Steven Stamkos already has 31 goals this season, one behind the NHL leader, and potted 51 last year as a 19-year-old.  He’s as big a scoring threat as anyone on the planet, so when he gets a penalty shot, he’s not only expected to score, he’s expected to do something […]

Last night marked the series finale of HBO’s hockey version of “Hard Knocks,” and though the series did plenty of creative things visually and audibly, its true genius was much simpler; “24/7” exposed us to the outrageously entertaining players and personalities that comprise the NHL.

[credit provider=”islandcasino.com” url=”http://blog.islandcasino.com/ic/wordpress/01/nfl-playoffs-washington-redskins-at-seattle-seahawks”] Much has been made of the Seattle Seahawks winning the NFC West and qualifying for the playoffs with a 7-9 record.It marked the first time ever that a team with a losing record made the playoffs in the NFL. But the outrage is curious because it is […]

Alex Ovechkin is the latest sports star to get his own “This is SportsCenter” commercials and this one is pretty entertaining. 

The Atlanta Thrashers have tried just about everything to draw attention to their franchise recently, and most of the efforts have revolved around their mascot, “Thrash.”

Starting with the last year’s Winter Olympics bonanza and rolling through Saturday’s Winter Classic, people are actually talking about professional hockey for the first time in a long time.

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] The Washington Capitals have long been considered the wimpy younger brother to the Penguins, but with Saturday’s convincing win over Pittsburgh, Washington may have finally turned the corner.Since Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby entered the league, their teams have ruled the Eastern Conference.  But for all the […]

Much has been made about the new format for the 2011 NHL All-Star game, but probably the most interesting new feature is the “draft” that will be conducted by two captains to select the opposing sides.

[credit provider=”Screengrab NBC”] The NHL moved its annual outdoor Winter Classic from a 1 p.m. start to an 8 p.m. start due to weather concerns in Pittsburgh yesterday, and the early returns suggest the league found accidental success.The players loved competing under the lights, fans were clearly engaged, and Caps […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] The shootout was implemented following the 2004-05 lockout so that games would no longer end in ties.  But since its inception, the shootout has been one of the most hotly debated topics among NHL fans and media.  Shootout critics feel that the shootout decides games via an […]

All times Eastern

[credit provider=”NHL” url=”http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=14&id=89016″] Excitement for Saturday’s Bridgestone Winter Classic is booming, thanks in large part to HBO’s mini-series, but some have already begun to worry about what the NHL can do with next year’s Winter Classic that could match this hype.By pitting its two most marketable stars against one another […]

Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby are everywhere this week in preparation for Saturday’s Bridgestone Winter Classic.

Yesterday we saw that attendance in the NBA is down for the second straight year. This is peculiar because the NBA’s television ratings are actually up. Way up. And not just for LeBron and his Merry Men in Miami. According to the NBA, TV ratings for games on ESPN and […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] The NHL couldn’t have dreamed up a better scenario for the week leading up to the Bridgestone Winter Classic on New Year’s Day. Last Thursday, the first meeting of the season between the Penguins and Capitals went to a seven-round shootout before Pascal Dupuis (who incidentally has been […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] It may sound premature, after all the Devils are still months away from being “officially” eliminated from playoff contention, but the numbers say that the team has virtually no hope of extending its string of 13 straight postseason appearances.In the five years since the lockout, the 8th […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Earlier today we saw that NBA attendance is down for the second straight season. But they are not alone. NHL fans are also staying home more.This season, the NHL is averaging 16,907 fans per game (through Monday). That is 160 less than a year ago and 569 […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] UPDATE: Shelley has been suspended for two games by the NHL.EARLIER: As the third period was winding down in last night’s lopsided 6-2 victory for the Vancouver Canucks over the Philadelphia Flyers, players gathered in a scrum to the right of Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo.  Flyers tough […]

[credit provider=”Sarah McLellan” url=”http://plixi.com/p/52089511″] Just how bad are things for the New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, Atlanta Thrashers, and Columbus Blue Jackets?They’re struggling to draw more fans than some minor league teams.

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Calgary Flames fans finally got their wish as General Manager Darryl Sutter resigned today.  He’ll be replaced by Jay Feaster who will serve as acting GM for the rest of the season.This is a clear sign that the Flames are about ready to start a full rebuild.  […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Chris Osgood earned his 400th career win last night, a feat only nine other men have accomplished.Osgood could easily pass two of them and have the eighth most wins in NHL history by season’s end.

There’s concern that weather may disrupt the Bridgestone Winter Classic on New Year’s Day, but everything else seems ready to go for the big game on Saturday.

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Last week, the New Jersey Devils fired Coach John MacLean and replaced him with Jacques Lemaire.Today, the Devils will make another big change by sending Brian Rolston, 37, to their minor league affiliate, the Albany Devils.

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] NHL referee Paul Devorski is drawing national attention for his questionable actions during last night’s game between the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets.  Apparently Devorski, a 21-year-veteran, got sick and tired of being heckled by Blue Jackets fans, who were understandably frustrated that there were seven […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Last nights issue of The Globe and Mail reveals how TSN, the Canadian equivalent of ESPN, turned the IHF World Junior Hockey Championships ito a gold mine. Though many in the United States might not know it, the World Juniors began yesterday in Buffalo and will continue until […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] It sounds like a late-night infomercial, but the Florida Panthers are offering a money-back “Good Time Guarantee” if customers aren’t satisfied with the team’s product for any of its January home games.That doesn’t mean fans can get refunds just because the team loses, but if they’re unhappy […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] While the NFL postponed last night’s Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles game before there was even snow on the ground, the NHL turned down a request from the New York Islanders to postpone their game.They also held a Devils game in New Jersey despite a “state of […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Bad weather in the eastern United States has already forced the NFL to stage its first Tuesday night game since 1946, and now it could interfere with Saturday’s Bridgestone Winter Classic.As the East Coast digs out from the Blizzard of 2010, unseasonably warm temperatures and rain showers […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Former San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov, 35, returned to the United States earlier this month after a brief stint in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League this season. Apparently Nabokov wanted to return to the US for family reasons and his release was mutually consented by the player and […]

It’s been a big season for hockey brawls around the world, but rarely do we see a goalie fight.  Sure enough, in last night’s ECHL game between the Florida Everblades and Gwinnett Gladiators, Bobby Goepfert (No. 41) and Billy Sauer (No. 36) squared off.

There are plenty of stories about the craziness of youth hockey parents, but this one may take the cake.

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] After a dreadful 9-22-2 start the Devils fired Coach John MacLean this morning.  Jacques Lemaire will take over the team on an interim basis, but will not coach the Devils beyond this season. The Devils have been a model of consistency and had made the playoffs for 13 […]

For die hard hockey fans, the second episode of HBO’s mini-series “24/7 Penguins/Capitals Road To The Winter Classic” was still captivating television.

Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, plucked from the cap room-starved Chicago Blackhawks this summer, is off to a historic start for the franchise. 

Last night Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos became the sixth-youngest player in NHL history to score 100 goals. 

The latest numbers for fan-voting for the 2011 NHL All-Star Game are in, and a surprising candidate continued his ascent up the forwards list — the product of a blog-run write-in campaign.

Ex-NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly told Puck Daddy Radio yesterday that he’d “be surprised if the NHL doesn’t strike some kind of arrangement with ESPN” on its next TV contract.

The New Jersey Devils’ nightmare 2010-11 season has shown no sign of slowing down, prompting some to suggest that the team should consider trading franchise goalie Martin Brodeur.

After months of speculation the NHLPA finally named Donald Fehr, 62, its executive director on Saturday.

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Fighting has long been a hot-button issue for hockey, but it remains because the majority of fans are still entertained by fisticuffs and think they’re a necessary part of the game. There’s certainly something to be said for the momentum shift a team can experience when one of […]

UPDATE: Turns out that under the terms of the CBA, Denton didn’t receive any compensation from the Coyotes.EARLIER: The Phoenix Coyotes were set to play the second game of a season-long six game road trip last night against the New York Rangers when starting goalie Ilya Bryzgalov suddenly fell ill. 

Yesterday the Atlanta Thrashers drew national attention for a marketing campaign that saw their mascot “Thrash” get arrested for grand-theft Zamboni. 

New Jersey Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek was desperate to sign Russian superstar Ilya Kovalchuk this summer because he wants to sell the team to New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov, sources tell the Toronto Globe and Mail.

[credit provider=”Brett Terry” url=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/brett_terry/3754650174/”] Former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque is offering $100,000 to the city of Edmonton if it will move a 35-year-old elephant from a zoo where he says it is “suffering from cold and isolation.”Laraque may not seem like a typical animal-lover, after all he racked up 1,126 […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] The first episode HBO’s new mini-series, “24/7 Penguins/Capitals Road To The Winter Classic”, exceeded expectations and then some. The show, modelled after HBO’s series “Hard Knocks,” which chronicles an NFL team through its training camp, provided similar behind-the-scenes looks at the two teams.

