around-the-dasher-news-blog

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Daily Roundup:

Big day today, Christian Erhoff on waivers for the purpose of buyout by the Sabres. Ed Jovanovski on waivers for the purpose of buyout by the Florida Panthers. Sam Gagner was traded from Edmonton to Tampa Bay in exchange for forward Teddy Purcell. Many believe the Lightning will in turn buyout Gagner releasing him, like the others to the frenzy of free agencey that begins Tuesday. We won't know that for sure until tomorrow though.

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Roundup:

After receiving a trade offer from Toronto during the draft for D-Man Josh Gorges. It seems the Montreal Candiens are looking into what they could get on the market for Gorges. Because of Gorges modified no trade clause (NTC) he has a list of teams he is willing to go to, and no Canadian teams are on that list. Also, this morning the Buffalo Sabres initiated the process of buying out veteran D-Man Christian Erhoff. Teams like San Jose and Detroit are expected to spend time looking into Erhoff as an option. Among other teams undoubtedly.

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DRAFT TONIGHT!!!!

We may be a little excited for tonights nhl draft. Follow us on twitter @ATD_HN as we will provide live tweet analysts and reporting on all the night’s action.

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Draft Tomorrow

Remember the nhl draft is tomorrow. We expect lots of action between trades and picks.

If for whatever reason you can’t watch the draft. Follow us on twitter @ATD_HN and we will be live tweeting every moment with up to the second accuracy.

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Dominic Moore: Surviving and Persevering

The feel good moment of the night came to us courtesy of Dominic Moore as he was awarded the Masterton Trophy. Moore, who is well known among the NHL community as a great guy was given the unimaginable challenge of surviving his wife Katie. Katie was his college sweetheart whom he met while attending Harvard University. Mrs. Moore unfortunately lost her battle with cancer and left Dominic Moore reeling.  As Dominic contemplated what was next for him, he realized his wife would not want to see him give up his career.  Early this year after being signed by the New York Rangers and committing to a return to the sport he loved, Moore found the perseverance to continue his career. He went on to be a key cog in his teams success and was shown support by fans of every team and given love from players across the league.  Tonight he earned the perseverance award for his ability to never give up, and return despite dealing with something the average man could possibly find debilitating.  We here would love to congratulate Dominic Moore on his return to hockey and let it be known that he weighs heavy in our hearts as he continues to grow as a player and more importantly as a person.

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NHL Awards 2014 Recap

Tonight's award show was a great stage to bestow such great achievements on to even greater players and people. Here is a list of awards and their winners from tonight: Hart Trophy (MVP) - Sidney Crosby (Penguins) Vezina Trophy (Best Goaltender) - Tuukka Rask (Bruins) Norris Trophy (Top D-Man) - Duncan Keith (Blackhawks) Selke Award (Best Defensive Forward) - Patrice Bergeron (Bruins) Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) - Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche) Masterton Trophy (Perseverance Award) - Dominic Moore (Rangers) Lady Byng (Best Sportsman) - Ryan O'Reilly (Avalanche) Art Ross (Most Points) - Sidney Crosby (Penguins) King Clancy (Leadership On and Off Ice) - Andrew Ference (Oilers) Mark Messier Leadership Award - Dustin Brown (Kings) Ted Lindsay Award (Most Outstanding Player) - Sidney Crosby (Penguins) Jack Adams (Coach of the Year) - Patrick Roy (Avalanche) GM of the Year - Bob Murray (Ducks) Congratulations to the long list of winners. Without a doubt it is a great night for them, as they look to continue their careers. Be it a player, a coach, or a GM.

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NHL Draft Coverage

Its Friday night and you want to watch the NHL draft, BUT you promised that one person you'd take em out. Fear not. The night isn't ruined. Follow ATD on Twitter. @ATD_HN. We will be live tweeting every selection and trade with up to second accuracy. So now all you have to do is check your phone every now and again and not only are you having a great night out but you're all caught up on the draft.

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Hall of Fame inductees 2014

Five players have been selected to be inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame. A fantastic group of players include: Mike Modano, Dominik Hasek, Peter Forsberg, Rob Blake, and the late Pat Burns.

