Ramblings of a Hockey Nut

Another One Bites the Dust

2010-08-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

Looks like another member of the Cup winning team is looking for a new job. The hawks have walked away from Niemi. This means about the only players not traded or let go anymore are Kane Towes and Hossa, that meant anything to the run this year, I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that those three are next.

What's up with Free Agency?

2010-08-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

I knew there would be a lull once all of the big stuff happened on July 1, but it seems like there should be something more here. It can't all be because of Kovalchuk, because we all know he will wind up playing in NJ, we just don't know what the contract will look like after arbitration, and to me it seems rather silly to hold off on the hope that he will suddenly decide he wants to play someplace else. Now that being said, he could do something crazy and take a one year deal from the St Louis Blues for all I know, but I seriously doubt it, he wants to win, and winning is something he feels he can do in NJ, I'm not jumping on the Kovalchuk = cup bandwagon just yet. It took Hossa a few tries before he actually won a cup, it took the Penguins a couple of tries to win the cup. He's never played very much in the playoffs having played his entire career in Atlanta before NJ. There is a learning curve here.
On another Free Agent note, I've heard a crazy rumor, probably started by Eklund to get something going: The rumor is Karyia and Selanne both headed to Pitt at a major discount to play with Crosby, I doubt this seriously, but it's still fun to think about as a Pens fan myself. That's all for today.

Last Games of the Season

2008-04-05T14:50:00.000-07:00

Most of these don't mean very much, if at all for most of the teams, only those teams trying for the first overall draft pick, and for positions in the playoffs. The only one I will be watching tonight will be the Caps final game of the season. If the Caps go to OT, or win they are in, and more importantly have home ice advantage. If the Caps lose they have their division title ripped, and Carolina gets it. As a Pens fan I will also be watching the score for the Montreal Toronto game, here is hoping the Leafs do a better job of being the spoiler this time out.

Banning Fighting in Hockey

2008-04-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

This is an issue that has been discussed alot lately in hockey circles due to the incident with Patrick Roy motioning his son to go after the other goalie in the QMJHL(Quebec Major Junior Hockey Leauge). The goalie gave in, yet Jonathan Roy kept pounding him while he was on the ice and not fighting back. Both Roy and Roys son got suspended for games. Fighting is fine in hockey, it has been apart of hockey, if not forever, at least for a very very long time, and to end it now because of one fight is just plain dumb. This also brings up the violence factor in the major leauges in hockey, my opinion: keep it, this isn't a sport for someone who won't stand up for themselves. The only way to get rid of violence in hockey is to start handing long suspensions out for any violence what soever. You can't stop it with a 5 minute major penalty.

Been a Long Time

2008-04-03T00:04:00.000-07:00

Been awhile since I have posted anything, figured I would post my impressions of tonights Penguins game. It was very physical, as with most Penguins Flyers games are. Hossa had an ok game, not what he should be having, but that could be because he is still learning how to fit in with the Penguins system. Malkin and Malone both had increadable games tonight. It is definatly a nice change of pace from two years ago today when all the Penguins and their fans had to look forward to this time of year was a top draft pick. Two years later they are sitting atop the Atlantic division and the Eastern Confrence. By the way, 2006 No 2 over all draft pick was Jordan Staal. Amazing how far he has come over the past two seasons. Other Noteables from that draft: Chicago's Jonathan Towes, Washington: Nick Backstrom, Boston, Phil Kessel. All are playing in the NHL this season.

Penguins and Sabres in Ice Bowl?

2007-08-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it is true or not, and it has already been written about as going to happen, just not announced, I will give my two cents on the idea. It would be nice to see a live NHL game outside like they used to be. The last game to be played outside was between older retired NHLers in Canada. That game sold out. Hopefully this game will sell out as well, and maybe we will see more of these in the near future.

Sports Stars and the Media

2007-08-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

I have noticed an increasing trend towards the fact that no one in sports is allowed to say what they really think about someone or some issue. The game of sports media has become to pollitically correct now days to really bother even listening to a sports confrence anymore because you know that the guy is going to say nice things about someone whether he means it or not. Whatever happened to the good old days when you could actually say what you thought?

