Chris Nichols

­Chris Nichols is Sportsnet.ca's fantasy hockey writer.

@Nichols_NHLPool on Twitter for timely NHL & poolie info, along with occasionally snarky comments.

Live blogging nightly: line combos, defensive pairings, analysis, statistical trends and more from every game on the NHL docket. Refresh the 'Live NHL Recap' page while the games are on to get new info as it is added.

Send in a brief fantasy hockey question, including all relevant league info, and it may be included in a future Hockey Hearsay blog during the week. One per person, please. Send it via Twitter for a possible response in the blog, or send via email (include your first name and hometown to represent!) if you'd prefer. chris.nichols@sportsnet.rogers.com

A Tomas Kaberle deal has been years in the making (last night marked the three billionth rumour started in that time), but it's - apparently, supposedly, allegedly - finally done. He's off to Boston for towering forward prospect Joe Colborne, Boston's first round pick this summer and a conditional pick based on whether the UFA-to-be Kaberle re-ups with the Bruins.

Immediately, this deal should help Kaberle's respectable -2 rating climb. He was easily Toronto's leader in power play minutes with 4:24 per game and now it seems like we'll see Zdeno Chara (3:15 PP per game leads all Boston players by 1:03) and Kaberle on the point of PP1. Boston often uses a forward in that spot, so either they'll continue to do that and move Kaberle onto PP2 (seems less likely overall, but it would make for a deadly secondary unit), or they'll use Kaberle to feed Boston forwards and Chara's big shot on PP1. Stay tuned to the nightly Live NHL recaps for game-by-game analysis.

Either way, the Bruins will provide way more offensive support for Kaberle than he received in Toronto.

On the flip side of this deal, Dion Phaneuf's PP time will rise because he's now clearly the No. 1 option on D in those situations. Toronto still needs more offence up front, but that'll come in due time.

Colborne has a couple of years at the University of Denver under his belt and in his first full AHL season this year, he has 12-14-26 in 55 GP. He's 6-5 though and as the old saying goes, you can't teach size. I remember when he was drafted 16th overall in 2008 that the scouts said he'd be one of those longer-term projects, but he'd be worth the wait. We'll see. Hopefully the Leafs added another good one here.

News broke this morning that the Ottawa Senators had traded goaltender Brian Elliott (RFA) to the Colorado Avalanche for Craig Anderson (UFA).

While Robin Lehner remains the goalie of the future for the Sens, it's now clear that in addition to the likelihood that Pascal Leclaire (UFA) will not be with the Sens beyond this season - they've also decided to go in a different direction from Elliott, who could have been qualified to remain in Ottawa.

So the rest of the season will be an audition of sorts for Anderson, who has certainly had a rough season. IMO, he hasn't been able to find a rhythm because of both injuries and the Avs' horrible play in front of him. He is, I believe, a clear upgrade over Elliott and the injury-jinxed Leclaire. But even if the Sens don't think so this summer, there will be absolutely no problem for the team to sign another competent veteran to start next season and allow Lehner time to develop either as the back-up at the NHL level or as a heavy-starter in the AHL. It's a win-win for the Sens.

On the Colorado side: Anderson and Peter Budaj will be UFAs this summer, so this does at least give them an assurance that they'll have someone no matter what. And make no mistake - I'm not denegrating Elliott because I think he's a solid guy who received too little support with the Sens (he and Anderson will each feel right at home swapping places, in that respect).

But this will absolutely be a buyer's market for goalies this summer and the Avs, while they need lots of help defensively, have a great core of young forwards and should still be considered an up and coming team. If the plan is to not re-sign Budaj, then I'm all for this trade because Elliott represents an upgrade over Budaj. If the team will be eying another potential free agent this summer to compete with Elliott for the No. 1 job, then great. If the team remains enamored with Budaj - who has actually made strides consistency-wise in many respects - as the No. 2, then I just don't get it.

Another deal right before publication today: The Bruins dealt Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart to the Atlanta Thrashers for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik.

Down and dirty: Wheeler is going to play a more important offensive role with the Thrashers than he was getting in Boston. This'll be good for his development.

