That Columbus Blue Jackets GM that DDC talked about yesterday? Looks like they found their man Jarmo Kekalainen.
Kekalainen is best known in North America for his draft prowess -- his talent evaluation and draft skill helped turn around losing situations with the Ottawa Senators and St. Louis Blues -- but said returning to Finland took him back to his roots running a team, which he felt he needed. Prior to coming to North America, he was GM of HIFK, which he helped lead to the SM-liiga title in 1997-98.
Teams around the league seem to be positioning themselves for the Ryan O'Reilly sweepstakes. Or at least, that's one way of making sense of a pair of odd deals from yesterday. Eric Tangradi headed west from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Winnipeg Jets for a 7th rounder. The Jets must have some plans for the 7th round this year, since they quickly went out and acquired a replacement pick, plus a 4th rounder, from the New Jersey Devils for Alex Ponikarovsky. Deja Vu? Maybe someday New Jersey will learn to hold on to the guy.
The best news here is that Ponikarovsky is only on a one-year deal, which means the Devils could do this again next year. I, for one, would come to welcome an annual tradition where Lou Lamoirello trades a fourth round pick to a Southeast Division team in exchange for Alexei Ponikarovsky.
This one's not for the weak of stomach, or for anyone who though the Avs could be trading for a d-man from Ottawa any time soon. Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson is done for the year and with "no words to explain" his feelings, NHL.com has done an excellent job of reading Craig Anderson's body language to compile this interview:
Sadness. Anger. Frustration. The Ottawa Senators are experiencing it all.
"There's no words that can explain what we're feeling," goalie Craig Anderson said.
Added Anderson: "I don't know if it's intent to injure, but I don't know why you would hit somebody like that in that situation. I can't tell if it's intent to injure or not, but it obviously catches Erik really unfortunate, a heel of his skate where we don't have any padding."
Last but DEFINTELY not least... My favorite Ryan O'Reilly trade proposal from HF Boards.
Happy Valentines Day from my favorite NHL lovebirds.