Seabrook Wins Wild Game In Overtime To Square Series

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Derek
Seabrook Wins It: Overtime hero Brent Seabrook is greeted by happy teammates after his goal squared the Original Six series 2-2.
Getty Images/Elise Amendola

When the puck came to Brent Seabrook, he shot and was rewarded driving the Blackhawks to a thrilling 6-5 overtime win over the Bruins in Game Four to even the series.

It was another barn burner between Original Six rivals. There isn’t much separating them. Through four games, Boston and Chicago are tied 2-2 with a best of three left to decide the Stanley Cup. Three  of the four have gone to overtime. This is the first Stanley Cup Final since 1993 where there have been at least three OT games. It’s been some of the best hockey in a long time. A potential classic if it goes seven. 
Game Four took on a life of its own. The teams combined for 11 goals. Nearly half came in a wide open second that had more twists and turns than a Sopranos episode. On the day James Gandolfini passed away, our favorite godfather would’ve been proud. The Hawks and Bruins put on quite a spectacle. It was fitting for a Broadway show. They took turns scoring and put us on our feet. Hockey fans rejoiced. Though it must’ve been hell for Chicago and Boston along with well respected coaches Joel Queeneville and Claude Julien. 

‘‘It wasn’t a Bruins’ type of game, but at the same time you have to get yourself back into it,” Julien predictably stated. ”Our guys worked hard to score goals. Probably got ourselves out of what our normal game plan is. So we opened up and we scored goals, but we also gave them some goals, like the game-winning goal.”

”They keep coming,” Quenneville pointed out after watching his team blow leads of 2-0, 4-2 and 5-4 before pulling it out. ”One of those nights.”

The goal party started following a seesaw first period. Unlike Game Three when they were shutout by Tuukka Rask, the Hawks were sharper generating quality chances. They forced him to make tougher saves, leading to rebounds. A theme throughout. Michal Handzus provided a lift when he steered home rookie Brandon Saad’s feed for a shorthanded goal. Only the second the Bruins have allowed. They pressed for more but were turned away by Rask. Consecutive penalties led to Rich Peverley knotting it on the power play, catching Corey Crawford napping. He went high glove. Another theme.
Drawing momentum from Peverley’s goal, the Bruins carried the action until Jonathan Toews finally scored his second of the playoffs. The Chicago captain had been all but invisible. He kept a play alive and tipped in Michal Rozsival’s shot. Toews went to the net, beating Zdeno Chara in front. Chara and partner Dennis Seidenberg struggled. Even Patrice Bergeron was caught for a couple of goals against. The Hawks surged ahead by two thanks to Patrick Kane, who backhanded home a Bryan Bickell rebound for his first of the series. Rozsival set it up with a strong shot that Rask couldn’t control allowing Bickel to force another rebound. The ex-Ranger had a good game netting a pair of assists and plus-three.
But before they got too comfortable, the Hawks saw Milan Lucic get to a Chara rebound and steer in his own rebound past Crawford’s glove. Nobody took him. The wild second continued. Following a Crawford stop, Marcus Kruger finished off a pretty play from Michael Frolik and Dave Bolland to restore a two-goal lead 49 seconds later. But a Kane hooking minor allowed the Bruins to claw within one. Bergeron scored the first of two. This one was bizarre with a high Chara shot caroming off the back boards to Bergeron, who used a Brad Marchand screen to go glove side on Crawford. Just like that, five goals had been scored with the last three coming 2:39 apart. If not for a sprawling Crawford pad denial on Jaromir Jagr, he would’ve tied it before the buzzer. 
Jagr remains stuck on no goals but continues to be a force. A throwback shift from No.68 resulted in Bergeron tying it at four 2:05 into the third. He used his strength along the wall to keep a puck alive. After out-muscling Johnny Oduya, he centered for Bergeron who beat Crawford high glove again. It was one he should’ve had. The Bruins executed the strategy to perfection. It was a great play by Jagr and Bergeron, who read off each other as if they’ve played together longer. With the game hanging in the balance, a Jagr hi-stick negated a Boston power play. David Krejci hooked down Kane to give Chicago a two-man advantage. It took a while for anything to materialize. Eventually after Jagr returned, Patrick Sharp deposited a Marian Hossa rebound for his 10th. Sharp’s goal celebration was one to behold. He was pumped up. 
With the Hawks clinging to a 5-4 lead, the Bruins wouldn’t go away. Less than a minute later, strong work from Krejci and Nathan Horton resulted in Johnny Boychuk blowing one past Crawford. Like the groundhog who sees his shadow, it went to the glove side. After only scoring just once during the season, Boychuk’s notched six in the postseason. Things like that happen when you’re on a roll. Astonishingly, the final 7:46 remained scoreless sending it to sudden death. 
Before the first stoppage so they could re-ice the rink, a pinching Seabrook got to a loose puck at the blueline and sent a slapper past Rask with Toews screening. The seeing eye shot went far side sending the Hawks into jubilation. 

