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Panther Parkway Headlines: Vigneault Fired, Crosby’s Shot, Alfredsson Loses Hope, and More!
What better way to spend your lunch break than catching up on all of last night’s amazing NHL action that you may have missed! Here are the top stories and videos from all of yesterday’s action around the NHL.
- Alain Vigneault fired as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks [Vancouver Sun]
- Brian Burke will NOT be GM of Team USA for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. [Puck Daddy]
- Ever wonder what it would be like in a locker room- post playoff elimination? [Backhand Shelf]
- Sidney Crosby undresses Chris Phillips, scores with an unbelievable backhanded shot. Pens win 7-3.
- Captain Daniel Alfredsson loses hope in series against Pittsburgh [NHL.com]
- Defenseman Andy Sutton Retires [Edmonton Sun]
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL overcome 0-3 series deficit [Puck Daddy]
Panther Parkway Trade Tracker
In case you’re missing all the trade action on twitter, here is what you’ve missed so far:
Trade Tracker: April 1st-April 3rd
April 3rd (Final Day) Trades:
- Columbus Blue Jackets acquire G Patrick Killeen/Pittsburgh Penguins acquire TBD
- Washington Capitals acquire F Martin Erat, F Michael Latta/ Nashville Predators acquire Filip Forsberg
- Minnesota Wild acquire G Jeff Deslauriers/ Anaheim Ducks await future considerations.
- New Jersey Devils acquire F Steve Sullivan/Phoenix Coyotes acquire 7th round pick (2013)
- Boston Bruins have acquired D Wade Redden/St. Louis Blues acquire 7th round pick (2014)
- Anaheim Ducks have acquired F Matt Lombardi/Phoenix Coyotes acquire F Brandon McMillan
- Toronto Maple Leafs acquire D Ryan O’Byrne/Colorado Avalanche acquire 4th round pick (2014)
- San Jose Sharks acquire F Raffi Torres/Phoenix Coyotes acquire 3rd round draft pick (2013)
- Columbus Blue Jackets acquire F Blake Comeau/Calgary Flames acquire 5th round pick (2013)
- Minnesota Wild acquire F Jason Pomminville/Buffalo Sabres acquire G Matt Hackett, F Johan Larsson
- Columbus Blue Jackets acquire F Marian Gaborik/New York Rangers acquire F Derek Dorsett, D John Moore, F Derick Brassard, and a 6th round pick.
- Philadelphia Flyers acquire G Steve Mason/Columbus Blue Jackets acquire G Michael Leighton, and a 3rd round pick (2015)
- Tampa Bay Lightning acquire G Ben Bishop/Ottawa Senators acquire F Cory Conacher and a 4th round pick (2013)
- Pittsburgh Penguins acquire F Jussi Jokinen/Carolina Hurricanes acquire conditional 7 round pick (2013)
- Edmonton Oilers acquire F Jerred Smithson/Florida Panthers acquire 4th round pick (2013)
- San Jose Sharks acquire D Scott Hannan/Nashville Predators acquire conditional 6th round pick (2013)
- Boston Bruins acquire F Rob Flick/Chicago Blackhawks acquire F Maxime Sauve
April 2nd Trades:
- Tampa Bay Lightning acquire F Philippe Paradis/Chicago Blackhawks acquire D Kirill Gotovets
- Dallas Stars acquire D Cameron Gaunce/Colorado Avalanche acquire C Tomas Vincour
- New York Rangers acquire F Ryan Clowe/San Jose Sharks acquire a 2nd round Pick, 3rd round pick, and a conditional 2nd round pick
- Montreal Canadians acquire D Davis Drewiske /Los Angeles Kings acquire 5th round pick (2013)
- Edmonton Oilers acquire D Garrett Stafford/Washington Capitals acquire F Dane Byers
- Boston Bruins acquire F Jaromir Jagr/Dallas Stars acquire F Lane MacDermid, F Cody Payne, and a conditional 2nd round pick
- Phoenix Coyotes acquire F Matt Clackson/Washington Capitals acquire F Joel Rechlicz
- Vancouver Canucks acquire F Derek Roy/ Dallas Stars acquire D Kevin Connauton and a 2nd round pick
- Carolina Hurricanes acquire D Marc-Andre Bergeron/Tampa Bay Lightning acquires F Adam Hall and a 7th round pick (2013)
April 1st Trades:
- St. Louis acquire D. Jay Bouwmeester/Calgary Flames acquire D Mark Cundari, G Reto Berra, and a conditional 1st-Round Pick (2013)
- Los Angeles Kings acquire D Robyn Regehr/Buffalo Sabres acquire 2nd round Pick (2014) 2nd round Pick (2015)
- Anaheim Ducks acquire F Harry Zolnierczyk/Philadelphia Flyers acquire F Jay Rosehill
- Chicago Blackhawks acquire F Michal Handzuz/San Jose Sharks acquire 4th round pick (2013)
Mid-Season NHL Awards
Hart Trophy- Most Valuable Player
Explanation: It’s safe to say that at this point in time, Sidney Crosby isn’t walking, but running away with the Hart Trophy. With 45 points in just 26 games, Crosby is on pace to score 142 points in an 82 game season. He currently holds a 1.73 points per game average, as well as a 1.27 assists per game average. There have only been 4 players in the history of the NHL who have had a better assists per game average, and they are: Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, and Adam Oates. That’s not a bad bunch of guys to fall into a category with.
