Laraque MRI Negative, Rest Needed

On Tuesday Adam Proteau of The Hockey News reported that Georges Laraque injured his shoulder.

The Tribune-Review has a follow-up:

Right wing Georges Laraque was in Pittsburgh to undergo an MRI on his injured shoulder, and the results were negative. The Penguins believe Laraque suffered the injury during an offseason training regimen. Team doctors advised rest for Laraque, who should be ready for training camp.

Videos added

Jim Cummins vs Ken Baumgartner Jan 24, 1996
Bob Probert vs Tie Domi Jan 24, 1996
Bob Probert vs Todd Ewen Feb 4, 1996
Jim Cummins vs Stephane Matteau Feb 8, 1996
Bob Probert vs Tony Twist Feb 8, 1996
Mick Vukota vs Tony Twist Mar 24, 1992
Chris Tamer vs Stu Grimson Oct 3, 1997

Viewing material

NHLPA rebuilding with clean sheet of ice
Wild’s Parrish humble, happy to be home
Fans show support for Wild’s rougher side
Ryan Getzlaf’s Day with the Stanley Cup (ESPN video)
NHL News and Notes (ESPN video)

Canadian sports websites

A couple of people have emailed me asking why I usually only highlight videos from ESPN and Fox Sports.  While I have linked to some on Sportsnet and a few on TSN, those videos have to be hunted down while both ESPN and Fox make it possible to subscribe to videos via RSS.  I also run into problems with TSN videos sometimes (frequently in Firefox).  For those curious some sample vids: TSN (Briere not signing) and Sportsnet (Cowan signing).  Sportsline also has videos, but also doesn’t provide a feed for them (and specifically, hockey vids).  I linked to NBC Sports videos numerous times through the playoffs.

Draft Weekend Complete

The 2007 NHL Entry Draft is complete.  The top two picks both being American got a little talk in the States.  Any positive hockey talk here towards the end of June is always a plus.  A quick round-up of some draft links below.

Videos added

Craig Rivet vs Denis Pederson Oct 23, 1997
Darren Langdon vs Dennis Vial Oct 15, 1997
Kelly Chase vs Neil Wilkinson Mar 20, 1994
Bob Probert vs Tim Hunter Jan 2, 1993

Some reads

NHL draft notebook
Flyers draft picks
Ranger pick is Russian over
Draft turns into family affair
Top Two Draft Picks are US-Born (ESPN video)
History Made At The NHL Draft (ESPN video)
Nigerian Aliu highlights final rounds of NHL draft
Draft wrap: Young talent overshadowed by Predators’ situation
Esposito next in line in Pittsburgh

Covering the 2007 NHL Entry Draft

We will be with you all weekend, covering the entire draft from start to finish.

Television coverage of the first round of the draft starts at 7 PM EST. You can watch it live on Versus, TSN, and the NHL Network. The remainder of the draft will be broadcast tomorrow starting at 10 AM EST on the NHL Network. Those of who won’t be able to get to a TV or simply don’t have those channels can watch the draft via NHL.com and TSN.ca as both will have live feeds.

We will be updating this post with results as they happen…

Round 1:

1. Chicago Blackhawks - Patrick Kane, RW (London, OHL)
2. Philadelphia Flyers - James Van Riemsdyk, LW (USA U-18, USDP)
3. Phoenix Coyotes - Kyle Turris, C (Burnaby, BCHL)
4. Los Angeles Kings - Thomas Hickey, D (Seattle, WHL)
5. Washington Capitals - Karl Alzner, D (Calgary, WHL)
6. Edmonton Oilers - Sam Gagner, C (London, OHL)
7. Columbus Blue Jackets - Jakub Voracek, RW (Halifax, QMJHL)
8. Boston Bruins - Zach Hamill, C (Everett, WHL)
9. San Jose Sharks - Logan Couture, C (Ottawa, OHL)
10. Florida Panthers - Keaton Ellerby, D (Kamloops, WHL)
11. Carolina Hurricanes - Brandon Sutter, RW (Red Deer, WHL)
12. Montreal Canadiens - Ryan McDonagh, D (Cretin-Derham, HS)
13. St. Louis Blues - Lars Eller, C (Frolunda Jr, SWE-JR)
14. Colorado Avalanche - Kevin Shattenkirk, D (USA U-18, USDP)
15. Edmonton Oilers - Alex Plante, D (Calgary, WHL
16. Minnesota Wild - Colton Gillies, C (Saskatoon, WHL)
17. New York Rangers - Alexei Cherepanov, RW (OMSK, Russia)
18. St. Louis Blues - Ian Cole, D (USA U-18, USDP)
19. Anaheim Ducks - Logan MacMillan, C (Halifax, QMJHL)
20. Pittsburgh Penguins - Angelo Esposito, D (Quebec, QMJHL)
21. Edmonton Oilers - Riley Nash, C (Salmon Arm, BCHL)
22. Montreal Canadiens - Max Pacioretty, LW (Sioux City, USHL)
23. Nashville Predators - Jonathan Blum, D (Vancouver, WHL)
24. St. Louis Blues
25. Vancouver Canucks
26. St. Louis Blues
27. Detroit Red Wings
28. Washington Capitals
29. Ottawa Senators
30. Phoenix Coyotes

Draft Day

The first round of the 2007 NHL Draft is tonight at 7pm et.

