Is Tomas Fleischmann part of the problem?
When the Washinton Capitals re-signed center Eric Belanger, it was believed he would come at the expense of versatile forward Tomas Fleischmann. With only one year left before becoming an unrestricted free agent and other forwards like Alexander Semin and Brooks Laich needing to be re-signed...
Categories: NHLHS Features Tags: Alexander Semin, Brooks Laich, Tomas Fleischmann, Washington Capitals
Halak-ing into the Semi’s
NHLHS Montreal Canadiens Correspondent Christopher Nardi breaks down the overall thoughts from the Habs first round series which they wrapped up last night against the Washington Capitals.
When Montreal began the series with Washington, it was obvious that the number one seed in the league just didn’t have what it takes to beat the Canadiens. The Capitals, with the number one powerplay and the most goals scored in the league really had nothing on the team who’s penalty kill clicked at exactly 83%, good for 12th in the league and who had scored on average, 2.56 goals/game, ONLY 1.26 goals/game less on average than the Caps.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League, Atlantic, By Teams, Eastern Conference, Montreal Canadiens, NHLHS Features, Northeast, Pittsburgh Penguins, Southeast, Washington Capitals Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Hal Gill, Jaroslav Halak, Jose Theodore, Mike Green, Nicklas Backstrom, Semyon Varlamov
Cost Efficiency: Duncan Keith Leads the Pack
As of the Olympic break, Duncan Keith (Chicago Blackhawks) is the most cost effective player among the top 50 scorers. Bobby Ryan, from the Anaheim Ducks, leads the top 50 in goals per dollar ($68,642.90). Keith, however, leads in points per dollar, as well as assists per dollar.
Categories: Cost Efficiency, NHLHS Features Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Alexandre Burrows, Antoine Vermette, Anze Kopitar, Bobby Ryan, Brad Richards, Chicago Blackhawks, Corey Perry, Daniel Alfredsson, Daniel Sedin, Dany Heatley, Duncan Keith, Dustin Penner, Eric Staal, Evgeni Malkin, Henrik Sedin, Henrik Zetterberg, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jamie Langenbrunner, Jarome Iginla, Jeff Carter, Joe Thornton, Jonathan Toews, Jussi Jokinen, Loui Eriksson, Marian Gaborik, Martin St.Louis, Michael Cammalleri, Mike Green, Mikko Koivu, Nicklas Backstrom, Nik Antropov, Patrick Kane, Patrick Marleau, Patrick Sharp, Paul Stastny, Pavel Datsyuk, Ray Whitney, Rich Peverley, Rick Nash, Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, Shane Doan, Sidney Crosby, Stephen Weiss, Steven Stamkos, Tim Connolly, Tomas Plekanec, Travis Zajac, Vincent Lecavalier, Zach Parise
Wednesday NHL Morning Papers (Eastern Conference)
In NHL Morning Papers we break down the stories published in newspapers around the country. By reading our synopsis the average hockey fan can catch up to all the happenings around the National Hockey League.
Categories: Eastern Conference, Morning Papers, NHLHS Features Tags: Alexander Semin, Bill Guerin, Brian Elliott, Cam Ward, Chris Conner, Eric Staal, Jamie Langenbrunner, Jaroslav Halak, Jussi Jokinen, Max Talbot, Milan Lucic, Nick Johnson, Shawn Matthias
Sunday NHL Morning Papers (Western Conference)
In NHL Morning Papers we break down the stories published in newspapers around the country. By reading our synopsis the average hockey fan can catch up to all the happenings around the National Hockey League.
