Monday, February 28, 2011
Steve Sullivan Also Wants Hit on Marcel Goc Reviewed
by Susan SlusserFiled under: Capitals, Predators, NHL Injuries
Predators coach Barry Trotz isn't the only one who didn't much like Nicklas Backstrom's hit on Marcel Goc (right) on Saturday night. Nashville forward Steve Sullivan told FanHouse on Monday morning that he agrees with the league's decision to take a look at the hit, which sent Goc headfirst into the boards."I absolutely hope the league takes a look," Sullivan said by phone. "We all watched video at the start of the year about the kinds of hits we're trying to avoid."
Sullivan said he didn't believe that Backstrom was trying to intentionally deliver a hit while Goc was in a vulnerable position, but, he said, "We've got to clean this up. With something like that, there's no way to protect yourself."
Goc remains day-to-day with an upper body injury, and the Predators are a little dinged up elsewhere, including in net: goalie Pekka Rinne hasn't played since Anaheim's Troy Bodie fell on him in the season opener.
Sullivan said Monday he suspects that Rinne is just about ready to go; Nashville's next game is Tuesday night at home against Calgary, and Martin Erat (back) could be back in action then, too. Matthew Lombardi, a key offseason pickup, is out with an upper-body injury, and like Goc, could be out another week or so.
Sullivan, meanwhile, is healthy -- he's got even more jump than he had last season, his first full season after a back injury. He played in all 82 games, and now he's established a strong routine to make sure he's in top condition, knowing what works best with him.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/10/18/steve-sullivan-also-wants-hit-on-marcel-goc-reviewed/
Kris Versteeg Traded to Philadelphia
by Adam GretzFiled under: Flyers, Maple Leafs, Trade Deadline
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke promised his team would make more moves, and they did just that on Monday by sending forward Kris Versteeg to the Philadelphia Flyers for two draft picks, including a first-round selection according to TSN's Bob McKenzie. The other draft pick is a third-round selection. The Maple Leafs were without a first-round pick of their own as it was traded to the Boston Bruins as part of the Phil Kessel trade two years ago. Versteeg, 24, adds to an already impressive group of Philadelphia forwards, scoring 14 goals to go with 21 assists in 53 games this season. Add him into a lineup that already includes Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Danny Briere, Claude Giroux, Ville Leino and Scott Hartnell up front, and the Flyers have one of the deepest groups of forwards in the NHL (to go with an equally impressive blue line). Already a contender in the East, this just makes the Flyers that much tougher to play against.
Versteeg has developed into a steady 20-goal, 50-point player that's also strong on the forecheck, and has Stanley Cup experience as part of last year's Blackhawks championship team (which beat the Flyers in the Finals) scoring six postseason goals. The Leafs acquired him as part of Chicago's salary cap roster purge this past summer in a deal that sent Viktor Stalberg and a couple of prospects to the Blackhawks.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/14/kris-versteeg-traded-to-philadelphia/
Mikko Koskinen Makes NHL Debut As Islanders Goaltenders Keep Dropping
by Adam GretzFiled under: Islanders, Maple Leafs, NHL Injuries
At this point it's hard to figure out what the New York Islanders goaltenders did to deserve this run of misfortune, but it's starting to get a little absurd. Since Jan. 1 the club has traded veteran Dwayne Roloson to the Tampa Bay Lightning, lost Nathan Lawson to a knee injury, lost Rick DiPietro after he suffered facial fractures in a fight with Penguins goalie Brent Johnson and attempted to claim Evgeni Nabokov on waivers only to watch him refuse to report to the team. On Tuesday, Kevin Poulin, who was elbowed by Ottawa goalie Robin Lehner over the weekend, was slated to start against the Toronto Maple Leafs only to get injured during warmups when he hit a rut on the ice.
