Murray Getting The Best Out Of Redden, Meszaros......Plus: Stillman's Strange Quirk

This was the game.

The first time you could legitimately say that the Senators have turned the corner on their strange winter train derailment where they could do nothing right. By beating Montreal, and racking up their third win in a row, coach Bryan Murray has swiftly changed the look and feel of this team in a subtle but convincing fashion.

What really stands out for me is the decision by Murray to put Wade Redden and Andre Meszaros back together as a pairing. Under John Paddock, the two were split up for a long period of time, and for good reason - they were terrible. While Meszaros was dropped to the third pairing with Luke Richardson, Redden played with either Joe Corvo, Christoph Schubert or Mike Commodore.

Nothing fit.

Murray correctly realized that Meszaros needed to be given back a larger role on the team and it has paid off in spades. It's not like they're burning up the league with offense but Redden and Meszaros are now a calming influence for the team on the ice, lessening the burden on Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov.

Besides the absolutely stellar play of Martin Gerber, the re-emergence of Redden and Meszaros is biggest godsend this team could have asked for.

Stillman A Goal Parade No-Show?

Has anyone noticed that Cory Stillman doesn't do the high five parade past the bench after a goal is scored? I've seen it multiple times now since he came to Ottawa. If Stillman is on the ice after a Senators goal, he skates to the bench and immediately takes a seat while everyone else does the traditional glove taps all down the line.

Not that I'm criticising him for it. It's just something I've noticed and I'd love to know the story behind it. When did this high-five tradition start anyways? I'm not sure I remember players doing this after goals when I was a kid in the 80's but my memory might be failing me.

It just looks like Stillman doesn't believe in it and that's just the way it is. Like the Seinfeld episode where Kramer refuses to wear a ribbon during a charity walk. It seems ridiculous to force someone to wear one and it seems ridiculous to even discuss how people celebrate goals.

But it's interesting all the same. Maybe the last time Stillman did it he went into a scoring drought and now he's just being superstitious? This is the kind of question Don Brennan should be asking.

It's All That Matters

Making the playoffs is everything.

Money (lots of money). Prestige. Bragging rights. Maybe even the Stanley Cup.

You'd be surprised how making the playoffs can rescue even the most moribund franchises from fan apathy and turn them into raging hockey markets overnight (ie. Tampa Bay, Carolina).

But the magic from one post-season visit doesn't last long. Just look at the Atlanta Thrashers. They gambled prospects and draft choices (including future all-star Braydon Coburn) for veterans like Keith Tkachuk in order to sneak in last year but now find themselves back in a malaise that has surrounded the franchise since its inception.

The real trick is getting there year after year, and in today's climate of parity, that is going to be much harder in the years ahead. Despite that, a handful of teams have managed to cultivate a winning tradition in the regular season. Others have wallowed in their own misery, creating a "loser" atmosphere that is hard to shake.

Here's a quick chart showing the leaders in both categories.

Made Playoffs Streak (In Years)

Detroit Red Wings ...............+16

Ottawa Senators ..................+10

New Jersey Devils ...............+10

Dallas Stars ..........................+4

Tampa Bay Lightning ...........+4

Calgary Flames ....................+3

Nashville Predators .............+3

San Jose Sharks ...................+3

Missed Playoffs Streak (In Years)

Columbus Blue Jackets .........-6

Florida Panthers ...................-6

Chicago Blackhawks .............-4

Los Angeles Kings ................-4

Phoenix Coyotes ..................-4

Washington Capitals .............-3

The remaining teams are all in streaks of no more than two years either way.

Detroit is set to go 17 straight years in the post-season but they are a long way off from the Boston Bruins record of 29 consecutive appearances (1968-96). In fact, the Red Wings don't even rank in the top 5 all-time. Chicago is in second with 28 straight (1970-97), St. Louis in third with 25 (1980-2004) and two different streaks for Montreal round out the list.

The Ottawa Senators are by far the most successful Canadian team with Calgary on a modest 3 year streak and the Canucks barely hanging on with only a one year cushion to work with. They may not be able to add to it if they can't score any goals down the stretch (with Alain Vigneault in charge, it's a miracle they've scored any at all).

The current teams with minus streaks are all likely to add another year of futility with only Phoenix and Washington with a realistic chance to end their slides. If they get lucky and make it, there are two teams waiting to take their place in Toronto and St.Louis with a current streak of two years out.

If Cliff Fletcher can't sort things out in a hurry, Toronto will be challenging for that top spot in no time.

Yashin Still Wants To Play For Senators

According to agent Mark Gandler who was interviewed in a piece that runs in today's Ottawa Citizen. As usual, it's all about the money as far as Gandler is concerned. You ask Gandler a hockey question and he gives you a money answer. Hugh Adami has the story.

