Posts Tagged Alex Ovechkin

Around the Boards: Savard about to sign, Ovechkin hurts knee, DiPietro mid-Dec return, Gagne Skating

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on December 1st, 2009

  • Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: Marc Savard and the Boston Bruins could announce today that they’ve agreed to a 7 year contract extension with a cap hit in the $4.5 – $4.8 million range. Savard will be 39 when the contract expires. With a cap number that low, this deal will be front loaded for the first 5 or 6 years.
  • Corey Masisak of the Washington Times: Alex Ovechkin went knee-on-knee with Carolina’s Tim Gleason. More will be known at tests are performed today. OV was given a 5 minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct. I think the NHL might be investigating this hit, as it might be another reckless play by him.
  • Steven Marcus of the Newsday: Rick DiPietro is eying a mid-December return to the Islanders, after completing a conditioning stint in the AHL. Martin Biron rumors should heat up over the next couple weeks, and look for the Isles to trade once DiPietro returns and they have faith that he’ll remain healthy.
  • Jay Greenberg of the NY Post: The New York Rangers would love to add some scoring, but they handcuffed by some questionable contracts signed by Glen Sather. It still amazes me how Sather is still the GM of the Rangers.
  • Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Simon Gagne is back on skates earlier than expected after his abdominal surgery, but he’s not close to getting back into the Flyers lineup.

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Kaleta Suspended

Posted by Derek in NHL News on November 28th, 2009

The Buffalo Sabres will be without Patrick Kaleta for two games after the forward was suspended by the NHL on Saturday.

Kaleta took a major boarding penalty and a game misconduct in the first period of Friday’s game against the Flyers when he hit Philadelphia centre Jared Ross. Ross left the game and did not return.

Kaleta has three goals and three assists in 21 games this season. He is eligible to return to action on Dec. 3 against Montreal.  (source:TSN)

It looks like fellow colleague Mark was right earlier today when he posted (in his daily “Around The Boards” column) that Kaleta would receive a suspension for his hit on Jared Ross of the Flyers last night.

I’m not really sure I agree with this decision, and I admit that I’m not overly familiar with this Kaleta character, but I felt like Jared Ross turned his back at the last minute. The problem with being a “usual suspect”, like Kaleta apparently is, is that there’s no way you’ll get the benefit of the doubt that the hit was un-intentional, and the NHL is going to make an example out of you.

We all know that there has been a double standard regarding a players star status vs length of suspension for years. Lets face the facts here, the NHL is a business and it isn’t good for business to suspend Alex Ovechkin for a borderline hit.

We could go through example after example of grinder type players getting the shaft or star players getting off easy but it boils down to this; It is much better to make an example out a guy who won’t affect the bottom line…A player with OV’s star status will make opposing teams money when the Capitals come to town (outside of the large markets, that sell out anyway, like Toronto and New York for example) so it’s in all the owners best interest to keep him on skates and selling tickets.

Kaleta, on the other hand, well…….enough said.

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Around the Boards: Kovalchuk talks positive, Malkin and Ovechkin returing tomorrow? Komisarek and Orpik out weeks

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on November 13th, 2009

  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers forward Robert Nilsson is in the doghouse and may find himself on the trading block. The Predators and possibly the Hurricanes could be interested in Nilsson, who has skill but has been inconsistent.
  • Chris McCosky of The Detroit News: Despite the rumors circulating that the Detroit Red Wings might be interested in trading for JS Giguere, GM Ken Holland says he hasn’t talked about any trades, nor does he expect to any time soon.
  • Jeff Klein of the New York Times: Thrashers GM, Don Waddell says the Ilya Kovalchuk’s negotiations have been ‘very positive’. It’s not noted if Ilya or his agent agree, but at least they continue to talk. There is still talk out there about Kovalchuk returning to Russia.
  • Corey Masisak of the Washington Times: Alex Ovechkin could return this weekend.
  • Mike Spellman of the Daily Herald: Marion Hossa has begun some little contact drills to test out his surgically repaired shoulder. He should begin full contact next week, and could see some game action during their current trip.
  • Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Brooks Orpik’s ‘lower body injury’ will keep him out the lineup for about 2 weeks, which is better than originally feared. Evgeni Malkin has been cleared for contact and could return on Saturday.
  • Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: Leafs defenceman, Mike Komisarek will on the IR for about 3 weeks with a torn muscle in his quadriceps. Carl Gunnarsson was called up to take his roster spot. Ian White moved up to the number one defensive unit with Tomas Kaberle. Jeff Finger was paired with Francois Beauchemin, Luke Schenn and Garnet Exelby are the 3rd pairing.
  • Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Milan Lucic is targeting next Thursday as a return date, Claude Julien is thinking at least a week to 10 days.