Peverley can play both centre and the wing, which gives Boston versatility and depth as they continue to load up for a playoff run to take advantage of the success of the team and the year Tim Thomas is having. Stay tuned to the live blogging for line assignments, but Peverley's +/- will be going north now and we know that he's quite capable of getting hot offensively. Depending on your particular situation and FA options, he might make a good stretch run grab.

I'm also hoping this deal provides Valabik the opportunity he's been waiting for that he wasn't finding with the Thrashers. Good kid. Great size. Could be a solid supporting cast type in a place like Boston.

As the NHL's trade deadline quickly approaches, you can find Sportsnet.ca's team-by-team breakdown of all players scheduled to become restricted or unrestricted free agents on July 1, 2011.

NHL Free Agents: Western Conference

NHL Free Agents: Eastern Conference

And yes, I'll be doing something live on trade deadline day in one form or another. OF COURSE I'll be doing something live for the trade deadline. I live for days like that. It's when news like that first breaks that you can separate the people who work closely with this info nightly from, well, the others. It's not necessarily about getting it right 100% of the time because there are too many variables in play to do that, but Twitter especially is proving how many people really have no clue what's going on outside their own neck of the woods.

Speaking of which... if you were ever going to follow me on Twitter, now would be a good time to start. I'm conscious of the fact that people don't want inane babble on there and I try to keep each tweet relevant and worthwhile.

The Orange County Register reports that the Ducks made another trade to fortify their lineup well ahead of the trade deadline with the acquisition Thursday of veteran forward Jarkko Ruutu.

The depth winger was dealt from last place Ottawa to the Ducks for a sixth-round draft pick this summer in a shrewd move that gives the Ducks a defensive forward and penalty killer for the stretch run to the postseason.

It was the second significant trade in nine days by Ducks general manager Bob Murray, who has been quite active before the Feb. 28 deadline. He also re-acquired defenseman Francois Beauchemin on Feb. 9.

"Jarkko is an effective, two-way player that we feel will help us down the stretch," Murray said in a release. "He's the energetic, gritty type of addition we were looking for."

Ruutu fills an immediate need on the fourth line as the Ducks have lately scratched Kyle Chipchura and rotated other forwards to play alongside Todd Marchant and George Parros.

The Register says that an 11-year veteran, Ruutu, 35, was understandably happy to be thrust on to a contending team in a wildly competitive Western Conference race.

"That's what it's all about," Ruutu said. "When you're not in the playoffs, you're not really playing for anything. Getting traded to a team that is playing really well lately and in the playoff race with how tight it is in the West, it's really exciting for me."

Ruutu's $1.3 million contract expires this summer, so the Ducks are banking that his rental will help expedite a playoff berth.

"They're going to see a guy that plays both ends of the ice — keeps it simple, tries to create energy on the ice and make it hard for the other team to play," Ruutu said of his game. "Nothing fancy, but effective."

Ruutu happened to follow the Ducks on television recently, partly because he is a longtime teammate of Teemu Selanne, Saku Koivu and Toni Lydman on Finland's national team.

"I know the guys pretty well," Ruutu said. "Many times before the season, the guys would come over here, especially Lydman and Teemu, and we would practice. We know each other."

The Register also notes that goalie Ray Emery could make his debut for the Ducks' organization today with Syracuse (AHL). Crunch coach Mark Holick reportedly said it will be up to Emery to determine whether he's ready to play after warmups. If Emery doesn't go Friday, it is likely he'll play Saturday.

The Calgary Herald believes that Leland Irving has earned the title of heir apparent for the backup goaltending job with the Calgary Flames. When will the job actually open? No one knows. But the Swan Hills, Alta. native is clearly next in line behind Henrik Karlsson to serve as caddy for the venerable Miikka Kiprusoff.

Just look at the resume Irving is building this season in the Lower Mainland. The 22-year-old leads the American Hockey League in minutes played (2,620) and games played (46.) Terrific one-on-one, Irving has already set an AHL record this season with nine shootout victories. He sits second in the league with five shutouts. Owns a 2.31 goals-against-average and a save percentage of .912.

Make no mistake: should something untoward happen to Kiprusoff (perish the thought) or Henrik Karlsson, Irving is the next man up.

