Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Return of the Kid
Sid the Kid will be back! Sidney Crosby is to return on Thursday March 15, 2012. This is big news for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they been on fire without Crosby, particularly because of Evgeni Malkin and James Neal. The Penguins are on a nine game win-streak to date and are looking to increase that and stay on top of the playoff race. The hope is that Crosby will remain healthy through the rest of the season and the playoffs. With this new addition to the lineup the Penguins are sure to make a splash in the playoff race.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Trade Deadline Analysis
February 27 marked the 2012 NHL Trade Deadline. In this post I will be dissecting and analyzing the major trades that took place around the time of the Deadline and determining the winners and losers. This year was a disappointing one in regard to the number of trades but there are some trades that may have a significant impact.
Trade#1
New Jerey Acquires: D Marek Zidlicky
Minnesota Acquires:D Kurtis Foster, F Nick Palmieri, F Stephane Veilleux, 2nd round pick(2012), 3rd round pick(2013)
Analysis: I believe New Jersey gave up to much to acquire Marek Zidlicky. Why? Well, offensivley Kurtis Foster and Marek Zidlicky are pretty even.Furthermore Marek Zidlicky may be better defensively than Foster but not by a lot.Moreover Nick Palmieri may not be a superstar player but is quite young and has a many years ahead of him. Stephane Veilleux is kind of a bonus and the 2 draft picks may prove to be quite useful in the years to come if they turn out to be good players. A more fair deal wood be Kurtis Foster and a 2nd or 3rd round pick for Marek Zidlicky.
Winner:Minnesota
Trade#2
Vancouver Acquires: F Zack Kassian, D Marc-Andre Gragnani
Buffalo Acquires: F Cody Hodgson, D Alexander Sulzer
Analysis: Many Canucks fans were shocked when they first heard about this trade.Many of them were distraught at loss of a potential rookie of the year in Cody Hodgson. But when one starts really think about the trade they begin to understand Mike Gillis's logic of making the transaction. The Canucks over the past few years have been criticized for being a soft and weak team. This was showcased during the Stanley Cup Final series against the Boston Bruins. Zack Kassian will help make the Canucks a more gritty team.Kassian also played in the world junior with Hodgson. Grgnani, a solid defensive defense man who will strengthen Vancouver's defensive core. The Sabres acquirred Cody Hodgson who will probably get more ice time with the Sabres and help them in the playoff push.Also, Cody Hodgson is brimming with potential and will be a great asset to have in the future.
Winner: Vancouver- Both teams did fairly well in the trade but Vancouver may have fared slightly better and because of that the Canucks win. The real winner will be dertimed a few years down the road because the deal contains young players who may grow into NHL superstars.
Trade#3
Vancouver Acquires: F Sami Pahlssen
Columbus Acquires: D Taylor Ellington, 4th round pick(2012), 4th round pick(2012)
Analysis:Vancouver was very busy at the deadline Acquiring a solid forward in Sami Pahlsson. This was a good deal for Columbus as well who picked up two fourth rounders that could turn out to be good young prospects which they desperately need.
Winner: Vancouver
Trade#4:
Columbus Acquires: D Jack Johnson, 1st round pick(2013)
Los Angeles: Jeff Carter
Analysis:Coulumbus hook things up quite a bit at the Deadline and shortly before it, trading Pahlssen, Carter, and Vermette for draft pick and young players. This clearly show that Columbus is looking to rebuild.Getting the young defense man,Jack Johnson for Jeff Carter was one of the best things Columbus did this year. Jeff Carter and Jack Johnson and pretty close in the points department even though Johnson is a defenceman. Carter will join Mike Richards, a teammate form Philadelphia which should add to chemistry. Los Angeles is also hoping Carter can help mend their scoring woes as they are currently second last in the league in goals for.
Winner: Columbus
Other Trades:
Ottawa Acquires: D Matt Gilroy
Tampa Bay Acquires: D Brian Lee
Winnepeg Acquires: 2nd Round pick(2013), 3rd Round pick(2013)
Chicago Acquires: D Johnny Oduya
Overall Analysis:Vancouver was clearly a winner as they traded for defense and grit. Columbus also established itself as a winner although didn't trade Nash, it acquirred many Draft picks and young players. The New Jersey Devils were losers as they sacrificed to much for Zidlicky.
