Kovalchuk to Chicago?

The trade deadline rumors are already swirling, and arguably the biggest name on the market, Illya Kovalchuk, is part of the discussion. Last week, Puck Daddy covered a Kovalchuk rumor that erupted from Pierre LeBrun’s article on ESPN.com – where he makes the case for the possibility of Kovalchuk being dealt to the Blackhawks.

Kovalchuk probably wants to be dealt to a contender, and Chicago would fit the bill, but would the Hawks even have the cap space for him? As it stands, they have a little over three million to play with. It would only make sense if the Blackhawks dealt a high salary player in return – like Patrik Sharp or Kris Versteeg – to clear space for at least a $6-8 million cap hit for Kovalchuk. Secondly, does a team like Chicago even need the extra offense? They’re first in the West, with a league-high 151 goals for, and a staggering 31 wins. While adding Illya would make the Hawks even more dangerous, maybe the old adage still rings true – ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!’

Atlanta is still trying quite hard to sign Illya to a long term, slow dispersal contract (ala Hossa and Pronger) that alleviates the cap hit of re-signing a superstar who commands a massive salary. Kovalchuk is likely facing a choice between facing the open market, or committing to another 7-10 years with the Thrashers – a team with only one playoff appearance in its entire history. If he decides to test the waters elsewhere, who could blame him? He’s a world-class talent, and he deserves a shot with a Stanley Cup-caliber team.

Leaf Training Camp Requirements in 1962

If you’re anything like me you must look at the speed, athleticism, and size of NHL players today and think that if they competed against NHL players 40-50 years ago there would be no contest. When I look back at vintage NHL video, I always wonder if they only look smaller and less athletic because of how little protective equipment they were wearing back then. Maybe they were just tougher though right?

Well when a friend of mine (not a leafs fan obviously) sent me this letter by email I just had to share it with The Puck Doctors readers. This is an actual copy of a Toronto Maple Leaf training camp invitation sent by Punch Imlach, to Jim Pappin, in 1962. I thought you would get a chuckle out of the 1962 conditioning requirements.

What sort of conditioning was necessary to be a paid professional athlete in 1962? 20 Push Ups, 20 Sit Ups, 30 Knee Bends, and some golfing and you’re good to go. Wow, when I look at the Leafs current win/loss record in 2009-10, maybe the problem is their expectations on player conditioning hasn’t quite evolved enough from 1962?

Get Ready for the ‘Caps Rap’!

I’m not all that convinced that a rap song about the Washington Capitals can ensure their claim on the Stanley Cup this year, but it certainly can’t hurt, right? This is super funny, and even features some Capitals from the past and present. If you’re a caps fan, you don’t want to miss this!

Alexander Ovechkin is sure to eat a few Penguins come post-season, and if he has anything to do with it, he will surely eat enough ‘guins’ to help the Capitals take the Cup.

Written by : Mike Shwedick and Andrew Bowser

Starring : Ryan Deal, Michael Eller, Andrew Bowser, Jake Eller, Elizabeth
Eckroad, Cassie Tabar, Brooks Laich, George McPhee, Mike Green, Nicklas
Backstrom

Highlights from NHL’s Outdoor Winter Classic 2010 – Flyers vs. Bruins

Outdoor hockey is all about bringing fans and players back to their roots. Shinny games on an outdoor rink is where pretty much all NHL players developed their love for the game, and where they played countless hours with family and friends. So everyone here at The Puck Doctors thinks the idea of playing NHL games outdoors should be more than just an annual ritual and more like a requisite for each team at least once. The conditions may not be perfect and are weather dependant, but management should recognize the value in having their players take part in an outdoor game.

In more cases than not, the outdoor classic games rejuvenate the spark and passion for the game in the players that take part. On the first day of the New Year for 2010, it was the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins that played the winter classic at Fenway Park in Boston (Home of the Red Sox). Here are the highlights from the game for those of you that missed it:

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