"I would be lying to you if I said I wasn't looking to get a chance up there," Irving says. "But I do realize there's a bigger picture and I'm excited with the way things have gone."

With good reason, says The Herald. Back in the summer, Calgary goaltending coach Jamie McLennan said the time had come for Irving to take the next step in his development in the coming season and separate himself from a crowded crease in Abbotsford.

"He decided last summer that he was going to commit himself to conditioning," says Abbotsford head coach Jim Playfair.

"He reported to the summer development camp in excellent shape."

In years past, Irving worked over the summer up in the northern Alberta oilfields for his family's excavating company. Last summer, he trained full-time and even consulted with goalie coach Lyle Mast. Mast worked with Irving on his positioning. Taught him to better track the puck.

The tutelage worked with Irving cleanly winning the duel with Matt Keetley (who, after failing to win the starting job, suffered a knee injury) for the starting job on the farm.

"Last year, I had a deal with Darryl (Sutter) that I was going to play each goaltender and split time right up the middle until Christmas to see how it shook out," Playfair says. This year was different. The deal was whoever was going to step up and be No. 1 would be the No. 1. We wanted to identify a No. 3 in the organization.

"Leland took that challenge on."

Irving told The Herald, "I've had to earn this," of the starting job. "It wasn't handed to me. And It's not going to be handed to me for the rest of the season. It's one of those things where I have to perform and play well. But above all else, I've got to win.

"I'm just trying to get as many wins in the win column as I can. The rest of it doesn't really matter if we're not putting up two points on the board every night."

As for next season, Karlsson is an unrestricted free agent. The Flames could give him a raise and bring him back. They could opt for Irving. They could make it a contest in training camp. Or sign someone else. Decisions, decisions.

"The most important thing for me right now is my development," Irving says. " Playing a lot down here is going to do more for my development than sitting on the bench up there.

"I know there's lots of opportunity for me. But all I can do is control my game."

The Columbus Dispatch reports that the Jackets placed 23-year old Derick Brassard on injured reserve yesterday and he is expected to miss at least two to three weeks after getting struck by a slap shot from teammate Jan Hejda in the opening minute of a 4-3 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

The initial MRI revealed no breaks, Brassard said, but a second one was done "because (doctors) saw something in there." General manager Scott Howson would not comment on the result but noted the timetable for Brassard's return remains unchanged. Typically, a broken hand would take longer to heal, four to six weeks.

Playing between Rick Nash and Jake Voracek, Brassard had been a pivotal contributor to the recent 8-3-3 surge. He had five goals and eight assists in that span.

"Things were going so well," Brassard said. "I was playing like everyone wanted me to play and our line was producing well. I was able to play 56 straight games and then something like this happens. It's frustrating."

The Dispatch indicates that the Jackets are six points out of the final Western Conference playoff spot with the Feb.28 NHL trade deadline rapidly approaching.

Howson said he won't make a stop-gap deal, but that he continues searching for a means to improve the club. He is in a difficult position with the Blue Jackets in striking distance of the postseason yet unable to make up ground in the past month even with their top centre playing so well.

"If there's a way we can help overcome the loss externally, that's what we're going to try to do, but it hasn't changed any of the talks we have been having," Howson said.

Brassard, who has established career highs in goals (14) and points (39), probably hasn't played as well for an extended stretch since the 2008-09 season. He was a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year before requiring season-ending shoulder surgery in December 2008 after a fight with Dallas' James Neal.

I will be back," he said. "My season is not over."

The article notes that against the Kings, Columbus got a boost from grinder Derek MacKenzie, who contributed two assists on the line with Nash and Voracek.

Arniel declined to say who will centre the top line tonight. MacKenzie certainly is an option. So is Antoine Vermette, who had a career year last season with Nash on his right side. Arniel also could move R.J. Umberger from winger to centre, but the alternate captain seems to lose offensive potency when making that switch.

Howson said he had no immediate plan to promote a forward from minor-league Springfield. Dipping into junior hockey for centre Ryan Johansen, the Blue Jackets' first-round pick in 2010, also doesn't appear likely.

