NHL FanHouse

Plus/Minus: Roloson Steals Game for Islanders, Stops 58 Shots

Adam Gretz — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

We're trying something different to replace the old Newsmakers in the NHL posts. Hopefully you'll like it. Each weekday we'll take a look at one positive performance from the previous night (a plus), and one negative performance from the previous night (a minus). It's the plus/minus.Tell us what you think at nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

More Coverage: Monday's NHL Scoreboard

Plus Of The Day: Dwayne Roloson, New York Islanders

If you go by the shots on goal, Monday's game between the Islanders and Maple Leafs was the most one-sided ass kicking of the NHL season. Toronto managed to out-shoot New York by an unbelievable 61-21 margin, including 21-4 in the third period.

Fortunately for the Islanders, shot totals don't win games, and their goaltender, Dwayne Roloson, was up to the challenge and was essentially a brick wall between the pipes, stopping 58 shots (including 55 in regulation) in a 4-3 overtime win. Accoring to STATS, via the AP, it was the best performance by a goaltender (in terms of saves) since Ron Tugnutt's 70-save effort as a member of the Quebec Nordiques over 18 years ago.

The Islanders had a 3-0 lead with five minutes to play in the second period, but allowed Toronto to rally (thanks to a barrage of shots on Roloson) and force overtime. Josh Bailey tallied the game-winner at the 4:13 mark of the extra period, his sixth goal of the season, to hand Toronto its sixth loss in its past seven games.

With the win, the Islanders are now one of seven teams separated by just two points in the Eastern Conference standings. I'm still not sure how long New York can hang around, but if its goaltenders (Roloson and Martin Biron) keep playing like they have through the first two months, the Islanders will stay in the playoff race longer than anybody could have possibly imagined before the season started.

Minus Of The Night Day: Ray Emery, Philadelphia Flyers

I think it's safe to say Ray Emery has been a pleasant surprise for the Philadelphia Flyers this season, entering Monday's game with a .914 save percentage and an 11-6 record. Unfortunately, he struggled for the first time this season in a 5-4 loss to the Avalanche, getting benched for the first time as a member of the Flyers after allowing four goals on just 17 shots in 29 minutes of action.

Brian Boucher came on in relief and stopped 13 of the 14 shots he faced.

After trailing 5-2 through two periods, the Flyers cut the deficit to one thanks to goals from Danny Briere and Jeff Carter, but it wasn't enough as Craig Anderson was able to hold off the 19-shot third period effort and preserve the win.

Philadelphia has now dropped three in a row on its current road trip, which ends in New York against the Islanders on Wednesday.

The Avalanche were victorious for just the second time in its past seven games.

Highlight Of The Day: It was another nightmare performance by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night as they were thumped, 7-4, by the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Marian Gaborik and Steve Avery each scored a pair of goals in the rout as the blue shirts ripped off seven straight goals after falling behind 2-0 early in the first period. Some of the goals were kind of soft (and bizarre), and some of them looked like this tally from rookie defenseman Matt Gilroy in the second period.

Plus/Minus: Roloson Steals Game for Islanders, Stops 58 Shots originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plus/Minus: Giving Credit to the Islanders

Adam Gretz — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coyotes, Flyers, Islanders

More Coverage: Monday's NHL Scoreboard

Plus Of The Day: The New York Islanders

It's still very early in the season, obviously, but after their 4-1 win in Boston on Monday night, the New York Islanders find themselves as the No. 7 team in the Eastern Conference. Seriously. I don't care if its November 17 or not, this is a team that entered the season with zero expectations. They may not always be pretty, and they may be benefiting from the NHL's point system that rewards teams for losing in overtime or a shootout (the Islanders have lost three games in overtime, and four in a shootout), but they're at least competing and have been in just about every game they've played (nine of their losses have been by just one goal).

On an individual level, Matt Moulson has to be one of the biggest out-of-nowhere surprises in the NHL this season, and he continued his impressive start by scoring two goals on Monday. He was also a plus-two and finished with three shots on goal, and was originally credited with a third goal -- which would have been the first hat trick of his career -- before it was awarded to No. 1 overall pick John Tavares.

Moulson, a former ninth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins, now leads the Islanders with 10 goals and is second (trailing only Tavares) with 18 points.

Elsewhere for New York on Monday, veteran forward Richard Park recorded three assists, while goaltender Dwayne Roloson stopped 28 of 29 shots to pick up the win.

Minus Of The Day: Jason LaBarbera, Phoenix Coyotes

Coyotes goaltender Jason LaBarbera wasn't asked to do all that much on Monday, facing only 19 shots against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite the relatively light workload, he still surrendered four goals (including at least one that could be classified as being on the "soft" side) in a 4-1 loss.

After a fast 9-4 start out of the gate, Phoenix has now lost five of its last seven games. Also a minus, from the AP: "The announced crowd was 9,503, ending a three-game streak of five-figure attendance."

Highlight Of The Day: The New Jersey Devils finally lost their first road game of the season, dropping a 3-2 decision in Philadelphia. The loss not only ended their nine-game road winning streak, it also snapped an eight-game winning streak overall. Flyers rookie James van Riemsdyk scored what proved to be the game-winner at the 10:38 mark of the third period when he pounced on a loose puck in the slot and ripped it past Devils goalie Martin Brodeur.

Plus/Minus: Giving Credit to the Islanders originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'The Hammer' Enters Flyers' Hall of Fame

Christopher Botta — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, FanHouse Exclusive

Dave Schultz will be inducted into the Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Fame on Monday night. Looking back more than 30 years later, it's hard to believe Schultz was only a Flyer for four seasons.

"That's my only regret," said the man forever known as "The Hammer."

Just four years. Ask any hockey fan to list the men associated with the great and notorious Philadelphia hockey teams of the 1970s and you will hear Bobby Clarke's name first, followed maybe by Bernie Parent and possibly the coach, Fred Shero. But in that next group -- along with everyone from Bill Barber and Rick MacLeish to Gary Dornhoefer and Reggie Leach and the Watson brothers -- comes The Hammer.

More Coverage: Going Toe-to-Toe With "The Hammer"

"Four incredible years that changed my life," said Schultz, now 60 years old and ready to cherish every second of his Hall of Fame night. "I put a lot into those four years."

The Hammer gave as much blood as he drew. He was the symbol of the "Broad Street Bullies," fighting every game and seemingly everyone. The left wing always played with an edge. Schultz was not crazy, but sure did a fine job making everyone else believe he was. When it comes to the Flyers Hall of Fame the only question is: what took so long?

