It was a tale of two halves in the first frame as the Caps took control from the opening puck drop to the mid-point of the frame, grabbing a 2-0 lead after only eight minutes of action.

Washington jumped ahead 1-0 at the 7:50 mark when Russian enigma Alexander Semin corralled a Karl Alzner rebound and shoveled it into an open goal.

A mere twenty-five seconds later, things would go from bad to worse for Boston as the Capitals would add another tally to make it 2-0 only eight minutes into the game. It was former Bruins’ prospect Matt Hendricks who would out-work two B’s defenseman in front of goaltender Tim Thomas and poke home his 4^th of the season. The Caps accounted for 12 of the game’s first 15 shots on goal.

It was then that B’s bench boss Claude Julien opted to use his timeout, a trick he’s used quite a few times in the past to help calm his team down after a rough start. The decision by the former Jack Adams award winner would prove to be pure genius quickly thereafter.

“That’s not the start we wanted, as soon as we called the timeout it was like night and day. We realize that we are going to play and once we realized that I thought we played good hockey.” – Johnny Boychuk

Aided by two power-play opportunities, the B’s would turn things around in the second half of the frame, taking control of the action and registering 10 of the next 11 shots on net. With only five ticks left on the clock, the Bruins would finally get on the board when a Milan Lucic wrister went five-hole on Caps’ netminder Tomas Vokoun after an offensive zone face-off win by the always-dependable Patrice Bergeron.

In what was certainly an odd sequence of events, the second period would end up nearly identical as the first. This time, with Boston holding the early edge and Washington finishing strong.

Boston would jump out to a hot start, keeping the pressure on the Caps’ end for almost the entire first half of the period. Just prior to the five minute mark, the red-hot Jordan Caron would disrupt an Alex Ovechkin up-ice rush and deflect the puck to a streaking Brad Marchand. The B’s undersized, agitating winger would take advantage of the break, beating Vokoun five hole to even the score at two a piece.

“Jordan made a great play to force Ovechkin and make him throw the puck away, it kind of bounced of the defenseman’s shin pad in open ice and I went in and tried to make a move, the five-hole opened up and I slid it in.” — Brad Marchand

Things then turned ugly for a Boston team that would finish the frame by taking three ill-advised penalties, including a two-minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct (David Krejci). The Caps would regain the lead  at the 11:22 mark when Jay Beagle fired one past Tim Thomas after an unfortunate mishap behind the net between Dennis Seidenberg and Adam McQuaid. Just five minutes later, Washington would extend their lead when Brooks Laich redirected a Dennis Wideman pass into the Boston net with only three seconds left on the Caps’ third power-play of the period.

The third period would provide the B’s with a wealth of opportunities to even the score again as the Black and Gold out-shot the Caps by an astounding 13-2 margin, something Washington blueliner and former Bruin Dennis Wideman attributed to the Bruins “coming at them” as opposed to the Capitals sitting back with the luxury of a two-goal advantage.

Boston would get one back with 3:13 to go in the game when Johnny Boychuk pushed a Marchand rebound past Vokoun to cut the deficit to one. The goal was the fourth of the year for the B’s brusing blueliner, who had just returned to the game after taking a Troy Brouwer slapshot to the inside of his right foot. The B’s continued to “storm the bastille”, so to speak, but where unable to solve the Caps’ ‘tender for a fourth time as they appeared to do everything BUT score during the final minute and a half of play.

The win was of crucial importance for a Washington squad that is fighting for it’s playoff lives. The Caps know that in order to sneak into the post-season, they’ll need to come through with multiple strong efforts and victories away from the friendly confines of the Verizon Center.

“We’ve just got to approach the games, just focus on today. I think that we play five of our next six on the road but that was in nobody’s mind today; it was come here and try to get the job done. I’m happy with the guys, I thought we played a really good game, should be proud of themselves.” – Brooks Laich

Ben’s Three Stars:

1) Alexander Semin (1 Goal/1 Assist)

2) Dmitry Orlov (2 Assists)

3) Tomas Vokoun (31 Saves)

What’s Next?

– It’ll be a quick turn-around for a Bruins squad that will face-off with Evgeni Malkin — and possibly a returning Sidney Crosby — on Sunday afternoon at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Caps will return home to the Verizon Center for a Sunday night contest with Phil Kessel and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Thanks For Reading!

“LIKE” Us On Facebook: HockeyIndependent Bruins

Give Me A Shout On Twitter! : @BWoodward_HI

Or You Can E-Mail Me At BWoodward.HI@gmail.com

Looking to spark a struggling offense that hadn’t light the lamp on home ice since February 11^th, Boston bench boss Claude Julien broke out a new set of forward lines for Thursday’s contest. The new combinations paid immediate dividends for the B’s as only into the game Tyler Seguin connected with new linemate David Krejci on a cross-ice pass that would lead to number 46’s 14^th tally of the season and an early 1-0 lead for Boston.

“He’s (Seguin) got a great vision and he found me basically wide open. So, yeah, everything. He’s got a shot, he’s got speed, vision, so he played a really strong game tonight” — David Krejci

The B’s new first line would strike once again before the period was over as Milan Lucic found Seguin wide-open in the slot for his 21^st goal of the season. The newly formed Lucic—Krejci—Seguin line combined for a plethora of scoring chances in the opening frame, throwing five shots on Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur.

“An early goal was huge, so it was great that we were able to get two goals in our first three shifts and we even had more chances that we could’ve got right at the start of the game, so it was good we were feeling it early and were able to establish that lead to take off the pressure.” – Milan Lucic

It was in the second period that the B’s fortunes would take a 360-degree turn for the worst. It started just after the 6:00 mark of the period when a Joe Corvo turnover – something that’s becoming a common sight here in Boston – lead to a Devils’ 2-on-1 and captain Zach Parise’s 24^th tally of the season. It was only seven and a half minutes later that New Jersey would tie the score at two when Corvo vacated his position in front of the Boston goal, allowing Patrik Elias to tap home his 20^th of the year.

“I mean, I don’t know how you want me to answer that because I don’t throw my players under the bus, but obviously he had a bit of a tough outing.” – Claude Julien

Just when the B’s thought they’d escape what was a dreadfully played second frame, David Clarkson pushed one past Boston netminder Tim Thomas from the side of the net mouth to give the Devils the 3-2 lead as the teams went to the rooms for the second intermission.

The B’s would get a much needed boost at the 5:30 mark of the final frame when Krejci corralled a bouncing puck and hammered it past Brodeur to even the score at 3. Both teams seemed to enter into a defensive style of hockey for the remainder of the period, limiting the number of quality scoring chances at both ends of the ice. Neither team was able to light the lamp for the remainder of regulation as we went into overtime with the two squads still deadlocked at three.

With just over three minutes to go in what was a high-octane extra frame it was Krejci who would play hero, putting home his third goal of the night to secure the Bruins’ first home-ice overtime victory of the season. Krejci’s 16^th tally of the season put the finishing touches on the Czech-born pivot’s second career hat-trick (3^rd if you count post-season).

Accounting for all four Boston goals and combining for points on the night, Boston’s newly formed top-line was undoubtedly the driving force behind the Bruins fourth victory against New Jersey this season.

“Obviously he’s (Seguin) got great speed but I think if you look at the two of us, me and David, I think we’re at our best too when we’re moving our feet and playing that high-tempo kind of game. I think that’s what kind of got us started, especially with that first shift and that first goal. – Milan Lucic

Thursday’s victory completed Boston’s first season series sweep of the Devils since the 1985-’86 campaign, back when Raymond Bourque was patrolling the Boston blueline. Something the Bruins hope will give them a mental advantage in case these two squads meet in the post-season.

“Today is I think the only positive thing we could take about the series. I think these guys, they know with the experience they got the past few years and especially last year, that it’s a new ballgame when it (playoffs) starts. Hopefully we’ll get in and hopefully we’ll have an opportunity to play against them because if we do it means we’re going to be in a good spot.” – Martin Brodeur

Ben’s Three Stars:

1) David Krejci (3 Goals)

2) Tyler Seguin (1 Goal, 1 Assist)

3) Milan Lucic (2 Assists)

What’s Next?

– The Bruins will finish out their three-game home-stand on Saturday afternoon when they play host to John Tavares and the New York Islanders. The Devils will have a quick turn-around as they leave the Hub for a trip to Washington for a date with Alex Ovechkin‘s Capitals on Friday.

Thanks For Reading!

“LIKE” Us On Facebook: HockeyIndependent Bruins

Give Me A Shout On Twitter! : @BWoodward_HI

Or You Can E-Mail Me At BWoodward.HI@gmail.com

Tonight’s Line-Up (Subject To Change):

FORWARDS

Marchand–Bergeron–Seguin

Lucic–Krejci–Peverley

Pouliot–Kelly–Hamill

Paille–Campbell–Thornton

DEFENSE

Chara–Boychuk

Seidenberg–Corvo

Ference–McQuaid

GOALTENDER

Rask

Thomas

Scratches– …… Kampfer (Healthy) , Caron (Healthy) , Horton (Concussion)

NEWS & NOTES

– This season the lowly ‘Canes have thoroughly dominated Boston this season, outscoring the Black and Gold by an 11-5 margin en route to a 3-0-0 record. This will be the second game played at TD Garden between these two squads. The first took place back on October 18 when Joni Pitkanen’s three point night lead the Hurricanes to a 4-1 victory.

– The last-place ‘Canes currently sport a conference-worst 5-13-6 road record as well as the NHL’s 29th ranked goal differential, an astoundingly low -32.  On the other end of that spectrum, the Bruins have recorded a 17-7-2 mark from the confines of TD Garden and amassed a whopping +70 goal differential.

– This one could be a sneak preview for a few Carolina players who have been rumored to be available at the deadline. As I suggested in my piece last week, free-agents-to-be Tuomo Ruutu and Bryan Allen are two guys I could see as perfect fits for this Bruins’ squad.

– In the three games against Carolina this season the B’s have accumulated an astounding total of 78 penalty minutes. That number is good for the most surrendered by Boston against any Southeast division team this year.

– Nathan Horton is expected to miss his third straight game this evening after suffering a concussion last Sunday. Defenseman Andrew Ference will also make his return this evening after serving his three game suspension for boarding Rangers’ blueliner Ryan McDonagh.

Thanks For Reading!

“LIKE” Us On Facebook: HockeyIndependent Bruins

Give Me A Shout On Twitter! : @BWoodward_HI

Or You Can E-Mail Me At BWoodward.HI@gmail.com

Recovering from a 1-0 deficit after allowing a Zdeno Chara power-play goal, the Sens would quickly adjust and build a 3-1 lead by the mid-point of the second frame.

The goals were scored by three men who are sure to be integral pieces of the hockey scene in Ottawa for many years to come; rookie Colin Greening, sensational sophomore Kyle Turris and all-star blueliner Erik Karlsson.

