NHL: Serie gegen Detroit gerissen

12.1.2007 von Coyote.

Während hier mal wieder schlecht Updates ankamen setzten die Coyoten ihre Siegesserie bis gestern fort. Ohne Dennis Seidenberg, der ja für Kevyn Adams nach Carolina wechselte, verloren die Coyoten gegen Detroit auf eigenem Eis mit 1:5. Den einzigen Treffer für Phoenix erzielte Yanic Perreault.

ESPN: Boxscore Recap

Das schreibt AZCentral.com:

Holmstrom helps end run

Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 12, 2007 12:00 AM

Seven was heaven, but eight is too late.

The Coyotes saw their seven-game winning streak get chewed up and spat out Thursday night by a hungry Detroit Red Wings team, and if anyone thought the 5-1 final was embarrassing, let it be known it could have been a whole lot worse.

In what was a giant disappointment all the way around - especially the smallish crowd of 14,386 in what was expected to be a probable sellout at 18,000-seat Jobing.com Arena - the Coyotes were lucky to hang around as long as they did.

The Red Wings, who wrapped up a five-game trip with two straight victories after starting 0-3, fired 45 shots on Phoenix goalie Mikael Tellqvist. The Coyotes, skating mostly on their heels or watching from the penalty box, mustered just 16 on Dominik Hasek.

Tomas Holmstrom notched his second career hat trick and he and top linemates Henrik Zetterberg (three assists) and Pavel Datsyuk (two goals, three assists) accounted for 12 points on a night when it seemed those three were on the ice every other shift.

They were late in the game, when Detroit coach Mike Babcock threw them over the boards during a two-man Red Wings’ advantage, and Datsyuk scored with about two minutes remaining to draw the ire of Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky.

After the goal, Gretzky pointed a finger at the Detroit bench and seemed to exchange heated words with Babcock.

“It wasn’t him,” Gretzky said. “It was someone else.”

Asked to elaborate, Gretzky said, “It isn’t worth it.”

The Coyotes were worried about dropping their guard after completing a franchise-record 5-0 road trip, and captain Shane Doan said they’d have to make sure they played as hard as possible the first 10 minutes.

They did, and caught a break, too, when a Detroit goal was nullified at 14:29 because video replays showed Kris Draper kicked the puck in with a sweep of his left skate. But the momentum was turning the Red Wings’ way.

Penalties and some sloppy weak-side coverage situations kept putting Phoenix on the defensive and with 48.5 seconds left in the first period, Detroit made it 1-0 on a backhander in close by Holmstrom on the power play.

Tellqvist briefly lost his mask during the play when he was hit a couple seconds earlier by a shot from Zetterberg. The Red Wings outshot the Coyotes 17-9 in the period.

Though clearly playing a notch or two above that of the Coyotes, Detroit had a couple fearful moments after watching its two most experienced defensemen, Nicklas Lidstrom (left knee) and Chris Chelios (facial laceration), have to briefly leave the game.

But they returned and so did Detroit’s magic, as the Red Wings scored four times in the third period. Holmstrom now has 12 goals, Datsyuk 13.

“We sat back and waited too much and we gave them way too much respect. I mean way too much respect,” Doan said.

Coyotes report
Cheers
The Coyotes trailed only 1-0 after two periods despite being outshot 30-11.

Jeers
Too many penalties and defensive lapses in front of goalie Mikael Tellqvist.

Our three stars
1. Tomas Holmstrom, Red Wings, hat trick, one assist and a force in front of the net all night.
2. Pavel Datsyuk, Red Wings, two goals, three assists.
3. Henrik Zetterberg, Red Wings, three assists.

View from the press box
Coach Wayne Gretzky on tough-guy forward Josh Gratton, who was scratched because he’s been battling the flu the past few days: “When I was a kid, and I was feeling sick, my mom told me, ‘Go get into a fight, it’ll make you feel better.’ Most mothers just say, ‘Go eat some chicken noodle soup.’”

Quelle: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0112yotesgamer0112.html

Even new pricing plan can’t get the red out

Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 12, 2007 12:00 AM

A popular eye-drop product has long vowed to “get the red out.” But nothing seemingly works when the vaunted Detroit Red Wings skate into town, not even a new pricing system put into place this season in Glendale that doubles the individual-game ticket cost for Coyotes’ home games against Detroit.

As usual, hundreds upon hundreds of Red Wings fans showed up for Thursday’s game sporting Detroit gear and, as Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky said, “the other red.”

“It’s going to take a long time,” Gretzky said of shedding the Red Wings’ perceived home-ice advantage in places such as the Valley and other non-traditional NHL venues, where the Wings routinely draw huge crowds. “There’s only a few teams that have that sort of following in North America - the Red Wings and maybe the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers. It takes years to build up that reputation, but Detroit earned it by building with guys like Gordie Howe and (Steve) Yzerman and all the way up. There are a lot of people from Michigan who live here, too, so it’s never going to be where there’s 18,000 people cheering for us and none for the Red Wings.”

