
by Rory Boylen - June 30, 2009 4:05 PM EDT
A division in turmoil, there will be a ton of turnover this summer in the Northeast when the calendar flips to July 1.
BOSTON BRUINS
Cap Space - $200,000
UFAs – Manny Fernandez, G; P-J Axelsson, LW; Mark Recchi, RW; Steve Montador, D; Shane Hnidy, D; Stephane Yelle, C; Jeremy Reich, LW.
by Rory Boylen - June 30, 2009 2:30 PM EDT
Home to three of the league's best and two of the worst, the Southeast Division will certainly see a lot of movement come July 1.
ATLANTA THRASHERS
Cap Space – $24.4 million
UFAs – Eric Perrin, C.
RFAs – Colby Armstrong, RW; Jim Slater, C; Chris Thorburn, C; Boris Valabik, D; Kari Lehtonen, G.
by Rory Boylen - June 26, 2009 11:54 PM EDT
Every team who grabs a fresh face on draft day feels like a winner, but what clubs went the extra mile and which fell short on Friday?
MONTREAL - There were no real surprises during Round 1, except maybe the dearth of big-ticket trades that were at the center of attention in the days leading up to the selection process.
by Rory Boylen - June 26, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
It's easy to feel good about witnessing a room full of young men realize their dreams after years of hard work and determination.
MONTREAL - From a fan’s standpoint, an NHL star can often seem larger than life and meeting one of them for the first time rekindles childhood memories or overwhelms with a kind of surreal moment that will never be forgotten.
by Rory Boylen - June 23, 2009 1:52 PM EDT
Sometimes it's not the prospects selected, but rather the deals consummated that have the biggest impact.
Think back to last year’s draft in Ottawa and it’s easy to forget the lack of suspense and build-up surrounding the early goings of the first round.
by Rory Boylen - June 16, 2009 1:33 PM EDT
Penguins fans have been giving Marian Hossa the business since their Game 7 victory and rightfully so, but you have to respect a guy who chases the dream and not the money.
My goodness, you just gotta feel sorry for Marian Hossa.
Unless you’re a Pens fan, that is.
And if you are, you have every right to be.
by Rory Boylen - June 9, 2009 11:47 AM EDT
Ovechkin, Crosby and even Malkin are the names most mentioned when discussing the NHL's top dog, but being the best is about more than just scoring points.
In many lines of work, it’s true that if you do your job well, nobody will notice you’ve done anything at all. However, that’s never really been the case in hockey, unless you’re talking about the referees.
by Rory Boylen - June 2, 2009 12:07 PM EDT
If the bitchers and moaners had their way, none of the things that have made this year's playoffs great would even exist.
The Stanley Cup final is two games old and so far the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins have treated us hockey fans to some absolutely stellar play.
by Rory Boylen - May 26, 2009 1:43 PM EDT
The package of picks and prospects that would come from dealing the No. 1 would put the Isles further ahead in their rebuild.r
Exactly one month from now the hockey world will head back to Montreal for the pomp and circumstance that trumpets in prospects to the NHL ranks.
by Rory Boylen - May 19, 2009 1:44 PM EDT
When the puck is dropped on Game 2 of the Chicago-Detroit series, don't expect the goalies to steal the show.
Like each and every playoff season, goaltending has been the storyline for a number of teams. In fact, the goalies are reason 1A or 1B as to why the two Eastern Conference teams still standing aren’t trying to decide between pitching wedge or nine iron.
by Rory Boylen - May 12, 2009 11:30 AM EDT
With a pair of do-or-die contests on the docket, it'll be a night of furious action as the Bruins and Ducks try to stay alive.
Tuesday’s set of Game 6 action has a tough act to follow.
The Caps-Pens and Hawks-Canucks tilts Monday night set the bar high for exciting, do-or-die hockey in this round, but if anyone is up to meeting the task, it’s the four teams being showcased tonight.
by Rory Boylen - May 8, 2009 11:13 PM EDT
Even when they outplay Carolina, the pieces aren't falling into place for Boston and they now find themselves on the verge of getting bounced.
Are these Carolina Hurricanes a team of destiny?
After an up, down and all around 4-1 Game 4 win against the Bruins, you have to ask yourself if it is meant to be.