According to the AP he gingerly skated off the ice and had to be helped to the locker room.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/08/mikko-koskinen-makes-nhl-debut-as-islanders-goaltenders-keep-dro/
Dennis Seidenberg Andrej Sekera Alexei Semenov Kevin Shattenkirk
Goal Differential: What the Non-Playoff Teams Must Do
by Adam GretzFiled under: Blue Jackets, Blues, Ducks, Flames, Hurricanes, Islanders, Lightning, Maple Leafs, Oilers, Panthers, Rangers, Stars, Thrashers, Wild, NHL Playoffs
Around this time last year I looked at what the non-playoff teams needed to do in terms of their goal differential to have a shot at qualifying for the postseason. As it turns out, six of the teams that failed to qualify for the playoffs the year before ended up improving enough to make it this season (Ottawa, Nashville, Colorado, Phoenix, Buffalo and Los Angeles). Why does goal differential matter? The obvious answer: good teams outscore their opponents, and great teams outscore their opponents by a lot.
Of the 160 playoff teams since the 1999-00 season, only 12 have finished the regular season with a negative differential, and only three have been worse than minus-10. The magic number over that time period to get into the playoffs has been right around plus-20. Of the 102 teams that have finished with such a mark, 100 of them (98 percent) have qualified for the postseason.
Here's a look at how much improvement last year's non-playoff teams need to reach the magic number of plus-20.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/07/26/goal-differential-what-the-non-playoff-teams-must-do/
Video: Watch Marcus Nilsson's awesome 'baseball' goal
We've seen the following shot by Marcus Nilsson of Djurgardens IF Stockholm labeled as both a tennis volley and a baseball swing. We'll go with the latter description, if only because Sweden can use a little more history when it comes to America's pastime. But if you'd prefer to say he got his Mats Wilander on, be our guest.
Check out Nilsson's goal, a feat of hand/eye coordination that puts your Xbox skills to shame:
Gotta feel for the goalie here, as his heads-up aggressive poke check ends up delivering a perfectly placed puck for Nilsson to bat out of the air. The good news is that he can now rent himself out for Tee-Ball games.
Nilsson has played the last two seasons in the Swedish Elite League after leaving the Calgary Flames for the KHL in 2008. He was drafted No. 20 overall by the Florida Panthers in 1996 and spent parts of five seasons there -- taking in a spring training game or two, from the looks of it.
This is up for Goal of the Week honors on Elite Series TV, and you can check out the other candidates here. We. Have. A. Kris. Beech. Sighting.
Stick-tap to the HF Boards.
2011 NHL All-Star Roster Announced
by FanHouse StaffFiled under: Avalanche, Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Blues, Bruins, Canadiens, Canucks, Capitals, Coyotes, Devils, Ducks, Flames, Flyers, Hurricanes, Islanders, Kings, Lightning, Maple Leafs, Oilers, Panthers, Penguins, Predators, Rangers, Sabres, Senators, Sharks, Stars, Thrashers, Wild, Red Wings, Eastern, Western, NHL All Star Game
The 2011 NHL All-Star Game is set for Jan. 30 in Raleigh, N.C. On Tuesday, the league announced the full roster of 42 players who have been named to play in the game.
Now, things get interesting.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/11/2011-nhl-all-star-roster-announced/
Brian Engblom Part of New Look For Versus NHL Broadcasts
by A.J. PerezFiled under: Lightning, Sabres, Eastern, NHL Media Watch
Brian Engblom finds himself between the benches for Tuesday's Versus coverage of the Buffalo Sabres-Tampa Bay Lightning game, a spot the former defenseman once thought was one of the least likely places to find a broadcaster."The way the game is covered has changed just as much as the way the game is played on the ice," said Engblom, who played for five NHL teams during his 11-season NHL career. "The coverage is more in depth. Back when I was playing, this kind of thing would be unheard of. It just wouldn't happen."
