"If I'm not blocking shots, I'm pretty much useless out there" - Brooks Laich, Washington Capitlas

On Sunday, November 30th, NHL.com issued a nice little article regarding the performance of Wawota SK, native, Brooks Laich of the Washington Capitals.

Although the Capitals fell 5-2 to the LA Kings, Laich's efforts were praised by many on the team, including team captain Chris Clark, and 2nd year coach Bruce Boudreau

Laich has always been known for being a gutsy player, who is capable of doing many things for his team. The Wendel Clark approach fits him best. "He will do anything that he needs to do to be on the team". Whether the team needs him to block shots, like he did against LA, or provide some supplementary scoring to the Alexanders, Backstrom, and Nylander on the team...Brooks Laich is the real deal. His gritty play has given him much more time on the PowerPlay, and his presence will be needed if the Capitals plan to repeat as Southeast Division champions this year.

It's great to see the turnaround that is happening in Washington, and providing they can get consitent goaltending (the PrairiPuck isn't the biggest fan of Jose Theodore), they can follow the path of many teams and make a deep run into the playoffs with a young squad. To get a sense for the commraderie that is present in the Washinton locker room, and maybe to find out who the Capitals think is the "Ladies' Man" of the team is, check this video out. (I'll give you a hint: the top vote-getter is from SK)

Captain Crunch is Amazing!

I found this quote on an NHL.com article about Wendel Clark. It's so perfect, I had to share it with you.

"Growing up out West, especially in all the small communities, that's what you did. You played hockey in the winter and you played baseball in the summertime and that's all there was to do and that was your routine," Clark said. "As you grew up in a small town and graduated from level to level, you knew if you got a chance to play in the city, whether it was Tier II junior or Tier I junior, you were going to do whatever you needed to do to stay there.

"That was your way of either getting out of your small town or moving off the farm to the next level of hockey. I think a lot of players growing up in small towns pick either route: I'm not just going to be a finesse player or a tough guy or whatever, you'll do whatever that team wants you to do to make it.

"I think you see a lot of that in Western kids. Usually, on your minor hockey team, everyone that leaves there was a leading goal scorer on their team, but when you get to the higher levels, in junior hockey or college or whatever it might be, you have to sacrifice and do what it takes for that team because you might not be the best player on that team. You learn about role playing and what it takes to be a different kind of player. That's one thing I think I learned growing up in a small town, moving to the city and then moving to Toronto. Also, from moving to forward. I started as a defenseman. Whatever it takes to stay, that's what you wanted to do."

This shows us another way that Wendel Clark is awesome. Many kids with the dream to play big league hockey have felt the same way, and hearing it from a successful man like Wendel Clark is pretty damn cool. Classy in Sasky.

Mr. Kelvington Saskatchewan

Wade "Jefferson" Belak is movin on up!

Big news hit the media today with a resounding "THANK FUCK" as Wade Belak was traded from the lowful, awful, Florida Panthers (15th aka last in the East), to the playoff-contending (8th in the West) Nashville Predators. Although he couldn't be reached for comment, we can only assume he is completely stoked to be joining fellow Saskatoon product Dan Ellis in Nashville. For the sake of the story, here's what we think we would talk about if he came on MSN right now:

(It should be noted here that Toppings and I don't have a joint msn, just in case any jackasses were planning on commenting. "-Cletus from The Simpsons voice-darharhar, like sure yuz gots da same dang NSM thinger, queers." Use your imagination)

Belakinator (his msn name, most likely): Hey guys, guess what happened?
Prairie Puck: We heard you got traded. How do you feel about it?
Belakinator: Well guys, it feels pretty good. It's fun to walk around Florida in shorts all the time, but it just doesn't feel like hockey down there. The only outdoor rinks they have are roller hockey rinks, and you know what they say about roller blading.
PP: Do. We. Ever.
Belakinator: I'm excited to be heading slightly north though. It'll be nice to play for a team that doesn't suck balls. It'll be fun to play with Dan Ellis too. We all know Saskatcewan people are awesome, so that'll be nice.
PP: That's great. Oh Wade, did you get that care package we sent you?
Belakinator: Ya, I donated it to charity. I hope you don't mind.
PP: We don't mind at all. We are both well known for our kind and giving natures, especially during the holiday season. I hope you didn't tell everyone it was from us. We don't do it for the publicity. We just feel we have so much to give.
Belakinator: Don't worry guys, I didn't even deliver it myself. I have a poor family one hundred seventy dollars to deliver it for me. Charity is awesome!
PP: We couldn't agree more. Congrats on the trade, we'll keep an eye out for you. Take care Mr. Belak!
Belakinator: Thanks guys. Like a girl with a bra, I appreciate the support.
It would probably go something like that. On a personal note, it would be nice to get Edmonton native Jay Bouwmeester out of there too. But that's another story for another day. For now, let's just be happy that Wade Belak is moving on up.
Wade Belak Tribute Video

