We're the DEVILS!

I’m guessing this tattoo was stamped in the midst of a heated Devils-Rangers playoff series. After all, in the words of Puddy himself, “You gotta support the team”.

Anyway, I gotta go home and change before tonight’s game. I’ll be back, we’ll make out…

(via Deadspin)

Read Sports Geek’s argument and Loyal Homer’s arguments about the who the best player in the NHL under the age of 25 is.

The NHL has many very talented young players amongst its ranks, as well. Like the NBA, some players will develop into superstars, while others enter the league and dominate from the word go. Although all of the players Sarah Kwak listed in her Sports Illustrated article of the top 25 players under the age of 25 deserve recognition for their accomplishments, the name that SHOULD be on the top of that list (but surprisingly is not) is the man justifiably known as “The Next One” – Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby.

Like LeBron, Crosby came into the NHL as a VERY highly anticipated player with prodigious skill on the ice. Following the strike-ended season of 2004, the NHL was eager to resume play, and wanted a fresh new face that could be associated with the “return” of the NHL. After an unprecedented lottery that awarded the Penguins the top pick of the draft, Crosby was selected and became that face.

Since then, Crosby has lived up to every single expectation placed upon him. On a personal level, his accomplishments (like LeBron’s) have been unprecedented. During his rookie season, Crosby set franchise records for assists and points by a rookie, surpassing the records set by hockey legend Mario Lemieux.

His second year in the league earned him even greater success, as he won the Art Ross Trophy, which is awarded to the scoring leader in the league, making him the youngest player ever to win the award, and the youngest scoring champion in any of North America’s major sports. That same year he also went on to win the Hart Memorial Trophy (which is awarded to the league’s MVP), becoming the youngest person since Wayne Gretzky to win the award in 1980, and he won the Lester B. Pearson Award, which is given to the NHL’s top player of the year, as voted by the NHL Players Association.

Some other personal accomplishments for Crosby are that he is the youngest person in NHL history to reach 100 and 200 career points, and was the youngest person elected to the first team of an NHL All-Star Team. In 2007, he also became the youngest player in NHL history to be named a team captain.

Along with those personal accomplishments, earned in a very short time, Crosby has more importantly been the focal point for the resurrection of Pittsburgh dominance in the NHL. Not since the glory days of Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr have the Penguins been considered a dominant force in the NHL. In fact, when Crosby came into the league the Penguins were one of the worst teams in hockey. They had finished the 2004 season with the league’s worst record, and they had not made a playoff appearance since 2001.

Once he joined the team, however, Crosby led the Penguins to the playoffs in three of the last four years, including Eastern Conference Championships in the 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 seasons, and a Stanley Cup Championship this past season – the first title for the Penguins since the 1991-1992 season.

Sidney Crosby has not only been the face of the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he has been the face of the NHL. Other players may achieve better results in specific categories over specific years, but none have had the overall impact that “Sid the Kid” has brought to the league.

Paul M. Banks a.k.a. The Sports Bank, NBC Chicago Street Team “It’s exciting in Chicago, it’s the first time in a long time that people are expecting a good season out of the Hawks, and that’s a good thing. I feel like we could be a better team than we were last year but we know it’s not going to easy,” said Patrick Sharp, one of the Hawks’ top scorers during 2009-10 training camp.

Expectations are indeed high for a team deemed by many the Western Conference favorite. It began this past weekend in Finland, in a two game split with the Florida Panthers, and debuted in North America with a loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night. Despite the inevitable ups and downs of a roller coaster off-season, the Hawks are trendy like Taylor Swift when it comes to picking a Cup participant.

“They’re warranted, we have some good hockey players here. Going all the way to game five against Detroit opened some eyes and there’s expectations,” said the newly acquired John Madden. There is one Blackhawk who will be under the spotlight more than any other. If Left Wing Patrick Kane is looking for a song to encapsulate his upcoming season, perhaps its 2pac’s “All Eyes on Me.” No player in the Olympics or the NHL will have the spotlight shined as bright upon him this winter. “Kaner” is the face of the franchise, EA Sports NHL ’10 video game, and when February comes, Team USA hockey.

