A much better period by the Rangers in the second controlling play against the Lightning to take a 1-0 lead after 40 minutes.

They played much better in all facets taking away the neutral zone and the Bolts’ space which resulted in a 16-3 SOG edge and three more power plays. They’re 0-for-5 but have had some quality chances including a great individual effort by Naslund going around two Tampa players before deking Smith with the backhand stuff off the post. Too bad he didn’t score there cause that would’ve been a great way to start the scoring in 2008-09.

Speaking of the veteran Swede, he looked extremely good in that stanza and got rewarded with the season’s first goal when he took a Gomez pass on the right wing and wristed one past Smith at 18:08. The play was a great one all around started by Redden in his end winning a puck battle along the boards before getting it out. Gomez and Naslund did the rest.

Other stuff:

-Korpikoski, Callahan and Prucha continue to look good.

-Dubinsky’s line with Zherdev and Dawes was more noticeable generating chances on the cycle. Zherdev was good defensively and even had a steal off a turnover forcing Smith to make a strong stop.

-Rozsival is shooting the puck and has 4 shots after two stanzas.

-I still don’t like Kalinin in his end but he did make a good defensive play drawing a power play. His offensive ability seems alright as he jumped into the play a few times getting opportunities.

-Staal was strong defensively.

-Orr, a surprise start had a great chance off hustle at the end of a shift going around O’Brien but was stopped by Smith.

-Stamkos looks good for his first game for Tampa. He’s got great wheels, a laser of a shot and just is around the puck.

-St. Louis has been Tampa’s best player behind Smith. He’s so dangerous using his small frame to get one of the only good chances for his team in the second.

-Lecavalier was good in the first getting chances but more held in check that period.

-The MSG audio has been shaky but at least the feed didn’t go out yet.

SOG thru 2 periods:

NYR-30 TB-11

Third is coming on. The Pens and Sens start up in Stockholm at The Globe in a few minutes.

Be back after.

Well, first game and the Rangers and Lightning are scoreless after one at the O2 Arena in Prague. Not for lack of quality scoring chances. That’s for sure. Both goalies have come up big thus far with Henrik Lundqvist bailing his team out making at least four saves point plank due to sloppy defensive play from the Rangers.

Mike Smith has also looked good not allowing any rebounds and making a couple of nice stops on good setups off the forecheck.

I’d give the edge to the Lightning as they were the more dangerous team offensively transitioning the puck from D to offense and getting in behind our D. That can’t happen over the next 40 minutes.

The Rangers got better as the period went on allowing just one Tampa shot over the last half of the stanza.

Other quick hits:

-As Lenny thankfully stated, Prucha is in and Sjostrom is out. He, Callahan and Korpikoski looked good in that period putting together a couple of solid energetic shifts. Korp doesn’t look tight at all even getting some PK duty.

-Kalinin as said is a nightmare. He’s awful and looks like a waste of space. Why is he paired up with Girardi? Yikes. He already was caught out of position 3-4 times and took the only Ranger penalty.

-Redden for the most part looked okay with Rozsival but did have a glaring turnover at his own blueline leading directly to a 3-on-1 rush but Artytukhin missed the net.

-Drury and Gomez both look good using their skating to generate chances including a mini shorthanded bid by the new Ranger captain and a nice setup from Gomer to Voros, who was denied.

-Zherdev also had a decent period getting one very good chance.

-Nice to see Rozsival shoot the puck. He attempted at least three getting them on net.
-D pairings I hate are Staal with Mara and Kalinin with Girardi. Staal should be with Girardi and Kalinin with Mara. Poor Girardi.

That’s all for now. I’ll be back later.

2:10 PM: I’ll be liveblogging the action today between the Devils and Rangers.  Check back here at 3:00 PM ET for more goodstuffs from myself and hopefully all your Battle friends!  

2:46 PM: Betts and Malik are in for the Rangers, Mara and Hollweg are out.  Devils go with the same lineup as Friday night in Philly.    
 

2:57 PM: It is MSG+ on my TV today.  Game coming up!      

3:07 PM: Zach Parise with a big hit on Christian Backman.  No feeling out stage in this one folks.       

3:08 PM: First big chance to the Rangers as Brodeur stops Jagr from the deep slot.     

3:10 PM: Chico deems Newark, NJ “Hockeytown North America” for the day.  Oh boy.    

3:12 PM: Devils get their first chance of the day as Zach Parise tips a Patrik Elias shot…NEVERMIND THEY SCORE!  John Madden at the side of the net!  1-0 NJ! 

3:14 PM: Big hit from Vishnevski on Sjostrom as Madden gets his 20th for the second time in his career. Gionta and Martin get the assists on the goal from Madden at 4:26.

3:18 PM: Jagr fans on a great chance in front. It’s fairly clear who looks more ready for this one, and it’s a total suprise.

3:20 PM After a great Ranger chance one way, Gionta and Pandolfo fail on a 2-on-the-goalie.

3:21 PM: Drury off for charging. Devils to the power play. Bit of an iffy call, likely one the refs made to get what had become a hard-hitting game from getting nasty.

3:25 PM: Rangers kill it off. Devils continue to struggle on the power play vs. New York.

3:27 PM: SCORE! Rupp sent one to the net that Lundqvist couldn’t get the angle on! 2-0 Devils. Rupp’s 3rd of the year, from Zubrus at 12:57.

3:32 PM: The Devils are, how they say, owning the Rangers at the moment. Being physical and agressive and offensive, strangely enough. I’m having trouble with this software. If Hasan or Lenny or Derek can pick it up for me, let me know while I switch off to some other technology.

3:51 PM: It was mostly Devils in that period as they outscored the Rangers 2-0 and outshot them 11-2. I honestly am not surprised that they came out so strong. Especially after how Sutter ripped them as Hasan referred to about not being ‘professional’ in a bad loss in Philly Friday night which allowed the Flyers to clinch.

3:55 ET: The Flyers and Pens at last check were scoreless. A Pens’ win gives them the No.1 seed and a first round date in the Battle of Pennsylvania. If the Flyers win, they move up to No.6 and play Washington. As Hasan accurately reported yesterday, the other match-up is set between the Canadiens and Bruins in a battle of Original Six. Montreal dominated the season series sweeping all eight games. It wasn’t close. They outscored them by over 20.

Some Ranger thoughts on the opening stanza:

-Malik struggled in his first period back. He needs to get his timing back.

-Loved what Chris Drury did hitting a couple of Devils with clean hits. I didn’t realize that wasn’t allowed as the charging call was another softy in the BHL.

-Someone needs to give David Clarkson a beatdown. That shove on Malik right into Lundqvist was cheap and dangerous. He’s a dirty player. That can’t be tolerated. And his shenanigans after the whistle on Brandon Dubinsky was also idiotic. I really dislike that guy with a passion.

Second period’s apparently on as I heard a roar from my brother. So I’m guessing the Rangers got one to slice it in half. Be back for more later.

4:41 PM: Derek checking in again. The Rangers got a Chris Drury goal 19 seconds into the middle stanza to slice the deficit to one. That’s where we stand with 20 minutes left. His team-leading 25th was made possible by some great hustle from rookie Nigel Dawes, who beat Zach Parise to a loose puck to keep it alive allowing Drury to get to it and fire past the glove of Marty Brodeur.

Maybe it woke up the Rangers cause they played a much better second having the edge in play outshooting the Devs 10-5. Shots are now 16-12 New Jersey with the all important third coming up.

It’s rather simple:

A.If the game gets to OT, the Devils get home ice because of the tiebreakers regardless if the Rangers comeback and win.

B.The Rangers must prevail in regulation to earn home ice and the No.4 seed in the upcoming series.

4:45 PM: Just to update Pens-Flyers, Scottie Upshall’s 14th with 1:30 left in the second has Philly in front with a period to go. Sidney Crosby and Daniel Briere are sitting out.

We’ll have more later.

5:49 PM: It’s all over. The Devils get their first win in eight games in the season series by coming back to take the shootout 2-1 making the final score 3-2. Trailing on “fan fave” Scott Gomez’ sneaky backhand, hexed Zach Parise finally found a way to beat Henrik Lundqvist going to the backhand top shelf to force an extra round.

