, Niklas Backstrom and other cheaper bodies floating around that he wasn’t claimed, the Canucks could always take difficult contracts back. The whole notion of buyout which keeps being mentioned is so far down the pecking order it’s laughable. “At the time it was done, it was very favourable for this organization and very favourable for Roberto,” Gillis said of the contract. “The top teams in the league that were competing for Stanley Cups did contracts like this for franchise players. I still don’t think it’s as hard as people want to make it out to be. As we move along, I think we’re going to be able to accommodate Roberto’s needs and our needs.” Gillis has been saying this now for a long, long time, and there’s no question he’s misread the market. The lockout and subsequent short season, the league’s obsession with parity where everyone is all in a gaggle after just 30 games hasn’t helped of course, but asking less sooner was clearly the way to go. But hindsight is easy. But as much as this may have been a blow to Luongo’s ego that the teams haven’t been lined up to grab him, it’s been Gillis’ respect for him as a goalie which has caused him always to try to get for the team for what he thought Lui was worth. It’s clear the rest of the league isn’t as high on the player as Gillis is against the backdrop of this contract, no matter what anyone thinks of it. And he’s been dealing with strange teams too. The Leafs had trouble making a decision, and how else do you explain Philly going for Steve Mason in their never-ending quest for goaltending? 667989 Washington Capitals upswing right now and playing good hockey, it doesn’t matter where we finish.” As the Capitals and the entire NHL have learned in recent seasons, where Washington Capitals trade for Martin Erat, part with prospect Filip Forsberg a team ends up in the regular season isn’t necessarily an indication of how it might fare in the postseason. Find a way into the playoffs, and anything is possible. By Katie Carrera, With 12 games remaining, a sixth consecutive postseason berth seems well within Washington’s reach. The Capitals not only sit two points back of division-leading Winnipeg, but they also have two games in hand, making a Thirty-six games into this shortened season, the Washington Capitals sit in fifth division title in the past six years a genuine possibility. a rather unremarkable position, having only just reached the NHL’s version of .500. But while their year has largely been defined by inconsistencies, Washington’s remaining regular season games include plenty of winnable injuries and various other roadblocks, over the past two weeks the Capitals matchups — four games against teams currently out of the playoff picture, have begun to see the potential they believed was there from the beginning. along with games against fellow bubble teams the New York Islanders and Winnipeg Jets. Even though they face teams comfortably in a playoff spot Predominantly healthy for the first time all season, Washington went 5-1-1 six times, given the way the Capitals appear to be finding their stride under in its seven games prior to the NHL trade deadline on Wednesday, and Coach Adam Oates, winning two out of every three games the rest of the catapulted itself from the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings to way doesn’t seem all that far fetched. two points out of the Southeast Division lead. Certainly not to McPhee at least. After his deadline-day addition of Erat, his So when the deadline arrived, General Manager George McPhee opted not directive is in full view — win now. to subtract a single player, but to trade a top prospect and add a top-six winger. The move made the clear statement that the Capitals believe they “As players, that’s our only priority is this year — right now and making the have a shot at winning in the present, even if this season so far hasn’t gone playoffs,” Troy Brouwer said. “We squeezed into the playoffs last year and the way they scripted it. had a good opportunity to make a deep run. . . . This year is no different; I think we have a better team this year than we did last year. I think we “You’re here to win. We’ve been in that mode for a while. This is six years sputtered a little bit at the beginning of the season, but we have all the of trying to win a Cup,” McPhee said. “We had our rebuild phase, we sort of pieces that we need to be a good, competitive team in the playoffs.” rebuilt things on the fly here, but we’d like to continue to make the playoffs while we’re doing it.” Washington Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 Washington traded highly regarded 2012 first-round draft pick Filip Forsberg to the Nashville Predators for veteran winger Martin Erat, who has recorded at least 49 points in eight consecutive seasons prior to this shortened year, and a minor-league prospect, Michael Latta. Shipping out Forsberg, 18, the organization’s second best prospect, is at odds with what has been McPhee’s long-view approach since the 2004-05 lockout of building through the draft and carefully grooming young players. But in this case, future risk was worth bolstering Washington’s present depth at wing, McPhee said. “They’re never easy decisions. It takes some guts to do deals sometimes,” McPhee said. “With respect to giving up young players, you’ve got to be careful doing that, but we’ve drafted well enough that we can do it. And I wanted to help this team now.” Erat, 31, should do just that. The Czech native, who was tied for Nashville’s scoring lead with 21 points and recorded no less than 49 points in each of the past eight seasons, will ideally slot into a top-six role for the Capitals. He has two years remaining on his current contract with a salary cap hit of $4.5 million per season. Erat waived a no-movement clause in order to join the Capitals, saying he wants to play for a team that’s a contender. “I was getting older,” said Erat, who could wind up as Washington’s top-line left wing. “I don’t have seven, eight years to wait for another chance.” McPhee said he “wasn’t interested” in trading any of Washington’s pending unrestricted free agent —, including veteran center Mike Ribeiro or gritty Matt Hendricks — because he didn’t believe it would send the message, publicly or to the team, that the goal is to win now. Those postseason aspirations and expectations are the same things the players hold for themselves. Before the trade deadline passed, several Capitals said they hoped management would show the confidence in the current roster to help it fight for that opportunity. “I think we have a good thing going here. Close to our division, close to making the playoffs,” said Ribeiro, who has confidence in Washington’s improved play. “We know how good we can be and how to play when we win and now it’s just a matter of keep doing it.” Ribeiro, 33, was confident earlier in the day Wednesday that he wouldn’t be traded but added that he wasn’t on the verge of re-signing with Washington. He isn’t focused on a contract extension now, though, but simply helping the Capitals find a way to succeed. “I hope to go all in because I don’t ever want to write off a season or anything like that,” defenseman Karl Alzner said. “The fact that we’re on the 667990 Washington Capitals

Capitals trade top prospect Filip Forsberg to Nashville for Martin Erat (Updated)

Posted by Katie Carrera on April 3, 2013 at 5:00 pm

In a late-day move, the Capitals have traded top prospect Filip Forsberg to the Nashville Predators for veteran winger Martin Erat and a minor league prospect. Erat, 31, has two years remaining on his current contract with a salary cap hit of $4.5 million per season and had to waive a no-movement clause in order to join Washington. Although he has traditionally played right wing, Erat is left handed and should slot into the left wing spot on either of the top two lines. In 35 games for the Predators this season, Erat has recorded four goals and 17 assists. In 10 NHL seasons, Erat’s career high in goals is 23 and points is 58. The minor league prospect who is coming to the Capitals organization in addition to Erat is American Hockey League center Michael Latta, 21. Latta has nine goals, 26 assists and 184 penalty minutes in 67 games for the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals this season. It’s something of a surprising move, considering how highly regarded Forsberg, 18, is, and how the Capitals have preferred to build their roster through the draft rather than acquiring veteran players through trades in recent years. For all of Forsberg’s potential, though, it’s uncertain when he would have been ready to play in the NHL. “I wanted to help this team now,” General Manager George McPhee told reporters. When McPhee met with local reporters last Friday, he said the organization had encouraged Forsberg to play for the AHL’s Hershey Bears following the conclusion of his season in the second-tier Swedish league Allsvenskan. The plan is for Erat to be in Washington on Thursday morning, but it’s unclear whether he will be on the ice for the morning skate. Washington Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667991 Washington Capitals

Martin Erat on trade to Capitals: ‘I just want to win’

Posted by Lindsay Applebaum on April 3, 2013 at 7:24 pm

Martin Erat waived his no-trade clause to leave the Nashville Predators because he wanted to give himself a better chance to win a Stanley Cup, the newly acquired Capitals winger said Wednesday. “I’ve been in Nashville for 11 years and it’s hard to leave the city when you’ve been here for so long, but I’m so excited for the opportunity and to play for the Stanley Cup,” Erat said in a conference call with reporters. In a late trade deadline day move, Washington shipped top prospect Filip Forsberg to Nashville in exchange for Erat, 31, and prospect Michael Latta. Erat said he asked Nashville General Manager David Poile for a trade because the Predators were “going in a younger direction.” “I’m getting older, and I don’t have seven, eight years to wait for another chance,” Erat said. After rallying last night against Carolina, the Capitals sit two points back of the Southeast Division lead with two games in hand on the Winnipeg Jets, and are four points behind the eighth-place New York Islanders. They’re still in the playoff race, and that was part of the appeal for Erat. An endorsement from former Capital Roman Hamrlik, a good friend from the Czech Republic, also helped convince him to go to D.C., Erat said. Asked about his hopes for the last 12 games of the regular season, Erat said: “Just make the playoffs. It doesn’t matter if you’re first or eighth. You start from zero-zero in the playoffs.” Erat has two years remaining on his current contract with a salary cap hit of $4.5 million per season. In 35 games for the Predators, he has recorded four goals and 17 assists. He recorded a career-high 58 points (19 goals, 39 assists) last season and has eclipsed the 50-point plateau in five of the last six seasons. While he has typically played right wing, Erat, who is left handed, said he’d be happy wherever the Capitals decide to put him in the lineup. “I really don’t care if I play right or left, or first or third line,” he said. “I just want to win…” Erat said he will arrive in Washington in at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Washington Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667992 Washington Capitals

Mike Ribeiro: ‘I don’t really see myself move or sign today’

Posted by Katie Carrera on April 3, 2013 at 1:54 pm

Mike Ribeiro said that he doesn’t expect to be traded before the NHL’s trade deadline at 3 p.m. but that he also doesn’t anticipate signing a contract extension with the Capitals Wednesday, either. “Not really nervous. I think we have a good thing going here. Close to our division, close to making the playoffs,” Ribeiro said. “I don’t really see myself move or sign today. We’ll just get focused for the game tomorrow.” Ribeiro, 33, is in the final year of five-year, $25 million contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 5 and he has said he is seeking a long-term deal, which the veteran center defines as four or five years. The Montreal native said he isn’t concerned about being able to sign a contract for next season, whether with the Capitals or elsewhere. For now, Ribeiro is glad to know that he appears to be staying in Washington for at least the remainder of the season. “The relief is more about staying here or not staying. It was more that than my contract,” Ribeiro said. “Contract I don’t think I’m worried if I’m going to sign for next year’s season. That will happen. It was more to know if I was staying here or not. With our last two weeks or so I think you can see our potential, what we can do. I’m happy here and hopefully we can keep winning here and make the playoffs.” Over the past several days, whether General Manager George McPhee would trade or re-sign Ribeiro prior to the trade deadline was one of the largest questions looming for the Capitals. As Washington captured five of six points on its recently completed road trip and moved within two points of the Southeast Division lead, though, it seemed unlikely that McPhee would trade away the team’s second-line center and second-leading scorer. “I still have the rest of this year of my contract so nothing changes,” Ribeiro said. “I still have a lot of time after today if they want to sign me or not. So for me it’s to keep playing and make the playoffs and at some point we can talk and get things done and see where it goes from there.” Ribeiro remaining in Washington also sends a clear message to the rest of the team that the focus is on succeeding this season. “He’s a very, very important piece of this team right now,” Troy Brouwer said. “With him not being moved, guys know that we have that second-line center that adds another element of dangerous ability to put the puck in the net and be a solid two-way player behind Nicky. He’s been phenomenal for us all year long. Guys are still hoping that if he doesn’t get traded here that they’ll find a way to keep him here for a while.” Washington Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 667993 Washington Capitals >> One other Capitals name that popped up on Wednesday as a possible trade candidate according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun is veteran winger Jason Chimera. NHL trade deadline: Blue Jackets acquire Marian Gaborik; Jason Pominville The 33-year-old left wing has one year remaining on his current contract to Minnesota after this season with a salary cap hit of $1.75 million. It’s been a rough season for Chimera offensively. After recording his first career 20-goal season in 2011-12 but in 32 games this season he has just one goal and Posted by Katie Carrera on April 3, 2013 at 9:59 am eight assists. >> The Washington Capitals embarked on a road trip last Friday knowing that how they fared in three games against Buffalo, Philadelphia and >> Capitals trade top prospect Filip Forsberg to Nashville for Martin Erat Carolina would not only impact their postseason chances but could sway the organization’s approach at the trade deadline. >> Update 3:18 p.m.: The Colorado Avalanche have sent defenseman Ryan O’Byrne to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a fourth-round pick. Wednesday they return to Arlington for practice having obtained five of a possible six points in their past three games. The Capitals sit two points >> Update 3:02 p.m.: Friendly reminder that while the 3 p.m. deadline has back of the Southeast Division lead with two games in hand on the passed but deals can still be announced anywhere from a half hour to 45 Winnipeg Jets and four points behind the eighth-place New York Islanders. minutes afterward as the paperwork is processed by the league. The Southeast Division title and a sixth-consecutive postseason berth are Meanwhile, Phoenix has traded Raffi Torres to the San Jose Sharks for a very much within Washington’s reach. Given that the Capitals seem to be third-round pick. finding a rhythm under Coach Adam Oates winning two out of every three >> Update 2:58 p.m.: Columbus has acquired forward Blake Comeau from games through the final 12 contests of the regular season, which would the Calgary Flames for a fifth-round pick. secure a playoff spot according to most projections, doesn’t seem all that farfetched given their remaining schedule. >> Update 2:45 p.m.: Buffalo has traded Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild for goaltender Matt Hackett and forward prospect Johan Larsson. So will General Manager George McPhee look to add any complementary players for a playoff push or largely stand pat with this group that reached >> Update 2:38 p.m.: According to multiple reports the New York Rangers hockey’s version of .500 with their win over Carolina Tuesday night? have traded Marian Gaborik to the Columbus Blue Jackets for center Derick Brassard, right wing Derek Dorsett, defensive prospect John Moore and a Stay tuned for updates on whatever moves the Capitals make and whatever sixth round pick. deals occur around the league as the 3 p.m. trade deadline approaches. >> Update 2:32 p.m.: The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded goaltender Washington Post LOADED: 04.04.2013 Steve Mason to the Philadelphia Flyers for goaltender Michael Leighton and a third-round pick. >> Update 2:10 p.m.: Via TSN’s Bob McKenzie Tampa Bay has acquired goaltender Ben Bishop from the Ottawa Senators as it continues to try and find a true No. 1 goaltender to anchor their team. The Lightning will send winger Cory Conacher and a fourth-round pick back to Ottawa for Bishop. >> Update 2:01 p.m.: Mike Ribeiro said Wednesday afternoon at KCI that he doesn’t expect to be traded or sign a contract extension today. “I think we have a good thing going here. Close to our division, close to making the playoffs,” Ribeiro said. “I don’t really see myself move or sign today.” Check out Ribeiro’s full comments here. >> Update 1:34 p.m.: TSN is reporting that Carolina has sent center Jussi Jokinen to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a conditional seventh round pick. According to Bob McKenzie, the Hurricanes will be retaining some of Jokinen’s $3 million salary in the trade. >> Update 1:20 p.m.: A few minor trades happened as the Capitals came off the ice for practice. Nashville sent Scott Hannan (Anyone remember that line change in the 2011 playoffs against Tampa Bay?) to the San Jose for a conditional seventh-round pick. If Hannan plays in the postseason that turns into a sixth-round pick. And Edmonton acquired Jerred Smithson from the Florida Panthers for a fourth-round pick. >> It could be a day with little movement around the league considering that many of the available big-name players have already been moved in the week leading up to Wednesday’s deadline. To name a few: Jarome Iginla went to Pittsburgh as did Brenden Morrow and Douglas Murray, Jaromir Jagr was traded to the Boston Bruins, Ryane Clowe was sent to the New York Rangers, Jay Bouwmeester was shipped to the St. Louis Blues, Robyn Regehr went to the L.A. Kings and Derek Roy was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. Capitals center Mike Ribeiro is one of the more interesting cases with the deadline just a few hours away. He’s made it clear he’s looking for a long- term deal and Renaud Lavoie of RDS reported earlier Wednesday that Ribeiro is willing to take a four-year deal as opposed to his previous preference for a five-year deal. While Ribeiro could draw interest as a rental in a deadline day deal, with Washington in the midst of a playoff hunt it seems unlikely McPhee would be willing to trade away the team’s No. 2 center and second leading scorer (35 points) even if the two sides aren’t close to reaching an agreement on a new deal. 667994 Washington Capitals “I think we have a good thing going here: close to our division [lead], close to making the playoffs,” Ribeiro said. Brouwer said he believed this group was better than last year’s team, which Capitals’ deadline decisions make goal clear: Win now made it to Game 7 of the conference semifinals against the New York Rangers. Having Ribeiro around has a lot to do with that.

