Todd Richards replaces scotty arniel in columbus as head coach. about time there was a coaching change there. too bad columbus will continue to do poorly if not worse with Richards guiding the team. might as well clean house in CBJ this spring, nothing's going right over there nor has it since the franchise came to.
The Official MERB 2011-2012 NHL Hockey Thread
- Thread starter evillethings
- Start date
Marchand gets 5 game suspension...Horseshit!
Shanahan gives Marchy 5 games on his clean hip check of Salo! Absurd I tell ya.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=610834
Calling bullshit on Salo's concussion as well.
Fucken pussy Canuck team.
Shanahan gives Marchy 5 games on his clean hip check of Salo! Absurd I tell ya.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=610834
Calling bullshit on Salo's concussion as well.
Fucken pussy Canuck team.
Shanahan didn't have a choice. It was a very dirty hit by Marchand. These types of hits are extremely dangerous & can be career enders. Marchand better behave & change his ways or else he'll be looking at a much lenghtier suspension the next time he gets careless. Five games is a good sentence.
Clipping is not allowed in hockey. What Marchand did was 'clipping', which is a violation of rule 44 in the NHL rulebook. Marchand is also a repeat offender (surprise, surprise) and was last suspended less than year ago.
Maybe the Bruins could trade Marchand for Rene Bourque. Both players are a few suspensions away from being banned from the NHL forever.
Clipping is not allowed in hockey. What Marchand did was 'clipping', which is a violation of rule 44 in the NHL rulebook. Marchand is also a repeat offender (surprise, surprise) and was last suspended less than year ago.
Maybe the Bruins could trade Marchand for Rene Bourque. Both players are a few suspensions away from being banned from the NHL forever.
Also, how is this ANY different from the hit on Salo??? Ref's need to get their shit together!!
[video=youtube;VjF9bvcJbo4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjF9bvcJbo4[/video]
The 1:50 mark they start playing Iggy's favorite song as well!
Lol.
[video=youtube;VjF9bvcJbo4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjF9bvcJbo4[/video]
The 1:50 mark they start playing Iggy's favorite song as well!
Lol.
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Also, how is this ANY different from the hit on Salo??? Ref's need to get their shit together!!
The 1:50 mark they start playing Iggy's favorite song as well!
No it wasn't and he should have been suspended for that one as well. Couple of differences though a) it was last year before the new sheriff ( don't forget the old sheriff has a son playing for the Bruins) and a bunch of rule changes and b) it was the playoffs which means all sorts of different things.
This kid is either going to get his act together like Matt Cooke or he will eventually have his head handed to him. He's a punk with talent.
So are the Bruins officially the dirtiest team in hockey now? Low bridging, running goalies, pushing guys heads into stancheons.........
Very good points & i totally agree. The league is on to the Bruins & they won't let them get away with anything dirty anymore. Marchand's low hit (clipping) on Salo was extremely dirty & he's fortunate he only got 5 games, being a repeat offender. Next Bruins player to get suspended will be Milan Lucic, who's already gotten away with a few suspendable offenses. Enough is enough & there is no place in today's game for this kind of dirty play.
The Bruins will simply have to learn that they are no bigger than the game itself & will have to abide by the rules.
Like Sean Avery & Max Lapierre?
i think marchy might be the only one... speed + agitator roles rarely come together. max has little to no skill, avery has no real speed and limited skill.
NHL's top 25 players under age 25
When the NHL returned in 2005-06 after a one-season lockout hiatus, it instituted the salary cap, compelling all 30 teams to operate within the same salary constraints. As a result, the value of restocking an organization with gifted youngsters skyrocketed, allowing younger players to contribute in a bigger way at a younger age -- and most before they turn 25 years old.
In constructing the NHL's best 25 under 25, I selected players with a track record of success based on conventional statistics (goals and assists) and advanced metrics that take into account the context in which they play (such as puck possession, zone starts and quality of competition). So in essence, this ranking is based more on the here and now than on future potential. That means up-and-coming superstars like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Logan Couture are not represented on this list -- but I have no doubt they will make routine appearances on the next few lists.
Have a differing opinion or think I left someone out? Feel free to let me know in the comments.
1. C Jonathan Toews
Chicago Blackhawks, 23 years old
Drafted third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2006 entry draft, Toews made the jump to the NHL in the fall of 2007 at age 18, and since then he has made Chicago's best players even better.
Starting in the faceoff dot, where he has won 56.6 percent of his draws, Toews is the engine that drives Chicago's puck possession. Fellow stars Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Patrick Sharp and Brent Seabrook all have seen better puck possession when sharing the ice with Toews (over 7 percent more even-strength shots in their favor on average).
