HockeyDirtHockeyDirtHockey news, analysis and rants, mostly related to the National Hockey League Articles
Simon: Diminished Capacity?
2007-03-09 22:54:01 It is now being reported that Chris Simon sustained a concussion when he was hit (from behind) by Ryan Hollweg. Will this be a mitigating factor when the NHL is deciding how long Simon will be suspended? Should it be? Can Simon claim some kind of diminished capacity? And what if Simon's pregame meal includes twinkies? More About: Mini , City , Capa , Nish
Your Call: How Long Should Chris Simon be Suspended?
2007-03-09 16:53:01 NHL VP Colin Campbell is expected to rule on the slash Chris Simon delivered to Ryan Hollweg of the Rangers & there is a lot of speculation about the length of the suspension he will impose on Simon. Here's your chance to pretend you're in Campbell's seat. How long should the NHL suspend Chris Simon for slashing Ryan Hollweg?No suspension1 game3 games5 games10 gamesAll of the Islanders remaining regular season gamesUntil the end of the season, including playoffsAll of this season, plus a portion of the 2008 season Free polls from Pollhost.com In case you haven't seen the incident, check it out here: More About: Your , Call , Should , Long
Numbering Saprykin
2007-03-09 04:52:14 The Ottawa Senator's have obtained Oleg Saprykin from the Phoenix Coyotes. In Phoenix Saprykin wore number 91. It will be interesting to see if he sticks with this number, which was previously worn by one of the most "famous" of all Senators - Alexander Daigle. Daigle, now a member of HC Davos in the Swiss league, is remembered for his quote about the 1993 entry draft, "I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." Numb er two - in case you forgot - was some guy named Chris Pronger. Update: Saprykin turned the 9 upside down and has opted to wear number 61 in Ottawa. Ironically, when asked about Daigle, Saprykin said "I never heard of him." Wanna bet he knows who Pronger is? More About: Ring , Erin , Number
Parsing Golisano: Sabres Owner Misses the Mark
2007-03-09 04:52:14 In the wake of Thursday's Chris Neil hit on Chris Drury, Sabres owner Tom Golisano has waded into the debate with an open letter to Commissioner Gary Bettman calling for a review of the league's rules surrounding hits to the head. Much of what Golisano writes is simply not true, and the solutions he hints at are at best impractical and in many cases non-sensical - but he does raise an important issue. The text of the letter & HockeyDirt's analysis follow: Dear Gary, I am deeply concerned with the standard the NHL has adopted that seems to allow violent hits to the head. In light of the most recent injury to our captain Chris Drury, I am calling on you to address this issue immediately before another player is seriously injured or worse. In our recent game with the Ottawa Senators, an opposing player skated half the width of the ice surface, approached Chris Drury from his blind side, and delivered a blow to his head which dislodged his helmet, severely lacer... More About: Miss , Sing , Owner , Mark , Lisa
Heating Up the Ottawa-Buffalo Rivalry
2007-03-09 04:52:14 Despite the fact that 8 games went to overtime or a shootout last night, the NHL story of the day is the Chris Neil hit on Chris Drury (watch it here) and the theatrics that followed. Listening to Buff alo sports radio (WGR 550) it sounds like most locals think the hit was "unfair" (unlike last year's Brian Campbell hit on RJ Umberger? watch it here) because Drury was in a "vulnerable" spot on the ice. Since when were NHLers supposed to avoid hitting opponents because they have their head down? Meanwhile, Buffalo's WGR Radio has released a goofy (but fun) song about the Ottawa -Buffalo rivaly and last night's game. More About: Heat , Eating
Senators Load Up
2007-03-09 04:52:14 The Ottawa Senat or s unveiled their latest acquisition today - Billy "Golden" Gates. The Senators are hoping Gates, a feisty player known for his aggressive approach to the game, will be the final piece of the puzzle in their drive for playoff success. "This is a huge deal for our franchise," said Ottawa GM John Muckler. "Gates is a gritty, hard-nosed player, a kid who's demonstrated that he will do anything to win. He brings us a ton of leadership and he will be great in the room." Few expect that Gates will be anything more than a high-priced rental player for the Senators. With net worth estimated at $53 billion, it is anticipated that Gates will be looking to return to his Northwest home. More About: Nato , Load
Remembering Bobby Baun