”One of the things we have talked about, get pucks to the net,” Seabrook explained after playing the hero. ”I just tried getting it on net, we had a great screen in front. … It just found a way.‘‘

”I guess it was just our turn to score again,” Kane expressed following his assist on Seabrook’s second OT winner. He also beat the Red Wings to advance the Blackhawks past the second round.”It was a fun game to play. … I’m sure the fans enjoyed that, for sure.”

One no one will soon forget.
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Rangers agree with Vigneault

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Derek
The Rangers reached agreement with coach Alain Vigneault. It’s reportedly five years, $10 million. That’s rich. The former Canucks bench boss earned $1.8 million this past season.

Reaction: Five years is an awfully long time for any coach. Even one as respected as Vigneault. Apparently, that also was the Stars offer. So, the Rangers matched to get their guy. Whether it works remains to be seen. It’ll be a lot calmer on and off the ice.

Coaches have short shelf lives. There’ll be a lot of pressure to perform. I’m not gonna look at the coach if they don’t win. The players wanted this. It’s put up or shut up.

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Flyers reach agreement with Streit

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Derek
Mark Streit is officially a Flyer. The former Islander captain reached agreement on a four-year deal. Terms haven’t been released yet due to the club being over the cap. Updating the contract, TSN’s Darren Dreger says it’s rumored to be $5.25 million per year.

The Islanders traded Streit’s rights to the Flyers in exchange for minor leaguer Travis Harper and a 2014 fourth round pick. The 35-year old Swiss native joins a crowded blueline in the City Of Brotherly Love. Also under contract are Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, Andrej Meszaros, Luke Schenn and Nicklas Grossmann. Bruno Gervais is also signed through next year and Marc-Andre Bourdon.

Philadelphia is expected to amnesty someone. The most likely candidate is Ilya Bryzgalov. He’s signed through 2019-20 at an average cap hit of $5.67 million. It’s sure to be another wild off season.

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Slats’ Choice Of Vigneault Better Be His Last

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Derek

When the Rangers introduce Alain Vigneault as their new coach, he’ll become the 34th in franchise history. The former Vancouver bench boss takes over for John Tortorella, who technically coached here twice. He also was an interim in 2000 coaching four games before Glen Sather brought in his own guy, Ron Low. Four years later, Tortorella coached the Lightning to the Stanley Cup.

By that point, Sather had already gone through three coaches over four years including himself. Ironically, it was the same general manager of Edmonton who declared that he’d win Cups every year if he had the Rangers’ money. Here we are 13 years later and it hasn’t quite worked out. Somehow, the President and GM has held his post despite only one trip past the second round. That came last year when Tortorella guided the club to their first Atlantic Division and the East’s best record since ’93-94. That last time they won. Following Henrik Lundqvist’s strong commentary that the team took a step backwards, he was out of a job.

