NHL statement on latest Winnipeg rumours

Bill Daly, Deputy Commissioner of the National Hockey League, today released the following statement:

"In response to the many inquiries we have received in light of the story in the Phoenix Business Journal this morning, we would like to make clear that at this point in time the National Hockey League has no "deal" in place to move the Coyotes' franchise to Winnipeg -- or to any other city for that matter -- in the event a transaction cannot be timely consummated in Glendale. Our focus continues to be on completing a transaction with local ownership that is committed to operating the team in Glendale. Based on the communications and information we are receiving on a regular basis, the stakeholders involved continue to express a high level of confidence that that can be successfully achieved. We will not focus on completing arrangements for one or more alternative option(s) until such time as it may become necessary.

"With respect to Winnipeg and Messrs. Chipman and Thomson, we have had ongoing discussions over time regarding their potential interest in owning an NHL franchise (as we have had with a number of other individuals and cities around North America) and potentially bringing an NHL franchise back to Winnipeg. It remains an intriguing possibility and one we would consider given appropriate circumstances, but there is nothing new to report on that front at this time."

>> league release

McGinn's wild ride: 14 callups, 14 demotions

There's no end-of-season award in the NHL for most air miles accrued, but if there was, San Jose Sharks winger Jamie McGinn would win in a landslide.

In only his second NHL season, McGinn has skated in 44 games, missing 22 while in the minors with the American Hockey League's Worcester Sharks. Along the way he's been demoted and recalled a stunning and league-leading 14 times, making for more cross-country flights between California and Massachusetts than he can recall.

- March 13, The Globe and Mail

And I have more on this story at Globe on Hockey.
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Roberts helps Stamkos's rise

It ultimately came in a losing cause, but it was Stamkos who snapped home the game’s first goal and later added an assist, showcasing his impressive new-found physique and earning the game’s second star.

The problem was – as has been the case on too many nights this season with Tampa – Stamkos’s teammates let him down. And the Leafs own young sniper, Phil Kessel, capped a wild overtime with his 23rd goal of the season to give Toronto a 4-3 win.

- March 12, The Globe and Mail

Assistant GM Jeff Jackson on leaving the Leafs

“Coming back to the Leafs, four years ago, was pretty cool,” Jackson said. “It was an honour to be drafted by them, it was great to work for them. It’s one of the toughest sports markets in the world, so it was kind of a baptism by fire on the management side.

“In a lot of respects, it’s been a rough four years because of the inability to have success. I was hoping I’d be part of a winning team here because when it happens, it’s going to be a great place to be. So, it is a hard thing to be leaving, but it’s just the right time.”

- March 10, Globe on Hockey

Meet the Caputis

A barber with a salon just north of Toronto, Caputi grew up in the city, cutting his son’s hair and coaching his hockey teams. What he never dreamed of was watching Luca, now 21, skate with the Toronto Maple Leafs – the NHL team both had cheered for their entire lives.

As diehard a fan as they come, Caputi said he still thinks about the Leafs’ playoff run, 17 years ago, and that fateful missed high-sticking call on Los Angeles Kings star Wayne Gretzky. “We bleed blue,” he said.

Last night, Luca Caputi gave his father another Leafs memory – one his old man will likely be recalling the rest of his years.

- March 10, The Globe and Mail

Players still split on headshot rule

Most players around the league said Monday they want to see hits like the one Penguins winger Matt Cooke laid on Savard penalized – and even suspended. But beyond that, there's little consensus on what, if any, rule changes are needed to prevent similar checks.

Some say all hits to the head should be outlawed. Others scream sacrilege at the thought.

Another group altogether attempts to avoid saying much at all.

- March 9, The Globe and Mail

Burke comments on deadline day

“We turned down two picks for Poni because we liked the prospect better,” Burke said. “A prospect is farther along the food chain, as far as development. This is a guy who’s a second-year pro, has played in the NHL, a guy we really liked in junior, a guy we really like as a pro – that to me has far greater value than a draft pick that I’m not going to see for three years, if I ever see him at all.

“You can see with the Kessel deal, we are not interested in a five-year rebuilding plan. We’re trying to improve this team on a much more rapid time frame. You saw in Anaheim that it didn’t take five years. That’s what we’re trying to do here.”

- March 4, The Globe and Mail

Trade deadline: Six sellers to be busy

With parity ensuring that all but the bottom feeders are still in the playoff hunt with 20 games to go, it's been the six teams in the league's basement - the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders, Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets - getting most of the attention as teams gear up for the 3 p.m. EST trade deadline on Wednesday.

"Since about Thursday or Friday, there've been quite a few calls," Columbus GM Scott Howson said yesterday.

- March 1, The Globe and Mail