tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79877811534824323382024-02-20T18:05:55.456-05:00Backhand WristerWe're BackJoe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-69932549743084941922011-04-13T00:43:00.000-04:002011-04-13T00:43:40.546-04:00Eastern Conference First Round Predictions<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2010/images/04/26/octopus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2010/images/04/26/octopus.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You need 16 wins now, but this is still the coolest tradition ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>#1 Washington Capitals vs. #8 New York Rangers</b><br />
Season series: 3-1 New York<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>New York Preview (Last ten: 6-3-1)</b></span><br />
There was no shootout this year, and the Rangers are thankful for it. It took some huge wins against the Flyers and Bruins for it to happen, but the Rangers are back in the playoffs. Getting to the postseason didn't come without a cost, though. The Rags will be without their second-leading goal scorer (23G) and second-leading scorer overall (48 pts.), Ryan Callahan, who is out with a broken hand. But even without Callahan, the Rangers are still one of the league's best shot-blocking teams and can forecheck with the best of them. They have a solid defense led by youngsters Marc Staal and Dan Girardi and veteran Brian McCabe, but if the Rangers want to have any chance of winning this series, netminder Henrik Lundqvist is going to have to be nearly unbeatable. He posted 11 shutouts in the regular season and is probably going to need to post a few more for the Rangers to advance.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Washington Preview (Last ten: 7-2-1)</b></span><br />
The Capitals are a much different team than the one that got bounced in the first round by the Canadiens last year, even though they have pretty much the same players. Coach Bruce Boudreau changed the style of the team from a regular season-style of run-and-gun offense to a more playoff-style defensive kind of play. They have the usual suspects of Alex Ovechkin, Brooks Laich, Alex Semin, Mike Knuble and Nick Backstrom.<br />
They play a more defensive style, but I still believe the Washington defense is one of the most overrated ones in the league. Mike Green is a defenseman who doesn't play very good defense and veterans Dennis Wideman and Tom Poti are battling injuries. They do have a good young D-pair in John Carlson and Karl Alzner that is probably their best duo. The X-Factor, though, will be net play for the Capitals. Expect to see both Michal Neuvirth and Semyon Varlamov in this series, and if either goes cold, it could be a quick out for Washington. <br />
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Everyone knows what the Caps went through in during that eight game stretch in the beginning of December. Anyone who watches the Caps or Rags (or watched 24/7) regularly knows Washington lost, 7-0, to the Rangers over that streak. But those who don't watch either team on a regular basis may not know that the Rangers demolished the Caps 6-0 in late February. But it took the Carolina Hurricanes to lay a emu-sized egg in their final regular season game for the Rangers to even make the playoffs for the first time since 2009. And in that '09 season, the Rangers lost to the Capitals in in the first round in seven games. Will it be the same outcome two years later?<br />
<div style="color: yellow;"><b>Prediction: Washington wins the series in 6</b></div><br />
<b>#2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #7 Buffalo Sabres</b><br />
Season series: Tied 2-2<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Philadelphia Preview (Last ten: 3-4-3)</b></span><br />
They haven't played well at all lately, plain and simple. They've looked flat, bored and downright uninterested. But there is something the Flyers have that other teams don't -- experience. And a ton of it. The Flyers know what it takes to get to the Cup Final, and the majority of the season they were simply waiting for this very time of year. Can they flip the switch, though? Their depth says it's a good possibility. With three legitimate scoring lines led by Danny Briere, Claude Giroux, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards, the Flyers can score at any given moment. But not only do the Flyers have offensive depth, they're deep on the blue line as well. If Chris Pronger returns (which many guess he will by Game 2 at the latest) he'll join a defense that includes arguably the most underrated D-man in the league, Kimmo Timonen, master of the overtime, Andrej Meszaros, Braydon Coburn and Matt Carle. The question, as it has been since Ron Hextall left, lies between the pipes. Can Sergei Bobrovsky handle the playoff pressure? We shall see.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Buffalo Preview (Last ten: 8-1-1)</b></span><br />
Ryan Miller. That's it. Miller is this series for the Sabres. There's not much to Buffalo besides that guy. They have some quick scorers in Nathan Gerbe and Tyler Ennis and 73-point guy Thomas Vanek. They have last season's Calder Trophy winner Tyler Myers on defense to go along with vets Steve Montador and Andrej Sekera. Injuries are the big problem for this team, though. They won't have Jordan Leopold or Derek Roy for most, if not all of the series and could be without Jochen Hecht, Andrej Sekera and Mike Grier. But once again it's Ryan Miller. If he can be the Vezina Trophy winner he was last year, and the Sabres can continue their hot streak, it could spell a first round exit for the Flyers.<br />
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There's little doubt that if the Flyers play up to their potential they're the best team in the Eastern Conference. And that's what this series depends on, will the Flyers play up to their potential? I say yes.<br />
<div style="color: yellow;"><b>Prediction: Philadelphia wins the series in 6</b></div><b><br />
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<b>#3 Boston Bruins vs. #6 Montreal Canadiens</b><br />
Season series: 4-2 Montreal<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Montreal Preview (Last ten: 5-4-1)</b></span><br />
Last season it was Jaroslav Halak who stole the show for the Canadiens. Who will it be this year? No playoff team has scored fewer goals at even strength than the Canadiens, and if the Habs want to advance they're going to need to put the puck in the net eventually. Tomas Plekanec leads the way with 22 goals and 57 points, but the next highest scorer is 10 points behind (Mike Cammalleri). The Canadiens did, though, finish in the top-10 in the league on both the power play and penalty kill. How? I have no idea.<br />
The Habs have gone most of the season without their two best D-men in Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges, but P.K. Subban and 51-point man James Wisniewski have held down the fort. Carey Price has also shown he has the intestinal fortitude to handle the regular season strains, but can he handle the postseason?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Boston Preview (Last ten: 6-3-1)</b></span><br />
I think, aside from if the Flyers play up to their potential, the Bruins are the best team in the East. They're tough, physical, good on the forecheck and carry the league's best goalie in Tim Thomas. Similar to the Sabres, if Thomas continues to play as well as he has played, there's no reason to believe the B's won't win this series. But there's always a little more than that.<br />
For an offense that wasn't tremendous last year, Boston sports a fairly deep team up front. They have Milan Lucic who had a career year, topping the 30-goal plateau for the first time, and have strong centermen with Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Their defense ain't too shabby either with the monster of a man, Zdeno Chara, and deadline acquisition Tomas Kaberle.<br />
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An Original Six matchup for the ages, this one is. The two teams (and fan bases, especially) don't like each other. Did the Bruins mature after what happened to them against the Flyers last year? Will the Chara hit on Max Pacioretty come into play in this series? I don't know, but if it does, look out. This <i>could</i> be a good one.<br />
<div style="color: yellow;"><b>Prediction: Boston wins the series in 5</b></div><br />
<b>#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Tampa Bay Lightning</b><br />
Season series: Tied 2-2<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Tampa Bay Preview (Last ten: 7-3-0)</b></span><br />
After being minus for the majority of the season, the Lightning managed to be +7 in goal differential for the year. What does that say? I'm really not sure except for the fact that when the Lightning lose, they give up a lot of goals. Coach Guy Boucher has a style that sometimes works really well, and then again, sometimes doesn't. Their offense of Steven Stamkos, Marty St. Louis, Vinny Lecavalier, Teddy Purcell and Simon Gagne can put the puck in the net with the best of them. But their defense of Victor Hedman, Brett Clark and Pavel Kubina sometimes have trouble keeping the puck out. Rollie the Goalie (Dwayne Roloson) has been surprisingly good in net for the Bolts, and they need him to keep it up in order to win.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Pittsburgh Preview (Last ten: 8-2-0)</b></span><br />
No Crosby, no Malkin? No problem. How have they done it? Without their top-2 scorers (and Jordan Staal for some time) for the majority of the season, I don't know how the Pens have remained in the upper echelons the Eastern Conference. If coach Dan Bylsma doesn't win the Jack Adams Award for coach of the year, the award is meaningless. How he has managed to change the entire team's playing style to work without Malkin and Crosby is truly amazing. They're not offensively deep by any means, though. In fact, they're pretty terrible at netting pucks, but James Neal, Staal, Alex Kovalev and Tyler Kennedy have done enough to grind out wins and get points for the Penguins. The main reason the Pens have remained so successful is their back end with Kris Letang, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Zybnek Michalek and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury was pretty bad in the beginning of the season, but he's back to 2008-09 form now, which is scary for any team he faces in the playoffs.<br />