Surprise Surprise: The NHL’s Biggest Surprises
We are about 45 days into the shortened season, which means we are nearing the half-way point of the 2013 NHL regular season. With the majority of teams already playing at least 22 games each, we’ve been able to take a good look at the players who have been showing this 48-game season what they’re made of. As usual, guys like Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos are sticking to the status quo and owning the top of the stats charts. But I’m not here to state the obvious. I’m here to give a nod to the players whom I believe have been the biggest surprises thus far.
Below are my top 7 player picks for this seasons biggest surprises:
Should the Florida Panthers Move On From Stephen Weiss?
Florida Panthers forward Stephen Weiss skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins, March 9, 2012 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA. (Source: Michael Miller, Wikimedia Commons)
For the past few months there has been speculation involving long time Florida Panther and fan favorite, Stephen Weiss. Just like any other “top” player in their contract year, trade rumors have begun whirling around the internet that Stephen Weiss will be dealt before the April 3rd deadline. But even prior to last season, Weiss’ name has been heavily involved in the rumor mill despite having a six-year contract worth $18.6 million, not to mention a full no-movement clause.
Coming off one of his most notable seasons with 57 points in 80 games, Weiss could be amongst the top sought after free agent centers along with Ryan Getzlaf, Mike Ribiero, and Derek Roy. This means the Panthers have one of two obvious choices. They can either resign Weiss and keep him as our number one center, or they can deal him off to another team and quite possibly get someone of importance back. Unfortunately this is a business and I believe that resigning Weiss to another lengthy contract would hang heavily on the future of our franchise.
Johnny Hockey vs. Johnny Hockey
Despite the chaotic last five months, it seems as if Panther fans are more excited than ever to finally watch the talented and dynamic 20-year-old, Jonathan Huberdeau. Since the lockout has been lifted, most of the players have reported back to sunny South Florida, including Huberdeau who made a surprise appearance at Saveology Iceplex yesterday morning.
Over the past few days, my boss Frank and I have been trying to muster up the perfect term to describe the Panthers newest addition, Jonathan Huberdeau. In lieu of Johnny Manziel (“Johnny Football”) given the honor as the first freshman to ever win the Heisman, Frank thought it was appropriate to keep it simple and name our very own rookie, “Johnny Hockey”. Unfortunately for us, “Johnny Hockey”, has already been coined by Huberdeau’s fellow hockey mate and Team USA rival, Jonathan Gaudreau.
Just like any sport, there will always be that one rival whom you are always compared to. So we decided to create a rivalry between the Panthers very own Johnny Hockey (Jonathan Huberdeau) and the original Johnny Hockey (Jonathan Gaudreau). Both of these young talents are exceptional athletes who have been given a gift, the gift of good hands, good feet, and intelligence. But it’s up to the fans to decide who will be named, the REAL Johnny Hockey.
NHLPA, It’s Your Move.
Photo Source: ChesterNiteOwl.com
It looks like the NHL has squashed their “we’re not budging” attitude and put a brand new offer on the table.
