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Well, That Was Fun. Now Back to Work!

Well, That Was Fun. Now Back to Work!

We know it’s been a while since we posted, but we wanted to bask in the rare light of an Islanders playoff appearance by taking in the games, atmosphere, and enjoyment that came with a series that ran one game longer than we predicted which included two embarrassing shutouts, yet somehow left Islander fans with the feeling that [...]

Hockey Independent Playoff Roundtable: 2013 Round 2 Predictions

Hockey Independent Playoff Roundtable: 2013 Round 2 Predictions

With the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs set to begin just a few hours from now, five members of the Hockey Independent writing staff have come together to predict each and every first round series of this year’s postseason. The contributing authors to today’s piece will be Cris Cohen (New York Rangers), Seth Levin (New Jersey [...]

Hockey Independent Playoff Roundtable: 2013 First Round Predictions

Hockey Independent Playoff Roundtable: 2013 First Round Predictions

With the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs set to begin just a few hours from now, four members of the Hockey Independent writing staff have come together to predict each and every first round series of this year’s postseason. The contributing authors to today’s piece will be Cris Cohen (New York Rangers), Seth Levin (New Jersey Devils),  Bill Philp (Tampa Bay Lightning) [...]

“I knew that if I played a tough game – and not many guys did – that would only help in their decision of whether or not to keep me,” says Odgers, who played 12 seasons with the San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Atlanta Thrashers. “So I erred on the side of scrapping more.”

Rink Recollections: Jeff Odgers, NHL, 1991-2003

  By Brian D’Ambrosio Jeff Odgers played every NHL game as if it were his final. He never took a game for granted –scared that his career could fade away at any moment.  Odgers scrapped and gritted his way onto the roster and he made sure he never provided his coaches with a sufficient reason to [...]

Where did I leave that waiver wire?

The Rebuild Needs Better Blueprints

When Garth Snow announced the rebuild before the 2008 season, somehow his terrible draft of 2007 was expunged from his resume, and he was FINALLY able to build a team with first round picks that would be a representation of his vision. Nitpickers like us will argue that Snow actually got a 2007 lottery pick, [...]

Honey, I Lost the Kids (part 2 of 2)

Honey, I Lost the Kids (part 2 of 2)

In the first part of this epic, we promised three pieces of evidence to explain how Garth Snow does things with the sole intention of job preservation. We pointed out how he is relatively awful at drafting in part one. Part two will speak to other shortcomings, starting here: Two- Garth Snow uses salary cap [...]

He's a really nice guy.

Honey, I Lost the Kids – part one of two

It’s almost like a reflex when you ask hockey fans about the best way to build a winner “It’s the draft!” Drafting allow you to develop players or trade for established ones. Since the Isles have had no playoffs since 07-08, they’ve been in rebuild mode. We’re going to look at this draft rebuild with [...]

Hey Charles, sell advertising on my ass!

Hockey Myths Exposed – Defensemen Need Time to Develop

Anyone who has watched more than a handful of hockey games gets serenaded with statements that are undisputed in the hockey world, but in reality it doesnt make a lot of sense. We’ve already disproved the myth that power forwards need years to develop in our article “Ninogate,” in which we use the “talent is [...]

Fan Un-Appreciation

Fan Un-Appreciation

Lets start with some basic info. The “authors” of this blog are two former Islander ticket holders. Although we ended our tickets at different times and for different reasons, one thing both of us felt was the lack of appreciation by the Islanders team in taking care of their fans. As a season ticket holder, [...]

Destination Unknown, Part 3

Destination Unknown, Part 3

Part Three: Free Agents aren’t actually Free Chronicling the failures of the Garth Snow regime takes time, energy, and ideally, beer. In fact, watching the Islanders play is best done through a haze of sudsy goodness. We suggest that if you’re looking for a Belgian Style ale that’s full of deliciousness, you’d be good to [...]

Hockey Independent Roundtable: Preseason Stanley Cup Predictions

Hockey Independent Roundtable: Preseason Stanley Cup Predictions

Hello everyone and welcome again to the Hockey Independent Roundtable. In today’s piece, five HI writers will provide you all with their early picks for the playoffs ad the Stanley Cup. This piece will double as Part III of my five-part 2013 NHL season preview. Part I –> Northeast Division Preview Part II –> Eastern [...]

