Pascal Leclaire Retires Early

  At the age of 30, goaltender Pascal Leclaire is calling it quits. For all too many years Leclaire has battled injuries – namely to the hip, which has caused his early retirement from professional hockey.

"I tried to go back this summer and I was operated on three times in my right hip in the hope of returning, but I still have trouble today," he said.

  Leclaire was drafted 8th overall by the Columbus blue Jackets in 2001, and appeared in 173 NHL games. His finishes 61-76-15 with a2.89 goals against average and .904 save percentage and 10 shutouts. In the post season, he appeared three times going 1-2-0 with a 2.84 GAA and .920 save percentage.

  His career year of 2007-08 saw Leclaire start more games than he ever would in an NHL year. In 54 games, Leclaire went 24-17-6 and 9 shutouts. His left knee injury in April would be the beginning of the end. The following year Leclaire lost his starting role to the future of the Columbus Blue Jackets plan for the crease as Steve Mason played a brilliant rookie season. Leclaire would appear only 12 times in 2008-09, and in March of 2009 he was dealt to the Ottawa Senators for Antoine Vermette. Leclaire would appear just 48 times more between 2009 and 2011. The last NHL game of the young Canadian’s career was played Dec. 16, 2010, where he stopped 23 of 24 shots and won against the Minnesota Wild.

  Leclaire has had a horrendous bout with injuries all throughout his hockey career that span from concussions to broken jaws, hip and ankle injuries, hand, hamstring, knee, neck, and groin. The list goes on, and there is literally no place on the man’s body that hasn’t been affected by the game he loves.

  It is a true shame that Leclaire has been forced out, because besides the radical hair-do’s he’s always been known for, he leaves behind a great deal of unfulfilled potential and promise as a great goaltender in the National Hockey League. I wish him best in his next phase in life.

- Kendall Grubbs

Hodgson, Cowen Injured

  Buffalo Sabre’s forward Cody Hodgson suffered a set-back as it was announced that he will be out indefinitely with a broken bone in his right hand. Rochester Americans Head Coach Ron Rolston says it will be a few weeks before having his player evaluated.

  Hodgson was injured October 27th, the result of a slash delivered by Adirondack's Brandon Manning. Hodgson is one of the many players to have signed in the American Hockey League during the lockout, and becomes one of the many victims thus far to suffer an injury before the NHL season has gotten under way. In nine games this season, Hodgson has tallied one goal and ten points.

  The 22 year-old was acquired in February by the Sabres from the Vancouver Canucks in a mega deal by the rebuilding Buffalo club. Hodgson was selected 10th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, and spent the majority of 2010-11 in the American Hockey League where he totaled 17 goals and 30 points in 52 games with the Manitoba Moose. He was called up for just 8 games, and tallied one goal and one assists. Last year was his first full NHL season, and in his rookie year he showed the ability to produce points. Due to the trade, Hodgson actually played 83 games (in an 82-game season) and between the two clubs he recorded 19 goals and 41 points.

  It remains to be seen just how long Hodgson will be out, while the Sabres will pay close attention to his recovery – a sure bet to make the roster in 2012-13.

  The Ottawa Senators were dealt a heavy blow on the blue-line with the announcement that Jared Cowen will require surgery on his lower body, to repair a small tear in the labrum – an injury that could sideline him for the entire year.

  Cowen played his first full season with the Senators last year where he appeared in every contest, and finished with 5 goals and 17 points with a -4 rating. Cowen placed fifth on his team amongst defensemen in average time-on-ice, fifth overall (on the team) in blocked shots (74), and second only to forward Chris Neil for most hits with 217. The 2009 9th overall draft pick of the Senators tallied three assists in three contests with the Binghamton Senators, Ottawa’s affiliate.

  Cowen’s large 6’5 230lbs. frame will be greatly missed on the Senators blue-line as he proved to be a great physical presence with strong defensive play in his rookie year. Though the Senators will have a hole to fill, the early season opening may make way for prospects – namely 2012 15th overall pick of the Senators, Cody Ceci. However, after the fun is over, the Senators are likely looking to free agency in an attempt to replace – even if temporarily – their big defenseman. A player that stands out in my mind as a good replacement is a a man that has a history with Ottawa and Eastern Canada as defenseman Chris Campoli has still yet to find a home for 2012-13.Likewise an unrestricted free-agent, veteran defenseman Sean O'Donnell might be a good fit as well at a bargain price.

- Kendall Grubbs

Red Wings Motoring On

  Though the game has yet to resume at the NHL level due to the lockout, the Detroit Red Wings’ players are hitting their stride early in great form through various other leagues, and look to be hot on the trot ahead of the hopeful 2012-13 NHL year.

  The name Pavel Datsyuk is synonymous with perfection, leadership, and consistency. It’s not surprise that he’s had a great start to his 2012-13 year of hockey currently playing in his native land of Russia. In the KHL, Datsyuk has netted 6 goals and 19 points for CSKA Moskva, and currently 8th in points-scored of all NHL players currently playing overseas. It isn’t Datsyuk that the Wings need to worry about, as his play at the NHL level has never waivered. Last year Datsyuk totaled 19 goals and 67 points, and has led his club to not only capture two Stanley Cups (2001-02, 2007-08), but his four Lady Byng Trophies and  three Frank J. Selke Trophies have spoken of his abilities year after year.

  Red Wings center Valtteri Filppula is playing in his native land of Finland currently in the SM- Liiga. After setting a career-best in point totals of 23 goals and 66 points last year with the Red Wings, he has started well with 6 goals and 15 points in 15 games with Jokerit Helsinki. Currently 17th in the league in points, he is also helping his brother Ilari take his game to the next level as his teammate. Ilari Filppula is currently 3rd best in the league, having a brief history with the Red Wings’ organization last year – a relationship that has since ended, but will hopefully resume one day.

  It’s a bit deeper down the charts that Detroit is really looking primed for a good season, if and when that season should happen. Despite losing Cory Emmerton, Darren Helm, Dan Cleary, Patrick Eaves, and Joey MacDonald to various injuries before the season has even begun, the depth charts of the Wings’ roster is flourishing around the world.

  Henrik Zetterberg is another big name on Detroit’s impressive roster. The Swede has done nothing but great things for the club, also paying his dues in the Cup run of 2007-08, where he was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner and raised the Stanley Cup for the only time in his career – a year after claiming the Gold Medal for Team Sweden. Last season the Swede played all 82 games for the Red Wings, scoring 22 goals and 69 points. In 668 games with the Wings he has totaled 252 goals and 624 points. In 109 playoff games, he totals 51 goals and 102 points.

  Currently playing in Swizterland with the EV Zug Lions, Zetterberg is off to a flying start, but the story goes much deeper. In the off-season, the Red Wings signed free-agent Damien Brunner, the League MVP of the Swiss League last year. The signing of Brunner, though relatively unknown amongst the common NHL fan, was nothing short of brilliant. The Red Wings’ organization has proved time and again with their rich history of finding the right guys through free-agency and the draft, and they look to continued success with the experiment going quite well in Switzerland.

"In talking to Zetterberg, he likes him and thinks he should be able to play in the NHL," said Zug coach Doug Shedden.

  The Swiss-born winger was signed as a free-agent to a one-year entry-level deal at a bonus salary rate of just over $1.3 million on January 7th with the sole intention to play him on a line with Henrik Zetterberg to spur on the Swede’s point production or the coming season. On October 8th, Zetterberg resigned his immediate hopes of the lockout ending, and subsequently signed with EV Zug of the Swiss Extra League – the same club that Brunner himself has spent his last four seasons playing pro hockey. The story has a brilliant twist, as Zetterberg then contacted his future teammate and asked him to join in on the fun.

"Detroit said they were going to put Brunner on a line with Zetterberg, so I got to do it first," Shedden said in an interview. "I texted Red Wings GM Kenny Holland and said: `It works."

  “It works” may be an understatement, as the two have dominated from the start. While Zetterberg light up the scoring sheets early, he currently sits fourth on the team in points with eight 8 goals and 13 points in just 7 games. Brunner, his line-mate, has appeared in 17 contests and has netted 17 goals and 28 points, which leads the entire league. Furthermore, teammate Linus Omark is second in the league with 26 points, and Zetterberg, having played ten less games, is 38th overall.

"If you take a Zetterberg, Brunner and (Montreal Candiens defenseman) Diaz out of our lineup, we're in deep, deep, deep water," he said. "But 75 per cent of our games are played before Christmas. So if those guys ... can help us get into a playoff situation before they've got to leave, I'm certainly going to shake their hand and thank them very much."

  If the lockout ends is the key, but even while the Swiss League may not compare to the NHL, the pair are not the only high profile names currently playing in Switzerland as John Tavares, Jason Spezza, Rick Nash, Joe Thornton, Patrice Bergeron, Patrick Kane and Tyler Seguin are among the players to have come over during the lockout.