The city of Glendale just agreed to contribute $197 million to keep the Phoenix Coyotes, but it may not have been such a good idea. 

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] The Glendale City Council voted 5-2 last night in favour of a new lease for the Phoenix Coyotes which will keep the team in town for the next 30 years. The lease also clears the way for Matthew Hulsizer to complete his purchase of the team. 

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Want to know how important ticket sales are to a professional sports franchise? Look no further than the Carolina Hurricanes.During the 2008-09 season the Hurricanes averaged 16,572 fans per game. Last year they averaged 15,240.

The Washington Capitals were embarrassed by the New York Rangers last night, 7-0, and have now lost six games in a row.  The team is still in first place in the Southeast Division and is not in danger of missing the playoffs, but that’s no longer good enough in Washington. 

It’s tough to be a New York Islanders fan these days.  Not only is the team in dead last place in the NHL and second-last in attendance, but a horde of 1,100 crazy Quebec hockey fans invaded the Islanders’ arena tonight in an effort to show NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman […]

Edmonton Oilers rookie Linus Omark raised eyebrows around the NHL for a show-off move he attempted in the shootout of his first NHL game last night. 

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Mario Lemieux will headline an alumni game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals on New Year’s Eve Day prior to the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day between the present-day versions of the teams. Lemieux, who hasn’t played in the league since 2005, will be […]

[credit provider=”New York Times” url=”http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/sports/hockey/10islanders.html?_r=2&src=tptw”] A group of 1,100 Quebec hockey fans will make the trip across the United States border tonight to attend tomorrow evening’s New York Islanders game.They aren’t hoping to steal the Islanders. Rather, they want this to be a demonstration to Commissioner Gary Bettman about the […]

The hockey world is abuzz today over an incident that occurred during last night’s game between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators.  In the first period, heavyweights Derek Boogaard of the New York Rangers and Matt Carkner of the Ottawa Senators engaged in a fight that ended with a […]

[credit provider=”ap” url=”ap”] Colorado Avalanche sophomore Matt Duchene has been discouraged by the team’s sagging attendance — they’re 26th in the league — and decided to do something about it.Duchene, 19, created a Twitter account that he hopes will help fans connect with him and generate interest in the team.

Saturday night’s match between the Coventry Blaze and the Nottingham Panthers turned ugly when Coventry’s Brad Cruikshank took a detour on his way off the ice after being ejected and crashed into Nottingham goalie Craig Kowalski.

Alex Ovechkin has a long list of endorsements thanks to his rock star status in Russia and electric play on the ice for the Washington Capitals, so picking up a new deal is nothing out of the ordinary for Ovie. 

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] All indications are that the NHL salary cap will increase by $2 million to $3 million this offseason because of an overall boost in league revenues.The increase will mean that big-market teams like New York, Chicago, and Detroit can spend more on players, but it will be […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] The commissioner has spoken, and the shootout isn’t going anywhere.We’ve written about it before, but today word came from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman who indicated that the shootout is here to stay.

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] All teams EasternCOLLEGE BASKETBALL (Full Schedule)

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Matthew Hulsizer met with the NHL’s Board of Governors for more than an hour on Monday and is confident that he’ll have a deal done to buy the Phoenix Coyotes by the end of the year.The Board declared its unanimous approval of Hulsizer following the meeting.

The potential sales of the Phoenix Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Buffalo Sabres are a hot topic at the NHL Board of Governors meeting, being held today and tomorrow in Palm Beach, Florida.Matt Hulszier, a prospective buyer of the Coyotes, already met with the board today and hopes to complete […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Despite rule changes aimed at reducing head injuries, NHL players are suffering concussions as frequently as last season’s alarming pace.There have been 33 concussions in the NHL as of December 1, which is on pace to match last year’s spike of 84.

[credit provider=”AP”] The gap between the value of the most profitable and least profitable teams has been widening across the sports world, and Mike Ozanian of Forbes believes salary caps are to blame.Since cap numbers are generally derived by total league-wide revenue, it is set at a proportional level that […]

[credit provider=”YouTube” url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvgD9HNTMkM”] NBA (Full Schedule)8:00 Heat @ Cavaliers, TNT – You may have heard this game was tonight. How will the Cleveland fans react?  How will LeBron perform?  Will he do the powder toss?  Will anything outrageous happen?