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Around the Boards: Forsberg, Jagr, Ovechkin and Booth

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on November 6th, 2009

  • Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Add the Vancouver Canucks to the list of potential teams interested in Peter Forsberg. “First of all, he needs to find out if he can still play,” Gillis said. “If he can, we’re definitely interested. I’ve known his agent, Don Baizley, for a long time and I think we’d be on his short list if Peter decides he wants to play.” The Canucks have sent 2 scouts watch him play in a tournament this weekend.
  • Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Edmonton Oilers still have an interest in bringing Jaromir Jagr in to the fold. “Jags and I text back and forth. I talked to him about six weeks ago,” Renney said. “He’s on our radar. He has NHL years ahead of him. No question.”
  • Corey Masisak of the Washington Times: Alex Ovechkin will be out for at least 2 more games. He returned yesterday to the ice for a skating session.
  • Steve Gorten of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: It looks like David Booth will be allowed to begin light exercises over the next couple days. Booth would love to return November 20th to face the Red Wings in his hometown.

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Around the Boards: Ovechkin, Staal, MacDonald and Lecavalier Updates

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Videos on November 2nd, 2009

Injuries are the story of the day again, with 2 super stars leaving their games early. It was mentioned on either Friday or Saturday’s Maple Leaf game, that there were 100 players out with injuries. It’s simply amazing the amount of injuries with season.

  • Corey Masisak of the Washington Times: Alex Ovechkin is the latest star to go down with an injury, after leaving last nights game in the second period. Boudreau said after the game that Ovechkin is day-to-day with a ‘upper body injury’.
  • Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Eric Staal left in the second periods of last nights Hurricanes game with an ‘upper body injury’. The injury is not supposed to be serious.
  • Dan O’Neill of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Andy MacDonald is day-to-day with his ‘upper body injury’, which could have been a lot worse after his face first slide into the boards Saturday night. If he didn’t move his head at the last minute to absorb the boards with the face and neck, he could have had a serious spinal injury. It was definitely a scary sight. For those who missed it,
  • Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times: Vincent Lecavalier has once again found himself with new wingers as coach Tocchet searches for a way to get his star center going. Vinny will most likely be centering Drew Miller and Stephane Veilleux.

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TSN vs GlobeSports Projected Scoring Leaders

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on September 27th, 2009

In keeping with the projected scoring leaders for this season, we compared TSN’s Scott Cullen’s Top 40 projections with GlobeSports.com’s Eric Duhatschek’s. 31 players appear on both lists.

Players who only appear on 1 list as top 40 potential scorers: Ales Hemsky, Alex Tanguay, Alexander Frolov, Alexander Semin, Anze Kopitar, Brenden Morrow, Daniel Briere ,Jean-Pierre Dumont, Marian Gaborik, Mike Cammalleri, Patrick Kane, Patrick Marleau, Patrik Elias, Paul Stastny, Scott Gomez, Shane Doan, Steven Stamkos , Thomas Vanek

