Peterborough Express: All Eyes on Them

This week, Peterborough is the center of attention, as the Hockey Day in Canada festivities were being held in Peterborough, ON, which means the Petes will be getting a lot of attention.  As for the current Petes, they started the week with a 10-6 win at Ottawa on Wednesday.  They would promptly give up nine goals in a 9-4 loss against Windsor at home.  A 3-2 win against Sault St. Marie at home on Saturday now puts them only two points behind Kingston for the final playoff spot as of this writing.

The Petes hope to continue their good play since Jody Hull took over the coaching duties at holiday break as the Petes will host Brampton on Thursday before heading to Ottawa on Friday.

Hockey Day in Peterborough

Tomorrow is Hockey Day in Canada, and what will seemingly be the center of the hockey universe that day will not be in Toronto, but in Peterborough, ON, an hour or so northeast of Toronto.  So, to prep you for the day, today is a look at the team that occupies the city of Peterborough, the Petes.

Originally founded in Kitchener as the Greenshirts in 1951, the team would become the Canucks in 1954 before moving to Peterborough in 1956 and becoming the Petes.  At the time, they were officially called the TPT (Toronto-Peterborough Transport) Petes, and were known under that name until 1966.  The TPT was dropped after the 1965-66 season and the team would be called the Peterborough Petes Hockey Club the following season.  The current colors (they had red, white and blue to start their existence) of maroon and white were adopted in the 1974-75 season, as was the current logo.  Currently, the Petes are the longest running franchise in the OHL, and they were Memorial Cup champions in 1979 and nine-time J. Ross Robertson Trophy winners as the OHL champion.  Players who went on to have distinguished careers in the NHL include Steve Yzerman, Chris Pronger (pictured), Eric and Jordan Staal, Bob Gainey, Tie Domi, and Larry Murphy.

Going to be a Millionaire

photo courtesy of Fort Nucks

Believe it or not, I haven't done a look at a jersey in a while, and since the lockout has all but rendered most changes out of the question, this development is something of a pleasant surprise.  On March 16, the Vancouver Canucks will be wearing the uniforms modeled by Ryan Kesler in the above picture.  As you can see, the looks are modeled after the Vancouver Millionaires of the 1910's, and is a part of the team's celebration of the city's first hockey team to exist (they began operations in 1911).  And the Canucks have gone the extra mile, promoting Millionaires gear (in Canucks' colors).

via the Vancouver Canucks' twitter

Now or Never for Leland

With Miikka Kiprusoff officially listed as day-to-day after last night's game against Detroit, the burden falls on former Everett Silvertip Leland Irving to be the starting goaltender for the Calgary Flames.  It is unknown how much time Kiprusoff will miss at this time, but for Irving, this is his best opportunity to show the Flames management the talent that made him a first round pick in 2006.  Backing up Irving will be Danny Taylor, who put together solid numbers in Abbotsford of the AHL.  Yes, the goaltending prospects look grim in the immediate future with Kiprusoff likely to miss a few days, at worst, but now the Flames will have a chance to see what the youngsters can do, and for Irving, he would be wise to seize this opportunity because if he doesn't, it will not only mean the Flames whiffed again on a first round pick, but it could also open the door for either Joni Ortio or Laurent Brossoit, who was recently named WHL goaltender of the month for January.

The Importance of Rebuilding

The word "rebuild" seems to be a dirty word for the Calgary Flames, but given their recent history, it's likely about time they did just that.  Missing the playoffs three years in a row and having exited the playoffs in the first round in the times they made the playoffs (2004 is the lone exception) since winning the Stanley Cup in 1989, it's time the Flames build for the future.  In a piece a few months back, I explored possibilities (at the time) for trade partners for Miikka Kiprusoff and Jay Bouwmeester, two of the three heftiest contracts on the team.  I did not explore the trade possibilities for Jarome Iginla, but given that the Flames are headed for another season of no playoffs, it's time to start exploring that option.

As you know by this point, this is where I put on my General Manager hat and look at the teams that either could come calling or would be attractive trade partners.  So, if you think something is amiss or want to comment on my choices, feel free to do so, but give reasons for it.

BOSTON BRUINS: Yes, the Bruins are near the salary cap ceiling like the Flames, but they are also a lot closer to a Stanley Cup than the Flames at this point.  Prospects like Malcolm Subban would be a sticking point, and it is likely we would have to take a third or fourth liner, too.