Trade#1
New Jerey Acquires: D Marek Zidlicky
Minnesota Acquires:D Kurtis Foster, F Nick Palmieri, F Stephane Veilleux, 2nd round pick(2012), 3rd round pick(2013)
Analysis: I believe New Jersey gave up to much to acquire Marek Zidlicky. Why? Well, offensivley Kurtis Foster and Marek Zidlicky are pretty even.Furthermore Marek Zidlicky may be better defensively than Foster but not by a lot.Moreover Nick Palmieri may not be a superstar player but is quite young and has a many years ahead of him. Stephane Veilleux is kind of a bonus and the 2 draft picks may prove to be quite useful in the years to come if they turn out to be good players. A more fair deal wood be Kurtis Foster and a 2nd or 3rd round pick for Marek Zidlicky.
Winner:Minnesota
Trade#2
Vancouver Acquires: F Zack Kassian, D Marc-Andre Gragnani
Buffalo Acquires: F Cody Hodgson, D Alexander Sulzer
Analysis: Many Canucks fans were shocked when they first heard about this trade.Many of them were distraught at loss of a potential rookie of the year in Cody Hodgson. But when one starts really think about the trade they begin to understand Mike Gillis's logic of making the transaction. The Canucks over the past few years have been criticized for being a soft and weak team. This was showcased during the Stanley Cup Final series against the Boston Bruins. Zack Kassian will help make the Canucks a more gritty team.Kassian also played in the world junior with Hodgson. Grgnani, a solid defensive defense man who will strengthen Vancouver's defensive core. The Sabres acquirred Cody Hodgson who will probably get more ice time with the Sabres and help them in the playoff push.Also, Cody Hodgson is brimming with potential and will be a great asset to have in the future.
Winner: Vancouver- Both teams did fairly well in the trade but Vancouver may have fared slightly better and because of that the Canucks win. The real winner will be dertimed a few years down the road because the deal contains young players who may grow into NHL superstars.
Trade#3
Vancouver Acquires: F Sami Pahlssen
Columbus Acquires: D Taylor Ellington, 4th round pick(2012), 4th round pick(2012)
Analysis:Vancouver was very busy at the deadline Acquiring a solid forward in Sami Pahlsson. This was a good deal for Columbus as well who picked up two fourth rounders that could turn out to be good young prospects which they desperately need.
Winner: Vancouver
Trade#4:
Columbus Acquires: D Jack Johnson, 1st round pick(2013)
Los Angeles: Jeff Carter
Analysis:Coulumbus hook things up quite a bit at the Deadline and shortly before it, trading Pahlssen, Carter, and Vermette for draft pick and young players. This clearly show that Columbus is looking to rebuild.Getting the young defense man,Jack Johnson for Jeff Carter was one of the best things Columbus did this year. Jeff Carter and Jack Johnson and pretty close in the points department even though Johnson is a defenceman. Carter will join Mike Richards, a teammate form Philadelphia which should add to chemistry. Los Angeles is also hoping Carter can help mend their scoring woes as they are currently second last in the league in goals for.
Winner: Columbus
Other Trades:
Ottawa Acquires: D Matt Gilroy
Tampa Bay Acquires: D Brian Lee
Winnepeg Acquires: 2nd Round pick(2013), 3rd Round pick(2013)
Chicago Acquires: D Johnny Oduya
Overall Analysis:Vancouver was clearly a winner as they traded for defense and grit. Columbus also established itself as a winner although didn't trade Nash, it acquirred many Draft picks and young players. The New Jersey Devils were losers as they sacrificed to much for Zidlicky.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
NHL All Star Game
On January 29,2012 the annual All star game was held. Team Chara and Alfredsson picked their own squad in the draft that kicked of the weekend.The atmosphere was great as the fans got ready to see an amazing display of talent. Boos filled the stadium every time Dion Phaneuf, Joefrey Lupul, or Phil Kessel touched the puck.Alfredsson was the home town hero as chants of Alfie!, Alfie! filled echoed through the stadium.Aldfredsson scored a pair of goals and an assist for a spectacular performance.Both teams fought hard and in the end team Chara won 12 to 9. The MVP went to Marian Gaborik who had a hat-trick and an assist. Thiough team Aldfredsson did not win, the weekend was his as he won the heart of the fans.
NHL All Star Skills Competition
On January 28,2012 the annual NHL All Star Skills Competition was held in Ottawa,Ontario. Team Alfredsson and Team Chara competed in various events.The events included: fastest skater, the accuracy challenge,the breakaway challenge, the relay race,hardest shot, and the elimination shootout.The event upheld its reputation as being the most anticipated event of the All Star weekend as both the fans and the players enjoyed it. One of the highlights of the event was Chara shattering his own record of 105.9 mph in the hardest shot challenge with a whopping 108.8mph slap shot. Team Alfredsson lead for most of the game. They began to run away with it in the elimination shootout with Steven Stamkos winning. Team Aldfredsson won 21-12 much to the delight of the crowd.
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