Category: Michael Quinn

4 Hours and 18 Seconds

Four hours doesn’t seem like that long a length of time. It’s four episodes of Game of Thrones. It’s the time it takes to drive from Toronto to Ottawa, give or take. Four hours is a double feature, unless one of the films is a Tarantino production in which case it would be a one and a half feature. Four hours and 18 seconds is also how long the Saint Louis Blues have gone without allowing a goal and in the NHL, that’s a lifetime.

Three of the four shutouts were with Brian Elliot in net but the fourth featured fellow goalie Jake Allen who held off 32 shots from the NHL-leading Washington Capitals. After blanking the Vancouver Canucks two times and the San Jose Sharks once, Elliot was given a breather, which gave Allen a shot to get off the bench and keep the streak alive. “It can be tough a little bit because (Allen has) been watching lately, and obviously (Elliott) has been playing unbelievable,” Blues forward Paul Stastny said. “These guys have found a way to make it competitive on a good standpoint that benefits the team.”

While the Blues are only the 11th team to compile such a streak, nobody is overly focused on it. ”It’s a cherry on top,” Elliott said. ”It’s just a bonus. It’s all about the wins right now.” And those wins are coming at a great time as the team picks up some serious momentum going into the playoffs. With a spot already clinched, the Blues are focused like laser beams on the Central Division and the top spot in the Western Conference. After three straight first-round exits the Blue Note would love to chalk up some wins in the post-season.

Part of the team’s latest winning trend might be due to a bevy of key players returning from long absences resulting from injuries. Alternate Captain Alexander Steen is set to return after being sidelined for 15 games with an upper-body injury. In addition to Steen, the Blues have seen the return of players like Patrik Berglund, Jaden Schwartz, and Paul Stastny, all of whom have seen lengthy absences. The team has clicked since their collective return, winning 10 of their last 12 games. With defensemen Carl Gunnarsson and Jay Bouwmeester set to return this week things look to improve even further.

While a hot streak like this one is clearly a team effort, there’s no denying that the performances in goal have set the tone. “When your goalie’s hot, the confidence breathes through the rest of the team,” Center Kyle Brodziak said. “We’re feeling that right now.” With Elliot back in net tonight against the playoff hungry Colorado Avalanche, the St. Louis Blues hope to keep that confidence going and turn it into playoff success.

Noah Hanifin and the Teenage Years

Many 18 year-olds spend their time worrying about mid-term exams, relationships with their dormmates, and generally finding a way through their first year of college. Noah Hanifin is no exception, only this 18 year-old’s worries are about lining up across from Alex Ovechkin, rooming with center Nathan Gerbe, and generally trying to keep from letting his team or the thousands of Carolina fans down.

Born in 1997 in Norwood, Massachusetts, Hanifin developed his hockey skills at Saint Sebastian’s School, known for having one of the top hockey programs in the US. Hanifin played for the US Under 17 team but was quickly bumped up to the Under 18 national team as an underage player. Hanifin then fast-tracked his high school graduation in order to play at Boston College as a 17 year-old. After only one season the defensive phenom entered the 2015 Entry Draft and wound up with the Hurricanes as the 5thoverall selection. Signed to a three-year deal Hanifin made his debut on October 8th of last year and has so far been able to do what very few defensemen have done, crack an NHL roster while still a teenager, and he seems to be doing it quite well.

Noah’s unique combination of physical size, defensive skill, and mental maturity has helped him hold his own in a world he has very little experience for. “In the NHL, everything’s so fast and you need to do everything the right way,” Hanifin said. “That’s the biggest thing. Your job is always on the line in the NHL.” While 3 goals and 14 assists might not be all-star numbers it’s worth remembering that just three seasons ago this future star was still playing high school hockey in Massachusetts. The Hurricane’s maintain that some grooming in the AHL might be in order but everyone seems to agree that simply might not be necessary. Hanifin, however, is the first to admit that he still has a lot to learn. “I’m not where I want to be yet,” he says. “It’s my first year, and I’m 18. It’s more of a learning experience. I still have a long ways to go.”

