Friday Night Fights Begins

MacDonnell, Goodall and Currie are big winners

by Derek Leblanc

While the fights had lasted a little over an hour, the fans were excited with the results from Friday Night Fights at the Rodeo Lounge in Dartmouth. Only two of the seven fights on the card even went into the second round but it made for a good time.

The main event say Rory MacDonnell go 5-4 with a win over Steven Rogers via armbar in the first round. The affair was back and forth on the ground between both fighters. At one point both of them had heel hooks locked in at the same time. While the fight was pretty even, MacDonnell was happy with the result.

“I had him in danger a couple of times,” says MacDonnell.

“He had much better Jiu Jistu then I expected. He fought his way out of a couple tough submissions. He actually threw a couple on me, but it was a good scrap.”

The semi main event saw Chris Currie beat Jeff Lundberg by ground and pound at 2:33 in the first round. Currie was able to take Lundberg down with ease for the w. This win really meant a lot to him personally.

“I was very excited I trained like three months for this fight,” says Currie.

“I was supposed to fight Shane Daley but I wasn’t disappointed so I kept on training. I was talking for a while of this being my last fight but after this. I love the sport too much.”

After losing to Alex Garcia last month at Ringside in Montreal, Ricky Goodall was able to get back in the winning track with a rear naked choke win over Tim Skidmore at 1:50 in the first round. Skidmore was able to pin Goddall to the cage and land a few knees but Goddall took him down. The New Glasgow native dedicated the fight to his former training partner Tim Kelly who was killed in December of last year. He wanted to make him proud and he did so.

“It was important for me to win this fight,” says Goodall.

“I dedicated this fight to Tim Kelly because he wanted to do this fight.”

In other action, Jonathan Williams was able to get an armbar on Justin Steele at 2:02 in the first round. Williams dominated on top before the win but still said if Steele wanted a rematch it could happen.

Chris Gaguden was able to use some crisp striking to get the victory over Matt Murray via ground and pound at 2:33 in the second round. Gaguden was able to get top position but almost got caught in a submission a few times.

My pick for fight of the night went to Chris Kedeles against Vincent Cormier. Kedeles won the match by guillotine choke at 4:11 in the second round. Cormier was the better of the two landing numerous takedowns but for him he wasted too much energy.

The night started off with James Saunders getting a win against Ryan Vanshick by arm triangle at 1:07 in the first round.

While this may have been Friday Night Fights first event, it looks like there could be a lot more in the future.

“I like the way everything went. I wish there could have been 10 fights,” says promoter Jason Mackay.

“The crowds seem to enjoy themselves. There were a few good fights and a few quick fights and I think this will be a building block for the rest of mma for a long time in Nova Scotia."

Email Derek at derekleblanc34@gmail.com.

Germany vs. Uruguay Preview

The youthful Germans will look to rebound vs. a fully loaded Uruguay.

by Henry Whitfield

The final two matches are finally upon us and I for one can’t be happier, a final matchup between old-world rivals Spain and Netherlands sets up a fantastic stage for the beautiful game to display its talent.

Just as interesting is the third place match between a young, surprising German team and an equally surprising Uruguay side that has seen it rise once again to the top tier of international football, led by the talismanic Diego Forlan and controversial Luis Suarez.

To get here we saw Spain dispatch Germany in a closely fought game that finished one-nil and saw Spain dominate an inexperienced Germany side with their passing and patience.

On the other side of the draw, the Netherlands first beat arch-rivals Brazil and then took their time beating Uruguay 3-2 in one of the most exciting matches of the tournament thus far.

Just as amazingly as Uruguay being in the final four, was the fact I got a pick right and went 50% in the final four for my predictions, which as always you can find right here.

So with those two matches out of the way and just two World Cup matches remaining, it’s time for my last two predictions of the tournament before some match pre-views and then two surprise posts that are being worked on for all the readers out there.

