Kamis, 31 Januari 2013

Animal House: Panthers Building Through College Hockey ' Part 1

Panthers College hockeyToga! Toga! Toga! ' A simple yet incendiary chant, the battle cry of Delta Tau Chi and collegiate party goers everywhere. However, this youthful mantra could also signal the beginning of a new era of talent and prosperity in South Florida.

For many, college life is four rigorous years of binge drinking, cramming for exams, promiscuous sex and trying to avoid being expelled by conniving evil Deans. However, for the Florida Panthers, college is the new training ground for the future stars of their once prosperous franchise.

For decades, the prominent youth hockey talents of the world have gravitated to the Canadian Hockey League to groom their talents before heading to the NHL. However, the CHL is now getting some stiff competition from their North American neighbors as many talented skaters are now choosing to attend college in the United States to play hockey at the NCAA level.

Although the CHL can still be considered the premier outlet for high level hockey talents, the perks of playing hockey at the collegiate level are now starting to intrigue young skaters.  While playing college hockey, players have a much more relaxed travel schedule and play far fewer games than they would in the CHL. Young players find the idea of more downtime appealing as it gives them more opportunities to spend time in the gym - building muscle and conditioning themselves for the hardships of the NHL.

The Florida Panthers seem to be crafting the blue-print for drafting NCAA talents as they have accumulated eleven prospects who are currently competing at the NCAA level, the most out of any NHL team.

Only time will tell if this new way of thinking pays off for the Panthers and the players involved, but until then let's take a closer look at the group of Panthers' prospect who brushed off the CHL in favor of college hockey.

Please join me in welcoming the newest additions to the Florida Panthers' organization and the Delta Tau Chi brotherhood.

 

 Mike Matheson (Freshman)

College: Boston College

Delta Tau Chi Name: Firecracker

Analysis: Taken in the 1st round (24th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, defenseman Mike Matheson is currently playing in his freshman season for perennial hockey power, Boston College. Matheson's creativity with the puck as well as his scoring abilities makes him an impressive offensive threat from the blue line. Matheson will need to focus on improving his defensive game and physical play while at Boston College.

 'I know I need to get bigger physically, while also continuing to work on my speed. A little less games also lets me get on the ice during the morning to work on extra things as well,' Matheson told me in an interview earlier this year.

Currently, Matheson is nursing a minor concussion, but should return to full strength this season. Before his injury, Matheson compiled 14 points (4G 10A) through 21 games for Boston College.

Matheson is two or three years from being considered NHL ready and will have plenty of time to improve his defensive skills while at Boston College. If everything goes well, Panthers' fans can look forward to seeing Matheson's booming shot and offensive prowess on full display for many years to come.

Due to his red hair and explosive offensive capabilities, Matheson has been given the Delta Tau Chi name, 'Firecracker.'

 

Kyle Rau (Sophomore)

College: University of Minnesota

Delta Tau Chi Name: Hornet

Analysis: Taken in the 3rd round (91st overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, forward Kyle Rau is currently in his sophomore year at the University of Minnesota. At only 5'8, Rau compensates for his lack of size by using his impressive speed and hockey IQ to create plays for himself and those around him.

Currently, Rau is second in team scoring on a Minnesota team that seems destined to make it to this year's Frozen Four in Pittsburgh. Rau's 27 points (13G 14A) through just 26 games is a good indicator of just how deadly a scorer he can be. Both Kyle Rau and teammate Nick Bjugstad could become household names if Minnesota is able to take home a National Title this season as many experts project them to.

On a team in desperate need of speed, the Panthers hope that Rau will be able to fill out his frame and polish his game at Minnesota over the next few seasons. Panthers' fans can expect to see Rau potentially making an impact in the NHL in 3-4 years after completing his college career and most likely spending some time in the AHL.

Due to his small stature and dangerous scoring abilities, Rau has been given the Delta Tau Chi Name, 'Hornet.'

 

Zach Hyman (Sophomore)

College: University of Michigan

Delta Tau Chi Name: Kamikaze

Analysis: Taken in the 5th round (123rd overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, forward Zach Hyman is currently in his sophomore year at the University of Michigan. Hyman is an above average skater and his 6'2, 195 lbs. frame is already suited for NHL play. Hyman is not afraid to attack the net with reckless abandon and also excels at battling in the trenches in order to help his teammates get better looks.

This season, Hyman has played well in a limited role on a talented Michigan squad. Hyman has accumulated 7 points (3G 4A) through 24 games this season, but has been a solid contributor in areas that don't show up on stat sheets. Expect Hyman's numbers to grow as he receives more ice time during his junior and senior seasons.

'I don't even remember one instance when the OHL popped into my mind when I was making a decision,' Zach told Matt Slovin of Michigan Daily 'I didn't ever really think about the OHL.'

It's clear that Zach Hyman lives and breathes college hockey and will most likely stay at Michigan until he graduates. However, his future in the NHL remains uncertain as of right now. Hyman is far from a can't miss prospect and will have to work hard and improve his game during his remaining years at Michigan. Panthers' fans can expect to see Hyman on the training camp radar after he completes his tenure in the NCAA.

Due to his fearless crashing of opponent's nets with no regard for his own safety, Hyman has been given the Delta Tau Chi name, 'Kamikaze.'

 

Rocco Grimaldi (Freshman)

College: University of North Dakota

Delta Tau Chi Name: Rabbit

Analysis: Taken in the 2nd round (33rd overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, forward Rocco Grimaldi is currently in his freshman year at the University of North Dakota. Standing at only 5'6, Grimaldi is a good example that good things really do come in small packages. With NHL caliber speed and acceleration, Grimaldi excels at getting the puck into the offensive zone as well as using his speed bursts to set up breakaway opportunities.

This year, Grimaldi had a nationally televised coming out party as he netted the game winning goal for Team USA during the gold medal game of the 2013 World Junior Championship. After the tournament, Grimaldi returned to North Dakota where he currently has 20 points (9G 11A) through 24 games played.

Already gifted with an NHL caliber skillset, Grimaldi's main obstacle in getting to the NHL will be convincing scouts that his abilities can translate to the professional level even with his small frame. Luckily for Grimaldi, players like Martin St. Louis and Cory Conacher have already dispelled the notion that small can't come up big in the NHL.

Panthers' fans should expect to see Grimaldi at training camp in 2-3 years after he has gained some muscle and gotten more experience at the NCAA level. With the Panthers' roster currently slower than a waiting line at the DMV, a player with Grimaldi's speed already has Cats' fans salivating.

Due to his small stature and combination of outstanding speed and agility, Grimaldi been given the Delta Tau Chi name, “Rabbit.”

 

Ed Wittchow (Freshman)

College: University of Wisconsin

Delta Tau Chi Name: Ogre

Analysis: Taken in the 6th round (154th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, defenseman Ed Wittchow is currently playing in his freshman season for the University of Wisconsin. Standing at 6'3, Wittchow has the size that you would like to see in an NHL defender, but will need to fill out and add muscle during his tenure at Wisconsin.

This season, Wittchow has accumulated 2 points (0G 2A) through 15 games played for Wisconsin while receiving limited ice time. Like other Panthers' underclassmen, expect Wittchow's numbers to improve each year of his collegiate career.

During his time at Wisconsin, Wittchow will need to learn how to perfect his already physical style of play and formulate some sort of offensive presence. Panthers' fans can expect to see Wittchow at training camp in 2-3 years if he continues to devlop and fills out his 6'3 frame. On a team currently filled with mostly finesse defensemen, a player with Wittchow's physical presence will be more than welcome.

Due to his height and physical presence on the ice, Wittchow has been given the Delta Tau Chi name, “Ogre.”

 

  • Check back later this month as we examine the the upperclassmen of Panthers’  collegiate prospects and welcome them into the Delta Tau Chi brotherhood.

 

  • A big thanks goes out to College Hockey News and their database for making it easy to follow these players and keep up with all NHL prospects at the NCAA level.

 

Follow Jameson on Twitter @JamesonCoop

Author information

Jameson CooperJameson CooperA Florida resident, Jameson is currently in his first year of covering the Florida Panthers for The Hockey Writers as well as doing THW's weekly NHL Power Rankings.TwitterFacebookGoogle+

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Craig Anderson Playing Like An Elite NHL Goalie

Craig Anderson, Senators

Craig Anderson (Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)

e·lite or é·lite  n. pl. elite or e·lites

1 b. The best or most skilled members of a group.

The term elite is thrown around a lot these days, especially in reference to professional athletes. In the world of NHL goalies, it’s usually reserved for the likes of Henrik Lundvist & Pekka Rinne, possibly Ryan Miller, maybe even Roberto Luongo, and, in the not so distant past, Tim Thomas & Martin Brodeur.

But if we’re talking strictly about the 2013 season, there’s one goalie that has to jump into that conversation, and his name is Craig Anderson.

First, let’s look at the straight numbers: in 6 starts this season, Anderson is 5-0-1 (including 1 shutout), with a goals against average of 0.99 and a save percentage of 0.967. These stats put him at the head of the goalie class, with the exception of shutouts, with Jaroslav Halak notching 2.

In simpler terms, Anderson has faced a grand total of 184 shots (most in the NHL) in almost 365 minutes played (2nd behind Corey Crawford), and has surrendered a grand total of 6 goals. And after last night’s 5-1 win over Montreal, Anderson has allowed more than 1 goal only once, in a 3-2 shootout victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. (all stats via NHL.com)

Here’s the most recent example of the kind of saves he is making:

Impressive, to say the least. Hey, even TSN’s James Duthie agrees:

Look, we all get that it’s only been 6 games, and that Anderson’s path to cementing his status as a true number one goalie in the NHL has been a bit of a roller coaster, to say the least. Anderson has really only carried the load in 2 of his 8 previous NHL seasons and has not made it out of the first round of the playoffs. It’s also important to note that Ottawa’s wins this season have come against the Florida Panthers (x2), Montreal Canadiens, Winnipeg Jets, Washington Capitals & the Pens, one of which might be classified as a Stanley Cup Contender.

On the flip side, however, Anderson has shown flashes if brilliance in the past, summarized neatly here by James O’Brien of Rotoworld:

(Anderson) compiled a .935 and .924 save percentage as a backup with the Florida Panthers. He frustrated the San Jose Sharks in his first bit of work with the Colorado Avalanche in the 2010 playoffs, most notably pitching an amazing 51-save shutout in Game 3 of that series before San Jose eventually overwhelmed the over-matched Avalanche. Anderson even put the heat on Henrik Lundqvist in last year’s playoffs, compiling an impressive .933 save percentage in that seven-game series but eventually just barely falling short to a superior New York Rangers team. (from Hockey Daily Dose, January 31, 2013)

Prior to the start of the season, I said here that Anderson needed to step up for this team to be successful in 2013, with a view to reaching the level of play that he demonstrated in his first 18 games with the team back in 2011 (11-5-1, 2.05 / 0.939). While his current level of play exceeds that mark, there’s every indication to suggest that there will be some level of regression at some point; what’s to be determined is just how far the drop-off will be, how quickly Anderson might be able to recover from some type of downswing, and if the Senators offense can balance it out enough to keep the team on a winning track.

The lesson in all of this? It’s always important to keep things in their proper context & perspective.

Or, as O’Brien again puts it:

Don't put too much weight in small sample sizes, but don't count out a goalie who has shown quite a few flourishes of strong work. (Hockey Daily Dose, January 31, 2013)

Again, the jury is still very much out on Anderson’s ability to carry a team through an entire regular season and deep into the playoffs, but there’s no denying that this elite-level effort to date demonstrates that he is more than capable of doing so.

Unfortunately, this bit of breaking news might not help matters much:

Ottawa’s next game is Saturday night in Carolina.

Follow Ian on Twitter for more hockey updates and commentary.

Author information

Ian C McLarenIan C McLarenCurrently covering the Ottawa Senators for The Hockey Writers. Previously created & edited a sports-based website called Score Nation, and has also written for THW Combine.TwitterFacebookGoogle+LinkedIn

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Around The Boards: January 31

Hello, this is the first of what I hope will be many segments in a recurring theme where I provide news, insight and analysis regarding various events and trends going on throughout the NHL.

The NHL is back, and it’s alive and well.

Despite months of uncertainty, anger and, ultimately the most worrisome, apathy, the NHL has returned, and with it have the fans, who still love the game far too much to leave it regardless of all the drama.

Devan Dubnyk is quickly becoming another important part of the Oilers' future (Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports)

Devan Dubnyk is quickly becoming another important part of the Oilers’ future (Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports)

Luckily for them the ups, downs and turnarounds of the league, the endless storylines that make the NHL so compelling, have come back in full swing, even just two weeks into the 2013 season.

Here now is a quick rundown of some of the early season’s noteworthy stories:

 

-After years of falling below expectations under tough pressure, very few hockey experts considered the aging 2013 version of the San Jose Sharks to still be considered among the league’s most dangerous teams. Perhaps that easing of pressure is just what the Sharks needed as evidence by their dominant 6-0 start, outscoring their opponents 26-10 in those games. Post 30 year-olds Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau look more dangerous than ever so far, if that’s even possible. The Sharks have dominated in the regular season but faltered in the playoffs almost every year since the last lockout, but with less expectations placed upon the team now 2013 might be the time where the Sharks, in a weird twist on being an underdog, really break through.

-On the topic of hype and pressure, both seem to be no deterrent to Edmonton’s increasingly-impressive armory of young guns. Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Justin Schultz, and Nail Yakupov are all delivering exactly as advertised, scoring goals in bunches, including on a lethal powerplay that’s currently clicking at 34%. The experience of terrifying opposing defenses that these young stars gained playing in the AHL and overseas during the lockout has clearly carried over to the NHL, but the real question is just how quickly they can grow together.

-Speaking of the Oilers, now-de facto number one goaltender Devan Dubnyk deserves plenty of praise. Now 4-2 with a .916 save percentage, the 26 year-old Dubnyk has been Edmonton’s best player in more than one game so far, which is extra impressive considering all the aforementioned talent. Another former 1st round pick by the team, Dubnyk struggled early in his professional career but has become much stronger mentality after battling through the organization’s darkest years. The Oilers’ long-term future is undoubtedly set offensively, but if Dubnyk can continue to steal games when his team needs him to Edmonton could have another enviable core piece with which to build around.

Evander Kane Jets

The strong start of Evander Kane is overshadowing all the drama that followed him during the lockout (Bruce Fedyck-US PRESSWIRE)

-The ongoing Evander Kane circus in Winnipeg gets more and more interesting as time goes on. Through all the social media shenanigans, the fan criticisms and the media lambasting, Kane is letting his on-ice play have the loudest voice, scoring seven points in six games, putting him in a tie for the team’s lead. There’s no doubt that many Jets fans and media are not the biggest supporters of Kane’s personality, so it will be interesting to watch how his time in Winnipeg unfolds if he keeps up the pace as a solid scoring threat.

-Already a leading contender for the feel-good story of the season, how great must it feel right now to be Cory Conacher of the Tampa Bay Lightning? An undrafted, diminutive forward that debuted with a bang in the AHL, winning the Les Cunningham Award as AHL MVP and helping the Norfolk Admirals win the Calder Cup in only his rookie season, Conacher is now overcoming odds at the NHL level, with nine points in six games. The comparisons to Martin St. Louis, another small, undrafted college forward that tore up the AHL before dominating in the NHL, are uncanny, so it’s only fitting that the two are playing together now for the Lightning.

Author information

Derek NeumeierDerek NeumeierDerek Neumeier primarily covers the Dallas Stars, but also other various topics related to the sport of hockey. A recent graduate of Mount Royal University with a Bachelor of Communication in Journalism degree, Derek has also done previous work with the Edmonton Oilers as a communications intern and Hockey Canada as a freelance writer. He can be contacted via email at dare.multimedia@gmail.com

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Heroes and Prospects Changes Focus for 2012-13 Hockey Card Set

There’s a time-honoured tradition around this time of year – In The Game Inc., a leading hockey card manufacturer, releases its signature Heroes and Prospects series.

As the name implies, Heroes and Prospects (or colloquially known as H&P) is a hockey card series dedicated to the future and past of the game. You won’t find a lot of current NHL’ers here – moreso the men who helped shape the game and those who will carry the torch in the future.

Up until this year, Heroes and Prospects included future stars from both the CHL and AHL; however, earlier this hockey season word came out that the AHL and In The Game no longer were in business together, and as such H&P is now strictly a junior hockey series.

Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

The expanded coverage of yet-to-be or recently drafted prospects is pretty extensive, reaching out to new players who we otherwise might not have seen for another year. Of course, major names like Nathan MacKinnon and Seth Jones are highlighted multiple times, but others like Roland McKeown are also getting a bit of the spotlight.

This year’s series is highlighted by a subset of lenticular motion cards. When the previews for these were sent out to media a couple weeks ago, they instantly became the subject of adoration almost universally, and in person they live up to their promise. Not since McDonald’s offerings in the mid-90s have 3D cards been produced so effectively.

Of course, the bread and butter of Heroes and Prospects, as is the case with almost every In The Game release, is their chase card program. While insert series like those dedicated to the Subway Series and Memorial Cup have their fans, the real pursuit by most collectors is the opportunity to get the first autographs and jersey cards of prospects like Stefan Matteau; and boy does ITG deliver this year.

From our sample box, we received three autographs and three memorabilia cards. For an 18-pack box, that means you’re getting one of these coveted cards once in every three packs, incredible odds for an entry level trading card set.

The themes this year are similar to those in the past – a base-line autograph series, game used jersey, patch and number cards, cut Subway Series jerseys, combination cards of signatures and swatches and, of course, the most in-demand H&P cards, Complete Logo which features a full CHL insignia from a player’s sweater. The designs for this year’s run are among the best seen in H&P’s near decade of production and the swatch sizes on some cards, partiuclarly the Subway Series jerseys, are among the biggest we’ve seen in years.

Overall, Heroes and Prospects is a series that is going to once again be a hit with collectors. The great assortment of hits will entice collectors to be multiple box breakers, especially as they hunt for the next big thing in hockey.

Hockey Breakers Report

Packs per box: 18
Cards per pack: 9
Expected 3D short-prints: 2
Expected Inserts: 3
Expected Autographs: 2-3
Expected Memorabilia Cards: 2-3

Best Card: Subway Series Trios Game-Used Silver: Ty Rattie, Derrick Pouliot, Mark McNeill

This is the first set in memory that combines jersey and patch cards for multiple players. I’ll be very curious to see how these perform in the secondary market. The look is solid and with only 25 produced, this is going to be an in-demand piece on trade boards, especially for Rattie.

Other Inserts: Gordie Howe's base card Trios card from Heroes and Prospects - our best pull. Kale Kessy autograph from Heroes and Prospects


3D subset: Martin Reway, Zach Nastasiuk
Subway Series: Morgan Reilly
Top Prospects: Tom Wilson
Memorial Cup: Anton Zlobin / Max Domi
Autographs: Roland McKeown; Charles Hudon; Kale Kessy
Subway Series Game-Used Jersey Black: Nathan MacKinnon
Game Used Patch Black: Stefan Matteau

Want one of these cards? Chasing the 3D subset? Jon’s trading almost all the cards he got in his box and they can be yours! Leave your trade offer below and Jon will respond. Plus, the first two completed trades will receive a bonus 3D card!

Author information

Jon WaldmanJon WaldmanJon Waldman has written about hockey for several publications over his decade-long journalism career, including The Hockey News, The Toronto Sun and Winnipeg Men Magazine. A graduate of Ryerson University's journalism program, Jon is working on his first book on the history of hockey, to go along with two other books he has published since 2009.

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Washington Capitals Compliance Buyout Candidates

The Washington Capitals enter Thursday night with an abysmal 1-4-1 record. The team has yet to adjust to new head coach Adam Oates and his new system, struggling in special teams along with even strength play. There have been numerous defensive breakdowns at the start of the season, leaving young goalies Braden Holtby and Michal Neuvirth out to dry. Through six games, Washington has averaged 2.17 goals per game due to their lack of forward scoring depth and an embarrassing 3.67 goals against average. It's likely to be a long season in the nation's capital, but what can Capitals' fans expect this summer?

Under the new CBA, teams can buyout two players after this season and after the 2013-2014 season. Washington faces some crucial decisions this offseason, including the impending free agency of second line center Mike Riberio and defenseman Roman Hamrlik. The veteran defenseman is unlikely to be resigned due to his age and the former Dallas Stars playmaking center could flee if Washington continues to struggle. With the added cap space Washington could target high profile players to add to the blue line and top six forward group. To add more cap space, what players could the Capitals potentially buyout?

Mike Green’s New Deal

Green, 27, signed a three year deal worth just over 18 million this offseason, following an injury riddled campaign last year where he only played in 32 regular season games. However this season, Green has been healthy, contributing one goal and two assists through Washington's first six games. He's also been of the few reliable defensemen on the Capitals blue line, holding a zero plus-minus rating, which is tops for a Washington defenseman. Green's 70 plus point seasons from 2008-2010 appear to be gone, but he's still a steady offensive presence on the Capitals blue line.

Mike Green washington hockey

Mike Green (Sarah McCloskey/THW)

After this season, Green will have two years remaining on his contract. There aren't too many viable free agent options this offseason, leading me to believe he will be bought out after the 2013-2014 season. John Carlson could be ready to take over the Capitals blue line by then and defensive prospect Tomas Kundratek will hopefully figure out his defensive game to match his offensive prowess. Also, if the Capitals continue to struggle, Washington will likely select a defenseman with their potential top five pick, potentially Seth Jones if he is available. Green is the most likely Capital defenseman to be bought out and it wouldn't come at a high price.

 

Joel Ward       

The former Nashville Predator has been by far Washington's biggest offensive surprise this season. He potted two goals on opening night against the Tampa Bay Lightning and has stayed on course, recording five points through Washington's first six games. Washington inked Ward to a four year 12 million dollar contract prior to the 2011-2012 season, hoping the 32 year old forward would bring the same offensive game to Washington as he found during Nashville's postseason run a few years back. He posted a disappointing 18 points in 73 games in his first season with the Capitals, begging the question, was the signing a mistake?

The highest point total in the NHL in Ward's career is 35 which came during the 2008-2009 season with the Nashville Predators. That came playing in a more offensive type role, which Ward doesn't have with the Capitals. He never could find an offensive grove in first year with Washington, playing below forwards Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin and Troy Brouwer.

Washington is in a holding pattern with Ward, and will likely make a decision on the veteran winger that is contingent on his play. The Capitals owe him 9 million after this season over the next three seasons, making this not a large financial commitment if they let him loose.

Alex Ovechkin?

Alex Ovechkin Capitals

Are the Capitals stuck with Ovechkin’s contract forever? (Mark Goldman/Icon SMI)

Ovechkin is Washington's 'face of the franchise' if you will, but hasn't played up to that standard this year, but it's not completely his fault. New Capitals head coach Adam Oates has put him on a line with grinders Joey Crabb and Jay Beagle, limiting Ovechkin to a goal and an assist through six games. He's earned only 22.5 shifts per game, less than forwards Jay Beagle, Troy Brouwer and Nicklas Backstrom.

If he continues to struggle and disappoint, Capitals fans may be asking themselves, would Washington considering using a compliance buyout on Ovechkin? The answer is an overwhelming no. Capitals' owner Ted Leonsis told Washington radio station WTOP on Wednesday, Alex Ovechkin 'needs to play better.'

Ovechkin is set to become a free agent after the 2020-2021 season, the main reason why Capitals ownership wouldn't consider paying the Russian superstar to play against them. His trade clause kicks in prior to the 2014-2015 season, the only hope for moving Ovehckin. Washington would likely to eat at least half of Ovechkin's salary in a potential deal, and wouldn't receive top talent back, unless Ovechkin improves his play drastically.

You can view NBC Washington’s thoughts on buying out Ovechkin, among other Capitals, here.

Either way, from a trade or buyout scenario, Ovechkin isn't going anywhere.

You can follow Matthew on twitter @m_speck and email him at mspeck21@yahoo.com with any questions or comments.

Author information

Matthew SpeckMatthew SpeckMatthew Speck is the Washington Capitals writer for The Hockey Writers. He currently resides near Hershey, Pennsylvania. Matthew is also a credentialed AHL writer, covering the Hershey Bears for Inside Hockey.Twitter

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

PK Subban is Not Poison

Montreal Canadian P.K. Subban - Photo By Andy Martin Jr

The media buzz surrounding the Montreal Canadiens' locker room this week should have been about the four consecutive wins the team had strung together heading into last night's matchup against the Ottawa Senators. It should have centered around the new team dynamic created by head coach Michel Therrien, or the rock-solid performance of two rookies who, by all accounts, were not even supposed to make the club out of training camp.

But instead, the headlines were once again dominated by a player who has yet to dress for a single game this season. Much to the chagrin of many Habs' players, it was the status of PK Subban's contract which demanded the lion's share of the spotlight this week in Montreal, despite the team's unexpectedly strong start to the season.

Social media outlets were set abuzz with whispers of dissent as conspiracy theorists seized upon a few exasperated comments, made by fellow blue-liners Josh Gorges and Andrei Markov, following a game day skate. The theory goes something like this:

Not many players sent congratulatory tweets after PK signed his extension, and two players were annoyed by constant questioning about a player they had yet to see in uniform this season. Therefore, PK Subban is a pariah in the locker room and will not be welcomed back by his teammates.