From the Ottawa Citizen:

"Yashin is making a "significant amount" in salary, Gandler said, enjoys playing back home and is very comfortable with the quality of life as a professional hockey player in Russia. Gandler said the team uses chartered planes for road trips, has a Mercedes-Benz bus and stays in fine accommodations that may not have the grand lobbies found in five-star North American hotels, but are first-class just the same.

Though Gandler said players in the Super League aren't pampered as they are in the NHL -- "They have to carry their (equipment) bags from the bus to the locker-room" -- they're "well-treated" by their clubs. ......

Gandler hasn't given up on getting Yashin signed by Ottawa, though he seems a little more realistic now than he was last June when he suggested that Yashin would be a perfect fit as a reborn Senator. "... Ottawa isn't a team that is courting Alexei (at the present time) ... Maybe he doesn't fit in Ottawa at all. We don't know because there are other (players in Ottawa who now hold the centre roles). But Alexei is certainly capable of being a No. 1 centre or a No. 2 centre ... and he can play wing." ....

He should be paid what he's worth. We're not asking that he be paid (more) because of his name. Just what he's worth today."

Tough Break For Kid

You have to feel for rookie (and Calder Trophy candidate) Nicklas Backstrom who has been the brunt of jokes and criticism after he accidentally scored on his own net in a crushing loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.

Teammates and owner Ted Leonsis have rightly come to his defense, using a little humour to calm Backstrom's frayed nerves.

From the Washington Post:

"Washington Capitals rookie Nicklas Backstrom accepted full responsibility yesterday for his gaffe late in Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, saying he simply lost his bearings on the ice.

"I feel sorry for my teammates," Backstrom said, making in his first public comments about accidentally scoring into his own net. "I'm surprised by myself. I don't know how it could happen. [But] it happened." ...

Several of Capitals, including Alex Ovechkin, said they reached out to Backstrom on Sunday night and Monday to comfort and support their teammate. After yesterday's practice, majority owner Ted Leonsis sought out Backstrom and embraced him outside of the locker room at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.

"I'm sure he feels terrible, but the kid is going to win a hundred games for me in his career," Leonsis said.

Brooks Laich cracked: "I told him before the Pittsburgh game that we're both going to score a goal. I just [joked] with him today that I forgot to say what net to score it on."

Feud Between Nolan and DiPietro Brewing On Long Island

The Islanders playoff hopes took a beating after Tampa Bay dropped 8 goals on them last night.

Greg Logan over at Newsday reports that things are a little heated between coach Ted Nolan (who opted to start backup Wade Dubliewicz in a big game against the Rangers last week) and franchise goalie Rick DiPietro.

From Newsday:

"The thread by which the Islanders' playoff hopes were hanging came completely unraveled last night in an 8-4 loss to Tampa Bay that left coach Ted Nolan at odds with goaltender Rick DiPietro and at a loss to do anything about his team's physical breakdown. ....

"We ask him over and over again not to play the puck as much," Nolan said of DiPietro. "He's one of the best puck-handlers in the league, but you just can't overhandle it. When you overhandle it, you get yourself in trouble a little bit." .....

Showing his frustration, Nolan said of DiPietro: "The only thing you can do is keep going through it over and over again. You can't do that. You've got to let our defense handle it a little bit more. He just wants to play it. What can you do?" .....

Asked if he had any response to Nolan's criticism of his puckhandling decisions, DiPietro shrugged and said: "No. Whatever."

Gerber, Heatley Step Up For Senators

For the first time since early February, the Senators have put together two wins in a row largely thanks to some stellar goaltending from Martin Gerber (yes, I said it) and a revived power-play that went 2 for 3.

Gerber in particular made a stunning save on Phil Kessel which resulted in Dany Heatley scoring a huge goal moments later against Alex Auld.

Despite missing Daniel Alfredsson, the duo of Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley dominated the game at times during the power-play which can only be a wonderful sight for Bryan Murray.

The Bruins were without Zdeno Chara but it looks like Ottawa is starting to get their feel back. If Gerber stays steady and Heatley and Spezza get it going consistently, this team could really change the negative atmosphere that has been smothering them for months.

Murray is looking like a genius for stopping John Paddock's ill-advised "win and you're in" system and so far Gerber has rewarded him for that. Gerber certainly deserves the praise he is getting lately and it looks like Ray Emery will be waiting a lot longer to get back the number one position.

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No offense to Boston, but the real test for the Senators will be Thursday's matchup against Montreal where they have to face a hot goalie in Carey Price who is coming off a shutout against the New Jersey Devils.