Third place match – Uruguay 2 – 4 Germany

So now that you’ve got the prediction, here’s some more in-depth information on why I think that I may actually be right this time:

I’m almost, but only almost, looking forward to this match more than the finals for a number of exciting reasons.

First being that we might finally see the Uruguayans playing an attacking, open game now that the pressure is off and combine that with the style that Germany played prior to their semi-final loss and well, you’ve got yourself and stupidly exciting third place match.

Luis Suarez is back from his one-game suspension after his dubious handball against Ghana, whilst Diego Forlan is rumoured to be playing for a new contract and maybe a transfer to a bigger club.

On the other side of the pitch we have a young German side who were taught a tough lesson by an experienced Spanish side and will be looking to redeem themselves, although, they will be extremely happy to of already made it this far in the tournament.

While the Germans have played a fast-paced, free-flowing style for much of this tournament, their hopes of another World Cup win came crashing down when the Spanish Armada came to town and showed their experience and class, thoroughly outplaying a tired looking Germany.

I think that the German’s have nothing left to prove and now a weight is off their shoulders, the young team will play with confidence and in a relaxed manner.

A scary thought for a Uruguay fan, but I don’t think they have the talent to compete with German, but the match will be an exciting shoot-out with a lot of exciting action.

Key Germany Player – Thomas Muller

Key Uruguay Player – Luis Suarez

Henry Whitfield lives in Halifax and writes about all sports local and abroad. Follow Henry on twitter @henrywhitfield.

Ready to Go; Friday Night Fights Get Greenlight for the Rodeo

by Derek Leblanc

After months of long work and planning, everything is ready to go for Friday Night Fights at the Rodeo Lounge in Dartmouth. All fighters were able to make weight yesterday except for one fighter. The event is being put together by Kemp Watermen and Jason Mackay. The idea of a professional fight taking place in a bar seems weird but the promoters had the demand for it.

“The Rodeo is a local venue and it's very central.” says Watermen.

“Its a very intimate venue which its seating capacity suits are needs and yet has a good following from its clientele. We had a lot of people say they wanted the fights to come to the Rodeo.”

Both guys have experience putting on events before. Mackay is the owner of Absolute Fighting Canada and Watermen at one time co owned Phoenix Fight Promotions. The main event was to see Halifax's Roger Hollett make his debut at heavyweight against Iyla Woronqwski but Hollett had to pull out a few days ago due to injury. The fight will be rescheduled for September and now the main event will be Steven Rogers against Rory Macdonell. Macdonell is happy to take to the opportunity.

“I am really looking forward to this,” says Macdonell.

“He looks like a tough talented kid. I feel no pressure for the main event because it is exciting. It is the same crowd but just switched in the order of the fights

While this will be the first time that Macdonell has been in a main event, it won't be for his opponent. Steven Rogers won his last fight at Elite 1: First Blood in Moncton last April. He knows with this fight, it could mean some big things ahead.

“I think he is a game fighter because he is also taking this fight on a few weeks notice,” says Rogers.

“I think this should be pretty good, I am coming off four straight wins. His wins are all by submission and my wins are all by submission. It should be a good fight and my goal is to make a good fight for the crowd.”

The fights will be taking place at 7:30pm with the doors opening at 6pm.. One thing is for sure is the Rodeo will be rocking.

Official Weigh in Results
160 lbs fight Steven Rogers (158.6) vs Rory Macdonell (159.4)
215 lbs fight Chris Currie (212.8) vs Jeff Lundberg (218)
170 lbs fight Ricky Goodall (171) vs Tim Skidmore (170.6)
145 lbs fight Justin Steele (143.2) vs Jonathan Williams (143.2)
180 lbs fight Matt Murray (178.6) vs Chris Goguen (178)
145 lbs fight Vincent Cormier (143.8) vs Chris Keledes (146)
135 lbs fight Ryan Vanshick (134.2 vs James Saunders (133.6)
170 lbs fight Kameron Johnson (168.4) vs Stephen Clement (168)

Derek Leblanc is a local sports writer and broadcaster. Email Derek at derekleblanc34@gmail.com.

