Top Draft Eligible Players to Watch For in the World Juniors

With the World Junior Championship finally getting underway, to say certain players will be under the spotlight is an understatement. Scouts from all 30 NHL teams will be keeping a close eye on the tournament, gearing up for the 2015 draft. Going into the tournament, FSM is pleased to provide a list of eight draft eligible players to watch for.

Connor McDavid (F)- CANADA- Draft Rank: 1

In 2012, Connor McDavid made hockey history, becoming only the third player in the OHL ever to be granted Exceptional Player Status- and he’s certainly lived up to the title. Currently in his third season in the OHL as a member of the Erie Otters, McDavid has tallied 51 points in only 18 games, and holds the highest point per game average in the league. The forward became Erie’s captain going into this season, and is ranked as 1^st overall for the 2015 NHL Draft in virtually every existing scouting source available. He will wear the “A” for Canada throughout this year’s tournament, and is expected to be a key contributor to Canada’s offense.  

Jack Eichel (F)- UNITED STATES- Draft Rank: 2

At 6’2”, Jack Eichel is able to use his size and strength to gain an edge on the competition. As only a freshman this year in the NCAA, Eichel leads the league in scoring, the first freshman to accomplish this since Paul Kariya did it in 1993. Eichel is already being compared to American Hall of Famer Mike Modano, and has been named the USA captain for the World Juniors. Though McDavid seems to be the front-runner to go first overall as of now, Eichel will definitely put himself into better contention with a strong showing in the tournament.  

Noah Hanifin (D)- UNITED STATES- Draft Rank: 3

Hanifin is the top defenceman eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft, and will be a large part of USA’s defence core throughout the tournament. He has a good shot, and is a great blend of offensive talent and defensive reliability. Hanifin will more than likely see time on the US power play, possibly paired with Boston College teammate Ian McCoshen.  

Zach Werenski (D)- UNITED STATES- Draft Rank: 5

Like Hanifin, Werenski is another left hand shot on the US blue line. He’s a smart, sound skating defenceman who doesn’t take many penalties, and doesn’t get caught pinching often. Werenski was the assistant captain for the US at last year’s U-17 tournament, and he will get lots of ice time in this U-20 tournament. Werenski plays for University of Michigan, where in his freshman year, he has 12 points in 15 games, and is a +9. 

Pavel Zacha (F)- CZECH REPUBLIC- Draft Rank: 8 

Zacha is a power forward, who’s able to use his large frame to win battles in the offensive zone. He will bring experience to the relatively young Czech team, as this will be his fourth time representing his country at an International tournament. Zacha is ranked 8^th by International Scouting, however has grabbed 4^th spot in several other draft sources, such as McKeen’s Hockey. Along with Jakub Vrana, Zacha will turn the Czech squad into one of the most competitive installments that we’ve seen in recent years.

Lawson Crouse (F)- CANADA- Draft Rank: 9 

Crouse worked hard to earn his spot on Team Canada, and will use his strength to grind and get pucks. At only 17 years old, he is already 6’4”, and has represented Canada in both U-17 and U-18 tournaments. Crouse is a second-year OHL player for the Kingston Frontenacs, and is ranked anywhere from 5^th to 9^th through different scouting groups. Due to Canada’s depth in forwards, Crouse may not see a ton of playing time, but expect him to make the most of it when he’s on the ice.

Mikko Rantanen (F)- FINLAND- Draft Rank: 13

Rantanen will be one of the most exciting players to watch throughout the tournament due to his style of play. Though Rantanen lacks physicality, he makes up for it with his hands and quickness, and how easily he is able to get by defenders. Rantanen will be representing Finland for a fourth time in International play, and will likely be a second liner on the defending Champion Finnish team this year.

Ivan Provorov (D)- RUSSIA- Draft Rank: 16

Provorov will no doubt be one of the highlights in the tournament for Russia. He doesn’t follow the traditional tough play of many Russian defencemen, and instead plays a very finesse game, and keys on his passing ability. With Brandon this year in the WHL, he has 37 points in 35 games, with a +14 rating. He is extremely strong offensively, and will more than likely play on both the power play and penalty kill units.

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Canada vs Switzerland Review

   Everything seemed to be clicking for Canada in their Tuesday night win over Switzerland. The Canadians defeated the Swiss team 6-0, heavily outplaying them throughout the majority of the game. The team’s lack of ability to finish did not carry over from the game vs Russia on Friday, with Canada outscoring their opponents 11-2 in their last two games.

What’s striking about Canada’s offense is how well the Domi-Duclair-Reinhart line has been able to click so early on. Domi was set up by his line mates for three goals, and the trio looked solid throughout the entire game. With Canada’s forwards producing, it also means much of the pressure will be taken off projected first overall pick, Connor McDavid. Considering McDavid’s age of just 17, it’s hard to put country’s fate in his hands, and hopefully if Canada keeps scoring, McDavid will be able to avoid some of the heat.

On defence, Canada showed the toughness it has been missing for the past few tournaments. Madison Bowey was very physical throughout the game throwing several big hits, meanwhile Samuel Morin was a 6’7” pillar on the back end. Canada’s coach, Benoit Groulx, looks like he’s doing a great job of enforcing a more defensive style from the defence core, without belittling their offensive ability.

In net, Zach Fucale faced only 14 shots, but looked sharp in the win. If Canada is able to get consistent goaltending from Fucale and Comrie throughout the tournament, they’ll be extremely tough to beat. As of now, Canada, the United States, and Finland look like the three front runners to take Gold, however it’s been proven many times in this tournament that anything is possible.

Canada opens up the tournament Boxing Day against Slovakia.

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Injury Season for Sens

A full week with new head coach Dave Cameron has brought about some changes, both good and bad for the Senators. Since the coaching change, the team has seemed to elevate their game to a higher level, fighting against the struggles they have had of playing a consistent sixty minute hockey game. Playing a bit of a different game, the team was able to take a breath Saturday after their win against Boston, which was the first win for Dave Cameron as head coach. The win also surprised many as the Senators have not done well in afternoon games, or against Boston at home.

