A Flames Farewell as Iginla heads east

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“He’s played a lot of years here and played as hard as he could,” Flames forward Mike Cammalleri said. “I’ll tell you one thing about Jarome. Every day he tried his best to win hockey games with his teammates.” -- Mike Cammalleri, astute obsverver of Flames hockey, providing the concise and fitting  epitaph for the Jarome Iginla's years as a Flame.

The Flames Mike Cammalleri perhaps offered up the most telling review of the news that the long time Captain of the Calgary Flames had been dispatched to the Boston Bruins, er make that the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night/Thursday morning.  

His spot on observation that Iginla at all times tried his best, is the thing of a hockey gospel. The only problem being, for most of that time in Calgary, the Flames didn't provide him with the assembled talent to fully utilize his talents.

And now, with the long rumoured Iggy is gone headline finally delivered, the consensus is that the stumbling Flames, were a day late and a dollar short in value for their prized asset.

Though no one will find fault with Iginla's new hockey destination, heading to the Penguin's a most active squad in the run up to the Trade Deadline of the 4th of April and already it would seem loaded for war in the Stanley Cup playoffs to come.

The move to Pittsburgh for Iginla is a good fit, he'll find much to celebrate in a culture of success that the Penguins have built, in what seems to the complete opposite of the situation he leaves behind. Pittsburgh, with a line up that most GM's can now only dream of  seems to be the odds on favourite to work their way to the Stanley Cup, a fitting destination for the hard working Iginla, who had but one chance of that ticket in his Calgary days.

The nature of the trade which brings draft picks and unsigned college players, (prospects who perhaps have more on their minds at the moment with the NCAA Frozen Four), highlights the nature of the deprecation of the trade market when you dither in putting together your plan, or facing the cold hard reality of your situation.

Part of that may have been Iginla's oft stated desire to see things through in Calgary, still in a year full of failed expectations and the perception of a team in a free fall to the bottom, even Iginla it seems saw the rebuilding plan to come and submitted his list of teams for consideration.

How he ended up in Pittsburgh over Boston (especially with all that media speculation of Wednesday night) will be the thing of media chortling for the week to come, the preamble to the wall to wall manic obsession with the trade deadline shows.

All of which should be doing like Santa for Wednesday, making their lists and checking them twice.

One name they can scratch off those lists though is one Jarome Iginla and most likely the Penguins too, who surely have the pieces in place now for their Stanley Cup run.

Jarome Iginla will finally get a chance it seems to pursue Lord Stanley's chalice, it should have been as a Flame, a team which in a perfect hockey world (or at least a better managed one) he would have retired with. 

No doubt one day he will return to see that number 12 jersey lifted to the rafters and forever placed as part of the fabric of the Flames franchise.

Still, who can begrudge the guy who gave it all to Calgary for perhaps his last real shot at that which all players seek. Come playoff time, with the Flames most likely long forgotten from the playoff schedule, Albertans can settle in and cheer the Pens on. t

The thought of, "win one for Jarome" perhaps the theme of the playoffs for them.

The reviews (from all three locations)of the Wednesday night trade can be found below:

Calgary

National Post-- Jarome Iginla traded to Penguins, not Bruins, after strange night for TSN
Calgary Herald-- Iginla says goodbye as he moves on to Pittsburgh
Calgary Herald-- Jarome Iginla trade inglorious end to a glorious era
Calgary Herald-- Iginla embracing fresh opportunity in Pittsburgh
Calgary Herald-- King Flames embark on a 'new chapter' after Iginla trade
Calgary Herald-- Flames deal greatest legend in franchise history to Penguins
Calgary Herald-- Jarome Iginla represented Flames with 'dignity, class and pride' says Feaster
Calgary Herald-- Conroy reflects on trade of good friend and old linemate Iginla
Calgary Sun-- 'A difficult day': Jarome Iginla bids farewell to Calgary
Calgary Sun-- Close but no Iggy
Calgary Sun-- Gretzky relates to Iggy's situation
Calgary Sun-- Iginla traded: Flames joined at the hip
Calgary Sun-- Meet the new kids
Calgary Sun-- Ben who? Ken who? for Flames
Calgary Sun-- Chase is on for Stanley Cup
Calgary Sun-- Flames never found No. 1 centre
Calgary Sun-- Iginla trade the best thing for everybody
Calgary Sun-- End of an era in Calgary with Jarome Iginla's departure

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Post Gazette-- Visa troubles keeping Iginla from joining Penguins
Pittsburgh Post Gazette-- Penguins' pursuit of Iginla was months in the making
Pittsburgh Post Gazette-- Penguins expectations even higher
Pittsburgh Post Gazette-- Iginla is ready for any new role with Penguins
Pittsburgh Post Gazette-- Pens acquire Iginla from Calgary
Pittsburgh Trib-Review-- Cup appeal drew Iginla to Pens
Pittsburgh Trib-Review-- Pressure on Penguins? Please
Pittsburgh Trib-Review-- Trading frenzy started with Staal

Boston

Boston Herald -- Mis-deal, try again, Bruins
Boston Herald-- Jarome Iginla deal falls apart
Boston Herald-- We believed we had a deal for Jarome Iginla
NESN--  Peter Chiarelli Admits He Must Get "Creative" As Bruins Need to Improve Becomes more pressing
NESN-- Flames Told Bruins They Had "Won the Jarome Iginla Sweepstakes,' But Winger chose Penguins over B's
NESN-- Jarome Iginla Trade to Bruins Rumour proves to be False, as Aaron Ward Places Blame on "Multiple Sources"

Number Fawr, Bobby Orr, turns sixty five!

One of the NHL's true legends marks a milestone today, as Robert Gordon Orr celebrates his 65th birthday.

An amazing thing for those of us who grew up marvelling at his on ice skill and all secretly wished that we could fly through the air like number four.

Injuries limited his playing time, but while he was on the NHL stage it was a sight to behold, a player who changed the nature of the game and the way it was played.

He was the template for many a defenceman to come up in the years to come.

Enjoy, the tributes, they reflect our collective recollections of a glimpse of greatness...
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Ducks open the vaults to reward top players

They may be playing their hockey on the west coast these days in the shadow of the Stanley Cup Kings, but the Anaheim Ducks aren't letting any moss grow between their webbed feet in the quest for their second Stanley Cup and bragging rights in Southern California.