Last season, Toews was the only pivot to play more than 40 games while logging over 15 minutes of ice time at even strength to post a Corsi relative (Corsi Rel) of 14 or higher. That means with Toews on the ice, Chicago generated 14 more shots per 60 even-strength minutes than its opponents.
The Hawks' captain produces on the offensive side of the puck, as well. He has registered 137 goals and 308 points in 344 regular-season games over the last five seasons.
Throw in his Olympic gold for Team Canada in 2010 and his part in bringing a Stanley Cup to the Windy City (earning the Conn Smythe for being most valuable to his team during the playoffs in the process) and you have the game's top player under 25 years old.
2. C Sidney Crosby
Pittsburgh Penguins, 24 years old
Crosby is the youngest player to record two consecutive 100-point seasons and the youngest player to lead the NHL playoffs in scoring, as well as the youngest captain to win the Stanley Cup. He shared the Richard Trophy in 2009-10 with Steven Stamkos for most goals (51) in a season. Last season, especially, was one for the ages.
Not only was Crosby tied for 14th overall in scoring with 32 goals, but he needed only 41 games to do it. Plus, he did it despite starting in his own end most of the time against the opposition's best shutdown pair.
Sid the Kid has delivered in every way (Stanley Cup, Olympic gold medal, and Art Ross, Rocket Richard, Lester Pearson and Hart trophies) and would have been a runaway favorite for the top spot if not for a concussion that continues to put his NHL career in doubt.
3. C Nicklas Backstrom
Washington Capitals, 24 years old
Playing alongside Washington's other superstar, Alex Ovechkin, Backstrom is now 21st all-time in assists over a player's first five years. Thirteen of those playmakers ahead of him are already in the Hall of Fame.
4. RW Patrick Kane
Chicago Blackhawks, 23 years old
Another of Chicago's first-round picks (first overall in 2007) makes the top five, showing the Blackhawks should be Cup contenders for a long, long time.
The former Calder Trophy winner and 2010 Winter Olympics silver medalist with Team USA is an offensive force, most notably on the power play, having scored 125 of his 340 points with the man advantage.
5. G Tuukka Rask
Boston Bruins, 24 years old
When you tell someone a goaltender from the Bruins is leading the league in save percentage, Tim Thomas is probably the name that comes to mind. However, right now, his backup (Rask) that is leading the league with a hefty .949, showing that not only does Boston have the best goaltending tandem in the NHL, but when it is time for Rask to take over, the Bruins will hardly skip a beat.
6. C Steven Stamkos
Tampa Bay Lightning, 21 years old
While Stamkos is the youngest player on the list, some may think he deserves to be higher. He was one of three players to score 50 goals in 2009-10 and is the only player currently on pace to reach the magical number this season.
Stamkos' puck possession could use some improvement; he has barely tilted the ice into Tampa Bay's favor in the past few years. But that appears to be on the upswing. His Corsi relative to his competition is currently 8.6 after hovering around 1.0 in each of his past three seasons. If that continues, expect him to claim one of the top three spots in the next few years.
7. RW Claude Giroux
Philadelphia Flyers, 24 years old
The emergence of Giroux was one of the reasons the Flyers felt comfortable moving franchise forwards Jeff Carter and Mike Richards.
An MVP favorite this year (18 goals and 30 assists in 37 games), Giroux drives puck possession (Corsi Rel 1.2 this season) despite starting in his own end (45.1 percent of starts in offensive zone) against the toughest competition opponents have to offer.
He is also one of the better players in the game at drawing penalties (1.2 per 60 minutes), which helps put the NHL's ninth-best power-play unit on the ice.
8. C Anze Kopitar
Los Angeles Kings, 24 years old
Over the past four years, when the Kings have Kopitar on the ice, 53 percent of even-strength shots directed at net go in their favor. When he is on the bench, it is less than half. For a pivot who is routinely given tough assignments, that's no small feat.
9. RW Phil Kessel
Toronto Maple Leafs, 24 years old
Kessel, just 24 years old, has reached the 30-goal plateau in his past three seasons and is on pace to score 48 goals this season. If the defensive side of his game had matured at the same rate as his scoring (his Corsi Rel was a minus-2 last season), he would likely be in the top five.
10. D Drew Doughty
Los Angeles Kings, 22 years old
Having just three full NHL seasons on his résumé, Doughty has already been named a Norris Trophy finalist (2010) and a second team NHL All-Star (2010), and has become the third-highest-paid defenseman in the NHL.
Doughty led the Kings and finished fifth overall in the NHL with a time-on-ice average of 25:38 per game in 2010-11, including four-plus minutes per game on the power-play.