In it, after Fredrik Sjostrom fanned on his shot, Patrik Elias wired one off the inside of the crossbar and in to give his team a final victory ending the regular season.

5:54 PM: To the Rangers’ credit, they got the game tied when Sean Avery actually did something setting up the resurgent Jaromir Jagr for his 25th early in the third. A couple of highway robberies by Lundqvist on Parise actually allowed his team a chance to steal the home ice when John Madden was sent to the box for a soft hook. Another Bettman special.

5:57 PM: Tom Renney did go for it pulling Lundqvist for the extra attacker for a six-on-four but his team overpassed the puck a little and didn’t get the kind of opportunity needed to beat Brodeur, allowing the Devs to get the one point they needed for home ice and the No.4 seed. 

Both teams wasted four-on-three chances in OT forcing it to a shootout, where this time the Devils finally solved Lundqvist to improve to 1-4-3 in the season series.

That’s now meaningless once the second season begins. Expect Game One at The Rock to take place Wednesday night at 7 PM.

A little note which MSG used. In 4/5 first round history, the No.4 seed has won 19 of the 26 times. Another stat which won’t mean a whole lot once the first puck’s dropped.

6:03 ET: Here are the Eastern Conference match-ups:

(1) Mtl vs (8) Bos

(2) Pit vs (7) Ott

(3) Wsh vs (6) Phi

(4) NJ vs (NYR)

We’ll have much more on all the match-ups.

9:41 PM…Goodnight folks…Updates coming later.

9:40 PM…Madden over top, no goal….Rangers win. Fantastic game, take a point in the standings. Still last place, but we can play with these guys.

9″40 PM…no sir, save Broduer. Madden v. Lundy for the game.

9:39 PM…Nigel Dawes for NYR can win it.

9:39 PM…Gio for NJD…stopped by Lundqvist.

9:39 PM…Prucha rips it top shelf on Broduer! 1-0 Rag$

9:38 PM…Parise for NJ, couldn’t stuff it! He had him beaten, but couldn’t get it up, Lundy’s stick tied up Zach.

9:37 PM…Here he comes…skates slowly…misses the net…deked, went forehand, over top.

9:37 PM…Marcel Hossa will go first for NYR.

9:36 PM…This will be fun to watch, Brodeur and Lundqvist…Jagr, Gomez, Elias, Drury, Parise, Shanahan, Madden, Zajac, Clarkson…who’s the hero tonight?

9:35 PM…First Devils shootout under Brent Sutter. Big question, do the Rags use Gomer? Julien almost never used him, though Gomer always talked of conceiving world-beating plays.

9:34 PM…Jagr, Drury, doesn’t matter Devs clear! Shanahan’s out there, Gomez to Drury, shot off side of the net AND CLEARED!!! SKILLS COMPETITION COMING UP! DEVS KILL IT OFF!

9:33 PM…That’s what they’re calling!?!? Now? Another border-line call in OT may burn NJD. NYR calls timeout.

9:32 PM…Eilas and Gionta out there, 1 minute togo…Dawes shot crazy deflect into Marty…3-on-2…Gomez for Girardi went wide…stick hold on Vishnevski! D’oh! 25.1 to go, Power Play NYR.

9:32 PM…Oduya-Mottau-Parise-Zajac for Devs…they control Parise to the front wouldn’t go…Parise’s pass is off Zajac’s stick…Zajac and Parise keep it to the outside…Vishnevski’s shot tipped to the mesh.

9:31 PM…MStaal fires wide…offside called. Fingers hurting.

9:30 PM…Madden=Pando v. Dubinsky-Jagr…crazy attempt from Jags goes wide..Lundqvist nearly brainfarts playing the puck, but it’s gotten out.

9:29 PM…Dawes stopped by Marty…Gionta’s rush the other way stopped.

9:28 PM…Avery misses the net and is replaced by Shanahan…Shanahan centers but has it blocked…Here comes Mottau fed one, turned over, Drury ROBBED BY MARTY ON A BREAKAWAY!!!!!

9:27 PM…Overtime Starters…Madden-Parise, Gomez-Avery up front, now Zajac-Parise…Gomez flies one wide.

9:26 PM…Recap the scoring…Gomez for NYR, Sarge for NJD. Both teams 0-1 in Extra Time, Devs in OT, Rags in a Shootout.

9:25 PM…This Overtime is looking scary good and is coming your way!

9:24 PM…Overtime at the Garden with a neutral zone faceoff with 3.7 to go.

9:23 PM…Elias line with Oduya-Mottau out…Gio-Zach-Travis for Devs now…17 to go.

9:22 PM…Madden sends it in…Devils look to control…Zubrus behind the net…they lose control and Drury’s pass goes awry…quick centering pass no sail…Martin-Greene can’t get off finally they do as Madden clears…One Hot Minute to Go!

9:21 PM…Devils get the Madden line out…let’s go! Dawes-Drury-Shanny vs. MPZ.

9:20 PM…Icing on NJD…3:27 to go.

9:19 PM…Reviewed…no goal…good judge. Devils get Brook-nevski out there with Parise line.

9:17 PM…My goodness, Gionta has it knocked away on the break, then Parise robbed by Lundqvist and the whistle blows a little early, but good call, no goal.

9:17 PM…Marty covers…faceoff Devs zone.

9:17 PM…High hits are legal for those who wear #68 in blue…

9:16 PM…Clarkson stopped by Lundy back from break.

9:13 PM…Madden line on…Zubrus using that big body tonight. Offside…Commercial!

9:13 PM…Brodeur says no soup for you to Shanny and then Mara! Devils another awful change.

9:12 PM…Devils ice the puck.

9:12 PM…Fantastic shift for Johnny Oduya!

9:11 PM…Hollweg and Jagr in…ODUYA PWNS HOLLWEG!

9:11 PM…4th line for NJD…Asham and Rupp in particularly have been good…Mottau rips one wide.

9:10 PM…Patty and DClark get two great chances…Lundqvist is insane tonight.

9:09 PM…Back from break…Brook-nevski out on D, with the Parise line out. Now out is the Clarkson line.

9:06 PM…Nothing comes of that…Zubrus has done some dogged work tonight…here come Jagr and Hossa…Jagr lurks as the Devils turn it over to Hoss who can’t control…Madden brings it ahead and rips a shot off and get a change…Commericial break.

9:05 PM…Avery nails Patty and they have words, here comes New Jersey Madden-Pando-Zubi

9:04 PM…Congrats to Dustin Byfuglien, who just scored his first NHL goal against St. Louis tonight…for why you shouldcare: Here’s the KK Story…http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/chicago_calls_up_dustin/

9:02 PM…Commercial break…whew.

9:02 PM…Gio line is out. Shanny out for the Rags with Dawes…and Brodeur robs Drury!!!!!

9:02 PM…God, this has been a war tonight.

9:01 PM…Here comes the Madden line, Madden’s shot riccochets wide…Jagr’s out there with Dubinsky and Hossa…Dubinsky’s shot tipped wide by Marty.

9:01 PM…It is clear that the Devils 4th line can be a viable threat if given a shot.

9:00 PM…Faceoff Ranger zone, Devil 4th line out with Oduya-Mottau against the Rags line 4.

8:59 PM…Avery doesn’t miss by much. Avery-Gomez on the same line…? Mmm…blinding hatred.

8:58 PM…Chico a good point that all 4 lines are contributing…Brodeur tells Prucha to take the weak stuff to someone who cares…gloving a lazy wrister.

8:57 PM…#68 in blue limps to the bench…skate problem…Gionta centers Parise, jamming away, Lundqvist…did he hold the line!? Appears he did.

8:56 PM…Jagr backhand…save Brodeur…Roszival shoots…wide…Madden and his panhandlers go for it…here comes Jagr….WIPE OUT!

8:56 PM…Betts backhands one wide, teams change…Dawes dumps it in.

8:56 PM…4th line out with Oduya-Mottau. 4th line out for Rags…Rupp a backhander stopped by Henrik…great game for Rupp so far.

