Ryan Dixon discusses the news and events around the NHL and world of hockey
by Ryan Dixon - August 17, 2011 2:41 PM EDT
When Kevin Dineen arrives in Florida for the 2011-12 season, he'll promote an open-door policy and always be looking to teach.
It seems like having a sense of humor is a bit of a must for any coach, even if he’s never had Alex Kovalev on his team.
The Florida Panthers’ new hire, Kevin Dineen, fits the bill.
by Ryan Dixon - August 10, 2011 1:38 PM EDT
Carey Price may be known for his calm demeanor in net, but his favorite off-season activity is anything but quiet.
In a lot of ways, Carey Price’s official title for his summer sporting passion is the same as his unofficial position in the winter.
In warmer months, Price bops around his home province on the British Columbia Rodeo Association circuit taking part in the team roping event with his buddy Wade McNolty.
by Ryan Dixon - August 3, 2011 12:09 PM EDT
Development and a burning desire have been lost in the shuffle with Washington this off-season.
In our most recent issue, The Hockey News assigned every team a grade based on its off-season moves. Buffalo and San Jose both earned an A-minus for their terrific summer shuffles, but the only true ‘A’ handed out went to the Washington Capitals.
by Ryan Dixon - July 27, 2011 11:50 AM EDT
The days of just ponying up more money than other teams are over. UFAs want to see a little more before choosing a suitor.
Judging by what occurred this off-season, signing UFAs has become nearly as much of a team effort as scoring and preventing goals.
When Brad Richards became the most prominent man to hit the open market, teams waited in line to make their pitch.
by Ryan Dixon - July 13, 2011 1:33 PM EDT
In a salary cap league, money isn't always the defining factor in acquiring free agents - the testimony of potential teammates helps woo as well.
In an era where the Marlon Brando method of signing free agents is no longer an option, many other factors are gaining significance when it comes to players deciding on a new home.
by Ryan Dixon - July 6, 2011 11:20 AM EDT
Tyler Bozak will no longer be a top-six player in Toronto, but while that kind of demotion would be bad for most, it should help the 25-year-old.
Usually when a pair of new centers roll into town, talk quickly turns to how they might help out a team’s existing wingers.
In the case of Toronto Maple Leafs acquiring pivots Tim Connolly and Matthew Lombardi, the biggest benefactor may be another middleman, Tyler Bozak.
by Ryan Dixon - June 15, 2011 1:13 PM EDT
As we get set for the fifth Game 7 in the past eight Cup finals, Ryan Dixon gives his thoughts on what has been a crazy series.
If someone had told me two weeks ago, on the eve of Game 1 of the Cup final, that a fortnight later we’d be hunkering down for Game 7, I wouldn’t have found it that far-fetched.
by Ryan Dixon - June 8, 2011 12:34 PM EDT
Like him or not, if you give the Canucks agitator your attention he's going to take the show as far as it can go.
For all the Maxim Lapierre haters out there right now, it’s genuinely surprising Milan Lucic and Mark Recchi are both fans. What else can you conclude from them adopting Lapierre’s Game 2 finger taunt to Patrice Bergeron and incorporating it into their own arsenal of shenanigans in Game 3?
Imitation is still the sincerest form of flattery, right?
The supreme irony with the vitriol that seems to flow from Lapierre’s actions is that the guys who want to lose their mind on him are also his biggest enablers.
by Ryan Dixon - June 1, 2011 12:54 PM EDT
Not many are picking Boston to win it all this year, but this is hardly a lopsided matchup.
While most acknowledge the disparity in talent levels between Boston and Vancouver is not on the same scale as the staggering geographical chasm between the two cities, you’d be hard pressed to find any prediction that states the B’s will win the Cup.
by Ryan Dixon - May 25, 2011 1:30 PM EDT
Starting Mike Smith was a good idea, but Dwayne Roloson is Tampa Bay's guy; San Jose's stars will eventually break through; and Patrice Bergeron for MVP.
A trio of thoughts now that we’re down to three teams left in the Stanley Cup chase…
• I liked Guy Boucher’s decision to start Mike Smith in Game 5 and I think the Tampa bench boss is doing the right thing by going back to Dwayne Roloson for Game 6.
by Ryan Dixon - May 18, 2011 1:34 PM EDT
If the Bruins don't re-sign their big 2011 trade acquisition, Kaberle may follow a recent trend of players seeking redemption.
Game 2 of the East final was likely Tomas Kaberle’s best game as a Bruin, which is very good timing considering Game 1 was his worst.
As you’ve no doubt heard by now, Kaberle’s stint in Boston has not gone according to plan, save for the bottom-line fact the B’s sit just three wins away from playing for the Cup.
by Ryan Dixon - May 11, 2011 3:37 PM EDT
For many reasons it's time for the Capitals to explore all their reasonable trade options, namely ones involving their electric defenseman.
I didn’t want to be that guy, but I can’t help it.
My least favorite huff-and-puff refrain in the wake of a good team getting bounced from the playoffs is “Trade Player X.
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"I don't see why he wouldn't want to coach the Oilers."
– Oilers president Kevin Lowe on rumored coaching candidate Brent Sutter
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