Colton Pankiw (The Hockey Writers)
Flames’ Free Agents: Who Stays & Who Goes
It is a strange time in the hockey world, as nobody knows if the season will resume, or if it will be canceled completely. There have been rumours that the playoffs could happen in July and August, assuming the COVID-19 pandemic slows down by then. If that is the case, it would change many things, […]
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Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Steve Yzerman’s First Year As The GM For The Detroit Red Wings
from Ansar Khan of Mlive, Here is a look back at Yzerman’s moves – from the draft to free agency to mid-season trades to waiver claims to trade-deadline deals. Some of the grades, of course, could change over time. Drafting Moritz Seider: A Yzerman pulled a surprise with his first-ever draft pick as Detroit GM, selecting a big, mobile, puck-moving defenseman from Germany that many draft analysts projected would be taken much later than sixth overall. Seider, who turned 19 on Monday, has yet to make his NHL debut but made a smooth transition to the North American pro ranks with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. It’s difficult to assess draft picks this soon, but Seider looks poised to anchor the Red Wings’ blue line for many years and should launch his NHL career in 2020-21. Signing Valtteri Filppula: D Needing a second-line center, Yzerman signed Filppula to a two-year, $6 million deal on July 1, knowing the former Red Wing well, having signed him in Tampa Bay in 2013.... more
Lucas Anderson (The Hockey Writers)
Jagr’s Final Flames Season Revisited
Jaromir Jagr’s NHL career concluded quietly in the 2017-18 season. The 45-year-old legend had joined the Calgary Flames on a one-year deal, but he lasted just 22 games before injuries led to the termination of his contract. Despite the early exit, his stint with the Flames featured memorable moments on and off the ice. Jagr’s […]
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Larry Fisher (The Hockey Writers)
2020 NHL Draft Rankings: Fisher’s Top 350 for April
Fisher’s Top 300 for March Fisher’s Top 217 for February Fisher’s Top 217 for January Fisher’s Top 186 for December Fisher’s Top 186 for November Fisher’s Top 124 for October Fisher’s Top 124 Preseason Rankings The draft year may be done, but I’m still watching as much hockey as ever. Granted, it’s not the same […]
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Alex Chauvancy (The Hockey Writers)
Devils’ Palmieri a Model of Scoring Consistency
There weren’t a lot of constants for the New Jersey Devils this season. From the firing of head coach John Hynes, as well as general manager Ray Shero, there was plenty of turmoil to go around. But if there was one person who could be counted on, it was Kyle Palmieri, who had 25 goals and […]
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Nick Abramo (The Hockey Writers)
Kings’ Assets Point to Bright Winning Future
When the NHL shut down in the middle of March due to COVID-19 pandemic fears, the Los Angeles Kings were the hottest team in the league with a seven-game winning streak. It was a huge surprise. Not long before that, the Kings were treading water, frantically trying to stay out of the crypt. After 70 […]
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Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Hockey Night In North Dakota?
from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Let’s preface this with the fact that, at this time, we’re all just guessing at return-to-play timelines — but the NHL and NHLPA are beginning to spitball scenarios as to where remaining 2019-20 regular-season/playoff games could be held. One location that’s been mentioned: North Dakota. Several sites would be necessary, but Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D., makes sense. Host of the 2005 World Junior Championships, the 2016 World Under-18s and the NCAA’s Fighting Hawks, it is an impressive facility that is definitely more suitable than many other available non-NHL options in the United States. Obviously, nothing is imminent. Hotel availability in Grand Forks would be a challenge. We also don’t know about travel scenarios, necessary logistics, or if the state itself would be willing to host such an event. But the area makes sense because of the arena, the likelihood of games being played without fans and North Dakota’s relatively low population density (only Montana, Wyoming and Alaska have fewer people per square mile). It is expected that the NHL and NHLPA will discuss other locales this week. continued
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Paul Coffey Would Like To See More Hitting In Today’s Game
from Jordan Horrobin of Sportsnet, Hall of Fame defenceman Paul Coffey has been asked the same question many times before: How many goals would he score in today’s NHL? “My answer is, I think I could probably get 15 to 20 goals,” said Coffey, who set the single-season record as a defenceman with 48 goals in 1985-86. “And people always look a little bit surprised. “And I say, ‘Well, I’m 58 years old.'” Jokes aside, Coffey opted not to reveal how he’d fare if his career had aligned with the current era — though he did acknowledge he’s a “huge fan” of today’s game. Still, during his recent appearance on Writers Bloc, the legendary blue-liner weighed in on one thing he’d like to change about the modern-day NHL. “I wish there was more hitting,” Coffey said. continued
Blain Potvin (The Hockey Writers)
Montreal Canadiens’ Top-20 Goal Scorers All-Time
There is no doubt that the Montreal Canadiens are the most iconic franchise in the hockey world. Having won 24 Stanley Cups in its 111 years of existence helped the franchise reach its status. Those Cups are thanks to the efforts of the star players including the 51 Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) inductees who […]
