Halak starting over Price

Controversial!

via Dave Stubbs at Habs Inside/Out,

The Canadiens have announced that Jaroslav Halak will start in goal tonight in Game 4.

It will be the first career playoff start for the 22-year-old from Bratislava, who played 19 minutes in Monday's Game 3 in relief of Carey Price, stopping both shots he faced.

Halak played the vast majority of the season with the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs, playing two periods in relief in Montreal on Dec. 8 and Jan. 12, then playing four games between March 8 and 29, winning two, losing one and losing once in overtime.

A Flyer Review

After knocking off a talented Washington Capitals team, the Philadelphia Flyers now head into tonights game with Montreal equipped with a 2-1 series lead. It's amazing to think that at this time a year ago they had just completed their worst season in franchise history. While some NHL franchises seem be stuck in a perpetual rebuilding mode the Flyers somehow were able to bypass the normal waiting period and have made a remarkably quick turnaround. We now look back at how they were able to do it.

Looking back last year the first vital moves were to remove the old guard and axe coach Ken Hitchcock in favor of a young coach in John Stevens who had a great AHL resume. The other move was to remove Bobby Clarke from the GM role in exchange for Paul Holmgren. Now when I first heard of this move I thought to myself what was the point of getting rid of Clarke if you're just going to replace him with his right hand man goon? If you've ever heard Holmgren talk in interviews he doesn't strike you as overly intelligent, he gives short terse answers and seems to get easily frustrated by difficult questions. Despite the impression I had I now have to give him plenty of credit, under his watch he has made a number of great moves to help put the team in the position they are in now.

Among the moves he has made:

• Traded a broken down Peter Forsberg to Nashville for a bounty of picks and prospects
• Brought in a quality starting goalie in Martin Biron (something Clarke was never able to do) for the relatively cheap price of a 2nd rounder.
• Ignored plenty of trade offers and took a great prospect in James Van Riemsdyk in the 2007 draft
• Traded a underachiever in Joni Pitkanen for a heart and soul gritty defenceman in Jason Smith as well as talented winger Joffrey Lupul who has rediscovered his scoring touch.
• Got a heads up on the free agent market by trading for the rights of Kimmo Timmonen and Scott Hartnell and signed both to long term deals. Both players have played valuable roles this year.
• In perhaps the biggest steal of all, traded an over the hill overpaid defenceman in Alexei Zhitnik for a young 6'5 defenceman who skates like the wind in Braydon Coburn. An absolute ripoff, Coburn has looked like a future all-star this year.
• Caught one of the biggest free agent fishes in signing Daniel Briere.
  
• Picked up Vaclav Prospal this year at the deadline for cheap. Has had as big an impact as any of the other more expensive deadline acquisitions.

Now Holmgren alone didn't pull off all these moves and Clarkes influence may still remain but Homers name is the one on top of the Flyer chain so kudos should definitely go to him as the Flyers soldier on this spring.

Seen Stamkos?

For whatever reason there has been speculation out there that the Tampa Bay Lightning may consider moving their no.1 pick overall in the upcoming draft. Well lets just put those silly rumors away by checking out the new site recently created by Lightning marketing department.

At www.seenstamkos.com you can check out the bio of Steve Stamkos complete with video clips and various quotes (including ones by Tbay center Vinny Lecavalier and former GM Phil Esposito). It's kind of funny to see Tbay jump the gun and pimp out a player two months before he has even become their property.

All World Detroit

Great game last night with the Red Wings taking a 3-0 lead now over the Avalanche. With word now that Paul Stastny is out with a knee injury you may as well stick a fork in the Avs, they are all but done. For a taste of the magic pairing of Zetterberg/Datsyuk forward to 3:30 of the youtube clip.

Avery done

...well at least he can get started on that Vogue internship now

NEW YORK - New York Rangers forward Sean Avery has been hospitalized after lacerating his spleen during a playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In a statement Wednesday, the team said the noted agitator was taken to St. Vincent’s Medical Center after New York’s 5-3 loss Tuesday night and was admitted following a CT scan.

Avery, whose spleen was not removed and isn’t expected to need surgery, likely will be hospitalized for a few days, team spokesman John Rosasco said.

NHL Best of the Week 28/04/08

Sean Avery to intern at Vogue

Wait... what?

More...

Playoff News & Notes

• The Sharks go in to Dallas tonight down 2-0 and have shown to be quite frustrated at trying to stop a 3 headed monster up the middle in Mike Ribeiro, Brad Richards and Mike Modano. Joe Thornton has played well but can only do so much. If Patrick Marleau isn't going to show up soon then the Sharks are in big trouble. With more great news for the Sharks look for Sergei Zubov to get a lot more ice time. In his limited amount of time in Game 3 Zubov made the pass of the series with a behind the back pass to Modano for a beauty. He also showed his ability to control the play and create space for others like only he can.
• The Avs down 2-0 return home to face the Wings but things are not looking to good as rumor has it Ryan Smyth may be out with a broken foot. The Avs have already had to deal with ailments for Scott Hannan, and Peter Forsberg (who both may or may not play tonight) and Wojtek Wolski as well as a flu ridden Jose Theodore. Hot Wing Johan Franzen has emerged as one of the hottest players in the league with 7 goals in the playoffs but don't be too surprised. He potted 22 in 25 games down the stretch in the regular season.
• And last but not least we have the Rangers back home at MSG tonight to try and stop the red hot Pens winning streak of 6 games. Tom Renney pulls out a couple desperation moves putting Brendan Shanahan on the 4th line and moving Petr Prucha up to gain a bit more speed up front. Paul Mara and his heavy shot will see a lot more time on the PP as well. I'll go out on a limb and say the Rangers will win tonight. This is a star studded lineup with the likes of Lundqvist, Jagr and Gomez. Being back home will jack them up for a strong performance.
  

The Hart Trophy

Alexander Ovechkin was named a finalist for the Hart Trophy given out to the NHL's most valuable player. Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin and Calgary's Jarome Iginla were also nominated for the prestigious award. Pundits believe that Ovechkin is a shoe-in for the award after he collected 65 goals and 112 points in 82 games. Malkin registered 106 points in only his second season in the NHL while Iginla had 50 goals and 98 points.

Easy call here, Ovechkin this year showed a lot of heart which will translate into winning a Hart.

The Mighty Quinn

from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

The 65-year-old Quinn, who led Team Canada to gold at the U18 world championships earlier this month in Russia, told the Sun yesterday he’s healthy, happy and “not ready to retire.”

“I’m on the record as saying if there’s an opportunity, I would welcome the chance to coach in the NHL again,” said Quinn, whose last NHL coaching stint ended after the 2005-’06 season, when he was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs. “I’m not ready to retire. I still feel good. My health is good and if there’s an opportunity I’m not going to pass it up.

“I’m not sure what’s happening in Ottawa and I haven’t had any discussions with anybody there. I do know they’ve got a strong team there and a talented group. I know the people there and I know how hard they’ve worked and what a great job they’ve done. I’ve never been the type of person to go canvassing for a job, that might have to be something I consider.

More...

Colin Campbell: New Leafs GM?

Straight out of the rumor oven.

from Duffer’s Dabbles at the Windsor Star,

A prominent National Hockey League source insists that the next general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs will be Colin Campbell, currently the senior executive vice-president and director of hockey operations for the league and the man who metes out discipline to miscreant players. Campbell, a former player and assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings who was coach of the New York Rangers from 1994-97, has no previous experience as an NHL GM. If Campbell is the man, look for ex-Leafs coach Mike Murphy to be promoted from his role as senior vice-president of hockey operations (Toronto) to replace Campbell at the league’s head offices in New York.

Vladimir Konstantinov Trial Begins

...and I thought it was the Russian mobs fault all this time.

from Francis X. Donnelly of the Detroit News,

He was Vlad the Impaler, a ferocious Red Wing known for flattening foes with bone-jarring hits on the open ice.

Now the 41-year-old can’t even take care of himself, slowly shuffling about his Metro Detroit condo with a walker.

It’s been 11 years since a limousine wreck turned Vladdy Konstantinov’s world upside down, a decade full of lawsuits and mental and physical rehab.

The legal maneuvering resumes today in U.S. District Court with the start of a trial that will try to ascribe blame for the injuries with the Ford dealership that sold the vehicle

MORE...

