Anaheim Acquires Caron From Chicago

Several sources are reporting that the Anaheim Ducks have traded prospects Pierre Parenteau and Bruno St. Jacques to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for goaltender Sebastien Caron, and forwards Matthew Keith and Chris Durno. Look for Sebastien Caron to be the quick fix in Anaheim until they get goaltenders Ilya Bryzgalov and JS Giguere back from injury. Parenteau is 5′11, 195 pounds and was Anaheim’s 9th round pick in 2001. Bruno St. Jacques is a 26 year old defenceman who is 6′2, 210 pounds. Sebastien Caron was signed by the Blackhawks August 8, 2006 and has played in 9 games in the AHL with Norfolk with a record of 4-4-4, a 4.03 goals against average, and an .868 SV%. Matt Keith has played in 19 games for Norfolk in the AHL this season scoring 2 goals and 6 assists with 15 PIM’s and a +2 rating. He has also played in two games with the Blackhawks this season but did not register a point in his short stay. Durno has played in 22 games also with Norfolk of the AHL scoring 4 goals and 1 assist with 61 penalty minutes.

Devils Newark Arena to be Named

Prudential Financial has apparently agreed to pay about $5 million dollars a year for the naming rights of the Devils new arena set to open for the 2007-2008 season. If the deal is worked out the $365 million dollar state-of-the-art arena will be named the Prudential Center. The deal could be for as long as 20 years. For those that don’t know, Prudential is an insurance and financial services company who were said to be in the lead for the naming rights as soon as the arena was announced, as they have their headquarters only a few blocks down the street from the building site. If the deal is signed (according to the principal owner Jeff Vanderbeek they are “very close”) the 18,000 seater will become known as the “Prudential Center” and will no longer be known as ”The Newark Arena”. An early nickname for this arena already spreading is “The Rock” as Prudential’s logo and ad campaigns feature a rock.

Around The Boards: WJC edition

Next week the worlds best young hockey players convulge on Sweden for the 2006 World Junior Championships. The best young talent from Canada, United States, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Switzerland and Belarus hit the ice for a 10 day tourmanent to determine the world best. Last year Canada dominated on the way to the Gold Medal, but strong teams from the US, Czech Republic and Sweden aim to knock the Canadians off the top of the mountain.

Around The Boards

Around the Boards hits this week with another coaching change in the NHL, ESPNs possible return to hockey and a get well wish to Phil Kessel.

Blues fire Kitchen, name Murray head coach

The St. Louis Blues became the latest team to fire their coach. TSN is reporting the Blues have fired Head Coach Mike Kitchen and replaced him with former Los Angeles Kings coach Andy Murray. Murray signed a multi-year deal to coach the team.

Around The Boards

Around The Boards hits again this week, ready to tackle three big stories of the week. Tonight we will touvh on the GM meetings in Toronto, possible personnel changes in Pittsburgh and the slew of jersey retirements and honors for former players.

Goaltenders of the Month

This a new monthly feature you will see on The NHL Line from now on. It’s the top three goalies from the previous month, and I will usually post it a few days after the month is over. Here it is, the three stars for the month of November are:

Best/Worst Trades and FA signings of 2006

Usually at the quarter point of any sports season, team personnell can begin to realize if a certain trade or signing is going to work out the way they envisioned it would.

Leafs deal Tellqvist to Coyotes

The Toronto Maple Leafs have finally moved their excess netminder, sending Mikael Tellqvist to the Phoenix Coyotes for rugged winger Tyson Nash and a draft pick.

Blackhawks fire Yawney

A slow start has cost another NHL coach his job.

TSN.Ca is reporting the Blackhawks have fired Head Coach Trent Yawney and replaced him with former Blackhawk legend and current assistant coach Denis Savard. Injuries and a porous offense have led the Blackhawks to a bad start of the regular season. Martin Havlat and Nikolai Khabibulin have both missed significant time with injuries and Michael Handzus was lost for the season earlier this year with a knee injury.