2011 season Power Rankings- Max

Eastern conference
1wsh
2pit
3Bos
4Tbl
5Phi
6NYR
7Buf
8Tor
9Mtl
10Car
11NJD
12Fla
13Wpg
14Ott
15Nyi

Western conference
1 Van
2 Sjs
3 Det
4 Ana
5 Lak
6 Nas
7 Chi
8 Clg
9Phx
10 minn
11 Stl
12 Dal
13Col
14 Edm
15 Clb

President trophy prediction 
Wsh

Rocket Richard trophy prediction
Alex Ovechkin

Top four teams 
Wsh-TBL
Sjs-Van

Stanley cup final
SJS-WSH 

WINNER
WSH

Jersey Collection day seven- All Star game West 2009

 One thing I like to do is collect a jersey from any NHL Or CHL or any hockey league city i go to.  This time when I was going to Montreal with my grade 8 class I needed something from Montreal. But I didnt want to get a Canadiens jersey because i hate them. But I need one for my collection so I will only get a Habs jersey if it is given to me ( read more about that tomorrow). Anyways so my alternative to a habs jersey was an All Star jersey from Montreal. And so another memory was kept through this jersey.  I had a fun trip with all my friends and we had a great time. We went to the Sugar Shack, we went through Old Montreal took some tours and we also went down St. Catherine street where I looked forever to find this jersey. I looked forever to find a jersey and I finally found it and it was exacty what I wanted a West Jersey. If I say so myself it is a pretty spiffy jersey. In case your asking the stars on the side of the jersey with the years are all the year Montreal has held the All star game.

Jersey Collection day six -Sharks

If you dont know me, I go to a boarding school and it is awesome. At my boarding school i live in a house with about 17 other guys and throughout the year you really get to know some of the other guys in your house. It is pretty cool to see all walks of life in this house. I have had people from all over the world live in my house and it is cool to listen to what they have to say even when there is barely any english to it. One of my buddies in my house was from Toronto and he played AA for the sharks. And what would you know it they would have the same jerseys as the San Jose Sharks he had given me one of his many jerseys that he had worn over the years for the sharks because he had known that I was a jersey collector. I thought it was pretty cool, I always wanted to own a Sharks jersey and this guy had just given me one. This isnt really a story but just a comment on the freindships that we build with the other guys in my house and it is a pretty neat experience for everyone to live on their own......with 17 other guys 

Jersey Collection day five- Avalanche

This Jersey is important to me not because of the jersey itself but of the story i have of when I got it. I ordered the jersey online and I received it a couple weeks later. I got the jersey in the mail the night of my first game that I played for my highschool team. This jersey is really important to me because it reminds me about how lucky I am for going to the school I go to, and getting the opportunities and meeting the people i wouldnt get anywhere else. I didnt really beleive that I would make my high school team but I tried hard and got on to the team. It made me so happy to play with my teamates and head to practice everyday with them. I love hockey so much and it is one of the most important things in life for me and it was awesome that I got that opportunity to continue playing hockey through my first two years of high school and my hard work paid off at the end of my grade ten year when my teamates voted me Most Improved Player. Like I said this jersey has nothing to do with Lakefield hockey and for anyone else its just an Avs jersey but to me it marked the begining of a whole lot of fun

Jersey Collection day four - Leafs

 



"The Passion that unites us all" "The price of success is hard work" are two quotes that the Toronto maple Leafs use as slogans for the team. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been my favourite hockey team since I was born. I have always loved hockey from a young age, hell apperently my first word was "hockey".  I started playing at the age of 3 and have always loved the leafs. Over the past few years I have watched every single leafs game. And while I watch the games I have to be wearing this jersey, so as you can beleive there have been lots of happiness and dissapointment in this jersey. This jersey has also been one of my favourite jerseys to wear out on the outdoor rink. As a defenseman I really look up to Phaneuf, the captain of the Leafs and I think he is a great role model for hard working young defenseman. It is such a beautiful jersey too, nice classic look to it, with the laces stripes and 36 point leaf.

Jersey Collection Day three- Canucks

 Today is all about the 'nucks. The Vancouver Canucks. Well I will start off by saying that I got this jersey just before the finals because I wanted to cheer on the Canadian team despite being a huge fan of the Bruins. See I was in a dilema before the finals I am a Bruins fan (after the Leafs) but I really wanted to see a Canadian team win it ( that isnt montreal or Ottawa). It didn't really matter to me who won because I would be happy either way but i bought this jersey and watched game one and game two wearing the jersey from the seats at Boston Pizza. Both of the games, Vancouver won and I just had to cheer for the 'nucks. I was planning on putting a Finals patch on this jersey but since they lost I will have to wait. I then bought a patch for my Bruins jersey (see in a few days). This jersey should give me the memory of the year that Vancouver failed to win the Cup.

Jersey Collection Day two- Thrashers

This is one of my newest Jerseys that i got this summer for my Birthday. This isnt the same type of memory that I got like yesterdays but it is still a different memory. After the Thrashers had relocated to Winnipeg, me and my buddy were talking about getting a Thrashers jersey. I thought it was a cool idea because now they are technicly a "vintage" team and this is a "vintage" jersey. I told my mom that I wanted this jersey because of that and because I might not be able to get my hands on one again. She tried to call places to get the jersey and people laughed at her. She had finally found one and she lucked out because she got it for half the price. This is a cool memory because it is the a symbol of the death of the Thrashers and the birth of the Jets.

Weekend Mashup

Havnt got much to talk about lately so I want to throw everything together from
The last week in what I would like to call weekend Mashup (name subject to change).

NHL enforcer ex Canuck Rick Rypien passed away early last week. Police suspect suicide was the case. He had recently signed a deal with the Winnipeg Jets but had been battling Depression over the last few years due to injuries and the pressure of contract playing in the NHL. Family and friends had said that a few days before his death he had told them that he had overcome the Depression. He was 27.

NHL RDO camp was this week with some changes getting put to the test. Brandon Shannahan said that some of these changes might take effect during the pre-season to see how they might work with NHLers. Some of the changes might be the green line 3'' from the goal line for replays and a clear mesh on top and bottom
Of the net for replays.

Chris Drury retired this week after only 12 NHL seasons. He had spent time in Colorado where he won a cup, he had also spent time in Buffalo before heading off to New York. I feel that Drury might have retired just a bit too early but injuries and other issues made him quit while he was on top. I'm sure the Rangers organization was sad that he had to go because it is my understanding that they could be a ligitimate playoff team this year with the recent addition of Richards and also lundqvist is a very solid goalie and Marc Staal has some presence in the back end. Marion Gaborik and Ruslan Fedatenko And MDZ coming up, Chris Drury could have made some good vetran presence.

Last thing is the tv stations announced it's schedule for the season which really doesn't mean much but if you are a Leafs fan like me and can't stand Rogers Sportsnet and Leafs Tv well you are out of luck because RSN will be holding most of the leafs games this year and like always there will be one or two leafs games a month on LeasTV which sucks for most of the people who don't have it (like me) and they can't watch the game.
Have a good weekend!

Jersey Collection Day One! - Blackhawks

 I own a lot of Jerseys and all of them have a memory and a story to go with them. I think it would be cool to show my jerseys off with a little story to go with them. Everyday i will post a picture or two of my jersey with a little story to go with it. I hope you enjoy!

