Ultimate Hockey Warrior

I will be live blogging the NHL 2009 Entry Draft live from Montreal. The New York Islanders have the 1st overall choice int he 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Stay tuned as I will be updating this list and adding my NHL 2009 Draft analysis:

1 NY Islanders - John Tavares, C - London (OHL)

2 Tampa Bay - Viktor Hedman, D - Modo (SEL)

3 Colorado - Matt Duchene - C - Brampton

4 Atlanta - Evander Kane - C - Vancouver

5 Los Angeles - Brayden Schenn - C - Brandon

6 Phoenix - Oliver Ekman-Larsson - D - Leksand

7 Toronto - Nazem Kadri - C - London

8 Dallas - Scott Glennie - RW - Brandon

9 Ottawa - Jared Cowen - D - Spokane

10 Edmonton - Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson - LW - Timra

11 Nashville - Ryan Ellis - D - Windsor

12 NYI from Minnesota - Calvin De Haan - D - Oshawa

13 Buffalo - Zack Kassian - RW - Peterborough

14 Florida - Dmitry Kulikov - D - Drummondville

15 Anaheim - Peter Holland - C - Guelph

16 Minn. from Columbus - Nick Leddy - D - Eden Prairie

17 St. Louis - David Rundblad - D - Skelleftea

18 Montreal - Louis Leblanc - C - Omaha

19 NY Rangers - Chris Kreider - C - Andover

20 New Jersey from Calgary - Jacob Josefson - C - Djurgarden

21 Columbus from ANA from Philadelphia - John Moore - D - Chicago

22 Vancouver - Jordan Schroeder - C - Minnesota

23 Calgary from New Jersey - Tim Erixon - D - Skelleftea

24 Washington - Marcus Johansson - C - Farjestad

25 Boston - Jordan Caron - RW - Rimouski

26 Anaheim from Col. from NY Islanders - Kyle Palmieri - RW/C - USA-18

27 Carolina - Philippe Paradis - C - Shawinigan

28 Chicago - Dylan Olsen - D - Camrose

29 Detroit - Carter Ashton - RW - Lethbridge

30 Pittsburgh - Simon Despres - D - Saint John

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The 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs have now gone through 2 exciting rounds. After the 2nd round, we are now left with 4 teams remaining, competing for a chance to fight for the Stanley Cup. The Eastern Conference Finals will be played exclusively between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes. The Western Conference Division Finals has the #2 ranked Detroit Red Wings playing against a young Chicago Blackhawks team. The 2009 3nd Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs should be filled with some great matchups and some exciting hockey. I will offer my 2009 Conference Finals round Playoff predictions below, and I will also add my Stanley Cup Finals predictions as well, and we’ll see how well my predictions fare. Stay tuned to updates for the NHL Playoffs as well as NHL draft news by subscribing to the Ultimate Hockey Warrior:

Western Conference Final NHL Playoff 3nd Round MatchUps

2. Detroit Red Wings (defeated Ducks 4-3)
4. Chicago Blackhawks (defeated Canucks 4-2)

The Red Wings are coming off a hard-fought matchup with the Anaheim Ducks. They are getting a lot of scoring from Franzen as well as their character players.  The Hawks took down two Canadian teams, the Canucks and Flames.  The Hawks are getting scoring from all 4 lines and are being backstopped by Khabibulin, one of the best goalies in the NHL. The Red Wings are well-coached and experienced and have the edge in the series over a very young Blackhawks team.

I see this game going 6 games. The Detroit Red Wings will win the 2008 NHL Playoff Western Conference Final 4-2

Eastern Conference Final NHL Playoff 3nd Round MatchUps

4. Pittsburgh Penguins (defeated Capitals 4-3)
6. Carolina Hurricanes (defeated Bruins 4-3)

The Penguins and the Hurricanes both had long, hard-fought series. The Penguins matched up against a tough Capitals team last round before they blew out the Caps in game 7. The Hurricanes beat the #1 seed Bruins with a brand of tough hockey and timely scoring. The Hurricanes are not making any mistakes when they find themselves with a good scoring chance. These two teams will match up well against each other in terms of speed and physical play. Crosby and Malkin put the Penguins overtop and will lead the Penguins to victory. The Penguins will win in 6 games.

