It should be a happy time for the Notre Dame Hounds graduate and his family.Being drafted into the NHL is simply an afterthought due to the fact his older sister Mandi is battling leukemia in Saskatchewan.

Before the illness, the feisty 22-year-old played for the Yale Bulldogs, and was once a candidate for the women's under-22 Canadian National team.

While Mandi's teammates will boast she has always been a fighter (as before being diagnosed with leukemia in December at the age of 20, her streak of 73 straight games played was the longest on the team), she is running out of time and needs stem cell donors within the next few weeks to save her life.

Her family and a doctor in New Haven, Conn., have issued a wide plea for stem cell donors on two fronts.

They are searching for bone marrow matches and are also asking for umbilical cord blood from women about to give birth.

When it comes to bone-marrow donation, the best match is someone with the same heritage as Schwartz, which is German, Ukrainian and Russian. Umbilical-cord blood doesn't have to be a perfect match.

If the family can get a partially-matched cord blood, it's better than a partially-matched bone marrow because it has no immune problems. When the baby is born, the umbilical cord is there and they cut it, and they're going to throw it away; instead of throwing it away, you take the cord blood out of it.

The website www.becomemandishero.org has information about cord-blood donation for Mandi.

For those interested in bone-marrow donation, a simple cheek swab will determine if there's a match. Go to the websites onematch.ca in Canada, and bethematch.org in the United States.

If a perfect match isn't found and the transplant doesn't happen soon, Schwartz—a person revered by her teammates and coaches for her kindness and selflessness—will not make it to 23.

"I never heard her complain once," says Hilary Witt, the former Yale women's hockey coach. "You wonder how something like this can happen to someone who doesn't have a bad bone in her body."

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Schwartz family, and urge people to go and find out if they may indeed be a match.

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Now, the Coyotes' future in Arizona is once again being questioned, as Canadian billionaire David Thomson is waiting to see if he will be able to buy the team and bring them back to Winnipeg.

With the city of Glendale's politicians set to meet and discuss a proposed tax to help the club payoff a $14.7 million deficit, the chances of taxpayers' money being used to help a struggling sports franchise is about as likely as Oprah gracing the cover of the next Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Especially when the entire country is still amidst a recession.

And, while I as a Canadian would like nothing more than to see the Jets return to Winnipeg, you have to feel for the Desert Dogs who are coming off an unbelievable season.

Let's face it, the NHL should have never pulled out of Manitoba to begin with. Though I understand the reasons they felt the need to. With no arena and no corporate support, there was very little choice but to look elsewhere.

That being said, the NHL is about to pull the plug on a franchise that really wasn't given much of an opportunity to succeed. Let's face it, the team has been brutal for the most part, and in just about any other market would have been a tough sell.

If the team had of been even remotely successful, we wouldn't be talking about this matter right now. Yet, because of consistent poor decisions made by former owners and management, the Coyotes dug themselves a hole too deep to crawl out of.

They were destined to fail.

In a perfect NHL, there would be teams in Winnipeg, along with Quebec and Hamilton, and the Coyotes would remain in Phoenix.

While in previous eras the talent pool was not rich enough to support a 33-team league, we are now seeing a trend where younger players make it sooner rather than later, and there is an increase of popularity with kids playing the game in the US and worldwide.

Not to mention players calling it quits at a younger age as a result of the salary cap and the youth movement. A bigger league would extend a few careers.

In all likelihood, the Jets will land in Winnipeg next season, which is very exciting, but it comes on the heels of the Phoenix Coyotes finally turning a corner.

As much as I am not a fan of the NHL going into non-traditional hockey markets, the fact is, if teams win on the ice, they will succeed at the gate.

In fact, the Coyotes, as bad as they have been over the years, averaged 15,000 fans per game until this season dropped to 11,989 which was around the same amount that attended Jets games (11,316) the season prior to them moving to Arizona.

Yes, I can't wait to see the Winnipeg Jets square off against the Vancouver Canucks next season, but it will leave a bitter taste in my mouth simply because it shouldn't have come to this.

