by Rory Boylen - November 3, 2009 12:35 PM EST
Hockey is a physical game and injuries are going to happen. And a much-ballyhooed head-shot rule isn't going to change that.
For lack of a better, appropriate term, crap happens.
It’s crude, harsh and to the point. And it’s also an explanation for a lot – not all, but the majority – of hits in hockey that lead to injury and ensuing outcry.
by Rory Boylen - October 27, 2009 11:45 AM EDT
Overshadowed by the talent around him, including his defense partner, Brent Seabrook deserves more recognition.
Who is the most underrated player in the NHL?
It’s a tough question and one with many answers. In fact, everyone probably has their own favorite radar dodger and the variety of the type of player will span all spectrums and roles in hockey.
by Rory Boylen - October 13, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
In 2005, Sergei Gonchar's five-year contract seemed over the top, but time has proven it to be a wise investment.
It’s tough to have a contract in the NHL these days that doesn’t seem like an overpayment.
Everyone knows the dangers that lie within the first few days of free agency, where Brian Campbell, a one-dimensional defenseman, once managed to squeeze a $7 million-plus per season contract out of Chicago for eight years.
by Rory Boylen - October 6, 2009 2:58 PM EDT
With a couple of the best players in the game, a strong goalie and excellent support pieces, the Penguins are easily the team to beat.
I’m not a big fan of making a Stanley Cup prediction in October – or November, December and January for that matter. So much can change and so much can happen that you’re just setting yourself up for failure and smarmy “I told ya so’s” from the peanut gallery.
by Rory Boylen - September 29, 2009 11:35 AM EDT
In the last of our look at the six NHL divisions, we examine the home of five teams with realistic playoff hopes.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
THN Prediction: Second in Western Conference
Key additions: Marian Hossa, RW; Tomas Kopecky, LW; John Madden, C
Key departures: Martin Havlat, RW; Nikolai Khabibulin, G; Sammy Pahlsson, C; Matt Walker, D
Young teams that breakthrough generally take a step back the following season – even the Penguins were rough around the edges to start last year – so don’t expect the Hawks to smoothly sail through a season of only good stories and overall improvement.
by Rory Boylen - September 22, 2009 11:30 AM EDT
The flashy Rangers rookie has scored a couple highlight-reel goals in the pre-season, setting the tone for a run at rookie of the year honors.
John Tavares. Victor Hedman. Ville Leino. Semyon Varlamov.
Artem Anisimov?
The Calder race is the most difficult trophy chase to predict because out-of-nowhere stellar performances are common.
by Rory Boylen - September 15, 2009 12:43 PM EDT
For selfish reasons, there are five players on roster bubbles who it would be great to see get an NHL job this season.
A year ago I wrote a training camp blog about five players I was eager to watch try and make their teams. Not necessarily because there were great, untold stories behind any of them, but because my fantasy pool team needed at least one of them to graduate.
by Rory Boylen - September 1, 2009 12:47 PM EDT
Enough with the bankruptcy belly-aching and preposterous posturing, let's just get this season started.
“Versus’ numbers now are exceeding the numbers we were doing in the last few years on ESPN. Versus is getting traction, Versus is doing a great job, and we are doing absolutely fine.
by Rory Boylen - August 25, 2009 10:50 AM EDT
Because of an early injury, Zach Bogosian is often overlooked when discussing impressive rookie seasons, but his ranks up there with the rest.
There’s one impressive rookie performance last year that was completely glossed over.
It’s not Derick Brassard, who bowed out of the Calder race early with a shoulder injury.
by Rory Boylen - August 18, 2009 12:15 PM EDT
Many players rely on cliches to deal with the media, but sometimes you find a player who's truly accommodating and happy to share his time.
There are a lot of neat perks that come with working at The Hockey News, but my favorite is the opportunity to talk to players.
It’s been nearly two years since I was hired here, but it seems like just yesterday I was an inexperienced, yet-to-graduate journalist toiling at a school newspaper.
by Rory Boylen - August 13, 2009 11:20 AM EDT
It's easy to see why a non-traditional market worked in Dallas, while Phoenix's future is up in the air: One gave new fans a reason to watch.
A tale of two (non-traditional hockey market) cities: The best of times and the worst of times.
It’s been 12 NHL seasons since we last saw the Winnipeg Jets take to the ice.
by Rory Boylen - August 4, 2009 1:45 PM EDT
The fact that many teams have signed players who prefer the rough side of the game shows that hard-nosed hockey isn't going away any time soon.
This off-season, behind the big-ticket free agent acquisitions and rumors of blockbuster trades that have yet to come to fruition, there have been a few hard-nosed transactions that have put a smile on my face and reaffirmed to me that hockey’s best and most controversial characteristic still leaves a mark.
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“I was coming in to take the boards away and had some good jump. He bobbled the puck at the last second and I don’t think he saw me coming at all. It was a shoulder right in his chest. He’s eight feet tall, so it’s not like you could hit him in the head.”
- Ottawa's Chris Neil about a hit he threw on Tampa's Victor Hedman Thursday night, causing Hedman to leave the game.
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