Hockey talk, thoughts, and opinions.

 Billie Jean King MVP - Marie-Philip Poulin - Carried Montreal both as a leader and a producer into the first place spot. She made all her teammates really good too along with coaches. Nominees - Sarah Fillier and Hilary Knight  Defender of the year - Renata Fast - Fast was probably the best player on the Scepteres and brought a good two-way game. Nominees - Sophie Jaques and Claire Thompson Goaltender of the year - Ann-Renee Desbiens - As I am happy for Desbiens, I think the other nominee Gwenyth Philips should've won the award as she was a big part of what got Ottawa into the finals. I do think Desbiens is excellent, but the factor here is Poulin is the reason as to why she won the award. Nominees - Aerin Franklin and Gwenyth Philips Rookie of the year - Sarah Fillier - In a few years I think she's going to be one of the best players in the PWHL and hockey also being nominated for MVP, but also a great year for rookies given Gwenyth Philips had an incredible rookie campaign ...

These are currently based on what teams have done to improve in their own way. I love the draft, favourite time of the year because I love seeing how teams plan going forward and what the future of the NHL holds. This year I didn't get lots of picks right in my mock drafts, and as the draft continued I was continuously wrong. And for some fans and players sake hopefully I am too. Anaheim Ducks - They did some excellent moves, such as the Gibson to Detroit trade given that they need to shake the team up. But I'm big on Roger McQueen, I personally think in redrafts he goes higher. They had a lot more picks this season given all the trades, but I think they could do better. Grade: C. Boston Bruins - They made awesome picks with Hagens, Moore, Simpson, Pettersson, and when they go into a rebuild I think they have potential to bounce back into a contending team. Grade: A. Buffalo Sabres - I didn't think they'd take Radim Mrtka as he's not the kind of player who fits the ...

I made two mock drafts, and now I am making my personal thoughts on the 2025 NHL Draft just as it happens live.  1. New York Islanders - Matthew Schaefer was the obvious pick by the Islanders, I was skeptical on him going there until the Dobson trade, but I think the Islanders have a long-time blue-liner for their team which I like. I think his playing style 2. San Jose Sharks - Michael Misa - I found San Jose didn't need him and doesn't quite fit their style. This draft taught me when they film the player before they get drafted that's who they take and now I am to believe the draft is pre-planned. Now, I wanted him in Chicago to play with Bedard, but I think putting him on the wing for Celebrini will be a great thing and makes San Jose an offensive threat. Also will get great mentorship from Toffoli, I'm happy for both the Sharks and Misa, but I think Misa in Chicago would've been my preference. Had Lundell as a final answer as I feel he could bring size to the Sh...

The Islanders made it clear they're likely taking Matt Schaefer, but they also can't deny James Hagens and I think taking both would be a big step forward for the franchise. And acquiring two more first-round picks just made them a soon to be younger team and more competitive going forward.  Noah Dobson is now a Montreal Canadien, I love this for Montreal because they're not a draft-and-develop team anymore -- if you ask me -- and they got a potential Norris candidate and one who will likely get Laine more goals and maybe more money on his contract. I think this trade makes Montreal one of the best teams in the league, they now have the best defensive core in the league, and he or Hudson will be a good pairing with Reinbacher. Montreal will make the playoffs next season, and Dobson's contract is perfect for their team. I previously wrote about how much I praise Dobson, and Martin St. Louis is the perfect coach for them. 

 We didn't see this trade happening, especially this late, or early for some. As per this trade I think Buffalo got ripped off for Kesselring and Josh Doan. Now, Kesselring is a solid player and I think he's gonna do well with the Sabres, but this trade is almost similar to the Hall for Larsson trade that hurt Oilers fans to this day. But the difference here is Peterka wanted out of Buffalo -- can we blame him -- and was looking to be paid. And I think if Peterka wasn't with the Sabres he would've put up really good numbers given he was playing with Tage Thompson, but Buffalo has been a team that's been sinking and stinking. I think Josh Doan in Buffalo may not be the best fit, and see him being better on another team but he is one hell of a player.  Along with this trade, Peterka has signed a 5-year deal worth $7.7M AAV, which if you ask me is $700,000 too much. I believe though Peterka will be a staple in the top-six, and when Tij Iginla joins Utah full-time there...

