Offseason winners and losers

Despite a stiff breeze, the
Heatley jersey refused to wave.

With training camp just weeks away and almost all of the summer's player transactions already in the books, it seems like a good time to take a critical look back at the 2011 offseason.

Many teams made headlines over the summer, shaking up their rosters in an attempt to address weaknesses. Other chose to stay pat, tinkering here and there but avoiding major moves. Each team had their reasons for the deals they did or didn't make, but history shows that they can't all be right. So which teams made the right decisions?

Common sense would say that we can't possibly know the answer until the end of the 2011-12 season. But common sense doesn't have to find something to write about during the offseason, so let's start arbitrarily naming winners and losers right now instead.

Winner: Minnesota Wild - Revamped their roster by acquiring Dany Heatley and several other San Jose Sharks, whose well-known penchant for disappearing during long playoff runs is unlikely to ever be an issue in Minnesota.

Loser: Los Angeles Kings - Their continued failure to resign restricted free agent Drew Doughty leaves them vulnerable to the possibility of another team signing him to an offer sheet in an alternate universe where NHL general managers are actually doing everything possible to make their teams win.

Winner: Ottawa Senators - Free agent Zenon Kenopka signed a $700,000 deal and could provide excellent value while competing for the second line center role, which is great news for Senator fans as long as they don't think too hard about what it says about the rest of the roster.

Loser: Philadelphia Flyers - Gave a record-breaking contract to Ilya Bryzgalov after reading a scouting report calling him "Unmistakably the next Dominik Hasek", before later realizing they should have read the second half of the sentence where it says "in the sense that nobody can understand a word he's saying or even what language he thinks he's speaking".

Winner: New Jersey Devils - By signing Zach Parise to a one-year contract, continued to wisely uphold their longstanding club policy of never signing superstar wingers to deals in the two to fourteen-year range.

Loser: Toronto Maple Leafs - The revamped assistant coaching staff is already confusing players with talk of a complex new penalty-killing system, replacing the past years' strategy of everyone standing around asking each other "Hey, am I crazy or is one of us missing?"

Winner: New York Rangers - Brad Richards is already being called the most successful big-money free agent signing in Rangers history after recently lacing up his skates correctly on the first try.

Loser: Edmonton Oilers - Even though they don't really have a strong rivalry with the Canucks these days, newly acquired forward Ben Eager won't stop talking about all the time he's going to spend in the penalty box the next time he plays in Vancouver.

Winner: Colorado Avalanche - Critics who mock them for potentially trading the first overall draft pick to Washington for Semyon Varlamov are overlooking the fact that the young Russian goalie could possibly play well enough to turn it into the second overall pick instead.

Loser: Carolina Hurricanes - For reasons nobody in the marketing department can pinpoint, sales of their "I sure do love those Hurricanes" merchandise has recently plummeted along the US east coast.

Winner: Montreal Canadiens - Signed Erik Cole as a free agent, making them the only team on Hockey Night in Canada to be ensured of having a player whose last name Bob Cole will pronounce correctly.

Loser: Boston Bruins - While most modern offseason training regimes emphasize cardio and endurance instead of weightlifting, foolish Bruin players have spent the entire summer repeatedly lifting 34.5 lbs over their heads.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownGoesBrown/~3/hBrZM9URQGo/offseason-winners-and-losers.html

Gillies, ClarkClark Gillies Gilmour, BillyBilly Gilmour Goheen, MooseMoose Goheen Goodfellow, EbbieEbbie Goodfellow Gordie Roberts

Season done for Marc Savard, career in doubt

Marc Savard of the Boston Bruins last played an NHL game on Jan. 22 when he suffered his second concussion in less than a year after taking a hit from Colorado Avalanche -- and former teammate -- Matt Hunwick.

The post-concussion symptoms have not gone away and with training camps set to open in a little over two weeks, the Bruins are going forward not expecting to have Savard back ... at all.

Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli told Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe that Savard won't play this season and most likely never again:

"Based on what I see, what I hear, what I read, and what I'm told, it's very unlikely Marc will play again," Chiarelli said. "Now, knowing the uncertainty of this injury, there's always a chance [he could play]. But based on what I'm told, it's very unlikely he'll play. As an employer, I support him and hope he gets back to living a healthy life."

The 34-year old Savard is under contract until the end of the 2016-17 season with another $21 million owed to him. Chiarelli can place Savard on long-term injury reserve thereby allowing the Bruins to exceed the salary cap by the $4.007 million cap hit for him in the meantime. As we've found out over the past few years, concussion symptoms can disappear over time allowing players to come back and play, but given Savard's recent history, it might be a long wait until he makes a final decision on his future.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Season-done-for-Marc-Savard-career-in-doubt?urn=nhl-wp11510

John Jack Riley, Jr. John Snooks Kelley John Chase John Cunniff John Garrison

Predators goalie prospect ejected after injuring fan with puck

There are many ways in the NHL rulebook in which a player can receive a match penalty and be ejected from the game. Any attempt to injure an opponent and you're hitting the showers early.

Turns out that in Finland, match penalties extend beyond the ice. For example, if you're a goalie and your attempt to shoot the puck away from your net in frustration happens to miss the glass and hit a spectator, you too can receive a match penalty.

That situation happened on Sunday during a game between Sweden's Frolunda Indians and Jokerit of Finland as they battled in the preseason European Trophy tournament.

Frolunda netminder and Nashville Predators 2011 second-round pick Magnus Hellberg -- playing in just his second game with the club -- allowed three goals in a five-minute span during a 7-3 loss. After the third goal, Hellberg wasn't happy with himself; he collected the puck and went to fire it off the side glass.

Problem was that the puck cleared the glass and instead hit a girl in the stands, injuring her.

Seeing this happen, Hellberg skated over and tried to offer her his stick. Hellberg told Hockey Expressen:

"I immediately went over there. Her angry boyfriend was standing there screaming at me. I told him it was an accident, the referee came over and I was not really liked after it happened. I got a game misconduct; it was only to skate off.�I hope she is fine anyways."

This YouTube video from the game doesn't show Hellberg's shot, but does catch the aftermath and his ejection:

When asked if he's usually this hot-headed, Hellberg responded:

"No, absolutely not. I am a calm guy. The scout from Nashville was at the game and he said: 'Typical that it would happen to you, you are the nicest guy in the world.' It does not reflect my personality."

Stick-tap to Puck Buddy Magnus B. for the translation

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Predators-goalie-prospect-ejected-after-injuring?urn=nhl-wp11082

Gardiner, HerbHerb Gardiner Gardner, JimmyJimmy Gardner Gartner, MikeMike Gartner Gary Gambucci Geoffrion, BernieBernie Geoffrion

Rangers Defensemen Need To Hit The Net!

Source: NY State of Sports

TSN has an interesting article that takes a look at the accuracy of players hitting the net when they shoot the puck. Three Rangers defensemen from last season (Del Zotto, Eminger, Sauer) managed to finish in the top 25 for missed shots. Two Rangers (Gilroy & McCabe) finished in the top 25 for most accurate shooters amongst defensemen, however neither of them will be back in New York next season.

It's well known that Michael Del Zotto had a bad year last season in his sophomore season. So bad in fact that he was sent to the AHL to finish the year. As the article points out, it's very concerning when one of the men manning the point on the power play misses the net 42% of the time. So, if Del Zotto wants to stick with the big club for this season, we can only hope that he's been practicing getting his shots on goal.

Amongst forwards, Chris Drury missed the net the third highest amount of times amongst forwards and Vinny Prospal finished in the top 25 for least likely to miss the net.

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Agree or Disagree with what was said? Use the comments link below...let your voice be heard!

Source: http://puckcentral.blogspot.com/2011/07/rangers-defensemen-need-to-hit-net.html

Giacomin, EddieEddie Giacomin Gilbert, RodRod Gilbert Gillies, ClarkClark Gillies Gilmour, BillyBilly Gilmour Goheen, MooseMoose Goheen

Purge of Flyers Helps Team Shed Salary and Talent

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/puckupdate/~3/NSh8OspvSfk/

John Jack Kelley John Jack Kirrane John Jack McCartan John Jack Riley, Jr. John Snooks Kelley

Tuesday Off-Topic Open Thread

Source: http://www.japersrink.com/2011/8/30/2393023/tuesday-off-topic-open-thread

Elwin Doc Romnes Esposito, PhilPhil Esposito Esposito, TonyTony Esposito Farrell, ArthurArthur Farrell Federko, BernieBernie Federko

Wife?s health scare made Penguins? Matt Cooke a changed man

Contrary to popular belief, Matt Cooke is not a monster.

He helps run the Cooke Family Foundation of Hope, a fundraising charity that was founded after his sister-in-law had a daughter born without a heartbeat. His first phone call after a Pittsburgh Penguins home game is to his family: wife Michelle and three children. The tender scenes between Cooke and his family on "HBO 24/7" echoed their affection in real life.

How that warm persona off the ice squares with the injurious cheap-shot artist on the ice has always been difficult to comprehend. But according to a revealing story by Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Cooke's dedication to his family may have helped change his game for the Penguins -- gaining perspective while nearly losing his wife.

According to Rossi, Cooke's wife Michelle was hospitalized for 10 days in January, undergoing "four surgical procedures to remove a mass three-quarters inch in diameter that clogged her left kidney's exit valve and infected her lungs and diaphragm."

Along with his concern for his wife's wellbeing, Cooke had to shoulder major changes in his daily routine as she recovered during the NHL season. From the Tribune-Review:

Game-day naps were jettisoned for tending to Reece, 10, and Jackson, 7. (Gabby, 18, was attending high school near Bellville, Ontario.) Practices were a brief respite from handling the duties of father and mother while Michelle recovered.

Work never came home with Cooke, who didn't tell his wife he had been suspended four games for a Feb. 8 check from behind on [Fedor] Tyutin. He did not disclose that Penguins coach Dan Bylsma, on several occasions, tapped Cooke on the shoulder during a game and asked, "Are you with us, Matt?"

Bylsma said he has asked Cooke and other Penguins that question before, but he conceded the circumstances with Cooke were different. "We knew what he was dealing with," Bylsma said. "He never would use it as an excuse for anything."

Nor did Cooke use it as excuse for his reckless play last season. But he has used it for inspiration for how to change his behavior on the ice.

As we covered on Monday, Cooke now claims he's changed his "approach to the game" in an effort to curb his suspension-worthy offenses and injurious play. Said Cooke: "It's a mentality, it's how I'm going to approach the game ... And the team has worked hard in supporting me to accomplish these minor tweaks in my game.''

Via Rossi, it appears last season's personal strife has served as his inspiration, beginning around the time when Cooke was suspended for a head shot on New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh:

"I'm sure it all happens for a reason," he said. "It all affects you in one way or another. I can't pinpoint and say when (Michelle) was in the hospital and immediately after hitting (McDonagh) that there was this moment, but ...

"I've got this chance, and I need to look at it as an opportunity to show everybody that I can change my approach, that I can play within the rules. The rest of my career can be proving that it's possible to change. It has to be about that. There's no excuse for it not to be about that."

This story shouldn't be seen as a way for Cooke to cull sympathy or explain away his sins of the past. Rather, it should be seen within the context of his future in the NHL.

Matt Cooke's been telling anyone who'll listen he's going to be a changed man. At the very least, this personal crisis, and the epiphany he claims is connected to it, should elevate those vows of reform to something greater than perfunctory promises.

Maybe Matt Cooke can change. Question is, what kind of player will he become if he does?

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Wife-s-health-scare-made-Penguins-Matt-Cooke-a-?urn=nhl-wp11087

Cammi Granato Capuano, JackJack Capuano Carl Cully Dahlstrom Carlyle, RandyRandy Carlyle Charles Charlie Holt

Between the Pipes NHL Recap and Analysis Week 10

Recap of Week 10 in the 2010-11 NHL Season. Including Goalie Spotlight, Fights of the Week, Goats of the Week, Things I Like, Things I Don't, This Week in Hockey History, Stat Line of the Week, Did You Know, Quotes of the Week, Numbers Numbers and Rankings.

Source: http://puckingawesome.com/2010/12/15/between-the-pipes-nhl-recap-and-analysis-week-10/

Dryden, KenKen Dryden Duff, DickDick Duff Dumart, WoodyWoody Dumart Dunderdale, TommyTommy Dunderdale Durnan, BillBill Durnan

2011 NHL Draft Preview

Drafted second overall? Ha, enjoy
years of finishing in last place, kid.

It's NHL draft weekend, with the first round taking place tonight from the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota. And while the consensus is that there aren't any surefire superstars in this year's crop of prospects, most experts seem to agree that it's a deep pool of good young players.

In recent months the prospects have been scouted, interviewed, analyzed and subjected to the rigors of the combine. There's been no shortage of opportunity for teams to do their homework, and at this point the teams know these guys about as well as they ever could.

But what about the fans? As we prepare to settle in and watch the intrigue unfold, let's take one last look at some of the prospects who can expect to hear their names called tonight.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Hockey fans should make an effort to get to know this exciting offensive force from the Red Deer Rebels before the draft, since he's probably going to be picked by the Edmonton Oilers and then never heard from again.

