Penguins Acquire Rights To Vokoun

The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded their 2012 7th Round Pick to the Washington Capitals in exchange for the rights of Tomas Vokoun. Right after, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they have signed the pending UFA to a 2 year - $4M contract. This is a significant blow to teams looking for goaltending as he was to be one of the best goalie UFA's available.

Trade

The Bruins recently traded C Zach Hamill to the Washington Capitols for LW Chris Bourque.

This trade probably had no hockey value but just to keep Ray Bourque, Chris Bourque's father, happy. Ray Bourque spent nearly his entire career in Beantown and probably wants his son to play with the same stoied franchise.

Washington wins the trade because they get a great young player for someone who is probably going to be a career minor player. Hamill was drafted 8th overall in the 2007 draft and should have some value

Just on a side note, 18 years from the day Hamill was drafted 8th overall in the 2007 draft, the Bruins made another 8th overall draft pick. Guess who that was: Ray Bourque

Notes of The Day

• Michael Farber of SI.com says that Radulov and Kostitsyn broke curfew by one hour and were at Poolside of the W an alcohol free soiree.
• Darren Dreger of TSN is saying that Habs GM Marc Bergevin has been talking to Leafs GM Brian Burke a lot about getting assistant GM Rick Dudley to join before the draft but Brian Burke is not that big on that idea right now.
• Semin is gone from the Capitals and even maybe the NHL? Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun is reporting that in the offseason the Caps will not try to resign UFA Alexander Semin.
• Sports.ru is reporting that Islanders prospect Krill Kabonov will be going to the KHL.
• Flyers beat writer Sam Charchidi is reporting the Flyers' surgery list is so long it won't be released till next week. (TwoBoredTeens note: That's a little worrisome for fans.)

Sorry for the lack of posting recently guys, we've just been watching so much hockey!
8 Days, 8 Suspensions/Fines

• Byron Bitz, Vancouver Canucks: Headshot to Kyle Clifford. Two Games.

• Matt Carkner, Ottawa Senators: Punching Brian Boyle when Boyle was not ready. One Game

• Carl Hagelin, New York Rangers: Elbow to Daniel Alfredsson's head. Three Games.

• James Neal, Pittsburgh Penguins: Two hits to Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux to the head. One game.

• Aaron Asham, Pittsburgh Penguins: Cross Check to Brayden Schenn's upper chest followed by a punch to the back of the head. Four games.

• Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals: Cross check to the face of Rich Peverley. One game.

• Shea Weber, Nashville Predators: Smashing the face of Pavel Datsyuk to the boards. $2500 fine.

• Raffi Torres, Phoenix Coyotes: Shoulder to the face of Marian Hossa. Suspended indefinitely.  Pending hearing on Friday. Hearing 10-20 games.

College Signings and Decisions!

Just a quick rundown of all the college signings in the last few days!

• University of Denver C Drew Shore has signed on with the Florida Panthers.
• University of Denver W Jason Zucker has signed on with the Minnesota Wild.
• He will report to the NHL club on Thursday.
• The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed University of Michigan G Shawn Hunwick to an entry level contract.
• He will report to the NHL club tonight and serve as Mike York's backup as Steve Mason took a puck to the mask during practice this morning.
• The Columbus Blue Jackets have also signed F Boone Jenner to a two year contract.
• F Spencer Abott, the leading scorer in NCAA has decided to leave the University of Maine and join the Toronto Maple Leafs on an one year entry level contract.
• He will play off the year in the Toronto Marlies.
• Western Michigan D Matt Tenneyson has decided to join the San Jose Sharks.
• The Ottawa Senators have signed University of Florida - Miami D Chris Wideman to a two year contract.
• The Buffalo Sabers have signed F Brian Flynn of the University of Maine to a contract.
• The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed F J.T. Brown from the University of Minnesota - Duluth to an two year entry level contract.
• He will report to the parent team and burn a year off of his contract by playing in the parent club.
• Washington Capitals have signed University of Miami of Ohio D Cam Schilling to an entry level contract.
• He will report to AHL Hershey as his deal starts next year. 2 year deal.
• Western Michigan sophomore D Danny DeKeyser, considered the best US college free agent available has announced on Twitter that he will stay and Western Michigan for at least one more season.
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  Danny DeKeyser ‏ @DeKeyser5

  
  

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  Prouder than hell to be a bronco for te next year Atleast#broncoforlife #WMU babay!!
• The Coyotes have signed St. Cloud State University G Mike Lee to a two year entry level deal.
• The Coyotes have also signed University of Michigan C Chris Brown to a three year entry level deal.