The Edmonton Journal observes that it’s easy to underestimate the value of Shawn Horcoff.

Not always wise, but easy.

Because the guy makes too much money, right? Way too much. And he isn’t really a first-line centre, right? Not with those point totals. That’s generally the extent of the argument.

So the Edmonton Oilers crest Horcoff wears proudly might as well be a bull’s-eye for all the direct hits he takes even when playing well, and particularly when he isn’t. The offensive numbers he puts up don’t mesh with those on his paycheque and never will.

But there is value way beyond the goals and assists, even beyond his obvious prowess as a penalty killer, faceoff man and two-way player. Oilers fans found that out yet again this week, when Horcoff came back with a bang from a bout with bronchitis that cost him two games and apparently brought Ales Hemsky and Nikolai Khabibulin with him, giving the Oilers a potent top line and impenetrable starting goalie again. Oh yeah, and a fourth line that would bang and crash and create momentum, too.

The Journal believes that Horcoff’s influence on Hemsky and linemate Dustin Penner is easiest to see, of course, since they work together out in public. But Horcoff does some of his best captain stuff behind the closed doors of the Oilers room.

“Not only is he a good player who does a lot for the team on the ice, he brings stability to the room, big time,” said Andrew Cogliano, who drew an assist on Jordan Eberle’s winning goal against the Habs.

“When he’s here, the room is calmer, the room is more poised. We’re able to focus when we’re down, and when we’re up he gets us to stay on our toes, so he’s a huge part of this team.”

He continued, “More and more, the last couple games, if he notices a mistake he will approach you about it in a professional way and that needs to happen,” Cogliano said of Horcoff. “If we’re not holding each other accountable you can just expect the same mistakes over and over again.”

There have been stretches, even with Horcoff in the lineup, when the Oilers repeatedly shoot themselves in the foot. It’s one of the many reasons they are still in 30th place. But Rome was not built in a day and this team will not be rebuilt that quickly either. The bad weekend Oilers are as much a part of this project as the Oilers who just beat Montreal and Dallas in convincing fashion. Such are the ups and downs of a young, inexperienced team, one that is learning exactly how much it needs its captain.

“I think there are two sides to our team and we have shown that, unfortunately, for most of the year,” Horcoff, who got tossed Thursday after a late third-period scuffle with Benoit Pouliot, told The Journal.

“I’ve said it all along, with us it’s preparation, it’s making sure guys are ready to go right off the bat. It’s intensity for us and we’re a team that gets better as the game goes on. Even in our worst games, we’ve shown that throughout the year. We have just put a lot of emphasis on ourselves about being ready at the drop of the puck.”

That’s why he was proud of the 1-0 first-period lead and, more than that, the early third-period burst that put a tie game out of reach.

“I’m a vocal guy. If I have something to say, I’ll say it. Listen, the guys want to win. We’ve got great attitudes in here, so it’s really easy to kind of lead. You say the right things, the little things that need to be done, and everybody goes out and does it.”

The Miami Herald indicates that Stephen Weiss is obviously playing through the pain. The Panthers’ top-line centre has seen his production drop as his shot doesn’t have the juice it once did and he struggles to win faceoffs.

“He’s playing through some things other guys wouldn’t,’’ coach Pete DeBoer said Thursday. “I have no issue with that.’’

Yet the thing that seems to be hurting Weiss the most isn’t his wrist, hand, shoulder, hip, knee or groin. What appears to be bothering Weiss the most these days is the thought that the Panthers may not want him anymore.

But that’s not the case. The Panthers just don’t have many valuable chips to deal in which to rebuild. Weiss is one of them.

“I love it here and I don’t want to go anywhere. I’ll stay here until my career is over if they’ll let me,’’ Weiss said Thursday morning, his eyes affixed on the locker-room floor. “But it’s not up to me. If management feels like they want to make a move and want to move on, I’ll have to consider it.’’

The article notes that Weiss’ name has been circulating in trade rumors the past few weeks, fueled by general manager Dale Tallon telling NHL.com that he would field offers for any player. Said Tallon: “This team hasn’t done anything in 10 years, so why wouldn’t I?’’

