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Preditors Sports Talk

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Fan bashing

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:29:30 EST

The NHL has a memorable history when it comes to fans and fighters dropping the gloves. They are in-tune these incidents and punish them harshly.

This year, the league went so far as to clarify the penalties for these confrontation in its yearly rules adjustments , stating "Any identifiable player who uses obscene, profane or abusive language or gestures directed at any person runs the risk of an unsportsmanlike penalty and possible supplemental discipline."

Vancouver Canucks forward Rick Rypien became the first to test the laws Tuesday night when he lunged into the stands to grapple with a Minnesota Wild fan. If dropping a few F-bombs at fans alone would be enough for punishment, you can bet Rypien's attack will keep him off the ice for a long time.

One more magical moment for USA Hockey

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:24:29 EST

The clock is just a few ticks away from Feb, 22, 2010, the 30th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice.

I'm sitting here trying to comprehend the hockey game I watched tonight. The United States upsetting the all-star Canadians on their home soil? To win the group with an undefeated record and potentially claim the top seed in the Olympic hockey tournament moving forward? I can't help but think we've all witnessed another miracle.

As Americans, we're taught from a young age about the greatness of the United States. We've done amazing things in this country. We're the world's last superpower. Even when we're down, we're better than the rest of the world.

Hockey is one aspect of American culture where we're not among the best. Team USA is never regarded as a threat. USA Hockey has had its moments of greatness, but hockey is just one of the few things where we're actually the underdog.

Son of Maple Leafs GM killed in car accident

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 9:34:57 EST

Sad news in hockey circles tonight...

Brendan Burke, the son of Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke , succumbed to injuries suffered in an auto accident in Wayne County, Ind. Friday afternoon. Treacherous conditions due to snowfall caused Brendan Burke's 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee to slide into oncoming traffic, The Palladium-Item reported. A statement put out by the Maple Leafs confirmed his passing.

Our deepest sympathies go out to the Burke family.

The Kovalchuk Aftermath

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:45:32 EST

There's plenty of wreckage left in the wake of the Atlanta Thrashers blockbuster trade which sent Ilya Kovlachuk to the New Jersey Devils.

From the on-and-off ice impact in New Jersey and Atlanta, as well as those who were hit by the aftershocks, we're here to break it down. We'll get the optimistic perspectives out of the way because, frankly, the words coming out of Atlanta are somewhat depressing.

Globe & Mail writer Eric Duhatschek offers his views about the trade in a thoughtful column as long as Tolstoy's "War and Peace ." He pegs New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello 's experience and guts as the reason the Devils now possess one of the world's top goal scorers.

Lamoriello essentially won the Kovalchuk sweepstakes for two basic reasons: One, after all these years as one of the top GMs in the game, he has the courage of his own convictions and knows when he can afford to make a big-time play; and two, some of his younger, more inexperienced colleagues essentially chickened out at the 11th hour, afraid to give up real-world prospects for a player that would likely join them only as a rental. On the flip side of the deal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution sports columnist, Jeff Schultz (not the NHL defenseman, excuse the linkage), who previously covered the Thrashers beat, is skeptical Atlanta's take in this deal is worth what they gave up .

What was that about Bouwmeester again?

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:55:41 EST

How does that Hives song go? "Hate to say I told you so / I do believe I told you so"?

I don't normally flaunt predictions that come true, but after I nailed our unofficial, intra-office survey for a Colts-Saints Super Bowl, I couldn't help but look back one projection I made last year.

There's been a lot of hubbub as of late about the Calgary Flames' slide, and that has led some pundits to call out the lackluster play of Jay Bouwmeester.

Chances are you heard plenty about the defenseman last season when he was one of the most targeted free agents. Bouwmeester finished out the year with Florida, matched a career high in goals and fell just shy of doing the same in points. The Panthers, realizing he wouldn't re-sign by July 1, traded his rights to Calgary. The Flames inked him to a five-year, $33 million deal.

Happy birthday, Elmer Lach!

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:36:22 EST

If you have not stumbled across it already, take a moment to check out the Montreal Gazette 's feature on Montreal Canadiens great Elmer Lach.

