NHLHS Mock Draft: With the Number Seventeen 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 seventeenth overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Colorado Avalanche select…
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Categories: Colorado Avalanche Tags: Colorado Avalanche
Blackhawks One Goal: Just Win.
NHLHS Blackhawks Correspondent Ryan Hackett discusses the latest surrounding the ‘Hawks.
Now Playing: Mother Love Bone – Apple
On the heels of ripping off four straight victories, the Chicago Blackhawks have resumed their winning ways before the doomsayers could say “dog-leg right”. While being outscored 16-7 over a three-game slide is hardly ideal at any time in the year, it seems to have awakened the squad on both ends of the ice, and some of the heroes have been of the more “unlikely” variety.
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, NHLHS Features, Western Conference Tags: Ben Eager, Blackhawks, Chicago Blackhawks, Colin Fraser, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Tomas Kopecky
Close, But…
There will be no post-season play for the Anaheim Ducks this year. After a 5 – 4 shoot-out loss to the Los Angeles Kings in the final round of the Freeway Faceoff, Anaheim’s playoff hopes were put to rest.
Despite an excellent performance in the net from Curtis McElhinney, the Anaheim Ducks were unable to shut-down the Los Angeles Kings’ offense, allowing them to overcome two three-point deficits, forcing the game into overtime with Anze Kopitar eventually notching the game winner in the shoot-out.
Categories: Anaheim Ducks, Around the League, By Teams, NHLHS Features, Pacific, Western Conference Tags: Aaron Ward, Alexander Frolov, Anze Kopitar, Bobby Ryan, Colorado Avalanche, Corey Perry, Curtis McElhinney, Dan Heatly, Erik Ersberg, Jack Johnson, Jason Blake, Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings, Lubomir Visnovsky, Michal Handzus, Scott Neidermayer, Sean O'Donnell, Teemu Selanne, Vancouver Canucks
Canucks potential 1st round opponents
With the regular season coming to a close, let’s take a quick look at the teams the Canucks could face in the first round.
Nashville Predators (5th place in the conference)
The Canucks and Predators were pretty evenly matched this season with the two teams splitting the season series 2-2. Each team won a game at home and on the road. Both teams also scored 10 goals in the series and no team won by more than 3 goals.
Offense: Vancouver
Defense: Even
Goaltending: Even
Prediction: Vancouver in 6
Detroit Red Wings (6th place in the conference)
The hottest team since the Olympics, the Red Wings have been climbing the standings and would be the Canucks first round opponent if the play-offs started today. Detroit holds the edge in the season series with a 3-1 record against Vancouver, although the Canucks won the 3rd game 6-3 and lost the 4th game in the series 4-3 in OT. Most Canucks fans don’t want to face the Wings in the first round of the play-offs, but there are questions facing Detroit. How will rookie goaltender Jimmy Howard do under the pressure of the post season and will the oldest team in the league (who’s played well into June 2 seasons in a row) run out of gas following their late season surge.
Offense: Even
Defense: Detroit
Goaltending: Vancouver
Prediction: Vancouver in 7
Los Angeles Kings (7th place in the conference)
The Canucks are 3-1 against the Kings, with the only loss coming in the last game of the series – an 8-3 drubbing in Los Angeles in which Roberto Luongo gave up all 8 goals and set off a panic in Vancouver. Aside from that game the Canucks outscored the Kings 9-3 in the first 3 games, but the games were pretty close. The Kings would be an interesting match-up as they are one of the teams that has cooled off since the start of the season.
Offense: Vancouver
Defense: Los Angeles
Goaltending: Even
Prediction: Vancouver in 6
Colorado Avalance (8th place in the conference)
While it’s a long shot these 2 arch rivals would meet in the first round of the play-offs (The Avs are battling with the Flames for the final playoff spot in the West) it is still a possibility. Colorado got off to a great start this season but have fallen off and are in danger of missing the play-offs altogether. Even with that great start the Canucks have pretty much dominated them this season. The Avs won 3-0 in their first meeting, but the Canucks have dominated the rest of the way going 4-0 and outscoring them 22-8 in the process. The teams still have 1 game left against each other and while it’s basically a “stat game” for the Canucks, the game is very meaningful to the Avs.
Offense: Vancouver
Defense: Vancouver
Goaltending: Even
Prediction: Vancouver in 5
Vancouver will have an edge over any team they face in the first round since they will have home ice advantage. Currently, they have 29 wins at home which is only 2nd to the Washington Capitals (ironically the teams are 1-2 in many categories this season) and that should give them an extra edge against their opponent. The one lingering uncertainty for the Canucks is Luongo. His play as of late has many fans wondering if he can turn it on again in the play-offs or if the Olympics was his big moment this season. Only time will tell.
Who would you want to face in the 1st round if you were the Canucks and why? Let us know with your comments below.
