Saturday Night Feverish Items

Saturday night -- off night for the CBJ, trade deadline looming, and the perfect opportunity to look for interesting tidbits to share.

Umberger Getting Love -- Check out this link for a very nice piece on RJ Umberger over at THN, accompanied by the usual array of annoying comments.

Guerin Moving ??? -- TSN.ca is reporting that Bill Guerin was taken off the ice at the Islanders game tonight in pre-game warmups, apparently due to an imminent trade. No word yet on where, although sources indicate an Eastern team, not Boston. One version is that the Capitals will get him for a draft pick, while another has him going to Buffalo for Afinogenov. I'd be more inclined to believe the Caps angle.

Increased Chatter -- CBJ are involved in an increasing level of chatter, focusing in on Connolly, Lombardi, Antropov, with some discussion of a Staal for Leclaire deal. Of course, given how Howson operates, the more chatter there is, the less likely to occur. ;-)

Boogard Suspension -- The five game suspension handed down earlier today for Minnesota forward Derek Boogaard could not come at a worse time for the Wild. Right in the thick of a playoff race, and facing a brutal March schedule that features 16 games, 4 back to backs and 9 of the first 11 on the road, having Boogard unavailable is going to hurt.

Dallas Reeling -- In the midst of losing the first 4 of a 5 game homestand, Dallas is yet to figure out how to cope with the loss of C Brad Richards. They also face a tough March schedule, with 16 games and a full slate of tough road games.

Nashville Charging -- Don't look now, but somebody forgot to tell the Predators that they are out of the playoffs. Nashville waxed Detroit tonight, 8 - 0, to move to 66 points, just 2 points behind the CBJ, although the Jackets hold a game in hand on the Preds.

Redhawks Revenge -- After losing a 6 - 2 contest against Ohio State at home on Senior Night last evening, Miami turned the tables on the Buckeyes tonight, winning 7 - 5, spoiling OSU's own Senior Night at Value City Arena. Miami keeps their first round bye in the CCHA tournament, while the Bucks will need to work their way through the field. Good luck to both squads in the post season!

The heat is turning up across the board. News will be fast and furious, and I will do my best to keep up on all of it. Stay tuned, and feel free to post your own information, tips and rumors.