X75 Productions

Category: NHL

  • TXHT Podcast 2018-19 Season Finale

    TXHT Podcast 2018-19 Season Finale

    The TXHT podcast is back with Serious Hockey Talk for Serious Hockey Fans!

     

    Part 1:

     

    Michael is joined by Russell Hartman and Aryan Weisenfeld as they talk about the St. Louis Blues, playing with injuries, the 2019 NHL Draft, and some rambling amongst friends.

     

    Part 2:

     

    For our final part of the 2018-19 Season Finale for the TXHT Podcast Michael is joined by Nate Oliver as they talk Women’s Hockey and the crazy offseason that it has had this Spring/Summer.

     

    The TXHT Podcast will be returning in September.

     

    This week’s episode was recorded on Tuesday June 25th, and Tuesday July 2nd, 2019.

    Opening Music: “Human Chess” by Crimson Orchid

     

    Have a question you want answered on the show? Ask us! Comment on here or on one of our Social Media outlets, and we’ll answer it.

  • Free Agent Frenzy – Capitals Sign Panik, Hathaway and Two Others.

    Free Agent Frenzy – Capitals Sign Panik, Hathaway and Two Others.

    Yesterday was July 1st where it is internationally known as Canada Day, or as us hockey fans know it, Free Agent Frenzy Day.

     

    Yesterday on the first official day of Free Agency their were many huge signings like Artemi Panarin to the New York Rangers and Sergei Bobrovsky to the Florida Panthers, but what did the Capitals do? Which is a great question given the holes they have to fill.

     

    The Capitals did not wait long as they inked forward Richard Panik to a four year deal worth $11 million.

    Panik, 28, recorded 14 goals and 33 points in 75 games with the Arizona Coyotes last season. He has also spent time with Tampa Bay, Toronto and Chicago.

     

    Panik is slated to play on the Capitals third line with Carl Hagelin and Lars Eller.

     

    Then an hour later they would sign forward Garnet Hathaway to a four year deal worth $6 million.

    Hathaway, 27, recorded 11 goals for 19 points in 76 games with the Calgary Flames last season. 2018-19 season would be career highs for him in both goals and points.

     

    Hathaway is slated to play on the Capitals fourth line with with Nic Dowd.

     

    Then the Capitals would sign minor league center Philippe Maillet to a two year, two way contract with an AAV of $700k.

     

    Then to end the day of signings for the Capitals, they would sign forward Brendan Leipsic to a one year $700k deal for the 2019-20 season.

    Leipsic, 25, recorded 7 goals and 23 points in 62 games with the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks last season, setting career highs in both goals and points. He has also spent time with Toronto and Vegas.

     

    This is the most interesting signing as one would have assumed that either Chandler Stephenson or Travis Boyd would take the last fourth line spot, but as of this writing it is Leipsic who is slated to be on the fourth line with Dowd and recently signed Hathaway.

     

    Also the Capitals re-signed goalie prospect Vitek Vanecek to a three year deal yesterday.

     

    TXHT will continue to cover NHL Free Agency and other offseason moves which you can follow with our Official Offseason Tracker.

  • Trade News: Capitals Trade Burakovsky to the Avalanche

    Trade News: Capitals Trade Burakovsky to the Avalanche

    Today in NHL news the Washington Capitals have traded forward and Restricted Free Agent (RFA) Andre Burakovsky to the Colorado Avalanche for Colorado’s second round pick in 2020, Arizona’s third round pick in 2020 (previously acquired by Colorado in the Carl Soderberg trade earlier this week), and minor league forward Scott Kosmachuk.

     

    For both the Capitals and Burakovsky this has been a long time coming and is best for both parties. While the Capitals have been patient in working with Burakovsky and his development, that patience has run out as Burakovsky has never been able to bring consistency to his game which has resulted in being healthy scracthed at times to have the message sent to him that he can be better.

     

    Also for Burakovsky a fresh start somewhere else was also needed. He will have an opportunity to grow his game in a new atmosphere with a team that is hungry to win in the Avalanche. Plus the idea of Andre Burakovsky with the likes of a Gabriel Landeskog or Nathan MacKinnon doesn’t sound bad either.

     

    Now in return for the Capitals they were able to receive two draft picks in next year’s draft, as well as minor leaguer Scott Kosmachuk who will be a free agent on July 1st. the Capitals also freed up Cap Space going into Free Agency so they can re-sign some key players and see what other additions could be possibly out there to sign.