The Coyotes shouldn't leave Phoenix, just like the Jets shouldn't have left Winnipeg. Not when there are signs that things could work, otherwise it's like pulling the plug on a coma victim that just started eating.

Kudos Winnipeg, for getting back your beloved Jets. I guess fans in Phoenix now will just have to wait for the Panthers to become available.

http://www.andrewsstarspage.com/index.php/site/comments/nhl_average_attendance_since_1989_90/118-2008-09

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While much of the blame has been directed at Alexander Ovechkin's inability to score in the Caps final three games of the series, the NHL's version of Bono still led the team in points with 10 (5G,5A) against the Habs.

Yes, he was about as predictable as a romantic comedy starring Matthew McConaughey, coming down the wing and taking a snap shot that was blocked by Canadien defenders nine out of ten times.

That being said, at least Ovie was working hard trying to create offense, and if it wasn't for Jarolsav Halak doing his best Ken Dryden impersonation the Capitals most certainly would have moved on to the second round.

Which brings me to Alexander Semin.

Semin was absolutely lathargic for the most part, and after scoring 40 goals during the regular season, he posted a measly 2 assists in the seven games against Montreal.

And to think, just a year and a half ago, the unproductive playoff performer was knocking the Penguins Sidney Crosby stating in an interview, "What's so special about [Crosby]? I don't see anything special there. Yes, he does skate well, has a good head, good pass. But there's nothing else."

Well, there is something else Alexander...heart, which you need in order to get it done in the big games.

If Semin had half the heart and drive as the aforementioned Crosby, he may have been a difference maker, as 3 of the 4 games the Capitals lost were by just one goal.

While the Capitals management is looking for a player to single out, they need look no further than Semin, who is set to become a restricted free agent come July 1st.

It would be a shock to see the Caps offer him anywhere near the $4.6 million he made the last two seasons after his playoff performance, especially with Niklas Backstrom set to also become a RFA, and going to command a hefty raise on his $2.4 million salary.

The Caps may be best to let the Russian winger sign elsewhere in order to recieve the 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks that would be compensation, then spend that money to sign a proven playoff performer like the Detroit Red Wings 37-year-old Tomas Holmstrom.

Yes, it is just a bold prediction that Semin will not be back in a Capitals jersey next year. But can they afford to keep him? And even if they could, do they want him?

If you weigh in his magnificent disappearing act in the playoffs, and what this team could recieve in return, the writing may just be on the wall.

Yes, Alexander Semin, you are the weakest link...goodbye!

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For Brian Burke it was in 1999, when he wheeled and dealed his way at the NHL Entry Draft, and came away with the Sedin twinkies.

In 1991, Pittsburgh GM Craig Patrick acquired Ron Francis, Ulf Samuelsson, and Grant Jennings from the Hartford Whalers for Zarley Zalapski, John Cullen, and Jeff Parker, and turned a good Penguins team into a great one.

And unless Darryl Sutter can pull off a magic trick worthy of Chris Angel, then his defining moment may just be the failure to keep Mike Cammalleri in the fold last July, and going out and signing defenseman Jay Bouwmeester instead.

For $2 million more per year, no less!

I often wonder what was going through the Flames GM's head when he looked at his roster that boasted an elite goaltender and an abundance of quality blueliners. Yet, he let his leading goal-scorer and second overall point getter walk to Montreal for $5 million per, in order to sign yet another defenseman.

It was about as brainless as calling the late Anna Nicole Smith talented.

And it has been magnified by what Cammalleri has done for the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs so far, scoring 6 goals and 11 points in 8 games. He also has added energy, won faceoffs, and been great on the Habs special teams.

Basically, the same things he did in Calgary for one year. 

Yes, Sutter did acquire Mikka Kiprusoff from San Jose for a 2nd round pick (Marc-Edouard Vlasic), but when you look at his entire body of work with the organization it isn't very impressive.

Not for lack of trying mind you.

It seems like everything he touches these days just doesn't pan out in Cowtown, from Tony Amonte and Olli Jokinen, to the recent busts of Niklas Hagman and Ales Kotalik, who couldn't score with a fistfull of hundred dollar bills at a Las Vegas brothel.

