10 Players To Watch In Shortened NHL Season

With the 2013 NHL season just 2 days away it's time to take a look at 10 players who are set to have a big year in the shortened NHL season. The players who will benefit most from the 48 game campaign are the youngsters- many of whom have been playing in the AHL during the 113 days NHL lockout. This list will carry a mixture of stars to underdogs who are going to turn some heads and help lead their teams to victory.

10 Players to Watch in Shortened NHL Season-

10- Brendan Smith- Detroit Red Wings

This is a young defenceman that was brought to my attention by one of my twitter followers- and it turns out he's going to have a key role on the Red Wings blueline. Smith is coming off 32 games with Grand Rapids where he's racked up 5 goals and 15 assists and will have a head start on many of his Red Wings teammates- who haven't had a chance to play. Smith saw 14 games with the Wings last season and will need to step up to the plate after the Wings lost defencemen Nicklas Lidstrom and Brad Stuart in the offseason. After taking the time to hone his skills in the AHL, Smith knows he's ready to make the jump and help fill the holes on the Wings blueline. If your fantasy hockey league counts +/- then consider picking up Smith- who prides himself on his +/-.

9. Gabriel Landeskog- Colorado Avalanche

Landeskog was so impressive in his rookie year that he won rookie of the year honours and earned the trust of Avalanche brass to be named the youngest captain in team history. In 82 games last season the young Swede was able to put up 52 points and with a shortened season could surprise many and be amongst the top goal scorers in the league- it also doesn't hurt he played in Sweden during the lockout racking up 14 points in 17 games. Look for Landeskog to jump out to a quick start to prove he was the right choice for captain and his rookie year wasn't a fluke.

8. Jordan and Eric Staal- Carolina Hurricanes

I'm putting the Staal brothers together on this list because if either of them is to have a big year it will because of the addition of their brother. The Hurricanes were on a mission to add young talent to help prove they are serious Cup contenders- one of their big additions was Jordan Staal from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jordan will be re-united with his older brother Eric and the siblings will be looking to help each other improve with a little old sibling rivalry. Jordan is finally getting the top 6 minutes he deserves and will be looking to prove he is a top 6 forward- Eric had a slow start last year and will be looking to rebound this season. Look for the Staal brothers to have career years and get the Hurricanes back into the playoffs.

7. Ryan Miller- Buffalo Sabres

After having the best year of his career in 2010 in which he captured the Vezina trophy and back-stopped the Sabres into the playoffs, Miller had a dissapointing season last year. An early concussion threw him off his game early on and put the Sabres in a rough spot. After a strong finish at the end of last season which brought the Sabres back from 14th to 9th look for Miller to carry that momentum over into the shortened season. Miller will be looking to re-solidify his spot amongst the elite goalies in the NHL and a 48 game season (30 games) will be just the thing to get Miller back on track. With the additions of Hodgson, Foligno and possibly Grigorenko the Sabres should be able to put up more goals to help their tender out. Look for Miller to return to his Vezina form and be amongst the top goalies propeling the Sabres back into the postseason.

6. Matt Duchene- Colorado Avalanche

Duchene has shown flashes of brilliance since being taken 3rd overall in 2009, but has yet to solidify himself as the elite player he was projected to be. The Avalanche are filled with youth and young stars- having Landeskog being named captain shows they are putting faith in the youth of the team. Duchene is now 22 and healthy after a injury plagued 2011-2012- and after being some-what overshadowed by Landeskog, Duchene will be looking to remind everyone he was the original Avalanche superstar. Coming off strong play overseas during the lockout Duchene has brought that play back home and is looking very strong in training camp- look for him to prove he's ready and capable of playing on the first line.

5. Sidney Crosby- Pittsburgh Penguins

As one of the best, most elite players in the league Crosby is always an exciting player to watch and never disappoints. When his team needs someone to step up he's the first one to score a big goal. After playing just 63 games over the last 2 seasons Crosby is finally healthy and is looking forward to playing a "full-season" with no injury issues. Evgeni Malkin has risen to the top with the absence of Crosby and has won over the fans- many believing Malkin to be the best player on the Penguins- Crosby is in the best shape he's been in years, look for him to hit the ice running and light up the league proving he is still one of the best players in the game and gain back his honour of being the best Penguin. After last seasons disappointing first round exit at the hands of the Flyers, look for Crosby to lead the Pens back to the Stanley Cup Finals!

