Saturday, December 31, 2011

Saturday Night Hockey: New Year's Eve

Happy New Year...s Eve

And Happy 100th Post to us this year. Just because I don't want it to be another mailed-in SNH, I'll do a semi-actual post.

Spengler Cup

WHAT...THE...F***. How does Canada lose 8-1 to HC Davos, then not win against a weaker Wolfsburg Grizzly Adams team?!?!

Deep breath

Ok ok, I'm good. A lost against HC Davos isn't too surprising, but 8-1 is friggen unreal. Then having to go to overtime and lose in the shootout to Wolfsburg is just the icing on the cake.

The finals pitted host HC Davos against the "Russian invite" Dinamo Riga. This wasn't too surprising as the finals of this tournament usually involves 2 of the 3 teams (Canada/HC Davos/Russian invite). HC Davos won 3-2, their first Spengler Cup win since 2006.

World Juniors

Dear Canada,
Don't be happy about your victory against Denmark. You didn't even cover the spread.
Sincerely,
Gamblers
No, I didn't have money on that game, why you ask?

The fact you couldn't bet on the "Money Line" (who would win) is bad enough, although I think betting Russia in the other game was something along the lines of a $200 bet equaling a 1 cent win.

Sticking within the group, what's going on with the US? It's like they forgot to play (insert Americans don't know hockey joke here). Now they are going to the Relegation Round, which means they'll at least end up first in something.

NHL

I got nothing here. All I know is that Cunneyworth should win the Cup and shove it down the throats of the French Media and Ilya Bryzgalov needs a reality show, NOW!

Lineup NOTables

Edmonton Oilers vs. New York Islanders

You probably know what happened by now, keep moving.

Ottawa Senators vs. Buffalo Sabres

Ottawa: Peter Regin (shoulder) and Jesse Winchester (concussion) are out. Craig Anderson will start.
Buffalo: Ville Leino (lower body), Nathan Gerbe (concussion), Tyler Ennis (ankle), Corey Tropp (head), Andrej Sekera (upper body), Colin Stuart (knee), and Christian Ehrhoff (upper body) are out. Ryan Miller is expected to start.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Winnipeg Jets

Toronto: Colby Armstrong (concussion, what concussion?), Mike Brown (back), Tyler Bozak (shoulder), Philippe Dupuis, (upper body) John Michael-Liles (concussion), and Mike Komisarek (arm) are out. James Reimer starts tonight.
Winnipeg: Bryan Little (foot), Jim Slater (rib), Dustin Byfuglien (knee), Randy Jones (shoulder), and Derek Meech (lower body) are out. Ondrej Pavelec gets the start.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Florida Panthers

Montreal: Andrei "Right Knee" Markov, Ryan White (hernia), Scott Gomez (groin), and Brian Gionta (lower body) are out. Carey Price is in net.
Florida: Sean Bergenheim (lower body), Jack Skille (shoulder), Marco Sturm (head), Marcel Goc (concussion), Mikael Samuelsson (back), and Scottie Upshall (upper body) are out. Jose Theodore might start.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings

Vancouver: Byron Bitz (groin), David Booth (knee), Steven Pinizzotto (shoulder), Aaron Vopatti (shoulder), and Aaron Rome (thumb) are out while Chris Higgins (hand) is questionable. Roberto Luongo maybe starting tonight.
Los Angeles: Just Scott Parse (hip) and Simon Gagne (upper body) are out. Jonathan Quick is expected to start.

United States U20 vs. Canada U20

US: Jack Campbell starts tonight.
Canada: Devante Smith-Pelly (foot) is out, leaving Ducks to quack in mourning. Scott Wedgewood is in net.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Sunday Night Hockey: World Juniors Preview

Merry Christmas

Here is part two of our Holiday Previews. Today is World Junior time as it takes place in a far away place called Alberta. Kind of figures I move a year before they hold this tournament.

Group A - Latvia, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland

BEK                             MDK
1- Russia                      1- Russia
2- Sweden                    2- Sweden
3- Switzerland             3- Slovakia
4- Slovakia                  4- Switzerland
5- Latvia                      5- Latvia

BEK's Take: Russia just edge's out Sewden for first place in this group. Switzerland continues it's now-annual darkhorse run. Slovakia and Latvia will be fighting it out in relegation.

MDK's Take: Russia will dominate because they are a strong team and play better if they worship a vodka bottle. Sweden is second because they have decent players. Everything else is obvious. Latvia is last because they suck.

Group B - Canada (Host), Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, USA

BEK                             MDK:
1- USA                        1- Canada
2- Canada                    2- USA
3- Czech Republic       3- Finland
4- Finland                    4- Czech Republic
5- Denmark                 5- Denmark

BEK's Take: Again I pick a team over Canada (hey, it worked last year). The Czechs and Finns will fight it out over who gets to move on. And Denmark is...well...Denmark.

MDK's Take: In Group B Canada is going to be the same as last year because they are awesome. USA is second because its obvious. and the rest is well expected.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Saturday Night Hockey: Spengler Cup Preview

Merry Christmas Eve.

Just like last year, our Spengler Cup and World Junior previews fall on Christmas. This time, they are going to be spread out so Spengler Cup tonight and World Juniors tomorrow. Oh, and screw you TSN for putting the Spengler Cup on TSN2. Why couldn't Sportsnet retain the TV rights dammit.

Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg

Goalies: Daniar Dshunussow, Lukas Lang
Defensemen: Robbie Bina, Marvin Degon, Christopher Fischer, Kevin Hecquefeuille, Benedikt Kohl, Nathan Paetsch, Benedikt Schopper, Armin Wurm
Forwards: Colin Beardsmore, Mike Bishai, Patrick Davis, Matt Dzieduszycki, Sebastian Furchner, Tyler Haskins, Kai Hospelt, Andre Huebscher, Christoph Hohenleitner, David Laliberte, John Laliberte, Vincenz Mayer, Norm Milley, Ilkka Pikkarainen, Patrick Pohl
Top Threat: A top 5 team in the DEL, with the leading scorer and point-getter Kai Hospelt.
Weakness: Spell-checking names for the game sheet.

HC Vitkovice Steel

Goalies: Martin Falter, Roman Malek
Defensemen: Franco Collenberg, Tomas Kudelka, Marek Malik, Ctirad Ovcacik, Petr Puncochar, Gian-Andrea Randegger, Adam Sedlak, Tomas Voracek
Forwards: Jiri Burger, Michal Hlinka, Radim Hruska, Peter Huzevka, Jan Kana, Lukas Klimek, Lukas Pabiska, Petr Pohl, Ondrej Sedivy, Juraj Stefanka, Petr Strapac, Juraj Sykora, Roman Szturc,  Nathan Walker
Top Threat: They have Marek Malik, so shootouts are covered.
Weakness: They didn't bring Viktor Ujcik along? They deserve last place.

Dinamo Riga

Goalies: Chris Holt, Maris Jucers
Defensemen: Janis Andersons, Oskars Cibulskis, Guntis Galvins, Rodrigo Lavins, Niclas Lucenius, Sandis Ozolins, Jekabs Redlihs, Krisjanis Redlihs, Arvids Rekis, Kristaps Sotnieks
Forwards: Girts Ankipans, Martins Cipulis, Martin Karsums, Jamie Lundmark, Gints Meija, Ville Nieminen, Aleksandr Nizivijs, Ainars Podzins, Mikelis Redlihs, Janis Spurkts, Juris Stals, Juris Upitis, Fredrik Warg
Top Threat: Basically Latvia's national team.
Weakness: See "Top Threat".

Kolten Flyers

Goalies: Michael Fluckiger, Ronnie Rueger
Defensemen: Sven Berger, Eric Blum, Felicien Du Bois, Micki Dupont, Thomas Mettler, Philippe Schelling, Nicolas Steiner, Duvie Westcott, Benjamin Winkler
Forwards: Matthias Bieber, Simon Bodenmann, Yannick Herren, Denis Hollenstein, Arnaud Jacquemet, Marcel Jenni, Steve Kellenberger, Samuel Keller, Romano Lemm, Michael Linger, Lars Neher, Niklas Nordgren, Michael Nylander, Vojtech Polak, Tommi Santala, Victor Stancescu, Sebastien Sutter, Samuel Walser, Roman Wick
Top Threat: Damn that offense looks good, and their defense and goalies aren't half-bad either.
Weakness: They are below HC Davos in the standings. Seriously, I don't have an actual weakness for them.

HC Davos

Goalies: Reto Berra, Leonardo Genoni
Defensemen: Rene Back, Beat Forster, Robin Grossmann, Janne Niinimaa, Tim Ramholt, Lukas Stoop, Ramon Untersander
Forwards: Jan von Arx, Pavel Brendl, Dario Burgler, Robbie Earl, Peter Guggisberg, Fadri Holinger, Mathias Jorggi, Raphael Kuonen, Josef Marha, Jan Neuenschwander, Anton Ranov, Sandro Rizzi, Gregory Sciaroni, Peter Sejna, Lukas Sieber, Janick Steinmann, Petr Sykora, Petr Taticek, Reto von Arx, Dino Wieser, Lukas Willi
Top Threat: GAH, what's with the Swiss teams having nice-looking rosters?!?!
Weakness: For TSN, they still think that this Petr Sykora was the notable one (psssst, it's really the guy who had a cup of coffee with Washington)

Team Canada

Goalies: Jake Allen, Marty Turco
Defensemen: Shawn Heins, Jordan Hendry, Joel Kwiatkowski, Cory Murphy, Maxim Noreau, Ryan Parent, Travis Roche, Derrick Walser
Forwards: Eric Beaudoin, Blaine Down, Rico Fata, Mark Hartigan, Brett McLean, Kurtis McLean, Glen Metropolit, Pascal Pelletier, Joel Perrault, Brandon Reid, Byron Ritchie, Stacy Roest, Jean-Pierre Vigier, Jeremy Williams
Top Threat: The best collect of ex-NHLers Canada could find.
Weakness: Turco probably will be starting, so fans can't win bets against him.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Hockey's Naughty List

This guy is the new Bruins mascot

With Christmas only a day away, Santa is just finishing his list and checking it twice. While most NHLer's have been good (thank you Shanny), there are still some that have found their way onto the naughty list. Here are some that have just done that.

Every candidate has three subjects:

Reasons - Why they are naughty
Redeeming Qualities - What saves them
Naughty Ranking - On a scale from 1 to 10 how naughty they are (10 being the highest)

Ron Wilson

Reasons: Unfriendly to media (from blasting them to lying), statistically horrible coach.
Redeeming Qualities: This tweet.
Naughty Ranking: 6

Milan Lucic

Reasons: Running goalies, cheap shots that go unsuspended, playing for the Bruins.
Redeeming Qualities: Santa knows who he is.
Naughty List10 0 (stupid Colin Campbell tampered with the list)

Tim Thomas

Reasons: Not pumping his opponents tires, very naughty. Also, a Bruins player.
Redeeming Qualities: Won Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe. Pretty good for a journeyman goalie.
Naughty Ranking: 2

Matthew Barnaby

Reasons: A domestic dispute and a DUI, very very naughty. Also analyses hockey (recommended by ESPN)
Redeeming Qualities: None (although driving on three wheels is kind of impressive)
Naughty Ranking: 9

Mike Milbury

Reasons: Recent altercation at a kids game, being himself ("Mad Mike").
Redeeming Qualities: Is still somehow considered an ex-GM
Naughty Ranking: 9

Sidney Crosby

Reasons: Not coming back from his concussion soon enough, leaving the NHL to find someone else to promote. Guys who haven't watched hockey since 2007 still call him a diver.
Redeeming Qualities: Still the best hockey player in the world.
Naughty Ranking: -1

Jaromir Jagr

Reasons: Teasing Pittsburgh into thinking he would come back, then signs with in-state rival Philadelphia
Redeeming Qualities: Even at 39, he's still Jagr-ing it up.
Naughty Ranking: 4

Bell and Rogers

Reasons: Two telecommunications companies who are in direct competition with each other teaming up to by the Leafs? EXTREMELY NAUGHTY
Redeeming Qualities: None, it's Bell and Rogers
Naughty Ranking: 11

Showing Some International Love: U20 Division I and Division II Results

In the fog of 24/7, recent concussions, and All-Star voting, there is something lost, the beginning of this year's World Juniors. Yaya, it's not really "lost" because the preview takes up 80% of Sportscentre on TSN, and that's only team Canada. But the real start is in the the lower divisions. They started almost two weeks ago, and even though I forgot to do a preview, I'll make it up with the results...lazy, lazy results.

