SPOTLIGHTS
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Pickin' The Corners 4.16.08
(04.16.2008)
- Ian Smart
If you want to hate Sean Avery, do it because he is an effective pest and difficult opponent. Do not pretend to be appalled by his antics. |
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Sports Kid Rankings 4.09.08: NHL Wrap-up
(04.09.2008)
- Ken Schmidt
The season is over and it is time for the last rankings for the NHL this year. Who climbed the most all season long and who had the biggest dive since week 1? Also, who gets the Sports Kid award for worst season and least bright spots to look at for next season? |
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Inside The Penalty Box 04.03.08: Rangers Poised For Long Playoff Run
(04.03.2008)
- Neil Borenstein
These aren’t your pre-lockout New York Rangers anymore. Three years after the NHL lost a season, they have improved successfully from a non-contender with a big ego and big money roster to a solid, all-around team. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein takes a look at the Eastern Conference’s current fifth and what factors could get them their longest playoff run of the new NHL era. |
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Around The Rink 03.18.08: Suspensions From Coast to Coast
(03.25.2008)
- Jeremy Yoder
Around The Rink this week, the NHL has waited 12 years to see what happened last Friday. Teams in the Eastern Conference’s Southeast Division are heating up, but will anyone other than the division winner make the playoffs? I’ll tell you in our weekly divisional review. The Pens took two of three big games over the past week. We’ll talk about who played key roles in those wins and, of course, injuries in our weekly Pens report. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 03.18.08: The NHL’s Double Standard
(03.18.2008)
- Neil Borenstein
Chris Simon steps on a player and gets a 30-game suspension. Chris Pronger does the same thing and received only eight. In this week’s Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein examines the NHL’s double standard when it comes to suspensions, in addition to answering some reader feedback. |
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Around The Rink 03.18.08: Suspensions From Coast to Coast
(03.18.2008)
- Jeremy Yoder
Around The Rink this week, another stomping incident in the NHL headlines a week full of suspensions. The Pacific Division is home to three of the top four teams in the Western Conference. We’ll take a look at those teams and the others in that division in our weekly division review. The Pens only played two games this week, but it was still a week of interesting news from one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams |
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Around The Rink 03.11.08: A Surprising Struggle in the Northeast
(03.11.2008)
- Jeremy Yoder
Around The Rink this week, another laceration in the NHL and two different teams suspend their own players. We’ll examine a pretty amazing development in the Eastern Conference’s Northeast Division. We’ll also summarize an exciting week in Penguins hockey as the Crosby the captain returned to the ice! |
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Inside The Penalty Box 03.10.08: Southeast Division’s Lackluster Showing
(03.10.2008)
- Neil Borenstein
Out of the eight Eastern Conference teams currently in the playoffs, only one of them is a Southeast Division club. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein takes a look at the division to see if there’s a chance more teams could gain a postseason berth, in addition to a look at the demoralizing rookie mistake that may have cost the Capitals a shot at playing past the regular season. |
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Around The Rink 03.04.08: Deadline Deals
(03.04.2008)
- Jeremy Yoder
Around The Rink this week, a head coach got the axe and I’ll examine some of the trades made at the deadline. We’ll review the Western Conference’s Northwest Division and recap the week that was in Penguins hockey. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 03.03.08: Penguins Stock Up At Deadline
(03.03.2008)
- Neil Borenstein
The Pittsburgh Penguins made the biggest splash of trade deadline day when they landed the hottest winger on the market, Marian Hossa. But they also got a little bit grittier on defense with the addition of Hal Gill, which might be a bigger benefit down the stretch and in the playoffs. In this week’s Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein examines the deals made by the Penguins last Tuesday, and how they will affect the team going forward. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 02.25.08: The 2008 NHL Trade Deadline
(02.25.2008)
- Neil Borenstein
We’re 39 hours away from the dead-last moment teams across the league can make that last ditch effort to build a team for Stanley Cup competition. In this week’s edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein takes a look at the top names on the market and gives his predictions on where they will end up by 3 p.m. on Tuesday! |
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Around The Rink 02.19.08: Is The Red Machine Slowing Down?
(02.19.2008)
- Jeremy Yoder
Around The Rink this week, another young star is signed to an extension, Peter Forsberg rules out a comeback, a quick update on Richard Zednik and I’ll talk briefly about the rapidly approaching trade deadline. The Western Conference’s Central Division will be the weekly divisional focus this week and we’ll also talk about the week in Penguins hockey. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 02.18.08: No-Trade Clauses Hindering Deadline Deals
(02.18.2008)
- Neil Borenstein
Wade Redden refuses to leave Ottawa. Mats Sundin wants to go down with the sinking ship that is Toronto. And Rob Blake will apparently leave Los Angeles only for the two other teams in California. In this week’s edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein looks at the trouble general managers have nowadays in completing trades with the heightened willingness from players to exercise their no-trade clauses. |
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The Oil Report 02.14.08
(02.14.2008)
- Rod Oracheski
Rod goes 3-for-3 on his predictions of the Oilers going 2-for-3 last week. This week love is in the air, but what about trades? |
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Inside The Penalty Box 02.14.08: Zednik’s Injury Raises Questions About Neck Guards
(02.14.2008)
- Neil Borenstein
One of the most horrific on-ice incidents in 19 years, Richard Zednik’s neck slashing during Sunday night’s matchup against the Sabres has raised the question on whether the league should consider neck protection for its players. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein explains why such a course of action is not particularly ideal for players. Also, Henrik Lundqvist’s six-year contract with the Rangers is discussed! |
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The Oil Report 02.06.2008
(02.06.2008)
- Rod Oracheski
With reclusive billionaire Daryl Katz prepped to buy out the Edmonton Oilers, 411 columnist Rod Oracheski suddenly has the urge to do a weekly column on the team...but why have the two never been seen together in public? |
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Around The Rink 02.05.08: Early Playoff Battles
(02.05.2008)
- Jeremy Yoder
Around The Rink this week, back to business as usual for NHL clubs after the All-Star break, a quick look at how the playoff race is starting to shape up and a Toronto Maple Leaf is handed a three game suspension. We’ll also review the Western Conference’s Pacific Division and talk about the past week in Pittsburgh Penguins hockey. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 01.30.08: The Trading Block Of The Kings
(01.30.2008)
- Neil Borenstein
The Los Angeles Kings made modest moves over the offseason, and they haven’t panned out like general manager Dean Lombardi had hoped. With the playoffs seemingly out of reach, the Kings are likely to be the biggest sellers from now until the trade deadline. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein discusses the Kings’ being discussed as on the block, and the teams interested in acquiring them! |
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Around The Rink 01.29.08: All-Star Break
(01.29.2008)
- Jeremy Yoder
Around The Rink this week, coverage of the All-Star game and the skills competition is discussed, the Maple Leafs fire their GM and Ilya earns a game off. We’ll take a look at the top team in the Eastern Conference as we review the Northeast Division. In my weekly Penguins section, I will discuss how the season has gone so far and where it is headed for the ‘Guins. |
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Sports Kid Rankings 1.24.08: NHL Week 17
(01.24.2008)
- Ken Schmidt
The Northwest is still anyones division as the top 4 teams remain within a few points of each other. The Atlantic was supposed to be a close race before the Flyers gave up playing against the Devils. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 01.22.08: The 56th NHL All Star Game
(01.22.2008)
- Neil Borenstein
The NHL is taking a break from its normal schedule this weekend for the 56th edition of the All Star Game! Set in the Philips Arena of Atlanta this year, some of the best from all 30 teams will suit up in this weekend’s exhibition. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein takes a look at the rosters and predicts a winner for this weekend’s matchup! |
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Around The Rink 01.22.08: Falling All-Stars
(01.22.2008)
- Jeremy Yoder
Around The Rink this week, being an All-Star means being injured, a Bruin heads into hibernation and a capital loss for Washington. Also in this edition, the Western Conference’s Northwest Division is as tight a division as you’ll find in the NHL and I’ll provide an update on the past week in Pittsburgh Penguins news. |
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411mania’s NHL Conference Call Coverage: Scott Gomez
(01.19.2008)
- Neil Borenstein
Over the offseason, the Rangers needed to bring in two top-name centers. One of those positions was filled by former New Jersey Devil Scott Gomez, who was inked to a seven-year, $51.5 million contract. In the latest NHL Media Conference Call, Gomez discusses adjusting to New York, playing alongside Jaromir Jagr and comparisons between Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Brodeur! |
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Sports Kid Rankings 1.17.08: NHL Week 16
(01.17.2008)
- Ken Schmidt
The Flyers and Penguins continue to heat up and put some pressure on the Devils. There are plenty of teams in the West to keep an eye on as the number 1 Red Wings begin to look human again. |
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411mania’s NHL Conference Call Coverage: Marc Savard
(01.16.2008)
- Neil Borenstein
The Bruins are having quite a turnaround season, and Marc Savard is one of the biggest reasons behind it. In the latest NHL Media Conference Call, Savard discusses finally being selected for an All Star team, his relationship with Bruins head coach Claude Julien and much more! |
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Around The Rink 01.15.08: Hey Now, You’re An All-Star!
(01.15.2008)
- Jeremy Yoder
Around The Rink this week the All-Star rosters are released and Alex Ovechkin signs a big, long-term contract. Also in this edition, I will review the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division, going back to my previous blog about the Atlantic for comparisons, and also provide my weekly update on the still surging, still banged-up Pittsburgh Penguins. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 01.01.08: Last Place Lightning Looking To Deal Star Players?
(01.01.2008)
- Neil Borenstein
With 33 points through 39 games, the Tampa Bay Lightning are 29th in the NHL, and last place in the Eastern Conference. Management has stated that trading one of their big name stars is not going to happen. But it might be the best option right now to get this team’s defense back on track for competition through the remaining 43 games of the season. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein examines the trade possibilities for Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards and Dan Boyle. |
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