Author Archives: ThatDamnDoubleC

Carolina Hurricanes

2014 NHL Entry Draft – Carolina Hurricanes

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These are the players drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft

Round – Pick – Player Chosen – Junior/Club/College Team

ROUND 1 – PICK 7 – Haydn Fleury – Red Deer (WHL)
ROUND 2 – PICK 37 – Alex Nedeljkovic – Plymouth (OHL)
ROUND 3 – PICK 67 – Warren Foegele – St. Andrews (HIGH-ON)
ROUND 4 – PICK 96 – Josh Wesley – Plymouth (OHL)
ROUND 4 – PICK 97 – Lucas Wallmark – Lulea (SWE)
ROUND 5 – PICK 127 – Clark Bishop – Cape Breton (QMJHL)
ROUND 7 – PICK 187 – Kyle Jenkins – Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

Calgary Flames

2014 NHL Entry Draft – Calgary Flames

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These are the players drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft

Round – Pick – Player Chosen – Junior/Club/College Team

ROUND 1 – PICK 4 – Sam Bennett – Kingston (OHL)
ROUND 2 – PICK 34 – Mason McDonald – Charlottetown (QMJHL)
ROUND 2 – PICK 54 – Hunter Smith – Oshawa (OHL)
ROUND 3 – PICK 64 – Brandon Hickey – Spruce Grove (AJHL)
ROUND 6 – PICK 175 – Adam Ollas Mattsson – Djurgarden Jr. (SWE-JR)
ROUND 7 – PICK 184 – Austin Carroll – Victoria (WHL)

Dallas Stars, That Damn Hockey Blog

That Damn Hockey Blog: Free Aaaaaaaaaaaagent Frenzy! Dallas Stars Edition

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How would one rate the Dallas Stars’ free agency period? Let’s start by what they needed going in.

A SECOND LINE

Dallas were a 2-man force last season in Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. Sure, the likes of Valeri Nichuskin and Alex Chiasson chipped in, but primarily, it was Benn and Seguin. That all changed with the acquistion of disgruntled Ottawa Senators captain, Jason Spezza. Spezza brings not only experience, offensive class and skill, but the biggest reason is a dominant second line center. Management is confident that Cody Eakin will be that guy in the future, but right now, why not take a chance on Spezza? He has one year left on his contract, and even though it is a 7 million dollar cap hit for this season, Dallas only traded away Chiasson, 2 prospects and a 2nd rd pick in 2015, in exchange for Spezza and prospect Ludwig Karlsson. If it works, then you have a dynamite 1-2 punch in the middle, possibly only matched by the Cup-winning duo of Modano-Nieuwendyk. Adding Spezza allows players like Eakin to learn and master their craft from a leader and a star player, taking the pressure off him, if he re-signs with the Stars, after being offered an offer sheet by the Stars this off-season.

The center is solved, and Dallas finished off proceedings, by signing a former-now-current team-mate of Jason Spezza, in Ales Hemsky. Hemsky (3yrs/$12mil) played alongside Spezza in Ottawa last season, after arriving there in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers. This familiarity between the two will make the second line in Dallas, just as potent as the first, if they can gel from the beginning of the season, and keep it up until what could be a deep playoff run.

HELP FOR LEHTONEN

Kari Lehtonen, good goaltender, but the word injury-prone could not describe him better. Realizing that they don’t need an ordinary back-up and more of a mini-starter, Dallas signed Anders Lindback, formerly of the Tampa Bay Lightning, to serve as the backup for the upcoming season. Losing his starting gig to Vezina candidate Ben Bishop, Lindback brings a .904% and 2.74GAA to potentially start as many as 25-30 games next season, if Lehtonen continues his injury-riddled seasons of past.

DEFENCE

The only other free agent signing on Day One was depth forward Patrick Eaves, leaving the D untouched as of now for the upcoming season. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the defensive crop is plentiful. Players like Jamie Oleksiak, Patrik Nemeth and first-round pick Julius Honka could be a chance, and current Star RFA Brenden Dillon could be a great D man if his progress continues as much as it did this past season. One more solid defensive defensemen wouldn’t hurt, but the Stars could live without it, if some of the younger players can step up to the next level and become a solid unit led by Trevor Daley, Alex Goligoski and Sergei Gonchar.

