A Little, Big Acquisition by 'Yotes

Lessard Signed By Coyotes

-via sarampage.com/

Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney has announced that the Coyotes have signed right wing Francis Lessard to a contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Lessard, 29, recorded 4-1-5 and 49 penalty minutes (PIM) in 14 regular season games with the Hartford WolfPack of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season.

The 6-foot-3, 224-pound Lessard appeared in 91 career NHL games with the Atlanta Thrashers from 2001 to 2006, recording 1-3-4 and 268 PIM. In 367 career AHL games with Philadelphia, Chicago and Hartford, the native of Montreal, Quebec has collected 20-37-57 and 1,744 PIM.



Lessard was originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the third round (80th overall) of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.
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My Take: This guy's got experience, size and grit so a checking line spot would be great for him and I know he'll end up taking it. I know we have Fedoruk but I'd rather him on the 2nd line. I also love how he's from Montreal. If you're wondering why I cover all these little things, it's cause if I follow the Rampage a lot! (You Hartford fans need to fill me in on this guy!)
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PS, I'll try to get some quotes on this guy but with all the other rumours there is barely anything on this signing and I think the only way I'm getting quotes from Francis is if I interview him myself!

Nedved Back On Broadway?

A Czech website is reporting that the New York Rangers are going to have Peter Nedved attempt a comeback with the Blueshirts at their upcoming training camp. The 202 point getter for the Rangers had 20 goals for his Czech team this year, and has a fairly legitimate shot at cracking the Ranger lineup.

My take: It's worth the risk, isn't it? If he's this dedicated toward gtting back into the NHL then why not give him the chance under these limited circumstances?

Maple Leafs Moving On! Jokinnen or Halpern to the Leafs

According to Cliff Fletcher the team is preparing for life without Mats Sundin. Is this a mistake I think not the Leafs need to get younger and fast and I think letting Mats move on is the right decision. If this is the case then the Leafs need a new centerman as I feel Antropov is not the answer to the vacant #1 spot. With that in mind there there are a few viable options for the Buds one that may have already been solved by Fletcher when he talk about his "Homerun" trade that so many of us have heard about.

Now up pops the name Patrick Marleau again could he be an option he is nearly making what the Leafs were offering to Mats Sundin. He does have an NTC and any trade would have to be approved by him.

Another option would be Jussi Jokinnen someone who I here is continually being mentioned in any trade involving Pavel kubina along with Halpern.

Either way come Friday or early next week there will be another new face on the Maple Leafs roster.

Once again I would like to say that I called the Pascal Leclaire signing days before it happened! Including the 3 year term.

The Source

LIVE CHAT INTERACTIVE: The Latest Rumors

Here are some of the rumors mentioned at tonight's LIVE CHAT, who were compiled by an HB source:

• MARK PARRISH is getting interest from the NASHVILLE PREDATORS
• BRENDAN SHANAHAN and the NEW YORK RANGERS are taking to long to reach a deal for either side's liking, so a deal will probably not be reached.

The HB FEATURE POLL for the night was a subject on the hottest topic on the night: Montreal backstopper Carey Price. He was talked about quite a bit, including a bunch of comparisons with Justin Pogge, the Leafs prospect netminder. The question and answers are below:

How many Vezinas will Carey Price win?

2 ( 50% )

0 ( 17% )

1 ( 17% )

3+ ( 17% )

Also, fans think that the Habs (60%) will win the East (although the chatroom is usually full of Habs fans...)

WANNA BE APART OF THIS FUN EXPERIENCE? KEEP LOCKED ON THE SITE DAILY TO FIND OUT WHEN THE NEXT LIVE CHAT IS....

Kings Alternate Jersey

Here are possible 3rd jerseys for the Kings. The official jersey is not scheduled for release until November. I have no idea why they would wait until after the season starts to release the alternate jerseys but thats the official time frame the Kings have given me.

Change in management in E-Town

The Oilers have named former GM Kevin Lowe as President Of Hockey Operations and have named Steve Tambellini as the new GM..

Jaroslav Modry Signs With Czech League

Modry has signed a 2 year deal with HC Liberac of the Czech League.

Scotty Bowman Heads To The Windy City

Hockey legend Scotty Bowman has ended his long tenure as a Detroit Red Wing to take a front office position with the Chicago Blackhawks. The 75 year old Hall Of Fame Coach and General Manager will be named as the Senior Advisor of Hockey Operations on Thursday, according to TSN.

Parrish Bought Out, Clears Waivers

Right Wing Mark Parrish cleared waivers today, thus becoming an unrestricted free agent. The Minnesota Wild bought out the rest of his three year, $8.35 million contract yesterday. The buyout was a result of Parrish's disappointing play (just 30 points in 66 games last year) and the Wild's need for cap space.

I'm guessing that somebody will sign Parrish, most definitely to a less expensive deal than he signed with Minnesota before the 2006-07 season. He is a six time 20+ goal scorer, and to me that means he's way too good to be unemployed for much longer.

Hurricanes Sign Bowman

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed 2007 third rounf pick Drayson Bowman to an entry level contract.

Bowman, who led the Spokane Chiefs to last seasons Memorial Cup victory, is eligible to play for his junior club this season, though is considered NHL ready and will compete for a spot during Hurricanes training camp.

Sens Sign Vermette

Reports are saying that the Ottawa Senators have signed Antione Vermette to a 2 year deal worth 5.25 million dollars. Only hours before his arbitration hearing, it seems this maybe a done deal. More when more information comes out.

EDITOR'S NOTE: THE DEAL HAS NOW BEEN CONFIRMED BY THE TEAM AND THE NHL