Blackhawks Burish nearly has throat sliced by teammate Eager's skate

Video from YouTube of Game 1 incident in Detroit on Sunday.

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Huge Ratings News for NHL

VERSUS enjoying 31% increase in playoff viewership MediaLife Magazine

Versus has been posting sizable year-over-year ratings increases for NHL
semifinal games.

Its audience for these games is up 31 percent from last year, to an
average 806,000 viewers, based on 19 games over 12 days, compared to 616,000
viewers for 15 games over 11 days last year.

Its household rating for the same time period is up 33 percent, to a
0.8 rating.

Versus is also up in its core male audience.

Among men 18-34, semifinal games are up 19 percent. Versus is posting a
29 percent increase among men 18-49 and 38 percent among men 25-54.

CSN Chicago Sets All-Time Blackhawks Ratings Record of Game 6 Coverage Press Release

Citing Nielsen Media Research, Comcast SportsNet-Chicago, cable broadcast partner of the Chicago Blackhawks, Monday night’s Game 6 set the all-time ratings record for a Blackhawks telecast on the station (including previous incarnations FSN-Chicago, Sports Channel, Sportsvision, etc).

Monday’s game drew a 7.82 household rating (a average of 273,145 households) with the peak quarter-hour coming in at a 12.6 rating (440,095 households) from 10:30-10:45 (the game ended at 10:40).

To show how big Monday night’s game played to the Chicagoland audience, the telecast nearly doubled the network’s average for the previous nine Hawks’ playoff games shown on the network. Overall, the ten CSN games drew a 4.82 average. The Vancouver series itself (4 telecasts, games one and four were exclusive VERSUS) drew a 5.27 rating.

The CSN press release also claimed the Blackhawks-Blues 2002 playoff opening-round series (the last time the Hawks participated in postseason hockey) drew an averaging rating of 1.93 for then Fox Sports Net. Of course


-- From George Malik's Snapshots at MLive.com, on the heels of a record-setting rating on FSN-Detroit for the Red Wings/Ducks Game 5 on Sunday, Tuesday’s late night Game 6 (aired locally in Detroit from 10pm to 12:45am) drew a 13.5 rating (averaging 260,145 Metro Detroit households). Sunday’s Game 5 registered a 17.1 rating, the highest ever for a Red Wings game on Fox Sports Detroit.

Game 6 out-pointed all other Tuesday evening programming in Detroit (though only hour two of The Biggest Loser ran directly opposite the game) including American Idol on Fox (13.2), The Biggest Loser on NBC (10.2) and Dancing With The Stars on ABC (9.6).
Tuesday’s Ducks/Wings broadcast peaked at a 15.8 rating during the second period (11-11:30pm).

Fox Sports Detroit is averaging a 12.0 rating for its seven playoff telecasts. As noted in the article, that’s a 32% increase from last spring’s playoffs in which the Wings average a 9.1 rating for five telecasts on FSN Detroit.

Pens/Caps Game 6 draws record rating in Pittsburgh SN/SportsBusiness Daily

Coyotes move would have little impact on TV deals Phoenix Business Journal

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Coyote Ugly?

This means war

Perspective new Phoenix Coyotes owner Jim Balsillie has launched the website Make it Seven aimed at gathering support for a seventh NHL franchise in Canada, specifically far suburban Toronto or Hamilton. Remember, it was Balsillie who started accepting season-ticket deposits for a proposed team in Hamilton when he was negotiating to buy and relocate the Nashville Predators before he ever had a deal.

Read the Balsillie call to action letter here.

Meanwhile, Balsillie doesn't need to convince Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Balsillie has also reportedly made an advance to Coyotes’ coach and limited partner Wayne Gretzky of a 10-15% stake in a potential southern Ontario franchise, in addition to suggesting he’d name a new arena after Wayne’s father. Gretzky told the CBC in February he had no intention of moving his family away from Phoenix should the franchise relocate. But that was before his team filed for bankruptcy and his ownership partners agreed to sell the team to Balsillie on the condition he could move the team to Ontario. Gretzky has made no new comment on this issue since it resurfaced on Monday.

More on Gretzky’s personal dilemma in today's National Post.

