Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

J.R. for the Cup; Linden bids farewell; Savard skating; Franzen red hot; Johnson to be sent down; Semin steps up; Lecavalier needs surgery; and more...
ONE MORE CHANCE 
While Jeremy Roenick wasn't certain about returning, Sharks GM Doug Wilson will tell you he was sure about the 19-year veteran from day one.

J.R. burst into the league as a 19 year old with the Chicago Blackhawks, and quickly proved himself to be a game-changing performer. In his first full season with the Hawks, Roenick recorded 66 points, and in his third year, led a previously dismal Chicago squad to the Stanley Cup finals. Roenick hasn't been back since.

Since Chicago's loss to Pittsburgh in the 1992 Stanley Cup finals, Roenick has collected plenty of personal accolades--including being the last player to record three consecutive 100 point seasons. However the former perennial 40-goal man has only managed to make it to the Conference finals once, as a Philadelphia Flyer. The once gifted all-around player's career seemed all but over following disappointing stints with the Los Angeles Kings and Phoenix Coyotes. Roenick failed to record 30 points during either of those tenures, and was left off of the 2006 US Olympic team.

Contrary to speculation that Roenick would retire, J.R. signed a $500,000 contract with the San Jose Sharks on September 4, 2007 for presumably, one final year. The acquisition has paid dividends for a Sharks squad that has been on the brink of excellence over the past three seasons.

Roenick's prima donna reputation has not followed him to California. The 38-year old has played every role possible in his return, from aiding youngsters Torrey Mitchell and Patrick Rissmiller on the 4th line, to skating alongside Joe Thornton and the first unit. His 33 points may be a far cry from his glory years in the Windy City, but J.R. still hangs with the superstars when it counts—he ranks second in the league in game winning goals, one behind Alexander Ovechkin.

Perhaps the hockey world won't be pulling for J.R. to get his hands on Lord Stanley in the way they did for Ray Bourque or Dave Andreychuk, but the select few who have appreciated Roenick's brutally honest approach to the game during his 19 years in the league certainly will be.

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SAVARD SKATES 
Bruins playmaker Marc Savard skated for the first time since suffering a cracked bone in his back, according to the Boston Globe. INTEL Youngsters David Krejci and Phil Kessel have thrived in Savard's absence, but his skills would be greatly appreciated in Beantown for the playoffs.

OTT MAN OUT 
Dallas forward Steve Ott is suffering from flu like symptoms, and left Friday's game period. INTEL Both Brad Richards and Mike Ribeiro are suffering from similar symptoms, but both may play Sunday. Ott is listed as day-to-day.

HARD(ING) KNOCK LIFE 
Coach Jacques Lemaire will likely give Wild starting goaltender Niklas Backstrom a rest Sunday, putting Josh Harding between the pipes. INTEL Easily one of the top five backups in the league, Harding is stuck behind workhorse Backstom in Minnesota. The 23-year-old netminder has one year remaining on his contract before he becomes a restricted free agent.

RIVERMAN JOHNSON 
The St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that Blues defenseman Erik Johnson will likely join the AHL affiliate Peoria Rivermen for their playoff run. INTEL Johnson will better learn to become an elite blueliner by playing in high pressure environments, and meaningful games--something Johnson hasn't seen with the Blues since mid-season.

SHOT IN THE FOOT 
The Nashville Tennessean is reporting that Predators center David Legwand is doubtful for the first round of the playoffs with a bruised foot. INTEL The Preds will have all they can handle in the Detroit Red Wings in the first round, especially without their number two pivot. Coach Barry Trotz will likely match power with power, pitting Jason Arnott's line against Henrik Zetterberg's trio.

VINNY UNDER THE KNIFE 
Vincent Lecavalier will have surgery to repair the damaged labrum in his right shoulder. INTEL Vinny had the second best season of his career, finishing with 92 points. The surgery will take 12-13 weeks to heal, slating the 'Bolts captain's return for training camp next season. A healthier Lecavalier is a scary thought for opposing goaltenders.

FINNISH-ING STRONG 
Ducks winger Teemu Selanne had two goals in a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings Saturday. INTEL The Finnish Flash had 22 points in 25 games in his belated return. Selanne has a new friend on the left wing, big Todd Bertuzzi, who is bound to create some space for the veteran sniper during the postseason.

BOYES WILL BE BOYS 
St. Louis winger Brad Boyes scored his 42nd goal of the season Saturday in the Blues' 3-0 shutout of the Columbus Blue Jackets. INTEL A line of 42-22 may have won Boyes a Cy Young award in the 1900s, but in order to become the elite player he is capable of being, he will have to become more of a playmaker. Nonetheless, a career year for Boyes with 64 points going into the final game of the year.

GOOD LUCK TKACHUK 
Keith Tkachuk scored twice as the St. Louis Blues defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-0. Tkachuk now has 37 points in 38 career games against the Jackets. He is also one goal shy of the 500 goal plateau. INTEL The 36-year old left-winger is going into the final year of his contract with the Blues. A traditionally hard-nosed bargainer when it comes to contracts, one can expect Tkachuk will be eager to improve upon his '07 campaign.

HOLIK COW! 
Bobby Holik scored his 15th goal, 36th point of the season Saturday night in a 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. INTEL Defensive specialist Holik has been somewhat of an enigma since earning a baffling $.9.6 million with the Rangers in 2003. The unrestricted free agent is a dismal minus-14 to close out the season, and it is doubtful that any team will offer him anywhere near the $4.5 million the Thrashers gave him.

EARNING HIS WINGS 
Johan Franzen had the game winner in six of Detroit's ten victories in the month of March. INTEL Franzen is soaring playing alongside Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg in Tomas Holmstrom's absence. He has 15 goals in 15 games going into Sunday's season finale with Chicago, and is making fans in Motown forget about Holmstrom's grit on the top line.

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS 
Leafs winger Mark Bell scored in the 2nd period of Toronto's 3-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens Saturday night. INTEL Bell's season has been hampered by off-season controversy, and he was subsequently underused in Toronto. Playing on a makeshift top line with Kris Newbury and Jason Blake, Bell made an immediate impact. '08-09 could be a big rebound year for the Ontario native.

THE OTHER ALEXANDER 
A Russian winger stepped up to propel the Washington Capitals into the playoffs on Saturday, but it wasn't Alexander Ovechkin. Alexander Semin had a goal and an assist in a huge 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. INTEL Semin failed to live up to his 73 point season of 2007, but had five points in six games to close out the season. He will have to improve upon his minus-18 rating if he wants to log important minutes in the playoffs.

FAREWELL TREVOR 
Vancouver Canucks forward Trevor Linden likely played his last game Saturday night against the Calgary Flames. In a classy move, Canucks coach Alain Vigneault placed Linden in the starting lineup. INTEL Linden was a leader from the moment he entered the league, never spending a minute in the minors. He was awarded the captaincy in Vancouver at the ripe age of 20, and spent 16 seasons with the club over his 19 year career. An ambassador for the league and the city of Vancouver on and off the ice, Linden will be sorely missed in NHL circles.