A Fans Perspective: Islanders Moving to the BK(Brooklyn)

The One Thing Ranger Fans Hate the Most: 4 in a Row,
Mike Bossy:
Maybe the Best Player Ever If He Didn't Have Bad Knees.

So big news in the NHL the other day. The New York Islanders just signed a 25 year lease, to start in the 2015 season, to play in the Barclays in Brooklyn, the new home of the Brooklyn Nets of the Association. So part of me is happy about the move and the other part of me screams to kill someone. So a little background about what exactly happened.

Trivino News and His Future as a NY Islander

So if you haven't heard Trivino made a guilty plea today in court if you want the whole story head here or there. I decided to cover his future move into the NHL or AHL or maybe another league since he used to play for BU and his draft rights are with my favorite NHL team, NY Islanders. Trivino was drafted by the New York Islanders a few years ago (2008) as center or forward. He was drafted by the Islanders when they were in rebuilding mode and still are in rebuilding mode. Since his draft, the Islanders drafted better players in that position for Bridgeport(AHL) and have better players that have moved into the center position in NHL from the AHL.

The top 4 lines for the Islanders are taken at center. John Tavares, Frans Nielsen, Ryan Strome, and Josh Bailey have laid claim to center in each line. Maybe Josh Bailey is traded (some rumors) or is moved to AHL since he is very streaky player. If Bailey is sent down most likely David Ullstrom takes over the 4th line. In the AHL, he could start no problem. Probably the 3rd or 4th line, which in my opinion is where he should be in career. Depending on possible trades, Trivino could move to the 1st or 2nd line in the AHL (rumor has it Islanders are still thinking about Bobby Ryan but would give up most of their talent in the center position). If Trivino could move his position from C to the RW, since the LW is taken on all levels. The RW has an opening on the 4th line in the NHL and maybe the quickest way to see him make it to the NHL but personally I think he doesn't have enough speed to play in the NHL or rather keep that speed constant throughout a game. So if he stays with the Islanders, I could not see him in the NHL unless he changes position and become an AHL lifer.

New Jersey Devils vs. LA Kings: Stanley Cup Finals 2012

Just a quick post on who I like. I am taking the Devils in 6. Reasoning: I think Brodeur is not getting enough attention that he deserves and he has been playing well enough to win ans makes the big saves when needes. Devils, in my opinion, have better lines in overall ability. I concede the Kings can score on every line but the Devils seem to look better overall on both sides of the puck. Furthermore, to me home ice doesn't matter now, so I don't see it playing a factor especially when both teams have shown to road warriors and its the cup. I think the biggest factor is amount of rest the Kings have got and will continue to get until Game 1. They were the hottest team throughout the playoffs so far and Quick was like a volcano so I can only imagine that an extended period of rest could be harmful. This rest will help the Devils since sometimes this past series it looked like some of the players have nagging injuries that need some down time.

So recap: Kings have a slight advantage in goaltending cause Quick has been playing better than everyone since March but Brodeur has shown he still has a lil bit of his drive left in him. I honestly think the Devils have better overall ability on all the lines and it helps a ton for their forecheck which has been effective throughout the playoffs. Defensively, I think they cancel each other out. They both give other teams chances but they do that in order to give their players chances too. Devils in 6 but wouldn't be surprised to see it go 7.

Side Note: So as many of you might know I am Isles fan. SO RIGHT NOW fans are voting for the NHL13 Cover and an Islander, John Tavares is in the semis. I want him on the cover. I am just asking you all to go to the vote and give him the 10 votes/day limit.

NHL Realignment

So if any of you heard the NHL is going to be realigned. Keeps the teams more centralized and less travel for some teams especially the Detriot Red Wings. I am in favor of this idea. For the most part everyone keeps their biggest rival. Islanders keep Rangers, Bruins keep the Canadians, Red Wings get Blackhawks. I am higly interested on the how  the playoffs will be setup. 4 conferences, 4 teams each with a possible setup of intraconference rivals play each other in the 1st two rounds. This makes for much heated playoff hockey which is the best type. It was by far the most radical but seems like the most enjoyable. Getting to see Crosby against Ovi multiply times of the year is must see TV. Wondering what you all think, message our twitter(@bsrs_blog) or leave a comment.

NHL Preview: Atlantic Division

Congrats to the 2011 Boston Bruins now give the NHL the Cup back and let's do it over again. First game of the brand new season is around the corner, so I'll be giving you a division by division look at the teams. I am going to start with my favorite division in the NHL, Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. Some might wonder why I like this division. The reasons are the NYI and Martin Brodeur.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins: they are a very good team even without Crosby and Malkin who where both hurt lengthy periods of time last year. When and if they arrive in the new season healthy and ready to go, the Penguins are the team to beat in this division. When they are both on their A-games they could be considered the best two players in the Eastern Conference. If you add on players like Staal (who again was hurt last year) and Marc-Andre Fleury this teams possesses the ability to have a high GFA and a low GAA which usually means a very good playoff standing. Predictions: Win the division but that all depends on how healthy Crosby will be could go anywhere from 1st to 3rd in the division. (~100 pts)

2. Philadelphia Flyers: 2nd least favorite team in the NHL. Hate them and everything they stand for. They made a lot off season changes this year with a new goalie, getting rid of veteran players, in favor of young and excellent players. When looking at this team, this team big hopes relay on how healthy Pronger will be and if they can figure out their goalie situation which has been 2nd worst goalie situation in the league. I can see a high scoring team that limits goals against but only if the defense plays like a top ten defense in the league. If James van Riemsdyk plays excellent they will be a very good scoring team but that is a very hard thing to accomplish when you that team was 3rd in the league last year. Predictions: anywhere from 1st to 3rd will make the playoffs but dont see them as a number 1 seed. (~100 pts)

