The internet has done two things simultaneously: shortened our attention spans and yet somehow fostered a love for long-term projections. Considering that we have yet to even begin the 2012-13 season, it may seem a bit premature to start anointing the cream of next year’s draft crop. However, hockey fans have to do something to stave off lockout depression, and this is about the best we can do. 1. Nathan MacKinnon- Center- Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) MacKinnon is a naturally gifted ... Read More
Who Needs Owners?
This story is why hockey players are my favorite athletes of any sport. While embroiled in a bitter lockout with no end in sight, several players took matters into their own hands. Players like Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Gonchar, Tyler Seguin and more have gone overseas to play in various leagues. However, a few French-Canadians decided that wasn’t good enough. So they just started their own league. Headed up by former Penguin Max Talbot and NY Islander Bruno Gervais, a group of NHLers are ... Read More
Malkin Returns as Metallurg Falls 4-3 in OT
Evgeni Malkin tallied an assist in a losing effort as Metallurg Magnitogorsk fell 4-3 to Salavat Yulaev. It was Malkin's first game in the KHL since the 2005-2006 season when he tallied 47 points in 46 games as a 19 year old. At the time, the Penguins had already called "Geno's" name on draft day, but since the NHL suffered a season-long lockout, the Russian stayed home. It wasn't until the end of 2006 when Malkin appeared at Mario Lemieux's doorstep looking to join the Penguins. With ... Read More
The Top 10 Playmakers in NHL History
Just to distract people from the fact that there is a lockout, NHL.com released their take on the top 10 playmakers in NHL history. Unlike on the NFL Network (where they release so many top 10 lists that a “Top 10 Stadium Vendors” list probably isn’t far away), the NHL usually does a good job with these kinds of things. But as per any list like this, arguments can be made many ways. So here is the NHL’s top ten playmakers list, with my take on each. 10. Henrik Sedin I don’t think the name ... Read More
Bieber on ice
If I’m writing about Justin Bieber, one of two things has occurred: 1. It’s the slowest news day in hockey history. 2. The apocalypse is imminent. To be fair, I’m not sure which one it is. As you may or may not know, Justin Bieber is Canadian. And apparently that means you can play hockey from birth. According to E! News, the Bakersfield Condors (farm team of the Toronto Maple Leafs) have offered Bieber an amateur tryout contract. I can’t be the only person in the world that wants to ... Read More
NHL Lockout Begins
Despite multiple negotiations between the Player's Association and the league, the NHL is officially locked out until a new CBA is reached, effective Sunday at midnight. For the NHL, this will mark the fourth work stoppage in the last twenty years, a feat that could effectively make the league extinct. There are several issues being debated between the two sides with the biggest being the wide difference in revenue sharing to the players. The owners proposed a plan to cut HRR (or Hockey ... Read More
The Imminent Lockout
I really did not want to write this, but forces far beyond my power are forcing me to do so. Unless a miraculous deal comes down before Sunday, the NHL will begin its lockout next week. There were a few grumblings about things potentially being closer, and then the legend Bob McKenzie at TSN dropped some knowledge in this tweet: “You can get bogged down with the #s, but all you need to know is NHLPA says won’t take an actual decrease to $ spent on salaries, and the NHL is asking for an ... Read More
In memory of “Ace”
On Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, dawn broke over New York City. A cloudless blue sky ushered in perfect late summer morning. Many New Yorkers were recovering from a late night, having watched the Giants fall to the Denver Broncos, 31-20 on Monday Night Football. In our nation’s capital, government employees were bound for their offices. The President awoke early, readying himself for a visit to an elementary school in Sarasota, Florida. That same morning, 19 terrorists boarded planes along the ... Read More
Top Five Player Stories for the Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins have a lot of questions to answer heading into what will hopefully be a 2012-2013 season. As stated last week, there's concern over whether or not they are still the best team in the Eastern Conference. Subsequently, there are some run-off stories to this team with each player carrying their own headlines for 2012. Here are the top five player stories: Evgeni Malkin "Geno" proved his offseason training/rehab regimen last year was no joke, tallying 109 points and ... Read More
Love for Lokomotiv
A year ago today, September 7, 2011, professional hockey faced one of the most difficult days in its history. A plane carrying the KHL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl caught fire and crashed shortly after take-off, killing nearly everyone on board, including former NHL-ers Ruslan Salei, Pavol Demitra, Josef Vasicek, among others with NHL ties. The official cause of the crash was pilot error, though there are many thoughts and innuendos surrounding the event. Candidly, I have struggled for a couple ... Read More