 I hate this trade for Vancouver, but it's a huge step forward for Edmonton. Edmonton does this trade in order to free up salary to sign Bouchard to an extension, but this is one big thing Edmonton did that puts them in the right direction. I think for the Oilers next thing they need to do is get rid of their goalie coach while also finding a star goaltender, and they got their grit in Trent Frederic who can step up in Kane's place, but think this gives the Oilers a healthier dressing room and less penalties meaning less penalty kills.  Evander Kane goes to his hometown team, and will likely replace JT Miller's presence. Now, what I hate about this for the Canucks is they don't seem to learn. I think Kane will bring the Canucks down, and will be given a way bigger presence and spotlight in Vancouver. I think that kind of thing won't be good for the city of Vancouver or the Canucks. I think what Vancouver needs to do is fix their locker room situation first as not on...

 The third ever PWHL Draft had happened recently held at the Hard Rock Casino and Resort in Ottawa, Ontario, which was special considering they introduced two new teams: PWHL Vancouver and PWHL Seattle, both of which held the final picks of the draft.  1. New York Sirens -  Kristýna Kaltounková - F - Colgate University - A consistent point producer from the Czech Repbulic, the Sirens took what is believed to be the best player in this draft. Can be looked to either make plays and has a promising shot bringing what is believed to be a long PWHL career. What  Kaltounková also has in her game is height which is a huge advantage in this sport. I think this pick instantly improves the Sirens and gives Sarah Fillier a line-mate for a long time. 2. Boston Fleet - Haley Winn - D - Clarkson University - The Boston Fleet take an offensive defenseman from Clarkson and defender of the year. But another key highlight of her career is winning various gold medals in junior tourname...

 I feel that Bowen Byram has shown a commitment to play for the city of Vancouver as he played for the Giants and is the province he is from. Now, I am still believed to think Byram is a good player as the problems were in Colorado he wasn't relied on heavily while also being having shortened seasons due to injury. In Buffalo it's basically a trainwreck, and I think he needs to play somewhere he could be given the challenge.  Now, it is rumoured Quinn Hughes may be traded by the Canucks to play with Jack and Luke, and if this does happen Bowen Byram could step right into Quinn Hughes' spot and take over. I think Byram could handle the ice-time and defensive responsibilities so management doesn't feel they need to panic. And if Byram does end up in Vancouver, I see him committing, also one thing worth mentioning is his Stanley Cup experience could benefit the Canucks core going forward. I think he could be a valuable leader on that Canucks team, don't know if he coul...

 Every single year after the season is over they announce who the players or people involved in hockey that get into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Some people agree and others don't. I am always intrigued to see and/or hear who does get inducted or not. These are my thoughts on this years: Joe Thornton - One of the best playmaking forwards ever, and it is worth mentioning he is the only player in NHL history to be traded and win the Hart and Art Ross in the same season (2006). Thornton would go onto lead both the Bruins and Sharks for many years before leaving to chase a Stanley Cup -- I personally believe he deserved one. But one thing he did that was quite remarkable, which showed how much of a team player he was, is help Jonathan Cheechoo win a Rocket Richard trophy, and that is something a Hall of Famer can do.  Zdeno Chara - Chara will always be remembered for his size, but I will remember him as the captain of the Boston Bruins when they won the cup in 2011. He was...

Zegras had been rumoured to be traded for a while now. I personally thought Anaheim would give him a shot under Quenneville because I think his play declined due to Greg Cronin's system as he managed to play well under Dallas Eakins. That is why I thought he would've done well with Joel Quenneville and believe Anaheim shouldn't trade him just yet. The reason I wouldn't have done this personally is because if it did workout under Quenneville, I think if they did decide to trade him they may get a lot more in return to build their value. Because I personally do believe Zegras to be a good hockey player, but needs the right coach and players. I think Philadelphia is a unique fit for him given that he is reunited with his friend, Jamie Drysdale, but not good in a media aspect because I think sure he can handle being in front of a lot of cameras, but being criticized by the media too much isn't good for his game. But on the ice, I could see potential chemistry with Michk...

 Noah Dobson is a very good defenseman in the NHL. Some don't see it, and honestly believe he should've been picked higher in the 2012 NHL Draft as his junior career was incredible before his second Memorial Cup with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. But with his first Memorial Cup with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan he pretty much carried that team which happened to be his draft year. Jeffery Vail is one of the only players on that team that got an NHL contract, and without Dobson they probably never gotten that Memorial Cup. He still did have a good season this year on a below-average Islanders team, but the year before he got seventy points in seventy-nine games, and one thing people don't think about is how competitive the defenseman are these days, like Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Josh Morrissey, but I think in 2-3 seasons Dobson will be a guy people will remain talking about as four years ago people didn't recognize Josh Morrissey as they do now.  But rumours are swirling that ...

