Each and every Saturday this season I'll be taking a look at the random happenings and absurdities that occur in the world of hockey. Feel free to suggest stories, complain or otherwise babble at me via electronic mail.
There's something to be said for Canadians and their level-headedness at least as it compares to us Americans. They always seem so much calmer. But during the past week our neighbors to the North have been in an uproar about Calgary Flames Flu Vaccination Crisis 2009. Sure, they're rightfully up in arms in Alberta that the Flames and their peeps received shots before some of the neediest people in the province but that almost seems like a trivial matter compared to what's going on down here.
Despite the wheeling and dealing, the oddsmakers in sin city -- specifically the Las Vegas Hilton -- are betting on a fifth consecutive non-playoff season for the boys in blue and white, according to Jeff Haney's article for the Las Vegas Sun, which has the over/under point totals for every team in the league.
SAN JOSE -- Six days after the trade was completed sending Dany Heatley from Ottawa to San Jose, the Sharks' newest forward arrived at HP Pavilion.
In a press conference on the ice level of the arena, Heatley donned a No. 15 Sharks jersey and answered questions along with general manager Doug Wilson for 15 minutes. Before that., Heatley was on the ice briefly playing with presumptive linemates Joe Thornton and Devin Setoguchi. Earlier in the week, he'd gotten on the ice with his dad, Murray, as he waited for visa issues to be resolved.
"It definitely felt good," Heatley said of his morning workout Friday. "It was a lot of fun with those guys -- a lot more fun than skating by myself."
It's been a couple days since Dany Heatley was shipped from Ottawa to San Jose, so we've all had a little time to take a step back and look a the trade. Today, some of the best and brightest in the two blogospheres involved have taken the time to share their views on the trade with us. I have an odd feeling that the Senators' bloggers feel a lot of relief now that the trade has been mad but, to find out, follow me through the jump.
SAN JOSE -- Patrick Marleau doesn't always pay attention to trade rumors, but Thursday night's report on ESPN that he'd been traded to the Kings was a little different because his phone started ringing non-stop.
Marleau, the Sharks' all-time leading scorer, knew there was no three-way deal with San Jose, Ottawa and Los Angeles. He has a no-trade clause and no one had asked him to waive it.
It happened more than two months after most observers thought it would, but Dany Heatley finally got his wish. Evidently, the threat of having him at Ottawa Senators training camp was too much for the team to deal with.
The San Jose Sharks are often linked to Dany Heatley, like many other teams this offseason, but the latest whispers out of San Jose are that this time, something might happen.
No one is denying anything, and while that doesn't guaranteed a deal is struck, it makes it highly likely that talks are ongoing.
FanHouse begins its four-part preview of the upcoming NHL season. Check back every Thursday from now until opening night for the rest.
The calendar has flipped past Labor Day in the States, and that means the start of the NHL's regular season is fast approaching. We're going to take one last look back at the summer and discuss the best and worst moves -- in some cases, non-moves -- of the offseason. Who took a step in the right direction and who took a step back?
Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our daily look at the previous night's action. During the offseason, it's our link dump that looks at some of the storylines and moves taking place around the league three times per week. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.
The Vancouver Canucks have, arguably, the best goaltender in the NHL in Roberto Luongo, and they now have just under three weeks to sign him to a long-term contract extension or they risk losing him. Luongo is set to become a free agent following the season, and while the two teams have had talks, a deal has yet to be reached. According to the Globe and Mail, Luongo has set a deadline for September 13 for a new contract to be signed as he will not negotiate once training camp begins.
Each and every Saturday this season I'll be taking a look at the random happenings and absurdities that occur in the world of hockey. Feel free to suggest stories, complain or otherwise babble at me via electronic mail. 
Brian Burke was a busy man this offseason for the 
SAN JOSE -- Six days after the trade was completed sending Dany Heatley from Ottawa to San Jose, the Sharks' newest forward arrived at HP Pavilion.
It's been a couple days since 
SAN JOSE -- 
It happened more than two months after most observers thought it would, but 
The 
Newsmakers in the 