Corvo Excelling In Carolina and More Emery Backlash

Joe "Uh Oh" Corvo (as famously dubbed by Ottawa Sun columnist Don Brennan) is surging in a Carolina uniform since being traded, along with Patrick Eaves, to the Canes for Cory Stillman and Mike Commodore.

Since the trade, Corvo has 11 points in 12 games and is absolutely crunching the minutes along with blueline partner Frankie Kaberle. He also has 6 power-play points.

On the other hand, Patty Eaves has 3 points in 6 games for Carolina after getting back in the lineup from an injury he sustained while a Senator.

Those numbers might make Senators fans weep for what could have been (especially with the Senators looking like a collection of old pack mules on the powerplay) but the trade will still turn out to be a good one for the Senators, even if they lose in the first round of the playoffs.

The salary-cap relief is the biggest plus for the team and that's enough to show for a guy (Corvo) who didn't even want to be in Kanata.

Emery Backlash Rages On

As predicted, the wrath of hatred towards one Ray Emery is flowing unabated here in the capital and across the league by pundits who watch his every move at practice. When Emery stops for a drink, it's front page news that he's being lazy.

The big news in the past day is that Emery finally spoke about fired coach John Paddock (something the fans and media have been lambasting him about not doing). Now that he offered his views, people have the hacksaws out again.

I don't think I've ever seen such an overblown emotional reaction by either the fans or the media towards a player who is simply having a few maturity problems. .The "moral outrage" surrounding Emery is amusing but I fail to see how throwing a goalie the calibre of Emery under the bus will do anything for the franchise. It will actually set the team back about five years in the development of a number one goalie.

Behaviour can be modified. Skill is something that people are born with. Emery is way too valuable for the future of the Senators to run out of town for immaturity.

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I know that fans are emotional etc etc. But get some perspective.

Ottawa Senators All-Time Jersey Numbers

For some reason, the Ottawa Senators website doesn't have a feature where you can look up a jersey number and see which players have worn it in Senators history.

I have been slowly compiling a list when I've had the time and it is completely accurate as far as I can tell (although if I missed anybody, please drop me a line). Here are some of the players who have worn jersey numbers currently being used this year (not all are listed). The years indicate time spent with Ottawa and any jersey number changes are noted in brackets.

Jersey #1

STEVE WEEKS 92-93
CRAIG BILLINGTON 93-94 – 94-95
DAMIAN RHODES 95-96 – 98-99
JANI HURME 99-00 – 01-02 (switched to 35 in 00-01)
SIMON LAJEUNESSE 01-02
RAY EMERY 02-03 – Current

Jersey #2

RADEK HAMR 92-93 – 93-94 (switched to 5 in 93-94)
JIM KYTE 92-93
KEVIN MACDONALD 93-94
JIM PAEK 94-95
LANCE PITLICK 95-96 – 98-99
BOBBY DOLLAS 99-00
GRANT LEDYARD 99-00
CURTIS LESCHYSHYN 00-01 – 03-04 (changed to 7 in 01-02)
BRIAN POTHIER 02-03 - 05-06 ----------

LAWRENCE NYCHOLAT 06-07

LUKE RICHARDSON Current

Jersey #4

BRAD SHAW 92-93 – 94-95
SEAN HILL 94-95 – 96-97 (switched from 3 to 4 in 95-96)
CHRIS PHILLIPS 97-98 – Current

Jersey #5

KEN HAMMOND 92-93
RADEK HAMR 92-93 – 93-94 (switched from 2 to 5 in 93-94)
KERRY HUFFMAN 93-94 – 95-96
SAMI SALO 98-99 – 01-02
GREG DEVRIES 03-04
CHRISTOPH SCHUBERT 05-06 – Current

Jersey #6

GORD DINEEN 93-94
CHRIS DAHLQUIST 94-95 – 95-96
WADE REDDEN 96-97 – Current

Jersey #11

MARK FREER 92-93
JARMO KEKALAINEN 93-94
EVGENY DAVYDOV 93-94 – 94-95
DANIEL ALFREDSSON 95-96 – Current

Jersey #12

NEIL BRADY 92-93
GRAEME TOWNSHEND 93-94
DAVE ARCHIBALD 92-93 – 95-96 (previously wore 15. Switched to 12 in 95-96)
PAT FALLOON 97-98
DAVID OLIVER 98-99, 00-01 (Wore 21 during second stint with team in 00-01)
MIKE FISHER 99-00 – Current

Jersey #14

BRAD MARSH 92-93
JEAN-YVES ROY 95-96
DAVE HANNAN 96-97
RADEK BONK 94-95 – 03-04 (Previously wore 76. Switched to 14 in 97-98)

