Search for your favorite player or team
© The Hockey News. All rights reserved. Any and all material on this website cannot be used, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission from Roustan Media Ltd. For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
February 27, 2007
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.
To the Point
STOP THE LID FLIPPING We could use the frightening Kris Newbury incident as a departure point for a “how-players-really-do-get-hurt-in-fights” rant. Or we could find supporting evidence in Matthew Barnaby, whose career hangs in the balance – and whose sight has been affected – due to fisticuffs. Then there’s Shea Weber, who has also been forced out of the lineup because of a punch-up. And these are just the cases in recent weeks. But we’ll forego the pugilistic pulpit because, let’s face it, fighting ain’t going anywhere anytime soon. Besides, as a publication, we aren’t anti-fighting; we’re more anti-arguments-that-don’t-hold-water. Instead, we’ll use this space to implore the NHL to crack down on proper chin-strap usage. As long as fighting is tacitly permitted – and as long as ice and boards and sticks…
POWER RANKINGS
As of Feb. 15, 2007 AHL TOP 10 TOP PLUS/MINUS MEN PLAYER PLUS Brian Sipotz, Chi 28 Darren Haydar, Chi 27 Alexandre Giroux, Her 26 Andrei Kostitsyn, Ham 23 Eric Fehr, Her 20 Zenon Konopka, Syr 20 Brett Sterling, Chi 20 Ben Walter, Prov 19 David Van der Gulik, Oma 19 Two players tied 18 WORCESTER SHARKS 1st Season in AHL Best Season 24-18-9 in 2006-07 Arena DCU Center GM Wayne Thomas Coach Roy Sommer Career Leaders (GP-G-A-Points)…
Foul plays in Anaheim
CALL THEM the Honda Center Hoodlums. The Anaheim Ducks dropped the ‘Mighty’ from their nickname, but have grown mighty in stature, leaving the rest of the NHL in their bare-knuckled wake. Through mid-February, Anaheim had accumulated 54 fighting majors, 20 more than the team second-most pugilistic team, the Nashville Predators. When asked by a reporter about his team’s penchant for punch-ups, GM Brian Burke acknowledged it’s part of the master plan. “If you’re going to come into our barn, you better be ready for a square dance,” he said. On the surface, it’s difficult to knock Burke’s philosophy. Anaheim has mostly been a tour de force this season. But there is some blarney blended in with the bluster. Consider: • In today’s NHL, most bouts are enforcer vs. enforcer or fourth-liners trying to make…
COUNTDOWN
Which rookies have been underrated this season? 10 Ryane Clowe Playing with Thornton and Cheechoo helps, but results are results. 09 Mark Giordano Not the easiest blueline to crack. He made Ference expendable. 08 Ian White Month on the shelf, yet Leaf still second in rookie D-man points. 07 Ben Eager In a season without highlights, at least Flyers have new brawler. 06 Maxim Lapierre Ticked off Crosby and Emery. Is Hab the next great agitator? 05 Marc-Edouard Vlasic Remparts wish he was still tearing up the ‘Q,’ not San Jose. 04 Shane O’Brien Filled in admirably on Ducks’ decimated defense; loves to fight. 03 Mike Green Capitals very protective of blue-chip blueliner with offensive upside. 02 Travis Zajac Devils assured of future offense with Zajac-Parise tandem. 01 Mike Smith Eight wins, three shutouts in first 15 games as a…
Made possible with the support of
