Eric Duhatschek, Globe and Mail -- Okay, let’s play Islanders general manager for a while because, hey, everybody else is doing it too right? They have huge amounts of salary-cap space, so anything is possible, as long as you’re prepared to cajole players into coming. Even the guys they’ve got signed – such as John Tavares – are on reasonable deals ($5.5-million through 2017-18 – tip of the cap to Garth Snow for that one). They also have two more years of Kyle Okposo at $2.8-million. So after Thomas Vanek played so badly in Montreal and Minnesota’s interest in him is waning, why wouldn’t the Islanders circle back to Vanek and make him an offer on July 1? Bet they could outbid anybody for his services – and they might not even have to offer that seven-year, $50-million deal that he turned down. The Islanders could sign Vanek, bid for Matt Moulson (who liked it there and might consider a return, because his options might be limited as well) and bring back them both back.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Islander Mussings: Vanek and Moulson
Here's something that might be of interest from the Globe and Mail. When the Minnesota Wild picked up Matt Moulson at the trade deadline, I was really excited, but after his play during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, I won't be too upset if the Wild don't resign him.
Minnesota Wild: Vanek not a slam dunk now.
Perusing the Web, it looks like the Wild aren't going to through a lot of money at free agents this summer. Former Minnesota Wild forward Thomas Vanek, who once looked like a slam dunk to come to Minnesota, might not be headed here after all.
Mike Russo, StarTribune -- The Wild has a lot of players 28 and older, a lot of players 24 and younger. You don’t want to get too many players north of 30 on long-term deals, so there’s a specific price point I think the Wild’s willing to reach with Vanek. I don’t get the impression the Wild’s willing to sign him to a long-term deal anymore. Vanek will have good options in free agency, so is he really going to sign in Minnesota for two or three years? Hard to believe, especially after reportedly turning down a seven-year, $49 million deal with the Islanders. While that contract probably won’t be on the table with any team anymore, he certainly should still be able to get decent term of four or five years with some teams.We already knew that the slow footed Dany Heatley Won't be back. With his cap hit gone, the Wild do have a few options to pursue. I am excited for the Free Agency Signing period. Should be interesting.
Some fans who email me or tweet me are clamoring for Paul Stastny. He was outstanding against the Wild in the playoffs and his competitiveness and work ethic would be a perfect fit in my opinion on a Wild team who’s M.O. at a minimum in the playoffs was hard work. BUT, he will command bigtime money and term AND I still believe he’ll re-sign in Colorado once the Avs figure out a way to move some money in the next few weeks.
Michael Russo, StarTribune -- Fletcher will investigate the trade market, but he doesn’t want to trade this year’s first-round pick or “kids we worked so hard to accumulate.” If he delves into free agency, there are two methods to add more offense — a scoring forward or an offensive defenseman.
Maybe that means former Gopher and current Stillwater resident Thomas Vanek, Paul Stastny or Ryan Callahan or maybe that means defenseman Matt Niskanen, a Minnesotan who is only 27 and had a career-best 10 goals, 46 points and plus-33 with Pittsburgh this past season.
But Fletcher says the Wild’s at a stage where it doesn’t have to chase players. There is a specific price point and term the Wild’s willing to reach.
“While this year we have a lot of cap space, things could tighten up over the next two to three years,” said Fletcher, referring to the fact some youngsters could be looking at big paydays. “It’s easy this year to just go out and add a guy, but unless it’s a one-year contract, you have to be pretty mindful. If one of our young guys is going to be better than maybe we’re projecting and he’s going to fill that same role next year or in the future, then we’re just wasting money and we’re going to be short somewhere else.”
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Awkward moment? Brendan Lemieux interviewed by Red Wings at the Combine
This might qualify as an awkward moment. Former UND hockey recruit Brendan Lemieux was interviewed by the Detroit Red Wings. Brendan's dad probably doesn't have a lot of fans in Detroit, especially after he destroyed Chris Draper with a dirty hit during the 1996 Western Conference Finals.
Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com --- One of the more intriguing interviews for Brendan took place with the Detroit Red Wings. It was during Game 6 of the 1996 Western Conference Final that Claude Lemieux, then with the Avalanche, hit Detroit's Kris Draper from behind, driving Draper into the top of the boards near the Red Wings' bench and leaving Draper with a broken jaw, cheek bone and orbital bone.
Draper, now a special assistant to Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, was on hand when the interview took place with Brendan.
"We had a great conversation," Brendan said. "He's a really nice guy. I did not think I was going to get interviewed by them, let alone have it be serious. I thought they were going to walk in, make a few jokes and I was going to leave, but I have nothing but good things to say about their organization. They were extremely professional and they barely brought it up. I tried to joke about it and they weren't even budging.
"I have no problem playing in Detroit after that interview, for sure."