Gretzky was asked if winning a Stanley Cup might turn the tide in the Coyotes’ favor. He said “no,” adding most “Original Six” teams have a robust following that rarely fades over time. Detroit, he said, might have the best aura in the United States.

Coyotes captain Shane Doan doesn’t subscribe to the theory that most of the fans wearing Detroit sweaters are Phoenix fans in disguise.

“I think the majority of our fans are our fans,” he said. “I also know a lot of people that like hockey came here from Michigan and the northern states and when they’re here, they like cheering for their teams. You don’t necessarily like it, but you understand it.”

Sudden impact
Doan entered Thursday’s game with eight goals and five assists in his previous nine games, earning praise from Gretzky:

“He’s playing the best hockey I’ve seen him play in the year-and-a-half I’ve coached. He’s playing a lot like (Calgary’s) Jarome Iginla. He’s demanding of the puck and he’s killing penalties. He’s the biggest reason why we’re winning. He’s taken his game to another level.”

Doan is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, although casual negotiations on a new deal are ongoing. He has said he wants to finish his career with the Coyotes.

Roster moves
Center Joel Perrault was placed on waivers Thursday to make room for the return today of defenseman Nick Boynton (foot) and forward Patrick Fischer (groin) from the injured list. The Coyotes previously lost Perrault on the waiver wire to the St. Louis Blues and are hopeful he will clear this time and report to Phoenix’s affiliate in San Antonio.

Pang on NBC
Coyotes television analyst Darren Pang was tabbed Thursday by NBC as a broadcaster for the network’s upcoming weekly telecast schedule. He begins work Saturday, helping call the Kings-Blues game, and will be featured in a reporting series called “Inside the Glass.”

Quelle: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0112yotenb0112.html

Ricci blames woes on rush to return

Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 11, 2007 12:00 AM

A day after being placed on the injured reserve list in a move that could signal the end of his season, if not his career, Coyotes forward Mike Ricci acknowledged he improperly rushed his return from neck surgery and blames himself for not being more patient.

“Looking back, I knew starting the whole rehab process that it was going to take a long time, but sometimes you try to accelerate things and it puts you back. That’s my fault,” Ricci said Wednesday after getting treatment at Jobing.com Arena.

Ricci, 35, who underwent surgery in June to repair a herniated disk and to remove bone fragments, spent a week away from the Coyotes to contemplate his future after continually being benched by coach Wayne Gretzky.

But on Tuesday, it was agreed that Ricci would return to a full rehab program to try to regain the necessary upper-body strength he needs to play again. It’s uncertain whether he will return this season.

Phoenix’s slow start to the season played a hand in Ricci trying to fast-track his return.

Another reason he left the team for a week, he said, was because, “I didn’t want to show my frustration when they were going so well. . . . I just had to go home and get away from the guys to make sure I didn’t bring them down to my level.”

Ricci hurt his neck on May 10 while working out at a Tempe fitness center.

Quelle: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0111yotenb0111.html

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NHL: Es läuft auch ohne Comrie - Sieg nach OT in Atlanta!

6.1.2007 von Coyote.

Fünf Siege in Folge! Irgendwie ist derzeit ein Team in der NHL unterwegs, dass sich langsam aber sicher in Richtung Playoffs spielt. In Atlanta holte man einen 1:4 Rückstand auf, brachte das Spiel in die Verlängerung und gewann es dann auch noch. Für alle, die es noch nicht wissen: die Coyoten sind derzeit absolut heiß!

Die Tore für die Coyoten erzielten Shane Doan (2), Ladislav Nagy und Owen Nolan. In der Verlängerung netzte dann Yanic Perreault den Siegtreffer ein.

ESPN: Boxscore Recap

Das schreibt AZCentral.com:

‘Yotes steal win from Atlanta

Charles Odum
Associated Press
Jan. 5, 2007 08:20 PM

ATLANTA- Yanic Perreault scored 2:29 into overtime and the Phoenix Coyotes rallied from a three-goal deficit to beat the Atlanta Thrashers 5-4 Friday night, stretching their winning streak to a season-high five games.

Shane Doan had two goals for Phoenix, including one in the Coyotes’ three-goal third period.

The Coyotes, who trailed 4-1 early in the third, forced overtime with goals by Ladislav Nagy, Doan and Owen Nolan.

Phoenix claimed its fourth straight road win, including three straight on its current trip.

