North Guy

Oh, okay. It makes a bit more sense now.

I'm not sure if this is entirely true. Anahiem gave up their 2007 1st round pick in the Pronger deal with Edmonton. And if Anahiem wins the Western Conference this playoffs they have to give Edmonton their 1st pick in 2008.

Flames' turn is next By ERIC FRANCIS -- Sun Media With Kevin Lowe tearing the heart out of the Oilers yesterday, the Calgary Flames unofficially clinched a playoff spot: Without Ryan Smyth, Edmonton is out of the hunt. But before Flames fans take to the Red Mile in celebration of their third-straight year in the playoff party, perhaps Calgarians should take a minute to pause for those less fortunate souls in Edmonton. After all, next year at this time the Flames will almost undoubtedly find themselves in a similar predicament with captain Jarome Iginla. Or franchise netminder Miikka Kiprusoff. Both will become unrestricted free agents July 1, 2008, and will command the league's top dollar in their respective positions. The Flames won't be able to afford both. Especially considering Alex Tanguay will make $5 million the following year and Robyn Regehr, Daymond Langkow and Craig Conroy also will be UFAs. Dion Phaneuf will be a restricted free agent too. While high turnover-rates are the new reality of today's NHL, the devastation Edmonton feels today with Smyth's shocking trade is nothing compared to the loss Calgary will feel if Iginla is shipped out of his home province. "I'm sure it was a very tough decision, but that's strictly business," said Flames GM Darryl Sutter, who was asked how many GMs could make a tough move like that, knowing how unpopular it would be. "Kevin just did, and I could. That's two. Quite honestly, you can't let emotions be part of it - you have to make a business decision." Don't be fooled into believing Sutter is bluffing - the numbers simply don't add up since both Iginla and Kiprusoff will command roughly $8 million annually. So, one will stay. One will go. Lowe's only cushion is the fact the Oilers weren't a legitimate playoff team anyway. Sutter won't have that "luxury." Have pity, Flames fans - next year, the pain could be yours.

The knowledgable fans understood Kevin Lowe was in a tight spot with Smyth's demands. Like myself, they are disappointed but we all have to look at the big picture. The bandwagon, casual fans (ie. the dummies who rioted during last year's playoffs) are the ones that are angry with the Oilers. By the way, Ryan Smyth has great heart but you cannot compare his impact like Yzerman's. More like Edmonton trading Gretzky in 1988 would feel the same as Detroit trading Yzerman in his prime.

That's part of the business, one day you are enemies and the next day your sit next to him in the dressing room. Tucker gave Peca a concussion with a cheap shot in one playoff and now they are teammates. Besides, it's not like Bertuzzi got traded to Colorado.

Even if the Oilers were to make the playoffs this year (highly unlikely), they were not going to duplicate what they did last playoffs. In other words they would have gotten killed by Nashville in the 1st Round. At first I was disappointed when I heard the news but since the Oilers did not want to sign Smyth at Havlat type of money they might as well get something in return for him instead of let him walk as a free agent in the summer. Now the Oilers have a ton of prospects and high draft picks (three 1st Round picks for 2007). They are going to make some major deals in the off-season. Just watch. p.s........For alll of you Wings fans disappointed that Detroit did not get a crack to obtain Smyth, just be happy he got traded to an Eastern Conference team.

Out here in western Canada the CBC broadcasted the Toronto/Philly game instead of the much anticipated Ottawa/Buffalo re-match. Is the CBC that out of touch? Not only was the Ottawa/Buffalo goalie fight the most talked about topic in the hockey world this week, but this is also a game between two top-notched teams that may meet in the Eastern Final. Would it hurt the Maple Leafs fans outside of Ontario that much if they don't get to see their beloved Leafs on a Saturday night? I guess so. I sent an e-mail to CBC.

Friday: Edmonton @ Detroit Boston @ Tampa Bay Anaheim @ Dallas Saturday: Washington @ New Jersey Montreal @ NY Islanders Buffalo @ Ottawa Columbus @ NY Rangers Toronto @ Philadelphia Carolina @ Atlanta Boston @ Florida Detroit @ Nashville San Jose @ Calgary Colorado @ Los Angeles Sunday: New Jersey @ Washington Edmonton @ Minnesota St Louis @ Chicago Vancouver @ Dallas Pittsburgh @ Tampa Bay Nashville @ Columbus Colorado @ Anaheim p.s. Aussie_Wing.............Does the current standings take into consideration if a player missed a week or more?

San Jose @ Columbus Pittsburgh @ New Jersey Nashville @ St Louis Vancouver @ Chicago Saturday: Philadelphia @ NY Rangers Atlanta @ Ottawa Boston @ Buffalo Edmonton @ Toronto Carolina @ Montreal New Jersey @ NY Islanders Tampa Bay @ Florida Minnesota @ Nashville Detroit @ Phoenix Colorado @ Calgary Anaheim @ Los Angeles Sunday: San Jose @ Dallas Chicago @ NY Rangers Washington @ Pittsburgh Minnesota @ St Louis Montreal @ Columbus Los Angeles @ Anaheim Colorado @ Vancouver

Friday: Tampa Bay @ NY Rangers Chicago @ Edmonton Saturday: Anaheim @ Dallas NY Islanders @ Boston Calgary @ Buffalo Pittsburgh @ Toronto Ottawa @ Montreal St Louis @ Philadelphia NY Rangers @ Washington Phoenix @ Florida Los Angeles @ Nashville Carolina @ Minnesota Atlanta @ Vancouver Sunday: Colorado @ Dallas Tampa Bay @ New Jersey Chicago @ Columbus Calgary @ Detroit Atlanta @ Edmonton

(from the Edmonton Journal....) With Pat Brisson representing Sidney Crosby and Malkin, it's hardly a giant leap to think his other unsigned client Anson Carter will wind up in Pittsburgh.

The rumour is crap. Detroit won't deal Kronwall. Also it doesn't make sense for Buffalo to take on Lang's salary. If that's the case the Sabres are better off re-signing Afinogenov.