Here's why all of that is complete nonsense:

First off, the perception that Subban was unfairly holding out couldn't be further from the truth. Contract negotiations are simply a part of the process, and were it not for the lockout, this deal would have been completed quietly over the course of the summer. Instead, PK was in the unique position of being among the very first to negotiate a deal under the conditions of a brand new CBA. It makes sense that it might take a little extra time, and every player in the room understands this.

Another reason this deal became so convoluted is that the market is a mess right now.  Drew Doughty and the LA Kings saw to that when they agreed to an eight year, $56 million contract which essentially redefined the standard of how much – and how early – elite young defencemen get paid.

In Detroit, Jonathan Ericsson earns $3.25 million per season and has averaged 2.6 goals and 13 assists per year in his young career. Subban averages 10.5 goals to go along with 26.5 assists, and signed for an average of less than $3 million. Not only does he have higher ceiling than Ericsson, he is also five years younger, meaning he has much more left to give in the long run.

To say Subban was holding out unfairly is'well'unfair. When one comparable is making $7 million per year and another is making $3.25 million, where do you even start negotiations?

By the time he signed for less than either of them, all concerns of selfishness should have been laid to rest. So how does one explain the apparent backlash from teammates? I'll be the first to admit that it's just a theory, but my thoughts on the issue are pretty simple; it's the media's fault.

Desperate to stir up any kind of controversy surrounding the Canadiens, and PK in particular, this story was easy pickings for those who are too lazy to generate a real story. Jamming a microphone in someone's face and asking them questions which are not only repetitive, but clearly irrelevant to the game at hand will eventually lead to an annoyed response. Once you've got that on film, it's an easy spin that is guaranteed to garner some attention.

Look carefully at the tape of Gorges' and Markov's responses. Hear any mention whatsoever of either player being annoyed with PK? Or were both responses directly aimed at the fact that the questions being asked had little to do with the game for which they were preparing?

The fact is, Subban signed a fair deal with a team that sees him as a cornerstone for the future. He took an appropriate term with a very fair price tag, and will get his big deal two years from now, as is the industry standard. Negotiations took place during a difficult time, and so they took a little longer than usual. When reporters insisted upon asking annoying and inappropriately timed questions about the situation, a couple of players became annoyed.

It is literally a non-story' but non-stories are not acceptable here in Montreal. So a few desperate attention-seekers climbed up onto their soap-boxes and started shouting 'fire' in the crowded theatre that is the Montreal hockey scene. For nothing more than their own personal gain, they manipulated two players' annoyance with their own line of questioning into an entire team's disliking of a key young player.

PK Subban's contract negotiations may not have been the most amicable in Canadiens' history, but they were also nowhere near the worst. At the end of the day, a very good player signed a fair deal for a fair term. It may not sell many newspapers, but it's the truth' regardless of what else you might read.

 

Author information

K. Ross ReadK. Ross ReadK. Ross Read is the lead hockey analyst for Backsportspage.com and co-host of the 'Off the Krossbar' radio show and podcast. He also covers the Montreal Canadiens for TheHockeyWriters.com and is a feature writer with Canadian Hockey Online.Covering all things hockey with an honest edge and keen wit, he continues to develop a loyal readership on both sides of the Canada/U.S. border. Offering refreshing insight and sharp criticism, K. Ross Read is quickly earning a reputation as one of hockey's straightest shooters.You can contact K. Ross on Facebook or twitter: @KRossRead

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Rabu, 30 Januari 2013

Who Could Help the Hurting Detroit Red Wings Defense?

After the tough 6-0 shut out loss to St. Louis in the season opener, the offensive wheels have finally begun moving in the motor city.

Brad Stuart Red Wings

Brad Stuart left the Detroit Red Wings over the summer to be back in San Jose with the Sharks. (Icon SMI)

The big offensive players like Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Filppula are all producing as expected so far this season, and the Wings also seem to have acquired the top-6 sniper they were looking for in Damien Brunner. However the Red Wings are lacking top quality D-men more than ever.

Everyone knew Detroit’s defense would be weaker than normal with the departure of Nick Lidstrom and Brad Stuart over the summer, but nobody knew how bad the injury bug, which looks more like a plague than a bug at this point, would hit the Detroit blue line this season.

Ian White, who had 32 points for the Red Wings last season, is out for the Wings. White suffered a laceration to his left leg that will force him out for 2-3 weeks.

Not surprisingly, former St. Louis Blue’s defensemen Carlo Coloaiacovo is also out for the Red Wings. He’s never played more than 67 games in a single NHL season and will be out 3-4 weeks with a shoulder injury.

Jonathan Ericsson and Jakub Kindl have already missed time on the Red Wings blue line this season as well.

Coloaiacovo’s and White’s injuries are not injuries a general manager would normally freak out about, but then again, this is not a normal season. With the season shortened Coloaiacovo’s and White’s 3-4 week and 2-3 week injuries, are more like 6-8 week and 4-6 week injuries.

The Red Wings loaded up on forwards over the summer, which made many think that GM Ken Holland was acquiring assets for a trade so that he could acquire a quality defensemen when one became available.

So with the already weak blue line suffering with injuries, is now the time for the Red Wings to make a trade? Here are few notable defensemen that will become unrestricted free agents come summer and do not have no trade clauses in their contracts, making them

Lubomir Visnovsky with the Anaheim Ducks last season. (Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE)

Lubomir Visnovsky with the Anaheim Ducks last season. (Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE)

possible targets for trades.

  • (NYI) Lubomir Visnovsky – 36 – $5.6 million cap hit – The New York Islanders are starting to look more and more competitive these days, but if they find themselves out of the playoffs again, they may want to part ways with veteran Lubomir Visnovsky. The former Ducks defensemen tried to block the trade that sent him from Anaheim to New York, and then almost didn’t return from HC Slovan Bratislava of the KHL when the lockout ended, saying he wanted to be close to his family in Slovakia. It seems that Lubomir’s heart just isn’t on the Island, making him a possible trade option. The cost to acquire him may be low as well. He cost the Islander’s just one 2nd round pick in their trade with Anaheim, and now may come at even more of a bargain because any team who acquires him also runs the risk of him packing his bags for Europe instead of re-signing come summertime. Simply put Visnovsky is a high-risk/high-reward option. He’s a fantastic puck moving defensemen who could come cheap, but he’s also at flight risk for the KHL after this season.
  • (NYI) Mark Streit – 35 – $4.1 million cap hit – If teams don’t want to take the risk on Visnovsky, the New York Islander’s Mark Streit could be another option. Also a puckmoving defense, Streit could really help a team like the Red Wings on the power play as quarterback. His presence would also take some of the pressure of newer and younger guys like Brendan Smith, Brian Lashoff, and Jakub Kindl. He’s 1 year younger than Visnovsky, not a flight risk, and carries a smaller cap hit, so he would likely be a bit more expensive than his teammate.

    Buffalo Sabre Jordan Leopold - Photo by Andy Martin Jr

    Buffalo Sabre Jordan Leopold – Photo by Andy Martin Jr

  • (BUF) Jordan Leopold – 32 – $3 million cap hit – The Sabres missed the playoffs last season and will likely be a bubble team again this season. They have a number of NHL ready defensemen but not a lot of penalty killing forwards, which could make them a perfect dance partner for the Red Wings if the Sabres miss the playoffs again. One Sabres D-man who could become available is Jordan Leopold. He’s a solid top 4 two-way defensemen and could add some nice depth to the Red Wings defense and fill in some of the holes there.
  • (ANH) Toni Lydman – 35 – $3 million cap hit – After missing the playoffs last season, trading Lubomir Visnovsky, and the talks of trading Bobby Ryan, the Ducks are not a playoff favorite. At 35 years old and with 1 year left on his contract, the Ducks may look to move Toni Lydman before the deadline. Lydman is not one of the top defensive defensemen in the league but he’s the kind of stay at home guy the Red Wings may be interested in.
  • (TBL) Marc-Andre Bergeron – 32 – $1 million cap hit – Capable of playing forward and defense, Marc-Andre Bergeron is a small skater at 5’9″. However, don’t let his size fool you, he is extremely quick on his feet and has a wicked slap shot. If Holland becomes interested in acquiring a smaller budget defensemen he could use his relationship with old friend Steve Yzerman in Tampa Bay to deal Bergeron.

Of course all these players and their availability is just speculation based on their expiring contracts, lack of an NTC, and the caliber of the team they’re on. Some may not become available, but they certainly may be in trade rumors as the season continues.

