Tag Archives: sports

2013 Free Agency Frenzy…!

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Everyone’s favourite or least favourite day of the NHL off-season has arrived ladies and gentlemen: Free Agent Frenzy! If you are like me than you also have a love/hate relationship with the crazy part of the off-season when your favourite team/players makes moves that anger or excite you. Some teams made bigger moves while others went for the smaller moves.

Around the League Free Agency moves/trades:

In one of the most surprising moves of the day, Daniel Alfredsson chose to not re-sign with the Ottawa Senators but has indeed signed a 1-year contract [$5.5 million] with the Detroit Red Wings. Don’t forget with the re-alignment official at the start of next season, Detroit and Ottawa are now division rivals both on the Eastern side of the equation.

The Detroit Red Wings have also signed free agent Stephen Weiss to a 5-year contract [$24.5 million].

Former Detroit Red Wing, Valteri Filppula has agreed to a 5-year contract [$25 million] with Tampa Bay.

Following the loss of their longtime captain to Detroit, the Ottawa Senators acquired forward Bobby Ryan from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forwards Jakob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen and a 2014 first round draft pick.

Yesterday the Boston Bruins grabbed headlines with the trade of Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley to the Dallas Stars. Today a few more fan favourite Bruins signed elsewhere when Nathan Horton agreed to a 7-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Andrew Ference agreed to a 4-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

Speaking of the Bruins grabbing headlines remember how it was initially reported that he chose Boston prior to the trade deadline? Well, this time he its true he has agreed to a 1-year contract with the Boston Bruins [$6 million]. It is safe to say I can longer root for you Iggy now that you have crossed over to the dark side!

Jason Labarbera signed a 1-year contract [$1 million] with the Edmonton Oilers.

Last year it was the Wild that made the biggest splash in the free agency pool with spending $198 million on 2 players. This year has been a much quieter start to the free agency bonanza for Minnesota. The Minnesota Wild traded forward Devin Setoguchi to the Winnipeg Jets for a 2014 2nd round draft pick. Everyone’s favourite pest, Matt Cooke has come to terms with the Minnesota Wild on a 3-year contract [$7.5 million].

Rob Scuderi has come to terms with the Pittsburgh Penguins on a 4-year contract [$13.5 million]. Scuderi won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009 and with the LA Kings in 2012.

The Dallas Stars have signed back-up goalie Dan Ellis to a 2-year contract [$1.8 million].

Stanley Cup champion goalie Ray Emery has signed a 1-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin is once again a Chicago Blackhawk after agreeing to a 1-year contract.

Former Philadelphia Flyer, Danny Briere agreed to a 2-year contract [$8 million] with the Montreal Canadiens.

The New Jersey Devils were busy during the first day of free agency signing Ryane Clowe to 5-year contract [$24.25 million] along with Michael Ryder  to a 2-year contract [$7 million]

Claude Giroux agreed to an 8-year contract extension with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Toronto made some bold moves following the buyout of Mikhael Gabrovski yesterday. The re-signed Bozak to a 5-year deal [$21 million] and signed a free agent David Clarkson to a 7-year deal [$36.75 million] that includes a limited to trade clause + a no move clause.

The Nashville Predators made a few splashes in the free agency pool to help fill some of the gaps that haunted them last year. Stanley Cup champion, Viktor Stalberg agreed to a 4-year contract [$12 million]. Former Minnesota Wild forward Matt Cullen and Nashville agreed to terms on a 2-year contract [$7 million]. The Predators also signed forward Matt Hendricks to a 4-year contract [$7.4 million] and forward Eric Nystrom to a 4-year contract [$10 million].

The New York Islanders re-signed Travis Harmonic to a 7-year contract [$27 million]. The Isles also re-signed Evgeni Nabokov to a 1-year contract [$3.25 million] following a solid year by the veteran goal-tender who helped New York get back into the playoffs for the first time in 7 years.

Canucks News:

The Canucks began their free agency course earlier this week when they bought out the remainder of Keith Ballard’s contract to free up cap space and allow him to become a free agent. As you know he was not unemployed for long as he was snapped up by the Minnesota Wild for a 2-year deal worth [$3 million]. Best of luck Ballard near your home town, you deserve a fresh start!