My first Jersey I want to show you is one of my prized  possesions. It is a Chicago Blackhawks authentic Toews jersey. I got it last summer on a familly trip to Chicago and i have a cool little story to go with it.
Shortly before I bought this jersey we were out at Harry Carreys restaurant enjoying a nice dinner. It was probably a little less than a month after the hawks had won the Cup. I noticed something outside the restaurant with a lot of people wearing hawks jerseys around this red carpet. I  started getting curious, we were just about to leave when i said wait a minute, I went up to the red carpet and just waited. I waited for a bit when I saw a limo show up. Out came Patrick Sharp (Chicao Blackhawk btw) and Brian Campbel. That was pretty cool. I was able to get up close enough to snap some pics, but the highlight of this was when Brett Hull, Terry Sawchuck and Stan Mikta. It was the coolest thing. I got to shake Stan Mikitas hand and my step dad and my mom were trying to convince me to ask Bobby Hull to sign my Sudbury Wolves hat. They wanted me to say that I was a good Canadian boy from Sudbury. Lets just say i couldnt ask him. It was definitly a cool experience and something I will never forget as long as I have this jersey. That is what is the best thing about my jerseys is that they all have some sort of memory attached to them and I love that.



R&D Camp.

First off I have been wanting to make a post on the Research and Development camp that happened over the past couple days. The R&D camp is a camp set up by the NHL to research and put possible new rules to the test while also developing and scouting out some of the best 17 year olds. This year a bunch of possible new rules/changes were put to the test. Some of the rules/chances included hybrid icing, clear top on the net and bottom for better camera views, a green line set 3'' past the goal line for video review, taking out the shootout and adding 3on3, and the last was curved stansions for safty. Now let me break it all down for you. Hybrid icing is something that has been discussed for a while now but the NHL just isnt ready to impliment it. What it is, is the referee has the choice to decide if the puck could be played as touch icing or no touch icing. This rule is to get rid of the many injuries that have resulted in touch icing. The reason why the NHL doesnt want no touch icing is because it slows down the game. It works in the CHL because it is already slower than an NHL game. The problem with hybrid is, where do you draw the line? There would be too many arguments betwenn the coaches and refs because he made the decision to call icing before it was touched. Coaches and GMs do not want this because it could put the team in jepordy sometimes because in an icings the team that got the icing , the faceoff is in thier own end and that team isnt aloud a line change this could result in a goal and the game. The clear top on the top of the net and side of the net is for video review so it is easier for the people conducting the review and it is also easier for the refs. Brandon Shannahan who put on the camp said that this could be a possibility durring the pre-season. That and the green line (shown in picture above) has a chance of making it in the NHL this season. The green line indicates that the puck has fully crossed the line, it is also for video review. The last one i will talk about is the 3on3 after 4on4 overtime. The 3on3 would replace the shootout, this is my favourite because I hate the shootout. I think it is stupid that an entire team could battle hard for 65 minutes for the game to be decided by only one guy.  The 3on3 ccould be exciting because there would be so much more room and open space for players to skate with the puck. It would be exciting to watch three players try and work together with so much room. It would almost feel like pond hockey. All of these are just thing that the NHL is consideringfor changes in the future but there isnt a good chance that any of them would actually make it into the game. and just as the name implies, its "Research" so dont take any of what i said and think that it will all happen next year.

RIP Rick Rypien

We lost another great canadian boy that got the privilage to play the game that we all love. Rick Rypien passed away yesterday in his home. Police are assumeing that the death was a suicide. Rick was known for having Depression amung friends and family because of the pressure and stress that was playing in the National Hockey League. Rypien constantly battled injuries through out his career in the pros which forced him to work harder but his effort came up empty handed. The players that played with rypien said that he was a small guy that packed a big punch and was more of the enforcer on the team. Police still are not sure what the cause of death is but they think it could have been suicide because he had told friends and familly days earlier that he had overcome depression. I think that is a red flag but nothing can be done now. Rypien was the second enforcer to die this summer. Derek Boogard who was a member of the Rangers was given oxycoton unprescribed by his brother before partying that night. Boogard was also found in his home. Aaron Boogard was his brother who gave the oxycoton to him and Aaron was later charged because he was held responsible for his death. Aaron was charged about a month after he got a standing ovation in Minnesota at the draft when he made the pick for the Rangers. It is really sad to me that these amazing hockey players have died. Thoughts and prayers go out to all of the famillies. It is really too bad that we have to find out this way that our heros are human too.

Which city is most Likly to get an NHL team?

Last night me and my buddy were talking about future teams that might make the move to other cities or just cities that might get an NHL team in the next few years. Last year TSN had a show talking about the cities that are most eligible for an NHL team. Now I will take a bunch of cities the NHL is looking at to expand or relocate.

Hamilton- First off we have Hamilton that has been in talks a lot in the past few years about getting an NHL franchise and they have an NHL sized rink ready to do it. The problem is it had its problems in the past with Jim Balsilie trying to move the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton. Gary Bettman wasn't too pleased with Balsilies aggressiveness. The other huge problem Hamilton poses is that it is too close to Toronto and Buffalo and these two cities would not be happy with Hamilton stealing a huge chunk of it's fans. The last thing about Hamilton and I will say this with the other Canadian cities too is that it is too soon after Winnipeg for another Canadian team. I'm sure Bettman wants to wait and see how Winnipeg ends up before he puts another team in Canada.

Quebec City- Quebec City in my mind is going to be the next Canadian city to get an NHL team. After a long absence from the NHL and an old Collise that is now home to the Quebec Ramparts, Quebec is finally going to build a new rink with help from the Federal government. The new arena if being built would be built by 2015 and if you read my post yesterday about the Islanders their lease for the rink expires in 2015. This would be a great opportunity for a relocate. Like I said before Bettman probably wants to wait before he gives another Canadian city a team and to me that timing could be perfect.

Halifax- I've heard rumors from people who want Halifax to be an NHL city but I just really don't think it could happen, not in the next few years at least. I spoke to a buddy of mine from Nova Scotia and he said that Halifax Mooseheads games are rarely sold out and he doesnt believe it would be an NHL city either. What I believe is that it just isn't a big enough market to have a legitimate team that will make the league lots of money. It doesn't always go to the city that most deserves it, it would go to the city that would make the most money. And that is what it comes down to, believe it or not it's a business game. The situation down in phoenix is like my buddy Alex Sifton said "High risk, High reward" Gary Bettmans job is to expand the game and make more money. By having a team in Pheonix he hoped that he would create fans in and around the area those new fans would then spend money on games and merchandise. Thus expanding the hockey universe. If a team were to pop up in Halifax where fans already spend money and buy merchandise then the people would continue not really making much more money. Look at places like Tampa Bay or California where hockey really shouldn't be but thriving, an example of High risk High reward.

Kansas City- This is a city that has been high up on the NHLs list to expand/relocate. They have been looked at a lot lately and I believe that now Winnipeg is done, Kansas City is the next place for a team. Kansas City had a team just 40 years ago I believe, and the NHL is willing to give them another shot. I am not too sure but I think that KC has an NHL sized rink ready to go for a return to the NHL. Now that Phoenix really only has one more year in the NHL, KC would be a quick fix to ship them to.

Seattle- I've heard rumors of an NHL sized rink to be built in Seattle in the next few years. Personally I do not know much about Seattle other than the fact that the feed a good portion of the Vancouver Canuck fans and I also see that WHL teams have been very successful in and around Seattle. The other thing to that would be the Vancouver Canucks organization would not be happy with loosing lots of customers.

