HockeyRant with David Stearns

Show 83: Catching Up and the 2011-2012 Season Quick Preview

2011-10-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

Just catching everyone up on things. Listen in and get a glimpse as to what I've been up to, and my predictions on this coming season.

Download the Rant Man's bumbling and rambling about life as the 2011-2012 season draws near!

Show 82: 2011 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals Talk

2011-04-26T15:44:00.000-07:00

Game 7s galore. Thank you for continuing to subscribe. The end of this episode will allude to the future of this podcast (and hint, it's not over, but just beginning).

Download Rant Man and the Chat about the 2011 Quarterfinals

New Show w/John Baranowski

2010-11-18T18:22:00.001-08:00

Looking to coordinate a show with John Baranowski from Hockey Week Prime. This show will hopefully get going soon since the last show was a month ago. Stay tuned for details!

~Rant Man~

Hockey Week Prime: 10/21/2010

2010-10-22T18:20:00.000-07:00

Download the first episode of Hockey Week Prime

Show 81: 2010-2011 Season Predictions and...Stuff

2010-10-07T19:00:00.000-07:00

Download Rant Man and the 2010-2011 Season Predictions

UMBC Coach's Corner: 1/24/10

2010-01-28T04:56:00.000-08:00

Download UMBC Coach's Corner: 1/24

Internets are Back!

2010-01-20T19:06:00.000-08:00

The internets are back and the show will be coming back. Stay tuned for details as finally, FINALLY your rant man is back!

Hockey Rant with David Stearns is back in one week's time, and also a new show on the side to promote is coming. Details on that and more coming soon. Thank you all for your continued support with over 8,000 downloads in the last 3 years. Three year anniversary show is coming up no later than the date where we started this all, January 24th!

~Rant Man~

Time Off

2009-12-24T21:52:00.000-08:00

Hey hockey nuts:

Sorry for my prolonged absence. I'm without internet at my current residence and only operate via Blackberry internet and twitter now-a-days.

Internet should be soon forthcoming in the near future as we come up on the third year of the rantings.

Stay tuned.

~Rant Man~

OH, and Merry Christmas to all.

2009-10 Season Begins...

2009-10-12T17:02:00.000-07:00

and I missed the boat.

Sorry. Yeah, I know. What kind of a hockey blogger/podcaster forgets that kind of thing right? Don't blame me. Blame all of my friends who thought it was a great idea to get married in October! (...still love you guys, though)

Anyway, I'll be back with some thoughts on how the season is looking. Today's games were indicators that everyone who thought they knew what they were talking about are thinking and speaking hot stinking garbage. Loved the Kings, Avalanche wins, and looking forward to Calgary, Washington, Ottawa, Phoenix, and Toronto winning tonight. Everyone is hard-up on pressing Boston as their top contender and these preseason predictions make me laugh.

I will post a show likely at the end of the week to give you all my rantings and musings of the NHL's start to another fantabulous season.

Maybe I'll be nice and blog something. You know, just shoot the poop with the audience, you guys, who have been loyally awaiting for me to publish something for you all to graze over and glaze over with the same finess seen in a Derek Roy dive. Hahahaha! I just heard Andrew Peters' name and he's with the New Jersey Devils now. My heart just smiled for uselessness of players on teams that don't need guys like Peters.

Ranting is forthcoming!

Stay tuned...

Coming soon...

2009-08-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

Coming soon...the 2009-10 NHL season...a preview, a glimpse, a taste, a tease (if you will)...

...next week

Show 80: Free Agency Summer 2009

2009-07-02T16:59:00.001-07:00

Download Rant Man and the Free Agents

Show 79: Cup Wrap Up, Awards, and News

2009-06-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

The 2008-2009 season is officially over. Let us take a bow, and cap it off.

Download Show 79
-Right click the link, and 'Save As' or 'Save Target As' (depending on your browser, of course), save it where you can find, enjoy when it finishes.

PreShow79: Stanley Cup Wrap Up and More

2009-06-16T20:45:00.000-07:00

Pre-Show 79: A little preview of what is to come tomorrow night! Stay tuned!

Download PreShow 79
-Right click the link, and 'Save As' or 'Save Target As' (depending on your browser, of course), save it where you can find, enjoy when it finishes.

Show 78: Game 7 and News

2009-06-10T18:51:00.000-07:00

Penguins force a Game 7. The Stanley Cup Final continues. See, I meant for that to be singular because I think people want to be confused, but they think it's Stanley Cup Final, too. I thought it was Stanley Cup Finals...

Anyway, coaching changes, and some player moves and such.

Download Show 78
-Right click the link, and 'Save As' or 'Save Target As' (depending on your browser, of course), save it where you can find, enjoy when it finishes. Almost like making pie in the oven, except we made it and you're just eating it. Mooches.

Post Game 5: Hockey Week in Review

2009-06-10T09:36:00.001-07:00

From Hockeyweek.blogspot.com:

We apologize for the quality and appearance of this show. It looks, well, I'm not going to say it. This may be one of the scrapiest shows we've ever done next to last year's post game done in John's apartment in Erie, PA.

Sorry about showing the [hairy] legs, and yes, that jersey I (the Rant Man) am wearing is, in fact, a little tight.

Enjoy...I think.

~The Rant Man~

Download Hockey Week Episode 1 of Summer Season
-Right click the link, and 'Save As' or 'Save Target As' (depending on your browser, of course), save it where you can find, enjoy when it finishes. Almost like making pie in the oven, except we made it and you're just eating it. Mooches.

Show 77: The End is Near 2009

2009-06-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

The Detroit Red Wings are one win away from the Stanley Cup. Can the Pittsburgh Penguins hold on for a 7th game? Check out this quick edition of the hockey rant and be sure to watch the Hockey Week in Review Post Game Report after Game 5 for reactions and news.

Download Show 77

Game 5: Somebody Will Take the Lead

2009-06-06T07:27:00.001-07:00

Don't you love obvious headlines? They make me smile.

My HP notebook is currently on life support. Apparently the wireless drivers in some HP notebooks are known to suddenly disappear. It's covered by warranty, but I do not feel like shipping out this thing with the risk of it getting lost, damaged beyond recognition, etc.

OK, so Game #5 at Joe Louis Arena, 8pm (EST) on Network of Bullying Cowards (NBC). I have to stay on task here. Key factors in tonight's game:

RedWings-
~Datsyuk is finally back in the lineup.
~Last change on the ice, Zetts to Crosby, clutch (and possibly grab).
~Them boards, them boards, them funny bouncy boards.
~Osgood, home ice, decent.
~Obvious: Home Ice/Home Crowd.
~A full healthy roster (if you're not looking at age).
~Mike Babcock, possibly dawning a fedora.

Penguins-
~Line combinations are finally clicking.
~Secondary scoring is now in the mix.
~Power Play opportunities have been favorable.
~Jordan Staal woke up from his coma!
~Bylsma can keep everyone calm. I mean look at those glasses!
~Fleury is finally focused...on trying to convince everyone to give him a break.

John Baranowski (The Penguins guy) and I, the Rant Man (Red Wings/Sabres hybrid mixed with a poodle) will in the DC area somewhere catching the game. Follow me on Twitter for the latest: http://twitter.com/NHLhockeyrant

Post-Game: Game 3 to the Penguins

2009-06-02T19:37:00.000-07:00

So, there you have it. The Penguins are using home ice to their advantage, and from what I've seen, this series is possibly far from done! I did say that the Red Wings would have this in 6 games, but that would mean winning at least one on Pittsburgh ice. Can the Red Wings rebound in Game 4 to take one in the Steel City?

Well, tonight, the secondary scoring showed up for the Penguins in the form of Maxim Talbot. The first and last goals of the game come off Talbot's stick and it didn't come easy. The fact that Osgood only face 21 shots may hinder the idea that he is a viable Conn Smythe Playoff MVP if the Red Wings pull this off. It will have to be a rock solid performance for him here on out. I think that Malkin's behind the scenes three assists was key to this game. His performance after the fight at the end of Game 2 proved who was the bigger impact winner from the emotional factors that be. If you want to see what Game 4 will be like, mix the emotions of both Game 2 and 3, and you'll have a charged up Red Wings squad versus a confident Penguins unit. Things could be very physical in Game 4 considering how well that worked in the first half of this game in favor of the Red Wings. If the physical play keeps up, and the defensive melt-downs are addressed, Detroit will take Game 4. If the tone is consistent through to Game 4 with echoing sentiments of tonight's performance on both sides, then Pittsburgh can expect a huge momentum swing in this series.

After all is said and done, the Red Wings have to win Game 4 if they want to ensure winning this series. The Penguins having the second change definitely went in their favor. I hate saying this, but the referees were also in the Penguins favor. I am not one of those that will harp on some conspiracy theories that the league is pulling for the Penguins, but some of the calls made tonight were soft. It just so happens that the Penguins nail two powerplay goals in the end. If the Red Wings can play "Mister Nice Guy" but still deliver a physical game in Game 4 while staying out of the box, they're bound to win. The question now surrounds the defensive pairings against Pittsburgh's top line, and the force that control the front of the net. Do the Red Wings' forwards need to step back a bit to support the defense, or push forward for more scoring opportunities by putting more traffic in front of Fleury? The Video Coaching staff now have their work cut out for them.

Good night, everybody! Talk to you all real soon.

~The Rant Man~

After 2 periods of play...

2009-06-02T18:51:00.000-07:00

A nice physical game played by both sides, but like I've always said, the smarter defense and body playing game belongs to the Western Conference. No matter what team we're talking about, the Western Conference has always had a more physical dynamic. With the physical game and finished checks, the opportunities opened wide for the Detroit Red Wings who had 14 shots in that period alone. So, compare that to the 4 shots by the Pittsburgh Penguins, and you have a completely different set of philosophies when it comes to scoring opportunities. Detroit is thriving off their physical game and aggressive fore-check to grab up the puck.

Conversely, Fleury is playing a lot better when you look at the numbers. No silly bounces have his rattled (just yet). So, there is a positive that the Pittsburgh angle can take away from that period. Crosby and Malkin aren't creating as many opportunities as they should, but considering their skill, they should be able to find their way around these roadblocks. The defensive core of the Red Wings have the Penguins pinned, and Pittsburgh needs to find their way around it here in the third period to break loose from this tie. I'm willing to bet that somebody will score before the half-way mark of the third. Something is bound to break. But, overall, great game thus far.

~The Rant Man~

After 1 period of play...

2009-06-02T17:56:00.000-07:00

If you're not doing so already, follow me on Twitter. (http://twitter.com/NHLhockeyrant)

After one period of play in Game 3...

Quite a different series if this continues. The home-ice factor seems to make a difference in some regard. When we look at the last change made by the home team, Pittsburgh definitely has an advantage as to keeping Crosby from matching up with Zetterberg. So far, Babcock has found so good opportunities in the action have Zetterberg change on the fly. But, with all of that juggling going on, can a coach lose sight of other things happening in the game if he becomes too focused on changes and lineup matches? This could prove to be exhausting, but the new formulation of Malkin, Crosby, and Kunitz seems to alleviate some pressure as to when Zetterberg and his crew join the ice. Rafalski and Lidstrom are the favorited defensive pairing to get sent to battle against the Crosby line. They're proving to be moderately effective, but can they handle double the threat with Crosby and Malkin playing a line together? The second and third period remain...at least.

Osgood allows 2 goals on 7 shots? Ouch. Fleury allows 2 goals on 12 shots? Ok. So, now it's a war of talent. Zetterberg already has a goal and an assist. Letang already has a goal and an assist. Now, the waiting game. Will it be Abdelkader for Detroit or Adams for Pittsburgh to get the next goal? Truth is, the next goal could come from anybody, but the offensive pressure by Pittsburgh has seen a lot of improvement compared to Games 1 & 2.

This all coming from a Red Wings fan of 14 years. Taking it from my birth heritage of being a Sabres fan (if I weren't an overall hockey fan), I should be caring less at this point. Just kidding, of course.

Enjoy the second period!

~The Rant Man~

Stanley Cup Finals 2009: The Fast-Food Version

2009-05-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

This year's Stanley Cup Finals are going to be remembered (by me, at least) as the Fast Food Stanley Cup Finals. It's going to be hot (teams are still sweating from their last series played), fast (possibly done in less than a week), cheap (whatever works for NBC, NBA, and AA), and convenient (to Gary Bettman and his agenda).