  182nd overall 2006 draft pick Jan Mursak isn’t doing too bad, either. Mursak currently is top-five among all NHL players to have gone overseas during the lockout as he is posting up big numbers for his club, Ljubljana Olimpija HK. He has totaled 7 goals and 22 points in just 13 games – second on his team. Mursak may not be guaranteed a roster-spot come the start of the NHL season, but it’s not for a lack of ability or compete level. Mursak was marred by injury in the pre-season last year, but managed to appear in 22 games where he scored a goal and 3 points. The power-forward native of Slovenia will most likely suit up for the Red Wings’ American Hockey League affiliate in Grand Rapids when the lockout ends, which has proven to be a grow house of great talent for the organization, and is proving to be just that thus far in the AHL regular season.Speaking now of North American Hockey, the Grand Rapids Griffins' team is one to play for these days.

  Sitting in third place overall in the AHL points race is none other than the highly touted Gustav Nyquist. The 23 year-old Swede, who signed with the Red Wings to a two-year entry-level contract in March of 2011 is in his second year with the Grand Rapids Griffins, and looking ever so much better. He led the team in goals last year with 24, and tied three-ways for team lead in points as he totaled 58 points in a full 20 games less than teammates Tomas Tatar and Jamie Johnson did – 56 compared to 76. His performance was so great that he was called up for 18 games with the Red Wings last year, and scored 1 goal and 8 points. In pre-season, the prospect of Nyquist’s skating and puck-handling abilities next to the brilliance of one, Pavel Datsyuk, was enough to make a Red Wings fan blush with excitement. Nyquist has wasted no time as in 13 games with the Griffins this year, he has scored 6 goals and 15 points and a +9 rating, a rating that also leads his Griffins’ club.

  In fact, the Grand Rapids’ Griffins roster is proving to be full of future Red Wings. 21 year-old teammate Tomas Tatar hasn’t looked too bad, either. The 2009 60th overall draft pick of the Red Wings put up big numbers last year, and is 21st overall in the AHL in 2012-13 having scored 5 goals and 12 points with a +6 rating.

  Large-framed defenseman Brendan Smith, who is a likely lock for a spot on Detroit’s blue-line this coming season is off to a flying start as well. The slick puck-moving defenseman who was drafted 27th overall in 2007 by the Red Wings added two more goals on Friday night to help his team win – brining his totals to 3 goals and 8 points in 13 games with a +5 rating. At this rate, he is looking to eclipse his totals last year where he posted 10 goals and 34 points in 57 games. Smith also appeared in 14 NHL games with the Red Wings, scoring 1 goal and 7 points.

“I think I played well and showed them what I've got,'' Smith said. “The biggest thing for me is to hit the gym really hard this summer and get bigger and work my way into the lineup. I'm pretty excited to have played as many games as I did, and hopefully that will give me that much more of a chance to jump right into the lineup.''

  Though these are just some of the stand-out names on the Grand Rapids gleaming roster, the simple fact of the matter is that the Red Wings’ depth is shining brighter perhaps than it has in quite some time. The great start that the AHL club has had this year, currently 3rd place in the Western Conference, combined with the compete level that the Red Wings players overseas have begun with are nothing but positive signs looking forward to the start of the NHL season. Though the lockout has darkened the skies above the world of North American Hockey, the Red Wings are beaming with confidence.

- Kendall Grubbs

LTL REPORT; Russia Takes QMJHL in Subway Super Series

Team Russia defeated Team QMJHL in last night's opener of the 2012 Subway Super Series by a score of 6-2.

Russian goaltender Andrei Vasilevski made 31 saves as the Russian's offensive exploded with six goals. QMJHL will ahve a chance to rectify the loss tomorrow night. More to follow..

Malkin Tall

  It is not uncommon for Evgeni Malkin to be in the current position he is; leading his respective Eastern Conference team to the top of the charts, and leading his club in points, but this year it comes with a different backdrop – but the man in the foreground is the same man we’ve seen lead on our soil in years’ past.

  Malkin, one of the NHL’s most devastating offensive powerhouses is up to his old tricks, but for the first time since 2005-06, he’s doing in Russia’s top league, the Kontinental Hockey League.

  Playing in his native town of Magnitogorsk for the Metallurg club, Malkin has produced 8 goals and 28 points in just 18 games. He is one single point behind line mate Sergei Mozyakin, and three points behind league-leader Alexander Radulov, who has led the KHL previously in points scoring, but was unable to get things going in his return to the states just before the NHL playoffs.

  Malkin is a player unlike most. In fact, Malkin is one of the best players in the world no matter where he’s playing. In recent years with the Penguins, Malkin has made everyone around him better, which is a key attribute and defining point of a ‘great’ hockey player. Just as he did with players such as James Neal, Pascal Dupuis and Chris Kunitz on Pittsburgh, Malkin is doing with players such as Toronto Maples Leaf’s Nikolai Kulemin and ex New York Ranger Enver Lisin on Metallurg. Kulemin, for example, has scored 6 goals and 11 points through 17 games this season. Compare that to his dismal 2011-12 NHL season where he tallied 7 goals and 28 points in all of 70 games. Kulemin, to the delight of Leaf’s fans, will be benefitting from Malkin’s presence on the team.

  Malkin is an elite player, and he has shown that to North American fans ever since we got our first real look at him. Drafted in 2004, 2nd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Malkin was perhaps slightly delayed in his initial appearance due to the 2004-05 lock out, but made his debut in 2006-07. In his rookie year, Malkin posted a jaw-dropping 33 goals and 52 assists for 85 points. For Malkin, his dominant rookie season would be overshadowed, much like the vast majority of his experience in Pittsburgh with the exception of last season, as 2005 first overall pick Sidney Crosby totaled an even more impressive 120 points in his second year, but Malkin would in fact be receiving the Calder Memorial Trophy for the league’s best rookie – something that Crosby was unable to attain the year before up against Malkin’s countryman, Alex Ovechkin.

  With Crosby out nearly all of last season, Malkin proved fully capable of leading the Pittsburgh Penguins and taking the weight on his shoulders. In 75 regular season games last year, he totaled 50 goals – enough for 2nd best in the league, and 109 points which topped everyone. Malkin received his second Art Ross Trophy for the NHL’s leading scorer, but last year Malkin needed a few extra hands to help carry his things to his car after the awards show. He went on to also receive the Ted Lindsay Award (Player of the Year selected by the NHLPA), and the Hart Trophy for league MVP. His dominant year was much like that of 2008-09, where Malkin not only won the Stanley Cup, but the Art Ross Trophy, and Conn Smythe Trophy for Playoff’s MVP.

  For the Penguins to be missing Sidney Crosby, it has been a real tragedy to the team and the NHL. Thankfully for Pittsburgh, there is Malkin – an equally elite hockey player and ever so gifted goal scorer. With Crosby apparently getting well, the Penguins will certainly be challenging for another Stanley Cup run as soon as the lock out ends. But for now, ‘Gino’ is working his magic in Russia, and from the looks of things he is warming up to have one of his best years ever.

  No matter what happens for the year that has yet to become a reality in North American hockey at the NHL level, the fact that Malkin is the cream of the crop can never be disputed.

- Kendall Grubbs

MacKinnon; Mooseheads’ Home Brew

  The Halifax Mooseheads are crushing the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with alarming pace to all of those concerned in the long, long list of superbly talented rivals. The club is currently best in class, with a 16-1-1 record. The loss against Rimouski in the shootout ended a 14-game winning streak, a game which five different goal scorers’ efforts wasn’t enough for the win. Having one of the most exciting teams in all of the QMJHL more than makes up for that little blip on the radar, though, as they have some of the most talented players the league has to offer.

  Though no team with such a record as the Mooseheads, who currently sit at the top of the league with 33 points, is led by one man, Nathan MacKinnon is standing out amongst the roster.

  Halifax-born MacKinnon, at 17 years of age, is on fire in his second season with the Mooseheads as he currently sits in sixth place among the league’s top point producers, having netted 18 goals and 30 points in 18 games. He is currently on pace to eclipse his rookie year points total of 31 goals and 78 points in 58 games.

  Success has always followed Nathan MacKinnon, as his numbers as an early teenager have always indicated. At an atom aged player, MacKinnon would score 200 points in 50 games. At twelve and thirteen years of age in Bantam AAA he would scored 110 and 145 points respectively. Having chosen the same patch as superstar Sidney Crosby (and quite wisely), MacKinnon left home to pursue hockey at Shattuck St. Mary’s boarding school. In Bantam Tier 1 he totaled 101 points in 58 games. In his second season with Shattuck, he finished with 93 points in forty games played, and was second on the team with 45 goals, and to top it off, he had 70 penalty minutes, underlining his aggressive nature of play. In 15 contests in U-17 and U-18 at the National level for his come country, he has totaled 11 goals and 23 points.

