NHL in General.

[tiner]

apprentice.....come out from where???

has don cherry always been a legend?

if i ask dumb questions about the rules on here will people answer for me? been in canada only 12 months and love the game but still learning.

will canada suffer as a result of roy puuling out or will cujo create a situation of patrick who?

 

[TheRob]

Better suited for the International threads, but.........

...........I think that Joseph is the better keeper anyhow. So Tiner, to ansewer your question, Roy pulling out will have NO affect on Team Canada.

Don Cherry is not a legend. He is a God.

 

[hammerhead]

I dont think we will miss Patty either. Between Cujo and Brodeur, I think Team Canada is covered pretty well. Ryan Smith and Mario they may miss more...

 

[Keeper]

Hockey Day in Canada

Could someone please tell me what made Ron McLean wear a sweater like that? Jee-zus -- Cherry's got nothing on him today.

 

[The Apprentice]

I dunno about the sweater selection but Don Cherry suit and Hat while he went to the museum was sweeeeeeet. He looked like the Irish Godfather.

 

[TheRob]

As if the Avs weren't good enough right now.

From the TSN.ca:

TSN has learned Peter Forsberg will arrive in Denver today and meet with the Avalanche. He is expected to undergo a medical exam and could be on the ice as soon as Thursday. Details to follow....

The march to another cup begins Thursday.

 

[Jimmy Holiday]

Medical Exam

On his brain????


The rich just keep on getting richer

 

[hammerhead]

I guess that means the Oil arent going to win first in the division any more.

 

[TheRob]

Maybe the Oil will win.

Foresberg had surgery on his ankle yesterday. He will be out for four months. He complained of pain during his pysical, and next thing you know, he's being operated on. So much for coming back for the Olympics.

 

[hammerhead]

Foresburg

Didnt he have surgery on his ankles last year, and that was part of the reason he took time off?

 

[TheRob]

From TSN.ca

Here's the full article Hammer.

(Jan 10) DENVER (AP) - Peter Forsberg had surgery on his left foot Thursday and will miss the Olympics and the rest of the NHL regular season, shocking Colorado Avalanche teammates and coaches who expected him to rejoin the club within days.

Forsberg will be out for at least four months after the operation to stabilize tendons on the outside of his left ankle. Team doctors said the sheath around the tendons ruptured.

"I was stunned," Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix said during a news conference Thursday night. "It was a real shocker for everyone involved in the morning discussions. Peter's conditioning was good. He was really fired up and really excited about coming back."

Lacroix said he had expected Forsberg to be back in the lineup within 10 to 15 days.

"We were all blindsided by this totally," said Don Baizley, Forsberg's agent. "Peter was dumbfounded to find this out."

Forsberg, who took an unexpected leave of absence from the team on Sept. 15 because of mounting injuries, arrived in Denver this week from his home in Sweden.

During a physical examination Wednesday, he complained of discomfort in his left foot. Avalanche medical director Andrew Parker described it as a "popping sensation," which Forsberg had been experiencing for about a month.

Doctors ordered an MRI exam that revealed the problem with the tendons, and the one-hour surgery took place late Thursday afternoon.

Parker said Forsberg, 28, was expected to make a full recovery but said it would take time.

"We're not holding out any strong hopes that he's back for this year," he said. "Our real goal in this whole process is not to get Peter as good as we can for the playoffs this year but to do what we can to maintain his ability to play over the next several years."

Parker said team doctors had no hint of the tendon problem until Wednesday's exam. The six-time all-star had surgery to correct a bursitis problem in both ankles in July and additional surgery for the same problem in his left ankle in Sweden in September.

"The bursal problem was getting much better," Parker said. "Although this is in the same area, it's really a new and unrelated problem."

Baizley said Forsberg was "very much of a mind that he's coming back this year," perhaps for the playoffs. "He wanted the surgery right away because he wanted the clock to tick," Baizley said.

The news came as the Avalanche prepared for an important game at division-leading Edmonton on Saturday.

The defending Stanley Cup champions were a point behind the Oilers in the Northwest Division, and teammates eagerly anticipated Forsberg's return.


"It's almost like Christmas, and you're going to get a great big Christmas gift," defenceman Todd Gill had said before Thursday's announcement.

Forsberg's father, Kent, said his son's goal all along had been to come back to the Avalanche and play in the Olympics. Peter Forsberg had told the Swedish newspaper Sportbladet he was ready to return.

"I feel like I'm ready to roll," he said. "Everything is fine, so there should be no problems to start playing. I had some problems with one ankle earlier, but it feels better now. If I get an OK (from doctors), I'll work out for a week and then I'm ready to play."

