December 17th, 2013

Today's podcast features the Devils-Lightning game, including Anthony's experience in the Press Box and Locker Room, Alexander Ovechkin, the Penguins/Leafs game, and more!

Lightning vs. Devils Recap: Veterans Leading the Way.

            The Devils earned a much needed win on Saturday night, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0.  If there is anything that the Devils can count on, it is the fact that their seasoned veterans are leading the way. 

            Martin Brodeur was dominant, posting a 33 save shutout.  Despite the absence of Steven Stamkos (broken tibia), the Lightning were able to generate plenty of scoring chances lead by Martin St. Louis and Nate Thompson.  They were able to generate 14 shots on goal in the second period, with the best shot coming from Martin St. Louis just above the hash marks.  Brodeur flashed the leather like he has always done throughout his illustrious career.  When asked about that second period, he stated, “Teams do that to us, and it’s nice to weather the storm a bit.” 

The Devils then caught a break when Eric Gelinas made a long outlet pass to Damien Brunner, who went straight up the middle of the ice, going backhand-forehand on Lindback, giving them a 1-0 lead.  That was his seventh of the season, and his third in as many games.  Pete DeBoer mentioned on behalf of Brunner, “He looks like the player we saw at training camp. Moving his feet, attacking holes…defensively he’s been good, allowing him to play more, and it’s rewarding him on the score sheet.”

The big story, however, was the chemistry that Jaromir Jagr and Dainus Zubrus displayed in the third period, allowing the Devils to score twice in a span of 2:52.  Zubrus scored both goals with Jagr getting the primary assists.  The first goal started from a good forecheck, and ended with Jagr sneaking a pass from behind the net onto the stick of Zubrus for the easy tap-in.  The second goal came off a rebound from a shot by Jagr, with Zubrus banking the puck off the pad of Lindback. When asked about the chemistry between him and Jagr, he said, “We read off each other, and that’s a big part.”  He also talked about their ability to play well on the forecheck together when they don’t have the puck. He said, “The first goal was a good example.”

While Marty, Zubrus, and Jagr took the game by storm, one player who may have been overlooked was Reid Boucher.  Early in the game, he hit the post on a shot from the top of the circle.  Although he did not register a shot on goal, he seemed confident with the puck and developed some good plays.  On the defensive end, he broke up a dangerous pass similar to the way Crosby did on him the night before.  DeBoer was pleased with his performance, saying, “I like how he’s playing defensively, he’s making it easy for me to put him on the ice…Every night, he makes four or five plays that not a lot guys can make.”  With that said, it will be interesting to see how much longer he will stay on the roster before being sent down to Albany.

This was the first of a three game home-stand, as the Devils faceoff against Ottawa on Wednesday, and will host the Ducks on Friday night.  The Devils have been playing better at the Prudential Center, and if they win both games, they head into Washington with a .500 record.

December 12th, 2013

In today's episode, we discuss the Devils most recent games against New York and Columbus, officiating, the Shawn Thornton/James Neal incident, the Olympics, as well as Chuck Berry.

December 3rd, 2013

Sorry for the long wait. However, our newest podcast is out, and we catch up with the Devils recent stretch of games. Enjoy!

November 14th, 2013 (Featuring Matt Loughlin!)

Today, we present, without a doubt, our best episode. Seton Hall Alum, and current play-by-play announcer for the Devils on WFAN, Matt Loughlin, was kind enough to drop by and feature as an analyst. We touch base on just about everything from the Devils season, rule changes, the Olympics, and you guessed it, the goal song. Enjoy!

November 7th 2013

Here is the latest installment of Hockey At The Hall. Today's discussion revolves around the Devils recent woes, and how they can bounce back against the Flyers.

October 31st, 2013

Hockey At The Hall is officially affiliated with Devils Insiders!!! Be sure like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. As for the podcast, we analyze the Devils recent upswing, as well as the goal song, which is STILL, somehow, a dilemma. Anyway, enjoy!