TV Schedule Released

2007-08-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

The TV schedule has been released and already the complaints from west coast teams have begun pouring in. My only complaint has ever been that the only teams that ever get shown on tv are the Rangers and the Redwings. It is part of the reason I hate ESPN. They would play the Red Wings vs Pheonix rather than actually show good hockey because they care more for ratings than actually showing good hockey. Granted back in the day St Louis vs Red Wings were always a good matchup so were Colorado vs Red Wings. But come on, show the best the sport has to offer, that will draw ratings more than simply showing a popular team. It makes me mad every year how this always manages to be the case. VS however usually does a decent good job of showing more than the popular US teams.

It has been awhile.

2007-08-11T18:58:00.001-07:00

The main reason I haven't written in awhile is because I didn't feel like writing, and nothing major enough for me to rant about. I am just posting this to let anyone know who might read this to let them know I am still around and will continue blogging when there is worthy news to talk about.

Sutter an NHL Coach and Armstrong Resigns

2007-07-13T17:06:00.000-07:00

The Devils have a new coach, who was formerly of Red Deer, and related to the Sutter that was drafted this year, not the same Sutter. Also Colby Armstrong has resigned with the penguins. Now I think most of the peices are in place, unless the Penguins opt for a trade before the season starts, which I wouldn't at all be surprised at.

Crosby + New Schedule, and Opening in London

2007-07-12T13:24:00.001-07:00

Lots has happened since I last made a post, so I will just get down to the chase, Crosby has extended his contract to 5 years and 43 mil total. Which is very good for Penguins fans since that means the Kid will be around for at least 6 more years. Penguins fans will also have Whitney around for 6 more years. Both players are keys to the team and to have them locked up for awhile is definatly the best thing since the arena deal came through. The new schedule is out and the season begins a few days early Sept 29th to be exact, and not only that in London England of all places. Now I am uncertain as to why exactly it is taking place there, other than as an excuse to grow the NHL fan base in Europe. I am also happy to note that it is indeed opening a few days early. The traditional opening day has been October 5th for awhile now. Now for my comments on the season schedule. I only breifly glanced at it and noticed that the rivalry games arent all scrunched up at the beginning or the middle, theyre spaced out so it doesnt seem like the teams are playing eachother every other game. Which is a little better. What I would like to see is more west coast games, but I doubt I will ever see that, or at least not for a very long time. Either way, I can't wait untill Sept 29th.

Sorry About the Delay

2007-07-03T20:19:00.000-07:00

I wanted a chance to see what was going down on July 1st and 2nd, so I could have a clearer picture of whats going on, and to have time to let the moves sink in. Briere and Drury are both gone, Sydor and Sykora are both Penguins. Sabourin is back as a Penguin, Smyth signs as an Av, Scott Hannon, is also an Av. The only team that lost out on the bonanza is Buffalo. Buffalo fans are in for a long couple of months while they try and figure out what happened and let it sink in. I myself thought one of them would stay, and most especially didn't see either one going to the Rangers. We will see what they can do on seperate teams. Talk about blowing up a team.

Cap and Floor Set for Next Year

2007-06-29T15:40:00.000-07:00

The floor will be close to 40 million, 34.3 million to be exact, and the ceiling will be 50.3 million, which means that every team can now have a little bit more breathing room than they thought they would. Good news for teams like Buffalo who have two stars they want to keep. However, it still remains to be seen if those players want to stay. The cap system has certainly made the hockey world a more intresting place lately.

Basilie out.. KC in.

2007-06-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

Well thats not exactly true, not if the Preds can muster up 14,000 souls to fill seats. Delbiaggo is the same man who was intrested in buying the Penguins earlier this year to move them to KCm it seems like the Penguins situation all over again, except that the NHL does not seem to be as protective of the Predators as they were of the Penguins. The only way that Delbiaggo can move the team to the KC arena in a season is if they fail to add a 14,000 to the arena average next season, and I doubt that Delbiaggo will try very hard to do that.

Blues Place Drake on Waivers

2007-06-27T15:04:00.001-07:00

14 year vet of the national hockey leauge has been placed on waivers, its sad to see this happening, but it does occasionally. He became a Blues back in 2000, and had scored 471 points over his entire career and was a +37. Not a bad career for a guy who was picked in the 6th round and was the 116th overall to be picked by the Detroit Red Wings.

Penguins offer Qualifiers for 6

2007-06-25T19:32:00.001-07:00

The 4 biggest are: Ryan Whitney, Maxime Talbot, Erik Christensen, and Colby Armstrong. They did not offer qualifiers to Michelle Oullete. I am glad that they were able to sign those 4. On a side note, the Penguins have resigned Roberts and Recchi, so essentially they will have the same team that they had after trade deadline, unless they wind up trading someone. Eklund says that they are in the hunt to find a young d man. We shall see.