Towards that end, the Ducks have been busy getting players signed on the dotted line, first with Ryan Getzlaf and now Corey Perry. Knocking the heck out of the free agency sweepstakes and by securing contracts with no move clauses, moving the Ducks out of the trading day deadline dramatics for the most part we would imagine.

OC Register-- Ducks' Perry signs eight-year, $69 million contract extension
OC Register-- How does Perry's new megadeal affect the Ducks?
OC Register-- Ducks sign Getzlaf to eight year extension
LA Times-- Ducks extend Corey Perry for eight years, $69 million
LA Times-- Ducks centre Ryan Getzlaf signs eight year, $66 million contract
LA Daily News-- Anaheim wins on night it signs Corey Perry to eight year, $69M extension
LA Daily News-- Anaheim Ducks' Ryan Getzlaf signs eight year, $66 million contract extension
National Post-- Ducks sign Corey Perry to eight-year contract extension
National Post-- Ducks lock up Ryan Getzlaf for eight more years
CBC-- Trading Corey Perry was not an option for Ducks
CBC-- Corey Perry: Ryan Getzlaf biggest reason for staying
CBC-- Ducks reward Ryan Getzlaf with 8 year contract extension
The Hockey News-- Will Ducks contend throughout Corey Perry's eight year extension?

The moves solidify the Ducks roster heading into the final portion of this shortened season and the playoff ramble to come.

While most have cast their gaze on the Chicago Blackhawks and their remarkable start, perhaps one of the most solid of performances this season comes from Anaheim, who have been taking to Bruce Boudreau's urgings quite nicely.

Providing for a season for the coach that takes away the sting of the last team that Boudreau was charged with, as the work ethic in Anaheim it seems is just a little more intense than that of DC.

Add on the help that Boudreau is getting from GM Bob Murray, who secured the top tier of Ducks in  the Pond for a few more years, and Boudreau is surely finding all is well in the shadow of the Mouse and the Duck.

The Hawks of course remain their biggest obstacle, a juggernaut of a team that seems to have the rest of the West looking on in awe.

However, with a few solid pins secured in place, Anaheim is serving notice that Chicago will have to battle their way to the Stanley Cup.

Below some exclusive footage from the Ducks comptrollers office, explaining how carefully the Ducks are calculating their budget concerns.

Buddies til the end, or the trading deadline, whichever comes first...

For those that haven't seen it yet, TSN's version of the Buddy Film has made for much in viral rotation over the last few days.

The daily rapport between Roberto Luongo and Corey Schneider, made for a very funny video vignette from last Wednesday's TSN coverage of the Canucks and Predators.

Like Hope and Crosby, Crockett and Tubbs and hell, even Abbott and Costello, both of the Canucks' goaltenders are making the best of a rather drawn out goaltending situation and handling it all in not only good humour, but as we say with some fine acting...

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A well done feature and one that showcases the spirit of co-peration that the two have in Vancouver, attached at the hip until April it seems and maybe beyond...

Sequels anyone?

Someone needs a line change refresher course

Perhaps one of the most bizarre moments of the year so far in the NHL, as the enigmatic Sergei Kostitsyn picked one of the most unusual moments of last night's Oilers/Predators game to make a line change.

Kostitsyn has been in coach Barry Trotz's doghouse once or twice before during his time with Nashville, and famously observed last October as the lockout moved into it's lengthy session, that it might be best that the NHL not play this year.

Suffice to say that Sergei probably didn't earn any bonus points on effort with the coach on Sunday.

Kostitsyn beaten to the puck in the neutral zone, decided rather than chase down Sam Gagner into the Predators end, he would rather uh, hey, let someone else worry about it...  heading for the bench for a line change, one that didn't end so well for the Preds...




Needless to say, the line change was the subject of much discussion this Monday morning.

We suspect that his may be a name to watch for when the NHL Trade deadline arrives in April.

The Tennessean-- Nashville Predators suffer third straight defeat
The Tennessean-- Post gane quotes: Sergei Kostitsyn
Edmonton Sun-- Oilers Sam Gagner, Lennart Petrell connect as Predators' Sergei Kostitsyn bails on play
Edmonton Journal-- Edmonton Oilers pounce on Nashville Predators

National Post-- Watch Sergei Kostitsyn totally give up, hand Oilers the game
NESN-- Predators' Sergei Kostitsyn Quits on Play, Leads Directly to Oilers Shorthanded goal
Yahoo.ca-- Sergei Kostitsyn 'quits on play, leading to Oilers goal; admits "I made a mistake"

Vigneault's vultures go for a glide

A couple of wins for Vancouver's Canucks and all that talk of the need to have Alain Vigneault take the fall for his non performing hockey club seems to have settled down, for the moment.

Earlier this week, as the Canucks were stumbling out of their perch in the Northwest, the drums of dismissal were starting to sound on the west coast, with some of Vancouver's media having come to the decision that it was the coach that was the root cause of the Canucks' travails.

Vancouver Province-- Vigneault running out of excuses as Canucks continue to struggle
Vancouver Province-- Vigneault's future with Canucks back in question
Vancouver Province-- Removing Vigneault will do one thing - show the real problem
Vancouver Province-- Gallagher vs Willes on Canucks: Coach vs GM gotta go grudge match
Vancouver Sun-- Pros and Cons of Alain Vigneault
Vancouver Sun-- Canucks' Weekly Wayback - Alain Vigneault Almost Gets Fired Again

It's not the first time that the coach has gotta go theme has popped up, heck back on January 21st the Vancouver Observer had floated the idea that coaching change can come quickly, not bad considering that the ink probably wasn't even dry on the truncated 2013 schedule at that point.

The main problem at the moment for the coach under the glare of the spotlight, is that at times this season, his team is giving off the vibe that they may soon fit the profile of the coach killer team.

There was a bit of evidence that perhaps his team was tuning out his message of late, never a good thing for a coach, not to mention some mixed messaging from upper management with GM Mike Gillis throwing his thoughts into the mix on how the Canucks were not performing up to expectations.