That being said, the ones that did seemed to get away, as before Cammalleri it was Kristian Huselius who scored 34 and 25 goals respectfully before being snatched by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

While I was pessimistic to what the Canadiens GM Bob Gainey did over the summer, his moves have seemed to work, something that can't be said of the aforementioned Darryl Sutter since acquiring Kipper in 2003.

The Flames season didn't fizzle because of the Phaneuf trade, it was extinguished long before hand.

In the summer of 2009 to be exact.

That was when Mike Cammalleri was scooped up by the Canadiens GM Bob Gainey.

Yes, Montreal's gain, was truly the Calgary Flames biggest loss this season, and Darryl Sutter is going to have try and define himself with his next move.

That may be tough to do with no picks in the first three rounds of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, and little cap space to lure a big name free agent.

Then again, if Pat Quinn could acquire Markus Nalsund for Alek Stojanov back in the day, then maybe, just maybe there is a flickering hope that the Flames will catch fire again.

If the Cammalleri led Canadiens have taught me anything in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, it's that anything is indeed possible.

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Nothing could be further from the truth.

With Martin Brodeur's struggles in the playoffs, Ilya Kovalchuk's pending free agency, and the Oilers winning the NHL Draft lottery, there is still a heap of hockey gossip circulating amongst the media and fans.

Some of it may be as plausible as Ricky Martin coming out with another hit album. Still, with every rumour almost always comes an underlying truth.

That being said, I thought I'd toss a few of these gems out there. Just a few things I picked up online, and from talks at my local sports bar after a few pops.

Jarome Iginla Heading Home to Edmonton?

It may seem a little far-fetched, but if the Steve Staois trade taught us anything as fans, it wouldn't be unheard of to see the Calgary Flames do business with their Provincial rivals in Edmonton.

Originally I heard this scenario through a relative, that the Oilers would move their number one pick to acquire the 32-year-old Jarome Iginla from the Flames.

That is highly unlikely.

But, a deal that may involve either restricted free agent Sam Gagner or Andrew Cogliano along with some other prospects may not be entirely out of question. Especially for a franchise in Edmonton that is looking to ice some more quality veterans to go with their youth movement.

Meanwhile, the Flames want to get younger and faster moving forward.

Personally I believe that Iggy isn't on the market, and if he is, he will land in either Boston or Philadelphia.

If you were a team that was close to winning, would you give up Jeff Carter or the second overall selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft for a veteran player that hasn't scored less than 30 goals in the last ten years?

A New Marty in New Jersey?

Martin Brodeur may just be at the crossroads of his career, as he was unable to get it done in the playoffs yet again, going 1-4 with a 3.01 goals against average and a .880 save percentage in New Jersey's first-round exit to the Philadelphia Flyers.

While the soon to be 38-year-old has looked good during the regular season, he has lost his knack for playing in the big game.

Long story short, the Devils may want to leave the past behind them and seek a new tender for their immediate future.

The quick fix?

Look no further than unrestricted free agent Marty Turco to fill the void, if Brodeur indeed decides to calls it quits.

If not, Turco would look good in Philly, as it is unlikely UFA Ray Emery will be back and Brian Boucher, despite his impressive numbers so far in the playoffs, is not a number one backstop.

Brian Burke Would Like to Land Kovalchuk in Leaf Nation

It won't be a surprise if GM Brian Burke does make a push to get UFA Ilya Kovalchuk come July 1. Especially when it is only a matter of time before he deals Tomas Kaberle.

With a blue line that has elite talent even without Kaberle, and two quality goalies in Giguere and Gustavsson to carry the load, the Leafs just need some more punch up front.

With Kovalchuk being the best of the bunch, Burke will be licking his chops to lure him to Toronto.

If not, plan B doesn't look to bad either, namely Patrick Marleau.

Calgary Flames Like Tootoo

With very little wiggle room, in terms of cap space for the Calgary Flames, they hope it's enough to fit in a Tootoo.