[credit provider=”Ottawa Sun” url=”http://eedition.ottawasun.com/epaper/viewer.aspx”] A famous basketball player may be getting all the attention in the United States today, but there will be another controversial player returning to his former team tonight when Dany Heatley’s Sharks take on the Ottawa Senators.Heatley essentially forced his way out of Ottawa last summer, […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Though half of all NHL clubs increased in value, just 14 of 30 NHL teams are profitable according to a Forbes report.The Toronto Maple Leafs are the most valuable team at $505 million while the Coyotes are the least at $134 million.

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] So how does a team go from 10th place in the East last season to sixth this year after losing the greatest player their franchise has ever had; a guy who has scored 40 goals six seasons in a row?By operating as a small market team should.  […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] On the heels of yesterday’s news that Richard Peddie, president and CEO of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment will retire at the end of next year, there are reports that Roger Communications is in talks to purchase a majority share in the the monopoly of Toronto teams.Rogers […]

[credit provider=”AP Images”] NBA (Full Schedule)7:30 New Jersey Nets @ New York Knicks, MSG – The neighbouring teams have both enjoyed resurgent seasons — and ignited a budding rivalry — without the help of the free agent they coveted most.

[credit provider=”Allen McInnis/Postmedia News” url=”http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/11/30/pat-burns-wife-robbed-after-his-funeral/”] The life of former NHL coach Pat Burns was honored today in Montreal, but during the ceremony a robber broke into his widow’s car and stole Burns’ wallet.The thief also got away with jewelry, an iPod, and 30 jerseys autographed buy former players.

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”]  UPDATE 12:12 p.m. The Sabres deny that a letter of intent to sell the team has been signed.  Here’s the statement:

[credit provider=”Flickr/pennstatelive” url=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/pennstatelive/5060363148/”] So who is this mysterious man that has burst onto the hockey scene, first by bringing a Division I hockey team to Penn State, and now apparently purchasing the Buffalo Sabres?Terrence Pegula hails from Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and attended Penn State where he earned a degree in Petroleum […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Kevin Dupont of the Boston Globe believes that Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano is looking to sell the team. Golisano, who saved the team from a possible move by purchasing it in 2003, had a lengthy political career in New York, but moved to Florida in 2009 to […]

[credit provider=”Intent to Blow” url=”http://intenttoblow.com/2010/10/hartford-whalers-winnipeg-jets-quietly-begin-claiming-waived-players/”] The New York Rangers’ minor league affiliate will play its first game as the Connecticut Whale tonight. Previously, the AHL club skated as the Hartford Wolf Pack.The name change is the first step in the arduous process of bringing the NHL back to Connecticut, according […]

[credit provider=”Jason Pero/Flickr” url=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonpero/2742793371/”] Ah, Thanksgiving. The most American holiday there is. It combines two of our favourite things, eating in excess and camping out in front of the television.From the traditional Turkey Day football to two bonus days of college football’s best rivalries to the Sunday showdowns of the […]

[credit provider=”Courtest of Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant”] They say that the night before Thanksgiving is the most popular night for eating out. The fridge is full of food you can’t eat yet and no one is in the mood to do dishes when you have to start stuffing birds at 4:00 […]

[credit provider=”sashafatcat via Flickr” url=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/sashafatcat/2152725537/”] The Ontario Hockey League, a junior league whose players are often drafted by NHL teams, is taking a small step towards outlawing fighting in hockey.A new rule, which will take effect November 26, calls for an ejection and automatic one-game suspension for any fight that […]

[credit provider=”commons.wikimedia.org” url=”http://commons.wikimedia.org”] Quebec is asking the Canadian government for $175 million to help finance a new hockey arena that could be home to a new NHL team or a future Winter Olympics.But after the government denied Edmonton’s request for funding for the 2017 World Expo this week, many believe […]

[credit provider=”Dan4th Nicholas” url=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/dan4th/3232513307/”] The slow-death of wood sticks in the NHL is complete, according to the Montreal Gazette, as the last holdouts finally switched over to composite sticks last season. Less than two decades ago, wood sticks were used universally in the NHL, but drastic changes in technology — and […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Last week, the New York Islanders took press credentials away from Chris Botta, who writes the popular blog NYI Point Blank and was once the vice president of media relations for the team.Botta was surprised and disappointed in the decision and has received nearly unanimous support from […]

[credit provider=”video.google.com” url=”http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2511024690027582322#”] The NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB will collectively experience a 7.6 per cent increase in sponsorship revenue in 2010.Last year, those same leagues saw sponsorship revenue drop by 3.9 per cent. 