However, Mr. Gillis perhaps could look in the mirror before venturing too far down the path of dividing up the blame, his mash up of the Luongo/Schneider duality in the nets has provided for some of the soap opera nature of the Vancouver media of late.

Not to mention, that some secondary scoring and help on the blue line might have been on the scene if he had been able to figure out where he wants to go with his goaltending situation.

Having declared Schneider as the number one at the end of the last season, the Canucks have pretty well abandoned that theme, with either goaltender likely to appear on the ice come game time.

There may be cause to rethink the coaching and management decision making at the end of the season, with the Canucks seemingly having peaked a few years back, the plan for long term success in the Western Conference seems a little bit confusing to most, no doubt to the players on the bench.

But at the moment, with the Canucks still third overall in the West the concept of panic and dismissal seems a tad foolish.

Vancouver's sports media, like that of Montreal, Toronto and well, any other Canadian burg with an NHL team, seems to live for the thrill of the story, even if they have to create the buzz for it themselves.

It may help sell some of the newspapers and make for lively discuss on Vancouver's sports radio programming, but to throw a coach over the side heading towards the playoffs seems somewhat foolish.

Granted the West has a low margin of error between third place and 15th (eight points by the standings last night) the Canucks would seem to have more upside than some of those below.

Before the coach is told to pack his office up and join our list of departed coaches, perhaps the GM could get a little active on the trading floor, there are holes in the Canucks line up, some owing to injury some owing to disappointing play, some of that from players that the GM has brought into the fold.

Fixing those deficiencies should be the first task for Mr. Gillis, a coach normally is only as successful as the line up he has to work with and for much of this season, that line up has been a vague resemblance of the years that have just passed the Canucks by.

Get my Bags to the rink on time!

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Deadspin offers up a tale of going that extra mile, lights a flashing, sirens a wailin' to get the baggage of five Florida Panther call ups to the rink in time for puck drop.

It would seem that not everyone in the Greater Miami area may be Panther fans (surprise, surprise, surprise we know), as some of the fall out from the cross county trek from airport to arena has left a few of Florida's taxpayers a tad unimpressed.

The question of ethics and consequences was brought up with a New York Law Professor, which probably works in the favour of the Panthers in the Public Relations battles of Florida.

The Panthers are reimbursing the police force for gas and such for the off the books escort, though judging by the picture atop the Deadspin article, it would appear that even if offered, the lure of free tickets probably doesn't guarantee that the Police officers actually stick around the rink once the bags come out of the trunk...

Regardless, the expedited delivery of the Sunrise Police Force hasn't translated into much momentum in the Eastern Conference Standings, the Panthers currently are firmly in place in last place with but 20 points at the midway point of the season.

The soundtrack to our game takes a moment of silence

Hello out there, we're on the air, it's 'Hockey Night' tonight. 
Tension grows, the whistle blows, and the puck goes down the ice. 
The goalie jumps, and the players bump, and the fans all go insane. 
Someone roars, "Bobby Scores!" at the good old Hockey Game.

Oh, the good old hockey game, is the best game you can name. 
And the best game you can name, is the good old hockey game.

Second period

Where players dash, with skates aflash, the home team trails behind. 
But they grab the puck, and go bursting up, and they're down across the line. 
They storm the crease, like bumble bees, they travel like a burning flame. 
We see them slide, the puck inside, it's a 1-1 hockey game. 

 Chorus

Third Period

Last game of the playoff too. Oh take me where, the hockey players, face off down the rink
And the Stanley Cup, is all filled up, for the champs who win the drink. 
Now the final flick, of a hockey stick, and the one gigantic scream. 
"The puck is in! The home team wins!", the good old hockey game. 

 Chorus
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The passing of Stompin' Tom Connors, who will be laid to rest with a Memorial Service on Wednesday, has been commemorated far and wide this week.

The finale from the hockey family if you will, tonight's opening for Hockey Night in Canada, as perfect a conclusion to the national days of mourning, Saturday Night Hockey's Holy Night and Hockey Night Canada our collective chapel.

And the CBC did it up right on Saturday Night.
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The troubadour, born in St. John, New Brunswick, but claimed by communities from St. John's Newfoundland to Tofino BC and every hamlet in between, was one of the true Canadian icons and the measure of his resonance across the land could be found in the stories that were exchanged through this week.

Globe and Mail-- Stompin' Tom Connors, Canada's troubadour sang of everyday lives
Globe and Mail-- Stompin' Tom: The closest we may get to a Woody Guthrie of our own
Globe and Mail-- Editorial: Thank You, Stompin' Tom Connors. We needed you
National Post-- The Legend of Stompin' Tom: Dave Bidini bids farewell to a Canadian icon
Toronto Star-- Stompin' Tom Connors dies at 77: A look back at a Canadian country icon
Toronto Star-- Stompin' Tom Connors: His Songs About Canada
Toronto Star-- Stompin' Tom Connors: Mitch Potter's 1990 interview with the legend
Toronto Sun-- Stompin' Tom Connors a true Canadian rebel
Torontoist-- Across this City with Stompin' Tom
Huffington Post-- The Hockey Song, By Stompin' Tom Connors, was Pure Canadianna
Yahoo-- Stomp On: Canada remembers Stompin' Tom Connors
Georgia Straight-- "The Hockey Song" legend Stompin' Tom Connors dead at 77
Maclean's-- Stompin Tom Connors: Our National Poet
CBC-- Stompin' Tom Connors dies at 77
CBC-- Stompin' Tom remembered by fans, friends
CBC-- Canadian Musicians pay tribute to Stompin' Tom Connors
CTV-- Stompin' Tom Connors dead at 77

Known for the wide catalogue of folk songs that triumphed the Canadian spirit and embraced everything Canadian, the tales of Bud the Spud, a Saturday Night in Sudbury or the soundtrack to a game played on ice but lived in homes across the land, his The Hockey Song possibly one of the most recognizable tunes of Canadian music.

And while Canadians will reflect on his passing with a measure of wonder over the simple genius of his songs and the reflection they found in them, his anthem of the sport we claim as ours will remain part of the scene for no doubt years to come.

Played to an appreciative audience nightly wherever it seems in this world that an arena can be found, it's a song which perhaps we will join in on the chorus with just a little more passion, now that we're left to carry the tune on our own.