It's still new for Versus, the NHL's U.S. cable partner. NBC -- which recently joined Versus under Comcast's corporate umbrella -- has used former coach Pierre McGuire in the "between the glass" role for the last couple seasons. McGuire debuted in the same role for Versus on Monday.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/08/brian-engblom-part-of-new-look-for-versus-nhl-broadcasts/
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Linus Klasen Trick Shot In AHL Skills Competition (Video)
by Adam GretzFiled under: Predators, NHL Videos, Minor League Hockey
One of the events during the All-Star skills competition is a breakaway challenge where players have an opportunity to use their best and most creative moves in an effort to score. It's probably the closest thing the NHL has to a dunk contest.Assuming that's true, Saturday's event in Raleigh was like watching Nate Robinson's yearly trip to the event: a seemingly endless run of missed attempts before finally something underwhelming goes in. But while the guys in the big league game were coming up short on most of their shots, Linus Klasen, a forward for the Milwaukee Admirals (the AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators) used a new version of the spin-o-rama move in this weekends AHL skills competition -- held in Hershey, Pennsylvania -- to make some highlights.
Check it out...
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/01/linus-klasen-trick-shot-in-ahl-skills-competition-video/
2012 Winter Classic: How About Rangers-Red Wings at The Big House?
by Christopher BottaFiled under: Rangers, Red Wings, Winter Classic
PITTSBURGH -- The NHL Winter Classic began with a triumphant trial match in Buffalo in 2008. Then the league made the event as much about the venue, taking the game the next two seasons to iconic Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. This New Year's Day game turns the focus back to the stars of the sport, with Alexander Ovechkin of the Capitals and Sidney Crosby of the Penguins battling at Heinz Field.
In contrast, perhaps the most dramatic element of the 2012 NHL Winter Classic won't be the game, but the decision on the host stadium and the participants. There are no clear-cut, obvious destinations or franchises. However, there can be some reasonable assumptions:
1. The star power of Ovechkin and Crosby, Wrigley and Fenway, will not be matched: The NHL has likely already accepted this. So should the fans and national broadcast partners.
2. The New York Rangers are going to be in a Winter Classic soon: The Rangers do not have a transcendent star, but they do play in the country's biggest market. Under coach John Tortorella, the hockey team may not yet be a Stanley Cup contender but is playing well enough to be back in the Winter Classic conversation. The still-rebuilding Islanders and fallen-and-can't-get-up New Jersey Devils are likely judged as not quite ready for prime time in the eyes of the league.
Yankee Stadium is out, since Bronx Bombers management made the decision to sign a long-term contract to host the new Pinstripe Bowl college football game played on Dec. 30, this year between Kansas State and Syracuse. The Mets' ballfield, CitiField, does not have ideal sightlines for an outdoor hockey game. The New Meadowlands Stadium, home of the NFL's Giants and Jets, would work better, but how do you play there and not include the New Jersey Devils? You don't, which is why the Rangers might have to be the visiting team, which brings us to ...
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/31/2012-winter-classic-how-about-rangers-red-wings-at-the-big-hous/
Cory Stillman Traded to Carolina
by Adam GretzFiled under: Hurricanes, Panthers, Trade Deadline
It's been a day for reunions, or something like that.On the same afternoon that Alexei Kovalev was re-acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Carolina Hurricanes went out and brought back one of the key players on their only Stanley Cup winning team, trading Ryan Carter and a fifth-round draft pick to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Cory Stillman, via TSN's Bob McKenzie.
Stillman, 37, was a key cog on the 2005-06 cup-winning Carolina team, scoring 20 goals in the regular season (and finishing tied for second on the team in scoring with 76 points) while also averaging over a point-per-game in the postseason. His game has slowed down a bit over the past five years and his production level has declined, but he'll bring some Stanley Cup experience (he owns two rings, one with Carolina and one with Tampa Bay) to the Hurricanes roster. It's also a definitive sign that the Hurricanes, the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference as of Thursday afternoon, are buyers heading into Monday's deadline.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/24/cory-stillman-traded-to-carolina/
2011 Winter Classic: Closing Thoughts
by Adam GretzFiled under: Capitals, Penguins, NHL Fans, Winter Classic
Anytime an event has the hype, buildup and anticipation of the Winter Classic, it's easy to lose focus of what's really at stake when the puck drops. When Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau was asked after the game what the win meant for his team going forward, he laughed, raised his hands up in the air and said, "that's just two points."
