Ponds and Pucks

Notable moves and changes: Signed free agent Daniel Briere (was with the Buffalo Sabres), picked up F Joffrey Lupul[/tags] and D [tag]Jason Smith from the Edmonton Oilers for D Joni Pitkanen and F Geoff Sanderson, and acquired F Scott Hartnell and D Kimmo Timonen from the Nashville Predators.

Starting goalies: Martin Biron, though Antero Niittymaki could challenge with a great camp.

Summary of last year: The Flyers were last in the league with a sobering 22-48-12 record, and were out of playoff contention well before the All-Star break. This team has nowhere to go but up.

Prediction for this year: If the off-season signings and trades are any indication, Flyers’ GM Paul Holmgren is serious about righting the ship and doing it quickly. Even at the trade deadline, the Flyers were making moves to strengthen the team, picking up most notably Martin Biron. There isn’t a position on the team that hasn’t been improved, defense shored up with Smith and Timonen, the signing of Briere and the acquisition of Biron. Will they go from last in the league to making the playoffs? There’s a good chance.

Daniel Briere, Buffalo Sabres, Joffrey Lupul[/tags] and D [tag]Jason Smith, Edmonton Oilers, Joni Pitkanen, Geoff Sanderson, Scott Hartnell, Kimmo Timonen, Nashville Predators, Antero Niittymaki, Paul Holmgren

Mark Bell has plead guilty to charges of drunk driving causing injury and hit and run.

The charges are from an incident in San Jose last September. Bell will be sentenced to 6 months in October, and will serve the sentence at the end of the season.

Hold on….he’s going to be sentenced to 6 months but not served until April at the earliest? Going to jail is never a good thing, but what a sweet deal to say “Yeah, I’m not really available until this spring….”

This man has plead guilty to a crime. He has admitted to driving while drunk, hurting another person and fleeing. This is not his first or even second offense. He told Leafs’ GM John Ferguson he hoped it would “take care of itself”. This man should not be allowed to continue to make his millions on the ice as long as his confessed crime has gone unpunished.

Celebrities and other well-known figures get special treatment — there’s no denying that. And it could be argued that Bell’s jail time could have a negative impact on the team itself (Bell was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs over the summer), but that’s something the team needs to address and deal with.

Tell me this… you think Bell is going to a focused player come the end of the season? Do you think his mind is going to be on making the playoffs or winning the Stanley Cup?

Or is he going to be focusing too hard on what he’s got lined up when his season ends? How much distraction could his pending jail time cause the team?

What if the Leafs (God forbid) win the Cup? Does he show up for jail the next day?

Players have missed seasons or parts of seasons for a lot less serious matters than this. Bell should serve his time now, like anyone else would have to, and then be ready to focus on his team when they need him the most.

Mark Bell, San Jose, Toronto Maple Leafs

The rumors of Michael Peca signing with the New York Rangers continue. This one seems especially persistent. Among others, Mirtle, was blogging about this last week.

My question is, doesn’t the cap turn into an issue if they sign Peca?

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AOL Fanhouse hits the nail on the head regarding all the Forsberg rumors swirling around, the latest being out of Ottawa.

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Another excellent round-up of the remaining notable free agents…

Michael Peca, New York Rangers

Mike Ricci announced his retirement at a charity golf tournament yesterday, capping a 16 year career.

I have a lot of respect for the guy to know when it’s too crazy to continue. I’m sure he did everything in his power to get back into the ice, but when you’re talking neck injuries, and have a family to consider, you have to know when to say enough. I’m not sure enough players know that line.

Alex Auld has signed with the Phoenix Coyotes, where he will compete for the starting goalie spot. You know, if I’m a Coyotes fan, I’m not sure knowing Alex Auld is in contention to be the starting goalie is going to make me feel that much better about the upcoming season. But that might be unfair — Auld actually has a winning record (46-44-13) over 5 seasons, and that includes a recent stint with the Florida Panthers, so that’s pretty amazing.

My big memory of Auld is that he saved my ass in my hockey pool a couple of years ago when Cloutier went down with a 4 month injury and I picked up Auld in desperation. I guess that says something.

Mike Ricci, Alex Auld, Phoenix Coyotes, Florida Panthers

Joe Pelletier at Legends of Hockey is looking for reader input on the Top 36 Players of all time.

I’d add to the debate, but when you consider I idolized Rick Wamsley growing up, I think all would agree it’s best I stay silent.

Seriously.

Rick Wamsley

Hockey Rants has a great item on Dustin Penner’s day with the Cup. And he stole the absolute best punchline, though Oiler bashing is just getting easier and easier (sorry Oil fans).

Many say this is the slowest time of year for the NHL, but I disagree. This is the time of year when something big is around the corner. The remaining free agents are being picked through and analyzed, coaches and GMs are looking to see where they need to bolster the team and making trades as necessary, and players are starting to prepare themselves for training camp. It can only get better from here!