TSN will be all over it for the Canadians.  You can watch it on their website as well, although I’m not sure if it’s regional or not (i.e. if you’re blocked outside of Canada).

Versus will have the first round live for those in the States.  Versus will also be re-broadcasting the NHL Awards show at 4:30 and then have a pre-Draft special at 6:30.

More Draft talk

‘83 heads the list of best draft years
What’s in a name?
Forecasting the first round of the 2007 NHL Draft
Rumours overshadow big event
Draft’s dark horses

Videos added

Darren Langdon vs Dan Kordic Mar 22, 1998
Stu Grimson vs Darren Langdon Jan 6, 1998
Bill Huard vs Chris Murray Nov 22, 1997
Sean Brown vs Denny Lambert Nov 22, 1997

Some reads

NHLPA needs helmsman like Barnett to steer ship
The Fitness Enforcer: Former pro hockey tough guy-turned-fitness guru gives his all to new exercise invention
These five free agents will garner the most buzz
Flames nearing trade for Aucoin

Decent Activity

There’s been a good amount of player movement over the past couple of days.  Our news section has been quite busy.

With the Predators sale moving forward and the draft this weekend, there doesn’t seem to be any downtime for the diehards.

Videos added

Randy McKay vs Stu Grimson Oct 19, 1996
Mike Peluso vs Keith Primeau Oct 19, 1996
Eric Cairns vs Craig Berube Nov 9, 1996
Chris Murray vs Jeff Odgers Nov 21, 1996
Scott Thornton vs Jeff Odgers Nov 21, 1996

Thanks Sean

Even when it’s not hockey season, Sean Avery shares his insightful thoughts:

Honesty also ruled on the red carpet as New York Rangers winger (and Pickering, Ont. native) Sean Avery arrived and proclaimed to MuchMusic veejay Hannah Simone: “I need to pee really bad.”

Some reads

Assault charge against Boogaard dropped in Saskatchewan
Penguins Q&A with Dave Molinari
Sutter’s reputation on line with coach Keenan
Hull’s short stint with NBC comes to an end
No doubt, it’s time to rebuild

Starting the Summer

For those who didn’t catch the update in the Cup coverage post: the Ducks will be submitting a list of 52 names to be engraved on the Cup, and I’m told there’s no games played requirement.  Therefore, fan favorite George Parros shouldn’t have any issue having his name engraved on the Stanley cup.

Bring them back

More Parros and Ducks news: George Parros and Travis Moen have been re-signed.  They were each signed to two-year extensions.

Instigate this

The Fort Wayne Komets have asked the UHL to ditch the instigator:

The Komets are proposing the UHL get rid of the veteran rule, drop the instigator rule and expand the rosters by one so each team can have a purpose player if they like. The salary cap may go to $13,000 from $11,000, meaning the UHL will be paying significantly higher average salaries than the CHL and ECHL. They’d like to keep the four rookie rule.

More instigator talk from Derek Boogaard:

“I think they should take the instigator out,” the Regina native said.

“Like Don said, the best players can’t play the way they can. Look at the Chris Simon (stick-swinging incident). It’s a bad thing for hockey, but if that instigator rule wasn’t in the league, Chris Simon would have just grabbed Ryan Hollweg and taught him a lesson. And I bet you Ryan Hollweg wouldn’t have done it again.”

Videos added

It’s been a week, have some vids…

Dan Kordic vs Stu Grimson Dec 14, 1996
Bob Probert vs Tony Twist Dec 13, 1996
Bob Probert vs Brendan Shanahan Dec 12, 1996
Bob Probert vs Darren McCarty Dec 12, 1996
Enrico Ciccone vs Jamie Pushor Dec 12, 1996
Stephen Peat vs Eric Cairns Dec 2, 2003
Aaron Downey vs Andrew Peters Oct 13, 2003
Steve Ott vs Jay McKee Oct 13, 2003

Next update

I don’t have the schedule set yet, but the idea is to update for the beginning of the week (Sunday/Monday) and the end of the week (Thursday/Friday).  If I get to make a few extra vids, I’ll do a Mon-Wed-Fri-type thing.

