Wasn't even aware his trial had started, but he has entered a guilty plea...


WINNIPEG - Former junior hockey coach and convicted sex offender Graham James has pleaded guilty to sexual assaults involving two of his former players, including NHL star Theoren Fleury.

 James entered the plea in a Winnipeg courtroom via video link from Montreal.

 The disgraced coach was facing nine charges of sexual assault on three players, but only pleaded guilty to charges involving two.
James has been out on bail for almost a year and living in Montreal.

 He has already served a 3 1/2-year prison sentence for abusing other former players he coached, including former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy.

 The most recent charges came after Fleury published an autobiography in which he described the abuse he suffered.

Here's hoping he goes away for a long time.  There's probably a deal that's been made here, but I really hope it wasn't too sweet.

1-year 2-way deal.

I assume he'll be spending most of his time in Binghamton.  That's a pretty experienced guy to send there.

The team is dreadful.  Their scoring non-existent, the defense soft and a system thin on prospects.  It's been a good run but eventually it comes to an end.

It's time to put this dog down.

The news isn't all bad:
Sens currently sit in 24th.  That's a lottery pick!  But the news is better: While 29th and 30th look out of reach, all the teams from 25th to 28th are 2 or fewer points behind, and they all have games in hand!

We could be 28th by Saturday! 

Come on Leafs, you can do it! Beat them Pens and pull into a tie.  Carolina, Edmonton, Florida...go get 'em! 

Who's with me?!?

Looks like we need a thread since the Halak deal seems to have got things moving.

Preds deal UFA Dan Hamuis for Ryan Parent and a conditional pick.  Flyers really only get negotiating rights like they did with Timonen and Hartnell.  Parent was a Nashville pick that went to the Flyers in the Forsberg deal.

The relationship between these teams is starting to look a little too cosy.  There's nothing illegal about the deals themselves, but I can't help but feel there's another deal going on the side ($$$?)


Then they send off Arnott to the Devils.  Is the rebuild on?  Was there ever anything to rebuild?

OMG!

http://tinyurl.com/yfdv66r

The media is in a tizzy that Ilya Kovalchuk will be on the move soon.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=308800

So here's the thread.  I'm really not sure where he's going.  The Rangers always show up in these rumours, and supposedly the Blackhawks and Bruins are also front runners.

The 'Hawks have young talent to burn they could probably make a really good offer to the Thrashers.  The Bruins are desperate for offence after injuries exposed just how paper thin they are up front.

I suspect whoever trades for him already has an agreement in principal to sign and extension.

Of course keep in mind that Don Waddel is being trusted to make this deal.  Someone I would but in the bottom third of the league's GMs.

So let's speculate until it gets done!

Since our season pretty much hangs on how he'll play, here's the poll.

Personally, I voted 'Solid'.  I think he's going to be fine.  Of course his ankles could blow up and then we're pretty much screwed.

What going on with Sather? He's starting to do sensible things.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=286726

I see the KHL in his future.

I'd have to count Zherdev and Dan Fritsche for Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman as one of the worst trades in the cap era.


Oh yeah...Murray? Don't even think about it!

New group unveils vision to launch second NHL franchise in Toronto

     TORONTO - A new Toronto-based group has come forward with a proposal to launch a second NHL franchise in Toronto in time for the 2012-13 season.
    The Toronto Legacy Group, led by founder Andrew Lopez, laid out its vision at a news conference Friday, suggesting that C$1 billion in financing is already in place for the proposed expansion team.
    The team would be known as the Toronto Legacy, and would play out of a proposed 30,000-seat arena built at Downsview Park, located in the north of the Greater Toronto Area.
    The group has proposed that 25 per cent of its annual net profits will be divided amongst charitable foundations and non-profit organizations.
    Lopez says his group is not affiliated with Blackberry billionaire Jim Balsillie, who is looking to relocate the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton.
(The Canadian Press)


If you'd like to see their site:

http://www.torontolegacy.com/

Can I be the first to say:  What a load of bunk.  I give this less chance than the attempt to revive the WHA.  This looks more like an elaborate publicity stunt.

EDIT: Tsn Link
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=280969

The Oilers have scheduled a press conference where they are expected to announce Pat Quinn as new Heasd Coach.