March 20

As the NHL trade deadline approaches, many players are wondering where they'll end up on March 11 and our Native players are not immune. 

Joey Teterenko, whom has seen limited playing time with the Florida Panthers this year,  has been traded to the Ottawa Senators.  Despite their President's Trophy performance thus far this season, the Sens have been criticized for their lack of toughness which many think may cost them a solid playoff run.  Teterenko comes to the Senators the day after a melee filled game against Toronto that left only 6 Ottawa players on the bench by the end of the game.  The Senators hope that Teterenko will give them the grit and toughness they haven't had since Andre Roy was traded.

Brandon Smith was called up this week from the AHL to the New York Islanders.  The solid defenseman is holding the blue-line while Kenny Johnsson is out with a knee injury.  In just his first game up with the team, Smith was placed on the powerplay and demonstrated some very solid play.  Previous to being with the Islander organization, Smith played for the Boston Bruins. 

The Montreal Candiens have been plauges with problems this year.  Just last year, the team appeared to be on the rise.  However, the team has fallen well below expectations this year, causing turmoil within the team and questionable decisions.

The latest controversy resides around loyal Candien Gino Odjick. As you may know, Gino has sat out the season thus far due to a concussion he received this past summer while practicing with a few other players.  A  couple of weeks ago, he was cleared to play and was assigned to Utah of the AHL for conditioning. Odjick refused, stating that he was still not well.  The team thus released him for what coach Michele Therrien says are "personal problems."  In fact, Gino has been banned from the entire club and is not allowed on the premises.

Nativehockey.com has not been able to find any further information on the situation, but will bring you updates as we receive them.