Jamming The Crease

The sign of an MVP is the ability to make those around him better, and that's what Evgeni Malkin is doing for the Penguins. AP

MAILBAG Submit a comment or question for Allan. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

Interesting side note to that Sens/Canes deal: Not only was it intra-conference, but it was between two teams that conceivably could meet up in the first round of the playoffs, proving that in a difficult trade market, you can't rule out anyone as a partner if the deal improves your team . . .

Expect Evgeni Malkin's name to be added to the mix the next time you hear possible Hart Trophy candidates discussed. An unlikely winner, to be sure, but his play since Sidney Crosby went down on Jan. 18 has proved that Malkin is more than just the Kid's second banana. With 21 points in 10 games since assuming the alpha dog role, Malkin's carried a team that's in a dogfight for the Atlantic title. Maybe more important, he's finally got the enigmatic Ryan Malone's game in gear . . .

The talk of making neck guards mandatory in the wake of Richard Zednik's gruesome injury is nice and all, but it'll die down quickly. If the players are put out by half shields for their faces, these cumbersome, uncomfortable pieces of neck protection don't stand a chance. . .

Interesting rumor out of Dallas has the Stars sending veteran Jeff Halpern to Montreal. He'd certainly fill a need with his grit and checking ability, but if the Habs are looking for shutdown faceoff center, buyer beware. There may be no player in the league who gets tossed out of the circle more often than Halpern. The problem? His timing is brutal .. .

It's not the fact that they have four games in hand on division-leading Dallas, or five on second-place Anaheim, that suggests the third-place Sharks are still the favorites to capture the Pacific Division, it's that they play 16 of their final 26 games on the road. San Jose's been the league's most inhospitable visitor this season, piling up a 17-5-3 mark. The Sharks start a season-long eight-game road trip, including a swim through the entire Atlantic Division, on Sunday....

The deal signed yesterday between Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers, rumored to be six years at $39 million, is a fair one for both sides. With a young but proven No. 1 in place, you have to believe the Rangers may finally part ways with top prospect Al Montoya. The sixth overall pick of the 2004 draft, Montoya's been the Rangers ace in the hole. But he's struggled this season with Hartford of the AHL, where he's been outplayed by Finnish rookie Miika Wikman. If the Blueshirts make a deal before the deadline -- to acquire Rob Blake, perhaps? -- it wouldn't be a surprise to see Montoya, an RFA this summer, sent packing. Wikman, it's worth pointing out, is with Hartford on an AHL contract and can be signed by anyone after the season is over. It's believed that he'll sign an NHL deal with the Rangers at that point, but someone could swoop in with a better offer if he continues his strong play.