News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Team Canada's roster for the World Championships is almost complete.
2. A preview of the Clark Cup semi-finals in the USHL.
3. The AHL has eclipsed its mark for the longest game ever.
4. NCAA coaches are meeting with the NHL and NHLPA this week to discuss the early departures of college players for the NHL.
5. Check out Sportsnet's online playoff magazine.
6. Hockey.com thinks something is fishy in Detroit.
7. Elliotte Friedman with another installment of the From the Pressbox blog.
8. What a difference a year makes for JR.
9. Joe Pelltier has some interesting Stanley Cup history.
10. The Tampa Tribune thinks its time for Tortorella to go.
11. Canada adds Mike Green to its World Championship roster.
12. Seven lessons the Canadiens have to learn from the Boston series.
13. Jim Kelley thinks the NHL nixed the Brian Burke to Toronto proposal.
14. Pierre Lebrun suggests that Doug Armstrong would be a good fit in Toronto.
15. Spector discusses possible changes in store for teams who lost in the 1st round.
16. Interesting interview with Victor Chi of the Sporting News.
17. Adam Proteau answers Don Cherry's criticisms.
18. Cliff Fletcher is content with the "interim" tag.
19. David Staples with a good piece on why Stanley Cup finalists often tank the following season.
20. Wojtek Wolski may miss the remainder of the Wings-Avs series.
21. H2H examines the practice of player agents becoming General Managers.
22. Bobby Smith is enjoying life as owner of the Halifax Mooseheads.
23. 5 Priorities for Mike Gillis.
24. Sidney Crosby answers the diving allegations.
25. Andy Holloway discusses NHL ratings in the USA.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Bob McKenzie feels Chris Pronger should have been suspended.
2. The Raleigh News and Observer thinks Canadian teams get off easy in terms of suspensions, and they use math to prove it.
3. The QMJHL makes major changes.
4. The CHL Top Ten.
5. News from around the American Hockey League.
6. Terry Frei wants to see the home teams don the white sweaters again.
7. Ross McKeon updates the playoff races in each division.
8. Darryl Dobbs lists some skaters that fantasy hockey players should drop in the off-season.
9. The MJHL Division finals begin tonight in Winnipeg.
10. Jaromir Jagr discusses his future with the Rangers.
11. An entry from Mike Smith's blog.
12. By way of an update, Chris Pronger will have a hearing with the NHL today.
13. David Staples notes that the Oilers like to suck every 5 games or so.
14. The Slapshot blog is looking towards the playoffs.
15. Fanhouse offers tips on surviving the off-season for the fans of non-playoff teams.
16. Another article from Fanhouse, this one on the early departures of college players to the NHL.
17. Kukla with a funny take on how intermission interviews usually go down.
18. In the bottom news story of the day, Bridgestone is named Official Tire of the NHL.
19. Cory Wolfe interviews Billy Smith.
20. The Alaska Aces have recovered from the injury bug to creep back into the hunt in the ECHL.
21. The reality of injuries has derailed the Islanders season.
22. NHL.com catches up with Elmer Lach and Milt Schmidt.
23. Check out this story involving the Slovak Hockey Federation, Peter Stastny and some dirty commies. (2nd item down).
24. USCHO looks at the possible brackets for the NCAA Tourney.
25. Michael Farber discusses the Ovechkin cam.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Wicked Wrister does a great service to hockey by naming the 5 Hottest Girls in College Hockey. As a challenge to our Canadian readers, perhaps someone can compile the 5 Best in in the CIS and have a NCAA-CIS wank-a-thon. We can have the esteemed Ezzy be the final judge since I married and don't look at chicks anymore.
2. Wayne Gretzky was the favorite in a TSN poll on who to light the Olympic Torch in Vancouver.
3. The NHL will have its day before Congress on February 27th.
4. Peter Forsberg's pony died.
5. Jim Kelley of Sportsnet says that GM's are still learning on how to deal with potential UFA's.
6. Want some more trade deadline talk? Here you go. I think Elvis may have been on to something when he sang, "A little less conversation, a little more action...".
7. In case you missed it, Alan Ryder had an interesting piece (thats what she said) on the history of the NHL.
8. A look at Frank and Tom Serratore, the coaches of Air Force and Bemidji State.
9. Shawn Roarke profiles 20 NHL players that got to the big league the hard way.
10. Mike Smith of the Dallas Stars likes to rock out in his spare time.
11. The AHL update from NHL.com.
12. Taking Note gives us the story of Theoren Fleury, who tried to stir the pot a little in a Pats-Warriors alumni game.
13. A tongue in cheek blog post about the most minor hockey injuries.
14. Fanhouse calls out the NY Times for biased reporting on the NHL's southern franchises.
15. David Amber with his list of 10 Guys he would build a franchise around.
16. Damien Cox tells the next GM of the Maple Leafs what he can expect from the job.
17. Jim Kelley discusses the Zednik incident and the effect of the Lighting sale.
18. Fan Nation says that the Minnesota Wild is on the Peter Forsberg's short list.
19. Chris Chelios wants to play in 2010 Olympics. I don't blame him, Vancouver has great senior's discounts.
20. NHL enforcers say its tough to find a fight these days. They should come to my house and leave a cupboard door open and then insult Hilary Clinton. My wife would gladly oblige them.
21. Interesting story about Jean Beliveau and his wife, who taught the Canadiens star how to drive.
22. The Roseau Rams prevailed in their outdoor game last week, a game in which the temp dropped to -42 degrees.
23. Jeff Marek gives a glowing of review of Hockey Day in Canada, hosted this year by Winkler, MB. Note the story at the bottom about the Swedish goaltender.
24. Adam Proteau writes an interesting piece about the death of the "second contract" in the NHL.
25. Puck That Hit gives us a rumour from Columbus saying GM Scott Howson is willing to blow up the team to alter its identity.

Life in Pro Hockey with Rob Schremp (Fourth Entry)

Note: Periodically throughout the season, Oilers' prospect and current Springfield Falcons' winger Rob Schremp will provide Illegal Curve readers with a unique insight into the world of professional hockey.

For Rob's fourth entry, he agreed to answer a Q & A about his time at the AHL All-Star Game.

Here is the interview:

Illegal Curve: Hey Rob, how would you describe your experience in Binghamton last weekend for the AHL All-Star Game?

Rob: It was a lot of fun and just a really big honor to be there.

Illegal Curve: Do you feel like some of the guys in the AHL All-Star Game have been overlooked by NHL teams?

Rob: I think a lot of the guys who were at the game are in the same boat as me. Most of the AHL teams are just trying to develop these guys and want to make sure they are ready to take the next step into the NHL.

Illegal Curve: What were your thoughts on the NHL's "attempt" to have a shootout contest?

Rob: I thought it was pretty cool, but at the same time it is a lot different than a basketball slam dunk contest; just because ball players are doing all that creative stuff everyday on the court. In hockey, you wont see too many guys in practice trying to use a lacrosse style move or throwing the puck up and doing a 360.

Illegal Curve: How often would you say you practice the shootout move that you pulled at the AHL skills competition over the weekend?

Rob: I like to play around after practice, but never during.

Illegal Curve: Do you think the NHL should invite creative puck-handlers such as yourself to participate in their breakaway contest next season?

Rob: No I don't. If I'm not actually in the NHL and haven't been invited to the All-Star Game because of my on-ice play, then definitely not.

Illegal Curve: Finally, what are your personal expectations for the remainder of the AHL season?

Rob: I would like to stay at the top of the scoring leaders and maybe even try to move up a bit. In saying that, I'd like my improved play to help us climb the standings and try to improve on our playoff positioning.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Schremp's third entry.
Schremp's second entry.
Schremp's first entry.

