Got a question on the latest news and rumours? E-mail Hockey Insider Darren Dreger and hell answer your emails at dregereport@tsn.ca! Hi Darren, Do you think the Flames might make some moves to free up cap space prior to the trade deadline? Assuming they waive their NTCs, I could see Stajan, Bourque and Bouwmeester being moved - what do you think and who do you see Feaster going for? Adnan Kovacevic, Calgary A: Adnan, the Calgary Flames could be very active between now and the NHL trade deadline. Flames GM Jay Feaster isnt saying much these days as he, his coaching staff, and the players focus is on moving up the Western Conference ladder, but there is a sense around the league Calgary is willing to listen to just about any legitimate trade offer. Iginla, Kiprusoff, Giordano will always be the usual suspects, but its far too early to consider trades of this magnitude. However, if the Flames embrace the rebuilding concept as some predict they will this season, its conceivable one or two of the othwerwise deemed untouchables may be in play. ----- Hi Darren, When did the league approve the players numbers on the front of their helmets? I can only hope that this isnt a start of being like the European teams of having advertising on their jerseys! Thanks, and have a very happy and safe holiday to your family. Terry Dunlap, Saint John, NB A: Terry, believe it or not, the numbers on the front of the helmets is a TV initiative. The numbers help television directors, producers and camera operators properly identify players on the bench. Its unlikely the NHL will ever go to the extreme of blanket advertising on sweaters, etc. Notice, I use the term unlikely as when it comes to generating revenue, the National Hockey League is willing to consider almost anything. But turning players into skating skating billboards isnt on the radar. ----- Hi Darren, What typically happens when a coach/GM has been released from their duties before their contract is up and then is subsequently hired by another team? Since he was under contract from their former team, are they entitled to the money remaining on that contract or as part of being allowed to interview the individual under contract does the other team take responsibility for the remaining contract? Thanks,Ed Chapman A: Ed, traditionally there is a pre-existing dismissal clause that outlines the terms of compensation if the contract is terminated before expiration. In some cases, there is a lump sum payout, in other cases disputes over money owed has been arbitrated by the NHL, while in more amicable arrangements, the fired executive stays on salary for the remainder of his deal. While under contract, any team with interest in the coach/GM must request and receive permission to speak with the candidate from the former employer. Assuming permission has been granted, the coach/GM is free to negotiate with the new club. However, if term remains on this individuals existing contract, the new team inherits the deal, but is free to enhance or negotiate in additional years. ----- Hi Darren! Do you think Teemu Selanne might be traded to a contender or a team in the playoffs battle if (when) Ducks continue to lose and what do you think would be the price theyd be asking for? I think everyone would be thrilled to see Selanne in the playoffs with Winnipeg one more time. Thanks for your time! Tirehtoori Hermansson, Hockey fan from Finland A: Tirehtoori, thanks for the email. As you would expect, Teemu Selanne is beloved in Anaheim by all. He will retire a Duck. However, Im sure Ducks general manager Bob Murray has or will speak to Selanne about the many options that may come in to play. I worked in Winnipeg during Selannes rookie campaign and have enjoyed his career from start to finish, however...with all due respect to Winnipeg, IF Selanne is interested in a deadline day deal, it will be because he wants one more chance to win the Stanley Cup. I would suspect his first choice (if at all) nwould be to go to a solid contender. I like the way you think, Tirehtoori...this type of speculation is what NHL Insiders feed on!! Happy Holidays. ----- Hi Darren, The other day, Garth Snow stated that the playoff push starts now. What is it going to take for Snow to realize he needs to improve this team (especially on defence) to even have a remote chance of playoffs this year or in the next few years? What have you heard about any changes Snow may make or is looking into? Michael RotondoVaughan, Ontario A: Michael, Garth Snow and the New York Islanders need consistancy...at all levels. On paper, the Isles look like a decent team. Early in the season their defence was getting the job done, as was goaltending, but the young forward corps struggled to put the puck in the net. Weve seen the Islanders make late season charges and claw back to respectability and I suspect that will be the case again this season. However, it appears too much damage has already been done for New York to do anything