Adam Larsson - The Swedish blueliner has been repeatedly compared to Victor Hedman. So watch your back, anyone in this year's draft who has been repeatedly compared to Sidney Crosby.

Johnathan Huberdeau - Raised some eyebrows during the interview portion of the combine when, on the advice of his agents, he spent his entire interview with New York Islanders management nervously denying that he had ever played hockey before.

Gabriel Landeskog - Achieved the top possible score in the infamous Wingate endurance test when, after 30 second of furious pedaling, the bicycle vomited and passed out.

Sean Couturier - Most mock drafts have him going to the Ottawa Senators, which would give him a chance to develop under the watchful eye of respected coach Paul MacLean up until the team has its first three-game losing streak.

Dougie Hamilton - Is widely considered to have the second most Canadian name in this year's draft, behind only Gordie MacRolluptherim.

Ryan Murphy - Like many of his fellow prospects, has recently been spending up to six hours a day practicing how to fold the rim of a ball cap just right so that it doesn't look awkward when you first put it on.

Ryan Strome - Scouts agree that he needs to add size and strength, unlike all those other 18-year-olds who are already fully grown.

John Gibson - First-round goalies are notoriously unpredictable, ranging from wildly over-paid superstars to borderline AHL washouts. So either way, good luck to Gibson in his future endeavours with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Mika Zibanejad - Like many recent top prospects from the faltering Swedish development system, has been frequently criticized for not having a twin.

Jonas Brodin - When this defensive defenceman is picked, feel free to lean over to that cute girl in the bar and whisper "Not to brag, but I ended up tied with him in goal scoring last season."

Duncan Siemens - Is considered such a sure thing to develop into a dependable NHL defenceman that he's already received a ridiculously overinflated free agent offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs post-dated to 2021.

Tyler Biggs - This power forward plummeted in the Central Scouting rankings in the second half of the season, after suggesting to them that maybe they could just combine their North American and International rankings into one list like everyone else in the world does.

Joseph Morrow - Had one of the best scores at the combine during the standing vertical jump event, which will no doubt move him up the draft board of all those teams that keep losing games because they can't jump high enough.

Jonas Valanciunas - The towering Lithuanian is the consensus top-ranked center in the draft, according to that one ESPN analyst who nobody recognizes and who come to think of it might actually be at the wrong draft.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownGoesBrown/~3/D1oZuGCmGHg/2011-nhl-draft-preview.html

Gillies, ClarkClark Gillies Gilmour, BillyBilly Gilmour Goheen, MooseMoose Goheen Goodfellow, EbbieEbbie Goodfellow Gordie Roberts

Morning Links (8/31)

Source: http://www.secondcityhockey.com/2011/8/31/2395003/morning-links-8-31

Cournoyer, YvanYvan Cournoyer Cowley, BillBill Cowley Craig Patrick Crawford, RustyRusty Crawford Dallas Stars

Jets Week in Review

Taking a look back at the week that was and catching you up on all the Jets news. �Remember that we are always happy to have your input so feel free to share your week in review thoughts. Monday: How good is Ondrej Pavelec? �Ez continuing his summer of optimism tour, gives us the rosy [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IllegalCurve/~3/XNGVFzxh-PE/

Darragh, JackJack Darragh Dave Christian David Langevin Davidson, AllanAllan Davidson Day, HapHap Day

Saturday Caps Clips: Come on, Irene

Source: http://www.japersrink.com/2011/8/27/2387705/saturday-caps-clips

Conacher, LionelLionel Conacher Conacher, RoyRoy Conacher Connell, AlecAlec Connell Cook, BillBill Cook Cook, BunBun Cook

Panthers Fans Have Reason for Optimisim

Welcome Back Panther Fans! ���� First off I?d like to apologize for my prolonged absence, however, I am back and will be writing articles consistently for the foreseeable future. A lot has happened since we have spoken last, including a coaching change, another incredibly strong draft, and a free agent frenzy that has left Panther [...]

Source: http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/rudigenovese/37955/

Alfred Ralph Winsor Amo Bessone Anderson, GlennGlenn Anderson Anthony Tony Conroy Apps, SylSyl Apps

Wolski: Shotgun to Richard & Gaborik or Buy Out?

Source: Wikipedia

I'm not sure what to think of the potential outcomes for left winger Wojtek Wolski. It's interesting that he could either start the season on the top line alongside Gaborik and/or Richards or he could be bought out before the summer is even over.

Because the Rangers filed for arbitration with Boyle, Callahan and Dubinsky the Rangers will have a second buy out window which begins three days after the Ryan Callahan hearing on July 28th and lasts 48 hours. You'll recall that during the last buy out window the Rangers bought out Chris Drury.

Wolski has one year left on his contract, earning $4M this season, with a cap hit of $3.8M. According to the NY Post "a Wolski buyout would come with a cap charge of $467,000 this year -- a saving of $3.33 million -- and $667,000 for 2012-13."

Whether or not Wolski is bought out will likely hinge on how the arbitration hearings with Boyle, Callahan and Dubinsky go. If the three get larger than expected contracts then the Rangers may need to buy out Wolski in order to stay under the salary cap. 

If the Rangers don't buy out Wolski then he could get the chance to play left wing on the Rangers top line. The Rangers have several left wingers but none who are what you would consider a true number one line winger. However, it is a contract year for Wolski, so he may be trying extra hard with the hopes of landing a lucrative contract next summer.

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Agree or Disagree with what was said? Use the comments link below...let your voice be heard!

Source: http://puckcentral.blogspot.com/2011/07/wolski-shotgun-to-richard-gaborik-or.html

Bruce Mather Bucyk, JohnnyJohnny Bucyk Buffalo Sabres Burch, BillyBilly Burch Bylsma, DanDan Bylsma

Sharks Prospect Profile: Thomas Heemskerk

Source: http://www.fearthefin.com/2011/8/27/2387434/sharks-prospect-profile-thomas-heemskerk

Dutton, RedRed Dutton Dye, BabeBabe Dye Earl Bartholome Edmonton Oilers Edward Eddie Olson

Study: Who is the most efficient general manager in the NHL?

Why is this man smiling? Because he's really, really good at his job ? and the numbers back it up.

Steve Yzerman of the Tampa Bay Lightning didn't win the NHL's 2011 General Manager of the Year award, which went to Mike Gillis of the Vancouver Canucks. But when it came to getting quality performances and success in the standings compared to a team's payroll, there were none better than Stevie Y.

That's how Derek Zona of the Edmonton Oilers blog Copper & Blue quantifies it, using something called Marginal Cap Efficiency to measure which teams got the most success for their buck.

