Ken Campbell's Column

Rangers shot-blocking mentality bad for NHL

Rangers shot-blocking mentality bad for NHL

by Ken Campbell - May 14, 2012 12:18 PM EDT

The New York Rangers are the only team left that only plays defense, so if they win the Stanley Cup, the league will be worse off.
One of the first things you learn in this business, after the importance of always getting receipts, is that there’s no cheering in the press box.


Alex Ovechkin’s evolving superstar status

Alex Ovechkin’s evolving superstar status

by Ken Campbell - May 11, 2012 10:29 AM EDT

He's been knocked and written off as an offensive dynamo, but Alex Ovechkin is following Steve Yzerman's career path.
When Steve Yzerman reached the crossroad of his career, he had the option of going one of two ways. He could either continue as a one-way offensive dynamo or he could reinvent himself as a two-way player.


Why Glendale will regret keeping Coyotes

Why Glendale will regret keeping Coyotes

by Ken Campbell - May 7, 2012 4:12 PM EDT

While the Coyotes are a good story right now, the franchise still loses money and will cost the city of Glendale down the road.
It’s the perfect backdrop, isn’t it? Gary Bettman in Phoenix, almost three years to the day after former owner Jerry Moyes threw his ownership keys on the table, to announce the Coyotes have been sold just before the team puts a bow on the first second round series win in franchise history.


Jerry Toppazzini's minor role had a major impact

Jerry Toppazzini's minor role had a major impact

by Ken Campbell - May 4, 2012 12:50 PM EDT

Goodbye, Jerry Toppazzini. You may not have been well known, but no player had a bigger impact on my love of the game.
An industrious checker and penalty killer who wore his NHL career on his face, Jerry Toppazzini never won a Stanley Cup. He never scored more than 25 goals or 50 points in a season and spent most of his career with three of the more moribund of the Original Six teams.


Daniel Briere must be considered for 2014 Canadian Olympic team

Daniel Briere must be considered for 2014 Canadian Olympic team

by Ken Campbell - April 30, 2012 4:25 PM EDT

The prolific playoff scorer has proven he's a clutch performer, which would fit in well at the short tournament.
Just in case Steve Yzerman is looking, he has a perfect candidate for the water boy job with the 2014 Olympic team in Sochi. The guy is 5-foot-10 (yeah, sure he is) and 180 pounds, but looks like he’s about 14 years old.


Braden Holtby pulling a Ken Dryden; will 2015 be first all-European Hall of Fame class?

Braden Holtby pulling a Ken Dryden; will 2015 be first all-European Hall of Fame class?

by Ken Campbell - April 27, 2012 3:54 PM EDT

A number of goalies have been leading their teams in these playoffs so far, none more unexpected than Holtby; and 2015 Hall of Famers.
When you look back at the first round of the playoffs, you could legitimately make the case for five different players as the most valuable player.


Early exits will lead to unpredictable off-season

Early exits will lead to unpredictable off-season

by Ken Campbell - April 23, 2012 3:00 PM EDT

With a number of contenders having their season come to an abrupt finish, the summer theater will be intriguing to watch unfold.
Aside from the teams that actually make it out of the first round, you’d have to think the two people most thrilled with the early developments in these playoffs would be Rick Nash and Scott Howson.


Why the Oilers should keep the No. 1 pick and take Nail Yakupov

Why the Oilers should keep the No. 1 pick and take Nail Yakupov

by Ken Campbell - April 20, 2012 3:27 PM EDT

Trading away the opportunity to select the best player available would be a bad idea for the still-rebuilding Oilers.
No team has ever held the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft four consecutive years, but don’t bet against the Edmonton Oilers doing just that in 2013.


NHL being dragged back into the dark ages

NHL being dragged back into the dark ages

by Ken Campbell - April 16, 2012 3:40 PM EDT

Hard-headed violence is quickly returning to the game because the league allows it to, but it's worse off for it.
This has so far been a great playoff for the people over at NHL.com, the league’s sanctioned website, who specialize in highlighting violence with a “Must See” headline.


Butch Bouchard a cherished captain in Montreal Canadiens history

Butch Bouchard a cherished captain in Montreal Canadiens history

by Ken Campbell - April 14, 2012 7:48 PM EDT

Emile 'Butch' Bouchard, who came to the Canadiens while the organization was at a crossroads, passed away at 92 Saturday.
Butch Bouchard didn’t have a pair of skates to call his own until he was 16 years old, but five years later, having a pair of wheels was just as important to making the Canadiens as having a pair of blades.


Shea Weber non-suspension a missed opportunity for the NHL

Shea Weber non-suspension a missed opportunity for the NHL

by Ken Campbell - April 13, 2012 2:55 PM EDT

By choosing to only fine Shea Weber, the NHL missed a chance to send a message about egregious play early.
It’s early in the playoffs, so it’s best we get these things out of the way as soon as possible. To its credit, that’s what the NHL has done.


Edmonton Oilers one step closer to contending

Edmonton Oilers one step closer to contending

by Ken Campbell - April 10, 2012 10:25 PM EDT

After taking the No. 1 pick by winning the draft lottery Tuesday, the Oilers move closer to becoming a playoff team.
The last time an organization had a run like this at the draft table, it went on to win the Stanley Cup. So logic would dictate we can expect the Edmonton Oilers to have a parade down Whyte Avenue sometime in June of 2017.


Who will win Game 4 of the Kings-Sharks series?




"We're playing the defending champs and you can tell they're not going to beat themselves. That team, just from them going all the way, you can see it over there. There's no panic…You can tell that's a machine over there and we've got to be at our best."

- San Jose's Scott Gomez on the Los Angeles Kings. Los Angeles leads the series 2-1.

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