Friday afternoon notes: Hurricanes & Habs trade Kaberle for Spacek

by Dirk Hoag on Dec 9, 2011 5:22 PM EST in Nashville Predators News

Just as last week we saw major coaching changes shake up the NHL landscape, now is the time when we might see some player movement take place, too. This afternoon, one such deal took place between Montreal and Carolina, which swapped veteran defensemen Tomas Kaberle and Jaroslav Spacek. For Kaberle, the Habs will make the 4th team for which he's played in less than a year, after being traded from Toronto to Boston back in February, then signing as a free agent with the Hurricanes over the summer.

We've got reaction to that trade, some updates from Nashville's minor-league affiliates, and a whole lot more after the jump!

Weekend sale gives 15-50% off NHL team logo polos & t-shirts | Hockey Gear HQ
One of our favorite NHL apparel sites has launched a rare sale this weekend, which gives you 15-50% off t-shirts & polo shirts for teams from all sports (their selection of college gear is staggering).

Nashville Predators News

Christmas Wish List: Top Ten Forwards You Would Want in a Predators Sweater | The Predatorial
Jeremy's going to have to write a really, really nice letter to Santa to get one of these guys.

The 303:30 – DOUBLE EPISODE! The Tootoo suspension and NHL realignment | Section 303
Get a jump on your hockey weekend with the latest 303:30 podcast.

The Case for Tyler Sloan | Admirals Roundtable
I think many times people ignore the importance of having a few capable veterans on the roster in Milwaukee, to provide support for the high-potential prospects who are working their way up.

The Gauntlet " CYCWORDS
A survey of the scene in Cincinnati, where Chet Pickard continues to work on his game at the ECHL level.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

N&O: Canes trade Tomas Kaberle to Canadiens - Canes Country
Jaws dropped around the league over the fact that Carolina was able to get rid of Kaberle's contract, which has two more years left.

Habs Trade Spacek for Kaberle - Habs Eyes On The Prize
Meanwhile in Montreal, they see Kaberle as an upside play, hoping he rekindles his offensive production of years past.

Still Pi@#&%!! | BlueJackets Xtra
They're still honked off today in Columbus after blowing last night's game.

Scoring Chances: NSH @ CBJ 12/8/11 - The Cannon
A look at the scoring chance totals from last night's game, as compiled at The Cannon.

Leaf fans have every reason to be wary - The Globe and Mail
The ownership transfer in Toronto is more about gouging the customer (err... maximizing profits) than a guy like Terry Pegula in Buffalo who wants to build a winner.

Ownership change should have little impact on Leafs’ fortunes - The Globe and Mail
Eric Duhatschek, on the other hand, argues that ownership isn't nearly the difference-maker than it used to be.

Wild, Riled, and Wins Compiled: 7 Reasons for Frozen Success In St. Paul - The Hockey Writers
Before the season, many picked Minnesota to miss the playoffs. So how are they at the top of the league standings?

Latest hockey equipment sale offers 25% discount on clearance items | Hockey Gear HQ
Thanks to a new promo code which has been recently released, you can take an extra 25% off already-discounted items at Hockey Monkey, including sticks, skates, & more!

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Caniac all around doing a happy dance!

How on earth JR got someone to take that awful contract (and player) off his hands is a miracle! And he got a decent player in return as well. This will make Capt. Kirk very happy!

Now to dump Pitkanen for something useful too!

Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!

by Grizzledbear on Dec 9, 2011 5:30 PM EST via mobile reply actions

And........

Kevin Allen of USA Today must be eating crow right about now for picking the Wild to be last in the West. Conventional wisdom strikes out once again. Kinda like those who said the Flyers hosed up big time with their trades this summer.

Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!

by Grizzledbear on Dec 9, 2011 5:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I was thinking they’d be a bubble team – 7/8/9/10. Yeo’s got them clicking though, we’ll see if that lasts all season.

by DonBorvio on Dec 9, 2011 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

I bet they finish 4/5/6

No way their goalies keep up a .934 SV% the whole season. And Vancouver’s too good for second place.

by Sam Page on Dec 9, 2011 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

The Wild are a great example of why you don’t need Norris Trophy type Dmen to play good defense. Not that it hurts to have them, but they cost a lot to have.

Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!

by Grizzledbear on Dec 9, 2011 6:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

love how CBJ, (even the coach) is B*tching about the officiating...

Nikitin didn’t get a penalty for a pretty clear boarding after the HornQ goal, probably won’t see any games suspended due to his non-history of suspensions, and yet they’re pissing and moaning about a make up call. If you can’t hold a 2 goal lead with less than 2 to go, that’s on you, Bro Namath.

by JBoogie22 on Dec 9, 2011 8:00 PM EST reply actions

Like Preds fans don’t fuss about officiating. :) I’ve heard a lot of griping about how this or that bad call cost a goal. It happens to all teams and every fan base gripes about it.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.

by CAustin on Dec 9, 2011 8:14 PM EST up reply actions

absolutely

But I don’t remember trotzy doing it so much. I think that is the point. It had a lot of lindy ruff in CBJ coach’s comments.

Da Vinci Code? Contra code? up, down, up, down, select

by bvkv09 on Dec 9, 2011 8:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

They certainly do. Probably a good example of how weak it looks when the other team is doing the whining.

The Jackets would have probably blown it even without being called for that penalty. What they ought to be mad at is having a PP with 4mins. to go and doing the run-out-the-clock thing instead of trying to ice the game away with a PP goal.

Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!

by Grizzledbear on Dec 9, 2011 8:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Anyone else feel like Montreal is becoming the Rangers?

They keep taking on bloated, overpaid contracts for players well beyond their prime. Gomez, Gionta, Cole (overpaid UFA), Andrei Kostitsyn, Markov, and now Kaberle.

You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Regressing all the way back to high school hockey.

by JDesthubert on Dec 9, 2011 10:08 PM EST reply actions