Devils May Look to Trade to Keep Larsson, Gelinas in Lineup

Sean Clancy

What is there to be said about the New Jersey Devils season so far? A lot, to be honest, and much of it isn’t very good. First it appears there’s a new ‘goaltending controversy’ in the NHL, then there’s the goal song uproar, plus the team’s dismal performance thus-far in the shootout, along with the never-ending debate over which defenseman sucks the most. It was Henrik Tallinder, by the way. I wake up every morning with a smile on my face to the tune of his absence. Peter Harrold is a close second and Anton Volchenkov when he doesn’t hit is certainly a contender. As age catches up with Bryce Salvador, he’s starting to creep his way into the conversation too.

No amount of resemblance to Dr. House could
save Henrik Tallinder from sucking so much.

But among all of the negatives so far, there’s been one glaring positive: Eric Gelinas. The 22 year old rookie defenseman was a call-up a couple games ago when Bryce Salvador returned home on bereavement leave.  He made his impact just ten minutes into his season debut when he wristed a power-play goal by Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo from about 30 feet out, while clocking 16:27 total ice time. Two nights later in Boston, Gelinas assisted on Adam Henrique’s first period goal that gave the Devils some life after falling to an early 0-2 hole to the defending Eastern Conference Champions. That point also came on the powerplay, and Eric saw his ice-time bumped up to nearly 20 minutes for that game.

Eric Gelinas watching the VMAs

Followers of my podcast will know that I’ve been a strong advocate for Eric Gelinas since the preseason. He was one of New Jersey’s best defensemen, especially on the offensive side of the puck. Pairing him with young defenseman Adam Larsson was a bold move by Pete Deboer last Thursday, but it worked out in a way that perhaps Pete anticipated, but likely didn’t. Not only was Gelinas good, but Adam Larsson’s game improved quite a bit too because, being the more experienced player of the two, he assumed something of a leadership role and became very vocal with the inexperienced Gelinas. It may be early to say, but the defensive pair of Gelinas and Larsson might be something Devils fans will be seeing a lot of in the future.

But now that Larsson looks to be here to stay in the NHL, and with Gelinas proving that he can not only be one of the team’s best defenseman, but also help do the same for Larsson, the question is what will the Devils do when Bryce Salvador returns to the line-up? The team currently has 14 forwards, 7 defensemen and 2 goalies with the big club, filling a total of 23 roster spots, the most allowed by the league. Of those 14, the only 3 with two-way contracts are forward Stephen Gionta and defensemen Adam Larsson and Eric Gelinas. With Salvador and forward Ryane Clowe both aiming to return soon, the Devils are going to have a problem on their hands. Here are the possibilities for New Jersey, and these possibilities assume that Adam Larsson isn’t even an option to be sent down the AHL.

• To open up room for Clowe and Salvador, they send forward Stephen Gionta and  defenseman Eric Gelinas down to Albany. I don’t like this option because it sends Eric Gelinas down to Albany.
• In order to keep both Larsson and Gelinas on the NHL roster, they send down forward Stephen Gionta and put defenseman Peter Harrold on waivers to almost certainly be claimed with no return.
• In order to keep both Larsson and Gelinas on the NHL roster, they send forward Stephen Gionta to Albany, and put one of the following forwards with a one-way contract on waivers:

o   Mattias Tedenby, the most likely option. Teddy has played just three games with no points to show, and he plays left wing, same as the soon to return Ryane Clowe. He’s a slippery young player with speed and finesse, but because he hasn’t proven himself in the NHL yet, the Devils could get away with putting him on waivers and hoping no one else claims him. I wouldn’t count on it though.

o   Rostislav Olesz, the next likely option. He has two assists in seven games thus far and hasn’t played bad at all. Being such a high draft pick in 2004, the Devils have to know that the likelihood of retaining him through the waiver process isn’t high, but tough decisions still have to be made.

o   Jacob Josefson, the least likely option to be put on waivers. Although he’s only played two games and has scored no points, his time to break into the NHL is slowly passing him by. The Devils want to see him integrated into the lineup as often as possible this year because he is still a good, young center. I would hate to see him claimed by another team, which I fear is a very real possibility should he be placed on waivers.

This option also isn’t ideal because it leaves the team with two extra defensemen and just one

extra forward.

• To keep Stephen Gionta in the lineup, they make a trade.
  
  

  

  "Trade, did somebody say trade!? I'll give you my 
  third line for your best player. OH OH BETTER IDEA!
  I'll give you my best player for your fourth line!"