Categories: Morning Papers, NHLHS Features, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Semin, Andrew Brunette, Antti Miettinen, Antti Niemi, Anze Kopitar, Barry Trotz, Brad Richards, Brad Richardson, Chris Mason, Dan Ellis, Darryl Sutter, Eric Fehr, Evgeni Nabokov, Ilya Bryzgalov, James Wisniewski, Joe Pavelski, Ladislav Smid, Marty Turco, Mikko Koivu, Nicklas Lidstrom, Pekka Rinne, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Miller, Ryan Stoa, Steve Mason, Steve Staios, Taylor Chorney, Todd Richards
The Value of: Ilya Kovalchuk
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: Atlanta Thrashers, Atlantic, Boston Bruins, By Teams, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, Deadline Speculation, Eastern Conference, Los Angeles Kings, Northeast, Pacific, Philadelphia Flyers, Southeast, Value Of:, Washington Capitals, Western Conference Tags: Akim Aliu, Alexander Semin, Andrei Loktionov, Andrew Ladd, Anton Gustafsson, Bill Sweatt, Blake Wheeler, Braydon Schenn, Bryan Little, Claude Giroux, Dany Heatley, Dave Bolland, Don Waddell, Dustin Byfuglien, Eric Fehr, Evander Kane, George McPhee, James van Riemsdyk, Jeff Carter, John Carlson, Karl Alzner, Kris Versteeg, Kyle Beach, Marian Hossa, Mathieu Perreault, Matt Greene, Nicklas Backstrom, Olli Jokinen, Oscar Moeller, Oskar Osala, Scott Parse, Thomas Hickey, Tobias Enstrom, Tomas Fleischmann, Trevor Lewis, Troy Brouwer, Tuukka Rask, Vladamir Sobotka, Wayne Simmonds, Zach Bogosian
Caps, Jackets Play Lets Make a Deal
The Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets officially make a deal in which Columbus sends solid left wing Jason Chimera in exchange for depth defenseman Milan Jurcina and surprisingly team captain Chris Clark
The Capitals receive probably the best player of the bunch in Chimera, who last year would have posted career highs had he stayed healthy. The 30-year-old veteran carries a reasonable 1.875 cap hit, a fair price for a grinding wing who shows the ability to put up points.
Clark, now the former captain of the Caps, admits to being shocked he was traded. This trade may mark the first time a first-place team traded away their captain, however it was the smart move. The 33-year-old sported a hefty 2.633 million cap hit this year and next, something a contending team simply should not pay for considering he posted two less points than Chimera.
In Jurcina the Jackets get a warm body on the blue line, something they needed since Rostislav Klesla went down at the beginning of the month. More importantly the Blue Jackets shake the team up, as they promised they would do. Used mainly as a depth defenseman, Jurcina posted four helpers in 27 games while carrying a 1.375 cap hit.
Categories: By Teams, Central, Columbus Blue Jackets, Eastern Conference, Southeast, Washington Capitals, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Semin, Chris Clark, Columbus Blue Jackets, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jason Chimera, Karl Alzner, Michael Nylander, Milan Jurcina, Rostislav Klesla, Scott Niedermayer, Washington Capitals
Alexander Semin Signs One Year Extension
As Tarik El-Bashir of The Washington Post reports left wing turned right wing Alexander Semin signed a one year extension worth six million dollars. Definitely a smart move to lock up a player the caliber of this young man.
Semin receives a slight raise from his reasonable five million dollar salary while avoiding either an arbitration hearing or offer sheet temptation. The 25-year-old certainly put the production up to deserve a raise, arguably even into the 7 million dollar range. In his last 91 games the native of Krasjonarsk posted 111 points, well over a PPG range.
What does this mean for Semin?
Earlier in the week there was speculation on Semin, amongst others, moving to Atlanta in a swap for Ilya Kovalchuk. Although this deal seems incredibly far-fetched and unlikely, signing Semin to an extension would make him more attractive to a team receiving him.
Categories: Atlanta Thrashers, By Teams, Eastern Conference, Southeast, Washington Capitals Tags: Alexander Semin, Eric Fehr, George McPhee, Ilya Kovalchuk, Marian Gaborik, Nicklas Backstrom, Tomas Fleischmann, Washington Capitals
Final Destination: Scott Niedermayer
Some players around the League find themselves at a career crossroad. A crossroad with tough decisions to make regarding ongoing speculation of their final season. Speculation whether to stay on a sinking ship and finish at the bottom of the sea or leaving one’s comfort zone in an attempt to stay on top. Certainly no easy decision for any player
While Scott Niedermayer ponders his future in hockey he continues another solid year in his famed career. The same cannot be said for the Anaheim Ducks, who sit 13th in the Western Conference despite coming off a come from behind victory against the Colorado Avalanche. The team finds themselves as of this writing a mere five points behind the eighth seed.
