Category Archives: HTR Feature Article

Hometown Team

Back in the day, say 50 years ago… NHL teams where built on local products. All the French players played for Montreal and all the GTA boys played for Toronto. Me and my Montreal friend are bored at work and decided to built a homegrown only team to play heads up against each other. The criterias are the player has to be HOMEGROWN or live less then a hour’s worth from downtown.

So Toronto had the GTA (excluding KW, London, Barrie, Peterborough, Hamilton to make it fair). And Montreal has the island and both north and south shores. Here are our rosters:

Jacques Martin negotiating in order to become the Habs`next bench boss.

Sportsnet is reporting that Jacques Martin is negotiating a potential buy-out from the Florida Panthers in a potential move that would pave the way for him to become the next coach of the Montreal Canadiens.

A lot of people think that making offers for RFA’s is a great potential way to grab a good young player and immediately improve your team. But the problem is that the compensation is so heavily favoured for the team who holds the rights to the player.

Here are some of this summers higher end RFA’s, tell me if you would tender them an offer:

And still trying to land a higher 1st round pick

The Toronto Star is reporting that Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke will open the vault this summer and spend big money.

Burke also added he is not any closer to landing a higher draft pick, but indicated that if something were to happen, it would probably occur on the floor during draft day.

With Burke’s revelation that the Leafs will spend heavily, several intriguing options are out there.

For the first time in a while, the Toronto Maple Leafs have some options.
After a few seasons mired in mediocrity, little depth and little to be excited about, the team now finally has a good young building block and some intriguing young players. While the work is far from over, this upgrade should allow the Leafs some options previously not available to them.

Flashback to May 1983. Stanley Cup Final, Game 4. The setting is Long Island, New York.

After winning the first 3 games of the series, the New York Islanders are trying to clinch their 4th straight Stanley Cup title.

Their opponent is the young and talented Edmonton Oilers, the highest scoring team in NHL history, featuring Wayne Gretzky and company.

First in Line

There is no question that Winnipeg is full of intense hockey fans. There is also no denying that the city has been teased a number of times with the return of an NHL franchise, and have since become cynical and disillusioned about the issue. Almost any good news at all on this front is met with a flurry of pessimism.

Draft Facts

The new fad seems to be to get really pumped about the draft and all the great prospects that come along with it. Here’s a little bit of reality for you. Most of these players will become nothing, some of them will be come NHL regulars, and a couple will become stars.

Here’s a history lesson for you, and notice that history repeats itself, again and again, here:

Looking ahead to July 1st we could have a really exciting summer. There are some key UFA’s available and I expect a lot of movement. Here is a preview of some of the bigger names.

I would like to hear which players you would want your team to target and how much you would pay for them.

Caps vs Pens

Well this just might be the most exciting series in this years playoffs. Two power house offensive teams going at only to get to the conference final.

Playoffs Time

First Round

EAST

1. Boston vs. 8 Montreal

I’m absolutely pumped for this one. Nothing better than Habs vs. Bruins. Bruins have been hot lately and the Habs cold plus the Bruins were 5-0-1 against them but just look at last years matchup and you’ll know both teams will come out and give everything. I could see it going 7 but I’ll say:

According to Damian Cox of thestar.com, and according to Sportsnet.ca, the Toronto Maple Leafs are about to sign prospect Tyler Bozak as a free agent.

Bozak was one of the half dozen highly sought after US College free agents that have become available in recent weeks. Bozak was on the Leafs radar as well as several other teams, but according to Cox, its Toronto who has won the bidding for Bozak’s services.

Bracket Time…March Madness, NHL style

There is nothing bigger in March in the U.S. then the NCAA tournament, particularly the betting via brackets. There is nothing bigger in March (or any other month for that matter) in Canada then the NHL. This is what happens when worlds collide.

The Latest Information on the Habs *Bombshell* Allegations

Sportsnet.ca is reporting the latest information with regards to the Montreal Canadiens players who are apparently linked to organized crime.

The Latest on Kovalev – Habs trying to move him?

The Montreal Gazette is reporting on the latest news with regards to Alexei Kovalev mystery saga that continues to drag on.

Kovalev on the move?

RDS reports that Bob Gainey has met with Alex Kovalev to ask him to stay in Montreal. Is this just Gainey trying to get Kovalev to think about his game or is there a possible trade in the works?

ESPN.com is reporting on the latest rumors with regard to Jay Bouweester, Olli Jokinen and Tim Connoly. Another top player who is mentioned that can not be over looked is Marian Gaborik.

Big Changes coming in Minnesota?

The Star Tribune is reporting that the Wild are concerned about two major issues right now, Gaborik and Backstrom and their expiring contracts.

Mega Deal in the Works between Pittsburgh and Tampa?

TBO.com is reporting the possibility of a huge trade between the Penguins and the Lightning that would see Martin St. Louis moved to Pittsburgh.

The Montreal Canadiens struggles continue and many Hab fans are voicing their displeasure with Alexei Kovalev. It is well known that under the right cir*****stances Kovalev is an elite NHL player but for some reason at the present time he is playing very poorly and it appears that he is very short on confidence.