The Fifth Liners

This article was first published on the4thlinepodcast.com on 19/02/2018. The men’s round robin part of the hockey tournament has just finished, and the women’s competition is well into the knockout stages. It’s time to step back and reflect on some of the lessons learned in the first rounds at Pyongchang 2018 Winter Olympics. It’s OAR’s World, We Just Live In It It’s no hot take to say the Olympic Athletes of Russia team are good. Despite restrictions on NHL players, the OAR coaches had the pick of the KHL’s finest, a lot of whom have considerable NHL experience, including two-time Stanley Cup winners  Slava Voynov  and  Pavel Datsyuk , also zero-time cup winner  Ilya Kovalchuk . Datsyuk has worn the C in each game and is proving a capable leader, while the rest of the old guard are doing a solid job supporting the younger players. Kirill Kaprizov scored a hat trick in game 2, and Kovalchuk already has five points. The bookie’s favourites, OAR dominated ...

This article was originally published on the4thlinepodcast.com The 1974 NHL expansion was a mistake. The WHA, the NHL's strongest competitor was reaching its stride and draining the pool of available talent. A common theme we've seen with the previous expansions is that new teams struggle in their debut seasons, none more so than the two teams that joined the NHL in 1974. 1974 Kansas City Scouts Kansas City has a tradition of minor league hockey stretching as far back as the mid 1920s. That's something the city should hold on to as its tradition of NHL hockey is as brief as it is forgettable. The team now known as the New Jersey Devils started its NHL campaign in Kansas City in 1974, before upping and leaving after just two miserable seasons. And those two seasons were truly miserable. Not the worst ever, that award goes to our next team, but pretty bad. In the Scouts' first season, the team went 15-54-11, finishing fifth (last) in the Smythe Division. T...

This article was first posted on  the4thlinepodcast.com In the first article in this series, we looked at the NHL’s 1967 expansion, when the league doubled in size. 1970 brought the addition of two new NHL teams, and the divisions were shuffled. The Chicago Black Hawks (the name change came in 1986) moved over to the West, making space in the East division for the new boys. 1970 Vancouver Canucks The history of the Vancouver Canucks effectively starts in 1945, but ice hockey in BC’s largest city goes back much further than that. The Millionaires (later renamed The Maroons) represented Vancouver in the PCHA and WCHL for 15 years, and in that time brought home the Stanley Cup. A feat that to date, has not been repeated in Vancouver. In 1915 the winners of the PCHA and NHA competed for the cup, the Millionaires defeated the NHA’s Ottawa Senators (the original Senators) to lift the cup for the first and only time. In 1926 the team folded. Fast forward 19 years and hockey ret...

By Alex Watson This article was originally published on the4thlinepodcast.com Being number two is always a hard job, but someone’s gotta do it. These backup goalies might not get the same acclaim as Carey Price or Henrik Lundqvist, but they are still essential. Some members on this list have a case to be starting for their respective teams. Here are the NHL’s top 5 backup goalies. 1. Matt Murray: Pittsburgh Penguins Windsor, Ontario native Matt Murray was instrumental in helping Pittsburgh win last years’ Stanley Cup.  After an injury to Marc-Andre Fleury, Murray stepped in and finished with an impressive 21-15-6 record and a 2.08 GAA. Some might argue Murray should have been awarded the Conn Smyth for his efforts. Due to the return of Fleury, this guy has been made backup again. He only has 3 appearances under his belt in 2016-17, but the Penguins boast possibly the strongest goaltending in hockey. At only 22, Murray is the heir apparent in Pittsburgh. Let’s hope ...

This article was originally posted on the the4thlinepodcast.com . For a quarter of a century, the NHL was a six team league. As the 1960s rumbled on, the NHL and the ‘original six’ teams decided (or relented, depending on how you look at it) that it was time to expand. Next year the NHL expands again as the Las Vegas Desert , Black , Silver , Something Knights will join, the first expansion team in 16 years. So, ahead of that, we’ll be taking a look at the teams that have joined the league over the years. With the addition of the six new teams, the league was split into the East and West divisions. The East consisted of the ‘original six’, the West of the expansion teams. California Seals The NHL’s expansion into California gave access to two of America’s more populous cities. The California Seals made the move from the Western Hockey League as part of the expansion. This in itself was a bad decision, one of many that would beset the Seals... Click HERE to continue r...

