Weekend Wars

Besides Canada going for gold this afternoon against a Brian Burke team that’s without cap constraints and didn’t have to give up anything to get Phil Kessel, there are other hockey related happenings that occurred this weekend and merit discussion. Without further ado…

Ruutu Wins Bronze

Thanks to last night’s third period rally, Jarkko Ruutu will be the only member of the Ottawa Senators who will bring an Olympic medal (bronze) back with him from Vancouver. If you’re wondering how Ruutu celebrated the victory, he had had his Finnish teammates autograph his jersey. Would anyone be surprised if Ruutu signed his own jersey? It definitely sounds like something that he would do.

** Hat tip to Puck Daddy’s Greg Wyshynski for the picture

Murray Hewitt Likely to Get the Job!

According to the Ottawa Citizen’s Allen Panzeri, the Senators netminders have responded to the tutelage of John Stevenson.

“It’s not easy coming in in his situation, but I think he’s done a real good job.”

“Both goaltenders have worked hard for him. I like the drills that he does, I think he has good communication skills with the goaltenders, and I think they appreciate what he’s done in a short period of time.”

“We like both our goaltenders and we think he’s going to help them both out.” ~ Cory Clouston

A decision on Stevenson’s future with the organization will not be cast until the summer, but if he lands the full-time job, I’m just hoping that he’ll manage the goaltenders better than he’s managed the Flight of the Conchords.

Shean Donovan Offered Opportunity to Leave?

“My first choice is to stay here and to play,” said Donovan, 34, following Friday’s skate at the Bell Sensplex. “You know how it works in this game, you never know. Situations can change, you can have injuries or other things can happen, and you’re right back in the lineup.

“I totally realize how lucky I am to be here, and I also know that we’ve got a good team here. You want to be ready to play. I know from being with other teams on different playoff runs that you need to have older guys around and ready to contribute. I’ve talked it over with my wife. I’m aware of the situation. I’d rather just be here.” ~ The Ottawa Sun

It doesn’t take a neurosurgeon to realize that when Nick Foligno returns from his injury, Ottawa will have fourteen bodies up front. I may be reading into Donovan’s comments a little but I am left with the impression that the organization probably approached him around the time of the Matt Cullen acquisition and asked whether or not he would like to be moved so that he has an opportunity to play every day. If this is true, it’s a classy move by Donovan to bide his time and support his teammates.

Bryan Murray Interested in Hejda?

Thanks to the handful of readers who emailed this morning and let me know that Bruce Garrioch has indicated that Murray should have interest in Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Jan Hejda. While you readers may have read this somewhere before, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to assume that two people can think up a completely rational, yet similar, opinion. And besides, even if he did read it here, it’s not like he ever names his sources. Hi-yo!