The Heat is On

Can the NBA's new super team dethrone Kobe's Lakers?

As of tonight Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh are all now members of the Miami Heat; Wade re-signing, while both Bosh and James split from the teams that drafted them to chase dreams of championships in Florida.

It’s crazy to think that people are already crowning the Heat NBA Champions in 2011 and frankly, it’s pretty disrespectful to the other 29 teams in the league. Have we already forgotten the LA Lakers and the Boston Celtic? How about a young talented Oklahoma Thunder? There’s a reason we play a full season and anything can happen in a season where you’re named champions before even the first tip off.

With many sports pundits, making a lot more money than I am, saying that the Heat are easy champions in 2011, it makes me wonder why they’re even being paid to be journalists?

How can we forget that the New York Yankees spend more money each year on their roster than any other MLB team, but aren’t guaranteed a championship? How about Real Madrid spending millions and millions on players, but can’t win the European Champions League?

Let’s be clear here, yes the Miami Heat just got a lot better but let’s see how the team handles their first losing streak or injury problems, how the players there handle the new found spotlight that will be much brighter than the Miami Sun. The Heat will be contenders and favourites, but only time will tell if these three can gel and follow up all the hype with a new NBA dynasty.

Here’s a quick highlight of their combined stats:

- Scored 37,493 points in their NBA Careers

- Combined for 40.6 PPG when they led the USA to their recent Gold Medal in the Olympics

- Wade is 28, Bosh 26 and James is just 25, that leaves the three lot’s of time for championships

- The three combine for 148 playoff games, but just one NBA Championship Ring

This could very well be a moment in time that fans of basketball look back at and tell their kids and grandchildren where they were the day LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade created a dynasty.

On paper this looks like a destined dynasty, but only time will tell how this decision will pan out.

Henry Whitfield lives in Halifax and writes about all sports local and abroad. Follow Henry on twitter @henrywhitfield.

Decision '10: The World Awaits Lebron's Choice.

The sporting world awaits the decision of King James.

by Joel MacDougall

Tonight, all the mystery will come to an end. The top free agent in the greatest free agent class ever will end the season of speculation.

At 10:00 pm, Lebron James will go on ESPN (TSN in Canada) and let the world know where he plans to sign.

From the beginning the speculation on LeBron James’s final destination has been in flux. Early on it appeared he was destined to leave the small market of Cleveland and the bright lights of New York or New Jersey would be tough for him to turn down. Then it was speculated that James and Chris Bosh would join forces in Chicago. Later indications were coming out that he was leaning toward staying in Cleveland where he grew up. Now only hours from when he will declare his intentions to the world, reports are coming out that he is planning on joining the Heat to form, quite possibly, the best trio in NBA history.

This entire NBA season has been little more than preamble to the free agency season. Despite a great NBA Finals pitting legendary rivals, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, highlight shows still somewhat split their coverage between a fantastic seven game series and the post-season escapades of James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade.

There was the talk of the free agency summit to be held between those three, and the subsequent responses from the second tier free agents (Amar’e Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, and Carlos Boozer) that they would be attending the first annual NBA Free Agent Superstars Conference.

I say second tier, but really you could argue they are a third tier, as LeBron James could be on his own level. That is not to take anything away from Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, but King James seems to be a tick above either of them in terms of global status.

Following a holiday weekend filled with suitors making their pitch to the holy basketball trinity, LeBron James remains the last of the big fish on the market. Joe Johnson was the first of the sought after free agents to drop, choosing to re-sign with the Hawks even before the weekend.