With 69 games under his belt Noah Hanifin has a solid taste of life at the NHL level. There is no question about his talent. All that remains to be seen is what kind of point producer he will turn into as he gains confidence and experience both on and off the ice. The future is bright for what most consider the best defensive prospect in the game today but he still has a long road ahead. On the bright side, he doesn’t have to worry about any final exams.

Coach’s Challenge Here To Stay

There’s at least one definitive thing coming out of this year’s General Managers Meeting in Boca Raton, Florida, the coach’s challenge is here to stay. With a moderate amount of grumbling and controversy surrounding the new rule everyone around the NHL was looking to the GMs to take a stand and they have clearly done just that. The 30 GMs in attendance stood by the new rule unanimously, though some small changes might be in order.

The coach’s challenge was adopted during the off-season as a way to use video reviews for goals that may have come about from goaltender interference or offside plays. A coach may challenge a ruling on the ice at which point the officials will review video footage of the goal and make a decision to overrule or not.

In general the move has been seen as a positive step in correcting the most flagrant, game-changing errors but it hasn’t been free from controversy. Many coaches and players have argued that the tiny 6” tablet the officials are using to review the video is too small to be effective. There are also complaints that challenges are being used as a “strategic time out”, allowing a team to regroup and rest while the officials are engaged in a review. Some simply state that the game stoppage at such crucial junctures interrupts the game flow.

Despite the controversy, the GMs felt strongly that the system was working. Of the more than 200 challenges this season nearly 80% of the on-ice decisions were upheld. There were very few challenges where the group disagreed with the officials. “You’ve gotta to look back at the reason we did these coach’s challenges originally was to try to take care of the egregious mistakes. We’ve certainly done that,” said Chicago GM Stan Bowman. “There’s been no (incidents) where everyone afterwards is thinking ‘Boy we got that wrong.’” Edmonton Oilers GM Pete Chiarelli agreed, “For all of us the coach’s challenge has been a very useful tool.”

No system is perfect, however, and the GMs agreed on a few areas where changes might be made to strengthen the review process. One seemingly simple idea is to get a larger screen for the officials to watch the video on. There has also been discussion of sending the review decision back to the NHL war room in Toronto but most GMs seem to think that’s overkill. Said Chiarelli, “We talked about that a little bit but I don’t see that happening. I think we’re getting it right for the most part.” One change that everyone agreed should be immediately implemented is the placement of two cameras at the blue line to help clear up any off side ruling challenges. “That’s the one in-season tweak we can make. It’s not a rule change, it’s just helping make the process better,” said Colin Campbell league director of hockey operations.

In the end the consensus was clear, video reviews of controversial goals are a good thing and despite a few minor issues the rule is accomplishing what it set out to do. The Coach’s Challenge looks to have a long and prosperous life in the NHL.

Shane Doan helps the Coyotes and himself

Right winger Shane Doan helped lift the Arizona Coyotes past the Calgary Flames last Friday with two goals and an assist but the team captain managed to help himself to a pair of franchise records at the same time.

The 39-year old surpassed Hall-of-Famer, Dale Hawerchuk, with 931 total points but that wasn’t the only record broken that night. Late in the third period Doan managed his 123rd power play goal handing him another franchise record and once again pushing Dale Hawerchuk to the number two spot. Doan holds the record for games played in the Coyotes organization as well.

Doan was born on October 10, 1976 in Alberta, to father, Bernie Doan, who played professional hockey for a brief period of time in the St. Louis Blues organization. His father’s short career was obviously long enough to have an impact on Shane who was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 1995. The Jets went on to become the Coyotes and Doan stayed within the organization. In fact, Doan has spent his entire professional career with the Jets/Coyotes and is currently the only remaining player from the Jets who is still active in the NHL.