 The most famous one of them all is: Are they going to touch the Prince of Wales Trophy/Clarence Campbell Bowl or will they not? Now, if I'm an NHL captain, I'm not touching it. This has been a superstition that has officially been debunked by Connor McDavid who didn't touch the trophy last year when Florida also didn't, but touched the trophy this year and both years lots and won. But it'd be worth mentioning that he did win something when he didn't, but didn't win the Conn Smythe when he touched the Clarence Campbell Bowl. But funny enough, the year before Florida touched the Prince of Wales when Vegas didn't... and the history goes back to Marc-Andre Fleury telling them how Sidney Crosby didn't touch the Prince of Wales, then in 2009 he touches the Prince of Wales and wins the cup. They did it in 2016 and 2017, thus meaning he did hex it. But I think McDavid just proved it's very much irrelevant. But, I think an interesting spin might be just ...

 When I saw New Jersey not qualifying Cody Glass I was pretty shocked. I've always been a fan of him as he's been a very effective player and one to step up. I even thought the Devils could use him because he was playing so well. He had seven points in fourteen games on the Devils, playing surprisingly incredible and he did do well in the playoffs, the reason he didn't put up points was because the Hurricanes were not just that good, but the Devils weren't good in the playoffs this year. Like, he got most of those points in the first games. If he's given the right amount of ice-time or playing with a good player he'll get points. I think the teams that should really make a pitch at him are Chicago, San Jose, Florida, Tampa, or Vancouver. I mean, just because Winnipeg brought a hometown player in Toews, Cody Glass I think would fit well with the Jets as well.

The Seattle Kraken have traded Andre Burakovsky to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Joe Veleno. I really like this deal for both teams. Andre Burakovsky is the perfect player to have play with Bedard if necessary, as Burakovsky can play with star players. Bedard still had a good season as a player on a bad team, and we can't expect him to carry the team. And Burakovsky with a good contract can help before they negotiate a contract with Bedard just after signing Ryan Donato. But I found Seattle wasn't the right fit for Burakovsky as a player and believe Chicago is going to be a great fit for him. Chicago had originally traded for Veleno from Detroit as I personally felt Chicago won the trade as they had gotten Spencer Knight, their goaltender of the future, trading away Mrazek back to Detroit and Craig Smith's contract. And they turned it around with Joe Veleno, who I think is more valuable and should've had a higher asking price. As for Joe Veleno, he was an excep...

This is taken from the ranking of the hockey writers. 30 - Brandon Saad - Florida 3 years x $2M AAV - I think when their other free agents leave, it leaves room to bring in a veteran and leader like Saad to make their contention a lot more stronger. 29 - Brian Dumoulin - San Jose 3 years x $2M AAV - Dumoulin would be a good pick-up for the Sharks.  28 - Victor Olofsson - Vegas 5 years x $4M AAV - He's been a great fit on Vegas and seemed quite happy there to be reunited with Jack Eichel.  27 - Corey Perry - Edmonton Oilers 1 year x $1M - Take a discount to remain playing for a team he's found a home for and purpose.  26 - Nate Schmidt - Vegas 1 year at $800K - I think he returns to a team he brought lots of value to at a hometown discount.  25 - James van Riemsdyk - Florida 1 year x $2M AAV - Another big piece for Florida to add to their veteran core. 24 - Andrew Mangiapane - Seattle Kraken 5 years x $5M AAV - Seattle gives him an opportunity to play in the top six a...

I  do know Brannstrom signed with a team in Switzerland. But I think Erik Brannstrom is a solid NHLer who had terrible opportunities on bad teams. I don't know if it's a case of attitude, but I noticed how he player for four teams this season -- three. Signed by Colorado, traded to Vancouver for Tucker Poolman, then goes to the Rangers in the J.T. Miller trade, and finally is traded to Buffalo for Aube-Kubel.  Now, he put up some incredible numbers in the AHL. And if I'm wrong here, I think he'd light it up in the KHL and be looked at as a promising defenseman in that league. But I think a good team with a salary cap crunch like Florida, Edmonton, even Vegas should go after him. I believe this because Florida did it with Gustav Fosling, turning him into a star. Also, Brannstrom had a 20-point season being fourteenth in scoring on a bad Ottawa team. Now he did play for the Abbotsford Cancuks which have been great this year and had twelve points in eight games which is pr...

