Yardbarker: Robert Lang

Sunday's Three Stars: Vandermeer stuns Ducks in OT

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:00:34 -0500

No. 1 star: Jim Vandermeer(notes), Phoenix Coyotes No, the Turkey Day tryptophan dosage isn't still messing with your mind: Vandermeer, not exactly a Paul Coffey type on defense, scored to tie the game early in the third period and then beat the Anaheim Ducks in overtime, 3-2, with a one-timer from a Robert Lang(notes) pass. Vandermeer now has four goals in 26 games after entering the season with 18 in 312 career games. No. 2 Star: Dan Boyle, San Jose Sharks Boyle had a perfect read on hi...

Vandermeer, Coyotes finish off Ducks in OT win

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:58:49 -0500

James Vandermeer scored his second goal of the game at 1:18 of overtime, Matthew Lombardi also scored and Robert Lang had two assists, leading the Phoenix Coyotes to a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night.

Coyotes continue strong 'D' with win over Blue Jackets

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:18:12 -0500

COLUMBUS, Ohio(AP) Martin Hanzal , Zbynek Michalek and Robert Lang scored power-play goals and Jason LaBarbera stopped 31 shots in the Phoenix Coyotes ' 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night.

Finally, Robert Lang has come back to Phoenix

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:12:27 -0500

You remember the 1992 Phoenix Roadrunners, right? David Goverde in goal? Guy Leveque was the leading scorer with 27? A 26-50-6 record in the IHL under legendary former Atlanta Thrashers assistant coach Tim Bothwell?Oh, yeah: Some dude named Robert Lang(notes), making his North American debut with 30 points in 39 games. He was a Los Angeles Kings farmhand back then. Now, it's come full circle, as Fanster explains:Fast forward 15 years, and Lang is back in Phoenix, this time with the Phoeni...

Coyotes sign center Robert Lang to one-year deal

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:42:04 -0500

The Phoenix Coyotes signed veteran center Robert Lang to a one-year contract Tuesday.

Coyotes sign veteran center Lang

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:35:40 -0500

The Phoenix Coyotes signed veteran center Robert Lang to a one-year contract Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said the 38-year-old Lang "provides another veteran presence for our team and is a proven scorer in the National Hockey League." Lang has 252 goals and 422 assists in 925 games in his 15-year NHL career along with 18 goals and 27 assists in 87 playoff games.

Lang back for another stint in Phoenix, 15 years later

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:31:37 -0500

In the early 90s, Robert Lang was a hotshot prospect in the Los Angeles Kings organization. Lang played in parts of two seasons with the Phoenix Roadrunners of the International Hockey League, scoring 20 goals and adding 45 assists in 82 games in between 1992 and 1994. Fast forward 15 years, and Lang is back [...]

Phoenix Coyotes ink veteran center Robert Lang to 1-year deal

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:16:58 -0500

The Coyotes signed veteran center Robert Lang to a one-year contract Tuesday.

Coyotes sign veteran center Lang to 1-year deal

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:04:00 -0500

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- The Phoenix Coyotes signed veteran center Robert Lang to a one-year contract Tuesday.

Lights Out Lang

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:35:22 -0500

During Wednesday night's Canadiens vs. Rangers game, Habs veteran Robert Lang scored a beauty of a goal which might be a goal of the year candidate but I'm not entirely sure. It could be a candidate but there have been so many more spectcular goals which would easily beat it. So why just ...

Habs in Need

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:53:57 -0500

Expectations in Montreal always run high.

With the Habs in their centenary year and hosting the All-Star game in late January of 2009, the rabid fans and media, in La Belle Province, think it's their divine right for a possible return to the Stanley Cup finals, their first since beating the Kings in five in 1993.

With a surprising first place finish in the Eastern Conference last year, the Canadiens felt they were a couple of players away from taking the next step towards their 25th Stanley Cup.

Habs GM Bob Gainey made two key additions in hopes of a parade down Rue St. Catherine. Gainey picked up Alex Tanguay and Robert Lang, via trade, and added them to a team that was second in the league with 257 goals, one behind the Ottawa Senators.

Last year the Habs' power play was first in the NHL. They clicked at a robust 24.1 per cent with 90 goals in 374 chances. In the play-offs their power play ended up at a dismal 14.6 per cent and that was a key reason they lost to the Flyers in the second round.

In the post season the game becomes a five-on-five battle with mistakes and chances at a minimum. The man advantage separates the winners from the losers.

Signing Tanguay and Lang garnered big headlines in Montreal but the loss of UFA Mark Streit to the Islanders and the loss of Sheldon Souray to the Oilers, the year before, are more damaging than any transactions the Habs have made.

They simply haven't replaced the points that Souray and Streit provided.

Without Souray and Streit the Habs power play has become a major concern for Les Glorieux. Currently, the Habs are 24th in the league at just under 15 per cent.

Included in that was a less than glorious 1-33 between Nov. 8 and Nov 18 and a woeful 6 for 55 at home so far this year.

Every team goes through ups and downs during a season but the style of the game today places so much emphasis on special teams.

Sometimes you've got to give the opposition credit but the Habs simply must do better.

Lately the Habs have been using Lang on the point along with Andrei Markov. Lang and Markov both lack the big shot that Streit and Souray possessed. Without the big shot, from the point, teams have been collapsing down low and taking away the slot and the two-on-one play by the net.

Judging by the nightly chorus of boos at the Bell Centre the results have been evident. Too many passes around the perimeter and a lot of hesitant and individual play by the power play units.

The most ironic thing is that Montreal has six more points than they did last year, at this point, when their power play led the league.

If the Habs want to make a run deep into June then Gainey has to find a way to pick up a mobile defenceman with a big shot. Easier said than done. There aren't a lot of guys like that and the teams that have them aren't giving them away for free.

Maybe Gainey will wait until the trade deadline to see which teams have fallen by the wayside.

If not, then the Habs may have to wait for another year and in the pressurized and over anxious atmosphere that is Montreal, another year could feel like a hundred of them.

Tomahawk Chop

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 07:52:27 -0500

The Chicago Blackhawks have won four in a row and may just be a formidable force in this year's NHL playoffs. Here's why:

2007-2008 Fantasy Hockey Sleepers

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 02:56:25 -0500

As we head into the season, it's about time to start thinking about putting together your fantasy draft list. One thing that you always want hand is a list of potential sleepers to steal in the mid- to late-rounds of your fantasy draft. FIO staff writer Rob Edwards gives you some names to know (broken down by conference) in order so you can build that perfect fantasy hockey dynasty.