Young guys taking over.

So, while I was working today, I was e-mailing one of my friends and I asked him to help me come up with something to write about. His assignment to me seemed simple enough.

Why do you think the young guys are taking over hockey while the veterans are starting to call it quits?

And, no offense to my friend who asked me this...but he has very limited knowledge of hockey, and what it is all about...but I will get to that later. I wanted to keep this just to me...but, I had to enlist the help of some of my lovely HLOG. The lovely CapsChick came up with the easiest answer. She said that well the game has gotten faster. This isn't the same game that it was before. It's not the game they grew up playing. This is a game about speed and skill. It's not a game about who can hit the hardest or who can fight the best (even though our defending Stanley Cup Champs could prove me wrong). Sherry said basically the same thing. She said that they are getting older and it's harder for them to keep up.

Steph seemed to think along the same lines as me.

I don't know....it's kind of sad though, I mean, I love seeing the kids able to step up, but seeing all the guys you grew up watching retiring is sad... And it's funny the way they're adding more pads and cutting down on fighting, you'd think it would make people end up playing longer, but people do seem to be retiring at earlier ages.

Thinking of guys like Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne retiring makes me frustrated. Scott seems to think that the NHL has nothing left to offer him. And, Teemu probably wants to go out on top. But, I think the game needs them. Anyway, that's really off topic...another day perhaps.

I don't know that the game is actually being "taken over" by the young guys...although I suppose you could look at it that way. Veterans play a part in the game just like the young guys do. You need the veteran guys on your team. Look at the Ducks. Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Teemu Selanne, and Brad May, older guys who played an important role in winning the Stanley Cup. Would the Ducks have won the Cup without them? No, they would not. You need veterans to lead, on and off the ice. And, the veterans will always a spot in the game.

So there ya go buddy. I made my midnight deadline...enjoy and I expect a critique...be gentle ;)

Crosby to be named Captain

I will have more information about this when it actually happens but for now it looks like he will be named Captain today. You can read the article here.

UPDATE I was reading at Mirtle's blog...and he was saying that the reason they are doing it now is so that Crosby can break another record by becoming the youngest Captain ever in the NHL. I think it's a little ridiuclous to be perfectly honest. I believe Crosby is a great player...he has a TON of skills BUT when it comes to his leadership...I have doubts. Maybe, if I wouldn't have seen him cry, and whine to the refs after every bad call...I would change my mind. The fact of the matter is this is a mans game and Crosby is still...a boy...disagree with me if you want...but it's the truth.

Article Here

Blue Jackets New Uniform!!

The Jackets will be unveiling their new uniforms before the draft on Saturday June 23rd!! Exciting!!!!!!!!!!!

Random

I don't like posting up articles but when I find one that is entertaining I want to put it up. This one I found on ESPN and thought I would toss it up. I really enjoy it. You can find it here.

Page 2 breaks down the Stanley Cup finals

By DJ Gallo

Page 2

While the entire nation of Canada supports the Senators, we're pretty sure at least part of Orange County will be rooting on the Ducks.

Hockey is still digging itself out of its lockout-induced hole. And in the United States it may continue to suffer the embarrassment of being pre-empted for stuff like horse-racing pregame shows.

But it's on its way back -- and in a big way. On Monday, the Stanley Cup finals between Anaheim and Ottawa begin, and Monday was declared a national holiday. Pretty impressive, eh? No other sport can claim that. Hockey doesn't even get its own holiday in Canada.

So please pay proper respect to our new national pastime by reading this Stanley Cup preview. Below are some of the biggest questions that will be answered during the series. (Not included: "Why would I want to read a hockey article?")

Will the Senators be hurt by having an eight-day layoff

No. But I'm in the minority with that opinion. The general consensus is that a hot team can only be hurt by sitting around for so long, unless they have significant injuries to heal from. And since Ottawa has no significant injuries, they won't benefit by a long layoff. There's only one problem with that logic. Does anyone actually believe the Senators don't have any significant injuries? I mean, they're hockey players, for goodness sake. I'd be willing to bet at least a dozen of them are currently skating on broken femurs, unwilling to sit until the playoffs are over. And I think I even saw someone's intestines spill out onto the ice in Anaheim's Western Conference finals series against Detroit. Although that could have been an octopus someone threw. Not sure.

Which goaltender is playing the best entering the series?