[***has yet to be officially announced]. Rumor has it that free agency has claimed Mason Raymond who reportedly was signed by the Calgary Flames to a 2-year deal. It would exciting for him to play in his home province in front of friends and family. I will miss saying things like #EVERYBODYLOVESRAYMOND every time he scores. I will not root for the Flames ever if this rumor comes to pass, but I do wish Mason the best of luck wherever he ends up.

Forward Maxim Lapierre has signed a 2-year contract[$2.2 million] with the St.Louis Blues. You will be missed by the fans! Best of luck in St.Louis Max!

Short-term Canuck Derek Roy has signed a 1-year contract[$4 million] also with the St.Louis Blues.

Vancouver signed defenceman Yannick Weber to a 1-year contract [$650K] along with forward Brad Richardson to a 2-year contract. Welcome to Canuck Nation, Weber & Richardson! Remember going into free agency the Canucks did not[& do not] have a lot of cap space to make a big splash.

Canuck nation is also waiting to hear confirmation of defenceman Chris Tanev being re-signed. Fingers crossed it is announced sooner rather than later and that the team is not forced to match some ridiculous offer sheet [mind you that is a real possibility!].

Day one of free agency has come and gone with its mark left on many teams. It is hardly the end of the free agency saga that will continue over the next few weeks. Along with more signings to come there will also inevitably be more trades announced. Prepare yourselves hockey fans, this is only the beginning!

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Call Me Maybe: AV to NY 4 Torts to VAN?!

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Do hear that ever growing loud buzzing noise? Those are the whispers regarding the newest potential Canucks head coach getting louder. First it was Dallas Eakins as the front runner until he struck Oil in Edmonton as a great fit for a young core team. Next in the front runner positions are John Stevens who is currently an assistant coach in LA, Lindy Ruff who was fired earlier in the year by Buffalo and former head coach of the NY Rangers the ever colorful John Tortorella.

The most interesting of the three candidates is perhaps John Tortorella not just because of his colorful way of dealing with the media but because former Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault has reportedly signed a 5-year contract with the New York Rangers [rumored to be worth $10 million].

Wouldn’t it be something if these two switch places? I know I am not the only one who would be slightly amused by role reversals. Both cities are hockey markets where the fans and media alike have expectations on the daily basis from both the coach and the team. It is not yet official as to who will be the next coach for the Canucks but the rumors regarding Torts to Vancouver are getting louder with each day that passes. Best of luck in New York AV!

What are your thoughts #CanuckNation about the possibility of Torts coming to the Canucks as head coach? He has Stanley Cup experience[Tampa Bay], and has worked in a hockey mad market[New York] and can more than handle whatever the media tries to throw at him. Perhaps he could be a the trigger to light a fire under this team or perhaps not. Imagine Torts addressing the media…can you picture it? I think he would have tone down his colorful commentary slightly but sometimes the media in this town are crazy and should be called on it.Maybe he will be the next head coach or maybe Gillis and company will go another direction [Stevens or Ruff or perhaps a former player will be added to the mix!]. All that being said the team will hopefully name a coach prior to the draft and free agency madness.

Any of you still watching the Stanley Cup Final? Its a hard match up for me to watch as a Canucks fan..but because I am a fan of the GAME itself I have watched. Currently 3 games done and Boston leads the series 2-1. The first two games both went to overtime [stretching over 10 periods of hockey!]. The third game has been the only one to end in regulation and Boston taking the series lead. Rask is a huge part of the reason why Boston has been so good this post-season and he proved that in game 3 posting his 3rd shutout in the last 7 games. Game 4 will be a series changer if Boston takes the 3-1 series lead OR if Chicago finds their scoring touch and returns to Chicago with a tied series. I will not pick a side in this series but it will be interesting to see how the rest of this series goes as a hockey fan.

In other NHL news, Logan Couture has inked a new 5-year contract worth $30 million [an annual cap hit of $6 million] and Pavel Datsyuk has signed a 3-year contract extension worth $22.5 million[an annual cap hit of $7.5 million]. Rumor has it that LA is preparing to trade back up goalie Jonathan Bernier with Toronto and Philadelphia emerging as the frontrunners in that race. For Philadelphia it would be great to give Bernier a chance as a starter and to push Steve Mason. For Toronto it simply raises more questions regarding their goal-tending situation as it seems no matter how good James Reimer plays it is never good enough. Then again, LA was supposedly going to trade Bernier last year.