ANDREJ MESZAROS 05-06 – Current

Jersey #15

DAVE ARCHIBALD 92-93 – 95-96 (Switched to 12 in 95-96)
SHAWN MCEACHERN 96-97 – 01-02
PETER SCHAEFER 02-03 – 06-07 (Switched to 27 in 05-06)
DANY HEATLEY 05-06 – Current

Jersey #19

ALEXEI YASHIN 93-94 – 00-01
PETR SCHASTLIVY 99-00 - 03-04 (Wore 56 in first season. Switched to 16 in 00 – 01. Switched to 13 in 01-02. Switched to 19 in 02-03)
JASON SPEZZA 02-03 – Current (Wore 39 until 05-06 when he switched to 19)

Jersey #20

ANDREW MCBAIN 92-93 – 93-94
TRENT MCCLEARY 95-96
DENIS CHASSE 96-97
MAGNUS ARVEDSSON 97-98 – 02-03

ANTOINE VERMETTE 03-04 – Current

Jersey #22

DOUG SMAIL 92-93
NORM MACIVER 92-93 – 94-95
ANTTI TORMANEN 95-96
SHAUN VAN ALLEN 96-97 – 99-00, 02-03 – 03-04 (Wore 22 during both stints with team)
CHRIS KELLY 03-04 – Current (Wore 49 until switching to 22 in 05-06)

Jersey #24

ROBERT BURAKOVKSY 93-94
STEVE KONROYD 93-94
DANIEL LAPERRIERE 94-95 – 95-96
ANTON VOLCHENKOV 02-03 – Current

Jersey #25

TOMAS JELINEK 92-93
HERB RAGLAN 93-94
CHAD PENNEY 93-94
PAT ELYNUIK 94-95 – 95-96
BRUCE GARDINER 96-97 – 99-00
VIACHESLAV BUTSAYEV 98-99, 99-00 (Wore 7 during his first stint with team in 98-99)
CHRIS NEIL 01-02 – Current

Jersey #29

FRANCOIS LEROUX 93-94
PHIL BOURQUE 93-94 – 95-96 (Wore 27 until 94-95)
PHIL VONSTEFENELLI 96-97
IGOR KRAVCHUK 97-98 – 00-01
JOEL KWIATKOWSKI 00-01 – 02-03 ?
MARTIN GERBER 06-07 - Current

Jersey #37

YVES SARAULT 98-99 – 99-00 (Switched to 23 in 99-00)
DEAN MCAMMOND 06-07 - Current

Avery Soaks His Fans And Backstrom Soaks His Own Team

Strange Sunday in the NHL.

From the New York Post:

Sean Avery, apparently angered by a second-period penalty call against him during the New York Rangers ' 1-0 shootout victory over the Bruins yesterday at Madison Square Garden, hurled two water bottles from the penalty box, one of which whizzed by the heads of three small children seated behind the box.

That bottle smashed against a wall, soaking customers, and angering an unidentified father of two of them, who came down to the glass and demonstratively showed Avery the bottle.

The family - sought out by Avery after the period - was given one of his sticks and, according to Rangers spokesman John Rosasco, was satisfied with the response. The family left after the second period, and Avery was not available in the locker room after the game to comment.

From The Washington Post:

There are tough losses, and then there are heartbreaking ones. Somehow, the Washington Capitals managed to squeeze both varieties into the same weekend.

One day after blowing a late lead in Boston, the Capitals outdid themselves against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Verizon Center, where Nicklas Backstrom accidentally scored into his own net with 28 seconds remaining to deal his team a devastating 4-2 defeat in one of the most anticipated games of the regular season.

"That was officially heartbreaking," Coach Bruce Boudreau said. "I feel bad for Nick. He was doing everything that he could to prevent it and ends up shooting it in his own net."

The Chicago Blackhawks Are Back (Plus Sunday Vintage - Hawks Edition)

The shadow of tyrannical owner Bill Wirtz is gone. The team is much improved. The games are back on television and the building is starting to fill up.

The good times are finally back in Chicago. On Friday, the Hawks held a ceremony to honour the "repatriation" of Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita back into the fold and it was a great moment for all hockey fans. The NHL needs the Blackhawks to thrive again.

From the Chicago Sun Times:

"At last, it was THEIR building, a hockey den dominated by their banners, their magnificent anthem, their heavy metal, their fans and their legends. The United Center once was known exclusively as the temple of You Know Who, but on a crackling Friday night in a city aching for warmth and change, the Blackhawks staged a hostile takeover that could last a while.

There was Bobby Hull, back from the darkness. There was Stanley Mikita, back from the cold. And there were the Hawks, the mighty Blackhawks, back where they belong in the bosom of Chicago sports on a memorable evening when an illustrious past was attached to a hopeful future....