You've probably heard the baseball phrase "You're only as hot as your next pitcher." Well, that translates roughly into Canadian as: "You're only as hot as your goaltender's next game." (Actually, it's: "You're only as hot as your goaltender' s next game, eh," but I digress.) Anyway, my point is that while both Anaheim's Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Ottawa's Ray Emery have played well (obviously) to get this far -- especially Giguere -- Monday begins an entirely new series and whoever wins Game 1 will take the mantle of "hot goaltender." Then, at the end of the series, one of them will keep the mantle, upon which he can proudly display the Stanley Cup in his home.

If during this series anyone says "Getting Jiggy with it" in relation to Jean-Sebastien Giguere, am I allowed to punch that person in the throat?

Most definitely. In fact, I encourage it. And then once this person falls to the ground, follow up with a kick to the throat, too.

Who could be the breakout star of the series?

Emery. Ottawa's netminder has quirks that make him a fun story for the media. For instance, he's heavily covered in tattoos. And he died his hair platinum blonde for a time. And he used to wear a mask covered with pictures of Mike Tyson. What else? Oh, right … he ate a cockroach last year on a $500 bet with teammate Daniel Alfredsson, plucking it off the locker room floor as it scurried past. Plus, if the Senators win, he'll be the first black goaltender to win the Stanley Cup since Grant Fuhr in 1990 with the Oilers. (No, seriously. Grant Fuhr is black. Honest. I'm not kidding.)

Both teams have outstanding defensemen. But which team has the best?

Tough call. Ottawa can put Wade Redden, Andrej Meszaros, Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov out there, while Anaheim has the outstanding Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer and Francois Beauchemin. But I'm going to give the Ducks the edge, simply because of Niedermayer's impressive playoff beard. I mean, look at the thing. So thick. So wise. You could shave it off, put it in a pair of skates, and it would kill a penalty all by itself.

With all this talk of goaltenders and defensemen, is this going to be a low-scoring series?

Well, there is plenty of offensive talent, too. Ottawa's first line of Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza and Alfredsson is outstanding. And Anaheim has Teemu Selanne and high-scoring defensemen in Pronger and Niedermayer. But, yeah, based on how physical Anaheim is and how technically sound the Senators are, it's probably going to be low-scoring. But that's a good thing. Nine times out of 10, lower scoring hockey is better hockey. Some people may like 7-5 games, but then they probably also liked that glowing puck Fox used to use. "Look! Look! Look at the glowing puck! You like that don't you? Look at it go -- wheeee! Shiny things are neat, huh? Hey, hey, hey. Knock it off. No licking yourself when company is here. Don't make me rap your nose with a rolled up newspaper."

Can the Senators become the first Canadian team to win the Cup since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993?

Sure, why not? Realize, though, that a big part of the reason no Canadian team has won the Cup in so long is because there are far less Canadian teams in the NHL than there used to be. For example, the Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets moved to the United States, and the Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs folded. (Whaaaa? Seriously? They're still around? Who knew.)

Be honest: Is there any real rivalry between Anaheim and Ottawa?

Of course there is. They're two of the Original 26, after all. Plus, I'm sure their economies compete in the global market in some way or another. No? Maybe? Let's see, the Anaheim area's primary export is annoying, self-entitled teenagers. Oh, and oranges. Oranges, too. Perhaps Ottawa is angry at Anaheim for exporting too many of their annoying teenagers to Ottawa, while at the same time not providing enough oranges to pelt them with. Yeah, that's probably it. So there's your rivalry.

What if I don't like hockey. Why should I watch this series?

There is really only ever one reason to watch hockey if you don't like it: hearing the magical, wondrous hockey names. If having words like Nikolai Khabibulin, Bates Battaglia, and Radek Bonk tickle your cochleas doesn't put a smile on your face, well … I'm afraid there's no hope for you. But who has the best "hockey name" in this series? Ottawa left wing Oleg Saprykin. And NHL? NBC? Listen up. If you don't market next weekend's games as "A Saprykin Weekend," well … I'm afraid there's no hope for you either.

Are the TV ratings going to be terrible again?

Good question. But for me to answer that for you, I need to first ask you a few questions. Look around your for a few seconds. All done? OK. Now, is everyone around you very apologetic and polite? Is there a faint scent of bacon in the air at all times? Does your kitchen sink at home have one tap for hot, one for cold and one for maple syrup? Do you skate to work or school? Are you currently having any of your extremities treated for frostbite? If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, you are in Canada. The TV ratings where you live will be very high. But the TV ratings in the United States? Yeah, not so much.

So who is going to win?

OK, OK -- I'll get to my prediction. This column has gone on longer than expected (my apologies), but now it's time to wrap it up. So here is my pick: after seven hard-fought games, I think the Stanley Cup will go to ... hey, hey, where are you going? No! No, don't do it. I didn't mean for the column to go on this long. NOOOOOOOOOO!.

