They’re some of the most hated… and loved players in hockey. They are often the topics of discussion, the creators of controversy and most often the most misunderstood role players in a hockey team.
They are the fighters. Names like Sean Avery, Georges Laraque, Rob Ray, Bob Probert are synonymous with classic NHL video highlight reels.
Recently in the AIHL (Australian Ice Hockey League) there was a fight in a game between the Gold Coast Blue Tongues and the Western Sydney Ice Dogs. Import player for the Blue Tongues Bryan Lachance was target and finally let it fly. Lachance comes from the LNAH in Canada (Quebec Radio X) where he has set a name for himself as a quality legit fighter.
In the fight last weekend however the fight turned a nasty shade of dirty when Lachance, who had clearly won the fight dropped the guy to the ground and continued to punch him. That’s not where the real issue lies though. After the Ice Dog went down, Lachance proceeded to pull his hair and knee him. The Refs either failed to see it, or chose not to do anything about it.
The question however is simply, when someone is a fighter of Lachances calibre, why would they need to resort to such disgusting behaviour? It disgraces not just the player, but also the team.
Latest hockey videos added to 2 Minutes For Hockey on Thursday 10 July, 2008. Videos include interviews, fights, commercials and a truly amazing clip - goalie helmet cam!
The man once voted as the “most hated man in the NHL” is coming to Dallas, and he plans to bring a winning spirit with him. Sean Avery has been signed by the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League. Avery is considered the NHL’s best agitator; a player designed to get under the skin of opposing players.
The Stars made it to the Western Conference Finals last year and were just 2 wins from making the Stanley Cup Finals. Avery brings with him a big body and winning spirit that he plans to use to help push the Stars to another Stanley Cup.
One thing’s for sure, this coming season opposing teams wont get away with physical play so easily. Already fans of the Dallas Stars are looking forward to matchups between the Stars and Nashville Predators (due to the Jordan Tootoo issue last season) or the Detroit Red Wings (major rivalry issues there).
Todd Bertuzzi will be shopping for a place to live after the Calgary Flames signed him to a 1 year $1.95 million contract today. Bertuzzi, who had 14G 26A for 40Pts last season for the Anaheim Ducks brings a solid power-forward role to the Flames.
Other moves around the NHL:
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed center R.J. Umberger to a 4-year deal. Umberger was acquired by the Jackets on June 20 along with a draft pick from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for 2 picks. In 3 years with the NHL, Umberger has scored 49G and 67A. Financial terms were not released.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed RFA Matt Stajan to a 2-year $3.5 million contract on monday. Stajan has scored 56G and 71A in 314 games for the Leafs.
The Carolina Hurricanes have reached a deal with defenseman Dennis Seidenberg for a 1-year $1.2 million contract. Seidenberg played 47 games for the Hurricanes last season and collected 15 assists.
The Philadelphia Flyers have given GM Paul Holmgren a 3-year extension that ensures he stays with the team through 2011-2012.
We added a selection of interviews to 2 Minutes For Hockey today including interviews with NHL draftees and the much talked about feud between Kevin Lowe and Brian Burke.
Across the NHL there are 15 players going to arbitration this off-season.
Washington Capitals: Brooks Laich & Shaone Morrisonn Minnesota Wild: Pierre-Marc Bouchard & Stephane Veilleux Boston Bruins: Dennis Wideman Carolina Hurricanes: Chad LaRose Colorado Avalanche: Marek Svatos Florida Panthers: Jay Bowmeester New York Islanders: Sean Bergenheim New York Rangers: Dan Fritsche Ottawa Senators: Antoine Vermette St Louis Blues: Jay McClement San Jose Sharks: Marcel Goc Detroit Red Wings: Valtteri Filppula Nashville Predators: Ville Koistinen
Arbitration hearings will take place between July 20 and August 4.
Each year the NHL provides us with video clips that will forever belong in highlight reels and best-of compilations. This year was no different. Possibly the greatest clip this last season however belonged to Mike Modano of the Dallas Stars. Going into the season he trailed Phil Housley in points, and as each game passed he moved closer to the moment that would place Modano in the elite group of “greatest” players. On November 11, 2007 he finally did it, scoring an amazing breakaway goal on Evgeni Nabokov of the San Jose Sharks. Below is the clip of that goal.
After nearly 20 years in the NHL, Jaromir Jagr has decided to leave the NHL to play for team Avangard Omsk in Russia. The move comes just a day after splitting from the New York Rangers.
In his career in the NHL Jagr has put up phenominal numbers, collecting 646 Goals, 953 Assists for 1599 Points in 1273 Games, better than a point a game over his NHL career, which has seen him play for 3 teams; Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers.
“It was the toughest decision in my life, hockeywise. … No question about it. I hate making changes,” Jagr told The Canadian Press. - Yahoo! Sports
Other action around the league saw a number of players change homes.
A day after the San Jose Sharks acquired Rob Blake on the blue line, they have acquired another top defenseman in a 4-player trade. The Sharks acquired Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenseman Matt Carle, prospect Ty Wishart, a 2009 first-round pick and a 2010 fourth-round pick. The Sharks also acquired 2nd round Draft picks in 2009 and 2010 from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Craig Rivet and a 2010 7th round pick.
The Vancouver Canucks acquired a replacement forward for Markus Naslund today by acquiring Steve Bernier from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a 3rd round pick in the 2009 draft and a 2nd round pick in 2010.
The Pittsburgh Penguins showed their faith in their goalie today by locking up M.A. Fleury to a 7 year, $35 Million dollar deal.
Todd Bertuzzi will be shopping for a place to live after the Calgary Flames signed him to a 1 year $1.95 million contract today. Bertuzzi, who had 14G 26A for 40Pts last season for the Anaheim Ducks brings a solid power-forward role to the Flames.
Enjoy! Leave Commen
After nearly 20 years in the NHL, Jaromir Jagr has decided to leave the NHL to play for team Avangard Omsk in Russia. The move comes just a day after splitting from the New York Rangers.
