AHL news...

the American Hockey League Board of Governors have approved video goal review,and will test out hybrid "no touch" icing,for next season... hybrid "no touch" icing is meant to cut down on injuries... as two skaters speed down to get to the puck,if referees think it is obvious that there is an advantage to one skater,as they pass the face-off dot,they will call "no touch" icing,and blow puck dead... that is what they call hybrid "no touch" icing...

NHL news...

the NHL,and NHLPA have started collective bargaining agreement(CBA)talks for next season... nothing really to report,but they will continue next week,but wanted to note the beginning of talks...

NHL news...

Sidney Crosby,and the Pittsburgh Penguins have agreed to a 12 year/$104.4 million dollar contract...

in memory...

Ahnawake Unger-June 28,1938-February 8,2008... in memory,on what would be her 74th birthday... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

commentary...

simply said,the Red Wings seem to be behind the proverbial eight ball,in losing Nicklas Lidstrom to retirement,because they need a top-tier defenseman,or two,and the fact that Jiri Hudler is a unrestricted free agent,come July 1st,and puck tipper supreme Tomas Holmstrom is also contemplating his retirement does not help... knowing general manager Ken Holland,and assistant general manager Jim Nill,they will find a way to seriously compete for the Stanley Cup(if the NHL,and NHLPA agree on a new collective bargaining agreement)... being a Red Wings' fan may be not so pleasant this upcoming season,in Detroit... i am preparing myself for a competitive,if not shorter NHL season... the talks on the new collective bargaining agreement should start within a couple of weeks,between the NHLPA,and the NHL...

Class of 2012 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees...

Joe Sakic played for the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche(same franchise)for so many years that even though i "hated" the Avalanche(being a natural rival,of the Red Wings),i deeply respected Joe... the 1996 Stanley Cup win,over the Florida Panthers was memorable,because the last game of the series,went into three overtimes,and was,i believe,a 1-0,win,for the Avalanche... i was a Quebec Nordiques' fan,and was sad to see them leave Quebec City(they still need a top flight arena,in town),but the first year,in Denver,they won the Stanley Cup,and being a true hockey fan,i was happy,for the "Nordiques",and yet.i was sad that the Red Wings lost to them,in an upset... i watched the three overtime game,while living up in Reno,Nevada,on the couch... what a memory!!!!!! along with Peter Forsberg,he was the heart(and captain)of the Avalanche,and i loved the Avalanche/Red Wings memorable rivalry,that honestly both teams hated each other,because "you" knew,back then,that the Red Wings had to get through the Avalanche,and the Avalanche had to get through the Red Wings to have a legitimate chance at the Stanley Cup... Congrats,Joe!!!!!
Pavel Bure was known as the,"Russian Rocket",and was a delight to watch... he played,not as many games as the rest of the inductees,but he played for the Vancouver Canucks,Florida Panthers,and the New York Rangers,during his NHL career,and scored 60 goals,twice,in his 12 year career,and yet did not get along with Vancouver Canucks' front office brass(or the coach),and also played a number of years,in Moscow,with his hometown Red Army team... a assortment of injuries(including a chronic knee injury)cut short his career,and yet,on the ice he was gritty,and very skillful with the puck,and he had talents that not many NHL players ever had... on pure talent,only Wayne Gretzky was more talented,in my opinion,and that is saying something...
Mats Sundin played with three teams(Quebec Nordiques,Toronto Maple Leafs,and the Vancouver Canucks),but was best known for his years,with Toronto... when you played Toronto,you had to shut down Sundin,or he would "kill" your chances to win... he scored 564 goals,and 785 assists,for 1,349 points,in 1,346 games(a true point a game player),which is very rare,indeed... he was a hard nosed player,but had a magnificent touch around the net,and with the puck... he never won the Stanley Cup(best chance,with Toronto,1993,when Wayne Gretzky scored a hat trick,in beating Toronto,in seven games,in Western Conference finals,as the Los Angeles Kings lost to Montreal Canadiens,in five games,for the Stanley Cup),but was a bulwark,for Toronto,and was one of the best players,in the NHL,period...
Adam Oates was a pure passer,helping different players to win NHL scoring titles(Brett Hull,in St. Louis:three straight seasons of 70+ goals,including a 86 goal season(NHL record for right wingers),in 1991-1992,and Peter Bondra,in Washington)... he also helped Cam Neely score 50 goals,in 49 games,for the Boston Bruins... there are eight players to have 1,000 assists,let alone 1,000 points,in NHL history... Oates is one of that group... in the 1990's,he had more assists than anyone,except Wayne Gretzky... one of the worst trades in Red Wings' history was on the day that they traded Oates,to the St. Louis Blues(he was signed as an undrafted free agent,by the Red Wings,right out of RPI)... he literally torched the Red Wings,along with Hull,for years,and he played for seven teams(getting to two Stanley Cup Finals;1998 Florida Panthers,lost to Red Wings,in a sweep,and the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals,also losing out,this time,to the New Jersey Devils)... to all the inductees,i applaud all your careers,and you deserve the nod to the Hockey Hall of Fame...

Class of 2012 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees...

Adam Oates,Pavel Bure,Joe Sakic,and Mats Sundin are the Class of 2012 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees... will have more to say later today...

NHL news...

Ondrej Pavelec signed a five year contract extension,to be their goaltender,with the Winnipeg Jets...

what a day-wedding,and then traded...

Jordan Staal was dealt,from the Pittsburgh Penguins,to the Carolina Hurricanes,on draft day,which just happened to be his wedding day... he was not told until the wedding reception... he earlier,the same day,had turned down a ten year contract extension,offered by the Penguins,so he was dealt to the Hurricanes(which may be looked at,as a slap in the face),but honestly,he wanted to be traded to the Hurricanes... why,you may ask? he wanted to play with one of his brothers(Erik),who plays for the Hurricanes,so for him,it was a win-win situation... by the way,his other brother,Marc,plays for the New York Rangers...

commentary...

i have been affected by the Lokomotiv Jaroslavl KHL team plane crash,on 7 Septembre 2011,in ways that i honestly can not,and will not express,because it came home to roost,on that disturbing,and very tragic day that hockey,and football(which i cover on another blog),are just games,that are played to win,but if pundits may believe that they are so-called "life,and death" games,i have a very different opinion... personally,i have seen four people pass away,in front of my eyes,and life and death is serious enough that football,and hockey,which i have a deep passion for,are just games... i joke about my "hatred" for teams,but honestly i deeply respect the opponents that the teams that i cover,play,and i really want to beat the teams that they play... however,i love the people who i have lost,and mourn deeply those who have died tragically... to be a fan and love the true games of football,and hockey takes me back to a childhood that i played like a rambunctious kid,and loved doing it... that is true love;the love of a child....

blog statement...

this blog will be dedicated to the members of the Lokomotiv Jaroslavl KHL hockey team,lost in Jaroslavl,Russia,on 7 Septembre 2011,in perpetuity!!!!

Red Wings' trivia...

Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk has played 732 regular season games,and has scored 718 points(240 goals,and 478 assists),along with 94 points(33 goals,and 61 assists),in 126 career playoff games,with impressive plus/minus numbers of plus-208,in regular season,and plus-32,in the playoffs,in his NHL career...

Red Wings' 2012 NHL draft picks...

2nd round:Martin Frk-Halifax Mooseheads-Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
3rd round:Jake Paterson-Saginaw Spirit-Ontario Hockey League...
4th round:Andreas Athanasiou-London Knights(OHL)...
5th round:Michael McKee-Lincoln Spirit-United States Hockey League...
6th round:James DeHaas-Toronto Lakeshore Patriots-Quebec Junior "A" Hockey League...
7th round:Rasmus Bodin-Ostersunds-Sweden...