3. New York Rangers: LEAST FAVORITE TEAM IN THE NHL. I HATE THEM. They made the biggest addition this year in Brad Richards. Combine Richards and Gaborik equal possibly one of the best lines in the league, possibly. They will be in contention throughout the year for a division crown because of King Henrik. Best goalie in the division, can keep a team in the game long enough for scoring chances. If they can keep there GAA average around where they were last year (5th), and you add on better scoring chances they can certainly win this division. Prediction: 1st-3rd will make playoffs...still hate them. (95 pts)

4. New Jersey Devils: made a very strong playoff push last year after changing coaches and finally meshing well together. It hard to believe that this once awesome team wasnt as good last year. Still ranked in the top ten for GAA last year but horrible in GFA (30th). Only way to make the playoffs is to improve on Power Play and score more often on even strength. In goal, you have the incredible Martin Brodeur. He is the best goalie ever in my opinion. Can keep a team in the a game like Henrik but is getting older and it shows. Needs better protection in front of net on penalty killing. I like them as a dark horse in the league cause if the offense gets rolling could compete on every level. Prediction: Dark horse could be good enough to snag a spot in the playoffs. (90 pts)

5. NEW YORK ISLANDERS: favorite team in the league, been a faithful follower since I was little kid. This teams has what it takes to be a great team. Youth with veteran leadership with touch of too young to realize what they are doing to other teams. This team was one of the best teams on the ice last year from mid-February to the end of the season. Played excellent down the stretch, made a playoff stretch last year. They have mediocre special teams right around league average. They can score with legit scoring threats in every position on the 1st two lines. The ONLY problem this team has are 3 goalies via for 1 goalie position. Ricky D is my opinion is touch n go, Al Montoya could be the real deal and will probably get his chance, Nabokov is the intriguing one. He wants to play but not for the Islanders, he can be a top ten goalie. I see the Islanders use him often in the start and use him to shop him around and maybe get 1 veteran forward for him and young d-line men. The defense is lacking too but with Mark Steit coming back healthy maybe there is a hope in the 6 defensive men they select with at least 1 shutdown line. Prediction: can make a lot of noise with young players in Bailey, Nielsen, Tavares, Moulson, Grabner, and Oposko; I can definitely see a top 8 finish and a trip to the playoffs where if the goalie situation has a way to figure itself out, can make a lot of noise and scare some of the bigger teams. But realistic they just need to play consistent and they should make the playoffs. (85 pts)

As you can tell, I am a little bias for this division. I am predicting that all of them make the playoffs someway or another but it is the preseason everyone has the same record and they all could make the playoffs right now. I can seriously see all of them make it which leaves 1 open spot up for anyone else in the eastern conference (am including division winners). You all will have to see for final playoff predictions to really see if I am bias. 

Canucks just keep whining

Let me start this post with saying that is awful and bad for the game when anyone gets hurt whether they are on your team or not. I can't stop from commenting on Vancouver GM Mike Gillis' comments today about the injury to Vancouver F Mason Raymond during Game 6 Monday night. Gillis said Bruins' d-man Johnny Boychuk "used a can opener and drove [Mason Raymond] with enough force into the boards to break his back." Now let's break down what this clown is saying. He is saying ,Boychuk, on a play where he wasn't penalized meant to injure Raymond and break his back. First, have you ever heard Johnny Boychuk talk? He probably doesn't even know what vertabrae are. Second, the play is clearly clean as Boychuk is riding Raymond toward the boards before Raymond turns around to play the puck where Boychuck shoves him off him as is done 100 times a game. There is zero chance anyone could think Boychuk meant to injure with this play. He could have not hit him as hard I am sure but it wasn't even a hit. It was a shove to play the puck not the man. Boychuk doesn't even push off with his skates after engaging Raymond.

Nevermind the fact that the definition of a can-opener isn't what happened here especially since that would be a deliberate move by Boychuk. Here is the wikipedia definition of a can opener "The can opener (in Judo referred to as kubi-hishigi) is a hyperflexing neck crank that can be applied from the opponent's guard or from a mounted position, by grabbing the opponent's head using the hands, and forcing it towards the chest of the opponent. In competitions (where allowed) it is usually used as a taunting or distracting move, but if applied effectively in a competition, it may force the opponent to submit." That proves my point even further that this GM is a fucking biased idiot. Just say it was a tough break and move on without pointing figures you fraud.

Look at the video below. I understand it was an awful break for Raymond and Vancouver but you can't have fans coming out and claming Rome's hit was clean on Horton when it was clearly late and to the head while he left the ice, then come back out and say Boychuk's hit was dirty. It is really unfortunate and we all wish the best for Raymond but Vancouver is just making a fool of themselves now. Let's bury these asshole Canadians tomorrow night. Win it for America.

Warso's a Bruin (Someday, Maybe)

According to ESPN Boston yesterday, the Boston Bruins traded Vladimir Sobotka to the St. Louis Blues in order to acquire the rights to flashy rising junior defenseman at Boston University, David Warsofsky. Chiarelli specifically was quoted as saying that he'd like to leave the Terrier star in school for some more seasoning, he does really like the way he plays. Warso was originally a 4th-round pick in the 2008 draft (95th overall). I can't wait for the chance to keep seeing one of my favorite Terriers stay in the 617 as a pro. I think this is a great opportunity for Warsofsky, especially as a real local kid, and potentially an great low-risk, high-reward opportunity for the Bruins.

In more NHL draft news, another incoming freshman, Yassin Cisse, was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers with the last pick in the 5th round. Hopefully he'll be a good complement to Charlie Coyle as well as other incoming and returning Terriers on the ice this season.