Kukla's Korner

Red Wings-Coyotes quick take: taking the hard road = less than special loss

Blog: The Malik Report By George Malik

02/06/12 at 11:07 PM ET | Comments (0)

The Detroit Red Wings tend to suffer a few injuries during February and subsequently go into an early-month slump (usually at the same time that the Nashville Predators, who the Wings play on Friday, make their customary division title push), but man, in their -3-1 loss to Phoenix…

Did the Wings’ special teams ever stink, and did the Wings ever engage in a game where trying too hard to protect your goaltender in fact makes the game tremendously harder on your defense and goalie than it should be, giving Phoenix a much-needed win as they push for a playoff berth and try to send a message to a potential playoff opponent.

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Filed in: | The Malik Report | Permalink
 

Sources say… trade!

Blog: Petshark: Talking Stick By petshark

02/06/12 at 10:30 PM ET | Comments (0)

So many rumors, so little time, mere weeks before the NHL trade deadline.  When I see the phrase “sources say…” I always hear “survey says…!” in my head, the way they used to say it on Family Feud.  Perhaps I only hear it that way when I’m on cold meds.  Meds or no, something tells me that what most sources say is less reliable than game show surveys.  Bruce Garrioch mentions the Sharks in two different scenarios in a single rumor pack, beginning with Ryan Smyth:

If Smyth does decide to waive his no-movement clause, there won’t be any tears shed. The 35-year-old could easily go to a contender as a pure rental, take the chance to win the Stanley Cup and then return to the Oilers.  -Ottawa Sun

Then there’s Teemu Selanne.  Garrioch says San Jose is one of many waiting for him to decide to waive his NMC:

The Sharks would be an attractive option because of San Jose’s proximity to his family in Anaheim. -ibid

Those are fun. I especially like the part about Smyth being able to go back to the Oilers later since he likes it there so much.  That’s sweet.

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Filed in: , San Jose Sharks | Petshark: Talking Stick | Permalink
  Tags: Andrew+Murray, Benn+Ferriero, John++McCarthy, rumors, Tommy+Wingels,

Leafs May Not Make Any Big Moves

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

02/06/12 at 09:46 PM ET | Comments (1)

from Bob McKenzie of TSN,

Three weeks to the deadline, and Toronto Maple Leaf fans will hate to hear this but there is a very real chance the team doesn’t make a significant move between now and the trade deadline.

Of course, things can change at a moment’s notice but the Leafs’ wish list is very specific, they want a top six forward with size who can score.

And there just aren’t too many of them floating around right now.

James van Riemsdyk has a concussion, he’s not a factor for the Leafs at this point.

Jeff Carter has a contract that Leaf GM Brian Burke would have difficulty taking on, especially when the Leaf GM has been so vocal against those long-term deals with the bogus years at the end.

Anaheim isn’t moving Bobby Ryan or any of their big boys right now.

continued

Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

Marty Howe talks about his dad’s status on The Fan 590

Blog: The Malik Report By George Malik

02/06/12 at 07:03 PM ET | Comments (0)

Given all the confusion regarding the state of Gordie Howe’s cognitive capacities over the past few weeks, the Red Wings legend’s son, Marty, spoke to The Fan 590’s Bob McCown and John Shannon regarding his father’s issues in terms of short-term memory loss and plain old effects of aging and playing professional sports in the days of, “You’re feeling foggy? Get back out there!”

Give the interview a listen. It’s worth hearing simply because Marty, Murray and Mark have taken care of their father and dealt with his slightly diminished cognitive capacities under an incredibly bright and sometimes harsh media spotlight with the same kind of quiet dignity that their father displayed while taking care of Colleen…And raising his sons and daughter Cathy, too:

Download file

Filed in: | The Malik Report | Permalink
 

High Asking Price For Ruutu

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

02/06/12 at 06:45 PM ET | Comments (0)

from Bob McKenzie of TSN,

General manager Jim Rutherford has been talking to teams about Ruutu (who is an unrestricted free agent this summer) and the asking price has been steep - a significant draft pick and a solid prospect or a top prospect alone. Ruuttu has the ability to both score goals and play a physical game, so a lot of teams have interest - including the Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers amongst others.

