HOCKEY ........ are you kidding me ?

[justpassingthru]

Originally Posted by umpire2

CONGRATS TO THE KINGS!


(though, as someone once said.....they've had the Cup long enough now! Let's start playing again!)

LOL ... no worries ump, I will be all over that in a month or so.

[justpassingthru]

As was the case last year when the B's won the cup with 16 Canadians on their team ... the Cup will spend the majority of it's free time in Canada again this year as there were 15 Canadians on the LA Kings team as well as 7 Americans and I don't know if that means anything statistically other than 22 of the 25 players were North Americans.

What do you call a hockey player in Boston that wins a Stanley Cup??? A Bruin.

What do you call a hockey player in Boston that doesn't win a Stanley Cup??? A Canadian, lol.

[leed's 13th child]

Congrats to the Kings.

Now the Devils face a more daunting task than coming back from 3-0...finding a way to sign Parise.

[justpassingthru]

Considering that he will become an unrestricted free agent in July, he is ripe for the picking. The CBS link in the 2nd quote lists the top 2012 free agents if anyone is interested.

Zach Parise, NJ Devils face uncertain future after Stanley Cup Final loss

Zach Parise cut off the questioner after the New Jersey Devils' Game 6 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, who hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time on Monday night. It was the inevitable question about his future with the team as an unrestricted free agent. "I'm not talking about that," was Parise's response.
But when it comes to the Devils, it's all anyone will want to talk about for the next few weeks — especially with Martin Brodeur sounding very much like he'll be back for another season, draining that situation of lingering doubt.
Parise is the Devils' captain, drafted by the team in 2003 and playing all of his 502 career NHL games with them. Said Brodeur last night:

"They need to try to lock him in and lure him into staying. He's a franchise player and a guy the fans love. As a captain, he's a great leader, and he did a great job first year as a captain to bring a team counted out early in the season to what we accomplished."

But Parise is just one of several question marks for next season facing the Eastern Conference champions.
Among the Devils' mysteries:
Bryce Salvador
The Devils' biggest playoff revelation could be in for a free-agent windfall. Salvador posted 14 points in 24 games and played to a plus-9 — the steadiest blue-liner for New Jersey and one of their best stories, having missed all of last season with an inner ear malady. His playoff point total would have tied his career best for an entire season.
Salvador made $2.9 million last season. He's 36 years old.
The Grunts
The Devils' best line on many nights during the postseason? Their fourth line of Steve Bernier, Ryan Carter and Stephen Gionta. All three are unrestricted free agents. Was this lightning in a bottle for coach Peter DeBoer, or is this a group that can return to give the team a solid energy line?
OK, what we're really asking here: Can Steve Bernier come back to the Devils after doing this in Game 6?
Adam Oates
The Devils' assistant coach, last seen unleashing hell on the Game 6 officials after a linesman picked Anton Volchenkov on the Kings' fourth goal, is considered a dark horse candidate to fill the Washington Capitals' coaching vacancy. His work with the Devils' special teams was outstanding this season, even if they underwhelmed in the playoffs. Losing him from DeBoer's staff could be significant.
Zach Parise
The Parise Derby starts now, with nearly every team in the NHL likely to kick the tires on the 27-year-old winger (28 next month). That includes the New York Rangers, the Philadelphia Flyers, the Detroit Red Wings, the Minnesota Wild and even the Los Angeles Kings.
He made a base salary of $6 million last season after arbitration with the Devils, and Larry Brooks of the NY Post opined that he could be in line for a Brad Richards level deal:

Indeed, Parise can expect offers modeled after the nine-year, $60 million contract Brad Richards signed last summer with the Rangers, under which the center is receiving $24 million the first two years, including a $10 million signing bonus last July and an $8 million signing bonus due next month.

While the Devils have ownership issues they're in the process of settling, President/GM/Ruler of All He Surveys Lou Lamoriello has said the team has the finances to bring Parise back. It's just a matter of whether Parise wants to remain a Devil.
The next two years will dramatically change the Devils. One assumes 2012-13 will be Brodeur's last ride. As of right now, the Devils have five players under contract for 2013-14 — creating the opportunity for a massive reconfiguration of their roster. Question is, will Lamoriello be the one to reconfigure it? Or does his time end when Brodeur's does?

CBSSports.com ranked the New Jersey Devil as the top free-agent pick in 2012. No question about that.
Parise led the Devils during the regular season as the team made their way to the Stanley Cup Final. Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur called Parise “a franchise player” (via CBSSports.com), and he is certainly right about that.
After six years with New Jersey and getting so close to a championship win this year, Parise could flourish on a team who really needs him. The left wing is powerful and smart on the ice. He can blow past defenders and release rocket-like shots—qualities that a struggling team could use and would do well to snatch up in free agency.

[justpassingthru]

Just a thought but I hope that hockey fans are prepared to watch a whole lot more Junior/International hockey in the months to come because it is starting to look more and more like there will be another lockout in the NHL soon. There are a few teams that might not survive another one with their "guaranteed" contracts with players and there are a few teams where the owners will make more money if they don't play and these owners don't have to worry about salaries.

Oh btw ... it's over 100 degrees again today and just talking hockey kinda cools me down, lol.

[Bootfuck$]

It's happening, he won't resist the almighty dollar and the state of hockey gets even better!

[justpassingthru]

Originally Posted by Bootfuck$

It's happening, he won't resist the almighty dollar and the state of hockey gets even better!

He is definitely going to be filthy rich with whatever team he goes to but I wouldn't count my Flyers out just yet. I do know that he won't be going to the New York Rangers though.

