Source: http://puckingawesome.com/2011/04/13/nhl-stanley-cup-1st-round-preview/
Hooper, TomTom Hooper Horner, RedRed Horner Horton, TimTim Horton Howe, GordieGordie Howe Howe, SydSyd Howe
Thursday, December 1, 2011
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 1st Round Preview
Well start growing your hockey beards it?s that time of year. Let?s take a look at the match-ups and try and break it down. In the East, Washington and Pittsburgh are the same seeds they were last year and Philadelphia and Boston flipped their seeds but are still in the same seeding match-up. Also of [...]
Who are the best ?bang for the buck? NHL players?
The annual Forbes.com "Business of Hockey" package was released this week, presenting its usual mix of incredible financial facts (the Leafs, Rangers and Canadiens posted a higher combined profit than the rest of the League combined) and harbingers of doom about the NHL's next bit of collective bargaining:
The league's salary cap, set at 57% of revenue, is too high for some teams to be profitable . As a result, expect the National Hockey League to undergo a cantankerous labor negotiations when the owners and players union begin to hammer our a new collective bargaining agreement to replace the current six-year deal that expires in September . The NHL must move much closer to the 48% model the NFL agreed to before this season or the 50-50 revenue split National Basketball Association's owners and players recently agreed to.
Oh, good, a cap rollback and monkeying with revenues. There is nothing to fear except Fehr himself ?
But there's another facet to the Forbes study that's always worth a look: the NHL's best value players. The guys who produce numbers on the stat sheet that eclipse the numbers in their cap hits.
So who are the best "bang for the buck" players in the NHL? And which players on your team do you consider to be the greatest value players?
The Forbes list of the top bang-for-the-buckers. Please note that the numbers ? both fiscal and hockey-related ? are based on the 2010-11 season. Obviously, some contracts and performances have changed dramatically this season. Also, rookie contracts weren't included.
Click on the cost-per-point figures to see the Forbes analysis for each one.
Several of these players are on new contracts since last season:
Moulson signed a 3-year deal worth $3.133 million annually; MacArthur parked himself in a new deal worth $3.25 million annually; Selanne's contract went from $3.25 million to $4 million; Yandle's new deal has a $4.75 million base salary this season and carries a $5.25 million cap hit; Jokinen's deal went from $1.7 million annually to $3 million annually; and Marty St. Louis has a new deal that pays him $5.5 million per season.
So much of this "value player" list involves low-wage players singing for their supper before signing a huge new contract.
From Tom Van Riper of Forbes.com, a reminder about the value of offense:
The top 100 scorers in the league last year earned an average of $4.25 million per man, 85% more than the overall average salary of $2.3 million.
Players who might make this list next season? Radim Vrbata of the Phoenix Coyotes, who has 21 points in 23 games and makes $3 million. Kris Versteeg of the Florida Panthers is on a torrid scoring pace and makes $3.038 million, in his walk year. Pascal Dupuis of the Pittsburgh Penguins has 20 points and makes $1.5 million.
As a Devils fan, my value player is a no-brainer: Petr Sykora has 11 points and is making $650,000 this season.
Who is the 'bang-for-the-buck' player on your team?
Hobey Baker Bill Barber Barry, MartyMarty Barry Bathgate, AndyAndy Bathgate Bauer, BobbyBobby Bauer
2011-12 Season Preview - Eastern Conference
With the NHL's season opener just days away, it's time for an in-depth season preview of all 30 teams. Today we'll look at the Eastern Conference, with the Western Conference coming up tomorrow. (The Western Conference preview is here.)
Philadelphia Flyers: Finally solved their goaltending problem once and for all, in the sense that their problem was that fans weren't sure which goaltender to blame for destroying their salary cap.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Matt Cooke says he understands that his attempt to reform his game will have ups and downs, but still admits he could do without Brendan Shanahan randomly jumping out of the shadows, hitting him in the nose with a rolled up newspaper, and yelling "NO to whatever you were thinking just now."
New York Islanders: Signed John Tavares to a six-year contract that will guarantee he stays in Long Island for another year or two.
New Jersey Devils: The players all say they're confident that new coach Peter DeBoer will last longer than John MacLean did last year, but hope he understands if they hold on to the receipt for his Secret Santa gift just in case.