Doan’s record-breaking performance comes at a crucial time for the Coyotes who desperately needed to break themselves out of a losing spell. Doan certainly did his part helping the Coyotes to a 4-1 win, snapping a five game losing streak, and leaving the Coyotes just three games behind Nashville for the final wild card spot. Doan’s performance could not have come at a better time.

Doan’s career has been exemplary producing 13 20-goal seasons, two All-Star appearances, a King Clancy Memorial Trophy, and a Mark Messier Leadership Award. In addition to leading the Coyotes in all-time points and power play goals, Doan also leads the team in total goals scored passing Hawerchuk back in December. As the longest-serving NHL Captain still active in the league, Doan was the team’s leading scorer from 2003-2011. Consecutively.

A fan favorite as well as a team mentor, Doan is often referred to as the “heart and soul” of the Arizona Coyotes. Coach Dave Tippett complimented Doan after the win saying, “the commitment he has to the organization, to the city, to his teammates, it’s just amazing to watch everyday”. 20-year old teammate Anthony Duclair agrees, “One day I’m going to tell my kids I played with Shane Doan”.

Martin Brodeur

Tuesday night at the Prudential Center in New Jersey featured a raucous crowd who at one point stood and cheered for nearly two minutes without stopping. It wasn’t for their Devils though, or at least not all of them. The crowd was giving a standing ovation for hometown hero, goalie Martin Brodeur. After a stunning 24-year career, 21 of which were with the Devils, Brodeur has retired and New Jersey retired his number, 30, along with him.

Widely regarding as one of the greatest netkeepers to ever take the ice, Brodeur’s list of accomplishments reads like a set of wishes for any star-eyed middle school kid with a pair of skates and a stick. Three Stanley Cups, five Eastern Conference titles, 17 post-season campaigns, two Olympic Gold Medals, and lives as the only NHL goalie with eight 40-win seasons. Four-time Vezina Trophy winner, five-time Jennings Trophy winner, a Calder Memorial Trophy winner, and a 10-time NHL all-star, Brodeur almost singlehandedly changed the Devils’ from a “Mickey Mouse organization”, as Gretzky once called them, to Stanley Cup Champions.

It was fitting, therefore, that his number be retired in appreciation for his impact, not only on New Jersey, but the game itself. Brodeur’s impact went beyond his league records for wins, shutouts, playoff shutouts, and games played. Many speculate that in 2005 the new rule preventing goaltenders from playing the puck behind the goal line, save for a small space behind the net, was implemented specifically because of Brodeur. His abilities to handle the puck were so famous the rule was even nicknamed “The Brodeur Rule”.

Tuesday night’s crowd wanted to make sure their favorite tender knew how they felt and the standing ovation was so loud and long that Brodeur was prevented from giving his speech. Eventually the throng allowed him to speak and Brodeur expressed gratitude towards teammates, coaches, and, of course, the fans saying, “This is as good as it gets.” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman complimented Brodeur by calling him “the greatest goaltender in the history of this franchise, if not the history of this sport.”

Standing with his family in the crease Brodeur watched as his number and years with the team were raised high into the air. With a final wave of his goal tending stick Brodeur left the arena.


 The 43-year old goes back to work as the Assistant General Manager for the St. Louis Blues but surely his heart will always be right there where it belongs, with the New Jersey Devils.