Forsberg is in the final year of a three-year contract that would have paid him $11 million this season.

He was not being paid during his sabbatical, and Lacroix and Baizley said they haven't discussed whether he would be paid now.

Why the fcuk would he be paid now? He's not doing anything. It's all about the money.

 

[hammerhead]

thanks for the info


Maybe he has a problem with the ponies, and he finds himself in need of a little cash infusion, ala Michael Jordan

 

[The Apprentice]

Thought this was a good story

Didn't know where lese to post this so if you don't like it don't read it! GET IT!

FROM TSN.CA

Prior to last weekend if asked, most Canadians would tell you where "Windsor" was, and the chances are great you would be given the location of the Ontario city, which is across from Detroit.

The fact is, there are several places called "Windsor" in our country. The city in Ontario, one in Newfoundland and the town of Windsor, Nova Scotia, now made famous by our favorite sport, hockey.

Every year, CBC takes one day and makes it the hockey extravaganza of the year. They bring their talent, production crews, big remote truck, and top brass to a Canadian city that embellishes the "grass roots" of our game.

This year, the location selected was Windsor, Nova Scotia for many factors. One of those, a claim, that it is here, where hockey as we know it, originated. Other centres making such a statement include Kingston, Ontario, which happens to be the hometown of Don Cherry, and Montreal.

As a result of "Hockey Day in Canada", this east coast Windsor is on the map, and it wouldn't surprise us easterners that the city council in Windsor, Ontario is probably looking for a promotion budget to get its city back in the news.

As a result of what happened a few days ago, not only am I constantly reminded of the power of television, but moreso the power of the sport of hockey in this country.

Take the media of network TV, mix in grass roots hockey and throw in the number one personality in this country, Donald S. Cherry, and you get a combination nearly unmatched as far as public relations and exposure is concerned.

I took in the events of "Hockey Day in Canada" and even being in this business, in dealing with the personalities of sports, I am still amazed by Cherry or maybe it's the combo of Cherry and Canadian Hockey.

I say he is the most "recognizable" personality in this country. Please note, I don't say "sports personality", I open this personality door as wide as you want to make it.

Sure you know about our PM Jean Chretien, but how many would turn up to see him at a hockey arena.

When he does show up in a town, he has a crowd but most of them are liberal or political supporters who have to greet the man from Shawinigan.

Alanis Morissette draws a crowd, but not too many very young kids, and I doubt many over 55 have a copy of "Jagged Little Pill". But young and old have those Cherry videos.

Cherry draws a crowd everywhere he goes. I felt I was watching Elvis. In Windsor, he was in schools talking to kids, on the ice pond talking to adults and politicians, heck he spoke to anyone who wanted to talk hockey. His appeal went from the 8-year-old minor hockey kid to the 80-year-old. And Cherry is no spring chicken. The guy has to be pushing 70!

He's achieved rock star status. The limo with the tainted windows, the police escort and that image is magnified with his garishingly-garbed wardrobe. This time, Don looked like a Don, the mafia type. I don't think Sinatra was this big when he was over 65?

Long black coat, you know the kind the politicians wear at funerals. A fedora looking hat, a pin-striped suit that Al Capone would relish, those shirts with the tailor-made collars, and that's what they are, tailor-made, and his trademark over the years, the tie.

For Hockey Day in Canada, he wore, what else, a white tie with the Canadian Maple Leaf.

He also put the tiny town of Windsor, Nova Scotia on the map. He and his faithful companion Ron MacLean brought the "Ron and Don" show to the tiny town.

And what a show.

A town that may have been previously known for its pumpkins has now been inscribed for its hockey accomplishments. You see, one of the residents, a man called Howard Dill, did grow a few years back, the biggest pumpkin in the world.

Dill is not only a pumpkin grower but may have one of, if not the largest, private hockey collections in the world. Howard and Don met, had a chat and Cherry said he never met someone with such a collection. Dill's Boston Bruin memorabilia impressed Cherry.

Dill is now involved in his own controversy, claiming his pond, Long Pond is where the roots or birthplace of hockey started.

This was acknowledged a few years ago in a book by historian Dr. Garth Vaughan. However, the good doctor now says the game was started on another pond, the one adjacent to the Dill property. That riff is the subject of another column for another day.

You often hear the line of a credit card TV commercial that says, "priceless".

Let me tell you, the media exposure the small town of Windsor, Nova Scotia received from Hockey Day in Canada was exactly that.

This was the day for hockey in Canada. Three NHL hockey games and stories about the sport we love so much. One of the ongoing stories was a group of guys who decided to try and break a record of playing a marathon hockey game. They started their game at 11am on Friday morning, and finished at 5pm on Saturday.

