Jeff's Blog

Hello NHL? Is anybody home?

Watching Max Pacioretty laying motionless on the ice, and leaving on a stretcher is hard for any hockey fan to watch, regardless what team your cheering for. This all made harder by the fact that his parents were in attendance to witness the devastating hit received by Zdeno Chara.

Pacioretty has a severe concussion along with a fractured vertebrae suffered when his head hit the partition in the boards and struck the left side of his head. It begs to question what part of Mike Murphy's head was hit when he let Chara get off Scott free.

There are many pundits who say that Chara was doing his job and finishing his check, and really Chara is the only person who knows that. The fact of the matter is there needs to be established rules that state when a player is injured to the head in any way, regardless of intent, a minimum suspension is given.

Hockey's image is taking a beating on a daily basis and needs more action from it's governing bodies. The message sent here is that the NHL will tolerate hits of this kind. It is a laughable response from a league that takes itself so seriously. Hockeys best and brightest players are being injured in plays like this every day.

Hockey is a physical game and it should stay that way, however a player knows where he is on the ice and should be responsible for his actions. A player accidentally tripping another player is still called for tripping. Therefore a player hitting another player to the head should do the time as well.

There are those who argue that Zdeno Chara did his time, a 5 minute major and a game misconduct, but the message was weak when this could have been an opportunity to make a safer game for all players and show the league doesn't take this lightly.

Jeff McTiernan

Hockey Gods

Maple Leafs - Fixing a hole in the dam with a cork?

It's been obvious for months now that the Maple Leafs are in trouble. The scorers cannot score and the defense has been shoddy at best. If not for the decent goaltending of J.S. Giguere this team would be competing for last in the league.

Brian Burke has been doing his best to bring in the right kind of players to fit with the chemistry of the team, but so far it is a science experiment gone wrong. Phil Kessel, Mike Komisarek, and the recently traded Kris Versteeg are fine examples of pieces to the puzzle that either don't fit or haven't proven their worth.

We've seen plenty of examples in the league of a team making a blockbuster deal, only to have it blow up in their face. The prime example in this case is New Jerseys signing of the 100 million dollar man Ilya Kovalchuk who has only recently decided to show up for work.

In recent years the teams that have hoisted the cup were bottom dwellers for a few seasons only to rise to the top. The days when rebuilding through trades is slowly being shoved aside for the tried and true method of rebuilding through the draft. The question will be whether it was worth selling the future to have instant gratification, or disappointment depending on who you ask. The jury is out until, if and when, the Leafs make the playoffs.

Ailing Habs - Are they up to it?

If Montreal didn't have bad luck it would have no luck at all when it comes to injuries. Already without star defensemen Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges, it appears Les Habitants have been dealt a few more setbacks. With the injury of Mike Cammalleri, the result of a vicious crosscheck from Buffalo's Mike Weber, and a shoulder injury to forward Jeff Halpern, the ranks are looking pretty thin.

The question to be asked is: Does Montreal have the depth to step up? A better question to ask is, what is the brass going to do to address a staggering size difference up front? As we've seen this season, despite the valiant effort of the smaller forwards in getting into the scoring areas and grinding it out on the boards, they haven't produced the kind of offense needed to make a cup run, and are getting injured almost daily. Furthermore, when facing much larger opponents, like the Philadelphia Flyers in last year's playoffs, they got beat up and looked disorganized.

It's evident Montreal needs some big men to sit in front of the net and agitate the goalie, not only for production's sake, but also to throw some checks in the other team's direction and intimidate them. Ideally, the Habs could call up an up and comer or two from the Bull Dogs and they could make a splash, but as the Habitant faithful have known for a long time, the longer they wait to make the big move to sign the proven players they need to make it to the cup finals, the smaller the window is on the contracts of the players they have and need now.

For example, Carey Price's recent signing was only for a couple of years. Price's upside is huge, and there are no guarantees he will re-sign with Montreal at the end of his contract. Andrei Markov and Tomas Plekanec are other prime examples. The time is now if they want to have a chance at it with their star players.