And when the Hawks take to the road, opposing fans will heckle him, worse than Hawks fans heckle any member of the Red Wings. Of course, on the other hand, a lot of people in this country have very short term memories, so if we see a couple “Hatrick Kane” nights early in the season, pretty much everyone will forget what happened in Buffalo on August 9th.

For a more in-depth preview of the forwards click here, goaltending and defensemen go here. For more with Patrick Kane, follow this link.

The Blackhawks open their home slate versus Colorado tonight at 7:30. There will be a special red carpet event on Madison Street from 5:00 to 5:30 P.M. Players will arrive via limousine on Madison Street in front of Gate 3 and will each be introduced before walking down a red carpet and into the United Center. Blackhawks Radio Play-By-Play Announcer John Wiedeman will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event, which attracted thousands of fans last season.  It’s free and open to the public and also features appearances by Blackhawks alumni, executives, broadcasters, Tommy Hawk, the team’s mascot, and the Bud Light Ice Crew.

See more of Paul M. Banks’ sports-writing at:

-the site he founded The Sports Bank.net

-NBA analysis at Walter Football.com

-”Patrick Kane Chronicles” at Buffalo Sports Daily

The NHL free-agent supermarket opened on Wednesday and while some teams went on shopping sprees, some simply maintained status quo.

As it stands, this year’s Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings are the odds-on favorites to make a return to the Stanley Cup finals and win–the Wings are listed at +350.

For more information on NHL hockey bet check out SPORTSBETTING.com

The Rangers announced Sunday that Messier has been named a special assistant to club president and general manager Glen Sather. Messier won six Stanley Cup titles during a 25-year career that came to an end following the 2003-04 season. He was inducted into the NHL Hockey betting Hall of Fame in 2007.

“I am looking forward to joining the Rangers organization and having the opportunity to learn a new part of the business, working closely with Glen,” Messier said. “I have felt a strong connection to the Rangers, Madison Square Garden and the city of New York from the moment I arrived in 1991. I am honored to begin this new chapter of my career here.” Messier is best remembered for helping the Rangers win the Cup in 1993-94 and snap a 54-year championship drought.

The Rangers have also signed veteran forward Vinny Prospal to a one-year contract, according to the New York Post.

Prospal became an unrestricted free agent when Tampa Bay bought him out of his contract earlier this summer, and previously played for New York head coach John Tortorella during his time with the Lightning.

In 874 career games with Philadelphia, Ottawa, Florida, Anaheim and Tampa Bay, Prospal has registered 198 NHL Hockey betting goals and 401 assists.

The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired forward Drew Miller and a 2010 third-round draft choice from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Evgeny Artyukhin.

Miller has appeared in 53 career NHL Hockey betting games, all with Anaheim, and has six goals and nine assists.

“In acquiring Drew Miller today, we were able to add a character individual, a versatile with good size and the ability to kill penalties,” said Lightning general manager Brian Lawton. “Drew finished the season nicely in Anaheim a year ago, and he has played well for the Ducks in the postseason over his career.

Miller has 16 games of postseason experience, recording two goals and one assist.

Artyukhin had six goals and 10 assists in 73 games for the Lightning last year and has 10 goals and 23 assists in 145 career NHL Hockey betting games for Tampa Bay.

For more betting on sports section check out Sportsbook.

The Blackhawks had a very successful 2008-09 season, one that concluded when the Detroit Red Wings ousted Chicago in five games during the Western Conference finals. But that’s pretty much where the good news ended.

Chicago did manage to sign the biggest prize in this summer’s free agent market, but even that deal went sour. The Hawks inked winger Marian Hossa to a 12-year, $62.8 million deal, but later the public learned that the Slovakian sniper needed shoulder surgery and would likely be out until at least late- November.

The Hossa deal is also currently being investigated by the NHL hockey bet amid allegations that it circumvents the collective bargaining agreement.

In the long run the Kane situation will fade away and Hossa’s shoulder will ultimately heal, but the real game-changing moment for Chicago came when in mid-July it removed general manager Dale Tallon from his post and replaced him with Stan Bowman, son of legendary NHL coach Scotty Bowman.

