Former Flame May Spark Flyers

Former Western Hockey League prodigy and Calgary Flames draft pick Marty Murray could be the dark horse that the Philadelphia Flyers need this season.
Murray, who is blazingly quick and one of the most talented playmakers in junior hockey history, has had his professional career stifled by the Old NHL.
When the 5’8″ Murray broke into the league in 1995-1996 and the ten seasons hence, the focus was on size, toughness, and the physical game. In the “New NHL”, his blinding speed and top-notch playmaking ability should be a treat to watch.
In Murray’s last season of junior hockey with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League, he notched an amazing 40 Goals and 88 Assists for 128 points in only 65 games. He then proceeded to add another 29 points in 18 playoff games.
Murray, a 2-time First-Team WHL All-Star, was also voted Best Forward at the 1995 World Junior Hockey Championships where he notched a mind boggling 15 points in 7 games leading Canada to a Gold Medal.
It is possible that Ken Hitchcock, could have Murray slated as the third-line centre, first unit penalty kill, and possibly some spot duty with the man advantage. With his speed, skill, and deft playmaking ability, the Flyers may have landed their diamond in the rough.
This is the type of player who will be able to make a big jump from his previous NHL performances given the enforcement of the new rules and the new emphasis on speed and play-making.
Best of luck to Marty Murray in his quest to succeed in the new NHL!

UPDATE: Murray is now with Manchester (AHL) .

Kipper Really is Number One

Miikka Kiprusoff was ranked number one by The Hockey News in their newly released edition of the Top 50 NHL Hockey players.

More great news for Calgary Flames fans include, their now skinnier captain, Iginla who was ranked at number seven on the list.

Wait, there is even more good news for Flames fans. Calgary Defencemen Dion Phaneuf and Robyn Regehr were ranked number 32 and 44 respectively.

Sadly, former Oiler Chris Pronger was ranked second behind Kiprusoff, but Ryan Smyth did come in at number 33.

Click here for the complete list.

While this list isn’t exactly in perfect order, there is little argument that the Top 50 players are on the list somewhere!

NHL Hockey Links Around The Rinks

Welcome to the first edition of NHL Hockey Links Around The Rinks. Here at NHL Digest, we are going to use our Wednesday editions to highlight some great links to other hockey related topics. This week features links from the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers as well a a roundup from the rest of the league.

Edmonton Oilers

• The Oiler rookies played last night against the Alberta Golden Bears and managed to win in fine fashion. There is coverage of the game here.
• The Oilers signed Lupul to a 3-year deal for $6.935 Million. This could turn out to be a steal!
• Petr Sykora thinks that Edmonton and the OIlers are The Cat’s Meow.
• It looks like Mike Babcock will take a page out of the OIlers playbook to Help the Red Wings this season.
• Edmonton’s water usage was drastically affected during last year’s playoff run. It’s really neat how they graphed the usage during the games versus Anaheim.

Calgary Flames

• The Flames returned 6 players to their respective Junior Clubs on Tuesday.
• Younger brother of Canadiens forward Michael Ryder is making a name for himself in Calgary.
• Coach Jim Playfair says many positions are Up For Grabs when main camp rolls around.

Random NHL News and Videos

• Gordie Howe’s Last NHL All-Star Game Video from 1980
• Boston University bans swearing in the stands at hockey games�good luck!
• Viktor Kozlov signs a one-year contract with the New York Islanders
• Mario Lemieux’s number 66 to be Re-Retired quietly in Pittsburgh
• Keith Primeau will make a decision this week whether or not to retire.
• Here is a preview of the Toronto Maple Leafs training camp from Hockey’s Future.

Have a great day and be sure to leave comments if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions about this site. I would be glad to hear from you!

Why Detroit Lost to the Oilers

Brendan Shanahan mentioned today that he became active in looking for a new team after he had a long talk with Stevie Y following game 6 versus the Edmonton Oilers in last years playoffs. They both felt that the powers that be with the Red Wings were looking to hand the leadership of the team over to the younger stars.

As Kukla’s Korner reports; Shanahan also mentioned that the Oilers beat the Wings in last year’s playoffs because of a big goal here and a big save there. In my humble opinion, big goals and big saves are what the playoffs are all about. Am I way out to lunch here In professional sports, big plays are what separate the winners and losers. That is what is so great about sports; it is highly emotional and highly unpredictable.

I wish Shanny the best of luck with the New York Rangers, he is a class act and a shoe-in Hall of Fame candidate. In fact, I wish I had a Brendan Shanahan autographed Detroit Red Wings jersey. If anyone has one and would like to make a trade, let me know. I have a few hockey cards that I might be willing to part with.

Mikhnov Likely To See Action With Oilers

Craig MacTavish had several words to say on the young Oiler rookies Mikhnov and Schremp in an interview following the first on ice training session in rookie camp.
He praised both individuals and stressed that Mikhnov is much older and more mature than his rookie counterparts. MacTavish said that “Mikhnov looks like a real good player and that there is a lot to work with there”.

Craig Mac noted that Schremp has accepted the coaching that has been directed to him and that there are areas of his game that have to get better and that he may need to see some time at the American League level.

Depending on how the two rookies fair in main camp and into the exhibition season, we may see one or both in the Oiler lineup this season.

At 24 years old, standing 6’5″ tall and weighing in at 218 lbs, Mikhnov is the most likely of the rookies to see regular action this season. You can check out some of the Big Russian’s dangles in the following video reel.

Not a great video package, but you can easily see that this kid has some talent for a big guy!

On a lighter note, if you want to see some semi-appropriate pictures of the Edmonton Oilers, check out the stuff at the Hot-Oil Blog.

“Kipper” and Flames Looking Strong

NHL Hockey is back on the ice in Calgary today as the Flames begin their first day of Rookie Camp. Darryl Sutter was interviewed briefly on SportsNet this morning and is hopeful of his rookie crew. Of the rookies in camp today, there is one in particular that is expected to impress.

Dustin Boyd, a 20 year-old, who toiled last season with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League, is going to be in the spotlight this week in Calgary. The Flames have high hopes for Boyd, a prolific scorer and solid leader, who helped Canada capture Gold in the Word Junior Hockey Championships last year with six points in six games.

Along with the solid crop of rookies, the Flames also welcome back veterans Jerome Iginla and Daymond Langkow as well as last season’s rookie sensation Dion Phaneuf. These three will be expected to anchor the Flames Power Play and provide the bulk of the offence again this season.

Providing the bulk of the defense will be Vezina Trophy winner and my favorite goalie in the game today Miikka Kiprusoff. “Kipper” will be the backbone of the Flames team again this season, while newcomer Leland Irving will be fighting for the backup job. Needless to say, goaltending will not be a problem in Calgary this year.

If you are looking for a fantasy hockey league superstar for your draft, it is hard to beat the ridiculously stellar numbers that Kiprusoff has posted over the past two seasons. If you need any more convincing, this video says it all!

The first clash in The Battle of Alberta this season will take place in Calgary on September 21, 2006 when the Oilers arrive for what is sure to be a dog-fight! If you are planning on going to the game, bring your camcorder and be sure to capture some classic NHL Video footage!

Here’s to a great 2006-2007 NHL Hockey Season!

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