Marian Hossa, held without a goal for seven games, scored twice for Atlanta. Hossa, tied for second in the NHL with 25 goals, hadn’t scored one since Dec. 19. Ilya Kovalchuk added a goal.

Quelle: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0105coyotes-ON.html

Coyotes miss Ricci as he ponders retirement

David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 6, 2007 12:00 AM

ATLANTA - The Coyotes entered Friday’s game with a four-game winning streak, and the mood inside their dressing room is light and fun.

Something, however, is just a little bit off.

Center Mike Ricci, who was granted a leave of absence Wednesday to contemplate his hockey future, is missed by teammates, many of whom suspect he’ll opt to retire, if he hasn’t already.

“I think he’ll probably decide to hang ‘em up,” said center Jeremy Roenick, who was a healthy scratch on Friday night against the Thrashers and who lately also has been thinking more and more about retirement. “He wants to be a guy that plays and make contributions on the ice . . . Whatever he decides, it will be right for him. He can’t make a wrong decision.”

Anton Thun, Ricci’s agent, on Friday said he doesn’t expect Ricci to announce his decision before Monday.

Coyotes General Manager Mike Barnett said Ricci has not contacted him since leaving the team on Wednesday.

Some of the Coyotes players are bracing for news of Ricci’s retirement.

“We don’t really know what’s going on, but we can’t replace a guy like Mike Ricci around the locker room whether he’s in the lineup or out of the lineup,” defenseman Derek Morris said. “Just having him at the rink everyday, he’s one of those guys that’s real fun and funny, and he’s got a real positive attitude. He’s going to be sorely missed, that’s for sure.”

Ricci has been trying to come back from off-season neck surgery. Coach Wayne Gretzky has used him sparingly because he feels Ricci is not physically ready.

“It’s a horrible situation that he’s in,” Gretzky said. “It was a horrible situation for me because I have so much respect for him as a player. I hated not dressing him (11 times in 18 games). But the reality was I felt that we had to be honest with him.”

Ice chips
Besides being Ricci’s agent, Thun represents Russian forward Alexei Kaigorodov, the player whose rights Phoenix acquired in the trade Wednesday that sent center Mike Comrie to the Ottawa Senators.

Thun said although Kaigorodov went back to Russia to play instead of reporting to Ottawa’s minor league affiliate, the 23-year-old wants to play in the NHL again and will report to training camp in September.

“He’s excited about the trade and looking forward to next fall,” Thun said.

• Gretzky said Mikael Tellqvist would start in goal on Sunday afternoon vs. Chicago.

• Center Peter Mueller, the team’s top prospect, finished the World Junior Championships with three goals and three assists in seven games and helped lead Team USA to a bronze medal. The Coyotes chose Mueller, 18, with the eighth overall pick in the 2006 NHL draft.

• Roenick was asked what he would have said or done had somebody told him two months ago that the Coyotes would beat quality opponents Anaheim, San Jose (twice), Washington and Carolina within a two-week span:

“I would have put you in the loony bin,” he said.

Quelle: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0106coyotesnb0106.html

Rally helps ‘Yotes maintain streak

David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 6, 2007 12:00 AM

ATLANTA - The day before the Coyotes started this five-game road trip, coach Wayne Gretzky said - with a straight face, mind you - that there was no reason the surging Coyotes couldn’t capture all 10 points before heading home.

Well, it’s six down and four to go.

Yanic Perreault scored a breakaway goal with 2:29 left in overtime Friday night to lead Phoenix to an amazing 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena.

“The goalie charged me, and I didn’t think I had time to lift the puck (over him), but I did,” said Perreault, who beat Thrashers backup goalie Johan Hedberg.

The win earns the “amazing” label because the Coyotes trailed 4-1 with less than 18 minutes left in the game.

But Ladislav Nagy, Shane Doan and Owen Nolan each scored goals to send the game to overtime.

“When your best players go to another level, you can feel it on the bench,” Gretzky said after his team’s season-high fifth consecutive victory. “The team could really sense that Doan and Nagy were playing at a strong, strong level, and they seemed to lift the whole bench and everybody just sort of followed suit.”

Defenseman Zbynek Michalek set up Perreault’s winning goal with a crisp pass from deep within the Phoenix zone.

“It was a huge comeback, and it just shows the character of this team,” Michalek said. “We never give up. We just have to keep this thing going. We’ve had a really good road trip so far, and we have two games left. This game is a huge lift for us, so we have to keep the momentum going.”

The Coyotes’ penalty-kill unit kept Phoenix in the game when it thwarted a man advantage for Atlanta that began late in the third period and carried over into overtime.

Doan scored two goals for Phoenix, which came out flat and trailed 2-0 after the first period.

Doan, who struggled to score goals with consistency for the first two-plus months of the season, has notched six in the past seven games.