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I honestly can't wait for this series -- a potent offense in Tampa Bay and a solid defense in Pittsburgh. Will the Pens score enough goals to advance? I think this is going to be a long series, but if the Penguins can't find the back of the net early, it could be quick out for the Pens.<br />
<b style="color: yellow;">Prediction: Pittsburgh wins the series in 7</b>Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-22279186384344329912011-04-12T00:52:00.001-04:002011-04-13T01:16:52.362-04:00Western Conference First Round Predictions<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hockeyhype.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/hayden-panettiere-stanley-cup-03.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://hockeyhype.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/hayden-panettiere-stanley-cup-03.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got to bring back Hayden Panettiere</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>#1 Vancouver Canucks vs. #8 Chicago Blackhawks</b><br />
Season series: Tied 2-2<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chicago Preview (Last ten: 5-4-1)</span></b><br />
The Blackhawks are coming off a disappointing loss at home against the Red Wings where a win would have clinched a playoff spot. Obviously the Hawks aren't the same team that won the Cup last season. They're sans Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Brent Sopel, Nick Boyton, Kris Versteeg and Antti Niemi to name a few. The positive, though, is they still have now Stanley Cup winners Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa as well as Duncan Keith and Brian Campbell. The Hawks sit at No. 4 in the league on the man advantage, but are in the bottom third on the penalty kill. Goaltender Corey Crawford is also playing in his first playoff series. Will the pressure get to him?<br />
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</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Vancouver Preview (Last ten: 7-3-0)</b></span><br />
The Canucks are the run-away best team in the NHL. They have talent all over the ice. Everyone knows the Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel, but don't forget 41-goal scorer Ryan Kesler. Vancouver led the league in goals with 262, there's no doubt they can put the puck in the net. The Canucks also sport a tough, experienced defensive core with Sami Salo, Keith Ballard, Alex Edler, Dan Hamhuis, Kevin Bieska and Christian Ehrhoff. Surprisingly though, the wild card here may be their ever-solid goaltender, Roberto Luongo. Luongo had a 3.22 GAA in last season's playoffs and was anything but sharp.<br />
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The Hawks have knocked the Canucks out of the playoffs each of the past two seasons, but if Luongo can be the regular season Luongo, the Canucks should see the second round for the third straight season.<br />
<div style="color: yellow;"><b>Prediction: Vancouver wins the series in 6</b><br />
</div><b>#2 San Jose Sharks vs. #7 Los Angeles Kings</b><br />
Season series: Tied 3-3<br />
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</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Los Angeles Preview (Last ten: 6-4-0)</b></span><br />
The Kings, had Justin Williams not gone down, may have been many folks' sleeper pick to come out of the Western Conference. But even without the former-Flyer, the Kings still have Anze Kopitar, captain Dustin Brown and deadline acquisition Dustin Penner. Veterans Michael Handzus and Ryan Smith will also provide some leadership on the front line. A solid defensive corps led by youngsters Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson (the Kings were the No. 4 PK unit in the league) with Jonathan Quick to man the pipes should prove to be a tough matchup for the Sharks.<br />
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</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>San Jose Preview (Last ten: 7-2-1)</b></span><br />
And then there's the Sharks. San Jose has finished first in the Pacific Division each of the last four years and first in the Western Conference in two of the last three. But aside from an appearance in the Western Conference Finals last season where they got swept by the eventual Stanley Cup winners, the Sharks haven't made much noise in the postseason. Everybody knows they have Joe Thorton, Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau, but they also have Calder Trophy candidate Logan Coture on offense who managed 32 goals on the season. Aside from veteran Dan Boyle, the Sharks don't have too many names on the blue line. After a hot start from Antero Niittymaki, last season's Cup-winning goaltender Antti Niemi ended up starting 34 consecutive games down the stretch for the Sharks and reached 30 wins for the first time in his career.<br />
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I want to pick the Kings here with all the talent they have out there on the West Coast Flyers, but being without Justin Williams, the Kings will have to wait one more year to make a Cup run.<br />
<div style="color: yellow;"><b>Prediction: San Jose wins the series in 7</b></div><br />
<b>#3 Detroit Red Wings vs. #6 Phoenix Coyotes</b><br />
Season series: Tied 2-2<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Detroit Preview (Last ten: 4-4-2)</b></span><br />
Well, here they are again. The Red Wings are back to where they've been basically as long as my hockey memory can go back. And it seems like every one of those years they've had Nick Lindstrom on the blue line, but they also have cup-winner Brian Rafalski, too. And who could forget Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen up front. And oh yeah, they have sophomore Jimmy Howard and his 37 wins in net. The Wings, as they have for a long time, boast one of the most talented teams in the Western Conference. Somewhat of a surprise though is the Wings' PK was near the middle of the pack at No. 17 in the league.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Phoenix Preview (Last ten: 5-3-2)</b></span><br />
Can someone tell me who, besides Ilya Bryzgalov, is on the Coyotes? Please? Well they have captain Shane Doan who leads the team in scoring with only 20 goals (Detroit has 11 guys alone with double digit goals) and Norris Trophy candidate Keith Yandle on D. But to be honest, that's pretty much it as far as talent goes. The Coyotes seems to simply play well as a team, and that's why they find themselves in the playoffs.<br />
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The Wings ended the Coyotes' season last year in an exciting seven-game series. Can the 'Yotes return the favor this season? I doubt it.<br />
<div style="color: yellow;"><b>Prediction: Detroit wins the series in 5</b></div><br />
<b>#4 Anaheim Ducks vs. #5 Nashville Predators</b><br />
Season Series: 3-1 Nashville<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Anaheim Preview (Last ten: 7-3-0)</b></span><br />
After failing to qualify for the Playoffs last season, the Ducks are back and this time with MVP candidate Corey Perry. He's the league leader in goals with 50 and finished in the top-5 in scoring overall. Even after Perry, the Ducks still have big men Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan as well as the ageless wonder Teemu Selanne who had 31 goals and 80 points this season. The Anaheim defense doesn't have the same caliber of names the offense has (Lubomir Visnovsky and Toni Lydman lead the way), and they don't exactly know who their goaltender is going to be either (Jonas Hiller and Ray Emery are battling injuries, so Dan Ellis may be the Game 1 starter). The Ducks are going to look to slug their way to the second round, but against a Nashville team, that may be pretty tough.<br />
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</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Nashville Preview (Last ten: 7-2-1)</b></span><br />
What can you really say about the Predators? They're a solid hockey team. They won't blow you away on the scoreboard, but they have six guys with at least 16 goals. Deadline acquisition Carrie Underwood...err...Mike Fisher is fitting in fairly well with an offense that already has Pat Hornqvist, Martin Erat, David Legwand and Sergei Kostitsyn. Nashville's defense is where they make their money, though. With one of the best defensemen in the league in Shea Weber along with Ryan Suter and Shane O'Brien, the Preds should be set on the back end. It also doesn't hurt that they have Veznia Trophy candidate, the 6-foot-5 monster, Pekka Rinne between the pipes. Rinne had 33 wins and a 2.12 GAA to go with the league's second best save percentage at .930.<br />
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I hate this matchup, but I love it at the same time. I think if either team played a different team in the first round, I'd pick them both to advance, but alas I can only choose one. It's a toss up, and I hope it's a classic.<br />
<b style="color: yellow;">Prediction: Anaheim wins the series in 7</b>Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-64681454315906469272011-01-16T22:07:00.000-05:002011-01-16T22:07:07.060-05:00Wiz Wit Jason, Joe & Porter -- January 16, 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySA-xPFr2f-8He32sW_gFUuY93zu-znDF8p6XtPgfw__ah04tegTG1xyMvAGBlrEBdC9cC8szDXL4aP1mXm1x_qk0CjcuUl_cQ00etlfCpJxUbimWtV0kPKoPEHtCc5-7ehVFT9tZl7a/s1600/News_KRCU_mic_2006_250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySA-xPFr2f-8He32sW_gFUuY93zu-znDF8p6XtPgfw__ah04tegTG1xyMvAGBlrEBdC9cC8szDXL4aP1mXm1x_qk0CjcuUl_cQ00etlfCpJxUbimWtV0kPKoPEHtCc5-7ehVFT9tZl7a/s1600/News_KRCU_mic_2006_250.jpg" /></a></div>Click on the title link above to listen to the January 16th broadcast of Wiz Wit Jason, Joe & Porter.Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-24811939612258317852011-01-04T14:34:00.000-05:002011-01-04T14:34:58.060-05:00To All the Boosh Haters...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJjOIH0Lzhp9ajOWd6Q3L8_mLRxkFn4XvEpU3GIr584gkRpemtVd1Rs7j-09IAiE1Gjr4_xNdaTqL3ZVnoqx2LtzVFVoXxGFILz9VhGm1njYLCuPFiYQ-1G9NW2vPk6WunEzXTeEg1Cf-/s1600/25cd7914e8d72412cdf4125f14992155-getty-97964715jd013_nashville_pre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJjOIH0Lzhp9ajOWd6Q3L8_mLRxkFn4XvEpU3GIr584gkRpemtVd1Rs7j-09IAiE1Gjr4_xNdaTqL3ZVnoqx2LtzVFVoXxGFILz9VhGm1njYLCuPFiYQ-1G9NW2vPk6WunEzXTeEg1Cf-/s400/25cd7914e8d72412cdf4125f14992155-getty-97964715jd013_nashville_pre.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>2.33 GAA, .917 SV%, 7-1-1 in last nine starts.<br />