Rob Schremp Shootout Goal

Throughout the year Rob Schremp has contributed to Illegal Curve by giving readers an inside look at life in the AHL. Rob's fourth contribution to the site will be posted in the next day or two, but for now, just sit back and enjoy this goal that Rob scored at AHL All-Star Game over the weekend.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Thanks to HockeyTubeV1 for posting it on YouTube.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Rob Ramage has received a 4 year jail sentence for his part in the crash that killed Keith Magnuson.
2. The Hurricanes have traded Craig Adams to the Blackhawks for a conditional draft pick.
3. Dan Pollard of TSN gives a shout out to Tobias Enstrom.
4. Gene Principe notes the irony of Michael Nylander going out for the season with a shoulder problem just before playing the Oilers, a team he reneged on last summer after his wife twisted his arm.
5. The NHL and IIHF propose to raise the Euro transfer age to 20, meaning no more young Euros playing in the minors.
6. A resurgent Denver Pioneers team has its sights set on the NCAA tournament.I hope they don't contract the plague of so many other pioneers, the dreaded dysentery.
7. Brandon Nolan credits coaching for his break out year, and the AHL is considering an outdoor game, with Winnipeg as a possible venue. Evidently, the AHL braintrust has never visited Winnipeg in January.
8. Anze Kopitar is living the single life in LA, with his parents for roommates. Sounds perfect for my sister in law.
9. Iggy and Vinny have been named All-Star Captains.
10. The Fargo Force is going to attempt to "tap" Fighting Sioux fans. I bet they are. Just don't disturb my wife during Project Runway. Trust me, I tried that two weeks and one testicle ago.
11. Taking Note gives us the complete run down of WHL news from Wednesday night.
12. Adam Proteau tells us that Brian Burke will listen to offers for the 1st round pick he acquired from Edmonton in the Dustin Penner deal.
13. Jay Feaster gives us his thoughts on the trade deadline in his blog.
14. Chris Pronger alleges that Edmonton fans burned his rental furniture. Still no cure for gap-toothedness.
15. The latest installment from the Year of the Rams.
16. David Staples with a very funny look at his likes and dislikes about each Oiler.
17. The Score gives the low-down for everyone involved in fantasy hockey.
18. Edward Fraser notes that the Oklahoma City Blazers are giving away livestock as a promotion for fans attending their games. They should try this in Calgary. Even Flames fans deserve a little action now and again...
19. A mildly entertaining (Think Flames vs. Wild on a Wednesday night) work of fiction on how Cujo was wooed to Cowtown.
20. Battle of California makes a heartfelt plea to Ottawa to take Rob Blake off the Kings' hands.
21. In a follow up to RP's Ovechkin editorial, Tyler Dellow of the MC79 blog offers up his detailed analysis on AO.
22. The Blackhawks have signed Patrick Sharp to a 4-year contract extension.
23. Thursday's water cooler notes from nhl.com.
24. A profile on Bruins prospect Pascale Pelletier, recently recalled to Boston.
25. George Johnson thinks the mind games will start in Calgary with Curtis Joseph's arrival. Likely the first and only time the phrase "mind games" will be used to refer to Calgary.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. TSN is reporting that Brent Sopel and his hair have agreed to a three year contract extension with the Hawks.
2. The Hawks also sent Magnus Johannson to the Panthers in a trade today.
3. Former Preds owner Craig Leipold has bought a majority stake of the Wild.
4. The AHL has named their Planet USA roster for the upcoming All-Star game.
5. In an exchange of players no one has ever heard of, the Ducks and Islanders swapped Matt Keith and Darryl Bootland.
6. Teppo Numminen will likely miss the rest of the season. If he only had a little heart...(too much?)
7. Tom Preissing wrote his senior thesis on the competitive balance in the NHL. Meanwhile, TJ Oshie uses elevators as toilets...
8. NHL.com asks former collegians what they would have done differently with their college career. Still no mention of getting arrested in an elevator...
9. John Kreiser looks at who is hot and cold in the NHL and gives a comprehensive run-down of each team's injury list.
10. Chris Pronger tops the list of Western Conference All-Star additions. I wonder if his wife will let him play?
11. Darren McCarty is attempting a comeback with the Flint Generals of the International Hockey League.
12. A look around the American Hockey League.
13. Jeff Gordon thinks its time for a regime change in Los Angeles. They had better find WMD's first, or the Democrats will never let them live it down.
14. Check out this brawl from the Russian Super League. The referees are sure Stalin before getting in there. I guess they are all about Lenin them go.
15. Interesting story about the new CBC drama, MVP.
16. Craig MacTavish has asked Ethan "Mr. Glass" Moreau to stop fighting.
17. Mike Toth with his thoughts on the Leafs.
18. On Frozen Blog is reporting that Alex Ovechkin has signed a contract extension with the Washington Capitals.
19. James Deacon of AOL Sports says Brendan Shanahan is the poster boy for the new NHL.
20. Brian Duff of the Hockey News says that Thomas Vanek was set up for failure.
21. Michael Farber wonders which goalie is the best in the NY area.
22. Damien Cox thinks that the Ducks' blueline is the best in the NHL. Nah, just a bunch of quacks. Someone stop me, please.
23. The Hockey News tells us all about Aaron Voros of the Minnesota Wild.
24. The latest in installment on the Roseau Rams.
25. The USHL has announced the rosters for the All-Star/Prospects game set for Green Bay, Wisconsin.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. TSN wonders where Jarome Iginla fits in on the all-time list of Flamers.
2. Blackhawks winger Tuomo Ruutu was mistakenly taken into custody yesterday in Bensenville, IL after police mistook him for a robbery suspect.
3. No criminal charges will be laid in the 8-year old brawl fiasco in Guelph.
4. A bus carrying the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL was involved in a crash, seriously injuring the driver.
5. Alan Weiss with a report on prospects currently playing in the ECHL. (Hat tip, Rocky)
6. CHL News and Notes.
7. The American Hockey League announces its Hall of Fame Class for 2008.
8. Eric Duhatschek campaigns for a larger ice surface.
9. Are you sick of all the Leafs/JFJ talk? Me too. Go here for relief.
10. The Fan590 will retract its allegation that Sean Avery made disparaging remarks about Jason Blake.
11. Jim Matheson notes that the Oilers must make re-signing Tom Gilbert a priority.
12. A look around the American Hockey League.
13. Boy Devereaux satisfies his taste for music by starting up a music label.
14. Markus Naslund is enjoying a resurgence in Vancouver.
15. An artist has created nude paintings of Bobby Orr and Derek Sanderson. (Hat tip, Amanda)
16. The Lundqvist brothers are each other's biggest fans.
17. Shawn P. Roarke lists 10 Free Agents who might wish they had stayed at home.
18. Fanhouse notes that Kipper may be out of shape and Dion Phaneuf is full of himself.
19. Want old stats? David Staples has 'em for you.
20. Alex Kovalev happy with his production, but would like more even-strength goals.
21. James Duthie decries the trap, but notes that it is effective.
22. Mike Comrie says that dating Hilary Duff has gained him a lot of friends in the NHL.
23. The Avs recall TJ Hensick.
24. NHL Media Guides provide a wealth of info about players personal lives.
25. Check out the updates on the Hockey News Series about Roseau, MN. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