As the NHL season edges ever closer, the Calgary Flames are still missing a vital piece of their team jigsaw. Johnny 'Hockey' Gaudreau is still yet to put pen to paper on signing a new contract.  Currently a restricted free agent, Gaudreau is focusing on his role with team North America in the World Cup of Hockey, but it's unclear if he'll have a role to come back to after the tournament ends.  The Flames' superstar has reached the end of his three-year, entry level deal with Calgary; but as he only played one game in his first year, he's not eligible for unrestricted status. Gaudreau would have had to have played at least 10 games in the NHL or AHL in year one to tick that box. He's ineligible for arbitration for the same reason.  There are a few reasons why Gaudreau is holding out for big money and why it's worth a punt. He's the best skater Calgary has. If you're having flashbacks to 2013's Nazem Kadri hold-out, then y...

News broke recently that Raffi Torres has signed a PTO contract with the Carolina Hurricanes and will attend training camp next month. Torres is an controversial character who's earned nearly twice as many penalty minutes as he has points since joining the NHL way back in the 2001/02 season (260 points, 497 PIM). Drafted by the New York Islanders in 2000, Torres has also plied his trade for the Edmonton Oilers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, Phoenix Coyotes and most recently the San Jose Sharks. As well as a raft of AHL teams. Currently an Unrestricted Free Agent; Torres hasn't played a game in the NHL since October 2015 when he was suspended for 41 games after an illegal check on Jakob Silferberg: Not cool. Who can forget Torres' hit on Marian Hossa that earned him a 25 game suspension? Later reduced to 21 on appeal. So the fella isn't going to win the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy any time soon, but he's still a skater who needs...

In NHL.com's Five Questions With series, Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland admitted be believes that the Wings are not legitimate contenders: "I don't know that there are more than five or six legitimate Stanley Cup contenders; we're probably not in that group." Ken Holland to NHL.com Is this a kick in the teeth for Red Wings fans or a much-needed blast of realism? Is anyone surprised by Holland's words? Probably not. Having been a Red Wing fan for as long as I can remember, I'm under no illusions that the team aren't in the best place for winning Lord Stanley's cup. I'm not even sure we'll make the playoffs. 25 straight playoffs is a solid achievement; but since the Red Wings haven't made it past the Conference Semifinals since the 2008-09 season, that achievement doesn't really count for much as it isn't bringing any silverware home. We haven't made it past the first round in the last three seasons. Let's be hon...

As someone who spends a lot of time in front of a computer, podcasts have become a regular part of my day. Fortunately there are a plethora of NHL and other hockey podcasts available for your listening pleasure, Every so often a new podcast comes along, vying for your valuable ears. The  Garage Hockey Podcast  is one such new venture. Hosted by Felix Sicard, Nick Burger and Joe Burger, this new podcast comes to you 'straight out of a garage in California.' So the name is pretty apt.  The venture is new, i.e. I can't find it on Stitcher yet. I haven't checked iTunes yet but their website doesn't say anything. Rome wasn't built in a day though, and this podcast has promise. Is it worth a listen? Definitely. It's not perfect but it's a solid effort for a first time, it sounds good and there are no dreaded awkward silences.  The subject of the first podcast is " Way Too Early NHL Predictions " which is always a fun subject and prett...

Rick DiPietro (1st overall, New York Islanders 2000) Where better to start on this list than the first ever player selected in the new millennium. Boston College's Rick DiPietro became the second ever goalie to be drafted first overall. His career record of 130-136-31 with 36 shutouts; 2.87 GAA and .907 save percentage from 318 starts might not look too shabby, however, it was far from the type of stardom this young man was supposed to bring the New York Islanders. What is more baffling is the fact that the Isles had so much confidence in this deal, they traded away Roberto Luongo to the Panthers. DiPietro would go on to spend more time in the treatment room than on the ice. Surprisingly this was still enough for Islanders to sign him to a mammoth 15-year deal back in 2006! Soon his injuries took a serious toll on his performance and the Islanders bought him out of his contract in 2013. These days he has taken the Tim Tebow approach into broadcast analysis. Nail Yakupov (1st ...

Well I guess it's official now: "My family and I have decided that it's time to return home" - @Datsyuk13 — Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 18, 2016 Detroit Red Wings superstar forward Pavel Datsyuk will not be returning to the team at the end of the season. I'm sure there isn't a single Red Wings fan on the planet who isn't grateful to Datsyuk for his effort and commitment given to the team in his 14 seasons. Let's not dwell on Datsyuk's decision though, let's take a look at the options that the Red Wings organisation has for handling the $7.5 million cap hit the team will suffer next season. There's been talk of trading Datsyuk's contract to one of the teams that can comfortably absorb it, although at what cost? Ken Holland said he's not optimistic about trading Datsyuk contact but has spoken to teams. The price is high. — Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) June 18, 2016 Then we had this: Hearing contract w...