Someone I should have mentioned? Include them in the comments below.

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Colin PineauColin PineauDetroit Red Wings writer for The Hockey Writers and Michigan State hockey writer for spartanavenue.comTwitter

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Jacob Josefson: Rockin' in New Jersey

Jacob Josefson - Devils

Jacob Josefson (Icon SMI)

Jacob Josefson has had a bumpy start to his NHL career with the New Jersey Devils — he has shown flashes of brilliance, but has also fallen victim to the injury ninja. Not just any injuries though, ones that last months rather than days or weeks. Now in his third season as a pro (2009 NHL Draft, 20th overall/74 career NHL games), he is hoping to solidify his spot as one of their key players as New Jersey pursues a return to the Stanley Cup Finals.

JOSEFSON'S INJURY HISTORY:

OCT 2010: torn ligament in left thumb

OCT 2011: broken right clavicle

APR 2012: broken left wrist

He still has yet to crack the top two center spots on the Devils (currently behind Travis Zajac & Patrik Elias), but he is still a valuable contributor to the team, providing them with quality ice-time and is becoming better at winning face-offs. Even when Adam Henrique returns from injury, he will still likely be the third center, as Elias will slide back to his natural position on left wing. But he has also played time on the left wing of the top line in certain in-game situations.

Josefson already has had a strong start through five games, which could at least partially be a result of having played in the AHL for 30 games (20 points) during the NHL lockout. 'Obviously it's a little bit of an advantage for me,' he said after the Devils fourth game of the season. 'I'm already in game shape and for some guys its tough to start playing games after only a week of practice/training camp. It should only be an advantage for the first couple of games though (I think).'

JOSEFSON’S CAREER STATS

But stats don't always show a players' value — his coach Peter DeBoer has shown the utmost confidence in the 21-year-old Swede, using him on the PP and on the PK, as well as end of game situations. The coach's confidence has not gotten past Josefson, who cracked a smile when asked about the responsibility (and trust) he has been given since DeBoer took over as head coach before the 2011-12 season.

'I just try to work hard everyday,' said Josefson when asked about the increase of ice-time. 'Of course every player wants to be out there on the ice in all situations. I like to play a lot of minutes during the game and so far I have this season.'

'We are still playing the same system as last year,' he explained, 'it's basically the same guys, so everyone remembers that. Everyone is comfortable; everyone (in here) knows how we should play. With a short season like this, you really don't have time to have a slow start; it's good to have our system in place.'

Against the Washington Capitals on January 25, Josefson registered his first point of the season, an assist on Stephen Gionta's goal that gave New Jersey an early 1-0 lead. Watch the silky moves he made on this video clip as he finds his way through two Caps and is able to somehow get the puck back to Gionta:

If he keeps making shifty plays like that he could be a key contributor for the Devils, not just this season, but for many more after. His teammates are hoping he can stay in the lineup and are aware of how valuable his contributions have been to the team when he is in there, especially the depth he gives them down the middle.

'He does a lot of things well out there,' said Zajac of Josefson. 'He's great on the PK, he makes plays offensively; he's becoming and going to be a good player.' Even though the 21-year-old is a center and primarily a puck distributor, the baby-faced Swede is able to finish when given the opportunity as you can see in this snipe against Tampa Bay:

Most Devils fans like Josefson and his skill set and are intrigued by what they think he can bring to the team. In the back of their minds they also hope that he has bubble wrap under his uniform to prevent another bizarre injury that could stunt his development again.

Dan Rice can be reached via Twitter: @DRdiabloTHW and via Email: drdiablo321@yahoo.com

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Dan RiceDan RiceDan Rice is in his 1st year of reporting for THW & has covered the NJ Devils home games since the end of the 2005 lockout for various websites. He began his career working for legendary broadcaster/writer Stan Fischler from 2002-04 where he assisted in various duties inc. editing & helping to write numerous books including 'Who's Who in Hockey' and 'The Subway and the City'; his resume also includes working the 2003 SC Finals & an internship at the ECHL.TwitterFacebook

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Thunderstruck! Lightning Trounce Panthers

After an uplifting and competitive first period of play, the Florida Panthers were convincingly outplayed by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night en route to a 5-2 loss – their fifth straight.

It seemed as if the Panthers had finally turned over a new leaf in the first period on Tuesday as they held their own and went punch for punch with a very talented Lightning squad – literally. After Lighting forward B.J. Crombeen delivered a questionable knee to Panthers’ Captain Ed Jovanovski, defenseman Keaton Ellerby dropped the gloves and retaliated.

A few punches and 17 penalty minutes later, Ellerby made his way to the dressing room and would not return to action until midway through the second period after serving his time in the box. Although Ellerby’s actions led to a Martin St. Louis power play goal for the Lightning, it was still refreshing to see the Panthers finally stand up for themselves after being manhandled the previous four games.

After the Martin St. Louis goal, forward Peter Mueller tallied the only meaningful goal for the Panthers, but the elation was short lived as the Lightning pulled away from the Cats soon thereafter. Pardon the pun, but Mueller has most definitively been the Cat’s meow during this recent streak of offensive struggles, scoring goals in the past two contests.

Even though the Panthers’ Tomas Fleischmann was able to add another goal in the third period when the game was already out of hand, the Panthers are still being outscored 22-4 since their opening night victory. Overall, the Panthers offense did look slightly improved, although they were unable to capitalize on their scoring chances as Lightning goaltender Anders Lindback stood tall all game. Lindback stopped 26 of the Panthers’ 28 shots on the evening, including a dangerous Scottie Upshall breakaway in the first period.

Anders Lindback (Flickr/BridgetDS)

Anders Lindback (Flickr/BridgetDS)

However, even during such a streak of horrid play, Mueller isn’t the only Panther deserving of praise. Rookie forward Drew Shore continued his impressive play at the NHL level on Tuesday, only a day after competing  in the AHL All-Star Game. While Shore has yet to tally his first NHL point, he has been doing everything else necessary to help the Panthers win. Against the Lightning, Shore led the team with three takeaways and played well on the defensive end for most of the evening. Between his faceoff prowess (66.7%) and overall presence on the ice, it is fair to say that Shore may even be outplaying rookie Jonathan Huberdeau at this point.

As much as we can pick apart the Panthers’ offensive troubles, the fact is that their current problems start and end with their defense. On Tuesday night, the Lightning were able to maneuver through the Panthers’ zone with ease and looked as if they were running passing drills against a hapless Panthers’ defense. Team “Captain” Ed Jovanovski was once again a non factor as he only saw 12:32 TOI even though the team played with only five defenseman for most of the evening. On the other end of the spectrum, workhorse Brian Campbell had an astounding 29:44 TOI as he did his best to cover for Ellerby’s absence and the overall porous play of his defensive unit. I keep harping on Jovanovski’s captaincy, but when he is a consistent no-show on the ice every game while playing minimal minutes, it’s hard not to gripe.

Overall, it doesn’t look like the Panthers will be able to accomplish much with what they have right now. Even with the eventual return of Marcel Goc and Erik Gudbranson from injury, the team still feels like anything but a contender. General Manager Dale Tallon should be working the phones in the coming days trying to make a move to improve this team before they become irrelevant. The Panthers have been lucky to have solid attendance numbers through the first few home games this season, but if the team continues their dreadful play you can most certainly expect those numbers to slip.

The Panthers’ next opportunity to end their losing streak will be at home against the Winnipeg Jets at 7:30 p.m. on FOX SPORTS Florida.

 

Notes:

  • Once again, George Parros had limited ice time in the Panthers’ loss to the Lightning on Tuesday. Considering how much he is being used by Coach Kevin Dineen, it is possible that Parros could inevitably become a healthy scratch as forwards Stephen Weiss and Marcel Goc return from injury.

 

  • Forward Kris Versteeg played just over 15 minutes in his return to the Panthers’ lineup, but did not record a point. The full impact of Versteeg’s return most likely won’t be felt until Stephen Weiss returns from injury and the Panthers’ original top line is reunited. 

 

  • In case you didn’t feel bad enough, the Panthers are now last in the league in goals per game (1.67) and goals allowed per game (4.00). 

 

Follow Jameson on Twitter @JamesonCoop

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Jameson CooperJameson CooperA Florida resident, Jameson is currently in his first year of covering the Florida Panthers for The Hockey Writers as well as doing THW's weekly NHL Power Rankings.TwitterFacebookGoogle+

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Fantasy Hockey ONE: Callahan OUT But For How Long?

