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Yearbook 2009-10
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
THe OvecHKin eDge
1/ALEX OVECHKIN WASHINGTON / LW No player in the league is near his equal as a goal-scorer, as evidenced by the fact that Ovechkin won the Rocket Richard Trophy by 10 goals last season and 13 in 2007-08, the largest margins of victory since 1999-2000. He led the NHL in even-strength goals (36) and points per game (1.39), as well as spectacular goal celebrations. IN THE 2009-10 THN ULTIMATE FANTASY POOL GUIDE – on sale now in fine establishments everywhere (shameless plug) – we pose the quintessential question for hockey geeks. You have the first overall pick in your fantasy league. Do you take Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin? The question is no less vexing when you’re putting together the list of the top 50 players in the NHL. We ultimately went…
SOPHOMORES SET TO JUKE JINX?
A YEAR AGO, the 2008-09 rookie race seemed pretty clear: Top picks Steven Stamkos, Drew Doughty and Zach Bogosian would vie for the best-rookie title, with fellow straight-from-the-draft NHLers Nikita Filatov and Alex Pietrangelo as potential usurpers. But a funny thing happened on the way to the Calder Trophy. Stamkos was saddled with a franchise in turmoil in Tampa, while Bogosian broke his leg in just his eighth game. Derick Brassard stormed out of the gates for Columbus, tallying 25 points in 31 games before an ill-advised fight with James Neal of the Stars led to a season-ending shoulder injury. Stepping into the rookie vacuum was Brassard’s Blue Jackets teammate, Steve Mason, who stole the No. 1 goaltending job in Columbus and not only won the Calder, but also nabbed a nomination…
2010 UFAs: Trade Deadline alert!
WHEN RICK NASH signed an eight-year, $62.4-million contract extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets in July, he cut down on the list of potential unrestricted free agents in 2010 in a major way. That list may get even shorter by July 1 of next year, with some of the most prominent names (Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom, for instance) likely to re-sign with their longtime teams or retire from the game. But as it stands, there still figures to be an intriguing group of elite talent available to the highest bidder next summer. Here are the most prominent NHLers scheduled to be UFAs at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season: ILYA KOVALCHUK, LW, ATL With Nash off the market, Kovalchuk is, without doubt, the most attractive UFA skater who could be available. Atlanta will do everything…
BLUES ON THE BUBBLE
THE BLUES’ IMPROBABLE CLAIM on a playoff berth last season has increased the team’s expectations in 2009-10. In mid-February, the Blues sat 15th in the Western Conference – that’s last place, folks – but stormed through the stretch run and ended a three-year playoff drought by earning the No. 6 seed. The Blues were swept in the first round by Vancouver, in large part because the team’s power play, which ranked eighth in the NHL during the regular season (20.5 percent), went 1-for-24. The power play will benefit from the returns of left winger Paul Kariya and defenseman Erik Johnson in 2009-10. Kariya played in only 11 games before a hip injury led to season-ending surgery, while Johnson, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2006, missed all of last season with…
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