Stoudemire agreed to go to the New York Knicks, most likely in an attempt by the Knicks to put together an appealing supporting cast to lure James. Bosh came out on Wednesday and said he’d be joining Wade in Miami, leaving LeBron as the final member of the upper tier. Not long after Carlos Boozer came to an agreement with the Chicago Bulls, and has said he would try and entice James into joining him and Derrick Rose.

So now it all comes down to James. All the upper level free agents have picked their spot for the next few years. I am sure they would all love to have James join them. There has been speculation from the very beginning with experts saying they had sources indicating where James would end up, the latest being the Heat rumours. But James has seemingly done a great job of keeping his intentions to himself. The latest could just be another example of an overzealous analyst finding substance in nothing, or it could be true.

The speculation is building to a climax and no one will be 100% certain until we hear the declaration from the King himself.

Joel MacDougall lives in Halifax and writes about all sports local and abroad. Follow Joel on twitter @jmdougall.

Grant Set to Fight Paulino at UFC 119

Cole Harbour's TJ Grant gets back to work September 19th

by Derek Leblanc

While it may have been two months since his last fight, T.J Grant has wasted no time in getting back into the octagon. The UFC welterweight from Cole Harbour will face Julio Paulino at UFC 119 which will to take place September 19th at Conseco Feildhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The fight was first reported yesterday by mmajunkie.com that both men had agreed to the fight. Now it has now been signed and confirmed by Grant's manager Scott Maclean. Grant is coming off a loss at UFC 113 in Montreal by majority decision to Johny Hendricks.

Grant is 2-2 in the Zuffa based organization with wins over Ryo Chonan and Kevin Burns.

Paulino is coming off a loss in his UFC debut against Mike Pierce at UFC on Verses One back in March. The Alaska born fighter has a record of 17-3 with wins over UFC veterans like Terry Martin.

Paulino was supposed to fight last weekend at UFC 116 against Daniel Roberts but had to withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Forrest Petz, a fighter Grant beat two years ago.

No word is to if the fight will be shown on the pay per view.

Derek Leblanc is a local sports writer and broadcaster. Email Derek at derekleblanc34@gmail.com.

World Cup Semis Predictions

Netherlands secured their spot in the World Cup final with a 3-2 victory over Uruguay

by Henry Whitfield

Let’s all collect our breath shall we?

Now then, it’s time for some Semi-final predictions. Now that Germany has thrashed another opponent, and for the third time this World Cup scored four goals in a game, they will face pre-tournament favourites Spain, who have struggled thus far to put in an impressive performance in any of their games.

The other matchup features Two time World Champions Uruguay, who are now the only South American team left in the tournament after Brazil and Argentina crashed out, against the inventors of Total Football, the Dutch who showed they can go down and come back with fighting spirit as they knocked off the Samba Boys.

Last round my predictions were almost spot on, picking three out of four winning teams correctly. Uruguay, Spain and Germany all went through, while the Netherlands upset my Brazil to book their place in the final four. Going 75% was a big improvement, but let’s see if I can keep it going this round.

If you were listening to Bill McLean Sports Show today, you heard my predictions on air with Bil, but for the rest of the world, here we go with my predictions for the semi-finals:

Uruguay 0 – 2 Netherlands

This is by far the tougher of the two matches to pick a winner and it features a defensively responsible team in Uruguay, against a patient Netherlands team who is more than willing to sit back and wait to pick apart their opponent bit by bit.

The Dutch fell behind early to Brazil, but instead of breaking apart like they have in the past, they used a game-turning save by their keeper to gain momentum and beat the five-time world champions. Their execution and pin-point passing was spot on and they looked incredibly strong in their play.

Uruguay needed penalties to barely squeeze by an inspired Ghana side, which more than deserved to win the match. A handball by Luis Suarez in the final moments of extra time was the only reason they booked themselves into the final four, and without their leading goal scorer they will have to rely even more on Diego Forlan.

The strength in midfield for the Dutch will be the key to this match and both Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder will be relied on heavily to both control the pace of the match and create chances on the attack.