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2.57 GAA, .915 SV%, 4-3-2 in last nine starts.<br />
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Without looking them up, whose stats are Brian Boucher's and whose are Sergei Bobrovsky's?<br />
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The first set of stats belong to the much maligned Boucher and the second to the often heralded Bobrovsky. But even after seeing the stats and watching him play, many still doubt the fact that Boosh can be a legitimate starting goaltender for the Flyers.<br />
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Boosh has better GAA (goals against average) than all of the following netminders: Jimmy Howard (DET), Carey Price (MTL), Jonas Hiller (ANA), Roberto Luongo (VAN), Cam Ward (CAR), Heinrik Lundqvist (NYR), Miikka Kiprusoff (CGY), Kari Lehtonen (DAL), Jaroslav Halak (STL), Thomas Vokoun (FLA), Corey Crawford (CHI), Anders Lindback (NSH), Antero Niittymaki (SJS), Michal Neuvirth (WAS), Niklas Backstrom (MIN), Ilya Bryzgalov (PHX), Dwyane Roloson (NYI), J.S. Giguere (TOR), Pascal Leclaire (OTT) and Johan Hedberg (NJD).<br />
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It is well known that coach Peter Laviolette plays the hot players and particularly the hot goalie. He did it last year when the recently waived Michael Leighton got on a streak and again last season when Boucher got hot. In the Carolina Hurricanes' 2005 Stanley Cup Championship season, Martin Gerber started 60 games for Laviolette's team. But who won the Con Smythe trophy that year? A man who played only 28 games for the Canes and began the season in the AHL--Cam Ward.<br />
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Look back to last season's Stanley Cup Champions, the Chicago Blackhawks. Their starting goaltender is no longer with the team and is now the backup to Antero Niittymaki in San Jose, Antti Niemi. Niemi got hot last year and rode the streak all the way to a Cup.<br />
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It doesn't matter who your goaltender is or what he has done before, as long as he is playing well now and during the playoffs, that's all that matters. Rarely in any other sport does the phrase "What have you done for me lately?" ring as true as it does with NHL goalies.<br />
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Many forget that Bobrovsky has only played a maximum of 35 games in one season in his hockey career. He's already at 26 games this season and fatigue may be setting in. So, for now, Brian Boucher is the Flyers' starting goaltender and if he continues to play well, and Laviolette is still the coach, plan on seeing Boosh between the pipes until further notice.Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-64875627204729472642010-12-06T21:35:00.000-05:002010-12-06T21:35:05.032-05:00Chris Pronger: Master of his Domain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0491/2972/103899_crop_340x234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0491/2972/103899_crop_340x234.jpg" /></a></div>Chris Pronger makes everyone around him better.<br />
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In two seasons before Pronger joined the Flyers, his defensive partner Matt Carle had a few up-and-down years. In his first year with the Flyers, Carle had four goals and 20 assists and was +2. In the year before that with both the Sharks and Lightning, Carle had a total of three goals and 13 assists and was a -7.<br />
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But once he got paired with the tree trunk of a player in Pronger, Carle's statistics shot up. Last season, Carle had six goals and 29 assists and was a career-best +19. And as of today, Carle is on pace for 31 points and a +30. These kind of improvements don't simply come with working harder in the weight room. It's all about chemistry and trust.<br />
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When Matt Carle finds himself in a sticky situation on the ice, he knows he has Pronger to back him up to get out of it. If he needs to get rid of the puck, he knows he has Pronger to bail him out. If Carle makes a risky play on offense, he knows he can because he has Pronger back on D to give him support. Pronger not only has confidence in himself, but he breeds confidence in other players on the ice, and that;s something very few players are able to do.<br />
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Even coming off of off-season knee surgery, Pronger still has the ability to settle down every play on the ice. He makes sure that nothing get's out of hand, he slows down the play of defense and is more like a quarterback directing traffic than an NHL defenseman.<br />
<br />
Whether it be screening the goalie (legally or illegally) or mouthing off to the refs to make sure they know they got the call wrong and better not get it wrong again, Chris Pronger is the backbone of this Flyers team and gives them their on-ice (and off-ice) swagger.Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-22273956552305680702010-12-05T22:10:00.001-05:002010-12-06T14:48:10.234-05:00Wiz Wit Jason, Joe & Porter -- December 5th, 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySA-xPFr2f-8He32sW_gFUuY93zu-znDF8p6XtPgfw__ah04tegTG1xyMvAGBlrEBdC9cC8szDXL4aP1mXm1x_qk0CjcuUl_cQ00etlfCpJxUbimWtV0kPKoPEHtCc5-7ehVFT9tZl7a/s1600/News_KRCU_mic_2006_250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySA-xPFr2f-8He32sW_gFUuY93zu-znDF8p6XtPgfw__ah04tegTG1xyMvAGBlrEBdC9cC8szDXL4aP1mXm1x_qk0CjcuUl_cQ00etlfCpJxUbimWtV0kPKoPEHtCc5-7ehVFT9tZl7a/s1600/News_KRCU_mic_2006_250.jpg" /></a></div>Click on the title link above to listen to the December 5th broadcast of Wiz Wit Jason, Joe & Porter.Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-72627402874055574322010-11-12T13:27:00.002-05:002010-11-13T23:00:13.005-05:00Simply Put: Don't Resign Carter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpvICUttTXxZJocANrTWklXLrZtb9i5QW9hGOkbhMRN3wC8aaXOCyDxitD42OkZRQM1SX7je04u-LRLHHFkyerZSYS_29aaNndwEdxVtsV8M3SNsayjPNqiZxKg-ahHwjNjm7ZFwBKao3/s1600/25cd7914e8d72412cdf4125f14992155-getty-97964715jd013_nashville_pre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpvICUttTXxZJocANrTWklXLrZtb9i5QW9hGOkbhMRN3wC8aaXOCyDxitD42OkZRQM1SX7je04u-LRLHHFkyerZSYS_29aaNndwEdxVtsV8M3SNsayjPNqiZxKg-ahHwjNjm7ZFwBKao3/s400/25cd7914e8d72412cdf4125f14992155-getty-97964715jd013_nashville_pre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>After Jeff Carter's second career hat-trick Thursday night there are going to be people who say how great he is and how the Flyers need to resign him to a long-term contract as soon as possible.<br />
<br />
Not true.<br />
<br />
Right now, the Flyers have five centers on the team. Mike Richards, Claude Giroux, Danny Briere, Blair Betts and Jeff Carter. Each player has a defined role. Danny Briere goes with Ville Leino (who the Flyers need to resign as well) and Scott Hartnell. Claude Giroux and Mike Richards can center any of the top three lines and be productive and Blair Betts plays his role on the fourth line and the penalty kill.<br />
<br />
There's no place for Jeff Carter to center on this team. Carter can't go on the fourth line to replace Blair Betts because, well let's face it, Carter can't play on the fourth line. Carter can't replace Richards (signed through 2018/19), Giroux (just signed a three year contract extension) or Briere (signed through 2014/15).<br />
<br />
Well, Carter could play out of position on the wing I suppose. Aside from the fact that his stats are much lower when he plays the wing, the Flyers could fit him in.<br />
<br />
But how could they fit him in salary cap-speaking? The Flyers already have $52,313,096 committed to 17 players in 2011-12 after the Claude Giroux signing. With the salary cap at $59.4 million, that leaves the Flyers with slightly over $7 million to spend on players to fill out the roster. That doesn't leave much room to sign Leino, Carter and other players to fill out the team. Is Carter worth it?<br />
<br />
Over the past three seasons, Carter has gone from 46 goals and 84 points in 2008, to 33 goals in 2009 and 61 points, to before his hat-trick yesterday, which would throw off his predictions, was on pace for 27 goals and 59 points in 2010. His statistics have slowly gone down and his errant shots that completely miss the goal have gone way up.<br />
<br />
Carter is taking shots simply for the sake of taking shots. He'll skate in on the wing and shoot the puck before he gets to the circle. He doesn't look for the pass or to make a play, he just looks to hit top-shelf and more often than not, misses it. And when Carter does find the back of the net most of the time it's a direct result of a great play or a hard-work play from another player, and not from Carter.<br />
<br />
Signing Claude Giroux to an extension was the best signing the Flyers have made in a while but if the Flyers resign Jeff Carter to a long term deal, it may rival the Jody Shelley acquisition. Carter makes $5.5 million per year already, and there's no telling how much Philadelphia may overpay for him now.<br />
<br />
I'm not saying the Flyers should trade Jeff Carter yet, especially since the Flyers are 7-0-1 in their last eight games. You can't mess with that kind of play. The Flyers may want to wait until the end of the season and get some compensatory draft picks for the Flyers center. But if somehow the Flyers find themselves in the midst of an extended losing streak sometime before the trade deadline, I say send Carter out of town.<br />