Marian Hossa scored two goals and Ilya Kovalchuk added one for Atlanta.

The Coyotes, who were playing their second game in two nights, appeared fatigued in the first period when Atlanta blitzed them with four odd-man rushes and outshot them 9-4.

Coyotes goalie Curtis Joseph wasn’t sharp, but he made a key stop in the overtime and was good enough to earn his 439th career victory.

Coyotes report

Cheers
Phoenix defenseman Derek Morris displayed some fancy stickwork when he stuffed a wraparound shot on goal by Atlanta’s Jon Sim early in the second period.

Jeers
Center Mike Zigomanis put the Coyotes in a jam when he got nabbed for delaying the game after flicking the puck over the glass with 52 seconds left in the third period.

Our three stars
1. Shane Doan, Coyotes, two goals.
2. Yanic Perreault, Coyotes, game-winning goal, assist.
3. Marian Hossa, Thrashers, two goals.

View from the press box
Trying to predict which of his two goalies coach Wayne Gretzky is going to use in the next game has become quite challenging for the media members who cover the Coyotes on a daily basis. Just when some of us think we’ve figured out his system, Gretzky throws us a curve. The problem — for us, not Gretzky — is that both Curtis Joseph and Mikael Tellqvist are playing well lately and deserve to start.

Quelle: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0106coyotes0106.html

Geschrieben in NHL Coyotes | Drucken | Keine Kommentare »

NHL: Und der nächste Shutout: Yotes besiegen den Meister 2:0!

5.1.2007 von Coyote.

Was am Anfang der Saison schlecht lief läuft derzeit irgendwie rund. Nach dem Sieg gegen Washington setzten die Coyoten jetzt noch einen drauf: beim amtierenden Meister aus Carolina siegte man mit 2:0. Die Tore erzielten Perreault und Jovanovski. Für CuJo war es der 49. Shutout seiner Karriere.

So kann es sicherlich weitergehen, derzeit läuft es richtig für die Coyoten. Für einen anderen Spieler läuft es dagegen überhaupt nicht: Mike Ricci durfte die Coyoten verlassen um zu seiner Familie zu fliegen. Mit dieser entscheidet Ricci nun, ob er seine Karriere beenden wird oder ob er um einen Trade bitten wird. Man wird sehen was passiert.

ESPN: Boxscore Recap

Das schreibt AZCentral.com:

It’s a gem for Joseph

David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 5, 2007 12:00 AM

RALEIGH, N.C. - It’s official.

The Coyotes, who bumbled and stumbled their way through the first two-plus months of the season, are on a roll.

So is goalie Curtis Joseph, who stopped 29 shots to lead Phoenix to a 2-0 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes Thursday night at RBC Center.

With the victory, his 438th, Joseph moved out of a tie for fifth place on the NHL’s all-time list with legend Jacques Plante.

“The guys are playing extremely well in front of me and letting me see the puck and are clearing rebounds,” said Joseph, who registered his second consecutive shutout. “They’re playing great. We had a really tough start as a whole, me included, and it started to go downhill a little bit and sometimes you try to do too much. But the last month or so has really been good for our team and I’m really happy with it and there’s a renewed optimism amongst this club for sure.”

The suddenly cohesive Coyotes upped their winning streak to a season-high four games. The triumph also was Phoenix’s fifth in its past six games and its third straight on the road.

Afterward, coach Wayne Gretzky said Joseph would start tonight’s game against Atlanta.

Yanic Perreault gave Phoenix a 1-0 lead when he flicked a centering pass from the left corner by Oleg Saprykin past Carolina goalie Cam Ward with 16:31 left in the first period.

Ed Jovanovski notched his first goal since returning from a groin injury when his slap shot from above the left circle nicked the stick of Carolina left wing Erik Cole and slipped past Ward 26 seconds into the second period.

“We’ve got a long way to go on this trip,” Gretzky said of the next three games. ” . . . but I like how our team is sitting right now, and I like how our guys are focused.”

Coyotes repot
Cheers
Coyotes center Mike Zigomanis, took five shots, made two hits and won nine of 14 faceoffs.

Jeers
Carolina captain Rod Brind’Amour delivered a dangerous check from behind to Coyotes right wing Fredrik Sjostrom.

Our three stars
1. Curtis Joseph, Coyotes, 29 saves, 49th career shutout.
2. Ed Jovanovski, Coyotes, unassisted goal.
3. Mike Zigomanis, Coyotes, Ssolid game against former team.

View from the press box
The Coyotes entered Thursday’s game with a 12-8-1 record with left wing/enforcer Josh Gratton in the lineup and a 4-12-1 mark without him. Casual observers probably are writing off this stat as coincidental because Gratton is a fourth-line player and averages about six minutes per game. But insiders insist his energy and willingness to stand up for teammates is going a long way during games and helping to create a positive vibe in the dressing room.

