Nhl

After a long wait, Edmonton finally moved one of their top players.

Only making a minor deal earlier in the day (Cody Wild to Boston for Matt Marquardt), Edmonton was expected to make a fire-sale on the deadline.  The Oilers rank last in the entire league with a dismal 19-38-6 record, recording only 44 points.  Names like Dustin Penner, Sheldon Souray and Andrew Cogliano were all being discussed today, but only one player is on his way out.

Continue reading "Anaheim Trades Ryan Whitney and a ..."

It seems that Leafs' GM Brian Burke has not needed sleep this weekend.

Burke announced on Sunday morning that the team had made two blockbuster moves that will see all-star defenseman Dion Phaneuf and all-star goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere in Maple Leaf jerseys.  Burke shipped forwards Jamal Mayers, Matt Stajan, and Nick Hagman with defenseman Ian White to the Flames for Phaneuf, forward Fredrik Sjostrom and prospect Keith Aulie.  The second trade involved Giguere heading to Toronto from Anaheim for forward Jason Blake and goaltender Vesa Toskala.

Continue reading "Maple Leafs Make Some Big Moves"

Did you see that crazy backhand goal by Michael Del Zotto of the Rangers that snuck its way through Boston's Tim Thomas a few weeks ago?  Of course you did, it was the only afternoon game on that Saturday.

Continue reading "The NHL Could Learn from the NFL"

Brian Burke had to find a way to have his team compete in a tough Olympic tournament in February.

Not long after Canada, Russia, Finland and Sweden announced their Olympic rosters, Brian Burke took center stage to announce his team.  At the Winter Classic on January 1, Team USA was unveiled after a thrilling game between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers at Fenway Park.  Burke decided to go with youth to try and capture the Gold.

Continue reading "Is This the Right Team USA?"

I guess Blues management frequents NHL Hockey Online.

Blues President John Davidson announced that the club has relieved Head Coach Andy Murray of his coaching duties (something I eluded to just three days ago).  The team has in turn named Davis Payne the interim head coach. 

Continue reading "Murray Out; Payne In"

A “winning streak” is not a concept that the St. Louis Blues seem to entirely grasp in 2009-10.

The Blues, who did not see their first three-game winning streak until a 2-1 shootout win over the Calgary Flames on December 23, are currently posting a 17-17-5 record, placing them twelfth in the Western Conference and eight points out of a playoff spot.  The record itself is not the biggest problem; it is the lack of production from the core of the lineup.  Before being injured Sunday against the Sabres, left-wing Paul Kariya, who also happens to be drawing $6 million in the final season of his contract, has racked up just eight goals and 19 points in 38 games.  For a former six-time 30 goal scorer, the numbers can speak volumes for the lack of effort the team is seeing from Kariya.

Continue reading "Wrong Coach or Wrong Team?"

Sometimes the best way to learn about a sport is by talking with one of its biggest fans.

Eddie Garcia is a California-native who has followed the Los Angeles Kings for as long as he likes to remember.  He started a podcast with his long-time friend Doug Stolhand after reading a story in a local LA newspaper about a few average Joe's that started their own successful baseball podcast.  Eddie approached his friend about the story, and they sought advice from the baseball podcasters.  3 ½ years later, Eddie and Doug are the only hockey podcast featured on FoxSports.com, and the Puck Podcast has followers from all over the world, making it the number one rated hockey podcast on iTunes.  Eddie had a few minutes to go over his thoughts over the success of his show with me, along with a few thoughts about growing up in LA as a hockey fan and rumblings from around the league. 

Continue reading "A Chat with Eddie Garcia of the Puck Podcast"

Tim Thomas has been the heavy favorite for the starting goaltender position for Team USA in 2010 for quite some time.  But Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller is turning some heads with his strong play to start the 2009-10 campaign.

Continue reading "Miller and Anderson Making Pitch ..."

120:52 is an eternity for the St. Louis Blues.

That is how long it has been since the team has lit the lamp, which occurred on October 28th in North Carolina when David Perron added an empty-net goal to seal a 5-2 Blues victory.  The celebration did not seem to last long.

Continue reading "Bring on the Rivermen!"

I know what you're thinking:  Kind of cliché to say that checking from behind has to be stopped.  I agree.  But part of me feels that the NHL does not do enough to cast aside this dangerous act.

Continue reading "Checking from Behind Must be Stopped"

Only 3 games into the season, the Blues have plenty to talk about.  So lets get started...

Defenseman Barret Jackman sprains ankle; goes on IR (per Jeremy Rutherford).

Jackman will have to miss at least seven days, according to NHL injury reserve stipulations.  The Blues have claimed that this injury is “week to week.”  Jackman was a -1 to start the season, while posting 2 assists.

Continue reading "Blues Early Season News and Notes"

The offensive side of the red line is not the one that aged Blues fans may be used to.

The days of Adam Oates or Pierre Turgeon are over in St. Louis.  It is hard to find which Blue may stand out from the rest, much like the start of last season.  Brad Boyes and David Backes took that spot over with relative ease during the Blues' amazing playoff run.

Continue reading "The Official 2009-10 NHL Hockey Online ..."

What do you get when you mix a group of wily veterans, rising young stars and surprise goaltending?  No, this is not a joke that you heard while playing cards with your grandpa.  The answer is the St. Louis Blues. 

Continue reading "The Official 2009-10 NHL Hockey Online ..."

Could an exhibition game really give bad publicity to a major North-American sports league?

The NHL has constantly been trying to show that their league is the best to the public all over the world.  For the past few seasons, the league has sent four of their teams overseas to play in places such as Germany, Sweden and England.  The teams usually open the NHL regular season a week early, playing two games in the country that they were designated.  This season the league has decided to send the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings to Sweden, and the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers to Finland.  Not only are these teams playing each other, but they will see time against some of the best teams of the chosen nation in pre-season play.

Continue reading "Inter-League Game Could Spell Bad News for NHL"

Ottawa hockey writers can finally take a small break from their hectic summer before the season starts.  Dany Heatley has officially been moved.

It was announced Saturday afternoon that after many talks with the San Jose Sharks, Heatley and a fifth round pick have been traded to the Sharks for right-winger Jonathan Cheechoo, left-winger Milan Michalek and a second round draft choice in 2010.

Continue reading "The Drama is Over; Heatley Dealt to Sharks"

It's funny how one mistake on an online publication can put a few thousand people in an uproar.

“Phil Kessel Traded to Blues” was the headline on a story without any subtext included with it on Thursday evening.  The New England Hockey Journal, a well-respected hockey website, posted this error that sent the fans of the Bruins and Blues into a state of panic.  Bruins fans were terrified that they did not get a decent return while Blues fans were anxious over who had to be traded.  Online hockey message boards lit up with questions on how the deal went down and when the teams were going to officially announce the news.  The media bonanza even made it as far as ESPN.com when they posted “Rumors:  P. Kessel maybe headed to Blues.”

Continue reading "Misprint Still has St. Louis Buzzing"

Vancouver signs Mathieu Schneider to a 1-Year, $1.55 million contract

The Canucks found the replacement for Mattias Ohlund that they were looking for.

After watching Ohlund sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 1st, the Canucks felt a gaping hole in their defensive corps.  Even at the age of 40, Schneider can still play the game.  He only accumulated nine goals in 67 games last season splitting time between the Thrashers and Canadiens, Schneider is still a key for a successful power-play.  6 of his 9 goals last season came with the man advantage, while also amassing 12 power-play assists.  The 20-season veteran will be a nice addition to an already impressive Canuck power-play unit.

Continue reading "Vancouver Adding to D"

After a grueling summer of NHL media not knowing the full synopsis of the Dany Heatley saga, the man in the spotlight finally spoke.

The German-born right winger informed the Canadian media for the first time since asking for a trade in Kelowna, British Columbia about his situation.  Dany stated that his desires of leaving Ottawa have not changed.

Continue reading "Time to Put the Big Boy Pants on Dany"

J.S. Giguere is a Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Stanley Cup Champion and a 4-time 30-game winner.  There is no way any team would want to dump a guy with these credentials, right?  Think again.