On the other side of this issue, Comcast SportsNet last night reported NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman again reached out to White Sox and Bulls owner, and Phoenix-area resident, Jerry Reinsdorf over the past few days in an effort to peak Reinsdorf’s interest in buying and keeping the Coyotes where they are in Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix not far from the White Sox new spring training facility. If you recall, Bettman approached Reinsdorf, as well as a few other groups, earlier this year about the Coyotes and at the time Reinsdorf left the meeting feeling such a move didn’t make business sense. More on Reinsdorf's possible involvement from Dave van Dyck in today’s Chicago Tribune. Reinsdorf's son Michael owns the Stockton, California ECHL franchise (Thunder), one of the most, if not the-most, successful teams in the ECHL.

The potential Reinsdorf deal was rumored to be an asset takeover and not a purchase since the Coyotes aren’t worth much these days since the franchise has reportedly lost 200 million dollars and is more than $80M in debt to creditors. They also owe the NHL for an influx of cash to meet payroll payments this season. Balsillie’s $212M offer was formed specifically to stave off objections from the NHL in bankruptcy proceedings figuring the league would not be able to conjure up a better offer from a party they approved of.

NHL-Moyes-Glendale drama to get Coyote Ugly Arizona Republic

The paper is also reporting in bankruptcy the Coyotes can essentiallly tear up their existing lease with Jobing.com arena and the city of Glendale. That lease was a killer for the franchise since they receive no revenue from area parking facilities (parking is free) and a portion of each ticket sold, in addition to regular entertainment taxes, goes back to the city to repay the cost of building the arena. As reported by the AZ Republic, the Coyotes’ annual lease payments are $4M in addition to the $9M a year the team owes the City of Glendale for building Jobing.com. Should this bankruptcy hold up in court and Balsillie seize control of the Coyotes, the court would satisify any past debts to the city and Glendale would receive just $500,000 per the lease termination agreement. You’d expect the city will be at least as fiercely opposed to this bankruptcy and relocation as Gary Bettman, who can’t stand Balsillie and will do anything seemingly to keep him out of his league.

Also, understand that in bankruptcy court, all financials pertaining to Phoenix Coyotes’ operations will become public record, something that a private business like the NHL, and the other 29 owners, absolutely do not want.

ChrisBlock@TheThirdManIn.com / PuckChatter@gmail.com

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The Save

It's the save that had Sidney Crosby practicing lifting his shots on an empty yet yesterday.

Call it luck, desperation or whatever you'd like, it still counts the same. The best save of the postseason thus far from Saturday's Pittsburgh-Washington game one.

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Halak gets whacked by Slovakian teammate at World's

Montreal Canadiens goaltenders haven’t had much luck lately. From Carey Price wilting under the pressure last season to suffering the consequences in standing behind a completely inferior Habs bunch in this spring’s first round match up with the Bruins, and hearing the wrath of Montreal fans as a result, now his back up is getting some too. But not in Montreal.

Slovakian netminder, and Montreal Canadiens back up, Jaroslav Halak entered Saturday’s IIHF World Championships qualifying round game against the Czech Republic midway through the second period with his team already down 7-0. He relieved Jan Lasak (who’s also the goalie of HC Pardubice, the team Dominik Hasek is coming out of retirement to play for next season) who had allowed seven goals on thirty shots in just over thirty minutes of action.

Eight minutes later Halak would allow a Patrick Elias goal and the colossal deficit increased to 8-0.

Frustrated, Slovakian forward Tomas Surovy swung his stick angrily towards his net, suspected with the intention of taking out his frustrations on the goal post, but hit Jaroslav Halak in the back of the head instead. Seconds later Surovy spikes his stick on the cross bar.



The final twenty-two minutes of the game went on scoreless and Halak made ten saves in all. Minor fisticuffs between Boris Valabik of Slovakia and Peter Cajanek of Czech Republic late in the third period was about as close as the game came to getting out of hand.

In the game, the Czechs outshot Slovakia 41 to 18 at the Zurich-Kloten Arena in Switzerland. Jaromir Jagr scored twice. San Jose left winger Milan Michalek and Edmonton Oilers winger Ales Kotalik also scored.

Slovakia has a number of skaters with NHL experience on this year’s team; Michal Handzus (current LA King), Peter Olvecky (Wild), defenseman Boris Valabik (Thrashers) and Andrei Sekera (Sabres) as well as former NHLers Ladislav Nagy, Branko Radivojevic, Milan Bartovic, Marcel Hossa (brother of Marian) and Lubos Bartecko. However, Slovakia is overmatched by a stacked Czech roster including Jaromir Jagr, Patrick Elias (Devils), Ales Hemsky (Oilers), Milan Michalek (Sharks), Tomas Plekanec (Canadiens), Ales Kotalik (Oilers), Rostislav Olesz (Panthers), Marek Zidlicky (Wild) and Roman Polak (Blues). Other notables include Petr Cajanek (now with Metallurg Magnitogorsk), Jaroslav Hlinka (Linkopings), Karel Rachunek (Dynamo Moscow) and Josef Vasicek (Yaroslavl Lokomotiv).

Slovakia responded to Saturday’s trouncing by defeating Norway in overtime on Monday 3-2. Ladislav Nagy scored the game-winner on the power play in extra time. It represented their only win of the tournament as they finished with a 1-2-2 record.

Relegation games in this year’s IIHF World Championship begin on Wednesday with the quarter-finals matchups. Winners in the quarter-finals games Wednesday and Thursday will face off on Friday. Gold and Bronze medal games take place on Sunday in Berne at the PostFinance Arena.

While the host team managed to defeat the United States quickly in overtime on Monday night, Switzerland was eliminated from the tournament on points Monday.

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On-Ice Officials assigned to work NHL Conference Semi-Finals

The following is the list of officials assigned to work the conference quarter-finals released by the NHL Wednesday. As in the opening quarter-finals round, officials will work throughout the round as assigned pairs. NHL News Release

Referee Combos (Playoff games officiated), Total NHL years experience

#7 -Bill McCreary (270), 26yrs
#27-Eric Furlatt (31), 10yrs

#10-Paul Devorski (155), 21yrs
#14-Dennis LaRue (41), 19yrs

#11-Kelly Sutherland (34), 9yrs
#25-Marc Joannette (59), 15yrs

#8 -Dave Jackson (59), 19yrs
#33-Kevin Pollock (86), 11yrs

#20-Tim Peel (29), 13yrs
#23-Brad Watson (99), 15yrs

#3 -Mike Leggo (29), 12yrs
#13-Dan O’Halloran (67), 16yrs

Linesmen Combos (Playoff games worked), Total NHL years experience

#68-Scott Driscoll (116), 16yrs
#89-Steve Miller (37), 8yrs

#54-Greg Devorski (104), 15yrs
#74-Lonnie Cameron (39), 12yrs

#57-Jay Sharrers (120), 18yrs
#86-Brad Lazarowich (169), 22yrs

#80-Thor Nelson (20), 14yrs
#97-Jean Morin (142), 17yrs

#65-Pierre Racicot (92), 15yrs
#75-Derek Amell (54), 11yrs

#55-Shane Heyer (104), 20yrs too many
#93-Brian Murphy (181), 20yrs


-- Dismissed from duty after serving as referees in the opening round (with their partner still active in the second parenthesis):

#21-Don VanMassenhoven, 16yrs exp – Sorry to say about a guy who returned after taking such a horrific shot to the face a couple years ago, but CanMassenhoven had an awful year.
#30-Mike Hasenfratz, 8yrs exp
(these two worked together in the 1st round)

#4-Wes McCauley, 7yrs exp (Furlatt)
(I was somewhat surprised at this. McCauley has been one ref officiating head Stephen Walkom has been very high on in the past and with McCreary out after next year he must have done something wrong I missed in the first round)

#5-Chris Rooney, 12yrs exp (Watson)

#28-Chris Lee, 9yrs exp (O’Halloran)

#29-Ian Walsh, 12yrs exp (Devorski)

#34-Brad Meier, 14yrs exp (McCreary)

#42-Dan O’Rourke, 9yrs exp (Joannette)

-- Referees not working as on-ice officials this playoff. Some have served as the extra, emergency official on call for games in round one. (NHL experience in parenthesis)

Stephane Auger (14), David Banfield (1), Chris Ciamaga (2), Gord Dwyer (5), Kerry Fraser (35), Greg Kimmerly (15), Don Koharski (31), Tom Kowal (10), Steve Kozari (5), Frederick L’Ecuyer (2), Dan Marouelli (26), Rob Martell (16), Dean Morton (9), Brian Pochmara (6), Kyle Rehman (1), Rob Shick (24), Francois St. Laurent (5), Justin St. Pierre (5)

Don Koharski is now officially retired. This was Shick’s last year as an on-ice official. Actually last year was supposed to be but they persuaded him to come back one more year. He’s working for the league these playoffs as a supervising official in the arena video booth and such.

Next year is the last for Kerry Fraser, Dan Marouelli and Bill McCreary.

Adam Gretz at AOL Fanhouse posted a first round referee report Wednesday night. Notice only two (Anaheim, Vancouver) of the eight teams on the wrong side of the PP/SH differential are still around. But looking at their second round opponents numbers and considering how those two teams (Detroit, Chicago) power plays are going right now, they may not be for long.

Also notice from that article three of the four referees responsible for calling the most first-round penalties (Hassenfratz, VanMassenhoven and Rooney) are now gone.

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Maggie the Monkey predicts the second round....

This isn't something I would normally consider newsworthy, but let's face it, Maggie's getting a little long in the tooth.

Click the link below and watch and as TSN's chief prognosticator uses her highly scientific methods to predict the NHL's Conference semi-finals winners and losers.

http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip166720#clip166720

Caps, Canes, Wings and Nucks fans beware, Maggie predicted just two of the eight first round series correctly. Also notice Maggie cheat on her Wings/Ducks prediction.

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NHL Announces Conference Semi-Final Schedules

Here are the official line ups rundown and lifted straight from NHL.com this evening.

CBC predictably is taking the Canucks-Hawks and Penguins-Capitals as their two featured series. Somewhat surprisingly, NBC will broadcast just two of a potential twenty-eight second round contests, both this weekend.

All Times Central

SERIES I #1 vs. #6 NETWORK
Friday, May 1 at Boston, 6:30 p.m. VERSUS (JIP), TSN
Sunday, May 3 at Boston, 6:30 p.m. VERSUS, TSN
Wednesday, May 6 at Carolina, 6:30 p.m. VERSUS (JIP), TSN
Friday, May 8 at Carolina, 6:30 p.m. VERSUS (JIP), TSN
*Sunday, May 10 at Boston, 6:30 p.m. VERSUS, TSN
*Tuesday, May 12 at Carolina, 6:00 p.m. VERSUS, TSN
*Thursday, May 14 at Boston, TBD TSN

SERIES J #2 vs. #4 NETWORK
Saturday, May 2 at Washington, 12:00 p.m. NBC, CBC, RDS
Monday, May 4 at Washington, 6:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Wednesday, May 6 at Pittsburgh, 6:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Friday, May 8 at Pittsburgh, 6:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Saturday, May 9 at Washington, 6:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Monday, May 11 at Pittsburgh, TBD VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Wednesday, May 13 at Washington, 6:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS

SERIES K #2 vs. #8 NETWORK
Friday, May 1 at Detroit, 6:00 p.m. VERSUS, TSN2
Sunday, May 3 at Detroit, 1:00 p.m. NBC, TSN
Tuesday, May 5 at Anaheim, 9:30 p.m. VERSUS, TSN
Thursday, May 7 at Anaheim, 9:30 p.m. VERSUS, TSN
*Sunday, May 10 at Detroit, 6:00 p.m. TSN
*Tuesday, May 12 at Anaheim, TBD VERSUS, TSN
*Thursday, May 14 at Detroit, TBD VERSUS, TSN

SERIES L #3 vs. #4 NETWORK
Thursday, April 30 at Vancouver, 8:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Saturday, May 2 at Vancouver, 8:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Tuesday, May 5 at Chicago, 7:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Thursday, May 7 at Chicago, 7:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
*Saturday, May 9 at Vancouver, 9:30 p.m CBC, VERSUS
*Monday, May 11 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS (JIP)
*Thursday, May 14 at Vancouver, TBD CBC, VERSUS

* - if necessary

-- Schedule by Day --

Thursday, April 30 at Vancouver, 8:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS

Friday, May 1 at Detroit, 6:00 p.m. VERSUS, TSN2
Friday, May 1 at Boston, 6:30 p.m. VERSUS (JIP), TSN

Saturday, May 2 at Washington, 12:00 p.m. NBC, CBC, RDS
Saturday, May 2 at Vancouver, 8:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS

Sunday, May 3 at Detroit, 1:00 p.m. NBC, TSN
Sunday, May 3 at Boston, 6:30 p.m. VERSUS, TSN

Monday, May 4 at Washington, 6:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS

Tuesday, May 5 at Chicago, 7:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Tuesday, May 5 at Anaheim, 9:30 p.m. VERSUS, TSN

Wednesday, May 6 at Pittsburgh, 6:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Wednesday, May 6 at Carolina, 6:30 p.m. VERSUS (JIP), TSN

Thursday, May 7 at Chicago, 7:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Thursday, May 7 at Anaheim, 9:30 p.m. VERSUS, TSN

Friday, May 8 at Pittsburgh, 6:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Friday, May 8 at Carolina, 6:30 p.m. VERSUS (JIP), TSN

*Saturday, May 9 at Washington, 6:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Saturday, May 9 at Vancouver, 9:30 p.m CBC, VERSUS

*Sunday, May 10 at Detroit, 6:00 p.m. TSN
*Sunday, May 10 at Boston, 6:30 p.m. VERSUS, TSN

*Monday, May 11 at Pittsburgh, TBD VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Monday, May 11 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS (JIP)

*Tuesday, May 12 at Carolina, 6:00 p.m. VERSUS, TSN
*Tuesday, May 12 at Anaheim, TBD VERSUS, TSN

*Wednesday, May 13 at Washington, 6:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS

*Thursday, May 14 at Boston, TBD TSN
*Thursday, May 14 at Detroit, TBD VERSUS, TSN
*Thursday, May 14 at Vancouver, TBD CBC, VERSUS

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RJ Umberger - Human Crash Test Dummy

In cased you missed Tuesday’s Detroit-Columbus series game three, we’re here to make sure you don’t miss possibly the hit of the playoffs so far.

R.J. Umberger has been on the wrong end of a few of these in his career. He has a reputation for pumping his legs the first few strides with his head down watching the puck. Trouble.

Tip of the hat to Kukla's Korner for the assist here with the video.




Here’s the FSN Detroit feed




Now we rewind almost three years to the day, April 22, 2006, to this near R.J. Umberger destruction video. Brian Campbell, then of the Buffalo Sabres, draws Umberger and unloads on him 12 minutes into overtime of the Flyers and Sabres opening round series game one. Danny Briere would end the game fifteen game minutes later in the second OT in the first of four wins that series for Buffalo. Just as in last night’s game, Umberger, despite appearing pretty rough immediately after the hit, would return to play in all but one game that series. He was officially diagnosed with a stiff neck back in ’06.

RJ Umberger – Brian Campbell – Game 1 – 2006 1st round Flyers vs. Sabres on OLN (Remember the Outdoor Life, VERSUS Network?)



Double ouch!

PuckChatter@gmail.com

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For the record... Block's AHL Calder Cup Playoff Predictions

Atlantic Division Semi-Finals

Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR) Atlantic-1: 46-27-3-4 (99pts)
(vs)
Worcester Sharks (SJ) Atlantic-4: 42-35-1-2 (87pts)


Providence Bruins (BOS) Atlantic-2: 43-29-2-6 (94pts)
(vs)
Portland Pirates (BUF) Atlantic-3: 39-31-3-7 (88pts)

---------------------------------
East Division Semi-Finals

Hershey Bears (WAS) East-1: 49-23-2-6 (106pts)
(vs)
Philadelphia Phantoms (PHI) East-4: 43-30-2-5 (93pts)


Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI) East-2: 49-23-3-5 (106pts)
(vs)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT) East-3: 49-25-3-3 (104pts)
** Games 1 and 2 of this series will be played at Nassau Coliseum in Hempstead (Uniondale, Long Island), New York

-----------------------------------
North Division Semi-Finals

Manitoba Moose (VAN/DAL) North-1: 50-23-1-6 (107pts)
(vs)
Toronto Marlies (TOR) North-4: 39-29-5-7 (90pts)


Hamilton Bulldogs (MON) North-2: 49-27-4-0 (102pts)
(vs)
Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) North-3: 43-25-6-6 (98pts)

----------------------------------
West Division Semi-Finals

Milwaukee Admirals (NSH) West-1: 49-22-3-6 (107pts)
(vs)
Rockford IceHogs (CHI) West-4: 40-34-0-6 (86pts)


Peoria Rivermen (STL) West-2: 43-31-2-4 (92pts)
(vs)
Houston Aeros (MIN) West-3: 38-31-2-9 (87pts)

----------------------------------

** Block’s Picks **

Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Worcester Sharks -- Hartford in 5

Providence Bruins vs. Portland Pirates -- Providence in 7

Hershey Bears vs. Philadelphia Phantoms – Hershey in 5

Bridgeport Sound Tigers vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton – Bridgeport in 7

