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As a Canadian born in December, Drew Doughty’s chances of becoming a first round draft pick were slim. Malcom Gladwell’s book Outliers isn’t a hockey book, but it does open with a chapter about hockey players and ‘relative age effect’. The point the chapter makes is that players born at the start of the year are more likely to be successful, because they’re closest in age to the previous year’s eligibility cut-off in junior hockey. This quirk of fate means that players will get more attention from coaches and as such will develop into better players For more insight into this, and how nothing has changed sinceRead More →

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In: Atlantic Division, NHL
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With the winds of trade being rumored around Erik Karlsson since last season it seems the saga is close to a conclusion… or is it? Last week it seemed as if a deal between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators would be done and the generational talent would walk the sunny beaches of Florida once more. As the minutes became hours and hours became days NHL fans’ Twitter fingers are getting tired. So lets look at some options. Embed from Getty Images Possible But Boring Karlsson stays in Ottawa: As previously mentioned Erik Karlsson is a generational talent. After seeing former captain Daniel AlfredssonRead More →

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In: Atlantic Division, Central Division, General, NHL
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Sunday night ended any speculation about Center, Ryan O’Reilly, being traded to the St. Louis Blues. He is no longer a Buffalo Sabre. GM Jason Botterill was essentially given what he asked for. Two roster players (Patrik Berglund, Vladmir Sobotka), a prospect (Tage Thompson), and two higher draft picks (1st-2019 with conditions, 2nd-2021). Scoring and forward depth plagued Buffalo but Berglund and Sobotka will improve the bottom-six eventually. Thompson likely starts in the minors and could elevate someone from Rochester (C.J. Smith, Sean Malone) if they are ready. A first round pick never hurts although it is Top 10 protected. The Blues, adding two centersRead More →

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The Buffalo Sabres held their annual development camp this past week, followed by the 3 on 3 scrimmage. For some, this was the first chance to view Rasmus Dahlin, the highlight, in a game-like setting. Yesterday’s scrimmage results ended with 2017 1st round pick, Casey Mittelstadt‘s, group winning the tournament, again. Over 40 draftees, signees and invitees worked on skills, on and off the ice, while concluding the camp with some game simulation. Season ticket holders filed into the Harbor Center in downtown Buffalo to watch potential pros. Though not that close to an real game, the youngsters had the opportunity to show off. EmbedRead More →

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Putting it bluntly, the Montreal Canadiens are not on the upswing any time soon. General Manager, Marc Bergevin, has made few moves within the last few years that have benefited the historic franchise. Short or long term. The 21-time Stanley Cup organization has a monster opportunity at hand: the 3rd Draft selection. For most NHL teams, a top 3 selection could do wonders. But there is a problem: Bergevin rarely makes good decisions. The Habs are lucky to hold such power in the Draft but I cannot imagine fans are confident that it matters. Yesterday, I posted a poll on Twitter for hockey fans toRead More →

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There is only one predictable occurrence for the Buffalo Sabres as the NHL Draft approaches: selecting Rasmus Dahlin. Immediately, the course of the franchise will be altered due to the defenseman’s dynamic skill set. Acquiring Dahlin is similar to having a fourth, phenomenal forward on the ice. He can dance with the puck in a way many forwards cannot. Embed from Getty Images As important as the decision is with the first pick in the Draft, it will also be GM Jason Botterill‘s easiest. Dahlin will have an impact but as all know from the past season, the Sabres have holes galore. The worst goal-scoringRead More →

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In: Metropolitan Division, NHL
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Okay, so Hurricane fans everywhere rejoiced whenever Bill Peters, aka the Kinetico Waterman, packed up his belongings and left Raleigh, which was step 1 in getting the Hurricanes back to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Here are the next steps in taking this team back to the promise land, under new head coach and longtime franchise leader Rod Brind’Amour. 1- Trade Justin Faulk The combination of Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen had a stellar season putting the puck in the back of the net. While we all love Jordan Staal and the leadership he brings to the Hurricanes team, he’s getting older,Read More →

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The Buffalo Sabres have finally found their pot of gold: the fortune to draft first. The 2018 NHL Entry Draft is special as its top prospect is the uniquely gifted defenseman; Rasmus Dahlin. This player will add significant value to the dumpster fire that has been the Sabres. And before anyone asks: NO! They are not trading the top pick or taking anyone other than Dahlin. If they do, I will eat guacamole, which is no different to diarrhea. Dahlin possesses abilities that most forwards can only hope for and his addition to the Sabres affects the future of another defenseman: Rasmus Ristolainen. The 23Read More →

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In: Atlantic Division, NHL, Playoffs
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In a league where contact to the head continues, who would have thought a tongue to the face would require attention. The NHL obviously believed that Boston Bruins’ forward, Brad Marchand, would not repeat himself. HA! Wrong again! Gross!! Friday night during Game 4 of Round 2, the Bean Town pest licked Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan‘s,face. The sad part is that this was not a first. Marchand performed the same atrocity against Toronto forward, Leo Komarov. As usual, Marchand was drawing the opposition to commit and infraction as pests do. He may run his mouth, poke players, and contact the head but lickingRead More →

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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 →