Bleacher Report - Articles by Nelson Santos

Checking in on Body Checking in the NHL

Nelson Santos — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:07:26 -0500

There's been much discussion about all the injuries to the head and otherwise due to huge, fast, and hard body checks of late.

The NHL GMs will be discussing headshots during the next couple days. Of course, everyone has an opinion on what can be done to reduce the number of injuries.

Suggestions include the removal of the trapezoid, which would allow netminders to play the puck and thus—in theory—save their defensemen from enduring so much physical play. But that change would alter the current game.

There has been talk of equipment and its affects. This is an area where I think the NHL should spend many R&D dollars to ensure every player is well protected, but not launching themselves into each other wearing hard plastic suits of armour.

Some suggest being a bit more lenient on the obstructing of oncoming forecheckers to allow your teammate more time to move the puck. This simply can't be the solution or we will be back in the clutch and grab era by the All-Star break.

As we all know, you have to be very careful when you alter the rules of a sport, as it has a ripple effect on other facets of the game. One concern all people involved with the game have is making any changes that might take the hitting out of hockey.

No one wants hitting eliminated from the game, that is for sure.

I'm here with my easy to implement and not totally game-altering suggestion for how we could possibly reduce the amount of injuries stemming from hitting.

The NHL simply needs to mandate that all on-ice officials call charging and boarding penalties as often and stringently as they did hooking and holding penalties when the NHL came out of the lockout.

Although many of those obstruction penalties left players and fans wondering where the infraction was, over a few months, the players learned how to defend the opposition without laying the lumber on them or grabbing them with a free hand.

The main issue for me concerning these hits is the speed at which they occur. You can't ask a player to slow down and you can't expect every player to at all times have their head up and on a swivel.

If everyone is quick to admit the collisions are happening at such high rates of speed, would that mean a good deal of the hits would be classified as charging or boarding?

If from now to the All-Star break, NHL officials handed out charging and boarding penalties, you would see players slowing down a little sooner and thus taking some of the velocity and viciousness out of the body check, thus reducing the brunt and impact of the collision and in turn, reducing injury.

It's like getting a speeding ticket. Once you get nabbed, you will forever and a day slow your speed when back on that strip of road.

The game would remain eerily similar to how it's played currently, with emphasis on speed and skill. The players who best display those attributes would be in the lineup more often than on the IR.

The NHL does not need to split the atom here. It merely needs to review the rulebook and penalize charging and boarding infractions properly and injuries would be reduced.

NHL Tidbits: Injuries, Arenas and Schedules

Nelson Santos — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:03:22 -0400

Just a few quick thoughts on some of the happenings or patterns early on in the NHL season.

First off the injury list is loaded with all-star caliber players and that is not good for those individuals' teams and more importantly the fans.

I understand hockey is a physical sport and injuries happen. But I'm constantly surprised and appalled at how the NHL and the NHLPA do not make any true efforts to mitigate the risk of injuries.

Over the last few seasons there have been common injuries flaring up. Concussions are most popular. But you have a rash of groin injuries, hip flexors or hip surgeries. Retirement homes have seen less members having hip surgery than the NHLPA. High ankle sprains and abdominal strains also seem popular.

At some point I think the NHL and NHLPA must look into the equipment and the materials used in equipment. Players don suits of armor made of super hardened molded plastic. Whether it's a shoulder or elbow the opposition player is at great risk of concussion with any blow to the head.

With the one piece composite sticks helping even the fourth line grinder add an additional five mph to his slapshot comes the rise in fractured foot injuries. That brings me to the skate boot. Because modern day skate boots are designed to protect against possible rubber rockets and to be as light as possible the structure of the boot is completely unforgiving. Players cannot bend their ankle outward at all thus putting constant pressure up and through the entire inner part of one's leg which of course leads to strains on the groin and hip areas.

My next suggest would need owner's buy in, but does anyone else miss the ever forgiving boards at the old "Aud" in Buffalo and Chicago Stadium? All the body checks gave the spectator the illusion of a giant bombing hit with the glass swaying back a few feet and yet the boards had enough forgiveness that players were not being crushed, but moreso bouncing off each other and the boards.

One has to think implementation of boards like this in all arenas would cut down on concussions and shoulder injuries.

Lastly players simply play way too much hockey. With an 82 games schedule and the possibility of playing an additional 20+ games if you make it to the cup finals players are simply worn down.

The demands on these players to represent their countries at the World Championships if they were on non-playoff teams and of course their grueling offseason training rituals which unlike most other sports includes a heavy dose of simulated playing action is in my opinion just too much.

Wouldn't the hockey be better if the season was say 60-65 games long. Of course owners would need the players to accept the salaries to be cut by the appropriate percentage to make up for the lost revenue.

Just a few thoughts and worries.

1969: The End of Dominance for Leafs and Habs

Nelson Santos — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:41:57 -0400

The first NHL Entry Draft was held in 1963. The format was changed in 1969 to allow for all amateurs players under the age of 20 to be eligible to be drafted by any NHL team. Before 1969, only amateur players who were not already property of NHL teams were eligible. In those days, NHL teams owned junior teams, thus making the players on those junior rosters their property.

That meant the original six franchises lost their stranglehold on the amateur hockey talent in North America. This affected the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs more than any of the other teams, as they held amateur players in the prime real estate markets of amateur hockey—the province of Quebec and most of Ontario, respectively.

In 1970, Gilbert Perreault was selected No. 1 overall by the Buffalo Sabres. Perreault, an outstanding junior star in Quebec, would have surely been property of "Les Habitants" had the rules not been changed.

Montreal selected instead Ray Martynuik and Chuck Lefley fifth and sixth overall, respectively. Toronto selected Darryl Sittler with the eighth spot that year (arguably the last quality first-round selection the Maple Leafs made since the NHL changed the amateur draft format).

One wonders if these two storied, and to that point successful, franchises rested on their laurels for too long—not adapting quickly enough to scouting and development of players to keep up with the changing landscape of the franchise building process.

Taking some time to sift through the history of first-round selections made by these two franchises since 1970, we may find that although storied and successful, not many stars or future Hall of Famers have passed through either organization in the past 39 years up to last summer's draft.

Montreal, through a shrewd move by Sam Pollock, was able to obtain the first overall selection in 1971 to acquire Guy LaFleur. The Canadiens then selected Steve Shutt and Bob Gainey the next two seasons.

From 1974 to 1985, the only players of mention selected by Montreal would be Mark Napier (1977) and Petr Svoboda (1985)—not exactly a great track record over a 12-year span. In 1980, Montreal elected to draft Doug Wickenheiser with the No. 1 pick instead of Quebec native Denis Savard.

The only players of note that the Canadiens drafted in the first round from 1986 to 2009 would be Saku Koivu (1993), Chris Higgins (2002), and Carey Price (2005)—not exactly franchise players, but decent to solid NHLers. Many of the other selections plied their trade in the minors with a few games in the NHL. Others never played a game in the NHL.

Toronto Maple Leafs fans can look to 1970, 1985, and 1986 to find what would be considered quality first-round selections. Darryl Sittler was the team's only true star for over a decade, and Wendal Clark was the team's captain and heart and soul after being selected No. 1 overall in 1985. In 1986, Vincent Damphousse was selected sixth overall and, although he only spent four seasons with the Maple Leafs, he went on to have a very strong NHL career.

Toronto's track record may be even worse than Montreal's.

Since 1987, the "Buds" have drafted players of note, such as Luke Richardson (1987), Nik Antropov (1998), Brad Boyes (2000), Carlo Coliacovo (2001), and Alexander Steen (2002). Boyes has moved on to become a 40-goal scorer and the other players probably won't be working on their Hall of Fame acceptance speeches any time soon...or ever.

When breaking down the draft history of these two "storied" franchises, we can see that in a combined 78 years of first-round selections, there could only be an argument made for a total of five or six players being considered franchise-altering picks.

For too long these organizations had the strongest hold on amateur players and simply did not adapt quickly enough to the changes the NHL implemented. Thirty-nine years later, they are still paying for it.

Burke's Sharp Moves Rebuilding Other NHL Teams

Nelson Santos — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:08:56 -0400

A thought occurred to me this morning when I read that the Boston Bruins had sent Chuck Kobasew to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Craig Weller, a 2010 second round pick, and the rights to prospect Alexander Fallstrom in what is mainly a salary dump move by the Bruins.

The term salary dump instantly brought to mind the issue Chicago may face with Patrick Sharp. A terrific scorer and versatile player for the 'Hawks may be shipped away in a similar deal.

Enter Brian Burke. Over the course of the off-season rumors swirled that the Toronto Maple Leafs were interested in Patrick Sharp. This was during the portion of the off-season when the Leafs were still in re-building mode.

Overnight re-building turned to win-now and Phil Kessel was acquired in a deal that was a tad risky when it was executed and with every loss becomes more nightmarish.

Burked traded away two first-round picks (2010 & 2011) and a second-round pick to Boston for the sniper who is currently on the IR.

Peter Chiarelli has traded away a total of 57 goals from last season for a whack of draft picks and two prospects. I use the term prospects loosely of course.

However the Bruins are in win-now mode, considered a cup contender at the start of year, so one has to think that at some point Mr. Chiarelli will need to replace some of the goals he's decided/been forced to trade away.

Back to Patrick Sharp. A player who unfortunately for 'Hawks fans may fall victim to the salary cap. Now we all know when a team is in cap trouble they usually ask for draft picks and prospects in return. Well what team is more capable of packaging together numerous picks right now than the "Bs"?

Sharp would be more than an adequate replacement for Kessel's 36 goals from last year and would help out on the penalty kill, which Kessel did not do. Sharp would bring with him a cap hit of $3.9M for the next couple of years—less than what Kessel was asking and only $1.57M more than Kobasew was eating up. Chiarelli could easily make up that space to welcome Sharp.

So in essence if the Bruins do acquire Patrick Sharp they will have Brian Burke to thank. Burke was hired to rebuild the Toronto Maple Leafs, and as it stands now he has already started the rebuilding process for the Boston Bruins.

If Sharp were to end up in Beantown, the Blackhawks would also have their rebuilding process strengthened thanks to the boisterous Irishman. Oddly enough these teams finished second and sixth in the NHL standings respectively last season, while Toronto was 24th.

Three Factors That Have the Philadelphia Flyers Off to a 3-0 Start

Nelson Santos — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:48:36 -0400

We all know Gary Bettman doesn't present any team captains with the Stanley Cup at the beginning of October.

However the start of the season is equally as important as the end of the season when you are a team that is considered a heavy Stanley Cup contender all through the summer.

When Paul Holmgren acquired Chris Pronger from the Anaheim Ducks for Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, and two first round picks. He was announcing to the fans and the league that the Flyers would be "there" in June.

Holmgren followed up that move by signing Ray Emery a proved, but troubled netminder. The opinions of the hockey world were a consensus. If Emery could keep his head right the Flyers would have sturdy and steady goaltending for a very cheap price tag.