Continue reading "What's Brewing in Anaheim?"

The Detroit Red Wings, who just so happen to be the reigning Central Division Champions for the past eight seasons, might find it very tough to nine-peat this season.

The Red Wings are still considered by many to be the top team in the Central Division in 2009-10.  With Pavel Datsyuk playing some of the smartest hockey in the league, Henrik Zetterberg putting pucks in the net more often than not and Nicklas Lidstrom stonewalling forwards more than his goaltender, the Red Wings will put yet another powerful product on the ice.  But in order to retain these all-stars, the Red Wings have had to see their depth take a nosedive.

Continue reading "Its Not Going to be Easy"

Late July is always the time of year that weighs down on hockey fans.  The Stanley Cup has been handed out, the Entry Draft is over and free-agency is pretty much at a standstill.  It always brings in all of those questions regarding if the team has improved or regressed.  Blues fans always have the same question on their mind almost more than any other teams' fans:  When will it be our turn?

Continue reading "Oh Those Summer Blues"

The New York Islanders have made a plunge into the free-agent goalie market this summer, locking up Dwayne Roloson on July 1st and Martin Biron on July 22nd.  This seems like a good tandem for a team that faced its fair share of struggles last season.  There is just one little problem that the Islanders seem to be forgetting; they own a 15-year, $67.5 million goaltender that was once considered the “franchise goaltender.”

Continue reading "Islanders Could Have a Logjam in Goal"

July 9th was a dark day for the Colorado Avalanche hockey club.  After 20 seasons, all being with the Nordiques-Avalanche franchise, long-time captain Joe Sakic announced his retirement from the NHL. Not only did Avalanche personnel say goodbye to their on-ice leader, but their most valuable player.

Continue reading "Avalanche Should Make Pitch for Tanguay"

It was no shock to the city of Anaheim when all-star defenseman Chris Pronger was traded on NHL draft day.  The real shock may come during the 2009-10 season when the Ducks still put out a strong defensive lineup on opening day.

Continue reading "Ducks' Defense Still Staggering"

Martin Havlat saw the writing on the wall in Chicago when they signed winger Marian Hossa to a 12-year contract earlier in the day.  The Wild jumped on the chance at grabbing the free-agent winger.

Continue reading "Wild sign Martin Havlat to 6-Year, ..."

Erik Cole has been brought back to the only team he has ever really wanted to know.

Cole was traded one year ago today from Carolina for Edmonton's Jani Pitkanen.  The trade saw Pitkanen play solid defense for the Hurricanes, but things did not go so well for the Oilers' end of the bargain.  Cole registered just 16 goals in 63 games with Edmonton, before being traded back to Carolina for Patrick O'Sullivan as part of a three-way deal with Los Angeles.  Cole added two more goals with Carolina in 17 games, but the real story was the resurgence of Canes' captain Eric Staal with Cole on his line.

Continue reading "Hurricanes Re-Sign Erik Cole to 2-Year, ..."

The Lightning have empowered their blue line even more this off-season.

After drafting young defenseman Victor Hedman last Friday in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Lightning have brought in a veteran to further along his progress.  Mattias Ohlund, who has spent his entire 12-year career with the Vancouver Canucks, has moved to the Eastern Conference to play with the young Tampa Bay defense.

Continue reading "Lightning Sign Mattias Ohlund to ..."

 **This deal was declined by Heatley since he has a no-trade clause.  He is buying time, so this deal could still be made.

Analysis:  The Dany Heatley saga has possibly come to a close.  TSN.ca is reporting that Heatley had a chance to be dealt to the Oilers Tuesday night.

Continue reading "Deal Dead -For Now- Senators Trade ..."

Jay Bouwmeester got his wish on Tuesday; a long-term contract worth a handsome sum.  After having his rights traded last Saturday from Florida to the Flames for defenseman Jordan Leopold and a third round pick, Bouwmeester met with Calgary management all week but finally came to a deal just before the deadline.

Continue reading "Calgary Flames Sign Jay Bouwmeester ..."