Weiss has been linked to Montreal, Boston, Washington and Los Angeles. It’s going to take a bundle for Tallon to part with his top centre, a product of the Florida system who, unlike a good number, wants to be part of the Panthers’ solution and not bail on it.

The reality is Weiss is probably not going anywhere. The Panthers have “plenty of holes’’ as DeBoer put it. Weiss is not one of them. Despite his offensive struggles – which DeBoer has written off to his increasing number of injuries – Weiss is still very productive. He also carries a very favorable contract (signed through 2012-13 at $3.1 million per season) and is considered one of the Panthers’ true leaders.

“I try to not listen to it, but to be honest, it’s weighing on my mind,’’ Weiss said. “. . . I’ve talked to some guys who have been through it, and they say that you can’t think about it and keep playing. I know that already. But . . . it’s been bugging me a little.’’

The Herald writes that as an alternate captain for four seasons, Weiss is the heavy favorite to be Florida’s next captain if Bryan McCabe were to be moved by the Feb. 28 trade deadline or not return next season.

“He’s been a leader here since Day One,’’ said DeBoer, who coached Weiss in the Canadian junior. “He hasn’t looked for a way out of town, hasn’t complained about personnel or linemates, what we’re spending or not spending. He comes to work and does his job. That’s leadership, and you have to admire that.’’

The best part of the article was this: Some scouts figure Weiss deserves a change of scenery. Weiss has been in Florida too long, some observe, the losing culture becoming part of his fabric.

“I don’t buy that ‘change of scenery’ stuff,’’ DeBoer said. “You look at the players who have left with the supposed change of scenery since I’ve been here and you don’t see any of them turning into different players. . . . That goes back to Jokinen and Jay Bouwmeester and Nathan Horton.

“This is a guy who deserves to see the fruits of where this is going to go. He’s obviously been through the tough times and deserves to see the other side when we get there.’’

Thursday morning, Xcel Energy Center. There are a handful of players on the ice in the nearly empty arena, skating, passing, shooting.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune writes that Josh Harding likes to call this the IR Club. It's an important association, but it carries a difficult job description; you're part of the organization, but you don't really feel a part of the team. When you're coming back from injury, from surgery, the hardest part is not really being a part of the team.

"We're always trying to stay out of the players' way," Harding said. "It is hard. ... When you don't get to see them much, you miss them. You miss the fun, the laughter. This is frustrating, but it's part of the game."

Harding should know. The goalie and centre James Sheppard are charter members of this season's IR Club. Each man has a knee injury, one right, one left, and they've spent the past few months leaning on each other both figuratively and, at times, literally.

Already close friends and across-the-street-neighbors in Minneapolis, Harding and Sheppard have developed an even stronger bond through injury rehab. They drive together to the arena six days a week (Sundays off) to stretch, skate and lift weights. They eat dinner together, help each other through the ups and downs of endless rehab. When you're out of the mainstream of a hockey team fighting for a playoff spot, it's good to have company.

"It helps to have our own little stream, I guess," Sheppard said. "A big thing about being injured is the mental part. When you're away from the team, it doesn't help. So to have your own little group, someone to talk to, express how you're feeling? It helps."

The Star-Tribune points out that in early September just before training camp, Sheppard, who was facing an important season before entering free agency, was in Colorado training at altitude to get ready. Then, while riding an ATV, he swerved to miss a vehicle and hit his left knee, breaking the kneecap. He had surgery shortly thereafter.

Harding? He spent all summer working his way back from hip surgery. He was in a contract year, too, and was having a strong training camp. On Sept. 24, in the first period of his preseason debut, he made a save and was getting up when St. Louis' Brad Boyes fell on his right leg, tearing the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. The absolute low point was sitting in head athletic trainer Don Fuller's office when the MRI results came in. Torn ligaments, surgery needed. There were tears in Harding's eyes. He spent a month on crutches letting the MCL heal a bit on its own, then had surgery to repair the knee.

Both players have been on the comeback ever since.

On Thursday, Harding and Sheppard were joined by Marek Zidlicky, Guillaume Latendresse and Marco Scandella on the ice. Fuller was there, too, and strength and conditioning coach Chris Pietrzak-Wegner was in goalie pads. The players skated. Harding took shots. He hasn't been cleared to go down into the butterfly yet, so he made like an old-school stand-up goalie. ("A lot of pucks go in," he joked.)