Lach, who celebrated his 92nd birthday on Friday, is the oldest living Canadiens player. Montreal retired the two-time leading scorer's No. 16 earlier this season. Although Lach is highly regarded among Habs fans, it is sometimes easy for the average hockey fan to overlook Lach and his accomplishments. He centered Montreal's famed "Punch Line" alongside Maurice Richard and Toe Blake. Sometimes there just isn't enough room under the spotlight for everyone.

The article above doesn't focus on his years with Montreal, rather the transition of growing up in a small town in Saskatchewan to playing for one of the greatest dynasties in NHL history. It is the kind of story you won't hear often about professional athletes these days.

A cure for Florida's shootout woes

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:28:57 EDT

As someone who follows the Florida Panthers, I've seen plenty of shootout losses at the Cats expense. Since the NHL implemented the tie-breaking format in 2005-06, the Panthers are 10-27.

The team's inability to turn shootouts into an extra point in the standings has factored into the team's lengthy playoff drought. Florida, which lost eight shootouts and converted on a league-low 18.8 percent of its attempts, missed out on the postseason by a single point.

Although the Panthers are 1-0 in the mano a mano competition this season, they should consider borrowing the Tampa Bay's new way of preparing for penalty shots.

The Bolts practiced their moves with a team game of strip shootout . Borrowing from the rules of strip poker, the players kept their equipment on if they scored and took of pieces with each miss. Poor Marty St. Louis lost all but his shirt and shorts before netting a goal.

EA's NHL series: cursed or not?

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:23:11 EDT

Hearing a favorite NFL player is slated to be on the cover of latest installment of Madden is enough to leave a fan in a cold sweat.

In video gaming and football circles it is known as the "Madden Curse ," and it usually results in injuries or disasterous seasons for that season's cover boy.

The curse is hit or miss when it comes EA's NHL series. Some cover athletes have suffered devastating injuries or disppointing seasons. Others have experienced career years. The most notable has to be Chris Pronger, who won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1999-2000, the year he was on NHL's cover. Strangely, as Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane recently discovered, the "curse" of NHL cover boys extend to run-ins with the law.

Our dysfunctional summer vacation

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:19:38 EDT

A couple days after filmmaker John Hughes died, I came across a copy of his short story, "Vacation '58 ," which the 1983 movie "National Lampoons Vacation" is based on.

Hughes, as some may know, was a big hockey fan. The Lansing, Mich. native cheered for the Detroit Red Wings and owned season tickets to the Chicago Blackhawks. He attended this year's Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.

The timing of my discovery was rather apropos because of how well it applies to the Blackhawks situation.

Going into the offseason, there were high hopes and expectations for the Blackhawks to build on an impressive run to the Western Conference Finals. Yet nothing has gone well for the franchise since they stepped off the ice. The Blackhawks seem to be one metallic, pea green family sportster shy of matching the dysfunction in "Vacation."

Add another shady owner to NHL's past

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:05:48 EDT

The NHL suggested billionaire Jim Balsillie lacks the "good character and integrity" required to be an owner. With those kind of credentials, one would think he'd be a perfect fit.

As Wes Goldstein pointed out in a column last week, there have been plenty of shady owners in the league's recent history. I'd like to add one more to the list: Takashi Okubo.

Sports Illustrated wrote about Tampa Bay's mystery owner in March 1998.

Okubo purchased a share of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 90s through his Tokyo-based golf resort company, Kokusai Green. The problem is, nobody States side met the mystery owner, not even then-commissioner John Ziegler, who ushered the Bolts into the league. Gary Bettman scheduled a meeting with Okubo during the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan only to have it cancelled at the last minute.

Bad Market or Bad Location?

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 1:44:08 EDT

Is Phoenix, Ariz. really a bad hockey market? Or are the Phoenix Coyotes suffering because their new arena is in a bad location?

I want to point out a great post by CBSSports.com user and self-described Phoenix resident, credpath , who points out the team's move to Glendale is key to their demise:

The Coyotes aren't losing money because they're in Arizona, they're losing money because they're playing out in the stix of Glendale. Corporate boxes and season tickets would sell out at US Airways, it's very accesible for the after-work crowd, and ASU just opened a campus about 3 blocks from the arena. Oh, and a new light-rail system just started operating for people to get downtown.

There are plenty of factors (the Coyotes' performance, economic decline in the area) that are contributing factors to Phoenix's woes, but credpath is definitely on to something.

