Hockey Hall of Fame incoming class

By Rick Morris

Our good friend at Sportsology, Russ Cohen, passed along this article to us and allowed us to reprint it here. Like him, I share a tremendous respect for the Hockey Hall of Fame -- it's the only one of the "Big Four" that I haven't been to and I want to rectify that when I make it up to the fun town of Toronto some day -- and I am personally a huge fan of "The Professor" Igor Larionov. I even own a copy of the DVD that was released in honor of his retirement; it's pretty sweet -- it's got the all-star retirement game that was thrown in his honor and an accompanying documentary.

As such, I'm pleased to reprint Russ' article here.


Anderson heads interesting 2008 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees
By Russ Cohen

Glenn Anderson is a player who has been overshadowed by some of the greatest names to ever play the game. Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky, Jarri Kurri and that list of ex-Edmonton Oilers seems endless and now Anderson is the latest from that group to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this November 10th.

“I’m really kind of humbled by it,” said Anderson, who is rarely a man of few words.

The other three inductees are Igor Larionov, Ed Chynoweth (in the builder category) and Ray Scapinello (in the referee/linesman category).

Back to Anderson: it seems this honor took him a bit by surprised, and even this veteran of six Stanley Cup Championship teams was at a loss.

“I did catch myself while walking on the streets of New York catching a second breath,” he said honestly. “It’s been a long time since I won a Cup. It’s up there with the greatest things I have had happen to me in my life.”

The New York experience from 1994 has obviously agreed with Anderson, but he hasn’t forgotten who helped him get inducted. You don’t get 94 playoff goals and 214 points (both good for fourth on the all-time list) all by yourself.

“You don’t realize how great the players are until you play with them,” he said, talking about his former teammates and his recent play with Larionov over in Russia.

“We were invited over by the President of Belarus,” Anderson explained. “We had a game over there and we opened a building. (Slava) Festisov had his 50th birthday in another game to open a building.”

Larionov and Anderson have stayed busy and the Russian player has his own reasons to be thrilled about being inducted.

“To be recognized is a huge part of Russian and international hockey,” he said. “It’s nice to see. For me to be inducted next to Slava and other Russian players like Valeri Kharmalov, who I got to play four game with before he died, and (Vladislav) Tretiak ...”

Scapinello never missed a game.

“I’m so humbled by this honor. Obviously the highlight of my 33-year career.”

Chynoweth had passed away in April, so his sons spoke on his behalf. He was one of the founders of the CHL.

If you haven’t made the trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame, check it out this November!

NHL draft guide: released!

By Rick Morris

It's here! It's really, really here!

Click here for HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY, your ultimate guide to the 2008 pro hockey entry draft and offseason. We'll talk about it in more detail tomorrow.

UPDATE: We've been serializing this guide (perhaps we should call it a book, at 68 pages!) for the last week-and-a-half and so now, in order to deliver the full picture of what we've got in there, we reproduce below the Table of Contents. We can honestly tell you this: if you really love hockey, if you're interested in where the NHL goes from here, you need this free download and we're happy to provide it for you.

Page 1: HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY Overview
Pages 2-3: Profile: North American D Patrick Wiercioch
Page 3: Interview: European G Harri Sateri
Page 4: Interview: North American F Danny Kristo
Page 5: Interview: North American F Colin Wilson
Page 6: Interview: North American D David Carle
Page 7: North American D Eric Mestery: No Mystery
Page 8: Interview: North American G Chet Pickard
Pages 9-11: Silly Q&A with past prospects
Pages 12-16: Memorable past draftees
Page 17: Assessment of draft priorities by organization
Pages 17-30: Assessment of talent levels by organization
Pages 31-32: Importance of top-level players
Pages 33-34: Atlantic Division draft records (1997-2003)
Pages 35-36: Northeast Division draft records (1997-2003)
Pages 37-38: Southeast Division draft records (1997-2003)
Pages 39-40: Central Division draft records (1997-2003)
Pages 41-42: Pacific Division draft records (1997-2003)
Pages 43-44: Northwest Division draft records (1997-2003)
Pages 45: NHL team draft rankings (1997-2003)
Pages 46-62: 2008 NHL HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY mock draft
Page 63: 2008 NHL Entry Draft Top 10 prospects
Page 65: 2008 NHL Entry Draft Top 10 sleepers
Page 66: NHL free agency overview
Pages 67-68: Preview of ultimate hockey stat for ‘08-’09

NHL draft guide: organizational draft priorities

By Rick Morris

As announced previously in this space, Sportsology and FantasyDrafthelp.com are joining up to produce HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY, a comprehensive guide to the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and offseason as a whole. The issue will be released online, for free, at these two websites and SportsTalkNetwork.com this week (IMPORTANT NOTE: we had substantial bonus content come in at the last minute -- as such, the June 10 release date is null and void -- we apologize for that, but we assure you that the product will be more than worth the wait). Until then, the features to be contained in the guide will be released here individually in serialized form.

Today, we examine the FantasyDrafthelp.com assessment of draft priorities by organization. All things being equal, this is where we see each organization looking if they were able to find players at the positions of need.

Anaheim: LW

Atlanta: D, RW

Boston: RW, D

Buffalo: RW, LW, C

Calgary: RW, D

Carolina: RW, D

Chicago: LW, C

Colorado: G, LW

Columbus: D

Dallas: G, RW

Detroit: RW, LW, C

Edmonton: RW, LW

Florida: LW, G

Los Angeles: LW

Minnesota: G, D, LW

Montreal: RW, C

Nashville: RW, LW

New Jersey: D, C, G

New York Islanders: D, G

New York Rangers: LW

Ottawa: RW, D

Philadelphia: C, G

Phoenix: D, G

Pittsburgh: RW, G

St. Louis: LW, RW

San Jose: D

Tampa Bay: RW, C

Toronto: D, RW

Vancouver: C, D

Washington: D, C

(Note: no pun intended on the Caps' priorities!)

NHL draft guide: free agency overview

By Rick Morris

As announced previously in this space, Sportsology and FantasyDrafthelp.com are joining up to produce HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY, a comprehensive guide to the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and offseason as a whole. The issue will be released online, for free, at these two websites and SportsTalkNetwork.com this week (IMPORTANT NOTE: we had substantial bonus content come in at the last minute -- as such, the June 10 release date is null and void -- we apologize for that, but we assure you that the product will be more than worth the wait). Until then, the features to be contained in the guide will be released here individually in serialized form.

Today, we examine the state of the free agent market that will open for business in a few short weeks.

Nothing sums up the never-ending nature of the NHL circle of life like the annual launch of the free agency period on July 1. “Rental” players who helped their team to make deep runs in the just-concluded playoffs hit the market, as well as others who could well be viewed as the “one missing piece” for organizations who perceive themselves to be on the verge of a title.

Two key rentals who will be on the market did indeed reach the Stanley Cup Finals, one for the winning team and one for the losing one. Defenseman Brad Stuart was acquired by Detroit at the 2007-08 trading deadline in the hopes that his physical defensive style would augment the Red Wings’ burgeoning blue line identity. It did. Marian Hossa commanded a steep price from Atlanta at the trading deadline, but Pittsburgh was willing to pay the price to advance within two wins of their first Cup in 16 years.

For teams seeking validation of the principle of signing a big-ticket acquisition in free agency, they again need look no further than Detroit. Brian Rafalski fit in perfectly with the team’s philosophy of having puck-moving defensemen and his winning pedigree earned in the swamps of New Jersey manifested itself once again in Hockeytown. With that in mind, we examine the potential impact players in this year’s class (unrestricted free agents only).

The center position in 2008 is headlined by three Hall of Fame names, but the significance of this is highly misleading. Joe Sakic and Mats Sundin are highly unlikely to leave their present names if they continue to play at all — and there is more of a significant question about Sakic’s intentions than Sundin’s — and Sergei Fedorov has clearly seen better days. Given the way that he seemed to fit in with the new Russo-centric ethos in D.C., he would be advised to seek any deal the Caps are willing to throw his way. Bobby Holik, Brendan Morrison, Craig Conroy, Mike Peca, Doug Weight and Martin Straka are other names in a class that is underwhelming in terms of the potential impact on the 2009 Stanley Cup chase. Peter Forsberg still probably has the highest ceiling of any of the free agents at the position, but his reliability due to injury is now in grave doubt.

The left wing position isn’t much better, as Markus Naslund and Ladislav Nagy tower over a weak field. Naslund’s production has deteriorated over the past few years and Nagy is a huge injury risk. Brendan Shanahan and Gary Roberts are both as likely to hang up the skates as they are to ink new deals in the twilight of their careers. Cory Stillman is a proven winner with some gas left in the tank, though, and Kristian Huselius is a perfect example of a young player who never should have hit the market in the first place, so there is some talent here.

At right wing, the explosive Hossa is clearly the crown jewel, perhaps of the entire free agency crop. Jaromir Jagr isn’t far behind and Pavol Demitra also brings a history of excellent production, as does Brian Rolston. Miro Satan, Michael Ryder, David Vyborny and Owen Nolan could all offer minor help of some sort to a new team.

Wade Redden is a top-level defenseman available in his prime and should, like Rafalski last year, cash in nicely. He’ll be joined at the top end of the signing spectrum by rental Brian Campbell, who wasn’t able to single-handedly overcome San Jose’s record of playoff underachievement. John-Michael Liles, Ron Hainsey and Stuart won’t be far behind.

In net, talented Cristobal Huet will probably work out an extension with Washington, but Olaf Kolzig will not — but might perhaps retire and in any instance doesn’t project as a starter for an elite team. Jose Theodore’s deal is up, but since he makes Oliver Perez look consistent, a team would be foolish to wager a potential title on him. Patrick Lalime is another dubious option.

In terms of teams with some cap room to spend, the New York Rangers are likely to revive a Canada Day pre-lockout tradition by making a big splash when the market opens. Assuming they don’t sign their own marquee free agents, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Ottawa and San Jose will be able to make a mark. Tampa Bay, Columbus, Phoenix, Nashville and Los Angeles will also have money to spend, albeit in a market with few real potential difference-makers.

NHL draft guide: How stars lead to titles

By Rick Morris

As announced previously in this space, Sportsology and FantasyDrafthelp.com are joining up to produce HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY, a comprehensive guide to the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and offseason as a whole. The issue will be released online, for free, at these two websites and SportsTalkNetwork.com this week (IMPORTANT NOTE: we had substantial bonus content come in at the last minute -- as such, the June 10 release date is null and void -- we apologize for that, but we assure you that the product will be more than worth the wait). Until then, the features to be contained in the guide will be released here individually in serialized form.

Today, we examine the role that the players at the top of the NHL Entry Draft will be expected to play for their teams.

As a team sport by and large incapable of devolving into the often-selfish “Me Ball” of the NBA, the NHL is rightfully held up as exemplary of true team play. However, does this tendency devalue the effect that true mega-stars have on the ability to win championships? FantasyDrafthelp.com decided to find out, in an attempt to ascertain exactly how important it is for teams to hit on their picks in the NHL Entry Draft.

First, we ranked the top players in our opinion in the last quarter century into three tiers, the top five, the second five and the third five. Then, we took a look at which teams had captured the Stanley Cup during that period of time and looked for any correlations. The results were very revealing.

Here’s the designation of the best players on each tier, in no particular order on each tier:

A) Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Nicklas Lidstrom, Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur

B) Steve Yzerman, Mark Messier, Ray Bourque, Dominik Hasek, Jaromir Jagr

C) Joe Sakic, Ed Belfour, Brett Hull, Paul Coffey, Al MacInnis

And here’s who’s won the Stanley Cup over the past 25 years:

1984: Edmonton A (Gretzky), B (Messier)*

1985: Edmonton A (Gretzky), B (Messier)

1986: Montreal A (Roy)

1987: Edmonton A (Gretzky), B (Messier)

1988: Edmonton A (Gretzky), B (Messier)

1989: Calgary C (MacInnis)

1990: Edmonton B (Messier)

1991: Pittsburgh A (Lemieux) B (Jagr)

1992: Pittsburgh A (Lemieux) B (Jagr)

1993: Montreal A (Roy)

1994: New York Rangers B (Messier)

1995: New Jersey A (Brodeur)**

1996: Colorado A (Roy) B (Sakic)

1997: Detroit A (Lidstrom) B (Yzerman)

1998: Detroit A (Lidstrom) B (Yzerman)

1999: Dallas C (Belfour) C (Hull)

2000: New Jersey A (Brodeur)

2001: Colorado A (Roy) B (Sakic) B (Bourque)

2002: Detroit A (Lidstrom) B (Yzerman) B (Hasek) C (Hull)***

2003: New Jersey A (Brodeur)

2004: Tampa Bay****

2006: Carolina****

2007: Anaheim**

2008: Detroit A (Lidstrom) B (Hasek)*****

* The ‘80s Edmonton teams had several other players who would have rated as “Honorable Mention.”

** Scott Niedermayer, who won Cups with New Jersey and Anaheim, would have rated as “Honorable Mention,” as would Chris Pronger with Anaheim and Scott Stevens with New Jersey.

*** To properly appreciate the greatness of the 2002 Red Wings, consider that Luc Robitaille and Chris Chelios would have rated as “Honorable Mention.”

**** If this feature was revisited in another decade, Vincent Lecavalier would probably make the cut, with Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards probably at least meriting “Honorable Mention.” Eric Staal would have a very good chance to make the list at that time also, so this “megastar principle” may yet prove to be the case for the 2004 and 2006 champions as well.

***** Neither Hasek nor Chelios skated for Detroit in the Finals.

So essentially, it’s every bit as important to have high-end impact players in the NHL as it is in the NBA. Only seven times since 1984 has a team won a title without an “A” caliber player on this list and also in a minority of cases (11), a team has captured the title without at least two players on this list. So after reading this feature, whether one quibbles a bit or not with the rating of certain players, this much is certain: teamwork matters, and so does coaching, but the high-octane engine of superstar power almost invariably is needed if a team is to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup in the end.

NHL draft guide interview: Chet Pickard

By Rick Morris

As announced previously in this space, Sportsology and FantasyDrafthelp.com are joining up to produce HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY, a comprehensive guide to the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and offseason as a whole. The issue will be released online, for free, at these two websites and SportsTalkNetwork.com on June 10. Until then, the features to be contained in the guide will be released here individually in serialized form.

Today, we provide an interview with Chet Pickard, the # 2 ranked North American goaltender in the upcoming draft according to Central Scouting. He has played the past four seasons for the Tri-City Americans of the WHL. His team the U.S. Division regular season championship for the first time this past season and he almost led his team to the Memorial Cup (they lost in Game Seven to Spokane, who won the tournament). He boasted a 1.78 GAA with a .937 save percentage and he won the ADT Goaltender of the Year Award. HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY had a chance to chat with him about his hockey career.

Q: What’s on your mask?

A: We had a contest with the fans on the website to design my mask. They came up with Captain America on top and the autism logo on the side since that is Ollie Kolzig’s charity and he is the owner.

Q: What’s it like to talk to Ollie?

A: He’s cool but he’s not normally around very much. It’s pretty special when you can talk to a player who has had that kind of career. I had a poster of him up in my room since I was 4 or 5.

Q: How tall are you and do you use your height to your advantage?

A: I am a hair under 6-3. I think I do, for sure. I always play deeper in my net and manage the crease and set up for my second save.

Q: Do you give up a lot of rebounds?

A: You can’t always control every rebound. I think I have good rebound control.

Q: Do you slash players in the crease?

A: No, I’m not big on hitting them with my blocker or in the ankles with my stick. You can’t do much about the player in front of you. You pretty much have to deal with it.

Q: Is your save percentage important to you?

A: Stats aren’t something that I put too much thought into. They were good. I liked looking at them. I consider them a reflection of the team.

Q: You had great playoff numbers. Do you like to play with the pressure on like that?

A: This year was a big year for me. I was probably the most complete guy on the team. I played 62 of 74 and I’d play all 72 if I could. Why not play every game? It’s only 60 minutes of hockey. It’s not a daily job of 8 or 9 hours in an office.

Q: How old were you when you started to play?

A: I was pretty young when I started. I think was a forward when I was 6 or 7.

Q: Do you want to score a goal in your career?

A: I think so. There were a couple of chances where I went for it. It would be a pretty cool accomplishment. (He made fun of himself for missing completely.)

Q: Do you play better in the playoffs?

A: I feel like our whole team did; it was a real team effort in the playoffs. We had a lot of pressure on us since we came in first. I think we had a good run.

Q: Do you care where you place in the draft?

A: I have no idea how high or when I’m gonna go. I’d be more worried about going where the best scenario is -- whoever has less young goalies. Every player wants to go to a team where they can make the jump.

Q: Do you mean the AHL when you are old enough?

A: Yeah the AHL or you never know these days, maybe to the big club. I’ll be in juniors one more year.

NHL draft guide: Mestery profile

By Rick Morris

As announced previously in this space, Sportsology and FantasyDrafthelp.com are joining up to produce HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY, a comprehensive guide to the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and offseason as a whole. The issue will be released online, for free, at these two websites and SportsTalkNetwork.com on June 10. Until then, the features to be contained in the guide will be released here individually in serialized form.

Today, we examine Canadian prospect Eric Mestery through the eyes of HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY correspondent Russ Cohen.

Mestery is no mystery
by Russ Cohen

Sometimes players can be aloof and hard to figure out and sometimes they can be very straightforward and honest. The latter is how I would characterize defenseman Eric Mestery.

The 6-5 blueliner weighs in at about 195 pounds so he has a chance to be a huge obstacle for offensive players around the league to try and get past in the future.

“I’m hoping to be 210 when the season rolls around,” the Winnipeg, Manitoba native said and then he talked about scrapping if need be. “If I feel that it’s a necessary thing, I’ll do it for a teammate or myself if I have to.”

Knowing that some players are guarded about what they eat, I asked him if he had a favorite donut.

“Boston Cream,” he answered quickly.

These days the new NHL has put so much emphasis in the offensive side of the game, even for defenseman, that the tougher, bigger blueliners are in demand these days because most teams don’t have one.

“I’m trying to develop into more of an offensive player. More of a two-way defenseman,” he said, knowing I would call him a stay-at-home defender.

If you have size and you aren’t afraid of using it you can be an intimating force in the league and right now Mestery isn’t willing to say if he will be that type of player.

“I don’t think many guys are intimidated by me I don’t know. I play my game but if it happens that’s good.”

You can’t teach size or hockey sense and this prospect has both of those areas covered. He is currently ranked 59^th by Central Scouting but that doesn’t mean he won’t move up the charts on draft day. For now, if this prospect gets drafted on Day Two he is totally prepared for that.

“I don’t know. I’m kind of expecting that more than anything,” he said.

This kid is steady as she goes and he couldn’t impress me more as a positive type of person and player. He was a teammate of Chet Pickard, the #2 ranked North American goaltending prospect. Both of them played for the Tri-City Americans of the WHL and even though their season didn’t end with a Memorial Cup berth, Mestery still managed to put a positive light on it.

“The season went really great. We went deep in the playoffs and could have gone even further except for a couple of mishaps in Game Seven. Overall it was a great season for us.”

Like most guys his age, he likes to play other sports

“Golfing. I’m not good but I’m not bad,” he said and then he talked about the frustrating part. “Losing balls.”

Why? Because he doesn’t like paying for them, but that will change when he gets signed. Until then, he has some ideas on what he will buy upon getting his first deal.

“Probably pay off my parents’ house and buy my dad a new car and buy my mom whatever she wants,” he said (maybe too soon!).

He started to play when he was three and yet, when asked when he realized he had a shot to be a drafted player, his answer was a bit of a shocker.

“I think just this year,” he said honestly.

He did play one other sport until hockey took over.

“I used to play volleyball just because of my height,” which made total sense. Then he added, “Oh yeah, it was competitive.”

So what will his workout regimen be this like this summer?

“Just working on getting heavier, stronger and faster. A lot of off-ice. I just go on the ice once every two weeks. I run here and do sprints outside. We just have this hill not too far from my house that we run to. It’s actually an old garbage dump.”

He said he wasn’t worried about running on a heap of trash, and he laughed a lot, showing me that he doesn’t take life too seriously -- but as you can read, he is serious about hockey.

NHL draft guide: Silly Q&A

By Rick Morris

As announced previously in this space, Sportsology and FantasyDrafthelp.com are joining up to produce HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY, a comprehensive guide to the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and offseason as a whole. The issue will be released online, for free, at these two websites and SportsTalkNetwork.com on June 10. Until then, the features to be contained in the guide will be released here individually in serialized form.

Today, we go back into the archives of the notebook of Sportsology's Russ Cohen. He's covered several past NHL Entry Draft events and he furnishes for HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY a look at the lighter side of prospect interaction with the media.

The Baseball Question

For the past 3-4 years, I have routinely asked the Cubs or Sox question to the Chicago Blackhawks’ pick to see which team they want to see. Most hockey players (North American ones, anyway) are baseball fans. Jonathan Toews was drafted third overall in 2006 by Chicago and after the interviews were over and the cameras were turned off, my colleague Shane Malloy and myself asked him the question. At first, he said he didn't know and that's when Shane jumped in and said, “You can't waffle like Cam Barker, we need an answer.” Two years before that when I asked Cam that question, he answered Cubs, but then soon became a "big" Chi Sox fan right around World Series time.

Getting back to Toews, he then turned to me and asked, "Who should I pick?" I thought I would help out the Winnipeg, Manitoba native and told him to pick the Cubs for the sake of fun and the better ballpark or pick the Sox if you are trendy. The Blackhawks PR representative turned to me and helped out the youngster by revealing he would be seeing the White Sox when he hits town because of scheduling. He saved him from being called a "bandwagon fan" as Malloy has told Barker in person.

