Hockey Beat » Television

2009 NHL Free Agency Transactions

Jeanne Dupuis — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:49:00 +0000

There were a couple trades and deals that I expected to happen. I expected to see the Calgary Flames sign a deal with Jay Bouwmeester (they did). I wanted the Sedin twins to get a decent deal, preferably with the Vancouver Canucks (they did). I was hoping a deal would put an end to the Dany Heatley drama (it didn’t).

There were, however, a good number of free agent signings yesterday. Check out the list below (I sorted it alphabetically by team) and let me know what you think of these deals. Montreal had the most acquisitions and while they look great on paper, I’m not sure how well all of the players will mesh. It’s a fresh start for them with a new coach and new owners so we’ll just have to wait and see how it all turns out.

Anaheim Ducks

Re-sign Scott Niedermayer – $6M for 1 year
Re-sign Erik Christensen – 1 year, no salary details

Atlanta Thrashers

Nik Antropov (from NY Rangers) – $16M for 4 years
Re-sign Chris Thorburn – no details

Boston Bruins

Steve Begin (from Dallas) – $850K for 1 year
Re-sign Byron Bitz – no details
Re-sign Mark Recchi – $1M for 1 year

Buffalo Sabres

Steve Montador (from Boston) – $3.1M for 2 years

Calgary Flames

Frederik Sjostrom (from NY Rangers) – $1.5M deal for 2 years
Re-sign Adam Pardy – no details

Carolina Hurricanes

Re-sign Erik Cole – $5.8M for 2 years

Chicago Blackhawks

John Madden (from New Jersey) – $2.75M for 1 year
Tomas Kopecky (from Detroit) – $2.4M for 2 years
Marian Hossa (from Detroit) – $62.8M for 12 years

Colorado Avalanche

David Koci (from Tampa Bay) – $575K for 1 year
Craig Anderson (from Florida) – $3.6M for 2 years

Columbus Blue Jackets

Mathieu Garon (from Pittsburgh) – $2.4M for 2 years
Samuel Pahlsson (from Chicago) – $7.95M for 3 years

Edmonton Oilers

Re-sign Jason Strudwick – $700K for 1 year
Nikolai Khabibulin (from Chicago) – $15M for 4 years

Florida Panthers

Scott Clemmensen (from New Jersey) – $3.6M for 3 years
Re-sign David Booth- $25.5M for 6 years
Re-sign Radek Dvorak – $3.4M for 2 years

Minnesota Wild

Martin Havlat (from Chicago) – $30M for 6 years
Greg Zanon (from Nashville) – $5.8M for 3 years

Montreal Canadiens

Brian Gionta (from New Jersey) – $25M for 5 years
Mike Cammalleri (from Calgary) – $30M for 5 years
Hal Gill (from Pittsburgh) – $4.5M for 2 years
Jaroslav Spacek (from Buffalo) – $11.5M for 3 years

Nashville Predators

Re-sign Steve Sullivan – $7.5M for 2 years
Re-sign Joel Ward – $3M for 2 years

New Jersey Devils

Re-sign Andy Greene (no details)

New York Islanders

Dwayne Roloson (from Edmonton) – $5M for 2 years

New York Rangers

Marian Gaborik (from Minnesota) – $37.5M for 5 years
Donald Brashear (from Washington) – $2.8M for 2 years

Ottawa Senators

Re-sign Chris Neil – $8M for 4 years

Philadelphia Flyers

Ian Laperriere (from Colorado) – $3.5M for 3 years
Brian Boucher (from San Jose) – $1.85M for 2 years

Phoenix Coyotes

Jason LaBarbera (from Vancouver) – two years (salary unknown)
Vernon Fiddler (from Nashville) – $2.2M for 2 years
Adrian Aucoin (from Calgary) – 1 year, no salary details