How I envision a draft is I think about what the team would do, or what would be the ideal option in their shoes. I look at past drafts in their history as for the kind of attitude or playing styles, or what the team may need to get to the next level. You think some players should be taken higher, but sometimes they fall and others they rise. But this is my final mock draft, sans to change at anytime such as draft picks being traded: Mock Draft: 1. New York Islanders - Matthew Schaefer - Obvious clear favourite to go first overall. Player comparable - Mikhael Sergachev 2. San Jose Sharks - Anton Frondell - I think this is the guy San Jose could use, but I think he's a guy who suits their style of game. Player comparable - Sasha Barkov 3. Chicago Blackhawks - Michael Misa - I think personally he is the best player in the draft and wouldn't be surprised to see him go first overall. He is a pure hockey player, and I see him having the longest lasting career in the NHL. He plays a ...

 I called it from the beginning that they'd make the finals, they were my pre-season pick, they still have a good team, have lots of bumps and bruises. Matthew Tkachuk is a hockey player who will play lots of hockey while also not being brought down. Sam Bennett deserves that Conn Smythe more than anybody, as he is solid as a rock and put up an incredible amount of points. But I say they got a dynasty considering they won back-to-back while making three appearances.  But, the Oilers... they deserves to lose. I mean, Stuart Skinner did do his best and played in a high-pressure market that just so happens to be his hometown team. But pulling the goalie while up 3-0 is just pure trash, because Edmonton could've came back that game instead of giving Sam Reinhart two goals for free. Edmonton had comeback potential, seeing how Podkolzin scored the last goal there was fight. It was such a sloppy game by game, the Panthers decided to not wait for the final seconds and just celebrate t...

 Every hockey fan knows hockey isn't cheap. Now, there's no real solution, but in Canada it's pretty expensive compared to the United States. I personally dislike it, also hockey isn't the highest paid sport in the world and it takes more work than any other sport. It requires lots of dedication, and I mean A LOT. So much so you can't take a single day off from working out. If you're like Phil Kessel and be given a god-given gift of being good at hockey while just living a life you please, then you're unstoppable and your only kryptonite is not getting a contract, like a lot of hockey players.  But if I had a solution, I think the price of hockey should be decreased. But you can't just decrease it, what needs to be understood is that there should be opportunities given to kids and families who can't afford hockey. Some can argue in Canada that you just take a hose and build your own rink. But what bothers me is how it's all rich kids and the kids...

As we all know as hockey fans, we had three lockouts and two of them were shortened seasons. I had a long thing about this for many years as it has itched me for years who it would be. Now the big upside of the lockout was the league grew more and the game got more fun to watch. But I'm a rare breed of hockey fan who can live without the fights and hitting. But we had gotten the addition of shootouts, and the goalie not being allowed to play the puck in certain areas. I personally don't always dwell on the past, but I like to think: what if this lockout never happened.  But before I get to who wins the 2005 Stanley Cup, I will start out with who has good and bad seasons.  Art Ross - Joe Thornton Lady Byng - Martin St. Louis Hart - Miikka Kiprusoff Rocket Richard - Ilya Kovalchuk Norris - Niklas Lidstrom Vezina - Miikka Kiprusoff William M. Jennings - Miikka Kiprusoff Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy - Now, this is an award based off timing. I'm going to leave this blank. Cald...

 I follow almost every league in North America. And my favourite things are the draft, and seeing the game grow. I think the AHL is a perfect start considering it's not that expensive, it's where most NHL stars get their start where a story begins for not just the player but the fans. But there are politics to the NHL and AHL. I personally prefer to see them in small markets before considering NHL being brought into markets that are succeeding. I mean, Utah has an ECHL team that remained once Utah got their NHL team. But one people don't know about is how Norfolk/Hampton Roads almost got the Hampton Roads Rhinos. I think it would've been awesome to see hockey in Norfolk personally.  In this topic, I'll be addressing a few things. Some being who should be affiliated where, and at other times being brought into the league. But I'm going to mention my mixed views first: Abbotsford Canucks - I think this is the best option for the Canucks right now and have no probl...

 Now, I completely disagree on bringing another NHL team to Atlanta. They failed twice, no city has done that when it's comes down to NHL teams. Now, the obvious answer is Quebec because they have the fans and the arena all ready to go. But it seems as the hockey market in the states needs to be expanded for some odd reason. I mean, if Atlanta is going to work, they better make sure they have good management and coaching set in stone. Also, make it a more desirable market.  But sadly, that's not the way it goes. The arena in Forsyth County has been approved to be built for an NHL team returning to Atlanta, likely named the Atlanta Thrashers. Now if they do return, they need to bring back the iconic baby-blue jerseys. As for their history, I think the Jets should return the franchise history to Atlanta such as the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy along with all their records. As for the Jets, they should receive the history before relocating, and if Arizona does indeed get another te...