Ryan Kennedy's Column

THN.com Blog: Towering Tyler Myers quickly catching on to NHL game

THN.com Blog: Towering Tyler Myers quickly catching on to NHL game

by Ryan Kennedy - October 19, 2009 8:31 PM EDT

The 12th overall pick in 2008 is crashing the NHL scene in a big way as his all-around game shines through; and the Spits acquire another college player.
BUFFALO – There’s a distinct difference between the focus of a beat writer or local TV crew and a random dude from The Hockey News; this I became well aware of after witnessing the Sabres’ 4-2 loss to Atlanta on Saturday.


THN.com Blog: Big bodies finding new home on power play

THN.com Blog: Big bodies finding new home on power play

by Ryan Kennedy - October 14, 2009 11:50 AM EDT

Several teams are experimenting with putting a giant in front of the opposing goalie... and NHL fan borders.
You know you’ve defined a niche when people start to think of you when that position is mentioned. And while Detroit’s Tomas Holmstrom probably isn’t looking for those type of accolades, there’s no doubt the strategy of parking a big dude in front of the net on the power play can be referred to as the Homer Effect in his honor.


THN.com Blog: Yotes making life harder on scalpers

THN.com Blog: Yotes making life harder on scalpers

by Ryan Kennedy - October 12, 2009 10:02 AM EDT

A new paperless ticket system has second-sellers up in arms... and the true evil of the Detroit Red Wings.
All hail the Phoenix Coyotes. OK, let me be a little more specific. All hail the ticketing department of Jobing.com Arena, which is experimenting with paperless ticket entry for hockey games and other events such as concerts.


THN.com Blog: Expectations too high for Stars, Devils?

THN.com Blog: Expectations too high for Stars, Devils?

by Ryan Kennedy - October 7, 2009 11:25 AM EDT

Two teams who've had recent success may be be getting a higher grade than they deserve based on their past exploits.
Unlike some of my sports journalism peers (none at THN, thankfully), I still indeed like sports. Love watching games. Love talking about games.


THN.com Blog: Hodgson must keep head held high

THN.com Blog: Hodgson must keep head held high

by Ryan Kennedy - September 30, 2009 10:59 AM EDT

Despite his demotion to the OHL, the top Canucks prospect still has hopes to develop his game for the future.
Cody Hodgson will be wearing green this season, but it’ll be the military shade of the Ontario League’s Brampton Battalion, not the brighter trim of the Vancouver Canucks.


THN.com Blog: Surprises from training camp

THN.com Blog: Surprises from training camp

by Ryan Kennedy - September 28, 2009 11:50 AM EDT

With final rosters being announced, there's been some interesting developments around who's made teams and who's been cut.
The group of roughly 750 players that make up the NHL is a fluid one, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when some notable names don’t make the final list when opening night rosters are finally pared down.


THN.com Blog: Atlantic Division preview

THN.com Blog: Atlantic Division preview

by Ryan Kennedy - September 23, 2009 12:22 PM EDT

In the first of our divisional previews, we breakdown the Atlantic and analyze what to look out for in each city.
Pittsburgh Penguins THN Prediction: Third in the East Key Additions: Chris Conner, RW; Brent Johnson, G; Jay McKee, D; Mike Rupp, LW; Wyatt Smith, C Key Departures: Mathieu Garon, G; Hal Gill, D; Rob Scuderi, D; Petr Sykora, RW Attrition is expected on any Stanley Cup championship team, but at least the Penguins didn’t get too dinged this summer.


THN.com Blog: Boom or bust?

THN.com Blog: Boom or bust?

by Ryan Kennedy - September 21, 2009 11:00 AM EDT

We take a look at three players who have the potential to be stars or end up as an "epic fail" this campaign.
One of the great things about hockey is the mixture of skills and attributes athletes must possess to be successful. Size, speed, vision, hand-eye co-ordination, strength and anticipation all play roles in making an NHLer – and sometimes at least one of those is so tantalizing it can overshadow the lack of the others.


THN.com Blog: Young Yotes need Gretzky in camp

THN.com Blog: Young Yotes need Gretzky in camp

by Ryan Kennedy - September 16, 2009 12:55 PM EDT

Despite the uncertainties surrounding his future with the team, The Great One should put aside his personal interests for the benefit of his players.
I’m not going to carp on modern life, but it’s all too apparent that as a whole, we stick to the rules too often. And I don’t mean this in a goody-two-shoes way, more of a cover-your-butt-first way.


THN.com Blog: Sens do well in Heatley trade

THN.com Blog: Sens do well in Heatley trade

by Ryan Kennedy - September 14, 2009 12:59 PM EDT

Considering the position GM Bryan Murray was in, Ottawa came away with a good return from the Sharks.
It goes without saying Ottawa GM Bryan Murray was faced with a tough task in dealing star winger Dany Heatley to San Jose on the weekend. After all, with Heatley’s trade demands being so public, Murray’s leverage wasn’t exactly plum.


THN.com Blog: Big frames and punk names

THN.com Blog: Big frames and punk names

by Ryan Kennedy - September 9, 2009 12:11 PM EDT

Where once being over 6-foot-6 was a detriment, now being bigger is a bonus... and 25 hockey terms that bands could use as names.
The conventional wisdom in hockey used to be that tall players – say, 6-foot-6 and above – were simply not built for the sport. Now, in the past, this wasn’t much of a problem since there weren’t many people of that size strapping on skates.


THN.com Blog: Sign Mike Comrie? Only if the price is right

THN.com Blog: Sign Mike Comrie? Only if the price is right

by Ryan Kennedy - September 7, 2009 9:30 AM EDT

Why would a team put big money into a player who doesn't have the whole package when they there are cheaper alternatives?
Who would you rather have in your forward corps right this minute, Mike Comrie or Ryan Bayda? Both players are still on the free agent market right now (though Bayda will be attending St.


Will the Blackhawks come back from a 2-1 series deficit to win the Stanley Cup?




“I think when you’re at home the first two games, sometimes you get a little bit too comfortable at home. Then you come on the road, maybe it’s like a rude awakening…We’ve had three series to figure that out, learn it. We definitely want to be better (Monday), especially in the first game on the road.”

- Chicago's Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks are 0-3 in Game 3s this playoff.
 

Contests

Our Partners