I miss hockey. This is getting bad. Yes, I know the Olympic camps are getting into gear and I know that training camps are right around the corner...
but these are the worst dog days.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Sad day in hockeyville
After 20 years of NHL service, Quoteless Joe is hangin' 'em up. Joe Sakic by all accounts was a really wonderful guy to be around and one hell of a player. He always reminded me of Steve Yzerman with his style and class. Joe, you'll be missed.
In other news, the Iowa Chops have been "involuntarily suspended for the 2009-10 season by the league’s Board of Governors, effective July 6, 2009." I find this more than odd. What will the players do? There isn't a lot of information out there regarding what actually happened other than by laws violations. Hmm...
Lot of signings lately - some don't make a lot of sense and some are just down funny. Pronger for 7 years with the Bullies? He'll fit in nicely. I think he just missed the orange. At least he managed to wear a tie (*coughCartercough*)
From the Puck Daddy files - in talking about NHL 10:
That said, the "after the whistle" function is pretty much the greatest thing to happen to video gaming since the invention of giant apes throwing barrels at Italian plumbers. Face washes, cheap shots, putting the puck on the goalie after the whistle ... so, Claude Lemieux Mode then?
* * *
Still no word on the Patrick Kane mouthpiece ripping feature. Maybe it's hidden ...
I love gamers with a sense of humor. Also watching PKane get his mouth guard swatted from his mouth will never get old.
I know we'll eventually get around to posting the free agent grades, but we probably should talk about them first right?
Until next time,
only a handful of weeks until Olympic training camps!
In other news, the Iowa Chops have been "involuntarily suspended for the 2009-10 season by the league’s Board of Governors, effective July 6, 2009." I find this more than odd. What will the players do? There isn't a lot of information out there regarding what actually happened other than by laws violations. Hmm...
Lot of signings lately - some don't make a lot of sense and some are just down funny. Pronger for 7 years with the Bullies? He'll fit in nicely. I think he just missed the orange. At least he managed to wear a tie (*coughCartercough*)
From the Puck Daddy files - in talking about NHL 10:
That said, the "after the whistle" function is pretty much the greatest thing to happen to video gaming since the invention of giant apes throwing barrels at Italian plumbers. Face washes, cheap shots, putting the puck on the goalie after the whistle ... so, Claude Lemieux Mode then?
* * *
Still no word on the Patrick Kane mouthpiece ripping feature. Maybe it's hidden ...
I love gamers with a sense of humor. Also watching PKane get his mouth guard swatted from his mouth will never get old.
I know we'll eventually get around to posting the free agent grades, but we probably should talk about them first right?
Until next time,
only a handful of weeks until Olympic training camps!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Happy Canuck Day!
It's the 1st of July and not only is it Free Agent day, but it's the national holiday of the country just to the north of us and home to many of our favorite hockey boys. So, since Lisa already posted about Free Agency, I thought I would post Boy of the Day and one of my very favorite pictures that has both of our very favorite boys as well as a third boy that is also very very popular here at the Puck Chuck.
In their Team Canada togs from what Getty says is the 1996 season are Stevie Yzerman, Trevor Linden and Ronnie Francis.
In their Team Canada togs from what Getty says is the 1996 season are Stevie Yzerman, Trevor Linden and Ronnie Francis.
Free Agent Frenzie
July 1st brings us a holiday to the north and craziness in the league we love. Canada Day and The first day of unrestricted free agency.
The madness has already begun. ThePhillies Flyers (bringin' sexy goonery back) went nuts and traded away (I think too much) to get Pronger (apparently his wife approved). Montreal picked up Scottie Gomez for Christopher "don't call me Chris" Higgins and Calgary made a big cannon ball splash with ChuckAPucker favorite Jay Bo. Who is next? [Edit by Amy: Hey Chica? It's the Flyers... Phillies don't have goonery, just a bi-polar bullpen that I feel the need to smack quite often this season. ;D]
Apparently, Dany Heatley isn't one of them. I still don't understand this whole fuster cluck of a situation. Heatley says he wants out but has a no trade clause. This isn't about the no trade clause. If a team is going to offer those, a player should be able to have that kick in. But when you say you want out because it's just been too hard to play for your team, then do you really have the say so to wave that no trade in the team's face? Also at issue is an apparent signing bonus of a nice chunk of change that goes into effect either today or tomorrow (funny, the AGENT isn't really sure when that kicks in). Is Heater holding off to get the payday? If so, not only is that really wormy, I hope there is some sort of karmic payback if he doesn't, say, oh I don't donate to some sort of fund for families of children who are killed by their 'best' friends in a stupid car accident.