11. G Carey Price
Montreal Canadiens, 24 years old
Montreal made the right decision when it chose Price over Jaroslav Halak as the team's starting goaltender. Since 2007-08, Price has amassed 113 wins in 241 regular-season games (he led the league in 2010-11 with 38). He has also maintained a 2.57 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage in the NHL.
The former Canadian Hockey League goaltender of the year has also played 26 career playoff games, including a stellar seven-game series last season against the eventual Cup-winning Bruins, posting a .934 save percentage.
12. LW Bobby Ryan
Anaheim Ducks, 24 years old
Selected second overall in 2005, Ryan was a Calder Trophy finalist in 2008-09, won a silver medal in the 2010 Olympics and already has three consecutive 30-goal seasons under his belt (he is on pace for a fourth in 2011-12). Only eight other players since the lockout have as many consecutive 30-goal seasons before turning 24 years old.
13. C Jordan Staal
Pittsburgh Penguins, 23 years old
Two-way pivot Staal often gets overlooked playing behind Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but when healthy he makes Pittsburgh the deepest team in the league at center.
Nominated for his first Selke after the 2009-10 season, he stepped up big when both Crosby and Malkin were sidelined for most of the second half of last season, logging a career high 21:21 of playing time, tied for eighth among forwards.
14. LW Milan Lucic
Boston Bruins, 23 years old
Lucic, who made the Bruins' roster as a 19-year-old in 2007-08, is coming off a 30-goal campaign. He currently gets top-line ice time, has racked up 14 goals and 16 assists in 37 games, and chips in on the power play (2:22 per game).
Lucic also adds a physical presence; his 167 hits led the team last season and he is doing it again this season (87).
15. LW James Neal
Pittsburgh Penguins, 24 years old
Some considered Neal a disappointment after he scored just once in 20 regular-season games following his trade to Pittsburgh late last season, but a lack of "puck luck" was most likely the cause. His shooting percentage was just 1.9 percent after shooting 13.6 percent in the previous 214 games.
This season, his boxcar stats (21 goals and 36 points in 40 games) are more in line with what can be expected going forward. Before suffering a foot injury, Neal was an even bigger part of the offense (he is averaging almost 1.5 shots per game more than he did last season) and could get better still.
16. D Marc-Edouard Vlasic
San Jose Sharks, 24 years old
At 24, Vlasic has already played in 427 NHL games. Of all players drafted since 2005, only Anze Kopitar (436) has appeared in more games.
During even strength he has started in his own zone more than half the time against top competition, but still tilts the ice to the Sharks' favor. On the penalty kill, he leads the team in ice time (2:34 per game).
17. RW Chris Stewart
St. Louis Blues, 24 years old
Despite a slow start this season (nine goals and seven assists in 38 games), Stewart is a genuine top-six power forward. He has averaged 2.2 points per 60 minutes at even strength and another 3.7 points per 60 minutes on the power play.
18. D Alex Pietrangelo
St. Louis Blues, 22 years old
Pietrangelo was drafted fourth overall in 2009, and in 2010-11 he played in more than nine NHL games in a season for the first time. He didn't disappoint. Pietrangelo finished in the top 20 among defensemen in goals (11), assists (32) and puck possession (8.0 Corsi Rel) while appearing for the Blues at even strength, on the power play and on the penalty kill.
19. G Semyon Varlamov
Colorado Avalanche, 23 years old
Colorado traded first- and second-round picks to get Varlamov from the Washington Capitals. If healthy, the former first-round pick gives the Avalanche a bona fide franchise goalie for years to come. He is 44-26-13 in 87 games with six shutouts, a .912 save pct. and a 2.54 GAA.
20. C Patrik Berglund
St. Louis Blues, 23 years old
Despite struggles with consistency, Berglund has elite talent. He has scored 20 or more goals in two of his three full NHL seasons and is on pace for a third. What makes him stand out is how the ice is tilted in the Blues' favor with him on the ice.
During even strength over the past four seasons, the Blues have seen 52 percent of shots directed at net in their favor and slightly under 50 percent when he is on the bench. That difference may not seem like a lot, but over the course of a season it could mean the difference between making the playoffs or tee times in April.
21. LW David Perron
St. Louis Blues, 23 years old
He lost 97 games to a concussion suffered during the 2010-11 season, but it appears Perron is back on track. In 16 games this season, Perron has recorded 13 points, but more importantly, the Blues see more pucks directed at the opposition's net than their own when he is on the ice.
22. C Bryan Little
Winnipeg Jets, 24 years old
After two disappointing seasons when the former 30-goal scorer tallied 34 and 48 points, Little looks to be regaining some of the magic he showed in 2008-09. He has 11 goals and 21 points in 33 games this season despite starting in the defensive end a majority of the time.
