Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
It’d Going To Lead To Speculation
As was indicated in the NHL/NHLPA media avail yesterday, teams are being directed to use specific terminology in describing players absence. Beginning tomorrow, the NHL wants clubs to use the terms “not fit to play” or “unable to practice” to explain any player’s absence. — Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 12, 2020 “Player X was fine through yesterday’s practice. Today he is unfit to play. You do the math.” — Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) July 12, 2020
Pete Bauer (The Hockey Writers)
Blue Jackets Must Shut Down Maple Leafs’ Big Guns
The Columbus Blue Jackets face the Toronto Maple Leafs in a best-of-five Qualification Round Series starting Aug. 2 to determine which team advances to the NHL’s 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. (The loser of the series has a 1-in-8 chance of getting the top pick in the upcoming Entry Draft.) The Blue Jackets’ top job in the series will […]
The post Blue Jackets Must Shut Down Maple Leafs’ Big Guns appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
A New CBA In Less Than Three Months
from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Eleven weeks ago, after NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman informed the Board of Governors a new CBA with the players was a priority, several teams discussed what they’d like to see addressed. Their suggestions, officially submitted by the Winnipeg Jets, offered ideas on everything from salary arbitration to contract structure to long-term injury reform. “It was an excellent memo,” one team executive said Saturday. “Very thorough. A lot of great ideas.” Almost none of them were used. “Gary and (Deputy Commissioner) Bill Daly were very clear,” an NHL owner said after the Memorandum of Understanding was ratified Friday night. “They told us, ‘This is a crisis. We are going to have to think big picture.’ And that’s what they did.” “I think (NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr) and I both recognize labour peace was something we couldn’t even quantify how important it was,” Bettman said during a Zoom call on Saturday. “But we both knew that for the business of the game to come back strong, there was enough disruption going on in the world that we didn’t have to add to it.” continued
Dayton Reimer (The Hockey Writers)
Dylan Garand – 2020 Draft Prospect Profile
Dylan Garand 2019-20 Team: Kamloops Blazers (#31)Date of Birth: June 7, 2002Place of Birth: Victoria, British ColumbiaHt: 6-foot-0 Wt: 172 lbs.Catches: LeftPosition: GoalieNHL Draft Eligibility: 2020 first-year eligible Rankings NHL Central Scouting: 6th (among NA goalies) Elite Prospects: 64th Larry Fisher (The Hockey Writers): 127th Ryan Kennedy (The Hockey News): 106th Steve Kournianos (The Draft […]
The post Dylan Garand – 2020 Draft Prospect Profile appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
The Old Prof (The Hockey Writers)
Maple Leafs Must Have Other Options Than Trading Kapanen
It seems like everyone’s favorite Toronto Maple Leafs trade chip is Kasperi Kapanen. If hockey commentators speculations are correct, the Maple Leafs won’t be able to get under the salary cap without trading one of the team’s mid-level forwards. It just seems to be a matter of who and for whom. Related: Maple Leafs News […]
The post Maple Leafs Must Have Other Options Than Trading Kapanen appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
Dan Rice (The Hockey Writers)
Devils Long Layoff a Silver Lining For Many Reasons
The next time the New Jersey Devils step onto the ice for a meaningful game it will have been eight-to-nine months since they last appeared back on March 10. A lot will be different when they finally do skate again. In a way, I kind of think the long layoff is a silver lining of […]
The post Devils Long Layoff a Silver Lining For Many Reasons appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
Jim Parsons (The Hockey Writers)
What Does Green Out Mean For Oilers Short and Long-Term?
It should go without saying that all consideration should be given to defenseman Mike Green for his decision to opt out of a return to NHL action, specifically as the Edmonton Oilers try to make a run towards the Stanley Cup. In any situation, family comes first. Talking about his decision not to return, Green […]
The post What Does Green Out Mean For Oilers Short and Long-Term? appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
Matthew Zator (The Hockey Writers)
Canucks Prospect Rathbone Is Ready for Prime Time
The Vancouver Canucks just witnessed greatness with Quinn Hughes, now they have Jack Rathbone to look forward to as well. Ever since he was drafted down in the fourth round in 2017, he has risen up the prospect rankings and into the top five with the likes of Vasili Podkolzin and Nils Hoglander who were […]
The post Canucks Prospect Rathbone Is Ready for Prime Time appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
Jim Parsons (The Hockey Writers)
NHL Rumors: Canadiens, Oilers, Canucks, Maple Leafs, More
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is lots of information out there as it pertains to the Montreal Canadiens, more specifically Max Domi and Karl Alzner. Mike Green has opted out from the Edmonton Oilers camp, as has Sven Baertschi from the Vancouver Canucks. Romak Polak makes an expected decision in Dallas and there is […]
The post NHL Rumors: Canadiens, Oilers, Canucks, Maple Leafs, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Ready To Coach
