Battle Of Hudson

It was kind of predictable that the 55th NHL All Star Game was a wide open shootout with no defense to be found. It was during our NY Hockey Report show that I laughed at how Montreal defenseman Sheldon Souray backed in allowing a free path to the net for Western sniper Teemu Selanne.

That’s the kind of fast paced game it was. Lots of skating, free wheeling and skill was on display. The goalies were left to fend for themselves.

Still though, from what we saw, it looked like a lot of fun to watch. The thing I enjoyed the most was the nifty goalie mic they had on Stars netminder Marty Turco during the final period. It was an interactive mic where he could hear the Versus team of Doc Emrick and Ed Olczyk and communicate with them throughout while play was going on. It was a bundle of laughs. One time when he was scored on, the former University of Michigan product told Ottawa’s Dany Heatley to “Get out of here. Go celebrate somewhere else.” How could a fan not love that? It’s seeing the game within the game.

I particularly also liked when the East came in 2-on-1 and Marian Hossa setup Zdeno Chara on the doorstep for their second goal of the period just out of the reach of Turco’s outstretched stack of the pads. Afterwards, he admitted to the guys that “I should have had it,” going on to add that he correctly anticipated the pass but just missed getting there.

This was really cool to see a goalie provide such info. Imagine if they added that for a few regular season network telecasts. Aside from that, just listening to Turco’s back and forth dialogue with Emrick was classic. He really seemed to be enjoying himself and even made some tough stops right after some plays developed. It was kind of ironic that after Martin Havlat scored to put it out of reach, the chatty netminder informed the guys that he needed to give up one more goal to get the victory. Fast forward to a Souray rush and blast which made it 11-9, ensuring him of that win, stopping 12 of 15.

Of course, what would it be without a funny bounce providing a comical conclusion? With Montreal goalie Cristobal Huet pulled in favor of an extra attacker, Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf rocketed a clear off the boards that the puck took a weird hop and went directly into the vacated net 180 feet away.

In a losing effort, Buffalo’s Daniel Briere was chosen as Game MVP. He picked up the first goal of the night and later added four assists for a game best five points. While he shined, top vote getter Sidney Crosby didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet in his first All Star appearance. Kind of weird considering there were so many goals scored which left the 19 year-old to remark:

“There were 21 goals, you think I would have had one. I guess it wasn’t meant to be. I had a few chances, it just didn’t work out.”

Maybe in future years, the wiz kid will get his chance to dominate. I’m sure it made my cohost Gary Harding’s night that he was not only without a point but tied for a game worst minus-five. Somewhere Mr. Harding is laughing. He disdains Crosby with a passion.

Meanwhile, 2005-06 Calder winner Alexander Ovechkin scored his first career goal in the big game. But it wasn’t his night to shine either.

Elder statesman Joe Sakic registered four assists in his 12th appearance to surpass Mark Messier’s record of 14, lifting his total to 16. He now trails just Wayne Gretzky (25 pts) and Mario Lemieux (23) for the all-time lead in points. It just goes to show how brilliant a career the former 2001 Hart winner has had. Sure, he’s played mostly in the shadows of No.99 and No.66 as well as Messier, Steve Yzerman and even Jaromir Jagr. But Sakic is one of the greatest players of our time. The best part about the original Nordiques’ 1987 15th overall pick is that he’s played his entire 19-year career with the Nords/Avalanche franchise. Already having led them to two Stanley Cups, the classy 37 year-old shows no signs of slowing down. He leads the revamped Avs in goals (20), assists (32), points (52, power play goals (10) and power play points (23). He’s proven once again how valuable he is. The future Hall of Famer is six goals away from 600, needs 53 assists to reach 1000 and is 59 points shy of 1600. Amazing stuff from an very gifted player. Congrats in advance Joe!

For the locals, it was a fairly quiet night on the stat sheet. Martin Brodeur was victimized for six goals on 16 shots in a second period Western onslaught. Hey. He is human and it’s an exhibition. But I was remarking to Greg of Sports Fan Magazine before that he looked fat in that new Reebok “form fitting jersey.” It left us both to wonder how the three-time Cup winner, soon to be three-time Vezina winner and gold medallist could make some of the athletic stops he does. It’s one of life’s wonders.

Teammate Brian Rafalski notched two assists in defeat. Meanwhile, in his debut All Star contest, the Isles’ Jason Blake also collected a pair of helpers. The lone Ranger representative and East team captain Brendan Shanahan was kept off the scoresheet.

Among the standouts included first-time All Star Yanic Perreault. All the overlooked ‘Yotes center did was score twice and finish plus-five. Rick Nash had a couple of goals and assists for a four point outburst as did Brian Rolston. Martin Havlat added two goals and a helper.

In a losing effort, Boston’s Zdeno Chara tallied twice but didn’t become the first defenseman to record a hat trick in the celebrated game. Marian Hossa finished with four assists and Dany Heatley had a goal and two assists.

The only goalie who allowed less than three goals out of the six was Huet, who allowed just two get by him in the third on 10 shots.

Here are lots of pics from the game courtesy of yahoo:

We’re about 10 minutes away from the festivities in Dallas at American Airlines Center. The 55th NHL All Star Game promises to be exciting and will feature some of the game’s brightest young stars including Cold FX recipient and league-leading scorer Sidney Crosby, who was presented the award about an hour ago by Mark Messier himself. Crosby leads the NHL with 72 points and will attempt to become the youngest scoring champion ever at the tender age of 19.

