Random thoughts from the week so far...

Crosby's consecutive games points streak ends at 25 - I have a feeling this will be the first of many extended points streaks in his career. The irony of it is it stopped against the Isles, the team he's been the most productive against in the league. You know that's burning him up inside.

24/7 Winter Classic - 3rd Installment - A very entertaining episode but it was too much about the Pens-Caps game in Washington last Thursday. You get the sense that if the Caps win the game at Heinz Field, it could turn their season around. Everyone needs to stop worrying about the potential weather issues. The NHL will find a way to have it run smoothly.

James Wisniewski - I can't believe the Isles traded him. He's your best defenseman that's healthy and has shored up their back end as much as he can. I know you're a team that's perennially building towards the future, but c'mon. Great pick up for Montreal, though. Their power play should be firing on all cylinders soon.

Marek Svatos - What a genius move by the Predators. They wait for another team to sign him (division rival St. Louis) and grab him before he clears waivers, and only have to foot half the bill. Anytime Marek scores against St. Louis, it will cut just a little deeper. Svatos isn't what he used to be, but in an anemic offense like Nashville's, he'll provide a spark.

Bye Bye Sutter - The Flames axed GM Duane Sutter. It's about damn time. He wasted Miika Kiprusoff's career and didn't know how to follow up their Cup run after the strike. Calgary needs to officially go in to rebuild mode. If they can get a great offer for Jarome Iginla at the deadline, they need to think about it. If Ray Bourque can leave Boston to go win and have the Bruins fans behind him, Jarome should mean the same to Flames fans.