Feb. 11 NHL Thoughts
-The Carolina Hurricanes were reportedly shopping around gritty forward Tuomo Ruutu. My question is why? He's relatively inexpensive, gritty and has decent hands. The two sides are rumored to have re-opened talks. Let's see if the Canes do the right things.
-So the Leafs and Wings will be in next year's Winter Classic. I don't care what the league says, Americans don't want to see a Canadian team in the game. Ratings will be pathetic - and this is coming from a Canadian! Watch for HBO to not even want to do another 24/7 series edition.
-Poor Columbus. What a pathetic season. The only reason the GM and coach still have jobs is for the team to secure the best chance in the lottery to get the top draft pick.
-Amazing. The last time Pens forward Evgeni Malkin was playing this good, the team won the cup and he won the scoring title. He could win the Art Ross trophy again for the most points. The amazing part come in when we say that Sidney Crosby is skating. Wow, this team with both of them playing this good would be unstoppable.
-I still don't get the Hawks trading for Brendan Morrison. Sure, he was a top centre at one point, but now he's a spare part who never won anything. Guaranteed there were better depth players out there to trade for. We'll see what he adds to the mix, but I'm guessing it won't be much.
Follow Matthew on Twitter @tsnmatthew. He can be heard Tuesdays and Sundays in Montreal, Canada on TSN 990 Radio.
Sincerely,
Matthew Ross
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New Year Hockey Thoughts
We're several days into 2012 and several NHL thoughts have crossed my mind.
-How good can the Rangers be? They defeated the Flyers in the Winter Classic to take top spot in the Eastern Conference. This wasn't supposed to happen. The Penguins, Bruins and Capitals were supposed to battle for top honors. Coach Tortorella has really lit a fire under his young team. That, and the leadership of Brad Richards. Dare I say they are a cup contender now?
-I think the time has come to fire Lindy Ruff. We has no excuses this season. His team went out and got top players and has the rich owner to compete. Lindy will catch on somewhere else if he is fired, but yes, it's time to go, big man.
-Can we stop with this Phoenix nonsense already? No one cares about hockey in Arizona. Let's stop pretending. Well, maybe one guy does - John McCain.
-Would you believe that the Kings started off without a regulation loss in their first seven games under new coach Darryl Sutter? So much for the boo birds who thought he wasn't made for the new NHL.
-We expected the Oilers to fall back from the pack and they have. Now word comes that rookie sensation Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is gone for a while. Thud! Back down to earth for Edmonton fans.
-The race for worst is heating up nicely, thanks to the Blue Jackets and Hurricanes playing better, and the Canadiens playing worse.
Sincerely,
Matthew Ross
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-Jacques Martin was fired because he spends more time playing his veterans and worrying about his system than grooming youth or giving them a chance to flourish offensively.
-The New Jersey Devils are on a roll. They just got Travis Zajac back, a tremendous two-way player who has not played this season. With Philly's injuries, watch for the Devils to pass them in the standings.
-The Oilers feelgood story from early in the season is winding down. Reality is setting in and the youth will mean another bad season.
-Things aren't getting much better in Anaheim with Bruce Boudreau. There's serious depth problems in that lineup.
-Meanwhile, Ken Hitchcock has my vote already for coach of the year. His Blues are a juggernaut since he's taken over, only three regulation losses.
-The Islanders are one shutdown defenseman and a good defensive coach away from contending for the postseason.
Follow me on Twitter - @gamepointsradio
Matthew Ross
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Quick Hitting Hockey Thoughts - Dec. 9
-Anyone who thinks Tim Thomas had a dream season last year and couldn't do it again are wrong. The guy is playing out of his mind again, including not allowing a goal in the shootout as of yet.
-My fantasy hockey sleeper pick is Dustin Penner. After being ridiculed by the owner in the offseason and then stinking it up the first 15 games before getting injured, Penner has scored two goals in his last three games. The power forward has been a chronic underachiever since he left Anaheim, but I think he is going to kick it into gear the rest of the season - finally!
-I don't care what happens to the Buffalo Sabres this season. They are built to be good for the next couple of years, especially with guys like Ennis and Kassian to develop up front. The key? Miller staying healthy.
-Don't count out the Red Wings just yet. I know it looks like the wheels are falling off when Todd Bertuzzi is on your top line at this stage of his career. But he's playing well and the team is getting MUCH better goaltending than anyone thought they would get from Jimmy Howard. If Holmstrom, Franzen and the defense stay healthy, they'll be a contender once more in the postseason.
-I am really disappointed in the Avalanche. I know they're young and all, but they have enough talent to be more consistent than what we're seeing out of them. Paul Stastny looked like the second coming of his dad early on in his career. Now he's an afterthought. Strange.
- Anyone notice that Brandon Dubinsky has only one goal on the Rangers this season? He's been relegated to the third line for most of the season. While this may seem like a bust of a season, the truth is, he adds tremendous depth to New York being on a lower line. I love the Rangers' chances this season.
-Is it too early to pick the Blackhawks to win the cup? I know Corey Crawford has struggled a little in nets, but captain Toews is playing out of this world and can carry a team all by himself.
Follow me on Twitter @gamepointsradio or check out gamepointsradio.com for my blog.
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