by Ryan Kennedy - February 18, 2011 1:00 PM EST
Far from making major moves to take a Cup run the Ducks are adding complementary pieces and, as long as Jonas Hiller can get healthy, that's all they'll need to do.
With the acquisition of agitating left winger Jarkko Ruutu the Anaheim Ducks have clearly sent a message to the rest of the West that they are in this season to win it and it won’t be fun to meet them in the playoffs.
by Ryan Kennedy - February 11, 2011 11:36 AM EST
As the Dallas Stars make a surprise run at the playoffs, it's the development of players such as Loui Eriksson that's helping the team along.
DALLAS - It’s not hard to figure out why the Dallas Stars have been a surprise contender in the West this season. Though the team has admirable depth, the top line of Brad Richards, Loui Eriksson and James Neal has done the most damage offensively and Eriksson in particular is having a breakout season.
by Ryan Kennedy - February 4, 2011 12:14 PM EST
Why do players have to fight after a clean hit? It's not just senseless violence - there's a reasoning behind the madness.
In a recent interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Blackhawks left winger Troy Brouwer talked about fighting Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Marc Methot after Methot had thrown a clean hit on Chicago star Patrick Kane.
by Ryan Kennedy - January 28, 2011 1:50 PM EST
Aside from the CHL, NCAA and Europe, there are plenty of places to find the next wave of budding superstars.
Last week I discovered I could watch some of the top games on the Minnesota high school circuit online for free.
And when I say “discovered,” I mean I followed a link from blogger Chris Dilks’ twitter feed @ChrisDilks to the site.
by Ryan Kennedy - January 12, 2011 12:50 PM EST
In a division with an unexpected team at both the top and bottom, we look at key stats, surprises, disappointments and more from the Pacific.
ANAHEIM DUCKS
THN pre-season prediction: 11th in West
Scoring leaders: Corey Perry, 45; Ryan Getzlaf, 37; Teemu Selanne, 37.
Key stat: The Ducks have given up the second-most shots per game in the NHL at 34.
by Ryan Kennedy - January 7, 2011 11:50 AM EST
The experienced Russians won't have many returning players next year, while Canada will before the tournament turns back to Europe in 2013.
Back from Buffalo, I’m left with a lot of memories of fine hockey and a Russian team that shocked a nation. The most common question being asked in the wake of Canada’s third-period surrender at the hands of the Russians is, what happened? The answer is pretty simple: With a 3-0 lead, the Canadians stopped blocking shots and settled for stick-checks instead of physical pressure.
by Ryan Kennedy - January 3, 2011 11:22 PM EST
The American quest for back-to-back golds ended early in Monday's semifinal as the Canadians get back on top of this rivalry.
BUFFALO - Well that ended quickly. Just as it looked as though Team USA would put together a string of world junior triumphs, starting with last year’s gold, the Americans fell apart against their top rival.
by Ryan Kennedy - January 2, 2011 11:22 PM EST
They have a tough road ahead of them, but if the Russians can avoid mental miscues they have the offensive talent to claim top spot in Buffalo.
BUFFALO - For most of Russia’s quarterfinal tilt with Finland, the play of Suomi stars such as Joni Ortio, Sami Vatanen and Teemu Pulkkinen carried the day.
by Ryan Kennedy - December 31, 2010 10:08 AM EST
Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, there were some excellent fights from the past calendar year. We look back at the most memorable.
It will surprise no ardent reader of this website that fighting is a very divisive issue amongst THN writers. Some are vociferously against it, others think it’s part of the game.
by Ryan Kennedy - December 24, 2010 9:15 AM EST
Besides some quality hockey over the holiday season, the world juniors provides a rare opportunity to scout some youngsters who are not often seen.
The World Junior Championship is a goldmine for young talent. While NHL scouts and GMs can always see their North American prospects at an NCAA or major junior game during the season, European draftees or draft-eligible players are not so simple.
by Ryan Kennedy - December 17, 2010 1:20 PM EST
While the big countries don't start for another nine days, we take a look at some of the top prospects from the WJC tournament going on right now.
The World Junior Championship in Buffalo is so close (Dec. 26), but while we wait for the annual deluge of elite prospects to do battle for country and glory, why not shine some light on the smaller hockey nations? The second tier of the world juniors is going on right now in Belarus and Slovenia, broken up into two divisions with the winner of each getting promoted to the top rung for next year’s edition in Calgary and Edmonton.
by Ryan Kennedy - December 10, 2010 2:30 PM EST
Captains used to be about age and experience, but how important is it to pick a guy you know will be in the lineup whenever he's healthy?
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf returned to the ice Thursday night and if he was leading by example, the Buds are in more trouble than most had expected.
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This Week - Subscribe NowAll things considered, how would you rate this NHL season?
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“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.
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