Nabbing Nabby

NHL insiders reported today that the Detroit Red Wings are close to signing Evgeni Nabokov.

In an earlier post I conveyed my thoughts on where Nabby could end up. Since then, Tampa Bay decided to trade for Dwayne Roloson instead of making a play for Nabokov. Waivers could have been the deciding factor in Steve Yzerman's decision to go with Roli and based on the recent players the St. Louis Blues have lost through the waiver process, that may have been the right play.

The challenge for Ken Holland and the Red Wings is how to structure a contract that will disuade other teams from claiming Nabokov.

If I'm a GM for another team in the Western Conference, or especially in the same division, I don't want the Wings to get Nabokov - they're already tough enough to play against.

Assuming the Wings only sign Nabby to a one year deal, Scott Howson of the Columbus Blue Jackets should place a claim on him, send the inconsistent Steve Mason to Springfield, and go with Garon as a backup. The Jackets aren't too far out of a playoff spot and having Nabokov in net plus adding a deadline aquisition could be what this team needs to become a contender. It's time for Howson to swing for the fences and get aggressive.

Thoughts?

EDITORS NOTE: I was thinking about Steve Mason being sent down to the AHL, did some research, and realized that since he's played over 60 NHL games he is not exempt from waivers either. It would probably not be a good idea for Columbus to risk losing him - especially given Detroit's goaltending situation after this season and a motive for retaliation - to another team.

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Clowe Tells it Like it is

Ryane Clowe's post game presser after the Sharks' 4-3 loss to the Canucks. Sorry for the audio.

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Winter Classic Thoughts

To me, the Washington Capitals look like a different team - or are starting to, at least.

Watching them skate to a 3-1 victory in the Winter Classic, I was left with the following impressions: 

Simeyon Varlamov came to play - Varly made a statement to Bruce Boudreau that he can play in a big game. Under the bright lights with almost 70,000 and with 4.5 million TV viewers, Varlamov was tested often and seemed to be able find the puck better than Marc-Andre Fleury under the sub-par conditions at Heinz Field. 

Perreault is great energy player for the Caps - Mathieu Perreault finishes his checks, gets pucks deep, and can contribute offensively. He seems like he's bought into Boudreau's system.

Ovi starting to play like Ovi - For those who are starting to wonder if Ovechkin has lost a step, keep in mind, he's won every individual award but his ultimate goal is the Stanley Cup. He's learning to be a better all around hockey player which will silence his critics in the playoffs. But, my god, take him off the point on the PP. He's so much more dangerous when he's on the wing and can be more mobile. When he's on the point, penalty-killers just get into his shooting lane. Maybe Boudreau is saving that for the playoffs as well?

Mike Green played very physically - especially against Jordan Staal. It's nice to see Green playing this way but can his body keep up with that level of physicality.

Speaking of Jordan Staal - Pit should be scaring teams even more now with Staal back in the lineup. 

And finally...

Alex Semin - When I saw the condition of the ice, I, and probably many, felt it favored the Penguins style of play rather than the usual flashy Captials' transition game. I was proved wrong as the Caps really worked on getting the puck north and deep behind the Penguins defense. Alex Semin looked like the odd man out in that style of play, which isn't surprising, but if Washington plays that type of game more frequently, Semin could find himself on the trading-block as the deadline approaches.

Nabokov Lightning-bound?

News broke today that ex-San Jose Shark Evgeni Nabokov and his KHL team have parted ways and that the 35 year old net-minder is returning to the United States. As a free-agent, Nabby will need to clear waivers if he is to return to the NHL.

After a quick glance at the teams in the NHL, their standings, and their goaltending situations the Tampa Bay Lightning stood out to me as the likely destination for Nabby. Now, would another team below them in the standings put in a claim for him? Perhaps but as one member of Twitter suggested that Nabokov would command a $4 million+ cap hit, its unlikely that he'd fall into a large number of teams without an immediate need for a goalie.

I agree with that arguement knowing that many teams are strapped for cash so he'd best fit with a true contender but I have doubts that Nabby would be able to sign for that high of a price given the current market for goalies and the kind of season he's had in the KHL.

The Lightning would be a scary team with Nabokov between the pipes, somewhat reminicent to their 2004 Stanley Cup team when they had another Russian in net with Nikolai Khabibulin.

If my premonition comes true, not only will I be a genius and have to pat myself on the back, but which current Lightning goaltender will survive? Let the #DanEllisProblems ensue.

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Slap Shots

Only an idiot like Sean Avery would do something ridiculous enough that the NHL would need to impose a rule to prevent players from cheap antics to increase their overrated team's chance of scoring a goal. Or so we thought. Check out Chris Pronger getting caught being an idiot and having, what would have been, the game-winning OT goal waived off. Calgary would end up earning the extra point in the shootout:


A highlight from this game, and absolutely dirty play, was a well-executed toe-drag and snipe by Nikolai Zherdev for the game's first goal:


As pretty as it was, I'm not too happy as a coach watching Zherdev pull that move - if he fails, it's Breakaway City for the Flames.

I'm going to have to give the Snipe of the Night honors to Brad Richards and his lightning-quick release, leading the charge in the Stars' comeback win against the Blues:

Pens/Caps 24/7 Preview

On December 15th, hockey fans and sports enthusiasts alike will witness the premiere of, what I think, is the most revolutionary insight into professional sports with the Pens/Caps 24/7 on HBO. I have absolutely loved the presentation of past 24/7 series and the Hard Knocks series but there are elements to the Pens/Caps that set it apart from the others.

Ovechkin vs Crosby

We've all followed and have witnessed this "rivalry" for the past 5 years and this production just fuels this fire that the NHL loves to promote. Though it can be argued that the emergence of Steve Stamkos as a true elite player in the NHL makes this a 3-horse race for 'best player in the world', but Ovechkin and Crosby have always brought out the best in each other when head-to-head.

Pens/Caps History

These teams have a enjoyed a recent heated rivalry especially after the Penguins elimated the Capitals in the 7th game of the 2nd round during the 2009 Playoffs. The Penguins would go on to be the eventual Stanley Cup champions so expect HBO to devote most of, if not all, of an episode on that.

Standings

Hard Knocks has gone into the dressing rooms, meetings, personal lives, and on-field dynamics for NFL teams but this will be the first time we'll get an in-season look where the games actually matter. Two teams that will, most likely, make the playoffs will show viewers just how damn important two points in the standings mean to everyone involved - players, coaches, GM's, and owners.

Perfect for Hockey Players

As a hockey player for most of my life, this is a visual delicacy of a culture, if you will, unknown to most people. At about the 8:40 mark of the preview, the footage of skate sharpenings, stick taping, lacing up, applying wax, and putting on gear truly sensationalizes moments we, hockey players, love about what we do. We've all felt, touched, and tasted what the cameras are capturing, serving as a tribute to our wonderful game and the dedication we put into striving to get better.


I cannot wait for this series to air and I am confident it will do wonders for our game.

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Ride the Lightning

For the five games on the NHL schedule tonight, fans were treated to an absolute light-show between the Lightning and Flyers - 15 goals were scored between the two teams (but scoring is down in the NHL, right?). The Lightning would win this game 8-7 but here's a video of the first 9 goals during the 1st period set to 'Flight of the Bumblebees':

Steven Stamkos continued his assault on the NHL in this game scoring his 3rd career hat-trick including this ridiculous snipe:



Stammer would add 2 assists in the contest on top of his goals and Martin St. Louis had 5 assists on the night. I wonder what Patrick Roy has to say about the Lightning's system now?