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Archive for August, 2009

Season Team Preview Lineup

Aug 31

Posted by Eddie in Season Previews | No Comments

We at Hockey World Blog are as excited for the hockey season to begin as you are. While teams are preparing to enter training camp after the Labor Day weekend, we are busy hitting the team websites and preview guides preparing to bring you a season preview of all 30 NHL franchises. Check the schedule below for when your favorite team’s preview will hit Hockey World Blog during the month of September.

 

Date   Team Date   Team Date   Team
Tue 1 New Jersey Devils Fri 11 Carolina Hurricanes Mon 21 Vancouver Canucks
Wed 2 New York Islanders Sat 12 Florida Panthers Tue 22 Calgary Flames
Thr 3 Pittsburgh Penguins Sun 13 Washington Capitals Wed 23 Minnesota Wild
Fri 4 Philadelphia Flyers Mon 14 Tampa Bay Lightning Thr 24 Colorado Avalanche
Sat 5 New York Rangers Tue 15 Atlanta Thrashers Fri 25 Edmonton Oilers
Sun 6 Montreal Canadiens Wed 16 Los Angeles Kings Sat 26 St. Louis Blues
Mon 7 Buffalo Sabres Thr 17 Phoenix Coyotes Sun 27 Columbus Blue Jackets
Tue 8 Toronto Maple Leafs Fri 18 Anaheim Ducks Mon 28 Chicago Blackhawks
Wed 9 Boston Bruins Sat 19 San Jose Sharks Tue 29 Nashville Predators
Thr 10 Ottawa Senators Sun 20 Dallas Stars Wed 30 Detroit Red Wings

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DirecTV Could Shutout Versus

Aug 23

Posted by Eddie in Media, News | No Comments

DirecTV refuses to give an increase to a network that has poor ratings

DirecTV refuses to give an increase to a network that has poor ratings.

If cable network Versus and satellite subscriber DirecTV don’t resolve their dispute in the next week, hockey fans who have DirecTV won’t be able to watch nationally televised games unless they have NHL Center Ice.

The current contract that DirecTV has with Versus expires August 31. The main issue is the difference each side has in carriage fees. From it’s cable operators in 2009, Versus has been about 18 cents per subscriber per month. Versus wants an increase in it’s carriage fees, with it’s reasoning being that they have become “the fastest-growing sports network in the country” in a statement released Friday.

Additional facts on Versus’ side is that they are averaging 3,000 more viewers at any given time (according to Nielsen ratings numbers) since changing it’s name from the Outdoor Life Network in 2006-07 when they acquired the NHL cable rights. This isn’t just a NHL issue as Versus also broadcast sports such as college football, IAAF Track and Field, IRL auto racing, WEC cage fighting, and the Tour de France. Versus is now seen in 75 Million homes across the country.

Versus could be gone from DirecTV if both sides don't come to an agreement before September 1.

Versus could be gone from DirecTV if both sides don't come to an agreement before September 1.

DirecTV’s case is that the ratings Versus gets doesn’t equate the rate increase they desire. In a story about the dispute that appeared in the L.A. Times, DirecTV said that “Versus’ overall ratings are poor and have not increased nearly enough to justify what we’re paying them, let alone the significant increase they’re asking for”. What also helps DirecTV in stating their case is that Versus is ranked 61st among the 74 English-advertising supported networks.

This could be a problem for fans of Detroit, Pittsburgh, Washington and Philadelphia as a lot of their nationally-televised games appear on Versus.

Another factor that has DirecTV’s hands tied, is that Versus is owned by Comcast. Comcast is a major competitor of DirecTV in the cable-satellite wars.

A graph comparing the ratings between NBC and Versus during the first three rounds of the 2009 Playoffs.

A graph comparing the ratings between NBC and Versus during the first three rounds of the 2009 Playoffs.

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Highlight Reel

Aug 21

Posted by EB in Round Table | No Comments

Every great player has highlight reel plays. Be it scoring a pretty goal, laying on a big hit, or a goalie standing on his head. Which of the 3 types of reels would you like to play over and over? On the flip side, which of the plays would you least like being in if you were on the opposimovie reelte end? And why so?

