Category Archives: HTR Feature Article

Time For Change in the New NHL

Some recent events have prompted talk of some rule changes needed to not only improve the game itself but the safety of the players.

The decline in scoring has been of concern to the league. The big boost in offence soon after the lockout has gone by the wayside and a lack of goals and offence continues to succumb to air tight defence.

Also of concern is the rash of serious head injuries. Hitting from behind, dangerous headshots and just an overall lack of respect is something that the league seems resistant to solve to avoid, as Mike Milbury puts it, “pansyfication” of the game.

Fantasy Hockey: Eastern Conference Scene

Fantasy Hockey: Eastern Conference Scene

Written by Frank Mazzola, Rotoexperts.com Staff Writer

October 30, 2008

Frank Mazzola takes a look at the NHL’s Eastern Conference and keeps you up to date on the latest developments.

The following players are rumoured to be on the trading block, and here are some speculated teams that could be interested –

(All my info is from various sources compiled together on spectors hockey)

Miscellaneous, take 2

A few things happened in the NHL this week, so I’m gonna regroup them in this article.

Miscellaneous (or whatever the spelling is)

I read someone recently on HTR who was complaining about the lack of interesting trade rumors (hem hem mojo :) ), so I decided to write a quick summary of what we’re hearing these days on internet, or what I consider could be potential trades between teams. I won’t write the cap hit or each team after each trade, but consider they WILL stay under the cap with these trades.

Hey, this is a page to let you download the 2008-09 ULTIMATE POOL PREVIEW.

Go inside to get your hands on the 2008-09 UPP!

Gaborik on the block?

Some rumors have the Wild close to re-signing the budding winger. Others have the Wild looking to shop him. Here’s what’s been reported, and here’s what’s been rumored.

Number 10 – It’s Pretty.

Lovely color patterns, Splash Screen, Logos, but not too much, just enough to be tasteful, or at least full… of something. Hell, we even kept the little country flags on the Salary Cap page. The educational value of that alone is worth the price!

The renaissance enjoyed by the Montreal Canadiens last season was buoyed by the play of some of their veteran players. It is ironic now that in the year where the team will celebrate its 100th anniversary and reminisce their rich history, its the team’s future that will determine whether the Habs succeed or fail.

Devils Still Good But Not Quite A Contender

Despite the fact the New Jersey Devils have been regular playoff participants the last decade or so, it’s not automatic anymore to put the team among the top contenders for the Stanley Cup.

The long wait is almost over!! Summer is done and training camp is just around the corner. This time of the year the average hockey fan is trying to figure out what his respective team will look like, how well the new players will mesh with the team, and most importantly in today’s salary cap era…Who and how well will your team’s prospects fill the gaps left by UFAs or retirements.

So I thought Id give you all a look at this years rookie crop in no particular order:

As the saying goes, sometimes you have to be bad before you can be good again. This is so true for the Toronto Maple Leafs. A 41 year cup drought and no playoff appearances since 2004 have resulted in the franchise bottoming out and starting from the ground up. The hope is they gradually make their rise up the standing doing things the right way and avoid the quick fix.

With the end of the summer approaching so is training camp and more importantly the beginning of the season. The beginning of the season also marks the end of the window teams can be over the cap. Teams that are over the cap at the start of the season will be penalised. As of what the penalties are I have no clue since nobody has been penalised up to date. Five teams are over the cap and three are under.

NHL Notes, Predictions, and more…

Just thought I’d write on all the happenings in the NHL right now, including my early predictions for next year- standings and awards.

NHL Notes:

-The Bryan McCabe situation is still thriving in the NHL rumor spotlight- and why not, there’s plenty going on here. Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past couple weeks, you know that Bryan is supposedly headed to Florida on September 1st. The only thing left to really speculate on is what’s the deal made of? Many think 29 year old Mike Van Ryn would be headed north of the border in the deal, and that Bryan would not be going to Florida alone. The best bets to head with him? Anyone not named Vesa or Luke, basically. Speculation has ranged from Nik Antropov to Ian White and everyone in between. My guess is either Ponikarovsky or White. And I’m not even getting into the wild fire talks of Jay Bo headed to T.O cause that’s when rumors turn into video game proposals- although I wish we could get him…

Pens May Not Be As Good But Still Very Good

When a team that went all the way to the Stanley Cup finals loses 7 key contributors to that team, many expect a decline.

Well for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the decline may not be very steep at all.

At first glance, when you see all the players who left, it is very easy to hypothesize that the team has nowhere else to go but down.

Over the years we have changed as we have grown up and have taken on many different forms and many different looks. Where did it all begin? We began on our sister site hockeytraderumors.com with this inconspicuous announcement: WowHockey.com – Writers Wanted

July 4, Free Agency Column

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY AMERICA!

According to the CKNW radio station the Canucks have given an offer sheet to Filppulla. Awaiting more info on this rumor.

According to reports coming out of NY, Paul Mara has re-signed with the Rangers for $1.95M, one year.

Russian reports have it that Jaromir Jagr has signed with Omsk.

July 3, Free Agency Column; Updated 4,30pm

Trade Rumors front: Dan Boyle asked to waive NTC. Hawks may be shopping Marty Havlat as GM Dave Tallon said no to giving up Khabibulin.

JAGR ERA AS A New York Ranger is OVER: press conference stated that Markus Naslund signed to a two-year deal worth $8M, and Dmitri Kalinin has signed one-year deal.

July 2, Free Agency Column

Kristian Huselius signs with Columbus, four years, $4.75M p/s.

Doug Weight signs with the Islanders, one year dea; Kukla’s Korner

Pittsburgh re-signs Brooks Orpik, six years $3.75M per.

TRADE CONFIRMED: Zherdev and Fritsche Traded To The Rangers
for Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman.

Ron Hainsey signs a five year deal worth $4.5M p/s with Atlanta.

Senators sign J. Ruutu for three years, $3.9M.

Malkin extends his stay in Pittsburgh for five years; details to follow.

Sean Avery signs a four year deal with Dallas, reported Nick Kypreos; four years $16M.

Jim Vandermeer and Curtis Glencross sign with Calgary.

TSN.ca reports that Marian Hossa has signed a one year deal worth $7.4M

Carolina Hurricanes re-sign Joni Pitkanen, three year $12M. Also Josef Melichar, one year deal, $1M.

July 1st, Free Agents Column

Good morning my hockey friends. This will be an updated post throughout the day on signings and possible trades, much like we do on draft day.

Redden signs with the Rangers, six years $6.5m p/s

Devils sign Bobby Holik, $2.5M; 1 year.

NYR re-signs Michal Rozsival, $20M, 4 years. Toronto signs Niclas Hagman

Rolston signs back with the Devils: a four-year, $20 million contract

Columbus signs UFA defenceman Mike Commodore to a 5 year deal worth $18.75-million; Flyers bring back Ossi Vaananen

Campbell signs with Blackhawks, 8 years at $7.1M p/s

(Minor signings are updated in post, click “read more”).