Why Playoff Hockey Offers The Best Entertainment Value

One of the reasons why the NHL continues to grow in popularity, especially in television viewership is the excitement that continues to be brought to the game by a host of fantastic young stars.

While we have seen the tide turning for a few years now, it has not been since the mid-1980’s that the National Hockey League has had as many bonafide young stars as it does today!

Playoff Hockey

What’s more, the NHL playoffs offer hockey fans the chance to see these young stars perform at the peak of intensity and pressure. The best example thus far in the playoffs was, of course, Game 3 of the Penguins vs. Capitals series where both Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin scored hat tricks for their respective teams. But, there is certainly evidence of talented youngsters leading the charge in all of the series’.

Some of the most poignant examples are:

• Ryan Getzlaf, who is tied for the lead in playoff scoring, and Jonas Hiller have led the 8th seeded Anaheim Ducks past the President’s Trophy winning San Jose Sharks and at least to a six game series with the defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings.
• Cam Ward and Eric Staal have put the Carolina Hurricanes on their young, but capable, shoulders and carried the team past the New Jersey Devils and into a 3-1 series lead over the Eastern Conference Champion Boston Bruins.

The Unlikely Hero

Adding to the already exciting story of NHL playoff hockey, it seems that in every playoff year, there emerges an unlikely hero of sorts.

Often, it is a young goaltender that emerges with a fantastic playoff performance, such as Cam Ward did in 2006 on his way to Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe honors. The same could be said for Ken Dryden, Patrick Roy, and Tony Esposito among a few others.

However, the more unlikely heroes are those forwards whose names rarely mark the score sheet during the regular season but somehow when the pressure is turned up in the playoffs, manage to bring their game to new heights.

The Legend of John Druce

The most prolific example of such an unlikely hero is that of John Druce. In the 1989-1990 season Druce managed just 8 Goals and 3 Assists. But it was the playoffs that year when Druce made a name for himself, scoring 14 goals and three assists for 17 points in just 15 games. NHL Director of Corporate Communications, Mike DiLorenzo may have said it best for NY Ranger fans when he noted “That John Druce broke my heart”.

Last season’s unlikely playoff hero was undoubtedly Philadelphia Flyer forward R.J Umberger (Now with Columbus). Umberger notched 10 goals in last year’s 17 game playoff run with Philadelphia after scoring just 13 times in 72 regular season games for the Flyers.

Not to disappoint fans this season, the emergence of an unlikely playoff hero has come to fruition.

Jussi Jokinen of the Carolina Hurricanes was discarded twice by NHL teams this season and manged to score just 7 goals in 71 games split between Tampa Bay and Carolina. However, in just 11 playoff games, Jokinen has scored 6 goals – including 3 game winning goals and 1 game tying goal.

Of course, true hockey fans would watch playoff hockey without the unlikely hero stories or the emergence of a young superstar goaltender, but it is these stories that round out the entertainment value of playoff hockey, start water cooler conversations and deepen fan relationships with their teams.

Is there any better entertainment in the world than playoff hockey?

I think not.

From Player to Coach With Kevin Dineen

This week Neil Bristow talks with Kevin Dineen . Dineen is a former National Hockey League Player and current Head Coach of the Portland Pirates – the American Hockey League affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres.

Neil Bristow – If you were to compare Nathan Gerbe to a current NHL player, who does he remind you of?

Kevin Dineen – Nathan is a very unique player.  High skill set great set of hands and speed to go with it.  He goes to the hard places and is fearless.  Andy McDonald would be a good comparison or Brian Gionta.

Neil Bristow – Marek Zagrapan has been in the Sabres system for a few years now. Marek hasn’t played all that much up with the big club. What does Marek need to do to make the push and get into a Sabres uniform?

Kevin Dineen – Marek is still working on rounding out his complete game.  Playing hard at both ends, defensive responsibilities including face-offs, and taking advantage of his high offensive skill set.

Neil Bristow – You represented the NHL in 1987 in the Rendez-Vous ‘87 against the Soviet Union. What was favorite memory from that historic series?

Kevin Dineen – Representing the NHL in the Quebec series was an incredible experience as this was the first time I had been part of a team that had the best players in the NHL playing against the Soviet Union.  A great memory.

Neil Bristow – You spent a incredible 18 seasons in the NHL with The Blue Jackets,Ottawa,Philly and Carolina/Hartford Whalers then got your coaching start in Portland in the American Hockey League. What has been your biggest transition from being a NHL player to a head coach?

Kevin Dineen – I was able to work with the Bluejackets in player development for two years so this gave me a great advantage to look at the game through the eyes of management as Doug McLean included me in many decisions and made my transition to coaching much easier.

Neil Bristow – Jhonas Enroth is a highly touted goalie prospect playing for you in Portland. Can you tell us some of Jhonas’s strengths in net and will Sabres fans see him in Buffalo within the next two years backing up Ryan Miller?

Kevin Dineen- Jhonas will play in the NHL at some time given his game readiness, meaning he practices hard, is strong under pressure and is a big save goalie.

Neil Bristow – You scored 355 times at the NHL level, out of those 355 which goal stands out in your mind the most and could you tell is a little bit about it?

Kevin Dineen – Your first and last are always big but I had two in overtime in two playoff series. One, a deflection vs. Andy Moog and the Boston Bruins and the other against Patrick Roy with Montreal.  Both great memories.

Neil Bristow – What are your thoughts on the Buffalo Sabres using video as a scouting process and in your mind is it working this far? Or do you prefer the “older” scouting process?

Kevin Dineen- I have learned so much and been exposed to Buffalos scouting and the easy availability to seeing players in different strengths throughout both the NHL and AHL.  You have thorough knowledge of the league and are a good balance to having actual scouts at the games.

Neil Bristow -Who taught you the most on becoming a successful coach and why?

Kevin Dineen – I grew up around a successful coach with my dad’s WHA teams in Houston and the Hartford Whalers ; so he set a great example to get the most out of each player.

Neil Bristow – Portland is off to a good start considering the affiliate change with the Sabres. In 27 games, you have a 15-9-1-2 record this far. Is there any area in your team’s play you would like to improve?

Kevin Dineen – Every day we try to improve in some area.  Some days it is the power play and others it is Defensive Zone coverage.  So it varies and important to keep a proper balance between system and individual teaching

Neil Bristow – From your playing days to the NHL game now. What are the biggest changes in players today from what you saw in your NHL career?

Kevin Dineen- Players conditioning and preparation is maximized now.  Buffalo employs a strength and conditioning coach both in Buffalo and Portland.

Neil Bristow – Thomas Vanek is lighting up the NHL with goals and is on a torrent pace and is a major talent. Of the players on the Portland roster right now, is there another player close to having “Vanek like” upside?

Kevin Dineen -Mark Mancari has gotten off to a great start and has a heavy shot where he can score from most places on the offensive zone.

I would personally  like to thank Kevin for speaking with us at NHL Digest.

Please check up on Kevin and the Pirates at  their website http://www.portlandpirates.com/

If you have any comments or questions on this interview feel free to reach Neil at- theneilshow  (at) shaw (dot) ca.

Is Patrick Roy A Coaching Candidate For Colorado?

Shane Giroux presents his thoughts:

The speculation began even before Quenneville was let go. With Patrick Roy having begun a coaching career, everyone wondered if Roy would ever coach the Colorado Avalanche.

Now that Quenneville is gone, the speculationstartsin earnest as the two most common names being bandied about are renowned 3-time Jack Adams award winning and Stanley Cup winning coach Pat Burns along with one of the most famous – or infamous – goaltenders of all time, Patrick Roy.

Intensity or Illness?

But not only did St. Patrick grow infamous as a goaltender with a penchant for the dramatic and the ability to get in players heads, he has grown infamous behind the bench of the Quebec Remparts.

In his first year coaching the Remparts, Roy led the team to a Memorial Cup championship. It was only the 7th time that a rookie coach has won the Memorial Cup. I was in Quebec the day the team paraded down the streets and you could feel a sense of aura around the team and Patrick. It’s an aura that seems to follow him around like a shadow.

However that aura quickly turned dark the following year as Roy was involved in two incidents which reminded everyone of his quick and fiery temper. Following a game against rival Chicoutimi, a group of Chicoutimi fans swarmed the Remparts bus. Roy got out and in the scuffle was alleged to have struck Chicoutimi co-owner Pierre Cardinal.

Engage The Rage!

Roy stayed on as coach, the media firestorm subsided and the Remparts marched on to the playoffs. Then during a 10-1 beat down at the hands of Chicoutimi, a brawl broke out which saw goaltender Jonathon Roy, Patrick’s son, fly down the ice and attack Chicoutimi’s goaltender, who was not even close to a willing participant. Shortly after the scuffle was broken up, Jonathon flipped off the Chicoutimi crowd.

Why does this reflect poorly on Patrick? Well, it would appear he urged his son on. Watch closely after the ref initially restrains Roy and you’ll see Patrick make a gesture to the effect of “Get the F@*& down there!” The result was a 5-game suspension for the elder Roy and 7 games for junior.

Roy May Be Too Hot To Handle!

Francois Giguere has gone on the record stating the next coach for the Avalanche must be willing to play a high-tempo, puck possession game. It will also need to be someone who will hold players accountable for mistakes and not be so easy-going.*

He has said nothing to the effect of wanting a hot-tempered coach that will need to be handled with kid gloves lest he destroy another office.

*That last part was stated on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada last night and I couldn’t find a clip to share.

What do you think?  Should Patrick Roy be considered for coaching positions  in the National Hockey? League