Puck Daddy - NHL

Here are your Evening Puck Headlines and Previews: A glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media.

Preview: Edmonton Oilers at Detroit Red Wings (7:30 p.m. EST; TV: RSW, FSD). Oilers Coach Craig MacTavish publicly disgraced forward Dustin Penner after benching him recently, saying among other things that Penner is "not competitive enough or fit enough to help us, so why put him back in? He's never been fit enough to help us." Ouch. He's not going to play in Detroit tonight, either. Hell of a five-year, $21.25 million restricted free agent signing, eh? Yet according to David Staples of Cult of Hockey, Penner might have reason to believe he's been set up to fail by his coach. Could this be a bold bit of psychology, or did the coach cross the line? Either way, we somehow believe the Oilers' admission that Penner's been a disappointment won't bring Kevin Lowe and Brian Burke any closer together.

• Mark Spector of Sportsnet wonders if the ax will fall on MacTavish or Mike Keenan first for their team's underachieving seasons. Either way, we're going to be losing a quote machine. [Sportsnet]

• Barry Melrose is out. Rick Tocchet has improved his ice time. And now Steven Stamkos has been elevated to the wing with Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. So long, excuses -- it's now Calder or bust, so to speak. [Lightning Strikes]

Preview: Ottawa Senators at New York Rangers (7 p.m. EST; TV: MSG, RSN). Wade Redden faces his old teammates from Ottawa, who no doubt hope to see the kind of stalwart defense he provided them in his last few seasons with the Sens. Coach Craig Hartsburg held one-on-one meetings with Ottawa players; sometimes you need that warm, personal brand of drill sergeant bellowing to get your point across.

Marc-Andre Fleury is injured and day-to-day for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Which means the Puck Daddy fantasy team is down to two Thrashers goalies not named Kari between the pipes. Sigh. [NHL]

• Where does Barry Melrose end up next? Our guess: "Top Chef." They could always use more ham on that show. [Puck the Media]

• Inside the strange, somewhat surreal decision by Doug Gilmour to leave the Toronto Maple Leafs organization to become head coach of the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs. "There is no way to call this to a hockey move. The only way to feel good about it is if Gilmour is trying out the coaching side before he buys the team lock, stock and barrel. Otherwise, this is intended to keep the diehards from organizing a Bring Your Own Pitchfork night at the K-Rock Centre."  [Out of Left Field]

Preview: Vancouver Canucks at New York Islanders (7 p.m. EST; TV: RSW, MSG). If you're at Nassau tonight and you see some inebriated Irish dude sitting in really good but really cheap seats he purchased online, taunting anyone within shouting distance about how none of these players "can carry Max Talbot's jock," then please buy Leahy a beer, will ya?

• After Scott Clemmensen started two games against the Capitals last weekend. New Jersey Devils Coach Brent Sutter refused to specify a starter for the Devils' game on Thursday against Florida. Or, alas, offer a third option of "none of the above." [Fire & Ice]

• With Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals have two players in the NHL's "Three Stars of the Week" for the first time in franchise history. Then again, the NHL's only been doing this since 2006. We bet Kelly Miller and Mike Ridley totally could have qualified back in the day. [On Frozen Blog]

• For no other reason than this is a rather cool piece of sports photography:

Preview: Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs (7:30 p.m. EST; TV: VS, RSN). These two teams have already played twice, splitting games back in Boston. The Bruins have earned at least a point in 10 of their 12 games up in Toronto. Tim Thomas is likely to get the nod between the pipes.