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Hockey Night in Canada: 2014 Final Montage
As we put the wraps on the 2014 NHL season, we say goodbye to Hockey Night in Canada as we know it. Rogers takes over the reigns of Hockey Night in Canada next season.
Rory Boylen, The Hockey News -- The closing montage of the 2014 season was especially emotional because it was the last CBC produced Hockey Night in Canada broadcast. The show will continue on the CBC for at least the next four years, but will be controlled by Rogers, the new national NHL right’s holders. And you get the feeling HNIC will never be exactly the same again.
HNIC has marked the passage of time for the past six decades of NHL history. It’s been a healthy slice of Canadian culture, nurturing an inspiration for the game. It’s been a religion for anyone who dedicated their Saturday nights to the broadcast and vividly remember even the most random playoff moments from two decades ago. All those Stanley Cups being handed out and passed down, broadcast into our imagination by HNIC.
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.
Friday, June 13, 2014
UND's Official Hockey Schedule
|
Date
Oct. 5
Oct. 10
Oct.
11
Oct.
17
Oct.
18
Oct. 24
Oct. 25
Nov. 1
Nov.
7
Nov.
8
Nov. 14
Nov. 15
Nov.
21
Nov.
22
Nov. 28
Nov. 29
Dec. 5
Dec. 6
Dec.
12
Dec.
13
Jan. 3
Jan. 9
Jan. 10
Jan. 16
Jan. 17
Jan. 23
Jan. 24
Jan.
30
Jan.
31
Feb. 13
Feb. 14
Feb.
20
Feb.
21
Feb. 27
Feb. 28
March
6
March
7
March
13-15
March
20-21
March
27-29
April
9-11
|
Opponent
Manitoba (Exh.)
Bemidji State
at
Bemidji State
at
Colorado College*
at
Colorado College*
Providence
Providence
Air Force^
at
Wisconsin
at
Wisconsin
Miami*
Miami*
at
St. Cloud State*
at
St. Cloud State*
Nebraska Omaha*
Nebraska Omaha*
Lake Superior State
Lake Superior State
at
Denver*
at
Denver*
U.S. Under-18 Team (Exh.)
Minnesota Duluth*
Minnesota Duluth*
Niagara
Niagara
Colorado College*
Colorado College*
at
Nebraska Omaha*
at
Nebraska Omaha*
Denver*
Denver*
at
Western Michigan*
at
Western Michigan*
St. Cloud State*
St. Cloud State*
at
Miami*
at
Miami*
NCHC
Quarterfinals (Best-of-3)
NCHC
Frozen Faceoff (Minneapolis)
NCAA
Regionals
NCAA
Frozen Four (Boston)
(Schedule
subject to change)
All
times Central
Home
games in bold
* -
indicates NCHC game
^ -
U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game
2014-15
NCAA Regional Sites
Providence,
RI; Manchester, NH;
South
Bend, IN; Fargo, ND
|
Time
5:07 pm
7:37
pm
7:07 pm
8:37 pm
8:07 pm
7:37
pm
7:07
pm
7:37
pm
TBA
TBA
7:37
pm
7:07
pm
7:37 pm
7:07 pm
7:37
pm
7:07
pm
7:37
pm
7:07
pm
TBA
TBA
7:07
pm
7:37
pm
7:37
pm
7:07
pm
7:37
pm
7:07
pm
7:37 pm
7:07 pm
7:37
pm
7:07
pm
TBA
TBA
7:37
pm
7:07
pm
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
|
Thursday, June 12, 2014
TSN: Coach's challenge, video review dominate NHL GM meetings
The NHL GM's are getting closer to approving a coach's challenge, but it won't include goalie interference. Wait, what? The best hockey league in the world and they don't have video review for goalie interference.
NEW YORK, N.Y. - NHL general managers made some progress toward implementing a coach's challenge system, but could not finalize plans to do so at their annual Stanley Cup final meeting.Just for the record, the NCAA has a video review procedure already in place. This review includes goalie interference. (NCAA Rule 93)
At this point the issue is trying to define what cases would be subject to challenges and how the process would work. Because of that, GMs sounded optimistic something would be agreed on, but there was no certainty about whether it would start next season or in 2015-16.
"It would be related to a coach's challenge and so instead of jumping right into it, maybe everybody understands when the coaches are going to challenge," Jim Rutherford of the Pittsburgh Penguins said. "So maybe just try it internally for a year. These are real tough changes so you want to get it right."
Coach's challenges and the possibility of expanded video review dominated Wednesday's meeting several blocks from Madison Square Garden on the day of Game 4 of the Cup final.
One thing that seemed clear was that goaltender interference would not be part of any such changes because there's so much room for interpretation.
To determine if an attacking player was illegally in the goal crease and physically or visually prevented the goalkeeper from defending the goal when the puck entered the goal cage.