-John Ferguson Jr. rejects a report saying he was trying to fire Paul Maurice.
-Bob McKenzie discusses possible changes the league rules being considered by NHL GM's.
-Sportsnet reports that Daniel Alfredsson has resumed skating.
-Sean McCormick thinks that the Oilers should consider giving the C to someone other than the perpetually injured Ethan Moreau.
-The Hot or Not list from the CHL.
-The NHL celebrates its 90th Birthday today.
-The AHL's Teddy Purcell, an undrafted free agent before the Kings signed him, is leading the league in scoring.
-NHL.com with an in-depth look at the shootout.
-A profile on my future brother in law, Mike Cammalleri.
-The weekly NCAA hockey rankings from INCH.
-Brian Burke continues to lobby for changes to the CBA which would allow teams to trade players but keep some of the salary on their own books.
-Richard Peddie says there are no plans to fire JFJ.
-The weekly release from the American Hockey League.
-8 year olds brawl in Guelph.
-An analysis of the USHL from Gabriel Desjardins, master o' stats.
-A map of the hockey blogosphere.
-Taking Note tells us that former Oiler Mike Krushelnyski is coaching in the German Elite League.
-Sam Gagner will start tonight's game against Columbus on the 1st Line.
-Darren Eliot thinks the Penguins just need to relax and make the simple plays.
-Todd Bertuzzi reflects on his time as a Canuck.
-Greg Dennis of the Canadian Press examines the big money busts of fantasy hockey.
-Roundups from the QMJHL, WHL and OHL.
-The Hockey News debates the supremacy of Roy or Brodeur.
-The NY Times tells us how to block shots, doesn't blame Bush.
-The Score looks at the NHL's top lines.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