23. D Kris Letang
Pittsburgh Penguins, 24 years old
Averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per game since he entered the league as a 19-year-old, Letang was an early Norris favorite this season until a concussion sidelined him in November.
Since the 2007-08 season, with Letang on the ice the Pens have outscored and limited the opposition to fewer goals per 60 minutes during even-strength, and that has usually been against the best talent the other team can muster. On the offensive side, he has chipped in 148 points over 321 games.
Letang also contributes to the penalty kill, where he was averaging 1:49 per game this season before injury.
24. LW Sergei Kostitsyn
Nashville Predators, 24 years old
Kostitsyn is one of only two players (Patrick Eaves) since the lockout ended to score 20 goals while taking fewer than 100 shots, good for a league-leading 24.7 percent shooting percentage. This season he is on pace to duplicate that feat, with eight goals from just 39 shots on goal in 35 games.
25. G Michal Neuvirth
Washington Capitals, 23 years old
Neuvirth's development last season was part of the reason Washington felt comfortable trading Varlamov to Colorado for a couple of draft picks. Neuvirth posted four shutouts, and his 27 wins ranked third among rookie goaltenders last season. With Tomas Vokoun on a one-year deal, the Capitals will need Neuvirth to provide stability in the net over the next few seasons.
Neil Greenberg specializes in analyzing hockey's microstats. He contributes to The Washington Post's Capitals Insider.
When the NHL returned in 2005-06 after a one-season lockout hiatus, it instituted the salary cap, compelling all 30 teams to operate within the same salary constraints. As a result, the value of restocking an organization with gifted youngsters skyrocketed, allowing younger players to contribute in a bigger way at a younger age -- and most before they turn 25 years old.
In constructing the NHL's best 25 under 25, I selected players with a track record of success based on conventional statistics (goals and assists) and advanced metrics that take into account the context in which they play (such as puck possession, zone starts and quality of competition). So in essence, this ranking is based more on the here and now than on future potential. That means up-and-coming superstars like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Logan Couture are not represented on this list -- but I have no doubt they will make routine appearances on the next few lists.
Have a differing opinion or think I left someone out? Feel free to let me know in the comments.
1. C Jonathan Toews
Chicago Blackhawks, 23 years old
Drafted third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2006 entry draft, Toews made the jump to the NHL in the fall of 2007 at age 18, and since then he has made Chicago's best players even better.
Starting in the faceoff dot, where he has won 56.6 percent of his draws, Toews is the engine that drives Chicago's puck possession. Fellow stars Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Patrick Sharp and Brent Seabrook all have seen better puck possession when sharing the ice with Toews (over 7 percent more even-strength shots in their favor on average).
Last season, Toews was the only pivot to play more than 40 games while logging over 15 minutes of ice time at even strength to post a Corsi relative (Corsi Rel) of 14 or higher. That means with Toews on the ice, Chicago generated 14 more shots per 60 even-strength minutes than its opponents.
The Hawks' captain produces on the offensive side of the puck, as well. He has registered 137 goals and 308 points in 344 regular-season games over the last five seasons.
Throw in his Olympic gold for Team Canada in 2010 and his part in bringing a Stanley Cup to the Windy City (earning the Conn Smythe for being most valuable to his team during the playoffs in the process) and you have the game's top player under 25 years old.
2. C Sidney Crosby
Pittsburgh Penguins, 24 years old
Crosby is the youngest player to record two consecutive 100-point seasons and the youngest player to lead the NHL playoffs in scoring, as well as the youngest captain to win the Stanley Cup. He shared the Richard Trophy in 2009-10 with Steven Stamkos for most goals (51) in a season. Last season, especially, was one for the ages.
Not only was Crosby tied for 14th overall in scoring with 32 goals, but he needed only 41 games to do it. Plus, he did it despite starting in his own end most of the time against the opposition's best shutdown pair.
Sid the Kid has delivered in every way (Stanley Cup, Olympic gold medal, and Art Ross, Rocket Richard, Lester Pearson and Hart trophies) and would have been a runaway favorite for the top spot if not for a concussion that continues to put his NHL career in doubt.
3. C Nicklas Backstrom
Washington Capitals, 24 years old
Playing alongside Washington's other superstar, Alex Ovechkin, Backstrom is now 21st all-time in assists over a player's first five years. Thirteen of those playmakers ahead of him are already in the Hall of Fame.
4. RW Patrick Kane
Chicago Blackhawks, 23 years old
Another of Chicago's first-round picks (first overall in 2007) makes the top five, showing the Blackhawks should be Cup contenders for a long, long time.
The former Calder Trophy winner and 2010 Winter Olympics silver medalist with Team USA is an offensive force, most notably on the power play, having scored 125 of his 340 points with the man advantage.
