Hockey Ape

Top DVDs for Hockey Fans

2008-11-25T16:07:00.000-08:00

The Sports Movie Guide has been a prominent community for the past 3 years. With thousands of visitors each day, they compile rankings for the top hockey dvds and movies.

Here is their most recent Top 10:

Slap Shot
The Rocket
Miracle
Net Worth
Youngblood
The Mighty Ducks
Mystery, Alaska
D2: The Mighty Ducks
D3: The Mighty Ducks
Waking Up Wally: The Wayne Gretzky Story

We've moved...

2008-09-24T22:45:00.000-07:00

This will be last post on this blog. We've moved to this location...

http://www.hockeyape.com/blog/?p=9

Come check us out!

Montreal Canadiens set to retire Patrick Roy's number

2008-09-13T10:36:00.000-07:00

The Montreal Canadiens are going to honor arguably the greatest goalie to have played the game by retiring his number and raising it to the rafters on Novemeber 22nd. Roy played for the Canadiens for 9 seasons and led them to two Stanley Cups, including one in his rookie season.

Roy's a firey guy who is known for both his temper and his phenominal play. He got in numerous fights while in goal and beat my Panthers in the 96 Stanley Cup Championship game.

He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 1995 after then coach Mario Tremblay left him in goal while he and the team was being pepperred. Roy angrily told Tremblay, after finally being pulled, that he would never play for Montreal again.

This is being done as part of Montreal's 100th anniversary celebration, and also showing that the water is definitely under the bridge.

Robert Lang traded to Montreal for a 2nd

2008-09-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

The Chicago Blackhawks have traded Center Robert Lang to the Montreal Canadiens for a snd round draft pick.

This should put an end to the possibility of Mats Sundin joing the Canadiens. Their GM says so, I guess we'll see.

Montreal also signed defenseman Patrice Brisebois.

I'm a little surprised that Chicago traded Lang, but they have a young team and are looking to move forward in that direction. They also gave Brian Campbell a big contract, so this could have something to do with cutting salary, especially since nothing was sent the other way.

Good pick up, though.

2 one year deals handed out

2008-09-03T16:04:00.000-07:00

The Boston Bruins signed Stephane Yelle and the Detroit Red Wings re-signed the ageless wonder Chris Chelios. Both are one year deals and both add solid, veteran leadership to their teams.

Could see more of this, just in different jerseys

2008-09-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

Wade Belak is now a Florida Panther and David Koci is now a member of their hated rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Wade keep your sweater on man.

Florida-Toronto trade finalized

2008-09-03T13:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the Toronto Maple Leafs traded defenseman Bryan McCabe and a 4th round pick in the 2010 draft to the Florida Panthers for defenseman Mike Van Ryn. Both players had hand injuries last season, with McCabe missing 28 games due to a broken hand and Van Ryn playing in only 20 games due to a wrist injury. Both are 100%.

Van Ryn has been ripping pucks past Vokoun and Luongo at Incredible Ice in Coral Springs and had a successful wrist surgery, likely marking an end to his problems with the wrist. Toronto, though it's fans don't realize it, is getting a sound defenseman with a great wrist shot. Hopefully he'll do well there.

McCabe, who waived his no-movement-clause to come to Florida, is excited for the change in environment and to be a part of the Panthers.

Solid trade for the Panthers as they recoup the draft pick lost in the Kilger trade at last season's deadline and get the better defenseman. The Leafs, on the other hand, get rid of their whipping boy (unjustly so) McCabe, but lose yet another draft pick and take on yet another lesser player. I love Ryno and am sad that he's the one who was traded, but he's no McCabe. For the money they've gained in buyouts and trades this offseason (Tucker, Sundin, McCabe, Belak), they've lost in lesser players (Hagman, Finger, Mayers, Hollweg). Some rebuild!

http://panthers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=380980

“I’m excited about coming here,” McCabe said. “There’s a great group of
young guys here and a good mix of talent.”

“Jacques was the ‘D’ coach (at the Olympics) so I got to spend some time
with him,” McCabe said. “Jacques went out of his way to bring me here and I’m
happy to be wanted. Jacques has done a great job (in Florida). He’s got good
young talent. And, obviously, the acquisitions this summer have been great.
“Bringing in Cory
Stillman, a guy with two Stanley Cups…guys like that are few and far
between. And the acquisitions of (Keith) Ballard and (Nick) Boynton is a big
upside. With myself added, and Jay
Bouwmeester, who is one of the best defensemen in the league, hands down, I
think we have one of the best defensive units out there. Plus you have an
All-Star goalie.”

Panther GM Jacques Martin described McCabe as a “big, strong, hard-hitting
defenseman who also possesses the ability to be a goal scorer and play on
special teams.”“He will be counted on to play an integral role on our defense
and to help bring future success to our franchise.”

Lightning at it again

2008-08-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired Ottawa Senators defenseman Andrej Meszaros yesterday, for Filip Kuba, Alexandre Picard, and San Jose's 1st round pick that was acquired in the Dan Boyle trade. A valuable pick in a very deep draft.

Meszaros then signed a 6 year, (rumoured to be) $24 million deal with the Lightning. They have now acquired Brandon Bochenski, Ryan Malone (for 7 years, haha), Mark Recchi, Gary Roberts (good luck getting close to 82 games out of them), Radim Vrbata (for 3 years, he's a labelled underachiever as Malone is), Andrew Hutchinson, Matt Carle, Olaf Kolzig (his career's all but over), and re-acquired Vinny Prospal. They also drafted phenom Steven Stamkos, who's the one acquisition who truly will shine.

"The acquisition and signing of Andrej is a strong statement to our players and our fans that the Lightning ownership group is committed to putting the best product on the ice now and for years to come," said executive vice-president of hockey operations Brian Lawton in a statement.

"I'm excited to be joining the Lightning," Meszaros said. "I'm extremely happy to be heading to Tampa Bay and I can't wait to take advantage of this opportunity. We should have a great team and I can not wait to get started.

It could be that the Lightning have made some spectacular moves and have a great team on their hands, but it's also very evident that they have A LOT of question marks on their hands. Guess we'll just wait and see...

Stu Barnes retires, joins Dallas coaching staff

2008-08-28T10:10:00.001-07:00

Stu Barnes finished his career as a journeyman, but he should have finished it as a Panther. On November 19, 1996 then Panthers GM Bryan Murray foolishly traded Stu and and Jason Woolley to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Chris Wells. The thinking at the time, even though Barnes helped lead the Panthers to the previous season's Cup Finals, was that they needed a bigger top-line forward to go up against the monstrous Eric Lindros. Wells turned out to be quite a bust as he couldn't skate and nor did he have the skill set to actually play in the NHL.

That trade still haunts the Panthers to this day as it pushed them to make other bad trades to try and make up for the Wells trade. Wells played only 4 years for the Panthers, logging only 25 points during that tenure. Harldy the results expected from a player who garnered that kind of a return.

Barnes, on the other hand, went on to play another 10 seasons for the Buffalo Sabres and the Dallas Stars. He logged another 389 points during that tenure. He unfortunately never won the Cup.

Thanks Stu for so many years of hard work!

Sharks lock up a pickle

2008-08-27T22:54:00.000-07:00

Marc-Edouard Vlasic has signed a 4 year, $12.4 million contract with the San Jose Sharks. Vlasic is a talented young defenseman who is an important piece to the Sharks future.

"Marc-Edouard is one of the top young defenceman in the game and we are excited to have him in to fold for the next several years," said Sharks GM Doug Wilson. "He has a tremendous future with this franchise and we look forward to watching his continued development."

Sakic set to return for his 20th season

2008-08-27T22:29:00.000-07:00

Future Hall-of-Famer Joe Sakic has signed a one year, 6 million dollar deal with the Colorado Avalanche today. After the '06-'07 season, he quickly signed a one year, this past season, though, it took Sakic until today to be sure he wanted to continue to his career.

"Ultimately it came down to the fact that I still enjoy playing and competing," the 39-year-old captain said in a statement released by the team. "I'm comfortable with my conditioning and my overall health.
"I'm ready for the start of camp and am looking forward to the upcoming season."

Have to love this quote by Ian Laperrire:

"Everybody was starting to worry what Joe was going to do," forward Ian Laperriere said. "It's great news for more than one reason.
'What he brings to the ice, everyone knows, Joe is Joe. But what he brings to the locker room, the respect, everybody's so calm when he's around. That's what he brings that people don't see."

Plenty of other teams phoned Colorado GM Francois Giguere to see if they could have permission to speak to Sakic. Joe told Giguere to inform that they'd be wasting their time. Joe wants to go out as an Av.

Now, they're waiting on Forsberg's decision as to whether he'll play next year or not. Could be a another long, drawn out decision.

The Islanders have new coach

2008-08-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

In a story I'm behind on, the Islanders have hired Scott Gordon as their new head coach. Gordon, 45, previously coached the Providence Bruins of the AHL and led the team to a 55-18-3 record last season. According to GM Garth Snow, Gordon stood out to them over John Tortorella Former Lightning coach) and Paul Maurice (formerly of Hurricanes and Leafs coach). Others interviewed for the position as well.

After being somewhat successful with a mediocre team, the Islanders fired Ted Nolan.

Ah, the good ole' Islanders!

Looks like Legein really has walked away...

2008-08-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=246953&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl

The Columbus Blue Jackets got some shocking news on Tuesday when they
learned that prospect Stefan Legein has
decided to quit playing hockey.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, the Blue
Jackets were informed of Legein's decision by his agent Doug Woods, telling them
he won't be at training camp and has decided to hang up his skates at the age of
19.
Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson confirmed the report to the
Dispatch but when contacted by the newspaper, Legein's mother said she hadn't
heard the news while his father denied the report.
"Until September 20th
(when training camp opens), he hasn't quit anything," Legein's father
said.
In response to the speculation about his future, Legein offered the
following statement:
"I'd like for everyone to stop bashing my father, my
family, and me personally," said Legein. "My family has been amazing. They
have supported me and never forced me to do anything and to say its their fault
is ridiculous."
"Take the time to talk to me before you accuse me of being
addicted to anything, even if it's coffee," Legein continued. "I realize
you're going to speculate but please don't bash my character and especially my
family."
Legein is a second round pick, 37th overall, of the Blue Jackets in
the 2007 Entry Draft.
He registered 24 goals and 13 assists for 37 points
with 80 penalty minutes and was a plus- 12 in 30 games with the Niagara IceDogs
of the Ontario Hockey League this season. He ranked fourth on the club in goals
and tied for sixth in points, while his eight power play goals ranked third and
four shorthanded goals were tied for second.
Legein made his international
debut with Canada at the 2007 Canada-Russia Super Series, scoring three goals in
helping Canada wrap of the series with the championship. He also helped Canada
win its fourth-straight gold medal at the Under-20 tournament in January.

Legein Retired???

2008-08-20T05:47:00.000-07:00

A report, picked up by TSN.ca, says that Columbus Blue jacket 2007 2nd round pick Stefan Legeit has decided to walk away from hockey...at only 19! Legein's parents, however, have said that Stefan hasn't quite anything and is still planning on attending the BJ's training camp in September.

He registered 24 goals and 13 assists for 37 points with 80 penalty minutes
and was a plus- 12 in 30 games with the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey
League this season. He ranked fourth on the club in goals and tied for sixth in
points, while his eight power play goals ranked third and four shorthanded goals
were tied for second.

Still no news...

2008-08-17T06:56:00.000-07:00

Mats Sundin, who loves the drama, has said that hes' no closer on his decision as where, and if, he wants to play this upcoming season. Vancouver's desperately offered 10 mil a season for 2 seasons, Montreal has shown serious interest, and he could go back and re-join the Leafs. The Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers are reportedly very interested as well.

We'll just wait and see what he decides to do, just don't hold your breath...