And to give us a measure of the man he was, upon his passing, a note was released on his website, Thanking us for listening and sharing with him, passing the torch on to Canadians to sing the praises of the Country he was devoted to.

In the days since the announcement, there has been much talk of an appropriate salute for Stompin' Tom, talk of a state funeral, renaming roads and buildings,  or holding some form of public celebration.

One obvious option would be the Canadian Juno Awards, which celebrate Canadian Music, though the Awards and Connors had a falling out a few years back. However, if Juno Organizers want some free advice, including a segment on the singer's vast works probably is a no-brainer, past history or not. (Juno people, You have been warned!)

However, the best we've heard so far, an honour that would surely symbolize what he meant to the game (and it to he) and one that would probably bring a smile to his face as he watches hockey from the great beer parlour in the sky, the prospect of enshrinement in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

As good an idea as there could be, so let's launch the campaign! Write the letters! Bombard the sports talk shows with the idea!

Open the doors and lets get the party started...

Hello out there, we're on the air, it's Hockey Night tonight...

Gary Bettman's Scrapbook - Nashville edition

The quest for the NHL footprint in previously non-hockey markets has been a work in progress for years, dating back to the first expansion as a matter of fact and the westward march to California.

Along the way there have been hits and misses, some of the flags planted have tattered and eventually had to be taken down (Hello Kansas City, Hello Cleveland, Hello Atlanta x2).

Others were removed and never should have been, Bonjour Quebec, welcome back Winnipeg.

In others however, the jury is still deliberating as rows of empty seats on TV can testify towards (though we find it interesting that some markets report crowds of 15,000 plus while the video would suggest otherwise).

The current flash points for Mr. Bettman and the Accountants would seem to be Columbus, Long Island (though they are Brooklyn bound) and of course everyone's favourite wards of the state, the Phoenix Coyotes.

Those three lead our listings of the ink of red, leading the league in lack of attendance.

Rumblings continue as to other areas of concern, such as in Florida, where it seems many feel the next crisis point for the NHL may soon come home to roost.

Still, for the moment, the footings of the Bettman era of franchise security remain, with Nashville perhaps the one spot that the Commissioner can point towards as a team that keeps chugging along.

It wasn't all that long ago that many might have thought that the Predators were getting ready to back up the moving vans and migrating north, the destination of the day seemingly was to be Hamilton, with one time Blackberry king, Jim Balsillie ready to bring the much coveted second southern Ontario franchise home.

The Commish stepped in, making sure that there were enough hoops to jump through on that plan, that eventually it was abandoned, Mr. Balsillie left to tend to the fate of his daytime job.

As for Nashville, they just kept playing hockey, improving each year, securing a sojourn into the playoffs, making the Bridgestone arena a most happening place and continuing to build the Predator brand.

Grantland the most entertaining of online portals to come along in a while now, has a fascinating essay on the subject of the Predators, hockey, history and Nashville.

More than just a story about a hockey team seeking to find it's place, the article from David Hill takes us into the community rinks, onto the factory floor and explores how a game previously unknown to the region has grown much in the way of roots, most of them transplanted from the North.

It barely mentions the Predators or the NHL, instead it speaks of high school hockey, family and how the game is evolving in one particular outpost of the league.

We're pretty sure that the Commissioner is email links to one and all, it provides at least some proof that if given time, the game can grow in non traditional markets.

The Predators may or may not be a long term fixture for Nashville, the scale of economy both in hockey and in Tennessee, could one day lay waste to even the best of franchise planning. Ownership as we've seen over the years, is a fickle thing, one day steadfast and forward thinking, another desperately looking to get out.

But, for the moment, the imprint of hockey on Tennessee would seem to have been a success.

In fact, of the troubled franchises of recent times, Nashville seems to have done a pretty good job of balancing its financials and building up some loyalty in the community.

A story that offers a sunny break, in the midst of some dark looking clouds in other locales.

You can review the Grantland article here, a celebration of much more than just a sport, it's an item that is well worth the read.

NHL Rookie of the Month -- February

The latest of the first years to catch the attention of the NHL is the Florida Panthers Jonathan Huberdeau.

The Panther's centre a 19 year old from St. Jerome, Quebec, had a most impressive February, leading all rookies with six goals and collecting a total of 9 points over the thirteen games of the month.

Huberdeau was the Panthers 1st pick in the 2011 Entry draft, the 3rd pick overall that year.

You can review the month that was for Huberdeau from the NHL.com archive.

The full list of rookies of the Month for 2012 can be found here.

NHL's Stars of the Month for February

The second edition of the NHL's three stars selections for the 2013 season have been announced as Steven Stamkos, Sidney Crosby and Ray Emery collect the accolades for February,  the second month of the regular season.

Steven Stamkos -- Center-- Tampa Bay Lightning

Sidney Crosby -- Center -- Pittsburgh Penguins

Ray Emery -- Goaltender-- Chicago Blackhawks

Record Making Night on Madison

It's always a little crazy inside the United Center on Madison Street in Chicago, but Friday night took the craziness to a little higher level as the hometown Blackhawks set a new NHL mark in the record books, recording their 17th consecutive game with at least one point to show for it.

The Hawks who have been tearing up the NHL since the truncated season began, had to come from behind to top the San Jose Sharks, but as the momentum built in the third period, there probably weren't many in the crowd who didn't feel that Friday night was going to be the night.

The last few games towards the record have made for some challenging times for the Hawks, they battled off a Vancouver squad that made a stand in the third period earlier this week to try and wrestle the record book away from the Hawks and Friday night it was the San Jose Sharks who gave the Hawks as much as they could handle to claim their spot in the history books.

By games end however, the Hawks by way of a 2-1 victory, were the ones getting ready to thumb through the record book, looking to insert a paragraph or two about their success.

In a season as short as this lockout delayed one will be, a quick start is key to ambitions of Stanley Cup success, the Hawks have already made their case that they would seem to be the team to beat in 2013.

And so far, while some have come close, no one has been able to launch that challenge to the Hawks domination.

All of which bodes well for more noise and more celebration at 1901 West Madison Street, perhaps well on into June.

