Maple Leafs acquire Brad May from Ducks

The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired enforcer Brad May from the Anaheim Ducks. In exchange, the Ducks receive a conditional sixth-round draft pick in 2010. This is Bryan Burke's first move as Leafs GM.

May, 37, is in the final year of a two-year contract that pays him $600,000 this season. In 20 games with Anaheim this season, May has five assists and 28 PIM.

In 963 career games with Anaheim, Vancouver, Phoenix, Buffalo and Colorado, the Toronto native has 285 points and 2,121 penalty minutes. It's the third time that May and Burke will be reunited together (Anaheim and Vancouver).

The lack of toughness and grit has been obvious in the past few games and Burke wanted to rectify the problem as soon as possible.

Simple, but efficient, move by Burke. The acquisition of May might mean rookie enforcer Andre Deveaux will be sent back to the AHL soon. Meanwhile, rookie Nikolai Kulemin has been assigned earlier today to the Toronto Marlies.

In 40 games with the Maple Leafs this season, Kulemin registered seven goals and 14 points.

Murray and Hartsburg on the way out?

One loss too many?

Craig Hartsburg may well have coached his last game for the Ottawa Senators.

According to the Journal de Montréal, owner Eugene Melnyk was waiting for the result of last night's game between the Senators and Sabres before making a decision.

The Senators lost 4-2, their third in a row and a 25th loss this season.

General Manager Bryan Murray would also be fired as a result of the Senators underachievement.

Melnyk may have already decided on Murray and Hartburg's successors. They would be none other than Pat Quinn, recently head coach of the WJC team which won a fifth consecutive gold medal and Bob Nicholson as GM.

Though Quinn's selection makes some sense, choosing Nicholson is surprising. Hockey Canada's president and chief executive has no experience at the NHL level. Since 1998, he has managed all the men's and women's national and Olympic teams.

No one should be surprised at Quinn's return behind the bench. The 64-year old has made it clear he has wanted to return to the NHL after a two-year break and also wanted to use the world juniors as a springboard to the NHL. It's unlikely he thought the dive into NHL waters would come so quickly, however.

Source: Radio Canada

I have been saying for a while, since GM Murray can't find a trade partner, the Sens ownership will likely pull the plug on him and his coach Craig Hartsburg. The Senators are not going anywhere this season, and it's time for a major overhaul of this team.

PK Subban Showing His Incredible Talent

After an extraordinary World Junior Championship where he was arguably one of the best players for Canada, P.K. Subban garnered more attention from scouts, media and fans (especially the Habs' fans) than any other player in the tournament. Subban performed better than he ever has in his career and he surprisingly emerged as the top offensive defensemen on Team Canada.

At only 5'10", 200 lbs., the swift and quick Subban is an offensive diamond in the rough. A right-handed shooter, Subban is a great weapon on the power play. He is also energetic, enthusiastic and relentless.

The Canadiens' 43rd overall pick in 2007, Subban had terrific 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons (15 G, 41 A, 56 PTS—2006-07; 8 G, 38 A, 46 PTS—2007-08). This season with the Belleville Bulls, he has already notched 37 points (4 G, 33 A) in only 29 games.

With his recent performances, Subban might have passed a few defensemen such as Ryan McDonagh, David Fischer, and Mathieu Carle on the Canadiens' prospects list.

He will be given every opportunity to make the team during the 2009 training camp next fall as the Canadiens are in dire need of a power play specialist who can shoot the puck and move the puck well.

Jason Pomminville about blogging

Click here to watch Jason Pomminville talking about his blog with the Buffalo Sabres.

Leafs prospect and junior star DiDomenico traded

THE CANADIAN PRESS

BOUCHERVILLE, Que. – One day after winning gold with the Canadian juniors, forward Chris DiDomenico has been traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs by the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Going to the Sea Dogs in exchange are goaltender Simon Giroux, winger Mathieu Gingras, a first-round pick in 2009 and a second-round pick in 2010.

DiDomenico adds to a potent Voltigeurs offence that leads the QMJHL in goals with 197.