(Not necessarily the most "bang" ? the Calgary Flames were eighth in offense but in the bottom five in cap efficiency last season, for example.)

From Zona, a quick summary of the measurement:

Marginal cap efficiency tracks the number of points per million dollars in salary cap spent over the league minimum salary.� It's a crude device for analyzing the performance of a General Manager in the cap era.

By that measure, the league average was a ratio of 1.606, with the Boston Bruins (1.637) ranking right above it and the Toronto Maple Leafs (1.494) right below it.

Here are the top five and the bottom five for 2010-11, via Zona:

The full list is here.

A couple of Zona's notes:

Steve Yzerman's low-cost moves paid off for Tampa Bay last year - names like Moore, Bergenheim, Thompson, Jones, Downie, Lundin, Jones, and Purcell might not have been headliner signings, but Yzerman brought cheap and effective depth to a team loaded with stars and it paid off.

The New Jersey Devils should be concerned.� Prior to Ilya Kovalchuk, they were one of the most efficient teams in the league.� Atlanta drops Kovalchuk and moves quite high in the rankings while New Jersey adds him and plummets to the bottom of the league.

It'll be interesting to see how things change for these two teams in 2011-12. The Devils managed to shed some cap payroll, going from $63.9 million last season to a current cap payroll of $58.4 million (via Cap Geek). The Lightning, meanwhile, increased payroll from $50.4 million last season to $59.3 million currently slated for this season ? thank you, Steven Stamkos contract.

Last season, Zona broke down the cap efficiency averages for franchises going back to 2005 and Marginal Playoff Efficiency as well. He said an update to include last season's numbers is coming up, and we'll link when it goes live.

It's an noble attempt to quantify a GM's performance; and hey, maybe the NHL can adopt it as a way to help determine its GM of the year. Or just keep it as nebulously political. One of the two.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Study-Who-is-the-most-efficient-general-manager?urn=nhl-wp11325

Coulter, ArtArt Coulter Cournoyer, YvanYvan Cournoyer Cowley, BillBill Cowley Craig Patrick Crawford, RustyRusty Crawford

Puck Headlines: Brad Marchand?s Cup day; NHL ticket price gripe

Here are your Puck Headlines: a glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media.

? It's Boston Bruins standout Brad Marchand's day with the Stanley Cup and, as is tradition, he's eating cereal out of where Kris Draper's kid pooped. Around 2,000 people in Halifax celebrated as Monday was declared "Brad Marchand Day," in which everyone with a valid Halifax driver's license must dance topless on a bar while holding a bottle of champagne before midnight or else face incarceration. [Metro News]

BREAKING: Daymond Langkow traded to the Phoenix Coyotes, pending a physical. Details to follow.

? Preseason NHL tickets in Canada are preposterous, argues Dean Eastman: "A quick review of pre-season ticket prices supports my assertions: Ottawa: Prices range from $7.50 (standing room) to $150.00 per ticket. Montreal: Prices range from $24.00 to $135.00 per ticket. Toronto: Prices range from $35.50 to $743.50 per ticket. How can a family of four justify spending outrageous sums of money to watch their favourite teams in person during the pre-season alone?" [Our Hometown]

? Mirtle on the odd diet that Gary Roberts has NHL players using as part of his fitness regimen: "Players are assigned a diet that has no wheat, no sugar, no soy and no processed or packaged foods. Everything must be organic, from deli meats on up, and the 26-item list of what players should eat includes goat's milk, sunflower sprouts, mung beans, salba, chia and hemp." [Globe & Mail]

? Ryan Malone of the Tampa Bay Lightning is (a) reclaiming No. 12 from the departed Simon Gagne and (b) probably going to miss all or part of the preseason. [Bolts Report]

? Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski will attend the Cincinnati Reds' game on Aug. 30 as a guest of the MLB team, where they will all laugh about how much money he'll make despite the NHL having a salary cap. [Blue Jackets]

? Hockey Prospectus believes that Michael Frolik of the Chicago Blackhawks is likely to clear the 30-goal hurdle this season for the first time. [Madhouse Enforcer]

? How do the Minnesota Wild's changes this summer affect Mikko Koivu? "He'll score somewhere around 30 and assist near 50. Another All-Star Game appearance, a Selke nomination and maybe even a Finlandia Vodka sponsorship are all in this future." [Wild Puck Banter]

? You know how a bunch of older gentlemen are still looking for work while young whippersnappers are taking all the jobs for lower pay? Yeah, it happens in hockey too. [Lighthouse Hockey]

? What can we expect from Jaromir Jagr this season? "No one is doubting his ability, but how he handles the travel and how his body deals with the punishment will determine how well he performs. Will the weight of his contract, the loss of some offensive firepower in Philadelphia and his age slow him down or will he prove a lot of people wrong this season?" [Houses of the Hockey]

? "NHL Relocation To Hawaii: Examining The Possibility Of The Honolulu Islanders." Yes, there are even jersey designs. [SB Nation]

? Congrats to our good friend Craig Custance for his new gig with ESPN. Like we've always said: Their online hockey coverage should not be judged by their on-air hockey coverage. LeBrun, Burnside, Custance are must-reads. [@ESPN_NHL]

? Montreal Canadiens blogger confesses secret affinity for the Leafs after meeting Tim Connolly. This can only end in tragedy. [A Winning Habit]

? The mask for Oscar Alsenfelt, V�xj� Lakers, in Elitserien, created by David Gunnarsson, www.daveart.com. Is it just us, or would the right side of that thing make a bitchin' Capitals mask?

? Mike Brophy on the Buffalo Sabres: "Regier has never had the luxury of managing the team with money to spend. In fact, you could argue he was forced to manage with one arm tied behind his back. That all changed when Pegula opened his wallet and instead of moths flying out of it, there was money. Lots and lots and lots of money. With that, though, comes a new set of problems. Just because you can spend doesn't mean you will spend it on the right players. For years the New York Rangers have been one of the most free-spending teams in the NHL and it did not translate to success on the ice." [Sportsnet]

? A couple of days late, but Tom Benjamin on the Rick Rypien tragedy and the role of fighters in the game is worth a read: "The jobs almost always involved gratuitous violence. None of it is critical to the game of hockey. The league and the officials are supposed to subdue opponents who threaten stars and only a sports league should administer payback. No one can seriously suggest otherwise." [Canucks Corner]

? Stat nerd alert: Here's how all 30 NHL teams would stack up if SHGA were factored against the base power play conversion rate. [Raw Charge]

? Catching up with remarkably nicknamed fighter Frank "Seldom" Beaton. The strangest game he played? "At Hampton, Virginia with the Hampton Gulls in the SHL. Every five minutes, both teams had to skate around in the same direction to raise the fog so we could see to play." [THN]

