Where Goon meets Glitz, from the Ice to the Armchair, balanced and objective hockey analysis and reporting.
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Boston Bruins: Sweeney, Neely, and the brain trust attempt to move the needle
As expected, despite the excitement provoked by the centennial celebrations, the 2023–24 Boston Bruins effectively had a bridge year. It was about as productive of a bridge season as you can get, with them landing in second place in the Atlantic Division and fourth in the Eastern Conference, and, as has become tradition, defeating Toronto… Read more
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Calgary Flames: How To Build A New Foundation
The 2023-24 season was the second consecutive disappointing season for the Calgary Flames. In my analysis of their 2023 offseason, I highlighted the transition from Brad Treliving and Darryl Sutter to Craig Conroy and Ryan Huska as a sign of optimism for the Flames to move forward from an underwhelming 2022-23 campaign that saw… Read more
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Anaheim Ducks: Bound For the (Cap) Floor
As was the practice for last year, Christian will be covering the majority of the Western Conference teams and I will take on the East, but with us covering each other’s teams for reasons of impartiality. As such, I kick things off by writing about the Ducks while he will take on the Flyers when… Read more
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Productivity expectations for Matvei Michkov in his rookie NHL season based upon statistical trends
Today marks the first anniversary of our first full day of operations as a brand. With that in mind, I figured it was fitting to commemorate the occasion by profiling my favorite team’s incoming franchise cornerstone yet again – but with a more comprehensive angle. It also fits that we will be dealing with two… Read more
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The ten-year Canucks odyssey, part IV and epilogue: The later Gillis years – Disintegration and aftermath
The 2011-12 Canucks campaign began with a shuffled deck. Mike Gillis and the front office were unable to come to terms on a new contract with Christian Ehrhoff, so his negotiating rights were traded three days ahead of the beginning of the free agency period to the New York Islanders in exchange for a fourth… Read more
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The ten year Canucks odyssey, part III: The early Gillis era – Success, some controversy, and chaos
Mike Gillis’ first offseason as Canucks GM in the leadup to the 2008–09 season was an intriguing one. He hired an alumnus of the club, Ryan Walter (who also had playing success with the Capitals and Canadiens, winning the Stanley Cup with the latter), as an assistant coach on Alain Vigneault’s staff despite the fact… Read more