06 Nov 2008 by Craig in National Hockey League
Brodeur Injured – Oh No, the thing that Devils fans never wanted to hear has happened, Martin Brodeur is injured. Brodeur injured his elbow and had surgery to repair the damage, and will miss 3 – 4 months. Brodeur was inching very close to a lot of National Hockey League records, that will now have to be put on hold. Brodeur might be the most valuable player to his team every year, and New Jersey has relied of him for the past 15 or so seasons. The entire Devils team is built around Marty, not just to stop the pucks, but to be a leader and play the puck as another defenseman. Taking over for Brodeur will be veteran back up Kevin Weekes and solid goalie Scott Clemmensson. Both guys are suitable NHL back ups, but haven’t seen a lot of action in the past couple of years. This might be the worst injury that could happen to any team in the league and will seriously hurt the Devils chances of making the playoffs. New Jersey went from Eastern Conference favorites to having to fight for wins in one play and one injury. Hopefully Brodeur will make it back at the top of his game in 4 months and will still become the best goalie to ever live. If Weekes struggles, look for the Devils to make a move and acquire a veteran goalie to take over until Marty returns, probably Roloson or Fernandez.
Three Stars of the Month – The National Hockey League has released its three stars of the month and they may not be the guys you would have picked prior to the season. The first star is Washington Capitols star forward Alexander Semin, who is off to the best start of his career. Semin has 8 goals and 17 points for Washington and led the team when Ovechkin was in Russia. Semin has become a true star in the league and has all the talent to keep these numbers up all season long. The second star is Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers all world goalie. Henrik is now the favorite for the Vezina with Brodeur being hurt and hasn’t disappointed the New York fans. Early on this year Lundqvist has posted 8 wins and a save percentage of .926. The third star might be a surprise to you and its Nashville d man Shea Weber. Shea is off to a great start averaging a point a game and is a plus 3 for the Predators. All three of these players had great starts and will look to continue there success through November and the rest of the season.
Rookie Duo - If you are Columbus Blue Jacket fan, you should be incredibly excited about the future of your franchise on the ice. Derick Brassard leads all rookies in scoring recording 12 points in just 12 games, while Jakub Voracek is second with 10 points. Brassard is 21 years of age and Voracek is just 19 and have surprised some with there early season production. Hopefully these two forwards along with Nikita Filatov, can represent a great future for the fans of Columbus. The Columbus franchise has never made the playoffs, but if they keep finding great young players like these guys that streak will end sooner rather then later. Its unknown whether or not these guys can keep up there numbers, but with plenty of ice time I think they will become great NHL players. With a great young base of players hopefully Columbus finds a way to win some games, before they lose all there fans. The Blue Jacket fans deserve a winner, no matter how good a market might be if you never make the playoffs it will be hard to sell tickets. With players like Brassard, Voracek, Filatov and Nash it shouldn’t be to long until Columbus finds themselves in the playoffs.
Hockey Hall of Fame - Its that time of year when it is time to induct new members into the hockey hall of fame. This year the class includes Glen Anderson, Igor Larionov and Ray Scampinello. “Scammpy” might be the most popular referee in the history of sports, and served as NHL linesman for a lot of years. Anderson will be remembered as a member of the great Oiler teams of the 80’s playing along side Gretzky and Messier. Anderson was at his best in the playoffs and always seemed to score the big goals at the big moments. Larionov might be the best Russian born player of all time. He was solid at both ends of the rink and could skate and stick handle as good as anyone in the league. Larionov will fondly be remembered as part of the Russian 5 in Detroit with Fedorov, Konstantinov, Fetisov and Kozlov. Being enshrined in the hockey hall fame is great honor and all these men should be extremely proud of all there accomplishments. Being inducted is the final chapter the Stanley Cups are behind you, there will be no more game winning goals, but you will forever be remember as a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Surprise Teams - When you look at early season successes two teams will jump out at you the Buffalo Sabres and the Minnesota Wild. Neither was projected by most to be as good as they seem to be, both teams are leading there respective divisions. The Wild play a strict defensive system and for years have frustrated opponents and that trend continues. The Sabres have a set of highly talented and fast forwards that can change a game in a hurry. These teams haven’t won the same way, The Sabres with exciting fast hockey and Minnesota with boring defense. This shows that you can win hockey with a lot of different styles. Its to early to tell, but the Sabres in particular look like they will stick around the top of the Eastern Conference all year long
29 Oct 2008 by Craig in National Hockey League
This is a current list of the top 10 teams in the National Hockey League. I made this list based on performance, talent, past success and predictions about the future, Throughout the year this list will change it will be up dated as we start to see who the true favorites are.
