Central Division Preview

With most training camps about to begin, I thought it would be appropriate to preview each division in the NHL. I will highlight a little about each team in the division, highlight key players on their teams, and how I think each team will end up come April.

Lets start off by giving praise to the surprise division champs of last season, the Colorado Avalanche. Forward Matt Duchene was plagued with injury last season, and was not much help in the playoffs because of this. He now is at 100% and ready to lead this team into another division title battle. This, however, will be done without the liking of Paul Stastny due to him moving on to St. Louis this upcoming season. This young team lead by Patrick Roy behind the bench will be a tough match up for anyone in the NHL and are once again a threat to win the division once again. However, one question I have on my mind, is will Nathan MacKinnon have the sophomore slump, or will he shine like his amazing rookie season? The Avalanche open up the season October 9th in Minnesota against their heated division rival.

Moving east, we have the team that fell and went splat at the end of the season, and in the first round of the playoffs, the St. Louis Blues. With the addition of Paul Stastny, the Blues hope that all of the pieces are now in place for a legitimate Stanley Cup run. With the leadership of David Backes

and TJ Oshie, the team is looking for a rebound after a terrible end to last season. The goalie situation is also solidified as well with the net belonging to Brian Elliot. St. Louis did bring in Ryan Miller for the stretch run last season, but didn't turn out too well for them. This is one of the deepest teams on paper in the entire NHL with the likes of Jaden Schwartz, Vladimir Tarasenko, Alexander Steen, among many others and will post a legit threat to a division crown, if not a Stanley Cup crown. The Blues open up the season October 9th at home against the New York Rangers.

Finishing third in the standings last season, the Chicago Blackhawks are looking to make their way back to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in the last five years. As if this team couldn't find any more offensive depth, the Blackhawks went out to sign Brad Richards during free agency. However, he is a wild card. Will he play to his full potential, or will he be the inconsistent player the New York Rangers had seen the past couple seasons? One constant will be that no matter which line is on the ice, there always will be a threat to score. Whether it is Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Andrew Shaw, I think you get the point, there are 20 players on that bench who can step up and score when called upon.

That is what makes this team one of the most dangerous teams in the entire NHL. The Blackhawks open up the season by heading to Dallas to play the Stars on October 9th.

Finishing fourth was a very young, but surprisingly talented, Minnesota Wild team. It seemed like this team played with a grit after their dreadful six game losing streak midway through the season, that solidified them as a playoff team. With the addition of Thomas Vanek, and a healthy Jason Zucker, going into this season, the Wild are on the verge of being considered one of the NHL's elite teams. It's time to earn that honor by proving it on the ice with the young talent that has earned their right to play by working their way up through the AHL system. Coach Mike Yeo has all the pieces in place, so it seems, for a very memorable year in Minnesota, but that question mark in goal could be the one thing that holds them back from a possible trip to the Cup Finals. Can Josh Harding cope with his MS medications and be able to play a full season as the number one goalie? Will Niklas Backstrom stay healthy enough to stay in a strong back-up role? Then there is young

Darcy Kuemper, who still remains as an unsigned RFA, who proved that he is NHL ready to be a number one goalie. Where does he stand? If a deal is done, does he start in Iowa, or trade one of our other goalies to give him a spot with the big club? Things in Minnesota are going to be very exciting this season, but only if that goalie question mark gets solved, and fast. The Wild open up at home October 9th against the Colorado Avalanche.

Finishing fifth, and squeaking into the Western Conference's final playoff spot last season was the Dallas Stars. Tyler Seguin was a great addition to this team last season as he, and the rest of the Stars look to become a playoff contender for many years to come. Two major off season signings this season were those of Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky, giving the Stars a little more offensive punch in this very tough Central Division. In all honesty, I have absolutely no clue on where this team will end up, or how

competitive they will be in the division, or the NHL, but I will say the Stars shouldn't be a team the league overlooks. This is a team that may once again sneak into the playoffs, and possibly play spoiler to someone's playoff hopes and dreams come April. The Stars open up at home against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 9th.

