Saturday Night Hockey: Canadian Team Roundup

Fire Therrien

As a Habs fan this team is frustrating at times, and lately frustration is pretty high. They just squandered a 9 point lead on the top wildcard spot in the past few weeks and are now looking to miss the playoffs. Price’s play has dropped off (although hard to blame him when the team is playing like they are now), Markov is starting to drop off (that Malkin goal on Wednesday was bad) and Douglas Murray keeps getting into the lineup. Andrew Berkshire at EOTP has a great piece on the Habs current struggles. Not to overly sum it up but Therrien basically changed a system that was working in October and now the Habs are feeling the full effect of it (Price’s play eased the pain early on). Since Therrien is pretty stubborn, these woes are surely to continue. Things are getting bleak in Habs land.

Toronto Still Has Carlyle

I’d be laughing at that if it wasn’t for the fact they are back in playoff contention. 

CSI Ottawa is Back

Probably the best news that came out of the Torterella hearing was the Eugene Melynk was in the building to see Commissioner Bettman, and it wasn’t for the usually owner-commish reasons. Melynk (along with GM Bryan Murray) was there to present evidence from his forensic investigation of the Cooke-Karlsson incident.  Not much is known about what the evidence is or what the NHL will decide to do with it, but no matter what, one thing is for sure: This thing is ridiculous/hilarious.

Lowe Times in Edmonton

Times are so desperate in Edmonton that owner Daryl Katz has released a letter to the fans ensuring them that he believes in the current group and good times are ahead (or something like that).  Of course, it wasn’t received well by fans. Edmonton could be a case study in what happens when you hire the past to run the current team. I'm not saying all former players are bad at executive positions (Colorado has been good so far), but some are just not cut out for it. Lowe may be helpful with picking Canada's team for international competition, but that might be because of all the star power to chose from. In the NHL it's different, you either draft and develop it or luck out signing/trading for one.  

Hartley Pays; Stajan Gets Paid

The consequences for the Flames after last week’s line brawl was a $25,000 fine to Head Coach Bob Hartley. This, like Rolston’s fine this preseason, is dumb. As Friedman pointed out in his 30 Thoughts column, Hartley wasn’t the first coach this season to start his fourth line. If the NHL is fining teams for player selections then shouldn’t Pittsburgh be fined every game for dressing the best player in the league? But I digress, after all, the "Canucks started it".

As for the good Flames news, they re-upped Matt Stajan for 4 more years at $12.5 million. This is a good deal, Stajan is one of Calgary’s best players and he’s taking a discount to stay (4y $14M was his last contract).  Especially with Backlund and Monahan still developing, Calgary does need a centre that can play the top minutes while the other centres keep progressing. The only issue I have with the deal is that he’s signed for 4 more years at age 30. The Flames probably could have taken a year off the contract.

Torts Suspended

On the Vancouver side of the brawl, Canucks Head Coach John Tortorella was suspended for 15 days (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=701556) and will miss six Canucks games.  The suspension seems fair, as he

a)  Did have a role in the brawl and,

b)  Tried to confront Hartley during the first intermission by going over to the Flames dressing room area

Glen Gulutzan and Mike Sullivan are going to share Head Coaching duties while Torts is serving his suspension.  In fairness to Torts, at least he didn’t punch Hartley.

So What About Winnipeg?

I covered them on Sunday.

Any Good News About a Canadian Team?

Hayley Wickenheiser was named Canada's Olympic flag-bearer for the opening ceremony in Sochi. So that's something good.

Lineup Notables

Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Ottawa: Mark Stone (arm) is out. Robin Lehner starts this afternoon.
Carolina: Patrick Dwyer (upper body), Joni Pitkanen (heel) and Cam Ward (lower body) is out. Anton Khudobin will be in net.

Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens

Washington: Jack Hillen is out while Alexander Ovechkin (lower body) and Mikhail Grabovski (lower body) are doubtful. Braden Holtby is expected to start.
Montreal: Alex Galchenyuk (hand), Ryan White (upper body) and Drew Drewiske (shoulder) are out. Carey Price might get shellacked again tonight.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Winnipeg Jets

Toronto: Dave Bolland (ankle), David Clarkson (elbow), Fraser McLaren (shoulder) and Trevor Smith (hand) are out. James Reimer will be in net.
Winnipeg: Jim Slater (groin), Matt Halischuk (upper body), Paul Postma (leg) and Grant Clitsome (illness) are out. Ondrej Pavelec is expected to start.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings (Stadium Series - Dodgers Stadium)

Anaheim: Sheldon Souray (wrist), Luca Sbisa (wrist) and Viktor Fasth (lower body) are out. Jonas Hiller is expect to start.
Los Angeles: Matt Greene (concussion) is out. Jonathan Quick is in net.