Hockey News

Usually, I don't talk about a sport before a game has taken place, but this is an exception.

Sergei Samsonov was put on waivers today. The Habs could put Samsonov in the minors, but they don't want to pay half his salary. They also don't want to get him claimed by re-entry waivers by another team if he's playing well enough to play in the NHL. They'd rather just let him run out his 2 years or trade him so they can have extra cap room. Samsonov has also asked for a trade. After being asked about the trade rumors Samsonov said, "Being scratched two games in a row, you're getting a clear answer that you're a problem, so maybe it's the best solution for both parties". Samsonov is pretty well saying he has no intention of staying in Montreal. Samsonov says he is ready to move on. Samsonov has been a real under achiever this year. He is getting payed $3.525 million dollars a year and only has 7 goals this year! On top of that he only has 15 assists to give him 22 points! One trade rumor has Samsonov and Craig Rivet going to the Blackhawks for Adrian Aucoin and Bryon Smolinski. I would personally make that trade. Aucoin and Smolinski are much better than Samsonov and Rivet. It looks like Samsonov's days in Montreal are over!

Tonight, the Calgary Flames will retire #30 in honour of goalie Mike Vernon. As many remember, Vernon led the Calgary Flames to a 54 win, 117 point season in the 1988/1989 season, both franchise records. The Flames also defeated fellow Canadian team Montreal in 6 games to get the franchise's first Stanley Cup. He also played with the Detroit, San Jose and Florida winning a cup with the Red Wings. The 5 foot 9 goalie played a huge part in Detroit's first cup in a while. Tonight, Vernon's number will get put beside Lanny McDonalds and be remembered as the best goalie in Flames history!

Finally, legend Mark Messier said today he is interested in the GM job in New York for the Rangers. This will be no problem for the former Ranger captain if present GM Glen Sather agrees to do this because, plain and simple, New York loves him. Messier knows New York and New York knows Messier. If Messier makes a mistake, than the fans will forgive him. I would love to see Mark in the press box at MSG every night. It will be the exclamation on Mark's already amazing hockey career.