<br />
Hopefully for the Flyers sake, that doesn't happen and they roll on into the playoffs on the back of Carter. But I just don't see Jeff Carter carrying anybody right now, even after his three goals yesterday.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">*****</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Flyers resigned Jeff Carter to an 11-year, $58 million deal. Crap.</div>Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-45722142023827528652010-11-08T15:46:00.000-05:002010-11-08T15:46:00.397-05:00Saving Mr. Initials<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVWXep00dzizzU3HszVLk_FZxPuZQcT-EAafqJ3qGr3nWWH7XqWeG_eHDMTQp9WfrSt3kiC_blrmdoEclv-IHXko3RUO0OTUbQWqORB_VrMFZZRNH5-fXfB_jidZKt5zTlG4r21mLiKeK/s1600/jvr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVWXep00dzizzU3HszVLk_FZxPuZQcT-EAafqJ3qGr3nWWH7XqWeG_eHDMTQp9WfrSt3kiC_blrmdoEclv-IHXko3RUO0OTUbQWqORB_VrMFZZRNH5-fXfB_jidZKt5zTlG4r21mLiKeK/s400/jvr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span id="goog_931010314"></span><span id="goog_931010315"></span>They couldn't send him down could they?<br />
<br />
Well it's official, the Flyers sent down Eric Wellwood today instead of Andreas Nodl or the 2007 second overall pick, James van Riemsdyk.<br />
<br />
Before anyone gets into the JVR situation, I should mention that Wellwood will be back with the Flyers. It may not be tomorrow, next week or next month, but believe me, the Flyers saw enough out of him to realize he has the potential to be a pretty good NHL hockey player. Wellwood will return.<br />
<br />
But with the "demotion" of Wellwood, that means Mr. van Riemsdyk is still with the big club, but as of now, is still a health scratch with the team. JVR's 0 goals and 4 assists put him in 14th place on the team in points behind such snipers as Blair Betts and Darroll Powe. Aside from Jody Shelley, van Riemsdyk is the only offenseman on the team with at least four games played who doesn't have a goal.<br />
<br />
Why wouldn't Peter Laviolette scratch him? The only other player on the Flyers who has given less to this team is Jody Shelley. But at least Shelley's playing a grinding role on the fourth line with Dan Carcillo and Blair Betts. The only thing JVR has done all season is turn the puck over and show that either he or the weight scale lied about him working out this summer.<br />
<br />
A few games ago Laviolette scratched Nikolay Zherdev because of his lack of production and negative attitude towards playing time. And when Zherdev returned to the lineup he looked rejuvenated and his play has gotten progressively better since he came back. Zherdev has two goals, 11 shots and is a +2 in four games since his two game absence. It's not earth-shattering, but it's better than his two goals, 0 assists and a -1 in nine games before the wake-up call.<br />
<br />
So maybe the time off will help out the Flyers' youngster. It certainly helped Zherdev. And especially since the Flyers are going on their annual "team bonding" trip, the time off could help van Riemsdyk relax a bit and come back with a goal in mind (and on the ice).<br />
<br />
But it's not just the time off that's going to make JVR better. He needs to realize what his role is on the ice. He needs to stop trying to do too much. It seems as if he's trying to create, develop and finish a play every shift he has. He needs to play his part on the ice. Take a pass, make a pass, take a hit, deliver a hit and just get off the ice. He needs to be doing more of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=algrtgxjUGc">this</a> and less of <a href="http://video.flyers.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20102011,2,158&event=PHI364&fr=false">this</a>.<br />
<br />
Be smart on the ice Riemer, get to the net, grind it out, plant yourself in front of the goalie and good things will happen. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was Rick Nash.<br />
<br />
And James van Riemsdyk won't be either.Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-22165352683054618762010-11-07T22:07:00.000-05:002010-11-07T22:07:23.280-05:00Wiz Wit Jason, Joe & Porter -- November 7th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySA-xPFr2f-8He32sW_gFUuY93zu-znDF8p6XtPgfw__ah04tegTG1xyMvAGBlrEBdC9cC8szDXL4aP1mXm1x_qk0CjcuUl_cQ00etlfCpJxUbimWtV0kPKoPEHtCc5-7ehVFT9tZl7a/s1600/News_KRCU_mic_2006_250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySA-xPFr2f-8He32sW_gFUuY93zu-znDF8p6XtPgfw__ah04tegTG1xyMvAGBlrEBdC9cC8szDXL4aP1mXm1x_qk0CjcuUl_cQ00etlfCpJxUbimWtV0kPKoPEHtCc5-7ehVFT9tZl7a/s1600/News_KRCU_mic_2006_250.jpg" /></a></div>Click on the title link above to listen to the November 7th broadcast of Wiz Wit Jason, Joe & Porter.Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-21113982898536063292010-11-05T13:23:00.003-04:002010-11-05T13:29:40.626-04:00Think with your Wood, not with your Nodl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5TjpBDmG0_IyPtPH8shfNG1hx4YJAVlIgygUmiZFuxm8PfN3JpYINwJS_DSz2vKgOZnh0Tk9eGiM_PPA-puGe2230zCKrrtp7CRuupmNt4S8YFhDpzX-7-ccCa9c72lhxkbH7kObSiKn/s1600/25cd7914e8d72412cdf4125f14992155-getty-97964715jd013_nashville_pre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5TjpBDmG0_IyPtPH8shfNG1hx4YJAVlIgygUmiZFuxm8PfN3JpYINwJS_DSz2vKgOZnh0Tk9eGiM_PPA-puGe2230zCKrrtp7CRuupmNt4S8YFhDpzX-7-ccCa9c72lhxkbH7kObSiKn/s320/25cd7914e8d72412cdf4125f14992155-getty-97964715jd013_nashville_pre.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It has been reported that Flyers winger Andreas Nodl is back skating with the team coming off of his injury and Eric Wellwood has been sent back down to the Phantoms.<br />
<br />
<br />
Has Peter Laviolette not been watching these players in the past few weeks?<br />
<br />
Eric Wellwood has been showing a ton of intensity on the ice and he brings very high energy level every shift. He's quick and has the ability to throw his body around. And looking at the way he skates and plays the game, it looks like he has the ability to put the puck in the net.<br />
<br />
Nodl on the other hand has the nickname Andreas "NoGoal" for a reason. He's a bigger player than Wellwood (he's 6'1", 196 compared to Wellwood who's 5'11", 180), but plays like he's 5'5", 125. He doesn't use what size he has to his advantage. Nodl is not a scorer. Plain and simple. In his two goals this year, one of them is an empty netter and the other came off a nice 2-on-1 feed from James van Riemsdyk.<br />
<br />
The Flyers know what Andreas Nodl has. They know what he can bring, they know what his limitations are and how much skill he has.<br />
<br />
Eric Wellwood on the other hand has unrealized potential and a has the ability to play on both the penalty kill AND the power play.He plays much bigger than he actually is and unlike Nodl, he has a lot of talent.<br />
<br />
Maybe Laviolette sent Wellwood down because he wanted him to get more experience in the AHL. And if that's the case, I think Wellwood is going to be back with the Flyers sooner rather than later.<br />
<br />
Hopefully to replace a healthy Andreas Nodl this time.Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-17373591175457390922010-11-01T16:03:00.000-04:002010-11-01T16:03:37.439-04:00Shelley Proving to be an ASSet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNZ0-hR68eVAzuQEfJlnreHdfUOmENuUs05kC3OSObFeglsh-l5eYc35XsbfOi1V7cUJAXMZJmpctSsI207U_9iqSDdJxdhwlleHksDxUWvgEG9mPkcKmvE2mAiQe0wlarjTylmguTUwx/s1600/shelley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNZ0-hR68eVAzuQEfJlnreHdfUOmENuUs05kC3OSObFeglsh-l5eYc35XsbfOi1V7cUJAXMZJmpctSsI207U_9iqSDdJxdhwlleHksDxUWvgEG9mPkcKmvE2mAiQe0wlarjTylmguTUwx/s400/shelley.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>When the Flyers announced the signing of Jody Shelley back in July, it was basically a forgone conclusion that Shelley was to be the new tough guy on the Flyers. The new Donald Brashear. A Riley Cote who actually wins fights.<br />
<br />
Well at $1.1 million for three years, Shelley better be beating the opposition senseless and taking out the other team's most important players or at least keep them off the ice when he's on it.<br />
<br />
But that's not exactly what has happened so far this season. Ever heard of Deryk Engelland? Unless you're a serious Penguins fan I doubt it and even if you have, I doubt you consider him a legitimate fighter. Well take a look at what he did to our dear Jody Shelley last <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfrkcuV5a8k">Friday in Pittsburgh</a>.<br />
<br />
According to the preeminent NHL fighter's dreamland, <a href="http://www.hockeyfights.com/">HockeyFights.com</a>, 97.2% of people said that Engelland, won the fight. And after watching that beat down, it's impossible to disagree.<br />
<br />
Once again, Jody Shelly is making $1.1 million per year to "bring his talents to South Philly." He's making more than Sean O'Donnell ($1 million), Brian Boucher ($925,000), Oskars Bartulis ($600,000), Sergei Bobrovsky ($900,000), Blair Betts ($700,000), Darroll Powe ($725,000), Andreas Nodl ($735,000), and here's where it gets interesting...James van Riemsdyk ($875,000), Dan Carcillo ($1.075 million), Ville Leino ($825,000) and Claude Giroux ($765,000).<br />
<br />
Jody Shelley is making more bank than the Flyers' leading scorer (Giroux) and second leading scorer (Leino), cashing more checks than a quarter of the Flyers' blue line and seeing more bills than both the Flyers' netminders.<br />
<br />
The NHL's leading bruisers with at least four fights on the season are Zenon Konopka ($600,000), Tim Jackman ($550,000), Mike Brown ($575,000), Brandon Purst ($800,000), Deryk Engelland ($500,000) and Ryan Clowe ($3.5 million).<br />
<br />
Aside from Clowe who actually scores on occasion and averages 16:42 ice time per game, none of these so-called enforcers have a cap hit of more than $800,000/year. Most teams realize a fighter shouldn't be making more than a million per.<br />
<br />