2012 NHL Draft...

1:Edmonton Oilers:Nail Yakupov-Sarnia Sting-Ontario Hockey League...
2:Columbus Blue Jackets:Ryan Murray-Everett(WA.)Silvertips-Western Hockey League...
3:Montreal Canadiens:Alex Galchenyuk-Sarnia Sting(OHL)... side note:born in Milwaukee,Wisconsin...
4:New York Islanders:Griffith Reinhart-Edmonton Oil Kings(WHL)...
5:Toronto Maple Leafs:Morgan Rielly-Moose Jaw Warriors(WHL)...
6:Anaheim Ducks:Hampus Lindholm-Rogue Junior(Sweden)...
7:Minnesota Wild:Matt Dumba-Red Deer Rebels((WHL)...
8:Pittsburgh Penguins:Derrick Pouliot-Portland(OR.)Winterhawks(WHL)...
9:Winnipeg Jets:Jacob Trouba-USA Under-18 Team(USHL)...
10:Tampa Bay Lightning:Slater Koekkoek-Peterborough Petes(OHL)...
11:Washington Capitals:Filip Forsberg-Leksand(Sweden)...
12:Buffalo Sabres:Mikhail Grigorenko-Quebec Remparts-Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
13:Dallas Stars:Radek Faksa-Kitchener Rangers(OHL)...
14:Buffalo Sabres:Zemgus Girgensons-Dubuque Fighting Saints(USHL)...
15:Ottawa Senators:Cody Ceci-Ottawa 67's(OHL)...
16:Washington Capitals:Thomas Wilson-Plymouth Whalers(OHL)...
17:San Jose Sharks:Tomas Hertl-Slavia(Czech Republic)...
18:Chicago Blackhawks:Teuvo Varnvainen-Jokerit(Finland)...
19:Tampa Bay Lightning-Andrey Vasilevskiy-UFA 2(Russia)...
20:Philadelphia Flyers:Scott Laughton-Oshawa Generals(OHL)...
21:Calgary Flames:Mark Jankowski-Stanstead College(High-Quebec)...
22:Pittsburgh Penguins:Olii Maatta0London Knights(OHL)...
23:Florida Panthers:Michael Matheson-Dubuque Fighting Saints(USHL)...
24:Boston Briuns:Malcolm Subban-Belleville Bulls(OHL)...
25:St. Louis Blues:Jordan Schmaltz-Green Bay Gamblers(USHL)...
26:Vancouver Canucks:Brendan Gaunce-Belleville Bulls(OHL)...
27:Phoenix Coyotes:Henrik Samuelsson-Edmonton Oil Kings(WHL)...
28:New York Rangers:Brady Skjei-USA Under-18 Team(USHL)...
29:New Jersey Devils:Stefan Matteau-USA Under-18 Team(USHL)...
30:Los Angeles Kings:Tanner Pearson-Barrie Colts(OHL)...
the Detroit Red Wings,among other teams,did not have a first round draft pick....

Red Wings/Sharks,in 2012-2013 NHL season...

if 2012-2013 NHL season comes off on time(depending on new collective bargaining agreement),the Red Wings open season,playing Nashville Predators,at Joe Louis Arena,October 12th,2012... one of three games,at home,in October... they play the San Jose Sharks,in Detroit,October 26th,and in Detroit,December 1st,then in San Jose,January 9th,and February 28th,2013...

2011-2012 NHL Awards...

Hart Trophy(MVP):Evgeni Malkin-Pittsburgh Penguins...
Ted Lindsay Trophy(most outstanding player):Evgeni Malkin-Pittsburgh Penguins...
Art Ross Trophy(scoring champion):Evgeni Malkin-Pittsburgh Penguins...
"Rocket" Richard Trophy(most goals,in season):Steven Stamkos-Tampa Bay Lightning...
Vezina Trophy(best goaltender):Henrik Lundquist-New York Rangers...
Norris Trophy(best defenseman):Erik Karlsson-Ottawa Senators...
Selke Trophy(best defensive forward):Patrice Bergeron-Boston Bruins...
Calder Trophy(rookie of the year):Gabriel Landeskog-Colorado Avalanche...
Jennings Trophy(fewest goals allowed):Brian Elliot,and Jaroslav Halak-St. Louis Blues...
Jack Adams Trophy(coach of the year):Ken Hitchcock-St. Louis Blues...
G.M. of the year:Doug Armstrong-St. Louis Blues...
Lady Byng Trophy(gentlemanly play):Brian Campbell-Florida Panthers...
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award(best save percentage):Brian Elliot-St. Louis Blues...
King Clancy Trophy(leadership on ice):Daniel Alfredsson-Ottawa Senators...
Masterson Trophy(perseverance,sportsmanship,and dedication to hockey):Max Pacioretty-Montreal Canadiens...
Mark Messier Leadership Award(leadership on ice,and off ice):Shane Doan-Phoenix Coyotes...
NHL Foundation Award(community work):Mike Fisher-Nashville Predators...
NHL Plus/Minus Award(best plus/minus numbers,in season):Patrice Bergeron-Boston Bruins...

simple fact...

NHL post-season awards will be noted,on blog,later today....