Los Vegas- Vegas is my final city and a city that has many Pros, and many cons to an NHL in the city. First of all the pros are that many Canadians visit Los Vegas each year for all of the shows and gambling, and what better show than an NHL game! I think it would be a big market for the NHL but the problems could prove costly. As professional as they are, hockey players could have way too much fun in Vegas and that could be a problem not only for the team but for the League. I feel
Like for all the money it could make the league it could do more harm than good to an innocent Canadian sport. 

Mid-Summer- Islanders new home?

It has been one month since I last made a post on my blog and in the hockey world a lot has happened. I added a twitter feed to my blog to track my tweets about some of the summer signings, and if you are a religious reader of the blog and I know that no one is but if you were you could have tracked the things that have gone on this summer. In the future for those readers I will tweet when I hear something and isn't really post worthy. That you can find on the right side bar.
Now for the reason why I write this blog, some political hockey nonsense. Big news last week on Long Island when the New York Islanders put a vote together people living in the region. The vote was for the team to borrow tax money from the government to build a new rink. The lease was over in 2015 for the current rink called Nassau Collisium. There have been talks for Yeats about the Islanders getting a new rink to appeal to the fans and to bring in a bigger crowd. Islanders players were on twitter the weeks prior to the vote encouraging the fans and the people of Long Island to vote yes.
The vote happened last Monday and ended up leading to a Non decision (always seams like the oui/non votes end up that way). My thoughts on this doesnt really have to do with islander fans not wanting a new rink because they do, it's just the fact that there aren't enough Islander fans to go against the non islander fans. Well it's that reason and the reason that with all this debt crisis thing that's going on in the states people just didn't want to spend tax payers money on an new hockey rink. I'm
Sure there are others reasons too but with all the media attention on this debt crisis. It was probably a bad time to have this vote. On a second note building new infrastructure creates more jobs which is better on the economy but I think it was more the fact that the money was being borrowed from the government while it was in a bit of a crisis. I also don't think that any Islander fans voted non in this vote, and if they did, they are idiots and the reason I say that is because with a new rink the league won't think twice about moving a team with a new rink but because they have an old team with not very many fans and that is not making very much money, they are in danger of being relocated and judging by the turnout that pack the Nassau coliseum of Nordique fans, The Nordique fans wouldn't mind this decent team on the rise with many good young players.

Happy Canada Day

Today is one of the best days of the year, Canada day is the one day a year that we can all be proud be Canadian and not look like idiots. It marks the begining of summer parties with BBQs and alcoholic beverages for 19 years+ hahaha. It is also the time to think about the amazing service men and woman risking their lives across the pond. I tell you i am so proud to be Canadian and I feel we have the greatest country in the world, and I am so happy to be living in this great country filled with hockey and Tim Hortons Coffee. But enough about that patriotic stuff. I want to tell you about three of my favourite Canadians in honour af this Great Day.
Wayne Gretzky is considered the greatest hockey player of all time and I will not argue, but he is also considered one of the best Canadian athletes of all time. He goes along with the whole "Canadian Boy" stereotype. He was just a rewally good guy. And what made him so liked in Canada was that he was like a little kid just living the Candian dream. I love Wayne Gretzky and i have since i was a little kid, and i never really understood why but because all my friends liked him and he was just the best. I was around when he was just retiring. During the 80s and 90s he was the face of Canada and everyone loved him, even when he left Edmonton for Los Angeles. I read some books on Gretzky because i was always interested in him and what he has done. Hockey is Canadas game and having Wayne Gretzky makes Canadian hockey that much better.

Bobby Orr is my favourite hockey player of all time. I know you are probably wondering why, because I am only 16 but I was always interested in him because he was old. but not only that he was a Boston Bruin and also a Defenseman. Since I was four years old I was a defenseman and I was also a bruin fan., so Orr was special to me. The biggest part of Orr was that he was from Parry Sound and he grew up only two hours away from me. I thought that was kind of special and that is why he was special to me. For Anyone who watched hockey during the 70s say that Bobby is the greatest and  anyone after say that Gretzky is but I just love Bobby Orr and he was great little small town boy who was signed at the age of 14.

Thirdly I want to talk about one greatest Canadians ever. Terry Fox is worldwide. For those who dont know, well first of all your an idiot but he was diagnosed with Cancer at a young age. Terry Fox was a star basketball player at his local highschool at the time before he had to get his leg amputated. When he got his leg amputated it did not stop him, he was inspired to fight against cancer. He was inspired because he watched others older and younger who also had cancer just give up. He wanted to give people something to fight for and not to give up. He was such a great person he inspired not just people with Cancer but everyone else. He decided to run from Newfoundland to British Columbia on one leg. His goal was to raise at least $1 from every canadian. He started in St. Johns with his buddy from back home who drove a van and that was it. He ran a marathon a day and ran through the maritimes through Quebec, Southern Ontario where he raised the most money but when he got to Thunder Bay, that was when he realized the cancer had spread. He had to stop his run and we went to the Hostpital were he later died. He has changed the face of Canada but also in Canadian sports and for cancer worldwide. To his name he has raised over $500 million since. I personally am inspired but this amazing person who ran on one leg and i think it is apsolutely amazing what he did. I asm very proud that he is a Canadian like me.

By the time I post this it will be July 2nd but hey thats ok too.

Free Agency Day 2011-Alex Sifton

One of the biggest days of the year for diehearts. This year isnt the strongest year, but there is a good depth. No star-power. Closest to star power would be Brad Richards, who is a #1 centre many teams would die for.

1. Philadelphia

Good day so far. Picked up some good role players, but there two notable pickups would have to be Max Talbot, and Jagr. These are two very good players and good signings for Philly. Although Talbot will help, i personally think that 5 years is to long of a deal. I was looking for more of a two year, or 3. Jagr went over to the KHL for 2 years, and is a little bit older, but still proved himself at the World Championships with Czech. I personally think that this is a solid deal for the flyers, and this will help their offensive numbers, especially with the departure of Richards, and Carter. The other player Philly has signed is Lilja. He is a big defencemen. The Flyers are also in pursuit of Brad Richards, and made a pitch to Brad, and his agent in Mississauga. Rating: B+

2. Montreal

has had a good day. Although they have only made 2 signings today, they were two important ones. Alex Auld, who was the back-up for Carey Price last season signed with Ottawa, so they needed to find a replacement. They found Peter Budaj. He played on Colorado last season, and was a good goalie out there who proved himself in the mile high city. This signing will help Carey Price for sure, because Budaj is a bit older, and has a couple more years of experience than Price. Also the Habs have picked up Erik Cole, a power forward who played for Carolina last season, and is a good key to Montreal's line-up. He got 52 points last season, and I think he would produce even more, if Martin put him on a line with Cammalleri and Gionta for example. He was in the shadows this past season because of Eric Staal doing his usual buisness, and Unreal Rookie, Jeff Skinner. The main reason he will help Montreal is the Habs don't really have a big winger, who can drive wide, and will go to the net to get some dirty goals. Rating: A-

3. Florida

They are under Dale Tallon. He is their GM. Most people don't realize that he was also the GM of Chicago, when they won the Cup Last year. Even since Draft week-end, they have been making big splashes, and Dale is acquiring bits of the Chicago team that won the Championship. Such as Brian Campbell, and Kris Versteeg. They are also acquiring veteran leaders such as Ed Jovanovski, and Theodore. These two members have been in the league for a long time and will help out with some of the younger players. I feel that Ed will help Gudbranson out next season , both being defencemen, and Gudbranson will be a rookie. Theodore will do the same with Markstrom, who will most likely be wearing a Panthers uniform. The panthers are going in the right direction because they have Huberdeau, and Grimaldi who are two elite prospects. Some other notable signings are Fleischmann, Upshall, and Goc. Rating B+

Here are my teams that are going in the right directions: Update on Richards: 5 teams have made a pitch to him. These teams are Philly, Toronto, Calgary, TBL, and LA.