I-5 Canucks
NHLHS Canucks Correspondents
hipcheck44@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @Hipcheck44 and @WCE71944
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, Jimmy Howard, Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, Roberto Luongo, Washington Capitals
Blake Breathes Life Into Ducks’ Playoff Hopes
“The good thing for us is we’re not even worried about who we’re playing right now,” Anaheim Ducks’ forward, Jason Blake said. “We’re just worried about ourselves. If we keep playing the way we’re playing, and the goal tending has been great, it’s giving us a chance every night.”
In a game highlighted by Anaheim players equaling records, the Ducks topped the Avalanche 5 – 2 in Colorado. This is the team’s 7th victory in 9 games and puts Anaheim at 7 points behind the 8th ranked Colorado team in the race for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Categories: Anaheim Ducks, Around the League, By Teams, NHLHS Features, Pacific, Western Conference Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Brendan Mikkelson, Cody McLeod, Colorado Avalanche, Craig Anderson, Curtis McElhinney, Darcy Tucker, Jari Kurri, Jason Blake, Jonas Hiller, Milan Hejduk, Saku Koivu, Scott Neidermayer, Steve Eminger, Teemu Selanne, Todd Marchant
Bonino Shines In Ducks’ Win Over Stars
On a night devoted to honoring future Hall of Famer, Teemu Selanne for his latest achievement, rookie centerman, Nick Bonino stole a piece of the spotlight.
Following a touching, pre-game ceremony given to honor the Finnish Flash becoming only the 18th player to score 600 goals in his career, recently signed, Bonino notched his first goal in an Anaheim Ducks’ uniform and his first goal as a National Hockey League player. The goal came at 8:11 of the second period with a little help from line-mates Selanne and Corey Perry. It was the opening goal of the night for the Ducks and helped to carry the team to a 3 -1 win over the Dallas Stars.
Categories: Anaheim Ducks, Around the League, By Teams, NHLHS Features, Pacific, Western Conference Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Brad Richards, Chris Pronger, Colorado Avalanche, Corey Perry, Curtis McElhinney, Dallas Stars, James Neal, James Wisniewski, Jonas Hiller, Kari Lehtonen, Kyle Chipchura, Loui Eriksson, Lubomir Visnovsky, Matt Beleskey, Nick Bonino, Ryan Getzlaf, Steve Eminger, Steve Ott, Teemu Selanne
Teemu Selanne Nets His 600th
450 feet that is how far 600 hockey pucks placed end-to-end would stretch, over two times the length of a professional size ice hockey rink.
Categories: NHLHS Features Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Teemu Selanne, Winnipeg Jets
Calder Profiles: Matt Duchene
NHL Hot Stove presents it’s “Calder Profiles” series which will profile the top candidates for the 2009-2010 Calder Award.
When a player is compared to a historical great such as Steve Yzerman, one must take into consideration the pros and cons of a rookie campaign. For Matt Duchene of the Colorado Avalanche, his rookie campaign leads him towards a Calder trophy.
Matthew Duchene was born on January 16, 1991 in Haliburton, Ontario, Canada. His professional career began when he started playing in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2007-08. That year, Duchene went on to score 30 goals and record 50 points in his rookie campaign.
The following season, he improved to 79 points in 57 games, then added 26 points in the post-season, helping the Battalion to the J. Ross Robertson Cup Finals.
Unfortunate for Duchene, they were defeated by the eventual Memorial Cup champions, the Windsor Spitfires.
Categories: Calder Profiles, Colorado Avalanche, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Western Conference Tags: Calder, Calder trophy, Colorado Avalanche, Joe Sakic, John Tavares, Matt Duchene, Mike Richards, OHL, Rookie of the Year, Steve Yzerman, Victor Hedman, Windsor Spitfires
THG Power Rankings: Week Through 1/24/2010
NHL Power Rankings presented by The Hockey Guys. These rankings will be released every Sunday directly following the show and summarize the thinking of Anthony Curatolo, Brandon Augienello and Dustin Leed.
Categories: NHLHS Features, THG Power Rankings Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhakws, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals
Power Rankings Week Through 1/16/2010
NHL Power Rankings presented by The Hockey Guys. These rankings will be released every Sunday directly following the show and summarize the thinking of Anthony Curatolo, Brandon Augienello and Dustin Leed.
Legend: Rank – Team – Record – (Last week) – Position change
1. Chicago Blackhawks 34-11-4 (1) N/C – They can score at will, and are the best in the league. Keeping last weeks position as #1.
2. San Jose Sharks 31-10-8 (2) N/C – A tough loss against Boston is the only negative right now. Another team that belongs at the top.
3. Washington Capitals 29-12-6 (5) +2 – Speaking of scoring, WOW! A healthy Varlamov could do wonders for Washington.
4. Buffalo Sabres 29-11-6 (4) N/C – Ryan Miller is simply amazing. Buffalo is dangerous, even with a shaky roster on black and white.
5. Nashville Predators 29-16-3 (10) +5 Patric Horqvist anyone? This kid is on fire, and the Preds are playing great hockey.