Ok, so the schedule came out, and everybody is not thrilled. Seriously, I am not happy either, and usually I am a happy-go-lucky guy (sarcasm). What really bugs me even more is that the NHL is waiting on the N(freakin')BA in order to schedule a time for Sunday's Game 2. ...Hold on, let me get this straight. The NHL is waiting on the NBA in order to decide when the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins will play that day? First off, you put Game 1 & 2 back-to-back, and now you're waiting to see what is going on in the NBA that day before announcing a game time?!?

You know what, I can't even blog this one. I'll be audio podcasting this one. I'm very disappointed in the professionalism of a certain pointy eared fiend, also known as Gary Bettman. This guy still doesn't get it even after 16 years. You would think he'd have it down to a science.

Update: Yeah, you know what, I'm just going to let it go. Just watch the results.

Post Series, Intro Conference Finals: Wings vs. Hawks, Pens vs. Canes

2009-05-15T14:28:00.001-07:00

Time to look forward to the Conference Finals!

Download Rant Man's Bumbling

Rant Man's Post Series Report: Pens vs. Caps

2009-05-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

I would have done this face to face, but I've got this 5 o'clock shadow going on.

Rant man strikes again.

Download Rant Man's Musings of the Pens Caps Series Finish

Previously on The Rant

2009-05-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

The following took place before the second round:

Picks:
(1) Boston vs (6) Carolina: Carolina in 6 games
(2) Washington vs (4) Pittsburgh: Washington in 7 games

(2) Detroit vs (8) Anaheim: Detroit in 7 games
(3) Vancouver vs (4) Chicago: Chicago in 6 games

These were witnessed, so don't think I'm making this stuff up.

As for the first round, I was off by one series, and somewhere along the lines of 6 games. But...the way this round is shaping up...I'm not going to say it. Just look above, do the math, and you'll know.

Will post again really soon. I promise. This has been one of the most exciting playoffs I've ever seen, with some renewal of rivalries of epic proportions and a possible new one next round...(Det. vs. Chi? Just as I predicted before the playoffs).

Show 76: Down to the Wire

2009-04-26T17:43:00.000-07:00

Series are biting closer to Game 7s and the intensity is growing.

Download Show 76

Show 75: Playoffs Debacle

2009-04-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

The long overdue playoff predictions. Don't worry, they were made before the playoffs. For proof, http://hockeyweek.blogspot.com

Download Show 75

Tears for Columbus

2009-04-23T19:23:00.001-07:00

Emotion. A word that encompasses everything that makes us human by presence. For all of those present at Nationwide Arena this evening, emotion was the driving force behind the relentless push by the Columbus Blue Jackets to remain in the playoffs.

The crowd grew anxious as the Jackets were down to the Red Wings 3-1 at the end of the 1st period.

Hope was restored as the Jackets came back and brought it within one with Nash netting his first playoff goal under two minutes into the second period. The crowd is curious as to what will happen next. R.J. Umburger gives the fans revived hope by scoring, not even four minutes later, and the now the reset button has been hit, the game is tied, 3-3. The crowd is ecstatic, but only for a moment as under a minute and a half later Marion Hossa throws in back-to-back goals to regain the two goal lead for the Red Wings; 5-3. The crowd becomes somber, yet hopeful, again.

The Blue Jackets, making the playoffs amidst tough competition, vowed never to give up. The last five minutes of the second period is where renewed hope was given to Columbus, OH and fans across the globe. Kris Russell guns home his first goal for the Jackets in the playoffs, Columbus within one, 5-4, then minutes later, a team franchise presence, Fredrik Modin buries the tying marker that sets the crowd through the roof. The noise factor, the emotion, the drive by a team seeing the playoffs for the first time in their 8 seasons in the NHL, it was clear in a desperate situation, a do-or-die game. The intermission comes, the fans are anxious and excited.

Third period, the most intense physical game I've seen by far in the playoffs, the Columbus Blue Jackets fought for a fifth game. The intensity, the electricity, fans on their feet for close to almost the entire period. This is hockey. This city found its passion, as 18,889 fans threw their voices, wore down their heels, and cheered their hearts out. Though probably 2,000 Red Wings fans found their ways of paying a high $$ to buy their way into the attendance, the Blue Jackets faithful definitely overpowered and remained passionate throughout. The hush moments, totaling a mere 10 minutes of playing time, are nothing compared to the 50 minutes of pure chaos beaming from the hearts and souls of hockey fans supporting their boys on the ice.

Dead-locked at a score of 5-5 with under 2:00 minutes to go, the Blue Jackets come face to face with something nobody could have possibly seen coming; a particularly unusual penalty against the home-team with under 1:40 to go in the 3rd period of a tied game that could spell out the fate of their post-season. The penalty, the must call, too many men on the ice...

Johan Franzen scores the game winner on the power-play with :47 seconds left in the 3rd period. Detroit goes on to win a tightly disputed contest 6-5 on a Franzen power-play goal on a penalty call for too many men on the ice.

Blue Jackets fans, I will give you three words to live by for next year, and I heard these words over the public address right after the penalty was called. "Don't Stop Believing."

No team should ever have to remember the termination of their playoff run due to a too many men on the ice penalty. Yes, if you see the replay, the change being made was right at the point where the Jackets connected with the puck as the player was one foot and a half from the bench. It's unfortunate, close, but strangely necessary. In a playoff season where players get punched in the head off the face-off, crosschecked in the head, and checked from behind face first into the boards, you would think that in the dying seconds of a situation that spells out the fate of your team, too many men on the ice is the last penalty you would think could potentially end your season.

Columbus, you deserved to be in the playoffs. It was a great season. Steve Mason will win the Calder Trophy, and I believe that without a doubt in my mind.

Before I close this out, I want to clarify why I titled this article 'Tears for Columbus'. Fans, and players of the Blue Jackets, the passion you showed tonight from start to finish, even though you knew this game could potentially be the end of the line for your team, it moved me. The disappointment of seeing your team lose with :47 seconds left in regulation time because of a too many men on the ice penalty? I felt the same hurt you all felt. Here's the kicker: Even though I'm a Red Wings fan, I still feel proud of the display you all put on for your team in a very difficult situation. All I have to say is, I want to see this same kind of emotion next year because that is what pumps the heart of teams like these.

~Rant Man~

Recent Episode of Hockey Week in Review

2009-04-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

A recent episode of Hockey Week in Review, starring yours truly:

Download Show 11

Playoff predictions!

Pre-Playoffs Predictions

2009-04-22T08:39:00.000-07:00

I have witnesses that these predictions were made one day prior to the actual start of the playoffs.

Bos. vs. Mtl. ---> Bos. in 5
Was. vs. NYR. ---> Was. in 6
NJD. vs. Car. ---> Car. in 6
Pit. vs. Phi. ---> Pit. in 6

SJS. vs. Ana. ---> SJS. in 5
Det. vs. Cls. ---> Det. in 7
Van. vs. Stl. ---> Van. in 5
Chi. vs. Cgy. ---> Chi. in 5

Check Out the Reason for my Silence with the Rant

Check Out the Hockey Week in Review

2009-04-12T13:55:00.000-07:00

Hockey Week in Review with Rant Man, John Baranowski, and Rob Kelley

That's the excuse I'm using for neglecting my own show. I've been quite occupied with this, my television creation from last year, and a lot of other changes going on in my life.

Take the time to visit the iTunes store to set yourself up on a podcast subscription with not only Hockey Rant with David Stearns, but Hockey Week in Review, as well.

You'll love the television show because it's an hour long on Channel 19 HurstTV in Erie, PA and also completely download-able.

Show 74: Quick Update

2009-04-11T23:47:00.000-07:00

Little buzzed after the Sabres Bruins game for this one.

Sorry I've been M.I.A. for a while. Lots going on. Changing jobs and big things happening.

Download Show 74

Show 73: Michel, You're Fired! Tom, You're Fired! John, You're Hired.

2009-02-25T03:46:00.000-08:00

Pittsburgh and the New York Rangers are the latest to make coaching changes!

Trade deadline approaches.

Miller is hurt.

Sundin wins against Leafs in shootout with a nice goal.

Download Show 73

Disappearing act...

2009-02-24T04:20:00.000-08:00

Wow. I certainly do apologize for zipping out into the middle of nowhere and leaving you all behind. I've been much occupied, but you'll appreciate my efforts by tuning into the other blogs/tv show/podcasts I've been working so diligently.

I'll be back soon. Don't you worry.

Show 72: Holy Goalie, and a Dubie Dubie Too!

2009-01-18T11:06:00.000-08:00

Trading spaces and Trading goalies; how fun! Dubie Dubie Do! Columbus Blue is the place for you!

Garon, Sabourin, and Dubielewicz

Download Show 72

Show 71: The Catch-Up Edition

2009-01-18T09:32:00.000-08:00

The Catch-Up Edition is recover lost time in the past month. My ramblings will lead me into better territory to get back to short, topic specific shows.

Download Show 71

Show 70: Hey Coach, See Ya Coach, and A-very Rude Comment

2008-12-06T17:46:00.000-08:00

Just, yeah, it's all over the place. Coaches and Avery. That's all you need to know going into this one.

Enjoy!

Download Show 70

Show 69: Melrose Place No More

2008-11-16T14:33:00.000-08:00

Barry Melrose has been fired. Get my reaction, right here on the rant.

Download Show 69

Show 68: Super Saturday 2008

2008-10-25T16:03:00.002-07:00

Saturday night's all right!

30 teams, 15 games, 1 hell of a night. Here's a little preview podcast for you all.

Enjoy the games!!

Download Show 68

No More Perfect Seasons

2008-10-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

It's a done deal.

The Buffalo Sabres finished off the Minnesota Wild last night in a shocker of a game, putting the first loss in the standings for the Wild. It was unconceivable after Ryan Miller scored on himself in the first few minutes of the 3rd period to make it a 3-1 Wild lead. For the second game in a row, and third time this season, the Sabres came back from a two-goal deficit to take a win. The first instance occurred against the Rangers, which ended their undefeated stretch, the Bruins after that, and now the Wild, ending yet another undefeated start. Thomas Vanek, a name becoming synonymous with goal scoring these days, scored the game tying goal to force overtime. Derek Roy became the hero, pushing one past Backstrom in the opening minutes of overtime.

A game that looked dominated by the Wild from start through to the last five minutes of the third, a shocking upset went down in stylish fashion. Only three teams remain without a loss in regulation; Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and the Minnesota Wild. The Habs and Wild both suffering an overtime/shootout loss to the Sabres. Will this run continue? We will have to wait and see as this young season progresses.

In other news...too much happening.

Stayed tuned for the podcast.

Show 67: Night's Preview

2008-10-11T17:33:00.000-07:00

This is an evening's games preview of each matchup. Sorry about the repetitive music. I'll figure it out soon enough how to keep some good back up music.

Download Show 67

David Stearns Makes Sudden Return to Mercyhurst Hockey

2008-10-11T14:16:00.001-07:00

An introduction done right, Doctor Who style.

Thanks to John Baranowski for putting this together.

Show 66: The Season Begins...Where It's Supposed To!

2008-10-11T11:38:00.000-07:00

The 2008-2009 season has begun...officially...in my mind, on Thursday and not in Europe...last week.

Did anyone really care that they opened in Europe? I was actually drawn away from it. A European expansion is a stupid idea, at best. It's just the NHL's way of saying, "We're not afraid of you KHL. You Russians think you're so smart. Well we're going to go to cities around Europe. Fatigue our players through long travel, and make your players look faster and better...etc....and etc." SPARE ME THE GRIEF BETTMAN, and get RID of this FOOLISH idea before you cause a hell-storm with the NHLPA...AGAIN!

So, on with the show, it's a nice little recap show! Enjoy it!

Send feedback too! NHLhockeyrant@hotmail.com

P.S.- I know the season actually started in Prague Czech and Stockholm Sweden. I said Finland to make a point. It was sarcasm.

Download Show 66

For Your Amusement: The Season is Calling

2008-09-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

Ovechkin Video

NHL Star Called Up To Big Leagues To Play For NFL Team

Show 65: Week's Highlighted News

2008-09-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

Training Camp is Coming! Woo! Can't wait. A co-worker advised against me publicly releasing my predictions for the regular season this early, which I agreed with him on, considering we have plenty of free agents to go around, training camp is still yet to come, and preseason needs to be dealt with. So, the predictions editions will likely be out somewhere around September 27-28. Keep an eye out for that! I'll try and make my way out to see some of the Washington Capitals' training and on-ice drills during the camp dates at their Arlington, VA facility. Who knows, maybe I can score an interview or two! Highly unlikely, I'm guessing, but I'll make an effort, I swear.

