The salary cap strikes again!  The Philadelphia Flyers had to find a way to afford Daniel Briere’s salary so they were forced to put Glen Metropolit and Ossi Vaananen on waivers.  Briere has missed the last 36 games due to a groin injury.  The salary cap is currently set at $56.7 million (USD). 

They didn’t sit waiting for long since the Montreal Canadiens and the Vancouver Canucks wasted no time picking them up (Metropolit to Montreal and Vaananen to Vancouver).

I hope Briere can get back in the lineup soon.  It’s rough to give up two decent players to pay for the salary of a player who’s on the bench.

image: TSN

The NHL has suspended New York Islanders defenceman, Brendan Witt, for five games after he elbowed Niklas Hagman in the head during Thursday night’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.  The Leafs went on to win the game in a shootout (5-4). 

Hagman, who has already been sidelined with a concussion this season, was hit when he was reaching for the puck inside the Islanders’ blue-line.  He had to be helped off the ice and didn’t come back for the rest of the game.  He will not dress for the game against the Ottawa Senators.  Witt was initially given a five-minute penalty and a game misconduct.

If Witt returns when his suspension is lifted, it will be for the March 10th game against the Leafs.  I think they should probably let him wait for the next game.  In case you missed it, here’s a video of the hit:

I’ve been reading reports that Mathieu Dandenault is actually asking to leave the Montreal Canadiens.  Wow.  This could mean major changes on the bench with Steve Begin being traded yesterday.

The defenceman allegedly went directly to  general manager, Bob Gainey, with his request.  This could be a mutually beneficial move – Dandenault could leave the team and, in return, the Habs will have a little more wiggle room in terms of their salary cap at the trade deadline.

The 33-year-old is in the third and final year of a deal that nets him $1.75 per season.

image: TSN

OUT-RA-GEOUS.  That’s all I can say.  I am totally stunned but not at all surprised by the amazing comeback of New Jersey Devils goaltender, Martin Brodeur.  Tonight, in his first game in almost four months, he shut out the visiting Colorado Avalanche with a final score of 4-0.  Watch the highlights:

If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you’ll know that I was crushed when it was announced that Brodeur would be out of the lineup for months after having surgery to repair torn bicep muscles.  At the beginning of the season, I was excited by the idea that Brodeur could break some records and, hopefully, it’s still a possibility.

After tonight, Brodeur has 545 career wins and 99 shutouts which means he is just six wins and four shutouts away from tying the records set by Patrick Roy and Terry Sawchuck, respectively.  I’m hoping he can do it but, of course, it’s more important that he not push himself too hard.  Ultimately, making the playoffs (and staying healthy) is the most important at this point.

The Montreal Canadiens have traded forward, Steve Begin, to the Dallas Stars in exchange for defenceman, Doug Janik. 

I guess I can see how this could benefit both teams, particularly the Stars.  They can really benefit from Begin’s energy even though this isn’t his beat season – he’s got 6 goals and 4 assists in 42 games. 

It’s interesting that this is the second west coast/east coast swap in the past day or so.  The trade watch continues…

This was a surprise today.  The Pittsburgh Penguins have sent young defenceman, Ryan Whitney, to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Chris Kunitz and Eric Tangradi.  WOW!

I’m really surprised that the Pens got rid of Whitney but I guess anything goes right before the trade deadline.  I’m trying to brace myself for the shockers that are bound to come in the next few days.

Martin Brodeur will be between the pipes tonight for the New Jersey Devils as they host the Colorado Avalanche.  This will be his first game in nearly four months after he had surgery to repair torn biceps. 

"We do something pretty cool playing hockey, so I am excited every game to play," Brodeur said. "But definitely there is a little more emphasis on this. I have not played in a long time and I want to get out there and see how it goes."

"Until something is taken away from you, you don’t appreciate it," Brodeur said. "I think it (the injury) puts stuff in perspective. You sit back for so long and wait and look at people, and guys having fun and you’re like sitting there, and you’d like to have fun with them but you can’t. It’s tough because I never lived that before."

So, what did the 36-year-old netminder do while he was recovering?  He claims to have been watching tapes of potential upcoming opponents.  I guess when you’re out of the game, that’s the best way to see how teams have evolved in terms of how they play and maneuver. 

Brodeur is just seven wins shy of Patrick Roy’s NHL record (Brodeur has 554 career wins) so hopefully he can break the record. 

image: TSN

Here are the best plays in the NHL from this past week.  It kicks off with highlights from last week’s matchup between the Calgary Flames and the visiting Vancouver Canucks.  I watched that game and goaltender, Miikka Kiprusoff, was truly amazing.  There are at least three great saves on the video below but, really, he was pretty great for the whole game.

When Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens) snatched up the puck and robbed Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals), my son and I jumped with surprise but then Ovechkin got his revenge when he scored one of the sweetest goals so far this season.

The clip from the Boston Bruins vs Florida Panthers game was insane.  I was sure the Bruins were going to be able to put one in the back of the net with all the activity near, in and around the crease but, somehow, Tomas Vokoun (Florida) was able to make the save (he had a little help from his crotch, though – ha ha!).

There were some really good plays.  Check out the video:

Uh oh… Pittsburgh Penguins captain, Sidney Crosby, left practice early today due to pain in his groin.  There aren’t really any more details except for the fact that the team is hopeful about him playing tomorrow night against the New York Islanders.

I’m hoping this is true – Martin Brodeur has told the New Jersey Devils that he is ready to play after missing four months of action!

"I told them I am feeling ready," Brodeur said Monday. "It’s up to them to see and look at me and feel comfortable. That’s what it is, they have to feel comfortable having me there."

There was no date given by coach Brent Sutter which is probably smart.  He’s probably going to watch the 36-year-old, four-time Vezina Trophy winner practice for a couple days before he decides.  I’m guessing he wouldn’t put him back in the lineup for a road game so the next home matches are Thursday (vs. Colorado), Saturday (vs. Florida) and Sunday (vs. Philadelphia).  If I had a choice for him I’d probably pick Philly.

Brodeur had to have surgery on his left elbow after he tore his biceps during a game against the Atlanta Thrashers on November 1, 2008.

image: TSN