Game recaps, Evgeni Nabokov retires, reaction from Buffalo on yesterday’s Sabres-Jets blockbuster trade and much more.
Game recaps.
Washington Capitals forward Joel Ward scores in overtime against the San Jose Sharks.
CSNWASHINGTON.COM: Joel Ward’s overtime goal lifted the Washington Capitals to a 5-4 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Earlier in the day, long-time Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov announced his retirement and was greeted with a standing ovation from Sharks fans before the game began. San Jose GM Doug Wilson reacquired Nabokov earlier this week from the Tampa Bay Lightning to allow Nabokov to retire as a Shark.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nabokov holds the Sharks goaltending records for games-played, wins and shutouts. He was a key part of the Sharks success in the previous decade and for a time was among the league’s elite netminders.
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Blake Comeau returned from injury in style with a goal and an assist to help the Penguins down the Detroit Red Wings 4-1.
Reaction from Buffalo on the Sabres-Jets blockbuster trade.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: Yesterday’s massive trade in which the Buffalo Sabres shipped Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, prospects and a first round pick to the Winnipeg Jets for Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian prompted a critical response from columnists Jerry Sullivan and Mike Harrington. Both believe Sabres GM Tim Murray gave up too much in this deal, noted Kane’s reputation as a promising but troublesome player and believe Murray is taking a gamble on Kane.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Sullivan points out, no one will complain about overpayment if Kane blossoms into a superstar in Buffalo. Time will tell if this deal helps turn the Sabres back into a perennial playoff team.
Other headlines.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE: Patrick Kane has taken over the NHL scoring lead with 62 points.
THE DETROIT NEWS: Concussions have Red Wings forward Johan Franzen facing an uncertain future. Currently sidelined, Red Wings GM Ken Holland is stressing Franzen should not try to rush back to action, stressing the winger needs to thing about his health and his family.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars captain Jamie Benn issued an apology for disparaging remarks he and linemate Tyler Seguin made about the Sedin Twins during a recent appearance on a Dallas radio show.
NEWSOBSERVER.COM: Expensive healthy scratch Alexander Semin has returned to the lineup.
THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC: The Arizona Coyotes claimed forward Mark Arcobello off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins. They are the fourth NHL team he’s belonged to this season.
I despise Harrington and Sullivan, but they are right in questioning this trade and its risk. Kane didn’t turn Atlanta/Winnipeg into a perennial playoff team, so why would this magically happen in Buffalo with lesser/inexperienced players? Even if they get McDavid or Eichel, it isn’t going to be sunshine and rainbows right away. And what if Kane doesn’t click with them or continues his maddening inconsistency? That is a lot of “ifs” for that haul.
I wonder if there are any other high profile players that were considered to have attitude problems that didn’t fit with their team and then blossomed when traded. Hey … Tyler Seguin is calling. Kane might be a gamble, but with the depth at center he is a gamble worth taking, while both Myers/Bogasian needed a shakeup.