Conklin out, Howard in

It's official - Jimmy Howard will get his chance to join the Detroit Red Wings.

The Detroit Free Press reports that the Red Wings have decided not to offer former New Hampshire goalie Ty Conklin a contract and as of Wednesday, Conklin will be an unrestricted free agent.

Howard, a goalie who played at Maine from 2002 to 2005, now has his best opportunity to become Chris Osgood's back-up. According to the Free Press, "Howard, 25, is out of minor-league options after spending four seasons
with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Wings’ AHL affiliate."

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John Tortorella is probably feeling a little more patriotic today.

Tortorella, a former UMaine player who completed the season as coach of the New York Rangers, was named as an assistant coach for Team USA in the 2010 Winter Olympics. Tortorella and Islanders Coach Scott Gordon will be assistants for Ron Wilson, who coaches the Maple Leafs.

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Turns out Puck Daddy - Yahoo.com's hockey blogger - is already a fan of Biddeford's Brian Dumoulin, despite the overall lack of satisfaction with Carolina's picks.

I did, however, like their pick of Brian Dumoulin in the second round.
He's going to defenseman factory Boston College, which has turned out
NHL d-men like Andrew Alberts, Peter Harrold, Brooks Orpik and Rob Scuderi in recent years. 

Also, Puck Daddy gave props to former UMainer Garth Snow, the New York Islanders' general manager, for getting it right in drafting John Tavares with the No. 1 pick, and for making some shrewd moves. 

Snow took John Tavares first overall, which is all well and good;
and it was certainly the right decision from a marketing standpoint --
with not much separating Tavares and Matt Duchene talent-wise, Tavares
seemed more likely to sell a couple jerseys and season tickets, at
least.

But then he turned a No. 26 pick and a second, two
thirds, a fourth and a seventh (believe me they had like 50 picks so
it's no big deal) into the No. 12 pick and select Calvin de Haan. They
selected three players in the first 31 picks and very quietly have
taken 20 players in the last two drafts.

(h/t Tommy)