2010 Olympics: Team Canada Named

The moment all of Canada has been waiting for, the announcement of the 2010 Olympic Roster.

Goaltenders: Martin Brodeur (New Jersey), Marc-Andre Fleury (Pittsburgh), Roberto Luongo (Vancouver)

Defensemen: Drew Doughty (Los Angeles),  Dan Boyle (San Jose), Duncan Keith (Chicago), Scott Niedermayer (C) (Anaheim), Chris Pronger (alternate captain) (Philadelphia), Brent Seabrook (Chicago), Shea Weber (Nashville)


Forwards: Sidney Crosby (A) (Pittsburgh), Joe Thornton (San Jose), Corey Perry (Anaheim), Brendan Morrow (Dallas), Patrick Marleau (San Jose), Rick Nash (Columbus), Patrice Bergeron (Boston),  Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim), Dany Heatley (San Jose), Jarome Iginla (A) (Calgary), Jonathan Toews (Chicago), Mike Richards (Philadelphia), Eric Staal (Carolina)

I'm a little surprised that Bergeron was selected over Jeff Carter, Marty St. Louis,  Vinny Lecavalier or even Brad Richards. Other than that no real surprises. Although some were hoping Mike Green would be on the team instead of Doughty.

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2010 Olympics: Team Finland Roster Released

G Bäckström Niklas - Minnesota Wild
G Kiprusoff Miikka - Calgary Flames
G Niittymäki Antero - Tampa Bay Lightning

D Kukkonen Lasse - Avangard Omsk - KHL
D Lepistö Sami - Phoenix Coyotes
D Lydman Toni - Buffalo Sabres
D Niskala Janne - Frölunda - SWE
D Pitkänen Joni - Carolina Hurricanes
D Salo Sami - Vancouver Canucks
D Timonen Kimmo - Philadelphia Flyers

F Filppula Valtteri - Detroit Red Wings
F Hagman Niklas - Toronto Maple Leafs
F Immonen Jarkko - Ak Bars Kazan - KHL
F Jokinen Olli - Calgary Flames
F Kapanen Niko - Ak Bars Kazan – KHL
F Koivu Mikko - Minnesota Wild
F Koivu Saku - Anaheim Ducks
F Lehtinen Jere - Dallas Stars
F Miettinen Antti - Minnesota Wild
F Peltonen Ville - Dynamo Minsk - KHL
F Ruutu Jarkko - Ottawa Senators
F Ruutu Tuomo - Carolina Hurricanes
F Selänne Teemu - Anaheim Ducks

[Source]

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2010 Olympics: Czech Republic Roster Named

FORWARDS:

Petr Cajanek (KHL)

Roman Cervenka (Czech Extraliga)

Patrik Elias (New Jersey)

Martin Erat (Nashville)

Tomas Fleischmann (Washington)

Martin Havlat (Minnesota)

Jaromir Jagr (KHL)

David Krejci (Boston)

Milan Michalek (San Jose)

Tomas Plekanec (Montreal)

Tomas Rolinek (KHL)

Josef Vasicek (KHL)

DEFENCEMEN:

Miroslav Blaťak (KHL)

Jan Hejda (Columbus)

Tomas Kaberle (Toronto)

Filip Kuba (Ottawa)

Pavel Kubina (Atlanta)

Zbynek Michalek (Phoenix)

Roman Polak (St Louis)

Marek Zidlicky (Minnesota)

GOALIES:

Tomas Vokoun (Florida)

Ondrej Pavelec (Atlanta)

Jakub Stepanek (Czech Extraliga)

[H/T HFBoards]

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2010 Olympics: Team Slovakia Named

Here is the roster that was released today:

Goaltenders: Jaroslav Halák (Montreal), Peter Budaj (Colorado), Rastislav Staňa (Čerepovec)

Defensemen: Zdeno Chára (Boston), Ľubomír Višňovský (Edmonton), Andrej Sekera (Buffalo), Andrej Meszároš (Tampa Bay), Milan Jurčina (Columbus), Martin Štrbák (HC MVD Moskva), Richard Lintner (Dinamo Minsk)

Forwards: Marián Hossa (Chicago), Marián Gáborík (NY Rangers), Pavol Demitra (Vancouver), Michal Handzuš (Los Angeles), Ľubomír Bartečko (SC Bern), Marcel Hossa (Dinamo Riga), Martin Cibák (Spartak Moskva), Tomáš Kopecký (Chicago), Žigmund Pálffy (Skalica), Branko Radivojevič (Spartak Moskva), Jozef Stůmpel (Astana), Miroslav Šatan (-), Richard Zedník (Jaroslavl)

I'm a little surprised that Marek Svatos was left off the team. Also, Miroslav Satan is going to play in the Olympic games yet he hasn't played competitive hockey since last June in the NHL Playoffs.