Speaking of Tampa, Stammer still hasn't resigned with the Bolts. No doubt that he will resign!!!! No worries to all the lighting fans out there!!!

Canada Day is Tomorrow!

I'm sorry I haven't posted anything to the blog lately as I have been busy working, I am currently doing a summer job and I have been coming home way too tired to blog. Most of the news I have is old news, and stuff that big hockey fans already know but I felt I needed to update. The other day the Hockey Hall of Fame(HHF) announced it's inductees for 2011. The four inductees are Doug Gilmour, Joe Nieuwendyk, Ed Belfour, and Mark Howe. Three of which played for the Leafs and one who is Gordie Howe's son. Doug Gilmour is one the best leaf players to ever play the game, he is also regarded as the best captain Leafs captain ever for any leaf fan who didn't live during the 70s or has been sleeping the last 15 years. Joe Neiwendyk was also a leaf for a bit, he won the Stanley Cup three times for three different teams. The Eagle will also get inducted, he played for the leafs and was a big part of the team when I really started paying attention to the Leafs. He along with Joe won the Stanley Cup with Dallas. Mark Howe is the fourth to be inducted. He is the son of Mr. Hockey and played alongside him in the WHA. Howe was a very outstanding player on and off the ice. That's about all I've got for you right now, maybe more when the event actually happens after the HHF Game always hosted by the Leafs. 
Tomorrow is one of the best days of the year, Canada Day is the day to celebrate the greatest country ever. And what better way to celebrate Canada Day with Free Agent Frenzy. This year might not be as exciting as last year but the highlighter of this year is Brad Richards. We shall see what happens.
Also tomorrow if I am not busy I want to retire a blog post talking about some of the best Canadians that have changed this country.

JETS JETS JETS JETS!

I have been really busy just chillin and relaxing, and i did not really feel like posting anything yet. i mean hey it is summer. Anyways I watched the draft Friday night and it was very entertaining, Congrats to Nugent-Hopkins on being picked first overall. I had said Larson would be picked first but the days leading up TSN confirmed that Nugent-Hopkins would be for sure the number one, so there was no surprise there. Good job on Allister who predicted the first four right. The night wasn't very busy and there were not very many trades to move up and it seemed like the story of the draft for most GMs were that they got the man they didn't think would still be out there. There was lots of excitement around the Winnipeg team picking Jets as their new name. Honestly I did not think that they would go with that name but I am very happy that they did and went with the fan concensus. It would have been really awkward for a home crowd cheering JETS! JETS! JESTS! when the team was named Falcons or something. We all sort of knew that they would announce the name Jets as they named their pick but I am sure everyone watching held their breath when Cheveldayoff the new GM said "The Winnipeg Jets are proud to select...". I myself gave a few fist pumps and I'm sure so did many others. 
The greatest part of the draft was when the Aaron Boogard made the pick for the New York Rangers. Aaron Boogard was brother to the late Derrick Boogard who had recently passed away. Boogard was a member of the Rangers and recently Minnesota Wild. The draft was being held in Minnesota and when Aaron Boogards name was announced there was a standing ovation. It was easily the most touching part of the draft. It was truly really special and was amazing to see that support for the Boogy monster. 
My leafs did a good job in drafting very good young guys in the first round, one foreword and one d-man. Their third pick was Josh Leivo who is also a member of my hometown Sudbury Wolves. 
Aside from all the young guys being picked it also game teams opportunities to show off new jerseys which makes jersey freaks like me go crazy. Edmonton gave out their new white to their first overall. Florida unveiled a new red jersey that Panthers fans (all 20 of them) have been asking for a long time now. LA showed off the white version of the black jersey on the draft floor along with Nashville and those jerseys were leaked the day before but the ones on the floor had minor tweaks.
Other than all that it was pretty good and I'm sure I'm missing something but that should be good for now.

Can you beleive that Hockey has ended..... I cant

Leaked pictures of the new Preds jerseys

DECE!!!

After a big night last night with the most unexpected trophy going to Corry Perry. (No Disrespect but he didnt even think he was going to get it). It was a good night most of mine and Siftons predictions actually happened. NHL12 cover was released yesterday and lots of NHL video game fans will love Stamkos on the cover and I think its great it will be the first time seeing Stamkos in those beautiful jerseys before he actually wears them. Jay Mohr was a decent host last night and he was really funny especially in his 24/6 sketch. " Sid tell me about your first time" "Um well its kinda funny actually i asked him if he wanted to take his helmet off, i wasnt sure because i hadnt had much experience" AHH good times.

Anyways today lots of news spread the net. A few trades that happened in Philly only 30 min from each other. Philly shipped off Jeff Carter to Columbus for Jakub Voracek, first rounder and a third rounder. Then 30 minutes later Philly shipped captain Mike Richards to LA for Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds and a second rounder WOW!! but im not finnished, The reason why philly shipped these boys out was because they wanted cap space for Ilya Bryzgalov who they traed for a week earlier. Now here are my thoughts, I dont understand why Philly would trade away two of their best players and not only were they two of the best but they were a big part of the leadership of the team. They traded them for cap space to sign Bryzgalov for a 9 year deal at $51 million. What why? I understand they needed a goalie and that is the reason for the losses in the past two playoffs but why would you give away the core of your team and parts of the reason why you got there. I tell you they got good return in Schenn, Simmonds and Voracek but these are just young guys who could be great for you team in the future but it isnt a sure thing and could come back to bite them, but i doubt for a second Schenn is going to be a bust. LA is hoping for a great plyoff push next year and Richards it going to be a key role in them getting there and being there. A polayer like that going into LA you have to think will they want to bring him up to lead them to a Stanley Cup as Captain or will they keep Brown as Captain? The other return for the WEST was Carter, Carter will take the load off of Nash in Columbus and they hope to make it back to the playoffs.

The next thing that is not a big news story but it is for people who love Hockey jerseys will like the new identity of the Nashville Predators and mom if you are reading this, that jersey up there ^ would be cool as a birthday gift ( Sea Weber #6 btw).

 And the last thing i will talk about is the Draft tomorrow,if anyone has actually been reading my blog, then you would have seen the Draft predictions for the top ten, me and my buddys all posted our predictions and i think it will be interesting because no one really knows who will get picked first, and neither do we. It will be a big day for many 18 year olds and for the clubs, I also hope my Leafers will make a splash tomorrow, they hold the 25th and 30th pick (PHL and BOS). Winnipeg will make their first pick as a team but they will be nameless tomorrow. Their 7th overal pick (Jonathan Huberdeau) will wear a blank jersey wil the NHL sheild on the front. It is too bad that they will not be releasing the logo and jersey tomorrow but TSN said that the name of the club will be announced some time this weekend at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg.

2011 Mock draft - Allister

 2011 nhl entry draft top ten selections -Allister
 
 
1) Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-
This player has the potential to be a top scoring forward on what we see right now as the Edmonton oilers.  This would add the triple threat on the first line with Taylor Hall, Hopkins and Jordon Eberle.
 
