Kings Cup Win reflects History NHL Can't Afford to Repeat

June 14, 1994. The New York Rangers defeat the Vancouver Canucks to win the Stanley Cup, shattering a 54-year drought in America’s largest media market. Brian Leetch became the first American to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. Sports Illustrated ran a front-page story lauding the NHL and it’s rise to prominence as the NBA sank into the background. The NHL product was on the rise and the sky was the limit.

Devils battling minor injuries; the future of Devils goaltending



Adam Larsson has played big minutes for the Devils,
despite having only played 4 NHL games.

http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2011/10/devils_rookie_adam_larsson_sid.html

 The 3-1-0 New Jersey Devils have won three consecutive games since dropping their Opening Night contest, 3-0 to Philadelphia.  In the process, rookie defenseman and 2011 fourth overall draft pick Adam Larsson has received big minutes.  According to hockeyreference.com, Larsson is averaging 24:14 of ice-time per game through four games.  He was struck in his leg during a practice and missed an additional practice session following the team's recent victory in Nashville.  Larsson returned to practice today.

Richards Returns (And the Three Other Games I Missed)

So, October 15th was the day former Flyers captain Mike Richards returned to Philadelphia. He's been a part of the Los Angeles Kings organization since June 23 due to the trade that netted the Flyers Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn, and a second round draft pick in 2012. Many of the fans gave him a standing ovation when his name was called during the announcement of the starting lineups. However, no one was cheering for him at the end of the game.

NHL 2011-2012 Season Preview

The NHL season preview is here! I give you my X-factor and breakout players for each team as well as their additions and departures. Enjoy!

By: Charlie Roumeliotis

Twitter: @CRoumeliotis

A Possible Doughty Contract Solution

By Peter Harling

Drew Doughty and Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi are currently locked in a bitter and stalemate contract with no solution in sight. Negotiations have stalled, and as training camp continues and the regular season approaches, the threat of Doughty missing regular season games looms. Either one side needs to bend, or another solution needs to be presented. Doughty is a restricted free agent, therefore, one possible solution could come in the form of an offer sheet from another team.  Such an offer to a player of Doughty’s caliber is without precedent and highly unlikely, since the contract would need to be very significant.

2011-2012 NHL Comeback Players

By: Peter Harling 
Every season we see players who have had “off seasons” the year prior for a variety of reasons bounce back the following season. The reasons can stem from injuries, poor quality of line mates, being in a coach’s dog house, or just bad luck. Whatever the reason, some times players bounce back, some don’t.  Here are my top five candidates to mount a comeback in 2011-2012.

Top 5 Players To Build An NHL Franchise Around

If you had to pick one player under the age of 23 to start your NHL franchise with, who would it be? TSN just wrapped up this pretty cool "competition" on their website a couple days ago labeled "Franchise Faceoff" and I figured I would share my Top 5 Rankings: