Raffi Torres' Suspension Too Weak Given His History

Raffi Torres has been suspended for the remainder of the Western Conference Semifinals for his hit on Jarret Stoll. (Chris Williams)

It did not take Raffi Torres long to find his next target to be the recipient of one his infamous vicious hits. During Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll skated with his head slightly lowered in front of him. Torres did not take a path to the hit that would have made it body-to-body, but instead drove through Stoll's head with his shoulder. The hit sent Stoll sprawling to the ice.

The punishment for Torres would be decided by Brendan Shanahan. Ordinarily, this may have only been a one or two game suspension, but not when it is Torres. Shanahan knows him all to well. Torres has a rap sheet of priors and is a repeat offender when it comes to dirty hits. Shanahan knew he must make his decision have an impact.

With Stoll likely out for the remainder of the Western Conference Semifinals with head injury, Shanahan decided that a fair punishment would be take Torres out for the same length of time. Today, Torres was suspended for the remainder of the series with the Kings. Whatever that exact number of games ends up being remains unknown.

I see Shanahan's reasoning here. Stoll is out for the series, so take Torres out as well. The principle of an eye for an eye. My problem with the sentence is it simply isn't enough. This is not Torres' first dirty hit. You only have to look back as far as last postseason when he was suspended 25 games for his brutally vicious hit on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa.

Shanahan's job title is the NHL's Senior VP for Player Safety. He has done his job of protecting the rest of the Kings' players. What happens if the Sharks win this series? This suspension does nothing to protect the Chicago Blackhawks' players or the Detroit Red Wings' players. There is no protection for them, unless their is another suspendable hit by Torres.

Torres is a dirty player. There is no other way to see it. Until he proves that has really changed, no one is going to believe him otherwise. Torres needs to learn from the Pittsburgh Penguins' Matt Cooke. Cooke was a dirty player, but the Penguins told him he had to clean up his act. Cooke has played the game the way it is meant to be played ever since. The NHL must do everything it can to protect its players. That means that the league's suspensions of Torres should be getting more severe every time, until he learns his lesson.

Rangers Fight Back to Force Game Seven

The brawl at the end of the Rangers' 1-0 Game 6 victory over the Capitals shows both teams' desire to win the series. (Scott Levy)

Elimination games have a special edge to them. One team is trying to put the finish touches on their hard work, while the other is fighting to stay alive. It becomes like a chess match, which can be the perfect situation for the team desperate to survive. It certainly was tonight for the New York Rangers.

When Washington Capitals center Mike Ribeiro scored in overtime of Game 5 to give his team a 3-2 lead in the best of seven series, Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist slammed his stick in disgust. It was a save he felt he should of made. With his team facing elimination in just two days, Lundqvist knew he must be better in order to help his team survive.

Game 6 was a physical affair from the get go. Neither team was able to generate much of an offensive flow. It was not until midway through the second period that one of the series' top stars had the puck break his way. From just inside the blue line, Rangers center Derick Brassard faked a shot and then let one rip. The puck clipped the glove of Capitals defenseman Steven Oleksy and sailed through a screen set by Brassard's linemate Rick Nash in front.

The goal was originally credited to Nash, but was properly credited to Brassard after replay revealed the puck deflected off Oleksy instead of Nash. The goal was Brassard's second of the series to go along with five assists. Nash has not found the net yet, but has been a presence in front of the Capitals net creating traffic in front of netminder Braden Holtby.

Meanwhile, Lundqvist faced only 15 shots through the first two periods, but he knew he must stay sharp to protect the Rangers' slender lead. As it turned out, the Rangers relied on Lundqvist to come up with a number of crucial saves in the final period. When the final horn finally sounded, a fight broke out between the sides, but it did not matter. Lundqvist had stopped all 27 shots he had faced for his seventh career NHL playoff shutout.

The Rangers-Capitals series is now 3-3, but the task does not get any easier from here for the Rangers. They must now travel to and play in what is sure to be a hostile environment at the Verizon Center. The home team has won every game up to this point in the series. This means that the Rangers must now do what they have failed to do so far in the postseason, win in the nation's capital. Something tells me that Lundqvist and the rest of his teammates will be more than ready to give it their best shot.

Watch Out for Tavares and the Islanders Next Season

John Tavares and the Islanders should be proud of their efforts throughout the season and playoffs. (Shannon Stapleton)

The New York Islanders may have left the ice with their heads downs following their heartbreaking 4-3 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6, but the home crowd Nassau Coliseum was on its feet applauding their efforts.

This was after all the Islanders' first playoff appearance since 2007. They gave the top seed Penguins all they could handle and then some in every game. With a team with so many young players like this Islanders franchise has, they will be able to use this experience to come back even better and hungrier next season to make another run at Lord Stanley's Cup.

For so many years, the Islanders have been ridiculed as the doormat of the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Islanders were adding and developing players through the draft and free agency. The used the very same model the Penguins used to build back up their elite franchise. The Islanders came into this season with the talent, but that had to prove it on the ice.

"We've taken a lot of heat in the past three years since I've been here, a lot of criticism from the media, people looked at us as a laughingstock," said Islanders forward Matt Martin. "Throughout this series, we showed we can play with anyone. We’re excited about the future. We think we have something special here." 

The Penguins witnessed firsthand the resiliency shown by this pesky and determined Islanders team. The vast majority of experts pegged this series as a four or five game piece of cake for the top seed. It turned out to be anything but that.

"It was every bit of a battle in those six games," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said after his team punched its ticket to a second-round matchup against the seventh-seeded Ottawa Senators. 

As I have already mentioned, this is a very good, young Islanders team. They have already made improvements. They are only going to continue to get better. One of the most obvious improvements that has been made this season has been the Islanders' increase in scoring depth/ Last season, they relied almost completely on superstar center John Tavares and linemate Matt Moulson. The lack of scoring depth made the task easy for opposing defenses to stop.

During this season and in the playoffs, the emergence of a strong second line has strengthened the Islanders' offense immensely. This line comprises of center Frans Nielsen and wingers Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo. During the six-series playoff series with the Penguins, this trio tallied three goals and six assists. This is a huge reason why the Islanders' offense was a threat throughout the series.

We cannot overlook the efforts of the depth forwards on the third and fourth lines as well. Michael Grabner and Casey Cizikas got involved in the scoring in the playoffs and will continue to develop next season. Matt Martin and Colin MacDonald also gave the team good energy, penalty killing and defending on the fourth line.

Of course, we cannot move on from the Islander offense without taking a look at the play of Tavares. He has truly emerged as one of the top players and leaders in the league. Tavares led the team with 47 points in 48 games, which included 28 goals scored (third highest in the NHL). His leadership, consistent offensive efforts and defensive improvement were among the main reasons why the Islanders were able to return to the playoffs. These efforts have not gone unnoticed as Tavares was one of three players to earn a Hart Trophy nomination.

Defensively, the Islanders have utilized a combination of experienced veterans and talented young players. This will only help the team to continue to improve for years to come. It all begins with the dynamic duo of captain Mark Streit and veteran defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky. They played very well against the Penguins, The Islanders will need to re-sign Streit if they hope to keep him. If they are able to do so, this pairing will continue to provide the team with scoring, poise and leadership on the blue line.

The emergence of 22-year-old defensemen Travis Hamonic has been has been a pleasant surprise for the Islanders. His play against the Penguins was absolutely superb. Harmonic provided strong defense and a level of poise well beyond his years. He was able to keep Hart Trophy finalist Sidney Crosby under wraps for much of the series.

There were 16 Islanders who this series with the Penguins with four or fewer games of playoff experience, including Tavares and Moulson. These players learned much about the intensity, pressure and atmosphere that the playoffs create. With very promising young players like Ryan Strome and Griffin Reinhart waiting in the wings, these experienced players will be able to help them to be ready to compete with the best the NHL has to offer.

The Islanders have proven they belong on the same ice as the most talented team in the Eastern Conference. They have even frankly outplayed the Penguins at many points in the series. Even though they didn't come away the victor in the end, the Islanders have taken significant strides toward becoming a Stanley Cup contender for years to come.

Vokoun Provided Stability Penguins Needed to Rout Islanders

Tomas Vokoun's 31-save shutout was an integral part of the Penguins 4-0 win over the Islanders in Game 5. (Jason Cohn)

The Pittsburgh Penguins were heavily favored going into their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series matchup with the New York Islanders. Following a 5-0 thrashing in Game 1, everyone thought a Penguins sweep was inevitable. The Islanders though didn't get the memo. A 6-4 win on Tuesday sent the series back to Pittsburgh tied 2-2.

What had gone wrong for the Penguins? A major issue was the lack of consistency and confidence from goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury shut out the Islanders in Game 1 on May 1, but he allowed 14 goals in the three games since. This left head coach Dan Bylsma no choice but to give veteran Tomas Vokoun the start in Game 5.

Fleury struggles in net date back to last year's postseason. He has allowed 40 goals in his past 10 postseason games. The decision to make the change was difficult though seeing that Fleury had started every Penguins playoff game since 2007. When Vokoun took his place between the pipes for the opening faceoff Thursday night, it was the first time in 12 years someone other than Fleury started a playoff game for the Penguins.

The Penguins had brought Vokoun in for a situation such as this. During this past offseason, he was signed to a two-year contract to provide insurance in case Fleury struggled. When Fleury did struggle, Bylsma knew that he must turn to Vokoun. This would be the veteran's first appearance in a Stanley Cup playoff game since 2007.

Even though Vokoun is in his 14th NHL season, has played 700 career regular-season games and has 300 career victories, he admitted that felt the nerves throughout the day.

"I don't care who you are, you get a little nervous. I think you wouldn't be human if you weren't," Vokoun said. "I just tried to stay focused, but you don't want to get too focused because you don't want to wear yourself down thinking about the game four hours before the game starts. But it's still a game and you have to enjoy it."

The Penguins did not need Vokoun to be extraordinary. When you have a dynamic offense like the Penguins do, you just need a solid performance from your netminder. You just need him to make the saves he is supposed to make.

In Game 5, Vokoun did exactly that, especially when the Penguins need it the most. The Islanders controlled the first period. They had a number of great opportunities and outshot the Penguins 14-7, but Vokoun stood strong and would not give in.

The Penguins offense took control of the game from there. With three second period goals, they took control of the game. A third period power play goal by Kris Letang iced the game away. Vokoun made 31 saves enroute to the shutout.

"He was solid," Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said of Vokoun. "Hopefully we didn't make things too tough on him. We didn't do a great job of helping Marc out and we wanted to make sure we did a better job in front of our goalie. He made some good saves, but I think we did a better job in front of him and at keeping the puck down in their end a little more."

The Penguins will hit the road and look to wrap the series up on Saturday night. Following his solid performance in Game 5, it is expected that Vokoun will get another start. Once again, the Penguins don't need him to be extraordinary. If Vokoun can be solid like he was in Game 5, this is a team that is fully capable of making a run at Lord Stanley's Cup.

Top Winners From The NHL Trade Deadline

The Columbus Blue Jackets hope that trade deadline acquisition Marian Gaborik will help them return to the playoffs. (Al Bello)

The trade deadline in any sport can make a significant impact on a team whether they are buyers or sellers. Many NHL teams were looking for that one or two pieces that might push them over the edge in the quest to lift Lord Stanley's Cup. I have determined which teams I think are the top three winners at the trade deadline as they make a push for the postseason.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins - The Penguins were one of the most active teams throughout the trade deadline window. They got things going early on and were still in the mix for some deals right before the deadline. The Penguins began by acquiring three in a span of four days (March 24-27). Veteran forwards Brenden Morrow and Jarome Iginla will help provide the Penguins with scoring depth and playoff experience up front. Douglas Murray gives the Penguins another defender who can deliver hits and block shots when needed. Just when it seemed the Penguins might be finished, general manager Ray Shero added one more piece to the puzzle in Jussi Jokinen from the Hurricanes. Jokinen will likely start at center while the Penguins wait for captain Sidney Crosby to recover from a broken jaw. Additionally, Jokinen brings valuable playoff experience for the Hurricanes' run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2009. His presence adds yet another depth piece to an already stocked front line.

2. Minnesota Wild - The Wild have been one of the Western Conference's best teams the past several weeks. As they look to prove that they are Stanley Cup contenders, they acquired one of the best players available at the deadline in Buffalo Sabres captain Jason Pominville. The Wild did have to give up quite a bit in return. This included highly touted prospect Johan Larsson, goaltending prospect Matt Hackett, a first-round pick in 2013 and a second-round pick in 2014. The Wild did also receive the Sabres' fourth-round pick in 2014. That is a lot to give up, but for what a player like Pominville could mean to a playoff run, it is well worth it. He has reached the 30-goal plateau twice and recorded at least 20 goals in six straight seasons. Pominville adds the kind of scoring depth that the Wild need for a playoff run. He is a leader with the character and experience that is such a benefit to the team as a whole. The Wild are going to be battling the Vancouver Canucks for the Northwest Division crown the remainder of this month. This deadline move could prove to be enough to help them secure home-ice for the first round and possibly beyond.

3. Columbus Blue Jackets - After years and years of selling at the trade deadline, the Blue Jackets were actually buyers this season. The shocked everyone by acquiring three-time 40-goal scorer Marian Gaborik from the struggling New York Rangers. Just like the case was with the Wild acquiring Pominville, the price was heavy for Gaborik. The Blue Jackets gave up three of their key role players in Derek Dorsett (currently injured), Derick Brassard and John Moore. That is a significant amount to give up, but when you consider that this is team that has been to the playoffs just once (and were swept by Detroit in that lone playoff visit), the fact that they are in the hunt for a surprise postseason berth, makes Gaborik definitely worth the cost. Gaborik fell out of favor with the Rangers due to tension between him and head coach John Tortorella. The trade though reunites him with former teammates Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky, who ended up with the Blue Jackets in the Rick Nash trade last summer. Gaborik can definitely be an impact player with a fresh start from a team desperate that is desperate for his scoring help. The Blue Jackets currently rank 29th in goals per game and 27th on the power play. They will need Gaborik to help spark their offense if they hope to secure a return to the postseason.

Blackhawks Close in on Hottest Start in NHL History

The Chicago Blackhawks have executed excellent team hockey to stay unbeaten in their first fifteen games of the season. (Rob Grabowski)

On Sunday afternoon, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Los Angeles Kings by the score of 3-2. Ray Emery made 25-of-27 saves and Jonathan Toews picked up a goal and assist in the win. The win pushed the Blackhawks' record to 12-0-3 on the season.

This means that they have now earned up at least one point in 15 consecutive games to start the season. The Blackhawks are now one point short of tying the record of 16 straight games set by the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks. They will have an opportunity to tie the record when they host the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.

The Blackhawks have found their success comes from working well together. They are averaging 3.2 goals scored and 2.1 goals allowed per game. The solid goaltending combination of Emery and Corey Crawford has been imperative to the team's success as well.

"Absolutely, goaltending is key," said Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville said. "Goaltending is important to everything about your team: the confidence it has, the consistency, not changing the way they approach times in games. Having the right demeanor is important, and both guys have done an excellent job."

As much as the Blackhawks have enjoyed their strong start to the season, they know that is not their ultimate goal. They have remained calm and collect about the possibility of making history, especially team captain Jonathan Toews.

''We're 15 games into the season,'' said Toews. ''What's important to us is getting home ice advantage, making the playoffs. Those are our goals. Once you get there, the real season starts. When you get to that point, no one really cares or remembers those streaks at the start of the season.''

After becoming Stanley Cup champions in 2010, the Blackhawks have suffered first-round exits in the playoffs each of the past two years. This Blackhawks team looks different though. They look capable of not only making history, but of being a serious contender to lift the cup again this season.

No Suspension for Cooke is Proper Decision by the NHL

Erik Karlsson grimaces in pain after his Achilles’ tendon was cut by the skate of Matt Cooke. (Gene J. Puskar)

When Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Matt Cooke looked to check Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson into the boards during Wednesday night's game, Cooke's skate was slightly elevated. It made contact with the back of Karlsoon's leg, who immeadiately grimaced and went down on the ice.

The diagnosis was not pretty. Cooke's skate had caused a 70 percent laceration of Karlsson's Achilles’ tendon. This means Karlsson will likely be out three to four months, which is the remainder of the season. This is a just a big loss for the Senators, but for all of hockey. The reigning Norris trophy winner is one of the best and most enjoyable defenseman in the league.

The Senators organization, especially owner Eugene Melnyk, has been vocal about their desire to see Cooke suspended for what they believe to a malicious play. However, there is no evidence that Cooke had any malevolent intent during the play. The only reason that a rumor of suspension is being brought up is because of Cooke's history in the league.

Cooke has been suspended by the league five times for illegal hits. In 2009, he had hits to the head of  Artem Anisimov and Scott Walker. His blindside hit of Marc Savard in 2010 led to league changes to head shot rules. In February 2011, he had controversial hits on Alexander Ovechkin and Fedor Tyutin. The worst incident though came a month later when Cooke was suspended for a hit to the Ryan McDonagh.

The Penguins organizations even supported the suspension following the hit on McDonagh. General Manager Ray Shero told Cooke that he had to change his style of play, or he would be looking for a new place of employment. Cooke has kept himself clean since the suspension, until the incident with Karlsson came along.

Everyone who can look at the incident from an unbiased standpoint realizes that this was merely an unfortunate accident. Cooke did not even know what happened during the play until after the game.

"It wasn’t until after the game when I found out what actually happened, and instantly you feel awful,” Cooke said. “It was totally not my intent on the play. It was just a freak kind of accident, and I hope [Karlsson] understands that."

Even some of Cooke's harshest critics in the past have gone to his defense for this case. Don Cherry, the Hockey Night in Canada commentator who has ridiculed Cooke in the past, said Cooke did not intentionally try to injure Karlsson.

"No, he didn’t do that [on purpose]. It was a freak accident. No human being would do that," said Cherry. "I think he was just trying to take him in there [to the boards] … it was an accident."