Ryan Callahan Rangers Captain

So how long will he be actually out for? (Rich Kane/Icon SMI)

It is always unfortunate to see a player go down with an injury but that’s always worse when you see it live (via TV or the arena itself). Last night Ryan Callahan fought Max Talbot and the fight looked anything from ordinary from the start. One could see Talbot almost yanking on Callahan’s arm. Inevitably, the left shoulder gave on the captain and Twitter went on fire.

First, let us look at the video real quick. We present the video believe and thanks to Travis Hughes for the visual aid.

This was pretty easy to diagnose from the video or was it? Here is what we know. Ryan Callahan definitely injured his shoulder. Max Talbot says he heard it pop out and the video does support that contention. Again, there were at least two attempts by Talbot to  yank Callahan’s shoulder into oblivion.This one above was a little higher in quality.

First and foremost, there is so much to learn about shoulder injuries that needs to be leaned. There are a bevy of sites that explain what is going on so to speak.

Also, the key is just watch the video a few times. Once you do that, one will get a clear idea of this is a season ending injury or it is what nobody expects. Look for patterns and the way in which a person recovers as well. Quiet also is a godsend at times like this along with solid rehab. It may very well be a 4-6 week recovery time but it may not.

People are rushing to judgment quickly on this injury. It will be intriguing to see how the rest of the tests results come back. Stay tuned as we will be waiting. Will it be a few weeks or will it be something more? We open up the floor to you, the fans, in the comments section. Thanks again for reading and expect more fantasy hockey insight like this going forward.

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Chris WasselChris WasselSenior Fantasy Hockey Writer at The Hockey WritersSimply a hockey and fantasy hockey writer who shoots straight from the hip. We will shout it down from the mountain tops if necessary. No question is too big or too small and in fantasy hockey there is no such thing as a stupid question. Now a proud, accredited member of the FSWA. You can find me on Twitter at @ChrisWasselTHWTwitterFacebookGoogle+LinkedIn

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Nathan Horton Back to Being Captain Clutch

By Mike Miccoli, Boston Bruins correspondent

Nathan Horton Boston Hockey

Nathan Horton (Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE)

Nathan Horton knows about being clutch. You’ve heard this narrative before.

Perhaps the most poignant part of any Bruins Stanley Cup montage came when Tim Thomas congratulated Horton after Boston clinched the Eastern Conference Championship.

“You did it again! I can’t believe it,” said Thomas.

Horton did it again on Tuesday night.

In the team’s sixth game of the season against the New Jersey Devils, Horton scored the game-tying goal with less than five minutes remaining in the third period, sending the game to overtime and an eventual 2-1 Bruins win.

“That's what it's all about,” said a smiling Horton after the game. “That's what we talked about, you're not always going to be at your best, but we pull through. You're down a goal, you're down two goals, it doesn't matter you just work hard and fight back. That's the kind of team we are and the kind of guys we are on our team. We all know we can come back when we're down and I think that's what makes us so good.”

The same player who was concussed just a little over a year ago causing him to miss the remainder of the 2012 season and postseason, picked up in 2013 exactly where he left off–helping his hockey team win games.

“What he's been through,” said Bruins coach Claude Julien, “starting back a few years ago with that hit in the Finals and then to come back last year and going through that again; to see how he's recovered and how well he competes, he's going in the corner and he's battling, he's physically involved. We know he's got good strength, he's a great skater, great shot and he's utilizing all his tools right now. Doesn't seem to be anything holding him back”

In the shootout, it was Brad Marchand who beat Johan Hedberg in the sixth round to clinch the win for the Bruins who improved to 5-0-1 on the season.

“All I could hear was Segs [Tyler Seguin] saying 'go high, go high,'” said Marchand after the game. “But, I just kind of blacked out. I don't know what happened.

“I just made a move and shot and looked back, and it was in.”

It wasn’t easy for the Bruins who looked tired after playing in their first set of back-to-back games this season. The team looked tired for most of the duration, stretching out passes, getting out-muscled on the chase to the puck and not generating enough of momentum in the offensive zone.

“They are a hard team to play against, and that's why I think I'm really proud of the way our guys handled it tonight,” said Julien. “Because they were here waiting for us, well-rested, and then we had to come out extremely good to beat them. So I give our team a lot of credit, because they played a good game, and until the last few minutes of the third they were leading us one-nothing.”

Tuesday’s game also marked the first time the Bruins allowed a goal on the penalty-kill, a streak that snapped at 24 perfect conversions to start the season. David Clarkson had the only goal of the game for the Devils, a nifty tip-in from Marek Zidlicky’s shot on the point.

But still, it was Horton who was the star once again for the team. The returning winger has already made his presence felt this season, riding a four-game point streak and being tied for team lead in goals with three alongside Brad Marchand.

“It feels great to contribute and help the team,” said Horton. “Whether it's anything, a hit. I'm just trying to work hard and do the best I can and not let my teammates down.”

Follow Mike on Twitter for more Bruins updates, news and commentary

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Mike MiccoliMike MiccoliMike Miccoli has covered the Boston Bruins for three years with TheHockeyWriters.com and is a credentialed member of the media for all Bruins' home games. As a former player, coach and official, Miccoli has been around the game of hockey since the age of three. Along with his work on THW, Miccoli has also been published in the New England Hockey Journal, Improper Bostonian magazine and on BostInnovation.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/mikemiccoli.

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

The Next Undrafted Gem? Peter Trainor

Peter Trainor DOB: June 1st, 1993 Birthplace: Fredericton, New-Brunswick NHL Rights: N/A Draft Status: Undrafted Height: 5'11'  Weight: 185 lbs Position: Left Wing Shoots: Left Current Team: Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)                           ''''  Peter Trainor qmjhl hockey

Trainor is having a career-year in the Q (Picture: Rémi Sénéchal)

Last year it was Alexandre Mallet who came out of nowhere and got drafted 57th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, this year it may very well happen to Oceanic’s forward Peter Trainor. The native of New-Brunswick has been stellar this season for the very underrated Oceanic, helping them to a 33-11-1-4 record for 71 points in 49 games, good for the fourth position in the QMJHL. In 49 games this season, Trainor has recorded 33 goals and 41 assists for 74 points, to go with a +23 plus/minus differential and 24 penalty minutes.

Playing on a line with new acquisition Alexandre Lavoie, who now has 17 points in only 7 games since the trade, and Antony DeLuca, Trainor has been lights out this season for the well-balanced Oceanic. The arrival of both Lavoie and defenseman Kevin Gagné, acquired from the Saint John Sea Dogs will only help bolster Trainor's offensive production.

Lavoie, who has 66 points in 44 games this season gives Rimouski the depth they need to go deep in the playoffs and be competitive against the super power that is the Halifax Mooseheads. The Oceanic now has six players with over 50 points, Trainor leading the way with 74 points.

In 2010, the 19 year-old winger, who is currently producing at a 1.51 point-per-game in the QMJHL, was invited to the Sea Dogs’ training camp only to be left unprotected by the team. Soon after, the Oceanic snagged him on the recommendation of scout Rick Melancon as Trainor had scored 31 goals in Fredericton a a Midget AAA player the year before.

Peter Trainor after his six-point performance against Saint John

Trainor has already 33 goals this season (Picture: Remi Senechal)

Trainor has already 33 goals this season (Picture: Rémi Sénéchal)

In 2011-12, Trainor didn’t disappoint his new team during his rookie campaign when he scored 29 goals and added 27 assists for a respectable 56 points in 68 contests, along with a +6 plus/minus rating. The sniper had a very strong playoff run last spring when he scored 12 goals and 6 assists for 18 points in 21 games to help the Oceanic reach the conference final, which Rimouski lost to the Saint John Sea Dogs.

On January 11, Trainor exploded for 4 goals and 2 assists for 6 points in a 9-1 rout of the poor Sea Dogs and he now has 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points along with a +8 rating in only 10 contests.

The smooth skating forward improved his game gradually since his Q debut in in 2010-11 when he only played two games with Rimouski. Boasting a great offensive vision, Trainor is blessed with a great shooting and passing abilities. While he is not a physical player, he is not afraid to drive the net and chase pucks in traffic. Trainor is a very intelligent player who works hard every shift and never takes a night off.

Trainor welcoming his new teammate Kevin Gagné.

However, while Trainor’s game is greatly improved, it is not perfect yet as he needs to improve his play without the puck and his anticipation to prevent scoring opportunities in his own zone. Trainor could also use a few extra pounds to better handle the physical play along the boards and maintain possession of the puck.

