Ken Campbell's Column

Jeff Carter trade starts Blue Jackets rebuild, adds scoring to goal-starved Kings

Jeff Carter trade starts Blue Jackets rebuild, adds scoring to goal-starved Kings

by Ken Campbell - February 24, 2012 12:15 AM EST

The Blue Jackets start down a long path, while the Kings add scoring and have a hunger for more.
Well, so much for those long-term, big-money contracts that don’t seem to make any sense being untradeable. After all, Jeff Carter’s deal has been traded twice in eight months.


Is Rick Nash worth a superstar return?

Is Rick Nash worth a superstar return?

by Ken Campbell - February 20, 2012 9:10 AM EST

If the Blue Jackets trade their superstar they'll have to get a lot in return, but is it worth it to any of his suitors?
It’s certainly not Rick Nash’s fault the Columbus Blue Jackets have drafted so poorly over the years or that their free-agent signings have largely been disasters.


Will the Coyotes stay in Phoenix?

Will the Coyotes stay in Phoenix?

by Ken Campbell - February 17, 2012 4:00 PM EST

After a couple years of relocation speculation, will the Coyotes end up staying, or possibly move to Seattle?
All right, so let’s recap a few things here. The NHL owns and operates a team that is bleeding money and is unable to find a new owner.


Lack of discipline, great winning streaks

Lack of discipline, great winning streaks

by Ken Campbell - February 13, 2012 5:30 PM EST

Brendan Shanahan needs to step up; Leafs no surprise; comparing the Wings to other streaks; and more.
Like most sheriffs, Brendan Shanahan rode into town with his guns blazing, promising a new brand of justice. And he even had the fancy title of “senior vice-president, player safety” to back him up.


Tim Thomas should discuss his beliefs

Tim Thomas should discuss his beliefs

by Ken Campbell - February 10, 2012 12:32 PM EST

Tim Thomas has every right to express his opinions, but if he is going to use his celebrity to do it, he must talk about it.
Tim Thomas wants us to know that when it comes to his political statements, “That’s my personal life and it has nothing to do with the Bruins or hockey and I’m going to remain silent.


Gagner only had seven points

Gagner only had seven points

by Ken Campbell - February 6, 2012 2:35 PM EST

The third point of Sam Gagner's magical eight-point night shouldn't have counted…and Yakupov's suspension unjust.
Sam Gagner’s eight-point performance last Thursday night was undoubtedly the NHL’s feel-good story of the week and, on the surface, it was phenomenal.


Senators caught between rebuild and playoff push

Senators caught between rebuild and playoff push

by Ken Campbell - February 3, 2012 3:24 PM EST

With the trade deadline closing in, how active will the Senators be and how much of their future would they sacrifice?
When Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray puts his ear to the ground these days, he hears the rest of the Eastern Conference creeping up the standings.


Post-all-star storylines

Post-all-star storylines

by Ken Campbell - January 31, 2012 12:23 PM EST

Who will win the Hart Trophy?; what will happen with Sidney Crosby?; ownership issues; and more.
Don’t think you’ve seen the last of the 12-9 games just because the All-Star Game is in the rear-view mirror. After all, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Winnipeg Jets play two more times this season, including Tuesday night, and Ilya Bryzgalov is bound to start one of them.


Ovechkin, Lidstrom and Selanne should all be at All-Star Game

Ovechkin, Lidstrom and Selanne should all be at All-Star Game

by Ken Campbell - January 27, 2012 10:25 AM EST

Ovechkin is taking a lot of flak for his decision to skip (and rightfully so), but fervor should be pointed at Lidstrom and Selanne.
The reaction to Alex Ovechkin’s decision to snub the All-Star Game this weekend reminds me a lot of four years ago when Scott Niedermayer decided to sit out nearly half the 2007-08 season after his Anaheim Ducks won the Stanley Cup.


Admiring Thomas' stance

Admiring Thomas' stance

by Ken Campbell - January 23, 2012 9:25 PM EST

The Bruins goalie will be chastised for his decision not to join his teammates at the White House, but he should be commended for being a conscientious dissenter.
Tim Thomas will undoubtedly be drawn and quartered by many in the court of public opinion for not pumping U.S. president Barack Obama’s tires by refusing to attend the Boston Bruins Stanley Cup celebration at the White House.


The impact of back-to-back games

The impact of back-to-back games

by Ken Campbell - January 23, 2012 5:05 PM EST

When teams play games on consecutive nights, what are their records in the back end?
Perhaps he was trying to justify his team’s uninspired performance Saturday night, but Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf bucked the conventional wisdom about games that are supposed to be easy wins.


Why the Lightning and Canadiens should trade coaches

Why the Lightning and Canadiens should trade coaches

by Ken Campbell - January 20, 2012 3:47 PM EST

With both the Habs and Bolts struggling, perhaps a coach exchange would improve their fortunes.
Some Friday musings for your dining and dancing pleasure: COACH FOR COACH My former esteemed THN colleague, Mike Brophy, and I were discussing the Montreal Canadiens the other night and he came up with an idea I believe has some real merit.


Which team trailing 3-1 in their series is most likely to come back and win?





"Probably not. Their depth and our play right now...it doesn't look too good."

- Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, when asked if his team could come back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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