Harling Fantasy Hockey

The Five Best Offers for Rick Nash: Toronto Maple Leafs

2012-02-26T11:26:00.000-05:00

Whenever there is a star player in the rumor mill Leafs Nation immediately begins to buzz, speculating (or dreaming) about how Brian Burke will trade some third liners, mediocre prospects and a bad contract to make the star a Leaf. Most of the time I put very little stock in the Leafs chances of making a major deal, but in this case I believe there is substance to Burke being able to acquire Rick Nash.

Five Best Offers for Rick Nash: New York Rangers

2012-02-25T15:34:00.000-05:00

The Rangers have been seen as one of the heavy favorites in the Rick Nash sweepstakes since Nash became available. One of the most significant obstacles for the Rangers to acquire Nash has been the salary cap, the Rangers are right up on the cap ceiling and can not afford to fir Nash in without some maneuvering. With two days to the deadline the Rangers did some maneuvering sending Wojtek Wolski and his $3.8 million cap hit to the Florida Panthers. Is this a precursor for a Rick Nash blockbuster?

Leafs Prospect Update: Greg McKegg

2012-02-25T00:55:00.000-05:00

Every once in a while teams find a diamond in the rough at the draft. Players chosen beyond the first round sometimes can have a substantial NHL career. The Toronto Maple Leafs hope they have such a gem in Greg McKegg.

Movie Review: Goon

2012-02-24T14:31:00.001-05:00

Originally Posted at: THe Hockey Writers

There are plenty of classic sports movies. Rudy, Field of Dreams, Hoosiers and Rocky are some of the best of all-time. When it comes to hockey movies, none have been very successful. Perhaps the hockey movie with the highest accolades is Miracle, but the best “hockey” movie ever made is Slapshot. The biggest challenge in making a hockey movie is the audience; do you make it for hockey fans, or movie fans?

The Five Best Offers for Rick Nash: St. Louis Blues

2012-02-24T11:28:00.000-05:00

When the word that Rick Nash is in play broke, my immediate thought was the St. Louis Blues. Former Columbus Coach Ken Hitchcock is now the head Coach in St. Louis, and the Blues are starved for offense. My next thought of course was what would the deal look like?

The Five Best Offers for Rick Nash: Washington Capitals

2012-02-23T12:30:00.001-05:00

Washington is suffering a miserable season. Expectations of a championship season at the beginning of the season seemed reasonable, but the Cap’s currently are not even a playoff team. Injuries have played a hand of course, but the team is simply not playing well. A coaching change was made in an attempt to shake the team, and its star player Alex Ovechkin out of the slump to no avail. Is a Blockbuster deal the answer?

The Five Best Offers for Rick Nash: San Jose

2012-02-22T16:57:00.000-05:00

TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger recently reported that the San Jose Sharks are emerging as a serious contender in the Rick Nash sweepstakes. It is my understanding that San Jose was not one of the teams on the list Nash provided. That is not to say he would not accept a deal there. Could San Jose make a serious offer?

The IR Report February 22

2012-02-22T14:13:00.002-05:00

A star studded edition of the IR features Toews, Datsyuk, and Lecavalier out. Get updates on the status of Benn, Nugent-Hopkins, and Markov. Healthy returns of Green, Duchene, and JVR, and more.

The IR Report February 15th

2012-02-15T13:48:00.000-05:00

The playoffs are now just over the horizon, and the trade deadline is even closer. What impact will injuries have on both?

Ten Career Highlights of the Ottawa Senators Chris Phillips

2012-02-13T13:44:00.000-05:00

Originally posted at: The Hockey Writers
Chris Phillips recently played in his 1,000^th career NHL game with the Ottawa Senators. In recognition of this accomplishment, let’s take a walk down memory lane and look back on ten career highlights from Chris Phillips.

A Potential Direction for the Nashville Predators

2012-02-10T18:21:00.000-05:00

With the NHL trade deadline coming fast and Nashville’s two top defenders Shea Weber and Ryan Suter both with expiring contracts, questions and uncertainty as to the future of Nashville’s roster are abound. Here is one potential road the franchise may take.

NHL Trade Deadline Predictions

2012-02-09T13:31:00.001-05:00

The NHL trade deadline is February 27 and as teams struggle to make the playoffs, NHL GM’s are looking to buy and sell assets. Fantasy managers are also looking to make the deal that gives them a shot at a championship, or gives their rebuild a jump start. Here is a list of the most probable players to change teams by the deadline and where they are most likely to go.

