The Fifth Liners

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...

Today Indycar racing mourns the tragic loss of one of its most beloved figures. Justin Wilson has died today at the age of 37 after sustaining a fatal head injury in sunday's ABC Supply 500 in Pocono. The native of Sheffield, UK had over 117 Indycar starts and had won seven races. A talent in junior levels, Wilson after winning the Formula Palmer Audi title moved up to Formula 3000 in 1999. In a dominant season he would capture the title in 2002 with three wins which secured him a Formula 1 seat the next season. Despite concerns over his 6"4 height, Wilson performed admirably whilst driving for the struggling Minardi team. A mid season switch to better funded Jaguar team would season him score his one and only F1 point at the US Grand Prix. However, although his talent was established Jaguar would opt against signing Wilson for 2004 which led to his move stateside. Wilson entered the Champ Car series with Conquest racing, but a switch to Rusport in 2005 would gave him a ...

Today the Boston Red Sox announced the appointment of former Detroit GM Dave Dombrowski as the new franchise general manager. After a tough season in Michegan, Dombrowski will be keen to make an impression on a dying Red Sox team. After help guide the Tigers to the 2012 World Series, this team has suffered a downswing in fortunes this year. Despite guiding them to four straight AL Central Division titles the 2015 season has seen Detroit fall from grace. After the departures of key names such as David Price and Yoenis Cespedes , the writing was on the wall. In Boston though, Dombrowski has a great chance to regain his reputation and aid the Red Sox in their time of need. The last two seasons have been a horror show for the loyal fans and once more they sit bottom of the AL East. Unlike the tight race at the top, the Red Sox sit a staggering 14 games out of first! Their winning record this year is a horrendous 53-66 with a percentage of .445. The howls of disillusion echo loudly aroun...

Vancouver Canucks fans might be accustomed to Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin being the driving force of Hockey in B.C. Today they kicked off another season of 'Sedin vs Sedin' and tried something a little bit different and attempted the game H-O-R-S-E. Judging from the action on display, these guys should probably just stick to playing on ice!

Only a matter of weeks after hoisting the Stanley Cup for a third time, Patrick Kane is trapped in the eye of a major storm. The Chicago Blackhawks winger is being investigated over an alleged sexual assault while at home in Hamburg, NY. This scandal has led to him being removed from the cover on the NHL 16 game and the Conn Smyth winner has had his once sparkling image has now been firmly altered. Kane made the news once before for some troublesome off ice antics. Back in 2009 he was charged with assaulting a cab driver after a drunken night out in Buffalo, NY. While this incident might not have been life changing, it seems this current case could well be. Kane has always been one of the key figures of one of the most exciting and dominant attacking forces in Hockey. A 1st overall draft pick in 2007, he has scored over 205 goals and 557 points from 576 regular season games. A reliable and dangerous force on the top line, Blackhawks fans believed this man could do wro...