So here we are just over a week into the NHL season and the City of Brotherly Love is all a flutter with everything Orange and Black. With that here are my three factors as to why the good start is actually the beginning of a what should be a very good season.

The first factor is Chris Pronger and not just Pronger himself but all the intangibles he's had a direct effect on. Firstly we know he is a no nonsense leader and anyone that has watched any of the games thus far can see that leadership on screen.

However Pronger's biggest impact is that this one man allowed John Stevens to have three terrific defensive pairing. Something he did not have last year.

Matt Carle is back to his rookie season form. He is skating with the puck beautifully and making solid decisions off the puck. This stems directly from playing with a world class partner and knowing he has you covered.

Braydon Coburn is showing flashes of his play from two seasons ago when he had 36 points. The reason for his inspired and confident play is packaged in a five foot, ten inch Finn. Kimmo Timonen seems to inderstand Coburn's skill sets better than Cobie does and it almost seems like Timonen directs Coburn all night, every night.

Nathan Parent looks like he is ready to be that uber-stay-at-home defenseman that every team dreams of having in the number five slot. A no worry type guy that always makes the safe and correct play.

He has also paired up quite comfortably with Danny Syvret who's gifted skating allows for him to maneuver around the ice and avoid the physical abuse his smallish frame couldn't endure over time while making crisp and accurate passes.

So there you have it. How one man has the defensive strength of six.

Factor number two is simply Ray Emery starting the season solid and letting his play grab media attention. Everyone knows that solid goaltending allows for forwards and defensemen to be more aggressive on the offensive side of the puck.

Starting the regular season with a shutout and then following that up with a spectacular performance against New Jersey instilled the type of faith all players want in their goaltender.

More importantly a solid start for Emery lessens the chances of his head not being right. Winning makes everyone feel better and act more appropriately and that is exactly what Holmgren was looking for I'm sure.

Lastly factor No. 3. Offensive depth. Plain and simple the opposition doesn't get a shift off against this year's addition of the Flyers' offense. When a 30 goal scorer like Hartnell spends time alternating Power Play time with two young players (vanRiemsdyk and Giroux) you know you have depth.

Line 1a has looked terrific even though the right side is being manned by a 28-year-old NHL rookie in Mika Pyorala. Gagne and Richards are creating chance after chance and Richards is capitalizing on his at this point. Gagne will soon be turning on the red light as well.

Line 1b has last year's second leading goal scorer at centre, Jeff Carter who has two goals through three games along with a healthy looking Danny Briere who has averaged a point per game clip since joining the Flyers even though he's been oft-injured.

That of course leaves us with the winger that does a bit of everything. Hartnell is up to his old ways of causing havoc which allows for that much more room for the skill guys to operate.

The checking line features two of the NHL's brightest young stars, not much of a checking really. James vanRiemsdyk (JVR) has proven he is ready for the big time with three assists in three games (left the Washington game in the second and played only one shift in the third period).

Claude Giroux is the type of playmaker that elevates the level of his linemates and he has shown that by making the "checking" line a dangerous scoring threat thus far. Darrell Powe is a nice compliment to the kids and he is physical and a very intelligent and reliable player.

Finally the fourth line features no scorers but it has three very solid and reliable players that can help turn momentum or keep it moving in the proper direct. Betts has been dynamite on the draw, Lappy has pitched in with a goal and Carcillo has been physical without crossing a line.

It may only be October but this could be a very long season...for the opposition.

NHL Free Agency: Winners and Losers

Nelson Santos — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:58:09 -0400

July 1 is an exciting day for the fans of hockey and the players set to make millions of dollars in raises.

It is probably not nearly as exciting for the GMs who spend hours trying to convince players to sign with their team and then have to convince the owner that said player is worth that much, all the while being scrutinized by media and fans alike.

That being said, I'n here to scrutinize and praise the activities of some teams and GMs on day one of the free agent signing period.

Dale Tallon and the Chicago Blackhawks lead off my list of winners.

Chicago was able to replace Martin Havlat with a bigger, more sturdier player in Marian Hossa. Chicago committed to Hossa long term with a 12-year deal, but the sign of Hossa proves to the fans in the Windy City that winning is now.

It also hints to Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane that this team intends on being competitive for years to come.

John Madden is a premier defensive forward with winning experience. His one-year deal was an astute move by Tallon and co.

The Lightning also made strides in the right direction. Matthias Ohlund was signed to a lengthy seven-year deal, probably a tad too long for a player that is 32 and will be 40 at the end of his contract.

But a closer look shows that Ohlund is actually an investment into the future.

No doubt a big reason for his signing was to help Victor Hedman acclimate to the NHL game and North American life style.

Ohlund will provide stability on the back end as well as help quarterback the power-play in the Sunshine State.

Joining Ohlund in Tampa Bay is Matt Walker at a very reasonable $1.7 million per year.

Walker proved during the playoff run with the Blackhawks that he could play a tough, shot-blocking game.

Glen Sather finally showed some of the managerial skills he displayed during his cash strapped days in Edmonton.

Sather was able to pawn off the albatross-like contract of Scott Gomez on the Montreal Canadiens and score a quality defensive prospect in Ryan McDonagh.

Clearing Gomez's contract off the books allowed the Rangers to sign oft-injured, but highly-skilled Marian Gaborik. This is an upgrade in my opinion.

Garth Snow acquired a quality insurance plan for the oft-injured Rick DiPietro in Dwayne Roloson.

The combined annual payroll cost of the goaltending duo will hover in the $7.5-8 million range. That is not obscene when you think of how many teams are paying their number one guy in excess of $6 million.

Now, onto the losers.

Anyone that has read my past articles or comments will not be surprised to find that Brian Burke and the Toronto Maple Leafs head up my list of losers. Burke was active on July 1.

Colton Orr was signed to a four-year, $4 million deal. This is a old day goon. He scored one goal all of last season.

Mike Komarisek was "stolen" from the Montreal Canadiens for $22 million over five years.

When it comes to shut down, puck-blocking defensemen like Komisarek, I heed the words of Ken Holland.

"Never spend big bucks on defensemen unless they are point producers".

Komisarek contributed 11 points last season, of those 11 points one was a goal.

Obviously, Burke does not agree with Holland.

If you're counting at home, that is $5 million per year for two goals.

Lastly, Pavel Kubina and his $5 million contract were traded to the Atlanta Thrashers for Garnett Exelby and Colin Stuart.

I have no idea what Stuart brings, but I'm guessing grit. Exelby is...well a shot-blocking, defensive-minded defender who had one goal last season.

By my summation, Burke went out and spent rough the money saved from Kubina being traded on three goals and a crap load of toughness. Not a bad play if you had any form of talent and scoring already on the payroll.

Sadly, for Leafs Nation that is not the case.

The second biggest loser on day one was Bob Gainey and the Les Habitants.

They spent huge money to bring in Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta, and Mike Cammalleri. Three skilled players that, combined, weigh as much as Zdeno Chara.

Size is no longer as big an issue as it once was in the NHL. But when your three top offensive players are all under 5'10", you may be pushing the envelope a little.

Also paying these three players in excess of $17 million per year seems a little pricey, especially when you factor in how many more holes need to be filled in in the La Belle Province.

Lastly, the Los Angeles Kings make my list for simply doing nothing. This is a team loaded with young talent and prospects.

They showed flashes of something good last season, but inevitably lacked that true winning punch. There was probably no team more in need of one or two proven stars.

Dean Lombardi has a ton of cap space, but seems quite tentative to spend it on proven players in fear of tying his hands when some of his youngsters are up for contract renewal.

Hopefull,y Lombardi realizes in time that if his team doesn't make the playoff for the next couple of seasons, those youngsters may look elsewhere come contract time.

Jason Spezza for Dany Heatley?

Nelson Santos — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:46:18 -0400

Dany Heatley has recently asked the Ottawa Senators for a trade.

This is not what Byran Murray wanted to hear when he arrived at work that morning. I'm sure.

If I'm Murray, here is why I would dread that news; Heatley asking to be traded means that Bryan now has to work the phones and coordinate two deals.

Without Heatley, Ottawa does not only lose a perennial 50-goal scorer, they lose a top center that has averaged 85 points over the last four years playing alongside Dany Heatley: Jason Spezza.

If Bryan Murray is at all competent as a GM in the NHL, he will work the phones over the next couple of weeks looking for a taker for Spezza. Nothing will hurt Spezza's value more than playing a few months worth of hockey in 2009-10 without Heatley, his partner in crime.

I'm not suggesting Spezza would be a terribly horrible offensive performer. However, there is a great chance that Murray would be risking the chance of Spezza's market value dropping considerably. One has to think Ottawa would get a lot more in return for Spezza now than they would in, say, November.

Murray's summer dilemma is that one star player asking for a trade may mean that he has to orchestra two deals involving big names.

Pavel Datsyuk: The Planet's Best Hockey Player

Nelson Santos — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:55:40 -0400

Since I joined BR I've read numerous articles and debates about who's the best player in the NHL or in hockey. The players debated in these articles are usually Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin and due to his Art Ross trophy-winning season Evgeni Malkin has been thrown into the mix.

As I read these articles I always sat back and thought none of these players are. Let's face it. Most authors who publish these articles are really just arguing on behalf of their favorite player. In all cases the ingredients/criteria in which you would have to judge all players to truly come close to selecting the world's best player are not mentioned or listed. This makes for a great read and certainly generates tons of comments.

I'm here to present my argument for who I believe is hockey's best player.

Pavel Datsyuk.

I'm a big-time Philadelphia Flyers' fan, and my favorite player is Mike Richards. But anytime I've been asked who I believe is the best player in the world, I've had to veer off the ballot as Datsyuk was not listed.

I should do the reader a service by listing my criteria of how I judge players' skills, worth and value.

First off an arena is 200' by 90' and I expect all players to work as tenaciously anywhere on that surface. Datsyuk does that.

Ovechkin, Malkin and Crosby are not nearly as effective in their zone as they are from the other side of the red line.

Hockey is a tough and sometimes vicious game. I expect players to not get going when the going gets tough. This does not mean throwing checks that are borderline charges (a la Ovechkin) or dropping the gloves. This simply means the players' performance does not dip whether the game is an all out war or nearer to the NHL All-Star Game in terms of physicality. Datsyuk does that as well.

All four players possess this attribute. They display it in different ways, however.

Skill is obviously a major factor in this debate and I personally do not believe there is even an argument about who is simply the most skilled player in hockey. Datsyuk gets that check mark as well.

Ovechkin is a pure scorer, Sid has incredible vision, Malkin is the consummate puck carrier. Datysuk has all those qualities and does it with almost embarrassing flair. Just ask Sid who bit hard on a simple head fake and toe dip in game six.

The intangible of winning is always iffy, as all players are in different situations which makes this point somewhat unfair. But being a winner surely helps and Datsyuk has done that with two Stanley Cups thus far. Datsyuk gets the nod.

The other three will assuredly enjoy winning in their careers. This point is a wash when all is said and done. But Pavs has the immediate edge.