Shelley averages 5:01 time on ice per game. That means if you assume that Shelley plays every game from now until the rest of the season, and put his salary at a per game level, Shelley makes around $2,683 every minute he's on the ice getting his face pummeled. Compare that to Matt Carle who, if you did the same calculation with his 20:02 TOI, makes $2,096 per minute on ice. Shelley makes more per minute for his services on the ice than does a guy on the Flyers' top defensive line.<br />
<br />
“I think our fans are going to take to Jody Shelley just the way they took to Dan Carcillo,” Paul Holmgren said after the Flyers signed him in July.<br />
<br />
"We feel we got a guy who can play a role for our team we haven’t had in quite some time and play a third or fourth line, he’s a bigger body, and I’m talking about Jody Shelley, so I’m very happy with what we did today."<br />
<br />
Dan Carcillo has the ability to score, Shelley does not. Dan Carcillo has the ability to win fights, Shelley just got his face wrecked by Deryk Engelland. <br />
<br />
<br />
Take it as you will, but the signing of Jody Shelley is the worst signing in recent Flyers history. Especially when he keeps better players off the team with his enormous cap hit.Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-1569236188710798462010-10-31T22:13:00.000-04:002010-10-31T22:13:19.328-04:00Wiz Wit Jason, Joe & Porter -- October 31st<h3 class="post-title entry-title"> </h3><div class="post-header"> </div><div class="post-body entry-content"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySA-xPFr2f-8He32sW_gFUuY93zu-znDF8p6XtPgfw__ah04tegTG1xyMvAGBlrEBdC9cC8szDXL4aP1mXm1x_qk0CjcuUl_cQ00etlfCpJxUbimWtV0kPKoPEHtCc5-7ehVFT9tZl7a/s1600/News_KRCU_mic_2006_250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySA-xPFr2f-8He32sW_gFUuY93zu-znDF8p6XtPgfw__ah04tegTG1xyMvAGBlrEBdC9cC8szDXL4aP1mXm1x_qk0CjcuUl_cQ00etlfCpJxUbimWtV0kPKoPEHtCc5-7ehVFT9tZl7a/s1600/News_KRCU_mic_2006_250.jpg" /></a></div>Click on the title link above to listen to the October 31st broadcast of Wiz Wit Jason, Joe & Porter. </div>Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-81104358705804712232010-10-25T19:23:00.002-04:002010-11-01T14:58:23.023-04:00The Return<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://broadstreetscoop.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/ville-leino.jpg?w=450&h=293" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://broadstreetscoop.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/ville-leino.jpg?w=450&h=293" width="400" /></a></div>Back from the hiatus of the most disappointing playoff run in Phillies and possibly Philadelphia postseason history. I was enthralled with Phillies all summer, they consumed my life.<br />
<br />
And now it's all over.<br />
<br />
Back to reality. Back to Silly Ville, broken sticks and stolen pucks. Back to the Flyers.<br />
<br />
With the Flyers sitting at 3-3-1 through the first seven games, the perfect word to describe their season so far is probably..."ehh."<br />
<br />
There's no reason to panic so far and there's little reason to be overly excited. Here's a little plus/minus of how I rank the Flyers season so far.<br />
<br />
Oct. 7 Flyers 3 @ Penguins 2 --> +2<br />
Oct. 9 Flyers 1 @ Blues 2 --> E<br />
Oct. 11 Avalanche 2 @ Flyers 4 --> +1<br />
Oct. 14 Lightning 3 @ Flyers 2 --> -2<br />
Oct. 16 Penguins 5 @ Flyers 1 --> -3<br />
Oct. 21 Ducks 3 @ Flyers 2 --> -1<br />
Oct. 23 Maple Leafs 2 @ Flyers 5 --> +2<br />
<br />
So far on the season the Flyers are a -1, which is kind of a disappointment since they had a five-game homestand and only went 2-3-0 over that span.<br />
<br />
Much of the Flyers' early season struggles can be pinned on their lack of production on the power play. The Flyers are 24th in the league with the man-advantage, sitting at 9.1%. A number like that is obviously not going to cut it in this league, and with the talent of this team, it's sure to increase.<br />
<br />
But how to make that abysmal number go up? Early on in the season coach Peter Laviolette has been trying a number of different players on the power play. He's trying to find the best groups of players on the PP, and I guess there wasn't enough time in the preseason to work that out so he's still doing it seven games into the season. But once he finds that group who gels together the best, the man-advantage will start clicking on all cylinders. It's only a matter of time.Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-89848554397844273632010-10-24T22:09:00.001-04:002010-10-25T15:00:29.043-04:00Wiz Wit Jason, Joe & Porter -- October 24th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySA-xPFr2f-8He32sW_gFUuY93zu-znDF8p6XtPgfw__ah04tegTG1xyMvAGBlrEBdC9cC8szDXL4aP1mXm1x_qk0CjcuUl_cQ00etlfCpJxUbimWtV0kPKoPEHtCc5-7ehVFT9tZl7a/s1600/News_KRCU_mic_2006_250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySA-xPFr2f-8He32sW_gFUuY93zu-znDF8p6XtPgfw__ah04tegTG1xyMvAGBlrEBdC9cC8szDXL4aP1mXm1x_qk0CjcuUl_cQ00etlfCpJxUbimWtV0kPKoPEHtCc5-7ehVFT9tZl7a/s1600/News_KRCU_mic_2006_250.jpg" /></a></div>Click on the title link above to listen to the October 24th broadcast of Wiz Wit Jason, Joe & Porter.Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-78607972050709130382010-10-10T16:36:00.003-04:002010-10-12T10:43:19.800-04:00Final Postseason Predictions<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastern Conference</b></span><br />
<div style="color: #999999;"><b>#1 x - Washington Capitals</b></div><div style="color: #999999;"><b>#2 x - Pittsburgh Penguins</b></div><div style="color: #999999;"><b>#3 Philadelphia Flyers</b></div><div style="color: #999999;"><b>#4 x - Buffalo Sabres</b></div><div style="color: #999999;"><b>#5 New Jersey Devils</b></div><div style="color: #999999;"><b>#6 Boston Bruins</b></div><div style="color: #999999;"><b>#7 Tampa Bay Lightning</b></div><div style="color: #999999;"><u><b>#8 Montreal Canadiens </b></u></div><div style="color: #999999;"><b>#9 Toronto Maple Leafs</b></div><div style="color: #999999;"><b>#10 New York Rangers</b></div><div style="color: #999999;"><b>#11 Atlanta Thrashers</b></div><div style="color: #999999;"><b>#12 Carolina Hurricanes</b></div><div style="color: #999999;"><b>#13 Ottawa Senators</b></div><div style="color: #999999;"><b>#14 Florida Panthers</b></div><b><span style="color: #999999;">#15 New York Islanders</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Western Conference</b></span><br />
<div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>#1 x - Vancouver Canucks</b></span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>#2 x - San Jose Sharks</b></span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>#3 x- Detroit Red Wings </b></span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">#4 Los Angeles Kings</span></b></span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">#5 </span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">St. Louis Blues</span></b></span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">#6 </span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Chicago Blackhawks</span></b></span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">#7 Nashville Predators</span></b></span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><u><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">#8 Calgary Flames </span></b></span></u></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">#9 Colorado Avalanche</span></b></span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">#10 Phoenix Coyotes</span></b></span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">#11 Minnesota Wild</span></b></span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">#12 Anaheim Ducks</span></b></span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">#13 Columbus Blue Jackets</span></b></span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">#14 Dallas Stars</span></b></span></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">#15 Edmonton Oilers</span></b></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">x - </span></b><span style="font-size: small;">Division winner</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">These are the rankings of the conference teams from first to worst. The division winners are automatically No.'s one, two and three in the conference come playoff time. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Stanley Cup Prediction:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Philadelphia Flyers over Vancouver Canucks</span> </span></b></span>Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-75684617193125911352010-10-09T18:10:00.001-04:002010-10-20T15:16:34.135-04:00Atlantic Division Predictions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.cdn.turner.com/v5cache/TBS/Images/Dynamic/i23/seinfeld_episode109_337x233_040420061512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/v5cache/TBS/Images/Dynamic/i23/seinfeld_episode109_337x233_040420061512.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>New Jersey Devils</b></span></div><b>The Good: </b>Somehow Martin Brodeur can still make saves even after drinking his doctor recommended amount of prune juice.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Kovalchuk hasn't yet learned the word "pass" in English.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> The Devils only dressing 11 men on offense<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0807/nhl.islanders.follies/images/12.fish-stick-uniform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0807/nhl.islanders.follies/images/12.fish-stick-uniform.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>New York Islanders</b></span></div><b>The Good: </b>They still have the "God among men" Jon Sim.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Sill the worst team in the Atlantic Division<br />