RANK TSN – Scott Cullen GlobeSports – Eric Duhatschek
1 Alexander Ovechkin Evgeni Malkin
2 Evgeni Malkin Alexander Ovechkin
3 Sidney Crosby Sidney Crosby
4 Pavel Datsyuk Joe Thornton
5 Nicklas Backstrom Dany Heatley
6 Joe Thornton Ryan Getzlaf
7 Ryan Getzlaf Ilya Kovalchuk
8 Dany Heatley Pavel Datsyuk
9 Ilya Kovalchuk Marc Savard
10 Marc Savard Jarome Iginla
11 Jarome Iginla Alexander Semin
12 Jason Spezza Nicklas Backstrom
13 Rick Nash Jason Spezza
14 Zach Parise Henrik Sedin
15 Henrik Zetterberg Daniel Sedin
16 Henrik Sedin Vincent Lecavalier
17 Martin St. Louis Henrik Zetterberg
18 Daniel Sedin Zach Parise
19 Mike Richards Jeff Carter
20 Daniel Alfredsson Rick Nash
21 Jeff Carter Corey Perry
22 Eric Staal Martin St. Louis
23 Jonathan Toews Eric Staal
24 Derek Roy Paul Stastny
25 Vincent Lecavalier Mike Richards
26 Anze Kopitar Marian Gaborik
27 Bobby Ryan Scott Gomez
28 Mike Ribeiro Jonathan Toews
29 Patrick Kane Daniel Alfredsson
30 Corey Perry Steven Stamkos
31 Olli Jokinen Martin Havlat
32 Shane Doan Bobby Ryan
33 Simon Gagne Patrick Marleau
34 Patrik Elias Ales Hemsky
35 Martin Havlat Brenden Morrow
36 Jean-Pierre Dumont Olli Jokinen
37 Alex Tanguay Simon Gagne
38 Thomas Vanek Mike Ribeiro
39 Alexander Frolov Daniel Briere
40 Mike Cammalleri Derek Roy

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TSN Releases Projected Scoring Leaders

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on September 26th, 2009

Scott Cullen of TSN has put out a Top 250 projected scoring for the upcoming season. We’ve posted below the Top 40.  He has only Alex Ovechkin as the only 50 goal scorer, and only 3 players (Ovechkin, Malkin, and Crosby) scoring over a 100 points. Only 13 players are projected to point a game or better.


RANK PLAYER TEAM POS G A PTS +/- PPP PIM
1 Alexander Ovechkin WAS LW 55 54 109 5 43 54
2 Evgeni Malkin PIT C 41 67 108 12 40 76
3 Sidney Crosby PIT C 33 68 101 10 43 71
4 Pavel Datsyuk DET C 30 65 95 27 36 20
5 Nicklas Backstrom WAS C 23 71 94 14 39 44
6 Joe Thornton SJ C 25 65 90 19 39 53
7 Ryan Getzlaf ANA C 28 60 88 17 40 99
8 Dany Heatley SJ LW 47 41 88 10 31 82
9 Ilya Kovalchuk ATL LW 47 41 88 -8 38 58
10 Marc Savard BOS C 22 66 88 7 34 72
11 Jarome Iginla CAL RW 40 46 86 7 32 62
12 Jason Spezza OTT C 33 50 83 7 32 63
13 Rick Nash CBJ RW 42 40 82 7 23 79
14 Zach Parise NJ LW 36 44 80 13 25 26
15 Henrik Zetterberg DET C 36 44 80 18 30 34
16 Henrik Sedin VAN C 19 61 80 15 31 56
17 Martin St. Louis TB RW 32 48 80 -4 27 24
18 Daniel Sedin VAN LW 30 49 79 14 30 40
19 Mike Richards PHI C 29 48 77 16 32 69
20 Daniel Alfredsson OTT RW 28 48 76 10 29 30
21 Jeff Carter PHI C 40 36 76 12 22 70
22 Eric Staal CAR C 37 38 75 6 26 54
23 Jonathan Toews CHI C 36 39 75 14 26 57
24 Derek Roy BUF C 30 44 74 2 26 42
25 Vincent Lecavalier TB C 32 41 73 -11 25 64
26 Anze Kopitar LA C 29 44 73 -11 26 30
27 Bobby Ryan ANA LW 34 39 73 15 28 46
28 Mike Ribeiro DAL C 22 51 73 3 26 44
29 Patrick Kane CHI RW 23 48 71 -3 32 47
30 Corey Perry ANA RW 33 38 71 12 25 106
31 Olli Jokinen CAL C 32 39 71 -1 29 74
32 Shane Doan PHO LW 27 43 70 1 24 65
33 Simon Gagne PHI LW 33 36 69 20 23 36
34 Patrik Elias NJ LW 25 43 68 9 27 34
35 Martin Havlat MIN RW 28 40 68 12 17 34
36 Jean-Pierre Dumont NAS RW 22 46 68 3 19 26
37 Alex Tanguay TB LW 22 46 68 7 21 42
38 Thomas Vanek BUF LW 39 28 67 3 25 52
39 Alexander Frolov LA LW 30 37 67 -4 24 28
40 Mike Cammalleri MON RW 30 37 67 -4 28 48

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NHL Awards

Posted by Derek in NHL News on June 19th, 2009

All the news from the NHL awards

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