A 26-year-old UFA, Jordan Tootoo is a player Calgary GM Darryl Sutter would love to have in Cowtown, and the price would be right as he made $975,000 in Nashville this year and wouldn't be a huge hit at $1.2 million.

For what he lacks in offense, he more than makes up for with work ethic and toughness, and could be exactly the type of player this Flames team needs moving forward.

http://dansallows.com/

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It starts in minor hockey, and goes all the way up to the pros.

Though it may be looked down upon, it can have an ill effect on one's opponent, and take their head right out of the game.

Just look at the way New York Rangers winger Sean Avery got under the skin of Devils goaltender Marty Brodeur in the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The future Hall-of-Fame tender said afterwards, "It was not an easy series, that's for sure. They did a great job of getting to me, getting in front of me and making my life tough out there."

And, he refused to shake the pesky Avery's hand after his New Jersey squad was eliminated in the first round by the Blueshirts.

There is nothing wrong with a little playful banter, especially if the end result is your team winning.

It doesn't always have to be harsh words either. A simple knock on a guy's inability to score can put a player over the edge.

Last season in the Western Hockey League, Los Angeles Kings prospect Thomas Hickey (while playing with the Seattle Thunderbirds), took a jab at the Tri-City Americans Eric Mestery.

With the teams locked up at 2-2 in the 3rd period, Mestery got a back door feed and shot it chest on the Thunderbirds netminder. As Hickey skated by the Tri-City bench he said, “Hey Mestery, it's the third period. Goalies are warm, shoot to score!”

Even Mestery's own teammates got a chuckle outta that one.

With that being said, here are a few of my favorite hockey chirps. You may want to put the women and children to bed for some of these folks, or if you are one of those guys that likes to write poems and collect butterflies then quit reading now.

So without further ado, here is my list of Top 20 Hockey Chirps, in no particular order.

20. "Hey goalie, I've seen coupons that save more than you."

19. "It must be hard to eat, when you got no hands."

18. (When a player rarely makes it in the lineup) "You've been scratched more times than a lottery ticket."

17. "That's a nice helmet...does it come in men's too?"

16. (When a player hits the post on a shot) "Nice one, just like your mom, smoke pole like a champ."

15. "You're just like a tampon. Only good for one period."

14. (When a player with a visor is talking trash) "What's that? Roll down your window, I can't hear you."

13. "I've seen better hands on a digital clock."

12. (To a player that is dangling the D all night) "You must have been dodgin' coat hangers the first nine months of yer life."

11. "You're easier to undress than a drunk chick."

10. "I've seen bigger hits in Little League."

9. "Your girl is like a pack of timbits, for $2 I can share her with the rest of the team."

8. "Hey tender, switch to Geico so you can save more."

7. At the face off, do a double take of the guy your squaring off against and say..."Hey man, does your coach know you're out here?"

6. (To a ref making too many bad calls) "Hey stripes, the whistle ain't a dick, get it out of your mouth."

5. "My left nut dangles better than you."

4. "Hey buddy can I borrow your hands, I need a stone for my skates."

3. "Ray Charles sees more ice than you."

2. "Hey tender, your legs are so wide open you make Jenna Jameson look like a saint."

1. "Funny, I heard you were the worst player on your last team too."

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The recipe for success is simple really. The louder it gets in the building, the more energized the players will be from the crowd.

There is a reason it's called "home ice advantage" especially when the fans are loud and boisterous.

Instead, the fans in Vancouver for the most part have about as much heartfelt emotion as a Tiger Woods apology speech.

It is a far cry from the atmosphere that is displayed in hockey cities like Detroit, Chicago and Montreal come playoff time.

Now I'm not saying it's the be all end all, the onus really comes down to the players that are making millions to perform night in and night out.

Even more so come playoff time.

But, if not for the towels that are layed out on each seat before game time, Vancouver fans may just be a bunch of suits and skirts, especially in the lower bowl.

What gives?

They can afford club seats and a Gucci suit, but not a Canucks jersey? I really don't get it.

Looking around the league, there are white outs in Phoenix and Pittsburgh, a sea of red in Washington, and the newly formed black sea in Los Angeles.

You think they could man up in Vancouver, and attempt to all sport the Canuck blue.