  MacKinnon has had a watchful eye on him all along. Widely praised and presumed as the eventual first overall draft pick in the coming NHL Entry Draft, MacKinnon nearly skipped out on the QMJHL all together. Just as he is expected to be number one looking forward to his future NHL career, he was also projected to be first overall in the 2011 QMJHL Draft. The Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the QMJHL was awarded the first pick that year, and naturally, chose MacKinnon. Meanwhile, speculation flew rampant that he may opt for college hockey instead. But here he was, with the gates wide open in QMJHL – a teenager’s dream come true. The only problem; he doesn’t speak French. So, with a trade in mind, his new team was happy to oblige him. Why? Because the return was rather large, and the “Viking Ship” knew just how badly Halifax wanted their native son. MacKinnon's rights were traded to the Halifax Mooseheads for Carl Gélinas, Francis Turbide, the Mooseheads' first round draft picks in 2012 and 2013 respectively, and the Quebec Remparts' first round draft pick in 2013, previously acquired by Halifax. The Mooseheads had been attempting to acquire MacKinnon since Baie-Comeau was awarded the first overall pick, and now they had him.

  MacKinnon was also selected to represent the best the QMJHL had to offer as he will be paired up side-by-side with the best the league has to offer, up against the best Russia has to throw at them with the inclusion of last year’s first overall draft pick, Nail Yakupov in the Subway Super Series. MacKinnon will see plenty of looks from an increased presence of NHL scouts throughout the tournament, as he has
exposed himself as a truly gifted young forward.

  MacKinnon is the real deal, and when he becomes eligible for the NHL Entry Draft in June every General Manager will hold his breath until the name is called. Nathan MacKinnon will be great.

- Kendall Grubbs

"Make Whole" or Make Right?

  As the NHL lockout approached its’ 50th day, talks finally started back up between the NHL and NHLPA. The National Hockey League, it appears, is starting for the first time to initiate a resolution in which the Players’ Association will accept to pull the league out from under its’ gloomy 2012-13 season.

  The bargaining tables have been empty and quiet since the NHL’s last proposal to the NHLPA on October 19th, which saw the NHLPA’s three counter-offers quickly dismissed by the NHL, if all of ten minutes is to be deemed ‘quick’, the NHL more or less walked out on immediate talks with the Players Association’s leader, Donald Fehr.

  Though the public talks have been nonexistent, there have been plenty of talks between the parties, reportedly via telephone, and there is a lot of work going on behind closed doors on both sides as the urgency of finding a solution is critical at this point if a season is to be salvaged.

  The NHL made somewhat of a surprise move when they made public their willingness to budge on what is titled the “Make Whole” provision in the framework of the NHL’s most recent proposal.

   "Make Whole" is a protection plan to cover player salary reduction in dropping the players revenue share from 57 per cent to 50 per cent in year one of a new CBA. The NHL is now willing to shift the provisions of “Make Whole” from the players’ share over to the owners’ side.

  As TSN’s Darren Dreger reports, included is a deferred payment system which the league is also willing to reconsider when negotiations resume. According to many around the league, this is considered to be a considerable step forward.

  However, heading into the weekend, the NHL seems to be stumbling over itself and attempting to right previous wrongs - to put it lightly. NHL Deputy Chief Commissioner Bill Daly and Donald Fehr met in an undisclosed location on Saturday, day 49 of the lockout, and reportedly held talks until 1:00a.m.

"We had a series of meetings yesterday and exchanged views on the most important issues separating us," wrote Daly in an email to TSN on Sunday morning."We plan to meet again sometime early this week.''

"Hopefully we can continue the dialogue, expand the group, and make steady progress," said Donald Fehr.

  How far of a step forward is this? Well, as Dreger generally put it, the devil is in the details. The overall term used in the NHL’s latest move has been that the NHL has made concessions, but the hard truth is that given the frameworks of their latest proposal, it can hardly be defined as a concession.

  Puckdaddy’s Greg Wyshynski put it best in his most recent release regarding the weekend’s happenings. “Honoring the players' current contracts should be an obligation rather than a point of conciliation. Plus, we're not entirely sure making your own proposal more equitable to the other side a sign of compromise; isn't it a sign that the initial proposal was inadequate?”

  Elliotte Friedman of the CBC has doubts of the NHL’s ‘step forward.’

“But the NHLPA is going to have some hard questions, including: What exactly does "ownership" mean -- some of it or all of it? What is the formula going to be? And, most importantly, what do we have to accept in order for you to do this?” he said. “If the answer is "everything else we've proposed," we're going to have a problem.”

  Eventually, a deal must be done. Whether it’s this season or the next, both parties are going to have to budge considerably from where they stand on many key issues for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement to be made. Again, the agreement must be collective, and again, there must certainly be some bargaining. Fortunately, it seems as though both sides realize how quickly this must transpire.

  At this point, the NHL has canceled 327 games. 326 of those would see, as estimated by Bill Daly, a $720 million loss in revenue. Likewise, with the cancellation of the Winter Classic, over $3 million was lost to corporate sponsorships not including the lost revenue in ticket sales and merchandise. And, if you’ve looked into attending the Classic, you can only imagine how much has been lost on that front alone - and what about an authentic jersey? The losses keep piling up against the NHL and the players alike.

  It does seem at this point that the time is now, and that if there is any hope in salvaging a partial season, a decision must be made uncomfortably soon. Though s full 82-game season is out of the question and we’ve lost our beloved Winter Classic, it’s not yet too late to play hockey. There may be weeks, perhaps a month, before we yet again lose an entire season to the squabbling of a bunch of over-paid suits and ties and athletes that have jobs we could only dream of having – and the majority of us would take it at a sliver of the salary just to be doing it.

  The NHL, the players, and the owners have had years to figure this out, and we’re over a month into the season that has yet to see a puck drop on NHL ice. It’s very disappointing. They should all be embarrassed of themselves.

- Kendall Grubbs

Heat, Horak Best Marlies 4-2, Top AHL

  The Abbotsford Heat hosted the Toronto Marlies on Friday night in Abbotsford, B.C. for the second consecutive night. After embarrassing the Marlies last night in a 3-0 win which saw Abbotsford set a franchise record two goals in three seconds, the local heroes didn’t disappoint in the second of the back-to-back divisional rivals’ weekend series.

  Roman Horak continued his dominance in the early season with a natural hat-trick, claiming three of the four goals scored by his club. Horak accomplished this feat in front of 4,655 fans on a night in which the team set a franchise record with 1,202 tickets sold on game day. Abbotsford took the game with a final score of 4-2.

  With the win, The Heat have moved into the top spot in the American Hockey League, even in points with division rivals Lake Erie Monsters, and one point ahead of the Rochester Americans. The North Division has proven to be one of the toughest divisions in the league thus far. The Toronto Marlies have been on the back foot of this division, and claim last place in the division with the two straight losses in Abbotsford.

  The Marlies, who fall to last place in the North division with the loss, got off to a desperate start. Spencer Abbott got the Marlies going early as he netted his first of the season and first career AHL goal at 2:32. With just three seconds remaining in the first period, Roman Horak began his natural hat-trick on a clever tip-in redirected shot from defenseman Steve McCarthy.

  Ben Walter and Sven Baertschi each earned two assists in the game, assisting each of Horak’s next two goals. Horak buried a rebound as he was planted firmly in front of the net early in the second period at 1:03, and in a mad scramble rebound situation wristed the puck past Marlies goaltender Mark Owuya just over five minutes later to finish the trick.

 After assisting Horak's first goal and fighting Greg Scott at 10:46 of the 2nd period, Quinton Laing recorded a ‘Gordie Howe Hat-Trick” as he tallied the last goal of the game at 8:58 of the third period, solidifying the Abbotsford lead.

  Heat goaltender Leland Irving stopped 25 of 27 shots for his first victory of the season as he stood tall against the Marlies repeated attempts to take down the Heat, who were out-shot 27-19.

  Having scored his first AHL natural hat-trick in front of a packed house, 21 year-old Czech forward Roman Horak also takes the lead in goals scored in the American Hockey League with 10 in 9 games. Horak, drafted 127th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers leads his team in points with 11, and is 4th overall in the AHL in points – just two behind league leader Justin Schultz.

  Horak spent 14 games with the Heat last season where he tallied 2 goals and 4 points, but quickly made the jump to the Calgary Flames for his NHL debut where he contended in 61 games and finished the season with 3 goals and 11 points. Horak was destined for a spot on the Flames’ roster again this season, but has instead found himself back in Abbotsford due to the NHL lockout. Roman is currently on a seven-game points-scoring streak, and is looking more like a top tier prospect than originally intended.

  Horak was acquired from the New York Rangers after Tim Erixon, the Flames’ 2009 NHL Entry Draft Choice 104 picks before Horak was selected, failed to sign with the club. Calgary subsequently sent Erixon to the Rangers along with a 4th round pick and received two 2nd round picks and, of course, Roman Horak. Roman had spent two seasons with the Chilliwack Bruins of the WHL, where he amassed 47 goals and 125 points in 130 games, but had lost some of his flair prior to the draft. Horak seemed to struggle somewhat off the ice having moved freshly from the Czech Republic, but is finally starting to hit his stride as a player in professional North American Hockey.

  Now that Horak has some North American professional experience under his belt, his natural goal scoring and offensive skill sets are starting to shine. He is now over a year’s experienced in a league of men.

“He’s definitely finding the net, and it’s great because there are very few people in the game of hockey that would ever find a streak like this,” Head Coach Troy Ward said. “We just sit back and enjoy it. And we’re really happy for Roman, because I think it’s really important to him to continue to try to establish himself where he wants to be looked at in the game - and that’s a top-six forward.”

  Roman Horak is a real threat to the scoring title chase in the American Hockey League, but the scoring title certainly plays second fiddle to the ability to regularly make the NHL roster of the Calgary Flames. Until then, Roman leads the way.

  With the league lead in hand, the Abbotsford Heat will begin to defend their position against the much talked about Oklahoma City Barons on Friday night, as Horak will most definitely be matched up against the current league leader in points, Justin Schultz.

- Kendall Grubbs

Classic Canned

  Friday brought the dreaded news that the hockey world has expected to hear when the NHL officially canceled the 2013 NHL Winter Classic.

"The logistical demands for staging events of this magnitude made today's decision unavoidable. We simply are out of time," said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. "We are extremely disappointed, for our fans and for all those affected, to have to cancel the Winter Classic and Hockeytown Winter Festival events."

  The news came as no surprise, as the league was expected to pay its’ first installment of the $3 million dollar rental fee to the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Friday November 2nd, a $250,000 first installment of a total five in a payment plan set up by the two parties in the original contract.

“This is an unfortunate announcement but one that looked imminent given the current labor situation between the NHL and its players,” said Dave Brandon, athletic director at the University of Michigan. “We knew this was a possibility but we stayed prepared in the event the labor dispute would get resolved."

“Our relationship with the NHL has been terrific. Both parties have a mutual interest in making the Winter Classic a successful and historical event. We are glad they committed to bring the next game to the Big House, matching the Red Wings and Maple Leafs.”

  With the NHL already having canceled the regular season through the end of November in this year’s labor dispute, a total of 327 games have been lost – %26.5 of the regular season. With no clear end in sight as the two sides, the NHL and NHLPA, are on opposite ends of the river in negotiations. When the last collective bargaining agreement offer was rejected by the Players Association, and the NHL dismissed three counter-proposals by the NHLPA after just ten minutes, the NHL snubbed out any further discussion between the two parties. That was when the fear of a canceled Classic became a palpable reality. In the agreement between the NHL and Michigan University, the ‘work stoppage clause’ allowed for the NHL to cancel the Classic no later than Friday for a penalty of the deposit for the rental of the facility.

"The NHL's decision to cancel the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic is unnecessary and unfortunate, as was the owners' implementation of the lockout itself," said NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr in a statement. "The fact that the season has not started is a result of a unilateral decision by the owners; the players have always been ready to play while continuing to negotiate in good faith. We look forward to the league's return to the bargaining table, so that the parties can find a way to end the lockout at the earliest possible date, and get the game back on the ice for the fans."

  The NHL only faces the $100,000 penalty to the University of Michigan for cancellation of the Classic, the fee that was paid up front as a deposit. The revenue lost in the 326 regular season games of play through the lockout comes at the price of a $720 million loss, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly estimates. The Winter Classic generates an unrivaled amount of attention to this great sport through this annual venue, including the HBO series 24/7 in the lead up to the event.

  Brian Cooper, CEO of S&E Sponsorship Group, estimated that the event, by far the largest in NHL history, was poised to generate in upwards of $3 million in corporate sponsorships, not including ticket and merchandising sales. Cooper also revealed his insight on the importance to the Canadian markets, given the fact that a Canadian franchise has been invited to the Winter Classic, something that the hockey crazed nation has been surprisingly left out of outside of its’ Heritage Classic appearance in 2003 between the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens, and 2011 in Calgary with the Flames hosting the Candiens once more.

"This is the first year that it really affects Canada," said Cooper. "There was going to be a lot of in-market (sponsorship) activations, there were going to be a lot of hosting opportunities, there were going to be consumer promotions. ...

"This was a big date."

  This year’s Classic was set to break records for the National Hockey League as two of the NHL’s most storied franchises in the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs were to play in front of the largest audience an NHL game has ever seen. The NHL has expected to eclipse the record attendance of the 2010 NCAA “Big Chill” match-up at the University of Michigan which saw 104,173 fans. The cancellation also is extend to the alumni, junior, college and American Hockey Leagues games that were scheduled for a second outdoor venue, the SiriusXM Hockeytown Winter Festival events between Dec. 16-31  at Comerica Park in downtown Detroit.

"It's sad," Red Wings defenseman Ian White said. "I was really looking forward to playing in that game. I've been looking forward to it since they announced it. I know everyone probably was in the state of Michigan. We were thrilled to have it. It would have been a great event."

Red Wings veteran forward Todd Bertuzzi echoed his teammate’s dejection, calling the decision, "very disappointing. I think the whole thing is tough for everyone. But this was a focal point for our team and for Toronto, and for our fans."

"I know that my kid's team was playing, too, at Comerica, and then you had the alumni game, which was going to be superb with the amount of talent that both teams had," Bertuzzi said. "I think it's a big loss.” Bertuzzi, who was not on the Red Wings roster in 2009, missed the last Winter Classic that his team was a part of when they won at Wrigley Field against division rivals Chicago Blackhawks. "I've always wanted to play in one," he said. "I'd love the experience. In talking with all the guys when they played in Chicago, they said it was an outstanding atmosphere."

  The ones that are really hurt through the NHL and NHLPA’s inability to come to terms for the start of the regular season are without question the fans. The NHL released a statement the same day in regards to the fans that had planned to attend with a full refund. The fan has the option to either receive a full refund, or to keep their ticket and have it applied to the next Winter Classic, which will be held at the same venue with the same two clubs once the new collective bargaining agreement is settled. Though the same game will be on for 2014, the disappointment is very strong throughout.

"For them to cancel it, it's extremely disappointing. It was going to be a great event, I mean, with the stuff that was going to be happening down in Comerica Park, and then our game at the Big House, I think it was going to be the grandaddy of the Winter Classics.” Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard said, “I know all my family and friends were very much looking forward to it," Howard continued. "So it stinks that it's going to get postponed."

  What the NHL cannot compensate, is the time pined away for by the fans planning to travel to what was dubbed as the largest event of its’ kind in the Winter Classic’s six-year history. The NHL has lost revenue through its’ decision to cancel over the first quarter of the regular season, and has lost once again, as the cities of Ann Arbor and Detroit were expected to see a mass of an estimated 400,000 fans. The loss also extends to the cities whom intended to host the two events, in an area that economically needs a boost even more than the NHL fan needs hockey.

  So, with the decision made, it’s better luck next year to the state of Michigan and the state of NHL hockey as a whole. Now we’ll wait and see how much, if anything, can be salvaged from this unfortunate start of the hockey year.

- Kendall Grubbs

Burning Down the House

  The Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League lost to the Kelowna Rockets in last night’s match up in Kelowna as the Blazers were shut out 3-0 in regulation. It’s anything but down in the dumps for the Blazers, as it was the first regulation loss in 18 games – a loss that broke a franchise record of 14 straight victories. The winning streak breaks the previous record of 13, which was accomplished in both 1986-87 and 1989-90.

  The goal differential during their 16-1-1 record this season is equally impressive at 81 goals-for, and 41 goals-against.  As they head into their 19th game of the year tonight, this time back at home against the Prince George Cougars who sit 8th in the Eastern Conference, the Blazers are looking to get back to their winning ways.

  Heading this dynamic team are four particular forwards who are not only leading their team to unrivaled success, but they’re also leading the league with staggering numbers. The Blazers hold the top three positions in the 2012-13 scoring title chase, while the fourth member high in the rankings sits currently in 8th overall – in a three-way tie for sixth. Two of th Blazers, Colin Smith and JC Lipon, have been selected to represent Team WHL in the Subway Super Series on November 14th and 15th in Vancouver and Victoria against Team Russia.

  At this point, 19 year-old J.C. Lipon leads the WHL in points with 40, while 19 year-old Colin Smith sits 2nd with 39, 18 year-old Tim Bozon is 3rd with 31 points, and 20 year-old Brendan Ranford is 8th (tied for 6th) with 23 points.

  19 year-old J.C. Lipon, native of Regina, SK, is having the time of his life in his fourth year for the Blazers. In 18 games, Lipon has scored 16 goals and 24 assists for a league leading 40 points. In less than a quarter of the games he appeared in last season, he sits just 25 points behind his personal record-best year.

  As tribute to the outstanding start for the young winger, the WHL has recognized and dubbed him as the ‘Player of the Month.” While all of his points were through the first 17 games, he had at the time been on the second longest points scoring streak, behind only his teammate Colin Smith who finished at 14 straight games having scored points. Lipon, prior to last night’s loss, had also maintained a +17 rating, but has dropped one in this category heading into tonight’s game. Four times has Lipon been named the first star of the game out of a total eight ‘three star’ appearances. For the week ending on October 7th and 14th, he was named the WHL and CHL Player of the Week, while this is Lipon’s first WHL Player of the Month Award.

"He's now taking his game to another level. JC is a hard-working and dedicated individual. I don't think he ever expected this to happen…to be the face of junior hockey at this point, but it's a credit to him." Kamloops Blazers Head Coach Guy Charron said, having nothing but praise for his winger.

  Lipon’s style of play is not just that of a scoring forward, but a forward determined to play hard along the boards and fight for every inch to make scoring chances happen.

“I have lots of little things to touch up on,” Lipon noted. “A big thing is consistency, playing good hockey in the defensive zone and just to keep getting better at everything.”

“Playing good in the defensive zone allows offensive chances to come.”

  Incredibly, Lipon has gone undrafted since his debut with the Blazers in the 2009-10 season. In fact, Lipon was even passed up in the WHL Bantam Draft. That, most assuredly will change if he continues to display such offensive excellence. Lipon has led his team to the top, and along with his teammates seems unstoppable at this point.

“Everything is just coming together,” Lipon said when asked of his team’s success. “We have a lot of experience, lots of character in the room, [and the] young guys, especially on the back-end, are really buying in.”

  Lipon’s failure to be drafted by this juncture is never the less going to be a thing of the past. Having admittedly based his game around that of T.J. Oshie, he has shown the ability to dig tirelessly to retrieve the puck from his opponent in the offensive zone, and has distributed and placed it with flying colors game after game. It is quite obvious that Lipon has found his niche.

“I just wasn’t ready at the right times I guess. There are always some late bloomers out there,” Lipon told Hockey’s Future. “I never really had any doubts, but there were some things I couldn’t control. When coaches did give me opportunities, I just went for it.”

  Lipon may have already had a contract at this point, as he was invited to fellow teammate Collin Smith’s NHL affiliate’s training camp, the Colorado Avalanche, but his chance was stymied by the NHL lockout.

  His dominance is only rivaled by one other thus far, his teammate Colin Smith.

  Smith, who was drafted 192nd overall in the 7th round by the Colorado Avalance in the 2012NHL Entry Draft sits just one single point behind the WHL’s league leading Lipon. The Blazers selected Smith in the 1st round – 7th overall in the 2008 WHL Draft, and in 218 games with the club he has recorded 74 goals and 128 assists.

  In the week ending on October 22nd, Smith earned his fair praise from the WHL as well, as he earned the WHL ‘Player of the Week’ recognition. The 2010-11 WHL  Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy (Scholastic Player of the Year) Award winner is also in his fourth (complete) season with the Blazers, and has tallied 13 goals and 26 assists through 18 games of play.

  Smith, though at a relatively small frame of 5’11 and 175lbs. may just be a diamond in the rough type of find for the ever improving and extremely young Colorado Avalanche group in the future. Smith finished second to teammate Brendan Ranford on the team in points last season where he posted an impressive 35 goals and 85 points, and is proving that he only intends to move up.

  The third man on the dynamic top line that is offensively blowing the WHL away is 18 year-old Tim Bozon. Bozon finished third on the Blazers’ scoring list last season with 36 goals and 71 points, and is currently third in the WHL with 14 goals and 31 points. He was selected by Kamloops 27th overall  in the first round of the 2011 CHL Import Draft.

  Bozon was selected 64th overall in the 3rd round by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the highest pick of the four Blazers’ stars, and has carried with him from his play in homeland Switzerland the offensive skill sets to carry him to the top. His quick release and ability to elude defenders has put him in the position of the top line, and will continue to grow in only his second season with the Blazers.

  Brendan Ranford, who led his team last season with 40 goals and 92 points, may be behind this top line of point-producing mayhem, but is poised to keep on track having gotten off to a great start himself. So far this season Ranford has netted 7 goals and 23 points, and is helping to round out the Blazers’ complete offensive package.

  Ranford heads into his fifth full year with Kamloops, and is itching to make the jump to the next level. Drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 7th round (209th overall) in 2010, Ranford was returned to the Blazers where ever since he has totaled 294 regular season games, notching 122 goals and 293 points.

  The Blazers are the most exciting team in the WHL at this point, and with this offensive power house rounded out by the four aforementioned forwards, the Blazers are in a prime position to clinch the CHL Memorial Cup Championship title since the back-to-back championships of 1994 and 1995. The Blazers are the team to watch, and the duel amongst its’ young offensive core through the rest of the year will be a delight. Lipon will be signed, and the question on everyone’s mind throughout the CHL and NHL respectively is where he will in fact play one day.

- Kendall Grubbs

Aeros' Rookies Shining Bright

  Having missed the playoffs for four consecutive years, the Minnesota Wild are starting to pick their heads up. Off-season mega acquisitions took the headlines with the signings of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, but it’s the little things that count, such as the talent pool of first round picks buried in the American Hockey League that are really the shining star in the near future of the Minnesota Wild.

  Mikael Granlund's two assists and plus/minus +3 rating in last Saturday's 4-0 blowout of the Milwaukee Admirals helped push him to the top of the charts in the hearts and minds of the American Hockey League's much wider following through its' first full month of play in the 2012-13 season.

  Granlud, labeled  'Rookie of the Month' by the AHL, is in a seven-way tie for fifth most points through the season thus far, having notched 3 goals and 10 points through 7 games of play with a very impressive plus/minus +6 rating. The 20 year-old Finn leads his Houston Aeros team in points, shots on goal, and plus/minus. Though being held scoreless in his debut on October 13th, he would proceed to string together a six game points scoring streak.

  Drafted in the first round, 9th overall, by the Minnesota Wild in 2010, Granlund is showing his ability as quick as the club had predicted in a much stronger league than it normally would have been due to the NHL lockout. The Wild would have been poised to break out their Finnish stud at the beginning of the NHL season which has yet to come to fruition. Though the deal took a bit longer than the Minnesota Wild would have preferred, Granlund was signed to a three-year entry-level contract on May 25t with a baseline salary on $900,000 per-year. The deal, however, has bonuses with plenty of performance bonuses, leaving him the potential for $2.1 million per season. Not bad, but with a reputation like Granlund’s in Finland, there had to be some incentive to persuade him to finally come to North America.

  Granlund presents a superlative playmaking and puck-handling upside, which has been shown previously in his play in Finland.

  His last three seasons have been spent with HIFK of the Finnish Elite League and has represented his country numerous times in World Junior Championships. In 2010-11 Granlund missed the 2011 U20 World Junior Championship due to a concussion, but played for Finland's men’s national team scoring 2 goals and 9 points giving Finland its’ first world title since 1995.In 2011-12 as a 19 year-old, he led Helsinki of the SM-Liiga in points with 20 goals and 51 points in 45 games, helping his club attain the Championship. In 129 games in Finland’s top league, Granlund totaled 41 goals and 127 points.

  Though the season is very young, Granlund presents a real threat for the AHL’s top rookie honors this year, provided the lockout sees no end, as he trails only league leader Justin Schultz for points scored by rookies. The Minnesota staff is ever wishful that the NHL season gets under way, as Granlund’s offensive play will inevitably see him in the same race at the top level. The off-season addition of players such as Ryan Suter and Zach Parise will do nothing but bolster the Finn’s scoring chances on the ice.

  Just as strong in the light of rookies for the Houston Aeros club and the whole of the American Hockey League, has been forward Charlie Coyle. Coyle may not have quite the same level of hype that the aforementioned Granlund has, but he is none the less very intriguing looking into the future of the Minnesota Wild.

  With a much larger frame of 6’2 and 205lbs. Coyle is the leading goal scorer for the Aeros, having notched 5 goals and 6 points with a plus/minus +6 rating, and is currently in an eight-way tie for 5th best in AHL goals scored this season.

  Coyle, a product of Massachusetts, is on his way in quick order of living the American dream for a hockey player. Coyle cut short his college career after two seasons with Boston University where he appeared 53 times, scoring 10 goals and 40 points, to make a splash in the Quebec Major Junior League last season, where in his only season with Saint John, he tallied 15 goals and 38 points in 23 games with a stellar plus/minus +23 rating to help lead the team to the Championship. In the playoffs, Coyle stepped up his game to tie for best in points, where in 17 games he racked up 15 goals and 34 points with a +27 rating.

"He's a world-class player in his age group," Wild Assistant GM Flahr said of Coyle. "Everything he could have hoped for has fallen into place."

  Coyle, too, was selected in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, but instead was chosen by the San Jose Sharks late with the 28th pick overall. The Wild, in a blockbuster deal, acquired him on his draft day which brought himself, Devin Setoguchi, and a 1st round selection in 2011 for  defenseman Brent Burns and a 2nd round selection in 2012.

  With the Minnesota Wild’s roster relatively short on space for rookies, Coyle is less likely to start for the Wild should there be a season this year, but is truly one to watch for in the future. Coyle has great size and strength, playing much larger than his frame actually is. To top off his stature, he is an extremely powerful skater and is very successful at guarding and containing the puck – something that a player of Mikael Granlund’s ability can make great gains from on the wing.

  In 2011, the successive draft, the Wild were also able to make a draft-day impression when they made, for the second year straight, two first-round selections.

  The latter of the two, 28th overall pick Zack Phillips, is competing at 19 years of age for the first time in professional ice hockey with the Aeros. Thus far, he has tallied a goal and an assist in six games, and has shown some promise.

  As a teammate to Coyle, Phillips tallied an impressive 30 goals for 80 points and a +47 rating through 60 games, finishing third on his team in points and helping his Saint John Sea Dogs’ club win the Memorial Cup. Having gone 16-1 in the playoffs, Phillips tallied 9 goals and 23 assists.

  In a total 192 regular season games for the Sea Dogs, Phillips recorded 84 goals and 219 assists. His post season numbers were equally impressive, totaling 20 goals and 62 points in 55 playoff appearances.

  Zack Phillips is a gifted play-maker and goal scorer at the Junior level, but will need time to develop in the American Hockey League before making it to the big show. Fortunately enough for him, the AHL is at a higher level due to the NHL lockout than it has been in the past – something that will only increase his rate of growth.

  Drafted 10th overall by the Wild in 2011, Swedish born defenseman Jonas Brodin is developing quickly in his first season of professional North American hockey.

  Never having been a major point producer, Brodin’s exceptional defensive attributes saw him play top four minutes for Farjestads of the Swedish Elite League last season where he tallied 8 assists and a +6 rating in 49 games. In his first seven games in the American Hockey League, Brodin has already shown signs of all-around improvement having tallied 2 goals and 4 points with a +4 rating.

  The very mobile and strong skating Swede has played against the best the NHL has to offer in the past, as he was paired up against some of the NHL’s elite in the 2011-12 World Championships as he was paired against the likes of Pavel Datsyuk and Evgeni Malkin of the eventual Gold Medal Winning Team Russia.

  Brodin, along with most recent first round draft choice Matt Dumba, are likely to take a bit longer in development before making the jump to the NHL as defensemen commonly do.

"I'm old school; I'd go five years with them," Aero’s Head Coach John Torchetti said. "It's more demanding what they're doing (than what forwards do). You're the last line before the goalie. It's just a tougher position to teach. There's a lot to it. You put a defenseman in the NHL at 18, he's not going to be ready until he's 22 or 23, and that's early."

Torchetti believes Brodin’s skating level is currently on par with NHL level skating, but he has played a more stay-at-home style in Sweden compared to what he'll be expected to do in the NHL, and has spent time working on his offensive side to the game.

"It's probably the most talented development camp I've been a part of," Torchetti said during the club’s training camp. "It's a great future."

  Meanwhile, the Wild’s most recent first-round draft choice (7th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Matt Dumba, is lighting up the WHL for the Red Deer Rebels, and without question is bound for the NHL once his Junior career is up. There is no doubt that these excellent draft choices of the Wild over the past few years was a big part of the sales pitch in urging Suter and Parise to sign with the club on long-term deals. It’s the long term that General Manager Chuck Fletcher has in mind, and the future looks very, very bright.

- Kendall Grubbs

Healthy Hall

  While the Edmonton Oilers fans are missing out on watching the young and dynamic roster on the ice this season, the city of Oklahoma has been treated to a largely improved roster of rising stars that include names like Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Justin Schultz, and as of this coming Friday, Taylor Hall.

  Hall, the 2010 first overall draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers, had his season end early last year after having sustained a shoulder injury, and missed the last 11 games of the regular season while his team failed to make the playoffs. His last game was March 16th, where he was knocked unconscious from a hit by Calgary Flames defenseman Cory Sarich. Hall has been practicing with the Oklahoma City Barons, Edmonton’s American Hockey League affiliate, and recently returned to Edmonton for evaluation where he was cleared to begin play. Though he is likely to start Friday against the Houston Aeros, he will not play in back-to-back games straight away.

  Through his first two seasons, Hall has appeared in 126 games and scored 49 goals and 95 points, just narrowly missing the 30 goal mark last year. Taylor Hall is a key part of the Oilers’ future, and headlines a whole host of highly drafted and highly touted young Edmonton Oilers stars.

  Since the lockout, many players have traveled down to the American Hockey League and given AHL fans a higher level of play in their home arenas, while others have opted for European destinations. Last year’s Calder Trophy potential and fellow first overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been relatively productive for the Barons with 2 goals and 8 points, good for 2nd on the team, while off-season free-agent signee Justin Schultz is commanding the scoring leader boards with a league best 12 points through seven games from the blue line. The third of their first overall draft picks, Nail Yakupov last year, is currently playing in the KHL with Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik where he has tallied 8 goals and 11 points in 12 games.

  Hall, who signed a seven year contract extension in August worth $42 million, will finally have his chance to play alongside his fellow teammates for the first time since his injuries which included a concussion and shoulder surgery. The Oilers have quite probably the most exciting pool of young talent the NHL has to offer, and with a large group of them starting to warm back up in unison, the city of Edmonton will be ever hopeful that the league comes out of its’ current lock out.

- Kendall Grubbs

Schultz Electrifying AHL, Oilers Drooling

  Though the National Hockey League has yet to get a glimpse of the highly touted Justin Schultz on NHL ice, the 22 year old native of Kelowna, B.C. is doing nothing short of electrifying the American Hockey League with a brilliant start for the Oklahoma City Barons.

  The offensive defenseman has shown by his level of play yet another reason why it is so unfortunate to be missing out on NHL hockey these days. In 7 games with the Oklahoma City Barons, who are currently eighth in the west, Schultz has a more than impressive 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 points. His goal tally is tied for second best in the league, and his points total is the highest of any other player in the American Hockey League early on in his first year of professional hockey. For a 22 year old rookie defenseman in a league of men, Schultz has done plenty to boost the Edmonton Oilers’ anticipation for NHL action to resume.

  Unsurprisingly, Schultz was the second player of the year thus far to receive the AHL’s “Player of the Week” recognition, but accolades and high praise are something that Schultz is used to receiving. Shortly after receiving his player of the weeks status on October 21, Schultz netted two shorthanded goals (one on the empty net) against San Antonio on Friday October 23rd and had a plus/minus 5 rating on the evening and continued with a highlight reel goal against Lake Erie on Saturday after undressing defenseman Cameron Gaunce and beating the goaltender one on one.

“I kind of blacked out there. I didn’t know what I was doing,” said Schultz. ”I usually don’t get many one-on-ones with a goalie.”

  Among Schultz’s accomplishments prior to stepping foot on professional ice he is best known for his tenure at the University of Wisconsin. There, as a Badger, he totaled 40 goals and 73 assists for 113 points in 121 games with a plus/minus 27 rating.  He was voted the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year two consecutive seasons, made the WCHA All Rookie Team, and twice appeared in the WCHA First All Star Team as well as the NCAA West All American Team. Last season with Wisconsin he was named the Spike Carlson Most Valuable Player by his Wisconsin teammates after finishing second on the team in points, and is currently eighth all time for Wisconsin in points from defensemen. Prior to his collegiate appearance he played two full seasons of Junior A with the Westside Warriors of the BCHL where he was named Interior Conference Top Defensemen in each season. He totaled 24 goals and 90 points in 106 games for the Westside Warriors.

“That was pretty cool.” Schultz said of his experience at Wisconsin. “There were a lot of talented players, especially defensemen,”

“They’re all congratulating me on a good start and my friends and family are able to see too. But, this is only a start. There’s a lot more games in this league than in school. We would only play 41 or 42 a year, max.”

  The beauty of Schultz’s offensive game is not that of a prototypical scoring defenseman. Schultz has an uncanny ability to skate the puck through the neutral zone and through top defensive pairings, capable of creating offensive plays or a pin-point accurate shot. Unlike most defensemen whom often blast the puck from the point, Schultz’s strength is his wrist shot. Having won the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year award for the last two consecutive seasons, he’s proven to be no slouch on the defensive side of the game either.

  Schultz proved his worth long ago playing next to current Toronto Maple Leafs rising star on defense, Jake Gardiner, at the University of Wisconsin as a fellow blue liner. Accordingly, Schultz is said to be the one Toronto were after in the deal that sent Francois Beauchemin to Anaheim in early 2011, with Gardiner being playing the expendable role in available depth players. None of this has gone well for the Ducks given the fact that Gardiner has excelled tremendously fast, while Schultz never did dress for the club that drafted him.

  Schultz, who was originally drafted by the Anaheim Ducks 43rd overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, signed as a free agent in the offseason with the Edmonton Oilers. The list of NHL teams eager to sign the then 21 year old was quite a lengthy one, with Anaheim begrudging the deal that was eventually made by the Oilers. The initial entry-level contract of three years, as per CBA stipulations prior to the lockout, was let run dry by the defenseman as he opted to stay in college and rack up a plethora of points and experience, all the while never intending the play with the Ducks. Anaheim would in fact see no compensation for this, as in section 8.3 (b) of the NHL’s former collective bargaining agreement, a team would only receive a compensatory draft pick if a team failed to sign a player that was drafted in the first round.

  This, among many clauses in the various outlines of a new collective bargaining agreement, has been a worth-while talking point going forward. While the NHL had originally proposed a five year entry-level contract minimum to avoid such happenings, the league uncharacteristically softened to the NHLPA’s requests, and reduced the minimum or standard to just two years. While a player determined is bound to end up leaving if he wishes, the league and players association must try to remedy these situations - the type that limit teams growth through the draft.

  The CBA talking points seemingly have no end, but for players such as the caliber of Justin Schultz, it is a shame that there may not be an opportunity for him to display his talents at the NHL level and almost assuredly challenge for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie. Though there is a vast amount of challengers, he has displayed a top level ability early in his pro experience. For the Edmonton Oilers, the fans and organization alike are drooling over the amount of talent they are set to have going into the next hockey season – whenever that may be. Another top challenger for the Calder would be none other than the Oilers’ own 2012first overall draft pick Nail Yakupov, who is a story within his own right.

  It’s very difficult to see a positive to a full-season lock out, but for Schultz, he is now amongst professional players on a nightly basis and, as he did with his college career, will only continue to develop and improve his game ahead of the official start to the next season of NHL play.

- Kendall Grubbs

LTL REPORT: No News is Bad News

  The weekend has passed without any further indication of the labor dispute being resolved. With the threat of a full-season lock out still very present and the Winter Classic near cancelation, the pressure is trending more toward the behest of League Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.

"We withdrew our most recent proposal on Friday,” Daly told TSN’s Pierre LeBrun on Monday. “and now we are spending time thinking about our next proposal and how best to get closer to a resolution.  We hope the Union is doing the same thing. Given the fact that the Union refused even to discuss our last proposal, it would appear that we still have a large gulf to bridge."

  While Daly’s words seem intent on a resolution, it was the NHL that abruptly stopped talks with the NHLPA on Thursday, having spent just ten minutes reviewing three separate counter-proposals distributed by the executive director of the Players’ Association, Donald Fehr, in response to the NHL’s “50-50” collective bargaining agreement proposal.

  The title “collective bargaining agreement” is just that, a collective agreement made between the two entities; something that the NHL’s upper management has been thus far unwilling to agree upon, nor discuss. The stance taken blatantly clear by the NHL was that if the offer given wasn’t agreed upon by Thursday, it would disappear. It has, and a whole month of hockey has been lost at this point. 326 games canceled, %26.5 of the regular season, at an estimated $720 million loss.

  Though Doanld Fehr has a tough history of work stoppages, the NHL’s commissioner since 1993, Gary Bettman, has now been at the helm of three work stoppages during his tenure. Prior to the full season plus playoffs lock out of 2004-05, Bettman was at the forefront of the 1994-95 season which was shortened to 48 games from 84, lasting 104 days.

  The current situation is not too dissimilar to either of the previous lock outs, leaving the burning question on the tongue of the hockey enthusiast as to which way this one will go after forty-four days of a work stoppage. The fact that both men in the limelight at the moment are not short of work stoppages in any way is worrisome.

  Though it is widely believed that both parties need to take action and make ground, it is the NHL that seems to be set in their ways by not having continued negotiations with the Players’ Association.

"Since the last bargaining meeting on Oct. 18, we have consistently made it clear to the League that we are ready to meet and are willing to discuss all ideas, certainly including their last proposal," NHLPA counsel Steve Fehr told TSN on Monday.

"The league has unfortunately continued to decline to meet. Their position makes it difficult to move the process forward, as it is obviously hard to make progress without talking."

- Kendall Grubbs

Classic Indecision

  With the work stoppage, a long list of unanswered questions have been looming surrounding the NHL and NHLPA’s inability to salvage a season, or at least part of one At this juncture. One of the main talking points was headed by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman as he hinted at the very real possibility that the famed NHL Winter Classic could be lost in the mix.

"It takes a lot of time and it takes the commitment of a lot of money in order to put on the Winter Classic," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said. "My understanding is at some point in the not-too-distant future we will have to commit many millions of dollars if we're going to play the Winter Classic on Jan. 1. Obviously under these circumstances and all the uncertainty, we're not going to commit the many millions of dollars if we don't think we're going to have a deal.

"And so the Winter Classic time frame, in terms of making that decision, is probably rapidly approaching."

  The NHL’s Winter Classic, slated for the new year ever since the 2008 season which saw the Buffalo Sabres host the Pittsburgh Penguins has been a mainstay and a delight to all of sports fans, and has generated a great deal revenue and interest the sport of hockey.

  The Classic was set to break records for the National Hockey League in many lights. The fact that two of the NHL’s historic ‘original six’ hockey clubs in the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs was only the tip of the iceberg. The NHL has expected to eclipse the record attendance of the 2010 NCAA “Big Chill” matchup at the University of Michigan which saw 104,173 fans. The cancelation would also extend to the alumni, junior, college and American Hockey Leagues games that were set for a second outdoor venue at Comerica Park in Detroit.

  The decision is quite possibly to come through on Friday at the end of this week. Unfortunately enough for the enthusiastic fans that planned on attending this mega event, the hands of the league may be tied – largely by its’ own indecision.

  The deal that was agreed upon between the NHL and the Michigan Stadium last February does indeed carry with it a ‘work stoppage clause’ which states that the NHL can call off the game as late as the aforementioned Friday of this week for a stiff penalty of $100,000, the exact amount that has been paid as a deposit to the stadium. The total rental fee for the stadium is a hefty $3 million, $250,000 of which is due this Friday in the first of a five-payment installation. Not only does  the NHL have to be concerned with its’ commitments to the stadium and fans that have painstakingly gone through the process of acquiring tickets for, and planning for the event, they must also take into consideration the sponsorship groups that have held strong through the lock out in which has no clear end in sight.

  Brian Cooper, CEO of S&E Sponsorship Group, has highlighted the importance of a steady plan moving ahead to an event with such great prominence in the sports world and in the marketing world.

"While the game may be Jan. 1, I knew that (a decision) was coming sooner than people thought," Cooper said Monday. "Say you're a bank and you're going to bring down your top 150 wealth management clients and they're going to block off New Year's Day -- you have to give that a lot of advance, especially if it's New Year's Day."

  Cooper also revealed his insight on the importance to the Canadian markets, given the fact that a Canadian franchise has been invited to the Winter Classic, something that the hockey crazed nation has been surprisingly left out of outside of its’ Heritage Classic appearance in 2003 between the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens, and 2011 in Calgary with the Flames hosting the Candiens once more.

"This is the first year that it really affects Canada," said Cooper. "There was going to be a lot of in-market (sponsorship) activations, there were going to be a lot of hosting opportunities, there were going to be consumer promotions. ...
"This was a big date."

  Not only is it a big date for Canada, but it was a big date for the state of Michigan. The game at the “Big House” was seen as a much needed large economic boost for the struggling state. Cooper estimated that the event, by far the largest in NHL history, was poised to generate in upwards of $3 million in corporate sponsorships, not including ticket and merchandising sales.

  The thought of canceling the NHL’s most glorious and spectacular day is quite the reality. With the league losing money since the lock out began on September 15th, it, as a whole, have been far from a solid agreement with the NHLPA as to when or if a season will be played. Even just the potential loss of such an event is another major blemish to the sport loved by so many.

- Kendall Grubbs

NHL Puts “No” in November

  The talk of the NHL this season has regrettably been of its’ absence through failed agreements and discussions regarding the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the framework in which the National Hockey League will be run over the course of said term. The news spoken by word of Deputy Commissioner and Chief Legal Officer of the NHL, Bill Daly, broke last week to dejected hockey fans as an apparent giant step backward in attaining a season of hockey, when he announced the NHL’s cancelation of the entire month of November.

"The National Hockey League deeply regrets having to take this action," said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly in a statement.

  The NHL had made it very clear that an agreement must be made by Thursday between the NHL and the NHLPA if the league was going to have a full 82-game schedule played. If the collective agreement could be made, the season would begin November 2nd, allowing for a weeks’ training camp.

  After a long and intense battle between the NHL and NHLPA over revenue sharing, the NHL proposed a 50-50 split with a whole host of various stipulations regarding salary and contract structuring outlined in the new deal. The NHLPA returned three counter proposals that were all quickly stamped out by the league.

"By presenting a proposal to the NHLPA that contemplated a fair division of revenues and was responsive to Player concerns regarding the value of their contracts, we had hoped to be able to forge a long-term Collective Bargaining Agreement that would have preserved an 82-game regular season for our fans.  Unfortunately, that did not occur.

"We acknowledge and accept that there is joint responsibility in collective bargaining and, though we are profoundly disappointed that a new agreement has not been attained to this point, we remain committed to achieving an agreement that is fair for the Players and the Clubs - one that will be good for the game and our fans."

  The NHL’s fervency to reject the union’s proposals has equally matched the stance taken by NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr. Fehr, a man who is not easily persuaded, has been intent on obtaining a higher amount of revenue sharing for the expanding and flourishing National Hockey League.

"This is deeply disappointing for all hockey fans and everyone who makes their living from hockey, including the players," said NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr in a statement. "But it comes as no surprise." 

"Last week the owners gave us what amounts to a "take-it-or-leave-it" proposal. We responded with the framework for three proposals on the players' share, each of which moved significantly, towards their stated desire for a 50-50 split of HRR, with the only condition being that they honor contracts they have already signed. Honoring contracts signed between owners and players is a reasonable request. Unfortunately, after considering them for only 10 minutes they rejected all of our proposals"

  While Fehr does have a leg to stand on as a contract signed is a contract signed, Fehr’s reputation for a hard stand has titled him the only man of his position to have successfully locked out two different major sports. Fehr led the union for the 1994-95 MLB lock out of the entire season and World Series, with a track record of six work stoppages through no more than eight contract negotiations he has been involved with, highlighting his ability to demand. Five of the work stoppages, it should be noted, were consecutive disagreements while he led the MLBPA against the MLB.

“Since then,” Fehr continued, “we have repeatedly advised the owners that the players are prepared to sit down and negotiate on any day, with no pre-conditions.  The owners refused.  They apparently are only interested in meeting if we first agree to everything in their last offer, except for perhaps a few minor tweaks and discussion of their "make whole" provision. 

The message from the owners seems to be: if you don't give us exactly what we want, there is no point in talking.  They have shown they are very good at delivering deadlines and demands, but we need a willing partner to negotiate.  We hope they return to the table in order to get the players back on the ice soon."

  Though the NHL seems to be playing hard ball through staying their respective course, the decision has lost 326 games from October 11th through November 30th, which is a heart breaking 26.5 percent of the regular season.  Furthermore, an estimated  $720 million is set to be lost from the recent news of the cancelation.

  While a shortened season is still attainable, neither parties seem to be anywhere close to coming to terms, consistently cutting meetings short, if not canceling them altogether. The disruption in  this great sport has derailed the community of hockey, a sport that has taken great leaps of success since the most recent lock out of 2004-05, when the NHL lost an entire season.

  The verdict is out as to whether the two parties can reach an agreement, while players are continuously leaving North America to play overseas, and subsequently getting injured before the season has begun. Some of which, with the most notable inclusion of superstars Alexander Ovechkin and llya Kovalchuk stating that if their pay is cut, they won’t be returning at all. While these bold statements may come as a bit of a shock to some hockey fans, the reality and purpose behind their frustrations is somewhat minute as they truly have nothing to gain from such a move. The players have felt collectively that they are getting pushed around by the NHL, and the NHL has felt nothing different from the union, but the real truth is that the fans and the communities surrounding the arenas are suffering from the work stoppage, and that is something that both parties need to understand and fix in the very near future. The loss that could be felt by the NHL is at the core; it’s fans.

- Kendall Grubbs

Brooklyn Beckoning

  Wednesday afternoon brought special and long anticipated news by mouth of long-term owner Charles Wang that, finally, there is a legitimate answer to the repeated question he and the whole of the organization have been facing in recent years.




“Hello, Brooklyn.” Was the opening statement at the brand new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The looming question of where this storied franchise will be playing in the future has been answered in the form of a city that technically, if not obviously geographically, will remain on Long Island.

"Our goal from the outset was to have the Islanders play in a local, world-class facility that possesses the amenities our fans deserve,” Wang said. "I'm happy to announce we achieve that goal with today's announcement."

  The current lease at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum is set to expire at the end of the 2014-15 season, and the new will be slated in Brooklyn on a 25 year deal – the long term that maintains and assures the stability that the organization has been hopeful for. The brand new facility in which the New York Nets currently play is just 25 miles from the Islanders current location, and a shared stay is something that the two clubs are accustomed to, having shared the Nassau Coliseum through the first five years of the Islanders’ existence.

  Wang, who had been pushing for a new arena with the grand plan entitled “The Lighthouse Project,” was never able to acquire the adequate funding from the state and investors to complete the project. The team has been subjected to rumored ties to leaving the state including cities such as Quebec and Kansas City.

"I know Wang has spent the better part of a decade in pursuit of a new local home for the Islanders because he is as passionate about this area," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "To finally be in position to say to New York Islander fans you don't have to worry about the future of this club, the club is staying local, you'll be able to get to it easily -- for us, for Islander fans, I know for Charles and Bruce Ratner (Barclays Center majority owner and developer) it is a dream come true."

"Charles got offers to move the team out of our state, and very good offers, and Charles wouldn't do that," Ratner said. "Charles wanted to keep them in the state of New York, local. Charles Wang is the real hero today. He has kept this team in New York state. So we welcome the Islanders. We welcome their fans. We welcome the new Brooklyn fans and we're all going to enjoy hockey here. It's a wonderful thing for everybody."

  Uniondale’s New York Islanders, who were granted a team in 1972, have been at the bottom end of the standings well over the past decade, and at the helm of their problems during the last decade has been the desperate need for a new arena. In fact, many players have been unwilling to sign with the Islanders simply because of this fact. Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum’s construction began in 1969, and was opened with the debut of the New York Islanders February 11, 1972. The facility has been expanded twice, and currently seats a total of 16,250. Being the second oldest arena in the National Hockey League with seemingly the least amount of improvements, it is officially time to say goodbye to this historic site which the Islanders enjoyed so much success in the early 1980’s.

  Though the team has been relatively unsuccessful compared to their success in the 1980’s, the legacy of times past will live on through their young and dynamic roster. Fortunately enough for the hockey world and as paid tribute to greats such as Mike Bossy, Brian Trottier, Denis Potvin, and Billy Smith, the team will keep the name and logo that has remained the same since their inception into the league in 1972, which is something that Hall of Famer Mike Bossy takes to heart.

"Absolutely," he said in applause of Wang’s accomplishments. "Charles' main goal was to keep the team local, and he succeeded in doing that. As much as people may be upset because it's not going to be in Nassau County they should be happy because he kept the team in New York."

  The Islanders achieved a feat that has only been done by one other team in National Hockey League history when they recorded four straight Stanley Cup Championships from the 1979-80 season through 1982-83, and came up just shy of extending it to five straight in 1983-84 when the lost out to the rising Edmonton Oilers in the finals.  The Oilers would then display a showing of dominance through the next handful of seasons by winning five Cups over the next seven years.  Prior to the Islanders first Cup, the mighty Montreal Canadiens had won four straight.

  Though the new arena seats a maximum capacity of 15,000 with a possible expansion of 500 making it the smallest in the NHL, Gary Bettman points to the success of the relatively small capacity in Winnipeg, which is the same in capacity as the Coliseum.

  The relocation, although not substantially far away from  its’ current location, will help revitalize the Islanders’ organization and fans in the very near future. With eleven bus lines that lead to the arena and the Long Island Railroad that runs right into the Barclays Center, the transit issue that haunted Nassau Coliseum will be largely eradicated. Also, given the fact that the arena will be much closer in proximity to divisional rival teams such as the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils, this will also draw a fair number of supporters to the new arena which will see these respective teams four times each per year in the regular season.

"I took the subway here. It is easy to get here," New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said as he welcomed the marriage of the arena and franchise. "There is more mass transit under this building than any other stadium in New York City, and that makes it more accessible for everybody.

"The fans from the team's current home in Nassau County can just take the LIRR, it stops just right across the street," he added. "Let's not forget the team is named for the island we are standing on."

  The movement of the home arena isn’t the only movement to watch out for on Long Island. This young Islanders team, headed by the 2009 first overall draft pick John Tavares and a score of young talent, remain hopeful to return this once legendary franchise to success. In the wake of the last lockout and the new cap-era, the Islanders are poised to return to form, and the new arena will do nothing but fuel the fire that is the passion for New York Islander fans, staff, and players for years to come, and thankfully will be on the attack from the same state, with the same name and crest on their sweaters.

- Kendall Grubbs