NHL Post Draft Thoughts on Free Agency

Tampa Bay may be the most classy organization in the league for this one reason.

The TB Lightning drafted David Carle with the last of its picks even though he had withdrawn from the draft due to a medical condition that will prevent him from playing. Said the new Lighting owner - “The kid worked his whole life to be drafted in the NHL. I didn’t see a reason why he shouldn’t be…He will always know he got drafted in the NHL”

Carle, the brother of San Jose Sharks Matt Carle, suffers form a thickening of the heart that could lead to a heart attack given great exertion.  There is a slim chance, less than one percent, that Carle coudl recover and resume an athletic career. It will be six to eight weeks before he knows the results, another three months, if the results are good, to see if the heart reduces.

Hossa Unsigned

There will be a marquee name available once the National Hockey League’s free agency period begins on July 1 - Marian Hossa.  The Penguins have appeared not to be able to sign the flashy forward and it appears that he is going to be available to the highest bidder.  Maybe Montreal will try to add him the Canadiens continue their “shopping spree”?

NCAA Collegians Represented in Second Round

The world order of college hockey was partially restored on Saturday morning when the second round of the NHL Entry Draft kicked off at Scotiabank Place, just outside of Ottawa. One day after just four collegians were selected in the opening round of the NHL Draft, down from 11 last season, nine college or college-bound players became NHL property in Saturday’s second round.

Is Russian Super League a Threat To The NHL?

Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin has no intention of returning home to play in Russia, and the threat of a newly revamped Russian professional league using lucrative offers to poach talent is being dismissed by NHL officials.  Right now the league appears to be a high paying haven for NHL has-beens.

Nashville’s Boots In More Trouble

A Southern California bank is trying to determine if tarnished Silicon Valley financier William “Boots” Del Biaggio III was obtaining loans under false pretenses as far back as 2004, according to new court filings. Separately, the bank said that Del Biaggio and retired hockey great Luc Robitaille are in default on a $2 million loan they took out together in 2006.

Ottawa Goaltending Situation

With goaltender Ray Emery officially gone after clearing waivers on Saturday, Senators GM Bryan Murray is expected to bring a goalie to stand behind No. 1 Martin Gerber next season.

Who do you think should be on the target list for Murray?