It’s official. Ilya Kovalchuk has been traded to the New Jersey Devils along with defenseman Anssi Salmela. In return, the Atlanta Thrashers will receive defenseman Johnny Oduya, right wing Niclas Bergfors, prospect Patrice Cormier and a first-round draft pick. More to come…
Posts Tagged New Jersey Devils
Hot in the Desert
Dec 30
In the off-season, most fans would not even put the Phoenix Coyotes as a contender this year, let alone a winning team. To much of the nay sayers dislike, the Coyote’s are red hot.
The Coyote’s are 7-2-1 in their last 10, overall an impressive 25-13-3. They currently rank 4th in the Western Conference, only 2 points behind league leading New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks at 55 points each. Yet for some reason, fans and the press still ignore their talent.
The Coyotes are playing impressive hockey. The team is playing hard, every night, fighting in the corners and creating plays. To this, it is of no surprise the Coyotes set a franchise record 10 home game wins.
Phoenix will most likely fade in the background again for some time, avoid the spotlight of the media. Not much love for the desert dogs. Oh well, I encourage you to watch some of their games. This year the Coyotes are on track to not only make playoffs, but to be a cup contender.
K-F-C
Dec 22
Captain Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atalanta Thrashers.
K is for Kovalchuk:
The All-Star left wing and Captain of the Atlanta Thrashers has come to a “snag” in talks for a new contract with his current club.
Next year, Kovalchuk becomes an unrestricted free agent. Kovalchuk entered the league in the 2001-2002 season with Atlanta Thrashers, and has played with them since. He has been posting up consistent numbers, averaging 79 points in the five completed seasons he has played. Atlanta has had trouble in the past completing deals. Atlanta was unable to sign Marian Hossa a few seasons back.
Kovalchuk is one of the big names this year for potential free agents. It is expected he will sign with Atlanta and become their franchise player, however if not, oh what a fun time it will be come trade deadline.
F is for Fisticuffs:
The Florida Panthers visited the Philadelphia Flyers last night for some good ‘ol hockey.
The meeting was their first since October 24th, where Flyer’s captain Mike Richards hit winger David Booth. The hit, which was controversial in being a head shot or not, received no disciplinary action, but has taken Booth out of the lineup for an indefinite period of time. Booth is the future of the Panthers, but currently is only participating in “light” skating.
The game began with a bang, as the first period consisted of 3 fights, one less than 2 minutes in. The total fight count ended with 4, yet the one to make note of was Panther’s captain Bryan McCabe challenging Flyer’s captain Mike Richards to a fight 3 minutes and 42 seconds into the game. The two dropped the gloves, circled briefly with both captain C’s bearing on their chest, and began to throw their punches.
It is not often you see two captains going toe to toe in a fight. Respect to both captains, McCabe for setting the tone and the score, and for Richards taking responsibility for his previous actions on Booth. Hockey is scrutinized for it’s fighting, however self regulation such as this makes the game safer than if fighting were to be removed.
The Panthers dominated the score board, winning 4-1, moving them to 8th place in the East, and sending the Flyers into a speedy decline to second to the bottom of the conference.
Martin Brodeur is interviewed after recording his 104th career shutout in an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh Monday, Dec. 21, 2009.
C is for Champion:
New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur broke the shutout record, posting his 104th of his career in a 4-0 win over the defending Cup Champions Pittsburgh Penguins. The record previously belonged to Detroit Red Wing’s Terry Sawchuk.
Brodeur, smiling from ear to ear took many photos with teammates and his puck inscribed with “104.” It is good to see the emotion and love for the game, and Devils forward Zach Parise said it best about the milestone, “I mean, it’s pretty fun. I’m sure it’s fun for him but it’s pretty cool for us too.”
The record stood for 39 years. Ironically, Sawchuk’s last shutout was against the Penguins on February 1, 1970.
Chicago Blackhawks
Sep 29
Captain Jonathan Toews looks to lead the Chicago Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup this season.
A young speedy team who finished 2nd in the tough Central Division, and 4th in the Western Conference, looks to improve upon their Cup ending loss to the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Finals.
During the offseason the Blackhawks received some negative press about ousting general manager Dale Tallon to be replaced by Stan Bowman. Stan, the son of retired NHL coach Scotty Bowman, replaced Tallon due to a filed grievance from the NHL Players Association pertaining to the team missing deadlines for sending qualifying offers to restricted free agents. The team has since moved forward with the off season acquisitions of some pretty big names.
The Blackhawks were unable to resign unrestricted free agent Martin Havlat who eventually signed with the Minnesota Wild. Havlat scored 29 goals with 48 assists to total 77 points. He also posted 15 points in 16 games played in the playoffs last season, which happened to lead the team.
The void is to be replaced by NHL All Star player Marian Hossa who played for the Detroit Red Wings in the previous year. Hossa, who played for the Pittsburg Penguins before the Wings, has made the NHL finals 2 years in a row, yet both times have come up empty handed. Hossa underwent shoulder surgery in the off season and is expected to make his debut you in a Hawk’s jersey in late November. A question of full rehabilitation, game ready physical capability and team chemistry will be answered when he returns to the ice.
