The D-men lead in ice time

If you have taken a look at the stats lately, you surely noticed that defensemen are leading the ice time given by the 30 coaches in the NHL. You have to slide your cursor down to 14^th spot before you see a forward. That honor goes to Brad Richards of the Tampa Bay Lightning. If you slide down an another 7 spots, you will notice Martin St.Louis. In the 26^th spot, you will find Ottawa Senators captain, Daniel Alfredsson. Only three forwards are among the first 30 for ice time in the league so far. The Leader in this fine group, is François Beauchemin of the Anaheim Ducks,who has played on average close to 30 minutes a game, and the same is true for his teammate, Chris Pronger. In the top 10, only four come from the Western conference.

Among the forwards, as mentioned earlier, Brad Richards has been the forward getting the most ice time. On average, Richards plays close to 25 minutes a game, his teammate Marty St.Louis has an average of 24 minutes playing time. In the top ten, only two players come from the Western conference. An important part of hockey, is the hits, as in bodychecks. Dustin Brown of Los Angeles is leading in that department. Calgary’s Dion Phaneuf and Montreal’s Mike Komisarek are leading the defense corps in hits. Of course, if you want to take away scoring chances from your opponent, you block shots. Ottawa’s Anton Volchenkov and Habs Komisarek lead the way in that category. In the top 10, only 3 defensemen come from the Western conference.

A good road trip should help and ...

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be hitting the road to play 7 of their 8 next games. On the road they will be making stops in : Pittsburgh, New York (Rangers), come home for one game vs Washington, then go back and meet the Devils, Canadiens , Senators and Sabres before meeting the Rangers on November 10th in Air Canada Center. A 4-3 road record would not be so bad, as things improve on the defensive of their game. A weaker record, would be a disaster waiting to happen. We shall see.

How come every time a Gm leaves his office and attends an another team's game, rumours start flying. Bob Gainey was seen at the Rangers and Pens game. He could be for anything, who knows, the Canadiens Gm has never been one to tip his hand, and won't start now.

Laughable rumours and ...

On Hockeybuzz.com, Eklund the anonymous blogger, posted a rumour that the San Jose Sharks are interessed in obtaining Boston Bruins giant size defenceman, Zedno Chara. I think Mr.Eklund forgot about Chara's no trade clause, and that it is in effect for the whole life of the contract.

An another laughable rumour,that the Penguins would be interested in picking up Jose Theodore from Colorado. Theodore is struggling in Colorado, and would be no help to Fleury, and adding 5.3 million in your cap hit, is a luxury the Penguins don't need or can afford. Ray Shero shot down that rumour today in the Pittsburgh post-gazette.

Scott Morrison from Hockey Night in Canada, writes about how important a fast start to a season can be the measuring stick for great things for the rest of the season. He notes exemples on how Tampa's great October in 2003 (6-0-1) led them straight to a cup win in the spring of 2004. The Carolina Hurricanes playoff run and cup win was due to a 8-2-1 October. The same is true about the now defending champions, Anaheim Ducks, a year ago had an October of 9-0-3. Morrison also mentions that the last ten cup champions, went 78-17-14 in October. You get the idea. If you look at the standings, last spring's finalist, the Ottawa Senators seem to want in on the stat mentionned above, as long as the cup comes with it in June.

If it's true that money can't buy happiness, the New York Rangers are the posterboys. The signings of UFA's Chris Drury and Scott Gomez are starting to weigh in. Larry Brooks of the New York Post explains why.

It's Saturday, so we all are looking foward to our weekly games to watch with friends and family. For us in Canada, Hockey Night in Canada, has it's usual twin bill. Viewers in Toronto will see the surprising young Chicago team play the Leafs, while in the Nations capital the Florida Panthers take on the impressive Senators. In Quebec on RDS, you can see the still dangerous Buffalo Sabres take on the Canadiens at the Bell Center. HNIC's twin bill will show the Alberta rivalry between MacTavish's Oilers take on his former coach from his Rangers days, Mike Keenan and his Flames. Where ever you are watching, if you drink, don't drive. Spare a life and flag a cab.

Good Hockey night !

Hartley first to get axe, and who is next ?

After only two weeks in to the NHL season,a first coaching casualty has occurred. Bob Hartley was fired as coach of the Atlanta Thrashers. It became obvious that this was going to happen,especially after the quick exit from the playoffs and the slow start.Waddell instead in taking a part of the responsibility for the debacle,simply threw Hartley under the bus and saved himself, but for how long ? This is the second time that Hartley has been fired, the first came after winning the Stanley cup in 2001 with Colorado.

