NHL Wrapup: The state of the offseason
NHL Hot Stove Editor Brandon Macdonald takes a look in to the news and events that have taken place during the 2010 NHL offseason.
Categories: Around the League, NHLHS Features Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Chris Pronger, Columbus Blue Jackets, Donald Fehr, Fantasy Hockey, Henrick Sedin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Ken Hitchcock, Marc Savard, NBA, New Jersey Devils, NHL, NHLPA, Phoenix Coyotes, Roberto Luongo, Sidney Crosby
Bruins dealing with latest NHL drama
After the NHL’s latest debacle that was the Ilya Kovalchuk contract saga, the league is now going to be reviewing other front-loaded contracts. This does not bode well for Boston Bruins and forward Marc Savard.
Categories: Boston Bruins Tags: Boston Bruins, CBA, Chris Pronger, Dan Paille, David Krejci, Florida Panthers, gary bettman, Ilya Kovalchuk, Joe Colborne, Marc Savard, Marian Hossa, Mike Richards, Miroslav Satan, Nathan Horton, NHL, Ottawa Senators, Patrice Bergeron, Peter Chiarelli, Phil Kessel, Roberto Luongo, salary cap, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tyler Seguin
Who should be the Canucks captain?
NHLHS Vancouver Canucks Correspondents Will & Valerie Wittstruck discuss their thoughts on who should be captain of the Canucks.
As 2010-11 NHL season approaches, it’s time to examine the Canucks on-ice leadership. Read more…
Categories: Around the League, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Bill Durnan, Dan Hamhuis, Henrik Sedin, Markus Naslund, Mattias Ohlund, Mikael Samuelsson, Mike Gillis, Nicklas Lidstrom, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler, Willie Mitchell
From Worst Free Agency Period to Best?
Now with Kovalchuk's contract voided, undoing a loophole well known in the NHL, are other prime contracts going to be reversed leading to the biggest free agency period the NHL has ever had?
Categories: Around the League, NHLHS Features Tags: Chris Pronger, Henrik Zetterberg, hockey, Johan Franzen, Marc Savard, Marian Hossa, NHL, Roberto Luongo
Blackhawks and Thrashers: Wheelin’ and Dealin’
NHLHS Chicago Blackhawks Correspondent Ryan Hackett and his thoughts on the blockbuster deal made between the Hawks and the Atlanta Thrashers.
Now Playing: Pearl Jam – Live at the Gorge
OK, so according to league sources, this trade has been made official.
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, NHLHS Features, Western Conference Tags: Antti Niemi, Atlanta Thrashers, Ben Eager, Blackhawks, Brent Sopel, Chicago Blackhawks, Dustin Byfuglien, Edmonton Oilers, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jeremy Morin, Joey Crabb, John Madden, Jonathan Toews, Marty Reasoner, New Jersey Devils, NHL, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Patrick Kane, Roberto Luongo, St. Louis Blues, stanley cup, Vancouver Canucks
Captain Disappointment
NHLHS writers Brandon Augienello and Anthony Curatolo discuss the downfall of Roberto Luongo and the Vancouver Canucks.
Last night for the Vancouver Canucks, to quote legendary New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra, it was deja vu…all over again.
The Vancouver Canucks were eliminated from the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, and in dishonorable fashion.
It was exactly one year ago last night, the Chicago Blackhawks sent them home for a second consecutive spring, in the exact amount of games. There were two differences this time: this victory took place in Vancouver and this close-out affair wasn’t even close at all.
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alex Edler, Chicago Blackhawks, deja vu, Dustin Byfuglien, Kris Versteeg, Michael Grabner, Pavol Demitra, Rick Rypien, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler, Sami Salo, Tanner Glass, Troy Brouwer, Yogi Berra
Blackhawks and Canucks Round Two: Electric Boogaloo
NHLHS Chicago Blackhawks Correspondent Ryan Hackett breaks down the second round series between the Hawks and Vancouver Canucks.
After a good test facing a pesky Nashville Predators in Round One, the Chicago Blackhawks start a much anticipated rematch with the Vancouver Canucks Saturday night on Chicago’s west side. The Blackhawks should use the series against the Predators as well as last year’s Western Conference Semi-final against the Canucks to learn a lot about themselves and do the right things to secure a second straight trip to the Conference Finals.
Categories: Chicago Blackhawks, Playoff Coverage, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Antti Niemi, Brent Seabrook, Brent Sopel, Chicago Blackhawks, Duncan Keith, Dustin Byfuglien, Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, NHL, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Norris trophy, Patrick Kane, Roberto Luongo, Troy Brouwer, Vancouver Canucks
Pros & Cons: Vancouver Canucks 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 fare against each other.
Read more…
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alex Burrows, Andrew Alberts, Antti Niemi, Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks, Duncan Keith, Dustin Byfuglien, Henrik Sedin, Kyle Wellwood, Mayson Raymond, Mikael Samuelsson, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler, Ryan Smyth, Steve Bernier, Troy Brouwer, Vancouver Canucks, Willie Mitchell
Canucks solve Kings in game 5
The Vancouver Canuck finally figured out what it will take the beat the Los Angeles Kings in their first round matchup. It’s something that many hockey writers, bloggers, and Canucks fans have been going on and on about since the start of the series. What is the answer? Simple, stay out of the penalty box! Unfortunately, it took the Canucks 3+ games to figure it out, but if they stay out of the penalty box the Kings have no chance 5 on 5. The Kings have scored 10 of their 16 goals with the man advantage while the Canucks have outscored the Kings 16-6 at even strength. Through the first 3 games and 2 periods of the series the Canucks gave the Kings power play after power play and they paid the price. Say what you will about the missed and questionable calls that have gone against Vancouver in the series, but they had been giving the referees too many reasons to call penalties.
In the last 4 periods of the series the Canucks have scored 11 goals after only scoring 10 in the first 11 periods. And in the last 2 games they have scored 13 goals after only scoring 8 in games 1-3. The 3rd period in game 4 the Canucks really found their game again as Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin came alive and got the comeback going. They had pretty much been a non-factor up to this point, with much of the praise going to the Kings defensive play. Once those flood gates opened up and the Canucks started to gain confidence it really put the Kings back on their heals and they looked nothing like the team earlier in the series.
One reason the Canucks have gotten back into this series is the play of Mikael Samuelsson. He’s already scored 7 goals, 2 more than he had in each of the last 2 play-off runs with Detroit. His strong play has made many forget that Alex Burrows, the Canucks leading goal scorer in the regular season has been held without a goal in the series so far. In fact, Burrows and Samuelsson have switched lines as Alain Vigneault has searched for the right chemistry. Mike Gillis continues to look like a genius for signing Samuelsson as a free-agent in the offseason. The Canucks have definitely benefitted by giving him more ice time than he had in Detroit and his snub by the Swedish Olympic team lit a fire that has burned long after the Olympic torch was extinguished.
As several Canucks fans mentioned on Twitter, the Kings seemed preoccupied with trying to get the Canucks to take penalties instead of playing their game. Obviously it didn’t work and they were unable to make adjustments quick enough as the Canucks spent the game dismantling LA’s defensive coverage and exposing their lack of speed. They also got a lot more traffic in front of Quick, even bumping into him as the Kings have been doing all series with Roberto Luongo. The Kings did try to stir things up at the end of the game with Shane O’Brien fighting Wayne Simmonds and Rick Rypien with the one-punch knockdown of Kings goon Rich Clune. While it’s not unusual for a coach to send out his tough guys at the end of a game to get his team going, it is unusual to see a coach do it in the final 4 minutes of a game that was already over. For his efforts, Klune ended up with a separated shoulder in the fight. It would seem that the time to pick a fight would’ve been much earlier in the game. Clune was trying to get under the Canucks skin all night, but his act was amateur hour at best.
