The much maligned and enagmatic Phil Kessel that existed in Toronto had seemingly evaporated when the star scorer exchanged the blue and white for black and yellow. The club made the deal in hopes of a spark in pursuit of a second championship in the Crosby-Malkin...
Earlier this week, I began looking closer inside the Metropolitan division, positioned nicely to be the powerhouse of the National Hockey League. All eight teams are either in contending status or trending in that direction after periods of rebuilding. There's no easy...
Not only did the St. Louis Blues title help end the franchise's 52-year Cup drought, it also returned the Stanley Cup to the Central division, regular keepers of it during Chicago's three in six modern day dynasty. The Metro, which occupied it from 2016-2018, saw its...
And now the fun begins. A trio of cap dump deals helped save the weekend during the second round of the what was an otherwise dull draft. At least in terms of NHL bodies changing uniforms. Patrick Marleau to Carolina...and soon to bought out and likely returned to San...
In April, the Devils won the right to select first overall at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. They used that pick on long-touted prospect, Jack Hughes and effectively stole the show on the first night. But minutes before the second day began, New Jersey again took center...
If you thought the 2019 NHL Entry Draft left much to be desired, particularly in the extra-curricular department, then you're not alone. The draft kicked off just as many expected it would: U.S. center, Jack Hughes selected first overall, making it four-straight...
The most exciting hockey playoff preview show you can imagine. That was the scene on Tuesday night as the NHL's draft lottery concluded in dramatic fashion--two of the top-three teams knocked out, while the Blackhawks and Rangers leaped into lottery spots. But at the...
Question: What bums an NHL general manager out more than missing the playoffs? Answer: Missing the playoffs and having ones poor season on display during the second round for a primetime Draft Lottery Show. And so, we should all send thanks to whoever decided to move...
The unfortunate familiarity of an early April exit has retruned in the Garden State. After being a surprise team in the NHL last year, culminating in their first playoff berth in five seasons, the Devils will miss the postseason for the sixth time in seven seasons....
For years, the Penguins-Capitals second round meeting was the spectacle of the postseason. Long, thrilling and star-powered. That matchup may again repeat itself this spring, but Wednesday offered a preview to what might be the must-see series of this year's playoffs....
NEWARK--Decisions loom for Ray Shero and the Devils, but it may be less obvious than initially thought. Marcus Johansson, a UFA on July 1, is one of the hottest Devils as of late. In his last six games he's notched seven points and 18 minutes per night. His most...
It's roughly one week til the NHL trade deadline and the battle for playoff positioning is tight. The narrative in the West has been a reoccuring theme--as the last place L.A. Kings are only eight points out of a spot. But, upon further review, there's a similarly...
When John Tavares signed a seven-year, $77 million contract with the Maple Leafs as an unrestricted free agent, many knew the challenge ahead for Kyle Dubas: find a way to keep the club's drafted core of William Nylander, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews in the fold...
Can Nico Hischier be the high-impact, face of the franchsie-type player for the Devils? Saturday afternoon might have given a peek inside that window. Facing a daunting task, minus Taylor Hall, Sami Vatanen and Travis Zajac, among others and in the tough Bell Centre,...
The Devils struggles on the road reared its ugly head again Tuesday night in Columbus. Looking to build off two wins at home, the Devils were defeated 4-1 at Nationwide Arena and it was trouble from the drop of the puck. Cam Atkinson and Boone Jenner potted goals...
NEWARK--With just one win since the New Year, the Blackhawks scored enough to win most games. But after a miserable opening two periods, it was too steep a hill to climb as the Devils held on 8-5 in a wild game Monday night. Kyle Palmieri scored twice within minutes...
Goaltenders are sure to get a few free meals from their teammates on many nights. But most would prefer the win. The Devils scratched and clawed, trying to pay Mackenzie Blackwood's tab. It wasn't enough as the Stars won a wild one, 5-4 Wednesday at the American...
NEWARK--Mackenzie Blackwood has as many NHL wins as he does leagues played in this season--three. It's part of the 22-year-old goaltender's journey that has re-energized the club, winning three-straight for the first time since the start of the season. Making his...
NEWARK--Last July, John Tavares made a monumental decision to test the waters and ultimately depart his former team via free agency. It marked the first time in the cap era that a player of his caliber made it to open market and opted to sign away from the only place...
NEWARK--If the Devils, presently seated in the bottom-five in NHL standings, they could point to Friday's 5-4 comeback victory over the Golden Knights as a turning point in their season. Vegas was the decidely quicker and more relentless team in the opening 10 minutes...
The Toronto Maple Leafs and William Nylander's camp have been pitted against eachother for the better part of the last five months. But when it came down to the wire, both sides found room to make a deal on Saturday. In dramatic fashion the Leafs announced that they...
In over 10 seasons with the Blackhawks, Joel Quenneville created the gold standard across the National Hockey League--a blue print of success. Winning three cups in six years in the salary cap era, the bench boss was a crucial element, a much-revered coach. But...
And away we go. The 2018-19 season is officially underway. It's particularly exciting for me. Sure, the hockey is great, but we also get to end the insufferable before-the-season Predictions. Whether it's standings or "breakout star" or, more morbid stuff, like "first...
An ode to the past, a look at the present and a preview into the future. It must be (almost) the start of hockey season. The Devils who slid into the playoffs as the final wild card team in the Eastern Conference before falling in five games to the Lightning, are...
Martin Brodeur always had a way of looking calm, cool and collected in net in a career that spanned more than 20 years. And that figures to be the case again on Tuesday afternoon, when the sure-fire, first-ballot Hall of Famer, becomes what he's always seemed destined...
John Carlson scored career-high's in goals (15), assists (53) and points (68) last season. Some great timing a pending unrestricted free agent, already due to earn some significant term and dollars in his next extension. Re-signing the defenseman at the dollars he was...
The 2018 NHL Enrty Draft will be held Friday in Dallas at the American Airlines Center. Trades and the Draft have always gone hand in hand. Most recently, I explored some of the biggest established players that might be out there and what it might take to acquire...
T-Minus 55 hours 'til the NHL world collides together in Dallas, Texas for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. And, as per usual, the air is thick with trade chatter--and some prominent names front-and-center. Last June in Chicago saw the likes of Derek Stepan, Antti Raanta,...
It's hard to remember the last time a head coach, in any sport, fresh off winning a championship, made the decision to leave their respective organization. Enter Barry Trotz, who did just that on Monday. Trotz, 55, was the subject of job security rumors throughout the...
Alexander Ovechkin isn't that guy. No, Alex Ovechkin, owner of seven scoring titles, a trio of Art Ross trophies (among other individual-owned hardware) and a 196 lead on Sidney Crosby for most goals since 2005-06, won't be defined by the void on his resume. Barry...