Every seat was occupied in the big cavern. And every Hawks fan was standing, clapping, roaring, officially melding the 20th century with the 21st. ``In 1972, I left this wonderful city, thinking that I would never again be a part of this wonderful Blackhawk family,'' said Hull, his smile never wider and free of all bitterness. ``It just shows that you not only can have one kick at the cat, but if you hang around long enough, you'll get a second kick at it.''

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Sunday Vintage

Let's kick things off with an old Log Cabin Syrup commercial featuring Bobby Hull and son. No one seems to know if it's Brett or Bobby Jr. but it's worth a look anyways.

Here's an old team production, "Here Come The Hawks..."



There was no louder building in the world than the old Chicago Stadium. This was just the national anthem. Imagine if the Hawks scored a goal. Unbelievable.
From 1991.



Here's a Stan Mikita montage courtesy of ChicagoBlackhawks.com.



Have a nice Sunday.

Mouthy

Scott Cruickshank over at the Calgary Herald has a nice piece on the NHL's best trash-talkers.

"Ian Laperriere had it all figured out -- he would yap-yap his way through the National Hockey League....

"It comes with experience -- you think you're going to get away with stuff like that, like you do in junior," says Laperriere. "But here? These guys are men. You can't do that for a long time. If you want to have a short career? Go ahead, be my guest. But if you want to stick around, you've got to quiet down."

Asked who's talking trash nowadays, he doesn't hesitate.

"Alex Burrows, in Vancouver," says Laperriere. "He's the guy who will have the last word. But it's his second year in the NHL and at one point ..."

He finishes with a knowing nod.

A few days after Laperriere's comments, Burrows goads Detroit Red Wings' ruffian Aaron Downey. Part of the stick-jousting fracas -- in the warm-up yet! -- includes Burrows calling Downey "chubby" and teasing him about eating too many french fries."

Walk Away From The Ledge

They haven’t won a game yet on their four game road trip out West, but the Ottawa Senators are on the right track.

No one should be standing on a bridge giving their last salutes to the world just because the results are not showing up yet.

Truth is, playing on the road out West in a radically different time zone is tough, especially at this time of the season when everyone is already hurting.

There are many things that the Senators can take out of these last 3 losses. For one Martin Gerber, whom I have shown no faith in, has played better than he has in a long time. Against Los Angeles last night, he was the Senators best player and deserves some credit for not allowing any weak goals when the pressure was on like he did against San Jose. I’m still not convinced he’s the right option for the Senators (and like I said, I’ll eat my laptop if he wins a playoff round) but he has picked up his game.

The Senators, until last night in L.A., (the second game of a back to back) have shown some feistiness and emotion and look like a team who will start winning games once the goals start coming.

Jason Spezza is looking more like his normal self, despite being snake bitten, and he and Dany Heatley will get their share of points down the stretch.

If anything, this team looks fatigued and perhaps a little emotionally drained after all that has gone on this season. Bryan Murray will find the time to rest this team in between games and that will go a long ways to bringing things under control.

The Senators will still make the playoffs, despite dire predictions by some in the media, like Steve Ludzik. Maybe it will be a blessing for these guys to start the post-season on the road and away from the pressure packed expectations that will await them in their home arena.

Just put down the guns, the blunt instruments and the sleeping pills. Tough times on the road are all part of a long season.

Senators Setting Themselves Up For Failure With Gerber In The Net

Last night's soft overtime goal in a loss to the Sharks is just one more reason to convince anyone that Martin Gerber is completely suspect when under pressure. I find it hard to believe that Bryan Murray is truly convinced that Gerber should be the guy going into the playoffs. Perhaps he is merely giving Gerber a real solid chance to prove something but despite everyone cheering Gerber on, he is still coughing up rebounds and letting in soft goals every game (2 last night).

Ray Emery might be a "bad teammate" but every hockey person will tell you that he is a better goaltender than Gerber in virtually every facet of the position. Are the Senators willing to gamble their season because there is some resentment from management towards Emery? Perhaps they are and it is their right to do so. But it's not the right decision.

There is probably not one person who will agree with me on this but Emery should be given most, if not all the starts going down the stretch. He is still the same goalie who beat Martin Brodeur in last years playoffs and took the team to the final (with an injured wrist as well). If Martin Gerber can actually win a playoff series with that fragile head of his, I will eat my laptop.

The one good thing I see Murray doing here is telling the rest of the team that it's not just up to man in the net. By switching goalies every other game, the players can get the impression that the management is blaming the losses on the keepers.

Murray is a smart hockey man and he may ultimately come out looking brilliant by going to Gerber. But I sense another Patrick Lalime meltdown just around the corner. And don't say that the signs aren't there right here in March when the shit hits the fan in April.