5. G Tuukka Rask
Boston Bruins, 24 years old
When you tell someone a goaltender from the Bruins is leading the league in save percentage, Tim Thomas is probably the name that comes to mind. However, right now, his backup (Rask) that is leading the league with a hefty .949, showing that not only does Boston have the best goaltending tandem in the NHL, but when it is time for Rask to take over, the Bruins will hardly skip a beat.
6. C Steven Stamkos
Tampa Bay Lightning, 21 years old
While Stamkos is the youngest player on the list, some may think he deserves to be higher. He was one of three players to score 50 goals in 2009-10 and is the only player currently on pace to reach the magical number this season.
Stamkos' puck possession could use some improvement; he has barely tilted the ice into Tampa Bay's favor in the past few years. But that appears to be on the upswing. His Corsi relative to his competition is currently 8.6 after hovering around 1.0 in each of his past three seasons. If that continues, expect him to claim one of the top three spots in the next few years.
7. RW Claude Giroux
Philadelphia Flyers, 24 years old
The emergence of Giroux was one of the reasons the Flyers felt comfortable moving franchise forwards Jeff Carter and Mike Richards.
An MVP favorite this year (18 goals and 30 assists in 37 games), Giroux drives puck possession (Corsi Rel 1.2 this season) despite starting in his own end (45.1 percent of starts in offensive zone) against the toughest competition opponents have to offer.
He is also one of the better players in the game at drawing penalties (1.2 per 60 minutes), which helps put the NHL's ninth-best power-play unit on the ice.
8. C Anze Kopitar
Los Angeles Kings, 24 years old
Over the past four years, when the Kings have Kopitar on the ice, 53 percent of even-strength shots directed at net go in their favor. When he is on the bench, it is less than half. For a pivot who is routinely given tough assignments, that's no small feat.
9. RW Phil Kessel
Toronto Maple Leafs, 24 years old
Kessel, just 24 years old, has reached the 30-goal plateau in his past three seasons and is on pace to score 48 goals this season. If the defensive side of his game had matured at the same rate as his scoring (his Corsi Rel was a minus-2 last season), he would likely be in the top five.
10. D Drew Doughty
Los Angeles Kings, 22 years old
Having just three full NHL seasons on his résumé, Doughty has already been named a Norris Trophy finalist (2010) and a second team NHL All-Star (2010), and has become the third-highest-paid defenseman in the NHL.
Doughty led the Kings and finished fifth overall in the NHL with a time-on-ice average of 25:38 per game in 2010-11, including four-plus minutes per game on the power-play.
11. G Carey Price
Montreal Canadiens, 24 years old
Montreal made the right decision when it chose Price over Jaroslav Halak as the team's starting goaltender. Since 2007-08, Price has amassed 113 wins in 241 regular-season games (he led the league in 2010-11 with 38). He has also maintained a 2.57 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage in the NHL.
The former Canadian Hockey League goaltender of the year has also played 26 career playoff games, including a stellar seven-game series last season against the eventual Cup-winning Bruins, posting a .934 save percentage.
12. LW Bobby Ryan
Anaheim Ducks, 24 years old
Selected second overall in 2005, Ryan was a Calder Trophy finalist in 2008-09, won a silver medal in the 2010 Olympics and already has three consecutive 30-goal seasons under his belt (he is on pace for a fourth in 2011-12). Only eight other players since the lockout have as many consecutive 30-goal seasons before turning 24 years old.
13. C Jordan Staal
Pittsburgh Penguins, 23 years old
Two-way pivot Staal often gets overlooked playing behind Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but when healthy he makes Pittsburgh the deepest team in the league at center.
Nominated for his first Selke after the 2009-10 season, he stepped up big when both Crosby and Malkin were sidelined for most of the second half of last season, logging a career high 21:21 of playing time, tied for eighth among forwards.
14. LW Milan Lucic
Boston Bruins, 23 years old
Lucic, who made the Bruins' roster as a 19-year-old in 2007-08, is coming off a 30-goal campaign. He currently gets top-line ice time, has racked up 14 goals and 16 assists in 37 games, and chips in on the power play (2:22 per game).
Lucic also adds a physical presence; his 167 hits led the team last season and he is doing it again this season (87).
15. LW James Neal
Pittsburgh Penguins, 24 years old
Some considered Neal a disappointment after he scored just once in 20 regular-season games following his trade to Pittsburgh late last season, but a lack of "puck luck" was most likely the cause. His shooting percentage was just 1.9 percent after shooting 13.6 percent in the previous 214 games.
This season, his boxcar stats (21 goals and 36 points in 40 games) are more in line with what can be expected going forward. Before suffering a foot injury, Neal was an even bigger part of the offense (he is averaging almost 1.5 shots per game more than he did last season) and could get better still.