By Stephen Whyno “He’s a very, very important piece of this team right now,” Brouwer said. “With him not being moved, guys know that we have that second-line center The Washington Times that adds another element of dangerous ability to put the puck in the net and be a solid two-way player behind [Nicklas Backstrom]. He’s been Wednesday, April 3, 2013 phenomenal for us all year long.” McPhee’s hope is that Erat will be able to step in and contribute in a top-six role right away. Erat had to waive a no-movement clause to come to George McPhee watched as his Washington Capitals climbed to within two Washington, and it’s possible he slides onto the top line at left wing points of first place in the Southeast Division but all along figured he wanted opposite Alex Ovechkin. to add another top-six forward. No matter the recent results, the general manager made one thing clear: “We weren’t going to be sellers.” “The nice thing is we’re getting healthy and we have some options,” McPhee said. “We like the player a lot. He’s a real good veteran player, That’s why he didn’t trade impending free agent center Mike Ribeiro or gritty terrific speed, good sense, plays the game right.” forward Matt Hendricks. And that’s why the Caps traded highly touted prospect Filip Forsberg to the Nashville Predators for top-line winger Martin Erat has recorded at least 49 points in the past eight seasons, including a Erat just before Wednesday’s trade deadline. career-high 58 last year. And his desire to win now fits well with the Caps’. On the precipice of the playoff picture, McPhee didn’t raise the white flag on “For me, I was getting older,” Erat said. “I don’t have seven, eight years to the 2013 season. Instead he did the opposite, mortgaging a piece of the wait for another chance.” future for a 31-year-old who could help the Caps right away. With Erat, the Caps have parts of three seasons, with Backstrom and “You’re here to win; we’ve been in that mode for a while,” McPhee said. Ovechkin each still in their prime, to get the job done. But of course it came “This is six years of trying to win a Cup. We had our rebuild phase. We sort with McPhee gambling the future for a better chance in the present. of rebuilt things on the fly here, but we’d like to continue to make the playoffs while we’re doing it.” “You’re playing on your instincts and experiences as a manager,” he said. “If I do this, does it make us better now, does it make us better in the Playoffs or bust now and in the near future is how McPhee approached this future?” move. In the 18-year-old Forsberg, the Caps gave up their second-best prospect and top pick in last year’s draft. Washington Times LOADED: 04.04.2013 “With respect to giving up young players, you’ve got to be careful doing that,” McPhee said. “But we’ve drafted well enough that we can do it.” It was done with eyes on the final 12 games of the regular season, the upcoming playoffs and the next two years, as Erat has two seasons left on his contract at a $4.5 million annual cap hit. Adding Erat, who was tied for the Nashville lead with 21 points, beefs up the Caps’ forward ranks at a time when they’re clicking. “The players have been playing really well,” McPhee said. “I think we’ve proven that when we’re healthy we’re pretty good. I just tried to make them a little bit better.” That’s what these players wanted. After going 5-1-1 in their past seven, the Caps wanted to show this group was good enough to make a run in the playoffs. But they had no idea how McPhee would approach the deadline. “I don’t know what the mindset is for a guy like him when you’re kind of right on the bubble of making it,” defenseman Karl Alzner said earlier Wednesday afternoon. “Do you go all-in or do you back off? I don’t know how you look at that. For me, I hope to go all-in because I don’t ever want to write off a season or anything like that.” Right wing Troy Brouwer said within the locker room that “our only priority is this year, right now, and making the playoffs.” McPhee did nothing to dispel that notion, that the expectations for this team did not dip after a 2-8-1 start and struggles that had them in the basement of the Eastern Conference. It’s about getting into the playoffs. In that vein, McPhee said he never considered trading Ribeiro or Hendricks, neither of whom signed contract extensions before Wednesday’s deadline passed. Dumping them would have sent the wrong message to the rest of the players. “They’ve played well for us this year and we have lots of time to talk,” McPhee said. “We’ll see what the future brings. I just didn’t think it would be the right thing to do for our team or our fan base.” Ribeiro was confident well before 3 p.m. that he wasn’t getting traded but also knew he wasn’t signing a deal immediately. The 33-year-old will worry about the contract later and concentrate now on being one of the Caps’ top offensive weapons. 667995 Washington Capitals

Capitals notes: Matt Hendricks played through scratched cornea

By Stephen Whyno The Washington Times Wednesday, April 3, 2013

That Matt Hendricks is a tough hockey player was never in question. The Washington Capitals forward Tuesday simply added another chapter to his tale of playing through injuries. Hendricks suffered a scratched cornea in his left eye against the Carolina Hurricanes and lost his vision at first, but he came back to play. “I still feel it; it feels a little sore and a little burning sensation in there,” Hendricks said after practicing Wednesday. “But for the most part I’m good. It was probably more scary than anything.” Hendricks took a glove to the eye from Hurricanes forward Tim Brent as some pushing and shoving was going on. His vision was “a little disrupted” and he saw spots, but drops and a contact lens allowed him to continue about his business. “It was a little nerve-wracking,” Hendricks said. “I couldn’t see anything out of it right away. Kind of like somebody poked you in the eye real good and you kind of see black here. But it came back quickly and I was able to play, and that’s all that really matters.” Hendricks played just four shifts in the final two periods of the 5-3 victory, but the fact that he came back at all was a testament to his stubbornness to play through just about anything. “It takes a lot to get that guy out of the lineup,” center Jay Beagle said. “For him not to come back, he’s got to be almost half-dead. We know that he’s a hardworking guy and a heart guy. That’s what he does.” Hendricks is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer and is believed to be looking for a commitment to re-sign with the Caps. His agent, Michael Wulkan, said Tuesday he was “cautiously optimistic” about getting a deal done, but nothing happened before Wednesday’s trade deadline. Hendricks will be 32 by the start of next season. He fills multiple roles for coach Adam Oates‘ team, from penalty killing and faceoffs to a little bit of enforcement. Schmidt sent to Hershey The Caps sent Nate Schmidt to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League a day after signing the defenseman as a college free agent out of the University of Minnesota. Schmidt practiced in Arlington with the team Wednesday and called it a “no-brainer” to sign with the team, but the playing time he’ll get in the immediate future will be in the minors. “We like him a lot. Real good player,” general manager George McPhee said. “Sort of the guy we targeted this year.” After demoting Schmidt, the Caps were back to having eight healthy defensemen. Washington Times LOADED: 04.04.2013 667996 Washington Capitals

Martin Erat traded to Capitals for prospect Filip Forsberg

By Stephen Whyno The Washington Times Wednesday, April 3, 2013

The Washington Capitals acquired winger Martin Erat and a minor leaguer from the Nashville Predators for top prospect Filip Forsberg. Erat, 31, is a left-handed shot who has played right wing. Coach Adam Oates could move him to left wing on the first line opposite the right-handed Alex Ovechkin. Erat has two years left with an annual cap hit of $4.5 million. He has four goals and 17 assists in 36 games this season for the Predators. Forsberg was the Caps’ No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft, No. 11 overall. He’s projected as a top-six winger in the NHL. Forsberg, 18, was considered the second-best prospect in the Washington organization, behind only Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Caps also got 21-year-old center Michael Latta, a 2009 draft pick who has played in the American Hockey League for the Milwaukee Admirals. He will report to AHL Hershey. This move signals general manager George McPhee’s desire to win now at the expense of the future. “As players that’s our only priority is this year, right now and making the playoffs,” right wing Troy Brouwer said hours before the trade was announced. “I hope to go all in because I don’t ever want to write off a season or anything like that,” defenseman Karl Alzner said. Washington Times LOADED: 04.04.2013 667997 Washington Capitals

Capitals get winger Martin Erat in deadline deal

April 3, 2013 | 7:00 pm | Modified: April 3, 2013 at 7:10 pm Brian McNally The Washington Examiner

The Capitals acquired forward Martin Erat and a prospect from the Nashville Predators at the NHL trade deadline on Wednesday in exchange for top prospect Filip Forsberg. Erat, 31, is a right wing who has scored four goals and 17 assists this season for Nashville. He is also a left-handed shot and could make the transition to left wing. Washington has used Alex Ovechkin and Troy Brouwer as its top two right wings this season. Erat still has two years left on his contract with an annual $4.5 million salary-cap hit. "He's a real good veteran player, terrific speed, plays the game right," Caps general manager George McPhee said. "Real committed on and off the ice, works hard on and off the ice." Washington also acquired prospect Michael Latta, 21, who was with Nashville's AHL affiliate in Milwaukee. He is a center with nine goals and 26 assists in 2012-13. Latta was the Predators' third-round pick in the 2009 draft, 72nd overall. Latta is a combative forward who also has 184 penalty minutes this season. Forsberg, 18, was selected with the 11th pick in the 2012 draft and was rated the organization's No. 2 prospect by The Hockey News last month. The right wing is considered one of the game's top prospects, and it was a surprise at the time that he fell that far in the draft. He played for Leksands in the Allsvenskan, Sweden's second division. McPhee acknowledged on Friday that an immediate jump to the NHL for Forsberg was unlikely. He doesn't turn 19 until Aug. 13 and is listed at a generous 6-foot-1, 188 pounds. McPhee said last week the organization wanted to bring Forsberg over at the end of this season to play at AHL Hershey. "Is it worth it?" McPhee said when asked about giving up a prospect of Forsberg's level. "We're looking at our hockey club and saying we'd like to add another top-six forward if we can and how soon will Forsberg be able to play and the right side [of the organization] is pretty stacked right now." Erat is a Czech Republic native. The 6-foot, 196-pound forward led Nashville in points (21) and assists (17) at the time of the trade -- though the Predators have struggled this season. He is an 11-year NHL veteran and has scored between 16 and 23 goals every year since 2003-04. Eight times he has finished between 49 and 58 points. Erat also has solid Stanley Cup playoff experience with 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 46 career postseason games. Erat was teammates with current Caps right wing Joel Ward in Nashville for three years and defenseman Jack Hillen last season. He had already agreed to waive his no-movement clause when Nashville general manager David Poile informed him about a potential trade. "It's about trying to be a good team now and in the future," McPhee said. "The players have been playing really well. We weren't going to be sellers. And I thought I'd help them out if we could, add another player and we did." Washington Examiner LOADED: 04.04.2013 667998 Winnipeg Jets