Stay tuned to updates for the NHL Playoffs as well as NHL draft news by subscribing to the Ultimate Hockey Warrior.

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The full list of NHL 2009 Award finalists has been released and I have included them all below. This list was put together by Rich Hammond from the Los Angeles Daily News. You can visit Hammond’s King’s site and see who he personally voted for to win the NHL Awards. My picks for the NHL Award winners are listed below the NHL 2009 Award Finalists.

Hart Trophy (most valuable)
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
My Vote: 1) Ovechkin

Calder Trophy (outstanding rookie):
Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets
Bobby Ryan, Anaheim Ducks
Kris Versteeg, Chicago Blackhawks
My Vote: 1) I agree with Hammond, Drew Doughty

Norris Trophy (outstanding defenseman):
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
Mike Green, Washington Capitals
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
My Vote: 1) Chara

Lady Byng Trophy (skill, sportsmanship):
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
My Vote: 1) Datsyuk

Vezina Trophy (outstanding goaltender)
Niklas Backstrom, Minnesota Wild
Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets
Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins
My Vote: 1) Thomas

Frank J. Selke Trophy (top defensive forward):
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks
Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers
My Vote: 1) Datsyuk

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The 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs have made it through the 1st round with some surprise upsets and some sound beatings, including the reigning Stanley Cup champs, the Detroit Red Wings manhandling the Blue Jackets in the 1st round. The 2009 2nd Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs should be filled with some great matchups and some exciting hockey.  My picks went 5-3 in the 1st round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.  I offer my 2009 2nd round Playoff predictions below, and my 3rd round predictions and Stanley Cup Final predictions as well will follow, so we’ll see how well my predictions fare. Stay tuned to updates for the NHL Playoffs as well as NHL draft news by subscribing to the Ultimate Hockey Warrior:

Western Conference 2009 NHL Playoff 2nd Round MatchUps

2. Detroit Red Wings (defeated Columbus 4-0)
6. Anaheim Ducks (defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-2)

A series with some history. Expect a very tight series with two experienced and playoff tested teams.  Older defensive stalwarts will be highlighted in this series, with Pronger and Niedermayer for the Ducks and Lidstrom for the Wings.  Both teams have the capacity to score big, with Getzlap, Perry, Selanne and Ryan for the Ducks, and Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Hossa and Franzen for the Wings.  In the end the Red Wings depth offensively and defensively wins out. Detroit wins the playoffs series 4-3

3. Vancouver Canucks (defeated the Blues 4-0)
4. Chicago Blackhawks (defeated the Flames 4-2)

The Canucks easily beat the Blues behind outstanding goaltending from Roberto Luongo and timely scoring from a number of players.  The Hawks beat a good Flames team in 6 games and despite their young team age, they have some veterans that offer solid leadership and playoff experience.  The question in this series will be goaltending.  Will Lungo be as good as he was in the 1st round, and can Khabibulin carry his team to the next round.  Both teams have big, strong and mobile defenseman and good speed up front.  This one could definitely go the full 7 games.  Chicago wins the playoffs series 4-3

Eastern Conference 2009 NHL Playoff 2nd Round MatchUps

1. Boston Bruins (beat Montreal 4-0)
6. Carolina Hurricanes (beat Devils 4-3)

The Boston Bruins are flying.  They ruined the Canadians 100 year anniversary without even blinking.  This team is as solid as they come with 4 solid lines, outstanding defense, and a world-class goalie with Tim Thomas.  The Hurricanes are a solid team, though not nearly as talented or deep as the Bruins.  They are clutch though and know how to turn it on in important situations.  The Canes wont quite have enough this time around. Bruins wins the playoffs series 4-2