Former Wild GM Lou Nanne boldy delcared on Twin Cities’ KFAN radio that the Wild have what it takes to sign Parise. Nanne is predicting the Wild are going to make a massive offer to bring Parise back to Minnesota.
“I had dinner with [Wild owner] Craig Leipold on Wednesday night,” Nanne said on Tuesday. “I know Chuck Fletcher and Leipold really want Parise, and what Craig told me is how hard he’s going to go after him, and the kind of money he’s going after him [with] — I don’t see how Parise’s not coming here.
“It is going to be so substantial that I cannot see Zach Parise turning it down,” Nanne revealed.
The Philadelphia Flyers are believed to be readying a significant pitch to convince Parise to consider pulling on the orange and black. Philadelphia lacks the cap space but aren’t afraid to make major facelifts to their roster. This was seen during last summer’s offloading of Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, two players who eventually teamed-up with the Kings to deliver a long awaited Stanley Cup parade to Los Angeles.
Given today’s comments about the Rangers, it’s fair to speculate Parise isn’t willing to sign with the rival Flyers. The ‘Parise Sweepstakes’ may become a two-horse race between the Devils and Red Wings. Or perhaps a three-horse race should the pull of returning to his Minnesotan roots prove to be strong.
The Devils might just have the edge given Parise’s quotes this afternoon. He feels very comfortable in New Jersey and is confident in the Devils’ future.

[leed's 13th child]

Originally Posted by justpassingthru

He is definitely going to be filthy rich with whatever team he goes to but I wouldn't count my Flyers out just yet. I do know that he won't be going to the New York Rangers though.

Parise's not going to an Atlantic Division rival.

He will try to work something out with Lou, but will field offers from Minnesota and Detroit. As much as he would love to play in Minn., he wants to win the Cup. Had he won this year, he would likely have gone to Minn. in a heartbeat. Now that he got oh so close with the Devils, maybe that entices him to return to NJ.

He is an elite player, but more importantly, a low maintanence player. He gives 100% every night without requiring the coach to find ways to 'motivate' him. As a Devils fan, I wish him well wherever he lands.

[justpassingthru]

Giroux fan-selected EA Sports NHL 13 cover athlete

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- Electronic Arts Inc. and NHL.com announced today during the live broadcast of the 2012 NHL Awards that Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux has been selected by fans as the EA SPORTS NHL 13 cover athlete.

Giroux beat Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne in the final of the first ever EA SPORTS NHL Cover Vote campaign by less than a one percent margin, in what was the closest matchup of the entire campaign. NHL 13 will be available on September 11, 2012 in North America and September 14, 2012 in Europe.
"The support fans have given me throughout the campaign has been unbelievable," said Flyers forward Claude Giroux. "I am very excited to be on the cover of NHL 13 and I want to thank everyone who campaigned and voted for me -- especially my teammates, the Flyers organization, and of course all the NHL fans who voted and tweeted."
Giroux edged Rinne in the final round of the first ever EA SPORTS NHL Cover Vote by less than a one percent margin -- the closest matchup of the entire campaign. (Photo: EA SPORTS NHL)

To watch the official EA SPORTS NHL 13 Cover Vote Reveal, click here.
Between March 29 and June 4, fans cast nearly 26 million votes on NHL.com throughout the campaign, which was sponsored by BlackBerry. During the finals alone, more than two million votes were cast.
"The level of passion that the fans, players, and NHL teams have displayed throughout the first ever EA SPORTS NHL Cover Vote campaign has been overwhelming," said Dean Richards, General Manager, NHL, EA SPORTS. "The EA SPORTS NHL Franchise has had a rich tradition of outstanding cover athletes and quality games, and we feel privileged to introduce Claude Giroux as the face of NHL 13 as selected by the fans. With Giroux on the cover and our revolutionary new True Performance Skating engine, we feel great about delivering our most innovative title yet with NHL 13."
"The EA SPORTS NHL 13 Cover Vote campaign presented by BlackBerry was a success in every measurable way," said Dave McCarthy, NHL Vice President of Consumer Products Marketing. "From nearly 26 million votes cast, to fan and player engagement across social media platforms, to the validation of NHL.com's standing as the number one destination for hockey fans, the NHL 13 Cover Vote campaign exceeded our expectations."
"Congratulations to Claude on being chosen by the fans as the EA SPORTS NHL 13 cover athlete," said Adam Larry, NHLPA Director of Licensing and Associate Counsel. "We cannot say enough about the amazing job done by all those involved with the EA SPORTS NHL Cover Vote campaign. The terrific support that all 60 participating NHL players received from not only fans and gamers, but also other NHL players, the teams, teammates, friends and Twitter followers, drove the success of the campaign in its first year."
The NHL 13 Cover Vote campaign gave fans the opportunity to select the face of the EA SPORTS NHL franchise as they were able to vote for their favorite candidate at http://www.nhl.com/covervote.

To watch a recap of the NHL 13 Cover Vote campaign, click here.

The campaign was embraced by NHL fans, teams and players who utilized social media platforms to campaign. Outstanding examples of team and player engagement during the cover vote final include:
- Claude Giroux: From the First Shift...
- Pekka Rinne: The Most Interesting Goalie in the League
NHL 13 Delivers Major Innovations that will "Change the Way You Play the Game."
EA SPORTS NHL 13 promises the biggest change to the franchise since the introduction of the Skill Stick in NHL 07. Headlined by all-new True Performance Skating, and supported by an innovative new A.I. system dubbed EA SPORTS Hockey I.Q., NHL 13 will deliver a revamped gameplay experience that accurately captures the speed, creativity and strategy of NHL hockey.
"Every Stride Matters," the latest trailer for NHL 13 can be viewed here.
In addition, NHL 13 will also deliver new experiences that connect hockey fans to their friends and the real world of hockey with the all-new GM Connected and NHL Moments Live modes.

[justpassingthru]

Lundqvist finally wins Vezina Trophy

LAS VEGAS -- Henrik Lundqvist couldn't pull his eyes away from the Vezina Trophy.



