Leighton, Sharp Look For Revenge Against Former Teams In Cup Final

Prior to the 2010 NHL playoffs, many people suspected that the Blackhawks would be in the Stanley Cup final. However, anyone outside of Philadelphia that thought the Flyers would be playing hockey in June would likely have been referred for professional help.
(If you did pick the Flyers to be playing for the Cup, please contact me. I need some help with my PowerBall numbers)

That said, the stage is now set for the Stanley Cup Finals in the 2010 playoffs and there are two players who might just be looking forward to it more than anyone else.  Michael Leighton and Patrick Sharp are both facing off against the team that drafted only to traded them away.

Leighton Looking Sharp

Interestingly enough, these teams have some trade history between them that has impacted these playoffs and will certainly have  bearing on this series.

The Philadlephia Flyers are riding the back of goaltender Michael Leighton, who happens to be a former draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks picked Leighton in the 6th Round of the 1999 draft, 165th overall. Leighton played 42 games, recording just8 wins, with Chicago over the course of two seasons 2002-04.

The Blackhawks traded Leighton to the Buffalo Sabres in October of 2005 for Milan Bartovic. Never heard of him? I can’t say I blame you. Bartovic played just 24 games for Chicago that season and has never played in the NHL since.

Patrick Sharp Shooting For Cup

Patrick Sharp has been no slouch in these playoffs for the Blackhawks. While being overshadowed by a remarkable playoffs from Captain Toews, Sharp has quietly amassed 16 points in 16 games during these playoffs.

Sharp’s connection to the Flyers goes back to his draft year when he was selected in the 3rd Round, 95th overall, by Philadelphia out of the University of Vermont.

Sharp managed 10 Goals and 19 assists in 66 Games with Philadelphia before being traded to Chicago with Eric Meloche for Matt Ellison and a 3rd Round pick in the 2006 draft. At this point, it certainly looks like Chicago got the better of that trade.

Which One Will Laugh Last?

Which of these players will have the last laugh against the team that drafted them and subsequently traded them away for next to nothing?

Both can certianly take prid ein their performances this post-season and the odds on favorite would have to be Sharp and the Blackhawks. But, people have been counting out the Flyers from day one.

It should be a great series and regardless of the result, Mr. Leighton will be looking for a hefty pay raise come July.

The Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers will face off for Game #1 of the final series on Saturday May 29, 2010 at 8:00 PM EST. The full schedule, including the television scheduleis here on NHL.com.

NHL Hats

Ever since Reebok started supporting the NHL, the style of hockey hats has become increasingly better.  As far as apparel goes, NHL hats and t-shirts are the most popular affordable items for hockey fans. Even though hats are not as easily customized as t-shirts are, they are often more consistent with respect to sizing. Although fitted hats are more popular, buying an adjustable hat solves all size related problems.

Other than Reebok, several other hat manufacturers, such as New Era and their 59Fifty line, Zephyr Graphics and 47 Brand have licensed NHL hats in production.  Most local sporting goods stores carry some of the Reebok hats, but they often don’t have the largest selection.  Stores specializing in sports apparel tend to have a larger selection and, of course, there are online outlets like lids.com and shop.NHL.com that have great selection as well. Some of the most popular hats are featured below.

Most Popular NHL Hats

The following is a list of the most popular NHL team hats by search volume:

1.)    Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins Official Flex Fit Slouch Hat
Price: $17.99

2.)    Pittsburgh Penguins

Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins Stretch Fit Hat
Price: $17.97

3.)   Buffalo Sabres

Reebok Buffalo Sabres Official Stretch Fit Hat
Price: $17.97

Although I was somewhat surprised at the popularity of the Sabres hats, I was not surprised at the other two teams. Especially given the fact that the Bruins and Flyers had a special winter classic knit hats this year.

In addition, just like the vintage jerseys, there has been an increase in the popularity of vintage NHL hats.  Not only has there been an increase in retro hats for the existing NHL teams, but some non-existent teams from the past, like the Hartford Whalers, are still popular with hat wearing NHL fans.

As an NHL fan, do you wear a hat to top off your t-shirt or jersey when you attend games, or is a hat something you wear when you can’t wear your jersey?  Or, both?

A Look At The NHL Playoff Mustache

Over the course of time, the playoff beard has become one of hockey’s most endearing superstitions. Many a player (and fan) have participated in the practice of not shaving their face for their team’s playoff run – all in the name of ‘good luck’.  The playoff beard has spawned several fan contests, such as our own annual Playoff Beard Contest, and has even been used to raise money for charity through the Beardathon.

