Some Thoughts...

Let's face it - Ottawa is not making the playoffs this year.  Fans and the media type have been calling for Murray's head all season and with the firing of Craig Hartsburg on Monday it just seems to have fueled the fire.  It does not make any sense for owner Eugene Melnyk and the Senators brass to fire Murray now.  Why?  The trade deadline is less than a month away and Murray has also been scouting for the upcoming draft.  The way I see it is this - Murray should be given job security until the 20-30 game mark next season.  Murray has this trade deadline to make some moves and then the off-season and draft.  If Ottawa stumbles out of the gate next season (again) than it is time to find a GM.  I kind of have a feeling this is what is going through Melnyk's mind.
 
A couple quick notes from the East ...
 
I have a message for Tyler Kennedy.  If you are going to come off the bench and start a fight with rookie (and my favourite Leaf) Luke Schenn after he demolished Malkin - make sure you don't just get tossed around.  The funnier part is Kennedy received a one game suspension for his actions.  Funny stuff.
 
More injuries for the Habs - Robert Lang has been one of their best players all season.  He might not even be back this year.  Montreal fans are going to be pretty upset if this team bails out in the playoffs after a round or two.  I still don't see them having the team to go far ... unless Bob Gainey has something up his sleeve ... and his initials are V.L.
 
How hard must it be to get up for games in Long Island?  Seriously.  I know these players love hockey but the fan support is just absymal.  Pretty sad considering the Islanders once won 4 straight Stanley Cups.  I can say without a doubt that the average hockey fan could not name 3 players on the team currently.
 
With the Olmypics looming it is always fun to start putting together your Olympic team.  Obviously a lot has to be taken into consideration a lot closer to the actual date (performance, injuries, etc.).  But how hard is it to pick Canada's 4 centres?  It seems some centres will have to move to the wing.  Just off the top of my head - Crosby, Thornton, Lecavalier, Savard, M. Richards, Carter, Spezza, Toews, Getzlaf ... and I could keep going.  Have some fun with that!