NCAA Hockey players to be drafted
The 2014 NHL Entry Level Draft is on June 27 & 28, 2014. It looks like the Boston College Eagles could have three players drafted in the first round of this year's entry level draft. Over the last couple of weeks, I have been combing through numerous mock drafts from the Mock Draft Database, and it appears that Boston College Eagles recruit Alex Tuch "should" be the first player drafted with college hockey ties. Boston College Eagles recruit Sonny Milano should end up being drafted right behind him.
Alex Tuch – Boston College, range 11-28
Dylan Larkin – Michigan, range 15-24
Thatcher
Demko – Boston College, range 18-29
Nick Schmaltz – North Dakota, range 23-30
Josh Jacobs – Michigan State, range 30
Jack
Glover – Minnesota, range 22-28
Jack Dougherty – Wisconsin, range 20-22 Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Commissoner Fenton at CBS today
Now before we get our hopes up, UND hockey won't be on FCS anytime soon. At least not for another two seasons. CBSSN won't let it happen because of the exclusivity deal the NCHC has with the network.
A day in #NYC for meetings with conference partners. One of the meetings is with @CBSSportsNet #proudpartnership pic.twitter.com/Zizh0fcb1c
— Josh Fenton (@Fenton_JC) June 11, 2014
NCAA: Are we on the Verge of Having Five Power Conferences?
Although this blog focuses on mostly hockey, I do wade into other areas, from time-to-time. This is a subject that I have been following with great interest. It's also going to be interesting to see how this plays out in the future. I don't think this is necessarily a good thing. Much like realignment in division I college hockey, this is about the rich schools getting richer, and leaving the rest of division I schools in the dust.
Tom Fornelli, College Football Writer --NCAA president Mark Emmert believes that the the NCAA and the five power conferences are "not that far apart" in what they want to get accomplished as far as a new governance structure for the NCAA.
SEC commissioner Mike Slive recently rekindled the talk about the five power conferences (the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and Pac-12) and Notre Dame essentially breaking off from the rest of Division I to form their own Division 4, but Emmert remains confident that won't be necessary. He said as much following a meeting with more than 100 athletic directors Wednesday at the National Association of College Directors of Athletics convention.
"The reality is, they're not that far apart on the various ends of that and I'm pretty confident the whole thing is going to work out and probably be successful," Emmert told USA Today.
The NCAA is trying to focus on an autonomous structure for the power five conferences that would give them voting independence on specific issues. What specific issues those will be are still being worked out, as well as what the voting threshold will be among the conferences. The NCAA steering committee submitted a proposal last month that called for a two-thirds super majority in order for an autonomous vote to pass, plus a simple majority from four of the five power conferences. Both Slive and Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany would like to lower the threshold to 60 percent and three of the five conferences.
North Dakota third drunkest state in the US
I saw this article on Dead Spin. Not hard to believe, North Dakota is covered by snow, four-six months of every year. You can take a look at the data by clicking on this link.
Reuben Fischer-Baum, Dead Spin --The National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has released its 2014
report on alcohol consumption in the United States, with figures for per capita alcohol consumption updated through 2012. Converting various boozes to pure ethanol volumes, the researchers estimated that the country as a whole drank 2.33 gallons of alcohol per 14-or-older resident, a 2.2 percent increase from 2011. That's a lot of booze: 497 five-percent, 12-oz. beers or 98 bottles of 12-percent, 750-ml wine.
The report also broke down the data by state. Utah comes in last, of course, but it's sort of surprising to see just how far New Hampshire is in front of the pack. The state "consumes" 4.65 gallons of alcohol per capita, beating Delaware—the second-booziest state—by over a gallon.
Minnesota Wild: Backstreet Boys Jersey Foul?
Last night there was a Backstreet Boys concert at the Xcel Energy Center. During the encore, each member of the boy band wore a Minnesota Wild jersey. Would you call this a jersey foul?
Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune -- In the end, Backstreet Boys have gone down as the biggest-selling group of the modern boy-band era — take that, JT! — and they made a point of reminding Tuesday’s crowd just how many hits they racked up. The tender gushers “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely” and “I’ll Never Break Your Heart” came early in the evening, and “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” and “Larger Than Life” were saved for the encore finale. For the latter, the guys donned larger-than-boy-band-sized Minnesota Wild jerseys that briefly made them look pipsqueaky 18 again.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
New York Rangers post mortem
My wife was asking me when the Stanley Cup Finals are
going to be over. I told her, the Stanley Cup Finals will be over this week, probably on
Wednesday night. There’s no way the series makes it past Friday. If this was a title fight, they would have thrown in the white towel already. The Rangers are done, stick a fork in them.
This GIF by Pete Blackburn illustrates how the series has
gone for the New York Rangers. Nothing has gone their way. They can’t buy a
break.