In talking with Boss Man Joe, we both agree that if the Wings don't sign Hossa (which is entirely possible), they need to spend the money on a lunking defenseman. They are small on the blue line (Ericksson notwithstanding) and could use a good stay at home sort of guy. Like Rob Scuderi. Just saying. [Edit by Amy: Bite your tongue!]
Got my eye on a few other players today....hopefully it will end soon enough. If you don't hear from Amy for a few days, it's because she's in Mitten Land with me and Friend of the Chuckers, Lisa. Have bail money if we call. [Edit by Amy: Honest officer... we have no idea how that man got in the trunk. Yes, it is amazing how he folded up like that... but not really, he's a goalie. Wait... what?]
Until next time (when we'll probably have a run down of who went where)
The madness has already begun. The
Apparently, Dany Heatley isn't one of them. I still don't understand this whole fuster cluck of a situation. Heatley says he wants out but has a no trade clause. This isn't about the no trade clause. If a team is going to offer those, a player should be able to have that kick in. But when you say you want out because it's just been too hard to play for your team, then do you really have the say so to wave that no trade in the team's face? Also at issue is an apparent signing bonus of a nice chunk of change that goes into effect either today or tomorrow (funny, the AGENT isn't really sure when that kicks in). Is Heater holding off to get the payday? If so, not only is that really wormy, I hope there is some sort of karmic payback if he doesn't, say, oh I don't donate to some sort of fund for families of children who are killed by their 'best' friends in a stupid car accident.
In talking with Boss Man Joe, we both agree that if the Wings don't sign Hossa (which is entirely possible), they need to spend the money on a lunking defenseman. They are small on the blue line (Ericksson notwithstanding) and could use a good stay at home sort of guy. Like Rob Scuderi. Just saying. [Edit by Amy: Bite your tongue!]
Got my eye on a few other players today....hopefully it will end soon enough. If you don't hear from Amy for a few days, it's because she's in Mitten Land with me and Friend of the Chuckers, Lisa. Have bail money if we call. [Edit by Amy: Honest officer... we have no idea how that man got in the trunk. Yes, it is amazing how he folded up like that... but not really, he's a goalie. Wait... what?]
Until next time (when we'll probably have a run down of who went where)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Oooooooh say can you see?
It's a busy day here at Chuck a Puck and it's not even Free Agent day. Speaking of FA Day, if you want to keep up with all the signings, TSN has provided a handy dandy page for us.
Also today Brian Burke and the USA Hockey brain trust announced the roster for their Olympic training camp. There are a few guys on the list that make me go BUH?; but most of them I think deserve to be there as well as there are also a few guys that didn't make the cut and should have.
Goaltenders: Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick, Tim Thomas
Defencemen: Tom Gilbert, Tim Gleason, Ron Hainsey, Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Mike Komisarek, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Brian Rafalski, Rob Scuderi, Ryan Suter, Ryan Whitney
Forwards: David Backes, David Booth, Dustin Brown, Dustin Byfuglien, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Phil Kessel, Jamie Langenbrunner, Ryan Malone, Mike Modano, Kyle Okposo, T.J. Oshie, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Bobby Ryan, Paul Stastny.
Today is also the CHL Import Draft and with the 17th-overall pick Everett selected defenseman Rasmus Rissanen from Finland. He's listed at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, and was a fifth-round selection in this year's draft by the Hurricanes. Rissanen is the first Scandinavian player as the others have been from Czech Republic, Slovakia and Russia. With the 20th-overall pick, they took Radko Gudas from the Czech Republic,listed at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds; and was not selected in either of the past two NHL drafts. With the pick of two defensemen, I wonder what's going on with our d-corps, especially with losing our two top guys to graduation.
I know there is more, but it's escaping me at the moment. So without further delay, I give you the boy of the day who is probably one of the most adorable invitees to the USA Olympic camp, Zach Parise.
Also today Brian Burke and the USA Hockey brain trust announced the roster for their Olympic training camp. There are a few guys on the list that make me go BUH?; but most of them I think deserve to be there as well as there are also a few guys that didn't make the cut and should have.
Goaltenders: Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick, Tim Thomas
Defencemen: Tom Gilbert, Tim Gleason, Ron Hainsey, Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Mike Komisarek, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Brian Rafalski, Rob Scuderi, Ryan Suter, Ryan Whitney
Forwards: David Backes, David Booth, Dustin Brown, Dustin Byfuglien, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Phil Kessel, Jamie Langenbrunner, Ryan Malone, Mike Modano, Kyle Okposo, T.J. Oshie, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Bobby Ryan, Paul Stastny.