     

    For a trade that should have done months ago, it has finally happened. Both parties benefit from this trade, and that’s why this trade is good solid one for the Capitals and Avalanche.

  • 2019 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees

    2019 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees

    Yesterday the 2019 hockey Hall of Fame class has finally been decided on and announced. This year’s class features one of the greatest Canadian women’s hockey players, a 2-time time Stanley Cup champion defenseman from Russia, a former Montreal Canadiens great, a Czech player who defected from the other side of the “Iron Curtain”, and two builders who helped build and shape their respective teams. Here at TXHT, we are proud to share with you the 2019 hockey Hall of Fame class which is:

     

    Haley Wickenheiser- the 7th Canadien woman to be inducted into the HHOF & a winner of seven world championships and four Olympic gold-medals

     

    Sergei Zubov- put up 888 career points in the NHL in 1,232 career games as a defenseman. Zubov also on the Stanley Cup twice once for the New York Rangers and on the second time for the Dallas Stars

     

    Guy Carbonneau- a three time Stanley Cup champion, once with the Dallas Stars in 1999 & twice with the Montréal Canadiens in 1986 & 1993. Carbonneau was also a three time Selke trophy winner as the league’s best defensive forward

     

    Vaclav Nedomansky- was the first European player to deflect from the other side of the “Iron Curtain” started in the World Hockey Association and went on to record 278 points in 421 NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings, St Louis Blues, and Rangers. Also helped Czechoslovakia win the silver medal at the 1968 Olympics & win the 1972 World Championships

     

    Jim Rutherford- known for being the longtime general manager of the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins. Rutherford went on to win the Stanley Cup Championships As a general manager in 2006, 2016, & 2017

     

    Jerry York- known for coaching college hockey programs such as Bowling Green and Boston College to five national titles and currently has the most wins of any active NCAA Division I men’s hockey coach.


     

    Congrats to the class of 2019… very well deserved class of all time greats!

  • Brooks Orpik Announces Retirement After 15 Seasons

    Brooks Orpik Announces Retirement After 15 Seasons

    Today Washington  Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik announced his retirement after playing for 15 seasons.

     

    Orpik, who was drafted 18th overall in 2000 by the Pittsburgh Penguins, would spend the first 10 seasons of his career with the Penguins before signing with the Capitals on July 1st, 2014 to a five year contract.

     

    With both the Penguins and Capitals Orpik would capture two Stanley Cups, the first coming in 2009 with Pittsburgh when they defeated the Detroit Red Wings in seven games. Then with the Capitals in 2018 when they defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in five games.

     

    On the International stage, Orpik represented the United States on multiple occasions, including the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2000, the 2006 IIHF World Hockey Championship as well as the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Orpik was a key defender on the 2010 US Olympic Team as they would win silver in Vancouver that year.

     

    Statement from the Washington Capitals: 

    “On behalf of the entire Washington Capitals organization, we would like to congratulate Brooks on a terrific NHL career. Throughout his tenure in the league, Brooks epitomized leadership and hard work. He had a tremendous influence on his teammates both on and off the ice and was instrumental in helping us capture our first Stanley Cup. We thank Brooks for the impact he had across the organization and the Washington, D.C., community over the course of five seasons and wish him, his wife Erin, and daughters Harlow and Brooklyn all the best.”

     

    Orpik’s impact in Washington was felt by all, and the love and support from his teammates was evident as some of his teammates had the following to say about him.

     

    Alex Ovechkin

    “Batya was a great leader in our locker room and was so important for us to win our first Stanley Cup. We will miss his presence in the room and on the ice. Not only was he a great leader and a player, but he was a better person. I’m so happy I had a chance to play with him and for our young guys to have had the chance to learn from him. I want to wish him, Erin and his kids the best. We will miss him and the Batya protein shakes!”

     

    Nicklas Backstrom

    “Brooks was one of the best leaders I’ve had the chance to play with in my career. It is difficult to find a better teammate, and a player who worked harder and enjoyed the game as much as Brooks. We all learned from Brooks and he made his teammates better every day. It was a pleasure playing with him and I wish him and his family all the best.”

     

    John Carlson

    “I had the great opportunity to see up close how impactful Brooks was for our team. Spending time as his defensive partner and playing alongside Brooks was something that I will always cherish. He showed his teammates the importance of hard work, accountability and always being there for your team every time he stepped on the ice. We all learned from Brooks; he was our role model and he made us better. I wish him and his family all the best!”