8:55 PM…Madden line out with Brookbank-Vishnevski…Rangers go off on a change and dump it in…here comes the Madden line…Maddog rips one wide of goal…Devils keep possession and Madden takes a bad-angle shot that Lundqvist covers.

8:55 PM…Icing, Faceoff in the Rag$ zone.

8:54 PM…Devils need to build on this shift…Elias-Brylin-Clarkson vs. Drury and JJ…here come Clarkson and Patty…Clarkson 2 shots stopped by Lundqvist! A goaltender’s duel at the Garden tonight!

8:52 PM…Guys like Gio and Patty need to step up…on cue some big chances for Zajac-Parise-Gio, just missing getting it over the line.

8:51 PM…3rd Period…Let’s get it on.

8:42 PM…We’ll take a break until Period 3.

8:41 PM…Jesus, FTW Trautwig on Arbour.

8:41 PM…Let’s update the out-of-town scoreboard.

PIT 2-1 NYI
MTL 2-2 TOR
BOS 2-2 OTT
FLA 2-3 CAR
ATL 1-2 TB
CGY 0-1 MIN
CHI 0-0 STL

8:34 PM…Elias a clever backhander stopped by Lundqvist, and that will do it. After 2 periods, the guys in red and black are tied with the guys in blue at 1.

8:33 PM… One hot minute to go.

8:32 PM…My goodness this has been a fun game. But no, we need less divisional games.

8:31 PM…Gionta just misses an easy tap in one way…and a terrific stop by Brodeur on Drury the other…2 shots stopped by Lundqvist back the other side…This is wonderful stuff!

8:30 PM…Good shift from the the Madden-Pando-Zubi line.

8:29 PM…As Doc always says, spontaneous fighting is still tolerated by the National League of Hockey…and 5-minute fighting majors eliminate Rupp and Orr for the period…as if you’d notice.

8:28 PM…Call that one a draw…some devastating blows from both players…and not one person got their hat and said “Well, I never!” and walked out into the New York night.

8:27 PM…Rupp and Colton Orr in the center ring!

8:27 PM…A dare I say…Stevens-esque hit by Vishnevski.

8:26 PM…Commercials.

8:25 PM…Vitaly Vishnevski is my new God…He just RRROCKED HOE-MEZ!!! VV=JC.

8:25 PM…Avery just misses the net…here come Madden and Pandolfo, they dump it in and go off for a change.

8:24 PM..Good work by Zach Parise shutting down Jagr a moment ago.

8:21 PM…Penalty killed…whew.

8:20 PM…Rags #2 unit out there…watch them score when the all-stars can’t.

8:20 PM…Devils clear it out. Rangers still havent figured out this whole we’re all superstars but we can’t score on a 5-on-4. Brodeur robs Hoe-Mez with the glove.

8:19 PM…Gomez rips one wide. Back to the penalty…I gotta be honest, I don’t think Johnny did anything wrong there…I feel dirty.

8:16 PM…Prucha’s breakaway…can’t get the shot away, Oduya hooks him, and Prucha DIVES after the arm goes up…but Johnny will get whipped for what was in all honesty, as good a penalty as you can take.

8:16 PM…It’s odd that of all the Ranger weapons…I fear Nigel Dawes the most. Devils have killed it off.

8:15 PM…Pelley Clears.

8:15 PM…Madden shorthanded stopped by Lundy…Pando falls…odd man rush…Shanker from Shanny…Devils are back after Pando’s wipe-out.

8:14 PM…Apparently, getting your leg tangeled with another player means a penalty to that player…so Gio off for a trip, Rag$ to the 5-on-4…I’m very nervous.

8:12 PM…Zach hits the post! Zajac just robbed by Lundqvist on a tip…Devils taking a penalty, commercial break.

8:11 PM…Rupp wastes a two-on-one by failing to get it high enough…nice try, though. Rupp misses the net on another one. Hooray, fourth liners.

8:11 PM…Gotta’ love Doc’s pointing out of the Rangers using the trap.

8:10 PM…Marty denies Roszival.

8:09 PM…V-Squared is out on the bench, confirmed…Clarkson just missed a wrap-around.

8:07 PM…Doc is suspecting that Vishnevski is not on the bench…and he is…looking incorrect from my view…we’ll see.

8:05 PM… Marty a large save on Jagr.

8:04 PM…Devils Power Play, 0-3, 2 Shots…Not good.

8:03 PM…Mottau rocked one blocked, as the Devils are finishing an unsuccessful power-play, hoe-mez is out of the box.

8:02 PM…Period 2 Commences.

7:59 PM…Sorry folks, dinner…back to blogging with Period #2. Awesome announcement that the Devs are showing Classic Stevens and Devs games. Checking Thursday’s Schedule, they will be:

-Devils vs. Pittsburgh, Game 1, 1991.
-Devils vs. Detroit, Game 2, 1995
-Devils vs. Philadelphia, Game 7, 2000 (!eep!).
-Devils vs. Anaheim, Game 7, 2003.

7:30 PM…Solid stop by Lundqvist on David Clarkson

7:29 PM…Brookbank rocks Dubinsky I believe?

7:28 PM…Penalty Killed.

7:28 PM…Lundqvist stops Elias…mad scramble…cleared by the Rag$

7:27 PM…Zajac JUST Missed hitting Gionta on the backdoor.

7:27 PM…Devils Power-Kill is on.

7:25 PM…A quick Pelley turn-arounded thwarted by Lundqvist, Hollweg reefs Paul Martin…Running out of adjectives already. Commercial Break.

7:23 PM…Another solid hit by Vishnevski creates 2 David Clarkson chances, foiled by the Rangers.

7:23 PM…Brodeur a solid pad save on Roszival from way downtow…then Staal rips one that was deflected wide.

7:22 PM…Now updated on NHL.com…Oduya and Mottau, and he now has 2 straight games with assists.

7:21 PM…Still apparently un-assisted on the NHL website, but Doc has pointed out that Oduya and Mottau have been credited with assists on the Sarge goal.

7:20 PM…As usual, Patricia from 2 Man is ahead of me, as she pointed out correctly over there, it was Vishnevski owning Blair Betts.

7:19 PM…Commercial Break. I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out Vitaly Vishnevski’s great earlier, absolutely pwning one of the Rangers, sort of a hodgepodge of activity before I got to liveblogging so I don’t know who it was on.

7:18 PM…Scoring of the 2 Goals…Rangers - Gomez from Prucha and Tyutin at 6:01. Brylin apparently Unassisted(?) at 6:34.

7:17 PM…Johnny Oduya makes a brilliant centering feed and Sergei Brylin scores 33 second Postscript of the first Ranger goal.

7:16 PM…Somehow it’s already 1-0. Sorry for my lateness. SCORE! DEVILS! SARGE BABY SARGE! TIE GAME!

Pandolfo and Madden for NJ, Talbot and Roberts for Pittsburgh.

These see-saw games have to stop.

More later.

Thursday night, I had the privilege to be in the midst of greatness. Well, Patricia and Josh from 2 Man Advantage and John from In Lou We Trust, to be more accurate. We traded witty barbs and hockey insight on the Devils and the entire NHL. Here’s what transpired.

A Reminder…
SL - Yours Truly
PG - Patricia Greuter from 2 Man Advantage
JB - Josh Burnett from 2 Man Advantage
JF - John Fischer from In Lou We Trust

We begun the big show by speaking about Scott Gomez, and his legacy as a Devil.

John Fischer : Scott’s legacy? He was a winner with a winning team.

Patricia Greuter: I certainly appreciate the little bastard’s contributions, no doubt.

JF: That should detract from what he did in, say, 2000 and 2003.

Steve Lepore: he gave this team as much of a personality as they’ve ever had under Lou.

PG: But he also turned into somewhat of a diva this past season, it felt like.

SL: But if i remember correctly, he was awful in the ‘00 playoffs.

PG: I mean, come on, dude doesn’t even know what backchecking is.

JF: I didn’t get that impression at all, Pat. And he was a rookie in 2000.

SL: He tore up the league in 2000 though, and he had AlMo on his wing, didn’t he?

PG: Oh he was great in 2000. He and AlMo’s chemistry was amazing

JF: It was amazing how Mogilny did even better in 2001 whereas Gomez hit the sophmore slump hard.