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Prospal Out Up to 3 Weeks

According to Jim Cerny the official beat writer for NYR.com:

Vinny Prospal out 10 days to 3 weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery this morning

That's certainly not something that the Rangers needed. Prospal is currently second on the team in points with 32 and leads the team with 24 assists.

The question is will Sather be calling up for a replacement from Hartford or will the team just continue on by putting Aaron Voros or Erik Christensen back into the lineup? It's never a good thing when a team struggling to score goals loses one of their better offensive players. Hopefully Prospal is back in the lineup sooner rather than later.

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2010 Olympics: Team Sweden Named

On Friday Russia announced their roster, here is the Swedish roster for the 2010 Olympic games:


Goalkeepers:
Jonas Gustavsson (Toronto Maple Leafs/NHL), Stefan Liv (HV 71), Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers/NHL)

Defenders:
Tobias Enstrom (Atlanta Thrashers/NHL), Magnus Johansson (Linkopings HC), Niklas Kronwall (Detroit Red Wings/NHL), Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings/NHL), Douglas Murray (San Jose Sharks/NHL), Johnny Oduya (New Jersey Devils/NHL), Henrik Tallinder (Buffalo Sabres/NHL), Mattias Ohlund (Tampa Bay Lightning/NHL)

Forwards:
Daniel Alfredsson (Ottawa Senators/NHL), Nicklas Backstrom (Washington Capitals/NHL), Loui Eriksson (Dallas Stars/NHL), Peter Forsberg (MODO Hockey), Tomas Holmstrom (Detroit Red Wings/NHL), Patric Hornqvist (Nashville Predators/NHL), Fredrik Modin (Columbus Blue Jackets/NHL), Samuel Paahlsson (Columbus Blue Jackets/NHL), Daniel Sedin (Vancouver Canucks/NHL), Henrik Sedin (Vancouver Canucks/NHL), Mattias Weinhandl (Dynamo Moscow/RUS), Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit Red Wings/NHL)

[via Kukla's Korner]

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2010 Olympics: Team Russia Named

Here is the Russian roster for the 2010 Olympics:

Goaltenders: Ilya Bryzgalov (Phoenix), Semen Varlamov (Washington), Evgeny Nabokov (San Jose)

Defense: Anton Volchenkov (Ottawa), Sergey Gonchar (Pittsburgh), Denis Grebeshkov (Edmonton), Dmitry Kalinin (Salavat Yulaev, KHL), Konstantin Korneev (CSKA Moscow, KHL), Andrey Markov (Montreal), Ilya Nikulin (Ak Bars, KHL), Fedor Tyutin (Columbus)

Forwards: Maksim Afinogenov, Ilya Kovalchuk (both – Atlanta), Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit), Danis Zaripov, Alexey Morozov (both – Ak Bars, KHL), Sergei Zinoviev, Viktor Kozlov, Alexander Radulov (all – Salavat Yulaev, KHL), Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh), Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin (both – Washington), Sergey Fedorov (Metallurg Magnitogorsk, KHL).



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Best Fan Signs At NHL Games

Merry Christmas to everyone!

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Top NHL Knockouts of the Decade

Here are the best NHL knockouts of the past decade, in the order that I rank them. Thanks to the boys over at Hockey-Fights.com for compiling the list:

Colton Orr vs. Todd Fedoruk 3/21/2007 [Video]
Jesse Boulerice vs Aaron Downey 2/11/2003 [Video]
Ed Jovanovski vs. Adam Deadmarsh 11/1/2000 [Video]
Wade Belak vs. Donald Brashear 3/10/2009 [Video]
Derek Boogaard vs. Todd Fedoruk 10/27/2006 [Video]
Stu Grimson vs. Reid Simpson 12/28/2000 [Video]

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Former NHL Heavyweight Krzysztof Oliwa Doing MMA

There are rumors circulating that former NHL heavyweight Krzysztof Oliwa is making an attempt at a career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

As described by one member of HFboards.com :

There are rumours in Poland, even Krzysztof confirmed that in a TV interwiev, that he will make his debut in Mixed Martial Arts, and fight Mariusz Pudzianowski. Pudzian is a big celebrity in Poland, he is five time world champion in Strongmen Competition, he had so far one MMA fight and won it in 44 sec against a pro boxer.

The last time I heard Oliwa's name in the news, he was facing a lengthy prison sentence for assaulting his wife in Poland and leaving her pretty badly beaten with broken bones throughout her body.

Mariusz Pudzianowski

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Gilroy Recalled

As expected:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that defenseman Matt Gilroy has been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL).

This is a result of yesterday's moves of sending Bobby Sanguinetti and Ilkka Heikkinen to Hartford.

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Video: Last Night's Hit of the Night

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Rangers Send Sanguinetti & Heikkinen To Hartford

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that defensemen Bobby Sanguinetti and Ilkka Heikkinen have been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL).

It's expected that Wade Redden, who was scratched in the last two games, will return to the lineup on Monday night when the Rangers play Carolina. With only five defenseman on the current roster, the Rangers are also expected to recall Matt Gilroy at some point before Monday night's game.

If you are wondering why the Rangers are making this move when they have won two games straight, there is in fact a method to Glen Sather's madness.

According to the NY Post:

The NHL’s eight-day holiday roster freeze goes into effect at midnight tonight and lasts through midnight, Dec. 27, with anyone on the roster at 12 PM ineligible for demotion to the AHL. Thus, absent an injury serious enough to merit time on IR, the Rangers, who were at the 23-player maximum, could not have made a personnel move for the duration of the freeze without these moves to clear roster space.

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The History of "Potvin Sucks!"

If you have ever been to a Rangers game at Madison Square Garden you have definitely heard the "Potvin Sucks!" chant. [Video of Chant]

I've been asked by people at games "what are they saying?", "who is Potvin?", and my favorite "what number is he?" - of course the person who doesn't know the history of the chant thinks that this Potvin fellow is on the ice and he plays for the opposition.

The truth is, this guy called "Potvin", is Denis Potvin. He was a long-time Islander captain and one of the best defensemen ever to play in the NHL (I didn't just say that Rangers fans) but he retired in 1988. So, why are Rangers fans still chanting "Potvin Sucks!", more than 20 years later?

I found an excellent article over at Why Potvin Sucks - if you want to know the history the "Potvin Sucks!" chant then I recommend you check it out. A good read and even if you know about the Ulf Nilsson incident, which was the origin for the hatred towards Potvin by Rangers fans, you might be interested to hear the rest of the details.

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Video: Avery Goes After Dwayne Roloson

Not much fun stuff to talk about in Rangerland these days, but here's a video clip from last night's game. Unfortunately that's about as much intensity as there was in the entire game last night. Was hoping that it would wake the Rangers up, which I'm sure was what Avery was hoping for as well.




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Video: Tortorella's Obscenity Filled Press Conference

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Video: Next NHL Suspension? Koci Hit On Mike Green

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Are Flyers Struggling Because of An Affair?

Update:
According to Ryan Bright, a beat writer for the Philadelphia Flyers, this rumored affair "is a complete fabrication." [He also runs the excellent Flyers blog, Phila.Bright]

I had a link posted here that took you to the original story with the rumored details, but I've decided that until I hear more from a much more reliable website, I will not be sending more visitors to that site.

If you want to read about hockey rumors head to HockeyBuzzHogWash.com

Boxing Day/ After Christmas Special - For 1 day only get 40% off Jersey Customization at IceJerseys.com!

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Matt Gilroy Sent Down To Hartford

The New York Rangers today sent rookie defenseman Matt Gilroy to Hartford. Chad Johnson, who was called up from Hartford last week to backup Henrik Lundqvist, was also sent down. In his place Matt Zaba was called up.


Although Gilroy is on a one-way contract, his $1.75M cap hit will come off the books while he's in Hartford. The question is, was this move made to help Gilroy find his game? Or, are the Rangers on the brink of making a trade and need some extra cap space to make the deal.


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Rangers Waiver Moves: Claim Christensen & Waive Valiquette

Bob McKenzie reports that the Rangers have claimed Erik Christensen off of waivers (he was placed on waivers yesterday by the Ducks). He also reported that New York waived Steve Valiquette.

According to Ranger Rants:

Steve Valiquette has been put on waivers with the hope he can be sent to Hartford (AHL) without anybody claiming him. Chad Johnson, a top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker and the CCHA player of the year at Alaska-Fairbanks, has been recalled, though there are no plans for him to make his NHL debut. More than likely, the Rangers will try to bring in another veteran

At this point it's safe to assume that Valiquette has played his last game as a New York Ranger. At $725k Valiquette is already a cheap option as an NHL backup. If the Rangers attempted to re-call him then certainly someone would claim him as the Rangers would be responsible for half of his salary.

Ranger Rants went on to say "Christensen is a decent perimeter player who did not score in nine games for the Ducks this season." Sounds exactly what the Rangers need (sarcasm!).

How many years is it going to take management to realize that this team doesn't need to keep acquiring players who play the perimeter? I'm sick of this crap, put a team on the ice that can crash the net and put the puck in it. Expecting Gaborik to score all your God damn goals just isn't going to work!

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