Meet my goalie!

So, I really really miss watching my Jackets...and I know it's playoff times and I'm still watching hockey but it's not the same without your team in the mix. So, I decided to highlight our goalie...Fredrik Norrena (and just so you know I had to go to the In The System section of the 06-07 Media Guide to find his information. He was drafted in 2002 by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2002 Entry Draft. He was Tampa Bay's 8th pick and was drafted 213th overall. He was born on November 29, 1973 in Finland. We acquired him from Tampa on June 30th 2006 along with Fredrik Modin for Marc Denis (and I won't lie we WON that trade haha).
This season was Norrena's first season in the NHL. And, he did such a wonderful job. He finished as the first goalie in CBJ history to finish with a better than .500 record. He had 55 games played and went 24-23-3 and had 3 shutouts. And, 6 penalty minutes which I just think is funny. He had a .904 save percent average...and a 2.78 goals against average. He played in 2 leagues before he came over to the NHL the Finnish Elite League which he had 220 games played 15 shutouts and a 2.30 GAA. And, in the playoffs he played 19 games had 2 shutouts and a 1.73 GAA. Then in the Swedish Elite League he played 147 games with 20 shutouts and a 2.02 GAA. In the playoffs in the Swedish Elite League he played 24 games 3 shutouts and a 1.83 GAA.
Say what you want about him but he has more than proven himself as OUR number 1 goalie. To think about what he did in his first NHL season is nothing short of amazing. He continues to impress me...and I can't wait to have him back next year!!

....

So, I am a huge fan of Kuklas Korner I read it EVERY day. Today he put up an article and I figured I should post it up on here...because it's a pretty good rant. It's from the Calgary Sun and it pretty much espresses how I feel about the decision to wait to have the Finals start on Monday...here's the link, The Rant

The Rant

UPDATED: 2007-05-24 01:35:56 MST

By RANDY SPORTAK

Finally, and we mean finally, the Stanley Cup showdown is upon us.

Won't it feel great tonight to kick back and watch Game 1 between the NHL's two most deserving teams from Anaheim and Ottawa?

What did you say Mr. Bettman? It doesn't start tonight?

OK. Tomorrow night will be a good time to begin the clash of the Titans.

Not yet, Gary?

We understand. Besides, Saturday night is really fitting for a hockey game.

Not Saturday? Not even Sunday?

Monday?!?

That's just wrong.

When Bobby Orr scored the Stanley Cup clinching goal to bring the title back to Boston in 1970, it was on Mother's Day.

When the Calgary Flames won the Cup in 1989, the deciding game -- Game 6 -- was on May 25th.

This year's final serries won't begin until after that date and could blast all the way into mid-June.

At that point, not even die-hard hockey fans are clamouring to tune in a hockey game, opting for outdoor pursuits (Well, if the sun ever returns to Calgary).

And those fans the NHL is trying to lure into its web are more inclined to stay away from the TV, too. It's not hard to figure out why even the most popular shows are reruns at this point.

At this point, the NHL is best-served to finish its season as soon as possible. The playoffs have gone from being a marathon to an ironman. The only saving grace for the series being delayed until after the weekend is that the first two games won't be on NBC for those south of the border wanting to watch.

Versus -- which actually does a good job broadcasting, although to far too small of an audience -- won't cut away from an overtime game to air horse racing or Heidi or whatever it'll be next time NBC pulls that ridiculous and insulting stunt.

I heart Quotes.

I found this wonderful quote on Jibblescribbits and I figured I should post it on here it's about Bettman...it's from Dan Wetzel he says...

But that's been the ongoing mistake of the Gary Bettman regime, forever changing the sport to fit his marketing plans rather than change his marketing plans to fit the game.

Question

I posted this on the other blogs I contribute to I'm trying to get answers from a variety of people so please let me know what you think.
What do all of you think of the overtime format? Do you enjoy games that go into the 4 OT's? What do you think should be done or should be anything be done? I'm just curious what you guys think?

Stanley Cup Finals Schedule

All start times are 8 p.m., EST

Game 1 Monday, May 28
Game 2 Wednesday, May 30
Game 3 Saturday, June 2
Game 4 Monday, June 4
Game 5 * Wednesday, June 6
Game 6 * Saturday, June 9
Game 7 * Monday, June 11

*if necessary

Why do I love the Ducks?!

Corey Perry is a stud.

Corey Perry hates Hasek.