Funny moments in hockey...

2008-08-17T06:54:00.000-07:00

Thanks to fellow Panthers message board poster 'oscarsandstrom' for making this video. Love Nieds dropkicking the Ranger jersey.

Nice job...

McCabe to the Panthers a done deal?

2008-08-17T06:32:00.000-07:00

All reports indicate that Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Bryan McCabe has waived his no-trade-clause to go to the Florida Panthers. The "rebuilding" Toronto Maple Leafs have been eager to offload McCabe's contract, that still has 3 years left on it, since his less-than-stellar season with the Leafs last year. McCabe missed 28 games last season and posted only 23 points, after posting point totals of 57, 68, and 53 in the seasons prior. He also made some pretty bad mistakes out there, but he's been more of a whipping boy for the Leafs as he's far and away not the sole reason why the Leafs have been mediocre.

The reported player set to go back in the trade is defenseman Mike Van Ryn, whom the Panthers acquired from the Blues in March of 2003 for a pick and Valeri Bure. Ryno hasn't been the same player the last two seasons due to serious injuries to his wrists and only played 2o games last season. It's hard for me to see him go as I'm an old friend of his wife's, but also because I think he's a solid defenseman who still has plenty of hockey left in him. He's said to be at 100%(which was said in the article I posted about him) and I'm sure is very eager to play. You have to give to get, I know, but I'd rather see Murphy or Skrastins moved out instead.

Apparently, the deal is being held back due to a bonus owed to McCabe which the Panthers have asked Toronto to pay and they're willing to do. For some reason, it can't be paid until September 1st. I'm not sure why that is, perhaps one of you can enlighten the rest of us? Thanks in advance...

This will give the Panthers a very solid defensive core in Jay Bouwmeester (who could be on the move this season), Bryan Allen, Keith Ballard, Bryan McCabe, Karlis Skrastins, Nick Boynton, Noah Welch, and Corey Murphy.

Looking forward to McCabe on the Panthers, but I'll be sad to see Ryno in Leafs blue, my most hated team.

The Great One's highlight video

2008-08-12T14:57:00.000-07:00

How the rink is made...

2008-08-12T14:55:00.000-07:00

Cool video!

The many sides of the game we love!

2008-08-12T14:53:00.001-07:00

The Great One's Records

2008-08-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

http://proicehockey.about.com/od/waynegretzky/a/gretzky_records.htm

Wayne Gretzky holds or shares 61 NHL records: 40 for the regular season, 15 for the Stanley Cup playoffs and six for the NHL All-Star Game.
CAREER RECORDS
MOST POINTS:2,856 (1,485 games, 894 goals, 1,962 assists)Second: Mark Messier - 1,855 (1,756 games, 694 goals, 1,193 assists)
MOST POINTS, INCLUDING PLAYOFFS:3,238 (2,856 regular season and 382 playoff)Second: Mark Messier - 2,180 (1,885 regular season and 295 playoff)
MOST GOALS:894Second: Gordie Howe, 801
MOST GOALS, INCLUDING PLAYOFFS:1,016 (894 regular season and 122 playoff)Second: Gordie Howe, 869 (801 regular season and 68 playoff)
MOST ASSISTS:1,962Second: Mark Messier, 1,171
MOST ASSISTS, INCLUDING PLAYOFFS:2,222 (1,962 regular season and 260 playoff)Second: Mark Messier, 1,357 (1,171 regular season and 186 playoff)
MOST GOALS BY A CENTER:894Second: Marcel Dionne, 731
MOST ASSISTS BY A CENTER:1,962Second: Mark Messier, 1,171
MOST POINTS BY A CENTER:2,856Second: Mark Messier, 1,855
MOST 40-OR-MORE GOAL SEASONS:12Second: Marcel Dionne, 10
MOST CONSECUTIVE 40-OR-MORE GOAL SEASONS:12 (1979-80 to 1990-91)Second: Mike Bossy, 9 (1977-78 to 1985-86)
MOST 50-OR-MORE GOAL SEASONS:9 (tied with Mike Bossy)Second: Guy Lafleur, 6
MOST 60-OR-MORE GOAL SEASONS:5 (tied with Mike Bossy)Second: Phil Esposito, 4
MOST CONSECUTIVE 60-OR-MORE GOAL SEASONS:4 (1981-82 to 1984-85)Second: Mike Bossy, 3 (1980-81 to 1982-83)
MOST 100-OR-MORE POINT SEASONS:15Second: Mario Lemieux, 10
MOST CONSECUTIVE 100-OR-MORE POINT SEASONS:13 (1979-80 to 1991-92)Second: Six players tied with 6
MOST THREE-OR-MORE GOAL GAMES:50 (37 three-goal games; nine four-goal games; four five-goal games)Second: Mike Bossy, 39 (30 three-goal games, nine four-goal games)
MOST OVERTIME ASSISTS:15Second: Doug Gilmour, 13
HIGHEST ASSISTS-PER-GAME AVERAGE:1.321 (1,962 assists in 1,485 games)Second: Mario Lemieux, 1.183 (881 assists in 745 games)
SINGLE SEASON RECORDS
MOST POINTS, ONE SEASON:215 (1985-86, 80-game schedule)Next (fifth): Mario Lemieux, 199 (1988-89, 80-game schedule)
MOST POINTS, ONE SEASON, INCLUDING PLAYOFFS:255 (1984-85; 208 points in 80 regular season games and 47 points in 18 playoff games)Next (sixth): Mario Lemieux, 218 (1988-89; 199 points in 76 regular season games and 19 points in 11 playoff games)
MOST GOALS, ONE SEASON:92 (1981-82, 80-game schedule)Second: Gretzky, 87 (1983-84, 80-game schedule)
MOST GOALS, ONE SEASON, INCLUDING PLAYOFFS:100 (1983-84, 87 goals in 74 regular season games and 13 goals in 19 playoff games)Second: Gretzky, Lemieux and Brett Hull tied at 97
MOST GOALS, 50 GAMES FROM START OF SEASON:61 (1981-82 and 1983-84)Third: 54 - Mario Lemieux (1988-89)
MOST ASSISTS, ONE SEASON:163 (1985-86, 80-game schedule)Next (eighth): 114 - Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky (1988-89, 80-game schedule)
MOST ASSISTS, ONE SEASON, INCLUDING PLAYOFFS:174 (1985-86, 163 assists in 80 regular season games and 11 assists in 10 playoff games)Next (tied for 11th): 121 - Mario Lemieux (1988-89, 114 assists in 76 regular season games and seven assists in 11 playoff games)
MOST POINTS BY A CENTER, ONE SEASON:215 (1985-86, 80-game schedule)Next (fifth): 199 - Mario Lemieux, 1988-89, 80-game schedule
MOST GOALS BY A CENTER, ONE SEASON:92 (1981-82, 80-game schedule)Next (third): 85 - Mario Lemieux (1988-89, 80-game schedule).
MOST ASSISTS BY A CENTER:163 (1985-86, 80-game schedule)Next: Gretzky holds first through fifth positions
MOST THREE-OR-MORE GOAL GAMES:10 (1981-82, six three-goal games; three four-goal games; one five-goal game)(Tied in 1983-84, six three-goal games, four four-goal games)Next (third): 9 - Mike Bossy and Mario Lemieux
LONGEST CONSECUTIVE ASSIST-SCORING STREAK:23 games - 48 assists (1990-91)Second: Adam Oates - 18 games - 28 assists (1992-93)
LONGEST CONSECUTIVE POINT-SCORING STREAK:51 games - 61 goals, 92 assists for 153 points (Oct. 5, 1983 to Jan. 28, 1984)Second: Mario Lemieux - 46 games - 39 goals, 64 assists for 103 points (1989-90)
LONGEST CONSECUTIVE POINT-SCORING STREAK FROM START OF SEASON:51 games - 61 goals, 92 assists for 153 points
HIGHEST GOALS-PER-GAME AVERAGE, ONE SEASON:1.18 (1983-84, 87 goals in 74 games)Second (tied): 1.15 - Mario Lemieux (1992-93, 69 goals in 60 games) and Wayne Gretzky (1981-82, 92 goals in 80 games)
HIGHEST ASSISTS-PER-GAME AVERAGE, ONE SEASON:2.04 (1985-86, 163 assists in 80 games)Next (eighth): 1.52 - Mario Lemieux (1992-93, 91 assists in 60 games)
HIGHEST POINTS-PER-GAME AVERAGE, ONE SEASON (AMONG PLAYERS WITH 50-OR-MORE POINTS):2.77 (1983-84, 205 points in 74 games)Next (third): 2.67 - Mario Lemieux (1992-93, 160 points in 60 games)

SINGLE GAME RECORDS
MOST GOALS, ONE PERIOD:4 (Tied with 10 other players)Feb. 18, 1981, third period (Edmonton 9, St. Louis 2)
MOST ASSISTS, ONE GAME:7 (tied with Billy Taylor)Feb. 15, 1980 (Edmonton 8, Washington 2)Dec. 11, 1985 (Edmonton 12, Chicago 9)Feb. 14, 1986 (Edmonton 8, Quebec 2)Second: 6 - 23 players
MOST ASSISTS, ONE ROAD GAME:7 (tied with Billy Taylor)Dec. 11, 1985 (Edmonton 12, Chicago 9)Second: 6 - four players
MOST ASSISTS, ONE GAME, BY A PLAYER IN HIS FIRST NHL SEASON:7 - Feb. 15, 1980 (Edmonton 8, Washington 2)Second: 6 - Gary Suter, April 4, 1986 (Calgary 9, Edmonton 3)
CAREER RECORDS - PLAYOFFS
MOST PLAYOFF GOALS:122Second: 109 - Mark Messier
MOST PLAYOFF ASSISTS:260Second: 186 - Mark Messier
MOST PLAYOFF POINTS:382 (122 goals and 260 assists)Second: 295 - Mark Messier (109 goals and 186 assists).
MOST GAME-WINNING GOALS IN PLAYOFFS:24Second: 19 - Claude Lemieux
MOST THREE-OR-MORE GOAL GAMES IN PLAYOFFS:10 (eight three-goal games, two four-goal games)Second (tied): 7 - Maurice Richard (four three-goal games, two four-goal games, one five-goal game) and Jari Kurri (six three-goal games, one four-goal game)
SINGLE SEASON RECORDS - PLAYOFFS
MOST POINTS, ONE PLAYOFF YEAR:47 (1985, 17 goals and 30 assists in 18 games)Next: 44 - Mario Lemieux (1991, 16 goals, 28 assists in 23 games)
MOST ASSISTS, ONE PLAYOFF YEAR:31 (1988, 19 games)Next (fourth): 28 - Mario Lemieux (1991, 23 games)
MOST POINTS IN FINAL SERIES:13 - three goals and 10 assists (1988, four games plus suspended game vs. Boston)Second: 12 - four players
MOST ASSISTS IN FINAL SERIES:10 (1988, four games, plus suspended game vs. Boston)Second: 9 - three players tied
MOST ASSISTS IN ONE SERIES (OTHER THAN FINAL):14 - 1985 Conference Finals (six games vs. Chicago)(tied with Rick Middleton)Second: 13 - Doug Gilmour, 1994 Conference Semifinals (seven games vs. San Jose) and Wayne Gretzky, 1987 Division Semifinal (five games vs. Los Angeles)
MOST SHORTHANDED GOALS, ONE PLAYOFF YEAR:3 (1983, two vs. Winnipeg in Division Semi-Finals; one vs. Calgary in Division Finals)(tied with five other players)
SINGLE GAME RECORDS -PLAYOFFS
MOST ASSISTS, ONE PLAYOFF GAME:6 - April 9, 1987 at Edmonton (Edmonton 13, Los Angeles 3)(tied with Mikko Leinonen) Next: 5 - 11 players tied
MOST POINTS, ONE PLAYOFF PERIOD:4 (1 goal, 3 assists) - April 12, 1987 at Los Angeles, third period (Edmonton 6, Los Angeles 3)(tied with nine other players)
MOST ASSISTS, ONE PLAYOFF PERIOD:3 - Three assists by one player in one period of a playoff game has been recorded on 70 occasions. Gretzky has had three assists in one period five times. (Ray Bourque, three times; Toe Blake, Jean Beliveau, Doug Harvey and Bobby Orr, twice.)
MOST SHORT-HANDED GOALS, ONE PLAYOFF GAME:2 - April 6, 1983 at Edmonton (Edmonton 6, Winnipeg 3)(tied with eight other players)
NHL ALL-STAR GAME RECORDS
MOST ALL-STAR GAME GOALS:13 (in 18 games played)Second: 11 - Mario Lemieux (in eight games played)
MOST ALL-STAR GAME GOALS, ONE GAME: 4 (1983 Campbell Conference)/b>(tied with three players)
MOST ALL-STAR GAME GOALS, ONE PERIOD: 4 (1983 Campbell Conference, third period)br>
MOST ALL-STAR GAME POINTS, ONE PERIOD:4 (1983 Campbell Conference, third period)br> (tied with Mike Gartner and Adam Oates)
MOST ALL-STAR GAME POINTS, CAREER:25 (13 goals, 12 assists in 18 games)Second: 22 - Mario Lemieux (11 goals, nine assists in 8 games)
MOST ALL-STAR GAME ASSISTS, CAREER:12 (tied with four players)Second: 10 - Paul Coffey