Along with Sid the Kid will be rating Calder winner Alexander Ovechkin, who also is having an outstanding second season with 29 goals and 65 points for the Capitals. It should be interesting to see AO also teamed up with Daniel Briere, who he had separate incidents with back in December. How will they coexist?

Nine-time All Star Martin Brodeur will get the chance to shine in net in either the second or third period as Buffalo’s Ryan Miller was tabbed the starter. Brodeur is one of the elder statesmen and is having maybe his best season for the Devils. Teammate Brian Rafalski will also be on the backline. Always underrated, the veteran American is one of the big reasons New Jersey continues its run atop the Atlantic.

Eight-time All Star Brendan Shanahan will be representing the Rangers and will captain the Eastern squad. Just turned 38, will he have any magic left in those hands which have connected for 622 career goals including 24 this season, tying teammate Martin Straka for the club lead.

Meanwhile, 33 year-old Minnesota native Jason Blake will get his first chance as an All Star representing the Islanders. He paces them in goals (24), points (43) and power play goals (12). It should be very exciting for the hard working player and hopefully rewarding.

Meanwhile out West, super sophomore Dion Phaneuf will be a tower of strength on the blueline. Already an elite defenseman, watch for him to one-time one of those lethal blasts and challenge the Eastern netminders.

It should be a fun time in Big D.

Congrats to the Devils’ Zach Parise on taking home MVP honors of the Young Stars Game last night, posting six points (2-4-6) in the East’s 9-8 win as they held on over the West. Anze Kopitar also had two goals and three assists for the West while Phil Kessel netted a hat trick.

Time for my show to start. See ya’ll later.

Check us out at allinbroadcasting.com from 8:05-9 PM.

Enjoy the game!

At the beginning of the season, expectations were up for Tom Renney’s club. They were even the trendy pick to break the Devils’ and Flyers’ Atlantic Division dominance over the last decade. Some even went as far as to take them to the Cup finals. Boy, do they look silly now. For the record, I had them finishing second to New Jersey and fifth in the East, falling to the Senators in the first round. That can still happen but Renney’s club has some work to do just to get there.

Here are our grades at the All Star break:

Forwards

1.Jaromir Jagr (18-42-60 in 48 GP)- B-

Analysis: While he hasn’t been 100 percent, the captain hasn’t led this team the way he can taking way too many lazy penalties in the process. Even with solid numbers, he’s capable of more. Will the week off help?

2.Martin Straka (24-32-56 in 48 GP)- A

Analysis: He’s been the most consistent player night in and night out. A superb skater who never takes a shift off. Underrated backchecker. He leads the club in game winners with 5 and has been in the box just 22 minutes. Deserved to be an All Star.

3.Michael Nylander (15-38-53 in 45 GP)- B

Analysis: The playmaking pivot does his job well setting up linemates Jagr and Straka. The only flaw in his game is his reluctance to shoot when he’s got wide open looks which drives fans nuts. If he improved that, there would be nothing to criticize.

4.Brendan Shanahan (24-22-46 in 48 GP)- B+

Analysis: The just turned 38 year-old future Hall of Famer has been everything advertised. Has played more minutes than in Motown and shown an ability to play in any situation. Leads the club with 12 power play goals. He’s struggled to score at even strength but it’s not his fault that the Rangers failed to address a No.2 center. They need to find the right combo for Shanny to rediscover his touch. Has been a much more vocal leader than Jagr.

5.Matt Cullen (9-11-20 in 46 GP) – C

Analysis: The former Cane tries extremely hard but is just not a second line pivot which explains why Renney has shifted him all over the place in an attempt to find the right mix. He’s disappointed so far. Seems to miss the net a quite deal and has problems getting the puck out. But also, he has not been given a chance to play the right point on the PP, a place he flourished in Carolina. It’s just another baffling move by Renney, who did the same thing to Petr Sykora. How’s Sykora doing in Edmonton coach? Enough said!

6.Petr Prucha (10-9-19 in 46 GP) – C

Analysis: While it’s true the second-year Czech has had a sophomore jinx, he hasn’t been given enough trust from the coach who gave him lots of time with Jagr last year on the top PP unit. He can’t play fourth line. He does have talent but the coach has screwed up. It’s true he hasn’t hit the net enough this year and has too often been taken off the puck. He must play 2nd or 3rd line to have success and needs more PP time. Crazy as it sounds, he can still finish with 20-plus goals. The Rangers need him to get hot.

7.Adam Hall (4-7-11 in 45 GP) – D

Analysis: Amazingly, the 26 year-old has become the odd man out after being acquired for the hardworking Dominic Moore last summer. Too often, he struggled to distinguish himself and couldn’t finish. But him being scratched is on Renney as well. Did you know that just over half his points have come via the man-advantage including three of his four goals? Hello McFly! That’s what he can do. He scored 10 in Nashville last year. I’d retry him with Betts. Sitting him makes no sense for a 31 year-old vet. Just typical.

8.Jason Ward (4-6-10 in 45 GP) – C+

Analysis: Has been a bit of a disappointment after promising first year on Broadway. But he is gritty and tries hard. He can kill penalties and has played out of position at times cause of Renney’s reluctance to keep Jarkko Immonen up as the fourth center. He needs to play consistent minutes and can provide energy. Can anyone figure out why he was the odd man out after helping spark the Rangers in a heated comeback before falling short to Ottawa?

