What does “C.F.L.” mean to you?
The annual trickle of talent from the CFL teams to the NFL has increased to a stream... How long before it is a torrent? This author is most sensitive to the effects on the B.C. Lions. The most recent departure is the C.F.L. Rookie of the Year last season Martell Mallet - who has joined the Philadelphia Eagles. 
This deduction from the team's starting roster comes right alongside the departure of talented Americans fullback Rolly Lumbala, and kick returner Ryan Grice-Mullen to the Miami Dolphins 
As blogged by TSN analyst Glenn Suitor...
Now, more and more, both Canadian and American-born players currently in the CFL are being pursued by NFL teams for a variety of reasons.
First, there is no other professional football played in the world so once a player leaves college, he has two choices, and no I'm not counting that new four-team American league, whatever it is called. Simply put, if you are not playing the game somewhere, you are falling farther off a scout's radar screen.
Secondly, it seems the politics in the NFL are starting to slowly change. It used to be that if a first-round pick from a major US college did not pan out in an NFL training camp, he still not only made the team, but stayed on the roster for a few years so the scouting staff didn't have to admit that they made a mistake. Very seldom, if ever, did they look north.
Now that practice still does exist, but it appears that the NFL power brokers are starting to not only look north more often but starting to really dig. How else do you explain that, of the 12 CFL players that have already signed NFL deals, seven of them were essentially CFL back-ups?
This brings us to the reoccurring question of what is "Canadian" about the C.F.L. ?
It seems plausible the Canadian Football League has to change the terms of the Free Agency Window in the next collective bargaining agreement. It is unjust the way the NFL teams pay nothing to fleece the talent from it's northern cousins. The second change that needs to occur - sooner than later - is the accelerated development of the Canadian collegiate system. The C.F.L. needs to support the Canadian talent pool better. Share resources (money) and increase the roster requirements for Canadian born players... Otherwise the C.F.L. is dependent on the cast offs from the NFL and is vulnerable to any proven talent being raided by the NFL forevermore.
deanofnucks
Does Brett Farve return?
The moment Brett Favre released his desperate pass with less than 2 minutes to go in the 4th quarter of the NFC Championship game - he knew he made the kind of mistake he had avoided all season. He committed the No. 1 no-no for an NFL quarterback when he threw the ball late and back over the middle toward Sidney Rice, and Tracy Porter stepped in front to intercept the pass. 
The center of media attention will swing away from Farve for a time. Now it becomes all about the crowning achievement for the remaining two teams the Colts 
and the Saints 
For me - an old fart like Farve - the real question (aside from the injustice of how the Vikes lost !) is whether or not the appearance of Farve was the final chapter in his storied career...
The Minnesota Vikings have a well balanced team. The two-many-men penalty was the coaches fault not Farve's. Yes, he threw the interception - but doesn't he deserve a last shot in 2010 / 2011? I think he can do it... circumstances aside - he should be there this year.
deanofnucks
Does Stephane Auger belong in the NHL?
After the past week in the fallout of the NHL handling ... or should I say bungling of the situation surrounding their employee referee Stephane Auger - one must wonder if this official should be released from his duties...
Alexander Burrows is no saint I am willing to agree. However, whenever the bias of an official taints the outcome and obviously tips the scales of competitive balance in a contest - the NHL should be firm and swift in its removal of the official's involvement from any more games.
Stephane Auger has had three complaints filed against his officiating by three separate parties in the past 5 years. He has been hauled into league offices previously because his officiating has shown the color of his personal bias in the past. For nothing to be levied against him in a contest which cost the Vancouver Canucks a valuable 2 points is atrocious.
To compound the malaise the NHL showed for the situation - they let their lap dog Ron McLean run amok performing character assassination of Alexander Burrows post game the weekend after the incident in question. 
Yes McLean is an employee of the CBC Sports crew - but to roll out Colin Campbell for a one-sided tirade by the VERY biased ex-official playing broadcaster McLean is collaborative if anything.
Pure gutless on the NHL's part - and pure UN professional on the part of CBC Sports and Ron McLean. Go crawl back to Toronto and New York the both of you...
deanofnucks
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Canucks add a veteran on defence
DALLAS — The Canucks are getting some injury relief on defence, but not today. Minor-league defenceman Brad Lukowich has cleared re-entry waivers and will join the National Hockey League team, but won't be in today's lineup against the Dallas Stars.
Lukowich, who spent the first half of the season in the minors due to his salary not his ability, will upgrade the depth on defence after Vancouver culled Mathieu Schneider, then lost Kevin Bieksa to a serious calf and tendon injury.
Due to his salary, Lukowich, 33, required re-entry waivers and any NHL team could have claimed him for half price. Instead, the Canucks get an experienced, capable defenceman whose salary-cap hit ($1.567-million-US) is almost the same as Schneider's ($1.55 million).
Lukowich, a Cranbrook native who played junior hockey in Kamloops, has been on loan to the Stars' farm team in nearby Austin, Tex. Lukowich will join the team in Vancouver before the four-game homestand that begins Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Aaron Rome, who went from eighth to sixth on the depth chart this week, remains in the lineup for today's game. The Canucks are 2-0-1 on the road trip.
Roberto Luongo makes Team Canada
Scott Niedermayer will captain Team Canada at the 2010 Olympic Games, with Sidney Crosby, Jarome Iginla and Chris Pronger to serve as alternates.
The four players were among 23 named to Team Canada on Wednesday at an unveiling in Saskatoon, Sask.
Joining Niedermayer and Pronger on the blueline for Canada are Dan Boyle, Drew Doughty, Duncan Keith, Shea Weber and Brent Seabrook.
