Canucks season preview: Sizing up the roster
GM Mike Gillis didn’t waste anytime making changes to a Vancouver team that has bowed out in the 2nd round of the playoffs 2 yeas in a row. His first move was to send the Canucks 2nd round pick, Steve Bernier, and Michael Grabner to the Florida Panthers for Keith Ballard and Victor Oreskivich.
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, NHLHS Features, Nashville Predators, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, Western Conference Tags: Aaron Rome, Alexander Edler, Alexandre Bolduc, Alexandre Burrows, and Darcy Hordichuk, Andrew Alberts, Andrew Raycroft, Christian Erhoff, Cody Hodgson, Cory Schneider, Dan Hamhuis, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Ian Clark, Jannik Hansen, Joel Perrault, Jordan Schroeder, Keith Ballard, Kevin Bieksa, Kyle Wellwood, Manny Malhotra, Mario Bliznak, Mason Raymond, Michael Grabner, Mikael Samuelsson, Mike Gillis, Rick Rypien, Robert Luongo, Roland Melanson, Ryan Johnson, Ryan Kesler, Ryan Suter, Sami Salo, Sergei Shirokov, Shane O’Brien, Shea Weber, Steve Bernier, Tanner Glass, Tomas Fleischmann, Victor Oreskivich
NHLHS Mock Draft: With the Number Eighteen Pick…
NHLHS Mock Draft is our latest feature where we collectively predict the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The draft is a crapshoot and we will be wrong… …but we thought it would be fun to try.
With the 18th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Nashville Predators select…
Read more…
Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League, By Teams, Central, NHLHS Features, Nashville Predators, Western Conference Tags: 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Austin Watson, Kris Draper, Mock Draft
Blackhawks Take the Show to Music City
NHLHS writer Ryan Hackett breaks game three of these Western Conference first round playoffs.
After a much better (and more importantly, productive) effort in their own building Sunday night, the Chicago Blackhawks head to The Music City after knotting the series at a game apiece with the Nashville Predators. Other than an overall sparkling performance by youngster Antti Niemi notching the first Blackhawks post-season shutout since 1996, however, it wasn’t exactly a masterpiece. For a majority of the first two games the Predators have controlled the style and pace of the play forcing the Hawks to stray from their comfort zone and limiting them to only three goals in the first two contests. Add to that some stellar work between the pipes from Pekka Rinne, and it’s been a tad frustrating for Chicago so far, Patrick Kane‘s performance notwithstanding.
Categories: Around the League, Chicago Blackhawks, NHLHS Features, Nashville Predators, Playoff Coverage, Western Conference Tags: Antti Niemi, Chicago Blackhawks, Marian Hossa, Nashville Predators, NHL, NHL Playoffs, Patric Hornqvist, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Pekka Rinne
It Keeps Getting Better
Five days in, seven overtime games and ten road wins later, the playoffs have been all that we could expect and more.
In what has been discussed time and time again, the National Hockey Leagues second season, also known as the Stanley Cup Playoffs, is all about goaltending.
Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings, Brian Boucher of the Philadelphia Flyers, Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks, Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins, Ilya Bryzgalov of the Phoenix Coyotes, Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres, Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators, Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, Evgeni Nabokov of the San Jose Sharks, Marc-Andre Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Antti Niemi of the Chicago Blackhawks, Brian Elliot of the Ottawa Senators, Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings, Jaroslav Halak of the Montreal Canadiens, Craig Anderson of the Colorado Avalanche as well as both Jose Theodore and Seymon Varlamov of the Washington Capitals have not only stepped up to make some amazing saves but have been able to keep each and every series even or close enough to it.
Categories: Around the League, Atlantic, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, Eastern Conference, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, NHLHS Features, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, Northeast, Northwest, Ottawa Senators, Pacific, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Playoff Coverage, San Jose Sharks, Southeast, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, Western Conference Tags: Andrei Kostitsyn, Antti Niemi, Braydon Coburn, Brian Boucher, Brian Elliot, Craig Anderson, Evgeni Malkin, Evgeni Nabokov, Henrik Zetterberg, Ilya Bryzgalov, Jaroslav Halak, Jimmy Howard, Jonathan Quick, Jose Theodore, Marc Andre Fleury, Martin Brodeur, Mike Richards, Nickas Backstrom, Nicklas Backstrom, Patrick Sharp, Pekka Rinne, Peter Forsberg, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Miller, Seymon Varlamov, Sidney Crosby, Tuukka Rask
Discovering the Underdog
NHLHS writer Anthony Curatolo gives a look at how the underdogs are on top to start this year’s NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
If you were a betting man who strictly took the underdogs, the first night of the playoffs made you rich.