Manitoba Moose vs. Toronto Marlies – Toronto in 6

Hamilton Bulldogs vs. Grand Rapids Griffins – Grand Rapids in 6

Milwaukee Admirals vs. Rockford IceHogs – Milwaukee in 5

Peoria Rivermen vs. Houston Aeros – Peoria in 7

Division Finals

Hartford vs. Providence – Providence in 5

Hershey vs. Bridgeport – Hershey in 5

Grand Rapids vs. Toronto Marlies – Toronto in 6

Milwaukee vs. Peoria – Milwaukee in 5

AHL Conference Finals

East: Hershey vs. Providence – Providence in 6

West: Milwaukee vs. Toronto – Milwaukee in 6

AHL Calder Cup Final

Milwaukee Admirals vs. Providence Bruins – Milwaukee in 5

Block’s AHL 2009 Calder Cup Champion prediction: Milwaukee Admirals

There aren’t many teams in the AHL as balanced and defensively-sound as the Milwaukee Admirals. Manitoba, yes. But Toronto is a team that’s underachieved all year long and Justin Pogge, with his future in the Maple Leafs’ organization possibly on the line, is poised for a strong run coming off up and down abbreviated NHL stints this year. Providence will be led by Tuukka Rask, quite possibly the best goaltender not in the NHL right now. He’ll be Tim Thomas’s back up next season, but not before he leads Providence on a march to the Calder Cup Finals.

However, Milwaukee is stacked with size and speed up and down their lineup. Cody Franson and Alexander Sulzer are just steps away from patrolling the Predators’ blue line. The addition of Jed Ortmeyer will aid Geoff Peters in leading this group deep into the playoffs. Look for Mike Santorelli and Nick Spaling to have strong postseasons. This should also serve as Ryan Jones and Patric Hornqvist’s coming-out parties. Hugh Jessiman is a giant American-born forward who’ll score some big goals as well.

Peoria is an interesting team to watch out for. They’re unbeaten regulation in their last ten (7-0-0-3) and have NHL veteran Manny Legace and 23-year old Chris Holt (6-3, 221), both very good netminders playing well down the stretch. The addition of 2008 1st rounder Alex Pietrangelo will strengthen a capable, but offensively-lacking defense core.

In the AHL, you also have to factor in the parent clubs having advanced, and still competing in the NHL playoffs. In particular this will affect Grand Rapids early as both Ville Leino and Darren Helm, two of Grand Rapids’ top forwards, are both traveling with the Red Wings at least as of Wednesday. The Griffins are deep, but neither of their goaltenders, Jimmy Howard or Daniel Larsson, is overwhelming between the pipes.

Of the sixteen Calder Cup contenders, only five (Bridgeport, Houston, Milwaukee, Portland and Toronto) are affiliates of NHL teams eliminated from post season play.

PuckChatter@Gmail.com

Below are each team’s projected starting netminders and key players….

--Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Goalie: Peter Mannino, 17-12-2, 2.94, .900 …. Nathan Lawson 19-9-2, 2.16, .927
Top Scorer: Mike Iggulden 72gp, 25g, 40a, 65pts, +3
Key Players: RW-Jon Sim, LW-Jesse Joensuu, C-Jeremy Colliton, D-Joe Callahan, D-Jack Hillen, *Kyle Okposo has been optioned to Bridgeport for this weekend’s game, but will then depart to join Team USA at the World Championships in Switzerland… Bridgeport also recently signed North Dakota graduating senior Ryan Duncan (C, 5-6, 165) to an amateur try-out contract. Duncan was awarded the Hobey Baker Trophy as the NCAA’s top player in his sophomore season at ND….

--Grand Rapids Griffins
Goalie: Jimmy Howard, 21-18-4, 2.54, .916 … Daniel Larsson 22-12-2, 2.76, .907
Top Scorer: Darren Haydar 79gp, 31g, 49a, 80pts, -22
Key Players: LW-Ville Leino, C-Justin Abdelkader, C-Evan McGrath, RW-Francis Pare, C/W-Darren Helm, D-Jakub Kindl, D-Garrett Stafford, D-Jonathan Ericsson, *Darren McCarty and Aaron Downey are also on this roster. ** Leino, Helm and Ericsson are all currently up with the Red Wings….

--Hamilton Bulldogs
Goalie: Marc Denis, 27-18-0, 2.46, .920 … Cedrick Desjardins 16-12-0, 2.55, .919
Top Scorer: Yanick Lehoux 80gp, 19g, 41a, 60pts, +6
Key Players: LW-Max Pacioretty, C-Kyle Chipchura, RW-Mike Glumac, D-Yannick Weber, D-Mathieu Carle, D-Doug Janik, C-Ben Maxwell, *Weber is currently on recall with Montreal….