4. Claude Giroux- Philadelphia Flyers

Coming off a career year with the Flyers that saw Giroux put up 93 points and have his name thrown into the mix as a elite young player- Giroux has been named the 19th captain in Flyers history. At age 25 with 4 NHL seasons under his belt, Giroux is ready to step up and become a leader- he already leads the team without the "C" by inspiring teammates with hard hits and timely goals. He's the perfect player to take over the captaincy role from Chris Pronger and could be poised for a long run as Flyers captain. Look for Giroux to put up terrific numbers and lead the Flyers to a deep playoff run.

3. Cory Schneider- Vancouver Canucks

After stealing the number goaltending job away from Roberto Luongo, there's no questions everyone in the hockey world will be looking at Schneider. Schneider will be called upon to not only keep the Canucks at the top of the Western Conference, but to break the reputation of a team that can't perform in the playoffs. There's going to be a lot of pressure on the young goaltender to deliver- will he rise to the occasion or crack under the pressure?

2. Jordan Eberle- Edmonton Oilers

I absolutely love the way Jordan Eberle plays and it's a shame he gets overshadowed by  Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent- Hopkins and now Nail Yakupov. I truly believe Eberle is the Oilers MVP and the most complete young star- look for him to prove that this year. Last year was a career year for the 22 year-old who racked up 76 points and ranked 16th amongst NHL scoreers. After being given a "A" this season, look for Eberle to become one of the leaders of the young Oilers squad both on the ice and off ice- leading by example. I wouldn't be surprised to see him lead the team in points and be amongst the top scoring leaders in the shortened season.

1. Justin Shultz- Edmonton Oilers

With all the young offencive talent the Oilers have I wouldn't be surprised if they managed to squeak into the playoffs. Shultz absolutely tore up the AHL during the lockout putting up 48 points in just 34 games- and he's a defenceman. The 48 game season will work out perfectly for Shultz in his first year after playing a 43 game season with Wisconsin. Look for Shultz to provide some stability to the Oilers defence and challenge for the Calder trophy.

 

There you have it folks, 10 players who are poised to have a big season once the puck drops on Saturday. One things for sure- a 48 game season will result in some exciting hockey with lots of surprises.

 

 

Top 10 NHL Goals of 2012

Anyone else missing the jaw dropping goals from the NHL? yeah me too! But with 2012 down to the final days and a hockey-less 2013 on the way it's time we look back at some of the best goals from the NHL during the 2011 and 2012 season. Some of these goals will leave you scratching your head and wondering how they made it happen. Here are my top 10 NHL goals of 2012.

*Warning The Following Videos May Cause Hockey Withdrawals*

 

10. Benoit Pouliot 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg_-grgXhD8

Pouliot goes end to end on butter toast, between the legs and then falls to his knees before tucking the puck in far side! The benefit of 4 on 4 hockey is the extra space for these guys to work their magic and in this highlight reel goal Pouliot takes full advantage of the extra space.

9. Corey Perry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ8CTsV8ruI

Now although this goal was done in the All-Star skills competition, an event made just to hype up goals and wouldn't have counted in a real game, for fans who grew up watching hockey this one hits home. In this amazing goal Perry goes old school by pulling out the mini-stick and going back to the mini-stick days, using the decoy to deke out the goalie. As far as goals go, this one is a classic.

8. Tyler Ennis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQKCfYSCZ88

Ennis is a guy who plays the game all out and seeing his emotion coming out after a jaw-dropping goal is amazing. Ennis makes Markov look like a simple pylon during practice with this dandy, check out his celebration after the goal!

7. Bobby Ryan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN_s2FjJ0ak

One of the most under-rated advantages/skills in hockey is size. At 6 foot 2 Ryan uses all of his extra length to rend the defenceman helpless. After getting past 2 defencemen, Nabokov misses the poke check giving Ryan a wide open net.

6. Claude Giroux

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEVdL2Ej_AA

If you followed the Pittsburgh Penguins and and Philadelphia Flyers rivalry throughout the season, you can understand why this goal is included. The two team simply can't stand each other, and arguably the two best players from each team collide in an open ice hit. While Crosby is busy wondering why someone actually hit him, Giroux jumps up, joins the rush and snipes a short side goal on Marc Andre-Fluery.

5. Jeff Skinner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqPOjGIVn-I&feature=player_embedded

If there's one thing young hockey players know how to do it's score exciting goals. Here Skinner mixes in a little toe-drag and then kicks the puck from his back skate between his legs and back on the blade of his stick then goes far side. Skinner actually loses the puck on this rush manages to compose himself and get back, fantastic composure from such a young player.