16. D Marc-Edouard Vlasic
San Jose Sharks, 24 years old
At 24, Vlasic has already played in 427 NHL games. Of all players drafted since 2005, only Anze Kopitar (436) has appeared in more games.
During even strength he has started in his own zone more than half the time against top competition, but still tilts the ice to the Sharks' favor. On the penalty kill, he leads the team in ice time (2:34 per game).
17. RW Chris Stewart
St. Louis Blues, 24 years old
Despite a slow start this season (nine goals and seven assists in 38 games), Stewart is a genuine top-six power forward. He has averaged 2.2 points per 60 minutes at even strength and another 3.7 points per 60 minutes on the power play.
18. D Alex Pietrangelo
St. Louis Blues, 22 years old
Pietrangelo was drafted fourth overall in 2009, and in 2010-11 he played in more than nine NHL games in a season for the first time. He didn't disappoint. Pietrangelo finished in the top 20 among defensemen in goals (11), assists (32) and puck possession (8.0 Corsi Rel) while appearing for the Blues at even strength, on the power play and on the penalty kill.
19. G Semyon Varlamov
Colorado Avalanche, 23 years old
Colorado traded first- and second-round picks to get Varlamov from the Washington Capitals. If healthy, the former first-round pick gives the Avalanche a bona fide franchise goalie for years to come. He is 44-26-13 in 87 games with six shutouts, a .912 save pct. and a 2.54 GAA.
20. C Patrik Berglund
St. Louis Blues, 23 years old
Despite struggles with consistency, Berglund has elite talent. He has scored 20 or more goals in two of his three full NHL seasons and is on pace for a third. What makes him stand out is how the ice is tilted in the Blues' favor with him on the ice.
During even strength over the past four seasons, the Blues have seen 52 percent of shots directed at net in their favor and slightly under 50 percent when he is on the bench. That difference may not seem like a lot, but over the course of a season it could mean the difference between making the playoffs or tee times in April.
21. LW David Perron
St. Louis Blues, 23 years old
He lost 97 games to a concussion suffered during the 2010-11 season, but it appears Perron is back on track. In 16 games this season, Perron has recorded 13 points, but more importantly, the Blues see more pucks directed at the opposition's net than their own when he is on the ice.
22. C Bryan Little
Winnipeg Jets, 24 years old
After two disappointing seasons when the former 30-goal scorer tallied 34 and 48 points, Little looks to be regaining some of the magic he showed in 2008-09. He has 11 goals and 21 points in 33 games this season despite starting in the defensive end a majority of the time.
23. D Kris Letang
Pittsburgh Penguins, 24 years old
Averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per game since he entered the league as a 19-year-old, Letang was an early Norris favorite this season until a concussion sidelined him in November.
Since the 2007-08 season, with Letang on the ice the Pens have outscored and limited the opposition to fewer goals per 60 minutes during even-strength, and that has usually been against the best talent the other team can muster. On the offensive side, he has chipped in 148 points over 321 games.
Letang also contributes to the penalty kill, where he was averaging 1:49 per game this season before injury.
24. LW Sergei Kostitsyn
Nashville Predators, 24 years old
Kostitsyn is one of only two players (Patrick Eaves) since the lockout ended to score 20 goals while taking fewer than 100 shots, good for a league-leading 24.7 percent shooting percentage. This season he is on pace to duplicate that feat, with eight goals from just 39 shots on goal in 35 games.
25. G Michal Neuvirth
Washington Capitals, 23 years old
Neuvirth's development last season was part of the reason Washington felt comfortable trading Varlamov to Colorado for a couple of draft picks. Neuvirth posted four shutouts, and his 27 wins ranked third among rookie goaltenders last season. With Tomas Vokoun on a one-year deal, the Capitals will need Neuvirth to provide stability in the net over the next few seasons.
Neil Greenberg specializes in analyzing hockey's microstats. He contributes to The Washington Post's Capitals Insider.
Cammalleri: Habs 'losers'
Forward mouths off about team
Montreal Canadiens forward Mike Cammalleri ripped his team for being a bunch of "losers" and voiced his displeasure over a reduction in ice time under interim head coach Randy Cunneyworth.
"I can't accept that we will display a losing attitude as we're doing this year," Cammalleri said Wednesday. "We prepare for our games like losers. We play like losers. So it's no wonder why we lose."
The 29-year-old from Toronto also spouted off about playing less since Jacques Martin was fired.
Cammalleri played 15:01 during Tuesday's loss to the St. Louis Blues, the sixth time in 10 games since Cunneyworth took over that he's failed to get at least 17 minutes of ice time.
"I'm used to playing 20 minutes a night," he told NHL.com. "I'm not playing as much, so I need to get a little work here in practice to stay in shape."
