Hockey

Luongo should be playing, not watching

2011-10-26T21:38:24Z

Alain Vigneault didn't pump gasoline on the fire, but he certainly didn't help extinguish the flames that surround his embattled goaltender on Wednesday. He should be allowed to fight his way out of this funk, with time in the crease and with or without the support of the Canucks faithful. "He's a guy who just looks unsure with himself right now," said a scout. "He used to be so confident in that crease. He's missing that demeanour." Alain Vigneault didn't pump gasoline on the fire, but he certainly didn't help extinguish the flames that surround his embattled goaltender on Wednesday.

The Vancouver Canucks head coach reasoned that starting backup Cory Schneider at home against the St. Louis Blues was the plan all along. But clearly that plan could have been altered to give Luongo some much needed time between the pipes to find his form.

Luongo put forth another suspect performance in Edmonton on Tuesday. He surrendered three goals in the opening seven minutes of the second period against the young Oilers. Enough was enough. He was summoned from the crease, replaced by Schneider and proceeded to smash his stick over the boards when he arrived at the Canucks bench.

He could only be faulted for the second goal, when he misplayed the puck behind his net and didn't scurry back to the crease in time before Oilers centre Shawn Horcoff scored. But Vancouver fans don't want to be told to chill their fury for Luongo. They have their whipping boy. The only way the heat will subside for Luongo will be for him to respond with a win streak.

Fall patterns

Luongo has gone 2-3-1 in six starts this month with 19 goals against. His save percentage is an alarming .868 (38th in the league) and his goals against is a dismal 3.45 (36th). But early-season struggles are nothing new for the 32-year-old Luongo. In seven October starts a season ago, he went 2-3-2 and allowed 20 goals. He went 7-4 in November and 8-1-1 in December. By then the Canucks were on their way to the Presidents' Trophy.

The Canucks faithful, however, will not back off. Wrongly or rightly, Luongo has been blamed for the Canucks failure in the Stanley Cup final last spring. The play of Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Ryan Kesler and others in the final has been forgotten as well as the fact that the Canucks scored only eight goals in seven games. But Luongo's three stinky outings in Boston have not been misremembered as Roger Clemens once said.

We realize the goaltender position draws undue criticism and praise like a magnet. But Luongo also wears a 12-year, no-trade contract around his neck like an albatross. Therefore, there is no room for error for him. The expectations placed on him are sky high.

Finding his form

We queried a couple of scouts who know the goalie position about Luongo's technique. They see a goaltender struggling to play the back-in-the-net style that Canucks goalie coach Roland Melanson has preached to Luongo. They see a goalie who has not found his rhythm, has not followed the puck as soundly as he should be, has struggled to read the play and has not relied on his instincts.

A good goalie rarely loses sight of the puck. On that Horcoff goal the other night, Luongo not only messed up his delivery of the puck to Vancouver defenceman Dan Hamhuis, but lost sight of puck as he returned to the crease.

Our experts do not advocate that Luongo return to his former ways, his more aggressive approach. They simply believe that more instinct and less technique could benefit him in the short term.

"He's a guy who just looks unsure with himself right now," said a scout. "He used to be so confident in that crease. He's missing that demeanour."

He should be allowed to fight his way out of this funk, with time in the crease and with or without the support of the Canucks faithful.

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NHL Power Rankings: Week 4

2011-10-25T17:24:25Z

Jon Quick has the Kings climbing, and the Canadiens and Bruins are falling in Nabil Karim's Power Rankings. It comes as no surprise that the unbeaten Washington Capitals occupy the top spot. Week 4 Power Rankings are in. Thanks to all my Tweeps for their input this week. There's a couple of themes this week: Great goaltending and soft schedules for some teams. Let the conversation begin; @nabilkarimcbc

