League News
Rypien Suspension Imminent
22 years ago
With his Vancouver Canucks down 5-1 to the Minnesota Wild with a little more than six minutes remaining in the second period, things got a little hairy for Rick Rypien. Rypien and Brad Staubitz of the Wild got tangled up and gloves were dropped, but linesmen stepped in before it escalated. However, Rypien did land one punch when Staubitz was being held by a linesman.
Things settled down and Rypien was sent to the dressing room, but no one expected what happened next.
Rypien snaps, lunges at the fan and grabs his jersey in a death grip before being pushed down the tunnel to the locker room by a coach and his teammates. Rypien’s reaction reminds me of a circus animal. All of the sudden, without warning, they snap and the next thing you know there is a lion hooked to your midsection. (more…)
Hjalmarsson Hit on Pominville (Video)
02 years ago
During last nights game in Buffalo, NY Chicago Blackhawks Niklas Hjalmarsson absolutely destroyed Buffalo Sabres forward Jason Pominville. The issue? It was not a legal hit and Hjalmarsson was given a 5 minute major and game misconduct for boarding.
Pominville was focusing on the corner where the puck was and as it began to squirt towards him, Hjalamarsson stepped in from the blue line and drilled Pommy into the boards, his head banging off the glass. You can clearly see in the video his head literally bounce off the glass before he crumbles to the ground like a pile of bricks
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Hjalmarrson isn’t known to be a dirty player and I suspect he just simply lost his focus and wasn’t thinking when he lined up Pominville. In his defense he was expecting Pominville to get the puck, but it wasn’t quite there yet when the hit was landed.
There is no doubt in my mind that Hjalmarsson will be suspended for I’d say two to three games following a meeting with Colin Campbell, which should take place today. I wish Jason Pominville the best, and a speed recovery.
James Wisniewski Gestures at Sean Avery (Video)
32 years ago
I am sure that everyone has heard about this by now, but if not the video can be viewed above. This occurred in yesterdays afternoon game at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY. Twitter immediately exploded with opinions about what Wisniewski did, and personally I think it is absolutely hilarious. A little immature, yes, but funny as hell! It’s not something you expect to see when watching a professional hockey game, but rather a youth hockey game.
I haven’t heard anything on whether or not a suspension has been handed down, but as Bob McKenzie tweeted yesterday, there should be one coming. I believe he should be suspended for one game, because it was an absurd gesture and something you don’t want to see on the ice especially with kids watching and in the stands.
What do you guys think? Should he be suspended? If so, for how many games?
Darcy Tucker Retires After 15 Seasons
02 years ago
in League News
Darcy Tucker (Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images)
After 15 NHL seasons Darcy Tucker has decided to hang up his skates. Tucker, known for his agitating, Sean Avery-esque style of play during his prime years announced his retirement today through TSN
“After spending the whole summer anticipating I would play, it got to a point where I knew it was time. I just knew, during workouts I didn’t have that same feeling, and I needed to be fair with my family.”
- Darcy Tucker
Tucker spent his prime years playing in Toronto for the Maple Leafs after being traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 1999-00 season. Tucker’s best season was in 2001-02 when he racked up 59 points in 77 games. He also had 8 points in 17 playoff games that season.
Last season Tucker laced them up for our Burgundy and Blue where he managed to, somehow, score 10 goals and 14 assists through 71 games. I used to love watching Tucker play when he was a member of the Leafs team. He wasn’t afraid to mix it up and agitate star players from other teams forcing them to take penalties.
Sean Avery of the present reminds me of Darcy Tucker in his prime other than Avery being a lot more over the top than Tucker ever was, but their style of play is similar in my opinion. In a way, I’m sad to hear of him retiring cuz I can remember watching him play when I was younger, but lately he has not been the same Tucker I remember for the last few seasons.
However, It is his time to retire and I am glad Colorado decided to not resign him this season. Tucker is teaming up with his long time agent Carlos Sosa to form Turning Point Sports Management where he will spend the year consulting and recruiting players.
Now it’s time for some Darcy Tucker videos!
Chris Chelios Calls it a Career
02 years ago
in League News
Chris Chelios drinks from the Cup (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
If you are even slightly interested in hockey you must know who Chris Chelios is. Not only was he the longest tenured defenseman in NHL history, but he had been playing in the league (26 years) longer than I have even been alive (24 years). He was playing in the league when my parents just started talking. It absolutely blows my mind that someone could last that long in a league as demanding as the NHL. Chelios had a lustrous career in which he won three Stanley Cups and three Norris trophies while playing for Montreal, Chicago, Detroit, and Atlanta.
After only playing in 28 games during the 08-09 season due to a fractured shin bone suffered in preseason the Red Wings elected to not resign him for the 09-10 campaign. Chelios was however picked up by the Thrashers where he played the majority of the season with their AHL affiliate the Chicago Wolves. He was lucky enough to get his shot at the bigs one more time and appeared in 7 games for the Thrashers. He may be retiring from his playing days, but Chelios will now serve as an adviser with the Red Wings where he will work with the front office and coaching staffs.
I remember reading an article in ESPN magazine about a year and a half ago that featured Chelios and explained is work ethic. This man worked so hard everyday to keep his body in top shape it’s hard not to have the utmost respect for him. He loved the game and did everything in his power to make sure he would be ready to go when September rolled around and training camps opened every season. With that being said, I’m glad he retired because no NHL star wants to spend the end of their career playing in the AHL hoping to get the chance to one day play in the big leagues again. In my opinion Chelios should have called it a wrap last season and avoided the AHL, but after an injury caused him to miss most of the 08-09 season I can understand wanting to get back on the ice for one last go at it to see what happens.
Farewell Chris Chelios and good luck with your new career.
Chris Chelios retires (Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
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