One More Reason The Senators Should Play McGrattan Every Game

From the San Jose Mercury News:

"On an otherwise ordinary shift, Sharks main man Joe Thornton made contact with Montreal agitator Maxim Lapierre (the perfect name for a Montreal agitator, by the way). In response, Lapierre gave Thornton a borderline cheap knockdown shot directly in front of the Sharks' bench....

The next two shifts when Thornton came over the boards, he was not accompanied by usual linemate Milan Michalek. Instead, Michalek was replaced by Jody Shelley....

For those two shifts, Shelley skated alongside Lapierre. With both body and verbal language, Shelley informed the Canadiens transgressor that any more nonsense would have consequences.

"Do we talk in that situation?" Shelley said Tuesday after the Sharks' practice. "Yeah, we talk. He might say, 'It was a clean hit.' And then I say, 'I don't care.' He knew that shift was going to be uncomfortable for him and that if he got the puck, I was going to run him over."

Guess what? Lapierre was not a problem the rest of the night, giving Thornton his space. ..

"It was great," Thornton said Tuesday. "Everything kind of settled down after that. When Jody steps out there with you, you get just a little bit of extra confidence. He makes everybody feel about three inches taller and 10 pounds heavier." "

The Senators are looking for toughness, but their nuclear weapon is sitting in the press box every night. Now it looks like Daniel Alfredsson is a game-time decision for the Senators because Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin cross checked him in the ribs. That shouldn't be allowed to happen to your star players.

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Who do the Senators sit out? Randy Robitaille. No offense to Randy, but you don't win Stanley Cups with perimeter players like him. He's been better lately but he's still not a warrior by any stretch of the imagination.

2008 Free Agents

Over at the Score, they have a comprehensive list of all free agents this coming summer, unrestricted and restricted.

Here are some of the top flight unrestricted agents:

Bobby Holik

Ron Hainsey

Daymond Langkow

Jason Williams

Andrew Brunette

Adam Foote

Joe Sakic

Jose Theodore

Peter Forsberg

Niklas Hagman

Dan Cleary

Brad Stuart

Jay Bouwmeester

Pierre-Marc Bouchard

Pavol Demitra

Brian Rolston

Dan Ellis

Martin Erat

Miroslav Satan

Sean Avery

Brendan Shanahan

Wade Redden

Cory Stillman

Vaclav Prospal

Jason Smith

Radim Vrbata

Marian Hossa

Brian Campbell

Mats Sundin

Markus Naslund

Brendan Morrison

Cristobal Huet

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Ottawa might be wise to look at a big centre like Bobby Holik.

Did Adam Foote Threaten To Become A Disruption If He Wasn't Traded?

Followers of the Columbus Blue Jackets are still up in arms over the perceived "fishiness" of the Adam Foote trade to Colorado.

Many are claiming that Foote basically forced a trade back to the Avalanche by not only demanding a ridiculous contract but also threatening to be a "bad teammate" if he didn't get his way. Foote has denied this emphatically.

The Columbus Dispatch covers the story:

"It's believed that Foote and his agent, Rick Curran, set their contract demands at a height they knew the Blue Jackets wouldn't accept.

When Howson suggested to Foote that the sides continue negotiating beyond the trade deadline -- that the Blue Jackets' playoff hopes, faint as they are, deserve a hearty attempt -- Foote responded in a way nobody could have predicted.

According to numerous NHL sources, Foote threatened to be "a bad teammate, a bad captain and a bad player" the rest of the season if he weren't re-signed or traded to his preferred destination -- the Colorado Avalanche, where his best NHL years were spent.

The Blue Jackets made a final plea, urging Foote to consider all that the Blue Jackets' ownership group, the coaching staff and the fans had done for him the past three seasons.

Again, according to sources, he responded by saying that he "doesn't owe anybody anything."

Foote has denied saying he would become a distraction.

"I would never say stuff like that. I'm a professional," he said. "I've never been that way throughout my career. All I told them is it would be too stressful for my wife and I to stay without knowing for sure I was part of the future there. "

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Dispatch columnist Rob Oller certainly isn't bemoaning the departure of Foote:

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"Adam Foote cut a deal for himself, plain and simple. Deal with it. The NHL is a business, not a cozy cottage industry where every athlete puts team first.

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Foote took care of his own, knowing full well he'll have to face the Nationwide Arena firing squad the next time he shows up in town. It was a bush move, but it won't be the last time a Blue Jacket pulls a fast one.

Just be thankful Foote's departure didn't destroy the team's playoff chances. Honestly, trading him to the Avalanche actually could help the CBJ's cause.