Funny enough, I'm considering having Eklund from Hockeybuzz.com come onto the show. I know, I think I just saw all of your jaws drop. I am a bit critical of him, but I'd like to give the show some 'umph' when I feel it needs to be improved. So, yes, I am stating that maybe having him on could somehow improve what I have. Haha. Stay tuned for the jury's decision on that one.

By the way, if you would like to plug my audio podcast into your ipod or podcast extraction software (for lack of a better word) the site to use for the XML feed pulling is:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/ZwlV

This segment talks about the headlines in the past week since the last show. Some excitement building in Montreal for the 100th season, and also Mats Sundin talks begin in Toronto in person! Woo, development!

Brent Burns, Alex Pieterangelo, and Trevor Linden are in the mix in this segment, as well!

Download Show 65

Show 64: Labor Day Weekend Rantings

2008-08-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

Roy, Meszaros, Sakic, Vlasic, and Barnes...what do they all have in common? They made me happy by making some news in the NHL this past week!

Download Show 64

Show 63: Some Random News and Poking at Sundin

2008-08-22T22:11:00.000-07:00

Just keeping everything up to date, and also satirical when it comes to Sundin.

Download Show 63

Show 62: Sundin, IIHF, and Gordon Bombay

2008-08-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

Slow summer, but I've got to keep you all interested in something, right?

Download Show 62

Don't Stop Believing...because sooner or later Obama will pick his VP running mate, and Sundin will pick a team or career direction (aka retirement).

Does Mats Sundin Deserve The Favre Treatment?

2008-08-03T11:54:00.001-07:00

So who deserves more attention right now? Brett Favre or Mats Sundin? It is apparent that the spotlight of all sports combined, Favre is the front and center character that everyone is sitting on the edge of their seat waiting for. Does Sundin deserve to be considered for the same kind of attention on waiting for his decision?

The answer is an emphatic no.

Many analysts this past season seemed to build up the hype around Sundin. There were such statements regarding him as being in the best shape of his life, appears to be a younger veteran, and deceivingly younger than being of the actual age of 37. In the accomplishments category, what has he really done?

Second longest serving captain (#1 is Joe Sakic)
Scored at least 70 points every year aside from the shortened lockout season and his first year
Led the Leafs in points in every year he has been with the team except 2002-03 (Alex Mogilny topped him by 7 pts.)
First Swedish player to score 500 goals
Holds the Leafs’ franchise records for goals with 420 and points as a Leaf with 984
Currently tied with Jaromir Jagr for the NHL record for regular season overtime goals with 15

I think people should be MORE intrigued by Sundin and his upcoming decision. His 13 year tenure with the Maple Leafs should be heralded as a true symbol of dedication and devotion to a player’s team. Players like Sundin are very rare. It was thought that it would come down to Sundin or fellow Swede, Daniel Alfredsson, in the race to become the first European captain to win the Stanley Cup (Nik Lidstrom, of course, recently accomplished that feat).

Looking at his impact on the Maple Leafs comes in the numbers he has posted. The history of the Leafs is, of course, dated back to the origins of the National Hockey League, and which player sits atop the statistics throughout time for the Toronto Maple Leafs? The one and only Mats Sundin. These mentions should be considered when you think about what kind of decision he is making. If he were wise, and wanted to bow out gracefully or continue to play hockey, he really has only two decisions: Retire or Play for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Take a pay-cut Mats, and hold your head up high. You have accomplished a great many things, but still have plenty of time to obtain the highest honor in winning the Stanley Cup. Look to Chris Chelios for that inspiration if needed when considering age.

Keep up-to-date with the latest hockey news and information at: http://nhlhockeyrant.blogspot.com

Comments, opinions, insults, and questions: NHLhockeyrant@hotmail.com

Scotty Bowman: Rebirth of a Rivalry

2008-08-01T10:59:00.001-07:00

Scotty Bowman accepted a position as Senior Adviser to Hockey Operations with the Chicago Blackhawks. This comes some time after the rumors swirled over a possibility that he would join the Toronto Maple Leafs' front office.

Bowman, who is 75 years old, has been a head coach with the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, and Buffalo Sabres. In 2002, he retired from the head coaching position after leading the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup championship.

The Hawks recently acquired Christobal Huet and Brian Campbell through free agency and look to complete the full-circle of talent needed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2001-02. The last time Chicago made the playoffs before then was in 1996-97.

The connection between Bowman and the Blackhawks is no mystery. His son Stan is an Assistant General Manager in Hockey Operations. Toronto, no; Chicago, the way to go for Scotty Bowman.

With the background out of the way, the question now becomes, is this the rebirth of the famed rivalry between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks? Some would argue that it never went away throughout the history between these two franchises.

The Red Wings and Hawks will play their 701st game against one another in the newly begun tradition in the outdoor series 'Winter Classic'. The presence of Bowman on the bench is obviously the difference in this instance, but his being in the front office of the club should be enough of an emotional symbol for Red Wings fans to feel a rival pull. I'm sure that the television coverage of the Winter Classic in Chicago will pan plenty of shots over to Bowman who will more than likely be in attendance. The spotlight will be in his direction as much as it is, I'm sure, on the two main stars of the show, Toews and Kane.

I could be wrong, and the appreciation level of all Red Wings fans could supercede his decision to become a part of the Chicago organization. The fans in Detroit recognize him as a figure of success and energy that brought championships to the famed 'HockeyTown' and helped bring that moniker literally onto the ice. I guess that time will only tell whether the impact of Bowman siding with the enemy will pan out. If things were the way they were before the lockout in the early 90s, and Bowman decided to go with Toronto, a then divisional foe, I think the impact would be significantly greater on the fan. The Leaf and Wing rivalry is probably deeper than the Hawks and Wings rivalry. The bitterness can be tasted at times on both ends, but the Leaf and Wing combo was a bit more famed in my opinion.

What do I know. I'm just one man. So let the games begin, and Wings fans, give the rest of the hockey world something to admire: An Old Fashioned Rivarly; even though the impact of Bowman's choice isn't too direct.

Transactions and Miller's Worth to the Sabres

2008-07-31T07:35:00.000-07:00

Not much has happened since the Free Agency deadline. Arbitrations are slow, and signings are what I'd call 'trivial'. Just to keep you up-to-date, I have all transactions since July 17th listed at the end of this post.

The biggest signing would have to be Ryan Miller, of course. Buffalo will be with a goaltender for 5-years and a backup for at least 2-years. Miller and Patrick Lalime will be the tandem for the Buffalo Sabres for the next two seasons. Ryan Miller posted 37 wins last season for the squad, and toward the end, in hopes of making the playoffs, complained of fatigue and placed the blame of losing games on his own shoulders. It is my firm belief that whether or not it was fatigue or lack of talent will be proven with Lalime filling in when these concerns come to. Miller will be given a break when needed, but if he can't rebound after, then the Sabres may have made a big mistake in signing him long term.

I'm a skeptic of Miller's performance in net. This past year, he had a great period of success, but also the defense was performing at the same time. BUT, the defense collapsed, the offense was solid the entire time, and so the next line of defense (Miller) was left to play the position of three men. He couldn't handle it. IF the defense does its job this coming season (with the addition of Craig Rivet on D), and Miller lets in some soft goals, then Darcy Regier (GM) will have made a huge mistake in signing a weakening goaltender. I say weakening because Miller was strong in 2005-06 and decent in 2006-07. Yes, I also say 'decent' in 06-07 because it was the Sabres offense that made the team the best squad in the entire league (and plus the defense was playing well throughout). I can't tell you how many times the team rebounded from 3 goal deficits to win games (I believe it was close to a dozen in that Presidents Trophy winning season), but Miller had let the team down early enough in a game that desperation hockey ensued and the best leaders came out as heroes (Drury/Briere/Vanek). Now two out of the three great leaders from THAT team are no longer in Buffalo, and so it becomes the 'core', as Regier calls it, players' responsibility to lead and lessen the load on Miller's shoulders. If they can't do it, Lalime can't support it, and Miller falters, the management will suffer criticism equal to, if not greater, than that of the events that occurred over the lack of effort in keeping Drury and Briere.

That's all just one man's opinion on this situation. I honestly think that Regier and Quinn, the management duo of failures in Buffalo, should have been canned two years ago. They are the do nothing combo that has hindered more than helped the team. The lack of activity from these two (and you could also say the lack of financial support from owner, Tom Galisano) should have seen action immediately after the loss of both Drury and Briere. That event will continually be referred back to when thinking of the GM/ownership effort in the organization. Firings should have occurred after missing the playoffs because it became CLEAR AND EVIDENT that the Sabres missed the playoffs because they needed either Drury or Briere in the lineup. Just one of them would have made a world of difference in the Sabres' season in 2007-08. Two years in a row in the Eastern Conference finals, President's Trophy winners, then miss the playoffs...two teams have done this (and went on to win the Stanley Cup the year after the miss), but no less, a strong force in the league now becomes a mediocre squad, and now signing Ryan Miller is the changing factor? It's a minimal impact. The Sabres only dumped off slow and unmotivated defenseman Dmitri Kalinin. Other than that, the team is the same (with the questionable addition of Craig Rivet on defense). Will the results change? Likely not. Expect the same results if nothing is changed more on the defense side and if Lalime doesn't perform a step above what the Sabres had in Thibault last season, and the Conklin of two seasons ago.

I'm hoping I am wrong because I love my Sabres, but I'd hate to see them out of the playoffs two years in a row after a prior two years of great success and progress. Briere and Drury will forever haunt the franchise as the worst loss in the history of the club.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Minnesota Mark Parrish RW Became Unrestricted Free Agent Contract bought out by team
Detroit Valtteri Filppula C Re-Signed Five-year contract
Carolina Drayson Bowman C Signed Three-year contract
Columbus Pascal Leclaire G Re-Signed Three-year contract

Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Minnesota Mark Parrish RW Waived Placed on waivers
Ottawa Josh Hennessy C Signed Two-year contract
Pittsburgh Dave Gove LW Re-Signed
Pittsburgh Danny Richmond D Signed One-year contract
Tampa Bay Steven Stamkos C Signed Three-year contract

Monday, July 28, 2008
Atlanta Matt Siddall RW Signed Multi-year contract
Ottawa Jeff Glass G Signed One-year contract
NY Rangers Fredrik Sjostrom RW Re-Signed
Florida Jay Bouwmeester D Re-Signed One-year contract
Boston Martin St. Pierre C Signed
Boston Nate Thompson C Signed

Saturday, July 26, 2008
Minnesota Pierre-Marc Bouchard RW Re-Signed Five-year, $20.4 million contract
Washington Shaone Morrisonn D Signed One-year contract
Boston Glen Murray RW Became Unrestricted Free Agent Contract bought out by team

Friday, July 25, 2008
Nashville Rich Peverley C Re-Signed Two-year contract
Nashville Pekka Rinne G Re-Signed One-year contract
NY Islanders Bruno Gervais D Re-Signed Three-year, $2.2225 million contract
Montreal Yanick Lehoux C Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
Columbus Mike York LW Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
Colorado Marek Svatos RW Re-Signed Two-year contract

Thursday, July 24, 2008
Buffalo Mathieu Darche LW Signed as Free Agent
Boston Martin St. Pierre C Traded for Pascal Pelletier Chicago
Chicago Pascal Pelletier LW Traded for Martin St. Pierre Boston

Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Detroit Ryan Oulahen C Re-Signed One-year contract
Detroit Darren Haydar RW Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
Vancouver Jimmy Sharrow D Re-Signed
Vancouver Zack Fitzgerald D Re-Signed
Vancouver Mike Brown RW Re-Signed
Vancouver Rick Rypien C Re-Signed
Vancouver Ryan Shannon RW Re-Signed
Vancouver Nathan McIver D Re-Signed
Boston Dennis Wideman D Contract extended Multi-year contract extension
Boston Glen Murray RW Waived Placed on waivers

Tuesday, July 22, 2008
San Jose Riley Armstrong RW Re-Signed One-year contract
San Jose Mike Morris RW Re-Signed One-year contract
San Jose Tyson Sexsmith G Signed Three-year contract
San Jose Timo Pielmeier G Signed Three-year contract
NY Rangers Hugh Jessiman RW Re-Signed
Philadelphia Kevin Marshall D Signed
Anaheim Eric Boguniecki C Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
Anaheim Troy Bodie RW Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
Anaheim Josh Green C Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
Anaheim Ryan Donally LW Signed as Free Agent Two-year contract
Phoenix Daniel Carcillo LW Re-Signed Two-year contract

