Wanted: Fresh Ideas for Increasing Scoring

Night after night on Sportscentre, hockey fans across North America are seeing 5-4, 4-3, or 4-2 games. Even with goal scoring on the rise (5 players have legitimate shots at 100 points this season) we all know it's only a matter of time before someone chimes up about how we can increase scoring in the NHL. I really don't think it's needed based on the statistics, but ideas are still being thrown around. Shrinking goalies, expanding nets, and allowing more curved sticks have all been suggested as ways we can go about doing that. None of these ideas are the "perfect" idea. There are clear flaws in each of them.

Shrinking goalies may work to an extent, but I fail to see how it will have a drastic effect on goal scoring. Some of the flaps on the pads, extra material on the pants, and extra pieces on the gloves can be eliminated, but goalies will cope. Suggesting a significant drop in equipment size couldn't be more wrong. People who suggest that fail to realize that the players who are taking shots are bigger and stronger than ever. Combine that with the composite sticks, and it's a deadly combination. If a puck catches you in an awkward spot, you could break a rib easily (See: Luongo earlier this year) I even asked Cedrick Desjardins of the Hamilton Bulldogs about it in an earlier interview, and he feels the same way. "You can try to change the equipment on the goalie instead, but make sure he is still safe." It's a valid point because goaltenders are not just "playing the system" like some fans believe, they honestly do not want to get injured. Wouldn't you want the most amount of protection possible if you were throwing your body in front of 100 MPH slap shots?

Now, expanding nets is a whole other situation. We've all seen the pictures of the net with the enlarged corners, you know, the ones that make every hockey purist cringe. They tried these out in some rookie camps a few years ago, but the amount of goal scoring didn't seem to change. In fact, it went down, and I quote Cedrick again "I tried it at rookie camp with Montreal, in Toronto, and they had the bigger nets but the scores were still, like 3-1, 2-1, so it wasn't a big difference. They were a little bit bigger, but it didn't change it that much." To some, the thought of changing the very fabric of the game, a 4x6 net, is insane. Not only would it piss of the purists, it would reduce the quality of goals scored. Shots high blocker would start to be scored on a more than regular basis. It's not physically possible for a goaltender carrying a stick to bring his blocker up that high in a split second. Who wants to see guys step over the blue line and just wire it high blocker? The butterfly style has caused players to find highlight reel ways to score goals, which is only a good thing for the league.

I like the idea of allowing bigger curves to an extent. Unlimited curves should not be allowed, like some have suggested. We don't want to make it so that players can roof the puck with the flick of a wrist (and it would completely eliminate the backhand) but, the rule should be lessened year after year until we find the appropriate curve limit. But again I am forced to ask the question, will this really have a huge effect on goal scoring?

That's where you, the reader, comes in. I want to hear about some fresh, new ideas for increasing scoring. Everyone is sick of the ideas that have been thrown around for years, now show us something new. Don't suggest something that the league would never go for, but something plausible that people may have over looked. Lets hear it!

The Unexpected: Montreal Canadiens

I will be writing a series of blogs discussing a handful of teams whose expectations were minimal to start the season or even now; within these teams, I believe one will take home the Stanley Cup to their franchise. I am beginning with a team that was doubted from the get-go, the Montreal Canadiens.

After missing the playoffs in the 06/07 campaign, the Habs tweaked some of their woes by dipping in the UFA frenzy, acquiring D Roman Hamrlik, F Tom Kostoupolos and F Bryan Smolinski to bolster their club. Analysts, and fans alike, thought the subtraction of Sheldon Souray would cripple a strong power play, rendering them to the Eastern Conference basement. What made this prediction even more convincing for many was the fact that the Habs got rejected from superstar Daniel Briere, so the second-tier UFA's just didn’t seem like enough. But what many forgot is that the Habs host a strong core of youngsters, and the acquisition of Carey Price to their goaltending would surely add more stability between the pipes.

Well, as of today, the Habs sit second place in the Eastern Conference with 38 wins in 70 games for 85 points. The reason for such success is mainly from the break through performances from the young guns. Tomas Plekanec is atop that category, he currently holds 27 goals and 63 points for second on the team in scoring. His speed and two-way ability is what makes him one of the Canadiens top players. While he is crafty and creative in the offensive zone, he plays almost as well in his own end. He doesn't hit the opposition like teammate Mike Komisarek, but he uses his incredible hockey sense to shut-down offenders down with tremendous stick work. In only his 3rd NHL season, his play shows great potential to be an impact #1 center. While he is behind Saku Koivu on the depth chart, he is now the true #1 on this team, centering a deadly line beside Andrei Kostitsyn and Alexei Kovalev.

Another young player who is making a big impression is Andrei Kostitsyn. In only his second NHL season he has posted 21 goals and 45 points so far. What is so impressive, however, is that he can keep up with top line minutes playing alongside Plekanec and Kovalev and barely show signs of slowing down. One of the main reasons the line shines of speed and creativity is that all three players hold similar traits. It's a scary thought when you consider that Plekanec might have the worst hands on the line. While Kostitsyn doesn’t possess a strong two-way game, he has lots of room to improve in his own end. Every once in a while you will see him throw a big body check too, that is encouraging for the future.

The other Kostitsyn is not too shabby himself. Sergei Kostitsyn was a mid-season call-up, and after displaying raw ability in the offensive zone, the Habs couldn't send him back. Much like his brother, he lacks strong defensive play, but he makes up for it with creative playmaking and a knack for being at the right place at right time to finish a play. In a nutshell, he is exactly like his brother, displaying all the same positives and negatives. Look for them to be paired together in the near future.

While Christopher Higgins has not enjoyed a breakthrough season like the others, he is still developing nicely and shows signs of becoming a Chris Drury type player. In 70 games this season, he has 21 goals and 43 points. He has struggled at times during the season, much like his line mates, but his potential is uncanny. What makes Higgins highly touted in my eyes is his nose for the net and willingness to use his body to finish a play. To go along with that he is responsible in his own end, making him a valuable two-way forward. In Higgins the Habs have a potential 40-goal scorer and considering he has a big heart towards the game, I am excited to see his play come playoff time in a few weeks.

On the back-end, we have Mike Komisarek. Known as a stable defender and monster hitter, "Komi" has upped his game this season, flirting with top-end rankings in almost all defensive stats. Hits, blocked shots, he does it all. A crucial part of his game is his mean streak, if the Habs are in the thick of things, you can expect Komisarek to make sure his teammates aren't getting pushed around. While he rarely translates that with fists, he uses huge body checks to make his statement.

Then there's Carey Price, the now undisputed starting goaltender for the Habs. Touted as the next Luongo by many, he is enjoying a spectacular rookie season, posting a .913 SV%, 2.77 GAA, and 16 wins in 32 games. His big frame and clutch performances helping him along the way, the Habs are expecting him to carry them throughout the playoffs, hoping for a Hamilton Bulldogs repeat. If there is something I noticed about Price this season, it's that he is gradually getting better. His stats are slowly climbing by the game and his problem of letting in the occasional soft goal has slowed considerably. After goaltender Cristobal Huet was traded to the Washington Capitals, Price raised his game to another level, fully feeling the effects of being a starting goaltender in the NHL. If the Habs are going to win the Stanley Cup this season, it will be because of this man.

To go along with a strong core of young players, the Habs owe some of their success to the veterans, who have mentored and crafted the youngster to what they are. I'll start with Kovalev, the Russian native has re-surged this season, showing signs of his New York Rangers days. He is the leader of the Habs, placing first in team scoring with 73 points and 30 goals so far. His creative plays and outstanding hands is what makes him so dangerous, whether he snipes it from the slot or passes it to his line mates Plekanec and A.Kostitsyn, it doesn’t matter, you better be prepared.

A player who has enjoyed a break-through season is Andrei Markov. All who have followed the Habs knew he had it in him, and it appears the departure of Sheldon Souray, making him the pillar on the power play, is just what the doctor ordered. With 14 goals and 54 points this season, it's hard to find negatives about Markov. His shot has improved tremendously, and combined with his accurate passing it makes him a major threat offensively. His defensive game is superb as well, he is not afraid to throw the body every once in a while and he plays a responsible and consistent defensive game.

UFA acquisition Roman Hamrlik has displayed a strong game as well this season, proving to be one of the Habs most valuable players on defense. While he has not garnered a ton of points this season (4 goals, 23 points) his defensive game is sound. His veteran presence has been nothing but beneficial for players like Komisarek too, backstopping one the Eastern Conference’s best defensive squads. It's no coincidence that the Habs went on a slump when Hamrlik was injured, only to find themselves back on track when he returned.

It's hard not to mention Koivu when speaking of any Habs success. While he is not posting numbers he did last season, his leadership and dedication to the Habs is unquestionable. Whether you notice his presence on the Habs or not, you can bet they would be a different team without Koivu in the locker room. While his flame may be starting to dim, the Habs must hold on to Koivu in the coming years if they wish to grasp Lord Stanley with this young squad.

A big part of the Habs success is the power play, and that is no secret. That's why it's so hard to not mention the underrated Mark Streit, who has posted 50 points and 12 goals so far this season. While he is not dependable in his own zone (-10) he has tremendous hockey sense in the offensive zone and sets up players beautifully from blue-line or from anywhere in the zone really -- which why he was often used as a forward on many nights.

Make no mistake, if the Habs core of players raises their game to a new level once mid-April comes around, I'd be very comfortable in predicting them to raise the Stanley Cup. What we must take into account however, is that much of the Habs success comes from the youngsters, and once the playoffs start it's a whole new level of play for them. The Habs will have to make a huge statement in the first round, and much of that will have to revolve around consistency and durability. Beyond that, anything can happen.

The Race for the Calder Trophy

In roughly one month, the blazing turbines of a rookie race -- which is unfortunately getting ignored from the media -- will cease. Let'€™s meet the candidates who will most likely raise some eyebrows for grasping the "Calder Trophy".

Patrick Kane: The 19-year old Buffalo native debuted his NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks. Initial expectations were that Kane would follow in the shadow of the highly touted Jonathan Toews, but that proved to be false. Kane has emerged as the perfect line mate for Toews, feeding of each others raw skill to play the puck with precision, or snipe it top corner. But with a mid-season injury to Toews -- including roughly 5 other regulars -- Kane was counted on to carry the load, and that's what he did. What makes Kane such a tremendous player is his superb vision, prodigious puck-handling skills, and his playmaking abilities. For months he was the leader in the rookie scoring, just recently getting his 57 points surpassed by Washington Capitals rookie Niklas Backstrom, by 1 point.

Niklas Backstrom: The 4th overall pick in 2006 has emerged as one of the Washington Capitals best players. At 20 years old, he is finishing off a tremendous rookie season centering phenom Alexander Ovechkin. However, do not let such a fact cloud your judgment on him. Backstrom has worked for the opportunity, and he’s now taking full advantage of it. He currently leads the NHL in rookie points with an impressive 58 points. His playmaking abilities combined with maturity beyond his years gives a strong indication that Backstrom may very well walk away with the Calder.

Jonathan Toews: If it were not for a mid-season injury, Toews would be your Calder Trophy winner. He currently holds the best PPG amongst rookies with a .88 (18 G, 43 PTS in 49 games) and if it were not for the injury he would finish with the most goals as well. Toews is a product of solid, dependable two-way play. He is responsible in his own end and hockey sense and offensive creativity is uncanny. With a core of bright young players developing in Chicago, here is your franchise player.

Carey Price: With Cristobal Huet finding his way on the Capitals, Price is now the undisputed starter in Montreal. Sitting atop the Eastern Conference, the Canadiens are backstopped with a tremendous goaltender in the making that is experiencing the hype of the NHL's most hockey crazed city in just one season. What makes Price such a highly touted prospect is his solid positioning, clutch performances, smooth puck handling abilities, and a huge frame (6'3, 225 lbs.) among other things. In 31 games so far this season, he has posted a .913 SV%, 2.76 GAA, and 16 W to go along with 1 SO. What we must take into consideration is that Price is just 20 years old. The average age of a goaltender making an impact in the NHL is around 25 years old. This should play a huge part in deciding the Calder Trophy winner.

The winner will emerge within the list above in my opinion. Some dark horses may erupt near the end, like Peter Mueller or Erik Johnson, but if I was a betting man (which I'm not being a Leafs fan -- unless it's against them) I'd go with the before mentioned.

Personally, I am not comfortable even picking a winner, because I believe all of them have a significant shot at the Calder Trophy. Letting this intriguing story play itself out is what ultimately does it justice.

The List: Buyers and Sellers

As the Trade Deadline approaches, GM’s around the NHL are gearing up for one of the most exciting days of the NHL schedule. It is the day where teams must decide their fate and either give the fans hope or preserve it for the years ahead.

While teams decide their fate, so will GM’s. It’s an emotional, nerve racking affair for them; a last chance at redeeming their mistakes in the off-season. The pressure that resides in this event is what often pushes GM’s to make a pitch for a rent-a-player, which can all-too-often damage the future. Just ask the Atlanta Thrashers who dealt considerable youth for Keith Tchakuk, or the Nashville Predators who dealt a core of youngsters to the Flyers for often injured Peter Forsberg. Where are they now? Well, nowhere near the team they got traded to.

Still, teams are willing to take that chance, and give a volt of energy to fan bases that crave it come April. Perhaps it is what makes the day so special, the consequences and rewards can be dire or fulfilling. Suspense is a word best suited for February 26^th.

With many questions swirling around numerous players, I’ve put together a list of teams that I think will be buyers and sellers.

Buyers:

Detroit Red Wings – 46.6M cap total: The cherry of the NHL, a team that instantly defines the word “powerhouse”. While they are solid in all positions of the game, there’s no such thing as enough firepower or defense. You can bet that the Wings will be in search of some assistance for the playoffs. With a recent 6-game slide (and counting), GM Ken Holland will surely flex his options a little more.

Anaheim Ducks – 51.4M cap total: While the Ducks have recently re-signed Teemu Selanne and Scott Neidermeyer, they are rumored to be looking for more goal scoring up front. The defending Cup champions are slowly forming to a similar core of last season, and are once again amongst one of the Cup favorites.

Dallas Stars – 48.5M cap total: With a strong defense under medical attention, the Stars could find themselves looking for some help on the blue line or even some more firepower upfront. As it stands, they have the best shot at catching the Wings for 1^st in the Western Conference.

San Jose Sharks – 40.6M cap total: The Sharks are among the elite teams in the NHL, while their defense and goaltending is solid, some extra offense would lend a big impact. With lots of cap space at their disposal, the Sharks may end up making a blockbuster deal to make them serious Cup contenders.

N.Y. Rangers – 51.0M cap total: When the dust settled, the Rangers were expected to be among the best teams in the Eastern Conference after key UFA signings in the off-season. They now sit at 8^th place in the East. Some improvements will be in full force come Feb.26^th, and I expect them to be one of the liveliest teams personally.

Pittsburgh Penguins – 43.4M cap total: With the injury of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin has erupted into the team leader, making the Pens a team to fear. Adding some offense and defense would help the clubs chances of taking the next step to the Stanley Cup. Of course, a returning Crosby will help their case as well.

New Jersey Devils – 47.1 M cap total: While the Devils host a competitive club, they still lack serious firepower (156 GF – 3^rd worst in the conference). Lou Lamoriello will have to work his magic if he wants his team to go deep into the playoffs.

Ottawa Senators – 47.2M cap total: With the recent acquisitions of Cory Stillman and Mike Commodore, the Sens have gotten their secondary scoring they lacked and have bulked up defensively in the process. However, they still lack solid and consistent goaltending. If Ottawa can snag a veteran goaltender for the playoffs, they will be a major force to be reckoned with.

Montreal Canadiens – 48M cap total: An underdog team that was written off the top16 before the season even started. They stand tied for 1^st in the Eastern Conference for points (tied with the Sens) and have seen some serious offense upfront, but only from one line consistently. Bob Gainey will be looking for more balanced scoring; a big, powerful forward would be ideal if you ask me. But with Gainey, you never know, the Habs may very well stay put.

Sellers:

Toronto Maple Leafs – 49.3M cap total: Hard to not put them first on the list, they are amongst the basement dwellers of the NHL. Much of their fire sale depends on the Big Swede and if he is willing to waive his no-trade clause. If he does, expect a much younger and promising core ending the 07/08 NHL season.

N.Y. Islanders – 43.4M cap total: While the beginning of the season started well, they have been descending a downward spiral into the abyss since then. It would be in the Isles best interest to unload some veteran talent and start over next season.

Florida Panthers – 46.1M cap total: The Panthers are rumored to be dealing Olli Jokinen – a trade that would undoubtedly debut a rebuilding phase for Florida.

Los Angeles Kings – 46.6M cap total: The Kings have been in the NHL basement all season long, with a defense core full of pending free agents; they will sell for picks and prospects and aim for youngster Steven Stamkos in the draft.

Edmonton Oilers – 49.6M cap total: After losing Shawn Horcoff to an injury, the Oilers have little to no hope of attaining the playoffs; it would be in their best interest to unload their veterans and attain some young talent on a season lost.

Tampa Bay Lightning – 43.8M cap total: The Lightning host one of the best trio’s in the NHL in Brad Richards, Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St.Louis. However, their lack of defense and inconsistency between the pipes has landed them in the basement. Unloading one, or even two, of the big three would be a great start at rebuilding for the future. GM Jay Feaster will have some NTC’s to work around though.

NHL Salary Cap: A Push from the Elite?

Conceptions around the NHL world differ on a newly implemented system – the NHL salary cap. It is a system that guarantee’s hope, even if it is an illusion to some, for less-talented teams that befall the lower class of the league.

The point of this experiment was too create a more competitive and intense league. So the NHL decided to bring in a system that rewards a point for an overtime loss – a tactic giving at least half of the NHL something to lean on. A chance to renew their club and perhaps catch up to more talented clubs like the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs (ahem…what?) to name a few. However, some will argue that this encourages a journey to mediocrity rather than excellence.

The system in place forces team to be more cautious with their spending, thus not being pro-active with their club. When injuries take their toll, teams have a much harder time replacing a woe. This is what often causes teams to wallow in a spiral of wins and losses that come few and far between.

This is something that pushes the truly elite teams out of the NHL. Look at the New England Patriots for example. They are the Mecca team of the NFL, destroying all teams that lay in their path (they will lose the Super Bowl though, this is my wild prediction). They are a team that packages tremendous talent in huge quantity. With the NHL however, we have a more conservative league with less intimidating teams.

But the question pertains, is this a good or bad thing for a league begging for more attention?

For what it’s worth, I think the current system is effective. Here’s why:

While the cap and points system takes away from the more elite teams of the league, it is a process that needs to be fully revved to see its true benefits. Teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix Coyotes and Washington Capitals, to a name a few, or giving a second jump to touch the level of more talented teams quicker. It implements a more competitive league that enthralls 30 teams that all have hope to attain the NHL playoffs. Yes, it inspires some teams to play a 60 minute game to at least attain a point instead of going for all the marbles, but is this really a bad thing?

While the thought of just settling for a point to create an illusion for success can seem like that of a loser league, it is not. While the upper-class teams can’t fully dominate and stand-out as a Mecca among the NHL, the rest of the teams (and fans amongst those teams) are always in a competitive state and all have the sense to win.

Instead of having marquee franchises that emerge from the league, why not have a league that gives everyone a chance at success and ultimately giving them room to grow. Once most of the teams flourish and develop under the new system implemented for them, the league will have a wide-spread display of teams that all have a shot at the Stanley Cup. Instead of having a small batch of favorites, there will be a line-up of teams that will entertain, thrill and excite fans everywhere.

To me, this creates a league with even more excitement because there is no sense of a team that stands out tremendously over another when the top 8 are decided for each Conference. It creates an intense, unpredictable environment that can change based on the spirit of the players, not the money spent on a load of talent.

This is what sports should be about; the determination and willingness to overcome the odds. It is where the poise and determination of the players is truly tested. Don’t get wrong, leagues that boast marquee franchises package all of these important qualities… but not to the same degree. There is no saving grace of expensive, quality -- and quantity -- players to better the odds. They have their limits and they must embrace their true spirit for the respective teams.

In my mind, this is what hockey is about.

The Importance Of Fighting

In the wake of recent discussions regarding fighting in the NHL, I feel I have to voice my opinion on to why it is so important in this league. The action of throwing down the fist cuffs and landing some hay makers on another human beings' face is certainly violent and dangerous, but not to that degree in hockey. This sport has lain its foundation on selling an up-pace, aggressive, hard nosed, intensity game ever since the league began in 1917. The art of fighting in the NHL is not just two goons who pound each other senseless for the simple act of retribution. It's a cornerstone of the game that can define a team's turn around and gain of momentum. It is also a selling point to those who are new to the game. Despite what some may think, this violent and aggressive action is what most fans enjoy to see. It is what separates the NHL from other sports. It has defined itself... do not take that away.

While many complain of cheap shots, like hitting the head, intent to injure, hitting from behind, etc., these are situation that are often run on emotions of the players who seek revenge on a certain player. It's a gutless act, but can you imagine the impact of removing fighting after seeing this? Fighting is not only a momentum gaining tactic, it's a dance that also vents two players frustrations on one another. Without fighting, how do players react to plays they don't like? Well, you'd see an increase on dirty plays which many fear is affecting the sports popularity.

To touch back on the roots of the game, fighting is also a factor in a teams success. Without a ''goon'', so to speak, who defends the all-star player? Who makes players think twice about roughing up their players or most importantly, the goaltender? Fighting in hockey is a message, or a tool rather to better define what the game is about.

Also, let's not forget about the fans. An aspect of the game that can lower or higher the spirits of a team. When a home teams' player wins a fight, when does it not jolt a burst of energy to the fans, which then translates to the players? Like it or not, fighting is a big part in the great game of hockey, it affects the many facets that makes this game so coveted by hockey fans around the world.

No Hockey (No GOOD Hockey) Makes Psycom Something...Something...

Go crazy?

In the words of Homer Simpson, "Don't mind if I do!"

Minus a extremely forgettable shlacking by Carolina, the Islanders get the pleasure of sitting on their duffs for roughly two weeks. 3 games in that span is generously brought to you by Gary Bettman and his NHL exec cronies, who also brought you great classics like "No Goal - Buffalo v. Dallas '99" and "The Great Southern Hockey Migration" .

So my massive Islander performance review will be postponed until the end of November, when we actually play hockey instead of me playing NHL 08 on my PC. Oh, I am 7-2 in it as the Islanders, I just beat the Rangers 3-1 so that helps a little.

While the Isles are still floating above the .500 mark, two blow out games in October has me worried, but as I said... November will be the real test.

I am Ron Guillet... and I am an Anchorman!

Howdy, folks. My name is Ron Guillet and I'm an avid user to HockeyBuzz who is now blogging for this funkadelic site ( no, that is not a word) thanks to Eggshmeg, a Devils fan.... tee-hee. I will be joining the insightful Unholy_Goalie in his blogging for the Leafs. I will also throw in some NHL blogs about random teams, re-caps of the Leafs games and predictions for the NHL games whenever possible.

Let me start by saying I'm an Anchorman fanatic who can get quite annoying with references or just mentioning the pure brilliance of the comedy... so excuse me now, please ( Psy understands it :)). I feel as if you should know me, and what I stand for. First off, I enjoy a good comedy... movies like Hot Shots : Part Deux, Wrongfully Accused, Anchorman, Blades of Glory, etc.. In the music genre, I like my heavy metal or hard rock the most. Bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, Trivium, etc. are some of my favorites. Did I mention I like long walks on the beach?

What else do you need to know? My favorite hockey player is Mats Sundin and my favorite team is the Toronto Maple Leafs... so I hope I don't lose your respect for that. I don't believe in kicking teams when they're down and I like to have an objective view on every team, even if it's my all-time rival the Senators.

Let me leave you with the following image which I feel captures what I'm all about:

Players Who Need to Make it to the NHL... NOW!

Just some of the more unfortunate names in the world of hockey at their finest:

10. Clayton Stoner - Defenceman
This Minnesota Wild prospect had his issues getting to the pros, but he seems to have worked it out and now plays a key role for the Houston Aeros. I'm talking about dealing with the taunting about his name, not any drug related issue. Get your mind out of the gutter.

9. Kim Staal - Forward
Montreal figured that there weren't enough Staals in the league already, so they went to Denmark to find (and to draft) their long-lost cousin.

8. Mike Wall - Goaltender
Filled in admirably in Anaheim last season, now with the Avs AHL affiliate. Shuts the door during key opportunities, you could say he builds a, errr... wall.

7. Matt Smaby - Defence
This University of North Dakota graduate smight crack the Lightning roster this season. I'm smrooting for him, are you?

6. Matt Generous - Defence
This Sabres prospect loves to dish out the assists, almost a little too much.

5. Stephen Baby - Forward
The Springfield Falcons love having a tough customer like him in their lineup. Easiest trash talk victim award goes to?

4. Michael Christ - Forward
In 11 career games so far in his German Elite League career, he has yet to notch a penalty minute. Is anyone surprised?

3. Scott Barney - Forward
I love you, you love me, but I'm still gonna take 32 penalty minutes playing for the Hershey Bears.

2. Michael Funk - Defence
This Rochester American loves to break it down... in the defensive zone. He also has Saturday night fever... for playing hockey.

1. Dmitry Shitikov - Forward
This Moscow Dynamo forward would be in the NHL right now if it weren't for the unfortunate strict rules against what you can put on the back of a jersey...

It's time!

It's finally arrived, ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the 2007-08 NHL season! (excluding those two games in London on the weekend... come on we all know no one counted those) Four games are slated to open the season tonight, in what looks to be one of the most exciting and tight seasons in recent memory.

Here's a short preview of tonight's games:

Anaheim Ducks vs. Detroit Red Wings
The Ducks already have a regular season win under their belts, but does that mean they come into this game hot, or cold, three nights out of their cross-atlantic road trip? I'm sure there's no more jet lag, but one team you don't want to face after a trip like that is the Red Wings. Most experts are predicting the Wings to finish 1st overall AGAIN this season. The Ducks probably aren't and won't be that far behind though. Either way, this is an explosive way to start the season, pitting the top two teams in the west against each other, as well as playoff rivals.
Prediction: Red Wings 3-1, goals from Holmstrom (2), Lidstrom and Pronger.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Another set of former playoff rivals square off here, with an added twist. Both these teams missed the playoffs last year, and are out to prove that it won't happen again. The Hurricanes look very similar to the team that missed the playoffs last year, while the Habs look fresher, younger and fairly hungry. Cristobal Huet faces a ton of pressure with Carey Price breathing down his neck, Alex Kovalev has something to prove to everyone and a bunch of rookies and young players want to prove their worth to this team. Although the Hurricanes have had a good record in recent years against the Habs, I'm going to make the homer pick and say that the Habs might want it a little more tonight.
Prediction: Habs 5-4, goals from Grabovski, Kovalev, Plekanec, Ryder (2), Staal (3), Williams.

Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Most would hope that the nights of blowout wins are all but done in the NHL, but here's to hoping they're not, just for tonight. The Leafs have gotten a lot stronger this year, but the Senators are still one of the top teams in the east.
Prediction: Senators 7-3, goals from Alfredsson (3), Heatley (2), Redden, Vermette, Blake, Tucker, Kilger.

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalance
The Dallas Stars are at the bottom of most people's predictions, and haven't done much since last season to show people that they're a playoff team this year. The Avalance, on the other hand, have made changes so that they don't disappoint their fans again this season. Will they be enough to win this home opener vs. the stars? Personally I'm a Stars fan but things don't bode well for the former Stanley Cup champs this season.
Prediction: Avs 4-2, goals from Brunette (2), Sakic, Smyth, Lehtinen, Barnes.



Four games that should excite and delight fans all across the scene in the NHL tonight, we hope you enjoy them. Please note that these predictions were based on my opinion and were mostly pulled out of my behind. Watch me be dead wrong on all of them. It's all in good fun, anyway, no?

Enjoy the games everyone!

Your 2007-2008 Montreal Canadiens roster....

As of 10AM, Monday, October 1st, 2007, the Montreal Canadiens opening night roster has been set. Guy Carbonneau has made his final cuts and the team is all but good to go for Wednesday night as they open the season on the road in Carolina.

Cut from the team and sent to Montreal's Hamilton affiliate this morning are defensemen Ryan O'Byrne, goaltender Jaroslav Halak, and forward Maxim Lapierre, three cuts that some might consider obvious, others might look at and be surprised.

Ryan O'Byrne had a great camp and it seems obvious that he'll be at the very least a #4 defenseman someday in the NHL, but in the end, when push comes to shove, he has a two-way contract and doesn't have to clear waivers in order to be sent down, and the other 8 defensemen on the roster do. Even though O'Byrne was great at camp, Josh Gorges was better and deserves that spot. Besides, it should be fully expected that O'Byrne will play for this team sometime this season. He'll be the first call-up if there's a trade or an injury (and Habs fans have been expecting a trade involving a defenseman all summer, and Patrice Brisebois is almost always injured. So expect to see O'Byrne in the line-up sooner rather than later. If he had stayed on the team, he'd have been an 8th defenseman sitting in the pressbox every night. In Hamilton, he's a top pairing defenseman and he can fine tune his game.

The second player cut from the team was Jaroslav Halak, and again, no surprise there when you really dig into the matter. I'm sure that Carbo had it clear in his head since camp started that Carey Price would be making this team, and he proved at camp and in the preseason that he's reason for the big leagues, penciled in as a #1B goaltender behind Cristobal Huet. Halak proved last season that he's a very good #2 goaltender that could step up if needed and replace the #1 goalie, but as a 22 year old, he still has a long way to go. The team is better off giving next year's clear-cut #1 goalie, Carey Price, some NHL experience this year so both he and Halak are ready to take the reigns in the 08-09 campaign when Huet is gone. Halak, again, will be on this team sooner rather than later.

The third and final cut this morning was probably the hardest Carbo had to make, and probably the most surprising. Maxim Lapierre was sent down to Hamilton, a center who quickly became one of the most popular players in Montreal after he was called up mid-season last year. Hard hitting and a bit of an agitator with a fair bit of upside, a lot of people thought that Lapierre had proven that he deserved to center this team's 4th line.

The marketing team for the Canadiens certainly did. You can't walk a city block in downtown Montreal without seeing Maxim Lapierre's face plastered on a billboard. You can't walk into a sports boutique without seeing a Lapierre t-shirt or jersey hung up for sale on the wall. I myself almost bought one last week. You can't watch RDS, Quebec's version of TSN or ESPN, without seeing a Maxim Lapierre commercial!

But the truth is, all this fame must've gotten to Max's head. He had a tough camp, and he must've lost the confidence of the coach, especially with centers Mikhael Grabovski and Kyle Chipchura knocking on the Habs doorstep. This is Carbo's way of telling Lapierre and the rest of the team that no one is really safe and everyone has to work hard in order to make this team and stay on this team. Garth Murray worked hard and he made the team. Grabovski worked hard and he made the team, same for Chipchura, Josh Gorges and everyone else.

Maxim Lapierre, again, WILL be on this team sooner rather than later. But the truth is, there were players at camp that deserved to be on the team more so than Lapierre right at this moment, and, financially, in terms of the cap system and in terms of the waiver system, Lapierre was the best choice for a final cut, unfortunately.


That being said, the final roster for opening night in Raleigh on Wednesday is set. The lines have yet to be officially announced but it's pretty clear what they're going to look like:

Higgins - Koivu - Ryder
This line-up worked last year, it gave Saku Koivu a career year in points and Michael Ryder 30 goals. With Higgins potentially getting an "A" this year, and both he and Ryder maturing as offensive forwards, and with a confident and healthy Koivu centering them, there's no reason not to think this line won't be this team's best and an offensive threat in the East.

Kostitsyn - Grabovski - Kovalev
If these two feisty quick and confident young Belarussian players don't light a fire under Kovalev's posterior, no one will. Another explosive line-up that can tear up the NHL, that is if Kovalev wants it to. The addition of Grabovski gives this team an added punch at center, the young center is willing to do anything to get around - or through - the opposing team's defensemen. Kostitsyn is slated to have a great year after a great 20 or so games late last year, and Kovalev... well, Kovalev is Kovalev.

Smolinski - Plekanec - Latendresse
Another great line, Thomas Plekanec and Guillaume Latendresse are two players who can play on a top-2 line on this team, but can also do well on a 2-way checking line, and Bryan Smolinski provided the stability that this team needs, especially since losing Radek Bonk in the off-season. A solid line that will provide excellent secondary scoring for the habs this year.

Begin - Chipchura - Kostopoulos
Kostopoulos and Begin, two hard hitting players, and Chipchura, a future potential Selke candidate and this team's future 3rd line center. With Murray able to jump into this line if someone gets injured of this team needs a jolt, this line should provide some entertaining hockey when they're on the ice.

Spare: Garth Murray
There are better players in the league and in the Canadiens system than Garth Murray, but he's willing to drop the gloves and he's willing to work hard to prove his worth to the coaching staff and to the fans, which makes him a Guy Carbonneau kind of player. He'll be in the line-up when there's an injury or when the situation calls for a spare fighter, but expect him to start what'll most likely be his last season in Montreal in the press box.


On defense:
Markov - Komisarek
Solid last season, no reason to believe they'll be any less solid this year, a true #1-#2 pairing. Markov needs to step it up offensively in Sheldon Souray's absence, however, as all defensemen on the team should.

Hamrlik - Streit
Streit played most of last season as a forward who could step into a defensive role if there was an injury. This year, he'll start the season as a top 4 defenseman on this team, and deservedly so. He'll be used to patch up the hole Souray left on the powerplay and will be solid paired up (potentially) with Roman Hamrlik.

Bouillon - Brisebois
Although I'm not the biggest fan of Bouillon, he had too many hits and too many blocked shots last season to leave off the starting line-up, and Brisebois had too good of a game on Saturday to put in the press box. Both these players will most likely end up in a hospital bed before the month is up, but until then they should probably be in the starting line-up on Wednesday night.

Spares: Dandenault, Gorges
Dandenault has been an enigma. He can be a top 6 defenseman in the league, he can even play forward if the team needs him to... but when they need him the most, he just sucks. Gorges is young and will get a chance to play, but for now, because of the numbers and experience game, I think he'll start the season in the press box.


In goal...

Cristobal Huet and Carey Price
What more can be said about these too? The goaltending situation was the center of attention in Montreal during the preseason and deservingly so. If Huet and Price live up to expectations, and there's no reason they shouldn't, this could be one of the best goaltending tandems in the NHL this year.


There you have it folks, your 2007-2008 Canadiens roster. Is it a playoff roster? Probably not. Could they sneak into the playoffs? Certainly, depending how the season starts out. If Bob Gainey can make a move or two early in the season to improve the team, the experts might change their minds about leaving the Habs out of the playoff race. In reality, right now, it's more than likely this team won't make the playoffs, however, things really don't look that bad for Montreal, and at the very least, this line-up should provide a lot of entertaining hockey for the fans of the Canadiens and the NHL over the course of the next seven or eight months and beyond.

Sean Burke Retires

Sean Burke has finally decided to hang up the skates at the age of 40. He was a 3-time all-star, and put up some very good stats throughout his career. He was maybe one of the final traditional "Stand-up" style goaltenders left in the league. He had to play that style because of his size, if he wanted to avoid back issues. Burke was drafted by the Devils, then went on to play for the Whalers, Flyers, Hurricanes, Canucks, Panthers, Coyotes, Lightning and finally, the Kings. He also had some stints with Team Canada, including in 1986, when he backstopped Team Canada to a gold medal in the world junior championships.

I grew up right around the time Burke was in his prime, and have fond memories of watching him play. Although I would never mimic his style whatsoever, I respected the presence he had on the ice. You could always tell that it was Sean Burke in net, just by seeing how the goalie stood. Although he played for my Devils, that was a little before my time. I had a hockey card of him on the Devils, and always thought he looked weird as a Devil, since I was so used to just seeing Marty Brodeur as the Devils goalie! I also thought his name was pronounced "Scene", but that's another story (I was reallllly young...). I wish Sean the best in his post-career endeavors, and I will always remember the impact he had on the game of hockey.

Habs' Depth Chart Filled With Quality Goaltenders

When Cristobal Huet injured his hamstring last season Jaroslav Halak came in to the picture, and played well, yet they were still not able to get into the playoffs. Huet is now a proven first-stringer, and his absence certainly factored into why they did not make the playoffs. A healthy Huet should win his job back at training camp, unless Carey Price shows him up, but we'll get to that later. Jaroslav Halak was thrown into the fire after David Aebischer couldn't pick up the slack, and played decently, but I feel that the quality of his play was blown far out of proportion. I watched him play many times in Hamilton (and had the pleasure of meeting him) and there's no doubt he has talent, but the reality is, he did not have the league at it's mercy, he only held the fort until Huet's return the last game of the season (although some Habs fans may argue that Halak should have started that game). In the 16 games he played, he had a 2.89 GAA, and a .906 Save %. That's hardly spectacular, but considering the situation he was in, it was good enough to get the respect of Canadiens fans. He has earned the backup spot behind Huet this season, and the two should make a formidable tandem.

Carey Price. If you haven't already heard that name, get ready to hear it soon folks. This kid is the future of the Canadiens organization, and maybe even the future of the Canadian National program. He was the goalie who led Canada to gold in last year's World Junior Championships, played great for a below-average Tri-City squad of the WHL. After he was eliminated from the playoffs there, he came to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL and won the Calder Cup, picking up the MVP along the way. He's calm, cool, and has a beautiful butterfly style. He never seems to be out of position, and has excellent lateral movement. He's big, strong, and a good work ethic. What else could you ask for in a goalie? He has everything going for him, and is ready for the next step, the NHL. He played a total of 82 games last year, and proved that he can handle it, right to the last game, putting up remarkable stats along the way. Now, Price will be invited to training camp, and he will have a shot at an NHL job, whether Habs' fans like it or not. Bob Gainey has said that if Price does make the team, he will need to be the #1, he won't be backup. That is not entirely impossible. If he does make the team that would mean Huet is on his way out, somewhere, somehow. It will be an interesting situation, and all eyes will be on the Habs' camp when it begins. The other guy in the picture is Yann Danis, who is a great goalie in his own right, but doesn't really get a chance on a team with such good goaltending depth. I expected him to leave, seeing how he was a UFA this offseason, but he must've liked his situation in Hamilton, as he re-signed and will be back this season. Huet, Halak, and Price will be competing for two NHL spots this upcoming training camp, and if Price makes it, that means Huet is on his way out. If Huet makes it as the starter, it'll be a Huet/Halak tandem for the Habs, and a Price/Danis tandem for the Bulldogs.

Minnesota "Wild" Over Backstrom

Nicklas Backstrom came into last season as a relatively unknown goalie from Europe, but ended the season as the Wild's undisputed #1. They are so confident in him, that they decided to trade away Manny Fernandez to Boston. It's the same old story with critics, any goalie who plays with Jacques Lemaire as their coach will have their stats skewed, but anyone who has seen Backstrom play knows that he is there whenever the Wild need him most. He has a very relaxed style, and seems to never be out of position. He would love to rival Miikka Kiprusoff for the best goalie from Finland title. Josh Harding should be the backup. He spent most of the season in Houston of the AHL, but when Fernandez sprained his ankle in late January, he got a call up and went 3-2-1 with a 1.16 GAA in that limited time. He is still young and has potential to be a #1 sometime down the road. I believe he has finished his stay in the AHL, and I bet he hopes so too.

The Wild signed Nolan Schaefer in the offseason, and he should be their AHL starter. He has immense talent, but struggles with consistency. If he was able to fix the consistency problem, he would be able to start in the NHL, but unfortunately for him, it's a fairly big issue. There's no doubt he has talent, and he will try to prove himself playing for Houston. Miroslav Kopriva should battle Schaefer for playing time in Houston. He spent time last season between Houston and Texas of the ECHL, but most of the time (19 games) with Texas. He is only 23, but hasn't shown anything special since becoming pro. He'll certainly get a chance with Houston, but Schaefer should get the bulk of the load. Backstrom will be manning the net in Minnesota for the foreseeable future, with Harding as a possible future starter. Schaefer and Kopriva will battle it out for the third-string job.

Vokoun Looking to Turn Panthers Around

After the crippling Luongo-to-Vancouver trade that left them with an Alex Auld/Ed Belfour duo in net, it was Jacques Martin's job this offseason to find a new starting goalie. He did that and more, landing Tomas Vokoun in a draft-day deal, which saw only draft picks go the other way. Vokoun is in no way the saviour for Florida, he should provide them with above-average goaltending, and will give them a shot at the playoffs. Craig Anderson, who has bounced around from team to team, will be promoted from the AHL to backup Vokoun. Anderson has played well when given the chance to start at the NHL level, and performed even better in the AHL. He is still young, is about to reach the height of his potential, and should be a strong second-stringer these next few years. Both starters from last season are gone, Auld to Phoenix, and Belfour to Sweden, I think that a Vokoun and Anderson combo will be better.

The Florida Panthers share their AHL affiliate with the Buffalo Sabres in Rochester, and as a result can only have one goaltender on the team. The job will either go to David Shantz, who played in the ECHL last season, or Tyler Plante, who is coming out of Brandon of the WHL. Shantz was an all-star at the ECHL level, and may have the inside track on the AHL job, but only training camp will decide that. Plante is still untested, as this is going to be his first year of pro hockey, so the Panthers may send him to Florida of the ECHL to get accustomed. Plante is the future goalie for the Panthers, and has tremendous potential, so that scenario is not 100% etched in stone. Plante may very well steal the job in training camp, and they could send Shantz back to the ECHL, but we'll just have to wait and see. Vokoun should be a great asset to this team, and Anderson will be a solid backup this year. Shantz and Plante will have to duel it out in the minors these next few seasons, until the Panthers get an affiliate of their own.

Rollie the Goalie Has Company

You can't blame Dwayne Roloson for the Oiler's woes last season. The Oilers started to build for the future once management realized they were out of it, and as a result, traded away their leader, Ryan Smyth. Roloson played a lot of games last season, 68 to be exact, and looked a little tired at times. Roloson is getting older and may need more breaks to stay sharp throughout the season. Oilers management picked up on that, then went out and signed 29-year-old ex-King Mathieu Garon. Garon is out to prove he can be a starter after a few sub-par seasons in LA. Look for there to be more of a battle than expected for playing time come training camp, as I believe that Garon can and will make a push for the starting role. If Roloson gives way to Garon for over 20 games, he will improve on his stats from last season. Also, having some competition in Garon may force Roloson to work a little harder, because there's nothing better than a little healthy competition to get a goaltender going.

Edmonton's prospects have found another new home in the AHL, moving over to Springfield this season. The two goalies that should be there come opening day are Jeff Deslauriers who played in 40 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last season, and Devan Dubnyk who played for Stockton of the ECHL. The lack of an AHL affiliate for the Edmonton Oilers stunted Deslauriers' development, as he bounced around with the Edmonton Roadrunners, Greenville Grrrowl, Hamilton Bulldogs, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins all in his first 3 years of pro hockey. Hopefully having a solid spot in Springfield will let Deslauriers play some more games, and develop faster. He's already 23-years-old and needs to make an impression, quick. Devan Dubnyk was a hot prospect coming out of the WHL's Kamloops Blazers, getting drafted 14th overall in 2004 added to people's anticipation, but the lack of an AHL farm team has stunted his development as well. He was stuck playing for the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL last season. As you can imagine, he had a great season and was named to the all-star team. He moves extremely well, and you can't argue about his size, at 6'5 he takes up a lot of net. Although he did get called up for a 4 game stint in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he spent almost all season in the ECHL. He will most likely compete with Deslauriers for the starting job in Springfield this upcoming season. Look for Dwayne Roloson to play less games this year in Edmonton, as mathieu Garon should be able to handle more games than Jussi Markanen could, and watch for an AHL starting role battle between Jeff Deslauriers, and Devan Dubnyk.

Hasek Getting Better With Age

Dominik Hasek will be 42 years old when the season begins, and the Detroit Red Wings aren't worried one bit. Last year he was able to stay away from the groin injuries that have plagued him late in his career. His work load was very light, playing in only 56 games behind an air-tight defense, but he was there in every key moment when the Red Wings needed him most. He had a sparkling 2.05 GAA, and posted 38 wins. Hasek proved that he was still able to produce in the NHL, and signing another 1-year-deal in Detroit this offseason shows that he still wants to win. Having a backup like Chris Osgood, who can spell him for 20-25 games, is very important as Hasek gets older. Osgood played so well last season that the Red Wings saw almost no drop-off when he played instead of Hasek. Osgood is a seasoned veteran who clearly still has some gas left in the tank, and actually plays a part in the team's success, which most backups don't, due to the amount of games he plays.