However, late in the second period the B’s were able to cut the deficit to one and more importantly swing the momentum back into their favor when Milan Lucic took a slick cross-ice feed from Rich Peverley and wristed one past Craig Anderson to make it a 3-2 game as we entered the final frame.

“We know we played a terrible second period, they scored on us a few times on breakdowns in the neutral zone and the defensive zone and for us to get momentum going into the third definitely helped us come back in this game.” – Dennis Seidenberg

The third and final frame would not be too kind on the Senators as Boston would jump all over them, out-shooting Ottawa 13-7 and scoring the only two goals of the period. “We started playing like ourselves in the third, we did a great job finding a way to win and at the end of the day that’s what matters” quipped Brad Marchand. After a Karlsson penalty put Boston on the power-play, it wouldn’t take long for the undersized winger to knot the score at three when he outworked a couple of Sens’ defensemen and poked a rebound into the Ottawa goal.

The fourth Boston tally was without doubt the least spectacular of them all as it was Dennis Seidenberg who would wind up and blast one past Anderson….. from the red line. The goal was far from pretty, but as they say “it’s not how, it’s how many”.

“It skipped and it turned and it twisted. Those things are going to happen, we can’t point any fingers about that. Every once in a blue moon, that’s going to happen.” – Paul MacLean

Boston would salvage this one-goal lead and hold one to secure their third victory in three tries against Ottawa this season. In what’s becoming more and more of a trend here in the Hub, the B’s are relying heavily on strong third periods to bail them out of games in which they haven’t been at their best. While being able to win games in which you don’t have your best stuff is obviously a fantastic trait that many teams would love to possess, members of the Black and Gold know that they must improve their game and come out with more sixty-minute efforts.

“It almost feels like we’re waiting for the third to come around. If we can just stay close and play our standard third period then we’ll win the game. But like I said, that type of play doesn’t last very long.” – Joe Corvo

Playing their third consecutive hotly contested tilt against the B’s, the Senators proved tonight that they should be taken seriously in the Eastern Conference.  Being able to hang with the defending Stanley Cup champions is no small feat, especially for a young Ottawa team trying to make a name for itself.

“I think we played good throughout most of the game but we just didn’t play good enough for sixty minutes.  That’s why we lost this game. I think that when we’re at the top of our game we can compete with any team in this league.” – Erik Karlsson

KEY STATS

Goals–                  OTT (3)        BOS (4)

Shots–                  OTT (33)      BOS (30)

Power-Play–      OTT (0-0)    BOS (2-4)

Penalty-Kill–      OTT (2-4)     BOS (0-0)

Ben’s Three Stars– ….. 3.) Milan Lucic ….. 2.) Erik Karlsson  ….. 1.) Brad Marchand

What’s Next?

The B’s will be back at it on Thursday as they continue their home-stand against Eric Staal and the Carolina Hurricanes. The Sens will make a return home to ScotiaBank Place where they will host the New York Islanders on Friday evening.

Thanks For Reading!

“LIKE” Us On Facebook: HockeyIndependent Bruins

Give Me A Shout On Twitter! : @BWoodward_HI

Or You Can E-Mail Me At BWoodward.HI@gmail.com

Well, what made the Montreal Canadiens’ trade of top line winger Michael Cammalleri so different was the fact that he was traded during the second intermission of a one-goal inter-division game!

It all started early in the second period on Thursday with an oddly secretive looking group of Montreal management huddled outside their suite in the TD Garden press box. At first glance, one would have thought nothing of it. In fact, it even lead me to cracking a few lighthearted jokes via Twitter.  However, it was early in the third and final frame that things began to get interesting, as the 5’9″ Ontario native was noticeably missing from the Habs’ bench, with no reports of injuries sustained. This coupled with the knowledge of Wednesday’s comments made by Cammalleri, in which he questioned the collective mindset of his Canadiens’ team, and it was enough to get some folks thinking that the proverbial shoe was about to drop.

“I can’t accept that we will display a losing attitude as we’re doing this year. We prepare for our games like losers. We play like losers. So it’s no wonder why we lose.” – Michael Cammalleri

Reports upstairs then broke the news that Cammalleri had indeed been removed from the game and had been sent to a Boston hotel to wait for further instructions. As if this wasn’t enough to tip anyone off about a potential deal, word from TSN in Canada began to emanate the fact that the undersized forward had indeed been traded. It was then that the game concluded, with the host Bruins holding on for a 2-1 victory over the Habs, and every reporter in Boston made a bee line for the Montreal dressing room.

While questions about the game were asked here and there, the elephant in the room was clearly the Habs’ missing first liner. Unfortunately for the large contingent of reporters and beat writers, Montreal players were just as confused as we were.

“Was he traded?  I really don’t know.  This is the first time this has happened to me?” – Tomas Plekanec

“I don’t really know anything so I don’t have a comment right now.” – Hal Gill

“I don’t know if it (a trade) has happened I can’t give much insight.  I can’t really give an opinion.” – Carey Price

It was then, as the media scrum descended on head coach Randy Cunneyworth’s press conference that he revealed the fact that there was in fact a trade that had sent Michael Cammalleri out of Montreal. “Well, obviously there was a trade made” said Cunneyworth when asked about the absence of his first line left winger. The much-criticized interim bench boss went on to explain how he had only learned of the deal at the start of the third period, and that his players where left in the dark completely as to the whereabouts of their teammate.

Finally, as the swarm of media members were consumed by the ever-growing TwitterSphere, trying to be the first to report the trade’s details, we learned that Cammalleri had been dealt cross country, back to Calgary — a city where he played in 2008 and 2009–.

Ending all the hype and confusion  was Habs’ General Manager Pierre Gauthier, when he stood in front of the aformentioned sea of reporters and delivered the news of the deal, first in French and then repeated himself in English. The English portion of the press conference can be viewed in it’s entirety via the video below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Along with Cammalleri, the Canadiens forfeited the rights to European netminder Karri Ramo and a fifth round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft in exchange for currently-suspended winger Rene Bourque, prospect Patrick Holland and a second round selection in the 2012 Entry draft.

Now, I’ll leave the analysis of this deal to those folks who are closer to the situation and know more about the skills and tendencies of each of these players. However, I would just like to point out this little doozie of a quote, courtesy of the Calgary Flames official Twitter account:

“I might be in trouble… I don’t speak French, even if I have the most French name on that team.” – Rene Bouque

Well there you have it folks, a first hand account of the first ever mid-game trade in NHL history. On what was once thought of as an uneventful night and a boring game between two once-fierce rivals, history was indeed made. It just goes to show, you really never know what is going to happen next in the National Hockey League.

Thanks For Reading!

“LIKE” Us On Facebook: HockeyIndependent Bruins

Give Me A Shout On Twitter! : @BWoodward_HI

Or You Can E-Mail Me At BWoodward.HI@gmail.com

Unfortunately for hockey traditionalists throughout North America, this rivalry simply isn’t the same anymore. And that’s putting it nicely. One could argue the reasons for this, whether it be Boston’s new-found hatred for the Vancouver Canucks, or simply Montreal’s irrelevance to the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

“Certainly, it doesn’t have the same flare it had maybe a year ago.” – Claude Julien

Regardless of such, it’s simply been just another game on the schedule each time Boston and Montreal have faced off this season. This was no different on Thursday evening when the two squads met for the fifth time this year.

The game began with a bang as the B’s quickly got on the board, thanks to a surprising contribution from an unlikely source. Playing in his first NHL game since a December 10 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena, rookie Bruins’ forward Jordan Caron took advantage of the opportunity given him by head coach Claude Julien as he tapped the puck into a yawning net at the 1:23 mark of the opening frame to give his team an early 1-0 lead.

“I saw Johnny (Boychuk) was going to rim it around and I wanted to get on the forecheck and it bounced in front so I was just there for an easy tap in.” – Jordan Caron

The score would remain this way throughout the balance of a first period controlled by uncharacteristically sloppy play from both sides, with Boston holding the edge as the team’s went to the rooms.

The second period mirrored much of what we saw in the first, neither team was able to muster many quality scoring chances nor come close to putting anything up on the scoreboard.

In the third period the B’s would once again strike quickly as bruising winger Milan Lucic flipped a backhand past Carey Price at the 3:43 mark of the final frame to extend the Boston lead to 2-0. Perhaps the only bit of unsettling roughness came soon after as Habs’ d-man P.K. Subban went up-high for a hit on the B’s top-line center David Krejci. This of course was met my much resistance from the Black and Gold, which resulted in a double-minor roughing call against Andrew Ference. The Habs’ were able to take advantage of the ensuing power-play as utility man Yannick Weber’s wrister found it’s way through a screen and past Thomas to cut the Montreal deficit to one. However, the Habs’ late flurries, in hopes of tying the score, were met by heavy resistance and the Bruins were able to hold on for their third straight victory over their once-hated rivals.

Being able to find a way to pull out a victory on a night when you don’t have your best game is truly an asset for the Bruins’ and is the mark of a true championship team. Forward Milan Lucic expressed his relief in being able to come away with the crucial two points on Thursday.

“It seemed like both teams weren’t really that sharp with their passing – it seemed like the puck was spinning all over the place and jumping off everyone’s sticks. I think (there were) a lot of blocked shots, a lot of shots that missed the net and [it was] just one of those games where you have to fight it through to get to the end and get to the result. For us, I don’t think it was our best effort but we found a way to win.” – Milan Lucic

KEY STATS

Goals–                       MON (1)                   BOS (2)

Shots–                       MON (34)                    BOS (30)

Power-Play–           MON (1-2)                   BOS (0-5)

Penalty-Kill–           MON (5-5)                    BOS (1-2)

• Ben’s Three Stars– ….. 3.) Jordan Caron  ….. 2.) Milan Lucic   ….. 1.) Tim Thomas

What’s Next?

From here the B’s will depart on a four-game road trip that will begin on Saturday evening in Carolina, when they face-off with Eric Staal’s ‘Canes for the final time in Raleigh this season. The trip will also see stops in Miami, Tampa Bay and New Jersey. The Habs will now return home for a Saturday contest with the red-hot Senators at the Bell Centre.

Thanks For Reading!

“LIKE” Us On Facebook: HockeyIndependent Bruins

Give Me A Shout On Twitter! : @BWoodward_HI

Or You Can E-Mail Me At BWoodward.HI@gmail.com

Now, with the year 2011 coming to a close tomorrow evening when the clock strikes midnight, I figured that now is as good a time as any take a step back and review some of the best moments of the 2011 calendar year for the Boston Bruins. Through a year with as much drama and excitement such as this, it was next to impossible to put these amazing events into such an order. If you asked five people to organize this set, I’m sure you’d get five totally different responses.

10.) Boston’s 8-6 “Old Time Hockey” Victory Over Montreal At TD Garden (February 9)

– In a game that featured back-and-forth hockey from two of the NHL’s biggest rivals, the Boston Bruins would deliver their first victory of the year against the hated Habs. Arguably the most memorable game of the regular season for Boston, the B’s and Habs played an exhilarating contest filled with goals, fights and mayhem galore en route to an 8-6 Bruins’ victory. A night of hard-nosed play from both sides lead to brawls and chippy-ness, including a fight between netminders Tim Thomas and Carey Price, a rare sight in today’s NHL. The game truly had the feel of one of those 1980′s Boston–Montreal classics that we hadn’t seen here in many years.