However, it seems with the good, the bad always comes. In Thursday's game, Chris Neil left with a lower body injury, which after evaluation was determined to be a knee problem. Cameron commented on his status saying he is “week to week”. After Saturday's game against Boston, Zack Smith was diagnosed with a dislocated wrist an he will be out of commission for several months.

Due to both of these injuries, the Senators have called up centre Jean-Gabriel Pageau to help out who has 8 goals and 10 assists in 25 games in the AHL.

How will these injuries affect the team moving forward?

Losing a player like Chris Neil is never good for a team like Ottawa. Although he doesn't put up great offensive numbers (7 points in 28 games), he is a big part of the teams physical play and his absence will be noticed. The Senators will need to see players like Mark Borowiecki and Jared Cowen step up their physical play.

Zack Smith's injury is a tough blow to his already struggling season. In 27 games played, Smith has amounted a mere 3 points (2 goals and 1 assist). He has no doubt been struggling to generate offence, and starting off the year on the wing certainly didn't help. His physical play has also been lacking. His injury may give him the time he needs to work through his struggles, and come back a stronger player.

Both of these injuries, however, have a big impact on the young rookie, Curtis Lazar. The young centre made the cut at the beginning of the season, but Sens fans have watched him struggle just his first NHL goal last night in Buffalo. He has recorded 6 assists in 25 games, developing chemistry with the other young guns on the team. His struggles haven't gone unnoticed, and going to the World Juniors could definitely give him the confidence boost he needs to step up his game. Friday, December 19 is the last day for Lazar to go to the World Junior team, and with these two injuries to the Senators, the chances of him going aren't looking good.

There isn't much time for the decision to be made, but it will be an important one for Lazar and could dictate how the rest of his rookie NHL season plays out. The confidence boost that he will get in the World Juniors is well worth the time he'll be away. All that's left to do is wait.

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What Will Brian Elliott's Return Mean for St. Louis?

Most NHL teams never experience the league’s all-time winningest goalie walking on to their squad after their starter gets injured. But for Ken Hitchcock’s St. Louis Blues, this is the case.  

After 29-year-old Brian Elliott went down with a knee injury, the Blues contacted Martin Brodeur for a try-out, before eventually signing him a week later. With the addition of Brodeur, the Blues now have three goalies all very capable of being starters.

Before getting injured in the Blues shootout loss to Ottawa, Brian Elliott was playing some of the best hockey of his career, posting a 1.82 GAA, and a .931 save percentage. After many years as the backup in St. Louis, Elliott didn’t just look like a starter, he looked like an elite NHL goaltender. However, one player falling onto his leg later, and all of a sudden, it’s a whole new ball game.

After a shaky first game with the Blues, Brodeur rebounded by playing solid against the Islanders in relief of Jake Allen. He then got the better of his former Olympic goalie partner, Roberto Luongo, in a 4-2 win over Florida. Brodeur seems to be gaining his confidence back, and if he can get on a roll, Allen’s playing time could be severely reduced. Hitchcock had previously said in an interview that if Brodeur ended up with a spot on the roster, he would not be a backup, and it looks like he’s staying true to this.

So, when Brian Elliott returns from his injury, what is the most likely scenario for the St. Louis goalie triangle?

Option 1: Brodeur gets dealt.

Although Brodeur has looked good since returning, one has to remember that he’s 42 years old. He’s stated he isn’t ready to call it quits just yet, but it’s very doubtful he’d have more than a year or two worth of hockey left in the tank. So bringing this into consideration, it makes a lot more sense for the Blues to keep Elliott, who at 29, is just hitting his prime now. This would also allow Jake Allen more time to develop, while still getting him into as many games this season as possible.

Option 2: Elliott gets dealt.

This is less likely than option 1, but still somewhat plausible. Elliott will have a high value once he returns from injury, and as the season progresses, many teams around the league could be looking to get a starter in hopes for a long playoff run. If the Blues were willing to sacrifice Elliott to look towards the future, this could be a good decision for the team.

Option 3: Allen is dealt.

The chances of this are about the same as if Dominik Hasek were to come out of retirement (quite unlikely, but you never know). Allen looks to be the future of the Blues, and at only 24 years old, is already showing signs of excellence. The Fredericton native currently holds a record of 8-3-1 with a GAA of 2.50, very good numbers for a second-year goaltender. General Manager Doug Armstrong would have a lot of explaining to do if Allen were to be traded, so for now, option 3 seems to be the least likely. 

Well, there it is. The Blues' goaltending saga in 600 words. Nothing is certain when it comes to the crease in St. Louis, and the only thing that's for sure is that the team's management will have some big decisions to make come Elliott's return.

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Road Trip Struggles

After what looked to be a turn for the better on Tuesday against St. Louis, the Senators have lost two straight to the Panthers and Lightning while continuing their road trip. It has been a tough situation for the team as we've seen management trying to send a message to the players that they need better results. Over the past few three games Milan Michalek and Zack Smith have been scratched once, while Mika Zibanejad was scratched for two consecutive games, returning to the lineup last night against Tampa Bay.

What is the answer to a better hockey club?

This road trip has brought to light the struggles of the top two forward lines. Kyle Turris and his line have struggled to bring consistent points while the third line (Legwand, Neil, Condra) have combined for seven points in three games. It looks as though after being a go-to scratch, Condra got the message. His play has significantly improved.

There is some good news for Ottawa, though. Goaltending is the farthest thing from an issue. Anderson (9.32 SV%) and Lehner (9.14 SV%) have been the ones keeping the Senators afloat. They have worked as a tandem quite well for the team, and the starts have been split evenly, with a slight tip to Anderson.

Ottawa continues to patiently wait for defenseman Marc Methot to return from injury. There was some speculation that he would be available for the game in Sunrise, but that didn't happen. Struggling defensively, the Senators average 35 shots against per game which puts a lot of pressure on the goaltenders. Although Anderson and Lehner have responded well to the high shot count, Methot is a much needed piece to the puzzle to help that shot count go down, which will effectively give the team more time to develop in the offensive zone.

The bad news, however, does unfortunately keep coming for the Sens. Bobby Ryan left the game early on Friday due to a hand injury which later was determined to be a broken finger. There is no timeline for Ryan, Maclean stated.