Pittsburgh Penguins

Michael Rupp (from New Jersey) – $1.65M for 2 years

San Jose Sharks

Re-sign Kent Huskins – $3.4M for 2 years

St. Louis Blues

Ty Conklin (from Detroit) – $2.6M for 2 years

Tampa Bay Lightning

Re-sign Lukas Krajicek – 1 year, no salary details
Matt Walker (from Chicago) – $6.8M for 4 years
Mattias Ohlund (from Vancouver) – $26.25M for 7 years

Toronto Maple Leafs

Mike Komisarek (from Montreal) – $22.5 for 5 years
Colton Orr (from NY Rangers) – $4M for 4 years

Vancouver Canucks

Aaron Rome (from Columbus) – $550K for 1 year
Re-sign Henrik Sedin – $30.5M for 5 years
Re-sign Daniel Sedin – $30.5M for 5 years

Washington Capitals

Mike Knuble (from Philadelphia) – $5.6M for 2 years

images: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat

Flames Lose in Overtime to Blackhawks

Jeanne Dupuis — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:24:04 +0000

In probably the most intense matchup of the night, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Calgary Flames and it was an ugly game. I think that both teams ended up acting in a way that was shameful considering the privilege associated with making the playoffs. I was very disappointed. The Flames were playing better than they have in a while and the Blackhawks began to get physical. The Flames not only took the bait, they took it up to the next level and the rest of the game was as much about fighting as it was about playing.

image: TSN

Mike Cammalleri (CGY) sucker punched Martin Havlat (CHI) right off the face-off and was called, but so far hasn’t been suspended. This came, however, after Havlat got away with all kinds of crap on the ice last night, including when he skated behind the net and clipped Flames goaltender, Miikka Kiprusoff, in the back of the knees and tripped him. No call and even the commentators were surprised by that one.

The game ended with a score of 3-2, with the game winner coming 11 seconds into overtime. Tough game, tough loss for the Flames. I can’t wait to see how Game 2 goes tomorrow night.

Post from: Hockey Beat

Devils Beat Hurricanes at Home in Game 1

Jeanne Dupuis — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:43:06 +0000

The New Jersey Devils won the first game in the series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise led the 4-1 victory for the Devils, posting a goal and an assist each with Mike Mottau and Patrick Elias rounding out the scoring. Ray Whitney scored the lone goal for the Canes.

image: TSN

I am not surprised. This is one of those series that I think will continue to be unbalanced until it is over. The Hurricanes have made the playoffs but I’m not sure they have their game at a level that will allow them to advance to the next round.

Post from: Hockey Beat

Columbus Makes Playoffs For First Time Ever

Jeanne Dupuis — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:57:55 +0000

It was an amazing night for the Columbus Blue Jackets who made the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history after a 4-3 SO win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

image: TSN.ca

It has been almost nine years since the Blue Jackets were added to the NHL and I’m sure this victory was sweet since they were the only active team to have never qualified for the postseason. They only needed one point to secure the playoff spot. “To get that one point was huge, to come back after being down 2-0,” Rick Nash said. “To get the win was even more important. We’re going to try to win these last two games to keep our position in the standings. I don’t know if it’s quite sunk in yet. We’re so used to playing out the season.”

There are only four playoff berths remaining but the Blackhawks also need a single point to make it to the postseason for the first time since 2002 (and only its second in 11 seasons).

I’m glad the Calgary Flames traded Kristian Huselius to them because he really had lost his game and it seems like he’s back to playing the way that he should. Of course, rookie goaltender, Steve Mason, is making a huge impact despite suffering for a while with mononucleosis. Will he lead this team to the finals in his first year in the NHL the way Cam Ward did for the Carolina Hurricanes? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Post from: Hockey Beat

Don Cherry Targets Ovechkin Again – Video

Jeanne Dupuis — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:18:51 +0000

I’m sure none of us are surprised by the fact that Don Cherry ripped in to Alexander Ovechkin again during his “Coach’s Corner” segment of Hockey Night in Canada. He criticized the Washington Capitals star for his on-ice antics after making history by scoring his 50th goal of the season (the first player to accomplish that feat three times).

image: TSN.ca

The ever-observant former player/coach was quick to point out that Ovie’s teammate, Mike Green, skated away from him when he put his stick down on the ice and pretended to warm his hands over it. Cherry then directed his comments straight at Ovechkin: “You should be a role model, you don’t need to do it like this, you’re above stuff like that. You’re the best hockey player playing today. Have a little class and do it right.”