<b>Look for:</b> Rick DePietro's over/under of games played this season...5.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cantstopthebleeding.com/img/avery_finger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.cantstopthebleeding.com/img/avery_finger.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">New York Rangers</span></b></div><b>The Good:</b> Lost out on a playoff spot by one point last season and got better over the offseason, bodes well for the Rags.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Probably the most average team in the league, and average teams generally don't make the postseason.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> Martin Biron's eyes, because they'll be looking for you.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/5683/00001dd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/5683/00001dd1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: orange;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Philadelphia Flyers</span></b></div><b>The Good: </b>Danny Briere and Claude Giroux both poised for breakout seasons with Philadelphia.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Jeff Carter shoots whenever he feels like it and Mike Richards is fat.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> Ville Leino to become a household name<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.malkin-71.net/images/texts/text-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://www.malkin-71.net/images/texts/text-24.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
Pittsburgh Penguins</b></span></div><b>The Good: </b>Still have two of the best in the league--Crosby and Malkin.<br />
<b>The Bad: </b>Lost some serious leadership and experience in Guerin and Fedotenko<br />
<b>Look for:</b> Aaron Asham and Matt Cooke to have the first ever teammate-on-teammate on-ice fight.<br />
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<b>Prediction:</b><br />
#1 Pittsburgh Penguins<br />
#2 Philadelphia Flyers<br />
#3 New Jersey Devils<br />
#4 New York Rangers<br />
#5 New York IslandersJoe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-61493313325359619152010-10-08T14:33:00.003-04:002010-10-08T14:35:06.953-04:00Central Division Predictions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnskqb2DWplRd1rzuX8hpQNnWHKdlUj2K8cS3yhQPmhU2xvQyVU3GmcR4AIV81S6ofK40Iiz5JQubeYEScEfKv5amlFWoc7ItrzgKSoAUh5AT4NFeyM291i9Ze72ZXRWUZPCqDUsfSEK8/s1600/26dd393113d719cb4731ad5c57405a51-getty-95686628ke178_stanley_cup_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnskqb2DWplRd1rzuX8hpQNnWHKdlUj2K8cS3yhQPmhU2xvQyVU3GmcR4AIV81S6ofK40Iiz5JQubeYEScEfKv5amlFWoc7ItrzgKSoAUh5AT4NFeyM291i9Ze72ZXRWUZPCqDUsfSEK8/s200/26dd393113d719cb4731ad5c57405a51-getty-95686628ke178_stanley_cup_f.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span id="goog_665449619"></span><span id="goog_665449620"></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Chicago Blackhawks</span></b></span><br />
<b>The Good:</b> See: 2009/10 season.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> See: 2010/11 season.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> Every 12-year-old to play with them in NHL11<br />
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<a href="http://www.fightthebias.com/site_images/george_washington_stand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.fightthebias.com/site_images/george_washington_stand.jpg" width="146" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
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</div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Columbus Blue Jackets</b></span></div><b>The Good: </b>They still have Rick Nash.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> The only BJs most men will use the word "terrible" to describe.<br />
Look for: The rumors of the Jackets leaving Columbus to intensify<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thehockeynews.com/imgs/dynamique/photos/original/article_15883_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.thehockeynews.com/imgs/dynamique/photos/original/article_15883_2.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><div style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Detroit Red Wings</b></span></div><b>The Good:</b> A guarantee they'll be in the top-5 of the Western Conference, no matter who they have on the ice.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Nicklas Lindstrom won't be great forever. Right?<br />
<b>Look for: </b>The Wings to regain their position atop the Central Division.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/The-Green-Men-Mock-The-Nashville-Predators-595x408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/The-Green-Men-Mock-The-Nashville-Predators-595x408.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Nashville Predators</span></b></div><b>The Good:</b> Have one of the best defensemen in the league with the best shot in all of hockey--Shea Weber.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Nashville has one of the most exciting teams in the NHL to watch, yet no one in Nashville watches.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> The Preds to miss Jason Arnott more than they thought they would.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYDdlCrnc_8IgHfi96cKCt_mMJU3n1WZq6HEyv-x21mBFtAHA6mxM81zZyqfbCAG6BMGwoFk1d1FmoVTzNURuLDINL17Mc-pObWKJsxJDMtcbridzBbAjjO-CblJybpnGL90h6QY6CEpl/s1600/26dd393113d719cb4731ad5c57405a51-getty-95686628ke178_stanley_cup_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYDdlCrnc_8IgHfi96cKCt_mMJU3n1WZq6HEyv-x21mBFtAHA6mxM81zZyqfbCAG6BMGwoFk1d1FmoVTzNURuLDINL17Mc-pObWKJsxJDMtcbridzBbAjjO-CblJybpnGL90h6QY6CEpl/s200/26dd393113d719cb4731ad5c57405a51-getty-95686628ke178_stanley_cup_f.jpg" width="185" /></a></div><div style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">St. Louis Blues</span></b></div><b>The Good:</b> Jaroslav Halak will make an already good Blues team even better.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Tough to find something except for they're in a very tough Western Conference division.<br />
<b>Look for: </b>Hockey's triumphant return to the Gateway to the West.<br />
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<b>Prediction:</b><br />
#1 Detroit Red Wings<br />
#2 St. Louis Blues<br />
#3 Chicago Blackhawks<br />
#4 Nashville Predators<br />
#5 Columbus Blue JacketsJoe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-661597843516210142010-10-07T10:45:00.006-04:002010-10-10T16:18:14.737-04:00Northeast Division Predictions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bringbackbyakin.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/sad-boston-bruins-fans.jpg?w=450&h=326" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://bringbackbyakin.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/sad-boston-bruins-fans.jpg?w=450&h=326" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Boston Bruins</b></span></div><b>The Good:</b> Second overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft Tyler Seguin. 108 goals in 175 games in the OHL and GTHL. Yea, this guy's pretty good.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Now they know what the Yankees felt like. Remember the timeout.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> "All senior citizens should have Life Alert." A message from Mark Recchi.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kukoda.com/wp-content/_puckbunnies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.kukoda.com/wp-content/_puckbunnies.jpg" width="167" /></a></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Buffalo Sabres</b></span></div><b>The Good:</b> They still have Jesus Christ reincarnate Ryan Miller in net.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Sadly, you need to score more than zero goals to win a hockey game, even with Miller on your team. <br />
<b>Look for: </b>One of the Sabres top six forwards to be on LTIR by the end of the month.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tailgatingideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/misa_campo_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.tailgatingideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/misa_campo_003.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><div style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Montreal Canadiens</b></span></div><b>The Good: </b>Last postseason was no fluke. Good thing they had Halak in net though. <br />
<b>The Bad: </b>Wait, they traded Halak to St Louis? The Price is wrong, Bobby!<br />
<b>Look for</b>: The Habs faithful to get frustrated with newly-named captain Brian Gionta before the end of the calendar year.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.poponthepop.com/images/gallery/mike-fisher-and-carrie-underwood-together-picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://static.poponthepop.com/images/gallery/mike-fisher-and-carrie-underwood-together-picture.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ottawa Senators</b></span></div><b>The Good:</b> Jason Spezza is still on the team. And I guess now so is Carrie Underwood.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Sergei Gonchar no longer gives a shit.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> The Sens to see what's lurking in the Northeast Division's cellar.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmF7Y31PSBx9JJTv9e7hYkhQnPSoXbEYiVXAjMjxwq0S16JlcD2QWKv4wFRDmWSVsHxE7_KR_ok2jLD2Yzc5CTxAkHaCVl0rLspAfd_GkqwuIxKi5PxEHFcNjL32u42mgo_6T_O3CBeKHR/s1600/funny_hockey_picture000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmF7Y31PSBx9JJTv9e7hYkhQnPSoXbEYiVXAjMjxwq0S16JlcD2QWKv4wFRDmWSVsHxE7_KR_ok2jLD2Yzc5CTxAkHaCVl0rLspAfd_GkqwuIxKi5PxEHFcNjL32u42mgo_6T_O3CBeKHR/s200/funny_hockey_picture000.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Toronto Maple Leafs</span></b></div><b>The Good:</b> Dion Phaneuf will make other players's mommys cry.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> The Leafs power play will make Toronto fans cry.<br />
<b>Look for: </b>The Leafs to maybe, possibly, perhaps return to the playoffs for the first time since before the lockout.<br />
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<b>Prediction:</b><br />
#1 Buffalo Sabres<br />
#2 Boston Bruins<br />
#3 Montreal Canadiens<br />
#4 Toronto Maple Leafs<br />
