NHL Rumor Wire – April 30th, 2011

Most of you know me from www.thegoalcrease.com, where i posted NHL rumors all day, everyday. I am happy to start blogging again, now that i have the time. I would like to say thanks to Frank Rekas for the opportunity.

Fansided.com is a great blogging network, when you get a chance, check it out.

Now onto NHL Rumors…..

Anahaeim Ducks forward Todd Marchant is entering the off-season, uncertain about his future. After 17 seasons in the NHL, 37 year old Marchant, may retire.

From Eric Stephens (Ducks Blog)

"At 37, Marchant no longer produces any offense and is at best a fourth-line center who can kill some penalties. It is a role that the Buffalo native readily accepted with the Ducks and his professionalism and leadership abilities in the dressing room were welcomed by all within the organization.But Marchant also realizes that it has become tougher to tougher to hold off younger players looking to claim his roster spot each season."

Jeff Woywitka of the Dallas Stars wants to remain in Dallas. The Stars will want him back, but with the ownership issues, it will take some time for GM Joe Nieuwendyk to re-sign Woywitka.

From Steve Hunt (stars.nhl.com)

"Jeff Woywitka’s road to becoming half of the Stars’ No. 2 defensive pairing alongside Trevor Daley was a bit winding, but by the time the 2010-11 season was over, the 27-year-old blue liner had played in 63 games and posted solid numbers (2-9-11, plus-5 rating) for Dallas.However, like several members of the Stars’ roster, the Alberta native is a free agent on July 1 but there’s no doubt he’d love to remain a Dallas Star going forward.“I’ve built some good relationships with the team here,” Woywitka said. “I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of guys. I’ve just learned a lot over the last couple years here, especially this year-playing a lot more and contributing a lot more. I felt more comfortable with myself and the way I was playing. Everybody was there supporting me.”"

You would expect 50 goals and 100 points for 8 million dollars a year, right? Well, that is not the case for Montreal Canadiens, Scott Gomez.

Gomez scored only 7 goals this year and is on Habs fans most hated list. So what can the Canadiens do about it? bury him in the AHL.

From Stu Cowan (The Gazette)

"It’s unlikely the Canadiens would be able to trade Gomez because of his contract. Another option would be to send him to the American Hockey League, meaning his salary wouldn’t count against the NHL cap and Gauthier could go shopping for goal scorers.There are a number of teams who used the AHL option this season to bury big contracts, including the New York Rangers with Wade Redden ($6.5 million), the Edmonton Oilers with Sheldon Souray ($4.5 million), the Columbus Blue Jackets with Mike Commodore ($3.8 million), the Toronto Maple Leafs with Jeff Finger ($3.5 million), the New York Islanders with Michael Nylander ($3 million) and the Calgary Flames with Ales Kotalik ($3 million)."

Montreal Canadiens d-man Andrei Markov will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Markov is coming off a four year deal at $5.75 million per year, and may have to take a pay cut to remain in Montreal.

From Red Fisher (The Gazette)

"Clearly, the biggest decision involves the status of Andrei Markov, who played in only 45 games during the 2009-10 regular season and only eight of the 19 playoff games. This season: only seven games.Here you have a player whose fouryear deal at $5.75 million per is over.If you’re GM Pierre Gauthier, that kind of money now is out of the question. If you’re interested in keeping Markov, it would be at a greatly reduced salary – which surely would not sit well with Markov."

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke, is listed as the NHL’s most hated player. Cooke was suspended for the last 10 regular season games and first round of the playoffs, after his elbow to New York Rangers’ Ryan McDonagh. While being suspended Matt Cooke took counseling.

From Shelly Anderson (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

"When the suspension took effect, Cooke was granted a leave for about a week. He apparently underwent counseling externally and later in sessions with coach Dan Bylsma.“[I] worked on some things I needed some help with,” Cooke said. “I’ve had a chance to work with some great people outside of hockey, and I will continue to do so. I’ve spent hours upon hours with Dan analyzing the game and trying to re-teach when and where to hit.”"

Pittsburgh Penguins where power-less on the powerplay versus Tampa Bay Lightning, in round one of the playoffs. Sure, if they had Crosby and Malkin, it would have been way better, but maybe they need a powerplay coach?

From Dejan Kovacevic (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

"If one thing should convince the Penguins’ upper management that a power-play coach is needed, it is that virtually no adjustments were made to their setup through the seven games against the Tampa Bay Lightning.Here’s an example: Dan Bylsma employed three left-handed forwards, and had his primary half-wall guy working off the right boards. Now, that’s fine if you’re running a shoot-and-crash power play, but the Penguins were doing nothing of the kind. So, your other strongest possibility is to work for back-door plays, or anything that makes the box and the goaltender move. But, without a right-handed shot on the left side, that’s never going to be taken seriously."

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