In the past 12 months, Jim Nill has changed the Dallas Stars from that team that would always just miss the playoffs, to potentially challenging for Lord Stanley’s Cup. The future of hockey is bright in Texas, and with the Texas Stars winning the Calder Cup this past season as well, the future looks very bright. Could we see a return to the days of the late 90’s? Let’s just say, the future is in the Stars.

I have a Twitter for some unknown reason, it’s @ThatDamnDoubleC.  Also, go visit BoredWrestlingFan.com, as we’re like brothers or something. You like the little icon in the top left corner where the title of this blog is? I found that here.

Buffalo Sabres

2014 NHL Entry Draft – Buffalo Sabres

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These are the players drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft

Round – Pick – Player Chosen – Junior/Club/College Team

ROUND 1 – PICK 2 – Sam Reinhart – Kootenay (WHL)
ROUND 2 – PICK 31 – Brendan Lemieux – Barrie (OHL)
ROUND 2 – PICK 44 – Eric Cornel – Peterborough (OHL)
ROUND 2 – PICK 49 – Vaclav Karabacek – Gatineau (QMJHL)
ROUND 3 – PICK 61 – Jonas Johansson – Brynas Jr. (SWE-JR.)
ROUND 3 – PICK 74 – Brycen Martin – Swift Current (WHL)
ROUND 5 – PICK 121 – Maxwell Willman – Williston-North Hampton (HIGH-MA)
ROUND 6 – PICK 151 – Christopher Brown – Cranbrook Kingswood (HIGH-MI)
ROUND 7 – PICK 181 – Victor Olofsson – Modo Jr. (SWE-JR.)

Boston Bruins

2014 NHL Entry Draft – Boston Bruins

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These are the players drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft

Round – Pick – Player Chosen – Junior/Club/College Team

ROUND 1 – PICK 25 – David Pastrnak – Sodertalje (SWE)
ROUND 2 – PICK 56 – Ryan Donato – Dexter School (HIGH-MA)
ROUND 4 – PICK 116 – Danton Heinen – Surrey (BCHL)
ROUND 5 – PICK 146 – Andres Bjork – USA U-18 (USHL)
ROUND 7 – PICK 206 – Emil Johansson – HV71 Jr. (SWE-JR)

Arizona Coyotes

2014 NHL Entry Draft – Arizona Coyotes

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These are the players drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft

Round – Pick – Player Chosen – Junior/Club/College Team

ROUND 1 – PICK 12 – Brendan Perlini – Niagara (OHL)
ROUND 2 – PICK 43 – Ryan MacInnis – Kitchener (OHL)
ROUND 2 – PICK 58 – Christian Dvorak – London (OHL)
ROUND 3 – PICK 87 – Anton Karlsson – Frolunda Jr. (SWE-JR)
ROUND 4 – PICK 117 – Michael Bunting – Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
ROUND 5 – PICK 133 – Dysin Mayo – Edmonton (WHL)
ROUND 6 – PICK 163 – David Westlund – Brynas Jr. (SWE-JR)
ROUND 7 – PICK 191 – Jared Fiegl – USA U-18 (USHL)
ROUND 7 – PICK 193 – Edgars Kulda – Edmonton (WHL)

Anaheim Ducks

2014 NHL Entry Draft – Anaheim Ducks

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These are the players drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft

Round – Pick – Player Chosen – Junior/Club/College Team

ROUND 1 – PICK 10 – Nick Ritchie – Peterborough (OHL)
ROUND 2 – PICK 38 – Marcus Petterson – Skelleftea Jr. (SWE-JR)
ROUND 2 – PICK 55 – Brandon Montour – Waterloo (USHL)
ROUND 5 – PICK 113 –  Matthew Berkovitz – Ashwaubenon (HIGH-WI)
ROUND 7 – PICK 205 – Ondrej Kase – Chomutov (CZE)

General

2014 NHL Entry Draft – First Round

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Welcome to BoredHockeyFan’s 2014 NHL Entry Draft coverage. You’ve heard all the buzz.. Let’s get into it..