#5 Ottawa SenatorsJoe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-11704259313650907472010-10-05T21:44:00.001-04:002010-10-20T15:14:14.262-04:00Pacific Division Predictions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/298/359/d2teamphot_display_image.jpg?1279069555" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/298/359/d2teamphot_display_image.jpg?1279069555" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Anaheim Ducks</span></b></div><b>The Good:</b> Adam Banks's wrist is feeling much, much better.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Russ Tyler isn't hanging out in the LA projects for the Ducks to sign.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> Some key saves at huge moments from Goldberg, but if he slips, Julie "The Cat" Gaffney is waiting in the wings<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dallassportsfans.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ice004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://www.dallassportsfans.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ice004.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dallas Stars</b></span></div><b>The Good:</b> I'm thinking, I'm thinking. Just give me a minute...<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Could be their worst season since moving to Dallas<br />
<b>Look for:</b> Mike Modano to finish his career as a Sta...nevermind.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #741b47;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4ktQZ4bjNHj_bQmoHMgBaN2XkVvV_wltY7VU1Nr0fD9cEAjNd1QRIUTgY5uc8CEuS5v0VKcNHTQlVSN3V-QBJnGZssgJwWcuIiLhBhbs4R-R5gwtx1WDvsFJgDfp2UormlRahWP8dFkd/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4ktQZ4bjNHj_bQmoHMgBaN2XkVvV_wltY7VU1Nr0fD9cEAjNd1QRIUTgY5uc8CEuS5v0VKcNHTQlVSN3V-QBJnGZssgJwWcuIiLhBhbs4R-R5gwtx1WDvsFJgDfp2UormlRahWP8dFkd/s200/images.jpg" width="171" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">Los Angeles Kings</span></b></div><b>The Good:</b> Have one of, if not the best young defensemen in the league--Drew Doughty<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Missed out on the Ilya Kovalchuk and Simon Gagne sweepstakes and traded the great Randy Jones. Big Mistake. HUGE.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> Terry Murray to lead the Kings into the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2002.<br />
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</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.phillysportscast.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/upshall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.phillysportscast.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/upshall.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Phoenix Coyotes</b></span></div><b>The Good: </b>The Yotes are in Phoenix for at least another year! Hooray! <br />
<b>The Bad: </b>Last year may have been a fluke.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> Ilya Bryzgalov to compete once again for the Vezina Trophy<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhH1JvJROymBWqCH_eXya7rOcJ7VjAyliuKPfi1-CDMDENW7cEd-7VDh1yaUPDUGq8HKjlzgaN9AgOPQmLn1iAXnxhD-lH0M0j9M-3TVALEq33xjUqEldF2kNOvfe5H7n_2P4F2LEpXGX9/s400/jeremy-roenick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhH1JvJROymBWqCH_eXya7rOcJ7VjAyliuKPfi1-CDMDENW7cEd-7VDh1yaUPDUGq8HKjlzgaN9AgOPQmLn1iAXnxhD-lH0M0j9M-3TVALEq33xjUqEldF2kNOvfe5H7n_2P4F2LEpXGX9/s200/jeremy-roenick.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>San Jose Sharks</b></span></div><b>The Good:</b> Will probably be first in the West once again<br />
<b>The Bad: </b>Still don't have what it takes to win a Stanley Cup<br />
<b>Look for:</b> The Sharks to say, "Shoot. Evgeni Nabokov was pretty darn good. And wow, Antti Neimi sucks."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Prediction:</b><br />
#1 San Jose Sharks<br />
#2 Los Angeles Kings<br />
#3 Phoenix Coyotes<br />
#4 Anaheim Ducks<br />
#5 Dallas StarsJoe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-17223983269553408762010-10-04T21:47:00.000-04:002010-10-04T21:47:22.075-04:00Southeast Division Predictions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gafy.com/gafyblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Dustin-Byfuglien-drinking-beer-from-Stanley-Cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://gafy.com/gafyblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Dustin-Byfuglien-drinking-beer-from-Stanley-Cup.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Atlanta Thrashers</span></b></div><b>The Good: </b>Just five points shy of a playoff spot last season.<br />
<b>The Bad: </b>They may have more fans in their arena than the Atlanta Braves did.<br />
<b>Look for: </b>Dustin Byfuglien to realize he's not a very good offenseman (or defenseman. Whatever he's listed as)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.celebathletes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Rex-Ryan-Flashing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.celebathletes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Rex-Ryan-Flashing.jpg" width="194" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
<div style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Carolina Hurricanes</b></span></div><b>The Good: </b>18-year-old Jeff Skinner scored 50 goals with the Kitchener Rangers last season (Mike Richards career high with Kitchener? 36 goals).<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Rod Brind'Amour is no longer in Raleigh to spread l'amour. <br />
<b>Look for:</b> Rex Ryan to keep his Flyers jersey on this time<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://margaretflanigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/cat-on-beach1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://margaretflanigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/cat-on-beach1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Florida Panthers</span> </b></div><b>The Good:</b> David Booth is still alive.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> They're the second best NHL team in Florida. Why Florida has two NHL teams is unanswerable.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> Great giveaways! Free beer for underage kids and every fan in the stands gets a game-used jersey from that night's game<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/sports/photos/2010/08/25/306-downie-100825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/sports/photos/2010/08/25/306-downie-100825.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tampa Bay Lightning</b></span></div><b>The Good:</b> They got rid of two defenders in Andrej Meszaros and Matt Walker and got proven-scorer Simon Gagne.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> They're the best team in Florida...in FLORIDA.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> A great offense with Gagne, Lecavalier, St. Louis, Stamkos and dare I say it Steve Downie, but very little skill defensively.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.panicmanual.com/ovechkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://www.panicmanual.com/ovechkin.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Washington Capitals</span></b></div><b>The Good: </b>They get to play in the Southeast division.<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Still not built to win in the playoffs.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> Alex Ovechkin's Russian profanity in "24/7 Penguins/Capitals"<br />
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</b><br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>Prediction:</b><br />
#1 Washington Capitals<br />
#2 Tampa Bay Lightning<br />
#3 Atlanta Thrashers<br />
#4 Carolina Hurricanes<br />
#5 Florida PanthersJoe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-85841756319543641202010-10-04T15:16:00.006-04:002010-10-04T16:34:06.463-04:00Guerin Released<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pLlE90BGreQjV69NiSNe5jcknY4igdgVhjTxbjwXUhYC29-svRX9P4K1dX93ZUqcmovmTu05V-VWBM020G9YaaaGBj7NEDr4-F19iWQnzlyftDW8tqRUZ_VCOYiQ35cP0VQ-kRweO4iv/s1600/439x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pLlE90BGreQjV69NiSNe5jcknY4igdgVhjTxbjwXUhYC29-svRX9P4K1dX93ZUqcmovmTu05V-VWBM020G9YaaaGBj7NEDr4-F19iWQnzlyftDW8tqRUZ_VCOYiQ35cP0VQ-kRweO4iv/s1600/439x.jpg" /></a>In a conference call this afternoon Flyers GM Paul Holmgren announced that Bill Guerin had been released from his tryout contract and will obviously not be playing in Philadelphia this season. Predictions are that Andreas Nodl will take Guerin's supposed spot on the roster.<br />
<br />
Paul Holmgren said dollars weren't a factor in Guerin's departure. "We just didn't see him helping us," Holmgren said. "It had nothing to do with salary. If we felt he could have helped, we would have done something."<br />
<br />
So what Holmgren is saying here is that the Flyers could have fit Guerin under the salary cap without a problem. It was more of the fact that the 39-year-old couldn't help a Flyers team who was within a game of winning the Stanley Cup last year. Philadelphia would much rather have 23-year-old Andreas Nodl on the team; a guy who in 48 career NHL games has an astonishing one goal and five points. He did score 18 goals in 40 games twice with St. Cloud State of the WCHA, so that's good to know.<br />
<br />
The fact that Guerin has scored 20+ goals in four straight seasons and 10 out of the last 11 and the Flyers decided he couldn't help them is mind-boggling. Guerin could have been a tremendous addition to the Flyers' power play too, as opposed to Nodl who will see primarily 4th line minutes and not even get a sniff of special teams play.<br />
<br />
There are people who said Guerin did nothing in the preseason to show he deserved a place on this team. Really? What did Chris Pronger do this preseason to show he deserved a spot on the team? Nothing. He didn't play. But Pronger has showed his worth for an entire career and throughout the 2009/2010 season, right? Well so did Bill Guerin. Some may forget, but he was the piece that brought the Penguins the Stanley Cup in 2009 after they lost it the previous season.<br />
<br />
I hope the Flyers know something I don't here because from what I have seen so far, this releasing makes little sense. Guerin was very good on a terrible Islanders team, and has won two Cups. The guy knows how to play.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bobrovsky named the Flyers' No. 2</b></span><br />