“We're anticipating we'll know something by Monday. If he can't practice Monday then we'll probably have some kind of answer at that time.”

The Senators are hoping to see him in the lineup against the Islanders on Tuesday night.

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Pesky Returns

Last season, the Senators developed a name for themselves due to their unrelenting perseverance that had them making several late third period comebacks in games that seemingly looked over. The name, or hashtag, rather, was referred to as the Pesky Sens.

After suffering a 3-2 loss in an afternoon game to St. Louis on Saturday, the Sens visited them Tuesday night with the loss still lingering in their minds. Revenge seemed to be the motivating factor as they pushed through penalties and some questionable disallowed goals to tie the game up at two with 41 seconds left. Since overtime solved nothing, the game went to the shootout where Bobby Ryan scored to win the game for Ottawa. With the win, the Senators proudly reclaimed their title as the Pesky Sens.

Overall, this was one of the best games we've seen from Ottawa all season. Prior to the game, MacLean announced the lineup which brought Condra and Greening in, scratching Michalek and Zibanejad. The scratches certainly took many by surprise, but when asked about the lineup changes after the game, MacLean addressed the situation by referring back to one of his most repeated phrases.

“The best players play”

Although many fans were upset with the lineup, it did look like the Sens had a good group of players in against St. Louis.

Bobby Ryan had a terrific game defensively, and played in a manner that showed he was not going to let the game slip away. Ryan had three shots against St. Louis, and they all seemed to be well generated scoring chances. Hearing the sound of the post seemed to be enough motivation for him to put the game away with his shootout winner.

Erik Condra was brought in after consistently being a healthy scratch, and after his performance, Sens fans should expect to see more of him, especially on this current road trip. As a team that struggles with staying out of the box (suffering eight penalties against St. Louis), they need a penalty killer like Condra in the lineup. He was excellent on the penalty kill, as well as scoring a shorthanded goal that was disallowed. For only recording 9:20 of ice time that night second lowest on the team), he played a terrific game and you couldn't help but notice when he was on the ice.

Another key component in the win against St. Louis was Robin Lehner. Facing 29 shots, he made some key saves for the Senators and kept a levelled head over what turned out to be quite a physical game. In the shootout, he showed lots of patience, stopping all three shots he faced against what is a very talented lineup. The goaltending tandem continues to bring success for Ottawa, as Anderson stands second in the league with a .932 SV%, and Lehner continues to give quality starts.

This game was also the first of the season that they won while outshooting their opponent(33-29). A great confidence booster for the team as they continue a stretch of four away games out of their next five.  

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Curtis Lazar to Stay, Who Goes?

Early on into the season, many NHL teams are forced to make some hard decisions with their rookie players. After nine games of play, the management has to ask themselves a question. Do they stay, or do they go? For some, the answer puts them down to their AHL affiliate, where lies an opportunity to be called back up to the big league if they are playing well enough. For others, they are sent back down to junior where they will remain for the rest of the season. Then, there is the lucky few that are told to stay with their respective teams.

In the case of Ottawa Senators, centre Curtis Lazar was given the normal nine game period to impress the Senators management, and prove he is ready to play in the NHL. In the nine game period, Lazar was scratched two times, so on Tuesday night, the eleventh game of the season for Ottawa was his last chance to prove himself to the organization. In his nine games, Lazar recorded three assists including his assist to the game-winning goal on Tuesday night. On Wednesday, the Senators announced that Lazar is going to stay with the team for the year.

Lazar has been a fan favourite so far this season. At just nineteen years old, he has shown his readiness to match the speed and physicality of the NHL. Although he has yet to score his first career NHL goal, the rookie shows lots of promise and the choice the Senators made to keep him has been very well received. With the chemistry building on the “young line” with Lazar, Hoffman, and Stone, he seems to have found his place in the organization as a strong fourth line centre. This gives Lazar a comfortable way to enter into the NHL, especially with the rotating scratches to be expected between Erik Condra, Colin Greening, and himself. It seems as if the coaching staff wants to ease him into the league rather than putting him in the lineup every night. Which, for the nineteen-year-old, is a good way to get him started.

Who Goes?

There's no doubt that Lazar staying for the season is a success story for the Senators. However, while Marc Methot is still injured with no news of a return date in sight, there lies more decisions to be made. Once Methot is able to return, the Sens will have one extra man on their roster. Someone will either have to be sent down to Binghamton, or a trade will have to be made.

With the coaching staff showing signs of favour in the young guys, we have seen the tables turn on two veteran Senators forwards, Colin Greening, and Erik Condra. Both players have not seen many games so far this season with out of the eleven games played, Condra has played five and Greening merely two. The two players, however, find themselves in different situations. Condra is in the last year of his contract and becomes a UFA on July 1, while Greening is in the first year of a three year deal worth $7.95 million. In a recent article, Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch commented on Colin Greening's situation,

“Ottawa doesn't want him making that kind of coin sitting and sooner or later the situation will be addressed through waivers or a trade because there is interest in Greening.”

A valuable penalty killer like Condra isn't someone the Sens are likely to move, especially after finishing dead last in penalty minutes last season. But as for Colin Greening, we might see him moving in the coming weeks. 

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2014-15 NHL Predictions: Awards and Trophies

The NHL season is starting today and like all hockey fans, we couldn't be more excited. Here are FSM's predictions for a year of hockey that is sure to impress.

Stanley Cup Champions: Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks were a very solid team this past season, and have finished first in their division the past two years. Offseason moves were made that strengthened their team, adding Clayton Stoner, Ryan Kesler and Dany Heatley will bolster both their offense and defence. Playing a division stacked with talent will provide a tough regular season, and if the promising young goaltending tandem of Frederik Anderson and John Gibson holds up against the likes of LA and San Jose consistently, they will have the drive to make it through the playoffs and capture their second Stanley Cup in the past 10 years.