Jay Wells was the epitome of the ‘role player’, a proud participant who never quit or groused, a reliable, solid defensive defenseman. “In 18 years in the NHL, there were not all that many pats on the back,” says Wells. Courtesy photo

Jay Wells: Rugged Defenseman Reflects on Scrappy 18-Year NHL Career

By Brian D’Ambrosio Jay Wells selflessly battled numerous enforcers of substantial note: Bob Probert, Jay Miller, Dave Brown (a few times) and Marty McSorley, among the list. One of the game’s exemplary teammates, his career spanned from 1979 to 1997, a period in which Wells stood up to the roughest individuals to ever to patrol [...]

Bruins Extra: Ryan Spooner, Torey Krug could make an NHL impact sooner than you think

Bruins Extra: Ryan Spooner, Torey Krug could make an NHL impact sooner than you think

Hello everyone, and welcome to the next edition “Bruins Extra”, to be featured here on Hockey Independent after each and every Bruins — be it Boston or Providence — game that hockey writer Benjamin Woodward is assigned to cover. The blog will feature in-depth analysis of individual performances, big moments in the game or any [...]

Kyle MacKinnon, Torey Krug lead way to 3-2 Providence victory over Manchester

Kyle MacKinnon, Torey Krug lead way to 3-2 Providence victory over Manchester

PROVIDENCE, RI – On Friday evening the Providence Bruins were looking to build upon the momentum of last weekend’s 2-0-1 showing when they played host to their Eastern Conference rivals, the Manchester Monarchs. Martin Jones (MCH) and Niklas Svedberg (PRO) would each get the start in goal for their squads. Fortunately for the Providence fans that [...]

GameDay: P-Bruins to host Manchester in Eastern Conference Clash

GameDay: P-Bruins to host Manchester in Eastern Conference Clash

Could we ever see some NHL action in Boston this season? Well, maybe at some point, but an end to this lockout doesn’t seem to be in sight. Meanwhile… Tonight the AHL’s Providence Bruins will hold the hockey spotlight in New England as they play host to conference rival Manchester in a showdown at the [...]

Power-Play Struggles Doom the P-Bruins in 3-1 Season Opening Loss to Manchester Monarchs

Power-Play Struggles Doom the P-Bruins in 3-1 Season Opening Loss to Manchester Monarchs

PROVIDENCE, RI – Despite the NHL lockout that has sent fans everywhere into a flurry of frustration over the past couple of weeks, there is still hockey to be played across North America. Friday evening would mark the start of the 77th American Hockey League season as seven games were on the slate. One of which [...]

Hockey’s Christmas: 10 Predictions For 2012 Free Agency

Hockey’s Christmas: 10 Predictions For 2012 Free Agency

In many ways, July 1 and the opening of unrestricted free agency is much like Christmas for hockey fans. Puck heads wake up early and rush to their living rooms early in the morning. But instead of checking underneath a Christmas tree, they’ll make a beeline straight towards the nearest computer. As the clock strikes [...]

2012 Hockey Independent Mock Draft: Final Wrap-Up

2012 Hockey Independent Mock Draft: Final Wrap-Up

  The Hockey Independent crew has come together again; this time to piece together a 2012 NHL Mock Draft for your reading pleasure. 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 Bay Lightning) and myself, Benjamin Woodward [...]

2012 Hockey Independent Mock Draft: Selections 26-30; The First Round Concludes

2012 Hockey Independent Mock Draft: Selections 26-30; The First Round Concludes

The Hockey Independent crew has come together again; this time to piece together a 2012 NHL Mock Draft for your reading pleasure. 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 Bay Lightning) and myself, Benjamin Woodward (Boston [...]

Kings’ Captivating Cup Run Perfectly Exemplifies Hockey’s Greatness

Kings’ Captivating Cup Run Perfectly Exemplifies Hockey’s Greatness

It was a 49-year championship drought that was snapped by the Chicago Blackhawks on a warm summer night in Philadelphia just two years ago. A 39-year wait came to an end in June of 2011 when the underdog Boston Bruins took down the heavily favored Vancouver Canucks on Rogers Arena ice. On Monday night, the [...]