but start selling hope for next season. Snow has the assets to attract trades, but he may elect to be patient...allow this young team to grow together before assessing where his most glaring needs are in the offseason. I predict Doug Weight will take on a bigger role, as he seems to enjoy his time on the bench and clearly has a good connection with New Yorks young talent. Wholesale MLB Jerseys . Hunter Shinkaruk scored once and set up four others for the Tigers (6-8-1), while Boston Leier, Ty Stanton, Dylan Bredo, Chad Labelle and Gavin Broadhead also scored. NBA Jerseys China . No. 1 draft pick Anthony Davis fit right in for New Orleans in his pro debut, scoring 21 points with a dazzling variety of offensive moves, but the Spurs came through in the final minute for a 99-95 victory over the Hornets on opening night Wednesday. http://www.xingfantrade.com/ . -- Training camp is the time to take chances. cheap jerseys from china . The third-ranked Spaniard withdrew from the U.S. Open on Wednesday. Tendinitis has kept him out of action since his stunning loss at Wimbledon in late June. Wholesale Jerseys . While many fans wanted him fired a long time ago and the media expects hell be gone next week, Reids players are firmly behind their embattled coach.INDIANAPOLIS -- Paul George is starting to make the New Jersey Nets cringe whenever they play the Indiana Pacers. George scored a career-high 24 points to lead the Pacers to a 106-99 win over the Nets on Tuesday night. And its not the first time George has spoiled things for the Nets. George, who shot 8 of 11 in this one, scored 21 points to lead the Pacers to a 108-94 win against the Nets on Jan. 2. "I just want to be effective on both sides of the ball and help this team win," George said. "We picked up the defensive effort and just turned it up." Danny Granger had 21 points and seven rebounds and Roy Hibbert had 18 points and 14 rebounds, his ninth double-double of the year. Deron Williams scored 34 points for the Nets, who have lost two straight overall and nine straight against the Pacers. Indiana went on a 12-0 run midway through the third quarter and eventually led by as much as 18 in the fourth. The Nets turned the ball over three times and missed three shots in the Pacers big run and shot just 40 per cent overall in the third. For Pacers coach Frank Vogel, it was just a perfect example of the smash-mouth basketball he has always been striving for. "We continue to grow our identity," said Vogel, who was impressed with George. "Paul George really carried us through some offensive stretches. Hes a heck of a weapon at both ends." George capped the biggest lead of the third quarter with a reverse dunk off Lou Amundsons steal to give the Pacers an 84-72 lead at the end of the third quarter. With the game tied at 66, George hit a 3-pointer and Granger went to the line to give the Pacers a 71-66 lead. Granger and George combined to score nine of the 12 points in the run. But the Nets made a run back at the Pacers late in the fourth quarter and even got within three after a 15-2 run in which Anthony Morrow scored 11 of his 28 points. &qquot;Our team got down 12 or 14 points, but we kept battling and then we got within striking distance," Nets coach Avery Johnson said.dddddddddddd "Unfortunately, the ball just popped out on us." Johnson was also unhappy with the Nets 19 turnovers, which the Pacers turned into 30 points, a season best for the Pacers. Things started out shaky for Indiana as the Pacers turned the ball over on four of their first five trips down the floor. The only points came from George on a 3-pointer. The Pacers turned the ball over again on the next trip down the floor, but then Collison scored on a long jumper to cut the lead to 10-5 and spark a 10-0 run to give the Pacers the lead. George hit another 3-pointer, Granger scored and Collison scored on a three-point play to give the Pacers a 13-10 lead. The Nets played without MarShon Brooks, who broke his right, little toe and didnt play Tuesday. Brooks, who is averaging 14.8 points, missed the three previous games because of a sore Achilles. Mehmet Okur missed his third straight game because of a sore lower back. DeShawn Stevenson didnt play because of a sore right knee. Pacers guard George Hill left the game with 1:35 left in the third quarter and didnt return after he came down on a foot. Vogel said Hill has a small chip-fracture on his left ankle and will be out indefinitely. "Ill work with the training staff and try to get back out on the court as soon as possible," Hill said. Notes: Pacers C Jeff Foster is day-to-day with a sore lower back, but Vogel expects him out the remainder of the week. ... Pacers C Roy Hibbert had his broken nose set Monday morning. "Hes going to look a little cuter," Vogel said. "I dont know that its anything more than that." ... Nets C Brook Lopez is out with a broken right foot, while F Damian James is sidelined after undergoing right foot surgery. ' ' '