9.) Re-Signings Of Rich Peverley (October) And David Krejci (December)

– If you take a look at the past three winners of the Stanley Cup, the easily noticeable common denominator would be each team’s tremendous depth at the center position. Over the past few months, the Bruins and GM Peter Chiarelli have done an excellent job in assuring their team will remain among one of the league’s deepest team’s down the middle. The re-signings of Peverley ($9.75 MIL) and Krejci ($15.75 MIL) to new three year extensions have solidified the Bruins’ depth in the middle for many years to come.

8.) Selection Of Dougie Hamilton At The Entry Draft In Minnesota (June 24)

– The drafting of Niagara Ice Dogs defenseman Dougie Hamilton with the 9th overall selection of the 2011 NHL Entry was the entrance of the final chapter of the Phil Kessel trade. Despite not qualifying for a spot on the 2011-’12 Bruins’ roster, the 6’5″ Toronto native has been tearing it up for the Ice Dogs, posting points in games, and is expected to compete for a position with the big club in 2012-’13.

7.) The Acquisitions Of Rich Peverley And Chris Kelly (February)

– Arguably the two most versatile players to don the eight-spoked “B” in 2011, Peverley and Kelly came to Boston as part of under-the-radar acquisitions made by Chiarelli to sure up his team’s depth. Aiding Boston to it’s first Cup win in 39 years, the two have this year become cogs on the highly successful third line that has led the Black and Gold to first place in the Eastern Conference.

6.) Nathan Horton’s Third Period Goal In Game 7 Of The Eastern Conference Finals (May 27)

– In what was one of the greatest hockey games played at TD Garden in over a decade, the Bruins knocked off the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals to secure a ticket to their first Stanley Cup Final since 1990. Cashing in for the only goal of the night, in a 1-0 Tim Thomas shutout, it was Nathan Horton who would redirect a beautiful saucer pass from David Krejci past Dwayne Roloson to give Boston the lead, and the victory.

5.) Sweeping Of The Philadelphia Flyers In Round 2 Of The East Playoffs (May 6)

– Bruins’ fans in every nook and cranny of New England know the story of the 2010 post-season. Perhaps the worst moment in franchise history was the collapse at the hands of the Flyers in Round 2 of the 2010 Eastern Conference playoffs. The memory of 2010′s collapse undoubtedly made the Bruins’ 4-0 series sweep of the Flyers in the 2011 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals all that much sweeter.

4.) Nathan Horton’s Overtime Winner In Game 7 Against Montreal (April 27)

– After falling behind 2-0 in the first round of the 2011 playoffs after two straight home losses to the Montreal Canadiens, experts across the country wrote off the Bruins and left them for dead. However, the resiliency of the Bruins payed off as the B’s fought and clawed their way back to a 3-3 series tie and a 3-3 tie in overtime of game 7 at TD Garden. It was then that Nathan Horton blasted one past Habs’ netminder Carey Price to silence the ghosts of Game 7′s past and vault the B’s into the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Click here to view the embedded video.

3.) The Stanley Cup Banner Raising Ceremony (October 6)

– Despite the unfortunate outcome of the game that was played, a 2-1 loss at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers, opening night 2011 was undoubtedly the most memorable kick-off of a Bruins’ season in many years. The Bruins and their staff put together a truly special ceremony for their fans. Perhaps the best feature of the ceremony was the reenactment of the Cup-raising tradition that takes place after a team has secured Lord Stanley. With Game 7 of the Cup taking place in Vancouver, and Bruins’ fans being relegated to watching the original ceremony on television, the B’s staff decided to let their devoted fans get a chance to watch it live on Opening night. The night would conclude with the franchise’s sixth world title banner being securely raised to the rafters of the TD Garden.

2.) Rolling Rally Stanley Cup Championship Parade (June 18)

– On June 18, the entire city of Boston poured it’s heart out for it’s favorite hockey team as over one million New Englanders converged on the Hub for the celebration of the Bruins’ first Stanley Cup championship since 1972. Boston’s hockey roots truly shined through on this day as the B’s rolling produced the largest turnout for any Boston sports celebration ever, surpassing marks set this past decade by the Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots.

1.) Winning The Stanley Cup (June 15)

– This one needs little explanation. The most complete team in recent Bruins history ended the city’s 39-year Stanley Cup drought by quenching their fans’ thirst for victory with a 4-0 shutout of the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena to capture the sixth world championship in team history. June 15 will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest days in Boston sports history.

Thanks For Reading!

“LIKE” Us On Facebook: HockeyIndependent Bruins

Give Me A Shout On Twitter! : @BWoodward_HI

Or You Can E-Mail Me At BWoodward.HI@gmail.com

Tonight’s Line-Up (Subject To Change):

FORWARDS

Marchand–Bergeron–Seguin

Lucic–Krejci–Horton

Pouliot–Kelly–Peverley

Caron–Hamill–Thornton

DEFENSE

Seidenberg–Boychuk

Kampfer–Corvo

Ference–McQuaid

GOALTENDER

Rask

Thomas

Scratches– ….. Chara (Leg–OUT), Paille (Concussion — GTD), Campbell (Lower Body–OUT)

– Tonight’s game can be seen on NESN (Edwards, Brickley) and heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub (Goucher, Beers), the flagship radio station of the Boston Bruins.

NEWS & NOTES

– In net for Boston tonight will be their 24-year-old Finn Tuukka Rask, who steeped in o relieve Tim Thomas who allowed 3 goals in two periods in Columbus on Saturday. B’s head coach Claude Julien noted this morning that Thomas will be in net tomorrow night when the Black and Gold visit the Ottawa Senators at ScotiaBank Place. On the other side of the ice is Kings’ netminder Jonathan Quick. The UMass-Amherst product has been an absolute workhorse for the Crowns this season, starting 23 of his team’s 29 games.

– One day after firing head coach Terry Murray, the Kings will be playing their first game under the direction of interim bench boss John Stevens. Stevens takes the reigns amid rampant speculation that Kings’ GM and Ludlow, MA native Dean Lombardi has eyed former Flames’ coach Darryl Sutter for a possible hiring. Tonight’s game could very well be both the first and the last game for John Stevens as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings.

– Bruins’ agitator and beloved sports figure in the city of Boston Brad Marchand was today fined $2,500 by the NHL’s discipline committee on the heels of his slew footing of Penguins’ defenseman Matt Niskanen last Monday night in Pittsburgh. Coach Claude Julien denounced such actions, stating  “I want him to be a good brat, not a bad brat”.

– Former Philadelphia Flyers’ captain Mike Richards will be making his first appearance in the Hub since being dealt to Los Angeles this past June, in a deal that sent Wayne Simmonds, and top prospect Brayden Schenn back to Broad Street. Skating on the Kings’ second line this season, the 5’11″ native of Kenora, Ontario has posted 11-9-20 splits in 25 games of action.

From The Room:

Click here to view the embedded video.

B’s Captain Chara Speaks For The First Time Since Being Injured

Thanks For Reading!

“LIKE” Us On Facebook: HockeyIndependent Bruins

Give Me A Shout On Twitter! : @BWoodward_HI

Or You Can E-Mail Me At BWoodward.HI@gmail.com

On one side of the equation, the acquisition of Peverley has made Chiarelli look like nothing short of a genius. Not to undervalue the 8 goals and 17 assists Peverley has posted in 47 regular season games since joining the Black and Gold, but what has made no. 49 such an important factor in the Bruins’ success has been his other-worldly durability. The 6’0″ Kingston, Ontario native accounted for 4 goals and added 8 assists during Boston’s magical run to a Stanley Cup championship last spring, while being bounced around the line-up like a pinball.

Since donning the eight-spoked “B”, Peverley has seen time skating with every one of Boston’s four offensive units. Filling in for a suspended Daniel Paille, Peverley saw himself skating alongside Shawn Thornton and Gregory Campbell, a situation in which he had to adapt his game to a grinder-like style. When Nathan Horton was befallen with a concussion during the Stanley Cup finals, Peverley was able to step into an offensive role on Boston’s top line. Beginning this season on a line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, no. 49 used a strong defensive game to aid Boston’s shut-down unit. Nowadays, playing on the third line with Benoit Pouliot and Chris Kelly, Peverley does nothing but continue to produce, while making his line-mates look a lot better in the process.

Throughout his brief tenure in the Hub, Peverley’s versatility along with his  speed and hockey IQ have helped him prove just how valuable a commodity he is, while earning the love and respect of fans all across New England. On October 11, Chiarelli rewarded Peverley for his efforts, signing him to a new three year extension –valued at $9.75 MIL– that will keep no. 49 in Black and Gold until the end of the 2014-’15 season; something that hockey-crazed Boston fans are sure to appreciate.

“I really kind of enjoy the fact of committing to an Original Six team, coming to a place where hockey is a big deal.” – Rich Peverley

Here in Boston, many  like to villainize all that have ever played in the Hub, but since moved on –just ask Adam Vinatieri or Johnny Damon — even despite the personality of the player, or the reasoning behind his departure. This was no different when Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart paid their first trip to the Hub since the Thrashers’ move to Winnipeg this past summer on November 26 as both were booed when announced as part of the Jets’ starting lineup. For those who can look at the hockey world without a pair of Black and Gold colored glasses, it’s clear that the disdain Boston area fans show for the former no. 26 and no. 45 is unwarranted.

Wheeler and Stuart –who must of had a hard time watching their former teammates make their run for Lord Stanley while they were seated on the couch –however, are not complaining about their situation and in fact are embracing their new opportunity to thrive in a hockey-driven city like Winnipeg.

“It‘s been unbelievable. Hearing about it doesn‘t really do it justice I guess is the best way to put it. These people have been starving for something like this for so long and they‘re just thrilled to have us there. Any time you see full houses and fans that are really into the game and care, it’s a lot of fun to play in front of.” – Blake Wheeler

The two former members of the Black and Gold seem to be hitting their stride out in Winnipeg, improving their game and being rewarded with an increased role on Claude Noel’s Jets squad. Early in the season, Stuart was given the honor of wearing a letter on his sweater as he was elected alternate captain by his teammates. While the always humble blueliner refused to take credit for it, there is little doubt that the young players in that room are taking direction and learning from a wily old vet like Stuart.

“We are quite a young team. There has to be that collective leadership I think. We got some good leaders in this room, guys that are young. It doesn’t matter how old you are, everybody can be a leader. Guys have stepped up and done really well.” – Mark Stuart

Along with the “A” sewn onto his new Winnipeg threads, Stuart was also assigned the task of playing top-pairing minutes for the Jets, alongside the offensively gifted Dustin Byfuglien. “I just play my game, which is defensive to start with,  staying back and letting him get up in the play” added Stuart when asked about what it’s like playing with a player who is not afraid to take risks and jump up into the offense.

For Wheeler, the chance to get away from a place where he was often banished to third line duty, simply because of the amazing depth on the Boston roster, was going to be a great opportunity for the 6’5″ winger from Robbinsdale, Minnesota. Wheeler has most certainly embraced that challenge, stepping up his game and earning a spot on Winnipeg’s top line. “You try not to let up any nights. I try to bring my A-game every night. You want to bring the best for your teammates every night. And if  your teammates are doing the same then you’re going to have a good team” said Wheeler. Riding shotgun with highly skilled forwards Evander Kane and Bryan Little, Wheeler has posted 15 points (2G/13A) in 27 games for the Jets.

“I think speed is our biggest asset, all three of us. We try to move the puck down the ice as fast as possible. All three of us can make plays and put the puck in the net. We feed pretty well off each other.” — Blake Wheeler

As we sit on a cold December day in Boston (likely even colder in Winnipeg), ten months after the trade, it’s become clear to all that this deal between Chiarelli and Waddell (too bad Waddell didn’t keep his job long enough to see it) worked out remarkably for both the teams and the players involved. Part of what has been a tremendously successful tenure in Boston, Chiarelli continues to pull off one masterful move after the other. What was once thought of as a “tweak move” by both teams, this swap  has turned into one of the most impressive  under-the-radar trades in recent memory.

Thanks For Reading!

“LIKE” Us On Facebook: HockeyIndependent Bruins

Give Me A Shout On Twitter! : @BWoodward_HI

Or You Can E-Mail Me At BWoodward.HI@gmail.com

Entering the season it was clear what the Ducks were: A team with a plethora of high-end talent at the top of their lineup, but also a team that lacked the depth necessary to compete in the Western Conference. Through the 23 games Anaheim has played in this season, that fact has been reiterated more times than Ducks’ fans can count. With the exception of Teemu Selanne, the Ducks’ so called “second line” of Saku Koivu (4-7-11) , Andrew Cogliano (5-4-9)  and Brandon McMillan (0-3-3) has produced a dismally low total of 9 goals and 14 assists in a combined 69 games of action.

A lack of production from the second and third lines is nothing new for Anaheim, what’s ailed the Ducks in 2011 has been the abnormally poor play of the “R-P-G Line” of Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Through 23 games in this season, the Ducks’ top line has only accounted for 21 goals, 32 assists and 53 points. To make matters worse, the three of them are a combined -29 on the season!

With no clear solution in sight, and GM Bob Murray handcuffed by strict budget constraints, the team does not have many options to right the ship. While many believe head coach Randy Carlyle is on the hot seat, it’s yet to be proven if ownership in the O.C. would allow for him to be fired, being that he just recently signed a multi-year contract extension.

Well, according to Sportsnet’s Daren Millard, who last night reported via Twitter that an NHL executive had told Nick Kypreos (Rogers Sportsnet) that GM Bob Murray is shopping Bobby Ryan. With it being reported last week that team captain Ryan Getzlaf was untouchable and defending Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry clearly off-limits, the notion of trading Ryan seems completely feasible. The 24-year-old Cherry Hill, NJ native has averaged 33 goals over the past three seasons and has registered 8 playoff tallies in 17 career post-season games.

This leads me to the Bruins, and the early-season struggles of 24-year-old Czech center David Krejci. Let’s go over a few of the pros and cons of a potential Krejci for Ryan blockbuster.

Pros:

– With Krejci slated to become a restricted free agent at year’s end, it is unknown what the price tag will be for the Bruins to keep no. 46 in Black and Gold. Ryan, on the other hand is signed to a very team-friendly contract that pays him $5.1 MIL this season and for the next three seasons afterwards.

– Moving Krejci would allow the Bruins to move Tyler Seguin back to his natural position of center. If Boston is to commit long term to Krejci it would create a log-jam down the middle, with either he or Seguin being relegated to third line duty.

– A player like Bobby Ryan would not only give the Bruins the legitimate top-line scorer that they’ve been without since the departure of Phil Kessel, but it would also give them a second threat in the shootout to match up with Seguin.

Cons:

– Perhaps the fear of disturbing the locker room chemistry of the defending Stanley Cup Champions is the biggest hurdle in a potential B’s–Ducks swap. Will Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli be willing to take that risk?

– As reported by the Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont, it would take more than just David Krejci in order for the B’s to pry Ryan lose from the Ducks’ grasp. Dupont points out, Boston might have to part with prized defense prospect Dougie Hamilton and  a 2nd round pick as well as David Krejci in return for Ryan.

– Despite his phenomenal point-per-game start to the season, it’s unclear in the Bruins’ brass believes that Tyler Seguin is ready to take on a full-time role as a top-six center in the NHL.

– If the B’s are to unload perhaps their the their three biggest trade assets in a deal for Ryan, it leaves them with an inability to make a deadline deal for a legitimate no. 2 defenseman, which is arguably their biggest need.

This of course is all merely speculation at this point, but with multiple reports indicating Ryan’s availability, why not have a little fun? If your Peter Chiarelli, would you deal Krejci, Hamilton and a pick for Bobby Ryan?

Thanks For Reading!

“LIKE” Us On Facebook: HockeyIndependent Bruins

Give Me A Shout On Twitter! : @BWoodward_HI

Or You Can E-Mail Me At BWoodward.HI@gmail.com

Last week we looked at the Isles offense and asked if the makeup of the lines would lead to enough scoring to make playoffs hopes a reality. This week we look deep at the bigger and more porous issue of the last few years…The defense.

Late last season, I was told that the Islanders would be far more focused on defense than offense in the offseason. This came true as offensively, they only added to the 4th line with two upgrades. It was the defense that would become their focal point, feeling that bandaids added two summers back was just too little.

We saw this in the Isles move for the rights to Christian Ehrhoff. The Islanders had high hopes to make them their #2 guy, allowing those like Hamonic, de Haan, Ness and even MacDonald to gain their way developing at their pace to fill out an eventual to be their defense. Leaving room at the bottom, and sealing up the top with more than Streit is why they let Hillen and Martinek walk. They had bigger longterm plans and it was finally time to start making room.

Alas, in free agency, they were unable to seal up that spot. Frustrated, yet gung ho, Garth Snow, who never divulges plans, let Katie Strang know that he was planning to make a trade to to get that #2-3 guy that they needed.

As late July came around, the Isles moved Hunter for Rolston. It was then that rumors flew that another deal was about to happen, likely with the unsigned Blake Comeau. But when August 1st shattered Charles Wang’s feeling of Nassau County support, they changed tactics and whatever and whoever that would have attached extra cap was scrapped.

Since then, defense has held, even though they still feel that they’d like to improve that area, specially as de Haan develops in the minors. Thus, as Blake Comeau, signed at a very reasonable rate compared to his and his agents asking price this summer, is once again in a new Isles coaches doghouse, the rumors and feeling is that Comeau might again be shopped for some reasonable improvement in an area the Isles brass feel is paramount for any kind of playoff hope.

It remains to be seen if the Isles can even get anything more than picks and prospects, despite Comeau’s 20 goal consistency. I think that #2 dman is far fetched via trade when we know that the Isles are reticent to deal any rebuild pieces thus far. Nobody deals something for little unless trying to make cap room in a rush…and we are past that point, ladies and gents.

So we are stuck with the Usual Suspects, with Jurcina as the 7th man, replacing Bruno Gervais who had hit a ceiling almost 4 seasons ago. He comes with wingspan and size, even if the play is sometimes inconsistent. I dare think that nobody would disagree that this is a clear upgrade.

Eaton remains a smart mid-defender to have, but one has to think if ever Comeau is dealt to upgrade the D, Eaton might have to go along to be a stopgap IF the other team doesn’t have a crowded backline.

It is more Mottau that would be the expendable one here.

So, chances are this D is what we are left with unless Garth can pry an upgrade, which would allow them the room to keep Matt Martin up front if they did deal Comeau.

So don’t hold your breath for any changes unless Isles get desperate. And at only 6 games, the Isles are far from anything near that.

READ ANYTHING GOOD, OR PERHAPS YOU WROTE ONE YOURSELF? Let us know in the comments or email me at bd@hockeyindependent.com

To follow BD on Twitter Click Here
To follow BD on Google+ Click Here
LinkedIn: Click Here
Facebook: Click Here

Well here we are, on the cusp of another Isles season. It’s been a long haul for the Islanders faithful last few seasons, if not last 15 years. It has been very tolling on most hardcore fans over the Nassau Coliseum situation. As I warned back on August 1st and in subsequent blogs, no RFP went to Queens. So a lot will still cause us fans much anxious moments as the roller-coaster of Isles futures further capitulates us to and fro from our seats, our hands aching from gripping the bar. We will go deeper into that soon enough, but now its time for some checking of the magnifying glass to see what we have with these 2011-2012 NY Islanders.

Offense:

Line 1: The All Star, His Pal, and The Rookie

It has been heart warming to watch John Tavares be exactly as we all hoped, growing to the player that seems to be leading the team in scoring and being the first line center. Tavares is on the cusp of all star level. So when things changed this summer from Charles after the August 1st debacle, Garth moved fast to wrap up their biggest asset for the next 6 years.

Loyalty to the home team is something that the Islanders clearly look for with those psych testing and analysis when drafting players. By doing so, they assure a straight course for the rebuild, which finds players who will stick with it and with Long Island. This attribute, which many other teams do NOT do, is brilliant and the results have quieted the cacophony of lame guesswork and conjecture by many in media who thought Tavares would not want to be on LI, nor remain.

In your face, suckers!

Watch as the rest of the Isles core also will buy in for the long haul, naysayers. For the Islanders process might be on par with none other than the Oakland A’s on breaking the mold to the NHL’s old school team building.

With Moulson, Tavares’s buddy, you have a nice finesse and handler who also will ride the first line this season. He needs to grow a bit more to break past 60 points, which needs to happen if the Isles want to make the playoffs. First lines really need to find a 70-80 range, and though Tavares seems ready to break through, I am not that sure Moulson is there just yet or if his ceiling is quite at that level. This might be the the test of Moulson being a first liner past this season.

Nino, aka the rookie, evidently has shown enough in the preseason and camp already to displace Parenteau to line 3. This was a battle many thought, including myself, that would carry on over the course of the season. So kudos to El Nino to already being tried and poised to be there at the start of the season. By doing so, it puts him in the drivers seat for the Calder. How many rookies get placed on a first line? Moreover, when the team has some realistic hopes and mission to make the playoffs? It is a ballsy move by the coach and GM. The payoff MUST be over 50 points for Nino to belong there, and for these Isles to playoff bound… Even 10-20 points more is needed. Clearly there are big expectations for the rookie.

Line 2: Growing Up

Line two is the defensive wunderkind Frans Nielsen, who is in the final year of his own contract. His competition this season is with third line center, Josh Bailey. Whoever develops and clearly becomes Isles third line center of the future is between these two (Strome will be #2 center down line). After this season, there might be only one…so watch this one play out.

The second line is another line that must blow up, and it is Kyle Okposo who might hold the key for that to happen. Okposo has everything down playing-wise, except for the tally on the stat chart. He must find it this season to take the next step.

Michael Grabner, with the Isles unlicensed Warner Bros. Gremlins shirt being sold in their official store, has been a waiver wonder. 34 goals clearly shows that Florida gave up far too soon on their prospect, who instead got opportunity and reprieve on the Islanders. This year needs that and more from him.

The 2nd line must produce, and with Grabs, that will likely happen.

Line 3: The Expendables?

Line 3 for the isles will also be an offensive line, used much like line 1 and 2. Here might be some things that will be interesting to watch. Josh Bailey is very much in his make or break year, never mind that he got a two year contract. This is the year that he shows promise to what the Isles projected, or becomes a low cost piece to deal come deadline or next summer.

The same also can be said on the tradability of his line counterpart, Blake Comeau. The kid is capable of 20-25 goals. However, Blake pre-dates the Isles system, and he was someone whose rights were being shopped around not too long ago before coming to a contract agreement. That contract agreement, by the way, is very frugal and attractive for what might be his likely being shopped later on.

P.A. Parenteau shifts from line 1 to here, for now. Will his numbers be the same? Not likely.

BUT, if Josh Bailey and Blake Comeau come on strong in key years, PA’s will also follow. The Isles do need this line to be more than expendable to make a playoff run. So if this line falters or these key cogs fail to up the ante, then there will be some changes. This line is the most likely to see some changes if things don’t go well.

 Line 4: The Depth of Vets

If you have not noticed, it looks like Haley and Gillies are more set to revolve in as-needed. Gillies will remain with the big club. This leaves the vets to fill it out…

Brian Rolston, Jay Pandolfo/Matt Martin, Marty Reasoner – grinders and with some speed. Some scoring. Some of everything.

Above all, as injuries are bound to happen, these players have enough upside and ability to also play on other lines. This provides a depth that the Isles have not seen in a long, long time.

So, in conclusion, for the Isles to achieve the playoffs, a few things NEED to happen here on offense. Lots of question, luckily, this season is where we will have some answers. Even some answers to the long term rebuild.

It’s only been a few months since an earthquake-like rumbling was felt around the National Hockey League, as the Philadelphia Flyers traded away two of their most important players.

From the moment he joined the Los Angeles Kings, Mike Richards has been asked a lot of questions about his now former teammate and best friend, Jeff Carter.

Yet, there’s another person from that dressing room who helped play a small part in shaping him into the person he is today…

“Lappy was – I can’t put into words, how loyal and honest and hardworking…there’s a lot of words I could use to describe him,” said Richards when reflecting on the impact Ian Laperriere has had on him.

“He was somebody who helped me out and guided me in the right direction sometimes when things were frustrating. When things aren’t going very well he just seems to have that sense of calmness about him, where no matter what’s going on he kinda puts things in perspective. He’s a guy who keeps everybody loose around the dressing room. He and I had a unique relationship and it’s something where I was pretty privileged to play with him for a year.”

Laperriere was on MayorsManor soon after the Kings announced their acquisition of Richards back in June. He described the former Flyers captain as a ‘leadership kind of guy’ and somebody who ‘the bigger the game is, the bigger his game is.’

To read the full interview with Laperriere – where he talks more about Richards, the feud with Chris Pronger, leadership of Dustin Brown and impression of Kyle Clifford - click here.

The Mayor

www.twitter.com/MayorNHL

www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

RELATED ARTICLES:

Mike Richards has ideas to help the LA Kings power play

Mike Richards is ready for his first game with Kings – talks ‘hatred’ for Rangers

Exclusive – Jim Fox on LA Kings trade for Mike Richards

During a conversation with coach Terry Murray just a few days after the Kings were eliminated from the playoffs, he acknowledged that Wayne Simmonds “hit a bit of a wall” last season.

It wasn’t that surprising of a statement from the coach though. After all, Simmonds saw his goals, assists and penalty minutes decline from the year prior.

Murray went on to say this would be a crucial summer in Simmonds’ development – one in which he would need to analyze his self and his game.

Even so, those weren’t cryptic statements about a winger needing to be traded. He was simply describing part of the natural evolution some players need to go though.

Coupled with the fact that Simmonds seemed to find his game in the playoffs, some people were slightly caught off guard when he was included in the trade for Mike Richards. Others saw it as simply moving value to get value.

By all accounts, Simmonds was well liked by his teammates – especially those that sat around him in the locker room – i.e. Brad Richardson, Kyle Clifford, etc.

Recently, I spoke with Jarret Stoll and Alec Martinez about the loss of Simmonds…

Stoll – “He’s going to be a very good player, he is a very good player. It’s tough. You have to give up some good players to get a guy like Mike Richards. And we did that. It sucks for a guy like Wayne, and to lose him. But, we have to look forward and look at the team we have now. I wish him all the best in Philly. He’s a great guy, he was roommate on the road. We had some good times together and some good talks. He’s a good kid. He’ll figure it out in Philly and he’s going to be a well liked player there, for sure.”

Martinez – “As a younger guy (on the team), I hung out with him a lot. So, I was disappointed to see him go. He’s a good kid and he’s one of our buddies. But, you have to think about when you get a great addition like Mike Richards you’re going to have to give up something really great too. Wayne’s a good kid, good buddy and obviously a really good player.”

Simmonds, Richards, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, etc.  It’s a story that won’t die down anytime soon – especially considering the Flyers and Kings will meet up in the fourth game of the season.

To read Murray’s full comments on Simmonds from his season-ending exit interview, click here.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

RELATED ARTICLES:

Kings coach already juggling lines for next season

Mike Richards has ideas to help the LA Kings power play

Trevor Lewis ready to make noise at center or wing

Exclusive interview with Colin Fraser – talking Ryan Smyth trade, injury, etc.

Coach Terry Murray selects his Kings Rookie of the Year

Mike Richards on his first game as a King, ‘hatred’ for the Rangers

Ian Laperriere on the Mike Richards – Chris Pronger feud in Philadelphia

After the sticker shock began to wear off Avs fans realized that they could have been looking at a season of Peter Budaj and Brian Elliott in net. Remember a season of Budaj and Raycroft between the pipes? That was psychotherapy waiting to happen for the Colorado faithful. The satisfaction comes from knowing that the team is at least making a complete change in goal.

The dire warnings of an injury-prone Varly are causing me to flinch, a little. With good reason, I sometimes wonder if there are voodoo dolls of Tomas Fleishmann, Peter Mueller and Kyle Quincey and someone is sticking them full of needles. Is Greg Sherman guilty of not looking closely enough at injury histories or is it bad juju and a black cat? A 23-year-old athlete is a bit too young to be labeling as injury-prone. I’m not too worried.

I mentioned here that I thought the Avs and Caps might be able to work something out (as well as asking rhetorically why Vokoun would want to come here). And while I’m cautiously optimistic about yet another goalie that is lacking an entire season under his belt, the Avs did shore up the number two spot nicely with a wily veteran. Another shot in the dark goalie? Perhaps. It’s odd how Varly and Craig Anderson are similar in that way but the Anderson signing was quickly characterized as brilliant and this one has the stink of failure about it before the ink was dry. The difference is of course that first round pick.

Let’s look at some Avalanche first rounders over the years. Anyone want to trade Scott Parker for Varly? I’m in on that action. C’mon, admit it, he was a favorite but wouldn’t you make that trade knowing half the equation? How about Marc Denis, Martin Skoula, or Wojtek Wolski? All first round picks and decent ones at that. And now the guys that amounted to a pile of dog doo:
Peter Ratchuk.
Kevin Grimes.
Mikhail Kuleshov.
Jonas Johansson.
Vaclav Nedorost.

Those players amount to more than half of the Avs first round picks over franchise history. That’s a lot of big bust and mediocre talent.  It’s not so much an indictment of the Avs scouting capabilities as it’s a statement that the draft is a crap-shoot. I think this trade is worth the risk.

I seriously doubt the Avs gave up a statistically viable lottery pick for next year. You know: a pick that actually has a decent chance of moving up. Even if the Avs finish out of the playoffs by one spot, the odds they will move up appreciably in the draft via the lottery are…Spock? What are the odds? Right, astronomical. Stop the hissy-fit drama class.

I’ll take the young kid over the old vet in this situation. Varlamov could be here for many years. Odds are Vokoun wouldn’t last long, he is 35-years-old after all.

Excellent Avalanche blogger Jibblescribbits was one of the first to light the calming incense in Avs nation; you really ought to check out his interesting angle on the situation.

Yet, leave it to Dean Lombardi to throw that one out the window.

First, he made a huge trade with the Flyers, acquiring their captain Mike Richards in exchange for a package that included hockey’s number one prospect, Brayden Schenn.

Then, hours later, he dropped another bomb on the conference call – yes, Ryan Smyth DID ask for a trade.

As discussed here on MayorsManor earlier in the week, Smyth’s team of preference was the Oilers. And our poll showed fans were split on what the Kings should expect in return (results here).

Lombardi, known for his honesty when answering these type of questions, was his usual blunt self…

“This has kind of evolved over the last two months, actually. When Ryan asked to be moved, at first I was really troubled. Ryan, in our first 40 games last year I thought he was one of our better players. He kind of tailed off a little and then, in the playoffs, was one of our best players. And certainly, left wing, it’s not one of our strongest positions. So first off, my reaction was, `No way,’ and I couldn’t figure out why, because I think Ryan had adapted well.”

Over the course of several subsequent conversations, Lombardi came to a sort of peace with the idea – “He was very clear that it had nothing to do with hockey, that it was strictly for his family, that he wanted to go home. I thought about it (for) a week or so and talked to his agent and said, `If it’s a hockey issue, I would not approve of this, because if it’s coaching, the power play, his ice time, who he’s playing with, these are things that we will work through.’ But if it’s a personal thing, a family issue, it’s hard to argue with that and have a player that’s not going to be happy.”

What now? Well, the trade is likely to come at the draft - “I’ve primarily dealt with three teams, and particularly two right now. This kind of hit the front burner last week, in terms of coming out publicly, because of the predicament I was in. I was talking to other teams about getting a left winger if Ryan goes, and teams say, `Why is he going?’ and I had to explain it to them. I tried to move this along because I have to replace him. I’m not in a great position here. We’re just going to have to adapt. I’ve talked to one team a number of times, and they’ve been very forthright in trying to piece it together. I hope to have that wrapped up here in a day or two.”

Although he (somewhat) jokingly said “Maybe he changes his mind now that Mike Richards is in our lineup, I don’t know,” it doesn’t appear that’s going to happen. For family reasons, Smyth wants to return to Canada.