President's Trophy: Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins won the President's Trophy last year, and we believe they will again this year, as it was for good reason. The Eastern Conference teams are simply not as strong as the Western Conference teams, and with Boston being consistently one of the top teams in the conference they will not have too much trouble attaining the best regular season record in the league. Playing against weaker teams more often, but still producing like they have, and having Tuukka Rask hold it down in goal, will be the recipe for success to finish the season with the best record.

Hart Memorial Trophy: Tyler Seguin

Tyler Seguin finished in fourth in scoring last season, and is playing on a Dallas team that is consistently getting better and better. Working with Jamie Benn on the first line, he has the potential to do just as well this coming season, if not better. Seguin will play a major part in the Stars' offensive production and will be a front funner for the league's Most Valuable Player.

Lady Byng Trophy: Martin St. Louis

The Lady Byng Trophy is awarded to the player in the league that most exemplifies sportsmanlike qualities combined with good playing ability. Martin St. Louis has won the Lady Byng twice already in recent years, and in his first full season with the New York Rangers, he will lead the team with his play, heart and sportsmanship.

Vezina Trophy: Carey Price

Carey Price had a spectacular season last year, and after winning the Olympic gold medal with the Canadian National team, all he did was get better. With Montreal not necessarily having the strongest defensive corps in the league, Price will have the opportunity to show how dominant of a goaltender he can be. If Montreal does as well this season as they did last, it'll have a lot to do with Carey Price. He will be a top candidate to take home the Vezina.

Calder Memorial Trophy: Jonathan Drouin

Jonathan Drouin was drafted third overall in the 2013 NHL Draft to Tampa Bay Lightning. While playing for the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL, he had two stellar seasons, one ending with a Memorial Cup win he shared with last year's Calder Trophy winner, Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Frk of the Detroit Red Wings. Playing with the likes of Steven Stamkos on the Lightning this year, as well as being a dynamic goal scorer is a great combination that has a high possibility in leading to back-to-back Halifax Moosehead alumni Calder Trophies.

Art Ross Trophy: Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby won last year's Art Ross, and is a favourite to repeat. Playing alongside Chris Kunitz, who consistently compliments him and helps him set up scoring plays and in the weaker conference Eastern Conference will most certainly play well with his amazing talent and could very well result in him coming out of top of the scoring race, yet again.

Norris Trophy: Erik Karlsson

On an Ottawa Senators team that is seemingly on the decline, Erik Karlsson is a glimpse of hope. He has one Norris under his belt, and is in line to get another. A healthy Karlsson is something every team that plays Ottawa this season should be very prepared for. He has been one of, if not the best defensemen in the league in past few years and could have an outstanding season like the one he had in 2011.

Ted Lindsay Trophy: Jonathan Toews

The Chicago Blackhawks have been, consistently, one of the strongest teams in the very talented Western Conference. This being made possible by the likes of Duncan Keith, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp and especially Jonathan Toews. Toews leads the team with his hardworking, two-way style of play and still manages to stand out as a top point getter on an already stacked roster. We think the Professional Hockey Writers' Association will take notice of this, and choose him as their league MVP.

Jack Adams Award: Bruce Boudreau

Bruce Boudreau has already won a Jack Adams with his work coaching the Washington Capitals, and we believe he will get another this season as head coach of the Anaheim Ducks. If he can rally his team to the top of the Pacific Division for the third season in a row, and lead them to a Stanley Cup Championship as we have predicted above, he will need to be taken into close consideration to win coach of the year.

Frank J. Selke Trophy: T.J. Oshie

The Frank J. Selke is awarded to the forward who demonstrates the best ability to play the defensive side of hockey. Oshie, of the St. Louis Blues, is the perfect candidate. He is an extremely hard worker and a consistent hockey player to say the least, he stands out on the St. Louis roster for all the right reasons, and for that will be a top choice to take home the Selke.

Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy: Steven Stamkos

Steven Stamkos won his first Rocket Richard in the 2011-12 season, and after having a very strong return to the NHL after a broken leg sidelined him for a good portion of the season, he is primed and ready to go. Playing with the dynamic Tampa Bay offense, he will surely score many goals, and has a very good chance of leading the league again.

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Contract Controversy Part 2: Marc Methot

For Sens fans, this was nothing short of a great week. After questions surrounding Bobby Ryan's future as a Senator and a captain not yet being named, fans were rewarded with answers on Thursday. An early morning press conference broke the news that Bobby Ryan had decided to sign with the Senators (a seven year deal worth $50.75 million) and that Erik Karlsson had been named the new team captain. 

Hockey fans and reporters alike took to social media immediately to voice their opinions about the exciting news for the Ottawa Senators. Getting geared up for the regular season, these were two big decisions that Ottawa needed to make. There is, however, one big question that has yet to be answered for the Senators. What about Marc Methot?

The Ottawa native has been very popular since he was traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 1 of 2012 in exchange for Nick Foligno. He has, for the most part, been the defensive partner to Erik Karlsson, playing more of a physical side to the game which has given the pair quite a spark. Famous for his sneaky hip checks, Methot has become a go to defenseman for the Senators, which is why, as the season draws closer, fans are getting more and more worried.

On Thursday, the Senators reportedly offered Methot a four year deal worth $4.6 million per year that was declined by the defenseman. On Insider Trading (TSN), Bob Mckenzie reported that Methot is looking for a five year deal averaging $5 million per year. So, the question still remains as to whether Methot will resign as an Ottawa Senator, and if they are willing to pay Methot what he is asking for.

In a preseason interview, Bryan Murray was asked about Methot and the situation regarding the eight NHL ready defensemen in the roster,

“Yeah, we have eight defencemen – eight NHL defencemen we think are good players (and are) ready to play. We can’t keep carrying eight all year. There’s no doubt about that. We do have other needs, there’s no question, so if there’s a fit somewhere, definitely. (A trade) is something I have to look at.” - Bryan Murray. TSN.ca. Published: Sept. 15, 2014.

As a top market defenceman at the ripe age of twenty-nine, Methot could very well be on the trading block as the Senators are looking to build on their offence. With the value that Methot has brought to the Senators, they could definitely get a worthwhile return if they decided to trade him, which Bryan Murray has admitted is a very realistic option.

