by Mike Brophy - April 7, 2008 12:16 PM EDT
The Canucks missed the playoffs because of a lack of scoring, a problem the team must address this summer.
Dave Nonis is feeling the heat in Vancouver.
Go figure.
The Canucks GM is being roasted for his team not making the playoffs. His crime? Failing to get additional scoring to go with the Sedin twins and a declining Markus Naslund.
by Mike Brophy - March 31, 2008 11:07 AM EDT
Looking back at meeting Gordie Howe and wishing him the very best as one of the game's greats turns the big eight-zero.
As a youngster growing up in Burlington, I was always mesmerized every time I saw Gordie Howe play hockey.
For starters, he was one of the smoothest skaters in the NHL.
by Mike Brophy - March 24, 2008 11:52 AM EDT
While Nicklas Lidstrom is the only European to ever win the Conn Smythe Trophy, there have been many other top-notch post-season performances by players from overseas.
Only one European – Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom – has been awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player in the playoffs.
by Mike Brophy - March 17, 2008 11:20 AM EDT
Any one of Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Alex Ovechkin or Jarome Iginla could take home this year's Hart Trophy and be a deserving recipient.
It’s almost time to vote for the Hart Trophy and I’ve got to be honest, I am not even close to picking my winner.
I will say, though, I have narrowed it down to four candidates – goalies Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils and Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks, left winger Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals and right winger Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames.
by Mike Brophy - March 10, 2008 11:20 AM EDT
The Rangers superpest, set to be an unrestricted free agent July 1, will have plenty of teams lining up to sign him this summer.
The most sought-after unrestricted free agent next summer could be a third-liner.
That’s right, if the New York Rangers don’t lock up super-pest Sean Avery with an extension, you can bet your bottom dollar the NHL’s other 29 teams will get into a bidding war for his services.
by Mike Brophy - March 3, 2008 1:50 PM EST
The Leafs search for a new GM should begin with the Ducks' Brian Burke as he's the perfect man for the job.
If it is true the GM’s job with the Toronto Maple Leafs is Brian Burke’s for the asking, he would be nuts not to take it.
Burke is already one of the most celebrated men in hockey, having brought the Stanley Cup to Anaheim last season in only his second with the team.
by Mike Brophy - February 25, 2008 2:55 PM EST
There is nothing wrong with Mats Sundin's decision to stay in Toronto, but if the team is serious about an overhaul, some tough decisions now have to be made.
One of the unfortunate aspects of living in the Toronto area is you are constantly bombarded with news and innuendos about the Toronto Maple Leafs.
by Mike Brophy - February 11, 2008 1:29 PM EST
Once the league's most exciting team to watch, cap troubles have handcuffed Tampa Bay and GM Jay Feaster has to do something about it.
A few years back I wrote a column, which, in a nutshell, told the world I was a closet Tampa Bay Lightning fan.
The gist of the story was, while reporters are encouraged not to cheer for teams, hockey had become so boring with the neutral zone trap and the left-wing lock - and every other defensive scheme invented to suck the life out of the game - the Lightning was bucking the trend and putting a greater emphasis on offense.
by Mike Brophy - February 4, 2008 11:29 AM EST
The league demanded a salary cap to save GMs from themselves. The need to do the same by doing away with no-trade clauses.
The NHL introduced a salary cap to protect foolish, free spending GMs from themselves. Review some of the contracts that have been handed out since and debate whether or not you think it has worked to expectations.
by Mike Brophy - January 28, 2008 1:42 PM EST
If the players don't learn shoot the puck and give a better effort, the league's showcase will remain unwatchable.
I give up.
I understand why the NHL holds an All-Star Game and I completely understand why it is a no-hit affair. After all, you can’t ask players who skate up to 82 games a year to lay it all on the line in an otherwise meaningless exhibition tilt.
by Mike Brophy - January 21, 2008 4:38 AM EST
If Brian Campbell's salary demands are too high, Buffalo would be wise to let him walk and attempt to replace him in the summer.
Brian Campbell is a good defenseman and, by all accounts, a very good citizen, too.
So why are the Buffalo Sabres playing games where his contract extension is concerned?
Because they’re smart, that’s why.
by Mike Brophy - January 14, 2008 1:46 PM EST
They may be second in the Western Conference, but several factors could lead San Jose to an early playoff exit.
The more I see of the San Jose Sharks, the more I do not see a true Stanley Cup contender.
Sure, the Sharks staged a nifty little third period comeback against the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night, but what the heck were they doing trailing 2-0 after 40 minutes in the first place?
Clearly the Sharks were no more prepared to play hockey against Toronto than the Leafs were against the Kings in Los Angeles Thursday night or the night before that in Anaheim when they were smoked by a combined score of 10-2.
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"That hockey game will haunt me until the day I die…"
- Toronto's Joffrey Lupul reacting on Twitter to his team's meltdown loss in Game 7 to the Boston Bruins.
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