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Now that the pomp and circumstance of Team Canada’s hockey team announcement has come and gone, every team participating has given their rosters. There is a lot of debate to be had, so here is my take on the 2014 Winter Olympics Hockey All-Snub Team.
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Finally, after months and months of everyone involved being morons, causing 113 days, 625 games, and the biggest outdoor hockey game in history to be cancelled, hockey fans can finally say “Game On!” The NHL has a new 10-year labor agreement, and is set to start the shortened, 48 game 2013 season on Saturday, January 19. Find out what you need to know about every team in the NHL for the upcoming season, this time featuring the Central Division. Continue after the jump to find out where your team will finish.
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Patrick Sharp has been out of the Chicago Blackhawks’ lineup for the past four games, but it hasn’t slowed them down one bit. Buoyed by performances from guys up and down the roster, the Hawks have been scoring goals, playing solid defense, and most importantly, picking up points. This weekend was no different, as they got a point yesterday against the Detroit Red Wings, a team with an insane home record this season, and they did it again Sunday night as they took down the San Jose Sharks 4-3 at the United Center.
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Despite his assurances on Monday that he is completely healthy, the Chicago Blackhawks took out an extra insurance policy on goaltender Corey Crawford on Wednesday, bringing up keeper Alexander Salak from Rockford. Ray Emery has also been feeling under the weather, so the goalie lineup for the Hawks going into Thursday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets is anyone’s guess at this point.
In addition to the call-up of Salak, word also came down that Brandon Saad, who had impressed the team’s brass with his excellent preseason performance, had been sent back to Saginaw of the OHL. He will remain there for the rest of the year and work to refine his game, but in his short stint with the team he proved that he likely is going to be one of the biggest steals of the 2011 Draft, having gone with the 43rd overall selection in the second round.
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The Chicago Blackhawks will take on the Detroit Red Wings tonight at the United Center, but before they do, here are some news and notes to get you set for what will be the first game with the Opening Night roster taking to the ice:
….Except for Patrick Sharp
Patrick Sharp will not be in the lineup for the Blackhawks tonight, but he has been skating on his own for the past few days, and head coach Joel Quenneville has said he is still optimistic that Sharp will be in the lineup Opening Night. If he isn’t, there are a couple of guys who could theoretically replace him:
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The Chicago Blackhawks skated into Pittsburgh on Thursday night looking to end a streak of seven consecutive road preseason losses, but unfortunately for them, Jordan Staal and the Penguins had other ideas. Staal scored twice, and Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy also added goals as the Pens pulled away late and beat the Hawks 4-1. Michael Frolik picked up the lone tally for the Blackhawks in the second period, and Ray Emery gave up four goals on 19 shots in a losing effort.
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The Chicago Blackhawks are headed to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for their first preseason game tomorrow night, where they will play the Edmonton Oilers. The game, while not available on TV in Chicago, is going to be streaming on the Hawks’ official team website, and it will provide fans’ first glimpse into some of the changes that the team has made this off-season.
Big name players like Marian Hossa (who is finally reporting to camp tomorrow after attending Pavol Demitra’s funeral last week, as well as attending the birth of his daughter), Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Patrick Kane will not be making the trip up to Canada, but there is still plenty to pay attention to as the team suits up against an actual opponent for the first time since April:
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When it comes to grading a mock draft? You can do that as soon as the draft ends. And one website, DC Pro Sports Report, has done just that. They ranked every single NHL mock on the web, and take a look at who the #1 non-Canadian is.
Here are your TOP THREE:
1. Adam Kimelman, NHL.com – 7 Correct
2. Franchise Montreal (Rick Springhetti) – 6 Correct
3. The Sports Bank – 5 Correct
Like I’ve said before, The Sports Bank is the only independently owned, non-corporate sports media site that has a mock draft for all of the four biggest sports team leagues. And we had the most accurate hockey mock draft among all American mock draftniks.
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2011 MOCK NHL ENTRY DRAFT (Draft Day Edition)
The day is finally here! The 2011 NHL Entry Draft is tonight, live from the Xcel Energy Center in the heart of St. Paul, Minnesota. Thursday saw the start of what could be the first of many big time deals to come, when the Philadelphia Flyers made multiple trades to reshape their roster and create cap space to sign Ilya Bryzgalov to a huge contract. I will be on hand to see all the picks go down, as well as all the deals that will go down while teams are on the clock. Who will go where? Who else will make a bold move like the Flyers, Kings, and Blue Jackets? Find out with the final mock NHL draft from The Sports Bank. For all the first round picks, click on through past the jump.
Bryan Vickroy