Cheveldayoff focuses on long-term assets for Jets

By: Tim Campbell Posted: 4:14 PM

WINNIPEG — Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said he understands the angst of fans who would have counselled him to make a move before today’s NHL trading deadline but he stood firm again on trying to build for the future. "The hard part, and I feel for them (the fans) is that you’re always looking for that quick answer, that quick fix and man, oh man, you wish you could find it sometimes," Cheveldayoff told reporters on a conference call this afternoon. "Everything comes at a price. At some point in time we hopefully we will be the people that hopefully are going to be the ones that will be able to pay the prices and pay whatever is necessary to get that piece to win the Cup. "There’s no guarantees. You’ve seen a lot of teams today, over the course of three or four days, make moves and you talk about the balance of power ... at the end of the day one team is going to win. "For us, the opportunity to sign Jacob Trouba and know he’s going to be on the pro side of the mix next year, knowing that Mark Scheifele is someone that will be turning pro next year ... these are all things where we need to build assets within our organization. "We’re going to work hard to try to build long-term assets." Cheveldayoff agreed with a questioner that said today’s lack of activity, other than the claiming of Mike Santorelli from waivers from Florida, is a vote of confidence for the current team’s efforts to make the playoffs. "This is the group that earned the opportunity to be battling at this point in time for a playoff position and will continue to battle moving forward," Cheveldayoff said. His team is at 38 points and in a tight race in both the Southeast Division and the Eastern Conference. Cheveldayoff wouldn't comment on how close he came to making any deal, or which players he may have targeted. The GM said that the team’s current injury plight should start to ease soon. He expected that winger James Wright may be the first back off the injured- reserve list shortly. "We have to find a way to fight through that," Cheveldayoff said. Cheveldayoff didn’t deny that there is risk in not making a move or moves at the deadline. "Essentially you make your choices by not doing that," he said. "The risk of not making a move, I guess you take the reverse of it and that becomes your move. Unless you have something that can absolutely replace what you’re giving up in your lineup in the situation that we’re in right now, it’s about the messages your send to your group." The GM also said that the price for other teams’ assets is always high at the deadline. The Jets had the cap space within which to operate had they chosen any moves today. Winnipeg is at about $58 million this season according to capgeek.com. For next season, with the NHL cap coming down to $64.3 million, the Jets have just 10 players signed, with a commitment of $33.8 million to those players. Free agents like Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little and Zach Bogosian will need to be re-signed for 2013-14. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.04.2013 667999 Winnipeg Jets

Santorelli 'super-excited' to join Jets

By: Ed Tait Posted: 1:43 PM

MONTREAL -- It hardly qualifies as a trade-deadline blockbuster, but the Winnipeg Jets have made a move to bolster their lineup. The Jets have picked up Mike Santorelli off waivers from the Florida Panthers, most likely to replace Nik Antropov after he was injured in Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders. The Jets confirmed today that Antropov will be out for two weeks – a good chunk of what is left of the regular season – with a ‘lower-body’ injury. A 27-year-old centre from Vancouver, Santorelli has two goals and one assist in 24 games this year with the Panthers and was on the ice when he was informed by Panthers management he was switching jerseys. He will be en route to Montreal tonight and is expected to be in the lineup tomorrow when the Jets wrap up their three-game road trip against the Canadiens. "I’m super-excited," said Santorelli in a phone interview. "The Jets have a great team and it’s that time of the year when you’re right in the mix of things and I’m looking forward to coming there as much as I can. Each game is so meaningful and that’s exciting." He was originally drafted by the Nashville Predators in the 6th round of the 2004 NHL entry draft and has appeared in 198 NHL with the Preds and Panthers. Santorelli also has a connection with Jets captain Andrew Ladd, having played Junior B with him with the Port Coquitlam Buckaroos. In his best NHL season, 2010-11, he had 20 goals and 21 assists. "I like to play a high-tempo speed game and get pucks to the net," said Santorelli. "I think a change of scenery can be good for players. I’ll come there and work hard and try to bring it every night." Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.04.2013 668000 Winnipeg Jets

Trouba arriving Thursday

By: Tim Campbell and Ed Tait Posted: 11:22 AM

WINNIPEG — Jacob Trouba, the Winnipeg Jets’ first-round pick of the 2012 draft, said this morning that after a few days’ deliberation, his heart told him he was ready to turn pro. "I’m not going to get any better without challenging myself," Trouba, 19, told reporters this morning. The University of Michigan defenceman, a CCHA all-star in his freshman season, was the ninth overall pick last June. He agreed to an entry-level contract on Tuesday, ending his college eligibility after one year. "I want to learn as much as I can, being around the Jets," said Trouba, who will be in Winnipeg Thursday, preparing to meet and join his new teammates. Trouba said he had no idea if he’ll be in the lineup anytime soon. "That’s up to the coaches," he said. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.04.2013 668001 Winnipeg Jets It's Noel's job to make that happen. Parking him on the fourth line or in the press box isn't doing the player or the team any good. Is the player stubborn? Sounds like it. But the prospect of bigger minutes Sticking to his BLUE and time with Evander Kane might be enough to move him off his stance. The Jets have 10 games to go and still own a playoff spot. It's time to get By: Gary Lawless wins and forget everything else. Deal with the big picture in the summer. Posted: 1:00 AM Burmistrov is one of Noel's very limited offensive options right now. Use him. This is the team Noel has been left to coach and he has to get them turned Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff would have been foolish to pay the price being around or this will be another long summer. asked for players on Wednesday. Cheveldayoff has the luxury of planning for the future. Noel does not. He And for what? To maybe get the Jets into the playoffs? To see them get must live in the here and now and Burmistrov is the present. bounced out of the first round? Cheveldayoff has preached patience and is less than two years into a long-term plan. Now is not the time for rash Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.04.2013 manoeuvres. If the Jets, losers of six of their last eight and four in a row, were more than a .500 team (18-18-2) with real post-season potential, one could understand Cheveldayoff flipping some of his picks to bolster his roster. But the Jets are a bubble team at best, despite the mirage of being the Eastern Conference third seed as a result of their tenuous grip on the Southeast Division. No, this group hasn't earned the right to have Cheveldayoff waver from his blueprint. They've earned the right to stick together and Cheveldayoff gave them their due by not packaging off impending free agents for draft picks. If they get in, it will be on their own steam and not at the expense of the organization's future This franchise has seen that movie and is still paying for it today. "There is a vacuum in our organization that ties back to what transpired on a day just like this," said Cheveldayoff. "The Atlanta Thrashers organization made a conscious decision, they were leading their division (in 2007) and the lead was beginning to slip away, so they made a choice to acquire several players at the deadline. The end result was they won the division and got into the playoffs (they were swept in four straight by the New York Rangers). "They traded for Keith Tkachuk giving up a first-, second- and third- round pick. They traded younger players (Braydon Coburn) for older players (Alexei Zhitnik). Those deals had an immediate impact. But the long-term and long lasting effect is what we are dealing with today." The only way for Cheveldayoff to improve his team immediately was to trade draft picks and he simply wasn't willing to pay that price. Those picks may not seem very valuable today in the midst of a playoff race but in Cheveldayoff's plan they are the very lifeblood of the organization's future. "The hardest thing for me is to try and accelerate a process that can't be accelerated," said Cheveldayoff. "It's a vicious circle. If you don't draft players and develop them into assets, then you can't do anything on a deadline day. If you choose to trade your draft picks for assets for the now, you forgo the opportunity to build a sustainable system with a sustainable flow of players." Cheveldayoff did field offers on Alex Burmistrov but wasn't able to make a match. So now it's time for Claude Noel to coach him. Noel and Burmistrov don't have to like one another but they must figure out a way to coexist. Burmistrov needs to bend a little and play the way Noel wants him to and the coach needs to promote him from the fourth line, giving him the ice time and linemates needed for production. Burmistrov is a talented but mercurial youngster who fights with his coach. "Noel yells and swears at Burmi and if you know Burmi, he can't be pushed around. He yells right back at him," said a source Wednesday. Maybe this rift all fell on Burmistrov's shoulders at one time but the longer it goes, the more responsibility Noel must share. It's not like the Jets have an abundance of players with Burmistrov's skill set in the organization. The player simply can't be wasted. The Jets need to get whatever they can from him and the current approach isn't working. Burmistrov's style of play is frustrating. He gets the puck and holds it but little develops from his flash. He needs to play a simpler game within the structure of the system laid out by Noel. 668002 Winnipeg Jets

Jets talk but make no deals at deadline

By: Ed Tait Posted: 1:00 AM

MONTREAL -- It's inactivity disguised as a vote of confidence. And it comes at a most-peculiar time -- with the Winnipeg Jets in a four-game losing streak and battling both fatigue and a growing infirmary. The NHL trade deadline came and went Wednesday with the Jets not making any deals, other than to claim Mike Santorelli off waivers from the Florida Panthers, shipping Patrice Cormier to the St. John's IceCaps and recalling Aaron Gagnon. Now, it's not that GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and his management team weren't trying to jazz up their roster -- the most-discussed rumour had them in discussions with the Buffalo Sabres for Drew Stafford -- it's just that the asking prices were too steep. "There are some teams that are in their cycle where they feel they have to win right now, feel they have what it takes to win right now and are willing to do whatever it takes to win right now," said Cheveldayoff in a conference call from Uniondale, N.Y., where he and his scouts remained for the deadline. "At some point in time that's obviously our goal, to be one of those teams that feel they are one piece away from being a Stanley Cup contender." The move to land Santorelli, a 27-year-old forward from Vancouver who once played junior B hockey with Jets captain Andrew Ladd, fills a hole left by the loss of Nik Antropov, who will be out for two weeks with a lower-body injury. A former 20-goal scorer who was originally drafted by the Nashville Predators, Santorelli will be in the lineup tonight against the Montreal Canadiens. "I'm super excited," said Santorelli in a phone interview. "The Jets have a great team and it's that time of the year when you're right in the mix of things and I'm looking forward to coming there as much as I can. Each game is so meaningful and that's exciting. "I like to play a high-tempo speed game and get pucks to the net. I think a change of scenery can be good for players. I'll come there and work hard and try to bring it every night." The recall of Gagnon comes just days after he was named the American Hockey League's player of the month for March and cost Cormier his spot with the big club. As well, James Wright is close to coming off the injured- reserve list, but is unlikely to suit up against the Habs. The Jets had a number of players who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this summer, key among them Antropov, Ron Hainsey, Kyle Wellwood and Grant Clitsome. But after not being able to pull the trigger on a deal, Cheveldayoff also said the lack of moves should send a message to the men in the room: management still has faith they can hang on to top spot in the Southeast Division and secure a playoff spot. "This group of players, although we're on a streak that we don't like right now, they earned the opportunity," said Cheveldayoff. "They got us to this point. I looked at it and said if I did do something and moved one of them out or did something to take away without adding something right now... I just didn't feel that was the right message to send to this group that had earned this." Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.04.2013 668003 Winnipeg Jets 11 Brendan Gallagher 14 Tomas Plekanec TaitJetsHabsGD 20 Colby Armstrong 21 Brian Gionta By: Staff Writer 22 Tomas Kaberle Posted: 1:00 AM 24 Jeff Halpern 26 Josh Gorges ABOUT THE HABS 27 Alex Galchenyuk The Habs return home after Wednesday's game in Phildadelphia to begin a 32 Travis Moen three-game stint at the Bell Centre: Thursday vs. the Jets followed by meetings with Boston and Washington. 44 Davis Drewiske Canadiens rookie Brendan Gallagher is among the top freshmen in the NHL 45 Mike Blunden this season, trailing only Florida's Jonathan Huberdeau and Cory Conacher, 51 David Desharnais now of Ottawa, in scoring by a first-year player. 53 Ryan White P.K. Subban scored seven goals in March, the most by a Canadiens defenceman in a month since Mathieu Schneider had the same total in 55 Francis Bouillon February 1994. The franchise record for goals in a month by a D-man is 10, set by Guy Lapointe in February 1976. 67 Max Pacioretty The Jets will face Peter Budaj in the Habs net, as Carey Price started 68 Yannick Weber against the Flyers in Philly. Budaj is 5-1-1 with a 2.47 GAA and .906 save 73 Michael Ryder percentage. 74 Alexei Emelin WINNIPEG JETS 76 P.K. Subban 31 Ondrej Pavelec 79 Andrei Markov 35 Al Montoya 81 Lars Eller 4 Paul Postma (Lineups subject to change) 5 Mark Stuart -- Tait 6 Ron Hainsey Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.04.2013 7 Derek Meech 8 Alex Burmistrov 9 Evander Kane 12 Olli Jokinen 13 Kyle Wellwood 15 Mike Santorelli 16 Andrew Ladd 18 Bryan Little 20 Antti Miettinen 21 Aaron Gagnon 22 Chris Thorburn 23 Arturs Kulda 24 Grant Clitsome 26 Blake Wheeler 27 Eric Tangradi 33 Dustin Byfuglien 39 Toby Enstrom 44 Zach Bogosian MONTREAL CANADIENS 30 Peter Budaj 31 Carey Price 8 Brandon Prust 668004 Winnipeg Jets

WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS

Tim Campbell Posted: 1:00 AM

PLAYERS the Winnipeg Jets have claimed off waivers since the franchise transferred from Atlanta: Brett MacLean: Played five games for the Jets last season, taken back via waivers by the Phoenix Coyotes before a month of the season had gone by. Ben Maxwell: Signed by the Jets in summer of 2011, lost to Anaheim via waivers, claimed back by Jets a month later; played nine games for the Jets; with St. John's this season Antti Miettinen: Signed by Tampa Bay last season but grabbed by the Jets on waivers; the 32-year-old winger had five goals and 13 points last season, two goals and four points this season. Grant Clitsome: Claimed by the Jets from Columbus at last year's trade deadline to help fill the void left by trading Johnny Oduya. James Wright: Just 23, claimed by the Jets at the start of this season from Florida; has one goal, two points in 29 games in checking role. Anthony Peluso: Just 23, claimed by the Jets from St. Louis at the start of the season; tough guy has played five games, is currently out with an injury. Mike Santorelli: Unrestricted free agent at end of season, claimed from Florida Wednesday; the 27-year-old centre has two goals, three points in 24 Panthers games this season. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.04.2013 668005 Winnipeg Jets "That's not up to me," he said. "That's up to the coaches. I'm just going to come in and work as hard as I can, just try to get better as a player and as a person, just learn and kind of take it all in. Whatever happens, happens. Trouba takes big leap from college to NHL "They're in the heat of a playoff race and I just want to come and try to help and do what I can. That's up to the coaches."