U20 Division IA - Host: Germany

Final Standings
1 (Promotion)- Germany     5W-0L- +25GD
2- Belarus     3W-1OTL-1L- +11GD
3- Norway     3W-2L- +6GD
4- Slovenia     1W-2OTW-2L- +4GD
5- Austria     1W-1OTL-3L- -15GD
6 (Relegation)- Great Britain     0W-5L- -31GD

U20 Division IB - Host: Poland

Final Standings
1 (Promotion)- France     4W-1L- +13GD
2- Kazahkstan     3W-1OTL-1L- +2GD
3- Italy     2W-1OTW-2L- +5GD
4- Poland     2W-1OTL-2L- +4GD
5- Croatia     2W-3L- -13GD
6 (Relegation)- Japan     0W-1OTW-4L- -11GD

U20 Division IIA - Host: Ukraine

Final Standings
1 (Promotion)- Ukraine     3W-2OTW-0L- +14GD
2- Lithuania     3W-2OTL-0L- +8GD
3- Hungary     2W-1OTW-2L- +9GD
4- Spain     2W-3L- -8GD
5- Netherland     1W-1OTW-3L- -14GD
6 (Relegation)- South Korea     0W-2OTL-3L- -9GD

U20 Division IIB - Host: Estonia

Final Standings
1 (Promotion)- Romania     5W-0L- +35GD
2- Estonia     4W-1L- +37GD
3- Serbia     3W-2L- -8GD
4- Belgium     1W-1OTW-3L- -6GD
5- Australia     1W-4L- -24GD
6 (Relegation)- Mexico     0W-1OTL-4L- -34GD

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Saturday Night Hockey

Ugh, another busy Saturday...well you know the drill.

Oh, and Winnipeg fans, I know you booed Doan when when he came back (gutless....gutless). If you guys dare boo Selanne, I'll go back to referring to you guys as the Thrashers.

Wait, one more: JACQUES MARTIN FIRED!!! PLAN THE PARADE!!!

Lineup NOTables

Vancouver Canucks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Vancouver: Byron Bitz (groin), Andrew Ebbett (foot), Steven Pinizzotto (shoulder), Aaron Vopatti (shoulder), and David Booth (knee) are out while Daniel Sedin (back) is questionable. Roberto Luongo will start.
Telecommunications Slaves: Mike Brown (back), Matthew Lombardi (shoulder), and Mike Komisarek (arm) are out. James Reimer starts tonight.

New Jersey Devils vs. Montreal Canadiens

New Jersey: Jacob Josefson (clavicle surgery) and Andy Greene (toe) are out while Henrik Tallinder (wrist) is questionable. Martin Brodeur is expected to start.
Montreal: Andrei "Right Knee" Markov, Ryan White (hernia), Scott Gomez (groin), and Brian Gionta (lower body) are out while Travis Moen (foot) is questionable. Carey Price starts (who else would)

Anaheim Ducks vs. Winnipeg Jets

Anaheim: Jason Blake (wrist), Saku Koivu (groin), and Matt Smaby (thumb) are out. Jonas Hiller will start.
Winnipeg...for now: Tobias Enstrom (collarbone) and Derek Meech (lower body) are out while Nik Antropov (foot), Alexander Burmistrov, and Randy Jones (upper body) are questionable. Ondrej Pavelec gets the start.

Edmonton Oilers vs. San Jose Sharks

Edmonton: Only Cam Barker (ankle) is out. Devan Dubnyk gets the start.
San Jose: Douglas "I swear I'm Swedish" Murray (hand), Jim Vandermeer (upper body), and Antero Niittymaki (hip) are out. Antti Niemi will start tonight.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Saturday Night Hockey

Work then an exam today...wait what?

One more thing, I fall asleep for one day and the Habs go out and get Kaberle? Ugh...


Lineup NOTables

Montreal Canadiens vs. New Jersey Devils 

Montreal: Andrei "Right Knee" Markov, Brian Gionta (lower body), Scott Gomez (groin), and Ryan White (hernia) are out while Chris Campoli (leg) is questionable. Carey Price starts.
New Jersey: Travis Zajic (achilles), Jacob Josefson (clavicle surgery) Cam Janssen (sternum), Andy Greene (toe), and Anton Volchenkov (hand) are out. Martin Brodeur will start this afternoon

Vancouver Canucks vs. Ottawa Senators

Vancouver: Bryon Bitz (groin), David Booth (knee), Andrew Ebbett (foot), Steven Pinizzotto (shoulder), and Aaron Vopatti (shoulder) are out while Chris Higgins (foot) is doubtful. Corey Schneider is expected to start.
Ottawa: Peter Regan (shoulder), Filip Kuba (upper body), and Sergei Gonchar (upper body) are out. Craig Anderson is in net.

Winnipeg Jets vs. Detroit Red Wings

Winnipeg: Nik Antropov (lower body), Eric Fehr (shoulder), Aaron Gagnon, Tobias Enstrom (collarbone), Ron Hainsey (lower body), and Derek Meech (lower body) are out. Ondrej Pavelec gets the start.
Detroit: Patrick Eaves (jaw) and Jan Mursak (ankle) are out. Jimmy Howard will start tonight.

Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames (Again?)

Edmonton: Taylor Hall (shoulder), Cam Barker (ankle), Ladislav Smid (upper body), Taylor Fedun (femur), and Corey Potter (ankle) are out. Andy Sutton is suspended. Nikolai Khabibulin might start.
Calgary: David Moss (foot), Anton Babchuk (hand), Mark Giordano (leg), and Henrik Karlsson (knee) are out. Miikka Kiprusoff gets the start tonight.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Hooray For Radical Realignment

As of Monday, the NHL Board of Governors approved of a complete make-over of the NHL. For a better look, here is the CBC graphic:


First off, WHY IS FRIGGEN FLORIDA AND TAMPA IN THE "NORTHEAST" CONFERENCE?

I realize that the sticking point was keeping state rivals Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in the same division conference. But that would have been easily fixed. Just swap the Pennsylvania and Florida teams. I know a big issue was the East/West geographical divide, but shouldn't the same apply for North/South on something like that? Before someone says why this doesn't bug me for teams like Edmonton and LA being in the same conference, I'll remind you there aren't a dozen teams between them. For a good look at the travel issues, check out On The Forecheck's breakdown of travel by each team for this and last season. Spoiler Alert: Lou Lamoriello is scared of a plane.

The Phoenix Situation

Honestly, this one is relocation proof. Phoenix stays, no move. Phoenix moves to Seattle, no move. Phoenix goes to Hamilton or Quebec City, moves to "Northeast" Conference and only adds another team to conference. Phoenix moves to Kansas City, moves to "Central" Conference then...uh...Hello Detroit to the "Northeast".

Conference Names

Bring back Smythe, Norris, Patrick, and Adams (start top left, go clockwise when looking at above picture). I hear the idea that naming them Gretzky, Howe, Lemieux, Orr or other famous players would be good, but as a Habs fan I'd be damn if I have to refer to my team as the Orr Conference Champions (just typing that was painful).

Playoffs

Right now, it stands are the top four teams from each conference enter the playoffs in a divisional round. Then another divisional round. Then....well...whatever. They will figure that out later.

Personally, I'm not a fan of this. It cuts down on potential "Cinderella teams" and there is too high a chance of seeing the same teams battle year after year. Not that the Leaf/Sens battle a decade ago wasn't good, but repetition can get tiresome.

Wales and Campbell Trophies

The Wysh brought this to light: what happens to the Prince of Wales and Campbell Trophies?

Here's my proposal:  Have the conference playoff champions enter a draw. Two are drawn for the Prince of Wales trophy and the other two battle for the Campbell.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Sunday Night Hockey: FIGHT!!!

I'm working on something, I swear. Stay tuned...

Monthly Standings

The Leafs still second? That will change.


