Hockey World Blog

All Things Hockey

Archive for November, 2009

Goal celebration of the year

Nov 18

Posted by Chris in Media | 2 Comments

Turns out, Swedish craftsmanship just isn’t what it used to be.

Henrik Andersen, an 18-year-old winger playing in the Swedish Tier 2 league, found that out the hard way when he scored his first goal of the season on a dandy of a dangle earlier this week. After dragging the puck through a defenseman’s legs and tapping it past a sprawled out goalie, Andersen attempted an Ovechkin-esque celebration by jumping into the glass. Hilarity ensues.

Andersen went undrafted this past June, but after that dipsy-doosy dangle he might be on the radar of a few NHL clubs, and maybe some NBA teams as well after that leap. Andersen was uninjured in the incident.

Country Music Babes Hit Hockey World Blog

Nov 16

Posted by Eddie in Media | 11 Comments

I’m sure everybody who doesn’t live in a cave knows all about country singer Taylor Swift. She’s like your typical girl next door, the girl who’s good looking, can sing, and even write a song about you if you break her heart. Earlier this year, she made a cameo appearance in a Nashville Predators commercial. The best part is at the end. Check out the video below.

Swift is not just your “one game every few years just to look like I’m interested in hockey” type of fan. Recently, Swift was seen at a LA Kings game with Twilight: New Moon star Taylor Lautner. It’s not known if the two are a couple or if the game was a date or just two friends hanging out. But you know how Hollywood works: one day they are somewhere “as friends” and then a few weeks later they are a couple. Swift even blew a kiss at Lautner when she hosted SNL last week during her monologue. She’s been spotted at a few Predators games a season, even bringing along girlfriends Kellie Pickler and Carrie Underwood. Granted Pickler dated Jordin Tootoo and Underwood is currently dating Mike Fisher, the three formed what has to be the most attractive line in hockey at a game in 2007.

Tags: , , , ,

Hockey Hodge-Podge: Minors, College, Juniors

Nov 13

Posted by Eddie in News | 1 Comment

It’s the time of the year when football is starting to wind down for the colleges, the professionals are mid-way through their season, and hockey is starting to find its way. Teams in the NHL and other leagues have played anywhere between 15-20 games. At this time of the season, teams are starting to figure out who they are and what they can do to improve.

Looking across the hockey landscape, here’s some interesting things I came across:

Minors:

  • Grand Rapids Griffins goalie Daniel Larsson is one step closer to playing for the Detroit Red Wings. The big club called up Larsson today to backup Jimmy Howard as Chris Osgood has missed the last two games with the flu. The Red Wings played Wednesday and Thursday night and the recall happened this morning. This could mean Osgood might be out for a while.
  • On February 20, the Syracuse Crunch and Binghamton Senators are playing an outdoor hockey game. It’s the first in the history of the AHL, and a politician is trying to make it an annual event to “bring luster to central New York”. Can we say a P.R. move to gather votes for 2010? Charles Schumer (D-NY) is up for re-election next November.
  •  Everybody and their brother has now seen the video of Louisiana Ice Gators head coach Brent Sapergia throw everything in sight on the ice in protest of a call. I think I would he just as angry if I found out I had to coach a hockey team in the Southern Professional Hockey League. I do give him credit, his team was down 5-1 at the time before a rally of goals resulted in a 5-4 loss.

 

College:

  • Defending national champion Boston College is 2-5 and 1-4 in conference play this season. That’s not good for the Eagles. Last season, they had six overall and five Hockey East losses all season.
  • Miami is showing why they are the no. 1 team in the nation as they swept Michigan last weekend. Wolverines head coach Red Berenson was so disgusted that he said  “I’m embarrassed.” “We played like a bunch of spoiled brats, and we’ve gotta suck it up.” When your team takes 51 penalty minutes in the third period of Saturday’s game, that’s what spoiled beats who need to suck it up play like.
  • My alma mater, Ferris State University, is off to its best start since the 2002-03 season. That year, Chris Kunitz was a Hobey Baker finalist when he led the Bulldogs to the CCHA regular reason championship and a first-round win in the NCAA tournament. The Bulldogs swept three straight home series for the first time in school history when they swept Bowling Green. The team is 7-3 overall and will play at Miami this weekend. Tonight’s game will be shown on the NHL Network at 7:30.
  • The second-largest college in the nation is letting its students in for free because they struggle to fill the seats at its over-sized arena. Ohio State plays in the 17,500 seat Value City Arena. The attendance so far has been averaging 1,604 fans. For those keeping score at home, that’s 9.2 percent. When the NHL franchise in the same town is in competition for the hockey dollar a fringe hockey market, you play second fiddle. Maybe the Buckeyes should play the first month or so on the road, so they will get people to come when football season ends and the Blue Jackets are in last place.

 

Juniors:

  • This year’s World Junior Championships will be held in Saskatoon and Regina, Alberta beginning December 26. For our friends in Saskatchewan, you will be able to enjoya ticket to the United States-Switzerland game December 27 in Saskatoon with purchase of a pre-tournament exhibition game between Switzerland and Austria in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan December 21.
  • In an effort to get women to hockey games in Saginaw, Michigan, the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit is hosting a “Ice Hot Girls Night Out” tomorrow night vs London. The event will feature a fashion show, prize packs, and display tables from local salons and spas.
  • The PEI Rocket of the QMJHL has to postpone gamesthis weekend vs Baie-Comeau Drakkar and Shawinigan Cataractes because a number of players showed symptoms of the H1N1 virus. Hockey fans might have to get used to this as the season progresses. While players and teams are trying their best to sanitize and keep the players as healthy as possible, once a player or team staff contracts H1N1, it will be a matter of time before it spreads due to the close quarters hockey players are in.
  • The holiday season is around the corner. Several junior and minor league teams will hold various charity drives and fundraisers to support the local community. One of my favorites is the Teddy Bear Toss, where when the home teams scores its first goal, fans get to throw a stuffed animal on the ice. The toys are then collected and donated to charity,usually a childrens hospital. Where else can you throw something on the ice during a game and not get kicked out? No where! I’m personally making a note to attend the Plymouth Whalers’ Teddy Bear Toss game vs Sault Ste. Marie on December 5.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hello Again

Nov 12

Posted by EB in News | 1 Comment

Brian McGrattan and Ray Emery fight during an Ottawa Senator's practice in 2008.

Brian McGrattan and Ray Emery fight during an Ottawa Senator's practice in 2008.

It seemed just yesterday the Ottawa Senators were in the tabloids for pesky players adding more drama than a paternity test on Maury. Well it was not to long ago that Dany Heatley was in the news, but before Heatley, goaltender Ray Emery was the center of attention.

Emery played with the Senators for 5 seasons, starting in the ’02-’03 season. Emery was later let go after the ’07-’08 season. In a nutshell, he was let go for being a cancer to team morale. No other team took the risk on the young goaltender in the ’08-’09 season, forcing him to play oversees in the KHL if he still wished to play at a competitive level.

This year Emery is back, and looking better than ever with the Philadelphia Flyers. Posting a 9-3-0 record with 2.27 goals against average and a .922 save percentage, makes you wonder, “Could there have been something in the water over in Russia?”.

Tonight the Flyers host the Senators for the first time, allowing Emery to take the spotlight and try to shut down his old team. Although a year has passed, I’m pretty certain the wound is still fresh.

The Flyers are currently on a 4 game winning streak, taking them to 9-4-1 overall for 4th place in the Atlantic Division. The Senators on the other hand are up and down with winning and losing, yet 2nd overall in the Northeast Division with a 8-5-2 record. The two teams are only one position apart within the Eastern Conference, so look for a hard hitting fast paced game.

Words of wisdom to those on the Flyer’s bench. If the Senators chase Emery from the net, do not assist with putting on his hat.

Tags: , ,

Goalie Woes

Nov 10

Posted by Chris in News | No Comments

In a related note to  Matt\’s previous post about goalie Cam Ward going down with a lacerated leg, it seems that the Carolina Hurricane are wasting no time in finding a suitable stand-in while Ward recovers. It was announced on Monday that Jean-SebastienGiguereAnaheimDucksCarolina has come to terms with unemployed net-minder Manny Legace. The deal is a two-way contract that will pay legace $500,000 if he stays with the NHL club and $105,000 if he is sent down to the minors. The 36-year-old has a career goals against average of 2.38 and a save percentage of .912 along with 23 shutouts in 337 career games with Los Angeles, Detroit and St. Louis.

Early reports suggest that Ward will be out for three to four weeks.