? Revisiting the Washington Capitals' "Club Scarlet." [The Hockey Writers]

? Picking up on our post about the charity point from over the weekend, Rangers Tribune offers this take: "I guess as a Ranger blogger I should be keeping my mouth shut about this topic. The Rangers finished last season with five overtime losses, which means they earned a total of five points over the course of the year via losses. For the Blueshirts, that's actually a pretty low number compared to years past. In prior seasons, like under the Renney era for example, they probably would not have made the playoffs without those overtime loss points." [Rangers Tribune]

? Battle of California takes a look at the NHL.com "redrafted" teams for the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings and San Joe Sharks. [BoC]

? Finally, in honor of the last Puck Daddy Radio on The Score, here's Don Ferlazzo of Albany (follow him at @hellonskates for Albany Devils news) with an a cappella version of our theme song.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Puck-Headlines-Brad-Marchand-s-Cup-day-NHL-tic?urn=nhl-wp11340

Howe, GordieGordie Howe Howe, SydSyd Howe Howell, HarryHarry Howell Hubert Hub Nelson Hugh Muzz Murray

What about the Winnipeg Jets Power Play?

Last Wednesday, Illegal Curve’s Richard Pollock wrote an article about� the Winnipeg Jets (Atlanta Thrashers) penalty killing and how it needs to improve significantly from last season in order for the Jets to improve its overall record this season. In today’s column, I’m going to look at the Jets power play, including how it did [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IllegalCurve/~3/e9lSAafDOE8/

Carlyle, RandyRandy Carlyle Charles Charlie Holt Charles Schulz Cheevers, GerryGerry Cheevers Ciccarelli, DinoDino Ciccarelli

Morning Links (8/24)

Source: http://www.secondcityhockey.com/2011/8/24/2381222/morning-links-8-24

Carlyle, RandyRandy Carlyle Charles Charlie Holt Charles Schulz Cheevers, GerryGerry Cheevers Ciccarelli, DinoDino Ciccarelli

Hidden NHL playoff injuries revealed

I'm gonna make someone's upper body
bleed for super fan 99 over here.

Injuries are a touchy subject during the NHL playoffs. After a gruelling regular season and the unmatched intensity of postseason action, it's inevitable that many players will be banged up. But good luck getting that confirmed by anyone associated with an organization.

At most, we may hear the old hockey clich� about a player having an injury to their "upper body" or "lower body" -- and that's only if team acknowledges the injury at all. Even when players are obviously hurt and have missed games, coaches still insist that everyone is day-to-day.

Of course, it's a different story once a team has been eliminated. When their season is over and there's no further reason to protect a player's status, teams will often reveal a long list of injuries and other health problems - many of which fans hadn't even suspected.

This year has been no different, as several star players revealed that they'd been playing hurt during the postseason. Here are some examples of what we've found out about each of the eliminated teams.

Washington Capitals - Nicklas Backstrom had various bumps and bruises from everyone accidentally walking into him all the time, which was to be expected given that he became invisible as soon as the regular season ended.

Philadelphia Flyers - In a strange coincidence, all three of our goalies had badly torn rotator cuffs in their "fishing the puck out of the net" shoulders.

Chicago Blackhawks - Chris Campoli was playing through some sort of problem with whatever part of the eyeball it is that's supposed to tell the difference between white and blue uniforms in overtime.

Detroit Red Wings - Not completely sure what was wrong with Mike Modano, but man, does that guy's locker reek of ointment.

Tampa Bay Lightning - Martin St. Louis experienced intestinal problems after a sudden increase in fibre intake, which can happen when you end up eating somebody's stick blade every second game.

Phoenix Coyotes - Ilya Bryzgalov ended up with a sore throat from disguising his voice while leaving daily voicemails to Gary Bettman saying "Y'all wouldn't have the guts to move these here Thrashers to Winnipeg".

Pittsburgh Penguins - Apparently Sidney Crosby may have had some sort of concussion; it's odd that nobody in the media ever mentioned that.

Montreal Canadiens - Carey Price seemed really fatigued against the Bruins, according to the teammates who stood around watching him make a dozen consecutive saves while occasionally shouting "A little help here, guys?"

Buffalo Sabres - Suppose it's not really an injury per se, but Tyler Myers' neck seems to have developed its own gravitational field.

Nashville Predators - Mike Fisher spent too much time hanging out with his wife's country music friends, and had to be placed on the injured reserve with a bad case of achy breaky heart.

San Jose Sharks - Strangest thing, but Ben Eager came back from the penalty box in Vancouver this one time with his eyes dangling out of his head like a cartoon character.

Anaheim Ducks - Teemu Selanne suffered from badly pulled stomach muscles after laughing hysterically for half an hour when asked if it was true he'd be interested in finishing his career with the Jets.

New York Rangers - Not sure of exact diagnosis, but these days every time Sean Avery speaks he comes across as extremely mature and likable so clearly there's something seriously wrong with him.

LA Kings - Drew Doughty's head exploded after learning that NBA fans apparently think it's a big deal when somebody gets poked in the eye or plays through a sore finger.

Edmonton Oilers - Our best players were once again unable to compete in the playoffs because of serious chest problems, in the sense that that's where the Oilers logo is located.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownGoesBrown/~3/7AiYuyTIEBM/hidden-nhl-playoff-injuries-revealed.html

Harold Hal Trumble Harvey, DougDoug Harvey Hawerchuk, DaleDale Hawerchuk Hay, GeorgeGeorge Hay Henry Boucha

When a day with the Stanley Cup goes wrong

Looks like when he called airline customer
service, Horton heard a "who?" YEEEAHHH

Just over a month after being raised in the air by Boston captain Zdeno Chara, the Stanley Cup was back in the news over the weekend. But unlike game seven in Vancouver, this time the Cup made headlines for not appearing...at least, not when it was supposed to.

Bruins' forward Nathan Horton was scheduled to enjoy his traditional day with the Cup in his hometown of Dunnville, Ont. on Sunday. But the Cup missed its flight, and Horton had to appear in front of the assembled fans empty-handed.

The Cup did eventually arrived for a shortened appearance at the event, and an embarrassed Horton apologized to the crowd. But he shouldn't have felt bad. Despite all the feel-good stories we're used to hearing this time year, Horton is just the latest in a long line of NHL players to have problems with the world's most famous trophy.

Here's a look back at some past champions who had their day with the Cup go badly:

1999 - Brett Hull is half an hour late returning the Cup in violation of the long-enforced 24-hour limit, but everyone agrees to just pretend that rule doesn't exist rather than make a big deal out of it.