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers combined for 15 goals in an 8-7 slugfest. 14 of them were scored in the first two periods.

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] The New York Islanders have taken away press credentials from popular blogger Chris Botta. Botta, who writes for  Islanders Point Blank and AOL Fanhouse, was one of many to criticise the firing of Islanders coach Scott Gordon on Monday, since most agree that Gordon was not the team’s […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] The NHL is in damage control this week after a series of leaked emails that seem paint VP of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell as a biased and vindictive disciplinarian.The correspondence between Campbell and former Director of Officiating Stephen Walkom, shows Campbell attacking certain players and officials, and […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Tyler Seguin, the second overall pick of the 2010 NHL Draft has signed an endorsement deal with Dunkin’ doughnuts — a company that just happens to be one of his team’s biggest sponsors.The Bruins have significant salary cap issues this season, leading some to speculate that teams […]

A deal between Quebec’s secessionist party and the government of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, could result in new federally funded hockey arenas in Quebec City and Edmonton.The two groups were publicly feuding just a year ago, but the Bloc Québécois party could through its support behind Harper in exchange […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] The Philadelphia Flyers gave new contracts to two of their young stars this week.Claude Giroux signed for three-years, $11.25 million, while Jeff Carter was given an 11-year, $58 million deal on Sunday.

[credit provider=”AP Images”] When the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup last season with one of the youngest rosters in the league, many predicted it was the beginning of a dynasty. After all, most of their key players were 26 or younger.Not so fast. Thanks to the NHL’s hard salary […]

[credit provider=”Flickr/rubyswoon” url=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/cubesbyamanda/2385913295/”] In addition to revising the All-Star Game, NHL GMs have considered abolishing the shootout, SI reports. They’ll make a decision when they reconvene in March.Hockey purists love to complain about the shootout, as it decides games without necessitating most of the skills required for 60 minutes of […]

Much is made about the popularity of the various professional sports leagues in North America. And even more is made about the salaries of the athletes that play these sports. So let’s take a look at the highest paid player in each league and how those top earners compare to […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Some GMs like to build their team with a lot of offensive punch (Washington Capitals), and others with a strong goalie tandem (Boston Bruins).But some GMs prefer to build their team with a very deep defensive corps. One month into the 2010-11 season, let’s have a look […]

[credit provider=”Bridget Samuels and David Shankbone via Flickr”] Sunday, the New York Post’s Larry Brooks took the Islanders to task for just kind of wallowing in their failures.Brooks recommends the team move to Queens, where he says an arena is waiting for them.

[credit provider=”Dan4th Nicholas” url=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/dan4th/3232513307/”] The NHL will change the format of its annual All-Star Game this February, several news outlets report.Fans will still be asked to vote for the starters. But the remainder of the rosters will be selected by the NHL’s Hockey Operations department.

[credit provider=”Dan4th Nicholas” url=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/dan4th/3232513307/”] HBO will air a new instalment of their behind-the-scenes 24/7 series that trails the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins as they prepare for the Winter Classic, hockey’s annual outdoor New Year’s Day game.The four-episode series will air for three weeks leading up to the game, […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] One month into the 2010-11 NHL season, it’s time to have a look at the most overpaid NHLers that aren’t contributing as much as their teams’ would like.I have not included players whose contracts are buried in the AHL or overseas like Jeff Finger, Wade Redden, Sheldon […]

[credit provider=”AP Images”] ESPN is considering striking a television deal that would bring the NHL to the network for the first time since the lockout, MediaWeek reports.However, the network may have to fight off a challenge from a merged NBC-Comcast conglomerate.

New York Rangers GM Glen Sather repeated an old myth of sports in his town, telling ESPN.com that he “doesn’t think the market in New York is a place where people are patient.”

[credit provider=”Flickr/Sasky Saves” url=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/saskysaves/875406253/”] Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon will propose adding a coach’s challenge to the NHL’s replay rules at next week’s GM meetings, TSN’s Darren Dreger reports.Tallon’s envisions an instant replay system similar to that of the NFL. Coaches would have the ability to challenge within a […]

[credit provider=”AP” url=”AP”] Demolition of the Spectrum in Philadelphia will commence on November 8, but fans are being offered one last chance to visit the old home of the Flyers and 76ers.  Not only that, but they’ll have the chance to take a piece of it home with them. On Saturday, […]