from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail, In the NHL, anyone can have a bad season. It happens to journeymen and it happens to the league's stars a year when every puck seems to bounce the wrong way, or where every little nagging injury develops into something more. The accumulated effect

from Damien Cox of the Toronto Star, CHICAGO: Unable because of cap considerations to bring back the Stanley Cup-winning tandem of Antti Niemi and Cristobal Huet, the champs will turn to 35-year-old Marty Turco as their new No. 1 netminder. Turco is coming off two so-so seasons and this is, like

Czech Republic Under-20 team coach Slavomir Lener spent a significant chunk of the World Hockey Summit presenting an argument suggesting that Canadian major junior hockey's leagues have decimated and all but destroyed the Czech and Slovakian junior hockey programs rang...

Make sure to follow us on Twitter! @azvibesports We're going to try something new this season called 'Pack Reports'. In these 'Pack Reports' will be news from or about the Coyotes, the NHL and Hockey in general. In this edition of the Pack Report: 2010 NHL Awards Wrap-up Update

Make sure to follow us on Twitter! @azvibesports GLENDALE, ARIZONA-Earlier this afternoon, the Phoenix Coyotes announced the list of attendees to their Rookie Camp which will take place at the Jobing.com Arena from September 11th-15th. As part of the Rookie Camp schedule, the Coyotes will play two

from Mike Sunnucks of the Phoenix Business Journal, The clock is ticking yet again on the Phoenix Coyotes. Sept. 15 is the first day the National Hockey League can start drawing money from the city of Glendale to cover losses and costs for the Phoenix Coyotes until a new owner can be found. The

MONTREAL, QC. - Dan Ellis, remember him? He's the goaltender who's rights were obtained from the Nashville Predators in the Sergei Kostitsyn trade. He's the goaltender we quickly adored for an entire two days before he decided Montreal was not the proper place for him, and then ventur

Long-time Red Wings forward Kirk Maltby signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $525,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level to stay with the Red Wings' organization on Wednesday, knowing full well that he will probably play...

For the record, Snapshots will be relatively quiet over the next two days as I have some family obligations to tend to on Thursday and will be traveling on Friday. My apologies for any inconveniences this may cause you.And as...

from Craig Custance of The Sporting News, Bruce Boudreau expects Tomas Fleischmann to have a breakout seasonand he expects it to happen with the Washington Capitals. Fleischmann, a talented left winger, was the center of trade rumors this summer, but Boudreau said it's time to end the specu

Update time from George. Barring any complications, I should make the trek to Traverse City sometime on Friday and be at least somewhat settled in by the prospects' practices on Saturday morning, and I am grateful for and literally indebted to so many of you for your kind contributions that are

"During the summer you look at teams and Phoenix is a team that I thought maybe would be a good fit for me because of my skill-set. I'm a good centerman on face-offs and I can handle myself defensively and I'm pretty creative on the power play. Those are things I'm going to try to

from Damian Cristodero of Lightning Strikes, The Tampa Bay Lightning has no written policy regarding what players can or cannot say on their social media pages or twitter accounts. Safe to assume, though, the team likely will reiterate to goaltender Dan Ellis that he has to be a bit more careful.

WILMINGTON, Mass. A year ago at this time, Dennis Seidenberg was a man without a team. He was skating in North Carolina with some former Hurricanes teammates before inking a deal with Florida two days into training camp. "I was anxious. I didn't know where I was going to go and what I was

Per the Penguins tweet; A couple #Pens players stopped by PNC Park today. Guess who put one over the fence? UPDATE: Updated with video, and it was indeed Crosby. FYI, right field at PNC is 320 feet away with a 21 foot high fence (for Roberto Clemente). The ball hit the stairway and bounced out

According to Rich Hammond Brayden Schenn has suffered a knee injury and the Wheat King captain will get undergo an MRI Thursday in Los Angeles. Brandon Wheat King Voice Bruce Luebeke the LA first round pick from 2009 left Brandon's training camp Tuesday.