“We just don’t think we’re in the ballpark now right now of where Marc wants to be and there’s a possibility that (a trade) can happen.” - Bryan Murray. TSN.ca. Published: Sept. 15, 2014.

Although Methot has done a great job at keeping quiet about the situation, it doesn't mean it's been going smoothly. As time continues to run out and the beginning of the 2014-2015 season draws closer, the Sens have an urgent decision to make. They may have settled some of the controversy last week, but with the uncertainty of Methot's contract, it still leaves some big questions that are dying to be answered.

Hold on tight Sens fans, you might not be seeing Methot for too much longer.

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Why Another NHL Expansion is a Bad Idea

Two lockouts in a span of eight seasons. Is it still fair to say the NHL’s main priority is to produce good hockey for fans across North America? 

Year after year, the signs that that both players and owners alike are in it more for the money than for the love of the game becomes more and more apparent. When it reaches the point that players are willing to sit out a season of hockey due to money specific arguments with the owners, obviously, there is a problem. So let’s think for a minute: adding teams to our league is surely not going to increase the quality of hockey in it, so what benefits does a possible expansion actually bring?

For any suit-wearing lackey of Gary Bettman who actually generates revenue from the league, the scenario of a possible expansion is music to their ears. More teams equal more tickets sold, which equal more revenue, which equals more happy owners. And it seems like a great idea for players as well.

By adding teams, a lot of players that would had never have gotten the chance to play in the NHL would then be able to reach the big league and have their dreams come true. It will even give fans in places that don’t have an NHL team a great opportunity to experience the best hockey in the world first hand. So with all these upsides, how could it be such a bad thing? Simply put, by adding team after team, very soon we may not be able to call it the best hockey in the world.

Even by adding just two new teams to the league, (only half of the teams that were in the running), that is at the very least 44 more players to enter the league. Players that would’ve been playing in the minors, and may not be skilled enough to compete in the NHL, will now be a regular on the roster. There are already enough fourth-liners whose sole job it is to play a couple minutes a night specifically to get into a fight; we don’t need any more. Prospects that have great potential could be underdeveloped and rushed into their NHL roster due to the newly open spots.

It would also take several years for the expansion teams to be able to compete in the league due to their lack of talent, and that’s not a team the NHL can say fans will want to watch. By bringing in more players, the quality of hockey will drop, and once it is done, it will be very hard to undo. The advantage of simply moving teams opposed to adding new teams to the league is that the number of teams in the league stays the same, and so does the quality of hockey. Once a new franchise is added, they won’t be able to take it away if there is a problem.

By adding these teams, the NHL could say more fans will be able to watch pro hockey, however one has to notice the location of where they’re being added. There were talks of bringing back a team to Quebec City, creating a rival Francophone team for the Montreal Canadiens. But what’s hard to understand is why Quebec City would be given a second chance. If they didn’t have enough fan support last time, why is it going to be different now?

Speaking of Canadian teams, talks have also been started about the potential for a second team in the Greater Toronto Area. Toronto is undoubtedly one of the largest hockey cities in North America, however to think BOTH teams would be able to bring in 20,000 fans per game is absurd. 

Moving over to talk about the United States, it’s been reported that Las Vegas is a candidate for an expansion team as well. Las Vegas is a tourist city, therefore it would not be able to maintain a permanent NHL team. Vegas is built on different people coming in and out of the city, so it’s extremely unlikely they would ever have a loyal fan base, and the team would likely need to be relocated before 2020 hits. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, except for an NHL team.

Seattle is potentially the only team that would ever be able to keep an NHL franchise, as they would be able to rival the Vancouver Canucks and likely bring in a large amount of fans. However it’s all about getting past the first couple years after the expansion draft, and history shows teams have a tough time doing it. Columbus and Minnesota, the last two expansion teams, have only qualified for the playoffs a combined 7 times in a combined 26 seasons since entering the league.

In theory, if 44 hundred point scorers could come out of junior hockey the year the expansion teams come into the league, and the expansion teams were able to select every single one of them, there is a chance at the new teams doing well. However that’s about as likely as pigs falling from the sky and Charlie Sheen becoming sober. With the interest of NHL fans in mind, an expansion seems just about useless. The owners benefit and the fans suffer. Sounds just like a Bettman kind of plan.

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Contract Controversy Part 1: Bobby Ryan

As many sports fans know, interviews are very general. It's fairly common for questions to be left unanswered, and for the interviewee to beat around the bush without giving a statement based on the truth. As hockey is on it's way back, TSN hockey analyst Bob Mckenzie sat down with Ottawa Senators General Manager, Bryan Murray, to discuss the ups and downs of last season, as well as the goals for the upcoming year. Surprisingly, that interview brought out an open and honest side of Murray – one that doesn't get seen too often.

After a frustrating season that had them missing the playoffs, the Ottawa Senators are looking for some improvements from their players this year. During the interview, Murray discussed the Senators need to play better defence as well as some more disciplined hockey. However, what got the most attention were the comments made about players Bobby Ryan and Marc Methot, which has caused some controversy in Ottawa. Both players have one year remaining in their contract and have yet to sign a deal to extend their stay with the team.

When asked about Bobby Ryan, Murray commented:

“The impression I get from Bobby and his people or his agents is that he does like Ottawa. He liked, for the most part, living there, being on the Ottawa Senators, the environment, (playing in a) Canadian city, all those good things. He wants to play more minutes. He wants to be more prominent in the core of good players.” - TSN.ca. Published: Sept. 15, 2014.

The Ottawa Senators have offered Ryan a seven year contract with the team, an offer that the twenty-seven year old isn't taking lightly. When approached about the contract offer, Ryan offered his insight,

“If you're hitching your wagon to a team for seven years it's okay to take some time to realize if it's really what you want or not.” - Bobby Ryan. OttawaSenators.com. Published: Sept. 17, 2014.

After that comment was released, it spread like wild fire that Bobby Ryan was questioning whether or not he wanted to stay in Ottawa at all. The drama certainly spread throughout the city of Ottawa, creating some worried Sens fans. The quote, however, was taken out of context. When shown the rest of his statement, it definitely settled down the dramatic rumour that was Bobby Ryan not wanting to stay in Ottawa.