Quelle: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0105coyotes0105.html

Ricci contemplates retirement

David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 5, 2007 12:00 AM

RALEIGH, N.C. - Mike Ricci, who is one game away from playing his 1,100th regular-season NHL game, has left the Coyotes to consider retirement.

Ricci asked for and was granted a leave of absence Wednesday, and the veteran center flew back to Phoenix to discuss his hockey future with family members.

Ricci, who suffered a neck injury and underwent surgery in the off-season that caused him to miss training camp and the first 20 games of the season, has been a regular healthy scratch, including the seven games leading up to Thursday.

Ricci could not be reached for comment.

“I think it’s gotten to the point where he really needs to address whether he wants to be an in-and-out player with Phoenix and continue that battle or make the decision that the injury is just taking a toll on him and step aside,” Anton Thun, Ricci’s agent, told The Republic on Thursday. “The neck injury that he had over the summer in preparation for the season was a serious neck injury, and he’s not a spring chicken anymore.

“He has a young family, and I think one of the things he strongly has to consider, and is considering, is whether continuing to play and trying to play through this injury is the appropriate thing for him to do rather than just acknowledge that the injury is something that may be limiting his ability to perform at the highest level.”

Thun said he doesn’t expect Ricci to make a decision until after the weekend.

“It’s in his hands now,” coach Wayne Gretzky said after Thursday’s 2-0 win at Carolina.

General Manager Mike Barnett on Thursday said the Coyotes did not know why Ricci wanted to fly home but that they immediately granted his request.

Quelle: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0105coyotesnb0105.html

Joseph grabs 2nd straight shutout

Joedy McCreary
Associated Press
Jan. 4, 2007 07:33 PM

RALEIGH, N.C.- Curtis Joseph made 29 saves in his second straight shutout and the Phoenix Coyotes beat the slumping Carolina Hurricanes 2-0 on Thursday night.

Yanic Perreault and Ed Jovanovski each scored to lead the Coyotes to their season-best fourth straight win.

It was the 49th shutout and the 438th victory of Joseph’s 17-year career. He surpassed Hall of Famer Jacques Plante for sole possession of fifth place on the NHL’s career wins list, and followed his 8-0 victory over San Jose last week with another perfect performance.

Next up for CuJo: Terry Sawchuk, who’s fourth with 447 wins.

Cam Ward stopped 26 shots for the Hurricanes, who were shut out for the second consecutive game and sixth time this season, at times drawing boos from the RBC Center crowd when they couldn’t manage a shot on goal during a third-period power play.

The defending Stanley Cup champions also have followed their season-best five-game winning streak with losses in four of their last five.

Carolina lost its fourth straight to the Coyotes and hasn’t defeated Phoenix since Nov. 12, 2002. The Coyotes’ last visit to Tobacco Road came exactly three years earlier, when they beat the Hurricanes 3-0 on Jan. 4, 2004.

Perreault put Phoenix up 1-0 in the opening moments of the first period. Oleg Saprykin chased down the puck in the corner and passed near the goal to Perreault, who beat Ward with a backhand to his glove side for his team-leading 12th goal of the season.

Jovanovski made it a two-goal game 26 seconds into the second when a rebound bounced to him behind the left circle and he one-timed it off Carolina left wing Erik Cole’s stick and past Ward.

The Hurricanes were missing defenseman Bret Hedican and left wing Cory Stillman, who were scratched. Stillman sat out with an upper-body injury, while Hedican is having surgery on the ring finger on his left hadn and is expected to miss up to four weeks.

Notes: Carolina alternate captain Kevyn Adams (staph infection) also was scratched. In his place, LW Ray Whitney wore the “A” on his sweater. … The Coyotes played their first game since trading C Mike Comrie to Ottawa for suspended Russian prospect Alexei Kaigorodov. … Perreault extended his points streak to five games and has 21 points in 27 games with the Coyotes. … Slumping Carolina C Eric Staal has gone nine games without scoring a goal and has just one in his last 15. … The Coyotes improved to 2-0 on their season-long five-game road swing.

Quelle: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0104coyotes-ON.html

Geschrieben in NHL Coyotes | Drucken | 1 Kommentar »

NHL: Coyoten schicken Comrie nach Ottawa!

3.1.2007 von Coyote.

Ein wenig überraschend wurde gerade eben vermeldet: Mike Comrie verlässt die Coyoten! Vielmehr: er muss die Coyoten vorzeitig verlassen. Neu in Phoenix sind jetzt die Rechte von Alexei Kaigorodov. Der machte in dieser Saison in Ottawa das Gleiche wie Enver Lisin mit den Coyoten: als er in die AHL geschickt wurde türmte er nach Russland. So macht man aus einem Problemfall einen doppelten. Vielleicht erhofft man sich auch, dass die Beiden in der nächsten Saison zusammen nach Phoenix kommen und sich dann gegenseitig unterstützen. Abwarten also.

