The Chicago Blackhawks probably won’t be the only team with hard cap decisions to make during/after the season. 2 big pieces to the Pittsburgh Penguins blueline will be free agents after the season, Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang. Gonchar is unrestricted, while Letang is restricted. Letang will be looking for a nice raise, and though Gonchar would like around the same money he’s making now, I don’t think he’d get, especially from Pittsburgh. I don’t see how it’s possible from the Pens to keep both players. Gonchar will most likely test the free agent market, unless he takes a huge pay cut to stay with the Pens.
Sheldon Souray of the Edmonton Oilers appears to be out with a concussion after being tripped and driven into the boards by Jarome Iginla, and coach Pat Quinn was not impressed with. It would be a big blow to the Oilers if Souray is out for an extended period of time.
Chris Chelios still doesn’t know when to hang up the skates and retire. He will begin practicing with the AHL Chicago Wolves, though he hasn’t signed with them yet. The 80 year old Dman hopes to sign on with an NHL team sometime this year.
Cody Hodgson, who was initially thought of to be the 2nd line center for the Vancouver Canucks, since sent back the OHL’s Bramption Battalion, has been told to stay off skates for at least 3 weeks due to a partially herniated disc.