He wasn’t done yet. Cherry added (and I agree with this part): “How would you like to be playing for Tampa? They’ve gone through a nightmare season, it’s in their building, they’re being beat 5-1 and you score on a rookie goalie. I mean how do you think (Tampa goalie Mike) McKenna feels about this?”

“You think the people from Tampa came to see (Ovechkin) act like that?” Cherry said. “That is not class and he knows it, (Washington coach) Boudreau knows it. You don’t do that. Everybody said that he’s taunting (the Lightning). The guy’s not a mean guy, he’s not taunting them, he didn’t mean to taunt them. But think how bad the rookie feels. You can’t do stuff like that and not make people feel bad. But he’s not a mean guy, he’s just having a good time. But you know what, even your own coach talked to you about the whole thing.”

Watch the video of Cherry from “Coach’s Corner”:

What do you think about Ovechkin’s celebrations? I know some people have been quick to point out that Cherry is really hard on Russian players (he’s been on Ovechkin’s case in the past) and I agree that he definitely favors Canadians but I think he might have a point about these flamboyant celebrations, especially when teams are fighting for a playoff spot (or, in the Bolts’ case, having a MAJORLY sucky season). I’m okay with guys who pump their fists and go crazy when they score a goal in overtime or something but this is a bit excessive.

Post from: Hockey Beat

Calgary Beats Detroit in Incredible Comeback

Jeanne Dupuis — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:02:08 +0000

Last night, the Calgary Flames played the Detroit Red Wings and there were a number of reasons why I didn’t watch all of it. The first problem is that the Flames have been sucking majorly on this road trip and the other is that I just hate Detroit. My son kept checking the score and my non-hockey loving husband kept complaining that he didn’t want to watch the game and, for once, I agreed with him. The last time we checked, there was about 8 minutes left in the game and the Wings were up 4-2.

I slumped down onto my couch and starting looking through the PVR for stuff we could watch after dinner. I was really disappointed because the Flames were continuing their losing streak and I just didn’t want to hear about it. I saw my son sneak upstairs to check the score and he almost stumbled down the stairs in his rush to tell me that the Flames beat the Wings 6-5. He’s a bit of a prankster so I wasn’t even sure he wasn’t pulling my leg but he wasn’t – I checked the score myself and kicked myself for not watching the game but how could I know?

Anyway, here’s how it went down. Detroit was looking as though the game was over (fans were already leaving) but wth 3:22 left in the third, Jamie Lundmark (Calgary) scored to bring the score up to 4-3. Then, less than a minute later, Olli Jokinen (Calgary) scored and finally, with 1:20 left on the clock, Lundmark struck again to put the Flames in the lead!!!! Just 38 seconds later, Dan Cleary (Detroit) put one behind Mikka Kiprusoff (Calgary) and tied the game. No one scored in overtime so the game went to a shootout.

In all honesty, I’m happy that I didn’t watch this game because I already get overly stressed during shootouts but this would have been brutal. In the end, only Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit) was successful while both Mike Cammalleri and Jokinen put one in the back of the net for Calgary.

Watch the highlights:

I know it’s just one game but I feel like turning around to all those commentators on trade day who said the Flames weren’t on the Wings level and telling them to eat it. You don’t know how a team is going to play with new lines and players so it’s stupid to underestimate them.

