AHL Calls for Avery Again

Well it would seem that the Hartford Wolfpack will be getting everyone's favorite pest for a second time this year. Earlier today Avery cleared waivers from the 1st place Rangers. Not shocking since he has been a healthy scratch for the last nine games. I have always thought that the Rangers play better with him in the lineup. Earlier this year when they were struggling with injuries and he got the call up, it seemed to be the spark they needed. Don't get me wrong, I don't like the guy, and from what most say neither does head coach John Tortorella. Tortorella claims its just a "numbers" game because the team is getting healthier...right.

Avery has said he plans to honor the 15.5 million four year deal, which is in its final season. He could go play for Mother Russia in the KHL, but has made it clear he would like to play next year in the NHL preferably. Also, if he was to bail on his deal now and leave for Russia he would surely have an even harder time then he already is now getting signed by a team other than the Rangers.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year Etc

Hey everyone wanted to make sure your holidays were healthy, happy and hockey related. We here at two dudes took off some time from the blog to watch some serious hockey and spend some time doing the normal holiday stuff (boozing, family visiting, eating...boozing again). But don't think for a second that we didn't have stuff to talk about. We wanted to go over a few things that we are going to try to implement for the new year:

1) Weekly Power Rankings
2) Weekly Top 10 lists
3) Guest posts
4) Twitter!

and of course all the top notch hockey coverage you have learned to expect from the Two Dudes. If you guys can think of anything you want to see on the blog leave us a comment or post on our Facebook! I also want to give a Two Dudes Mega High Five Shout Out to Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star for the twitter mention, Thanks Kevin!

Once again thank you all for the support. Big things coming for the New Year so check back often. We will now leave you with this.....

Enjoy!

He Said She Said

Got to love hearing this. Nothing sparks a good rivalry like good old fashion trash talking. On a local Chicago radio station Dave Bolland was heard taking some shots at the Sedin twins. When asked about the all star duo he simply referred to them as the Sedin "sisters" followed by some good laughs. When asked if it was just the "sisters" he hated or it was the the whole team Bolland replied with " I hate them all". Sounds like some pretty fair trash talking that should make there next game on Jan 31st pretty good (hint hint). But these words did not sit to well with Alain Vigneault head coach of those very "sisters" Bolland was refering to. Vigneault came back with this when he got word of the comment, "When you have comments like Bolland's, he's obviously an individual whose IQ is probably the size of a bird seed, and has the face only a mother can look at". Oh yea! Not even a face a mother can love! Only look at. This is good stuff we have developing here. So obviously Bolland came back with his I'm sorry speach saying it was all in good fun and he respects both the team and the Sedins. Coach Vigneault went on to say "You're talking about two players who play with integrity, they play the right way, that are great examples of everything this games stands for" (I could not agree more) he goes on to say "And then you have a birdseed like that making comments, lucky his mother loves him." Not once but twice this man mentions Bollands birdseed brain and the loving Mrs. Bolland. Vigneault finished with "I think it's a bad reflection for himself, the image an NHL player tries to portray," Vigneault said. "In my mind, such a classy organization like Chicago, I'm sure they're not too happy about that. I'm sure the NHL isn't too happy about that. We're not talking about junior league here or bush league, we're talking about (the) NHL, where they have professional players where they get involved in community and society. We all do a hard line of work and they do it the best way they can and to have guys like this trying to act like comedians, that's just not the right thing to do." And what image are you setting there Vigneault, wouldn't it be better to turn the other cheek and show how your above this? Just as guilty and to be frank, "Get over it", the guy called two brothers, "sisters", he just happens to play for one of your biggest playoff rivals to date. I mean is it the playoffs yet? Can't wait.

comments taken from WGN Radio, Team 1040 Radio, The Vancouver Providence and ESPNChicago.com

Where the Wild Things Are

I want all of you to do me a favor. Check out these two websites.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?season=20112012&type=LEA

http://espn.go.com/nhl/powerrankings

Put on any necessary reading aids that you require because I want you to be 100% sure what you're seeing. Yes that's right, the MINNESOTA WILD are the BEST TEAM IN THE ENTIRE NHL. Not leading their division, not one of the best, the very best team in the league. They have the best record and the only team with 20 wins.

How is this happening? Well let's take a look. First of the Wild have the best road record in the NHL. Despite being middle of the pack in goals scored, they are 5th in the league in goals allowed. This equates into a +15 ratio. If you ever want a good indication of what teams are "contenders" and "pretenders" this is one of the better stats to look at. The Wild also have a top ten penalty kill and are 3rd in goals against per game with 2.1.