     

    We here at TXHT would like to congratulate Brooks Orpik on a fantastic NHL career, and that we wish him the best in everything he does in the future.

     

    *Feature Graphic courtesy of the NHLPA

  • 2019 NHL Entry Draft Recap- Round 1

    2019 NHL Entry Draft Recap- Round 1

    My fellow Hockey fans, we are now officially in phase one of the NHL offseason! Tonight begins round one of the 2019 NHL entry draft. This is considered to be one of the most deepest draft classes in recent memory highlighted by superstar prospects in American born center Jack Hughes & Finnish winger Kappo Kakko. Each of these two prospects are capable of turning around a teams misfortunes and help speed up the process of becoming a Stanley Cup contender again. Jack Hughes is expected to be your prototypical number one center who can create plays, score goals, pass, defend, and can overall make his teammates better players. Kappo Kakko on the other hand really showed how capable he can be as a superstar goal scorer at the National Hockey League level as he showcased his abilities at the IIHF 2019 World Championships. While these two are expected to be generational and franchise changing players, this draft class also shows there are other players that have excellent abilities that could help a franchise improve their depth in a big way. Let’s take a look at the draft results:

    Draft Results:

    1. Devils – Jack Hughes, USNTDP

    https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/1142225278455799809?s=19
    2. Rangers – Kaapo Kakko, TPS (Finland)


    3. BLACKHAWKS – Kirby Dach, Saskatoon (WHL)


    4. Avalanche (via Senators) – Bowen Byram, Vancouver (WHL)


    5. Kings – Alex Turcotte, USNTDP


    6. Red Wings – Moritz Seider, Adler Mannheim (Germany)


    7. Sabres – Dylan Cozens, Lethbridge (WHL)


    8. Oilers – Philip Broberg, AIK (Sweden)


    9. Ducks – Trevor Zegras, USNTDP

    https://twitter.com/AnaheimDucks/status/1142237184675631104?s=19
    10. Canucks – Vasili Podkolzin, SKA (Russia)


    11. Coyotes (via Flyers) – Victor Söderström, Brynäs IF (Sweden)


    12. Wild – Matthew Boldy, USNTDP


    13. Panthers – Spencer Knight, USNTDP


    14. Flyers (via Coyotes) – Cam York, USNTDP


    15. Canadiens – Cole Caufield, USNTDP


    16. Avalanche – Alex Newhook, Victoria (BCHL)


    17. Golden Knights – Peyton Krebs, Kootenay (WHL)


    18. Stars – Thomas Harley, Mississauga (OHL)


    19. Senators (via Blue Jackets) – Lassi Thomson, Kelowna (WHL)


    20. Jets (via Rangers) – Ville Heinola, Lukko (Finland)


    21. Penguins – Samuel Poulin, Sherbrooke (QMJHL)


    22. Kings (via Maple Leafs) – Tobias Bjornfot, Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)

    https://twitter.com/LAKings/status/1142259915353780224?s=19
    23. Islanders – Simon Holmstrom, HV71 (Sweden)


    24. Predators – Philip Tomasino, Niagara (OHL)


    25. Capitals – Connor McMichael, London (OHL)


    26. Flames – Jakob Pelletier, Moncton (QMJHL)


    27. Lightning – Nolan Foote, Kelowna (WHL)


    28. Hurricanes – Ryan Suzuki, Barrie (OHL)


    29. Ducks (via Sabres/Sharks) – Brayden Tracey, Moose Jaw (WHL)

    https://twitter.com/AnaheimDucks/status/1142268296395235330?s=19
    30. Bruins – John Beecher, USNTDP


    31. Sabres (via Blues) – Ryan Johnson, Sioux Falls (USHL)

     

    Analysis:

    This draft class as stated earlier featured generational stars and a lot of depth. Obviously Jack Hughes & Kappo Kakko will change the New Jersey Devils & New York Rangers each respectively in a HUGE way. It really could’ve went either way who would’ve went first or second. It just depended on what each team’s plans were. The Devils are looking to build their team with Center ice depth down the middle which has been the trend of teams that have won the Stanley Cup in recent memory. It definitely factored into them drafting Hughes number one. The Rangers on the other hand are looking to speed up their rebuild a little bit faster by adding a more polished product while Hughes may take a year to develop despite his higher overall talent ceiling. The fact that Kaako is more “NHL ready” falls in line with the Rangers plans of speeding up the rebuilding process which certainly factored into their decision. Tonight’s draft also featured a record-setting eight American first-round draft picks. Obviously, tonight was a great night for USA hockey overall and the national development program. There were some other picks within this round I really liked and one that shocked me being drafted highest:

    Chicago Blackhawks: I really like the Blackhawks drafting Kirby Dach. Other scouts have made comparisons of his game with Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf. He has size like him, can score, and is a very great play maker. Dach also has the benefit of learning how to play a full 200 foot game in the NHL from a great center like Jonathan Toews.