Rounding out Canada's forwards are Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Getzlaf, Dany Heatley, Patrick Marleau, Brenden Morrow, Rich Nash, Corey Perry, Mike Richards, Eric Staal, Joe Thornton and Jonathan Toews.
Martin Brodeur, Marc-Andre Fleury and Roberto Luongo will be between the pipes for Canada.
Here's how Team Canada breaks down:
Forwards
Patrice Bergeron, L'Ancienne-Lorette, Que. (Boston Bruins)
Sidney Crosby, Cole Harbour, N.S. (Pittsburgh Penguins) Alternate captain
Ryan Getzlaf, Regina, Sask. (Anaheim Ducks)
Dany Heatley, Calgary, Alta. (San Jose Sharks)
Jarome Iginla, St. Albert, Alta. (Calgary Flames) Alternate captain
Patrick Marleau, Aneroid Sask. (San Jose Sharks)
Brenden Morrow, Carlyle, Sask. (Dallas Stars)
Rick Nash, Brampton, Ont. (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Mike Richards, Kenora, Ont. (Philadelphia Flyers)
Corey Perry, Peterborough, Ont. (Anaheim Ducks)
Eric Staal, Thunder Bay, Ont. (Carolina Hurricanes)
Joe Thornton, St. Thomas, Ont. (San Jose Sharks)
Jonathan Toews, Winnipeg, Man. (Chicago Blackhawks)
Defence
Dan Boyle, Ottawa, Ont. (San Jose Sharks)
Drew Doughty, Ottawa, Ont. (LA Kings)
Duncan Keith, Penticton, B.C. (Chicago Blackhawks)
Scott Niedermayer, Cranbrook, B.C. (Anaheim Ducks) - Captain
Chris Pronger, Dryden, Ont. (Philadelphia Flyers) - Alternate captain
Brent Seabrook, Tsawwassen, B.C. (Chicago Blackhawks)
Shea Weber, Sicamous, B.C. (Nashville Predators)
Goalies
Roberto Luongo, Montreal, Que. (Vancouver Canucks)
Martin Brodeur, Montreal, Que. (New Jersey Devils)
Marc-Andre Fleury, Sorel, Que. (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Steve Yzerman and co. have made their decisions, but what could generate even more discussion is what players aren't on that list.
Notable forwards left out of the mix include Jeff Carter (Flyers), Shane Doan (Phoenix Coyotes), Ryan Smyth (LA Kings), Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning), Martin St. Louis (Tampa Bay Lightning), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Mike Fisher (Ottawa Senators).
Of the goalies invited to Team Canada's Olympic orientation camp in August, Cam Ward (Carolina Hurricanes) and Steve Mason (Columbus Blue Jackets) didn't make the cut.
Notable blueliners not named to the team include Mike Green of the Washington Capitals, the leading point-getting defenceman in the NHL; and Calgary Flames Dion Phaneuf and Jay Bouwmeester.
Insider note: Team Canada's brass met until midnight Tuesday, and the most discussed topic was the seventh defenceman, according to TSN analyst Pierre McGuire. The two players they were talking about: Doughty and Bouwmeester.
Team Canada opens the 2010 Olympic Games on Feb. 16 against Norway. Vancouver marks the fourth Olympic Games with full NHL participation.
CANUCKS LOOK FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN AS THEY VISIT COYOTES
Phoenix has missed out on the postseason in each of the last six seasons, but the club's strong play at home this year could put that unwanted streak to an end.
The Coyotes will try to set a club record tonight with a 10th straight win at home as they take on the Vancouver Canucks at Jobing.com Arena.
The Canucks have won three straight and seven of their last nine games. After a 6-2-0 homestand, they opened a four-game road trip with Sunday's 5-1 win in Calgary.
Mason Raymond netted the game's last three goals for his first career hat trick. The third-year winger has already set career highs this year in goals (17) and points (29) in 39 games.
"It's exciting, it's something I'll always remember," Raymond said. "It's good to get those two points, and that's big for us."
Henrik Sedin and Kyle Wellwood also scored for the Canucks, while Roberto Luongo made 29 saves in the victory.
Vancouver is four points back of first-place Colorado in the Northwest Division and currently occupies the eighth spot in the Western Conference standings.
Phoenix is hoping to make the postseason for the first time since 2001-02 and currently stands fourth in the conference with 51 points. It trails first- place San Jose by four points in the Pacific Division, but lost a point to the Sharks thanks to a 3-2 shootout loss in San Jose last night.
Ilya Bryzgalov made 36 saves, but allowed a goal in the shootout's first round. That was enough for San Jose netminder Evgeni Nabokov, who halted all three skaters he faced in the deciding frame.
"We had a couple good shots and Nabokov played really well. Both goaltenders were phenomenal tonight. You have to tip your hat to both of them, they were unbelievable," captain Shane Doan said.
Doan and Petr Prucha both scored for the Coyotes, who had a three-game overall winning streak snapped.
Phoenix now returns home, where it hasn't lost since November 16. The Coyotes' victory over the Kings on Saturday matched the club's record home winning streak of nine, first set from December 27, 1992-January 23, 1993 when the franchise was still located in Winnipeg.
The Coyotes, who are 15-5-0 at home this year and begin a three-game homestand, haven't allowed more than two goals in any of their last nine wins as the host. Bryzgalov is 15-3-0 with a 1.60 goals-against average in 18 home starts this year, but it is Jason LaBarbera who is expected to start tonight according to Phoenix's official Web site.
LaBarbera, who made eight starts with the Canucks last year, is 2-3-0 with a 2.33 GAA in six games (5 starts) this year and would make his first start since a victory in Columbus on December 17 in which he made 38 saves. He has lost both of his home starts this season.
These two clubs have split their last eight meetings overall and the last four in Phoenix.
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