What's Happening!!

Raj, Dwayne and Rerun want to make sure that you are informed of "Watts" been going on the last few days in the NHL.

The NHL Board of Governors approved a bid Wednesday by Jerry Reinsdorf to assume ownership of the Phoenix Coyotes, and NOT ONLY REJECTED, BUT...unanimously rejected an application by Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie to buy the team. TSN.

What doesn't the league like about Balsillie? Is it that he wanted to buy the Penguins and move them to Hamilton? Is it that he tried to move the Nashville Predators, and even started to accept season ticket deposits for the Hamilton Predators through Ticketmaster without league approval? Is it that he wanted to move the Coyotes to Hamilton?

Listen Jim, I don't think that the NHL wants Hamilton, a market that would infringe on both the Toronto and Buffalo franchises. Maybe try Quebec City for "Make it 7" next time??

The KHL has issued an official statement that Jiri Hudler's contract will be registered, citing a myriad of NHL infractions as reasoning for their decision. KHL Official site. This comes as no surprise to the Red Wings, who have already moved on. The Wings signed blueliner, Andy Delmore, a 32-year-old veteran who has not played in the NHL since '05-'06, but has been a force playing in Germany for the last two seasons.

Back to the Coyotes. Phoenix re-signed left wing Scottie Upshall to a one-year, $1.5 million deal. Is it me or do the Coyotes seem like a contender for a playoff spot this season?

"The Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with Rick Wilson, naming him associate coach..." adding to coach Rick Tocchet's staff. The important thing is that he is "a Rick."

Having lost out on new Atlanta Associate GM, Rick Dudley, the Lightning have attempted to add to their Ricks by adding Wilson. Word on the street is that Rick Astley has been invited to sing the anthem on opening night. Also, after offering former ESPN pitchman, "The Rick" a deal to switch team allegiances, Len Barrie was reported to be devastated to find out that his real name was Mike O'Malley, and angrily rescinded the offer.

The Lightning also bought out the remaining contract of Vaclav Prospal, who signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the Lightning last year, and had $10.5 million left on his deal. Prospal was slightly over paid, but after just one year? The most sound reasoning I could come up with for this, is that his name isn't Rick!

In a similar move, the Carolina Hurricanes have bought out the final year of defenseman Frantisek Kaberle's contract. The 35-year old Kaberle was set to earn $2.2 million this season but will collect two-thirds of that ($1,467,400) spread over the next two seasons. "This move is part of our effort to restructure the Hurricanes' defense to become bigger and more physical," said Hurricanes' general manager Jim Rutherford in a statement. TSN.

"Bigger and more physical"... meaning we hope to become the Carolina Maple Leafs?

Speaking of the Leafs, they traded for Wayne Primeau. What? Yes, they swapped newly acquired Colin Stuart, who really is just a younger version of Primeau, and Anton Stralman for WP and (the kicker) the Flames 2nd rounder in 2011.

Well, that's it for now. Let's meet at Rob's Place to see if Shirley knows anything more!