Forsberg to play

*sounds like Foppa will play. With Colorado down 2-0 I think they would wheel him out on a stretcher at this point.


Update from Centennial, Colorado, where the Avalanche just finished up practice: Peter Forsberg is a definite maybe for Game 3.

Forsberg, sidelined by a groin injury, skated on a line with Joe Sakic and Andrew Brunette.

Asked Monday if he was ready to go, Forsberg said “we’ll see tomorrow,” but added that he “felt great.”

Joel Quenneville said Forsberg “looked good,” in practice.

Quenneville also said Jose Theodore will start Game 3. Theodore, who battled flu last week, was pulled in both Games 1 and 2 after each time allowing four goals. Theodore said he felt much better Monday.

As for shut-down defenseman Scott Hannan, who missed Game 2, Quenneville said Hannan has a foot injury and is questionable for Game 3. The Wings lead the Western Conference semifinal, 2-0.

A McKenzie Moment...

Bob Mac is one of the more knowledgeable hockey men around on the media side of things. I would take watching him over Don Cherry any day of the week. With that said I will now be posting his columns here at the Zoo on a regular basis.... enjoy!

Bob McKenzie

Starting the playoffs with six straight wins like the Penguins have done is impressive.

And coming back from a 3-0 deficit in Game 1 against the New York Rangers, winning with some of the standard offensive ability we're used to seeing from the Penguins was impressive, too.

But none of that is as impressive as what they did in Game 2 which is win what was essentially a 1-0 hockey game, until the empty-net goal made it 2-0.

CONTINUE...

Brunnstrom in Boston?

For Fabian Brunnstrom the rumored list of teams grows as the Boston Bruins have now thrown their hat in the ring to sign him. You would have to think with more teams getting involved the price has to be driving up for him. The real question is whether he is really worth it, or is this simply the hype machine getting out of hand?

Monday Morning Buzz

The main topic of conversation in the world of the NHL is the shot Tom Kostopolous gave Kimmo Timmonen on saturdays game. Say what you want about it being a cheap shot but Kimmo had to know something was coming after smirking at the Montreal bench after the goal. That's just classless.

Check out the punch on this youtube video complete with multiple replays at the end.

Quick Update: Avs/Wings

Currently 3-0 Wings over the Avalanche in the second period. Is there a hotter player going right now than Johan Franzen? 2 goals so far to add to his tally. He is really displaying a deft touch around the net. How is it the Red Wings keep finding these Euro gems despite never having high picks? Never mind Datsyuk and Zetterberg, it's guys like Franzen, Hudler, Fippula, and Kronwall (stud) doing the damage in this series. Ken Holland, Jim Nill and the rest of the Wings staff are as good as it gets for finding quality players.

*UPDATE- Not to be outdone Henrick Zetterberg makes it 4-0 with a beautiful goal.

Changes a'coming in Cowtown

CALGARY — The Calgary Flames filed out the doors of the Pengrowth Saddledome on Friday and some of them for the last time.

The backbone of the team - captain Jarome Iginla, goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff and defencemen Dion Phaneuf and Robyn Regehr - are all under long-term contracts for the next five seasons and Kiprusoff and Phaneuf another year beyond that.

A veteran team with a veteran coach was expected to do better than finishing seventh in the Western Conference and losing in the first round of playoffs, even though it was a hard-fought, seven-game series with San Jose.Changes are in the offing for Calgary's supporting cast.

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Mike Gillis: Moneypuck

Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun sat down with Mike Gillis yesterday:

As Gillis talked Friday about management models, it wasn’t Sam Pollack or Bill Torrey or Glen Sather or Brian Burke he cited, but Sandy Alderson.

Alderson is the former U.S. marine who had no baseball management experience when he was named general manager of the Oakland Athletics in 1982. His hiring was ridiculed by many in the baseball establishment, but Alderson revolutionized the game.

He relied on data and detached analysis rather than experience and emotion to choose players and build his team, which became the best in baseball. His successor Billy Beane, a disciple, introduced the concept of “Moneyball,”

MORE...

Crazy Stat Line of the Day

AHL related, but deserves recognition.