Awards are a pretty decent moniker to judge a player by and all four players I've mentioned have won some of the most valuable hardware the NHL has to offer. But only one of them has been nominated for the three trophies that pretty much cement a players' all-round talents.

Only Datsyuk has been nonimated for both the Hart Trophy (League MVP) and the Frank Selke Jr. Trophy (best defensive forward), winning the Frank Selke Jr. Trophy in 2008. We can even throw in the fact that he is a three-time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy (most gentlemanly player award).

I think it's fair to say the other three players in this discussion will not be named the best defensive player in the league anytime soon and probably never will.

When debating who is the best hockey player, you must factor in the different positions played by each player. And that is why I believe the overall umbrella for criteria has to be the player's complete game. Again of the four players mentioned in this argument, only Datsyuk can truly be considered an all-round player.

This past season he was fourth in league scoring with 97 points. Malkin led with 113, followed by Ovechkin and Crosby with 110 and 103, respectively.

One stat over-looked in my opinion is average ice time. Every NHL player will tell you if they get ice time they will produce better numbers. If we research the TOI (Time On Ice) for each of these players we will find that Datsyuk is also fourth on this list and the gap in ice time is quite substantial.

Ovechkin lead all NHL forwards with an average ice time of 23 minutes per game.

Malkin was second in this category with 22:31 minutes per game.

Crosby ranked third in the league with 21:56 minutes per game.

Pavel Datsyuk ranked 46th in the league amongst forwards at 19:12 minutes per game. In fact, teammate Henrik Zetterberg ranked higher at 32nd in the league with an average of 19:52 minutes per game.

Working out the difference between Malkin and Datsyuk in terms of ice time. The difference is total of an additional 12 more games played by Malkin (based on Datsyuk's average ice time). Datsyuk averaged 1.2 points per game this season. Add to that the additional 12 games worth of additional ice time and Datsyuk's season's totals in points would jump from 97 to an estimated 111 in 81 games making him the second leading scorer in the NHL.

Looking at these numbers one can only wonder what Datsyuk's offensive numbers would look like if he could make up the almost four minutes of ice time Ovechkin has on him each game. When you factor in the gap of TOI, the 16-point gap between Malkin and Datysuk is no longer as glaring an advantage in this argument as some would believe.

In the grand scheme of the NHL media coverage the reality is Sid, Ovie and Geno are followed far closer than Pavs. And he seems to get forgotten in these types of discussions. But I would hope that after two straight years of watching the Red Wings prance to the Stanley Cup Finals the hockey world will at least start to include him in these discussion.

I can only suggest anyone who disagrees with my view or is not too familiar with Datsyuk's play need only watch a handful of Red Wings games and pay close attention to his performance and at the very least the thought of him being hockey's greatest player might now could creep in.

Philadelphia Flyers Offseason Tidbits

Nelson Santos — Tue, 05 May 2009 10:05:06 -0400

A few thoughts and suggestion for Paul Holmgren and the Philadelphia Flyers on possible off-season moves.

Ray Emery. Please no, Mr. Holmgren. Leave him in Russia. I don't care if he is the best combination of NHL experience and cost available on the free agent market. Emery is not worth his risk.

His attitude and demeanour is cancerous. To make up for his personality and issues he would have be as good or better than Martin Brodeur and I think everyone agrees he is not.

When it comes to goaltending, I believe Holmgren has two choices. Nikolai Khabibulin and/or Kari Lethonen. The latter will be more expensive based on his current annual salary of $3M and he will certainly be looking for a raise and term.

Is he worth more than $3M? I believe he is. Signing him to a multi-year deal is a no-brainer. At 25 years of age, he is in the prime of his goaltending career.

With his signing would come hope for the Flyers fans. It would mark the first time in a long time that Philadelphia would have a young and true No. 1 goaltender. Dare I say franchise goaltender?

Nikolai Khabibulin will certainly be the opposite of Lethonen in terms of raise and term. At his age (36) the "Bulin Wall" will certainly not look for a raise on his current annual salary of $6.75M.

The going rate for Khabibulin will probably be in the $3-4M/yr range. A tad high for a goalie that will be 37 next year.

However, the signing of Nikolai Khabibulin will cost more in terms of dollars than it will in length of contract, and that bodes well for a team living at or above the cap ceiling.

Holmgren wouldn't offer him more than a two-year contract, or at least I hope he wouldn't. The intangible Nikolai Khabibulin brings to the Flyers is a Stanley Cup ring (with a very good chance of making it two rings this spring).

The Flyers and their fans have not had a true starting goalie in net who owns any championship jewelery since, well Bernie Parent. Unless you count Antero Niittymaki's Calder Cup ring. But I highly doubt any Flyers fan does.

Khabibulin would maybe stifle all the talk that hangs over the Flyers each season about the lack of a goalie that can take a team to the promise land.

I'm not a capologist by a long-shot. But a thought occurred to me the other day. When Danny Briere is healthy and in the line up, he is a great asset to the Flyers.

But with the injury woes and fact that in two seasons the Flyers have improved but have not been able to get over the hump into the realm of true cup contender due to other holes in the line up, it's time for Holmgren to get creative.

The reality is Homgren and the Flyers can't make the necessary changes to the line up because of the albatross-like contract they awarded Briere. Briere's cap hit is set at $8M until the 2009-10 season, drops to $7M for 3 years after than and eventually into a more manageable $3M and $2M in the final two seasons of his contract.

Much was made about Briere choosing Philadelphia over his hometown Montreal Canadiens as an unrestricted free agent. The boos he receives all game long at the Bell Center is proof of that. Here's where Holmgren's creativity needs to kick in.

Paul Holmgren should take advantage of Montreal's very poor centennial season which will be followed up with a list of ten UFAs that Bob Gainey may or may not re-sign. Gainey will have to acquire somewhere along the line a star scorer.

Vincent LeCavalier from Tampa Bay appears to no longer have legs. So where does Bob Gainey turn? Well, only a couple of years removed from offering Danny Briere a huge contract to come home, he could get him at half the price.

Holmgren should waive Danny Briere this summer and keep his fingers crossed that Gainey and Les Habitants (or any NHL team) are still interested in his services. With the emergence of Claude Giroux late in the season and playoffs it appears he is ready to occupy a top six spot on the Flyers' forward unit.

Giroux's cap hit is $850,000 until 2010 and drops to $765,000 for 2011. Even with paying half of Briere's salary the Flyers would be saving enough money to chase a top quality starting netminder.

This would also allow for Holmgren to attempt to re-sign Upshall, who was traded to Phoenix at the NHL trade deadline out of financial necessity as opposed to a true hockey decision.

Scottie Upshall's energy and occasional offensive contribution was missed greatly in round one of this this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The reality is Holmgren has many hefty contracts he needs to get creative with. However, if he could somehow find a way to unload a portion of Briere's contract many of his other decisions could become a lot easier to make.

Different Season, Different Animal: Why the NHL Playoffs Are the Best in Sports

Nelson Santos — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:45:56 -0400

NHL hockey may not be the most popular of the North American major sports (MLB, NFL, and NBA)—heck, it's not even close to fourth on the list. It's the little sport that is completely misunderstood, like the indie rock band who rocks your boots off but doesn't fit the mainstream.

The past decade and more has included a shortened season, a lockout, and numerous rule changes with which Gary Bettman has tried to sell hockey to Americans (I understand there are many hockey fans south of the border).

I have this advice: Gary, don't bother—they're not buying.

The hockey fan is wired in a completely different way than any other sports fan. As a matter of fact, the professional hockey player is wired completely different than his peers in professional sports. We've all witnessed a star shortstop in baseball put on the DL with a hangnail issue, yet NHL players sometimes don't miss a shift after taking a puck to the face.

If NHL hockey was easily sold to non-hockey fans, the NHL would only need to use a clip or two from a playoff game. There is no other sport that sees a spike in game speed, intensity, willingness, personal sacrifice, and commitment to winning, from the regular season to the playoffs, like hockey.

In MLB, pitches don't get any faster; home runs don't travel any further. NFL players don't hit more often, and QBs don't throw further; and the NBA simply plays four to seven games that resemble regular-season games, albeit against the same opponent.

Hockey sees a transformation in players, game speed, and drama. During the week to two-week span, the way these teams compete is like a mini soap opera where enemies form, lies are told, insults are relayed, and confessions are made.

Players transform from finesse players to sadists. In Game One of the Blackhawks-Canucks series, Kyle Wellwood, notorious for being out of shape, lazy, and generally a wimp in his years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, was the victim of two high-sticking infractions both worthy of four-minute penalty calls because blood was drawn, and he was seen on the bench being attended to by a trainer.

He simply plucked out one of his newly loosened teeth, handed it to the trainer, and was on the ice not a minute later on the very power play created by his now-missing tooth.

Chipper Jones once missed an NLCS game because he claimed his fat lip obstructed his view of the incoming pitch!

The road to the Stanley Cup, a 30-pound trophy on which the individual player names of the champions are engraved, is by far the most grueling and difficult championship to win. Four physically demanding series are played to get there. If you watch one team's journey, you can literally witness the players getting more and more physically mutilated as the playoffs carry on.

The playoff beard is a longstanding tradition amongst hockey players. They grow out their facial hair until they are eliminated or win the Stanley Cup. But I believe the beard is more a form of protection than it is a rally sign or superstition.

If you ever find yourself in a position whereby you are trying to convince someone to give NHL hockey a chance, make sure it's springtime, the best time to be a hockey fan.

Philadelphia Flyers: Flying off the Handle on a Disappointing Season

Nelson Santos — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:32:02 -0400

An earlier exit than expected from the playoffs and all of the post mortem analysis that I've been reading has inspired me to sound off about some of the things that irked me regarding the Flyers.

These qualms come from the regular season and the postseason series against the cross-state rival Penguins, as well has historically as a franchise.

The regular season saw some highs, like Carter's 46 goal season, Hartnell hitting the 30+ goal plateau and Mike Richards' Frank Selke-worthy season.

It also saw some lows. Injuries were plentiful; there were cap issue restrictions that handcuffed Holmgren from improving the team. As a matter of fact, it forced him to weaken the team (see the Upshall for Carcillo deadline day deal). And don't forget the losing streaks that were almost unexplainable and certainly unacceptable.

Enough analysts and experts have harped on the inconsistency issues. What would spring be without the exercise of blaming Philadelphia's early exit on the man behind the mask?

I see the Flyers issues a tad differently. Do I think that Biron is a Stanley Cup caliber goalie? It's hard to say. Did he cost them the season? Absolutely not! His first period play in game five is the only reason that the sea of orange was present for the embarrassing and disappointing loss in game six.

Inconsistent play is very frustrating, but I'm of the opinion that, no matter the various factors involved, the coach is at the root of the problem. A coach's No. 1 priority is to prepare his players to compete throughout every game. Stevens was unable over the course of two seasons to find a way to get his roster of players to play a consistent brand of hockey.

Now on to some other issues. Last season, when the Flyers were ousted by the Penguins in the conference final, the post mortem with which I agreed was about the lack of mobility and puck moving skills on the back-end.