9.Blair Betts (6-1-7 in 48 GP) – B+

Analysis: The underrated soon to be 27 year-old Alberta native plays his role well. Always brings solid energy each game and is a decent skater with better hands as at least half of his goals suggest. Reliable penalty killer who can create shorthanded opportunities through share hustle. Was justly rewarded for play with a two-year extension. Only gripe is the lack of assists but that’s not really his job. Maybe if you surrounded him with consistent linemates, that part would develop.

10.Marcel Hossa (2-3-5 in 46 GP) – C

Analysis: For all his scoring woes, the Slovakian does play hard. Has improved defensively and is a solid penalty killer. Is one of the best forecheckers on this team which doesn’t say much for his teammates. He has ability. Either try him on a scoring line or just recall Nigel Dawes and see what the kid can do.

11.Jarkko Immonen (1-3-4 in 11 GP) – Incomplete

Analysis The 25 year-old Finn didn’t look out of place in his first recall. When placed with Cullen and Shanahan he provided a spark. Then Cullen went down and Renney never tried that combo again. Huh? He can win draws, is reliable in his end and goes to the net. But somehow, there’s no place for that here. It reminds me of that silly slogan they came up with after landing the great Bobby Holik. “Hockey’s Different Here!” It sure is.

12.Jed Ortmeyer (1-2-3 in 8 GP) – A

Analysis: Despite missing the first 40 games with a life threatening pulsonary embollism condition, the gritty 28 year-old from Omaha Nebraska has already demonstrated in just eight games why he’s such a fan favorite. Has worked really hard thus far and played role well. Seems to have improved a little offensively. This guy is the epitome of what a Ranger should be on and off the ice. Has a little captain in him.

13.Brad Isbister (1-0-1 in 2 GP) – Incomplete

Analysis: Was recalled from Hartford and did exactly what the coach wanted driving to the net and scoring a goal in a win and playing hard. So how did the vet get rewarded? With a demotion. Man. Some things are hard to explain.

14.Nigel Dawes (1-0-1 in 8 GP) – Incomplete

Analysis: It’s hard to grade the promising 21 year-old rookie when he is hardly given a chance. He had an impressive preseason and started on the third line but didn’t get enough ice-time to make a difference. The only instance he saw enough was when Renney tried him with Nylander and Ward in Toronto. And what happened? He notched his first NHL goal and played well. If only the coach had stuck it out before dwindling his minutes to almost zilch. He’s recovered well at Hartford and has tallied 16 points the past 14 games. The kid deserves a real shot. Will he get it?

15.Ryan Callahan (0-0-0 in 2 GP) – Incomplete

Analysis: For what it’s worth, the Rochester native didn’t look out of place in his few shifts playing fourth line. The former 2004 fourth round pick has flourished down in the ‘A’ in his first pro season, pacing the Wolf Pack with 26 goals and 39 points. He also leads the club with 13 power play goals and also has recorded two shorthanded goals, ranking second to Dwight Helminen. While it is his first year, the 21 year-old has made an impression, opening some eyes.

16.Colton Orr (62 PIM in 27 GP) – C+

Analysis: On a team which possesses little toughness, he’s been the only player to hold opponents accountable when they take liberties with the club’s stars. He’s shown some guts taking on some big boys and done fairly well. But clearly, he’s strictly a role player who should only be used in certain games.

17.Jason Krog (0-0-0 in 3 GP) – Incomplete

Analysis: It’s still hard to say if this 31 year-old waiver pickup from Atlanta is just taking up a spot. Sure, he plays the game gritty and is another center which is badly needed. But is he logging too many minutes as an out of place second line pivot when his career screams third liner at best? Maybe the coach can explain this one.

18.Ryan Hollweg (76 PIM in 48 GP) – C+

Analysis: This guy works his butt off every shift and provides energy with physicality. He’s got to be up there in the hits department. Just ask all the players who have been decked by mostly clean checks by a more mature player. The silly penalties have declined but it’s hard to believe he plays every game when he hasn’t contributed offensively. It’s not like he’s a poor skater either. So should his role be changed so the team can get more offense? We think so. This is a good team guy though and someone who fans love because he’s a gamer.

Defense

1.Michal Rozsival (5-19-24 in 48 GP) – B

Analysis: In his second-year as a Ranger, the 28 year-old Czech is on pace for new career highs in goals and points. He’s been the only reliable offense from the blueline and has been more involved than last season. But he’s not a top defender, which he’s being asked to be by logging the most minutes back there. Lately, his game has suffered because of it. If only the team wasn’t built so poorly on the backline so he could play a less taxing role as a No.3.

2.Marek Malik (0-11-11 in 40 GP) – B-

Analysis: A very unpopular player due to the big man’s positional play and penchant for lazy penalties, the D partner of Rozsival is more important than people realize. Not coincidentally, the team struggled without him and really hasn’t been in synch the past month. Now, he’s been tried with Aaron Ward which makes little sense. He is what he is. A steady puckmover who works well with Rozsival but won’t play as physical as his size.

3.Fedor Tyutin (2-9-11 in 48 GP) – C

Analysis: The second-year Russian has been very unsteady so far this season. There are times where he shows promise by delivering thunderous hip checks and there are frustrating moments where he fails to take his man resulting in a goal against. He has so much more ability. It’s just a matter of confidence and becoming more consistent.

4.Aaron Ward (3-9-12 in 47 GP) – C

Analysis: The warrior who helped Carolina win their first Cup has played through injuries this season. But he was far more effective along with Tyutin the first six weeks. Since then, it’s been a struggle. Maybe the week off will help him get healthier.