On to the all expected question, ‘’who is next’’ plenty of candidates to choose from as the vulchers roam the skies.Paul Maurice’s name is buzzing out there in rumour land. Maybe Waddell and Ferguson can change jobs with each other, be better than getting fired, don’t you think? on the other hand why waste the ink,they will both be canned before Christmas anyways. in case your counting kids,sixty-eight shopping days til Christmas.

Who's where in the Stats and ...

With almost two weeks played in the season, let's take a look at who is leading in different departments.Of course it's early in the season, but still, a good start can be a big help come the end of March when the real battles start for a playoff spot.

Powerplay

1. Boston 28.6%
2. Carolina 26.5 %
3. Philadelphia 26.3 %
4. New Jersey 25%
5. Detroit 25 %

Penalty Kill

1. Ottawa 97 %
2. St-Louis 94.7 %
3. Colombus 91.7 %
4. San Jose 90.9 %
5. Minnesota 90.5 %

Goals for (5 vs 5)

1. Toronto 14
2. Ottawa 14
3. St-Louis 12
4. Colorado 12
5. Buffalo 12

Powerplay goals

1. Carolina 8
2. Detroit 7
3. New Jersey 6
4. Vancouver 6
5. Dallas 6

The Notebook

Dallas Stars Gm, Doug Armstrong and newly appointed assistant, Brett Hull are in Sweden to do some scouting, and decided to pay UFA Peter Forsberg a visit, according to Darren Drager from TSN. Of course they are interested in signing the 34 year old center, and who isn't.

Fire Ferguson or let him do his job and…

You have to wonder when reading stuff from the Toronto media, who really wants Ferguson fired. Is it the fans, or is it the media ? If you guessed that it’s likely the media that has it in for Ferguson Jr, you just might be right. From day one til today, Ferguson has been under the microscope. If his background and name had been different, most likely you would not have a daily polling of if he will be fired or not.

Bob Gainey, does not have to face that kind of scrunity, oh yes, did I forget to mention, that Gainey is well respected and liked in Montreal,by all. He won a cup as G.M in Dallas, I guess that keeps the vulchers at bay. Oh yes, your right, He played 16 years in Montreal, was captain for 8 years, won the cup in 86 as captain. I guess with a pedigree like that, you get some breathing room when things go bad. Oh yes, before Gainey accepted the job in Montreal, we was a prime candidate for the position held by Ferguson. Gainey chose Montreal, and I’m sure he does not regret one second of it.

If Ferguson deserves to be fired, he will, the board will do so.By saying that he is under contract for the season, and that the board will not issue a statement after every loss on his future, that may have been the kiss of death right there. Don’t be surprised one morning and see in big letters : It’s over for Fergie ! then you will know.

Price wins first round against Crosby

Montreal Canadiens rookie goaltender, Carey Price, won round 1 against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, in which he was playing in his very first NHL game. Just as two other greats from the past, Ken Dryden and Patrick Roy, also had won those games, so did young Mr.Price. That is one big monkey of his back.

Now the most interesting question, With Price’s good performance in Pittsburgh against the league’s best player, will Carbonneau play Huet or will he go with the youngster ? Guy Carbonneau mentioned that Huet would get the start in Montreal, but only fools never change their minds, I doubt that Carbonneau is a fool. Stay tuned !

Ranking NHL coaches

Scott Burnside ranked NHL coaches in his column yesterday. The Stanley cup champion Anaheim Ducks coach, got first place. As far as the ranking for the Canadian teams goes, Alain Vigneault of Vancouver got number 5, Craig MacTavish of Edmonton got number 15, Paul Maurice and Guy Carbonneau of Toronto and Montreal respectively got numbers 21 and 22. John Paddock of Ottawa got the number 27, and you guessed it, ‘’Adolf’’ Keenan got the last spot available. To add insult to injury, Bob Duff of the Winsor Star, mentions outloud, Keenan does not mesure up to the great coaches, especially Bowman.

You have to wonder when reading stuff from the Toronto media, who really wants Ferguson fired. Is it the fans, or is it the media ? If you guessed that it’s likely the media that has it in for Ferguson Jr, you just might be right. From day one til today, Ferguson has been under the microscope. If his background and name had been different, most likely you would not have a daily polling of if he will be fired or not.