Center John Madden joins the mix of the Blackhawks this year. Madden has played for the New Jersey Devils for all his NHL career, posting 297 points in 712 regular season games and 41 points in 112 playoff games.
The Blackhawks have parted ways with goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin in hopes that Cristobal Huet will be able to carry the workload. The two goaltenders split time last year during the regular season, only one game difference. However, come playoff time, Khabibulin played all but 3 games. With the success of last year, one would think the possibility of doing the same two goalie system again, or if having to choose between the one, would have chosen to stay with Khabibulin, but that is not the case.
All hope is not lost though as the 34 year old Cristobal Huet has a respectable record and stats. Last season he had a 20-15-4-3 record in 41 games, with a .909 save percentage and a 2.53 goals against average. This number is down in comparison to the ’07-’08 season where he had a combined 32-14-6-4 record between Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals.
The team is led by young stars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Together the duo is nearly impossible to stop, all things considering they are only 21 and 20 years of age. Together the two were able to net 59 goals and 80 assists between their 162 games played.
Defensively the team is led by offensive defenseman Brian Campbell. Campbell was 5th in points last year with 52, the majority of them being 45 assists. Shortly behind in points are defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook who both have better +/- ratings then Campbell. Keith tallied in at + 33 while Seabrook with +23.
The Chicago Blackhawks lack no skill in scoring points, and have a solid defensive core that also are able to contribute offensively. The goaltender position will be a test this year, but should not be a factor as the team is projected to be first within the Central Division as last year’s leader the Detroit Red Wings have suffered a major rebuild of new and young players.
Last year’s playoff’s were a learning experience for the young team. This year with one more year under their belt, and the addition of some veteran playoff performers, the Chicago Blackhawks have their eyes set on the Cup.
Florida Panthers
Sep 12
The Florida Panthers gives neither feeling of excitement nor any other feeling at all when thought of, but perhaps that is expected of a team who has not made the playoffs since 1999. Nonetheless, last season the panthers were only one spot short of the playoffs, only to be edged out by the Montreal Canadiens, and hope to build upon the improvement.
The Panthers are as confused as Nathan Horton on his scoring touch but hope this season it comes back to him.
In the off season, the team made a few moves but none stick out more than the swapping of defense between the Calgary Flames; Jay Bouwmeester from Florida in exchange for Calgary’s Jordan Leopold. The trade is questionable seeing that Leopold has a rather long injury list, but with the additions of mixed aged defensemen Nick Boynton, Steve Emminger and Ville Koistinen, the team should be just fine.
The teams other major addition is that of goalie Scott Clemmensen from the New Jersey Devils. Clemmensen last year filled in for Martin Brodeur during is surgery recovery and put up some excellent numbers; 25-13-1 record with a .917 save percentage and a 2.39 goals against average. The goalie spot still could belong to Tomas Voukoun, but expect it to be taken rather quickly by the Panther’s new addition.
Last season the team was led by young fellas Stephen Weiss and David Booth who combined for 45 goals, 76 assists which totals 121 points in the 150 games between them. Veterans Cory Stillman and Steven Reinprecht look to add leadership and points as well, and the team is looking to jump start under achieving Nathan Horton. With the addition of some defense, a new goalie, and with the rest of the roster, it truthfully is a crap shoot if they will be competitive or not in the Eastern conference.
New Jersey Devils
Sep 1
The New Jersey Devils had a remarkable year last season considering goaltender Martin Brodeur was out majority of the season with surgery to repair a torn bicep muscle. One would expect the Devils to be even better this upcoming season as Brodeur is healthy and in top shape as always, however during the off season the Devils have lost a big part of their team.
Savior goaltender Scott Clemmensen has gone to the Florida Panthers leaving the backup position to the Devils only acquisition, goaltender Yann Dannis from the New York Islanders. This however is not a worry as Brodeur is the Iron Man of goaltenders.
The problem that will be faced is the loss of forwards Brian Gionta and John Madden. Last season Gionta posted 60 points in 81 games with 3 of those points being shorthanded goals. Madden on the other hand only 23 points in 76 games, yet contributed greatly to the depth of the team. He too also posted a shorthanded goal and 2 short handed assists.
The Devils were able to not only secure a playoff spot last season, but were able to clinch first in the tough Atlantic division. This year expect them to drop to 3rd if not farther within the division as the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers look tougher this season with their off season acquisitions, as well as defending Stanley Cup Champions Pittsburgh Penguins look to go back to back.
Florida’s New Starter
Aug 14
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.
Brendan Shanahan
The New Jersey Devils have signed veteran winger Brendan Shanahan to a one year deal. While several NHL teams have made a push for Shanahan this summer, he ultimately decided to return to the team which drafted him in 1987.The terms of the contract have not been disclosed.
After playing four seasons with the Devils from 1987-1991, Shanahan spent time with the Blues, Whalers, Red Wings and Rangers, before returning to New Jersey in January. He has 656 goals and 698 assists for 1354 points in 1524 NHL games. Shanahan is an eight time NHL All Star and has represented Team Canada twice in the Olympics.