	1. WASHINGTON CAPITALS (7-0-0) They're off to their best start in franchise history. After struggling in his Caps' debut, Tomas Vokun has turned up the dial. He's 6-0-0 with a 1.80 GAA and .944 save percentage. Meanwhile, Nicklas Backstrom (10 points) and Alex Ovechkin (seven points) are having very strong starts. Caps have a Western Canadian trip on tap.(Last Week: 3)
	2. DETROIT RED WINGS (5-1-0) Okay, so it wasn't Detroit's best effort in a 7-1 loss to the Caps in a test for who is best. But let's be honest, the world isn't crumbling in Motown. Coach Mike Babcock said there were some positives in the loss, but there are a few areas that the Red Wings need to shore up. Detroit's top line of Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Dan Clearly hasn't exactly been lighting the world on fire (a combined nine points). Special teams are ordinary. They're a very un-Detroit like 12th on the PP and 27th on the PK. (Last Week: 2)
	3. LOS ANGELES KINGS (5-1-1) The Kings are starting to roll and it's largely thanks to goaltender Jonathan Quick. As our Sr. Hockey Writer Tim Wharnsby mentioned on Hockey Night Online, many people thought Jonathan Bernier was going to take the starting gig in Hollywood coming into this season. Well, the plot hasn't exactly followed the script. Quick is putting in an award winning performance with a 5-0-1 record, 0.81 GAA and silly .972 save percentage. Bravo. (Last Week: 13)
	4. COLORADO AVALANCHE (6-2-0) The Avs continue to impress, especially young forward Gabriel Landeskog. He's just eight games into his career (four goals, one assist) and is already drawing the impressive comparison to former Avalanche-great Peter Forsberg, from Columbus Blue Jackets consultant Ken Hitchcock. David Jones hasn't been too shabby either (five goals in eight games to start the year). (Last Week: 4)
	5. BUFFALO SABRES (5-2-0) If you're not already, you need to follow Brett Hull on Twitter (@2ndbesthull). Why is this Sabres news? He took a friendly jab at Buffalo fans this week. If this ain't motivation, I'm not sure what is: (Last Week: 5)
	6. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (6-2-2) Pittsburgh's PK is absolutely ridiculous at 97 per cent. GM Ray Shero says contract talks with James Neal haven't started yet. You have to wonder who will have more bargaining power if he waits much longer. Neal already has eight goals this year without Crosby and Malkin (most of the season). The Pens' depth is just something else. (Last Week: 6)
	7. DALLAS STARS (6-2-0) The boys from the Lone Star State continue to be solid. Kari Lehtonen's play went from being a question mark to an exclamation mark six games in. He's 6-0-0, with a miniscule 1.48 GAA and .957 save percentage. His six-game winning streak is the longest for any Stars goaltender since 1993-94. The real test will be November when they face some of the heavyweights of the league (Caps, Wings and Penguins). (Last Week: 8)
	8. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (5-2-1) Big storyline: How serious is Chris Pronger's injury? According to Steve Coates on Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, Pronger was screaming "My eye! My eye!" Initial reports indicate 2-3 weeks. Was anyone really worried about Jaromir Jagr? The goal drought is over. He was dominant vs. Toronto with two beauties. (Last Week: 1)
	9. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (4-1-1) Strong week, notching five out of six points. The Hawks are explosive, second in the league in goals per game (3.43). But, maybe the biggest change that's benefited them this season: taking fewer penalties. The Hawks didn't take a trip to the sin bin against Colorado. The last time they were that well behaved was March of last season. On the season they average just 7.7 minutes per game. When they do get into trouble, the PK operates at over 94 per cent. (Last Week: 14)
	10. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (5-2-1) Okay, let's give the Buds credit before knocking them down. After being slaughtered by the Bruins, they clawed their way back three times vs. the Montreal Canadiens, thanks largely in part to former Hab Mikhail Grabovski. However, Toronto has yet to beat a team that's above .500. Are the Leafs for real or the beneficiaries of a soft schedule? (Last Week: 10)
	11. VANCOUVER CANUCKS (4-3-1) "Booooooo..." Okay, this is going to be confusing. Are fans cheering newly acquired David Booth or jeering Roberto Luongo? The Canucks shook things up by trading for some speed and skill in David Booth, Steven Reinprecht and a third-round draft pick. Mikael Samuelsson and Marco Sturm, thanks for coming out. Booth is the key here, but his health has always been questioned since the Mike Richards hit. Playing on the newly formed "American Express line" with fellow Yankees Ryan Kesler and Chris Higgins could make Booth look very healthy, very quickly. (Last Week: 15)
	12. FLORIDA PANTHERS (5-3-0) "This kid's for real." High praise from Coach Kevin Dineen for his young Swedish goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Fresh off beating the Habs, Markstrom is 2-1, with a 1.29 GAA and .967 save percentage. Will the 21-year old now challenge Jose Theodore as top cat in FLA? (Last Week: 12)
	13. SAN JOSE SHARKS (3-3-0) Sharks have had some serious bite on their current road trip. They've won two in a row going into Nashville, scoring four goals in each of those games. Since having a cyst removed, Antti Niemi is 2-1-0 with a 2.63 GAA. San Jose has been dynamite in the dot, winning 54.9 per cent of their face-offs (tied for 1st in the NHL).(Last Week: 24)
	14. ST. LOUIS BLUES (4-4-0) This is the definition of a goaltending controversy. Your high priced, highly touted keeper in Jaroslav Halak is struggling ($3.75M US this season). Meanwhile, your young back-up, Brian Elliott, who just made the roster is thriving in the spotlight ($600K on a two-way deal). He's 3-0 with a 2.06 GAA and .935 save percentage. Elliott has repeatedly said he's not taking over the No. 1 gig, rather just being trying to help his guys get W's in the short term.(Last Week: 22)
	15. ANAHEIM DUCKS (4-3-0) A couple losses (Stars, Coyotes) have side-tracked The Fowl. Anaheim now embarks on a seven-game road trip. The Ducks are like the movie Alexander. There was so much potential, but in the end, it was a flop. That's certainly the case for Anaheim in the offensive end so far (2.14 goals per game). Good news: Ryan Getzlaf finally got his first two goals of the season. Maybe he can spark teammates Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan. The Ducks were 23.5 per cent on the PP last season. This season the man advantage is operating at just over 10 per cent. (Last Week: 7)
	16. EDMONTON OILERS (3-2-2) When Wayne Gretzky gives his seal of approval, you know a player's going to be pretty darn good. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been just that with five goals and seven points. The most glaring weakness in his game right now is his inability to win face offs (26.2 percent). However, without his production, the Oil would be in the gutter averaging a frugal 1.71 goals-per-game. The biggest tap on the back goes to Nikolai Khabibulin, with a 0.71 GAA and .969 save percentage. As Alex Ovechkin would say, "That's sick." (Last Week: 17)
	17. NEW JERSEY DEVILS (3-2-1) It's been an up and down start to the season. They're off on the road, and maybe that's exactly what the Devil ordered. New Jersey's offence is anemic and that's being polite (1.83 goals per game). Two of their wins have come via the shootout or the Devils would be in the cellar for the second straight season. Here's a stat that sticks out: Jacob Josefon is the only plus player on the team. He fractured his right clavicle on Friday night and will be out 3-4 months. (Last Week: 9)
	18. NEW YORK ISLANDERS (3-3-0) Are the Islanders coming down to earth? The line of Tavares-Parenteau-Moulson is certainly not. They've combined for 22 points in six games. This could be a confidence-building or confidence-breaking week. New York has a couple dates with the Penguins and then the Sharks. Good test for the young Isles. (Last Week: 11)
	19. MINNESOTA WILD (3-2-3) The Wild are 2-1-3 in one goal games this season, which has helped them tread in the middle of the Western pack. Greg Zanon, Guillaume Latendresse and Dany Heatley are dealing with nagging groins, (Insert joke here). Their PP is zero for its last 18, and 3-for-31 on the season. (Last Week: 18)
	20. NASHVILLE PREDATORS (3-3-1)): If you're not a goal scoring team, that's one thing. But come on, at least try to score. The defensive minded Preds are being outshot on average 33-22. Patric Hornqvist was supposed to be a go-to-guy offensively, however, that hasn't panned out. Hornqvist has zero points in six games and is a minus-3. (Last Week: 16)
	21. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (3-3-2) ) It seems like déjà vu for Mathieu Garon and Dwayne Roloson. Four years ago in the City of Champions, Garon took over for Roloson when he was struggling, and the same seems to be happening in Tampa Bay. The Lightning still maintain the 42-year old is their number one, but who knows how long the leash is? Garon is 2-1-1 with a 1.51 GAA, while Roloson is 1-2-1, with a 5.09 GAA (Last Week: 26)
	22. NEW YORK RANGERS (3-2-2) Are the Rangers finally coming around? It's really hard to judge a team that's traveled more than 20,000 air miles to start the season. The addition of Brad Richards hasn't sparked the Rangers offensively (2.00 goals per game). However, there's plenty of fire in goal. Henrik Lundqvist has a 1.82 GAA and .942 save percentage. The King is in fine form to start the season. (Last Week: 28)
	23. BOSTON BRUINS (3-5-0) While the Bruins continue to stumble, Tyler Seguin continues to thrive. The kid has nine points in eight games and is showing spurts of brilliance (Just ask Dion Phanuef, who he undressed in a lopsided win vs. the Leafs). Milan Lucic finally looks like the power forward everyone expects him to be with a couple physical and productive games against Toronto and San Jose (five points combined). The B's need more of that consistently (along with help from his teammates) or the Stanley Cup champs could be in a whole lot of trouble. (Last Week: 19)
	24. PHOENIX COYOTES (3-3-0) Martin Hanzal and Keith Yandle finally got going offensively. Now it's time for Radim Vrbata to step up (one goal in seven games). He tallied 19 last season and 24 goals the year before. Coach Dave Tippett says the chances are there, it's only a matter of time before he breaks out of his mini-funk. (Last Week: 20)
	25. CAROLINA HURRICANES (3-3-2) The Hurricanes survived a Boston brawl to go 1-1-1 on their six-game road trip so far. Jeff Skinner continues to impress in his sophomore season with nine points, however, he's a little dicey on the defensive end (minus-5). Despite having a decent record, the Hurricanes need to improve on special teams (20th on PP and 21st on PK) and their goals against (3.38). Eric Staal's slow start isn't too concerning just yet. However, his minus-10 rating isn't exactly charming anyone in Raleigh. (Last Week: 21)
	26. OTTAWA SENATORS (3-5-0) You might not hear this too often this season, but a Senator received an honour this week. Jason Spezza was named the second star in the NHL this week with three goals and seven points in three games. Ottawa picked up two big wins vs. Winnipeg and Columbus. They're not really slaying Golaith, but hey, it's a start. (Last Week: 29)
	27. CALGARY FLAMES (2-4-1) Stay the course - that's the message from Coach Brent Sutter. The Flames are 1-1-1 on their recent home stand, but feel they could just as well have been 3-0-0. The Flame's top guns need to tighten up defensively. Tanguay, Jokinen, Iginla, Bourque, Glencross, and Giordano are a combined minus-12. Flames need more production too, as 2.14 goals per game won't get it done in the West. (Last Week: 25)
	28. WINNIPEG JETS (2-5-0) The Jets are giving up a goal more than they are scoring. I barely got through Grade 12 math, but even I can do this calculation: 2.12 (goals for) - 3.25 (goals against) = No success (ever). The Winnipegers did show some life against the Rangers, but a bad bounce off Zach Bogosian's skate grounded the Jets. (Last Week: 27)
	29. MONTREAL CANADIENS (1-5-2) What's going on in Montreal? According to my CBC News Network Sports Producer @CBCZajac, the Habs are off to their worst start in 70 years. There's plenty of blame to go around on this squad, but also plenty of time to turn things around. A date with the Boston Bruins and Zdeno Chara for the first time since the Max Pacioretty incident at the Bell Centre should spark a pulse in Montreal.(Last Week: 23)
	30. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (0-7-1) For a team that's supposedly losing $25 million US per season, things aren't going to get any rosier if they don't start winning and filling more than 9000 seats per night. Calling the Jackets' special teams, well special, is like saying Two and Half Men is still funny. It's just not true. Columbus' PP is sitting at 10.5 per cent. The PK isn't much better at 64.3 per cent. Give Rick Nash and Vinny Prospal their props: eight points apiece on a terrible team. (Last Week: 30)

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Cassie Campbell-Pascall answers your 5 questions

2011-10-25T14:56:26Z

Have a hockey question for Cassie Campbell-Pascall of Hockey Night in Canada? Here's where you can begin your dialogue. Send a question here and Cassie just might provide you with the answer. Here are the questions for this week.
]]> Have a hockey question for Cassie Campbell-Pascall Hockey Night in Canada? Here's where you can begin your dialogue. Send a question here and Cassie just might provide you with the answer.

1) Question: Why are some defencemen called "stay at home"? What does that mean exactly?
From: Jessica Giajnorio

Cassie: A defenceman who is called a "stay at home" defenceman is a player who usually is never found rushing from end to end with the puck. He or she makes simple plays out of their own zone and always thinks defence first. Every team needs such a reliable player who usually makes few mistakes and plays a consistent game. One of the best in the league would be Brooks Orpik from the Pittsburgh Penguins, a guy who is counted on to shut down another team's top performers and who rarely, if ever, rushes with the puck. The opposite of "stay at home" defenceman would be Mike Green from the Washington Capitals or PK Subban from the Montreal Canadiens.