Draft Day Ramblings

2007-06-24T14:39:00.001-07:00

Sorry about the delay of writing anything, I have been busy. Vokun leaving Nashville was the first big news of the day. Forget the Toronto trade, it was somewhat expected that the Sharks were going to do something with either Nabakov of Toskola. Now that being said, the biggest suprize for me was the fact that my Penguins aquired Angelo Esposito. I nearly fell out of my chair when I heard the news. This guy was expected to go top 5, but fell to 20. Also the Russian Cherepenov was supposed to go in the top 5 as well but fell to 17. Rangers fans jump for joy over this one. Lots of people were picked at odd places on draft day, including the no. 4 pick who everyone had going 25-30th.
The second part of my blog has to do with odd names at the draft day, I personally am not a scout so I cannot say if they will ever go to the big leaugues, but here are some of my favorite odd looking names out of this draft: Thomas Hickey, the very same no 4 overall that I was just talking about, picked by LA. the No. 78 overall picked by Pittsburgh Robert Bertuzzo, No. 81 by Nashville Ryan Thang, No. 91 Brian Sexsmith, a pick by the Sharks. No. 71 by the Florida Panthers: Evgeni Dadonov, No. 111 by Pittsburgh Luca Caputi. Thats enough for now, but I think some of these names don't even sound real sometimes. No disrespect to the players meant by no means. I simply enjoy finding out most unordinary looking names. After all what fun would it be if everyones last name was Smith and their first name was John?

Claude Julien Named Bruins Head Coach

2007-06-20T13:58:00.001-07:00

Bad news for Devils fans, quite possibly good news for the Bruins fans. Julien coached the Devils to a level far and beyond what most people thought they were capable of, even though they did not make it out of the first round. That was due mostly to Lou Lamerillo firing him during a slump towards the end of the season. Hopefully the Bruins will give Julien more of a chance than Lamerillo did. Hopefully this will add some stability to the whole situation in Boston.

Murray GM

2007-06-18T15:30:00.001-07:00

I saw something about this yesterday saying that it wasn't quite officiol until a press conference was goingt to be held today. These things are sometimes wrong, so I didn't say anything on my blog. It is an intresting move, Murray coached the Sens last year and were just shy of winning the cup. He helped build the Anaheim Ducks to become a championship team. I wonder if he will have the same success here that he did there, and also in Detroit, and in Florida on their last and only trip to the Stanley cup finals. It is a very good move, they get a guy with a track record and, they had to do something you don't lose at the finals and nothing happens, somebody has to bite the bullet. I wonder if this is what the team needs for making it over that last hurdle.

Chelios gets another shot.

2007-06-13T21:24:00.001-07:00

This is amazing, this guy is nearing 50 years old and is still playing the game of hockey like he was 18. He signed a 1 year deal with the Wings, in hopes of probably getting one more cup before he goes into retirement, but who knows, he will probably wind up playing 4 or 5 more seasons before its all said and done, its just the kind of guy he is. Props to him if he can make it for 4 or 5 more.

Rookie of the Year

2007-06-12T15:06:00.000-07:00

The three finalists are: Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, and Paul Statsny. Evgeni malkin had 83 points this season, 33 goals and 53 assists, and was also the first rookie since the leauge began in 1917 to score goals in his first 6 games. Jordan Staal was not even supposed to have made the teaam but for a freak accident Malkin had at the beginning of the year with John Leclair, he got called up to take over, and take over he did. Scoring 29 goals and 13 assists for 42 points. He was also a +16. Statsny was close to Malkin in points, scoring 28 goals and 50 assists for 78 points. He has aquired more points by a rookie than any other Avalanche has in franchise history. Good luck and may the best man win the award.

Bakstrom Resigned

2007-06-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

Not the draft pick from last year, but the goalie for the Wild, its amazing to me that they both have the same exact name, but anyway, Fernandez, their former No. 1, was asked to be traded, but the GM would like to keep both goalies for the time being. Bakstrom has signed a contract worth 2 mil a year.

Sabres Sign Contract Extension with Rochester

2007-06-09T22:24:00.000-07:00

There will probably not be much in the way of news until July, when free agency starts. But this is noteworthy I guess: Rochester American's have signed a 29 year deal with the Buffalo Sabres, even though I have heard some rumblings that the Americans may fold soon. Either way, it is just an hour away from Buffalo, and couldn't be in a better location. Here is to hoping that the Sabres and the Americans last another 29 years. Hopefully the fans of the Sabres will not have to wait quite that long to see the cup in their town.

