Harness driver Matt Kakaley becomes youngest driver to 2,000 wins

Dover, DE --- Matt Kakaley became the youngest driver to win 2,000 career races when he reached the milestone at Dover Downs on Monday (Feb. 13).

It did not take Kakaley long to become, at age 23, the youngest driver in harness history to win 2,000 races. Kakaley, handling Howard Taylor’s We The People, won the first race of the day in a time of 1:53. The former record holder, Tim Tetrick, was 24 when he won his 2,000th race.

Ron Pierce drove Ise The By Boy to his first victory in the $30,000 Preferred Handicap. After scoring in a Winners Over two weeks ago and an Open last Monday, Ise The By Boy picked up a lifetime record 1:50.3 in besting Mainland Key N, driven by Tim Tetrick, and fast finishing Delivered From Zin, with Corey Callahan. Eric Ell conditions the Mach Three-Price Lee Fiesta gelding for Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar and Steve Iaquinta.

After racing on the outside from after the half, Nova Artist chopped down front-pacing Cams Art (Tim Tetrick) in the closing strides en route to a 1:50.1 triumph in the $30,000 Delaware Special Handicap. Nova Artist is an all Davis family 5-year-old by Real Artist-Avon Elegant Osborne, owned by Eddie and Kathy Davis, trained and driven by their sons, Martin and Allan Davis. The 1:50.1 clocking equals Nova Artist’s career best. Catchmecullen A (Tim Curtin) finished third.

In the $23,000 Open Pace, meet leading driver Corey Callahan steered Louie Paglierani’s Lou’s Bad Yankee to victory in 1:51.1, win number three in his last four and five of his last seven outings. The Badlands Hanover-Yankee Vista gelding was chased home by Samandar (Tim Tetrick) and Fancyfreeshark (Jon Roberts), second and third, respectively.

Source: UStrotting.com

Could Maple Leafs add Nash AND Carter?

It would be the biggest trade of the year: Rick Nash and Jeff Carter to Toronto for Tim Connolly, Mike Komisarek, Colby Armstrong, Korbinian Holzer, Jesse Blacker plus a 1st rounder and a 2nd rounder. Colborne gets callup to join Nash and Carter as three additions for Leafs playoff drive.

Some may see it as one-sided toward the Leafs, however the contracts they send to Columbus are a LOT shorter than the ones they are taking on, so the Blue Jackets will have plenty of room to sign their own RFAs in coming years and still play in the free agent market (while still getting the four youngsters they seek in Holzer, Blacker and two picks). Toronto is one of the few teams with the financial strength that would allow them to take on both Carter and Nash.

Nash names Toronto Maple Leafs as one of five teams he'll play for

According to Calgary Herald, Bruins, Kings, Rangers and Sharks also in mix

Rick Nash, so far the biggest name on the NHL rumour mill ahead of the Feb. 27 trade deadline, has given the Columbus Blue Jackets a list of five teams to which he'll OK a trade, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

According to the Dispatch, the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs "are believed to be on the approved list."

The paper also says the Jackets are seeking at least one young player on an NHL team's roster, as well as top prospects and draft picks.

Sharks net Moore

The San Jose Sharks added depth at the centre position Thursday night by acquiring Dominic Moore from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The deal sees the Lightning land a second-round pick while handing over a seventh-round pick to San Jose. The second-rounder originally belonged to the Minnesota Wild.

The well-travelled Moore, 31, has also played for the Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild, Toronto, Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers and Montreal Canadiens.

In 56 games with Tampa this season, Moore had four goals and 15 assists.

Meanwhile, the Lightning plan to keep Pavel Kubina out of the lineup while attempting to trade the veteran defenceman. Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman announced the decision Thursday.

Tampa Bay entered Thursday 13th in the Eastern Conference and is a longshot to make the playoffs.

Kubina, 34, has 11 points and is plus-1 in 52 games this season.

Nazem Kadri interview: "you kind of learn to cope with it"

In an interview with Sean Fitzgerald of the National Post today, Toronto Maple Leafs' star prospect Nazem Kadri talks about another demotion to the Marlies amid widespread trade speculation.

When did Leafs general manager Brian Burke and coach Ron Wilson tell you that you were headed back down to the AHL?
“They told me before the morning skate yesterday. They just told me to keep working, keep plugging away. And they told me I had a bright future with this organization, and I believe I do. It’s kind of nice that they’re behind me, but obviously, right now it’s a bit of a complicated situation. Whatever happens in the near future happens, but I’m hoping to stay with this team and this organization, because that’s where I want to be.”