2) Question: How do you think Andrew Brunette will do in Chi-town? Can't complain about having his career given a shot in the arm and jumping on the PP with Kane and Toews, Seabrook and Keith. Two goals already. What do you predict?
From: Bobby Belanger

Cassie: Andrew Brunette is a player guys love to have on their team. He is a veteran who is well respected around the league and he can play a variety of roles. Getting ample opportunity on the PP in Chicago will help with his stats and don't forget Brunette has 40-plus points in every season he has played in the NHL since his first two. He is a physical and durable player who has played all 82 games in seven of his last eight seasons.

There are three keys to building a winning team: one is to have young players who bring energy and excitement; two is having experienced players who have won before; three is having players who have never won as they bring the desire that often goes missing when a team has already had success. A player like Brunette would be perfect in the room to help remind/motivate a team as it tries to win another Stanley Cup.

3) Question: If Vancouver was to send Roberto Luongo to the minors, does his salary still go towards the Canucks salary cap?
From: Dustin Bakken

Cassie: I am not sure why the Vancouver Canucks would want to send Roberto Luongo to the minors as he is their number one goalie. For whatever reason he takes an unusual amount of criticism from Canucks fans. He was held completely responsible for the Canucks Stanley Cup loss, yet the team in front of him only scored eight goals in seven games. There are times that he needs to be better, but a player vote last season selected him as the toughest goalie to score on. However, if by chance he were sent to the minors, his salary would not count against the Vancouver Canucks salary cap.

4) Question: If the Toronto Maple Leafs are supposed to be "CANADA'S TEAM", why don't any real superstars ever play there? Darryl Sittler was okay but they have never had a Gretzky, Howe, Orr, Lemieux or Crosby type of player ever. What's up with that?
From: Wray Griffith

Cassie: Prior to the salary cap era we used to see a lot of veteran players who wanted to finish their careers in Toronto, a team they cheered for as a child. In reality though, the Toronto market is a tough one to play in. There are a lot of outside pressures and it is also a market where players cannot be anonymous. For some players that type of market works, but it isn't the cup of tea for many. Having said that, Brian Burke was in the running for Brad Richards this past summer and did try to entice him to play in Toronto. Another reason that players like Howe, Gretzky, Orr and Crosby never played, or probably never will in Crosby's case in Toronto, is because the teams they are drafted to never want them to leave and compensate them to stay for the long term.

5) Question: Do you think Rick DiPietro's contract should be renegotiated due to the fact he has missed more games then he has played and only 39 games in the past 3 seasons. What are your thoughts?
From: Leo Warren, Newfoundland

Cassie: Say what you will about Rick Dipietro, but this guy has had some bad luck. Many people questioned the New York Islanders thinking when they signed him to a 15-year contract. They knew the risks associated with it, but at the same time they couldn't have foreseen that he would become an injury prone goalie. However, a contract is a contract and once signed by both parties it is pretty much written in stone. This is the argument used by those people who believe the NHL should move in the direction of the NFL and have contracts that are not guaranteed.

If you want Cassie to answer your question, please send an e-mail to this address.

Oct. 25: Concussions and suspensions list

2011-10-25T14:00:08Z

Concussions and suspensions continue to be two hot topics as the 2011-12 NHL season unfolds. Concussions and suspensions continue to be two hot topics as the puck is about to be dropped on the 2011-12 NHL season.

The issues became intertwined when the NHL further tweaked its Rule 48 blindside headshot rule last spring and league vice-president of player safety Brendan Shanahan was given the mandate to deliver stern suspensions for those who target the head when they check an opponent.

We saw in the preseason Shanahan was willing to put his foot on the suspension pedal. Eight players started the season on the sidelines because they received supplementary discipline as deemed by Sherriff Shanahan, and there was a handful more who did not suit up because of lingering post-concussion symptoms.

As a reference, CBCSports.ca will keep track this season of players who suffer concussions and man games lost as a result as well as suspensions levied by Shanahan.

Here are those who are out as a result of concussions as of noon on Thursday October 13, 2011.

Concussions

Seven games - Marc Staal, N.Y. Rangers - was hit head-on by his brother Eric during a Feb. 22 game against Carolina. He missed the next three games, but returned to action to finish the season and playoffs. He was hampered by headaches in training camp and has missed the Rangers first two this season.

Seven - Francis Bouillon, Nashville -- suffered concussion on Jan. 16, has missed 51 regular season and playoff games last season, and the first two this season.

10 - Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh - was knocked out of action with a concussion on Jan. 5 and has missed 48 regular season and playoff games last year as well as four games for the Penguins this season.

Eight - David Perron, St. Louis - took a head shot on a hit from San Jose's Joe Thornton on Nov. 4, 2010 and missed the remaining 72 matches. He has missed the first two games for the Blues this season.

Five - Ben Smith, Chicago - missed the first five games of the regular season following a hit to the head by Detroit defenceman Brendan Smith in an exhibition game and then was demoted to the AHL.

Five - Carlo Colaiacovo, St. Louis - suffered a concussion after taking an awkward spill into the boards in the Blues season opener on Oct. 8. He returned on Oct. 21.

Five - Adam McQuaid - hit his head on the ice during an Oct. 12 game.

Four - Rick DiPietro, N.Y. Islanders -- took a shot off the mask in practice on Oct. 12 and suffered a concussion.

Five - Andy McDonald, St. Louis -- was hit in a scrum by his own teammate David Backes in a game against Dallas on Oct. 12.

Five - Jay Beagle, Washington -- suffered a head injury in a fight with Pittsburgh forward Arron Asham on Oct. 12.

Five - Peter Mueller, Colorado - missed last season with a concussion and after three games this year he began suffering symptoms on Oct. 12.

Four -- Tyler Kennedy, Pittsburgh -- troubled by concussion-like symptoms since Oct. 16.

Total - 70 man-games lost to concussions so far this season.

Here is a summary of the nine players who began the season on the suspension list and the portion of their salary they will lose.

Suspensions

Clarke MacArthur, Maple Leafs: 2 games ($35,135.14)

Brendan Smith, Red Wings 3 ($23,648.65)

Tom Sestito, Flyers 2 ($5,945.94)

J-F Jacques, Ducks: 5 ($17,567.55)

James Wisniewski, Blue Jackets 8 ($536,585.36)

Brad Staubitz, Wild 5 ($9,324.33)

Jody Shelley, Flyers 5 ($67,073.15)

P-L Letourneau-Leblond, Flames 1 ($6,402.44)

Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Wild 2 ($44,108.10)

Kris Letang, Penguins 2 ($37,837.84)

Total - 33 games $783,628.50

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Goalie mask changes needed, plus 30 Thoughts

2011-10-24T22:53:32Z

It's been almost a decade since a shot off Mike Richter's head ended his NHL career and teams are still fighting with their goalies over mask safety.

"Someone could go out there wearing Jacques Plante's mask from 1960, and there's nothing we can do about it," one GM said last week. That's true. The league and its netminders built consensus on pads, chest protectors and gloves but there is no agreement on masks.

That is going to change.]]>
"Someone could go out there wearing Jacques Plante's mask from 1960, and there's nothing we can do about it," one GM said last week. That's true. The league and its netminders built consensus on pads, chest protectors and gloves but there is no agreement on masks.

That is going to change. And, this is one situation where the GMs are correct. In the last 10 months, $118 million worth of goalies (Rick DiPietro, Ryan Miller and Jonas Hiller) were injured by shots off the mask. (And Pekka Rinne was very lucky to escape serious damage when his was smashed in the preseason.) I understand that these goalies want to be comfortable in their equipment, but there has to be a sensible solution.

It's the most important position on the ice. And, they fought equipment changes for years, saying that the new one-piece sticks made their existence more dangerous. It defies logic, then, to allow below-standard protection around the head.

DiPietro wore one of the newer-style masks until his ill-advised decision to fight Brent Johnson last February. DiPietro's face was so damaged by the punch that he had to switch to one of the old-school Osgood/Healy masks. (The newer-style ones sit on the cheekbones and, with the plates installed into his face, it was too uncomfortable for him.)

The Islanders deny this, but word is that they tried everything to dissuade DiPietro from wearing it. Ironically, a new one with thicker interior padding was ordered, but hadn't arrived by the time Brian Rolston's shot hit him in the helmet. (Rolston's pretty dangerous. He also hit Miller.)

The NHL and its GMs want three things: an inability for sticks/pucks to get through holes in the cage; proof that the forehead/jaw of a mask can withstand the force of a Zdeno Chara blast; and a minimum of 1/2-inch foam inside the shell.

None of those things is guaranteed now. For example, it's believed goalies are shaving the foam down to as little as 1/4-inch so their eyes can be closer to the puck.