Today is also the CHL Import Draft and with the 17th-overall pick Everett selected defenseman Rasmus Rissanen from Finland. He's listed at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, and was a fifth-round selection in this year's draft by the Hurricanes. Rissanen is the first Scandinavian player as the others have been from Czech Republic, Slovakia and Russia. With the 20th-overall pick, they took Radko Gudas from the Czech Republic,listed at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds; and was not selected in either of the past two NHL drafts. With the pick of two defensemen, I wonder what's going on with our d-corps, especially with losing our two top guys to graduation.
I know there is more, but it's escaping me at the moment. So without further delay, I give you the boy of the day who is probably one of the most adorable invitees to the USA Olympic camp, Zach Parise.
Monday, June 29, 2009
It is another beautiful day in Zamunda...
So it's Monday again and I'm not too thrilled about it; other than Lisa and I are only working three days this week because I am heading east for the holiday weekend. Yes, it's true, we'll be blogging from the same time zone for the weekend; and I have a feeling we might need bail money at least once. Woot!
Just gonna be a quick update today since the real world is taking precedence this morning.
USA Hockey has announced the assistants for Vancouver and they are John Tortorella, formerly coach of the Rangers and Scott Gordon of the Islanders. I was surprised by Scott Gordon; but I'm gonna go with Burkie's decisions.
The draft went pretty much as planned; but a few surprises did come up and one of my boys was one of them. Cameron Abney, who wasn't even drafted in the bantam draft, was picked by KLowe and the boys in Edmonton; and as much as I love Cam, this one sort of blew me away. We did have another boy picked and that was Byron Froese who was selected by the Blackhawks in round 4. I think his play will work well there; and he'll have a friend there too in former Tip Kyle Beach. Two more of the boys are rumored to have invites to NHL camps, which is so great since I was sure they would have been drafted. Byron's linemates Kellan Tochkin and Tyler Maxwell are supposedly going to the Canucks and Kings rookie camps respectively; and I'm so proud of all four of the guys. And Lisa is very excited about BabyParm, aka Landon Ferraro, being selected by the Wings. She's a Wings fan and we both really like his dad Ray.
And I'm really hoping that my favorite Dutchman that is still playing, Jay Bouwmeester, won't be signing in Calgary; but if he does, one good thing that would come from that would be my Vancouver boys play the Flames several times a season more than the Panthers do. Oh, and I'm not happy about Pronger leaving the Ducks; but at I am very happy about getting Joffrey Lupul back as well as Luca Sbisa into the fold.
Anyway, I have to get something done with my actual job; so here is today's boy of the day. He is the captain of the Phoenix Coyotes and is a big favorite of the staff here at CaP. We call him the Doaner... Shane Doan!
Just gonna be a quick update today since the real world is taking precedence this morning.
USA Hockey has announced the assistants for Vancouver and they are John Tortorella, formerly coach of the Rangers and Scott Gordon of the Islanders. I was surprised by Scott Gordon; but I'm gonna go with Burkie's decisions.
The draft went pretty much as planned; but a few surprises did come up and one of my boys was one of them. Cameron Abney, who wasn't even drafted in the bantam draft, was picked by KLowe and the boys in Edmonton; and as much as I love Cam, this one sort of blew me away. We did have another boy picked and that was Byron Froese who was selected by the Blackhawks in round 4. I think his play will work well there; and he'll have a friend there too in former Tip Kyle Beach. Two more of the boys are rumored to have invites to NHL camps, which is so great since I was sure they would have been drafted. Byron's linemates Kellan Tochkin and Tyler Maxwell are supposedly going to the Canucks and Kings rookie camps respectively; and I'm so proud of all four of the guys. And Lisa is very excited about BabyParm, aka Landon Ferraro, being selected by the Wings. She's a Wings fan and we both really like his dad Ray.
And I'm really hoping that my favorite Dutchman that is still playing, Jay Bouwmeester, won't be signing in Calgary; but if he does, one good thing that would come from that would be my Vancouver boys play the Flames several times a season more than the Panthers do. Oh, and I'm not happy about Pronger leaving the Ducks; but at I am very happy about getting Joffrey Lupul back as well as Luca Sbisa into the fold.
Anyway, I have to get something done with my actual job; so here is today's boy of the day. He is the captain of the Phoenix Coyotes and is a big favorite of the staff here at CaP. We call him the Doaner... Shane Doan!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thank God It's Draft Day!
Yes, it's true... it's here. Draft Day is one of the most exciting and anticipated days on the NHL calendar up there with the trade deadline and the last day of the regular season. It's watching to see if the so called experts are correct on their picks, which teams actually pick what they actually need rather than picking some guy so their division rival can't get him; and you get to see lots of nice boys all dressed up.