Monday, July 21, 2008
Dallas Lauri Tukonen RW Traded for Richard Clune Los Angeles
Detroit Jonathan Ericsson D Re-Signed Three-year contract
Detroit Jimmy Howard G Re-Signed Three-year contract
NY Rangers Greg Moore RW Re-Signed
Pittsburgh Jonathan Filewich RW Re-Signed Two-year contract
Pittsburgh Paul Bissonnette D Re-Signed One-year contract
Pittsburgh Jeff Taffe LW Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
Los Angeles Peter Harrold D Re-Signed Three-year contract
Los Angeles Richard Clune LW Traded for Lauri Tukonen Dallas
Philadelphia Joffrey Lupul RW Contract extended Four-year contract extension
New Jersey Fedor Fedorov LW Signed as Free Agent
Chicago Corey Crawford G Re-Signed One-year contract

Sunday, July 20, 2008
Minnesota Stephane Veilleux LW Re-Signed One-year contract
Calgary Andre Roy RW Signed as Free Agent

Saturday, July 19, 2008
NY Islanders Frans Nielsen C Re-Signed Four-year, $2.1 million contract

Friday, July 18, 2008
Atlanta Angelo Esposito C Signed Three-year contract
Buffalo Ryan Miller G Contract extended Five-year contract extension
Edmonton Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers G Signed Two-year contract
Los Angeles David Meckler C Signed Three-year contract
Phoenix Garth Murray C Signed as Free Agent One-year contract

Thursday, July 17, 2008
Atlanta Brett Sterling LW Re-Signed
Atlanta Marty Reasoner C Signed as Free Agent
San Jose Matt Kinch D Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
San Jose Brett Westgarth D Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
NY Rangers Brian Fahey D Signed as Free Agent
Pittsburgh Danny Richmond D Traded for Tim Brent Chicago
Calgary Adam Pardy D Re-Signed
New Jersey Jon DiSalvatore RW Signed as Free Agent
New Jersey Chad Wiseman LW Signed as Free Agent
New Jersey Jay Leach D Signed as Free Agent
Montreal Max Pacioretty LW Signed Three-year contract
St. Louis Andy Wozniewski D Signed as Free Agent
Columbus Aaron Rome D Re-Signed One-year contract
Chicago Tim Brent C Traded for Danny Richmond Pittsburgh

Winter Classic (Part Deuce): Gone with the Windy City?

2008-07-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

I'm going to flat out say it. I am disappointed in the league's decision to have this game in Chicago...this coming Winter "Classic". I know, I know, there's a lot of young talent on the Blackhawks, and the Red Wings are the defending Stanley Cup champions, but I honestly feel for the people in New York City. Well, the Rangers' fans I mean. I rarely give them any empathy, but this time I'll agree that the next outdoor game should be in Yankee Stadium as a commemorative send-off to the old icon. But, lest we forget that it is a baseball stadium. Then again, what better place to have a 'classic' than in the Big Apple on New Year's Day? It would have been a perfect finish for not only the stadium itself, but the celebration of the New Year in the city where the biggest party annually happens! I was very excited to see a Detroit Red Wings versus the New York Rangers match. It still follows suit with an Original Six theme. I guess I will subside my complaining and accept that this thing is going to happen, and will do so in a venue of roughly 20,000 less seats than Ralph Wilson's Stadium in Buffalo, NY. I felt that maybe Soldier Field would be a better attendance insurance, but I guess Wrigley has an unknown precedent in hosting this 'Classic'.

I keep quoting the word 'classic' for a reason. When you define the word, what kinds of definitions do you see. Let us look at one: exhibiting timeless quality.

That's my favorite definition. Well, now, timeless quality would mean something that happens sparingly and is yet memorable. Timeless. It stands out and holds a meaning in which the qualities of the event is exhibited through the timing of such an occurrence. I think I've made my point here. Alberta, Canada and Buffalo, USA were Classics. The two outdoor games emulate a timeless and rare example of going back to hockey's roots. This game in Chicago should be better defined as a classic in the sense of "A perfect and/or early example of a particular style". I'll go with the 'early example of a particular style' and call it 'taking hockey back to its roots'. So, don't expect anything 'Classic' in terms of exhibiting timeless quality, but rather an early example of how hockey began.

Thank you. That is my soap box speech for the week.

The main reason I posted this is because the blog had three visits from people using search engines seeking out tickets for the 'Winter Classic'. Funny enough, the google searches they were getting had mostly Buffalo versus Pittsburgh instead of Chicago versus Detroit. Enough said.

Show 61: Rant Man Goes to Washington

2008-07-17T17:19:00.002-07:00

Here it is! Straight from DC, me rambling!

Had to play catchup and remind myself (and you all, of course) of what is going on in the league, so here it is!

Download Show 61

BTPodShow {BTPodShow-40ff595429f9195d1b66daf30bb009e3}

Two Months Later...

2008-07-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the delay here, folks. Some major chances were made in my life, but guess what? I'm BAAAAAACCCCKKKKKK!!!

Coming to you now from WASHINGTON, DC! No, this does not mean I'm going to convert to being a Capitals fan. I've got a new job down here (unfortunately, it's not hockey related), and I'm ready to get this thing going again. There is SO MUCH stuff that we missed on this go around, and I guess it's safe to say that I covered the Stanley Cup Finals and the Free Agency better last year (ha ha ha...yeah). But it is, thus far, a summer for the hockey fanatics to go bonkers in terms of who went where, and who did what, and the return of the mullet. Yes, the mullet! Barry Melrose is back in the saddle again. Unbelievable! I'm so looking forward to watching him win a Stanley Cup ring this coming season (omg lol rotfl...yeah, was never good at the online short talk). That, of course, my friends, was what we call sarcasm. New ownership with lots of money being thrown everywhere (and leap frogging Jay Feaster's opinions) and getting a name coach from the old days (and the new days of ESPN), the first pick in the draft (Steve-o Stamkos), this all sounds great and all, but will it add up to an immediate Stanley Cup?

I won't answer that until the podcast.

The cliffhanger, you have to love it. Another team you can't go without talking about is the Chicago Blackhawks, so I will have all that and more in the next edition of the Hockey Rant with the Rant Man, David Stearns.

~Rant Man~

Conference Finals Podcast

2008-05-09T19:21:00.001-07:00

Coming soon. I already had my predictions aired on television down here in Erie, and I won't change them as I bring them to you here on the podcast. So, stay tuned as the show will come your way, real soon.

~The Rant Man~

Show 60: Recap Wings/Avs and Flyers/Habs Game 1s

2008-04-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

Post Game reaction on the first two games on Round 2. Avs/Wings and Habs/Flyers, here, on the rant! Listen on!

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Show 59: Round 1 is Done; Round 2 will be Fun

2008-04-24T14:48:00.001-07:00

The first round is done. So here's my take on the second round that begins tonight!

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Show 58: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Predictions

2008-04-09T02:58:00.000-07:00

The show title says it all. The playoffs are here after the closest and most exciting finish I've ever seen. Spots weren't really solidified until the very last games of the season, so this is what we got, and this is how I think the first round will go.

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Playoff Time: Your Rant Man is Ready to ROLL!!

2008-04-07T02:51:00.000-07:00

Well, the regular season is finished. What a finish it was. Some teams delivered at the very last minute, and some couldn't pull through. Washington in, Carolina out. Vancouver out, Nashville in. Some first-round pairings and even possible match-ups were previewed in this past Sunday's last games. Here's what we have:

Eastern Conference First-Round Pairings:
(1) Montreal vs. (8) Boston Bruins (Montreal wins season series 8-0)

(2) Pittsburgh vs. (7) Ottawa Senators (Ottawa wins season series 3-1)

(3) Washington Capitals vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers (Tied season series 2-2)

(4) New Jersey Devils vs. (5) New York Rangers (New York Rangers wins season series 7-1)

Western Conference First-Round Pairings:
(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Nashville Predators (Detroit wins season series 5-3)

(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (7) Calgary Flames (Calgary wins season series 3-1)

(3) Minnesota Wild vs. (6) Colorado Avalanche (Minnesota wins season series 5-3)

(4) Anaheim Ducks vs. (5) Dallas Stars (Dallas wins season series 5-3)

Those season series will likely prove irrelevant and I'll explain why in the show.

The teams that didn't make the cut were finishing strong all throughout the finish in the season. When I say that, I'm really just talking about clubs like Chicago, Edmonton, and Buffalo. In the show, I'll discuss the future of those teams and how close they did in fact come to becoming sneaky like the Washington Capitals were, but fell just short.

I'll tell you all of my predictions on the first-round and give my detailed explanations. Some may be upset by the things I'm about to say, and some may be relieved. The match-up I wanted to see the most is actually about to happen and it's in the East. For those who watch my Hockey Week in Review show in Erie, PA know exactly which pairing I'm talking about, and I even mentioned it in the last blog post below this one. Hint hint, No Joke versus Never Your Reason...for those who still don't get it: NJ vs. NYR.

I should apologize to all of you for not making any new shows in the recent history of the Hockey Rant podcast. I took some vacation time to visit relatives in Baltimore, MD, and aside from that trip I have been loaded with school work as I'm about to finish up here with Graduate School. My other reason, which I kind of feel bad about is that I've been spending more time working on my Hockey Week in Review show and video podcast. I'm not ignoring you all. I'm just finding it hard to make time for everything to get done that I would like. So, feel neglected no more, the Rant Man is back for his loyal following who have helped successfully push me over the 4,000 "downloaders" mark. You guys are the best.

Stay tuned because the second season is sure to deliver some of the best action considering the regular season saw its tightest and most exciting finish in YEARS.

Talk to you all real soon!

Puckfully yours,

The Rant Man

A Factor of Five: Who'll Round Out the East?

2008-03-30T17:56:00.000-07:00

No, I don't have a crystal ball, but I want to know before the anticipation kills me. Three games to go for most teams, and this one is reminding me of last year's run for the teams vying for the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference. This is NHL hockey at its finest.

Tonight, I watched a very physical and nail-biting game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins. Last night, Florida became the next team to be eliminated from the race with their loss to the Washington Capitals. How fitting, right? The question now becomes: Who will make the final push in the remaining two teams to bump into the playoffs? Two teams now remain; Washington and Buffalo. Lets draw out the situation.

1) Pittsburgh 99pts
2) Montreal 98pts
3) Carolina 90pts
4) New Jersey 93pts
5) Ottawa 92pts
6) NY Rangers 91pts
7) Boston 91pts
8) Philadelphia 91pts
-----------------------
9) Washington 88pts
10) Buffalo 86pts

In all reality, five teams are involved, and possibly six if you include Ottawa. Washington can overtake 3rd if they get 3pts and Carolina loses out in their remaining games.

Ottawa needs to lose out all of their games and Washington and Buffalo need to win out their remaining games to trump out Ottawa if one of the bottom feeders win at least one. But, that scenario is most far-fetched of them all. Ottawa would then fall out and possibly suffer the biggest fallout since being number one in the east at the midway point of the season.

Buffalo can get into the playoffs if they get 5 of their last 6 possible points. They have Toronto, Montreal, and Boston left in their remaining three games. If one point is gained by the Rangers, Boston, and Philadelphia, Buffalo must win all 6pts. Then, the fun tie-breaking scenarios would begin. If Washington were to get 90pts, Carolina drops to 9th, Buffalo would have to win still at least 5pts because 4pts and a tie-break would permit Carolina to take 8th. Confused yet?

Washington could win out and need at least one of the bottom teams to drop all their games. These are the 91pts teams.

Remaining schedules:
Buffalo - Toronto, Montreal, Boston
Boston - NJ, Ottawa, Buffalo
NYR - Pittsburgh, NYI, NYI, NJ
Ottawa - Montreal, Toronto, Boston
Philadelphia - Pittsburgh, NJ, Pittsburgh
Washington - Carolina, TB, Florida

My opinion on each team's remaining schedules:
Washington - has the easier of the six. The game that means the most will be the one against Carolina, of course. Tampa and Florida may be cake-walk, but watch the two teams play the role of upsetters, but the way Alex Ovechkin has been playing and Huet's solid performance in goal, they have a great chance.

Philadelphia - An overtime loss, followed by an overtime win, this team isn't making it any easier for Buffalo and Washington. BUT, Pittsburgh twice and a rematch against the overtime loss team from the other night with New Jersey, Philadelphia has the best chance of all the teams to lose out their last three. Pittsburgh has Philadelphia's number as of the last two games, especially the last meeting which resulted in a 7-1 Pens win. But, that one point that could be gained to bump them up a peg may come in overtime in any one of their last three games.