The underdog Rimouski Oceanic is one of few teams who can beat the powerhouse Halifax Mooseheads this season, and Peter Trainor will have to bring his game to the next level to make it possible and send the Oceanic to the Memorial Cup in Saskatoon.

Follow me on Twitter for more updates on the Canadian Hockey League and hockey in general.

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Fred PoulinFred PoulinFreelance translator/writerA long-time Joe Sakic fan, Fred, 34, is a freelance sports writer and translator. Fred earned a Bachelor of Translation in 2002 at Laval University in Quebec City. He also writes on the Montreal Canadiens for HabsAddict.com and he is an associate editor and a baseball columnist on Dobberbaseball.com. He is also fluent in English, French and Spanish.TwitterFacebookGoogle+

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Selasa, 29 Januari 2013

Matt Niskanen Injury: Penguins Dodge Bullet

Matt Niskanen injury Penguins

Matt Niskanen (Rich Kane/Icon SMI)

 

Though he joined the team as an afterthought in the James Neal trade, Matt Niskanen has become an integral part of the Pittsburgh Penguins blueline. And while his ankle injury is reportedly, “not serious,” if he does miss any significant time, the Penguins will struggle to replace him.

After spending last year as a third-pair defenseman, mostly taking shifts with Deryk Engelland, Niskanen earned a promotion to the second unit alongside Kris Letang. The promotion may be partially a result of necessity ' thanks to the departure of Zbynek Michalek and Ray Shero's decision not to add any more NHL-ready defensemen to the roster ' but Niskanen's stats show he's more than just a warm body in the right place at the right time. He definitely adds value, especially on the powerplay.

But before we look at special teams, let's dive into even strength numbers.

Niskanen got off to a hot start this year putting up three points in the first four games ' two of which came at even strength. And advanced stats, as reported by Behind the Net, show he has been exceptional at generating offense, even more so than his highly-regarded linemate Letang. Though the sample size is extremely small (only five games, one of which was mostly lost to injury) Niskanen currently leads all regular Penguins defensemen with a relative Corsi number of 28.4.

For those unfamiliar with the metric, Corsi measures offensive production by calculating the difference between shots generated by a team and its opponent (including goals, saves, missed shots and blocked shots). Relative Corsi is the difference between a player's on-ice Corsi and off-ice Corsi.  So in plain English, the Penguins have generated 28.4 more shots than their opponents per 60 minutes when Niskanen was on the ice versus when he was on the bench. Letang's relative Corsi number, for comparison, is 11.1. Niskanen and Letang, as per Left Wing Lock, have been on the same line nearly 30% of the time this year.

It may not be wise to read too much into this, mostly because of the sample size. A lot of strange things can happen in a single game, and a set of only five games is not nearly enough to smooth out any outliers. Niskanen has also not been asked to play too many hard minutes. He has started his shift in the offensive zone 56.8% of the time and faced easy competition. His opponents' average relative Corsi this year is -1.612.

But those caveats are not to imply that Niskanen's Corsi numbers should be dismissed out of hand, either.

Last season, believe it or not, Niskanen actually led the Penguins in on-ice and relative Corsi at even-strength. Behind the Net shows Niskanen had an on-ice Corsi number of 15.51 and an even-strength relative Corsi of 7.7 in 2011-2012. He faced a relatively easy road over that stretch as well, starting more shifts in the offensive zone (57.3%) than any of his teammates and facing the easiest competition. But in comparison to his peer group ' other third pair defensemen ' his numbers were still spectacular, and his competition doesn’t look quite as weak.

Niskanen averaged just over 14 even-strength minutes per game last year, good for 159th overall in the league. So by sorting all NHL defensemen by average time-on-ice and separating the top 120 ' as described in this article ' it gives us a much better standard by which to measure his performance.

Out of all third-pair defensemen that played more than 30 games, Niskanen's 15.51 on-ice Corsi was the highest of the group and his 7.7 relative Corsi ' which ranked 8th overall – was also superb. Additionally, by focusing only on third pair guys, it shows that Niskanen did not face significantly easier competition than his peers. His competition's relative Corsi (-0.064) was square in the middle of the pack at 27th overall. Offensive zone starts were still strongly in his favor, as he placed 6th overall.

Even strength is only one part of Niskanen's game, however. He almost never sets foot on the ice shorthanded, but he is a crucial element of the Pittsburgh power play, and would be even more difficult to replace there if he's gone for any length of time.

His power play time-on-ice numbers are skewed by the injury in the Ottawa game, placing him third behind Letang and Martin. But even after Niskanen left that game in the first period, he, Letang and Martin are still the only Penguin defensemen to see any significant ice time this year. Orpik logged a few seconds, but that was certainly an aberration.

Niskanen logged the second-most power play minutes on the team last year as well, again trailing only Letang. His 2.22 power play minutes per game in 2011-2012 placed him 64th overall in the league and solidly within the second tier of all defensemen. Amongst second-pair power play defensemen his advanced stats were sensational, as well. He had the third best Corsi of the group with 105.08 and the 7th highest relative Corsi of 6.6.

So what does this tell us?

Well, first of all, Niskanen's not a superstar, or a shut down defenseman. And the penalty kill will not be affected at all by his absence, should the 'lower-body injury' turn out to be more serious than originally thought.

But he's certainly earning his keep at even strength. And he is critical to the success of the power play. The promotion to Letang's line was well deserved, and early indicators this year are that he is not in over his head. Even if he will never be a Norris Trophy candidate, and I would venture to say he's blown away any expectations he was facing coming in.

His numbers are good and he often starts in a favorable position, and there are plenty of players around the league that could probably thrive in his position. But unfortunately, none of those hypothetical players are on the Penguins’ roster.

If Niskanen is out, it's hard to see who could slot in next to Letang and be any sort of positive contributor. Deryk Engelland, who took the most comparable even-strength shifts last year, just does not have the wheels to move into that role – despite his amazing efforts back-checking against Ottawa – and most certainly would not take his place with the man advantage. The most likely candidate in my eyes to directly replace Niskanen would be Simon Despres, but he has been playing poorly enough to be scratched twice – and possibly shipped out of town, if Rob Rossi's report is accurate. In fact, Despres is the only defenseman left on the team other than Letang, Martin and Niskanen that played any significant power play minutes last year (1.11 TOI/60), which should be extremely worrisome for Penguin fans.

The Penguins usually only run one defender on the ice at a time during a power play, which could lessen the blow a bit, but only having two defensemen capable of manning the point is not a recipe for success.

The Penguins may have dodged a bullet with Niskanen’s injury being minor, but the defensive corps is perilously thin and could be very troublesome down the road.

UPDATE:

Niskanen is now officially listed as out for 2-4 weeks.

 

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Billy NaumanBilly NaumanBilly Nauman is a Pittsburgh Penguins contributor for The Hockey Writers. He also runs his own hockey blog at backtothefoundry.com. Follow him on Twitter @punchbroadbent

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

The Week That Was: January 19th-25th

It might have been four months late, but on Saturday, January 19th, 2013, the puck finally dropped to begin the 2013 National Hockey League Season. Despite the aggressive calls for boycotts and protests, it appeared that the majority of fans were excited to see the thirty teams lace up the skates and get back into action. With the long absence of hockey filled with talks of pension, caucus, make-whole, and hills to die on, it was quite difficult to remember the changes to the league that everybody was looking forward to. Free agents were signed, teams had made trades, and the training camps flew by. In fact, through one week the season has already been underwhelming.

Due to the truncated schedule where each team plays 48 games in 99 days, it's quite difficult to follow one team, let alone 30. Despite seeing the scores, to look further into each game can be hard to do. Back for the 2nd year, 'The Week That Was' explores tidbits of the week of NHL action not easily found on the top of the twitter feed and the forefront of the boxscore. The past 7 days have been highlighted by dazzling rookies, star veterans, long-awaited debuts, and home-opening woes. Here is the week that was from January 19th to January 25th.

The Rookies Debut it Well'

With only a one week turnaround from the ratification of the CBA and the start of the season, everybody was focused on the free agents still available, new arrivals in each city, and different team battles in training camp. Sitting in the shadows of all the storylines were the upcoming rookies. Through one week, the rookies have been incredible. With future stars such as Nail Yakupov, Alex Galchenyuk, and Justin Schultz netting their first goals during the week, it would already be considered a great start for the rookie class. However, on opening night a few rookies stole the spotlight to prove that this year's Calder Trophy race will be tight.

Rookies Cory Conacher, Vladimir Tarasenko, Mikael Granlund, and Jonathan Huberdeau combined for five goals in their first career games, leading all of their teams to very solid victories. All four rookies outperformed their expectations both on the scoresheet and one the ice, contributing equally defensively and offensively. If these players can continue their remarkable production for the next 92 days, their teams will certainly be playing more than just 48 games this season.