36 guys, two teams, playing 30 straight hours of hockey! They did it.

Right now, it's an "unofficial" mark as it takes a long time for the Guinness Book of Records folks to validate things.

Cherry and Maclean took in some of the action, and were impressed.

It was Windsor this and Windsor that and more of Windsor.

The last time I heard so much about the name Windsor was when Queen Elizabeth got the crown in the early 50's. For the non-history buff, she is a Windsor.

Andy Warhol once said everyone gets his or her "15 minutes of fame".

Windsor got 15 hours.

Priceless.

 

[The Apprentice]

Jimmy's team drops some Salary

Canes traded Sandis Ozolonish to the Florida Panthers. He was making 5 million a year and has a contract for another 3 or 4.

 

[hammerhead]

Ozolinch

Ozolinch hasnt put up the numbers he did in Colorado since he signed the big contract. He will see lots playing time in Florida.
I dont see how this trade helps the 'Canes other than dumping the contract. Hedican is solid but nothing spectacular.

 

[Jimmy Holiday]

Canes

Is any of there young guns up for contracts next year?
Can they be stockpiling for the services of Kapanen and O'neill?
Anyhow,Ozolinish does have the offensive capabilities but never flourished under the offence of the Mighty Canes.

Did they not get anyone in return?

 

[sensei_hanson]

who moderates this thread...?

You'd think that the lone NHL trade of the day would be covered by the Assprentice. Here ya go:

RALEIGH (Jan. 16, 2002) -- Sandis Ozolinsh’s stint with the Carolina Hurricanes is finished.

On Wednesday, Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford sent Ozolinsh and forward Byron Ritchie to the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Bret Hedican, center Kevyn Adams and prospect defenseman Tomas Malec.

“You don’t make trades when you’re in a bad position,” said Rutherford. “I think that’s the more difficult time to make them. When you’re in a stronger position is the time to make them. You see your team a lot better. There’s risk in every deal but I don’t think that it can be judged by the fact that we’re in first place now and why did we make it while we’re in first place. Lots of first-place teams make deals.”

On Dec. 5, 2001, Rutherford reacquired Sean Hill from St. Louis in an effort to shake up the team and strengthen the Hurricanes’ back end. It worked. The acquisition of Hedican is another stride in that direction.

“Florida inquired about Sandis shortly after (Florida coach) Mike (Keenan) went to Florida,” said Rutherford. “We’ve worked on this for a little while, putting the little pieces together and deciding what players it was going to be. It took a little while, but I think this is a deal that helps our team a lot.”

Hedican, 31, will become the third native Minnesotan among Carolina’s seven defensemen joining fellow statesmen David Tanabe and Hill. Hedican is in the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent following the season. The Hurricanes will receive a compensatory second-round draft pick from Florida if Hedican resigns with Florida during the summer.

Kevyn Adams, 6'2", 195 lbs. will give Carolina a skilled center with strong penalty killing ability.

“He’s mobile,” said Rutherford. “He can really skate. He can go back and get the puck like Tanabe. He can move the puck, he’s a good penalty killer and he should be able to play on the power play periodically, as needed and according to how he plays. He’s a real good player. He’s got a lot of experience in this league and I think he’s a real good fit for us.”

Hedican was one of Hill’s 1992 Team USA Olympic teammates when the United States finished fourth in the Albertville games. During Team USA’s stint at the Games, Hedican met his wife, former Team USA figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi. The couple married on the big island in Hawaii during the summer of 2000.

“Hedican’s one of the best skaters in the league,” said Hurricanes winger Jeff O’Neill. “He’s a good defenseman and he plays with grit as well. Kevyn Adams is a great right-handed faceoff guy and he’s a hard worker, too. I remember seeing him play in Toronto and he’s got a great work ethic, so he’ll fit in fine.”

Adams, 27, a native of Washington, D.C., will make his third move since the Columbus Blue Jackets claimed him from Toronto in the 2000 National Hockey League Expansion Draft. For Adams, the move to Columbus spurred his first full NHL season which he finished with Florida when Columbus dealt him to the Panthers at last season’s trading deadline in exchange for Ray Whitney and a conditional draft pick.

“We look at Kevyn Adams as an upgrade from (Ritchie),” said Rutherford. “He’s got NHL experience. He’s a better player, he’s stronger and Byron’s unrestricted at the end of the year.”

Malec, 19, a native of Skalica, Slovokia, is playing his second season of junior hockey with Rimouski of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He currently ranks sixth on the team with 12 goals and 26 assists through 38 games this season.