Looking forward

The Cup may be over, but we still have a couple of big hockey days creeping up on us.  June 23rd is the NHL Entry Draft.  Our coverage is tbd.  July 1st is the first day of free agency and we’ll be all over all the signings.

Best Hits of the Stanley Cup Finals

Viewing material

Ten ways to fix the NHL
Wings Re-Sign Chelios to One-Year Deal
What now for the Ducks and Senators?
Buccigross: Here’s my season finale
Mistake costs NHLer Brisebois spot on Ferrari podium
Tie, son tough it out
Ference teaches underprivileged
Good, bad and ugly of the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs
Kings’ faithful jailed by failure
Ducks’ title may force Kings to get it together
Ex-rival Chase regales old Raiders

One Last Ducks Win

That’s it, the Ducks are the 2006-07 Stanley Cup champions.  The linked post has the round-up of media coverage.

Inspired by the Cup victory of the 2006-07 fighting major leaders, I added some 2005-06 scraps of Ducks who were added to the roster this season, including one between now-teammates George Parros and Brad May.

Videos added

George Parros vs Brad May Dec 28, 2005
Cam Severson vs Brad May Mar 2, 2006
Brad May vs Darren McCarty Mar 13, 2006
Sean O’Donnell vs Chris Neil Jan 10, 2006
Darren McCarty vs Sean O’Donnell Nov 10, 2005

Future updates

I’ll be making regular updates throughout the summer.  I’ll make another post soon with more of a schedule for it (you can also subscribe to a number of feeds here to stay easily updated).  Until then, get outside, enjoy the season.

Anaheim Ducks: 2006-07 Champions

Congratulations to the Anaheim Ducks, the 2006-07 Stanley Cup champions!

Rounding up the coverage:

Box score | AP recap | CP recap
Scott Niedermayer captures Conn Smythe
OC Register: Ducks win Stanley Cup
LA Times: Ducks are mighty again
Ottawa Sun: Heartbreak in Anaheim
Ottawa Citizen: Ducks win
Niedermayers take family skate with Cup
Gaffe by Phillips costly to Senators
Fox: Ottawa out (video) - Ottawa coach Bryan Murray speaks after his Senators are eliminated from the Stanley Cup Finals, 6-2 by the Ducks.
ESPN: Anaheim Ducks Win Stanley Cup (video)
ESPN: Steve and Barry Break Down the Final (video)
ESPN: Scott Niedermayer Wins Conn Smythe (video)
Ducks are Stanley Cup Champions
Ducks drink from Stanley Cup
Murray’s speech unable to help
Ducks give hockey a new look out West
Senators lavish praise on Ducks’ defence
Ducks, All Grown Up, Bring the West Coast Its First Cup
Fox: Ducks savor Stanley Cup (video)
Sens’ Emery won’t concede
California is no longer dreamin’ about hockey champion
Pronger plays through the pain
Much sweeter this time for McDonald
Selanne finally gets to live his Cup dream
Stanley Cup finals draw record-low ratings
Fame is fleeting for the Ducks
Senators’ longest spring gives way to long summer
Gov. Schwarzenegger hoists Cup at Ducks celebration
Celebrities caught Ducks fever
Ducks show off Stanley Cup on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Senators gather at rink to clean out lockers, start looking to next year
What does Ducks win mean for NHL?
Fox: Stanley Cup Recap (video)
Fox: Ducks’ victory rally (video)
Hockey’s California influence didn’t just start with Ducks
Anaheim’s Cup triumph just ducky for Ottawa Valley families
Sens cash in despite Ducks’ Cup win
Senators reflect on bittersweet season
ESPN: 1-on-1 with Rob Niedermayer (video)
ESPN: 1-on-1 with Corey Perry (video)
ESPN: 1-on-1 with Jean-Sebastien Giguere (video)
ESPN: 1-on-1 with Brad May (video)
ESPN: Will Selanne Retire on Top? (video)
ESPN: Hradek: Ducks’ Determination Pays Off (video)
Back to the drawing board for Ottawa
West Coast hockey flying high with Cup
A postseason full of memories

More from this past season

2006-07 hockeyfights.com Awards

On the Cup

I’ve already received a couple of emails asking me if George Parros‘ name will be on the Cup.  The standard is that a player has to appear in 40 regular season games or just one Finals game to have their name engraved.  Parros played 32 regular season games for the Ducks, and five postseason games, none in the Finals.  However, a team can petition to have others included.  I’m sure the Ducks will do so for Parros and I’ll post an update when I hear anything official.

Update Jun 11 200am: Like the last few teams before them, the Ducks will be submitting a list of 52 names to be engraved on the Cup, and I’m told there’s no games played requirement.

FM “Champs” Too

Just a reminder that the Ducks were the 2006-07 fighting major leaders.  The Cup champs are always mimicked by other teams the following season, and we hope that tradition continues.

I’ll be updating the links above over the course of the next day.