Analysis:  The biggest name in this deal is obviously 2-time Stanley Cup winner Scott Gomez.  Being signed through 2013-14, this Alaska native has been a slight disappointment for the New York Rangers.  Being signed in the summer of 2007 to a 7-year, $51.5 million deal, Gomez has registered 128 points in two seasons with the Rangers, which is a little lower than the Rangers had originally expected.  In 2005-06, Gomez registered 84 points in 82 games with the New Jersey Devils.  He is still a top-line center, but Montreal will be hoping that he can earn his paycheck with better point totals for the remainder of his contract.

Continue reading "Rangers Trade Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt ..."

St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced Friday that forward Keith Tkachuk has agreed to return to the club for one more year.  The Blues and Tkachuk have been having talks about a return since being ousted from the playoffs in April.  The deal is reportedly worth $2.15 million.

Continue reading "Tkachuk Signs One-Year Contract and ..."

It was reported Friday that Chris Pronger found a new home in the town of Los Angeles.  The unconfirmed reports said that Pronger was sent to the Kings for up-and-coming defenseman Jack Johnson and a fifth-round pick.  The LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks quickly shot down the report.  Kings GM Dean Lombardi was asked via e-mail, and he quickly responded with the simplest of replies:  “No.”

Continue reading "Pronger Trade Rumor Ridiculous"

"It was a really tough decision for me to make," forward Marian Hossa stated last July. "When I compared the two teams, I felt like I would have a little better of a chance to win the Cup in Detroit."

Continue reading "Hossa Perfect Fit for Islanders"

Eric Brewer has an upbeat attitude about his current situation.

"There's never been the thought that I'm never going to play again," Brewer told the media recently. "I never had one doctor or one therapist tell me anything other than you'll be playing. It's been a little bit longer than I would have liked, but that's never been an issue. I've always been told, and I continue to be told, that I'll be fine and I'll be playing hockey."

Continue reading "Brewer Prepared for Return"

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.

Continue reading "Hey NHL, We Don't Care!"

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.

Continue reading "Barret Jackman: A Bust in St. Louis"

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?

Continue reading "The Red Wings are Beatable"

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.

Continue reading "What Next for Florida?"

The Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues entered the 2009 NHL Playoffs with high hopes for their respective teams.  Those thoughts became nothing but a few pipe dreams for their fans and players what seemed like minutes after the playoffs had begun.

Continue reading "Poor Early Exits Provide Little Experience"

After a 27-11-7 run spanning through the 2009 calendar year, the Blues did the unthinkable and snuck into the NHL playoffs.  They will take on the third-seeded Vancouver Canucks when they open the series in Vancouver on Wednesday.  After a 2-2-0 record against the Canucks this season, how will the Blues fair in this 2003 Quarterfinal rematch?

Continue reading "Blues-Canucks Series Preview"

The Blues were on the outside looking in on the NHL playoff picture on December 13th, 2008 when they received even worse news; captain and leading minute-man Eric Brewer went down with a herniated disc in his lower back.  Things seemed dreary for the Blues hockey club.  Fans already started calling for the first-round draft choice in 2009 and pretty much gave up hope on any playoff dreams.

Continue reading "Blues Have Been Strong Without Brewer, Legace"

With the third overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, the Atlanta Thrashers knew that they were going to get something special.  Zach Bogosian is confirming that thought.

After seeing clear-cut number one draft-pick Stephen Stamkos head to Tampa Bay, the Kings were on the clock.  With the 2008 Draft crammed with defensemen, the Kings selected Drew Doughty, a Guelph Storm standout in the OHL.  The Thrashers surveyed their opportunities, and landed on physical defenseman Zach Bogosian, another OHL standout.  Playing with the Peterborourgh Petes, Zach was the only defenseman in the league to lead his team in points (61) and was named to the OHL First All-Star Team. 

Continue reading "Bogosian Proving Worth"

Just a few weeks ago, the St. Louis Blues could not find a way to win when it was needed, and were considered to be out of the playoff picture by almost everyone.  But a recent rush by this young team has proven otherwise.  After wins against Los Angeles, Vancouver and two huge wins against Columbus in a home-and-home series, this team looks serious about a playoff push.  They are now clinging to the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference.