Chris:

Highlight reel goals, for sure. With grace and ease a skilled forward is able to make his way to the net for a highlight reel goal, turning players inside out and, in the case of Alex Ovechkin, even turning yourself inside out before scoring. Great puck handlers like Datsuyk and Malkin can make even the best defenseman look silly. These are guys who even get their teammates to shake their heads on the bench and say, “How did he do that?” A sick dangle or a highlight reel goal is a thing of pure beauty and these guys make it look easy. As much as hitting is a big part of the game, finesse moves and out-of-this-world goals provide entertainment and leave fans and players alike wondering if they only imagined what they just saw.

Adversely, sometimes you’re the guy shaking your head when you have a wide open net and the goalie miraculously sprawls across the crease with his glove wide open to snatch the puck out of mid-air centimeters before it crosses the goal line leaving you to wonder if that catching glove is regulation size. When you’ve got an open net, you’d better bang it home because goalies are waiting to make highlight reels of their own at your expense.

Eddie:

I guess you can say I’m going to be a bit biased because I’ve spent 90% on my hockey career between the pipes. I have made hundreds of game-changing saves in my life. But I’m going to honestly say for once I’d like to be the one lighting the lamp. I’ve admired players such as Ovechkin, Zetterberg, Iginla and the ways they have been able to score.

While hockey fans are some of the best fans in sports, the fans can erupt a building and make visiting players shiver when a highlight reel goal is scored. The fans can really be a sixth man when a go-ahead or highlight reel goal is scored. They just don’t get as loud or excited when a goalie makes a big save.

On the other side of things, I would not want to be on the other side of a big hit. I think one of the reasons why I stayed in goal is not only because they are the only players on the ice the entire game, but they don’t get hit as well. I’m 6′1 and 160 lbs., so I think if I were to get “Kronwalled”, I would feel it a little harder and for a little longer than most players.

Eric:

Being that I play defense, I would have to say lining someone up and laying the body on them for a big hit is what I would like to be remembered doing. The physicality of the game dictates how players react, be it chasing the puck in the corner, or passing instead of holding the puck. Nothing makes a player or team shudder more than after a big hit.

Slight side effects of tightness of the stomach, embarrassment and wanting to go invisible may occur. Being deked around and made to look like your motoring skills are the equivalent of a new born is the last thing I would want, and I think I would try to burn the video evidence. Stay away dirty dangles, stay away.

Matt:

I absolutely love a great dangle that leads to a goal. When a skilled puck handler walks around a defenseman and proceeds to undress the goalie, I am sure to be out of my seat. Fortunately, it seems that we are seeing a lot more of that in the “new NHL”. Players are now allowed to show off their speed and skill as most of the obstruction has been removed from the game.

On the flip side, being that defenseman who gets walked around, looking so helpless, is pretty embarrassing. It will definitely help you learn to play the body though. I think after being dangled repeatedly, you start to pick up on things like that in hopes to avoid future humiliation.

I absolutely love a great dangle that leads to a goal. When a skilled puck handler walks around a defenseman and proceeds to undress the goalie, I am sure
to be out of my seat. Fortunately, it seems that we are seeing a lot more of that in the “new NHL.” Players are now allowed to show off their speed and skill as

most of the obstruction has been removed from the game.

Gear Updates: Stealth S19 pre-order, Mission and Bauer Video Review

Aug 20

Posted by Matt in Gear | No Comments

Easton Stealth S19

Easton Stealth S19 now available for pre-order

There has been some recent news regarding a few of the products we wrote about not too long ago, so I wanted to give a run down of what has been happening. First off, we have the new Easton Stealth s19 hockey stick. A lot of players are looking forward to this stick, and now InlineWarehouse.com has them available for pre-order. Not only can you select from a grip or non-grip version, but you can also choose a 2010 Olympics edition USA Stealth S19. Unfortunately, this stick carries a big price tag as the grip and non grip are selling for $239.99 or $249.99, respectively. The S19 is carrying a re-engineered blade, so let’s hope it lives up to the hype and delivers for the money. According to site, the new stick will be in stock on October 22nd.