20 years ago, Gretzky was traded from Edmonton

2008-08-12T12:01:00.000-07:00

From TSN.ca

As the world's greatest hockey player, Wayne Gretzky already
knew all there was to know about composure.
He had it as a six-year old
playing on a team of ten-year olds in his hometown of Brantford, Ontario. He had
it when he played under the spotlight with the Ontario Hockey League's Sault
Ste. Marie Greyhounds and the World Hockey Association's Indianapolis Racers and
Edmonton Oilers. And he had it when he led the young and promising Oilers into
the National Hockey League.
But on this day 20 years ago, The Great One - for
one moment in his career - just couldn't hold it together. The 27-year-old, who
had spent almost his whole life fending off jealous hockey parents, tough
opponents and harsh critics, broke down after reading off just a few words at
Edmonton's Molson House.
"For the benefit of Wayne Gretzky, my new
wife and our expected child in the new year, I thought it was beneficial to all
involved if they let me play with the Kings," he said to the shock of everyone
in the room. "It's disappointing having to leave Edmonton, but there comes a
time when."
With that, Gretzky wept behind the mess of microphones, coming
face-to-face with the reality that he was no longer an Edmonton Oiler. "I
promised Mess I wouldn't do this," he said sheepishly as he wiped his eyes. Just
three months after leading them to their fourth Stanley Cup in five seasons, the
only NHL team Wayne
Gretzky ever played for, the team he loved, had traded him away.
On
August 9, 1988, Oilers owner Peter Pocklington did the unthinkable when he
traded Gretzky, along with defenceman Marty McSorley and forward Mike
Krushelnyski to the Los Angeles Kings for centre Jimmy Carson, winger Martin Gelinas, three
first-round draft picks and $15 million in cash. It was a move that stunned the
sports world and numbed hockey fans across Canada.
For Pocklington, it was
strictly a business move for an owner who needed more cash than championships.
At a time when Canadians knew little about the boardroom's side of hockey,
however, it was nothing short of an emotional letdown. Canada's favorite son was
gone.
In Edmonton, fans marched to Northlands Coliseum burning Pocklington
in effigy. Tabloid papers grilled The Great One, calling him a traitor and
dubbing his wife, 'Jezebel Janet' amid their own speculation that he engineered
the deal to move to Hollywood to further her acting career. 'The Trade' even
made it to Question Period at the House of Commons, as NDP House Leader Nelson
Riis demanded that the Mulroney government block it from happening.
"At the
time I was doing it, I don't think I really got it," said former Kings owner
Bruce McNall, who helped orchestrate the trade. "Looking back, now I see it had
a big, big impact."
For the NHL, the deal gave the league that much more
exposure south of the border. With No. 99 in the lineup, the Kings were an
instant draw at home and on the road - and a winning team. They made the
playoffs for four straight seasons, culminating with their first Stanley Cup
Final berth in 1993. Gretzky also continued to re-write the NHL's record books.
Wearing the Kings' black and silver, he broke Gordie Howe's NHL record of 1,850
points (in Edmonton of all places), became the first player to break the
2,000-point plateau, and passed Mr. Hockey's career mark for goals.
But The
Great One also took great pride in being a big factor off the ice.
"I
remember the first weekend I was in L.A.," he told TSN. "I was going by these
tennis courts and I stopped the car and told my friend, 'If we were in Canada,
people would be playing inline and ball hockey here.' A year later there was a
sign on the fence that read, 'No Inline Hockey Allowed.' It's come a long way;
there are minor hockey teams in California now and in Arizona that can compete
with the top teams in Canada and they're very good. There aren't as many, but we
are getting to that point."
The trade, arguably the biggest ever made, also
reinforced the notion that nothing is forever in professional sports. Recent
deals involving superstars like Alex Rodriguez, Shaquille O'Neal and even Brett
Favre are certainly surprising, but not that shocking to most sports fans. If
Gretzky could go, anyone could go.
"There's no player in any sport that isn't
trade bait," explained McNall.
TSN.ca commemorates the historic deal as Ryan Rishaug looks back at the day
that The Great One said goodbye to Edmonton and the Oilers dynasty.

Brett Hull, Brian Leetch, Mike Richter, and Cammy Granato to join USA Hockey Hall

2008-08-12T11:50:00.000-07:00

From ESPN...

The four-person United States Hockey Hall of Fame's class of 2008 -- announced on Tuesday morning -- is appropriately Olympian, given the events of the day.

It also is groundbreaking.

Brian Leetch, Mike Richter, Brett Hull and Cammi Granato officially will be inducted at a dinner and ceremony on Oct. 10, held in conjunction with the next night's University of Denver-Notre Dame Hall of Fame Game at DU's Magness Arena. The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum is in Eveleth, Minn.

The three men were obvious choices for the selection committee, a group assembled by USA Hockey in the wake of its takeover of the voting process last year (Editor's note: Frei serves on the panel).

The final slot -- a maximum of four inductees are allowed each year -- was no less of a no-brainer. Granato's trailblazing efforts on the women's hockey front in the U.S., coupled with the explosion of the women's and girls' games, were unique, noteworthy and crucial -- and not only because she was captain of the 1998 U.S. Olympic team that won the first women's gold medal.

Her older brother, Tony, played with Richter at the University of Wisconsin and also with both Richter and Leetch on the 1988 U.S. Olympic team at Calgary and with the Rangers.

So the Colorado Avalanche's head coach, while not a part of this class, is the common thread. Tony Granato never has been sheepish about the fact that in some corners, his sister is more famous than he is.

"It's special for me because I remember her playing hockey with all the boys," Tony Granato said. "I remember her changing her name to Carl to play in a tournament because girls weren't allowed to play. I saw her putting her ponytail under her helmet so nobody would know she was a girl. I saw all that. There's someone who plays hockey for the love of the game.

"And it's not just Cammi, but all the girls who played in the first Olympics and world championships. They didn't play for any other reason except they loved the game. What they did for the women's game and women's sports, you can't take your hats off enough.

"They didn't listen to, 'No, you can't do this.' Cammi's answer always was, 'Why not?' When she was a little girl, she said, 'I'm going to play for the Blackhawks.' 'What do you mean, you're going to play for the Blackhawks?' 'Well, why not?'

"She heard, 'You can't play in the tournament.' She said, 'Well, why not, I'm a good player.' So all along, that's the way it was. She taught me a lot about the fire inside, the drive to motivate yourself."

The Belleville, Ontario-born Hull first played for the U.S. in major international competition in 1986 at the World Championships, shortly after he left the University of Minnesota-Duluth and made a playoff cameo with the Flames to open his NHL career. After that, he was on the American team twice in the World Cup and twice at the Olympics.

Hull, the current Dallas Stars co-general manager, won the Hart Trophy in 1991, and his 741 NHL career goals are behind only Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe on the all-time list -- and 131 ahead of his father's NHL total, although Bobby tossed in an additional 303 in the World Hockey Association.

Richter, born and raised in Pennsylvania, had 301 wins in his Rangers career, which ended prematurely because of concussion problems. He and Leetch were cornerstones of the 1994 Rangers team that finally broke through to end a 54-year Stanley Cup drought.

Leetch was one of the prototypes of the hybrid defenseman, winning the Norris Trophy twice and finishing with 247 goals and 781 assists in an 18-season career that ended with the Bruins.

Current rules don't allow for choices in something along the lines of the Hockey Hall of Fame's builder category. That will make it difficult, if not impossible, for nonplayers to make the cut for induction. In addition, many deserving players are backlogged, such as goaltender Tom Barrasso and others who will become eligible in the next few years.

That likely will shut out many deserving choices from beyond the ranks of the relatively contemporary former players. One example: longtime USA hockey administrator Art Berglund, who, along with Cammi Granato, recently was inducted in the International Ice Hockey Federation's Hall of Fame.

10 hockey bloopers:

2008-08-09T13:08:00.001-07:00

Though, I don't agree with number 10, poor girl.

How did a South Floridian become such a hockey nut?

2008-08-03T17:31:00.000-07:00

When I was a child, I hated hockey. My mom used to always watch the New York Rangers on the New York channel, since Cable was still a few years away. My brother and I always wanted to wach the A-Team or Dukes of Hazard, and mom always had hockey on. Drove us nuts.

The game eventually grew on us, and by the time South Florida got a team, I was hooked. It took the Panthers' 96 Finals run for me to be the huge fan that I am.

Thanks mom, for forcing us to watch this game that I now love.

Stanley Cup from 1927 to 1947

2008-08-03T17:18:00.000-07:00

I'm glad they decided to start retiring rings.

2008-08-03T17:17:00.000-07:00

The first Stanley Cup Champions.

My encounters with NHLers

2008-08-03T17:03:00.000-07:00

I managed a Blockbuster store while in college and worked for a pool service company to learn the business before opening my own. I was able to meet a lot of pro athletes as a lot of them lived in Boca Raton during their offseasons. Everyone from Mike Tyson, Leonard Marshall, both Bure's, Jaroslav Spacek and Chris Carter to Ryan Johnson, Radek Dvorak, my favorite Paul Laus. At Blockbuster, most would call and ask for me. I never asked for their autographs (except when the team was having a session) and would put movies aside for them so they could get in and get out. Most people wouldn't realize who they were until they were long gone. Paul told me that the guys really appreciated me allowing them to dictate the conversations and not ask for things. I'm still friends with Paul and we still email each other.

Worked on Robert Svehla's pool weekly. He would come out and ask how things were, chat about the Panthers and what we were up to. Really nice guy, gave great Christmas tips, too.

Spacek, Dvorak, and Ray Whitney would talk a bit, but Whitney only said hi once.

Pavel and Val I rarely saw, they were nice when I did. Didn't talk much, just exchanged pleasantries.

Enforcer Paul Laus was far and away the best guy to all of us. He would chat for awhile when he came in and never called ahead. He'd get stopped, but was always very nice to people. First time I met him he had a late fee and wasn't sure why. I was called over and didn't look at him, didn't notice til I saw his name on the screen. Looked up and said hi and took care of his fee, as it really was our fault. He thanked me, but was pretty distracted with his new(er) born.