Penguins fans crashes Cup celebration

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:49:04 EDT

I think every sports fan dreams of being close to a championship celebration for your favorite team. The closer you are to the action, the more memorable it is.

In January I went to the BCS Championship game in Miami (as a fan). It was the first time I had been to a game where one of my teams could clinch a title. The seats were great, but in the upper deck, which did not afford me a chance to take in the celebration up close. Still, it's an experience I won't forget.

And that's why this guy is probably every sports fan's hero.

Penguins fan Ryan Kraft (no relation to former Pens forward Milan) attended Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Detroit. Confusion on the security guard's part allowed Kraft to get onto the ice and into the Pittsburgh locker room for the celebration. The best part of his tale has to be when a couple players "pick me up and swing me around."

Persistent Panthers land Leopold

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:28:34 EDT

Randy Sexton can add another bulletpoint to his resume as he auditions for the Florida Panthers GM vacancy.

• Signed defenseman Jordan Leopold; salvaged Jay Bouwmeester deal from becoming a disaster.

Not shabby, especially since the thought of signing Leopold seemed distant a mere 24 hours ago.

"I did think [our chances] were remote yesterday," Sexton said.

Panthers sign Leopold

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:58:28 EDT

This just in... the Panthers have signed Jordan Leopold to a one-year contract.

Pretty surprising news given interim GM Randy Sexton did not seem convinced a deal would get done this time yesterday.

More to come...

Sexton sheds light on Panthers moves

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:53:18 EDT

Got off the phone with Panthers (interim) GM Randy Sexton a while ago and he shared some insight about Florida's busy start to the free agency period...

- It appears Jordan Leopold, who was acquired in the deal which sent Jay Bouwmeester to Calgary, will be testing the free agent market. Sexton said Leopold may sign with Florida, but after a long pause, called that chance "remote."

"We tried to do a few different things," Sexton said about contract negotiations with Leopold. "For whatever reason, it couldn't quite come together."

- Although there are still a few scorers available on the market, don't expect to see the Panthers to upgrade its top two lines. Sexton said Florida is comfortable with its top six and bluntly stated it is not likely the team will spend on offense.

Who can save Florida? The Andy Man

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:01:16 EDT

Go ahead, heap criticism on the Florida Panthers. They deserve it. The Cats, seeking their first playoff berth since 2000, have lost seven of their last eight games. They've blown a two-goal lead in four of those.

The list of excuses Florida can lean on has diminished to one glaring, bold-faced bullet point: the inability to close out games. The Panthers cannot blame the loss of Nathan Horton or Bryan McCabe to injury; both players are back. They cannot suggest waiting for the trade deadline have caused frayed nerves; March 4 has come and gone, with the team left intact. Their only flaw is mental.

Ask around in the Panthers locker room as to what's the cause behind the slide. Nobody has an answer. Some will speak out about unacceptable efforts as McCabe did after the team's 3-0 loss to Washington. Others, such as Tomas Vokoun, question what has caused the season to go so wrong, so quickly. Coach Pete DeBoer focuses on the positives of his team working hard and playing disciplined hockey, even though the result on the scoresheet suggests otherwise.

Bouwmeester's question: to stay or not to stay?

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:24:57 EDT

The trade deadline is a little less than 24 hours away and I can't help but feel I'm at ground zero, geographically, of what could be the biggest news in the NHL on Wednesday.

For all the rumors that have been thrown out about Jay Bouwmeester's future, those invloved with the situation have remained quiet. GM Jacques Martin isn't talking. Neither is Bouwmeester or his agent, Byron Baltimore. And we all know what happens when there is silence from the inner circle; it just makes those on the outside squawk louder.

The silence has struck me, but for a different reason: it is the antithesis of what Panthers fans experienced a couple summers ago when Florida worked on contract negotiations with Roberto Luongo.

Anyone who followed the team then (there weren't many of us) remember the fiasco played out in the papers. It didn't matter what the Panthers offered Luongo. He didn't want it. Florida owner Alan Cohen publicly stated he would give the goaltender anything he wanted contract-wise. Luongo could have demanded a 10-year, $100 million contract and he would have received it.

For Florida, it's all about looks

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 7:54:18 EST

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Gary Bettman is in town for tonight's Rangers-Panthers game, and he took some time beforehand to speak with the local media.