If your group of defensemen can't efficiently and effectively move the puck to the forwards, then the offense is stalled before it even gets started. The lack of mobility causes far too many shifts where the Flyers spend too much time in their own end.

2009 opened my eyes to a different issue. The game plan and breakout schemes that Philly uses to move the puck out of the zone are not conducive to puck moving and skating defense men. During the off season, Paul Holmgren addressed the need for speed and puck moving defenders through a series of deals, including minor league trades.

He even drafted Luca Sbisa, who made the team out of training camp at 18, mainly because of injury issues and the fact that his best attributes are his skating and puck movement skills.

However, I observed that the Flyers still spent the season hemmed in their zone and using the boards as an outlet for the majority of the time.

Countless times in the first round series, Flyer defense men appeared to have a second or two to complete a tape to tape pass but, instead, mindlessly chip it off the boards into the neutral zone and allow for a puck battle.

Matt Carle, a gifted skater and a completely offensive minded defender, looked suffocated in the Flyers' system. I attribute that to the plethora of give-aways. He just appeared to try too hard to thread passes to Flyer forwards who were not moving, instead of awaiting the inevitable chip off of the boards.

Did Holmgren have sufficient skill and speed on the back end? Did he improve the personnel from last year's group? Certainly; there is not even a comparison between the two groups in those areas. Yet, the results and issues that plagued them last year remained almost exactly the same.

Holmgren has done a marvellous job in building the Flyers, a team far better suited for the post lockout NHL style of play. His and the organization's lingering error is that they simply refuse to inject a more offensively aggressive style of play.

For decades, the Flyers have had defensive tacticians behind the bench. In all fairness, the bulk of NHL coaches are defensively minded. But, in recent years, the coaches that implemented a bit more of an aggressive fore-check, puck possession style of play have hoisted the Stanley Cup or have come very close.

Holmgren has three priorities this off season. First, he must figure out the cap issues immediately to allow for roster moves that enhance the lineup. Secondly, he needs to hire a coach who has a proven track record, and who is capable of changing the culture of a team. Peter Laviolette would be a fine candidate. Lastly (and most importantly) is change the culture of play. The personnel is in place to be an offensive and puck possession team as witnessed by the six players with over 25 goals and the terrific power play.

In recent history, the Flyers have been ousted by faster and more offensively minded teams in the playoffs.

And as the old saying goes, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

Canada’s 2010 Olympic Silver Medal Team

Nelson Santos — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 03:29:39 -0500

Canada is a nation known for hockey and is automatically considered the favorite of any international hockey tournament.

The reason why Canada has an unbelievable hockey power over any other country is because Canada could easily field two teams in the same tournament and very conceivably have the Gold and Silver medal winning teams.

As strong as Russia and Sweden are as hockey nations, they cannot compete with the level of depth in skill that Canada possesses.

Let’s try and name Canada’s Team B for the upcoming 2010 Olympics. We’ll assume there are some obvious spots currently held for Team Gold. To name Team Silver we’ll use all the players on the bubble of being named to Canada’s 2010 entry and some players that may only get as far as Stevie Yzerman’s grocery list.

Possible choices in goal for Team Silver due to the unavailability of Brodeur and Luongo would be:

Carey Price, Cam Ward, Marty Turco, J-S Giguere, Mike Smith, and M-A Fleury

No other country would have this type of depth to select yet another three goaltenders from, and you could argue any of these goalies would be almost as good as other country’s N.1 goaltender.

Possible choices for Team Silver’s seven defensemen. Assuming that if both Pronger and Niedermayer are still playing only one will be named to Team Gold. Team Silver will happily take on whichever is left out. So here we go:

(Projected 7 for Team Gold: Dion Phaneuf, Mike Green, Dan Boyle, Shea Weber, Jay Bouwmeester, Brian Campbell, and Niedermayer or Pronger)

Niedermayer or Pronger

Duncan Keith

Dan Girardi

Braydon Coburn

Marc Staal

Drew Doughty

Brent Burns

The forward unit for Team Silver has some unbelievable talent. Hard to imagine this would be a country’s second choice.

Centermen:

Patrick Marleau

Marc Savard

Eric Staal

Jordan Staal

Honorable mention at the center position: Mike Ribeiro, Brad Richards, Patrice Bergeron, Shawn Horcoff, Bryan Little, Derek Roy, and John Madden. Any of these players would fill in nicely if the top four made Team Gold.

Wingers:

Patrick Sharp

Nathan Horton

Mike Cammalleri

MilanLucic

Devin Setoguchi

Alex Burrows

Alex Tanguay

Corey Perry

Honorable mention at the wing position: Antoine Vermette, Joffrey Lupul, Kris Versteeg, Brad Boyes, Scott Hartnell, Shane Doan, Michael Ryder, P-M Bouchard…

Lastly, every team needs a management team to run the hockey operations.

Coaching staff:

Head coach: Barry Trotz

Assistant coaches: Andy Murray and Todd McLellan

General Manager: Nelson Santos

Assistant GM: Darcy Regier

Philadelphia Flyers Going to New Depths to Find Success

Nelson Santos — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:44:32 -0500

The Philadelphia Flyers started the 2008-09 season 0-3-3. Not exactly the start many expected—including the players.

I received an email asking me to submit an article as to what could be the reason or reasons for the turnaround, as the Flyers are 16-4-3 over their last 23 games.

To pinpoint one or two players as the cause of the turnaround would be impossible. It appears to me the Flyers have done so with a complete team effort, which is terrific because that is a sign of just how strong the Flyers can be when firing on all cylinders.

The goaltending certainly got stronger. Both Marty Biron and Antero Niittymaki picked up their play. Philadelphia’s special teams improved drastically over this stretch of games as well. The power play has almost been the only time the Flyers have scored—well, with the exception of their league-leading 11 short-handed goals.

Oddly enough, if I had to select a player who I credit most with the turnaround, it would be Danny Briere. The oft-injured centre-man has allowed the Flyers' coaching staff to allot a greater share of ice time to Jeff Carter. Carter, in turn, has responded with 21 goals, three shy of the league lead. Carter also has four game-winning goals.

Carter’s emergence has supplied Mike Richards and Simon Gagne with the secondary scoring support they required to maybe take a night off and still come out with two points. The chemistry between Carter and Hartnell has supplied the Flyers with at least two-thirds of a second line, with Stevens shuffling the winger between Upshall, Lupul, and even the rookie Andreas Nodl.

Again, pinpointing one player is impossible. Mike Richards continues to be “Mr. Everything” for the Flyers. The return of Simon Gagne and his 34 points has certainly made the Flyers that much more formidable.

Once again, Paul Holmgren deserves a huge pat on the back. Heading into the summer, it was obvious the Flyers needed some improvements on the back-end with quality puck-moving, smooth skating defensemen.

After a handful of games he made further improvements, trading Steve Eminger and Steve Downie to Tampa Bay for Matt Carle. Carle is a bit of a liability on defense but more than makes up for it with his heads-up outlet passes and ability to skate the puck out of trouble. He has also paired beautifully with Timonen to man the point on the PP, currently ranked second in the entire NHL.

The addition of Andrew Alberts has been a nice quiet move. He is a large man who can skate. If he has enough time, he makes decent outlet passes or opts to make the safe play if forced. He is an upgrade on Derian Hatcher as far as the resident physical force on the defensive corps.

All in all, the turnaround can be attributed to a combination of much more reliable goaltending and better defensive zone play from both the defense and forwards. As well, depth of scoring has proved too much for the opposition to handle, and that was the key ingredient heading into the season that made experts consider the Flyers as true Cup contenders.

An NHL Tribute to N. 50

Nelson Santos — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:11:39 -0500

This article is my 50th contribution to Bleacher Report ever since I stumbled upon this great site. It’s been a wonderful outlet for my insatiable desire to share my opinions on the wonderful sport of hockey.

I’m pretty proud that I’ve been able to write 50 articles, and so I thought I would pay tribute to the number considered quite magical in hockey as well. Here are some interesting facts and stats revolving around the number 50.

Maurice “the Rocket” Richard was the first ever player to score 50 goals in a single season. He accomplished the feat in 1944-'45 when an NHL season was only 50 games long. This automatically made Richard the first player to score 50 in 50. Five other players would go on to accomplish that feature as well (Wayne Gretzky, Mike Bossy, Mario Lemieux, Brett Hull, and Cam Neely. Although Neely did not score 50 in 50 from the start of the season).

Richard was the first Montreal Canadien to score 50 goals in one season. The other players to represent the Original Six franchises, as the organization’s first 50 goal man were:

Chicago Blackhawks – Bobby Hull (50) 1961-'62

Boston Bruins – Johnny Bucyk (51) and Phil Esposito (76) both in 1970-'71

New York Rangers – Vic Hadfield (50) 1971-72

Detroit Red Wings – Mickey Redmond (52) 1972-'73

Toronto Maple Leafs – Rick Vaive (51) 1981-'82 – Toronto would be the last of the Original Six franchises to employ a 50-goal scorer before Vaive would break the 64-year drought.

Mike Bossy was the first rookie to score 50 goals in one season. He accomplished the feat in 1977-'78.

Hakan Loob was the 50th player to ever score 50 goals in one season in NHL history. Loob was also the first Swedish born player to notch 50 in the NHL. This leads me to 50-goal scorers by country.

Jari Kurri 1983-'84 became the first ever Finnish born player to score 50 goals in a single season. The 1992-93 season had two Russian born players eclipse the 50 goal mark with Alexander Mogilny and Pavel Bure both accomplishing the feat.

The Czech Republic was represented through Jaromir Jagr and Slovakia by Petr Bondra, who would both witness 50 goal seasons in the 1995-'96 season. The first ever American born player to notch 50 in a season was the Washington Capitals’ Bobby Carpenter, who potted 53 in 1984-'85.

Rod Brind’Amour is currently the NHL’s 50th all-time leading scorer, as well 50th in all-time assists. Alexander Mogilny holds down the 50th spot for all-time goals with 473 (as of Dec. 1, 2008).

Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy share the record for most 50-goal seasons in a career. Both registered nine seasons of 50 or more goals. Craig Simpson and Dave Andreychuk are the only players to ever be traded during the season and finish with 50 or more goals.

The 1950 Stanley Cup Champions were the Detroit Red Wings. That season’s Art Ross Trophy winner was “Terrible” Ted Lindsay of the aforementioned Red Wings.

The NHL’s 50th Anniversary was 1968, and the Montreal Canadiens won that year’s Stanley Cup.

The New York Rangers spent over 50 years without a Stanley Cup until hoisting Lord Stanley’s mug in 1994. We all recall the New Jersey Devils fans chanting “1940” during the conference finals. The Chicago Blackhawks are current holders of the futility record having not won a cup in 47 years. That mark will become 50 if they do not win the Stanley Cup by 2011.

“Mr. Hockey” Gordie Howe played 80 games for Hartford Whalers in 1979—one year after his 50th birthday.