• The Dallas Stars placed B.J. Crombeen on waivers today. We assume for more reasons than that his name sounds like a coffee shop for adorable children. [Dallas Stars]

• Over in the NCAA, The River Hawk blog gives the "Ham-n-Egger of the Weak" award to goalie Matt DiGirolamo of UNH after he gave up 15 (!) goals in one weekend. "This is like kicking a cycloptic, three-legged puppy who recently lost its tail and sense of smell in a terrible accident involving a wheat thresher." [River Hawk]

Preview: San Jose Sharks at Nashville Predators (8 p.m. EST; TV: CSBA). Despite his playing some pretty poor goaltending last night in Chicago, David Pollack of the Mercury News assumes that Brian Boucher will be back between the pipes based on today's practice. It'll be hard for the Sharks to top their game against the Blackhawks for sheer unpredictability; can Dan Ellis top his insanely good performance against the Sharks during the Preds' West Coast sweep?

• Finally, we have no idea about the context or the teams or the date of his YouTube clip, but one thing is clear: This dude talking smack in the penalty box just got shown up by his own backup goalie. Snap!

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29 Comments

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  1. Journeyman
    1. Posted by Journeyman Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    After the interview Craig MacTavish went to Dustin Penner's house and slapped his girlfriend and kicked his dog.
  2. The Great One
    2. Posted by The Great One Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    Teams in the video are 67's and Battalion in the OHL.
  3. Death by Leafs
    3. Posted by Death by Leafs Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:16 pm EDT

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    Poor Penner. Not his fault he opted out of Gary Roberts' gym, and instead decided to "work out" with Kyle Wellwood...
  4. Earl Sleek
    4. Posted by Earl Sleek Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:50 pm EDT

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    "With Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals have two players in the NHL's "Three Stars of the Week" for the first time in franchise history."
    Of course, when they give that award to eastern teammates, they each get their own slot.
  5. Death by Leafs
    5. Posted by Death by Leafs Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:16 pm EDT

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    #2 - actually i think its remparts & mooseheads fromt he q.. check out the french ads on the boards
  6. knucklehead
    6. Posted by knucklehead Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    Ouch! Owned by your goalie in front of the whole world.....Ughh!!
  7. Sobu
    7. Posted by Sobu Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:31 pm EDT

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    Based on last night and the previous matchup, I predict that there will be at least 8 lead changes in the Sharks-Preds matchup.
    If Boucher makes another boneheaded mistake leading to a Nashville goal, the score keeper might float the idea of giving him an assist.
  8. Sobu
    8. Posted by Sobu Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:31 pm EDT

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    I hope the Sharks win tonight. That will put them 25% of the way to winning more games than my hometown NFL, MLB and NCAA Football team combined.
    The though is making me giddy.
    If you haven't guessed, I live in Seattle, and the magic number to out do my city's Pro sports record from April to mid-November 2008 is 63. (Mariners 61-101, Seahawks 2-8, Huskies 0-8)
  9. Jason
    9. Posted by Jason Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:14 pm EDT

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    If MacTavish is looking to blame someone for Penner not living up to his contract he should look no further than his GM, who was dumb enough to give him an offer sheet for a ridiculous contract that was well outside of what Penner was worth.
  10. James S
    10. Posted by James S Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:02 pm EDT

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    What is obvious is the Six Canadian teams are having alot of trouble signing the better free agents, so teams like Edmonton and Montreal need to over pay for questionable talent, hoping the player comes through. The Habs paid 4.5 million for Robert Lang, that says it all.
  11. John W
    11. Posted by John W Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:39 pm EDT

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    Penner has played a lot of good hockey in his career. I've always thought he should be utilized as a Knuble or a Holmstrom around the front of the net on power plays. It's up the coach to see how to utilize the talent given to him by management. Carlisle down in Anaheim got a lot out of Penner. Perhaps the Oilers coach needs to use a little introspection before he called out his player.
  12. carl_vs_mastershake
    12. Posted by carl_vs_mastershake Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:18 pm EDT

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    "This is like kicking a cycloptic, three-legged puppy who recently lost its tail and sense of smell in a terrible accident involving a wheat thresher." Greg hire the blogger from River Hawk. I would much rather read his dishonorable mentions for the 3 Stars of the Night wrap up segment.
    Plus it would give Ross McKeon more time to buy slacks at LL Bean.
  13. MJ touched hearts and kiddies private parts
    13. Posted by MJ touched hearts and kiddies private parts Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:52 pm EDT

