NHL Ticker February
Feb 4th, 2016 - Washington fires head coach Barry Trotz and replaces him with Alain Vigneault. Vigneault didn't have to wait too long for another crack at an NHL job after the Rangers fired him earlier this season.
Feb 4th, 2016 - Nashville extends starting goalie Pekka Rinne for two more years at a bargain price of $1.5M per year. The deal comes with a NMC. Rinne stated, "This is the team that drafted me and I want to play out my career with them and take them to the Cup. At this stage in my life the money doesn't matter. I want to win and I want to win with the guys here in Nashville."
Feb 6th, 2016 - The Sharks have made another trade, this time trying to salvage a season in which many expected them to be contenders. TBL acquires G Karri Ramo (35% ret.), SJS 2016 5th, SJS 2017 3rd; SJS acquires LW Alex Killorn (7-12-19). Analysis - The Sharks are a ways out of a playoff spot and this move looks like desperation, trading off futures to try to immediately improve the lineup, and although Killorn is a solid middle sixer who should contribute at about a forty point pace he doesn't move the needle much especially if he doesn't choose to re-sign with San Jose this offseason. Tampa Bay does well to add a third in next year's draft and picks up Ramo for their minor league team. If the Sharks were in contention this would be a savvy move to pick up a solid playoff contributor without giving up high end assets, but with where they are currently it doesn't add up. Tampa Bay wins this trade.
Feb 10th, 2016 - Tampa Bay extended star defenseman Victor Hedman for three years at $5.79M per year. The 25 year old opted for a bridge deal, hoping to strike it rich as a free agent in three years. Hedman has seven goals and 31 points so far this season while leading all Lightning defensemen in icetime.
Feb 18th, 2016 - The Blackhawks are loading up yet again leading up the deadline. CHI acquires LW Carl Hagelin (10-14-24); NYR acquires SJS 2016 2nd. The Blackhawks add some speed and middle six depth in hopes of another deep playoff run while the Rangers add a higher end draft selection. New York wins this trade.
Feb 19th, 2016 - Nashville extends captain Shea Weber for seven more years. The deal will carry a cap hit of $7.35M. Weber has 14 goals and 40 total points so far this year while leading his team to the top of the Central Division standings.
Feb 20th, 2016 - Alex Ovechkin hit 500 career goals in his game against the Devils. The Capitals superstar has 33 goals and 54 points on the season so far.
Feb 20th, 2016 - Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg was ejected in the first period of their game against Boston for an illegal hit to the head. He has been suspended by the NHL's DOPS for six games.
Feb 21st, 2016 - Washington has signed Alex Ovechkin to a 4 year deal worth $6.71M per year. "Ovi" just hit the 500 goal mark in his career and is committed to winning a cup with the team that drafted him and he now captains.
Feb 23rd, 2016 - Braden Holtby signed a 7 year extension with the Capitals, reportedly with an AAV of $7.6M. The 26 year old netminder has spent his entire career with Washington, earning 122 wins and 22 shutouts so far.
Feb 24th, 2016 - Minnesota has traded defenseman Jonathon Blum to the Senators. OTT acquires RD Jonathon Blum (50% ret.) (27yo, 8-14-22, -3, 20:44 ATOI); MIN acquires RW Tom Pyatt (29yo, 5-2-7, +5), OTT 2017 2nd. Analysis - Blum appeared to be building on last year's 31 point season and was playing a top four role in Minnesota as an affordable defenseman on a three year contract in his prime. It's a bit of a head scratcher to see them move on from him this easily, picking up bottom six energy forward Tom Pyatt and a valuable second round pick next year. Perhaps the Wild really see a lot in 21 year old Matt Dumba and want to give him a bigger role sooner rather than later. This trade is a win for Ottawa, who, although they give up a decent draft pick, manage to acquire a top four capable right side defenseman with a very inexpensive cap hit.
Feb 29th, 2016 - Brad Marchand of the Bruins is the player of the month. Twenty two year old rising star John Gibson of the Ducks is the goalie of the month.