L.A. Kings goalie Jonathan Quick has been a brick wall
during the Stanley Cup Finals and last night the All-World goalie stopped all
32 shots that he faced.
Monday, June 09, 2014
L.A. Kings D-Man Matt Greene Interviewed After The Game, Milbury Gives Him Props
Former Fighting Sioux and current L.A. Kings D-man Matt Greene is the epitome of a hockey warrior. Greene’s eye has about eight different colors, at least, if not more. With Greene in the lineup, the Kings have an 11-7 (.611) record and a 3-3 record without him in the lineup. Coincidence, I don’t know?
Stanley Cup Humor, 0-3
pic.twitter.com/4Cx2yrpDpH
— NHL Humor (@TheNHLHumor) June 10, 2014
This one was pretty good. It's funny if you're a L.A. Kings fan and not if your cheer for the New York Rangers.
Marc Staal Hi-sticking Penalty, Alec Martinez Embellishment
,st
First off, I want to be clear, this is a penalty. New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal hits L.A. Kings defenseman Alec Martinez with a high stick, that we can't denie. However, they teach must teach acting classes at Miami University, because this was a ridiculous head snap by Martinez. I would say that this display is worthy of an Academy Award. Even Ryan Kesler would blush at this one.
First off, I want to be clear, this is a penalty. New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal hits L.A. Kings defenseman Alec Martinez with a high stick, that we can't denie. However, they teach must teach acting classes at Miami University, because this was a ridiculous head snap by Martinez. I would say that this display is worthy of an Academy Award. Even Ryan Kesler would blush at this one.
Zach Parise Gives Mike Yeo Some Serious Props....
Last week, former Fighting Sioux forward Zach Parise gave Minnesota Wild head coach Mike Yeo some serious props. Seriously... The fire coach Yeo crowd isn't going to be very happy with Parise's praise.
Michael Russo, Star Tribune --(Zach) Parise who led the Wild in playoff scoring, said during a phone interview. “I think he did a really good job — [the entire coaching staff] all did a really good job — down the stretch for us, especially in the playoffs. I mean, we were really prepared. We knew exactly what to expect. We exploited weaknesses. It’s a big chess game, the playoffs. I think they did a really good job making adjustments on the fly. It was real impressive.”
As a young, first-time NHL head coach, Yeo has made his share of mistakes, but Parise saw several examples of growth this season. It began before the season when Yeo reacted to last year’s first-round loss to Chicago and adjusted his system to allow the Wild to be less of a dump-and-chase team.
Late this season and into the playoffs, Yeo tinkered with his lines more and was more apt to make in-game adjustments and hold underperforming players accountable.
“There’s a lot of things you can tell that experienced coaches do,” Parise said. “Even things as small as tinkering lines when someone’s going and when someone’s not or the way they run the benches. I can only imagine how tough it’s got to be [for a young coach].
Just for the record, I think that Mike Yeo is a very good coach and he did some great things during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I think we have just scratched the surface with Yeo. I predicted not so long ago, that the Minnesota Wild are going to win a Stanley Cup sooner rather than later.
Time for a coaches challenge for the NHL
Based on what we have seen this past weekend, I think we could make the argument that it’s time for the NHL to have a coach’s challenge, or some kind of video review system for certain kinds of plays. More specifically, there's no reason why the NHL shouldn't be able to review goalie interference. The NHL is the best hockey league in the world, but even their officials are human. Thoughts?
Damien Cox, The Spin – And the notion of a coach's challenge for replay review, a concept he's championed for several years, is suddenly more popular than ever.
"Now people are seeing what happens in a critical game and a critical situation that can cost people jobs," he said today.
"Why not? It works in the NFL."
Expanding the use of video review and giving coaches the opportunity to challenge calls are both likely to be hot topics this week, including today at the competition committee and Wednesday when the GMs meet.
If it were up to Tallon, coaches would be able to challenge both goalie interference calls and offside plays leading to goals, neither of which currently can be reviewed.
"I'm saying one time per game, one goal, one time per coach," he said. "That's it. It's not going to happen that often.
Saint Cloud State releases secondary logo
s/t tap to Drunk Hockey Guy. If you're unhappy with picture, you can troll his twitter feed by clicking on the link about. Feel free to give him your thoughts. DHG does have a point though. Anyone see a similarity? I sure do. Looks very similar.
Matt Greene Caption This... Oops.
The wonders of Getty Images. Here's a great picture of Matt Greene from game one of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Also, the former Fighting Sioux defenseman is smoking hot right now, and has three points in his last three games (0g-3a—3pts). In 17 games, Greene has compiled (0g-4a—4pts) during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Kings have a 3-3 (.500) record when Greene isn’t in the lineup and a 10-7 (.588) record with Greene in the lineup. You can glean what you want from that stat.
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