2007-03-09 04:52:14 Much of the buzz surrounding Saturday's ceremonies focused on the end to the nearly 40 year hate-affair between Dave Keon and the Leaf organization, but I tuned in hoping to catch a glimpse of my boyhood favorite - Bobby Baun. Growing up in Toronto in the sixties & seventies (I was 9 when the Leafs won in '67) most kids followed the likes of Keon, Mahovlich and then Sittler & Henderson, but my preference was for the diminutive defencemen known as "The Boomer." Such was my admiration for Baun that my Mom knitted me a beautiful pair of mittens with Baun's number "21" stitched on the back. I proudly wore those mitts while playing endless games of ball hockey - and whenever games started and we were calling out the names of the players we were going to "be" for the game, I was always Number 21 - Bobby Baun. I was not drawn to Baun because of his goal scoring prowess - Baun scored a mere 37 goals in close to 1,000 NHL... More About: Ring , Remembering , Erin
Who needs snow? Sun Belt teams demanding respect
2007-03-09 04:52:14 In the not too distant past, many in hockey circles decried the expansion of NHL hockey into southern climes....the move of the Minnesota North Stars to Dallas, Hartford moving to Carolina, and expansion franchises being awarded to the likes of San Jose, Tampa Bay, Anaheim, Miami, Atlanta and Nashville. Oh how times change. Starting with Dallas' Stanley Cup win in the late nineties, the southernmost NHL teams have, on average, grown steadily into some of the leagues top contenders. So, who says you need snow to have a successful NHL team? Stanley Cups have now been won by Dallas, Tampa Bay and Carolina. And among the frontrunners for the trophy this year are Anaheim, Nashville, and San Jose. Not too shabby. So maybe the southern teams have become the most competitive in the league (with the exception of the Panthers.) Don't believe it? Well, Peter Forsberg obviously does, or he wouldn't have waived his no-trade clause for a trade to Nashville. In addition, consider this: As... More About: Teams , Belt , Team , Snow , Respect
Marketing Ontario's Team?
2007-03-09 04:52:14 The Ottawa Citizen's Mark Anderson on how marketers are alienating fans of the Ottawa Senators & other teams by shoving the Maple Leafs in their face at every opportunity. "So, I'm walking into the Beer Store to return my wine bottles, and what's the first thing I see? Mats Sundin, arms upraised in a moment of jubilation, grinning broadly from the cover of Chill magazine, the Beer Store's glossy publication devoted to relaxation, fun, humour "and what it means to be Canadian." More About: Marketing , Market , Team , Ontario
Concussion "Expert" Steps Down
2007-03-09 04:52:14 From the Baltimore Sun:Dr. Elliot Pellman, who directed the NFL's concussion committee since its inception in 1994, has stepped down in the wake of mounting criticism from experts in the field of brain injury. Sources indicate that Pellman is also a medical advisor to the New York Islanders. In the past Pellman has been accused of exaggerating "his educational and professional credentials." A lengthy comment on an earlier HockeyDirt article by a representative of Mahercor Laboratories (a company that developed and manufactures a mouthguard designed to reduce/eliminate concussions), included harsh criticism's of Pellman's approach to concussion diagnosis & management. More About: Down , Sion , Expert , Step , Steps
Andrew Raycroft, The Fatalist Goalie
2007-03-09 04:52:14 I must admit that I have not had the opportunity to catch a lot of Leafs games this season, but I have witnessed the aftermath each night when the Buds players are interviewed on the sports news. After seeing several interviews with Andre w Raycroft, I started to notice a trend in his responses. It seemed to me that Raycroft is very fatalist in his reponses, ie. whatever happens, happens, and he refuses to take personal responsibility for his own success and that of his team. After the Leafs were roundly booed during and after their loss to the depleted Buffalo Sabres last night (who had six AHL players in their line up) when asked about the booing, Raycroft said, "What am I going to do about it? There's nothing I'm going to do, unless I try and buy 20,000 seats and fill them with my family and friends." Well, how about prepare yourself a little better and steal a win for your team?Once, while in Boston, Raycroft came out with this zinger, "I don't think there's... More About: Goa , List , Goal , Andrew
Holey Slapshots
2007-03-09 04:52:14 As others have noted, the Reebok 9ko (photo) is showing up in the hands of players like Pavel Datsyuk and Chris Neil (Neil can use any help he can get - 1 goal since Dec. 12). Hole s in the shaft of the 9ko reportedly make it 20% less wind resistant than solid shafts. 20%? How long before blades with holes start showing up? More About: Shots , Shot , Hots
Fairwell?
