Lightning help Sharks win big in free agency
July 7, 2008
In the first few hours of the NHL free-agent signing period, it would have been easy to conclude that the Tampa Bay Lightning were the big winners this year. With the period only a few hours old, the Lightning signed wingers Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts away from the defending Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh Penguins, later lured winger Radim Vrbata away from Phoenix and added goalie Olaf Kolzig from Washington.
Toss in another ex-Penguin, Adam Hall, and Tampa Bay all of a sudden had added $10.25 million in salary to the payroll, this on a team that was more than happy to part with Brad Richards at the trade deadline and say goodbye to the $23.4 million he’s due over the course of the next three seasons.
That meant somebody had to go, and despite management’s initial public claims to the contrary, the man Tampa Bay was shopping was defenseman Dan Boyle. San Jose general manager Doug Wilson, needing to bolster his power play after losing free-agent defenseman Brian Campbell to Chicago, was ready to play, and happy to ship young defender Matt Carle, prospect Ty Wishart, a first-round pick in 2009 and a fourth-round pick in 2010 to Tampa Bay to make it happen. Coming along to San Jose in the trade along with Boyle was his buddy, defender Brad Lukowich.
So why did Tampa Bay feel the need to get rid of Boyle after the incoming ownership group pressed in the regular season to get him re-signed to a contract that will pay him almost $6.7 million per year over the next five seasons? Outside of the obvious need to clear some cap room in the wake of their massive free-agent spending spree, there’s some indication in the numbers that the Lightning could get along just fine without him.
Though Tampa Bay scored 12 fewer power play goals this past season than the season before, most of that can be attributed to the fact that the team also had 78 fewer opportunities with the extra man. The power play, in fact, was deadlier when it had the chance, converting 19.3 percent of the time (fifth-best in the league), as opposed to 18.4 percent the season before.
Better still for the Lightning, they managed that sort of improvement with Boyle sidelined for 45 games. Toss in the acquisitions of Malone and Vrbata along with the return of winger Vaclav Prospal, and the Lightning are so loaded up front that it might not matter who’s throwing the puck through the screens from the point.
As for clearing the shooting lanes in front of presumptive starting goalie Mike Smith or Kolzig, that’s another question entirely. Get ready for plenty of 6-5 games in Tampa next season.
So what’s San Jose getting in Boyle? Since the lockout and thanks to the unbalanced schedule, I got to see a lot of Boyle in Washington over the past three seasons. And outside of Scott Niedermayer or Nicklas Lidstrom, there’s probably no one single defenseman in all of hockey who could solve a team’s power-play problems faster than Boyle — never mind the fact that he can also rack up better than 27 minutes of ice time per game.
Unlike most power play units that station a pair of defensemen at the points, Boyle ran Tampa Bay’s first unit by himself. Stationed at the enemy blue line one stride from the top of the slot, Boyle served as the unit’s lone pivot, distributing the puck to each wing in a manner that made him look as much like an NBA point guard as an NHL defenseman.
Sure, there are plenty of other defensemen who could have racked up eye-popping numbers playing alongside Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis, but make no mistake, Boyle was an integral part of that unit, and every bit as much a contributor as either of his more celebrated teammates. Now, in San Jose, Boyle gets to work with a corps of forwards arguably as talented and deep as the group he left in Tampa Bay, and he’ll get to share the load on the power play with a future Hall of Famer in Rob Blake, who signed a one-year deal with the Sharks just before the July 4 holiday in the States.
Tampa Bay’s spending spree sprung the one player who could fill a gaping hole in San Jose. In the short term, the Sharks will come out on top.
NHL to announce Blackhawks-Red Wings game at Wrigley
July 7, 2008
Showcasing a game in an outdoor arena on New Year’s Day worked so well the first time, it appears the NHL is going to go for it again.
An announcement is expected later this month for the 2009 Winter Classic, the second one pitting the Chicago Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings at fabled Wrigley Field, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on its Web site.
