Kukla's Korner

Leafs Could Blame The Shootout

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/08/06 at 09:08 AM ET | Comments (0)

from the Toronto Sun,

This season, the shootout has put an extra 138 points on the table, entering play last night. The Leafs have grabbed just three of those points, going 3-7 in shootouts. The teams they're chasing for a playoff spot have done substantially better: New Jersey has nine shootout wins, Tampa Bay six and Atlanta five. Take away the shootout and the Leafs would be in the thick of the playoff race with 77 points, just three away from eighth place.

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All Walkom

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/08/06 at 08:58 AM ET | Comments (0)

Stephen Walkom is the senior vice-president and director of officiating for the NHL. from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,

On meeting his primary goal of "freeing up the puck carrier" in the game: "That was our plan and our goal. Nobody had a crystal ball, but if you have a passion for the game, you really want to see the great players be great and you really want the superstars to shine. If we've done that, that's been good for the game." On the improved morale of the officiating crew: "Our guys seem to be really working for one another within each game. They're working hard and enjoying their work."

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Avoid Nashville

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/08/06 at 08:39 AM ET | Comments (0)

from the Edmonton Sun,

If you're in the media, and you cover a Western Conference hockey team, you're hoping against hope that they open the playoffs in Nashville - a top-five pick on anyone's list of road trip cities. If you're the team that's being covered, a first round date with the plucky Preds isn't high on your wish list. In other words, head coach Barry Trotz and general manager David Poile have something good going on in Music City - a great town and a scary little team to go with it.

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Uh-Oh

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/07/06 at 11:35 PM ET | Comments (0)

Zetterberg suffered upper body injury. Taken to hospital for tests. Will update when available. update 10:22pm, Draper interviewed on post game show, said all he knows is he saw Z shower-up after the 2nd period and walk out of the dressing room. He mentioned he hopes it isn't too long for both Z and Datsyuk. update 10:36pm, Babcock said upper body injury, getting tests, will know tomorrow. So we sit and wait. update 2:28pm Saturday, Z won't play tonight but should be back for the next game. Tests proved nothing wrong, still only know it was an upper body problem.

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Sharks Matt Carle Wins Hobey Baker Award

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/07/06 at 10:59 PM ET | Comments (0)

from Inside College Hockey,

The 26th winner of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award is Denver junior defenseman Matt Carle, the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Executive Committee announced today at Bradley Center. At the conclusion of his college season, Carle signed with the NHL's San Jose Sharks. He scored two goals in his first three NHL games.

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Yzerman On Rome Radio Show

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/07/06 at 08:45 PM ET | Comments (0)

A quick recap of the Steve Yzerman interview on today's Jim Rome's radio show. Steve mentioned more than once he made up his mind about his future during the lockout and has swayed on that decision. He stated he thought it would be great to make one more run for the cup. Yzerman also noted before game 2 of the Vancouver first round series in 2002, he went into Bowman's office and told him he didn't think he could play. Scotty told him he would use him for faceoffs and few other situations. If you recall, the Wings lost to go down 2-0 in the series and Steve thought there was no way he could back out now. The rest is history, Wings came back, won the series, Chelios did his victory skate in Vancouver and the Wings won the cup/ For more on Rome and Yzerman, check out Abel to Yzerman. update 6:15am Saturday, You can read an edited trranscript of the interview at Mlive. I must also say Mlive has a working relationship with WDFN in Detroit and if this were any other Detroit team, the audio for the interview would have been posted within 15 minutes of the broadcast. They just don't think the Red Wings are important to their bottom line and that is a shame.

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How To Build An NHL Team

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/07/06 at 08:03 PM ET | Comments (0)

from Allan Muir of Sports Illustrated,

In the NHL, there are three ways to improve your roster: Draft well and develop your own talent. Exchange players with another team. Spend crazy money on overpriced unrestricted free agents in the summer. Three ways. But thanks to changes in the game, both as a business and in how it's played, it might be time to get ready for a fourth.

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NHL Not Ready For Las Vegas

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/07/06 at 07:53 PM ET | Comments (0)

Continue Reading »

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Let Luc Play

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/07/06 at 07:37 PM ET | Comments (0)

from Kevin Allen of USA TODAY,

Knowing this could be Luc Robitaille's last NHL season, his agent Pat Brisson is imploring the Los Angeles Kings to allow him to play the last four games. Robitaille, 40, has been healthy scratch the last three games as the Kings have been scrapping for a playoff spot. "He's a Hall of Famer no question and he's best left winger in history in terms of goals, assists and points," Brisson said. "Whether he is retiring or not, he should be in the lineup."

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Too Many Helicopter Lines For Sundin

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/07/06 at 05:47 PM ET | Comments (0)

from Paul Romanuk of Sportsnet,

I know that Hank from Hicksville On Line One might argue that Sundin has never been a great leader - "not like Dougie or Wendel". But, c'mon, can you think of a captain who personifies grace under pressure better than Sundin? Classy, composed and respected by teammates and opponents alike. Sure, he's never managed to tow the Good Ship Leafs all the way through the playoffs to the Promised Land - but neither did Doug Gilmour, Wendel Clark or even Darryl Sittler, for that matter. I, for one, couldn't have been happier for Sundin when they showed him after the Olympic gold medal victory - huge smile plastered across his face, knowing he was a champion. As it stands now, it would be easier for him to get a glass of water in the middle of the desert than it would be to replicate that feeling in a Toronto sweater.

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