The sixth-round pick (164th overall) of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2007 NHL draft, DiDomenico has 75 goals and 129 assists in 166 games with the Sea Dogs. This season, he has 11 goals and 23 assists in 26 games with Saint John.

"Chris has been a great player for us these last few seasons and it has been an absolute pleasure to have coached him," Saint John GM and head Jacques Beaulieu said in a statement. "He has a very bright future ahead of him, and we wish him nothing but the best as he continues down what promises to be a highly successful career path."

In 34 games this season, Gingras has seven goals, four assists and 14 penalty minutes. The 6-foot, 170-pounder from Woodbrige, Ont., was originally selected by Drummondville in the third round (53rd overall) of the 2007 QMJHL entry draft.

The QMJHL trade deadline is Thursday at noon.

Rivet likely back tonight for Sabres

Captain defenseman Craig Rivet is ready to return as early as tonight when the Sabres take on the Senators at the HSBC arena. Rivet has now missed eleven games with a shoulder injury.

In 21 games, Rivet has five assists this season. He was named the team captain during training camp.

Canadiens acquire TJ Kemp for pick

From the Penguins:

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS TRADE T.J. KEMP TO MONTREAL IN EXCHANGE FOR CONDITIONAL 2010 DRAFT PICK

The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded defenseman T.J. Kemp to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a conditional seventh round draft pick in the 2010 Entry Draft, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero.

Kemp, 27, has played 22 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season. He has posted nine points (one goal, eight assists) along with 22 penalty minutes.

The 5-11, 197-pound defenseman has split the past four seasons between the Peoria Rivermen, Iowa Stars, Milwaukee Admirals, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Manchester Monarchs, Springfield Falcons and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL. Kemp has appeared in 174 career games in the AHL, registering 93 points (14 goals, 79 assists) and 126 penalty minutes.

The native of Pickering, Ontario signed with Pittsburgh as a free agent on July 8, 2008.

Montreal Canadiens: Why The Kostitsyn Brothers Should Stick Together

Reunited for yesterday's match-up against the Florida Panthers, the Kostitsyn brothers, Andrei and Sergei, sparked the Habs' offense to a close 6-5 OT win over Peter DeBoer's team.

Lining up on a line with veteran Robert Land, the "Mullet line" produced three of the Canadiens' goals. Lang finished the afternoon with one goal and one assist (+2), while Andrei notched two goals (+2) and Sergei added two assists (+4).

With Alex Tanguay out for an extended period of time, the Canadiens desperately need to find secondary scoring to help ease the pressure on Kovalev's line.

Ever since they were kids, the Kostitsyns played hockey together at every level. That is why they play so well when reunited.

Sergei, who is more of a passer, has a great vision, solid skating abilities and a great hockey sense. Sergei also kills penalties with Robert Lang because of his great defensive awareness. He can also man the point on the power play.

Andrei, who is more of a shooter, is blessed with a quick release and a heavy shot. His has excellent puck-handling abilities and his strong on the puck.

As you can see the brothers compliment each other perfectly because of their different sets of skills, that is why they should stick together for a while, whether it is with Robert Lang, Saku Koivu and Tomas Plekanec.

As Carbonneau said, "Andrei shoots more when he plays with Sergei instead of Alex Kovalev, when he plays with Kovy he tries to give him the puck too much". Andrei added that he's more confortable playing with his brother.

I believe Carbo has finally understood that the brothers should stick together for a while now...

Luke Schenn likely back tomorrow

Leafs defenceman Luke Schenn, who has missed the past 12 games with torn knee ligaments, will likely return to the lineup tomorrow against the Florida Panthers. Schenn has 2 assists in 27 games for the Leafs in his rookie campaign.

The Maple Leafs are also hoping that Jeremy Williams (shoulder) and Matt Stajan (eye problems) will be available for the team’s two-game road trip later this week.

Senators' Cody Bass out for the season

Centre Cody Bass will miss the reminder of the season with a season-ending shoulder injury.

He injured his shoulder in a fight with Calgary's Eric Nystrom last week.

In 12 games with Ottawa this season, Bass is pointless and he has 15 PIM.