Henrik Lundqvist
Goalie - NYR
RECORD: 10-10-3
GAA: 1.82 | SVP: 0.931

The Rangers goalie, sitting in a ball room at the Wynn Hotel just minutes after being awarded the Vezina during Wednesday's NHL Awards show, kept staring in wonder at the trophy as he discussed the accomplishment of winning it after three unsuccessful attempts earlier in his career. "There are a couple of my heroes on here," Lundqvist said, his eyes again darting to the trophy sitting to the left of him on the table. "Patrick [Roy], Dominik [Hasek] and Marty [Brodeur] have had great careers, so it feels good. It's been a goal for me."
Lundqvist was nominated for the award three years running, starting in 2006. Yet each June, another goalie took home the trophy, leaving Lundqvist more determined to lay claim to the award that recognizes the League's best goalie, according to the NHL's 30 general managers.
Despite a fantastic season, Lundqvist was fully prepared to face disappointment for a fourth time.
"I don't think I realize it yet," Lundqvist said. "I'm up against two guys that are great goalies that put up great numbers. I was just hoping to win. I've been up for it a few times. Every time you're nominated, it is a great feeling to be recognized for what you do out there and that people appreciate what you do."
This time, though, Lundqvist's numbers -- a 39-18-5 record with eight shutouts and a 1.97 goals-against average and .930 save percentage -- were good enough to hold off impressive seasons by Nashville's Pekka Rinne and Jonathan Quick of the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.


In the end, the race wasn't as close as Lundqvist envisioned it. He was named on all 30 ballots and was the top selection on 17 for 120 points, easily outdistancing Quick Kings (63) and Rinne (42).
The Vezina victory quickly washed away the disappointment of falling short in the race to the Hart Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award. He lost out on both to Pittsburgh star Evgeni Malkin, who led the League in scoring.
"Personally, I was just happy to be nominated," Lundqvist said. "I didn't expect to win. I think Malkin deserved it. He was outstanding this year and really dominated for a long time this year."
Then he looked again at the trophy he had claimed.
"This one means a lot," he said.
Yet as happy as he was to finally add his name to the Vezina honor roll, Lundqvist is not ready to rest on his laurels. The sting of losing to the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals still lingers. No individual award, Lundqvist says, can serve as a balm for that disappointment.
"This is a different thing," he said. "I'm still disappointed the season ended the way it did. I really thought we had a chance this year to win, so. Now you just try to learn something from it and use it as motivation to work harder and get better. We had a great year, but it was not good enough."
Again, that sentenced was punctuated by another glance at the Vezina, a not-so-furtive look that seemed to focus him on the task that now lies ahead -- navigating the ultimate journey to win the only trophy that really matters to hockey players.
"This will definitely give me more motivation to keep working harder and improve my game," Lundqvist said.

[justpassingthru]

Campbell honored to take home Lady Byng

LAS VEGAS -- There's a simple reason why Brian Campbell only took three minor penalties this season. "I hate to sit in the penalty box," Campbell told NHL.com, punctuating that simple statement with a hearty chuckle.



Brian Campbell
Defense - FLA
GOALS: 1 | ASST: 4 | PTS: 5
SOG: 9 | +/-: -2

There is also a more complex reason why Campbell took just three penalties despite playing more per game -- 26:53 -- than any other player in the League during the 2011-12 regular season. It has to do with the way that Campbell can sense what is going to happen on the ice before it even unfolds. "Skating is one of my stronger points and I think I have gotten better over the years with my positioning," he said Wednesday after winning the Lady Byng Award for gentlemanly play at the NHL Awards. "I find I don't need to take those penalties.
"I'd rather be out there helping my team. I think it goes along with hockey smarts. Sometimes I see penalties that are taken that can hurt a team and that aren't necessary and I feel I have a good grasp of the rules and I get (angry) when I do get a penalty."
How angry? He still remembers two of the three penalties he took this season.
"I still remember when I shot that puck over -- I don't know if it was my first penalty of the season -- but I wasn't too happy about it," Campbell said. "It was a dumb play by myself.
"I don't remember one of them. I remember shooting the puck over [the glass] in Boston, one was against Washington and I don't remember the other one. They are few and far between, which I do like."
Just for the record, Campbell's indiscretions were as follows:
Dec. 8 at Boston, delay of game.
Dec. 27 against Toronto, holding against Carl Gunnarsson.
Feb. 17 against Washington, a slash to Troy Brouwer.
It is that relatively clean rap sheet that earned him the Byng, becoming the first defenseman since 1954 to earn the award. That season, it was Red Kelly that won the award for the third time in his career. Kelly actually won a fourth Byng in 1961, but he was playing center that season.
Campbell knew that history as well as he knows his own penalty history.
"It definitely is a great honor. There's a lot of people that I looked up to and there's elite, elite level players that could have had a chance and maybe at some point should have won the award, but I'm glad that we broke the trend as a defenseman and we'll see where it goes from here."
-- Florida defenseman Brian Campbell on winning the Lady Byng Award

"I heard about it from my dad and then researched it a bit; who Red Kelly was and stuff. It was fun to do the research," Campbell said. "It's crazy that it has been that long and its pretty special to win it for myself.
"It definitely is a great honor. There's a lot of people that I looked up to and there's elite, elite level players that could have had a chance and maybe at some point should have won the award, but I'm glad that we broke the trend as a defenseman and we'll see where it goes from here."
He hopes that his victory ends the bias against defensemen in the Lady Byng voting.
"Obviously, it is about how you play and then your sportsmanship," he said. "I think everybody thinks defensemen are supposed to be bruisers. I've never been a bruiser in my whole career. I think sometimes I try to not let that bother me what people, fans, think of defensemen and that was never me.
"I just kept going with my game plan and it has been successful for me."