  Yes, it’s that time of the year to stir up trade rumors again. After that blockbuster robbery Buffalo committed on Long Island, who isn’t speculating about the next big trade to come about? For the Devils, a smaller trade may be on the horizon. Personally, I think it would be a crime for the Devils to send Larsson, Gelinas or Gionta back to the AHL, and an even bigger crime to let any of the three aforementioned forwards go without getting anything in return. Us Devil fans have already dealt with the frustration of losing highly touted defensive prospect Alex Urbom on waivers earlier this season, a loss we’re still trying to  get over.

Another interesting thought to consider: The Devils don’t have any positional areas to address at the moment. Up from there isn't much room to add another depth forward, defensively the team is trying to figure out who to give up to better integrate the younger guys, and Lou Lamoriello already addressed the issues in net at the draft. So the Devils aren't exactly looking to add another roster player. What they do need, however, is a draft pick. As a result of circumventing negotiating according to the rules of the Collective Bargaining Agreement that took the entire 2004-2005 season lockout to perfect, the Devils were asked unjustly forced to give up a first round draft pick in either 2011, 2012, 2013, or 2014. Because Mr. Lamoriello has used his pick in each of the prior three years, that means the Devils won’t be allowed to selected a first-rounder in 2014. 

"We agree to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement."
*Devils sign Ilya Kovalchuk*
"Nevermind, you lose a first round draft pick."

As it stands now, the Devils have picks in rounds 2, 3, 5, 6, 6 and 7 of the 2014 draft. This is what I propose, friends: The Devils trade Peter Harrold, Rostislav Olesz, their 2014 2nd round pick and their 2014 6th round pick to Edmonton for their 2014 1^st round pick.

Why it’s good for the Devils:
Quite simply, the Devils need a high draft pick at next year’s draft. They gave it up this year for Cory Schneider and the league stole next year’s. Edmonton, who is looking at potentially another last place finish, will almost certainly have at least a top 5 pick in next year’s draft, so acquiring that pick is huge. Plus New Jersey has excess players who would be better spent on a trade to address the team’s draft holes than lost to waiver claims.

The Oilers don't need another not-Crosby
crowding up their bench.

Why it’s good for the Oilers:
The Oilers had three first-overall picks in a row, and it hasn’t done much of anything for them yet, as they find themselves staring at the possibility of having another very high draft pick next year. Only this time, you have to believe that they may be willing to trade it away for the simple fact that it hasn’t worked the past several seasons. GM Craig MacTavish could be looking to do something early to turn the team around and potentially salvage the season, and it isn’t a secret that the team lacks offensive and defensive depth. Peter Harrold is a player in his prime who has shown he is a capable NHL defenseman. Rostislav Olesz is a forward who is still looking for the opportunity to put his potential to full use, and I’m sure the Oilers have room for him, especially with their flexible forward roster that has only 10 players under one-way contracts.

If it seems like the idea of the Devils giving up their two draft picks and two players for a first round draft pick is a bit much, know that Edmonton won't settle for any less. They've already traded away next year's second round pick to St. Louis, and there's no way they'll go into the draft without a pick in either of the first two rounds. I also can't say enough about how significant Edmonton's first round pick next year will be. I truly believe this is a trade that can work out well for both teams.

Photo credits: circlingthewagon.wordpress.com, Neil Davidson/Canadien Press, Kathy Willens/AP, rumormethis.com, PC/Darryl Dyck

October 18th, 2013

Here, we discuss the current slide the Devils are in, and how they plan to end it with a win against the Rangers. We also discuss trade rumors, predictions...and birds! Enjoy the podcast!

October 10th, 2013

Here is the newest podcast, where the conversation ranges from the Devils slow start, the Rangers even slower start, and the travesty known as the Devils new goal song.

Patrik Elias's Role with the Devils

Sean Clancy


For the better part of two decades, Patrik Elias has been one of the most, if not the most important component of the New Jersey Devils offensive lineup. He’s averaged nearly 70 points per season throughout his career, and in the 2001-2002 season, the Devils all-time leading scorer notched a career-high 96 points.

                 

Patrik Elias, minding his own business.