Michael Leighton made 98 saves on 101 shots for Albany in a 3-2 5OT loss (longest game in AHL history) to Philadelphia. Wow!

No Vigneault No Cry

Markus Naslund is recovering after elbow surgery to remove loose bone chips Thursday. It's unclear how long the problem had been bothering the pending unrestricted free agent.

He went to Hawaii following the season before having the surgery.

One report has suggested Naslund won't return to Vancouver if coach Alain Vigneault comes back. New GM Mike Gillis, who used to be Naslund's agent, said Thursday he hasn't discussed the issue with Naslund. "He'll make a decision in the next little bit but I haven't heard that coming from him," Gillis said of the report.

Kolzig No More

Picked up this blurb from the Washington post. Kolzig is one of those rare athletes (and even rarer for a goalie) that stayed his whole career with one team. Sounds like he may have to close out his career elsewhere if he doesn't retire now.

Kolzig Removes Nameplate

Goaltender Olie Kolzig removed his nameplate from his locker here at Verizon Center after tonight's 3-2 overtime loss to Philly. Kolzig declined to speak to reporters, but that gesture seems to say it all about his future with the organization.

Random Trivia: Sharks and Stars

(1) Sharks captain Patrick Marleau grew up in Aneroid, Saskatchewan; most media guides list this as his birthplace too. One problem: Aneroid doesn't have any hospitals. He was born in Swift Current (so was former marginal MLB player Reggie Cleveland!)

(2) The Dallas Stars fight song, which is played coming out of every intermission, was recorded by Pantera. Apparently they're from Dallas!

(3) Joe Thornton once got in an altercation at "Burty Bob's Two" tavern in Ontario. This weekend, a band called "Punch The Floor And Step Twice" (sage life advice) is playing there. Awesome.

(4) On the Stars website, you can download songs straight from certain players' I-Tunes. Mike Modano has some Willa Ford on there (obvious), but also some Don Henley (daring).

(5) The Sharks mascot, S.J. Sharkie, has his own website and apparently, delivers pizza to local businesses during weekdays as part of a team promotion. Man, we'd love to get pizza from a guy dressed in a shark suit. Does this mean we have to move west?

(6) A few weeks after the first event at American Airlines Center in Dallas, it was found that the glass installed in the bathrooms was not the same as what was originally intended. Apparently, people had a clear view into the restrooms (YOW-ZA!) The glass was changed immediately.

(7) When Evgeni Nabokov was selected late in the 9th round by the Sharks, they had NEVER seen him play; rather, they based their selection of him on the skills of his father, a goaltender who played for 18 years in his native Kazakhstan.

Fantasy Talk: Top Prospects

If you're a lover of hockey pools (especially dynasty ones) it's never to early to start tracking down the next wave of prospects. THN's 50 top prospect list came out last month and I thought I'd post it up here for you to view.

Always a handy list to have with you come draft day. In past years I've been able to draft the likes of Mike Richards, Ryan Getzlaf, and PM Bouchard with a bit of swaying thanks to past top 50 ranking lists.

Keep in mind these are players that have already drafted by NHL teams and if you're wondering why Carey Price is no.1 it is because he had been sent down to the minors earlier this year while they compiled this list. Really he should be graduated.

1. Carey Price- Montreal
2. Kyle Turris- Phoenix
3. James Van Riemsdyk- Philadelphia
4. Jakub Voracek- Columbus
5. Patrick Berglund- St.Louis
6. Derik Brassard- Columbus
7. Bobby Ryan- Anaheim
8. Kyle Okposo- NY Isles
9. Karl Azner- Washington
10. Jonathan Bernier- LA
11. Tukka Rask- Boston
12. Shawn Mattias- Florida
13. Steve Mason- Columbus
14. Gilbert Brule- Columbus
15. Devon Setoguchi- San Jose
16. Claude Giroix- Philadelphia
17. Bryan Little- Atlanta
18. Jack Skille- Chicago Toronto
19. Alexei Cherepanov- NY Rangers
20. Luc Bourdon- Vancouver
21. TJ Oshie- St.Louis
22. Brandon Sutter- Carolina
23. Mikael Backlund- Calgary
24. Nikolai Kumelin- Toronto
25. Ondrej Pavelec- Atlanta
26. Ted Purcell- LA
27. Nick Foligno- Ottawa
28. Mason Raymond- Vancouver
29. Michael Frolik- Florida
30. Thomas Hickey- LA
31. Ryan Mcdonagh- Montreal
32. Bob Sanguinetti- NY Rangers
33. Cody Franson- Nashville
34. Andrej Sekeras- Buffalo
35. Brian Lee- Ottawa
36. Jakub Kindl- Detroit
37. Max Pacioretty- Philadelphia
38. Ryan Parent- Philadelphia
39. Kevin Shattenkirk- Colorado
40. Colton Gillies- Minnesota
41. Brett Maclean- Phoenix
42. Leland Irving- Calgary
43. Justin Pogge- Toronto
44. Lars Eller- St.Louis
45. Matt Lashoff- Boston
46. Jonathan Ericsson
47. Ty Wishart- San Jose
48. Jonathan Blum- Nashville
49. Zach Hamill- Boston
50. Eric Fehr- Washington