Last summer the tem had a 96 Finals Run reunion game. He emailed me to ask if I'd be there, which I of course told him I was going to be. He took pictures with my daughter, who had a Panther onesie that my wife sewed him name and number on the back of using a kit we got on ebay. He git a big kick out of it and then gave us VIP tickets so we could get up to the post game lounge. They were a few hundred dollar tickets. A lot of the players were milling about as fans asked for autographs. Paul was mobbed more than Jovo, Boyle, Potvin, or the rest of the guys. He's just been so good to all of us. He kept looking over at us, nodding to let us know he'd get to us soon. After over an hour, he came over and met my wife, talking to us for almost 30 minute. Was great. My wife was floating, she'd never met a pro-athlete or anyone famous. With all the guys there and Paul spending time with us, she was really excited.

Met Hall of famer Denis Potvin at church last Christmas, was a really nice guy and very down-to-earth.

Mike Van Ryn ready to go

2008-08-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Panthers beat writer George Richards...

BY GEORGE RICHARDS
grichards@MiamiHerald.com

After
multiple wrist surgeries, defenseman Mike Van Ryn said he feels 'awesome' and
expects to get back to top form.
Mike Van Ryn's wrists have been through a
lot the past few years.
The Panthers defenseman has endured four surgeries --
three on his right wrist alone -- as he has tried to regain the strength and
power that fueled his slapshot and helped him become one of Florida's top
players at the position.
Van Ryn missed 62 games last season after having his
second surgery on his right wrist in less than a year.
He said the time off
has helped him heal, and his wrist feels as good as ever. The Panthers hope Van
Ryn is right.
''I feel awesome now,'' said Van Ryn, who spent last week
helping coach a youth camp in Coral Springs. ``I look at other guys around the
league. It took [Edmonton Oilers defenseman] Sheldon Souray a while to get his
right. It can be a difficult surgery. I'm just excited to play, try and
contribute and help the Panthers win some games.''
The past two seasons have
been rough on Van Ryn. He had surgery on both wrists last summer, only his right
wrist was never fully fixed. After the team's first practice of training camp,
Van Ryn was forced to strap ice bags to his wrist, an early indicator something
was wrong.
Van Ryn had played through pain in 2006-07 and had a subpar
season. Last year, it was apparent he couldn't do that again. In November, just
20 games into the season, he shut things down and went to a different
specialist.
Baltimore's Dr. Thomas Graham found a number of problems with Van
Ryn's wrist and suggested more surgery. At the time, Van Ryn struggled with the
decision on whether to have surgery again. If the procedure did not work, he
said at the time, his career might be over.
INTENSE TRAINING
Van Ryn said
he doesn't have those fears anymore. He has spent the summer working out with
noted trainer Pete Bommarito in Davie, training with fellow athletes such as
teammate Nathan Horton, former teammate Ed Belfour, New York Giants wide
receiver Plaxico Burress and San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore. He
said the intense workouts have helped him on the ice.
''I feel better than I
have in a long, long time,'' he said. ``This is a totally different deal. I know
what I can do, and people who have been here know what I can do. I've been
frustrated with my play the past two years. But it was never a lack of effort. I
was incapable of playing the way I had in the past.''
This offseason, the
Panthers traded captain Olli Jokinen for defensemen Keith Ballard and Nick
Boynton, and currently have eight NHL-caliber defensemen on the active
roster.
''Competition sometimes brings out the best in people,'' general
manager Jacques Martin said.
It's no secret Martin would like to move one or
two of his extra defensemen, perhaps to add some scoring, and Van Ryn could be
traded. Karlis Skrastins also has been mentioned as a trade
possibility.
''It's a possibility I could move one of them down the road,''
Martin said. ``But there is no one in particular. If we could get a forward in
return, well, that's something I would look at. But it's not necessarily
Mike.
``Look at the role he played before he got hurt. He was an important
part of our team. Hopefully the surgery was a success. He feels good about it.
He did a lot of [rehabilitation] last year, with all the time now, I think it's
positive he feels so good.''
`NOTHING I CAN DO'
Van Ryn doesn't want to
leave the Panthers, but knows his game is also a business. A member of the
Panthers since coming south in a trade with St. Louis in 2003, Van Ryn has seen
many friends leave the team over the years.
''Rumors are rumors,'' Van Ryn
said. ``Jacques has never said he is looking to trade me, but it's part of the
game. This is obviously where I want to be. I want to win here. I've been here
forever now, but if I'm traded, it's something I can't control. I'm going about
my business the same every day. There's nothing I can do about it. I'm just
trying to get ready for the season. I hope it's here.''
Martin, who wouldn't
confirm rumors he is shopping Van Ryn, might have to trade someone else before
Van Ryn's wrists are strong enough to endure the NHL. Van Ryn's salary of $3.35
million per season through 2009-10 also could be a hindrance. Of course, if Van
Ryn returns to past form, his contract might look like a bargain.
''I'm not
worried about things,'' Van Ryn said. ``I've had plenty of time to let the wrist
heal. I've had time off and let the wrist heal the way it should.''

You can't hang with the big boys...

2008-07-27T15:48:00.000-07:00

Look at his wheels...lol.

Great 'fight' video

2008-07-23T09:01:00.000-07:00

The Florida Panthers are embracing the cowbell!

2008-07-22T09:27:00.001-07:00

This is a new poster being installed at the Bank Atlantic Center, outside of section 124. It's my friend Murphy's hand ringing the very first cowbell ever brought to a Florida Panthers Game! A friend of his who works for the Panthers took this photo of the poster with his iPhone and sent it to Murph! He was TOTALLY surprised by it and can't wait for he and his wife Vanessa to have their picture taken in front of it next season!

The most exciting thing about the cowbell? How it will connect the fans in the Bank Atlantic Center! Next season, Panther fans in the lower level will be ringing their cowbells as fans in the upper level do the same. It's a way of coming together, a way of getting everyone into one mindset. A rallying together.

One of the problems with the Bank Atlantic Center is that it doesn't belong to the Panther fans. Due to South Florida being a popular area for the "Snowbirds" to gather in the winter months, the BAC has fans of Montreal, Toronto, New York, Philadelphia, and Boston flocking there, often making more noise than Panther fans. After not making the playoffs in almost a decade, it's no surprise that Panther fans don't own that arena right now. However, the cowbells are a way of uniting the fans and getting them excited about the team and about being there. As the Panther fans take back their home, the players will hopefully catch on and will improve their play on the ice.

With a new coach, a new scheme, and a different roster, there are a lot of intangibles that need to be taken into account concerning the Florida Panthers. The cowbell is just one more thing to factor into the Panthers upcoming season.

It's just an awesome picture...

2008-07-22T07:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks Murph!

My thoughts on the Olli trade...finally

2008-07-22T07:29:00.000-07:00

I was called out by my friend, and fellow Panther message board poster, Erick for not giving my thoughts on the Olli trade as I said I was going to. So, here goes...

I've always been a fan of Olli Jokinen's. He was able to be a point-per-game player his last several years as a Florida Panther despite not having a true first line forward to help him get there. With linemates such as Josef Stumpel, Brett McLean, and Richard Zednik, Olli had little help on the top line. He used to be pretty good with the fans, stopping after games to give his autograph, and used to play hard.

However, the last couple seasons it seemed he wasn't as interested in the team or it's fans. He and fellow teammate Nathan Horton took off from a charity golf event where fans and sponsors paid a lot of money to be able to play with Panther players. Instead of staying and playing a game of golf, they took off and apparently decided to attend a strip club instead. Some say this isn't really a big deal as it was "just a golf tournament." However, people paid they're hard earned money to be there, to play with the team captain and one of it's best players, and they left like kids skipping school. I don't see how it's not a big deal!

He also began to float on the ice, rather than play hard and give his all. He seemed uninterested at times, as if he was trying awfully hard to get his coach, Jacques Martin, fired. If he didn't want Martin around any longer, that wasn't the way to do it.

Olli was traded at the draft to Phoenix for Keith Ballard, Nick Boynton, and a 2nd round pick. While it wasn't the return many Panther fans were expecting and may have not been 'enough,' I believe it is a solid return. Ballard is a young defenseman who loves to throw the body and is willing to drop the gloves to defend his teammates. He's also a tenacious defenseman who will work hard to move his opponent from in front of the net. Boynton is a mean player who takes little and is also quick to defend his teammates. This move shores up the Panther defense and moves out a disgruntled player who, like the Panthers, needed a change of scenary.

I appreciate Olli and wish him nothing but the best. I'm thankful for his team here in Florida and hope to see him in the playoffs with the Coyotes in the coming seasons.

Thanks Olli!

Latest on Mats Sundin

2008-07-22T06:49:00.000-07:00

It was reported early Sunday in a Swedish newspaper that former Toronto Maple Leaf center Mats Sundin decided to accept the Vancouver Canucks crazy offer of 2 years at $20 mil. However, Mats and his agent came out and said that he has made no such agreement, nor has he decided whether to sign anywhere or just retire.

Apparently, the teams that have the best chance at landing the star forward are Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. While I doubt he'll go to hated rival Montreal, I'd be slightly surprised if he accepts Vancouver's offer. Sundin has never won a Stanley Cup, and I don't see Vancouver being a team that's terribly close to winning one before he retires. Nor is Toronto, who's supposedly in some sort of a rebuild.

There were reports out of Florida that Sundin was thinking about joining the Panthers and that Wade Belak was talking to him, trying to get him to come here. However, I'll almost pass out if he signs down here, for the same reason why I'll be surprised if he goes to Vancouver.

Could be he decides to go to Vancouver, but the best shot he has at landing a Cup is with Montreal. The saga continues...

Hard hockey hits!

2008-07-22T06:48:00.000-07:00

Alexander Radulov bolts for Russia

2008-07-11T13:56:00.001-07:00

The young Alexander Radulov has decided to leave the Nashville Predators to play for the Ufa of the Russian Superleague. At 22, he's a young forward who apparently wanted to go back home.

He joins Vasicek, Pilar, Dubielewicz, Kapanen, Zyuzin, Brylin, Rachunek, Kwiatkowski, Emery, Grahame, Jagr, Baranka, Radivojevic, Ruzicka, Lampman, Simon, Hossa, Ellison, Ozolinsh, Stumpel, York, and Chiodo.

Some of those guys are at the end of their careers, others are not. There are a lot of people who are concerned with this League taking premier talent from the NHL. I'm not. If someone wants to play for this Leauge, more power to them. That said, hockey players dream of lifting the Stanley Cup, that will always be the biggest draw for the NHL.

Tampa Bay Lightning continue to "reload"

2008-07-11T13:17:00.000-07:00

Notice the quotes?

The new ownership in Tampa Bay is in a rebuild, which is more of a reload, mode. Rebuilds consist of teams trading away and dumping players who are older and building through the draft and through trades with youth. Instead, Tampa has reloaded as they've signed underachievers Ryan Malone, Brandon Bochenski, and Radim Vrbata, older vets Gary Roberts, Mark Recchi, and goalie Olaf Kolzig. They traded away a valuable 3rd round pick in a very deep draft for the rights to Malone and Roberts, something a rebuilding team shouldn't do. They also traded a pick for the rights to Vaclav Prospal before he went to Free Agency as well. Then, they forced Danny Boyle to waive his 'No Trade Clause,' which he just signed in his new deal, so they could trade he and Brad Lukowich to San Jose for Carle, Wishart, a 1st, a 4th, and an unknown prospect. Add to that their signings of Adam Hall, Zenon Konopka, David Koci, and bringing back Evgeni Artyukhin, that's a whole lot of forwards and only a few defensemen.

Forgive me for not being overly optomistic with Tampa Bay's "reload." They're trying to turn things around like Philly did after being in last place the season before last and being a playoff bound team in the Conference Finals this season. However, Philidelphia signed a lot of hard working player, not guys who are all but retired and career underachievers.

Anyway, it should be fun to watch Tampa this season...lol. At least they have Stamkos, he'll be brilliant.