In the 3-0 loss to the Blues, Cammalleri finished at minus-2 and let Jason Arnott get free to score the winner.
"On the Arnott goal, he was my guy, I wasn't sharp there," Cammalleri said. "But it was my fifth shift of the game and it was the second period. Usually I've made 15 good plays by that point."
In 37 games this season, Cammalleri has nine goals and 13 assists. He's on pace for his lowest offensive output since 2007-08, when he played for the Los Angeles Kings.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Montreal/2012/01/11/19232576.html
Forward mouths off about team
Montreal Canadiens forward Mike Cammalleri ripped his team for being a bunch of "losers" and voiced his displeasure over a reduction in ice time under interim head coach Randy Cunneyworth.
"I can't accept that we will display a losing attitude as we're doing this year," Cammalleri said Wednesday. "We prepare for our games like losers. We play like losers. So it's no wonder why we lose."
The 29-year-old from Toronto also spouted off about playing less since Jacques Martin was fired.
Cammalleri played 15:01 during Tuesday's loss to the St. Louis Blues, the sixth time in 10 games since Cunneyworth took over that he's failed to get at least 17 minutes of ice time.
"I'm used to playing 20 minutes a night," he told NHL.com. "I'm not playing as much, so I need to get a little work here in practice to stay in shape."
In the 3-0 loss to the Blues, Cammalleri finished at minus-2 and let Jason Arnott get free to score the winner.
"On the Arnott goal, he was my guy, I wasn't sharp there," Cammalleri said. "But it was my fifth shift of the game and it was the second period. Usually I've made 15 good plays by that point."
In 37 games this season, Cammalleri has nine goals and 13 assists. He's on pace for his lowest offensive output since 2007-08, when he played for the Los Angeles Kings.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Montreal/2012/01/11/19232576.html
NHL All-Star rosters revealed
NEW YORK - The remaining 36 players for the 2012 NHL All- Star Game were announced by the league Thursday, completing the roster for the January 29 contest in Ottawa.
For the second year in a row, teams will be decided by a fantasy player draft -- to be held January 26 -- with the captains for each squad being announced next week.
The players added Thursday join the six players elected to the game by fan balloting: Forwards Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek and defenceman Erik Karlsson of the host Senators, Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas and defenceman Dion Phaneuf of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Forwards selected by the league were Anaheim's Corey Perry; Boston youngster Tyler Seguin; Buffalo's Jason Pominville; Calgary captain Jarome Iginla, who recently became the 42nd player in NHL history with 500 goals; Chicago's Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa; Jamie Benn of Dallas; Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk; Minnesota's Mikko Koivu; John Tavares of the New York Islanders; the Rangers' Marian Gaborik; Claude Giroux of Philadelphia; Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin, Logan Couture of San Jose; Tampa Bay sniper Steven Stamkos; Toronto's Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul; Henrik and Daniel Sedin of Vancouver; and Washington's Alex Ovechkin.
The additional defencemen picked were Boston's Zdeno Chara; Florida's Brian Campbell; Ryan Suter and Shea Weber of Nashville; the Rangers' Dan Girardi; Kimmo Timonen of Philadelphia; Keith Yandle of Phoenix; Vancouver's Alex Edler; the Capitals' Dennis Wideman; and Dustin Byfuglien of Winnipeg.
Goaltenders heading to the event will be Detroit's Jimmy Howard, Los Angeles' Jonathan Quick; Montreal's Carey Price; the Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist and Brian Elliott of St. Louis.
In addition, 12 rookies were chosen to participate, along with the 42 All- Stars, in the skills competition, which will take place a day before the game. Comprising the greenhorns are Edmonton's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (the top pick in the 2011 draft); Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog, who was taken after Nugent- Hopkins; New Jersey's Adam Henrique and Adam Larsson; Buffalo's Luke Adam; Justin Faulk of Carolina; Columbus' Ryan Johansen; Craig Smith of the Predators; Philadelphia's Sean Couturier and Matt Read; Vancouver's Cody Hodgson; and the Senators' Colin Greening.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/AllStarGame/2012/01/12/19235896.html
NEW YORK - The remaining 36 players for the 2012 NHL All- Star Game were announced by the league Thursday, completing the roster for the January 29 contest in Ottawa.
For the second year in a row, teams will be decided by a fantasy player draft -- to be held January 26 -- with the captains for each squad being announced next week.
