Yardbarker: National Hockey League

Feast or Famine in Buffalo

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:34:49 -0500

The past two weeks have been feast or famine for the Buffalo Sabres. At one point this month they were in clear control of the division, now they barely hold the top spot and a continued losing streak could put them somewhere around eigtht or out of the top seeds completely. It is not too early [...]

Darryl Hunt: Callahan, Stalock Lead Worcester Over Providence 3-2

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:33:00 -0500

The Worcester Sharks used two third period goala against the Providence Bruins to defeat their Route 146 rivals 3-2 Saturday night at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island in front of an announced crowd of 5,728. The win snapped the WorSharks franchise record seven game losing streak. The WorSharks have had issues for most of the season killing penalties, and that continued Saturday night as Providence jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a power play goal when Matt Marquardt thre...

Saturday's Three Stars: Robidas rules; Perron's goal of year?

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:51:46 -0500

No. 1 star: Stephane Robidas(notes), Dallas StarsAfter Brian Rolston(notes) opened the scoring for the New Jersey Devils, it became the Robidas Show for the rest of the first period: Primary assists on goals by Warren Peters(notes) and Mike Ribeiro, and then a power-play goal of this own. Tom Wandell's(notes) goal in the third gave the Stars the lead again after a Devils' rally, and it was Robidas that finished off the scoring with his fifth of the season for a 5-3 Dallas victory. It...

Sharks bite Ducks, rack up NHL-leading 16th win

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:33:30 -0500

ANAHEIM, Calif.(AP) After their second game together, Joe Thornton , Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau again raised the question why the San Jose Sharks ' top three offensive threats weren't on the same line for the first 23 contests.

Toews scores 2, adds helper as Hawks rip Oilers

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:25:50 -0500

Jonathan Toews scored two goals and added an assist as the Chicago Blackhawks won their sixth game in a row, knocking off the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 on Saturday night.

Blackhawks win six in row, Toews tallies twice

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:14:00 -0500

Jonathan Toews scored two goals and added an assist as the Chicago Blackhawks won their sixth game in a row, knocking off the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 on Saturday.

Video: Laraque 'not worried' after knee-on-knee hit on Kronwall

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:08:49 -0500

The Detroit Red Wings are expecting defenseman Niklas Kronwall(notes) will be out at least two weeks with a "a second-degree, possibly third-degree MCL sprain to his left knee" after a knee-on-knee hit by Montreal Canadiens tough guy Georges Laraque(notes) on Saturday night -- at hit Wings players and management have condemned as dirty.Here's the hit, which came after Laraque had already been whistled for a high stick on Darren Helm(notes) that got him a double-minor:The three p...

Heatley top scorer (18) in NHL, Sharks best team

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:44:00 -0500

Dany Heatley scored his NHL-leading 18th goal and set up Joe Thornton's go-ahead tally pin the third period, leading the San Jose Sharks to a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.

Flyers lose Betts and Powe to injury

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:09:00 -0500

Just when you thought everything was looking up for the Flyers, they lose a pair of games and a pair of players in subsequent days. Philly had won 7 of their last 8 heading into Friday night's game with the Sharks, which they lost 6-3, then they headed to Phoenix on Saturday where they lost 3-1 to the Coyotes. A pair of losses on the road isn't necessarily a terrible thing but the team unfortunately also suffered a pair of significant injuries.Blair Betts has been an unsung player for...

Flyers Downed in PHX, Betts Off'd

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:42:30 -0500

We're not going to get too fired up about the officiating tonight because well, we don't feel like it. There was some yelling at the TV, which for some reason was ineffective in changing the outcome. Plus, any game where the Flyers only score one goal against an inferior opponent, the refs aren't the sole reason for the loss. They clearly didn't help our guys out much either, with questionable calls leading to two separate goals, including a phantom offside signal on the go-ah...

Flyers-Coyotes: Because Nothing Says "Hah-key" Like Wet Ice in the Desert Night

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:39:09 -0500

For the time being, there's still a professional hockey franchise in Arizona. Phoenix ain't a bad place to visit, maybe go to school, or ride off to retire. But build a hockey hotbed? It's been a longshot since the beginning, when the franchise was moved from Winnipeg during the Canadian franchise migration. Unlike the Quebec Nordiques, who moved to Denver, where hockey is somewhat more natural, the Coyotes have endured sustained struggles and even some embarrassment, culminating ...