PG: Gomer had been benched for poor play a few times over the span of his career in NJ.

SL: Lets not get into Gomez v. Burns.

JF: Overall, Gomez gave the Devils depth at attack - someone not named Neidermayer leading breakouts was nice, as well as a specific playmaking center.

PG: Like I said, on a defensive minded team, Gomez was stifled. And that’s quite awkward coming from a guy who doesn’t like shooting the puck.

JF: Now, now, he shot the puck plenty of times 2 years ago.

SL: anyway, how do you think a new centerman will affect Elias and Gionta?

JF: Which is what probably convinced the Rangers to spend $10 mil. Thinking gomez will return to that year, and all that

PG: He’s pretty set on the fact that he can dazzle the opposition with his puckhandling, which he CAN do. I think he will shoot more, yes.

JF: He’ll have to. Jagr likes to dish too.

PG: I don’t think you’re going to see some miraculous breakthrough though

Josh Burnett: I need to type faster, points I’m on th verge of making are made before i make them!

PG: Anyway, in terms of Zubrus

SL: I dont want to deny you the excitement of discussing Dianus Zubrus

JF: Dainius Zubrus.

SL: Eh, fair enough, let’s talk some Zubi.

PG: Dainius, Steve

SL: I’m going with Zubi for the rest of forever

PG: Let’s let Josh field this one first

JF: Chere’s article indicates he’s fitting in well. He’ll have to given his contract and role on the team.

JF: Oops, my bad

SL: Does anyone think Zubi’s going to play center on the top line? He’s really more comfortable on the wing

PG: Yeah, but who are you going to put there otherwise?

JB: No problem. I like Zubi personally. I think his size complements Patty and Gio well.

SL: I really want to say Zajac, but im not splitting him and Parise.

PG: I wish Zubrus would use his size more to his advantage.

SL: And your right on the size factor.

JB: I don’t think you put Parise or Zajac on the top line, so Zubi’s your top center by default.

SL: Is Zubrus the 2nd coming of Viktor Kozlov?

JF: I do NOT want to see Elias centering the top line again. And I will cry if I see the second coming of Viktor Kozlov. Zubrus has proven more so far in his career.

PG: Although it seems Kozzie has had somewhat of a re-birth in his career

JF: He isn’t afraid to use his body and he’s versatile enough to fit on a first line.

PG: He was just awful with New Jersey

SL: Alright, lets talk about the other defector. Brian Rafalski hasnt taken the abuse it seems that Gomez has taken.

JF: Because he’s now in Detroit. Do they even play NJ this year?

SL: Is it more that he went to Detroit, or that Lou probably could’ve signed him. No, NJ does not play Detroit this season

PG: Well, as I previously said, Detroit will be kicking themselves about three years into THAT contract

JB: I think it’s because he went to be closer to home. Whereas NYC is only about 6mile sfurther from home for Mr Gomez.

JF: Well, then, I can only hope the Devils do meet Detroit this coming season then. It doesn’t even have to be Detroit, come to think of it. Any Western Conf. team will do.

PG: Raffi doesn’t have too many years left in the tank

JF: I don’t know, Rafalski doesn’t have to be the #1 guy in Detroit. He’ll get less minutes than he did in NJ

JB:That might work for him though.

PG: Yeah, but he ALREADY got hurt in preseason

JF: He’ll be in the top 4, something he’s more than capable of doing. For what it’s worth, I think he’s better than Mathieu Schnieder. So Detroit upgraded there.

SL: Well, Raffy will have the benefit of not being counted on as the #1 guy

PG: And he never should have been a #1 guy…which made me hate him in New Jersey

SL: He’s not even the best offensive deffenseman on the team.

JF: Where as the Rangers didn’t really need both Gomez AND Drury. But I can’t really find much hate for a guy taking a lot of money late in his career to a team not even in our conference.

SL: He was never quite the same after Stevens couldnt play anymore

JF: Gomez on the other hand, well, it’s the opposite. And Rafalski doesn’t have to be the #1 two-way defenseman, Detroit still has the commanding defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom

JB: Maybe in other years Raffi would have gotten at least some grieg for signing elsewhere.

SL: Alright, lets talk about the rest of the replacements we found during the offseason.

PG: I didn’t really want Rafalski retained, to be honest. I was sad to see him go, but I don’t think he was all that needed here. The Atlantic has a weak defense as a whole, we could get by with what we have.

SL: So, Karel Rachunek.

PG: Rachunek has impressed me so far.

JF: If I could see more the preseason games, I could say more about Karel. I hear good things, though

SL: Absolutely. I’ve heard hes more of a body presence than originally intended.

JB: I hope what we’ve seen so far can hold up. Because the assists he’s gathering and teh plays he’s making look real good right now.

PG: I think Rachunek was in a bad situation in New York. He wasn’t that bad of a defender, he got a bad wrap (like so many players do in Manhattan), and they feed into it. He’ll be a helluva lot better here.

JF: I do worry that his unluckiness/positioning will hurt NJ like he did in NY (to the Devils’ benefit at times).

SL: Alright, lets talk Vitaly Vishnevski.

JF: Well, if you like BIG BODY PRESENCE (tm Pierre McGuire), you already like Vishnevski.

PG: Definitely, John.

JB: I really want to see VV succeed. I think he’s exactly what this team should have had last year.

JF: To be honest, he’s a third-pairing defenseman who I really think is there to add size to the blueline and to push Oduya/Greene a little bit.

PG: He’s a bruiser, fo’ sho’. He’s not going to be some great diamond in the rough though

JF: I don’t understand why the Devils went out for more size considering how craptacularly bad the offensive production was last season. But I guess the market dictated that option moot quickly enough.

PG: I think he is what he is, and that’s just fine.

PG: We need size, end of story. He’s size…end of story.

SL: My only worry about him is…will we have Janssen colored glasses for him, ignoring his actual play despite his awesome hitting power.

JB: that story ended twice.

PG: Yeah, SO? It’ll end as many times as it damn will, Josh!

SL: Fine, end of story then. [Laughs]

PG: END OF STORY.

JB: Don’t hurt me.

JF: Just because Anaheim won the Cup doesn’t mean size is the way to go. And I would love to see one of our burgoning young RWs take Janssen’s spot.

PG: Yeah, but Ottawa pushed us around John

JF: They also outscored us, Patricia.

SL: That’s the main reason they won that series.

JF: Yeah, goals kind of determine wins. Not hits.

PG: The scoring will come. Size can’t miraculously appear

SL: Yes, but physical play led to goals in that series

JF: No it didn’t. The Devils failing to be aggressive for the puck meant Ottawa had all day to do whatever they wanted in whatever space they wanted. There’s a difference between size and aggressiveness. Just look at, say, Viktor Kozlov.

SL: Well, that transitions us well into the man who plans to fix all that

JB: But when you’ve got a stature like brian gionta, your agression can only be so effective

PG: Look at the guys we’ve brought in though — they bring size AND aggression to the table. You need to find a parallel

SL; moving on…who here doesn’t like Brent Sutter.

JF: I love Brent Sutter as the head coach because he’s instilling that aggressiveness without sacrificing the talent necessary to get goals. The size helps him do this, yes, but aggressiveness is also seen in the gameplan - which we didn’t much of with Claude Julien.

PG: I don’t want to give Sutter all the accolades in the world just yet, I mean, dude does have to prove he can win games with this team first.

JB: I do like what I see from Mr. Sutter. I’m not going to proclaim him king savior of Devilland, but the spirit the team is showing so far is a nice change. Yeah, what she said.

JF: But I am serious. Getting big alone doesn’t address the problem, the mindset in terms of forechecking and puck possession is also a key in being aggressive. And Sutter has been doing that with the team so far this preseason.

JF: So, for what I know of what he’s doing, I think he’s been solid. Now to see him do it in games that count.

SL: I think sutter’s the right guy at the right time, with the relatively young team we have right now.

JF: Are the Devils really that relatively young?

PG: Not really, but they ARE younger.

SL: Elias is what, 30?

JB: Keeping in mind the his first game coaching in the NHL will be October 4th, I’m cautiously optimistic as to the prospects of Sutter as an effective, winning coach.