What’s curious about Elias though is the quiet way he goes about leading the team in scoring year-in and year-out. Rarely is he among the headlines on NHL.com, nor is he often talked about as one of the best and most consistent offensive producers in the league, and yet his offensive numbers over the years paint the picture of a potential Hall of Famer when all is said and done. This is where Elias finds his strength, though. He seems perfectly content to let the media focus on players like Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane while he goes about his business providing leadership and offensive stability for the Devils.

                

This season, the focus may be less on him than ever before. Between all the new forwards on the Devils, the goaltending duo of Martin Brodeur and newly acquired Cory Schneider, the team’s new ownership, and lately, the goal-song controversy, Elias once again finds himself flying under the media’s radar while still doing what he does best. Producing.

     

Oh yeah, did I mention he's a stud?

But even through his on-ice demeanor he has a way of keeping the focus elsewhere. He’s one of those players that seems to have a quiet night every night. We know he can be creative and flashy when he wants, he’s certainly shown that in the past. But Elias is rarely the guy streaking up the wing with the puck and dancing around defensemen. He is never the focal point on the powerplay (although for a few seasons, Kovalchuk didn’t give anybody else that option). He seldom is the player to score highlight reel goals, perform an over-the-top celebration, take bad penalties or initiate a donnybrook. At times he can seem almost invisible out there. And yet, he always finds ways to contribute offensively.

               

The 2013-2014 started out slow for Elias, as it did for the rest of the team, in a 3-0 shutout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Elias was also held pointless the following night in New Jersey, as Coach DeBoer tested out potential lines, sifting through a few different combinations, trying to see where Elias will fit best on this new-look team.

                   

"Hunger" is a word that's overused in sports.
And yet, it's never felt more appropriate.

On Thursday night in Edmonton, Coach Deboer may have found just what he was looking for. Paired on a line with countryman Jaromir Jagr, Elias scored the game-tying goal with just 54 seconds remaining in a game that saw the Devils blow a 3-0 lead by surrendering 4 goals in a span of 7:47. He fished the puck out of the corner (in a play very reminiscent of the 2000 Cup-clinching goal) and fed a backhand pass in front. Only this time, instead of connecting with Jason Arnott, Elias found the skate of Oiler defensemen Andrew Ference. The puck slid in the net before goaltender Jason LaBarbera could react, and just like that, Elias had his first point of the season.            

                   

"The Rangers gave up how many goals to San Jose?"

Deboer kept the duo of Elias and Jagr together the following night in Vancouver, where the pair connected for a couple of goals. Their chemistry was evident early, when Elias fed a slick backhand pass to Jagr late in the first period, and the 41 year old made no mistake of putting it past Canuck netminder Roberto Luongo. Later in the game, Jagr picked up an assist on an Elias goal similar to the one in Edmonton. Here, Elias banked a centering pass off Luongo to give the Devils a 2-0 lead.

The Devils would go on to lose both of these games in a shootout and overtime respectively, but it is apparent that the 37 year old Elias isn’t slowing down just yet. He seems to have found early chemistry on a line with Jagr, and the only apparent problem thus far seems to be a question of whether or not the speed (or lack thereof) of this line will be enough to keep it together for the duration of the season. But as long as the two Czech natives can continue to develop chemistry and find a dependable (and potentially speedy) third man to complete the line, I don’t see it as being a problem. Apparently neither does Elias.

“Are you saying I’m slow?” Elias joked. “If you play with that type of player you have to have a third guy to help you out to create speed and get in the zone that way. You have to be a smart enough player to adjust and use your head carrying it in” (Rich Chere/The Star Ledger).

If Elias and Jagr can continue to click, I believe Elias’s production and quiet leadership will once again prevail for the Devils who still look to get on the winning side of things in this young season. Their next game is Friday night in Calgary at 9:00 PM (ET).

"Is that Bon Jovi?"

Photo credits: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images, AP Photo/Julio Cortez

October 2nd, 2013: The Season Has Started!!

The day has arrived!! The 2013-2014 NHL Regular Season is underway!! Here, we recap the first three games of the season, and take a look at what's to come for the Devils, Rangers, and Islanders. Enjoy!

2013-2014 NHL Season Predictions

Sean Clancy

Well you beautiful people, it's finally that time again. Today is the start of a new hockey season. If you're anything like me, you just endured the longest preseason and the longest September of your life. September, by the way, is the worst month of the year. Followed by March.