Chicago Sun Times-- Blackhawks set NHL record for best start, repelling Sharks 2-1
Chicago Tribune-- Hawks Beat Sharks, Set New NHL Record
Chicago Daily Herald-- Blackhawks set NHL record with 2-1 win over Sharks
Toronto Star-- Chicago Blackhwaks set NHL record for best start to a season
NHL.com-- Hawks edge Sharks, extend point streak to 17 games

In the end, Longevity can't trump losing on the ice

"The hockey world knows how I and the entire Buffalo Sabres organization feel about Lindy Ruff not only as a coach but also as a person. His long tenure with the Sabres has ended. His qualities have made this decision very difficult. I personally want Lindy to know that he can consider me a friend always." -- A statement from Sabres owner Terry Pegula after the dismissal of Lindy Ruff as Sabres head coach.

Such is the legacy of Lindy Ruff behind the bench in Buffalo, that even with a struggling team on the ice, few can honestly say they expected the Sabres to bring to an end the longest running streak of coaching in the NHL. At the time of his dismissal Ruff held  the second longest tenure with one of the current four major league sports, only San Antonio Spurs head coach Greg Povich, at 17 seasons has held a bench job longer.

After 1,165 games, the Buffalo Sabres and Lindy Ruff will no longer be synonymous, the Sabres announced on Wednesday that Ron Rolston the head coach of the American Hockey League Rochester Americans would be put in charge of the Sabres for the remainder of the season.

The decision to bring to an end Ruff's time in Buffalo appears to have been made after discussions between GM Darcy Regier and Team owner Terry Pegula, Team President Ted Black and Senior Advisor Ken Sawyer.

The concern of the management cadre was the Sabres 6-10-1 record, which places them well down the listings in the Eastern Conference standings, at the time of his dismissal, Ruff's Sabres were in the midst of a 4-10-1 slide and at the moment sit four points out of a playoff spot in the Conference.

Whatever malaise is stalking the Sabres, the long time coach couldn't seem to find a way through to this years version of the Sabres, a group that seems to have found new and not particularly entertaining ways to lose games since the season began last month.

With fears that the playoffs may once again be but a rumour for Buffalo fans, the management collective made their decision and the fates will deliver what they will.

The first night of the post Lindy Ruff era was not a kind one for the Sabres who fell to the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 on Thursday night.

Most hockey observers suggest that should Ruff want a coaching job (and one can't imagine why he wouldn't) that he'll be back behind a bench somewhere in fairly short order, though the nature of this shortened season may make his wait just a little bit longer, perhaps into the off season.

Still, it will look strange, Lindy Ruff it seemed was one of those personalities that seemed destined to be with but one team through his career, that destiny took a detour on Wednesday, where the road goes next remains to be seen.

As for the longest serving coach currently on the books, Nashville's Barry Trotz is the guy looking to perhaps one day claim a spot in the Guinness Book of Records, though the quest for record making has taken a hit with the dismissal of the previous keeper of the flame.

Buffalo News-- Ruffs' departure still stuns Sabres
Buffalo News-- Firing brings Ruff era to startling end
Buffalo News-- Sabres' slide costs Ruff after 26 years with franchise
Buffalo News-- Ruff and family entrenched in WNY
Buffalo News-- Fans of the Sabres deserved more than listless play

NHL.com-- Sabres relieve Ruff of coaching duties, name Rolston

National Post-- Lindy Ruff fired: Sabres part ways with longtime coach
Globe and Mail-- Buffalo Sabres fire head coach Lindy Ruff
Canada.com-- Lindy Ruff fired from Buffalo Sabres job, but where will he end up next?
ESPN-- Sabres still in shock over Lindy Ruff's firing
Yahoo Sports-- After Lindy Ruff's firing, it's time for Buffalo Sabres to take top-to-bottom inventory
The Hockey News-- Lindy Ruff firing gives Sabres chance for change
CBC-- Lindy Ruff firing analysis
CBC-- Sabres fire Lindy Ruff, name Ron Rolston interim coach
Toronto Star-- Buffalo Sabres fire Lindy Ruff
Toronto Sun-- Ruff and Leafs a 'sworded' tale
Toronto Sun-- Sabres shuffle an emotional one
Toronto Sun-- Lindy Ruff's availability might cause some concern among struggling coaches
Toronto Sun-- Buffalo Sabres fire Lindy Ruff as head coach
Sportsnet-- Lindy Ruff Turfed: What Now for the Buffalo Sabres?

Hired to Be Fired 2012-13

As sure as there are wins and losses (usually associated with the latter), there also will be change somewhere along the way in this 2012-13 season.

The day eventually comes for many NHL coaches, where they receive the phone call, or tap on the shoulder to go see the GM or owner.

A summons where the usual things are said, "you gave it a good shot, but we're going in a different direction", or variations of the theme.

Of the thirty members of the NHL coaching and managerial fraternity, sometime this year, maybe early, maybe late, the word will come that their services are no longer required.

We will provide the compilation of the summoned from this spot, listing those unlucky members of the club that find themselves outsourced in this 2012-13 season. The archive of our list can be quickly referenced on our right hand side bar, in the GM's Office section.

March 24-- Tampa Bay Lightning-- It's a Tampa Bay farewell to Guy Boucher, as GM Steve Yzerman finding worrisome trends in the play of the Tampa Bay Squad relieved Boucher of his duties on Sunday Morning. A decision that seems to have split the Tampa Bay media, with some suggesting that Boucher wore his welcome out, while others suggest Mr. Yzerman look at the talent he provided for the embattled coach. Boucher's time behind the Bolt's bench checked in at just under three years, the highlight of his career in Tampa the remarkable run in his first year, which saw the Lightning run the table to the Eastern Final before falling to the Bruins in seven games.  Jon Cooper, coach of the Lightning farm club took over duties following Boucher's departure.

February 20-- Buffalo Sabres-- The longest employed coach in the NHL suddenly found himself on the unemployment lines on Wednesday, as the Buffalo Sabres dismissed Lindy Ruff, bringing to an end almost sixteen years behind the Sabres bench. Taking his place in Buffalo is Ron Rolston, the coach of the Sabres AHL farm club in Rochester. Ruff's dismissal marks the first coach to be let go so far in the shortened 2012-13 season, the two previous dismissals have been in the upper management ranks. Our HockeyNation review of the developments in Buffalo can be found here.