The Anaheim Ducks picked Logan MacMillan in the 19^th slot, but there was something more pressing to ask him about.

Q: Will you go Angels or Dodgers?

MacMillan: I’m not sure. I was a Yankees fan, so I will have to get that switched off pretty quick.

The Golf Question

Nicklas Backstrom was the first victim of this question in 2006. The fourth overall pick handled it very well.

Q: Do you play golf?

Backstrom: Yes, I play golf.

Q: Are you very good or are you just learning?

Backstrom: I am learning.

Q: Are you better at putting or driving?

Backstrom: I think driving.

Q: Does it relieve some tension that hockey can bring on?

Backstrom: Yeah, absolutely [it relieves tension].

Phoenix draft pick Peter Mueller was the 8^th overall pick in 2006 and he was talking about golf once he overheard the conversation, and he immediately spilled the beans about fellow Team USA teammate and first overall pick Erik Johnson.

Mueller: I called Erik to go golfing the other day. He likes it, but he throws his clubs a little bit. He gets a little temper going on…but who doesn’t? I would say I’m better, but he is probably better.

Johnson: Oh no. He threw me under the bus.

Q: Why do you throw them?

Johnson: I get upset. I dump the ball and I just whip that thing. He throws the club, too. I don’t know what he is talking about!

Q: He didn’t say he did that.

Johnson: He throws the clubs.

The Style Question

Washington defenseman Karl Alzner was drafted fifth overall in 2007. He was sporting a perfect Windsor knot and something told me that he wasn’t the person that pulled that off.

Q: Did you tie that or did somebody in your family help you?

Alzner: I tied it about 15 or 16 times. My sister tied it once or twice. My dad tied it once, and then my agent tied it for the final time. I didn’t know how to do the double Windsor, and I wanted something that looked good, so I let him do it.

Next up was Logan Couture of the San Jose Sharks. He was the ninth overall pick in 2007.

Q: How many teeth are real at this point?

Couture: All of them. They are all real. I haven’t lost any yet. I got hit with the puck right here (as he pointed to his lip and lower teeth) for 13 stitches, but I was lucky enough I wear a mouth guard. I’m one of the smart few.

Colton Gillies was pretty loose after being picked by the Minnesota Wild 16^th overall in 2007.

Q: Are you trying to make a fashion statement with that tie? Who picked that out for you?

Gillies: The guy that gave me, the guy that picked up my suit kind of thing. He said, “Here this will look good with this,” and I said okay, I’ll wear it.

Star Struck?

Detroit’s defenseman Brendan Smith (27^th overall pick in 2007) was in awe of the next question (well, sort of!).

Q: Are you going to try to get Yzerman on the ice to see if you can stop him?

Smith: I’ll try. I don’t know, it’s Yzerman right (he said as a fan)! I grew up watching him. I am just in awe. Coming up there (on the draft podium with him), I couldn’t even get words out.

How Strong Are You?

Olivier Fortier was picked by the Canadiens with the 65^th overall pick in 2007 and wasn’t afraid to talk about his strength.

Q: Is it the physical battles you are talking about winning?

Fortier: I’m not big but I will get bigger and I will be big enough to be in that league (he’s currently around 5’11, 170 pounds)….I am stronger than my weight.

Q: Can you bench-press 180 pounds? That was an issue in the NBA draft.

Fortier: 180 pounds? I can bench more than that.

Q: See, you can bench more than Seattle’s Kevin Durant.

Fortier: LOL

Famous Families

I ran into Brandon Sutter of the Carolina Hurricanes (the 11^th overall pick in 2007) the day he was drafted and I asked him this:

Q: Brandon, if you played in a pickup game with the Sutters against the Staals, who would win?

Sutter: I think we outnumber them so it would probably be the Sutters. Those are two pretty good families.

The day after, he answered this question about playing for his dad like a pro.

Q: Let’s say you have a bad game. You guys lose 6-0, you’re not in a good mood, dad is not in a good mood, you get home, mom’s trying to keep everything happy and you are trying to get away from the game for a while. That can be different?

Sutter: Actually I live in a billet family. Which is obviously a very good idea because I can’t imagine being at home after a loss. Yeah, it’s nice to get away, but there are some times where he is gonna …you’ll hear it from him, but he’s pretty good about it.

Do You Fight?

Patrick O’Sullivan, who was drafted by the Minnesota Wild with the 56^th overall pick in 2003, is now with the Los Angeles Kings. He had a great sense of humor, and I noticed that he was sizing up Zach Parise, who was standing next to him for a few hours the day before the draft. Parise went #17 overall and O’Sullivan went much later but the sparks flew early!

Q to O’Sullivan: Do you think you can take Parise?

O’Sullivan: In a fight?

Q: Yes.

O’Sullivan: I think it would be a good tilt. That’s the funniest question I‘ve heard so far.

Q to Parise: O’Sullivan said you guys were pretty much the same size and it would be a pretty good fight between you too. Do you agree with that?

Parise: It would be a good scrap. He would probably beat me up.

The Donut Question

Eric Staal was the second overall selection by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2003 and he was giving all the right answers. He plays hard, plays chippy, will fight if he has to. When he mentioned that he didn’t hear enough weird questions I obliged and the inspiration came from my Sportsology partner Doug Cataldo (who thought it up).

Q to Staal: What’s your favorite donut?

Staal: A Bismarck (a chocolate and maple glazed donut with a custard filling).

Q: Is that Canadian (my American was showing)?

Staal: Yes, it’s from Tim Horton’s.

Ask Me Anything

Ryan Getzlaf was my last interview of the day in 2003 and he was giddy. Maybe it was the fact that he felt he would be the 19th overall pick by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks (at that time), or maybe his blood sugar dropped.

Q to Getzlaf: What can you tell me about you that nobody else knows about? Were you a bully in school, or did you not go to your senior prom?

Getzlaf: (chuckle)

Q: Do you have a secret move like slew footing a guy or holding the stick? What was your favorite tactic to get the edge?

Getzlaf: I never really thought about that all that much.

Q: You play a totally clean game?

Getzlaf: No, I play the same as everybody else, chippy…I had three fights last season.

Jokester

Keaton Ellerby was grilled about his joking around in the WHL.

Q: So do you think you are the funny guy on the team (meaning Kamloops)?

Ellerby: I can be.

Q: That’s what some of the guys are saying.

Ellerby: Who was that (the source was never disclosed)?

The Show Stopper

The Atlanta Thrashers drafted themselves a talented player and a new quote-master by snagging Bryan Little with the 12th overall pick in 2006. In Little's bio is a little blurb that claims he would like to go out to eat with two other famous people and sexy siren Jessica Simpson was the third. Maybe he threw that in there figuring the folks that put together the draft guide would forget to print it, or maybe he himself forgot about it.

Q: Will you ask out Jessica Simpson to dinner now?

Little: I don't know? Maybe?

Q from an unknown reporter: What's that a reference to?

Little: That was in that book I think, yeah...if I could.

NHL draft guide interview: Harri Sateri

By Rick Morris

As announced previously in this space, Sportsology and FantasyDrafthelp.com are joining up to produce HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY, a comprehensive guide to the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and offseason as a whole. The issue will be released online, for free, at these two websites and SportsTalkNetwork.com on June 10. Until then, the features to be contained in the guide will be released here individually in serialized form.