5.Karel Rachunek (2-12-14 in 44 GP) – C-

Analysis: If the puckmoving defenseman was supplying more offense, his minus-12 rating wouldn’t be so bad. But he is just very weak in his end and puts even more pressure on whoever pairs with him. The ex-Sen has made ex-Ranger Tom Poti look like Bobby Orr. Poti btw has played decently for the Islanders while Rachunek has struggled.

6.Darius Kasparaitis (2-2-4 in 24 GP) – C

Analysis: The 34 year-old veteran has been up and down all season. In and out of Renney’s doghouse due to not coming into camp in better shape, Kaspar has looked alright at times and brutal at others. He’s a dinosaur due to his lack of mobility. Sure, he can hit but if he isn’t in position, it’s bad news. At this point, he should be an extra defenseman who can spell someone.

7.Thomas Pock (1-1-2 in 18 GP) – C

Analysis: The 25 year-old Austrian has finally gotten back in Renney’s good graces. Lately, he’s replaced Kasparaitis in the lineup and even gotten a chance to team with Rozsival and get some power play time. There’s little question the puckmoving D has offensive potential. It’s all about getting results. But in his end, he’s a liability. So it’s hard to say what his future is.

8.Sandis Ozolinsh (0-3-3 in 21 GP) – C

Analysis: Give the 34 year-old former All Star credit for working hard during last summer to rehab both on and off the ice and adapt to Renney’s system. At first, he was playing well in his end and making Renney’s crazy pairing with Rachunek look okay. But he wasn’t able to sustain it. In the final year of his contract making $2.75 million, he might be a trade candidate at the deadline. But who’s going to take the risk?

Goalies

1.Henrik Lundqvist (19-15-2, 2.83 GAA, .903 Save Pct, 1 SO in 37 GP) – C

Analysis: The King has comeback to earth in his second year. There are games where he shows flashes of brilliance, reminding fans of his share talent. But then there are games where he inexplicably lets in untimely goals and seems to lose concentration making us wonder if the 24 year-old is spending a little too much time in the New York night life. He needs to be more consistent for this team to have a chance when play resumes.

2.Kevin Weekes (4-6-2, 3.39 GAA, .879 Save Pct in 14 GP) – D

Analysis: The 31 year-old Toronto native has always been a true professional and seems to have a solid relationship with Lundqvist. But lately, he had hardly been used enough by Renney, which explains the lack of sharpness in net. Try explaining it to fans who unfairly loathe the guy and blame him whenever something goes wrong. It’s not all his fault. He’s the kind of goalie who needs to be played more. Repetition makes him sharper. If he’s going to be played so sparingly, it’s time for the Rangers to consider moving him and recalling former 2004 number one pick Al Montoya. There’s got to be a team out there who could use a netminder capable of starting.

Coach Tom Renney (23-21-4 record, 50 points, 2nd Atlantic, 9th East) – D

Analysis: He is a very honest and respectable coach who understands what’s wrong with his Jekyll and Hyde club but has done a poor job of attempting to fix it. Too often this season, he has juggled lines not giving most combos a chance to jell. Aside from the top Euro unit, there’s no consistency. How can a team which had higher goals be expected to win when more than halfway through, there’s little team chemistry in the coach’s lines? How can they win when their pass first power play continues to be brutal even driving Shanahan to take it to task? Are they practicing it enough? Part of the problem is Renney has been dealt a tough situation and is almost forced to play vets over kids due to salary commitments. But even when he’s had kids up as documented throughout this article, the affable bench leader has failed to give them enough time for them to flourish. Currently, the Rangers are two under .500 in the new NHL treading water. If things don’t improve soon, it might be time for a change.

Now that we are slightly past the 1/2 way point, let’s take a quick look at how the Isles have done as a team and individually.

If you told me before the season started that the Isles would be one point out of a playoff spot in mid January, I’d have been ecstatic. But after their great start, I’m a bit disappointed in where they are now. So which team is the real Islanders? Well, I think it comes down to Yashin, Yashin, and more Yashin. When he plays like he did through November, until his injury, the team was in the zone. But the post injury Alexei is the 2002-2006 version. And what is apparent is that the team is really a one line team. Without Yashin at his best, the Isles are probably not going to make the playoffs as currently constituted. So here are the grades:

Ted Nolan: B

Some may argue that he earned an ‘A’, but I’m starting to see some traits of which I’m not fond. Mainly the unwillingness to crack down on the team when they put in a poor performance. I’ve heard quotes from him after games such as (paraphrasing) “hey, we had 45 shots, you can’t argue with the effort”. Umm, yeah, you can, when the team didn’t get dirty in front of the net and spent the last two periods throwing shots at the goalie from the blue line. No wonder the players all love him. The only consequence for lack of effort is a period on the bench. That said, Nolan is far better than Stirling, but not that much better than Shaw, really.

DP: B

The $60 million dollar man shows flashes of brilliance and then flashes of mediocrity. Stay in the #@$%@#& net and stop passing to the other team. Stop going down so quickly, and stop giving up rebounds so readily.

Mike Dunham: B-

Started off strong, has been below average lately in a tough role coming off the bench.

Alexei Yashin: B

Was an ‘A’ in November and a ‘C’ since the injury. I can’t figure the guy out, but if I am Wang, I buy him out this summer.

Jason Blake: A

The heart and soul of this team. Puts the puck in the net, gives it all he has got each night. Give him a new contract already!

Mike Sillinger: A

Scoring at a good pace and seemingly wins every faceoff.