Along with this, Inline Warehouse posted video reviews of the Mission Boss SE hockey skate and the Bauer RX:60 hockey skate on their YouTube channel. Comments left on each video, from the staff at Inline Warehouse, indicate that the skates will be available November 1st, but you will be able to pre-order them shortly. Each video review gives you great detail about the skates, and a pretty good look at the entire design as well. Take a look:

Mission Boss SE Hockey Skate video review and Bauer Vapor RX:60 Hockey Skate video review

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Part 2: The 2009 All-Free Agent Team

Aug 19

Posted by Eddie in Fantasy, Prospects | No Comments

Yesterday’s post featured the best available unrestricted free agent players on the market. Today’s post will feature six players who also don’t have a team to report to when NHL franchises begin training camp next month.

Part 2 of a 2 part series. Part 1 can be found here

Note: Statistics are from the 2008-09 season with most recent team.

Second Team

Center:

Michael Peca

4-18-22 in 71 GP with Columbus

Former Selke Trophy winner Peca has fallen in recent years. His goal totals the last four seasons combined totaled the number of goals he scored the last time he scored over 20 goals in 2001-02. Another victim of the injury bug, Peca could latch onto a young team as a face-off specialist and fore-checker.

Left Wing:

CalderKyle Calder

8-19-27 in 74 GP with Los Angeles

As someone who should be in the prime of their career, Calder hasen’t scored more than 10 goals in a season since 2006. Also not working in his favor is that he has only finished on the good side of plus-minus twice in his career (One time being in 2007 when he was +6 in 19 games with Detroit after the 2007 trade deadline). He’s a player who has to take less money if he wants to stay in the NHL.

 

Right Wing:

Miroslav Satan

17-19-36 in 65 GP with Pittsburgh

Satan proved that playing on the same line as Crosby and Malkin doesn’t lead to increased stats. He had his worse season since 1995-96 with Edmonton. He scored more points in 2008 with the New York Islanders than last season with the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. But at least he got a ring out of the one-year deal, unlike Marian Hossa.

Defense:

Dennis Siedenberg

5-25-30 in 70 GP with Carolina

Unlike most players on this list who are on the downside of their careers, Siedenberg is only 28 years old. He has tremendous upside and can be a fourth to fifth defenseman on a good team. Last season was his first season in the league full-time and showed that he deserves to be  in the starting lineup every night. Watch for his name on the German Olympic team when the Olympics roll around this winter.

Darryl Sydor

3-12-15 in 73 GP with Dallas

Similiar to Chris Chelios and Mathieu Schneider, Sydor is a 37-year-old Stanley Cup champion who can become a second to third line defenseman. He wouldn’t be someone who you’d put on the first line, but his experience can be useful in special teams situations and can tutor younger defensemen.

Goalie:

Look for Kevin Weekes to land in the Western Conference this season.

Look for Kevin Weekes to land in the Western Conference this season.

Kevin Weekes

7-5-0 2.42 GAA in 16 GP for New Jersey

Martin Brodeur was injured most of the season with an elbow injury. This allowed Weekes and Scott Clemmensen to share goaltending duties for the Devils. While Clemmensen followed down the road of NFL quarterback Matt Cassel in becoming a backup-that-played-so-well-he-deserved-to-become-a-starter when he left to sign with Florida, Weekes was the odd man out. Weekes has started before in his career, and can show that he can become a #1 of a goalie falls to injury. He can come cheap and provides experience. He’s spent 11 of his 13 seasons in the league in the Eastern Conference, so expect him to play in the Western Conference.