An announcement is expected next week before the “Blackhawks Convention” at the Chicago Hilton. According to the Star Tribune’s report, the game was approved last week when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman met with the Blackhawks, Cubs and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.
Last New Year’s Day, more people tuned in to see the NHL play outdoors than any other regular-season game in more than a decade.
The Penguins-Sabres game in snowy Buffalo — the first regular-season outdoor NHL game in the United States — drew a 2.6 overnight rating and a 5 share on NBC. Each ratings point represents about 735,000 households; the rating is the percentage watching a telecast among homes with televisions, and the share is the percentage tuned into a broadcast among those households with televisions on at the time. Overnight ratings measure the 55 largest TV markets in the United States.
The 2.6/5 were the best numbers since a six-game regional telecast on Fox drew a 3.0 overnight rating and a 7 share on Feb. 3, 1996.
Pittsburgh won 2-1 in a shootout on a Sidney Crosby score before a crowd of more than 71,000 at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
The Winter Classic ratings also surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s final game, which was broadcast on Fox on April 18, 1999, and drew a 2.5/6.
The first outdoor NHL game, billed as the Heritage Classic, was played Nov. 22, 2003 in Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta. The Montreal Canadiens beat the Oilers 4-3.
NHL Latest News
May 16, 2008
Bruins land Hnidy in swap with Ducks
January 3, 2008
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Bruins acquired defenseman Shane Hnidy and a sixth-round draft pick from the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday in exchange for forward Brandon Bochenski. Hnidy, a seven-year veteran, has one goal and two assists in 33 games for the Ducks this season. He had five goals and seven assists in 72 games for the Atlanta Thrashers last season. Originally a seventh-round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, Hnidy also has played for the Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators. Read more
Surging Capitals clinch third successive win over Senators
January 2, 2008
WASHINGTON, Jan 1 (Reuters) - Mike Green had two goals and an assist to help the revived Washington Capitals beat the Ottawa Senators 6-3 on Tuesday for their second triumph over the Eastern Conference leaders in four days.
It was the third victory in as many games for the Caps over the Senators this season with Washington scoring 18 goals over the three encounters. Ottawa are 25-7-4 against the rest of the NHL. Read more
With Four Early Goals, Capitals Top the Senators
January 2, 2008
The Washington Capitals are gaining more confidence. The Ottawa Senators will attest to that. Mike Green had two goals and an assist; Michael Nylander, Boyd Gordon and Brooks Laich each added a goal and an assist; and Washington defeated visiting Ottawa, 6-3, on Tuesday night. Green, Nylander and Laich each scored during a four-goal first period for Washington, which beat Ottawa for the second time in four days. The Capitals topped the Senators, 8-6, on Saturday. The Capitals stumbled to a 6-14-1 record before Bruce Boudreau took over for Coach Glen Hanlon. Boudreau has pushed the Capitals to play more aggressively, to be tougher while forechecking and to create scoring chances to spark the once-dormant offense.
Read more
Passionate fans add spice to NHL’s record-setting day
January 2, 2008
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The mood of a crowd is often found on a sign, and in the middle of 71,217 people on Tuesday afternoon, one placard offered a rich slice of the scene: LOOK MOM, NO ROOF.
In the middle of a football stadium, in a city famous for its snow, the Sabres and Penguins played a game of pond hockey that ended at 4:34 p.m. when Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby, the league’s MVP, pushed a goal past Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller, the game’s best netminder. “You could not have scripted it any better,” said Sabres center Adam Mair. “You have the best player in the world coming down on arguably one of the best goaltenders in the world.” Read more
Stafford scratched due to concussion
January 1, 2008
Buffalo RW Drew Stafford missed his first game Friday at New Jersey due to a concussion sustained Wednesday. Clarke MacArthur was recalled from Rochester (AHL) and replaced him in the lineup.
Hurricanes F Adams suspended 2 games (AP)
December 19, 2007
Carolina Hurricanes forward Craig Adams was suspended two games without pay Wednesday for hitting Toronto’s Alex Steen with his stick. Adams was assessed a minor penalty for high-sticking after hitting the Maple Leafs’ forward at 16:05 of the third period Tuesday night. Carolina went on to win 3-2 in overtime.
