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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).
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.
As the NHL Free Agency market looms only hours ahead, there has been a steady increase in activity around the league. Today we cover the latest trades, signings and rumors.
NHL Trades:
The Edmonton Oilers have done a trade with the L.A. Kings, which sends Lubimir Visnovsky (D) to the Oilers in exchange for Jarret Stoll (F) and Matt Greene (D).
Tampa Bay have acquired the rights to Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts from the Penguins, and also Brian Rolston of the Minnesota Wild.
NHL Signings:
The Dallas Stars have signed Loui Eriksson (F) to a 2-year extension.
Boston Bruins have signed Mark Stuart (D) to a 2-year extension.
Carolina Hurricanes signed forward, Tuomo Ruutu to a 1-year, $2.25 Million contract.
Nashville Predators signed Dan Ellis (G) to a 2-year $3.5 Million contract, and also Shae Weber to a 3-year $13.5 Million contract.
Ottawa Senators re-signed Chris Kelly (C) to a 4 year contract.
Moves:
Ottawa Senators placed Ray Emery on Waivers, then bought him out, making Emery a free agent.
Anaheim Ducks placed Todd Bertuzzi (F) on waivers, with plans to buy him out.
Toronto Maple Leafs bought out Andrew Raycroft (G)
Rumors:
Philadelphia Flyers are rumored to have signed Jeff Carter (C) to a 3-year $13.5 Million contract.
Calgary Flames are rumored to have locked up Conroy (C), Langkow (C), Nystrom (LW) and McElhinney (G).
Brooks Orpik is rumoured to be looking to the free agency market instead of re-signing with the Penguins.
After a conference low 71 points last season, the Los Angeles Kings have given head coach Marc Crawford his marching orders.
Crawford, who’s record over his 2 seasons with the Kings is a dismal 59-84-21. Last season the Kings tied with Eastern Conference bottom feeders, the Tampa Bay Lightning on points.
“In the end it just comes down to fit,” Lombardi said in a conference call Tuesday afternoon. “It’s just a gut call on fit.” - Yahoo! Sports
In a division that includes strong teams such as the Dallas Stars, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks, the Kings need to do far better to compete.
The Detroit Red Wings went in to todays game against the Dallas Stars as a team on a roll. They had won 9 straight, and they had the comforting knowledge that Dallas netminder, Marty Turco, appears to have issues defeating the boys in red.
The Red Wings expected to leave todays game with a berth in the Stanley Cup finals.
It wasn’t to be.
The Dallas Stars proved today they can compete with the high flying Red Wings. They proved they can outskate, outpass, outshoot and outplay them, and after 60 grueling minutes, Marty Turco and the Dallas Stars left the rink 3-1 victors.
This win gives the Stars a major boost going into the must-win game 5 back in Detroit. Most importantly however it gives the confidence of Marty Turco and the rest of the Stars squad a shot of nitro.
Loui Eriksson opened the scoring in the closing seconds of the 2nd period. The Wings struck back 49 seconds into the third but it wasn’t to last. Mike Modano scored what was to become the Game-winner and Brenden Morrow added the insurance goal to round out the scorers.
Game 5 in the series is on Saturday at 1:30pm EDT.
As the NHL Free Agency market looms only hours ahead, there has been a steady increase in activity around the league. Today we cover the latest trades, signings and rumors.
After a conference low 71 points last season, the Los Angeles Kings have given head coach Marc Crawford his marching orders.
The Detroit Red Wings went in to todays game against the Dallas Stars as a team on a roll. They had won 9 straight, and they had the comforting knowledge that Dallas netminder, Marty Turco, appears to have issues defeating the boys in red.
This win gives the Stars a major boost going into the must-win game 5 back in Detroit. Most importantly however it gives the confidence of Marty Turco and the rest of the Stars squad a shot of nitro.