Six Thoughts:

  • Really no surprise in the Atlantic
  • Bruins from worst to first? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
  • FLORIDA? FLORIDA! WHAT THE HELL?
  • Ok, not that I turned off caps lock, we are back to (semi-) normal in the Central
  • MINNESOTA? MINNESOTA! (ok ok I'll stop)
  • The biggest surprise is that the Ducks are last...and maybe San Jose being in third (still early though)

Chaos In Finlandia


Ah, the beauty of the rarely seen line brawl.

It starts off with a collision in the corner, one Pelican goes into turtle mode while a HIFK tries to rip him apart. Then we get Arttu Luttinen (#9 Pelicans) trying to man-handled two guys before settling with Siim Liivik (#72 HIFK).

Cut to a faceoff in the Pelicans zone. You swear the linesman* couldn't drop the puck soon enough. The Pelicans just wanted to get their gloves off and fight. The best part is that since it was a powerplay for HIFK, there was gonna be an odd man out. Poor #3, seemed so eager to get at someone, then dejectedly skates back and watches. Also, a tender moment between #13 of HIFK and #4 of the Pelicans.

*Great, now I know what the next alternative jersey fad will look like.

Two Quick Notes

  1. Yes yes, Winnipeg has a team. But in reality they were booing their franchise. Especially Shane Doan, the only guy still with the franchise. Winnipeg's logic: Boo us, yay Atlanta.
  2. It's nice to see the Habs win vs. the Kings last night, but why did LA's only goal be scored by Dustin Penner?!?!

Links

The Wysh with an interesting take on coach firings.

Well, nice to see Pavel Bure be recognized by ONE Hall of Fame

Kerry Fraser: Voice of reason in a cloud of confusion...wait what?

Lineup NOTables

(Confession time: Most of the time I guess the starting goalies of each game. Most of the time I only need to change 2 of those guesses. Last night, thought, was brutal. Only had 3 right before I updated it. The later late game saved me from going below .500)

Detroit Red Wings vs. Colorado Avalanche

Detroit: Patrick Eaves (jaw) and Jan Murek (ankle) are out. Ty Conklin is in net.
Colorado: Peter Mueller (concussion), Mark Olver (head), and Erik Johnson (groin) are out. Semyon Varlamov starts tonight.

Minnesota Wild vs. Anaheim Ducks

Minnesota: Guillaume Latendresse (concussion), Justin Falk (back), Mike Lundin (back), Marek Zidlicky (concussion), and Niklas Backstrom (groin) are out while Cal Clutterbuck (thigh) is questionable). Josh Harding will start.
Boudreaus: Jason Blake (wrist), George Parros (eye), Matt Smaby (thumb), Lubomir Visnovsky (finger) and Dan Ellis (groin) are out. Jonas Hiller will start.

Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks

Calgary: Alex Tanguay (shoulder) David Moss (foot), Scott Hannan (knee), Mark Giordano (leg), and Anton Babchuk (hand) are out. Henrik Karlsson gets the start.
Vancouver: Mason Raymond (back), Byron Bitz (groin), Andrew Ebbett (foot), Arron Vopatti (shoulder), and Steven Pinizzotto (shoulder) are out. Roberto Luongo is expected to start.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Saturday Night Hockey

Nothing today because of work, might have something tomorrow.

Hey, it's not like we posted a few times this week to keep you entertained.

But honestly, who makes a student work on weekends...oh, almost every employer?...I'll shut up now.

Lineup NOTables

(Only one team [Vancouver] off and an early game? The schedule makers did this on purpose)

Montreal Canadiens vs. Los Angeles Kings (Why is the early game on the West Coast?!?!)

Montreal: Andrei "Right Knee" Markov, Andres Engvist (lower body), Scott Gomez (groin), Ryan White (hernia), Chris Campoli (leg), and Jaroslav Spacek (upper body) are out. Max Pacioretty is suspended. Carey Price is in net.
Los Angeles: Mike Richards (upper body), Scott Parse (hip), Willie Mitchell (lower body), and Alec Martinez (upper body) are out while Dustin Penner (hand) is questionable. Jonathan Bernier is expected to start.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins

Toronto: Colby Armstrong (ankle), Mike Brown (back), Matthew Lombardi (shoulder), and Mike Komisarek (arm) are out. James Reimer will start tonight.
BOO-ston: Only Marc Savard (concussion) is out. Tuukka Rask gets the start.