Finishing just three points behind the Dallas Stars was the Nashville Predators. The Predators are a team that always seem tough to play no matter where they are in the standings, but that could be because of Shea Weber on the blue line, who knows. Seth Jones had a decent rookie campaign last season as well, and learning from one of the best defenders to ever play in this league, could he be

Weber's next Ryan Suter like prodigy? Another thing looking good for Nashville is the addition of James Neal. While in Pittsburgh, Neal sat back to the likes of Crosby, Letang, and Malkin, but will he be the number one offensive threat in Nashville? I say yes. Playing with key veterans like Mike Fischer, Derek Roy, Mike Ribeiro, and Matt Cullen, he has the potential to find the net a lot this season. Finally, they also have a healthy Pekka Rinne. One of the top goalies in the league will likely be a strong backbone to this up and coming Nashville roster, and they will need him if they want to contend for a playoff spot come March and April. Nashville opens up the season on October 9th as well at home against the Ottawa Senators.

Last, but not least, the Winnipeg Jets. Finishing off last season with 83 points, the Jets look to become a more competitive team within the division and fight for a playoff spot. This Jets roster is one that reminds me a lot of the 2002-2003 Minnesota Wild, in that they really don't have any superstar players on it, but have the pieces to be a playoff contender if they play simple hockey and each player plays their role well. Now some may argue that Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler have that potential to break out and be that dynamic superstar that the Jets are looking for, but I don't think the pieces are there on this current roster for them to do that. I see a team that is average, to just above average at best, and fans in Winnipeg are going to be very restless when the product on the ice won't be able to keep up in the Central as well as everyone else in the division.

As for will the Jets climb out of the cellar this year? No. They didn't do anything to impress me in the off season to make me think that and with this roster, I see the team being around 80 points again this season by the time it is all said and done. The Jets open up against the team formerly known as the Winnipeg Jets, the Arizona Coyotes, on October 9th.

Tyler Seguin goes golfing

s/t to Puck Daddy. Don't try this at home folks. Tyler Seguin let a fan hit a golf ball off of his groin.

After a year I'm back on twitter just in time to share my golf tournament coming up on Thursday. Visit http://t.co/KtohxRFtEc for more
— Tyler Seguin (@tseguinofficial) July 15, 2014

Tyler Seguin goals against the Habs - GIF

That's goals number 21 on the year for Dallas Stars forward  Tyler Seguin. Looks almost like a knuckle-puck to me.

Tyler Seguin's Tweet caused by hacker?

Last night, former Boston Bruins forward Tyler Seguin sent out this tweet on twitter and apparently it caused a major storm for the newly acquired Dallas Stars forward. Seguin has since deleted/deactivated his twitter account. Seguins claims that his twitter account was hacked. The Dallas Stars have also responded to Seguin's tweets as well. The Dallas Stars are set to introduce Seguin on Tuesday at 11:00 A.M. Central.

Tyler Seguin (@tylerseguin92) has deleted his twitter account. Looks like last night's joke/hacking was the last straw. #Bruins #Stars
— BruinsLife.com (@BruinsLife) July 7, 2013

Regarding a tweet that came from Tyler Seguin's account last night, In no way, shape or form does the Dallas Stars organization[continued..]
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 7, 2013

condone or agree with the message that was sent out through Seguin's Twitter account. We've addressed the issue directly with Tyler [cont..]
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 7, 2013

...and we'll continue to work on educating our players regarding the importance of their conduct on all forms of social media.
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 7, 2013

Yipee Paille Mother F***er game three....

Boston Bruins forward Daniel Paille has scored the last two goals for the Boston Bruins. Tyler Seguin is starting to heat up in the scoring department as well. About halfway through game three, it's been a pretty even game with the shots 16-15 in the Bruins favor. The Bruins have blocked 10 shots to the Blackhawks one.