Ward has struggled heavily in net this season for the ‘Canes. In 15 games started, Ward only has two wins and nine losses and a 2.97 goals against average. If nothing else, Legace should be a suitable replacement for Ward and may even have the capability to help turn this team around if he can display the same form he has shown in past seasons. If that does happen, Legace could help challenge Ward and help elevate his game with some friendly competition for playing time between the pipes.

Speaking of friendly competition between the pipes, J.S. Giguere of the Anaheim Ducks isn’t a fan. While speaking with the L.A. Daily News, the 32-year-old Giguere expressed dissatisfaction with the idea of being a backup to Jonas Hiller, who has started the last six games for the Ducks withe Giguere has been out with an injury.

“I’d rather retire than be a backup goalie,” Giguere said. “Something needs to happen. You get a guy like (Hiller) that’s going to be a free agent at the end of the year and myself, making the money I’m making, either I’m leaving or he’s leaving.”

Giguere added, “I want to play; that’s when I have fun. Right now, this is not fun.”

Hiller all but overtook the starting job last season when Giguere missed time dealing with injuries and personal issues. Hiller backstopped the Ducks during the playoffs and almost stole the semi-finals from the Detroit Red Wings. The Ducks ended up losing in a seven game battle with the Wings. He posted a 2.23 goals against average and a .943 save percentage in 13 playoff games. The 27-year-old also had 2 shutouts.

This isn’t the first time that a backup goaltender has challenged Giguere for the top spot. A few years ago, Ilya Bryzgalov made a name for himself in Anaheim with some stellar performances, even helping the Ducks defeat the Red Wings in the 2007 Conference Finals en route to the Ducks becoming Stanley Cup Champions. But with Giguere locked up for several more years and Jonas Hiller coming over from Switzerland at the time, GM Brian Burke was forced to try to trade Bryzgalov. Eventually Bryzgalov was waived and picked up by the Phoenix Coyotes.

Either goalie could become expandable at the end of the season, especially if the Ducks’ terrible start continues through the season. However, Giguere’s hefty $6.5 million salary ($13 million over the next two seasons) would be tough to move in a trade. Hiller currently makes $1.3 million but is in the final year of his deal and probably due for a raise, not to mention the guarentee of a starting job. No matter what Giguere wants, it seems as if a good ole fashioned goalie duel is brewing in Anaheim.

Reebok 11k Ice Hockey Skates

Nov 9

Posted by Matt in Gear | 9 Comments

A new picture of the latest Reebok ice hockey skates has been released. The skate is going to be called the Reebok 11k. Like the 9k, this skates design features an abundant amount of white. Reebok will still be including the pump feature in the 11k ice hockey skates as well. Enjoy the sneak peak.

Update: The Reebok 11k Skates are available now! Visit IceWarehouse.com and grab them for $599.99.

Reebok 11k Ice Hockey Skates

Reebok 11k Ice Hockey Skates

Tags: , ,

Cam Ward and Jason Williams Bit by Injury Plague

Nov 8

Posted by Matt in News | 10 Comments

Cam Ward, of the Carolina Hurricanes, is out indefinitely after Rick Nash's skate lacerated his leg

Cam Ward, of the Carolina Hurricanes, is out indefinitely after Rick Nash's skate lacerated his leg

Despite all of the great hockey we have seen in the 2009-10 NHL season so far, one tremendous downfall continues to plague the league. This season, some of the NHL’s most notable stars have been injured, along with dozens of role players as well. In addition to the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Johan Franzen, Daniel Sedin, Simon Gagne, Marc Savard, Sergei Gonchar, and Valtteri Filppula, two more players have now been sidelined with injuries.

First we have Cam Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes. While Ward is having a sub-par start to his season, his career numbers are good. He helped lead the Hurricanes to the Eastern Conference Finals last season where they were swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2005-06, Ward lead the team to a Stanley Cup Championship in a 7-game series over the Edmonton Oilers. He went on to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs as well.

Against Columbus, last night, Cam Ward’s leg was lacerated by the skate of Blue Jacket Rick Nash. Ward left the game and was taken to the hospital. He remained in the hospital Saturday night, and did not make the flight home with his teammates. There is no timetable for his return, so Carolina will be forced to give Michael Leighton the starts in net. Beyond that, they will either have to call up a goalie from their minor league system, or begin to look at possible trade options to provide added depth.

Just as things we’re beginning to look up for the Detroit Red Wings, winning three straight, they took another huge hit. In the second period of last nights game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jason Williams suffered a fractured fibula when he lost his balance and fell wrong on the ice. This injury will put Williams out for at least two months. Detroit is already without forwards Valtteri Filppula and Johan Franzen, and another injury obviously hurts the team.

Injuries in Detroit will give players such as Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, Patrick Eaves and Ville Leino a great chance to step up and show what they’ve got. The young players bring a tremendous amount of speed and energy to the team, but they have yet to show much on the scoreboard this season. Leino, for example, was considered by many to be in the running for Rookie of the Year honors after netting five goals and four assists in thirteen games when he was called up last season from Grand Rapids.  In fourteen games this season, however, he has two goals and one assist with a minus four rating. If we are to see any more success in Detroit this November, these energy players must begin to produce.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Hedman blasted by Neil

Nov 6

Posted by Chris in Media | 1 Comment

Ottawa Senators forward Chris Neil laid a bone-crushing hit on Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman last night when Neil swooped around the net and caught Hedman trying to play the puck with his head down. The rookie defenseman rolled over and stayed on the ground for a moment but eventually got up and made his way to the bench where he looked slightly shaken up but in otherwise good shape. Tampa Bay forward Steve Downie immediately jumped Neil and dropped the gloves to try to get retribution for the hit, but Downie ended up getting the worst of their short bout.

Hedman said that he feels okay after the hit, but he is still listed as day-to-day and did not practice with his team today in Montreal and is unlikely to play in Saturday’s contest against the Canadiens.

“I didn’t see it, but I’ve been told it was a clean hit,” Hedman said. “I was behind my net, I was trying to pass the puck back to (Mattius Ohlund) and tried to reach for it and he just came and ran over me. So then I couldn’t play. I was a bit shaky there, so it’s day to day. I can’t rush things. Just take it slow.”

Neil is known for his energy and physical style of play, which often times results in big momentum shifts for the Senators. Neil has three points and 48 penalty minutes on the season.

Here’s what I like about this hit: Neil comes around the net to play Hedman and notices that Hedman has his head down, so Neil goes for the hit. He braces for the impact, but he manages to keep his elbows down and doesn’t lead into the hit with his shoulder like we’ve already seen too many times this season. Neil catches Hedman pretty square in the chest and proceeds to literally run him over. The video shows a really great look at the hit about :36 seconds in when they slow down the hit as Neil comes around the back of the net. You can see Neil hit Hedman square and just follow through with the check.

It’s somewhat ironic that Downie comes in to defend his teammate after a completely clean hit when Downie has a history of delivering dirty hits. Anyone remember when he destroyed Dean McAmmond a few years back as McAmmond came around the back of the net? Downie not only leads with his shoulder but he leaves his feet for the hit, too.

No More Blue Jackets? It Could Be Possible

Nov 5

Posted by Eddie in News, Rumors | 2 Comments

No pun intended, but everyone around the “hockey world” knows about the financial situation the Phoenix Coyotes are in. We even reported its sale to the NHL last week. The Associated Press reported today that the Columbus Blue Jackets are in a major financial bind, and that central Ohio might lose its NHL franchise.

Could Rick Nash skate in a different city? Stay tuned.

Could Rick Nash skate in a different city? Stay tuned.

A member of the 2000 expansion, the Blue Jackets came to an area that wasn’t new to hockey. Ohio has had franchise in NHL before, when the Cleveland Barons failed in the 1970′s. Ohio has also had franchises in the minor leagues in recent years including the Cleveland Lumberjacks, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, and currently the Lake Erie Monsters play in the AHL.

Just like everyone in these economic times, people and teams are cutting back. The Jackets are 26th out of the 30-team NHL in payroll, with a cap hit of $49.7 Million according to nhlnumbers.com. The AP story mentions how the club has been losing $12 Million per season since joining the league.

The club is at a disadvantage behind the scenes compared to other teams. Their home rink, Nationwide Arena, is privately-owned. The voters in Columbus wanted it that way as they rejected voter proposals for a public-funded arena in 1986 and 1997.  The team pays $5 Million to use the facility, and doesn’t have access to parking revenues or money that comes from arena naming rights.

The benefits the team has provided is the arena is an anchor for the downtown Columbus area. Downtown Columbus has enjoyed an increase in property values, shops, bars and restaurants, and has been able to employ thousands of people.

