The Fifth Liners

Unless there is some kind of minor miracle at 2015 NHL Draft this Sunday, the Edmonton Oilers are set to select Connor McDavid at the first overall pick. His selection was highly sought after for all NHL sides last season. Maple Leafs fans in particular were fervent supporters of 'Tank Nation' which celebrated each loss which brought them closer to the chance to select the Ontario native. When Edmonton won the first pick from the NHL Draft lottery, many fans expressed disappointment of the Oilers once again getting this selection. Particularly as it seemed it has become a little too familiar with the same underwhelming results being produced. The hype around McDavid has been at fever pitch for some time, many experts have already compared him to legends Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux ! His OHL jersey has already been selling for a pretty penny at auctions and many are convinced he is already a superstar. But in the midst of this hullabaloo, many seem to be forgetting one v...

Hello fellow hockey fans! As Mike mentioned previous I am currently on Vacation in Canada for hockey season. I have recently left a wonderful 2 day trip to Toronto where a visit to the hockey hall of fame was made (Picture of me with the Stanley Cup will be up soon!) And last night in eating in none other than Wayne Gretzky's restaurant, where four games of hockey were played at once (did feel slightly like David Bowie in The Man who Fell to Earth). Though I did manage to dazzle a Sharks fan called Pat with hockey (if you read this mate- it was great speaking to you!) En route to Montreal now where I shall most likely be viewing Penguins v Flyers as the Habs are not playing. I'll also have the pleasure of watching Rangers v Kings at MSG when I reach New York on Nov 17 and finally Leafs v Islanders last the ACC on November 19. Will keep you update your on my travels in due course, until then take care and live large :-) Alex

We can all admit that it's a bit of a slow news week in the NHL. The most interesting thing to happen was that Giroux was sidelined by a freak golf club accident. Then Bleacher Report's James Onusko raised the question about introducing the Wayne Gretzky award. We then decided that a point/counterpoint argument was required. Alex drew the short straw (because it was my idea) and will talk to you about why it's a bad idea. Meanwhile I'll praise the idea of a Wayne Gretzky award. Mike's Reasons For: Gretzky is a legend. OK now that's established, let's look at the other reasons why the NHL should bring this award in. Ice hockey is a team game. A lot of the current awards reflect outstanding individual performance, which is great but almost every great goal comes from a great assist. Gretzky got 1,963 assists in his career. A record never bested. Ron Francis is second highest and his total is over 700 less than The Great One.  Behind every...

As I awoke from my slumber on this cloudy and possibly rainsoaked Manchester morning, I found Mike's question of the week sitting in my phone, which read thusly, "Imagine if you will, a Seven Days In Hockey Hall Of Fame. Sounds like plan. But there's a catch. You can only have one player of each nationality.Which do you pick and why?" This will be quite possibly the toughest question I have ever faced! So as always, let's go to war!! To the other talent players left out of this list- its not a personal, I just didnt have space! Seven Days in Hockey Hall of Fame Canada Wayne Gretzky : We'll start with the most obvious candidate in our hall of fame- The Great One's achievements are the ones that we mere mortals only dream about and during his glorious 21 Year career which took in four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers, LA Kings , St Louis Blues and the New York Rangers , he held over 60 hockey records at the time of his retirement, including...

Whilst in the midst of a busy workday this saturday just gone, Mike pointed out a fact which is not only fascinating but deeply puzzling, he said "You know a Canadian team hasn't lifted the cup for 20 years?" This is a damn good point and one that ultimately leaves us baffled- but what is the reason for this current drought? Let's have a look in more detail, Cast your mind back to the night of June 9th 1993 where the Montreal Canadiens swept aside a Wayne Gretzky inspired Los Angeles Kings by four games to ones to claim their 24th Stanley Cup win and as Habs Captain Guy Carbonneau hoisted the cup at the Montreal Forum, little did we know that this would the be the last time to date that a Canadian team would be engraved on the trophy!  Since then the cup has been an all American affair and in between these twenty years we have seen four deserved wins by Detroit Red Wings , three Scott Stevens inspired cup wins by the New Jersey Devils and two cup wins each b...

With John Tortorella on the unemployment list, the rumour mill is currently churning out the various names to replace him as Head Coach of the New York Rangers, but as of yesterday according to NHL.Com , two very unlikely candidates have been forwarded in the form of Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier , who according to various New York sources have expressed an interest in the role! Both are undisputed legends of the playing game, both have donned the blue Ranger shirts at different stages of their career, but so far only 'The Great One' has ventured into management with a brief stint in charge of the Phoenix Coyote's in 2005. Messier is still a true favourite of the Broadway Blue faithful and currently serves as Special Adviser to Rangers GM Glen Sather! So could the Rangers have an icon standing on the bench anytime soon? There has been no comment from Glen Sather on this matter yet but it has been confirmed that Dallas Eakins , who is coach of Minor League Toronto Ma...