Posts Tagged James Wisniewski

The Headshot Issue Revisited…

Posted by Derek in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Opinion on March 18th, 2010

When I posted the original  “Headshot Issue..” article on Monday, November 16th, 2009 I surely didn’t anticipate just how much momentum this “hot topic” would generate.

I stand by my opinion in that article, that all the rule changes have unforeseen negative effects that inevitably require more rule changes, that there’s always a “buzz word” that carries the most weight when condemning the accused in the time after an incident and before the NHL, notably Colin Cambell, review the play.

The buzz word this year is “headshot” and now every hit is being fit into that box in one way or another. Everyone from players to coaches to GM’s are using the catch-phrase headshot when sharing their feelings regarding the latest controversial hit, weather the term applies or not seems irrelivent.

Take a look at the play in the video posted below by Mark earler today, it shows the replay of  Brent Seabrook being CHARGED by James Wisniewski. I’m not sure who the Duck’s comentators are but they actually start discussing weather the hit is going to fall under the umbrella of headshots…. What?

I’m not privileged to all the criteria for what constitutes a headshot by league standards but surely this doesn’t qualify. To be completely honest, I kind of felt like Seabrook was selling it a little bit. The tell tale sign being when he goes down to the ice, eyes closed in apparent confusion etc, he puts his arm out to soften the landing… An attempt to maximize the penalty, as all players are instructed to do in these kinds of circumstances.

The point is that no single rule is going to solve all the problems with players being injured and you can’t fit every incident into the same box. The hit by James Wisniewski was clearly intent to injure, and charging, and should be treated as such but it’s a seperate issue from the headshot issue that everyone is talking about. Besides, what footage do you think they’ll be running in the commercials leading up to the next game between the Ducks and Blackhawks? Maybe call it a “rivalry”…

Hockey is a tough game, players get hit hard. Sometimes players go too far and get disciplined for their actions but when the perception is that the incident is part of the bigger problem players then become guilty of all the incidents preceding the one they actually took part in. It will be interesting to see how the NHL handles the possible suspension.

update: Wisniewski suspended 8 games.

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Another Dirty Hit? Contending Teams Might go After Turco for Next Season … Rangers-Isles in 3D

Posted by Mark in NHL News on March 18th, 2010

  • Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: The Chicago Blackhawks may have lost another defenseman to a dirty hit. Brent Seabrook was run by Ducks defenseman, and former Blackhawk, James Wisniewski. Seabrook did get up and skate to the bench, but he did not return.

    “There are certain hits in a game that are tolerable if you have the puck,” a visibly angry Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “(If) you hit a guy without the puck you can kill a guy. It’s the most dangerous hit in the history of the game. He tried to hurt him. That’s as a bad a hit as you can ever have in the game.”

  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: The 34-year-old Marty Turco is most likly playing out his days in Dallas, as they will probably go with Kari Lehtonen next season. Turco might get interest from Detroit, San Jose, Chicago, or Washington.
  • Mark Emmons of the San Jose Mercury News: Jonathan Cheechoo and his $3.5 million salary are still in the minors, with the Ottawa Senators expected to buy him out after the season. If the Sens buy him out, he’ll count about $1.165 million against the cap for the next 2 years. He had 5 goals and 9 assists in 61 games for the Senators before being demoted.
  • Richard Sandomir of the NY Times: Next Wednesday’s NY Rangers - NY Islanders game will be televised in 3D on MSG Network.
  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus  Dispatch: So a day after finding out they’ll be without defenseman Jan Hejda for the remainder of the season, the Blue Jackets learned yesterday that Rostislav Klesla is doubtful to return this season as well. Klesla has been out since November with a hip injury, but had hope to return this year.

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    Blue Jackets could look for an Offensive Defenseman or Top Center … Wisniewski Happy to be a Duck