Although Uruguay is extremely solid in the back, their team is susceptible to the speed of the Dutch attack and I am looking for the passing game of their opponents to really expose the back four.

In the end, the quality of the Dutch team will shine through and after a first-half goal gives them the lead, they’ll score a late second half goal to secure their spot in the finals and one win away from their first World Cup.

Key Netherlands Player – Arjen Robben

Key Uruguay Player – Diego Forlan


Spain 1 – 4 Germany

I know what you’re all thinking, four goals against Spain by Germany? You must be crazy!

But let’s look at the teams not just on paper, but in form and the recent performances both teams have put together.

Germany destroyed Australia in their first match, but got set back by Serbia in a 1-nil loss, however, since that game the young Germans have not looked back and each game has seen them get stronger and stronger. The combination of Miroslav Klose’s experience and the influx of speed and creativity by Thomas Muller, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Ozil, has seen the easy destruction of both England and Argentina.

Spain has yet to impress me in this World Cup, a pre-tournament favourite to lift the Jules Rime Trophy, but the team has failed to show any interest in winning while in South Africa. However, this team has made it into the semi-final’s without showing anything exciting, an optimist would say that it’s only a matter of time for Spain to find their game and play the way they can, but a realist must look at the team and say, that maybe, just maybe, this team doesn’t believe in itself anymore.

The play of Fernando Torres has been dismal to say the least, and the manager’s insistence on sticking with the out-of-form striker is as baffling as the loss of his scoring touch.

The only reason Spain is in the finals is the fantastic play of David Villa and one crucial save by Iker Casillas, who made the save of the tournament when he stopped the Oscar Cordozo penalty shot in their last match.

The Germans are inspired, full of belief and already have one foot in the door and now find themselves against a lacklustre Spanish side that played like they were already going home against Paraguay.

This Germany side has left pundits wondering if they’re lucky or just that good, but yes, they are just that good. Eight goals in two games against England and Argentina shows how lethal they are in front of goal, their ability to counter in a moment and the passing of their midfield shuts out their opponents from the match.

Keep in mind that Klose is just one goal behind All-Time World Cup goal scorer Ronaldo and leads all-time goals from headers, and you’ve got one inspired player that is SURELY going to hit the back of the net once today.

Easy win for the Germans today and if we’re lucky, that sets up an exciting Netherlands – Germany finals.

Man of the Match: Miroslav Klose

Henry Whitfield lives in Halifax and writes about all sports while focusing on football and hockey. Follow Henry on twitter @henrywhitfield.

Tossle Anyone?

by Joel Macdougall

The origins of Tossle are shrouded in mystery, but it is believed that the game dates back as far as the dark ages, when man first began to use tools to his advantage. The first time one humanoid threw one rock closer to another rock than his buddy, Tossle was born.

Over time the game has evolved. An earlier form of the game, known as Tossuli, became the game of choice of the Italian aristocracy during the Renaissance, though it was spoken of little due to fear of reprisal from the Church.

It came to North America with the Pilgrims in the 1600s and flourished. Over time as settlers began to move farther into the continent that the game took on its present day form. Settlers in Oklahoma were playing a version of the game similar to that of the earlier Italian game. Upon observing the Native American game of digadayosdi, or Cherokee Marbles, the now integral Tinker was added to the game.

During the years of prohibition, Tossle again went underground, as the sport of choice for those wishing to enjoying a good time with friends and a drink at the same time. Here we find the names of some of the great, yet unknown Tossle players: Willie “The Duck” O’Reilly, “The Nature Boy” George Upshaw, Danny Fitzgibbon, and Tito “The Tinker” Tejada.

A combination of bocce ball, lawn bowling, curling and harness racing, okay, well not harness racing, tossle is once again becoming relevant.