The Brink

Ottawa Senators, the brink; the brink, Ottawa Senators.

The Sens have a huge hole to climb out of now going back to Anaheim down three games to one.

What?  You just said it’s finally a series.  Well, it is/was.  The Sens lost both of the first games by a goal, took a game, and then lost again by just one.  While the Cup seems like it’s slipping away from Ottawa, it has been a close series.

Chris Neil is a player you love or love to hate, so I’ve put up a few of his fights for his fanboys and haters.

Videos added

Chris Neil vs Darcy Hordichuk Dec 14, 2006
Chris Neil vs Wade Brookbank Oct 28, 2006
Tie Domi vs Chris Neil Jan 23, 2006
Wade Belak vs Brian McGrattan Jan 23, 2006

Grapes

Don Cherry was on the NBC broadcast with Brett Hull last night (which was simulcasted by CBC).  It was definitely entertaining and Hull and Cherry decided to talk about whatever they felt like.

Fighting was a big topic, of course, and Cherry let everyone from president of NBC Sports, Dick Ebersol to the NHL know that trying to tone down the game isn’t what fans the fans want.

NBC Sports decided to take it to their website.  The current poll on their NHL page: Do you agree with Don Cherry that fighting is an integral and necessary part of hockey?  The response is overwhelmingly “yes” at the moment.

NBC posts videos of many segments, I’m sure they’ll have one of Cherry up soon and I’ll update here with that.

More on NBC

Elisha Cuthbert, Sean Avery‘s girlfriend, was on Late Night With Conan O’Brien last night/tonight.

She was on the show to promote her movie Captivity, but eventually the hockey talk started.  Cuthbert, a Canadian who’s always been a known hockey fan, spoke of going to Avery’s games and enjoying watching him get into a fight (she’s convinced he’s good at it, I won’t tell either of them otherwise).  Hopefully a segment of that will be posted to NBC’s site as well.

Next game

Ottawa Senators vs Anaheim Ducks 8:00 PM ET

Viewing material

What’s up with the Cup?
Cherry is hockey’s voice of the people
Ducks take 3-1 lead (video)
Ducks Steal One on the Road, Lead 3-1 (video)
NHL GMs examine hits to head
Sens’ McAmmond sits Game 4 after blow to head
Nervous Pronger watches Game 4 on TV
Deficit aside, Senators confident of revival
Ducks beat Senators, 3-2 in Game 4
It’s do or die for Sens

Update 1200pm: Don Cherry videos from NBC:
Rock ‘em, sock ‘em
Crack down on diving

A Series It Is

The Sens battled back from a one-goal deficit three times before Dean McAmmond put Ottawa up over the Ducks for good.  We’ve now got at least a five-game series and I’m sure fans in the Canadian capital wouldn’t mind seeing a game six played there.

Box score | AP Recap

Game three gets rough

Early in the third Chris Pronger threw an elbow at McAmmond’s head.  McAmmond needed to be helped off the ice.  No penalty was called on the play, but I’m sure the league will announce a suspension soon.  One-two games is my guess.

Less than a minute later things got messy.  No majors were called, but six players picked up roughing penalties (Corey Perry a double-roughing).

Next game

Anaheim Ducks vs Ottawa Senators 8:00 PM ET

Viewing material

Ottawa gets back in series (video)
Volchenkov, Senators rebound in Game 3
Home Ice Advantage Crucial for Sens (video)
Sens Jump Right Back Into Series (video)
Penalties Prove Costly For Ducks (video)
Majority of U.S. hockey market newspapers not covering Cup finals
65 reasons not to watch hockey
Senators take Ducks, 5-3
Sens alive and kicking
Just in case you missed it: Don Cherry on The Best Damn Sports Show Period

Update Jun 3 300pm: Chris Pronger has been suspended one game

Make or Break in Ottawa

With the Ducks up 2-0, tomorrow’s game in Ottawa is everything.  We’ll either have a series, or just get to wait until Giguere and the Ducks take the Cup back in SoCal.  The Ducks D and Giguere don’t look like they can be cracked right now, but a change of venue could be just what the Sens need.

Some highlights from game two:

Videos added

Brian McGrattan vs Colton Orr Nov 10, 2005
Eric Godard vs Donald Brashear Oct 15, 2005
Jesse Boulerice vs Brian McGrattan Nov 15, 2005
Brian McGrattan vs Jesse Boulerice Oct 24, 2005

Next game

Anaheim Ducks vs Ottawa Senators 8:00 PM ET
In the US the game is on NBC.

Viewing material

California rink receives cool reception from Senators
Snoop Dogg supports Ducks (video)
Chris’ Sports Blog has the screencap of Snoop sporting the George Parros pornstache (via Deadspin)
Devils’ $377M lair in Newark nearly finished