Also, GM Jay Feaster has resigned today, saying that it's obvious his services are no longer needed. Well, seeing as how he sat on the sidelines as the new ownership made all these deals, I'd have to say it's very obvious he's no longer needed.

Still getting settled

2008-07-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

Still getting settled from our move(s). Were finally in our own place and things are somewhat getting back to normal. Thanks to everyone for continuing to check in.

More signings

2008-07-01T09:50:00.001-07:00

Radim Vrbata has signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning as they stay active on their re-build. Some risky signings, but you don't go places if you don't take some risk. We'll see how this works for them next season.

The Bruins have signed Blake Wheeler. Wheeler declined to sign with the Phoenix Coyotes, who drafted him, making him a free agent.

A few trades

2008-07-01T09:28:00.001-07:00

Carolina has sent forward Eric Cole to the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Jani Pitkanen

Chicago sent forward Rene Bourque to Calgary for a 2nd round pick in next years draft

Cujo has gone back to the Toronto Maple Leafs

A lot of teams have re-signed their players just before Free Agency

2008-07-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=11353 You can also follow the free agent signings through this link.

12:04PM
Anaheim re-sign forward Corey Perry to a five-year deal worth
$26.625-million which will average $5.325-million a
year.
11:58AM
Pittsburgh Penguins sign forward Pascal Dupuis to a
three-year deal which will average $1.4-million per year.
11:58AM
Detroit
Red Wings and veteran defenseman Brad Stuart have agreed to terms on a 4 year
contract that averages 3.75 per year.
11:35AM
New Jersey re-signs forwards
Jay Pandolfo (undisclosed) David Calrkson (undisclosed) and Barry Tallackson
(undisclosed). Declines option on forward Sergei Brylin.
10:21AM
New
Jersey agrees to terms with defenceman Bryce Salvador to a four-year deal worth
$11.6 million (average of $2.9 million per season).
8:45AM
Washington
re-signs defenceman Mike Green to a four-year deal worth $21 million (average of
$5.25 million per season).
Monday, June 30
TIME
(ET)
TRANSACTION
6:53PM
Detroit Red Wings re-sign defenceman Andreas
Lilja to a two-year contract.
6:45PM
Buffalo Sabres re-sign forward Paul
Gaustad to a four-year, $9.2 million contract.
6:39PM
San Jose Sharks
re-sign forward Jody Shelley to a two-year contract.
5:55PM
Tampa Bay
Lightning sign forward Vaclav Prospal to a multi-year
contract.
8:03AM
Tampa Bay Lightning sign forward Gary Roberts to a
one-year contract.
Sunday, June 29
TIME
(ET)
TRANSACTION
9:20PM
Colorado Avalanche sign defenceman John-Michael
Liles to four-year, $16 million contract.
9:20PM
Colorado Avalanche sign
defenceman Adam Foote to an undisclosed contract.

Tampa Bay Lightning active before Free Agency

2008-07-01T09:10:00.000-07:00

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been very active before Free Agency started by re-aqcquiring the rights to and re-signing Vaclav Prospal.

They also sent a 3rd round draft pick (in a very deep draft) to the Pittsburgh Penguins for the rights to and signed Gary Roberts and Ryan Malone.

They also acquired the rights to Brian Rolston, but Rolston told them this morning that he's going to test the Free Agent market.

Edmonton Oilers have traded a few players

2008-07-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Edmonton Oilers have traded Raffi Torres to the Columbus Blue Jackets for 21 year old center Gilbert Brule.

They also sent forward Jarret Stoll and defenseman Matt Greene to the LA Kings for defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky.

Free Agency kicks off at Noon Eastern

2008-07-01T08:58:00.001-07:00

The Free Agent frenzy gets under way today starting at noon. Unfortunately, I'm moving today and won't be able to do nearly as much with this as I'd like, as has been the story the past month or so.

I'll do what I can, thanks for everyone's patience.

Darcy Hordichuk has broken off talks with the Hurricanes.

2008-06-24T21:07:00.000-07:00

The Raleigh News and Observer reported that Darcy Hordichuk had little interest in talking to the Carolina Hurricanes and has broken off talks with them in order to test the Free Agent market.

I'm surprised by this, as I thought Darcy would be very glad and appreciative that someone wanted his services so much that they gave up a 5th rounder for them.

Perhaps he didn't want to have to dance with the Florida Panthers' Wade Belak? Doubt it, Darcy would go with anyone. I was looking forward to those two battle.

The impact of a sick boy, touching a young man

2008-06-24T20:58:00.000-07:00

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080623/OPINION03/806230314

Bobby Suvoy had Lou Gehrig's Disease, and it was vicious. He'd been a boy
who liked to swim and skate and catch fish, always looking for something to do.
Now here he was at 16, paralyzed, with a breathing machine inflating his lungs.
Chris Terry was Bobby's idol, his favorite hockey player. The team arranged
for Terry to meet him, and it was a thrill; one of the few things Bobby could
still do was smile, and he hardly stopped from the moment Terry walked in.
Then Terry dropped by the Suvoys' house in Redford Township a few more
times, on his own. And when Bobby died in early May, Terry came down from his
home in Brampton, Ontario, for the funeral, driving four hours in his big green
Isuzu Rodeo.
The Suvoys dressed Bobby for burial in the official jersey
Terry autographed for him. Bob Suvoy Sr. wanted to show him, so he approached
Terry the moment he walked into the visitation.

"Are you ready to go up
there?" Suvoy asked.
"No," Terry said, honestly, and Suvoy understood.
"You've got to remember," Suvoy says now, "he's just a kid."
Chris
Terry, hero to a dying teenager, was all of 18 years old.
A mature
teenager
At least he was when they met. Terry turned 19 in April, and it's a
mature 19, honed by three years in Junior A hockey. He has finished high school
and started at Schoolcraft College while living with host families and playing
center for the Plymouth Whalers, where his teammates range from 15 to 21.
The Whalers play in the Ontario Hockey League, a league of great promise,
long bus rides, heavy responsibilities and tiny paychecks. Terry's Isuzu is a
'98, a hand-me-down from his parents.
You wonder what it's like for a young
man to commit to that life in hopes of someday skating in the NHL. And you
wonder what it's like for someone whose body has brought him so far to spend
time with someone like Bobby, whose body betrayed him.
Daunting, you
discover, at least at first. But then inspiring and enriching. Educational, in a
way. And certainly humbling.
Only a few years ago, Terry had Steve Yzerman
posters on the walls of his bedroom. Suddenly, he's comforting someone who owns
framed pictures of Chris Terry.
"I guess I really wasn't prepared for what
condition he was in," Terry concedes. "It was an intense time." But there was
something in Bobby, and something in himself, that brought him back.
Though
Bobby couldn't form many words -- he mostly said "thank you" and "hello" -- he
was upbeat most of the time, and he made it clear how much the visits meant.
Phone conversations were out of the question, but Terry would text Bobby's two
older sisters every day, just checking in, and they would tell Bobby that the
Whalers' leading scorer had asked about him again.
"Such a terrible thing,"
says Terry, who's back in Brampton with his family for the summer. "He was my
sister's age. It's too young."
Community becomes family
There's a lot
more to the story and at the same time, it's simple.
Lou Gehrig's Disease,
or ALS, typically attacks 40- to 60-year-olds. Nobody survives it. From
diagnosis to funeral home, Bobby lasted less than two years.
Knowing his
time was limited, the Suvoys adopted a simple philosophy: Whatever Bobby wants,
Bobby gets. Hockey tickets, no problem. A Chris Terry jersey, $200 including the
cost of getting the name and No. 20 on the back, no problem.
The Make-A-Wish
Foundation bought Bobby a 42-inch high-definition television with surround
sound. Whalers games are streamed online, and the Suvoys would connect a laptop
to the big screen and gather 'round.
Suvoy, 50, is a machinist. His wife,
Patrice, is a secretary with the Redford Township schools. Financially and
otherwise, he says, "People came out of the woodwork to help us with this."
A friend's friend painted their little fishing boat, though Bobby
deteriorated so quickly he was never able to use it. Their church put on a
spaghetti dinner. One of Suvoy's softball buddies stopped knocking; he'd just
stroll in two nights a week, head to Bobby's room and chat for a few hours.
Some friends are throwing another fundraiser for the family Thursday,
helping to chip away at the leftover medical expenses. It's $15 per ticket for
an 8 p.m. stand-up show at Joey's Comedy Club in Livonia. Call the Whalers at
(734) 453-8400 for information.
The Suvoys didn't even know about it until
the fliers had been printed. As for Terry, he won't be there: It's for
21-and-older.
Bobby's impact on Terry
The Whalers played the Sarnia Sting
the night Bobby and Terry met. Bobby was supposed to go, but his health bottomed
out that week and he couldn't.
Instead, he asked Terry to score a goal for
him. Terry, in turn, wrote a message for Bobby on the tape at the top of his
stick: "Do It 4 Bobby."
"I've got to be honest with you," says Pete Krupsky,
the Whalers' play-by-play broadcaster, "when we talked about it on the air, I
was breaking up."
Then the Whalers went out and lost, 5-4, and Terry was
held without a goal. Life works that way sometimes.
Bobby didn't care. When
Terry scored a few games later, he just assumed that one was his.
Seven
weeks later, he was gone. The clip from Krupsky's broadcast played in a loop at
the visitation, and Krupsky, a retired chemist, dissolved again.
Since then,
the Suvoys have turned Bobby's bedroom into a den. The décor is the same, with
all the hockey pictures. They just took out the hospital bed.
Terry will be
back with the Whalers come fall. Drafted last year by the Carolina Hurricanes,
he's a step closer to the NHL.
Bob Suvoy finds himself reflecting sometimes
on a conversation he had with Terry one of the times he stopped by. "He said we
need to appreciate what we have," Suvoy says. "He said we should all be
thankful, every minute of our lives."
Terry probably understood that before
he met Bobby, because that's the kind of 19-year-old he is. But chances are
he'll never forget it, because that's the kind of impact Bobby had.

Crazy day of trades yesterday

2008-06-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

I'm WAY behind the 8 ball...long couple days. Had some things to do that I wasn't aware would come up.

This is from TSN.ca...I'll talk more on some of them later. (Especially the Jokinen trade.