28 players have worn the No. 50 jersey in NHL history. No team has a player with that number on an active roster in the 2008-'09 season.

Martin Brodeur holds the single season record for most wins by a goaltender with 48, two short of 50.

All information found on www.statshockey.net, www.sportscity.com, www.azhockey.com

NHL was formed in 1917. 1918 was the first season the NHL consisted of the Original Six. For the purposes of this article I used 1918 as the official start date of the NHL we now know.

NHL: Todd McLellan Front Runner for Coach of the Year

Nelson Santos — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:37:45 -0500

Todd McLellan joined the underachieving San Jose Sharks in the offseason, replacing Ron Wilson, who simply could not get the Sharks over the proverbial hump.

McLellan had success at every coaching level, including a cup championship with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008. He seemed poised and ready for a head coaching gig.

However, this writer wondered if San Jose was to suffer the same fate as the Boston Bruins did when they scooped another former assistant coach from behind the Red Wings' bench.

As it turned out, Dave Lewis was a far more effective assistant than he was a head coach. He led Boston to a 35-41-6 record, missing the playoffs and subsequently being fired in the offseason.

As of San Jose's 27th game of the season, it appears McLellan is ready to be a successful NHL head coach. The San Jose Sharks set a record for the best start to a season in NHL history. They currently sit a top the NHL standings with a record of 22-3-2 for 46 points.

Joe Thornton, Devin Setoguchi, and Patrick Marleau are all inside the top 15 in scoring. Dan Boyle and Rob Blake are second and fourth, respectively in defensemen scoring.

Evgeni Nabokov is second in the league in wins amongst NHL goaltenders, even though he has played six less games than Lundqvist and Kiprusoff. However, he trails both by only one win.

What is most impressive about the revival of the San Jose Sharks is that McLellan has completely changed their approach. This is not a case whereby he took over a relatively successful team and decided to leave well-enough alone.

The Sharks are playing a far more aggressive puck pursuit and puck possession game than under the Ron Wilson regime. The Red Wings influence is certainly noticeable in the “Shark Tank.”

There is still much of the NHL season to play and McLellan has yet to deal with any adversity, which is certain to come his way, and that will be the true test of his coaching skills. However, at this point, Todd McLellan would have to be considered the runaway leader for the Jack Adams Trophy.

Mats Sundin Could Be the Mistake Mike Gillis Is Remembered For in Vancouver

Nelson Santos — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:20:59 -0500

Mid-December is quickly approaching—and if you believe J.P. Barry, Mats Sundin’s agent, a decision by the big Swede is imminent.

One of the teams interested in Sundin’s services is the Vancouver Canucks. We all recall the rumoured offer of $20 million for two years in the summer that Mats turned down.

At the time, I took it as a planned leak by Mike Gillis to show the fans of the Canucks that he was there to make them an immediate contender, and nothing more. However that rumour has not gone away, and has yet to be denied by either party.

Currently the Vancouver Canucks sit with just over $8 million in available cap space (according to hockeybuzz.com). They certainly have the room to make Mats an even wealthier pro athlete. However, the millions that would be thrown at Mats Sundin is the not the only cost the Canucks would incur. This signing if it happened would be quite near-sighted of GM Gillis.

Both Henrik and Daniel Sedin turned 28 years of age on September 26, give or take a minute, which makes both players unrestricted free agents come July 1. With both players hitting the prime of their careers, should Gillis really be wasting his time and money on a 38-year old that could be using upwards of $10 million in cap space over the next two seasons?

Mike Gillis should be maximizing all his energy and money on locking up the Twins for the next number of years. If there is any risk at all of losing the Sedins with the signing of Sundin, then Mats wearing a Canucks jersey should simply be scratched off the priority list for Vancouver management.

The Canucks organization and fans should not kid themselves. They are not yet a Cup contender—especially not in the Western Conference, with teams like San Jose and Detroit standing in the way of a trip to the Cup final.

Mike Gillis’ list of priorities should look somewhat like this:

1. Lock up the Twins long-term.

2. Acquire a true and proven goal-scoring right winger to play with the Twins. The Canucks can’t be a true contender until they finally have a true number-one line.

If the rumours are true that the FloridaPanthers are shopping Nathan Horton and his $4 million contract. Gillis would be wise to get on the phone with Jacques Martin before he comes to his senses.

3. Acquire a true second-line centre to complement Pavol Demitra

In the end, Canucks fans may be saved from a foolish move by Gillis strictly by the decision Mats Sundin will make. If Mats elects to join the New York Rangers, it will be the best move the Canucks never made.

Five Reasons to Like the Nashville Predators

Nelson Santos — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:19:19 -0500

Nashville may not be considered a true hockey market. As a matter of fact, the ownership issues over the last couple of years have been in the media spotlight more than the team's performance, whether negative or positive.

I wasn't born in Nashville. I don't reside in the "Music City". Heck, I probably couldn't point to it on a map of the United States. OK, well, maybe I could do that. But there is something about the Predators I like. Actually, there's a handful reasons I like the Preds.

Number Five

Dan Ellis. A relative unknown thrust into a back up role to Chris Mason. Ends up taking over the starter's role and playing spectacular down the stretch and in the playoffs. When he's not in goal, he dons the headset and gives his open, honest, and very witty analysis to the boys in the booth, and he does this right from the bench.

Number Four

JP Dumont. Not the greatest skater but he manages to get the job done. You gotta love a player that is loyal to a team whose ownership issues were all over the papers, and yet he re-signs to remain a Predator because he said, "I like the direction this hockey team is headed." (Emphasis on the word hockey.)

Number Three

The Nashville Predator Goal Girls. Now pretty much every team in the NHL has some sort of Pseudo-Cheerleading team. But for some reason, the Goal Girls make me stand at attention anytime a Preds player lights the lamp.

Number Two

The boys upstairs. Pete Weber and Terry Crisp have a chemistry unmatched by any duo in the league. The banter is sometimes so good I forget about the action at ice level. Crispy sounds like he gave up on school in the third grade, but he's so darn likable that you totally forgive him.

And he certainly knows the game. Weber has a voice you won't soon forget and his home team bias is spewed in very tolerable amounts. Heck he gets ya cheering for the Preds by the first intermission.

...and the Number One reason to Love the Preds

Barry Trotz! Or as I lovingly refer to him "No Neck". Let's admit it, when we first were introduced to Trotz, he looked like your prototypical hard-nosed, "Rah-Rah" motivator type who ruled a dressing room with an iron fist. Hired to get as much as possible out of the assembled has-beens and never-will-bes. Instead he has proven to be a delightfully ingenious tactical motivator.

Most coaches around the league talk about the difficulties of getting their boys focused game in and game out. Well, Trotz has done one better.

No, scratch that, he's done about four better. He's managed to keep his players focused and motivated through talk of relocation, talk of ownership changes and ownership scandals, through the fire sale of almost all the big name talent in the summer of 2006 (another repercussion of the ownership issues), and lastly, has kept his players performing, while watching one of the young stars leave for Mother Russia in the offseason while under contract with the Preds.

The only thing I don't like about Nashville is that the lack of hockey media attention (on the positives) is virtually zero, and thus, Barry Trotz has received little to no consideration for the Jack Adams Trophy as the NHL's coach of the year.

But, somehow, I get the feeling "No Neck" is not in it for the individual accolades anyways.

To Bench Or Not to Bench. Ron Wilson’s big decision

Nelson Santos — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:27:37 -0500

We’ve all been there. Yelling at our television for the coach to bench a certain player. Or when the commentator announces that so-and-so has been scratched from the line up. We voice our concurrence with the coach’s decision.

Much kudos is passed along to Ron Wilson for his willingness to sit any member of his roster to “send a message”. I will admit I’m not a huge supporter of Coach Wilson but do admire his willingness to use a very old tactic that is not nearly used as often as it once was.

However I believe Ron Wilson is guilty of over-using this tactic. I’m not exactly sure why. My guess is ego. There is no doubt Wilson believes in his abilities and his decisions. You only need watch one post-game press conference to learn this.

Here’s the issue with how Wilson utilizes the threat of benching for poor performance. Firstly the more often you do it the less effective it becomes over time. Secondly, he appears to use it to protect the media spotlight being aimed at his performance.

It seems each game day begins with pre-game questions as to why a certain Leaf will be watching from the press-box. Wilson who never shies away from telling it like it is, at least the way he thinks it is, essentially throws that player under the bus, almost to the point of blaming that player for the team’s previous performance. Worse yet, once the player is injected back into the line up and performs decently, Wilson only supplies at most a back-handed compliment to his play.

I know these are pros and we don’t need to pat them on the back for everything they do. But it’s human nature to distance yourself from someone that doesn’t seem to appreciate what you have to offer.

Ron Wilson is the furthest thing from a player’s coach. Ironically enough in this day and age of multi-millionaire players the most successful coaches appear to be the ones considered player's coaches.

Wilson’s return to San Jose is a perfect example of how Wilson chooses his battles incorrectly. Jeremy Roenick a long time veteran who last year was happy just to have a job and ended up playing pretty well under Wilson. Being rewarded for being a good foot soldier. JR had nothing but great things to say about his former coach. Joe Thornton on the other hand, one of the game's elite players in the prime of his career was indifferent to Wilson’s return at best. "Jumbo" Joe took the high road when asked that question, that's for sure.

The main objective of an NHL coach is to ready his team and players for every game and prepare them as best he can to ensure victories. Again this is another area that when studied closer you realize Wilson is hindering by his decision to constantly sit or scratch players.

Allow me to provide an example. Earlier in the season Jason Blake was demoted, then scratched and then came back worked really hard and supplied the Leafs with some offense for a couple of games. He then fell back into an offensive player’s comfort zone who was producing offense which to his understanding is his mandate. (We all know Blake has been a bust, but the reality is he is paid to a hefty wage to score goals and points). So once again to “send a message” Wilson demoted Blake to the fourth line.

The Leafs did not proceed to go on a winning streak. They surely were not lighting the lamp. So here is a team not winning, not scoring and watching as a highly paid scoring winger is playing fourth line minutes.

On the flip-side Wilson who's as quick as any coach to reward hard-working players promoted Dominic Moore to second-line centre duties and for the most part Moore has played well. However the reality is Moore is a third-line centre at best. But again Wilson was sending a message to his players that if you worked really hard you would be rewarded. Again this message did not produce wins.

While this decorated and well-respected coach was benching, demoting and promoting players within the line-up the one constant remained losses. All this at a price of losing the loyalty of a player that is paid to score goals for a living. Sure Moore is symbol of hope for all the less talented players. But all you really get when you promote checkers to top six forward spots is a hard-working but offensively challenge team. Not a recipe for wins, and isn’t that what coaching is about?

When Ron Wilson’s tenure is over in Toronto there will be many relieved Maple Leafs players and nothing will have changed. Much like it didn’t in Anaheim, Washington or San Jose.

