Around The League - Everyone But The Habs

Is it a slow-talking guy? I dunno why but his voice seems so annoying to me. Next step - replace Marchand.

That's the guy. The puck has usually changed hands 3 times before he mentions the player who has it currently. Slower than molasses in snow.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Mark Giordano took morning skate on Thursday in Buffalo, but will not play until after the Christmas break, coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters. The 40-year-old Giordano broke a finger on Nov. 28 against the Florida Panthers.

Now ten games without a point, man this is really looking terrible for the Flames. In all honesty though, I don't think anyone saw this decline coming.

Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson left Thursday’s game against the Calgary Flames after sustaining an injury from a collision with Flames defenceman MacKenzie Weegar. The incident happened mid-way through the third, as Carlsson collided with Weegar along the boards in front of the penalty box. Weegar fell on Carlsson, who appeared to injure his knee.
That could hurt. Bright young prospect.

I think no one predicted he would decline as fast as he did, but I wouldn't have gone anywhere near the contract Calgary signed him to. In general, I don't like the idea of offering longterm contracts to players in their 30s or contracts that take players through their 30s. I wouldn't have given Gallagher the contract he did. I wouldn't have given Huberdeau his contract. Grant it, there are a few players who have excelled in their 30s but more often than not, players fall off a cliff pretty fast between 30-35. Look at some our recent players to whom that happened... Gomez, Hamrlik, Petry, Markov, Plekanec, Gallagher, Kaberle, etc. Look at a lot of the big name UFAs who sign at age 28 or 29 or 30. How many of those really work out? So in that regard, it was predictable that he was at risk of this happening sooner rather than later.

The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association announced today that Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard has been cleared to resume practicing with the team and has entered the follow-up care phase of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. Girard has not yet been cleared to return to game action. Girard’s care continues to be administered pursuant to the player assistance program.

Tied at six going into overtime - how do you blow a 5  - 1 lead

last week Columbus blew a 5 - 0 lead against Toronto in the third 

 

The defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights will be without goalies Adin Hill and Logan Thompson for Thursday night’s game at the Tampa Bay Lightning. Thompson (10-5-3, 2.71 goals-against average) left Tuesday night’s 6-3 loss at Carolina early in the third period with an upper-body injury.Hill (10-2-2, 1.93 GAA) missed the first seven games in December with a lower-body injury and lasted just 6:25 in his return against Ottawa on Dec. 17. Jiri Patera made his second appearance this season in relief of Thompson on Tuesday. Isaiah Saville was recalled from Henderson of the AHL. “We’ve got some untested goaltenders going in there, we’ve got play well in front of them,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “For us, every team goes through different parts of the year where you get tested. That’s what we’re doing right now.” Patera has a 3-0-0 record and a 2.70 goals-against average in four career NHL games. Saville has not appeared in an NHL game. “I will say this, actually, we’re probably the only team that’s dressing a tandem in the NHL with undefeated goaltenders.” Cassidy said. “That’s the positive, right?"
Here's a team that seems to get away without a #1 goalie. Uncanny how the Knights can be so successful with a continuous run of 2nd & 3rd string goalies!