http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/players/brian_willsie/5549 Recent articles about Brian Willsie en-us As the NHL labor talks stagger forward, fans must be wondering where the best hockey is being played elsewhere in the world.The Kontinental Hockey League has grabbed the most talent, but Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden and Germany have also gobbled up lots of players.For the sake of these rankings, I split the massive KHL into its two division. We also included the first and second-tier leagues for the other European countries.Most of the players listed below have some NHL experience. Some, like Ilya Kovalchuk, are established NHL stars who are locked out. Other players are former NHLers playing out the string overseas. The listings do not include many world-class players who never made it big in North America.I would love to see how these teams would stack up in a tournament format:1) KHL WEST Forwards: Ilya Kovalchuk, Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Radulov, Joe Pavelski, Evander Kane, Artem Anisimov, Pavel Datsyuk, Ruslan Fedotenko, Mikhail Grabovski, Alexi Poni... Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:41:28 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/russia_switzerland_attract_top_nhl_players/11908276 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/russia_switzerland_attract_top_nhl_players/11908276 Russia, Switzerland attract top NHL players http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/russia_switzerland_attract_top_nhl_players/11908276 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png To close out our look at Rob Vollman's historical projections for the Carolina Hurricanes players, we are going to look at what might be in store for some of the fringe players in the organization who may see some time with the big club. By my definition a "fringe" player is either a prospect or younger player who has a chance to make the team out of camp but could easily spend the year in the AHL, or a player who is likely going to spend most of the year in the AHL but might be called up for a few games. The Canes had a lot of these types of players see some time with the big club last year and almost all of them were given a chance to succeed once Kirk Muller took over. Throughout the second half of last season we saw the likes of Drayson Bowman, Jerome Samson and Zac Dalpe get their chances in the top-six and while none of them offered a long-term solution, they each showed some potential last season and could be in the hunt for a roster spot whenever the season st... Fri, 21 Sep 2012 19:22:58 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/what_history_says_about_the_hurricanes_players_prospectsfringe_players/11779963 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/what_history_says_about_the_hurricanes_players_prospectsfringe_players/11779963 What history says about the Hurricanes players: Prospects/fringe players http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/what_history_says_about_the_hurricanes_players_prospectsfringe_players/11779963 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png There is a saying called the 'elephant in the room' meaning the obvious subject to discuss that most people are trying to ignore but it is virtually impossible considering its magnitude is as big as an elephant.  For the Minnesota Wild, I think its more like the 'herd of elephants in the room' to describe the speculation surrounding the team's intentions to be a major bidder towards current New Jersey Devils' captain Zach Parise.  Its been the topic du jour at message boards for months starting long before the Wild had been eliminated from playoff contention fans were already starting topics about his possible availability.  Even at the Wild's official draft party on Friday at Tom Reid's Hockey City Pub in St. Paul a few blocks from Xcel Energy Center its all fans seemed to talk about, even more discussion than the draft itself.  Pretty amazing when you consider people went to Reid's to watch the draft, but all they are thinking about is 'will... Mon, 25 Jun 2012 01:00:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/free_agency_a_practice_in_opportunity_or_peril_for_the_wild_2012_nhl_free_agent_list/11087648 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/free_agency_a_practice_in_opportunity_or_peril_for_the_wild_2012_nhl_free_agent_list/11087648 Free agency, a practice in opportunity or peril for the Wild? 2012 NHL free agent list http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/free_agency_a_practice_in_opportunity_or_peril_for_the_wild_2012_nhl_free_agent_list/11087648 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png I have a few things to say about the Pacioretty ruling so I’ll lead with Leblanc. Its an interesting move to call up a player only 14 games into his professional career, and yet the Montreal Canadiens don’t have a whole lot of options. Losing their best offensive player hurts. There is no way to replace Pacioretty in the line up. Leblanc has been arguably the best forward on a very bad, last place Bulldogs team this season. When Brian Willsie is your leading scorer, you’ve got problems. Leblanc started the season on the shelf with a shoulder injury and as such missed the first five games of the season. In the 14 games since his return Leblanc has racked up 10 points (4G, 6A) for a solid start to his professional career. My one and only hope for Leblanc is that in his time with the Canadiens we see him used on a scoring line and not the 4th line where he will be forced to play a style he is entirely uncomfortable with. A third line of Moen, Leblanc and Eller would be fantastic. Ok no... Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:13:36 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/pacioretty_banned_for_3_leblanc_called_up/8391775 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/pacioretty_banned_for_3_leblanc_called_up/8391775 Pacioretty banned for 3. Leblanc called up. http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/pacioretty_banned_for_3_leblanc_called_up/8391775 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/9/89161365971a8865c48b7c5938fdd2bb0c88c6c7/mini/Montreal_Canadiens_v_9cfb.jpg