Thursday, February 24, 2011

Ten Prospects That May Be Moved on Trade Deadline Day (via THW)


Brayden Schenn (Photo: LeafsChik1967/Flickr)
 
With all the articles highlighting top projected players who might find themselves in a different zip code come trade deadline day, here's a look at the other side of the equation:

Ten Prospects That May Be Moved on Trade Deadline Day - the guys that move to bring in the projected difference makers.
Quote:
- Evgeny Kuznetsov (Washington Capitals)

GM George McPhee almost assuredly has to make a Dustin Penner cannonball of a splash on or before D-day – NHL trade deadline day that is. The Russian forward prospect can be one of the top offensive players in the world of his age. One catch – when he wants to play, that is. Sound like a familiar formula for a forward on the Capitals?

*Note: I am in no way inferring the Caps should trade for Penner; he was simply the biggest player on the trade block I could think of that could make one heck of a cannonball splash.
Read on...
http://thehockeywriters.com/ten-prospects-that-may-be-moved-on-trade-deadline-day/


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Sunday, February 20, 2011

NHL 2011 Heritage Classic Viewers Guide Part 2: Stats and Storylines (via THW)



Excerpt:


Gridiron Ice Gladiators
Seeing the players on the ice in McMahon, I could not help envision which players might be capable of being, or at least look the part of multi-sport athletes.
·         Jarome Iginla looks physically capable of being a dynamic running back.
·         Robyn Regehr could provide the lead blocking as a full back.
·         Tim Jackman looks like a gridiron general as a middle linebacker.
·         Hal Gill looks like a giant pass-catching and blocking tight-end.
·         Mike Cammalleri looks like a Wes Welker-type slot receiver who could excel generating yards-after-the-catch.
·         P.K. Subban looks like a primetime shutdown corner. 

 

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Saturday, February 19, 2011

NHL 2011 Heritage Classic Viewers Guide: Stats and Storylines (via THW)


(Photo by author)

Excerpt:
MIKE CAMMALLERI: No one’s asked me directly, but if anyone wants to know, I’ll fill them in. I think guys will just enjoy it and get ready for it. There’s nothing to prepare anybody for. At the end of the day, I’ll give you an old Red Berenson quote from Michigan. He used to always say, “at the end of the day, there’s still one center ice line, two blue lines, and two nets. So go play hockey.”








Stat Blast (as of Feb. 15th)

Tim Jackman has been a minus player in just 8 games. He’s the only Flames regular at less than 10 games. 10 goals and 10 assists are both career highs. Bargain free agent signing personified.
Dynamic duo: Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay have both registered a point on 26 of the Flames 170 goals for this season. The next closest combo is Iggy and Mark Giordano, both connecting directly for 11 goals.
The importance of the 1st goal: Both squads have eerily similar records when scoring first in a game – The Habs have a .724 winning percentage and sit 11th in the league in that category, with the Flames one slot below at 12th with a .714 record.
Rocky Mountain Air: Brendan Morrison is close to a PPG player at home, but averages less than a point every 2 games on the road.
Braveheart Awards: Mark Giordano is 3rd in the NHL, sacrificing his body 139 times to block shots. Anton Babchuk is 20th in the league. The Habs also have two members in the Top 20 in the league in this category: former Flame Roman Hamrlik at 9th and Hal Gill at 16th.
Ironmen: Jay Boumeester leads the league in minutes played, but will likely be eventually surpassed by Dan Boyle as his San Jose Sharks have played two less games.

Read on for some more great quotes & stats:
http://thehockeywriters.com/heritage-classic-viewers-guide/

Curtis Glencross (Photo by author)

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

The Countdown to the 2011 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic™ Continues (via THW)

Pond hockey - Fairmont in Banff, AB (Photoree: Banff Lake Louise)

Excerpt:

For me, like many, outdoor hockey gets back to the true roots of hockey. Pond hockey has been played and enjoyed by many a hockey fan and player alike. There’s something about the atmosphere of a outdoor hockey game, no matter the venue and no matter the age, that brings out the untainted youthful enthusiasm and passion for the sport, and for life in general – even for just a little while.
Even if it’s for just one long weekend in February in a cool Rockey Mountain football stadium, this event will be something special to be a part of. As a spectator. As a member of the media (traditional and emerging media members). As a player. As a television viewer. As a radio listener.

Read on at The Hockey Writers...
http://thehockeywriters.com/countdownheritage-classic/ 

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NHL Arena In Quebec City (Andrew Rodger - THW)

My friend and colleague at The Hockey Writers on CBC Newsworld earlier today discussing the potential revival of the Quebec Nordiques as Quebec City discusses the develoment of a new arena:

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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The Next Ones – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – NHL 2011 Draft Prospect Profile: RNH NHL Destined (via THW)

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins {Photo: LeafsChik1967/Flickr}

My latest at The Hockey Writers - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins detailed profile.

Excerpt:


One-Timer:
The premiere playmaking forward in the draft passes the puck like the Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers throws the pigskin – almost pure perfection.
RNH possesses a tantalizing combination – tremendous offensive skill-set, defensive awareness and great character. A speedy skater and an accurate shot to go with, “Hoppy” will earn the majority of his future NHL paycheck with his outstanding vision, exceptional playmaking ability and slick puck-handling skills.
 Read the full article here (everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask about RNH!)...

Here's a video profile:

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Saturday, February 5, 2011

The Next Ones- Adam Larsson – 2011 Draft Prospect Profile – From Larsson to Lidstrom (via THW)

Adam Larsson #5 (right) - Blake Gumprecht - Flickr















I've finally commenced my NHL 2011 Draft eligible prospect profile series - "The Next Ones". 
First up is Swedish phenom blueliner - Adam Larsson.


Excerpt:

One-Timer:
The burgeoning blue chip blueliner out of Sweden understandably draws comparisons to the incomparable Niklas Lidstrom. To compare Larsson at this stage to Lidstrom, however, is unjust. Lidstrom is undeniably one of the great blueliners of all time. But Larsson does indeed have the potential to be an excellent blueliner in his own right.
 Read the rest of this article here...

 Larsson in this fight unusually kept his gloves on:

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