Back in 1994, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Quebec Nordiques grabbed the spotlight
from Florida's No. 1 overall selection Ed Jovanovski by
completing the infamous Wendel Clark-Mats Sundin
trade.
And 14 years later, it could be argued that the wheeling and dealing
has taken the headlines once again from Tampa's No. 1 pick Steven Stamkos.
The
2008 NHL Entry Draft kicked off in Ottawa with 13 first-round trades on Friday
night, and the Calgary Flames led the way early with two major deals.
The
first move saw general manager Darryl Sutter acquire forward Mike Cammalleri from the
Los Angeles Kings in a three-team deal that also involved the Anaheim Ducks.
Calgary sent its 17th overall pick and their 2009 second round pick to the Kings
for Cammalleri, and the Kings then shipped that pick and the 28th overall
selection to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for the Ducks' 12th overall draft
pick.
The 26-year-old Cammalleri endured an injury-plagued season last year
that still saw him score 19 goals and 28 assists in 63 games. In 283 career
games all with the Kings, the Richmond Hill, Ontario native has 93 goals and 112
assists.
Flames general manager Darryl Sutter thinks that Cammalleri will fit
in well with the Flames.
"I think he'll bring the offence that Alex (Tanguay)
provided for us, but he's a little bit younger and a little bit less money,"
Sutter told TSN.
The Flames also sent ripples towards hockey-mad Montreal,
sending forward Alex
Tanguay and a 2008 fifth-round pick to the Canadiens for the 25th overall
selection and a 2009 second-round pick.
"I'm very excited," Tanguay told
TSN's sister station in Quebec RDS on Friday. "I'm really like the style the
Canadiens play and I believe it fits my style of play." A Ste-Justine,
Quebec native, Tanguay is coming off a disappointing season that saw him score
only 18 goals and 40 assists in 81 games while hearing his name mentioned almost
constantly in trade rumours.
"Alex Tanguay was not
comfortable with the Calgary Flames," general manager Bob Gainey told RDS. "He
was on our list of coveted players and was always available. At 28 years of age,
I think could be on our team for several seasons."
Tanguay was acquired by
the Flames on draft day in 2006 from the Colorado Avalanche for defenceman Jordan Leopold.
He
enjoyed his first year in Calgary, where he scored 81 points in 81 games.
In 609 career games, Tanguay has 177 goals and 362 assists. He helped capture
the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in the 2000-01 season.
Tanguay has one
year left on his current contract at $5.25 million.
The Florida Panthers
finally parted ways with captain Olli Jokinen, sending
the Finnish pivot to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for defencemen Keith Ballard, Nick Boynton and the
49th overall selection.
The move had been long rumoured as there were reports
out of Florida that Jokinen and general manager Jacques Martin have had a
strained relationship.
Jokinen scored 34 goals and 37 assists last season
while playing in all 82 games. He has two years left on his contract following
this season that will pay him another $10.5 million.
The Columbus Blue
Jackets were the next team to get in the mix, acquiring forward R.J. Umberger and the
119th pick overall from the Philadelphia Flyers for the 19th and 67th
picks.
Umberger, who attended Ohio State University in Columbus, was drafted
by Vancouver in the first round, 16th overall, in 2001.
He was traded to New
York Rangers by Vancouver with Martin Grenier for Martin Rucinsky on March
9, 2004 and then signed as a free agent by Philadelphia three months
later.
This past season, Umberger had 13 goals and 37 assists after scoring
20 goals in his rookie season. He also enjoyed an excellent playoff campaign,
scoring 10 goals and five assists in 17 games.
The Flyers weren't done
dealing from there, capping off the night by acquiring defenceman Steve Eminger and the
84th overall pick from the Washington Capitals for the 27th overall
selection.
//

Chris Mason to the Blues for a 4th

2008-06-20T07:05:00.000-07:00

The St. Louis Blues have sent a 4th round pick to the nashville predators in exchange for netminder Chris Mason. This means that Dan Ellis has signed a contract with the Preds and are going with him over Mason.

Funny thing is, they did this last year with Mason and shipped out Vokoun. Ah well, they made the playoffs.

Toronto trades a 3rd to St. Louis for Jamal Mayers

2008-06-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

Toronto, who's supposed to be in re-build mode, traded away a 3rd round pick in this year's draft for 33 Jamal Mayers. Doesn't make much sense, but he's now a Leaf.

The Atlanta Thrashers have hired John Anderson as their new head coach

2008-06-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

Guess this means Waddell is still running the show at GM?? Doesn't make any sense.

The Atlanta Thrashers hired John Anderson as their new head coach on
Thursday, promoting him from their American Hockey League affiliate in
Chicago.
Anderson has won four minor-league titles as a head coach, including
the 2008 Calder Cup with the Wolves earlier this month.
Anderson, 51, also
guided the Wolves to the Calder Cup in 2002 and the International Hockey
League's Turner Cup in 1998 and 2000.
Toronto's first pick (11th overall) in
the 1977 amateur draft, Anderson played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League
with the Maple Leafs (1977-1985); Quebec Nordiques (1985-86); and Hartford
Whalers (1986-1989).

Carolina picks up Darcy Horidchuk's rights

2008-06-19T12:38:00.000-07:00

The Carolina Hurricanes have picked up one of my all-time favorite enforcers in Darcy Hordichuk. He's a smaller guy, but is a GREAT fighter and can beat the heavyweights. It's good to have him back in the Division and I CAN'T WAIT to watch he and Belak go toe to toe. This really heats up the Panthers-Hurricanes rivalry. Very exciting! The Canes sent a conditional 5th rounder in the '09 draft.

Beat him down, beat you down!

Philly trades the rights to Prospal for a 7th and a conditional

2008-06-18T15:32:00.000-07:00

From TSN.ca:

The Philadelphia Flyers announced Wednesday that they have traded the
rights to forward Vaclav
Prospal to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a seventh round pick
in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and a conditional pick in the 2009 NHL Entry
Draft.
"Vinny really didn't express much of an interest in coming back and
playing for us next season," said General Manager Holmgren in making the
announcement. "His heart is elsewhere."
Prospal, 33, recorded four goals and
10 assists for 14 points and six penalty minutes in 18 regular season games for
the Flyers this past season. He added 13 points in 17 playoff games as the
Flyers advanced to the 2008 Eastern Conference Final.
He was re-acquired by
the Flyers from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenceman Alexandre Picard and a
second round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft on Feb. 25. Prospal registered 29
goals and 28 assists for 57 points and 39 penalty minutes in 62 games for the
Lightning prior to joining the Flyers.
In 792 career regular season games
over 11 NHL seasons with the Flyers, Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, Tampa
Bay and Anaheim Ducks (1996-97 through 2007-08), Prospal has registered 179
goals and 375 assists for 554 points and 421 penalty minutes.

2008 NHL Entry Draft starts this Friday

2008-06-17T11:06:00.000-07:00

The 2008 NHL Entry Draft starts this Friday. Expect Steven Stamkos to go first and it be a crap shoot from there, though, I think Doughty could be going to LA with the 2nd pick.

I'll keep you up to date with the trades and the picks throughout the weekend.

Florida Panthers name new head coach

2008-06-13T13:58:00.000-07:00

Former Kitchener Rangers GM and Head Coach Peter Deboer has been named the new head coach of the Florida Panthers. I'm happy with this signing as a Panther fan.

Thanks to Safir for this info:

Peter DeBoer:
Current Winning Percentage: 67%
Number of Years in hockey: 21 years
Number of Years as head coach: 13 years
Number of Winning seasons: 12
Number of Years in NHL: 0
Number of Championships: 2(OHL)

Players coached that are currently at the NHL level:
-Mike Richards(Philadelphia Flyers)
-Derek Roy(Buffalo Sabres)
-Steve Eminger(Washington Capitals)
-Greg Campbell(Florida Panthers)
-Bryan Berard(New York Islanders)
-David Legwand(Nashville Predators)
-Paul Mara(New York Rangers)
-Jason Ward(Tampa Bay Lightning)
-Justin Williams(Carolina Hurricanes)
-Stephen Weiss(Florida Panthers)
-James Wisniewski(Chicago Blackhawks)
-Chad Larose(Carolina Hurricanes)
-Karl Stewart(Tampa Bay Lightning)
-David Clarkson(New Jersey Devils)
-Boris Valabik(Atlanta Thrashers)
-Matt Lashoff(Boston Bruins)
-Steve Downie(Philadelphia Flyers)

"Good Luck"

2008-06-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

Great video, listen to the mic'd up Laraque before the fight...

2 teams have new coaches

2008-06-13T07:08:00.000-07:00

The San Jose Sharks named Todd McLellan as their new head coach yesterday. McLellan was the Detroit Red Wings assistant coach and won the Cup just last week. After meeting with San Jose for an interview, both sides greatly felt that they were the right fit and reached an agreement right away. The Sharks are hoping that McLellan will do what Ron Wilson was unable to do, lead their talented team to the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Ottawa Senators also hired a new head coach as they are set to announce today that Former Canadian World Juniors and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds head coach Craig Hartsburg will take over those duties from GM Bryan Murray.

Hockey Awards are out

2008-06-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

Ocechkin stole the show, congratulations to him and to the Capitals!

• James Norris Memorial Trophy, defenseman -- Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit
• Calder Memorial Trophy, rookie -- Patrick Kane, Chicago
• Frank J. Selke Trophy, defensive forward -- Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit
• Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, most gentlemanly -- Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit
• Jack Adams Award, coach -- Bruce Boudreau, Washington
• King Clancy Trophy, humanitarian contribution to hockey -- Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay
• Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, perserverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey -- Jason Blake, Toronto
• Lifetime Achievement Award -- Gordie Howe
• Art Ross Trophy, points scoring leader -- Alexander Ovechkin, Washington
• Maurice Richard Trophy, goal-scoring leader -- Alexander Ovechkin, Washington
• William M. Jennings Trophy, goalies with fewest goals against, minimum 25 games -- Chris Osgood and Dominik Hasek, Detroit
• Lester B. Pearson Award, outstanding player -- Alexander Ovechkin, Washington.

One Coach In, One Coach Out

2008-06-10T16:16:00.000-07:00

The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially announced former San Jose Sharks Head Coach Ron Wilson as their new Head Coach. Ron Wilson is a coach known for getting the most out of his players, but he hasn't gone far in the playoffs. We'll see how he does with Toronto's mess. If they're patient with him as the re-build, they will be a successful organization once again.

On his way out is Marc Crawford as he was fired by the L.A. Kings. The Kings struggled yet again this season, despite stellar play from their youngsters. They need more help on the blue line and in goal, but they should have finished higher than last place in the League.

Two trades announced

2008-06-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that it has acquired forward Marty Sertich from the Dallas Stars organization in exchange for a conditional draft choice in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Also, The Minnesota Wild has sent a third round pick to the Anaheim Ducks for hard shooting defenseman Marc Andre Bergeron. This is Bergeron's fourth team in 2 years.

Bergeron is considered mid-range defenseman. According to a writer in Edmonton, “he can shoot like hell and skate, but he’s very unsure of himself, doesn’t have a lot of self-esteem, gets down on himself. He also struggles at times in his own end. He’s serviceable. He’s can play some reasonable minutes, but he’s prone to mistakes the more minutes he gets.”

Noone watches hcokey anymore Tiger...?

2008-06-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

Tiger laughed and said that "no one watches the NHL anymore," when asked if he was rooting for Detroit or Pittsburgh. This is from ESPN:

NEW YORK -- The Detroit-Pittsburgh matchup returned the Stanley Cup finals'
television ratings to close to pre-lockout levels.
The four games on NBC
averaged a 3.2 rating and a 6 share, the highest since Carolina-Detroit in 2002
averaged a 3.6.
The average rating doubled last year's record low of
1.6.
Game 6 on Wednesday averaged a 4.0 national rating and a 7 share, a 111
percent increase over the last Game 6 in 2006, when Edmonton-Carolina drew a
1.9.
The rating is the percentage watching a program among homes with
televisions, and the share is the percentage tuned into the broadcast among
those households with TVs on at the time.

Sorry Tiger! (Image is from the Detroit celebration parade)

Red Wings win the Cup

2008-06-08T12:58:00.000-07:00

The Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup Wednesday night, making Niklas Lidstrom the first European captain to have led his team to the trophy. Congratulations to him, and the Red Wings.

By the way, I called the Wings in 6!

Sorry Folks...

2008-06-07T04:55:00.000-07:00

There's certainly plenty that I want to talk about and I'm sorry for my absence. I'm in moving mode, but will be back in the next day or so.

Hope everyone is doing well, thanks for stopping by.

Bourdon Killed in Motorcycle Accident..

2008-05-29T12:49:00.000-07:00

Young Vancouver Canuck defenseman Luc Bourdon was killed in a motorcycle accident today in Northern New Brusnwick. Very sad news as he had the makings to be a solid defenseman in the NHL. He was just 21.

Gary Roberts a Scratch for Game One...?

2008-05-23T17:08:00.000-07:00

Seasoned and respected vet Gary Roberts has been told that he will not be playing in tommorrow's game one of the Stanley Cup Finals. Apparently we'll find out after tommorrow's morning skate as to why, but it really doesn't matter.

42 year old Gary has only played 6 of Pittsburgh's 14 playoff games due to a mild case of pnuemonia, but he's so valued on the ice and in the lockerroom with Pittsburgh's young team, I can't imagine why they'd make him a healthy scratch.

