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| The Tampa Bay Lightning have fired coach John Tortorella, according to AZCentral.com. |
Our View: It was just four years ago that Tortorella led this team to a Stanley Cup Championship, but failures to reproduce top success has led the team to make this move. The Lightning were 239-222-36-38 under Tortorella's watch, making the playoffs four times over six and a half seasons. The rumors of potential replacement Barry Melrose continue to swirl, but nothing has been announced yet. We will update a news becomes available.
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| Sami Kapanen has decided to retire, according to the Sports Network. Flyers' GM Paul Holmgren said, "Sami has been an integral part of the Flyers organization since joining the club in 2003. He was a tremendous leader, both on and off the ice, and was one of the hardest working competitors to play for the Flyers. As much as we will miss Sami, we accept his decision and wish nothing but the best for him and his family."
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Our View: Kapanen served in the NHL for 12 seasons, and scored five goals and three assists during his final campaign with the Flyers.
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| Retired veteran Igor Larionov (Devils) is confident the Red Wings will hold on to claim the Stanley Cup, according to the Detroit News. Larionov said, "I expect a fantastic game. Detroit is a team with plenty of experience and knows what to do. My suggestion to the boys: 'Stay calm. They have people that can put the puck in the net. I still believe they will be champions based on how they played all year and their style of play."
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Our View: Larionov previously played eight seasons for Detroit, and he memorably scored the Wings' winning goal on June 8, 2002, in Game 3 of The Stanley Cup Finals against Carolina.
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| Defenseman Dennis Persson has agreed to terms with the Sabres, according to the AP. He was the Sabres' first-round pick in 2006, and he has been signed to a three-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed. |
Our View: Persson turned 20 on Monday, and notably represented Sweden at the 2006 World Junior Championships.
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| Sergei Gonchar showed a lot of guts when he came back from back spasms on Monday night. He crashed into the boards during the second period and went to the locker room. "When your back is tied up, you can't breath, you can't move," Gonchar informs the Canadian Press. "At the beginning I thought I broke something. I was nervous about it." He returned briefly in the third period but then had more treatment during the first two overtimes. Gonchar came out in the third overtime and set up the game-winning goal. The Russian hopes to play in Game 6. |
Our View: The Pens only have Tuesday off before playing on Wednesday, and there's a plane ride in between. We can only imagine how Gonchar's back must feel on Tuesday, but he'll undoubtedly grit his teeth and try to play on Wednesday.
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| Sami Kapanen has terminated his contract with the Flyers and will return to Finland. He plans to play for a team (KalPa Kuopio) he co-owns, the Philadelphia Daily News reports. The 34-year-old forward had one year left on his contract. |
Our View: Fantasy owners won't miss Kappy, who hasn't been much of a factor in our world since the late-90s and early-00s. He'll probably be a good pick in the SM-liiga, though.
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| Johan Franzen registered an assist in Monday's 4-3 three-overtime loss to Pittsburgh in Game 5. |
Our View: Franzen has 13 goals and five assists over 15 playoff contests this season. He only has one goal over four games against Pittsburgh, however.
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| Brian Rafalski chipped in a goal and an assist in Monday's 4-3 three-overtime loss to the Penguins in Game 5. He now has three points in the Finals, with an assist coming in each of his last two battles. |
Our View: The enforcer had another strong outing, but it wasn't enough to finish off the Penguins. Detroit now holds a 3-2 lead in the series.
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| Marc-Andre Fleury earned the top star on Monday night and for good reason. The goalie stopped 55 shots, including 24 during the three overtimes. |
Our View: The Pens can't seem to slow down the Red Wings, and the slim Stanley Cup hopes rest on Fleury getting red-hot over the final two contests. Fleury is still only 23 and obviously has a brilliant future.
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| Henrik Zetterberg continued his brilliant postseason play with a pair of assists in Monday's three-overtime loss to the Penguins. |
Our View: He's still the favorite for the Conn Smythe trophy.
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