February 12-- Columbus Blue Jackets-- Another year and yet another change for the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets, a team which seems perpetually mired in the lower reaches of the NHL standings. To try and change some of that karma, John Davidson announced that Scott Howson would be leaving his post as General Manager of the Blue Jackets, to be replaced by the NHL's first European General Manager, Finland's, Jarmo Keklalainen, who will have a rather daunting challenge in bringing the Blue Jackets into a semblance of competitiveness this year.

January 9 -- Toronto Maple Leafs-- The ink was barely dry on the arrangements between Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr, when the Toronto Maple Leafs made the spotlight grabbing announcement that they were going in a different direction in the managerial ranks. The Leafs dismissed Brian Burke from his post, handing the reins of the fabled NHL franchise to Dave Nonis, Burke's longtime friend and apparent designated replacement if the bizarre career paths of the two NHL executives is to be examined further. The Official notice on Burke's departure from the NHL.com can be found here. Our Hockey Nation review of Burke's dismissal can be found here, while other items of note from our portal on the Burke firing can be found here, here and here.

Hockey Day in Canada 2013

We suspect that when Gary Bettman announced back in January that the season had been saved and hockey was coming back, that there were no more happier people in Canada than the folks that sell advertising for the CBC.

Beyond the obvious that the network's signature program Hockey Night in Canada finally had cause to return to the air (and cash return to the CBC's Accounts receivable department) hockey has become a wee bit of a culture for the network, from Coach's Corner through the panel show before, during and post game, talking hockey at times seems to be the primary focus of the TV network.

The CBC also has carved out a nice niche at the community level, their association with the Kraft Hockeyville passions showcases Canada's affection for the game far beyond the pro level.

Such is the case with the annual Hockey Day in Canada marathon, a project so successful that it has been recreated in the US for NBC's use as well, the American version comes next weekend and will capture much of the same attachment to the game that Canadians have.

The project however did start in Canada though and it is here that the day long celebration truly takes root, in fact, even if the NHL had not come to an agreement with the NHLPA, we have a feeling that Hockey Day in Canada would have moved forward, the day's review uses the NHL game merely as a backdrop of sorts to the larger celebrations in communities large and small.

Had there been no NHL games to call up on, there could very well have been other options to showcase, Junior hockey, the Canadian University game or even the Minor leagues, wherever hockey is played could have been use and perhaps it would have made for the ultimate of fan protests, a subtle gesture to the NHL that while they hold custody of the Stanley Cup, the game itself still belongs to the communities that make the game great.

Fortunately for the Commissioner, he avoids the fickle (middle?) finger of fate that an NHL less, Hockey Day in Canada would have provided for and with it, can soak up the atmosphere and bask in the celebration of the game as it should be celebrated.

Such is the success of the annual celebration, that it even has a corporate sponsor now with Scotiabank taking up the cause of the day and attaching its brand to it.

The CBC's coverage is immense, beyond a full day of NHL action featuring Edmonton at Detroit, Winnipeg at Ottawa, Toronto in Montreal and Vancouver at Calgary, there will be stop overs across the country, with the CBC's Hockey Day presentations coming out of Peterborough this year.

The rather strong winter storm that has hit Ontario and now moves east will certainly provide for challenges for many of the Hockey Day in Canada events, though one imagines a little snow won't make for much in the way of an obstacle for celebrating the game.

To get an idea of the importance of the event to the community that hosts it, a quick scan of the offerings from the Peterborough Examiner provides a glimpse into the excitement in that community over the planned activities.

Some of the things to look forward to on Saturday can be found from the Hockey Day in Canada website.

And for those that really wish to get involved in the spirit of the day, there is a live blog on the website, a collection of photos submitted by Canadians from coast to coast to coast and a twitter feed #hockeyday as well to keep everyone up to speed on how the day is going.

Mr. Kessel gets off the scoring schneid

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There are probably not many hockey players that find a trip to Winnipeg in the first week of February to be something to remember (let alone look forward to) however, Toronto Maple Leaf forward Phil Kessell probably won't be among them.

The long suffering Leaf forward, who found that his lack of scoring touch had spanned two seasons and made for more than enough material for hockey writers and broadcasters alike, finally got off the scoreless schneid, scoring the first goal in 313 days Thursday night at Winnipeg's MTS Centre.
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It's an occasion that has been greeted as though he and Darryl Sitler were now soulmates in scoring, coming as fate would have it,  on the anniversary of Sittler's much famous scoring outburst of the seventies.
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Still, while not packing away the points, it is with relief that we see that the man has finally put all that bad karma behind him, having come close a few times in the last few weeks, a cross bar here, a deflection there, the pressure to finally put the puck in the net must have been enormous.

We imagine he perhaps picked up one of those Budweiser goal lights for the house, just to remember what the hell it looks like.

Leaf fans no doubt are hoping that Thursday heralds the beginning of goal after goal after goal for their winger, and most hockey fans probably share that sentiment as well.

Though maybe not in Winnipeg, Kessel's marker proved to be the game winner for the Leafs who shaded the hometown Jets 3-2, so while Kessel may always have fond memories of River City in the winter, the residents perhaps may carry a grudge.

Especially if come playoff time, the points in the standing between a playoff run or a long run watching on TV can be traced back to February 7th.

CBC-- Phil Kessel nets winner as Leafs ground Jets
CBC-- Did You See That? Phil Kessel finally scores
Toronto Star-- Phil Kessel scores, Maple Leafs rally past Jets
Toronto Sun-- Kessel's first of season lifts Leafs past Jets
National Post-- Phil Kessel ends long scoring drought with game-winner in Leafs' victory

The Waiting is the hardest part

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The length of time that it's taking Vancouver Canuck's GM Mike Gillis to make that long anticipated Roberto Luongo trade, is apparently starting to weigh on the mind of the guy that was supposed to be the Number one guy in Canuck's colours this year.

Or at least, it's weighing on the mind of the guy who represents him, Mike Liut, Corey Schneider's agent offered up the helpful thought, that while not critical of Canuck's GM Mike Gillis, it would be nice if he could bring the migration of Bobby Lou to a successful conclusion.