Canucks clear room for Daniel Sedin's return

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:59:32 -0500

The Vancouver Canucks have cleared room for the return of high-scoring forward Daniel Sedin by sending forward Matt Pettinger to their AHL affiliate on Saturday. Sedin has missed 18 games since his foot was broken by a teammate's shot in the fourth game of the season on Oct. 7. Sedin has led the Canucks in goals in each of the last three seasons. Sedin would be reunited on the Canucks' top line with identical twin Henrik, likely Sunday night at home against the Chicago Blackhawk...

Trevor Bruess on the Board; Andrew Gordon Headed to HNIC

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:46:37 -0500

Late last night Hershey Bears’ General Manager Doug Yingst rang Andrew Gordon and ordered him to the airport, destination YYZ. He’ll be joining the Capitals for their Saturday night date with the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. Andrew has a penchant for being called up for big stages — his first NHL game, last season, took place in Madison Square Garden. But back in the American League, it was also a memorable night for first-year center Trevor Bruess, signed by t...

The 10 best teams that didn't win the Cup in the last decade

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:05:14 -0500

(No, the first decade of the 21st century doesn't technically end until 2011. Save your bellyaching. But we've had nine NHL seasons and one stolen from us since 1999-2000, and Yahoo! Sports has decided it's time to rank the best and worst of the last "decade." Enjoy, and snark freely in the comments.)Let's get this out of the way right off the top: This isn't a list of the best individual teams that didn't win a Stanley Cup. This isn't a list that will f...

Hockey Notes - 11/21

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:13:00 -0500

2009-10 FORBES NHL VALUATIONS 1 Toronto Maple $470M 2 New York Rangers $416M 3 Montreal Canadiens $339M 4 Detroit Red Wings $337M 5 Philadelphia Flyers $273M 19 San Jose Sharks $184M 26 Florida Panthers $159M 27 Nashville Predators $156M 28 New York Islanders $149M 29 Atlanta Thrashers $143M 30 Phoenix Coyotes $138M source: Forbes Forbes released its annual franchise valuations earlier this month ranking the Sharks 19th out of 30 NHL teams with a valuation of $184 million (up $6 million)...

Wounded Canadiens find motivation in desperation

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:47:39 -0500

Urgency. Desperation. These were the words Michael Cammalleri(notes) used to characterize the mindset of his Montreal Canadiens heading into last night's game at the Washington Capitals. Not just because they were one game under .500 and near the bottom of the conference standings, but because their positive momentum was again anchored by bad injury news, as his linemate Brian Gionta's(notes) broken foot shelved him indefinitely. "Much didn't have to be said tonight. It was a...

Darryl Hunt: WorSharks Losing Streak Reaches Seven After 3-1 Loss To Portland

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:14:00 -0500

The Worcester Sharks dropped their seventh game in a row after a 3-1 loss to the Portland Pirates Friday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine in front of an announced crowd of 3,822. Despite Worcester controlling large parts of the opening period it was the Pirates that would grab the first goal of the contest while on the first power play of the game. Nathan Gerbe fired a shot from the right circle that broke through WorSharks goaltender Tyson Sexsmith for the 1-0 ...

Today in Philly Sports History: Briere's First Hat Trick as a Flyer, 2007

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:00:00 -0500

Undoubtedly, Danny Briere still has a ways to go towards justifying the eight year, $52-million contract he signed in 2007, which briefly made him the highest-paid player in hockey. But you gotta admit that the guy has had his moments--such as on November 21st, 2007, when Briere scored his first-ever hat trick in the Orange and Black. Against the Carolina Hurricanes and one-time finals MVP Cam Ward, Danny found the net three times in the final period, making the difference in the Flyers'...

The Habs Spoil a Wonderful Family Reunion

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:58:09 -0500

It was very much a family affair at Verizon Center on Friday night. The Red Army family endured a rare evening of frustration and torment from the home team’s missed opportunity after missed opportunity, culminating with the Capitals’ 3-2 defeat to Montreal, but the home arena family also welcomed its newest members: the brother, mother, and father of John Carlson. Mom and dad came in from New Jersey while ’bro flew in from Boston to see John’s NHL debut. It was a bit ...

Friday's Three Stars: Heatley's trick; Florida, Boston win in OT

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:07:35 -0500

No. 1 Star: Dany Heatley(notes), San Jose SharksCoach Todd McLellan stacked his best players on the same line against the Philadelphia Flyers: Heatley, Joe Thornton(notes) and Patrick Marleau(notes). The result? A 6-3 win over the Flyers and a hat-trick for Heatley. His first goal was on a patient 2-in-1 with Thornton; so was his second goal, set up by Jumbo Joe (4 assists on the night) while shorthanded. He completed the hat trick with a power-play goal in the third. Heatley now has 17 goals...