3-game point streak for Seguin now with the helper on Paille's goal. Line's got mojo- 3 consecutive goals. #gamedaypiesy
— Naoko Funayama (@NaokoFunayama) June 18, 2013

Brad Marchand wins it in O.T. for the Bruins... 3-2

The Boston Bruins were lucky to get the win against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, the Boston Bruins outshot the New York Rangers 48-35 and had a 16-5 edge in shots in the overtime period. New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist kept the Rangers in the game by stopping 45/48 shots.

Brad Marchand had two points in the first six games that he played in during the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, now has three point in two games and (1g-4a—5pts) in eight games. Patrice Bergeron had two points in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, now has four points in last two games and has been a big part of the Bruins turn around.

Bruins live to fight for another day....

This has to be one of the biggest comeback wins in sports history, or at least during my lifetime. I don't remember a team being down 4-1 late in the third only to have that same team chip away at three goal lead and come back and win the game in overtime. So now can we say that the three goal lead in hockey is one of the toughest to defend?

Seguin: "After Horton scored to make it 4-2 Lucic went by bench calm & confident & said 'Thats one.' I got really motivated when he said it"
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) May 14, 2013

(Video) James Reimer save on Shawn Thornton

Check out this amazing save by Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer on Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton. This is just how the last three games have gone for the Boston Bruins. Can't get a goal when they need one. Not burying the chances when they are presented to them.

(Video) Steve Ott and Tyler Seguin embellishment

It's nice to see that the NHL "finally" gets this, and it's about time that the NHL starts calling the embellishment, fans are tired of watching players diving and flailing all over the ice. Diving is unsportsmanlike behavior and if the refs call this stuff, eventually the players will get the message and stop doing it. Now, it's time for the NCAA on-ice officials to get the message and start calling the embellishment. So hats off to the NHL officials for giving both Tyler Seguin and Steve Ott penalties for their embellishment.

Finally, the last thing the Boston Bruins players want to look like is the Montreal Canadiens and the Vancouver Canucks, who embellish up and down the ice. Think about this, especially, after Claude Julien complained about the Habs diving to the Boston media. If Julien's players are diving and flailing up and down the ice like the Hab's and the Canucks players, then he really doesn't have the moral high ground anymore. Does he?

Fight night in Boston (Lucic vs. Prust) Chara works Alexei Emelin after his dirty hit

Good fight between the Boston Bruins Milan Lucic and Montreal Canadians Brandon Prust. Prust was the NHL Fight leader with 20 fights last year.

This is what I like about the NHL, I like the fact that players are able to stick up for each other. Alexei Emelin hit Tyler Seguin at center ice with what I would consider a questionable and a dirty hit. Chara comes right over to him and makes him pay for his transgressions. There are some that will not like this, some are going to say that Chara pulled Emelin off of the ice to punch him in the face, I think he tried to dive to not have to fight. You can be the judge.

Lockout humor...

s/t to my good buddy Jason Block...

Tyler Seguin gets contract extension.

The NHL owners have been saying that they want to roll back player salaries. The onwers also want to limit the amount of money that the owners pay to players out of Hockey Related Revenues.

The NHL owners said in their first and second CBA proposals to the NHLPA that the owners were also concerned about the length of player salaries and that the owners don’t want any contracts to extend past the five year mark.

Based on everything that we have seen lately – it would appear that the “certain” owners haven’t got that memo yet – nor are they ready to get into line.

As we have been told all summer long that there are owners who are claiming that they’re suffering financial hardships and need the NHLPA to make huge concessions to the owners. The owners led by Gary Bettman are going to lock the players out if they don't get NHLPA to agree to roll back players’ salaries.

While to some that might seem reasonable – the amount they are asking – doesn’t seem all that reasonable. I don’t know too many people that would like to have their pay checks cut 11-14 percent.

If you looking at this from the outside it would appear that owners are saying one thing; while other owners are doing another thing. To some it could appear like the NHL owners are talking out of both sides of their mouths.