Ottawa - Hot and cold. You never know what you're going to get from this team any more. It depends on Gerber's style of play. He has started more than a dozen games in a row, but he's been on and off his game. This one is up in the air, but Toronto may be the most lenient of the three opponents to go up against, unless they play with passion to upset.

NYR - Pittsburgh took them out today 3-1, tomorrow may be the case, as well. Ahead of that the Islanders may be easy to overturn twice in a row. The Devils will be tough, but that's a dream playoff match-up for myself to hope for. Quality excitement right there folks.

Boston - NJ will give them a hell of a time. Ottawa will be a tight one. Buffalo, may be the game where everything is on the line for BOTH teams. It could be a game that means who is in, and who is out. Boston has either played really good, or really bad. The 4-0 win over Ottawa was nice, but will it happen again? I HIGHLY doubt it. Look for Ottawa to try and save face on a rocky season and bury the hatchet from that loss. If this team can't beat NJ or Ottawa, and Buffalo wins against Toronto and Montreal, see this Saturday match-up for intense fun meaning who will be playing the Penguins or Canadiens first round.

Buffalo - Yeah, I think I said it all in the above paragraph on what may happen. Flat out, they need to win against Toronto because a win against Montreal will be tough (looked easier last week Friday before the last few minutes where the Habs made a HUGE come back to win in OT). So, fact of the matter, win against Toronto and Boston, OTL to Montreal is the minimum need. If they lose in regulation in any one of these games, it's done. Clear as day. Washington has it easy, and Buffalo, well, they need to play like they do in adverse situations...but that was last year's team. This year's team will need divine inspiration.

The Push for the Playoffs: 6 or 7 games remain!

2008-03-24T22:03:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned Rant Faithful!

There are 6 or 7 games left on most teams' schedules, and the race for the finish is guaranteed to be spectacular. Photo-finishes for some teams who are fighting hard for spots and some toggling in the top spots will make for what I consider some real hardcore excitement!

The show is soon to follow as the playoffs are just a couple weeks away!

Show 57: Push for the Playoffs

2008-03-10T16:57:00.000-07:00

In this show, I just give a rundown and a scenario based perspective on how things are currently sitting in the playoff race, and who is on the outside looking in. Some of those outsiders could be coming in and taking some bottom feeder spots from those just barely hanging on. So, download it and check out where I'm just sitting on this whole situation.

Sync it up with iTunes, or just download from the link below.

Download Show 57

Show 56: Trade Deadline Recap and Reaction

2008-02-28T18:13:00.000-08:00

Here it is. The big show that gives you my reaction and the run down on what happened on February 26, 2008's trade deadline.

Enjoy.

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Show 56 Preview: The Trade Deadline Fun!

2008-02-27T18:42:00.000-08:00

I'm compiling my reactions on all that happened on trade day, but let me just tell you the reaction in one word: Unbelievable.

Download Show 56 Preview

Show 55: Trade Deadline

2008-02-26T06:57:00.000-08:00

Talking trade deadline. Not expecting much this year. Rentals are not the way.

Listen in to hear me go on a full fledged rant.

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Show 54: All-Star Lineup

2008-01-23T18:09:00.000-08:00

Here's the chatter about who's on the team, who made the team but is hurt or sick, and who made the team and decided their family obligations supersede the opportunity.

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Show 53: The Injury Report (for those who want to know)

2008-01-23T12:11:00.000-08:00

This is just an injury report to cap off ALL of those who aren't in play with their respective clubs.

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Show 52: Crosby Injury and Colorado Injuries

2008-01-23T02:14:00.000-08:00

Taking care of business here and telling all that the Pittsburgh Penguins are not in trouble. Yes I said it. So, check out this show to find the reasonings why I think it's not going to be too bad without the Kid. Colorado is a team that has some real problems. Those stories and some other headlines can be found here in the podcast!

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Promotion of New Podcast/Show

2008-01-08T14:03:00.000-08:00

My broadcast partner, John Baranowski, from Mercyhurst ACHA D1 Men's Hockey, and I are now airing a new show on Channel 19 Time Warner Cable Erie, PA. We're going to do Video Podcasts and possible online re-airings of the one-hour show on the podcast! So, check out the promo podcast! HockeyWeek.blogspot.com

Podshow PDN {podshow-0236611ef2983e7767ffd84b04f282e0}

Show 51: Inside the Winter Classic

2008-01-07T15:49:00.001-08:00

Sorry about the last attempt to airing this show. This is all audio taken before, during, and after the game. Fan interviews and special guest John Baranowski from my college hockey broadcast team joins me pregame and postgame.

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Show 50: Winter Classic/Ice Bowl Cometh!

2007-12-31T19:50:00.000-08:00

It's the 50th show! And how appropriate that it comes on the eve of the Winter Classic/Ice Bowl and New Year's Eve! Enjoy! Tomorrow I will post a podcast from the game with my broadcast partner John Baronowski. We're going to do a pregame show together and after that I will do an in-game recording and a postgame reaction. So, keep posted for that!

Download Show 50

Show 49: Hockey Headlines and Rants

2007-12-28T23:39:00.000-08:00

Just some news stories and also something that kind of annoys me about the Winter Classic. Yes, something DOES bother me about how it's going about.

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Show 48: After the Break

2007-12-28T18:45:00.000-08:00

Christmas is gone, and so it goes...GAME ON!

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Show 47: Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T12:24:00.002-08:00

Oh It's our first Christmas together! How sweet...? Ok, sentimental crap is done, lets get down to business.

It's Christmas and the hockey world will take a day off. So, catch up on where things stand going into the two day break, and what to expect after. The Winter Classic is coming in a week, and I'm definitely excited about going!

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Show 46: Around the Horn and Some Fun

2007-12-15T04:30:00.001-08:00

This show recaps a lot of going ons currently in the NHL, and some fun topics as well. Enjoy my goal calls and my first FIGHT!

Download Show 46 right here

Buffalo Sabres: West (Side) Coast Story [and a Duck Tale too]

2007-12-06T23:21:00.000-08:00

This is for my Sabres followers. I figure I could fill you in on what I think of dropping a game to both the Ducks and Kings:

Well, after giving it hard to the Carolina Hurricanes before hitting the tarmac at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, you would think the Sabres being winners in 6 of their last 7 games prior to boarding the plane could carry the momentum. Things didn't turn out to be so. Coming off a 4-1 loss where the Sabres grabbed a relatively early 1-0 lead against the Ducks, and then the next night Buffalo gets pummeled by the slumping Kings 8-2, where do they go from here? Well, obviously, into San Jose.

What concerns me the most at this point is that the Sabres took on the weaker teams of the Pacific in the last two games. The Ducks were merely 5-4-1 in their last ten games, and the Kings were a measly 2-7-1. Now, the next game will be against a stronger, 7-1-2 in their last ten games, San Jose Sharks team. The problem? They're getting hot like they should have been in the beginning of the season and carry some big fire power from Thornton, Cheechoo, and Marleau. Though Cheechoo and Marleau are having a slow start this season, Thornton is getting fired up with a team leading 12 goals and 22 assists.

Ok, enough with the scare tactics. The good news is that the Sharks playing the Phoenix Coyotes the night before they play the Sabres. Why is this good news? The Phoenix Coyotes will, by chance, tire out the Sharks before they take on the Sabres (Please, Bryzgalov, let them win, but make it tough). It seems as though the league has a weird way of showing its difference in parity among teams. When a team loses one night, expect them to play like hell the next. That's where I find that if the Sharks win out on Friday, the Sabres will pound them on Saturday.

Desperate teams will play with desperate measures. The Sabres couldn't do that tonight against the Kings considering they starting out with the cold Thibault in net. Will the Sabres go will Miller on Saturday? Of course they will! Do I think Thibault should be blamed solely for tonight's loss? I think he deserves 50% of the blame. Which leads me to my big question: Do the Sabres make a trade at this point in the season to pick up a strong offensive forward? Or do they trade for a top defenseman? Or...do they not even trade at all?

I think Rochester is deep enough for the pickings. Why not try out someone on the point like Mike Funk? Why do I suggest this guy in particular? Because size does seem to matter in my mind of defensive zone coverage. Punishing the man with the puck can help create offensive breakouts. You take out the offense of your opponent, let you faster forwards sweep in and take control of the defensive zone breakout, and you'll see some odd man rushes. We need intensity on defense, folks. There's no doubt about it. Brian Campbell is doing a fine job. Jaro Spacek can do great things in the offensive zone, but when it comes to playing defensive hockey in the D-zone, he'll run around like a headless chicken. Until Lindy reintegrates Dimitri Kalinin and Henrik Tallinder, try out some size on defense to toughen things up. Maybe then can our offensive talent show their stuff as the defense crushes the opposition. Think about it.

Of course, many of you critics will tell me, "Lindy's system is fine. It just needs some fine tuning." The Sabres don't have the offensive talent anymore, and our defense is crumbling at the hands of newly constructed offensive super teams. They need to reform now before it's too late. I don't care if the Sabres are 6-4-0 in their last ten, the team is in the basement of the Northeast Division...BEHIND TORONTO! I think Buffalo is doing fine coming back from the very shaky start, but maybe they do need a little something extra. Or I could be dead wrong, and maybe Kalinin and Tallinder are the missing links...Teppo Numminen, get well soon (faster is better). The Sabres need your leadership here, Tep. They need your skill, but mostly your leadership to lead this team through adversity.

Oh, and a long distance "Welcome back!" to Scott Niedermayer. I can't believe it took you 5 months to figure out how to say the word "Yes" or "No". I understand it's a tough decision, but now you think coming back will save the team. No, I doubt that. Temmu Selanne, if you're reading this, "Congrats on the new baby"..."PS.- If you're short on cash because of the new kid, come back and play for the Ducks." Now there is a guy you should be talking to. This guy is what can fix the team. Oh, and, of course, Dustin Penner. Well, the Sabres gave the Ducks some confidence after their 4-1 win. Now lets see if Burke's team can roll.

Show 45: Hockey Recap and Highlights

2007-12-01T22:05:00.000-08:00

This show is a nice little touch of everything that stands out at this quarter point in the season. Check it out.

Download Show 45 right here

The Season is Heating Up!

2007-11-26T22:46:00.000-08:00

Yes, I wish there were more of me to do all the things I'd like to accomplish in the short time I would like to get things done. Life is just one giant mess of things for me right now. I've been all over the place and things aren't slowing down just yet. I have finals and term papers to get done, then for a mass majority of the season, my undivided attention will be to all of you and your hockey fixes.

The Sabres are rolling on a five game win streak. Miller and Thibault are looking good between the pipes. Some injuries happened in the mix, but nothing too serious to slow the momentum. I attended three of the games to scope out the Canadiens and Senators clubs to see how things are shaping up in the Northeast. I would like to get the opportunity to travel to Pittsburgh to scope out a game and figure out why the Penguins haven't made an offer to Curtis Joseph yet (the lovely unemployed goalie with a chance). Then, if I could get my wish, I'd love to shoot back up to Buffalo to check out the Boston Bruins when they come to town. I've banked on Tim Thomas as my starting goalkeeper for my fantasy team and I'm simply surprised how successful he's been. I know that Claude Julien was banking on Fernandez to be the starter, but the injury proved to be a good thing for the old school Thomas and for Tuuka Rask, the young kid backup, as well.

The Northeast and the CENTRAL divisions are looking tight; except Toronto in the NE, of course. It's only a matter of time before Fergie Jr. fires Paul Maurice or goes for a trade. They are hurting big time. But I am considering doing something new for you all. I'm going to begin doing a weekly power rankings on the blog and then run down the whole thing on the podcast. It should be exciting. The Chicago Blackhawks are looking hot right now. The Columbus Blue Jackets are looking really good. Detroit Red Wings continue to roll out the scores. St. Louis is doing well in the mix. As I write this, there's a three way tie in point at 26 in the Central with the odd ones out being Detroit with 32 and Nashville within reach with 24. All teams are looking good being over 23 points in 23 games, taking a lot of the top spots in the playoff bracketing. Lots of fun to watch is the youth in Chicago with Kane and Toews.