The drama never seems to end in the hockey world. By next week’s end the Stanley Cup Final will be over and the draft about the start. Trades pace the NHL draft prior to the start of the craze that is free agency beginning July 5.

I will sign off today, asking you #CanuckNation: who do you think will be the next Canucks head coach? Drop a comment with your choice/reason regarding the coach you’d like to see behind the bench!

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

2013 SC Final has arrived…

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If you are a Canucks fan it will be hard to pick a side when the Stanley Cup Finals begin this week featuring the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins. This is not my idea of a fun blog post BUT these two teams proved themselves to be the best in their respective conferences.

I am not a fan of either team but they both earned their way to the Stanley Cup Final fair and square. Chicago has set the standard all season long by being the best team in the league and playing some very impressive playoff hockey. Boston’s numbers were not quite as impressive as Chicago BUT they also played a high level of hockey all season.

Their numbers in the playoffs have been very similar with Chicago posting a 12-5 record in 17 games and Boston posting a 12-4 record in 16 games.

Round 1: Chicago vs. Minnesota. Result: Chicago defeated Minnesota in 5 games.

Boston vs. Toronto. Result: Boston defeated Toronto in 7 games.

Round 2: Chicago vs. Detroit. Result: Chicago defeated Detroit in 7 games.

Boston vs. New York Rangers. Result: Boston defeated New York in 5 games.

Round 3: Chicago vs. LA. Result: Chicago defeated LA in 5 games.

Boston vs. Pittsburgh. Result: Boston defeated Pittsburgh in a 4 game sweep.

Round 4: Chicago vs. Boston. Begins: Wednesday June 12th in Chicago.

An original six match up for the first time in many years is sure bring some great hockey moments to the game. What more can a hockey fan ask for than a show down between two teams that have not met in the finals since 1979?

I’m sure the series will feature some great moments for both teams but in the end the only thing that matters is who gets 4 wins to clinch their latest Stanley Cup. One of these two teams will walk away from this series victorious as the 2013 Stanley Cup Champion. Will I be rooting for either one of them in particular? Probably not, but I respect that their incredible depth and talent got them this far into the playoffs and this series will be a classic as is any original six match up.

I am not going to root one way or the other as for me it would be like picking the lesser of two evils and I’m not sure I can watch it to be honest. Whatever happens, it will be a great series for the fans of these two teams as well as fans of the game. Best of luck to the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins as they approach this final round. The final always features two very talented teams and this year is no different. The end is just beginning and it will be interesting to see how these two teams will match up when the puck drops Wednesday.

Enjoy the finals for all those who will be watching, its going to be a great series even if some of us cannot join you!

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Oi Vey Game 7 Controversy…!

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In the playoffs it is inevitable that there will be a few questionable or missed calls. Wednesday’s game 7 between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings featured a few missed calls here and there as the refs attempted to let the two teams play it out. BUT there was one call in particular near the end of the game that will go down as one of the worst calls made in the 2013 playoffs so far. I know I am not the only one who was shaking their head at that no goal call.

There was just under two minutes left as the game seemed destined for overtime in a tight 1-1 game that is until the Blackhawks scored the go ahead goal. Cue the madhouse going bonkers as the fans were up on their feet as only game 7 intensity can when it appears the home side will win. That is until the arena realizes that the refs have in fact waived off the goal and it remains a tied game. Everyone in that arena and watching on TV was stunned at the call….stunned I tell you. I may not be a fan of Chicago BUT I know a bad call when I see one & that was most definitely a bad call and they were forced to think for a moment of the what if possibilities. That call could have cost Chicago the game and the series, that no goal would have haunted them for the summer had Detroit ended up winning that game. We all know what happened, Chicago came out in overtime and made no mistake in getting back the goal they were robbed of to take the series and move on the playoffs. 