Today, the number two pick of the 2010 NHL draft – Boston Bruins center Tyler Seguin signed a six year contract extension for 34.5 million dollars, if you’re doing that math that’s worth $5.75 year for the life of the deal.

While the NHL owners and NHLPA have three and a half days to avert a lockout – there are still NHL owners that want the maximum length of an NHL contract to be 5 years – nothing seems to have changed on that point. Then why is it that NHL teams continue to sign players to contracts that are longer than five years long?

The Tyler Seguin contract isn’t an enigma.

Cough, cough, cough!!!

Just to name a few... The Edmonton Oilers recently signed the number one pick of the 2010 NHL Draft Taylor Hall for seven years contract extension worth $42-million that is 6 million dollars per season.

But the Edmonton Oilers weren’t done there the team also signed another one of their top young forwards Jordan Eberle to a six-year year extension worth $36M that is 6 million dollars per season.

Former Sioux Oshie and Stafford make the Top-40 Fantasy Hockey Right Wing Rankings

First off, that is a pretty good selection of WCHA talent – in Top-40 Fantasy Hockey Right Wing Rankings – there are two Badgers, two Sioux and two Gophers – it’s a shame that the old WCHA is breaking up after this season and becoming the nWCHA.

That being said, I am not sure how anyone can rank Winnipeg Jets sand former Minnesota Gopher Blake Wheeler as the 15th best Right Wing in the NHL – even if it is just for fantasy hockey. Seriously and no really?

I would also question whether Wheeler is a better fantasy player than Dany Heatly, Drew Stafford or even T.J. Oshie for that matter. The reason I say this is that I watched him play for two and three quarter season with the Boston Bruins and a team just doesn’t trade away a first round draft choice unless his game is flawed.

I am speaking big picture here – like I mentioned in another blog post, I have watched a lot of hockey over the last 10-15 years and I have never seen a bigger bodied player in the NHL that was as soft as Blake Wheeler is. The Bruins wanted him to work on that aspect of his game as well. I would take Oshie just for the physical aspect that he brings to the game. In the fantasy hockey groups that I am in penalty minutes and hits have counted.

This isn’t a concept that also disappeared when he left the Boston Bruins either. This is what the a blogger from the Artic Ice Hockey Bettman's Nightmare, had to say about Wheeler.

Though not the kind of big-body player that plays the physical game, nor parks in front of the net, I think the pros far outweigh the cons with Wheeler's game. Did I mention he's not afraid to block some shots?

That begs the question, since we’re talking about right wings. I you had to pick a right wing as your first over-all pick for your fantasy hockey team, who would be your first pick? Why? My first pick would be Tyler Seguin because I think that he has an amazing upside.

1. COREY PERRY
2. TYLER SEGUIN
3. Marian Hossa (inj.)
4. JOE PAVELSKI - Wisconsin
5. PHIL KESSEL - Minnesota
6. Marian Gaborik (inj.)
7. PATRICK KANE
8. JORDAN EBERLE
9. ERIK COLE - Clarkson
10. DUSTIN BROWN
11. MARTIN ST. LOUIS - Vermont
15. BLAKE WHEELER - Minnesota
19. DANY HEATLEY - Wisconsin
22. T.J. OSHIE - North Dakota
25. NATHAN HORTON
34. DREW STAFFORD - North Dakota

What will Seguin get?

Today, the Edmonton Oiler's re-signed one of their up and coming stars Taylor Hall to a restricted free agent deal. Hall just finished his second season of a three year deal, the Oiler's decided not to wait as they have Hall locked up for the next eight seasons. Hall signed a seven year extension worth 42 Million dollars. Taylor Hall has played in 126 games and scored 49 goals and 46 assists — 95 points. Hall was selected first over-all in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Boston Bruins drafted Tyler Seguin number two in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft (thanks Phil Kessel). Unlike Hall who failed to finish either season he played in, due to injuries -  Seguin was pretty durable and played a in 155 games  and has scored 40 goals and 49 assists — 89 points.

