The Edmonton Oilers’ Taylor Hall certainly know what I’m talking about. Last week, the 20-year-old up-and-comer had a pretty scary rendezvous with the skate blade of teammate Corey Potter during the warmup for a game between the Oilers and Blue Jackets. Now he’s got one of the nastiest hockey scars we’ve seen in a long time (which, ironically, will probably only help him with the ladies, because hockey chicks dig scars).

Today, in celebration of Taylor Hall’s new face decoration, here are 15 amazingly messed up hockey mugs we’ve seen throughout the years. If you didn’t realize how badass hockey players were before, you definitely will after you check this out.

But be warned: some of the images that follow are not for the faint of heart.

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Semin was interviewed by yahoo.com, this is what he had to say about “Sid The Kid”

“What’s so special about Sidney Crosby? I don’t see anything special there,” Semin, who leads the NHL with 16 points. Yes, he does skate well, has a good head, good pass. But there’s nothing else. Even if you compare him to Patrick Kane from the Chicago Blackhawks … (Kane) is a much more interesting player. The way he moves, his deaking abilities, his thinking on the ice and his anticipation of the play is so superb.”

Sidney Crosby, left Thursdays game against the Phoenix Coyotes after feeling some sort of discomfort. Crosby is off to a decent start early in the season, with 13 points in 11 games.

“Honestly, I don’t even know what happened; I’d have to look at the tape,” Crosby told Pittsburgh reporters following the game. “I just had some discomfort. I just decided in the third period I couldn’t do much, so…”

For all you fantasy hockey owners out there don’t worry Sidney will be back and will get your team 100 point this year guaranteed. That’s “What’s So Special About Sidney Crosby?“

“We’re disappointed Johan will be out for a period of time, but it could have been a lot worse,” general manager Ken Holland said.

On Sunday Johan Franzen was taken for an MRI, it revealed no ligament tear or damage, but did show a Grade 2 sprain. This is the second consecutive season that Johan Franzen is out with an injury, last season he again suffered an early season knee injury. Keeping him off the ice for again 3-4 weeks.

Johan Franzen was off to a great start this season for the Detroit Red Wings scoring 5 goals in 8 games, on pace for 51 goals this season.

“It’s disappointing for Johan,” Holland said. “He was off to such a good start.”

Well just have to wait and see when he comes back if he continues on this torrid pace. If you have Johan Franzen on your fantasy hockey team, don’t be scared to bench him or place him on the IR if you have that option available in your fantasy hockey league. Do not waive Johan Franzen!!!! When he comes back he will be sure to be a big contributor to your fantasy hockey team.

“It’s definitely tough to take but what can you do,” Briere said Friday in a telephone conversation with a Philadelphia pool reporter. “I’m not going to sit around and sulk or pout about it. I have to focus on getting better and picking up where I left off.”

Briere, who signed with the Flyers as a free agent last year, is scheduled to have surgery Saturday at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Briere felt something amiss in his groin during a game Wednesday against San Jose. He scored the tying goal late in the third period. The Sharks won 7-6 in a shootout, handing Philadelphia its sixth straight loss to open the season.

“I had an MRI done and the person looking at it said it was fine,” Briere said. “I had it checked again today and they found a little tear.”

Briere said he had the same surgery done a few years ago when he was in Buffalo. It has never caused him a problem.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said that Briere will be sidelined three to four weeks.

“It doesn’t help when you lose a guy like Briere,” Holmgren said. “We’re at a time where everybody needs to play their best. I didn’t see the last game, so I can’t comment on that. Obviously, six games in we haven’t played our best hockey where we’ve had everybody going for the entire game. We need that at this time.

Briere had three goals and four assists this season. The 31-year-old had 31 goals and 41 assists in helping the Flyers reach the Eastern Conference finals last season.

“I am surprised by the turn of events that happened today,” Briere said. “I hate missing time but by being aggressive I will be back soon.”

Source: FoxSports.com

Mats Sundin – Pavol Demitra (Getting Injured)

= Mats Sundin playing for the Vancouver Canucks, at 2 years $20 million we have no clue why he did not jump on this when it was first offered.

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On the same day Mats Sundin’s training regimen for a possible return to the NHL was announced, the rehab regimen for Pavol Demitra was also revealed.

How is that for irony?

Demitra will be sidelined indefinitely after an MRI on Wednesday revealed rib damage he suffered Sunday in Chicago could sideline the Vancouver Canucks centre for at least a month.

The injury further magnifies the pursuit of Sundin, who has an adjustable two-year, $20-million-US offer from the Canucks, and several other serious suitors.

Demitra was hurt late in the second period a 4-2 loss to the Blackhawks and was in considerable pain. He even had trouble getting out of bed, so Thursday’s announcement wasn’t surprising.

“The first [MRI] results back is that he’s got a fractured cartilage in his eighth rib,” said Canucks coach Alain Vigneault. “He’s going to see a specialist [today] and right now we’re looking at three to four weeks.”

Demitra, 33, played just 11:25 against the Blackhawks and had a goal before leaving on what seemed like a harmless play.

“I was just reaching for a puck and all of a sudden I felt an unbelievable pain in my side,” said Demitra. “I’ve never had anything like this.”

Demitra has three points [2-1] in six games and is a minus-2. He signed a two-year, $8 million US deal and was to be the catalyst to power a second line with Mason Raymond and Taylor Pyatt. But that has all now changed.

The loss of the Demitra also means more playing time for the recalled Kyle Wellwood and Jason Krog — especially on the 29th-ranked power play that has been revamped — and more pressure for the veteran core to produce.

Meanwhile, winger Darcy Hordichuk has recovered from a slight left knee strain suffered Sunday and should play Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers. He will wear a brace because he also injured the knee last season with Nashville.

Defenceman Sami Salo skated on his own Thursday and is listed as day-to-day with a groin strain.

He took the morning skate in Chicago but didn’t play. Forward Rick Rypien remains sidelined with a virus.

Source: Canada.com