2001 - Whitby's Adam Foote is disappointed after spending the entire day showing off the Cup to hockey fans in nearby Toronto, only to discover that none of them recognize it.

2007 - Officials are forced to explain to a disappointed crowd in Fort McMurry that yes, it was easily the biggest goal of his career and yes, it will go down in the record books as the Stanley Cup winner, but no, Chris Phillips still isn't getting a day with the Cup.

1996 - The Cup leaves North America for the first time when it travels to Sweden with Peter Forsberg, then proceeds to spend the rest of the summer annoying everyone by being unable to make up its mind about whether it wants to return.

2003 - Joe Nieuwendyk brings the Cup to this his alma mater at Cornell University, drawing such a huge crowd that the school is forced to cancel that day's scheduled lecture entitled "A detailed theoretical model of why anyone who becomes a general manager some day should probably trade their franchise player at the deadline if he's obviously planning to sign with the Rangers in the summer".

2004 - Martin St. Louis' day with the Cup is ruined when he accidentally tumbles into the bowl and spends the rest of the afternoon adorably squeaking for somebody to come and lift him out.

1995 - After winning the franchise's first championship, members of the New Jersey Devils save everyone time by just going ahead and engraving "A bunch of boring guys playing the trap and making you hate hockey" into the Cup's next ten years' worth of panels.

2005 - In the spirit of the lockout, NHL and NHLPA lawyers each get to take turns bringing the Stanley Cup from town to town and hitting fans over the head with it.

1994 - While spending his sixth day with the Cup in the last ten years, Mark Messier realizes he's really getting tired of all these championships and resolves to sign his next free agent contract with a franchise that has no hope of ever winning one.

2010 - After several intense hours, Jonathan Toews wins the staring contest when the Cup blinks first.

2009 - As he sits alone in front of a giant cake in a balloon-filled gymnasium with a party hat tilted sadly to one side, Joe Thornton begins to realize that fans aren't really interested in helping you celebrate your day with the Presidents' Trophy.

1991 - The Cup is famously left at the bottom of Mario Lemieux's swimming pool during a players' party after nobody goes in to retrieve it, marking the only time in recent NHL history that nobody on the Pittsburgh Penguins is willing to dive.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownGoesBrown/~3/cDTRQygu8u8/when-day-with-stanley-cup-goes-wrong.html

Cammi Granato Capuano, JackJack Capuano Carl Cully Dahlstrom Carlyle, RandyRandy Carlyle

A detailed look back at game seven, which due to a scheduling error had to be published twelve hours early

After a stunning game seven, Roberto
Luongo can barely contain his emotions.

Editor?s note: Due to a scheduling error that is too complicated to explain here, this analysis of the June 15, 2011 game seven between the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins had to be published twelve hours early. If the game hasn?t happened yet, please close your browser now and come back tomorrow. Thank you for your cooperation.

So here we are. After a six-month season, four rounds of playoffs, and seven gruelling games, the NHL has crowned its champion. The Stanley Cup has been awarded. One fan base is devastated, while another will celebrate late into the night.

In the moments after a thrilling game seven, I?d like to take a moment to address you directly, fans of the winning team.

It seems like only yesterday that your team was struggling through a first round series against your bitter rivals who historically dominate you in the playoffs. But you survived, just barely, thanks to an overtime goal in game seven. Remember the excitement when the winning goal was scored, by that particular player? Little did we know the controversy that awaited them weeks later.

Your team waltzed through the second round against Peter Forsberg?s old team, then beat that non-traditional warm weather team in the conference finals. And there you were, back in the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in a generation. Who can forget that last time you played for Lord Stanley?s mug, back in the early 90s? I bet you can still picture your team competing furiously, proudly representing those black and yellowish-gold uniforms that they wore then and perhaps still do, before finally going down to a bitter defeat. Damn you, Mark Messier!

But a generation later you were back, and this time the opportunity would not be wasted. It wasn?t easy. It was a vicious series, in which your team persevered despite several sickening cheapshots by the opposing team. You endured your team being taunted with immature finger waves. You watched devastating hits on Nathan Horton and Mason Raymond, 50% of which you thought were unquestionably dirty. The entire hockey world outside of your particular city was united against your team, you told us, incessantly. And let?s not even mention those shameless homer announcers on the other team?s broadcast.

And then game seven. The series had seen it all, from overtime thrillers to lopsided blowouts to everything in between, and game seven certainly fit into one of those categories. All eyes were on Roberto Luongo. Many thought he would rise to the occasion while others thought he would crumble, and in the end we now know they were right. Without question, this game will be his defining legacy.

The end of the game must seem like a blur to you now. There was that goal scored by that one guy, and then that big hit with that other guy, then that other thing done by some other guy, and then the Conn Smythe won by Tim Thomas.

And then, the magic moment you?d been waiting on for four long decades, give or take a year. What fan among you will ever forget the sight of Gary Bettman passing the Stanley Cup into the waiting arms of good old #33? And who says Europeans can?t make great captains? Certainly not anyone who has had the pleasure of watching your team?s leader, a truly unique talent. He certainly is one- or at the very most two-of-a-kind.

And now it?s all over but the riot cleanup. Your boys are champions. A Stanley Cup banner will be raised in your arena next year. After an agonizing, debilitating, gut-wrenching test of your endurance as a fan, it was all worth it.

But at least you?re not like those fans of the other team. Imagine how devastated they must feel right now. Serves them right, those losers. Thank god you have nothing in common with them.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownGoesBrown/~3/Zp3V_YrXa-4/detailed-look-back-at-game-seven-which.html

Art Berglund Babcock, MikeMike Babcock Bailey, AceAce Bailey Dan Bain Hobey Baker

Wednesday Notes - RBC Upgrades Cellular, But Not Wi-Fi

Source: http://www.canescountry.com/2011/8/17/2368709/wednesday-notes-rbc-upgrades-cellular-but-not-wi-fi

Esposito, TonyTony Esposito Farrell, ArthurArthur Farrell Federko, BernieBernie Federko Fetisov, ViacheslavViacheslav Fetisov Flaman, FernieFernie Flaman

Puck Headlines: Dan Carcillo vs. Philly media; Rypien?s legacy

Here are your Puck Headlines: a glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media.

