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Is a Lockout even Necessary?

        With the recent passing of the deadline for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the players and owners, on September 15th, the NHL has began it's third lockout in the league's history (all since 1994). Since the 2004-05 lockout, which resulted in the league missing an entire season, the NHL has made tremendous progress on the ice, on the financial side, and in the league's popularity. After 2004-05, many believed that the NHL could never be as good as it had been prior, but the league exceeded what it once was. Another lockout can and will erase all progress made since 2004-05, and it's a real shame, because locking out the players is not even an effective negotiating tactic. Sure, the fans are upset about the lockout (which is unfortunately irrelevant in this situation), but it puts no pressure on either side to make a deal faster. It only makes the players lives a little more difficult.
        The message that a lockout sends to the players is this: if you want to play this season, then you have to agree to our deal. The problem with that is that a lot of players will play this season regardless if it's in the NHL, or anywhere else. Many players, like Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin and Senators defenseman Sergei Gonchar, have signed contracts to play overseas in Europe. Malkin and Gonchar both signed contracts to play with Metallurg of the KHL, until the NHL and NHLPA reach an agreement on a new CBA. Sure, Malkin, Gonchar, and the other players playing overseas would much rather playing in the NHL (and why not; it's the best league in the world), but they are still playing professional hockey, which is what the objective of a lockout is to deprive them of. 
        The players, for the most part, are still playing hockey this season, so why not negotiate while playing a regular season? The unfortunate answer that we all have to live with: because that would make too much sense.

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NHL Lockout: Top 5 Ways Fans can get their Voices Heard

        It's becoming quite obvious that things are not looking good in the negations for a new Collective Bargaining between the NHL and the NHLPA. While these two parties continue to dispute about a new CBA, hockey fans all across North America are becoming uneasy because of the possibility of another lockout. Hockey fans have every right to be upset, as this will be the third lockout (if we have one) under the reign of commissioner Gary Bettman. It's just not right, and it's not fair to the fans, who spend their hard-earned money on a product  that locks down every time their is a dispute over money. Gary Bettman can say that "the NHL has the best fans in the world" all he wants, but that does not make it okay for the higher-ups in the league to continue to walk all over the fans for their own financial gain. 
        While it can be easily argued that fans have no say in the CBA negotiations, fans can make a difference in how fast the negotiation process takes. Here are the top five ways fans can get their voices heard by the two parties that will be responsible for a lockout, if we have one:

1. Boycott the purchase of all NHL merchandise

2. Boycott the purchase of all tickets to NHL games

3. Boycott the purchase of all items that are sponsors of the NHL

4. Unfollow/Unlike all pages ran by the NHL, NHLPA, or any player on social media

5. Join forces with other hockey fans on social media (groups, petitions, etc.)

        These five ideas can all show the NHL and the NHLPA that the fans are the most important part of the league, and we are not happy. By executing on these ideas, we, the fans, would show the NHL that we have the power to end the league if we wanted to. Obviously, we don't want to end the league, but by protesting and boycotting, we can show the NHL and NHLPA that the fans want hockey, and they want it now. By executing these ideas, the negotiation process between the NHL and NHLPA will go quicker, because of the fact that they will be losing money because of the boycotting and protesting of the fans. By doing this, we will be taking the NHL and NHLPA "hostage" (figuratively, of course), and they will have no choice but to resolve their issues quicker to stop the damage caused by the fans. The fans of the NHL are not being taken seriously, and it's a shame, because all we want is hockey. 

What I'm Expecting Out of the Hurricanes This Season

        This off-season, we saw teams make acquisitions that shook the entire landscape of the National Hockey League. Teams like the Minnesota Wild (signed Zach Parise and Ryan Suter) and the New York Rangers (traded for Rick Nash) come to mind when thinking about teams that made big splashes this summer, but a team that cannot be overlooked when talking about big moves this summer is the Carolina Hurricanes. At the 2012 NHL Entry Draft in late June, the Carolina Hurricanes traded promising forward Brandon Sutter, a prospect, and a 2012 first round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins for center Jordan Staal. I like this move a lot for the Hurricanes, as I believe bringing in Jordan will help his own overall game, but it will also help his brother Eric, the captain of the Hurricanes, to rebound off of a disappointing season last year. Shortly after the trade, the Hurricanes locked up Jordan Staal to a ten year, $60,000,000, setting up the 1-2 punch at center of the Staal brothers for years to come.
        Late in June, it was announced that the Hurricanes signed former Washington Capitals winger Alexander Semin to a one year contract worth $7,000,000. While I believe Semin is being overpaid, I like this deal for both parties. It gives both sides the opportunity to experiment with each other, to see if Semin meshes well with the group the Hurricanes have. Semin, known player with the skills to be a superstar in the NHL, has the reputation of being an enigma. The amount of effort that he gives is often questioned, which is why he was not signed until roughly three weeks after the free agency season began. If Semin fits in well on Carolina, they can sign him to long term. And if not, they will not be stuck with him for a long time. I'm expecting Semin to have a great season, posting around 70 points, with the Hurricanes signing him to a long term extension next off-season. 
        Along with these acquisitions, the Hurricanes also brought back offensive defenseman Joe Corvo for his third stint in Carolina. Also, the Hurricanes signed teenage sensation Jeff Skinner to a six year contract extension. And let's not forget about superstar goaltender Cam Ward, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2006, when the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup. With Ward in goal, Carolina has the opportunity to be a perennial playoff team. As a team, I am expecting a strong season from the Hurricanes, ending up with them making the playoffs in one of the bottom four seeds. That would be a step up for them, as they came in 12th in the Eastern Conference last season. Not only will the Hurricanes be in contention to make the playoffs this season, but they will be contenders for years to come.
     

Power of the Puck Update: Back from Vacation

        Hello everyone! I'm back from my vacation, and as promised, Power of the Puck is back as well. I'm really excited to be blogging again, and I'm hoping to see Power of the Puck continue to grow even more than the way that it has since its birth in April of this year. Definitely remember to check back regularly for new blog posts, as we move toward the start of the 2012-13 NHL hockey season! 

Power of the Puck Update: Going on Vacation

        Hello to whoever is reading this. This post is to announce that I will be on going on vacation tomorrow June 23rd and will be returning on August 10th. I will try to post as often as I can during this time period, but don't be alarmed if you don't here from me for longer periods of time than you are used to. I want to thank all of those who have supported me from when I started Power of the Puck in April, until now when I recently hit the 2,500 viewer mark. Make sure you mark August 10th on your calendars, because Power of the Puck will be back and better than ever! 

Why Jordan Staal Turned Down a Ten Year Extension with the Penguins

        Reports began to surface today that Pittsburgh Penguins center Jordan Staal rejected a ten year contract extension from the Penguins. Many criticized this move by Staal, as he would be given the opportunity to play for a stacked team for a long time, but that's the problem. With Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby filling up the top two center positions, Staal would not get the second line minutes that he deserves. Staal is capable of playing as a second line center, and he certainly would not get the opportunity to do so with the Penguins. On most teams, Staal would be a second line center, which is why he will likely leave the Penguins via trade this season or free agency next season, when his contract expires. 
        One possible destination for Staal next season would be the Carolina Hurricanes, along his brothers Eric and Jared Staal. In Carolina, Jordan Staal could get second line minutes, along with more time on the power-play than he would be used to. Rejecting Pittsburgh's offer is that right move for Staal, because he will not excel and reach his full potential as a player in the NHL if he stays in Pittsburgh, playing behind Crosby and Malkin for the next ten years. At this point, look for the Penguins to try to trade him, as they know by his contract rejection, that Staal wants to play elsewhere. It would be a smart move by the Penguins if they try to get something in return for a player that is destined to leave the franchise. Staal will leave eventually, but why not try to gain something out of his loss?