“Everything that I've said and still feel is that I'd love to be here long term. You need some assurance and motivating factor. To not get it done at this early stage isn't a tragedy, we've still got a year to get there. I think everybody is fairly confident that we will.” - Bobby Ryan. OttawaSenators.com Published: Sept. 17, 2014.

Everyone take a breath. He likes it here! Sometimes it can be forgotten that hockey players are human too. Being asked to sign with a team for seven years after only being here a grand total of one season (a season that Ryan might even want to take back with all the things that went wrong) is a big deal and one that Ryan has every right to take some time to think about.

In the big picture, Sens fans have got nothing to worry about with Bobby Ryan, because as he says, he likes it here. A contract will be negotiated at some point this season, the man just wants some well deserved time to make sure this is the right place for him.

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Mika Zibanejad on the Verge of a Breakthrough Year

Last season, Sens fans saw a different looking team. Lots of young guys have been coming up over the last few years, but only a few have really stood out to the management in Ottawa. One of those players is Mika Zibanejad.

After fighting for a spot on the team in training camp last year, Zibanejad was sent down to Binghamton for the start of the season. He played 6 games in the AHL and then was brought back up to the big club and stayed for the rest of the season playing 69 games. In those 69 games, Zibanejad had 16 goals and 17 assists, recording a 33 point season while alternating between playing at right wing and centre. Although not groundbreaking numbers, he definitely stuck out like a sore thumb and was also a go-to-guy during the time of Jason Spezza's injury, filling in at centre alongside Milan Michalek. Averaging 14:19 minutes of ice time last season, one can only speculate that Zibanejad's usage will increase in a big way this year.

As a power forward, Zibanejad has three attributes that have proven most helpful to the Senators and have given him success:

Speed – The guy is fast. It's what makes him a great fit for a centre. He showed many times last season his ability to skate from either end of the ice with ease and great speed. At his young age, this talent has got nowhere to go but up.

Quick Release – Along with having a lot of power behind his shot, Zibanejad's quick release has taken many goaltenders by surprise. In a little flick of the wrist, he has been able to laser the puck top shelf many times.

Positioning – Zibanejad has great positioning, and a great vision for the game. Lots of his goals last season came from him using his speed and good positioning in the offensive zone to effectively put himself in the right place at the right time. 

Although a great asset for the Ottawa Senators, there is still one major hole in his game that Zibanejad needs to find an answer for. Sitting with a plus/minus of minus-15 last season, he must find a way to harness his speed and good positioning to help out in the defensive zone. He definitely has the potential to become a better defensive player in the upcoming season, fighting for the second line centre position. Zibanejad will be given the playing time to develop his skills and try to fix this whole in his game, as well as utilize the attributes that he already possesses.

Fighting for that second line centre spot will be a pivotal moment to Zibanejad's upcoming year, as he can expect his ice time to increase dramatically if he is chosen for the job. Along with that also comes the chance of Zibanejad being involved in the power play and penalty kill, which with his speed and vision, could quite possibly be a reality come October.

Nonetheless, the youngster is gearing up for an exciting year in Ottawa, a year that you won't want to miss. 

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Las Vegas and Seattle Front Runners for Expansion

On August 26th, Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province stated that an NHL expansion to Las Vegas was a "done deal." This, of course, drew the excitement of many hockey fans, but also put a sour taste in the mouth of others, as the idea of another NHL team in the desert may not be appealing to fans up north.

Talks of expansion have since settled down, and the notion that Sin City having made a done deal to get an NHL team have been put to rest. But other projections have been made regarding the league adding teams in the near future. It was announced the next day, that by 2017, both Seattle and Las Vegas should have a franchise, along with another team in Southern Ontario, and a possible return to Quebec City.

Any team in Eastern Canada is an easy sell, but Seattle and Las Vegas will be more difficult to justify as legitimate NHL cities.

Here's why they could work out successfully in the long run.

High Hopes in the Pacific North West

There has long been talks about professional hockey returning to Seattle. After having left there in 1924 when the Seattle Metropolitans became a defunct organization, and when the NHL was realigned leaving two more teams in the east than the west, it fuelled the fire that was expansion talks.

Seattle has come into it's own as a successful sports town, boasting the defending Super Bowl Champions, the Seattle Seahawks, who also carry one of the best at home records in professional sports in recent years, having only lost one home game since the start of the 2012-2013 season. The success of the Seahawks, and the immense amount of support they receive from fans makes it seem like if, or when, the NHL decide to place a team in Seattle, it would turn out very well for all parties involved.

More Ice in the Desert

Las Vegas is currently in the process of building a stadium that could potentially host an NHL franchise. To some, this idea is brilliant, and to others it's preposterous.

Hockey in the desert has not always worked out so well, as the Coyotes in Nevada's neighbouring state of Arizona have done poorly when it comes to attendance in the very recent past. The Las Vegas metro area has a population of over one million people, and is one of, if not the largest, tourist destination in North America. So you'd think it was a perfect place for a professional sports team to be placed, considering there are none currently based there.

When thinking about a potential NHL franchise in Las Vegas, comparisons should stop being made with Arizona. Yes, they are very close to one another, but the "Entertainment Capital of the World" draws a demographic a lot more similar to that of Los Angeles, where the Kings have an average home attendance very close to their arena capacity, as well as a highly successful hockey club.

New Teams, New Rivalries

The Vancouver Canucks have a very strong fan base, and happen to be just two and a half hours north of Seattle, a city with the potential to match the fan base that is present in Vancouver, if the Seahawks fans have any reflection of what the NHL fans would be like. If a team does come to Seattle, and the passion matches that of the citizens who populate Vancouver, a new NHL rivalry will be born. One that has the potential to become a classic, without a doubt.

The Arizona Coyotes have no real rival, and for a team which is consistently on the playoff bubble, but struggles for fans, a new rivalry is just what the doctor ordered. Las Vegas and Phoenix are just under five hours away from one another, so if there were to be an NHL franchise placed there, a "Battle of the Desert" is bound to happen, which would be beneficial for the young Las Vegas team, and an Arizona team looking to market themselves in their own city.