By: Tim Campbell He was clear that despite the decision to leave school, he enjoyed his freshman season at Michigan. Posted: 1:00 AM "There's a lot. I mean, it's been a great year on and off the ice, just being a part of Michigan, being part of this university," he said. "It's pretty cool. It's a pretty special place. That's definitely something I'm going to miss but this is After a few days' deliberation, Jacob Trouba's heart told him it was time to a goal of mine, to play in the NHL." try the NHL. PROSPECT UPDATE: Cheveldayoff said Wednesday he hopes to soon "It's definitely going to be a challenge," said the Winnipeg Jets' newly have an agreement with 2011 third-round draft pick Adam Lowry, 20, to join signed defenceman, the 19-year-old who was the ninth-overall pick at the the AHL's St. John's IceCaps for the rest of the season. Lowry had 45 goals entry draft last June. "I'm not going to get any better if I don't challenge and 102 points for Swift Current of the WHL this season but his junior days myself. It's my goal to play in the NHL and I feel like I'm ready... for the are now likely over. "We've had quite a bit of discussion with Adam Lowry's change." group," Cheveldayoff said. "We're trying to work out a deal. I think there is an opportunity for Adam to make his way to St. John's on an (AHL) contract His one season at the University of Michigan yielded a selection to the and hopefully that's something that can happen here very shortly." Central Collegiate Hockey Association's first all-star team and the league's offensive defenceman of the year award after 12 goals and 29 points in 37 [email protected] games. The best of the bunch The Wolverines didn't have the greatest of regular seasons (10-15-3) but streaked in March and made it all the way to the CCHA's championship Jets' top prospects, after first-rounders Jacob Trouba and Mark Scheifele, game, where their season ended with a 3-1 loss to Notre Dame. both of whom are signed: In the middle of the season, Trouba was at the world junior championship in 1. Patrice Cormier: 22, second-round pick of '08, much-injured banger has Russia, where he was named the tournament's top defenceman and his played just 40 NHL games including 10 this season with the Jets. United States squad won gold. Reassigned Wednesday to St. John's. "It didn't change too much what I was thinking," Trouba said of the 2. Ivan Telegin: 21, fourth-rounder of 2010, sparked much hope with a tournament. "I knew... to me, we got pretty lucky that tournament. superb final junior season but the left-winger has been so-so (3 G, 7A, 34 Everything kind of fell right for us. games) in St. John's as a rookie. "Playing against those guys that are the best under-20-year-olds in the 3. Adam Lowry: 20, 6-5 forward played mostly centre for the Western world, seeing how you compare to them, then go back to playing college Hockey League's Swift Current Broncos this season. The 2011 third- and playing against older guys, seeing how you compared to them... it's rounder scored 45 goals and had 88 points. tough to worry about how the NHL's going to be but it's something you've got to try to do and try to adjust to it." 4. Eddie Pasquale: 22, Pasquale was on recall to the Jets for a couple of weeks but didn't get any action. The goaltender was excellent last season The adjustment will begin in Winnipeg sometime today, when Trouba in St. John's, less so this season. arrives. 5. Carl Klingberg: 22, Atlanta's second-rounder of 2009; left-winger is Trouba has agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract. It's a two-way deal, finishing his second full season in North America, has nine goals and 21 as all entry-level contracts must be, and it's been reported it's for the points this season. maximum salary of $925,000 each season, plus a $92,500 signing bonus for each season. The deal ends his college hockey eligibility. 6. Scott Kosmachuk: 19, the right-winger has had seasons of 30 and 35 goals for the Guelph Storm (Ontario Hockey League), is junior-eligible again The Rochester, Mich., native is likely to be on the ice here in the next day or in the fall. two but Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said there have been no promises of playing time. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.04.2013 "We'll see how everything unfolds but there's no guarantee of games played but having said that we'll still have an opportunity to assess as we move forward," Cheveldayoff said. The GM wants expectations to remain low, but realistic would be more accurate. "There really is no expectation from within," Cheveldayoff said. "There are no expectations being put on Jacob. This is a pleasant opportunity, certainly something we are very pleased when Jacob had indicated there was thought of wanting to turn pro. "We welcome it as an opportunity to get him acclimated to our organization on a more day-to-day, intimate basis. "How it plays out from the playing standpoint, we've been very clear with everybody that this isn't something we're trying to create any expectations." Trouba said he's simply going to be here to get started with the next phase of his career. "I want to learn as much as I can being around the Jets and just trying to soak up as much information as I can about what it's about and what it takes to play there and what I need to do this summer to put myself in a position to be with the Jets next year," Trouba said Wednesday. Will he play for the team this season? 668006 Winnipeg Jets Trouba himself doesn’t discount the possibility of this being more of a learning experience than anything. “Trying to soak up as much information as I can about what it’s about, what Winnipeg Jets open Jacob Trouba door just a crack it takes to play there, and what I need to do this summer to really put myself in a position to be with the Jets next year,” he said. “I mean, they’re in the heat of a playoff race. I just want to try to help and do what I can. If I get in By Paul Friesen,Winnipeg Sun the lineup, then I get in the lineup. But that’s up to the coaches.” First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 08:46 PM CDT | Updated: Trouba didn’t rule out reporting to the Jets farm team in St. John’s, but his Wednesday, April 03, 2013 08:53 PM CDT old coach says the AHL is no place for him, calling college and its emphasis on practice a better path to development. “For a kid to leave early to play in the minors is a big mistake,” Berenson Trouba Jacob Trouba will come to Winnipeg immediately to learn but his said. college coach doesn't think he'll play any more than five games with the Jets Just like rushing him into the NHL would be. Don’t expect Jacob Trouba to help lead the Winnipeg Jets to the Promised Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.04.2013 Land this season. Fans might be hoping the 19-year-old defenceman out of the University of Michigan will help anchor a Jets’ push for a playoff spot in the NHL’s there- for-the-taking Southeast Division. But odds are the next team we’ll see Trouba play a key role on will be Team USA at the World Hockey Championship in Finland and Sweden, next month. As mouthwatering as Trouba’s talent is, the Jets are expected to bring the Michigan native along slowly, which likely means not playing him in more than five games, including the playoffs, thereby preserving the first full year of his entry-level contract. “I don’t think they’re going to play him more than five games,” Red Berenson, Trouba’s head coach at Michigan, told the Winnipeg Sun, Wednesday. “The plan is to give him some experience and keep him around the team.” Winnipeg’s first pick, ninth overall, in last year’s NHL draft, Trouba will arrive in Winnipeg, Thursday, after choosing to leave college and turn pro after just one season. It’ll likely be a week of practice before the Jets even consider giving him his first taste of NHL action. By the time the World Championship starts May 3, the Yanks will come calling. “He’s been invited already by the USA team,” Berenson said. “That was a possibility even had he stayed in school.” Given his history with the American program, Trouba’s participation is a no- brainer. His trophy case includes gold medals from this year’s World Junior Championship, the 2011 World Under-18 Championship and a silver from the Under-17 event in 2010. Unless they’re in the Stanley Cup playoffs and Trouba is playing a key role, the Jets would likely give their blessing for him to join the U.S.. Much like Berenson gave his blessing for Trouba to leave the Wolverines, making him the first player to turn pro after just one year at Michigan since Max Pacioretty, five years ago. You should know Berenson doesn’t often advise players to turn pro so soon. “I’ve had a lot of players leave school early, and in most cases, not all, they weren’t ready for the next level,” Berenson said. “And I advised them not to leave. Jacob’s a little bit of an exception. “He’s been as good a freshman defenceman as we’ve had at Michigan in all my years here.” That covers 29 years, and players like Jack Johnson (Columbus) and Mike Komisarek (Toronto). Berenson, who himself played more than 1,000 games in the NHL, compares Trouba to former NHLer Rob Blake, a physical defenceman who was good at both ends of the rink. “I told him from Day 1, ‘You’re going to play in the NHL,’ ” Berenson said. “It’s just a matter of when (he’s) ready.” 668007 Winnipeg Jets Cormier had no points in 10 games with the Jets this season while seeing limited ice time. AROUND THE GLASS Cheveldayoff stands pat, gives Winnipeg Jets vote of confidence Cheveldayoff said that LW James Wright, who has missed the past seven games with an upper-body injury, is close to returning to action. The Jets By Ken Wiebe ,Winnipeg Sun GM also said he’s been in discussions with the representatives for Jets prospect Adam Lowry about getting a deal done that would see him join the First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 08:34 PM CDT | Updated: IceCaps on an amateur tryout offer. Lowry, a third-round pick (67th overall) Wednesday, April 03, 2013 08:45 PM CDT in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, had 45 goals and 88 points in 72 games this season as the captain of the Swift Current Broncos in the Western Hockey League. MONTREAL — Kevin Cheveldayoff is banking on his group and hoping the Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.04.2013 best trades will be the ones he didn’t make. The general manager of the Winnipeg Jets had a rather quiet day as the NHL trade deadline passed on Wednesday afternoon without much action. The Jets did claim centre Mike Santorelli off waivers from the Florida Panthers and recall centre Aaron Gagnon from St. John’s IceCaps of the American Hockey League, but no trades were consummated. By essentially standing pat, Cheveldayoff gave a vote of confidence to his players, while running the risk of seeing eight guys — including defenceman Ron Hainsey — walk as unrestricted free agents this summer. The initial reaction of fans via social media wasn’t kind, but Cheveldayoff continues to preach patience. “The hard part, and I feel for them because you’re always looking for that quick answer, that quick fix. Man oh man, you wish you could find it sometimes. Everything comes at a price,” Cheveldayoff said during a conference call from Uniondale, N.Y. “These players earned the opportunity. They got us to this point. If I did something to take away, without adding something right now, I didn’t feel that was the right message to send to this group.” The Jets are back in action on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens and will attempt to snap a four-game losing skid. Although the Jets were looking for a Top-6 forward, either they were unwilling to pay the high asking price or unable to part put together a package of prospects or picks that was suitable to another team. Throughout the course of the day, there was speculation that the Jets were involved in talks with the Buffalo Sabres about right-winger Drew Stafford but it didn’t happen. Whether that was because the Jets weren’t interested in surrendering a first-round pick or the Sabres didn’t want to take Alex Burmistrov in return, remains a mystery. “I’m not really going to discuss any individual teams or individual players, with respect to where things may have gone or may not have gone,” said Cheveldayoff. Santorelli, 27, has two goals and one assist in 24 games with the Panthers this season but is only a couple years removed from posting career highs in goals (20) and points (41). “I’m super excited,” Santorelli said in a telephone interview from Florida. “It’s an exciting situation, every game is so meaningful. A change of scenery is good for players. I’m going to come in, work hard and bring it every night. “I like to play a high-tempo, speed game and get pucks to the net and make plays when I can. My role has changed quite a bit after my first year (with the Panthers). I’m looking forward to getting the (scoring) touch back.” The move to add Santorelli was spurred by a lower-body injury to Nik Antropov, who left Tuesday’s game during the third period and is expected to be out for at least two weeks. Gagnon has dealt with injuries and overcame a slow start, putting up nine goals and 18 points while compiling a franchise-high 11-game point streak. Gagnon has 14 goals and 26 points in 47 games this season, with two assists in 28 NHL games. To make room for Gagnon, the Jets reassigned forward Patrice Cormier to the IceCaps. 668008 Winnipeg Jets

Newest Jet Trouba here to learn

By Paul Friesen ,Winnipeg Sun First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 12:08 PM CDT | Updated: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 12:12 PM CDT

Newly-signed defenceman Jacob Trouba says he’s willing to do whatever the Winnipeg Jets want him to, even if it means reporting to the farm team in St. John’s. During a media conference call Wednesday, the 19-year-old says he has no idea if he’ll get into the Jets lineup this season. “I’m flying in tomorrow afternoon, and that’s really all I know right now,” Trouba said. “That’s not up to me. “Most importantly, I want to learn as much as I can, with being around the Jets. Trying to soak up as much information as I can about what it’s about, what it takes to play there, and what I need to do this summer to really put myself in a position to be with the Jets next year.” The ninth-overall selection in last year’s NHL draft, Trouba decided this week to leave the University of Michigan after just one season and signed an entry level contract with the Jets Tuesday. “I just feel like I was ready for this,” he said. “This is a goal of mine and a dream come true. I just felt like it was the right time. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge, playing against bigger guys. But it’s something I need. I’m not going to get any better if I’m not challenging myself.” With 12 goals and 17 assists in 37 games this season, Trouba was named to the CCHA all-rookie team, while being named its best offensive defenceman. While scouts say the hard-hitting, 6-foot-1, 183-pounder appears ready for the NHL, the Jets like to preach a patient approach with prospects. “As of right now, there are really no expectations or plans in place,” GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said Tuesday. “We’re talking about a kid coming out of college, who hasn’t had the opportunity to come to an NHL training camp.” Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.04.2013 668009 Winnipeg Jets

Jets claim centre Santorelli off waivers, Antropov on shelf

By Ken Wiebe ,Winnipeg Sun First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 11:21 AM CDT | Updated: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 06:56 PM CDT

MONTREAL — The Winnipeg Jets have brought in a couple forwards for the stretch drive, but neither in a deal, as NHL trade the deadline came and went on Wednesday afternoon. Although there was some speculation the Jets were discussing a possible trade with the Buffalo Sabres, the only moves of the day saw general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff claim Mike Santorelli off waivers from the Florida Panthers and Aaron Gagnon recalled from the St. John’s IceCaps of the American Hockey League. Forward Patrice Cormier, who had no points in 10 points with limited ice time, has been returned to the IceCaps. Santorelli, a 27-year-old centre, has two goals and one assist in 24 games with the Panthers this season. “Practice was just winding down, I got pulled over and that’s how I found out,” Santorelli said in a telephone interview from Florida as he was gathering his belongings. “I’m super excited. The Jets have a great team and it’s a fun time of the year when you’re right in the mix of things. I’m looking forward to coming in here and helping as much as I can.” Santorelli is scheduled to arrive in Montreal on Wednesday night and is expected to be in the lineup on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens as the Jets try to snap a four-game losing skid. “It’s an exciting situation, every game is so meaningful,” said Santorelli. “A change of scenery is good for players. I’m going to come in, work hard and bring it every night.” The Jets also announced Wednesday morning that forward Nik Antropov would be out for two weeks after suffering a lower-body injury during the third period of Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders. Originally a sixth round pick of the Nashville Predators (178th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Santorelli has 33 goals and 58 points in 198 NHL games with the Panthers. Back in 2010-11, Santorelli actually produced a career-best 20 goals and 41 points while playing 82 games for the Panthers and Predators. “I like to play a high-tempo, speed game and get pucks to the net and make plays when I can,” said Santorelli, noting he was a Jr. B teammate of Jets captain Andrew Ladd as a member of the Port Coquitlam Buckaroos. “My role has changed quite a bit after my first year (with the Panthers). I’m looking forward to getting the (scoring) touch back.” Santorelli is also a stud in the shootout, going 9-for-18 (50%) during his NHL career. “It’s been successful and I’d like that to continue,” he said. Gagnon has 11 goals and 24 points in 43 games this season and was named AHL player of the month earlier this week after producing nine goals and 18 points during an franchise-record 11 game point streak. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.04.2013 668010 Winnipeg Jets While not pretending to be a math major, it looks like the Jets might have to win as many as seven (or more) of their games in order to hang onto the Southeast Division title or qualify for the playoffs. Dustin Byfuglien is the answer on right wing for Winnipeg Jets But if the Jets are unable to stop the bleeding, they’re going to run out of time and lament the glorious opportunity that has presented itself.

