NHL hopes to expand to Europe, Source: Sportsnet

NHL invasion in Europe?

According to a report on the Globe and Mail, it's possible that the NHL would expand to Europe. However, this is just an idea of gaining more interest into the NHL by increasing fan bases worldwide, but it's a factor less likely to happen, as there'd be increasing problems with the growth and development of the players. Even worse, is that traveling to Europe would just create more air pollution.

The bigger question is: would the European cities be able to support the teams? Even if they do decide to expand to Europe, and the cities can actually have the intentions of being able to afford to support the European teams, it would greatly affect everything that has to do with the NHL. The problems associated with them are: will they have to add a new conference, or change it so that the western and eastern is grouped together, and have the European be a lone conference that plays the American conference in the SCF, and a few NHL regular season games?

If the NHL needs to be expanded, why not have it in Canada, in such provinces as: Manitoba, Quebec, and an additional team in Southern Ontario? The problem with the idea of having to expand teams in Canada, is that there are no problems with it, so why not? There are more fans in Canada than there are in Europe. If anything, Hamilton and Winnipeg deserve to have a NHL franchise team more than the European cities do. The teams would be widely supported all over Canada, and will increase more NHL interest, as there are the fans who'd be happy to have a new NHL team in Canada, than the U.S. or Europe.

After all, the game was invented by Canada, so why not have more franchise teams in Canada?

Eric Staal inks extension with the Carolinca Hurricanes, source: TSN.

Staal signs expensive deal with Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed Eric Staal to a 7 year, $57.75 million deal on Thursday, Staal is the Canes franchise player, who has the intention of being better than he already is.

Staal will be earning $8.25 million per season on an average yearly basis, which starts on the dawn of the 2009-2010 season, and the peak days of his extension ending are on the years of 2015-2016.

This extension causes Staal to be locked up with the Canes, and is in hopes of having a spectacular season, as Staal racked up 38 goals and 44 assists combining for 82 points.

Staal, 23, is now entering his fifth consecutive season in a Canes jersey, and is expected to rise above expectations by many of the Canes' fan base. Staal, who is in his prime years is expected to be one of the best players to wear a Canes jersey, as the developing franchise player is expected to exceed expectations. It's been reported that Staal wasn't stressing out over himself getting an extension underway, but, now that the extension is over with, Staal can continue to develop and rise beyond early expectations, and setting motivational goals for himself is one of thhe main goals in hockey he hopes to achieve.

Montreal Canadiens trade for Lang. Source: Not Eklund, but Sportsnet

Habs improve, Blackhawks rebuilding future grows.

The Montreal Canadiens have acquired Robert Lang from the Chicago Blackhawks, in exchange for the Habs' 2nd round pick. This could mean that the Habs have strengthened their offencive core, mainly due to the fact that Lang put up 54 points, which consists of 21 goals, and 33 assists. The 37 year old forward enters his 15th straight NHL season , but this time it's not with the Chicago Blackhawks, it's only with the Habs.

This trade can obviously show the younger guys on the Habs team how to get it done, with Lang being an experienced forward. Lang can and possibly will lead the younger minds of those who wish to gain success by motivation, and has the greater end of depth to greatly help them succeed in the playoffs, but this is only possible if he stays healthy. Failure to stay healthy, however, may damage the Habs chances of furtther succeeding without Lang.

On Chicago's end, this possibly was a salary dump, as they were already over the cap. It's most likely that Lang will gretly help the Habs with their offence developing and putting up more points. Look out for the team to finish 1st-4th, with teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, and possibly the New York Rangers finishing above/below the Habs.

In other Hab news, the Montreal Canadiens have also signed Patrice Brisebois to a one year extension, this extension would otherwise help their defence, as well, since Brisebois is also an experienced NHL d-man.