Hockey News

Well, it’s still a three way race for the basement between the Coyotes, the Blue Jackets, and, of course, the Flyers--with the Blues just barely ahead of them. And, while the Yotes have risen from the floor of the basement, they are still pretty firmly down there. Personally, I still expecting some major player moves in Philly. Though, I suspect the Flyers are pretty happy to be totally rid of Hitchcock.
(…I do wonder how the Blue Jackets are feeling about that deal right about now…)

Thursday’s brouhaha between the Thrashers and the Capitals was interesting. Here is the SI report on all the follow up. What do you think? Were the suspensions enough? I kind of don’t think so. I have never really had a problem with two guys losing their tempers, throwing a couple punches, and sitting in the Box for five minutes. I understand that. But, going out on the ice with the intent to pick/start a fight…that’s out of line. That kind of fighting is an unnecessary element to the game.
(…one thing I have always liked about the NHL is using player suspension money for an emergency assistance fund…)

There are some pretty important people sitting on the injured lists these days. Crosby sat out his second game. Stillman won’t be back until mid-December. Even Forsberg says he’s still hurting. There’s nothing new about players getting hurt—even long term. The key is what their teams will do about it. Philly needs Forsberg. They need him at 100%. And, they need it now. Crosby, on the other hand, isn’t the only linchpin in Pittsburgh. So, while his absence is not good, the Pens can survive it short term. You can check out a list of injuries in The East and the West by conference and team.

And, since I’m in the Dallas area, I’ll close with a short item on Marty Turco. Turco has head problems. They affect him most in the playoffs. I don’t know why…and apparently no one else has figured it out either. A friend at work thinks it stems from that overtime loss with the Ducks in the playoffs a couple years ago. I’ll grant the possibility. But…Anyway, SI had this report on the Stars back-up, Mike Smith. They may be right. It’s not just tough competition for the starter’s job.