And as if the first night of the 2010 NHL playoffs completed wasn’t enough, it seemed as if night two would match night one.
Why you ask? The answer is simple. Not one team considered to be the favorite were able to win.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League, Atlantic, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, Eastern Conference, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, NHLHS Features, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, Northeast, Ottawa Senators, Pacific, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Playoff Coverage, San Jose Sharks, Southeast, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, Western Conference Tags: Jaroslav Halak, Jimmy Howard
Blackhawks vs. Predators: Round 1 Preview
NHLHS writer Ryan Hackett presents his first round preview of the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators series.
Now Playing: Blues Traveler – Traveler & Thieves
At long last, the Chicago Blackhawks have consecutive playoff appearances, and this time, they face the upstart Nashville Predators. This series presents an interesting matchup for two teams who have faced off six times this season, yet haven’t seen each other this calendar year. This scheduling anomaly results in the highly unlikely scenario of division rivals possibly capitalizing on the element of surprise over their opponent.
Categories: Around the League, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, NHLHS Features, Nashville Predators, Western Conference Tags: Antti Niemi, Chicago Blackhawks, Dave Bolland, Martin Erat, Nashville Predators, NHL, Patric Hornqvist, Pekka Rinne, Ryan Suter, Shea Weber
Pros & Cons: Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Our newest feature, Pros and Cons, holds a debate between two of our featured writers as they make an argument for each team in the series. We will continue this series throughout the playoffs as we delve deeper into how these two teams will interact.
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, NHLHS Features, Nashville Predators, Playoff Coverage, Western Conference Tags: Antti Niemi, Barry Trotz, Brent Seabrook, Cristobal Huet, David Legwand, Duncan Keith, J.P. Dumont, Jason Arnott, Joel Ward, Jonathan Toews, Marcel Goc, Marian Hossa, Martin Erat, Patric Hornqvist, Patrick Hornqvist, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Pekka Rinne, Ryan Suter, Shea Weber, Steve Sullivan
Behind the Mask: Chris Mason
NHLHS writer Laura Astorian takes a look at current St. Louis Blues netminder Chris Mason in our latest edition of The Man Behind the Mask.
Nashville has a certain reputation with starting goaltenders. Solid and impressive first year followed by a middling second with the team, which is promptly followed by the starter becoming the back-up, and the back-up becoming the starter. Dan Ellis and Pekka Rinne come to mind usually the most quickly, because both goalies are still with the Predators (albeit in a 1A/1B tandem). But what of the goaltender that Ellis dethroned?
Chris Mason learned that turnabout is sometimes fair play.
The back-up to Tomas Vokoun starting during the 2003-2004 season, the 122nd overall pick of the 1995 entry draft caught eyes with his .926 SV% and 2.18 GAA in the seventeen games that he played in. After the lock-out, he took over the full position of back-up, with a .913 SV% and 2.54 GAA.
Upon Vokoun’s leaving for the Sunshine State after the 2006-2007 season, Mason stepped up and assumed the role of full time starter. This wasn’t quite a big of jump as one might expect; Mason had played 40 games the prior season, with a .925 SV% and a 2.38 GAA. 2007-2008, though, was not to be as stellar, and left a chance for Ellis to creep up. Mason finished that season with a lackluster .898 SV% and a 2.90 GAA. He was a UFA at the end of the season, and with Dan Ellis and rookie Pekka Rinne coming up through the system, the Predators let him walk.
The St. Louis Blues needed a veteran goaltender to stand behind the injury prone Manny Legace. The previous season’s backup, Hannu Toivonen, had just come off a terrible season and returned to Finland, so there was a perfect spot for Mason. Legace, however, was struggling under the weight of Mason’s similiar-sized contract, and despite it being a UFA season for him, his numbers dropped off terribly and by February he had found himself waived to Peoria.
Mason had overtaken the role of starter once again. He led the Blues down an astounding 25-9-7 path at the end of the 2008-2009 season, ensuring the team had the league’s best post-All Star Game record, and also ensuring that the Blues returned to the playoffs for the first time since before the lockout.