If true that Foote threatened to quit on his teammates if the franchise didn't move him before last Tuesday's trade deadline, then better to be rid of him than risk poisoning the dressing room with his pessimism. Especially during this period of unparalleled optimism. "

Senators Pitched For Havlat As Well As Lalime

Jim Matheson at the Edmonton Journal contends that Ottawa GM Bryan Murray not only made a pitch to Chicago that would have seen both Ray Emery and Martin Gerber got to Chicago for Nikolai Khabibulin and Patrick Lalime, but that Murray also proposed another trade (page 5) that would have seen the Senators get an ex-pat back in their lineup:

"Give Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray marks for creativity, or maybe audacity, if the stories are true he offered his two goalies, Martin Gerber and Ray Emery, to the Chicago Blackhawks for Nicolai Khabibulin and Patrick Lalime, who was once run out of Ottawa, and also pitched forwards Antoine Vermette and Chris Kelly for Robert Lang and Martin Havlat. Your headaches for my headaches, and expensive ones, too."

Matheson also notes that Martin Havlat is going for another shoulder surgery:

"Martin Havlat has been damaged goods ever since he signed that three-year, $18-million deal with the Blackhawks. Two years in Chicago and he's played 91 games. Now, he needs shoulder surgery, again.

Havlat really is a support guy, and at $6 million for next year, he's virtually untradeable with his injury history. They'll keep trying, though."

Chris Kuc over at the Tribune has the full story:

"Looks like I'm going into surgery for sure," Havlat said after the Hawks' 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. "The shoulder doesn't feel that well."

Havlat dislocated his left shoulder for the second time this season during Wednesday night's game against the Phoenix Coyotes. He previously missed 22 games after suffering the same injury in the season opener.

Meet Kyle Beach - Super Pest

The 2008 Entry draft in Ottawa is coming up quicker than you think and all the buzz is about Steve Stamkos.

But there's a kid who plays for the Everett Silvertips in the WHL who should challenge Stamkos for that top spot. And it's not just for his scoring.

Going by the opinions of people who follow the WHL, Kyle Beach might be the next Sean Avery, Steve Downie and Esa Tikkanen all rolled into one with great hands on top of that.

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal reports:

Off the ice, he's polite; on it, he's probably the most hated player in the WHL.

"He's like Eddie Haskell," said one WHL observer.

"He's got a big mouth. He chirps. He plays on the edge and crosses the line, for sure ... his reputation for doing stuff goes back to bantam," said another WHL executive, who likes his talent, and his big shot, but admits he's got baggage.

"I saw Beach play awhile back and he scored a goal, killed penalties and speared a poor guy in the head," said an NHL front-office guy.

The Tri-City Herald out of Washington State broke down the best of the best in the WHL and Beach got some strong mentions:

Most irritating player: Kyle Beach. Does this one really need an explanation?

Best pro prospect: Beach. Size, strength, scoring ability and agitation. What more do you need?

Beach has 27 goals and 32 assists in 56 games so far this season and is a modest 6"3, 203 pounds.

Sportsnet Blows It Again

During last night’s Senators – Ducks tilt, broadcast locally in Ottawa on Sportsnet, the feed was suddenly switched with less than 5 minutes to go in the third period (at precisely 12:30) to some kind of poker tournament. If viewers did not have digital cable and were unable to figure out that they could watch the rest of the game on the time sharing channels in the 400’s, then they were out of luck.

I’m not sure what happened or if the cretins they hired to press buttons in Toronto like a pack of Pavlov’s dogs were drunk or blasted on Mandrax, but this just adds another check on Sportsnets list of inadequacies.

It’s stunning to see how utterly awful Sportsnet has remained. Compared to TSN, Rogers Sportsnet is miles behind in every facet of hockey coverage. Their one ace in the hole is their regional television deal with the league but there is nothing beyond this that merits praise.

The “hockey panel” is a miserable collection of B-grade commentators like Bill Waters, although Nick Kypreos has actually improved considerably from his earlier days. The fact that Kypreos is the best thing about the hockey crew is nothing for Sportsnet to boast about.

Sportsnet might be responsible for the worst day in Canadian television history when they polluted the airwaves last year with their 2007 Trade Deadline Day show. They treated it like a “party” which included balloons, streamers, Kypreos and Watters sitting on couches stuffing greasy pizza slices into their mouths while wearing jeans and relying on Eklund – The Anonymous Hockey Blogger to break trades for them. The only thing missing was Watters cutting a gigantic fart and Kypreos belching.

Their morning highlight show is pathetic with its forced “hip” attitude with announcers calling home runs as “slobberknockers”.