Das Comrie nun weg ist kommt ein wenig überraschend aber ist nicht unbedingt unlogisch. Comrie und sein Agent ließen verlauten, dass sie nach dem Ablauf des Vertrages in diesem Jahr den Free-Agent Markt testen wollen. Es könnte also sein, dass Comrie so oder so nach der Saison weg gewesen wäre. Da zudem Steve Reinprecht wieder zurückkommen wird war ein Center zuviel im Kader. Das es aber gerade Comrie trifft - das war doch überraschend.

Ich wünsche Mike Comrie alles Gute in Ottawa, wo er vorerst wohl der Nr. 1 Center sein wird (aufgrund von Verletzungen dort). Den Coyotes wünsche ich, dass sich dieser jetzt doch ein wenig komisch aussehende Deal in Zukunft noch auszahlen wird.

So sieht er aus, der “Neue”:

Einen Bericht von AZCentral.com gibt es bislang nicht, dafür die Meldungen von TSN.ca sowie von Ottawasenators.com. Eine Diskussion über das Thema läuft bei HFBoards auf Hochtouren - hier gelangt ihr dort hin. Eine Einschätzung über Alexei Kaigorodov von Hockeysfuture.com findet ihr hier.

TSN.ca:

Senators acquire Comrie in trade

TSN.ca Staff w/files from CP

1/3/2007 11:39:33 AM

The Ottawa Senators have acquired forward Mike Comrie from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for center Alexei Kaigorodov.

Comrie has seven goals and 13 assists in 24 games this season. He missed 14 games earlier this season with a fractured right foot. Since returning, he has recorded nine points in his last 11 games.

It remains to be seen whether Comie will be in the lineup for Wednesday night’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. He is expected to land from Washington late this afternoon and needs to go through a physical and be added to the roster by 5 pm et if he is to play tonight.

Comrie scored 30 goals last year for the Phoenix Coyotes, but made it clear to Coyotes management he would be testing the free agent market this summer.

Armed with that knowledge, Phoenix has been actively trying to shed Comrie’s $3-million ticket for the past several weeks.

“This allows us to be flexible, to determine whether we’re a buyer or seller over the next 25 games leading up to the deadline,” Coyotes manager Mike Barnett tells TSN.

“It puts us in position to take on a bigger contract if there is a fit down the road.”.

Kaigorodov, a second round pick of the Senators in 2002, was signed to a two year deal back in September and appeared in just six games for Ottawa this season, collecting one assist. He was suspended in November for refusing an assignment to Binghampton of the AHL.

The Coyotes will maintain Kaigorodov’s suspended status, meaning they own his rights but won’t have to pay him until he returns to the NHL, perhaps, next season.

Kaigorodov is currently playing in Russia, as is Coyotes draft pick Enver Lisin and its hoped both are focusing on the defensive aspects of their game, which could provide Phoenix with a decent 1-2 punch next year.

The trade comes a day after the Senators lost forward Petr Nedved to the Edmonton Oilers on waivers. With top two centres Jason Spezza and Mike Fisher out with knee injuries, Senators GM John Muckler has been working the phones over the past few days trying to find some help.

The Coyotes will welcome the return of Steve Reinprecht to their lineup Thursday in Carolina and based on the solid play of veteran Yanic Perreault and the evolution of Mike Zigomanis, Comrie and his salary became an easy target.

“Ottawa had interest right from the beginning, but the discussions heated up a week ago,” said Barnett.

The Senators were seen by many as needing a centre even before the injuries to Spezza and Fisher. Once everyone is healthy Comrie will likely be the No. 2 centre.

In six NHL seasons, Comrie has collected 110 goals, 127 assists and 252 penalty minutes in 345 career games with the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers and Phoenix Coyotes. The Edmonton, Alta., native was drafted by the Oilers in the third round, 91st overall, of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He played in Edmonton from 2000-01 to 2002-03 before he was traded to Philadelphia on Dec. 16, 2003. Comrie was then traded later in the 2003-04 season to Phoenix on Feb. 4, where he has played since.

Comrie’s best seasons to date came first in 2001-02 when he recorded 33 goals, 27 assists and 60 points in 82 games with Edmonton. He also played in the 2002 NHL YoungStars Game as part of NHL All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. Comrie had his second 30-goal season in 2005-06 with Phoenix, and added as many assists for another 60-point campaign.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=190679&hubname=nhl

OttawaSenators.com:

Senators look for offensive boost from Mike Comrie

by Todd Anderson

With centres Jason Spezza, Mike Fisher and Antoine Vermette out of the lineup with injuries, Ottawa Senators general manager John Muckler helped fill the gap today by acquiring Mike Comrie from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for prospect Alexei Kaigorodov.

