GetItNext Hockey - The Red Line - All Hockey All The Time

Pittburgh Penguins A New Dynasty?

Let me caveat this post by saying I'm a massive Oilers fan.  I grew up watching the Oilers during their heyday in the mid 80's. 

I have a question for everyone out there.  Now that the Pittsburgh Penguins tied the NHL record with the Edmonton Oilers for best start to the playoffs (11 and 1) are the Pens on their way to the formation of a new hockey Dynasty? 

I know they haven't won anything yet, let alone 4 Cups in 5 years, but I have to admit they look like the beginning of something special.  They've amassed a scary collection of young talent:  Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Marc-Andre Fleury + plus hired gun Hossa.  If they can hang on to all of their assets this could be the team to beat for a long time. 

Then again maybe my beloved Oilers will be the Penguins main adversary out of the West.  With a collection of young guys in their own right: Hemsky, Gagner, Cogliano, Gilbert, Pitkanen and a resurgent Garon maybe the Oil will just pass the torch to themselves.  What do you think hockey fans?

Jaromir Jagr Retires from the NHL

Now that the Pittsburgh Penguins have ended the New York Rangers season I predict that you have seen Jaromir Jagr's last NHL game of his career.  This sure fire hall of famer has been hinting about leaving the NHL since Jan 08.  His buddy and owner of Russian team Omsk recently flew to New York to meet with Jagr leading many to believe a deal is in place for Jagr to place for Omsk next season. 

The Rangers and the NHL will greatly miss this dynamic superstar.  How ironic and fitting if Jagrs last NHL game was played at the Igloo home of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Sean Avery is done for the playoffs

Sean Avery has been rushed to the hospital following Game 3 of the New York Rangers - Pittsburgh Penguins Eastern semi-final playoffs.  He has a lacerated spleen and will be out for the remainder of the season.

With the super pest out of the lineup does this spell almost certain doom for the Rangers who trail the Pens 3 - 0 in the series?  Hard to say.  Sean hasn't been the same force that that he was against the New Jersey Devils in Round 1 of the playoffs.  We'll all find out within a couple of days. 

Game 4 and 5 tickets are still available.

Pronger Suspended 8 Games for Stomp, What a Joke

Well folks I guess Chris Pronger has photos of Colie Campbell or his son Gregory Campbell.  See my original blog Does Pronger Have Photos of Campbell.   8 games for a career felon???  C'mon Colie, stop with the double standard.  If this was a grinder he would be gone for the season and deep into the playoffs. 

Here's what Soupie had to say ""In attempting to free himself, Pronger carelessly and recklessly brought his foot down."  Un huh and I'm selling a bridge, its located in Brooklyn.  If you watch the video you can clearly see Pronger look down and stomp Kessler's calf.  Freeing oneself from entanglement would require you to shake your leg or pull it out not STOMP on someone.  So once again justice is not served, unless of course the Chris in question is named Simon.

Does Chris Pronger Have Photos of Campbell

If Chris Pronger doesn't get at least 15 games for intent to injure Ryan Kessler I will be convinced that he has photos on Colie Campbell or his son Gregory Campbell.  Maybe one of the Campbell's are client #8?  Haha just kidding but  Pronger has been getting away with murder for years and the league really needs to clamp down.  If you watch the video you can clearly see Pronger look down and stomp Kessler's calf.  This is clearly a case of intent to injure.  Both players are very lucky that Ryan didn't suffer a major injury as the back side of players calves are not protected well by hockey shin guards. Its funny how the NHL treats the haves and the have nots differently.  If a 3rd or 4th line player with Chris' rep did this they would be gone for at least 20 games.  Here's a look at Pronger's most recent dirty plays and soft suspensions.

Compliments of TSN.ca: Pronger has been suspended seven times in his career, with the most recent ones handed down during the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring. He received a one-game suspension from the NHL last May for his hit on Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, and was suspended for a game in June for hitting Ottawa's Dean McAmmond in the head with his forearm during the third period of the Senators' 5-3 win in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

NY Ranger Marty Straka Due For a Tear

Anyone who has followed New York Rangers winger Marty Straka knows he is very streaky. He’s been quiet (point wise) for a while since coming back from injury.  Any game now I’m expecting him to go on a tear. Marty is much too talented not to start producing like he’s capable of and when he gets going the points come in bunches.  The stretch run would a great time for Marty to get hot and help the Rangers finish strong.

While on the subject I do think that Marty might not be back on the team next year. He is somewhat expendable now that Dawes and Callahan have produced on the top 3 lines.

Rangers Goalie Henrik Lundqvist Ties NHL Record

Congrats to New York Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist on being only the 2^nd player in NHL history to record 30 or more wins in his first 3 seasons. Who is the other goalie who accomplished this feat? Roy, Brodeur, Sawchuk, Fuhr? Nope good ole Ronnie Hextall. Maybe congratulations are not in order afterall. This could turn out to be a jinx like the Heisman trophy. Don’t let it go to your head Hank, your glove hand is worrying me.  More on that tomorrow....

Something Fishy on Long Island with DiPietro and Islanders

Wasn’t it only 2 months ago fishsticks fans were calling Charles Wang a genius and visionary?

Not sure how many of you caught the pre and post game comments from Islanders coach Ted Nolan and backup Rick DiPietro. Something is definitely amiss with Dipetro and there is more to the story as to why he didn’t start Thursday’s Islanders vs Rangers game. Lets recall last year when the Rick went down with injury and Dubie held down the fort. As soon as Rick was cleared to play he returned as the starting goalie.

This notion about missing time and not being in game shape is bull. Watching last night you could clearly see the often fast talking DiPietro taking his time and answering in a tone which clearly displayed how annoyed he is. This makes me believe the rumors swirling around that this all started Tuesday night might be true. The story/rumor going around is that DiPietro upon hearing he would not start on Tuesday opted out of the game due to his grandmothers death. Ie he would have been there if he was starting but once he found out he was sitting he decided not to attend the must win game for the Islanders. So either Nolan was punishing him last night or really playing a hunch. Net result the Islanders failed to win and now might have an “issue” with their 15 year man. Wonder who Charles will side with?

XM 204 Hockey Sorely Missed

My daily commute is now via the New Jersey  transit train system. Its not bad, except for the 3 times in the past 2 weeks the train broke down. But there is one thing that is killing me and that is that I can’t listen to XM 204. As my family and friends can attest the navigation screen in my car rarely ever tunes to a different XM channel. Man do I miss Mike Bossy in the morning during hockey this morning, In the Slot in the afternoon with Tatti and Espo. Heck I even miss hearing Dennis Potvin in the mornings. XM needs to develop some kind of sling box for my cell phone or iPod so I can listen during my train ride. Now that’s something I would buy.

Ted Nolan NHL 2008 Coach of the Year

Alright let me start by saying I am a huge Rangers fan so this pains me to write this. But if there is another coach in the NHL that gets more from less than Ted Nolan, please let me know. I know that Brent Sutter is doing a great job for the NJ Devils but at least they have a solid organizational philosophy and foundation.

The Islanders? Look at the lineup they’ve got NOTHING.... Yet here they are AGAIN close to a playoff spot and busting their tails on every single shift never giving up. This team barely has a 1^st liner, is plagued by injuries yet they won’t go away. If I had a vote Ted Nolan would be my pick for Coach of the year, even if the Fishsticks don’t make the play-offs.