Seguin was eased into the Bruins line up because of the Boston Bruins depth and Hall played more of a larger roll with the Oiler's earlier. 

While he has only played two season in the NHL, Seguin already has a Stanley Cup ring to resume as he was a member on the 2011 Stanley Cup Championship team.

It will be interesting to see what kind of contract that Seguin will command when his time comes to sign a restricted free agent deal.Recently, the Carolina Hurricanes resigned Jeff Skinner to a six year deal worth 34.35 million. Skinner will receive $4.35 million in 2013-14 and then will receive $6 million for the other five seasons – if my math is correct that is roughly $5.725 million per season. 

Is Kessel a polarizing figure?

Apparently, former Minnesota Golden Gopher and former Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel is feeling the pressure in Toronto. Some of the pundits are beginning to wonder if the Leafs need to trade Kessel while he is still on top of his game.

Meanwhile, Boston Bruins fans are saying thank you Kessel and are happy to have Tyler Seguin on their team as the result of the 2010 offer sheet by Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke. If you asked Boston Bruins fans if they would take Kessel back, they would probably say hell no. Also, after reading the comments of some of the Bruins players it sounds like many of them didn’t want him back either. Bruins forward, and tough guy Shawn Thornton admitted to not liking the former Bruin on a Boston talk show back in December of 2009.

Mark Ritter, The Slapshot Blog -- Since arriving in Toronto Kessel has been under a tremendous amount of scrutiny from both the media and fans. A quiet, unassuming player, Kessel has tried to remain in the shadows, but in the media frenzy that is Toronto it has been tough for him to remain anonymous. As tough as it has been for Kessel to avoid the media attention he receives, it has been even tougher for him to live up to expectations.

While the pressure to perform is with every NHL player, Kessel (fairly or unfairly) will forever be judged against the performances of Seguin (who is well on his way to becoming a star) and Hamilton (who is regarded as an exceptional defensive prospect) and to a lesser extent Knight (who is a project). While the comparisons are unfair, Kessel seems unaffected by all the attention, as witnessed by the numbers he has put up over the past three seasons.

For whatever reason, fair or unfair, Phil Kessel always seems to be under a lot of scrutiny.  After failing to agree to a restricted free agent contract with the Boston Bruins,  Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke traded for Kessel and he's now a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

I think all of us know the rest of the story. In 2011, the Bruins won their first Stanley Cup in 39 years and to this day, the Toronto Maple Leafs continued to be mired in mediocrity. The former Bruin Kessel is heckled in Boston every time he touches the puck and now after last season the Bruins fans also chant thank you Kessel. Because of the Leafs offer sheet, the Bruins ended up with two first round picks and a second round pick. One of the Bruins first round draft picks was fan favorite Tyler Segiun, who helped the Boston Bruins win the cup. Also in just his second season with the Bruins, he was their leading scorer last season.

According to Michael Traikos from the National Post, one unnamed Toronto beat writer suggested that the Maple Leafs trade the young Kessel after leading the Leafs in scoring “while he still has any value.” 

I think it’s premature to throw Kessel under the bus. Last season he didn’t have much of a supporting cast but the Leafs have a stable full of young talent that is starting to mature and that could just take the heat of Kessel. One thing the Leafs need is a setup man that could pass Kessel the puck – in Boston it was Marc Savard – Toronto it’s to be determined.

What will Seguin get?

The recent signing of Jeff Skinner is going to set the bar for other RFA with similar numbers. The upside of Tyler Seguin is pretty big as I could see him erupt and have a very big season this year.

This is an interesting discussion that is worth talking about - one could also ask the question - what if Seguin gets somewhere in the neighborhood of  75-80 points - he is going to command a pretty big salary and if the Bruins low ball him you could see someone sign him to an offer sheet like the Toronto Maple Leafs did with Phil Kessel.