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat

East Beats West at 2009 NHL All-Star Game

Jeanne Dupuis — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 06:46:47 +0000

I wanted to live blog tonight’s game but I had a cable fail which, unfortunately, prevented me from watching it live and then, when my DVR recorded a later game, the shootout was cut off because it went over the scheduled time. Okay, I am finished venting…

Just like last year, the best in the East beat out the best in the West (much to my chagrin) with a final score of 12-11. There are a lot of videos available on the NHL site but here is the scoring summary followed by the video of the shootout.

ASW: Tkachuk, K. (01:16 in 1st), Marleau, P. (19:48 in 1st), Souray, S. (03:29 in 2nd), Boyle, D. (05:14 in 2nd), Nash, R. (08:27 in 2nd), Hejduk, M. (09:02 in 2nd), Souray, S. (10:34 in 2nd), Iginla, J. (16:46 in 2nd), Doan, S. (00:32 in 3rd), Toews, J. (02:32 in 3rd), Kane, P. (15:19 in 3rd)

ASE: Ovechkin, A. (06:26 in 1st), Staal, E. (09:30 in 1st), Kovalev, A. (16:34 in 1st), Markov, A. (19:23 in 1st), St. Louis, M. (01:21 in 2nd), Parise, Z. (02:11 in 2nd), Malkin, E. (07:45 in 2nd), Kovalev, A. (13:35 in 2nd), Heatley, D. (02:17 in 3rd), St. Louis, M. (13:19 in 3rd), Bouwmeester, J. (16:21 in 3rd), Kovalev, A. (00:00 in 2nd OT)

GOALIES

ASW: J. Giguere, N. Backstrom, R. Luongo
ASE: T. Thomas, H. Lundqvist, C. Price

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat

NHL Plays of the Night – January 14, 2008

Jeanne Dupuis — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:02:24 +0000

Here are the highlights from last night’s NHL hockey games. My favorite plays are the goal by Dean McAmmond (Ottawa Senators) on Kari Lehtonen (Atlanta Thrashers) and the one by Miroslav Satan (Pittsburgh Penguins) on Jose Theodore (Washington Capitals).

Post from: Hockey Beat

Canada Beats Russia in Shootout in Thrilling World Junior Semifinal Game

Jeanne Dupuis — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 04:24:39 +0000

I was on the edge of my seat during the thrilling semifinal game between Canada and Russia at the 2009 World Junior Championship.

It was really a game of cat and mouse with both teams edging each other out. I thought it was all over when Russia took the lead in the final minutes of the game but with just 5 seconds left in the third period, Canada scored and forced the game into overtime.

The OT was really intense with the Canadians putting a lot of pressure on the Russian goaltender and, in the end, neither team scored.

In overtime, both Jordan Eberle and John Tavares scored while goaltender Dustin Tokarski (all Team Canada) denied both Russian players. It was amazing!!!

The dream for five is still alive! Canada will face off against Sweden in Monday’s gold medal game on Monday at 7pm ET/4pm PT on TSN. Since both teams squared off in the finals last year in Pardubice, Czech Republic, I wonder if the result will be the same…

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat

Red Wings Beat Blackhawks 6-4 at 2009 NHL Winter Classic

Jeanne Dupuis — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:19:41 +0000

The 2009 NHL Winter Classic went off without a hitch today and the rink looked amazing! The Detroit Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field 6-4 today.

I had a lot of fun watching it but I had to keep reminding myself that this was an outdoor game because the rink and visual clarity (over last year’s snow-fest) was just perfect. Watch the highlights:

Here’s the scoring summary:

DET: Samuelsson, M. (PPG, 09:50 in 1st), Hudler, J. (01:14 in 2nd), Hudler, J. (12:43 in 2nd), Datsyuk, P. (17:17 in 2nd), Rafalski, B. (PPG, 03:07 in 3rd), Lebda, B. (03:24 in 3rd)

CHI: Versteeg, K. (PPG, 03:24 in 1st), Havlat, M. (PPG, 12:37 in 1st), Eager, B. (19:18 in 1st), Keith, D. (PPG, 19:50 in 3rd)

Post from: Hockey Beat