Brendan Shanahan and the NHL's player safety department agreed with Cherry's assessment. They determined that Cooke should not be disciplined for his skate cutting Karlsson. I agree with their conclusion as well. The accident is an unfortunate one, but there was no malicious intent involved at all.

The Penguins organization feels badly about what happened and understands the pain that the Senators are now going through. They lost their leader, Sidney Crosby, for an extended time following a hard hit by David Steckel.

"I feel horrible for Erik Karlsson, I feel bad for Ottawa," said Shero. "It’s a bad feeling. But I can't rationalize where that was a dirty play or anything with intent. Our fan base knows how it feels to lose a star player. It's emotional. I know how it feels like. It's just very unfortunate. I would not be defending Matt Cooke if I thought it was a dirty hockey play."

I have a few last thoughts as a result of all of this. First, our prayers and thoughts go out to Karlsson for a speedy recovery. Second, I respect the NHL for making the proper decision in not suspending Cooke. Finally, I hope that players around the world realize the importance of wrapping tape around the area at the top of their skates to prevent this type of incident from every happening again.

Top Five Stories to Follow This NHL Season

A healthy Sidney Crosby is exactly what the NHL looks to put the lockout behind them. (Gene J. Puskar)

After a long and laborious lockout, the NHL season finally gets under way tomorrow. In this shortened season, there are many stories to follow. I will simply give five of my top ones to watch throughout this season.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby returns to the ice fully healthy. Crosby significantly benefited from the lockout in that he was able to get fully healthy after battling through concussions the last two seasons. Crosby was inspirational in moving the NHL past the 2005 lockout and bringing fans back to the game. This season could be very similar. Crosby could be set for a huge return to stardom. That is something even his haters cannot ignore.

2. The Minnesota Wild spent big money during the offseason, but it remains to be seen if it will be worth it. The Wild have not been to the playoffs since 2008. Their main struggle last season was that they had the NHL's worst offense. During the offseason, the Wild spent a combined $196 million on free agents Ryan Suter and Zach Parise. Whether that can translate to success, remains to be seen. The Wild have many unanswered questions so far, including whether or not goaltender Josh Harding can return to top form following his inspiring return from multiple sclerosis.

3. Rick Nash could be the missing piece that the New York Rangers need to win the Stanley Cup. The Rangers have had some great pieces. Brad Richards, Ryan Callahan and Marian Gaborik lead the way offensively. They also have had a solid core of young players and a solid defense that is anchored by Henrik Lundqvist, one of the greatest goaltenders in the world. Over the past several years, they simply have not been enough. This likely prompted the Rangers to go out and get Rick Nash. Nash is one of the league's best scorers and is going to make a huge impact if he can adjust to life in the spotlight.

4. The Carolina Hurricanes could be this season's surprise playoff team. The Hurricanes were not in the playoff picture last season, but they steadily improved as the season wore on. In fact, they had the Southeast Division's best record over the last 48 games of this past season. In the offseason, the Hurricanes bolstered their roster by acquiring Jordan Staal and signing Alexander Semin. They could be primed to make some noise in a winnable division.

5. This could be the season the Detroit Red Wings finally don't make the playoffs. Last season, the Red Wings fell down to the fifth seed in the playoffs. Then, during the offseason, they had to deal with the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom, one of the best defensemen in NHL history. The affect this will have on the Red Wings, remains to be seen. Some people believe that they could wind up coming up short in their bid for their 22nd straight playoff berth.

12 Best Athletes to Ever Wear No. 12

Quarterback Terry Bradshaw was a four-time Super Bowl champion wearing No. 12 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Fox Sports)

In honor of the date being 12/12/12, I thought it would be fitting to give tribute to the 12 best athletes to ever wear No. 12.

12. Bob Griese: Griese was a two-time All-American quarterback and kicker at Purdue. He was the No. 1 pick in the 1967 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Griese is famous for quarterbacking the Dolphins to their perfect 1972 season. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

11. Jarome Inginla: Iginla has spent the entirety of his 15-year career as a member of the Calgary Flames. Despite never bringing home the Stanley Cup, he has made himself a local legend. Inginla has scored 516 goals in his career, including 81 game-winning goals. He will be a lock for the Hall of Fame when ever he does decide to retire.

10. Dickie Moore: Moore was among the NHL's best shooters and puckhandlers of his time. As a member of the Montreal Canadiens, he led the NHL in goals and assists once time each. Moore played an important role on six championship teams, including five consecutive Stanley Cups from 1956-60. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1974.

9. Yvan Cournoyer: Cournoyer donned No. 12 for the Canadiens throughout his 17-year career after getting it from Moore. He finished his career with 428 goals and 435 assists. Cournoyer won the Stanley Cups 10 times, which is the second most in NHL history. He was a Hall of Fame inductee in 1982.

8. Thierry Henry: Henry is one of the best footballers of this generation. He was a member of the French national team that won the World Cup in 1998. Henry became an international star in the English Premier League as a top striker for Arsenal. During his career with The Gunners, he earned nearly every award the sport has to offer.

7. John Stockton: At point guard, Stockton led the Utah Jazz to 19 consecutive playoff appearances, but was never able to bring a NBA championship home. He led the league in assists for nine consecutive seasons. Stockton finished with a NBA record 15,806 assists, which is 3,800 more than the next closest player.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

6. Jim Kelly: Kelly is the only player in Buffalo Bills history to have his number retired. This honor is likely the result of leading the Bills to four consecutive losses in the Super Bowl. During his 11-year career, Kelly made 160 starts and threw 237 career touchdown passes. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.

5. Roger Staubach: As a quarterback for Navy, Staubach won the Heisman Trophy in 1963. He then served his tour of duty in Vietnam. Staubach returned home to lead the Dallas Cowboys to their first two Super Bowl championships. He became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

4. Joe Namath: Namath is more of a legend because of his swagger, rather than his actual statistics. He guaranteed a win in Super Bowl III and delivered on his promise.  When Namath wasn't acting in movies and television commercials, he threw for 27,663 passing yards in his football career. Just like Staubach, he was a part of the 1985 class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

3. Tom Brady: Brady was a sixth-round draft pick by the New England Patriots in 2000. He took over the starting job after Drew Bledsoe was injured in Week 2 of the 2001 season and led the Patriots to their first Super Bowl title. Brady has thrown for 43,812 yards (nearly 25 miles) and 329 touchdowns. He is a two-time MVP and has won three Super Bowls.

