Daily Cupcakes - December 1st, 2011

ESPN has an article on Stefan Elliott.

Remember the impact then-rookie Kevin Shattenkirk made with the Colorado Avalanche after being added to the lineup last November? A similar situation is brewing this year, and Avalanche fans can't be faulted for experiencing a sense of deja vu. With two points in just two games following his call-up from the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL, Stefan Elliott is turning a lot of heads as a promising offensive-defenseman. And it appears the rookie is going to stick around.

A story on Boudreau.

Former Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau was fired on Monday, ending months of speculation regarding his future with the organization. The team had been nowhere near its best, and it was clearly time for a change at the helm. Boudreau was replaced by Capitals legend Dale Hunter, who coached his first game, a 2-1 defeat to the St Louis Blues, yesterday.

All that said, you simply cannot argue that Boudreau is in any way a bad coach.

The Fourth Period is jumping on the "Sacco is on thin ice" bandwagon.

During the TSN segment "Insider Trading," it was discussed that the Avs have been looking at possible candidates to eventually take over Sacco's position, with the club's former star goalie Patrick Roy leading the way.

To the surprise of no one, Forbes just released that the Toronto Maple Leafs are the top in the league.

Forbes magazine has ranked the Toronto Maple Leafs as the most valuable NHL franchise with a worth of $521 million.

Forbes says the average team value hit a record $240 million, while operating income fell 21 percent due to soaring player salaries.

Hockey's wealth gap is widening: 18 of the 30 teams are losing money while top markets like Toronto, New York City and Montreal see their values rising, thanks to ticket revenue and cable television deals.