from Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal,

- Picking up winger Carl Hagelin from the New York Rangers was a major coup for the Anaheim Ducks because the player they gave up, Emerson Etem, hasn’t found any consistency as a former first-round draft pick. Hagelin can be a third-liner with burning speed. The Ducks may have the two fastest NHL players ­— Hagelin and Andrew Cogliano — now. They’ll both kill penalties. “The speed element in the game is getting bigger and bigger and we have to move with the times,” said Anaheim general manager Bob Murray.

- Chris Pronger is getting into the Hall of Fame on Monday as is one of the three or four best defenceman of all-time. Detroit Red Wings defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom, along with former teammate Sergei Fedorov, are strong possibilities. Let’s hope that longtime University of Alberta hockey coach Clare Drake gets in as a builder, too.

- The Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks were looking to change their netminding at the NHL entry draft, but didn’t get a deal done. The Sharks could still trade for the Dallas Stars’ Kari Lehtonen, but he’s overpriced at $5.9 million. The Flames still have Jonas Hiller and will let free agent Karri Ramo walk because they have to play farmhand Joni Ortio, who can’t go to the minors anymore without going through waivers.

much more...