Daily Dose: Teemu Returns; Karlsson, Harding, Helm Re-sign with Teams

        Today was a busy day in the NHL. The league was buzzing with rumors, player re-signings, and anticipation of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and free agency. Red Wings forward Darren Helm re-signed with Detroit, signing a four year, $8,500,000 contract. This is a great move by Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, as Helm is a key depth player for the Red Wings. He is a fast, physical player who is not afraid to do the dirty work in order for his team to succeed. Helm was a member of the 2008 Stanley Cup champion and 2009 runner-up Red Wing teams, so he has a lot of playoff experience at the young age of 25. Look for Helm to be an important player for the Red Wings for the next four years, as he continues to evolve as a hockey player.
        Later on in the day, goaltender Josh Harding re-signed with the Minnesota Wild for three years, making $5,700,000 over that period. Harding, who currently serves as the backup goaltender to Niklas Backstrom, is now an important part of the future of the Minnesota Wild. He has been the backup for several years, but he has clearly grown into a goaltender that can handle a starting job. I wouldn't be surprised if we start to see Harding gradually play more games for the Wild as time goes on, as they want him to eventually take over the starting job. With this new contract that Harding has, that process can start to begin.
        Perhaps the biggest re-signing of the day was Erik Karlsson re-signing with the Ottawa Senators on a seven year, $45,500,000 contract. Fans in Ottawa are breathing a sigh of relief, as they now know Karlsson will be a Senator for a long time. Karlsson had a sensational breakout season, leading defensemen in scoring by a mile, and is a nominee for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the best defenseman during the regular season. Karlsson is young, so we know he is only going to get better. Whether he wins the Norris Trophy this year or not, he is going to win that award many times in his career. Now fans in Ottawa have the pleasure of watching him do that in a Senators jersey. 
        While Senators fans are celebrating Karlsson's re-signing, hockey fans everywhere are celebrating the news that Teemu Selanne will return with the Anaheim Ducks next season. Nothing was officially announced yet, but several reports are confirming this. The "Finnish Flash" is one of the all-time greats, and I, along with the rest of the hockey world, am looking forward to having the privilege of seeing him play for at least one more year.

Where Will They Go?: Rick Nash

        Before the 2012 Trade Deadline this season, rumors began to swarm around Columbus Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash, as he had reportedly asked to be out of Columbus. Nash has six years left on his $7,800,000 per year contract with Columbus, as well a a no-movement clause. Teams like the New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Philadelphia Flyers emerged as the front-runners in acquiring Nash. It was a really exciting time for hockey fans, until we heard from Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson that Nash would not be dealt, if at all, until the NHL Entry Draft. Well, the draft is rapidly approaching, and so is a Rick Nash trade. In my opinion, Nash will be dealt to the San Jose Sharks. 
        Both the Blue Jackets and the Sharks are desperate to turn things around for their clubs. The Blue Jackets, who finished last in the league by miles, clearly need to start from scratch and rebuild their franchise. By trading the centerpiece of the failing franchise, Columbus can truly begin to start over. Along with trading Nash, Columbus has the second overall pick in this year's draft, which will allow them to possibly find a future face of the franchise. This trade would also work for Rick Nash, as he is in the prime of his career and has never won a playoff game. 
         That can all change for Nash if he were sent to the Sharks, as the Sharks are a team that is built for making the playoffs. The Sharks are a team that can make the playoffs without much difficulty, but going for into the playoffs has been a challenge for the Sharks for quite some time. In acquiring Rick Nash, the Sharks will be able to take their team the next step in becoming an elite team in the NHL. While the Sharks will get a great player in Nash, they will have to pay a hefty price. I expect center Joe Pavelski, goalie Antti Niemi, and a draft pick or two to be sent to Columbus in exchange for Nash. What ever the price is, it is almost certainly worth it for the San Jose Sharks, because time is running out with their group, as the players are starting to get older. At this point, it's now or never for the Sharks.

Where Will They Go?: Ryan Suter

        Like Zach Parise, Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Suter is one of the biggest free agents of the last five years. He is certainly the best defenseman available this offseason, and it is believed that he will test the free agency market. There are many teams who are looking to sign Suter, but he has reportedly made a very short list of teams that he wants to sign with. 
        I believe Suter will sign with the Detroit Red Wings. It's a perfect match. With legendary defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom now retired, Detroit is looking to fill a monumental hole in Detroit's defense. Now, Ryan Suter is no Nicklas Lidstrom, but he is an elite defenseman in the National Hockey League. Suter, like Lidstrom is an offensive defenseman with great intelligence on the ice. Suter would be inserted into Lidstrom's former slot on the Red Wings  depth chart, which would make the transition from Lidstrom's retirement much easier for the Red Wings. 
        Detroit is the perfect destination for Ryan Suter. because Suter is in the prime of his career, and he wants to go to a winning franchise. There are only a few teams in the NHL that have a bigger winning tradition than the Detroit Red Wings, especially throughout the last twenty years. With Suter, the Wings will be able to keep their winning tradition alive for many years to come. Other teams will go after Suter, but Suter wants to win championships. Detroit has the money to sign Suter to that long term contract that he desires, which is why I think that come July 1st, Ryan Suter will wear the winged wheel.

Where Will They Go?: Zach Parise

        For the entire season, speculation on where New Jersey Devils captain Zach Parise would play in the 2012-13 NHL season became a followed storyline. Parise, arguably the most sought-after free agent of the last five years, has many options. He can return to his home state of Minnesota and play for the Wild, play for the always dominant Detroit Red Wings, or even stay in New Jersey, and continue to lead them. It's safe to say that almost all 30 NHL teams are in on the Zach Parise sweepstakes; that's what makes this situation so compelling.
        In my opinion, Parise is going to stay put in New Jersey, even with their current financial issues. The Devils, who reportedly signed on with an investor that will bring them out of debt, along with making approximately $30 million during the playoffs, are possibly on their way out of debt. That will make it possible for New Jersey to keep Parise, who has indicated that he wants to remain a Devil. During the Devils' locker clean out day, Parise told reporters several times that he wants to stay in New Jersey, and even saying "no way" when asked about signing with the New York Rangers.
        Saying that would hurt Parise if he wanted to leave, as it would hurt his choice of teams to sign with. Why would he hurt his credibility with other teams if he wanted to leave? He wouldn't, no soon-to-be free agent would say that. Signing Parise is a top priority for New Jersey, and staying in New Jersey is a top priority for Parise. It's a match made in heaven for the two sides, so it makes no sense for Parise to sign anywhere but with New Jersey.

Where Will They Go?: Brandon Prust

        Yesterday, rumors began swirling around the social media world, saying that the Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to sign current Rangers forward Brandon Prust in the off-season. I can see Prust fitting in on the Penguins very nicely, as the Penguins are looking for  role players who can score important goals. While Prust is a good fit for the Penguins, he is an even better fit for the Rangers, which is why I think he will re-sign with the Rangers this offseason. The main reason why I see Prust re-signing with the Rangers is coach John Tortorella. When the Rangers acquired Prust in a trade a few seasons ago, he was thought to be only used as a fighter for the Rangers. Over time, Tortorella helped Prust mold his game into more than just a fighter. Prust is a player that can throw a big hit to motivate his team, and he has also scored goals in very important situations for the Rangers. His value has increased a lot more, and that's because of the way the Rangers play.

        Prust, who made $800,000 this season, should expect a contract that pays him at least $1,000,000 next season, as his value has clearly increased. That will be wherever he signs, whether it's with Pittsburgh, the Rangers, or anywhere else. Brandon Prust was a key member of the Rangers this season, and they would love to bring him back next season. Where do you think Prust will sign?

A Look at the 2012 Stanley Cup Champions, the LA Kings

        The wait is over in Los Angeles! The Kings defeated the New Jersey Devils in 6-1, in Game 6, to win the Stanley Cup. This is the Kings' first championship in their 45 year history. The Kings have been dominant  all playoffs long, going 16-4, defeating the top three seeded teams on the Western Conference (Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, and Phoenix Coyotes), as well as the New Jersey Devils, who made a remarkable playoff run of their own. It was no surprise to see Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick win the Conn Smythe Trophy, as the most valuable player during the playoffs. The Vezina Trophy finalist was phenomenal during the regular season and playoffs, and at times, we wondered if he was human, based on his super-hero-like performances. This was a team that almost didn't make the playoffs, and when they did, people expected them to lose easily in the first round.
        Earlier this season, when things weren't going as planned in Los Angeles, the Kings fired then coach Terry Murray, and brought in Darryl Sutter. Sutter clearly found a way to motivate this team, as they have only been getting better and better since he took over as head coach. Another key factor in the Kings' success was the play of captain Dustin Brown. Brown led the way all playoffs long, making some big hits and scoring some key goals for the Kings. He is the perfect example of what a gritty hockey player is. He's willing to sacrifice everything to be successful. Players like Dustin Brown are what makes hockey so great. The Kings put on a great show for hockey fans, and it is sad to see the season end.
        All in all, the Kings finished off their Cinderella story tonight, capping off another fantastic NHL hockey season. Another season is on the horizon. New questions are waiting to be answered. Will the Kings have it in them to repeat as Stanley Cup champions, or will the Stanley Cup hangover take over? With either question, we'll know the reason why: because it's the Cup.