1) 2) Gabriel Landeskog
2) After a very disappointing season for the Colorado they will be looking for some top six forward to fill the role of Milan heduk and Chris Stewart.  This would mean getting a goal scoring forward with a 30 goal potential who can help support matt Duechane or paul Stasny
3)  
4) 3) Jonathon Huberdeau
5)  
6) this player is a guy who can do it all.  He can kill penalty’s, power play and kill time at the end of a game.  This is what florida seems to lack in right now.  With the addition of a top line centre who they can start the build around for there future team.
7)  
8) 4) Adam larson
9) Adam Larson has shown in the world juniors and in the Swedish elite league that he can play physicle and dominate in the defensive zone.  This can be added to a very sloppy jersey defense last year.
5)  Ryan Murphy 
Murphy is a strong offensive defence man who in the OHL proved he can score and get assists.  This player would be a great blue line addition to NYI power play.
 
6) Sean Couturier
Ottawa has just started a rebuilding process and what better way to start it off with the addition of a top six forward who got 96 points in 58 games and also played for team Canada.
7) Dougie Hamilton
Winnipeg is a very young team that have a young growing blue line.  This could be great with a player who showed he can perform when it matters (the OHL playoffs).
 
8) Ryan Strome- top six forward that could ass some much needed depth to the Columbus team that does not have a centre to support rick Nash.
 
9) Nathan boulieu- is a gifted offensive defenseman that could develop into a young contributor to an ageing bruins d-line.
 
10) Mika zibanejad
Has the potential to be a two way power forward with soft hands.  This would be a good addition for a Minesota team who needs the addition of more top six forwards.

2011 Mock Draft- Maxwell

Mock draft
Edmonton Oilers- Adam Larson D
He is supposed to be the next Nick Lindstrom, with all of the stars up front why not have a future super star on the back end.

Colorado Avalanche- Ryan Nuggent-Hopkins C
He is the best foreword in the draft and he can't be passed up and any team in the top three could hit the jackpot.

Florida Panthers - Gabriel Landeskog LW 
He proved he wanted to work hard by coming over to the CHL and putting up big numbers. 

New Jersey Devils- Sean Couturier C
NJ won the draft lottery and moved up four spots and will hit the jackpot by picking up someone who was a projected #1  less than a year ago.

New York Islanders- Ryan Murphy D 
I think it would be stupid to let this guy past top 5 he is a really good offensive defencman. He will not be one to get in to the NHL right away and it will take time for him to develop but he will be a star

Ottawa Senators- Ryan Strome C 
The Sens want a star and they want one now, this guy is the best for what they got.

Winnipeg Jets- Jonathan Huberdeau C
First draftee of the new team and what a guy he is. He doesn't have a big background but scouts love him because he has potential and a late bloomer. 

Columbus Blue Jackets- Nathan Beauliau D 
He was a major part in bringing home the Memorial Cup. He is a big defenseman that is offensive but is also great on defense. 

Boston Bruins*Tor - Brandon Saad  LW 
Boston won the Cup on hard work and grit and that is exactly what they have in this hardworking player. 

Minnisotta Wild - Dougie Hamilton D 
Very large Defensman and a man that can help Minnisotta in the near future

2011 NHL Mock Draft-Sifton

Nugent Hopkins-oilers
1st line centre oilers have been waiting for. Very dynamic
Comparisons to Datsyuk

Adam Larsson- colorado
All around dman, can play in all situations
Comparisons to Lidstrom 

Langeskog- Florida 
Physiclly ready to play in the league. Solid all around centre
Comparisons to Mike Richards

Huberdeau- New Jersey
Can be a game changer, proved that at men cup
Comparisons to Sidney Crosby

Hamilton-islanders
Big defenseman, can hit, score, and provide leadership to his Niagra IceDogs
Comparisons to Jay Bouwmeester

Strome- Ottawa 
Can use his explosive speed and skill to produce offensively
Comparisons to Marian Gaborik

Couturier - Winnipeg
Solid power forward, good display of skill at the world juniors 
Comparisons to Lindros

Ryan Murphy- Columbus 
Small, but skilled dman. Very good power play quarter back. 
Comparisons to Ryan Ellis 

Mika Zibanejab- Boston 
Power forward, soft hands
Comparisons to Bertuzzi

Nathan Beaulieu-Minnesota 
Big strong dman, loves to move the puck 
Comparisons to Keith Yandle

Unanimous Decision

A unanimous decision for the NHL board of governors today as they decided to approve the deal to move Atlanta to Winnipeg. So no news today other than it has been officially official. Fans and me were hoping for a name and logo announcement today after the announcement was made but True North still has not budged in that announcement. I guess they are going by the fact that winnipegers have waited for 15 years for a new team, they can wait a few weeks before the name was announced. It seems like it keeps getting pushed back for fans. They were hoping that they would announce the day that it was official that Winnipeg was getting a team. Then we thought that the team would be named after 13,000 tickets were sold and then today. Now there are arguments that the team will have nothing to give their new draftee on Friday now sitting in the seventh spot. But the team could be looking for the right time to release the new jersey. My idea is that the team already has the name picked out. I also believe that they have the logo and jerseys ready too and they have had them ready for months now. The reason is because Reebok, who does all the jerseys must have them ready for next season and from my knowledge of NHL jerseys, reebok must have designs before April. Now here is what I think. There was speculation that True North didn't want to release the name when they had their official press conference because they wanted to sell 13,000 tickets before they released the name in case the fans didn't like it or didn't like that it wasn't Jets. This Friday at the Draft could be the best time to release the jerseys because all hockey fans will be watching and will make people want to buy jerseys because remember like Gary Bettman said for this to work. Winnipeg has to make lots of money.

Leafs continue to be active in the Summer

Leafs change their assistant coaches for next season. Keith Acton and Tim Hunter will be replaced by Scott Gordon and Greg Cronin. After the leafs have missed the playoffs for 6 seasons straight, the coaching staff will change once again, but after Brian Burke defended Ron Wilson by saying that he has done a good job job for the time he has been given. Brian Burke told media that he would not fire Ron Wilson but just today fired the assistant coaches and replaced them with Scott Gordon who was the head coach of the New York Islanders from 2008-2010 and he was also the Head Coach of the U.S national team in 2010 and 2011 plus he was the assistant coach to Ron Wilson during the 2010 Olympics. Greg Cronin has been recently the head coach of Northeastern University while also spending time in the worlds and the AHL.there has been a lot of talk about the Maple Leaf coaching staff lately and how it has not been the best in bringing a playoff team. It was smart for Burke to bring in these two guys because there needed to be some change but not too much because we want to build on the success we had at the end of last season. I like this idea of bringing in Gordon because he has had some success and experience with younger players and that is exactly what we need. The Leafs are very young and Gordon can help them gain experience, not only that but Gorgon was a goaltender who played in the olympics and the NHL. he can also provide guidance for James Reimer.

2011 NHL awards- Sifton

James Norris Trophy- Zdeno Chara

Calder Memorial Trophy- Jeff Skinner

Lady Byng Trophy- Martin St. Louis

Frank Selke Trophy- Ryan Kesler

Jack Adams Award- Alain Vigneaut

Bill Masterton Trophy- Ray Emery

Ted Lindsey Award/ Lester B. Pearson Award- Corry Perry

Messier Leadership Award- Zdeno Chara

NHL Foundation Award- Mike Green

Here are my predictions for the NHL awards in Las Vegas

NHL Awards Predictions- Maxwell

Now that the season is complete it is time to hand out the Awards, the Awards are in Vegas once again this year and i am here to make some predictions. My buddys will also post thier predictions so we can have different views on who will win, plus there is a little bit of bragging rights attached to it too. Out of the 11 awards there are 3 or four nominees and i pick one of them. Here are my predictons.