Isles’ Simon banned NHL-record 30 games (AP)
December 19, 2007
New York Islanders forward Chris Simon was banned for 30 games Wednesday, drawing the longest suspension in NHL history again. Simon’s latest infraction was stepping on Pittsburgh’s Jarkko Ruutu with his skate during a game last weekend. The 35-year-old player went on a leave of absence Monday to receive counseling, then met with league disciplinarian Colin Campbell on Tuesday.
After Latest Incident, Isles’ Simon to Get Help
December 18, 2007
SYOSSET, N.Y. — A black stocking cap pulled low on his shaved head, the troubled Islanders forward Chris Simon silently walked out of the team’s practice facility Monday. It is uncertain when — or even if — Simon will return to the team. Read more
Zednik and Florida down slumping Chicago
December 17, 2007
Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Richard Zednik scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, and the Florida Panthers held on for a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Read more
Rangers stomped by Coyotes at MSG
December 17, 2007
The last time Wayne Gretzky was at the Garden for a hockey game as a member of one of the competing teams, the Rangers were in a similar state - wobbling without direction while unable to maximize the talents of one of the game’s all-time greats. Read more
Niedermayer, Weight join Ducks for home test vs. Sharks
December 16, 2007
(Sports Network) - Scott Niedermayer will finally make his return to the Anaheim Ducks lineup tonight, when his club welcomes the rival San Jose Sharks to the Honda Center.
Niedermayer mulled over retirement possibilities after the Ducks won their first-ever Stanley Cup last year, but ultimately announced he would return to Anaheim for at least the remainder of the season in a press conference on December 5.
The 34-year-old Niedermayer played a huge part in Anaheim’s championship season last year, as he captured the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs. It was his fourth Stanley Cup title after winning three during his time with New Jersey.
The Edmonton, Alberta native scored 15 goals and added 54 assists last season for the Ducks.
Niedermayer won’t be the only fresh face in the Ducks lineup this evening as Doug Weight is expected to make his debut for Anaheim as well.
Anaheim acquired Weight, a veteran centerman, on Friday in a deal with the St. Louis Blues. The Ducks sent forward Andy McDonald to the Blues in exchange for Weight, prospect Michal Birner and a seventh-round draft pick in 2008.
Weight, the 16-year NHL veteran, had just four goals and 11 points in 29 games for the Blues, but has scored 259 goals and 955 points in his career.
McDonald had posted only four goals and 16 points in 33 games this season for the struggling Stanley Cup champions.
Anaheim has dropped two straight, three of four and five of their last eight contests. The Ducks are 0-2 on a three-game homestand that ends tonight after getting beat by Vancouver and Minnesota in the first two tests of the residency.
The Ducks were handed their most recent setback in Friday’s test against the Wild. Brian Rolston recorded a goal and two assists to lead Minnesota to a 5-2 triumph at the Honda Center.
Brad May and Todd Bertuzzi tallied for Anaheim, while Jean-Sebastien Giguere allowed three goals on nine shots before being replaced by Jonas Hiller, who finished the game with eight saves.
The Ducks are 9-6-3 as the home team this season.
Meanwhile, the Sharks were knocked out of first place in the Pacific Division on Saturday, as they were handed a 4-2 setback by visiting Dallas. Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribeiro each had a goal and an assist as the Stars rallied past San Jose.
Devin Setoguchi and Patrick Rissmiller scored for the Sharks, who had won six of their last seven games before Saturday’s setback. San Jose netminder Evgeni Nabokov ended with 18 saves.
The Stars lead the Pacific with 40 points, San Jose is two points back and the Ducks are running third with 34 points.
The Sharks are 11-3-2 as the visiting team this season and have won five straight on the road.
Anaheim is 2-0 against the Sharks this year and has taken four of five, six of eight and seven of the last 10 meetings. San Jose has also been handed defeats in two of three and four of its previous six stops in Orange County.
12/16 10:53:57 ET
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