Lombardi went on to say “It’s an awkward situation. I’ve never had this before. It’s nothing I’ve certainly ever planned on. I think his contract is very favorable, in terms of the cash and (it being) the last year, but we’ve got to adjust to it.”

* * * * * * * * * * * *

UPDATE I:
Ryan Smyth is about to test the theory that you can’t go home again.

In a deal that came together after the Calgary Flames are believed to have entered the race, the Oilers agreed to send Gilbert Brule and a fourth round draft pick to the Kings in exchange for Captain Canada.

Brule, a center, is under contract for one more year but is most likely being bought out.

He was a first round draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets back in 2005 and was traded to the Oilers in 2008.  At this point, his talents – even though seven goals in 41 games last season aren’t bad numbers - are probably not enough to crack the roster in Los Angeles. Thus, all of Smyth’s salary comes off the books and frees up GM Dean Lombardi‘s budget just a week before NHL free agency opens up next Friday.

Smyth, a left wing, was a top goal and point producer for the Kings this season.  So, his departure creates a real hole in coach Terry Murray’s offense.  Expect the Kings to be active in the weeks to come while looking for a solution.

For a look back at key moments in Smyth’s career – including his very first NHL game, played between the Oilers and Kings at the Forum in Inglewood - check out this article I did with him earlier this season.

* * * * * * * * * * * *
update II: Although neither team has confirmed the trade yet, Don Meehan (Smyth’s agent) confirmed it to Yahoo Sports Canada

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Update III – it looks like the deal, even though confirmed by several sources, never was 100% done as far the NHL was concerned.  It may still happen.  However, at this time, the health of Brule is causing some issues with the deal.  If he’s injured, the Kings can’t buy him out.  Calgary looks to be back in now.  Stay tuned.  It’s still not over.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

plenty more Los Angeles Kings notes on www.MayorsManor.com

twitter.com/PenguinsMarchHockey Independent on Facebook

When one analyses the link between the Thrashers’ on-ice and off-ice difficulties, some may proffer that the club’s inability to sign a contract extension with superstar forward Ilya Kovalchuk, the best player in franchise history, and his subsequent trade on February 4, 2010 kickstarted the process that saw the NHL leave Atlanta again.  It is always hard to prove whether one discrete event is causative but clearly the Kovalchuk deal was not the beginning but the end of a long line of red-letter transactions that hampered the Thrashers.

A snapshot: Patrik Stefan, a mediocre player: the franchise’s first-ever first overall draft pick in 1999 … trading 21-year old defenceman Braydon Coburn to Philadelphia for 34-year old blueliner Alexei Zhitnik, one year away from leaving the NHL, at the 2007 trade deadline…

Strangely, the Pittsburgh Penguins inadvertently found themselves intersecting with Atlanta’s demise over the last four seasons.  At the 2008 trade deadline the Thrashers, destined to finish second-to-last in the Eastern Conference, traded star right wing Marian Hossa and left wing Pascal Dupuis to Pittsburgh for young forwards Erik Christensen and Colby Armstrong, 19-year old junior prospect Angelo Esposito and the Penguins’ first-round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft who turned out to be centre Daultan Leveille.

In the previous season, Hossa became the first Thrasher ever to score 100 points in a season and he would go on to lead the Penguins in playoff goals during their run to the 2008 Stanley Cup Final while Dupuis blossomed into a versatile forward, scoring 49 goals and 115 points in 249 games with Pittsburgh.  In contrast, Christensen and Armstrong combined to produce 48 goals and 103 points in 236 games for Atlanta.  Yes, when Armstrong migrated south, he no longer had Sidney Crosby feeding him the puck while Dupuis often saw top-line “Crosby” minutes in Pittsburgh.  However, the main point is that with one man, Dupuis, the afterthought of the deal, the Pens in the long-term essentially maintained the production of two players they traded away.

Christensen and Armstrong are no longer with the Thrashers and Esposito has languished in the AHL, never having played a game in the NHL after showing flashes of goal-scoring skill during his days in the Quebec major junior ranks.  Leveille finished his third year at Michigan State in 2010-11 and is still a few years away from possibly playing professional hockey.

How about 2004 first round choice Boris Valabik, selected tenth overall by Atlanta?  In a draft where the Thrashers could have chosen Drew Stafford, Travis Zajac or Andrej Meszaros, they tabbed Valabik who has played just 80 NHL games in his career and has since moved on to the Boston Bruins where he played for their AHL affiliate in 2010-11.  Unfortunately, Valabik will best be remembered for being the awkward victim in a truly bizarre post-goal brawl in Philips Arena.  In a game on December 18, 2008, several Pens and Thrashers mixed it up moments after Atlanta scored late in the first period.  While Valabik was occupied with fighting Pittsburgh defenceman Kris Letang, Crosby inexplicably jumped in to take a few shots at Valabik including one or two from behind … and well, um … just watch:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Fast forward to this season.  On December 22, 2010, Atlanta Spirit Group, the consortium of eight owners who owned the Thrashers, finally settled a prolonged internal dispute when disgruntled – some would say disruptive – co-owner Steve Belkin was removed from the group.  Six nights later, the Thrashers arrived in Pittsburgh hoping to avoid a season-high four game losing streak.  They couldn’t.  Crosby scored twice including a highlight-reel, splitting-the-D goal to add to the hat trick he dumped on Atlanta at the beginning of the month.

As the winter progressed, it became apparent that new investors were being sought to help finance and keep the cash-strapped team in Atlanta.  On the verge of a summer of unknowns, guess who visited Philips Arena for the season finale?

The Pittsburgh Penguins, of course.

In a cruel twist of fate, the Thrashers concluded their time in Atlanta with a loss, 5-2 to the visitors and the game’s 2nd star, scoring a goal and an assist, was Pascal Dupuis.  The loss meant that of all 14 Eastern Conference foes, the Thrashers suffered the most at the hands of Pittsburgh, falling to 11-28-0-5 in 44 games.

Add the Penguins to a list of odd and inadvertent factors that doomed NHL hockey in Atlanta.

Kings GM Dean Lombardi recently met with a group of about 500 season ticket holders – whom he repeatedly referred to as the team’s shareholders – at their training facility in El Segundo, CA.

Backing him up were Jeff Solomon (VP of Hockey Operations) and Ron Hextall (Assistant General Manager).

Among the topics covered were the power play (or lack thereof), the play of Drew Doughty, Brad Richards, Dustin Penner, Kyle Clifford, Wayne Simmonds, head shots, fighting, etc.

Here are some of the key highlights:

(note: all comments were from Lombardi unless otherwise noted)

* [topic: Marco Sturm] The biggest thing with Sturm was mental, it’s tough coming back from an injury like that. “Not everybody is like Tony Granato, who was like a kamikaze pilot when he came back.”

* When Scott Parse went down with the injury at the start of the season Lombardi set his sights on three players – Sturm, Penner and one other player (unnamed). The unnamed player was probably not going to be available and it would have cost the Kings quite a bit to pry him from his team. In hindsight, he said he probably should have sent Sturm to the minors first. However, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said that wouldn’t have been an option because he had a deal in place with the Washington Capitals if the Kings didn’t acquire him (remember, Sturm had to waive his no trade clause to come to LA – so, he probably wouldn’t have waived it to start in Manchester)

* [Why is Richard Clune in Manchester and not on the NHL roster?] Hextall took this one and essentially said ‘Kyle Clifford took his spot.’

* [What's wrong with the power play?] It’s many things – need to gain the zone more with possession, battle in front of net, and the team is short on skill (i.e. compared to Vancouver). Plus, if Drew Doughty had played the first half like he has lately, the conversion percentage would be higher. Plus, you need “really skilled players to become unpredictable on the power play and we’re a little short there.”

* [Thoughts on head shots and fighting in the league] Lombardi: “I’ve already been penalized $50,000 AND I’m on probation. So, let’s hear from Ron Hextall on this one.” Hextall went on to explain that players need to have more respect for each other and fighting is an essential part of the game.

* Regarding Hextall saying there is too much diving and faking in league, Lombardi added “Wayne Simmonds and Kyle Clifford are two of the most honest players” in the league.

* Lombardi is not a fan of all the rumor mongering that goes on in sports today and society as a whole. Specifically, he said don’t read any stupid rumors you hear before July 1st – Drew Doughty isn’t going anywhere! A new contract will get done at some point. There has been dialogue. They just haven’t landed on the ultimate numbers yet.

* [Oscar Moller] He made the team two years ago because the Kings weren’t a good team. Now, he is learning what it takes to make the NHL. It’s exciting to watch Andrei Loktionov and Moller together in Manchester. If you watch a Monarchs game, “you don’t find Loktionov on the ice, he finds you.”

* [Will small players like Moller, Jordan Weal, Brandon Kozun, etc. ever get a shot in LA?] I know we get accused of being Flyers-West, but we’re not looking to only ice a team of guys 6’4″ or taller. Moller and Loktionov are very creative players and I expect one or both of them to eventually make the NHL.

* [Dustin Penner] Without the pressure of the big contract he was playing under in Edmonton “he can go back to just playing good hockey” and thinks he’ll be a good fit for the LA Kings.

* [Will the Kings be interested in Brad Richards come July 1st?]  I don’t want to be fined anymore that I already have.  So, sorry, I’m not going to comment on any players currently under contract with another team.

* [Derek Forbort] Hextall says the Kings first round pick last June is probably three to four years away from making the NHL. He had a decent first half of his freshman college season (then was very ill), had a mediocre World Junior tournament and has played better of late for the number one ranked team in the country, University of North Dakota.

* [Thomas Hickey] “This is the first year the coaches in Manchester trust him” and that’s part of the reason they’ve made him the assistant captain. Besides the injuries, over the last few years he’s been trying to justify his draft slot. He needs to work on “skating and creating his own space on the ice.”

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL (follow for daily Kings updates, interviews, etc.)
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

RELATED ARTICLES:

Interview with Tony Granato – talking about Dean Lombardi

Interview with Kelly Hrudey – talking about Dean Lombardi

Dustin Penner on PennerMania

Two Minutes In The Box…with Andrei Loktionov

Interview with Jordan Weal

twitter.com/PenguinsMarchHockey Independent on Facebook

Twenty eight days.  Fourteen games.  Ten on the road including a four-game road trip and a five-game road trip.

So what happened during the month from Hades?  Starting with a Super Bowl Sunday matinee shutout loss at Washington until tonight’s dramatic 3-2 overtime win at Boston, the Penguins went 4-6-4.  Despite this stretch of mediocrity and even more names added to the ranks of an already-bloated injured list, the Penguins still only trail Philadelphia by two points in the Atlantic and still lead Washington by four in the Conference standings (though it should be noted Philadelphia has played three less games and Washington two less games than the Penguins).

Rookie Dustin Jeffrey scored a go-ahead second period goal plus the overtime winner this evening at 1:52 of the extra session as the Penguins completed a five-game road trip with a statement-making victory at Boston.  The statement was: “We’re not hanging our heads because of our injuries. We’re still going to compete.”  The Bruins established an early physically-punishing tempo and Pittsburgh responded, accepting and delivering big hits including James Neal’s shoulder-to-shoulder check on Bruins’ behemoth Zdeno Chara.  Boston’s big defenceman opened the scoring by walking uncontested to the high slot and rifling a shot by Marc-Andre Fleury.