It's the one time -- probably including playoffs -- per year that the NHL is on the center stage of the sports world -- or as close to it as it can get -- so the game will obviously take on a larger importance and it's easy to forget that, at the end, it is just two points.
Some final thoughts on the 2011 Winter Classic...
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/03/2011-winter-classic-closing-thoughts/
Kings Get Hot Again in December
by Susan SlusserFiled under: Kings
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Los Angeles is so far a team of months -- a great October, a poor November, a terrific December.
So which team is this? Are the Kings the bunch that barely loses and that just lost focus for one month? Or are they a team unable to find consistency?
Head coach Terry Murray said after his team's skate Monday at HP Pavilion that November's dip -- which included a 1-7 slide to end the month -- was all mental. It's a young squad, and the hot start, going 8-3 in October, might have had an undesired effect.
"The mental commitment fell off there, the attitude after getting off to a great start," Murray said, adding that maybe the team "read press clippings too much."
Veteran forward Ryan Smyth is, at 34, the Kings' oldest player, and agreed that during what he called the November "lull," the team wasn't doing the little things right, and, he said, "We got away from playing a full 60 minutes."
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/27/kings-get-hot-again-in-december/
Niklas Backstrom Makes Great Shootout Save on Jack Johnson
by Bruce CiskieFiled under: Kings, Wild, Western, NHL Videos
Entering Tuesday's home game against Los Angeles, the Wild had won three of four and were definitely trending upward.The teams then slugged their way through a 0-0 draw that was equal parts entertaining and 0-0 hockey. Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom made 27 saves through those 65 minutes of hockey, getting the shutout.
But then it came time for the shootout. The Wild were 0-4 this season in shootouts before Tuesday, while the Kings were 5-0.
Not only that, but Backstrom has perennially struggled in shootouts.
Naturally, the Wild would win, largely because Backstrom was outstanding. His best work came in the second round against Kings defenseman Jack Johnson.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/02/niklas-backstrom-makes-great-shootout-save-on-jack-johnson/
Road-Happy Wild Visit Sharks Tied In Standings
by Susan Slusser
SAN JOSE -- The Wild aren't sure why they're so good on the road and so average at home, but they know that that won't hurt them coming into HP Pavilion on Saturday to face the team that's tied with them for ninth in the conference. Plus, the Wild already have beaten the Sharks twice in Minnesota this season, despite being just 11-11-2 at home. Minnesota is 13-7-3 away from St. Paul.
"I think we seem to play more relaxed on the road," forward Andrew Brunette told FanHouse. "We feel at home like we need to put a show on, or we play away from the strengths of our game. That gets us in trouble."
There hasn't been much trouble for Minnesota the past three games. The Wild have won those by a total of 14-1, including a 4-0 victory over conference-leading Vancouver in St. Paul. Their most recent game was a 6-0 pasting of the Flames at Calgary.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/22/road-happy-wild-visit-sharks-tied-in-standings/
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Heritage Classic a Nice Homecoming for Canadiens' Michael Cammalieri
by Rita MingoFiled under: Canadiens
CALGARY - Michael Cammalleri couldn't ask for a better setting for his much-anticipated return to National Hockey League action.Not only is it against a former team - the Calgary Flames - but it's in the outdoor extravaganza known as the Heritage Classic.
A fan favorite when he played in Calgary, Cammalleri will no doubt hear some cheers from the 40,000 expected to take in the tilt between Calgary and Montreal at McMahon Stadium on Sunday.
"I'm happy to be back,'' smiled the diminutive 28-year-old winger. "It's been a while, but this weekend is a special weekend and I'm going to take it all in, that's for sure.
"I had a really good time in Calgary. I was only here the one season, but I made good friends and it feels great to be back.''
