-In the Sens skills competition Jason Spezza had the hardest shot and Colin Greening repeated as winner of the fastest skater competition.
-TSN’s power rankings are out (link) with Ottawa 23rd
–Sports Illustrated‘s Adrian Dater makes predictions for 2012 (link):
1. There will be a work-stoppage
I disagree with Dater, at least in the sense that I don’t believe any games will be lost in the following season. His argument is based on instinct–he believes it will be a prolonged fight for the NHLPA to agree to a reduction of its profit sharing (losing games, but not the season)–but I seriously doubt that will be the case. With players in the NFL and NBA coming to agreements within the last few months I don’t see the NHL situation as being so different that we don’t get the same essential outcome.
2. Scoring will not improve despite rule-tweaks
Agreed. Three-factors keep scoring down: 1) goalie equipment, 2) a growing allowance of obstruction, 3) the lack of black and white rules for officials and players to follow.
3. The concussion epidemic will not be stopped
Agreed. The dinosaurs that run the NHL will fumble about until something forces them to change (like the death it took to put protective netting in all arenas)
4. Enforcers will become even rarer
Agreed, but this is nothing new.
5. The Phoenix franchise will be moved
Agreed, but Dater would be bolder if he predicted where. My guess is Quebec City.
6. Patrick Roy will become an NHL coach
Maybe, but I don’t really care one way or another.
7. One or both of Lindy Ruff and Darcy Regier will be fired
See above.
8. Roberto Luongo will be traded
While the Scott Gomez trade proved anything is possible, this is one I doubt.
9. Jerome Iginla will be traded
Possibly, but it will depend on where the Flames are by the trade deadline and if Iginla wants to leave
10. Wayne Gretzky will be back and involved in the NHL
He has only been away from the NHL due to a financial disagreement so if that’s settled I’m sure he will be.
-Binghamton won their second game in a row with a 5-2 victory over Adirondack. Rob Klinkhammer had a hat-trick and a four-point night while Pat Cannone and Corey Locke added the other goals. Mike McKenna earned the win. For the box score go here link and for Joy Lindsay’s game summary go here link.
-Joy Lindsay Tweets today’s practice lines (link, with Josh Godfrey back from injury): Klinkhammer-Locke-Parrish, Dziurzynski-Cannone-Bartlett, Hoffman-Da Costa-Grant, Cowick-Hamilton-Lessard; Borowiecki-Gryba, Raymond-Conboy, Godfrey-Schira.
-Elmira won 4-3 in a shootout, with Brian Stewart earning the win and both Louie Caporusso and Jack Downing scoring.
-I watched Canada’s 5-0 win over the Czech Republic last night (Mark Stone scoring another goal), which was about as one-sided as their previous win against the Finns. Mika Zibanejad and Fredrik Claesson where held off the score sheet in Sweden’s 4-3 shootout win over Switzerland.
eyeonthesens 