GetItNext Hockey - The Red Line - All Hockey All The Time

Panthers Ship Captain Jokinen to Gretzky Coyotes

The hits keep on coming today.  The Florida Panthers have traded Olli Jokinen to the Phoenix Coyotes for the Yotes 2nd round pick, Nick Boynton and Keith Ballard.  This could be a great trade for the Yotes as Jokinen never lived up to his potential and a change could do him good.  Ballard is no big deal to give up and Boynton was a salary dump.

Canadiens Snag Tanguay From Flames for Pick

The Montreal Canadiens made a deal with the Calgary Flames to acquire Alex Tanguay and the Flames 2008 5th rounder for the Habs 2008 1st rounder and 2nd rounder in 09.  Interesting move by the Canadiens as Tanguay is coming off a lousy season.  This is a player where a change of scenery may do him a lot of good.  Everyone knows that Tanguay has the talent and playing with the Habs skilled players should suit his game.

Canadiens fans what do you think?  Has Gainey pulled off another great trade?

LA Kings Draft Doughty 2nd in NHL Draft

In the 2008 NHL entry draft the LA Kings have selected Guelph Storm Drew Doughty.  HT 6' weight 204 and is compared to Ray Bourque with a right hand shot.  An extremely smart player, mobile and a great offensive dman.  Looks like LA is building a core similar to the way the Wings are built.  Doughty is also Kings fan as he was a huge Wayne Gretzky fan growing up.  Drew is projected by all scouts to start in the 2008 season.

Flyers Dump Umberger to Jackets for Picks

The Philadelphia Flyers sent R.J. Umberger and their 11th pick overall to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for the Jackets 19th and 67th picks.  A bit of a strange move considering Umberger had an awesome playoffs.  However the Flyers load up with 2 picks in a very very deep draft.  I smell bigger moves to come.

Senators Finally Kick Emery to the Curb

Finally the Ottawa Senators have woken up and waived Ray Emery.  Emery who was a distraction all of last year will be bought out by the team if he clears waivers.  What a fall from grace 1 year after leading the Sens to the Stanley cup finals.  I'm sure another team will tender him but tts going to be very interesting to see if any teams claim him off of waivers.

Lighting Strikes Stamkos in 2008 NHL Draft

No surprise the Tampa Bay Lightning selected Steve Stamkos with the No 1pick in the 2008 NHL Draft.  Its been known for months the Bolts would select Stamkos.  The center from the Sarnia Sting was the second leading scorer in the O last year and is listed at 6'1" 176 pounds.  The Bolts expect Stamkos to make the lineup out of camp this year.  He better pack on the weight if he's going to survive a full season.

Maple Leafs Move Up Swap Pick With Isles in Draft

The Toronto Maple Leafs just moved up in the draft and sent their 7th overall pick plus a a pair of conditional futures to the Islanders in exchange for the Icelanders 5th overall pick.

With that pick the Leafs selected defenseman Luke Schenn of the Kelowna Rockets.

Schenn is a physically punishing defensive defenseman who should help create some snarl on the Leafs soft blue line.

This is the 2nd move in as many days as Toronto acquired forward Jamal Mayers from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a third round pick last night.

2008 NHL Hart Trophy Winner Alexander Ovechkin

It appears that the NHL goofed and has leaked that Alexander Ovechkin is the 2008 Hart Trophy Winner for the NHL's MVP.  According to TSN.ca the NHL's online shop was displaying merchandise with Ovechkin as the Hart winner.  The NHL via Frank Brown released some bogus statement saying that they prepare merchandise for all possible outcomes.  For the full story check out Ovechkin Hart Winner.

Does NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Have Parkinson's?

Did anyone notice that when NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was presenting the Stanley Cup to the Detroit Red Wings that his hands were shaking?  Now it could have been due to the booing but after more than 10+ years on the job Gary has gotten used to it and I've never noticed him shaking before.  I also noticed him trying to keep his hands closer to the cup almost trying to hold it to shield or hide the shaking.  I have been one of Bettman's most outspoken critics but I hope I am wrong and he doesn't have Parkinson's.  Lets hope it was just a case of him being excited about awarding the greatest trophy in sports.

Pittsburgh Penguins Losing Cup Bad For New York Rangers

Bad news New York Rangers fans, the Pittsburgh Penguins are more likely to stay together.  While watching the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Pengiuns battle it out in the Stanley Cup Finals I often wondered what would be best for the New York Rangers and the rest of the Atlantic division. 

I came to the conclusion that the Penguins would have had a tougher time retaining impending free agents if they had won the Stanley Cup. If the Pens hoisted the cup the players may have felt fullfilled and been more likely to grab the pay day rather then returning and trying to finish what they started. 

Now that they have lost this dramatic series they may feel like they have unfinished business to take care of and Orpik, Malone and Hossa may stay with the club.