NHL

NHL and other hockey related posts.

Hey Tim, thanks for showing up

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Tonight’s Bruins-Rangers game was somewhere in the limbo that exists between a catch-22 and a win-win scenario. On one hand, a Rangers win all but eliminates the Maple Leafs and makes Carolina’s mountain that much steeper. On the other hand, a Boston win would keep the Sabres in seventh place and knock off another game for the Rags and giving Buffalo a magic number of three.

Well, Tim Thomas let in three pretty bad goals as the Bruins gave up a three-goal lead and took one on the chin, 5-3 to the Rangers. Looking at the whole situation I’m happy the Rangers won. I think Zdeno Chara is a scummer and I enjoy seeing him lose. The same goes for Brad Marchand, Gregory Campbell and Milan Lucic. Besides, one loss for the Rangers doesn’t do all that much for the Sabres’ hopes. If the Canes lose Wednesday, that is a whole different story.

Still, the fact that the Bruins folded like a tent after building a three-goal lead isn’t a good sign for them. Not to mention, their Vezina Candidate didn’t make any big saves for them when they needed it. Actually, he didn’t make many saves at all, whether they were routine or big saves.

For my money I don’t know if I want to see the Bruins in the first round. The Capitals are the best matchup on paper but the Sabres don’t play them too well. That leaves the Flyers who are backing their way into the playoffs themselves. If it came down to the Bruins or Flyers, I would take the Bruins. The Flyers’ size and depth scares me more than the thought of having to exorcise demons from last years playoffs.

The magic number

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The magic number is four. If the Sabres gain four points over the Hurricanes over the next few days, Buffalo will have secured a playoff bid.

The Sabres enter tomorrows game against Tampa Bay with a three point lead over the Canes. A Buffalo win, coupled with a regulation loss by Carolina, will keep the Canes from catching up in the playoff race. There are your four points. Continue reading →

Could the Fiesta Bowl be no more?

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This just in, a major member of the BCS is corrupt. You already knew that? Ok, nevermind.

It seems as if some mega-corruption on the part of the Fiesta Bowl has the future of the game in jeopardy. That has led some to question if that will affect the potential sale of the Coyotes. Continue reading →

Happy Anniversary Ron

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20 years ago Ron Tugnutt made 70 saves against the Boston Bruins. I can speak for Derek Plante when I say I’m glad he wasted most of them that night. But to be serious, what a game by Tugnutt that night.

Zdeno Chara almost killed someone

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Last night Zdeno Chara, in an attempt to rub out Max Paciortetty, just about killed the Canadiens forward. See below:

Due to the severity of the injury and how viscous the play was, I think that Chara probably deserves a game or two suspension. Bob McKenzie has a similar viewpoint, which I agree with. It does look like he knew what he was doing as they approached the stanchion because his arm does come up a the last moment.

Was this more than likely a bad coincidence? Yes. But based on the severity of the play, you need to continue setting the precedent that head shots and dangerous plays have no place in the game.

I will say this, for the people saying Chara isn’t a dirty player. I have watched him enough to see that he takes as many liberties as he possibly can. Maybe he doesn’t take it to the level that Chris Pronger does, but he still takes his fair share of cheap shots.

Trade deadline winners and losers

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In the words of comic book guy, “Worst. Deadline. Ever.”

It was a very slow day with only 16 trades completed. The final hour gave up the biggest names as GMs across the league put in their final offers on different packages.

Dustin Penner was part of the biggest trade of the 2010-11 deadline.

The biggest trade of the day saw Dustin Penner sent to LA for Colten Teubert, a first-round pick and a conditional pick. Quite a bit to pay, but likely the right price for the Kings. Continue reading →

Early look at the deadline

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Thus far it has been a very quiet and very disappointing deadline day.

Since the Boyes deal went down yesterday it doesn’t actually count as a deadline deal. Thus far there have been two trades moving five players and two picks today. Both have involved the Florida Panthers.

The Panthers appear to be selling as they shipped Radek Dvorak to Atlanta for Niclas Bergfors and Patrick Rissmiller. They later traded Dennis Wideman to Washington for a pick and a prospect (Jake Hauswirth).

Hopefully the final two hours bring some action to the table.

Craig Rivet claimed by Columbus

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Craig Rivet’s time in Buffalo is officially over. He was claimed off re-entry waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets today (per TSN).

Sabres fans can breathe easy knowing that there is now a spot on the roster for another player. I, for one, am sorry to see him go. He was a wise acquisition in 2008. Unfortunately, injuries and the speed of the game hampered his ability.

Hopefully he will get some minutes with the Jackets, he certainly deserved a better fate than sitting in the press box watching Andrej Sekera turn the puck over all night.

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Also picked up on waivers today: Marco Strum (LA to WAS) and Nick Boynton (CHI to PHI).

A few players of note who were put on waivers: Rob Schremp (NYI), Pascal Leclaire (OTT), Ty Conklin (STL) and a few other guys that don’t really matter.

Penguins acquire Kovalev

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After a quiet day of no trades on the 23rd, there have been a pair of deals made today.

After Anaheim picked up Dan Ellis (see post below) the Pittsburgh Penguins have traded for Alex Kovalev. Why?

They only gave up a seventh round pick, so hey certainly didn’t overpay – although I’d be willing to debate that point too.

What perplexes me about this deal is that the Pens just picked up a very good left winger in James Neal. I suppose they needed to fill their one-way Russian player quota since Evgeni Malkin is out for the year.

The only way his makes sense is if Kovy regains his form from 2008 while playing for a competitor. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was being a typical Red by dogging it in Ottawa.

For the Sens, the firesale continues as they look to completely retool thief roster. The only two left to be moved are Chris Neil and Chris Phillips. I wonder when they will be shipped out?

Anaheim acquires Dan Ellis

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The Anaheim Ducks made their, NHL leading, tenth trade of this season this morning.

The Ducks sent goaltender Curtis McElhinney to the Tampa Bay Lightning for goaltender Dan Ellis.

This is an interesting move on a few levels. First, McElhinney has shown throughout his career that he is the type of guy that you call up from the AHL in a pinch. He is not an every game starter nor he is a solid backup. The Lightning have thief starter in Dwayne Roloson and I would think that Mike Smith will be brought back with the big club as his back up. Expect to see McElhinney in Norfolk for the duration of the season.

As for Ellis, he is now caught in a bit of a logjam in Anaheim. Unless Jonas Hiller’s bout with vertigo is more serious than expected, I would think Ellis will be stuck in the press box or in the minors until the Ducks choose to move (or not resign) Ray Emery.

So, the Ducks now have two NHL-ready netminders who will likely keep out a few more goals than the tandem of McElhinney and Timo Pielmeier.

Personally, I was hopeful that the Sabres would snag Ellis to act as a backup for Ryan Miller for the rest of this season and into 2011-12. It has certainly been a trade season filled with players who I would have loved to see Buffalo get.