Even the Calgary fans show more team pride in the preseason, each one of them donning an official Flames jersey, making up a "C" of red.

It may just be a case of the knowledgeable fan not being able to afford to go to the games. After all, Vancouver has one of the highest ticket prices in the NHL, so Joe Schmo blue-collar worker can't afford to attend games.

The problem is, he is more passionate about the game of hockey then some businessman who is trying to impress a date.

The end result, is what we see in the seats at Canucks games as opposed to just about any other NHL teams arena that is in the Stanley Cup Playoffs right now.

So if the Kings fans are gonna wear black, Canucks fans should give 'em blue...and hope their team can inflict those same two colours on their new friends from Hollywood, or else this series may just be over faster than a Drew Doughty point shot.

I'm a Calgary Flames fan, but I would cheer for the Vancouver Canucks if they were the last Canadian club in the dance.

That is if the Canucks fans could learn how to cheer for them first.

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While clubs like Montreal, Colorado and Ottawa seem to be the real life music video to Spoon's song "The Underdog" the clubs they are facing will be making some major changes if they are indeed eliminated in the first round.

Which means, with names like Thomas Vokoun, Robyn Regehr and Sheldon Souray being tossed around, there will be some serious tire kicking going on by clubs that see themselves as contenders.

With that being said, here is a look at the latest rumours from around the NHL.

Tomas Vokoun To Be Traded

It was reported today on Sportsnet that the Florida Panthers will move goaltender Tomas Vokoun before the NHL Entry Draft, and there will be some interest from numerous teams for his services despite the $5.7 million he is set to make next season.

Vokoun was undoubtedly the Panthers' best player again this season, going 23-28-11 while posting a 2.55 goals against average, a .925 save percentage and seven shutouts on a less than average team.

If the Sharks have another disappointing playoffs, look for them to show some interest in the 33-year-old Czech tender, especially with Evgeni Nabokov set to become a UFA this summer.

Another team that may have a stake in where Vokoun ends up would be the Philadelphia Flyers, who desperately need a No.1 goalie despite the efforts of Brian Boucher, as Ray Emery most likely won't be resigned. 

Although, Marty Turco's name has been thrown around in Philly as well, for he has won a Cup, and would come much cheaper than the aforementioned Vokoun.

Robyn Regehr Coming up on the Radar

While the Calgary Flames are destined to make some changes in the off season, don't look for them to be overly drastic and clean house completely.

That being said, 29-year-old defenseman Robyn Regehr, who has spent his entire career with Calgary, looks to be on the move.

The Flyers are a club that will be interested, as well as the Colorado Avalanche and Anaheim Ducks, who are set to face some big changes on their bluelines come July 1st.

It may be unlikely that the Flames would deal within the division, but they did acquire Steve Staois from the Edmonton Oilers this year, so anything is possible when hell freezes over.

Sheldon Souray May Find Out That the Pens Are Mightier Than the Sword

Speaking about those Edmonton Oilers, while it is well known Sheldon Souray is on his way out, interest may be limited with his $5.4 million contract and his bad attitude.

Though, if the Pittsburgh Penguins can't resign Sergei Gonchar, then Souray may be their man.

With the plethora of young talent the Penguins could ship to the Oilers, it may be a deal that fits the bill of both clubs.

If Anaheim's Scott Niedermayer retires, and Atlanta loses Pavel Kubina to free agency, don't be surprised to see those teams in the Souray mix as well.

That is unless Souray says sorry.

Thrashers Need To Make a Splash Come July 1st

If the Thrashers don't sign a big name free agent or two come July 1st, don't expect the struggling franchise to call Atlanta their home much longer.

With names like Patrick Marleau, Alexander Frolov and Milan Hejduk set to be UFAs and some big ticket restricted free agents as well, Atlanta needs to take a step forward in order to improve.

They have a ton of cap space available for the upcoming 2010-11 season, now they need to put it to good use.

First things first though, they need to find a coach!

Craig MacTavish, who will coach the Thrashers Evander Kane and Rich Peverley at the upcoming World Championships, could be their man.

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