Memo to Management: The word “slobberknocker” is not cool. It’s moronic and retch inducing. It insults the intelligence of sports fans. We have long since passed the baby talk stage. It’s okay to call a home run a “home run”. We won’t change the channel because you’re not being hip enough.

Now the channel is heavily promoting “mixed martial arts” fights, which is basically on the level of snuff films for white trash, Dorito crushing losers. I’m not sure how you can describe roid-raged sociopaths trying to gouge each other’s eyes out in the “octagon” as a sport. What’s next? Dog fighting? Rooster fights?

Maybe they should just throw in the towel and televise those hot-dog eating contests 24 hours a day because if someone at the controls accidentally switches the feed to another program with 5 minutes left, no one will care anyways.

"Pittsburgh South" and the Rangers - Oilers Connection

After the huge Marian Hossa trade, the Atlanta Thrashers (who have lost 7 games in a row) now feature 6 ex-Penguins on their roster.

Colby Armstrong

Erik Christensen

Mark Recchi

Johan Hedberg

Chris Thorburn

Joel Kwiatkowski

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

"You're not kidding," said Kwiatkowski, who was acquired by the Penguins at the trade deadline last year but played in just one game the rest of the season. ...

"When I saw them in the hotel, we just looked at each other and smiled," Kwiatkowski said. "For them, I think it was nice to see some familiar faces."

This got me to thinking about how certain teams tend to trade with one another and immediately, the New York Rangers - Edmonton Oilers connection tends to stick out. Now this is an unofficial list, but off the top of my head, the following players have played for both teams at one point in their careers:

Wayne Gretzky
Mark Messier
Doug Weight
Jari Kurri
Glen Anderson

Esa Tikkanen
Craig MacTavish
Jeff Beukeboom
Adam Graves
Don Murdoch
Anson Carter
Tom Poti
Kevin Lowe
Mike York
Petr Nedved
Marty McSorley
Todd Marchant
Greg DeVries

.

I'm sure there have been others (and feel free to point them out) but those are the big ones. It would take some research, but I doubt that no two teams since 1980 have shared as many players as the Oilers and Rangers.

It’s All About Ray

The Ray Emery backlash is in full swing in the nation’s capital and across the league as ex-Senators coach John Paddock let it be known that he views his handling of Emery as the main reason he no longer has his job.

Even before Paddock broke his silence, it was somewhat predictable that this would happen. That’s just the way it goes in the NHL. When a coach gets fired, the blame is immediately placed elsewhere and it always falls on the players. Suddenly, the same people who have been ripping the coach all season long start feeling guilty about it and all his shortcomings are forgotten. In fact, in a lot of cases, the fired coach assumes martyr status and this is becoming the case where John Paddock is concerned.

Paddock had a lot to say about Emery, and most of it was justified. He clearly explained how Emery felt that the number one job should have been his when he returned from injury. Paddock agreed with this sentiment but pointed out Emery’s poor work habits as the reason for straying from the “unwritten code” that no one loses their position due to injury. Instead of being professional about it, Emery chose to sulk and let his unhappiness be known through sloppy practices. This is nothing more than a case of immaturity and Emery will have to face the consequences of that throughout his career. In the NHL, no one seems to forget bad behavior and Emery will have a hard time overcoming this reputation.

But it should be remembered that Paddock’s failure to handle the Emery situation was not the only reason he was fired, as Paddock would like us to believe.

The facts are clear:

Paddock burnt out his top line early in the season by playing them too many minutes which led to the complete absence of a fourth line. This robbed players like Dean McAmmond, Shean Donovan and Christoph Schubert of any sort of defined role on this team. This also led to the "fraying of the team concept" which are words Paddock used himself when talking about Emery. It’s no coincidence that these very players have been much better under the coaching of Bryan Murray.

Paddock also failed to ignite any emotion out of his team which led to embarrassing no-shows against teams like the Philadelphia Flyers even though the Senators were in the position to exact revenge against Steve Downie.

If this was all the fault of an immature Ray Emery, then this team is much more fragile than anyone knows.

Despite the hoopla about Emery and his easy status as scapegoat, the burden for Paddock’s failure rests on his own shoulders.

That should not be forgotten in this recent Paddock lovefest.

Sunday Vintage

Headshots are not a modern phenomena. Here's Mark Messier absolutely crushing Mike Modano sometime in the mid 90's to kick off what might become a regular feature - one day a week to feature all those old videos collecting dust on youtube. The craziest part of this video is the end when the ambulance guys actually drop Modano when he's tied down to the stretcher. An absolute classic.



Here's Steve Yzerman getting in to a scrap in the 80's that also features Bob Probert versus Tom Barrasso!



Here's the famous Steve Sullivan "karma" incident where he and a fan get into it pretty good.