VANCOUVER, BC – NOVEMBER 19: Patrik Laine #29 of the Winnipeg Jets looks on from the bench during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena November 19, 2018 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)”n
Every hockey fan loves watching the sniper blast a slapper over the top shoulder of the goalie. Brad Burud of Inside Edge Hockey News breaks down all the best snipers currently playing in the National Hockey League. Then Blake Friars of The Debate Hockey Podcast joins the show to give his take on who is the top snipers currently playing and who are the snipers of the future. Then it is time to break out the Facebook poll and answer the question “Who is the greatest sniper all-time?” An action packed episode of the Inside Edge Hockey News Radio Show.
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the Los Angeles Kings handles the puck during a preseason game against the Arizona Coyotes at STAPLES Center on September 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
The Los Angeles Kings signing of Russian superstar and long-time NHL superstar Ilya Kovalchuk was considered one of the big summer signings. Although many thought it was risky, an equal amount of people pegged it as the top summer signing. Well most of those opinions have gone by the way side.
Kovalchuk is off to a less than impressive start. In his first 24 games played he has only 5 goals and 9 assists. Fourteen points is hardly what the Kings expected. After a five-year hiatus from the league, Kovalchuk returned by signing a 3-year $6.25 million-dollar deal. The contract also includes a no move clause. That is a lot of money for three years. The Kings will likely never consider a buyout and with a no move clause and an inflated contract his services are almost impossible to move. The over the hill Kings are off to a horrible start and a young prospect pool to save the day is nowhere in sight. Big changes must happen to change opinions on this experiment.
Microscope on McDavid
At what point will some of the heat in Edmonton turn to Connor McDavid. Based on his play and the points produced that might sound crazy. It is probably unjustified based on the fact that the organization has not given him the tools (players) to take this team to the new level. The fact is, tensions are very high, and I look at the latest coaching change as the last straw. Will tensions turn to McDavid. The sad part of this is, if Edmonton does not figure this out quick the prime years of McDavid will be gone. He does not deserve this and more importantly the fans do not deserve this. It is time for management to make the correct moves, and if they can’t, it’s time for a complete management overhaul in Edmonton.
Back from Injury
Shea Weber, Brock Boeser and Austin Matthews all come back from injuries this week. This is three key players for their organizations and having all of them back should give the Montreal Canadiens. Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs a big boost.
Chabot the Savior in Ottawa
Thomas Chabot has taken over the role that Erik Karlsson held in Ottawa for years. Expectations were moderate, and no one thought that he could fill the shoes that Karlsson left. Well he has more than done that thus far (yes, I know the sample size is just 25 game). In his second NHL season Chabot is off to an amazing start. In 25 games he has 7 goals and 22 assists. His 29 points is more than a point a game. The list of teams dreaming of a 21-year-old point a game defenseman is very long.
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 8: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck against the Ottawa Senators at the TD Garden on October 8, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
It is NHL Playoff marker number one. American Thanksgiving has become a marker point for who is in and out of the playoffs. Brad Burud and Blake Friars discuss and debate who they think will fall out of the playoffs and who they think will push up into a playoff spot. Some of the predictions are very interesting. Then it is time to discuss a variety of topics in the NHL. Is Luongo done? Is the Roussel fine appropriate? Coaches get fired, trades happen, the breakdown on all of them, and is there a hotter player than Patrik Laine?? I think not!
BUFFALO, NY – OCTOBER 25: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Buffalo Sabres skates during an NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens on October 25, 2018 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Skinner
It is American Thanksgiving weekend and the NHL season is now in full swing. The divisional races are already heating up. Some teams are playing themselves into playoff spots and other teams are doing the opposite and really making things hard on themselves. In this time of thankfulness every team does have one thing to be thankful for:
Florida Panthers – Roberto Luongo, he is playing great (even at his age) and is even a better ambassador for hockey in Florida. Amended — injured as this was written,,,the luck could not be worse in Florida…
Carolina Hurricanes – The Celebration — WOW!
Ottawa Senators – GOALS, GOALS, GOALS – lead the entire league with 3.57 goals per game. Amazing for a team predicted to finish last.
Arizona Coyotes – The best penalty kill in the NHL at 91.7%.
Calgary Flames – A solid back-up goalie in David Rittich. With Mike Smith having horrible struggles the play of Rittich has been a welcome surprise.
Columbus Blue Jackets – They have to be thankful for their 2ndplace in the Metro Division. They don’t have great team stats, so this is great news to be in a playoff spot.
Dallas Stars – The defense has been strong, 6th in goals against at 2.57. Now come on offense.
New York Islanders – The end of Barclays is coming closer every day.
Vancouver Canucks – Elias Petterson – the young star is giving the fans hope for the future.
Anaheim Ducks – Goaltending is great. Gibson and Miller have been saviors.
Winnipeg Jets – A general manager that stayed the course. Their cupboards are stocked with great players and prospects.
Colorado Avalanche – The hottest line in hockey – Landeskog/MacKinnon/Rantanen
Buffalo Sabres – Jeff Skinner 23 Points. He has elevated the play of Eichel and revitalized Jason Pominville.
Los Angeles Kings – Quick returning from injury sooner than expected.
New Jersey Devils – They have $13+ million dollars in cap space. They made need some reinforcement to get back to last years levels.
Minnesota Wild – Consistency – This team finds a way to make the playoffs and each and every year and this year looks like more of the same.
Tampa Bay Lightning – Scoring Depth – with Kucherov, Point, Gourde and Stamkos collecting points at a point a game pace what more could you ask for.
St. Louis Blues – There is only 60 games left in the season……
Detroit Red Wings – The opportunity to draft high for once. Stock the cupboards with young talent.
San Jose Sharks – Erik Karlsson scoring his first goal and getting that over with. Time to focus on winning.
Montreal Canadiens – Hard work ethic – the only way they are winning. Outwork opponents.
Edmonton Oilers – The new savior Ken Hitchcock (is this the sixth one???)
Nashville Predators – Pekka Rinne and Jusse Saros. The top goalie tandem in the league.
Philadelphia Flyers – Gritty! What the hell am I kidding…
New York Rangers – Honesty. They told their fans times would be difficult. Now they are exceeding everyone’s expectations.
Toronto Maple Leafs – John Tavares – He is living up to all the crazy hype.
Vegas Golden Knights – A strong franchise start last year. What a great kickstart.
Pittsburgh Penguins – Scoring. This team can score. Rated 7thin the NHL, but they are in last place. That will not last long.
Washington Capitals – Ovie is still scoring after his summer party.
Boston Bruins – The most complete line in hockey – Pastrnak/Bergeron/Marchand
