LOOK: Amazing Underwater Photos Of Dogs
GOP Leader: Abortion Is A 'Lifestyle Convenience'
Every week there are minor moves and stories around the National Hockey League that tend to fall through the cracks. Consider this our weekly roundup of those stories from the previous week, all wrapped up in one neat little package.It didn't take Steve Downie long to leave his mark on his new team, as the feisty forward earned his first suspension as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning organization. It probably won't be his last suspension, either.
Downie, a former first-round pick of the Flyers, was sent to Tampa Bay a couple of weeks ago, along with Steve Eminger, in exchange for Matt Carle. After playing in just six games in Norfolk, Downie was suspended for three games this past week by the American Hockey League for checking Kyle McLaren from behind.
New team. Same player.
Downie could be a useful asset to some team if he would simply use his head a little more often, and avoid taking dirty runs at players. As long as he's good for two suspensions a year (especially if they happen to be 20-game suspensions) and is a 5-minute major waiting to happen every time he steps on the ice, he's not going to be of any real use to any team, regardless of how talented he may be.
Since I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon, I'd say the Flyers made themselves a fantastic trade, regardless of whether or not Carle fulfills expectations.
Dany Sabourin Leading the NHL? Really?
Last week I made mention that the Pittsburgh Penguins would need a healthy Marc-Andre Fleury if they had any intentions of making another Stanley Cup run, mainly because I didn't think Dany Sabourin was capable of stepping up the same way Ty Conklin did a season in ago in Fleury's absence. Naturally, as Sabourin became eligible to be listed among the NHL's league leaders this past week, the Penguins' backup is now leading the league in Goals Against Average, and is currently No. 3 in save percentage. Egg. Meet face.
in his six starts this season, Sabourin is 4-2 with a 1.66 Goals Against Average and a .935 save percentage.
Sabourin, 28, is a free agent following this season, and with the way prospect John Curry has floundered in Wilkes-Barre this year, he could be in line for a contract extension if he continues his strong play.
Waivers, Trades and Other Things
... After acquiring Wade Belak at last year's trade deadline for a fifth-round pick -- and signing him to a two-year extension this offseason -- the Florida Panthers placed the former No. 12 overall pick on waivers this week because, well, in the words of general manager Jacques Martin, a message needed to be sent. He eventually cleared waivers. The 32-year old has scored just eight goals in his 12-year career, and has only one dating back to the 2005-06 season.
... In a move that probably didn't even register as a blip on the radar, the Tampa Bay Lightning made yet another trade, sending Wyatt Smith to the Phoenix Coyotes for future considerations.
... A week ago in this space, I pointed out that it had been a week since Brendan Shanahan's agent said his client would be signed by the end of the previous week. Well, it's another week later, and Shanahan is still unsigned. Either Shanahan hasn't found an offer to his liking, or his agent doesn't know what he's talking about.
CNN Cancels Debate After Romney And Paul Pull Out
Marriage Equality In New Jersey Now In Chris Christie's Hands
Congress Agrees On Payroll Tax Cut, Unemployment Extension
MLB Hall Of Famer Dies
House Dems Walk Out Of Birth Control Hearing
Underwear Bomber Sentenced To Life In Prison
Santorum Backer: 'In My Days, They Used Bayer Aspirin For Contraception'
'Colbert Report' Abruptly Suspends Production For The Week
Why New England Town Wants $286,000 Police 'Tank'
WATCH: Honduras Prison Inferno Video
WATCH: Fox News Host Makes Shocking Comment About Black Rep.
Facebook Launches New Feature For Celebs
Pelosi Rips GOP Over Birth Control: I May Be "Moved To Explain Biology To My Colleagues"
Santorum Talks Economy, Knocks Bush On Bailout, Aligns Himself With Reagan
Overwhelming Majority For UN Resolution Calling On Syria's Assad To Step Down
New Jersey School Bus Crash Kills 1, Injures 17
Iran Offers To Talk
They're Back! The Mortgages That Crashed The Economy Regain Street Cred
Rahm Vows To Push For Gay Marriage In Illinois
WATCH: CNN Contributor Compares Sarah Palin To Snooki
The Most Expensive City In The World Is...
Deanna Fei: ASIAN MEN CAN JUMP
Jimmy Carter Casts Movement As 'Relatively Successful'
