At the March 4th NHL Trade Deadline, the Florida Panthers were stuck between a rock and a hard place. Being tied for the eighth and final seed in the NHL playoff picture, the Florida franchise had to decide what was more important: winning in the current moment and going to the playoffs, or trading away a valuable asset to the team to acquire pieces for the future of the franchise. General Manager Jacques Martin saw it fit to keep that valuable asset, but missed the playoffs just a short month later. Irony is a sick joke.
Jay Bouwmeester became one of the top stories during the deadline, but ended up staying put in order to help for the playoff run. The problem is Bouwmeester's open-ended thoughts to the media. He was asked just before the deadline by the Florida Sun-Sentinel what the likelihood of him returning in a Panthers jersey would be for the 2009-10 campaign.
Jeff Ponder's NHL Hockey fan blog archive for 05/2009
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May 2009
May 05, 2009
May 19, 2009
Jeff Ponder
The defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings have had a strong playoff year thus far and look to be unbeatable. There does not seem to be any kinks in the red armor they done on their chests. The Chicago Blackhawks would not have an argument with that after they lost the opening game of their Western Conference Final series 5-2 on Sunday afternoon. Detroit seems to be chugging along through the playoffs. Is there anything that can get in their way to stop them from capturing yet another Stanley Cup?
Chicago has got to be scratching their heads going into Game 2. The Hawks did a good job shutting down top-liners Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom in Game 1, but they still saw the likes of Johan Franzen, Henrik Zetterberg and Dan Cleary play big roles in the win. This is the strength of the Detroit Red Wings; production from everyone on the squad. If Pavel Datsyuk has a bad game, the team looks to the second line to produce, which they usually answer favorably. Datsyuk has not seen the score sheet in ten games after his team's victory on Sunday, but the rest of his team has compensated in every game.
Chicago has got to be scratching their heads going into Game 2. The Hawks did a good job shutting down top-liners Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom in Game 1, but they still saw the likes of Johan Franzen, Henrik Zetterberg and Dan Cleary play big roles in the win. This is the strength of the Detroit Red Wings; production from everyone on the squad. If Pavel Datsyuk has a bad game, the team looks to the second line to produce, which they usually answer favorably. Datsyuk has not seen the score sheet in ten games after his team's victory on Sunday, but the rest of his team has compensated in every game.
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May 26, 2009
Jeff Ponder
When the St. Louis Blues drafted Barret Jackman 17th overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, they thought that they were getting something special. With Al MacInnis aging and Chris Pronger making All-Star caliber paychecks, the team knew that a young guy had to be brought in to step in and take charge. Jackman had a great season with the Regina Pats of the WHL in 2000-01, and continued that strong play in St. Louis the following season. After winning the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year that season, the future was looking bright for the tough defenseman. But things can go sour as quickly as they get sweet.
All through 2003 and 2004, Jackman kept facing a nagging shoulder injury. In early 2004, it got so bad that Jackman had to sit the rest of that season. He has had multiple surgeries on his left shoulder, but it remains to be a problem. Over the last few seasons, Jackman has continued to play through the pain, although it is obvious he is not the player that he once was.
All through 2003 and 2004, Jackman kept facing a nagging shoulder injury. In early 2004, it got so bad that Jackman had to sit the rest of that season. He has had multiple surgeries on his left shoulder, but it remains to be a problem. Over the last few seasons, Jackman has continued to play through the pain, although it is obvious he is not the player that he once was.
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May 28, 2009
Jeff Ponder
Well, you got what you wanted Gary Bettman; your top team is facing your boy in the spotlight. Everything this season has led up to this great moment; the top plays on ESPN, the featured stories on NHL.com and most importantly, the reminiscing of the last Stanley Cup Final in 2008. Players and coaches have already begun talks of how exciting the series will be.
"To have the opportunity against Pittsburgh should be a lot of fun," Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock said. "There will be a lot of hype."
Red Wings star winger Marian Hossa even had the chance to chat it up about a rematch from last year with the media, but how this time around he will be playing from the other side.
"It's a unique situation right now, definitely this doesn't happen often," Hossa said. "I try to make the best of the situation for myself and try to help the team win a Cup."
"To have the opportunity against Pittsburgh should be a lot of fun," Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock said. "There will be a lot of hype."
Red Wings star winger Marian Hossa even had the chance to chat it up about a rematch from last year with the media, but how this time around he will be playing from the other side.
"It's a unique situation right now, definitely this doesn't happen often," Hossa said. "I try to make the best of the situation for myself and try to help the team win a Cup."
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