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Jack Dawkins (The Hockey Writers)
Kings’ Top 10 Prospects
Ask anyone who covers prospects and they will tell you that the Los Angeles Kings have one of the best prospect groups in the NHL right now. Related: The NHL’s Best Farm Systems Ranked – Midseason Update For this list, players were given a ranking based NHL Readiness and NHL Potential. NHL Readiness ranks how […]
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Greg Boysen (The Hockey Writers)
Chicago Blackhawks’ Top-20 Goal Scorers All-Time
The Chicago Blackhawks have had a long and storied history as one of the National Hockey League’s “Original Six” franchises. There have been a number of Hall of Famers and colorful characters to have put on the famed Blackhawks sweaters through the decades. This list chronicles the top 20 goal scorers in team history. 1. […]
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Greg Boysen (The Hockey Writers)
Today in Hockey History: April 5
One of the most memorable final days of a regular-season occurred 50 years ago today. In addition, one of the greatest players of all-time said goodbye to the game while a legendary goaltender continued to rewrite the record books. The Crazy Last Day of 1969-70 The final day of the 1969-70 regular season was one […]
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Jim Parsons (The Hockey Writers)
NHL Rumors: Islanders, Golden Knights, Flyers, Penguins, More
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, defenseman Andy Greene has made it clear he wants to play another season in the NHL. Does that mean he’ll return to the New York Islanders? Vegas Golden Knights head coach Peter DeBoer commented on the possibility of his team getting a bye in the playoffs and he’s not a […]
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Ryan Szporer (The Hockey Writers)
The Good News for Panthers Despite Huge Bobrovsky Deal
The Florida Panthers technically don’t need No. 1 goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky Struggles with panthers Granted, as far as understatements go, that’s a pretty big one. There’s no denying Bobrovsky has gone a mediocre 23-19-6 this season (more losses than wins) with a .900 save percentage and downright horrible 3.23 goals-against average. They certainly don’t […]
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Mark Scheig (The Hockey Writers)
Blue Jackets’ Q&A With Anthem Singer Leo Welsh
Welcome to our 2020 Columbus Blue Jackets Q&A series. In this new series, we are going to talk with different members of the Blue Jackets’ community about hockey, their jobs, how they’re handling things today and much more. In part one, anthem singer Leo Welsh (Leo!) was kind enough to spend some time with us […]
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Kate from PA now in SC-made in Detr (Kukla's Korner)
Something To Celebrate
Today we have something to celebrate. A Happy Birthday to Paul Kukla! My wish for you Paul, is as always, good health. Thank you for this wonderful place, and, all the hard work you put in every day.
Dan Rice (The Hockey Writers)
From THW to the NWHL: Allie LaCombe’s Wild & Winding Road
When I first ‘met’ Allie LaCombe we were teammates briefly at The Hockey Writers almost six years ago. Fast forward to this past Jan. 25 and we finally met in person in New Jersey following an NWHL game. LaCombe had just played her first game for the Connecticut Whale and helped them defeat the Metropolitan […]
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Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Return Or Not Next Season
from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, Amid the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, here’s a look at who’ll be back next season and who’ll be gone from the roster as it stood March 12, when the league put the season hold. F Justin Abdelkader The evidence: He’s signed at a $4.25 million cap hit through 2022-23, making a buyout prohibitive (six years at annual cap hits ranging from $1.55 million to $2.35 million). Given his decline (22 points in 122 games the past two seasons, no points since Oct. 23), the most likely scenario is Abdelkader is waived and demoted. The 33-year-old would still draw his NHL salary, but the Wings would gain a little north of $1 million in cap relief — plus a roster spot, maybe one Evgeny Svechnikov could claim. The verdict: Gone (from the roster, not the payroll). F Robby Fabbri The evidence: Yzerman’s best trade joined the team in early November and scored two goals in his debut; ranks fourth on the team with 31 points in 52 games. Earned a spot in the top six and power-play time. The verdict: Will be back with a mid- to long-term extension. more names...
Dayton Reimer (The Hockey Writers)
Senators 2000 Draft Revisited – It Could Have Been Better
Being an Ottawa Senators fan is tough. From the early days when the team broke the Washington Capitals’ record for most losses in a season, to more recent accusations that they’re the worst-run franchise in a league where the Edmonton Oilers exist, life has not been easy in Canada’s capital city. Yet there was a […]
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Thw Archives (The Hockey Writers)
The Worst Teams In Stanley Cup Playoff History
This article was originally written in January, 2015. If you’ve been following the 2015 NFL Playoffs, you already know the NFC South champion Carolina Panthers are moving on to the Divisional round. A team that finished the regular season at 7-8-1, which advanced by virtue of defeating an Arizona Cardinals team with a third string […]
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