All of these players have already cemented their names in hockey lore and now will be enshrined alongside other greats from hockey’s past.

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Activity:

Busy morning here at ATD_HN some quick announcements to catch you all up….

TRADE ALERT: The Flyers have traded forward, Scott Hartnell to the Blue Jackets in exchange for, forward R.J. Umberger and a 4th round pick.

Also, just after the trade announcement the Canucks released a statement confirming that they have hired Willie Desjardins as their new head coach. This comes as no surprise as he has been the speculated choice for close to a week now.

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The Bright Future of the NHL

This is a list of the top 20 players in the league under the age of 25. It is in no particular order and it is based on players who will be under the age of 25 before the start of the 2014-15 season, which begins October 8th 2014.

If you have any suggestions for the list or would take someone off of this list be sure to comment who you would substitute on or off of the list.

1)      Gustav Nyquist – After having broken out as a budding star this past season Detroit can breathe easy as their elder players begin to wind down. Nyquist’s ability to skate with the puck and never give up on a play gives him an amazing talent many players his age cannot match. For years to come you can be sure to see Gustav dazzle the masses with highlight reel plays and continued high praise from teammates and media alike.

2)      Tyler Seguin – Possibly the most accomplished on this list, as far as achievements go. A Stanley Cup champion in just his rookie season set Tyler Seguin up with a great start to an undoubtedly bright career. After being traded from Boston, the team who drafted Seguin, to the Dallas stars on July 4th of 2013 Seguin blew up and had a career year last season. Due in part to the new system he flourishes in and the high talent line mates he has grown with. Without much dispute everyone seems to believe there is no reason for him to slow down from here. Look for him to build on a career year and keep taking his game to a new level each year.

3)      Tyler Johnson – Probably the most unknown player until last season. Johnson came in to the Lightning’s roster and killed it. Getting both penalty kill and power play time, Johnson was integral in the success of Tampa Bay after star player Steven Stamkos went down with a broken leg early in the season. With the ability he has to score shorthanded and his speed up the wing his small stature is an afterthought when you see the way his game has developed.

4)      Brandon Saad – “The Man Child” as he is lovingly referred to by many. Saad burst onto the scene as a top 6 forward in the Blackhawks organization. Displaying his size and speed along with his intense skill, it was easy to find him a spot in the already stacked line-up. After becoming pals with star Patrick Kane, Saad gained chemistry with his teammates and was able to flex up and down the roster as needed. Providing a presence physically and a challenge with his speed and skill he is growing into a player teams will be game planning for in the near future, if they haven’t already.

5)      Sean Monahan – After being drafted in 2013 Monahan debuted for the Calgary Flames and was nothing short of exceptional for his team and his role. He showcased his two way play and skill around the net. With great hands and fantastic decision making he will be a force to reckon with when teams travel through the Flames building. With many other young players developing around him, he is not alone in figuring this league out. Don’t be surprised if Monahan can become the type of player who becomes a perennial all-star in the immediate future.

6)      Johnny Gaudreau – The nation’s leading scorer in division 1 college hockey. Gaudreau who played for the Boston College Eagles played 1 NHL game last season, and managed to tally a goal. This wasn’t much of a surprise given his scoring track record. If Gaudreau can overcome his size differential and figure out how to be a shifty, skilled player much like Martin St. Louis, you can bet his name will be cemented in the media.

7)      Aleksander Barkov –  “Sasha” Barkov was drafted second overall in the 2013 NHL draft and without a doubt was prepared to play in this league. He played in a major hockey league in his home country against grown men. This helped prepare Barkov for the size and strength of the NHL players. A talented center with great playmaking abilities, he will be mentioned for a long time on an emerging Florida Panthers team.

8)      Johnathan Huberdeau – A teammate of Aleksander Barkov, Huberdeau was drafted in 2011 and found himself a rising star right out the gate. With some injury issues in the two seasons if Huberdeau can find a way to stay healthy he will light up the score card on a nightly basis. He is a very well rounded player and features an amazing amount of team leadership at the ripe old age of 21

9)      Nathan MacKinnon – Nathan MacKinnon had some of the most hype surrounding him that any soon to be drafted player had in quite some time. And boy did he come through. MacKinnon was a rocket for the Avalanche this season. Showing off his jets on the ice, speeding past defenders and turning them inside out. He found his niche with line mates Gabe Landeskog and Paul Statsny. They combined for a number of highlight reel goals as a line. MacKinnon seems very comfortable with the expectations for his career even powering through the playoffs in his rookie year, at one point leading the playoffs in scoring.

10)   Charlie Coyle – Coyle is a Massachusetts native playing his heart out for the Minnesota Wild. After being given the opportunity to perform on the top line with the Wild, Coyle shined. He didn’t dazzle by any means, but he plays an outrageously complete game. He uses his big frame to get to the dirty areas, and along with that he can back off from the net and either set up a teammate or score for himself with his excellent wrist shot.  Defensively sound and with great skating ability he can continue to rise among the players in Minnesota and remain a productive player.

11)   Gabe Landeskog – The youngest captain ever named in the NHL Gabe Landeskog led the Avalanche to the playoffs this past season. He is the type of player who shows up every game and despite some early injuries he has not fallen off his star power pace. Scoring goals and using his solid build to overtake the space he wants on the ice, teams will and do have a hard time defending Landeskog with his speed and size leading the way. He and Nathan Mackinnon will be tearing it up under the microscope of the NHL.

12)   Tyler Toffoli – Toffoli is a break out star for the Stanley Cup champs. The LA Kings struck gold with their youngsters this year. Toffoli was apart of “That 70’s Line” which was the line dubbed for players Carter, Toffoli, Pearson (77,73,70) Toffoli is a big bodied goal scorer who doesn’t shy away from the front of the net. But he also has a dangerous release from inside the tops of the circle. Learning from a guy like Jeff Carter will definitely help turn him into a scoring winger in the NHL and the Kings for many years.

13)   Steven Stamkos – There really isn’t much that needs to be said for Stamkos, so this will be short and sweet. Skill: Yes! Strength: Yes! Two-way: Yes! Good enough. Steven Stamkos is the most developed player on this list and his short career absolutely speaks for itself up to this point, expect many of the players listed to become similar players in the sense that their careers will speak to their character.

14)   Jeff Skinner – Riddled with injuries in his short career, Skinner possess an abundant amount of skill. But his size has always been an issue for him, he has had a tough time adjusting to the strength of other players. However, last season Skinner was mostly healthy and played very well, somewhat of a minor rejuvenation of his abridged playing time which could very well put him back on track to demolish his competition and overcome his shortcomings. (no pun intended)

15)   Tomas Jurco – Much like Nyquist, his teammate and line mate occasionally, Jurco was given an opportunity this past season to fill a big role when some of the veteran players went down. Jurco stepped in and looked nothing short of comfortable with the new responsibility. He maintained consistent point production after a somewhat lackluster start. But after his feeling out process it was clear he belonged in the NHL and will not be seeing Grand Rapids Griffins, the Detroit AHL team, again in the future.

16)   Dougie Hamilton – With one and a half full years now under his belt, Dougie Hamilton showcased his abilities in the 2013-14 season. A long defenseman with great skating ability and offensive upside, Hamilton finally broke free and showed Boston why choosing him 9th overall in 2011 was the right choice. He stepped up his physical play and began to round out his overall game. With another summer to gain some muscle and put in some on ice work, you can expect Hamilton to continue to rise.

17)   Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – “RNH” is playing on a very young team without a consistent track record. But with that being said, Nugent-Hopkins has found a way to flourish, dealing with a shoulder/chest injury in his rookie season he adjusted to the rigorous grind of an NHL season. With many years left to play in his career hopefully Ryan Nugent-Hopkins can continue to figure it out and be a part of the ongoing rejuvenation of the Edmonton Oilers.

18)   Taylor Hall – Much like Stamkos, Hall needs no introduction. He was the number one pick in the 2010 draft and he did not disappoint. A captain type player who leads verbally and with his play on the ice, Hall has a blazing blend of speed and skill. With new coach Dallas Eakins at the helm in Edmonton his two-way game is becoming as strong as ever and he now gets penalty kill time and with that his speed leads to shorthanded goals. With time still to mature Hall will certainly be a household name for the foreseeable future.