PG: 31, actually

SL: Gionta, Zajac, Parise, likely the 4th line, Martin, Whitey, Greene, Oduya

JF: Gionta isn’t too far behind from 30. Martin has entered the prime of his career. Yes, the Devils do have some youth - but it’s not a young team.

JF: It’s a mix. And isn’t White also 30?

PG: Right, but they are younger than the past few seasons, John. Not a young team though.

JF” Yes.

PG: I think White is 28

JF: If only there was a resource where people could access data at their fingertips really fast. On computers. Hmmm…

SL: But everyone agree, right now he looks like the guy for the job? knowing that it’s without having played a game

JB: Well he’s played a game.

JF: Preseason games.

PG: I don’t think we can proclaim him the “right” or “wrong” guy for the job until we see how he fares behind the bench. Give it 15-20 games. Then ask me

JF: But for now, he’s the guy. It makes no sense to call for his head now.

PG: Am I?

SL: Give it 79 games, or as i call it “The Lou lamoriello Barometer”

PG: I’m just saying, don’t call it either way until we see how he does

JF: No one is calling for anyone’s head. Well, except maybe me wanting more out of the marketing people, but that’s another rant.

JB: except sean avery’s…dammit stop being witty faster than me people.

JF: Fun fact: White turns 30 in December.

SL: anyway…simple, 2-part question

PG: That’s not that fun.

SL: Yes it is, it means Whitey’s one year closer to retirement

JB: the hell was that…?

PG: Yeah but there’s still too many years left on his nine-million year contract.

JF: Yeah, but it’s $3 mil/year, Pat. For a #2 d-man, that’s a bargin. Also it’s a bargain.

PG: Yeah, but he shouldn’t be a #2 (=

SL: he takes too many penalties to be a #2

PG: I dub thee Mr. Anger Management!

SL: Here’s a 2-part question, as we move on from hate for whitey

JB: $3 million a year will by good psychotherapy.

JF: He took 69 PIM last year! Janssen had more minutes!

PG: Yes, but how many of those were DUMB penalties? Quite a few, my black and red lovin’ friend.

JF: I don’t know, but he’s been improving by lowering his penalty minutes every season he’s been in the league.

SL: Janssen has those things that go for 5 minutes

JF: Stupid fights, I know. As he gets older, White gets better with calls - I got no problem with that.

JB: To be fair, I think White’s due for a good year. Then again, I thought that last year.

SL: That hit on Avery in La - however, worth at least half that salary

JB: But on with the two-parter, Mister Lepore…?

PG: Yeah, but as you already mentioned, he’s almost 30. There’s only so much time he can continue to improve. He still takes a lot of dumb penalties. Cut the dumb penalties, he’s capable, but not solid. Just my opinion.

JF: That too. For a while, White has been the sole non-goon hit machine.

SL: Yes

PG: So, uh, 2-parter?

SL: How many games do you want Martin Brodeur to play this year, and how many will he play? 70 & 75 here

PG: Out of the 82 games, he will play 94.

JF: He will play….let’s say 68.

PG: He should play 65-70 games.

JB: Want: 65ish. Will play: 72

JF: I do think that Brodeur has earned the right to play 70+ games if he wants to, though. I didn’t think fatigue was his problem last playoffs as it was bad luck and a defense that got ripped to shreads by opposing offenses.

JB: I think his playing time is directly related to how tight the division/playoff races in February and March are, though.

SL: Whats everyone think about marty’s playing time?

JF: I agree with Josh. If the Devils are in a big fight for the division, Marty will get more games.

PG: I just don’t want to see Marty get hurt. His knee worries me, he’s dealt with a few MCL sprains the past few seasons. I don’t mind him playing as much as he wants to play. If he can do it, more power to the man. He’s our God.

JB: I was okay with his playing time last year honestly. Part of the reason I want to see him play 65 games this year is because I’m really liking Kevin Weekes and would like to see him get some shots.

JF: Marty played well over 80 total games last season, I think he’ll be fine with respect to legs. Weekes is a big upgrade over Clemmensen/Doyle, so the Devils can rest Marty without a big dropoff in net.

SL: Patricia loved Clemmer more than any human being alive, will you admit its an upgrade?

JB: I’m sure his mother loves him…

PG: John, he’s had a couple knee injuries in the past. His MCL isn’t as strong as it should be. With age as well, it’s always a concern.

SL: Not as much as patricia

PG: Not a big concern, sure, but a concern.

JF: None of those injuries has stopped Brodeur from playing, I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.

PG: Not true.

JF: No?

PG: Even though he played through them, he played mediocre at best. He struggled through them

JF: Oh, right, Brodeur was injured for that one game last year…or was it two? Mediocre? Last season?

PG: Over the past two seasons, he has injured his knee twice

JB: End of last season. Philly game, late March, specifically.

JF: Could have fooled me given how amazing he’s been in those last two years.

PG: John, it’s something to watch out for. He’s not getting any younger. You just need to make sure you’re number one is feeling his best. John, he had stretches of mediocrity. When he was healthy, he played stellar. Trust me.

SL: Okay…lets talk some Around the League issues

PG:…or not…[laughs].

JF: Controversial Point: I don’t hate Gary Bettman. Controversial Point #2: I don’t think Canada - or any place - deserves a hockey team.

JB: I agree with one of those controversial points.

PG: Controversial Point #3: Mayonaise is overrated.

SL: As i run out of the way, whats everyone thinking as we head into Year 3 of The NHL on Versus and The NHL On NBC

JB: 2 out of 3 now.

JF: I’m glad it’s not ESPN.

PG: Hey, as long as we have hockey broadcast somewhere, I’m content.

JF: That’s my opinion. No ESPN, hockey’s on TV somewhere, I’m good.

JB: I’m glad to see NBC trying to do something to grow the game, even if it is out of needing something to show on new year’s day

PG: With that said, though, I wish Versus would upgrade the quality of its broadcast. The camera angles are still awful.

JF: I also want Brian Engbloom to see a hairdresser.

PG: Like I said in that SFM interview, I’d like to watch the play as it happens, not three seconds after.

PG: Sidebar: If I see one more Levitra spam ad, I’m going to personally go to the makers of Levitra and murder them all.

PG: Josh will get it.

JF: Cialis would love your murder spree.

SL: factoid: Bill Patrick’s cell-phone ringtone is “Brass Bonanza”

JB: i added the aol email address to my list, he hasnt been on yet.

SL: I like him over Clement already

JB: good for bill patrick I guess. mine is Stronger by Kanye West. aw yeah.

JF: Anyone who doesn’t grunt as a part of his commentating style is an improvement over Bill Clement.

PG: Mine is Freak Out by 311. I win.

JB: you really don’t.

PG: I really do. TIMES INFINITY. Now I do win.

JF: You can’t win with cell phone ringers.

JB: n-n-now that that dont kill me, can only make me stronger…

JF: Like you can’t win hockey games without goals.

JB: we really ought to move on.

SL: Thank goodness

SL: What’s everyone think of this outdoor game?

JF: I think it’s a great idea. A big hockey game which will sell out thousands more than 2 arenas combined on a day where there isn’t much sports-wise. Great call.

PG: I get it in the sense that NHL’s golden boy is playing and that Buffalo is the logical destination for nice, cold outdoor hockey…but I still don’t like the choice of teams.

JB: Like I said before, glad to see NBC trying to grow the game, even if it’s only for their ratings.

PG: But the idea is brilliant, even if copied

JB: Casual American sports fans won’t understand the significanc ebut might get drawn to the gimmick if they’re flipping by.

PG: True.

JB: It’s great for hockey fans though, and that’s what’s important.

JF: The league NEEDS casual fans though, to grow. Hopefully the game will turn a couple of them into hardcores.

PG: Sad though, I don’t think it will. I think it will bring more casual fans, if anything. And we need all we can get, so that’s good.

JF: Well, it’s still people. If the NFL still reaches out to the casual audience, pretty much every league has to.

SL: BoNY friend Jodie Lemaster of Battle of PA and the SIdney Crosby Show will be there in person

JB: it’s a gimmick based in history. in theory, it should be great for hockey fans and casual/non-fans alike. hopefully it draws some of those fans who stop on it because they see an outdoor hockey game into the game. into the game of hockey in general rather, beyond just the one game.