But the Pens responded less than three minutes later when Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy collaborated on a 2-on-1.  Kennedy, who has scored 8 goals and 11 points in his last 15 games, caught Tim Thomas leaning and sent one more pass to Jordan Staal who tapped it into the net.  Seventy seconds later, Jeffrey snapped a shot through traffic to give Pittsburgh an abrupt 2-1 lead.  David Krejci evened the score with 33 seconds left in regulation when he one-timed a pass from the low slot with Thomas pulled.

In overtime, Boston defenceman Dennis Seidenberg tried to make an outlet pass to Michael Ryder but Jeffrey picked it off near centre.  Jeffrey streaked down the right wing, curled past a flat-footed Seidenberg then flipped the puck through Thomas to end the game and Boston’s seven game win streak.  It was the fourth consecutive game the Penguins have played that has gone past regulation.  The five-game road trip ended 2-1-2 for the Pens, an acceptable result considering they took 3 out of 4 possible points in the last 24 hours from the two hottest teams in the Conference, New Jersey and Boston.

Thus the Penguins emerged from the month from Hades burned but not engulfed, bloodied but very much alive.  Part of the reason for optimism is that several injured players have either returned to active duty or are close to returning.  Letestu returned triumphantly last Saturday, scoring in a shootout win at Toronto.  Jeffrey, injured in a home overtime win against Los Angeles on February 10, missed six games but also scored in last Saturday’s game, his second contest since returning.  Chris Kunitz, who carried much of the offensvie load in January, suffered an injury around the time of the loss at Washington on Super Bowl Sunday and has missed thirteen games since that day but has skated at several recent practices and could return Tuesday night against Buffalo.

Others who missed time during the last month: Matt Cooke was suspended for four games and Eric Godard for ten games.  Eric Tangradi suffered a concussion from a hit to the head during the infamous fight-filled game at Long Island.  Defenceman Brooks Orpik broke a finger blocking a shot against San Jose and missed all five games of the latest road trip and will be out at least three more weeks.  Fellow blueliner Paul Martin was checked from behind in Chicago and missed four games.

As injured players eventually return to the lineup and as snipers James Neal and Alexei Kovalev and defenceman Matt Niskanen, all added at the trade deadline, acclimatize to their teammates tendencies and the systems and strategies employed by coach Dan Bylsma, the Penguins will likely score and win more often than the past four weeks during the remaining fifteen games in March and April.  Above all, receiving consistently solid goaltending from Fleury remains the overwhelmingly most important factor on which Pittsburgh’s playoff success stands.

As for Crosby, it is pointless to speculate on his potential availability for the remainder of the regular season or playoffs.  Presently, no one knows – not even Crosby himself.  The team’s chances at winning the Stanley Cup are obviously greatly reduced if he does not return but the reconstructed Penguins will be an exciting and competitive team with or without him this spring.

Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi paid a steep price on Monday to acquire the player he needed.

Or did he?

In Dustin Penner he got a 29-year old left wing who’s under contract for one more year and brings plenty of size, at 6’4″ 250 lbs.

The deal was Penner for Colten Teubert (a former first round pick), the Kings 2011 first round pick and a 2012 third round pick this year, based on LA’s playoff performance (it will upgrade to a second rounder if the Kings win the Stanley Cup this season).

Teubert was originally selected 13th overall in 2008 after the Kings made multiple deals to end up with the pick, including moving Mike Cammalleri to Calgary.

Below are 10 Points on Penner – news, facts and random items to help you get to know the newest Kings forward…

* Penner is a former Duck, who now becomes one of the few former Anaheim players to ever end up wearing a Kings jersey. He left there under some rather controversial circumstances though when the Oilers signed him to a five-year, $21-million offer sheet (something most GMs have been unwilling to do). In fact, it created quite a war of words between the Ducks and Oilers.

* He’ll be another former college player in the Kings locker room, having played at the University of Maine. They’re already near the top of the league in this category – with guys like Jack Johnson, Willie Mitchell, Matt Greene, Rob Scuderi, etc. having all played NCAA hockey.

* In 2004 Penner and Maine went to the NCAA Championship game vs. Denver. In the semis they beat a Boston College team that included current King Peter Harrold and former King Brian Boyle.

* A few years later, the big left winger won a Stanley Cup in what was officially his rookie season with the Ducks – even though he had played 19 NHL games the season before. Per NHL rules “To be considered a rookie, a player must not have played in more than 25 NHL games in any preceding seasons.”

* He wore #17 in Anaheim and #27 in Edmonton. Obviously, those numbers are taken by Wayne Simmonds and Alexei Ponikarovsky.  If he goes with #37 in LA, he’ll become the 11th Kings player with that number – joining a list that includes former Duck Kip Brennan, former Oiler Denis Grebeshkov and fellow Maine Black Bear alum Patrice Tardif, who was part of the deal that saw Wayne Gretzky leave LA for St. Louis.  [update: he'll wear #25 - his college number - in his debut for the Kings on Thursday night]

* Over the last four plus seasons he’s only missed four games.

* Last year he played in all 82 games and scored a career high 32 goals and 31 assists.

* Away from the rink, his significant other is a Montreal-born actress who recently has been living in LA.

* He’s expected to play on the top line with Anze Kopitar. He also was teammates with Jarret Stoll and Matt Greene from the 2007-08 season in Edmonton.

* Penner says he was playing ping pong at the time of the trade. And he’s glad it went down went it did because he was about to lose $50 to Shawn Horcoff.

The most positive aspect of the deal?  The Kings didn’t have to give up any players on the current roster – namely Wayne Simmonds.

Penner needs to produce though to make the hefty price not seem so bad.

For now, it seems it a bit rich.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

RELATED ARTICLES:

Kings Kids Are All Right – Or Are They?

Two Players Away From Perfect Line Combinations

Interview with Colten Teubert

Drew Doughty is Odd Man Out in LA

twitter.com/PenguinsMarchHockey Independent on Facebook

Pittsburgh has been starving for goals since late January due to a rash of injuries that has sidelined primary scoring threats Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Chris Kunitz and Mark Letestu, gritty winger Arron Asham and speedy rookie centre Dustin Jeffrey.  The team’s streak of failing to score at least four goals in a non-shootout game reached 15 with last evening’s last-second 3-2 overtime loss to visiting San Jose and the club’s February average for goals scored per game has fallen to 2.08.  Alarmingly, the Penguins have allowed 2.92 goals per game in February, the highest single-month total this season.

To make matters worse, physically-imposing defenceman Brooks Orpik will miss the next four weeks after breaking a finger when he blocked a shot from Shark Patrick Marleau with 1:57 remaining in the first period.  Incredibly, the Pittsburgh defence had been immune to the seemingly endless wave of injuries sideswiping the club but it has now succumbed and the Penguins will most likely recall an AHL blueliner, perhaps Brian Strait who made his NHL debut on Monday or rugged Robert Bortuzzo, to join the club in Carolina by Friday.  It is an understatement to say that the Pens will miss the quiet, tell-it-like-it-is leadership of Orpik, a defensively-responsible blueliner and his intimidating, hard-hitting style of play over the next month.

The trade to obtain Kovalev is a classic low-risk, high-reward deal.  The Penguins had ample salary cap room afforded by long-term injured reserve amounts to absorb the remaining money owed to Kovalev and the return that Ottawa demanded was even more bargain-basement than the 4th or 5th-round pick some had speculated was necessary to obtain the Russian sniper.  In Kovalev, the Pens are obtaining a proven forward who has scored over 400 career goals powered by a hard, accurate shot and excellent stick-handling and deking.  He will likely skate on the top line immediately and arguably, is already the team’s best winger.

He, like newly acquired Neal, will be expected to inject life into the Pens’ flagging offence at even-strength but especially on the power play.  Expect him to see time with fellow forwards Neal and Jordan Staal for the time being on the top line and first unit in man-advantage situations.  When Chris Kunitz returns, either Kunitz or Neal will move to the second line as the left wing.  Kovalev turned 38 years old today and while all athletes experience age-related decline, Kovalev was a 2nd team All Star as recently as 2007-08.

While he scored just 14 goals in 54 games on a moribund Ottawa team this year, Pittsburgh is surely hoping for a “Bill Guerin 2009 scenario” – a veteran sniper escaping an also-ran at the deadline, moving to a contender and motivated to win one more Stanley Cup before calling it a career.  No doubt Kovalev will be motivated, to silence those who label him disinterested at times or an enigma.  He will also be motivated thinking of his long-ago sophomore season in 1994 when he helped the New York Rangers win the Cup as he strives to make a contribution towards a title this spring in Pittsburgh.

twitter.com/PenguinsMarchHockey Independent on Facebook

When the opportunity to acquire young, affordable talent so close to the deadline presents itself, wise GMs will look to push a deal closer to fruition, knowing that the closing of the window for getting such a player is just one moment of hesitation and a third team’s phone call away.  Shero and Dallas GM Joe Nieuwendyk thus got things done yesterday, rather than wait until the haggard moments that can surely come one week later which often lead to desperate, rushed and regrettable transactions.

This is not to say that there will be radio silence in Pittsburgh for the balance of the trading period.  Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the club is interested in a pair of 37-year old forwards, both of whom have multiple 20-goal seasons on their resume: Cory Stillman of Florida and Alex Kovalev of Ottawa.  Stillman won the Stanley Cup in consecutive seasons with Tampa Bay and Carolina while Kovalev needs no introduction.  He played his best years as a Penguin, racking up 149 goals over five seasons in Pittsburgh.  Ottawa is in full rebuild mode and has already gathered four draft picks in four deals this month.

Click here to view the embedded video.

If the asking price is a lower-round or conditional pick, it wouldn’t hurt to add Kovalev, a player who, when healthy and motivated, is still a dangerous sniper.  After yesterday’s trade, the Penguins expunged Goligoski’s cap hit of $1.833-million for next year while taking on a combined $4.375-million for a net full-season increase of $2.542-million for 2011-12.  Presently however, taking into account the long-term injured reserve cap space afforded by the Penguins’ injured players, there is still $2.275-million available for this season, room enough to absorb the remnants of either the contract of Stillman (approximately $892,000) or Kovalev ($1.263-million).