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Categories: NHLHS Features, THG Power Rankings Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhakws, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals
The Value of: Marek Svatos
It is no secret Marek Svatos of the Colorado Avalanche played his way out of the line up. His fragile history caught up to him this year as well. Currently battling through an injury, his availability becomes questionable at best.
Categories: By Teams, Colorado Avalanche, Deadline Speculation, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Value Of:, Western Conference Tags: Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Marek Svatos
Power Rankings Week Through 01/09/2010
NHL Power Rankings presented by The Hockey Guys. These rankings will be released every Sunday directly following the show and summarize the thinking of Anthony Curatolo, Brandon Augienello and Dustin Leed.
Legend: Rank – Team – Record – (Last Week) Position Change
1. Chicago Blackhawks 31-10-4 (2) +1 When you are the best you simply are the best.
2. San Jose Sharks 28-10-7 (1) -1 A few losses have shifted gears in the power rankings for the Sharks.
3. New Jersey Devils 31-10-1 (3) N/C Although the lights went out in New Jersey, the Devils haven’t lost a step in their standings.
4. Buffalo Sabres 28-11-5 (6) +2 Good teams prove that winning comes more often then not.
5. Washington Capitals 27-11-6 (9) +4 Captain Ovechking leads the charge and Washington climbs back into the top five.
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Categories: THG Power Rankings Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhakws, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals
Power Rankings Week Ending 01/03/2010
NHL Power Rankings presented by The Hockey Guys. These rankings will be released every Sunday directly following the show and summarize the thinking of Anthony Curatolo, Brandon Augienello and Dustin Leed.
Legend: Team – Record – Position Change (Last Week)
1. San Jose Sharks - 27-8-7 (4) +3 Winners of 8 straight have propelled the Sharks to the top of the THG Power Rankings. Best team in the league deserves the best.
2. Chicago Blackhawks – 28-10-3 (2) N/C The Hawks will not go away this year and look really strong. Don’t expect a drop out of the top five much at all.
3. New Jersey Devils – 29-10-1 (1) -3 Mr. Brodeur is the best in the game, and his Devils are atop the East. Need we say more?
4. Colorado Avalanche – 24-13-6 (12) +8 The Avalanche have made strides this season and are showing that not only was it a hot start to keep them where they are.
5. Nashville Predators- 25-14-3 (6) +1 The Preds have been coming on strong, more so as of late. Dark horse in the West? Absolutely.
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Categories: 30 Team Series, THG Power Rankings Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals
Power Rankings Week Ending 12/27/2009
NHL Power Rankings presented by The Hockey Guys. These rankings will be released every Sunday directly following the show and summarize the thinking of Anthony Curatolo, Brandon Augienello and Dustin Leed.
Legend: Team – Record – Position Change (Last Week)
1. New Jersey Devils 26-9-1 +2 (3) Brodeur makes it difficult to defeat them. 8-2 over their last ten games.
2. Chicago Blackhawks 25-9-3 -1 (1) The Hawks gained a lot from the playoffs last year. It’s showing this season.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins 26-11-1 +1 (4) The two headed monster and a very talented Marc Andre Fleury could have repeat written on this season.
4. San Jose Sharks 23-8-7 -2 (2) Second in the West for a reason. Depth and a sick top 6; and Nabby is great in the regular season.
5. Washington Capitals 24-8-6 N/C (5) It seems as if it doesn’t matter who plays net in Washington, they know how to Win.
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Categories: 30 Team Series, THG Power Rankings Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals
Avalanche Looking to Move a Defenseman?
With Avs rumors swirling around the internet, beat writer Adrian Dater of The Denver Post puts pretty much every current rumor involving youngsters Matt Duchene or Ryan O’Reilly to shame.
So the answer to the talented twosome leaving Colorado is no. These rumors are false. No move will be made for Ilya Kovalchuk. No need to swap veteran underachievers with the Flyers. Nothing.
Dater, however, does hypothesize as to what till happen once Kyle Cumiskey returns from his foot injury. Cumiskey, a young defenseman known for his offensive prowess very well could be the odd man out. However, a 23-year-old d-man with limited NHL experience and a lengthy injury history provides limited value in the current trade market.
That leaves two players likely on the block: Jean-Michael Liles and Ryan Wilson. The latter an undrafted free agent who at the ripe age of 22 actually is producing at the NHL level.
Turning a free-agent signing into a need would be excellent asset management as long as the team feels the current player they see is his ceiling. His reasonable capt hit of $ 551, 667 through 2011 certainly adds remarkable value should he be shopped.
Categories: By Teams, Colorado Avalanche, Eastern Conference, Northwest, Southeast, Washington Capitals, Western Conference Tags: Colorado Avalanche, Eric Fehr, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jean-Michael Liles, Kyle Cumiskey, Matt Duchene, Mike Knuble, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Ryan O'Reilly, Ryan Wilson, Washington Capitals