Trades

Trade 1:
Washington Capitals have traded W Matthew Ford to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for D Kevin Marshall

Marshall is a good stay at home defenseman that reminds me of a Dion Phaneuf type player. Not as good ,but has a strong shot with good checking technique. Good third defensive pair in the future.

Ford is a proven goal scorer that loves having the puck. He needs to be able to get in to open space and work a bit harder on his skating. Good third line for the future.

Trade 2:
Washington Capitals have traded D Danny Richmond to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Mike Carman.

Danny Richmond is a player I actually like a lot. Small player, but is very tough. Drafted in the second round, he plays very smartly. However, needs time to build up muscle due to his size. If he plays up to potential I think he could quarterback the powerplay easily.

Mike Carman is a former defenseman turned center. Is amazing on faceoffs but doesn't have the creativity needed for most offensive players. Reminds me a lot of David Steckel and his faceoff ability.

Ovechkin suspended and skipping the All-Star Game?

After Ovechkin knew his fate for the next three NHL games, he has decided to skip the All-Star festivities as well.

The former scoring champ made the announcement Tuesday.

"I love the (All-Star) game, it's a great event and I love to be there, but I'm suspended and I don't want to be a target," Ovechkin told Comcast Sportsnet. "I feel that I don't deserve to be there right now. If I'm suspended, I have to be suspended, so that's why I gave up my roster (spot)."

His suspension for his hit on Zbynek Michalek did not cut him out of the ASG, he made the decision himself.

"It's not about what I want, I don't deserve to be there right now. I'm suspended until February 4th," he said.

The captain iterated that he did not agree with his suspension at all.

"I don't think I deserve the three game suspension for the hit I did. Lots of guys make that hit, but it's not about that," explained Ovechkin, "It is what it is, and it's (Brendan) Shanahan's call."

When asked about what he will do during the break, he said that he would support his team mates during his suspension.

The league has not named the replacement for Ovechkin's roster spot yet.

Ovechkin Suspended

Alexander Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Capitals has been suspended by league disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan for his hit on Zbynek Michalek of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ovechkin has been suspended three games and is eligible to return on February 4th. He is still able to play in the All Star game though.

The hit on Michalek was pretty brutal and Shanahan stated that the hit was the main reason for the suspension. The fact that Ovechkin is a repeat offender also factored into the suspension.

This is Ovechkin's third suspension of his career, the first coming from a knee on knee hit on Tim Gleason and the second being a reckless hit on former Blackhawks defenceman Brian Campbell.

This is bad news for the Capitals, who are already missing Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green. Now they lost their captain for 3 games. How will the Caps fare? Let us know in the comments!

Ovechkin bouncing back?

Ovechkin and the Capitals just beat the Sabres with a 3-1 decision today. Ovechkin had 2 goals while Nicklas Backstrom had the last one.

Ovechkin has had 5 goals over his previous 7 games, is this a sign of him breaking out of his slump? We don't know for sure here at Two Bored Teens, but we do hope he does so we can have some more highlight reel goals from the Great 8!

Christmas Special: Washington Capitals

Bruce Boudreau has been fired, Dale Hunter has replaced him, in hope to spark the offence and Ovechkin. This has not happened (yet) but I do hope the offence starts up again because the playoffs ain't any fun without the electric Capitals :)

Team Wishlist: Get the offence going again and for Mike Green to stop getting injured so often

Fan Wishlist: Ovechkin to score more highlight reel goals (they're seriously fun to watch) :)

Are the Capitals losing their fire?

As you may know, the Capitals have been heavily criticised for their past month or so, especially Alexander Ovechkin. I am a Caps fan and I'm quite disappointed about their play as well. Firing Boudreau did nothing as they have lost their last 2 games by the same score 2-1. Is it time for Ovechkin and the capitals to part ways? Do they need a proven coach? Let me know in the comments below!

What happens now for the Ducks?

Now that Randy Caryle is fired, and Boudreau is a the new coach, does that mean the Bobby Ryan fiasco is over? So if you've been living under a rock for the last few days, Ex-Caps Coach Bruce Boudreau was unemployed for a grand total of 65 hours and 25 minutes. Also, Bobby Ryan has been shopped around the league.  So now that the coach is fired, is Ryan no longer being shopped? I would have to think he still is. It'd be one of those situations where the Ducks would still be talking with teams and that if for example by the Trade Deadline, the Ducks are still doing pretty bad, they would trade Ryan away to the highest bidder. So thats my take on it. We'd love to hear from you! Comment Below!

Boudreau Fired?

On air, Sportsnet Analyst Nick Kypreos said that there is a chance that Washington Capitals head coach could be fired within 24-48 hours. What do you guys think about this?