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Chris Pronger Traded to Philadelphia Flyers

Chris Pronger has been traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, just went down at the draft according to Darren Dreger at TSN.  I'll add details once they come in.  Man the Flyers will be nasty to play against.  Ducks didn't take long to make a move once they heard from Niedermeyer that he is in for next year.

The deal is for Lupul, Sbisa and 2 first round draft picks.

Which NHL Player is Dumber Than Sean Avery?

Let me start off by saying we all know Ryan Hollweg is a dumber player.  However a new force in stupidity has emerged.

This new hero of the stupid is none other than Philadelphia Flyers Daniel Carcillo.  With the Flyers leading 3-0 in yesterdays must win with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carcillo thought it would be the perfect time to throw some big hits, and then challenge light weight Maxime Talbot to a fight.  He of course won the battle but the Flyers lost the war.  The fight charged the otherwise sleeping Pens and they scored 5 unanswered goals and win the series. 

2009 NHL Playoff Round 1 Predictions - East

Alright here are the Red Line's NHL Round 1 playoff predictions for the Eastern Conference:

                                         Chris       Matt       Nick        Ron       Colin 

Bruins Vs Canadians           Bruins      Bruins   Bruins    Bruins     Boston 

Caps vs Rangers                 Caps        Caps     Caps       Caps       Caps

Devils vs Hurricanes           NJ           Canes    NJ          NJ          Canes 

Pens Vs Flyers                    Pitt          Pitt       Flyers     Pitt        Pitt

          

Brendan Shanahan A Flyer

Heavy rumors that Brendan Shanahan will be signing with the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday.  Shanny narrowed down his choices earlier in the week and is rumored to be ironing out a contract with Flyers GM Paul Holmgren.  The Flyers have approximately 880,000 left under the cap so they might have to get creative to sign Brendan.  Looks like the east is going to get tougher with number 14 back. 

4 NHL Rule Changes For 2008-2009 Season

The NHL is introducing 4 new rule changes for the 2008-2009 season.  I am not always in agreement with changes that are introduced by the league but I have to say that 3 of the 4 new tweaks should help the game.  I think that #2 could be a good rule but it is very subjective and the refs will not enforce it properly.

1. A change to Rule 76.2 ("Face-Offs") will place the first face-off of a power play in the defending zone of the team that committed the foul.
2. A change to Rule 81.1 ("Icing") states that "Any contact between opposing players while pursuing the puck on an icing must be for the sole purpose of playing the puck and not for eliminating the opponent from playing the puck. Unnecessary or dangerous contact could result in penalties being assessed to the offending player."
3. A change to Rule 85.5 ("Face-Off Location") provides that if a puck is shot off the goal frame, goal post or crossbar, the subsequent face-off will remain in the end zone where the puck went out of play.
4. I can't find the official wording for this one but I've heard that its approved.  When a puck is iced intentionally the game will NOT be delayed but a tv timeout even if one was scheduled.  This is a great rule change as coaches really started to abuse this last year and take advantage of the ability to ice the puck when they knew a tv timeout was coming.  Bravo NHL.

Now next year, slim down the goalie equipment.

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.

NHL Linesman Pat Dapuzzo Injured by Skate to Face

NHL linesman Pat Dapuzzo was injured (60 stitches and a broken nose) forcing him to leave the New York Rangers vs Philadelphia Flyers game.  Pat was cut when Rangers Fedor Tyutin hip checked Flyers Steve Downey and Downey's skate hit Pat in the face.  Pat went down and blood was pouring onto the ice, Pat got up and and pushed one of the refs away as he skated back down the ice trailing blood everywhere.  The reason Pat was trying to get back into the play was that  all 10 skaters on the ice were enaged in various stages of fisticuffs.  Pat tried breaking one of the fights up but was helped off the ice by both team medical trainers.

Best wishes to Pat who is in his last NHL season and is a great guy, here's hoping to a speedy recovery.

Flyers Real Tough Fighting With Visors

Just finished watching the New York Rangers blank the Philadelphia Flyers (again).  The Rangers played one of their best games of the season and won 2-0.  Of course the Flyers tried to change the momentum of the game by gooning it up.  I have no problem with old time hockey, however when two of the Flyers who are known to throw wear visors and do not remove their helmets prior to engaging the enemy I have an issue.  I am a big Mike Richards fan (yes I know I'm an NYR fan) but I love the way this guy plays game.  But Mike if you're going to drop the gloves you gotta either take the visor off or peel your helmet before you tango.

Of course Downey and Richards should have received another 2 with their 5 minute majors but I guess the ref's forgot about that rule.

Best wishes to linesman Pat Dapuzzo who took a skate to the face and suffered a broken nose and 20 stitches.  This is Pat's last season and he is a great guy, here's hoping to a speedy recovery.

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.

Another Flyers Suspension

What the hell is John Stevens feeding these guys?  Are you kidding me?  Another stupid, dangerous hit by the flyers, I couldn't believe it when I heard about the hit last night.   While this hit happened more due to the speed of the game and Randy Jones did not appear to intentionally attempt to injure Bergeron, a suspension is likely.  One thing that must be factored in is that Bergeron was very prone and did not turn last minute to face the boards, he was facing and was ridden in, head first into the dasher. 

Best of wishes to Patrice Bergeron I hope he has a full and speedy recovery.