GetItNext Hockey - The Red Line - All Hockey All The Time

Gordon to lead Isles

Scott Gordon has been hired to coach the New York Islanders this season.  This is a bold move by Garth Snow and is keeping with the youth movement that the Isles are going with.   As you know the Islanders canned Ted Nolan after he made rabbits fly out of their tacklas the past 2 seasons, big mistake imo.   Hiring Gordon to guide the lighthouse is definitely a high risk choice when two veteran retreads were in the final 3.

Gordon will be the fishsticks fifth coach in six seasons - and their 14th overall.

Gordon stats: Providence went 55-18-3 last season, and in five seasons with the team, he was 221-141-20-27. He was an assistant with Providence for three seasons before taking over as head coach, and worked in the ECHL before that.

Jaromir Jagr Retires from the NHL

Now that the Pittsburgh Penguins have ended the New York Rangers season I predict that you have seen Jaromir Jagr's last NHL game of his career.  This sure fire hall of famer has been hinting about leaving the NHL since Jan 08.  His buddy and owner of Russian team Omsk recently flew to New York to meet with Jagr leading many to believe a deal is in place for Jagr to place for Omsk next season. 

The Rangers and the NHL will greatly miss this dynamic superstar.  How ironic and fitting if Jagrs last NHL game was played at the Igloo home of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Does Chris Pronger Have Photos of Campbell

If Chris Pronger doesn't get at least 15 games for intent to injure Ryan Kessler I will be convinced that he has photos on Colie Campbell or his son Gregory Campbell.  Maybe one of the Campbell's are client #8?  Haha just kidding but  Pronger has been getting away with murder for years and the league really needs to clamp down.  If you watch the video you can clearly see Pronger look down and stomp Kessler's calf.  This is clearly a case of intent to injure.  Both players are very lucky that Ryan didn't suffer a major injury as the back side of players calves are not protected well by hockey shin guards. Its funny how the NHL treats the haves and the have nots differently.  If a 3rd or 4th line player with Chris' rep did this they would be gone for at least 20 games.  Here's a look at Pronger's most recent dirty plays and soft suspensions.

Compliments of TSN.ca: Pronger has been suspended seven times in his career, with the most recent ones handed down during the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring. He received a one-game suspension from the NHL last May for his hit on Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, and was suspended for a game in June for hitting Ottawa's Dean McAmmond in the head with his forearm during the third period of the Senators' 5-3 win in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Toronto Maple Leafs Rob Penguins in Hal Gil Trade

I’ve been out of reach the past couple of days but need to weigh in on a couple of the trades that occurred on the NHL trade deadline day. One of the biggest shockers is the hijacking Cliff Fletcher of the Toronto Maple Leafs pulled off when he dealt Hal Gil to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2^nd AND a 5^th round draft choice.  For HAL GIL???? Lets put things in perspective.  If my beloved New York Rangers gave up a 5^th for Gil I probably would’ve been upset. But a second rounder and a 5th in a deep draft? Omigod Fletcher should be in jail for robbery. The Penguins are definitely going for it, we’ll see if the fleet footed Gil helps them win Lord Stanley.

 

NHL Linesmen Pat Dapuzzo Career Has Ended Due to Injury

According to the Newark Star Ledger NHL linesman Pat Dapuzzo will not take the ice as an official again. Dapuzzo was injured (60 stitches and a broken nose) forcing him to leave the New York Rangers vs Philadelphia Flyers game 15 days ago.  Pat was cut when Rangers Fedor Tyutin hip checked Flyers Steve Downie and Downie's skate hit Dapuzzo in the face.  Dapuzzo had already planned on retiring at the end of the season and will not return to action before the conclusion of the season.  Dapuzzo is still in alot of pain, has bandages over his face and can't feel part of his face due to nerve damage.

Its a real shame that this is the way that one of the best NHL linesmen is going to end his career.  Here's hoping that Pat recovers fully and is able to enjoy retirement.

Chris Simon a Ticking Time Bomb

Well folks the NY Islanders Chris Simon is back, again.  Will he make it without incident for the rest of the season?  No one knows that answer, not even Chris.  History tells us the answer is no as Chris' recent incidents seem to be happening more frequently and his infractions more appalling.  Hopefully he's straightened himself out but we'll see how he does against against the NY Rangers when they face the Islanders.  Nothing like a rivalry to set off the NHL's ticking time bomb.

Credit to the great Ken Henderson for the Simon image.

