NHL Power Rankings: Week 6
November 18, 2008
Total Pro Sports - Unlike the last few weeks there wasn't a tonne of movement in this week's NHL Power Rankings as the Sharks, Rangers, Red Wings, Bruins and Penguins make up the top 5. The Sabres dropped 5 spots and end up at #10.
NHL Power Rankings Movers And Shakers
The biggest Shakers in our NHL Power Rankings this week were the Ottawa Senators dropping 6 spots landing them at #27.
The second biggest shaker was the Phoenix Coyotes at #21, moving down 5 spots from last week.
The biggest Movers in our NHL Power Rankings this week were the Nashville Predators moving up 9 spots to land at #14. We also have to mention the Philadelphia Flyers who sit at #20 after gaining 8 spots from last week.
Lets take a look at the rest of the league: NHL POWER RANKINGS for Week 6.
NHL Power Rankings: Week 5
November 12, 2008
Total Pro Sports - The San Jose Sharks and the New York Rangers are still atop our NHL Power Rankings. This will probably be the same for most of the season and maybe a final match up in the Stanley Cup finals.
NHL Power Rankings Movers And Shakers
The biggest Shakers in our NHL Power Rankings this week were the Calgary Flames moving down 11 spots to #19.
The second biggest shaker was the New Jersey Devils losing 10 spots in the rankings to #18.
The biggest Movers in our NHL Power Rankings this week were the Phoenix Coyotes and Columbus Blue Jackets both moving up 10 spots in the power rankings to #15 and #16 respectively.
Lets take a look at the rest of the league: NHL POWER RANKINGS for Week 5.
NHL Power Rankings: Week 4
November 4, 2008
Total Pro Sports - Well after three weeks the New York Rangers have finally been knocked off as the #1 team in our weekly NHL Power Rankings.
After winning four games in a row including last Saturday the San Jose Sharks have moved into the #1 spot and the way they're playing now it's hard to tell if anyone will be able to knock them off in the near future.
NHL Power Rankings Movers And Shakers
The biggest Shakers in our NHL Power Rankings this week were the Colorado Avalanche and the St.Louis Blues, both dropping 12 spots.
The Avalanche lost all three of their games against the Flames, Blue Jackets and Sharks while only scoring a combined 5 goals and giving up 12.
The Blues lost both of their games to the Hurricanes and Penguins while getting shutout against Carolina and giving up 6 goals against Pittsburgh.
The biggest Movers in our NHL Power Rankings this week were the Tampa Bay Lightning moving up 11 spots. The Lightning took the Northeast by storm, yes it's supposed to be a joke, by beating the Leafs, Sabres and Senators. Both Vincent Lecavalier, more importantly, Steven Stamkos woke up with Steven getting his first NHL point against Toronto and scoring his first NHL goal against Buffalo.
Lets take a look at the rest of the league: NHL POWER RANKINGS for Week 4.
NHL Power Rankings: Week 3
October 28, 2008
Week: | 1-2 | 3
Total Pro Sports - As will be the case for the next few weeks, there's been a lot of movement in the power rankings for Week 3 with the two big moves coming out of Alberta. We also saw some of the teams who were expected to do well improve.
The biggest loser in our NHL Power Rankings this week were the Edmonton Oilers. To put it lightly they pooped the bed this past week. They gave up 13 goals while only scoring 4 in their 3 games. They'll have to get more scoring from players not named Ales Hemsky to turn this streak around.
The biggest gainer in our NHL Power Rankings this week were the Calgary Flames. After struggling against Northwest opponents the Flames really turned things around lead by their captain Jarome Iginla. Iggy lead the team in their win over Nashville scoring a hat-trick and then collected 3 points (1 goal 2 assists) in their next victory against Phoenix. Kiprusoff seems to have settled down as they only gave up 5 goals in their 3 games.
Lets take a look at the rest of the league: NHL POWER RANKINGS for Week 3
Mats Sundin Ready After Physical
October 23, 2008
Total Pro Sports - You think Mats Sundin was gonna sit in his luxurious house in Sweden with his beautiful wife and play poker all day at Poker Stars. Yes your right he did sign on with Poker Stars as an ambassador to the game. But there is no way he can make guaranteed minimum $8 million a year on the felt, unless he wins the World Series Of Poker.
Mats is coming back to the NHL very soon, we will just all have to wait and see who that will be with. Lips are sealed and nothings getting out. Hopefully he doesn't make the wrong the decison and come back to the Leafs. Go to a contender where you can end your career on a high note, the Habs, Red Wings, or the Rangers are his best bet to win the Stanley Cup.
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Mats Sundin has taken the first step toward a return to the NHL.
The 37-year-old free-agent centre underwent a physical exam at a Toronto hospital yesterday — necessary to begin a rigorous period of training to continue his hockey career.
Sundin, who spent the past 13 NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, returned to the city last week and soon is expected to travel to Los Angeles to begin a two-week on-ice training stint.
It is believed that after those two weeks are up, he will begin talking to NHL teams to determine the best fit for him. Mats Sundin underwent a physical exam at a Toronto hospital yesterday – necessary to begin a rigorous period of training to continue his hockey career.
Sundin said last month he won't decide on where he wants to play until he figures out whether he wants to return for an 18th NHL season. He wants to play only one more season, but could change his mind.
At the earliest, Sundin could return next month. But the longer he waits, the more options he would have as his contract would be prorated and therefore less of a burden to teams that have to unload salary to make room for him.
His agent, J.P. Barry, said recently that he believes Sundin will play in 2008-09, but not likely return until December. Barry said yesterday he "cannot comment at this time" about the situation.
Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher said he hasn't talked with Sundin since Sept. 5, when the Swede was in Toronto to participate in a charity hockey game. Fletcher said yesterday's physical was not set up through the Leafs.
Even though Fletcher has salary-cap room and has left the door open for a possible return by Sundin, the talented centre has several options.
For Sundin, who has scored 555 goals and 766 assists in 1,305 regular-season games with Toronto and the Quebec Nordiques, it is not about the money.
Instead, he desires a situation he's comfortable with. Otherwise, he would have signed the lucrative $20-million (U.S.), two-year offer the Vancouver Canucks tossed his way on July 1, when he became an unrestricted free agent.
"I expect other teams to get involved to complicate the situation [for Toronto and Vancouver]," one NHL GM said. "But I don't see any teams with any money to spend [and stay under the salary cap]."
The Canucks, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens have admitted their interest in Sundin in recent months.
Read The Rest Of The Article: Globe Sports
Andreas Lilja Undergoes An Appendectomy
October 22, 2008
Total Pro Sports - The Red Wings loose big defenceman Andreas Lilja for an extended period of time. The Wings are so deep because of there great scouts, this should not affect them one bit.
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Andreas Lilja was in the hospital to have his appendix removed, Darren McCarty cleared waivers and remains a Red Wing, and Darren Helm got sent to the minor leagues.
It was a rather eventful Tuesday for the Wings before they left town for tonight's game in St. Louis.
Lilja, 33, a 6-foot-3, 228-pound defenseman, underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy at Detroit Medical Center.
The laparoscopic technique is said to be minimally invasive, using small incisions and a camera.
The Red Wings announced late Tuesday afternoon Lilja could return to the lineup as soon as Friday's game against the Thrashers.
"He'll be fine," coach Mike Babcock said. "He'll be back right away. Friday night, he should be ready to go. That's what I've been told. A healthy athlete, they say there should be no issue whatsoever."
Lilja had practiced Monday, but was complaining recently about stomach pains.
"I didn't even know anything until I got here this morning," said Brett Lebda, Lilja's defensive partner.
Derek Meech will replace Lilja in the lineup tonight.
Source: DetNews.com
NHL Power Rankings: Weeks 1 & 2
October 20, 2008
Total Pro Sports - The NHL season is two weeks in so it's time to start the weekly NHL Power Rankings. As has been the trend since the lockout there were some teams who surprised, some who underachieved and some who did just as well as everyone thought.
The biggest loser in our NHL Power Rankings this week were the Anaheim Ducks. It was a close race between them and the Philadelphia Flyers, but since they're just two years removed from winning the Cup it goes to Anaheim. Not much really needs to be said other than they've only won one out of their first six games and Rob Niedermayer and Travis Moen are tied for the team lead in points with four.
The biggest gainer in our NHL Power Rankings this week were the New York Rangers. They took both games from the Lightning in Prague and continued their sold play when they got back to North America beating the Blackhawks, Flyers and Devils. Taking into consideration that they lost both Jagr and Shanahan and brought in the questionable Zherdev and Naslund who struggled the last two years in Vancouver the Rangers were the biggest winners the first two weeks of the season.
Lets take a look at the rest of the league: NHL POWER RANKINGS for week 1 & 2
2008-09 NHL Predictions
October 8, 2008
Total Pro Sports - It's that time of year boys and girls, arn't you excited?
With the upcoming NHL season under 24 hours away, our team of experts at TPS have come together and made their 2008-09 NHL Predictions. The predictions consist of who they think will come first in each Division, win their Conference and lift the greatest trophy in sports "The Stanley Cup".
Lets take a look at who our experts at Total Pro Sports have selected to lift Lord Stanley's Cup in the 2008-09 NHL Predictions!
Top 5 Fantasy Hockey Forwards
October 8, 2008
Total Pro Sports - These 2008-2009 fantasy hockey Forwards will lead you to the top of your fantasy hockey league Championship. Make sure you build a nice base of forwards on your team.
If you don't have a chance to select the top 8 players in the NHL, don't worry because if you plan out your team ahead of time then you will do fine. When I'm in a fantasy hockey draft I love having the middle of the pack pick because you never have to wait to long to make your next selection.
Lets take a look at my top 5 2008-2009 fantasy hockey Forwards for your fantasy hockey team in the upcoming Hockey season.
2008/09 St. Louis Blues Season Preview
September 30, 2008
5. St. Louis Blues
Like Columbus, I'm a fan of what the Blues have done to rebuild the team and adding Doug Armstrong to the front office makes the future look that much brighter in St. Louis. However, like the Blue Jackets, the Blues defence will be their achillies heels. Their forward group is one of the most underrated in the NHL with Brad Boyes, Andy McDonald, David Backes, Lee Stempniak, Paul Kariya, Patrik Berglund and a personal favourite David Perron.
However, as I mentioned their defence isn't as solid as it should be. Erik Johnson is done for the season and Jeff Woywitka is already having injury issues as well. Jay McKee is a great physical defenceman but he as well has a problem with the injury bug. Eric Brewer and Barret Jackman are dependable on the back end but it then drops off significantly with Roman Polak and Steve Wagner. Alex Pietrangelo will be a great defenceman in the league one day, but not this season.
Manny Legace and Chris Mason have them sitting pretty in net, although Mason is currently injured and Legace has some concerns as well coming off of offseason surgery.
They don't have a terrible team, but their injury concerns combined with their lack of depth will have them on the outside looking in once again this season.
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