It's Begun......

It's begun...... and who would have thought teams like New Jersey, Vancouver and Detroit would be the teams without a win and teams like St Louis, Colorado and Columbus would be thriving so early.
Now as a die-hard Vancouver fan I refuse to believe this is a sign of things to come. With the Canucks, losing their first three against Calgary, Columbus and Colorado, heads are being turned in Roberto Luongo's direction. Of course that captain insists that things are about to change, but what else are you suppose to say when your preformance has been less then brilliant.
Then again it is only a week into the season, but some number are just too hard to ignor. Vancouver has 13 goals against, last in the league....... yes even worst then Toronto at 12 goals against.
Now on a more positive note, Philadelphia, the Rangers, Washington, Calgary and San Jose, all have 10+ goals for; in just 10 games. And where as some players can go all season without a point, every player on Calgary's current roster has at least one point. Adam Pardy had 1 goal and 9 assist in all of last season, and now, has 1 goal and 2 assist in 3 games. Considering he's generally about a 60-65 (ish) games per season, kind of player thats putting him on pace for about 60 points this season. Unlikely, but possible.
We all know that stars shine bright, no matter what the season, and this one being no exception. The sky must be really clear in Washington because a few stars are brighter then others. The Great 8, Alex Ovechkin already has 5 goals, 4 assists and is a +6. Nicklas Backstrom has 8 assists and is a +5 rating. Alexander Semin has netted 4 goals and has 2 helpers and big # 21, Brooks Laich, has 3 of each, goals and assists.
Soon the 09-10 season will be in mid-flight and everyones true colors with come through. Who will be the surprise breakout player? Which rookie will step up? Which new acquisition will prove to be a smart deal and which one will be a disappointment? Will a budding Chicago squad make it to the cup finals and lose, making it three straight season, with 3 different teams, Hossa's been close enough to taste victory and be denied the chance to drink from Lord Stanley's cup? Who know, but it's sure going to be fun finding out. Let's all just sit back and enjoy!!! =]

Free Agency! It keeps us on our toes! [part one]

New Teams

Mattias Ohlund-------------------from Vancouver to Tampa Bay

Marian Hossa---------------------from Detroit to Chicago

Ty Conklin------------------------from Detroit to St Louis

Dwayne Roloson------------------from Edmonton to NY Islanders

Mike Knuble----------------------from Philadelphia to Washington

Jaroslav Spacek-------------------from Buffalo to Montreal

Nikolai Khabibulin----------------from Chicago to Edmonton

Ian Laperriere--------------------from Colorado to Philadephia

Mike Cammalleri-----------------from Calgary to Montreal

Mike Komisarek------------------from Montreal to Toronto

Sami Pahlsson--------------------from Chicago to Columbus

Mathieu Garon-------------------from Pittsburgh to Columbus

John Madden---------------------from New Jersey to Chicago

Brian Gionta----------------------from New Jersey to Montreal

Martin Havlat--------------------from Chicago to Minnesota

Nik Antropov---------------------from NY Rangers to Atlanta

Adrian Aucoin--------------------from Calgary to Phoenix

Tyler Arnason--------------------from Colorado to NY Rangers

Mikael Samuelsson---------------from Detroit to Vancouver

All those in just the first three days......and i failed to mention a lot of other less effecting signings!

They say a picture is worth. ...... .. ..

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes only one word comes to mind....Love <3

click thumbnail for full image

What Sound Does A Blackhawk Make?

~What sound does a blackhawk make?

It sounds something like 19000+ crazy fans screaming inside The United Center in Chicago!!

Deafening, I would assume.

Now unfortunately game 6 of the Hawks-Flames series, in which the Blackhawks dominated, was in Calgary, so everyone left with their hearing intact.

Calgary fans only had one occasion to cheer, when Bertuzzi scored his first and last goal of the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs, at the beginning of the 3rd period. The Flames were already down by three and Dustin Byfuglien eventually potted an empty netter to make it 4-1 and finish the Flames season.

Chicago, finally back in the playoffs, with more then just fighting words, a legitimate chance.

