Bring Back The Bruise Bros

It still baffles me that the Florida Panthers still exist. There's just no interest down there. Period. I'm not sure what its gonna take to make the league realize that there is really no hope for a franchise like the Panthers. They're even in the hunt for a playoff spot and there's only 3,000 households tuning in to watch them play each night. Atlanta came right out of the gates and surprised everyone this year. You wouldn't be able to tell by the attendane at Phillips Arena and the ratings on SportsSouth. There is hope for Tampa with the sniper Stamkos, but even with the huge hike in interest for the Lightning, there still isn't nearly as much excitement down there as other markets. There is hope for Tampa Bay, though. Atlanta and Florida have been hopeless for a while.

Souray's NHL career may be over. He turns 35 in July, and there's no way he's worth $5.4 million a year. Sure, he's still got a hell of a shot, but if you can't keep up with the speed of the AHL game, there's no way in hell you're gonna be able to keep up with the speed at which the game is played in the NHL.

Not a big surprise. He'll spend some time in Syracuse and get called up for a few games. How he plays in those first few games with the big club with obviously determine whether he stays with Anaheim or heads back down to Syracuse. It will be interesting to see how he handles the return.

Minor news, but Mike Brown agreed to terms on a 3 year contract extension yesterday with Toronto. Brown leads the team in +/- with a +3. He has scored 2 goals and added 3 assists in 27 games so far this season.

I wouldn't mind it. He's definitely a competitor.

Speaking of Andrew Peters, is he still around? Last I heard he was in Vancouver's AHL affiliate in Manitoba.

I don't like Neil's chances against a pissed off Bertuzzi.

Not the kinda consistency we are looking for.

GMR for commissioner.

Yeah it has been a while. Fleury finds it yucky to hit anyone. Jimmy would kick the s*** out of him.

Gimme a break. That kinda stuff has always been a part of the game.

That's what I am thinking. Give McDonald some more playing time. Plus, he fits Detroit's scrappy goaltender category.

Unfortunately this will probably be the only confrontation between 2 goaltenders this year

Stortini has cleared waivers. With Jordan Eberle coming back for Edmonton, they had to do something, and I guess Stortini was the weakest link. I expect more changes with more guys coming back from injuries in Edmonton.

Speaking of the Islanders..i didn't see the end of the game, but I saw Rick Dipietro got a fighting major against s***tsburgh tonight??

Bissonnette scores?

Chris Phillips is -25??

I love these hit threads! Anway the Umberger hit on Seabrook was a classic race for the puck. Nothing wrong with that at all. Subban better keep his head up out there, because like others have mentioned, he's not the most well-liked player in the league.

Horrible act by Prust. I would be surprised if there was a suspension. Merely a retaliatory shot from Staal, unlike Eager's cheap shot.

Interesting. Wouldn't be a horrible pickup as an extra forward. There was obviously something wrong with him the last fight with Krys Barch. He's not a particularly good fighter, but he can provide a bit of offense.

Craig Conroy, a vetetan of over 1,000 NHL Games, appears to be leaning towards retirement after clearing waivers. The 39 year old pride of Potsdam, New York has scored 182 goals and 360 assists for a total of 542 points over a span of 1,009 NHL contests. He has donned the sweaters of the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Los Angeles Kings, and Calgary Flames. Looks like another veteran down

Ugh. Maybe Kevin Bieksa will have to do?

Good shot blocker, and as you know he isn't afraid of anyone. And that's weird, could have swore he was only on a one year deal in Ottawa..I like Shane O'Brien as well.

For what he is getting paid, he's a good 3rd pairing defenseman, but I wonder how much he' got left in the tank. I think a guy like Matt Carkner would be a good replacement over the summer.

Well with Suter locked up for next year, it doesn't help us out this summer, in the event Lidstrom retires (which I think he will, unfortunately). I'm pretty sure next year is Rafalski's last year of his contract, so maybe we can put Suter in Rafalski's spot after next year. As fpr this summer, what's Tim Gleasons contract status in Carolina? Is he a free agent this summer?