Cammalleri suffered a suspected separated shoulder in a game against Buffalo on Jan. 18 and as his rehab continued, this was one date on the calendar he was hoping he would not miss.
"When I first got hurt, I didn't know the time frame,'' he explained. "It seemed so far down the road that I didn't even think of it. Then, as time got closer and closer, I obviously didn't want to miss it and I'm good enough to go.
"Someone told me it was only going to be minus-5 (Celsius), I guess it's changed. We'll see. Hopefully it'll be harder for the goalies. Hopefully, Kipper (Flames' Mikka Kiprusoff) gets really tight.''
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/19/heritage-classic-a-nice-homecoming-for-canadiens-michael-cammal/
NHL Trade Deadline: Boston Bruins
by Alan AdamsFiled under: Bruins, Eastern, Trade Deadline
Trades are always judged by who got the best player. The immediate impact is easier to measure than prospects or other future considerations.That said, Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli is easily the top gunslinger as the countdown continues to the Feb. 28 NHL trade deadline.
The Bruins are better today than they were when he started reshaping his lineup. They are closer to having what it takes to compete with Philadelphia and Tampa Bay than they did at the start of the month.
There's sense of urgency in Boston this season because the Bruins and their fans think they have what it takes to challenge for the Stanley Cup.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/22/nhl-trade-deadline-boston-bruins/
Mario Thinks NHL's Brawling Is Super Pain -- He's Right
by David SteeleFiled under: Islanders, Penguins, NHL Fights, NHL Injuries
Nevermind that I think the NHL's continued acceptance of the "culture'' of full-scale, mindless violence stinks. I'm an NBA guy. I'm endlessly appalled at the double-standard applied to the two leagues when fights break out. I'm also a fan of the beauty of hockey, on display more when the gloves are on rather than off, so to serious NHL supporters, that probably makes me soft.
So, forget how I feel about it.
Mario Lemieux thinks it stinks, too. Mario Lemieux. Do you really need anyone else to slap some sense into you about this?
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/14/mario-thinks-nhls-brawling-is-super-pain-hes-right/
Zdeno Chara Record Breaking Shot (Video)
by Adam GretzFiled under: Bruins, Predators, NHL All Star Game, NHL Fans, NHL Videos
Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara is the biggest player in the NHL, and his 6-foot-9, 255-pound frame is capable of putting some jaw-dropping power behind a slap shot. He's owned the hardest shot competition at the All Star weekend, winning it three times entering Saturday night in Raleigh. He also owned the all time record for hardest shot, a mark he managed to beat on Saturday with a blistering 105.9 MPH blast. His previous best was 105.4 MPH which he set during the 2009 contest in Montreal.Here's the video of his latest record-breaker...
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/29/zdeno-chara-record-breaking-shot-video/
Scottie Upshall suspended 2 games for injurious hit vs. Flyers
Quite the heel turn for Scottie Upshall last night against his former team, the Philadelphia Flyers. The Phoenix Coyotes forward, well-liked during his time in Philly, drilled defenseman Oskars Bartulis with this hit in the second period; earning two minutes for boarding, boos from the Flyers fans and now a 2-game suspension from the NHL.
From the NHL
Phoenix Coyotes left wing Scottie Upshall has been suspended for two games and will forfeit $24,193.54 for an illegal hit delivered to Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Oskars Bartulis in NHL game #895 last night, the National Hockey League announced today. The incident occurred at 0:17 of the second period. Upshall hit an unsuspecting Bartulis, who was injured on the play. Upshall was assessed a minor penalty for boarding.
Upshall's fine is based on his average annual salary and is calculated under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund. Upshall will miss the Coyotes' next two games -- tonight at Tampa Bay and Friday at Columbus. He will be eligible to return Sunday at Chicago.
We imagine "who was injured on the play" was the operative phrase in this suspension, as that injury was a topic of conversation for the Flyers after their 3-2 overtime loss to the Coyotes.