Eric Lindros' True Legacy Was Felt on Draft Day

Nelson Santos — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:33:01 -0500

Anyone who follows hockey closely realizes that it's executives are creatures of imitation. This is one of the reasons why under-achieving players get bounced from team to team. The next GM always believes he can do more with that player. It’s also a huge reason why so many high draft choices never pan out.

(I'd like to thank Sebastien Tremblay who's article http://bleacherreport.com/articles/88981-jason-bonsignore-great-nhl-underachievers inspired me to write this).

Looking back at the late 1980s and the decade of the 1990s it is easy to see how size truly mattered. The importance of size to an extent superseded skill after the 1991 Entry Draft.

This was the year when 6"4, 220lbs Eric Lindros went first overall to the Quebec Nordiques. The “Big E” had scouts and general managers drooling since he was 14-years-old.

Now whether you believe Eric Lindros was as great as he was advertised is a discussion for another day. However, it was painfully obvious that every scout and director of player development on all 24 NHL teams were mandated to find the next BIG guy.

There is a general understanding that the draft is essentially a crap-shoot. No matter how much a team watches, assesses, and evaluates a player, you just never know what will happen when he turns pro. I don't disagree with this, however, the process of evaluating prospects has improved greatly over the years and have developed at a far greater rate of success. The only hindrance has been the stubbornness of these “old time” hockey guys who make up the NHL’s executives.

Generally the top five ranked players in a draft are considered anything from a franchise player to a blue chip/can’t miss pro. Through to the top 10, teams expect to draft a future everyday contributing NHL player.

Starting from 1992 you can easily go through the draft lists and pick out players that were ranked and drafted way too high mainly because they were teenage giants. The same attributes these players lacked would never have been compromised if the player was 5’10 and 175lbs.

1992:

Mike Rathje – third overall San Jose and 6’5” 230lbs. Rathje was a decent and steady defenseman, but his skill sets were not worthy of a third overall pick

Andrei Nazarov – 10^th overall San Jose and 6’5” 230lbs. Nazarov went on to a distinguished career as maybe the first Russian born and trained GOON. To my knowledge goons are usually free agent signings or 10^th round picks, not 10^th overall.

Two players that could’ve been selected instead were Sergei Gonchar 14^th and Martin Straka 19^th.

1993:

Chris Gratton drafted third overall ahead of Paul Kariya. He certainly held no skills above Kariya, and I’m sure the deciding factors came down to four inches and 40 pounds.

Florida used the fifth overall pick to select the younger, but far larger brother of Scott Neidermayer, Rob.

This fifth overall selection struggled to ever find his offensive game and in turn has settled into a solid checking line role. Not exactly what teams are looking for when they have a top five pick.

Of the 26 players taken in the first round, 11 players were well over six feet and 200lbs.

1994:

Both Radek Bonk and Jason Bonsignore are taken in the top five (third and fourth respectively). Neither player panned out to be anything near what was advertised.

13 players were over the six foot and 200 pound mark in the first round of the ’94 draft.

Wade Belak was selected 12^th overall.

1995:

This draft saw a dip in overall size, and the emphasize appeared to be on skill and talent. However, Chad Kilger was selected fourth overall by Anaheim ahead of Daymond Langkow (fifth overall, and even Jarome Iginla was selected 11^th.

I guess Anaheim viewed Kilger's three inches and 15lbs more valuable than Iginla's better hands.

Here are some more players whose skill level simply screamed career fourth liner that were taken in the top ten:

1996 – Erik Rasmussen, seventh overall

1997 – Thornton went first and Marleau second. This draft actually saw both size and skill selected high, even though the Montreal Canadiens selected Jason Ward 11^th, one spot ahead of Marian Hossa.

1998 – Brad Stuart, Bryan Allen, and Vitaly Vishnevsky were slected second, third, and fourth. Enough said.

1999 – The final draft of the decade saw the New York Islanders select Taylor Pyatt eighth overall

Some may argue that the players I’ve listed played a good length of time in the NHL at least. But they never came close to meeting the expectations I have regarding top five or top 10 picks. Its scary to think if Patrick Kane had been part of the 1993 draft he would have not been selected any higher than fourth.

NHL Rules: Simple Steps The League Can Take To Make Play Better

Nelson Santos — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:59:09 -0500

During the most recent General Managers meetings I read a column regarding the topics that may be put on the table for discussion.

One of the possible topics was the "Trapezoid" and whether or not its implementation has had the desired effect.

According to the columnist (Pierre LeBrun), many NHL General Managers actually believe scoring chances are down due to the trapezoid. They believe that the good puck-handling goaltenders are the minority and that the rule to eliminate goaltenders from straying to play the puck has helped the less skilled goaltender from making detrimental mistakes.

One of the biggest issues the NHL has had with all the changes to rules and game play since resuming after the lock out has been that decisions seem to have to be black or white.

Why not simply amend rules that may not be working with the desired effect? The implementation has had negative and positive results. If you simply eliminate it, wouldn't that eliminate positive changes completely?

In my humble opinion, one of the real positives of the trapezoid has been the re-introduction of the "Dump and Chase" option as a way to gain entry into the offensive zone.

Good hockey has a lot of flow, and is all about options. The more options out there for the offensive team, the more difficult the job is for the defensive team.

The topic of eliminating the trapezoid was brought to the forefront mainly due to a few defenseman being completely obliterated while heading back to retrieve a dumped puck in the corner.

The claim which GMs make is: If the goalie could play that puck, it would cut down on the chances of defensemen being in that position.

Of course the other option thrown out there is to allow for the defenseman's teammate to cause a bit of interference to allow him some time to get back; however, this should not be an option.

No amount of "legal obstruction" should be allowed back into the game.

Personally I thought, and still think, the trapezoid was a great idea. I'm willing to see a few defensemen get knocked right out of their skates as trade off for the option of dump and chase hockey.

I would recommend to the NHL Competition Committee and BOG this solution to their concerns: Simply reverse the trapezoid. Allow the goaltenders to play the puck outside the trapezoid and not inside, as long as they remain behind the goal-line (of course the option for the goaltenders to play the puck anywhere in front of the goal-line would remain as it is currently).

If the NHL GMs really are concerned with defensemen being vulnerable from all the “dump and chase” hockey; if they’re concerned with the decrease in scoring chances from goaltenders electing to stay in net as opposed to playing the puck, this would be by far the simplest solution.

In my opinion GMs are exaggerating.

The majority of NHL goaltenders today can all pretty much confidently, and successfully, wrap pucks around the boards to get it away from trouble.

Granted, there are only a handful like Brodeur, Turco, and DiPietro that can confidently skate with the puck and make successful 50 foot tape to tape passes; however, to eliminate offensive possession in the zone, you only need require the ability to firmly wrap a puck along the wall.

As of now, a goaltender plays the puck from an area two feet behind or to the side of his net. If he gives the puck away his trek back to recovery is not very far and thus allows for a higher percentage of recovery saves.

In this regard I agree with the NHL GMs, but it doesn't matter, they err again anyway. If we eliminate the trapezoid completely, the advantage falls back to the elite puck handlers and the inept goaltenders will still sit in their net and not test a weak area of their game.

Result of playing the puck outside the trapezoid: Even elite puck-handlers make mistakes and I rather have someone like Marty Turco 40 feet away from his net in the corner when he makes that rare gaff as opposed to right beside his goal post.

This rule would penalize puck-handling errors made by the best and would still act as a deterrent for the weaker puck-handling goalies thus allowing for the dump and chase to remain an option for entry into the offensive zone.

Another positive of this rule change would be that the hard wrap around dump would be used heavily, as the opposition goaltender would have a very difficult time getting outside the trapezoid line to stop the puck.

Seldom are defensemen annihilated on these types of dump-ins. If the opposition team shot the puck in and it stopped inside the trapezoid where the goalie could not play it, the only option would be for the defensemen to retrieve it. He would now be protected to an extent by the net. Not being able to have a direct line at the target would force the forechecking player to slow down, thus cutting down the chances of ramming the opposition player through the glass.

One part of the equation I believe the GMs have missed up until now, and still are for that matter, is that we should not be concentrating on which goalies are great with the puck on their stick.

The rules need to force the goalie to be a great skater. The danger in a goalie leaving his net to play the puck is his ability to skate around and get back to his net. If the rules are set up in a way whereby the goalie's risk is being caught in no man's land then the NHL will have implemented a successful rule change.

Mike Knuble to the Vancouver Canucks?

Nelson Santos — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:34:10 -0500

While watching the Vancouver Canucks lose to the Columbus Blue Jackets last night, I had a thought. The thought related to the Philadelphia Flyers and Holmgren's approaching salary cap issue(s) with the imminent returns of Randy Jones and Ryan Parent.

It's no secret that at some point this season, Paul Holmgren will be shipping at least a couple of players to the lowest bidder. By lowest bidder, I'm referring to the team that can supply the best return without an immediate cap hit, assets like draft picks or junior prospects.

Enter Cory Schneider.

Schneider has been fantastic for the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. He leads the AHL with a 1.39 GAA with a 10-1 record in 11 games this season.

Vancouver has one problem, albeit a problem all NHL GMs would love to have: They don't have anywhere for Schneider to play.

Roberto Luongo is not only one of the NHL's premier netminders, he is also young enough to be one of the best for the next long while. This makes Cory Schneider more of an asset than a future No. 1 goalie for the Canucks.

Enter Mike Gillis.

The Canucks' GM has a ton of available cap space. (See the summertime offer to Mats Sundin.) Long have the Canucks struggled to find a suitable winger for the Sedins.

Many thought the Canucks had found the answer in Steve Bernier. He is big, strong, lives in front of the net, and is even a right-handed shot. He fit all the criteria the Sedins require.

Unfortunately, he was missing one ingredient: proven numbers.

Enter Mike Knuble.

At $2.9 million, Knuble is on Holmgren's radar to ease the cap issue. This is no secret. So why not a deal with the Canucks?

He fits the criteria perfectly. He is a perennial 20-30 goal scorer and he has made a living complementing some of the most skilled players in the league (e.g. Joe Thornton, Peter Forsberg, Danny Briere, and Simon Gagne).

So there is no doubt he could keep up with the Sedins and their whirlwind cycling of the puck. In return, the Flyers could finally add some level of depth to a position in the organization void of any depth at all.

After Biron and Niittymaki, the cupboard is bare. Cory Schneider would not be an immediate cap hit which first and foremost fits the criteria for any deal Paul Holmgren will be looking to make in the near and foreseeable future.

So there you have it. Two teams, two players, and a series of individual organizational needs—all the ingredients of a trade in the making.

That being said, this is merely a thought I had. I have no insider contacts within the NHL or AHL for that matter.

Get Out the Welcome Matt for Carle in Philly

Nelson Santos — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:15:14 -0500

According to NHL.com:

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have acquired 6'0", 205-pound defenseman Matt Carle and the San Jose Sharks' third round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Steve Eminger, Steve Downie and Tampa Bay's fourth round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, according to club General Manager Paul Holmgren.

This appears to be a curious move at the very least.