    Colorado Avalanche– drafting Bowen Byram is a great choice as he has shown so far in his development he could possibly play in the NHL very soon with comparisons to a young Duncan Keith. He can potentially add a lot more to the Avalanche’s already impressive d-core with fellow youngster Cale Makar.

    Buffalo Sabres- The Sabres pick of Dylan Cozens is a pick I’m a big fan of. His game reminds me a lot of a young Ryan Kessler. Like Kessler, he plays a full 200 foot game, plays with a tough competitive edge, and also has a bit of a scoring capability like Kessler. He definitely has the potential of being a Selke trophy nominee or winner

    Detroit Red Wings- the Wings pick of German defenseman Moritz Seider at #6 was a big shock amongst other scouts and GMs as he wasn’t projected to be selected that high. Maybe Steve Yzerman knows something we don’t? Yzerman when he was a consultant with the Lightning had a lot of time to travel and scout a lot of these young players. Time will tell how this pick works out

    Washington Capitals: The Capitals with the 25th pick drafted London Knights Center Connor McMichael. From watching highlights, he really seems like he has a scoring touch with a nose for the net. McMichael has a nice release and is capable of shooting and scoring from anywhere. He also is very versatile and can play on the wing as well as a Center.

     

    What’s Next/Important Dates:

    NHL Free Agent interview period- begins this Sunday June 23rd

    2019-2020 Schedule Release: June 25th

    Restricted Free Agent Qualifying Offers due: June 25th

    Restricted Free Agent contact period: June 26th

    1st Buyout Period ends: June 26th @ 5pm

    NHL Free Agency- begins July 1st

  • New Rules Changes introduced for the 2019/2020 NHL Season

    New Rules Changes introduced for the 2019/2020 NHL Season

    After an interesting playoff with many controversial calls that affected so many outcomes of games, The NHL has decided to make a few rule changes for the upcoming season in hopes of making games better for both teams.

    3 sets of changes were made, Coaches Challenge, Penalty Review, and Other Changes.

    Coaches Challenge:

    EXPANSION OF COACH’S CHALLENGE

    NEW CATEGORY: In addition to Coach’s Challenge for “Off-side” and “Interference on the Goalkeeper”, a third category will allow for the Coach’s Challenge of goal calls on the ice that follow plays in the Offensive Zone that should have resulted in a play stoppage, but did not.

    This change will allow Challenges of plays that may involve pucks that hit the spectator netting, pucks that are high-sticked to a teammate in the offensive zone, pucks that have gone out of play but are subsequently touched in the offensive zone and hand passes that precede without a play stoppage and ultimately conclude in the scoring of a goal.  Plays that entail “discretionary stoppages” (e.g. penalty calls) will not be subject to a Coach’s Challenge.

    Coach’s Challenges for these types of plays (and for “Off-Side” Challenges) will only be available if the puck does not come out of the attacking zone between the time of the “missed” infraction and the time the goal is scored.

    PENALTIES FOR UNSUCCESSFUL CHALLENGES: The number of Coach’s Challenges that can be made will no longer be limited based on the availability of a team’s time-out.  Teams will be permitted to exercise a Coach’s Challenge at any time, but with escalating “consequences” for unsuccessful Challenges. The consequences of unsuccessful Coach’s Challenges will be made consistent across all three Categories of Coach’s Challenges: (1) minor penalty for Delaying the Game on a Club’s first unsuccessful Coach’s Challenge; and (2) double minor penalty for Delaying the Game for each additional Coach’s Challenge that is unsuccessful.

    The Situation Room in Toronto will continue to be responsible for initiating video review in the final minute of regulation time and overtime as well as continue to have final authority over all Coach’s Challenge video review decisions with input and consultation from both the On-Ice Officials and a former Official staffed in the Situation Room.

    Penalty Review:

    REFEREES REVIEW OF MAJOR/MATCH PENALTY CALLS AND DOUBLE MINOR HIGH-STICKING PENALTIES

    MAJOR & MATCH PENALTIES: Referees will be required to conduct an on-ice video review for all Major (non-fighting) and Match Penalties they assess on the ice for the purpose of: (a) “confirming” the penalty; or (b) “reducing” the penalty to a two-minute minor penalty.  Referees shall not have the option to rescind a called penalty altogether.

    The Referees will be provided with all available video to review their own calls but will not otherwise consult with the NHL Situation Room with respect to their review.

    DOUBLE MINOR FOR HIGH-STICKING: Referees will have the ability to conduct an on-ice video review to confirm (or not) their original call on the ice, and, in particular, whether the stick causing the apparent injury was actually the stick of the Player being penalized.  The Referee’s review of all High-Sticking/Double-Minor Penalties will be discretionary and not mandatory and will be conducted without consultation with the NHL Situation Room.

    Other Rule Changes:

    OTHER APPROVED RULE CHANGES

    HELMETS: Subject to further consultation with the NHL Players’ Association on precise language, a Player on the ice whose helmet comes off during play must (a) exit the playing surface, or (b) retrieve and replace his helmet properly on his head (with or without his chin strap fastened). A Player who is making a play on the puck or who is in position to make an immediate play on the puck at the time his helmet comes off, shall be given a reasonable opportunity to complete the play before either exiting the ice or retrieving and replacing his helmet. Failure to comply with the above will result in a minor penalty being assessed on the offending player. A Player who intentionally removes an opponent’s helmet during play shall be assessed a minor penalty for roughing.
    LINE CHANGES FOR DEFENSIVE TEAM: The defensive team will not be permitted a line change when a goalie freezes the puck on any shot from outside the center red line. Similarly, if the actions of a skater of the defensive team cause a stoppage by unintentionally dislodging the net from its moorings, the defensive team will not be permitted to make a line change. In both of these instances, the offensive team will have the choice of which end zone dot the face-off will take place.

    FACE-OFFS FOLLOWING AN ICING & TO BEGIN A POWER-PLAY: Following an icing as well as at the beginning of any power-play, the offensive team will have the choice of which end zone dot the face-off will take place.

    AWARDED GOAL: If the goal post is deliberately displaced by a goalkeeper during the course of a “breakaway”, a goal will be awarded to the non-offending team.

    PUCK OUT OF BOUNDS: When the attacking team is responsible for the puck going out of play in the attacking zone, in all instances, the face-off will be conducted at one of the two face-off dots in the attacking zone.

    It will be interesting to watch as these rules come into effect and what part they will play in game outcomes. As of right now, it’s a start but we will revisit this later in the season to see if it has made any difference at all.

  • St. Louis Blues – Stanley Cup Champions At Last

    St. Louis Blues – Stanley Cup Champions At Last

    “It’s been a rough season to be a fan of the St. Louis *ahem* Blues, and at this point everyone either realizes that the team is in the middle of a rebuild or is in desperate need of one.” — some hack earlier in the season *checks notes*, oh, yes, me.

    Well, well, well, look at who’s left standing at the mountain top. Before recapping this incredible playoff run, let me first just say that I absolutely cannot believe this finally happened. Growing up, watching great teams with great players like Brett Hull (more on him later), and watching them so often fail in the most comical ways – let’s just say, it jaded me.

    This year was different – every round had at least one defining moment of adversity that the Blues had to overcome. Against the Winnipeg Jets, the Blues found themselves down 2-0 in the third period of a pivotal game 5, yet managed to erase that deficit with 3 goals in the third. Against the Stars, who quite honestly posed a very bad matchup for the Blues, they found themselves down 3 games to 2, before roaring back to thoroughly dominate them the next two games. But for Ben Bishop in Game 7, the scores of the last two games would have been incredibly lopsided. There was the infamous hand-pass against the Sharks, after which the Blues outscored them by a combined 12-2 mark the last three games. Even in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Blues came back after getting blown out in game 3, having multiple players suspended, and losing a chance to clinch at home.

    There isn’t much to go over that TXHT has not covered in the game recaps, but my hope is to convey just how much this means to the city, to me. St. Louis is a nice city, but one people don’t necessarily need to visit. However, once you live there, once you experience the people, the day-to-day life, it becomes your home – forever. That’s why Brett Hull cares so much. That’s why greats like Bernie Federko, Chris Pronger, Al MacInnis, and Wayne Gretzky still live, at least partially, in the city and were there every step of the way for this run. There’s also a certain kinship people have with the Blues that they don’t have even with the Cardinals – maybe the Cardinals win too much it becomes old hat? I really don’t know. But I do know that records were set for viewership and ticket cost, and almost half the population showed up for the parade. Brett Hull might still be having his own parade right now.