Lokomotiv Jaroslavl news...

the new head coach of Lokomotiv Jaroslavl is Pyotr Vorobyov(english:Petr Vorobiev)... he played twelve years in the Soviet Championship League,with Dynamo Riga(1968-1979)... he coached the junior team(Loko),in the MHL(Minor Hockey League),last season,in preparation for the re-birth of Lokomotiv Jaroslavl,this season... THE TRAIN WILL RISE AGAIN...

funny,but true...

the Hanson brothers from the movie,"Slap Shot"-all three:Dave Hanson,and brothers Jack,and Steve Carlson-were actually Red Wings' draft picks,in the mid-70's

draft news...

there are four junior hockey players talked about going very early,in 2012 NHL Entry Draft... they are Nail Yakupov,and Alex Galchenyuk,of the Sarnia Sting,of the Ontario Hockey League,Ryan Murray of the Everett(WA.)Silvertips,of the Western Hockey League,and Mikhail Grigorenko,of the Quebec Remparts,of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League... Yakupov is consensus number one NHL overall pick,this year,but you can never tell,because all four players are very good players,and team needs are paramount...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!

Red Wings' history...

in 1998,Detroit Red Wings swept the Washington Capitals,in the Stanley Cup Finals,by beating them,4-1,on this day,to win their then ninth Stanley Cup,defend their championship,and complete the last back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships...

commentary...

i feel sorry for Columbus Blue Jackets' Rick Nash:a very very good player on a very very bad team... he has been dangled by Columbus,as trade bait,for most of a year... he has a no movement clause in his contract,but has a list of five teams,that he has given the Blue Jackets to trade him to(maybe even more),and one of the teams that could be on the list is the San Jose Sharks(he has ties to the team's coaches,and general manager),but the price has been too high for the Sharks... he should be moved,by the Blue Jackets,during,or just after,next week's NHL Entry Draft,in which the Blue Jackets have the second overall draft pick... i will be happy for him,no matter where he ends up,and yet,if he ends up in San Jose,via a trade,i will boo him,with extreme gusto,if he ends up,in teal,and black... be warned,Rick!!!(laughing)

total class!!!!!!!

a Los Angeles Kings' fan,in New York City went to the 9/11 memorial,and put a Kings' Stanley Cup Champions hat in between two names,on the memorial,Garnet "Ace" Bailey,and Mark Lawrence Bavis,two Los Angeles Kings' scouts,who died aboard United Airlines flight 175,which crashed into the South Tower,of the World Trade Center,on 9/11/2001... total class!!!!!!!!!!

Red Wings' history...

today,in 1993,Scotty Bowman became head coach,of the Red Wings...

A limousine ride fifteen years ago...

oops,folks... i forgot a somber anniversary,of sorts,yesterday... Vladimir Konstantinov,team masseur Sergei Mnatsaknov,and Russian hockey legend Viacheslav Fetisov were in a limousine accident,on June 13,1997,days after Red Wings won their first Stanley Cup,since 1955... Konstantinov,and Mnatsaknov were in comas,and almost died,but both survived... Konstantinov was talked about,at the time,as the best defenseman,on the Red Wings' roster,putting up plus/minus numbers,in the area of "the Great One",Wayne Gretzky... there are people still dreaming,and talking about a special player,like Konstantinov,and that team,should have won more Stanley Cups,with Konstantinov,than without him... he was that special... when Steve Yzerman had his sweater retired,in 2007,besides Yzerman,who got the biggest ovation,that night? answer:Konstantinov,when he walked out,with help,from a walker... he is still loved,in Detroit,and still has a locker in the Red Wings' locker room,with a rock,in it,that says."Believe" in 1998,they wore a patch,that said,in English,and Russian,"Believe",and with the initials,"VK&SM",with a Red Wings logo...

draft news...

the Edmonton Oilers have the first overall draft pick,in this season's NHL Entry Draft...

NHL news...

Philadelphia Flyers' Ian LePerriere announced his retirement today... LePerriere got hit by a shot of a puck,by Paul Martin,of the New Jersey Devils,two years ago,suffered a concussion,and a fractured orbital bone,in the face,returned after one month,for the Flyers' Stanley Cup run,two years ago,then tried training camp,a year ago,realized that something was wrong("the eye,and head was not right"...),and decided to play out his contract,on long term injury list,for the Flyers,and tried to get better... well,today,he announced his retirement from the NHL... my opinion:he was a Flyer..."despise" the Flyers(laughing)... honestly,i hate when players retire,when things happen to players that are not of their doing,like concussion-related problems,because that really sucks,period... simply said,have a nice life,and enjoy your family,and i really hope that your health improves... you had a very good NHL career... i am going to miss booing you(laughing)... had to make you smile,Ian!!

commentary...

