Time for another weekly roundup, and what a week it’s been.  But the even bigger news will come over the next few days — it’s TRADE DEADLINE WEEK!  Lots of buzz around the league already, some surrounding some big name players – anything can happen between now and Wednesday at 3PM.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.

-The biggest story this week was the return of Martin Brodeur to the Devils’ lineup after missing 4 months following surgery to repair a torn bicep tendon.  Brodeur played in the team’s game Thursday against the Avalanche and posted a 4-0 shutout.  Marty then played back-to-back games this weekend and posted his 100th career shutout this afternoon against the Flyers.  Watch out for the Devils

-The Rangers finally fired Tom Renney this week (honestly, I’m shocked it took them this long), replacing him with former Tampa Bay Lightning coach John Tortorella.  Glen Sather is hoping the change in coaching style will spark the slumping Rangers and keep them in playoff contention.  Tortorella earned his first victory as coach Saturday night, a 6-1 stomping of the lowly Avalanche.

-Scary stuff: Ethan Moreau took a high stick to the eye late in Edmonton’s game against Minnesota on Saturday.  From TSN:

It looks like the stick gave him a gash on the socket. According to the doctors you could see where it raked across the eye,” (Craig) MacTavish told the Canadian Press.

All the best to Moreau.  Eye injuries are serious business.

-There have been a series of suspensions this week for high hits.  Brendan Witt of the Islanders was given 5 games for an elbow on Niklas Hagman of the Maple Leafs (a hit which probably deserved at least 10 games — awful play).  Derek Boogaard was also given 5 games for a hit on Brandon Prust of the Flames.  This weekend, Steve Ott was suspended indefinitely (pending a hearing with the disciplinary committee and Colin Campbell’s wheel o’justice) for an altercation with Anaheim’s Travis Moen in which he allegedly gouged at Moen’s eye.  The NHL’s Powers That Be can’t be happy with the number of dirty plays in such a short period of time.

-The first big deal of the deadline period was pulled off earlier in the week, as Pittsburgh sent Ryan Whitney to Anaheim for Chris Kunitz and prospect Eric Tangradi.  Solid deal for both teams.  Pittsburgh was in desperate need of another scoring winger to play with Sidney Crosby, and Kunitz should fill that role nicely.  Anaheim only has Pronger under contract past this season on their blueline, and adds some depth to their defense with Whitney and his 4-year contract, particularly if Niedermayer is moved or retires after this season.

-It appears that Bill Guerin will have a new address by tomorrow night.  The Islanders pulled their captain out of their game last night after warm-ups, and Guerin is not injured.  Speculation of destinations and possible deals have been flying around the blogosphere since then, but it seems Guerin has approved a deal to an Eastern Conference team that the Islanders are just waiting for approval from.  Once the team in question signs the dotted line I would expect him to be shipped out sometime tomorrow.

IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED TOMORROW…

Eastern Conference:

Boston Bruins (1) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (8)
New Jersey Devils (2) vs. New York Rangers (7)
Washington Capitals (3) vs. Florida Panthers (6)
Philadelphia Flyers (4) vs. Montreal Canadiens (5)

On the bubble: Buffalo Sabres (1 point out), Carolina Hurricanes (1 points out)

Western Conference:

San Jose Sharks (1) vs. Anaheim Ducks (8)
Detroit Red Wings (2) vs. Edmonton Oilers (7)
Calgary Flames (3) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (6)
Chicago Blackhawks (4) vs. Vancouver Canucks (5)

On the bubble: Nashville Predators (1 point out), Minnesota Wild (2 points out), Dallas Stars (2 points out)

Expect any teams not listed here (with the exception of, perhaps, St. Louis and LA) to be sellers as Wednesday approaches.

HIGHLIGHTS

Zach Parise had a stellar week, this goal is just one of the gems he’s contributed to the Devils’ recent success.

San Jose and Detroit met for the last time in the regular season this year, and Henrik Zetterberg had a monster night, tallying 2 goals as
Detroit went on to win 4-1.  This shorthanded goal was the highlight of the night.

Stay tuned for trade deadline updates and commentary all week.  It’s like Christmastime for hockey fans!