Ottawa Senators vs. Washington Capitals

Ottawa: Just Peter Regin (shoulder) is out while Chris Neil (ankle) and Filip Kuba (upper body) are questionable. Craig Anderson will be in net.
Hunters: Jay Beagle (concussion), Mike Green (groin), and Tom Poti (groin) are out while Roman Hamrlik (lower body) is questionable. Michal Neuvirth starts tonight.

New Jersey Devils vs. Winnipeg Jets

New Jersey: Jacob Josefson (clavicle surgery) is out. Johan Hedberg will start.
Winnipeg: Tobias Enstrom (collarbone), Brett Festerling (upper body), Randy Jones (ankle), and Derek Meech (lower body) are out. Ondrej Pavelec starts tonight.

Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers

Old Alberta: David Moss (foot), Mark Giordano (leg), and Anton Babchuk (hand) are out. MMiiiikkkkaa KKiipprruussooffff gets the start.
New Alberta: Taylor Hall (shoulder), Ben Eager (back), Taylor Fedun (femur), Andy Sutton (groin), and Corey Potter (ankle) are out. Nikolai Khabibulin might start.

Friday, December 2, 2011

A Look At The KHL: The Yablonski Rule

Something happened recently that has saddened a select part of the hockey world:

Pauline Gretzky shut down her twitter account. (Good news...SHE'S BACK!!!)

Oh, and the KHL is is expected to introduce a new rule to curb goons from Nother America to play in their league. This rule is named after Jeremy Yablonski, he of 1 game with the Blues back in 2003-04, but most may know him as a former Senators farmhand.

So time for me to shake off the rust and remember how to do this.

Overview

Right now, they have put in a rule stating that each team may dress only one "tough guy" (must be a Russian translation for "goon"). Well there goes have of Vityaz Chekhov's roster. Wait wait, I got more:

  • Vityaz Chekhov translated to English is "Hanson Brothers"
  • Vityaz Chekhov - Making the Bruins look soft

If you didn't catch it, Vityaz Chekhov is the team gooning up the KHL. If you look at their roster, you can see why. Here are some examples of them...uh..."playing":

(against Avangard Omsk in 2010)

(last month vs. Dinamo Riga)


(even the coach gets involved)

(and this is why Yablonkski is sitting home eatting chips now)

The KHL is also trying to adopt a rule that would see only North American born players with at least 80-120 NHL games (no hard number yet) be allowed to play in the KHL. While this does help their efforts in cutting down on goons, it also alienates the guys who are minor league superstars that either just couldn't make the NHL or never got a proper shot.

North Americans in the KHL

Through extensive (re: 5 minutes) of research, I've counted 25 North American born players* that are currently in the KHL. Here is a list of the players that would be eligible to stay if the rule was set at 80 games:

  • Jamie Lundmark (Dinamo Riga)
  • Nick Tarnasky (Vityaz Chekhov)
  • Deron Quint (Traktor Chelyabinsk)
  • Dustin Boyd (Barys Astana)
  • Brandon Bochenski (Barys Astana)
  • Josh Gratton (Barys Astana)
  • Kevin Dallman (Barys Astana)
  • Nigel Dawes (Barys Astana)
  • Andrew Hutchinson (Barys Astana)
  • Chris Simon (Metallurg Novokuznetsk)
  • Brent Sopel (Metallurg Novokuznetsk)
  • Randy Robitaille (Metallurg Novokuznetsk)

That's only 12 players (48%) that would be allowed to stay. Of note, half of them play on the lone Kazakhstan team (Barys Astana).

*Goalies not included

The KHL Draft

Another side effect of the proposed rule is the inablity for KHL teams to draft North American players. Of course, 2 things already affect this:

  1. Any KHL team (that isn't Vityaz Chekhov anyway) won't waste a pick on a noted junior goon (Now that I think about it, Dynamo Moscow did draft Zach Kassian in 2009. Soooo, there goes that point)
  2. Anyone over this side of the world would blow off the chance to play in the NHL in favour of the KHL

This rule would just eliminates any team wanting to pick a North American player in the CHL. Although, those picks were just used to control the players KHL rights anyway. Ak Bars Kazan is just waiting for Taylor Hall's contract to expire.