The two goalies who played in Grand Rapids last season were Jimmy Howard, and Stefan Liv. Howard should be back again next season as the starter, and has proven to be a solid netminder at the AHL level. It's his job to step it up some more, as the Red Wings management hope he can one day start for them. He has been called up a little bit, and should see some more time this season at the NHL level, but he will likely be sent to Grand Rapids at the conclusion of training camp. Stefan Liv on the other hand, will not be back this season, as he signed a 3-year-contract to play for HV71 of the Swedish Elite League. His rights are still owned by the Red Wings, but he will continue to develop overseas. His unorthodox style has been compared to Dominik Hasek, and only time will tell if he makes it back to North America. After the Red Wings management heard the news that Liv would be leaving, they went out and signed Adam Berkhoel. Berkhoel played for Atlanta a few years ago when they were having injury trouble with their goaltenders, but has mainly bounced around in the AHL and ECHL. Last year he started for Dayton of the ECHL, and played well enough to earn a spot as the backup to Howard in Grand Rapids. The Wings also have a solid Swedish prospect named Daniel Larsson. He played for Djurgardens IF Stockholm of the Swedish Elite League, and continues to develop nicely. He was drafted in 2006, and we shouldn't see him here in North America for a couple of years. If he continues to improve, he should challenge for an NHL job down the road, but there is still plenty of work to do and games to play before we start making assumptions about his future. Dominik Hasek wants to win another cup before he re-retires, and with the roster the Red Wings have, he very well may, but he has nothing else to prove and will retire when he feels he's done. Chris Osgood should back him up nicely, and Jimmy Howard will be in Grand Rapids, waiting for his chance.

Turco Overcomes Playoff Woes... Kinda

Marty Turco has been haunted by his play in the playoffs ever since he received the starting role for the Dallas Stars in 2002. Last offseason he aimed to change that. He made changes to his diet and exercise plan, and even shied away from group activities within the team, all in hopes of changing his luck in the postseason. The result: a first round playoff exit by the hands of the Vancouver Canucks. It was not at all his fault though. He had 3 shutouts, and led all playoff goaltenders with a 1.30 GAA. He played very well for the Stars in that series, the problem was that they just couldn't score for him. If Turco continues these routines, he will be doing what every goalie wishes to do, and that is give your team a chance to win. With the talent Turco has, he should be able to do that, and more. 06/07 was a very good year for goalies in the big D in general, as first-year backup Mike Smith stepped in unbelievably, playing 23 games, and posting a 2.23 GAA. He should continue to improve, and be a solid backup for Turco for years to come. He may even be able to step in for Turco, sometime down the road.

In terms of prospects, the Stars have a Swiss netminder named Tobias Stephan. He spent his first year in North America last season with Iowa of the AHL. He only played in 27 games, but proved that he could handle more, and now that he's accustomed to the different style of play, he should continue to make strides at the pro level. He's a calm, cool, and collected butterfly style goaltender, and rarely seems to panic. He has excellent size and great reflexes, a good combination. He is criticized for having a weak five-hole, and has some consistency issues, which could be due to lack of endurance. Those are all things that can be fixed, so Stars fans should not be worried. He is certainly a name to watch this upcoming season, because if he continues to get better, he may be called up sooner than we all thought. Other than Stephan the Stars are very weak in the depth charts at goaltending, mainly due to their confidence in Turco, so they haven't been drafting any young goalies. Turco should be the man between the pipes for the Stars in the foreseeable future, with Mike Smith waiting in the wings, and Tobias Stephan in the background.

Leclaire Gets Second Shot in Columbus

Last offseason, the Blue Jackets turned some heads by trading away starter Marc Denis to Tampa Bay, and announcing that they would be going with Pascal Leclaire as their full time stater. Leclaire, who was unproven and injury prone up to then, did what he did best with the role. He got injured and didn't prove himself. He ended up only playing 24 games, and posted a miserable record of 6-15-2. Hopefully this year he can turn it around and live up to his potential, right? Well Fredrik Norrena doesn't hope so. He was the starter when Leclaire was hurt, and played very well considering he didn't have the leagues greatest defense in front of him. He actually posted a winning record of 24-23-3 on a team that finished 33-42-7. You can't use the goalie's record to make assumptions about his play though, that's why you have to see that Norrena also had a .904 save percentage, and a GAA of 2.78. He was certainly one of the unsung heroes of last season, and I believe that Norrena should be the starter this season in Columbus, but since Leclaire is a lot younger, and has more potential, they would like to give him another shot. It's tough to argue against that type of reasoning.


Tomas Popperle was the starter in Syracuse of the AHL last season, and got called up when Leclaire got hurt, to back Norrena up. He only got into 2 games, but showed that he can handle the tempo. He had a good season in Syracuse, putting up respectable numbers, and is worthy of another recall, if it's required. Daniel Lacosta was the back-up to Popperle in Syracuse, but only played in 19 games. He requires some work in order to someday even be an AHL starter, but he is still young, and there is lots of time to get things worked out. The Jacket's main prospect is a young stud by the name of Steve Mason. Some may recognize that name because he was the goalie who started game one of the Canada/Russia Super Series which is currently going on. He stopped 40 of 42 shots that game, and got the win, but had some shaky moments. He is very big for his age, and posted solid numbers in London of the OHL last season. He had a good team in front of him, that's why I'm not sold on him, but from what I saw in the Canada/Russia game, he can handle the load of a game with a high amount of shots. He has some work to do, but he has the fundamentals to be a very good goalie in the future. Look for Fredrik Norrena to press Pascal Leclaire for the starting role opening day in training camp, but Leclaire definitely has the advantage because of his age.

Khabibulin So Far, Unimpressive in Chicago

When the Chicago Blackhawks signed Nikolai Khabibulin to a 4-year $27 million contract, they expected the goalie who led the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup. He is now halfway through that contract, and he has been sub-par. He doesn't get much goal support playing in Chicago, but his play certainly hasn't helped the matter. Patrick Lalime should be the backup for the 'Hawks when the season begins. After he recovered from back surgery and returned to action near the end of last season, he played well enough to drive Brian Boucher out of town. He'll be hoping to return to the way he played while on the Senators a few years ago, and is willing to work towards that goal of someday starting in the NHL once again.

The Blackhawks signed 39-year-old Wade Flaherty who played with Manitoba of the AHL last season, this offseason, and he is likely to start in Rockford this season (They are no longer affiliated with Norfolk). He is a proven veteran who the Blackhawks hope will be a mentor to young Corey Crawford, who is the other goaltender that will play for Rockford. Crawford was the starter in Norfolk of the AHL last season, and will probably play the majority this season, over Flaherty. Chicago is not very deep at the Goaltender position, so in terms of prospects, all they have is Joe Palmer, who will be at Ohio State University this season, and Joe Fallon who played out of the University of Vermont the last three seasons. Palmer has decent talent, and quite a bit of potential, but he relies on his reflexes a little too much, due to his lack of positioning. He needs to be coached in the coming years, and could turn into an NHL starter, so the 'Hawks will just have to wait and see with him. Fallon is a consistent, stand-up style goaltender, with good lateral movement. He takes up a lot of net with his 6'3 195 pound frame, and is very good at playing the angles. He is also a good puckhandler, and should continue to improve these next few seasons. Other than that, the Blackhawks don't have much to offer. Khabibulin needs to step things up for the present Blackhawks team, and the management needs to find a solid #1 option for the future Blackhawks team, down the road.