By Ken Wiebe ,Winnipeg Sun Can Byfuglien be part of the turnaround by playing up front? First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 08:54 PM CDT | Updated: Right now, the potential reward is worth the risk. Wednesday, April 03, 2013 09:11 PM CDT Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.04.2013

MONTREAL — Since the cavalry didn’t arrive in the form of a trade, it looks like Claude Noel has no choice but to have Dustin Byfuglien play forward for the foreseeable future. To be perfectly clear, I’m not calling for this as a permanent move. Byfuglien’s best position is defence, but with only 10 games left in the regular season, this looks like the best available option. The calls for Byfuglien to play forward have sparked a debate that doesn’t figure to be quieting down anytime soon. Until the Jets are able to address the limited productivity from two-thirds of the second line, moving Byfuglien from defence to right wing provides the best chance to spark a stagnant offence that has been held to 17 goals over the past 10 games. During that span, the Jets have given up 34 goals, as the Jets won only three of those contests. The Jets will attempt to snap a four-game losing skid on Thursday against a Montreal Canadiens team that is battling for second overall in the Eastern Conference standings. For much of the season, the Jets top trio of Andrew Ladd, Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little, along with Evander Kane, have been supplying the bulk of the offence (46 goals, 107 points combined) However, the Jets’ top unit has not produced a point during the past five games and looking to shake things up, Noel actually moved Byfuglien up front for the third period of Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders. The move didn’t pay immediate dividends, but Byfuglien looked pretty good on the wing, given the difficult circumstances. If Byfuglien is able to find the mojo he played with during the Chicago Blackhawks run to the Stanley Cup in 2010, the Jets will be thrilled. Byfuglien was a force during those playoffs, recording 11 goals and 16 points in 22 games, playing with brute force and making life miserable on opposition goalies. It’s been well-documented that Byfuglien’s preference is to remain on the blue-line, but for the short term, it would be best for all parties to have the big man up front. “Buff going up there is probably just a way to find some offence. He’s a big guy that can get in on the forecheck and he’s tough to handle down low, which is something we need right now,” said Ladd, who has seen Byfuglien at his best on both forward and defence. “He’s a special player in that he can play both positions and knows how to do it. He’s won a Stanley Cup in that (right-wing) position and he was one of our (Blackhawks’) top forwards in doing that. He’s a valuable guy for us and he’ll play wherever he’s told.” Following Tuesday’s game, Byfuglien told reporters he was keeping an open mind about the possible switch and would play wherever Noel wanted him, revealing his primary goal is to put the team first. Since the Jets players and coaches were unavailable to the media on Wednesday because of a scheduled day off, it’s not known or sure if Noel is going to continue the experiment. But the fact he didn’t dismiss the suggestion outright when asked about it during Tuesday’s post-game scrum means it’s being considered, at the very least. There’s no guarantee the move will work, but the status quo hasn’t been nearly good enough of late. 668011 Websites

ESPN / GM McPhee: We weren't going to be sellers

By Scott Burnside

Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee said the Capitals had been looking for a top-six forward for a long time, and the fact that the team has suddenly gone from woeful underachievers to vying for a Southeast Division title didn’t really factor into his decision to acquire veteran winger Martin Erat from the Nashville Predators Wednesday afternoon. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the Capitals, a team that struggled mightily under rookie head coach Adam Oates when the lockout-shortened season began on Jan. 19, have closed to within two points of the division lead with two games in hand. "We weren’t going to be sellers," McPhee told ESPN.com Wednesday night after he sent a top prospect, Filip Forsberg, who was the 11th overall pick in last June’s draft, to the Predators for Erat and minor league center Michael Latta. “We’ve been looking for another top-six forward for right now and for the future,” McPhee said. "He fit the bill." Erat has two more years left on a contract that will cost the Capitals $4.5 million against the salary cap, although the actual money paid is less ($3.75 million and $2.25 million). The Capitals and Predators had been in discussions about the trade for a few days and McPhee got some inside intelligence on Erat from a former teammate, Washington forward Joel Ward. “I talked to Ward about him and he said great things about him as a person and as a leader,” McPhee said. The Capitals had to give up a talented youngster in Forsberg. But McPhee said that’s the cost of making an important addition. “As long as we continue to draft well we can continue to do [things] like this,” he said. The trade deadline period saw much discussion about the path McPhee and the Capitals would chart. Center Mike Ribeiro is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and teams were interested in the talented pivot who would have yielded an attractive package of picks and prospects. But Ribeiro has played well for the Capitals, with 35 points in 36 games, and it’s believed the team would like to keep him long-term. No deal was struck by the deadline. McPhee said he’d prefer not to talk about the amount of interest Ribeiro received from other GMs and said he’d deal with the team’s potential unrestricted free agents down the road. “There were a lot of discussions about a lot of things,” McPhee said. ESPN LOADED: 04.04.2013 668012 Websites Just when you assumed that Ray Shero would be sitting in his office at Consol Energy Center with his feet up drinking banana daiquiris, the Penguins GM added another piece to the arsenal, picking up forward Jussi ESPN / The deadline: Who got better, who got worse? Jokinen from Carolina. The 30-year-old will likely start at center as the Penguins were looking for someone to bridge the gap while captain Sidney Crosby recovers from a broken jaw. Beyond that, Jokinen, who had a strong playoff for Carolina in 2009 when the Canes advanced to the By Scott Burnside Eastern Conference finals, is simply another depth piece that is mindful of players such as Miroslav Satan and Petr Sykora, who were in and out of the Penguins' lineup in 2009 when they won the Stanley Cup but who A trade deadline day that began at a snail’s pace and finished with a great periodically made key contributions. Although the actual numbers weren’t flurry of activity has, like all trade deadlines, the potential to alter the playoff revealed, the Hurrricanes agreed to take on some of Jokinen’s salary next grids in both conferences and perhaps even who hoists the Stanley Cup in season when he is slated to earn $3 million. If the Pens win the Cup, they late June. Lots of road to travel before that time and every year the best-laid will also send a sixth-round pick to Carolina; it becomes a later pick if they trade-deadline plans often go awry. So, herein a look at the teams that, at fall short. least for a few minutes anyway, seized the moment to make themselves Ottawa Senators better and will walk away feeling that they made the most of the opportunity. GM Bryan Murray continues to work magic as he dealt lanky netminder Ben Got better Bishop to Tampa for Cory Conacher, the second-leading rookie point- Columbus Blue Jackets producer, and a fourth-round pick. The Sens, of course, have defied skeptics by staying in the thick of the playoff hunt in spite of the absence of Who’da thunk it? The sad-sack Columbus Blue Jackets, perennial sellers of Jason Spezza, Erik Karlsson and netminder Craig Anderson. Conacher, an good players, shocking the hockey world by acquiring three-time 40-goal undrafted collegiate player, was terrific in the AHL last season where he scorer Marian Gaborik from the New York Rangers. In giving up Derek was the AHL MVP as Norfolk won the Calder Cup. He will fit in with a young Dorsett (currently injured), Derick Brassard and John Moore, the Blue Ottawa club that has blossomed under head coach Paul MacLean and in Jackets gave up three everyday players. But for a team that has qualified fact steps into a lineup as the leading scorer with 24 points. for the playoffs just once (and were swept by Detroit in that lone playoff visit) but suddenly finds itself in the hunt for a surprise postseason berth, Tampa Bay Lightning Gaborik is a definite impact player -- when he’s himself. Gaborik has It initially seemed as though Tampa GM Steve Yzerman had given up a lot suffered through a miserable season in New York with obvious friction to bring in 6-foot-7 netminder Bishop with Conacher going with a fourth- existing between him and head coach John Tortorella. But he’ll renew round pick. But the Lightning need to stabilize their goaltending situation acquaintances with former Ranger teammates Artem Anisimov and (they rank 21st in goals allowed per game) and Bishop was terrific for the Brandon Dubinsky, who went to Columbus in the Rick Nash deal last Senators in a limited role, going 8-5 with a .922 save percentage. The Bolts summer, and he’ll get a fresh start on a team desperate for scoring help were also dealing from a position of strength, having top young collegiate (they rank 29th in goals per game and 27th on the power play). The Blue players Matt Peca and big center Alex Killorn, who has impressed in recent Jackets still possess three first-round draft picks in the coming draft and games with the big club. Now, last summer we were saying the same thing they have Gaborik under contract for one more season at a $7.5 million cap about the Lightning as they acquired Anders Lindback from Nashville in the hit. In order to clear room, new GM Jarmo Kekalainen also managed to hopes of finding a new No. 1. Will Bishop be any better? The Lightning paid unload netminder Steve Mason to Philadelphia. Mason can become an a steep price to find out. But if Yzerman is right this time, the expense will unrestricted free agent this summer. The Blue Jackets also acquired have been worth it. forward depth in the form of Blake Comeau, who came over from Calgary for a fifth-round pick. Buffalo Sabres New York Rangers GM Darcy Regier might not be able to ice a winning hockey team but he sure knows how to handle himself on trade deadline day. A year ago he In the space of 24 hours, the Rangers have dramatically altered the make- obtained Cody Hodgson and a first-round draft pick in various deals. This up of their team. Whether it brings them closer to their identity of a year year he dealt captain Pominville to Minnesota for a top forward prospect in ago, when they were the top team in the Eastern Conference during the Larsson and a promising young goaltender in Hackett and another first- regular season and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals or not, we’ll round pick in this June’s draft, along with a second round pick in 2014. find out. But by bringing in Ryane Clowe, Derick Brassard and John Moore, Earlier, he had shipped veteran defenseman Robyn Regehr to Los Angeles the Rangers hope they have filled in some of the spaces created when for a pair of second-round picks. Will Regier be around next season to see Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky were dealt to Columbus in the Rick what some of these assets might become? That’s a completely different Nash deal and Brandon Prust signed in Montreal. Derek Dorsett will also story. contribute when he gets back to full health. The Rangers are still the lowest- scoring team in the NHL so they need someone, whether it’s Brad Richards Washington Capitals or Nash or any of the newcomers -- including Clowe (who has yet to score this season) -- to step up. Still, the relationship between Tortorella and You can argue the rationale of keeping Mike Ribeiro, who is set to become Gaborik wasn’t healthy, and having new faces in the lineup might be an unrestricted free agent this summer, but given the Caps’ recent surge -- enough to push the Rangers back into the top eight and after that, who they were just two points out of the Southeast Division lead with two games knows? The Rangers also received a sixth-round pick in 2013 for Gaborik. in hand on Winnipeg as of Wednesday afternoon -- GM George McPhee showed his team the organization is all in for the playoffs. McPhee gave up Minnesota Wild a top prospect in Filip Forsberg, selected 11th overall in last June’s draft, for proven scorer Martin Erat of the Nashville Predators. Although Erat has just The Wild continue to shoulder themselves into discussion as a Stanley Cup four goals this season, he will play in a much more offensive system with contender and that discussion will continue with the acquisition Wednesday more skilled players and it’s easy to imagine he will play an important role, of Buffalo Sabres captain Jason Pominville. The Wild had to give up highly not just in getting the Caps into the playoffs for a sixth straight year but in regarded prospect Johan Larsson, the 56th pick in the 2010 draft, as well perhaps making some noise once they get there. Beyond that, Erat has two as goaltending prospect Matt Hackett, who has played a handful of NHL years left on his deal at a $4.5 million cap hit (the actual dollar amount is games, along with a first-round pick in 2013 and a second-round pick in less) and so provides some form of protection if the Caps cannot re-sign 2014. The Wild also obtained Buffalo’s fourth-round pick in 2014. But Ribeiro, who can become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Now, Pominville, who has twice reached the 30-goal plateau and recorded at Ribeiro is a center and Erat is a winger but still, having talent under contract least 20 goals in six straight years heading into this season, will add the is never -- or at least not usually -- a bad thing. The Caps also acquired kind of scoring depth that all Cup-contending teams possess. Pominville is Michael Latta, a center playing at the AHL level. also a character guy who can play at both ends of the ice. The Wild are going toe-to-toe with the Vancouver Canucks at the top of the Northwest Not everyone wanted to make a deal although any GM worth his salt was Division standings and this is a move that could prove to be the tipping working the phones until the last minute. Here are some teams that were point when it comes to gaining home-ice advantage in the first round or either unusually quiet or failed to plug in some obvious holes in their lineup. beyond. Not so much Pittsburgh Penguins Winnipeg Jets a move that reflects continued uncertainty at the game’s most important position in one of the league’s most established markets. The Jets once looked like they were going to put a stranglehold on the Southeast Division lead; instead, they have unraveled and look very much ESPN LOADED: 04.04.2013 like every other Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets team in that they are not built for the postseason. And while GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has promised from the start to be conservative in how they build this team, some sort of addition aimed at arresting their current slide might have been psychologically beneficial to the prairie team. It didn’t happen, as the Jets’ only move was to pick up Mike Santorelli off waivers from the Florida Panthers. Vancouver Canucks Yes, the Canucks did address their need down the middle by nabbing Derek Roy from Dallas, although Roy has not had the greatest year thus far. But the fact that GM Mike Gillis could not unload netminder Roberto Luongo will continue to be a cloud over the team until he is finally traded. Luongo reacted emotionally to not being traded, telling reporters in Vancouver his contract “sucks” and that if he could, he would tear it up. Now, maybe things settle back down for the Canucks and they proceed to the playoffs as planned. But there’s no doubt Luongo is in a different frame of mind now that the deadline has passed than before, and whether that has an impact on the psyche of the team remains to be seen. Toronto Maple Leafs The Leafs added 6-foot-5 defenseman Ryan O’Byrne from Colorado for a fourth-round pick in 2014 but they did not add a veteran goaltender. Will it matter? We’ll find out in less than a month, assuming the Leafs don’t go completely sideways and miss the playoffs entirely. We don’t expect that to happen, but the tandem of James Reimer and Ben Scrivens is untested when it comes to playoff action, and given the mediocrity in the Eastern Conference, it’s not unreasonable to suggest the Leafs could be in a position to win at least one round. If the goaltending holds up, of course. New York Islanders On the verge of making the playoffs for only the second time since the last lockout, the Islanders were silent on trade deadline day. Credit GM Garth Snow for not trading Mark Streit, who can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, but wasn’t there something this team needed that Snow could have provided in terms of depth? Boston Bruins A little unfair to put the Bruins in this list perhaps, but after obtaining Jaromir Jagr on Tuesday, GM Peter Chiarelli did not add the grit and sand many expected he would bring in to his forward corps. And while he did add Wade Redden, reuniting Redden with former Ottawa teammate and B's captain Zdeno Chara, Redden is mindful of Tomas Kaberle, whom the Bruins added in 2011. The Bruins, of course, won the Cup. But Kaberle became less and less a factor as time went on during those playoffs. Redden, buried in the depth chart in St. Louis, especially after the acquisition Tuesday of Jay Bouwmeester, will be well down the Bruins’ depth chart, especially when there had been earlier talk the Bruins were looking to add Ryan Whitney. The lack of a gritty forward was exacerbated with the news Wednesday that Patrice Bergeron has a concussion. Nashville Predators A year ago, the Predators were among the busiest teams at the trade deadline, adding Paul Gaustad, Hal Gill and Andrei Kostitsyn along with repatriating Alexander Radulov. This season, they traded one of their top offensive players in Martin Erat to Washington and defenseman Scott Hannan to San Jose. Now, GM David Poile did get one of the Caps’ top prospects back, Filip Forsberg, who was selected 11th overall in 2012, but the Preds’ strategy illustrates just how quickly things can turn in the NHL, just how quickly one can go from buyer with Stanley Cup dreams to seller with different visions, at least in the short-term. Philadelphia Flyers This has been the season from hell for the Flyers vis-a-vis injuries, and so the expectations for GM Paul Holmgren at the deadline were modest. Still, the deal that saw the Flyers acquire former rookie of the year Steve Mason from Columbus for Michael Leighton and a third-round draft pick suggests more goaltending mayhem is ahead in Philly. Mason had been eclipsed by Sergei Bobrovsky, ironically a former Flyer netminder sent to Columbus last offseason, and can become a restricted free agent this summer. Perhaps this is a chance for the Flyers to see if Mason can regain his form and then try to sign him this summer while buying out Ilya Bryzgalov. Either way, it is 668013 Websites 7. St. Louis Blues: GM Doug Armstrong wanted an experienced defenseman to add to his top four, and he found it in Jay Bouwmeester. He is both a short-term and long-term solution. Coach Ken Hitchcock will play USA TODAY / And the trade deadline season winner is ... him in all situations. The Blues also added Jordan Leopold, a puck-moving defenseman who can help the team's power play and transition game. By Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports8:43p.m. EDT April 3, 2013 8. Ottawa Senators: By acquiring rookie Cory Conacher (nine goals, 24 points) in the Ben Bishop trade, general manager Bryan Murray has added a player who has better offensive numbers than anyone on his team. USA TODAY Sports hockey columnist Kevin Allen offers his take on the 10 teams that have done the most during the trading season to improve their Conacher can help now and in the future, plus the Senators get a fourth- teams for the stretch run: round pick. 1. Pittsburgh Penguins: General manager Ray Shero picked up Jussi 9. Tampa Bay Lightning: With Bishop joining Anders Lindback, GM Steve Jokinen on deadline day, but that ranked fourth among his recent trades. Yzerman can be reasonably confident that at least one will emerge as The Penguins showed they are "all-in" on trying to win the Stanley Cup by legitimate No. 1. acquiring Brenden Morrow and Jarome Iginla to add grit and goals and Douglas Murray to be a physical presence on defense. Based on this season, Bishop might have the edge. Five or six teams interested in him on Wednesday. He's 6-7 and he's a very confident puck- With Sidney Crosby injured, Jokinen probably will start as the center stopper. between Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis. 10. San Jose Sharks: If you look at what GM Doug Wilson did collectively, Although the Penguins gave up a first-round pick and two seconds in their he gave up Ryane Clowe and Douglas Murray and filled those holes with deals, they retained all of their most coveted prospects. Raffi Torres and Scott Hannan. He gained two second-round picks from Pittsburgh, and second-, a third, and a conditional second-round pick for 2. Boston Bruins: After losing out on the Morrow and Iginla sweepstakes, Clowe. He gave up a third for Torres and a conditional sixth for Hannan. the Bruins made a big move by landing Jaromir Jagr, who has had better offensive production this season than either of those two. Adding to Torres' value: He has had a better offensive season than Clowe, who scored his first goal on Wednesday night. Hannan can play a similar Bruins players are excited about having Jagr on the roster. He's the kind of style to Murray. pure scorer the team needed. Honorable mention: New York Rangers. The trade of Gaborik gained them The addition of Wade Redden as a defensive insurance policy also helps. Derek Dorsett, a feisty winger who plays with heart and character, plus center Derick Brassard and smooth-skating defenseman John Moore. ANALYSIS: Two months of trades USA TODAY LOADED: 04.04.2013 3. Minnesota Wild: Since last summer, owner Craig Leipold has made it clear he wants to win immediately. Last summer he committed $196 million over 13 years to land Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, and on trade deadline day, the Wild added Jason Pominville, a $5.3 million player. Pominville gives the team another proven scorer to help it measure up to the offensive might of the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks. The Wild had to pay a big price, giving up a first- and a second-round pick, plus two prospects (goalie Matt Hackett and forward Johan Larsson). 4. Vancouver Canucks: With no premium centers available in the marketplace, the Canucks secured the best one when they acquired Derek Roy for a second-round pick and a prospect. He could play on the second line with Ryan Kesler moving to the wing. Or, Roy could center the third line with Jannik Hansen and Chris Higgins. He fills a void on the team that has been there since the team traded Cody Hodgson. 5. Washington Capitals: After a horrendous start, the Capitals are 6-3-1 in their last 10 and are three points out of a playoff spot. WHO MOVED: The deadline day deals They made it clear the future is now by giving up key prospect Filip Forsberg to land Nashville Predators veteran Martin Erat, a consistent 50- plus point producer. Erat is a skilled play-making winger and a dangerous offensive contributor. The negative is that he disappears at times. But he will be surrounded by more offensive talent in Washington, and the Capitals' hope is that he upgrades their top six forwards. This is not a rental player. After this season, Erat has two seasons left on a contract paying him $4.5 million a season 6. Columbus Blue Jackets: The symbolism of the trade for Marian Gaborik is probably as important as the fact that he makes the team's offense more dangerous. Gaborik is a warp-speed winger who has scored 40 or more goals three times in his career. The message to Columbus fans is that the Blue Jackets' management believes this team can compete while it builds. Gaborik hasn't been at his best this season, but it's generally held that much of his struggles stem from the friction he has with coach John Tortorella. 668014 Websites

