Category Archives: Hockey News

Price says he feels 100 percent healthy

Fear not, Montreal Canadiens fans, Carey Price says he's good to go.

After a knee injury derailed his, and ultimately Montreal's season, the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner revealed he's fully healthy.

"I'm at 100 percent," Price told TSN's Gino Reda Tuesday. "I've been working pretty hard since I've been injured."

Price's road to recovery has been a long one, only appearing in 12 games last season after a sparkling campaign the year prior.

However, before he suits up for the Habs again, Price will compete for the starting job for Canada at the World Cup of Hockey, which begins in September.

Price has previously anchored Canada to World Junior and Olympic gold in his career, and is looking forward to another opportunity to represent his country.

"I'm sure it's going to be a great experience," Price said. "Having played for Team Canada on several occasions, I know it's always fun to get together with your fellow countrymen and guys you don't get to play with on a regular basis. I'm sure it's going to be a fun tournament."

Team Canada's training camp opens September 4 in Ottawa.

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5 potential replacements for Callahan at World Cup of Hockey

With news of Ryan Callahan's hip surgery and the subsequent five-month recovery time, Team USA is now without a forward.

For many American players, the injury news means they now have a second chance at joining some of the game's elite, as well as the shot at the honor of donning the red, white, and blue.

Here are five players who could replace Callahan at the World Cup of Hockey:

Kyle Okposo

Kyle Okposo posted the most points this season of all eligible U.S. forwards not named to the team's initial roster.

The New York Islanders right winger collected 22 goals and hit the second-highest point total of his career, picking up 64 points during the 2015-16 campaign. He added seven power-play goals, four game-winning goals, and with 51 penalty minutes he proved he is not afraid to play physical - just like Callahan.

He has represented Team USA six times, three times at the World Championship, twice at the World Juniors, and once at the Under-17s and would be an adequate replacement.

Tyler Johnson

Another potential option could be Callahan's own teammate Tyler Johnson.

While Johnson regressed after a breakout 29-goal, 72-point season last year - with just 14 goals and 38 points in the regular season - he rallied in the postseason with seven goals and 17 points in 17 games.

Johnson provides a stronger shot and more speed than Callahan, and with 42 points in 47 career playoff games, he seemingly raises his game when it matters most.

Bobby Ryan

After being among Team USA's final cuts at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Bobby Ryan would be willing to get some international redemption.

The Ottawa Senators star had his highest point total since the 2011-12 season with 56 points in 2015-16. And while his point-production has fallen since his 71-point output in 2010-11, he remains an offensive threat with a wicked shot.

Ryan could also be very valuable in the shootout after pacing the league with six goals this season. He will also be happy to know Brian Burke isn't making the final decision on the roster this time around.

Kyle Palmieri

Kyle Palmieri surprised everyone - even himself - this season.

Entering the year with a previous career-high of 31 points, the New Jersey Devils forward nearly matched that in goals alone in 2015-16, tallying 30 to go along with 27 assists in all 82 games of work.

Palmieri proved to be a stud with the extra man, netting 11 power-play goals and 23 power-play points. Factor in his strong shot and willingness to score garbage goals, he has versatility and can do whatever his coaches ask of him.

Phil Kessel

Phil Kessel's incredible playoff run just might earn him a chance to play for his country once again.

After mustering his least productive season since 2010 - 26 goals and 59 points - Kessel did what he does best in the playoffs, scoring 10 goals and 22 points in 24 games to lead the Cup-winning Pittsburgh Penguins.

What also makes Kessel a valuable add - besides his elite shot and speed - is his proven international track record. While Team USA fell in the bronze medal game at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Kessel shared the tournament lead with five goals and eight points in six games en route to being named the tournament's best forward.

Factor in that Kessel shared great chemistry with former Toronto linemate James van Riemsdyk - who collected seven points - while playing together on a line at the 2014 Olympics, and Dean Lombardi and company could create a skillful reunion of sorts.

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Andersen excited to join Leafs after slow negotiations with Ducks

Suddenly, Frederik Andersen was given the keys as the Toronto Maple Leafs' new No. 1 goalie, and now that it's all said and done, he's glad to have finally learned his destination.

The 26-year-old netminder was dealt to Toronto from the Anaheim Ducks on Monday, and when the dust settled, it came as a relief.

"I was going back and forth a little bit (on contract talks) with Anaheim and it was dragging on a little bit," Andersen told Chris Johnston of Sportsnet. "I figured (a trade) could be a possibility, so I wasn't too shocked. I was very excited once the deal got done and I knew where I was going to be next year."

The trade came rather quick for Andersen.

"It was really hectic," Andersen said. "It started in the morning - I got a phone call from my agent (Claude Lemieux) saying 'there's a trade pending a deal.' It went pretty quick from there."