 

No this call did not end up costing Chicago the series BUT it could have. There are always controversial calls/non-calls made in the playoffs BUT this one takes the cake. I may not be a fan of Chicago but as a fan of the game when the refs make a gaffe that huge that could and almost does impact the outcome of the game and series…it makes one question: who is pulling the strings in this puppet game?[*cough*Bettman*cough]  

Just 4 teams remain and you can bet those teams and their fans will be hoping that there be no more nonsense calls like that one. Will there be calls missed? Probably but hopefully none that are on this scale where it could impact a series outcome. The kicker is that these were seasoned refs making the calls last night…and you can bet had the game gone the other way the blame would most certainly lie with the ref who made the controversial call.

Best of luck to the final 4 teams [Chicago, LA, Boston, & Pittsburgh]! I cannot cheer for Boston, LA or for Chicago though I respect the talent that those THREE rosters boast. I will cheer for Pittsburgh mostly because of Iginla who deserves to win it all after everything he endured the last few years. No I am not a bandwagon fan BUT I do enjoy the game itself beyond my Canucks. So, if other Canucks fans find themselves drawn to watching hockey during the final four and cheering for any of the teams there will be no judgement. Everyone is entitled to have their own opinion as to whoever they want to support whether that is for Pittsburgh, Boston, LA or Chicago.

There will always be controversy and missed calls in one playoff series but you hope that if controversy and missed calls combine that it does not end up determining a series outcome.

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

 

Canucks Coach Conundrum

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Perhaps the 17th time is the charm?  The 17th coach in Vancouver Canucks history that is, or will be when their 17th coach is eventually named.

There have been 16 coaches to take the podium as the head of the Vancouver Canucks coaching staff:

1. Hal Laycoe 1970-1972

2. Val Stasiuk 1972-1973

3. Bill McCreary 1973-1974

4. Phil Maloney 1974-1977

5. Orland Kurtenbach 1977-1978 [*First former player to ever Captain the team and also later coach the team].

6. Harry Neale 1978-1982, 1984, 1984-1985

7. Roger Nielson 1982-1984

8. Bill LaForge 1984

9. Tom Watt 1985-1987

10. Bob McCammon 1987-1991

11. Pat Quinn 1991-1994, 1996 [*Winner of the Jack Adams in 1992]

12. Rick Ley 1994-1996

13. Tom Renney 1996-1997

14. Mike Keenan 1997-1999

15. Marc Crawford 1999-2006

16. Alain Vigneault 2006-2013 [*Winner of the Jack Adams in 2007]

17. TO BE NAMED at a later date [*hopefully before the NHL draft!]

There are plenty of candidates for the position. There are former head bench bosses such as former Buffalo Sabre head coach Lindy Ruff or former Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan or the more unlikely option of Dave Tippet whose future with Phoenix is still up in the air. There is also the AHL route which includes current Vancouver AHL affiliate coach Scott Arniel [who also coached the Manitoba Moose when some current Canucks were on that roster!] and the current coach of the Toronto Marlies, Dallas Eakins. Eakins may not have experience behind an NHL bench but he has a reputation for being a players coach and helping to develop young players. The question remains will the Canucks go with a veteran bench boss OR take a chance with a more than capable AHL candidate? OR will they play the wild card and least likely option of going with a former player?

I like the possibility of Eakins as head coach. From all the things I have read about him, he reminds A LOT of Dan Bylmsa a few years ago before he became the head coach of Pittsburgh. I am not saying that he will have the same instant success, just simply that his coaching style reminds me of Bylsma and that I think could potentially be a good thing.

Whoever the Canucks do indeed hire as their next head coach who do you think will be named as his assistants? Now while I do not think the organization will name a former player as head coach, I do think it is definitely a possibility that they could name a former player as an assistant coach. I think Trevor Linden would excel in this category as he is familiar with players, the organization and is an impeccable leader not too mention the FANS would love to see Linden back with the Canucks. I’m not saying the Canucks will ask Linden or any other former player to come back in this capacity but it certainly presents an interesting possibility.

Mike Gillis has said that this decision will not be made on a whim but rather that they will take their time in finding and naming who they think will be the right coach for this team. It’s going to be quite a ride, are you ready for this roller coaster change coming Canuck fans? Changes in sports are inevitable. More changes will be coming before all is said and done.

First stop along this crazy roller coaster ride is finding the franchise’s 17th coach. Who do you think it will be or who do you hope will be in the running? Leave your comments below!

