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ICE…the most interesting trade rumour of the week; Chicago moving Patrick Kane to Buffalo for goalie Ryan Miller. The Sabre netminder has seemed perturbed ever since his teammates reacted indifferently to his assault by a rabid Milan Lucic. He is an outspoken and passionate player and he may revel in the chance for a fresh start. Buffalo would have a “face” for their franchise with the addition of Kane…

…the rose is off the bloom for Jeff Carter. The talented centre was a destructive influence in Philadelphia and promptly moved out when Claude Giroux began to emerge as a star. The hellacious contract he signed with Columbus is a millstone, a death stroke, a ten year marriage to a grimy malcontent. Fans must be terrified, as we approach the trade deadline, that the Blue Jackets will somehow seek to package Carter with the prized Rick Nash, making the addition of the jerk a condition of the acquisition of the star.

Carter’s insufferable attitude in Columbus is distressing.

The tale told around the campfire whispers that the Flyers were concerned last season with the excessive drinking of the team. The solution was a heartfelt appeal to the players that they, as a group, refrain from alcohol for a period of time. The players were asked to make a collective gesture and it appears the bulk of the Flyers felt it was a necessary adjustment. Everyone but Mike Richards and Carter, two of the team’s purported leaders.

Not only did they refuse, they mocked management and the complying players. In the off season, both were dispatched.

Richard toils away as the understudy to Anze Kopitar on a remarkably talented Los Angeles King squad, while Carter goes to Columbus and begins the process again of alienating teammates and the boss.

And, he does this after being rewarded with a massive, lucrative, ten year deal.

Carter is the poison of Trade Deadline Day, the venomous bitch that must be avoided at all costs. Oft injured, a sulky narcissist, he will be the Blue Jackets poison pill, the Judas they will be desperate to off-load…just say no, Mr. Burke…

…Bob McCowan’s show was redolent with revelations tonight, most noticeably the reveal that Leaf coach Ron Wilson “can’t stand” young defenseman Luke Schenn. The Buds, the feeling goes, are going to rid themselves of Schenn, by hook or by crook, by deadline day…

RANDOM…t-shirt slogan available on Bourbon Street, in New Orleans; I SOMETIMES WONDER, “WHY IS THAT FRISBEE GETTING BIGGER?” THEN IT HITS ME…

PUG LIFE…Canadian light heavyweight Jean Pascal received allot of attention for losing his car in a Superbowl bet. A more important issue may be his inactivity. Pascal was last in the ring in May 2011, when he was soundly whipped by ancient Bernard Hopkins. The fighter has just turned down a WBC mandated fight, one that would have lead to a title shot, and he seems adrift…Pascal is not an “athletic” type who can coast through his career. He needs to remain active. His indecision and lack of initiative against Hopkins was worrisome, and the solution was to build up his confidence with a steady stream of beatable foes. His connections have done the exact opposite…

PONIES…the magnificent Black Caviar returns to the races after a mere one week rest tonight in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington in Australia. The unbeaten mare is turning back from seven furlongs to five and, unbelievably, may be vulnerable on this type of short notice. She is currently at 1-10 and offers no value. Why not take a shot against her? I don’t like this kind of ragged schedule for an animal of her stature. It is decidedly low brow and may lead to a shocking result…