in the case of Brad Stuart going to the San Jose Sharks,from the Detroit Red Wings,with a chance to sign with them,there is a personal note to this:Stuart played for the Sharks,his first six years in the NHL,and his family never left San Jose,so he made it clear,to basically everyone "in the room" that he wanted to play closer to home... out of respect for Brad,i will cheer,and smile for him the first time that the Sharks play the Red Wings,next season,per my custom,but i know that beating the Sharks,is priority number one,outside the Central Division,because i "despise" the Sharks(laughing),but do respect them no doubt... to get back to Stuart,for a moment:he came to the Red Wings,via a trade deadline deal,with the Los Angeles Kings,in 2007-2008,played nine games in regular season,for them,and then twenty one games in playoffs,on their run to the Stanley Cup,in 2008,so for that,i am grateful,for his name is on the Stanley Cup... my opinion:i hope the Red Wings beats San Jose,all four games,next season,but knowing how much the Sharks play like the Red Wings(at least last season),it will be tough...

commentary...

now that the 2011-2012 NHL season is over,i am taking a few days off from serious blogging,but will do some hockey trivia every day... this season was very difficult,and i simply need a break... the NHL collective bargaining agreement(CBA)expires,before next season starts,i believe,on September 15th,so i am preparing for a delay on the start of the 2012-2013 NHL season... however,it will not hopefully be like 2004-2005,when the NHL became the only professional league,in pro sports history,to lose a season,due to a lockout... cross your fingers!!! i am mentally preparing to cover the American Hockey League(i was a fan of the Hershey(PA.) Bears,and the Grand Rapids(MI)Griffiths),the East Coast Hockey League(the Stockton(CA.)Thunder,anyone?),and the United States Hockey League(the Green Bay Gamblers,anyone?)... you would not believe what trivia,and simple facts that i can dig up,folks(laughing)!!! by the way,those hockey teams do exist,and the Gamblers won the USHL title this season!!! the last time,the NHL lost a season,i listened to AHL hockey on satellite radio,but i honestly do not believe the NHL would be that stupid,again,and yet,i would not put it past the NHL,and NHLPA brass,to be idiotic... with Donald Fehr in charge,of the NHLPA,i do not what to expect,but he is notorious for being a hard nose negotiator(note:1994-1995 Major League Baseball strike,which wiped out the Montreal Expos' best chance at glory(best record,in MLB,at that time),and the final nail in the city's chances to keep MLB baseball in town)... the franchise moved,from Montreal,to Washington,D.C.,now as the Nationals,soon after the strike... so be warned,it may be a long off-season...

commentary...

when a hockey team wins the first three games of every series,as this team did this season;eliminate the three top seeds,in your conference,in the Stanley Cup playoffs,by winning twelve of fourteen games;have a goaltender who has a goals against average,of just over one goal/per game;have a record of 16-4(tied for second,record-wise,with 1997 Detroit Red Wings,in NHL history);out-score your Finals' opponent(New Jersey Devils),16-8;the rest of your opponents,41-21,and every opponent,overall,57-29... what do you have in this team? answer:2011-2012 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings... DOMINATION,NO DOUBT!!!!!!!!

game score,and commentary...

Los Angeles Kings 6,New Jersey Devils 1... the Kings scored three goals,on five minute major power play,in first period(a five minute major penalty allows for as many goals,as you can score,in five minutes,without going off power play),and the Devils self-destructed with forty seven minutes in penalty minutes,in tonight's game,and had only one power play goal,in the entire Stanley Cup Finals... Martin Brodeur got no support,in this game,and then got hung out to dry,in the last two periods... Los Angeles Kings was 16-4,this Stanley Cup playoff season,tied with the 1997 Detroit Red Wings,for second best record,in modern NHL history,behind the 16-2,1988 Edmonton Oilers(note:June 4th blog)... Conn Smythe Trophy winner(Stanley Cup playoff MVP)was Kings' goaltender Jonathan Quick,who had a 1.12 goals against average(G.A.A.),going into tonight's game... personal note:i honestly cried when the game was over,remembering how disappointed this franchise was in 1993,when the Montreal Canadiens beat the Kings,in five games,and i lived in Orange County,California,and i was happy for the Kings,tonight,being a true hockey fan... this team was the first eighth seed to win Stanley Cup,in NHL history... congrats,Los Angeles Kings,on winning your first Stanley Cup...

game commentary,late tonight...

LOS ANGELES KINGS,STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

schedule...

New Jersey Devils/Los Angeles Kings,tonight,game six;Stanley Cup Finals....

trade news...