2. Roberto Alomar: Regarded by many as the greatest second baseman of all time, Alomar was a 12-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, and led the Toronto Blue Jays to back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993.  Alomar wore No. 12 for each of the eight teams he played for during his career. His 2,724 career hits and 1,1,34 RBIs led to his Hall of Fame induction in 2011.

1. Terry Bradshaw: Bradshaw didn't put up huge statistical numbers, but he knew how to lead his football team to victories. He finished his career with a 107-51 record and four Super Bowl rings. Bradshaw was named MVP of the NFL in 1978 and was also the Super Bowl MVP twice. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Honorable Mention: Michael Jordan
Jordan made the No. 23 famous, but was forced to wear No. 12 for one game in 1990. On Valentine’s Day in Orlando, he had his jersey stolen from the locker room prior to the game. Jordan scored 49 points in 47 minutes, but the Bulls lost in overtime 135-129.

"That has never happened to me before,'' Jordan told the Orlando Sentinel at the time. ''It's pretty irritating because you're accustomed to certain things and you don't like to have things misplaced.''

Jordan may have been frustrated, but my guess is that the fans in Orlando were more than happy. They got to witness history in the making, Jordan have another outstanding game and their team pull off a surprising victory.

NHL Offers New Proposal of 50-50 Split to Players

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly resume negotiations with the players' association. (AP Photo)

The NHL lockout may soon come to an end. Tuesday, the NHL made a significant move in the previously stagnant negotiations with the players' association. The league has offered the players a 50-50 split in revenues, no rollbacks of existing contracts, and a condensed 82-game schedule that would begin November 2.

"It was done with the spirit of getting a deal done," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. "We have about nine or ten day to get this all put to bed, signed, sealed and delivered in order for this offered to be effective and for us to move forward."

The players association had a conference call Tuesday night to discuss the proposal with the players' negotiating committee and the union's executive board. They will need time to read through and carefully analyze the offer to be prepared to negotiate again with the NHL possibly as soon as Wednesday or Thursday.

"We need to review and understand it," said NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr said. "So the process we're going to engage in now is to make sure we read it completely and fully, that we understand it ... then obviously what we will do is discuss it internally with our own negotiating committee and executive board and then get back together with the NHL."

One of the main concerns the players have is how the restructuring of the CBA will affect their current contracts. Reportedly there is a clause in the NFL's proposal that allows the payments to be deferred until after future growth. Most of the primary desires for both sides appear to be met.

Unless there is so absurd obscure fine print, I believe that the players ought to take this deal. It may not be perfect, but it certainly better than what they had to begin with. They get a fair deal, their contracts are respected and remain the same, and most importantly of all, the NHL season would begin in just a few weeks.

We all want hockey to be played. The owners, league officials, players, and fans all want to move from this, so that we get the season under way. No one wants another locked out season like previous years. The puck is now in front of the players' association's stick. Now all we need is for both sides to score the deciding goal on a common net.

NHL Labor Negotiations Could Continue Soon

Nearly 200 NHL players are expected to be in New York next Wednesday and Thursday for player meetings. (Chris Young)

The NHL's current collective bargaining agreement expires on September 15. While the NHL and NHLPA are officially away from the negotiating table, discussions have picked up around the league as the date continues to get closer. Commissioner Gary Bettman has resoundingly stated that if a deal isn't reached, he will impose a lockout on the league.

The NHL has already suffered from a recent lockout. During the 2004-2005 season, the league canceled the entire season and playoffs, until the current deal was agreed to. Everyone involved with the NHL would prefer to retain from that occurring again. When asked about how this summer relates to the summer of 2004, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly had the following to say.

"I think its been different in a lot of respects. At least with respect to a lot of the issues that need to be discussed and worked out, we plowed a lot of ground in that area and made some progress. I think we have some tentative agreement to some things, we have teed up other issues in other areas, so from that perspective we had a good summer of negotiation."

While there has been some progress made, both sides remain fairly entrenched in their views. Daly added, "Right now it appears as though we're stalled, at least temporarily." If the season is to stay fully intact, the two sides must begin to find a compromise quickly. The first preseason game is scheduled for September 19. Regular season games are slated to begin October 11. It will be interesting to see where the heart of each side really lies and what and when something is finally decided.

Music City Blues: Nashville's Weber to Sign with Philly

                                  Shea Weber looks to be leaving Nashville for the Philadelphia Flyers (Christian Peterson/Getty Images)

The off-season has been less than kind to the Nashville Predators.

It started with the fiasco that was the Ryan Suter/Zach Parise contract hunt. After multiple teams scrambled for cash to sign the duo, they ended up in Minnesota. Consequently, the Nashville Predators lost one of their best defenseman.

Things didn't get much better for the Predators; Nashville then proceeded to lose top-forward Jordin Tootoo. To rub salt in the off-season wounds, Tootoo was signed by Nashville's Central Division rival, the Detroit Red Wings. And while Detroit fans tried to decide if they could ever cheer for the player they've loved to hate, Nashville was stuck trying to find something positive from their off-season.

Haha. It gets better. And by better, I mean worse.

Because now, it's their captain that's packing his bags.

Defenseman and captain Shea Weber signed a $110 million contract over 14 seasons with Philadelphia. Reports from Yahoo! Sports and the New York Times have indicated that Nashville has been interested in signing Shea Weber (a restricted free-agent)...at least they were before the Philadelphia offer. I mean, yeah, who wouldn't?

General Manager David Poile made the following statement two weeks ago, in regards to signing Shea Weber: "He's the captain of our team, I want to build our team around him. He has been terrific in the captain's role, as a player, I hope he will re sign with us" (July 4, The Tennessean). While that's all well and good for Poile and the Predators, this off-season has shown us that simply being a captain doesn't mean that the team will automatically lock-down a player.