It is also an admirable job by first year coach Mike Yeo. Yeo spent last year bringing the Houston Aeros to the Western Conference championships; a year before they were dead last in the west. Yeo is coaching a team with a overhauled roster from last year. The Wild traded away fan favorite and there only All-Star Brent Burns to get the oft criticized and under-performing Danny Heatley. Trading away Martin Havlat also brought in some new shark blood as Devin Setoguchi came along for the ride as well. Look at this roster; half of the team are call ups and randoms. Their top scorer, captain Mikko Koivu, is tied for 26th in the league for scoring. And yet they win going  8-2 in there past 10 games.

The goaltending situation however is where the Wild shine. After #1 goalie Niklas Backstrom went down, still posting an impressive 11-5 2.01 GAA, Josh Harding stepped in and well put up almost the exact same numbers to the tune of 7-2-1 and a 2.14 GAA. When Harding got injured in a game, well of course 22 year old rookie Matt Hackett steps in makes a complete 34 for 34 performance and then the next games stops 42 out of 44 and gets another win. Nothing like a good 1.01 GAA to start your career. The injury situation has gotten so silly in Minnesota that at one point they hired FATHER TIME to start in net.

Hockey is big time in Minnesota so its good to see the Wild seeing this level of success. This might be the best  Minnesota team since well these guys.

Crosby Out...No Timetable

Today we have learned that Sidney Crosby is now out indefinitely with no timetable for a return. We are also seeing that the original Chris Kunitz collision was not what coaches and team doctors where originally cautious about. It was an apparent elbow hit by David Krejci to the head of Crosby in the very first shift of the game. It happens so fast you have to slow it down to actually see it happen.

Why this wasn't brought up when he initially was told he needed to sit out the original two games remains to be seen. But this was the first shift of the game and he did continue to play the remainder of the game. He is now saying that he is feeling some of the same symptoms that kept him sidelined for almost 10 months. So with that being said alarms were pulled and sirens blaring and the Sidney Crosby show has been taken off the air until further notice. Sad news because this is now looking like something that can not be undone. Pat Lafontaine and the later part of his career is starting to ring a couple bells (no pun intended). After one big concussion blow it was just a slippery slope for him till he was forced to retire. All it took for Pat was one big hit and then him running into his own player to finally seal his deal....cough cough...With that being said Pat still played for a good 15 years in the league and is still one of the greatest American born hockey players of all time. This "kid" is one big hit away and its sad to say, but once they start they don't stop and once people know the hits don't stop either.

Jagr Suspended?

According to sources, Jaromir Jagr has been suspended for tying the NHL Discipline Czar, Brendan Shanahan on the all time goals scored. The Flyers intend to argue the decision as the 39 year old winger has yet to register a hit this year.

Jokes aside, you have to salute Jagr for another career achievement. Polarizing and enigmatic as he is, Jagr continues to produce. His 24 points this year are 3 best on the Flyers, after his linemates Giroux and Hartnell. Not to shabby to play on the first line of the Easter Conference leading Flyers at 39 eh? At his current pace, ESPN.com has Jagr projected to end the season with 34 G, 48 A for a grand total of 82 points. That would tie him with Mario Lemieux with 690 goals and move him past Joe Sakic for 8th in all time points. Remember that Jagr already has the record for goals, assists and points by any European born skater in history. Critics said that Jagr, who spent the last 3 seasons in the KHL, wouldn't be able to keep up with the speed of the game and that his age would become a factor as well. He averages roughly 17 mins a game and has pretty soundly slapped those fools in the face. Plus how can you not enjoy his Movember mustache?

Seriously folks keep track of guys like Jagr, Selanne and Lidstrom this year. They are some of the best players of ALL TIME, its going to be a while before we see talent like theirs again.

Firing Squad

Personally I miss the Eastern European flashy goal celebrations. We still get it from time to time with Ovi, but man once apon a time this was common nature. So last night in New York, Artem Anisimov scores a shorthanded goal against the Tampa Bay Lighting and then proceeds to take out his rifle(stick) and get down on one knee and shoot Mathieu Garon. Shortly followed by a brawl. I have no problem with this. I also have no problem with the way Tampa Bay reacted. Send a message, and they did. I don't think Anisimov will be shooting anyone anytime soon, seeing as he took one right on the chin then doing his best TIIIIIMMMMBER impression right on the ice. Plus how dumb does he look now, they lost the game. HBO is most likely to blame here, shooting the Rangers up until the Winter Classic. Anisimov just wanted to make sure his clips didn't end up on the cutting room floor. Something tells me he made the show. So now everyone in Yaroslavl can cheer because their hometown boy is now "Big American Movie Star".