In the modern game the number of total competitors varies from event to event, but matches or rounds are ideally played between four players. Each player has two coloured balls and take turns attempting to place their balls closest to the egg (small white ball). The honour of placing the egg is given to the eldest competitor for the first round. For each round following the first, that honour is given to the player scoring in the previous round. Only one competitor receives points for being closest to the egg, but can pick-up two points if they are able to place both their balls closest to the egg. The first person to 15 is the match winner.

Point are also awarded for tinkers, or actually hitting the egg. These points are not dependent on winning the round and are given for every instance a particular players ball contacts the egg. A secondary prize is awarded to the competitor who scores the most Tinkers for an entire event.

The game is growing in popularity, especially in Atlantic Canada, where a small, but dedicated group have begun competing regularly to test their tossle skills against one another. Beginning in the the backyards of friends and families the game has recently taken a great jump forward.

The most recent Prospect Invitational event was the first neutral site event in the games modern history. Eleven competitors took to the field on July 3rd, 2010 to challenge for the Tossle Cup and the right to be called the Prospect Inivtational Champion.

The competition was tough, but after a grueling preliminary round the finals saw three former champions squaring off with a contender for this year’s rookie of the year award. The competition was close, but in the end Rod MacDonald came out on top and got to take the traditional drink from the cup.

Other Tossle events will be going on throughout the summer, so stayed tuned for more action and more information on how you can get involved in the great sport.

Joel MacDougall lives in Halifax. Follow Joel on twitter @jmdougall.

Mount Promotes Homans and Steeves

MSVU wasted little time in naming Amit Batra's replacements

by Dylan Matthias

After Amit Batra's departure from the Mystics' women's soccer program to take over Acadia, MSVU was left in need of a coach. Athletics director June Lumsden has promoted Robyn Homans and Colin Steeves--2009's assistant coaches--to co-head-coach duties with the Mystics.
Homans is a former Dal Tiger who has been with the Mount for seven years as an assistant. Steeves has been with the Mystics for two years.

The two inherit a team they are familiar with from last year and a team which should keep most of its core components, including star striker Sarah Parker.

There is something of a sports saying that assistant coaches rarely make good head coaches. Homans and Steeves, however, both have other coaching experience. Homans coaches Parker and fellow Mystics Jessica Lilly, Chrissy Henneberry on Halifax County United. Steeves is a technical director with Dartmouth United.

--Dylan Matthias is the incoming sports editor at the Dalhousie Gazette. He runs Dal Soccer Live on the side to provide more in-depth coverage of AUS and ACAA soccer. He has been a Toronto FC fan since Danny Dichio scored the team's first ever goal. It showed him the magic of soccer.

Haligonia Sports Commentary: Sergei Gonchar and the Sens

The addition of veteran Gonchar should help the Sens woeful power play.

by Joel MacDougall

With the addition of Sergei Gonchar to the lineup, the Ottawa Senators have added a significant piece to their backend. Gonchar is arguably the best offensive defenseman the Senators have ever had.

Ottawa GM Bryan Murray took an aggressive run at Gonchar, calling him at 12:01 ET on July 1st to inquire about his services. Gonchar was seeking a four year deal from his previous team, the Pittsburgh Penquins, but they were reluctant to give that kind of term to the 36 year old. While Murray and the Sens might have liked to get Gonchar on a shorter term, consider it the cost of doing business to acquire one of the top offensive D-man of the era (second only to Nik Lidstrom really).

Ottawa will be unable to do much else in the free agent market after committing that much cap space to Gonchar. Murray will now turn his attention to signing some key restricted free agents.

Peter Regin and Nick Foligno are now the top priority. Regin seems poised for a breakout year after a strong showing in the playoffs, and will be counted on to provide more offense than his 29 points during the regular season last year. He’s penciled in to the top six for Ottawa and will quite possibly will be riding shotgun on the Jason Spezza’s wing.

Foligno has shown the ability to produce in the league, but must begin to so on a regular basis. Many felt Foligno had the potential to be a top 6 player in the league, but he is being passed in the Ottawa organization by players like the aforementioned Regin and, possibly even Zack Smith in the near future.