It didn't happen for New Jersey with Parise, and frankly, it won't happen with Nashville for Weber.

There is no doubt that the Predators will be in trouble without Weber. As Yahoo! Sports reminded us, Weber would already be without his defensive partner Ryan Suter...and without Jordin Tootoo at forward.

The loss of Shea Weber would make a re-building year even harder for the Music City.

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New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/20/sports/hockey/shea-weber-of-predators-is-offered-100-million-by-philadelphia-flyers-reports-say.html 


Yahoo! Sports: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/shea-weber-offer-sheet-aftermath-nashville-defining-moment-164417806--nhl.html

Skipping School: Early Contracts Injur Small-Market Teams

Every college hockey coach wants professional-level players. The flip-side to that desire, however, is that those NHL-caliber players tend to make the jump from college to professional before their senior season plays out.

Nowhere is this more noticeable than the smaller-market colleges/universities. In a market where it is a challenge every year to recruit, the players that have what it takes to make it to the top is hard to come by. And when those players do finally don the jersey of a smaller hockey school, it is hard to convince many of them to play out all four years.

It's an impact felt much more at schools such as Northeastern, Vermont, or Lake Superior State than it is at schools such as Minnesota, Michigan, or Wisconsin. While the classic line for the major schools has been "they don't re-build--they re-load," every player lost from minor schools leaves a hole to be filled...especially when the player is a step-above their teammates.

Lake State scores! Screenshot taken from YouTube link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gUnw8tPRQI 

Northeastern will have a hole to fill this fall with the leaving of senior forward Steve Quailer. According to USCHO.com, Quailer acquired 63 points over three seasons with Northeastern. He has signed a two-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens.

The Vermont Catamounts have lost Zemgus Girgensons before he ever put on the Catamount jersey. Girgensons will sign a contract with the Buffalo Sabers as a first-round draft pick. Vermont will try to build without their stellar recruit.

Lake Superior State University lost two key players this summer. Senior Zach Trotman has signed a contract with the Boston Bruins, and will forgo his final year for the Lakers. Trotman was a solid anchor on defense for  the Lakers. In addition, LSSU lost junior forward Kyle Jean, who has signed with the New York Rangers. Jean was a force to be reckoned with at 6'4" and 212 lbs. According to lssulakers.com, Jean acquired 38 points in his two seasons at Lake State, including 24 points this past season.

These, and similar schools, do not have the option to simply re-load. They re-build. As legendary USA coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) said in the movie "Miracle":

"It's not about finding the best players. It's about finding the right ones."

--JoshE

Roberto Luongo Discusses Possibility of Leaving the Canucks

In a radio interview on Vancouver's 99.3 the Fox, Roberto Luongo revealed what he has been thinking about the future. (Danny Moloshok)

Many people having been talking about Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo's upcoming appearance in the World Series of Poker. Friday night, he was on the air with Vancouver's 99.3 the Fox to discuss his poker game. When the conversation turned to hockey and his future, Luongo didn't keep a straight poker face. In fact, he laid all his cards out on the table.

Luongo announced over the air, "I think it's time to move on. And I'm okay with that. I had a great six years in Vancouver. It's a really wonderful city. I really enjoyed my time there. Unfortunately, I was not able to bring a Stanley Cup there. Probably my greatest regret. But it'll be remembered for six great years."

In six seasons with the Canucks, Luongo did help lead them to the playoffs five of those years. But he had only 32 wins in 61 playoff games with a 2.53 GAA and a .916 save percentage. The fact that the Canucks signed backup netminder Cory Schneider to a three-year, $12 million deal seems to provide additional evidence that Luongo might be on the way out.

When asked about where he would want to go, Luongo said that there were lots of great cities to play in. However, he gave special mention to Chicago. The Blackhawks definitely seem to be a team he likes. Luongo also said he is open to returning to the Florida Panthers, where he played for five years before coming to Vancouver. One last trade destination that is buzzing among fans and experts alike is the Columbus Blue Jackets. Their disgruntled star Rick Nash wants out as well. A straight-up trade would be unconventional and unlikely, but certainly a possibility.

I believe the decision by Luongo to move on to somewhere else is the proper decision. The window seems to have closed on this Canucks team. Their defeat in the first round to the eight seed Los Angeles Kings is just further evidence of this. While I doubt Luongo wants to go to Columbus, the Blackhawks seem to be a very reasonable possibility. The Blackhawks have the type of pieces available to provide adequate return. If I am reading Luongo's poker face correctly, I believe the Blackhawks is the team he wishes to join.

Parise and Suter Transform Minnesota Wild Into Contenders

Zach Parise (left) and Ryan Suter (right) both signed 13-year, $98 million deals to play for the Minnesota Wild. (U.S. Presswire Photos)

On December 10, 2011, the Minnesota Wild defeated the Phoenix Coyotes 4-1. The Wild were playing great hockey. They had the best record in the NHL at 20-7-3. However, things quickly went downhill from there. They suffered injuries, their offensive inefficiencies were exposed, and their defense tired from being under constant duress. Over the next month, the Wild won only one game. They never recovered from there.

The Wild clearly had talent. Everyone could see that during their first thirty games. Dany Heatley, Kyle Brodziak, Mikko Koivu, and Devin Setoguchi are all quite talented, but suffered from the pressure mounted on them offensively without clear direction. The Wild defense had talent as well, but has struggled to find an identity since the Brent Burns trade. In the net, all three of the Wild's goaltenders, Nicklas Backstrom, Josh Harding, and Matt Hackett, all had a GAA of 2.62 and a save percentage of .917 or better last season. What seemed to be lacking from this equation was leadership and motivation.

Last season, Zach Parise became a name many hockey fans learned to know and respect. His Devils team came into the playoffs as a quiet afterthought. When the Devils were backed up against the wall time and time again, their captain, Parise, convinced them to believe in themselves. Even when they were down 3-0 in the Stanley Cup Finals, they battled back to take two games. It was clear Parise and his boys left all they had on the ice.

