Ice Hockey

Posted by Mike Carr

The first year I got NHL Center Ice, I snagged another cable box from a different room just so I could watch two games at once with picture-in-picture.

This season, I recently moved. Although Charter Cable technically offers NHL Center Ice, when I went to order it I learned it wasn't offered in my market. Unacceptible! I switched to Dish.

As far as I'm concerned, NHL Center Ice is a make-it-or-break-it feature of a cable or satellite service.

Not everyone is as much of an NHL Center Ice junkie. Now that the free preview ended a few weeks ago, you may be debating whether to fork over $169 to order NHL Center Ice. Before you do, consult my article, "NHL Center Ice - Is it Worth the Money?"

Posted by Mike Carr

The game started with excitement, as Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis got a breakaway coming down fast on Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward. Ward made a beautiful save on St. Louis and continued slamming the door shut on the Lightning for the rest of the night.

Justin Williams had his own private shooting gallery on Tampa Bay goaltender Marc Denis tonight. Williams, who was still looking for his first goal of the season, found the back of the net.

His first goal was of the night was early in the 2nd period off a rebound shot and his second was a on a power play with 2:39 left in the period. He completed his first career NHL hat trick 37 seconds into the 3rd period on the power play.

Tampa's Mikita Alexeev finally got Tampa Bay on the board with 2:13 left in the 3rd period, ending Ward's hopes of a shutout.

The Hurricanes are now 3-0 after losing their first 4 games.

Posted by Mike Carr

After making numerous eye-popping moves and passes in the first period, including an assist on Sergei Gonchar’s first period goal, terror struck the heart of Pittsburgh Penguins fans.

It all started innocently enough. Malkin was making a pass to teammate John LeClair, but LeClair missed the scoring chance and began losing an edge going around the left side of the net.

Malkin, after sending the pass away, went around the right side of the goal and the two collided behind the left goal post. Malkin tried hurdling over LeClair, but to no avail.

After coming down hard on the ice, Malkin stayed down on the ice for several minutes before finally getting up and skating away holding his left arm.

The Pittsburg Penguins announced that Malkin has a dislocated left shoulder. He did attend the Penguins practice today, but did not participate. It is not known if Malkin will be able to play in the Penguins home opener on Oct. 5th.

Also see: Evgeni Malkin Surfaces in Los Angeles | Evgeni Malkin Signs with Pittsburgh Penguins

Posted by Mike Carr

Domi spent 16 seasons in the NHL, (11 with the Leafs) as one of the league's premier enforcers. With the new NHL concentrating more on speed and skill, the enforcer roll has almost become extinct, helping the Toronto Maple Leafs decide to buy out Domi’s remaining season on his contract.

Domi is third all-time in penalty minutes with 3,515, only ranking behind Dave Williams (3,966) and Dale Hunter (3565). During the 2005/2006 season, Domi recorded his 100th goal and played in his 1000th NHL game.

Fans won't lose Domi entirely. With his playing career over, Domi has signed on with Canadian sport network TSN, where he will still be able to be involved with the sport he loves.

Posted by Mike Carr

You can see his grin from ear to ear a mile away (that’s almost two kilometers for my friends up north). He's got that little extra spring in his step that says, "I’m a happy man."

Rick Dipietro signed an almost-unheard-of 15-year, $67.5 million contract with the New York Islanders today. The contract will pay DiPietro $4.5 million a year for the next 15 years.

General managers around the league have spoken to the press under anonymity saying things like they feel "amazement" and another said, “They’re trying to protect themselves from that $7 million salary, but quite honestly, it’s an absolutely ridiculous thing to do.”

"Crazy," one NHL GM told TSN. "Just (expletive deleted) crazy."

Islanders co-owner Charles Wang wanted Rick DiPietro in an Islanders sweater for a long, long time, and he got it. DiPietro will now be an Islander until he is just shy of his 40th birthday.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Wang got a player for the long haul. In 2001, the Islanders signed Alexei Yashin to a 10 year, $87.5 million contract. So now they have two players that they’re stuck with through thick and thin.

I personally don’t see the logic in signing a 25-year-old kid to that long of a contract worth that much. As others have pointed out, what motivation is he going to have now? For good or ill, the Islanders are stuck with him. Choose your dance partners carefully. You can end up with a long, slow dance and a partner that likes to step on your feet.

Posted by Mike Carr

In the Inquirer's article today, Flyers’ Primeau to announce retirement, they say Primeau confirmed that he plans to retire.

"I’ve had those discussions with my wife and I will have something more to say about it either Wednesday or Thursday," he told the newspaper. "I have not talked to the club since last week. I had been looking to get myself back into a position to play."

Keith Primeau took an elbow to the head from Montreal Canadiens’ Alexander Perezhogin on October 25th, 2005. He has not played a game since due to post-concussion syndrome.

The captaincy is expected to go Peter Forsberg, according to the report.

Posted by Mike Carr

After an exciting summer of leaving his Russian team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, after just signing with them, the youngster and his agent J.P. Barry had to figure out how to get Malkin into the United States.

Hours turned into days for Evegni, trying to stay out of sight of his Russian team while he and his agent worked on getting the proper paper work together so they both could get into the U.S.

Days later, Malkin appeared in Los Angeles at the Kings practice facility playing hockey with a smile on his face. He stayed in L.A. for three weeks.

Technorati tags: ice hockey | NHL | Pittsburgh Penguins

On Monday night, Malkin arrived in Pittsburg, where he was shown around and was able to meet with Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby.

Posted by Mike Carr

Robataille, who is the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history, will have his number retired in a pre-game ceremony on January 20 when the Kings play against the Phoenix Coyotes. Robitaille retired last season on April 17, according to the Los Angeles Kings.

During his 14-season run with the Los Angeles Kings, Robitaille has become the Kings' all–time goal scorer. He won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2002.

Luc finished his career playing in 1431 NHL regular season games, with 668 goals, 726 assists and 1394 points. He also played in 159 NHL playoff games with 58 goals and 127 points.

Luc Robitaille is listed number 10 in all-time goal leaders. He joins some impressive company, as the only other players with retired numbers in Los Angeles are Rogie Vachon, Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor and Wayne Gretzky.

Posted by Mike Carr

He was sidelined by a knee injury near the end of the 2003-2004 season, but was cleared by the Coyotes medical staff on Tuesday. The last team he played for was the Toronto Maple Leafs, leaving amidst controversy. The San Jose Mercury News reported that Nolan was skating with Logitech Ice Adult Hockey League, trying to get some ice time.

Posted by Mike Carr

Detroit needed a number 1 guy in net after letting Manny Legace go. They came close to signing Ed Belfour, but that relationship didn't materialize. Assuming his career was done, Dominik Hasak said he was surprised and excited when he received the telephone call from Wings.