The NHL commissioner would not confirm or deny a report in Thursday's Miami Herald which stated the Panthers would open the 2009-10 season in Finland. In talking about the process used to select teams to go overseas, though, Bettman may have tipped his hand and not even realized it.

Bettman stated the goal is to eventually have each NHL team play in Europe. He then said something very odd regarding one aspect of selecting teams to head overseas:

"What they wear on the sweater in terms of having interest and intrigue abroad are all factors."

Zednik scripts a perfect ending

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:52:28 EST

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Even Disney could not have come up with an ending like this one.

One Feb. 10, 2008, Richard Zednik did not know if he'd live to see the next day. Exactly one year later, he's celebrating an unprecedented comeback 5-4 victory by the Florida Panthers over the Toronto Maple Leafs, one made possible with his tying and game-winning goals.

Hockey fans always talk about players getting a goal on their birthday. Apparently it is two for a re-birthday.

"It's a great story," Panthers coach Pete DeBoer said. "From what he came back from, I would think if you were in that position yourself, it would be easy to put your feet up, retire and never play again. He's made more than enough money to do that. I thought he showed a lot of character even coming back this year. He's starting to hit his stride, get more comfortable out there."

Cats preparing to claw for playoff spot

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:48:48 EST

SUNRISE, Fla. -- The Florida Panthers have been in this situation before.

They know the feeling of being on the outside of the playoff bubble at the All-Star break and the high-level calculus required to plot a far-fetched path in the standings to the playoffs.

Unlike previous seasons, though, the math is a little easier to compute this time around. The Panthers are closer to a playoff spot than they have been in eight years. As of Jan. 26, they are one point out of eighth place with two games in hand.

"Looking back on the last few years, we're in a better spot than we were." said Gregory Campbell, who has played for Florida for five seasons. "I think all the hard work that kind of put us in the position we're in now. We have to realize it wasn't easy getting to this spot and we're still kind of on the outside looking in."

NHL SuperSkills glog

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 9:32:45 EST

9:30 p.m. - And that does it for the 2009 SuperSkills competition. To recap: Fastest Skater: Andrew Cogliano, 14.31 seconds. Breakaway Challenge: Alexander Ovechkin. Accuracy Shooting: Evgeni Malkin 7-for-8. Hardest Shot: Zdeno Chara, 105.4 mph (a new record!). Elimination Shootout: Shane Doan. The rookies win the YoungStars Game, 9-5, and Blake Wheeler earns the MVP award with a hat trick. Be sure to check out Monday's episode of the Odd Man Rush -- we'll be talking in depth about All-Star weekend, and I'm sure we'll have plenty to rant and rave about. Thanks for tuning in!

9:28 p.m. - Shane Doan survives six rounds and captures the title with a goal and a textbook pokecheck on Marc Savard by Henrik Lundqvist.

9:26 p.m. - All three shooters fail to score in Round 4 and 5, so they go again. In the fifth round, Doan and Savard score. Savard was shooting on teammate Tim Thomas, so he gives him a high five afterward.

Details forthcoming...

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 9:52:57 EST

I wrote a couple weeks back about going on a bit of a hockey road trip... but then a snowstorm, lack of a reliable Internet connection and the flu kind of took me out of commission.

But to post a few thoughts about the trip so far:

- I'm clearly a bad luck charm for the New York Rangers. I've seen them play twice, both home and away, and they're 0-2. A friend who gave me tickets to Wednesday's Capitals-Rangers contest told me he's going to have me banned from MSG.

- Seeing the Canadiens play in Montreal was awe-inspiring. I imagine going to a hockey game in Montreal is the equivalent of seeing a mass at the Vatican. I didn't think the arena was anything special (in terms of modern amenities), but it definitely had the best hockey atmosphere you could ever come across.

Now that's a hockey game!

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:40:49 EST

I know, I know... it's been a while since I've posted. Aside from being busy pulling strings to make sure our site is working properly and getting a new podcast off the ground, it's been hard to sit down and post some thoughts about the Panthers. Oh yeah, and there's also a busted ankle (from playing ice hockey) that's had me shelved for the past month and kept me from being able to run downstairs for postgame locker room banter.

But I figure now is as good a time to get back into the world of blogging. I'm kind of on a wor-cation. Half work, half vacation. It's tough when you must use vacation days before the end of the year, but can't really abandon your work since the sport you cover is in full swing. So what could be more fun than traveling to NYC for the holidays and take in a ton of hockey games during that time?