Your Stanley Cup Champions: Ducks

2007-06-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

They absolutly took care of the Senators despite what anyone says. They also had a little help from Phillips who is probably feeling really depressed right now about putting the puck in his own goal. The Ducks scored 6 goals in all. Amazing effort to finish off the season and finish it off quick. This is the way it should be done, although it is disapointing that it didn't go to seven. For the first time since 1975 a team has lead the leauge in PIM and won the stanley cup. Good job to the Ducks, and well played to the Senators. Just remember there is always next year. Next up: freeagency and Draft Day.

Yashin Bought Out.

2007-06-06T14:46:00.000-07:00

Alexi Yashin's final 4 years of his contract was bought out. This is the continuation of the rebuilding process that has at times seemed very very odd on the island. The 15 year contract deal for Dipeitro, the hiering of backup goaltender Garth Snow as GM, and the early fireing of the last GM. It will be intresting to see what an Islanders club can do without Yashin there.

Pronger Suspended a Game

2007-06-04T10:47:00.000-07:00

Pronger was suspended today for Game 4 of the SC playoffs, after elbowing Dean Mcammond to the head. I did not comment on this at the time, due to personal matters, and the fact that I did not personally see it at the time. Now that I have seen the hit, a game is perfectly legit. Now it is up to the rest of the ducks to step up. Game 3 went to the Senators.

And the Winner is: Price

2007-06-03T16:32:00.001-07:00

Game One of the AHL Calder Cup finals went to Carey Price, who gave the Hershy Bears a big fat goose egg with 46 saves, and if he wasnt the first star of the game, somethings wrong with who does the selections. Habs fans have to be salavating over what this guy brings to the table. I can't wait to see what he can do in the NHL.

Idaho Steelheads Kelly Cup Champions

2007-06-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

They won the game 4-1 over the Dayton Bombers (Dayton Ohio). The Steelheads are the Stars ECHL affiliate. Steve Silverthorn was the MVP of the playoffs 16-6 and a 1.77 GAA. John Lammers scored the first goal Tim Konsorada scored just when the Bombers seemed out of the game. Lance Galbraith and John Lammers scored to ensure a 4-1 victory despite the Bombers throwing everything they had at Silverthorn. Congrats, and hopefully for the people involved in this finals, means a step to the AHL or the NHL soon in their future.

Game Two: Ducks

2007-05-30T19:47:00.000-07:00

Now is when the fun begins. We have waited all year, those of us who love hockey to enjoy this kind of show, and we got it. It nearly rivaled the epic 4 OT game between Vancouver and Dallas, and I was seriously dissapointed when it didn't go into at least one. Nothing more amazing. The GWG came from a shot to the upper right hand corner by Pahlsson. The pace seemed diffrent, more of a chess game on skates as opposed to hitting everything that moved like last game, but the Ducks still prevailed. If the ducks dont win after these two performances I will be severly disapointed, but thats life. I eagerly await the Ducks appearance on the road.

Wile E. Coyote

2007-05-30T11:55:00.001-07:00

No, I haven't decided to talk about cartoons, but the Pheonix Coyotes. It seems like they have been in a state of rebuilding since the year they made the playoffs. Ever since then there has been no stability whatsoever. This in my opinion is why they have kept Gretzky and not fired him. This is also my opinion why they have asked the assistant GM of the rangers to be the GM of their orginization. He is farmiliar with the rebuilding process and seems to have done a good job with the Rangers. Time and a willingness to keep this leadership around long enough to do something, is probably a better thing for this orginization than firing a coach every 3 years so that the players never have a system they can get comfertable with. Stability at the top works all the way down to the players.

Penguins Sign Right Winger

2007-05-29T15:37:00.000-07:00

I will probably wind up writing most about the Penguins, since that is the team I am a fan of. At first I thought that the free agent signings that the Penguins were making were kind of odd, then I realized, they need alot of depth, especially on the blue line, and in the minor system. Tim Wallace: in 32 games with WBS(Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) He scored 14 points, 5 goals, 9 assists. He is a native of alaska like Gomez. In the playoffs in WBS he aquired 2 points in 11 games. At Notre Dame he aquired 59 points, 25 goals 34 assists. It will be intresting to watch the free agent signings from this year to find out if they help out either with the Baby Penguins, or the NHL Penguins.

