Stanley Cup Preview

I'm glad to see to two great hockey towns go at it. I would have been disgusted to see either the Penguins or the Kings in the final.

These aren't just two hockey teams who are on fire, but two teams who were the focus point of NHL headlines during the regular season. Chicago with the big win streak, and Boston with the terrorist attack. #BostonStrong vs. #Unbeatable. Of course Chicago eventually lost a game in regulation, but that was the best regulation point streak we have seen since the Orange and Black had their record breaking 35 games without being beaten in regulation.

After Boston fans witnessed a terrorist attack on their own soil, at their infamous Boston Marathon, hockey took a back seat in Boston for a few days. Eventually, Boston would get back on their feet and resume Bruins hockey. And here they are, in the Stanley Cup final once again. If this was a normal playoff for the Bruins, they would have given up after falling to a 4-1 Maple Leafs lead in game 7. Magically, they didn't and marked one of the greatest comebacks in Stanley Cup Playoff history.

Bruins will most likely be the favorites in this series, but not by much.

Although Boston just swept Crosby and the Penguins, I still feel that Chicago will have an extra boost coming into the start of this series.

1. They passed the "Quick" test.

Every hockey fan knows that Los Angeles Kings wouldn't have a Stanley Cup without Jonathan Quick. After having another fabulous playoff,  Chicago was able to beat one of the best in the game. Rask won't be any easier, but I feel Chicago has faced tougher goaltending than the Bruins in the last series.

2. The Kane factor

While the Bruins have their stars scoring and often lately, Chicago's top scorer is just getting things going. After being a non factor throughout the Wild and Red Wings series, Patrick Kane is starting to find his groove after a hat trick in game 5. That has to scare Bruins fans considering they have won up to this point without their top scorer actively producing.

It won't be easy for Patrick Kane, as he will be going up against Chara and Bergeron. Chara and Bergeron were able to keep Malkin, Crosby, Iginla, Morrow, Neal, Kunitz, and Letang scoreless through 4 games.
However, it will be a little tougher for Boston, as they will have to pick their poison with who they want to target. All 4 lines have been going really strong for the Hawks, with surprising strong play from Bickell, Handzus, and Shaw.

My Prediction?

Hawks in 7.

What's yours?


Philly Hockey

Does Jonathan Bernier make sense for the Flyers?

What's Flyers hockey without goalie controversy? According to Bob Mackenzie of TSN, the Flyers will likely buy out Ilya Bryzgalov. If he is bought out along with Daniel Briere, the Flyers will get about 12 million in cap space back. The question is, who will be the 2nd goaltender?

Restricted free agent Jonathan Bernier is one who draws a lot of attention. The former 11th  overall pick is only 24, backing up Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick in recent years. Given his recent role, he likely wants a shot to start elsewhere. I doubt LA will try to sign him, with Jonathan quick signed till 2023. Given his solid play as a backup, an NHL team will be confident enough to give him money as a starting goaltender.

The question is, how do the Flyers pry him away from LA? There's two ways they could get him.

1. They could send him an offer sheet.

This could be more efficient for Homer. He doesn't want to give up Schenn, or Couturier and is probably willing to give up some compensation. I could see Homer throwing a 3 year, around 3 million a year contract at Bernier. He would accept the offer, knowing he would have a better shot at a starting job, plus the increased payroll. I cant see the Kings marching the offer, with Quick already solidifying the crease. It wouldn't make sense to plug a 3 million dollar goaltender as your backup. This would likely cost Philadelphia a 2nd round pick. The only problem is, we would have to wait another 7 days, which is enough time for other targeted goaltenders to be signed to other teams.

Option 2: Acquire Bernier via trade.

One of the Kings weaknesses in their recent playoff run was scoring goals.  It seems they were always playing in a low scoring, close game. Jonathan Quick had another great playoff, but he can only carry that team so far. They aren't going to want to lose Bernier for nothing. I would think they would start off negotiations with at least Matt Read on the table. If other teams begin to up the price, Homer might need to do a little better than Matt Read. Whether its draft picks, or one of the organizations limited prospects, my gut tells me Matt Read won't get the job done.

While Matt Read isn't getting younger, he still can be capable as 40+ point player for another couple of years. I'm sure Holmgren will see how much money Read will ask for, who is a UFA after the 2013-2014 season. If the price is a little too hefty for Holmgren, there's a great chance he is dealt this summer.

Can you imagine Steve Mason and Jonathan Bernier in a battle for the #1 spot?

Philly Hockey


Prospect Profile: Ryan Pulock, Defenseman of The Brandon Wheat Kings

Height: 6 feet, 1 inches Weight: 211 pounds

Right Handed shot. Plays Like: Mike Green Projected NHL role: 1st PP unit, 1st-2nd pair defensemen. North America Ranking: #12

After losing Chris Pronger to injury, the Flyers have been coveting a heavy shot from the point. Holmgren tried to replace him with Shea Weber, but Nashville matched the massive contract. The best Homer could do was Kurtis Foster, who will likely be lost to free agency in the Summer. Ryan Pulock is the real deal when it comes to this need.

With his slapper clocked in at 100 mph, Pulock will likely be living on a top Powerplay unit for many years in the NHL. He's not the biggest defender, but he is responsible in his own end and rarely makes a mistake with the puck. He isn't afraid to be Physical, but he's not going to pulverize you. He can play a lot of minutes and in just about any situation of the game.

At mid-season he was ranked #6 among North American skaters, but fell to #12 after a wrist injury forced him to miss the World Juniors and the Top Prospects game. The only concern people have is his +/- and point drop in the past year. (See stats below) most believe this is due to the teams failure to finish better than last in the WHL standings.

Puck moving defensemen are tough to find via trade, or Free agency. I think the Flyers best bet is to draft one. While they will look to see if Darnell Nurse or Rasmus Ristolainen is there, Ryan Pulock could be next on their list when it comes to defensemen. Although the Flyers would like an immediate impact, it is probably best for Pulock to wait a year or two to join the NHL.

http://youtu.be/WvQhCyFhSXU

Philly Hockey