NHL Free Agency
By Jason Paul | July 1, 2009
NHL free agency has kicked off with a frenzy of moves. On the Wolverine front, four players have found new homes.
Mike Cammalleri is leaving Calgary and heading across Canada to play for Montreal. He signed a five year, $30 million deal with the Canadiens. Cammalleri had a career high 39 goals and 82 points with the Flames last season.
But Cammalleri won’t be reunited with former U-M teammate Mike Komisarek. That’s because the hulking defenseman decided to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 27-year-old blue liner reportedly signed a four year, $22.5 million deal with the Leafs.
While the big news in Chicago was the signing of Marian Hossa, also signing with the Blackhawks is former Selke Award winner John Madden. “Mad Dog” signed a one year, $2.75 million contract.
Finally, Mike Knuble signed a two year, $5.6 million deal with the Washington Capitals. The winger, who turns 37 years old Saturday, had 27 goals and 20 assists with Philadelphia last season.
Topics: Michigan Hockey | No Comments »
Brown, Lynch picked in second round of draft
By Jason Paul | June 27, 2009
With the sixth pick of the second round (36th overall), the Phoenix Coyotes selected incoming freshman Chris Brown of the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 Team.
Phoenix is starting to become the Michigan hockey alumni retirement home. Former Wolverines Kevin Porter, Chad Kolarik, and Al Montoya are all in the Coyotes organization, and U-M captain Chris Summers was a 1st round pick (29th overall) by Phoenix in 2006.
With the 26th pick of the second round (56th overall pick), the Columbus Blue Jackets selected incoming freshman Kevin Lynch. The Blue Jackets traded up to take the forward from the U.S. Under-18 Team, which has dominated the second round. Six players from the NTDP Under-18 Team have been taken in the second round, including three in a row.
Lynch was ranked 100th among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau but saw his stock rise after a strong performance at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship, in which the USA won the gold medal. Known for a solid two-way game, Lynch tied for second on the team with 10 points in seven games and tied for a team-high +9 rating. He was named by USA coaches as one of the best three players.
In a video blog back in May, Red Line Report chief scout Kyle Woodlief praised Lynch’s World Championship performance and said he could rise to a mid-second round pick. Looks like he was almost dead on with that prediction.
A future Wolverine has been selected by the Montreal Canadiens with the 18th pick (79th overall) of the third round. You can view the draft board here and see for yourself.
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft has concluded. Incoming recruits A.J. Treais and Lee Moffie both went undrafted.
Topics: Michigan Hockey | No Comments »
More Yost renovations coming
By Jason Paul | June 27, 2009
I saw a note on this earlier in the week and thankfully Kevin Ryan of The Ann Arbor News posted an article on it last night.
Yost Ice Arena will undergo more renovations next summer. The wooden bleachers on the east and west side of the arena are slated to be replaced, as well as possibly improving the concession areas for better traffic flow.
“We haven’t defined the total scope of the project,” executive associate athletic director Mike Stevenson said. “The minimum scope is to replace the bleachers on the east and west side of the arena. While doing that, we want to be sure to take a look at other options, which would be to clean up and fix storage areas and concession issues on the east and west sides to improve traffic flow.”
The plans are currently being drawn up by Southfield-based Rossetti Architects, and more details are expected in mid-August.
Topics: Michigan Hockey | No Comments »
No Wolverines selected in opening round
By Jason Paul | June 27, 2009
For the second year in a row, no Wolverines were selected in the opening round of the NHL Entry Draft. As expected, John Tavares, Victor Hedman, and one time Michigan State verbal commitment Matt Duchene went 1-2-3 in the draft.
Michigan recruits should see action in the second round, which kicks off at 10 a.m.
JOHNSON STILL WITH KINGS
A few weeks ago there was a rumor trade between the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings that would have sent former U-M defenseman Jack Johnson to the Ducks as part of a deal for Chris Pronger.
Pronger did get traded on draft day, but it wasn’t to the Kings. The All-Star defenseman, along with Ryan Dingle, was traded to Philadelphia for Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, and a pair of first round draft picks.
Topics: Michigan Hockey | No Comments »
Nebraska-Omaha set to leave CCHA; Welcome…
By Jason Paul | June 26, 2009
Duluth News Tribune sportswriter Kevin Pates reports that the WCHA will officially announce this evening that CCHA member Nebraska-Omaha will join the WCHA along with Bemidji State in 2010.
With the disbanding of the CHA leaving member schools looking for a new home, the WCHA wasn’t going to add Bemidji State without a 12th member. Over the months UNO along with Northern Michigan University were considered the most likely to make the jump to the WCHA. NMU had explored the possibility and many fans were hoping for the switch, but the administration determined it wouldn’t be financially feasible.
This move for the Mavericks comes on the heels of them hiring former North Dakota head coach Dean Blais to lead their program, so joining the WCHA seems a natural fit for the Mavs now. It’s also unfortunate for the CCHA because I think Blais can do for UNO what Jeff Jackson did for Notre Dame, thus adding another potential top team and drawing more talent to the WCHA while leaving the CCHA with…
Welcome, Alabama-Huntsville. The Chargers finished last place in the four team CHA with an overall record of 5-20-5, their worst season ever. Their previous worst year was 2007-08 when they finished 6-21-4. Both seasons were coached under Danton Cole, his first two years behind the bench at UAH. Prior to that the Chargers averaged about 18 wins per season under long time head coach Doug Ross, who was their coach since the program’s inception in 1985.