An NHL expansion is not the "done deal" that was announced in late August. Despite that, it seems an expansion is most certainly on the horizon. Something that the cities of Las Vegas and Seattle, as well as NHL Fans all over the world, should be prepared for.

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Metropolitan Division Power Rankings

The Metropolitan Division is the most reshaped of the NHL divisions. Many teams made roster moves that will propel them up the standings. But some teams were silent in the offseason, not doing enough to improve and in turn, they could suffer because of it.

The New York Rangers were tops in the East last season after beating out the Montreal Canadiens in six games, but how will they fare this year in a new-look division?

1. Pittsburgh Penguins

Players gained: Thomas Greiss, Christian Ehrhoff, Blake Comeau, Steve Downie, Patric Hornqvist, Nick Spaling

Players lost: James Neal, Jussi Jokinen, Deryk Engelland, Brian Gibbons, Tanner Glass, Brooks Orpik, Matt Niskanen, Joe Vitale

What's there to say about the Pittsburgh Penguins? They've got two of the best players in the world in Crosby and Malkin, and when goaltending's good, they're golden. The problem is, goaltending isn't always top notch in the City of Bridges. Marc Andre Fleury has always given average netminding during the regular season, but average might not cut it this year as the Pens lost Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen, two of their top D men from last season.

What Pittsburgh did do in the offseason, though, is bring depth to their forward group. The loss of James Neal and Jussi Jokinen is a bit hard on the front lines, but they added Nick Spaling and Patric Hornqvist to bring balance to their second and third line. Something the Penguins have always lacked is depth in their bottom six.

2. New York Rangers

Players gained: Matt Hunwick, Tanner Glass, Dan Boyle, Mike Kostka

Players lost: Brad Richards, Benoit Pouliot, Stu Bickel, Anton Stralman, Brian Boyle

The Rangers parted ways with quite a few quality talents during the summer. Brad Richards, though he didn't quite live up to his contract, and Benoit Pouliot will be missed. The Rangers didn't really sign anyone in the summer to improve their offense and with the departure of two key forwards, there's going to be even more pressure for Rick Nash to have a bounce back year. The 30-year old winger had a less than stellar season last year and his ability to shake it off and lead this team offensively will be a big part of the Rangers' success.

But even if Nash can't return to form, last we checked, Henrik Lundqvist is still Henrik Lunqvist, so the Rangers are probably going to be fine.

3. Columbus Blue Jackets

Players gained: Brian Gibbons, Jerry D'Amigo, Scott Hartnell

Players lost: R.J. Umberger, Vaclav Prospal, Matt Frattin, Blake Comeau, Nick Shultz, Derek MacKenzie

Even though they didn't make it past the first round, the Blue Jackets (and their fans) were outstanding in the playoffs. One would think that trend would carry over to the next season and one would probably be right. With Sergei Bobrovsky always solid in net, and Scott Hartnell being added to an already deep forward lineup, the Jackets are looking good.

Their defence is also a strong suit. Columbus already has an elite defensive grouping with Fedor Tyutin, James Wisniewski and Jack Johnson, but they will be getting even stronger this season as 20-year old Ryan Murray is ready for a full season in the NHL after playing most of last year.

A return to the playoffs is expected.

4. Washington Capitals

Players gained: Justin Peters, Brooks Orpik, Matt Niskanen

Players lost: Tom Poti, Mikhail Grabovski

Brayden Holtby is going to have to bounce back for the upcoming season in order for the Capitals to have a shot at the playoffs. Last season, Holtby recorded his worst numbers since entering the league in the 2010-11 season.

There may be a bit of skepticism in the goaltending department, but the defence only got stronger in the offseason. The Caps picked up a pair of Pittsburgh blueliners in Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen. While Orpik brings a noticeable physical presence, Niskanen's skill will go well with Mike Green on the power play.

Oh, and Alex Ovechkin still scores a ton of goals. So, no problem upfront.

5. New Jersey Devils

Players gained: Mike Cammalleri, Martin Havlat, Scott Clemmensen

Players lost: Anton Volchenkov, Mark Fayne

Realistically, the New Jersey Devils should have made the playoffs last year. Missing out by 5 points while going 0-13 in the shootout is an absolute tragedy. Luckily though, the upcoming season is looking even more promising than last year's. No longer will the Devils have to deal with Martin Brodeur. Yes, Brodeur has been outstanding for the Devils for so many years, but he's no longer an elite goaltender. With Marty out of the picture, the focus can switch completely over to Cory Schneider. Goalie controversy: fixed.

Not suprisingly, Jaromir Jagr, the ageless wonder, will be back for another season and he will play forever it may be his last. With the signing of Mike Cammalleri, the Devils also added some speed and talent to their well-built offense.

6. New York Islanders

Players gained: Jack Skille, Harry Zolnierczyk, T.J Brennan, Nikolai Kulemin, Mikhail Grabovski, Jaroslav Halak, Chad Johnson

Players lost: Evgeni Nabokov

For the Islanders, the improvements are obvious. Evgeni Nabokov is gone and Jaroslav Halak is now the starting goalie. Huge improvement. The Isles also brought in Chad Johnson, who had a great year backing up Tuukka Rask with the Boston Bruins. Respectably, Johnson posted a 2.10 GAA and a .925 SV% last season, more than impressive numbers for a No.2 goalie.

With the signing of Nikolai Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski, the Islanders now have depth to their forward lineup. For so long, John Tavares was the only notable talent on offense. But now, with the emergence of Kyle Okposo and the addition of Kulemin and Grabovski, these Islanders are developing a strong and dependable forward corps.

The defence, on the other hand, is a different story.

7. Philadelphia Flyers

Players gained: Zack Sortini, Blair Jones, Nick Schultz, Michael Del Zotto

Players lost: Steve Downie, Tye McGinn, Scott Hartnell

With the Kimmo Timonen injury, the Flyers will be without one of their solid veteran defensemen, leaving Mark Streit to be relied upon even more. Steve Mason will also have also have a lot of pressure on him to have a repeat year, as he was nothing but superb for Philly during the regular season and playoffs. R.J. Umberger also has big shoes to fill after being swapped for Scott Hartnell. Hartnell had 18 more points than Umberger last season. Big shoes.