[justpassingthru]

NHL Awards Winners

Winners of the 2011-12 NHL awards, presented Wednesday at the Wynn Las Vegas casino.
Hart Memorial Trophy, MVP - Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh
Vezina Trophy, goaltender - Henrik Lundqvist, N.Y. Rangers
James Norris Memorial Trophy, defenseman - Erik Karlsson, Ottawa
Calder Memorial Trophy, rookie - Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado
Frank J. Selke Trophy, defensive forward - Patrice Bergeron, Boston
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, most gentlemanly - Brian Campbell, Florida
King Clancy Trophy, humanitarian contribution to hockey - Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa
Jack Adams Award, coach - Ken Hitchcock, St. Louis
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, perserverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey - Max Pacioretty, Montreal
---
Art Ross Trophy, points scoring leader - Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh
Maurice Richard Trophy, goal-scoring leader - Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay
William M. Jennings Trophy, goalies with fewest goals against, minimum 25 games - Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak, St. Louis
Conn Smythe Trophy, MVP in Stanley Cup Playoffs - Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles
---
Ted Lindsay Award, outstanding player - Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh
(Formerly called the Lester B. Pearson Award)

[justpassingthru]

NHL teams find gems in undrafted players


There will be 211 players chosen at the NHL Draft in Pittsburgh this weekend. That doesn't mean there aren't some gems that will slip through the cracks. Just as being drafted is no guarantee that a player will make it to the NHL, not being selected doesn't mean that a player won't make it.

Hall of Famers Ed Belfour, Joe Mullen, Peter Stastny and Dino Ciccarelli were never drafted. Neither was goaltender Antti Niemi, who led the Chicago Blackhawks to the 2010 Stanley Cup -- or his current San Jose teammate, All-Star defenseman Dan Boyle. Martin St. Louis of Tampa Bay, winner of the Hart and Art Ross Trophies in 2004 and the Lady Byng in 2010 and '11, never heard his name called on draft day. Neither did Niklas Backstrom, Rene Bourque, Alexandre Burrows, Curtis Glencross or dozens of other players who wore NHL sweaters this season.
Here are some of the best players never to be drafted by an NHL team:
Pre-1990 (majority of career before 1990):
Goaltender: Curtis Joseph
Defense: Borje Salming
Defense: Mike Milbury
Forward: Dino Ciccarelli
Forward: Peter Stastny
Forward: Joe Mullen


1990-2004
Goaltender: Ed Belfour
Defense: Steve Duchesne
Defense: Brian Rafalski
Forward: Steve Thomas
Forward: Adam Oates
Forward: Mike Ridley


2005-present:
Goaltender: Antti Niemi
Defense: Dan Boyle
Defense: Dan Girardi
Forward: Martin St. Louis
Forward: Andy McDonald
Forward: Chris Kunitz


All active team (players who were active in 2011-12)
Goalie: Antti Niemi, San Jose
Goalie: Niklas Backstrom, Minnesota
Goalie: Jonas Hiller, Anaheim
Defense: Dan Boyle, San Jose
Defense: Dan Girardi, N.Y. Rangers
Defense: Jason Garrison, Florida
Defense: Mark Giordano, Calgary
Defense: Andy Greene, New Jersey
Defense: Zbynek Michalek, Pittsburgh
Forward: Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay
Forward: Andy McDonald, St. Louis
Forward: Chris Kunitz, Pittsburgh
Forward: Alexandre Burrows, Vancouver
Forward: Curtis Glencross, Calgary
Forward: Pascal Dupuis, Pittsburgh
Forward: Chad LaRose, Carolina
Forward: David Clarkson, New Jersey
Forward: Dustin Penner, Los Angeles
Forward: Rene Bourque, Montreal
Forward: Tyler Bozak, Toronto
Forward: Ruslan Fedotenko, N.Y. Rangers
Coaching Staff (former NHL players who were never drafted):
Dave Tippett, Phoenix
Peter Laviolette, Philadelphia
Broadcasters:
Glenn Healy
Nick Kypreos
Mike Milbury

[umpire2]

JPT, I know you miss me here, so here is one for you:


orr-goal.jpg

[justpassingthru]

That I do ump, you are always a treat to have around bantering back and forth ... and just think, this fall we can both harass the current champs with no vested interest in them per se.

There are few photo's more famous or popular than that one of Bobby Orr (unless you ask the St Louis Blues, lol) ... classy guy too. Ray Lussier was in the right place at the right time on that day.

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by justpassingthru

That I do ump, you are always a treat to have around bantering back and forth ... and just think, this fall we can both harass the current champs with no vested interest in them per se.

There are few photo's more famous or popular than that one of Bobby Orr (unless you ask the St Louis Blues, lol) ... classy guy too. Ray Lussier was in the right place at the right time on that day.

I will probably do some more Hall of Fame goalies soon. Have to keep the interest up for a few months!

[umpire2]

What the heck:

GEORGES VEZINA (Montreal Canadiens, 1910-1925)

I'm not going into the story of Georges Vezina (if you don't know it, you shouldn't be here).

I will say, however, (not having been around in the 1910s and 1920s) that the game must have been much more wide open (which I know it wasn't) for a guy who gave up 3.5 goals a game in his career to have the Trophy for the league's outstanding goaltender named for him.

0.JPG

[umpire2]

VEZINA actually played better in the playoffs, winning 23 of 37 games with a 2.60 GAA, so maybe that is it.....

0a1.jpg

[umpire2]

Except that he only helped the Canadiens to bring home 2 Stanley Cups in his 15 years (not very impressive on a franchise that won 23 Cups over the 66 years "post-Vezina")

0a.jpg
Young Georges

[justpassingthru]

As expected, Nail Yakapov went number one to the Edmonton Oilers and will surely strengthen that team with all the talent that they drafted in the last couple years and Nail should be ready to step right into the line-up this coming season ... if there is a season, which is still up to the CBA to decide.

The Columbus Blue Jackets picked 2nd and took Ryan Murray.

[justpassingthru]

Congrats to all the guys that went in the 2012 NHL Draft, with a special congrats to Tim Bozon and Colin Smith of the Kamloops Blazers.

Tim Bozon (went to the Montreal Canadiens) and Colin Smith (went to the Colorado Avalanche).