What's your opinion? Do you think Montreal should make trades to bring in some proven giants, or should they stick to building from the farm up?

Jeff McTiernan

East Coast Correspondent

HockeyGods

Toronto Maple Leafs - 2010/2011 Mid-Season Report Card

January 14, 2011

Maple Leafs Mid-Season Report

It has been a difficult season to be a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. Opening the season 4-0 only to follow up with months of inconsistent play was enough for one Leafs fan to throw waffles on the ice. Despite the dire mood in Toronto the future looks to be promising for the blue and white but there remains work to be done on and off the ice. In this report we'll explore in more depth the make up of the team and where they are going.

Offense: B-

The Maple Leafs have had a recent history of bad luck coupled with some questionable choices in the GM office. In the short term the acquisitions of Phil Kessel, Kris Versteeg, Mike Komisarek and Dion Phaneuf, may prove to be the catalyst that brings this young team together. However, it may also prove costly to place all their bets on a few players who, as of late, still need to prove they can play consistently. The one saving grace that should have Toronto fans salivating is their young guns. Forwards Clarke MacArthur, Mikhael Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin have been on fire as of late, and it stands to reason that they will only get better. With an average of 5.5 goals in their recent four game streak there is definitely reason for optimism.

Players to watch: Clarke MacArthur, Mikhail Grabovski, Nikolai Kulemin

Defense: C+

The Achilles heel of the Maple Leafs has been their porous defense. While the d men have been able to make it happen on the offensive, such as Tomas Kaberle, the defensive aspects of the game need shoring up. This team is fifth from the bottom on the penalty kill and allow an average of 2.98 goals per game. Add to it the fact that the defensive core does not have a player above zero in the plus/minus and it paints a clear picture. While the Leafs defensive woes continue, it is easy to pass judgement prematurely. This team has the ability defensively but needs to apply themselves. It's the type of ability that can only come with confidence and we're all hoping they can string a few more wins together and get just that.

Players to watch: Luke Schenn, Dion Phaneuf

Goaltending: C+

The goaltending has been good this season but needs to be better. In large part thanks to James Reimer it has seen improvement, but he will need to prove himself beyond a few games. J.S. Giguere has been putting up decent statistics, as well as Jonas Gustavsson, but will need to be better if the team wants to make a late season push for a playoff spot however distant that thought might be right now.

Player to watch: James Reimer

Overall Team Grade: C+

While the Leafs are struggling, there are signs of positive things to come. With four wins in their five last games they continue to move up the rankings day by day. On paper the Leafs have a very good hockey team and if they can address some of the underlying issues they will win games.

Jeff McTiernan

East Coast Correspondent

HockeyGods

Ottawa Senators - 2010/2011 Mid-Season Report Card

January 14th, 2011

Ottawa Senators Mid-Season Report

The Senators started off the season in park and has not been able to put it into gear. As of today, Ottawa sits fourth from last in the league with an anemic offence that has only produced 99 goals so far. They're not helping themselves on defense either, which is evidenced by an average of 3.04 goals against per game. The goaltending situation doesn'tseem much better, which has seen its flashes of brilliance but is luke warm on most nights. From the outside looking in, the average fan could tell you it's time for a house cleaning in Ottawa.

Offense: D+

If you can't score goals you won't win hockey games and this team could not find the back of the net if it hit them in the face. Second only to New Jersey for least goals scored, the Senators have been left by the wayside in the Northeast Division. Jason Spezza being out of the line-up has certainly contributed to their offensive woes, but the apparent lack of any kind of supplemental scoring from the rest of the team, especially acquisitions Alex Kovalev, Milan Michalek and offensive defenseman Sergei Gonchar has been the main reason they find themselves where they are.

Players to watch: Nick Foligno, Peter Regin, Ryan Shannon

Defense: B-

As is the story with the rest of this Senator's team, their defense has been pretty average. One should note that only two players have a plus minus above zero, AHL call-ups David Hale and Brian Lee. Sergei Gonchar has shown some signs of improvement but is still prone to mental collapses. One pleasant surprise is the play of young Erik Karlsson, who is second on the team in points and shows a lot of promise.

