The Slap Shot

Ian White Signs With Calgary Flames, but Are Cap Problems Looming?

Posted on July 31, 2010 by MarkRitter

The Calgary Flames are reporting that Ian White has signed a one-year contract that will see the former Toronto Maple Leaf make close to $3 million. Originally taken in the sixth round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, White spent portions of five seasons with the Maple Leafs before being dealt to the Calgary Flames [...]

Will The Tampa Bay Lightning Make The Playoffs In 2010-11?

Posted on July 30, 2010 by MarkRitter

Since the moment the Tampa Bay Lightning signed legendary NHLer Steve Yzerman to be their general manager the team has undergone an incredible re-tooling process. Highlighted by free agent signings Teddy Purcell (F), Chris Durno (F), Marc Pouliot (F), Brett Clark (D), Pavol Kubina (D) and Dan Ellis (G), Yzerman has slowly put together the [...]

Brian Burke’s Best Work Yet To Come?

Posted on July 29, 2010 by MarkRitter

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke has had a busy summer acquiring numerous players via free agency and trading for some much needed depth. This summer Burke has acquired rugged forwards Colby Armstrong and Mike Brown via free agency while also adding speedy Stanley Cup winner Kris Versteeg to the fold via a trade [...]

Max Talbot Calls Alex Ovechkin A “Douche”

Posted on July 28, 2010 by MarkRitter

With the ensuing Winter Classic between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals gobbling up headlines, the plot got a little thicker yesterday when Penguins forward Max Talbot called Alex Ovechkin a “douche”. Talbot, who was being interviewed on a local Pittsburgh radio station, was referring to an incident when he was introduced to Ovechkin [...]

Alex Ponikarovsky Signs With Los Angeles Kings

Posted on July 27, 2010 by MarkRitter

The Los Angeles Kings have announced that long-time Toronto Maple Leaf turned Pittsburgh Penguins rental player at last years trade deadline, Alex Ponikarovsky, has signed a one-year contract worth a reported $3 million. Ponikarovsky, who was originally drafted in the fourth round (87th overall) in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, stands 6’4” and weighs in [...]

Vancouver Canucks sign RFA Mason Raymond

Posted on July 26, 2010 by Nucks IceMan

It was announced today that the Canucks have re-signed forward Mason Raymond to a two-year deal. In keeping with club policy, terms were not disclosed.

NHLPA Expected To File Grivance Against NHL Today

Posted on July 26, 2010 by MarkRitter

The NHLPA is expected to file a grievance over the Ilya Kovalchuk deal against the NHL today, which, in turn, should get the ball rolling on finding a resolution for the Kovalchuk deal. When the NHL pulled the plug on the Kovalchuk deal (17-years, $102 million), many believed it was just a matter of time [...]

Carolina Hurricanes Training Camp Position Battles to Watch For

Posted on July 23, 2010 by Mark Jones

As a summer of surprises around the NHL rolls on, the Carolina Hurricanes have begun to quietly fill out their roster. All of the Hurricanes’ restricted free agents heading into the offseason have been signed. In addition, 15 players have been inked to one-way contracts for the upcoming season. However, with nearly $12 million left [...]

12 NHL Goalies That Must Step It Up For The 2010-11 Season

Posted on July 22, 2010 by MarkRitter

The 2009-10 NHL season saw a lot of otherwise unknown goaltenders establish themselves as the go-to netminders for their respective teams. Jonathan Quick in Los Angeles, Michael Leighton in Philadelphia and Jimmy Howard in Detroit all had excellent seasons, followed by more than respectable playoff runs. With the 2010-11 season just a few months away, [...]

Ritter’s Rant: More On The Kovalchuk Saga- Who’s Laughing Now?

Posted on July 22, 2010 by MarkRitter

Despite all the whining coming from New Jersey Devils fans, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and the NHL were completely within their rights to deem Ilya Kovalchuk’s 17-year, $102 million contract null and void. While on the surface Kovalchuk’s deal is not much different than the likes of Rick Dipietro, Roberto Luongo or Alex Ovechkin’s contract, [...]

The Re-Making of the Canucks Third and Fourth Lines

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Nucks IceMan

I realize that this process of re-building the third and fourth lines is not complete, as that will not be finished until the season actually begins, but the signings of some of these players is puzzling

Ilya Kovalchuk Deal Rejected By The NHL: What Now?

Posted on July 20, 2010 by MarkRitter

Just when you thought the Ilya Kovalchuk saga was over… here we go again! With the 17-year, $102 million deal between the New Jersey Devils and unrestricted free agent super star Ilya Kovalchuk being thrown in the toilet, many Devils fans are wondering what Kovalchuk’s future will be with the club? It appears as if [...]

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