Tallon was primarily responsible for turning the Blackhawks from laughingstock into the team that contended for a Stanley Cup this past spring. But, he also made some blunders that caused the organization to question his leadership. The biggest mistake came when he failed to tender qualifying offers to several restricted free agents by the league’s set deadline, resulting in another investigation by the NHL hockey betting.

Perhaps realizing Tallon’s ability to spot on-ice talent, the Blackhawks didn’t fire the former GM, instead reassigning him to the role of senior advisor of hockey operations.

The fans will likely forget about this summer’s bad times once the regular season rolls around. After all, the Blackhawks led the NHL in attendance during last year’s regular season as the club nearly drew a million fans to the United Center over 41 home contests.

For more betting on sports check out Sportsbook online, Betting, NFL Football Betting.

A bankruptcy judge ruled last week that the Coyotes will be auctioned off, and that all bids are welcome – including Jim Balsillie’s. However, the NHL Hockey Betting has stepped in and asked the judge to vote Balsillie off the island before the show even starts. This is getting more ridiculous as time goes on. Just give him the team already.

Balsillie has claimed that the league, its owners and commissioner Gary Bettman hold a “personal grudge” against the Canadian billionaire after his attempts to claim the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins backfired. In a 26-page motion to discern Balsillie, the owners of the league said that Balsillie lacks the integrity and character to be worthy of an NHL Hockey Bet franchise.

To those idiots I say this: he may not be “your kind of guy”, but he’s also a hockey fan willing to burn money to give Canada another franchise after Phoenix aptly stated that they don’t want a hockey team in town.

For more betting On Sports check out Online Sportsbook, Betting, NFL Betting.

The Chicago Blackhawks losing superstar Marian Hossa for the first few months of the season reminds me quite a bit of the New York Yankees losing Alex Rodriguez to start of 2009.

In both cases you have a team that is favored to do some serious damage this year, and one of the teams getting the lowest odds to win it all. Of course this was truer of the Yankees, who were the favorite to win it all, and had a season win total over/under in the high 90s.

The big difference, though, is how little bookmakers seem to care about NHL Hockey Bet futures. When is was reported that ARod would be missing a month to start the season, the bookmakers immediately made changes to the lines, shaving a few wins off of the total, adding a few points to the world series and division titles, and adjusting the rest of the division and the league accordingly as well.

For more Betting On Sports check out Sportsbook Online, Betting, NFL Football Betting.

Justin Pogge’s future apparently is Anaheim.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly about to deal Pogge, once billed as their goalie of the future, to the Anaheim Ducks for a conditional late-round draft pick.

The trade could be announced as early as today, according to tsn.ca.The Leafs chose Pogge 90th overall in the 2004 NHL Hockey Bet draft.

He spent most of the last three seasons in the American Hockey League . The 23-year-old had a 1-5-1 record in seven NHL Hockey Bet games, with a 4.36 goals-against average and .844 save percentage.

Burke said last week that he had called Pogge to tell him he was trying to trade him.

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Roenick has done bit parts on television shows over the past several years — an ironic twist considering nothing J.R. ever did in his legendary and theatrical 20-year career in the National Hockey League ever seemed rehearsed or scripted.

Roenick was all about improv as a player, and should continue to be in retirement.

“He talks without a script and he played without a script,” Columbus Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock told NHL Betting . “I think there is a lot of room for guys like that in the NHL. How he feels is how he’s going to perform. He doesn’t read from a pamphlet or a teleprompter. Whatever he feels he says.”

Roenick, a two-time U.S. Olympian and nine-time NHL Hockey Betting All-Star, officially announced his retirement at a news conference Thursday in San Jose. But he had been feeling the end of his hockey career coming for quite some time.

For more betting check out Sportsbook Online, Nhl Hockey Betting, Betting.

The puck line odds are one of the most popular ways to NHL hockey betting. It combines the money line hockey odds with the point spread. Here’s an example of a puck line using two playoff teams.

In the first game of the Oilers-Sharks series, the Sharks as the home team, with a hot goalie and as the higher seed were favored. The puck line would have looked something like this.

