The Jets Back In The Peg? It's Option #2

Once again there are reports that the Phoenix Coyotes may move back to Winnipeg.

Don't laugh. It's for real.

The Phoenix Business Journal is reporting that the NHL is working on a backup plan with Toronto billionaire David Thomson and the Winnipeg-based True North Sports and Entertainment. The deal could send the Phoenix Coyotes back to Canada if a deal with Ice Edge Holdings or Jerry Reinsdorf to keep the team in Arizona falls through.

Crazy stuff huh? I know!

I'm not exactly a fan of the Jets, but I would love to have them back in Canada. The Jets fans would love it, Canadians as a whole would love it. It would be good for hockey.

The PBJ is also reporting that all this COULD happen as early as next season.

I guess the big question should be... is there any Jets fans still out there?

-Smokin' Ray-

Secret NHL Players Poll Taken

ESPN the Magazine, which recently conducted an anonymous poll of 50 NHLers have brought us some interesting information.

Here are the highlights;

The 50 players thought that Edmonton was the 4th worst franchise at a 12% vote. Phoenix was voted the worst.

Detroit Red Wings were voted the best NHL franchise.

Roberto Luongo was voted the most overrated player in the NHL.

Alex Ovechkin was voted the best player in the NHL.

Derek Boogaard was voted the toughest guy in the league.

32% of the votes went to the Black Hawks when asked who would win the cup this year.

The Smartest NHL Coach was Mike Babcock with 22% votes.

Last coach they would want to play for in the NHL was John Tortorella.
 
40% of players would like to see a relocated team go to Canada.
 
Pittsburgh has the worst visitors dressing room while the Wild have the best room.
 
52% of the players thought that the NHL would benefit the most from more TV coverage.
 
Former Oiler Chris Pronger was voted the NHL's dirtiest player. No surprise there.
 
The Flyers have the meanest fans and the Canucks have the best fans. What, no Oilers on the list?
 
Do you guys agree with these choices?
 
-Smokin' Ray-

Marc Savard Speaks About Matt Cooke

Marc Savard has finally spoke about the hit that knocked him out from Matt Cooke. Here is what Savard had to say.

"I think it was a play that didn't need to happen obviously," Savard told the media on Saturday. "To me, it wasn't a shoulder. I think there was an attempt to injure."


"I don't have any interest in talking to [Cooke]. That's just how I feel. Maybe down the road, but right now I'm not feeling any better, so I'd rather just not talk to him."

Savard has not given any timeline on returning to the Bruins.

"I'm just trying to feel normal right now," Savard said. "I don't feel that way now. I've had better days, but I still have bad days in the middle."

Like anyone else who has had a concussion, he's in pain.

-Smokin' Ray-

Alex Ovechkin Gets A Two Game Suspension

With the latest harsh hit by a hockey player, it seems that the fans and players, new and old, are getting tired off all the injuries that have been happening lately in the NHL.

Washington Capitals star, Alex Ovechkin, is the latest guy to injure someone -- in this case it was Blackhawks defenceman, Brian Campbell -- and have people scream for a suspension. It appears that Campbell may be out for the rest of the season. But is a suspension really deserved? Watch it for yourself.



"I respect everybody," Alex Ovechkin said. "We respect everybody here in the locker room and outside, but over there [on the ice], we play for our team, and we make some hard hits, and sometimes, you get hurt. That's a hockey game."

Bob MacKenzie from TSN had this to say today on Twitter; "I will be surprised if Ovechkin is not suspended for a couple of games. Campbell's injury is the big factor now."

The Verdict?

The Washington Post is reporting a two-game suspension for Ovechkin.

Do you think that this is fair?

-Smokin' Ray-

Which End Of The Rainbow Is Your Team?

With the NHL regular season starting to wrap up, the excitement builds around the who finishes first who finishes last in the regular standings.

Teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes are looking for that elusive 1st overall pick at the 2010 draft. Well not quite the Leafs, it's more like the Bruins are hoping for their fall as they have the Leafs 1st round pick at this years draft. Lucky them.

The Oilers are last in the NHL right now and if they stay in that spot, they will at least get to pick second overall depending on who wins the draft lottery. Most Oiler fans want nothing more than to get that 1st pick at the draft. Hall or Seguin? That's the burning question.

Now on the other side of the rainbow, you have teams like the Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks and the Chicago Blackhawks trying to get that Presidents trophy and home ice advantage for the entire NHL playoffs. Home ice advantage is huge for a team. The fans behind you, screaming and clapping. That's what drive the playoffs. Those rabid fans.

While home ice advantage doesn't guarantee a win at home, it sure helps.

So what end of the rainbow do you want your team to be at?

NHL REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS

News & Rumors

Islanders send:

D Andy Sutton

Senators send:

Conditional draft pick

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The Wild have re-signed Defenseman Marek Zidlicky to a 3 year deal worth 12 mil

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed Defenseman Chris Chelios

Oilers should make at least 2 more moves before the deadline

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Today's news & rumors

Blues send:

G Hannu Toivonen

D Danny Richmond

Blackhawks send:

G Joe Fallon

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Panthers send:

D Jordan Leopold

Penguins send:

2nd round pick

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Ducks send:

Evgeny Artyukhin 

Thrashers send:

Oystrick and a conditional pick in 2011.

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Flames have re-signed Forward Matt Stajan to a 4 year deal worth 14 mil.

Stars have re-signed Forward Steve Ott to a 4 year deal worth 11.8 mil.

I expect the Oilers to make at least 3 moves before the deadline on Wednesday.

According to Senschirp Senators GM Bryan Murray no rpogress has been made in re-signing Defenseman Anton Volchenkov and is not ruling out a trade.