Month: March 2010

MONTREAL – While the entire country had reason to follow Team Canada in the men’s Olympic hockey tournament, Montreal Canadiens fans had a particular interest in keeping a close eye on the Russian team as well

VANCOUVER, B.C. – A thrilling Olympic tournament capped with a golden goal.Hockey was enjoying a sudden burst of popularity Monday, a day after Sidney Crosby lifted Canada to a 3-2 overtime victory over the United States to win the gold medal at the Vancouver Games

TORONTO – A four-year sentence for former NHLer Rob Ramage is concerning given his “remarkable” character despite being convicted of impaired driving causing death, a panel of judges on Ontario’s top court said Monday

TORONTO – A trade prompted Colton Orr to make the most embarrassing mistake of his career. He had just been moved to Regina from Kamloops, his junior hockey team, and the bruising forward responded by engaging in an on-ice fight the first time he visited his old arena

CALGARY – After signing a four-year contract extension, forward Matt Stajan wants to prove to the Calgary Flames that they made a sound investment

PITTSBURGH – Kris Letang doesn’t want to bring up the Olympics to Pittsburgh Penguins teammates Brooks Orpik, Sergei Gonchar and Evgeni Malkin

NASHVILLE – David Freeman has stepped down as chairman of the Nashville Predators’ board of directors.Freeman, a Nashville businessman, has been lead owner of the Predators since the ownership group bought the team late in 2007

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Blues have acquired goaltender Joe Fallon from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for goalie Hannu Toivonen and defenceman Danny Richmond

DALLAS – The Dallas Stars have signed veteran forward Steve Ott to a four-year, US$11.8 million contract extension.The deal announced Monday locks up the 27-year-old winger through the 2013-14 season

WASHINGTON – Although disappointed that he was unable to lead Russia to a medal in Olympic hockey, Alex Ovechkin says Canada deserved to take home the gold

VANCOUVER, B.C. – The NHL gave itself a pat on the back Monday in the wake of a thrilling Olympic overtime final.”The 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver served as the latest affirmation that the quality of our play – and our players – is the finest in the world,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement

EDMONTON – They’re at the bottom of the NHL standings despite having one of the league’s higher payrolls. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Edmonton Oilers GM Steve Tambellini will be trying to wheel and deal before the league’s trade deadline Wednesday

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Blues recalled forward Derek Armstrong from their American Hockey League affiliate Monday.The 36-year-old Ottawa native has played in 30 games this season with Peoria, scoring 22 goals

SUNRISE, Fla. – The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired defenceman Jordan Leopold in a deal with the Florida Panthers.Florida traded Leopold to Pittsburgh for a second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft