WHARNSBY: Stories from the rink
Written by on February 5th, 2010 in Latest News.
Potential Crosby-Ovechkin Olympic clash exciting
Alex Ovechkin versus Sidney Crosby is a hockey match made in heaven. On Sunday, they will clash on the ice for the final time before what most hockey nuts hope is a prelude to a Sid the Kid, Alexander the Fantastic showdown at the Vancouver Olympics.
Kovalchuk wanted out of Atlanta
Ilya Kovalchuk finally got his wish and was dealt away from the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday evening. The left-winger never demanded a trade from the Thrashers, but he certainly made it clear general manager Don Waddell that he wanted out when he turned down two different lucrative proposals last fall.
Brodeur’s place as Canada’s No. 1 isn’t a given
The choice on Team Canada’s starting goalie at the upcoming Winter Olympics won’t be made until the coaching staff gathers in Vancouver on Feb. 14 or the following day at Canada’s practice. Most will be surprised if 37-year-ancient Martin Brodeur is not the go-to goalie. But his place as No. 1 isn’t a given.
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke deserves applause for his recent transactions in two separate trades with the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks. He bought defenceman Dion Phaneuf from Calgary and later sent goalie Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake in exchange for netminder Jean-Sebastien Giguere. Although, these moves continued to place the Leafs right up against the salary cap, subtracting Blake’s $4-million US salary from the books is a huge relief.
Pronger wary of crossing Olympic line
Philadelphia Flyers defenceman dubiously has been anointed the NHL’s dirtiest player, but makes no apologies for living life on the edge with his stick, and his methods to keep the puck out of his own goal. But the trick for the kid from Dryden, Ont., is to swiftly find a pleased medium between what will be acceptable and what will be intolerable at the men’s Olympic hockey tournament in Vancouver.