So the WCHA is gaining a potential top college hockey program while the CCHA is gaining a potential perennial bottom feeder.
Yeah, feel my excitement…
Topics: Michigan Hockey | No Comments »
McKenzie rankings
By Jason Paul | June 22, 2009
TSN draft expert Bob McKenzie has released his Top 60 players for the NHL Entry Draft, along with a few honorable mentions. Incoming freshman Chris Brown is ranked #39, while his U.S. NTDP teammate Kevin Lynch is an honorable mention. Another U-M recruit is ranked #56.
If you aren’t familiar with this year’s top end players, it’s a good read with stats, how players ranked among the various scouting organizations, who their style compares to, and quotes from scouts on each player. Read it here.
Topics: Michigan Hockey | No Comments »
Red Line Report previews NHL Draft
By Jason Paul | June 22, 2009
Red Line Report chief scout Kyle Woodlief has posted two new NHL Draft previews on YouTube. The first video focuses on the top end of the draft along with some kids whose stock is rising. The second video looks at some prospects whose stock is dropping, along with a few players who could be first round surprises (including one future Wolverine).
NHL Draft Preview Part I
NHL Draft Preview Part II
Topics: Michigan Hockey | No Comments »
Walk-ons added; NHL draft
By Jason Paul | June 20, 2009
WOLVERINES ADD THREE WALK-ONS
Michigan has officially announced the addition of defenseman Lee Moffie and forward Lindsay Sparks for the 2009-10 squad, which has been known for a while if you keep up with the recruiting news. Both will be walk-ons.
Moffie played for the Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL last season and led his team’s blue liners with 44 points (9 goals, 35 assists).
“Lee Moffie comes to Michigan with similar credentials to those of Chad Langlais,” assistant coach Billy Powers said. “Lee has good offensive numbers and can quarterback the power play. He will be an offensive blueliner but also be reliable for us without the puck. He has a good shot, he sees the ice well, and he helps his teammates create offense.”
The NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him 135th among North American skaters for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, which will probably place him a mid-to-late round pick.
The 5-foot-9 Sparks spent the past three seasons with the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League, the league which has brought us the likes of Andrew Cogliano, Louie Caporusso, and Brandon Burlon. Sparks posted 18 goals and 39 assists this past season.
“Lindsay is a dynamic player with a good skill level,” said Powers. “He had success with his team in the regular season and playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He creates plays with his speed—he’s a strong skater. He also sees the ice well. Lindsay will have a chance to come in this fall and add to the Michigan offense.”
The Wolverines have also added another walk-on recruit, though since it hasn’t officially been announced on MGoBlue.com I cannot talk about him here. But you can read about him here.
Now if only we could get a third goalie…
NHL ENTRY DRAFT
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft kicks off next Friday in Montreal and concludes Saturday. Several U-M recruits are expected to be drafted, though for the second year in a row none are expected to be taken in the first round.
The Western College Hockey blog has a profile on incoming forward Chris Brown, who should be the highest drafted Wolverine.
The New England Hockey Journal has an article on a pair of U-M recruits who are expected to be drafted but not joining the Wolverines until 2010. The Providence Journal has a round up of what several NHL scouts think of them, too.
I’ll have coverage of the draft as it takes place next week.
Topics: Michigan Hockey | 1 Comment »
JMFJ traded to the Ducks?
By Jason Paul | June 12, 2009
Online reports are saying that the Los Angeles Kings have traded the 5th overall pick in the NHL draft along with Jack Johnson to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Chris Pronger.
Neither the Kings, Ducks, nor NHL have confirmed these reports yet, but if true that will give the Ducks three former Wolverines on their roster in Johnson, Andrew Ebbett, and Mike Brown, with possibly a fourth as Mark Mitera could join the parent club this fall.
Topics: Michigan Hockey | No Comments »
More scheduling thoughts…
By Jason Paul | June 8, 2009
37 games but only 16 home games? That seems a bit low.
Michigan’s home non-conference schedule includes Niagara, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Lame. The latter two are the usual College Hockey Showcase, which is fine. But Niagara is the only other? Lame.
Looking over the second half of the season again, if you factor in the last three games of January to go with the start of February, Michigan will play seven of eight games on the road (six at opponent sites, one at The Joe, and the Tuesday BGSU game at Yost).
So they open the season with five of the first six on the road (literally going coast to coast from Alaska, bye week, Ann Arbor/Boston).
They close out the first half of the season with three of four on the road.
Then U-M has seven of eight away from Yost from the end of January into mid-February, including the previously mentioned five games in nine days.
Who scheduled this thing, Gary Bettman? Those are some rough stretches, and when you also factor in the Wolverines only host three two-game series at Yost this season (everything else is a home-and-home), it doesn’t even feel like they’re going to be at home much at all.
While I realize some of these home-and-home are economic reasons (i.e. cheaper riding a bus than staying in a hotel, teams want to play at each arena every season to draw a crowd), I sure do miss the days of teams hosting opponents for a weekend series. In my opinion, as a fan it was always more fun having a team in town for two days and knowing you’re going to get to go to a pair of games this weekend rather than only having one game with home-and-home series. Not only that but for visiting fans it gives them a chance to experience the town for a few days rather than just riding up for a game then heading home immediately. It just isn’t the same.
Topics: Michigan Hockey | No Comments »
« Previous Entries