The league could also suggest approving several prototypes that goalies would be allowed to choose from. Much of the dispute surrounds the makers themselves. For example, the masks we showed on Hotstove came from Eddy Schulz, the Toronto-based maker of "Eddymasks." His product is very well-respected. Hiller's mask is made by a Swiss friend of his, and that's a real concern, because no one really has an idea of the quality control.

"This should not be about comfort," the above GM said. "This should be about safety first, and then comfort."

The GMs are determined to get this into the new CBA. but it shouldn't get to that point. The goalies have resisted change over the past several years. That attitude, however, no longer makes sense.

Their position is too important to allow improper protection.

30 THOUGHTS

1. It's not only masks that will be an issue. The GMs also want players wearing gloves with lengthier wrist protection and Kevlar-protected socks. Reason: skate-blade cuts, like the one to Mike Cammalleri in Winnipeg.

2. Plenty of rumours that Columbus ownership is considering forcing a change behind the bench -- bringing back Ken Hitchcock. The team is paying him $1.3 million on a deal ending after this season. Don't see how this would be anything but a lose-lose for everyone involved -- the players, Hitchcock, GM Scott Howson, everybody. They didn't mesh before and it's hard to see that improving in a difficult time. Good ownership would not make this kind of decision. If you're going to make a change, find a fresh voice.

3. Tough spot for James Wisniewski. Guaranteed to come under scrutiny because of the big contract, now he's coming back with the team at rock bottom. Fans will be praying for a saviour. I've written this before, but the best thing about him is that he's supremely confident in his own ability. It's clear Columbus needs that right now.

4. Anaheim/Phoenix played Sunday night with only one referee, as Steve Kozari's eyes swelled up due to an allergic reaction. (Ugh, sounds gross. Get well, Steve.) As a result, Brad Watson did the game alone. Apparently, the players loved it.

5. Take a look at David Booth's goals. You'll notice he's a catch-and-shoot player (and he's got a great shot). He rarely carries the puck, unless he's doing so to drive the net. There was a feeling in Florida that he was overthinking -- trying to do other things instead of getting it and firing. The key for the Canucks will be getting him back to that.

6. As for Booth breaking down and crying, that's not uncommon. Patrick Kane teared up when Denis Savard was fired; didn't stop him from winning a Cup with Joel Quenneville. Aaron Hill cried when traded from the Blue Jays, then hit 90 points higher in Arizona. It'll be fine.

7. Florida is trying to spin this as a trade for now, but one thing this does allow is one of their high-level prospects to play in a top-six position next year. Jonathan Huberdeau is tearing up the Quebec League and Nick Bjugstad has five goals in six games at the University of Minnesota. (Quinton Howden is another possibility, although he is battling a concussion now.)

8. Believe there was one other team sniffing around Booth. That's got Toronto written all over it, but the Maple Leafs say, "No sir."

9. October is consistently one of Roberto Luongo's worst months of the year, statistically. (Exception: his first season in Vancouver. That October was pretty good.) That's the main reason the Canucks aren't getting caught up in this early season anti-Luongo firestorm.

10. If Mike Gillis really wants to get back at The Vancouver Province, maybe the Canucks website should start running classifieds.

11. Highest phone bill in Canada? Got to be Jay Feaster's. Here's the problem: the guy who everyone would love is not available. Even if Mark Giordano didn't have a no-move clause, the Flames wouldn't trade him.

12. Remember one thing about first-year players as the 10-game mark approaches: It's about the player's 10th game, not the team's. Senators GM Bryan Murray may sit Mika Zibanejad to delay a decision. That's why it's not the end of the world if Edmonton sits Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for a night or two (and I'd be shocked if he went back to junior). If the player benefits by watching a little while being able to practice with pros, why not?

13. Only Flyers with more penalty-kill time than Sean Couturier? Kimmo Timonen, Max Talbot and Chris Pronger. He's earned trust.

14. Here's the deal with Oren Koules: Koules was involved in Matt Hulsizer's attempt to buy the Phoenix Coyotes before that deal fell apart. There are some serious questions as to whether or not the St. Louis deal will happen. "No guarantee," two different sources said. But, if it does, Koules will be a partner.

15. Koules really wants back into the NHL, but there were two concerns in Tampa. First was that he couldn't support the losses on his own. That won't be addressed until more about the partnership is understood. Second was his choice of GM. If he does take over here, he'd be smart to leave the current group in place.

16. Once in a while, Jacques Martin drops the comatose act and let's you know what he really thinks about a player. Saturday night, be snapped at a reporter who asked why Mathieu Darche was on the power-play instead of Erik Cole. "If you look at your stats last year, how many goals did Erik Cole score on the power play?" he said. (Answer: 3) Darche had two, in 23 fewer games.

17. Cole said a few weeks ago that Montreal's forecheck was an adjustment for him. The second forechecker in Carolina's system is supposed to be aggressive. Not so much in Montreal. Don't know if that's still problematic, but it's clear Cole is not having the hoped impact.

18. Two years ago, Martin had the Canadiens in the Stanley Cup semifinal. Last year, they went seven games in the first round with the eventual champion. Firing him is way too premature. But, he does have to calm down PK Subban and Josh Gorges. Their hearts are in the right place, but with the injuries on defence those guys are trying to do everything.

19. That is Montreal's biggest issue -- the beaten-up blueline. Problem is, there are so many teams looking for defensive help and, after what happened last year in Vancouver, teams want to keep their depth. St. Louis is looking and Tampa was too, especially when there was doubt about Eric Brewer's health. And, when you're drowning, other GMs are happy to throw you an anvil.

20. Totally agreed with Shea Weber being fined without a suspension. He came up with two boarding penalties in two nights before his hearing. Now, he's been warned. When you're as physical a player as he is and have no prior history, you deserve slack.

21. A member of the Avalanche organization sat down with Paul Stastny after last season and advised him to improve his foot speed. "He told me I'd be a more dangerous player," Stastny said, being better prepared to do things like charge in behind the play to create scoring chances. Stastny listened, spending the summer doing plyometrics.

22. Who was this advisor? He smiled and wouldn't say. But I'd bet his name rhymes with Moe Trakic.

23. More Gabriel Landeskog love: "You'd think he's been in the league five years," said one teammate.

24. The Red Wings showed a really interesting five-on-three power-play look last Friday against Columbus. As Niklas Kronwall held the puck at the left point, both Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Lidstrom lined up to his right along the blueline. Kronwall passed once and Zetterberg shot it. They tried it again, and Zetterberg let it go to Lidstrom, who shot it. Didn't score there, but it's creative and going to cause a lot of problems. Jeff Blashill, one of the new assistants, used that setup at Western Michigan.

25. Last weekend, Detroit followed the Toronto model of putting your starter against the team you should beat. The Red Wings used Jimmy Howard against Columbus and Ty Conklin in Washington. The Maple Leafs had James Reimer against Winnipeg and Jonas Gustavsson in Boston. Both won at home and lost by a combined 13-3 on the road.

26. There's some real debate about that strategy -- the biggest complaint being that you put your backup in a situation where he can't succeed. Carolina did this last year with Cam Ward. The eight games he didn't start featured six playoff teams (Kings, Flyers, Penguins, Lightning, Blackhawks and Capitals.) Of course, they rest him in Winnipeg on Saturday and blow a 2-0 lead.

27. Tomas Vokoun really showed his value in that win over Detroit. Two huge saves: one on Pavel Datysuk with the game still scoreless, one on Daniel Cleary during a Red Wings 5-on-3. It was 3-1 Washington at that time, and a Cleary goal changes the complexion of the game.

28. Capitals fans were annoyed that Detroit being on the rear end of a back-to-back was used as an excuse. Remember this: the rematch is March 19. Washington plays in Chicago the day before. Detroit plays no one.

29. Hard not to be impressed with Tim Erixon in Calgary. Played 18:12, his most this season. Booed every time he touched the puck. Didn't get rattled. If I was a Calgary fan, I'd boo him too, because I'd wish he stayed.

30. Read Steve Simmons' book on David Frost and Mike Danton (The Lost Dream) in one day. Every minor-hockey parent should, too.

Gauthier deserves the blame for Canadiens woes

2011-10-24T20:35:21Z

Jacques Martin did his best to calm the stormy conditions that surround his Eastern Conference basement-dwelling Montreal Canadiens after a dismal 1-4-2 start. The button-down Martin pointed out that his team had only four points after seven games two years ago and rallied to make the playoffs and advance all the way to the East final. But it won't be easy. The Canadiens still have injury problems to overcome and mistakes made by general manager Pierre Gauthier.

]]> Jacques Martin did his best to calm the stormy conditions that surround his Eastern Conference basement-dwelling Montreal Canadiens after a dismal 1-4-2 start.

The button-down Martin pointed out that his team had only four points after seven games two years ago and rallied to make the playoffs and advance all the way to the East final. In 2009-10, the Habs won their first two games, lost their next five and then recovered with four more victories in a row to get themselves back in the hunt for a playoff spot.

The Canadiens have a chance to take a few strides on the road to respectability with a win over the Florida Panthers at the Bell Centre on Monday. But it won't be easy. The Canadiens still have injury problems to overcome and mistakes made by general manager Pierre Gauthier.

Gauthier gambled and lost when he failed to put a backup plan in place last summer in case veteran defenceman Andrei Markov did not recover in time from his knee troubles to start the season.

Gauthier had so much confidence that Markov would rebound from his second surgery on his right knee surgery in time for the start of the season that he re-signed the 32-year-old Russian to a three-year, $5.75-million U.S. a season contract last June. Then the Canadiens allowed veteran defencemen James Wisniewski, Roman Hamrlik and Brent Sopel to walk via free agency.

When Markov, who has been limited to 56 regular season and playoff games over the past two seasons because of injuries, wasn't ready to start the season Gauthier signed free-agent Chris Campoli. But Campoli injured his left leg in the season opener and now will miss months.

Meanwhile, Markov has not played since last Nov. 13 and was sent to Florida to further rehab his knee under the watchful eye of Dr. James Andrews. He is expected to return to action sometime next month.

What has made the sparse blue-line situation even more difficult was the upper-body injury to veteran Jaroslav Spacek, who will return on Monday after a five-game absence. That left Canadiens with a blue line consisting of Hal Gill, Josh Gorges, P.K. Subban, Yannick Weber, Raphael Diaz and Alexei Emelin.

Weber has 56 games of NHL experience, but many of those matches have been as a seldom-used fourth-liner. Diaz and Emelin are NHL rookies with seven and six games of NHL experience, respectively.

The loss of both Markov and Wisniewski hurts the Canadiens power play. If there has been one area the Habs have been able to count on in the past few seasons, it has been their power play. But that has not been the case this season without one of those two quarterbacking. Montreal only has two power-play goals in 29 chances, which is 29th in the league.

The free-agent Gauthier signed instead of retaining Wisniewski was forward Erik Cole. But the speedy left wing has been unable to get on track in Montreal. He has one assist in seven games.

There are other theories out there regarding the Canadiens horrible start. Some have reasoned that they miss assistant coach Kirk Muller, who was a buffer between Martin and the players. But we're not buying that. Muller, who is now the head coach for the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL, was replaced by a very capable Randy Cunneyworth.

Some of the Canadiens faithful also have directed their displeasure with the play of netminder Carey Price. He was so good a season ago. But this fall his save percentage (.878) and goals against average (3.13) have him 30th in the league in both categories.

Is this a product of the way the players in front of him have performed or has Price struggled this season? Probably a bit of both. That's why backup Peter Budaj will see his first action of the season against the Panthers on Monday.

Injuries to Mike Cammalleri and Scott Gomez also have not helped the cause. Gauthier's acquisition of centre Petteri Nokelainen and minor-leaguer Garrett Stafford in exchange for Brock Trotter and a seventh-round pick will help the fourth line, but not the offence. Nokelainen only has 17 career goals in 194 games.

In the meantime, however, Gauthier better hope Martin is right: that they can swiftly overcome a poor start like they did two years ago. Otherwise, the Montreal GM should feel the heat for his summer-time moves.

Stellicktricity: 'Free' Flyers, Tallon tales

2011-10-24T17:24:04Z

In this edition of Stellicktricity, the Hockey Night in Canada Radio host talks Flyer free agents, Tallon finds, Franson struggles and the Luongo chorus.

]]> Not only are the Philadelphia Flyers solidly among the top teams in the Eastern Conference, they lead the league in top undrafted college players that they signed as free agents last spring.

Two lesser knowns are contributing in the same fashion as bigger names Jaromir Jagr and Ilya Bryzgalov.

Right wing Matt Read has been a surprise rookie scorer so far this season after the Flyers signed him after he finished his schooling at Bemidji State. Though not scoring like Read has so far, left wing Harry Zolnierczyk was signed in the same fashion from Brown University.

Read 25, and Zolniercyzk, 24, were both born in Ontario and both have made a positive impression early in their first NHL season.

Tallon tales

Chatting with Florida Panthers' general manager Dale Tallon on Hockey Night in Canada Radio about his playing day memories.

Tallon was the second overall pick in the 1970 amateur draft. He was a centre in junior hockey but the Vancouver Canucks switched him to defence and he played his entire NHL career with Vancouver, Chicago and Pittsburgh on the blue-line.

Only a few players such as Mark Howe, Wendel Clark and, lately Dustin Byfuglien have made a similar transition.

Tallon kidded about never losing his passion for offence even while a defenceman.

"I remember being paired with Doug Wilson [another offensive defenceman and now the general manager of the San Jose Sharks] in Chicago." "Once Wilson and I had a two on none breakaway and I had to straddle the blue-line to stay onside. Two defenceman up and three forwards back, Pully [then Hawk general manager Bob Pulford] wasn't happy about that play."

Tallon's Florida Panthers have been a pleasant surprise with a 4-3-0 start in their first seven games.

Ex-Hawk Brian Campbell gives the Panthers a blue-line presence they have never had (according to Tallon) while the almost forgotten Kris Versteeg has had a great start with eight points (4G, 4A) in his first seven games. Three of his goals have been power play goals and he has a plus-2 rating.

Versteeg for whartever reason didn't fit in his time in Toronto and was a bit better fit later in Philadelphia last season after three solid seasons as a valued member of the Blackhawks. Having an ex-Hawk as his current general manager and boss seems to have done the trick.

Like a number of hockey observers, I do share Cody Franson's surprise at being a healthy scratch a few times this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs after being a top four defenceman on a better Nashville team last season.

Franson odd man out

I can't argue with Leaf rookie Jake Gardiner earning a regular spot ahead of Franson and others. I have been thoroughly impressed with Gardiner's play, his poise, his presence and how smart he is with and without the puck.

More importantly Leaf head coach Ron Wilson is also impressed. Gardiner had close to 25 minutes in ice time in the Leafs' shootout win over Winnipeg last week.

Luongo contagion

The fervent booing of Roberto Luongo in Vancouver is unfortunately similar to when Larry Murphy was basically booed out of town by Toronto Maple Leaf fans in 1997. It is hard to stop and becomes contagious when it gets out of hand, like it seems to be with Luongo and the Vancouver fans right now.

A number of years ago, Montreal GM Bob Gainey issued a verbal scolding to Montreal fans who had booed Patrice Brisebois. Such was the stature held by Gainey, Montreal fans complied with their respected GM.

Vancouver doesn't have someone comparable. In his days as Canuck captain, Trevor Linden would have been a candidate to possibly have made some headway with the Canuck fans.

Boston, Toronto, & Hamilton

Phil Kessel continues to be among the NHL scoring leaders and Leaf general manager Brian Burke hears less criticism of the trade that brought Kessell to Toronto for two first-round picks.

Fortunately for Burke and the Leafs that Kessell seems to have found a higher level. It isn't just Tyler Seguin (Bruins selected him second overall with the Leaf pick in 2010) that looms as a top prospect. Dougie Hamilton (selected ninth overall by the Bruins with the second Leaf pick in 2011) has been off to a phenomenal start with the Niagara Ice Dogs of the OHL.

A top defenceman, Hamilton has 20 points (6G, 14 Aassists) in his first 11 games. Many scouts feel he will be a better NHL player than Seguin.

Neal feelin' it

Temporarily lost it now found it!

Talking about the goal scoring touch of Pittsburgh Penguin forward James Neal. Neal scored at a solid 25 goal pace in his almost three seasons as a member of the Dallas Stars. Traded to Pittsburgh last February, Neal scored just one goal in 20 games as a Penguin.

A significant reason the Pengins have had a good start without Sidney Crosby and little play from Evgeni Malkin has been the offensive contribution of Neal with eight goals in the first 10 games. Talk about a good time to get hot!

Fit to be Stars coach

Not only is Glen Gulutzan, the new head coach of the Dallas Stars, very personable and a bright hockey mind, he has proven that he walks the walk as well as talking the talk. Two years ago, during the Calder Cup playoffs in the American Hockey League, he decided to subject himself to the gruelling P90X exercise and diet programme.

While his Texas Stars team advanced all the way to the Calder Cup Finals, Gulutzan lost close to 20 pounds in less than three months while also adding muscle to his frame. He has stayed with parts of the programme to keep himself among the best conditioned coaches in the NHL today.

Still feelin' Blue

To get a perspective on how awful things are in Columbus, try and digest this statistic: The Columbus Blue Jackets have won just one game in regulation time in their last 29 (eight to date this season and the final 21 regular season games last season). They have three wins overall in that period, but only one in the 60 minutes of regulation play.

Bogosian finding his way in Winnipeg

2011-10-24T16:26:46Z

Fourth-year defenceman Zach Bogosian is enjoying what Winnipeg has to offer and looking to maintain his focus in a young career that has already had its ups and downs. You can't be The King Curtis Band one night and then The Beatles the next, can you?

Making the jump from the opening act to the main draw isn't an easy transition. But, that's exactly what Zach Bogosian and Winnipeg Jets have done. They've become rock stars overnight after years of obscurity in Atlanta.

"It's been fun. I'm experiencing things I haven't before [in Winnipeg]," Bogosian said.
One of those unique experiences is playing in front of a packed house at the MTS Centre, where rabid fans prefer to stand, soaking in every second of the return of their beloved Jets.

The hoopla surrounding this team is undeniable, and has some in the hockey world correlating that as a contributing factor to Winnipeg's slow start out of the gate.

However, Bogosian doesn't necessarily agree.

"No, I just think anytime you put a lot of hype into anything, the bar is set high," he said. "Obviously, we didn't get off to the season we wanted to, but our first win against Pittsburgh [on Oct. 17] was big to get us going."

Despite what Bogosian says, it would be hard to blame any of the Jets if they were possibly distracted.

While everyone looks at the positives of moving to a hockey-crazed market, the relocation from Atlanta to Winnipeg has its pros and cons.

One aspect that get that gets lost in the shuffle, is the effect that the move has on a player's personal life.

The American-born Bogosian had never previously been to the 'Peg. It's safe to say the culture, nightlife, and attractions in Winnipeg, aren't all that comparable to Atlanta.

Winnipeg may be a little foreign, but Bogosian has embraced the change of scenery.
"I'm still learning my way around there," the blue-liner said. "There are plenty of great spots in Winnipeg. I like Italian food, so on any night you can have a nice dinner there. I'm still exploring. Any time I've gotten away from the rink, it's been fun and exciting."

Bogosian receives plenty of well wishes from fans on a daily basis and says saluting the Winnipeg faithful at centre ice after their first win against Pittsburgh was a special moment in his career.

However, with the diehard support and allegiance, comes a level pressure that the 21-year old has never seen.

"You have to be on top of your game every night. If you're not, you're going to hear about it. It helps you prepare more and stay on top of your game," he said.

Despite the lack of success, crowds or support for hockey in Atlanta, Bogosian still has fond memories of the city where he spent his first three NHL seasons.

"It was a good city; I got accustomed to a lot of things over there. The weather was really nice, but that's something I'm not too picky about. I'm from Upstate New York and it's pretty cold up there."

The third overall pick in 2008 has been spending most of his time working up a sweat in either the gym or on the ice. He's entering the first year of a new two-year, $5 million US contract which he signed back in September.

The fourth-year pro had a flashy start to his NHL career (19 points in 47 games for Atlanta in 2008-09). But he struggled with consistency the following season, tallying eight goals in his first 17 games, but then just two in his final 64 contests.

Last season wasn't much better, although it should be noted he's battled through some injuries.

Bogosian is well aware of his offensive responsibilities, but this season his mindset is firmly focused on a real commitment to his defensive game.

"I'm playing with Mark Stuart who's a good solid defenceman," he said. "All I'm worried about right now is what's in front of me. Anytime I can get up in the rush and help out, that's great. But right now, I'm just focused on building a strong base in my defensive game."

The key word there is focus. After a summer of moving trucks, contract negotiations and training, that's all the Jets' coaching staff can really ask for, with the hopes it translates to results on the ice.

Now, if he follows in the footsteps of the two picks prior to him in the 2008 draft - Steven Stamkos and Drew Doughty - that would certainly be a nice bonus for the Jets and their fans.

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How many games should a No. 1 goalie play?

2011-10-21T15:20:34Z

There are no magic formulas as to how many games a No. 1 goalie should play in order for his team to achieve the ultimate, a Stanley Cup. But would you be surprised to learn that only one netminder in the six seasons since the lockout has played more than 60 regular-season games and then lifted Lord Stanley's mug in celebration?
]]>
But would you be surprised to learn that only one netminder in the six seasons since the lockout has played more than 60 regular-season games and then lifted Lord Stanley's mug in celebration?

That has been the case. It is an astonishing statistic considering the lengths the league and teams go to make sure the schedule isn't taxing. Travel has become more tolerable with charter flights and custom checks done at the rink. Also, today's goalie has come a long way in fitness department. They should be better equipped to handle heavy workloads.

Yet, none of the season-by-season leaders in games played in the past six seasons has advanced past the second round of the playoffs. Yet, only Marc-Andre Fleury, who made 62 appearances when his Pittsburgh Penguins triumphed three seasons ago, has played more than three-quarter of his teams regular season games.

"You can skew statistics any way you want," former NHL goalie and Hockey Night In Canada analyst Glenn Healy. "Stats can be spun any way. So we have to be careful with that.

"But one thing that has been clear coming out of the lockout with the current economic system is that if you're going to pay one guy a lot of money, your second guy is not going to be very good. Unless, you fluke into it."

For example in 2008-09, with Martin Brodeur out long-term with an torn biceps injury, backup Scott Clemmensen was good enough to produce 25 wins. Even last season, Cory Schneider checked in with a solid 16-4-2 record to help the Vancouver Canucks win the Presidents' Trophy.

Colorado Avalanche goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere won a Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks four years ago and won the Conn Smythe Trophy despite losing in the 2003 final. When asked this week what his ideal games-played ratio for the starter and his backup should be, he didn't hesitate.

"I like a 50-30 split," Giguere said. "If you can manage to do that you'll give your No. 1 goalie a rest and he'll be ready for the playoffs. If you want to go all the way, the playoffs is a long two months.

"The playoffs are both mentally and physically draining. You play every two days. Every game, every day you go you have to find that high level. I find if you get a bit of rest during the season you a better chance to be successful in the playoffs.

"Also if something happens to your No. 1 guy, your No. 2 is ready to go. If the backup never plays and the No. 1 guy gets hurt you're in trouble."

A competent backup also plays a big part of the equation here. Some coaches simply don't have confidence in their No. 2 goalie, so if they have to make a desperation push for a playoff spot, the No. 1 will be overworked.

Both Stanley Cup finalists had standout backup goalies in Schneider and Boston Bruins' Tuukka Rask.

"A backup goalie can help you solidify a playoff spot. He can help you solidify home ice or he can help solidify a long spring by keeping the No. 1 fresh," said Healy, who played 29 games in a backup role when the New York Rangers won the 1993-94 Stanley Cup.

"It's pretty clear that if you're going to pay one guy, like the Flyers have done [with Ilya Bryzgalov] the guy is playing, whether you like it or not. He's your guy.

"There are so many factors involved in this. Does the team have to make a playoff push in the second half. There is the travel. How many back-to-back games does the team have to deal with. Do you have a strong backup. To me, having the right starter and the right backup, that what sets you up for success."

Here are the number of appearances made by the Stanley Cup-winning goalies since the 2004-05 lockout:

2005-06 Cam Ward, Carolina 28

2006-07 Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Anaheim 56

2007-08 Chris Osgood, Detroit 43

2008-09 Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh 62

2009-10 Antti Niemi, Chicago 39

2010-11 Tim Thomas, Boston 57

How have the season appearance leaders got along since the lockout?

2005-06 Roberto Luongo, Florida 75 (missed playoffs)

2006-07 Martin Brodeur, New Jersey 78 (lost 2nd round)

2007-08 Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose 77 (lost 2nd round)

2008-09 Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary 76 (lost 1st round)

2009-10 Martin Brodeur, New Jersey 77 (lost 1st round)

2010-11 Cam Ward, Carolina 74 (missed playoffs)

Milbury on NHL GMs: Three up and three down

2011-10-20T14:41:05Z

Every GM enters the NHL season with high hopes. Months of planning, years of developing and much gut wrenching are involved. Here we are just a handful of games into the season and some of those GM's are breathing easier and some are scratching their heads.
Toronto: no team in hockey needs a good start more than the Leafs. The 4-0-1 Leafs have leaned on their top line for most of their scoring but who cares?; Only wins matter and Toronto has them. The momentum begun with the arrival of James Riemer last winter has spilled into this season.The breathing room from intense negative this start provides can't be overlooked.