19)   Ryan Johansen – Budding superstar Ryan Johansen came a long way, and so did his team. He played a big role in this, with Johansen rising so did his teammates. With years ahead of him to improve and hopefully a healthy Nathan Horton next year Ryan Johansen could very well be among the top 5 point getters next year. His balance of back-checking and leading the rush on offense leaves him a coach’s dream. Knowing you can call on him in any situation does not go unnoticed in this league.

20)   Boone Jenner – Or the “Jenner-ator” as he is known, is an electrifying power forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Line mates with Ryan Johansen, Boone Jenner grew into a top six role among his teammates. Between hitting with the force of Cam Neely and finding his way to the front of the net like Tomas Holmstom, Jenner has a mixture of Hall of Fame quality prowess in him. But, it’s a matter of making it work for him all the time. His high energy play can wear a player down and sometimes younger players tend to get away from the play style that made them successful. If Jenner can find a way to stay healthy and not burn himself out, but remain a presence on the ice he could potentially be a key cog in a rising top line in a growing Columbus market. 

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Brad Richards: An Answer. For The Right Price.

                After being bought out by the New York Rangers on Friday, Brad Richards is set to become the latest center on the long list of free agents this year. Some believe Richards, who turned 34 in May, has nothing left to offer as a top six forward. However, his numbers and potential make him a good fit for a team’s second line.

                Richards, offers a blend of playmaking ability and overall offensive ability that could benefit any team who is willing to offer him a new deal.  Over his career he has played in 13 seasons, and in only two of those seasons did he fail to reach the 50 point mark. One season he was hurt and the other was lockout shortened. Offering that kind of consistent production would be a steady help to many teams across the league.

                Although, his speed is waning and his faceoff percentage has dropped off from years past, his power play prowess and playmaking can make young players better and perhaps even rejuvenate an older veteran player. Richards will come with a smaller price tag as many teams, and hopefully he himself, realize his talent remains but his overall play is dwindling.

                Some teams who could be on “Richards Watch” could be: St. Louis, Anaheim, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. If he does come with a reasonable price tag and one of these teams misses out on Kesler you can be sure they will look to veteran, and Stanley Cup Champion, Brad Richards as a supplement for their need at center. While he won’t be the first choice for many teams he will be considered in depth and could find himself on another team looking to push for the finals again this year.

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2014 First Round Mock Draft

All of these picks are based on the assumption all of these teams keep their given picks. Trades need to be made by some teams for salary cap reasons, so draft day could be a busy day for GMs around the league. 

1)      Florida Panthers – Aaron Ekblad

2)      Buffalo Sabres – Sam Bennett

3)      Edmonton Oilers –  Leon Draisaitl

4)      Calgary Flames –  Sam Reainhart

5)      New York Islanders – Kasperi Kapanen

6)      Vancouver Canucks – William Nylander

7)      Carolina Hurricanes – Jake Virtanen

8)      Toronto Maple Leafs – Nick Ritchie

9)      Winnipeg Jets – Michael Dal Colle

10)   Anaheim Ducks – David Pastrnak

11)   Nashville Predators – Alex Tuch

12)   Phoenix Coyotes – Nikolaj Ehlers

13)   Washington Capitals – Jakub Vrana

14)   Dallas Stars – Haydn Fleury

15)   Detroit Red Wings – Kevin Fiala

16)   Columbus Blue Jackets – Adrian Kempe

17)   Philadelphia Flyers – Ian Barbashev

18)   Minnesota Wild – Jared McCann

19)   Tampa Bay Lightning – Sonny Milano

20)   San Jose Sharks – Dominik Masin

21)   St. Louis Blues – Nikita Scherbak

22)   Pittsburgh Penguins – Joshua Ho’Sang

23)   Colorado Avalanche – Anthony DeAngelo

24)   Anaheim Ducks – Emil Johansson

25)   Boston Bruins – Anton Karlsson

26)   Montreal Canadiens – Reid Gardiner

27)   Chicago Blackhawks – Julius Bergman

28)   Tampa Bay Lightning – Julius Honka

29)   Los Angeles Kings – Jack Dougherty

30)   New Jersey Devils – Dylan Larkin