USA TODAY / Rangers deal slumping star Marian Gaborik to Blue Jackets

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports8:10p.m. EDT April 3, 2013

Marian Gaborik concedes that if he had been asked a year ago to waive his no-trade clause to accept a move to the Columbus Blue Jackets, he likely would have vetoed the deal. But he appreciated the changes the Blue Jackets have made enough that he gave consent on Wednesday to a deal that sent him from the New York Rangers to Columbus for center Derick Brassard, tough forward Derek Dorsett and fleet-footed defenseman John Moore and a sixth-round pick. The Blue Jackets also receive prospect defensemen Blake Parlett and Steve Delisle. "The team has shown it is going in the right direction," said Gaborik, who talked to team president John Davidson and Columbus player and fellow Slovak Vinny Prospal before making his decision. The Gaborik trade was one of 17 deals, involving 30 players, made before Wednesday's 3 p.m deadline Last season, there were 16 trades involving 32 players. The league's trade deadline day record is 31 trades set in 2009- 10. NHL: Trade Deadline Moves Last summer, the Blue Jackets made a major deal by shipping the team's No. 1 star Rick Nash to the Rangers. On Wednesday, they made a deal with the Rangers that would seem to be informing fans that they believe they can make the playoffs while they build into a contender. "I talked to Vinny and he only had good things to say about the team, the city and the organization," Gaborik said. The Blue Jackets have made the playoffs once in franchise history, but the arrival of Davidson has added some positive energy. He fired Scott Howson as general manager and hired Jarmo Kekalainen, and the trade deadline move was designed to be an encouraging sign for Columbus fans. Kelalainen said the plan was to add without compromising the team's future and he feels as if he did that in adding Gaborik, who has scored 40 or more goals three times. "We wanted to give our team a boost," Kekalainen said. "And Marian is going to do that now and in the future." Gaborik is 31 and he has another season left on a contract paying him $7.5 million per season. Presuming he delivers as expected, the Blue Jackets seem to intend to re-sign him after next season. NHL: Deadline Winner The reason he is available is because he clearly wasn't coach John Tortorella's favorite player and his offensive production was down this season. He had nine goals in 35 games. In 2011-12, he had 41 goals. "Everyone goes through slumps," Kekalainen said. "We feel he's still at the top of his game." Kekalainen said Gaborik's speed and one-on-one skill would significantly upgrade Columbus' offense. Gaborik said his relationship with Tortorella wasn't quite as bad as it was portrayed by the news media. "It's true that sometimes we didn't see eye to eye, but that's hockey," Gaborik said. "Everybody goes through something like that with their coaches." USA TODAY LOADED: 04.04.2013 668015 Websites