DALLAS STARS:  Imagine the irony of Iginla going back to the team that drafted him.  Now, imagine Iginla providing a do-everything presence that could take the pressure off of Jamie Benn, not to mention durability that Brenden Morrow wishes he had.  Any of goaltenders (Jack Campbell, Christoper Nilstorp, or Richard Bachman) and a reclamation project in Scott Glennie could be potential returns.

LOS ANGELES KINGS: Yes, the Kings would be taking on more money, but they also have some prospects we'd be interested in.  Assuming the Kings are willing to part with Jonathan Bernier, we'd be willing to listen to the Kings.  Of course, we would need to take some money in return, so perhaps a veteran like Anthony Stewart, who isn't even guaranteed playing time in L.A. right now, would be a logical choice.  A defensive prospect would be nice here, too.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS: Iginla could slide into the Predators' system and not miss a beat.  While the depth on the blue line is being tested like no other season, it is worth looking into for the Flames to think about a prospect there.  We could also take a veteran back, as well, seeing as Shea Weber has that huge contract hanging over the Preds' heads.

OTTAWA SENATORS: With Jason Spezza out for two months, this is a chance for the Sens to think about picking up a player that could help out on offense.  Obviously, this is going to be dependent on whether the Sens feel confident that Iginla can handle center duties and whether the Sens offer the right package.  Ideally, either Ben Bishop or Robin Lehner and any from the likes of Stefan Noesen, Matt Puempel, Mark Stone, and Stephane Da Costa would be attractive options.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS: It's been a well known fact that the Pens need wingers other than James Neal, and with their surplus of defensemen, it's possible we could be asking for any among Scott Harrington, Joe Morrow, and Derrick Pouliot, as well as a veteran like Eric Tangradi, for example.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING: Tampa Bay seems to be one or two pieces away from being contenders, and Iginla could be that guy.  It is likely we could be asking for either Dustin Tokarski or Jaroslav Janus and a lower level prospect at forward.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS: Yes, the Capitals lack depth at center, and Iginla isn't the best option there. However, he could very well be the kick in the ass that the Caps need, as they struggle to score goals, and none could benefit from Iginla's presence more than Alex Ovechkin.  The asking price: prospects in goal and the blue line.

As you can see, I've listed eight teams that could best utilize Iginla's skill set and possibly provide the Flames with a best chance at helping their future prospects.  All of this is assuming the Flames do go in this direction, which is not likely because the Flames' front office is stubborn in its belief that they're playoff contenders.  However, being a playoff contender is not enough; and by rebuilding, the Flames could be so much more.

Peterborough Express: Opportunity is at the Door

This weekend saw the Peterborough Petes inch closer to the number eight spot in the Eastern Conference, as Kingston is fading fast with only three points in their last 10 games to show for it.  On Thursday, the Petes won a wild one against Windsor 7-5, and beat Saginaw 4-2 on Friday.  Saturday, though, the Petes lost 4-1 to Plymouth, thus leaving the Petes only six points behind the Frontenacs for the last spot in the playoffs.  This week is another chance for the Petes to gain ground, as they hit the road to Ottawa on Wednesday to face the last place 67's.  They return home to face the Spitfires on Thursday and the Soo Greyhounds on Saturday.

Winterhawks Weekly: The Bookend

The Winterhawks' week ended the way it began: with a shutout.  After a tough week with Spokane and Tri-City, the Winterhawks got to see some varied opponents this time around, and that momentum from the end of that trio of games against Spokane and a game against Tri-City carried over into this week.  A 6-0 shutout at Everett on Tuesday kicked off the week, and Brendan Burke gained his fourth shutout, solidifying his place on next year's team as a starter (even when he'd drafted this year, he will likely still be a Winterhawk for seasoning purposes, as goaltenders rarely ever make that direct jump).  On Wednesday, the Winterhawks overcame a 2-0 deficit in the first period to beat Kamloops at home 5-2.  Five different players scored in a 5-3 win at Seattle on Friday, and the on Saturday, the Winterhawks proved that they learned from the Spokane games, winning 4-0 at home.  Mac Carruth got his sixth shutout and Troy Rutkowski tied the team record for most games played.

This coming week, the Winterhawks will host the Calgary Hitmen on Wednesday before hitting the road to Kelowna on Friday and Saturday.  Those road games will figure to be tough, as Kelowna has been hot at home, and are making themselves heard as Ed Chynoweth Cup contenders.