by Ryan Dixon - November 19, 2009 12:33 PM EST
A season removed from injury troubles and a disappointing finish, Brad Richards is back playing like the Conn Smythe winner he once was.
When you think about it, Brad Richards’ two homes couldn’t be more diametrically opposed.
Certainly, the NHL is packed with stories of small-town Canadian boys making it big under the bright lights of the city.
by Ryan Dixon - November 12, 2009 1:10 PM EST
Halak has the better record, but Price has the statement wins and is the supposed goalie of the future.
In the interest of integrity and honesty, I’ll state now that the comb I’ll use to sift through the Montreal Canadiens’ goaltending situation will not be nearly as fine-toothed as the one employed by Chris Boyle in a hyper-detailed breakdown of the Carey Price/Jaroslav Halak dynamic.
by Ryan Dixon - November 5, 2009 12:45 PM EST
As the 2010 Games in Vancouver draw near, there's plenty of debate on who should be starting in goal for Canada, the U.S., Russia, Finland and the Czech Republic.
Never has a fish on land flopped so beautifully.
Technically it was a fish on ice, and even more accurately, it was Dominik Hasek doing the flailing.
by Ryan Dixon - October 29, 2009 12:28 PM EDT
Crosby's recent goal-scoring exploits deserve recognition not only for their frequency, but for their style.
The role of the garbage man has never been so glamorous.
Sidney Crosby may not (yet) be the best player in NHL history at playing on the lip of the crease, but he’s the best player in NHL history who scores the majority of his goals from the lip of the crease.
by Ryan Dixon - October 22, 2009 2:25 PM EDT
When should a player leave the game after taking a big hit? It's time for the same old arguments to be swept under the rug and open analysis encouraged.
Hockey players have been chastised for being cliche machines off the ice, but while playing, typically, they’re great communicators.
It’s only natural to scream for a pass when a scoring chance presents itself, but that’s not necessarily when players are at their most vocal.
by Ryan Dixon - October 15, 2009 10:56 AM EDT
It's gone from one of the best, to the absolute worst division in hockey in a few short years and this might be the season only one Northeast team makes the post-season.
The Northeast dynasty is dead.
OK, so it isn’t exactly the fall of Rome, but the fact the Northeast has become hockey’s worst division is still an item of note.
by Ryan Dixon - October 8, 2009 11:40 AM EDT
After bouncing from coast-to-coast via trade last season, the 25-year-old now rounds out an impressive cast in the Liberty City.
Pronger. Timonen. Coburn. Carle? C’mon.
Normally we wouldn’t get all gushy about a guy who storms out to the early-season points lead among defensemen (after all, Paul Mara is tied for second), but Philadelphia blueliner Matt Carle represents an interesting case.
by Ryan Dixon - October 1, 2009 10:43 AM EDT
With questions surrounding Joe Thornton's leadership skills, there's another Joe in S.J. who could wear the 'C' next season.
Rob Blake has all the qualities any captain should and one specifically well suited to the San Jose Sharks.
The big blueliner has experience, talent, his teammates’ respect, not to mention two previous stints wearing the ‘C’ as a member of the L.
by Ryan Dixon - September 24, 2009 11:10 AM EDT
Most teams' top two lines are already written in pen, but there are a few situations where players can move into the mix and watch their production skyrocket.
They’re the half-dozen counted on to get it done.
If you play on an NHL team’s top two lines, there’s an expected level of offensive competence.
by Ryan Dixon - September 17, 2009 1:15 PM EDT
The Big Apple isn't usually a place people go to get away from the spotlight, however if you're a hockey player coming in from Montreal it's just that.
Chris Higgins might be the first athlete in the history of pro sports to find life in Manhattan a little slower than his previous stop. New York City is a lot of things, but it’s rarely the place you go for a reprieve from the madness.
by Ryan Dixon - September 3, 2009 11:22 AM EDT
At first glance, having Maxim Lapierre on the cover of the Yearbook is shocking, however, he is more important to his team's lineup than you may think.
It wasn’t meant as a slight.
OK, maybe it was a bit, but the THN staffer who shook his head in disbelief after finding out Maxim Lapierre was the cover boy for our French Yearbook could be forgiven for his flummoxed state.
by Ryan Dixon - August 27, 2009 1:23 PM EDT
The 45 players at Team Canada's orientation camp would make up two fine entries and there are still lots of players at home who could be worthy of a spot.
Obscene.
That’s pretty much the only word that comes to mind when contemplating the level of talent Hockey Canada has assembled at its summer orientation camp in preparation for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
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Which team has been hit worst by injuries this season?
“I don’t know if I’ll ever feel 100 percent this year.”
- New Jersey's Patrik Elias, who is recovering from hip and groin surgeries and has two points in five games this season.
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