From The 700 Level comes the he said/he said:
"You know I was just going hard to the net; I couldn't see where the puck was actually. I didn't intentionally go to hit him or drive him into the boards. I think he was kind of off balance," Upshall said about the hit. "It was just a routine shoulder-to-shoulder play going hard to the net and I hope he's alright."
Paul Holmgren saw it differently, "You know, Oskars was just standing there minding his own business. It was a late hit but it depends on how Oskars is. I guess I have a little bit of a problem with it, yeah. It's not really like Scottie to do that, but things happen."
Upshall's correct that it's shoulder-to-shoulder and that the way Bartulis hit the boards caused the injury. But the hit nearly occurred after the second whistle; way late. (Didn't it almost look like Upshall was clearing the crease for Sergei Bobrovsky? Momentary lapse in loyalty?)
Do you agree or disagree with this one? Last night, he deserved more than two minutes for the lateness of the hit, that's for sure. Wonder if he would have gotten it, or a longer suspension, had he been wearing his old orange-and-black getup?
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc Eric Gelinas Bruno Gervais Tom Gilbert
Kiprusoff finds clothes make the goalie in Heritage Classic shutout
CALGARY, Alberta -- After becoming the first goalie in NHL outdoor-game history to post a shutout, Miikka Kiprusoff stood in the Calgary Flames' dressing room next to a pile to discarded clothes. He made 39 saves in the Flames' 4-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens, but one of his best decisions was made back in the dressing room.
Game-time temperatures in the Heritage Classic started at minus-8.6 degrees Celsius and continued to plummet. The fanfare of the Classic's opening moments in McMahon Stadium left the goalie standing there in the cold. After the Habs managed only eight shots in the period, he began to feel its effects.
"It was a little bit standing around, and I didn't face many shots," he said. "The first period was pretty windy, colder. I had to add something after the first period."
So Kiprusoff and the Flames' equipment staff worked together on adding a few pieces of clothing to his gear between the first and second periods.
The previous day's practice had served as a trial run for clothing, he said. "I tried a diver's wetsuit [Saturday], but it was too hot."
He found better options between periods of the Classic. "We had a lot of good stuff to use. Second and third, I felt all right," he said.
As Kiprusoff felt more comfortable in the open air, the Canadiens kept him energized with 21 shots in the second frame, which he turned aside. It was the kind of activity a goalie needs in an outdoor game, as they're not afforded the same chances to warm up as the players on the heated benches.
"It's gotta be hard on goalies. They're standing there and we get way more breaks at the bench, obviously," said captain Jarome Iginla.
But Kiprusoff worked through it, with coach Brent Sutter calling him "outstanding" in the game. "He was very focused. Again, he's been playing extremely well," said Sutter. "Pucks are hitting him, hitting him in the chest and he's doing a good job."
Kiprusoff now has four shutouts, matching his total in each of the last two seasons. More importantly, he's 7-1-2 in February and 11-2-5 in his last 18 games, helping the Flames storm back into a playoff seed.
In an outdoor game that saw the teams combine for 76 combined shots on goal, goaltending was going to be the difference. Especially when you factor in the unpredictable ice conditions and the fact that the game had fewer quality hits than Color Me Badd.
He was in the zone once the work rate picked up and he figured out how to stay warm ... given that there weren't other options for warming up that many, many, many patrons at the Heritage Classic chose to imbibe while sitting in the stands.
Kiprusoff was asked after the game if he wanted to warm up in Finland, what liquor he would drink.
"I'm an athlete," he deadpanned. "I don't drink liquor."
Capitals Deficiencies Exposed by Rangers Once Again
by A.J. PerezFiled under: Capitals, Rangers, NHL Injuries, NHL Rumors, Trade Deadline
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Good thing Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee is one of the most deliberate executives in the NHL.
If not, Friday's 6-0 loss to the New York Ranges -- Washington's worst loss at home since November 2006 -- could mean plenty of changes ahead of Monday's trade deadline.