-Bobby Clarke feels Eric Lindros is a Hall of Famer. Thoughts?
-John Leclair: Canadien, Flyer, Penguin, Drunk Driver.
-The Canadian women win their first game at the Four Nations Cup, defeating Finland 4-1.
-Team USA wins a wild one over Belarus at the World Junior Challenge in Trail, BC.
-North Dakota recruit Ben Blood blogs on his experience at said World Junior Challenge.
-Mike Modano passes Phil Housley to be the highest scoring American NHL'er.
-The Sabres are looking to Ryan Miller to lead them out their funk.
-Ilya Kovalchuk tops the Hot List.
-The Junior Report from the NHL, which focuses on the USHL heavy US entry in the World Junior Challenge.
-A profile on UND Head Coach, Dave Hakstol.
-The Kamloops Blazers have fired head coach Dean Clark.
-A look around the QMJHL.
-Jeff Taffe is enjoying a resurgence in the AHL.
-You want ECHL news? You got it.
-Chris Higgins feels he has 40-goal potential.
-Elliot Pap looks at what ails the Canucks.
-Darcy Tucker feels he has the answer to the Leafs' defensive woes.
-Tortorella calls today's NHL players soft.
-The Kings play Amazing Race in Los Angeles.
-The Western Conference Report from the AHL.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior

News You Can Use Late in the Day

-James Duthie comments on the growing peril that is pre-game soccer warmups.

-Paul Kariya is excited about the Blues' future.

-Eric Lindros is done, unofficially.

-Rick Nash is still unknown in Columbus.

-Tavares to Leafs, "Don't bother".

-Eric Duhatschek notes that Reebok is making some changes to a few players' Edge jerseys.

-Pierre Lebrun writes that Don Waddell is a busy man in Atlanta.

-Richard Bachman is Inside College Hockey's Player of the Week.

-Jack Blatherwick of Lets Play Hockey calls for a return to the old time methods of hockey training in order to make the game accessible again.

-Daymond Langkow is playing with renewed confidence.

-Carolina is off to a hot start.

-David Amber profiles his list of the 10 Dirtiest Plays in the NHL.

-The Erie Otters may send two players home for undisclosed disciplinary reasons.

-Stan Fischler wants Rangers fans to chill out.

-Wayne Scanlan of the Ottawa Sun writes that the Rangers are making a mistake by spending big.

-Yann Danis has started the season well in Hamilton.

-The Sabres have recalled Mike Weber from Rochester.

-It looks like the Wild had a plan when they didn't make a splash on the free agent market.

-Some nice pictures from SI's Photo Gallery.

-The Oilers are not thrilled at the prospect of hosting the Wild tonight.

-The Wayne State Warriors hope to have a strong final season.

-Stu Barnes is still contributing in Dallas.

-Crashing the Net assembles the All-Living team that will play host to the All-Dead team in next week's article.