Both are wanted back as they are young and still have the promise to help the secondary scoring for Ottawa, but getting them under contract could mean other moves in the lineup.

If Ottawa were to sign these two and another defenseman for the 6/7 role, the team would look like this (Foligno, Regin and Campoli are estimates and lines are solely based on salary):

AUTO-GENERATED CAPGEEK.COM LINES

FORWARDS
Jason Spezza ($7.000m) / Alexei Kovalev ($5.000m) / Daniel Alfredsson ($4.875m)
Milan Michalek ($4.333m) / Mike Fisher ($4.200m) / Chris Kelly ($2.125m)
Chris Neil ($2.000m) / * Peter Regin ($1.600m) / * Nick Foligno ($1.500m)
Jarkko Ruutu ($1.300m) / Jesse Winchester ($0.750m) / Ryan Shannon ($0.625m)
Zack Smith ($0.583m)

DEFENSEMEN
Sergei Gonchar ($5.500m) / Filip Kuba ($3.700m)
Chris Phillips ($3.500m) / Erik Karlsson ($1.300m)
* Chris Campoli ($1.000m) / Brian Lee ($0.875m)
Matt Carkner ($0.700m)

GOALTENDERS
Pascal Leclaire ($3.800m) / Brian Elliott ($0.850m)

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS
(these totals are compiled using the bonus cushion)
ROSTER: 22; CAP: $59.4m; PAYROLL: $59.046m; CAP ROOM: $0.779m BONUSES: $0.425m

This allows Ottawa to carry an 13th forward and a 7th defenceman in case of injury. Of course, a youngster may challenge for a spot on the team, most likely defenceman Jared Cowen, but I think it best not to assume too much at this point. If Cowen did earn a spot, his cap hit would be $0.3M higher than what I have estimated for Campoli, and would cut the Sens cap room to $0.479M.

Where could more space be found?

A lot of fans are calling for a trade involving Filip Kuba and his $3.7M cap hit as a way of clear space. While such a move would clear space in would require an additional move to sure up the defence after moving one Ottawa’s top four.

Some are down on Kuba’s play, but I believe part of that is due to being slightly miss cast in Ottawa, Kuba is a decent defender that has the ability to move the puck, but is in no way an elite puck-moving defenceman (PMD) in the league. With the addition of Gonchar and the emergence of Karlsson, less pressure is place on Kuba and I believe he will have a very solid year. Plus at $3.7M for a veteran, top four defenceman, he is hardly the most onerous contract out there.

I could only see Kuba moved if another defenceman, most likely one with a physical edge to his game was also being brought back. A couple Canucks are available in Kevin Bieska ($3.75M) and UFA Willie Mitchell. Mitchell could be an option at a cheaper price due to his concussion problem this past year, but would fill the role of physical, veteran presence perfectly, if healthy.

Others think that bringing back a defenceman is unnecessary as Ottawa has good young defensive prospect in Jared Cowen and Patrick Wiercoch. My question, what if they aren’t ready, and you trade away the veteran insurance like Kuba. Both are looking like the could be good players in the future for Ottawa, but have not proven anything at the professional level, and making such assumptions can be dangerous.

Just as an aside to this Kuba trade talk, if he were to be moved, I think there would be teams interested, and I’d put the Los Angeles Kings near the top of the list, after they were unable to land any of the free agent defencemen on July 1st.

The most likely move would see someone from the third line with a larger salary traded to make a spot for either Foligno or Smith. Kelly and Ruutu are the top candidates for this, as Ruutu could easily be replaced by the two, and while Kelly may be missed more, he would clear more cap space and might bring back a slightly better return.

Neither are huge cap hit, but could give the Sens enough breathing space to feel comfortable.

Joel Macdougall live in Halifax and writes about all sports both local and abroad. Follow Joel on twitter @jmdougall.