Ray Emery, right, won't play in Ottawa until early January, but the Flyers and Senators meet in Philadelphia on Thursday. (Michael Perez/Associated Press)HNIC's senior online reporter Tim Wharnsby dishes out the latest news, buzz and inside information in the hockey world.
1. Original Six dominate most valuable list
For the fourth consecutive year, Forbes magazine ranked the Toronto Maple Leafs as the National Hockey League's most valuable franchise. The magazine estimated the team’s worth at $470 million US.
The New York Rangers were second at $416 million, followed by the Montreal Canadiens ($339 million), Detroit Red Wings ($337 million), Philadelphia Flyers ($273 million), Boston Bruins ($271 million) and Chicago Blackhawks ($258 million).
The other Canadian teams are Vancouver in ninth at $239 million, Calgary in 16th ($200 million), Ottawa at 17th ($197 million) and Edmonton 24th ($166 million).
2. All's quiet on Emery front
Of the nine NHL games on Thursday, one of the more intriguing matchups has Flyers goalie Ray Emery facing his old team, the Senators, in Philadelphia. Ottawa bought out Emery after a series of off-ice issues that disrupted the club, and he was banished to Russia last season. The Flyers took a chance on the netminder, signing him last summer, and he hasn’t disappointed them with his play and good behaviour away from the rink.
He’s looking forward to playing his former teammates.
"I don’t think it's an individual thing. I just want the team to win. I don't care if it’s 1-0 or 10-9," he said.
Emery doesn’t make a return to Ottawa until the Flyers-Senators game there on Jan. 3.
3. Pyatt reunion on tap
They're not quite the Staal family, but Taylor and Tom Pyatt also grew up in Thunder Bay, Ont. It will be a special time for ex-NHLer Nelson Pyatt when his two sons square off for the first time at any level on Thursday as Montreal visits Phoenix.
The 28-year-old Taylor is a veteran forward with the Coyotes and will suit up for his 545th career game, while 22-year-old Tom was a recent call-up for Montreal and will play his fourth NHL game. The younger Pyatt was moved to a line with Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn in practice this week.
Nelson Pyatt played 296 NHL games between 1973 and 1980 for the Red Wings, the Washington Capitals and the former Colorado Rockies.
4. Niedermayer doesn't have no-trade clause
Anaheim defenceman Scott Niedermayer hasn’t given up on his Ducks, who are tied for last spot in the Western Conference with a 6-8-2 record.
But upon his return to New Jersey for the Ducks' 3-1 loss on Wednesday, he was asked about the likelihood of being traded back to the Devils before the NHL's March 3 trade deadline.
"I think it's a possibility," Niedermayer told The Star-Ledger newspaper. "Last year we were kind of in a situation where we were teetering and there was some talk and rumours. You start to think about it. But I'm not thinking about that right now. Our goal right now is to do well on this road trip, to play good hockey and get into the playoff picture and compete with this team. When those bridges come, I'll deal with them."
Niedermayer doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
5. Milestone to forget for Hitch
Seeing Detroit dismantle his Blue Jackets 9-1 at home on Wednesday wasn’t the way Ken Hitchcock wanted to celebrate his 1,000th game as an NHL coach. He became the 16th coach to reach the milestone and has a 520-351-129 record.
After loss No. 351, Hitchcock ordered all his players to sit at their dressing room stalls to face reporters. Columbus's practice on Thursday should be an interesting one.
"One thousand and one is Friday" against Anaheim, Hitchcock said. "We’re going to learn a lesson first, though."