-A look around the AHL.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior

Prospect Pulse: Nigel Williams

Williams, a Colorado draft pick, started last season with the University of Wisconsin Badgers. Upset with his lack of ice time, 1 game played, he bolted for the Ontario Hockey League over the Christmas break, and proceeded to tear it up, registering 36 points in 46 games as a defenseman.

Williams has followed up that success with a hot start in Sagninaw. In 7 games, he has registered 9 points. Standing 6'5 and weighing 225 pounds, Williams is that rare combination of size and skill. He has improved his point totals as he has progressed through hockey without sacrificing his mean streak.

Once projected to go as high at 11th overall in the NHL draft, Williams slipped to the 2nd round because of his problems at Wisconsin. Though the program was upset with Williams for leaving, he felt that he needed to play in order to develop. He has the size and speed to be an NHL defender but his decision making has not caught up with his puck skills. An avid roller hockey player, Williams is said to be fearless and easily coachable.

Though Williams is likely a few years away from the NHL, he continues to climb up the Avalanche list of top prospects, currently sitting at #6. Keep an eye on this one.

News You Can Use Late in the Day:

-Bob McKenzie feels that the NHL should have no problem handing Jesse Boulerice a long term suspension.

-After one game, Carey Price is the new Saint Patrick.

-The St. Paul police name Dwayne Roloson an honorary officer.

-Inside College Hockey names its pre-season All-Americans.

-Eric Duhatschek doesn't think that Boulerice's apology will help him.

-No link yet, but TSN was reporting that the Penguins and Lightning will indeed open next season in Prague.

-Oilers blogger Lowetide reports that Ethan Moreau's bruised foot may in fact be broken.

-The WHL has approved the sale of the Kamloops Blazers.

-Rocky Wirtz re-assigns Bob Pulford.

-Rob Ramage found guilty on all five counts. Loses US residency.

-Panthers prospect Shawn Matthias figures he can work himself into the NHL.

-Dave Scatchard is with the Rangers on a try-out basis.

-The Devils expect to be able to deal Richard Matvichuk soon.

-The Top 10 teams in Canadian college hockey.

-Mirtle with a look at each team's most used power play players.

-No sophomore jinx in sight for Paul Statsny.

-Ray Emery sent down to Binghamton for conditioning. Somebody warn the drivers.

-Niitymaki hopes to stick with the Flyers.

-A dandy of a fight courtesy of Fanhouse.

-On Frozen Blog notes that the NHLFA is enjoying its 10th Anniversary.

-Steve Yzerman tells the crowd in South Bend that they may be the new Hockeytown.

-Fanhouse wonders if fighting is on the rise in the NHL.

-Stan Fischler takes a look at what is ailing the Rangers. Maybe Scott Gomez could stop counting his money long enough to put up some points?

-The Sioux City Musketeers have put a lot of thought into nicknaming their lone French player. Please write to Illegal Curve and collect your 10 cents if you guessed Frenchy.

-The Beaver County Times reports that Michel Therien is furious over the Penguins lack of effort.

-Lightning Strikes notes that the Ottawa Senators are the second choice for who will play the Penguins in Prague next season.

-Two ex-Medicine Hat Tigers meet up in Motown.

-Suicide watches abound in Toronto as the Leafs are already in must-win territory.

-News and notes from around the AHL. Notice that the Moose make their debut tonight a full 8 days after the rest of the AHL.

-Mats Sundin still has hope for the season.

-John Buccigross' mailbag.

-Interesting website for the hockey fanatic.

-Battle of Alberta with a list of questions they would like to ask a coach.

-Scott Morrison laments on what the Boulerice incident will do to hockey.

-Razor will a slap in the face letter from Dallas to Buffalo.

-Ten Questions for the Bruins.

-The NHL will use a compresses schedule in 2008-2009.

-Marc Savard will continue to sit and rest his groin.

-Covered in Oil with thoughts on last night's snooze-fest in St. Paul.

-The Dallas Stars have activated Mike Ribeiro.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior