15 Things Eastern.....

In New York.....The Rangers have been up and down all year but remain locked in a playoff spot.  I keep reading lots of rumours about New York looking for a big name defenceman to come in and help out at both ends of the ice.  How does that make you feel, Mr. Redden?
 
In Philadelphia.....I still cannot believe they got Braydon Coburn from Atlanta for Alexei Zhitnik!  Coburn is easily one of my favourite defencemen in the NHL and if he keep improving his game he will no doubt be on the radar for the 2010 Olympic team.
 
In Long Island.....err...should I say in London.....John Tavares is losing a lot of sleep thinking about going #1 overall to the Islanders.
 
In New Jersey.....They have been on fire without Brodeur - but - when Brodeur comes back, will the team maintain the same effort level they have been playing with in Brodeur's absence?
 
In Pittsburgh.....Malkin and Crosby are two of the best players in the NHL - but that alone does not get you into the playoffs.  The Pens are struggling to keep in the top 8 and Sid the Kid has a sore knee.
 
In Montreal.....They are singing that song about milk that I hate so much.  Seriously.  I did get a good chuckle out of hometown Mike Komisarek getting a hooking penalty in the All-Star game in overtime.  Refs don't even call those penalties in regular season games in overtime.
 
In Ottawa.....7 out of 8 points in the last four games has renewed some optimism amongst Senators fans.  It's still an incredible longshot but never say never.  Crazier things have happened.  Brian Elliott is a breath of fresh air and everyone is crossing their fingers that this kid can be an NHL starter.
 
In Buffalo.....Derek Roy has quitely jumped into the top 25 in scoring and remains one of the most underrated players in the NHL.  Even though he goes down easier than free beer at a frat party.  Credit Pierre McGuire for that line.
 
In Boston.....Zdeno Chara makes every Senators fan cry when they watch him play.  Easily one of the most dominate players I have ever seen on the ice.
 
In Toronto.....Burkie is going to blow this thing up at the deadline.
 
In Atlanta.....How desperate is Don Waddel?  Throwing the 'C' on Ilya Kovalchuk's jersey to try and convince him to stay in the hockey-mad city of Atlanta?  Give me a break.  Kovalchuk would be the perfect fit in Edmonton.
 
In Carolina.....Somehow they are in the playoff hunt.  I don't know how - seems like everytime I look at a boxscore they were the losing team.
 
In Washington.....Ovechkin has undeniably become the #1 player in the NHL.  I'm not talking about #1 all-around - that is far too hard to determine.  I'm talking about the most dangerous player on the ice.  He has over 100 shots more than the 2nd place shot leader.  That is insane.
 
In Florida.....They have a hockey team?
 
In Tampa.....See above.  Despite GM Brian Lawton saying he is not trading Vincente Lecavalier - I'm pretty certain he is gone by the deadline.  Rule of thumb: When someone says something will not happen in sports ... it usually does.
 
That is all for day.  Hockey is back tonight!