Farewell Mats Sundin Toronto Will Miss You

It appears Mats Sundin will be traded prior to the NHL trading deadline set for 3pm on Tuesday.  Sundin was approached by Toronto Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher and was asked for a list of teams he would be willing to waive his no trade clause.  Of course Sundin has the ultimate power and can refuse a trade but that would be awfully selfish for Mr Mapleleaf. 

Picturing Sundin in another teams jersey, oops I mean Reebok Edge uniform system is a strange thought (I know he played for Quebec) but that seems like centuries ago.  Seeing the Leafs captain in another jersey would be almost as strange as seeing Chris Chelios in a Red Wings jersey, Raymond Bourque in an Avalanche jersey and Brian Leetch in a Maple Leafs jersey for the first time.  Here's hoping that Mats makes the right decision for himself and the team and gets a chance at hoisting the cup this spring.  By allowing Fletcher to deal him at the deadline he will also allow the Leafs to rebuild in a much faster manner.  We'll see on Tuesday, its going to be an interesting day.

New Philadelphia Flyers 3rd Jersey Logo

Now this would be a fitting 3rd Jersey for the Flyers.  Forget the lame Reebok Edge designed NHL jerseys. This Flyers jersey would sell like hot cakes, flyers fans would gobble these things up.
Credit to the great Ken Henderson for the Flyers image.

Colton Orr Nasty Matt Cullen Hit Not Dirty

Ok I feel like I have to weigh in on the Colton Orr hit on Matt Cullen during the New York Rangers vs Hurricanes game.  Opinions are very mixed on whether it was a dirty or legal hit.  It ranges from people wanting him suspended to many fans and writers even saying he was jobbed on the 5 minute interference and game misconduct call.

So here is my take, granted I am a Rangers fan.  Orr saw Cullen well ahead of the play, in fact he actually lowered his body and took his hand off his stick well ahead of impact.  While his right arm did come off the stick and follow thru he did not lead with his elbow nor strike Cullen with it.  It looked more like his right glove hit Cullen in addition to Orr's face hitting Cullen's visor (see photo).  Cullen clearly never saw Orr coming as he was looking for the puck which was at his feet until right before impact.

So here are some of the I always ask when a hit is questionable:

Was the puck there?  Although Cullen did not have possession of the puck at time of impact, he had just lost it so I consider it clean from that perspective.

Was there a deliberate blow to the head?   I would say no, Colton did not use his stick, elbow or forearm in a deliberate manner.  Him taking his right hand off the stick does cloud the argument.  However based on photos and interviews afterward Orr's face took the brunt of Cullen's visor.  He was cut during impact, not by his fight afterward.

Was there intent to injure?  This is a trickier question.  Orr clearly lined Cullen up ahead of time and did not collide with him ala the Knuble/Shanny hit (like some writers have suggested).  Sorry, I watched the tape 20 times and I see Colton lowering his body, taking his hand off the stick and getting ready for impact.  However based on Colton's history, he has not been a dirty checker, in fact he rarely ever hits open ice, although that is probably due to his inability skate fast enough to hit open ice.  He also was a teammate of Cullen's so I doubt there was intent to injure.  Since he did not head hunt I think this is still a legal hit in the NHL, not sure it seems to change day to day.

The five minute and game misconduct interference call was definitely influenced by the severity of the collision and possible retribution the refs feared from HQ.  Several articles have written how Shanahan spoke to an official on the ice and was under the impression there was no penalty. Only to find out moments later that it was 5 and a game.  Hmm, none of the refs had their arm up and then suddenly after a huddle they come up with the call.  I guess they erred on the side of caution and fear of being punished by the league.  Its going to be very interesting to see if Colin Campbell issues a suspension on this one.  Keep in mind he has historically been very heavy handed when sentencing player from his former team.

Here's hoping to full and speedy recovery to Matt Cullen.  Wish you were still centering the 3rd line.

Directv Added MSG HD and Fox Sports HD Today!

New York Rangers fans rejoice, we now have options.  As a long time suffering Directv HD sub today is like xmas morning.  I can't believe they finally added it, finally we can watch hockey the way it should be.  Very surprising that the Dolan$ relented and gave in to Directv, must be an offer they couldn't pass up.

For the full list of Directv HD channels that are currently available check out this blog: Directv Complete HD Lineup. 

If you've tuned to any of these channels and cannot receive them you might not have the proper equipment.  You will need the following in order to receive the new HD channels: a 5 LNB Dish, and one of the following MPEG 4 boxes: a HR-20, HR-21, H-20 or H-21 model.  Without this equipment you will not be able to receive the signal from the new bird.

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