As for Goligoski, Dallas acquires a 25-year old defenceman whose potential was not fully realized in Pittsburgh.  He made the 2008-09 team out of training camp, joining a defensive unit that was missing injured top blueliner Sergei Gonchar.  Goligoski acquitted himself well, scoring 6 goals (4 on the power play) and 20 points in just 45 games and was recalled from the AHL for 2 games against Washington when Gonchar suffered another injury during the Stanley Cup playoffs.  Last year, he put in another solid campaign, scoring 8 goals and 37 points in 69 games, adding 2 goals and 9 points while playing every playoff contest.  On defence, he was second only to Gonchar in regular-season and playoff scoring.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This season however, with the Pittsburgh defence significantly revamped, he became a surplus commodity.  It’s strange to say that for a player who played all 60 games of the schedule at the time of the trade and was on his way to setting new career-highs in every major statistical category.  In 2010-11, he already scored a career-best 9 goals (4 on the power play), his 17 power play points were third-best on the entire team and his +20 was tops on the Penguins.  Yet two factors ushered his departure out of Pittsburgh.  First, his defensive skills were inconsistent.  He often had problems cutting off forwards from sweeping to the outside, along the boards and to the net.  He was not a physically-imposing defender, generally incapable of using his body to compensate when beaten on an opposition rush towards the goal.

Second, when Gonchar signed with Ottawa in the off-season, it was assumed that one of Kris Letang or Goligoski would take over the #1 defenceman role.  Letang seized the opportunity spectacularly and became an All-Star and his all-around skills on offence, on the power play and defensively, accelerated much faster than Goligoski’s.  As noted, Goligoski was signed for one more season after this one for an affordable $1.833-million while the team’s “core four” defencemen, Letang, Brooks Orpik and free agent acquisitions Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek, all are signed for at least three more seasons.  Thus Goligoski’s relative youth, potential and contract made him an attractive chip in a trade.

With Dallas, Goligoski already slots in as an offensive quarterback.  He has more points than any other Dallas defenceman.  Like Niskanen, a change in scenery could benefit Goligoski, who played in the shadow of Gonchar last season and in the shadow of Letang this season on man-advantage situations.  He will have the chance to step out and be the key man on the power play as a Star and perhaps realize his potential to be a blue line star.

twitter.com/PenguinsMarchHockey Independent on Facebook

At the trade deadline in 2008, Shero acquired Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis from Atlanta to bolster the Penguins’ offence.  Both players complemented Sidney Crosby effectively as Pittsburgh earned a berth in the Stanley Cup Final.  When Hossa left the Penguins in free agency to sign with Detroit that summer, the Pens have never since possessed a wing of his talent.  Not that it particularly mattered in 2009 – the Penguins did win the Cup – but with Crosby and fellow centres Evgeni Malkin, Mark Letestu and Dustin Jeffrey sidelined plus wingers Chris Kunitz, Arron Asham, Mike Comrie also out, Pittsburgh has been begging for goals recently.

In the first 47 games of the season, a period when either Crosby or Malkin was in the lineup, Pittsburgh scored 4+ goals in a game, excluding shootouts, 15 times.  Since then, the Pens have played 14 games and have not reached the 4 goal mark once.  They have also been shut out three times in those 14 most recent games after having been shut out twice in the first 47 games.

Shero wisely closed this deal well ahead of next Monday’s 3 pm deadline.  In Neal, he acquired a young power forward who will step in and immediately be counted on to be the primary finisher around the net.  Neal is in his third NHL season and has never failed to score 20 or more goals.  The knock on him in Dallas was his inconsistent play but at 23, there is no reason to believe that he cannot improve with time and repetition.  Many in the last 24 hours have concluded that at last, Crosby has his winger!  However, while that may be the long-term implication of this trade, that is not the short-term benefit.

Neither Shero, the team nor Crosby himself have a fixed timetable on when Crosby will return to play.  With each passing day, it becomes less likely that he will return in the regular season.  Maybe in the playoffs or next season, Crosby and Neal will gel and spark the Pittsburgh offence but right now, Neal will be the left wing on the top line with centre Jordan Staal and right wing Tyler Kennedy, according to head coach Dan Bylsma.  Bylsma three times mentioned at practice today that he would like to see the trio do “some damage”, a nod to Neal’s skill set – a hard shot and a good physical presence in the offensive zone – and he will see time on the top power play unit.

Neal scored 9 power play goals, recorded 66 takeaways and dished out 194 hits (2nd among all rookies in all three categories) in a solid 2008-09 debut.  This season, he played in all 59 of the Stars’ games and scored 21 goals (5 on the power play).  He is signed for one more year after this season with a cap hit of $2.875-million after which he will become a restricted free agent.  Thus in the immediate future and long-term plan, Neal’s shot, physical presence and ability to force turnovers, all project to make a solid contribution to the Penguins’ model of moving pucks “north” and generating shots by aggressively forechecking in the offensive zone.

Niskanen left many in Dallas scratching their heads.  He took a fast track to the NHL, playing 2 seasons at University of Minnesota-Duluth and just 13 AHL games before debuting as a 20-year old in 2007-08.  He posted 7 goals, 26 points and a +22 rating then 6 goals and 35 points the following season.  Niskanen then slumped to 3 goals and 15 points last year and bottomed out this season, with no goals and 6 assists at the time of the deal, a hard fall for a player billed as a future top offensive-minded blueliner.

According to ESPN, Dallas GM Joe Nieuwendyk said, “As far as Matt is concerned, it’s been a little bit of trying times for Matt the last couple years.  He hasn’t been able to regain the form he broke into the league with and this is a good opportunity for him to get a new look with another team and hopefully get his career going.”

Quite possibly, this is the classic “change of scenery” trade that might rejuvenate Niskanen.  Did he rely on or defer too much to veterans like Sergei Zubov, Mattias Norstrom, Darryl Sydor and Karlis Skrastins, his most common defence partners when he was in Dallas?  Assuming the Pens leave their top two defensive pairs untouched and Niskanen slots into the third defensive pair beside Deryk Engelland or Ben Lovejoy, how will he handle skating with either player, both of whom have less experience than he does?  Will he be able to rediscover his offensive skills in Pittsburgh?  Bylsma said that Niskanen will likely play on the top power play unit with Paul Martin unavailable tomorrow night when the Pens host San Jose thus answers will come soon enough.

Niskanen, like Neal, is signed through 2011-12 and also can become a restricted free agent.  His cap hit is $1.5-million.  If things don’t work out for Niskanen in Pittsburgh either, the monetary, term and hockey cost to the Penguins is minimal.  Also, blue line prospects like Simon Despres, Brian Strait and Robert Bortuzzo may all get chances to play in Pittsburgh in the coming years as well.  Currently, the Penguins’ organizational strength is defence and getting a player like Niskanen was a bonus in this trade.

Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi was a guest on NHL on The Fly Monday night.

Here are the basic highlights. Note – these are near exact quotes, but partially paraphrased for brevity…

* The up and down year for the Kings is par for the course when you’re dealing with young players. After starting the season 12-3 some guys thought this was going to be easy and they forgot how hard they have to work. We won a lot of early games when we didn’t actually play that well. I hope we’ve learned from it. I think we have.

* Have you learned anything that changes how you approach the trade deadline? No. Many parts of our plan are coming together. Maybe some of our young players took a stumble, but in most cases our projections for where we’d be are pretty much on the mark. We knew then and we know now what we need.

* We haven’t looked back on not completing a deal with Ilya Kovalchuk because that deal never made sense for us. We have a strong nucleus that’s starting to come together. They need time to mature and we want to keep them together. We felt coming into the year we’d be one of the best defensive teams and we are. We’d like to improve the offensive, but not at the expense of doing something extreme.

If you’d like to listen to this interview via Kings Vision, click here.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

RELATED ARTICLES:

Kovy Finally Arrives in LA

10 Tidbits on the Home Opener

Happy Anniversary Dean Lombardi

twitter.com/PenguinsMarchHockey Independent on Facebook

After a deflating week of injury news in Pittsburgh bordering on unbelievability, would it surprise anyone if Charon pulled out an anchor at Point State Park or if Zeus descended from Mount Washington via the Monongahela Incline?  Indeed, there might be a greater probability of mythological figures appearing in the Steel City than the hard luck that has sent several key pieces of the Penguins to the sidelines.

Consider tonight.  The Penguins played without their top four goal scorers Sidney Crosby (32 goals), Evgeni Malkin (18), Chris Kunitz (15) and Mark Letestu (10).  Crosby missed his fourteenth consecutive game as he continues to be out indefinitely while recovering from a concussion.  Fellow star centre Malkin returned on Friday after missing five games due to a left knee injury and a sinus infection.  Just 33 seconds into the second period however, while battling along the near corner boards, Buffalo’s massive defenceman Tyler Myers got tangled up and fell, tearing the ACL and MCL in Malkin’s right knee, effectively ending his season.

Last Tuesday, Letestu caught his skate in a flaw in the ice at Madison Square Garden during the game-day skate and had to have surgery for a left knee injury this past weekend.  He is slated to miss 4 to 6 weeks.  A player who had shouldered a lot of the offensive load in the absence of many of his teammates, Kunitz, was scratched from tonight’s lineup due to a lower-body injury.  Finally, right wing Arron Asham left last Tuesday’s tilt against the Rangers with an upper-body injury and joined Crosby, Malkin and Letestu on injured-reserve.

Three centres and two wings on the shelf.  Statistically, they have accounted for almost exactly half of the Pens’ total offence (80 / 161 goals).  Suddenly, a season that looked so promising during a 12-game win streak in November and December that occurred along with Crosby’s 25-game point-scoring streak, has quickly been blindsided by a cold, cruel winter of ailments.  It took a whole weekend for this writer to admit and accept the reality that Malkin’s season is over.  What could possibly be more cruel for Malkin than battling doggedly through a sub-par season and numerous injuries only to be knocked down and out in his first game back in the lineup?

What could possibly be more cruel for Crosby than having to be separated from the team he leads and the sport he dominates, forbidden from doing any exercises related to hockey except “light workouts”, not knowing when he will be able to play again – if at all – in what was clearly becoming a season for the ages?

Now is not the time for panic (or self-pity).  If the Penguins split their remaining 27 games, i.e. win 13 or 14, they will clock in at 98 or 100 points, easily in a playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.  Many have thrown up their hands in disbelief and hung their heads, indicating that this season is a lost cause, because of the sudden avalanche of injuries.  However, there are thankfully still nine games to go until the trade deadline, nine glimpses for GM Ray Shero to get a better gauge on what facets of the team he needs to shore up before the playoffs start.

It is premature to say that 2010-11 is now a lost season for the Penguins.  While it factually is a lost season for Malkin, there are no confirmed reports that Crosby will absolutely not play another game until training camp.  Thus fans should not give up hope.  Very obviously, the task of winning hockey games just got increasingly harder but out of every negative, there is a positive.

It will be interesting to see if Jordan Staal can continue to escalate his play in a manner befitting the top-line centre role he has been thrust into.  An underrated prospect like Dustin Jeffrey, recalled several times from the AHL this season, has scored 4 goals and 6 points in just 12 games.  He will have a great chance to stick in the NHL for good, centering Crosby’s usual linemates Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis, if he continues to succeed at finishing around the net.

Presently, the Penguins must simply do the best they can to get through a heavily-scheduled February.  The true productivity of the present active roster and who will likely return by playoff time, will be much clearer by the end of the month.