Paul Holmgren, who has made numerous good to very good deals since taking over for Bobby Clarke as the Flyers GM in 2007, has this writer scratching his head. Some things will have to fall into place for this trade to rank along with the others.

Eminger, who was given all of 12 games to show his stuff after being acquired from the Washington Capitals with a third-round pick for a first-rounder in the 2008 Entry draft, will now ply his trade in Tampa Bay. Eminger is one of those defensemen that can provide a little of everything. And when his confidence is high, he can be really good; unfortunately, he can also be quite bad when his confidence is low.

Downie is even more surprising. Less than a year ago he was one of the most promising prospects in the Flyers organization, and for short spurts during his rookie season proved he could keep his head on straight long enough to put some pucks in the net.

Downie was not given much of a chance this season, and whether that was a sign that coach Stevens didn't think his game had improved enough over the summer, only he knows.

In Carle, the Flyers receive a good-skating defenseman who showed some offensive skills in his rookie campaign with the San Jose Sharks in 2006-07. Unfortunately, Carle has not come close to looking like that defenseman since.

His stay in Tampa was as long as Eminger's was in Philadelphia, and, who knows, maybe a change will do both of them some good.

What I find curious about this deal is that Philadelphia has struggled keeping pucks out of their net early in 2008. I would have thought the need for puck-moving, offensive-minded rear guards would not be considered right now. Matt Carle has never shown to be a solid defender, even when playing at his best. It's simply not his game.

Carle also arrives with a hefty $3,437,500 contract, which will see him receive that through the 2011-12 season.

In Eminger and Downie, the Flyers only moved a total of $2,021,667. This means Holmgren has increased the payroll another $1,415,833. This can only mean that Holmgren is not done yet. He simply can't be, as the Flyers are again near or over top of the cap ceiling.

This move now bring the Flyers back to 49 professional contracts, which means they have the contract space to potentially sign Brendan Shanahan, although being near to over the cap they would have to make more roster moves to enable welcoming Shanahan to the city of Brotherly Love.

Whether the Flyers will be better with Carle than with Eminger remains to be seen.

Unless Carle can find the form from his rookie season, this may not go down as one of Holmgren's managerial gems.

Two Changes the NHL Has Overlooked

Nelson Santos — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:37:47 -0500

There has been one constant since the NHL resumed play after the locked out season of 2004-05—never-ending changes aimed at making the game more exciting.

It’s great that the National Hockey League was willing to look at itself in the mirror and make some much-needed changes. Unfortunately, the NHL has erred in that before they allow the changes to take effect other changes are implemented.

For the most part, the changes have been introduced to help inject more flow and scoring back into the game. Some of the changes implemented over the last three seasons have been stricter officiating on infractions such as obstruction or hooking, andhe downsizing of goaltender equipment (although in my opinion, they could downsize much further yet).

These are two of the main changes. There are many others, too numerous to list.

A competition committee was created to gather and brainstorm changes and ideas to improve the game. This committee, made up of hockey minds, has come up with many ideas, and yet—unbelievably, to me—they have overlooked two blatantly obvious opportunities that would greatly increase flow and scoring chances.

Some may have heard Bob Gainey’s suggestion regarding players dropping to the ice surface to block shots. His "radical" suggestion is that players should not be allowed to do so. Gainey is one of the most respected hockey minds around, and yet he is at least a decade behind yours truly.

The second suggestion I would propose to the competition committee is not allowing players using their hands to play the puck. I can remember a time when if a puck was played anywhere on the ice surface by a hand and that player’s team mate then played the puck the whistle would blow. Of course in desperate times players would purposely play the puck to garner a whistle and a stoppage of play.

So the NHL decided to eliminate this rule, and allowed players to play a puck with their hand and move it to a teammate, as long as the puck was played within the defensive zone the play could continue. Am I the only one who sees this as maybe the dumbest “solution” to a problem?

I have taken much abuse in bar-room chats over the last number years whenever I've brought up the suggestion to not allow players to “sacrifice” their bodies to block shots. The goalie wears proper equipment to stop pucks; let him handle it.

This is another instance whereby the NHL has not adapted to the ripple effect of other rule changes. Because the NHL is far more stringent on obstruction-type infractions, defensemen are otherwise handicapped to clear opposition forwards from in front of the net.

So coaches have once again proved very adaptable. Coaches now emphasize to every player the importance of not letting shots get through to the goalie. Unfortunately, the "skill" of blocking shots is a complete and utter hindrance to goals and scoring chances in general.

I propose that any player dropping to the ice in any way, shape, or form to block a shot is penalized for delay of the game. Blocking shots while standing upright would still be allowed.

The second rule change is not really a change at all. Playing the puck with your hand should go back to how it was originally called. A player was able to use his hand to control the puck and play it himself. He was also allowed to bat the puck away.

The very fact that the NHL allows players in the defensive zone to use their hands to clear a puck out of danger or move it to a team mate is ridiculous as it is so obviously a violation against the end goal of creating flow and scoring chances.

If a player loses or breaks his stick, the advantage should move to the opposition, shouldn’t it? Yet, because players can use their hands to play the puck, you see more and more desperation moves. Players literally lunge or dive at the puck, and slide it to a teammate who is better suited to get the puck out of danger.

Can someone please explain to me how Colin Campbell hasn’t ever come to the conclusion that this kills flow and scoring chances?

Controlling of the puck to get it back to one’s self is required for both flow and safety. The batting or swatting of the puck should be abolished entirely.

I propose that any player guilty of batting or swatting a puck out of the air or along the ice surface with their hand be assessed a two-minute penalty for delay of game. Also, if the puck is then played anywhere on the ice surface by a teammate, that team would be charged with a penalty, for...you guessed it. Delay of game.

One of the major issues with the NHL is that they are really the only major sports league that allows for variations on the rules within the sport. In soccer, you are not allowed to play the ball with your hands at anytime or any place—plain and simple. In basketball, if the ball is kicked, the whistle is blown. They do not make exceptions if the ball is them retrieved by a teammate.

More variations of the rules provied more wiggle room for the ever-adaptive coaches.

The Salary Cap’s Affect on Teenagers in the NHL

Nelson Santos — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:42:01 -0500

There are few things more exciting for a sports fan than watching and following the progress of a new prospect on their favourite team. I prefer to watch the young players in the league and follow their progress, or lack thereof in some instances.

One of the ways the NHL won me back as a fan after the lockout was by accident, really. When the NHL imposed a salary cap it forced many teams, if not all, to look deeper into their organizations and promote prospects; sometimes earlier than expected. Witnessing this influx of young talent made me curious to get back in front of my television.

One of the storylines early in the 2008-09 season was that five defensemen drafted in the 2008 entry draft would make their NHL debuts at 18 years old. More shocking is the fact that all five defensemen have made it past the ten game window whereby they are now on the payroll, and thus not likely to be returned to their respective junior clubs.

In all, ten players drafted in the first round of the 2008 draft made their respective NHL teams out of training camp. As of Nov. 5, eight of them are everyday players in the NHL.

Some say that players are ready now more than ever to play in the NHL at 18 years old because of workout and dietary programs, as well as the media coverage they garner at such a young age. I can’t disagree with these suggestions.

Although I agree with these reasons as attributing factors, I firmly believe the salary cap is the main driver for why teams gamble that an 18-year-old will not only have a positive impact on the team’s immediate success, but also not have his personal development impacted negatively by making the direct jump from junior hockey to the pros.

Teams that live under the salary cap (a la Philadelphia and New York Rangers) require a couple of "cheap" solutions to fill out roster spots. Teams that struggle to make a profit at year’s end see an entry level contract as a low cost of operating option.

Some teams get lucky and the teenager performs admirably; and for the most part these kids can play. Let’s take a look at the statistical proof through the first month to try and figures out if the decision was hockey or business related.

Drew Doughty (drafted second overall) 11 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 P, plus-5 (Kings 3-6-2, 15th in the West)

Zach Bogosian (drafted third overall) 8 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, minus-2 (Thrashers 3-7-2, 15th in the East)

*Note: Bogosian has broken leg.*

Alex Pietrangelo (drafted fourth overall) 4 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, minus-2 (Blues 5-5-0, 10th in the West)

Luke Schenn (drafted fifth overall) 13 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 P, minus-3 (Maple Leafs 5-4-4, eighth in the East)

Luca Sbisa (drafted 19th overall) 11 GP, 0 G, 6 A, 6 P, minus-2 (Flyers 4-4-3, 12th in the east)

Now I’m not trying to lay the blame of the poor performances of these teams on these young kids. As a matter of fact, for many of these teams these kids have been their only bright spot. But that is probably more to do with the fact that these teams didn’t have any bright spots to start with.

When you look at each individual’s stats no one really jumps out at you. There is not one player whose stats speak for the reason he is still in the NHL and at the very least earning a pro contract for the remainder of the season.

An 18-year-old defenseman: A better business decision than hockey decision.

Youth Needs To Be Served In The Desert

Nelson Santos — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:50:34 -0500

I believe the Phoenix Coyotes have a decent team and could win more if Wayne Gretzky had his lines better sorted and was more patient in awaiting positive results. Here’s the rundown of the lines from the game last night against the Calgary Flames.

1st Doan-Jokinen-Mueller

2nd Carcillo-G. Murray-Fedoruk (the centre would normally be Turris. He was a healthy scratch)

3rd Winnik-Hanzal-Tikonov

4th Boedker-Reinprecht-Porter

Gretzky has a total of four rookies on a given night to work with (Boedker, Turris, Tikonov and Porter) and all of them can play at the NHL level, Porter to me is the only one destined to be outside the top six-level forward. The others are guys who will sooner than later become top six players.

If I'm Wayne Gretzky here's how I handle it. Please keep in mind I am a firm believer that the biggest hindrance to success or at the very least consistent play when you have a lot of young players is this constant changing or shuffling of lines…

I'd rather scratch a young player every now and then as a wake up call than have him one night or one shift as a first liner then play him four minutes on the fourth line with “plumbers”.

1st line: Mueller/Jokinen/Boekder

In my opinion Mikkel Boedker is the best of the four rookies on the Coyotes. He is very good defensively and you always need a defensive minded guy on your top unit.

2nd line: Doan/Hanzal/Carcillo

Carcillo is a pest but he can play. Hanzal is a big, strong kid in the mold of Handzus but better offensively. I think after the rookie year he had last season Gretzky is stifling him by having play third line minutes.

3rd line: Winnik/Turris/Tikonov

Both Tikonov and Turris should play more than 3rd line, but at least the two of them on the same line would allow them to play with OFFENSE in mind.

4th line: Reinprecht/Porter/Fedoruk

Decent 4th line. Reinprecht is an astute player and Porter would get that seasoning he would benefit from for future years.

As coach, I would always allow for a 3—5 game trial to gain chemistry and measure the success and growth of each unit. These line combos have a bit of everything on them. Depth is a huge benefit and the more you can get out of each of your forward units the better off you are.

Wayne was probably the all-time most patient player to ever grace the NHL, but I fear his patience behind the bench is not equal to his playing days.