The players added Thursday join the six players elected to the game by fan balloting: Forwards Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek and defenceman Erik Karlsson of the host Senators, Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas and defenceman Dion Phaneuf of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Forwards selected by the league were Anaheim's Corey Perry; Boston youngster Tyler Seguin; Buffalo's Jason Pominville; Calgary captain Jarome Iginla, who recently became the 42nd player in NHL history with 500 goals; Chicago's Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa; Jamie Benn of Dallas; Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk; Minnesota's Mikko Koivu; John Tavares of the New York Islanders; the Rangers' Marian Gaborik; Claude Giroux of Philadelphia; Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin, Logan Couture of San Jose; Tampa Bay sniper Steven Stamkos; Toronto's Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul; Henrik and Daniel Sedin of Vancouver; and Washington's Alex Ovechkin.
The additional defencemen picked were Boston's Zdeno Chara; Florida's Brian Campbell; Ryan Suter and Shea Weber of Nashville; the Rangers' Dan Girardi; Kimmo Timonen of Philadelphia; Keith Yandle of Phoenix; Vancouver's Alex Edler; the Capitals' Dennis Wideman; and Dustin Byfuglien of Winnipeg.
Goaltenders heading to the event will be Detroit's Jimmy Howard, Los Angeles' Jonathan Quick; Montreal's Carey Price; the Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist and Brian Elliott of St. Louis.
In addition, 12 rookies were chosen to participate, along with the 42 All- Stars, in the skills competition, which will take place a day before the game. Comprising the greenhorns are Edmonton's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (the top pick in the 2011 draft); Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog, who was taken after Nugent- Hopkins; New Jersey's Adam Henrique and Adam Larsson; Buffalo's Luke Adam; Justin Faulk of Carolina; Columbus' Ryan Johansen; Craig Smith of the Predators; Philadelphia's Sean Couturier and Matt Read; Vancouver's Cody Hodgson; and the Senators' Colin Greening.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/AllStarGame/2012/01/12/19235896.html
Bravo for Jimmy Howard!
It should also be noted that Nick Lidstrom and Teemu Selanne both graciously asked to be excluded from consideration so that younger players could get a chance. The two future automatic Hall of Famers have always been class acts and even in their 40s are still among the best in the NHL.
It should also be noted that Nick Lidstrom and Teemu Selanne both graciously asked to be excluded from consideration so that younger players could get a chance. The two future automatic Hall of Famers have always been class acts and even in their 40s are still among the best in the NHL.
Agreed about JH!. Well deserved.
Rumours are heating up about the possible Wings/Leafs clash in the winter classic next year and was listening to a hockey broadcast today and they were saying, can you just imagine the names at the alumni game the day before? WOW!.... legends galore! Hey JC, do you think Stevie Y would lace em up one more time?
Rumours are heating up about the possible Wings/Leafs clash in the winter classic next year and was listening to a hockey broadcast today and they were saying, can you just imagine the names at the alumni game the day before? WOW!.... legends galore! Hey JC, do you think Stevie Y would lace em up one more time?
And you wonder why you get suspended. :crazy: Must be a "party night" again, eh?
Coming from a fan of a baseball team that took 86 Years to win a world series, well...... you know the rest :lol:
Good luck to Mike Cammalerri in Calgary, hope he lights up the lamp to a tune of 20+ goals in the second half and helps get the Flames to the playoffs.
Coming from a fan of a baseball team that took 86 Years to win a world series, well...... you know the rest :lol:
Good luck to Mike Cammalerri in Calgary, hope he lights up the lamp to a tune of 20+ goals in the second half and helps get the Flames to the playoffs.
Hello TTerrific,
The Habs always give the Bruins a good game no matter what, otherwise Canada's team had better watch out they don't settle in the cellar this year. This could be the first in many years when the Canadiens could easily do worst than the Leafs, and that's just plain embarrassing. I can hearing our desperate Leafs fans crowing now over the highlight of their season. Yeeeeaaaah baby...we bad. :lol: But what else is there after 44+ years.
Cheers,
Merlot
at a boy cammi! good move to get moved to calgary... i'd be vomiting nightly playing with montreal this yr. they look like the islanders most nights this season.
the last time a hab player ripped the team, they also got dealt... patty roy! guess that's the best way to get a ticket outta montreal once you get tired of the city, team or other stuff.
I was thinking about the same thing as you mention. And it clearly has something to do (cammy speaking the truth) with Gauthier trading Mike C because many GM's in the NHL had NO IDEA Cammy was being shopped. Another dumb move by a AHL quality gm. The return could of been better had Cammy been offered to everyone. But i love Pierre G, hope he NEVER leaves Les Canadiens!
I would love to hear ghg and ballsydays1 thoughts on this, and the 2011/2011 habbies. Boys? (i am 100% serious, as you guys are fans of the habs, what are your views?)
I would love to hear ghg and ballsydays1 thoughts on this, and the 2011/2011 habbies. Boys? (i am 100% serious, as you guys are fans of the habs, what are your views?)
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