"Had a fight my first game and won it, then the second game and it just snowballed from there. When I was in juniors, I was the most intimidated kid out there. People don't believe me, but I've never understood how the transformation happened. It just happened."
-- Dave Schultz on His Famed Role as EnforcerIn the four years of The Hammer Era, the Flyers won two Stanley Cups. Think of the top enforcers in today's NHL and their coaches would sign up for getting five goals a season from them. Don't think Dave Schultz was a hockey player? Centered primarily by Orest Kindrachuk and with Don Saleski on the right side, Schultz scored nine, 20, nine and 13 goals in those years for the Flyers. In the playoffs, he wasn't relegated to the press box as most fighters are today. In 41 postseason games with Philadelphia, Schultz had seven postseason goals and 363 penalty minutes.

"There's no fighting in the playoffs anymore, but in my day it set the tone," said Schultz. "You had a lot of cheap hits in the first period. Me and the other guys would settle the scores and the nonsense would be over with. You knew the refs were thinking, 'Okay, it's time to get Schultzie out of this game.' By the end of the first period in playoff games, I was usually showered and in my suit."

Strange but true, Schultz was drafted by the Flyers as a goal scorer. It wasn't until the club sent him to the Eastern Hockey League that he found his niche as a fighter. "Had a fight my first game and won it, then the second game and it just snowballed from there," said Schultz, today a sales manager with BP Solutions in Wydmoor, PA. "When I was in juniors, I was the most intimidated kid out there. People don't believe me, but I've never understood how the transformation happened. It just happened."

The Philadelphia fans loved every short Schultz shift, with seasons of 259, 348, an NHL-record 472 and 307 penalty minutes with Bob Kelly as his partner in misconduct. "My rewards were the respect of my teammates and the appreciation of the fans," he said. "This city has been wonderful to me for a very long time."

The Brotherly Love is a big part of this Hall of Fame induction on Monday. Schultz fought and played for Philadelphia for four years, but he's been a Flyer for four decades. Although he later played for Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and Buffalo -- "should have won a Cup with the Sabres in '78-79, a great team," he said -- he always bled Broad Street orange.

More than 30 years since throwing his last punch, Schultz's career has been re-discovered by the YouTube generation. Almost all of his scraps are online, receiving hundreds of thousands of views. Schultz seems humbled that his reputation outside Philadelphia has been re-considered. "I think people understand now I was honest and played by the rules of the era," he said. "They also appreciate that back then it wasn't like I was playing the game for money." (In 10 years of pro hockey, Schultz made a combined $600,000).

"I look back now and can say, yes, there were times when all the fighting could wear on me," said Schultz, who reports that he's in perfect health. "But in the end, I was fortunate to have my career and enjoy such a blessed life."

Schultz will embrace all the tributes as he enters the Flyers Hall of Fame, finally getting his personal moment before 18,000 fans. At his side will be his sons Chad, 34, and Brett, 31. Chad has written a screenplay about his father's career that Dave says "will be like Invincible for hockey."

The final scene will be played out Monday night.

'The Hammer' Enters Flyers' Hall of Fame originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Going Toe-to-Toe With the Hammer

Christopher Botta — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, FanHouse Exclusive

FanHouse's Christopher Botta spoke with Flyers legend Dave Schultz before his induction Monday night into the Flyers Hall of Fame.

What was your best fight?
"Tough to say, but I had some classics with Keith Magnuson in Chicago."

Who were your toughest foes?
"Clark Gillies. When he hit you, it wasn't fun. And of course I have to say Terry O'Reilly. We fought eight times and each one was an epic."

Judge your O'Reilly fights.
"I'd say we each won four."

Gillies says you're good pals. True?
"Absolutely. When your careers are over, you meet guys like Clark and you realize you have a lot in common. We love to joke around and live life and have fun. We just never talk about the fighting. It took a little longer to bond with Terry, but we're buddies now, too. Hope to visit with him during the Winter Classic at Fenway."

Enjoy the Old Timers' Games?
"I did for a while. We had this one before a big crowd in Canada. Check out these two lines: Bob Bourne-Butch Goring-Clarkie and then Dave Semenko-Tiger Williams-me. What a blast we had."

How about being the villain?
"I really didn't think about it while it was going on. None of it was an act. I just wanted to stand up for my teammates and I'd do anything to win. It worked."

Ever get hurt?
"No. Well, okay ... once. Pierre Bouchard (of Montreal) surprised me, gave me a huge bomb to the side of my head. I don't think the fans or the announcers noticed it, but I was stunned. Probably a concussion in a day when they weren't diagnosed. Later on (linesman) John D'Amico came up to me and said, 'Schultzie, I have no idea how you stayed up after that one.' "

What's your take on NHL fighting today?
"Get rid of the instigator and I bet most of the players would be a lot more careful with those hits to the end. There are no consequences. And the equipment is out of hand. I want the guys to be protected, but the shoulder pads now are a joke. When I played, I wouldn't hit a guy with my shoulder. I would hurt my shoulder!"

Going Toe-to-Toe With the Hammer originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fight of the Week: Cam Janssen Edition

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blues, Canucks, Flyers, Rangers, Thrashers, Red Wings, NHL Fights, NHL Videos

Every Friday, FanHouse sifts through the rubble and picks the best NHL fight, with the help of HockeyFights.com.

If last week seemed a little bit light, we're going to make up for it now. There is no shortage of fights to choose from this week, and we had some really good ones that had to be left on the proverbial cutting room floor. We've also added to our series of rather unlikely scraps. To top it all off, we had an easy choice for the week's best bout.

"Why Are We Fighting?" Fight of the Week: Zach Bogosian vs. Ryan Callahan

Apparently, Callahan really took exception to a bit of a cross-check by Bogosian. Instead of sending a goon after the young defenseman, Callahan took matters into his own hands. This wasn't a great fight by any means, but it was a bit of a head-scratcher. Video can be watched here.

Runner-Up: Rick Rypien vs. Brad May

Vancouver's game against St. Louis Wednesday became a fight-fest (more on this in a bit), but Rypien showed that he had some energy left over to take on one of the league's real veteran heavyweights. This isn't a terribly long fight, but it's intense, and it's not a surprise the guys seemed to wear out a bit. Check it out here.

Runner-Up: Cam Janssen vs. Arron Asham

Janssen looked for a moment to have an easy one here, as Asham struggled from the opening bell. The home crowd inspiring him, Asham pulls off an impressive comeback, and you could argue he at least gave himself a chance to "win the fight." Click here to watch the video.