Welcome home, Z

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:09:48 EDT

SUNRISE, Fla. -- The cheer Florida Panthers fans gave up after David Booth scored in overtime had nothing on the one given to Richard Zednik before the game.

Stepping on home ice for the first time since suffering a gruesome, life-threatening injury last February, the Panthers winger received a long, loud ovation during pre-game introductions.

"Tonight felt great," he said. "It has been a long time. I felt really good."

Playing on Florida's top line with Booth and Stephen Weiss, Zednik recorded two assists in the win. The winger created several scoring opportunities, due in part to his speed, and nearly registered the game winner after tracking down a puck behind the Atlanta Thrashers defense.

McCabe's MRI negative

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:14:10 EDT

The Florida Panthers have issued a statement saying defenseman Bryan McCabe underwent an MRI Saturday and the results came back negative. He is listed as day-to-day with a "contusion and lower back strain."

This comes as a huge relief for the Panthers, as it was reported by Canadian network TSN earlier in the day that the former all-star and Olympian suffered a fractured vertebrae.

McCabe, who came to the Florida in a trade this summer, suffered the injury during the second period Friday's game against Carolina. The defenseman went to check Dennis Seidenberg, but hit the Carolina blueliner awkwardly. He was helped off the ice and did not return.

Back at the Bank

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:40:27 EDT

It feels pretty strange sitting at the BankAtlantic Center for a preseason game, especially after watching four regular season games over the weekend. I suppose from a hockey producer's standpoint, this is the ultimate limbo -- having to be ready for games that count while still dealing with games that don't.

It was a good feeling walking through the "Bank" after a long summer. Took the scenic route heading up to the press box. There's something special walking through a darkened building that normally houses 20,000 ... ok, 18,000 ... fine! 15,000 on an average night. The lights are off, you can hear the hum of the A/C. The occasional person walks through the concourse in preparation for the events to come. A calm before the storm.

Bo doesn't know, OK?

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 11:29:35 EDT

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. -- A couple weeks back, I blogged about how Jay Bouwmeester's decision to sign a one-year deal with Florida didn't necessarily mean the two were on a path to part ways.

Upon signing his contract in late July, Bouwmeester managed to avoid the media. It was enough to fuel rampant speculation that the Panthers' top blueliner did not want to remain in Florida.

Bouwmeester is modest and timid, and at times seems as if he would appreciate it if you refrain from getting tangled in his business. In a respectful way, of course. He weaves his comments among the typical interview clichés along with a good helping of "I mean" and "you know." It may come off as an attempt to be evasive, but if you sift through the verbal tics, Bouwmeester is very blunt and straightforward.

A little note before we begin...

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 20:24:51 EDT

I wanted to take a moment to throw out a couple of thoughts in regard to this blog before I start posting for the 2008-09 season.

When I began this blog last season, it was mainly to serve as an outlet for my All-Star Weekend adventures. I ended up writing a few Florida Panthers posts and the random hockey-related item since then. Moving forward, I'm going to focus mainly on the Panthers. (Of course, if I end up doing something like I did last year at the All-Star Game, you'll see that stuff here, too.)

There are a couple of reasons I'm shifting my focus. One main reason is access. We're based in South Florida, so the Panthers are the team we're exposed to the most. Florida is a team I've followed since its inception and covered, at the very least, on a freelance basis since 1998. As they always say, write what you know best. Again, that's not to say I won't throw in the occasional post outside the Panthers' scope, but for the most part, I'll leave the broad spectrum of the NHL to Wes Goldstein.

Fire & Ice

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:24:56 EDT

I forget where on the Interwebs it was, but I recently came across a few message board posts about how hockey players are among the most down-to-earth people. How's this for adding to the discussion: Blue Jackets prospect Adam Pineault spent part of the summer volunteering with Norwich Township firefighters.

From the Columbus Dispatch

story:Hockey has been Pineault's passion from almost the time he learned to grip a stick in Holyoke, Mass. In recent years, he also has developed an interest in firefighting.

Arriving in Columbus for voluntary offseason conditioning in June, Pineault impulsively began calling local firehouses and eventually found a station willing to accept him in a ride-along program.