You’ve been up and down a bit — is it frustrating?
“It’s, I guess, a little bit frustrating at first. But you kind of learn to cope with it. One thing, before I left yesterday, Burkie and Wils told me not to be discouraged because they believe in me, and it’s not like I’m getting this demotion because I haven’t played up to expectations or up to standards. It’s just a situation where I was able to be sent down and not clear waivers. It’s as simple as that. Like I said, I don’t know what’s going to happen here with the team and the organization in the next couple of weeks, but I sure hope to be a part of it.”

You had a big hit on Penguins defenceman Paul Martin on Tuesday night. How would you grade what might be your last NHL game for at least a little while?
“I don’t really tiptoe around the ice and walk on eggshells just because I’m afraid someone’s going to come after me. So I just play the way I’ve got to play. And it was a good, clean hit. So it’s not like I left my feet or I led with my arms or my elbows. It’s part of my game. I can get under people’s skin, too, along with my skill game. I think that’s what makes me such a key component, and I also think that’s why Wils and Burkie have such high expectations and told me that I had a bright future with this club — because they enjoy the way I play and the heart I wear on my sleeve.”

How do you deal with your name coming up in trade speculation?
“I don’t really read too much into the newspapers and the magazines and the blogs. I’m not really too into that. I have, obviously heard on TV, when your name randomly comes up when you’re just sitting there watching. It’s a bit awkward, but like I said, whatever happens, happens. And this is an organization that I want to spend my whole career with, so I hope they see it the same way.”

Do you think this was one of your better stints with the Leafs?
“For sure. I think it’s been good. It’s been fun. I’ve also learned a lot. I think Wils trusts me on the ice, too, in certain situations where, before, he didn’t at all. Like you saw in the last game against Pittsburgh, I was out there against that top line quite often, with Malkin probably the most dangerous player in the league right now. Wils had the confidence in me to throw me out there and actually create and take care of my own end, too.”

NHL talk: Rick Nash for Kadri, Komi, Lombardi and Aulie

Ohio has a significant Islamic population and Nazem Kadri could be a crucial ambassador to the community, helping the Blue Jackets extend their reach. The Maple Leafs would likely have to add a draft pick, plus take another veteran from Columbus.

It makes no sense for Columbus to be paying Rick Nash $8 million per year for the next five years, when they have to now enter a rebuilding mode and are a small market team. Waiting until the trade deadline will be too late, if someone wants Nash, he should bid now and bid large. Got it, Bri?

Maple leafs off to best start since 1962

50 years ago: A string of 3 straight Stanley Cup victories

The last time the Toronto Maple Leafs started in a calendar year with 4 wins was 1962, the year Bill Barilko's body was discovered at the plane crash site 100km north of Cochrane, ON. Nobody is predicting 3 Cup wins in a row (with parity and 30 teams, highly improbable relative to early 60s), however with the NHL's youngest team skating in Toronto, a few consecutive years in the playoffs may be in the cards. In this new concussion-concussed NHL, a team needs to have 3 or 4 NHL goalies, plus about 30 NHL-calibre players. The Buds have this type of depth, and as the season wears on our youth and vigor wear down opponents, and one can only hope that the Boston Bruins have peaked too early.

NHL trade rumour: Rick Nash to Maple Leafs

With the Columbus Blue Jackets sinking in the standings and suffering perennial attendance woes, how long before GM Scott Howson begins the rebuild by shopping Rick Nash and his $8 million salary? Well, of the 4 teams at the bottom of the standings, Anaheim may be timid about dealing with Brian Burke again, and Carolina is unlikely to part with either Staal or Skinner, while the Islanders probably still feel they are in the race. This means that Columbus is the best trading partner for an upwardly mobile team like the Leafs, so let us think about what it will take to land Nash.

First, the Buds are close to the salary cap so will need to send at least 7 to 7.5 mil in salary to Columbus, though Leafs contracts will expire before Nash's, providing room for Columbus to re-sign prospects in coming years.

From Toronto:

Nazem Kadri

Jussi Rynnas

Matt Lombardi

Mike Komisarek

2013 1st Round Draft Pick

From Columbus:

Rick Nash

Comments, anyone?