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
The Man Behind the Mask: Tuukka Rask
The NHLHS Man Behind The Mask series is a profile on some of the best goalies in the league to ever wear the “mask”. We hope you enjoy the latest installment of the NHLHS MBTM series.
As an NHL goaltender, the road to becoming a starter is never easy. Just ask Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins.
Drafted 21st overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Rask never obtained the opportunity to play at any North American level of professional hockey by the Leafs and on June 24th, 2006 he was traded to the Boston Bruins for former Cader Trophy winner Andrew Raycroft. The Leafs felt they had their future secured with Justin Pogge in their pipeline. Pogge has since been traded and is now a member of the Carolina Hurricanes.
For Tuukka Rask, this was a blessing in disguise.
Categories: Boston Bruins, NHLHS Features, The Man Behind the Mask Tags: Andrew Raycroft, Boston Bruins, Goalie, Goaltender, hockey, Justin Pogge, Mask, Rask, Starting Goalie, Tuukka Rask
Divisional Breakdowns…
NHLHS Jodie Smola describes her dislike within the Southeast Division and it’s structure.
Don’t get me wrong, I like the fact that the divisions are regional in geography however living within the Southeast Division you rapidly realize that this setup is easily playing favorites.
I cover the Washington Capitals and while they are a good team, with some amazing talent, their NHL standings are skewed by the division they reside in.
The Caps easily dominate their division and this pretty much guarantees that they win those points. This pads their point total and that isn’t fair to everyone else in the league, especially those in highly contested divisions.
The lopsidedness of this division screams for the issue to be addressed. I’m not entirely sure that it can be permanently addressed though as the situation was most likely created by Washington’s long period of mediocre play and high draft positioning but the NHL should at least try.
I’d like to go back to watching hockey games and not slaughters.
Jodie Smola
NHLHS Capitals Correspondent / NHL Writer
jsmola@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @phillysunshine
Categories: Around the League, Eastern Conference, NHLHS Features, Southeast, Washington Capitals Tags: Southeast Division, Washington Capitals