While paying tribute to Luongo's professionalism, talent and apparent longevity in Canuck colours, Liut did remind everyone that the idea was for Schneider to carry the bulk of the workload this year, having been anointed number one goaltender last season in the midst of the Canucks all be it unsuccessful playoff run.

Yet, with the arrival of this shortened season, it's been the well rested Luongo who has proven the most resilient, providing stellar goaltending and finding that those fickle fans in Vancouver have him as their top Valentine pick this month.

Schneider to his credit, minds to his knitting, putting in the practice time  and tonight stands ready to take to the nets in Minnesota, after Alain Vigneault's magic coin finally flipped his way.

The conventional thinking is that Luongo is still the one who will be moved, perhaps before the April 3rd trading deadline, or  perhaps for dramatic effect, as the feature attraction for the studio panels of TSN and Sportsnet on Deadline Day itself.

Or, maybe just to shake everyone up, the Vancouver GM will entertain some offers on the suddenly returned to back up duties Schneider, some suggest that the value of Schneider on the trade market may be of more benefit to the Canucks than the anchor of Luongo's long term contract.

Regardless, we imagine one of them changes uniforms on or before April 3rd, the Canucks need some help on offence and adding strength to the defensive game is something you can never go wrong with.

Last week, it seemed as though the Canucks were involved in their own personal version of Where in the World is Carmen San Diego, with Mr. Gillis in the role of Carmen, there he was on TV in Washington, with rumours the next day of his arrival in Winnipeg.

From there we heard rumours of sightings in Toronto, Florida or wherever a rink could be found, the destinations popping up as fast as you could punch in GPS requests!

It seems at this point, really more a matter of finding someone to deal with and then pulling the trigger on the deal.

Towards that goal, the National Post's Sean Fitz-Gerald has provided a helpful crib sheet for the Canuck's GM, a road map to the end of the simmering goaltender controversy that never should have been.

The early season tribulations of John Tortorella

With a galaxy of star names to call on, one might be inclined to think that Rangers' head coach John Tortorella just walks into the office each morning and wonders where would be a nice place to put the variety of trophies that surely must be destined for Broadway.

But, in a season barely underway and already heading towards a playoff drive, the best plans, and even the best line combinations don't always work out as one might hope we guess.

Such is the state of the Ranger scoring two weeks into the truncated season (24th in Goals For)  that John Tortorella is already looking to shake up the line up, hoping to remove some of the lethargy from a team that coming out of the gate in a normal season, probably would have been running away to hide from the rest of the eastern conference.

However, while being only eight games in and just five points out of first is not a time to panic, their placement in the standings is it seems. giving Rangers fans a bit of a queasy feeling.

From Manhattan and the Bronx, over to Staten Island and across the bridge to Brooklyn and parts of Queens, there are rumblings of concern that the Rangers currently in ninth place are barely just holding off the Jets and Sabres below them.

As history has shown, Tortorella isn't shy when it comes to mixing his lines, looking to spark a player here or express displeasure with a player's performance there. Something that can take place in relative anonymity in the less interested of locations for NHL franchises, where a player is a player is a player is a player.

But in New York, where the payroll befits the largest market in the league, and attention to the Rangers is almost, if not equal to the Canadian cities (Financial commentator Larry Kudlow took time out from his WABC Saturday morning financial show to wonder aloud as to what's up with the Blueshirts) even ruminating on possibly having to move around the big guys makes for more than few casual observations.

Over the last few days the coach has weighed in with some thoughts on line up challenges and all of that and while he seemingly wants to keep  Rick Nash, Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik (they ever think of calling it the G N' R line? a little Paradise City, or Welcome to the Jungle when they step on the ice...) as the premiere line combo in Blue, it would seem that if the rest of the lineup doesn't kick it up a gear or two, changes may soon have to be made.

NY Post-- Tortorella tweaking Rangers' line combos
NY Times-- Rangers' Kreider Faces Questions About Development
NY Daily News-- With Ryan Callahan out, NY Rangers finding consistency on second line ...

There are of course other issues in New York than just the line up on the ice, injuries have made the lineup a work in progress through the first few weeks of the season.

Also of concern to the coach (and the fans) is the ongoing problem of a tendency to take too many penalties, usually when momentum is there for a shift, and usually the result is a shift for the opposing team.

That's a case of focus and something that a coach has to reinforce, over and over again. Usually that's the role of a training camp and a pre-season, but in a year where just getting the game back on the ice was the goal, all of that has been left behind.

It's learn as you go time for the NHL and with it the need to adapt quickly to the obstacles that pop up as you head for the playoffs.

Saturday night the Rangers were on message.

NY Post-- Rangers' attention to detail pays off
NY Post-- Star's key goal fuels Rangers
NY Daily News-- Rangers Find balance and energy in 3-2 win over Lightning

Tuesday  in Jersey? Well who knows what the future holds.

In the case of the Rangers, keeping their head in the game and getting the supporting cast to ratchet it up is the required task ahead for Tortorella.

So far 2013 is proving to be a rather inconsistent season for the Rangers , a day to day thing, the problem is in a season as short as this 2013 campaign, you quickly find that the days to tinker with lineups and bring some focus to the game begin to dwindle.

NHL Rookie of the Month 2012-13

Our Archive of the selections of Rookie of the Month for 2012-13

March-- Los Angeles-- Jake Muzzin
February-- Florida-- Jonathan Huberdeau
January-- St. Louis -- Vladimir Tarasenko

Rookie of the Month - January

The first of the rookies to catch the attention of the NHL is the St. Louis Blues Vladimir Trasenko.

The Blues right winger a 19 year old from St. Jerome, Quebec, had a most impressive February, leading all rookies with six goals and collecting a total of 9 points over the thirteen games of the month.

He was selected in the first round of the 2010 Entry draft, 16th overall on draft day.

You can review the month that was for Tarasenko from the NHL.com archive.

The full list of rookies of the Month for 2012 can be found here.

Perhaps some remedial refereeing classes might be of assistance

Sunday afternoon's matinee pre-Super Bowl warm up act of the Senators and Canadiens provided a wee reminder that the nature of this shortened season, perhaps means not everyone is on their A game just yet.