Game One: Ducks

2007-05-28T20:20:00.000-07:00

The first game goes to the ducks, a very well played game, although the Ducks took alot of very undisciplined penalties at the very beginning, those seemed to slack off towards the end of the game, and the Senators lead slowly wittled away. The Ducks came out swinging at just about everything, which is part of why they got some of their penalties, there is stupid physical and legal physical. 4 cross checks, albeit light cross checks, were still penalties. The Sens first goal was up in the corner with Giguere out of position. The second was because Giguere lost his stick. All in all very well played, and all the nervous moments that we hope for in playoff hockey.

Looking Forward to the Finals

2007-05-28T10:07:00.001-07:00

Despite my disapointment that the Sabres failed to make the finals once again, I think it will be a good finals, two good teams that probably deserve being there. Sometimes a team relies only on a goalie to get them through. Those times seem to be changing now with the new rules. I pick the Ducks in 6, although I hope it goes to 7. The Senators just don't have the depth or the experience, and that to me is key. The ducks have been here before, and recently enough for a few players on the team to have been there the last time. Not only that, they've got people from other teams who have been there before as well. Nothing is certain in the playoffs however, and thats what makes it fun.

Penguins Sign D Man

2007-05-27T17:22:00.000-07:00

It is odd that they would sign D'Aversa before signing Whitney, but the Penguins do need serious help on the blue line. Last year he scored 60 points and had a +14, he also had 9 powerplay goals and had 53 PIM. He was undrafted, and is expected to spend the beginning of next season in the AHL.

Who to Blame When Your Team Loses?

2007-05-25T15:50:00.000-07:00

It's a topic I have thought about alot lately watching other teams and other fans reactions, most fans tend to blame the refs for a missed call here, or a bad call there, but, I usually blame my team for losing confidence after that call, or simply not trying to weather the storm well enough to get through it, alot of teams do not do this well, especially the Buffalo Sabres when they kept getting really bad calls, or goals taken away that should have counted etc. It is really hard to keep confidince throughout the team when you feel you are being given a bad lot. It is up to the team, not the referees or the GMs or the head of the leauge that have to show up, when you don't you lose, its that simple.

The Quest is Nearly Over.

2007-05-24T15:22:00.001-07:00

The final series is going to begin on Monday, and nearly everyone, thought that it would be the Ducks and Sabres, but those of us were wrong in that assumption, no one could have predicted how far the Senators just absolutly tore through every team they came to this year. This probably had to do with the fact that they didnt have to face the Leafs at any point in the playoffs, which is usually the case. I personally hoped to see the Sabres vs the Penguins in the Eastern finals, but again I predicted, and hoped wrong. Neither team in the finals has ever won a cup, that is if you don't count the origional Senators team from the early days of the NHL which won one. Anaheim was in the finals just once back in 2000, and got defeated by the New Jersy Devils. Which team will finally get rid of the constant nagging from the press and fans about how their team always chokes when it comes to the big game, only time and a best of 7 will tell.

SOLD! Nashville Predators

2007-05-24T00:28:00.000-07:00

I think it would probably be best to post an article relating to the story I'm about to talk about: http://www.thehockeynews.com/en/news/news.asp?idNews=24878

There, now thats out of the way. This is the same man that was going to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins not that long ago. For all apperances, when it looked like Basilie was going to purchase the Penguins, he was going to keep the team in Pittsburgh, even though, everyone else was speculating at the time that he was going to move them then as soon as he got the rights to. I personally think though, that He will move the team if he thinks he can make more money elsewhere. Even if this deal does go through, he may have to wait a season before moving them. The most obvious place he would move them being Kansas City. There have also been reports that he wants to move a team to Hamilton Ontario. Vegas is also looking to get a team. Kansas City is the newest arena out of all three choices. Houston was at one point looking to get in the mix with the Penguins as well. It all hinges on whether or not the NHL decides to let Basilie buy the team, and also what happens next season with the team. If the team fails to draw a certain amount, it can leave anytime without fufilling the lease. Hopefully though things work out so that the team gets to stay. Only time will tell if the Preds will remain in Nashville. It probably would have helped if the Preds had gone alot farther than they had this past playoff run, which was part of the reason they aquired Forsberg in the first place. One final note is the question of do the Preds keep Forsberg or not. This alone might help attendance.