"George is not a knee-jerk guy at all," said Capitals forward Mike Knuble, one of four players available to the media after the game. "Whether we won 5-0 or lost 6-0 like tonight, it probably wouldn't have changed his approach to the deadline. He's had last summer to think about it and a lot of this season. He's probably already formulated his plans."
And this game for the fifth-place Caps exposed the same sorts of elements that were absent when they were bounced in the first round of the playoffs last season despite winning the Presidents' Trophy for the league's best regular season record.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/25/capitals-deficiencies-exposed-by-rangers-once-again/
NHL Trade Deadline: Edmonton Oilers
by Rita MingoFiled under: Oilers, Western, Trade Deadline
What you see from the Edmonton Oilers this season is exactly what one would have expected out of a rebuilding franchise.
The youthful exuberance of tykes like Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Sam Gagner and Magnus Paajarvi is great from a coaching perspective, but if you're a paying fan you're biding your time until this team becomes respectable. The Oilers have shown flashes during this season, but remain mired in last place in the league, wrestling with Ottawa for that dubious distinction. There's a lot of room under the cap space, but filling in the gaps may be easier said than done.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/25/nhl-trade-deadline-edmonton-oilers/
Friday, February 25, 2011
Eric Staal Gets a Shot On His Brother, Marc Staal (Video)
by Adam GretzFiled under: Hurricanes, Rangers, NHL Videos
Eric and Marc Staal are two of the three Staal brothers currently playing in the NHL (Jordan is the third), a fact that will get shoved down your throat until you can't possibly take it anymore every time two of them face off.On Tuesday, Eric's Hurricanes were hosting Marc's Rangers (a 4-3 Rangers win), and with less than a minute to play in the second period of a 1-1 game, Eric had an opportunity to dish out a major league hit on his younger brother and didn't let the opportunity go to waste, dropping him with a huge hit along the boards.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/22/eric-staal-gets-a-shot-on-his-brother-marc-staal-video/
David Liffiton John-Michael Liles Andreas Lilja Joe Loprieno
Thomas Vanek Scores Two Goals, Buffalo Finally Wins Season's First Home Game
by FanHouse Newswire
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Thomas Vanek scored his second goal of the game with a minute left in overtime to provide the Buffalo Sabres their first home win of the season in beating the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Saturday night.
Steve Montador also scored, while Ryan Miller stopped 23 shots in his first game after missing six with a hip injury. Jordan Leopold added three assists for Buffalo, which became the NHL's final team to win a home game this season, improving to 1-6-1.
Nicklas Backstrom and Karl Alzner scored for the Capitals, who had a six-game win streak snapped.
Vanek scored on a great individual effort, driving through the middle and getting around Capitals defenseman John Carlson. He then faked a forehand shot before backhanding the puck in behind rookie Braden Holtby.
The Sabres' bench erupted in celebration and then smothered Vanek on the ice. Buffalo (6-9-3) is also starting to heat up, having registered at least a point in each of its past four games (3-0-1) -- a stretch in which all games have been decided in overtime or in a shootout.
After Alzner opened the scoring in 8 minutes in, the Sabres responded to take the lead by scoring twice in the second period.
Montador tied it at 1 midway through the period, when his shot from the right point glanced in off the post and past Holtby, who was screened by Buffalo's Cody McCormick.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/11/13/thomas-vanek-scores-two-goals-buffalo-finally-wins-seasons-fir/
Heritage Classic a Nice Homecoming for Canadiens' Michael Cammalieri
by Rita MingoFiled under: Canadiens
CALGARY - Michael Cammalleri couldn't ask for a better setting for his much-anticipated return to National Hockey League action.Not only is it against a former team - the Calgary Flames - but it's in the outdoor extravaganza known as the Heritage Classic.
A fan favorite when he played in Calgary, Cammalleri will no doubt hear some cheers from the 40,000 expected to take in the tilt between Calgary and Montreal at McMahon Stadium on Sunday.
"I'm happy to be back,'' smiled the diminutive 28-year-old winger. "It's been a while, but this weekend is a special weekend and I'm going to take it all in, that's for sure.