Players to watch: Erik Karlsson, Chris Campoli

Goaltending: C

Simply put, the goaltending needs to be better; more importantly it needs to be healthy. Perennial injury, Pascal Leclaire, has been good when he has played but again has been sitting out most of the season. Brian Elliott has seen the bulk of the workload this year and to his credit has been decently solid, but there are signs he may benefit from another season behind a more experienced back-stopper.

Player to watch: Brian Elliott

Overall Team Grade: C-

While Ottawa has a number of issues to contend with to become a playoff participator this year, they have proven in the past they can put on a late season push. If they're able to get back injured forwards Jason Spezza and Alex Kovalev, as well as goalie Pascal Leclaire, there's reason to believe they might be able to climb their way out of the basement. This is based on the assumption that they will be able to provide consistent play, which, looking at recent history, has been an problem.

Jeff McTiernan

East Coast Correspondent

HockeyGods

Montreal Canadiens - 2010/2011 Mid-Season Report Card

January 12, 2011

Canadiens Mid-Season Report

As the season rolls on Les Habitants have had their fair share of lumps and bruises, to both body and ego, but continue to push forward. A recent string of losses was followed up by a string of wins and things seem on the upswing. With the emergence of young players to fill the void left by injuries, we may be seeing the beginning of the next era of Canadiens. In this report we’ll explore in more depth the make up of the team and where they are going.

Offense: B-

Despite being at the middle of the pack overall, the Canadiens are having problems finding the back of the net. Currently sitting three spots ahead of the lowly New Jersey Devils in last place for goals per game it looks like the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge are starting to feel the sting of losing star puck moving defenceman Andrei Markov. Also to be noted is Montreal’s lack of big bodies in front of the net which, if left unaddressed, could be a problem come playoff time. To his credit, Brian Gionta has shown us that he does not shy away from his opponent’s defensive bruisers regardless of being outmatched in size and finds his way to the front of the net quite well. Not to be forgotten is the play of Max Pacioretty of late. Pacioretty is beginning to look like the the man Montreal needs in front of the net, but as we’ve seen before with P.K Subban and Yanick Weber there’re bound to be a few more false starts before he’s a bonafide NHLer.

Players to watch: Max Pacioretty, Benoit Pouliot, David Desharnais

Defense: B+

Credit must be given where it is due. Regardless of the fact that Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges are gone for the season the Habs defensemen keep finding a way to keep the puck out of the net. Boasting the leagues third best goals against per game, and the leagues best penalty killers, the Canadiens defense scene is getting more interesting. With the emergence of youngsters like P.K. Subban, and Yanick Weber, as well as the addition of James Wisniewski, the Canadiens defensive corp is getting more exciting by the day. Also to note is the play of Wisniewski who came over in a trade, for essentially a bag of pucks, but has shown he can get the job done time and time again.

Players to watch: James Wisniewski, P.K. Subban, Yanick Weber

Goaltending: A

When the year started there were more than a few naysayers who were doubting that Price could bounce back from a horrible 13-20-5 season. With Halak headed to St. Louis after stunning Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals as well as Sidney Crosby and the Penguins the Habitants faithful had all but forgotten about the diamond in the rough they had in front of them. As of today Price is Montreal’s goaltending Iron Man. He is currently second in games played, and games won and sports an impressive .921% save percentage. Alex Auld has put in spot duty this season but has been solid under pressure. It remains to be seen if Jacques Martin will play Auld more in an attempt to rest Price in the lead-up to the playoffs.

Player to watch: Carey Price

Overall Team Grade: B

Montreal has had ups and downs this season and it remains to be seen if they will be a serious playoff contender. With the team currently sitting in seventh place in the east, only time will tell if they're able to muster the fortitude to make a run at the cup. As we saw last season though, this team has the ability to shock us when the odds are against them. Watch for Montreal to acquire a top six forward before the trade deadline.

Jeff McTiernan

East Coast Correspondent

HockeyGods