The Stanley Cup playoffs will soon be over, that means it'll soon be time to announce the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy , awarded to the playoffs' Most Valuable Player. Minty fresh breath. Is the Pittsburgh Penguins' forward Phil Kessel the skater who deserves to win the 2016 Conn Smythe? Kessel has taken a lot of stick over the last few seasons, mainly because he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team capable of making good players look bad.  As many a playoff bracket will attest, the Pens' march to the final took many by surprise. That success owes a lot to Phil Kessel. The former Bruin and Maple Leaf has (so far) played 23 playoff games, scored 10 goals and assisted on 12 more. Statistically he's the man driving the Pens' success, Kessel is leading the team on points with 22. Line-mate Nick Bonino, another contender for the Conn Smythe, has 18 points.  Speaking of which; the Hagelin - Bonino -Kessel line has contributed 20 goals i...

It was announced on Twitter that 2013’s third overall draft pick Jonathan Drouin wants out of Tampa Bay, the situation being described as ‘untenable’ by his agent. It’s probably no coincidence that the statement was released as the 20 year old forward was assigned to the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, although the trade request was made back in November. It’s nice to hear Lightning news that doesn’t involve wild speculation about Steven Stamkos’ future in Toronto , but this isn’t really news. Drouin is in contract until 2017, even then he’ll become a restricted free agent so the Lightning hold the upper hand whatever happens. We can only speculate as to why this trade has been requested, although Drouin’s limited ice-time is probably a factor, and reportedly there’s no love lost between Drouin and Lightning head coach Jon Cooper either. Lack of ice-time is the reason that GM Steve Yzerman sent Drouin down to the AHL, he’s not playing at his best, so the Crunch will give him more g...

The Pittsburgh Penguins have parted ways with coach Mike Johnston and assistant coach Gary Agnew. It was announced today that Johnston and Agnew would be given a whole load more time to spend with their families over the holiday period, after GM Jim Rutherford relieved them of their coaching duties in Pittsburgh, while dressed as Ebenezer Scrooge, I assume. The Penguins have lost six of their last 10 games, three of those in overtime and the team definitely isn't playing up to its potential. Evgeni Malkin is playing well, as is off-season addition Phil Kessel . But that's not enough, the team are ranked 26th on the power play and 27th on team shooting and goals per game. Times aren't good when the Columbus Blue Jackets are scoring more. Superstar Sidney Crosby's  season has been forgettable by his own, usually phenomenal standards, only six goals so far. Johnston took over for the 2014/15 season, after former coach Dan Bylsma was shown the door, and the team fin...

In the wake of his investigation for alleged sexual assault, the Chicago Blackhawks could well be shifting one of its best. Patrick Kane  has been at the centre of trade talk in the last few days and the Hawks are apparently willing to listen. Despite his off-ice trouble, Kane has been one of the key figures of a tremendously successful team. Should Chicago offload him after three cup wins?  On the one hand I can understand Chicago wanting to be rid of Kane. This sort of rumor can destroy a man's reputation and should things be pressed further it could lead to a lot of lost ice time for him. Kane hasn't coated himself in glory, that is plainly obvious but does he really deserve to be ostracized already? The Blackhawks have been busy off loading their veteran players recently so how would losing a top line player really help at this point?  Another point to consider is that would any team in the NHL really touch a player who could be in...

The 'Spin-O-Rama' move, as described in Section 24.2 of the 2013-14 NHL Rule Book, will no longer be permitted either in Penalty Shot situations or in the Shootout. Noooo! Damn you NHL suits! While I accept that a lot of the rule changes introduced a week ago are good, especially the diving and overtime changes, banning the Spin-O-Rama is just not cool. The Spin-O-Rama is fun, it's a perfect example of skaters showing off, and why shouldn't they? The NHL is the best hockey league in the world. It's skaters have the best skills in the world. The issue with the Spin-O-Rama is that when taking a penalty shot, they puck isn't allowed to stop moving. With the 360 movement of the spin, the puck definitely looks like it stops. Whether it does or not has been debated in sports bars all over the world. Why not remove the constant movement rule? Instead of restricting the movements the attacking skater can make, let them do what they want, as long as it doesn...

By Alex Watson Sport in North American can change in the bat of an eye lid and a team can be in one city one day and be far down the road in the next. NHL has seens it fair share of chopping and changing over its history which spans almost 100 years and people are currently debating if the league will yet again be expanded and with the well documented financial strains of the Phoenix Coyote's, it appears one franchise could be on the move! But who are the main players in contention to have their city join Gary Bettman's Ice Hockey's elite club?? Here are the main possible cities. Canada Hamilton, Ontario: This city is desperate to rejoin the NHL afters it brief appearance in the 1920s and Blackberry creator Jim Balsille has been making a number of efforts to bring hockey to Hamilton. In 2008 he reached an agreement to buy Nashville Predators, only to have his agreement terminated a month later! Later he would attempt to buy Phoenix Coyotes only to have...