The attempts in this situation by the team include unsuccessfully asking for a tax increase in alcohol and cigarettes in Franklin County. The major opponent of the measure was Anheuser- Busch, which has a brewery in the city. The increase would of raised $65 million to underwrite a county takeover of the arena. Other options include trying to find a second major tenant, such as a basketball team and exploring a public-private ownership deal for the arena.

Tags: ,

Hot Fantasy Free Agents You Can Pick Up

Nov 4

Posted by Eddie in Fantasy | 6 Comments

Don’t you hate it when you’re searching through the free agent wire in your fantasy league, only to have slim pickings? I went through this earlier this week when I was trying to get my team to rise out of the cellar. I usually give the players I draft the first month of the season to prove their worth before I drop them unless they were injured. The fortunate thing is, I did not have any injuries. The bad news, is that I’m in last place. Some of it was due to my own negligence such as owning four fantasy football teams and worrying about those more. But now I have a little time on my hands and I can handle what’s on my fantasy plate. Here’s a list of the best players available in the free agent world, along with the percentage of Yahoo! Fantasy teams own that player.

Note: Players owned on 60% or fewer teams were considered.

Center:

Ryan Kesler, Vancouver (5-8-13, 53% Owned)

Kesler is one of the hottest players on his team. With 5 goals the first month of the season, he’s shown that he can find the net as he is tied for third in goals and is second in points on the Canucks. He’s also valuable on special teams as he as six power play points.

Honorable Mention:

Mike Fisher, Ottawa (5-6-11, +3, 3PPG, 2GWG, 22% Owned)

Brendan Morrison, Washington (4-6-10, +6, 6 PIM, 2 PPG, 15% Owned)

Wayne Simmonds

Wayne Simmonds

Right Wing:

David Clarkson, New Jersey (3-6-9, 40% Owned)

Clarkson started off hot, but midway through October he went through a five game goal-less drought. Clarkson ended that drought last week. Don’t be afraid to pick him up. I strongly believe he will warm up or get hot before he becomes ice cold. His 20 penalty minutes are worth using if you need someone to raise your team penalty minutes.

Honorable Mention:

Nathan Horton, Florida (3-7-10, 20 PIM, 55% Owned)

Wayne Simmonds, Los Angeles (4-4-8, +9, 9 PIM, 5% Owned)

Left Wing:

James van Riemsdyk, Philadelphia (2-11-13, +6, 3 PPA, 27% Owned)

While he may only have two goals this young season, #2 overall pick in the 2007 draft James van Riemsdyk has made an impact through the assist for the Flyers. You have to take notice of someone that has more points than games played, as the Flyers have played only 10 games. He leads the team in assists and is third in plus-minus. If you’re in need of assists because your defensemen aren’t coming through, I recommend his as only 1 in 4 teams own him. Unfortunately in my fantasy league, Chris picked him up Monday afternoon.

Honorable Mention:

Matt Moulson, New York Islanders (6-5-11, 6 PIM, 3 PPA, 45% Owned)

Jarkko Ruutu, Ottawa (4-3-7, 27 PIM, 6% Owned)

Defense:

Jason Demers, San Jose (0-10-10, +7, 4 PPA, 32% Owned)

Rookie Demers has been producing on the blue line for a solid Sharks team. While he haven’t scored a goal this season, his team-leading plus-minus rating is worth taking note of. Look for him to see increased playing time from coach Todd Mclellan.

Ryan Suter, Nashville (2-5-7 8 PIM, 2 PPA, 59% Owned)

I had several defensemen to consider picking. But Suter was the best out of a good bunch along with Demers. Suter is an experienced player who is in the top-five on his team in points and penalty minutes. He also has three power play points in 13 games this season.

Honorable Mention:

Jaroslav Spacek, Montreal (1-4-5, +6, 14 PIM, 49% Owned)

Roman Hamerlik, Montreal (4-2-6, +6, 12 PIM. 22% Owned)

Goalie:

Ondrej Pavelec, Atlanta (5 W, 2.75 GAA, .921 SV%, 42% Owned)

Just like everyone else before the season, I didn’t have much faith in the Thrashers. But they got off to a good start in the first month of the season, and that’s what they need. In goal, Pavelec has solidified his #1 spot over Johan Hedberg. He’s owned in 2 out of every 5 leagues, so chances are he’s available for you.

Honorable Mention:

Jaroslav Halak, Montreal (5 W, 2.85 GAA, .893 SV%, 39% Owned)

Dwayne Roloson, New York Islanders (4 W, 2.70 GAA, .914 SV%, 34% Owned)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,