As always, until next time nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Winds of Change are Brewing…

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The winds of change are blowing into the Vancouver Canucks line-up and personnel this summer. These changes could and probably will involve not one but multiple trades and a possible coaching change to name a few. The rumors grow louder every day.

The media storm has already begun to spin its web of rumors. I would like to ask, WHY are we driving ourselves and each crazy trying to create headlines? Why not wait until the rumors and fiction become fact.

Simply put, let’s just wait and see what happens this summer before helping the media spin their rumor web.The winds of change are blowing around the league, just ask Dallas and Buffalo! Ch-ch-changes are are brewing just around the corner. The new CBA goes into affect and our current two conference system will be replaced with a 4 conference/division system. Every team will play each other TWICE[once in each other’s arena!]. Let’s not forget that in edition to the Winter Classic there will be a few extra outdoor games as part of the “Stadium Series” [one that may feature our Canucks…pending an official announcement from the league of course].

No matter what this summer holds for our Canucks, I will still be cheering for the blue & green when they hit the ice again in October. It will be both a little nerve-wracking and exciting to see what this off-season has in store for our Canucks and other teams. In the very least it will be a much more interesting than the last off-season where the only big news was Minnesota investing nearly $200 million in 2 players.

Back to the current playoffs, have you been watching any of the other teams in the playoffs? It seems impossible to not catch a glimpse as playoff hockey is on most nights and occupying many channels. As much as I cannot cheer for Leafs, I was hoping to see them knock out the Bruins…well you know how that ended [game 7 heartbreak!]. Let’s be honest, I cannot under any circumstance cheer for Chicago or Boston…EVER. LA is putting the lights out in San Jose, Detroit has to step it up if they want to make it an interesting series with Chicago and PLEASE New York can you challenge those pesky Bruins?! The only team that I am rooting for is Pittsburgh because it would be really nice to see Jarome Iginla win it all after everything he has been through in his career. #teamIGGY #winitfor12 #GoPenguins

Here’s to enjoying the game as a fan even our Canucks are no longer in it and here’s to looking forward to whatever lies ahead for the team moving into next year. Playoff hockey will be ending in June but there will still be plenty of hockey headlines as the drama tends to unfold when the craze of free agency begins. Are you ready for the madness to ensue?

With the winds of change come new opportunities and possibilities for the team. It’s going to get very interesting around here pretty soon. So while those you who enjoy being part of the growing media rumor web, this kid will wait until rumors and fiction become fact. I accept the fact that changes ARE coming, but until those changes get made official there is no sense in discussing what could be. Whatever happens will happen and I will be happy to discuss any OFFICIAL changes that do in fact get made. I look forward to the many debates that will be fun to be a part of even if they can drive me crazy[mostly because people don’t realize that girls can know more than just the box scores about this game called hockey!].

As always until next time, nuck said. #isitOctoberYET?!

Sarah E.L.

Rumors, Trades, and Facts

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March Madness continues to pick speed as the April 3rd trade deadline approaches. Now that Anaheim has settled the matter of signing both Getzlaf and Perry, the rumor mills are picking up speed every day in regards to the fate of Jarome Iginla. Everyone seems to believe that he will be moved by the trade deadline, it just a matter of where. It seems Calgary management may be willing to part with their eternal Flame[admitting that it is time to rebuild] and Iginla willing to admit that the Flames are nowhere near being the contender they want to be and he deserves to play with a contender. Iginla gave the Flames the green light to wave his NTC[no trade clause] and supposedly also a list of teams he would be willing to go to. Teams rumored to be Iginla’s list are: Pittsburgh, Boston, LA, Detroit and Chicago[even Vancouver has been mentioned but that is a highly unlikely destination]. The movement of Iginla is sure to upset many fans but at this point moving Iginla and beginning their rebuild seem to be their only options. Last night may or may not have been his last game as a Flame, and only time will tell which destination becomes his next reality. Following last night’s game, Iginla refused to comment on situation not wanting to add fuel to the fire. Reports have suggested that in exchange for Jarome, Calgary would like one young promising prospect and two draft picks. The rumors will only grow louder as more and more players are thrown into this fruit basket upset that is known as the trade deadline draws ever closer.