USA TODAY / Things to know about Wednesday's NHL games

Mike Brehm, USA TODAY Sports12:32p.m. EDT April 3, 2013

Things to know about Wednesday's NHL games: -The Pittsburgh Penguins attempt to start a new streak when they visit the New York Rangers. This could have been the day that they tied the NHL mark of 17 consecutive wins, but the Buffalo Sabres halted that streak, 4-1, on Tuesday. The Penguins do have a streak against the Rangers, winning the last six meetings. Ryane Clowe will make his Rangers debut. "I put a lot of thought into coming here and I thought it would be a really good fit here," he told reporters on Wednesday. -New arrival defenseman Davis Drewiske was on the ice for the Montreal Canadiens and is expected to make his debut against the Philadelphia Flyers. He was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday. MORE: Wednesday's NHL scoreboard -The biggest question heading into the Battle of Alberta was whether Calgary Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff would be with the team against the Edmonton Oilers. TSN reported on Wednesday that he was staying in Calgary and would retire at the end of the season. -The San Jose Sharks, facing the Minnesota Wild, have won five in a row to move into a playoff position. The Wild have gone 8-2 to grab the Northwest Division lead. Former Shark Devin Setoguchi has seven goals and 10 points in his last 11 games. -Tough guy Lane MacDermid will be with the Dallas Stars when they visit the Anaheim Ducks. He was acquired from the Boston Bruins in the Jaromir Jagr trade. The Stars also shipped out Derek Roy and Brenden Morrow recently, but general manager Joe Nieuwendyk is still holding out hope for a playoff spot. USA TODAY LOADED: 04.04.2013 668016 Websites Morrow. This is a big move for the Wild, sending a message to fans that they believe they are in contention for a Stanley Cup. Although the team has performed well, the Wild still need scoring and Pominville will help. USA TODAY / Trade deadline: Pominville, Gaborik move 2:50 p.m.: Gaborik dealt to Blue Jackets The Marian Gaborik-to-Columbus deal certainly gives sportswriters Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports5:18p.m. EDT April 3, 2013 something to write about. The Rangers receive Derek Dorsett, Derick Brassard and John Moore and the Blue Jackets get the speedster Gaborik. The Blue Jackets receive a proven goal scorer, a true star to sell to fans. The Rangers get the feisty forward Dorsett, who should instantly become The NHL trade deadline day ended with Marian Gaborik going to the one of coach John Tortorella's favorites, plus a younger forward in Brassard Columbus Blue Jackets, Jason Pominville joining the Minnesota Wild and and developing defenseman in Moore who is an exceptional skater. the Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning filling needs in a player-for- Gaborik had to waive a no-trade clause to make this deal happen. player swap. How the day went down: 2:30 p.m.: Steve Mason heads to Flyers TRACKER: Analysis of the moves A run on goalies. The Philadelphia Flyers, according to RDS, have acquired 5 p.m.: The final trade Steve Mason from the Columbus Blue Jackets. This is not a big gamble for the Flyers because Mason will be a restricted free agent this summer. He The Nashville Predators send Martin Erat and minor league Michael Latta will be auditioning to see with the team next season. If they don't like what to the Washington Capitals for 2012 first-round pick Filip Forsberg. they see from him, they can cut him loose this summer. He is a former NHL 4:30 p.m.: Awaiting Capitals trade rookie of the year who hasn't played well since his first NHL season. General manager George McPhee was supposed to meet the media at 2:15 p.m.: Conacher swapped for Bishop 3:30 about a trade. We're still waiting for the trade call to be completed and The Tampa Bay Lightning acquire goalie Ben Bishop from the Ottawa the players to be informed. Senators in what is the biggest trade of the day. The Lightning give up 4:20 p.m.: Pominville particulars rookie Cory Conacher and a fourth-round pick. Both teams get an asset they need. With Bishop and Anders Lindback now on the roster, the The Jason Pominville to Minnesota Wild deal would send goalie Matt Lightning probably are now comfortable that one of them will emerge as top Hackett, forward Johan Larsson, a 2013 first-round pick and a 2014 performer in net. Conacher is a late bloomer who had more goals (nine) second-round pick to the Buffalo Sabres. The Wild gets the Sabres' fourth- and points (24) than any player in the Senators' lineup. round pick in 2014. 2:02 p.m.: Panthers sign prospect Tweets from @USATODAYsports/usa-today-sports-nhl The Florida Panthers announced they have signed prospect Nick Bjugstad, 3:35 p.m.: Coyotes part with two and that might be one of the top news items of the day. He has scored 46 goals over the past two seasons at the University of Minnesota. He still had Matthew Lombardi was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for Brandon McMillan, a year of college eligibility remaining. The Panthers wanted to sign him last who has 91 games of NHL experience. The New Jersey Devils gave up a season because he is projected to be a key player in their building effort. seventh-round pick to get Steve Sullivan. He's 6-4 and he is expected to score at the NHL level. 3:30 p.m.: Luongo speaks 2 p.m.: One hour to go Interviewed about not getting traded, Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo said: With an hour to go in the NHL trade deadline, general managers must be "My contract sucks. That's what the problem is." That is why Luongo is on spring break because nothing seems to be happening in the always a media favorite. He never hides, always faces the music. He marketplace. Toronto general manager Dave Nonis just said he doesn't always answers questions. He has always been a class act. expect to do anything. As hard as this is to believe, we may need a Ben 3:29 p.m.: Bruins add defenseman Bishop Sweepstakes just to spice up the proceedings. Wade Redden was traded from St. Louis to Boston. GM Peter Chiarelli 1:45 p.m.: The day so far knows Redden from their days together in Ottawa. With 1:15 left before the trade deadline, we've seen three trades involving 3:25 p.m.: Leafs add defenseman legitimate NHL players. The guys who have moved include a third-pairing defenseman (Scott Hannan), a fourth-line center (Jerred Smithson) and a The Toronto Maple Leafs gave up a fourth-round pick to get defenseman player who has already cleared waivers this season (Jussi Jokinen). This Ryan O'Byrne from the Colorado Avalanche. Solid depth addition. has not been a day for big-name players moving. 3:09 p.m.: Luongo stays put None Here's what we know: Roberto Luongo wasn't traded. The Chicago 1:30 p.m.: Penguins add Jussi Jokinen Blackhawks made only a minor-league deal, and the Detroit Red Wings made no deal. ESPN's Pierre Lebrun reports that the Montreal Canadiens Jussi Jokinen cleared waivers recently because teams were wary that he's didn't make a deal. TSN reports that Winnipeg made no deal, though the under contract for next year at a $3 million cap hit. But the Carolina Jets did pick up Mike Santorelli off waivers. Frankly, the Canucks will get Hurricanes were willing to pay some of his salary, as allowed this year more by trading Luongo next summer. under the new collective bargaining agreement. The Penguins would not have been interested in the deal otherwise. The Hurricanes get a 3:03 p.m.: Sharks land Raffi Torres conditional sixth- or seventh-round pick. The San Jose Sharks replace the grit lost with the trading of Ryane Clowe 1 p.m.: Two hours to go by acquiring Raffi Torres from the Phoenix Coyotes for a third-round pick. With two hours to go until the trade deadline, we've seen only two deals 3 p.m.: Deadline passes, but stay tuned involving true NHL players. The NHL trade deadline has officially passed, but there apparently still are 12:55 p.m.: Jerred Smithson goes to Oilers fireworks to come. Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo was just pulled off the ice. Usually, there are a handful of trades reported late Jerred Smithson is going from the Florida Panthers to the Edmonton Oilers because it takes time to register them with the league. for a fourth-round pick. He is known as an exceptional faceoff guy and he understands his value as a role player. Eric Belanger, who fills that role in 2:58 p.m.: Sabres captain on the move Edmonton, is on the injured list. Still awaiting the details, but Buffalo has traded its captain Jason Pominville 12:48 p.m.: Our first real trade, Hannan to Sharks to the Minnesota Wild. He is the third captain to be moved in this trade deadline season, following Calgary's Jarome Iginla and Dallas' Brenden The San Jose Sharks make the first trade of the day involving a true NHL Marc-Andre Bergeron - The defenseman gives the Hurricanes, who player when they acquired defenseman Scott Hannan from the Nashville acquired him for a seventh-round pick and Adam Hall from the Lightning on Predators for a conditional sixth-round pick. Hannan previously played in April 2, depth they've lacked on the blue line and a legitimate presence on San Jose. At 34, Hannan is still a gritty competitor who gives the Sharks the power play, which is ranked last in the league. some depth. They previously traded Douglas Murray to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jaromir Jagr - The Bruins lost out on Jarome Iginla and were looking for more offensive punch up front. Dallas sent the accomplished winger over 12:30 p.m.: A trade, sort of for two prospects and a conditional second-round pick on April 2. The first trade of deadline day involved the Boston Bruins and Chicago Derek Roy - The Canucks on April 2 acquired a second-line center Blackhawks swapping centers. But don't get your hopes up. The deal sent they've longed for, giving up a 2013 second-round pick and defense Maxime Sauve from Boston to Chicago for Rob Flick. They have a prospect Kevin Connauton. combined one game of NHL experience among them. Sauve, 23, a former second-round pick, played one game for the Bruins in 2011-12. This is his Jay Bouwmeester - Calgary on April 1 sent the blueliner to the Blues for a fourth season in the American Hockey League. Flick is 22 and he's a former first-round pick and two prospects. St. Louis gets a legitimate top-four fourth-round pick. He is playing his second season in the AHL. defenseman who can log big minutes. 12:10 p.m.: Waiver pickups Jarome Iginla - The longtime Flames icon was sent to the Penguins on March 27 in exchange for a 2013 first-round pick and two prospects. The Philadelphia Flyers picked up Adam Hall from the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Winnipeg Jets grabbed Mike Santorelli from the Florida Panthers. Brenden Morrow - The Penguins on March 24 acquired the high- Hall can fill the role of Max Talbot, who broke his leg the other day and is character leader from the Stars for top defense prospect Joe Morrow. out for the season. Kurtis Foster, Drew MacIntyre, Steve Montador, Pittsburgh also acquired a third-round pick, while sending a fifth to Dallas. Rostislav Olesz and Cam Barker all cleared waivers. Next Slide 12:05 p.m.: Red Wings' needs Noon: Three hours to go The Detroit Red Wings have been mentioned often as a team in search of Only three hours remain before the NHL trade deadline expires and we help on defense. But their defense actually has exceeded expectations, and have not had a single trade. That's like waking up on Christmas and finding the coaching staff is content with that group. The team's most pressing no presents under the tree. need is for a proven scorer. 11:29 a.m.: Report says Kipper is staying BIGGEST PLAYERS TO MOVE BEFORE DEADLINE TSN's Darren Dreger tweeted, "Sources indicate (Miikka) Kiprusoff will stay Marian Gaborik - The struggling winger was sent from the Rangers to the in Calgary and retire at the end of the season." Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Blue Jackets in exchange for forwards Derick Brassard and Derek Dorsett James Reimer has to be happy with that news. and defenseman John Moore and a sixth-round pick. 11:25 a.m.: Quiet so far Marian Gaborik - The struggling winger was sent from the Rangers to the Blue Jackets in exchange for forwards Derick Brassard and Derek Dorsett Yes, it's quiet so far, but usually things don't get buzzing until noon. and defenseman John Moore and a sixth-round pick. Marc DesRosiers- However, last year, the first deal (Andrei Kostitsyn to the Predators) USA TODAY Sports USA TODAY Sports occurred at 10:45 a.m. Fullscreen 11:15 a.m.: Pominville's name out there Marian Gaborik - The struggling winger was sent from the Rangers to the The best forward available in the marketplace now might be Buffalo's Jason Blue Jackets in exchange for forwards Derick Brassard and Derek Dorsett Pominville. But he has one season left on a deal paying him $5.3 million and defenseman John Moore and a sixth-round pick. next season. If the Sabres move him, they would have to get back a player who would be a significant contributor next season. Jason Pominville: Buffalo sent its captain and a 2014 fourth-rounder to the Wild in exchange for goalie Matt Hackett, winger Johan Larsson a 2013 11 a.m.: Hannan's experience appealing first-rounder and a 2014 second-rounder.
When it comes to sizing up defensemen, general managers often talk about Martin Erat - The Predators sent him and forward prospect Michael Latta games played. That's why Nashville's Scott Hannan, with 937 NHL games to the Capitals for forward prospect Filip Forsberg. under his belt, might be someone who could move now. He's injured now, but he's expected back soon. He's clearly not in Nashville's plans. With his Cory Conacher - A contender for the Calder Trophy, Conacher was experience, Hannan might be worth looking at for an insurance policy. surprisingly used along with a fourth-round pick in a package that netted the Lightning goalie Ben Bishop from the Senators. 10:48 a.m.: Quiet day for Coyotes? Ben Bishop - The Senators sent 26-year-old to the Lightning on April. 3 It sounds as if the Coyotes won't sell off any key assets. "We want to give for rookie winger Cory Conacher and a fourth-round pick. Bishop has an 8- our team and Coyote fans, who have been incredibly supportive the last few 5-0 record, a 2.45 goals against average and .922 save percentage on the seasons, every opportunity to qualify for the playoffs," GM Don Maloney year. says. Raffi Torres - The Coyotes sent their tough winger to the Sharks for a 10:44 a.m.: Guy Boucher weighs in third-round pick. Did former Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher forget what day it is Wade Redden - The Blues sent the veteran defenseman to the Bruins when he scheduled a conference call at 4:30 p.m. today? Either that's the right at the deadline for a 2014 seventh-round pick. case, or he didn't want want many members of the hockey media on the call. Scott Hannan - The defenseman was involved in the first real trade of deadline day, heading to the Sharks from the Predators for a conditional Sarah McLellan of Gannett's Arizona Republic says she is not convinced sixth- or seventh-round pick. the Coyotes will trade Derek Morris, but she says he is the most likely defenseman from the team to move. She says the Coyotes would have to Jussi Jokinen - The center already passed through waivers once because be bowled over by a deal to move Yandle.10:32 a.m.: Coyotes update of his $3 million cap hit, but the Hurricanes eventually found a taker for Jokinen on deadline day in the Penguins, who gave a conditional sixth- or 10:30 a.m.: Quiet so far seventh-round pick. Carolina also will pay some of his salary. Starting to hear too many teams saying they might not do anything today. Ryane Clowe - The rugged winger was shipped to the Rangers from the It's clear that there are not enough available players to help contending Sharks on April 2 for three picks (a second, third and conditional pick that teams. That's why the Pittsburgh Penguins moved early. can become a second.) 10:02 a.m.: Over/under for the day With most of the big-name players already moved, the over/under for the -Columbus Blue Jackets' Mark Letestu: Two years at $1.2 million and $1.3 number of trades today might be 15. It might be a day to take the under. million. 10 a.m.: Good fits -Washington Capitals' Jack Hillen: Two years at $700,000 each Deals that seem like a good fit: Ben Bishop to Tampa Bay or Edmonton or USA TODAY LOADED: 04.04.2013 Carolina. Miikka Kiprusoff to Toronto. Raffi Torres to Montreal. 9: 55 a.m.: Keith Yandle talks The Philadelphia Flyers and Phoenix Coyotes have had very serious discussions about defenseman Keith Yandle, but they got stuck when GM Don Maloney wanted the wrong two forwards off Philadelphia's roster. 9:50 a.m.: Keep an eye on Whitney If the Edmonton Oilers keep defenseman Ryan Whitney, it's a good indication that they believe they can make the playoffs. It's always a difficult decision knowing when to leave the rebuilding mode and when to start aggressively acting like a legitimate contender. There's a tendency to stay in rebuilding mode too long. Fans should at least appreciate the symbolism if the Oilers keep Whitney. 9:45 a.m.: Pitkanen out for season With Joni Pitkanen gone for the season with a broken heel bone, the Hurricanes probably will be looking for another defenseman in today's marketplace. Pitkanen was injured chasing the puck on an icing call. That certainly will come up when the NHL makes the decision about whether to change the icing rules this summer. The chase for the puck in those situations isn't exciting enough to put players at risk. The recovery time on Pitkanen's injury is 10-12 weeks. 9:35 a.m.: Goalies could be moved This might be the strongest goalie market we've ever seen on trade deadline day. Roberto Luongo, Miikka Kiprusoff, Ryan Miller and Ben Bishop are all being discussed. But it would seem as if it would be hard to move Luongo and Miller because their teams would want assets that are more difficult to part with during the season. Kiprusoff would be easier to move because the Calgary Flames seem to be stockpiling draft picks. Bishop's price is said to be a pick and a prospect. The over and under for goalies moving today is probably one. None 9:20 a.m.: Quiet day for Predators? The Nashville Predators (4-1-2) in their last seven are scrapping to make the playoffs, but they are not likely to add. The only guy they might move would be injured defenseman Scott Hannan. 9 a.m.: Role players could draw interest With most of the big names gone, NHL general managers will be looking primarily for role players. Here are some of the possible veteran "rental" players that might be targeted. A rental is a player whose contract expires this summer. That list includes: -Raffi Torres (Phoenix): He's a 220-pound winger with some bite to his game. Will chip in some big goals. The Coyotes, in a fight to make the playoffs, would have to think long and hard about trading him. -Eric Nystrom (Dallas): Played almost 400 NHL games and is very dependable in his role -Jochen Hecht (Buffalo): Can play center and wing, and has 14 seasons of NHL experience. has 59 games of NHL playoff experience. -Jerred Smithson (Florida): Wins 54.8% of his faceoffs, and can kill penalties. 8:50 a.m.: Salary breakdowns The breakdown of some of the players who signed extensions on Tuesday: -Vancouver Canucks' Chris Higgins: Four years at $2.5 million each 668017 Websites GM Chuck Fletcher has made a splash at the deadline by adding Pominville, a former captain and top-six forward who has a season left on his contract at $5.3 million. The price was high, very high – prospects Johan YAHOO SPORTS / 2013 NHL Trade Deadline: Winners & Losers Larsson and Matt Hackett, plus a first-round pick and a second-rounder, with a fourth-rounder coming back. But the Wild has enough young talent to make this deal and try to start winning now.