Seems this is a case of hockey's many superstitions coming to light. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Pittsburgh's had an amazing run in this year's playoffs and Gary hasn't played too much, so I'm sure the real reason is Therrien doesn't want to mess with his team's chemistry going into the Finals and going against a bit of a juggernaut in Detroit. Still, Roberts won't hurt his team, especially on the fourth line, where he'd be.

I'd love to see the Penguins win the Cup because of Roberts, but I don't like that he's not going to be playing, even if it's only game one. This stinks to me!

Granato To Return As Colorado Coach

2008-05-23T15:45:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Avalanche have re-hired Tony Granato as their Head Coach. Tony was the Av's head coach from 2002-2004 and "compiled a record of 72-33-17-11, giving him the top coaching mark in franchise history based on points percentage (.647)." -TSN.ca

After firing coach Quenneville due to his inability to carry the team to the Chapionship, they apparently feel this is the right way to go. It didn't work for the Oakland Raiders in their bringing back Art Shell as head coach, perhaps things will be different for Colorado and Granato.

We'll see how it goes...

We Interrupt This Marriage...

2008-05-21T10:05:00.001-07:00

A fellow poster on the Florida Panthers message board posted this from ebay. It's a wedding cake topper. Scroll to the bottom of the page and you'll see that they have all the teams.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.com/Bridal-Garter-Set-Wedding-Cake-Topper-Florida-Panthers_W0QQitemZ290218919642QQcategoryZ0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3913.m87QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DDLS1%26its%3DK%26itu%3DMBMS%252BSS%252BFS%252BUCK%26otn%3D15%26po%3DOp2%26ps%3D26"]eBay[/url]

Lidstrom and the Cup

2008-05-21T07:17:00.000-07:00

If the Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup, Nicklas Lidstrom will be the first European captain in the NHL to lead his team to Finals victory. Through the history of the NHL, no Stanley Cup Champion has had a European captain.

Stanley Cup Final: Detroit vs. Pittsburgh

2008-05-21T06:16:00.000-07:00

In a dream matchup for the NHL, the Pittsburgh Penguins will face the Detroit Red Wings in the Finals. Detroit has drawn big television crowds for over a decade and Pittsburgh has the NHL's golden boy Sidney Crosby who himself draws big television crowds. Neither team is short of stars as Detroit has the best defenseman in the league in Niklas Lidstrom, John Franzen, Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, and unsung heros Kris Draper and Tomas Holmstrom. Pittsburgh has of course Sid the Kid, Evgeni Malkin, Marian Hossa, Marc Andre Fluery, and an up and comer in Jordan Staal. Gary Roberts could be playing his last year and is obviously looking to go out on top, hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup.

Both teams have proven to be very tough opposition. Detroit roared through the Western Conference playoffs, but had trouble closing the deal in their series against the Stars. If they do that against the hungry Penguins they won't know what's hit them. Pittsburgh has proven to be a very tough opponent in the playoffs as they've gone 12-2 throughout and are a perfect 8-0 at home. Very impressive records that few teams troughout history have been able to accomplish.

This should be a tough, hard fought series that should have huge hockey fans and the casual viewer alike revved up for some great hockey. If the NHL were smart, and when it comes to marketing they unfortunately are not, they'll market this series all over the place. From billboards, to commercials, to an internet blitz, they need to jump on the marketing wagon and finally promote the sport. In fact, they should go out and find NASCAR's marketing team and way overpay these guys to market this great game.

Some amazing hockey should be ahead. While I'd love to see Roberts hoist the Cup, I don't think Pittsburgh has enough to combat Detroit's overall game. I'm calling Detroit in 6.

Detroit Rolls Over Dallas to Advance

2008-05-19T22:10:00.000-07:00

The Detroit Red Wings charged to a 4-0 lead in their Eastern Conference Finals game against the Dallas Stars. The Stars came roaring back in the 3rd period but fell one goal short in the end. Detroit clinched their series against the Stars and will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final that starts on Saturday.

I called both these teams, but the series finished faster than I thought. I figured the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia series would to to seven games based on Philly's play against Montreal, but the Pens made pretty short work of the Flyers. I called the Detroit-Dallas series, though. Took 5 games for Detroit to finish off Dallas.

More on the upcoming Stanley Cup Final Series to come...

Penguins In Waiting

2008-05-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

The Pittsburgh Penguins put a pretty solid exclamation point on their Eastern Conference Finals series yesterday, making short work of the Philadelphia Flyers in their 6-0 win.

They now await the winner of the Detroit-Dallas series to meet them in the Stanley Cup Final. Detroit leads the series 3-2. After charging ahead to a 3-0 series lead, Detroit has fallen twice to Dallas. I imagine Detroit will take the series and meet Pittsburgh, but they need to learn to put teams away when they're sitting vulnerable. Pittsburgh is a very tough team that will quickly capitalize on any mistake made by their opposition.

Almost ready to raise the Cup!

Deja Vous In the Conference Finals...?

2008-05-16T06:08:00.000-07:00

Pittsburgh and Detroit raced out to 3-0 leads in their Conference Final series. Both teams looked poised for the sweep as they seemed nearly impossible to beat. Dallas and Philly had no intention of gettting swept, however, and each of them won game 4 with the Flyers holding off a 3rd period surge by the Penguins.

Few teams in sports history have marched back from 3-0 deries deficits, though, and I don't see either Dallas or Philadelphia having it in them to do so. Detroit and Pittsburgh don't have it in them to suddenly lose the next three in a row, either.

Get geared up for what should be a hard-fought Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings.

Another Coach Looking For Work.

2008-05-13T07:04:00.000-07:00

San Jose has fired Head Coach Ron Wilson after failing to get deep into the playoffs again. Wilson was hired by the Sharks in 2002 and helped them be a contender year in and year out. Like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Tony Dungy, San Jose felt they have the talent to go deep and win a Championship and were unhappy that Ron Wilson was unable to get them there. We'll see if the Sharks' next coach will be able to drive them to a championship like "Chucky" was able to with Tampa.

So far, the Atlanta Thrashers, Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalance, Ottawa Senators, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are also looking for new coaches. It's being rumoured that Peter Laviolette could be out in Carolina as well.

Jacques Lemaire, though, will be back for an 8th season behind Minessota's bench.

Don Waddell asked to step down as Atlanta Thrashers GM!

2008-05-09T17:16:00.000-07:00

In a move that goes in the "very, very smart" drawer, the Atlanta Thrashers have reportedly asked General Manager Don Waddell to step down and take a differrent management position with the team.

Last season, Waddell ransomed the farm to get to the playoffs for the first time in team history. The team made it to the playoffs, and were then swept in the first round. He gave up a lot of team depth at the trade deadline to make it there and didn't re-sign any of those players.

Atlanta is already looking up.

Quenneville, Colorado Part Ways.

2008-05-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

After meeting with Joel Quenneville today, Colorado General Manager Francois Giguere and head coach Joel Quenneville "mutually agreed that it was time to part ways."

This comes after a 2nd round, 4 game sweep of the Avs by the Detroit Red Wings. Colorado was running on a bit of a skeleton crew after having so many of it's star players out with injury.

This decision doesn't make a lot of sense to me as Colorado still got into the playoffs after having a lot of regular season injuries and still got into the second round. I guess with that lineup, they were expecting more.

Pat Quinn, Perry Pearn, Randy Cunneyworth, Doug MacLean, Paul Maurice, and the legendary Pat Quinn are a few of the big names out there looking for work who could come in for the Avalanche. Oh, and there's a rumour that former LA Kings coach and current ESPN analyst Barry Melrose-who still thinks it's cool to have a mullet-is up for the Colorado job. Call me one who'd be VERY surprised if that happened.

Maple Leafs Fire Their Coach!

2008-05-07T14:17:00.000-07:00

The Toronto Maple Leafs today fired their coach after only 2 seasons. Paul Maurice, who was hired by former General Manager John Ferguson Jr., was supposed to get this current crop of players into the playoffs and be be perrenial competitors. He came in with a lot of plans and promise, but he never could get them over the hump.

I don't think this was totally Maurice's fault. Ferguson handed out bad contracts, most having "no movement clauses," to players who don't really fit in their system. The current GM, interim Cliff Fletcher-JFJ was fired due to the state of the Leafs, has been unable to start a real re-build process because he is unable to move those players with the "no movement clauses."

The Leafs now have no GM (since Fletcher is only there on an interim basis and according to him he's not involved in the process to hire a new one), no coach, and no captain since Mats Sundin is an unrestricted free agent looking for a home. While the captaincy issue isn't too big a deal and the coach process will be handled in time, they need to figure out who their new GM will be. They have a lot of people to re-sign and the draft is only 6 weeks away.

I understand why Maurice was fired, but Toronto is in a big hole looking a long way up.

My Panthers aren't much better, but I think they're closer to having their act together.

Incoming!

2008-05-06T22:09:00.000-07:00

One of the best videos EVER! Had me on the floor. Good ole Ference.

2008 Playoffs Down to Four Teams!

2008-05-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks TSN.ca (again!)

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
Philadelphia vs PittsburghSeries starts Friday

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
Detroit vs Dallas Series starts Thursday

-Philadelphia surprisingly, to me anyway, stomped on the Canadiens to advance to the 3rd round. They'll face the Pittsburgh Penguins for the Eastern Conference crown. I'm calling a team from Pennsylvania advancing to the Finals...HAHA! Ok, I'm actually going to pick Pittsburgh here. They're young, incredibly talented, and hungry! The Flyers are a very tough team, though, and will be hard work for the Penguins.

Penguins advance with a game 7 win!

-Detroit stomped on Colorado in game 4 to advance to the Western Conference Finals. Dallas marched ahead to a 3-0 lead in their series against the San Jose Sharks. San Jose staved off Dallas for 2 straight games until finally losing in game 6 in the seventh period! They played over two games in one night before Brendan Morrow finally potted the winner to advance Dallas. It remains to be seen how going 7 periods, with the final 4 of them being shotgun periods in that there's no commercial interruptions so they can take a break, will affect their play against Detroit. They may be a bit sluggish against a lethal Red Wings team that allows no mercy. At least they have a few days before gametime.

I'm calling Detroit in 5!

Rangers' Avery Out For The Balance...

2008-04-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

Sean Avery is out for the balance of the New York Rangers existence in the 2008 NHL playoffs. He was taken to the hospital after last night's game with a lacerated spleen and was rumoured to have been in cardiac arrest. That was proven to be untrue, Avery was driven to the hospital in a Towncar. http://rangers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=362098

Not the first time a professional athlete has been taken to the hospital with an injured spleen after a physical game. Chris Simms had a ruptured spleen after his game against the Carolina Panthers. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2601555

Simms was out for a year following the spleen's removal.

What's the Deal?

2008-04-30T08:44:00.000-07:00

After three series going to 7 games and another 3 going to 6 games in the first round, it's a little baffling that three series in the second round of the 2008 playoffs have teams down 0-3.

So far, Pittsburgh is dominating the New York Rangers and lead the series 3-0. They've now gone an incredible 7-0 in this year's playoffs. The last time a team did that was in 1994, when the New York Rangers went on to win Lord Stanley's Cup. In fact, 7 of the last 8 teams that have gone 7-0 to start the playoffs have gone on to win the Championship trophy. The Penguins are in good company and are a tough team to beat.

Dallas is up 3-0 in their series against the San Jose Sharks. I don't think San Jose has the drive and determination to pull off a Boston Red Sox-like resurgance to come back and claim the series.

Detroit leads Colorado in their series 3-0 that lacks the emotion I thought would be shown. These two teams have had epic battles in the past, but Detroit is simply overpowering the Avalanche right now. Kindof a bummer.

Montreal and Philly are keeping their series interesting with Philidelphia gunning for the upset as they lead 2-1.