JF: Exactly. Nothing wrong with a spectacle. the NY Red Bulls drew a lot of people to Giants Stadium to see one player and even if only a hundred stay as fans, it’s a benefit.

SL: Lets face it, 1PM has a bunch of meaningless bowl games

JF: Oh, there are bowl games that day? Like…the Meinike Car Care Bowl? Yeah, minor bowls aren’t a thing (unless Rutgers is in one, then, well, you know…go RU but…)

SL: Alright, real quick…how far can NJD go this year?

PG: They can go as far as their little hearts desire!

SL: Be honest, is this a team that can go further than round 2?

PG: This is not a team equipped to win the Cup.

JF: All the way. They can go all the way. But they’ll likely end up losing in the Eastern Finals.

PG: But, what Cup winning Devils team HAS been equipped to win the Cup?

S: 2001

JF: Good point, Patricia. 2003 was quite unlikely considering the flaws on that team

PG: Well, we didn’t win the Cup in 2001, Steve.

SL: 2001 was more equipped to win a cup than 2003

JB: I think that this team CAN win the Cup. Whether they will depends on all those variables falling into place. Which seems highly unlikely.

JF: Definitely, but they ran out of gas. I do think they can advance beyond the second round.

SL: Alright, lets talk atlantic division

JF: I just don’t see them dodging teams that have their number for 3 straight rounds. I also don’t see another division title…the Devils will narrowly miss their third, I think.

PG: It feels comforting knowing that if the boys really need a boost at the deadline, it’s possible to go out and grab something because there’s cap room

SL: rank ‘em 1-5

JF: Pittsburgh will capture it now that they dumped some of their trash players for better ones. Penguins, Devils, Rangers, Flyers, Islanders in that order.

SL: Pens, Rags, Devs, Failures, Isles

JB: 1, 2, 3, 4, are all interchangable between Philly, NYC, Pittsburg, and NJ. The only definate in this division is the Islanders finish dead last.

JF: You’re not making many friends with that Rangers over Devils prediction, Steve.

PG: Agreed with Josh

JF: The Flyers can finish last. Trust me.

PG: I think the Flyers will do considerably better.

JF: It’ll be a tough division.

SL: I do to, I have them pegged at 7th

JB: I don’t think they can John, because I don’t think the Isles can finish 4th.

PG: Biron is a better goalie than people think.

JF: We all could be wrong. And don’t doubt the failing possibilities of a team.

PG: I wouldn’t mind seeing DiPo keep the crap outta a Rangers goalie again though.

JF: The islanders weren’t “supposed” to make the playoffs last year either.
.
Incudude530 (9:25:56 PM):
I’ll be killed if i reveal my top 8.

JF: I have a hard time gauging each team year to year, admittedly.

SL: Because…i dont think the sabres will make the playoffs

JF: What.

PG: I don’t really like making predictions [laughs]

SL: I think there are 8 teams in this conference better than the sabres

JB: I haven’t tried to come up with a top 8. there’s too many teams that are too evenly matched to come up with a definitive prediction.

SL: alrite, lets do some quick hits before we go

JF: Very quick.

SL: Simple question, simple answer

JB: I can’t even tell you if the Devilswill finish first or fourth in the division let alone the rest of the conference

SL: Eastern Conference Champ.

JF: Not the Rangers.

SL: Penguins

JF: Probably the Senators. Again.

JB: Devils, of course? (non-homer answer: Senators)

SL: Western Champ? Ducks here.

JF: No. Let’s say…Crap, who do I want to say…

SL: C’mon, even without Nieds an Teemu, they still are tops in the west

JB: I’ll say Detroit, mostly because I don’t want to say Anahiem.

JF: San Jose. A sleeper pick if there ever was one.

SL: Stanley Cup Champ? Based on your two conf. winners…i say Ducks

JF: San Jose because I want to continually laugh when Ottawa gives up another own goal in a SCF game.

JB: I’ll go Detroit again.

SL: MVP of the league

JF: Crosby.

SL: Sid the Gentleman

JB: sigh…Crosby

SL: MVP of the Devs

JF: Poor Ovechkin. Brodeur.

SL: Zach

JB: Brodeur. Taking him out, Gionta.

SL: Devs Top Scorer…Patty here.

JB: goals or points?

SL: points

JB: Elias

JF: Elias. Again.

SL: Top Rookie

JB: Greene still qualifies as a rookie, so…Andy Greene

SL: Clarkson

JF: I’ll guess Pelley.

SL: Marty’s ballpark # of wins

JB: 40

JF: 40. To keep that streak going and to make Roy sweat.

SL: 39-44. Finally…Number of times Jay Pandolfo makes Gomez & Jagr cry this season

JF: Can’t answer, Gomez won’t cry. But…twice. If you must have one.

JB: I’ll tell you that one when the season’s over.

SL: alright boys

SL: Thank you so much, this hasnt been a total failure, and at the end of the day, i think thats all we can ask for

JF: Thank you. This was a lot better than typing all by myself.

SL: say goodnight felas

JB: goodnight felas. sorry, couldn’t resist.

SL: damn you, beat me to it

JF: Goodnight.

PG: Alright, have a good night boys, had fun.

2:00 PM SEE YOU AT 3:00 PM!!!!! THANK YOU FOR COMING!

1:59 PM The guys try to excuse wasting your last 3 hours. I say…it was just fun speculating.

1:59 PM Drury will likely be the first domino, says Pierre.

1:58 PM Bertuzzi and Lang are ones to watch. Shanahan as well.

1:58 PM They repeat the numbers again.

1:57 PM Parise and Emery may be RFA candidates.

1:56 PM They scrape the bottom of the bottle talking about RFA Offer Sheets.

1:54 PM The Edmonton Oilers are in the mix for a trade.

1:53 PM Chris Drury may be meeting with LA face-to-face right now. LA, MTL, STL, PHI and NYR are in the mix. McKenzie says Gomez and Rafalski will be signed by 6PM.

1:51 PM White was not ranked among TFP’s Top 30 UFA, and scored 13 goals last season. Atlanta has made all the signings today. All 2.

1:50 PM Yeah, breathtaking, eh? 10 minutes to go.

1:48 PM BREAKING NEWS: Atlanta Signs Todd White, 4 year/9.5 Million.

1:47 PM The Reporters are as dull as The Sports Reporters…who knew?

1:46 PM They blab about choices players make when they decide on a team.

1:45 PM More The Reporters.

1:44 PM Doug says the big key is self-imposed GM budgets, and not the cap.

1:43 PM Doug bets Michel Ouelett’s had many offers today.

1:42 PM Petr Sykora
Pierre: Pittsburgh
Doug: Detroit

Michel Ouelett: Atlanta
Pierre: Atlanta
Keith: Washington

1:41 PM Michal Handzus
Pierre and Keith: Stay in Chicago
Doug: Columbus

Tom Poti
Keith: Calgary
Pierre: Rangers (Not a chance)

1:40 PM Bill Guerin
Jonesy: Ottawa

Brad Stuart
Doug: LA

1:39 PM More right fits for players.
Matheiu Schnieder
Pierre & Keith: Detroit

Slava Kozlov
Doug: Detroit

1:37 PM COMMERCIAL

1:36 PM RUMOR: ALEX TANGUAY TO FLA FOR OLLI JOKINEN

1:33 PM More stuff on Iginla. 4 or 5 year deal.

1:33 PM BoNY PROGRAM NOTE: I WILL BE GOING OFFLINE FROM 2-3PM, BUT WILL BE BACK FROM 3PM till the rest of the day for updates. Keep tuning in to Battle of NY for the latest news! And we’ve got 27 minutes of blogging to go!

1:30 PM Commercial Again.

1:28 PM Answering TSN’s question, I’d take Thornton over JI any day.

1:26 PM Treading through filler material right now.

1:24 PM Danny Briere’s received 9 offers, narrowed them down to 5.

1:23 PM Miller says teams are dropping out right now as the prices go higher.

