Blake Wheeler took a bit of a different path to the NHL than most others, and as my colleague Mike Rappaport pointed out he: “pulled the Justin Schultz move before Justin Schultz did.” In 2004 NHL Entry Draft the Phoenix Coyotes selected Wheeler 5th overall, but he had already committed to playing college hockey with ...
On April 12, 2007, the Atlanta Thrashers skated in their first ever postseason contest. The building was sold out that night, as over 18,000 Georgia residents packed the stands of Philips Arena, most sporting light blue attire. While that event took place more than five and a half years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday.
The Calgary Flames made their biggest off-season decision in terms of off-ice personnel yesterday as General Manager Jay Feaster opted to tab a familiar face to coach the Calgary Flames, bringing Bob Hartley into the fold. Hartley and Feaster share a personal and professional relationship that spans over a decade. Before Feaster got his big ...
While Brian Burke has done some very good things in trying to rebuild the Leafs into a playoff team, there is also the flipside – he’s also made some terrible deals and signings. He’s miscalculated in terms of talent evaluation, and as a result, he’s acquired players who were perhaps oversold to LeafsNation, resulting in ...
Ilya Kovalchuk is used to the criticism by now, however unfounded it may be. Although he’s put up impressive numbers since signing a 15-year, $100 million deal prior to the 2010-11 season, the Russian sniper has been the favorite whipping boy for fans and media alike, particularly after the Devils missed the playoffs last year ...
by Jas Faulkner, contributing editor On Friday, March 30th, Predators head coach Barry Trotz hit five hundred.* Funny. He doesn’t look a day over forty-nine. That he reached this milestone against Predsnation arch nemesis Detroit hit a sweet spot for more than a few people. Red Wings’ coach Mike Babcock’s response? Kind of a rinse ...
In 1998, four teams were scheduled to make their debuts in the league by 2000. Out of the Thrashers, Wild, Blue Jackets and Predators, only one team today has the golden ticket to the Stanley Cup.
Who was it that said hockey could not survive in the South? That person has obviously never been to Nashville, Tennessee during hockey season. I was lucky enough to see firsthand how much the NHL is thriving in the Music City this past Saturday when I saw the St. Louis Blues take on the Nashville ...