Cindy Crosby

Here we go again. Just eight games in from taking a year off, Sid the Kid finds himself taking another break from hockey to make sure there are no symptoms of another hit. This time the hit was caused by Sidney skating into one of his own players....

The "huge" hit they are referring to was nothing more than "oops I ran into my own player". Still, knee on knee collisions are no joke and can side line a player for a long time and some times his career. So I am all for taking the necessary precautions needed to insure safety here. The toughest guys in hockey still need knees. Hate or love Sid he is the face of the Penguins and while at times I wish "the Kid" was a bit tougher, the NHL needs electrifying players like Sid around. He puts butts in the seats no matter where he goes. We live in Raleigh, NC and the dead last Carolina Hurricanes can scrape up a packed house when Sid and his Pens come to town. Crosby has 12 points in just eight games back. With that being said more times than not I feel like Sidney and the Penguins forget what sport he is actually playing. Crosby played the rest of the game playing over 21 minutes. Even Sid after the game said he had just a stinger to his knee and he was fine. Why is no one making sure that Chris Kunitz is ok after this apparent 12 car pile up at center ice. Maybe I am just a little old fashion when it comes to my hockey, but for every weak Crosby hit that the hockey world stops to cry over I can show you three big time hits that week......and here they are....

Dion Phaneuf's hit on Mike Sauer

Mark Fistric hits Nino Niederreiter

Max Pacioretty hits Kris Letang

Long story short, lets let one of these guys steam roll ole Sid and I'm sure we will have a lot to talk about. I can guarantee that none of those guys miss a year based on those hits.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report

New NHL Realignment

So tonight the NHL Board of Governors approved a new realignment plan for the 2012-2013 season. There has been much hullabaloo about what was going to happen with the Thrashers moving to Winnipeg and the Red Wings/Blue Jackets wanting out of the West because of time zone differences. Well now we have the plan.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=604852

Keep in mind that the NHLPA still needs to approve this plan. However this is a pretty huge overhaul.

Couple of pointers:
- 4 Conferences instead of 2 and no more Divisions
- The "Western" Conferences have one more team a piece than their counterparts
- Top 4 teams of each Conference would make the playoffs, with the 1 & 4, 2 & 3 in each distinct conference playing and then the winners of that "mini" bracket playing the other winner.
-The Eastern Conference looks like a nightmare for low talent teams. Essentially the Southeast Division is split up between the Atlantic and Northeast. Sorry Canes, Islanders, and Sens fans.
- Conference A gets a pretty nice Canadian trio of the Flames, Oilers, Canucks and keeps the current Cali trio of Sharks, Ducks, Kings. That's good for geographic rivalries at least.

Again the plan isn't 100% yet but things would sure see a shake up. Tell the Two Dudes what you think about the new set up!

Grier to retire after 14 seasons

Didn't want this man getting over looked. On Thursday Mike Grier, 36, announced after 14 NHL seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, Washington Capitals, Edmonton Oilers and the San Jose Sharks, that he will be retiring. One of the better hockey players of our time. Just a hard nose tough and gritty guy. No not a goon or a bruiser, just a dig deep battle in the corners kind of guy. Great two way hockey player. No Grier didn't have Hall of Fame numbers, but talk about a soild hockey player. The 14 seasons he played 11 of those seasons he made the playoffs. This guys whole career he only missed the playoff 3 times. Surviving 14 seasons in the NHL is a accomplishment of it's own, but don't also forget that Grier was the first black player was born, raised and trained in the United States to play in the NHL. Hopefully what Grier has done for himself and the sport will lead to many more behind him to follow in his footsteps.

Sad News

Here at Two Dudes we try not to focus on the sadder, lamer parts of hockey but on the awesome part. Unfortunately today news around the hockey world includes a once awesome part acting pretty lame. Matthew Barnaby, former NHL player was arrested today for a DWI.










ESPN has the story: http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/7318773/espn-nhl-analyst-matthew-barnaby-charged-dwi

This is a shame because when Barnaby played he was one of the most entertaining players in the NHL. He was a pest, an agitator, a fighter and could put the puck in the net from time to time. Its a shame because after this arrest and the arrest this May where he drunkenly kicked in a garage door, Barnaby might be ruining his promising broadcasting career as well. Hopefully Matt gets the help he needs and can move past this negativity. I'll leave you with something a little more positive in the meantime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOD-kyvL_J8

Star of the Night

Have you seen this man? The last time I saw him, Matt Moulson was winning the Two Dudes number one star of the night by scoring four yes four goals on seven shots against the Dallas Stars. Luckily for the Isles, Moulson and his enchanted mustache scored 4 because the Sapporo  guzzling waste of $150 million goaltender, Ricky D decided to let in 4 goals of his own on less than 20 shots. Moulson continues to be one of the few bright spots on the Islanders team and since growing this thing has added 6 goals.