New York Rangers: Will once again rely on their all-world goaltending tandem of the starter, Henrik Lundqvist, and the backup, an exhausted Henrik Lundqvist.
What to watch: Sidney Crosby, to see if he seems to be experiencing any post-concussion symptoms caused by the exertion of flipping over all the tables in the room after the thousandth time somebody asks him if he's been experiencing any post-concussion symptoms caused by exertion.
Fearless prediction: The Flyers finally solve their chemistry issues and have everyone in the dressing room on the same page, according to captain Chris Pronger and 19 guys trembling in the fetal position.
Winnipeg Jets: They've wisely learned from the mistakes of previous teams who moved from Atlanta to Canada, by making sure there wasn't already a better team in the same province who'd dominate them for the better part of the next decade.
Washington Capitals: An overworked scouting staff will have to split time between watching potential first overall picks and Stanley Cup final opponents.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Steven Stamkos has seemed quicker ever since he started training with Gary Roberts, although he mostly uses that quickness to run up to strangers and frantically ask them to give him some real food.
Carolina Hurricanes: This team seems to have an awful lot of former Maple Leafs on it, a sobbing Paul Maurice just informed an empty bottle of malt liquor.
Florida Panthers: The team's young defenceman absolutely need to stop getting undressed on opposing rushes, insists Rocco Grimaldi.
What to watch: The awkward silence after self-proclaimed diehard hockey fans from the other four teams congratulate Winnipeg fans on having an NHL team for the first time ever.
Fearless prediction: Their off-season spending spree has the Panthers mailing out playoff ticket order forms, although with Dale Tallon in charge the forms don't start arriving until July.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Tim Connolly finally solved the team's long-standing need for a first-line center by arriving at training camp, pointing at Mikhail Grabovski, and saying "Um, he's been here for three years".
Ottawa Senators: The team may not make the playoffs again for years, which is great since it should give the pre-game gladiator guy a chance to memorize his lines next time.
Boston Bruins: While it sounded like a good idea when they booked it in mid-August, that "How to win when it counts" motivational seminar by the Red Sox now seems like a mistake.
Montreal Canadiens: Proved once again that they have the smartest fans in the country, since you never see them tagging themselves in post-game riot photos on Facebook.
Buffalo Sabres: Ville Leino and Christian Ehrhoff should provide the Sabres with production at a fraction of the cost of similar players, in the sense that 3/2 is technically a fraction.
What to watch: The Ontario provincial election returns on opening night, since it may be the only chance all season to see anyone from that province win something.
Fearless prediction: In his first game against the Bruins since breaking his neck, Max Pacioretty slams Zdeno Chara face-first into the stanchion in an attempt to do some retaliatory damage to the stanchion.
Atlantic Division
Pittsburgh Penguins: Matt Cooke says he understands that his attempt to reform his game will have ups and downs, but still admits he could do without Brendan Shanahan randomly jumping out of the shadows, hitting him in the nose with a rolled up newspaper, and yelling "NO to whatever you were thinking just now."
New York Islanders: Signed John Tavares to a six-year contract that will guarantee he stays in Long Island for another year or two.
New Jersey Devils: The players all say they're confident that new coach Peter DeBoer will last longer than John MacLean did last year, but hope he understands if they hold on to the receipt for his Secret Santa gift just in case.
New York Rangers: Will once again rely on their all-world goaltending tandem of the starter, Henrik Lundqvist, and the backup, an exhausted Henrik Lundqvist.
What to watch: Sidney Crosby, to see if he seems to be experiencing any post-concussion symptoms caused by the exertion of flipping over all the tables in the room after the thousandth time somebody asks him if he's been experiencing any post-concussion symptoms caused by exertion.
Fearless prediction: The Flyers finally solve their chemistry issues and have everyone in the dressing room on the same page, according to captain Chris Pronger and 19 guys trembling in the fetal position.
Southeast Division
Washington Capitals: An overworked scouting staff will have to split time between watching potential first overall picks and Stanley Cup final opponents.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Steven Stamkos has seemed quicker ever since he started training with Gary Roberts, although he mostly uses that quickness to run up to strangers and frantically ask them to give him some real food.
Carolina Hurricanes: This team seems to have an awful lot of former Maple Leafs on it, a sobbing Paul Maurice just informed an empty bottle of malt liquor.