Relocating NHL Franchises to Canada

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:11:47 -0500

Despite Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie’s recent failed attempt to buy the Phoenix Coyotes and re-locate the franchise to Hamilton ON., there is plenty of activity and conjecture which suggests that Canada could yet be home to one or more struggling presently US based franchises. At the same time, a number of struggling franchises in the “Sun Belt”, combined with a strong Canadian dollar and an abundance of available infrastructure dollars for new arenas make re-location(s) a realistic possibility. And does the willingness of Canadian politicians to commit to “public investment” in support of NHL franchises mark a change from previous eras when such proposals were met with a populist backlash against “corporate welfare”? If the “Sun Belt” implodes, will it cost Commissioner Gary Bettman his job? Earlier this month while in Toronto, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the local sports media that the NHL has no objection to a second franchise in the GTA. During the same discussion, Toronto Maple Leafs president and general manager Brian Burke said that under the right circumstances, Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (MLSE, the Leafs owner) would not oppose the NHL locating a second franchise in “their” market. “I don't think it's a point of contention even with the Leafs,” Daly said. “I can see a situation where by adding a franchise to a market, you can raise the tide for all boats. I don't think that because you put a franchise here, it necessarily makes the Leafs any less successful. And, in fact, it could create new revenue opportunities.” Brian Burke, the Maple Leafs president and general manager, said the club has never officially opposed the idea of another franchise in its territory. Burke said if a study proved a second team would be beneficial to the Leafs and the NHL, the Leafs would not be opposed. Richard Peddie, president of the Leafs' parent company, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, has also said this. The GTA is the most bountiful professional hockey market in North America (see recent Forbes NHL valuations) and nobody doubts that a second NHL franchise would be enthusiastically supported. However, the devil is always in the details and much would need to be resolved before a second franchise in the GTA becomes a reality. Whether or not the Leafs and maybe the Sabres (depending upon how close to Buffalo a second franchise would be) are entitled to “territorial indemnification” and what the value of that is, is somewhat a guessing game. And whether or not the Leafs and Sabres have a veto preventing a franchise from entering their market is another guessing game. In his aforementioned remarks to the Toronto sports media Mr. Daly remarked on the speculation surrounding a Leafs “veto”, “They can be dead set against it, but that doesn't mean they can stop the league from putting a franchise here if the league thinks a franchise here makes sense.” Mr. Daly’s remarks will do little to quell the speculation and uncertainty over the “veto”. During the bankruptcy auction of the Coyotes, Mr. Balsille’s lawyers presented a letter from the Leafs to the NHL stating that they (the Leafs) had a “veto”. There has also been much conjecture over the interpretation of the NHL constitution as it relates to franchise re-location. Some believe that franchise re-location requires a unanimous vote amongst owners - a de facto veto for the Leafs - while the league claims (at least publicly) that a simple majority vote is sufficient. Ultimately these negotiations are solely about money, the details and legalities of the league constitution and territorial indemnification will be irrelevant if a deal can be brokered. (I.E. Leafs and/or Sabres satisfactorily compensated) A more fundamental concern to any owner wanting to bring a second team to the GTA is finding or constructing a suitable arena. Could MLSE (also owners of the Air Canada Centre arena) be landlord to a second NHL franchise or is it a necessity that a second franchise control “their” arena? Is a second NHL calibre arena in the GTA a realistic proposition (land acquisition, construction costs, zoning, transportation infrastructure, politics, public investment)? Mr. Balsillie’s plan was to move the Coyotes in to Copps Coliseum in Hamilton. (capacity approx 19,000) In Mr. Daly’s recent remarks in Toronto, he was cynical about the viability of an NHL franchise operating out of “Copps“, “….Copps Coliseum doesn't provide modern-day NHL economics.” Mr. Balsille recognized that Copps Coliseum required significant investment in order for it to generate the revenue necessary to sustain an NHL franchise. While Mr. Daly questioned where that investment would come from, local, provincial and federal politicians all eagerly pledged their support for Mr. Balsille’s plans to upgrade “Copps”. And upgrading “Copps” is a much less costly option than constructing a new arena. If the NHL is opposed to re-locating a franchise to Hamilton, it could be a result of wanting to protect the Buffalo market (vastly more vulnerable than the Leafs) or a vindictive response to local Hamilton officials unbridled and public support for Mr. Balsille’s "Make it Seven” campaign. Select Read More to see the rest of "Relocating NHL Franchises to Canada" by Pete Toms

Flyers Take On League's Best in San Jose

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:15:00 -0500

The Flyers will have their hands full this evening when they take on San Jose out on the left coast. The Sharks are tied for the most wins in the NHL at 14 and stand alone atop the league with 32 points. They've also yet to lose in regulation at home this season going 6-0-2. The boys in Orange and Black have been playing well as of late and will get Ray Emery back in goal after a solid outing on Wednesday from Brian Boucher. JVR could break an NHL record this evening if he sc...