Fight of the Week: Tanner Glass vs. Cam Janssen

Here's Janssen again. This one's a legitimate candidate for Fight of the Year, not that we're contemplating such an honor at the end of the season. The Canucks were in the midst of getting blown out by St. Louis on Wednesday, but Glass took a shot at injecting some life into his team, which hadn't shown much in the first game of a back-to-back. Janssen got a rousing ovation, and responded to it, after his performance in this fight.

Fight of the Week: Cam Janssen Edition originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pink Slip Index: Complications in Carolina

Kevin Schultz — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blues, Ducks, Flyers, Hurricanes, Lightning, Maple Leafs, Panthers, Wild, NHL Coaching

In the NHL, coach firings are as common as parking tickets in New York City. Throughout the NHL season I'll be taking a bi-weekly look at five coaches who are the most likely to get fired. Be advised your local coach may be axed at any moment. Consider this fair warning.

Things have changed quite a bit since our last look at coaches with warm cushions. For one, the Lightning are making me look bad at 3-1-3 since the last installment. The Leafs have won a few games and things have gone from bad to an Alexander Daigle brand of awful for the Hurricanes. We'll take a look at all of that and more after the jump.

Off the List (for now):
John Stevens, Philadelphia Flyers (Previous Rank: 4). The Flyers have won five in a row since we last checked in and are sixth in the conference. Nothing to worry about, John.

Peter DeBoer, Florida Panthers (5). The Cats got hammered twice over the weekend by the Caps but are still 4-2 since we last checked in. Basically, there are more folks in a lot more trouble than DeBoer.

Free Passes: Barry Trotz, Nashville Predators. Jacques Lemaire, New Jersey Devils (who will be listed here as long as Lou Lamoriello is in charge).

No. 6: Rick Tocchet, Tampa Bay Lightning (1). There was some disagreement in other parts of the blogosphere about Tocchet topping the last list. No matter if you agreed or disagreed, I think we can all say that the Lightning are playing some solid hockey at the moment. They're 5-1-3 in their last seven and Steven Stamkos is destroying defenders' lives with his play. This run has cooled off Tocchet's seat so much I was going to completely take him off the list. Then he went and called out Vinny Franchise and dropped him to the third line, blatantly pandering to me to keep him on the list. So here he is with his own special spot at six since he's either completely bat poop crazy or playing job roulette with Oren Koules.

Seat status: Confusing.

No. 5: Ron Wilson, Toronto Maple Leafs (2). Things have turned around for the Leafs since my last look at them. They've actually won a few games and could have a few more under their belt if they could just figure out how to work that darned overtime. They're 2-1-4 since we last checked in, and that includes a 5-1 spanking of Detroit on Saturday, which nobody saw coming. Things are looking up in Leaf Land but we're keeping Ron on the countdown since October was a complete and utter FAIL. You can't forget about something like that so quickly.

Seat status: A warm spring day.

No. 4: Randy Carlyle, Anaheim Ducks (3). This week, Carlyle cools off slightly and moves to the fourth position. I'm still a firm believer that he'll get a fair shake in Anaheim and likely will last the season barring a major turn of events. However, the Ducks got the dubious honor of giving the winless Leafs their first victory -- on home ice, no less! -- but have showed a very mild resiliency going 3-2-1 since we last checked in on them. Carlyle cools off as the Ducks break even and we put some more volatile candidates in front of him.

Seat status: One of those hot summer nights where you wake up sticky because the AC is broken.

No. 3: Todd Richards, Minnesota Wild (NR). The Wild struggled early this season and I gave Richards a pass in the first edition of PSI since he's a first-year coach. That usually provides a little Teflon with which to deflect criticism. However, Richards makes our list this time since the Wild have continued to stumble. The more they stumble, the less of an excuse "brand new head coach" becomes. They're 7-10-1 on the year, second to last in the Western Conference, and are owners of an awful 2-8-1 road record. I fully expect the brass in Minnesota to give Richards some time but this being the NHL and all, hey, you never know.

Seat status: Lukewarm.

No. 2: Paul Maurice, Carolina Hurricanes (NR). The Hurricanes finished sixth in the East last year and made it all the way to the conference finals before getting swept by the eventual Stanley Cup champs. Injuries can be to blame, as Eric Staal and Joni Pitkanen are hurt and Eric Cole has missed time. Losing Cam Ward last Saturday was a death blow to a team already in last place. But with the Kings extending the Canes' winless streak to 13 and Carolina winning two of 17 overall, it would appear as though Maurice is as good as gone. This team has been outscored 30-10 in their last seven games -- all regulation losses. And if you can't even make it to overtime in Gary Bettman's Everybody Gets a Point Most of the Time League, you're really doing something wrong.

So it seems like Maurice is an open and shut case to go, right? Well, not exactly.

As Bob Harwood over at Canes Country points out, the Canes have put themselves in a bind not only with players but with the coaching staff, too.

"[Canes GM Jim Rutherford] has severely limited himself on what he can do regarding the coaching staff because of his recent three year signing of head coach Paul Maurice. If he were to fire Maurice, he would officially have two ex-coaches on the payroll because the team is still paying Peter Laviolette."

Yeah, so under most any other set of circumstances Maurice is a sitting duck. Now that he's at the helm of a failing team that gave him an extension over the summer and is already paying one guy to not coach them? That's a big bullet for one GM to bite. Maurice is second on our countdown because his seat is unquestionably hot. But, as the evidence points out, he's probably not going anywhere soon.

Seat status: Molten lava. But the extension and Laviolette deal means the Canes will likely have to bite the bullet.

No. 1: Andy Murray, St. Louis Blues (NR). When the Blues went 9-1-1 to sneak into the playoffs last year, there were some rumblings that run may have saved Murray's job. The team was promptly swept by the Canucks and many of its young stars have struggled during the early going this season -- and are killing my keeper league fantasy team -- despite a kind of deceiving 6-7-4 record. TJ Oshie has six points in 13 games, Patrick Berglund has four in 16 and David Backes has three in 17. But maybe after a 6-1 rout of Vancouver on Tuesday things are turning around. We'll see.

Seat status: Southern style chili cheese dog.

Right now, Murray tops our list since he doesn't have a complicated situation like Maurice, a "rookie" excuse like Richards, a Stanley Cup ring with the team like Carlyle or a recent hot streak like the rest. So if anyone is getting axed in the next week or two, it's this guy. Unless Lou Lamoriello gets up on the wrong side of the bed one day, but I digress.

Pink Slip Index: Complications in Carolina originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plus/Minus: Vokoun Blanks Boston

Adam Gretz — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, Panthers, Senators

More Coverage: Thursday's NHL Scoreboard

Plus Of The Day: Tomas Vokoun, Florida Panthers

Despite getting outshot by a 40-23 margin, the Florida Panthers picked up a 1-0 win against the Boston Bruins Thursday night thanks almost entirely to the efforts of goaltender Tomas Vokoun. The veteran stopped all 40 shots he faced through regulation and overtime, as well as four shots in a shootout. Cory Stillman scored the lone goal in the fourth round of the skills competition to give Florida the win.

Vokoun was facing rubber all night long, including a second period barrage that saw Boston outshoot the Panthers by an incredible 19-1 margin. In regards to the second period, Stillman told the AP: "When you get outshot 19-1 and you are chasing the puck the whole period, there is not much good. But whether you have 50 shots or no shots, it was still a tie game after two."

The shutout is Vokoun's third of the season, all of which have come in the past two weeks. It's also the third time this season that he's stopped at least 40 shots in a game.

Minus Of The Day: Pascal Leclaire, Ottawa Senators

Not many options for this one on Thursday, so we'll go with Senators goaltender Pasal Leclaire for giving up five goals on 27 shots during Ottawa's 5-1 loss to Philadelphia.

On the other end of the rink, it was a big night for Flyers goalie Ray Emery, as he stopped 21 shots against his former team, and has now won seven of his past eight starts, giving up more than two goals just twice during that stretch. If the Flyers keep getting that type of play from Emery they're going to be a scary team in the Eastern Conference. We already know how deep they are up front, and how good their top-three on defense is, and if you add even slightly above average goaltending to that mix, you have a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

Highlight Of The Day: Welcome back Ilya Kovalchuk. After missing six games, he returned to the Atlanta lineup on Thursday night and scored a goal, added two assists and recorded six shots on goal in 22 minutes of ice-time in the Thrashers' 5-3 win at Madison Square Garden. Here's his 10th goal of the season (in just nine games). It's a vintage Kovalchuk shot.

Plus/Minus: Vokoun Blanks Boston originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Demoting Lecavalier Doesn't Help As Flyers Crush Lightning

Adam Gretz — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, Lightning

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the story lines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Flyers 6, Lightning 2: With only one goal in 11 games, Tampa Bay lightning head coach Rick Tocchet decided to demote his No. 1 center, Vincent Lecavalier, to the team's third line, but not because of his lack of goals. Damian Cristodero of Lightning Strikes quoted Tocchet on Monday morning as saying: "we've got to clean him up," referring not only to his lack of offensive production, but his play when he doesn't have the puck (defense, finishing checks, etc. etc. etc.)

Did it work on Monday night in Philadelphia? Not really.

The Flyers received a pair of goals from Jeff Carter and Mike Richards in their 6-2 win, and led by a lopsided 5-1 margin after just 40 minutes. Lecavalier spent most of the game sandwiched between Drew Miller and Stephane Veilleux, and finished with zero points, five shots on goal and a minus-three rating.

Former No. 2 overall pick James van Riemsdyk finished with three assists for Philadelphia, and now has two goals and 11 assists in 10 games.

The Flyers have won their last two games by a combined score of 12-3.

This all comes on the same day that Philadelphia learned it will be without Simon Gagne for six-to-eight weeks following abdominal and hip surgery.

Monday's Other Games

Brendan Witt scores two goals(!) and John Tavres adds his fifth of the season to help the Islanders win their fourth straight game. [Box Score, Recap]

The Kings rally for four straight goals, including three in the third period, to beat Phoenix. Ryan Smyth tallied two on the night, while Anze Kopitar picked up his 11th of the season. Kopitar now has 24 points, moving him one point ahead of Washington's Alex Ovechkin for the league lead.

The Kings held the Coyotes to just 16 shots on goal. [Box Score, Recap]

Loose Pucks

-- Matt Pettinger signs with the Vancouver Canucks. [Nucks Misconduct]

-- A look at the ridiculous number of injuries throughout the first month of the season. [Jim Cerny's Rink Rap]

Video Of The Day

John Taveres scores to help lead the Islanders to another win.

Tuesday's Key Games

Bruins vs. Red Wings: Two of the best teams in the NHL a season ago, Boston and Detroit enter Tuesday's game still struggling to hit their stride through the first month of this season. Both teams have been decimated by injuries early on.

Maple Leafs vs. Lightning: The Maple Leafs can't catch a break, it seems, as Phil Kessel will not be making his season debut on Tuesday night.

Penguins vs. Ducks: Dan Bylsma spent parts of four seasons as a member of the Anaheim Ducks, and on Tuesday he returns as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins as they open a three-game west coast road trip.

Demoting Lecavalier Doesn't Help As Flyers Crush Lightning originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Pink Slip Index: Which Coach Will Be First to Go?

Kevin Schultz — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Ducks, Flyers, Lightning, Maple Leafs, Panthers, NHL Coaching

In the NHL, coach firings are as common as parking tickets in New York City. Throughout the NHL season I'll be taking a bi-weekly look at five coaches who are the most likely to get fired. Be advised your local coach may be axed at any moment. Consider this fair warning.

We've made it through the first month of the NHL season and not one coach has gotten fired yet. That's got to be some kind of record. This is the NHL! Coaches are fired for lots of reasons and sometimes no reason at all. How is no team displeased enough to have fired a coach yet? And what have you got to say for yourself, Lou Lamoriello? Why is your finger not on the trigger?

As it turns out, a lot of teams have actually surprised us and played well, helping their coach's job security in the process. Before the season I named a few coaches whom I thought were starting the year on the hot seat. More than a few of them have been saved by solid starts. Joel Quenneville and the Hawks are 7-3-1 and atop the Central. John Anderson and the Thrashers started the year 4-1-1 before dropping their last two against good teams and the Kings may have saved Terry Murray's job by grabbing 17 points in 13 games to lead the Pacific.

The good news for me -- I was afraid I wouldn't have anyone to write about -- is that not every team is off to such a hot start. The Ducks have struggled out of the gate, the Flyers and Canucks are both hovering around .500 and Toronto has been an unmitigated disaster losing six of their first eight by two goals or more. So I'd like to take the time to thank those teams for lighting a fire under their coach's respective chairs.

So today, I present to you the first in a season-long series of coaches-on-the-hot-seat rankings. Five coaches. Five teams. Five fanbases that want blood -- sweet, sweet blood. We'll start at number five and head on through to numero uno, my prediction for the coach to get the axe first.

No. 5: Peter DeBoer, Florida Panthers. DeBoer is only in his second year with the Panthers and had some success last year as the team finished ninth in the East, missing out on the playoffs by losing a tiebreaker to the Canadiens. But in the NHL it's all about 'what have you done for me lately' and the Panthers have started this season 2-7-1 and are averaging 2.2 goals per game. Add that to their 29th-best ranking in goals allowed and things are not looking good. Personally, I don't believe the Horton trade rumors, but if they're crazy enough to trade him firing DeBoer will look sane in comparison.

Seat status: STEAMY

No. 4: John Stevens, Philadelphia Flyers. I said before the season that this could be a make or break year for Stevens and the Flyers. They had a talented roster and only improved it during the offseason. However, they've been short on postseason success and are 5-4-1, already nine points behind the division-leading Penguins in the tough Atlantic. The Penguins went on to win the Stanley Cup last year after firing their coach down the stretch. That means there will be copycats, and if the Flyers continue to be mediocre Stevens may be sent packing to shake things up.

Seat status: STEAMY

No. 3: Randy Carlyle, Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks have had a lot of success under Carlyle. In four seasons they've won a Cup and made another trip to the conference finals. The last two years have been less successful but nothing that should threaten a coach's job. But the Ducks are 3-6-1 to start this season, with the latest defeat being a 6-3 drubbing by the winless Leafs in front of the home fans. Half the reason Carlyle is on this list is because there really aren't a lot of other people to put here. The other half is because of the random stinkers the Ducks have put forth this season: 5-0 home rout by St. Louis, 4-1 opening-night loss to San Jose. He's not going anywhere yet -- he'll get a fair shake -- but the early news is not good.

Seat Status: TOASTY

No. 2: Ron Wilson, Toronto Maple Leafs. It's been a fun season already in Toronto. The team has started 0-7-1 before showing some life the last two games on, of all places, the road in Anaheim and Dallas. Fans are outraged. The media is making jokes. Wilson has already gotten a vote of confidence from the GM. All key ingredients to canning a coach. However, there's one thing standing in the way: that vote of confidence was actually legit. The problem with this team is not Wilson and GM Brian Burke knows it. The seat is very warm but there will be little action here. Move along.

Seat status: CALIENTE

No. 1: Rick Tocchet, Tampa Bay Lightning. The lame thing about NHL coaches this season is that there's no one you can point at and yell 'DEAD MAN WALKING!' A lot of thought-to-be-crappy teams are good. A lot of good teams are mediocre. A very small handful of teams are very bad. The Lightning are not very bad. But the Lightning are off to a bad start (4-3-3) and are led by a coach who was interim for most of last season and was hired by the previous coach. That latter is the coaching kiss of death, which is why I believe Tocchet will be the first to go this year. And also because anything goes at Cirque du SoLightning.

Seat status: CALIENTE MÁS UNO

Coaches recieving a free pass this time around: Alain Vigneault, Vancouver Canucks. Barry Trotz, Nashville Predators. Paul Maurice, Carolina Hurricanes. Jacques Lemaire, New Jersey Devils (listed simply because his boss is Lou Lamoriello).

The Pink Slip Index: Which Coach Will Be First to Go? originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Theodore Stops 41 to Lead Capitals

Adam Gretz — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Capitals, Flyers

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the story lines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Capitals 4, Flyers 2: It may not have matched their first meeting of the season, but Tuesday's Capitals-Flyers throw down turned out to be an outstanding game with a playoff-like atmopshere. Alex Ovechkin netted a pair of goals, while Alex Semin scored the game-winner midway through the third period (video after the jump) with a rocket of a wrist shot that couldn't have been placed any better.

While the two Alex's were providing the offense, goaltender Jose Theodore played perhaps his best game of the season, stopping 41 shots, including a penalty shot against Darroll Powe midway through the third period to preserve a 3-2 lead.

Tuesday's Other Games

Guess which team has the most points in hockey at the present time? Thanks to their 3-0 win in Edmonton, it's the Colorado Avalanche with a league-best 20 points, and a 9-1-2 record. Wojtek Wolski scored a pair of goals, while Craig Anderson turned aside 25 shots to record his second shutout of the season. [Box Score, Recap]

Detroit picked up its first road win of the season thanks to a four-goal third period in Vancouver. Pavel Datsyuk scored a pair, while Tomas Holmstrom, Niklas Kronwall and Jason Williams also tallied goals. [Box Score, Recap]

Loose Pucks

-- Colorado Avalanche backup goaltender Peter Budaj has been diagnosed with swine flu. [TSN]

-- The best non-Canadian hockey matchups for the 2010 Olympics. [Top Cheddar]

-- It appears as if defenseman Dmirty Kulikov will remain with the Panthers this season. [Litter Box Cats]

Video Of The Day

This is just an absolutely ridiculous shot from Alex Semin. It proved to be the game-winner in Washington's 4-2 win against Philadelphia.

Wednesday's Key Games

Rangers vs. Islanders: It's the first meeting of the season between these two bitter, cross-town rivals. Always a fun meeting, especially at the Garden.

Maple Leafs vs. Stars: Can Toronto make it two in a row? The Maple Leafs, fresh off their 6-3 win in Anaheim, travel to Dallas looking for their first winning streak of the season.

Kings vs. Sharks: In an early-season battle for first place in the Pacific Division, the Sharks welcomes the up-and-coming Kings to San Jose.

Theodore Stops 41 to Lead Capitals originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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David Booth Taken Off on Stretcher After Devastating Hit From Mike Richards

Adam Gretz — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:20:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, Panthers, NHL Injuries, NHL Discipline

For the second time in as many nights, an NHL player was taken off the ice on a stretcher Saturday. This time around it's Florida Panthers forward David Booth, who was on the receiving end of what appears to be a rather borderline hit from Philadelphia's Mike Richards.

Video after the jump.

Richards appears to lead with his shoulder, but it's a hit to the head, and that's never a good thing. He received a five-minute major and a game misconduct for interference, and the play will obviously get some attention from the league. How can a player get five minutes and a game misconduct for interference you ask? Well, let's recall our conservation with former NHL director of officiating Stephen Walkom from a year ago. From Walkom:

"In terms of that call, a year ago the general managers decided that in our rule book we always had a minor penalty for interference," said Walkom. "Someone asked the question one day, 'What happens if a player doesn't play the puck, gets hit, and gets injured ... Shouldn't that be a major penalty? And a game misconduct?' So, the major penalty and a game misconduct were added to the rule book last year. It was approved by the competition committee, the board of governors and the general managers first."

Once the major penalty is issued, the game misconduct becomes automatic. It's all under rules 56.4 and 56.5 in the NHL rule book.

Booth scored his second goal of the season earlier in the game.

So, what do you think, hockey fans? Is this a legal hit with an unfortunate result, or a player that requires further discipline from the league?

UPDATE: Booth has been released from a Philadelphia hospital after suffering a concussion.

(H/T HFBoards for posting the video)

David Booth Taken Off on Stretcher After Devastating Hit From Mike Richards originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hunting Trips With Bernie Parent Available on eBay

Adam Gretz — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, NHL Fans

It seems the Philadelphia Flyers have been hunting (too easy) for a franchise goaltender since Bernie Parent retired following the 1978-79 season. During his 13-year career, Parent helped guide the Flyers to back-to-back Stanley Cups, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP each time.

Thirty years after his retirement, you can spend some time with the Hall of Fame netminder if you're interested in doing some Bambi hunting on a private farm in New Jersey. Hopefully he doesn't wear his Jason-style goalie mask during the hunt because, well, that would just be creepy.

So, what does the $375 price tag get you?

From the eBay ad:

YOU ARE PURCHASING A ONE DAY FULLY GUIDED HUNT ON OUR PRIVATE FARMS IN NEW JERSEY WITH NHL LEGEND BERNIE PARENT. THIS HUNT WILL INCLUDE BREAKFAST WITH BERNIE A MORNING HUNT, LUNCH WITH BERNIE TO INCLUDE A PHOTO SHOOT FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL PICTURES AND AUTOGRAPGHS. YOU WILL THEN BE TAKEN OUT ON OUR EVENING HUNT. YOUR GUIDE WILL TAKE YOU TO AND FROM YOUR STEEL LADDER STAND OR GROUND BLIND IF YOU PREFER, LOCATE, FIELD DRESS AND TRANSPORT ANY DEER YOU MAY TAKE BACK TO THE CLUB HOUSE. BUTHERING SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. THESE HUNTS ARE AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUAL GROUPS, CORPORATE, ETC.

I'm assuming "buthering services" are butchering services, which is a plus, I suppose.

The advertisement claims there's only a limited number of dates available for archery, shotgun and muzzle loader season from October through January.

[H/T Illegal Curve, via Empty-Netters]

Hunting Trips With Bernie Parent Available on eBay originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHL Discipline: No Punishment for Hartnell, Pat Quinn Fined $10,000

Adam Gretz — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Flames, Flyers, Oilers, Penguins

We already talked about the ending to Thursday's Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia game and the Penguins claim that Flyers forward Scott Hartnell took a bite out of Kris Letang's finger. After a conference call with league disciplinary czar Colin Campbell on Friday, it was determined that Hartnell will not face any additional discipline due to a lack of evidence.

Video of the incident, including a new nickname for Hartnell, after the jump.

Neither player would say for sure what happened. Letang insisted that the media ask Hartnell, and when asked, Hartnell said "a lot of stuff happens on the bottom of the pile. He had his hands in my face doing the facewash and we're rolling around. I can't say what happened."

And there's the problem. You can't see what's happening at the bottom of the scrum. All we know is both players went down to the ice and Letang came up with a cut on his hand. Just another chapter in a bitter rivalry that's sure to be a must-watch the rest of the season.

Both players received two-minute minors for roughing.

Meanwhile, Edmonton Oilers head coach Pat Quinn was quite heated following his team's shootout loss to the Calgary Flames when discussing an incident involving Sheldon Souray and Jarome Iginla.

Following the game, Quinn advocated some Marty McSorley-style vigilante justice.

"I don't understand the players of today," Quinn said on Thursday. "If that had happened in the old days he would have got hit over the head with a stick right after. It was a pretty dirty play in my opinion. He poked his feet out and then piled on top of him. Somehow they never deal with that crap and they won't let the vigilante stuff happen to deal with it. It's disappointing."

Emphasis mine, as I'm assuming that's the specific comment that the league took notice of. The NHL, not amused by such comments, slapped him with a $10,000 fine on Friday.

NHL Discipline: No Punishment for Hartnell, Pat Quinn Fined $10,000 originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Penguins vs. Flyers Has the Ending You Would Expect: Chaos

Adam Gretz — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:45:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, Penguins

The first battle for Keystone State supremacy this season did not disappoint, as the Penguins pulled out a back-and-forth 5-4 win in Philadelphia, thanks in large part to an own-goal by the Flyers after a wayward Braydon Coburn pass deflected off of Ray Emery's skate to give the Pens a 4-2 lead late in the second period.

As is typically the case when these two teams get together, there was no love lost, and the ending turned into a three-ring circus during the Flyers' desperate attempt to tie the score. After Jeff Carter cut a 5-3 deficit to just one goal with 40 seconds to play, Philadelphia had one last push that resulted in all hell breaking loose in front of -- and behind -- Marc-Andre Fleury.

With less than 10 seconds to play in regulation, Flyers captain Mike Richards drove to the net and collided with Fleury, drawing a goaltender interference penalty in the process.

What followed was a scrum behind the goal involving Kris Letang and Scott Hartnell, resulting in the two falling to the ice and Letang getting his hand cut by something. The immediate reaction from the Penguins bench seemed to indicate that Hartnell took a bite out of Letang's hand.

In his post-game interview, Letang wouldn't say what happened, though, it's not hard to figure out what he's hinting at.

"You can go ask Hartnell," Letang told reporters when asked about the incident.

When asked if he's ever had anything like that done to him before he responded, "No, it's a first for me but I want you to be certain you go ask him and make sure you get the right answer for that."

Watching the game and the replay, it's impossible to see what exactly happened. All we have to go by is the fact both players went to the ice, Letang came up with a cut on his finger, and the Penguins were quite angry following the whole exchange, screaming for the officials to come to the bench and look at Letang's bleeding finger.

If we assume that Hartnell did, in fact, take a bite out of Letang's hand, you just have to go back to last season when Ottawa's Jarkko Ruutu chomped down on Andrew Peters of the Buffalo Sabres (in plain view of the camera's).

Ruutu received a two-game suspension.

Because it's impossible to see exactly what happened in this particular incident -- as of now, no better angle has surfaced -- I'd guess that Hartnell doesn't get anything more than the two-minute for roughing (Letang received the same penalty) he received on the ice.

Regardless of what happened, the ending to this game should be a surprise to no one. Actually, it was probably one of the more mellow Penguins vs. Flyers games in recent years.

The two teams don't meet again until they play in back-to-back games December 15 and 17. Circle those dates.

UPDATE: Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the following:

Hartnell told reporters he did not bite Letang, but added that "a lot of stuff happens on the bottom of the pile. He had his hands in my face doing the face wash and we're rolling around. I can't say what happened."

Penguins vs. Flyers Has the Ending You Would Expect: Chaos originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hats Off to Mike Richards, Happy Birthday Danny Briere

Adam Gretz — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Canadiens, Capitals, Flames, Flyers, Maple Leafs, Senators

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our Weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the storylines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Flyers 6, Capitals 5: After a scoreless first period in Philadelphia, the final 40 minutes of regulation -- and the overtime period -- of the Capitals-Flyers game turned into a defense optional contest.

The two teams pumped in 11 goals during Philadelphia's 6-5 overtime win, including a second period hat trick from Flyers center Mike Richards, giving him five goals in his first three games of the season. Such a number would have given him the early season lead in goals scored, had it not been for Alex Ovechkin continuing his white-hot start by adding a pair of his own, also giving him five on the young season.

After the jump: Video of the day, an unlikely hat trick, Ottawa tops 'The Monster'

The game-winning tally came from Danny Briere at the 3:52 mark of the overtime period on the same day he celebrated his 33rd birthday. Some of the other offensive highlights from the night: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom registered three more assists ... Flyers defenseman Matt Carle had four assists of his own - in the second period ... Capitals winger Alexander Semin scored two more goals ... Through three games, the line of Ovechkin, Backstrom and Semin has combined for nine goals, 15 assists and 24 points.

Flames 4, Canadiens 3: Entering play on Tuesday, former No. 10 overall pick (2002) Eric Nystrom had played 124 games in the NHL and scored eight goals. During Calgary's 4-3 win against Montreal, the 26-year-old winger scored three goals on three shots for the first multiple-goal game of his career. Scott Gomez scored his first goal as a member of the Canadiens in the loss.

Senators 2, Maple Leafs 1: The Maple Leafs dropped their third in a row to start the season, falling to their Provincial rivals. Daniel Alfredsson and Shean Donovan provided the offense for the Senators, while Pascal Leclaire stopped 26 of 27 shots in net. Matt Stajan provided the lone goal for Toronto (his third of the season) and Jonas Gustavsson stopped 26 shots in his first career start. For 59 minutes and 23 seconds, Gustavsson pitched a shutout for the Leafs only to surrender both goals in a 37-second span early in the second period.

Tuesday's Other Games

Carolina tops Tampa Bay in a shootout. [Box Score, Recap]

Minnesota comes back for overtime win. [Box Score, Recap]

Edmonton wins in a shootout. [Box Score, Recap]

Los Angeles takes on San Jose [Box Score, Recap]

Loose Pucks

-- With Andrei Markov on the shelf for a few months, Montreal addressed its power play and depth on the blue line by adding free agent defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeon. He scored 14 goals for Minnesota a year ago. [TSN]

-- Good news for the New Jersey Devils as winger Patrik Elias has returned to the ice. [Fire & Ice]

-- Bad news for the Colorado Avalanche as goaltender Craig Anderson, the man leading their surprising start, missed practice on Tuesday with a "minor groin strain." According to Adrian Dater, the Avs believe he will return to practice on Wednesday. [All Things Avs]

Video Of The Day

Mike Richards pounces on a loose puck and scores his third goal of the game.

Wednesday's Key Games

Another slow night on the schedule as only four teams are in action.

Penguins vs. Coyotes: Phoenix continues its season-opening three-game road trip in Pittsburgh against the Stanley Cup Champions who are looking to win their third in a row.

Canadiens vs. Canucks: Vancouver looks to get in the "W" column for the first time this season against Montreal, while everyone asks what's wrong with Roberto Luongo?

Hats Off to Mike Richards, Happy Birthday Danny Briere originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flyers, Devils Celebrate New Season With Street Fights

Kevin Schultz — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Devils, Flyers, NHL Fans

Sports fans in Philadelphia get a bad rap as one of the worst groups of sports fans in the country. There's the old legend that they booed Santa Claus and there's the factual occurrence of their booing Donovan McNabb. But, as with any sweeping generalization, there's a part based in rumor and legend as well as a part somewhat based in truth. While details are still sketchy about what happened one thing is clear -- Flyers and Devils fans decided to open the season with a bang with some European style hooliganism on the streets of New Jersey and Philly (Note: Fair warning, there are some graphic, NSFW descriptions after the jump).

The Flyers and Devils squared off at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday night. As you might expect, a good amount of the folks in attendance came in from Philly for the game. The Flyers won easily by a final tally of 5-2 and even led 4-0 early in the third. And afterward things got really crazy. It was probably due to a combination of excitement for the start of hockey season, alcohol and general douchebaggery that helped to create fan-on-fan royal rumbles on the streets.

I mean, it's sports. There's alcohol. There are dimwits. This is what occasionally happens and to single out the Philly fans for one video (Ed. Note: the video in question has been pulled down by YouTube.) and some rumors is certainly not indicative of the whole bunch. Clearly some Devils fans are a part of the melee, as well. But come on, it's only the first game of the season. Do these guys really have 81 more fights -- not to mention playoff bouts -- in them? Pace yourselves!

But in all serious, there wound up being a pretty scary situation after some people got back to Philly later in the night.

According to The700Level.com, the fighting managed to find its way back to Philly and it was nothing to joke about. This is an account from one of their readers.

When we got back to the The Arena bowling alley in the Northeast, there were cop cars everywhere and a big brawl taking place. These were all Flyers fans fighting. I don't know why. I guess drinking all day had something to do with it? Anyway, some guy comes walking by with his buddy screaming, "Call an ambulance!" He had been stabbed and his intestines were literally hanging out! There was blood everywhere. We were just a little freaked out and didn't want to be stabbed so we left.

Yeah, people, come on. There's no place for that anywhere especially in sports. Think about that word for a moment. Sports. We're talking about sports. Let's hope for the best for all involved.

Flyers, Devils Celebrate New Season With Street Fights originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Backchecking With ... Daniel Briere

Christopher Botta — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, FanHouse Exclusive

We get to know NHL players with five quick questions. Today's subject: Daniel Briere, whose Flyers begin their season Friday night against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Earliest hockey memory?

Gatineau, Quebec ... playing outside my house on the rink my mom and dad would build for us every winter. We played non-stop from November to March. Great memories.

Favorite and least favorite part of being in the NHL?

The best is when you grow as a team and win as a team. There's an excitement when everyone is on the same page. There's also the friendships you develop. The worst part is easy; I know all about it from last season. Being injured for an extended period of time. There comes a point when you don't even feel like part of the team. It is a terrible thing to go through.

Any superstitions or rituals?

I'm not a superstitious guy. I do like to keep the same routine for game nights. Leave my house around the same time, hopefully get to the arena two and a half hours before the game. Get my equipment ready in a certain order. But I don't do anything really odd.

Hidden talents?

No way. I play golf and I try to help out with my kids' hockey teams. But in terms of a special gift, like music or something? I've got nothing.

Who's the one opponent you'd love to lay a big hit on?

I would have to say Shane Doan, but unfortunately he's probably too big and solid a guy for me to make much of a dent. Shane's a good friend from when I played in Phoenix. We had our share of battles at the poker table. I'd love to get him with a good hit.

*"The Briere Bunch" is an organization run by hockey fans that supports Daniel and his efforts on behalf of children's charities. Visit them at https://www.brierebunch.com/

Backchecking With ... Daniel Briere originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It Appears Jason Allison Does Not Have Superhuman Strength

Adam Gretz — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:40:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, Maple Leafs, NHL Videos

We all had a good laugh over the weekend when Maple Leafs Forward Jason Allison, in his quest to complete an NHL comeback, ripped Darroll Powe's helmet apart with nothing more than his bare hands. Certainly general manager Brian Burke likes that sort of intensity, but we were curious as to how, and why, Powe's helmet came apart so easily. After all, it's not everyday that you see helmets getting split in half on the ice.

As it turns out, Allison isn't the helmet-crushing beast we thought he was, and the explanation is fairly reasonable and, probably, quite obvious.

Per Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren, it was simply a loose screw on Powe's helmet that allowed it to come apart.

No big deal.

I don't know about you, but that's kind of a letdown knowing that Allison doesn't have the ability to destroy helmets on a whim.

And, of course, a tip of the cap goes out to commenter Vance for accurately calling it.

It Appears Jason Allison Does Not Have Superhuman Strength originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Jason Allison Rips Darroll Powe's Helmet In Half

Adam Gretz — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, Maple Leafs, NHL Videos

Behold, mere mortals, the awesome, superhuman strength that is 34-year-old Jason Allison as he grabs the helmet of Flyers forward Darroll Powe and proceeds to tear it in half as if it were a piece of construction paper.

Video after the jump.

I don't know if this says more about Allison's strength (or desire to inflict bodily harm on Powe) or the shoddy construction of the piece of plastic designed to protect Darroll Powe's brain. Either way, Powe should consider himself lucky that it was only guarding him from the brute force of Jason Allison's steel trap-like grip and not a 95 MPH slap shot.

Allison, by the way, is attempting to return to the NHL for the first time since 2005-06 when he scored 17 goals in 66 games for the Maple Leafs.

UPDATE: And we have our answer. Simply a loose screw on Powe's helmet.

Video: Jason Allison Rips Darroll Powe's Helmet In Half originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'JVR' Makes Major Push for Flyers' Spot

Christopher Botta — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers

FanHouse's Christopher Botta reports from Flyers training camp.

VOORHEES, NJ -- A year in the minors may be the logical next step in the development of James van Riemsdyk.

The young man, though, is giving the Flyers plenty to think about.

More Coverage: The East's Top Prospects

The 20-year-old scored the team's lone goal Wednesday night in a 3-1 loss to the Red Wings and did not look out of place in his 15 minutes of ice time. In the first three days of drills and scrimmages at Flyers training camp before the trip to Detroit, van Riemsdyk was a standout. The week before, he was dominant at the team's rookie camp -- including four goals in a game against Washington Capitals prospects.

"The Flyers are giving me a chance. Look at all the great players they've put me with. This is an incredible opportunity. I'm not going to waste this chance." The second overall pick in the 2007 draft (after Chicago's Patrick Kane, one pick before Phoenix's Kyle Turris), is making a legitimate bid for the varsity. For the first three days of camp, he was placed by head coach John Stevens on a line with center Claude Giroux and converted right wing Daniel Briere. For the exhibition game against the Red Wings, the New Jersey native was to the left of Jeff Carter and Scott Hartnell. You can't say the Flyers are not putting their coveted prospect in position to succeed.

On his goal last night, van Riemsdyk said, "The other defensemen, I think they were looking for Hartnell and Carter. They wanted to take away our two biggest scoring threats on the ice. I snuck away and got a lucky shot in." He reviewed his performance as "all right. There were a few times I wasn't in the right place on defense. I have to fix that soon." On the second Red Wings' goal, he took his eyes off Jamie Tardiff alone in front of the net. The Detroit right wing scored.

Those are mistakes Philadelphia management knows they'll have to address with the raw, but powerful and talented youngster. The Flyers are loaded with skilled and gritty players up front; Mike Richards and Simon Gagne are the two best forwards van Riemsdyk has yet to skate with. Adding van Riemsdyk to the mix for the start of the season would be an extravagance, maybe an unnecessary one. If he makes the team, his $1.6 million salary cap hit could also present a problem for the up-against-it Flyers.

All Stevens and GM Paul Holmgren have said on the subject is simply that van Riemsdyk has to earn his spot.

"We're going to continue to get him some games, give him a fair chance in all situations and see how James performs," said Stevens. "To us, it doesn't matter where a player is drafted. Once they get on the ice, they are hockey players."

The 20-year-old van Riemsdyk is a unique case, however. After his selection second overall, the kid they call "JVR" played not one, but two years at the University of New Hampshire. It was the second year that drew some groans from members of Flyers management, who believed a prospect playing less than 40 games a year in the NCAA was not helping his development if he wanted to be a pro.

Still, the product of the U.S. National Development Program held firm in his decision and helped lead New Hampshire to the Elite Eight last season. The amiable, laid-back kid said he went to UNH to alter the school's reputation as the "University of No Hardware." He finished last season with the Flyers' American Hockey League affiliate. That club moves this year from across the street at the Spectrum to Glens Falls, N.Y. While a year of development in the minors is still likely, van Riemsdyk may force the Flyers to change their plans.

"This is my first pro camp, a time to prove I belong," van Riemsdyk told FanHouse earlier in the week. "I respect that I may have to go through Glens Falls to get to the NHL, but that's my thinking right now. The Flyers are giving me a chance. Look at all the great players they've put me with. This is an incredible opportunity. I'm not going to waste this chance."

'JVR' Makes Major Push for Flyers' Spot originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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