Philly: Paul Holmgren plowed over his roster and parted company with some premium talent.Could not have been done without some sleepless nights. Changes that profound can go either way. Right now the Flyers look like contenders.

Colorado To hell and back for Joe Sacco and the Avs. Two years ago they looked up and coming only to fall to hapless depths last year. Now the club is once again displaying the speed and scoring touch that makes them dangerous on any given night.

Ottawa, Columbus and Tampa Bay: The Senators are young and with a first year head coach and questionable goaltending. Throw in an aging Sergei Gonchar and you get a recipe for a 1-5 start.They will need a jolt soon. Columbus has the air of inevitable doom hanging over it. A few more winless nights and you can expect that something big will have to give.

GM Steve Yzerman made the job look easy last year.Challenges have now presented themselves.26 goals against have focused criticism on the goaltending and defense. And now Eric Brewer is getting scoped for an unnamed injury. It will be a much tougher road to the conference finals this time around.

Yeah, it's early. Unless you're sitting in a GM's seat.
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Concussion problem in hockey hits home with Mark Stuart

2011-10-19T22:20:36Z

Winnipeg Jets defenceman Mark Stuart had a close call earlier this week when he was dinged in the head with the puck. He avoided any serious injury, which pleased his father, Dr. Michael Stuart, a concussion specialist with the Mayo Clinic.

]]> Winnipeg Jets defenceman Mark Stuart was a shot-blocking machine the other night in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

He blocked four shots in total. One went off his ankle. Another hit him in the foot. The scariest of all, however, came off the stick of Penguins defenceman Matt Niskanen. His wrist shot dinged Stuart right in the head.

Stuart was rushed to the dressing room, but returned later to action and was there in the end when the Jets held on to celebrate their first victory.

When Niskanen's shot was racing towards Stuart, he managed to drop his head in time, so most of the impact was absorbed by his helmet. Still, he was concerned at the time. His teammates were concerned and the incident almost silenced the devoted Jets faithful at the MTS Centre.

But just imagine what was going on back home in Rochester, Minn., where his mother Nancy and father Michael watched the game.

After all, Michael is Dr. Michael Stuart. He just happens to be the Mayo Clinic's vice-chair of orthopedic surgery and co-director of its sports medicine centre. One of his areas of expertise has been concussions in sports. He helped bring together the leading specialists in concussions last fall for a conference at the Mayo Clinic.

He advocates sportsmanship, respect for opponents, has called for a ban on all headshots in hockey and has urged equipment companies to develop a better, more productive helmet.
Yet, there was his son taking a shot off the head and not wearing a visor.

What, no visor?

"I know, I know," said Mark Stuart, prior to the Jets-Maple Leafs game in Toronto on Wednesday. "It's my choice. My Dad and I have talked about it. Basically, he has told me that 'you know and you are aware of the risks.' He told me it was my choice. It's something I have thought about. You get those close calls. It can be scary. But for now I choose not to wear one and I'm comfortable with that decision."

Stuart is a thoughtful, articulate NHLer. He is proud of his father. He admitted that with Dad knee-deep into concussion research that Mark is more aware and more educated than most of other players in the league.

"I know both sides, you could say," Mark Stuart said. "He does great work. I know it sounds hypocritical of me not to wear a visor. But my Dad does not preach."

And what did the father say to the son after the close call earlier this week?

"He said I should be thankful that I was able to move my head down at the last moment," Mark Stuart said.

Hockey dominates life in the Stuart family. Dr. Mike was raised on baseball and basketball in a small Illinois town. After medical school, he was placed in Rochester, where he could not avoid hockey.

Four kids and a backyard rink

As his family started to grow, so did Dr. Stuart's involvement in hockey. He was the long-time team doctor for the local junior team, the Rochester Mustangs, and along came four hockey-playing kids in sons Mike, Colin, Mark and daughter Cristin. It wasn't too long before the good doctor built a backyard rink for his kids. Cristin went on to play at Boston College. The boys all skated for Colorado College.

Mike, 30, retired in 2010 after a pro career that saw him play a few games for the St. Louis Blues. Colin, 29, is in the Buffalo Sabres system. Mark has made an impact with the Jets after starting his NHL career with the Boston Bruins.

With the Bruins in January 2010, Stuart caught Los Angeles Kings star Anze Kopitar with a clean check just as the Kings forward turned around at his blue-line after taking a pass. Then Kings forward Wayne Simmonds stuck up for his fallen teammate and engaged in a fight with Stuart.

Stuart injured his finger in that fight. The digit later became infected and he spent plenty of time on the sidelines before the infection healed.

"My dad not only knows injury prevention, but he knows hockey," Stuart said. "I respect what he is saying. He realizes it's a hard, tough game out there and things need to be done. The position that he has taken is to have respect for your opponent, but he understands the fighting and the clean checks and the physical play is part of the game. He's a proponent of that, too.

"It's just the other stuff that he has taken a stance on."

Bobby Orr vs Wayne Gretzky

2011-10-19T13:08:50Z

This season Kelly will write about topics that come from your requests. The idea is for you to send an e-mail with a suggeston and Kelly will use that as the basis of his next column. Here's this week's example.

]]> send an e-mail with a suggeston and Kelly will use that as the basis of his next column. Here's this week's example.

"My son and I have been having this ongoing debate for years. He is too young to have watched Bobby Orr but has seen videos of him. The question is if you were to have a game between five Wayne Gretzkys on one team and five Bobby Orrs on the other (in their prime of course), given that the goaltending was the same, which team would win?

I say the Bobby Orrs, but my son, based on Wayne Gretzky's statistics says he would win. As a hockey expert, what is your opinion? I might add that I think Bobby Orr was the best hockey player to ever lace on a pair of skates."
From: Martin Kochberg

This is question I've been asked before Martin and I'm not sure my answer will help you or your son very much.

The first few thoughts I have will probably cloud the issue even more. Let's say one of them had the puck, how would the other guy get the puck back? Gretzky and Orr rarely ever gave the puck away.

Would they score every shift? Would it depend on who won the face-off after each goal? Does that mean Gretzky would have the advantage because he's better on face-offs since he's a natural centre? Would Orr win because as a defenceman he's the better backward skater which is crucial when defending?

I don't know those answers but I will give you my thoughts about their individual talents and you and your son can continue the debate.

Like your son, I never had an opportunity to see Bobby Orr live, only on television which I'm sure didn't quite show how great he was as an all around player.

One anecdote I can share that may sway you in Orr's favour is from my former teammate Denis Potvin. We were bussing back to Long Island after a game in Manhattan, I and a couple of the younger guys on the New York Islanders were asking Denis tons of questions about his career.

After player with Denis I was always of the opinion that there wasn't a defenceman I've ever seen in my life that could dominate a game in the way that Denis did. Having said that, during our discussion Potvin stated that he never stepped onto the ice with or against a better player than Bobby Orr.

Conversely, I was lucky enough to have played with Wayne Gretzky for a number of years in Los Angeles and he was miles ahead of anyone I ever played with or against.

I think I share this trait with many goalies Gretzky played with. Nobody scored on me as easily as Wayne in practice. Even with all the knowledge I had from trying to stop him on a daily basis, there was something unique in his release that I could rarely figure out where his shot was headed.

Gretzky was the master because he had the ability to make all of his teammates dangerous, which is a quality very few players in the history of the game have ever displayed.

I hope I helped you and your son Martin, good luck with the debate.

If you would like Kelly to write about your topic, please send him an e-mail.

Goalie Power Rankings

2011-10-18T23:47:12Z

Halfway through the first month of the season, goalie Jimmy Howard and the Detroit Red Wings top CBCSports.ca's power rankings.
]]> 1. DETROIT RED WINGS With their fast start, incomparable consistency and good health, the Wings and Jimmy Howard are atop my list for W's in the NHL this year. 2. BUFFALO SABRES Continuity (Lindy Ruff & GM Darcy Reiger), new financial stability with owner Terry Pegula, and a team full of hockey sense make the Sabres my no. 2 pick. Add a healthy Ryan Miller with a capable backup in Jhonas Enroth -- as well as Derek Roy, newcomer Christian Ehrhoff and tons of hockey sense throughout this Sabres' lineup -- and you have an Eastern Conference contender. Only question: do they have enough sandpaper for the Stanley Cup Playoff grind? 3. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS As great as they are with Crosby and Malkin, they've proven they're very good without them as well. Credit Jack Adams winning coach Dan Bylsma, his coaching staff and the players. This team defends as hard as they attack and they play a very fast, uptempo brand of hockey with very talented 'bottom six' forwards and a skilled and tough defensive corps. Marc-Andre Fleury and Brent Johnson are one of the best 1-2 goalie combos in the NHL. 4. VANCOUVER CANUCKS Don't panic Canucks fans, Bobby Lou usually starts slow. The good news is Cory Schneider is riding shotgun. As I mentioned in the Canucks' home opener, expect Schneider to get his share of starts in the first 20-25 games of this season. The return of Ryan Kesler will be a big boost. He's a dominant three-zone player, second to only Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk, in my humble opinion. Chris Higgins looks as good as he did in Montreal where he started his career. 5. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS What a makeover! Bold, drastic, and I think for the better. Jagr's back in a big way, as are Claude Giroux, Danny Briere and many more offensive weapons. Excellent defencemen with a healthy Chris Pronger give the Flyers a big advantage against many teams. Ilya Bryzgalov's 78 W's the last two NHL seasons are real impressive. He could be the goalie the Flyers have craved since Ron Hextall. At the beginning of each month Kevin provides a complete Goalies Power Rankings for the NHL. Then a couple of weeks later he refines the top five to take into account how the teams and the goalies are performing and that's what you see here.