 

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2010 Reebok 8k and 10k Roller Hockey Skate

Aug 18

Posted by Matt in Gear | 7 Comments

2010 Reebok 8k Roller Hockey Skate

2010 Reebok 8k Roller Hockey Skate

This fall, Reebok will release their 2010 line of roller hockey gear. While many people are getting tired of the primarily white high end skates, I think Reebok has nailed the design of the Reebok 8k with an outstanding combination of white and black. They have left the bold, colorful designs of previous years in the past, and gone for a more traditional style for 2010. Out of every upcoming skate for the 2009-10 season, this one is my favorite based on looks.

reebok_10_skate

2010 Reebok 10k Roller Hockey Skate

When it comes to performance, however, I’m not so sure what to expect. Reebok skates feature the Tri-Diameter Lite chassis, which allows for a 72-76-76-80mm wheel setup (from front to back). It’s sort of a hybrid between the old Mission Hi-Lo, and the current Labeda Hum’er setup. Generally, this kind of setup will give you both speed and agility when skating, which is great for any player. Unfortunately, in past years, the Tri-Di aluminum chassis has been known to be a little suspect in the durability department.
If you like a real traditional looking black skate, and want top end performance, the Reebok 10k might be for you. But with top of the line features, comes a top of the line price. These skates are sure to retail for anywhere between $400 and $500.

Fortunately, for me at least, the Reebok 8k will retail for a bit less. I am really eager to see the skate in person, as well as the rest of the 2010 Reebok roller hockey line. It would appear as though Reebok is taking giant steps in the right direction with their upcoming roller hockey gear.

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The 2009 All-Free Agent Team

Aug 18

Posted by Eddie in Fantasy, Prospects | 1 Comment

In about three weeks, NHL teams will enter training camp. Players will shake off the off-seson rust in the beginning of the pursuit of the Stanley Cup.

For some players tho, they will continue to skate at their hometown rink, workout at the local gym, and keep sharp in hopes of returning to the NHL. Some have been all-stars, some have won the Stanley Cup, and some have been in the league for years. Here’s the list of unrestricted free-agent players, who as of today, won’t be skating in a few weeks with the logo of a NHL franchise on their chest.

Part 1 of a 2 part series. Part 2 will arrive Wednesday, August 19.

Note: Statistics are from the 2008-09 season with most recent team.

First Team

Center:

Robert Lang is looking for a new team, any takers?

Robert Lang is looking for a new team, any takers?

Robert Lang

 18-21-39 in 50 GP with Montreal

I’m not sure how many teams will want Lang. Sure he did record 39 points last season, but he missed hearly half the season with an Achillies tendon injury. He turn’s 39 in December, but I’m pretty sure by then some third or fourth line player will have a season-ending injury which can favor Lang.

 

 

Left Wing:

Alex Tanguay

16-25-41 in 50 GP with Montreal

Chris wrote on July 23 that he was reportedly asking for $5 Million a season to his potential teams. Just like Lang, he was a victim of injury last season. His performance in recent season was as high as 81 points in 81 games two years ago with Calgary to 41 points in 50 games last season. For him to catch on with a team, he must take a short term deal that isn’t much of a cap hit.

Right Wing:

Petr Sykora

25-21-46 in 76 GP with Pittsburgh

One of the top free-agents remaining, Skyora contributed heavily in the regular season as he scored 20 or more goals for the 10th consecutive season. But championships aren’t awards in the regular season. He recorded only 1 assist in 7 playoff games.

Defense:

Marc-Andre Bergeron

14-18-32 in 72 GP with Minnesota

Only 28 years old, Bergeron is a very good offensive defenseman. He’s scored double-digit goals twice in his seven-year career, but the primary responsibilities of a defenseman is in his own zone and thats where he struggles. He hasen’t finished a regular season with a double-digit plus-minus rating since 2003-04, when he finished at +13 with Edmonton.

Mathieu Schneider

9-23-32 in 67 games with Montreal

A player that has spent no less than two seasons with any of the six teams in the first 21 years of his career, Schneider has become a journeyman in the twilight of his career. He spent the last two seasons with Anaheim, Atlanta, and Montreal. At 40, he can still be useful on the power play and provide veterean leadership in a way former teammate Chris Chelios did for Detroit.

Goalie:

Manny Fernandez is still on the free-agent market

Manny Fernandez is still on the free-agent market

Manny Fernandez

16-8-3 2.59 GAA in 28 GP with Boston

With Tim Thomas solidifying the starting position in Boston, Fernandez was the odd-man out. He is still a manageable, high value #1 goalie for a middle-to-bottom tier team. If he wants as much money as he desires, he must play more than 44 games in a season. The only time he’s played over 44 games was 2005-06 when he appeared in 58 games for Minnesota.

