Phil Kessel Would Accept Trade to Bruins and Wild

I just got back from the hunting shack and found this beauty. Apparently, former Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel would accept a trade to eight teams. This is what Pension Plan Puppets had to say about the matter. 

Scott Wheeler, Pension Plan Puppets -- The list, which was submitted prior to the deadline, is believed to include the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference as well as the Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota Wild in the Western Conference, according to the report.

Looking at this list, Boston has no cap room, plus I can't see the Bruins being all that excited about taking Kessel back. Ditto with the Minnesota Wild. Both teams are extremely strapped for cash, I don't see how they could make a move like this happen. 

Seriously, I can't see Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol wanting a one dimensional player like Kessel on his team. You have to be able to play in all three zones of the ice. The more I think about it, Kessel would be a perfect Hab. 

Finally, does anyone think Kessel would be a good fit with L.A. Kings head coach like Daryl Sutter? I am being serious. 

Brock Nelson Scores the First Goal of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Former Fighting Sioux forward Brock Nelson scored the first goal of the 2015 NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs. That's the first Stanley Cup Playoffs goals of Nelson's career.

Brock Nelson scores the first goal of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The goal was also his first career playoff goal. #UNDProud
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) April 15, 2015

And the first goal of the 2015 #StanleyCup Playoffs goes to Brock Nelson. 1-0 @NYIslanders #WSHvsNYI
— NHL (@NHL) April 15, 2015

Redwing77's Bracket

by Redwing77

Redwing77's Stanley Cup Bracket

Goon posted his Bracket Challenge and I'm going to post mine.  I admit to being a bit homer with my Wings and I did post a major upset in the first round.  Sorry Habs fans.  Carey Price seems to actually be a good goaltender and he has chilled from his early career chumpiness.  However, the Habs have had abysmal luck against Ottawa this year.  And, quite honestly, I'd like to throw out a small bone to former Bowling Green State University goaltender, Andrew Hammond.

All in all, however, I think the entire bracket is irrelevant because I truly believe the Rangers are simply going to steamroll anyone they meet and take it all.  I put Chicago in the Finals because Crawford seems to actually play like an elite goaltender when he gets into the playoffs....sometimes anyways.  I believe Dubnyk's insane run ends vs. Oshie and the Blues.  Halak's stumbling continues in the playoffs.  Fleury sieves hardcore before the buzzsaw known as the Rangers.  Honestly, whoever wins the Detroit vs. Tampa series will face the Rangers in the EC Finals.

If my bracket holds together (which any betting man would bet against it), the series to watch will be the Blues vs. Wild, Chicago vs. Nashville (goaltending vs. offense really), and ALL of the Rangers games.  I think the entire Anaheim subbracket is the most boring bracket.

Original Six wins again.

Bobby Orr on Speed in the NHL, 'It's Dangerous'

I was reading this article over on the Sports Net site and I found something that caught my eye. According to former Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr, the speed of the NHL makes it dangerous.

Luke Fox, Sportsnet.ca -- Orr on speed: “I played a style that coaches didn’t like. Not many players played like that. When I went to junior, I was 14 (and) owned by the Bruins. But they didn’t ask me to change my style. They continued to let me play my way. They thought I was most effective that way, and it certainly helped me.”

“I think teams are looking at L.A. and teams that are more successful and seeing they need speed. There are a lot more good skaters then there were in the past. Without the centre line, you can wind up, go from one end to the other. Guys are coming through the middle with big speed. I think it’s dangerous. I think with the size of the players and the speed of the players, without the centre line, players are being hurt. Teammates are running into each other, and I think it’s dangerous.

Howell. Pilote. Kelly. Orr. Not a bad top four. pic.twitter.com/SeEVn8l8sK
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) October 2, 2014

Matt Greene with the Cup

Former University of North Dakota defensman Matt Greene brought the Stanley Cup back to Grand Forks, ND. There was a lot of people on hand today to see the Stanley Cup today.

As you can see from the pictures, the Stanley Cup is a very large trophy. It was a classy move by the former Fighting Sioux defenseman to bring the cup to Grand Forks.

Former captain Matt Greene and a special friend chat with @UNDMHockey radio voice Tim Hennessy. pic.twitter.com/ZJTgm0mXcC
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) August 12, 2014

Some of the Kings with the Stanley Cup

Lord Stanley's Cup has been real busy this summer. The Cup has been making the rounds with the Stanley Cup Champion the L.A. Kings. On August 12th, 2014, the Stanley Cup will be in Grand Forks, ND with Matt Greene...