The Atlantic is looking like a dog fight more and more with a powerhouse offense in Philadelphia and New York Rangers fighting for the top spot. Two of the three hottest teams in the Eastern Conference (at this point in the season) are the Rangers and Flyers. The difference makers? Former teammates Daniel Briere (Flyers) and Chris Drury (Rangers). There are lots to be discussed when it comes to these two teams, but tonight I got to watch the Bruins take to the Flyers with an easy win 6-3. Martin Biron looks solid in net, but with Antero Nittymaki getting some starts, the numbers don't justify what the team is like on the defensive side of the game. Mike Richards is also a strong factor in feeding to the Flyers success, as well. He's struck it rich for me on the my fantasy team, that's for sure. The team may go through the motions though like the other top dog in the east, Ottawa, has as of late. The Senators have been showing their human side since their visit to Buffalo last week Wednesday. They have lost three in a row to bottom feeders Buffalo and Pittsburgh, but Buffalo has recharged themselves into a new team after a slow start, and the Penguins of Pittsburgh are battling hard to get themselves back to the top especially after knocking down the blazing Thrashers in a 5-0 win.

The Thrashers, of course, started 0-6, fired Bob Hartley, GM Don Waddell took the team to a 10-4 record following the firing and found help in Johan Hedberg in net after Keri Lethonen bowed out of the lineup due to injury. The Thrashers may have been blown out, but the flame that has sparked them up in a firestorm isn't going to go out. Though suffering two shutout losses in a row to New Jersey and Pittsburgh, Ilya Kovalchuk's 19 goals, 14 assists, and Hedberg's 2.96 will remain as the key factors to victory. As Lethonen stays on IR, Hedberg will continue to deliver as he revamps his form back to his glory days when he was a Pittsburgh Penguin.

So, to sum it all up, lots to talk about when I get through the other side of my recently busy life, and you'll hear from me often when I get through the recent fun mess. I do enjoy doing this blogging, reporting, and podcasting for all of you, but unfortunately it doesn't pay the bills. The love of the sport only pays me back with the passion to pursue following it's luster, but until I find the paying job in the sport, I'm just going to have to keep prioritizing toward what can be done when time permits. So, with that being said, you'll hear from me when I find the next opportunity I have to talk to you all, and keep your emails coming because I enjoy them very much.

NHLhockeyrant@hotmail.com

itunes: Hockey Rant w/David Stearns

Sometimes I'll write different articles and blogs on other sites, so scope me out at the following places, too:

www.hockeyscape.com
www.hockeybuzz.com
www.bleacherreport.com
and more to follow once I get back into the swing of things.

The tentative date for full return to the hockey world: December 19th, 2007
SO LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!

Remember to vote for your all-stars for the XM/NHL All-Star Fan Balloting - Presented by 2kSports

Thanks for reading, and keep checking back for another blog, another podcast, and updates!

~The Rant Man~

Show 44: The Answer to Life's Questions

2007-11-05T17:37:00.000-08:00

All the answers are here...well, most of them.

This show reviews all the topics on the blog page, well most, of which I mentioned. If you don't know what the heck I'm talking about go to the blog page: hockeyrant.blogspot.com. Then, maybe you'll know what I'm getting at.

Download Show 44 right here

In the not so distant future...

2007-10-31T10:44:00.000-07:00

In the not so distant future, I will post a show talking about:
-Minnesota's rise and sudden injurious fall
-Detroit's winging it like always
-Slow starts, some look finished
-Bob Hartley was hardly to blame as first fired
-Why hasn't Paul Maurice been fired yet
-Goaltender snafus all over the league
-Rising stardom in the kids within the league
-and MUCH more!!

Please be patient with me as I have to reorganize my life. It's one new adventure added on to the same journey every week it seems. I'll explain soon enough.

Show 43: The Season's Calling

2007-10-17T04:30:00.000-07:00

This show comes weeks after the last one that I put on the podcast block, but no worries, more are soon to follow. The hectic life I lead has placed a lot of restrictions on my schedule, but it will eventually slow down. From school work to color commentary, things have bogged me down to finding precious moments to get some "me" time. I found some "me" time to put together this show dispite the fact that it has come a little late into the beginning of the NHL season. The opening clip after Mike's introduction to the show is a compilation done by my Play-by-Play man, John Baranowski. You'll hear me in there a couple times. So, I thought I'd like to share the joy of my line of work with all of you.

This show briefly skims over the topics I want to address in the near future on the show, and also I look at the standings in the NHL from where stand right now. Enjoy, and stay tuned for many more shows.

Download Show 43 right here

Response to a Response: Ducks' Cup Hangover Blog Post

2007-10-09T03:47:00.001-07:00

This blog post is relevant to everyone in regards to blogging. This is in response to the outcry against my position on the post I published on four sites about the Ducks' Cup Hangover potential. The following are publicly made responses to my blog, and now I will publicly address them all at once. My ranting has caught attention and gained negative reactions, and a positive one. This is an overall posting on NHL blogging and the rationale behind why I posted a blog on the topic of the Anaheim Ducks' potential of becoming similar to the Carolina Hurricanes.

I accidently deleted the comment on the post left by duxcup07 on my recent post on my blog covering the issue of whether or not the Ducks will repeat the outcome of the last Stanley Cup Championship team; the Carolina Hurricanes. Duxcup07's comment was a complete retort against my article, and so to response to him, I feel I should respond to everyone by addressing another blog to respond to a response on the blog as a response. (And if that made sense, then I'm proud of myself haha). I dug up his response from my "temporary internet files" on my computer:

October 9, 2007 1:43 AM ET | Delete
Holy Crap! They Ducks played five games over 2 continents and 5 time zones without their number one goalie, their number one penalty killer, their arguably number two defenceman and you're ready to write them off? I'm not going to mention that they played on opening night for three teams. The Ducks play 13 of their next 15 at home and Pahlson and Giguere are both expected back soon, if they're still under .500 then maybe you can talk. One other thing, to compare Shane Hnidy to Scott Neidermayer is completely ridiculous and it's probably why no one has posted a response to your blog.

My response to his remarks go:
Understandable feelings from both sides here. Let me state this to duxcup07: I only approached the topic because the numbers tell the story UP TO THIS POINT. To be honest with you, I write what I observe, and on another site where I had this posted, the respondent wrote that the Ducks historically have a problem every time they play the Blue Jackets. Ok, well warranted that the timing is off on how things are playing out. But to look at the overall picture I'm trying to get across, my blog is simply stating that there is always the possibility. With each team that has won a Stanley Cup, the question is always brought up early on in the season if the "Cup Hangover" will affect a team. At this point, it can be argued both ways. You threw out numbers, I threw out facts, and people do the math and deduction of all things put together. A lot of questions are thrown out in the beginning of the season. Is there a question on whether or not the Anaheim Ducks have depth? Of course! My answer to that question is that they do have depth, but there are a couple of holes that need to be filled by those few players that the team brought on to fill the gaps. The Ducks lost two very seasoned players. It just so happened that the Hurricanes of 2005-06 lost some good players after they won the Cup, as well.

I was just tying together all things that are aligning TO THIS POINT IN THE SEASON. I know it's fairly early on, and the excuse of playing a couple of games in London? Well, if losing to the Red Wings three days after in overtime is a sign of jet lag, then I'm under-estimating the Ducks. If the jet lag isn't gone by now, then I think that the entire team needs Ambien (sleep medication) and cure the problem. It should have been done by now. Fatigue is a mental issue. If a team is not mentally prepared to go to work, then obviously the team needs to adjust now and fast because they don't get paid millions of dollars to hand me excuses like you are right now in your argument. So if you're going to trash me, God Bless the constitutional right to do so, but on the basis of judgment on whether or not I think that Shane Hnidy is a good filler for Scott Neidermayer's absence, your argument lacks one thing: You think I'm right if you don't think he is a good filler. The reason I say that I'm right is because then you have proven that the Ducks are like the Hurricanes in the end result of losing games. To tell me that I cannot talk until when Giguere and Pahlsson return and only if they're under .500 is a pointless comment. It's not like they can hit the restart button, refresh the season and start at game one of the 2007-08 campaign. The games that happened counted, and they have hurt their standings.

You can argue against the Cup Hangover if they don't return because a Hangover team is essentially more than three-quarters the team they were when they won the Stanley Cup. Doing the math proves to me that without Pahlsson and Giguere, the team is still majority of those who saw the ice as Ducks last season. Bryzgalov played 27 games and Giguere 56 during the regular season last year. Bryzgalov played 5 games, and Giguere played 18 in the playoffs. His performance still reflects the Ducks of last year in this year. I don't know how to sketch this out any better for you. UP UNTIL THIS POINT in the season, things match. The Ducks will not have a Cup Hangover, but they won't be as good as they were last year. If that makes sense, then mazaltof. If it doesn't, then I'm sorry. What I'm hoping that an open minded, educated hockey fan will take from this article is that there is a slight connection right now. Never are any of this postings by people actually binding. It would be like me writing, "The Flames are Going to Win the Cup" and think that it's engraved in stone. The same goes with my article duxcup07. So for Pete's sake, have an open mind and grasp what I'm actually conveying.

This bottom portion is a response to the other commenter who left his response on the blog. He wrote:

Kinglove1 October 9, 2007 3:36 AM ET | Delete
Hmmm. I think the Devils have got the worst schedule. Their first home game is Oct 27th. Ducks got it easy copaired to the Devils...Good Blog. duxcup is mad cause no-one writes about the Ducks. If someone does they are Bashing.

My response to him:

Kinglove1, the Devils' schedule is tougher and they are going to have major issues this year. ESPN.com posted a nice article on how the possibility of them finally missing the playoffs may become reality this year. I placed them as 7th in the East for my preseason prediction for the regular season, but I wouldn't doubt that they have the possibility of slipping off the playoff map. Is Lou Lamoriello going to fire Brent Sutter and take the bench back like he is famously known for doing? We'll have to wait and see. But, thanks for the compliment on the blog, and thank you for reading. Yes, not many people post about the Ducks. Traditionally, it's usually about the Eastern Conference teams more than the Western Conference it seems on this site and in the NHL overall, I believe.

by Dave
from about 12 hours ago

Interesting analysis, but is comparing two teams from two different years very scientific? True, everyone knows about Selanne and Niedermeyer. But what you bloggers arent pointing out is that the Ducks are playing without their #1 goaltender JS Giguere, they're second best (active) defenseman in mathieu Schneider, and their starting checking line center, Samuel Pahhlsson (who was the Ducks *real* MVP last year.) Forget Selanne and Niedermeyer for a moment. Could any team (Vancouver, Dallas, etc.) go on a 5 game roadtrip that included two games in London and 3 east coast home openers without thier best defensive forward and starting goaltender and expect to do well? The Ducks were a goaltender away from being 3-1-1 on this trip. They'll be fine when Pahllsson, Schneider, and Giguere return. And if Selanne and Niedermeyer return before January, watch out.

My response: You gave a retort response to my blog in a very mature way. Your argument sounds more like a debate instead of an attack on my observations made in the blog post. I understand your views here, and my response to your points can be seen in my response to duxcup07 (the statistical argument I gave in return; not in the confrontation with his approach). There are a lot of X factors here on this Ducks team that need to confront the issues that the team is experiencing right now. If the issues of production of goals, solidity on the defensive end of the puck, and goaltending are not addressed by the end of this month, the team can easily fall into a 5-5-3 scenario. This may not impact the team as much considering there still remains five and a half months of solid regular season play, but the way you start your season can be indicative of how you will finish a season. There are kinks in the system, and if they are not fixed in a quick fashion, then they will become exploited. The Ducks need Giguere back. They need Pahlsson back. They need Selanne and Neidermayer to make suprise comebacks. Who knows whether or not the impact of the team's opening record will be inspiration enough. What does remain is the fact that the stats match up between Anaheim and Carolina TO THIS POINT early on in the season. Considering their upcoming games, it CAN continue, but whether or not it does is left in the hands of the team and coaching staff. That's all I meant by the blog posting.

Ducks Become Canes: Prelude to a Cup Hangover?

2007-10-08T06:28:00.000-07:00

Well, the first five contests that the Anaheim Ducks have completed churned out a record of 1-3-1. Not what you'd expect from a full forced team like the Ducks considering their depth has not changed much from last year. The fact of the matter is that, well, yes the team has lost out on retaining Dustin Penner, retirement contemplations by Teemu Selanne and Scott Neidermayer. But, these shouldn't affect the team fully due to the fact that we have Selanne's right wing slot has been filled by Todd Bertuzzi, Dustin Penner's left wing has variety from Chris Kunitz, Brad May, Drew Miller, and Travis Moen. Scott Neidermayer's absence has been filled by defenseman Shane Hnidy, but I wouldn't call it filled in respect to the impact that Scott had. Hnidy is a welcome to the team and being on the same side with Chris Pronger is always a good thing.