from the CP at TSN, Brad Treliving joked recently NHL coaches only need a couple video sessions to prepare for an opponent, find a weakness, correct a problem or add a wrinkle. So what about 142 days? "Every game might end 0-0," the Calgary Flames general manager quipped. With summer training camps set to open Monday as the NHL lurches forward in its plan to restart a season stopped in its tracks four months ago by COVID-19, the temptation might be to spring a surprise or two — maybe a new power-play setup or a tweak to the penalty kill — when the games return Aug. 1. Coaches for the 24 teams set to feature in the league's return have had ample time to plan, brainstorm and re-assess their systems and rosters. The 16 taking part in the best-of-five qualifying round have known for nearly seven weeks which opponent they'd be lining up against if the league got back up and running. But don't expect to see massive changes — especially early — from the men standing behind the benches in those empty arenas in Toronto and Edmonton once the puck is dropped. They have enough to worry about when it comes to their own players. continued
Tyler Kuehl (The Hockey Writers)
Remembering the Canadiens’ 2014 Playoff Run
“What if…?” It is one of the most mesmerizing questions ever asked, usually when remembering an event that conjures up memories of what happened, or what could have happened had something different happened. In hockey, there are not enough fingers and toes to count the number of times that question has been asked. What if […]
The post Remembering the Canadiens’ 2014 Playoff Run appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
Eugene Helfrick (The Hockey Writers)
Prospects News & Rumors: WHL’s Return, Ranger’s Prospect Pool, Jarvis
As the hockey world continues to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, we will discuss how the Western Hockey League (WHL) is hoping to handle the start of the 2020-21 season. Also, we will take a look at how the New York Ranger’s prospect pool is being affected by the pandemic and prospect Seth Jarvis. WHL […]
The post Prospects News & Rumors: WHL’s Return, Ranger’s Prospect Pool, Jarvis appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
Mathieu Sheridan (The Hockey Writers)
Oshawa Generals’ Best Teams in History
The Oshawa Generals are one of the most successful franchises in all of junior hockey. Their ability to recognize and draft talent has led them to major success and allowed them to rise up amongst the premier teams in the Canadian Hockey League. Although they have had many good teams, there were some that made […]
The post Oshawa Generals’ Best Teams in History appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
Eugene Helfrick (The Hockey Writers)
Tampa Bay Lightning Jersey History
The Tampa Bay Lightning are the envy of the National Hockey League. They’ve got a phenomenal owner in Jeff Vinik, who put the brakes on disaster and painstakingly rebuilt the organization from the inside out. A former investment wizard, Vinik managed to strike the optimal balance between the fanatical micromanagement of some of his peers, […]
The post Tampa Bay Lightning Jersey History appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
Brian Abate (The Hockey Writers)
Rangers’ Kakko Poised to Perform in the Playoffs
The New York Rangers selected Kaapo Kakko with the second pick of the NHL Draft one year ago. There was a tremendous amount of hype surrounding him and that led to big expectations for his rookie season. While the season hasn’t quite gone according to plan for the young winger, he will have an opportunity […]
The post Rangers’ Kakko Poised to Perform in the Playoffs appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
Kevin Armstrong (The Hockey Writers)
Maple Leafs in the 2022 Olympics: Could be the Best of Times or the Worst for their Fans
As part of the Return to Play arrangement, there is a four-year extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. It includes NHLers returning to the Olympics. This creates an interesting dilemma for Toronto Maple Leafs fans. Remember the Jerry Seinfeld bit? “You’re actually rooting for the clothes when you get right down to it… Fans will […]
The post Maple Leafs in the 2022 Olympics: Could be the Best of Times or the Worst for their Fans appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
Greg Boysen (The Hockey Writers)
Today in Hockey History: July 12
On this date, the Detroit Red Wings made an addition to their front office that helped change the direction of the franchise. Also, Canada started to build their roster for some of the most memorable hockey games ever played. Red Wings Change Leadership On July 12, 1982, the Red Wings named Jim Devellano as their […]
The post Today in Hockey History: July 12 appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
A Look At The Wings’ 2018 Draft Class
from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, The 2018 draft saw the Wings cash in on the Tomas Tatar trade and use Vegas’ first-round pick into Joe Veleno, one of four picks the Wings made within the first 36 picks and among 10 total. Several of the draft picks figure to be a key part of the rebuild. Here is a closer look at each selection. F Filip Zadina... Wingspan: Zadina, 20, made his 2019-20 season debut Nov. 24, called up after Anthony Mantha suffered an injury. Zadina earned his first point Nov. 30. He looked strong on the puck, figuring out how to make time and space for himself to make a play or take a good shot. From the time he was called up until he suffered a leg injury Jan. 31 (a span of 27 games), Zadina was tied for first on the team in goals (eight) and ranked third in points (15). He showed he belongs in the lineup, and that he can add a much-needed offensive boost. F Joe Veleno... Wingspan: Veleno, 20, endured growing pains, but that’s normal in a player’s first year of pro hockey. The Wings’ development staff emphasized Veleno work on the defensive side of his game, and that was a factor in his 11 goals and 12 assists in 54 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins. There’s no doubt he has high-end offensive instincts, but the Wings need Veleno to be a good two-way player to maximize where he slots into the rebuild. more