Jarret Stoll of the @LAKings has a cooler ball marker than you do. http://t.co/MZXsbKYxvP pic.twitter.com/4CSpTFeheq
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigestMag) August 5, 2014

Awesome night on Lake of the Woods with the Stanley Cup with the champ @MRichie_10 !!!! pic.twitter.com/CPdrUQmUrb
— Jeff Gustafson (@GussyOutdoors) August 2, 2014

The #StanleyCup looks good wearing a #LoganStrong hat #FcukCancer #BecauseItsTheCup #BecauseImGoingToBeatCancer 💪 pic.twitter.com/9v4jKLOmY6
— Logan Nobriga (@LoNo1107) July 26, 2014

"@keeperofthecup: Gaborik at Hermosa beach @HockeyHallFame @KellyHockeyHall @LAKings #stanleycup pic.twitter.com/kvRxZLh3sJ" @WheresTheCup
— Janet Mie Takenaka (@jmtakenaka) June 17, 2014

Bonfire with Stanley. @keeperofthecup @Summerskates pic.twitter.com/v2CrpqlKsH
— dustin brown (@DustinBrown23) July 7, 2014

Score, Six players who will never win a Stanley Cup

Jarome Iginla and 5 other players who will never win a Stanley Cup. http://t.co/OjqYATTn0U pic.twitter.com/MQIWcT8y12
— theScore (@theScore) July 17, 2014

Interesting list by the Score. Noticed Phil Kessel and Alex Ovechkin are part of this list.

Chicago Blackhawks: Toews and Kane get paid

#494772349 / gettyimages.com

For their efforts, former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are now locked into some nice, fat contracts that will make them very rich men. In my opinion, this is what a post 2013 lockout contract will looks like. It will be interesting to see what kind of issues the Blackhawks have with salary cap.

Chris Kuc, Tribune reporter -- Two of the NHL’s top players aren’t going anywhere after Toews and Kane agreed to terms on identical eight-year, $84 million contract extensions Wednesday, likely ensuring the Hawks will be Stanley Cup contenders for the next decade or so.

Hawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz, President John McDonough, general manager Stan Bowman and the rest of the Hawks’ hierarchy recognized and rewarded their young forwards’ rare talent with contracts that will carry salary-cap hits of $10.5 million per year apiece — the highest in league history — when they kick in beginning with the 2015-16 season.

That combined $168 million dedicated long term to two players carries cap implications that Bowman will have to work his way through when he assembles future rosters.

Toews and Kane: Blackhawks through 2023. Both agree to an eight year, $84 million contract extension. #Hawkstalk pic.twitter.com/EAtkKTHONv
— Crosstown Tickets (@crosstowntix) July 9, 2014

2014 NHL Season: That's a wrap

What a season of hockey. The L.A. Kings win the 2014 Stanley Cup Final on a goal by a former Miami University defenseman Alec Martinez at the 14:43 mark of the second over time to give the Kings their second Stanley Cup in three years. Martinez scored the game-winning goal in game seven of the Western Conference Finals as well.

Canada's Stanley Cup Drought

#157458062 / gettyimages.com

I can't believe it's been 20 years since the Stanley Cup was won by a team that resides in Canada. Ironically, it was the Montreal Canadiens that last won the Stanley Cup and they're probably not going to get out of the Eastern Conference Finals. The handshake game is tonight.

Mark Spector, Sportsnet -- Every June day was Edmonton Oilers Day in Edmonton 35 years ago. And when the Oilers failed to make it the Stanley Cup just twice in the eight years between 1983 and 1990, well, no problem. Montreal (1986) and Calgary (1989) took care of the Cup for Canada in Edmonton’s off years, even playing each other in ’89.

Can you imagine? Eight straight Cups featuring a Canadian team?

In the 22 Stanley Cups contested since, our country has sent six teams to the finals, winning just once. Ottawa took a turn in 2007, and each of Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver (twice) have suffered the indignity of a Game 7 loss in the final in the years since the Habs won our last Cup over Los Angeles in 1993.

(Video) Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise scores against the Blackhawks (Game 3)

Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise scores his fourth goal of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks. With the win, the Blackhawks lead the series 2-1.

(Vine) Bruins and Habs, Thursday

Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens game one Thursday night.

(Video) A couple of dirty goals by two ex-UND hockey players.

I have to admit, that this has been the best series that I have watched during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. As a UND Alumnus, I couldn't be prouder of our ex-UND players that are currently playing in the NHL and making a big-time contribution on the ice.  Both T.J. Oshie and Jonathan Toew's goals were of the dirty variety. I am going to be compiling a collection of some of these goals.

(Video) Bruins take a 3-1 series lead on Red Wings

I think at times it's better to be lucky than good. Boston Bruins forward Jarome Iginla gets his first goal of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Bruins head back to Boston with a 3-1 series lead. I thought that the Red Wings came out with a lot of speed, but the B's took over the game in the second period and Tuuka Rask played very well.

FINAL (OT): @NHLBruins (3) - @DetroitRedWings (2) Recap: http://t.co/JB542MPje7 BOS leads 3-1 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/uXIBw2k3X0
— NHL (@NHL) April 25, 2014

Tweets of the night

@GerDevine I guess I haven't seen a non-Cup contender fire a coach after 2nd best record in franchise history and making the playoffs.
— Bryan Reynolds (@BReynoldsMN) April 20, 2014

Hits to head, brain injuries , merit more than phone hearings. Note to NHL: wake up.
— Kevin Paul Dupont (@GlobeKPD) April 20, 2014

The Columbus Blue Jackets have won their first ever playoff game. http://t.co/CHLqfkbbfd
— Reddit Hockey (@Reddit_Hockey) April 20, 2014

Eatern Conference Matchups pic.twitter.com/cLxuGA5gDZ
— The Hockey Gods! (@HockeyGods) April 16, 2014

Western Conference Matchups pic.twitter.com/npL1qnYNv7
— The Hockey Gods! (@HockeyGods) April 19, 2014

(Video) Hockey Night In Canada 2014 Playoff Opening

What an awesome video. Hockey is the greatest game on the planet. The Stanley Cup is also the pinnacle of the NHL's season. Should be a good run. This is one downside of having DirecTV, I no longer get CBC.

Because It's The Cup: 2014 Playoffs

Because it's the Cup.... The 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs start tomorrow night. Who's your pick to win the Stanley Cup?

My NHL Stanley Cup Predictions - Bruins win Rematch over the Blackhawks

Zach Hawkins has made his predictions for the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, here's mine. Feel free to chime in with your picks.

Super Bowl Tweets and Hockey

Classy Boys pic.twitter.com/0XlQYZ5gKO
— Tumblr Hockey (@TumblrHockey_) February 2, 2014

“@GoalieWays: Here's to the hockey fans: pic.twitter.com/hXGBlLfI1u”
— Rachel Bergen (@Rbergen21) February 3, 2014

The Stanley Cup: pic.twitter.com/1fceDQn2Tw
— Goalie Ways (@GoalieWays) February 3, 2014

With under 10 minutes remaining, who thinks this guy should get #SB48 MVP honors? pic.twitter.com/qA8yLLZUrT
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) February 3, 2014

Yeah in Review 2013

Personally, I think that 2013 was a crummy year, however, it was a very good year for sports. There's been some really nice stories. When it looked like the Boston Bruins were going back to Chicago for game seven, but it wasn't meant to be, as the Blackhawks scored two goals in 17-seconds to win the Stanley Cup over the Boston Bruins.



The last team in the NCAA tourney, wins the NCAA tourney by going through a bunch of one and two seeded teams. Also, Yale becomes the first Ivy League school as well as the first ECAC team since 1989 to win the NCAA title. With the NCAA title win, the ECAC sheds the EZAC label.

The Minnesota Wild sign the big-time free agents Ryan Suter and Zach Parise in the summer of 2012 and the Minnesota make the Stanley Cup for the first time since the 2006-07 season. However, the Wild playoff drive is short lived as they are quickly dispatched in five games (4-1) by the eventual Stanley Cup champion the Chicago Blackhawks.



After much discussion, hand wringing and teeth gnashing, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference begins play in Oxford, Ohio as North Dakota and Miami play in the first ever game. North Dakota would go on to win game one by a score of 4-2.



The Toronto Maple Leafs looked like they were headed to the second-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Leafs had what looked like a comfortable 4-1 lead. Then the roof fell in on the Maple Leafs during the third period. The Bruins would move on to face the New York Rangers in the second round of the playoffs.



Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand, aka the Little Ball of Hate, would get things rolling in round two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Boston Bruins would win in overtime.

Like I mentioned earlier, personally, for me, 2013 has been one of those years that I will soon hopefully forget, but there's been some great sports stories. Happy New Year and see you next year.