Hockey ‘n Heels: The Next Generation

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:21:45 -0500

Last night, I attended Hockey ‘N Heels at Kettler Capitals Iceplex with my partner-in-crime, Hockey Mom. The event, by all accounts, was a huge success. When tickets went on sale in October, they were gone in half an hour. Over 300 women were in attendance. Fehr's past meets his present Gabby signs a copy of his book Jay Beagle, Mathieu Perreault, Eric Fehr, and Tyler Sloan were there to assist with the on-ice demonstrations, but Peter Bondra was the guy everyone wanted to see...

Pro skateboarder Mike V cited in Niedermayer stick brawl

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:02:12 -0500

Mike Vallely is a pro skater and a celebrity fan for the Anaheim Ducks, who had done some blogging for them in the past (screen cap here). That relationship has been severed by the team, according to the OC Register, which reported that police said 'Mike V.' was arrested and cited for fighting in public for his part in the wild fan brawl over Scott Niedermayer's(notes) stick. Video of the fight was posted here on Friday morning.We were tipped off earlier today that the "littl...

Puck Previews: Sharks load up vs. Flyers; Sabres seek rebound

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:23:58 -0500

Here are your Puck Previews: Spotlighting the key games in NHL action, news and views as well as general frivolity. Make sure to stop back here for the nightly Three Stars when the games are finished. Preview: Philadelphia Flyers at San Jose Sharks, 10 p.m. EST. The big news here, according to the Sharks, is Coach Todd McLellan putting together the mega-line of Patrick Marleau(notes), Joe Thornton(notes) and Dany Heatley(notes). McLellan told Working The Corners: "Things may be going gr...

NHL gives Dallas’s James Neal 2-game suspension, rap sheet

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:37:20 -0500

James Neal(notes) of the Dallas Stars is getting a two-game suspension for his hit from behind on Derek Dorsett(notes) of the Columbus Blue Jackets last night, after a hearing earlier this afternoon. He was given a five-minute major for boarding and a game-misconduct in the Stars' 4-1 loss to the Jackets.Here's the hit and a TSN roundtable about the hit. Bob McKenzie, as Bob McKenzie does, nails it: The "optics" of the hit make this a slam-dunk suspension, according to the N...

Scott Niedermayer’s hockey stick starts fan brawl

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:15:45 -0500

Consider these people your a-holes of the day. What initially started out as an innocent gesture by Ducks Captain Scott Niedermayer ended in a nasty fan brawl. From the video, it seems that Niedermayer is throwing the stick in the direction of a little girl (which he later said was his intention) but a random [...]

Chris Clark: The Long Road to an Important Return

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:05:35 -0500

His return has been long in the making. After a career-year three years ago, Capitals’ Captain Chris Clark fairly faded into obscurity. Two groin pulls, a wrist injury, and a demotion to the third line later, the captain has finally made his return from the abyss to become a critical part of Washington’s team yet again. Three seasons ago, in just the second year of his tenure with the Capitals, Clark had been placed on the same line as the league’s brightest young star, Al...

Video: Anaheim fans brawl over Scott Niedermayer's stick

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:30:27 -0500

Anaheim Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer(notes) was named the first star of the night after his game-winning, power-play goal in overtime against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. To celebrate with the home crowd, he skated out and attempted to toss his stick to a girl in the front rows near the glass. That was until some man-mountain reached and grabbed the stick, a vigilante in a plaid shirt butt-ended him with it, and fists started flying between a few fans in the chaos -- all while unde...

Imagine an NHL Without Detroit . . . It Could Happen

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:17:21 -0500

I watched Wednesday night’s Detroit-Dallas game on the NHL Network within a morbid context. On my commute home last night I read ‘Detroit: A City on the Brink,’ published last month in The Week magazine. I recommend it as must-reading for all hockey fans and every American. The narrative in this piece is nothing short of harrowing. Most Americans I think have a general/vague notion of how tough times are in Michigan generally (the nation’s highest unemployment rate ...