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    I bet Brian Burke has got to be loving this Penner debacle. I have a feeling that McTavish would have likes that $21 million thrown in another direction. Why has it taken him 2 years to speak out if he maintains that Penner has NEVER been fit enough to help them, or hungry enough to prove himself a top tier talent.
    Sometimes mistakes are made when you ry and predict the next 5 years based on one, and in Penner's case, his only NHL season.
    Burke 1 Lowe 0
  14. Bubbabanjo
    14. Posted by Bubbabanjo Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:05 pm EDT

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    Naaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh Melrose will get a starring role in a remake of Newhart where he will play the 2nd Darryl brother. I see a roaring success! "Hi I'm Larry and the is my brother Darryl and my other brother Barry.....errr Darryl".
    Wyshynski you stink!
  15. big audio
    15. Posted by big audio Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:04 pm EDT

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    Henrik Lundquist, as good as it gets.
    Sorry, Wysh. It had to be said.
    Your poor cigar.
  16. The Legend
    16. Posted by The Legend Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 pm EDT

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    Maybe Versus will hire Melrose to get a decent hockey analyst...oh wait, he wasn't good at that either.
  17. Peeler
    17. Posted by Peeler Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:02 pm EDT

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    Melrose to Ottawa.....it's gonna happen.....
  18. Panda God
    18. Posted by Panda God Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:59 pm EDT

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    @ James S.- That doesn't quite say it all, but Finger in Toronto for 3.5m/yr x 4 should cap it off quite nicely.
  19. Fin-atic
    19. Posted by Fin-atic Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:25 pm EDT

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    Penner is a classic example of people looking for the next "someone else". A guy plays a decent season or 2 with good talent around him and all of a sudden some idiot GM offers him a big contract and he's off to another city where he'll fail to meet expectations. He's mediocre at best Greg, don't waste anymore space on him. As for the Sharks - I love em, but I'm going to wait and see if they're still around by Conf. final time before I talk smack. I've been burned too many times the last few seasons. How about Setoguchi though?
  20. Mike C
    20. Posted by Mike C Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:13 pm EDT

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    18. Posted by Peeler Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:37 pm EST
    Melrose to Ottawa.....it's gonna happen.....
    Yeah, the same day the NHL decides to replace its players with cheap Mexican labor (which coincidentally, is also the same day Gary Bettman's house -uh, I mean hell- freezes over...)
    Shame on any NHL team who considers Melrose as a viable coaching option.
  21. Geoffrey S
    21. Posted by Geoffrey S Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:37 pm EDT

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    "A guy plays a decent season or 2 with good talent around him and all of a sudden some idiot GM offers him a big contract and he's off to another city where he'll fail to meet expectations."
    *cough* Ryan Malone *cough*
  22. Doogie
    22. Posted by Doogie Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    @6: The 67s have a distinctive uniform, and if the game was in Ottawa, then the boards would definitely have French board ads, since it's a government-designated bilingual city (being the capital and all).
  23. Kevin S
    23. Posted by Kevin S Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:04 pm EDT

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    So now are the Islanders finally going to get a little respect after that game against Luongo and Vancouver? Anyone? Anyone? Beuller?
    Joe Mcdonald had a save
    EI EI O
    And on this save he had some poke
    EI EI O
    Here a poke
    There a poke
    everywhere a poke check
    I S L E S
  24. Kevin S
    24. Posted by Kevin S Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:04 pm EDT

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    RE The pic of Legace above:
    Did he trip on the RED goal line?
    ST. Louis goaltenders should watch out for red things on the ice.
  25. Peeler
    25. Posted by Peeler Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:02 pm EDT

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    Mike C----apparently you aren't in tune to the US economy over the last decade......But you're right.....Melrose woun't want to work for over achiever choke artists

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