10 – Buffalo Sabres - I didn’t see this happening before the season started, but the Sabres are off to a great start. They have a very deep set of forwards with guys like Roy, Vanek, Kotalik, and Pominville off to good starts. Right now Thomas Vanek looks like a true all star and has become the leader up front for this team. Great goaltending by Ryan Miller has gotten this team off to a 6 – 1 – 2 and leading there division. Buffalo is a great team to watch they have a great mix of speed and aggressiveness and seem to beat there opponents in many different ways.
9 – Minnesota Wild - Well I really don’t understand this one and I would have to say I am not sold yet. There isn’t a whole lot of talent on this team especially with Gaborik being hurt, but you cannot over look the fact that they are winning hockey games. They win by playing a great defensive system, they are allowing a league low 2 goals a game. To this point they still haven’t lost a game in regulation and are the leaders in the Northwest division.
8 – Anaheim Ducks – The Ducks got off to a horrible start, but seem to be getting it together. The reason for there bad start was that the team just wasn’t gelling, there seemed to be no unity on the ice. Top forwards Perry, Getzlaf and Selanne seem to be breaking out of there funk and will start to lead this team to more consistent victories. This team has great goaltending and a solid defense, if they get some goals they will win more then there share of games in the Western Conference. Keep your eye on this team, I think they will start playing as they should.
7 – Calgary Flames – Another team that didn’t get off to a great start, but seem to be putting it all together. Before the season I thought Calgary was truly a cup contender and I am not ready to take them off this list yet. Iginla, Bertuzzi and Cammalleri are starting to get some chemistry and will lead this team throughout the season. For this team to stay on this list Miikka Kiprusoff is going to have to play like the all star he should be. To me the Flames look like a building team that will only get better as the year goes on.
6 – New Jersey Devils - The Devils are still good, because they still have Martin Brodeur. Brodeur is still the best goalie in the world and as long as New Jersey has him they will be a top 10 team. The goaltending is great, but they still need to find away to score more goals, they are only scoring 2.5 goals a game. If they manage to get some more goals and get healthy this team will be near the top of the Eastern Conference all season long. The Devils have some injury problems in the forward lines, but still need to take the pressure off the goaltending and defense by manufacturing some goals.
5 – Pittsburgh Penguins – You can’t over look the talent on this team, they are off to a bit of a slow start, but they will only get better as the year goes on. Recently they have been playing all world forwards Malkin and Crosby together and they have been scoring at a high pace. The injuries to there puck moving defense has really made it hard for this team in the early going. Fleury is also playing some great goal for the Penguins and gives them a shot to win every night. To win consistently the Pens will need secondary scoring from Staal, Satan and Fedotenko. In my opinion this team has no where to go, but up on this list.
4 – Montreal Canadiens – Still Stanley Cup favorites, and off to a great start. Not a lot of weaknesses on this squad, they are fast, balanced and get great goaltending every night. If they keep it up, they will be at the top of this list all season long.
3 – San Jose Sharks - The Sharks are proving they are still a great regular season team and will be near the top of the Western Conference all year. Highlighted by great goaltending and a solid group of forwards, there is no doubt the Sharks are one of the most talented teams in the league. If they continue to get secondary scoring they will have no problem being in the top three all year long.
2 – New York Rangers - They have slowed a bit from there great start, but still are right at the top of the NHL. Secondary scoring has really led this team with Dubinsky, Zherdev and Voros all off to great starts. They have gotten the great goaltending and defense that they expected, and if that continues I see them near the top of this list all season long. The Rangers are a great team in a great market and it is good for the league to have them playing this well.
1 – Detroit Red Wings – Defending Stanley Cup champions, and still the most talented team in the league. After a loss on opening night, they have played some great hockey and will only get better. A team full of stars like Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Hossa and Lidstrom, this franchise continues to be the best in the league. They are perfect on the road, and if they play any where near this good all year they will fight for the Presidents trophy. Detroit will be at the top of this list until another team proves they can play as consistently great as they do.