With the Flyers sending<b> </b>Johan Backlund down to the Phantoms, this means rookie netminder Sergei Bobrovsky will be the backup to Brian Boucher in the NHL.<br />
<br />
Now I already<a href="http://backhandwrister.blogspot.com/2010/09/leights-out-lappy-feeling-wacky.html"> posted</a> as to why Bobrovsky should spend an entire season in the AHL so I won't rehash that. In the conference call Holmgren said, "There's a chance he plays one of the first two games. I think he's played good."<br />
<b> </b><br />
I just feel that with Sergei up with the big club he won't get as many games to get used to the NHL-sized rink and NHL-skilled players. In the AHL he could play everyday and if it takes him time to warm up to the smaller rink, then so be it. Who cares if the Phantoms lose (especially now that they're no longer in Philadelphia). But when Bobrovsky has a bad game with the Flyers, it all gets magnified. A loss in the NHL is much bigger than in the AHL.<br />
<br />
We'll have to wait and see how long Michael Leighton is out before we see how long Bobrovsky is up with the Flyers. I just hope that when Leighton does come back it is Sergei who is sent down for the added experience in the minors, not Boucher.Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-90092520177749169582010-10-03T22:05:00.000-04:002010-10-03T22:05:27.509-04:00Wiz Wit Jason, Joe & Porter -- October 3rd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySA-xPFr2f-8He32sW_gFUuY93zu-znDF8p6XtPgfw__ah04tegTG1xyMvAGBlrEBdC9cC8szDXL4aP1mXm1x_qk0CjcuUl_cQ00etlfCpJxUbimWtV0kPKoPEHtCc5-7ehVFT9tZl7a/s1600/News_KRCU_mic_2006_250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySA-xPFr2f-8He32sW_gFUuY93zu-znDF8p6XtPgfw__ah04tegTG1xyMvAGBlrEBdC9cC8szDXL4aP1mXm1x_qk0CjcuUl_cQ00etlfCpJxUbimWtV0kPKoPEHtCc5-7ehVFT9tZl7a/s1600/News_KRCU_mic_2006_250.jpg" /></a></div>Click on the title link above to listen to the October 3rd broadcast of Wiz Wit Jason, Joe & Porter.Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-36916700395544255572010-09-30T19:50:00.001-04:002010-09-30T19:50:53.349-04:00Northwest Division Predictions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs45/f/2009/107/9/6/Misa_Campo_is_a_Canuck_by_elitesurfer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs45/f/2009/107/9/6/Misa_Campo_is_a_Canuck_by_elitesurfer.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Vancouver Canucks</span></span></b><br />
<b>The Good:</b> Have the league's Hart Trophy winner on their team (wait, which on of them is the MVP? Daniel? Henrik? Which one is which? It's Henrik, right?...No?)<br />
<b>The Bad:</b> Dan Hamhuis. His boyfriend had a bad relationship with a guy from out East, wouldn't let him play in Philly or Pitt.<br />
<b>Look for: </b>The only pair of twins without breasts that men like to watch get it on (...the ice)<br />
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<a href="http://www.joncouture.com/FlamElvs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.joncouture.com/FlamElvs.jpg" width="126" /></a><b></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
<div style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Calgary Flames</b></span></div><b>The Good: </b>Still have the greatest black...err...white...err...hockey player...Iginla's good. That's what I'm saying. Iginla is very good.<br />
<b>The Bad: </b>Their <a href="http://cdn.nhl.com/images/upload/2010/08/103238780_std.jpg">Heritage Classic jerseys</a>...what in the name of all that is holy! They lost Dion Phaneuf to the Leafs too. Who was the best player they got back? Stajan? White? Hagman?<br />
<b>Look for:</b> A return to the postseason<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEevv70X_k9qh9-lKsG70QVCibHZ19aBHHOaiyf09pJf_6QZevuZh32h_H99ij0pCjzekuzIqfCdjFwkxsZ5KwDN7aFC14XJDQ5pVh7k9nFDhLG6dGVrkWlqqqCynn0rdT1GsDPRtvuC9/s1600/439x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEevv70X_k9qh9-lKsG70QVCibHZ19aBHHOaiyf09pJf_6QZevuZh32h_H99ij0pCjzekuzIqfCdjFwkxsZ5KwDN7aFC14XJDQ5pVh7k9nFDhLG6dGVrkWlqqqCynn0rdT1GsDPRtvuC9/s200/439x.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Edmonton Oilers</b></span></div><b>The Good: </b>Could battle for a playoff spot come March...if all the other teams in the West drop dead by mid-October. And even then it could go either way.<br />
<b>The Bad: </b>I can't count that high.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> Taylor Hall's progression<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.bleskovky.sk/big/69642.jpg/peter-budaj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.bleskovky.sk/big/69642.jpg/peter-budaj.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Colorado Avalanche</span></b></span><br />
<b>The Good: </b>Matt "The Douchebag" Duchene improves on a great rookie campaign.<br />
<b>The Bad: </b>Overachieved last year, may not see much improvement points wise.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> A great team to watch. Fun, exciting, young...everything Lindsay Lohan used to be.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://fansofmediocrity.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/gordon-bombay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://fansofmediocrity.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/gordon-bombay.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Minnesota Wild</span></b></span><br />
<b>The Good: </b>You get to say "Cal Clutterbuck" every single time you watch a game. How much fun is that to say...Clutter-Buck, Clut-Ter-Buck...<br />
<b>The Bad: </b>They have the wrong Niklas Backstrom.<br />
<b>Look for:</b> Gordon Bombay's triumphant return to the pros.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
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<br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>Prediction:</b><br />
#1 Vancouver Canucks<br />
#2 Calgary Flames<br />
#3 Colorado Avalanche<br />
#4 Minnesota Wild<br />
#5 Edmonton OilersJoe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-54502287068779888622010-09-28T19:36:00.000-04:002010-09-28T19:36:02.897-04:00Leights Out & Lappy Feeling Wacky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.nj.com/flyers_main/photo/michael-leighton-brian-boucher-flyers-stanley-cup-finals-0444406ad6bf75e2_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://media.nj.com/flyers_main/photo/michael-leighton-brian-boucher-flyers-stanley-cup-finals-0444406ad6bf75e2_large.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Leights Out</span></b> <br />
Well what many had suspected has been confirmed.<br />
<br />
When Paul Holmgren and Peter Laviolette gave the so-called prognosis on Michael Leighton of "He'll be out until Thursday," nearly every Flyers beat writer as well as me believed there was more to this injury that the Flyers originally led on.<br />
<br />
It's nearly the same situation with how the Flyers disclosed the Ray Emery. Here's an article from <a href="http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2010/9/27/1715031/leighton-out-a-few-days-could-this-be-emery-all-over-again">Broad Street Hockey</a> comparing the two.<br />
<br />
They say Leighton is out a month, but it's up for debate as to how long that month ends up being. So right now, the Flyers goaltenders are Brian Boucher and Sergei Bobrovsky with Johan Backlund's recovery from offseason surgery just about over. Backlund may start one of the Flyers' preseason games this weekend.<br />
<br />
So with the limited golies on the Flyers roster, should they pursue another man between the pipes? Well considering the Flyers cap situation and the lack of inexpensive goalies on the market, that's really not an option. Any netminder available (Manny Legace and José Théodore are a few names that pop up) will either be too expensive or too, well, crappy.<br />
<br />
So by the time the season starts, the Flyers goalie situation should go like this: Boucher the starter, Backlund the backup and Bobrovsky starter with the Phantoms.<br />
<br />
Obviously there will be people who want Bobrovsky to be the starter with the big club. But with the incredible amount of buzz surrounding Bobrovsky, the Flyers would be crazy to start him in the pros this early. He has played a total of five periods in an NHL-sized rink and has never played more than 40 games in a season. If the Flyers want Bobrovsky to be as good as they think he's going to be, they're going to give him all the work he needs down in the AHL for a season.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lappy Feeling Wacky </span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">And then there's the Laperriere injury.</span></span><br />
<br />
What can you really say, the guy had concussion symptoms and wanted to play in the Finals so bad that he decided to play through them to help his team win.<br />
<br />
It's rarely understated how important Laperriere is to the Flyers penalty kill, but this does make a little more room for other players to make the Flyers roster.<br />
<br />
Holmgren and Laviolette won't say it but this probably means Guerin will most definitely be on the team and Darroll Powe will take Laperriere's spot on the 4th line and more importantly, on the penalty kill.<br />
<br />
I just hope this isn't a Keith Primeau-type situation, but we'll have to wait to find out.Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7987781153482432338.post-5634037346862252472010-09-26T22:13:00.000-04:002010-09-26T22:13:45.322-04:00Wiz Wit Jason, Joe & Porter -- September 26th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySA-xPFr2f-8He32sW_gFUuY93zu-znDF8p6XtPgfw__ah04tegTG1xyMvAGBlrEBdC9cC8szDXL4aP1mXm1x_qk0CjcuUl_cQ00etlfCpJxUbimWtV0kPKoPEHtCc5-7ehVFT9tZl7a/s1600/News_KRCU_mic_2006_250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySA-xPFr2f-8He32sW_gFUuY93zu-znDF8p6XtPgfw__ah04tegTG1xyMvAGBlrEBdC9cC8szDXL4aP1mXm1x_qk0CjcuUl_cQ00etlfCpJxUbimWtV0kPKoPEHtCc5-7ehVFT9tZl7a/s1600/News_KRCU_mic_2006_250.jpg" /></a></div>Click on the title link above to listen to the September 26th broadcast of Wiz Wit Jason, Joe & Porter.Joe McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574165263498085579noreply@blogger.com0