Ice Junkie

Coach Killers

2009-02-02T08:56:00.000-08:00

The Ottawa Senators have done it again. 3 and soon to be 4 coaches in two seasons.

After only 48 games into this season they have fired former Team Canada head coach Craig Hartsburg. Instead of getting to the core of the issue and trading some of those lazy underperforming big contract players they've decided to put some extra polish on the same old stinky product that they put out on the ice each night.

GM Brian Murray has now gone through 2 coaches as well as sitting in as coach himself for the remainder of last season and the playoffs in which the Sens were swept in 4 games.

Hartsburg will be replaced by minor league coach of the Binghamton Senators, Cory Clouston for the remainder of the season.

Ray Emery Shenanigans

2009-01-29T17:16:00.000-08:00

Ray Emery is no longer in the NHL but still making the news for his off ice shenanigans. No wonder Ottawa got rid of him. Not that the sens are any better this year but it looks like this guy doesn't learn. If there was an NHL team that was interested in signing him next season, they are thinking twice after today.

TSN explanation of the fight:

Go Canada! The Drive for Five.

2009-01-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

Wow what a tournament. Record breaking crowds, exciting games, and the stars of tomorrow made this one of the best tournaments in a while. The WJC is like the NCAA tournament for hockey. Here is a tribute to our World Junior Champs:

Canada Highlights

Final minutes of Gold Medal Game

WJC - Jacob Markstrom Lowlights

2009-01-06T16:04:00.000-08:00

Video by Jefflered. I have to admit it's pretty funny.

NHL in 2008

2009-01-01T13:58:00.000-08:00

What a year it's been for the NHL. We've seen big stories on and off the ice. We've scoured the Web to find the best compilations and videos that best highlight the 2008 NHL season. Here they are, the biggest stories, moments and plays of 2008:

The Winter Classic

2008-12-22T17:04:00.000-08:00

January 1st at Wrigley Field Chicago - The Winter Classic featuring the Detroit Red Wings against the Chicago Blackhawks. Check out these amazing promos:

Goals: Another candidate for goal of the year

2008-12-21T21:15:00.000-08:00

Blake Wheeler scores an incredible short handed goal against the Blues.

Injury: Rookie Scoring Leader separates shoulder in fight

2008-12-19T15:14:00.000-08:00

Rookie Derick Brassard may have put his rookie of the year title in jeopardy after suffering a shoulder injury in a fight with Dallas's James Neal.

Brassard came to the aid of teammate Fedor Tyutin after he recieved a hit from Neal.

The Columbus rookie hurt his shouler early in the fight and then ate a few hard shots before Neal let him go. (Video below)

Much repect to Brassard for sticking up for his teammate, but now the Blue Jackets, a team that is already struggling to score, will be without their second highest scorer for 4 weeks.

News: Sens break up Pizza Line; Spezza demoted to third line.

2008-12-19T12:51:00.001-08:00

Sens coach, Craig Hartsburg is desperate for a spark and some offence from his team. So much so that he has split up the trio of Spezza, Alfredsson and Heatley to 3 separate lines.

For their game tonight against the surprising New Jersey Devils, the sens will see their top forwards with new linemates:

Alfredsson - Fisher - Vermette

Heatley - Kelly - Foligno

Spezza - Ruutu - Neil

This should make for an interesting game. The top line has been separted several times before but always end up together again. We'll see how long Hartsburg will stick to these line combos.

Breaking News - Mats Sundin has signed with Vancouver

2008-12-18T15:22:00.001-08:00

Mats Sundin has officially signed with the Vancouver Canucks. There were reports coming in that Sundin would wait a bit longer to decide but the Swede is now a Canuck.

Many thought that the free agent was sure to sign with the New York Rangers. Sundin may be the key offensive piece of the puzzle for Canucks who are fifth in the West.

Tribute: Trevor Linden

2008-12-17T21:10:00.000-08:00

The Vancouver Canucks honoured Trevor Linden tonight by retiring his number 16 Jersey. Linden ranks second in goals all time for Vancouver.