Despite being swept in the first round by the Vancouver Canucks, the Blues felt sold on their goaltending situation, adding back-up Ty Conklin to the team for this season, but still communicating to Mason and the fans that he was the number one.
Despite the Blues missing the playoffs for yet another season after a second half that was solid, Mason still has put up solid numbers for the season. The end of the season marks contract renewal time, as on July 1st he is a free agent, but don’t ask him what his plans are for the future. For right now, Mason just wants the Blues’ opponents to keep on fearing the beard.
Laura Astorian
NHLHS St. Louis Blues Correspondant
lastorian@nhlhotstove.com
@hildymac
Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League, By Teams, Central, NHLHS Features, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, The Man Behind the Mask, Western Conference Tags: Chris Mason, Hannu Toivonen, Manny Legace, Nashville Predators, Pekka Rinne, St. Louis Blues, Ty Conklin
The Value Of: Paul Kariya
NHL Hot Stove presents it’s “The Value Of” series which will look at some of the names discussed around the NHL who likely will be moved at the March 3rd trade deadline.
Categories: Atlantic, Boston Bruins, By Teams, Calgary Flames, Central, Deadline Speculation, Eastern Conference, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, Northeast, Northwest, Value Of:, Western Conference Tags: Bill Guerin, Larry Pleau, Mark Recchi, Martins Karsums, Matt Lashoff, Paul Kariya
Today’s Waiver Fodder
Although these are not the type of moves expected following the holiday roster freeze, two GMs made some minor roster decisions today. The Anaheim Ducks placed forward Kyle Calder on waivers while the Nasville Predators did the same with Dave Scatchard.
Calder skated to the left of Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf on the top line however he turned in a sub-par performance. The 32-year-old Calder produced only two assists in 14 games for the Ducks while posting a minus-seven rating.
Scatchard going on waiver may be a surprise to some but with the recent callup and play of rookie Nick Spaling, the veteran became redundant. This move also frees up cap space for the team, albeit not a lot but every dollar counts in this economy.
In 16 games, Scatchard posted five points and a plus-three. The 33-year-old averaged a little under 11 minutes of ice time per game.
It makes one ponder what is in store down the line considering both GMs essentially freed up roster spots. Will it be the kids getting the call ups or will these moves precede trade dominos beginning to fall?
We hope you enjoyed our latest feature here at the NHL Hot Stove. You can help NHLHS stay alive by visiting our sponsors to the left.
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Anthony Curatolo
NHLHS Contributor
achockeyguys@gmail.com
Categories: Anaheim Ducks, By Teams, Central, Nashville Predators, Pacific, Western Conference Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Corey Perry, Dave Scatchard, Kyle Calder, Nashville Predators, Nick Spaling, Ryan Getzlaf
What Will Washington Do…
…with all that cap room?
With the loan of Michael Nylander to Grand Rapids of the NHL, the Capitals gained financial flexibility which should allow them to acquire some help in areas they deem necessary. As of this writing, the Caps 24 wins lead the League making the average fan ask: How can they possibly get better?
Corey Masisak of The Washington Times lists five speculative picks that would bolster this team as they prepare for a lengthy playoff campaign. As the team stands there is little need for improvement but one could make a case for another top defender.
As we know from our history watching the playoffs, depth is key. The team’s current construction has featured numerous players shifting up and down the teams forward lines as coach Bruce Boudreau dealt with injuries and juggling in order to find the proper mix. Still Masisak believes the most glaring need is this top defenseman. His solution: Scott Niedermayer.
Niedermayer currently captains the Anaheim Ducks and has lead them, as well as his former team the New Jersey Devils, to the Stanley Cup. In addition, this may be the last year in the NHL for the 36-year-old. Although he only has three goals on the season, he would become a powerful weapon on the Washington powerplay, something dreams are made of. He along with Mike Green would give them two elite puck-moving defensemen which would be incredibly dangerous for this already powerful offense.
Categories: Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, By Teams, Carolina Hurricanes, Central, Eastern Conference, Nashville Predators, Pacific, Southeast, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Sulzer, Anaheim Ducks, Bob Murray, Bruce Boudreau, Cody Franson, Corey Masisak, David Backes, David Perron, Ducks Blog, Eric Stephens, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jordon Leopold, Michael Nylander, OC Register, Patri, Ryan Suter, Scott Niedermayer, Shea Weber, The Washington Times, Tomas Fleischmann
