June 20th, 2011-News And Notes:

NEWS AND NOTES FOR TODAY, JUNE 20th:


Ryan Smyth Requests Trade To Oilers:
- According to Bob McKenzie, Ryan Smyth has informed Kings management that he would like to be moved to the Edmonton Oilers. He said he would like to finish up his career "where his heart is" up in Edmonton and he would prefer to be traded to them this off-season.
PattyB Thoughts:
I am not a huge fan of Ryan Smyth and I really don't think this was an appropriate thing to do as an NHL player as it really puts the Kings and Oilers in bad positions. I mean he is going to be a free agent next off-season, why not just wait until then to explore finishing his career in Edmonton. Now the Kings HAVE to work out a deal with the Oilers, so they are not going to get much in return, and the Oilers are in the awkward position of having to acquire an expensive, aging player or having their fan base be alienated by passing on the opportunity to bring back one of the most loved player's in Oilers history.


Varlamov Headed To The KHL:
- Its seeming more and more likely that Semyon Varlamov will be signing in the KHL, I have heard from multiple people that there is little-to-no chance that he remains in North America for next season.
PattyB Thoughts:
Very dissapointing, after his performance against the Rangers in the playoffs a few years back, I thought he was going to be a stud goaltender in the NHL....Guess I was wrong.


Vokoun Set To Become UFA:
-The Panthers will not be re-signing goaltender, Tomas Vokoun. He will be a hot commodity on July 1st.


Greg Cronin and Scott Gordon Hired By Maple Leafs:
-The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired Greg Cronin and Scott Gordon as assistant coaches. Cronin received a lot of interest, but chose to take a big role with Toronto. He was a member of the NY Islanders organization from 1998 until 2005, during which time, he spent 5 years as an assistant coach for the Isles and 2 years as a head coach for the Sound Tigers, the Islanders AHL affiliate. Since then he was a head coach for Northeastern. Scott Gordon was, as most of you probably know, the Islanders head coach up until this past November when he was fired. He spent 2 seasons and 17 games of a 3rd season at the helm and lets just say it wasn't the best time in Islanders history. 


Nichol and Mayers Will Hit Free Agency:
-The San Jose Sharks will not re-sign Scott Nichol and Jamal Mayers. 


Hutchinson Leaving North America:
- Defenseman, Andrew Hutchinson has signed in the KHL with Barys Astana, the same team other former NHL'ers Dustin Boyd and Nigel Dawes recently signed with. 


Is Holmström Leaving?
- Tomas Holmström is rumored to have signed in the Swedish Elite League (according to Elite Prospects), but they classify the rumor as "doubtful" so I'm hoping its not true.