Ritters Rant: Beliveau In Our Hearts, Tired Of Kovi, and More...

Sad times in NHL circles: Former Montreal Canadien and 10-time Stanley Cup champion, Jean Beliveau, suffered a stroke Wednesday night and is now in a Montreal area hospital. Needless to say, anyone that has ever watched a hockey game is thinking about Beliveau today. Beliveau was one of the classiest players to ever lace up the skates; our hearts are with him and his family.  May he have a speedy recovery.

Keeping with the Montreal Canadiens—it seems the Canadiens have decided to part ways with enforcer Georges Laraque. Not sure what all the hoop-la is about, while tough, Laraque is a bit player who spends more time in the penalty box than he does on the ice. I mean, are the Habs really going to miss this guy???

Is it just me, or is everyone getting tired of all the Ilya Kovalchuk rumors? Let’s just make it simple, 29 teams will be interested in Kovalchuk’s services, only about six teams will be able to make a legitimate offer.

It says here it takes two legitimate NHL players, a blue-chip prospect, and a draft pick to get a Kovalchuk deal done—all other offers/rumors are pure fodder.

Zack Kassian got 20 games for his hit last week. If Kassian got 20 games, Patrice Cormier is going to get a lifetime ban. The biggest difference between the two hits? Kassian's hit was not entirely dirty. In fact, he did not appear to leave his feet, and his elbows were down. Cormier's hit was dirty and an act of cowardice...that's right, COWARDICE...and to think, this kid was Canada's captain...disgusting!

Of the six Canadian NHL teams, only one, the Vancouver Canucks, have a legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup, and even that is a long shot at best. The Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Montreal Canadiens all look like they will miss the playoffs, the Ottawa Senators are hanging onto a playoff spot by a thread, and the Calgary Flames do not have anywhere near the offense needed to compete in the playoffs. Sad, but true...

After a horrific start, Minnesota Wild forward Martin Havlat is starting to turn things around. Through 44 games Havlat has eight goals and 33 points—not exactly the numbers the Wild were looking for out of their high-priced free agent signee, but a step in the right direction nonetheless.

For the record, Havlat had just two goals and nine points in his first 21 games. Havlat also sported a -16 rating, which, at the time, put him on the “worst offseason signing” list.

It’s all well and good that the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals are playing tonight, but would it not have been a good idea if the NHL had the Pens and Caps going head-to-head earlier in the season?

Here you have two of the biggest stars in the League in Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin battling out for the first time all season and we are at the 50 game mark? Sorry NHL, you missed the boat on this one...

Speaking of the Penguins, that worst overall power play is now ranked 26th—hardly great improvement, but a step in the right direction. Which teams owns the worst power play now? The Ottawa Senators followed by the offensively-challenged Calgary Flames (29th).

How long before Edmonton Oilers head coach Pat Quinn gets the axe? Sure, it's not all his fault, but for the love of God, that's one bad team in Oil Country, isn't it? Something has to give, maybe firing Quinn is the first step.

Brad Richards is playing some of the best hockey of his career. Through 47 games Richards has 14 goals and 57 points, good enough for sixth overall in the scoring race—yet, no Team Canada selection...what the???

Mike Green, top scoring NHL defenseman and fourth best plus minus amongst defensemen—yet no Team Canada selection...again, what the??? Sure hope Steve Yzerman and Co. know what they are doing...

Wouldn’t Vancouver Canucks defenseman Willie Mitchell look good in a Maple Leaf uniform??? He’s a free agent after this season—just saying is all...

Until next time,

Peace!