'But the Legends do it Best

The rookies were remarkable, that much is sure. To face that much pressure in their first game and perform so admirably is incredible. However, we have always been told to 'respect our elders'. This is not referring to the performances on opening day from current stars such as Patrick Kane or James Neal, who despite their young age are much older than the crop of rookies. On opening day, the rookies, the stars, the goaltenders, and the comeback players were all upstaged by the true veterans.

Players such as Jaromir Jagr, Ray Whitney, Teemu Selanne, and Martin St. Louis, all of which are in the twilights of their careers and probable (if not locks) hall of fame inductees, rose to the occasion of the opening night of a shortened season. With Jagr and Selanne leading the way with 2 goals and 2 assists each, the true veterans of the NHL showed why they're considered such valuable commodities despite their ever-increasing age. It is incredibly unlikely that they keep up their scoring paces through 48 games, but hopefully these players are just warming up, and plan on continuing their success in the NHL beyond 2013.

Worth the 'Wade'

It seems like just yesterday that Wade Redden was a star with the Ottawa Senators, a core piece on the blueline in their attempts to win the Stanley Cup. However, following a falling out with the Sens, Redden's hockey career plummeted. Despite signing a 6 year, 39 million dollar deal with the New York Rangers, his overall play did not justify his caphit and was subsequently sent down to the Connecticut Whale two years later, six games short of his 1000th NHL game. With no willing trading partners and the Rangers' refusal to buy him out, Redden remained in Connecticut for two years. Luckily, the implementation of the amnesty buyout in the new CBA allowed the Rangers to part ways with Redden, allowing the 35-year-old defenseman to get his career back on track.

With a 1 year, $800,000 contract, Redden made the jump back up to the NHL with the St. Louis Blues, a deep team considered to be cup contenders in the 2013 season. With experience and leadership, Redden's presence will be very helpful to such a young and inexperienced team. But nobody could've imagined that in only his second game back to the big leagues, Redden would score his 1st goal in nearly 3 years, to help the Blues beat the Dallas Stars. He certainly won't be in contention for the Norris Trophy, but if he continues to play well, Redden's comeback will likely be one of the feel-good stories of this season.

There's No Place Like the Road

There's something magical about home openers in the National Hockey League. Whether it takes place on the first day of the season or one week later, the introduction of all 23 players and the montages that take place on the jumbotron really seems to pump up the crowd in anticipation for the season that lies ahead. With the fans in euphoria and fully backing the players, it would be sensible to believe that the home team should win the majority of the games. The opposite is the case. In their opening games, the home team in 2013 only won 13 of the 30 games. Perhaps the losses can be attributed to too much hype or cold feet from standing on the blue line for too long. But this statistic is merely indicative of how the home-ice advantage is essentially non-existent. Despite the presence of a loud crowd, there are no advantages for the home team in the modern area. All road players stay in the nicest of hotels, are given adequate rest time before practice, and have very nice amenities at the arena. However, it is always fun to see the home team win, and hopefully the visiting team is sent home with a loss more often than not.

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Tyler KerdmanTyler KerdmanBorn and Raised in Toronto, I am a die-hard Maple Leafs' fan. Hockey's been a part of my life since birth, and it's my ultimate passion. A contributor at Dobberhockey, I started writing for "The Hockey Writers" in February of 2012. "The Week that Was" will be released on a weekly basis. I can be reached on twitter @T_Kerdman

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Blue Jackets Beat : Good Things Happen . . .

. . . when you put the puck on the net.   That’s the completion of the the sentence above, and a lesson that the Blue Jackets need to have drilled into their heads.  A gritty 2 – 1 victory over the Dallas Stars last night added emphasis to the point.  But more on that later.

 

The Blue Jackets played a somnolent first period, slogging across the ice as if they were on the trailing edge of a back-to-back-to-back series on the road.  The Stars out-shot Columbus 9 – 3 in the first stanza, and it wasn’t that close.  The Blue Jackets earned ironic applause when their first shot registered approximately eight minutes after the puck dropped, despite having three power plays in the period.  In his post-game remarks, an exasperated Todd Richards refused to describe his thoughts on the power play, strongly intimating that his language would not be suitable for all –or potentially any — listeners.  That the Blue Jackets were able to emerge from the period in a scoreless tie was due in equal measure to the goal tending of Sergei Bobrovsky, a consistently tenacious defense, and divine intervention.

Providence appeared to have taken a sabbatical early in the second, as Larsen put the first tally of the game on the board for Dallas — a shot from the point that Bobrovsky never saw, due to a triple screen from Morrow, Dubinsky and Tyutin.  This was a reprise of an all-too-common theme this season, in which the Blue Jackets surrender the first goal.  Despite stepping up the pressure in the offensive end (outshooting Dallas 17 – 5 in the 2nd), the Blue Jackets could not find the back of the net for most of the period, including whiffing on three more extra man situations, featuring a full 2 minute 5-on-3.  Then, Columbus tied the score on the kind of play that the fans have been longing to see.  Taking control of the puck high in the defensive zone, the Blue Jackets crossed the blue line with speed  — and a three-on-two advantage.   Anisimov cleared traffic, dumped the puck to Tyutin trailing, who found Derek Dorsett on the left wing.  Dorsett buried a one-time under Lehtonen’s right arm, and suddenly the score was tied.  Take a look:

Dorsett is one of those frustrating players.  On the down side, he too-frequently takes ill-timed and ill-conceived penalties, and while he will hit anything that moves in the offensive or neutral zones, he has a tendency to trail the play back on defense and float in his own zone.  On the other hand, he has the heart of a lion, will mix it up with anyone, and befuddles his critics with plays like this one.  You have to tip your cap for a great effort here.

Returning to the central theme, many of the Blue Jackets’ ills can be attributed to a reticence to shoot the puck — waiting instead for that perfect angle, or making that one extra pass that foils the play.  You can’t score if you don’t shoot, and sometimes just putting the puck in the vicinity of the blue paint can cause just enough chaos to produce results.  Here’s Exhibit A:


With Johansen causing just enough of a distraction at the net, Lehtonen never knew what hit him — or his skate.  That put the Blue Jackets into another gear, and though they went largely into a prevent defense for the remainder of the third, there was none of the scrambling associated with previous squads.  Bobrovsky made some clean, timely saves, and the defensive effort was pesky, consistent and effective.

The two points was well-deserved and timely earned.  The recent lack of success has not been for want of effort, and that is something else that could not be said in prior years.  The shooting reticence is part of the development of team chemistry, and the second and third periods last night showed distinct improvement over prior games in terms of offensive intensity and execution.  The tendency to have two or three forwards trapped below the goal line in the offensive end abated a bit, and — not surprisingly — better opportunities emerged.  Defensively, this was perhaps the most consistent effort of the young season, effectively limiting Dallas’ time and space, and largely relegating them to shots from the perimeter.  Whitney, Jagr & Co. were largely silent.  Bobrovsky was solid, rebounding nicely from a mediocre game in Colorado.

The crowd was an intimate 10,475 — which is predictable for a Monday night game against an opponent from the far West.  Now that the CBA is over, can we please turn our attention back to realignment?   Once the Blue Jackets found their game, the crowd was there with them.   Look for that phenomenon to grow.

The brutal schedule takes the Blue Jackets to Minnesota tonight, in their last road effort for a bit.  Due to fog, they were forced to fly out this morning, instead of after the game last night, so look for some changes in the lineup.  I would not be surprised to see David Savard draw in for Aucoin, and MacKenzie enter in Boll’s spot.  Mark Letestu was on fire against Dallas — creating opportunities, nailing down the penalty kill — whatever was asked.  It’s clear he wants to show that he belongs neither in the Press Box or on the fourth line.

The two points is another brick in the wall, and keeps the Blue Jackets in the peloton as they look to find their offensive mojo.  When Johansen, Brassard and Dubinsky start getting rewarded for their efforts in non-scoresheet tasks, Atkinson returns, and Umberger finds his game, some good things can happen.  Just like the things that happen when you put the puck on the net . . .

 

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Jeff LittleJeff LittleManaging CounselFan of hockey at all levels, with focus on the Blue Jackets, Miami RedHawks and the business side of the game. I try to bring a rational, even-handed analysis to my writing, wtih just a touch of snark. I use my legal background to bring some more insight on the business side. Love family, travel, hockey, golf and curling.TwitterFacebookGoogle+

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.