Miro Satan: B-

He’s just not himself this year. Looks malaised. Could the Buffalo fans have been right about him? I hope not.

Viktor Kozlov: B-

Looks like a world beater in some games, is comatose for the next five. A total enigma.

Randy Robitaille: D

We had better spend the York money on someone good.

Tom Poti: B+

Poti is having a solid season. Rushes the puck fairly well. Solid D, albeit a minus 6.

Chris Simon: F

Is he really on the team? Has done virtually nothing with his stick or fists. Slow as S#@%.

Sean Hill: A

Grit, toughness, and solid D.

Trent Hunter: D

He gets an ‘A’ for effort, but that doesn’t cut it anymore. Would be a great addition to a top tier team’s 4th line.

Radek Martinek: A

Excellent all round season. Great D, moves the puck well. Just needs to stay healthy.

Andy Hilbert: B

Not bad, but not good. At least he sweats out there.

Richard Park: B

See Andy Hilbert

Aaron Asham: B+

The numbers look weak for Asham, but does a lot of intangible stuff in the corners, etc. If he shot the puck more, would be a 25 goal scorer.

Brenden Witt: A+

What can I say about Witt? Covers the other teams’ best players and shuts them down; hits, scraps, gets in the face of the opponent. Arguably the Isles MVP.

Sean Bates: F

Sorry Batesey, but it’s time to hit the putting green buddy. You’ve slowed to a crawl and you are not doing much of anything.

Fred Meyer: C

See Randy Robitaille above and sub Zhitnik for York.

Bruno Gervais: B+

The kid gets better each night. Has a great future.

Chris Campoli: B

Also improving, but at a slower rate than Gervais. I’m a bit worried that Camps will be trade bait at the deadline.

Eric Boguniecki: F

Please don’t ever bring him up again – I’ve seen better junior college players.

Jeff Tambellini: INC

Blake Comeau: INC

Franz Nielsen: INC, but was very impressed with his game during his short stint.

The problem as I see it is the Isles are full of players that would nicely compliment top tier teams but are not good enough to take the Isles to the next level. I would try and getv a second line scorer and offensive D-man now, but without giving away too many kids. If these moves don’t pan out, I would clean house of the lesser valuable vets and bring up, Nilsson, Nielsen, Tambs, and Noke.

Let’s see how it shakes out!!

As I watched an entertaining three set Aussie Open quarterfinal between American Serena Williams and Israeli Shahar Peer on ESPN2, I glanced at the New York Post reading all the postgame stuff on Peyton Manning’s great comeback victory over the rival Patriots in an AFC championship game which will go down as a classic. Hey. That’s definitely one of the best playoff games I’ve seen. So you have to just tip your cap.

But what caught my eye the most in today’s Post was what else but an on point column on the Rangers from the controversial Larry Brooks. In it, he went on to many of the same points I made to Joe McDonald during last week’s epic battle on our NY Hockey Report. That it’s time for the organization to wake up already and get some of these prospects up from Hartford.

As I sit here and put together my thoughts, fresh in my memory bank is that while I was producing our All Star special show for this Wednesday night which you might not want to miss, the big player who was a big part of my argument Nigel Dawes has continued to play very well for the Pack. Since December 29, he has scored eight goals and picked up eight assists for 16 points in the last 14 contests. The soon to be 22 year-old from Manitoba should not be in the AHL anymore. After scoring 35 goals and 67 points last year, he’s proving that he’s polished enough to shift into a permanent NHL role. The only thing keeping him down there is the Rangers’ reluctance to shed some of their payroll which is filled with vets who have secure jobs.

Why should those jobs continue to be secure when not enough production is coming? It’s little secret that the bottom half of Coach Tom Renney’s forwards have not gotten it done putting far too much pressure on the Big Four of Jagr, Straka, Shanahan and Nylander. You just can’t win that way. How bad is it? The sparingly used Petr Prucha is still the fifth best scorer up front. Despite being in Renney’s dog house, the much maligned second-year Czech has 10 goals and nine assists. It doesn’t exactly say much for free agent pickup Matt Cullen or the now scratched Adam Hall (Dominic Moore anyone) for 31 year-old “solution” Jason Krog. Somewhere Fishstick fans are laughing.

The only players who have for the most part been acceptable on the support lines are Blair Betts and Jed Ortmeyer. Both always bring a solid work ethic to the table. So it’s no shock that they would be doing their part. That leaves room for a hungry kid from Hartford to come up and make an impression. Something the coach and organization refuse to try. Are they so cheap that they won’t sacrifice one of those “valuable vets” who don’t score enough as is? Or just blind? You decide.

This week, Renney and staff will continue to take in Pack practices. Something needs to register in his head in order to get the attention of not only the GM but his underachieving team which officially returns to work Friday in preparation for a must win matinee at Philly the following day.

Too often in the past with this regime, they’ve tried to gun their way out by buying players or sacrificing some kids in the process to get into the postseason. The problem with this strategy is that as they should already know, you can’t buy chemistry. For whatever reason, it reminds me of a classic line from 48 Hours where Jack Cates (Nick Nolte) remarks to Reggie Hammond (Eddie Murphy) the following after Hammond gets out of jail:

“Class isn’t something you buy. Look at you, you’ve got on a 500-dollar suit and you’re still a low-life.” And Hammond replies with, “Yeah, but I look good.”

It’s the same thing here. The Rangers could go the old route and add Peter Forsberg for the predictable package of Petr Prucha, Brandon Dubinsky and Ivan Baranka. But it won’t necessarily mean they’ll be better or a playoff lock.