Conference Finals

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Anaheim Ducks vs Detroit Red Wings

Prediction Ducks in 7

Why Anaheim's strong defense...with guys like Pronger, Niedermayer, and Beauchemin on defense...no matter how good Lidstrom is...he and the I really should be at home watching Wheel of Fortune now Chelios don't light a candle to the Anaheim D. Goaltending...Giggy has the heart he has been great the entire time he has played. Hasek he is getting old and I Have a feeling that he will be getting a little warn down...not to mention Anaheim is all about screening and Hasek is a bit of a baby when it comes to that. Anaheim's ability to play tough. Anaheim has never backed out of a fight...they hit hard and that's what helps them out. They break down other teams by beating the hell out of them. Detroit doesn't have that. It's about toughness. Anaheim's ability to score goals. Anaheim has 2 very very very good lines. Whether they throw out Selanne, Kunitz, and McDonald, or the PPG (Penner, Perry, and Getzlaf) they will score. Anaheim's checking line scares the hell out of me. They are big and they are mean. Detroit don't get me wrong is a great team. I won't deny that...but when it comes to playing tough and playing playoff hockey...Anaheim has them beat. And, not to mention the fact that I think Hasek is simply playing for money...because for every round he wins he gets more cash.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Buffalo Sabres vs Ottawa Senators

Prediction Senators in 6

Why Out of all the teams in the playoffs the Senators are playing the best hockey. They played a very defensive team in Jersey and faced the amazing Martin Brodeur and beat them in FIVE games. They played a very offensively minded team in the Penguins and beat them in yup you guessed it five games. The Sabres have not been playing good hockey at all. They have had trouble elminating the Rangers (which I still think the Rangers should have won) and the Islanders. Offensively the Sabres have the Sens beat no doubt. Defensively Sens have Sabres beat. I guess it comes down to goaltending. Ray Emery vs Ryan Miller. Who is the better goaltender? Emery. Maybe you're wondering why...BUT...Ray Emery was the only goaltender to beat the Sabres FIVE times in the regular season. Emery is one of the calmest guys under pressure. Both of these goaltenders have something to prove. But, I think Emery is more about the heart and pride.

Either way...these Conference Finals are going to be AMAZING!!!!

06-07 Trophy Finalists

So basically I have been seriously slacking on keeping up with the news around the NHL this past month or so...at least I feel like I have. So here is my take on all the Trophy Finalists.

Calder Memorial Trophy (outstanding rookie)
Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, and Paul Stastny
Now, this one is fairly interesting. All 3 of these guys were on REALLY good teams and had great guys working with them. But, there is one guy who is surprisingly left off. That guy is Anze Kopitar...the rookie for the LA Kings. He didn't have anything to work with and he still put up amazing numbers. You can check out Battle of California's rant here. But, Staal really shouldn't have been up there...I don't think.

Frank J Selke Trophy (outstanding defensive forward)
Rob Brind'Amour, Samuel Pahlsson, and Jay Pandolfo
Maybe it's the soft spot in my heart for the Ducks or my general disliking for the Hurricanes BUT, I have to say I hope this goes to Sammy Pahlsson. What a player...he continues to amaze me.


Hart Memorial Trophy (most valuable player to his team)
Martin Brodeur, Sidney Crosby, and Roberto Luongo
This one is difficult for me...I love goalies and have a very strong hatred for Crosby. But, I have to go with my Marty. He not only broke the Wins per season. But, he had an amazing year with shutouts and he faced the most shots in the league...I do believe. Roberto Luongo was also great for his team without him they would not have made it to the playoffs at all.

Jack Adams Award (outstanding coach)
Lindy Ruff (Sabres), Michel Therrien (Penguins), and Alain Vigneault (Canucks)
Ya know, I don't know that I agree with any of these. I don't like Ruff. I don't like the Penguins. I have no problem with Vigneault and the Canucks so I guess I hope he wins. But, I think a lot of great coaches got overlooked simply because their team didn't make playoffs. Such as, Ken Hitchcock, or the Blue's coach...I mean seriously both teams turned around as soon as they got there.

James Norris Memorial Trophy (outstanding defenseman)
Nicklas Lidstrom, Scott Niedermayer, and Chris Pronger
Is this even a contest? Hasn't Lidstrom won this like the past 20 years or something?

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct)
Pavel Datsyuk, Joe Sakic, and Martin St. Louis
Sakic is probably the classiest man in hockey. I have nothing but respect for him and think he should for sure win.

Lester B. Pearson Award (most outstanding player as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA)
Sidney Crosby, Vincent Lecavalier, and Roberto Luongo
Luongo. But, I have a feeling that Lecavalier will get this one...which is fine. But Luongo seems like a great pick for this he is a strong player with nothing but determination.