The clock struck noon on Wednesday before anyone made a move in the Loser: Buffalo Sabres NHL, and the first deal involved two minor-leaguers, one of them a kid named Flick. It felt more like “A Christmas Story” than Christmas morning The Sabres aren’t losers because of the return GM Darcy Regier received – on TV. Only it wasn’t Flick whose tongue was stuck, frozen to a pole. It was certainly not for Pominville, and not for Robyn Regehr and Jordan Leopold, the news-breakers with no news to break, the analysts with nothing to either. He received two second-rounders for Regehr, the going rate for top analyze. rental defensemen. He received a second-rounder and a conditional pick for Leopold, another rental on ‘D.’ The Sabres have now have a pile of Marian Gaborik takes his high-wire goal-scoring act to Columbus. picks and a couple of good prospects. Hackett could be a key addition if (Getty)But though Roberto Luongo and Miikka Kiprusoff stayed put, the they decide to part with goaltender Ryan Miller. No, the Sabres are losers in dead tradeline turned into the trade deadline after all. Marian Gaborik went the big picture. This is an admission that the moves they made since owner to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jason Pominville went to the Minnesota Terry Pegula bought the team were wrong. Pegula begged Regehr to waive Wild. There was a flurry of moves up to and even past 3 p.m. ET, despite his no-trade clause to come to Buffalo, and now the Sabres asked him to the tight standings, the lower salary cap next season, the tough seller’s waive it to leave. They traded their captain, one of the few who was not part market. of the problem. Though Regier did a good job this week, it’s still fair to ask whether he should be on the job this summer. Combined with the activity leading up to deadline day – from Jarome Iginla and Jaromir Jagr, to Jay Bouwmeester and Ryane Clowe – several Winner: Nashville Predators contenders fortified themselves for the playoffs while others girded themselves for a rebuild. None of the deals can be judged fairly yet, but Martin Erat wanted out. Things had gone bad with coach Barry Trotz and here are our knee-jerk reactions: the Predators, the only coach and team he had known in the NHL. He had only four goals. He was minus-7. The Preds were on the playoff bubble, at Winner: Columbus Blue Jackets best. Not only was Erat willing to waive his no-trade clause, he asked to be traded. But the Predators kept it quiet, and they packaged Erat – with two Wednesday was Jarmo Kekalainen’s coming out party as Columbus GM. years left on his contract at $4.5 million – with minor-leaguer Michael Latta. He made the boldest move, acquiring Gaborik from the New York Rangers In return they received Filip Forsberg, the 11th overall pick in the 2012 draft. in a deal that involved five other players and a draft pick. Gaborik struggled Forsberg, 18, is a skilled center. As well as the Predators have drafted and so badly and was so deep in John Tortorella’s doghouse that the Rangers developed, they have struggled to find elite offensive talent. Snagging wanted him gone and he waived his no-trade clause. But speedy snipers Forsberg, especially under the circumstances, was a coup. capable of scoring 40 goals are hard to find, and Gaborik fills the superstar void left when the Jackets traded Rick Nash to the Rangers last year. [Also: Flyers acquire up-and-down goalie Steve Mason from Blue Jackets] Kekalainen also added Blake Comeau and dumped Steve Mason. Even if the Jackets don’t make the playoffs, they are pushing to improve and still Loser: Washington Capitals have three first-round picks in a strong draft. Erat usually scores about 20 goals a season, and he can contribute on the [Related: Blue Jackets pull off trade shocker, obtain Marian Gaborik from power play. Latta, a third-round pick in 2009, is a 21-year-old center Rangers] prospect with 6-foot, 209-pound size and an edge. There must be a reason why Forsberg slipped to 11th overall in 2012, when he was projected as a Loser: New York Rangers top-six pick, and the Capitals’ top center prospect remains 20-year-old Evgeny Kuznetsov, a first-rounder in 2010. Still, Forsberg seems like a lot The Rangers needed to replenish the grit and depth they lost last summer, to give up, and will adding Erat’s salary make it more difficult to re-sign and they did that by adding Ryane Clowe, Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett center Mike Ribeiro, the pending unrestricted free agent the Caps decided and John Moore. Clowe is a rugged winger. Brassard is a skilled center. not to trade? Dorsett will be a banger when he comes back from a broken collarbone. Moore can skate on defense. By dumping Gaborik and adding Brassard, Winner: San Jose Sharks the Rangers cleared cap space and might have set themselves up to use their last amnesty buyout on center Brad Richards this summer. But the fact GM Doug Wilson sparked a winning streak, cut fat from his roster and remains, they are the worst offensive team in the NHL. Clowe, Brassard, increased his team speed while stockpiling draft picks. Then he plugged Dorsett and Moore have 10 goals combined. Gaborik has nine. He scored two of the holes he created with cheap rentals. After his first trade early last 41 goals last season, under Tortorella, in Tortorella’s system, so it can week, Wilson made it clear that performance would influence his next work. But it hasn’t worked, and while Gaborik is responsible for that, so is moves, and the Sharks won five straight. He traded three pending free the coach who played him on his off wing, benched him, demoted him and agents who were slow and unproductive – Clowe, Michael Handzus and ultimately ran him out. Douglas Murray – and turned them into two second-round picks, two conditional second-rounders, a third-rounder and a fourth-rounder. On Loser: Philadelphia Flyers Wednesday, he acquired Scott Hannan, a former Shark on an expiring contract, to fill in for Murray on the blue line. All it cost was a seventh-round The Flyers traded Sergei Bobrovsky to Columbus last season – and now pick (or a sixth-rounder if Hannan appears in the playoffs). Finally, he Bobrovsky is playing so well, he is a candidate for the Vezina Trophy as the rented Raffi Torres for a third-rounder to replace Clowe’s physical edge. NHL’s best goaltender. One theory: Bobrovsky is playing without the kind of Savvy maneuvering. pressure there is in Philadelphia. So now the Flyers have acquired a goaltender from the Blue Jackets, but it isn’t Bobrovsky. It’s Steve Mason, Loser: Dallas Stars who has struggled with his confidence and performance since winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year in 2009. Is he going to Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk needs to decide on a direction and stick with it. recapture his form in Philly, of all places? The Flyers might want to buy out (Getty)Look, after failing to make the playoffs and losing pending free Ilya Bryzgalov, and they might not have wanted to pay the price for Ben agents for nothing in the past, the Stars had to do it. They had sell off Jagr, Bishop. But it will be incredible if Mason becomes the answer to their Brenden Morrow and Derek Roy, and they got a decent return – picks and chronic goaltending woes. prospects, including defensemen Joe Morrow and Kevin Connauton. But it’s fair to wonder if GM Joe Nieuwendyk could have gotten more, and it’s fair to Winner: Minnesota Wild say the Stars are still a mess. Morrow was slowing down and couldn’t continue as captain. Fine. But when they added Jagr, Roy and Ray Whitney The Wild paid dearly for Jason Pominville, but he's a do-it-all type who will last summer, the idea was that they would sell tickets and compete for a help their playoff push. (AP)This is the next step in the Wild’s evolution as playoff spot. The idea was that the experience would help youngsters like an organization. First, the Wild drafted well and built a base of assets. Then Jamie Benn. Well, the rink still has too many empty seats, and the Stars still the Wild landed the top free agents on the market last summer, signing are on the bubble, at best. The Stars need to decide whether to continue winger Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter to matching 13-year, $98 with coach Glen Gulutzan, if not Nieuwendyk, and what kind of team they million deals. Then the Wild started competing for a division title. And now are going to be. Winner: Ottawa Senators The Los Angeles Kings added Regehr, who played for coach Darryl Sutter in Calgary and can make up for the loss of Willie Mitchell to injury…The Craig Anderson is returning from injury. Robin Lehner is going to be a star. Montreal Canadiens added Davis Drewiske, a solid third-pair So the Senators could move goaltender Ben Bishop if they got a great offer, defenseman…The Chicago Blackhawks added Michal Handzus to help on and they got one: Cory Conacher and a fourth-round pick. Conacher cooled faceoffs, where they fall off badly after Jonathan Toews…The Phoenix off considerably after his hot start this season, and he’s a 5-foot-8, 179- Coyotes managed to get something in return for Torres, Steve Sullivan and pound 23-year-old who was never drafted. But he’s fearless driving the net, even Matthew Lombardi…The New York Islanders kept captain Mark Streit and he should fit in with a team that has used guts and goaltending to even though they haven’t re-signed him…The Toronto Maple Leafs did not overcome injuries and stay in the playoff race. trade for a goaltender, only depth defenseman Ryan O’Byrne. Loser: Tampa Bay Lightning Losers: Teams that didn’t do enough In the long run, GM Steve Yzerman could look smart. Maybe he sold The Winnipeg Jets are clinging to the lead in the weak Southeast Division. Conacher’s stock at just the right time. Maybe Bishop will become the But they were unable to add anything, let alone a top-six forward…The goaltender he has been looking for. But for now, there is skepticism, Hurricanes had to eat salary to move Jokinen, and they seemed stuck because he gave up a lot in a package for goaltender Anders Lindback last between buying and selling. They have been trying to add a defenseman, year and it didn’t work out, and now he has given up a young talent for and it hurts even more now that Joni Pitkanen is injured…The Detroit Red another big goaltender who is unproven. With Bishop and Lindback, the Wings badly need an upgrade on defense, and they were wise not to odds are better that the Bolts will develop someone solid in net. But sacrifice assets to make a bad deal when they haven’t drafted high and Yzerman still needs to address a porous defense, and with Conacher gone, aren’t top contenders. But that won’t satisfy fans who are so used to he needs more secondary scoring. winning, and it could cause short-term pain in the playoffs…The New [More: Ottawa sends goalie Ben Bishop to Tampa for Cory Conacher] Jersey Devils added Sullivan, a smart, skilled veteran, but how much does he have left?...The Edmonton Oilers did not move Ryan Whitney, when Winner: Pittsburgh Penguins there seemed to be a market for a struggling player…The Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers had little to sell and no reason to add for GM Ray Shero is known to be aggressive before the deadline, and with a the present…The Anaheim Ducks didn’t do much of consequence – stacked roster and salary-cap space, he was in position to go for it again. Lombardi? – despite their lofty position in the West…The Vancouver He added a future Hall of Famer in Iginla, another captain in Morrow and Canucks badly needed a center and added Roy, but is Roy really the another vet in Murray, adding a mix of scoring, grit, toughness and missing piece? They were unable to unload Luongo, yet again. Not only did experience on the wing and blue line. He gave up nothing off his roster. He they not get a player in return who can help right now, they ensured the gave up picks and prospects – and none of his top prospects, though Joe soap opera will continue. Morrow has potential. Finally, after Sidney Crosby suffered a broken jaw, he added Jussi Jokinen, who can play center while Crosby recovers and wing Other popular content on Yahoo! Sports: after he comes back. Jokinen has one year left on his contract at $3 million, which is why he passed through waivers last week. But Shero got the • Kevin Ware graciously adjusts to the spotlight after horrific injury Carolina Hurricanes to eat some of the money, and the cost was only a • Lakers retire Shaquille O’Neal's No. 34 jersey conditional pick – a sixth- or seventh-rounder. Amazing. The only concerns are chemistry and speed. The new arrivals need to fit into a team that was • Texas Rangers' Yu Darvish falls one out short of a perfect game already elite. None is a burner. • Tiger Woods still thinks he can win 20 majors Winner: St. Louis Blues @yahoosports on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook The Blues have been looking for a left-shot, top-four defenseman for a long time, and they outbid their division rival, the Detroit Red Wings, for Jay Nicholas J. Cotsonika Bouwmeester. Though he hasn’t lived up to his contract – which still has a Like year left $6.68 million – Bouwmeester can move the puck and defend. His contract is even sort of a positive in St. Louis, because it shows the Blues Follow aren’t sticking to such a tight budget under new ownership. The Blues also added Leopold to their defense while subtracting Wade Redden. Author Loser: Calgary Flames Nicholas J. Cotsonika The Flames continued their dysfunction, even as they finally seemed to YAHOO.COM LOADED: 04.04.2013 start looking toward the future. They traded Iginla, as fans and media have been urging for years. But after agreeing to a deal with the Boston Bruins, they had to accept a lesser deal with the Penguins when Iginla waived his no-trade clause for Pittsburgh. GM Jay Feaster got a decent return for Bouwmeester, but not a great one. He moved Blake Comeau, but he couldn’t move Kiprusoff, who didn’t want to leave Calgary partly because of family reasons and partly because he might retire after the season. It was classy to respect Kiprusoff’s wishes. But it was scary to hear Feaster say his marching orders from owner Murray Edwards were to make the playoffs next season. If the Flames are still focused on the short term and not recognizing how much rebuilding they need to do, they have not solved their main problem. Winner: Boston Bruins The Bruins got lucky when Dallas decided to put Jaromir Jagr on the market. (AP)The Bruins lost out on Morrow. They lost out on Iginla, even though they thought they had a deal and made a better offer. They watched both of them go to the Penguins, one of their main rivals in the East. But they caught a break when the Stars decided to trade Jagr, who has been more productive than both and came at a lower price than they would have paid for Iginla. Jagr has 14 goals, as many as any current Bruin. He has six power-play goals, three more than any current Bruin. If he bolsters the power play, he will have strengthened their greatest weakness. The Bruins also added Redden for depth on defense. If only they could be sure they will have Patrice Bergeron, who has suffered another concussion. Winners: Teams that made subtle moves or didn’t do too much

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