In many ways this is a lot like the previous seven seasons before last year where you knew the team wasn’t good enough and would fall short. This team shows me very little. They need a different plan if they want to save their season. Giving a Dawes, a Ryan Callahan, a Dane Byers or even a Daniel Girardi some real time wouldn’t hurt. Much like former President Bill Clinton said when he ran against Bush in ’92, “It’s time for a change.”

Brooks gets it. Will McDonald this Wednesday? Stay tuned.

I asked him if Gordon Downie of the Tragically Hip was a Bruins (because of godfather Harry Sinden) or Leafs fan (because from T.O. and band members/close friends leaf fans) yesterday and THIS was his answer:

“Not sure! Will investigate…”

Nicest guy in sports showbiz.

I notice EVERYONE I’ve ever met or even spoken to online from the world of hockey (Doc, Bucci, JP Delacamera, Darren Eliot, Chico Resch to guys like Derek and Rob and Greg Wyshynski) is incredibly cool and nice. Are football, baseball and hoops writers dicks to 17 year olds who wanna get in the business? Maybe not, but still, it’s very nice that over 15 writers from around the league were willing to contribute to “10 Questions with…”, which will return after the All-Star break (HINT: Someone from NHL.com’s writing staff).

Anywho, so the uni-release ’07 turned out to be a big nothing, mostly because we didn’t see what THE ACTUAL TEAMS JERSEYS FOR NEXT YEAR will look like. But here’s an experience I had from ordering an authentic USA Jersey from the ’06 Olympics (#14, Gionta on the back of course). It felt like I was wearing those Under-Armour shirts, but a much thicker version of it. It might be better to play in, but not to wear. Then again, the jerseys are made for the players, NOT for the fans, so there you go.

So I returned it, and what am I getting instead? Colorado Rockies royal Blue (#1, Resch on the back).

Skills Comp. (Marty, Raffy, Shanny, Straka, J.Blake for the East) and YoungStars (THE ZACH featured for the East) at 7:30 PM on VERSUS. Should run ’till ’bout 10 PM on the East Coast. Emrick and Olczyk will call it, with Clement, Jonesy and Engblom in the studio, and Harwood and Simpson reporting from ice-level. I dislike the lack of chemistry Doc and Edzo have, so maybe something fun like this will help develop it. Calling fun games like this probably help Doc and JD develop chemistry, so maybe this will do it as well for Eddie O. I still think Daryl “Razor” Reaugh (Read his blog if your sick of this one) would be Emrick’s perfect match, but Edzo’s fairly young, decent-looking, clean-cut and knows hockey, so he makes sense next to the 60-year old Doc. Whom I must say, from photos and video of him in the ’80’s and ’90’s, has aged much better now.

On an annoying note, a basketball game is pre-empting the airing of the HD feed on inHD until 11PM. Garr, I wan’t Rail-Cam in HD now!

If you’ve followed the Stars at all this season, then you know about what Dallas defenseman Phillipe Boucher has gone through. It’s been well documented that his father Jean-Claude has been very ill. Back in November, he was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and not given long to survive. Meanwhile, his Mom also was about to have heart surgery. So the situation wasn’t ideal.

After missing a couple of games to be with his family, Boucher returned to the ice. Probably inspired, he then went on to play some of the best hockey in his 16-year career. The 33 year-old St. Apollinaire Quebec native has followed up a career season in which he recorded 16 goals, 27 helpers and 43 points with an even better year. Currently, the former Buffalo 1991 13th overall selection leads the Stars in scoring with 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 points. He also paces them with eight goals coming via the power play.

On a defensive team that doesn’t score a lot and is currently ranked sixth in the Western Conference with a 29-18-1 record for 59 points, he has been a valuable commodity. That kind of production was good enough to merit his first ever All Star selection. For Boucher, it has to be extra special that he’ll get to suit up on home ice as the 55th NHL All Star Game makes its debut in Big D with festivities beginning tomorrow night at 7:30 ET/4:30 PT with the Young Stars Game on Versus. The All Star Game will take place Wednesday night at 8 PM.

As part of this special feature on Boucher, we are reposting Dallas Morning News’ columnist Mike Heika’s piece on him. It’s an outstanding story and deserves every bit of attention:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/hockey/stars/stories/012107dnspoboucher.1e6427a.html

Despite heartache off ice, All-Star Boucher shines

01:09 AM CST on Monday, January 22, 2007

By MIKE HEIKA / The Dallas Morning News

Philippe Boucher settled into a chair in his father’s hospice room in Quebec and let out a little sigh.

Hanging in the window was an All-Star Game jersey with Boucher’s name on the back. The Dallas Stars defenseman that day was named to play in the annual NHL All-Star Game for the first time, completing a long career climb after being a first-round draft pick 16 years ago. As a bonus, Dallas on Wednesday at American Airlines Center is hosting the game for the first time.

Flickering in a corner was a new television, showing hockey game after hockey game on a Saturday afternoon. It was a comforting backdrop for a family in crisis.

Jean-Claude lay in bed, his body racked by cancer. Sitting nearby was Boucher’s mother, Jacqueline, two months removed from heart valve replacement surgery. Their only child sat with them and soaked up the scene.

There were stories and deep conversations about times long past, when a father was engrossed in his son’s budding hockey career. There was talk of grandkids and youth hockey games to come. At times, there was just the chattering of the television.

And throughout, there was healing.

“It’s been a really great weekend,” Boucher said by phone on that day a week ago. “It’s just the three of us, and we’ve been able to talk and really just be together. I think it’s something we all needed.”

For Boucher, 33, forces of life have collided during the last year. His father, who has battled paralysis brought on by a stroke for 22 years, was diagnosed in November with terminal pancreatic cancer and given weeks to live. At the same time, his mother was scheduled to have surgery for a heart condition.

At work, Boucher has had a banner season. He’s on pace to post career bests in goals, assists and points. But the Stars, division champions a year ago, have been beset by injuries and have struggled to find consistency.

It seemed as if everyone needed Boucher’s help. He’s done his best.

“It’s really an amazing story when you look at it,” Stars coach Dave Tippett said. “To have all of this happen in one year, in three months, really, and he just never lets it get to him. He rises above it all, and he takes care of things and he plays some of the best hockey of his career. It’s amazing.”

Boucher said:

“I don’t know why these things have happened, but there has been a lot of good that has come out of it. It’s forced us to talk about a lot of things and really forced us all together, and we needed that.”

History of rocky times
Rocky times are nothing new for the Bouchers. Jean-Claude was a plumber who loved his son. Jacqueline was a secretary who loved her son. But the parents couldn’t get along. When Philippe was about 10, a divorce was in the works.

Courtesy
Jean-Claude Boucher and Jacqueline Paquet stood by son Philippe as he made his way through Canada’s hockey system. Today, the All-Star stands by his parents as they fight illness.
Then Jean-Claude suffered a stroke, was hospitalized for two years and came out in 1986 with partial paralysis and the need for constant help.

So the parents, who eventually went through with the divorce, set up in different residences and tried to help each other as much as they could. Boucher also discovered he had to do a lot more.

“There were a lot of times that my dad needed help, whether that was with cooking or a bath or whatever, and I would be the only one there,” he said. “Yeah, you grow up really fast.”

He still had a hockey career to pursue. His father operated the hockey and baseball programs in St. Apollinaire, a small town across the St. Lawrence River from Quebec City, and had taken a heavy hand in Boucher’s development. If he wasn’t his son’s actual coach, he still coached his game.

After the stroke, Boucher had to find another way. His uncle, Andre Paquet, stepped in.

“Nobody could take the place of my dad, but I think it was something I needed at the time,” Boucher said. “My dad wanted to talk hockey all of the time, and my uncle wasn’t that way. He was lighter. He would always say, ‘Don’t worry. You’ll get ’em next time.’ I think maybe I needed that then.”

Because of financial issues, travel problems and his father’s needs, Boucher moved up the ranks of Quebec’s junior hockey system slowly. But, he says now, that might have helped his growth as a player as he made his way to the highest level, major juniors. There, he displayed a hard shot, delivered some hard hits and revealed a knack for the game. He was chosen 13th overall in the NHL draft by Buffalo and suddenly found himself a hot prospect.

Setbacks before success
Success didn’t immediately follow. He bounced between Buffalo and the minor leagues, spending much more time in the lower levels. In 1994, the Sabres tossed him in on a trade to Los Angeles.

He had wrist surgery in 1995 and hand surgery in 1996 and suffered a sprained shoulder in 1997. A foot operation in 1999 led to the Kings loaning him to a minor league team that wasn’t their direct affiliate. A ticket to join the Manitoba Moose to begin the 1999-2000 season was a clear message.

“I figured it was close to over,” Boucher said. “I didn’t know if I should consider playing in Europe or consider getting out of hockey.”

Boucher found new determination on the plains of western Canada. He gutted it up, pushed himself hard and played some of his best hockey in years, tallying 32 points in 45 games for the Moose. When the Kings had injury problems in 2001, they recalled him.

“He was still on our radar, but I’m not sure that he would have been called up if we weren’t so banged up,” said Tippett, an assistant coach with the Kings then. “He got one opportunity, and he made the most of it. He earned back a regular spot and never looked back.”

Boucher played 80 games in 2001-02, then signed with the Stars as an unrestricted free agent the following summer. He has battled more injuries in Dallas but transformed himself into one of the top defensemen in the NHL. Last season, he tied for fifth in goals scored by defensemen at 16 and tied for sixth in plus-minus rating at plus-28. This season, he’s on pace to set career highs in goals (he’s tied for second in the league among defensemen with 13) and points (ninth at 33).

“You always are seeking approval from your peers, and that’s what makes this special,” he said. “To be out there with the best players in the league, that’s not something I spent a whole lot of time thinking about before this year.”

He knows he belongs, and so do his teammates.

“You look at the top six [defensemen] in the West, and there’s no way you can leave him off,” said Stars goalie Marty Turco, the team’s only other All-Star this season. “He is a dead-lock All-Star. And with everything that he has been through this season, that’s just incredible.”

Tippett says it’s a tribute to Boucher’s career.

“He’s just so mentally strong and so dedicated,” Tippett said. “He is just a very focused player.”

His father’s son
Boucher says he gets that strength from his father. He said his dad was a heavy smoker when he was a kid – to the point that it made young Philippe sick when they rode together in the car.

“So I told him it was really choking me, and he stopped,” Boucher said. “That’s it. He just stopped.”

Boucher said a similar situation occurred involving his father’s drinking. He told the family one day it was time for him to stop, and he did.

“He never brought it up again,” Boucher said. “He never talked about it.”

Hockey has always been important to Jean-Claude Boucher, though he couldn’t pursue a playing career because it was too expensive. He later channeled that attention to coaching and providing a place for the kids to play.

Courtesy
Growing up, ‘my dad wanted to talk hockey all of the time,’ says Boucher, who got his first stick before he was 2.

“I gave him the All-Star jersey and said, ‘This is for you,’ ” Boucher said. “And after a while, he looked over at me and asked if they could auction it off and maybe get some extra money for the youth hockey association. He’s just that kind of guy.”

Boucher remembers his father sitting in his rocking chair after the stroke, watching people go to work in the mornings.

“He is such a proud man, and that really hurt him,” Boucher said. “He wanted to work. He wanted to help his family. And so he put all of that into trying to get better.”

Reaching a goal
And he did. He became as self-sufficient as he could, eventually learning to walk small distances with a cane. Boucher said his father has faced the cancer the same way. Doctors told him around Thanksgiving that there wasn’t much time left, so Boucher gathered his family – wife Lucie, son Matthew and daughter Vanessa – and went to Quebec to say goodbye.

But his father keeps fighting. He has good days and bad, and the good ones are among the best in Boucher’s life. Outside the window of his hospice room, he can see an outdoor skating rink similar to the one outside the window of his boyhood home.

His father wrote a letter for Philippe and for Jacqueline, who has gone by her maiden name of Paquet since the divorce in 1988. He has thanked Andre Paquet, Boucher’s uncle, after years of resentment that Paquet might be trying to take his place. He has made things right in the extra time he has been given.

“He has so much determination and so much perseverance. Even fighting the cancer, he is not going to give up,” Boucher said.

And the son sees some of his father in himself.

“If you want to say I have that, then I think I got it from him,” Boucher said.

Family time
Hockey Day in Canada dominated the television on that Saturday when Boucher sat with his parents. It’s an annual tribute to the sport in Canada that runs on the nation’s biggest network, CBC. Among the daylong programming are NHL games, major junior games and tributes to the sport at every level. It was the perfect backdrop for the family to bond.

After Boucher answered questions on his cellphone about being named to the Western Conference All-Star team, he was asked whether his parents could answer a few questions.

“Do you speak French?” he asked, before offering to translate.

His father’s replies were short, pointed and focused on his pride in his son and all that he has accomplished. His mother’s answers were longer and more detailed.

When she was asked how difficult it was to continue taking her teenage son to practice given the family situation, Jacqueline’s reply caught him by surprise.

“She said that she had to do it because she knew that is what I would be in life, that is what I would do,” Boucher said. “Wow, we’re learning something new every day here. I had no idea.”

Asked if she was coming to Dallas for the All-Star Game, Jacqueline said she would watch the game at the hospital with Jean-Claude.

It seems like the perfect way to share as a family.

And then Boucher excused himself. There were letters to be read and hockey games to be watched. And there was healing to be done.

Steve, if the Rangers actually do that, I guarantee I will stop being a Ranger fan. I am already down on how this organization is run. They’re one dumb move away from losing any credibility they established last year.

I am glad that Brendan Shanahan basically called out Jaromir Jagr for how predictable their pass-first power play is, indicating that it was easy to defend and only averages a shot every 30 seconds. Jagr is everything wrong with this team. He’s a quitter. You know it. I know it. Everyone does. The apologists can make any excuse they want about his shoulder or his groin or his hip or whatever the problem is. He’s failed miserably as team captain and is not a leader. The players who show up every night are Shanahan, Martin Straka and Jed Ortmeyer.

They want to restore some momentum. Recall Nigel Dawes and give him real minutes playing on the second line with Shanahan and Matt Cullen. Stop looking to the outside for help when it will only result in overpayment. Pick 12 forwards and come up with four lines that you can play every game without changing 5 minutes into a period, guaranteeing that there will be zero chemistry.

Just wondering. But what’s the latest on the who Pittsburgh arena deal? Will the Penguins be saved?

I garantee this headline will be on the ESPN bottom line on or before the trade deadline:

New York Rangers trade F Marc Staal and a 2007 conditional draft pick to Philadelphia Flyers for F Peter Forsberg.

As much as I hate to say it, you know this organization will panic and give them Staal. Derek knows it, I know it, Rob knows it, the hockey world knows it. They will become desperate, offer Staal, and the Flyers will win a Cup in three years with Richards, Carter, Gagne, M.Staal, and VanReimsdyk as the 1st pick in the draft. The Rangers will make the playoffs, but both Forsberg and Jagr go down in game one, and Atlanta sweeps them easily.

That’s my garantee for the year.

I just got back from AC. It was an up and down weekend but was still very exciting. Much more than the predictable lackluster play from the Rangers in yet another home defeat this time to Atlanta 3-1 Saturday to fittingly enter the All Star break out of the playoffs. The Pens now have the same amount of points and have played less games than either the Blueshirts or Maple Leafs. Good. I want it to go to a hungry team that deserves to be there. Not some underachieving bunch of Eurowusses.

Honestly, I’d rather miss the playoffs at this juncture than see this misplaced bunch get their asses handed to them for a second consecutive Spring cause that’s exactly what’s going to happen if they somehow get in.

To the talk about the Peter Forsberg rumors where if NHL Siberia doesn’t get him re-signed before the deadline, he’s a goner. What the heck are you going to give up for a fragile hockey player who can’t be depended on? So the Rangers are one of six suitors. How much does Foppa have left? I am not overpaying.

There are 34 games left until this team misses the postseason for the eighth time in the last nine seasons. Unless something drastic is done, that’s exactly how it will play out.