Here is a video tribute to number 16:

Linden's final game:

News: Forsberg may return to Colorado

2008-12-17T08:43:00.000-08:00

Both TSN and ESPN web sites are reporting that former league MVP Peter Forsberg wants to return to the NHL by the playoffs.

Forsberg will likely return to the team where he won 2 Stanley Cups - Colorado. He also was quoted as saying that he wore a battery pack in his pants and when he turned it on, it helped straighten his foot. Forsberg is known to have major issues with his foot which has forced him out of the NHL.

Poolies may want to keep an eye on Forsberg. He may be a good pickup if he tries to return before the postseason to either help Colorado make it in or simply to get a few games under his belt before the playoffs. While it is a gamble, Forsberg has 885 pts in 706 NHL games so far.

NHL Third Jerseys - Part two

2008-12-16T20:44:00.000-08:00

We are back with more NHL third Jerseys. Today we take a look at the Northeast Division featuring three Original 6 teams.

Boston Bruins

Montreal Canadiens - Centennial Jersey

Buffalo Sabres

Toronto Maple Leafs

Ottawa Senators

Related Posts:
NHL Third Jerseys - Part One

Video: Bryan Little takes Big Hit from Chris Neil

2008-12-16T20:18:00.000-08:00

Chris Neil of the Ottawa Senators completely obliterates Bryan Little in one of the few highlights for the slumping Sens.

Web Designer to NHL Goalie

2008-12-15T13:39:00.000-08:00

Brett Leonhardt usually spends game days posting stories on the Washington Capitals Web Site. Last Friday however, he became the story when the starting goaltender was injured and the minor league call-up had his flight delayed.

The team's web producer was sitting in his cubicle performing his daily routine tasks when he recieved a tap on the shoulder from Caps GM George McPhee. Before he knew it, he was in the Washington dressing room with Alexander Ovechkin, Sergi Federov and the rest of the team.

While he didn't play, Brett sat on the bench as backup to Brent Johnson and was an injury away from competing with the best hockey players in the world.

As a goalie for his college team and occasional stand-in during team practices, he stayed on the bench for part of the first period until the AHL call-up finally arrived.

Can you imagine sitting in your office/cubicle, the General Manager of the Capitals tells you you might get a chance to play in your first pro game and a few hours later you find yourself warming up on the ice with the likes of Ovie, Semin, Alfredsson and Spezza? This is stuff you find in the movies. It's too bad he never actually played but I'm sure he's not going to forget that day anytime soon.

Brian Leonhardt in his Washington Capitals gear and Neumann College Goalie Mask.

Interview: Jagr on NHL, Avery, Economic crisis

2008-12-15T12:10:00.000-08:00

In a very candid interview with russian journalist Dmitry Chesnokov, the man who reported the now infamous Alexander Semin interview earlier this season, Jagr comments on several issues concerning the NHL.

The former NHL megastar gives his very honest opinion on the NHL, Sean Avery, and when "Communism suddenly took over the NHL".

Read the entire article here: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2008/12/15/the-ice-sheet-jagrs-take-on-sean-avery/

Don Cherry: Tampa and Ottawa a bunch of thugs, "going to steal your hubcaps"

2008-12-14T10:14:00.000-08:00

You have to give it to Don Cherry, he's very consistent.

I have to agree with Cherry. You can't win with mustaches and tuques. You have to class it up a little. They're wearing tuques one day, next day their wearing G-unit sweats and gold chains. Maybe Ottawa should acquire Sean Avery, he's a classy dresser.

More NHL Artwork from Deviant Art

2008-12-13T10:46:00.000-08:00

If you love the NHL art as much as I do, you can find more Fan Art at Deviant Art.

Amazing NHL artwork

Live Stream: Watch the Pens vs Flyers Live

2008-12-13T10:05:00.000-08:00

Watch a game between 2 bitter rivals - the Pittsburg Penguins vs the Philadelphia Flyers live.

Watch live video from Dman2077's channel on Justin.tv

If you are having trouble with the feed you can watch directly from http://www.justin.tv/dman2077

Please note that we do not upload or stream any content. All material viewed is hosted and streamed from a third party site. We are not responsible for what you view through those sites.

Injury Update: Habs Hurting

2008-12-13T09:54:00.001-08:00

The Montreal Canadiens will be without some major players tonight as the Washington Capitals roll into town.

Captain Saku Koivu is out with a lower body injury after leaving the game against the Lightning on Thursday.

Goalie Carey Price is out and listed as day-to-day with a lower body injury.

Chris Higgins will be out 5 weeks with a shoulder injury.

Defenceman Mathieu Dandenault will be out with an arm injury for 6-8 weeks.

Awesome Hockey Art

2008-12-12T11:11:00.000-08:00

I've always been a fan of good art. Traditional and graphic. When it comes to hockey, it's great to NHL players captured through the eyes of the artist instead of a camera lens. The following have been collected from Deviant Art, a great online source or professional and amateur artists. Enjoy!

More to come.

Cheers!

Realted Posts

More NHL Artwork from Deviant Art

Ice Girls: Tampa Bay Lightning

2008-12-11T22:08:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to the Tampa Bay Lightning! Despite a horrible start to the season and recent comments from bitter ex-coach Barry Melrose, they managed to snap a nine game losing streak beating the Montreal Canadiens at home. No easy task.

Lecavalier and St.Louis both had 2 pts each which should make their fantasy league owners very happy.

Today we celebrate their win by paying tribute to the ice girls of Tampa Bay:

NHL Third Jerseys - Part one

2008-12-11T20:42:00.000-08:00

The third jersey was first introduced in the NHL in 2005. This year a total of 19 teams are sporting brand new RBK Jerseys.

While some jerseys are pretty slick, others are just plain atrocious. Nonetheless, each team wears their third jersey for a limited amount of times at home and the NHL makes a bunch of cash selling them.

Starting with the Eastern Conference's Atlantic division, we take a look at some of the best and worst third jerseys. You be the judge:

Pittsburgh Penguins - You may recognize these from last year's winter classic. I wasn't crazy about the light blue on a team that was traditionally black but it's starting to grow on me.

Philadelphia Flyers - I thought I was mistaken but after checking the Flyers Web Site these are indeed their new third Jerseys. Not much of a change. I do like these better than the black jerseys though.

New York Islanders - Simple but very nice. Blue and orange always look good together and I like to knit string collar. If the Islanders are going to loose 90% of their games they might as well look stylish doing it.

That's it for the Atlantic divison. Sorry Rangers and Devils fans. Maybe your team will get some new threads next year. To buy new RBK third jerseys you can visit the NHL team sites or icejerseys.com. Part 2 coming soon.

Related Posts
NHL Third Jerseys - Part two

Trade News: Rumors and Return of Sundin

2008-12-10T13:19:00.000-08:00

While teams make a final push to sign Mats Sundin, the former Maple Leafs Captain is expected to finally make his decision by Christmas. (Don't hold your breath)

While the NY Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks appear to be the favorites to land the Swede, other teams that are interested include Montreal, Ottawa, Chicago and Philly.

If Sundin lands anywhere other than Vancouver, we may see some big trades as teams attempt to clear cap room. Let's not forget that next year's draft is supposed to be stacked so teams that are looking to rebuild may be willing to let go of some big names to get a high draft pick. Some players that are rumored to be traded soon include:

Ilya Kovalchuck (Atlanta)

Jay Bouwmeester (Florida)

Marion Gaborik (Minnesota)

Tomas Kaberle and Pavel Kubina (Toronto)

Michael Nylander (Washington)

Mattias Ohlund (Vancouver)

Martin Havlat (Chicago)

Fights: A Nasty Night in Nashville

2008-12-09T21:23:00.000-08:00

It was a physical night in Nashville with the Vancouver Canucks visiting in a game that saw some HUGE hits, two 10-minute misconduct penalties, and an instigator Penalty for Preadtor forward Jason Arnott.

Arnott responded to a hit by Alex Burrows in which he left his feet to flatten J.P Dumont of Nashville.

Scott Nichol also recieved a big hit from a Vancouver player and left the game with an upper body injury.