01 Oct 2008 by Craig in NHL 2008
Anaheim Ducks - The Ducks ran into some cap issues this off season and had to make some tough decisions about there club. They bought out Todd Bertuzzi and traded Mathieu Schneider, so they could get under the cap. Anaheim is still very talented and will be looking to have a good season. Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger will lead the team from the back end and they still have all world goalie J.S. Giguere. Defense will not be the problem with the Ducks, they are going to need to manufacture ways to score goals. Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Teemu Selanne will have to have good years for Anaheim up front. The Ducks aren’t as good as they were when they won the Cup a couple years ago, but they are still contenders in the West. Look for them to play great defense and fight for there division title.
Atlanta Thrashers - There’s not much to say about this team, there is a better chance they finish in dead last place then make the playoffs. They still have Ilya Kovalchuk as by far there best player and only true goal scorer. They made a trade for Mathieu Schneider and have a couple decent players in Colby Armstrong. Slava Kozlov and Jason Williams. Well this team straight up, isn’t good at all, in fact they might be the worst team in the league. If you are a Thrashers fan, get ready for a long season and a good draft pick next year.
Boston Bruins – The Bruins look good, they look like a playoff team. Bruins fans should get excited, the team is heading in the right direction and making the right decisions. Every night the Bruins will put out a solid top 6 forwards that will include Marc Savard, Michael Ryder, Patrice Bergeron and youngster Phil Kessel. Zdeno Chara is the captain and one of the best defenseman in the NHL. Its yet to be seen who the starting goalie is, but a healthy Manny Fernandez and Tim Thomas will make a good one two punch in net. I see Boston as a playoff team, but they need to stay healthy. They are heading in the right direction, but I don’t think they are deep enough yet to withstand major injuries.
Buffalo Sabres – This team is a confusing one I can’t figure out if they are going to be very good, or miss the playoffs. They are fast up front with Maxim Afinogenov, Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek and should score some goals. They finally managed to keep a player by signing under rated forward Jason Pominville to a multi year deal. They have one of the best goalies in the NHL with Ryan Miller and a veteran defense core. The Sabres should fight for a playoff spot this year and be tough to play on a nightly basis. Miller is going to have to have a good season in the net, and Thomas Vanek will have to earn his money.
Calgary Flames – The Flames look good, they look like Western Conference favorites this season. Once again they will be led by super star Jerome Iginla, but Flames management went out and got him some help with Mike Cammalleri and Todd Bertuzzi. Secondary scoring will be key to Calgary having a great season. The defense is big and tough with Robyn Reghir and Dion Phaneuf. Miikka Kiprusoff will need to be back to his Vezina self because they don’t have much of a back up. The Calgary Flames will be an extremely tough team to play as they always are. They are big and physical and may intimidate some teams. Iginla is one of the best goal scorers in the NHL and if they get contributions by other players the flames will win. This team will hit, hard, fight and claw there way to a division title this year.
Carolina Hurricanes – I’m not to sure what to say about Carolina, they aren’t the worst team in the East, but they are far the best. They may be a team in limbo, they have some good pieces, but not a whole team yet. Eric Staal is the leader on the ice and they also have streaky forwards Tuomo Ruutu and Sergei Samsonov. Cam Ward is a good goalie and a healthy Frank Kaberle will lead the defense. The Hurricanes don’t look like a playoff team this year, but if they play hard they should have an alright record.
Chicago Blackhawks – This is the best young team in hockey, and I think this is the year they finally make the playoffs. Young super star forwards Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp will lead the offensive charge. The three of them will combine to be one of the best top lines in the NHL. In free agency the Hawks went out and got all star defenseman Brian Campbell and steady goalie Christabel Huet to improve there club. Campbell will lead the team on the power play and be the puck moving d – man they desperately needed last season. This team is offensively talented and I think they have a good chance of leading the league in power play goals. They are young and they will be the best team to watch in the league this season, like last years Washington. All offensive, all the time. Check out this team this year, if they stay healthy they will make the playoffs.
Colorado Avalanche – Goaltending is the big question mark with this team, Petr Budaj isn’t a proven starter and they don’t have a suitable back up. There are lots of good veterans on this team including team captain Joe Sakic, Adam Foote, Darcy Tucker and Ryan Smyth. This team will have to play tough games every night to make the playoffs. Budaj will have to surprise everyone and become a true number one goalie, and the young forwards will have to provide a lot of offense.
19 Sep 2008 by Craig in NHL History
When the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1967 it would be the last in the original six period. The league had become a success both financially and on television and faced pressure to expand. With the fear of competing leagues and the search for high priced television contracts the NHL added six teams for the 1967-1968 season. These six new teams would form their own division and compete with the already established original six. With the new teams playing in their own division it guaranteed one of the new teams would play for the Stanley Cup.