Bob Gainey, does not have to face that kind of scrunity, oh yes, did I forget to mention, that Gainey is well respected and liked in Montreal,by all. He won a cup as G.M in Dallas, I guess that keeps the vulchers at bay. Oh yes, your right, He played 16 years in Montreal, was captain for 8 years, won the cup in 86 as captain. I guess with a pedigree like that, you get some breathing room when things go bad. Oh yes, before Gainey accepted the job in Montreal, we was a prime candidate for the position held by Ferguson. Gainey chose Montreal, and I’m sure he does not regret one second of it.

If Ferguson deserves to be fired, he will, the board will do so.By saying that he is under contract for the season, and that the board will not issue a statement after every loss on his future, that may have been the kiss of death right there. Don’t be surprised one morning and see in big letters : It’s over for Fergie ! then you will know.

Price wins first round against Crosby

Montreal Canadiens rookie goaltender, Carey Price, won round 1 against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, in which he was playing in his very first NHL game. Just as two other greats from the past, Ken Dryden and Patrick Roy, also had won those games, so did young Mr.Price. That is one big monkey of his back.

Now the most interesting question, With Price’s good performance in Pittsburgh against the league’s best player, will Carbonneau play Huet or will he go with the youngster ? Guy Carbonneau mentioned that Huet would get the start in Montreal, but only fools never change their minds, I doubt that Carbonneau is a fool. Stay tuned !

Ranking NHL coaches

Scott Burnside ranked NHL coaches in his column yesterday. The Stanley cup champion Anaheim Ducks coach, got first place. As far as the ranking for the Canadian teams goes, Alain Vigneault of Vancouver got number 5, Craig MacTavish of Edmonton got number 15, Paul Maurice and Guy Carbonneau of Toronto and Montreal respectively got numbers 21 and 22. John Paddock of Ottawa got the number 27, and you guessed it, ‘’Adolf’’ Keenan got the last spot available. To add insult to injury, Bob Duff of the Winsor Star, mentions outloud, Keenan does not mesure up to the great coaches, especially Bowman.

Sens keep rolling and Ducks Lagging

The Eastern conference champions and 07 cup finalist, the Ottawa Senators are rolling and the cup champions are lagging. If you want to talk about cup ''hangover'' no doubt the Anaheim Ducks are suffering from it.

The Senators are 4-0-0, they have scored 13 goals and allowed only seven.Gerber like the goalie he was two seasons ago when he led the Carolina Hurricanes to the Eastern conference regular season championship.

The Ducks are well, feeling ducky.They have not won a game since they came back from England. The Ducks are 1-3-1, scored 11 goals in five games, and have allowed 17.Of course,Burke or the fans have not pushed the panic button,but how long before they do? Only time will tell.

In Montreal,coach Guy Carbonneau, is pondering on who will start tomorrow against the Penguins.Cristobal Huet, who played well in the two first games, let in a a few a goals that has not made his coach to happy, espacially the play that led to the Leafs second goal, that lifted the Toronto and never looked back.Watch this carefully.

Brent Sutter is already taking charge of the Devils dressing room.He was not happy with the play of his team against the Sens,that he called a team meeting after the game.He even went so far as to drag a player from an interview,so that he did not miss it.I bet the journalist wished he could of followed.

Sens take round two in battle of Ontario

The Senators opened their home portion of the season in Scotiabank place, by lifting the Eastern conference championship banner. Then got to work and opened a two to zip lead on Toronto.Leafs captain,Mats Sundin scored and tied Darryl Sittler's record of goals in a Leafs history.Dany Heatley continued his scroring spree with an another goal, and captain Alfredsson scored a pair.

The Leafs will go back to Toronto and meet an another long time rival, the Montreal Canadiens, who coming off an overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Habs most likely watched the game and know the Leafs will be hungry for a win in front of their fans.It should be a dandy, as it always is between the two teams.

The Senators will be hosting the New York Rangers tomorrow night in Ottawa.The Rangers won their home opener in the Gardens against the Florida Panthers. Chris Drury will be the guy to watch, as he got three points.

Habs and Sens win in OT

The Montreal Canadiens opened their season in great fashion by beating the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in overtime. Habs captain, Saku Koivu scored twice to lead his team to victory. Early in the game, Habs got into their bad habit of taken penalties, the Hurricanes opened the scoring on Alex Kovalev's holding penalty. The defense stood tall and allowed only goal on seven powerplays by the home team. Wondering how the Habs would do on the powerplay without sniper Souray, well they went 3-8.

In Toronto, hours after signing a new contract, Dany Heatley scored twice and led the Senators to a 4-3 overtime win over the Leafs. The two teams meet again tonight in Ottawa. The Heatley contract brings the Senators to 36.1 million in commited money for 2008/09, will there be enough for Redden ?