--Hartford WolfPack
Goalie: Matt Zaba, 25-10-0, 2.33, .920
Top Scorer: Artem Anisimov 80gp, 37g, 44a, 81pts, +12
Key Players: RW-Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, LW-Mark Bell, D-Bobby Sanguinetti, LW-Patrick Rissmiller, D-Corey Potter, D-Brian Fahey, LW-Brodie Dupont….

--Hershey Bears
Goalie: Daren Machesney, 19-12-1, 3.24, .876 … Michal Neuvirth, 9-5-2, 2.70, .913
Top Scorer: Alexandre Giroux 69gp, 60g, 37a, 97pts, +23
Key Players: C-Keith Aucoin, LW-Chris Bourque, RW-Graham Mink, D-Sami Lepisto, D-Staffan Kronwall, D-Karl Alzner….

--Houston Aeros
Goalie: Nolan Schaefer, 26-17-5, 2.52, .903
Top Scorer: Corey Locke 77gp, 25g, 54a, 79pts, -16
Key Players: RW-Jesse Schultz, LW-Benoit Pouliot, C/W-Krys Kolanos, D-Tomas Mojzis, D-Maxim Noreau, D-Clayton Stoner, also Chicagoan Robbie Earl and former Blackhawks’ center and recently un-retired Tony Hrkac skate with the Aeros….

--Manitoba Moose
Goalie: Cory Schneider, 28-10-1, 2.04, .928 … Curtis Sanford, 7-3-3, 1.73, .936
Top Scorer: Jason Krog, 74gp, 30g, 56a, 86pts, +25
Key Players: RW-Michael Grabner, RW-Guillaume Desbiens, LW-Michel Oullet, LW-Jason Jaffray, D-Mark Fistric, D-Nolan Baumgartner, D-Shaun Heshka and veteran captain RW-Mike Keane….

--Milwaukee Admirals
Goalie: Drew MacIntryre, 34-15-4, 2.30. .921 … Mark Dekanich, 15-10-2, 2.09, .923
Top Scorer: Mike Santorelli 70gp, 27g, 43a, 70pts, -1
Key Players: LW-Ryan Jones, RW-Patric Hornqvist, C-Cal O’Reilly, RW-Ryan Maki, RW-Jed Ortmeyer, D-Cody Franson, D-Alexander Sulzer….

--Peoria Rivermen
Goalie: Manny Legace, 14-7-1, 2.00, .935 … Chris Holt, 10-6-2, 1.73, .931
Top Scorer: Steve Regier 73gp, 22g, 28a, 50pts, +18
Trent Whitfield 69gp, 20g, 30a, 50pts
Key Players: C/W-Yan Stastny, D-Jonas Junland, D-Alex Pietrangelo, D-Steve Wagner, D-Justin Fletcher, D-Danny Richmond, C-Julian Talbot, LW-Chris Porter, C-Jori Lehtera, RW-Aaron Palushaj, RW-Carl Corazzini….

--Philadelphia Phantoms
Goalie: Scott Munroe, 31-19-4, 2.46, .926
Top Scorer: Jared Ross 64gp, 29g, 40a, 69pts, +17
Key Players: LW-James van Riemsdyk, RW-David Laliberte, RW-Andreas Nodl, C-Jonathan Matsumoto, LW-Boyd Kane, D-Danny Syvret, D-Lasse Kukkonen, D-Sean Curry…. ** Jared Ross is currently on recall with the Philadelphia Flyers….

--Portland Pirates
Goalie: Jhonas Enroth, 26-23-6, 2.75, .914
Top Scorer: Mark Mancari 73gp, 29g, 38a, 67pts, +9
Tim Kennedy 73gp, 18g, 49a, 67pts, -2
Key Players: LW-Mathieu Darche, C-Nathan Gerbe, RW-Colin Fretter, D-Chris Butler, D-Mike Kostka, D-Cliff Loya…..

--Providence Bruins
Goalie: Tuukka Rask, 33-20-4, 2.50, .915
Top Scorer: Martin St. Pierre 61gp, 15g, 51a, 66pts, +10
Key Players: RW-Brad Marchand, C-Vladimir Sobotka, C-Zach Hamill, C/W-Jeremy Reich, LW-Peter Schaefer, RW-Mikko Lehtonen, D-Johnny Boychuk, D-Ryan Stokes, D-Andrew Bodnarchuk….

