Giving the Kids a Shot
When the New York Islanders and head coach Scott Gordon announced their opening day roster, members of the media as well as fans world wide were given a reason to cringe. It looked as if this would be another season of disgust and embarrassment.
The focus quickly shifted to this team being a potential for the playoffs. A late season slide has the Islanders looking at a top five draft choice at this years upcoming draft instead of a playoff birth. One way or the other, both will benefit the team moving forward so whichever happens Islanders fans there is no reason to panic.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League, Atlantic, By Teams, Eastern Conference, NHLHS Features, New York Islanders Tags: Jack Hillen, John Tavares, Josh Bailey, Kyle Okposo, Matt Moulson, Rob Schremp
Ranger Blues at Home Continues
NHLHS writer Brandon Augienello gives his post game thoughts on the New York Rangers recent downfall.
Down 3-2 early in the third period, the New York Rangers had a glorious opportunity to tie the game, when they were on a 1:17 two-man advantage. But being that this is, infact the Rangers we are talking about here, the end result was as typical as it was painful.
Not only did the Rangers fail to score, they didn’t even produce a single quality scoring chance. And while they did briefly tie the visitng St. Louis Blues, with a blueline softie from Wade Redden (this isn’t a typo), the Rangers did inevitably fall victim at home, yet again, by the score of 4-3.
Categories: New York Rangers Tags: Brad Boyes, Chris Drury, Erik Johnson, Henrik Lundqvist, Marian Gaborik, Mike Weaver, New York Rangers, Paul Kariya, Roman Polak, Ryan Callahan, St. Louis Blues, Wade Redden
Flyers’ Playoff Hopes Fall on Boucher
NHLHS writer Dave Strehle takes a look at the constant black cloud that sits above the goal net of the Philadelphia Flyers.
The nightmare season for Philadelphia Flyers netminders continues.
GM Paul Holmgren revealed today that Michael Leighton’s high ankle sprain is severe and that he is likely to miss 8-10 weeks. 33-year-old Brian Boucher, whom Leighton had taken over for when Boosh suffered a lacerated finger in a game against the Florida Panthers on December 21st, will again take over the #1 spot.
It has been an injury-riddled year for any goalie wearing the Orange and Black. The season began on a high note with Ray Emery as the Flyers’ #1 goaltender, but when Razor required surgery to repair a tear in his abdominal wall, Boucher took over. It was at that time that Holmgren made the waiver wire move to pick up Leighton from the Carolina Hurricanes.
Categories: Around the League, Atlantic, Eastern Conference, NHLHS Features, Philadelphia Flyers Tags: Brian Boucher, jeremy duchesne, Johan Backlund, Michael Leighton, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, Ray Emery
To Suspend or Not to Suspend
James Wisniewski received an eight game suspension today for a retaliatory boarding call on prized Blackhawk defenseman Brent Seabrook. At this point we all know that Colin Campbell needs to put his foot down on the issue, but was this hit that bad?
Categories: Anaheim Ducks, Around the League, By Teams, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, NHLHS Features, Pacific, Western Conference Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks, Colin Campbell, James Wisniewski
Calder Profiles: James van Riemsdyk
NHLHS writer Dave Strehle takes a look at Philadelphia Flyers rookie forward James van Riemsdyk.
The 2006-07 season was the worst in the history of the Philadelphia Flyers’ franchise as they finished last overall, and for their troubles they received the #2 overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft via the Draft Lottery.
With that draft pick, Philadelphia picked left wing James van Riemsdyk, a local kid born in Middletown, New Jersey on May 4th, 1989. Ironically, van Riemsdyk grew up a fan of the Flyers’ arch-rival New York Rangers.
The 6′ 3″, 200 pound van Riemsdyk took a little longer to make it to the NHL than did the #1 overall pick that year, fellow-American Patrick Kane, who was taken by the Chicago Blackhawks. While Kane made the jump right to Chicago and eventually won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie that season, van Riemsdyk decided to go to college at the University of New Hampshire.
Categories: Atlantic, Calder Profiles, Eastern Conference, NHLHS Features, Philadelphia Flyers Tags: Calder trophy, James van Riemsdyk, john leclair, John Tavares, Matt Duchene, Patrick Kane, Philadelphia Flyers, Tyler Myers