The biggest mystery of the night will be who the NY Islanders will select: John Tavares, the Canadian sniper forward who has been playing for the London Knights of the OHL or the very tall blond and Swedish defensman Victor Hedman, late of the Swedish hockey factory Modo. Who goes third could be a number of different boys, but from what I've read it could be Matt Duchene who plays with the Brampton Batallion, which is the club babyCanuck Cody Hodgson played with this last season; and I've also heard Evander Kane from the Vancouver Giants or Luke Schenn's brother Brayden who plays for the Brandon Wheat Kings. I haven't seen Matt, but I've seen a little of Brayden and a lot of Evander; and I think that in a couple of years they'll be good solid players for whoever picks them.
The Silvertips are going to be waiting with baited breath to see if any of the boys will be picked and if they're picked by who. One boy that should be drafted is Byron Froese from Manitoba. He was a rookie this last season who was placed on a line with two other rookies, Kellan Tochkin and Tyler Maxwell who also might be picked; and they went bananas for an offense that at times needed that spark. He got a notice by Team Canada and was invited to play at the U-18 World Championships; and did a wonderful job including a hat trick. Three other Tips, Cameron Abney and Shane Harper and goaltender Thomas Heemskerk, also have a chance of being selected; but who knows. Surprises do happen though... ask Dan Gendur. He wasn't even near the radar, but after a great season two years ago, he was selected by the Canucks at the very end of the 7th round; and after a very good first half with the Victoria Salmon Kings and a cup of coffee with the Moose, our pal Danny was selected to participate in the ECHL All Star game. So, stay tuned! :)
Funny video from Puck Daddy...
TSN is passing a rumor of a trade between Boston and the Leafs that has me saying BUH!? "Sources tell TSN the Bruins have offered restricted free agent forward Phil Kessel to Toronto in exchange for the Leaf defenceman and Toronto's No. 7 pick in the draft." Really? Are the PoohBears really that needy for defense that they're willing to give up Phil? Yikes!
But that is it for now from me... I'll be watching the replay of the first 10 or so picks during the replay on NHL Network tonight since it starts at 4pm my time; and hoping for my local boys in the morning.
Before I go though, we have the Boy of the Day; or actually Boys of the Day. As suggested by our good pal Lisa R., the last year we had the same kind of 1 vs. 2 battle was Alex Ovechkin and Geno Malkin in 2004...
The biggest mystery of the night will be who the NY Islanders will select: John Tavares, the Canadian sniper forward who has been playing for the London Knights of the OHL or the very tall blond and Swedish defensman Victor Hedman, late of the Swedish hockey factory Modo. Who goes third could be a number of different boys, but from what I've read it could be Matt Duchene who plays with the Brampton Batallion, which is the club babyCanuck Cody Hodgson played with this last season; and I've also heard Evander Kane from the Vancouver Giants or Luke Schenn's brother Brayden who plays for the Brandon Wheat Kings. I haven't seen Matt, but I've seen a little of Brayden and a lot of Evander; and I think that in a couple of years they'll be good solid players for whoever picks them.
The Silvertips are going to be waiting with baited breath to see if any of the boys will be picked and if they're picked by who. One boy that should be drafted is Byron Froese from Manitoba. He was a rookie this last season who was placed on a line with two other rookies, Kellan Tochkin and Tyler Maxwell who also might be picked; and they went bananas for an offense that at times needed that spark. He got a notice by Team Canada and was invited to play at the U-18 World Championships; and did a wonderful job including a hat trick. Three other Tips, Cameron Abney and Shane Harper and goaltender Thomas Heemskerk, also have a chance of being selected; but who knows. Surprises do happen though... ask Dan Gendur. He wasn't even near the radar, but after a great season two years ago, he was selected by the Canucks at the very end of the 7th round; and after a very good first half with the Victoria Salmon Kings and a cup of coffee with the Moose, our pal Danny was selected to participate in the ECHL All Star game. So, stay tuned! :)
Funny video from Puck Daddy...
TSN is passing a rumor of a trade between Boston and the Leafs that has me saying BUH!? "Sources tell TSN the Bruins have offered restricted free agent forward Phil Kessel to Toronto in exchange for the Leaf defenceman and Toronto's No. 7 pick in the draft." Really? Are the PoohBears really that needy for defense that they're willing to give up Phil? Yikes!
But that is it for now from me... I'll be watching the replay of the first 10 or so picks during the replay on NHL Network tonight since it starts at 4pm my time; and hoping for my local boys in the morning.
Before I go though, we have the Boy of the Day; or actually Boys of the Day. As suggested by our good pal Lisa R., the last year we had the same kind of 1 vs. 2 battle was Alex Ovechkin and Geno Malkin in 2004...
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