No preseason would be complete (for me) without spending countless hours working on predictions. So, here they are:

Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division                                      Metropolitan Division
1. Ottawa Senators . . . . . . . 111              1. Pittsburgh Penguins . . . . . . 108
2. Boston Bruins . . . . . . . . . 105              2. Washington Capitals . . . . . .101
3. Detroit Red Wings . . . . . .  97              3. New Jersey Devils . . . . . . . .96
4. Montreal Canadiens . . . . . .94              4. New York Rangers . . . . . . .89
5. Toronto Maple Leafs . . . . .91              5. New York Islanders . . . . . . 87
6. Tampa Bay Lightning . . . . 85               6. Columbus Blue Jackets . . . .83
7. Buffalo Sabres . . . . . . . . . . 72               7. Philadelphia Flyers . . . . . . . 82
8. Florida Panthers . . . . . . . . 66                8. Carolina Hurricanes . . . . . . 79


Western Conference

Pacific Division                                          Central Division

1. Los Angeles Kings . . . . . . 102                1. Chicago Blackhawks . . . . .110

2. Edmonton Oilers . . . . . . . . 98                 2. St. Louis Blues . . . . . . . . . 106

3. Vancouver Canucks . . . . . .95                 3. Winnipeg Jets . . . . . . . . . . .93

4. San Jose Sharks . . . . . . . . .90                 4. Minnesota Wild . . . . . . . . . 86  

5. Phoenix Coyotes . . . . . . . . 88                 5. Colorado Avalanche . . . . . .84

6. Anaheim Ducks . . . . . . . . . 81                 6. Dallas Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

7. Calgary Flames . . . . . . . . . 68                  7. Nashville Predators . . . . . .75

Points Leaders               Goals  Assists  Points 1.  Sidney Crosby 35 72 107 2.  John Tavares 46 57 103 3.  Alex Ovechkin 51 45 96 4.  Steven Stamkos 55 40 95 5.  Evgeni Malkin 37 53 90 6.  Jason Spezza 31 57 88 7.  Claude Giroux 25 61 86   8.  Taylor Hall 31 54 85 9.  Marty St. Louis 24 61 85 10.  Erik Karlsson 23 62 85 11.  Patrick Kane 34 50 84 12.  Zach Parise 39 44 83 13.  Anze Kopitar 31 52 83 14.  Jordan Eberle 37 45 82 15.  Nicklas Backstrom 20 62 82 16.  Corey Perry 38 43 81 17.  Henrik Sedin 18 63 81 18.  Ryan Getzlaf 22 58 80 19.  Eric Staal 32 47 79 20.  Daniel Sedin 35 43 78 21.  Matt Duchene 31 46 77 22.  Chris Kunitz 31 46 77 23.  Jonathan Toews 28 47 75 24.  Patrick Sharp 36 38 74 25.  Jamie Benn 27 47 74 26.  Henrik Zetterberg 24 50 74 27.  Phil Kessel 31 42 73 28.  Jeff Carter 37 35 72 29.  Pavel Datsyuk 25 47 72 30.  Marian Gaborik 37 34 71 31.  Tyler Seguin 36 35 71 32.  Matt Moulson 31 40 71 33.  Rick Nash 36 34 70 34.  Brad Marchand 31 39 70 35.  Jason Pominville 29 41 70 36.  PA Parenteau 23 47 70 37.  Gabriel Landeskog 26 43 69 38.  Jakub Voracek 31 37 68 39.  Derek Stepan 26 42 68 40.  Alex Semin 26 42 68 41.  Loui Eriksson 22 46 68 42.  Max Pacioretty 34 33 67 43.  Joffrey Lupul 32 35 67 44.  Blake Wheeler 24 43 67 45.  Bobby Ryan 35 31 66 46.  Marian Hossa 31 35 66 47.  Andrew Ladd 30 36 66 48.  Marcus Johansson 22 44 66 49.  Jonathan Huberdeau 28 37 65 50.  Mike Green 25 40 65 Wins Leaders               Wins 1.  Craig Anderson 43 2.  Tuukka Rask 41 3.  Corey Crawford 40 4.  Marc-Andre Fleury 39 5.  Jonathan Quick 38 6.  Jaroslav Halak 37 7.  Roberto Luongo 36 8.  Ondrej Pavelec 35 9.  Devan Dubnyk 35 10.  Antti Niemi 35 Jimmy Howard 35 GAA Leaders           GAA 1.  Tuukka Rask 1.97 2.  Craig Anderson 2.03 3.  Jaroslav Halak 2.10 4.  Mike Smith 2.15 5.  Corey Crawford 2.18 6.  Cory Schneider 2.19 7.  Jonathan Quick 2.23 8.  Henrik Lundqvist 2.31 9.  Antti Niemi 2.36 10.  Jimmy Howard 2.42 Save% Leaders        SV% 1.  Craig Anderson 0.931 2.  Tuukka Rask 0.928 3.  Sergei Bobrovsky 0.924 4.  Cory Schneider 0.924 5.  Mike Smith 0.923 6.  Braden Holtby 0.923 7.  Henrik Lundqvist 0.922 8.  Jonathan Quick 0.922 9.  Corey Crawford 0.922 10.  Jaroslav Halak 0.921 Antti Niemi 0.921 Roberto Luongo 0.921 Shutout Leaders     SOs 1.  Tuukka Rask     9 2.  Craig Anderson 9 3.  Mike Smith 8 4.  Jaroslav Halak 7 5.  Jonathan Quick 7 6.  Henrik Lundqvist 7 7.  Corey Crawford 6 8.  Roberto Luongo 6 9.  Antti Niemi 6 10.  Jimmy Howard 6 Goals For                                   Goals Against       >260   Pittsburgh                          <190     Boston         250-259    Washington                  191-199    Ottawa                    Edmonton                                       Chicago                    Chicago                                            St. Louis                                                                             Phoenix 240-249    Tampa Bay                    Long Island                 200-209     New York                    Ottawa                                            Los Angeles                                                                             New Jersey 230-239     Winnipeg                     Los Angeles               210-219     Minnesota                     Toronto                                          Detroit                     St. Louis                                         San Jose                                                                             Montreal 220-229     Philadelphia                                   Columbus                     Boston                                             Vancouver                     Montreal                     Carolina                     220-229      Washington                     Vancouver                                       Toronto                     Colorado                                         Winnipeg                     Detroit                                             Buffalo                                                                              Nashvillle 210-219     New Jersey                                   Dallas                        230-239        Dallas                     Anaheim                                           Edmonton                     Calgary                                            Philadelphia                     San Jose                                          Pittsburgh                                                                           200-209      New York                  240-249       Anaheim                      Minnesota                                        Tampa Bay                      Phoenix                                            Colorado 190-199      Buffalo                        250-259       Long Island                      Columbus                                        Carolina                  <190       Nashville                          >260      Florida                      Florida                                             Calgary Awards Prince of Wales Trophy: Ottawa Senators Clarence S. Campbell Bowl:  St. Louis Blues President's Trophy: Ottawa Senators Conn Smythe Trophy: Erik Karlsson Art Ross Trophy:  Sidney Crosby Rocket Richard Trophy: Steven Stamkos William M. Jennings Trophy: Tuukka Rask Hart Memorial Trophy: John Tavares Sidney Crosby Alex Ovechkin Vezina Trophy: Craig Anderson Tuukka Rask Jaroslav Halak James Norris Memorial Trophy:  Erik Karlsson PK Subban Shea Weber Jack Adams Award:  Paul MacLean Joel Quenneville Dallas Eakins Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Patrick Kane Marty St. Louis Jordan Eberle Frank J. Selke Trophy: Jonathan Towes Patrice Bergeron Ryan Callahan GM of the Year: Bryan Murray Peter Chiarelli Lou Lamoriello Calder Memorial Trophy:  Mark Scheifele Nathan MacKinnon Seth Jones NHL15 Cover Athlete:             John Tavares                                                     Erik Karlsson Stanley Cup:                             Ottawa Senators (4)                                                     St. Louis Blues (3) Conn Smythe Award:             Erik Karlsson

September 19th 2013

Here is our next installment of Hockey At The Hall. In this episode, we cover the possibility of having Brunner on the Devils, the shrinking goalie pads, and we get slightly technological as well. Enjoy!

September 14th, 2013

Here is our second post of the year! This podcast features a rather casual conversation, preseason predictions, and just all out excitement for the 2013-2014 NHL Campaign!

September 5th, 2013: Offseason Recap

Eight Teams To Win The Stanley Cup

Sean Clancy

As the NHL playoffs press on, we find ourselves in the middle of the second round. The previous five teams to win the Stanley Cup are among the eight teams remaining, creating a somewhat less-exciting feel, as I usually find myself rooting for the teams that either haven't won the illustrious trophy in a while, or ever, for that matter. I'm struggling to root for teams in some of the remaining series, simply because nothing about them really excites me at this point. So I've decided to list, with reasons, the order in which I'd like to see the remaining teams win the Cup. As I write this intro now, I have no idea how this list will turn out, aside from the top and bottom teams. Journey along with me and discover how my mind works. The list:

1. Ottawa Senators

Above: Crazy Ottawa fans before winning a Cup.
Imagine after.

This is a team that has had much regular season success since their revival in Ottawa in 1992, yet haven't quite been getting it done in the post-season. They've appeared in the Stanley Cups finals just once (2007) in a losing effort. These guys have changed a lot since the 10-11 season that saw them finish 13th in the conference standings, and now look to have arguably their strongest team since their 2007 playoff run. Top scorers, reliable depth, role players, versatile players that can play in all situations, rookies who look like anything but, and a solid goaltender between the pipes.

Daniel Alfredsson has been one of the best leaders in the NHL for the better part of a decade, and he has been at the helm of this resilent Ottawa team through many of their ups and downs. His leadership has never been stronger than it's been this season, willing his team to victory night after night, despite a slew of injuries that saw many of the team's top players out for extended periods of time. Now, Alfie and his Ottawa team find themselves healthy and in the second round of the playoffs, and no one deserves it more than them this year.

Plus, their fans are badass. Bring the cup back to Canada eh, it's abuut time.

2. Boston Bruins

Jaromir Jagr: So close to another Cup he can taste it.

 
This is still the most complete team in the league. Peter Chiarelli has assembled a team that deserves recognition through long-term success. Not much about these guys has changed since their recent 2011 Cup championship, except for the notable change in goal. Tuukka Rask has stepped up and shown he can play with just as much consistency (but not nearly as much excitement) as Timmy Thomas. He is the kind of goalie who, if he can remain solid under pressure, will give hockey's most balanced team a chance to win for many years.

This year, the team saw the addition of future hall-of famer Jaromir Jagr to their team at the trade deadline. Jagr has added more leadership and experience to a team that he quickly settled in with. There's no doubting he's a legend, and I want to see Jagr get one more before his career ends, because he hasn't won it in over 20 seasons believe it or not. I would like to see Boston win it again this season, and that has NOTHING to do with the Boston marathon events that have been blown all out of proportion.

3. San Jose Sharks

RIP one of the nicest uniforms in the league.

Here's another team that's shown continued success without having to go into a massive rebuilding stage, but haven't been rewarded for it. The last time they missed the playoffs was ten years ago, however, they've struggled making it to the Cup finals, going 0-3 in conference final series since their inception in 1991. Much like Daniel Alfredsson, Joe Thornton deserves a Cup in San Jose. This is a well-rounded team past him, and I'm a big Logan Couture fan.

The only things that bother me about this team is their ugly black uniforms that would not make for an aestitically pleasing Stanley Cup final, and the fact that Antti Niemi just won the cup a few years ago. Antti's a good goalie, don't get me wrong, but there are several other goalies in the league right now that deserve it more. Spread the wealth.

4. Chicago Blackhawks

Only a Stanley Cup can put a smile back on
the face of Captain Serious.

 
Quite simply, Chicago's had a terrific record-setting season, and deserve to be rewarded for it, provided they continue to earn it through these final weeks of the season. Chicago is a team with every component that a successful franchise needs, including coaching, great leadership, an intimidating offense and stiffling defense. Starting netminder Corey Crawford also showed this season that he has the makings to be a top goalie in this league.

The Hawks are another team that's won the Cup in recent years, but by no means is it the same team. After their 2010 championship, salary cap restrictions led to a huge shake-up in the off-season. Nearly half the roster was changed, yet the core of the team held strong, which is a reason Chicago finds themselves a constant contender.

5. Los Angeles Kings

Oh yeah, and he can do that.

I'm a huge Jonathan Quick fan, and for a simple reason. He is the best goalie in this league. His unique butterfly form and ability to move around the crease with such speed and fluidity is superior to any netminder in the league. Combine that with his smart aggressive play and lightning-fast reflexes, and you're looking at the best use of the butterfly style that goaltending has ever seen. That being said, he deserves to win multiple Cups throughout his career.

Plus, the team around him is pretty good. Dustin Brown is one of my favorite players in the league because he is also one of the most versatile. He can play in any situation, has great offensive skill, hits and grinds with the best of them and offers inspiring leadership. The Kings are a solid hockey club that deserve much success. The only reason they are ranked on the bottom half of this list is because they just won the Cup last year. Again I say, spread the wealth.

6. Detroit Red Wings

Not the same without this guy.

The Red Wings are one of the most storied franchises in the NHL, and with 5 Stanley Cup appearances in the last 15 seasons, are also the most successful throughout my lifetime. That being said, is anyone else growing tired of them?

I harbor no ill feelings towards the team, in fact I respect the hell out of what they've done in recent years, but nothing about them excites me these days. This has always felt like an older, more authentic hockey club to me, but now it's just Datsyuk and Zetterberg surrounded by a bunch of average players and your standard issue butterfly goalie. They're still a good team, but I feel as if they're declining. They almost missed the playoffs this year and I can't see them being among the top in the conference in coming years. It's time for Detroit to step aside and give rise to newer, younger franchises in the West. The potential on St. Louis and Edmonton excite the hell out of me.

Still, Detroit is above the last two teams on this list.

7. New York Rangers

Above: The Rangers powerplay.

At this point, Henrik Lundqvist and Ryan Callahan are the only two players on the team that I really want to see win a Cup soon. The team as a whole, however, does not deserve it. They're not run the way a Stanley Cup championship team is run, they seem to be confused about their identity, the quality of the coaching staff is declining, the powerplay right now is the worst I've seen in my life, and Glen Sather needs to go. The Rangers have a knack of getting rid of their best players and making trades that simply do not make sense. Marian Gaborik was essentially traded for Rick Nash, which was unnecessary and hasn't paid dividends. After a 1st place season that saw the Rangers go to the third round of the playoffs, half the roster was dismantled, much of which could have (and should have) been easily avoided. The disasterous Rick Nash trade was eased a bit by the acquisitions of guys like Brassard, Moore, Dorsett and Clowe, but this came at the expense of Marian Gaborik (who is better than Rick Nash, period), Brandon Dubinsky (who everyone forgets led the team in points in 10-11), and a first round draft pick. Now that Brad Richards is having a bad stretch, they're talking about trading him too. If Ryan Callahan has a slow start to the season next year, don't be surprised if he's among the trade rumors come deadline day. This team needs to stop worrying about trades and free agents, and start developing their team through drafts and prospect pools. The average lifespan of a New York Ranger is far too short to create a Stanley Cup champion team.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

After years of research, NASA is reporting that they've finally
discovered what lays at the center of the universe. Above is
an image of their findings.

Pittsburgh is a team that went to the Stanley Cup final two years in a row, promting the NHL to make them the center of the hockey universe. No one in hockey, other than the Penguins, like the Penguins.

Ray Shero is a GM who is in Glen Sather's boat, and he'd be better suited as a basketball GM. He assembled an all-star team at the trade deadline, despite sitting in first place in the conference at the time. I don't care for Brendan Morrow if he's not in Dallas. I don't think anyone cares about Jarome Iginla now that he's not in Calgary. We've seen Crosby and Malkin have their success and we've had this team shoved down our throats for five years by the NHL, and I don't know why. The Penguins are far from the model hockey team, and they're a bad example of what hockey is all about. They're one of the most inconsistent defensive clubs in the league and also one of the dirtiest.  They also have the most big-headed fan base of any team I've ever encountered, and the last thing the hockey world needs is more of these fools giving us even more reason to root against their team.

Photo credits: T. Anderson, Bostonsbettah.com, Thearon Henderson/Getty Images, midnightbex/Tumblr.com, nhlsnipers.com, topsportsup.com, Greg Flume, Pittsburghmagazine.com