If you believe this rumor, you'll believe anything

From the Canadian Press:

If talk turns to action, Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray could be on the verge of making his biggest move as the GM of the Senators.

A hot rumour in NHL circles has Ottawa trading netminder Martin Gerber and defenceman Andrej Meszaros to the Los Angeles Kings, who would send 20-year old centre Anze Kopitar to the Chicago Blackhawks, who then would send goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and either of young blueliners Brent Seabrook or Cam Barker to the Senators.

Read the short article here.

Ha. This is one of the top ten worst trade rumors I have ever heard. I can't even break it down because it is that far-fetched. How can the Canadian Press even publish this garbage?

Getting to know Anze Kopitar

From Rich Hammond of the L.A. Daily News:

Question: Tell me a little bit about the difference in two NHL seasons for you, the one of a rookie sensation and the one of a sophomore expected to provide scoring and leadership.

Kopitar: Well, it was definitely different, but I think the guys let me know that they were really comfortable around me and that's how I felt too. The first year coming in, you know I wasn't really sure what was going on when I made the team and everyone was helping and giving advice, which was really cool. Now this year my expectations and probably everyone's expectations were a lot higher. I think it (leadership) is something I expect, and I see myself as a leader and I think other people do too and I think that is great.

Read the entire interview from Inside the Kings here.

Interesting read. Kopitar isn't as well known to non-hardcore NHL fans as he should be. The big youngster is a tower of power, with terrific hands and he is one of the next generation of NHL stars.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Looking way back to 1994, here is an SI article noting that the NHL is taking over the NBA in terms of popularity.
2. Pierre Lebrun hopes Joe Sakic comes back to the Avalanche.
3. Team Finland coach Doug Sheddon questions Joni Pitkanen's injury.
4. A preview of Group C from the World Championships.
5. Rockford goalie Corey Crawford is making a case for being the Blackhawks backup next season.
6. Anze Kopitar is big in Slovenia.
7. Ted Nolan still hopes to be coaching the Islanders next year.
8. Team Canada, playing in the World Championships in Canada, will try to stay humble before their opener, in Canada.
9. Fabian Brunstrom continues his North American tour.
10. Slovenia looking to have fun at the World Championships.
11. Will the home ice curse haunt Team Canada, playing in the World Championships in Canada?
12. Barry Smith details his experiences coaching in Russia.
13. The Czechs have opted out of the IIHF Transfer Agreement.
14. Adam Proteau notes that veteran players are changing their games for the playoffs.
15. Is Pennsylvania the new State of Hockey? Cue hate mail from angry Minnesotans in 3, 2, 1...
16. Martin Biron seeks vengeance.
17. Bob McKenzie says that you cannot dispute Jaromir Jagr's desire to play.
18. The World Championships will be the biggest event ever staged in Halifax.
19. Memorial Cup history, 1938.
20. Michael Farber on why he loves the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
21. Eric Duhatschek thinks that the playoff goaltenders are tired.
22. The Lightning are using their website to hype their first overall pick, who would appear to be Steven Stamkos.
23. Spector comments on the future of the Avalanche.
24. Elliotte Friedman thinks Carbonneau showed guts in starting Halak in Game 4.
25. A look at the off-season game plan for the New York Islanders.

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.