Ryan Suter has spent all seven seasons of his NHL career with the Nashville Predators. He has been there through the ups and downs of the franchise during that time. While defensive partner Shea Weber has received all the deserved accolades, many believe Suter has developed into much the equal of Weber. Suter's understanding of instinctual play and proper positioning have even drawn comparisons to recently retired Detroit Red Wing Nicklas Lidstrom. He has grown into one of the NHL's best defenseman.

This summer both Parise and Suter became free agents. Since they are good friends, both kept in contact as they explored their options. Of course, both the Devils and Predators wanted their respective men to return home to their teams. There were also the big time pushes from Stanley Cup contenders, such as the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers. But Parise kept thinking about home, Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes. He talked with the Wild and liked the comfort and familiarity. Suter then decided to talk with them as well. After all, he was from nearby Wisconsin and his wife is a Minnesotan.

After careful thought and consideration, Parise and Suter decided they liked they idea of playing together and somewhere that felt natural to both. They decided to sign identical 13-year, $98 million deals to play for the Wild. The Wild instantly got the marquee leaders that they needed and awakened a long dormant fan base hungry for a return to the playoffs. The front office has stated that they will explore more options. This could be just the beginning. July 4, 2012 will be a day remembered by the Wild and their fans for many years to come.

Malkin Wins Hart Trophy as NHL MVP

Evgeni Malkin stands behind the three trophies he was awarded. (Bruce Bennett)

Evgeni Malkin is finally receiving the respect he deserves. Long overshadowed by teammate and fellow superstar Sydney Crosby, Malkin has been use to being more or less in the background. This season was not that way as Malkin arguably had the best season of his career, despite doing most of it without Crosby. Concussions limited Crosby to playing in only 22 games this season.

From training camp on throughout the regular season and playoffs, Malkin had a renewed determination about his play. After missing much of the latter part of the 2010-11 season due to knee surgery, he was ready to get out there and take on a more prominent role. The result was a regular season total of 109 points with 50 goals and 59 assists. That meant Malkin finished with the most points in the league, second most goals, and third most assists.

With the Stanley Cup well in the books, all hockey eyes turned Wednesday night to the NHL's Awards show. Malkin's season was so incredible that he not only won one trophy. Not even two. But three trophies total. First, he won the Hart Trophy, becoming the league's most valuable player for the first time. Second, Malkin won his second Art Ross Trophy as the league scoring champion. Third, he won the Ted Lindsay Award, which is the honor of best player in the league as determined by the NHLPA members. Malkin could hardly believe it. He stated, "It's the best day of my life. It's a pretty special day, and I'm very excited and nervous."

Did Malkin need these honors to earn his place among the best in the game? No, he did not. He had already won a Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe Trophy, and an Art Ross Trophy. These trophies are merely confirmation of what is already widely known. The crazy thing about Malkin is that he turns just 26 years old next month. He is just beginning the prime of his career. Evgeni Malkin is one of the greatest hockey players in the world and should be for many years to come.

KIngs Win First Stanley Cup in 45 Year Team History

The Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings celebrate. (Christian Petersen)

For years and years, the Los Angeles Kings had used excuses for why they couldn't win the Stanley Cup. Too many injuries. Too tough of a travel schedule. The warm weather didn't promote hockey. The fans and media didn't push the team enough to win. However, those excuses went out the window when the Anaheim Ducks won the Stanley Cup in 2007. The Kings meanwhile were in yet another rebuilding stage. They decided to fire their popular general manager Dave Taylor and elected to hire former San Jose Sharks general manager Dean Lombardi.

One of the first things Lombardi noticed was the lack of a great goaltender. He commented, "I'm amazed this franchise hasn't developed its own goalie over 40 years." His first season the Kings tried five different goaltenders. The next season seven more netminders, including a young goalkeeper the team drafted named Jonathan Quick. Quick played just three games that season, but by the time last season came to an end, he played in 72 of the Kings' 82 regular season games. He was one of the main reasons why that team made the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

The Kings had high expectations to build upon that success this season. They built a solid core of players with the likes of Quick, Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Dustin Penner, and Dustin Brown. However, those playoff hopes looked in doubt when the team went dry offensively down the stretch. The only man keeping them in the playoff race was Quick. Despite finishing next to last in goals scored in the league, the Kings managed to scrape into the playoffs in the eighth and final spot.

In their opening round series against the top seed Vancouver Canucks, the Kings put all of those offensive struggles behind them. In Game 1 and 2 in Vancouver, the Kings scored a combined eight goals. They also turned up their defensive intensity. They dismissed the Canucks in just five games. Next, they dominated and swept the St. Louis Blues. In the Western Conference Finals, the Kings eliminated the Phoenix Coyotes in five. In the Stanley Cup, it was more of the same. The Kings took the first three games by displaying great toughness. The New Jersey Devils responded with two wins, but the Kings showed their dominance once again in their decisive 6-1 win in Game 6.

It is true that the Kings' offensive lines and definsive duos stepped up in the playoffs, but there is one man who carried this team the whole way. That was Jonathan Quick. His goaltending dominance and complete focus cannot be denied. In 20 playoff games, Quick only gave up more than two goals in just three games. As a result, the Kings were never really out of a game. That builds the confidence of the team and helps to give them the opportunities they need. The Los Angeles Kings dominated the playoffs like no one could have expected. They won four playoff series in just 20 games. That kind of dominance is relatively unbelievable. The Kings definitely deserved the Stanley Cup. The franchise's first in their 45 year history.

Stanley Cup Finals Preview and Prediction

On the eve of the Stanley Cup Finals, I will breakdown the matchup of the Los Angeles Kings and the New Jersey Devils, by looking at advantages and key players for both teams. I will conclude with my prediction of who I believe will hoist the Stanley Cup this season.

Goaltending Matchup: Jonathan Quick & Martin Brodeur

Kings: Jonathan Quick
Quick had an excellent regular season, but his postseason has been extraordinary. In the playoffs, he holds a 12-2 record, with a 1.54 GAA and a .946 save percentage. Quick rarely has a bad game, and as a result, the Kings never seem to be out of it.