“This is a good, young defenseman that we had rated 19th overall in the draft,” said Rutherford. “He was a guy that we had great debate about taking in the second round and he should play for the Hurricanes in a couple of years. He’s averaging over a point a game in junior hockey right now and we think he’s a real good prospect.”

Ozolinsh leaves Carolina after 118 regular-season games.

Malec was selected 64th overall in the third round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft following his first season of North American hockey when he tallied 13 goals and 50 assists for Rimouski and ranked eighth among all QMJHL defensemen in scoring. Malec was named QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was a member of the QMJHL All-Rookie team following his 2000-01 campaign.

Ozolinsh joined Carolina in a June 24, 2000 draft-day deal that sent the Hurricanes first-round pick (Vaclav Nedorost) and two second-round picks (Jared Aulin and Argis Saviels) to Colorado. Carolina signed Ozolinsh to a long-term, high-dollar contract following the trade and the offensive-minded defenseman registered 16 goals and 51 assists in 118 regular-season games with the Hurricanes.

“I thought Sandis played real well the first part of last year,” said Rutherford. “He got hurt, his play dropped off and then he played better at the end of the season and in the playoffs. And, to his credit, I was pleased with his play this year. We all saw the odd giveaway here and there, but he really worked hard on being more responsible defensively and was still getting a decent amount of points despite not being on the first power-play unit. Based on how we were using him, it didn’t make sense to keep him on our team when we could get Hedican who’s a better fit for that position.”

Ritchie, 24, was drafted by the Carolina organization in the seventh round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft and played 33 games for the Hurricanes in parts of three seasons. This year, Ritchie played 38 games with Lowell of the American Hockey League before Carolina recalled him when Chris Dingman was placed on the Injured Reserve list. At the time of his call-up, Ritchie ranked second in the AHL with 20 goals and 28 assists in 38 games and was named to the Canadian AHL All-Star team.

Byron Ritchie ranked in the AHL with 48 points prior to his callup to the Hurricanes.

“I’m almost happy for Byron because he’s going to get up there and hopefully get a better chance to perform on a day-to-day basis,” said O’Neill. “He has a great heart and he’s a great worker and he’s a great leader as a young guy. He’s going to be great for Florida.”

Typically, Florida is known as an up-tempo, European-style team – a system where Ozolinsh may fit better than he did in Carolina’s system. With Keenan behind the bench for the Panthers, it will be interesting to see what Ozolinsh’s role will be and how the coach with one of the toughest reputations in the NHL will handle the “gambling” defenseman.

“I really think that Sandis will help the Panthers,” said Rutherford. “They’ll be able to score more. He’s going to help get the puck to those good goal scorers. At the same time, we all know that there’s still a liability at the other end of the rink, too.”

 

[sensei_hanson]

Deal with the Devils...

This one happened late this afternoon:

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Trying to cure their scoring woes, the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday acquired veteran left wing Valeri Kamensky from the Dallas Stars.

New Jersey sent minor league defenseman Andre Lakos and future considerations to Dallas, which on Tuesday assigned the struggling Kamensky to the American Hockey League.

Kamensky, 35, has just three goals and six assists in 24 games this season -- his 11th in the NHL. He is back in the New York area for the second time, spending two disappointing seasons with the Rangers.

The Devils are desperate for a change, ranking 12th in the Eastern Conference with 108 goals in 45 games. The two-time defending conference champions have lost three straight and are just ninth in the East.

Kamensky had career highs of 38 goals, 47 assists and 85 points during Colorado's Stanley Cup-winning season of 1995-96 but has totaled only 44 goals the past four seasons.

He was with the Rangers in 1999-2000 and 2000-01, scoring 27 goals in 125 games and missing another 39 due to injury. He signed a free agent deal with Dallas in July.

The Russian has 196 goals and 293 assists in 607 NHL games and 25 goals and 35 assists in 65 postseason contests. He spent his first eight seasons with the Quebec-Colorado franchise before joining the Rangers as a free agent.

Kamensky was a long-time teammate of Devils assistant coach Slava Fetisov in the former Soviet Union before both defected to the NHL.

Lakos, 22, had three goals and 24 assists in 36 games for Albany of the AHL. The Austrian was a fourth-round pick of the Devils in the 1999 draft.

 

[The Apprentice]

Go revive the NBA threads

Sandis Ozolinish trade was a who cares besides Jimmy type of trade. I do like what the Devils did. They gave up very little and got a guy in Kamensky that has proven he can score.

 

[hammerhead]

Kamensky

From above article

"Kamensky had career highs of 38 goals, 47 assists and 85 points during Colorado's Stanley Cup-winning season of 1995-96 but has totaled only 44 goals the past four seasons. "

Sure he can score goals, about 11 a year.