By the bench Sheppard grabbed a board and started drawing up a drill.

"Class, class," he called out, smiling. Zidlicky skated up. "What's up, Coach?" he said. Harding laughed. "Coach? He doesn't even know how to spell the word."

The article reports that both Harding and Sheppard are holding out hope they will be ready to play at some point this season, though time is getting short and the odds are long. Neither can be put through waivers and sent to AHL Houston after Feb. 28, meaning both are likely to head into free agency not having played at all this season.

"We have two unbelievable goaltenders here,'' he said, referring to Niklas Backstrom and Jose Theodore, who was signed in the wake of Harding's injury. "My main focus is trying to get healthy. Once I'm healthy, I'll deal with what happens then."

Fire & Ice reports that Martin Brodeur will dress as the Devils’ backup goaltender tonight behind Johan Hedberg, but he said he hasn’t been told anything yet about if he will get the call to start in net Saturday in Carolina.

Brodeur has missed the last four games since spraining the MCL in his right knee on Feb. 6 in Montreal. Thursday’s practice was his first with the full team since he was injured and he also participated in today’s morning skate.

He said he has had “zero” problems with his knee the last two days, but said he needs more practice time to feel sharper.

“I’ve got to get in game shape,” he said. “I’m OK to play, but to be on top I might need a few more practices.”

Devils coach Jacques Lemaire would not discuss his goaltending plan for Saturday, yet.

“We’ll take care of tonight,” Lemaire said. “Just tonight is plenty for us.”

The article says that with Hedberg playing as well as he has in Brodeur’s absence—he has won all four starts he’s made—that gives the Devils the luxury of not having to rush Brodeur back.

“Hopefully Heddy will keep playing the way he’s been playing,” Lemaire said. “He’s been playing really well. Marty right now he hasn’t played a game in a long time, so he’s not at his best for sure, but it’s good that he will be coming back.”

Brodeur said his knee “feels pretty good.”

“Yesterday was a big day for me and I just wanted to make sure that I felt good afterwards and I did and this morning’s been good,” he said.

"I think we've got some [guts], and it's been like that all year," Rangers coach John Tortorella told The New York Post after his team overcame a few blown leads to beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 in a shootout. "I like that about the club.

"Are we playing our best hockey now? No. Are we making mistakes? Yes. But we have some [guts]. We have some things to work on, but I like the mental makeup of our team and hope it's transforming and helps us win games as we go into a very difficult weekend."

Lonely End of the Rink: "Doc, since last time I wrote I traded Varly/Neal for Howard/Burrows. I also picked up Reimer and dropped Tuuka.

My next move is to get another "Starting goalie" who has the potential to get some wins. One team at the bottom has Lehtonen, Price and Backstrom. I can probably make a 2 for 1 deal shipping Heatley for either Lehtonen or Backstrom plus get Shea Weber. Or possibly Price straight up for Heatley. Who would you target looking mainly at wins at this point?

10 team roto weekly lock keeper league (keep 4). G, A, + -, PIM, SOG, PPP, SHP, Hit, W, GAA, SV%

My team: C - Malkin, Getzlaf, Franzen LW - Heatley, Nash, Burrows RW - St. Louis, Selanne, Downie D - Green, Kaberle, Carlson, Enstrom, Carle G - Howard, Neuvirth, Reimer

Thanks again."

Chris: I love the trade. Nicely done. Howard and the Wings should be fine down the stretch. I don't know that I really like the idea of giving up Heatley for one of those goalies, actually, even if Weber comes back with Backstrom. The issue I'm looking at is potential keepers, especially with only four of them. Heatley could be one, but I don't see one of those goalies as one.

I remember that the WAS goalie strategy didn't work and remember talking about potential ideas for upgrading keepers, but don't remember whether you still had a shot at winning this year. Unless it's a realistic shot of getting back into this season, I'd really think twice about giving up a guy who could either be a keeper or would interest someone else as a keeper for someone who likely wouldn't be for you given your strict keeper limit.