Why the Brad Stuart Trade was Great for Both Sides

        Yesterday, the Detroit Red Wings traded soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Brad Stuart's negotiating rights to the San Jose Sharks for forward Andrew Murray and a conditional 2012 7th round draft pick. This move benefits both sides, as Brad Stuart wanted to go to San Jose to be with his family, who currently resides there. This will be Stuart's second stint with the Sharks. Detroit knew Stuart would not re-sign with them on July 1st, so they wanted to get something in return for the loss of Stuart. That is a very smart move by Detroit general manager Ken Holland, as he found a way to get something, in a conditional 2012 seventh round pick and Andrew Murray, in losing a great two-way defenseman in Brad Stuart. The loss of Stuart also frees up some salary cap space, which the Red Wings could use to go after free agents like Ryan Suter, Alexander Semin, and Zach Parise in the offseason. 
        The addition of Brad Stuart is huge for the San Jose Sharks, as it adds another solid defenseman to its already depth-filled defensive core. With the likes of Dan Boyle, Brent Burns, Douglas Murray, Marc-Edouard Vlassic, and now Brad Stuart, the San Jose Sharks now have a defensive core that has the potential to win championships. Look for the Sharks to be a force to be reckoned with next season, and it all starts with their dominant defensemen. This move also benefits Brad Stuart, as he wanted to go back to San Jose in order to be closer to his family. Now he has that, along with being apart of a great organization in the San Jose Sharks, which has the potential to be successful in this league.

Devils Do Everything Right in Game 5 Win

        As a Devils fan, I was obviously pleased with the Devils defeating the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 in Game 5, but the way that they played tonight was really the icing on the cake for me. The Devils did everything right in this game. Their power play finally contributed, with Zach Parise scoring a power play goal in the first period. New Jersey's power  play was in control of their man-advantage situation, unlike the previous games in this series where the Los Angeles penalty kill was completely dominant. One player that I was particularly impressed with tonight was defenseman Bryce Salvador. Salvador, who played all 82 regular season games, scoring no goals and nine assists, scored his fourth goal of the playoffs tonight, to go along with his ten playoff assists. This guy is the epitome of rising to the occasion. He's really stepped his game up for the Devils, and his play has been a huge factor in New Jersey's postseason success.

        Another individual effort that cannot be ignored was that of goaltender Martin Brodeur. Brodeur was sensational in this game, standing on his head at times to keep the Devils in the game. Without Brodeur's standout performance tonight, the Devils would not have won the game. He's the backbone of this team, and it really showed tonight. He looked calm in the net and he kept his composure in critical situations. If there's one reason the Devils won this game, it's Martin Brodeur. The Devils have all the momentum now. They handed the Kings their first road playoff loss, and now have the chance to tie the series at three wins apiece on Monday. This team has proved that they have it in them to come back in this series. On Monday, we'll see if they can really pull this off.

