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.
Early NHL Free Agency Winners
Let the insanity begin! The first week of free agency is behind us with a number of huge splashes and new faces. Fans and analysts alike are making projections or registering complaints, depending on how you feel about your team’s activity (or lack thereof). None of this takes into account the NHL Draft, the Vegas Expansion Draft, and the number of trades that have occurred, adding to the shakeups.
By Kyle Vandenberg8 years ago in Unbalanced
‘Stats-ing’ With Steve, Part II: Expected Goals, a Deeper Understanding of Shots
Folks, hello. Thefirst installment of this series involved Corsi, a proxy for puck possession measured by counting all shot attempts. The only problem with Corsi is that it treats every shot attempt as equal. It’s still an extremely useful tool and simple to understand, so it’s used often (it’s usually the first statistic I check when looking to find out about a team or player, for example). It just doesn’t always tell the whole story.
By Steve Smith8 years ago in Unbalanced
MVP So Far: Connor McDavid
We’ve reached the midway point of the NHL season, and there have been some great story lines so far. One of the most interesting has been the discussion surrounding who is most deserving of MVP consideration. As it stands, it seems there are at least two favorites. Even if some people don’t want to hear another option other than Sidney Crosby, the truth is that 20-year-old Connor McDavid is absolutely worthy of consideration.
By Kyle Vandenberg8 years ago in Unbalanced
334 Fans: The Story of the Crazies
On Tuesday, a game between the New Jersey Devils and the Winnipeg Jets had to be postponed due to a blizzard that hit most of the American Northeast. It was only the second postponed game this season, and there were only three last year.
By Kyle Vandenberg8 years ago in Unbalanced
The End of an Era: Detroit Out of the Playoffs
For the first time in 25 seasons, the Detroit Red Wings will miss the playoffs. With a lockout season thrown in the timeline, that means this is the first time since the 1989–90 season that the NHL Playoffs will begin without Detroit.
By Kyle Vandenberg8 years ago in Unbalanced
How Many Wins Can Vegas Get?
The addition of a new NHL franchise has generated some interest and excitement over this offseason. General Manager George McPhee and the Vegas Golden Knights staff have certainly been busy, overseeing an expansion draft, contract negotiations, and an absolute barrage of trades. While building a new franchise certainly isn’t easy, and Vegas hopes it can field a competitive team, the Golden Knights have an interesting set of expectations ahead of them and will hope to perform well in 2017–18.
By Kyle Vandenberg8 years ago in Unbalanced
The Rise of Peter Budaj
During the summer of 2015, Peter Budaj was a free agent goalie who may have been considering retirement. At the very least, he could head back to Europe to try and save his career. He was given a pro tryout by the Los Angeles Kings, but was a long shot to make the roster. Just 18 months later, Budaj is one of the best comeback stories in the NHL.
By Kyle Vandenberg8 years ago in Unbalanced
Finding a Way to Get Duchene to Brooklyn
As the Colorado Avalanche tumble into the trade deadline and toward the end of the season, rumors swirl surrounding two of their young players in left wing and captain Gabriel Landeskog and center/winger Matt Duchene. It’s evident that Colorado needs (or wants to) rip it down to the studs and start over. GM Joe Sakic is in no hurry to move his two young stars — they don’t have expiring contracts or anything like that. His idea, it seems, is to go as young as possible, which might mean there isn’t enough room for 26-year old Duchene and 24-year old Landeskog.
By Steve Smith8 years ago in Unbalanced
Can the Penguins Repeat?
The Pittsburgh Penguins entered the 2016–17 season as defending Stanley Cup champions and had 12–1 odds to repeat, the fourth best chance in the league according to Bovada. After opening up a 3–1 game lead on the Columbus Blue Jackets, those odds have skyrocketed to 15–4 favorites via VegasInsider. The NHL hasn’t seen a repeat champion since the Detroit Red Wings in 1998. Now that they’ve advanced to the second round, can the Penguins be the first since then and defend their title?
By Kyle Vandenberg8 years ago in Unbalanced
Wild Acquire Martin Hanzal from ‘Yotes
Apparently NHL teams thought the trade deadline was tonight! Not long after the Ben Bishop trade was announced, it was reported that center Martin Hanzal and center Ryan White were being moved from Arizona to Minnesota for a 2017 1st-round pick, a 2018 2nd-round pick, a conditional pick in 2019, and Grayson Downing. And my initial thoughts: good lord.
By Steve Smith8 years ago in Unbalanced
What the Devils Should Do with Patrik Elias
He’s the franchise leader all-time in goals, assists, and points. He’s had countless heroic moments in the playoffs and regular season. He’s won two Stanley Cup championships with the team. No doubt, his will be the fifth number retired by New Jersey, and may be the last sweater retirement the team sees for a long time.
By Kyle Vandenberg8 years ago in Unbalanced
