Opinion

Since the moment the Tampa Bay Lightning signed legendary NHL-er Steve Yzerman to be their general manager, the team has undergone an incredible re-tooling process.

Chris Pronger and Mike Richards better be ready to step up next season as the team's captains, or this could be a long season.

If anyone thought the reports last season that there was a a split due to Carter having an affair with Hartnell's wife were bad, this could be worse.

On the defensive side, due to the dealings of Holmgren, you have eight NHL-ready defensemen.  As a GM, not a bad problem to have. 

But here is the problem:

The best things in life are worth waiting for. At least my mom always told me that.
If mom was right, then San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson must have the mother of all plans stewing in Silicon Valley.

Go ahead and spare me your words of warning.

Yes, I realize training camp is more than a month away.

Agreed, we still don't know what is going on with Mike Modano.

Understood, we've yet to sign Darren Helm and Justin Abdelkader.

I get it.  We've yet to see a perfectly clear picture of the 2010-11 Detroit Red Wings roster.

But, I submit to you that we can see enough of it to start postulating on whether or not they can still challenge for a shot at ordinary greatness.

Once Rangers GM Glen Sather is able to lock up restricted free agent defenseman Marc Staal, the Blueshirts will have a strong group of talented blue-liners, all under the age of 26.

With exceptional goaltender Henrik Ludqvist behind them, New York should be one of the stingiest defenses in the NHL next season.

Staal experienced a slight increase in his point totals last season and should continue to develop his offensive game.

Penguins fans, forget about the Flyers.  It’s time to focus on our quickly developing rivalry with the Capitals. 

If you’ve been living under a rock for the past few months, the Winter Classic will be held on Heinz Field in Pittsburgh against the Capitals.  Let the roaring Crosby v. Ovie debate begin. 

There isn't a fan in the NHL that doesn't like goals. If they didn't, why watch the sport?

We often find ourselves putting way too much credit into those lofty goal totals though. While it's great to have a player that can score 40, 50, or even 60 goals year-in and year-out, there are guys that don't come anywhere near those totals that play big roles for our favorite clubs.

So why not show a little love?

Toronto Maple Leafs' general manager Brian Burke has had a busy summer acquiring numerous players via free agency and trading for some much needed depth.

This summer Burke has acquired rugged forwards Colby Armstrong and Mike Brown via free agency while also adding speedy Stanley Cup winner Kris Versteeg to the fold through a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks.

On defense Burke picked up veteran defenseman Brett Lebda, giving him even more depth on defense, which in turn may allow him to trade his ace in the hole, defenseman Tomas Kaberle.

The Blake Wheeler arbitration decision will come today. So we will find out how much money Wheeler got and if he will be a Boston Bruin for much longer. The Bruins have the option of keeping him, letting him go to free agency, or signing him and then trading him.

Everybody knows that the Boston Bruins are having salary cap problems and with Blake Wheeler's arbitration hearing, Tyler Seguin's future contract, another roster player signing, and only $12,000, things aren't looking too good for the B's.

Ever since the lockout Marc Savard has been one of the premiere centers in the NHL. Over the last five seasons he has collected 392 points in 361 games.