Adam Henrique: The Most Clutch Player in the NHL Today

        Last night, we saw yet another big time goal from Devils rookie Adam Henrique. The Devils were locked in a 1-1 tie with the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Finals, and the Calder Trophy took a bad pass from winger David Clarkson, and shot the puck over the shoulder of Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick. It was a beautiful goal, and it could be a turning point in a  series in which LA was leading 3-0 (now 3-1), as the Devils now believe they can beat Jonathan Quick. That belief though, is because of how clutch Adam Henrique is. Look at past the past series on the Devils playoff run. Henrique scored the double-overtime goal in Game 7 that sent the Devils into the second round, eliminating the Florida Panthers in the playoffs. In the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Rangers, Henrique scored the overtime goal in Game 6, sending the Devils to the a Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2003. And now, Henrique proved yet again how valuable he is to the Devils by scoring this goal. 
        These three goals by Henrique are the three most important Devils goals of the playoffs. If there's one thing Henrique showed me, it's that he's the most clutch player in the NHL. It's certainly hard to argue against, looking at how timely those three goals were. Though Henrique is young, he has a veteran presence about him. Henrique plays like a leader out on the ice, and he is a great example for his teammates to follow. He is a very smart hockey player, which is why he gets a lot of time on the penalty kill for the Devils. Henrique is only going to get better, which gives the Devils something to look forward to in the years to come. He's only going to get better.
        So what do you think? Is Adam Henrique the most clutch player in the NHL? 

A Devils Disaster

        Tonight, we saw one of the best performances that we've ever seen from the Los Angeles Kings, and one of the worst performances we've ever seen out of the New Jersey Devils. The Kings defeated the Devils 4-0, quite easily. The only Devils player that came to play this game was Martin Brodeur. Brodeur was not bad, as he had no support from anyone on his team. The Devils looked slow out there, with star winger Ilya Kovalchuk possibly nursing on injury. Kovalchuk, along with stars like Zach Parise and Patrik Elias were invisible out there. Another player's performance that was particularly bad was that of defenseman Marek Zidlicky. Zidlicky often waits too long to pass the puck, and eventually turns the puck over.
        But before I get too carried away with how bad individual performances were tonight, one poor team effort must be addressed: the power play. New Jersey's power play went 0 for 6 tonight, and created almost no scoring chances. In fact, New Jersey was hurt by their power play because their lack of offense weakened the momentum they were trying to create. No one on the power play was anywhere near decent. Ilya Kovachuk forced passes that caused turnovers. The forwards were slow, and did not win the battles on the boards throughout the entire game. Zidlicky created turnover after turnover. And defenseman Peter Harrold is just not skilled enough to play on the power play. There are more capable players to play the point on the Devils than Peter Harrold. After pointing out the flaws of the Devils power play tonight, my point is this: the Devils certainly dropped the ball on this game, and on this series for that matter. 

What I've Learned: Tim Thomas is a Disgrace

        Yesterday, reports emerged stating that Tim Thomas is seriously considering taking the 2012-13 season off. This is a man that started his career in Europe, became an NHL rookie at age 30, and then went on to winning two Vezina Trophies, the Stanley Cup, and the Conn Smythe Trophy since. And he's throwing it all away. This stunt that he is pulling proves that he is a disgrace to hockey, as so many people can only dream of accomplishing the feats that Tim Thomas has accomplished. By taking a year off, Thomas is slapping the face of hockey fans everywhere. He's taken everything he has gotten since becoming a superstar for granted. Most players would give anything to still be playing the game at the NHL-level at the age of 38, but Thomas' mind is clearly elsewhere. The reports say that Thomas wants to spend more time with his family, but if he really wants that, then he should retire, like Nicklas Lidstrom did only a few days ago. 
        If he doesn't play this season, he will be suspended by the Bruins, and likely not be re-signed by the team when his contract is up this year. Since his contract was signed when he was over the age of 35, the $3 million dollars that he is scheduled to make this year will still go against the Bruins' salary cap. This proves that Thomas thinks that he is above everyone else, as he is putting the Bruins in a difficult situation because of his selfish reasons. Tim Thomas is setting a bad example for young hockey fans everywhere, as well as his kids. He is teaching them that it is ok to not follow through with something, even if they are obligated to do it. 
        Thomas also said that he would like to play in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, but let's be realistic here. If he's going to take an entire season off, will he even be in anywhere the shape that he is in now? No Only the best of the best go to the Olympics, and taking off a year will slide him down the depth chart of goalies that have a shot at representing the United States at the 2014 Olympics. After next season, who is going to want him on their team? No one. He's proven time and time again, with this and his snubbing of the White House, that he doesn't always respect his commitments. What if midway through another season, he decides he wants to take the rest of the year off? Then the other team that signed will be screwed. All of these questions prove that, if Thomas doesn't play this year, there will be no place anywhere in hockey for Tim Thomas.