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Prospal bolts to Broadway

Aug 16

Posted by Chris in Fantasy, News | No Comments

The New York Post has reported that the New York Rangers have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent Vaclav Prospal to a one year deal worth $1.1 million.

The 34-year old left wing was bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightening less than a month ago while he still had three years remaining on his contract after a sluggish 2008-2009 season where he posted 45 points in 82 games.

article_13458_2On paper, this looks like an effective move to help replace Scott Gomez and bolster the offense and goal-scoring capabilities of the Rangers. New York added free agent right wing Marian Gaborik to the mix earlier this summer and are now bringing in a veteran player who had a 33 goal campaign in 2007-2008 while tallying a total of 71 points. Can you imagine the damage that could be done by a top line comprised of Chris Drury, Marian Gaborik and Vaclav Prospal?

In reality, however, the story could play out much differently. Prospal had a sluggish season last year. This could have been because of the management and coaching issues in Tampa Bay, or it could have been a sign that Prospal is beginning to slow down with age. And Marian Gaborik is yet to play an entire NHL season. In 2007-2008, Gaborik played in 77 games and notched 42 goals for 83 points. Last season he played in only 17 games, but he also had 23 points. He is a high-risk high-reward player. If Gaborik goes down and Prospal proves that age is catching up to him, Drury might be called upon for the majority of the teams offense. Again. Hope Ales Kotelik and Chris Higgins can step up and help the cause.

But don’t bet on that happening. Look for the Rangers to be potent this season in the offensive zone.

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Florida’s New Starter

Aug 14

Posted by EB in Fantasy | 3 Comments

Clemmensen had one of the best pad, jersey and helmet aesthetic combos.

Clemmensen had one of the best pad, jersey and helmet aesthetic combos last season with the Devils.

The Florida Panthers have been receiving some publicity lately, mainly focusing on their off season acquisition of goaltender Scott Clemmensen. Clemmensen signed as an unrestrictive free agent for 3 years coming from the New Jersey Devils after a remarkable season. When all hopes were lost with the news of Martin Brodeur missing the majority of the season due to surgery to repair a torn bicep muscle, Clemmensen received the green light. In previous years he had short game stints in the NHL to fill in, to be expected behind Brodeur, but never has had constant starts. Clemmensen posted a 25-13-1 record, .917 save percentage and a 2.39 goals against average. Oh, he also had 2 shutouts.

I never recommend picking up a goalie in the early rounds seeing that it is a crap shoot what team will be winning out of the gate or not, but keep Clemmensen on your radar as he may be a diamond in the rough in the later rounds. It will be interesting to see how he fares in Florida with the different players in front of him, but something tells me he will be a consistent backup goalie on your roster, and perhaps even surpassing your starter.

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“Kronwalled” defined

Aug 13

Posted by Chris in Soap Box | No Comments

Just a quick tidbit from some Google searches today that I thought I would share. Any fan of bone-crunching hockey hits is undoubetly familiarkronwall with Niklas Kronwall, the young and talented defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings who helped make a name for himself during Detroit’s 2007-2008 Stanley Cup run as the deliverer of mammoth hits the size of Tsunamis. Kronwall furthered his reputation during this past playoff run with an earth-shattering hit delivered to Chicago’s Martin Havlat that earned the Swedish defenseman a 5-minute major and a game misconduct.

In many hockey circles, the delivery and execution of one of these massive checks has begun to be referred to as getting “Kronwalled.” That’s why I was fairly amused when I came across the following image during a Google search today which clearly defines the act of a Niklas Kronwall hit (right).

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the freight train that is Nik Kronwall, I’ve also dug up a quick video for you of the Kronwall hit on Marty Havlat during the Western Conference Finals this past spring. You can check out the video: Havlat Gets Kronwalled

Needless to say I think the real reason that Havlat signed with Minnesota was to get out of the Central division and have less opportunities to get “Kronwalled.” Shoulda gone to an Eastern Conference team, Marty.

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