Big Jags talks more Pittsburgh

An interesting article with Jaromir Jagr opening up about his departure from Pittsburgh.

DAVID SHOALTS

Globe and Mail

PITTSBURGH — If you are shooting the return of Jaromir Jagr to Pittsburgh for his first NHL playoff appearance since he left the Penguins in 2001, forget any soft-focus shots or sepia tones or the violins.

In the eyes of the Penguins fans, this is not the return of the prodigal son. There will be no fatted calf, no celebrations. Jagr will be booed every time he touches the puck for the New York Rangers just as he has every time he played at the Mellon Arena since he demanded and was granted a trade at the end of the 2000-01 season.

Pittsburgh fans have long memories. They remember his lament during that final season that he was "dying alive" in Pittsburgh and they still seethe.

MORE HERE...

Strange Days

Excellent game tonight as the Red Wings throw the first blow and take game 1 vs the Avalanche. The Red Wings built up a huge 4-0 lead before the Avalanche gallantly fought back and had almost tied up the game but was thwarted by humongous save by Chris Osgood.

Bad luck swept over the Avs today as Peter Forberg was out with a groin injury and Wojtek Wolski left the game early due to an upper body injury. Jose Theodore was also pulled and mysteriously sent to the hospital for sickness. I guess I would be sick after letting in 4 goals in less then a period and a half. I've already heard speculation that perhaps Theo was irate about being pulled and simply left. Nothing substantial to that though as that would make for a HUGE lack of character on Theodores part.

Can't wait for Game 2!!

*Montreal won game 1 vs Philadelphia 4-3 with Tom Kostopolous scoring a huge OT winner. Alex Kovalev potted 2.

2008 Men's Worlds

Boy has Steve Yzerman put together an impressive roster for Canada. That group of forwards is stacked. For the full team CLICK HERE

NHL Best of the Week 21/04/08

For your viewing pleasure...

A history lesson

In anticipation of the upcoming Detroit Colorado series here is a look back at some of the highlights of their rivalry.

A Colorado/Detroit review

By Terry Frei

Get out the tape!

Search the newspaper archives!

Find Dino Ciccarelli and ask him if he still can't believe he shook Claude Lemeiux's freakin' hand!

Or, heck, plug "Red Wings Avalanche rivalry" into the search engine and get 68,900 entries -- with the March 26, 1997 brawl right on top.

Never mind that a lot of that doesn't mean diddly -- or Google -- to many of the current members of the Colorado and Detroit rosters.

MORE...

Not in Marios league...yet

By Jay Greenberg

April 24, 2008 --

Trust the guy who once rode shotgun: Nobody Jaromir Jagr Jaromir Jagr has ever seen drove like Mario Lemieux.

"With all due respect for [Sidney] Crosby and [Evgeni] Malkin, I don't think they are Mario Lemieux," said Jagr, preparing to go to Pittsburgh, his first NHL home, for tomorrow's night second-round opener between the Rangers New York Rangers and Penguins.

"I say that with all due respect because the game has changed.

Continue HERE

Burke stays put

ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to look elsewhere for their new general manager.

Brian Burke put widespread rumours regarding his future to rest Wednesday, announcing he will remain with the Anaheim Ducks through at least the 2008-09 season. Burke's four-year contract with the Ducks expires in 2009, and he and the team will continue working on a contract extension.