Career Eulogy: Nicklas Lidstrom

        It was announced yesterday that the Detroit Red Wings would be holding a press today, May 31, in regards to the retirement of defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom. The iconic Swedish defenseman has won four Stanley Cups, captaining the most recent one in 2008. In wining that Cup, Lidstrom became the first European captain to lead his team to the Stanley Cup. As great of a leader as Lidstrom was, he is also considered to be one of the all-time greatest defensemen in the history of the NHL. He did not have the hardest shot, or the booming body checks, or the fastest legs; but Lidstrom excelled in one area that separated him from the rest: his intelligence on the ice. Lidstrom's hockey IQ was amazing, as was able to create plays that no one even thought of. He always knew where everyone was on the ice, at all times, in every situation. 
        Growing up, I have watched Lidstrom since I became a hockey fan. I am certainly upset to see him leave, as he has been a household name in the league for so many years. We are losing one of the all-time greatest players today, as Lidstrom officially announces his retirement. Congrats on a great career Nick, and all of us in the hockey world are eagerly waiting for your almost-guarenteed Hall of Fame induction.

Stanley Cup Finals Preview: Kings vs. Devils

        If you claim to have called this matchup, your probably lying. On Friday night, Devils center Adam Henrique scored the Game 6 overtime winner that would send the New Jersey Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals to play against the Los Angeles Kings. This is the first time that two bottom four seeds are playing in the Stanley Cup Finals, but these teams have not been playing like bottom four seeds. Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, who has won three Stanley Cups, will face off against Vezina Trophy finalist Jonathan Quick in the nets. Knowing these two goaltenders, they are going to put on quite a show. Both of these teams have plenty of depth, with the Devils having the likes of Ilya Kovalchuk, Patrik Elias, Adam Henrique, and captain Zach Parise. The Kings are led by captain Dustin Brown, with Mike Richards, Anze Kopitar, and Jeff Carter. These teams are incredibly talented, shown by the players that they have. In this post, I will explain what both teams need to do in order to win, and in the end, I will make my pick for the winner of the Stanley Cup.

New Jersey Devils

        This Devils team is not the defensive powerhouse that won three Stanley Cups from 1995 to 2003. This is a completely different animal. Ilya Kovalchuk, who was fifth in league scoring this regular season and leads playoff scoring, will have to continue his offensive excellence in the Finals. The Devils' forecheck will also have to be as dominant as the were in the series against the Philadelphia Flyers. Their fourth line, consisting of Stephen Gionta, Ryan Carter, and Steve Bernier, will have to lead the way on the forechecking front. And let's not forget about the legendary Martin Brodeur. The 40-year old net minder will have to steal the show, like he has done all throughout the playoffs. Brodeur will have to be even better than years past, as he doesn't have the all-star defense in front of him that he once had. 

Los Angeles Kings

        The Kings have been dominant all post season long. If there is one thing they need to do to win the Stanley Cup it will be this: keep doing what ever they're doing. They've been road warriors all playoffs, not losing a single away game so far. Fortunately for them, they do not have home ice in this series either. A big part of winning those games is Jonathan Quick. Because the Kings have difficulty scoring goals, that makes Quick's job that much more important, as it is difficult to guarantee that the Kings will score more than two goals in a game. He will need to be perfect, or close to it, in this series. The Kings will need there key players, Brown, Kopitar, Richards, and Carter to contribute offensively if the Kings have any chance at winning the series. Also, the Kings will need Dustin Brown to get under the Devils' skin and draw penalties, which is one of his specialties. Dustin Brown will need to play on the edge, as he has done throughout his entire career.

My Pick

        I'm going with the Devils in six games, as their offensive power might be too much for the low-scoring Kings team. Defense does win games, but in hockey, the team that scores more goals wins the game. The Kings just don't have the enough goal-scoring to beat the Devils. I also believe that Martin Brodeur has one more Cup left in him. He has a different kind of motivation as opposed to Quick. This is probably Brodeur's last major playoff run. He knows that, and he wants to make it to the top of the mountain one more time before he retires. And I believe he will do just that.