Edmonton Oilers +1.5 -180

San Jose Sharks -1.5 +160

In the example above, if you bet Edmonton and they lose 4 -3, you still win because you’re being given 1.5 goals. With the puck line, Edmonton wins 4 – 4.5. If you put money on San Jose, they would have to win by at least 2 goals for you to collect. Put $180 on the Oilers to win $100 and $100 on the Sharks to win $160.

Who really came out ahead in that first game of the series? The Sharks won by one goal. If you bet San Jose, you lost, because they had to win by 2 for you to collect. How many games in the series have been decided by one goal? Of the four, three were won by a single goal.

For more betting on sports check out Betting, Online Betting, Sportsbook Online.

San Jose Sharks forward Jeremy Roenick is expected to announce his retirement Thursday, ending the provocative hockey star’s 20-year career.

The Sharks have scheduled a news conference for Thursday in which Roenick will make an announcement about his career. The nine-time All-Star has scored 1,216 points, third-most among American-born players in NHL history.

With 513 goals and 703 assists, Roenick is tied with Larry Murphy for 39th place on the NHL’s career scoring list. The Massachusetts native trails only Mike Modano and Phil Housley among American NHL Hockey Betting scorers, while Modano and Keith Tkachuk are the only Americans with more goals than Roenick, 36th on the career goals list.

For more check out NHL Hockey Betting At SPORTSBETTING.COM

An arbiter has awarded Jiri Hudler a two-year contract worth more than $5 million.

That hasn’t been confirmed yet. Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said earlier today that he hadn’t received word on the amount or whether the arbiter had even decided. It seems low, since the Wings had offered him a deal worth $3 million a season.

Sportsnet.ca did correct its earlier version of the story that stated Hudler will remain with the Wings rather than play in Russia. Hudler signed a two-year, $10 million (tax-free) deal with Moscow Dynamo on July 8 and, despite the NHL’s protests, he is destined for Russia.

“The story’s over. He’s going to play in Russia,” Holland said. “We’re waiting on the terms (of the salary arbitration case) he has to (honor) if and when he returns to the NHL.

For more check out NHL Hockey Bet.

So, where does that leave us? The longer Heatley is a part of Ottawa it leaves question as to the chemistry of the team (and top line) and divides a locker room. So we can at least say, damage done to Ottawa. He has also made it so Edmonton tipped its hand to show certain players on that team they are expendable if an opportunity presents itself. Not a feeling that all players aren’t aware of but you don’t need to remind them by introducing the idea of being shipped out of town only to retract the notion. Se we can now also say damage done to Edmonton. Now the San Jose Sharks seems to be interest if they can swing a good deal. I like the idea that they don’t seem to be over eager to land Danny but if the price is right why not land a premier NHLer. And it seems that they are looking to preserve what chemistry they do have in the locker room but try to obtain that missing piece of the puzzle that left them bounced early from the ‘09 NHL Playoffs. But this has also got to be sending a not so fresh feeling throughout the Sharks team. Three teams effected and we haven’t even seen him go anywhere yet.

My concern is that Danny Heatley who I consider one of the best in the game is going to slowly (or quickly) become “that guy”. He doesn’t have the best of pasts and he has stepped out of that shadow for the most part. But an ugly scenario like this coupled with an unhappy, unproductive season could be the worst thing that could happen to this All-Star. I pray to the hockey gods that he does not wander to a team like the New York Rangers (or many others) and end up another personality in a team that has a nack for killing production and roles. Heatley needs to work himself into a system that make him happy but have a coaching system strong enough to put him in his role (I will say however that if any Ranger coach could maybe right this ship and the Rangers team it could be John Tortorella but that will be a different article). It is my concern that his desire to play in a glamorous market outshines him finding a home where he can bring in a cup and enjoy continued success. He has absolutely earned every right to make any move he desires. Don’t get me wrong I have no right to criticize his decisions. But it is my hope as a fan of the game and of Heatley that he find a Team, and not just another team. This could be a very critical time in his career for better or worse. It is my hope that this may be why it is taking so long and he remain so quite.

In closing, good luck Danny.