2008 ADT CANADA/RUSSIA CHALLENGE

The teams line up on their respective blue lines for the opening roster introductions

On the evening of Wednesday, November 26th, the Russian Selects team suited up for their first match of 2 versus the WHL All-Stars, as part 3 of the annual ADT Canada/Russia challenge. The province of Saskatchewan was well represented, as the WHL team soared past the Russian selects with a 5-0 victory, featuring a shutout performance by the likely starting goaltender for the Canadian Junior team this year, Chet Pickard of the Tri-City Americans. "Team Saskatchewan" on the WHL All-star team is represented by:

FORWARDS

Jordan Eberle - Regina Pats (Hometown: Regina, SK)



Brayden Schenn - Brandon Wheat Kings (Hometown: Saskatoon, SK)






Jason Bast - Moose Jaw Warriors (Hometown: Moose Jaw, SK)






Joel Broda - Moose Jaw Warriors (Hometown: Prince Albert, SK)





DEFENSEMEN


Keith Aulie - Brandon Wheat Kings (Hometown: Roleau, SK)




Jared Cowen - Spokane Chiefs (Allan, SK)




GOALTENDERS



Dustin Tokarski - Spokane Chiefs (Hometown: Watson, SK)




A 1st star performance by Jordan Eberle on Wednesday night was a big reason why the WHL squad won the game, as the Regina native notched 2 goals and an assist. Forward Brayden Schenn, assisted one of Eberle's goals, along with Eberle's Regina teammate Colton Teubert. On Thursday, the team will take the ice in Prince Albert for the 2nd of 2 games with the Russian Selects, in which Watson native Dustin Tokarski of the Spokane Cheifs will get the start in net.

Colton Teubert (20) and Brayden Schenn (10) help celebrate Jordan Eberle's 2nd goal of the night

Is the future promising for Saskatchewan-born players? On a 22-man roster, 7 players were born in Saskatchewan. You tell me.

....And yes, Brayden Schenn is the younger brother of the PrairiePuck's favourite rookie defenseman, Luke Schenn


PP

WEEK #6 REVIEW

For this week's edition of the weekly review, we've decided to do something a little different and show our respects to the players in the league that never get as much recognition, but must fulfill an important role by being able to step in at any time if their name is called. There has been an overwhelming theme this year of #1 goaltenders falling to both short and long-term injury, and this week, we have all thumbs up for goaltenders who have stepped up their level of play in time of need:

JOEY MacDONALD - NEW YORK ISLANDERS
-Rick Dipietro has been the #1 goaltender for the Islanders for a few years now, and it is evident by the monstrous 15-year contract he is currently working on. Dipietro is currently sidelined by injury, and the organization has turned towards MacDonald, the 28 year old Nova Scotia native to carry the team, and he has posted an 8-7-2 record in his 17 games played this season, with a .913 save percentage. Not bad for a guy who has gone 3-8-3 between the Red Wings, Bruins, and Islanders before this season started.




BRIAN BOUCHER - SAN JOSE SHARKS
-Although Boucher's ice-time is not due to any injury from Nabokov, San Jose has been known to work with a 2-goaltender system for many years, with the exception of last year. Boucher has been called upon 9 times this season, posting a 7-1-1 record with a .928 save percentage and an unbelievable 1.89 GAA. The system must be working for the Sharks, as Nabokov has started the other 12 games, posting a 10-2 record, helping the team to a league-best 17-3-1 record. Keep in mind just how capable of goaltender Boucher is: He holds the league's shutout record of 5-straight shutouts when he played with the Coyotes.