Joe Haggerty, CSNNE.COM --- Skinner signed a six-year, $34.35 million contract that could wind up being very similar to Seguin’s second contract if the Bruins opt for a longer term pact with their budding superstar. The deal will play Skinner $4.35 million in his arbitration-eligible season in 2013-14 and $6 million per season from 2014-2019.

If Seguin got the same deal, it would make him the highest-paid forward on the Bruins, and the second-highest paid player behind only Zdeno Chara.

But it’s also the kind of deal that Seguin could command given the comparable track that both Skinner and Boston’s young superstar have undergone over the last two years. In essence Skinner has set the bar for Seguin and agent Ian Pulver if a contract extension is to be completed before the end of next season.

Boston could opt to go the shorter deal route with Seguin, but that could end up costing them more money if the B’s center continues his rapid ascension toward being one of the game’s best offensive players.

I am not sure what Joe Haggerty is talking about because according to Cap Geek David Krejci makes 5,250,000.00 and Patrice Bergeron makes 5,000,000.00 a year.

Tyler Seguin extends the series

The Boston Bruins are going to another game seven as Tyler Seguin scored the game winning goal at the 3:17 of overtime to send the series back to Boston. This will be the Bruins fourth game seven in the last fourteen months. Game seven is on Wednesday night (TDB) at TD North Garden. This was the first goal of the playoffs for Seguin (1g-1a-2pts).

The Bruins have stuggled to get scoring from their top two lines, David Krejci (1g-2a-3pts), Milan Lucic (0g-3a-3pts), Patrice Bergeron (0g-2a-2pts), Brad Marchand (1g-1a-2pts). Krecji also scored his first goal of the playoffs today. Brad Marchand got his first goal of the playoffs yesterday.

Richard Peverley (3g-2a-5pts), Milan Lucic, Tyler Seguin, Andrew Ference and David Krejci all had 2 points in today's win against the Washington Capitals. 

The best line for the Bruins through the first five games of the Stanley Cup playoffs has been the line of Benoit Pouliot (1g-1a-2pts), Brian Rolston (1g-2a-3pts), Chris Kelly (1g-2a-3pts).

Related articles

• Bruins beat Capitals in OT to force Game 7
• Seguin Sinks Capitals; Forces Series To Seven

Alexander Ovechkin elbows Patrice Bergeron in the head

The Washington Capitals star forward Alexander Ovechkin's is known for playing on the edge and there is nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately, Ovechkin is also know for his questionable and sometimes dirty hits and in today's game Ovechkin was able to connect with a sneaky dirty elbow on  Patrice Bergeron's head.

Edit: If you go back and watch this video, you will see that Ovechkin hit Bergeron twice in the head.

Ovechkin's elbow caused Bergeron to miss most of the third period. With his previous concussion history, one has to wonder if Bergeron is suffering from another concussion. Don't expect the league to look at the Ovechkin elbow on Bergeron because Ovechkin is a star player.

Just for the record Alexander Ovechkin is a repeat offender and he has been suspended three times by the National Hockey League for hits that were deemed dangerous.

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• Caps Practice Recap: Michal Neuvirth Returns In Back-up Role
• Pratfall alert: Alex Ovechkin falls backwards over the boards (VIDEO)
• Bergeron With Gresh & Zo: 'Doesn't Really Matter Who You're Put Out There With'

Video game one highlights, Krejci to play game two

Nice game winning goal by Boston Bruins forward Chris Kelly that was set up by former Wild forwards Benoit Pouliot and Brian Rolston. Let's hope that David Krejci is O.K. and will be able to play in game two after having a pain of glass fall on him at the end of the game. Krejci missed today's Bruins practice. Krejci says that he is ready to play in game two.

Related articles

• Bruins Breakdown: Third Line Production (insidehockey.com)

Shawn Thornton vs. Mike Commodore

In this situation, former Fighting Sioux and current Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mike Commodore didn't really need to fight Boston Bruins tough guy Shawn Thornton. I guess some guys will do whatever it takes to make the team or stay on a team.

Related articles

• Shawn Thornton penalty shot goal (ndgoon.blogspot.com)