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Thoughts, Questions and Things that make you go Hmmm

Thoughts, Questions and Things that make you go Hmmm

Playoffs On Sunday, when Los Angeles dropped a 2-0 decision to the Coyotes, Kings head coach Darryl Sutter wasn’t happy. He was especially upset with his power play. In postgame comments, Sutter called out his point men for not getting shots on goal. Sutter didn’t pull any punches, which is his way for the most [...]

Are the Blackhawks pursuing Ryan Suter for the wrong reason?

Are the Blackhawks pursuing Ryan Suter for the wrong reason?

CHICAGO (FOX Chicago News) – On July 1, 2008 The Blackhawks made a huge splash in the hockey world and signed free agentdefenseman Brian Campbell. The cost for Campbellwas steep, an eight year contract with an approximate $7.1 million salary cap hit per season. This was a bold move and was done for a couple [...]

Red Wings' goalie Jimmy Howard is a possible candidate to play for Team USA in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Photo by MPR529.

Howard Making a Case for 2014 Sochi Olympics

Jimmy Howard and the rest of his Detroit Red Wings’ teammates were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 20, but that hasn’t stopped Howard from continuing his season by representing his country. Howard is currently the number one man between the pipes as a member of Team USA in the 2012 IIHF World [...]

When will all be well in Blackhawk land?

When will all be well in Blackhawk land?

Chicago (FOX Chicago News) – The teams which are left standing in the NHL post season play a consistent style and they look very comfortable doing so. That is probably why they are still alive in the quest for Lord Stanley. When the going gets tough they stick to their systems for the most part. [...]

Could Parise Become a Red Wing? Not so Fast!

Could Parise Become a Red Wing? Not so Fast!

The first day of NHL free agency begins on July 1, which is just weeks away, and expect the Detroit Red Wings to be in the middle of it all. Without a doubt, this will be the most crucial off-season in some time. The last time that the Red Wings struck it rich was in [...]

Hockey Independent Playoff Roundtable: Conference Finals Predictions

Hockey Independent Playoff Roundtable: Conference Finals Predictions

— Welcome back to the Hockey Independent roundtable where five writers from the HI staff have come together once again to provide you all with our Conference Finals predictions. The contributing authors to today’s piece will be Cris Cohen (New York Rangers), Seth Levin (New Jersey Devils), Alex Muscat (Detroit Red Wings), Bill Philp (Tampa [...]

Haviland Out, It’s All on Coach Q. Now

Haviland Out, It’s All on Coach Q. Now

Chicago (FOX Chicago News) – Let’s start off with some good news which came out of Tuesday’s media conference call after the firing of assistant coach Mike Haviland. For all those worried about Joel Quenneville being dismissed as head coach to take the same position in Montreal, that’s not happening. Quenneville stated he wants to [...]

Boston Bruins’ Postseason Report Cards: Part II: The Bottom Six

Boston Bruins’ Postseason Report Cards: Part II: The Bottom Six

Throughout the month of May, I will be providing you all with a six-part Boston Bruins’ postseason review, grading the performances of each and every player that donned the eight-spoked “B” during the 2011-’12 campaign. The schedule looks like this: Part I –> Top Six Forwards Part II –> Bottom Six Forwards Part III –> [...]

Internal squabbles costly for Rocky Wirtz, Blackhawks fans

Internal squabbles costly for Rocky Wirtz, Blackhawks fans

Chicago (FOX Chicago News) – When players don’t perform adequately the results are obvious and there is little mystery. When a team’s shortcomings are brought about by mismanagement the cause of problems isn’t as apparent. In the NHL when a head coach and GM aren’t on the same page and a plan of action appears [...]

Boston Bruins’ Postseason Report Cards: Part I: The Top Six

Boston Bruins’ Postseason Report Cards: Part I: The Top Six

Vacation. Relaxation. Warm weather. Spending time with family. Unfortunately for the Boston Bruins, these wonderful conjectures that encompass the summer season have arrived in the Hub far earlier than many of us expected. Now a week and a half removed from Boston’s game seven loss at the hands of the Washington Capitals at TD Garden [...]

Bolland on Trading Block – Hawks Will Pursue Suter??

Bolland on Trading Block – Hawks Will Pursue Suter??

Chicago (FOX Chicago News) – Blackhawk fans looking for some real change may enjoy this summer. For the first time since the 2010 Stanley Cup parade there appears to be a solid chance a core player will be dealt. If my source is correct, and he has been frequently in the past, third line center [...]

Photo taken seconds before the Rangers are told they don't get paid extra for overtime.

NYR 2 WSH 1 – 3OT

I’ve loved the game of hockey for over 40 years. Yeah, I’m old. But there have been a lot of times, particularly in the late nineties/early aughts that I felt the love was unrequited. Then there was last night in the Verizon Center. This was a game that really didn’t decide anything – it was [...]

The Toronto Maple Leafs – Another Offseason

The Toronto Maple Leafs – Another Offseason

 After yet another disappointing season, Maple Leafs fans look toward another offseason. This time, as the fans of the only NHL franchise to have not played in a postseason game since the lockout. The overwhelming belief that the Toronto Maple Leafs still need a number one center still remains, and the uncertainty about goaltending is [...]

Pavel Datsyuk will play in his first IIHF World Championship tournament since 2005. Photo by Patxi64.

Red Wings Are Well Represented at World Championships

The Detroit Red Wings’ season ended a couple of weeks ago, but it won’t stop them from taking a trip to Europe. No, they won’t be taking a Griswold Family Vacation, but they will be lacing up the skates once again in the upcoming  IIHF World Championship to be held in Stockholm, Sweden and Helsinki, [...]

Rocky Wirtz Needs to Lead the Way for the Blackhawks to Win Another Stanley Cup

Rocky Wirtz Needs to Lead the Way for the Blackhawks to Win Another Stanley Cup

Chicago – As the disappointment of another first round playoff exit hits home, there should be one overwhelming question facing Blackhawk faithful. Will the Hawks become the first team since the 2004 NHL Lockout to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions? The group of six clubs which have failed to capture Lord Stanley more than once [...]

Does Steven Stamkos Deserve to be a Hart Trophy Finalist?

Does Steven Stamkos Deserve to be a Hart Trophy Finalist?

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist and Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin have been named finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy, the annual award given to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team during the regular season. The winner is selected in a poll of [...]

Bruins Hope First Round Exit Re-Ignites Championship Fire

Bruins Hope First Round Exit Re-Ignites Championship Fire

After the celebration of the 2011 “break up day” last June, the Boston Bruins were quickly snapped back to the harsh reality of what normally constitutes a locker clean out day for most NHL squads. During which, the B’s brought to light the injuries that hampered them throughout the postseason as well as their reflections [...]

Hockey Independent Playoff Roundtable: Conference Semi-Finals Predictions

Hockey Independent Playoff Roundtable: Conference Semi-Finals Predictions

  — Welcome back to the Hockey Independent roundtable where five writers from the HI staff have come together once again to provide you all with our Conference Semi Finals predictions. The contributing authors to today’s piece will be Cris Cohen (New York Rangers), Alex Muscat (Detroit Red Wings), Bill Philp (Tampa Bay Lightning) and [...]

Steven Stamkos 60 Goal Season Infographic

Steven Stamkos 60 Goal Season Infographic

A visual look at the statistics and numbers behind Hart Trophy finalist Steven Stamkos’ 60-goal season.   Steven Stamkos’ 60-Goal Season – An infographic by the team at TampaBayLightning.com

Smooth as Selke? Datsyuk Nominated Once Again for Selke Trophy

Smooth as Selke? Datsyuk Nominated Once Again for Selke Trophy

It’s been a week since the Detroit Red Wings’ season ended with an early playoff exit, but one of the team’s best players is up for an award. Red Wings’ center Pavel Datsyuk is one of three players nominated for the Frank J. Selke which goes to the NHL’s top defensive forward. The other nominees [...]