If we keep the OZC and CSB lines together, who's going to center Semin and Zednik? Beech? Laich? Fata? I don't think those wingers will score too many goals if they don't have a center of the same level.

Perhaps Zednik, who scored 31 goals in 2002-2003, can play on the top line, but then the Semin-Beech-Clark line doesn't sound too threatening.

We have goal scorers, but who's going to feed them? Zubrus, our second best passer behind Ovechkin, only had 34 assists on a line with Alexander the Great.

We might need to sign a good center. Someone else than Cassels, please.

Gomez was just awarded $5 million for one year by an arbitrator- if N.J. doesn't keep him, maybe the Caps will take a shot at signing him.

Hopefully.

well . . . Pittsburgh might be short at the position . . .

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2537429

___________
Play hard, shake hands, drink beer.

"LA needs two hockey teams like Switzerland needs two navies" -- Norman Chad (from "My 10-Point Plan to Save Gary Bettman from Himself")


If you've read this far, you probably could use a hobby

The Devils have re-signed Gomez.

Interesting names among the free agents: Ian Hrdina, Viktor Kozlov, Yanic Perreault and... Andrei Nikolishin.

Report: Malkin to stay in Russia this year

TSN.ca Staff with AP files

8/7/2006 2:42:17 PM

Russian centre and Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Evgeni Malkin has signed a new contract and will play in Russia for the 2006-2007 season, according to a report on the Magnitogorsk Metallurg website.

However, his agents are hopeful that he will be playing in the NHL soon, as J.P. Barry has told the Associated Press that Malkin has indicated his preference is to play in the NHL this season.

The 20 year-old did have a contract with Magnitogorsk that ran through 2008, but that has reportedly been replaced by this new one-year deal, after which Malkin will become a free agent and presumably able to sign with the Penguins.

Widely regarded as the top prospect outside the NHL, Malkin was drafted second overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2004. 

There has been no shortage of drama since Malkin decided to stay in Russia last season.  Barry has confirmed to TSN that he and Pat Brisson have taken over the hockey management side of IMG, whom Malkin fired in June, and Malkin has left Don Meehan and returned to be represented by Barry and Brisson.

"His wish is to play in the NHL, and in Pittsburgh," Barry told the AP. "We will continue to talk to him about his future, and we will decide the best course for him at this time."

Since the Russians decided not to honour the International Ice Hockey Federation's latest transfer agreement with the National Hockey League, there have been complications for NHL teams trying to bring over their Russian prospects, none more prominent than the Penguins with Malkin. 

A premier offensive talent, Malkin led Magnitogork with 47 points in 46 games last season.  The 6-foot-3 pivot was expected, along with phenom Sidney Crosby, to give the Penguins an elite one-two punch down the middle.