Duck Hunt

 The Anaheim Ducks, by far the greatest disappointment of the first half of the 2011-12 season, have been the subject of many bold trade rumors since their slow start to the year looked to be like something far greater than just a slump.  The Ducks seemed destined to be big time sellers at the trade deadline, and the debate became not only what superstar players would be on the move, but how many juggernauts' days were numbered in Anaheim.  BUT WAIT!  Now, suddenly the Ducks seem mighty once again, barrelling through opponents with wings of fire like they're out to prove that they are the talent-riddled team that everyone had believed them to be.
 The Ducks are 8-2-1 in January, their best players have lived up to the old hockey cliché and have been the team's best players, Jonas Hiller hasn't been a deadbeat between the pipes, and, although they still reside in the basement of the Pacific Division, just might pull off a miracle when it comes to a playoff push.  Even though Anaheim's General Manager, Bob Murray, is surely excited by his squads recent success, he's now left with some difficult decisions to make as his team approaches the trade deadline.  Should he be a buyer, and add to a hot team?  Should he consider a storybook run to a playoff berth too improbable to reach for, and sell at the deadline?  The smart decision for Mr. Murray to make here is a combination of both.

Takeaways From The 2012 WJC

 It almost goes without saying that this year's IIHF World Junior Championship was a magnificent tournament, but I'm still far from being over it, so I'll mention it as much as I can.  Hockey fans of all nations were reeling after every great hockey game put forth in Alberta over the past few weeks.  The competition was full of excitement, and took until the very last moment to be decided.  We all know that Sweden captured their first World Junior title since 1981, that this tournament that the Russians have returned back to prime form as an international threat again, and that U.S. had a more then disappointing showing (and I mean really disappointing,) but here are few more objective points, a "What We Learned", if you will, that must be mentioned following the conclusion if the 2012 World Junior Championship.

RED SCARE COMING TO D.C.

 Anyone with eyes could see Russian forward Yevgeni Kuznetzsov was the most commanding force on the ice for any team at the tournament.  Whether or not they used their eyes by looking at the scoresheet or his actual gameplay is the question. Kuznetsov led the entire tournament in points (13), and was a threat at all times to opponents.  Kuznetsov displayed his finishing touch, Bounty-soft hands, and eagle-like vision countless times, but everyone was so caught up in his performance in the present to recognize what this promising prospect holds for NHL hockey for the next few years...

 Kuznetsov is property of the Washington Capitals (selected 26th overall in 2010), who just happen to have his motherland's most destructive weapon sent overseas since the Cuban missile crisis, Alexander Ovechkin.  Quite convenient, unless you happen to be wearing a sweater that isn't "Rocking the Red".  Now, I'm not saying Kuznetsov is a lock for 52 goals and 54 assists in his rookie season with the Caps, but looking even a few years further into the future and Alex Semin's value fading, the possibility of Kuznetsov playing alongside Ovi on the right wing, or even following up The Great 8 on another line back-to-back would be a devastating combination to face.