Harri Sateri is the #1 ranked European goalie in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and we had a chance to find out more about this talented netminder.

Q: What style of goalie are you?

A: I'm a butterfly-style goalie.

Q: How old were you when you got a goalie coach?

A: I was about ten years old when I got a goalie coach.

Q: Will you be attending the draft in person?

A: Yes, I will come to the draft.

Q: Who was your favorite player growing up?

A: Ron Hextall.

Q: What's it like to play in the International tournaments like the World Junior Championships?

A: It's awesome. There are all the best players and everybody does their best.

Q: Is your strength going post-to-post -- or what would you say it is?

A: I think my strength is moving.

Q: What's your favorite thing to do when you aren't playing hockey?

A: Playing golf or just hanging out with my friends.

Q: Did you ever play another position in hockey?

A: When I started playing, I was a forward for a year, but then I went to the net.

Q: Have you played or do you still play other sports?

A: Nothing serious, but golf and tennis just for fun.

Q: Who's on your goalie mask?

A: There is our team sponsors, some painting, it's pretty boring.

Q: Your birthday is on the 29th of December, so close to New Year's Eve, is that a fun week for you?

A: Yeah, it’s awesome. First Christmas, then my birthday, and then New Year's Eve. Lot of gifts for me.

Q: Does your mom worry about you getting hurt when you are playing hockey?

A: Yeah, a little bit, but I think my grandmom worries about me the most.

NHL draft guide interview: David Carle

By Rick Morris

As announced previously in this space, Sportsology and FantasyDrafthelp.com are joining up to produce HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY, a comprehensive guide to the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and offseason as a whole. The issue will be released online, for free, at these two websites and SportsTalkNetwork.com on June 10. Until then, the features to be contained in the guide will be released here individually in serialized form.

David Carle is a very talented defenseman who will be attending the University of Denver this fall. This future NHL’er has been tabbed as the 60^{th -}ranked North American skater by Central Scouting and his brother Matt plays for the San Jose Sharks. HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY had a chance to talk to David and ask him about his life and the NHL draft.

Q: Shattuck-St. Mary’s – a lot of great hockey players have played there for the program, but how is the food?

A: Some days it’s pretty good and other days you have to scrounge around for a meal you like. It serves my nutritional needs.

Q: So what’s the reason you go there?

A: It’s not the food.

Q: Is it fun for you to be a part of the same school as Matt?

A: Yeah, I think so. I haven’t talked too much with him about it. It’s pretty much the same coaching staff (Denver), and I think I’ll enjoy it and we will have similar memories and that will be cool.

Q: Are you an offensive defenseman?

A: Yeah, I think I’m a good two-way defenseman. I’m not a super offensive player, but I jump up when I get the opportunity. I pick my spots. I’m trying to implement it into my game more and more.

Q: How tall are you and do you expect to put on some weight in the future?

A: I’m actually 5-11 ½ 190 pounds. I do expect to top out at 6-foot 195-200 pounds. I am definitely trying to do that before the season rolls around.

Q: Does it matter to you where you place in the draft?

A: No, it doesn’t matter, to be honest. I will be grateful for whoever takes me whenever they take me.

Q: What’s your favorite hobby?

A: I like to fish. We go out on 1 or 2 trips in the summer.

Q: What’s the least-known fact about Alaska?

A: Alaska has 3.5 million lakes over 20 acres or larger … I get mad about Minnesota bragging about their 10,000 lakes.

Q: What’s the first thing you will buy when you sign your first pro contract?

A: I haven’t even thought about it.

Q: Blackberry or Sidekick?

A: Voyager touch screen.

Q: What other sports do you play?

A: I have never played another sport competitively. I did play some summer soccer with the boys and girls club for fun.

Q: Did you go to your prom?

A: Yes, I will be going to the prom.

NHL draft guide interview: Danny Kristo

By Rick Morris

As announced yesterday in this space, Sportsology and FantasyDrafthelp.com are joining up to produce HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY, a comprehensive guide to the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and offseason as a whole. The issue will be released online, for free, at these two websites and SportsTalkNetwork.com on June 10. Until then, the features to be contained in the guide will be released here individually in serialized form.

Today's installment comes courtesy of Sportsology. Danny Kristo is a 5-11, 172-pound forward who plays for the U.S. National U-18 hockey team. He is one of the stars of that team, and this Eden Prarie, Minnesota native may end up being one of the best players to move through the system when it’s all said and done. HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY had a chance to talk to him and get the 411.

Q: How has it been playing in the US Developmental program?

A: It’s been great, a real challenge, it has taken some getting used to living away from home and your parents. It’s fun being with the guys, you are with them all the time. I really like it a lot.

Q: Are you looking forward to the draft?

A: Yeah, but I am mainly focusing on the season at this time. The world championships are a big deal here and that is our main goal at this time.

Q: What has been the highlight of your USA career?

A: Playing in big games and getting to go overseas and represent your country. Getting to play college teams is big, playing for the name on the front of your sweater and all that stuff.

Q: Do you feel your speed will help you out come draft day?

A: Yeah, I think that is one of my biggest assets.

NHL draft guide announcement & Wiercioch profile

By Rick Morris

Two of the greatest names in sports journalism have come together to provide unparalleled coverage of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and the NHL offseason as a whole. Sportsology and FantasyDrafthelp.com have co-produced HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY, an electronic magazine available for free download via their websites and SportsTalkNetwork.com on Tuesday, June 10.

These two entities each bring different, but complementary backgrounds to their coverage of how this summer will shape the future of hockey. Sportsology has provided in-depth coverage of the NHL Entry Draft for years, while FantasyDrafthelp.com has previously produced free online magazines for the NFL and NBA drafts. Together, the breadth of their association will encompass all of the following:

^ Exclusive interviews with top North American prospects: forwards Danny Kristo and Colin Wilson, defenseman David Carle and Eric Mestery and goalie Chet Pickard

^ Exclusive interview with top European goalie prospect Harri Sateri

^ A profile of North American defense prospect Patrick Wiercioch, who has played with many of the top players in this year's draft

^ Assessment of talent levels in each NHL organization -- with an additional list of needs in terms of priority for each franchise

^ A compilation of quotes and stories from top NHL prospects, including many future legends, over the past few decades

^ A compilation of some of the silliest question-and-answer sessions with top prospects since 2001

^ For the hockey pool players, an exclusive first look at FantasyDrafthelp.com's Ultimate Quantitative Baseline statistic going into the 2008-09 season -- the absolute measure of value in terms of how the top players at each position are comparing to one another in terms of their rotisserie value

^ A preview of the free agency period that will begin July 1

Serialized installments of HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY will be posted here leading up to the June 10 release of the entire guide. Today, we bring you the profile of Patrick Wiercioch, an outstanding young man with a Canadian and American hockey background whose path has crossed with many other top prospects.

Wiercioch is One To Watch

by Russ Cohen

Sportsology

Patrick Wiercioch is a kid out of Maple Grove, BC and he is one of the best young hockey prospects in the world. He is currently the 77^th ranked North American skater according to Central Scouting and someday he hopes to play in the NHL. For now, he is just your above average athlete and everyday teenager.

At the age of 18, he is gearing up for the NHL draft. He has been around the block playing in the BCHL and then the USHL and soon will skate for the University of Wisconsin. It’s not the normal route for a Canadian player to take.

“No it’s not,” he agreed. “It’s a decision I had to make based on the fact that I wanted to leave home. I felt that if I wanted to go to college next year, then the first step I had to take is to play away from home, kind of get that first step under my belt. When Omaha gave me an offer to play for the team, the opportunity presented itself at the right time.”

This past year he played for the Omaha Lancers of the USHL and he helped them win the Clark Cup. In the regular season, he was good for 21 points in 40 games with a plus 21. In the playoffs he was still a plus player and he stepped up his point production to 11 points in 14 games. His last assist helped set up the game and series-winning goal! He had three points in the final contest, showing he has a flair for the dramatic.

“It was an unbelievable experience to win. We had a group of guys that would have been disappointed had it ended any other way; second place was not really an option for the expectations and standards we had set for ourselves. It's a memory and a bond that we will share for as along as our names will be engraved on those trophies and that’s a special feeling -- to know that you are a part of history.”

The amazing part about his offensive production is the fact that he is a defenseman! Playing was easy but living away from home proved to be a challenge.

“It was different. It was an experience. Everything that I didn’t know would hit me did. The time change, not being able to talk to my family when I wanted to, the food, the culture. Just making all the decisions day in and day out.”

Now Omaha is known for its beef, so was that to his liking?

“No it’s just different because I have two very European parents,” he said proudly. “Eating a different lifestyle was good. It kind of opened me up to new things.”

Then he talked about his billet family.

“The people that I stayed with were phenomenal. They made the transition almost as easy as it could have been. Without them, I don’t know if I would have been able to do it. I stayed with Clint and Janet Shafer in Omaha. They took me in as one of their own kids. I know for a fact without them I wouldn’t have made it through the year.”

And like most teens, he’s still growing!

“I am 6-4, 6-4 ½ maybe and 180 is pretty accurate,” he laughed. “Still growing strong both ways now, which is good because I have only grown one way before….I stretched myself pretty good, now I am just trying to get wide.”

He gave me a scouting report about himself.

“I think after going to the USHL I went from being more of an offensive defenseman to a two-way,” Wiercioch said like a pro. “I know my strengths as an individual are definitely offensive but I think that’s where I am most gifted. That’s where I can use my talent the most, on the power play. I try to find open guys and make players around me better. The style of play that the USHL had to offer kind of forced me to work on my defensive game in my own zone. I think by making that move I kind of rounded myself more as an individual.”

After spending his days playing a fast-paced game like hockey, he likes to relax in the great outdoors.

“I like anything outdoors. I just got into fishing lately. Pretty much the slower the better. Even slower than fishing would be ice fishing when it’s freezing.”

Since he is of Polish descent, he notes that the jokes that we hear in the U.S. are prevalent in Canada as well.

“They are just as bad,” he added.

Kyle Turris was a top draft pick last year and he will be a teammate of Patrick’s at Wisconsin.

“It’s such a great program. The fans there -- you can’t help but get excited with the atmosphere that you are going to be placed in, where hockey really means a lot to them. Words can’t describe how excited I am to don a Badgers jersey,” he said like a true recruit.

Nicklas Lidstrom and Sergei Zubov are two of the defenseman he grew up watching but he is a fan of another famous Canadian.

“I am a huge fan of Sidney Crosby,” but when he realized he might have to face him in the future that changed. “I’ll be a fan up until I get the chance that I go on the other side of him. I still have a couple of more years of rooting then.”

When asked if it mattered what position he was drafted in, he gave a two-part answer.

“It’s just an honor to be considered and have your name tossed around with some of the names in this year’s crop of kids. I played against Steven Stamkos (the #1 ranked N.A. skater) when I was in Pee Wee’s (10 or 11 years of age).”

“Still the same dominant player. He’s been dominant ever since I can remember signing autographs at a Winnipeg banquet. Every kid is sitting at the table and you are supposed to exchange autographs at the table and everyone got up and walked over to that kid. Taveres (John, expected to be a top-five pick in next year’s draft), Hodgson (Cody, ranked as the 9^th N.A. skater), Livingston (James ranked 53^rd), it’s funny how kids you grow up with are eventually going to get the opportunity to turn pro. It would be an honor to be drafted and to go high. But either way I’m proud that I have a scholarship to Wisconsin and that’s something that no one can take from me.”

Now what if he was drafted by Phoenix, like Turris, and he would come face to face with his first hockey idol, Wayne Gretzky?

“If I got taken by Phoenix, I probably have a poster for him to sign,” he said like a true fan. “I don’t know if I’ll drop down to one knee. I’m not sure. It’s beyond belief to even thinking about playing for the guy as much as meeting him.”

This kid will get drafted for his talent and his character. Keep an eye out for him.

Stanley Cup Finals preview

By Rick Morris

After three consecutive Sun Belt vs. Canada matchups that did nothing to engage the interest of American sports fans with at least a casual interest in hockey, this year's Stanley Cup Finals deliver the NHL's dream matchup: the new face of the NHL, Sidney Crosby, and his team with a legacy of Cup championships from the early 1990s against the franchise deemed "Team of the 1990s" by The Hockey News, the ultimate love-them-or-hate-them team in the sport. If this Pittsburgh vs. Detroit clash fails to engage the public's interest, the league is going to have to take a long look in the mirror to find out what can be done to resuscitate interest in the U.S. -- because this showdown is as good as it gets. Putting the first two games of the Finals on an invisible channel nobody gets certainly doesn't help matters.

Before any analysis commences here, check out this great piece from frequent Lounge guest and NHL.com columnist John Kreiser and this column from Lounge friend Russ Cohen of Hockeyology.

These are clearly the two best teams in the NHL right now and it's not very often in any sport that the absolute best duo squares off at the end. Take last year for example: it was by no means certain going into the Finals that Anaheim and Ottawa were the two best teams because Detroit arguably was at least on a par with the Sens. Actually, by the time the Finals were over and Ottawa got squashed, it was apparent to most that the Ducks had actually beaten the second-best team of '06-'07 in the Western Conference Finals. But this year Detroit set a team record with nine consecutive playoff wins en route to a 12-4 playoff record and Pittsburgh bested them with an almost unheard-of 12-2 mark. These two are the best, folks, plain and simple. Given the magnitude of what Dallas accomplished in knocking off two of what were perceived as the West's "Big Three" (Anaheim and San Jose) prior to facing the Wings, the Stars would definitely displace the Wings as the clear-cut best team in the West had they won -- but, notwithstanding a heroic-but-doomed comeback once down 0-3, they did not.

Despite the fact that the Finals feature the league's two best teams of 2008, the goaltending picture in this series is unlikely to say the least. Marc-Andre Fleury was a super-high upside prospect coming into the league, but took his time developing over these past few years. Even now, he's been at an elite level for such a short time, essentially the latter part of this season, that it's hard to ascertain whether he's at the point of realizing his potential. Detroit's Chris Osgood is somebody who this columnist previously proclaimed a hugely underrated and underappreciated backstopper and he has vindicated that proclamation, even if it's been aided by some of the greatest help a goalie could ever receive from his blue line. The guess here is that anyone waiting for either of these goalies to wilt in this series will be disappointed -- and Dom Hasek is about as likely to suit up in this series as Gordie Howe is.

The Wings have a huge edge on the blue line, with "Norris" Nick Lidstrom anchoring what is arguably the greatest defense core of the Hockeytown era -- and that covers tremendous ground. For the Pens, Sergei Gonchar has proven this year that he is much more than a forward stationed on the blue line and the commitment to defense has been impressive for Pittsburgh in this postseason. But realistically, this position presents the biggest gap in talent between the teams.

As great as Detroit is offensively, this squad doesn't even begin to approach the firepower of the legendary '02 team (the apex of the team's pre-cap success) and is not on a par with Pittsburgh's "O." The Crosby-Malkin-Hossa power play combo rates right up there with any in the history of the league and it's up to the Wings to stay out of the "sin bin" because even their amazing penalty kill unit would be stretched to the limits by the Penguins' capabilities.

One of the key questions in this series is whether the Wings will have the services of newly-minted dominator Johan Franzen, who against all odds emerged as an unstoppable goal-scorer down the stretch and in the playoffs. "The Mule" continues to be plagued by post-concussion symptoms but is hopeful of playing later in the series. The team will not risk his health under any circumstances. The guess here is that he'll be in for the latter part of the series and if so, he'll make a tremendous difference. Detroit is already thinner than Pittsburgh offensively and they struggled a bit offensively at times in the Western Conference Finals. As strange as it would have sounded mere months ago, Franzen is of huge importance to the Winged Wheel inasmuch as G.M. Ken Holland rolled the dice and elected not to try to pick up another top-two line forward at the trade deadline.

Two interesting notes that won't get much media play: Cleveland sits almost right in between the two cities and is a sort of "demilitarized zone" for two decent-sized fanbases -- and in a league powered by expansion into brand-new arenas, these Finals feature two of the league's dinosaur facilities.

Now, the prediction: an anticipated return of Franzen late in the series will, with the help of the league's best blue line (sorry, Anaheim) that features among other things bone-rattler Nik Kronwall, help Detroit to win its fourth Stanley Cup since 1997. Red Wings in 6.

For the record, first-round predictions were 6-2, second-round prognostications were 1-3 and third-round picks were 2-0.

Stanley Cup Conference Finals predictions

By Rick Morris

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Pittsburgh over Philadelphia in 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Detroit over Dallas in 6

STANLEY CUP FINALS
Detroit over Pittsburgh in 6

After starting out 6-2 in the first round of the playoffs, I slumped to 1-3 in the second round. The common denominator in both rounds was that I was wrong about Dallas and Philly both times. Both teams have red-hot goalies who could make a tremendous difference in a series, and frankly, I think they're the best two goalies remaining at this time (notwithstanding Chris Osgood's excellent season and 6-0 record since taking over in the first round of the playoffs). I discussed these series as length with SportsTalkNetwork.com hockey analyst Kyle O'Rourke on our program THE GOON SQUAD last night and we split on the West finals. I had been leaning towards Dallas because of their incredible run against the powerful Anaheim and San Jose squads thus far in the postseason. They look like a team of destiny. And yet, I find myself leaning towards the Winged Wheel because teams with an easier track to the Finals have tended to advance there more consistently over time -- and their high-end players (i.e. Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Datsyuk) are better than Dallas' top guns with the exception of Marty Turco. It's hard for me as an admitted diehard Wings fan to reverse my initial gut feeling that Dallas would move on without facing accusations of homerism -- but I'm not going to reverse my final position on this merely out of fear of what others might say. Take the East, for example, which features the Penguins, and I as a native Clevelander have been born and bred to loathe all things Pittsburgh. But I think the Pens' dominant offense and underrated defense will combine to overwhelm the Flyers in the end. I pick this series to go six just because I don't want to risk completely underestimating Philly, but I don't think they can hang in the end. That would set up the Wings and Penguins in the Finals. Can my heart handle it? It's going to have to!

For more thoughts, check out the analysis of our pal Russ Cohen at Hockeyology.

Stanley Cup Playoffs -- Predictions Part II

By Rick Morris

6-2 record in the first round this year, but in all fairness it was mostly chalk advancing.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
SECOND ROUND
Montreal over Philadelphia in 6
New York Rangers over Pittsburgh in 7

CONFERENCE FINALS
New York Rangers over Montreal in 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE
SECOND ROUND
Detroit over Colorado in 6
San Jose over Dallas in 5

CONFERENCE FINALS
Detroit over San Jose in 7

STANLEY CUP FINALS
Detroit over New York Rangers in 6

NOTES
I stated that Anaheim was the team to beat going into the playoffs, followed by Detroit, followed by San Jose. The Ducks' shocking collapse leaves the Winged Wheel atop the charts in my book right now. The revival of the Avs rivalry will be epic. As for Dallas, I'm really sticking my neck out, but I believe their first-round blow-through was flukish. Montreal should skate circles around the Philly blue line and I believe the Rangers' experience will win out in the closest second-round series.

Fun Timewasters: Video Clips

By Rick Morris

From time to time, we try to accommodate our Lounge content consumers who just want some fun, light entertainment. Hence this edition of our Video Clips series, entitled "Fun Timewasters."

These are simply some video clips that you can enjoy and consume in the form of good, mindless entertainment. On with the show!

In honor of "Big Ben" Wallace bringing back the 'fro just in time for he and Lebron James to lead a spanking of the overrated Wiz in the playoffs, we honor the man with the greatest 'fro ever, Billy Preston (sorry, Oscar Gamble!). After elbowing Gilbert Arenas in the head at some point during the series, I'd like to see Wallace stand over him and croon, "Don't you remember I told you? I'm a soldier. In the war on poverty!"



Now that's old school! No pyro, no promos, just pro wrestling 1930s-style! Ed "Strangler" Lewis brings the noise.



If it's springtime, it's that time of year when our thoughts turn to brutal mayhem in hockey rinks during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. To celebrate, I bring to you the top five Bob Probert fights of all time!



The Barack Obama-Pastor Wright 12-inch dance remix.



Our Senior Editor Jason Jones says Rashard Mendenhall is actually the best running back in next weekend's NFL Draft. Judge for yourself.



This isn't a new clip; it's from a few years ago, but I don't care, I'm posting it anyway. It might well be the best feel-good video clip I've ever seen. Jason McElwain outdoes every sports movie ever with an out-of-this-world performance.

Octopus should give 8 middle fingers to NHL

By Rick Morris

The NFL's the one that's the No Fun League, right? The NHL is all about fan friendliness and embracing and appreciating the dwindling numbers in the U.S. who have been supporting their product over the turbulent last 15 years, right? The NHL would never quash a fun and beloved tradition just to act like a bunch of annoying killjoys, right?

Oh, wait, they just did.

If the question hadn't been beat into the ground already by a bald, bug-eyed camera hog with a grating Southern accent, I'd be asking Gary Bettman and Company, "What were you thinking?" It's one thing to change the league's rules in the middle of the playoffs to outlaw the kind of weaselly bush-league play that Sean Avery embraced at the expense of respect for the game of hockey (and I say that as somebody who loathes the Devils and Martin Brodeur and who still has a soft spot for Avery from his days with my Wings -- which included a game in Atlanta in which I must admit I was howling for Avery to draw blood from the Thrashers ...). That was a necessary move.

Banning Zamboni driver Al Sobotka from twirling an octopus over his head that was thrown on the ice? Not so much.

This particular tradition dates back to 1991 and the chucking of octopi in Detroit dates back 56 years in all, as fans started hurling the smelly creature on the ice to signify the eight playoff wins required at the time to win the Stanley Cup.

Well, I for one appreciate a great tradition, particularly when it revolves around my Red Wings. So does my Senior Editor Jason Jones (hope I'm not getting him in trouble in the new media market he's in for revealing his hockey affection!). So in defiance of that Philistine Colin Campbell, I wish to state proudly that on our blog, Al Sobotka will ALWAYS be twirling the octopus over his head. And as a great man once said, "Choke on that, Slapnutz!"

Stanley Cup Playoffs -- Predictions Part I

By Rick Morris

We will be updating Stanley Cup Playoff predictions on the blog subsequently as the different rounds ensue.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
FIRST ROUND
(1) Montreal over (8) Boston in 5
(2) Pittsburgh over (7) Ottawa in 5
(3) Washington over (6) Philadelphia in 7
(5) New York Rangers over (4) New Jersey in 7

SECOND ROUND
(5) New York Rangers over (1) Montreal in 6
(2) Pittsburgh over (3) Washington over 6

CONFERENCE FINALS
(2) Pittsburgh over (5) New York Rangers in 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE
FIRST ROUND
(1) Detroit over (8) Nashville in 5
(2) San Jose over (7) Calgary in 7
(6) Colorado over (3) Minnesota in 6
(4) Anaheim over (5) Dallas in 5

SECOND ROUND
(1) Detroit over (6) Colorado in 6
(4) Anaheim over (2) San Jose in 6

CONFERENCE FINALS
(4) Anaheim over (1) Detroit in 6

STANLEY CUP FINALS
Anaheim over Pittsburgh in 6

EASTERN CONFERENCE THOUGHTS
Some of these first-round series really evoke memories of days gone by. Montreal and Boston have one of the most heated rivalries in any sport and if you don't believe me, check out the vicious smack between their fans on some message boards. Boston's way too banged-up to even make this a series, though. The Sens can't stand up to the Pens right now, either; I see Ottawa and Boston as being the only teams with NO chance of coming out of the East (with the Flyers just barely avoiding being placed on that level). Jersey and the Rangers will evoke memories of the mid-90s when they get it on and I think the winner of this series will be well-positioned going forward. Ultimately, the skill level of Pittsburgh makes them the favorite out East in my mind and I think that Montreal is as unimposing a #1 seed as we've seen in either conference in a long time. Parity is the watchword here.

WESTERN CONFERENCE THOUGHTS
As a diehard Red Wings fan, it pains me to say that my team is not the favorite notwithstanding the Presidents' Trophy, but I believe as I did at the trade deadline that this team is one big-scoring forward away from getting past Anaheim. Basically, the Ducks, Red Wings and Sharks are the top teams in that order, with everyone else save Nashville having at least a chance at some kind of run. The West may very well hinge on which of the "Big Three" teams will have to play each other in the second round (assuming they all advance that far, which I think they will), although I don't have it shaking out that way presently. With names such as McCarty, Foote and Forsberg migrating home, the Wings and Avs seem destined for one more battle for old time's sake this spring and it would be an awesome reinvigoration of what was sports' best rivalry back at the turn of the decade. The Ducks' hot play down the stretch with most of last year's core finally intact indicates that they are still the team to beat, although Detroit's ability to come close to matching blue-line-for-blue-line will make for a fascinating twist on what might become the game's next great rivalry.

If you are participating in a fantasy league for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and you bloody well should be, we urge you to check out our draft board on our fantasy blog. In terms of combined quality and quantity, this two-month journey is the greatest event on the sports calendar each year and we advise you to check it out if you are in the fortunate 1% of Americans receiving the Versus channel!

NHL trade deadline winners and losers

By Rick Morris

Today's NHL trade deadline was covered in exquisite detail by ESPN.com writer Scott Burnside. Herewith, my brief thoughts on the biggest winners and losers in the short term -- teams that either moved toward a date with the Stanley Cup or took a step backward.

WINNERS

1. Pittsburgh. Marian Hossa gets added to this lineup? Are you kidding me? Hey, as a lifelong Clevelander I'm born and bred to loathe The Yinzers, but I'm impressed. Hal Gill won't hurt on the blue line, either.

2. Dallas. On the day that Tampa Bay threw in the white towel for this season and turned the page decisively on their 2004 Stanley Cup season by moving their Conn Smythe winner from that campaign, the Stars came away with a huge haul in Brad Richards. His horrible defensive numbers will pick up in Big D and Dallas fills the need for an additional scorer that I thought they still had coming into today.

3. San Jose. When Raider Fan By Another Name files into the Shark Tank this spring, he may be witnessing the team's best run yet. Brian Campbell fills the longtime hole the team has had on the blue line and it's entirely likely he'll provide the same boost to his new team that Joe Thornton provided last year -- albeit that lift only came in the regular season and Campbell was brought in for the games that follow that.

4. Colorado. First a team from Pittsburgh, now my most hated team in sports -- it hurts be objective some days and this is certainly one of those days. But with Forsberg and Foote coming back without damaging the existing roster in any way, this team just locked up a playoff spot IF -- and it's a big if -- Floppy Furesburg is even relatively healthy. Hey, with Darren McCarty coming back to Hockeytown, the first round could be a great nostalgia-fest!

5. Washington. First they get an impressive goalie like Huet on the cheap, then they get a low-risk flyer on Sergei The Enigma. It's very possible to overstate the impact of these moves, but they help and with no margin for error on the Eastern bubble, that's important in and of itself.

LOSERS

1. Detroit. Again, objectivity really hurts today. I've nicknamed Ken Holland "The Smartest Man in Sports," and he's had such a golden touch over the years (including the time since the salary cap was instituted, so put that in your pipe and smoke it, haters!) that it doesn't seem right to bash him today. But bash him I must. Brad Stuart helps on the blue line, but that's the area of greatest strength already. My Wings really needed another scoring wing and I fear it will come back to haunt us in the playoffs.

2. Montreal. How does trading Huet help in the short term? It doesn't, and they're out on a big limb in net right now.

3. New Jersey. You're either upgrading or moving backwards in this climate.

4. Columbus. So much for being a buyer at the trading deadline, although the team may benefit in the long term from their approach.

5. TIE Toronto and Buffalo. See Columbus.

Goon Squad/7th Inning Slouch February 14

By Rick Morris

We at FDH are proud to be producing the SportsTalkNetwork.com St. Valentine's Day Massacre, as we roll out our brand new Thursday night lineup this week.

From 7-8 PM EST, THE GOON SQUAD restores hockey talk to STN. Topics o' conversation? We'll break down one of the world's greatest but least-covered tournaments, the just-concluded Beanpot, we'll look back at the NHL Winter Classic, compare and contrast our preseason predictions for the NHL with the present standings and check up on the health of poor Richard Zednik. Thank God he's going to be OK and no, I haven't been able to bring myself to watch the video of his carotid artery being sliced wide open. Any of you who have watched it repeatedly are ghouls, by the way.

From 8-9 PM EST, SEVENTH INNING SLOUCH brings conversation about our national pastime your way. From the Roid-ger Clemens fiasco to offseason transactions to early fantasy Draft Day advice, we'll move through the most relevant material in the game right now.

Don't forget also from 9-11 PM EST, the Thursday night mainstay THE FANTASYDRAFTHELP.COM INSIDER comes your way with a great lineup that is summed up on our sister fantasy sports blog.

We're very proud of our existing programming with STN, which has endured and grown for almost five years. These new shows will bring our all-around coverage to an entirely new level and we humbly invite you to watch and listen this Thursday night.