MORE

Dogs of the 1st round

Come playoff time when the level of play is raised it's always interesting to see which players rise to the occasion and which ones fall. Here are some of the players who couldn't take the heat in Round 1.

Marian Gaborik 6gp 1pt -3 This years poster boy for a playoff bust. His slump spelled the end for the Wild.

Todd Bertuzzi 6gp 2pts -2 Overpaid shlub is a playoff non-factor for the 2nd year in a row. also hurt the Ducks with his undisciplined play.

Paul Stastny 6gp 1pt -2 Looked like a scared rookie against the Wild. Now come the Red Wings...

Andrei Markov 6gp 1pt -1 Usually a very steady performer. Word now that he has been playing hurt which would explain his lack of production.

Dany Heatley/Jason Spezza combined 8gp 2pts -9 Big duos playoff disappearance cost the Sens the series

Brian Campbell 7gp 3pts -1 Played physically soft, caught chasing the puck on many occasions. Now has a new series to turn his play around.

Round 2

For a comprehensive breakdown of the round 2 matchups check out todays feature by The Hockey News CLICK HERE

Canucks Report 23/04/08

The rumors are true! The Vancouver Canucks today will announce the signing of super agent Mike Gillis to become the teams new general manager. He comes with zero experience in managing a team but does come with a wealth of hockey knowledge. A little background on Gillis:

- Played 6 years in the NHL before retiring due to a knee injury.
- Has a law degree from Queens university.
- Successfully sued his former agent Alan Eagleson after discovering Eagleson had illegally collected a portion of his injury settlement from the NHL.
- Had a huge stable of players as an agent including former Canucks Geoff and Russ Courtnall, Pavel Bure, and current Canuck Markus Naslund.
- Pulled himself out of previous GM job offerings including an offer from the Canucks before they had decided to go with Brian Burke.

Already many a fan in the Canuck nation are denouncing this hiring citing his lack of managerial experience but a look at history shows one very successful case of a former agent turned GM in Pierre Lacroix. During his time with the Colorado Avalanche Lacroix won two cups and drafted exceptionally well despite never having high picks. Another former agent/GM Mike Barnett did not have as successful a tenure in Phoenix signing many over the hill vets and trading away Daniel Briere but he did lay a foundation stocking the team with prospects that are starting to bear fruit now.

As Gillis was only hired 9 days after the Nonis firing it doesn't seem as though the Aquillinis made a very exhaustive search for a GM and that Gillis had been there man all along. In any case with Gillis firmly in place now he can begin to familiarize himself with the scouting staff (or bring in his own people) and get himself ready for the entry draft in June. This is a very important draft for the Canucks as they own the 10th overall pick in what is considered a very strong draft year. Gillis will also have to make a decision on whether incumbent coach Alain Vigneault will be the man for him as the team moves forward.

The Calder

It was another great year for rookies in the NHL and 3 standouts emerged today as nominees for this years Calder Trophy. Two Blackhawks in Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews as well as Washington Capital Nicklas Backstrom.

Look for Kane to take the award this year as his stats are slightly better then Backstroms while Toews candidacy is hurt by the fact he missed a good chunk of games due to injury.

Sharks advance

Boy do I know how to pick them! The San Jose Sharks easily beat the Calgary Flames 5-3 to close out a series win. Great game by the old horse Jeremy Roenick with 4 pts. Think he's glad he decided to un-retire?

Next up for the Sharks... the Dallas Stars. Should be a fierce battle.

boooooo!

Flyers just won game seven 3-2 in overtime. What crap though, that ref was letting everything under the sun go and then he calls a bit of a cheesy one. Robbed of a great showdown between Sid and the Pens and Ovechkin and the Caps. BOOOOOOO

The Rumor Mill

Rumblings are being heard that agent Mike Gillis is all but signed to become the new General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks.

If this indeed turns out to be true, this creates an interesting conflict of interest with Gillis having been the agent of free agent and current captain of the Canucks Markus Naslund.

I for one do NOT want to see Naslund back. It's time for a change at captain.

Prediction Time

A couple huge game sevens go tonight as