SKA Shows Kovalchuk The Money / Game 5 Aftermath

-Jumping on the links early today because I just got an email from Yankee that stated that the SKA of the Russian League have offered Ilya Kovalchuk a whopping 3-year/42 million contract. Here is the Russian site that is breaking this news, and here is the translation. Wow. Historic. Insanity.

-Also in that article it reads that 45-year old Czech legend Dominik Hasek has signed a 1 year deal with Spartak.

-Chris Pronger may have played in one of his worst games ever last night, being on the ice for 6 of Chicago's 7 goals and finishing a -5. But the entire Philly team laid an egg and couldn't keep up to the Hawks. Post game Pronger declared himself "day-to-day with hurt feelings", in reference to getting booed by the Hawks faithful. Pronger had all but silenced Dustin Byfuglien both physically and on the scoresheet until Game 5 where Buffy finally pushed back. Wow, a monster game by the beast. 2 goals and 4 points and a slew of hits, including one on Pronger that sent him sprawling. Don't see that happen to Pronger very often.

-Lots of celebrities at the United Center last night including the regular Vince Vaughn, Michelle Pfeiffer and even Michael Jordan.

-Quotes post game (Globe and Mail). They left out an in-game quote from Pronger to Thomas Kopecky telling him that his breath stinks.

-Puck Daddy's 3 stars of Game 5. The boxscore of the game is worth a look too. Hossa was a -3?? Huh. Ville Leino continues his marvelous play with 3 assists in game 5 and now 3rd on the rookie playoff scoring record list with 19 points in 18 games.

-Added: Guy Boucher has turned down the head coaching position for the Columbus Blue Jackets. I don't know where they had Manitoba Moose head coach Scott Arniel in the pecking order but we'll soon find out. (h/t missy)

-Added: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford is not feeling so optimistic that a deal can be reached with UFA Ray Whitney. (TSN)

-Added: Ever wonder what Jordin Tootoo does in the summer? Probably not, but he's willing to show you. Tootoo is very active on Twitter.