In this case, not so much the players, though there are still the kind of mistakes being made on the ice that a helpful pre-season and training camp might have taken care of, but in the case of Sunday, we discovered that the referees too might have benefited from some more intense practice time.

Probably if you want to watch Senator's coach Paul MacLean's blood pressure rise, ask him if he has any thoughts on what is or isn't goaltender interference.

Chances are, he is a fellow that doesn't like making unwanted financial contributions to the Gary Bettman swear jar, so he'll hold his fire, but, the thousand yard stare sometimes tells all.

The Senators thought they had battled back on Sunday, with a game tying goal that suggested momentum was back on the side of the red, white and black, yet to the eyes of the officiating crew for Sunday, young Senator sensation Jakob Silfvererg had seemingly mugged Habs goaltender Carey Price, waving off the goal sending Silfverberg to the penalty box and no doubt giving MacLean cause to seek out some relaxation music.
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The only problem is, that upon further review as they say, it sure looks like Price was out of his crease, which basically turns him into just another pylon on the ice to deal with.

Needless to say, the waved off goal, which helped the Canadiens thwart the comeback of the Sens wasn't a popular call in Ottawa, in fact over the course of the game, the march to the penalty box on a number of questionable calls tended to help write the sports headlines for Monday morning.

The Ottawa Citizen offers up the ever popular the of "Senators burned by officials in loss to Canadiens", where the afternoon's work of Greg Kimmerly and Brian Pochmara was described as absurd.

Over at the Ottawa Sun, we learn how Senators GM Bryan Murray is fuming over the controversial call, with the Ottawa GM apparently more than aware that his thoughts might require a collection for the inevitable fine from New York.

Not surprising, the reviews of the game in Montreal, we're a little kinder to the Canadiens (and the officials for that matter),  Habs edge Sens for weekend home sweep, go figure!

In a sport where the officiating is more or less supposed to be the background of the game not it's centre stage, Sunday's matinee seemed to reverse those roles of importance for the guy's in stripes. And in a few of those instances it seems that perhaps they might require a refresher course from the league office as to what is or isn't a penalty.

Or maybe they can just pick up some tips off the Internet, available from the NHL's website are both a hard copy of the rules of the game and some helpful video tips on the theme of penalty calls.

We suspect, judging by Sunday at least, that some attention should be given to the goaltender interference videos, it could prove helpful heading down the road.

Interesting numerology for Selanne...

Helene Elliot of the LA Times calls our attention to a most remarkable achievement this Saturday night, the occasion of Teemu Selanne's 666th career goal.

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Of course, those familiar with numbers and other mysteries of our times, may find something just a little eerie about the mark, something of the  netherworld (NO, not the Board of Governor's meeting rooms).

Perhaps the Church Lady can shed some light on Selanne's now mystical goal scoring powers have evolved.
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For Selanne's sake, lets hope number 667 comes quickly!

Otherwise, there's going to be a whole lot of attention paid to that number and maybe a call or two to the Vatican just in case...

NHL's Stars of the Month Archive for 2013

The archive of selections for the NHL's Stars of the Month for the 2013 season.

March
February
January

NHL's Stars of the Month for January

The first of the NHL's three stars selections for the 2013 season have been announced as Craig Anderson, Patrick Marleau and Thomas Vanek collect the accolades for January,  the first month of the labour troubled season.

Craig Anderson -- Goal-- Ottawa Senators

Patrick Marleau -- Forward -- San Jose Sharks

Thomas Vanek -- Forward-- Buffalo Sabres

A new migration pattern for the Coyote?

I beg your pardon, 
but can I promise you a Rose Garden?
(Our apologies to Lynn Anderson)

Just two days after the Phoenix Coyotes saga recorded yet another setback (a missed deadline of course, though really need you ask?), the final chapter of the NHL's longest mystery novel may yet be in sight.

Those ever lovin' wards of the NHL may yet find some love, as reports out of Phoenix tonight have it that yet another suitor may be making tracks to the desert, ready to see what kind of deal can be had for the NHL's bargain basement dogs.

The word first spread thanks to @Spector'sHockey twitter feed which provided a quick burst of news for those that can't get enough of the never ending tales of the Desert Dogs.

With the tweet, came a link to this Fox Sports Arizona website report that outlines some of the particulars of the latest in would be owners of the Coyotes, as what is described as a deep-pocketed (that would be a handy thing in Phoenix we guess) investor out of Calgary is back in the NHL's picture.

Bill Gallacher as the Fox Sports report reminds us is a Calgary oil mogul, who owns the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL, described by many as perhaps the most professional like junior team in the entire CHL.

Gallacher is apparently a season ticket holder of both the Calgary Flames and the Calgary Hitmen and fills in whatever spare time he has between Calgary and Portland, with a side interest  in the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL.

Clearly the guy loves hockey, the question we guess is does he love losing money, as we have seen over the rather star crossed existence of the Coyotes, profit and loss is but a one way street, making a detour down the latter most times than not.

The thinking is that Gallacher won't touch the Coyotes unless he has some kind of move out of town card to play, with Portland clearly the most likely destination for him, what with the Rose Garden an NHL ready building and his marketing team already in place with the Winter Hawks.

Portland has frequently been mentioned as an NHL destination and now with talk of an eventual return of hockey  to Seattle  (nearly there in the 70's) (Stanley Cup champs in 1916-17) a three way rivalry between Seattle, Portland and Vancouver would certainly help the NHL brand in the Pacific Northwest.

For good measure, we're pretty sure the folks of Portland would love to have an NHL franchise before those Starbuck sipping northerners were to have theirs delivered, (even better if they could scoop up the team many think may be destined for the city) the NHL could be the focal point of a pretty intense rivalry of Pacific Northwest cities, one that harkens back to the days of the PCHA.


It all makes perfect sense, so no doubt, knowing how the NHL works, it won't happen, which is too bad, as it seems like a pretty logical solution to a long running problem.

And with a bit of research we find that even with a move to Portland, the team wouldn't have to change it's name, maybe a uni makeover to move away from the desert motif, but hey Coyotes apparently roam in Oregon.

If the numbers add up (and hell at this point maybe even if they don't), it's up to Gary Bettman and his most likley very weary of footing the bills Board of Governors, to open those Arizona gates and let the Coyotes begin their migration.