Through the past few seasons, the mustache has made a comeback in hockey. The most notable NHLer to bring back the cookie duster in recent years is, of course, Geroge Parros.  The Edmonton Oilers recently participated Movember, raising over $25,000 for Prostate Cancer through the growing of mustaches in November.

Of course, the Oilers couldn’t participate in the growing of Playoff Mustaches this season, finishing last in the league.  However, the Philadelphia Flyers seem to be holding their own with that strategy!

Not to be outdone by the Flyers, Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres decided to ditch the traditional playoff beard after the Sabres lost Game 4 to Boston. Opting, instead, for the playoff mustache!

“Yeah the beard wasn’t working, done beard seven years in a row, we haven’t won yet so try something different,” Miller told the media after the Sabres practice on Sunday. [WGRZ.com]

Fad or New Tradition?

What do you think? Will the Playoff Mustache become more popular, or will the traditional Playoff Beard still be the go-to superstition for hockey players?

*For more on the top NHL mustaches in history, click over to Joe Pelletier’s Hockey history blog on the subject.

Who Was The First American Born Captain To Win The Stanley Cup?

This achievement belongs to Derian Hatcher who won the Stanley Cup as a captain of the Dallas Stars in 1999. Hatcher started his career with the Stars some 10 years earlier after being drafted by the then Minnesota North Stars in the 1990 NHL Entry draft.

Hatcher is famous for his massive physique (height of 6 ft5 and weight of 235 lbs) and physically punishing style that made him one of the most fearsome defensemen in the league.

Hatcher scored in his first game as a Minnesota North Star on October 12, 1991 in a 3-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings. He continued to dominate the Stars’ blueline even after the move to Dallas, contributing 1,380 penalty minutes, 223 assists and 71 goals during his career with the Stars.

The hulking blueliner signed a $30 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings in 2003, but did not have much success in Detroit, having his contract bought out in 2005. Later in 2005 he became a member of the Philadelphia Flyers and went on to become an interim captain for the Flyers a year later.

Hatcher was also part of the US national hockey team for most of his career and even participated in two Olympic Games, suiting up for Team USA in 1998 and 2006.

After suffering a severe knee injury during the 2008-09 NHL season, Derian Hatcher announced his retirement in June 2009. Hatcher is currently a player development coach for the Philadelphia Flyers, the place where he ended his National Hockey League career.

The Worst Team In NHL History

I think it’s safe to say that there are some records nobody sets out to own. There is little doubt that the NHL record for worst team in a season is one such mark.

We mentioned how terrible the New York Rangers of the 1943-44 season were, losing a single game to the Detroit Red Wings in what would be the largest margin of victory in an NHL game. That horrendous team won 6 games over the course of their 50 game season, for a winning percentage of 12%. That sounds terrible doesn’t it?

Well, not so fast!

In the inaugural season for the NHL’s Washington Capitals, 1974-75, the team managed just 8 wins over an 80 game schedule, for a dismal winning percentage of just 10%! Their 8-67-5 record  is currently the worst of any team in the history of the National Hockey League.

Ron Low was the starting goaltender for the Capitals that season and the franchise had high hopes for the netminder as he racked up an impressive 1.82 GAA during the pre-season.  Low was the goalie between the pipes for all 8 wins, while amassing a 5.45 GAA in 48 appearances.

The Capitals’ other goalie, Michel Belhumeur, came over from the Philadelphia Flyers via the expansion draft.  Belhumeur played in 35 games that season but could not manage to pull off a victory.  This distinction lands him in the NHL record books for the most games played in one season by a goaltender without a win.  Interestingly, Belhumeur played the next season with the Capitals as well. He didn’t manage a win in that year either and never played in the National Hockey League again.

Jeff Carter Hits Anssi Salmela

The barrage of head injuries continues in the National Hockey League this season.  The latest victim of a headshot is New Jersey Devils forward Anssi Salmela, who was caught high by a shoulder from Philadelphia’s Jeff Carter after scoring a goal on Michael Leighton.

After watching the replays from different angles (as shown in the video below) I believe that Carter hit Salmela with a clean shoulder that appears (as of the second replay angle @ 4:30-4:31) to hit Salmela in his shoulder before following through to high and extending his elbow post contact.

This hit was obviously not elbowing, and certainly not charging as you can clearly see Carter coasting through the slot and then taking one stride as he angles toward Salmela who was leaning forward, with his head and shoulder extended, driving to the net. The hit was not extremely late – we can see Carter leaning in to hit Salmela as the shot was taken.

If the fact that Salmela being knocked unconscious is ignored, then my belief is that there should be no supplementary discipline on this play.  However, sometimes the league can punish the outcome and not the action.

Have a look at the video – particularly the slow motion replay at the 4:30 mark and drop your thoughts in the comments!

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