The NHL Playoffs’ New Anthem May Be “No Canada

In 1969 a man named Gary Starkweather invented the laser printer. 1969 was the year the first Porsche 914s were ever produced. A band known as The Beatles released a little album called “Yellow Submarine” that same year as well. 1969 was also the last time the NHL playoffs happened without a Canadian team, something that is beginning to look more and more likely as the 2015-16 season unfolds.
Going into the All-Star break not one of the NHL’s seven Canadian teams held a play-off berth. In the Eastern Conference the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators were each at 52 points, putting them 3 away from playoff contention. The Toronto Maple Leafs lie 12 back with 43 points and a much harder task ahead of them if they plan to make a playoff spot.
In the Western Conference Winnipeg holds last place in the Central while Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton sit at the bottom three positions. The Canucks hold the top position for any Canadian team, sitting only five points out of contention but if the playoffs happened today it would be the first time in 36 years we’d have an All-American line-up.
Couple those sobering statistics with the fact that Canada hasn’t been home to the Stanley Cup for 21 years and there’s obviously cause for concern for hockey fans in the Great White North.
Blame is placed in several places. The falling Canadian dollar has put a tremendous amount of economic pressure on the league, the franchises, and the players. TV rights deals that were made when the “loonie” was near or on par with US dollar are now worth significantly less, which reduces the overall HRR or Hockey Related Revenues. If the HRR drops the players feel it in their salaries. All of which combines to mean tougher choices moving forward and tightening the belt becomes the norm. Not a great place to be with playoff hopes in mind.
Some attribute this year’s playoff drought to bad timing. With teams like the Oilers and the Maple Leafs undergoing significant changes in their organizations it’s no surprise they’ll need a few seasons to rebuild. Vancouver is trying to move quickly under second year GM, Jim Benning, and the Flames are in the midst of rebuilding their roster as well. It’s just a bad luck season for the Canadians right? Still others place the blame squarely on management making poor financial decisions and even poorer roster choices.
Whatever the reason the fact remains that this season represents a low point for Canada’s national pastime. All is not lost, however. There are still roughly 30 games left to be played and as fans everywhere know, a lot can happen in 30 games. Heck, maybe by the end of the season I’ll be driving a new Porsche 914 listening to Yellow Submarine.

Dennis Wideman and the $500,000 Cross-check.

In what will surely go down in history as the world’s most expensive cross-check, Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman was slapped with a 20-game suspension for hospitalizing a linesman during the team’s final game before the All-Star break. The long stretch on the bench means the defenseman will forfeit $564,516.13 worth of his salary, a hefty sum for the 11-year veteran in his fourth season with the Flames.

The hit on linesman Don Henderson occurred during the second period of a game against the Nashville Predators as Wideman was skating back to the bench after taking a massive check from Predators’ right-winger, Mikka Salomaki. As Wideman approached the bench he hit Henderson square in the back sending him to the ice and against the boards. Henderson appeared injured but no penalty was called and both player and linesman finished out the game. Afterward Henderson was taken to the emergency room complaining of neck pain and nausea where he was diagnosed with a concussion.

There is some debate as to whether the contact was intentional or not. Wideman claims he was “woozy” and disoriented from Salomaki’s vicious knock and couldn’t avoid the contact. Others believe the cross-check was in retaliation for Salomaki’s hit not being called for a penalty. With the league rules dictating either a 10 or 20 game suspension depending on whether there was “intent to injure” it is clear the NHL and its commissioner, Gary Bettman, are treating the impact as deliberate.
Wideman has expressed regret about the situation insisting that the collision was unintentional and unavoidable. At the first stoppage after the incident he skated over to the officials grouped along the boards to apologize directly but that will have little effect on either the league or the NHL Officials Organization who are charged with protecting their personnel first and foremost.

Wideman can appeal the sentence directly to Bettman and perhaps even exercise his right to a neutral arbitrator if the appeal fails. It is unclear what Wideman’s intentions are at this point but it is likely the Flames will appeal any sentence over six games in an attempt to keep their Alternate Captain off the ice for as little as possible.

Wideman won’t don skates while his case is under appeal causing the Flames to recall defenseman Jakub Nakladal from their AHL affiliate, the Stockton Heat, but the loss of a player like Wideman will likely be a blow to a team struggling to stay in 6th place in the Pacific division.

“Wides is a big part of our team,” said Flames Captain Mike Giordano. “He’s a great player on the ice but off the ice, too, he’s a guy who had a voice in this room. Hopefully, it all works out.”