    But, as much as I try, I am certainly not a good enough writer to adequately convey its meaning in words, so please accept these two words as my final thought:

    Thank you

    https://twitter.com/STLBlueshistory/status/1139007682986348544

  • NHL Trade Alert: Jacob Trouba to the New York Rangers

    NHL Trade Alert: Jacob Trouba to the New York Rangers

    Seemingly out of the blue, New York Rangers GM Jeff Gorton completed a trade for defenseman Jacob Trouba.

     

    Trouba, who has long been rumored to be traded out of Winnipeg, was finally traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Neal Pionk and the 20th pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The hockey world is still coming to terms with this trade and how it shakes up the landscape of the NHL. Let’s take some time to analyze this for both squads.

     

    Winnipeg’s end of the deal

    The Winnipeg Jets, while the initial reaction is understandably not very positive, do get their first rounder back in a very deep 2019 draft. That will help them as they continue to try to find the right pieces to compete for a Stanley Cup and there will still be some great prospects available at the 20th overall spot. While this draft is considered to be as unpredictable as any in recent memory the Jets will have their pick of quality prospects. WIth the trade of Trouba, the Jets should look to a guy like Sweden’s Tobias Bjornfot to eventually replace him on their blueline.

    As for Neal Pionk, well this is a bit more complicated. During Pionk’s time in New York he showed flashes of being a good offensive defenseman but ultimately, he hasn’t shown any of the consistency that the Rangers hoped for. He had 26 points this past season which wasn’t bad at all but his plus-minus at a minus-16 was absolutely awful. The advanced stats also aren’t very kind to him as they paint him as one of the worst defensemen in the NHL last season. The thing is in Winnipeg, the Jets won’t force him into a top pair role. He can play on the bottom two pairs, or hopefully bottom pair where he is more suited, and have an easier time finding his way in the league. If Pionk can become a serviceable offensive defenseman for the Jets as the years go on, that would be good as they compete for a Stanley Cup.

    The Jets defense pairing should look like this next season:

    Josh Morrissey – Dustin Byfuglien

    Ben Chiarot – Tyler Myers

    Dmitry Kulikov – Neal Pionk

     

    New York’s end of the deal

    The Rangers acquire a 25-year-old right handed first pair defenseman. That is EXACTLY what they needed this offseason. Jacob Trouba, along with Brady Skjei and prospects K’Andre Miller, Nils Lundkvist, Adam Fox and others will lead New York’s blueline into the future as they hope to get back to Stanley Cup contention. Trouba had eight goals and 42 assists last season for 50 points during his age 24/25 season and will be a cornerstone on the Rangers blue line for years to come. GM Jeff Gorton essentially turned three months of Kevin Hayes and Neal Pionk into Brenden Lemieux and Jacob Trouba. Fantastic job by the boss in New York. The Rangers have put their rebuild into overdrive and this Friday  they will get the chance to add Kaapo Kakko or Jack Hughes at the entry draft in Vancouver. It has been an amazing year since the Rangers announced their plans to rebuild.

     

    The Rangers defense corps should look like this next season:

    Brady Skjei – Jacob Trouba

    Libor Hajek – Adam Fox

    Marc Staal – (prospect to be determined)

  • Capitals Announce 2019-20 Preseason Schedule

    Capitals Announce 2019-20 Preseason Schedule

    Today the Washington Capitals have announced their 2019-20 Preseason Schedule which will feature six games against three opponents.

     

    The Capitals will take on the Chicago Blackhawks, 2019 First Round rival Carolina Hurricanes, and the 2019 Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues. For the Blackhawks they will be looking to continue thier turnaround under first time head coach Jeremy Colliton who went 30-28-9 in 67 games after taking over for Joel Quenneville last season.

     

    Then there is the Carolina Hurricanes who will be looking to build upon their exciting 2018-19 season that saw them reach the Eastern Conference Finals, only to be swept by the Boston Bruins. The Hurricanes will be the only Eastern Conference test the Capitals will have in the preseason.

     

    Lastly, the Capitals will be facing the newly crowned champion Blues in what will be the two most interesting games of the preseason given the what we have gotten the last two preseasons between these two teams. In a preview of the last two Stanley Cup Champions, there will now be some added value to seeing what both teams could look like going into the 2019-20 Regular Season.

     

    The 2019-20 Preseason is very far away, but is a good reminder of what is coming up next.