    Posted by Mark in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 8th, 2010

  • Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson likes his team, but sees that he might need to upgrade on the blueline. He also knows that they need to generate more scoring. They already have 7 defenseman under contract for next season, with the majority of them, defensive-defenseman. He may look at dealing some of them, and bring in someone with a more offensive side. Fedor Tyutin, Jan Hejda and Rostislav Klesla could be trade possibilities. The Blue Jackets may also be looking for a front line center, or allow Derick Brassard to “grow into the role”. There is still no word if Nikita Filatov will return to the club next season, or they could trade him for an offensive defenseman or top center.
  • The Edmonton Journal: Steve Yzerman may the at the top of the list for future NHL general managers. The Tampe Bay Lightning may look for a new GM, after the team was recently bought by Jeff Vinik. Flames GM Darryl Sutter may also be on the hot seat if Flames don’t make the playoffs this year (see yesterday’s post).
  • Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: Dennis Seidenberg has only played 2 games for the Bruins, but he may want to stay for a lot longer. “This is a good opportunity for me to show what I can do and if I can fit on the team,’’ he said. “There is a chance - I definitely hope - to stay here.’’
  • Chris Botta of NYI Point Blank: Islanders coach Scott Gordon is not that thrilled with Isles GM Garth Snow for trading away defenseman Andy Sutton, and not bringing a depth replacement. The Isles are still in the playoff hunt, the blueline is looking a little thin.
  • Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: Brett Lebda has missed a couple games recently as a healthy scratch, and may be running out of time to secure a regular spot on the Red Wings blueline, as well as a new contract from the Wings for the upcoming UFA.
  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Anaheim Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski was happy he wasn’t dealt at the deadline, but he and the Ducks are far apart on a contract extension. Wisniewski is making $2.75 million this season, and will be looking for a raise. He is arbitration eligible. The Ducks may not be interested in giving him the raise he wants.

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    Trade talk is picking up as Olympic Freeze is Over

    Posted by Mark in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 1st, 2010

  • 11:05 AM: John Glennon of the Tennessean: The Predators coud use some scoring depth, and/or someone that can kill penalties. They’ll most likely look to add a rental player, instead of one with a longer contract. Dan Hamhuis and/or Dan Ellis could be moved out. If they move Hamhuis, they’d definitely need to bring in another Dman or 2. Potential targets could be Maxim Afinogenov, Colby Armstrong, Jeff Halpren, Ethan Moreau, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Rob Niedermayer, Lee Stempniak, Raffi Torres, and Ray Whitney.
  • 10:57 AM: Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Contract talks between the Penguins and Sergei Gonchar will be put on hold until after the season.
  • 10:53 AM: Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: The Red Wings probably won’t make a significant move, but will may look to add some depth at forward.
  • 10:47 AM: Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburg Times: The Lightning could be after a scoring winner, a puck-moving defenseman and a gritty 3rd-4th liner. Cheaper options could be Shean Donavan or Marek Svatos. Freddie Modin, Ponikarovsky or Torres are other options. Kris Versteeg would be a dream addition.
  • 10:39 AM: Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic: The Coyotes are looking for another scorer, especially one that could help their 29th ranked power play.
  • 10:33 AM: Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune: If Marek Zidlicky isn’t signed to an extension by the trade deadline, it would be surprising if he wasn’t moved.

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  • Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Bruins GM, Petter Chiarelli has got a couple deals going, but nothing is fore sure yet. He’s looking to get a top 9 forward that has an offensive side, and will most likely be a rental player. Ray Whitney’s price might be too high, with other possibilities, Selanne, Ponikarovsky, or Kozlov. On the Dman side of things, Dan Hamhuis and James Wisniewski could be options.
  • Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: 10 teams have contacted the Hurricanes over the last 4 days. Ray Whitney is getting the most interest, but other names are being brought up. “I am getting inquiries on more players than I expected,” Rutherford said. “That doesn’t mean more players will be traded, but it’s more inquiries than I anticipated.” Rutherford also said he won’t trade Ray Whitney unless he gets a 1st round pick in the deal, or a player equivalent to a 1st rounder.
  • James Murphy of NESN: The Coyotes and Bruins could come together on a deal. The Bruins could end up with Peter Mueller, and the Coyotes are looking to add a veteran forward and defenseman. The Bruins might have a couple deals in place, and that they could be announced today. Whitney, Torres and Ponikarovsky are also on the Bruins radar. The Penguins are supposedly the frontrunners for Ponikarovsky.
  • Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch: The Philadelphia Flyers are one of the teams showing strong interested in Raffi Torres. The Blue Jackets are looking for a 2nd round pick, but the Flyers are without a 1st and 2nd round pick this year.
  • Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Alex Ponikarovsky is getting ready for the trade deadline day, but doesn’t really want to talk about it until it happens. So far Burke hasn’t been happy with the trade offers he’s getting for his UFAs, and might hold on to them right until the end.
  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: The Dallas Stars and Steve Ott are still trying to hammer out a contract extension before the trade deadline. Both sides realize that if an agreement isn’t reached, he’ll most likely be traded.
  • Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Trade talk has picked up the last couple days. Penguins GM, Ray Shero will look for a scoring winger, a physical defenseman, but not an enforcer to fill in for the injured  Eric Godard.
  • Dan Barnes of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers and Team Slovakia defenseman, Lubomir Visnovsky, has been reprimanded by the IOC for violating anti-doping rules. Visnovsky took Advil Cold & Sinus during the qualification round, that urine sample came back positive. Before and after the semifinal round, he tested negative. He consulted Oilers trainer, Slovakian team doctor, and admitted taking it on his doping control form.