Luca Sbisa: NHL Rookie or Junior Hockey Star in 2009?

Nelson Santos — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 07:10:45 -0400

When the Philadelphia Flyers face the New York Islanders on Thursday, October 30, it will mark the 10th game of the season.

Most seasons, the 10th game would be nothing more than a game in late October. Decisions about starting rosters wouldn’t be on the difficult side, normally. However, there is a very difficult decision for Flyers management to make. His name is Luca Sbisa. If Sbisa laces up the skates and plays one shift on Thursday night it will make his rookie season official as far as remaining on the Flyers' 2008-09 payroll.

Has Sbisa given the Flyers reason to believe he could make the jump to the NHL at 18 years old? Sure. However, the issue with playing an 18-year-old defenseman full time in the NHL is that sometimes you only realize it was a bad developmental move when the player is not the player you expected him to be at 24 years old.

Sbisa earned a long look throughout training camp with solid performance and maybe started the season with the big club because of the injuries to both Nathan Parent and Randy Jones. Let’s give credit to the youngster for taking advantage of the opportunity and making the decision very difficult on Paul Holmgren.

Parent and Jones will both miss quite a stretch of games, which would guarantee Sbisa a lengthy period of time whereby he would not be in any real danger of being stricken to the press box as a healthy scratch.

The major concern teams have with playing an 18-year-old, especially a defenseman, is that they fear the player will be unable to bear the toll of an 82-game schedule, both mentally and physically. This is a legitimate concern for sure.

What makes the decision unique for the Flyers is that it’s not so much the development as it is contract space, not cap space. The Flyers would have 50 NHL contracts even if they shipped Sbisa back to Lethbridge of the WHL later on in the season, and that would tie the hands of the Flyers in case of injuries as the season progressed.

I believe Sbisa should remain with the big club for a few reasons. Firstly, the skill set he brings as far as skating and puck moving is exactly what the Flyers need. Also, he provides a depth option in case Timonen or Coburn goes down with injury.

Now, of course I would not expect him to put up the same type of numbers in either points or minutes played as those two, but it would not be as big a leap for Sbisa to be responsible for some offense from the back-end as it would be to expect Vaananen or Eminger to provide offense, as examples.

Also I’m a believer that a young player can develop watching a few games from the press box, as long as the player is fully aware of the reason(s) he has been summoned to the eagle’s nest of NHL arenas.

Here's something to ponder. How many options would open up for the Flyers if, by the NHL trade deadline, Sbisa proved not only capable of playing regularly in the NHL, but was excelling? Could that mean the Flyers could clear cap space by parting with one of their veteran defensemen?

Would the Flyers go from a team with two very good defensemen in Timonen and Coburn, as well as a decent No. 3 in Randy Jones to a team with a quality top four group?

Philadelphia Flyers Have Big Line Issues

Nelson Santos — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 08:52:07 -0400

On September 22, I wrote an article on why the big line of Richards-Briere-Gagne wouldn’t work.

The main point of my article was simply that although I did believe that it could form one of the top lines in the league, it would hinder Philly’s best asset—depth of scoring.

Four games into the season, the Flyers are 0-3-1 and have scored 10 goals. Gagne and Richards represent seven of those goals with Carter and Hartnell combining for the other three. I’d say the depth is gone.

Now yes, I understand it’s quite early in the season, and it could be that some players are just starting slowly. However, in watching the first three games of the season one thing was very obvious—the Flyers could not put together two quality shifts.

There was no flow and no chemistry on any of the other lines. The “BRG” line looked dangerous at times, and compared to the other units they looked great—but that’s not going to win the Flyers any games.

Another reason I would love to see Mike Richards back centring Joffrey Lupul and Scott Hartnell—like he did last season quite effectively, until Derian Hatcher almost decapitated Lupul—is that Mike Richards would be required to be far less physically than he has been thus far.

Playing with Gagne and Briere, Richards is the physical presence. When lined up with Hartnell and Lupul, Mike Richards can ease up on the physicality. The last thing Philly needs is for their captain to get injured, or simply wear himself down early in the season.

John Stevens should reserve the “BRG” line for first unit power-play duties only. Mike Knuble has been hugely ineffective with Carter and Upshall. Throw the big man back on the wing with Briere and Gagne where he was at his best.

Steve Downie would benefit from playing alongside Carter and Upshall in a more offensive role. The longer Downie is stuck on fourth line duties being an “energy” player, the better the chances he turns into your everyday agitator with very little offensive contribution to his team. Steve Downie has shown he can put the puck in the net, and Philadelphia must find a way to give him the opportunities to do so.

The only positive of the slow start is that failure breeds change. Here’s hoping Coach Stevens comes to his senses—and soon.

Observations from Week One of the NHL Season

Nelson Santos — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 04:31:01 -0400

Barry Trotz and the Nashville Predators are 2-2-0 despite more adversity. Very little news has been positive out of the “Music City” in the last few years. Over the summer they lost Alexander Radulov to the KHL, and yet Trotz seems to get his ducks in a row and keep the Predators respectable. Has anyone thought of Trotz for Team Canada 2010?

Watching the Chicago Blackhawks' early season struggles I noticed Dustin Byfuglien is truly a poor hockey player. He is a giant of a man and has a hard shot, presuming he has the 10 seconds he needs to release it. He simply does not fit the up-tempo game the ‘Hawks will want to play. Hopefully Quenneville sees what Savard didn’t. Jack Skille needs to be moved up the depth chart.

The Washington Capitals will need to score a lot of goals if they hope to win with Jose Theodore in goal. Jose has great hair and apparently a great agent. I can’t understand how this guy not only finds starting jobs, but gets paid quite well to do so.

The Montreal Canadiens are fast and skilled, but it seems they can only score when they have the man advantage. You live by the power play, you die by the power play. Carey Price is on his way to becoming the most overrated goaltender in hockey history. I just don’t see what all the praise is about.

The Sedins finally have the big, strong right-handed shooting net presence in Steve Bernier, yet in the first four games they have hardly looked his way.

Many of the Philadelphia Flyers players look very tentative. One wonders if the expectations of success are weighing on them. Martin Biron sure looks shaky in goal.

Only bright spots have been Gagne’s return with four goals in four games and Luca Sbisa has been a pleasant surprise on the back-end.

We’ve heard of the Stanley Cup hangover. The phrase "finalist hangover" may have to start being used more often. Pittsburgh looks tired and uninterested early on. Missing Gonchar and Whitney surely hasn’t helped.

It's early on in the season, but trends can happen early and carry on all season long.

Is "Grit" Valuable, or Just Make-Believe Skill?

Nelson Santos — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:01:58 -0400

Grit is defined as "firmness of character; indomitable spirit; pluck."

Grit is also a term often used when hockey fans talk about players on their favourite team that don’t often contribute tangible results, such as goals or assists. Checking-line or energy players are usually described as gritty or tenacious. Coaches express to the media hordes that so-and-so adds a bit of sandpaper to our line up.

But when is claiming grit as a positive attribute, enough?

After naming the 2002 Canadian Men’s Olympic team, Wayne Gretzky was questioned by the Canadian media as to whether he was worried that they didn’t have enough grit or hard workers in the line up. Gretzky responded with maybe the truest statement ever heard in hockey: "The only thing that beats hard work in a hockey game is hard work and skill."

It was at this point that I began to be far more conservative with my use of the term grit when describing a particular player and his positive attributes.

I do believe grit is an excellent quality for a professional hockey player to possess—as a matter of fact, many of the games superstars only achieved that next level once they add a little grit to their game. Hockey is a physical sport, and you can’t succeed playing along the perimeter.

I understand that. However, the key here is to add grit to tangible skill sets—otherwise, the player is nothing more than...well, grit.

Nothing irks me more than to hear fans list only grit as the reason a player is good or invaluable to their team. Grit is a last-ditch effort to find something positive to say about a player. These fans will claim that the gritty style has an impact on the game. The fans I’m referring to know who they are.

These are the fans who claim grit and a missed high-sticking infraction by the Great One are the reasons they were one win away from a trip to the NHL Finals in 1993. Some of these fans believe grit was the ingredient that made the replacement of Mats Sundin for Wendel Clark a mistake.

Many of these fans claimed the grit supplied by over-the-hill acquisitions such Gary Roberts, Owen Nolan—and Clark, twice—was going to strengthen their team for long runs through the playoffs. Grit was the reason Darcy Tucker was worth the contract awarded to him—well, until the Leafs started missing out on the playoffs and Tucker and his gritty presence became expendable.

Ryan Hollweg is destined to be the new fan favourite, because the only positive anyone could ever list about his game is grit. Grit was the edge the Maple Leafs held over the much more talented and skilled Ottawa Senators that allowed for annual first-round upsets.

Incorrect. Ottawa’s inexperience and shaky goaltending is what cost them those series.

So to all these fans, may I suggest that before you go on about the grit a certain player provides, make sure that player possess some type of hockey-related skill sets. Talent is always a nice start.

Let me end with a quote by one of the greatest hockey minds I know:

"Grit may win you a shift or a game. But talent wins you championships."

Nelson Santos

Mike Richards: Man Crush Series, Part One

Nelson Santos — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:07:25 -0400

Let’s face it, gentleman—if you're a huge sports fan, it means you are susceptible to falling into a man crush situation.

Take a second and think of how unnatural it is as a grown man to wear a jersey with another adult male’s name and employee number on the back of it.

Well, I’m here to confess my man crushes. That’s right, I have more than one. Although for my first segment, it’s going to be all about Mike Richards.

It all started for me while watching the Memorial Cup Championships in 2003. The Kitchener Rangers won the Championship that season, with a lineup that boasted Derek Roy, Gregory Campbell, and Steve Eminger.

But it was Mike Richards that jumped out at me. His determination to win every puck battle, his perpetually-intelligent decisions, and his overall competitive nature was remarkable to me.

My discovery of Mike Richards was followed by the joy of my favourite NHL team selecting him with the second pick of the first round, 23rd overall. Jeff Carter was selected 11th overall and got most of the media attention—but my man crush remained strictly on Mike Richards.

In the upcoming seasons, he would further endear himself to me with his performances in back-to-back World Junior Championships.

Richards was an integral piece of the puzzle in 2003-04, but wearing the captain ‘C’ the following year and leading arguably the best national junior team Canada has ever iced was a sure bet that I would continue my man crush on Mike. Combine that with his masterful performance in shutting down Alexander Ovechkin, and I couldn’t wait for his NHL career to begin.

Although his career with the Flyers was not as explosive as many anticipated I was more than willing to wait for his time to come. That time was the 2007-08 season.

Richards took his game to a new level proving to all that the hype that preceded his first NHL game was warranted. He was Mr. Everything for the Flyers last season and I firmly believe he will continue to be. I guess his 12-year contract is a sign that Flyers’ management believes the same thing.

He’ll begin the 2008-09 season as the Flyers’ captain. Factor in all his hard work and career season and he is still a very humble individual. He scores, he hits, he fights, he leads, and he plays to win. What’s not to love?