It will be very interesting to see if the Canucks can keep building on the momentum they have gained and how the young Kings team will respond to the elimination possibility in game 6. Will playing on home ice be a burden or uplifting for them, or will they crack and wilt under the pressure? Either way, the Kings have a lot to be proud of this year playing in the toughest division in the NHL and looking very much like the Chicago Blackhawks of last season. They have a very bright future, but the time is now for the Canucks to take game 6 and this series. Go Canucks Go!
I-5 Canucks
NHLHS Canucks Correspondents
hipcheck44@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @Hipcheck44 and @WCE71944
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Los Angeles Kings, Northwest, Pacific, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alain Vigneault, Alex Burrows, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Mikael Samuelsson, Mike Gillis, Rich Clune, Rick Rypien, Roberto Luongo, Shane O'Brien, Wayne Simmonds
NHL Conspiracy Theories: Allegations and Facts
NHLHS writer David Strehle takes a look at Conspiracy Theories regarding certain NHL teams as fans, players, and even coaches are getting into the act.
NHL fans are a passionate lot, and the postseason seems to magnify the emotions of even the most casual of fans.
But it seems that some extremely passionate supporters are becoming paranoid, especially when they appear to be looking through glasses that are in the shape of their rooting interest’s logo.
Categories: Around the League, NHLHS Features, Playoff Coverage Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Daniel Sedin, Evgeni Malkin, gary bettman, Henrik Sedin, Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings, Marc Andre Fleury, Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Roberto Luongo, Sergei Gonchar, Sidney Crosby, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals
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
Follow The Underdog, Hold On His Collar Tight- Kaiser Chiefs, Off With Their Heads!
Follow the underdog, hold on his collar tight
-Kaiser Chiefs- Off With Their Heads (2008)
This is the song of the blog <and part of the next> because I think it is just that fitting.. plus the name of the cd it is from.. HEH. <save the line that ends the blog>
Categories: Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Pacific, Playoff Coverage, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Anze Kopitar, Christian Ehroff, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Henrik Sedin, Jack Johnson, JMFJ, Jonathan Quick, Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings, Manchester Monarchs, Pittsburgh Pen, Rob Scuderi, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Smyth, Scuds, Vancouver Canucks, Wayne Simmonds
Pros & Cons: Los Angeles Kings vs. Vancouver Canucks
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, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Pacific, Playoff Coverage, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Edler, Alexander Frolov, Alexandre Burrows, Anze Kopitar, Christian Erhoff, Daniel Sedin, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Fredrik Modin, Henrik Sedin, Jack Johnson, Jon Quick, Jonathan Bernier, Justin Williams, Kevin Bieksa, Mathieu Schneider, Michal Handzus, Mikael Samuelsson, Pavol Demitra, Rob Scuderi, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler, Ryan Smyth, Sean O'Donnell, Shane O’Brien, Willie Mitchell
Choose Your Own Adventure…
How about I jinx the entire playoffs… and claim ignorance for my sins? Hey look… the last time the LA Kings were in the playoffs this was simple… I WANTED the Detroit Red Wings… I was living with a fan… In 1993, it was so freaking unexpected, that who gave a crap what opponent came next…. HA! So this is not only a long time coming… it is a new territory… so I claim ignorance in stirring the wrath of the Hockey Gods … and should a punishment HAVE TO rain down on me… just leave my boys out of it, mmmk? They know NOT what I do.... Bring on.... Did you think we were just giving that away?? Uh. No.
Categories: Central, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Pacific, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Antti Niemi, Anze Kopitar, Chicago Blackhawks, Christian Ehroff, Cristobal Huet, Detroit Red Wings, Drew Doughty, Duncan Keith, Henrik Sedin, Hockey Gods, Jack Johnson, Jack MF Johnson, JMFJ, Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings, Manchester Monarchs, Patrick Kane, Roberto Luongo, Sensnation, 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
