As many of you know, I rarely report Devils rumours. Quite simply, the Devils are a vault, through and through, and Lou doesn't let ANYONE know what's going on. ANYONE...However, this rumour will NOT go away. The Canucks appear to have huge interest in Gionta, and for good reason as he is a great fit. However, this deal, like so many before them this past three weeks looks to be held back by the Sundin Saga...The Devils of course are hot after a D-man for Gionta.
The Avalanche are currenty rumoured to be getting into the Khabibulin race. I frankly don't get it. I think Budaj deserves his shot, but there are those out there who keep saying they feel Colorado is on the downswing, again I don't see that either. The amount of great, young talent in the Avs organization is ridiculous.
The Oilers have truly put the pressure on the Avs by their off-season moves. I love the extension of Horcoff. Ever since following the Oilers around for 7 games a few years back in the finals I got a true appreciation for what Shawn brings to the table. He reminds me of Yzerman on so many levels. Is he as good as Yzerman was in his prime? Of course not, but he has that upside, and he really has that "it" factor when you watch him. I love this extension and the Oilers off-season moves.
Rumours abound that the Maple Leafs are not done dealing. The talk is Kubina has a lot of teams interested incuding the Isles, Kings, Thrashers, and even his old team the Lightning. One source told me, "If there is a deal to be made with Kubina we will know by weeks end, because there sure is a push on right now to try."
Mathieu Schneider rumours are heating up again as well. There appears to be a strong possibility that Schneider will return to the Island...However, Atlanta and Calgary are also in these rumours this morning. Hmmm...Does Calgary need Schneider? There is an interesting rumour out there that the Flames are up to something much bigger and getting Schneider would be the "second part of that scenario."
There are not many puck moving D-men out there at this point, and still several teams that need one, and the name Mark Popovic keeps coming up. I am hearing the Sabres, Panthers, Hurricanes, Thrashers, Avalanche and Kings all tied to Popovic, who truly may be a "diamond in the rough" according to one team source.
I am chasing down a big Jay Bouwmeester rumour this morning involving another possible three-way deal... plus of course, MORE ON MATS...
The Free Agent Pick 'em Fantasy game is updated. There is a log jam at the top of the standings, but sadly, I am no where near it!
By popular request, reposted from yesterday, are these Dallas Drake Videos that were viewed almost 100,000 times yesterday..I still get chills watching them, as I did when I was there!
So Long Dallas...
Finally, There are those few moments covering hockey that are just awesome.
One for me came on the ice following the Wings Cup win where I saw Dallas Drake's wife and kids as they tried to find their Dad. It was one of those moments that gripped me. 16 years she has seen Dallas fight in the trenches for this moment of glory. The sacrifices she made, the many nights when she was alone with the kids as Dallas traveled, etc..it all hit me as I followed her to try and find Dallas on the ice. I have been told by countless people the Drake's wife is a special person..I hope this video helps you feel a bit of what I was feeling, which I know was just the smallest bit of what they were feeling.
You can tell by the way Dallas' kids go up to him, he is a great dad.
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