The Flyers are also in trouble with the new salary cap. Currently, they are almost $5 million over the limit, and it doesn't help that they are overpaying Vincent Lecavalier, paying a retired Chris Pronger, and paying Kimmo Timonen to sit in the press box.

8. Carolina Hurricanes

Players gained: Drew MacIntyre, Jay McClement, Tim Gleason

Players lost: Manny Malhotra, Justin Peters

The Carolina Hurricanes are going to be a mess this season. Their starting goalie, Cam Ward, had a horrendous season last year. The 30-year old netminder was 47th and 46th in the league for SV% and GAA. Maybe it's time Anton Khudobin took over. Just a suggestion.

With the Staal brothers also having awful years, the Hurricanes are going to be in trouble if they can't turn it around before October. Eric was a minus-13 last season, the second lowest plus/minus of his career. He also had his fewest point total (full season) since entering the NHL in 2003.

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Central Division Power Rankings

Containing a plethora of offense and great goaltending, the next Stanley Cup champion could very likely come from the Central Division. The Dallas Stars made some impressive offseason moves and Minnesota is coming off a surprising playoff run, but will it be enough to knock off the all-mighty Chicago Blackhawks?

1. Chicago Blackhawks

Players gained: Brad Richards

Players lost: Brandon Bollig

The Blackhawks made one big offseason acquisition acquiring the streaky Brad Richards out of free agency, but all the talk, as of late, has surrounded the big contract extensions for their two stars. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are locked up until the 2022-23 season and though it didn't come cheap, Hawks fans are just glad it happened. With Toews and Kane in the conversation for years to come, this team will be the top of anyone's power rankings for a very long time. Chicago knows how to keep their fans happy. Win Cups.

2. St. Louis Blues

Players gained: Paul Stastny, Carl Gunnarsson

Players lost: Ryan Miller, Roman Polak

The Blues trial run with Ryan Miller didn't exactly work out as planned. Miller couldn't give them the playoff run they hoped for, posting a .897 SV% and a 2.70 GAA in the post season. Nightmarish numbers for a goalie who has been so good for so long. But never fear, Blues fans, for as while Ryan Miller heads for Van City, Brian Elliott stays put. Elliott will bring stability to a team who has lost 2 great goaltenders in Miller and Halak in the past year. The Blues also have their offense taken care of with the offseason signing of Paul Stastny. I guess having Backes and Stastny as your top two centres isn't exactly a bad thing.

3. Dallas Stars

Players gained: Jason Spezza, Ales Hemsky, Anders Lindback

Players lost: Aaron Rome, Alex Chiasson

The Dallas Stars will arguably have the best offensive one-two punch in the entire NHL next season. Already with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin on the first line, former Ottawa Senators Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky will headline the Star's second line after a couple strategic offseason moves from GM Jim Nill. I, for one, am drooling just thinking about their power play unit.

The back line seems to be the only place where the Stars aren't stacked, actually. But where the Stars lack in defense, they surely make up for in offense. It's also going to be exciting to see what Valeri Nichushkin is capable of after having a very strong rookie season at the age of 18.

4. Minnesota Wild

Players gained: Thomas Vanek, Stu Bickel

Players lost: Clayton Stoner, Dany Heatley, Matt Moulson, Cody McCormick

After their impressive playoff run last season, the Wild are looking like the same team that knocked off the Colorado Avalanche in the first round. They might have given away a lot in Matt Moulson and Dany Heatley, but gained it back with the signing of Thomas Vanek. The Wild will be looking for Zach Parise to continue to lead by example after his strong regular season and spectacular playoff performance. With Ryan Suter leading the way on defense, and Josh Harding and Niklas Backstrom providing a strong goalie tandem, the Wild could be returning to the playoffs in a big way.

5. Colorado Avalanche

Players gained: Jarome Iginla, Daniel Briere, Brad Stuart, Jesse Winchester, Zach Redmond

Players lost: Paul Stastny, Matt Hunwick, Brad Malone, P.A. Parenteau

Last year might have been a fluke. The Colorado Avalanche had an extremely impressive run as they sat atop the Central Division by the end of the regular season, but fell short in the playoffs as the Minnesota Wild knocked them out in 7 games during the first round. Maybe it was lack of experience or maybe the Avalanche just weren't the full package a lot of people thought they were.

Now, a year older, Nathan MacKinnon is going to be looked upon to carry more of the load offensively this season with the departure of Paul Stastny. The Avs made some good offseason acquisitions picking up veteran Jarome Iginla, and also took a chance on Daniel Briere who didn't quite make a home in Montreal. The Avalanche have a lot to prove if they want to show that they're not just a one-hit wonder.

6. Nashville Predators

Players gained: James Neal, Olli Jokinen, Mike Ribeiro

Players lost: Patrick Eaves, Patrick Hornqvist, Nick Spaling


The Predators didn't improve enough on their offense in the offseason and it seems to be the only department they needed to get better in. Their blue line is stacked with players like Shea Weber and newcomer Seth Jones, and Pekka Rinne will be ready for a full season after missing most of the 2013-14 season because of a hip injury. But who knows how James Neal will play without Evgeni Malkin along his side and acquiring hit-and-miss guys like Mike Ribeiro and Olli Jokinen is also risky. It could pay off, but the Predators are going to need a lot from their big players if they're going to compete in this offensively talented Central Division.

7. Winnipeg Jets

Players gained: Mathieu Perrault

Players lost: Al Montoya, Olli Jokinen, Zach Redmond

The Winnipeg Jets won't be moving up in the standings anytime soon until they give up on Ondrej Pavelec. The 26-year old goaltender had the highest goals against total in the NHL last season, and since he arrived in Winnipeg, Pavelec hasn't had a SV% above .906. The false hope the Jets have in their goaltender is crushing the team's potential.

Also, with Evander Kane supposedly wanting out, and Dustin Byfuglien having multiple position disorder, the Jets need to get things together for the 2014-15 season or things are going to go much worse than planned.

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