What's Next for Semyon Varlamov?

It's been news for about a month or so, and today, more news came out about the alleged assault by Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov on his girlfriend.

The goalie has been charged with third-degree assault on Friday morning after his girlfriend accused him of kicking, stomping on, dragging, and threatening her in late October.

His 24-year-old girlfriend said the encounter happened on Oct. 28 at her home in the 1700 block neighborhood of Bassett Street. She had bruises consistent with the physical encounter, the police report indicated.

The couple has had a history of domestic disturbances, according to the girlfriend's attorney. He says this is the fourth or fifth time they have had run-ins with one another. They have been together for about four years since meeting in Russia and she works as a model in the U.S.

She said about the charges, "I want everyone to know, all the fans to know, that he's not the great Semyon Varlamov. Great people don't beat up their women. They don't belittle them...throw out like dogs. I want people to know this, that this man can be an animal."

This story does not change my opinion over Semyon Varlamov in any way. I knew he was a goon from the moment I heard about this and when I saw and read that she had bruise marks that were consistent with the injury, I knew that she had a case on this and that it wouldn't look good for Varlamov. Some people have been riding me saying that he should play despite the charges and all that. But this type of act really should be the reason he shouldn't be playing. This should be like what the NHL does for players who target the heads of other players in games, when they suspend them indefinitely pending a hearing over a head hit. They should suspend him indefinitely pending what happens in this case. From a hockey standpoint, I know this doesn't make the Avalanche look good and even though they're on a torrid pace right now, what will happen if Varlamov actually gets suspended or is given a leave of absence for long-term? In my opinion, Varlamov should be out until we get more on the case and what seems to be transpiring in this. I don't know what's going to happen in the next few days or so, whether he's going to play or not, but there's a strong belief, at least on my part, that he shouldn't be playing while this is going on.

What Should the Devils Do With Jaromir Jagr?

The most productive and charismatic star in the NHL, Jaromir Jagr could end up heading back to the Czech League and the NHL can't afford that.

Devils GM Lou Lamoriello should consider offering Jagr a contract extension and today at the most. Jagr said in August that it could be his last season and then in September he said it depended on how well he played. Well, right now, he certainly looks like a beast out there. He said he plans to finish his career in the Czech League. He currently is an owner of the Kladno team.

The NHL would be losing that star if Jagr signed anywhere else next season. Clearly, I don't think he wants to leave the NHL and we shouldn't say goodbye. That goes the same for Teemu Selanne, who said he would retire after this season. The NHL doesn't want to lose both of them in the same season.

He is one of the greatest scorers in NHL history and is one of the most entertaining characters the NHL has ever seen. He might not be as productive or dynamic as he was previous seasons in the league, but everybody still sits down to see Jaromir Jagr take a shift.

Jagr has proven to be a massive athletic presence for anybody. He is funny, illuminating and insightful whenever he speaks. He's like a Cracker Jack box. You never know what you will find in him that's not funny or humorous.

But here's the bottom line: Jaromir Jagr will choose what he wants to do. If I were Lou Lamiorello, I would consider trying to get Jagr a contract extension. But Jagr will choose what he wants to do. If he wants to play for another NHL team, the Devils are willing to give him that. If he wants to return to the Czech League, I think the Devils will let that happen too. The NHL doesn't want to see him go and I could understand why. But it's his decision to make. The NHL has no choice but to either accept that or try some way to keep him around for another year or so. So the Devils could consider handing him a contract extension. If he wants to sign it, that's great news for the Devils. If not, well, hopefully Jagr can end his career either in the NHL or in the Czech League, where he says he wants to. He has a year to figure this out. In the meantime, he's the best productive scorer the Devils have right now.

Top Surprises and Disappointments

So as we are through with one quarter of the season, let's look at some of the biggest surprises and disappointments of the NHL season so far.

1. The Colorado Avalanche

Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy are certainly becoming a powerhouse team again in the front office of the Avalanche. Their 15-5 record makes them much, much better than projected. They appear to be one of the most dangerous team the NHL has so far. They may be hurt by the loss of Matt Duchene for a while, but the Avs have shown they can win without having to score a lot. And Semyon Varlamov has been a dangerous force in net.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning

Coach Jon Cooper is a genius. He makes sure his team has a strong defensive play. And they have shown to be more focused on it than in the past. Steven Stamkos is still out with a broken leg, but the Lightning believe they can still stay in the Eastern Conference race without him. The key here is Ben Bishop, their goalie. He has provided the team with the most consistent goaltending and is currently 13-3 with a .921 save percentage.

3. Alex Steen (St. Louis Blues)

This was a surprise, considering that Alex Ovechkin would lead the NHL in this category, but Steen has 17 goals so far on the season. He's been able to shoot more and gets more ice time than he's been getting the past few seasons. So far, he's had a career season.

4. Phoenix Coyotes

A 14-4-3 record can't slow down this team. They are considered the best team in the West and in my opinion, the best in the West. They've been able to stay competitive thanks to their defense. And they're fourth in scoring with 3.29 goals a game. Mike Ribeiro has helped as well, but the Coyotes are getting consistent scoring from everybody as well as defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle.

5. Sean Monahan (Calgary Flames)

This guy has cooled off a bit lately but he has eight goals in his first 22 games. He's a mature and ready center who seems as though he'll be able to provide for Calgary what Jarome Iginla left behind when he was traded. Look for him to be a consistent player for a really long time.