Gary Bettman and the National Hockey League made a new proposition for Don Fehr and the rest of the NHLPA Tuesday morning, which includes a 50/50 split of hockey revenue across the board. In addition, Bettman promised a NO salary rollback with a revised 82 game schedule beginning November 2nd. This revised schedule would include one week of training camp, along with one additional regular season game, every five weeks, for all 30 teams.
The Top 25 Most Obvious And Best Fantasy Players By Position- Part V: Goalies
Part V: Goalies
Lets just say for arguments sake the owners and players quit their whining and come up with a new CBA agreement around December, therefore giving us at least half a season. Although this may or may not be the case, lets just make pretend for a moment.
Besides the excitement of going to games, wearing your favorite players jersey, and screaming your heads off, we all look forward to something else come NHL season. Something that is a little more in our control yet can drive a man mad (or girl).
Yes. I’m talking about Fantasy Hockey.
Whether you’re in a paid league, unpaid league, Yahoo Fantasy, CBS Fantasy, or you’re just in it for the money or love and statistical side of the game, the bottom line is, if you’re a hockey fan, odds are, you’re a Fantasy Hockey fan too.
Unfortunately for us, without a hockey season, there will be no Fantasy Hockey, which means no gaining or losing money, no pulling out your hair when you find out your best player is ruled-out with a concussion, and no draft parties. Total buzz kill.
But just in case the NHL and NHLPA decide to grow up and come to an agreement, here is my list of the top 25 best and OBVIOUS players by position IF and WHEN there is a 2012-2013 season. Yesterday I posted an article giving you my top five best Defensemen in fantasy. Today I will give you my top five best Goalies.
The Top 25 Most Obvious And Best Fantasy Players By Position- Part IV: Defensemen
Part IV: Defensemen
Lets just say for arguments sake the owners and players quit their whining and come up with a new CBA agreement around December, therefore giving us at least half a season. Although this may or may not be the case, lets just make pretend for a moment.
Besides the excitement of going to games, wearing your favorite players jersey, and screaming your heads off, we all look forward to something else come NHL season. Something that is a little more in our control yet can drive a man mad (or girl).
Yes. I’m talking about Fantasy Hockey.
Whether you’re in a paid league, unpaid league, Yahoo Fantasy, CBS Fantasy, or you’re just in it for the money or love and statistical side of the game, the bottom line is, if you’re a hockey fan, odds are, you’re a Fantasy Hockey fan too.
Unfortunately for us, without a hockey season, there will be no Fantasy Hockey, which means no gaining or losing money, no pulling out your hair when you find out your best player is ruled-out with a concussion, and no draft parties. Total buzz kill.
But just in case the NHL and NHLPA decide to grow up and come to an agreement, here is my list of the top 25 best and OBVIOUS players by position IF and WHEN there is a 2012-2013 season. Yesterday I posted an article giving you my top five best Left Wingers in fantasy. Today I will give you my top five best Defensemen.
The Top 25 Most Obvious And Best Fantasy Players By Position- Part III: Left Wingers
Part III: Left Wingers
Lets just say for arguments sake the owners and players quit their whining and come up with a new CBA agreement around December, therefore giving us at least half a season. Although this may or may not be the case, lets just make pretend for a moment.
Besides the excitement of going to games, wearing your favorite players jersey, and screaming your heads off, we all look forward to something else come NHL season. Something that is a little more in our control yet can drive a man mad (or girl).
Yes. I’m talking about Fantasy Hockey.
Whether you’re in a paid league, unpaid league, Yahoo Fantasy, CBS Fantasy, or you’re just in it for the money or love and statistical side of the game, the bottom line is, if you’re a hockey fan, odds are, you’re a Fantasy Hockey fan too.
Unfortunately for us, without a hockey season, there will be no Fantasy Hockey, which means no gaining or losing money, no pulling out your hair when you find out your best player is ruled-out with a concussion, and no draft parties. Total buzz kill.
But just in case the NHL and NHLPA decide to grow up and come to an agreement, here is my list of the top 25 best and OBVIOUS players by position IF and WHEN there is a 2012-2013 season. Yesterday I posted an article giving you my top five best Right Wingers in fantasy. Today I will give you my top five best Left Wingers.
Jameson Cooper
David Lasseter
gabbykiger
Amanda Land
Josh Luecht
Paige Lewis
Scott Mullin
Frank Rekas