"I had a really good time in Calgary. I was only here the one season, but I made good friends and it feels great to be back.''
Cammalleri suffered a suspected separated shoulder in a game against Buffalo on Jan. 18 and as his rehab continued, this was one date on the calendar he was hoping he would not miss.
"When I first got hurt, I didn't know the time frame,'' he explained. "It seemed so far down the road that I didn't even think of it. Then, as time got closer and closer, I obviously didn't want to miss it and I'm good enough to go.
"Someone told me it was only going to be minus-5 (Celsius), I guess it's changed. We'll see. Hopefully it'll be harder for the goalies. Hopefully, Kipper (Flames' Mikka Kiprusoff) gets really tight.''
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/19/heritage-classic-a-nice-homecoming-for-canadiens-michael-cammal/
Jeff Vanderbeek, Devils Owner, Denies Report Team Is for Sale
by Bruce CiskieFiled under: Devils, Eastern, NHL Economics
The NHL has seen quite a bit of volatility in terms of ownership since the lockout ended in 2005. Since then, franchises in Atlanta, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Nashville, and Phoenix, among others, have either been sold or put up for sale.The New Jersey Devils are reportedly next up on the list.
Michele Steele of Bloomberg News is reporting that Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek has hired a firm to oversee the sale of his team.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/01/new-jersey-devils-reportedly-for-sale/
Kevin Bieksa the Latest Injured Canuck Defenseman
by Monte StewartFiled under: Canucks, Western, NHL Injuries
Evan Oberg became the latest minor-league defenseman to join the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.Oberg, 22, was officially called up from Manitoba of the AHL amidst reports veteran defenseman Kevin Bieksa has been sidelined three weeks with a broken foot.
The Canucks confirmed Oberg's call-up in a news release following reports that he was pulled from the Moose lineup Wednesday night against the Toronto Marlies so that he could join the NHL team in Nashville for Thursday night's game against the Predators.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/17/kevin-bieksa-the-latest-injured-canuck-defenseman/
Evgeni Nabokov Claimed By Islanders
by Adam GretzFiled under: Islanders, Sharks, Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings efforts to land Evgeni Nabokov came to a sudden stop on Saturday afternoon when it was announced that the New York Islanders claimed the former Sharks netminder on waivers.Nabokov had signed a four-year contract in the KHL this past summer, but was released from his contract in December. The Red Wings, lacking goaltending depth due to the injury to Chris Osgood, signed him to a contract late last week. Because Nabokov had played in Europe this season, he had to be exposed to waivers before he could play for the Red Wings. The Islanders, owners of the third-worst record in the league, stepped up and made the waiver claim.
This is the third time in the past month a situation like this has unfolded. In the first two instances, the St. Louis Blues attempted to sign forwards Marek Svatos and Kyle Wellwood after spending part of this season overseas, only to have the players be claimed on waivers by Nashville and Vancouver respectively.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/22/evgeni-nabokov-claimed-by-islanders/
Daniel Paile Blindside Hit On Raymond Sawada Results In Match Penalty
by Adam GretzFiled under: Bruins, Stars, NHL Discipline
Thursday's Boston-Dallas game has simply taken on a life of its own. It's like some sort of twisted combination of old-time hockey and anarchy taking place on ice.After the two teams combined for four fights in the first three minutes of regulation, including three in the first four seconds, the Bruins raced out to a 4-0 lead after the first 20 minutes of play. The Stars also pulled starting netminder Andrew Raycroft after he surrendered two goals on the first two shots he faced.
If you were expecting things to calm down as the game progressed, you were mistaken.
Midway through the second frame, Boston's Daniel Paille was issued a match penalty for this blindside hit to the head of Stars forward Raymond Sawada as he was carrying the puck into the Bruins zone. It's a hit that has already sparked discussion as to how long he'll be suspended once the league reviews it.
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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/03/daniel-paile-blindside-hit-on-raymond-sawada-results-in-match-pe/