TY CONKLIN - DETROIT RED WINGS
-For the time being, we'll have to forget just how bad Conklin was for the Oilers from 2001-2006. Just remember his rather "important" blunder in game one of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Hurricanes. Since then, Conklin has been one of the league's best backup netminders, splitting time with the Blue Jackets, Sabres, Penguins, and now, with the Red Wings. This season, Conklin has posted a 6-1-0 record in 7 starts, complementing a great goaltending system with the 8-1-3 Chris Osgood.



NIKOLAI KHABIBULIN - CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
-Nikolai who? In an off season that saw former Montréal Canadiens star keeper Christobal Huet off to the Windy city, Huet would be the definite #1 keeper. But not everything goes as planned, injuries occur, and Khabibulin's season has been an indication of a career resurrection, posting a 7-1-4 record for the Hawks. Considering he is a rather "seasoned" backup goaltender, becoming a UFA at the end of the season, will he be with the Hawks next season? Probably not, but for the time being, he's helping a great deal to restoring a winning tradition in Chicago.

HONOURABLE MENTION TO THE BACKUP KEEPERS:

Danny Sabourin - PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Alex Auld - OTTAWA SENATORS

Kevin Weekes/Scott Clemmenson - NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Curtis Sanford - VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Jaroslav Halak - MONTREAL CANADIENS

Brent Johnson - WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Erik Ersberg - LOS ANGELES KINGS




That's all for now,


PP

More props for Luke Schenn... and a lead in the polls!

There's an article I found on nhl.com about how awesome Luke Schenn is. The story has a "everything about the Maple leafs sucks except this kid (who is awesome) and Wendel Clark and Johnny Bower (who are both SK products, and are awesome). At the bottom the article there is a poll about the Calder candidates and best rookie defenseman. Schenn was winning both polls when I checked and voted at 10:44ish today. Likely the polls are leaf-fan-inflated, but who cares. Luke Schenn is great. Keep up the good work kid.

Say it ain't so Morrow!

Well folks, here at the Prairie Puck we've been handing praise and blessings (to whatever capacity our abilities allow) to Brendan Morrow, captain of the Dallas stars and native of Carlyle, SK. We regret to inform you that he will be out for a good long time. NHL.com (who we love) had this article on the subject. I've looked for a quote from the man himself but, like Theoren Fleury, came up short.

It is at this point I would like to point out a few very loosely related facts:
1. We love Theoren Fleury. No one celebrates like he used to. And no one leaves the NHL to play in Ireland quite like him.
2. He's really short and was really awesome, which we like.
3. He worked a hockey camp our own Jordan Toppings attended, which means that once we get ahold of him he will do an interview for sure.
4. He's from Oxbow, SK and played his Junior hockey in Moose Jaw, so obviously he is one of the coolest to ever lace on the blades.
5. We're gonna do a story on him right away here.
6. All of that was just to make sure you weren't gonna jump on us for hating Theoren Fleury. We definitely don't. Alcoholic jokes just wouldn't be funny. We love him like John Daly loves Hooters. Now, back to the story.

The injury is apparently "a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will require surgery." Shitty. Ahh well, we'll still find a way to get you in here anyway Mr. Morrow. When you come back, we know you'll be just fine.

WEEK #5 REVIEW

It was a big week in the NHL, with many ups and downs. Let's take a look....


THUMBS UP - C Jordan Staal - Pittsburgh Penguins

-If there's one thing that the young Penguins team needs, it's secondary scoring so not all of the responsibility is put on superstars Evgeni Malkin and Sid Crosby. Don't get me wrong, they can carry the weight (1st and 6th in the scoring race), but a solid effort from their 2nd and 3rd line is essential if the Penguins want to make another Cup run, and Pittsburgh has found this extra scoring touch in 3rd year player Jordan Staal. In the last 5 games, Staal has notched 6 goals and one assists, reaching half of his disappointing scoring output of last year. This wave of secondary scoring has put the Penguins within 4 points of the division leading Rangers.


THUMBS DOWN - The Dallas Stars

-How is this team not sitting atop the west? Maybe it's because they're up against the ridiculous conference leading San Jose Sharks, not to mention the Red Wings, Ducks, and damn near every other team in the West that has better records than the Stars. Last year, the Stars made it all the way to the West Final, losing to the eventual Cup Champs, but how is it possible that they are sitting 14th (yes that's right, 14th) in the West? Even the Maple Leafs in the East have a better record. That should be reason enough for something drastic to happen, and NOW. Did Dallas really make any changes in the off season that would hurt them this much? Not really at all. If anything, the addition of Sean Avery should have solidified their presence as among the West elite. Mr. Brendan Morrow, we love ya here at the Prairie Puck, but rally your troops son.


THUMBS UP - Rookie Goaltenders Steve Mason and Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers

-Now these guys are a thrill to watch. First, rookie keeper Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets is one of the most promising young net minders we've seen in years. You might remember this guy from last December, when he backstopped the Canadian Junior team to a 4th straight gold medal at the U20 IIHF tourny, named the top goaltender of the tournament in the process. It was at this tournament, where the star netminder for the London Knights was dealt in a rare blockbuster trade of the OHL, to the Memorial Cup host Kitchener Rangers. Mason would unfortunately be sidelined due to a knee injury, and Kitchener lost the Memorial Cup final to the Spokane Chiefs (backstopped by a Mr. Dustin Tokarski of Watson, SK by the way). Mason has posted a 3-1-1 record in 5 starts for the Blue Jackets, and believe me, the Jackets need all the help they can get if they want to make a serious playoff run.

Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers of the Edmonton Oilers is part of the 3-headed monster situation they have in Edmonton, but unlike the Boston Celtics, the 3-man situation in Edmonton is not a good one. At a 3-5-1 record in the last 10 games, we're still waiting on Dwayne Roloson to be dealt to New Jersey. The 24-year old has only been in the Oilers system for 1 season with the Springfield Falcons last season, and brief stints with AHL affiliate teams of Pittsburgh, Montréal, and a few tries with the ECHL. His most impressive outing in the NHL came against the Eastern elite Rangers, which the rookie backstopped the Oilers to a 3-2 victory, stopping 40 of 42 shots. A French-Canadian duo of Garon and Deslauriers is not far off in the future.


THUMBS UP - Simon Gagne - Philadelphia Flyers

-In a season that couldn't have gone worse last year for Flyers superstar Simon Gagne, there were questions as to the future of Gagne's ability. A history of concussions had ultimately ended the 28-year old star's season last year, but Gagne has silenced all the critics thus far. In only 16 games, Gagne has accumulated 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists, and 4 more points than all of last season), and this is good enough for 4th in the league in points for this former 2-time 40 goal scorer. Even better news the Flyers - they made it to the Conference final without Gagne last year. If they can get things to click down the stretch, could the Flyers make a run at the cup?



And the final thumbs up for the week goes to a good ol' Saskatchewan product that has carried his team to victory. Of course, we mean Nashville Predators goaltender Dan Ellis, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The Preds got off to a sub-par start to the season, managing only a 6-7-1 record in 14 games, but in the past 3 games, Ellis has performed extremely well, with back-to-back 4-3 victories over the West's powerhouse Sharks, in which he stopped 54 of 57 shots, and again with 32 of 35 shots against the Anaheim Ducks. A 3-1 victory over the LA Kings capped off the impressive week, and Ellis will try for a rare victory against the Sharks in Nashville tonight. Although the Sharks are an extremely good team, there's no reason why this 28 year old SK netminder can't generate an impressive collection of wins against the West's best. Congratulations Dan Ellis, you have earned the player of the week award.


That's all for this past week folks. Don't forget to watch Saturday, November 22nd's broadcast of the Bruins @ the Canadiens on CBC to watch the retiring of Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy's #33 jersey.




PP

Team Saskatchewan Doing Well

Props have been earned, and so here they shall be given. Ryan Getzlaf and Patrick Marleau, from Regina and Aneroid respectively, are both in the top ten in the NHL in points. Getzlaf is currently ranked 5th and Marleau 7th. There isn't really much of a story here other than to point out that of course they are in the top ten; they're from Saskatchewan and they're awesome. Keep up the good work fellas, and p.s. Marleau's wife is drop dead gorgeous.

Maybe one day an NHL franchise will move to Saskatchewan. The "Swift Current Bails of Hay" or the "Yorkton FlatDirtGrounds" could take the NHL by storm if we got a team of SK born players together. Now what would be their colours....

WEEK#4 Review

Alright, let's get right to this past week's highest highs and lowest lows.


THUMBS WAAAAAY UP - G Roberto Luongo - Vancouver Canucks

-On a team that has failed to pull off wins down the stretch in the past few years, star goaltender Roberto Luongo is making every team shake their heads in amazement. Luongo is currently flying high off a string of 3 straight shutouts to propell his squad to the top of the competitive Northwest division. Up next for Luongo is a tilt with the Northwest basement dwelling Colorado Avalanche, so we may even see Luongo record his 4th straight goose egg. That is, of course that Luongo gets the likely start over backup netminder Curtis Sanford. Canucks fans are behind captain Luongo 100% and certainly have something to cheer about. Who knows, with speculation that Sundin will make a decision by Dec 1st, the Canucks are looking very promising down the stretch.


THUMBS DOWN - The Edmonton Oilers

-The Oilers are a good team, and they have high expectations this year, but they like to make it difficult to cheer for them. Their scoring his hot/cold, their goaltending is hot/cold, and their defense is hot/cold. This is the perfect mix that ultimately makes up a .500 team, and at 7-6-1, the Oil aren't turning any heads yet. We need to see a big move soon so the Oilers can be among the elite in the West. The solution? The goaltending situation needs to be resolved. It is interesting that the Oilers most recent win came on the road against the Brodeur-less Devils, because if I was the Oilers' GM, my first move in this situation is to trade veteran goaltender Dwayne Roloson to the Devils. The Devils can use Roloson as a "rental", seeing that he is 39 years old, and he becomes a UFA at the end of the season. The Oilers have two young, very capable goaltenders in Matieu Garon and Jeff Deslauriers, and have no interest in re-signing a 39 year old keeper. In return, the Oilers could use some extra scoring talent. a Brian Gionta or John Madden perhaps? My second move as Oilers' GM would be to make a play for Minnesota star Marian Gaborik. The Oilers don't exactly have the salary cap room to supplement acquiring a player like Gaborik without giving up several players, so maybe a 1st round draft pick would seal the deal. Any play for Gaborik would be gutsy though, as he will be a UFA at the end of the season as well, and Edmonton would have a tough time affording Gaborik's salary. Either way, something needs to happen in Oil-town.



THUMBS UP - RW Patrick Kane - Chicago Blackhawks

-2007 first overall pick Patrick Kane is making the Blackhawks scouting staff look like heroes. The Blackhawks have the opportunity to bring back a winning tradition into the Windy City, and the responsibility is being rested on the shoulders of young-guns Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Kane is having an excellent start to the season, sitting tied for 5th in the league in points with 18, (8 of which have come in the last 5 games), and Chicago is in playoff contention with about 20% of the season in the books. If only captain Toews could step up the way we all know he can, and Patrick Sharp continues to play like he does...watch out Detroit.


That's all for this past week folks. Enjoy the games this week and don't lose any sleep over whether Sundin will play for your favorite team.



PP

HISTORY MADE: (Maybe another day)

Hockey fans that have been sitting on the edge of their seats in anticiapation can relax for a while. Marty Brodeur will not be breaking any big records any time soon.

This past Saturday, during the game vs Atlanta, Brodeur tore a biceps tendon, and will have surgery to repair the injury, which will leave him sidelined well into 2009. This is extremely unfamiliar territory for hockey fans, as it gives us a chance to see someone else as the starting goaltender for the Devils. In the past 12 seasons, Brodeur has only had one season in which he played under 70 games, and this was in 1997. I think it goes without saying that this loss is a huge blow to the Devils, who will need to keep pace in a very competitive division. With Kevin Weekes and Scott Clemmenson as the designated goaltenders for New Jersey in Brodeur's absence, I'm not sure that they can pull it off.

Marty Brodeur has had an incredible career in the NHL, and this season should be one for the ages, as he is on the cusp of breaking two major goaltending records. First, he is just 8 wins shy of Patrick Roy's all-time win record of 551, and he is just 6 shutouts shy of breaking Terry Sawchuk's record of 103. Fans will have to wait 3-4 months for Brodeur to get another crack at these records.

Make no mistake, Brodeur will break these records, but the Devils, under the direction of coach Brent Sutter have a chance to silence the critics and confide in a new #1 goaltender, Kevin Weekes. If you are a Fantasy hockey league player, maybe you should have listened when we told you Brodeur wasn't necessarily the greatest pick out there, hmm??

PP

TOP NHL PLAYERS OF OCTOBER

With the first month of the 2008/2009 season in the books, the PrairiePuck has compiled a short list of the MVP, top forward, defenseman, goaltender, rookie, and SK born player that we have seen in the past month.

Sitting a top October's greats is this month's MVP...

*MVP* LW Alexander Semin - WASHINGTON CAPITALS

-We said it back in September...the "other" Alexander needs to produce this year, and has he ever. In only 10 games, Semin has registered 8 goals and 8 assists, with a +6 rating, and a nice 24.2% shooting percentage to round off his October resume. Semin has been an excellent addition to the scoring column for the Capitals, who are keeping pace with the division leading Hurricanes. In the absence of Ovechkin for a few games and his relatively quiet start to the season (5 points in 8 games), we could see the "other" Alexander lead his team in points by the All-Star break.


*TOP FORWARD* LW Patrick Sharp - CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

-Talk about a player on the rise. If you remember back in September, not only did we list Alexander Semin as a player to watch in the league, but Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp also made the list. Sharp has currently put up 9 goals and 7 helpers, which is good enough for 2nd to league leader Evgeni Malkin. Call us hopeful, but under the Joel Queneville era in Chicago, they have managed a 5-1-2 record under his direction, which keeps pace with the division leading Red Wings. Not only will the Blackhawks make the playoffs...they may contend for home-ice advantage if Sharp keeps playing the way he has in October.


*TOP DEFENSEMAN* D Andrei Markov - MONTREAL CANADIENS

-On a team where the expectations could not be higher on the Centennial year of the franchise, Andrei Markov has picked up where he left off last year, and has clearly established himself as the go-to blue-liner for the Habs, averaging 25:05 playing time per night, with 1 goal and 12 assists, which is good enough for 21st overall in the league in scoring. Expect Markov to be a starter in this year's All-Star game for the 2nd consecutive year. In a year where the Habs are 8-1-1 and can make this a "story book" year, why can't Markov be an All-Star in the game, which happens to be in Montreal?


*TOP GOALTENDER* G Ryan Miller - BUFFALO SABRES

-The Buffalo Sabres have shaken off the 2007/2008 hangover after a remarkable President's Trophy Season in 2006/2007, and are back among the league's elite teams. After 2 of the most significant dates in Sabres fans memories in the past year and a half, fans questioned the capability of GM Darcy Regeir, as his two superstar forwards Chris Drury and Daniel Briere were shipped off to NY and Philadelphia in Free Agency, and star defenseman Brian Campbell was traded to San Jose at the trade deadline last season. One solid move that was made was the signing of #1 goaltender Ryan Miller, and it has paid off. Last year was a "half" rebuilding year (because Buffalo only missed playoffs by 4 points), but Miller has been a solid core of this team, and his star performance has led by example on this team, and the fans now have new stars to worship in Derek Roy, Jason Pominville, Thomas Vanek, and of course, Mr. Ryan Miller. With a 7-1-1 record, a 1.62 GAA, .942 Save %, and 2 shutouts, Ryan Miller was a no-brainer for this pick.


*TOP ROOKIE* C Derick Brassard - COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

-Brassard actually played 17 games last season with the Jackets, notching a goal and an assist, but due to games played, this young 21 year-old star is back as a rookie and has started the season off with a bang, tallying 4 goals and 7 assists to lead his team in points with 11. This native of Hull, Québec has a promising career ahead of him, and makes the race for the Calder Trophy interesting, as many (including the PrairiePuck) thought it was a Stamkos vs Brunnstrom race.





*TOP SK-BORN PLAYER* C Patrick Marleau - SAN JOSE SHARKS

-One could argue that Ryan Getzlaf had a better October than Marleau, but trust me, Getzlaf's time will come. Marleau deserves the accolades, as he as played at a level that his team needs him to be, and that is a leader by example. Marleau has always had the scoring ability, but a disappointing raised many questions. This season, in only 12 games, Marleau has tallied 6 goals, and 6 assists, which accounts for 25% of his entire output last season. His elevated level of play, particularly in even-strength situations has propelled the Sharks to a Western Conference leading record 10-2-0 record. Remember when we said there is a high chance that it will be a NYR vs SJ final this year? Just figured I'd let you know that after 1 month, they are still leading their respective conferences.




PP

WEEK #3 REVIEW

With 3 weeks in the can in the NHL, we bring you another installment of the top stories, teams, players, and significant individual efforts from around the league in the last week. Without further adieu,


THUMBS UP - The tandem of Centres Jeff Carter and Mike Richards

-With an incredibly slow start to the year, the Flyers were finding themselves in familiar territory of the 2007 season, sitting in the basement of the Atlantic division. But in the last 5 games, centres Jeff Carter, and team captain Mike Richards have combined for 6 goals and 10 assists to lead their team to 4 straight wins. The Oilers actually ended this winning streak today with a 5-4 victory, but if the stellar play from these two Canadian young stars continue, they will be making a run for the East's elite.










THUMBS DOWN - Any team interested in Mats Sundin

-We've made it quite clear here that we are fans of Mats Sundin, but the shit that some of these players pull with the NHL clubs is beyond me. Last year it took forever for Anaheim Ducks Scott Niedermeyer and Teemu Selanne to make up their mind as to whether they would retire or not. Ducks GM Brian Burke actually made it clear to the two that it would not be tolerated again. I know Sundin is a +500 goal scorer and all, but should teams really be sitting on the edge of their seat waiting for this guy, when he has yet to make up his mind? Sundin should not be thinking of himself as the "missing link" for any of these teams, and these teams should not be treating him as the cure for cancer. To play in this league, it should be a privelage, and a duty to fulfill 110% for your respective club, and Sundin has missed over 10 games already because he hasn't made up his mind yet. Shame on the GMs for allowing this type of behavior, and can we please end this bullshit so we can continue with our every day lives, rather than us all sitting on the edge of our seat, waiting. Gimme a fuckin break.


THUMBS UP - CALGARY FLAMES

-I must show some love for the Flames this week, as Calgary has been one of the hottest teams in the league as of late. After a slow start, the Flames went on a 6 game winning streak, eventually falling 3-2 to the Ducks last night. This tremendous effort was due to the elevated game play of captain Jarome Iginla, newcomer Mike Camalerri, and goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff. Iginla and Camalerri have combined for 26 points this season, and Kiprusoff must have realized that Goals Against actually does matter in this league, and carried his team to all 7 victories they've had so far. It's not like backup keeper Curtis McElhinney's number will be called too often this year (maybe 12 games or so), so we have to get used to every win going into Kipper's collection. Good on the Flames this past week, and the always tight Northwest division just got a whole lot closer, with Minnesota still having a slight edge.


THUMBS DOWN - THE SOUTHEAST DIVISION

-If nobody else is going to say it, I guess we have to. The Southeast division is garbage. I know what you're thinking...50% of the last 4 Stanley Cup teams have come out of the Southeast (Tampa in 2004, Carolina in 2006), and I know you must be thinking that Alex Ovechkin, Eric Staal, and Ilya Kovalchuk play in the Southeast, but if we look at the division as a whole, it's first class garbage. Out of the Atlanta Thrashers, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Washington Capitals, in the last 5 seasons, an average of 1.6 of these teams played in the playoffs. In 2003/2004, Tampa Bay was the lone representative of the Southeast (won the cup), and last year, if we remember Carolina's last game of the regular season, if they were to win that game, Carolina would take the Southeast title, with Washington missing playoffs, but instead they lost, and Washington was crowned Southeast Champs. The way that the league standings are set up means that in both 2004 and 2008, a conference title separated 1st place from 10th in 2004 and 3rd from 9th in 2008. The remedy? Get rid of teams like Florida or Atlanta that are dragging this division down, because if the standings right now are any indication for the playoffs this year, we'll only see one Southeast team in the playoffs once again.


THUMBS UP - C Steven Stamkos - Tampa Bay Lightning

-While on the subject of the basement dwellers of the Southeast, a congratulations and a pat on the back is due for rookie Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who after being snake bitten at the beginning of the season finally registered his first point of the NHL with his first professional goal, only to notch another and add a helper to round off a 3-point night on October 30th against the Buffalo Sabres. Although Stamkos has a long way to match fellow rookies Fabian Brunnstrom and Derrek Brassard in the race for the Calder trophy, the PrairiePuck is happy it finally happened. We were afraid it was going to be a Pavel Brendl situation with this kid.


Thats all for now folks,


PP