After losing to the Devils in the Conference Finals, Sather overreacted to criticism that the Rangers were a player away. He patiently waited out former Columbus GM Scott Howson last summer before pulling the trigger on a trade that sent Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky and Tim Erixon to the Blue Jackets for Rick Nash. The Jackets also received a 2013 first round pick. The Blueshirts also got Steven Delisle and a conditional third round pick in this year’s draft. In an oddity, Delisle was included in the Marian Gaborik trade back to Columbus along with Blake Parlett in exchange for Derick Brassard, John Moore, Derek Dorsett plus a sixth round pick. In his first season, Nash ranked second in team scoring with 42 points while pacing them with 21 goals. However, he had a forgettable postseason tallying a goal and four assists in a dozen games. Two days after the Rangers 19-Year Anniversary of 1994, Nash celebrated his 29th birthday on Father’s Day. Much of their future depends on the big power forward.

The Rangers were ousted in the Conference Semifinals by the Bruins. As it turned out, they put up a better fight than the Penguins, who were swept in the next round only scoring twice. Astonishingly, the Pens retained coach Dan Bylsma while Tortorella was fired. It makes you wonder if the Ranger organization miscalculated. Regardless, once Lundqvist contradicted Tortorella a change had to be made. In a players’ world where they have too much authority, it can be detrimental to a team reaching its goal. With Lundqvist a year away from unrestricted status, the Rangers couldn’t afford to have an unhappy goalie. Sather should already be having discussions with him on a new deal.

Unfortunately, Sather isn’t hands on like Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero. A summer after locking up Sidney Crosby, he got Evgeni Malkin re-signed and now can turn his attention to Kris Letang. Instead, Sather was allowed to replace another coach who did a respectable job developing a current nucleus that features captain Ryan Callahan, Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal and Mike Del Zotto. You can also make an argument that Brian Boyle, Derek Brassard, Anton Stralman and Mats Zuccarello all benefited under Tortorella. The handling of Chris Kreider and former Conn Smythe winner Brad Richards were his downfall. Nobody could’ve predicted Richards’ demise. Perhaps too much was expected of Kreider, who’d never played one regular season game. He played with more confidence at the end.

With Sather settling on the experience of Vigneault over special assistant Mark Messier, who might’ve had Brian Leetch on his staff, the GM is putting his reputation on the line. Had he run another team, he’d have been gone a long time ago. Instead, he remains a survivor thanks to Garden CEO Jim Dolan. Of Slats’ five previous coaches, Tortorella was a step up from Tom Renney, who brought the Rangers back to the playoffs. If there’s a positive, the choices have gotten better since Low, Bryan Trottier and Sather himself. Renney’s teams made the Conference Semis twice and Tortorella got to the Conference Final once. They were shorthanded against Boston minus Staal and deadline pickup Ryane Clowe. The penalty kill suffered without Darroll Powe. Once Stralman went down, they were done.

The job becomes Vigneault’s possibly as soon as tomorrow. A 52-year old veteran coach who spent his first two tenures in Canada first with Montreal and then Vancouver. He should be accustomed to pressure. He’s a reverse from Tortorella in that he’s more affable and will answer any question with the press. A players coach, he’s similar to Renney. Despite recent success with the star-laden Canucks that included The Sedins, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler, pest Alex Burrows and a strong defense featuring Alex Edler and Kevin Bieksa, they only reached the Stanley Cup Final once losing to the Bruins in 2011. He didn’t do a good job handling the goalie controversy between Luongo and Cory Schneider in a second consecutive first round elimination. He was still there answering every question following their defeat to San Jose. It took the Canucks a couple of days to fire him.

Can Vigneault work in Manhattan? You can make an argument that he underachieved with his former club. Somehow, the Canucks didn’t win a championship despite immense talent. It can’t always be attributed to the coach. Players must perform. In many aspects, the Canucks’ underachievment was very similar to the Rangers. You can’t win unless you score. Vancouver didn’t muster much offense since losing the final two games to Boston. They became stale. It was time for a change. There’s the remote possibility that Tortorella could wind up taking over. Wouldn’t that be a great 2014 story line?

The Rangers are Cup or bust. They don’t boast the best roster. With Detroit coming East, it only becomes more difficult. The Bruins and Pens aren’t going anywhere. Other teams such as the Caps, Islanders, Leafs and Senators could improve. The Flyers should be better. The media scrutiny will be immense and intense. Fans expect a lot. Next year will be 20 years since Messier and Leetch teamed with Mike Richter and Adam Graves to deliver the franchise’s first Cup in 54 years. They’ve won only once in the last 72 years. One thing’s unmistakable. Vigneault better be Slats’ final move.

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Deja Vu: Paille’s OT Winner Evens Stanley Cup

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Derek
Getty Images/Nam Y. Huh

It was deja vu all over again. Three periods weren’t enough to decide Game Two. The Bruins and Blackhawks went overtime for the second consecutive game at United Center. Unlike the triple overtime Game One saga that Andrew Shaw won, the winner came in the first OT off the stick of Daniel Paille. His wicked wrister went top shelf beating Corey Crawford at 13:48 to send Boston to a come from behind 2-1 victory. The Original Six series is all even shifting East to TD Garden.

The Hawks dominated the first getting the lone goal from Patrick Sharp on a follow up thanks to a tremendous shift from Patrick Kane with Michal Handzus screening Tuukka Rask. So lopsided was the period that they out-shot the Bruins 19-4. Only stupendous goaltending from Rask kept Boston alive. He stood on his head. Chicago came at them in waves but were turned away for the final  62:26 by the omitted Finnish netminder who finished fifth for the Vezina. Rask made 33 saves. 
After the first, Boston turned it around. They out-shot Chicago 24-15 the rest of the way while outscoring them 2-0. The Hawks blew a couple of opportunities to increase their lead. They continued to struggle on the power play- firing blanks in three chances. That included a pair prior to Chris Kelly evening it. The Bruins’ aggressive penalty kill swarmed the Hawks, who looked disjointed. Not only did they get the job done but generated momentum thanks to shorthanded bids from pest Brad Marchand. On the same shift after refs ignored Brent Seabrook’s slash on a shot that rang off the post, his persistence drew a trip on Johnny Oduya. It’s that kind of effort that Claude Julien expects. The coach made a great adjustment, moving Tyler Seguin with Paille and Kelly. Not coincidentally, the trio were in on both goals. 
Paille beat Nick Leddy behind the net and forced Crawford to make a tough save on a wrap around. The puck caromed out to Kelly who deposited it for his first of the postseason. The goal allowed the Bruins to seize momentum. They were much sharper. As usual, their physicality helped stem the tide. They outhit the Hawks 50-34, including a game high 10 from bruising power forward Milan Lucic. He and rugged blueliner Adam McQuaid combined for 18 hits. Johnny Boychuk also delivered a couple of crunching checks. The Hawks coughed up the puck more, finishing with twice as many giveaways (16-8). 
The B’s got a boost from Nathan Horton, who was able to return following his undisclosed upper body (shoulder) injury. The extra day off helped. Despite Julien being able to use his best line, the trio of Horton, Lucic and David Krejci were held to two shots. They got inspired play out of their grinders with Paille and Kelly having instant chemistry with Seguin, who’s been flying. He only has one goal but is close to snapping out of it. It was his sweet dish across off a Brandon Bollig turnover that allowed Paille to snap his third past Crawford to square the series. Seguin also made a similar pass in Game One for Patrice Bergeron’s power play goal that at the time, gave Boston a 3-1 lead in the third before the Hawks rallied back to take Game One. There’s little doubt that the former No.1 pick who was part of the Phil Kessel blockbuster with Toronto has been arguably the best forward. 
Many have debated shifting him to the top line. One of those was NBC’s Mike Milbury. The outspoken one feels Seguin belongs with Bergeron and Marchand. Jaromir Jagr has been there since the first round. He hasn’t scored but continues to create chances. For the second straight game, he hit the post in sudden death. Perfectly set up by Marchand last night, No.68 let go of his trademark wrist shot only to see it clang off the crossbar. It takes a lot to frustrate Jagr. This time, he let out a primal scream that summed it up. 
The 41-year old future Hall Of Famer was again one of the Bruins’ best players, nearly setting up Marchand for the winner on a brilliant rush that reminded of a younger Jagr. It would’ve been nice if he had tried to finish it. If you take Jagr off the top line, sticking him with grinders probably doesn’t make any sense. Bergeron’s line has been good. Part of that’s due to No.68 who’s a relentless forechecker, whose muscle often draws two defenders. If I were Julien, I’d keep them together for Game Three and let Seguin stick with Kelly and Paille. They won the game.

“I’ve got no problem with that if we keep winning,” Jagr said. “That would be kind of sad if we lose the hockey game [after the shot hit the crossbar] but hey, there’s always next time.“It’s a hockey game, it’s a game of inches. It’s not a problem for me. Of course you have to forget about it and try to score next time.“

It’ll be interesting to see how the Blackhawks bounce back. This series has been tremendous. The single overtime was one of the most exciting with each side trading chances. Both Rask and Crawford were sensational. This is easily the best Stanley Cup since Detroit played Pittsburgh back-to-back. The combination of skating, skill, physicality and netminding has been breathtaking. Will they need extras again tomorrow? Good thing we don’t have a rooting interest. 
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Report: Rangers Close To Hiring Vigneault

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Derek
According to a source close to NY Post’s Larry Brooks, it appears the Rangers coaching search could be over. They are close to hiring Alain Vigneault. The former Canucks bench boss met with owner James Dolan and GM Glen Sather tonight. He got his start with the Canadiens before coaching Vancouver the last seven, including a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2011. First round ousters the last two years resulted in his departure.

Vigneault is 52 and appears to be the front runner despite Mark Messier admitting to reporters he spoke to Sather about his “dream job” this week. Oddly enough, if Messier was hired Brian Leetch was interested in joining his staff. That would be a lot more intriguing than bringing in a veteran coach who failed with a better roster. However, Vigneault has the necessary experience which makes him better equipped for the job. 
The Stars had strong interest in hiring him. But Vigneault shot them down due to the vacancy in the Big Apple. It looks like he wants the Rangers. Despite management having not examined every alternative, they seem content with Vigneault. If he thought the pressure to win in Vancouver was immense, wait till he arrives here. Henrik Lundqvist’s power trip basically ended Tortorella’s reign despite the franchise’s first Conference Final appearance last year since 1997. Lundqvist wants to win now. A year away from free agency, he has the Rangers by the balls. If this is what he wants, he better deliver.
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Del Zotto Has Surgery, Still Vital To Rangers Back End

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Derek

Mike Del Zotto is recovering from sports-hernia surgery. The 22-year old Ranger defenseman already completed his fourth season. He tweeted an update following successful surgery.

“Long morning in surgery. Finally get to leave,” Del Zotto tweeted this morning. “Wonderful nurses. Back in top shape in no time.“

Del Zotto included a #motivation hash tag. Hopefully, he comes into camp ready for a big year. He followed his best season with an up and down shortened campaign that left fans, bloggers and media scratching their heads. In 46 games, he had three goals and 18 assists for 21 points with a plus-six rating. Despite his offensive capabilities, he didn’t register a power play goal. Former coach John Tortorella didn’t always trust him on the point. Del Zotto still recorded eight of his 10 helpers on the man-advantage. One of three goals came while shorthanded. He struggled in the postseason tallying a goal and helper going minus-three over 12 games. 
Despite Del Zotto’s shortcomings, he was still on pace for close to 40 points. In his two full seasons, he’s averaged 39. There’s no doubt about his talent. He’s still a young player who can be part of the Rangers core. However, there are questions about his mental state. He has moments where he looks lost. Confidence is still an issue. Under Tortorella, his defense improved. In ’11-12, he delivered a career high 41 points with bests in goals (10), assists (31), game-winners (2), shorthanded points (3) and plus/minus (20). That included two goals and eight helpers during the club’s run to the Conference Finals- featuring the series clincher in the deciding game against the Caps.
Del Zotto is an interesting case. With Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi and Marc Staal ahead of him, he doesn’t have to play top pair. However, Staal’s eye injury remains a serious issue. Nobody can predict if he’ll ever be the same player. Tortorella leaned heavily on Del Zotto, who at times responded with more physical play. He must become more consistent. He enters the final year of a multi-year contract and is set to earn $2.9 million. If Staal is able to return, the Rangers boast a strong defense that also includes underrated Anton Stralman and John Moore. One to six, that’s solid. Imagine if Mike Sauer was part of it.

Glen Sather must improve the team’s depth. He can re-sign steady influence Steve Eminger. After that, the Rangers are thin. Brady Skjei is a ways away. Pavel Valentenko and Mikhail Pashnin remain in the KHL. Former 2011 fifth rounder Samuel Noreau reached agreement on his first pro contract. The 20-year old posted a career high 32 points (7-25-32) with Baie-Comeau of the QMJHL.  
Sather signed free agent defensemen Tommy Hughes and Conor Allen this Spring. Hopefully, they can develop under Ken Gernander.
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Time For Sather To Do His Job Following Malkin Extension

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Derek
A day after announcing a two-year extension for coach Dan Bylsma, the Penguins signed Evgeni Malkin to an eight-year extension worth a reported $76 million. The 27-year old former league MVP and Conn Smythe winner was set to enter the final year of his contract. He was making an average of $8.7 million. He’s due $7.5 million in ’13-14.

The new deal will pay him a cap hit of $9.5 million. Malkin will also receive $10 million in bonuses. It includes a no-trade clause. Sidney Crosby signed his extension last summer. He’ll be making an average of $10.6 million once his new contract kicks in this Fall. Mission accomplished for GM Ray Shero, who decided to retain Bylsma following the disappointment against Boston in a lopsided Conference Final.

“He made it very clear that this is where he wanted to play,” Shero said.“I like the city, is good for hockey,” Malkin said. “I like fans. I have house here and all my friends here. It’s good for me.“

Malkin took responsibility for not scoring against the Bruins. He praised Bylsma and was enthusiastic about staying with the team that drafted him second overall in the ’04 Draft behind fellow Russian Alex Ovechkin. The Pens will continue to have arguably the world’s two best players through 2022. A scary prospect for their competition. 

“We’re still young and can stay here a long time,” Malkin said. “We’re a group that we’ve won Stanley Cup before and I believe we will again.“

By keeping Malkin in Pittsburgh, Shero can now focus on getting defenseman Kris Letang signed to an extension. The Norris candidate is set to enter the final year of his contract in which he’ll earn $3.5 million. A bargain for one of the game’s best. With the cap set to decrease an estimated six million, Shero will be hard pressed to re-sign unrestricted’s Pascal Dupuis, Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow and Doug Murray. Matt Cooke is also a UFA and should be a good bet to stay. Dupuis might cash in elsewhere. Unless they’re willing to take discounts, it looks like the Pens will have a different look. 
With the Pens doing their job, it’s time for Rangers President and GM Glen Sather to do his. The firing of John Tortorella has served as a distraction for re-signing Henrik Lundqvist long term. Lundqvist will make $5.125 million in the final season of a deal that pays him an average cap hit of $6.875 million. The 31-year old Swede’s disappointment following the Rangers’ second round ouster to the Bruins set in motion Tortorella’s dismissal. The coaching process is playing out leaving our fans in the dark. Alain Vigneault and Lindy Ruff remain the top candidates as I noted in yesterday’s coaching carousel post. 
The Blueshirts must have a new coach in place by the Draft. They don’t have many picks in what’s a deep draft. That’s the risk Sather took by acquiring pending UFA Ryane Clowe and acquiring Rick Nash. While Nash is here for the long haul, Clowe’s situation remains in limbo. A rumored three concussions doesn’t help. It’s an important off season for Slats, who must re-sign Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan to new deals while also getting Carl Hagelin, Mats Zuccarello and John Moore re-upped. 
Injured defenseman Mike Sauer turns restricted. He hasn’t played since Dion Phaneuf concussed him in December 2011. Including playoffs, he’s missed the last 138 games. The 25-year old Sauer is a former second round pick the Rangers selected in ’05. His size (6-3 213) is severely missed. He was a strong player who took the body and cleared the front of the crease. An area that’s plagued the Rangers D. He also was tough standing up for teammates. There’s no doubt they’ve missed that edge. Such a shame if he can’t resume his career. It remains to be seen if he’ll be kept. 
Much is up in the air with our team. Sather must get a step on it. Lundqvist should have a new contract soon. Enough dilly dallying. He’s our franchise. 
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Islanders trade Streit to Flyers

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Derek

Yesterday, the Islanders made some news. They traded the rights to Mark Streit to the Flyers in exchange for minor leaguer Shane Harper and a 2014 fourth round pick. Facing the prospect of losing their former captain for free, the Isles got something for him. Though moving Streit inside the division is risky. 

“I’m pretty confident,” the 35-year old defenseman said about the possibility of signing with Philadelphia. “Maybe they need a few days or weeks, but I’m pretty positive. It’d be awesome to play for the Flyers. The future is bright. They were in the (Stanley) Cup finals three years ago and there is so much skill and a great mix between veteran players and young players, so I’m pretty confident.“

“This year was a short season and they had lots of injuries,” he added. “That makes it tough. It was a special year because of the lockout. That gave an advantage to some teams and some teams struggled. But when you see the Flyers lineup, it is a playoff team. It’s no question to me. I believe the Flyers will be in the playoffs next year. They have the skill and the physical part of it. It’s a great group and I’d love to join that team.“


If you’re an Islander fan, his comments have to be a concern. The last thing they want to see is Streit donning orange and black. You have to question why GM Garth Snow moved him to a bitter rival. The Flyers have until July 5 to re-sign him. Due to the late conclusion to the season, they get an extra four days to work something out before Streit turns unrestricted. 

“Mark is a player we would have had interest in on July 5th,” Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said. “We now have exclusive negotiating rights and we are hopeful that we can get an agreement in place prior to him becoming an unrestricted free agent.“

Streit tallied six goals and 21 assists for 27 points in 48 games. He added two goals and three helpers in the first round. The Islanders signed him in ’08 to a five year $20.5 million deal. Due to missing the entire ’10-11 season, he played four years totaling 40 goals and 139 assists for 179 points in 286 games. 
Harper is 24 and hasn’t played in the NHL. He’s spent four seasons with the Phantoms and totaled 41 points (20-21-41). He’s restricted this summer. 
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Live Blog SCF Game One: Bruins 3 Blackhawks 4 (3 OTs)

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Derek
12:34 AM They’re about to start the third overtime in Chicago. It’s only Game One and I’m already exhausted. Can you imagine how Blackhawks and Bruins fans feel right about now? Their teams are locked in a Cup classic. Tied 3-3, they’re entering the sixth period! The first Original Six Final since 1979 and already it’s tremendous. From the scoring, goaltending, defense, hustle and checking, it’s the best match-up we’ve seen since the Red Wings and Penguins.

12:37 AM Who ever loses this is gonna be devastated. Boston led 3-1. But Chicago stormed back thanks to goals from Dave Bolland and former Devil Johnny Oduya. Oduya’s banked in off Andrew Ference. See what happens when you shoot the puck?!?!?!?! Foreign concept around these parts. Can you believe the Islanders traded Mark Streit to the Flyers? Imagine if he signs with them. That’s a disaster even if they got a prospect and fourth round pick. Inside your own division? What an odd organization.
12:41 AM Milan Lucic has 2 of 3 Boston’s goals. The other came from Patrice Bergeron on the power play. Chicago’s goals are Brandon Saad, Bolland and Oduya. The depth guys have come through. The Bruins have time left on a second Hawks’ bench minor. We start now. Triple OT!

12:42 AM Jaromir Jagr feeds Bergeron who misses wide. No.68 has astonishingly gotten stronger as the game’s worn on. At 41, one of the all-time greats is showing why. Still no goals in the postseason. He did hit another post on a Zdeno Chara blast on a redirect. Hawks kill penalty.

12:44 AM Corey Crawford turns aside a Johnny Boychuk try. The B’s have gotten momentum from their PP. Crawford had a great first OT but watched counterpart Tuukka Rask stand on his head in the second extra session. The Hawks have an edge due to Nathan Horton leaving with an injury.

12:45 AM The Bruins keep the puck in. Dennis Seidenberg attemps two shots and Crawford gets both. Then another keep leads to a chance for Conn Smythe candidate David Krejci who is stifled.

12:46 AM They’re four minutes into the third OT or 105 minutes in Game One. The Blackhawk crowd is getting antsy. They want a penalty called. Looks like unless it’s blatant sans their awful bench minors, it won’t get called.

12:48 AM I can never get tired of Doc. As I say that, the teams trade end to end chances. First, Krejci is denied by Crawford and then Patrick Sharp is wide with a backhand off a rush. Jagr now sends a pass off a Hawk stick into the crowd. Nothing separates these teams.

12:50 AM There’s definitely more room in this sixth period. The defenses are tired. We’re seeing the goalies have to come up with bigger saves. It’s more frenetic.

12:51 AM Michal Rozsival blocks a Torey Krug shot. Rozy’s had his scary moments in this one, fanning on a puck in the third that led to a great Boston chance. But he recovered to make an awkward save. He and partner Nick Leddy were caught out just now but no damage done. They’re past eight minutes of the 3rd OT.

12:52 AM Of all the players, nobody has been more dangerous than Marian Hossa. He’s been everywhere. He and Saad each have nine shots. Hossa’s backchecking has been ferocious. It’s not just his offense but his skating is second to none. Why didn’t I want him here? He is worth the price of admission. And the Hawks have Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane!

12:55 AM They’re almost at another halfway mark which means another stoppage. And Kaspars Daugavins had a wide open net but his backhand missed wide. Greg Campbell probably buries that. As the whistle sounds, replay shows that Daugavins was forced wide by Oduya. The former Devil’s hustle saved the winner.

12:56 AM Fact: This is the 5th longest overtime in Stanley Cup history.

12:58 AM They’re back out with 9:31 left. The faceoff is won by Toews over Bergeron. A huge defensive win. Some neutral zone play allows Hossa to get his 10th shot from the left circle. An easy save for Rask.

12:59 AM Ed Olczyk notes that Julien has decided not to play Shawn Thornton. That means he’s going with only 10 of 12 forwards thanks to Horton’s injury. The Bruins are up to 54 shots. The Hawks have 61 Doc notes.

1:00 AM Rozsival with a point shot that is redirected in front! Hawks win! I picked Andrew Shaw to win it in the 2nd ovetime. It appears he’s won it. The replay shows Rozy’s shot deflected off Bolland and then Shaw, who had it go off his knee. Funny that it would be a shot from Rozsival. I can’t help but laugh. We were at the double overtime game versus Buffalo in ’07. A great memory.

1:03 AM Shaw had a strong game. He was all over the ice, delivering big hits and was around the net. The simple play works in sudden death. Rozsival got the shot off and had good fortune with Bolland redirecting it off Shaw for the winner. A classic Game 1 hockey fans will never forget.

1:04 AM Chicago again wins in overtime on home ice. I can’t recall the last time they lost there. They showed why they’re the President’s Trophy winners. Their depth players came through. It’ll be interesting to see how Boston responds. Such a tough way to lose. They blew a two-goal lead. What is the status of Horton? If he’s out, how do you replace him? A lot of key players logged big minutes for the B’s. The Hawks draw first blood.

1:06 AM Final Score Bruins 3 Blackhawks 4 (3 OTs)

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