Commentary
Stylin' and Profilin': Today's Most Creative NHL Goalie Pads
January 10th, 2019 With today’s technology and manufacturers’ willingness to push the envelope, goalie equipment has become a canvas frequently styled in a manner that would warrant a “WOOOO!” from the ever-fashionable Ric Flair. More now than ever before, usually quiet...
Blue Jackets Facing January Judgment
January 5th, 2019 The Columbus Blue Jackets ended 2018 on a high note. They started 2019 on a scary low note Friday night in Raleigh. The Hurricanes raced out to a 3-0 lead and then held on to defeat the Blue Jackets 4-2. The key word in that last sentence was raced. The Hurricanes...
2019 World Juniors: Favourites Prevailing Thus Far
December 29th, 2018 VANCOUVER — Through three days at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, there haven’t been any real surprises or upsets. Those of us in pick ’em pools and bracket drafts are probably doing pretty good since the favourites have been prevailing thus far. Canada...
Pierre-Luc Dubois Proving Many Experts Wrong
December 28th, 2018 Ah yes, the Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine draft. Who could forget what happened after their names were called first and second in 2016? I never will. The Columbus Blue Jackets won one of the lottery draws in that offseason. Their reward was picking third overall. They...
2019 World Juniors: Canada Passes Stress Test from Swiss
December 28th, 2018 VANCOUVER — Max Comtois could play for Ernie McLean. So could Jaret Anderson-Dolan and No. 10 from Switzerland too, that being Yannick Bruschweiler. McLean, perhaps better known as Punch, is a legendary Lower Mainland coach who led the New Westminster Bruins for two...
2019 World Juniors: Canada Dominant on Day 1
December 27th, 2018 VANCOUVER — So far, so good. For Canada and for me. Flying into Vancouver, getting to Rogers Arena, finding my designated seat in the press box — ’twas all smooth sailing on the opening day of the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship. Perched high above ice level...
Coyotes and Suns Must Work Together on Arena Deal
December 24th, 2018 Stop me if you've heard this before - there are relocation rumors surrounding a professional sports franchise in Phoenix, Arizona. However, for the first time in quite a while, it isn't the Arizona Coyotes in the national spotlight (who announced on Thursday that...
NHL Primes Pump for Future Talent with Transfer Fees
December 24th, 2018 When Rasmus Dahlin put pen to paper on his first NHL contract, the reverberations carried to Gothenburg and Lidkoping in his native Sweden. The No. 1 overall pick signing with the Buffalo Sabres earned Sweden more than $250,000 to put back into develop...
NHL Salary Cap Crunches Coming Next Year
December 19th, 2018 There are questions Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock won't touch with a 10-foot hockey stick. The challenge a team brimming with young talent faces in managing its payroll structure was one topic Babcock particularly enjoyed sidestepping shortly ...
NHL Notebook: Attacking Defencemen Push NHL's Offensive Surge
December 19th, 2018 Calgary Flames defenceman Mark Giordano remembers a time not that long ago when playing the position was more about giving ground than taking it. He might try holding the blue line on a clearing attempt in the offensive zone, but ot...
Blue Jackets Showing Some Signs of Life
December 16th, 2018 The Columbus Blue Jackets had a real opportunity this week to bank some points against some weaker opponents. This was the perfect way to move on from an embarrassing 4-0 loss to the Washington Capitals last Saturday while trying to find their way on home ice. This week...
Top 15 NHL Power Forwards
December 13th, 2018 It is a rare commodity for a player to have size, skill and the intelligence to put it all together on a nightly basis. This particular combination is defined as a power forward. Through the NHL's history, many have excelled in this role. Cam Neely was a player that...
Columbus Blue Jackets: Contender or Pretender?
December 9th, 2018 The Columbus Blue Jackets have had many inconsistent moments this season. But none were quite like what we saw Saturday night at Nationwide Arena. In front of a sold-out crowd with first place on the line, the Blue Jackets played perhaps their worst game of...