The Rangers, for example, figure Ruutu is just the type of Top 9 forward that could play coach John Tortorella’s demanding style.

Two questions, though.

Will teams pay that price?

And more importantly, is Ruutu actually available? That will be determined this week when Rutherford decides whether to give him the ‘Tim Gleason treatment.’

more

Filed in: NHL Teams, Carolina Hurricanes | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: Tuomo+Ruutu,

If hockey was like football

Blog: Above the Glass By Samantha

02/06/12 at 06:40 PM ET | Comments (0)

I must admit, I fell asleep during part of the Super Bowl yesterday, but I saw enough to know that I will probably never convert to being a football fan. Just as I was waking up from my catnap, the Patriots were allowing the Giants to score, and the Giants player who scored was purposefully trying not to, and in doing so he essentially fell down in the end zone. I thought maybe I was still asleep or it was an ad making fun of the game. But apparently there was a totally strategic reason for it, which I get. But once I woke up fully, it got me to thinking, what if goofy things like that or other football plays, rules and halftime entertainment happened in hockey?

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Filed in: | Above the Glass | Permalink
 

Has Nash Had Enough Of Columbus?

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

02/06/12 at 06:18 PM ET | Comments (2)

from John Shannon of Sportsnet,

Sportsnet has been running the HOCKEY CENTRAL Trade Tracker for a few weeks now in anticipation of the Feb. 27 deadline. It comes as no surprise that some of the players discussed will not be moved. And I think we’ve been pretty honest in saying that. But one player who just might be in the mix is Columbus Blue Jackets winger Rick Nash, who continually plays down the fact he will never ask for a trade.

I have received a couple of calls from friends of Nash, who claim that Rick is very unhappy with the way the franchise is going and realizes it will take five more years to rebuild, again. Nash is now telling people close to him that he would entertain being moved, but still will not be the one who asks for a trade.

Always one who didn’t aspire to play in a big market with big pressure, it appears Nash now realizes that he might have to step into the spotlight in order to win. It is a very tough situation for a very classy player.

Monday afternoon, Scott Howson was kind enough to reply to my inquiry with the following: “John, I am not commenting on any rumours between now and deadline.”

read on for more hockey notes…

Filed in: NHL Teams, Columbus Blue Jackets | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: Rick+Nash,

The F Stands For Finger And The Finger Could Really ______ Us All

Blog: Abel to Yzerman By IwoCPO

02/06/12 at 06:00 PM ET | Comments (386)

Thanks to the Emperor for covering me the last few LBs, and thanks to all 19 of you for the patience. January was a slow-moving month on America’s Favorite Carrier and I already told you what February has in store for the weak-hearted Wing fan. I warned you. I told you what kind of pain was on the horizon.

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Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
 

Tom Renney To Miss Game Due To Puck Inflicted Injury

Blog: Oil Patch By Lisa McRitchie

02/06/12 at 05:40 PM ET | Comments (3)

The Oilers have suffered another injury today. No it wasn’t a defenceman, forward or even a goaltender that went down, but it was an injury suffered during the morning skate.

Just as the final player is coming off of the injured reserve list, Oilers’ head coach Tom Renney was struck in the head this morning with a puck. Renney was taken for stitches and it has just recently been released that Renney will not be on the bench for tonight’s game in Toronto.

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Filed in: Edmonton Oilers, Tom Renney | Oil Patch | Permalink
 

Ruff Breaks Three Ribs

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

02/06/12 at 04:29 PM ET | Comments (3)

via the Sabres PR Department,

Buffalo Sabres Head Coach Lindy Ruff suffered three broken ribs following a collision with Sabres defenseman Jordan Leopold during the team’s practice this morning at First Niagara Center. He is expected to be back tomorrow to resume his coaching responsibilities.

More information is available at Sabres Edge.

Filed in: NHL Teams, Buffalo Sabres | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: Lindy+Ruff,

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