The asking price for the captain should be reasonable, as he would strictly be a playoff rental. However, GM Brian Murray can acquire a potential piece or pieces to build for a brighter future in sunny Anaheim.
A quick look around the league shows there are a few teams in need of Niedermayer’s services. At 37, he still is one of the best defensemen in the game and a huge piece for a few teams looking for that extra push into serious cup contention.
Lets take a closer look at which teams could trade for Niedermayer in order to bring home Lord Stanley’s Cup. Even though he already carries four Stanley Cup rings to his credit, every player in this league starts the season with one goal in mind.
Categories: Anaheim Ducks, Atlantic, By Teams, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, Eastern Conference, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, Pacific, Philadelphia Flyers, Southeast, Washington Capitals, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Anaheim Ducks, Andry Greene, Brian Murray, Bryce Salvador, Chicago Blackhawks, Chris Pronger, George McPhee, Johnny Oduya, Los Angeles Kings, Lou Lamoriello, Martin Brodeur, Mike Green, Mike Knuble, New Jersey Devils, Niklas Backstrom, Paul Holmgren, Paul Martin, Philadelphia Flyers, Ray Emery, Rob Niedermayer, Scott Niedermayer, Stan Bowman, Tom Poti, Tomas Fleischmann, Washington Capitals, Wayne Gretzky
Kovalchuk and Ovechkin Together?
If you listened to the Team 1040 AM stream like I did, you would know new rumors around Ilya Kovalchuk continue to spread like wildfire.
The newest and latest rumors discussed are the Washington Capitals as front runners in the Kovalchuk sweepstakes. Interestingly enough, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period says as much as Kovalchuk loves Atlanta, there are bigger issues there in hindsight.
Going back to the 1040 AM discussion, Washington as an organization boasts numerous movable assets. Since the permanent Michael Nylander demotion, a fair amount of open cap space opened up for the club so perhaps they have both the room and assets necessary to acquire the services of Kovalchuk.
Naturally the centerpeice would have to be either Alexander Semin or Nicklas Backstrom along with another player like Eric Fehr. Kovalchuk should claim a bounty larger than that of former teammate Marian Hossa, so there would need to be work on both sides.
Categories: Atlanta Thrashers, By Teams, Eastern Conference, Southeast, Washington Capitals Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Atlanta Thrashers, Don Waddell, Ilya Kovalchuk, Michael Nylander, Mike Green, Mike Knuble, Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals
Quarterly Review: Projected NHL Trophies
With Atlanta playing their 20th game last night, the first quarter of the 2009-2010 season is officially over. Seeing as this is a milestone within the season we thought it would be a good idea to discuss the trends emerging around the NHL.
The article’s intent is to show who would win the NHL awards if the season finished today. Of course these players will most likely NOT win the awards, NHLHS just likes having fun with small sample sizes and hot streaks.
Whether it be injury or inability there are plenty of surprises when compared to preseason predictions. Teams such as the Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings and the Buffalo Sabres find themselves at the top of the standings, surprising most pundits.
We will outline the NHL trophies and why we think these players as of right now are deserving of them. In addition, we will include the projected nominees so you can see our train of thought. We hope you enjoy this mini-series which should continue throughout the NHL season.
Click the link below to see our award winners and tell us what you think in the comments section!
Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Antero Niittymaki, Anze Kopitar, Brad Richards, Braydon Coburn, Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Chris Pronger, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Dan Boyle, Dany Heatley, Detroit Red Wings, Dustin Penner, Edmonton Oilers, Evgeni Nabokov, Ilya Bryzgalov, James van Riemsdyk, Jason Pominville, Joe Sacco, Joe Thornton, John Tavares, Justin Williams, Kimmo Timmonen, Lindy Ruff, Los Angeles Kings, Matt Carle, Mike Green, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Nicklas Backstrom, Patrick Marleau, Patrick Sharp, Pavel Datsyuk, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Ryan Miller, Ryan O'Reilly, Ryan Smyth, San Jose Sharks, Thomas Vanek, Todd McLellan, Washington Capitals, Zach Parise