“Very seldom are you going to lose your (top three) centre-ice men. We felt we needed a little more offence,” Muckler explained on why he made the trade. “The team has been playing very well. We just felt over the long run we needed a push on the offensive side.”

There’s a chance the Senators’ newest player will be in the lineup tonight when the club hosts the Eastern Conference-leading Buffalo Sabres at Scotiabank Place. Comrie was expected to arrive in Ottawa this afternoon.

Senators head coach Bryan Murray, who didn’t want to speculate on whom Comrie would play with if he was available for tonight, said he’s happy with the addition. During his days as the general manager of the Anaheim Ducks, Murray saw quite a bit of Comrie, who then played for the Edmonton Oilers.

“He seemed to be a thorn in the side of our team every time we would go in there,” Murray recalls. “He’s a skilled player, a point-getter. He’s played pretty well in the NHL. He should add some offence to this group. We’ve been short in our ability to score; Mike gives us an upgrade.”

With both Fisher and Spezza out for a period of time with knee injuries, and fellow centre Vermette day-to-day with a hip injury, Chris Kelly has been given more minutes playing in between Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson. He doesn’t mind if Comrie will take away some of those minutes.

“He’s a great player and especially in our situation right now, he should help out,” Kelly said. “It never hurts to add depth on the team. I’m just trying to help out where I can.”

Comrie, 26, has played in 24 games with the Coyotes this season, recording seven goals, 13 assists and 20 penalty minutes. In six NHL seasons, Comrie has scored 110 goals, 127 assists and 252 penalty minutes in 345 games.

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NHL: Nächster Erfolg - Sieg in Washington!

3.1.2007 von Coyote.

Was ist denn jetzt los? Urplötzlich läuft es bei den Coyoten - urplötzlich kann man als Team auftreten und Spiele gewinnen. Gegen die Washington Capitals siegten die Coyoten dank Toren von Shane Doan, Owen Nolan und Keith Ballard mit 3:2.

Travis Roche indes kann sich freuen: er hat sich seinen Platz im Team der Coyoten wohl erspielt - auch nach der Rückkehr von Nick Boynton. Das könnte das Aus für Dennis Seidenberg bedeuten. Er wird sich mit Matt Jones um den Platz streiten müssen.

ESPN: Boxscore Recap

Das schreibt AZCentral.com:

Jovanovski returns from groin injury

David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 2, 2007 12:00 AM
WASHINGTON - Defenseman Ed Jovanovski returned to the lineup Monday after missing five games because of a groin injury.

Jovanovski played 17-plus minutes, including 2:20 on the power play, and had two shots.

“I kept it pretty simple and had some pretty good chances,” Jovanovski said. “Overall I’m happy with how I played for a first game back.”

Jovanovski was a minus-1 because he got caught too deep in Washington’s zone trying to make a play, and Capitals center Brian Sutherby quickly scored a goal on the ensuing possession.

Washington star Alexander Ovechkin gave Jovanovski a nasty welcome back gift when he inadvertently shot the puck off the left side of Jovanovski’s face during a power play in the third period.

Jovanovski dropped to the ice and remained there a few moments before skating to the bench. He returned later, and after the game reported no immediate lingering effects of the puck to the face, but said his groin was sore.

“I’m a little achy right now, but we’ve got (today) off and it will be a good day to rest it.”

The Coyotes next play Thursday at Carolina.

Defenseman Dennis Seidenberg was scratched to make room for Jovanovski.

Ice chips
Phoenix did many little things well Monday. The Coyotes won 63 percent of faceoffs, committed just six giveaways and blocked 26 shots.

“It’s so much easier being a goaltender when guys block shots and the guys have been doing that for me and Curtis (Joseph) the last five or six games,” goalie Mikael Tellqvist said.

• Captain Shane Doan has scored a goal in three straight games and four of the past five.

• Owen Nolan’s assist in the first period was the 400th of his NHL career.

• Jeremy Roenick, who notched his 10th career hat trick Saturday vs. San Jose, was given just 4:57 of ice time and none in the third period.

• Washington tough guy Donald Brashear did not play because he was serving a one-game suspension for his role in a fight-filled loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday.

Quelle: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0102coyotesnb0102.html

Strong start leads to 3rd straight

David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 2, 2007 12:00 AM

WASHINGTON - Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky reminded his players before Monday’s matinee that a strong first period is critical to success when playing road games.

They were listening.

The Coyotes dominated tempo, took 15 shots and scored three goals in the first 20 minutes, then held on to beat the struggling Washington Capitals 3-2 at Verizon Center.