For a full list of the draft picks and trades, here is a link with all of the results:
http://www.mynhldraft.com/NHL-Draft-Results/

[justpassingthru]

NHL Draft Results 2012: Philadelphia Flyers Select Goalie Anthony Stolarz in Round 2

Jun 23, 2012

The Philadelphia Flyers used their second-round pick (No. 45 overall) in Saturday's 2012 NHL Draft to select goalie Anthony Stolarz, who played with the Corpus Christi IceRays of the NAHL this past season.
Stolarz, a 6-foot-5, 210-pounder who has signed to play at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, was actually cut by two Eastern Junior Hockey League team's last summer. But the 18-year old landed with Corpus Christi and impressed, posting a .920 save percentage and 2.84 goals-against average.
The Flyers used their first-round pick Friday night to select Scott Laughton, a 6-foot, 177-pound center who played with Oshawa of the OHL during the past season.
Laughton was fifth on Oshawa in points with 21 goals and 32 assists for 52 points. He also played for the Canadian national team at the 2011 Under-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament -- and he was the hero, scoring the game-winning goal in the gold medal game.

Philly needs to quit fucking around with their goaltending revolving door ... so long Sergei Bobrovsky.

First-Round Picks: No. 20—Scott Laughton, C, Oshawa Generals (OHL), traded Sergei Bobrovsky for a second and fourth-round pick in 2012 and a fourth-round choice next year.


While the Philadelphia Flyers didn’t make any landscape-shifting moves this season, they quietly had themselves a perfect first round.
Not only did the Flyers trade their young, but overrated goalie Sergei Bobrovsky for a plethora of draft picks, the team was lucky enough to draft a star two-way center in Scott Laughton.
With comparisons to Mike Richards, Laughton will walk onto the Philadelphia roster and be a third-line starter. That’s getting value at No. 20.

Blue Jackets acquire Bobrovsky for draft picks

With the No. 2 pick in the NHL Draft, the Columbus Blue Jackets knew they would be in the spotlight Friday night.
They got a jump start on the proceedings, however, by making the first big trade on a day that may be full of them. The Blue Jackets traded for Philadelphia backup goalie Sergei Bobrovsky in an attempt to shore up the franchise's goaltending depth. In return, Philadelphia received a package of three draft picks, including No. 45 in this year's Draft.
This past season, the Blue Jackets used four different goalies and the unheralded Curtis Sanford emerged as the unlikely No. 1. Steve Mason, who was a franchise savior during his rookie season four years ago, has continued to struggle. This season, he played in a career-low 46 games and went 16-26-3 with career worsts in save percentage (.894) and goals-against average (3.39).
Bobrovsky, 23, came to prominence in his first season with the Flyers, going 28-13-8 with a 2.59 GAA and .915 save percentage. But the Flyers landed No. 1 goalie Ilya Bryzgalov the following summer, marginalizing Bobrovsky's role.
Bryzgalov struggled in his first season in orange-and-black, however, and Bobrovsky ended up playing in 29 games, going 14-10-2 with a 3.02 GAA and .899 save percentage.

In addition to the second-round pick which originally belonged to Ottawa, the Flyers also received a pair of fourth-rounders. Columbus had acquired those picks from Vancouver and Phoenix, respectively.

[justpassingthru]

Penguins deal Jordan Staal to 'Canes

Brothers reunited as Carolina Hurricanes.

PITTSBURGH -- The "Big Three" of the Pittsburgh Penguins is no more, and the number of members of the Staal family who will reside in North Carolina next season grew Friday night.


Jordan Staal
Center - CAR
GOALS: 25 | ASST: 25 | PTS: 50
SOG: 149 | +/-: 11

Pittsburgh traded center Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes for the No. 8 pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, center Brandon Sutter and defense prospect Brian Dumoulin. "When you are acquiring an elite player, you have to give a lot for it, and we did," Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said after adding Jordan Staal to a roster than also includes big brother Eric. "We paid Pittsburgh a good price. We love Brandon Sutter. He’s been a very good player for us and he’s a great career ahead of him. Dumoulin is another one, coming out of Boston College -- a good, young defenseman. This was certainly a very fair hockey deal."
Jordan Staal, who reportedly turned down a 10-year contract offer from the Penguins earlier this week, will be united with Eric in Carolina. Both were taken with the second pick in their respective draft years -- Eric in 2003, Jordan in 2006.
The Penguins selected defenseman Derrick Pouliot from Portland of the Western Hockey League with the pick acquired from Carolina. Just before Shero announced the pick, he thanked Jordan Staal for six years in Pittsburgh, which included a big role in the team's 2009 Stanley Cup victory.
"My feeling on Jordan Staal is I didn’t want to trade him," Shero said of the 23-year-old center, who has one year remaining on his contract before he can become an unrestricted free agent. "I said that, and my goal was to try and get him to sign a contract extension with the Penguins and how far could we go with this three-center model that we had remained to be seen, but I’d like to that. It just became more apparent as we talked about it internally. I’ve talked to Jordan for six years and had a great relationship with him and his family. It just felt like the right thing to do.
"I always felt that up until at some point today that Jordan was going to be back with us next year. We’ve had a great relationship and he was a very important player for our team. A couple teams were pretty aggressive today, one being Carolina. We just felt as an organization that Jordan is at the point of his career where it is time to really take the next step in his development and the Carolina deal really made sense with the assets we got in return. It was a fair deal for both parties."


It was already going to be a momentous day for Staal. On the day he was traded to play with his brother, he also married his fiancée, Heather, in his hometown of Thunder Bay, Ont.
Rutherford said he met with Shero before the draft began in his office, and that they completed the deal at 6:45 p.m. ET. The Hurricanes GM said he expects to begin contract negotiations with Staal early next month.

Staal, who turns 24 in September, completed his sixth NHL season in 2011-12, scoring 25 goals and adding 25 assists to set a career high in points (50) despite playing in just 62 of Pittsburgh’s 82 regular-season games. He added six goals and three assists to lead the Penguins in scoring in their six-game, first-round playoff loss to Philadelphia.

"I believe this improves our team," Rutherford said. "Name me two or three other players, [centers], who are like Jordan Staal? You just can’t find them. I don’t think it is a timing thing or a bold move -- it just happened that he was available to us and we were able to make the deal."
Sutter, the 11th player taken in the 2007 NHL Draft, had 17 goals and 32 points in 82 games with Carolina in 2011-12. He has two more years on his deal, with a salary cap hit of $2.066 million so the move saves Pittsburgh nearly $2 million for the coming season.
"Brandon is the key to the deal for us," Shero said. "We really like Derrick Pouliot a lot and Brian Dumoulin is a key asset as well, but an NHL-ready Brandon Sutter -- he’s a proven player in the League. He’s a young player. He’s signed. We love the character. We love what he brings. He’s got good size. It is hard to find guys like that. Defensemen and centers are difficult to find. He’s a real key to the deal for us, and we look forward to having him with us for many years."
Dumoulin recently signed an entry-level contract with the Hurricanes after three seasons at BC. He had seven goals and 28 points in 44 games this season for the Eagles, and was one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award. Dumoulin helped Boston College win the NCAA championship in April.
Pouliot had 11 goals and 59 points for Portland, playing on the same blue line as Pittsburgh’s 2011 first-round pick, Joe Morrow. Shero said the Penguins liked Pouliot’s skating ability and offensive potential.
Moving Staal breaks up the Pittsburgh triumvirate at center, who along with captain Sidney Crosby and 2011-12 League MVP Evgeni Malkin has been a matchup nightmare for opposing clubs. But Shero was adamant that this move does not mean the Penguins are moving away from the "three-center model" that made Pittsburgh champions in 2009.
"We’ve got three centers," he said. "We got Brandon Sutter, and with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, that is three really good centers. That’s the strength of our team. We’re looking for Brandon to being a big part of that. It was pretty important to me in building this team to have a young center like that to put with Crosby and Malkin. It makes our team a good team still and in the future moving forward."
For the Hurricanes, adding another Staal means adding another impact forward, which was something Rutherford said on multiple occasions was a priority this offseason. Part of that was finding someone to play with Eric, which isn’t likely to be Jordan’s role, so another addition could be forthcoming.
With Sutter gone, the Staal brothers are likely to center the top two lines for Carolina. Jordan Staal may have set a career high in points this past season, but it might not be for long.
"He’s only 24 years old [in September]. He’s still got an upside, and I highly suspect that those offensive numbers will go up," Rutherford said. "I think it will be great. With the character they have and the will to win, I think it will be a great fit."

[justpassingthru]

Bruins pick Subban, add spice to great rivalry

PITTSBURGH -- The rivalry between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens got ramped up Friday night with a dose of brotherly love.
The Bruins used their first-round pick at the NHL Draft to select Belleville Bulls goaltender Malcolm Subban with the 24th pick. That sets up a future confrontation with Malcolm and his brother, Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban -- who is booed lustily whenever he plays in Boston.
While future Christmas dinners may become a little awkward at the Subban house, Malcolm says there’s no point worrying about his relationship with P.K. suffering.


"I don't know if he's going to like me too much," Malcolm said. "But to be honest, I never liked him that much."
Karl Subban – the father of P.K., Malcolm and youngest brother Jordan, a defenseman with Belleville – has always been a die-hard Canadiens fan, so he was overjoyed when his eldest son became a Habs' second-round pick in 2007.
So Malcolm, how do you think your dad will like you suiting up for Montreal’s biggest rival?
"He's going to have mixed emotions now," Malcolm said with a laugh.
Unlike his dad and older brother, Malcolm Subban did not grow up a Canadiens fan – he was a fan of the local team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. As a result, there isn't too much Habs gear he'll need to dispose of now that he’s on the other side of the rivalry.
Except for one item.
"I don't have any Canadiens stuff actually," Malcolm said. "I have [P.K.'s] jersey in my room, so that will probably have to get out now."
Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli was pleased to be able to draft the big, athletic goalie, but he was obviously able to appreciate the unique nature of the draft pick. When asked if he made the pick because he felt the Habs-Bruins rivalry was missing some juice, Chiarelli laughed.
"Yeah," he said, "we draft on best player available, fit, need and then rivalries."
The enthusiasm with which P.K. is greeted at TD Garden in Boston might make things uncomfortable for Malcolm, but Chiarelli doesn't feel the fans will have the same feelings for their new goalie.
"I wouldn't think so," he said. "Actually, I like his brother as a player, he's pretty good. I know he riles the fans up in Boston, but all the kids in that family are really athletic. Obviously it's going to be part of the rivalry, and as a by-product it's going to be exciting to watch.
"But we're happy to get a good, big goalie."

[justpassingthru]

Jets acquire rights to goaltender Jonas Gustavsson

The Jonas Gustavsson era in Toronto is finished. The Maple Leafs traded the rights to Gustvasson, slated to become a unrestricted free agent July 1, to Winnipeg for a conditional pick in the seventh round of the 2013 Draft.
Gustavsson, 27, went 17-17 with a 2.92 goals-against average and .902 save percentage. He also had four shutouts this season.
He is known as "The Monster," but not because of his imposing 6-foot-3 frame. The nickname originated when he played in Sweden because of the fact that nobody could beat him.
For his NHL career, Gustavsson has a 39-45 record in 104 NHL appearances with a 2.98 goals against average and a .900 save percentage. He has 15 shutouts, including nine in his rookie campaign three seasons ago.

[justpassingthru]

Canada, U.S. lead the way with most draft picks

PITTSBURGH -- A total of 211 players from 12 countries were selected at the 2012 NHL Draft, which concluded today at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh. Following is a breakdown of draft selections by birthplace:
Canada 99
United States 56
Sweden 22
Russia 11
Finland 9
Czech Republic 6
Denmark 2
Latvia 2
Belarus 1
Germany 1
Switzerland 1
United Kingdom 1

[justpassingthru]

The Calgary Flames are among some NHL teams that have a lot of faith in the US hockey program, including 3 of their 7 picks from the US system. The 56 picks in the 2012 draft is a true testament to the fine work being done down south.