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    Rumors from the Pacific … Hawks-Panthers Talking? Interest in Kozlov

    Posted by Mark in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 23rd, 2010

  • E.J. Hradek and Puck Prospectus of ESPN:
    • Doug Wilson and the Sharks would like to add some secondary scoring and a puck moving Dman. It would have to be a rental player, as Patrick Marleau and Evgeni Nabokov need to be re-signed. The Sharks may also look at adding a backup goalie with some experience.
    • The LA Kings are looking to add a scoring winger and will look at Ray Whitney, Freddie Modin, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Paul Kariya, and Raffi Torres. They may also look at a goaltender with experience.
    • The Phoenix Coyotes might be one team that is looking to add players that won’t be UFAs after the season. Peter Mueller has been rumored all season to be on the outs. Andrew Brunette of the Wild might be a good fit with the Yotes.
    • The Anaheim Ducks have UFA’s Scott Niedermayer, Teemu Selanne, and Saku Koivu that will draw some interest. Bob Murray has said that Niedermayer isn’t going anywhere. James Wisniewski’s name has been mentioned with the Blackhawks (for Cam Barker before he was dealt).
    • Dallas Stars need an upgrade on the blueline. They won’t be bringing in any big contracts. Marty Turco is the most likely player to be moved. Mike Ribeiro, Stephane Robidas, Fabian Brunnstrom and Steve Ott, could find themselves playing in a different city after the deadline.
  • Harry Teinowitz on ESPN Radio: I don’t know how reliable this guy is, but he mentioned on Monday of a trade rumor between the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers. The Hawks would send Cristobal Huet, Corey Crawford, and Kris Versteeg to the Panthers for Tomas Vokoun and an defenseman (maybe either Dennis Seidenberg or Jordan Leopold).
  • TheFourthPeriod: The Kings, Bruins, and Red Wings are rumored to have an interest in Slava Kozlov. UFA’s for the Atlanta Thrashers that could be moved are: Kozlov, Colby Armstrong, Jim Slater, Maxim Afinogenov, Eric Boulton, Pavel Kubina, Christoph Schubert, Mark Popovic and Johan Hedberg. Kozlov, Kubina, and Armstrong should draw the most interest.
  • Jeremy Roenick on ESPNChicago: Roenick is putting his hand in the rumor mill, saying that Jaroslav Halak wants out of Montreal, and he’d be better suited to lead Chicago to the Cup than Antti Niemi and/or Cristobal Huet. Vokoun would be a perfect fit in Chicago.

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    Blueline Help Coming for the Bruins? No NHL Return for Forsberg? Lidstrom Back Next Year?

    Posted by Mark in NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 19th, 2010

  • Darren Dreger via Twitter: The Bruins will be looking to add a defenseman when the Olympic roster freeze is over.
  • Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: One of Haggerty’s sources has told him that the Bruins main target could be Predators defenseman, Dan Hamhuis. Nashville may be asking too much for him though. Aaron Ward is also another possibility, but more of fall back I think. Other possibilities could be Ryan Whitney (though he’s still under contract for a couple more seasons), Dennis Grebeshkov from the Oilers, and James Wisniewski of the Ducks.
  • Elliott Pap in the Vancouver Province: Peter Forsberg says he’s at the Olympics to play for Team Sweden and not to test the waters to return to the NHL next year. “I kind of doubt,” Forsberg said when asked about a possible NHL comeback. “It’s not what I’m thinking about right now. No.”
  • Detroit Free Press: Nicklas Lidstrom will be turning 40 in April, and his contract expire at the end of the season. Will he retire? He’s been dodging questions on the topic. “I haven’t thought much about it,” said Lidstrom.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: The Avalanche may look to shed a Dman or 2, with the names Clark, Salei, and Liles the most likely to be moved for draft picks.