The IR Report February 8th

2012-02-08T14:48:00.001-05:00

This week in the IR report Howard, Nuge, updates, and star players return

Five Leaf Trade Rumors Under the Radar

2012-02-03T13:22:00.001-05:00

As the NHL trade deadline quickly approaches, trade rumors in Leaf land are at a fever pitch. It is commonly believed Brian Burke is targeting a significant player. A big top line player, in particular a center that has size, skill, and playoff experience. Ryan Getzlaf and Eric Stall are the two players at the top of most Leaf fans wish list. While it is highly unlikely, but not impossible Burke will land a player of that magnitude, he does seem desperate to make a move and acquire the best he can. More often than not when a deal occurs it comes out of nowhere as was the case with Dion Phaneuf. Here are five players I think may be potential “under the radar” targets for the Leafs

Buying or Selling at the Trade Deadline?

2012-02-02T12:33:00.000-05:00

As the NHL trade deadline quickly approaches and General Managers scramble to make the moves that will either put them into contention, or jump start a rebuild, fantasy general managers are in the same position. Some teams have the luxury of clearly identifying what direction they are going in. However, few teams in most fantasy leagues secure firm footing at either the top, or the bottom of the standings in their league. As such, many fantasy managers have a difficult decision to make. Am I a buyer, or am I a seller going into the trade deadline?

The IR – February 1 - Who’s back, Updates, Crosby and More

2012-02-01T12:52:00.002-05:00

The NHL All-Star break provided a well received opportunity for some of the NHL’s walking wounded to heal up and make a return to action. The ongoing Sidney Crosby injury saga has literally become a pain in the neck! Here is the latest injury news from the NHL.

Taking a Look at the Kingston Frontenacs and Sarnia Sting Trades

2012-01-31T15:22:00.001-05:00

Originally posted at: The Hockey Writers
The Kingston Frontenacs and Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League have made several trades in recent history. The two teams went head-to-head at the K-Rock center in Kingston on Sunday, and it provided an excellent opportunity to analyze the impact of the trades.

Inside The NHL All-Star Media Event

2012-01-30T15:58:00.003-05:00

Originally posted at: The Hockey Writers
Have you ever wondered what it is like behind the scenes in the NHL? What would it be like to meet and interview the biggest stars in the NHL? I recently had the chance to find out as I had access to the NHL All-Star media event at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa during the All-Star weekend. Here is an account of my experiences with the biggest names in the NHL.

“D” Day looming in Nashville

2012-01-28T10:08:00.003-05:00

Nashville Predators jersey in ice. Image by: Peter Harling

Originally posted at: The Hockey Writers
The General Manager of the Nashville Predators David Poile has some big decisions to make on his two top defensemen Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. Weber will become a restricted free agent on July 1, while Suter becomes an unrestricted free agent. Can Poile resign both players?

Ryan Spooner and Tyler Brown Return to Kingston

2012-01-25T17:51:00.001-05:00

Originally posted at: The Hockey Writers
Prior to the Ontario Hockey League trade deadline, The Kingston Frontenacs General Manager Doug Gilmour sent top scorers Ryan Spooner and Tyler Brown to the Sarnia Sting. The Sarnia Sting will play in Kingston on Sunday January 29^th in their only appearance at the K-Rock Centre.

Fantasy Hockey NHL Injury Update - January 25th

2012-01-25T13:30:00.002-05:00

The All-Star break offers players a mid-season reprieve and a chance to clear up the injured reserve list.

Leafs prospect Update: Korbinian Holzer

2012-01-24T14:14:00.001-05:00

Who is Korbinian Holzer? If you don’t know yet, he is a big deal! At 6’3” 205 lb the German born defensive defenseman is making an impact, and people are starting to take notice.

Will the Ottawa Senators Be Buyers at The Trade Deadline?

2012-01-19T16:33:00.001-05:00

Originally posted at: The Hockey Writers
Ottawa Senators General Manager Bryan Murray recently spoke to reporters about the upcoming NHL trade deadline in an interview on NHL.com. When asked about the teams plan this season, and what the intentions going into the trade deadline he said “the plan was to build and hopefully be competitive this year. If we were going to be a playoff team then we will take a different view.”

Fantasy Hockey NHL Injury Update

2012-01-18T13:31:00.001-05:00

This weeks edition of the NHL Injury Update looks at new additions, updates on key players, players that returned and more...

Leafs Prospect Update: Brad Ross

2012-01-18T12:59:00.001-05:00


Brad Ross joins the Toronto Maple Leafs organization at the 2010 entry draft

Could Brad Ross become the next Darcy Tucker for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

That was the plan when Brian Burke drafted him 43 overall in the 2010 draft. Ross is a top prospect for the Leafs who is forecast to become a third line shift-disturbing winger.