San Jose Sharks traded Andrew Murray,and a conditional 2014 NHL Draft pick,to the Detroit Red Wings,for Brad Stuart,who is supposed to be a unrestricted free agent,on July 1st... actually a good trade for both teams:Stuart played for the Sharks,before being traded to Boston,in the Joe Thornton blockbuster trade,and Detroit got a young stud to bolster their roster,in lieu of losing Stuart,who was not going to re-sign with Detroit,to unrestricted free agency... the Sharks have a good chance to re-sign Stuart,before July 1st...

commentary...

the first three games of the Stanley Cup Finals were all Los Angeles Kings,then the last two games were all New Jersey Devils... both teams had chances to win all five games... the differences in their series have been both goaltenders... Jonathan Quick,and Martin Brodeur have been just outstanding,in goal,and all the games have been rather boring,unless you love great goaltending... it has been seventy years since a team,and the only team to win the Stanley Cup Finals,after being down,0-3,in the Stanley Cup Finals,to win four straight games to win Stanley Cup(1942 Toronto Maple Leafs,beat the Detroit Red Wings)... sometimes,i love defense,but i only wish that anyone would light up a goaltender,with some goals,because that would be fun to watch... scoring two goals,in two games,does not hurt the Kings,because they were up,3-0,in games,but outscoring your opponent,10-7,in five games,does really suck,and averaging two goals/per game,means a boring game... both teams must pick up the offense,or try,because seven games like this(example:2-1)does not hurt the overall quality,of the game,but you must really love the true game of hockey,to watch this series,which i really do love the true game of hockey... there has been very good offensive moves,and very odd bounces,of the puck(example:game winning goal,by New Jersey Devils' Bryce Salvador,in game five(bounced off ice-over shoulder of Jonathan Quick),but the goaltending,by both goaltenders,has been spectacular,this series...

comment...

there will be a commentary on tonight's Stanley Cup Finals game five,tomorrow morning...

2012 Calder Cup Finals...

Norfolk Admirals 6,Toronto Marlies 1... Admirals sweep Marlies,in four games,to win first-ever American Hockey League Championship...

game score,and comment...

New Jersey Devils 2,Los Angeles Kings 1... Kings still up,3-2,in games.... still a steep hill to climb,for New Jersey...

schedule...

Los Angeles Kings/New Jersey Devils,game five,Stanley Cup Finals,tonight...

controversy in Calder Cup Finals...

the American Hockey League admitted today that the referees misinterpreted Rule 83.4,during overtime,of the Norfolk Admirals Calder Cup Finals' game three 1-0 win,over the Toronto Marlies... the puck ricocheted off a stanchion,into the Marlies' net,for the game winner... the referees did not call play offside,and play should have been called offside,disallowing game winning goal... the Marlies are down,0-3,in the best of seven series,with the Admirals...

hockey news...

former Carolina Hurricanes' head coach Paul Maurice has been hired by Magnitogorsk,of the KHL,for next season...

sad,sad,sad...

San Jose Sharks' Dominic Moore did miss two playoff games,against the St. Louis Blues... why recycle old news? the reason:his wife has a rare form of liver cancer... to Dominic,his wife,and his family:my prayers go out to them...

Red Wings' history...

the Detroit Red Wings had not won a Stanley Cup for 42 years(1955-1997)... today marks the end to that streak of futility:in 1997,Red Wings won their then eighth Stanley Cup in team history:they beat Philadelphia Flyers,2-1,to complete a sweep,in that year's Stanley Cup Finals...

Griffiths' news...

as a lead-in to the 2013 Bridgestone Winter Classic,on January 1st,2013,between the Toronto Maple Leafs,and the Detroit Red Wings,at Michigan Stadium(the Big House),there will be a outdoor game,at Comerica Park,in Detroit,between the two American Hockey League teams,of the Red Wings,and the Maple Leafs:the Grand Rapids Griffiths,will play the Toronto Marlies,on December 30,2012...

RIP Bryan Rufenach...

2007 Red Wings' seventh round draft pick Bryan Rufenach was electrocuted,when he touched power lines,at a train car park,while being on a backpacking trip,at the Grundelwald-Grund station,in Switzerland... he played 54 games,with the East Coast Hockey League's Toledo Walleye,and 13 games,with the Grand Rapids Griffiths,of the American Hockey League,last season... to his family,my prayers go out to them...

game score,and commentary...