You don’t have to be a mathematician to love numbers — especially hockey numbers. Each tells a story of its own, whether it’s 1,963 (Wayne Gretzky’s career assists, more than any other player’s points total); 1,767 (Gordie Howe’s record for games played, just 11 more than Mark Messier, who opted to retire before breaking the record) or 5,771 (players listed as playing in at least one NHL regular-season game)

Here are a few interesting NHL Hockey Bet facts and figures involving goaltenders that you might not have known about:

The perfect goalies — We all want to be perfect. Cody Rudkowsky and Olivier Michaud were.

Rudkowsky has played more minutes than anyone in NHL Hockey Bet history without giving up a goal. He entered St. Louis’ game at Edmonton on Oct. 24, 2002, after Curtis Sanford left with a sprained ankle 9:57 into the second period and stopped all 10 shots he faced, leading the Blues to a 2-1 victory. It was the only NHL appearance for the Alberta native — the Blues signed Tom Barrasso the same day, consigning Rudkowsky to a career in the minors.

For more check out NHL Hockey Bet.

Gratton, 26, appeared in 19 NHL Hockey Bet games with Philadelphia last season, scoring a goal and adding a pair of assists, along with 57 penalty minutes. He had 2 goals, 3 assists and 10 penalty minutes in seven games with Milwaukee of the AHL, and a goal and 46 penalty minutes in 14 games with the Flyers’ AHL farm team, the Phantoms.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound left wing has appeared in 86 NHL games during four seasons with Philadelphia and Phoenix, totaling 3 goals, 6 points, and 294 penalty minutes. The Brantford, Ont., native has 71 points and 840 penalty minutes in 213 AHL games with five teams.

Vernace, 23, appeared in 12 NHL Hockey Bet games with Colorado in 2008-09, recording eight penalty minutes, and 65 games with Lake Erie of the AHL, totaling 3 goals and 14 assists. He made his NHL debut with the Avalanche on March 17 against Minnesota.

For more check out NHL Hockey Bet at SPORTSBETTING.COM.

General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have re-signed goaltender Josh Tordjman to a one-year contract. As per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Tordjman, 24, appeared in 51 games for San Antonio of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season, posting a record of 25-22-2 with a 2.61 goals against average (GAA), a .909 save percentage (SV%) and six shutouts. He also appeared in two games for the Coyotes, making his NHL Hockey Bet debut on Mar. 8 against the New York Islanders.

Tordjman set AHL career-highs in wins (25) and shutouts (6) while ranking 2nd in the AHL in shutouts and T-12th in wins last season. He was also named Reebok X-Pulse/AHL Goaltender of the Month for January after recording 9-4-0 with a 2.01 GAA, a .933 SV% and one shutout in 13 games.

For more check out NHL Hockey Bet.

The NHLPA introduced some bully tactics last week regarding Winter Olympic orientation camps, citing insurance concerns in recommending its members avoid on-ice drills because of their “unwarranted and unnecessary risk.”

The PA’s message to Hockey Canada, USA NHL Hockey Betting and the Russian and German ice hockey federations: Our players’ contracts and future earnings are way more valuable than the insurance you provide them to skate around pylons and  impress coaches who probably already have their minds made up about 90 percent of the roster.

With both the Canada (Aug. 24-27, Calgary) and USA (Aug. 17-19, Illinois) camps scheduled for August, it’s an interesting ploy that seems to have already affected Germany’s Olympic camp, which began today sans NHL players. (So no Christian Ehrhoff(notes) or Marcel Goc(notes), then? Pity.)

For more check out NHL Hockey Betting at SPORTSBETTING.COM.

Ghana’s female hockey team, the Black Sticks won Silver at the 2009 Africa Hockey Federation Cup for Nations tournament at the National Hockey Stadium, Accra, on Saturday.

The Black Sticks after losing 5-1 in the finals of the tournament to their highly-rated South Africa counterparts were however determined to rewrite history by clinching the gold medal, and put up an impressive performance in the first half despite conceding two goals, in which they deserved at least deserved a goal.