Devils: Martin Brodeur
Brodeur may be the greatest goalie in NHL history, but does he still have it at age 40? He definitely made some mistakes in the series with the Rangers, but the Devils still moved on.  Brodeur's statistics might not be as good as Quick, but the bottomline is that he is a winner.

Advantage: Even

Defensemen Matchup: Drew Doughty & Bryce Salvador

Kings' Defensemen
Drew Doughty is the headliner for what has been a stellar defensive group. Veterans Willie Mitchell, Rob Scuderi, and Matt Greene are playing some of the best hockey of their careers as well. Sophomore Alec Martinez and rookie Slava Voynoy have shown calm nerves so far. This unit plays physical, lockdown defense. Through 14 games in the playoffs, they have only given up more than two goals only twice.

Devils' Defensemen
Bryce Salvador's 11 points lead all defensemen in the Finals. Anton Volchenkov and Marek Zidlicky are a pair of blueliners who let little by them. Andy Greene and Mark Fayne have played notably well as well. This group has gotten progressively better throughout the playoffs.

Advantage: Kings

Forwards Matchup: Dustin Brown & Ilya Kovalchuk

Kings' Forwards
In my opinion, the Kings top line of Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, and Justin Williams has been the best line in the playoffs. The midseason acquisition of Jeff Carter has proved to be a dandy, as the Kings reunited him with former teammate Mike Richards. The two of them form another dynamic line with Dustin Penner.

Devils' Forwards
Ilya Kovalchuk is of the big name in this group, but the Devils have been getting contributions from many players. Zach Parise and Dainius Zubrus have played very well. You can never forget veteran Patrik Elias. Rookie Adam Henrique scored the winning goal in the Rangers series.

Advantage: Kings


Prediction
Anything is possible in this year's playoffs. Who would have guessed we would end up with the Kings, the #8 seed in the West, and the Devils, the #6 in the East, in the Finals? That being said, the Kings have been the more dominant team up until this point. I believe that will be the case as well in this hard fought battle. The Kings have generated offense across the board, and the willingness of their forwards to forecheck has been crucial to the team's success. Their defense has been rock solid, and the consistency of Jonathan Quick has been incredible. What I have liked most about the Kings in the playoffs is the fact that they never seem to be out of it. They rarely trail by a large margin, which means they also have a shot at winning. I believe the Kings will prevail in an entertaining and exciting series.

My prediction: Kings in 6 games

Who is Saying the Rangers Will Be Tired Now?

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

After playing 14 games, including four overtime ones, and having to win both series so far in must-win Game 7s, everyone thought the New York Rangers would come out tired. After all, no team who has played that many games has ever gone on to win the Stanley Cup. None of this matters to the Rangers. They knew they were ready for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New Jersey Devils. The Devils came into the series well-rested, coming off five days off following their defeat of the Philadelphia Flyers.

The first two periods of Game 1 felt like a heavyweight bout. Both teams had their chances, but neither one conceded a goal. With two of the best netminders in the league in this series, it came as no surprise. Long-time Devils goaltender Marty Brodeur is one of the all-time greats, and the hometown crowd at Madison Square Garden let him have it, like they always do. Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is a Vezina Trophy nominee once again. He is certainly one of the best in the game today. With play basically level through the first two periods, one of the teams needed to come out and make a statement in the third period.

That team turned out to be the Rangers right away. Less than a minute into the period, rookie Chris Kreider set up defenseman Dan Girardi for the nice goal. Girardi has struggled some defensively in the playoffs, so hopefully the goal will help boost his confidence. Midway through the period, Kreider found the net himself on a beautiful power-play goal. Less than a month ago, Kreider was a college student. In his thirteen games in the playoffs so far, he has clearly showcased his talent for all to see. The Devils tried to battle back, but Lundqvist would have none of that. Lundqvist finished with 21 saves and his fifth career playoff shutout. Center Artem Anisimov's goal late in the period sealed the win for the Rangers.

The Rangers confidence is booming following such a decisive Game 1 victory. They dominated the third period, so all momentum heading into Game 2 belongs to them. The Devils will look to find answers before the next game begins. In particular, they will need to figure out ways to try and beat Lundqvist, which is easier said than done. The Devils did show some rust in Game 1, so that should be gone the rest of the series. I expect them to play better in Game 2, and a win would be huge heading home. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday night at 8:00 PM EST on NBCSN.

Capitals Survive to Force Game 7

Photo Credit: Susan Walsh/AP Photo

You thought the Washington Capitals were done for. That's what the Capitals players have been thriving off of. Forward Joel Ward told reporters, "I think everyone's been counting us out since the beginning of the playoffs. Within ourselves, we're very confident in ourselves and our abilities." This is a bold statement from a player who cost his team a Game 5 win by committing a foolish high-sticking penalty near the end of the third period. Many people, commentators and writers alike, thought that the Capitals would fold under the pressure of a must-win game, just like they had done time and time again in recent years. But the Capitals were determined to not let that stop them this year.

In Game 6, the Capitals came out right away on a mission. This mission, to attack quickly and aggressively, was led by their star and captain, Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin was coming off a surprisingly poor Game 5, in which he had zero shots. Determined to not let this happen again, the Caps pieced together some pretty passing to set up Ovie for a one-timer. The two-time NHL MVP made no mistake about it as he blistered home the game's first goal, just 88 seconds into the first period. From there, it was basically the Braden Holtby Show. Holtby, despite being a playoff rookie goalie, absolutely stood on his head once again. Again and again, the Rangers shots and plays were snuffed out by Holtby. Midway through the second period, Jason Chimera tapped in a deflected shot to double the Capitals' lead. The confidence of the Capitals and their home crowd continued to grow.

As the third period drew to a close, the Rangers continued their onslaught of shots, trying to get anything past Holtby. Marian Gaborik finally did with less than a minute left, but it was too little, too late. Holtby and the Capitals held on to win 2-1 to force a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. I still believe the Rangers are the better team, but the Capitals have proved that you can't count them out. This Capitals team is not a team of years past, but they still need one more must-win to advance. They haven't been able to do this in the past, but this year's squad has shown that they are capable of making it happen. Game 7 should be a dandy. The winner gets a date with the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals.