By:
On:
In: Central Division, NHL
With: 0 Comments

With the NHL season nearing its end, the draft and free agency are fast approaching. What’s generally a whirlwind to begin with will be imbued with the frenetic energy of a Doc Emrick goal call. It’ll be made all the more intriguing given the difficulty many teams will have adhering to the salary cap. More than any season since 2005-06 they’ll have to get creative moving forward. Some big names may be in new places before the puck drops on 2020-21. Embed from Getty Images   With that in mind, one team to watch is the Colorado Avalanche. A formidable group with a solid mixRead More →

By:
On:
In: NHL
With: 0 Comments

2020 has been unpredictable and challenging for all of us, so it’s nice to know that the Leafs, after ending yet another season with a collapse, are attempting to provide us with a sense of normalcy in these trying times. After a five game loss in the play in round, GM Kyle Dubas once again has a plenty of decisions to make, and questions to answer. So where does he go from here? And who’s left standing when all’s said and done? The Big Four The Leafs’ roster starts and ends with the big four up front. Their core forwards are among the best (andRead More →

By:
On:
In: Metropolitan Division, NHL
With: 0 Comments

The New York Islanders are a long way from their storied years four straight Stanley Cups, but this version of the Isles are hoping to add another chapter to that book. Looking to make their way back to the Stanley Cup final, they will need to beat a red hot Tampa Bay Lightning team, but with Barry Trotz’s system, they can extinguish that flame. Embed from Getty Images Front Runner: Mathew Barzal No John Tavares? No problem. Picking up the talismanic role of the franchise, Barzal has done just that in these Stanley Cup playoffs. From his skill and his skating to his leadership on theRead More →

By:
On:
In: Atlantic Division, NHL
With: 0 Comments

Looking to avenge their loss in the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals to the Chicago Blackhawks the revenge tour has brought the bolts against some familiar opponents. Remember the Lightning’s unceremonial ejection from last year’s playoffs against the Columbus Blue Jackets? Everyone remembers. Division rival and this year’s president trophy-winning Boston Bruins? Check. Now facing the New York Islanders this team will once again have to prove they have not forgotten the lessons of the past. Front Runner: Embed from Getty Images Andrei Vasilevskiy The big cat is on the prowl for some silverware. Known as one of the quietest players in the Tampa Bay LightningRead More →

By:
On:
In: NHL, Pacific Division
With: 0 Comments

Vegas once again is the dark horse during the playoffs. We forget this team is less than three years old, yet they are firmly among the league’s elite. After seeing off the Canucks in seven games in the semi-final (still piecing my broken heart back together), the Knights will be a formidable showdown for Dallas. Embed from Getty Images Front Runner: Their standout performer by far has been blueliner Shea Theodore. Currently standing on 16 points from 15 games, Theodore has excelled at both ends for Vegas. Already coming off a career high 46 points in the regular season, the 25-year-old British Columbia native hasRead More →

By:
On:
In: NHL
With: 0 Comments

With the Dallas Stars looking to make their first trip back to the Stanley Cup Finals since losing to New Jersey in 2000, here’s a look at the front runners for the Conn Smythe Trophy should they claim Lord Stanley’s Cup. Embed from Getty Images Front runner: Miro Heiskanen: There really has to be one consensus pick at this point for Dallas. The young stalwart has shown why the Stars were reticent to move in him in a potential deal for Erik Karlsson and his play has many believing he’ll likely join him as a Norris Trophy winner before long. Already in the conversation withRead More →

By:
On:
In: Atlantic Division, NHL
With: 0 Comments

The Florida Panthers made huge waves last off season landing one of the most prominent UFA’s in goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. The general perception was, despite the high cap hit and lengthy term that, at least for the foreseeable future, the former two time Vezina winner would be a significant upgrade. Like so many things in 2020, they didn’t see this coming… Embed from Getty Images What We Thought: After establishing himself as one of the best in the game with Columbus, and coming off an impressive first round upset over the heavily favoured Lightning, Bobrovsky was a coveted free agent and the Panthers seemed anRead More →

By:
On:
In: NHL, Review
With: 0 Comments

Another momentous moment for the NHL and they deny themselves. Okay this isn’t ignoring the #Blacklivesmatter movement which fellow 4th liners have covered, this is a chance to grow the game amongst diehard NHL (Chel) fans who buy the game every year. Recognize Greatness with #NHL21 available worldwide October 16th 🏒🎮 Pre-order now 👉 https://t.co/Jw6GQdvPOZ pic.twitter.com/FKCoVdDEJH — EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) August 24, 2020 Disappointing lack of advancement in play? Probably. Same gameplay with updated graphics and new micropurchase ability? Probably. Yet, these aren’t the biggest issues with this game. No, this is missing out on the opportunity to advertise one of the growing numberRead More →

By:
On:
In: General, NHL
With: 0 Comments

“Republicans buy shoes too” we heard a young Michael Jordan say when he was asked to back a young black politician in his home state. And it’s been a quote that has haunted Jordan’s life since it was published in Sam Smith’s book “The Second Coming.” For all the accomplishments that Michael Jordan has had, the championships, the Olympic glory, the records, the prestige, the sneakers, the title of best basketball player of all time, this quote has followed him as an example of his so-called apolitical and pro-capitalist over everything stance. It spits in the face of the image of the strong leader thatRead More →

By:
On:
In: NHL
With: 0 Comments

With the current climate, there’s a lot of focus and scrutiny on how organisations and sports teams are responding to what’s happening in the news. Whenever a professional sports team throws its weight behind a cause that’s at least partly political in nature, there’s often a social media backlash. When the New Jersey Devils tweeted recently that they’ve added ‘Black Lives Matter’ to the ice at their practice rink, the response ranged from support all the way through to threats of cancelling season tickets. A recent change in our ice reflects an unwavering commitment to changing the game for racial equity. #WeAreOne | #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/nBWqt8UEOYRead More →