Youth is proving to be quite an asset. Experience is sparse upfront, but strong between the pipes. It's possible that 17 players on the Hawks roster could have made their post season debut this season.

Their Playoff experience looks something like this:

Nikolai Khabibulin--1 Stanley Cup Ring
---57 games----31 wins----25 loses----6 shutouts----.921Sv----2.29 GAA

with Winnipeg, Phoenix and Tampa Bay

Andrew Ladd--1 Stanley Cup Ring

---17 games----3 goals----2 assists----4 PM

with Carolina

Sami Pahlsson--1 Stanley Cup Ring

---64 games----7 goals----16 assists----50 PM

with Anaheim

Martin Havlat

---51 games----14 goals----20 assists----34 PM

with Ottawa

Brent Sopel
---42 games----2 goals----9 assists----10 PM
with Vancouver

Brian Campbell
---47 games----4 goals----16 assists----30 PM
with Buffalo

Christobal Huet
---13 games----5 wins----8 loses----.918Sv----2.65 GAA
with Montreal and Washington

Patrick Sharp

---12 games----1 goal----2 PM

with Philadelphia

Matt Walker
---4 games----1 assist
with St. Louis

Ben Eager

---2 games----26 PM

with Philadelphia

Ode To The Playoffs

Ode to the playoffs
Where the good play the great
and the better prevail

Ode to the players
who raise their game
play shift after shift
until every inch of them burns

Ode to the game
tape to tape passes
top shelf back-handers
bone crushing hits
glove saves

Ode to the fan
who stay loyal through it all
and never let go of hope
those who celebrate with the team

Ode to the ice
freshly flooding
a new beginning
perfect

Ode to the playoffs
16 wins is all it takes
the strong will survive
and the weak will become stronger
because in the playoffs,
passion leads you to the cup
and passion is in all of us

by Michelle Dudeck
=]

New Team, New Tricks

Trade deadline was well anticipated and to my concerned, worked out pretty well, heres a few players that fit in well with the new team thus far.

Player------------------From-------------To
Antione Vermette------Ottawa------------Columbus
3 goals, 3 assist, 1 PPG, +4, in 4 games with Columbus, limemates: Williams and Umberger

Olli Jokinen-------------Phoenix-----------Calgary
5 goals, 6 PM, 1 PPG in 5 games wit Calgary, linemates: Iginla and Cammallari

Scottie Upshall----------Philadelphia-------Phoenix
3 goals, 2 PPG, 6 PM, +1, in 5 gmaes with Phoenix, linemates: Prucha and Lombardi

Matthew Lombardi-----Calgary------------Phoenix
1 goal, 3 assists, 1 PPG, in 5 games, linemates: Upshall and Prucha

Erik Cole---------------Edmonton----------Caroline
1 goal, 5 assists, 2 PM, +1, in 5 games, linemates: Ruutu and Staal

The Youngins- Rookie version

With most veterans takes new, less extreme roles on their teams (some exceptions of course), the young guys are stepping in to make the big plays. The obvious young players like, Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin...and the Staals all play big roles on their respected clubs but I'm talking rookies who are making and impact and getting it done this season.

Notable Rookies
USA----Boston Bruins- Blake Wheeler- 38 points- +33- 57% in the shootout
USA--Chicago Blackhawks- Kris Versteeg- 44 points- 28 assists(leads rookies)- 4 SH goals
SWE----St Louis Blues- Patrik Berglund- 38 points- 21 goals(leads rookies)- 6 PP goals
CAN--Anaheim Ducks- Bobby Ryan- 41 points- 8 PP goals
CAN----Columbus Blue Jackets- Derek Dorsett- 138 PM
USA--St Louis Blues- Brandon Crombeen- 132 PM- 3 GWG
CAN----Columbus Blue Jackets- Steve Mason- 8 shutouts (leads the league)- 24 wins- .920 SV%
FIN--Nashville Predators- Pekka Rinne- 20 wins- 6 shutouts- .926SV%(leads rookies)

Veteran Savvy

Thornton, Elias, Doan, Iginla. We all know these names but why. Some players play 20 years in the league and bearly get regonized. Others get noticed. Some guys just know where to be on the ice, can pass tape to tape, through skates and sticks and choas. Some guys can pick the top corner from any where in the offensive zone, others can speed down the ice or seperate someone from the puck with force. Some can do it all. This; mixed with the experience that comes from many NHL season.....Dangerous! Patience, poise, awareness...Savvy!

Joe Thornton
Drafted: 1997 by Boston 1st overall
Played for the Bruins until mid-way through the 2005-2006 season, Finished that season with the Sharks, where is remains. Has 821 points to date, 809 games. Finished 1st in San Jose with 92 points last season, 5th in the NHL. Won the Art Ross Trohpy, Hart Trophy in 2006.
Patrik Elias
Drafted: 1994 by New Jersey 2nd round 51 overall
Made his NHL debut with the Devils in the 1995-1996 season. Had a career high in 2000-2001 with 96 points, 40 goals and 56 assists. Patrik has 692 points in 803 games in the NHL to date, all with the Devils. Finished the 2007-2008 second, only to Zach Parise, in New Jersey. He has been in the top 5 point getters on his team since 1998, six of those years, he led. Missed most on the 2005-2006 season due to hepatitis-A but still collected 45 points in 38 games.
Shane Doan
Drafted: 1995 by Winnipeg 1st rounnd, 7th overall
Played a single season for the Jets, and went to Phoenix where Winnipeg had been relocated. Still with the Coyotes has 602 points in 941 games and has reached the 20 goal mark nine times. Doan has represented Canada in 7 international events, and has 31 points. The Coyotes captain had a career high season last year with 78 points, and is on pace for 74 points this season.
Jerome Iginla
Drafted: 1995 by Dallas 1st round, 11th overall
Iginla was traded in Calgary in December of 1995, without playing any time in the NHL. The Flames leader has played in four NHL All-Star games and has won the Rocket Richard Trophy(twice), the Art Ross Throphy, the Lester B Pearson Award, and the King Clancy Memorial Trohpy. Jerome has 823 points in 917 games in the NHL. He has scored 50 goals twice in his career and only in 1997-1998 has he scored less then 20 goales in a season. He has led his team in points, the last 7 season.

The Lucky Ones-----West

All Star week in Montreal is going to be huge! On the cities 100th season in the league, is there any better place for the All Star events to be held. I still don't like that the league feels every team needs to be represented, giving some guys a place in the game in which someone else deserves more. It's not all-star or elite if it's not actually the best talent in the league! Anyway here's what i think:
Western lineup
Pat Kane----i give him 2 assists, he'll be relatively quite
Jonanthan Toews----he'll show a little flare but not expecting big points
Ryan Getzlaf----a goal, a good big body presences around the net but has the soft hands
Dustion Brown
Pavel Datsyuk----will fly by everyone with ease but will only get 2 or 3 points
Shane Doan----good presence, a goal and an assist
Milan Hejduk
Jerome Iginla----he'll score, possibly on the powerplay, if he gets a chance
Mike Modano----throw his body around nicely
Rick Nash----points a plently
Joe Thornton----3 or 4 points
Keith Tkachuk
Brian Campbell----a couple assists, maybe a goal, but good puck awareness
Scott Niedermayer
Dan Boyle
Nick Lidstrom----3 assists
Sheldon Souray----let the slap shot go a few time
Shea Weber
JS Giguere
Niklas Backstrom
Roberto Luongo----if he plays......

Dear Mr......

Dear Mr. Carter

Jeff, if I may. 23 games into the season you already have 16 goals, only 13 goals away from your season best. Your assists are a little behind from the usual but I wouldn't worry, because your already have 3 powerplay and 2 short handed points. Now I would like to see you finish with over 50 points, like you did last you year, but it's only your forth season in the league, so I'll give you all the time you need. But at the rate your going your on pace for an easy 78 point.

Dear Mr. Lundqvist

The NHL has been good to you, as you have been to it. With already 15 wins, I'm a little worried that fatigue will set in or injuries will arise. Take it easy, you have the Rangers at you back, and the majority of the goaltender statistics in your hand....ahem glove. You've taken the most shots and made the most saves in the league, and although you are shotout-less, you had 10 last season, so there is no doubt you can do it! Oh and Henrik, I know you were frustrated but can you give Valiquette a little heads up before you pull yourself again!

Dear Mr. Burke

What do you think you can do for the Leafs, that no-one else can do? The Canucks only won one round of the playoffs with you sitting high in you Vancouver throne. The throne is much higher in T.O. .......don't fall!

Playing the Captains Role --Part 2 of 6

Carolina to Dallas

Carolina Hurricans
Who Is: Rod Brind'Amour "C", Eric Staal "A", Cory Stillman "A", Ray Whitney "A", Glen Wesley "A"
Who Should Be: Justin Williams "A"
Who Shouldn't Be: Glen Wesley "A"
In The Future: Eric Staal "C", Eric Cole "A"

Chicago Blackhawks
Who Is: Martin LePointe "A", Jonathon Toews "A", Brent Seabrook "A"
Who Should Be: Robert Lang "A", Martin Havlat "A"
Who Shouldn't Be: Martin Lepointe "A"
In The Future: Jonathon Toews "C", Patrick Kane "A", Patrick Sharp "A"

Colorado Avalanche
Who Is: Joe Sakic "C", Ian Laperriere "A", Andrew Brunette "A"
In The Future: Paul Stastny "C", Wojtek Wolski "A"

Columbus Blue Jackets
Who Is: Adam Foote "C", Rick Nash "A", Sergei Fedorov "A", David Vyborny "A"
In The Future: Nikolai Zherdev "A", Gilbert Brule "A"

Dallas Stars
Who Is: Brenden Morrow "C", Mike Madano "A", Sergei Zubov "A"
Who Should Be: Mike Ribero "A"
In The Future: Jussi Jokenin "C"

Playing the Captains Role --Part 1 of 6

Anahiem to Colorado

Anahiem
Who Is: Chris Pringer "C", Rob Niedermayer "A", Chris Kunitz "A"
Who Should Be: Andy McDonald "C", Ryan Getzlaf "A"
Who Shouldn't Be: Chris Pronger "C"
In The Future: Ryan Getzlaf "A", Corry Perry "A"

Atlanta Thrashers
Who Is: Bobby Holik "C", Marian Hossa "A", Ilya Kovalchuk "A", Slava Kozlov "A", Niclas Havlid "A"
In The Future: Marian Hossa "C", Tobias Enstrom "A"

Boston Bruins
Who Is: Zdeno Chara"C", Glen Murray "A", Marc Savard "A"
Who Should Be: Marco Sturm "A"
In The Future: Phil Kessel "C"

Buffalo Sabres
Who Is: Toni Lydman "C", Brian Campbell "A", Jochen Hecht "A"
Who Should Be: Derek Roy "A"
In The Future: Jason Pominville "A", Derek Roy "A"

Calgary Flames
Who Is: Jerome Iginla "C", Owen Nolan "A", Stephane Yelle "A", Robyn Regehr "A", Rhett Warrener "A"
Who Should Be: Dion Phaneuf "A", Daymond Langkow "A"
Who Shouldn't Be: Stephane Yelle "A", Rhett Warrener "A"
In The Future: Dion Phaneuf "C"

MY All Star Teams

Western
Goalies- Evgeni Nabokov, Roberto Luongo, Pascal Laclaire
Defence- Nicklas Lidstrom, Mattias Ohlund, Brain Rafalski, Dion Phaneuf
Right Wingers- Patrick Kane, Cory Perry, Marian Gaborik, Alexander Radulov
Left Wingers- Henrik Zetterberg, Daniel Sedin, Rick Nash, Wojtek Wolski
Centers- Joe Thornton, Henrik Sedin, Paul Stastny, Pavel Datsyuk


Eastern
Goalies- Martin Brodeur, Henrik Lundqvist, Marty Biron
Defencemen- Sergei Gonchar, Andrei Markov, Michal Rozsivak, Mathieu Dandenault
Right Wingers- Jaromir Jagr, Danny Alfredsson, Marty St Louis, Marian Hossa
Left Wingers- Ilya Kovalchuk, Dany Heatley, Zach Parise, Alex Ovechkin
Centers- Vinny Lecavalier, Michael Nylander, Daniel Briere, Scott Gomez

Free Agency and New life

Wow free agency is screwing with my head quite a bit. It's crazy seeing players I loved on one team go to a team I don't like, or watching a team i love get players I don't want to watch. Ugh, frustrating.
Favorite Teams:
Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadians, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks

Notable Trades- Blue- I Really like it, Orange I like it, Red- It's got it's good and bad points to it, Yellow- Don't like it, Purple- I really Don't like it, Green- Doesn't matter

Scott Hannan goes to Colorado
Chris Drury goes to NYR
Scotty Gomez goes to NYR
Brian Raflaski goes to Detroit
Mathieu Schnieder goes to Anahiem
Jed Ortmeyer goes to Nashville
Ryan Smyth goes to Colorado
Paul Kariya goes to St Louis
Dany Saboruin goes to Pittsburgh
Michael Nylander goes to Washington
Todd Bertuzzi goes to Anahiem
Bryan Smolinski goes to Montreal
Dainius Zubrus goes to New Jersey
Bill Geurin goes to NYI
Mike Comrie goes to NYI
Jocelyn Thibault goes to Buffalo

Back-Ups Moving Up

so this season it season like alot of good players didn't set it up and lost their stopa to their back ups. in a way thats kinda cool for the back-ups and its good be a good feeling for this but it's gooding suck for the guys losing their positions. Sometimes though the starter doesnt actually lose the position but he's taken from it for a bit.

Lost the starting stop

Marty Biron was suppose to be the starter but lost it to Ryan Miller------[Buffalo]
Martin Gerber was brought in to replace Hasek as the start but didn't preform so Ray Emery stepped in and proved he could fill Hasek's unfilled shows----[Ottawa]
Ilya Bryzgalov was brought in for JS Giguere in round one, Giguere became a daddy and there was a little set back with his new little one so Ilya had to get the Ducks through the serie----[Anahiem]
Johan Hedberg stepped in for Kari Lehtonen, though he didn't win the game nor the series, it sure sent a message to the Thrashers-----[Atlanta]
Peter Budaj pretty much stole Jose Theodore's job in the mountain, J.T. only played 33 games all season with only 13 wins, Budaj only played 24 more games but had 20 more wins----[Colorado]
Cristobal Huet, on the other end of the spectrum, only played 10 more games then David Aebischer eith only 6 more wins but eveyone turned to Mr. Huet when times got rough-----[Montreal]
Nicklas Backstrom played 3 less games then Manny Fernandez and only had one more win then him, but he sure turned heads when Fernandez was out-----[Minnesota]
Wade Dubielewicz, how the hell is he, well he's the guy who got the Islanders in the playoffs, winning 4 out of 8 of the most important games for the Isles this season while Rick DiPietro was out----[NYI]
Dany Sabourin played about three minutes of the playoff while Roberto Luongo went missing in the beginning of OT. He made 3 or 4 big saves went it counted-----[Vancouver]
Marty Brion, again, went to Philly and became the starter again----[Philadelphia]
Antero Niittymaki, signed as a 2nd string goalie played 3 times as many games as Robert Esche, the starter. Although he didn't win much, the rest of the team help him out to much-----[Philadelphia]

The Best Jersey Numbers- Part 1

Part 1- #1-25 The Best Numbers in hockey, why there the best and other cool people who where/wore it!
[1]-[ Kirk McLean]-[Roberto Luongo, Johan Hedberg]
[2]-[Mattias Ohlund]-[
[3]-[Kevin Bieksa]-[
[4]-[Vinny Lacavalier]-[Chris Kunitz, Mattias Norstrom]
[5]-[Nicklas Lidstrom]-[Bryan Allen]
[6]-[Sami Salo]-[Adrain Aucoin]
[7]-[Brendan Morrison]-[
[8]-[Teemu Selanne]-[Keith Tkachuk, Marek Malik, Wojtek Wolski, Alex Ovechkin]
[9]-[Derek Roy]-[Milan Michalek, Taylor Pyatt, Zach Parise]
[10]-[Pavel Bure]-[Marian Gaborik]
[11]-[Daniel Alfredsson]-[Saku Koivu, Jordan Staal]
[12]-[Simon Gagne]-[Eric Staal, Patrick Marleau, Brian Rolston]
[13]-[Slava Kozlov]-[Ray Whitney, Pavel Datsyuk, Mike Cammalleri]
[14]-[Brian Gionta]-[Brendan Shanahan, Johnathon Cheechoo]
[15]-[Dany Heatley]-[ Jamie Langenbrunner]
[16]-[Trevor Linden]-[Marco Sturm, Sergei Federov, Darcy Tucker]
[17]-[Ilya Kovalchuk]-[
[18]-[Marian Hossa]-[ Sergei Brylin, Matthew Lombardi]
[19]-[Stevie Yzerman]-[Markus Naslund, Joe Thornton, Joe Sakic, Andy McDonald, Scott Mellanby, Jason Spezza, Shane Doan]
[20]-[Evgeni Nabokov]-[
[21]-[Peter Forsberg]-[Chris Higgins, Bryan Smolinski]
[22]-[Daniel Sedin]-[Tiger Williams, Setev Begin, Scott Hannan]
[23]-[Chris Drury]-[Scott Gomez, Milan Hejduk]
[24]-[Martin Havlat]-[Chris Chelios, Matt Cooke, Brad May]
[25]-[Mathieu Dandenault]-[

Sens vs Ducks

So I actually expected Detroit to be in the final but either way!

I think the Sens will come out on top in this one, bearly, but they will!

Both teams have a few injuries right now that might fix themselves by Monday, I still think Ottawa has the edge!

Their young and energetic, not that the Ducks aren't just not to Ottawa's extent. Both goalies have been playing amazing so you can't exactly base whos going to win on which team has the better goalie. The only thing I could say about them is that Giguere has a little trouble with missed shots that rebound back in front from the boards.

Emery is generally pretty solid.

Both teams have good captians in Scotty Niedermayer and Alfredsson, and both teams bring the physical aspect and grit to the game, so it's kind of tough to predict. So i hope I'm right!

Buffalo Blowout?

Well Buffalo, of all teams, is down 3-0 in their series against the Sens. How happy am I right now? lol Considering all the guys at working we soo sure Buffalo would win the cup and now their doubtfully going to make it to the final. Even when I told then the Sabres need to wake up or it's not going to Happen, no-one at work believed me! lol

Anyway good for the Sens to be where they are, representing Canada and all! Emery is stepping up big time and I hope it continues. I'd like to see Ottawa and Detroit in the final, a game 7 would be nice! lol

Back to Buffalo, it's not that I don't like them cuz i really like Derek Roy, but they just don't do it for me and i'm usually not a Sens fan but when push comes to shove Buffalo will fall and there has always just been something about them that i don't like, possibly Lindy Ruff, i don't know. And they trade Biron, like who does that. but either way, Sabres, not on my favorite list exactly.

He is a random picture of Alfie!

Good Pictures RUINED

Click!

So close your can smell in......or not?

A few nights ago, with determination the Ducks eliminated Vancouver from the playoffs. Not exactly was i was hoping for. For more details on that go to http://canucksanddevils.blogspot.com/ .

Last night with 7 seconds left in a 1-0 Rangers, Sabres game Chris Drury forced OT where Afinogenov would later end the game. Buffalo leads that series 3-2.

Today Detroit and San Jose battle in a tied series and this evening the Devils and Sens go at it. Ottawa leads that series 3-1.

The players can almost smell victory, but for some it will be over very soon. As much as I want NYR to beat Buffalo i don't think it will happen. The Sabres just have more depth. I also want NJD to take out the Sens but thats a little unikely at this point as well. The Devils are either to defensive at times or not at all, and the Sens are just hot right now.

Sharks and Wings. I'm actually really torn in this series. i like both these teams and both have depth and talant. So I can't really predict this one. Hasek or Nabokov, Lidstrom or Marleau, Zetterberg or Thornton, Datsyuk or Cheechoo. I have no idea! Right now it's not about who I like better it's about who is better.