“We had a really nice start,” Gretzky said. “I liked the way we went out, went at them and scored a couple big goals.”

The victory was Phoenix’s third in a row and its fourth in the past five games, and lifted the Coyotes out of last place in the Pacific Division.

The Coyotes have 34 points, one more than the idle Los Angeles Kings.

Goalie Mikael Tellqvist made 30 saves to up his record with Phoenix to 5-2-2.

He made his most important stop early in the third period when the Coyotes, leading 3-2, were killing a 58-second, five-on-three disadvantage and Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin fired one of his game-high seven shots at the net uncontested from the mid-slot.

Tellqvist blocked it, and Phoenix went on to win its second straight road game.

“I just tried to get out in front of the goal and make myself as big as possible,” Tellqvist said. “It worked out.”

Owen Nolan gave the Coyotes a 1-0 lead when he flicked a Yanic Perreault pass from the right corner past Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig on Phoenix’s first of five power plays.

Washington’s Brian Pothier tied the score with a power-play goal, but Keith Ballard and Shane Doan netted goals within the last four minutes of the first period for a 3-1 lead.

Doan’s goal, which he scored 15 seconds before intermission, also was a power-play goal.

The Coyotes, who entered the game ranked 29th in the NHL in power-play scoring, are on a man-advantage rampage.

In the past four games, Phoenix has converted seven of 16 power-play chances.

Washington, led by Ovechkin, who didn’t score but played an impressive game, outshot Phoenix 20-12 over the last two periods, including 9-2 in the third.

But the Capitals couldn’t overcome their early deficit and lost their fifth straight game.

Coyotes report

Cheers
Coyotes defenseman Keith Ballard scored a goal, blocked five shots and made three hits.
Jeers
Penalties committed by Travis Roche (tripping) and Matt Jones (hooking) gave Washington a five-on-three advantage in the third period.
Our three stars
1. Mikael Tellqvist, Coyotes, 30 saves.
2. Owen Nolan, Coyotes, goal, assist, won 9 of 11 face-offs.
3. Alexander Ovechkin, Capitals, assist, seven shots, three hits.
View from the press box
Center Steven Reinprecht probably is going to be activated from the injured reserve list in time for Thursday’s game at Carolina. When that happens, Phoenix will have to make a roster move to make room for him. The team has numerous options including: (a) trade one of its surplus centers for prospects or draft picks; (b) demote a young forward, such as Joel Perrault or Josh Gratton, to its top affiliate in San Antonio; or (c) waive/nudge veteran center Mike Ricci into an early retirement.

Quelle: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0102coyotes0102.html

Gretzky raves about Roche
Boynton’s return won’t affect blueliner’s status

David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 3, 2007 12:00 AM

WASHINGTON - Within a week or so, when Nick Boynton is given medical clearance to return from a fractured foot, the suddenly hot Coyotes are going to have to jettison a defenseman to the minor leagues or another team.

Travis Roche, the blueliner recalled from the American Hockey League to replace Boynton on Nov. 28, does not have to worry. He is not going anywhere.

Coach Wayne Gretzky has placed Roche, who has contributed solid defense, strong power-play skills and six points in 15 games, into the diamond-in-the-rough category that also includes defenseman Zbynek Michalek and center Mike Zigomanis.

“Travis Roche has just been absolutely incredible,” Gretzky said. “We’re fortunate we’ve found three of them. That’s how you build teams.”

Roche was one of the last players Gretzky cut in training camp, and the 28-year-old headed to the team’s top affiliate in San Antonio to start his sixth season in the AHL.

After the demotion, Roche said he immediately ordered the NHL Center Ice television package so he could study all of Phoenix’s games. The games Roche couldn’t watch live, he recorded and watched later.

“I saw how the team was playing and saw what was working and what wasn’t working,” Roche said. “And to be honest, I watched ‘Z’ (Michalek) a lot. I watched what got him to this level and what’s made him a great player here, and when I came up I just tried to do the little things right. So far, so good.”

Roche, who has been paired with veteran Ed Jovanovski, has wowed coaches and teammates with his passes.

He’s started feeling comfortable enough on NHL ice to start jumping into the offense when he senses the time is right.

“I saw how good he was in camp,” captain Shane Doan said. “The guys that played against him in the minors raved about how this guy is incredible and how he dominates. He’s been doing that for us.”

Roche’s next game will be his 16th in the NHL this season. He entered the year with just 10 games on his NHL resume.

“I’m ecstatic about the way things are going,” Roche said. It’s been so much different this year and I don’t know why that is. I think a big part of it is since Day 1 all the guys have been real complimentary towards me. They’ve made me feel at home.”

Quelle: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0103coyotes0103.html

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