The Tournament’s Top Scorer, Shelley Russell of South Africa however, ensured that she opened the scores in the 10th minute through a field goal with Vida Riyan increasing the tally in the 35th minute also through a field goal.

Despite the early upset, the Ghanaian Ladies were determined to go all out for the goal, but their dreams were put off when Russell was on target to add two more field goals in the 38th and 41st minutes of the second half.

As the Ghanaians made attempts to reduce the tally, Russell got her third field goal in the 50th minute but the introduction of Monica Sewell-Grant for the home side brought on much urgency in their game and with her efforts, the Black Sticks had a face saving field goal in the 67th minute.

The goal gingered up the Ghanaians to probe for more goals but it was too little too late for them as the South Africans held on to the lead to ensure they grab the Gold medal with ease.

For more check out NHL Hockey Betting.

It was Team Canada’s greatest disappearing act since the hockey tournament in Turin.

Hockey Canada held a secret summit this week in Vancouver, bringing together everyone but the players from the 2010 men’s hockey program for meetings to plan Team Canada’s attack on Olympic gold next February.

Officials purposely did not publicize the summit and scheduled no media availability, believing it would be more productive without reporters staking out meetings and site visits. The four-day summit ended Thursday and by today most of Team Canada’s staff will have left Vancouver.

For more about NHL Hockey Betting at SPORTSBETTING.COM.

It’s been a tough month for the Detroit Red Wings. Not only did they suffer the indignity of watching the Pittsburgh Penguins carry the Stanley Cup around their home ice in Joe Louis Arena, but they watched helplessly as three significant forwards — Marian Hossa, Mikael Samuelsson and Jiri Hudler — walked away via free agency.

What lies ahead for the 2009-10 season, in the words of Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, is “the most challenging regular season we’ve had since the early 1990s.”

The Red Wings have won the Central Division every year since the Blue Jackets joined the league in 2000-01, an eight-season run that ranks as the longest current streak in the NHL Hockey Betting.

But one must wonder whether a changing of the guard isn’t on the horizon in the Central.

“It’s becoming a very difficult division,” Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson said. “All five teams nearly made the playoffs last season, and that could happen again.”

The Blackhawks have stockpiled offensive talent at an alarming rate, highlighted by poaching Hossa — a 40-goal scorer in 2008-09.

For more about NHL Hockey Betting check out at SPORTSBETTING.COM.

Two-time Stanley Cup winner Joe Sakic has decided to retire after 20 years with the National Hockey League’s Colorado Avalanche, according to the Denver Post.

The 40-year-old Sakic is expected to make an official announcement on Thursday.

A future Hall-of-Famer, Sakic played his entire career with the same organization beginning with the Quebec Nordiques in 1987 then moving with the team to Colorado.

Sakic is the franchise’s all-time leader in goals (625), assists (1,016) and points (1,641).

In one more year, girl hockey players may finally have the chance to break the ice in their school colors.

A special committee of athletic directors has recommended that a regional girls varsity ice hockey league be launched in the 2010-11 school year. The committee also recommended that interested school districts prepare by fielding intra-district ice hockey games, scrimmages and clinics this coming school year.

That’s good news for Williamsville Central School District parent and sports law professor Helen Drew-Meosky, who has five girls and two boys, all playing hockey except for the 3-year-old who wants to start in the fall.

“Hurrah!” said Drew-Meosky, before adding, “I would have hoped the timetable would have been quicker, but that’s minimal compared to the fact that we actually appear to be moving forward with it.”

Currently, the only area high school that sponsors a girls team is Nichols, a private school, even though it’s estimated that roughly 900 girls ages 18 and under play ice hockey on community recreation teams in Western New York.

While girls with strong ability are allowed to play on schoolsponsored boys varsity teams, parents complain that their daughters are overlooked for scholarships, miss out on locker room camaraderie, and have higher chances of being hurt because boys hockey allows checking while girls hockey doesn’t.

Administrators for athletic programs in Williamsville, Amherst, Clarence, Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda, Sweet Home, Niagara Wheatfield, West Seneca, Lancaster and Orchard Park and the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association have met several times since December to consider the viability of a new Girls Ice Hockey Federation.