Nanne on Barreiro's show

Dan Barreiro had former North Stars General Manager Lou Nanne on his radio show bumper to bumper on Tuesday and was talking about the Stanley Cup Playoffs and hockey and of course Zach Parise.

It would appear that Nanne seems to think that Parise and Sutter have a good chance on being members of the Minnesota Wild. I think we will have to wait and see...

Stanley Cup Playoffs Tribute 2012

While my favorite team didn't win the Stanley Cup this season, the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs was an exciting championship. The Los Angeles Kings steam rolled the opposition and were a miserable team to play against. The New Jersey Devils were persistent, disciplined and played physical hockey and they didn't let the opposition goad them into silly unnecessary penalties.

Going forward, lets hope there isn't a work stoppage and that they NHL season can start on time, I am not very positive about this happening but I am not going to give up hope. I am not sure the sport can afford to have another season off - there are as many as six teams that might not survive is there is a lock out.

Nanne – ‘Good chance Parise’ signs with the Wild

First off, color me cynical, if not almost suspicious that Lou Nanne is on record after conveniently talking to the Wild Wild owner Craig Leipold that he believes that Parise is going to sign with the Minnesota Wild.

Judd Zulgad, 1500ESPN.com --- Former North Stars president and general manager Lou Nanne confirmed as much on Tuesday during his weekly appearance on "Reusse and Mackey" on 1500 ESPN. Nanne said that after talking to Wild owner Craig Leipold last week he believes, "the Wild are going to throw the kitchen sink" at the winger in order to land him.

Nanne said he thinks the fact the financially strapped Devils lost in the Cup finals make it less likely that Parise will stick with that organization. Parise has spent his seven-year NHL career with New Jersey and served as the team's captain.

"I was under the belief that he would have to win the Cup to come to Minnesota until I talked to Craig Leipold last week," Nanne said. "I've gotta tell you, the Wild are going to throw the kitchen sink at him. I think there's a good chance he ends up in Minnesota, because I don't see anybody in the National Hockey League willing to give as much to Parise as the Wild are going to be willing to give. So I would not be surprised if Zach Parise came home."

Nanne went on to say that the Wild will pursue Parise and Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter, who also will be a free agent on July 1.

When Parise asked about his future the Devils captain wasn’t ready to talk about the issue.

“I’m not going to talk about that,” the Devils captain said. “I’m not going to talk about that.”

Now that the Stanley Cup Finals are over the six-10 million dollar question is where is former Fighting Sioux All-American forward Zach Parise is going to sign after the July first? I have seen where the Rangers, Redwings, Wild, Bruins and Kings as potential teams where he might end up. I wouldn’t rule New Jersey out either; apparently the New Jersey Devils made 32 million dollars into their coffers off of their Stanley Cup Playoff run.

Where's Zach Parise going - Is it The L.A. Kings?

English: Zach Parise (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So it's begins - the push by 29 NHL teams to convince former Fighting Sioux forward and current Devils star Zach Parise to sign a multi year, multi million dollar contract.

Parise is soon to be unrestricted free agent and is going to draw a lot of interest from many teams. This question is how much cap space to the Los Angeles Kings actually have? According to Cap Geek, the L.A. Kings have four guys (Mike Richards, Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter and Drew Doughty) locked up in about 24 million dollars in salary.

Steve Simmons,Toronto Sun --- Up next for the Los Angeles Kings: First, a parade. Then, the pursuit of free agent Zach Parise come July 1.

These Kings have no intention of winning just one Stanley Cup. They want more. And they are not in any kind of salary cap conundrum, the way past winners have found themselves . They won’t have to dish off quality players - or any players really - the way the Chicago Blackhawks did after winning two years ago.

And while they won’t say so because they can’t legally say so, the captain of the New Jersey Devils is No. 1 on their off-season shopping list.

They want Parise, as do many teams, and they want him badly.

Parise fits perfectly into the Kings’ ultra-competitive philosophy, led by general manager Dean Lombardi and his able assistant, Ron Hextall. What they determined on their way to the Stanley Cup was what so many have known already. But until you witness it up close, experience it with your players - that fine line between success and failure often comes down to little more than effort

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are over and now comes the question - where is Zach going to sign - it seems like very day there is another rumor or pontification by a blogger or hockey writer on where Zach is going to sign when free agency begins.

Matt Greene goal against the Devils game 6

Congratulations to former Fighting Sioux defenseman Matt Greene and the Los Angeles Kings as they won the Stanley Cup four games to two over the New Jersey Devils  - with the Kings win tonight Greene became the 12th former Fighting Sioux hockey player to have his name inscribed on the Stanley Cup.  Greene was able to put some icing on the cake as he scored an unassisted goal at the 16:30 mark of the third period to push the lead to 6-1.

Ouch! Alec Martinez hit on Travis Zajac

This was a hard legal hit by former Miami RedHawk and current Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alex Martinez put a monstrous hit on former Fighting Sioux and current New Jersey Devils forward Travis Zajac during the 05:22 mark of the second period. I think it's going to be safe to say that both teams are going to take a couple of day to heal after this series is over.

Bernier's ill advised CFB on Scuderi

This is the shot heard round the hockey world tonight. This check from behind by New Jersey Devils forward Steve Bernier on Kings Defenseman Rob Scuderi that lead to a five minute major and a game misconduct for Bernier - the Kings pounced on the opportunity and they were able to bury the Devils on the major power play as they got three goals in five minutes - in essence putting the game out of reach for the Devils before the game was 20 minutes old.

There were some on twitter that said Scuderi took a dive go back and watch the video - there is no way that Scuderi dove on that play, he missed the rest of the period and was in the Kings locker room.

Monday Links - hockey almost over for the summer.

There are a few stories of interest today on the internet about Stanley Cup Finals.

There is one thing that we know – the Stanley Cup Playoffs are going to last one or two more games and then the NHL will be in full summer mode. This season Stanley Cup Finals has been one of the most uneventful playoff series in a very long time. There has been nothing in the way of big hits that need extra scrutiny or villains like the Canucks Alex Burrows that need to be vilified.

Can Devils captain Zach Parise heat up?

After checking in with seven goals and 14 points in the first 17 games of this postseason, the production has dropped off for Parise. He doesn't have a point in five games and has a plus-minus rating of minus-five in this stretch.

"Zach's game is so much more than the stat line," Devils coach Peter DeBoer. "He's the heartbeat of our team. He's the identity of our team. He forechecks, he back-checks, he kills penalties, plays in all situations. He really is our barometer. He's the guy that makes us go, whether he's scoring or not. "Again, I don't measure his game on goals and assists. He's creating opportunities. They're eventually going to go in. He's had these type of situations before. It's tough out there right now for anybody to score. But I'm not concerned about his game. I know it's going to come." Parise twisted his left ankle in the third period of Game 4 and briefly missed some time. But he practiced on Friday and will play. DeBoer will not make any changes to his lineup. That means veteran defenceman Henrik Tallinder and forward Petr Sykora will suit up again. [Tim Wharnsby,CBC.CA]

With the win on Saturday night the Devils All-World goalie and future hall of famer added to his already
impressive total. In my opinion Martin Brodeur is one of the best goalie in my lifetime.

Brodeur has won three Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals, four Vezina Trophies and a Calder Trophy. He is the only goalie to put together eight 40-win seasons and no netminder has played in more games (1,191), won more (656) and recorded more shutouts (163).

With his victory on Saturday, Brodeur recorded his 17th win in a Stanley Cup final to move into a tie with New York Islanders great Billy Smith on the all-time final wins list.

25 - Jacques Plante, Montreal
24 - Ken Dryden, Montreal
21 - Turk Broda, Toronto
19 - Terry Sawchuk, Detroit (17), Toronto (2)
18 - Patrick Roy, Montreal (10), Colorado (8)
17 - Martin Brodeur, New Jersey; Billy Smith, N.Y. Islanders [Tim Wharnsby,CBC.CA]

Here is a good article by Mark Spector - Kings a distracted team

It would appear that the Phoenix Coyotes are going to be staying in Glendale, Arizona. I know, I know, we have heard this one before – it will be interesting to see how this story plays out and if the Yotes are finally going to stay in Phoenix area.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Phoenix Coyotes' long wait for an owner might finally be over.

Glendale's City Council approved a 20-year lease agreement for Jobing.com Arena on Friday, clearing the last major hurdle in the sale of the Coyotes to a group led by former San Jose Sharks CEO Greg Jamison.

The council ratified the 20-year, nearly $325 million agreement by a 4-2 vote after a sometimes-contentious six-hour meeting attended by Jamison, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.

"We've been doing this a long time," Bettman said. "We believe this team, the Coyotes, can be here with a new ownership in place and should be here."

One of the questions facing the Kings and Devils is fatigue - Kings Fighting Fatigue, as Well as Devils

Apparently Jaromir Jagr is coming back for another season in the NHL and is close to resigning with the Flyers...

The New Jersey Devils Power Less Play went 0-15 before Parise scored on Saturday night for the Devils to give them a 1-0 lead in game 5.

Stanley Cup finals hot topic: Give 3 reasons why Devils will win Game 6

The New Jersey Devils are still in a tough spot being down three games to two.

Tom Gulitti, Fire and Ice --- “I don’t see any reason why we should be overconfident or satisfied,” Devils captain Zach Parise said. “We’re still down 3-2. We’re still in the same spot we were. One loss and we’re done. I think just having gotten a couple wins, we’re playing with more confidence, but I don’t think that’s making us feel overconfident.

We still know how great of a team they are and how much better we need to play to make this thing even go further.

Parise finally scores after six game drought

The sound you heard was a sigh of relief from New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise has he scored his first goal in six games for the New Jersey Devils.

That being said, it's not just Parise that has found the sledding to be tough, the New Jersey Devils top forward line of Zach Parise (1g-0a-1pts), Travis Zajac (0g-2a-2pts) and Ilya Kovalchuk (1g-0a-1pts) has been stymied by the Los Angeles Kings and the Devils top line has scored a grand total of two goals and two assist for four points between the three of them during the Stanley Cup Finals. Kovalchuck's goal was a empty net goal at the end of game four to keep the Devils hopes of extending the series alive.

Rich Chere, The Star-Ledger --- Devils captain Zach Parise ended his goal-scoring drought in the Stanley Cup finals when he scored his first goal against the Kings and first in six games going back to the Eastern Conference finals.

But he got help from Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, who shot the puck off the end boards to Parise at the right post. Parise beat Drew Doughty to the puck and scored inside the post.

“I made a not-so-great pass across the ice. I wasn't looking,” Parise explained. “I just saw Quick go out of the net. Just went on the normal forecheck route that I've gone on a thousand times this year. He just happened to misplay it and put it on my stick. You got to get lucky sometimes.”

If the New Jersey Devils are going to extend the series and send it back to Newark, New Jersey for a game seven the Devils top line is going to have to  become a factor on the score sheet. The Devils top line is going to have to make some space and break through the Kings defense and get behind the Kings defenders.

The record favors the Devils as they have a 10-1 record in games 4, 5, 6 and 7.  They also have future Hall of Fame goalie in Martin Brodeur who has won three Stanley Cups (1995, 2000, 2003) and seems to be getting better as the series goes along and you have to think that Marty is saving the best for the last series of the season.

Matt Greene smokes Patrick Elias

This was an interesting turn of events - Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Greene fails to get the puck deep and the New Jersey Devils break out of the defensive zone with speed.

As the play develops and moves through the defensive zone Kings defenseman Matt Greene absolutely blows up New Jersey Devils forward Patrik Elias - of course Elias is chirped by the Kings bench and the comment after the New Jersey forward returns to the bench was classic. Elias asked Justin Williams, "when did you become a tough guy?"

Zach Parise game five goal

Here is New Jersey Devils and former Fighting Sioux All-American forward Zach Parise's goal in game five against the Los Angeles Kings. That was the first goal of the Stanley Cup Finals for Parise who had been held scoreless in five games for Parise how had been (0g-0a-0pts) and a minus 4 in the last five games going back to the Division Finals against the New York Rangers.

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Zach Parise rated number two Free Agent

Zach Parise prepares to start in a game for the New Jersey Devils (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here are the top 12 unrestricted free agents according to Ryan Porth – Sportsnet.CA

1. Ryan Suter, Nashville Predators

2. Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils

2011-12 salary: $6 million

As for Parise, he may be the best free-agent forward since teammate Kovalchuk signed his 15-year, $100 million contract with the Devils two summers ago. Despite coming off major knee surgery, Parise scored 31 goals in 2011-12 -- his fifth 30-goal campaign since the lockout -- and was a factor in getting the Devils to their first Stanley Cup final since 2003. Some pundits doubt the Devils have the goods to match any contract offer Parise would receive in the frenzy. Like Suter in Nashville, it comes down to Parise’s commitment level to the Devils, the only organization he has ever known. Parise is the captain of the Devils and the heartbeat of the offense, but money speaks volumes.

3. Alexander Semin, Washington Capitals

4. Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes

5. Jaromir Jagr, Philadelphia Flyers

6. Jason Garrison, Florida Panthers

7. Matt Carle, Philadelphia Flyers

8. Olli Jokinen, Calgary Flames

9. Dennis Wideman, Washington Capitals

10. Dustin Penner, Los Angeles Kings

11. P.A. Parenteau, New York Islanders

12. Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild

CBC opening for game 3

Here was the opening of last night's game on CBC - unfortunately I am not able to watch CBC anymore because I got rid of my Midcontinent last July and got DirecTV. 

Based on how the New Jersey Devils have played there may only be one more game left, because the Los Angeles Kings have been relentless and have taken the games to the Devils.

Kings take 2-0 lead in series against Devils

Los Angeles Kings forward Jeff Carter scored the game winning goal at the 13:42 mark in overtime to give the Los Angeles Kings a 2-0 series lead against the New Jersey Devils. The Kings have gone an impressive 14-2 in the Stanley Cup playoffs and have not lost since the first round of the playoffs. What is even more impressive is that the Kings have not lost on the road during this years Stanley Cup Playoffs. Let me just say - I think the Devils will be hard pressed to win four of the next five games against the Kings. I wouldn't be surprised if the Kings sweep the Devils at home. With their win on the road the Kings have now won 10 out of 10 games on the road - that's an impressive feat and only three other teams have done that during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

But to go a perfect 10-for-10 away from the land of the rich and famous, well, that seemed like a dream, or a Hollywood script. Nevertheless, that's just what the Kings did with Jeff Carter's game winner 13 minutes and 42 seconds into overtime for a 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on Saturday.

The Kings not only extended their record to 10 consecutive wins to start a postseason, they became only the fourth team to win 10 road games in a playoffs, matching the 1995 and 2000 Devils as well as the 2004 Calgary Flames. [Tim Wharnsby, CBC]

Anze Kopitar's game winning goal

Here is the game winning goal in over time by the Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar. Kopitar shows his speed as he gets  behind the New Jersey Devils defense - it was off to the races - not much the goalie New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur could have done there. That was the ninth win on the road for the Los Angeles Kings during the Stanley Cup playoffs - the Kings have yet to lose in nine games that they have played on the road during the playoffs.

Parise's and the Devils tough night

Here is the New Jersey Devils beat writer’s perspective on Zach Parise’s game one of the Stanley Cup Finals – Parise like the rest of the Devils looked like they were a little flat and maybe they were holding their sticks a little tight as well.

Mike Vorkunov, The Star-Ledger --- There was Zach Parise sprawling around the Kings net, desperate for any chance to finally make his mark on the opening game of the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Devils’ captain had been quiet to that point, outplayed by Dustin Brown – his counterpart. Brown hadn’t scored but at least he threw his body around, setting the tone for a rough and rumbling Game 1. All Parise had done to that point was two shots on goal, one of which had accidentally slid off of his stick and to the goal.

But there he was, his opportunity waiting, as the puck stayed in front of Jonathan Quick. And all Parise could muster was to stick his glove out, from the outside of the net, and knock the puck in over the goal line. For a moment the Prudential Center erupted.

One thing that was evident last night was that the Devils didn’t bury their offensive opportunities when they had a chance.  Devils forward David Clarkson had two grade “A” scoring opportunities early in the game from the slot, only to shoot the puck over the Kings net.

Another NHL Lockout?

The possibility of the NHL having another lockout is looking more and more like a reality. I don’t believe we will see a season long lock out like we did during the 2004-05 season. There is also a possibility that if there is a lockout there are a half dozen teams that might not survive if there is a lockout.

NEWARK, N.J. - NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr confirmed on Wednesday that their sides hope to begin discussions on a new collective agreement in the next few weeks.

This was one of several topics Bettman spoke about in his annual pre-Stanley Cup final state-of-the-union address. Fehr was in attendance to listen to Bettman speak in the bowels of the Prudential Center and afterwards the NHLPA boss held his own Q-and-A session with reporters.

It was ironic that Bettman announced in his session that the league enjoyed record revenues of $3.3-billion US this season. Yet, there is a strong possibility that the 2012-13 NHL season will not begin on time because of prolonged CBA fight.

So as we watch the Stanley Cup Finals between the New Jersey Devils and the Los Angeles Kings – there is a possibility that this could be the only NHL hockey we have for a long time.

Game one in the books - Kings up 1-0

Game one of the Stanley Cup Final between the Los Angeles Kings and the New Jersey Devils is in the book, the Kings won game one by a score of 2-1 on an overtime goal from forward Anze Kopitar at the 08:13 mark of overtime.Game two is on Saturday June 5th at 07:00 PM on NBC.

None of the former Fighting Sioux hockey players Travis Zajac, Zach Parise or Matt Greene showed up in the box score in last night's game.

Open Thread - Stanley Cup Finals - Who do you like and why?

Finally the Stanley Cup Finals kick off tonight between the Eastern Conference Champion the New Jersey Devils (48-28-6 – 12-6 SCP) against the Western Conference Champion the Los Angeles Kings (40-27-15 – 12-3 SCP) – both teams include at least one ex-Fighting Sioux hockey players; Devils (Travis Zajac and Zach Parise) Kings (Matt Greene).

My Prediction – I think that the Los Angeles Kings are going to win the Series in six games; I believe that the Kings fore-check and their defense is going to give the Devils forwards fits like the other teams that were defeated by the Kings in the earlier round.

Feel free to chime in with your predictions…

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Parise's press conference

Check this out, former Fighting Sioux and current New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise is a hot commodity off the ice as well as two reporters almost end up slugging it out over positioning at the press conference.

Here is a great description of the incident from via Jill Painter of Inside the Kings,

There was a big scrum around Devils winger Zach Parise, and Parise almost had to break up a fight between reporters. The two men were jockeying for position with their tape recorder and microphone, respectively, when one yelled ``Stop it!’’ while Parise was talking.

The reporter smacked his notebook against the microphone, then used the spirals to run it down the microphone to impair the sound. Eventually, Parise was hit in the face by the microphone.

``Do we need to start this over?’’ Parise asked the men.

If they were wearing gloves, they would’ve dropped them right there.

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