Archives for the 'NHL' Category

The Best Draft Ever?

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2009 By Lucas Aykroyd The world was a tumultuous place in 1979. The Iranian Revolution, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the Three Mile Island nuclear accident made headlines. But the annual NHL draft offered a ray of light for hockey fans with an unprecedented influx of talent, mostly […]

Sam Gagner preps for new season

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2009 By Lucas Aykroyd Sam Gagner has a long way to go to catch up with his father Dave. To be precise, Sam trails by 791 career NHL games and 629 points. But the 20-year-old Edmonton Oilers center is gradually learning what it’ll take to match the consistency of […]

Do deadline deals make a difference?

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2009 By Lucas Aykroyd Nowadays, in a hockey-mad country like Canada, the NHL trade deadline gets the kind of news coverage more typically associated with giant earthquakes and Beatles reunions. On March 4 this year, TSN and Sportsnet, the two dedicated cable TV sports networks, went head-to-head as usual […]

Stamkos starting to shine for Tampa Bay

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2009 By Lucas Aykroyd If you compare the first NHL season of Steven Stamkos to the rookie campaigns of other recent top draft picks like Alexander Ovechkin (2004) or Sidney Crosby (2005), it might seem like a failure. But as the 2008-09 regular season heads toward its conclusion, the […]

Canucks finding their form in February

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2009 By Lucas Aykroyd In January, the Vancouver Canucks looked like they were about to freeze to death. In February, the club has begun to smell as sweet as springtime flowers. After an overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on January 31, the Canucks had truly hit rock bottom, […]

Luongo injury could determine Vancouver’s fate

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008 By Lucas Aykroyd When Roberto Luongo strained his groin while making a routine save on Pittsburgh defenseman Philippe Boucher on November 22, Vancouver Canucks fans had genuine reason for concern. Their superstar captain has amassed 11 wins, five losses, and two ties for his team so far this […]

Youth movement drives Phoenix’s hopes

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008 By Lucas Aykroyd Unquestionably, power forward Olli Jokinen was the biggest off-season acquisition by the Phoenix Coyotes. But if the Arizona-based club is to earn its first playoff berth since 2002, it can’t just rely on veterans like Jokinen and captain Shane Doan. The Coyotes will need big […]

Dumont making a difference for Nashville

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008 By Lucas Aykroyd J-P Dumont is one of the NHL’s most anonymous stars. He recorded a career-best, team-leading 72 points with the Nashville Predators last season, but few hockey fans could pick him out on the street. That’s not really surprising. The talented right wing was chosen third […]

Bertuzzi hoping to rebound in Calgary

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008 By Lucas Aykroyd A 6-0 road loss to the Vancouver Canucks on October 9 certainly wasn’t the way Todd Bertuzzi wanted to start the next phase of his NHL career with the Calgary Flames. The 33-year-old power forward has never been able to regain the form he showed […]

Morrison seeks Disney ending with Anaheim

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008 By Lucas Aykroyd Leaving Vancouver wasn’t easy for Brendan Morrison. Not only did the smart 33-year-old centerman spend eight productive seasons with the Canucks, but he’s also a native Vancouver son. So when he returned to GM Place for the first time as a member of the Anaheim […]