Speaking of rumors, the whispers became fact yesterday when the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired [now former] Dallas Stars Captain Brendan Morrow in exchange for a draft pick & defensive prospect Joe Morrow. Add the the San Jose Sharks to the trade talk mix as rumor has it that they may be looking to move Ryane Clowe, Dan Boyle or Douglas Murray as the team has struggled to find that consistency they had at the start of the year. Make the SJ trade talk official as the Pittsburgh Penguins continue to push for an extensive playoff as they have acquired Douglas Murray from the Sharks in exchange for two 2nd round draft picks. The Penguins have been the most dominant team of the East with the dynamic duo of Crosby & Kunitz, as well they are currently on a 12 game win streak. Looks like the Penguins will be the ones to beat the East. The question now for San Jose is do they continue to sell in order to collect draft picks or do they make one or two BIG moves prior to the deadline in the hopes of making a playoff push?

Outside of the growing trade talk madness, this weekend also marked Tampa Bay’s Guy Boucher as the latest coach to meeting the chopping block. The firing comes following a second straight disappointing season leaving many to suggest that either veteran coach Lindy Ruff or the Tampa AHL affiliate coach Jon Cooper will be asked to take his place.

Back to my Canucks.The Canucks have returned home having completed a 3 game road trip with a perfect 3-0-0 record and are back atop the North West Division [Minnesota is only 2 points behind & have 2 games in hand, they will play tonight]. With the road trip success it brings the Canucks win streak to 4 in a row, and I must say it is much more fun to watch win streaks than losing ones! The last two victories came with the Canucks missing Alex Edler on defense as he was forced to sit both of them out due to a two game suspension[he will return to the lineup March 26th]. With Edler out of the line-up the rest of the defense had to step up and they did. Also it certainly helped that Cory Schneider seems to have found his game again and that consistency that everyone came to expect from him last year! Welcome back Schneids! It will be fun to watch both him & Lou down the stretch over the next 4 weeks as they both drive one another to play better.

In other Canucks news, they learned this week that David Booth will be out for the season following season ending surgery [small sliver of hope he could be back for playoffs], and with his absence the Canucks have had to recall Schroeder who has been EXCELLENT since his be recalled. Jordan Schroeder when combined with Jannik Hansen and Mason Raymond has had great chemistry. It is extremely fun to watch those three play together! The Canucks also had to call upon defenseman Keith Ballard to play forward for a couple games as they were short-handed in the forward department. He played fairly well and had some pretty decent scoring chances.

May I also take this moment to remind you that it is nearly time for Ryan Kesler to return to the lineup as the Canucks prepare for the stretch drive. He could return as soon as within the next week but probably not until the first week of April. The Canucks could definitely use some extra depth at center, particularly in the face-off circle! Wanted: Ryan Kesler 100% healthy and beast mode ready.  #RK17

And just in case you missed this beauty of a gem last night, here it is, Alex Burrows GWG[P.S. that was the 23rd game winning goal of his career!] What a goal!! Enjoy.

Let’s hope that as the Canucks return home they are able to continue their recent success and continue to fight Minnesota for that NW Division leading spot! #GoCanucksGo

Trades, rumors and facts = March Madness indeed! Only time will tell the drama that is sure to continue to unfold as the April 3rd deadline nears and teams make moves for that elusive playoff run.

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

March Madness, here we come!

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So it begins, the phenomenon we call March Madness[and no, sorry but it has nothing to with NCAA basketball].  Let the madness begin. Usually March is synonymous with NHL teams solidifying their rosters and making their playoff push as the season winds down. This year while it is true that EVERY game in March is extremely important to the playoff drive, this week is merely the halfway mark. This year it will truly be March Madness as the halfway mark will be even more significant in a shortened season. Teams have until [3 PM Eastern] April 3rd to make any roster changes to their teams in their quest for the cup. April usually marks the beginning of playoffs, but this year it marks desperation month as teams will try and squeeze as points as possible out the 12-15 games they will play. First all 30 teams [minus Chicago] will battle through March Madness before Absolutely ‘Must Win’ April begins.