Here are the top five disappointments so far in this season

1. Columbus Blue Jackets

They've been constantly disappointing their fans and everybody in the NHL season after season. They surged late last season but the Wild won the playoff spot to keep them out. Their momentum hasn't carried over into this season. Ranked 12th in the Eastern Conference, they've had a really messy defense. Marian Gaborik is certainly not being a superstar right now, but hopefully they'll get a boost when Nathan Horton returns from offseason shoulder surgery.

2. The Eastern Conference

Apart from the Tampa Bay Lightning, most of the Eastern Conference would not qualify for a playoff spot in the West. Western teams dominate the East with a record of 87-34-16 so far this season.

3. Coyotes fans

Improvements on and off the ice have not translated to fans filling up the arena. They rank last in attendance at fewer than 13,000 a game. Their attendance grows, however, when some snowbirds who spend Christmas in Phoenix, arrive in late November.

4. Stephen Weiss (Detroit Red Wings)

I'm sure GM Ken Holland is regretting this season to sign Stephen Weiss. He was signed to provide a charge in offensive output that lost a fright factor the past few seasons and never made it to the Stanley Cup. But the Red Wings are not fearful because of him. Weiss had a season-ending wrist surgery last season and hasn't been a factor in what the Wings want. He currently has two goals and three points in 17 games that he has played and is currently on IR with an injury. I'm not sure what the Red Wings should do right now, but he hasn't been acting like a No. 2 center for this team and it'll be surprising if he continues to do so.

5. Edmonton Oilers

Like the Blue Jackets, year-after-year they continue to disappoint. Everybody in the hockey kingdom is waiting for the Oilers to rise up and be great because of their young talent, but they're not getting it so far this season. Ilya Bryzgalov has been signed to help out their goaltending, their biggest need, but other than that, there's not being able to provide their young talent with consistency. Their support players are certainly not helping right now with the young stars they currently have.

There's your biggest surprises and disappointments. And remember, it's only the first quarter of the season. We have many more months to go. Will some teams, like the Oilers and Blue Jackets, rise and be great this season? Will Alex Steen continue his hot torrid pace? We'll see how the season goes.

Will Tim Jackman Be the Key for the Ducks?

In the midst of a losing streak, the Anaheim Ducks have pulled off another trade that they hope might work.

The Ducks have acquired right wing Tim Jackman from the Calgary Flames in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2014 draft. They made this trade Thursday.

Jackman currently has one goal and 41 penalty minutes in 10 games for Calgary this season. He has spent parts of 10 seasons with five clubs that include the New York Islanders, Kings, Coyotes, and Blue Jackets. Jackman reports to the Ducks, who are still leading the overall NHL, despite a five-game losing streak that they are currently in.

The Ducks are currently not making this trade because he can score goals and be an offensive production. They're clearly bringing him in because he provides grit and toughness to a team that really doesn't have it. I said at the beginning of the year that the Ducks will not compete as a tough unit unless they have a guy who can provide fighting and toughness on the ice. Matt Beleskey does not provide that unfortunately. And since George Parros left, they really haven't had anybody who is a tough-as-nails type of player. So they bring in Jackman, who can do it. It certainly feels like the right move. They need somebody like this and I think Jackman fits the bill. He's not the key to the Ducks success, but he can provide toughness if needed.

What Should the Sabres Do With Grigorenko?

Looks like rookie Mikhail Grigorenko is not headed to the American Hockey League, at least not anytime soon. That's because the NHL, today blocked the Sabres' attempt to send him to the AHL on a conditioning assignment.

Under league rules, a player under 20 who was drafted out of the CHL (Canadian Hockey League) cannot be sent to the AHL. The Sabres had intended to send him to their affiliate in Rochester, N.Y. on a conditioning assignment. He would have been in the minors for 14 of Rochester's games. However, the league saw otherwise with him.

The Sabres tweeted out earlier today: "The team respects the league's decision."

Grigorenko was drafted 12th overall in 2012 by the Sabres. After the NHL lockout, he was recalled from Quebec. He played 25 games of last season and was returned because the Sabres didn't deem him "NHL-ready."

This season, so far, he has two goals (against my Ducks) and an assist in the 15 games that he has played. Newly hired president of hockey operations Pat LaFontaine is changing the culture and philosophy of the Sabres by sending down guys who aren't ready to play in the NHL as well as ones that he feels need more time and an opportunity to play more games. Nikita Zadorov was sent back to his junior team while Johan Larsson and Rasmus Ristolainen were sent back to the AHL.

But Grigorenko was a surprising attempt, in my opinion, for LaFontaine to make. I mean, he hasn't exactly produced in the games that he has played. But the Sabres are having all kinds of problems on offense and that's not entirely Grigorenko's fault. I don't think he should be sent down to the AHL on conditioning or otherwise. I think he's produced enough to earn his spot and sending him down to the AHL means that it's going to hurt Buffalo in the long run. They can't afford to send everybody down because they can't produce. Grigorenko is one of the few guys who can put together an offensive output. Problem is that he doesn't exactly have the guys to help him. So the Sabres could consider keeping Grigorenko around. Trust me, he helps this Sabres offense.