To fill the time, Sportsnet.ca’s Alan Adams has an interesting look at which NHL records may never be broken, such as Glenn Hall’s astonishing 502 consecutive starts in net. I used to believe Wayne Gretzky’s 50 goals in 39 games could never be touched, but as I watch Sidney Crosby, and look at the Pittsburgh Penguins build a decent team around him, I’m starting to change my mind.

ESPN is debating whether Anaheim has the talent and skill to repeat their Cup win. Scott Niedermayer is obviously a huge factor, but in this NHL, I think it’s always tough to repeat. Teams treat you a lot differently after you’ve won a Cup. Every team rises to the occasion to play the defending Champions — there are no nights off when you play those teams languishing at the bottom of the league; everyone wants to prove they can beat you.

I don’t think it will be the Ducks this year. That said, I didn’t think it would be the Ducks last year, so take that with a grain of salt.

As we inch closer to training camp and the start of the season we’ll take a look at each of the teams and whether they’ve improved or reduced their Cup chances in the off-season. Stay tuned!

NHL, Glenn Hall, Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Scott Niedermayer

• Cost to buy the Tampa Bay Lightning: $206 million. Listening to John Tortorella slam the team’s previous owner? Priceless. (Fan590 audio link is here).
• Edmonton Oilers resign Brodziak and Roy. Craig Simpson’s out, Brodziak and Roy are in. Somehow I think they’re going to need a little more to get back into the playoffs.
• By the way, Simpson is now saying he’s leaving coaching because he realized he’d never be the next Scotty Bowman. There’s so many snarky comments I can make there I’m not even sure where to start…
• Staal brothers offered deal. And why not? Young men busted for drinking too much at a campground during a stag…. I know a lot of guys who call that “Saturday”.
• Hawks extend Savard’s stay. Good on ‘em. One of the best things to happen to the Hawks in years.
• Bruins sign their first round draft pick, Zach Hamill. The Bruins need this kid, both for their team and to keep their fans’ hopes alive.
• Hawks sign James Wisniewski. The Hawks on the other hand destroyed their fans’ hopes years ago…
• Coyotes ink Joel Perrault. Coyotes continue to be a mystery team… how will they do this year?
• CHL Schedule released. Colorado Eagles will begin their defense of the CHL championship title.
• Karel Pilar signs with Thrashers. Pilar’s been out of the NHL for nearly two years battling a heart condition.
• Chris Chelios testifies in murder trial. Nothing funny here. A former Cheli’s restaurant employee murdered two of his former co-workers, one right after Chelios spoke with her.
• Ducks’ Joe DiPenta thrills sick kids with Stanley Cup. Feel-good Cup story of the week.

Tampa Bay Lightning, John Tortorella, Edmonton Oilers, Zach Hamill, James Wisniewski, Coyotes, Joel Perrault, Colorado Eagles, Karel Pilar, Thrashers, Chris Chelios

Hi everyone, I’m the new blogger here at Ponds and Pucks and I’m looking forward to talking hockey with everyone here every day! It may be the dog-days of summer in the hockey world, but there’s still plenty going on.

I’m aiming to cover a little bit from every corner of the NHL: teams, players, coaches, refs, front office, commish, fans, mascots — whatever! Likely I’ll sneak some AHL, junior, college, international and women’s hockey news in once in a while, but my passion is truly the NHL.

Comments and feedback are more than welcome — they’re wanted! NHL fans are exciting and passionate and there are so many different ways to look at an issue in the NHL. It’s always a blast to hash it out with other fans. Far too many hours have been spent at work discussing games, calls and goals from the night before…

So, thanks for reading and stick around!

If I had $300 dollars I would buy________.

What would you buy with $300? Or even $200 or $100? Now is your chance to find out! Comment on any 451 Press site during the month of August and you could win! Three comments will be chosen at random to win a cash prize of $300, $200 or $100. The more you comment the more chances you have to win. So start reading and let those fingers fly.

This site is currently in need of a writer. If you have any interest in writing on the topic this site covers, feel free to submit an application at 451 Press. Thank you.

451 Press, Hockey, Writers Needed

They have a trophy for the MVP, but I am never really satisfied with how that trophy is given out. It always goes to the best player in the nominated group. So let me put it out there for the collective:
Who was the best player this year?
Who was most valuable to his team?

For my money, Crosby was the best, but Brodeur was the most valuable. Without him, the Devils would never have made the playoffs.

Thoughts?

It’s a good time to relax, with the season just ended.
So here’s what we’re going to do - I will open it up to you, the readers.
Today: Best goalie this year.

Have at it.

I looked at the schedule for tonight and there’s no hockey tonight.  This is quite distressing.

There’s a lot to talk about, there has been a lot of great hockey between last night and thus far today.
But I want to ask a question of you, my readers:  what hockey blogs do you read?
I am starting to put together my link list and want to get some feedback on who you all want to see on the sidebar.