Basically, he played 74 minor league games last year (3 goals, 18 assists and 82 penalty minutes) between the St. Louis and Pittsburgh organizations but I’m not really overly optimistic about what he’s going to add to Boston’s lineup.

This has just fueled rumors about Phil Kessel’s potential future on the Boston roster.  Some think this is a sign that the team is getting ready to deal away a d-man to make room in the cap for Kessel while others point out the fact that the club is spending money on everyone BUT Kessel.  Ultimately, we’ll just have to wait and see.

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat

NHL.com is reporting that, after six seasons behind Dallas’ bench, head coach, Dave Tippett has been relieved of his duties despite the fact that he has an impressive 271-156-28-37 record.  It had to be expected, however, that major changes would be on their way when Joe Nieuwendyk took over as the team’s general manager.

I know that things went off the rails for the Stars last season so I’m not overly surprised but a lot of it was not the fault of Dave Tippett.  They were plagued by the Sean Avery controversy and a host of injuries, leaving them with captain, Brendan Morrow, and Sergei Zubov for most of the season.  It’s hard to get things done when two of your most important players are out of the lineup.  Then, just when it seemed that things couldn’t get any worse, Brad Richards, got sidelined with hand and wrist injuries that prevented him from helping the team make a push for the playoffs.  It was just an overall bad year.  It was the first time in Tippett’s six years with the team that they didn’t make it to the postseason.

Of course, the rumors about a replacement have started.  The Los Angeles Kings have reportedly given the Stars permission to talk to coach, Marc Crawford.  He’s still under contract with LA and I wish he would just stay there.  I’m not sure how he would fit in with Dallas’ roster.

**UPDATE** NHL.com is now reporting that the Stars have, in fact, hired Marc Crawford.

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat

“We have internal discussions about many players and their potential availability, including Ray Emery,” Holmgren said. “I have spoken to his agent a few times about Ray as well. Any further speculation about this would be very premature.”

Still, this is potentially HUGE news.  I really had all but written off the former Ottawa Senators netminder – not because he wasn’t good enough but because he couldn’t seem to get control over his personal problems (for which he did take some responsibility).  It was sad to me because he really has a lot of potential and even backstopped the Sens all the way to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final.

Unfortunately, things really started to fall apart after that (and, yes, his ego seemed to play a huge role in that) and he ended up playing for Moscow’s Mytishchi Atlanta in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League this season (though he did accuse the team of taking money from him).

Emery is 71-40-14 with a 2.71 goals-against average and eight shutouts in 134 NHL games and could fit in nicely with the Flyers (if he could behave) since both of their goaltender, Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaki, will become free agents this summer.

I would be happy to see Emery make a return to the NHL as long as he’s ready.  As is the case with Sean Avery, I feel that a player’s personal issues can really ruin an otherwise excellent career so I hope that Emery gets himself back on track because the jury is still out on Avery.

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat

Instead, I’ve been hearing that people in the front office down in Tampa are fighting because some want to trade him while others want to keep the original agreement.  With an $85 million contract extension and a team that is sucking majorly, I’m thinking they either want him to become a savior or free up some of that money.  Either way, this stinks. 

Tampa can blame everyone they want – Vinny, Barry Melrose, etc.. it’s not going to change the fact that something is not working and I’m looking at the owners.

Anyway, where could Lecavalier end up? With the Montreal Canadiens.  Apparently, there’s been real discussions with Habs GM, Bob Gainey, and the trade could include as many as four NHLers.  If that’s the case, this would be a huge deal so I will definitely be keeping my eyes and ears open for news.

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat