March 2008 - Hockey Wiretap
Melrose To Coach Lightning?
Former Kings' Coach Barry Melrose brushed aside a rumor he is in line to become the next coach of the Lightning, saying he is enjoying being a TV analyst, as reported by ESPN.com.
"This is no different than any of the last 10 years," Melrose said in response to a report in the Toronto Star. "I've been contacted by a handful of clubs every year since joining ESPN. My desire to coach again has never been a secret, but I love what I do at ESPN."
Flames Sign Carpentier
The Calgary Flames signed center Hugo Carpentier on Friday, as reported by Yahoo.com.
Terms were not disclosed.
Edmonton Signs Hrabal To Two-Year Deal
The Oilers on Friday signed defenseman Josef Hrabal to a two-year deal, as reported by Yahoo.com.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Letang: Bourdon Owned Motorcycle Only A Few Days
Canucks rookie Luc Bourdon owned a motorcycle only several days before dying when the bike veered into the path of a truck, close friend Kris Letang of the Penguins said Friday, according to an Associated Press report.
Red Wings' Holmstrom Questionable For Game 4
Red Wings' left wing Tomas Holmstrom is questionable for Game Four of the Stanley Cup Finals on Saturday after missing Friday?s practice, according to a Yahoo.com report.
Holmstrom left Wednesday?s loss to the Penguins with 5:50 remaining in the third period after getting knocked down by the Penguins' Hal Gill.
Devils Sign Finnish Free-Agent Anssi Salmela
The Devils signed free-agent Finnish defenceman Anssi Salmela on Friday, as reported by the Associated Press.
Contract terms were not immediately available. The 23-year-old had 16 goals and 16 assists in 56 games with Tappara of the Finnish League last season.
Blues Hire Ex-Stars GM Armstrong
Doug Armstrong, fired as the Stars' GM in November, was hired by the Blues as their GM-in-waiting on Thursday, as reported by the Associated Press.
Armstrong was selected the VP of player personnel and will become GM in 2010. The Blues extended the contract of current GM Larry Pleau, whose wife is battling cancer, through 2009-10.
Wings Best Pistons In Motor City Ratings
The Red Wings' game against the Penguins on Wednesday night earned a higher rating in Detroit than the Pistons' battle against the Celtics, according to The Associated Press.
The Wings' 3-2 loss to the Penguins earned a 18.2 rating in the city while the Pistons' 106-102 loss to the Celtics drew a 15.9.
Both of the games were played on the road by the Detroit teams.
In the national ratings, the Eastern Conference Finals game (5.3) was rated higher than the Stanley Cup Finals battle (2.8).
Former Coyotes' Pick Wheeler Elects For Free Agency
Phoenix Coyotes' General Manager Don Maloney announced today that Blake Wheeler, selected by the Coyotes in the 2004 Entry Draft, has rejected the Coyotes' contract offer and will become an unrestricted free agent.
?We offered Blake a contract which was both commensurate with his draft position and far exceeded any guaranteed contract he can receive, under the current CBA, with any other team,? said Maloney. ?He has decided, however, that becoming a free agent is in his best interest."
?We are very happy with the compensatory pick we will receive for Blake not signing, which will be the fifth pick in the second round. This is a very deep draft, and we now have five picks in the first two rounds, which is very exciting.?
Under terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, any player who does not remain a college player through the graduation of his applicable class (in this case 2009), must submit a letter stating his intention to turn professional.
Upon submission of that letter, the drafting club shall have 30 days to sign the player. If the player and team cannot reach an agreement within that 30 day period, the player becomes a free agent. Wheeler submitted his letter of intent to turn professional on May 8.
Canucks' Bourdon Killed In Motorcycle Crash
Luc Bourdon, 21, a promising rookie defenseman with the Canucks, was killed Thursday when his motorcycle struck a tractor-trailer in a crash near his hometown, according to an Associated Press report.
His death was confirmed by sister Eve Bourdon and stepmother Maryse Godin. Both declined further comment when reached at the family?s home in Shippagan.
Arbitrator Rules Rangers Owe Holik $3.5M
The Rangers will have to pay forward Bobby Holik, currently with the Thrashers, $3.5 million because of a contract dispute in 2004-05.
Report: Blackhawks To Play Wings At Wrigley
The Blackhawks are expected to play the Red Wings at Wrigley Field in January in the NHL's Winter Classic.
Pens Strike Back
Pittsburgh recorded their first win of the Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday night with a 3-2 win over Detroit.
Stars Sign Daley To Three-Year Deal
The Dallas Stars on Wednesday signed defenseman Trevor Daley to a three-year deal.
Leafs' Sundin Named Recipient Of Messier Leadership Award
The NHL announced on Wednesday that Mats Sundin is the 2007-08 recipient of the Mark Messier Leadership Award.
TV Ratings Rise Again In Game 2 Of Finals
Game 2 was the most-watched Stanley Cup finals cable telecast in the last six years.
Pens' Sydor Could Dress For Game 3
Penguins defenseman Darryl Sydor could dress for the first time this postseason against the Red Wings in Game Three of the Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday night.
Pens Look To Generate Some Offense
The Penguins host the Red Wings in Game 3 on Wednesday night and hope they can keep their home win streak alive but will have to drastically improve their play to do so.
Blue Jackets Acquire Sigalet From Boston
The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired defenseman Jonathan Sigalet from the Boston Bruins on Tuesday in exchange for the rights to LW Matt Marquardt.
Capitals Re-Sign Bradley
The Washington Capitals re-signed RW Matt Bradley on Monday to a three-year deal.
Red Wings Lockdown Pens, Take 2-0 Series Lead
The Detroit Red Wings beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 on Monday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Stanley Cup finals.
Coyotes Sign Goaltender Joel Gistedt
The Phoenix Coyotes on Monday announced that the club has signed goaltender Joel Gistedt to an entry level contract.
Franzen Cleared To Play In Game 2
Red Wings F Johan Franzen has been cleared and put in the lineup for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals Monday night.
Wings' Franzen Practices, May Play On Monday Night
The Red Wings' Johan Franzen practiced on Sunday and believes he may be able to play against the Penguins on Monday night in Game 2.
TV Ratings Rise For Stanley Cup Finals
The Stanley Cup finals on Saturday was the highest-rated and most-watched cable telecast of the championship round in six years.
Pens Will Shuffle Lines For Game Two
Pittsburgh will make some line changes in Game Two of the Stanley Cup Finals after losing 4-0 to Detroit on Saturday night.
Bettman: Goalie Equipment May Keep Shrinking
If Commissioner Gary Bettman has his way, the goalie equipment in the NHL will keep on shrinking.
Samuelsson Leads Red Wings To Game 1 Win
Mikael Samuelsson scored two goals and Chris Osgood made 19 saves to lead the Red Wings to a 4-0 victory over the Penguins in the opening game of the Stanley Cup finals on Saturday night.
Red Wings Sign Dick Axelsson, Logan Pyett To 3-Year Deals
The Red Wings signed a couple of 2006 draft picks on Saturday, including LW Dick Axelsson and D Logan Pyett.
Report: Stars Reward Tippett With Extension
The Dallas Morning Star on Saturday reported that the Stars and coach Dave Tippett have agreed to a three-year contract extension.