Florida Panthers: The team's young defenceman absolutely need to stop getting undressed on opposing rushes, insists Rocco Grimaldi.
What to watch: The awkward silence after self-proclaimed diehard hockey fans from the other four teams congratulate Winnipeg fans on having an NHL team for the first time ever.
Fearless prediction: Their off-season spending spree has the Panthers mailing out playoff ticket order forms, although with Dale Tallon in charge the forms don't start arriving until July.
Northeast Division
Ottawa Senators: The team may not make the playoffs again for years, which is great since it should give the pre-game gladiator guy a chance to memorize his lines next time.
Boston Bruins: While it sounded like a good idea when they booked it in mid-August, that "How to win when it counts" motivational seminar by the Red Sox now seems like a mistake.
Montreal Canadiens: Proved once again that they have the smartest fans in the country, since you never see them tagging themselves in post-game riot photos on Facebook.
Buffalo Sabres: Ville Leino and Christian Ehrhoff should provide the Sabres with production at a fraction of the cost of similar players, in the sense that 3/2 is technically a fraction.
What to watch: The Ontario provincial election returns on opening night, since it may be the only chance all season to see anyone from that province win something.
Fearless prediction: In his first game against the Bruins since breaking his neck, Max Pacioretty slams Zdeno Chara face-first into the stanchion in an attempt to do some retaliatory damage to the stanchion.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownGoesBrown/~3/ydTEHoNUitQ/2011-12-nhl-season-preview-eastern.html
Blake, ToeToe Blake Bobby Carpenter Boivin, LeoLeo Boivin Boon, DickieDickie Boon Bossy, MikeMike Bossy
Bobby Ryan A Bruin? Is There A Blockbuster On The Horizon?
Losers of seven in a row and thirteen of their past fourteen, there is little doubt that the Anaheim Ducks are in a complete tailspin. Their current streak has left them with a 6-13-4 (16 Points) record and has left them in 14th place in the Western Conference, a mere one point ahead of the [...]
Source: http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/woodwardb/41101/
Boucher, FrankFrank Boucher Boucher, GuyGuy Boucher Boudreau, BruceBruce Boudreau Bourque, RayRay Bourque Bower, JohnnyJohnny Bower
Wolski Out A Month; Requires Surgery
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| Source: ESPN |
I guess this means that Wolski may be spending some more time in the hot tub.
Source: http://puckcentral.blogspot.com/2011/11/wolski-out-month-requires-surgery.html
Francis, RonRon Francis Frank Coddy Winters Frank Nick Kahler Frank Brimsek Frank Zamboni
Some news
Hi folks... a couple of quick pieces of site news.
First, as you may have noticed there's no new post today. Starting this week, my regularly scheduled posts will be appearing on Tuesdays and Saturdays (both here and in the Post). So check back tomorrow. My apologies in advance to readers who may now be forced to pay attention in class and/or at work.
Second, I'm going to be writing a monthly feature called The NHL's Three Stars of Comedy over at Grantland. The October edition just went live, and you can check it out here. I'll also be chipping in additional Grantland posts from time to time.
Thanks again for your continued support.
First, as you may have noticed there's no new post today. Starting this week, my regularly scheduled posts will be appearing on Tuesdays and Saturdays (both here and in the Post). So check back tomorrow. My apologies in advance to readers who may now be forced to pay attention in class and/or at work.
Second, I'm going to be writing a monthly feature called The NHL's Three Stars of Comedy over at Grantland. The October edition just went live, and you can check it out here. I'll also be chipping in additional Grantland posts from time to time.
Thanks again for your continued support.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownGoesBrown/~3/0S6a9VXVQ6w/some-news.html
Joe Sacco John Connie Pleban John Doc Gibson John Jack Garrity John Jack Kelley
Game Day Preview: Jets @ Hurricanes
Both the Jets and Canes sit with 20 points (although the Jets have 2 games in-hand) and in a three way tie for 3rd in the southeast. Tonight will be a critical game for both teams and the first meeting since the Jets won 5-3 at the MTS Centre on October 22nd.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IllegalCurve/~3/AkDHz76l2bs/
Clifford Fido Purpur Coffey, PaulPaul Coffey Colorado Avalanche Columbus Blue Jackets Colville, NeilNeil Colville
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