Flames fall to the Islanders, plus the latest news on the other Canadian NHL teams.
NY Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak makes a save on Calgary Flames forward Jiri Hudler.
CALGARY SUN: The Flames, playing without injured captain Mark Giordano, fell 2-1 to the New York Islanders. Goaltender Jaroslav Halak set an Islanders record with his 33rd win of the season.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Recently-acquired Devante Smith-Pelly joins an impressive youth movement with the Montreal Canadiens. “Nathan Beaulieu, Brendan Gallagher, Michael Bournival and newcomer Devante Smith-Pelly…are all 22; Alex Galchenyuk, who is 21; and 19-year-old Jacob De La Rose.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If these kids continue to play up to expectations, the Canadiens could be a dominant team over the remainder of this decade and perhaps into the next.
THE VANCOUVER SUN: Canucks GM Jim Benning isn’t planning any major trades, as sidelined players Alex Edler, Chris Tanev and Brad Richardson should return to the lineup within the next couple of weeks. Benning is unwilling to part with high draft picks or good prospects for quick fixes.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It also helps Benning’s cause that his club, despite a rash of recent injuries to key players, remains very much in the thick of the playoff chase in the Western Conference. Several call-ups and young players have stepped up to fill the gaps, providing the Canucks with invaluable depth at a key part of the season.
WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets have transformed into a punishing club to play against.
TORONTO STAR: Dave Nonis’ recent moves implementing his bosses’ “scorched earth” roster policy could ensure his continued employment as Leafs GM beyond this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That quaking in Southern Ontario is the collective shudder of Leafs Nation over the prospect of Nonis remaining as Leafs GM.
OTTAWA CITIZEN: With four straight wins, the Senators are within striking distance of a playoff berth, giving themselves reason to hope.
EDMONTON SUN: The Oilers are entering the home stretch of their schedule.
Honest question, if Nonis was fired think Burke would want anything to do with him any more? After the longterm deals, kinda wiggling around the salary cap with Clarkson for Horton (to get out of a long term deal that I cant help but think Burke would want no part of) buy outs and trading draft picks away it seems to go against alot of things Burkie had some conviction about
Burke and Nonis have a lot in common, both *can* make solid trades and both overvalue and overpay their own players.
The trade that brought in Kessel was not a good one, but Burke did several successful trades to clear out and improve the dregs JFJ left in his wake.
the kessel trade set the leafs back a few years no doubt about that! imagine a young leafs team with seguin and Hamilton as building blocks
Imagine how much better they would be With Conolly and Brodin Wow! jello its stupid to assume that everything else would work out exactly the same if things were different & they didnt make the trade. Looking at Seguin now. If Seguin was such a sure thing to be what he has been for the Stars why would the Bruins trade him? If the Leafs dont make that trade what happens if Hamilton gets hit by a bus? What happens If the Flyers take Hamilton instead of Couturier? If if if…things sure would be different if things were different.
its stupid to assume that they wouldn’t change too shticky fact is it was a bad trade at a bad time to do it for burke
the habs are gonna be good for years with the prospects developing the way they are! bergevin has done an excellent job with the trades and timmins with the drafting this years team is the best they have had in 20yrs! I think bergevin will make one more move on or before Monday that no one will see coming