? J.S. Giguere's new goalie mask. It's subtle, but see if you can guess which team he's playing for next season. [InGoal Magazine, via 25Stanley]

? Dan Carcillo continues his series of shoot interviews as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. After targeting members (well, one current member) of the Vancouver Canucks in his introductory press conference, Carcillo was asked about his feelings regarding the Philadelphia media by the Chicago Sun-Times: "Yeah. It's ridiculous. .?.?. If you lose, people look for excuses, and they nitpick. They make stories out of nothing. It's unfortunate. That's just the way it is. It's kind of their culture. People are kind of outspoken and rude." [Sun-Times, Broad Street Hockey]

? Bill Daly of the NHL on the New York Islanders' "brawl party": "We do not approve of the use, based on what we know." [USA Today]

? Did you know 19 out of 30 NHL general managers were primarily hockey players before becoming suits? [Copper and Blue]

? Alex Ovechkin? Inside a vodka club? Well that doesn't seem like him ? [Alex Ovetjkin]

? Mike Brophy on Zach Bogosian of the Winnipeg Jets: "A good source in Atlanta suggested Bogosian's play was hampered by the fact that he was replaced on the power play by newcomer Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom. Both of those players are very likely to man the point on the power play moving forward as the franchise attempts to establish itself in Winnipeg which means Bogosian will have trouble putting up the type of numbers he did in his first two years in the league. That in itself may affect his desire to sign long-term with the team." [Sportsnet]

? One of Rick Rypien's teammates said the late Jets forward "was definitely the happiest I'd even seen him" when the two signed with Winnipeg. [CP]

? NHL players remember Rick Rypien. [Eye On Hockey]

? Harrison Mooney on Rypien's legacy: "Rypien will be given the "former Canuck" label in all formal media reports because he signed with the Winnipeg Jets just under a month and a half ago, but that's not right. The Vancouver Canucks were the only NHL team he ever suited up for. As far as I'm concerned, Rypien died a Canuck. Mind you, it doesn't matter who he plays for, because this has nothing to do with hockey.�Sometimes we forget that these athletes, skilful, fit and practiced though they may be, are just people ? that they struggle with the same problems as anybody, that they're just as fragile, just as human. It's absolutely devastating to be reminded in such a sickening fashion. Rick Rypien will be missed and mourned." [PITB]

? From 1998, ESPN presents mullets against drugs. [YouTube]

? Looking at the new Madison Square Garden, from the design to the ticket prices. [The Good Point]

? A bit of satire about the New York Islanders' viewing party of the Penguins brawl game. [Lighthouse Hockey]

? Here's a 9-year-old being better at life than Wyshynski scoring a 'Michigan goal.'

? What CORSI tells us about Zenon Konopka: "Konopka has the third worst team and zone adjusted Corsi rating on the New York Islanders in 2010/11.� Matt Martin and Milan Jurcina are worse.� These numbers show that Konopka is an acceptable NHL player who played a tough role for the Islanders.� He is no world beater, but he is NHL caliber." [Puck Stops Here]

? Lowetide on Cam Barker and the Edmonton Oilers: "This fall is serious business for Cam Barker. A good season could mean a long term contract and real security for a young man trying to get back; a poor season could mean a trip to the minors or Europe in order to re-set his career and earn another chance in the NHL." [Lowetide]

? Patrick White came to the San Jose Sharks in the Christian Ehrhoff trade, but it appears as though he's not going to remain a Shark. [Fear The Fin]

? The Washington Capitals are using an alumni All-Star Game to help push tickets for their fan convention. [Capitals Insider]

? Looking back at some of the worst ways to promote hockey, including another dance around the dog poo that was (is) the NHL Guardian Project. [HOTH]

? Prepare to sing along with "Mony Mony" and "Don't Bring Me Down" during NHL 12. [EA Sports]

? Finally, gather 'round kids and hear the man who helped give the world Wayne Gretzky (still the best assist by a Gretzky ever) sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider":

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Puck-Headlines-Dan-Carcillo-vs-Philly-media-R?urn=nhl-wp10726

Art Berglund Babcock, MikeMike Babcock Bailey, AceAce Bailey Dan Bain Hobey Baker

Morning Links (8/17)

Source: http://www.secondcityhockey.com/2011/8/17/2368041/morning-links-8-17

Conacher, RoyRoy Conacher Connell, AlecAlec Connell Cook, BillBill Cook Cook, BunBun Cook Coulter, ArtArt Coulter

Flyers invite Michael Nylander to training camp

Twitter has become a great source for sports news in the past year, and the Philadelphia Flyers have been putting it to great use. On Wednesday, the Flyers announced that veteran free agent center Michael Nylander will attend the team’s training camp in September on a professional tryout contract. Nylander, who will turn 39 in [...]

Source: http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/tom-dougherty/37719/

George Brown George Owen Gerard, EddieEddie Gerard Giacomin, EddieEddie Giacomin Gilbert, RodRod Gilbert

A brief history of NHL offer sheets

"Hmm, in New York I'd probably live in an
apartment, which means no snowblowers..."

With much of the frenzy around unrestricted free agency dying down, attention has turned to the handful of big name restricted free agents. With players like Steven Stamkos and Drew Doughty finding themselves in a position to negotiate a deal with the highest bidder, fans are waiting to see if a team would dare attempt to sign one of the young stars to an offer sheet.

Partly due to an apparent unwritten code among general managers and partly due to economic realities, it's rare to see a player actually sign an offer sheet. But it does happen, and NHL history is filled with examples of star players putting their current teams in a difficult spot thanks to a better offer from another team.

Here's a look at some of the most famous offer sheet attempts in NHL history.

July 26, 2007 ? The Oilers sign Dustin Penner to an offer sheet that would cost them their upcoming first round pick as compensation, in a move Ducks' general manager Brian Burke condemns as ?gutless? and ?desperation? as he's frantically stuffing Penner's possessions into the nearest suitcase.

July 16, 1990 ? Scott Stevens agrees to sign an offer sheet with the St. Louis Blues, on the condition that everyone agree that hits to a defenceless opponent's head that cause serious brain injuries will remain totally cool until after he retires.

August 6, 1997 ? The New York Rangers nearly succeed in acquiring superstar Joe Sakic with a heavily front-loaded offer in what everyone agrees is a transparent attempt to exploit a loophole that the NHL will no doubt be taking care of immediately.

September 25, 1991 ? The Pittsburgh Penguins keep Kevin Stevens by matching a multi-million dollar offer sheet from the Boston Bruins, then immediately begin developing Matt Cooke in an underground laboratory for their eventual revenge.

August 14, 1996 ? After Ron Tugnutt signs with the Senators, Ottawa general manager Pierre Gauthier describes the journeyman backstop as ?probably the best goaltender this young franchise has ever had, although obviously fifteen years from now he won't even be in the top ten?.

September 12, 2006 ? Canucks' forward Ryan Kesler signs an offer sheet with Philadelphia in a move the Flyers later said they felt compelled to make since, somehow, Kesler was already lurking in the background of all of their team photos and marketing materials.

