hockey
We talk pucks and objects of that kind. We yell, complain, and analyze in the language of hockey fandom. Gretzky can do no wrong.
"Almost 100% Certain" Jagr Won't Be Retiring
Well, it finally happened. After an entire off-season of wondering where Jaromir Jagr would land, he finally signed with the Calgary Flames on Monday on a one-year, $1 million contract. It was a long time coming, and as I wrote back at the beginning of pre-season, the case could be made that Jagr deserved to be signed before most of the over-30 veterans who were signed to similar (or even larger) deals. At age 45, Jagr is coming off a season that is on par with or better than almost any of the veteran players signed this off-season to the same contract. And yet, perhaps because so many teams don't want to be left holding the bag when Jagr finally reaches his end, he remained unsigned until October 2nd, just a few days before the NHL season begins.
By Kyle Vandenberg8 years ago in Unbalanced
Pittsburgh Penguins, and NHL, Reveal Unsurprising Tone-Deafness, but Players of Color Are Thankfully Speaking Out
On August 14, 2016, Colin Kaepernick didn't get up for the national anthem before the San Francisco 49ers' first preseason game. Less than a week later, he again did not rise. He piqued the public's interest when it occurred a third time, before the 49ers' third preseason game, on August 26. He announced he was doing so to bring attention to and combat the oppression of people of color, as well as police brutality.
By Steve Smith8 years ago in Unbalanced
Predicting the NHL Western Conference Playoffs
Last week, I discussed who might be in line to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Admittedly, preseason playoff predictions don't usually go so well. But it's fun to think about who might have great years, comeback years, or fall out of their conferences top eight, even if your own moderators express concern over your potential existential crisis. I assure you, I'm fine. And here's who I think is going to the playoffs in the West.
By Kyle Vandenberg8 years ago in Unbalanced
Top Ten Ultimate Comebacks in NHL History
Freshly zambonied ice. A highly anticipated fight between two rivals. The blinding glint of the Stanley Cup under the lights of the rink. Hockey can be heart pumpingly, down the rest of your beer, storm-the-ice exhilarating.
By Eric Green8 years ago in Unbalanced
Predicting the NHL Eastern Conference Playoffs
Can you feel that? September is more than halfway over. Football is under way. Baseball playoffs are just around the corner. The best time of year for sports has always been the fall, and for those of us whose sport only takes place on ice, the arrival of October means one thing.
By Kyle Vandenberg8 years ago in Unbalanced
2017-18 NHL Storylines to Watch
Ah, my friends, I've just finished watching the end of the Islanders-Flyers preseason game that was streamed on the Islanders' website today. I only caught the third period and overtime, but my how I have missed hockey. I didn't even realize it, but watching it again gave me all the fuzzy feelings. Now I have to be sad that real hockey doesn't start for another three weeks, but chances are, if you're reading this, you feel my pain. My mouth waters for more.
By Steve Smith8 years ago in Unbalanced
Which Pekka Rinne Are We Going to See Tonight?
My colleague Kyle Vandenberg posed an interesting query to finish his profile of Nashville’s starting goaltender before Game 5: which Pekka Rinne were we going to see that night? (Okay, he specifically said Thursday night, but you get the picture.)
By Steve Smith8 years ago in Unbalanced
City of Pittsburgh is Soft as Hell for Their Handling of Catfish Thrower
In Nashville, they throw catfish. In Detroit, the originator of this bizarre and frankly gross tradition, they throw octopuses (yes, octopuses, not octopi, look it up ya peons). In Pittsburgh, they apparently throw nothing.
By Steve Smith8 years ago in Unbalanced
Niskanen’s Hit on Crosby and Why We Need to Stop Discussing “Intent”
Early in the first period of Game 3 between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby was knocked out of the game after contact was made with his head in the form of a slash from Alex Ovechkin and then, as he was falling, a cross-check from Matt Niskanen. Making matters worse, as Crosby and Niskanen crashed into each other, Crosby’s left knee gave out and twisted awkwardly.
By Steve Smith8 years ago in Unbalanced
Predicting the First Round of the NHL Playoffs
Ah, it’s that wonderful time once again. Yes, the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin tonight when the puck drops for the Bruins-Senators series in Ottawa, and the Rangers-Canadiens series in Montreal, at 7:00 p.m, the first two of five games on the docket for the opening night of the postseason. What a splendid time to be alive.
By Steve Smith8 years ago in Unbalanced
Mocking Up Some of Vegas’s Expansion Selections
Wednesday will be the unveiling of Vegas’s initial team roster, as comprised of the 30 selections they make, one from each team. Though the trade freeze went into effect on Saturday, it only applied to the existing 30 teams making deals with each other. The Golden Knights were allowed to make and field offers with each of the 30 teams to specifically take or not take specific players, as well as lining up future deals for another team to acquire a player they selected in expansion.
By Steve Smith8 years ago in Unbalanced
Coach Swap: Examining the Effects of Coaching Changes
We’ve all heard the old cliché: you can’t fire the players, so first you fire the coach. Sometimes, teams need a shake-up and swapping out the guy behind the bench is a reasonable place to start. Often, the team will then go on a nice run, due in large part to the smell coming from the fire burning under their collective asses. They recognize that they’re next if things don’t change. It’s human nature.
By Steve Smith8 years ago in Unbalanced