New Jersey Devils 3,Los Angeles Kings 1... best overall game,of the series... Devils still have not really solved Kings' goaltender Jonathan Quick... an empty net goal made it 3-1,and a Devils' goal,with less than five minutes to play,in the game,gave the Devils the win... Kings still up,3-1,in games,and go back to Newark,New Jersey,for game five,where the Kings(so far)have not lost all playoff season(i mean on the road,in ten games)...

2012 Calder Cup Finals...

game one:Norfolk Admirals 3,Toronto Marlies 1...
game two:Norfolk Admirals 4,Toronto Marlies 2...
game three:tomorrow,June 7th.,in Toronto...
game four:June 9th,in Toronto...
game five:June 10th,in Toronto(if necessary)...
game six:June 13th,in Norfolk,Virginia(if necessary)...
game seven,June 15th,in Norfolk,Virginia(if necessary)...

RIP Vladimir Krutov...

Vladimir Krutov,member of the famed Soviet Olympic team,and their famous,"KLM"line,who won two Olympic gold medals,in 1984,and 1988,and a silver medal(in 1980,to USA) has died,at age 52... the KLM line,whose members was him,Igor Larionov(later of the 1997,1998,and 2002 Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings),and Sergei Makarov... he won eleven Russian Super League titles,and five World Championships gold medals(1981-1983,1986,and 1989)... as a player,he was a leader,and a potent scorer,for the Soviet National team,and for his Super League teams...i remember watching him,and the Soviets,in 1980,1984,and 1988... he also played in Vancouver,for the Canucks,in 1989-1990,scoring 11 goals,and 23 assists,for 34 points... to his family,i deeply send my condolences,and prayers....

NHL news...

New Jersey Devils/Los Angeles Kings,tonight,game four,Stanley Cup Finals...

Red Wings' history...

January 20,2002:playing against the Ottawa Senators,Red Wings' captain Steve Yzerman scored his 1,000th assist,when he assisted on the overtime game-winner,by Mathieu Dandenault....

comments...

if the Los Angeles Kings sweep the New Jersey Devils,they will tie the 1988 Edmonton Oilers,with fewest games,to win the Stanley Cup,in the four round era of NHL Stanley Cup playoffs,with a 16-2 record... they have won fifteen,of their seventeen games,so far... the Stanley Cup will be,"in the building",Wednesday night...

game score,and commentary...

Los Angeles Kings 4,New Jersey Devils 0... Kings now up,in stranglehold,3-0,in games... the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs are the only NHL team,and also the only team,in pro sports history,to win the Stanley Cup,or win a championship,of any kind,after being down,0-3,by beating the Detroit Red Wings... New Jersey needed to come up,with a big effort,in game three,and they got steamrolled,in a big way,by the Kings... Alec Martinez scored the first goal,of game,early in second period,and New Jersey looked demoralized,by the second goal going in,late in second period,by Anze Kopitar,and two power play goals,by Jeff Carter,and Justin Williams,sealed the deal,and iced the game... the Devils did nothing with six power plays,and that has been the total theme,for this lopsided(so far)series... after a scoreless first period,the Devils basically got steamrolled,by two goals,in both the second period,and third period... Martin Brodeur Devils' goaltender also got hung out to dry,in the second,and third periods... unfortunately,his overall play in net has not stunk,in first two games,and yet he stunk,tonight,with no offense,by the Devils,who have scored only two goals,in three games... basically,the Devils overall,offensively,have done absolutely nothing,and the Kings' defense has been spectacular,especially in goal... Kings' goaltender Jonathan Quick,has allowed only two goals,in three games,and he should win the Conn Smythe Trophy,if the Kings win the Stanley Cup... even though,the Kings are up,3-0,in games,they say the fourth win of a series is the toughest to get,because a team is desperate,to win,and get humiliated,by a superior team...

schedule...

New Jersey Devils/Los Angeles Kings,tonight... Stanley Cup Finals' game three...

Breaking news...

Boston Bruins' goaltender,and two-time Vezina Trophy winner(2008-2009,and 2010-2011),Tim Thomas has confirmed that he intends to take "a year off",to attend to family matters...

commentary...

i honestly think that the New Jersey Devils have played well,but Los Angeles Kings' goaltender Jonathan Quick is playing the best netminder,that i have seen since 2002,when the Red Wings blew away everybody else on the way to the Stanley Cup... the Devils have to do what the Pittsburgh Penguins did to the Red Wings,in 2009:win four of the last five games,in a series that they could be up 2-0,instead of being down 0-2,but the Kings have been unbelievable this playoff season... it is not impossible for the Devils,but they have to win game three,of this series,in Los Angeles.... if not,they then will be a hole,that only the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs have climbed out of,in NHL history:win four straight games to win the Stanley Cup,after being down,0-3,in the Stanley Cup Finals... the other two times that it has happened in NHL history,were in playoff series that did not end up with winning the Stanley Cup(1975 New York Islanders,beating the Pittsburgh Penguins,and the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers beating the Boston Bruins)... here is an odd fact:the 1975 New York Islanders almost did it a second time,going down 0-3,to the then defending Stanley Cup champions,Philadelphia Flyers,forcing a seventh game,before losing the conference finals... Philadelphia won back to back Stanley Cups,in 1974,and 1975... the Devils are behind the eight ball,but losing 2-1,both games,in overtime,and actually outplaying the Kings,in game two,does not seem too big a hole to climb out of,but again,ask the 2011 Red Wings,who went down 0-3,and forced a seventh game,against the San Jose Sharks,when six of the seven games were one-goal games... so it will be a dogfight in game three,because the New Jersey Devils basically have to win the game...

game score,and commentary...

Los Angeles Kings 2,New Jersey Devils 1,overtime... first time,in 61 years,that the first two games,of the Stanley Cup Finals,have gone to overtime... tenth straight road victory,for the Kings... all series,for the Kings,have started,on the road,and every home team have faced a 2-0 deficit,going back to Los Angeles... the Kings have matched a NHL record,for road playoff wins,with ten(matching the ten road games,won by New Jersey,in 1995)... the Kings have won every road game,this playoff season... Drew Doughty scored in the first period,for the Kings,then Ryan Carter tied game early in third period,and finally Jeff Carter scored late in overtime,for the Kings,(with 6:18,left in overtime)...

Red Wings' history...

Red Wings were purchased,by Mike,and Marian Ilitch,from long time owner Bruce A. Norris,30 years ago,today...

schedule...

Los Angeles Kings/New Jersey Devils,tonight... Stanley Cup Finals game two...

commentary...

my honest opinion of Nicklas Lidstrom is one of total class... i have seen about six hundred Red Wings' regular season games,and about a hundred,or more,Red Wings' playoff games,since 2001,on television(and one game live),and i saw Nicklas Lidstrom make very few mistakes,on the ice,and honestly,if one on one,on defense,i can count on one hand the number of times that i saw Lidstrom get simply beat... however,i remember game five,2006 Stanley Cup playoffs,against Edmonton,that Lidstrom made a mistake that cost the Red Wings the game(puck ricocheted off his stick,over goaltender's head,into net)... he dove at puck to try to deflect it away from goal,and puck hit off the top edge of his stick,and popped up,instead of deflected off stick,over goaltender's head... no one is perfect... at that time,i was upset about the way the Red Wings were playing,not about the deflection,because they were playing soft defense around the net(and it would cost them in game six,that series,because the Oilers dive-bombed around the defense,toward the Wings' goaltender,repeatedly,in game six,on breakaways)... it was amazing to watch the game,read game stats,see that Lidstrom played 25-28 minutes a night,and regularly see that the big guns on the other team have small production,and you rarely saw,or heard Lidstrom's name(penalty,number five-hooking,or boarding-two minutes,for example)over the public announcing system,too often,and he did that night after night,for twenty years... he won seven Norris trophies(for his outstanding play),and you never heard a bad word about him,from other players,because if they even did that,they knew that they would be shut down,like most players were,against him... he played near-perfect defense,every game,every night,for twenty years,and until a bone bruise sidelined him for twelve games,late last season,he missed an average of about one game a year,over his 20 year NHL career,and over his 20 year playoff career(having never missing the playoffs),he only missed two games(against Pittsburgh,in 2009),and because of that one little fact,i believe,to this very day,that that injury,to him,cost the Red Wings the Stanley Cup,because in those critical two games,Pittsburgh lighted the Red Wings up,because "their rock",on defense was missing... by the way,the last save,of the Stanley Cup finals that year,by Penguins' goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was spectacular:it was on Lidstrom,with less than two seconds to play,from about three feet away... he was total class,on and off the ice,and simply was the best defenseman that i ever saw play the game of hockey... people talk about Boston Bruins' legend Bobby Orr,and the way that he played,and do it with awe... well,number four,said of Lidstrom,in a tweet,yesterday,that,"he was a special player"... enough said...