Pens Playing Better Without Sid?

Yes call me crazy....

I honestly beleive the Pens have been playing better since Crosby went on the shelf due to injury. To me it seems that this team has been acting as that...a team. It seems to me that they rely to much on the captain. With him injured it seems everyone has stepped up which is really nice to see for coaches and the players alike. I mean dont get me wrong, it will be nice to have Crosby back again. Maybe once hes back this team will still continue the way they play maybe they will make a run at the cup.


Later,
Mike

Jagr says he's got lots of hockey left

Link
The numbers suggest that five-time NHL scoring champion Jaromir Jagr is a player in decline, but the New York Rangers star winger says he isn't done yet.
The goals and points aren't coming for the 35-year-old with the regularity they did through most of his first 16 seasons in the NHL, when the gifted Czech winger was one of the league's brightest stars and most dangerous scoring threats.
The New York Rangers captain went into a game Tuesday night against the Montreal Canadiens without a goal and with only three assists in his previous 11 games.
"I still believe in myself," Jagr said. "When you're not scoring, you want to do a little extra and maybe later it will help me.

I am a firm believer that Jagr really Does have alot of hockey left to play. He just might not be fitting into the Rangers new system, which does happen. An example being Mark Rechhi, who was struggling to get any points in Pittsburgh, but when traded to Atlanta, seemed to do alot better. I think Jagr would do alot better on a different team. Which team? im not too sure. But I know Jagr would agree with me that a 1 season slump is nothing to be concerened about.

Lidstrom out 3 weeks

DETROIT – The Red Wings learned on Wedneday that they’ll be without their captain and five-time Norris Trophy winning defenseman Lidstrom for at least three weeks as a result of the thunderous hit he took Monday in Denver.With a black metal brace covering his right knee, Lidstrom met with reporters following the Red Wings’ practice Wednesday afternoon at Joe Louis Arena.

The team also announced that they have placed goalie Dominik Hasek and defenseman on injured reserve, while calling up forward Mark Hartigan and defenseman Jonathan Ericsson from Grand Rapids.
Link

I really dont think Detroit is going to be able to keep winning games as they have in the beggining of the season with all of these key players injured. Keep in mind they just lost six in a row with Lidstrom in the lineup. Hopefully everyone can step it up and push through these injuries.

Neckguards Mandatory. To be or not to be?

As many of you know that haven’t been living under a rock these past few days. On Sundays Florida Panthers game against the Buffalo Sabres, Richard Zednik of Fla got is neck sliced open by Teammate Olli Jokinens skate in a freak accident in the middle of the third period. As of today his condition has been upgraded from stable to good condition.

Which brings us to ask ourselves, should neck guards me mandatory? I personally don’t think so. Although I do think people should wear them, it’s really up to the individual to be a safe or responsible person. It really pisses me off though when people say stupid things like “Its rules like that, that are making the NHL a Pansy sport”. I’m sorry but these are real people with families that depend on them, playing these sports. There not just here to get them selves killed for your entertainment. They are playing a very tough and dangerous sport and they should try to be as safe about it as possible.

But if you look at it from another prospective, people once thought helmets were a dumb idea. Same thing goes for goalie masks. And the list could go on and on. So you never know, maybe 20 years from now people will be thinking what a dumb idea it was that players used to never wear neck guards.

NHL Musings: Alexander O Cashed In Inks Insane deal

Let me start off by saying, way to Go Ovechkin on the new contract. Reported Deal at 13 years 124 million dollars will see him in red white and blue for a long time. contractually till age 35. This is only the beginning of a precedent. Signing long term as a franchise player. Now we can only hope for the Caps faithful that Ted leonosis keeps going and continues to bring in quality players to play with Ovechkin.

and for the flip side you ask?

this sets a standard for high profile players to demand the most they can squeeze out of a club. players of lesser caliber can begin to demand higher rates as long as they value their service. At a time when post lockout hockey is at its best, do we really need to go back to a system under a cap no less, where we overpay to keep talent? Here's hoping that we dont head down that same path the NHL was at once before.

Ovechkin Inks 13 Year Deal

Yes its true, while everyone was speculating that Ovechkin would leave the caps this summer, he ended up signing a THIRTEEN YEAR contract with them.

It's funny too, because everyone was talking about how he hated Washington and loved Montreal. Well he must love Washington if hes gonna be staying there 13 long years, b/c the caps would be crazy to trade him away before that.

Ill admit.. I thought Ovechkin was already halfway out the door with Washington. What with him holding out on signing, and the caps not willing to give him what he wanted. At the moment I cant seem to find exactly what the deal was worth. (and readers if you find it let me know) but I bet it was a hefty one. Especially for him to agree to stay 13 years.

So am I glad hes staying in Washington? Sure, I mean, it really wouldnt affect me personally either way. But the caps really need to get some better talent to compliment him, or they will never bring a cup to Washington.

NHL MUSINGS

Welcome to my first Post For Hockey Grinder. I Will use these as an editorial to share with you my thoughts on various happenings in the NHL and for that matter Hockey all around the world.


Today's Post Jan 4, 2008

EVGENI NABOKOV - and the 82 Game Quest.

As some of our west coast fans know, Evgeni Nabokov currently sits at 40 games. Personally I think it would be incredible for a goalie in today's game to play a full season, brings back memories of old time hockey and 1 goalie per team. With stats like 40 games played, 20-12 , 5 shutouts, with a 2.02 GAA, he is doing a phenomenal job between the pipes for the sharks. The Problem I have however is the Sharks are perennial playoff losers. regardless of how impressive playing a full season is you have to raise the issue of health concerns. Nothing compares with winning the Stanley Cup, and if the Sharks were smart they would worry more about their playoff inconsistency than personal records.



Jeff @ HockeyGrinder.Com