2007-03-09 04:52:14 SMYTH'S FAIRWELL ADDRESS 630 CHED Edmonton Gudbuy Wryan. More About: Fair , Well
Sarcastic Hunter
2007-03-09 04:52:14 Former NHLer Dale Hunt er , now the co-owner (with brother Mark) and coach of the OHL's London Knights has been suspended by the league for two games. Why? According to Hunter, "I didn't swear -- I got it for being sarcastic." This has to be a first. Sarcasm? Does Hunter run the risk of having more games tacked on to his suspension for his sarcastic response? More About: Cast , Sarcastic , Arca
Tarring the NHL with a Violent Brush
2007-03-09 04:52:14 Listening to syndicated (American) sports radio talk about the Duke-North Carolina basketball game provides interesting insights into how hockey is perceived & portrayed on Fox & ESPN radio (and TV). During the basketball game, Duke's Gerald Henderson delivered a vicious elbow to Tarheel Center Tyler Hansbrough, breaking Hansbrough's nose. On Fox this has led to comments like "of course North Carolina isn't going to retaliate - this isn't hockey" and comparisons of the incident to the Marty McSorley clubbing of Donald Brashear and Bertuzzi's thuggery. With hockey being routinely characterized as the seedy, violent underbelly of sport is it any wonder the NHL plays to half-empty (or worse) crowds in many markets or that the league cannot secure a major television deal in the US? It also bears remembering that neither ESPN nor FOX Sports have broadcast agreements with the NHL. As a result, it is not in the interests of either of network t... More About: The N , Ring , Brush , Rush
Feaster Tops Forbes Ranking of NHL GMs
2007-03-09 04:52:14 Forbes has compiled a list of the Best General Managers in Sports. Kevin McHale, GM of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves tops the list. Unfortunately for GMs like Dave Taylor, Bobby Clarke & Mike Keenan, they could not use their ranking to save their jobs. Here's how the NHL's GMs stack up. 2 Jay Feaster Tampa Bay Lightning 5 Lou Lamoriello New Jersey Devils 6 Don Waddell Atlanta Thrashers 12 Glen Sather New York Rangers 14 Pierre LaCroix Colorado Avalanche 17 Jim Rutherford Carolina Hurricanes 18 Dave Taylor Los Angeles Kings 21 David Poile Nashville Predators 27 Bobby Clarke Philadelphia Flyers 37 Brian Burke Anaheim Ducks 44 Bob Gainey Montreal Canadiens 45 Kevin Lowe Edmonton Oilers 52 Doug MacLean Columbus Blue Jackets 55 Larry Pleau St. Louis Blues 56 Mike Keenan Florida Panthers 62 Craig Patrick Pittsburgh Penguins 63 Darcy Regier Buffalo Sabres 64 John Muckler Ottawa Senators 71 George McPhee Washington Capitals 73 Mike O'Connell Boston Bruins 76 ... More About: Easter , Tops , Rank , Forbes , East
The NHL: Choirboys of Pro Sports
2007-03-09 04:52:14 In response to yesterday's HockeyDirt story on the NHL's image problems (Tarring the NHL with a Violent Brush), readers noted that the NHL's problems relate to the game itself. The N FL, NBA and other sports are plagued with off-field/off-court problems. A glance at today's sports headlines reveals some of these problems, and make the NHL's woes look pretty tame by comparison. Kings suspend Artest after domestic violence arrest (NBA) QB recruit suspended from spring practice (NCAA football) Bengals LB sentenced for breaking into apartment (NFL) Peyton Manning's Sweet 16 Party Cameo (NFL) Hansbrough's nose broken during ugly scene late in win over Duke (NCAA basketball) Commission upholds penalties against 4 teams caught cheating (NASCAR) Inside the Steroid Sting (MLB) More About: Sports , Sport , Port , Boys
Hockey players are not like Peyton Manning
2007-03-09 04:52:14 A few years ago, when Radek Bonk was still a member of the Ottawa Senators, I was told the following story. I do not know for certain that it is true, but I like to think so. Bonk was living in a suburb of Ottawa. A young boy & his family lived on the same street. The boy, a big fan of the Senators, of course knew that one of his neighbours was a member of his favourite team and had seen Bonk on the street from time to time. When the boy's birthday rolled around, he decided to invite Bonk to his party, so he dropped an invitation in Bonk's mailbox. On the day of the party, after all the other boys had arrived, the doorbell at the boy's house rung, and standing there was Radek Bonk - gift in hand. As the story goes, Bonk stayed at the party for a couple of hours, participated in all the games, sang happy birthday & ate cake. Contrast this with the Deadspin report that Peyton Manning was paid $200,000 to appear at a girl... More About: Players , Hockey , Play , Player
Steve Moore on CBC's The National
2007-03-09 04:52:14 Steve Moore appeared on the CBC's The Nation al last night, his first tv interview since being assaulted by Todd Bertuzzi. More About: Steve , The N
Shorties Matter
2007-03-09 04:52:14 In a previous post HockeyDirt presented stats on combined power play & penalty killing efficiency. An astute reader noted that out that these calculations fail to take into account shorties - short-handed goals for & against. The table below shows what we're calling "adjusted power play & penalty killing efficiencies. The adjusted power play percentage reflects a team's net PP performance ("power play goals for" - "short handed goals against") and the adjusted penalty killing percentage reflects a team's net PK performance ("short-handed goals against" - "short-handed goals for"). The adjusted PP & PK efficiencies are not dramatically different from the standard calculations. San Jose remains the most efficient overall and Phoenix the least. The 13 shorties surrendered by Boston mean that the Bruins' power play, ranked 13 on an unadjusted basis, should be ranked 20th. Surrendering ... More About: Matter , Matt , Short
The NHL's Disturbed Cross Promotion
2007-03-09 04:52:14 Who knew the NHL had an "Artist of the Month" promotion? We're not talking about honouring the NHL player to have pulled off the most "artistic" deke or save in the past month - the honour is bestowed on a musical artist. Today the NHL named Disturbed, a hard rock/metal band out of Chicago the NHL Artist of the Month for February. Last month's honouree was Robert Randolph & the Family Band, a funk group that performed at the All Star game in Dallas. The league is desperately attempting to reach out to new audiences, but it seems like a huge stretch to imagine this kind of cross-promotion selling more tickets or growing the sport. More About: Promotion , Cross , The N , Prom , Motion
Combined NHL Power Play / Penalty Killing Stats
2007-03-09 04:52:14 Team PP PK Total SJS 23.2 84.1 107.3 MTL 22.5 84.6 107.1 ANA 21.6 85.4 107.0 VAN 17.2 88.7 105.9 NSH 17.6 86.2 103.8 EDM 15.2 87.5 102.7 NJD 17.9 84.6 102.5 FLA 19.2 83.0 102.2 OTT 17.5 84.4 101.9 DAL 17.8 83.8 101.6 MIN 16.4 85.2 101.6 PIT 20.6 80.4 101.0 BOS 19.2 81.4 100.6 DET 17.0 83.1 100.1 NYR 17.8 82.2 100.0 PHI 14.7 85.0 99.7 WSH 17.0 81.9 98.9 COL 18.5 80.2 98.7 BUF 16.5 82.1 98.6 CAR 15.4 83.1 98.5 TOR 19.5 78.8 98.3 CBJ 16.3 81.2 97.5 NYI 16.0 80.9 96.9 CGY 16.6 80.3 96.9 TBL 19.3 77.6 96.9 STL 13.7 82.4 96.1 ATL 16.3 79.0 95.3 LAK 16.8 78.0 94.8 CHI 10.9 83.3 94.2 PHX 14.9 79.1 94.0 More About: Power , Play , Stats , Stat , Kill
Great Dane
2007-03-09 04:52:14 When Frans Nielsen took to the ice with the Islanders on Saturday he became the first Dane to do so. Check out the glowing report on Nielsen from Hockey's Future: Nielsen is a very good skater with great quickness and nice soft hands. He is a phenomenal playmaker and possesses great sense and passion for the game. Danish-born Poul Popiel played in the NHL in the 1970s with Boston, LA, Detroit & Vancouver as well as several seasons with the WHA's Houston Aeros, but Popiel was not a Danish citizen. More About: Great
Mike Comrie - Selfish & Pouty?