Hart Memorial Trophy- Daniel Sedin
Vezina Trophy-Tim Thomas
James Norris Trophy- Zedano Chara
Calder Memorial Trophy- Jeff Skinner
Lady Byng Trophy- Martin St. Louis
Frank Selke Trophy- Ryan Kesler
Jack Adams Award- Barry Trotz
Bill Masterton Trophy- Ray Emery
Ted Lindsey Award/ Lester B. Pearson Award- Corry Perry
Messier Leadership Award- Zedano Chara
NHL Foundation Award- Mike Green

Bruins Win The Cup!!!

I wanted myself to calm down first before I wrote the post on game 7. First of all I am done my exams and now I can focus on more important things. The game a few night ago is going to be one I will remember for a long time and people will talk about it for a long time. I have to be honest although I am a Boston fan (after the leafs of course) I still wanted Vancouver to win. There is a sense of pride in bringing the cup back to Canada. I was a little upset at the outcome but I was still happy because my Bruins won. It was one crazy game in a sense that it wasn't crazy but just more the lack of intensity. I was getting so angry at the Canucks because they were playing horribly, they were not getting many chances and it didn't seem like they were even trying that hard. I didn't understand, this was game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals. Thomas made the saves he needed to make and he fully deserved the Conn Smythe for his consistency and hard work. Everyone blamed Luongo but he didn't play too bad because the goals that were scored were not fully his fault. I am giving him a little too much credit since it wasn't his team that left with the Cup. Boston fully deserved this cup and I am really happy they won because they played really well all series. They were never blown out in Vancouver and those games could have easily gone the other way. The cup went to the team that worked the hardest and played the best. It also helps to have an amazing goalie. The thing I loved about the last game was that the refs kept their whistles in their pockets. There were only two to three penalties called the entire game when usually there should've. The refs let the two teams play hockey and allowed the better team to win. The part that really touched me the most was the end when the award ceremony happened. The Vancouver fans stayed and boo'd Gary Bettman but when Chara accepted the Cup there were huge cheers and applause that came from the Vancouver fans. This really shows the class of the Vancouver fans and the Canadians. In the states for the past few years that respect was not given. It wasn't until the next morning when I heard about the streets of Vancouver. I must tell you that you shouldn't believe everything that the media tells you. There are legitimate anarchists that come out and use these huge events as  an excuse to screw around and break windows and burn cop cars. With the thousands of people in the streets this was a perfect opportunity for thaws people to go out because the huge crowd would keep them safe and they would be able to do this without getting in trouble. You have to understand, most of the people who were rioting were not even Vancouver Canucks fans. I do agree that there might have been some drunk fans who saw others and wanted to have fun also but for the most part 'nucks fans have class and it is too bad that these idiots hurt their rep. At the moment that is all I have to say but soon is the NHL Awards in Vegas and that should be a fun time, I will make predictions for that and right now I am working on a mock draft for the upcoming NHL draft.

Hit on Raymond

I have another hit to talk about, I love writing about these stories but I wish I didn't have to. Last game Mason Raymond was sent into the boards awkwardly by Johnny Boychuk with only a few seconds into the game. It was one of the weirdest hits I have seen. Raymond was facing out while bent down when Boychuk drilled him into the boards. From replays you could tell that his back crunched and he laid on the ice for minutes almost paralyzed and was not able to put much weight on his legs while his team mates took him off. He left the rink on a stretcher and stayed in hospital when the doctor said he fractured his vertebrae. The hit was a little late and the puck was no where near Raymond when he got hit but he just went into the boards awkwardly. It is really too bad that Raymond got injured and they expect him to be out for four months at the best. But here is where the controversy begins, Boychuk never got a penalty for the late interference hit and he didn't get a suspension either. Boychuk should know by now about those types of hits, from a young age we all learn how to properly hit and we know we should be careful in what they call "The Danger Zone" that we should not be engaging in awkward hits in that zone. The fact is I know that the game is played at a fast pace but you also have to think, the hit happened in the first few seconds of the game. I also understand that Boston was excited and wanted to make a statement early but that is no excuse. You must be careful this is a fast game and believe it or not these guys do have respect for each other out there but the main priority is safety. I cannot believe that Boychuk did not get suspended for this incident, even the TSN panel backed up the decision not to suspend him. I mean hits like those lead to injury and just because we are trying to eliminate hits to the head and it wasn't a hit to the head doesn't mean that they shouldn't suspend him. Not only that but they suspended Aaron Rome on the hit on Horton in game three for four games and the fact that they didn't suspend Boychuk is just stupidity. It's not even about making it fair anymore it is about the game of hockey and keeping everyone safe. It can be frustrating when stuff like that happens, especially for Vancouver getting embarrassed on the road three times but not only that but these finals have been the biggest gong show ever and while the game on wed should be good it will be a hard fought blue collar game it's not what we are used to on Chicago, Pittsburgh or Detroit. But none the less Vancouver will be down a very important player and so will Boston and I think this game will be the game that makes everyone forget about the rest of the series and yes that means that I think the Cup is coming to Canada (whether you interpret that as Vancouver or the Canadian players on Boston is up to you).

Leafs Re-Sign

Carl Gunnarsson was re-signed by the Leafs today for two years, not sure yet for how much yet. Gunnarsson was on a rookie contract this year after playing a few years in Sweeden. He was picked 189th overall in 2007. He has been a great defensman for the leafs tha past two years. Looks like we got a Detroit type draft pick.

Game 6 tonight

Game 6 starts tonight and it will be a good one. Both teams are ready to give it their all. It is all or nothing for the Bruins. Expect both teams to play as if it is a game 7. Those who are saying that Vancouver doesnt really care about this game because they can just go home and win game seven must pause. Just remember the three games that have been in Vancouver this sereis. 1-0, 3-2, 1-0, those were close games and anything can happen. Last night the Dallas Mavricks won the NBA title it was in five games after being down 2-0 in the series. This has been the first time since 2003 (i beleive) that the NBA finals ended before the NHL. Another fact is that whatever team won the title would win the MVP trophy, the mavs won so Dirk won MVP but if the heat won then Lebron would have won. I think we have the same situation here with our finals. Whatever team takes the title whether it be tonight or wed. that team will also claim the Conn Smythe. Luongo for Vancouver and Thomas for Boston. If Boston wins the Cup this year it will be the second time in as many years that an Original six team will break their 40+ cup drought (1972 was last), and if Vancouver wins they will win on their 40th aniversary and will be the first time since Anaheim in 07 that a franchise will wins its first Stanley Cup.

P.S i am forcing my buddy to do the recap of this game so expect something not from me tommorow

Update

First off I will apologize because I have not posted recaps for the last two games but me and my buddy have been so busy with exams we just have not had the time. For the most part there hasnt even been much other than the two games to talk about so i will give you a really short update incase you live in a hole but mostly to get another post on my blog. So as you all should know Boston won game 4 and Vancouver won game 5 and the next game is tommorow in Boston. Both teams have played very well at home while also not playing very well away. And after Vancouver got embarrassed in Boston, they went home and regrouped. I feel like Game six will be the best game yet. Vancouver got their shit together and wont back down next game. There was lots of debate in the media about starting Luongo for game five but the team didn't hesitate with leaving Luongo in. In my opinion it was great that Luongo started because if ge hadn't. There would be no going back because he would just be lost, but if you give him the opportunity to go back home and start over. It turned out great for Luongo because ge won with a shutout. I'm sure the first time Vancouver went into Boston they were a little cocky going in with the 2-0 series lead. You can bet that this time it will be different. I'm starting to like this series because it's different. I thought that it would be the best series ever at the beginning but now I think that it will be one of the most memorable, and it isn't even over yet. The two teams have started some sort of Rivalry and I like it t, the jawing the fighting the biting. Even Thomas and Luongo have been exchanging words through the media. It is always great to see these two teams fight this hard. It is so competitive and I love to see the passion and drive to succed. You know these guys want this and they wont give up. It is always great hockey when that happens and I love it.