Because we're practically salivating like a Pavlovian dog in front of a "Hot N Ready" Pizza for Wings-related multimedia: the Wings' Facebook page posted ten very high-quality images of the Wings practicing at the Joe today. Of equipment-related note: Chris...

from Vicki Hall of Flames Insider at the Calgary Herald, Has he been approached by management to waive his no-movement clause? "I'm not going to get into that," he said. "That's just part of sports. That's the way it is." But does he want to leave? "I wo

"I do expect the critics to say because we're in a transition, we're not going to be expected to do as well. But our team, the way it's built, and with such key and character players. and the goalie we have, if we get in the playoffs we can contend for the Cup. So now we have to fi

As one-sided as their 2006 trade for Chris Pronger worked out for them, the Ducks'dealing away of Pronger to Philadelphiain 2009 has been just as one-sided in the other direction. Just as he did in Anaheim, Pronger made an immediate impactin helpingthe Flyers advance to the Stanley Cup finals.T

The veteran forward inked a one-year, two-way deal. He'll compete for a roster spot in training camp and the preseason but likely will start in Grand Rapids.

Tassone, 20, has had a tough go with two shoulder surgeries and a neck injury over the past two seasons, but the Dallas Stars still have high hopes for the...

Tassone, 20, has had a tough go with two shoulder surgeries and a neck injury over the past two seasons, but the Dallas Stars still have high hopes for the player who was drafted in the sixth round in 2008,...

1-2-3 Hockey: 17 of 45 It might be 90 degrees and sunny here, but dammit, summer's over! To prove the point, we did some end-of-season garden work after we got home this evening. Trimming back the marigolds, whacking away at the suckers the late black locust is haunting us with, and taking the

from Craig Custance of The Sporting News, Unrestricted free agent Jason Williams continues to work out and prepare for the season at home in London, Ontario. Even if he has no idea where he's going to play this season. Coming off a season in which he only played 44 games because of a broken

CLICK HERE TO READ MY ARTICLE at The Hockey Writers (THW)

John Erskine Theme: "'Manage' is a verb..." John Erskine is the designated "physical defenseman" for the Caps. In 182 games as a Cap he has recorded 391 hits (2.1 per game) and 294 penalty minutes. But there is another number that lurks ominous

From RedWingsTV: Red Wings forward Patrick Eaves filmed a commercial for the Michigan Humane Society's Walk for Animals (which takes place on October 3rd) at Joe Louis Arena recently, and, predictably, his 130-lb Newfoundland dog, Rueben, stole the show:...

.NHL 94 was the best hockey game ever.

Red Wings forward Valtteri Filppula sounded practically pixilated about the concept of playing alongside his older brother, Ilari, if only for the duration of training camp and the exhibition season, when talking to the press earlier this week. Ilari spoke...

Recent Ducks draftees Cam Fowler and Emerson Etem are among those that will participate in the upcoming rookie tournament. Fellow first-round draft picks Peter Holland, Kyle Palmieri and Mark Mitera are also on the rookie roster released Wednesday. The Ducks will participate in theround robintourna

from Ken Campbell of The Hockey News, The coronation of Donald Fehr as executive director of the NHL Players' Association could receive a significant boost during a conference call this afternoon. It would mean Fehr, who has been an unpaid advisor with the NHLPA for months and has been coy

The defenseman has until noon Thursday to clear. If he is not claimed, he'll likely start the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Having captured a Stanley Cup championship and an Olympic gold medal, Sidney Crosby is obviously bored with the minutia of competitive hockey. So he's branching out into Bo Jackson cross-training territory: First with his attempts to shoot pucks through the football uprights at Heinz Fiel

from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN, ...the NHL season is around the corner and it's time to get back to work. I leave you today with five early thoughts: 1. Mike Comrie could be one of the best under-the-radar signings of the summer. For $500,000? He may perhaps be the best bang for the buck, as we

The Detroit Free Press's Jamie Samuelssen offers a wise take on the Red Wings' decision to pursue Kirk Maltby aggressively and sign the Grind Line forward to sign a one-year, two-way contract, suggesting that the Wings' and Ken Holland's willingness...

Nashville, Tenn. (September 8, 2010) Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed defenseman Cody Franson to a two-year, $1.6 million contract. Franson, 23 (8/8/87) posted 21 points (6g-15a) in 61 contests fo

from Jonas Siegel of 640Toronto, Tomas Kaberle says there are no issues between him and Ron Wilson. Following a wild summer of trade rumours, speculation and remarks from his father skewering his relationship and future with the coach, the four-time all-star finally set the record straight.

The Tampa Bay Lightning has no written policy regarding what players can or cannot say on their social media pages or twitter accounts. Safe to assume, though, the team likely will reiterate to goaltender Dan Ellis that he has to be a bit more careful. Cyberspace went a little bonkers Monday nig

from Ansar Khan of Mlive, Maltby said he has no qualms about signing a two-way deal because it enables him to remain with the organization he joined in 1996. And if he has to start the season with the Grand Rapids Griffinswhich is likely, unless the Red Wings have an injury or twohe's fine wi

The Macomb Daily's Chuck Pleiness lists the players who have not, as of yet, skated with their Red Wings teammates at Joe Louis Arena over the past week:September 8, Macomb Daily: Four players have yet to make their appearance on...

Perhaps you just read this "headline" news on TSN.The gist: Kaberle was on the ice with Leaf teamates today, after which he said there is no issue with Wilson, he doesn't agree with his Dad, and that it's a non-issue.While most of us don't care much about the actual story, the

Perhaps you just read this "headline" news on TSN.The gist: Kaberle was on the ice with Leaf teamates today, after which he said there is no issue with Wilson, he doesn't agree with his Dad, and that it's a non-issue.While most of us don't care much about the actual story, the

In a season that is expected to be much different from the last for any number of reasons, changes should be notable right from the start. Paul Branecky ...

Dylan McIlrath and Ryan McDonagh will get the spotlight but there are a lot of other intriguing players that the Rangers are sending to traverse city on the defensive end

I remain in favor of the Flyers signing Bill Guerin to a one-year contract. From what I gather, the team would prefer to bring him in on a "tryout" basis (although there's nothing they can learn about him that they didn't already know) while evaluating their roster and salary cap

(Ed. Note: In celebration of Yahoo! Fantasy Hockey's return, Puck Daddy presents a short series of guest posts this week that look at how some prominent fantasy experts go about building their own teams. Here's Rob Higgins of XM Radio and author of Higgins Hockey Fantasy Index .)

Ouch. The Bible of Hockey, The Hockey News, does not believe the Avs will be a playoff team in 2010-11. In its annual season preview yearbook, on newsstands now, THN picks the Burgundy and Blue to just miss the playoff cut, picking them to finish ninth. Full disclosure: I wrote the Avs article in

As an FYI for Grand Rapids Griffins fans, the Griffins have released their promotional schedule for the 2010-2011 season:September 8, Griffinshockey.com: 2010-11 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULEOct. 8: Opening Night presented by Comcast Glow Bam and Clingz Schedule Giveaway Dollar Beers and Hot...

A year ago, after a round of golf and a few laughs, Canes general manager Jim Rutherford stood on the veranda of the Brier Creek clubhouse and deemed his team a Stanley Cup contender. "All the pieces are in place," he said. Some of the pieces proved to be a little too old, too brittl

Freddy Meyer arrived in Duluth after a 13-hour drive from New Jersey. Freddy Meyer waited long enough first for a team and now for training camp. This offseason, the defenseman became a free agent following three seasons with the New York Islanders. When the free agent signing period began

Now that we've looked at the defense and the forwards, Part III of our Penguins Roundtable will discuss the guy between the pipes, Marc-Andre Fleury. Once again, the participants: Rick Moldovanyi (RM) - The Pensblog Jesse Marshall (JM) - Faceoff Factor Brian Metzer (BM) - From The Point M

NHL.com's Bill Metlzer penned a preview of the Swedish Eliteserien's 12 teams today, and of the Wings' four prospects playing in Sweden--HV71's Daniel Larsson and Adam Almqvist, Farjestads BK's Hat Trick Dick Axelsson and Brynas IF's Calle Jarnkrok--only two are...

Now that we've looked at the defense and the forwards, Part III of our Penguins Roundtable will discuss the guy between the pipes, Marc-Andre Fleury. Once again, the participants: Rick Moldovanyi (RM) - The Pensblog Jesse Marshall (JM) - Faceoff Factor Brian Metzer (BM) - From The Point M

NHL.com's Bill Metlzer penned a preview of the Swedish Eliteserien's 12 teams today, and of the Wings' four prospects playing in Sweden--HV71's Daniel Larsson and Adam Almqvist, Farjestads BK's Hat Trick Dick Axelsson and Brynas IF's Calle Jarnkrok--only two are...

Update: 3:44PM: Steve Zipay tweets that the two sides are talking and that "where there is smoke, there is fire" That is the one thing to take away, even if it takes another week or so to get done. There is smoke between the two sides and certainly the Rangers want him in camp when ...

At his blog for Newsday, Steve Zipay spoke to Rangers Captain Chris Drury who spoke about how the team needs to be better at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers were 18-17-6 at MSG last season. I would think that would need to change. The team has such a nice home ice advantage but never really ...

The staff at SB Nation's Raw Charge finishes up their Five Questions, Five Answers series today with my responses to their Southeast Division inquries. Check out the entire piece here, as well as the previous two installments, featuring my The Bolts Beat co-host, Mike Corcoran and Pete Choque

from Ken Campbell of The Hockey New, James Sheppard's off-ice ATV accident could end up costing him a significant amount of money, more than $4,000 for each day he is on the injury list, in fact. Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher made it clear after learning about Sheppard's mishap in Va

ESPN's Pierre LeBrun doles out a refreshing prediction regarding Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom's Norris Trophy-caliber status for the 2010-2011 season, countering those who suggest that Lidstrom's "decline" means that he'll never win another Norris Trophy:September

The longstanding (how-soon-ending?) career of Alfredsson, but first. . . From the Ottawa Citizen, a hesitant endorsement of a possible All-Star Game, "This would be fantastic for our city," vice-chair of the city's corporate services committee Desroches said Tuesday. "It help

Per Kukla's Korner, the Chicago Daily Herald's Tim Sassone ponders whether the Blackhawks should retire Chris Chelios's number as Chelios essentially played for a little over a third of his career with the Hawks, finishing with the hated Red Wings....

ETOBICOKE, Ont. (Sep. 8) Maple Leafs veteran defenseman Tomas Kaberle did not deny comments attributed to his father this summer that a rift exists between the player and coach Ron Wilson. But, Kaberle suggested he neither condones nor agrees with his dads remarks made after a seven-week trade wi

BOSTON, MA The Boston Bruins announced today that they have entered a partnership agreement with Finnish SM-League Club, JYP Jyvaskyla. Under this agreement, the teams will be able to transfer players and have them train with the partner club and within the partner club's developmental system,

Note: As we are now finally within shouting distance of the NHL season, I thought it would be a very good time to evaluate one of the Washington Capitals major wild-cards, Alex Semin. This evaluation will consist of 3 parts. Part 1 examines and evaluates where Alex Semin fits in among the top le

Quick Hit.. Remember Rumors are only Rumors (please no wagering) Hearing the Leafs and Devils are talking again. From a source: "The trade would involve Tomas Kaberle and a 4th rounder ending up in NJ, With Rolston, Langenbrunner, a first in 2011, and a second in 2012." The Devils ma

The longstanding (how-soon-ending?) career of Alfredsson, but first. . . From the Ottawa Citizen, a hesitant endorsement of a possible All-Star Game, "This would be fantastic for our city," vice-chair of the city's corporate services committee Desroches said Tuesday. "It help

Per Kukla's Korner, the Chicago Daily Herald's Tim Sassone ponders whether the Blackhawks should retire Chris Chelios's number as Chelios essentially played for a little over a third of his career with the Hawks, finishing with the hated Red Wings....

I remain in favor of the Flyers signing Bill Guerin to a one-year contract. From what I gather, the team would prefer to bring him in on a "tryout" basis (although there's nothing they can learn about him that they didn't already know) while evaluating their roster and salary cap

The Sporting News's Craig Custance spoke to former Red Wings forward Jason Williams about his current employment status, and as Williams has a few red flags on his resume thanks to his performance in Detroit and broken leg suffered last...

A good one in the Wall Street Journal on the cosmos and God and the origins of the universe. This new book is causing a lot of controversy.Stephen Hawking is a smart manand tries to make sense about things beyond our comprehension. I love reading work like this. Check it out.

WILMINGTON, Mass. Milan Lucic continued to skate with more than a dozen of his teammates in a captains' practice today at Ristuccia Arena. After the session, the bulky winger touched on a number of subjects, including his ankle, Tyler Seguin and Marc Savard. On Savard and this summer's tra

The Boston Bruins started informal skates (Captain's practices) yesterday marking the unofficial start to the 2010-2011 season. The e-mails from Bruins Fan Relations have picked up their volume with a different e-mail in the inbox every other day. The weather...