Hockey World Blog

All Things Hockey

Archive for category Soap Box

NHL realignment pros and cons

Dec 7

Posted by Chris in Soap Box | 2 Comments

Now that the Board of Governors has approved a potential realignment plan for the NHL next season, the league is awaiting a vote by the Players Association before it can enact the plan and move forward with the fine-tuning. However, with the tentative plan in place, many questions are still being raised as to whether this is the best strategy for the NHL moving forward.

Hockey fans began speculating and proposing possible realignment strategies long before the Board of Governors met in Pebble Beach, Cali., this week. The reason why there was so much speculation was because there was no single idea that solved all of the problems concerning every team and general manager in the league.

Detroit, Columbus, Dallas and Nashville all wanted to move East. However, teams in the West didn’t want to lose a team like Detroit, who draws an incredible amount of fans when they come to town. But if Columbus was moved to the East, it would be unfair to Detroit, who would continue to endure a heavy travel schedule playing out West during the regular season and playoffs despite being in the Eastern time zone, like Columbus.

Needless to say, in terms of a compromise for the league and all of the teams involved, the new realignment strategy is the most appealing option. That doesn’t mean it is a flawless strategy, though.

Probably the biggest “WTF” with the new realignment concerns the two Florida teams. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers have got to be wondering why they are basically moving into the current Northeast division with Buffalo, Boston, Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa. Shouldn’t the league have placed the Florida teams into a conference that makes more sense geographically? The league could easily move the New York Islanders and New York Rangers into the Northeast division with Buffalo, Boston, et al., and put the Lightning and Panthers in with Carolina, Washington, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New Jersey. For Tampa Bay and Florida, their placement just doesn’t make sense logistically.

Another flaw in the plan involves playoffs. With four conferences in place now, the first two rounds of the playoffs will take place within each conference. So the top four teams in each conference will make the playoffs, basically nullifying cumulative point totals league-wide. Instead, it emphasizes point totals only within each conference. The fourth place team in Conference A could make the playoffs with 90 points while the fifth place team in Conference B misses the playoffs with 100 points. To break it down simply, it doesn’t always ensure that the best teams make the playoffs every year.

However, it does place more of an emphasis on divisional play during the regular season. Things are tightening up throughout the league thanks to the parity created by the salary cap. When the realignment occurs, a team’s best chance to make the playoffs will be to steal points from a division rival who is also fighting for a divisional playoff spot. Get a clean win on your opponent and put yourself two points ahead of them. Division opponents will play each other six times throughout the season. The 12 points up for grabs during those games could be the difference between lacing up for the playoffs and lacing up for an early tee time.

On the plus side, this new playoff format should help enact deeper rivalries. With teams fighting for conference points and then having to meet each year in the playoffs, bitter rivalries could be easily created and fans will want to tune in to see matchups that may not have otherwise interested them.

The obvious plus on realignment is that every arena in the league will host every other team at least once. This allows fans the opportunity to see all of their favorite players at least once during the regular season. Now the superstars around the league will visit every arena ever year and give fans the chance to see them live, in the flesh, every season.

This also ensures more Original Six matchups. It’s always fun to see Detroit take on the Toronto Maple Leafs or Montreal Canadiens and renew old rivalries that existed in the Original Six era. This new realignment strategy helps bring back some of that history.

And the new format means there could be some interesting Stanley Cup matchups now. Boston could meet Pittsburgh, or Detroit could meet San Jose – a team that has bounced Detroit from the playoffs two years in a row. Vancouver and Chicago have garnered some bad blood thanks to playoff meetings over the past several years. Now, those two teams could meet in the Cup Finals.

Overall, despite some of the obvious flaws, this new strategy provides the most fan-friendly scenario and offers a compromise that makes everyone in the league happy.

What do you think? Are you happy with the new realignment plan? Join the discussion by leaving a comment or heading over to our Facebook page to discuss this topic with other fans!

Tags:

Surprise – Players Hate Mike Milbury Too

Dec 6

Posted by Matt in News, Soap Box | No Comments

One could certainly wonder why a company like NBC pays guys like Pierre McGuire, Eddie Olczyk, and Mike Milbury so much money to do commentary for the NHL on NBC. For starters, I don’t think a single fan likes to hear any of them talk. We’re often annoyed by their misguided attempts to analyze a game, and would definitely prefer to watch our team play on the local Fox Sports channel rather than see them get a taste of national tv and have to listen to the NBC crew. This gets even worse for your bigger hockey markets such as Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia. They often see several more nationally televised games than a small market team so NBC can get big ratings.

For a long time, however, I thought we were alone as hockey fans. It seemed as if no one understood our anguish. I was proven wrong the other day though, as Mike Modano sent out the tweet below. While he may no longer be lacing up the skates professionally, Modano now has a better understanding of what NHL fans have endured for several years now. We certainly hope this tweet helps to send a message to both Hockey Night in Canada as well as NBC Sports. The fact is, no one appreciates seeing guys like Mike Milbury on their broadcast. This “character” he seems to play, which for all I know might unfortunately be his true personality, comes off incredibly fraudulent in his attempts to stir the pot. Each time I hear Milbury speak, I’m reminded of a great movie quote from Billy Madison, “what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”

So props to you Mr. Modano, thank you for speaking the truth. Perhaps one day we can live in a world with no Mike Milbury on tv, and a respectable NHL on NBC crew.

Modano hating Mike Milbury on Twitter

Tags: ,

NHL realignment talks on tap for Governors meeting next week

Dec 2

Posted by Chris in Soap Box | No Comments

With the NHL Board of Governors meeting next week in Pebble Beach, California, fans may finally get their long-awaited answer as to how the league plans to deal with realignment next season after the Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg this past summer, throwing the league out of whack as Winnipeg is playing in Atlanta’s Eastern Conference spot but should rightfully be a Western Conference team.

It appears as if there are two front-running suggestions right now. The first involves an even swap where Detroit would move to the East and Winnipeg to the West. This would be the simplest move for the NHL to make, which means it will never happen.

The other suggestion involves a complete realignment that shifts away from the two-conference, six-division standard and instead implements a four-division league where two of the divisions have seven teams and the other two have eight. If this idea is agreed upon, it’s likely that the Board of Governors will also alter the schedule so that each team plays every other team at home and on the road at least once during the regular season.

As a hockey fan, I’m more intrigued by the complete reformation. It would certainly be more fun from a fan’s point of view to play every team at home at least once. That way, fans all over can see Steve Stamkos, Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin and countless others at their home arena once every season. Plus, this proposal would also include two rounds of divisional playoffs – something that should increase the bad blood between division rivals. If this strategy could produce rivalry playoff matchups even remotely to the level of Detroit-Colorado in the late 1990’s, I’m all for it.

The problem is that two-thirds of the Board of Governors has to approve whatever method they propose. That’s probably the most likely reason why they will not adopt a simply strategy where Detroit moves to the East and Winnipeg to the West. Too many Western Conference general managers like having Detroit come to their arena twice a season to help draw in fans. Add in the fact that each team will also play host to Crosby, Ovechkin and Stamkos and you’re looking at a big increase in profits during those games.

The other reason why I believe they will adopt a complete restructuring involves the Phoenix Coyotes. The city of Glendale, where the Coyotes’ arena resides, has stated they will not pay for the Coyotes any longer. Unless there is a buyer in place by the end of this season, the Coyotes will likely be on the move. If the general managers agree to a straight Detroit-for-Winnipeg swap, they could be in the exact same position next season if Phoenix moves East (although I hear Las Vegas and Washington are possible destinations if Phoenix moves).

For the time being, however, I am still holding out hope that the league will adopt my strategy that drops two teams completely and moves to four, seven-team divisions. Sorry Phoenix and Columbus, you are the weakest links. Goodbye.

 

 

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Seat Could Get Hotter in District for Boudreau

Nov 22

Posted by Eddie in Soap Box | No Comments

HWB is participating in “Movember” to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Make a difference, make a donation.

Things aren’t so peachy in Washington for Caps bench boss Bruce Boudreau. The Capitals currently sit eighth in the East with a 11-7-1 record. Expectations are always high for a team with one of the most profile players in the league in Alex Ovechkin. In the division, they are two points behind Florida but you couldn’t tell based on the way the team has been playing.

Team owner Ted Leonsis recently declined to comment when the media asked him about a vote of confidence regarding Boudreau. This doesn’t sound good. Especially on the heels of en embarrassing 7-1 loss to Toronto in which the Maple Leafs kept seven regulars out of the lineup and started their third string goalie. Last night when they defeated Phoenix, Boudreau healthy-scratched Alexander Semin for the first time in his career. There are a lot of things to blame, but the main source of the team struggles begins with the player with the C on his sweater:

The Washington Capitals will sink or swim with the production of Alex Ovechkin.

Number 8

For Boudreau to retake control of the locker room, he has to do it through the player the rest of the team listens to. A story in the Washington Post suggested Ovechkin and Boudreau aren’t on the same page. Boudreau wants Ovi to play on the wing on the power play but Ovi feels more comfortable running the man-advantage from the point. Boudreau and his staff have begged Ovechkin to be more responsible in the defensive end, yet he still routinely floats in Washington’s zone and leaves it prematurely. Through the season’s first 18 games, he has a team-worst plus-minus rating of minus-6.

For someone that loves to shoot the pick, Ovechkin hasn’t done that this season. He’s led the league in shots on goal each of his first six seasons, but has 67 in 18 games this season. In the Toronto loss Saturday he didn’t record his first shot on goal until 12 minutes remained in the second period- when they trailed 4-1. The coaches want him to get more of his teammates involved versus taking a high risk shot, but to decrease your shot production by that much is cause for concern.

Earlier this month when Ovechkin was benched when the team put an extra attacker on the ice, he seems to be in his own world. A player who sees 20-plus minutes of ice time every game has been averaging close to 18 minutes this month. That isn’t something you want to see out of your best player and deadliest sniper on the ice.

Could the Semin-scratching Monday affect the fellow Russian superstar? This team does seem to follow the way of Ovechkin: Ovi plays well, the team does well. If he can’t find the back of the net, neither can the rest of the team. In the end, Boudreau and his captain need to have a man-to-man meeting. If they air out all their issues and squash it there, the team could head in the right direction. If they fail to reach at least the conference final, some heads (both on the ice and on the bench) could roll.

Tags: , , ,

Tampa Bay Lightning criticism may be misdirected

Nov 10

Posted by Chris in Soap Box | 4 Comments

The matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers last night was certainly interesting, to say the least, drawing the ire of fans and NHL players alike during a nationally televised game.

“This games on National TV…Way to sell it boys!” tweeted Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul, whose sentiments echoed that of many fans.

The Lightning, notorious for their 1-3-1 trap, tried to use the defensive system against Philadelphia, who weren’t having it in front of their home crowd. Instead, the Flyers’ defensemen held the puck in the defensive zone and waited for an aggressive forecheck from the Lightning. Similarly, the Lightning waited in their defensive system for an offensive push from the Flyers. When both teams failed to act, the refs called the play dead and restarted the play. The same stalemate occurred. Finally, the NHL stepped in, only to tell the refs that they should not interfere with coaching strategies. What ensued was a chess match that was often clunky, disjointed and lackluster.

TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie offered some insight into the strategies from both teams last night.

“The Lightning are playing something called the neutral zone trap, it’s only been around as long as the game itself,” explained McKenzie. “Now all of a sudden Peter Laviolette orchestrates something that says if they aren’t going to play aggressive we aren’t going to play aggressive and we’re in front of your home fans so let’s see how you like that. Let’s let this play out and see how it goes.”

Last night’s contest has sparked some debate regarding the 1-3-1 system and whether there should be “illegal” defensive systems in the NHL. Furthermore, this could become a very hot topic at a time when the NHL is consistently looking to increase scoring and scoring chances in games. Last night’s game didn’t exactly display that attitude.

“This is typically something that could really hurt hockey,” said former NHL head coach Marc Crawford. “Fans don’t want to watch that type of a system where nothing is happening. I think unfortunately this is absolutely something that the league will have to address.”

But should the Lightning be punished because their system defies the NHL’s goal of increasing scoring? The Lightning ultimately won the contest, and their run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season shows that the system works. Should they be punished for working an effective system, or should teams learn to adapt and beat that system?

When Philadelphia tried holding the puck again in the second period, the Lightning switched up their strategy a bit and essentially blitzed the flat-footed defender with two forecheckers. This resulted in a turnover at least once (that I saw on TV). The Lightning were able to adapt to Philadelphia’s strategy. Why wasn’t Philadelphia able to adapt to Tampa Bay’s?

“We’re sticking to the game plan,” Lightning coach Guy Boucher said in the St. Petersburg Times. “When we have the puck we’re aggressive with it, and when we don’t have the puck we dedicate ourselves to being above the puck instead of chasing from behind. It tells me guys are buying in.”

This issue will likely receive tons of attention in the coming days and weeks, mostly because it took place during a nationally televised game where the NHL wants to put its best foot forward, and could become a hot-button issue at the General Managers meeting in December where they could look at possibly enforcing illegal defensive traps in the future.

Tampa Bay already seems to be fielding most of the criticism concerning their 1-3-1 system and how yesterday’s game played out, but some of that criticism may be misdirected. It’s not like Tampa Bay is unbeatable. Other teams have come through and employed successful strategies for dealing with Tampa Bay’s 1-3-1, so why couldn’t the Flyers? Better yet, why didn’t they even try?

What do you think? Should there be illegal defenses in the NHL or should teams learn to cope and adapt?

HWB is participating in “Movember” to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Make a difference, make a donation.

Tags: , ,

Buck Bash is Back

Nov 1

Posted by EB in News, Soap Box | No Comments

The Arizona Lottery’s Buck Bash is back. What exactly is that you wonder? One of the best promotional efforts that any hockey fan would love for their local team.

The Buck Bash is a promotional effort by the Phoenix Coyotes to generate ticket sales and ultimately, fans. The press release reads as follows:

GLENDALE, ARIZONA — The Phoenix Coyotes announced today that due to popular demand, the team is bringing back the Buck Bash! The Buck Bash, presented by Arizona Lottery, officially returns on Saturday, November 5th when the Coyotes host the Edmonton Oilers at 7:00 p.m. All fans in attendance at Jobing.com Arena will enjoy $1 beer, sodas and hot dogs throughout the game.

Yep, that’s right; a hockey game, hot dogs and tons of beer. I don’t know about you, but that is a pretty darn good promotion. Hopefully they bring back the Snuggies from last year too.

The Coyotes have had their struggles over the last couple of years in trying to attract fans despite having a winning team. Still, I believe this promotion is an envy of any hockey fan. As a Red Wing fan, one that does go to some games throughout the season, it is frustrating watching a game in a run down arena and having to pay $7 for a beer that should cost half of the price. So, in conclusion, Phoenix fans better cherish a promotion like this because most NHL clubs don’t offer such great things.

HWB is participating in “Movember” to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Make a difference, make a donation.

Tags: ,

Phil Kessel: Man, Myth, Legend?

Oct 20

Posted by Matt in Soap Box | No Comments

Phil Kessel of the Toronto Maple LeafsFor those who have been following the recent success of the Toronto Maple Leafs, you’ll know that they have been on a tear thanks to Phil Kessel, the current NHL point leader. Kessel’s 12 points (7 goals, 5 assists) in only 5 games have pushed the typically struggling Maple Leafs to a 4-0-1 start this season.

Does Kessel really have what it takes to continue this type of play, leading Toronto to a spot in the playoffs? Or is he destined to sink once again, letting down fans and the management team who traded for him?

Let’s keep in mind that Kessel is still young, he turned 24 a few weeks ago. He has not even entered the prime of his career, which typically occurs between age 26-31. His career production thus far has been modest, averaging about 60 points per season over the past three seasons, but the potential cannot be denied.

Kessel’s history may haunt him, however. Leafs fans won’t forget a similarly hot start last season. The team began October with a 4-0-1 record while Kessel picked up 6 points in those games. From there, the trainwreck began. The Leafs managed only 3 victories in the month of November, with Kessel tallying only 5 points in those 13 games. The Maple Leafs never recovered, and missed the post-season by 8 points.

Now, Kessel has another season under his belt. He’s got another year of experience, he is a stronger and more mature hockey player. It’s showing already through his early season production. This year will be different for Kessel. He’s good enough to battle through brief lulls in production, and will easily beat his career high in points.

His production, as we’ve seen so far, often translates into wins and points for the Leafs. The team has a better foundation, a solid netminder, and behind the leadership of Kessel, could be poised to make a post-season run. If Kessel leads this team back to the playoffs, their first since the 2003-04 season, he will be placed on a pedestal as the savior Toronto’s management thought he would be when they traded for him in 2009. Any future failures on his part and fans will be calling for his head. But if the production continues, and playoff appearances continue, Phil Kessel goes from your average highly regarded prospect, to the face of a franchise and a legend in the city of Toronto.

Tags: ,

Winnipeg Jets off to Slow Start

Oct 18

Posted by EB in News, Soap Box | No Comments

Netminder Ondrej Pavelec needs to start stopping more shots to give the Winnipeg Jets a fighting chance.

The Winnipeg Jets are off to a rough start, going 1-3-0 in their first 4 games. The emotional homecoming to Winnipeg, the hype, has outweighed the product on the ice. Could this be a mere funk or could it be much more?

The Jets, once Atlanta Thrashers, has a lot of players under-producing. The list is as follows:

Bryan Little, a fifth year NHLer has 0 points in the first 4 games. Last year Little put up 48 points, a 14 point increase from the year before that. Although it is not expected of Little to make another 14 point jump this season, it is however expected that Little at least meet is last years point total.

Evander Kane is young with the speed and the talent to put up numbers. Currently 0 points thus far, Kane needs to start meshing with his line-mates. In his second NHL season last year, Kane contributed 19 goals and 24 assists. The 40 point mark should be obtainable, especially if he continues to skate second line minutes. Perhaps his day-to-day injury is the cause of his lack of production. Time will tell.

The fan favorite Dustin Byfuglien is perhaps the most surprising of all the players with his lack of production. Able to play both forward or wing, also getting a lot of time on the powerplay, Byfuglien has 0 points and a -4 rating in his 4 games. Averaging 3.75 shots a game, fans can only hope the dam breaks soon.

Two-time Stanley Cup Winner Andrew Ladd knows what it takes to be a winner, or at least be on a winning team. In both his Cup wins Ladd was a contributor but no the go to guy. After being traded to the Jets in the off-season after the 2009-2010 season, Ladd became that guy you could depend on. He put up a career high of 29 goals and 30 assists for a total of 59 points. Could that of been an abnormal season, sure, but with only 1 goal so far, the Jets still need more out of him.

It is said that transitioning and growing into a top-level NHL player is harder for defense. Tobias Enstrom is in his fifth season and is coming off of back-to-back 50 point seasons. Mainly a set-up man on the powerplay, Enstrom does not have a powerplay point as of yet.

A combined .880 save percentage between both Ondrej Pavelec and Chris Mason could be the real problem for the Jets. Letting in a combined 14 goals in 4 games, the two net-minders do not seem like either one of them wants the starting position.

It still could be just a rough start and they could make playoffs. It could also be the team is still not quite playoff caliber. Last year the Jets/Thrashers missed the playoffs and finished in 12th place. Either way, all the hype surrounding the homecoming is coming down to earth as fans see that no matter how much you want your home team to win, it just may not happen. Hopefully the players can start putting some more “W’s” on the board and give their faithful fans a ticket worth purchasing.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Is Jeff Skinner the real deal?

Oct 12

Posted by Chris in Soap Box | 1 Comment

As an 18-year-old rookie last season with the Carolina Hurricane, Jeff Skinner was selected to the All-Star team and posted 31 goals along with 32 assists en route to winning the Calder Trophy as the best rookie in the NHL. As a 19-year-old in his second season in the NHL, Skinner so far is showing no signs of a sophomore slump and has picked up his game right where he left off last season.

Skinner finished last season with 17 points in his last 20 games as the Hurricane battled hard for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, which they eventually lost out on to the New York Rangers by a two-point margin. In his first three games this season, Skinner has already shown himself to be somewhat of a set-up man, notching one goal and tallying four assists while playing on a line with Eric Staal and Tuomo Ruutu.

After such a quick start to the season, whether Skinner can continue this pace and avoid a sophomore slump isn’t the only question to consider. The real question is, how good can Skinner be? In the OHL he posted 50 goals and 90 points in 2009-10 with the Kitchener Rangers. After last year’s showing and this year’s good start, where will Skinner top off? Can he elevate his game to the next level this year or next and score 80 points? Or 100? With a line mate like Eric Staal, that’s a very realistic goal for the young winger.

Carolina failed to make many significant additions to their roster during the offseason, and in a tight Eastern Conference where there isn’t much wiggle room amongst teams fighting for a playoff spot, the Hurricane need to get more from the players on their roster. Skinner will be one of those players looked upon to continue his steady play and help improve Carolina’s stance in the standings. He showed great poise as a rookie and has come out of the gate swinging in his second year as a pro. Confidence goes a long way for hockey players and such a fast start on the stat sheet has to be a confidence booster for Skinner.

The Hurricane certainly hope that Skinner will be a vital asset to their club for several years to come. With Skinner and captain Eric Staal in the lineup, the Hurricane have a bright future. The task now is to upgrade their weak points, namely their blue line, and continue to surround their top talent with solid depth to become serious playoff contenders in the coming years. And as Carolina gets better, it will be fun to watch and see how high Skinner can elevate his game.

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: ,

Devils Strategically Name Parise Captain

Oct 6

Posted by EB in News, Soap Box | No Comments

Change that "A" to a "C" and what do we get? Still uncertainty on whether or not the New Jersey Devils can lock up Zach Parise at the end of his contract.

The New Jersey Devils have named Zach Parise their team Captain with Ilya Kovalchuk and Patrik Elias as Alternate Captains. Parise, who has played all 6 NHL seasons with the Devils, could be the face of the franchise for years to come. Or maybe not.

In the off-season Parise and the Devils had a shaky go at signing the young 27 year old to a multi-year deal. What looked like an inevitable arbitration hearing, the two sides finally agreed upon a 1-year, $6 million dollar contract. For Devil’s fans, this was a step in the right direction in keeping Parise long term. For all other hockey fans, it seemed likely Parise will become possible trade deadline bait in the upcoming NHL season and/or one of the top off-season free agents.  With the new Captaincy placed firmly on his chest, hockey fans are now left to wonder even more what the future holds for the star forward.

The Devils have named Parise Captain, for better or for worse, but in hopes of creating more of an emotional tie to the organization. In doing so, the team is hoping that they can avoid losing him to another team after his contract is up after this season. What surely is a ploy could very well come back and nip the Devils in the butt.

Not all players are cut out to be Captains, but that does not seem to be the case with Parise. Parise is a superstar and a genuinely good player with heart. When healthy, Parise can easily reach the 35+ goal mark, throw in about 45 assists, and you have yourself a perennial 80 point player. Like many sports, those who produce tend to be Captain.

Still though, the question of if Parise wants to play for the Devils has to come into play. Without a doubt Parise will give it his all as Captain for the Devils, but if he ends up moving to a new club, what are Devil’s fans supposed to think and feel? Are fans OK with that, or does it create a negative, hopelessness feeling inside?

The Devil’s organization are playing with fire by making Parise Captain. Maybe it will work out in their favor, they are the Devils after all. But maybe their decision will not. But hey, if the Vancouver Canucks can make a mistake naming goaltender Roberto Luongo Captain, the Devils can make one too.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,