4. Alexander Ovechkin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-PCeU2o9B0

You could probably have a top 10 dedicated specifically to highlight reel goals from Ovechkin, it seems all the guy does is score jaw dropping goals. Here Ovechkin goes between the legs to lose the defenceman and the proceeds to go bar down, the goalie didn't stand a chance.

3. Matt Duchene

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHQb4NjOk5M

Now this is an incredible goal, not only does Duchene score this beauty he also reaches behind him, to the opposite side of his stick, to redirect the puck back to his forehand. It's the type of goal you have to watch 2 or 3 times to fully believe your eyes.

2. Jason Spezza

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggKY-kMCHko

Now I know Spezza himself didn't score this goal, but after an effort like this they should have just given the goal to him. Here Kyle Turris is in the right place at the right time and benefits from a fantastic individual effort from Spezza. If you didn't know better you would have thought he had a the puck on a string, the way he's able to weave his way through the opposition and keep control shows the skill he truly possess.

1. Evgeni Malkin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piXBKJHNkH0

One thing that can't be disputed is that Malkin had a breakout year last season while Crosby was on the sidelines. He put the team on his back and never disappointed. Here he goes coast to coast on butter toast and honestly I don't think there's a player in white who he didn't deke out of their uniform. Malkin dances through the entire Tampa Bay Lightning team and slips the puck 5-hole. People were so impressed by this dandy that it drew comparison to a goal scored by Penguins great Mario Lemieux.

I hope you enjoyed the top 10 NHL goals from 2012, it was truly a remarkable season with many highlights. Did I miss any spectacular goals, from 2012? Let me know!

 

Movember and the NHL: 5 Best Beards From Last Season

November is often a slow and boring month. It's the month before December and Christmas, it's right after Halloween and there isn't really anything exciting going on. But the thing that makes the slow and cold month exciting is the furry brows that appear on the upper lips of men in support of Prostate Cancer. Hence why it's called Movember, because of the moustaches that are grown during the month. Now facial hair and hockey go hand and hand, there's the traditional "playoff beard" and 3rd/4th line grinders who are more known for their facial hair then their play. But for hockey players, being able to grow a half decent beard/moustache is a badge of honour, so let's take a look back at the 5 best "mo's" from last years Movember.

5. Carey Price




There is never a dull moment with the Canadiens goaltender, and one thing he's not shy about is his confidence. He showed his

confidence with his "pedophile" looking moustache last season. Although he seems to grow the same style of "mo" every Movember, he still gets points for giving it his best shot. Who knows maybe if the Habs ever make a deep playoff run with him between the pipes, we'll get to see a real beard from the young goaltender.

4. Claude Giroux

Giroux gets bonus points for his "mo" despite using Just For Men to enhance his facial hair. When you're a ginger you're unlikely to grow a deep dark moustache, so to help make his hair's more noticeable he touched it up. Is it cheating or points for creativity, I vote creativity. What he lacks in facial hair he makes up for in skill.

 

3. Paul Bissonnette

Remember the grinders I mention above? Bissonnette fits perfectly into this category, people know more about his twitter feed than his actual hockey stats. So when Movember rolls around no doubt the attention seeking 4th liner makes the most of it. With his support for Movember it's hard not to cheer for his stache, but with last years effort he could fit the part of a creepy pizza delivery man.

2. Mike Brown

Brown like Bissonnette is a 4th liner who is known for other things other than scoring goals. But when you're playing in Toronto and not scoring goals the media has a tendency to eat you alive, instead Brown decided he was going to be know for his epic facial hair that screams "Go ahead take a shot at me!"
Brown rocks the handle bar moustache and doesn't cut it off after Movember, instead he lets it grow and in turn it's becomes part of his persona with the Leafs.

1. George Parros

Although Parros is no longer with the Anaheim Ducks, he will forever be known for his famous moustache, heck they even sell his moustaches in the Ducks team store. Parros says his moustache is inspired by his favourite musician  Sean "Greazy" Bryan. His stache is so popular that his former teammates in Denver got mad when he decided to shave it off. Parros has his own apparel line "Stache Gear" in which all proceeds go to charity. Talk about using your moustache to the fullest, not bad for the former Ducks enforcer.



Unfortunately because of the lockout fans aren't likely to see too many of their favourite players rocking a moustache, so if you're missing those hair faces just check back here to see the best ones from last season. Better yet how about growing a moustache yourself for the month of November and helping raise support for mens health, after all you moustache can't be any worse than Sidney Crosby's sad attempt at a stache right?
Happy Movember to all you "mo-bros!"