November 23

Fedoruk Lands in Minnesota

The Minnesota Wild claimed enforcer Todd Fedoruk off re-entry waivers from the Dallas Stars Thursday. The Stars and Wild will split Fedoruk's $875,000 salary for the remainder of the season. The 28 year-old had two assists and 33 penalty minutes in 11 games this season, and in 365 career NHL games has 17 goals, 50 assists and 818 penalty minutes.

The Wild also recalled goaltender Nolan Schaefer from the Houston Aeros as Josh Harding was banged up in Wednesday's loss to Vancouver, and they reassigned winger Aaron Voros to the Aeros.


Hanlon Out

Off to their worst start in 26 years, the Washington Capitals fired head coach Glen Hanlon on Thursday. Bruce Boudreau, coach of the Capitals American Hockey League affiliate, was named interim coach. The move came just one day after the Caps were beat by the Atlanta Thrashers 5-1 at home, and several disgruntled fans chanted "Fire Hanlon" late in the game. The loss was Washington's fifth consecutive and ninth and their last 10 games which dropped the Capitals to a league worst 6-14-1.

Hanlon was in his forth season behind the Caps bench, after being promoted from assistant coach in December 2003 to replace Bruce Cassidy. Washington ended up finishing last in the Southeast Division that season, as well as in each of his two full seasons at the helm.

Boudreau, who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks, will make his NHL coaching debut in Philadelphia against the Flyers tonight, and also coached seven current members of Caps when they were with the AHL's Hershey Bears, which he led to the 2006 Calder Cup title.


Hall of Famer Johnson dies at 79

Montreal Canadiens star and Hockey Hall of Famer Tom Johnson passed away Thursday at the age of 79. Johnson spent 15 of his 17 seasons with the Canadiens before playing out his career with the Boston Bruins. He won six Stanley Cups as a player with the Habs and two with the Bruins, in 1970 in the front office and in 1972 as the Head Coach, also won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenceman in 1959, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1970. In 978 career games, Johnson recorded 51 goals, 213 assists for 264 points and 960 penalty minutes, and in 111 playoff games scored eights goals and registered 23 points.


Hunter Goes With the Angels

Free-agent Torii Hunter signed a five-year $90 million deal with the Anaheim Angels. The seven-time Gold Glove Award winner rejected a three-year $45 million offer from the Minnesota Twins back in August, and the Twins held firm to that deal when the free agent signing period started.

I for one will be sad to see Torii leave and like many Twins fans wish he would've stayed, but I also can't blame him or any other athlete for taking a better offer elsewhere. It's really no different then you or me leaving our current job for another one doing the exact same thing, and getting paid more to do it.


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