by Brian Costello - October 18, 2008 12:00 AM EDT
Things were on the right track in the Windy City until the team overpaid for free agents, then botched a coaching change.
Everything looked to be going so well for the Chicago Blackhawks.
After most of the past decade out of the playoffs and a fan base that was dwindling down to the diehards, the management and ownership of the Original Six franchise started turning the corner a few seasons ago.
by Brian Costello - September 21, 2008 1:23 AM EDT
The NHL will never agree to shorten the regular season, but there's really no reason for the high number of pre-season tilts.
The notion of reducing the number of regular season games from 82 to 70-something per team is one that will never fly with the league or the union.
by Brian Costello - September 14, 2008 11:53 AM EDT
Not many make the immediate jump, but there are a few who will skate regularly this season as 18-year-olds.
There's a misconception out there that more and more 18-year-olds are getting fast-tracked to the big leagues because they provide a cheaper alternative in a workforce that's getting more and more expensive.
by Brian Costello - September 7, 2008 3:56 PM EDT
With the big Swede still on the sidelines pondering his future, one has to wonder about his ability to still lead a team.
I’m only doing half a blog today because I’ve been in the business a long time, I’m not sure I want to continue blogging and I don’t really want to go through the grind of doing a full blog anymore.
by Brian Costello - August 30, 2008 10:39 AM EDT
An interesting connection to an NHL legend brings family together to hit the links every two years.
I carry with me one piece of trivia in my chest pocket close to my heart. I pull it out from time to time and it never fails to stump hockey fans, journalists and experts, individually and collectively.
by Brian Costello - August 17, 2008 10:24 AM EDT
The term all-star gets thrown around too much, so Brian explains what the true definition stands for.
I wanted to attempt clarification on a confusing hockey term that will probably remain confusing for as long as hockey is played.
It’s regularly the source of reader complaints to The Hockey News and it’s an honest-enough mistake made by sports journalists and people writing in.
by Brian Costello - August 10, 2008 10:27 AM EDT
Defense is an important part of the professional game, so why won't the Hall of Fame recognize one of the best defensive forwards?
In an era when goal-scoring is approaching a 50-year low, when even star players are admonished for not backchecking, when assistant coaches are mandated to find ways to shut down the opposition’s top scorers, one defensive giant continues to go unappreciated.
by Brian Costello - August 3, 2008 9:35 AM EDT
Picked third overall in 1997, Olli Jokinen was considered a flop before he broke out with the Panthers. Here are a few players who shouldn't be written off, yet.
Olli Jokinen has played all but one game in the past five seasons and his 374 points during that span ranks among the NHL’s top 10 since 2002-03.
by Brian Costello - July 27, 2008 10:33 AM EDT
While others believe the Preds will make the dance for the fifth straight season, this author thinks a drop is in their future.
Barry Trotz must be the best coach in the NHL because he finds a way to get a diminishing Nashville Predators roster into the playoffs, both last season and, according to prognosticators, this coming season.
by Brian Costello - July 20, 2008 9:51 AM EDT
When predicting next season's standings the Lightning didn't get much respect, but at least one of us thinks they'll make it to the playoffs.
Thursday was the day the great minds at The Hockey News got together in the boardroom to discuss our predictions for the coming season.
A few months earlier I saw the play 12 Angry Men, starring Richard Thomas from The Waltons fame.
by Brian Costello - July 13, 2008 9:41 AM EDT
Todd Bertuzzi has never been liked in Calgary, so now that he is part of the team a lot of fans don't know what to make of it.
I recently received an email from my father, who lives in Calgary, that had steam oozing from it as I viewed it in my inbox.
The subject line was: Sutter’s Last Stand.
by Brian Costello - July 6, 2008 12:18 AM EDT
The recent Blackhawks UFA signing has a lot to prove before he can join the crop of the game's top tenders.
Who knew Cristobal Huet was so popular.
Since mentioning him on my list of the top 10 confusing signings of the free agent season, I’ve been bombarded with feedback from fans who now want me drawn and quartered.
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"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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