1:21 PM Who could use Drury the most? LA. Los Angeles apathy is at an all-time high, they need a good, proven winner, and an American kid. Hmm, who could fit that bill.

1:20 PM Commercial.

1:19 PM Souray’s hair will land him in NY according to Dougie.

1:18 PM Brian Rafalski
Pierre: Detroit
Doug: Some US City

1:16 PM 1 Year Deal for Jackman btw.

1:15 PM Chris Drury:
Pierre: San Jose
Doug: Colorado
Keith: Los Angeles

1:14 PM They’re talking about good destinations for the Top 5. Pierre says Gomez would be a good fit in VanCity or Philly. I still don’t think Gomez will stay in the East. MacLean says LA. He’d look good feeding Anze Kopitar.

1:13 PM Commercial.

1:11 PM Hopefully Jumbo Joe and Iggy will return the dollar values to normalcy now. Probably not.

1:09 PM Briere and Drury have likely narrowed it down to Philly, LA, and Montreal. Ryan Smyth’s received offers from 9 teams. BREAKING NEWS: Jarome Iginla close to signing a 4-year extension, 7 million a year. THN Reports.

1:08 PM Reported offer for Briere from MTL would be 6 yrs./$42 Mill. Briere and Drury are in LA right now.

1:08 PM KT’s tried calling Paul Kariya, but he wouldn’t take the call. BREAKING NEWS: Barrett Jackman re-signs in St. Louis. Tkachuk is surprised.

1:07 PM Yeah, Tkachuk should use his experience with Team USA to base free agent acquisitions on.

1:06 PM They’res the Tkachuk phone again. They’re talking to him now, from his kids baseball tournament in Kansas City, with cheers in the background. Keith bullshits Duthie about “possibly” coming back to STL.

1:05 PM Talking Head goes on about news you already know. Dupuis, Tkachuk, Jumbo Joe.

1:04 PM Looks like this’ll be nothing but a scare. They go to a SportsCenter update. I thought we left VERSUS to get away from SportsCenter.

1:04 PM Here we go.

1:01 PM DAMN YOU CLIFFHANGER!

1:00 PM Still with the friggin’ HHOF. Enough already.

12:59 PM I’ll reset with the breaking news in the next post!

12:59 PM McGuire says he’s got a signing “Coming Forward”

12:58 PM God dammit, talk about Mike Modano’s Hall of Fame chances when he retires, how about that.

12:58 PM BREAKING NEWS: BUT THEY WON’T TELL US!

12:57 PM Hockey Hall of Fame Talk. Pierre would take Belfour, Zubov over Joseph, Blake for the HHOF.

12:54 PM Commercial

12:53 PM 16-20, Handzus, Poti, Hamrlik, Sykora, Ouelett.

12:53 PM TSN’s 11-15, Schneider, Zubrus, Kozlov, Stuart, Guerin

12:52 PM The reporters say Boston’s moves will hurt team chemistry.

12:51 PM Devils fans? What do you think of Alex Auld for 15 games at under $1 Mill?

12:50 PM Gomer rumored to St. Louis, Chris at the Arena program reported at possibly 7 mill a year.

12:49 PM The Reporters debating Hasek. Dougie took a shot at Hull for his shots at CBJ on NBC last year.

12:46 PM Commercial.

12:44 PM Duthie references THN’s Player Poll for a 4th time.

12:43 PM Leafs Lunch is saying Gomez will sign 7 years/7 mill a year with NYR/PHI.

12:42 PM Any UFA’s, if you’re taking a look at NJ…look at this beauty!

http://www.newjerseydevils.com/njd/prucenter/view-cam.php

12:41 PM Kevin Lowe is interested in Rafalski, maybe Souray, Hamrlik. Gomez is interested apparently, close to home. He’ll be looking at Drury and Briere.

12:40 PM James Duthie’s Gospel is apparently the THN Players’ Pool. The same one where 65% of players said they’d accept a homosexual teammate. Sure. Edmonton is the 2nd least desirable place to make money and play hockey apparently.

12:39 PM Edmonton has re-signed Dick Tarnstrom, who played in Switzerland after spending 05-06 in PIT and EDM, as they turn their focus to the Oil.

12:38 PM COMMERCIAL.

12:37 PM Sheldon Souray could come to New Jersey, and start an NJ version of their pizza place in MTL. I’d happily come. I always love a fresh take on pizza.

12:34 PM Duthie thinks Crosby should be the next $10 million player. I sort of agree.

Battle of New York INSIDER’s PERSECTIVE

Mike Chen, Battle of California:

I’m guessing they’ll nail down Marleau for about $6 million per year and I don’t think that any oftheir forward signings (if they do try to get anyone) will be for morethan Marleau’s contract. That’s just an educated guess.

And contrary to what Keith Jones says, I do think it’s possible tograb Drury and keep them together IF Drury takes about $6 million togo to a contender. Cheechoo’s locked in for cheap and they’ve gotenough young talent as long as a FA forward isn’t hemmed in for morethan 3 years. I don’t think this’ll happen though, and I think SJ willfocus on D.

My guess is that SJ’s budget will be about 45 mil.

12:33 PM Calgary may be looking at Scott Hannan.

12:32 PM TSN doesn’t use any eye candy reporters. Dude in CGY says D.Sutter has 11-12 Mill under the cap. If you’ve got Jarome Iginla, Mikka Kiprusoff, Daymond Langkow becoming a UFA possibly next year, and Dion Phaneuf an RFA, you save a little money.

12:31 PM New Jersey will be a scary place if it’s without Gomer or Raffy next year. There may be shots fired in the rink instead of outside. Sorry, bad joke, I’ll be here all week.

12:30 PM Dreger says all the coveted players will take their time.

12:28 PM Gord Miller’s Wild Card of the Day: Brian Rafalski. All of them seem genuinely surprised that he’s still on the market. Bob says the phones are going crazy for him.

12:26 PM Commercial.

12:23 PM Players apparently love it in SJ. California is going to be a force to reckoned with in the hockey world for some time.

12:22 PM Joe Thornton - “California Rocks”.

12:21 PM Jumbo Joe loves SJ, apparently not enough to live there. He’s on the line with Duthie right now.

12:20 PM Kudos to Thornton. Based on what we’ve been seeing, he could’ve easily commanded $10 Million. Now the worry goes to Marleau. What do you think the Sharks will do? Leave comments, E-Mail at SMLepore@comcast.net, and IM at Incudude530.

12:19 PM BREAKING NEWS: THE SHARKS HAVE SIGNED JOE THORNTON TO A 3-YEAR EXTENSION, WORTH $7.2 Million A SEASON

12:19 PM Pierre McGuire argues that, complaining about his lack of playoff production. The panel chooses Scott Hannan over Brad Stuart.

12:18 PM Doug says, at 27, Danny Briere’s the only guy that’s worth the big bucks.

12:16 PM Kyle Calder may be an ideal guy for the Canucks.

12:14 PM They check in on VANCity right now. ‘Nucks would like to be 2 mill under, giving Dave Nonis 7 mill to work with. They apparently need another forward.

12:11 PM COMMERCIAL. Back after this.

12:11 PM Remember when BUF could’ve had Briere for 5 yrs/$25 mill last year?

12:09 PM TSN’s going through the Top 5’s again.

12:08 PM Front-loading contracts will kill small market teams, says Dreger.

12:07 PM Miller, McKenzie and Dreger say there’s a possible $10 million with the flexible salaries.

12:05 PM The guys talk about Rafalski’s value, saying that a team might make a mistake overpaying him. Once agian, they remind us that the cap is $50.3 mill, the floor is $34.3 mill, and the max salary is $10.06 Mill, sadly.

12:04 PM Keith and Doug won’t shut up about COL, but they’re very right.

12:03 PM Dougie Mac says the GM calls the agent, and asks for permission to talk to the player. I like Doug MacLean, but I disagree with a lot of what he says. Pierre says STL will have a big draw. I reported last night on KK that Scotty Gomez might be interested there.

12:02 PM Recap of what’s happened so far…nothing, unless you count Pascal Dupuis re-upping for $800K in ATL. Keith Tkachuk and Manny Fernandez went back to STL and were traded to MIN yesterday. That cell phone during the fatty Tkachuk interview’s annoying.

12:00 Noon THE TAMPERING PERIOD ENDS! General Managers may now show interest in unrestricted free agents. Blah blah blah. Let’s see where the first domino falls. My pick? Michal Handzus.

11:59 AM Commercial as we hit 12!

11:57 AM Pierre McGuire says John Paddock should coach the Sens. Dale Hunter and Patrick Roy are Jonesy’s choices, and former teammates. Dougie says Murray should do both.

11:56 AM Doug MacLean says bigger creases, Pierre McGuire says no, Keith Jones says no.

11:55 AM Can we not talk about Phil Esposito right now?

11:54 AM Haha, Jonesy’s dumb. Jonesy, PMac say Xenophobia caused Cherri’s drop. DMac says it’s the right call.

11:53 AM We go back to P-to-the-Mac-G’s raving lunacy about Alexei Cherepanov’s consistent bridesmaid status. They’re doing something called the Wednesday-Night Quiz.

11:51 AM They’re using all their commercials for before the start so that they can have time to break stories when they want.

11:50 AM Technically, he’s not even a Bruin for another 10 minutes, since Boston would be over the 06-07 cap.

11:48 AM Manny Fernandez on the line with JDuth. Am I the only person who thinks this move isn’t a great idea?

11:47 AM They suggest that if you deal UFA, they can’t go back to the team for a certain time period.

11:46 AM The reporters are Canada’s answer to ESPN’s The Sports Reporters. Dave Hodge, Damien Cox, Michael Farber and Steve Simmons debate the “rent-a-player” system.

11:45 AM A Reminder, drop me a line at E-Mail SMLepore@comcast.net, AIM Incudude530 or leave a comment if you have any questions!

11:41 AM Lindros is no longer a gamble because he’s a 4th liner. Dougie Mac says he’ll have a hard time finding a job. Commercial.

11:41 AM Forsberg could go back to Philly or Denver at a bargain.

11:40 AM Pierre says not Montreal, but other teams will risk on Yashin.

11:38 AM Matheiu Schnieder and Dainus Zubrus are possibilities for Les Habs.

11:37 AM Habs are looking for 2 d-men and a top 6 forward.

11:37 AM Gainey’s got some room to play, but will have to deal with some arbitrations.

11:36 AM The gang is talking Habs right now.

11:34 AM Another break. We’re halfway to Noon.

11:33 AM Wow, they’re really given it to MacLean about this stuff.

11:32 AM I think Jonesy’s lost me on the fact that Toronto still sucks.

11:31 AM Pascal Dupuis (ATL) has re-signed for 1 year, $808,000. I like Dupuis a lot, he’ll provide them energy off the 4th line.

11:30 AM They have the money for Ryan Smyth, and would be interested in Jason Blake and Paul Kariya.

11:30 AM JFJ is looking to dump Kubina or McCabe.

11:29 AM JFJ has about $6 mill in wiggle room. $8 mill counting the 10% overage.

11:28 AM Back and headed to Toronto.

11:27 AM Commercial

11:26 AM TFP’s 10 Best Available (Teams Interested in Parens):

1. D. Briere (BUF, MTL, NSH, MTL, WSH, LA, EDM, SJ, PHX, CHI)
2. S. Gomez (NJ, WSH, LA, CHI, EDM, PHX, PHI, VAN, TOR)
3. P. Forsberg (NSH, PHI, COL, VAN)
4. C. Drury (BUF, ATL, PHI, WSH, TOR, CHI, SJ, NSH, COL, BOS, MTL, NYR, CAR, LA)
5. S. Souray (MTL, LA, PHI, WSH, FLA, ANA, SJ)
6. R. Smyth (NYI, EDM, TOR, PHI, PHX, VAN, COL, CGY, DET, NYR, DAL, ANA, OTT, SJ)
7. J. Blake (NYI, NYR, VAN, ATL, MTL, DAL, TOR, STL, EDM, CHI)
8. S. Hannan (SJ, PIT, ATL)
9. T. Bertuzzi (DET, FLA, PHX, MTL, TOR, BOS)
10. P. Kariya (NSH, VAN, ANA, MTL, OTT, TOR, NYI)

11:22 AM The Sens will let Oleg Saprykin go. MacLean says OTT’s in the worst cap shape of any team, and Redden’s “Not goin’ anywhere”.

11:21 AM Phoenix has placed Dave Scatchard on waivers.

11:20 AM TSN’s James Cybulski says Redden, Emery, Schaefer and Corvo could be on the block in Ottawa. Redden is the most likely moved due to his salary.

11:18 AM They’re looking at needs for all 6 Canadian Teams. This is a good time to remind you that TFP is your source for all the chatter. Right now, they’re reporting that MTL is after Daniel Briere.

11:18 AM We’re Back.

11:16 AM Commercial. Back after the break.

11:14 AM Is it just me, or is Brian Burke much smarter than everyone else in hockey?

11:13 AM BRIAN BURKE! Says he hasn’t heard from Nieds or Teemu. He’s giving them as much time as they want.

11:13 AM Cool, the NHL takes privy over NASCAR and Boxing here.

11:12 AM Pittsburgh, Toronto and Vancouver will all be players according to Miller and Duthie.

11:12 AM More rankings:

6. Sheldon Souray
7. Scott Hannan
8. Paul Kariya
9. Jason Blake
10. Michael Nylander

11:12 AM Pierre is shocked that Rafalski hasn’t resigned with the Devils yet.

11:11 AM Duthie and McGuire are naming the Top UFAs.

5. Brian Rafalski
4. Daniel Briere
3. Ryan Smyth
2. Chris Drury
1. Scott Gomez

11:10 AM Miller points out that if your team missed the playoffs more than once recently, you have no shot at signing anyone.

11:10 AM Bob says the Sharks want to sign Joe Thornton first, before they take care of anything.

11:09 AM Gord Miller, Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger have their own insider’s studio. They make jokes about Blackberries and Hamilton and whatnot. Dreger points out that their are some key players who need to look into re-signing (Crosby, Heatley, Ovechkin, Emery, etc.).

11:07 AM Note that the salary floor is $34.3 mill, the cap $50.3 mill, and the max player salary is $10.06 million. Doug MacLean say no one will make $10 Mill. MacLean says no one should make $10 mill, but players might be able to command $8 mill.

11:06 AM Pierre says that Toronto’s John Ferguson, Calgary’s Daryl Sutter and Edmonton’s Kevin Lowe will be active. Jonesy says his Flyers, the Sharks, the Rags, the Avs, and the Kings will be active. The Avs will be active because they have what every team wants.

11:05 AM Doug MacLean, Keith Jones (!) and Pierre McGuire are the panel for today. Duthie points out that this is the youngest UFA Class ever.

11:04 AM Also talk of the deal between Minnesota and Boston for Manny Fernandez.

11:04 AM Quick talk about Keith Tkachuk’s re-signing

11:03 AM Souray also in that group, Kariya as well, Jason Blake…really? Nylander, now we’re just going Tier 2.

11:01 AM The panel is hosted by James Duthie and right now they’re showing highlights of the top UFA prizes, Briere, Drury, Gomez, etc.

11:00 AM Let’s rumble!

10:54 AM Remember to leave comments and questions, I will look for an answer.

10:52 AM Just so that no one is comfused, please note that what we’ll be watching is TSN’s “Free Agent Frenzy” show on NHL.com (and TSN and TSN.ca in Canada) with the myriad of TSN hockey experts and Bob McKenzie, Darren Dreger, and Pierre McGuire on cell phones live on camera.

Should be fun! See you in 7 minutes or so!

10:43 AM “The frenzy! The greatest experience in life and I missed it”
-Dr. John Zoidberg

Don’t miss out on all the hooplah, we’ll be ready to go with Free Agent Frenzy coverage in about 15 minutes tops.

I’ll be liveblogging TSN’s Free Agent Frenzy show, which will be simulcast on NHL.com, and I’ll be poking thru the rumors surrounding the draft.

Right now, the big report is that Manny Fernandez will be dealt to Boston the minute the clock strikes 12 Noon and the cap moves to $50 million.

See you at 11:00 AM tomorrow!