Yet, there's this slow start! It is a known fact that the Anaheim Ducks have a history of slow starts, but can they be on the brink of becoming another 'Cup Hangover' team? The Hurricanes' slump and missing the playoffs was some kind of an amazing turn of events for the champions at the time, but can the same hold true to the Anaheim Ducks? The preseason for the Ducks was an uncertain 3-3-1 record, which included an OT loss to the Coyotes and regulation loss to the Kings. Regular season opener in London, first game, we saw the Ducks fall 4-1 to the Kings. The following night they did rebound and returned the favor with a 4-1 win. But, the London get-away had no honeymoon after the team's first season win. What followed was simply disappointing. An OT loss to Detroit to begin things back on North American soil. Ok, an OTL is better than an L, but what happened next gripped me as unimaginable. Getting shutout by the Columbus Blue Jackets is like being hit in the face with a purse full of bricks. It seemed to ring throughout the league that the Ducks were shot down in what could be termed as 'Duck Season'. It's only fitting considering the fact that the year after you win the Stanley Cup every team is therefore gunning for you. Well, the 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins didn't help their case any.

The game was so interesting up to the last 5 mins when the Penguins seemed to unleash some beastly power that they appeared to be holding back. I watched this game among many others at the same time. Yes, the glory of Center Ice Online, NHL radio, and television...I had fun. Watched four games and listened to one on the laptop, then I watched the Penguins and Ducks on TV while also flipping between that game and the Erie Otters vs. London Knights game. Well, during the time-frame of my engulfing a huge OHL brawl on the screen, I forgot about the Penguins game for a mere 3-5 minutes. When I flipped back to FSN Pittsburgh, I thought I had to put my glasses on over my contacts because my eyes were deceiving me. What was once a messy, unorganized, and frustrating game to watch became a flowing Penguins gongshow. The Pens left no chances for the Ducks to make any comeback until Hiller was pulled from the Ducks net and the extra attacker allowed for Anaheim to bank one in. I'm just going to stop blubbering over this game because neither team looked solid by any means.

Wednesday, the Ducks will have their North American home-opener hosting the Bruins. What is supposed to be a celebration may become a shock to all those who are there to see the banner raising. If the Ducks lose to Boston, then I think it's a clear sign of the Ducks heading down Hurricane Lane. Things don't get any easier after that game either. They play host to the Wild, Red Wings, and the Predators. Follow that up with a dose of the Stars, and you might just have a team dug into the ground pushing up daises on the rest of the year. How difficult would that be for a team that finished last year at number two? Well, I suppose you could talk to the Buffalo Sabres fans on this, but that would be a cheap shot. There's 80 games for the Sabres, and plus there are a lot more X factors that have to be looked at in Buffalo's situation. But back to the point of my argument with the Ducks, I think that going 1-8-1 would be a nightmare for a team that just won the Cup the year prior. Which all brings me to the point I meant to make from the very beginning of this rant.

1-3-1...the Hurricanes started the 2006-2007 season the same way the Ducks did record-wise. Then finished off October at 5-5-2. The rest was history. The Canes were left fighting for a playoff spot and lost out on that bid in the dying games of the season. The Canes lost just as many players as the Ducks did. Doug Weight to St. Louis, Martin Gerber to Ottawa, Matt Cullen to New York (R), Aaron Ward to New York (R), and Mark Recchi to Pittsburgh. Cam Ward made Martin Gerber replaceable, so goaltending was not an issue. As for Weight, Cullen, Ward, and Recchi, I think that blow is the equivalent of the Ducks' loss of Penner, Selanne, and Scott Neidermayer combined. In the mix, you have leadership through experience, and also goals and assists when called upon. There are similarities here between the two team's losses in the off-seasons after winner their championships, but the gains on both ends should have compensated. The Canes' gains in Brad Isbister and Jesse Boulerice should have been enough. The Ducks' pickups should be enough, too, but this could be similar to the Canes' situation as well.

Overall, you can see where I'm coming from. The irony in the matter is that the Carolina Hurricanes are not too much different from last year, but they are looking strong as ever considering some big wins recently to start the ball rolling (aside from the hic-up against the Capitals). The Ducks, in my preseason predictions formulation (yes it was a scientific compilation), the team will fall into fifth place. I wouldn't doubt the team seeding lower in the Western Conference food-chain if they finish like the Canes did the year after their Cup at 5-5-2 at the end of October. Though they will have played 13 games by the end of the month, but lets say 5-6-2 or 5-5-3, then they'll play out the Hurricanes card this year and sit this one out. If the Canes rebound this year, then maybe the Ducks will do the same next year if this scenario plays out. It's all in the hands of Randy C and Brian B. We'll see.

Next blog or podcast will talk about Patrick Kane; the first rounder in this past draft and his impact on his Chicago Blackhawks club. All I have to say at this point is two words: Good Stuff

The Year has Begun, and Here's the Unedited Predictions

2007-10-06T03:21:00.000-07:00

Before I go ranting on about how the season starts, let me publish here and now the season predictions I have going on:

Eastern Conference:
1) Ottawa
2) New York Rangers
3) Atlanta
4) Pittsburgh
5) Buffalo
6) Tampa Bay
7) New Jersey
8) Toronto
---------------------
9) Philadelphia
10) Carolina
11) Washington
12) New York Islanders
13) Florida
14) Montreal
15) Boston

Western Conference:
1) San Jose
2) Detroit
3) Vancouver
4) Calgary
5) Anaheim
6) Dallas
7) Nashville
8) Minnesota
---------------------
9) Colorado
10) St. Louis
11) Los Angeles
12) Chicago
13) Edmonton
14) Columbus
15) Phoenix

All right, now that I got that out in the public light, lets now start talking about how opposite those standings look compared to results of what we saw in the opening nights of the 07-08 season...WOW.

Ok, my question to everyone is, "Who the hell are the Columbus Blue Jackets?"
The point and case of this is the job they pulled over the defending Stanley Cup Champion Ducks last night. Where did that performance come from? Is Ilya B. not the Ducks' real go-to goalie? Rick Nash has come alive folks! Two goals, two assists, on the fours goals for the Jackets? This guy is on the wrong team, but let me tell you what the secret is to the success of the team in that game; Federov with Nash and Vyborny. Why didn't this line come together last year? Honestly it must have taken Hitchcock all summer to dream up a fearful threesome like this. The numbers don't exaggerate anything in this case. Just the way the puck was moving tape to tape, the formulation of positioning and chemistry between the three, it all just left me speechless to say the least. Columbus (and possibly Chicago) can be the black horses in the NHL that will rise up and surprise everyone. Pascal Leclare gets a shut-out too? The NHL goes through a lock-out, the Sabres make the playoffs after a dead spell. The NHL switches jersey technology, and the Columbus Blue Jackets may use it to their advantage in some mysterious way. Though it has only been one game in for the Jackets, if this keeps up and Chicago prevails, then this Central division may prove to be much more than just Nashville and Detroit's battle-field.

Since I'm batting at the topic of the Chicago Blackhawks, I did get a chance to see the Hawks battle the Wild on Thursday night on Center Ice online. First off, my condolences go out to the Wirtz family for their loss of Bill, a powerful figure in Chicago Blackhawks history. He died after his long bout with cancer which is so sad considering his impact on all those who came to know him at some point during his life. He was 77 years old.

Moving on into the game that took place on Thursday, the Minnesota Wild played host to the Blackhawks in what I would call a surprise come around for the Hawks. The first game for Patrick Kane turned out to be quite the exciting one. Mr. Kane, straight from being the number one pick in this past June draft, looked like a natural on the ice. Shock was the word that came to mind. His small stature made him look vulnerable, but that was the deception that worked to his advantage. The passing, the speed, the quick reads, all around this kid is proving to be more than what meets the eye. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the final score though. 1-0 Minnesota wins. 4:47 into the second period, the only goal scored by Bouchard at even strength was the only tally on the night. Khabibulin and Nik Backstrom were stellar on both ends, and Backstrom proved that last year was not just a one shot deal. This year he looks to repeat his amazing performance in between the pipes for the Wild, and he proved he can by spoiling Kane's debut. Kane saw just under 17 minutes of ice time. That's a lot of time to invest in this new kid, especially in his first game. It should be interesting to see what he can do in the games to come this season, and overall the Blackhawks look healthy and if they can stay that way, they will become a force to come to grips with in the Central.

Pittsburgh fell hard to the silent Hurricanes. Unbelieveable as it may sound, the Canes look like they just might be as resilient as they were in the years of Cup contention. I'm expecting them to miss the playoffs, but if this holds true from my predictions, then they will miss by not very much at all. They could nip their way into the 8th spot by the end when all is said and done, but my initial impression is that they are much better than they were last year after the Cup hangover. To watch this team topple a force like the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 4-1 victory that almost could have been a 4-0 shutout if it wasn't for Mark Recchi's goal with under 3:30 left in the game, I was shocked to say the least. Eric Staal's two goals in the first period set the tone immediately for the team and goes to show that there's a little fire that may grow througout the season under Peter Laviolette's rebounding squad. Crosby needs to step up his game and lead this young team into the next 81 games with the attitude that this is their year. The early exit from last year's playoffs should be enough to inspire this team considering their amazing bounce from the bottom of the standings the year before to their incredible position in the season's finish in the 06-07 season. They'll need to win tonight's game against the Ducks to get that ball rolling. The Ducks, I'm sure, are still reeling from their unbelieveable loss to the Jackets, and they are also looking to get back on the right track considering their missing out of some offense from the subtraction of Penner and Selanne.

Buffalo looked to set an early tone like they did last year against the team they bounced in five games in the first round of the 06-07 playoffs, but the tables turned thanks to some new Islanders. It was more or less the Mike Comrie show as he tallied for two goals and two assists on the night as the the Islanders won an exciting bout with the Sabres. A couple breakaways for both teams, but the goaltending didn't look to shabby at all. The defense is much to blame in this high scoring contest. Some risky decisions by Lydman didn't prove helpful, especially when one turn of events resulted in a Comrie breakaway goal. I'm sure Lindy Ruff wasn't too happy with the defense, but Miller did make some spectacular saves to keep the game under some control. DiPietro on the other end of the ice was making just as many amazing saves, but the four goals he allowed in the first and second period don't really do him any justice. The six goal first period splitting three aside made this game project a feeling that the final outcome would likely be an 10-9 finish, but the powerplays for the Islanders, especially a 5 on 3, gave NY a big push ahead in taking this one. The special teams really did spotlight this contest, and both teams will have to work out the kinks going into NY this evening as both teams meet again at the Nassau Colliseum on the island.

Another upset came in the form of the Atlanta Thrashers taking a beating from Southeastern division rival Washington. This one had a similar feeling of development like the Islanders game because it was the newcomers that made the spotlight. Goal tallies from Michael Nylander and Viktor Kozlov proved to strike it rich for the sharp looking Washington Capitals in this 3-1 victory. The surprise comes as I begin to rethink where I placed the Thrashers to finish consider they start the season without many players that they had on the roster from last year. DeVries, Mellanby, and Tkachuk are all no longer Thrashers, but we'll have to see where things go for this defending Southeastern division champion team.

I'm going to end it here and probably add on many more things throughout the day, or maybe even wait until after tonight's games to interject more into the crazy mess that has started out this fresh and exciting season. We'll talk more soon!

The Podcast will be back in a matter of days or sooner, so don't fear. Keep it here, as the season gets rolling.

Show 42: Classic NHL Mess in Winter Classic

2007-09-27T01:32:00.000-07:00

Here is the show that addresses my feelings on the Winter Classic ticket problem and response to your emails. I do apologize if my verbalization of some things is a tad offensive. Also, when I speak earlier in the show about Dallas, I call them an exception because they are in the southern US. I listened to the show and thought to myself, "That just sounded like I called them an expansion team in the last 10 years." That portion didn't flow well, but my point was well delivered.

Enjoy the hardcore rant. Email me back with comments and feedback. This show may become a controversial one.

Download Show 42 right here

Pittsburgh NewsCast: The Password was Leaked.

