Wideman, Ward join Boston; Smyth starts anew in NY; Hockey in London for '07

There have been a lot of recent developments in and around the league lately. Jumping ahead to next season (no, I'm not giving up on my team just yet), the Ducks and Kings will play a home-and-home series at the O2 Arena in London. And for those fans thrilled at the news, tickets will be available shortly and in a "of things to come matchup" the two teams are squaring off tonight at 10:30. The London Premiere game is not the first such event - the NHL has held opening games in Tokyo and Japan and also a preseason contest in London. And as I just learned, London is the most appropriate for foreign destinations. Lord Stanley donated a trophy boasting his name in 1892 to Preston, 182 miles outside London.


I don't know if I'll be able to make my way to London but I like the appeal of this game. Globalization is key for any bigtime sport.

Back to the present, the Islanders paid postage with insurance on their prized package, scheduled to arrive on the Long Island ice tonight. A shocked Smyth all but seals the deal on the Islanders playoff fate this season, and maybe the Bruins' fate as well. Considering the Islanders in the mix, Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Montreal are the three teams in that still have the potential to fall out, while Carolina, Toronto, the Rangers and Bruins (sorry Panthers) are looking from the outside in.

Based on the recent acquisitions and the current trends, I would swap Montreal out and add Carolina - otherwise, any movement would come as a surprise. Carolina and Atlanta both aren't playing their best hockey right now, but both teams added veteran leaders who can score and play tough. The Islanders certainly did the same and got much uglier at the same time. Toronto and the Rangers made maybe a minor move each (the Bruins too) and will have a tough time moving up.

Unless Chiarelli is smarter than me, but I have all the doubts in the world that it's not possible for a Bruins GM.

A lot of interesting stories will be played out tonight, setting the tone for the final 15-19 games of another exciting season.


Pictured: 2005-06 Dennis Wideman Black Diamond Triple Diamond Rookie Gems
I can only hope Wideman brings a 3-star game to town. Tonight we'll get a glimpse.