ESPN announced a report the other day saying that the NHL is postponing the Heritage Classic next season. I would be very disappointed if this was true. I love outdoor hockey and it always makes me upset when the NHL keeps having the games in the states when every year there is allways concerns with the weather. Last year in Calgary no one ever had concerns for the weather. No one knows why the NHL is thinking of canceling it this year. Another note on that is we could have another candidate for a heritage Classic next in in Winnipeg in the Blue Bombers Stadium. And last note is that there is speculation that the Winter Classic will be in Philadelphia against the Rangers. And yea I have lots of provlems with that but we will leave today's update at that. Goodnight.

Reims signs extension deal

1 800 Reim Stoppers, Optimus Reim, Reim Minister of Defense are names given to Leafs goalie James Reim but now you can start calling him multi million dollar Reimer. Yea it doest have a good ring like the others but he nor the rest of the Maple Leafs organization care. Today Reimer signed a three year $5.4 million dollar deal. Reimer played absolutely amazing last year for the leafs taking the starting role from Giguere in the second half of the season. He was consistant and made some of the best saves I have ever seen in my life. Reimer deserves this deal more than anyone after winning most games for the Leafs last year. There has been lots of criticism from the media talking about how he will not be as good next year but Don Cherry and I believe that he will be even better. Last year Reimer was quoted saying that he doesnt think he deserves the $600,000 for playing hockey while people are working a lot harder and not even making half as much. Players and staff say that he is a really nice kid. If Reimer stays consistent and plays well and works hard this offseason, there is no reason why he can't be the number one goalie for the Leafs and also be one of the best in the League. 

Hit on Horton

Hit on Horton 
Alright so everyone has been talking about the late hit on Nathan Horton the other night. I have heard fans from both sides of the spectrum but here are my thoughts after watching the game live. Nathan Horton skated through the Neutral zone made a pass, watched it took a few strides then he got hit by Vancouver defenseman Aaron Rome. I saw the hit about ten times after and then ten times this morning. Here are my thoughts on the actual hit. The hit was a clean hit from the shoulders to the chest of Horton. There was no contact with the head. The hid was clean but it was very late and that is why Rome got the interference penalty but the reason why he got a Game Misconduct was because of what happened after the hit. Horton was moving really really fast and then he had collided which forced a fast stop and a swing back of the neck. Because he stopped with such a huge force the force coming back forced his neck back. That is why we saw the neck snap back which is why everyone thought it was a hit to the head.  But we can't fully blame Rome for Horton's injury. Nathan Horton watched his pass as he skated through the neutral zone which made him unaware of the hit. As a professional hockey player you should know but that is easy for me to say right now while he is sitting in a hospital bed. Now do I believe that Rome deserved that four game suspension that would put him out for the rest of the series? Well I do for the reason because the NHL is trying to get rid of hits like these and also getting rid of injuries. This would be a great way of the NHL sending a message to all the players, coaches, referees and staff. It really sucks for Rome because he has to sit out for four games now because of a clean hit that was a few seconds too late. But then it really sucks for Horton to miss the rest of the finals. So you have to look at it both ways to be fair. Both teams are down a player so it seems fair. 

Anyone that wants to make a comment please do below 

Speechless

Speechless
Wait a second were we watching a Stanley Cup finals game or a lopsided AHL exhibition game. I mean come on. I wanted more goals but not like that. I am a leafs fan at heart but more importantly I love watch good Hockey and that was not good hockey. The game was spirited thanks to Aaron Rome's hit on Nathan Horton (TSN turning point) after that hit the game just seemed to get good. The Bruins were pissed especially Thornton, there were tons of great scoring chances and Luongo was stopping everything (at the beginning of the game). it was great. Boston finally scored after Vancouver killed off a five minute penalty but it was inevitable that Boston would score. But something went wrong, somewhere between watching the game and studying for my exam Luongo decided to stop saving shots while Timmy continued to role around in his crease somehow saving shots. And all of a sudden some sort of GongShow ensued. There were scrums in the corner with Lucic feeding his fingers to Burrows and there was also the very rare fight in the Stanley Cup finals. Well I think if you watched the game you know what happened after that and can probably explain it better than I can but what in the hell happened? Luongo completely lost it, would have been better to have Toskala or Raycroft in net. The whole team blew it though. Brandon Shanahan has been on the job for only a few days now and he has had to make some important decisions. Let's hope he makes the right one tonight and he will learn quickly that he can never make everyone happy in this job, and I don't think free Dove for Men will help either ( inside joke don't worry if you don't get it). The rest of the game just refer to the title.

Hey Craig Hartsburg made his return to the NHL with an assistant coaching job in Calgary. The Yotes also signed Labarbara(G) to a two year deal.

Just a thought

This is more of a comment, I have been thinking about it since the end of game one in the Stanley Cup Finals this year. This sport has had a history of slow stupid uninteresting hockey. I have always been interested in the history of hockey. People always argue about where hockey played it's first game. I personally think that the first game was at McGill in Montreal (yea I know damn habs) and here is the reason why I believe that, that was the first place to hold a hockey game. The McGill rugby team decided to get some sticks and a rubber disc and slap it around between two wickets. The interesting part about that was for the first 30 years the players could not pass the puck forewards just like rugby. This as you can tell made hockey very slow. It wasn't until the 1910s when two brothers Lester and Frank Patrick wanted to change the game so they created the Pacific Coast Hockey League. But the rules that they changed were that Goalies were aloud to dive and fall on the puck and they also aloud players to pass the puck forward. These guys were true visionaries and they completely changed the game forever. Let's jump ahead to the 70s the time of the Broad Street Bullies. These goons changed the game by slowing it down a lot. They proved that you didn't need much skill to win a hockey game, just a strong right hand. Remember these were the guys that slowed down THE RED ARMY! these guys were hit and smashed so hard they quit. Just recently the NJ Devils created the deadliest defense ever. The trap with Scott Stevens, Scott Neidermayer, and Martin Brodeur. These guys single handedly won them the cup three times. All they had to do was score one goal and they would win the game. They lived by "defense wins championships" and hell it did. But now we have Team Thomas vs. Team Luongo forget Chara, forget Kesler, forget the Sedins. It's a goalies final.

Game 2 recap Part. 1

Remember last year in the finals when Niemi and Leighton were the starting goaltenders. We all thought that the role of the goalie in the playoffs wasn't how it used to be and that you didn't need a great goalie to win the Cup. Well I guess Luongo and Thomas have proved us all wrong this year by stealing the show. For anyone else that believes that the finals this year have been really boring, you can thank those two. And well you can also say that it has been quite slow because of the defense on both sides and the lack of offense. Boston wins games with defense and while Vancouver finds ways of getting things done offensively, they have not done so thus far. Apart from the lone goal coming with 18 seconds to go in the first goal and the game winning goal 11 seconds into overtime not much excitement going on. Let's expect this to continue on throughout the finals if Vancouver keeps winning then "don't fix what ain't broke". Boston really needs to step it up for when they go home on Monday to play game 3. The main problem I'd seen with Boston was that they were not moving their feet, they didn't want the puck and as Don Cherry said Vancouver just skated by the boston defense sometimes but they were just stopped by Thomas. Timmy needs to learn to stay in his crease, he was easily 3-4 feet out when 
Burrows faked around him and scored the gwg. 

