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Michael Straw

Michael is a former Managing Editor for The Hockey Writers. He's covered the Buffalo Sabres, along with the NHL in general, for various outlets since 2009. His work has been featured on outlets such as Yahoo, Sports Illustrated and Fox Sports.

The 4th Line Podcast: Episode 39

Episode 39 of The 4th Line Podcast presented by The Hockey Writers is here, and it’s sure to be one of the more fun episodes of the cast.

The guys talk about the Voracek and Galchenyuk contracts, the Bonino/Sutter trade, talk to Dan Rice from The Hockey Writers about the New Jersey Devils and realignment, share some of their fantasy hockey history and read your feedback about Space Jam.

About The 4th Line Podcast:

The 4th Line Podcast Presented By The Hockey Writers comes out of Calgary, Alberta, bringing a no finesse take on the world of hockey.

Started by Carl, Dave and Gary in October 2014, the guys share their thoughts on the news of the week and air their grievances in the Kangaroo Court.  With a variety of opinions, The 4th Line provide their own unique and fun view of hockey. So, tune in every week to hear the latest from the guys and their guests, and get a view on the game you can’t find anywhere else.

You can also find The 4th Line on Soundcloud, iTunes and Twitter.

Barclays Center in NHL 16

The NHL 16 hype train continues as the team at EA Sports has released a brand new video touting the atmosphere improves in this year’s installment of the franchise.

With the New York Islanders set to begin play in their new home in Brooklyn, the Barclays Center, the developers felt it was only right to show off a bit of the new arena for fans to get their first taste at hockey in Brooklyn. Including the authentic goal horn, the Barclays Center will feel like home for Islanders fans when they take the ice with their favorite team in NHL 16.

But if you thought the new arena was the only thing to look forward to as an Islanders fan in NHL 16, you are sadly mistaken.

The game will also feature the popular “YES!” chant that Islanders fans have taken on as a new tradition. Even the players partake in throwing their hands in the air in the way WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan, the originator of the movement, does.

NHL 16 features arena atmospheres unlike anything that has been featured in the series before. Every team’s authentic goal horns will be included as well as the goal song for over 20 of the league’s members. NHL 16 launches on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on September 15.

Goaltending Improvements in NHL 16

EA Sports has released a brand new developer diary that explains the improvements coming to the goaltending mechanics in NHL 16.

With help from Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Eddie Lack, the developers at EA Sports Vancouver have worked to deliver the most advanced goaltending control system in the history of the franchise. And with the new precision skating system in NHL 16, the control will be as responsive as ever.

“We try to get feedback from as many people as we can, NHL players included,” lead producer Sean Ramjagsingh said. “We try to use the players as best as we can. We had freddy Andersen from Ducks was around the office. Eddie Lack helped with new goalie controls/motion.

“As much as we can, we try to leverage the players to help with the on-ice part of the game. They all have opinions.”

With the new goaltending controls, users will have the ability to push across the crease, have better control of rebounds and even have a better opportunity to play the puck when it’s either behind or in front of the net.

“Precision Skating in NHL 16 captures the authentic look and feel of a goaltender’s momentum and precise movement as you control them in the crease,” Ben Ross, associate producer, said in a press release. “When the shots start flying, decide whether to make controlled positional saves or commit to high-risk athletic saves that may leave you vulnerable to secondary chances.”

NHL 16 launches on September 15 in North America for Xbox One and PlayStation 4; it launches in Europe on September 17.

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