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Tuesday, 01 March 2011 10:20

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

Penguins

-Somewhere along the line, Kris Letang (above) became a bona fide Norris Trophy candidate.

-Ray Shero wasn't very busy yesterday. He didn't need to be.

-"Our trade deadline, as we know, was a week or so ago." - Shero.

-Dustin Jeffrey is expected to spend the rest of the season at the NHL level (PG+).

-Alex Kovalev skipped practice yesterday in order to get some personal things in order in Ottawa (PG+).

-How realistic are Simon Despres' chances at reaching the NHL next season (PG+)?

-Shero speaks:

-Dan Bylsma speaks:

-Happy 48th birthday to the greatest two-way player in franchise history:

-Happy 59th birthday to former Penguins forward Pat Boutette. Acquired in the 1981 offseason along with Kevin McClelland as compensation for the Whalers' signing of goaltender Greg Millen, Boutette spent parts of four seasons with the Penguins. In 1981-82, Boutette appeared in 80 games and scored 74 points. During that spring's postseason, Boutette played in five games and score four points. He followed that up in 1982-83 by playing in 80 games and scoring 56 points. Boutette was limited to 73 games and 40 points during the dreadful 1983-84 season. After 14 games and four points in 1984-85, Boutette was traded back to the Whalers in exchange for Ville Siren. In 247 regular season games, Boutette scored 174 points, 40th-most in franchise history.

Atlantic Division

-Rangers backup goaltender Martin Biron is out indefinitely due to a fractured collarbone.

-With Biron sidelined, the Rangers recalled goaltender Cam Talbot from Greenville of the ECHL.

-The Rangers acquired forward John Mitchell (right) from the Maple Leafs in exchange for a seventh-round pick this summer.

-Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said he has not given up on the season.

-The Islanders recalled forward Justin DiBenedetto from Bridgeport of the AHL.

-The Flyers acquired forward Tom Sestito from the Blue Jackets in exchange for minor league forward forward Greg Moore and forward prospect Michael Chaput.

Northeast Division

-"We decided to add and keep the players we have, and not just stay in the playoff hunt but get in and do as much damage as we can. For us to be able to add someone that is going to contribute offensively ... it's important, and it's an important message to send to the players as well." - Sabres general manager Darcy Regier on the decision to acquire forward Brad Boyes from the Blues.

-Senators forward Milan Michalek, brother of Penguins defenseman Zbynek Michalek (right), could miss the rest of the season due to a foot injury.

-The Canadiens traded defenseman Brett Festerling to the Thrashers in exchange for goaltender Drew MacIntyre.

-Montreal demoted forward Ryan White to Hamilton of the AHL.

-The Senators demoted goaltender Robin Lehner to Binghamton of the AHL.

-The Bruins acquired goaltender Anton Khudobin from the Wild in exchange for defenseman Jeff Penner and the restricted free agent rights to forward Mikko Lehtonen.

Southeast Division

-Hurricanes captain Eric Staal is expected to return to the line up tonight against the Panthers after suffering an "upper-body" injury against the Penguins Friday.

-“This is the hardest decision I’ve had to make, I think, in my career. It took me a while. It was hard to leave. It really was." - Capitals forward Jason Arnott on agreeing to a trade from the Devils.

-Capitals defenseman Mike Green (right) is expected to be sidelined "a couple of weeks" due to a head injury.

-The Thrashers recalled forward Ben Maxwell and former Pittsburgh Forge goaltender Peter Mannino from Chicago of the AHL and demoted forward Spencer Machacek to Chicago.

Central Division

-Two goals by Drew Miller led the Red Wings to a 7-4 win at Los Angeles. Darren Helm and Jiri Hudler each netted a goal and an assist for Detroit while teammate Henrik Zetterberg recorded two assists. Jimmy Howard made 35 saves in the victory which was Detroit's sixth consecutive. Brad Richardson had a goal and an assist for the Kings.

-Check out this laser of a goal by Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk:

-Check out this tremendous hit by Los Angele's Matt Greee on Detroit's Tomas Holmstrom:

-Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick had issues with this puck:

A goal and two assists by captain Jonathan Toews led the Blackhawks to a 4-2 win at Minnesota. Patrick Sharp added a goal and an assist for Chicago while Corey Crawford made 24 saves in the victory which was Chicago's fifth consecutive. Martin Havlat had a goal and an assist for the Wild.

-Check out Havlat's goal:

-The Blues recalled forwards Chris Porter and Ryan Reaves from Peoria of the AHL and placed forward Philip McRae (undisclosed) on injured reserve.

-Blues goaltender and former Penguin Ty Conklin cleared waivers.

-Blackhawks defenseman Jordan Hendry will miss the rest of the season on account of a torn ACL in his left knee.

Northwest Division

-The Canucks demoted forwards Cody Hodgson and Victor Oreskovich to Manitoba of the AHL.

-The Avalanche acquired defenseman Shawn Belle from the Oilers in exchange for defenseman Kevin Montgomery.

Pacific Division

-“I get a kick out of watching all of the media, in Toronto especially, saying who could use Brad Richards. Well you know what? Our team could use him, too. We’re sitting in a playoff spot, and it’s not like we’re sellers. We’re trying to make the playoffs and make a run here ourselves.” - Stars general manager Joe Niewendyk on the decision not to trade Richards (right).

(Photos: Letang-Christian Petersen/Getty Images; Mitchell and Green-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images; Michalek-Paul Bereswill/Getty Images; Red Wings/Kings-Stephen Dunn/Getty Images; Richards-Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Comments (2)

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written by Munchezuma, March 01, 2011 - 01:30 PM

Is Staal the second best two way player in franchise history?

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written by Disgruntled Goat, March 01, 2011 - 01:59 PM

With all due respect to Ron Francis, Mario is the best two way player in franchise history. He is obviously the best offensive player. He is the best player on the power play. He is also the best defensive player (+55 in 92-92) and the best penalty killer (49 SHG, 13 in 88-89.) He is the best owner. He is the best defenceman and goalie as well.

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