--Rockford IceHogs
Goalie: Corey Crawford, 22-20-3, 2.59, .917 … Antti Niemi, 18-14-3, 2.43, .913
Top Scorer: Tim Brent 64gp, 20g, 42a, 62pts, -5
Key Players: LW-Pascal Pelletier, RW-Jack Skille, C-Evan Brophey, LW-Bryan Bickell, W-Pete MacArthur, W-Rob Klinkhammer, D-Jordan Hendry, D-Logan Stephenson, D-Tim Hambly, LW-Kyle Beach, RW-Akim Aliu….

--Toronto Marlies
Goalie: Justin Pogge, 26-21-5, 2.70, .895 … Adam Munro, 12-11-2, 2.42, .913
Top Scorer: Tim Stapleton 70gp, 28g, 51a, 79pts, +9
Key Players: RW-Jeremy Williams, LW-Bates Battaglia, LW-Jiri Tlusty, LW-Ryan Hollweg, D-Anton Stralman, D-Jaime Sifers…..

--Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Goalie: John Curry, 33-15-1, 2.38, .916
Top Scorer: Janne Pesonen 70gp, 32g, 50a, 82pts, +13
Key Players: C-Jeff Taffe, LW-Luca Caputi, RW-Bill Thomas, LW-Tim Wallace, C-Connor James, D-Ben Lovejoy, D-Alex Goligoski, D-Andy Wozniewski…..

--Worcester Sharks
Goalie: Thomas Greiss, 30-24-2, 2.47, .907
Top Scorer: Ryan Vesce 67gp, 24g, 47a, 71pts, +4
Key Players: LW-Lukas Kaspar, C-Cory Larose, RW-Riley Armstrong, C-Logan Couture, D-Patrick Traverse, D-Kyle McLaren, D-Brett Westgarth, D-Derek Joslin….

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Is this how the Blackhawks prepare for playoff hockey?

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New York Islanders win lottery, right to draft John Tavares

Results from the NHL's 2009 Draft Lottery are in and the league's most futile 2008-09 franchise retained the right to draft atop this summer's amateur draft.

The New York Islanders, for the fourth time in their 37-season history, will draft carry the first overall selection into the NHL Entry Draft when teams conviene on Montreal June 26-27 at Bell Centre.

This year's lottery drawing served to be as anti-climactic as could have been imagined. No team moved up or down from the position their regular season finish positioned them.

Here's how the first fourteen draft positions shook out:

1. New York Islanders
2. Tampa Bay Lightning
3. Colorado Avalanche
4. Atlanta Thrashers
5. Los Angeles Kings
6. Phoenix Coyotes
7. Toronto Maple Leafs
8. Dallas Stars
9. Ottawa Senators
10. Edmonton Oilers
11. Nashville Predators
12. Minnesota Wild
13. Buffalo Sabres
14. Florida Panthers

As stated above, the final order remained unchanged as the Islanders apparently won the secret drawing held in New York City prior to the announcement of the order on a television broadcast tonight at TSN's studios in Toronto.

Of the teams listed above, only the Islanders, Lightning, Avalanche, Thrashers and Kings had a chance at the first overall pick. Since winning the lottery could only propel a team a maximum of four spots, teams listed six through fourteen above could not win the first overall selection regardless of tonight's draft result. Below were each team's chances of winning the lottery, followed by the highest position they could have selected.

Islanders (48.2), Lightning (18.8), Avalanche (14.2), Thrashers (10.7), Kings (8.1), Phoenix (6.2), Maple Leafs (4.7), Stars (3.6), Senators (2.7), Oilers (2.1), Predators (1.5), Wild (1.1), Sabres (0.8), Panthers (0.5)

Islanders (1, no lower than 2), Lightning (1, no lower than 3), Avalanche (1, no lower than 4), Kings (1, no lower than 6).... Had these teams won the lottery; Phoenix could have jumped from 6 to 2, Toronto (7-3), Dallas (8-4), Ottawa (9-5), Edmonton (10-6), Nashville (11-7), Minnesota (12-8), Buffalo (13-9), Florida (14-10).

The consensus number one pick at the moment is the London Knights (OHL) John Tavares. Tampa Bay will take no issue with who'll fall into their laps at number two, six-foot six Swedish born defenseman Victor Hedman has been playing professional hockey for MODO in the Swedish Elite League for the past two seasons and is ready to step into the NHL next season. Hedman boasts Nicklas Lidstrom-like qualities as a calm pace-setter and minimal wasted energy. He doesn't use his body as much as scouts would like consider his frame, which has detered early comparisons to Chris Pronger.

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