In other news today Winnipeg completely sold out their season ticket drive in less than 10 after tickets were being sold online. The name of the team will probably be announced in the next few days now. True North also got rid of Rick Dudley today and are now looking for s new coach and GM. 

2011 Scouting Combine

The NHL scouting combine has been taking place for the last two days in Toronto. This event gives the best draft eligable players the oportunity to show the scouts and General Managers of the NHL teams what they've got. Yesterday was Interview day where the top players met up with each NHL team to discuss their intentions for the future. This is a long and intimidating day for these prospects who meet up with their future bosses. Today was the Combine, where the prospects did pushups, situps, standing vertical jump and standing long jump. Some of the main prospects at the Combine that scouts are focusing on are Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Adam Larson, Jonathan Huberdeau, Sean Couturier, Gabriel Landeskog,  Ryan Strome and Ryan Murphy. Each of these players are trying to increase their ranking in the NHL Central Scouting. It is interesting because some scouts think that the Combine doesnt change their views on the players on ice performance and stats. Some players even opt out of the Combine with the opinion that it is useless. Taylor Hall last year days after he won the Memorial Cup for the second year in a row opted out of the combine. At the moment I am working on a mock draft for the blog. I should be finnished before the Draft at the end of June. I will give each team starting with Edmonton (Ending hopefully with Vancouver woot!) a player who I think they would/should pick.

Update

Update 
Lots of news floating around but none big enough for a single post so let's just have a Thursday night update. First of all like I said this is going to be a lot of work so what I did was I brought in my buddy to help me out with some posts. He will mostly be doing game recaps for the Stanley Cup Finals. This will still be my blog, but it will be good to have other input as well. 

So there was some stupid controversy after last nights game when Alex Burrows bit the finger of Patrice Bergeron. Media thought he should be suspended but the league made the right call and said that there was no real evidence that Burrows bit Bergeron's finger. I think it is stupid that they would even have to think about suspending him. I mean it's not like there was intent to injure because he was biting his finger not slashing him across the head.
The Dallas Stars announced that they will not be resigning Brad Richards. This will leave him open for free agency on July 1st. Being a Leafs fan, this could be the man we have been looking for, Brad Richards is a top center man who is able to work with the team around him and especially younger players. He could be the veteran presence we need and also someone who has won a Cup (TBL '04). The main and most important problem  is that he cost way too much money and the Leafs are bot willing to pay that at this time. He will Likely end up in the Rangers organization for the next few years. Last years Kovalchuk will be this years Richards.
Roman Polack was resigned by the St. Louis Blues for five years at $13.5 million. Polack is a defenseman who is very consistent for the Blues. He is an important player with an important role, he never gets much attention which is great because that means that he is never making any mistakes. Police knows his role on the team he has played for the blues since he was drafted by them. Most teams don't have any of these players and they are a key part of a hockey team. The blues are lucky to secure him for five more years. 
Winnipeg is now focusing on trying to sell seasons tickets in the last two days the Winnipeg team has already sold over 4,000 seasons tickets. True North is pushing for 13,000 before the end of June. 
And finally Crosby is finally getting ready for next season. He was just cleared to start off ice workouts. He has been sidelined since getting a concussion in early January during and after the Winter Classic. 

Game 1 Recap

The first game of the finals was a both exciting and boring game. Last night I watched the game from Boston Pizza with a bunch of my buddies. And when I wasn't focus in on wolfing down pizza and wings I was focused in on the game. The game didn't turn out the way I predicted but  I somehow knew that it wouldn't. Both teams played very conservative it was slow at times with maybe a few good hits here and there. Both teams were very defensive and the goalies both put on a show. Luongo made an amazing save early on. The very few scoring chances were easily picked off by the goalies. Vancouver was able to kill of the many and long penalty kills while their power plays were decent. A lot of dump and chase was made by Vancouver and most of the time their player was the first one on the puck which was good but he usually went in alone and was not able to create any offense from it. In my opinion neither team played all that well. It was almost as if the Neutral zone was an "Extreme Caution Zone". It wasn't until the last 18 seconds of the game that someone went through the blueline with speed. Raffi Torres tips in a pass with 18.5 to go in the game. He score the only goal of the game and the third of the playoffs.

Colin Campbell stepping down

With all the news coming from the NHL you would think that it would mostly be about the Finals going on. But it has proved to be not so. Today Colin Campbell, the Head Disciplinarian of the NHL is stepping down and handing over the reigns to ex-NHLer Brandan Shanahan. Colin Campbell has been criticized this season for not being fair in handing out suspensions after the league had implemented a head shots rule at the beginning of the season. The most criticism came after Gregory Campbell's (Colin Campbell's son) hit to the head. The suspension was thought to be handed out unfairly. I think that professionally It is hard for him to have a job when personal issues can be involved. Professionally He should have stepped down before he embarrassed himself, his son, and the league. Campbell will still retain his job as Director of Hockey Operations. Bettman agreed that 13 years in that position was a long time and there needed to be change. The man who will be taking his spot is a very smart man, with all of the insight and ways that he has been trying to change the game for the better since he retired. Shanahan should fit great in this role because he is still quite young and understands the modern game that is todays NHL. In the last year Shanahan pitched an idea for the All Star Game, which was to introduce a draft. The idea was taken well and it was eventually implemented. This was one of the first times that Shanahan stepped up, and the board of governors must have liked him. Shanahan will start the job next season.

Trade

Rangers Acquire

Tim Erixon

5th round

Flames Acquire

Roman Horack

2nd round

2nd round

Game 1 tonight

The Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks faceoff tonight in game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals at 8PM Eastern time on CBC. Now this is the Stanley Cup finals and as i said before i wouldn't be doing much predicting but it is the Finals so why not. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a diehard Leafs fan but i had always put the Bruins second. This year for some reason i feel like i should cheer for the 'nucks. It could be because they are Canadian and i desperatly want a Canadian team to win, or it could be because I truely beleive that they should win the Cup because they have a great team and realy deserve the Cup this year. It is actually amazing I watched the Chicago-Vancouver series in the playoffs for the past three years and for the first two years i cheered for Chicago. It has been the best hockey I have ever seen in my life, and as a fan it is awesome to watch. But after the Hawks won the Cup last year ( and got rid of most of their team) I felt it was Vancouver's turn at a shot for the Cup. The two years prior Vancouver was still a very good team , and coming out of those series' with the Hawks, they just got better. This season they proved that they we not going to stop pushing with a Presidents Trophy and their momentum didn't stop durring the playoffs. They proved that they were a Cup winning team by just blowing through the playoffs. Every part of their team goaltending, defence, offense, special teams, faceoffs, every aspect of the game was untouchable. the only flaw in the 'nucks I saw in the last round was taking penalties. Vancouver took way too many stupid penalties. I am not sure if it was just the refs in this series because even the sharks took penalties but in the Bruins-Lightning series there was no penalties at all. Boston will come in and play a hard game but i still think that Vancouver is the better team. Thomas is an amazing goalie and it would be tough for Vancouver to get goals but as long Boston won't take any penalties, then they should be fine. The score of the game tonight will be 6-2 for Vancouver.