2007-03-09 04:52:14 ESPN's John Buccigross's opinion of Mike Comrie: I've never met Comrie, but the opinion of those who have been around him is that he is a selfish and pouty player. Those traits can be dealt with on talented teams who have Alpha Dogs like a Messier or Yzerman, but they can be destructive on scrappy teams like the Coyotes, who require an all-out scrappy effort every night. Comrie is an interesting case. For a time it looked like this kid had it all. He was selected by his hometown Oilers in the third round (91st overall) of the 1999 draft after a standout career at the University of Michigan that included a Hobey Baker award nomination. The Comrie name was already well known to Edmontonians. Mike's father Bill Comrie (along with brothers John & Fred), founded "Bill Comrie's Furniture Clearance Centre" later renamed "The Brick". The company is Canada's largest chain of furniture & electronics stores. Comrie's tim... More About: Fish , Self , Pout , Mike Comrie
African Americans in Hockey
2007-03-09 04:52:14 From Pegasus News: "As part of the 2007 All-Star Celebration, the NHL and the Africa n America n Museum of Dallas will present a luncheon titled African American s in Hockey : A Discussion of the Origins." "...the NHL and the Hockey Hall of Fame will create an exhibit at the African American Museum of Dallas to run throughout the week of the 2007 NHL All-Star Celebration. Highlights from this exhibit will include Willie O?Ree?s stick from his 1960-61 season with the Boston Bruins, Reggie Savage?s jersey from his 1992-93 season with the Washington Capitals and Grant Fuhr?s mask from his 1993-95 seasons with the Buffalo Sabres." Tonight's Senators vs Rangers game featured black goalies (Emery vs Weekes) for both teams. Perhaps the first time black goalies have faced each other in an NHL game.
Scrap the All-Star Game
2007-03-09 04:52:14 The NHL All-Star game should be scrapped. Over the years the league has tinkered with a variety of formats in an effort to generate interest and excitement. For years (1948-1968) the game pitted the league's stars against the defending Cup champs. When the league expanded from 6 to 12 teams they opted for an East vs West format, later to become Campbell Conference vs Adams. For a few years they experimented with North America vs World, which often meant teammates would oppose each other in the game. None of these formats have succeeded, the All-Star game still resembles a game of shinny. Short of offering huge prize money to the winning team, no format will produce a truly competitive game. No player wants to be hurt in the game, nor do they want to cause an injury to an opponent & fellow NHLPA member. But much can be done to spice up the All-Star festivities and make it an exciting showcase of the league's players and ... More About: All Star , Crap , Scrap , Game
Heatley slips
2007-03-09 04:52:14 Every now & then an athlete forgets that when questioned by the media they are supposed to respond with a series of meaningless clichés. The latest was Dany Heat ley: Asked yesterday morning by an esteemed member of the media if he could be described as "old school", Dany Heatley was sharp with his reply. "I don't know," he said, "it's your job to stereotype players." More About: Lips , Slip
Losing the Gretzky Tuck
2007-03-09 04:52:14 Bloomberg reports that "The National Hockey League may create its first policy on uniforms enforced by fines to make sure players don't alter the new streamlined gear designed by Adidas AG's Reebok International Ltd." Does this mean that the Gretzky tuck*, a style favoured by many around the league, will be banned? Presumably Roenick's signature full tuck would also be out. *Gretzky's signature sweater tuck originated at age six. Since he was four years younger than the next youngest player on the team, his hockey sweater didn't fit properly. Gretzky's oversized sweater would get caught on his stick on his shooting side. One day Gretzky's father tucked that side of the sweater in his pants. It's remained there ever since. (Source: CBC - Hockey's Meteoric Star) More About: Sing , The G
Creating a True NHL Mid-Season Classic
2007-03-09 04:52:14 The NHL All-Star game is a bust, appealing to neither die-hard nor casual fans. Loyal fans turn their noses up at the game because it lacks the hitting and intensity of the real thing & because the game is meaningless. Newcomers to the game are unlikely to be drawn to something that looks more like the Ice Capades with sticks & a puck than a real hockey game. The good news is that the mid-season classic can be rescued and turned into a true showcase that would excite both hockey aficionados and newbies alike. How? Easy - by scheduling a real game between the best teams in the league. The NHL All-Star game should match up the East & West Conference leaders at the exact midpoint (41 game mark) of the season. This season that would mean a high-flying game between the Sabres & the Ducks. This would not be an exhibition game - it would be a scheduled regular season match with real points on the line. In order to ha... More About: Classic , Season , Creating , True , Class
Name That Senator
More articles from this author:2007-03-09 04:52:14 Like all Canadians, Ottawans pride themselves on their hockey knowledge. Surely no member of the Senator s could wander around a downtown mall in the middle of the season without attracting mobs of autograph seekers & well-wishers, could he? Watch what happened when the Ottawa Senator who is first in the league in plus/minus & 5th on the team in scoring hit the mall with Sportsnet reporter Ian Mendes. More About: Hat , Name , Nato , That 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
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