FIRST ROUND

PICK 1 – FLORIDA PANTHERS – Aaron Ekblad – Barrie (OHL)
PICK 2 – BUFFALO SABRES – Sam Reinhart – Kootenay (OHL)
PICK 3 – EDMONTON OILERS – Leon Darisaitl – Prince Albert (WHL)
PICK 4 – CALGARY FLAMES – Sam Bennett – Kingston (OHL)
PICK 5 – NEW YORK ISLANDERS – Michael Dal Colle – Oshawa (OHL)
PICK 6 – VANCOUVER CANUCKS – Jake Virtanen – Calgary (WHL)
PICK 7 – CAROLINA HURRICANES – Haydn Fleury – Red Deer (WHL)
PICK 8 – TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS – William Nylander – Modo (SWE)
PICK 9 – WINNIPEG JETS – Nikolaj Ehlers – Halifax (QMJHL)
PICK 10 – ANAHEIM DUCKS – Nick Ritchie – Peterborough (OHL)
PICK 11 – NASHVILLE PREDATORS – Kevin Fiala – HV71 Jr. (SWE-JR.)
PICK 12 – ARIZONA COYOTES – Brendan Perlini – Niagara (OHL)
PICK 13 – WASHINGTON CAPITALS – Jakub Vrana – Linkoping (SWE)
PICK 14 – DALLAS STARS – Julius Honka – Swift Current (WHL)
PICK 15 – DETROIT RED WINGS – Dylan Larkin – USA U-18 (USHL)
PICK 16 – COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – Sonny Milano – USA U-18 (USHL)
PICK 17 – PHILADELPHIA FLYERS – Travis Sanheim – Calgary (WHL)
PICK 18 – MINNESOTA WILD – Alex Tuch – USA U-18 (USHL)
PICK 19 – TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – Anthony DeAngelo – Sarnia (OHL)
PICK 20 – CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – Nick Schmaltz – Green Bay (USHL)
PICK 21 – ST. LOUIS BLUES – Rob Fabbri – Guelph (OHL)
PICK 22 – PITTSBURGH PENGUINS – Kasperi Kapanen – Kalpa (FIN)
PICK 23 – COLORADO AVALANCHE – Conner Bleackley – Red Deer (WHL)
PICK 24 – VANCOUVER CANUCKS – Jared McCann – Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
PICK 25 – BOSTON BRUINS – David Pastrnak – Sodertalje (SWE)
PICK 26 – MONTREAL CANADIENS – Nikita Scherbak – Saskatoon (WHL)
PICK 27 – SAN JOSE SHARKS – Nikolay Goldobin – Sarnia (OHL)
PICK 28 – NEW YORK ISLANDERS – Joshua Ho-Sang – Windsor (OHL)
PICK 29 – LOS ANGELES KINGS – Adrian Kempe – Modo (SWE)
PICK 30 – NEW JERSEY DEVILS – John Quenneville – Brandon (WHL)

 

TRADES MADE ON DRAFT DAY ONE:
VAN trade Ryan Kesler, ’15 3rd Rd to ANA for Nick Bonino Luca Sbisa ’14 1st Rd (24), ’14 3rd Rd (85)
VAN trade Jason Garrison, Rights to Jeff Costello, ’15 7th Rd to TB for ’14 2nd Rd (50)
VAN trade ’14 3rd Rd (85) to NYR for Derek Dorsett
PIT trade James Neal to NSH for Patric Hornqvist, Nick Spaling
SJS trade ’14 1st Rd (20), ’14 7th Rd (179) to CHI for ’14 1st Rd (27), ’14 2nd Rd (62)
TBL trade ’14 1st Rd (28) to NYI for ’14 2nd Rd (35), ’14 3rd Rd (57)

That Damn Hockey Blog

That Damn Hockey Blog: Apologies for Technical Life Difficulties

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[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVS3WNt7yRU[/youtube]

It’s been awhile friends. But, unfortunately, that’s the cruel mistress known as life. More work, means less time to write blogs and post for this very website, but that all changes! Whilst, every hockey blogger, reporter and columnist goes on vacation for two months, I plan to be here, providing material for your viewing pleasure. Because we sure have missed a lot haven’t we?

The LA Kings won the Stanley Cup, defeating the New York Hockey Rangers in 5 games. Rich Peverley’s career is in Jeopardy after suffering heart problems during a Dallas Stars/Columbus Blue Jackets matchup. Team Canada won Olympic Gold defeating Team Sweden in the final. Team USA gave up to not even win bronze. Sidney Crosby won the Hart, Scott Hartnell got traded to CBJ, Patrice Bergeron is your NHL 15 Cover guy.. so so much.

There’s a bright side to all this though. The draft is coming up, and then Free Agency.. which will add excitement for the next few weeks.. and before you know it the new season is here, and the circle of hockey life begins again for another year.

I apologize there hasn’t been much content recently, but some things you can’t control and things put on the back burner. But never fear hockey fans. We will be here more regularly in your lives before too long.

That Damn Hockey Blog

That Damn Hockey Blog: Why Don’t People Stay In The One Place?

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When Martin St. Louis was traded to the New York Rangers, another member of what is quickly becoming a bit of a rare breed in the National Hockey League had left. The breed of one franchise players.

That elusive hunt for that Stanley Cup, franchises becoming younger, or just not finding a line to play on anymore, is leading to more and more players playing for a second franchise, in order to find successes in the twilight of their careers.

Daniel Alfredsson was an Ottawa Senator since the 1995-96 season. The role model for playing for one franchise your entire career. Then in the off-season of 2013.. Alfie did the unthinkable. He left the Senators and joined the Red Wings. What was the reason you ask? Why would he leave the club he had played for his entire career? One shot at the Stanley Cup. The same reason long-time Ray Bourque left the Boston Bruins to join the Colorado Avalanche. Sure, Bourque got his Cup, but Alfredsson unfortunately will not have the same achievement, as the Red Wings were eliminated in the playoffs by Bourque’s old team, the Boston Bruins.

Vincent Lecavalier was worshipped in Tampa. He has a children’s hospital named after him, but now he finds his playing time in Philadelphia after his contract was bought out by the Lightning. Tim Thomas left the Boston Bruins to take a year off, was traded to the New York Islanders during that year, didn’t play a game for the franchise, and has since had stints in Florida and currently, Dallas.

Speaking of Dallas, Mike Modano was the definition of a franchise player. He was drafted first overall by the Minnesota North Stars, and when they relocated to Dallas, became it’s star player, and has become the first player in Dallas Stars history to have his number nine jersey retired to the rafters. But even he, wasn’t a one franchise player. Modano played his final season in the red and white of Detroit.

Many players have been one franchise players however. Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidstrom both spent twenty years plus, and several Stanley Cup winning seasons in Detroit. Joe Sakic was a one franchise player, even though technically he played for two, as the Quebec Nordiques became the Colorado Avalanche. Sakic is still involved with the franchise, as he is currently the Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations.

Martin Brodeur is still a one franchise player at the New Jersey Devils, but it seems he may be playing elsewhere after this season. Shane Doan started his career at the Winnipeg Jets before they relocated to Phoenix and became the Coyotes. He could soon be apart of another name change, as Phoenix becomes the Arizona Coyotes from next season.

The one franchise player seems to be becoming more of a rarity than seasons past. Franchise players like Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews may have only played for one franchise now, but who knows where they’ll be when they hit the twilight of their careers. Will they, along with many others in the National Hockey League stay a one franchise player? Only time will tell.

I have a Twitter for some unknown reason, it’s @ThatDamnDoubleC.  Also, go visit BoredWrestlingFan.com, as we’re like brothers or something. You like the little icon in the top left corner where the title of this blog is? I found that here.