Shortly after the deal, Andersen inked a five-year, $25-million contract, signifying his role as the club's new No. 1, a task he believes he's ready for.

"I like playing a lot," Andersen said. "I'm excited about getting that vote of confidence and (getting to) be in there more."

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4 memorable moments from Vincent Lecavalier’s NHL career

It was a formality, but Vincent Lecavalier officially retired from the NHL on Tuesday, leaving an accomplished legacy after 17 pro seasons.

Here's a look at four memorable moments for the man who made the same number famous in Tampa Bay.

Selected 1st overall

With the first pick in the 1998 NHL draft, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected Lecavalier from the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL, where he accumulated 217 points over two seasons.

He was limited to 28 points in his rookie season, but went on to score 874 points in 1,037 games with the Lightning, respectively ranking second and first in franchise history.

Lecavalier would wind up finishing his career with 421 goals and 949 points in 1,212 games.

Fight versus Jarome Iginla

The Stanley Cup Final rarely includes fights, but Lecavalier took part in one of the more polarizing tilts in league history when he squared off with then Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla in Game 3 of the 2004 final.

Lecavalier scored 16 points in 23 games on Tampa Bay's march to the Cup, but his iconic tilt with Iginla was just as unforgettable.

"Rocket" Richard-winning season

He was one of the most consistent scorers of his generation but the 2006-07 season was Lecavalier's best, scoring 52 goals en route to winning the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the league's top scorer.

Lecavalier chipped in 56 assists for a career-high 108 points, good for third in the NHL behind Sidney Crosby and Joe Thornton.

Over a 14-season stretch from 1999-2014, Lecavalier scored at least 20 goals in 13 of them, topping 30 five times.

Setting up the Cup winner

In a decisive Game 7, Lecavalier was instrumental in setting up the Cup winner.

Lecavalier grabbed the puck in the corner, and worked through multiple Flames to set up Ruslan Fedotenko with only five minutes to go, insuring Tampa Bay's first and only Stanley Cup championship.

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Sabres willing to trade 8th pick for top-end, left-shot defenseman

The Buffalo Sabres have set their price for the eighth overall pick in the 2016 draft.

The club currently holds a pick in the top-10 for the fourth straight season, but this time around Murray isn't against dealing it.

"If we can trade a couple picks and improve our team, we’ll continue to do that," general manager Tim Murray told John Vogl of The Buffalo News. "If somebody offers us a top-end, young, left-shot" defenseman "and they demand our eighth overall pick and we feel it makes us better, we’ll do the trade."

According to Murray, the team has a list of three players which he feels the club could take with the pick, which - according to Vogl - contains two defensemen.

Josh Gorges, pending restricted free-agent Jake McCabe, and pending UFA Carlo Colaiacovo, are the team's only left-handed shots on the back end.

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Panarin defends controversial Calder nomination: ‘The rules are the rules’

Artemi Panarin's first season in the NHL was a resounding success, scoring 77 points in 80 games, proving to be the dynamic scorer the Chicago Blackhawks hoped for when they lured him from the KHL last summer.

Panarin's success earned him a Calder Trophy nomination as the league's top rookie, along with Edmonton Oilers phenom Connor McDavid, and polarizing Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.

Being 24 years old, and having played five pro seasons in the KHL, many believe Panarin shouldn't be eligible for the award. Though, he disagrees.

"I think it's fair because the rules are the rules, and (I) didn't write the rules," Panarin said, according to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times.

If Panarin doesn't win, an imminent raise for exceeding expectations should be a fair consolation.

No matter what side of the debate you're on, the outcome will be determined June 22 at the NHL Awards.

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Kane to spend offseason in Chicago, per Blackhawks’ request

After the best season of his career, the Chicago Blackhawks want Patrick Kane to stay put, and out of the spotlight this offseason.

The Blackhawks requested Kane remains in Chicago to train this summer, rather than returning home to Buffalo, according to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Last offseason in Buffalo, Kane was accused of sexually assaulting a woman, and though he was not charged and the case was dismissed, it appears the Blackhawks are playing it safe with their superstar winger.

Kane, 27, notched a league-leading 106 points last season, as the Blackhawks were uncharacteristically eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Kane, however, is already focused on the 2016-17 campaign and has begun his training regimen early this summer.

"I'm pretty happy with where my game was at during the regular season last year," Kane said. "I still think there are some ways I can improve ... As a competitive player, you always want to work on everything. You want to work on every part of your game and make sure it's getting better. That's what I'll probably try to do this offseason. Then I'll probably stay off the ice for a little bit, try to get my body where I want it."

Although it started early, Kane's offseason will be shortened, as he'll suit up for USA at the World Cup of Hockey in September.

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