[justpassingthru]

With free agency starting on Sunday, teams will scramble to try and sign players that are at the end of their contracts ... as well as players moving to other teams. "Show me the money"

NHL, NHLPA set upper & lower cap limits for 2012-13; Crosby, Quick agree to long-term extensions; three Rangers on CBA committee

The NHL and NHLPA jointly announced on Thursday that the team payroll range for the 2012-13 league year provides for an upper-limit salary cap of $70.2 million, a lower limit of $54.2 million and an adjusted midpoint of $62.2 million.

With collective bargaining negotiations set to begin on Friday and uncertainty regarding future financial restrictions, teams have begun to lock up top players to lucrative, long-term deals that may not be feasible once a new agreement is formed and implemented.

The Pittsburgh Penguins agreed to terms with Sidney Crosby on a 12-year, $104.4 million contract extension that will keep him with the franchise through the 2024-25. That calls for an annual cap hit of $8.7 million.

The Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings agreed to terms with Conn Smythe winner and Vezina Trophy finalist Jonathan Quick on a 10-year deal reportedly worth more than $50 million – a significant raise from his $1.8 million annual cap hit last season.
FROM THE DAILY NEWS: PLAYERS HAVE 'FEHR' FACTOR IN CBA TALKS

On Wednesday, NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr announced the creation of a 31-player, union negotiating committee to be integrally involved throughout the CBA negotiations this summer and fall.

Bargaining sessions will be open for all players to attend, but the committee will be more closely involved and will update their fellow players consistently on the negotiations’ progress.
NHLPA MEETINGS PHOTO GALLERY FROM CHICAGO

Three Rangers were named to the negotiating committee: Marty Biron, Brandon Dubinsky and Ruslan Fedotenko. Only Dubinsky is under contract with the club once free agency opens on Sunday, but the Blueshirts are expected to re-sign Biron. Fedotenko’s future at the Garden is less certain.

“These were informative meetings this week that gave us the chance to have extensive conversations about collective bargaining with Don and the other Players here,” Biron said in a statement released by the union. “I think we have a really solid group of guys on our Negotiating Committee and I’m glad that I can be involved.”

Below are comments from Fehr at Wednesday’s NHLPA press conference and the full list of 31 players on the union’s negotiating committee:

DONALD FEHR

On his role with regard to the players: “We work for them. Not the other way around.”

On confidence in hockey players’ abilities to negotiate: “I’ve been representing athletes for a very long time, and I am 100% confident that we have a group of players on the negotiating committee and on the executive board and throughout the membership generally, that will be a very effective group of spokesmen for the players and will help us get done what we need to get done to have an agreement put to bed.”

On whether players are all concerned about similar issues: “Whenever you have a group which is as diverse as these players are – they play for different teams, they’ve had a career of different lengths, there are some that are older, there are some that are younger, there some who have more skill than the regular players, there are others that haven’t reached that plateau yet or perhaps have passed their peak – and it would be silly to suggest that every single person sees every single issue in precisely the same way. Of course they don’t. Having said that, what I think they do understand – and I’m satisfied will not be a problem – is that they have to talk these matters out until they reach a consensus. And they will do that. I’m not concerned about that in the slightest.”

On whether he stands by his comment that there are changes to the existing CBA that players wouldn’t mind: “I expect the players will have a lot of suggestions and proposals that we’ll offer to the owners for their consideration and discussion. Hopefully we’ll get agreement on those kinds of things. But … I think we owe it to the process first to discuss those matters with the players who are not here and second to broach them across the table.”

On working with hockey players: “After working with the guys to help put the organization back together during the period in which they did not have an executive director, I came to know a large number of them, I came to spend a lot of time working with them, I came to talk to an awful lot more players whom I didn’t know personally, to participate in some of their conference calls and to have some meetings with them. And what came out of that is I really like ‘em.”

On why it’s not a given that players/owners would proceed under current CBA if new deal isn’t struck by Sept. 15 deadline (in other words, why would there be a lockout?): “That’s not a question that would be addressed to me. I wasn’t here the last time when the owners made a decision not to do that, nor was I here when that happened some 10 years before the last time. I don’t know what their view is. I’m hoping that’s not something they will have to face or we will have to face, and we just have to see what develops when it gets there. I can tell you in my prior existence there were any number of periods in which the season continued when there was no formal agreement in place.”

On revenues, which Fehr called the $3.3 billion record revenue announcement of commissioner Gary Bettman as one of his most significant comments at the Stanley Cup Finals: “If revenues were flat at the level that they were in 2004, everybody in this room and listening on the phone and on the web would understand that we would likely be having different discussions than since they’ve gone up 65%.”

NHLPA NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE
Craig Adams (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Adrian Aucoin (Phoenix Coyotes)
Alex Auld (Ottawa Senators)
David Backes (St. Louis Blues)
Marty Biron (Rangers)
Brad Boyes (Buffalo Sabres)
Chris Campoli (Montreal Canadiens)
B.J. Crombeen (St. Louis Blues)
Mathieu Darche (Montreal Canadiens)
Rick DiPietro (New York Islanders)
Shane Doan (Phoenix Coyotes)
Brandon Dubinsky (Rangers)
Ruslan Fedotenko (Rangers)
Alex Goligoski (Dallas Stars)
Ron Hainsey (Winnipeg Jets)
Scott Hartnell (Philadelphia Flyers)
Jamie Langenbrunner (St. Louis Blues)
Manny Malhotra (Vancouver Canucks)
Steve Montador (Chicago Blackhawks)
Dominic Moore (San Jose Sharks)
Brendan Morrison (Chicago Blackhawks)
Douglas Murray (San Jose Sharks)
George Parros (Anaheim Ducks)
Chris Phillips (Ottawa Senators)
Cory Schneider (Vancouver Canucks)
John Tavares (New York Islanders)
Shea Weber (Nashville Predators)
Kevin Westgarth (Los Angeles Kings)
Dan Winnik (San Jose Sharks)
James Wisniewski (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit Red Wings)
*More Players may be added at a later date

[AZRIEL]

[leed's 13th child]

Wait...where the hell is hockey!?!?! It's October 5th...it should be here.