February 18, 1998 ? Detroit matches a front-loaded Carolina offer sheet to Sergei Fedorov that sees him go on to make $28 million in the first year of the contract, a record for the most money spent by the Red Wings on a single player that stands until years later when the franchise must hire a team of fulltime international translators to try to figure out what language Dominik Hasek is speaking.

March 8, 2011 ? Montreal Canadiens fans submit an offer sheet to Zdeno Chara, although technically the "sheet" is a spray painted car windshield and the "offer" is probably not even anatomically possible.

July 25, 1991 ? A resolution between the St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins over Dave Tomlinson's offer sheet is delayed when both teams admit they don't have the slightest idea which one of them he currently plays for.

August 13, 1988 ? The Rangers learn that their offer sheet to Edmonton forward Geoff Courtnall has been unsuccessful, at which point they decide they'll only bother going after 20 or 30 more former Oilers in the next few years and that's it.

July 29, 1992 - Winnipeg matches a Calgary offer sheet to Teemu Selanne, a process the Jets rookie enjoys so much that he apparently resolves to a free agent every single season for the remainder of his career.

September 19, 2009 ? The Maple Leafs scoff at the Bruins' outrageously one-sided trade demands and simply sign Phil Kessel to an offer sheet instead, according to smiling Toronto fans mumbling contentedly in their sleep right now.

August 20, 1997 - Tampa Bay chooses not to match Philadelphia's offer to Chris Gratton in a decision that proves that when push comes to shove the Lightning will roll over and let the Flyers just steal their first line center with an offer sheet, according to Paul Homlgren as he cackles ominously in a darkened room right now.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownGoesBrown/~3/A6v5BNrvsx4/brief-history-of-nhl-offer-sheets.html

Francis Moose Goheen Francis, RonRon Francis Frank Coddy Winters Frank Nick Kahler Frank Brimsek

Flyers invite Michael Nylander to training camp

Twitter has become a great source for sports news in the past year, and the Philadelphia Flyers have been putting it to great use. On Wednesday, the Flyers announced that veteran free agent center Michael Nylander will attend the team’s training camp in September on a professional tryout contract. Nylander, who will turn 39 in [...]

Source: http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/tom-dougherty/37719/

Cournoyer, YvanYvan Cournoyer Cowley, BillBill Cowley Craig Patrick Crawford, RustyRusty Crawford Dallas Stars

A period-by-period look back at the Stanley Cup finals

The Canucks grew to hate the way Thomas
practiced lifting the Cup during goalmouth
scrambles "just to make it challenging".

The 2011 NHL season has ended, with the Boston Bruins crowned champions after Wednesday night's seventh game win over the Canucks. And with the draft just a week away, it feels like the league has already moved into offseason mode.

But before we set our sights on the road to the 2011-12 season, let's take a moment for a look back at this year's Stanley Cup finals. Here's a period-by-period review of one of the most memorable series in a generation.

Game one

First period: In an effort to appeal to a younger demographic, the NHL announces that the role of the brooding but misunderstood vampire will be played by Alex Burrows.
Second period: As a neutral fan, you feel vaguely comfortable with the idea of one of these teams winning the Stanley Cup for the last time in the series.
Third period: Raffi Torres fools the Bruins' defence to score the game-winning goal by using a trick play he calls "Shoot the puck like a normal player instead of launching your elbow into somebody's temple".

Game two

First period: Manny Malhotra makes an emotional return to the lineup wearing a full face shield, which he will later admit is just an attempt to keep Brad Marchand from yapping in his ear all game.
Second period: In an embarrassing coincidence, the entire twenty minute period is played without a whistle after all 40 players drop to the ice and roll around to draw a penalty simultaneously.
Third period: The Canucks tie the game by scoring their third goal of the series, then quickly remind themselves to slow down and not use up the remaining five too quickly.
Overtime: Somewhere in the building, a Canuck fan who spent $2,000 on tickets returns to his seat 11 seconds late and asks "So, did I miss anything?"

Game three

First period: Aaron Rome catches Nathan Horton admiring his pass and delivers a textbook open ice check, but the anti-Canucks media go and make a big deal out of it being a "late hit" just because the pass was from the opening shift of game two.
Second period: The Bruins realize that since the Canucks are apparently planning to hit them late whenever they pass, it would be safer to just shoot the puck into the net every time they touch it instead.
Third period: In hindsight, Bruins coach Claude Julien admits he probably shouldn't have let Bill Belichick talk him into going for two.

Game four

First period: Bruins' legend Bobby Orr takes part in the pre-game ceremony, fires up the crowd, and then ruins the good vibe by asking if there's any chance he could be traded to Colorado.
Second period: The TD Gardens maintenance guy starts to worry that he really should have replaced the bulb in the goal light behind Luongo.
Third period: Frustrated Bruins players learn that their advanced scouting report on Cory Schneider is one sentence long and simply reads "Try to get a penalty shot and make his groin disintegrate so Luongo has to go back in".

Game five

First period: While sitting in his living room enjoying the series on TV, Tomas Kaberle starts to get the nagging feeling that he was supposed to be somewhere this month.
Second period: After demanding during a fiery intermission speech that the slumping Sedin brothers "look yourselves in the mirror", coach Alain Vigneault realizes that the dressing room doesn't have a mirror and the two brothers are just sitting across from each other staring creepily.
Third period: Roberto Luongo points out that Maxim Lapierre could never have scored that winning goal against him, in the sense that they're teammates.

Game six

First period: Bruins fans are widely criticized for mocking Mason Raymond as he lays on the ice with a fractured vertebrae, but in fairness it's the first time they've accused an opponent of faking a broken back in like two months.
Second period: As he sits on the bench, an embarrassed Luongo begins to realize that the start times listed for the road games in this series are probably in Eastern time.
Third period: Bartenders in Boston start to wonder why customers keep trying to pay for drinks with bloody strips of green spandex.

Game seven

First period: The Bruins score the opening goal, but after a brief discussion NHL officials decide that they might as well go ahead and play the rest of the game anyway.
Second period: As the Bruins build an insurmountable lead, Ryan Kesler starts to think ahead to which winner-take-all championship game in Vancouver he'd like to lose next.
Third period: As the closing seconds tick down, devastated Canuck players console themselves with the knowledge that at least they can still drive home in their luxury sports cars that they parked on the streets outside the arena.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownGoesBrown/~3/RoxdKnChWYg/bruins-vs-canucks-in-stanley-cup-finals.html

Cammi Granato Capuano, JackJack Capuano Carl Cully Dahlstrom Carlyle, RandyRandy Carlyle Charles Charlie Holt