March Madness will be a test. Every team will use Chicago’s ridiculously brilliant first half of the season as a measuring stick[seriously…their first half was nearly perfect going 21-0-3!]. By the end of March the frame work of the playoff picture will begin to become clear as desperation teams will look to steal points and momentum from teams that seem locked in. The playoff picture will change a lot between now and the beginning of April.

What better way to begin the madness then to take a look at a revealing statistic? Fun fact: Did you know that no player in the NHL has more points than Henrik Sedin since 2008? True story. That is an incredibly impressive feat considering the offensive talent that has been in the NHL the last 5 years.

Since the beginning of the 2008/2009 season:

Henrik Sedin (Vancouver) –391 points [personal best 112 points in 2009/2010]

Alex Ovechkin (Washington) –386 points [personal best 112 points in 2007/2008]

Daniel Sedin (Vancouver) –360 points [personal best 104 points in 2010/2011]

Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh) –359 points [personal best 113 points in 2008/2009]

Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh) –351 points [personal best 120 points in 2006/2007]

Jarome Iginla (Calgary) –327 points [personal best 98 points in 2007/2008]

Corey Perry (Anaheim) –326 points [personal best 98 points in 2010/2011]

Patrick Kane (Chicago)–324 points [personal best 88 points in 2009/2010]

Patrick Marleau (San Jose)–309 points [personal best 86 points in 2005/2006]

Marian Hossa (Chicago) –274 points [personal best 100 points in 2006/2007]

Jonathan Toews (Chicago) –290 points [personal best 76 points in 2010/2011]

Teemu Selanne (Anaheim) — 265 points [personal best 132 points in 1992/1993 ***rookie season]

Ryan Kesler (Vancouver) — 261 points [personal best 75 points in 2009/2010]

Alex Burrows (Vancouver) — 232 points [This was the beginning of Mr.Clutch goal scorer. Prior to 2008/2009 season Burrows only had 52 points total in the previous 3 seasons!]

March has only just begun, we’ve still got three weeks left for the real madness to ensue. After March Madness will come Absolutely Must Win April. The shortened season has set up lots of home and home series within the mandated conference play leading to many playoff type atmospheres. Are you prepared? Let the madness and desperation begin!

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

P.S. Congratulations to Jannik Hansen and his wife who welcomed twin boys[Daniel & Lucas] into the world March 3rd. Congratulations also go out to Alex Burrows, whose wife Nancy gave birth to their 2nd daughter[Lexie] March 4th.

A day in the life…

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A day in the life of a crazed hockey fan begins almost always the same. There is an air of excitement that can be felt across the city throughout the day. The city turns blue and green everywhere you look. Game day has over taken the city. Jerseys and teams colours are being worn by everyone. Local media from the radio, to the newspapers are making predictions for the big game and the production of certain players beyond the coming evening’s game. Fans all around the city are buzzing with excitement as they make their own predictions over the impending game and their favourite players. Every where you go people are discussing not just the game but the season to come. All around town whether it is at home, on the bus, walking down the street, at work or out for a bite…the game is being discussed. Some people cannot wait while others find the whole sport and the insanity it brings, ridiculous. Pre-game shows begin on the radio and T.V. to further analyze the game that has yet to happen and any incidents or story lines they think might relate to the impending game. [Personally, I like to skip pre-game shows as they usually make me irritable with their inane commentaries.] Game time dawns but that doesn’t mean the puck drops right away. There is the pre-game warm-ups for both teams and all the fans racing for the best spot closest to the ice to view their favourite players.

