by Mike Brophy - July 21, 2008 1:56 PM EDT
From Cup contenders to playoff bubble team, it's hard to peg exactly where Calgary sits heading into the 2008-09 campaign.
I have not completely lost faith in the Calgary Flames, but I no longer view them as the same threat to win the Western Conference championship as I did a year ago.
by Ryan Dixon - July 16, 2008 10:43 AM EDT
With injuries continuing to plague the future Hall of Famer, Peter Forsberg should walk away from the game of hockey.
The end of Peter Forsberg’s career is starting to put me in mind of one of those Saturday Night Live sketches that get slotted at the back of the 90-minute show.
by Mike Brophy - July 14, 2008 1:34 PM EDT
Training camps are still more than two months away, but the season's storylines are too scintillating not to mention.
The 2007-08 season is barely over and already my mind has turned to next year.
Here are 10 things I am looking forward to:
• Can Sidney Crosby wrestle away the scoring title and MVP award from Alex Ovechkin? Sid the Kid was making his move up the scoring charts this season when he suffered a high ankle sprain that ultimately shelved him 29 games.
by Mike Brophy - July 7, 2008 9:51 AM EDT
You could question Double J's motivation, but you could never question the future Hall of Famer's talent.
There have been times over the years when Jaromir Jagr was a great source of frustration.
That’s because you knew he was capable of being one of the best players in the NHL, yet he floated in some games like he didn’t give a hoot.
by Mike Brophy - June 16, 2008 2:54 PM EDT
The league's best were on display in Toronto last week, but there are other players we feel are worthy of recognition.
The NHL handed out its hardware last week to some mighty deserving individuals. But not everybody who enjoyed a great season was honored. Here are some who were missed:
Best coaching job by a first-round casualty Award: Barry Trotz, Nashville.
by Mike Brophy - June 9, 2008 12:37 PM EDT
Ron Wilson is a proven coach and a smart acquisition, but his hiring runs against the direction Toronto was supposed to be taking.
Watching the Toronto Maple Leafs conduct business is always an interesting proposition.
Unlike watching a well-oiled success story like the Detroit Red Wings, a team that hires well, scouts well and gets the desired results, the Leafs are more like watching a drunken sailor on leave trying to weave his way through traffic while traveling westbound on Highway 401 East – on a bicycle.
by Mike Brophy - June 5, 2008 12:58 AM EDT
Nicklas Lidstrom became the first European captain to win the Cup, so where does he rank all-time?; one for Newfoundland; Smythe to right man; and absent vets.
PITTSBURGH - Chalk one up for Team Sweden.
On an historic night in Pittsburgh, when Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom became the first European captain to accept the Stanley Cup, fellow Swede Henrik Zetterberg was also named most valuable player of the playoffs.
by Mike Brophy - June 4, 2008 2:06 PM EDT
The Penguins will try to force a Game 7, if they don't wipe themselves out before then... and no matter what, refs always take the heat.
PITTSBURGH - The Penguins will try to pull off the Miracle at the Mellon tonight. That is, if they don’t kill each other first.
Assistant coach Mike Yeo was the latest victim of a Penguin-on-Penguin mishap, suffering a large gash on his chin when an errant Georges Laraque pass hit a teammate’s stick and deflected into Yeo’s face.
by Mike Brophy - June 3, 2008 6:52 PM EDT
Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final is one day away. What does a coach say to his team?... and Mike Babcock on goalie interference.
PITTSBURGH - Have you ever wondered what a coach says to his team prior to a big game? Like, say, Game 6 of the 2008 Stanley Cup final?
Well, it wouldn’t do much good asking Detroit’s Mike Babcock or Pittsburgh’s Michel Therrien for their crib notes, because there is no chance in hell they’d give away any trade secrets.
by Mike Brophy - June 3, 2008 2:23 AM EDT
It's business as usual for Detroit... apologies to Marian Hossa... Ryan Malone's poor beak... and the THN Three Stars.
DETROIT - Bad start; worse finish.
That pretty much sums up the Detroit Red Wings’ evening.
With the Wings poised to win the Stanley Cup, their celebration was put on hold by a pesky Pittsburgh team.
by Mike Brophy - June 2, 2008 2:05 PM EDT
With the Stanley Cup ready for the taking, there's a feeling of anticipation and excitement in and around Joe Louis Arena
DETROIT - There’s always something special about waking up the morning of the first day the Stanley Cup could be awarded.
And what a gloriously sunny morning it is in Detroit.
by Mike Brophy - June 1, 2008 5:21 PM EDT
The Stanley Cup final may not end up being the seven-game thriller fans had hoped for, but the hockey has been exciting nonetheless.
DETROIT - This has not been the close Stanley Cup final many hoped for when two high-powered offenses like the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins hooked up.
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