The six cities that were selected were California Seals , St. Louis Blues, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota North Stars and Philadelphia Flyers. Unlike other professional sports leagues in North America, the NHL choose add all teams in one season. The biggest fear upon expanding the league was that the play would weaken with double the amount of players in the league. To fill the new rosters the NHL held an Expansion Draft in the summer of 1967, and each of the new six teams would pick 20 players from the existing NHL rosters. Some big names found their way to new franchises the Los Angeles Kings selected the legendary Terry Sawchuk from Toronto, the Maple Leafs also lost Bob Baun to the California Seals. Bruins goalie Bernie Parent went to Philadelphia and Glenn Hall moved from Chicago to St. Louis. The NHL also increased it schedule having each team play 74 games, increased from 70 games. The top four teams from each division would make the playoffs, and you would have to win three seven game series to win the Cup.
When the 1967-1968 season started it was clear the original six teams were still by far the class of the league. The Montreal Canadians won the regular season title and ended up facing the St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup Final. Montreal easily beat St. Louis in four games to claim Lord Stanley’s Cup. The Chicago Blackhawks forward Stan Mikita led the league with 87 points and claimed Most Valuable Player honors, Rogatien Vachon and Gump Worsley of Montreal split the best goalie honor and Bobby Hull led the league with 44 goals. The Oakland Seals (California Seals) were the worst team in league finishing with only 15 wins and missed the playoffs by 22 points.
In the 1967 season a young defenseman from Boston named Bobby Orr won the Calder Trophy (top Rookie), but in the 1968 season you really saw what he was going to become. He won his first Norris Trophy (top defenseman) and he would go on to win eight straight Norris’. Orr’s skill and talent would go on to change the game for ever, and is widely considered the best defenseman in NHL history. He was faster and stronger then most NHL players and he used those skills to score the famous Cup winning goal in 1970.
The Original NHL expansion in 1967-1968 expansion was a success for the league. Four of the franchises still play in their original locations Philadelphia, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. The Philadelphia Flyers won the first Cup from an expansion team in 1974 and once again in 1975 led by forward Bobby Clarke and goalie Bernie Parent. Philadelphia has become one of the best hockey markets in the world, with devoted fans who love their tough Flyers.
In 1970 the NHL expanded again and added the Vancouver Canucks and the Buffalo Sabres. The expansion continues in 1972-1973 adding the Atlanta Flames and the New York Islanders and once again in 1974-1975 adding the Kansas City Scouts and the Washington Capitols. By this time some of the franchises were having troubles and would be relocated. The league now had 18 teams located all over North America, but not all the locations were selected well. The California Golden Seals had to move to Cleveland and Kansas City had to move to Colorado. Even after the move the original California franchise, that was now in Cleveland was forced to merge with the North Stars in Minnesota. The 70’s was a turbulent time for the NHL, lots of new teams and current teams finding new locations.
The 1970’s were ruled by the Montreal Canadian’s dynasty, Montreal won multiple cups. Led by exciting forward Guy Lafleur, defenseman Larry Robinson and solid goaltending by Ken Dryden. Lafleur was a first overall pick by the Canadians and played his first season in the 1971-1972 season. By the 1974 season Guy had become one of the if not the best player in the NHL and was a fan favorite at the infamous Montreal Forum. In the 1974-1975 season Lafleur almost doubled his career high in points in a season recording over 50 goals and 100 points, he would go on repeat those numbers for the next 5 years. For six straight years Guy was on top and leading the best team in the NHL, on his way to becoming the highest scoring player in Canadians history. Marcel Dionne was another player who was on top of his game in the 70’s, playing with both the Red Wings and the Kings he scored 40 plus goals six times in the decade. Unlike Lafleur, Dionne never had the team success with Los Angeles or Detroit.
In 1967 the NHL decided to expand and really has never stopped since. The decision to put 6 teams in to the league in one season was controversial, but ultimately successful. Four of those original six expansion franchises exist in their original form. The NHL continued to expand to its original state, with some great moves and some moves that didn’t work out. The truth of the matter is that if the NHL doesn’t expand in the 60’s we will never know what would have happened, but you can be assured the league benefitted from it. The expansion years caused a changing of the guard in the NHL, new owners, new players and eventually the need for European players.