Usually, when the teams reach the second round of the playoffs, the competition gets tougher, teams are more tired and more hungry, and that usually leads to series being a lot closer. Right now, the opposite is proving true. Anything's possible, but I don't see any of these teams that are down 3-0 coming back to win the series. Perhaps this is setting up a great round 3? Hope so!

"A ballplayer, not just a Canadian!"

2008-04-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

NHL Playoffs, Round 2:Update

2008-04-29T07:50:00.000-07:00

EASTERN CONFERENCE
MTL vs PHIFlyers lead series 2-1
PIT vs NYRPenguins lead series 2-0

WESTERN CONFERENCE
DET vs COL Red Wings lead series 2-0
SJ vs DALStars lead series 2-0

Crosby's Earned A Reputation!

2008-04-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

Sidney Crosby is the most touted young player in the NHL today. He came in tabbed as "the Next One," referring to him as being the next Wayne Gretzky. He's an incredibly skilled player who is living up to the hype, for the most part. He's already the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, making him the youngest in NHL history. He's certainly no slouch, and he's definitely not a bust.

He has, however, made a name for himself in a way that the real Great One never had. Crosby's been tagged as a diver! This means that he embellishes when he gets hit in order to get a call. Apparently, the refs have been falling for it.

During Sunday's game against the Rangers, Sid "the Kid" fell a little too easy after being hit behind the net by Fedor Tyutin, resulting in a penalty against the Rangers. According to those within listening distance, Jaromir Jagr (another NHL scoring great) skated over to Crosby after the penalty and told him to stop diving and to stay on his feet. The Penguins won the game to take a 2-0 series lead.

This isn't the first time Sidney's been called out for diving. While he's justly recieved accolades for his on-ice skills, his reputation for diving is hurting his image. Hockey players, fans, and coaches don't like players who dive. It's a trend that's increasing among younger players. Eric Staal and Eric Cole of the Carolina Hurricanes are two other young players who have been tabbed as divers. Hopefully this is something that will quickly be nipped in the bud.

Wayne Gretzky was called the "Great One" because he truly was a great player. He set records that will probably never be broken. He wasn't a diver!

It has nothing to do with hockey!

2008-04-23T20:16:00.001-07:00

It's just funny!

Poor kid.

Interesting Second Round Info

2008-04-23T19:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Panthers best beat writer George Richards for this snippet:

-- Bonus stuff on Detroit-Colorado: Colorado's Adam Foote and Joe Sakic have played in all 30 playoff games between the Avs and Wings, Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom and Darren McCarty have also played in all 30. Peter Forsberg, Kris Draper and Chris Chelios have played in 29 of the games.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/flapanthers/2008/04/hockey-talk.html

Should be a great, hard-fought series!

Time For Round 2!

2008-04-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

I went 4 for 4 in Round 1, let's see how I do in Round 2. How'd you do with your picks?

MTL vs PHI-I think this one will be a great series. Philly's a tough team who should give Montreal a tough time. I'm going to call Montreal.

PIT vs NYR-Another good series. Avery will be looking to get under Crosby, Malkin, and Hossa's skin, but he's going to have to answer to the mighty Georges Laraque for any of his actions. Avery's not dumb enough to drop 'em with the NHL's top heavyweight, but Pittsburgh's got a few tough guys that will help keep Avery under control. Some great stars in this series, I'm calling the Penguins for the win.

DET vs COL-Yet another great series matchup. These 2 teams hate each other and it goes back about a decade. Detroit won the season series 4-0, but Colorado has Forsberg and Foote both playing well. Again, going to be a great series. I'll go with Detroit on this one, though, I wouldn't be surprised to see Colorado take it.

SJ vs DAL-OK, so, they're all great mach-ups. These two are also rivals and Dallas has been playing well enough to eek out the win from San Jose. It's all going to depend on how hungry the Sharks are. I'm calling Dallas.

What're your picks?

Top Hockey Movies:

2008-04-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

Agree or disagree, vote here: http://www.sportsinmovies.com/best-movies/hockey.asp

1. Miracle (2004) - 9.08
2. Slap Shot (1977) - 8.99
3. Rocket, The (2005) - 8.82
4. Youngblood (1986) - 8.53
5. Net Worth (1995) - 8.39
6. Love Guru, The (2008) - 8.00
7. Mighty Ducks, The (1992) - 7.84
8. Mystery, Alaska (1999) - 7.49
9. D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996) - 7.14
10 .Waking Up Wally: The Walter Gretzky Story (2005) - 6.50
11. D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994) - 6.36
12. MVP: Most Valuable Primate (2000) - 5.90
13. Sudden Death (1995) - 5.82
14. Rhino Brothers, The (1995) - 5.39
15. Boys, Les (1997) - 5.34
16. Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice (2002) - 3.94

Dissed

2008-04-21T05:55:00.001-07:00

It's not secret that Martin Broduer and Sean Avery hate each other. That was made more apparent with Avery's antics earlier in the series. Avery gets under everyone's skin, even All-Star 3-time Cup winning goaltenders.

As the Rangers won the best-of-seven series and the opposing players passed each other for the traditional handshake, Broduer comepletely ignored Avery as he passed by. As Avery put his hand out ready to shake Broduer's hand, Marty looked past him and did nothing to acknowledge Avery.

Can't say I blame Broduer.

Re-Visiting My Round 1 Playoff Predictions:

2008-04-21T05:48:00.000-07:00

Predictions:
MON vs BOS-Montreal.
DET vs NSH-Detroit, though they didn't play well during the season against Nashville.
PIT vs OTT-Pittsburgh
SJ vs CGY-San Jose
WSH vs PHI-Washington, this one should be close
MIN vs COL-Minnesota, but should be close, too.
SJ vs NYR-Not sure on this one. Rangers won the first game, but I'm callin Jersey.
ANA vs DAL-Anaheim

Current standings and eliminations:

MTL vs BOSSeries tied 3-3
DET vs NSHRed Wings win series 4-2
PIT vs OTTPenguins win series 4-0
SJ vs CGYSeries tied 3-3
WSH vs PHIFlyers lead series 3-2
MIN vs COLAvalanche win series 4-2
NJ vs NYRRangers win series 4-1
ANA vs DALStars win series 4-2

I was right about Pittsburgh and Detroit. Wrong on Annaheim, Jersey, and Colorado. Washington, San Jose, and Montreal are going to game 7. (I hope I'm wrong about Montreal, would love to see them out of it!)

Thanks to TSN.ca

NHL 2008 Playoff Update:

2008-04-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

Thans again to TSN.ca

MTL vs BOSCanadiens lead series 3-1
DET vs NSHSeries tied 2-2
PIT vs OTTPenguins win series 4-0
SJ vs CGYSeries tied 2-2
WSH vs PHIFlyers lead series 2-1
MIN vs COLSeries tied 2-2
NJ vs NYRRangers lead series 3-1
ANA vs DALStars lead series 2-1

Senators Swept as Pittsburgh Returns the Favor.

2008-04-17T06:27:00.000-07:00

Last year, the Senators made short work of Pittsburgh on their march to the Finals by eliminating them in 5 games. This year, the Pens returned the favor by eliminating the Senators in 4.

The Senators went from first place in the East and dominating the competition, to 7th place going into the playoffs. Injuries played a big part, they fired their coach, and Bryan Murray took over behind the bench while also staying the team GM. Much like he was unable to do with the Panthers, Murray has done little to really improve the Ottawa Senators. Much like the Panthers did years ago, it's probably time the Senators part ways with this guy. Ottawa has a ton of talent on their team, but lack in the goaltending department and don't seem to be very motivated.

The Penguins, on the other hand, are loaded with talent and are rolling. With Crosby, Malkin, Hossa, Staal, Fluery, Whitney, and Roberts to help lead the way, the Penguins are a major force to be reckoned with. It remains to be seen if they have enough in them to go to the Finals and win the Cup, but they're certainly a team with enough skill to make it there.

The Pittsburh Penguins are a great team to watch, it will be fun to see how far they can go.

The Ottawa Senators? Well, it should be an interesting off-season.

Really cute and cool...or creepy?

2008-04-17T06:12:00.000-07:00

Let's go Panthers...Let's go Panthers...

2008-04-15T16:38:00.000-07:00

Why all the fanfare for a team isn't in the playoffs and hasn't been in a dog's a...OK, longer than dog's age? Well, I'll tell ya!

For a decade, the Panthers have had a ridiculous revolving door in management positions. They've gone through so many GMs and coaches over that span, it's no wonder this team is such a mess. From Luongo being traded for a lot less than what he's worth to the hodge podge of different GMs' ideas and plans, any GM who comes in is left with quite a challenge. However, Jacques Martin has done a good job in this position over the last 2 years.

He's cleaned up the Luongo trade by bringing in Tomas Vokoun with some of the picks he got in trades, acquired a young stud in Matthias, drafted well, has been patient with the young prospects and hasn't rushed them in, has locked up the core long term, and hasn't been pushed around by other GMs by trading good players for less than they're worth.

Martin served duel roles with the Panthers. He wasn't just the GM, he was also the head coach. Last week he was relieved of his position as head coach, but asked to stay as the GM. Thankfully, Panthers owner Alan Cohen has seen the great job that Martin has done as general manager and has recognized the plan he's put in place.

Today, Martin has decided he'll stay on as the team GM and will continue to implement his plan and will pick the head coach he feels will best work with the players he's brought in. Patience now is the key. Martin can now squarely focus on the GM position, and we'll have a coach who can squarely focus on that position as well.

Good stuff!

Avery's a tool

2008-04-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

This is ridiculous. He's a pro athlete. This guy is a chronic blackeye on the NHL. From being kicked out of LA for being such a bad teammate to hurling racial insults, Avery isn't just a pest, he's a childish clown.

Playoff update:

2008-04-13T07:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks to TSN.ca...

MON vs BOS
Canadiens lead series 2-0
DET vs NSH
Red Wings lead series 2-0PIT vs OTT
Penguins lead series 2-0
SJ vs CGY
Series tied 1-1WSH vs PHI
Capitals lead series 1-0
MIN vs COL
Series tied 1-1NJ vs NYR
Rangers lead series 2-0
ANA vs DAL
Stars lead series 2-0

LOOK OUT!

2008-04-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

A couple of hard checks...

It's a rough sport!

The Fight For the Cup Starts Tonight!

2008-04-09T19:37:00.000-07:00

Since they were little kids barely able to skate, they've dreamed of lifting Lord Stanley's Cup. Today, 16 teams start the fight to be able to do just that.

Here are the matchups for round 1, and who I expect to win:

MON vs BOS-Montreal.
DET vs NSH-Detroit, though they didn't play well during the season against Nashville.
PIT vs OTT-Pittsburgh

SJ vs CGY-San Jose
WSH vs PHI-Washington, this one should be close
MIN vs COL-Minnesota, but should be close, too.

SJ vs NYR-Not sure on this one. Rangers won the first game, but I'm callin Jersey.

ANA vs DAL-Anaheim

Some of the best hockey of the year...coming up!

*What're your playoff predictions?*

The Lightning win the Stamkos race.

2008-04-08T06:28:00.000-07:00

The Lightning won the draft lottery yesterday. They now have the first chance of drafting Steven Stamkos. This kid's a stud!

He'll be up there with the top young talents in the game. Crosby, Ovechkin, Toews...Stamkos.

-Lots of videos lately. I love what they add.

Poetic Justce?

2008-04-05T18:39:00.000-07:00

I'd have rather seen the Hurricanes in the playoffs than the Flyers, but I'm very glad the Caps are in. My favorite team when I was a kid. Can't wait to see Ovechkin in the playoffs!

However, revenge seems to be a dish best served cold, eh Panther fans?

"Tiger, Tiger where are you?"

2008-04-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

A little more Ovechkin love. This is the first time he's played! Guy's got skills!