2007-09-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

Vote on your thoughts: Winter Classic Poll

2007-09-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

The Upcoming Shows: New Format

2007-09-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

I did get Anaheim and Atlanta out of the way, and I was looking to get Boston, Buffalo, Calgary, and Carolina on the air tonight, but I need to change it up. Since the LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks are starting the season off really early this year, I will cap off the Season Preview with a glimpse at divisional breakdowns and then ultimately each conference's predicted finishes. I have been bouncing my arguments off a few people and they didn't seem to happy when I said Minnesota was going to miss the playoffs and Edmonton would do the same. I'm getting heavily criticized, but you'll find out why in the next few shows.

BUT...before all that takes place, I will air a special show on the Winter Classic Outdoor game and the controversial aspects of ticket sales and resales. The publicity of the game in the marketing scheme is also a big factor in the mix along with an image issue. For example, College Bowl day?!?! Of all days, why didn't you pick February 17th Gary? Honestly. That's ok. The fans' outcries of support for this game may surprise everyone, but if you didn't get your ticket, I have one question: Ice Bowl or Rose Bowl? That's where it gets tricky. My guess is that the only people that'll end up watching will be the people from Buffalo and Pittsburgh inside and outside the stadium. That's probably going to be just about it. OH, and Canada too, of course. There are a lot of X factors here. I'll weigh in on where my more educated stand is on the issue in the NEXT show, followed by the Season Previews.

Stay Tuned

Show 41: Atlanta Thrashers

2007-09-22T05:19:00.000-07:00

Next up on the NHL 07-08 Preview is the Southeast Division winners, victims of a first round sweep last year in the playoffs; the Atlanta Thrashers.

Download Show 41 right here

Iced Over on Tickets for Winter Classic/Ice Bowl

2007-09-22T00:03:00.000-07:00

I've been receiving quite a few emails and spoke with many disappointed people when it comes to getting the equal opportunity to get tickets to see the famed Winter Classic (also known as the Ice Bowl) outdoor game between the Sabres and Penguins. I have a lot of grief to dish out on this, as well. I will interrupt my coverage of the NHL team-by-team preview with a special podcast centered around the issue of access and afford-ability of tickets to this game and also the issue of marketing flaws that the NHL is experiencing overall. This outdoor game is just the tip of the ice-berg when it comes to problems with the NHL's marketing strategies. The lack of reasonable access to these kinds of events contradicts the direction that the NHL claims to be going for in expanding the game. I'm going to address this issue and the many others in a special edition today after I publish the Atlanta preview.

Stay tuned.

Show 40: Anaheim Ducks

2007-09-21T16:19:00.000-07:00

This is the first of many episodes covering each team in a preview format looking back at last year and also their off-season moves. The first team: The Stanley Cup Champions; Anaheim Ducks

Download Show 40 right here

Show 39: Ready to Roll into the New Season

2007-09-21T04:24:00.000-07:00

This show will serve as a feeder into the next several shows where I will look at each team and analyze where they finished last year and where I think they'll end up this coming season. A lot has happened in the off-season, and a lot of teams will shift around because of it. So, for the next dozen shows, I'll be dividing up shows by teams and give my take on everything going on in each organization after looking at all sides of their previous season and their mindset going into a new season.

Download Show 39 right here

Show 38 3/4: Some News in Between Now and Then

2007-09-21T03:50:00.000-07:00

This is a video podcast I didn't get the chance to post last week. It has been a real busy couple of weeks with running hockey try-outs, starting classes, and then getting sick with a hell of a cold. So much fun in such short time. Feedback is welcome on this format. Not sure if I'm comfortable with it yet.

Download the Semi-Quasi-TestDummy Show 38 3/4 Podcast Video right here

Advertising a New Blog-site

2007-09-20T14:27:00.000-07:00

For all you hockey fans (especially in the WNY region and Buffalo Sabres fans):

As a favor to good friend of mine, I'm advertising a new up-and-rising hockey forum and blog-center. www.hockeyscape.com This site is for everyone to air their thoughts on topics decided by the members and administrators and is very interactive. I want to help my buddy get this thing rolling and aid in the expansion of the knowledge of the game and get this site to become a premier site to talk all things hockey. Many members hail from the Buffalo region and are involved in Performax Hockey Systems based out of Amherst, NY. So give a whirl and join up today!

Coming Soon: Season Preview Team by Team

2007-09-20T14:22:00.000-07:00

Several Episodes will role your way talking about each team for the next eight days leading into the start of the regular season. We'll talk where they were last year, the moves they made in the off-season, and what direction I believe the team will be heading in. I'm still debating on whether or not I'll do a team per show or three teams per show...I'll feel it out and decide. Tonight I'll begin posting in alphabetical order for the next eight days by city. So get ready, it's coming quick. It's going to just be a little perk for everyone to get excited about leading into the season.

Talk to you all real soon!

Show 38 1/2: The Podcast Emcee Audition Video

2007-09-06T13:48:00.000-07:00

I know I already posted this, but I'm experimenting now to see if I can get it to upload on iTunes. This should be interesting if it works. If it does, this show will be doing some new and exciting things in the near future.

Download the Audition Podcast Video right here

Show 38: Super Series Update and News

2007-09-06T03:32:00.000-07:00

The Super Series between Canada and Russia is a bit lopsided; plus some news tidbits to round things out.

Download Show 38 right here

Show 37: News and Rantings

2007-09-05T02:49:00.000-07:00

Alcohol abuse, players leaving the NHL for other leagues, and a very interesting rant. Check it out because this show gives my view of my fears that are now haunting the NHL. Tradition is falling out of place, and it's time that it gets noticed. Too many changes are being made in the NHL, and the scars of these movements are like skates on an unresurfaced sheet of ice in the arenas across North America. You'll know what I mean when you give a little to the rant portion of the show following the news briefs.

Download Show 37 right here

PreShow 37: My Emcee Audition Video

2007-09-05T01:46:00.000-07:00

To give it one last hoot, I'll just show you all how I looked on my live-audition video that took place outside of the HSBC Arena on August 4th. This will probably be the first and last video you'll see of me online for a long time.

Enjoy and get a good laugh in.

Check out the Audition video here

Clearing Up Something Before the Next Show

2007-08-30T02:04:00.001-07:00

Numero Uno: Didn't make it into the Top 10 for the Sabres Emcee contest.
Response: Don't really care. Did it just for fun. Plus, judging by the looks of things, the Top 10 looked a bit pre-arranged if you look at the selection. I could have seen it coming a mile away.

Numero Dos: Thought I'd like to vent a bit considering I lied about being ok with losing the Sabres Emcee contest. I mean, I am a little bitter, but life goes and things happen for a reason. The guy who has done it for the last couple of years, well, he gets booed at all game. Maybe my reputation needs to be protected by not being the Emcee and keeping myself in a position of positive respect instead of being slaughtered with slurring boos and cusses from the drunks. Yeah, we'll just go with that. Anyway, OH! Yes, venting. Anyway, below is a copy of my blog from HockeyBuzz. Needless to say, there's a lot changing in the NHL, and frankly it is aggravating me. Tradition is no longer a word that we can use in the NHL unless you're talking about the Stanley Cup. That's it. Nothing else is the same. Read on to find out what I mean. The next show will be coming soon, and no, I will not discuss Rick Tocchet because that issue is just as popular as Michael Vick's reputation as an animal lover. Read on, and stay tuned.

(As seen on my blog @ HockeyBuzz.com)
New Reebok Jerseys: Just a Piece of the Puzzle
August 30, 2007 ~ 5:02 AM ET
As I see the slow progression of teams like Vancouver, Nashville, and Washington creep out with their new designs for their emblems and styles, I take a step back and begin to think really hard. I begin to wonder what these new looks would, well, look like with the basic jersey of the yester-years. The loose design with the nice "flutter in the wind" character of the traditional sweater, it's kind of a piece of history that defines the image of players coasting down the ice. It gives a visual appeal of a player moving faster than they really were. The spectacular speed of a Maxim Afinogenov or Pavel Bure (yeah, I'm a fan of Russian hockey players), the pace at which they looked unstoppable was always traced with the jersey flapping away as they zigged and zagged their way to the goal. Where is that visual now? It is now in the vault with many other things that the NHL is collectively placing on the shelf in the books of hockey's past. From the company who brought you football, basketball, and soccer jerseys, Reebok now brings to you...a jersey that appears like spandex on the bulky equipment.

To rehash where I was going with the Preds, Canucks, and Caps images, I just wanted to point out that I seriously love the fact that Vancouver is going back to the catchy green with the blue and meshing it with a more modern style. I like the Capitals rocking out the classic look in a modern light. The Predators image is sharp and fierce. But to throw it onto this form fitting jersey? It is a turn off to me. I've spoke with many people on this subject, and majority of those whom I spoke with agree. They agreed only on the count of one resounding opinion that didn't just single out the jersey issue. They touched on the idea that the game of hockey is shifting into something different every year. New rules and new regulations. New salaries and new networks. New marketing strategies and new attitudes.

The evidence is in the Balsillie saga. He's trying to pull the sport from one town to another, and undoubtedly people are going to be upset that they're losing a team in the deal. The Predators market is a shaky one, and the fans do need to step up the support like they have recently to keep the team (and CONTINUE TO DO SO). The Penguins are not too different, but they were not thoroughly supported through the rough patch they hit when finishing at the bottom the season prior to this. Balsillie thought that this club could flourish in Ontario as well. The message here is clear. It has become too much of a business instead of a sport for enjoyment. Honestly, with all the young talent that keeps flooding the market, Balsillie should be entitled a fresh expansion franchise to place in Hamilton, ON. Take back your game Canada. I'm all for the idea of placing a team back in Quebec City or Winnepeg. But from all that I can see happening in the NHL that seems to also run in theme with this problem is something that aggravates me very much. And that is to see players sign for gross amounts of money and quickly pack up to accept the bigger buck after playing dedicated hockey in a market for some time. It's not the fact that a team has lost a big star player. It's the fact that small market teams are pushed back further.

If a small market club picks up a strong player from the draft, then a couple years down the road, the player is offered a bogus amount of money to jump ship from the team that blossomed him into the spotlight (Penner, Vanek). How does Mr. Bettman expect teams to blossom if the big ownership of major markets splurge on the biggest named talents in the marketplace? This just isn't an issue of image with flashy, technologically advanced unis, or new rules to increase scoring to draw in more fans across the continent (and possibly the world), or promoting an outdoor game to draw in attention (especially on a day when the most important college football games are taking place and fill the spotlight). This is about the direction that Gary Bettman has dished out into what I call "Gary's NHL". We've seemed to overlook the fact that he is pushing for more changes every year. The movement of the goal-judges to other places in the arena aside from behind the goal to open up some prime seating? I'm not thrilled about this because the goal judge is a classic part of the atmosphere of the arena. When that person sitting in the black suit behind the goal hits the button and the red light comes on...they are what makes the crowd erupt. It's their presence that makes you know that we are serious about the sport. Remove them, and that void will resemble the emptiness of the word tradition that will become the now so-called "NHL".

Bettman and Board of Governors, stop changing the game. It was never broke. So stop breaking the traditions.

Peter Forsberg Sweepstakes?

2007-08-16T18:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, a month or two ago, I was reading that Pete was going to play for his father's league back in Sweden...What happened?

TSN.com is reporting that Ottawa and Vancouver are now in a "race" to pick up this injury-prone forward from his one year stint in Nashville after being dealt away by the Philadelphia Flyers. His career is winding down, and I honestly think that if he does go to either one of these bidding teams, he will disappoint them. The high point of his career came and went when he was with Colorado and he had moderately ok numbers in Philadelphia. Honestly, don't look for him to become anything big in either Canuck-ville or Senatorial Ottawa. The fact of the matter is that he may be a nice fit as a center on a second line or maybe (MAYBE) first line with either of these two teams. He just needs to find his Joe Sakic to connect with on the ice, but splitting Taylor Pyatt from the Sedin twins may be a big mistake. Placing him on a line with Spezza and Alfreddson, maybe not so good. The most he can do is possibly feed them the puck and hope he rakes in points that way, but in all my hockey knowledge, when you go from head to toe with injuries within the past two years, the next two years will merely be recovery.

Good Luck to Ottawa and Vancouver in the "Waste Your Time, Money, and Effort" Sweepstakes.

Oh, and Trevor Linden was having talks with the coaching staff of the Canucks on whether or not he is getting too old to play? Yeah, adding Forsberg would just prove that Linden is fine for another year. Ha ha ha. Had to mention that.

Sorry, had to get that off my chest after seeing Vancouver enter the picture.

Remember, vote for me at Sabres.com or this lovely little link. The Sabres Emcee contest voting will end next week Friday, so vote now and vote often:

http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=335939