Vezina Trophy (outstanding goaltender)
Martin Brodeur, Miikka Kiprusoff, Henrik Lundqvist, and Roberto Luongo
Martin Brodeur. He is the face of goalies. He is classy. An amazing player. And he had such a great year how can you deny that. I have nothing but respect for all of these guys. I am thrilled that Hasek was not nominated.

I missed Marty...

So I went out of town this weekend right...and came home to realize I didn't DVR any of the hockey games from the weekend and missed my beloved Marty exiting the playoffs that sucks. Anyway expect a decent post tonight.

Haha

Haha alright so I am getting ready to leave but I thought I would leave ya'll with this little gem that I found! Love it!

I may regret this in the morning...

But, Sidney Crosby is up for Time's 100 Most Influential People *he's the only hockey player on there* and I really think everyone should go vote for him...the link to the voting is here. I also made a Facebook group here so join that and invite your friends. I know I hate Sidney Crosby but I really think it would be a great thing for the sport if he got voted high up there like in the Top 5. So repost this....tell your friends....do what you gotta do to get the word out.

No offense

But, I was reading through an article from the Columbus Dispatch, and well they said that we are looking at guys like Craig Button (former GM of the Calgary Flames which I have no problem with but he isnow the scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs...now I know I'm not the only one that knows Toronto has like no drafting ability so do we really want this guy) And, HG how was this guy as GM? If you want to read the article it is here. new GM thing is stressful...you have such high hopes for your team but being a Jackets fan you know that the important stuff is the higher ups. You can't be successful without someone who knows what they are doing. In the article they also list, Dave Taylor, and Craig Patrick are the other ones that are available. Anyway, thats all for now...I'm going to try other articles today see if I can snoop out some other candidates :)

Meet the love of my life

Liveblogging Flames and Wings

Well here I am...liveblogging...hopefully this game is alright. We'll see. They are showing the highlights from the Jersey game. Gotta love Marty...so wonderful. The Flames game is on after these commercials so yay!

FIRST PERIOD

19:30 The chants are already starting HAAAAASEK HAAAAAASEK!! Let's Go Flames!!

17:00 Well nothing really too exciting Hasek about made an idiot of himself...but what else is new right?

**Jamie McLennan was suspended today for 5 games and Coach Jim Playfair was fined $25,000.00 and the Calgary organization was fined $100,000.00 for last nights actions in Detroit**

13:58 Still no penalties no goals...good clean back and fourth hockey.

11:09 Go Flames Go...

10:30...still nothing...I'm waiting we'll see...not even any good hits...the fans are into it though.

9:00 Hasek has one of the strangest styles I have ever seen...(Wings are outshooting the Flames 4-1)

8:17 Kipper just made an amazing save

7:54 Stuart just hit Filpula it was the best hit of the game and it was great.

5:50 Still no penalties no goals and the big hit on Stuart.

Gio just took a slap shot to the face...he looks like he's ok...lets hope so.

4:06 Still nothing going on.......it's killing me. Apparently Kipper is weak glove side...at least yesterday he was...or so says CBC

2:45 Langkow going to the box for Tripping. **Mike Babcock is evil**

Holmstrom goes to box for goaltender interference so don't hit KIPPER ASS!!!

I hate Hasek...the end...of the period...and Chelios is talkin smack to Iginla...easy old man...easy.

SECOND PERIOD

Calgary starts out the period on the power play.

18:41 Calgary is playing pretty well so far and keeping it in Detroit's zone.

**JAROME IGINLA IS THE MAN HE JUST SCORED**

FLAMES 1 WINGS 0

GO FLAMES GO GO FLAMES GO GO FLAMES GO

12:30 Hasek just had a great save...and the Flames are playing amazing.

12:09 Haaaaaaaaaaasek

9:28 Interference called on Hamrlik naughty naughty

Kipper keeps makin save after save....amazing...they killed off the penalty.

7:26 GO FLAMES GO!

3:17 Little Dion keeps gettin hit a lot...poor little guy.

3:06 Lang scores damn

**FLAMES 1 WINGS 1**

Goodness I hate the VS guys,

THIRD PERIOD

Third period started with a bunch of hits...let's GO FLAMES!!

16:30 Primeau took a penalty for hooking

Flames were able to kill it off. Go FLAMES go.

Haha CapsChick: He's such a tool (speaking of Hasek)

8:41 Samuelsson is taking a boarding or hitting from behind penalty...and I'm pretty sure Mike Babcock is the devil.

FYI if this game goes into OT I will not be liveblogging....I can't handle it.

Flames

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! Get it together men.

GO SENS GO

So the babies are going home!! Congrats to the Sens.