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In: Atlantic Division, Awards, NHL, Review
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The Hart Trophy: the National Hockey League’s prize for Most Valuable Player. Unlike the Art Ross and Rocket Richard Awards, the Hart is a subjective honor voted on by the media. As the regular season closes, Boston Bruins forward, Brad Marchand, garners attention. The Bruins top the Eastern Conference with 103 points with Marchand leading the way for the club (34-50-84). After Sunday afternoon’s matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers, there should be some debate over disgusting plays he imposes on others. Foul Play Despite his significance to the Bruins success, Brad Marchand continues to be the center of negative attention. During yesterday’s game, the 29Read More →

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After the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2 win over Winnipeg, debut goalie Scott Foster was named 1st star. Despite only playing 14 minutes, Foster saved all seven shots he faced. While this might be his only NHL appearance, Foster has shown everyone you never give up. Chicago is currently facing a severe goalie crisis. Corey Crawford and Anton Forsberg are out through injury. Foster was signed to as an emergency backup. Before this game, the 36-year-old had played college hockey for WMU from 2002-2006. Before this game, he had been working an accountant. When starter Collin Delia went out, Foster was forced into action. He now holdsRead More →

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The Buffalo Sabres have nothing to play for with 7 games remaining. The importance of winning them is insignificant as it does not translate into the next season. For fans, the wish is to close the season and hope GM Jason Botterill is announcing Rasmus Dahlin’s name in June. There has not been anything to be interested in…until now. Late Monday morning, Bob McKenzie tweeted that forward prospect, Casey Mittelstadt, will join the Buffalo Sabres. After closing out his freshman season with the University of Minnesota, Mittelstadt will sign his entry level contract. Since development camp, the starving Buffalo sports fans observed a highly skilledRead More →

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In: Central Division, General, NHL
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Amateur Scouting for the NHL is far from an exact science despite improvement in player rankings over the past decade. Technology continues significantly impact player evaluation across the board, providing access to talent outside of North America. If Pavel Datsyuk were draft eligible in 2018, he would be a top-three prospect. Potential first overall selection, Rasmus Dahlin, would have fallen through the cracks back in the 90’s. Scouting staffs have nearly unlimited access to upcoming talent and it continues to drive Central Scouting reports. The Draft Pick Even with advances in talent evaluation, did Nashville Predators’ GM, David Poile, expect the impact that Viktor ArvidssonRead More →

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Growing up in the Buffalo area exposes one to every opinion on tanking for the best draft odds. The local media shares contrasting views as the Sabres were in last place, for two consecutive years. As Buffalo is close to last in the NHL again, the debate is ongoing. The 2015 race for 30th achieved the desired result: a franchise center. Before you comment; yes, Jack Eichel is a franchise center despite the suckfest that is the Buffalo Sabres. Lacking significant improvement since then, certain media claims that tanking leads to a losing culture. Just look at Twitter and notice the heated discussions about theRead More →

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On pace for their worst season since the 1996-1997 season (excluding the half season played after the 2012-2013 lockout), the Sens need a face lift. Twelve games into the season with a 5-2-5 record, they had 15 out of a possible 24 points which was above .500, the team looked a little shaky but they showed a lot of promise. Derick Brassard and Mark Stone looked like one of the best duo in the NHL. Stone was looking like the All Star he is and Kyle Turris was still in a Sens jersey. With 5 OT loses it was just a matter of tweaking aRead More →

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We’ve known for some time that, thanks to some serious Bettman-ing, NHL players aren’t allowed to take part in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. But there are plenty of former NHLers who’ll be appearing in the games. Here’s a breakdown of some names you might recognize who’ll be playing in the tournament. The men’s games start on February 14th with the gold medal game on February 25th. Until then, there’s plenty of good women’s hockey (the Swiss team won their first game 8-0), gnarly snowboarding and lunatics on luges.  Group A Canada For a roster made up of players who are either too oldRead More →

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Professional sports, as a business, strives to expand its following, either by adapting the game or creative marketing. The NBA, led by Adam Silver, has adapted the professional basketball experience by focusing on how to draw fan attention. The league stepped in when teams decided to bench their starters without notifying the public, who buys tickets. On the contrary, the NHL has proven, time and again, that it remains out of touch with the masses. The announcement of Kid Rock at the All-Star is the latest decision prompting thought that the league is stuck in the late 90’s. When was the last time anyone said,Read More →

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In: Central Division, Metropolitan Division, NHL
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At this point of the season, the playoff picture is all but clear. Some teams aren’t going anywhere but some teams. have all but cemented their spots and other teams won’t go down without a fight. The teams that are in a position to lose their seat and the teams still clawing away to make the playoffs, all need a little tweaking if they want to get/stay there. New York Rangers 6th in the Metropolitan division, one point behind the Islanders who hold the second wild card spot, but the Rangers still have one game at hand . Second last in the NHL for SA/GPRead More →

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Welcome to the newest series on the 4th Line! This is a series where I will be looking at the top 5 draft steals. Now these won’t always just be the 6th and 7th rounders of a draft. My aim here is to find some of the best players of the draft that weren’t taken where they should have been. This means there may be late first rounders, or second rounders included. With this in mind let’s start our first draft, 2010! Honourable Mention – Petr Mrazek, Round 5, 141st Overall: I am giving Petr Mrazek an honourable mention here because finding a possible starterRead More →