2. Washington Capitals (defeated the Rangers 4-3)
4. Pittsburgh Penguins (defeated the Flyers 4-2)

The Washington Capitals took 7 games to beat the Rangers in a tough grinding series.  The Rangers did a good job of containing Mike Green and Alexander Ovechkin and at times were able to take advantage of a rookie goaltender.  The Capitals are fast and gritty and have the best hockey player on their side.  The Penguins are loaded up front as well with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.  This series should feature some high scoring and physical games.  The difference maker will be the goaltender . . . and in this case, Pittsburgh has Marc-Andre Fleury who will end up winning this series for the Penguins.   Pittsburgh wins the playoffs series 4-3

Check out the complete 2nd round Playoff Schedule

Stay tuned to updates for the NHL Playoffs as well as NHL draft news by subscribing to the Ultimate Hockey Warrior.

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The 2009 World Hockey Championships will be taking place this year in the host country of Switzerland in the summer of 2009 in the cities of Berne and Zurich. This year’s Team Canada’s roster for the World Hockey Championships is composed of a very young but talented group of players, with a very young average age. Look for Steve Stamkos, Drew Doughty and Luke Schenn to contribute in Switzerland.

The 2009 Team Canada World Hockey Championship roster was picked by Team Canadian advisors and will be coached by Lindy Ruff of the Buffalo Sabers. The Canadian World Championships roster is loaded with talent, including stars Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza, and Martin St. Louis. The World Hockey Championships begin on April 24th and Team Canada may be adding more players to the roster before the World Hockey Championship begins. Also, check out the 2009 United States World Hockey Championship roster.

Team Canada 2009 World Hockey Championships Roster

Canada Goaltender
Dwayne Roloson
Josh Harding

Canada Defense
Dan Hamuis
Drew Doughty
Chris Phillips
Luke Schenn
Shea Weber
Ian White

Canada Forwards
Scottie Upshall
Derek Roy
Shawn Horcoff
Mike Fisher
Dany Heatley
Steve Stamkos
Matthew Lombardi
Shane Doan
Colby Armstrong
Martin St. Louis
James Neal
Jason Spezza

Canada Coach
Lindy Ruff

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The 2009 World Hockey Championships will be taking place this year in the host country of Switzerland in the summer of 2009 in the cities of Berne and Zurich. This year’s United States World Hockey Championships roster is composed of a very young but talented group of players, with a very young average age.

The 2009 United States World Hockey Championship roster was picked by USA Hockey and will be coached by Ron Wilson of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The US World Championships roster doesn’t have any superstars, but rather a young fast team with a little more leadership than last years United States World Hockey Championship roster. The World Hockey Championships begin on April 25th and the US team will be adding more players to the roster before the tournament begins. Also, take a look at the 2009 Team Canada World Hockey Championship roster.

United States (US) 2009 World Hockey Championships Roster

US Goaltender
Robert Esche
Al Montoya

US Defense
Keith Ballard
Zach Bogosian
Ron Hainsey
Jack Johnson
Matt Niskanen
Ryan Suter

US Forwards
Dustin Brown
Patrick O’Sullivan
Drew Stafford
Lee Stempniak
Jason Blake
Nick Foligno
Peter Harrold
Kyle Okposo
Ryan Shannon
Colin Stuart
Colin Wilson

US Coach
Ron Wilson

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The Edmonton Oilers have just announced that they will be parting ways with head coach Craig McTavish. Craig McTavish is fired by the Edmonton Oilers after 8 seasons with the team, including a 3 year playoff drought. According the GM of the Oilers, Steve Tambellini, “We both agree that it is time for a change,”.

The Edmonton Oilers narrowly missed the playoffs for the second year in a row. They came into the season as one of the most promising young teams in the NHL, but were never able to put it together consistently this year. McTavish did lead the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals a few years ago, but the team hasn’t been the same since they lost Pronger. Now that the Edmonton Oilers fired Craig McTavish, the next questions is who will replace the Oilers head coach?

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