Then, there are the anthems and any previously scheduled pre-game ceremonies that take place. The lights go out in the arena and suddenly the team logo on the ice is in the spotlight. The horn goes off as the players are announced and skate onto the ice for the anthems and ceremonial puck drop.The entire arena is engulfed in silence as the crowd anticipates the coming anthem and outcome of the game. The anthems begin and an echo of the entire crowd singing in unison gets louder with each line. The excitement is palpable. The puck drops. The home team wins the draw. The crowd begins to cheer as one as the players race down the ice. The whistle blows. The puck is offside. Play begins again and there rushes back and forth as the crowd oohs and aahs. Close calls on both sides. Just as it looks like the home team might score, the whistle blows again. A penalty is being called against the home team. The crowd sends out a round of boos to very loudly to let the refs know they got the call wrong[even if they were right…!]. The crowd is on the edge of their seats as the visiting team spends an entire two minutes of the powerplay in the offensive zone swarming for that elusive first goal only to be denied by impeccable goal-tending and defensive maneuvers by the penalty killers. Each save and block is met with loud cheers for the home team. The home team kills the penalty and the cheers are deafening as the penalized player exits the penalty box and steals the puck for a breakaway. SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Goal celebrations ensue on the ice and those deafening cheers…well lets just say they reach a whole new level. Lines change and the resumes. Action goes back and forth amid cheers from the home crowd or boos when the opposition gets near the puck. The opposing team ties the game….met with a round of ‘terrible goal’ comments and boos from the crowd. The pace picks up as the clock winds down and the game could go either way. ONE minute left in the third period and the game is still tied. Over time seems inevitable. The away team ices the puck…play moves into their end for one last draw….the puck drops and the home team wins the draw back to the point. The defenseman on the point passes cross ice down to the winger on the side of the net who fakes a shot and blindly passes the puck to the forward screening the front of the net who with a quick backhand dekes it in the net just as the buzzer sounds….SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PANDEMONIUM ensues as the the crowd jumps from their seats erupting in cheers and applause as the team leaps from the bench surrounding the goal scorer. The away team skates away heads hung low in disbelief at the over time opportunity lost at final seconds. The home team celebrates the winning goal…three stars are named…the goalie, a very appreciated offensive defensive forward and the game winning hero. The crowd waits to file out as the players are interviewed. After the interviews are over the crowd files out of their seats and make their way through the arena…the home victory is feeding everyone’s mood…people are high-fiving all the way to their cars and public transit and everyone cannot stop talking about that last second goal.The feeling of victory is felt all throughout the city. The day in the life of one crazed hockey fan is one full of endless possibilities. Win or lose this fan will always support her team.

Game days ending in victory or even those ending in a loss are a part of the journey when you follow any sport…but in this current lockout through today the NHL has taken away all league wide regular season games through Nov.1st robbing the fans of any possibilities that could have been. The players and owners may be stuck at a stand still…but the fans deserve better…please, let’s get that new CBA signed & sealed so that we can all go back to our crazy game day routines!

This crazed hockey fan just wants to hear that that lockout is over! #endthelockout #enoughisenough #thefansdeservebetter

As always, until next time nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

…three days, two days, one day, & then we will know…

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As we all knew would happen…in a move that surprises no one, the next chunk of games has been cancelled. All games prior to and on November 1st have been cancelled. The good news is that it still leaves open the possibility for the season to start up on November 2nd.  Thursday has been set as the tentative deadline as the league would like there to be a week or so of training camp in place prior to the season beginning in November should a new CBA be reached. There is still hope following this week’s disappointment of no finalized CBA deal. There was finally REAL discussion and perhaps even paving the way for actual negotiation. Did we all think the players would sign a 50/50 split deal right away? No…but we certainly hoped that they would as we all miss hockey. We also hoped that the NHL would be willing to consider more than Bettman’s ‘my way or no way’ attitude. It is not all doom and gloom as most are determined to believe it to be…as BOTH the NHL and the NHLPA believe there is a deal to be made..that the framework is on the table. The question is will a new deal be reached in time before the entire season is lost in Bettman’s victory lap? Will Fehr and the players be able to communicate to the NHL that they really do WANT to play again?

There is one thing that is very simple…the fans who have always been faithful to this game just want the game back. The fans keep awaiting the very faint possibility that a new deal can be reached salvaging the season. The fans have already lost enough with the games that should have been and the this war of words between Bettman and Fehr. The fans do NOT care one iota about HRR[Hockey Related Revenue] percentages or who is more right….we just want to watch hockey again! Bettman once again has set a deadline…which is Oct.25…if a new deal can be reached by the 25th…that will give the league enough time for a short training camp before launching the season Nov.2. I refuse to give in to all the negativity that surrounds the CBA drama…I am determined to be open to the ever slim hope that a deal can be reached. I hope that instead of writing about the possibility of the upcoming season or the ongoing lockout that in a few days I will be over the moon ecstatic about a new season full of new possibilities. #fingerscrossed #endthelockoutALREADY #wewanthockeyback

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.