Coach's Corner

Gary Roberts is an inspiration to the Penguins

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:14:57 -0500

The Coach likes the way Detroit attacks the opposing zone, and he's got nothing but love for the inspirational powers of Gary Roberts. But Don is still concerned about the amount of punishment Sidney Crosby absorbs.

An idea for improving NHL rinks

Sat, 31 May 2008 11:09:37 -0500

Grapes has an idea how to improve the game: change the glass along the boards.

How the Penguins perfect their potent power play

Sat, 24 May 2008 23:36:54 -0500

Don says Tomas Holmstrom is paying the price for past sins. Plus, the Coach reveals the key to Pittsburgh's potent power play.

Stars, Flyers avoid humiliation at home

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:29:45 -0500

Don is speaking from experience when he says that home teams like the Dallas Stars and Philadelphia Flyers turn it up with their seasons on the line at home. Grapes shows why you'll never get in trouble if you put the puck in deep and salutes Brenden Morrow, an old-time hockey player that's had a great post-season with the Dallas Stars.

Penguins know how to keep their goalie loose

Wed, 14 May 2008 10:52:13 -0500

Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury is a young goaltender with little playoff experience, but Grapes likes the way his teammates treat him like a veteran before the game to loosen him up.

Dallas needs to start hitting the net

Sat, 10 May 2008 20:15:29 -0500

Don thinks the Dallas Stars have got to start hitting the net with their shots if they want to get back into the Western Conference final against the Detroit Red Wings. Grapes also has a few choice words for the Colorado Avalanche after they fired head coach Joel Quenneville this week.

Where are the fans in Hockeytown?

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:54:54 -0500

Don is sure that Paul Maurice will bounce back as a head coach in the NHL, but he isn't as confident in the Toronto Maple Leafs' search process for a new general manager. Grapes also doesn't understand the current infatuation with Fabian Brunnstrom and thinks that the fans of Hockeytown are craving more action despite their team's success.

Joe Thornton and the Sharks bite back

Sat, 03 May 2008 22:45:52 -0500

Don stands up for the much-maligned Joe Thornton, and praises the San Jose Sharks for playing old-time hockey.

Jack Adams Award finalists a worthy bunch

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:47:51 -0500

Don Cherry, Hockey Night in Canada's resident former coach of the year, unveils the candidates for this year's Jack Adams Award: Guy Carbonneau, Mike Babcock and Bruce Boudreau.

Cherry said several deserving coaches - including Claude Julien, Joel Quenneville, Michel Therrien, Barry Trotz, John Stevens - didn't make the cut, which speaks to the depth of quality bench bosses in the NHL

"I have never seen, ever, such (a number of) worthy candidates in all my life, but unlike when I won it, it was a foregone conclusion," quipped Cherry, who won the award in 1976 with Boston.

Marty Turco is the smartest goalie in the NHL

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:41:48 -0500

If Dallas goes on to win the Stanley Cup, it’ll be because of the play of Marty Turco, who Grapes calls the smartest goaltender in the NHL.

Bidding adieu to the Flames

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:01:16 -0500

Grapes mourns the premature playoff exit of the Calgary Flames, and says its a crime that Montreal goalie Carey Price was not named a finalist for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie.

Sean Avery has no honour

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 21:14:59 -0500

Grapes admits that Sean Avery has guts, he's fearless, he's a good shooter and that he's a good hockey player. But the Coach also thinks the Rangers forward has no honour and he doesn't command respect

Dan Ellis' rise a testament to hard work

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:24:43 -0500

Grapes pays tribute to Nashville Predators goalie Dan Ellis, who has firmly established himself as a starting goalie this season and who has outplayed Detroit Red Wings netminder - and future Hall of Famer - Dominik Hasek in the playoffs.

Carey Price is the rookie of the year

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:44:39 -0500

The Coach says there's only one clear choice for the Calder Trophy as this season's rookie of the year - Carey Price. Grapes argues the 20-year-old goaltender is already a super star and the main reason why the Habs finished first in the East.

Refs in a tough spot because of divers

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:05:42 -0500

Grapes feels sorry for the referees because all too often they’re put in a position where they have to decipher whether a player who has fallen to the ice is legitimately hurt or just fishing for a penalty.