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    Blackhawks interested in Parros and Wisniewski, Goaltending situation in Dallas, Lehtonen back in Atlanta

    Posted by Mark in NHL Injuries, NHL Rumors on February 8th, 2010

  • Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail: The countdown for the Olympic roster freeze has begun (Feb. 12th, 3pm), so GM’s have a few days to go over their plan B’s (well for those of who were interested in Kovalchuk), which of course is headed by Ray Whitney. Cam Ward is getting an MRI done on his back, and if the results are not good, he could be shut down for the year.
  • Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald: The Blackhawks might be talking to Anaheim about George Parros. They also have inquired about James Wisniewski.
  • Steve Simmons from the Ottawa Sun: The Maple Leafs have tried to include Jeff Finger in almost all their trade talks, with no success. This should come as no surprise as he still has 2 years left at a $3.5 mill cap number. He could find himself in the minors or being bought out.
  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk has plenty of goaltending options to consider. He can keep his goalies for the remainder of the season, and hope that Marty Turco can return to his prior form. He can trade Turco and bring in another goalie. Tim Thomas could be on the market (see yesterday mornings post). Cory Schneider is buried in the minors, with no hope of overtaking Roberto Luongo in Vancouver. Jaroslav Halak might be available. Kari Lehtonen is also available.
  • Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The Atlanta Thrashers have recalled Kari Lehtonen from his 2 week conditioning stinct. Lehtonen allowed 11 goals on 109 shots (.899 save %), with a GAA of 2.67. Let the trade rumors begin as the Thrashers now have 3 NHL capable goalies on their roster.
  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Tomas Holmstrom and Drew Miller left Saturday’s game with an injury, but both are expected to play on Tuesday. Niklas Kronwall might be ready to go as well, the same with Johan Franzen.

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    Around the Boards: Niedermayer, Selanne and Koivu out in Anaheim? Hitch safe for now, Zetterberg back tonight? Bieksa out 3 months

    Posted by Mark in NHL News on January 5th, 2010

    • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: If the Anaheim Ducks continue to fall further from playoff contention, there is a good chance that several veterans will find themselves being offered around the league. Scott Neidermayer, Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu might be given some say of where they would like to play. Nick Boyton, James Wisniewski and Todd Marchant could also be on their way out for a pick or prospect.
    • Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: GM Jim Rutherford says that trades could be coming soon for the Carolina Hurricanes, “Things are starting to open up now as far as moving players.”
    • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Despite the rumors that some Blue Jacket players are unhappy with coach Ken Hitchcock and that the team isn’t playing near expectations, GM Scott Howson has given his coach another vote of confidence.
    • Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: Both Henrik Zetterberg and Dan Cleary took part in a full practice yesterday and could be a go for tonight against Anaheim, though it’s not a 100% that either will play.
    • Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: Canucks Dman, Kevin Bieksa will out at least 3 months with 2 severed tendons above his left ankle. Wow … what a shocker, Bieksa hurt, this guy has had some bad luck.

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    Around the Boards: Ilya contract or trade? Ward returning, Brind’Amour scratched … 2 Pens getting close

    Posted by Mark in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on December 8th, 2009

  • Kevin Allen of the USA Today: The Atlanta Thrashers and Ilya Kovalchuk continue to talk, and both sides seem to think they can reach a deal. But if a deal can’t get done, there are at least 2 top Western teams will make a trade pitch.
  • Luke Decock of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes captain Rob Brind’Amour was made a healthy scratch last night. He’s on pace for only 23 points this season, and is a whopping -19. I think the end of the line for captain Brind’Amour is nearing. At 39, I don’t think he has much left, but if a contender were to pick him up now or at the deadline, limit the amount of regular season games he plays, he could be a valuable playoff asset.
  • Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune: Penguins dman Alex Goligoski and winger Chris Kunitz have been cleared for physical contact during practice, and could be returning to game action soon.
  • Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: With goalie Cam Ward about to return on Wednesday, the Hurricanes have place Michael Leighton on waivers, and will keep Manny Legace with the big club.
  • Eric Stephens of teh OC Register: The defensive struggles of the Anaheim Ducks has led to the shuffling of their defensive pairings. Scott Neidermayer is now paired with call-up Brett Festerling, Ryan Whitney is paired with Nick Boynton, and James Wisniewski is skating with Sheldon Brookbank. Kyle Calder could be ready to return for this weekend’s road trip.

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