Tootoo soon for Miller?

Saturday night Jordin Tootoo did a leaping swan dive right into Ryan Miller in his first game back from missing games for a concussion.

Here is the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKIf3aYmBoA

Ok if Miller hadn't just come back from a concussion, this is not as big as deal as they are making this out. Yea that's a penalty. 100% that's a penalty. I wish someone could find me the Preds network video of this. The MSG Buffalo announcers act like someone just walked up and slugged Miller while play was at the other end. I mean a little over the top, no?

Tootoo is going hard at the net. Yes he gets the puck poke checked out, but he literally has .1 second to look up and stop...not going to happen. That's the risk you take going hard to the net, you loose the puck and can't stop or get out the way, you are going to get a penalty. I mean he tried to put his arms up and fly. Don"t blame Tootoo blame gravity.

Did he intend to truck Miller over...no. No suspensions or ejections needed. A good face washing and sit in the sin bin will suffice. And maybe another face washing later on.

Oh and Buffalo if you don't want guy running over your goalie? Stand up for the guy when it does happen. After Lucic steamed rolled him the last time, maybe rough someone up and send a message and maybe you avoid people taking so many chances going hard at the net like this...

The American Joe Sakic?

Forgot to mention this earlier, but if you haven't seen this kid play yet you need to. Last night the Two Dudes watched #8 Colorado College take on #10 Denver University. CC won on a penalty shot in overtime. More to come on that later but this kid Zucker is the real deal. Drafted in the 2nd round for Minnesota. He was every where at all times...it was incredible. 9 total shots, 2 goals and 3 dinged off the post. If you watch when he shoots, he keeps his feet moving kind of like a certain aforementioned former Avalanche great. Hope that this kid gets to play in the NHL next year.

Coaches Corner

Two Teams hit the ice tonight winless under new coaching regimes. Dale Hunter in DC and Kirk Muller of Carolina. The Washington Capitals are showing us that there are more problems going on then just coaching with this team. The Ottawa Senators are coming into the Verizon Center giving up and average 3.4 goals per game. If the Caps can't get the scoring going against this team it might be back to the

drawing board

for this team.

And the Carolina Hurricanes are showing us what we already knew. That there is alot more wrong with this team than coaching. Muller is going to have a tough time getting his first win tonight as the Hurricanes play host to the eastern conferences #1 ranked Pittsburgh Penguins. While the Hurricanes did beat the Pens earlier this year 5-3, that was without Sid the Kid and the Pens are 4-1-1 with him back in action.

On the other end of the spectrum we have Ken Hitchcock, who has taken over in St Louis and has taken a below .500 team and is now 14-8-3, 8-1-3 under Hitchcock. Class act coach which has shown in numerous

different systems that he can win with just about anybody. Hitchcock took the Dallas Star to their first Cup win, then back to the finals again the very next year. After that he went to Philly where he took the Flyers to 3 straight playoff appearances. Then in 08-09 taking the Blue Jackets to there first playoff appearance in franchise history. Wow this one seemed like a no brainer..But Caps and Hurricane fans wish they had made changes a little earlier.

Alright let's get this thing started.

It's the Daily Two Dudes NHL Preview!!!

Big group of games tonight so we're gonna slim it down the the must sees.

Toronto @ Boston:
Division game. Boston is playing WHITE HOT. Like new born star hot. This team is incredible top to bottom. Leafs have been playing well and are a surprise team. Phil Kessel has seemingly scored close to 100 goals. Leafs are actually better on the road 8-5 as opposed to 6-4-2 at home. This game is going to be the best of the night easily.

Score? Art: 5-4 Boston Foote: 4-3 Boston  aka take the over


New York Rangers @ Tampa:
Two teams going in opposite directions. Rangers are 8-2 in the last ten, winning four straight. Tampa has gone 4-6 in the last ten and lost two in a row. There last game they got made to look like complete morons on the power play in which Detroit Tic Tac Toed a nasty goal in. Rangers are looking for there fifth straight.

Score? Art: Rangers 4-2 Foote: 2-1 Tampa

In a Rink Far, Far Away...

Hello Hockey Fans!

After much consideration and waiting, we have finally entered the blog world. Here at Two Dudes we are all hockey all the time. That means NHL, KHL, AHL, NCAA...hell we'll even catch a random Hanover Scorpions game. We love hockey and we watch it all the time.

Day 1

Whats up my dudes. First Official blog. Get ready to see another side of the great sport of hockey. Two Dudes is ready to keep you up to date on ALL news hockey with our own twist. If Hockey is your Passion then Two Dudes is your home!