News from around the NHL…

Daniel Alfredsson participating in pre-game skate after
 signing 1-day contract to retire as an Ottawa Senatory

Earlier this week, Daniel Alfredsson signed a one-day contract with the Ottawa Senators and announced that he was retiring after an 18 year career. Alfredsson spent 17 years as a member with the Senators before spending his last season playing with the Detroit Red Wings. On Thursday night, he skated in pre-game warm-ups—donning his Senators’ #11 jersey one last time—before taking part in a ceremonial face-off. During the course of Alfredsson’s 18 year career, he scored 444 goals and 713 assists in 1,246 games played. He was also a member of the Swedish Olympic hockey team that won gold back in 2006 in the Olympics in Turin, Italy. 

George Parros (and that mustache)

Also announcing his retirement from the NHL was George Parros. Parros, (who possessed one of the best mustaches in the league) announced his retirement on Friday. Parros played for the Los Angeles Kings (who originally drafted him back in 1999), Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, Florida Panthers, and the Montreal Canadiens during the course of his 9-year career in the league. According to Hockeyfights.com, Parros had participated in more than 100 fights and had 15 career goals. 

The Mumps (sorry, I had to include this….)

Well, the Mumps have been going around the league. For the most part, the virus had been going around the Western Conference (mostly Anaheim, Minnesota, and St. Louis). Recently, Tanner Glass (from the New York Rangers) and the Wild’s Ryan Suter are the two most recent players to have been diagnosed with the Mumps. 

Scandella signs a new deal—then gets a fine from the league.

On Nov. 29 shortly before the start of the Wild-Blues game at the Xcel Energy Center (which I attended), it was announced that the Wild came to terms with defenseman Marco Scandella on a new 5-year deal worth $20 million.

Wild on the ice for warm-ups before their game with the Blues

Scandella was fined by the league $2755.38 for an illegal hit to the head on the Blues TJ Oshie, in which Scandella received minor penalty. From what I saw at the game and on replays later, it looked like Oshie was skating with his head down (I also think he embellished a bit). Oshie has had problems with concussions, but he also returned to the game. This is NOT the first time Oshie’s been hit with his head down. I think he should try looking up a bit while carrying the puck (that’s just my opinion).

However, during that SAME game, the Blues’ Kevin Shattenkirk made a dangerous hit from behind on the Wild’s Ryan Carter. Shattenkirk received a 5-minute major, a 10 minute misconduct penalty, and was tossed from the game. In looking at the NHL website on Monday, I saw NOTHING in regards to Shattenkirk getting any kind of a disciplinary hearing from the league. I think the NHL Department of Player Safety is a joke since Scandella was fined for a minor penalty, but did absolutely NOTHING in regards to a dangerous hit from behind by Shattenkirk.