Continue reading "Blues are Surging in Wild, Wild West"

The date is March 23rd, 1994.  A packed Great Western Forum hears loud cheers and screams for “The Great One” Wayne Gretzky, to score his 802nd goal, passing his childhood idol Gordie Howe for the all-time NHL goal record.  Geoff Courtnall of the Vancouver Canucks loses the puck on a short-handed opportunity, which results in the Kings skating it back down the rink and Marty McSorley finding an open Wayne Gretzky in the slot.  It was given; the man would score the goal.  Even before the puck was in the net, people rose from their seats and announcer Gary Thorne already had the play call in his head:  “To Gretzky… He scores!  He did it!  He did it!  The greatest goal scorer in National Hockey League history is Wayne Gretzky!”  This game was televised all across the United States and Canada, since the NHL knew that no one would want to miss the special moment.  This was one of the most important days in NHL history.

Continue reading "Brodeur Deserves More Exposure"

With the NHL salary cap in place and newly drawn-up rules and regulations, NHL teams have found it tough to move players on a whim nowadays.  But plenty happened despite that, so lets get started by looking at the big deals that went down today.

Continue reading "NHL Trade Deadline Analysis: Part One"

With the NHL Trade Deadline looming, teams are preparing for a tough day of decisions on how to better themselves for the playoffs, or for the future.

Here is a list of things I believe to happen (or to not happen) by Wednesday, March 4th at 3 p.m. EST.

Continue reading "Trade Deadline Predictions"

On February 25th 2007, the Atlanta Thrashers made a move that they thought could land them a Stanley Cup in their fair city.  After acquiring Keith Tkachuk for three draft picks and Glen Metropolit, Atlanta General Manager Don Waddell saw his team fall in the playoffs after a 4-0 sweep to the New York Rangers.  Keith Tkachuk then re-signed with the St. Louis Blues, rejoining the rebuilding franchise that following summer.  Well it is February 2009, and we are hearing Tkachuk trade talks yet again.

Continue reading "Tkachuk Trade Talk... Again"

When 20 year-old Steve Mason was named as the WJC MVP and the tournament’s top goalie in early 2008, the bar was set high for the youngster.  Leading Canada to a Gold Medal that tournament, the 6’3” goaltender has risen above and beyond those standards.  Posting a league-best .934 save percentage and being tied for first in the league with five shutouts through 23 games, he is pretty much a shoe-in for the 2009 NHL All-Star Game, right?  Wrong.

Continue reading "Where is the Love for Mason?"

With injuries to NHL-regular forwards Paul Kariya, Andy McDonald, T.J. Oshie and Dan Hinote, the St. Louis Blues have had to mix and match players throughout the entire season.  Blues fans have seen the likes of Rivermen Cam Paddock, Brad Winchester, Steve Regier and Chris Porter so far in 2008, not to mention the waiver wire going directly through the Blues, as tough guys David Koci and B.J. Crombeen were picked up at different points (Koci has since been dropped).  With all of these players bouncing around between Peoria and St. Louis, why have there not been any Lemtyugov sightings for Blues fans?

Continue reading "Let's See Lemtyugov!"

The end of the Stempniak era is over in St. Louis.  Being dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday, Stempniak will join his new team Tuesday night in Atlanta.  What does this mean for both teams though?

Continue reading "Stempniak Trade Analysis"

Let’s face it; the St. Louis Blues do not exactly strike fear into the hearts of opposing offenses.  The Blues allowed 2.83 average goals against per game last season, which sat them at 21st in the league.  They also tied for 26th in the league last season with a total of ten goals against in four-on-four play.  As if these stats were not an eyesore enough for Blues fans to look at, they also ranked dead last in the league in power-play percentage.  Where do our answers lie to fix these problems? 

Continue reading "Schneider a Must for Blues"

It was a different time in American history. The biggest threat to our national security was Russia as long-time cold war rivals.  President Jimmy Carter was considering a boycott of the Summer Olympics in Moscow and Captain & Tennille were had the #1 song in the country with “Do That To Me One More Time.”  Rich Eisen was 10 years old and John Madden was 54.

Continue reading "On this day in history: February ..."