NHL: A Time For Hockey Thanks

Ricky Bobby sits down to pray to the dear Lord Baby Jesus to thank him for a wonderful meal, his two beautiful sons, Walker and Texas Ranger and his red-hot, smokin' wife, Carley.

Why don't we, as hockey fans, take a moment to reflect on what we are thankful for this Thanksgiving?

I'll go first.  My top nine. Yeah, that's right, nine!

9. Hockey Sites

Want to know when Mike Richards' contract ends, or how much cap room exists for the Leafs in 2013?  Visit CapGeek.com.  They do an excellent job of keeping up with all 30 teams and cap transactions.

Dead bored?  Take a visit to hfboards.com. Click on the "Trade Rumors and Free Agent Talk" tab to read some of the most ridiculous trade proposals ever imagined...it also leads to some extremely witty banter.

8. There Is No Winter Olympics in 2011

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VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 28: Sidney Crosby #87 of Canada starts to celebrate after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against Ryan Miller #39 of USA in the ice hockey men's gold medal game between USA and Canada on day 17 of the Vancouver 2010 Wi

The 2010 Games in Vancouver were entertaining and provided plenty of dramatic finishes, but it really took a fat chunk out of the NHL season.  Too many players seemed distracted by the whole "playing for country" thing and never got on board for the regular season.

7. Dino Ciccarelli HOF Induction

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 08: Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Dino Ciccarelli appears at a media opportunity prior to his induction ceremony at the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 8, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

After a career that included more than 1,200 NHL games, 608 goals, 1,200 points, an indecent exposure charge and a day in jail for a hatchet job over Luke Richardson's head, the wait is now over for one of the league's most colorful characters.

6. Legit Contenders

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 04: Martin Hanzal #11 and Petr Prucha #16 of the Phoenix Coyotes attempt to control the puck during the NHL game against the Colorado Avalanche at Jobing.com Arena on March 4, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Aval

Proving that last season was no flash in the pan, up-and-comers Phoenix, Los Angeles, Colorado and Montreal continue to play like they belong on the short list of claimants to Lord Stanley.

They are doing it in different ways, but are getting it done despite roster changes, injuries and higher expectations.

5. All-Star Game Changes

It may not prove to be a perfect formula, but it is something. Nearly every sport has struggled to maintain interest in their All-Star formats.  The NHL is no exception.  Brendan Shanahan, the league's VP of Hockey and Business Development, masterminded a new formula for putting on a new show. 

Even if it doesn't re-invent the game, it's much better than the same old dog and pony.

4. Big Time Rookies

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 19: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 19, 2010 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

It hasn't been the names that we were expecting to see, but there have been some great performances put in by first-year players.  Forwards Jeff Skinner, Logan Couture, Tyler Ennis and defensemen John Carlson and P.K. Subban have been outstanding. Net-minders, Michal Neuvirth and Sergei Bobrovsky, have not only battled for the lead in wins for rookies, but for the NHL lead as well.

3. Kovalchuk

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEWARK, NJ - JULY 20: Ilya Kovalchuk of the New Jersey Devils poses for photographs following the media opportunity announcing his contract renewal at the Prudential Center on July 20, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Ah, Ilya Kovalchuk.  The guy has been the story for two years now.  Last season was about if he would re-up with Atlanta or become the biggest UFA in a long time. 

This year has been all about his new contract which cost New Jersey dearly, not only in dollars, but in fines and draft picks too! The Devils salary cap nightmare and his every misstep (shootout fails) keep his name constantly in the news.

2. Stamkos

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 18: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning scores the hattrick in the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 18, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Gett

When the Lightning made him the top overall pick in 2008, much was expected of Steven Stamkos... but not this much.

Last season he tied Sidney Crosby for the most goals scored, unveiling a wicked one-time slap shot in the process.  This season, Stamkos is showing that he can score from anywhere. He is making converts in each NHL arena he visits that his name belongs in the breath as Sid and Ovie.

1. Winter Classic & HBO 24/7

The Winter Classic is it's own institution among hockey fans.  It's the NHL's showcase.  This season the league is making use of it's two biggest marketing options in Crosby and Ovechkin to be sure. 

However, the game will get another boost when cable giant HBO features the game and a behind-the-scenes look into the month leading up to it. It may expose the world's greatest game to a whole new audience.

Amen

"Also due to a binding endorsement contract that stipulates I mention Powerade at each grace, I just wanna say that Powerade is delicious and it cools you off on a hot summer day and we look forward to Powerade's release of Mystic Mountain Blueberry. Thank you, for all your power and your grace, Dear Baby God, Amen."

Thank you Ricky.

This article is also featured on Hockey Plumber