[justpassingthru]

Originally Posted by leed's 13th child

Wait...where the hell is hockey!?!?! It's October 5th...it should be here.

This thread is as lonely a place as most of the NHL arena's around North America.

Hey at least the Kamloops Blazers are tearing up the standings this season so far with the help of Colin Smith (since the Avalanche aren't playing) with 13 goals and 26 assists in 17 games. way to go Buddy.

BTW ... it's snowing like mad here right now and has dropped about 10 cm's today already.

[justpassingthru]

This is a sign at a Bar in Vancouver.

[leed's 13th child]

Originally Posted by justpassingthru

This thread is as lonely a place as most of the NHL arena's around North America.

Hey at least the Kamloops Blazers are tearing up the standings this season so far with the help of Colin Smith (since the Avalanche aren't playing) with 13 goals and 26 assists in 17 games. way to go Buddy.

BTW ... it's snowing like mad here right now and has dropped about 10 cm's today already.

We just got power on again after being walloped by Sandy (Jersey Shore). Cool you have hockey still. While this area is great for the NHL (Heck, the Isles are even moving closer to me), sans NHL and we enter drought conditions pretty quickly. Oh, well. The Brick Twsp. team is pretty good for High School Hockey.

[justpassingthru]

Well it's December and that means 2 things, Christmas of course but more important is the world junior mens hockey starting on the 26th and there will be some serious competition this time with some draft picks that are(were) playing in the NHL will be allowed to play for their countries which will give Canada a fucking serious team this year, as will some other countries. I love this time of year since the national training facility for the players is here in Calgary so we get o witness some great training and practice plays. Anyway til then it's CHL, WHL and AHL so there is still alot of great hockey being played ... which leads me to a question ????? Will there be a draft in 2013 or do the players in the minors get fucked up the ass by the NHL too ?????????

[justpassingthru]

Originally Posted by leed's 13th child

We just got power on again after being walloped by Sandy (Jersey Shore). Cool you have hockey still. While this area is great for the NHL (Heck, the Isles are even moving closer to me), sans NHL and we enter drought conditions pretty quickly. Oh, well. The Brick Twsp. team is pretty good for High School Hockey.

Glad that you survived Sandy and are getting back to normal, however difficult that may be. I had baller call me insensitive to the plight of the east coast in a thread a while back and as usual he shoots off his piehole without putting his brain in gear first ... anyway if you read this baller, the Red Cross was very happy with the big donation that my company gave them as well as the 154 units of blood that my football team gave to help.

I do hope that Sandy wasn't as kind to those retards on the reality show Jersey Shore ... MTV should be shot for airing that garbage.

[justpassingthru]

I watched an intrasquad (white/red) game live at the Saddledome in Calgary with the Canadian mens junior team last night and it took about 45 minutes for the guys to get their stride and actually look like a team. The final score was 3-1 red. Cuts will be made tomorrow and right now they are taking on the University of Alberta(Edmonton) hockey team and the UofA started strong and leads 3-1 right now.

The Americans will have a strong team as well thanks to the NHL lockout, as will the Russians. Anyway the IIHF World Junior Mens Hockey Championships start Boxing day in Russia with the Canadians taking on Germany.

As well as all that great hockey coming up to go with the CHL and AHL, there is still a ton of quality hockey being played and the Spengler Cup starts on Boxing day in Switzerland made up of mostly University players.

If you want to look at the rosters of your favorite team here is a link.
2013 World Junior Team Rosters

Canada | Czech Republic | Finland | Germany | Latvia | Russia | Slovakia | Sweden | Switzerland | United States

[justpassingthru]

If you are following the WHL, Calgary leads the Eastern Central Division with 44 points and Prince Albert leads the Eastern East Division. In the West, Kamloops leads the BC Division with 53 points and Portland leads the US Division with 51 points.

I will be taking in the Kamloops Blazers/Edmonton Oil Kings tonight and it promises to be a great game.

[speed208]

i am a hockey player and this is the one of the best game in the world...

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by justpassingthru

If you are following the WHL, Calgary leads the Eastern Central Division with 44 points and Prince Albert leads the Eastern East Division. In the West, Kamloops leads the BC Division with 53 points and Portland leads the US Division with 51 points.

I will be taking in the Kamloops Blazers/Edmonton Oil Kings tonight and it promises to be a great game.

I'm just pissed.

[justpassingthru]

Originally Posted by umpire2

I'm just pissed.

Sounds like a "depends" moment ump.

The players almost caved last week and gave into the demands of the owners but luckily they came to their senses before it was to late ... even though we would have hockey if they had.

I have to laugh because I am in Edmonton of late and all the talk is of the Oilers owner wanting another 200 million tax dollars for his new arena that they want to build in downtown Edmonton.

[justpassingthru]

World Juniors start in just over a week and Canada is in Finland on Thursday to take on the Finns in a pre tournament game as a warm-up. It is as close to NHL as we are going to come this year so check out the tournament starting on Boxing Day.

[N.E. Woman]

I just saw on our local news that the lock out/ strike is almost resolved and hockey is coming back.

My husband is so excited, I on the other hand, am hoping he's not still watching the Bruins into summer.....

How long do people think the season will last?
(Last season, the final game was played in early June.)

Because of the lock out, are you still a hockey fan?

[formerly vodkanoj]

YES!! LETS GO RANGERS!!

[itiswhatitis]

YUP! .... LOT's of happy fans.

[leed's 13th child]

Devils have a pretty good record of success in shortened seasons!
Go Devils.

[leed's 13th child]

Anyone interested in starting a XNXX Fantasy Hockey League?

Could be interesting to play with a group of like minded freaks, eh?

Let me know and I'll see if I can set one up.

[leed's 13th child]

Originally Posted by formerly vodkanoj

YES!! LETS GO RANGERS!!

Devils now officially lead the Rags, Isles, and Flyers; tied for first in the division. Welcome back hockey!

[umpire2]

BRUINS

[fongule]

Rangers all the way

[petenv]

Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Champions 2013.


pete