Kobasew back on track with Avalanche

2011-10-18T21:29:48Z

Chuck Kobasew, one of the oldest players on his new team, is enjoying his first weeks with the Colorado Avalanche after a lull in his NHL career. Chuck Kobasew chuckled at the notion. He's heard the chides from teammates. He's put up with the nags from his buddies back home.

At 29, he's an old man. Well, more to the point Kobasew is getting on in terms of the context of his new team, the Colorado Avalanche. Only 35-year-old sniper Milan Hejduk, 34-year-old backup goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere and 33-year-old defenceman Jan Hedja are older on the Avalanche roster.

Sprinkled around these not-so-ancient players in the Colorado dressing room are a bunch of kids like Gabriel Landeskog, 18, Matt Duchene, 20, Ryan O'Reilly, 20, Erik Johnson, 23, Semyon Varlamov, 23, among other youngsters.

"I don't feel old, but with all these young guys around I guess I look old sometimes," Kobasew said with a smile.

"I get it a lot from my buddies about being one of the older guys on this team. But I'm still in my 20s. I don't feel old."

There were times in the past few seasons when Kobasew felt like he was on the back nine of life. After a strong start to his pro career, in which he hit the 20-goal mark in three of his first five NHL seasons and also scored 38 times for the Lowell Lock Monsters during the 2004-05 lockout season when there was plenty of young talent in the AHL that year.

But then injuries invaded Kobasew's professional life. He spent time on the sidelines and in the trainer's room battling ankle, shoulder, groin, leg and knee ailments. All these injuries cost him 52 games in the last two years.

So Kobasew needed a fresh start and that's why he departed the Minnesota Wild in the summer to sign a two-year, $2.5-million US contract with the Avalanche.

"I feel the best I have in a long time," Kobasew said. "I definitely feel I can get back to where I was. It's just a matter now of getting used to a new team, new teammates and new linemates."

His new linemates include Paul Stastny and David Jones, who scored the game-winner against the Maple Leafs.

Kobasew of Osoyoos, B.C. has scored once in the Avalanche's opening six games. He has stayed healthy and more importantly Colorado has jumped out of the gate with a 5-1-0 start that included a perfect five-for-five road trip that finished up in Toronto on Monday evening with a 3-2 win in overtime.

Kobasew is only 10 years removed from being the NCAA Frozen Four tournament most valuable player, when he helped Boston College end a 52-year national hockey championship drought with a 3-2 win over North Dakota in the final. He scored Boston College's first goal and set up the overtime winner.

A few weeks later the Calgary Flames selected Kobasew with the 14^th overall selection in the 2001 NHL entry draft. Three seasons later, Kobasew was part of that Flames team that lost Game 7 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final.

He was dealt a few years later to the Boston Bruins and this past spring Kobasew watched some his former teammates celebrate the Stanley Cup.

"I was excited for them," he said. "I'm still pretty close to a lot of those guys like Andrew Ference, Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi. I hate to leave anybody out, but the list goes on."

Can Kobasew use the win by his friends as inspiration to get his game back on track?

"Of course, you can," said Kobasew, who missed the playoffs with the Wild the past two seasons.

"In the end, we all want to win the Stanley Cup and play playoff hockey. I want to get back there."

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Why do we need the trapezoid again?

2011-10-18T20:56:53Z

In the latest Stellickricity, the Hockey Night in Canada Radio host takes aim at the trapezoid and gives his take on Colorado's tandem, Al Montoya's "comeback", and Robyn Regehr growing into a Buffalo Sabres

]]> A quip here. A comment there. The things you pick up over a lifetime in and around the NHL that provides a unique perspective. That's what you'll get here with Gord Stellick's, Stellicktricity.

Last year more NHL teams from California (three) qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs than teams from Canada (two). I hear of a few "experts" who feel there will be even more of an imbalance this spring with the three California teams all in the playoffs but the Vancouver Canucks being the only representative from Canada to begin the 2012 playoff run.
Big name draft was John Tavares going first overall to the Ne York Islanders in June, 2009. Big name trade was Phil Kessell from Boston to Toronto in October, 2009. Both have played well but haven't quite yet lived up to the lofty expectations. That seems to have all changed this year as they sit near the top among NHL scorers.
Shane Doan gets the best of all possible worlds. The Alberta native, who played his rookie season in Winnipeg hoped the passionate Jets' fans saw a return of NHL hockey to Winnipeg. He just didn't want it to be the Coyotes as he and his family have put down permanent roots in the Phoenix area. I missed him in my last Stellictricity among the list of current NHL players who have had long careers with the same NHL team that drafted them -- Doan is in his 16th season with the Coyotes/Jets.
Journeyman Kyle Wellwood ties a Jets' team record as he scores eight seconds into their first NHL win since their return to the NHL, 2-1 over Pittsburgh on Monday. Wellwood didn't get a ton of points but was a surprisingly effective player for the San Jose Sharks last year with timely points in the playoffs. His first goal as a Winnipeg Jet couldn't have been any timelier.
Why do we still have the trapezoid? Was it not put in just because two guys named Marty (Brodeur and Turco) happened to be head and shoulders above every other NHL goaltender in how they can handle the puck. Well, one is looking for a job right now and the other is in the twilight of his NHL career. More importantly, would it not cut down on some of the injuries for defencemen retrieving the puck in an area where a goaltender could handle it and save them the oncoming hit and possible injury?
Wonder if NHL opponents might hold consciously back if they had the opportunity to lay off giving Sidney Crosby the big body check. I remember talking to a longtime teammate of Joe Sakic, who felt that Sakic and Steve Yzerman were treated with that respect by NHL opponents while others like Eric Lindros remained fair game.
Buffalo Sabres general manager Darcy Reiger was thrilled that Robyn Regher finally agreed to waive his no-trade and accept the deal last June from Calgary to Buffalo. "Players love living in Buffalo once they play here," Reiger told us on Hockey Night in Canada Radio, "It's getting them to come here that has been the problem in the past." Reiger is correct that a surprising number of ex-Sabres and ex-NHL players have chosen to make the western New York era their permanent home.
Whether you feel that Arron Asham's post-fight antics merited any further discipline following his one sided fight with Jay Beagle, you can't take issue with how he handled things once he realized the error of his ways. Using a heavy dose of common sense and following the teachings of Public Relations and Damage Control 101, Asham's comments and apology after the game were perfect, timely, proactive and on the mark.
To think, Tiger Woods wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars on media experts and just made more of a mess of things because he followed the exact opposite measure than Asham chose.
Al Montoya was on track to follow the dubious distinction of joining the surprising number of NHL goaltenders who were selected among the top 10 picks in the NHL Entry Draft and then went on to have subpar NHL careers. Montoya was the sixth overall pick of the New York Rangers in 2004 and had played just five career NHL games in his first five professional seasons.
Others in that "club" include Jamie Storr (seventh overall by Los Angeles in 1994), Brian Finley (sixth overall by Nashville in 1999), Rick DiPietro (first overall by the NY Islanders in 2000), Brent Krahn (ninth overall by Calgary in 2000) and Pascal Leclaire (eighth overall by Columbus in 2001).
The surprising Colorado Avalanche (five straight road wins) had the early season best goaltending tandem with Semyon Varlamov and J.S. Giguere. The Avalanche raised a few eyebrows when they traded their first-round draft choice in 2012 (not lottery protected, either) and an additional second-round draft choice for Varlamov. So far, he has provided the best goaltending the NHL. Giguere is a dream backup who knew what it took to win pressure playoff games when he was at his best. A solid mentor and teacher to the younger Varlamov. A very salary cap friendly tandem as well with Varlamov at $2.8 million US and Giguere at $1.3 million.